You Have It All Wrong Three

By SaraUK

 

Part 28

Chapter 69

    It had been four weeks since Diane, Callum’s mum had moved down to London, and she still loved every minute of it living with Dale. She’d been back to her old home a couple of times with Brad and some of the others in tow. Chrissy and Becky went with them one of the times, so they could go and spend some time with Debbie and the babies.

    Frazer had tried to put a brave face on, and made out he’d had enough of Diane, not that she cared about any of that. She was just glad that he’d agreed to a divorce with no problem. Now it was just a matter of waiting for all the paperwork to be sorted out, so Diane would be a free woman again.

    Life had been going along at its own pace with the girls making the most of the nice weather. Chrissy was spending lots of time with her mum and dad. Greg was still doing okay, but Chrissy could see him slowly getting frailer as the weeks went by. Greg could still make her laugh though with some of the stories he told, as Becky or one of the others would sit holding a video camera to catch it all on film for his Grandkids to watch when they were older.

    Chrissy thought it had been a wonderful idea of Becky’s to record all the stories. Chrissy knew that she’d be sat watching them herself in the years to come. They all started filming whatever they could of Greg and Holly spending time together. They wanted Holly to remember that even towards the end of his life; Greg still loved his wife with all his heart.

    Chrissy and Amy were sat in Mandy’s car on the Monday morning, giggling as they watched Mandy have a rant about a removal’s lorry blocking the road just outside their driveway. “Of all the stupid places to park a lorry!” Mandy was grumbling.

     “Looks like the neighbours finally got sick of all the parties we keep having.” Amy giggled from the back seat of the car.

     “It’s not the parties they're sick of baby sister, but I bet the naked twister you, Chrissy and Amber were playing the other week might have had something to do with it.” Mandy frowned as she looked over her shoulder at Amy sat grinning in the back.

     “We weren’t naked sis. We had our bathing suits on.” Amy said looking proud of what she had been wearing that Sunday as they played twister while Becky sat giggling as she spun the dial while the other three tried to complete each move without falling into a heap on the twister mat.

     “Trust me Amy; with how little there was to all three of your costumes, you may as well have been naked.” Mandy giggled.

     “You were wearing one too sis.” Chrissy said from the side of her.

     “Yes, but I wasn’t playing twister in the middle of the lawn and giving all the neighbours a free show.” Mandy pointed out just before she hit the horn to get the lorry moved. “We won’t have time to call in and see your mum and dad at this rate Chrissy.” Mandy added as she slammed her hand down on the steering wheel in frustration.

     “I hadn’t noticed the house was up for sale, why do you think they are really moving out?” Chrissy asked, not having anything better to talk about while they waited for the lorry driver to come out and move it.

     “No idea sis, why don’t you go and ask them? Doesn’t look like we’re going anywhere.” Mandy said sarcastically as she watched an overweight man trying to find the keys, so he could move the removal lorry that he’d just left in the middle of the road. Mandy would have just turned around and gone the other way, but the street was a dead end, so she was stuck waiting, and fighting the urge to just run the man down as he stood at the front of his lorry smiling as he finally found the keys and gave Mandy a thumbs up before climbing into the cab and moving it.

     “I’m glad you don’t drink coffee sis. I think you might have run him down if you did.” Chrissy said with a worried look as she watched her sister revving the car like she was about to start a race.

    Mandy just scowled at Chrissy as she was finally able to drive up the road, so they could visit with Greg and Holly for half an hour before going to the shop and starting work. “I wonder how NASA is coping without one of its top scientists.” Mandy moaned as she smiled at the man for finally moving his lorry out the way. Mandy’s comment soon had Chrissy and Amy giggling, which in turn made Mandy start giggling. This soon had Mandy in a much better mood, just like it always did when she heard her two sisters giggle.

    Greg was just taking his pills when Mable led them into the dining room, so they all smiled and waved before taking a seat and waiting for Holly to finish going down her list to make sure she hadn’t forgotten to give him any.

     “Hi daddy!” Chrissy said, sounding just like a small child as she gave her dad a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

    Amy and Mandy also gave Greg a hug and a peck on the cheek, but they didn’t call him daddy like Chrissy always did now. Not that Greg seemed to mind. Mandy and Amy had both read Chrissy’s diary now, and they both found the man in the diary sounded like another person to the one that now sat with his arm draped around Chrissy’s shoulders.

     “Did you have a good time yesterday?” Chrissy asked her dad. Carl had sorted out for David and Kim to take Greg to see a soccer match. They all supported the same team and Carl had got them box seats at a local stadium that they were playing an away match at.

     “Fantastic day!” Greg grinned. “My team wiped the floor with the local’s!” Greg added as he clenched his fist to make a stronger point.

    Chrissy just giggled. Her dad had always been very passionate about his football. Chrissy had never been able to understand why anyone could get so excited about kicking a bag of wind around. She also thought that most men would probably think the same thing about her and a pair of boots when she saw a pair she didn’t yet own.

     “I hope you let David and Kim push you around in the wheelchair Carl got you?” Chrissy asked it like she was talking to a small child.

     “Yes I let them push me around.” Greg moaned. “Kim was going to tell Prue if I didn’t. That woman scares me at times you know?” Greg said in a whisper.

     “Who, Kim, or Prue?” Chrissy asked with a puzzled look.

     “Both of them, now I come to think about it, but Prue is the worse.” Greg was still whispering, even thought everyone could still hear him speaking. “You should see it when Prue and your mother both start on me at the same time.” Greg added looking worried.

     “Well if you did as you were told all the time, you wouldn’t get told off would you?” Chrissy was still talking to her dad like he was a child.

    The others all thought it looked cute to see Chrissy behaving this way with her dad. Greg seemed happy to let Chrissy treat him this way. It looked like he enjoyed all the fuss she placed on him to be honest they all thought.

    Greg and David told them all about the soccer match, and the girls all sat and let them, not that they understood much of what they said, but it was nice to see Greg so full of life as he spoke. Greg was having a good day today, so they just let him enjoy the moment. Some days Greg was just too tired to even show his love for anything. Those were the days that Chrissy was quiet on the drive over to the shop, but Amy was soon doing something silly to make Chrissy smile again, and then she would snap out of her depression and let things get back to normal, or as normal as life ever got around Chrissy and the others.

    There was no cheering up needed today though. Chrissy was sat grinning and laughing with Mandy and Amy, as they drove to the shop to start their day.

    Once at the shop they got everything opened up and the computer turned on before making a pot of tea and having a drink before they started their work day.

     “How are things between Jayden and Callum? I haven’t seen much of him the past couple of weeks.” Mandy said as they sat with their cups of tea.

     “I think they're okay, Jayden was telling me that he’s just been busy with things at work.” Chrissy shrugged. She’d not seen Callum in over a week, and Kara hadn’t been at the club in nearly three weeks.

    You don’t think there’s anything else to it do you? Like Callum losing interest in Jayden or something like that?” Mandy asked looking worried.

     “No, I doubt that. I think between work and helping his mum settle in, he’s just swamped right now.” Chrissy said, dismissing Mandy’s thoughts.

     “You’re right sis. Guess I’m just looking for some excitement.” Mandy sighed.

     “I’m happy with plain old boring life thank you very much.” Chrissy frowned.

     “You and Becky going into the club tonight sis?” Mandy asked with a giggle when she saw the frown Chrissy gave her about looking for some excitement.

     “No, we’re going to let Claire and Magumi look after the place tonight. Becky was going to get Brad to run her over to the club this afternoon, so she can sort out some paperwork though.” Chrissy was happy that Becky was starting to let others do more work at the club so she could relax a little more. Becky was really beginning to show now, and none of the dresses she would normally wear at the club in the evenings fit her very well. So she was going to spend less time trying to play hostess and more time just playing boss.

    With their drinks gone, and no excuses left for not starting work, the girls all got stuck in so the orders would be ready when Linda arrived with lunch.

*****

    Jayden was just scrolling down her phone looking for Dale’s number. So she could get a lift back to the hotel, after spending the morning at college on the business studies course Carl had sorted out for her, when she heard a car horn pip her. Jayden looked to where the sound had come from and she found Vic’s large black Mercedes parked at the side of the road with Vic and Carl sat in it smiling at her.

     “Hi Carl, Vic. What brings you over this side of the city?” Jayden asked with a smile. “I was just about to call Dale and sort out a lift back to the hotel, don’t suppose you’re heading that way, so I don’t have to bother him?” Jayden asked looking hopeful.

     “No we’re not heading back to the hotel Jayden, but we did come to pick you up and take you someplace else with us.” Carl said, as he looked towards the back seat of the car, for Jayden to get in.

     “Have I done something wrong Carl?” Jayden looked worried as she asked this question before she moved towards the back door of Vic’s car.

     “No, you’ve done nothing wrong Jayden. I’m just on my way to Mandy’s shop to drop off lunch and pick up the clothing orders for the changing service.”Carl smiled. I just thought you might want to join us for a spot of lunch before going to the hotel?” Carl asked with a grin, he already knew the answer by the smile that had already spread across Jayden’s face.

    Jayden was soon sat in the back of the car, and slamming the door before Vic could ask her not to. Vic just scowled at her from the front seat, but he soon grinned at her and Jayden just mouthed him a “sorry” Jayden loved going to see Chrissy, Amy and Mandy at the shop, she always ended up leaving with new underwear, but she had never yet been able to pay for any of it, but she always tried.

    Mandy was stood behind the counter off to one side of the shop when Jayden followed Carl and Vic into the shop. Chrissy and Amy’s heads soon popped through a curtain at the back of the shop when they heard Mandy scream in excitement. They both grinned when they saw Vic with a basket of food, and the grin only got bigger when they saw that Jayden was with them.

     “Jayden!” Both girls shouted as they ran down the shop to give her a hug. Chrissy and Amy were both worried about Jayden’s mood because she wasn’t spending much time with Callum at the minute, all Jayden seemed to do is study all the time when she wasn’t working at the hotel, or going places with Carl and Vic.

     “We’re glad you came today Jayden, we’ve just had some new items delivered this morning, and we know that you’re going to just love them.” Chrissy grinned as she led Jayden up towards the back of the shop while Amy led Vic up there because he wouldn’t let Amy carry the basket of food.

    Carl had locked the door and turned the sign to say ‘Closed for lunch’ then he walked with Mandy cuddled into his arm. Mandy liked it when Carl called in with lunch for them, and then stopped to have some with them before taking the orders back to the hotel for the changing service.

    Even though Jayden had been feeling miserable all morning at college, she was soon laughing and giggling with Chrissy and Amy while they ate their lunch. Then they both dragged Jayden off to show her the new items just in. Carl, Vic and Mandy just smiled as they left them to clean up, while they looked after Jayden.

     “I thought Chrissy and Amy would put a smile on her face again.” Carl said as he got up to help Vic clear the table.

     “I’ve got this covered Carl. You sit and spend some time with Mandy while you can.” Vic said as he pushed Carl back down into his seat with a smile.

     “Listen to the man, he knows what he’s talking about.” Mandy grinned as she wrapped her arms around Carl, just before kissing him. “I see you’ve been worried about Jayden as well then?” Mandy asked when they stopped kissing.

     “Yes I have. Dale was telling me that Callum’s not been spending much time with her, or his mum the past three weeks. Diane’s worried about him as well.” Carl frowned. “She says he looks worried about something, but he won’t tell her what the trouble is.” Carl added with a sigh.

     “I know that Chrissy’s tried talking to him, but he just said it was some work stuff taking up all his time and he hoped to have it sorted out soon, so he could get back to normal.” Mandy added what Chrissy had told her.

     “We’ll just keep setting Chrissy and Amy loose on her, whenever she looks unhappy.” Carl grinned.

     “Sounds like the best idea to me.” Mandy giggled as she heard Chrissy, Amy and Jayden all laughing from the front of the shop.

    By the time Carl and Vic were ready to leave, Jayden had a couple of bags full of new underwear to take with her. Mandy said she’d take it home when they finished, so Jayden didn’t have to take it back to the hotel with her. Jayden also looked a lot happier when she left the shop, as she gave Chrissy, Amy and Mandy a hug before jumping in the back of Vic’s car and letting him gently close the door for her this time.

    Jayden waved to all three girls as Vic drove away. She felt much better now she’s had a laugh with Chrissy and Amy. All of a sudden, spending the afternoon learning hotel management from Dale didn’t seem so bad. Most the time it was fun to spend time with Dale, but looking at him all loved up on Diane, while it felt like her love life had been put on hold, was just depressing at the minute.

    Vic pulled up outside the hotel and Carl opened the door and then helped Jayden climb out. Vic let a member of staff take his car and park it so he could follow Carl and Jayden into the hotel. Jayden let out a groan when she saw Dale stood talking to Diane. “Great, just what I need to put me back in a depressed state of mind.” Jayden thought to herself as she followed Carl and Vic over to where Dale and Diane were stood talking.

     “Jayden honey! How are you?” Diane asked as she stepped over and wrapped her arms around Jayden in a tight hug. Diane seemed to hate the way Callum was treating Jayden more than she did herself. “I swear that boy of mine needs to work out what’s more important to him. That dumb job, or a girl like you?” Diane added as she hugged Jayden even tighter.

     “Don’t be so hard on Callum, Diane. He’ll start spending more time with me once he’s finished this project at work.” Jayden smiled. “I could do with some free time to get ahead on my course work for college anyway.” Jayden added as she held up the bag with all her books in for her business studies course.

     “Maybe so, but I’ve seen less of him since moving down here, than I did while I still lived a couple of hundred miles away.” Diane moaned, but she was smiling as she said it, so Jayden didn’t take it too seriously.

     “If you’re bored and want something to do tomorrow night Diane, you’re welcome to join me and the others at the club?” Jayden asked.

     “Thank you for the offer Jayden, but Dale and I already have plans to go see a show, and then have a late supper after.” Diane said with a grin, as she looked over her shoulder at Dale stood talking to Carl and Vic.

    It felt like years since Callum had taken Jayden out someplace with just the two of them, but then again it had been a couple of weeks since they had even spent any time together. Jayden was having trouble believing that he could be this busy with work stuff, but she also couldn’t believe that Callum would be two timing her either. Callum had looked tired and over worked the last time she’d spent any time with him, so the long work hours seemed more believable to her.

    Jayden let Diane go back to chatting with Dale, Carl and Vic, so she could take her book bag into the office she shared with Dale. Then she returned to start work helping lost guests and unhappy ones.

*****

    Becky was stood looking out the living room window watching the removal men loading up the lorry with furniture from next door when she saw Brad pull into the driveway in his big 4x4 truck and then get out of it and walk up to the front door. Becky grabbed her purse and the waddled to answer it so they could go to the club and spend a couple of hours catching up on some paperwork.

     “Hi Brad. Thanks for playing taxi driver for me.” Becky smiled as Brad waited for her to arm the alarm system and then lock the front door.

     “No problems boss, it’s nice to feel needed for something.” Brad chuckled. “Ann doesn’t seem to need my help with the wedding.” He added

     “She does seem to know what she wants for her big day.” Becky giggled. “Even Carl is feeling a little left out of it all.” Becky added with more giggles.

     “I got excited last week because Ann took me, Frank and Carl to look at top hats and suits for the wedding! How sad is that.” Brad sighed as he opened the trucks passenger door and then he gently lifted Becky up onto the seat. “Frank was trying to talk me into having Chrissy as my best man, but I told him that Chrissy wouldn’t see the funny side in that if I asked her.” Brad added with a frown.

     “I don’t think Frank meant it like that Brad. I think he just believes that Chrissy has been the one to guide you through most of the tough spots a best friend would.” Becky pointed out. “I think Chrissy might get a kick out of being the best man, or girl in her case.” Becky giggled as she tried to imagine Chrissy in a top hat and tails stood next to Brad at the church, as they waited for Ann to be led down the aisle by Carl.

     “Do you really think she wouldn’t mind if I asked her to take the role of Best friend for me Becky? I won’t say best man, because I think she’s much better than any man could be at the part.” Brad added with pride in his voice.

     “Why don’t you ask her and find out, but I’d have a word with Ann first about it.” Becky warned him. “You will be stealing one of her bridesmaids to do this.” Becky reminded him.

     “I could always trade Frank for Chrissy.” Brad said with a grin, just before he started laughing at the thought of Frank dressed as a brides maid.

    Becky was laughing so hard that she thought she might wet herself if she didn’t get it under control soon. “I think Ann would let you have Chrissy, just to stop you letting Frank anywhere near a bride’s maid dress.” Becky said once she’d stopped laughing long enough to speak again.

     “I’ll have a word with Ann about it later then. I would like to have Chrissy play a bigger part in the wedding Becky. She’s given me a couple of verbal kicks up the ass when I’ve really needed them. She’s also the one person I turn to when I have a problem.” Brad said as he looked to be thinking about all the times She’s been there to help him and the others out whenever they had a problem that needed fixing.

     “I know Chrissy will say yes if you ask her Brad. I think it will prove that even though she was born to be a girl, she is still strong enough to be the best man for the job.” Becky grinned. “She just had to become a woman to do it.” Becky giggled.

    Brad had to chuckle as well; he understood perfectly what Becky was trying to say. Brad had seen Chrissy run into danger more than once. Chrissy had risked her own life when she stabbed Amy’s father in the arm with a pen, and she’d tackled some man to the ground when he slapped Becky on the backside just over a month ago. Brad remembered a program he’d watched just the other night with Ann, the program was about cats, and how they can be cute and friendly, but can also show their claws and teeth when needed. Brad remembered one clip where a mother cat was caring for her young one minute, and then defending them against a large dog in the next clip. That was how Brad saw Chrissy, caring and full of love, but threaten someone she loves, and you better run.

    Becky waited for Brad to come around and help her down from his truck, and then they opened up the club and entered. Becky made her way up to the office while Brad made a quick sweep of the club to make sure everything was okay. Once he’d finished, he made his way up to the office so he could help Becky get the paperwork sorted out. Becky had got used to taking an hour in the evening to sit and do the paperwork with Chrissy to help her, so it was strange for it to just be her, and then Brad when he walked into the office.

     “It’s strange how you can get so used to having someone around you.” Becky said as she looked at the empty seat where Chrissy would normally be sat helping her balance the figures.

     “I thought it looked a little weird when I walked in and saw you sat there all alone. Even I’ve got use to seeing you and Chrissy together in here.” Brad chuckled as he sat down in another seat, thinking it would be wrong for him to sit where Chrissy would normally be sat if she was helping Becky.

     “I wonder how I lived before I met her you know?” Becky smiled as she looked at the empty seat. “I don’t know how I kept it all together while she was missing. I felt like I was going to shatter into a million pieces at any minute.” Becky added in a whisper as she thought back to the time she had no idea where Chrissy was, or if she’d ever see her again.

     “I think it was Amy that helped you the most.” Brad commented as he thought back to that time himself. “I think she became a surrogate Chrissy for you, but they are so much alike in so many ways that she was the only one that could help hold you together.” Brad added with a smile as he thought about the silly things Chrissy and Amy would do, just to make everyone laugh.

     “I think the pair of them just wants to act like a couple of school kids most the time, because they never got to do it when they were school kids.” Becky giggled. Reading Chrissy’s diary had proved just how little of a school kid Chrissy got to be.

    Amy had faired better when she was at school. Ann and Amber had helped to keep her safe, or him safe, as it was Andy that had the trouble at school, not Amy, just like it was Chris, not Chrissy that got picked on at school. Ann and Amber went through the same schools as Amy did, just a couple of years in front, so they use to get the boys that wanted to date them, to look out for Amy if they ever hoped to get to first base with either of them. So Amy had been left alone, the down side was she never had any friends like Chrissy, but she did hang out with Ann and Amber when she wasn’t at school.

    Becky and the others had only found most of this out after Amy had read Chrissy’s diary, and then she’d told them all. Ann and Amber filled in the missing details that Amy knew nothing about. Amy seemed a little upset to find out that her wife had used her charms to get Men to protect her. Amy did cheer up when Amber told her that they never got any more than a kiss from her. Amber had realised pretty early on in her sexual life that she preferred woman to men, just like Becky had. But neither of them realised just how picky they really were until Chrissy and Amy walked into their lives.

     “I think the world would be a much darker place if it didn’t have Chrissy and Amy in it Becky. I’m glad she made it through her school life in one piece.” Brad said as he reached across the table and took hold of Becky’s small hand in his own.

    Brad had found the print out of the missing pages from Chrissy’s diary when Becky had printed a copy out for Carl to read. It had taken Chrissy sitting on Brad’s lap while she talked him out of ripping Callum to pieces for what he’d done to Chrissy as a child. Chrissy and the others were happy that Callum wasn’t in the house at the time. Brad really was a loving big brother to Chrissy and Amy.

    None of them had known until that day, that Brad had lost a friend just after leaving school, in the very way that Chrissy had spoke about in her diary. Brad had never known if his friend was like Chrissy and Amy, but he had dressed as a girl in some form or another whenever he got the chance. Brad had got a call from his friend’s parents to tell him that his friend had taken his own life. So it was understandable that Brad would have such a strong reaction to reading that Chrissy came close to doing the same thing. Chrissy made Brad understand that Callum back then was a very different person to the one they all knew now, and that Brad would be no better than the boys that picked on her back then, if he did anything to hurt Callum now.

    They were soon going through the paperwork, so they could get done and then go back to Mandy’s so Becky could make a start on dinner. Brad was going to be stopping for some, so he could spend a couple of hours with Ann before he had to leave again and get back to the club ready for work.

    Some of the bar staff had turned up while Becky and Brad worked, so by the time they got done, they didn’t need to lock up, they could just head home.

    Chrissy, Amy and Mandy found Brad getting a cooking lesson from Becky when they got home a little later in the day. They all giggled when they saw Brad wearing a cute little piny to keep his clothes clean while he helped Becky sort out dinner. Before Brad had time to remove the piny, all three girl’s had whipped out their phones and snapped off a couple of shots each for a keep sake.

    Brad found himself thinking that if this was the Wild West, and it had been a draw to the death, he’d be dead right now. Brad had never seen anyone pull out a mobile phone and then take pictures so fast before. All three girls had the photos saved off and sent to the others before he even had the knot undone on the back of his piny.

     “Please don’t tell me you just sent a photo of me looking like this to Frank?” Brad whined.

     “Nope we didn’t send a copy to Frank.” All three girls grinned at the same time.

     “But I did send my mum a copy.” Mandy giggled.

    Brad knew that they might as well have sent a copy to Frank then, because Frank was going steady with Mandy’s mum, so she was bound to show Frank, or forward it to him.

    Amber was the next one to get home, but Brad had taken the piny off by then, but it didn’t stop Amber making fun of him still. “I was hoping to find you still helping Becky with dinner Brad.” Amber pouted as she walked over and gave Amy a hug, and a long passionate kiss in greeting, and to say that she’d missed her while being with Sara working.

     “I’m never going to live this down am I?” Brad chuckled; not really feeling too bothered by the photo. He knew that if anyone gave him too much stick over it, the girls would make them look even worse.

    Brad smiled when he saw Ann burst into the kitchen a little later; she was being followed by Jayden who was moving at a much more normal pace. Ann knew that Brad must be stopping for dinner from the photo Amy had sent her, so Ann was looking for a kiss and a cuddle from her soon to be husband.

     “Hi baby!” Ann shouted as she ran over and jumped up into Brad’s arms, just before she started kissing him as she held each side of his head.

    Brad thought he’d wear a piny more often if it got this sort of response out of Ann. “Hi princess. I thought one of us should learn to cook before we got married.” Brad grinned at Ann as he still held her in his arms.

     “Do you think you can knock him into shape, and make a cook out of him then girls?” Ann asked with a grin, happy to let Brad claim cooking rights once they were married. Amy hadn’t been joking when she once joked that Ann could burn a pan of water.

     “I think we can do something with him.” Chrissy grinned. “He’ll have to wear the piny though, or we teach him nothing!” Chrissy added in a very bad French accent. This soon had them all laughing as they helped to finish getting dinner ready.

    Brad had gone over to the kitchen table to spend some time with Ann, so Jayden had started helping out with dinner. Chrissy and the other three had been spending a lot of time showing Jayden how to cook over the past month or so, and she was learning fast, and could even just work alongside the others when cooking some of the meals now. Jayden knew that once Callum’s work load eased up, she’d be able to cook him a nice meal round at his place now.

    Dinner was soon ready and they all sat down to eat. The chat was light over dinner, and then they all went off to get changed and just relax for the rest of the night. Ann spent some time saying goodbye to Brad at the front door before waving to him as he drove off to work. Then she went to the front room where she found the others all sat around watching TV while they talked about some of the hideous clothing some of the girls were wearing in a sit com.

    Jayden sat there for a little bit longer talking to the others, but then she decided to go and give Callum a call and see how he was. This is all they had been doing for the past couple of weeks. “I’m going to call Callum, and see if Kara might be coming to the club tomorrow night?” Jayden said as she got up off the sofa and went into the kitchen, once she’d got her phone out her purse.

    The others all smiled, hoping that Callum would be at the club the next night as Kara, but most of them already knew that he wouldn’t be. He hadn’t the last couple of Tuesdays, so they didn’t think this one was going to be any different.

    Jayden sat down at the kitchen table and then scrolled down until she found Callum’s mobile number, then she hit the call button. It rang and rang and rang until her own phone ended the call for her. Jayden just let out a sigh as she placed her phone down on the table. “Great, now he’s not even taking my calls.” She said to herself, being the only person in the room.

    She was just getting up to return to the living room when her phone bleeped to let her know she’d got text message, so she pushed some buttons and soon had the message up on the screen. It was from Callum, so she smiled and then started to read it.

    Sorry I couldn’t take your call baby, but I’m in a meeting at the minute, and have phone on silent. Will call later, if not too late. Love you xxxx

    Jayden felt better now she’d had the text message, so she went back to the living room and kept her phone close at hand, ready for the call from Callum. But as the night went on, she realised that he wasn’t going to call her after all and she started to feel down again. Chrissy and Amy soon had her giggling though, and she forgot all about Callum for the rest of the night.

 

Chapter 70

    Jayden was just finishing up with a guest on the Tuesday lunchtime when she saw Callum enter the hotel and walk over to where she was standing. He waited for Jayden to finish with the guest, and for the guest to walk away before he stepped over to where she was stood. “I’m sorry for not getting back to you last night Jayden. The meeting ran late into the night.” Callum said looking tired and stressed out.

     “Don’t worry about it baby.” Jayden smiled. “You’re here now, and I was just about to take my lunch break anyway, so why don’t you join me?” Jayden grinned.

     “I’d love to Jayden, but I have Stephen waiting outside.” Callum groaned, as he looked over his shoulder at Stephen Adams stood just inside the lobby now, grinning at Jayden as she looked right at him. He even had the nerve to give her a little wave as he winked at her.

     “Tell him to get lost for half an hour, so we can have a little time together.” Jayden whined. “I’ve not seen you in a couple of weeks, and when I finally do, you have him following you around.” Jayden added through gritted teeth.

     “I wish I could Jayden, but I have to get across town and sort something out with him.” Callum said with some anger in his voice, but it seemed to be aimed more towards Stephen than her.

     “Don’t suppose I’ll be seeing your sister at the club then again tonight?” Jayden asked with a pissed off edge to her voice.

     “No, sorry, but I have something else I have to take care of tonight.” Was Callum’s vague reply.

     “Fine then, don’t let me keep you from whatever it is you need to do with him.” Jayden snapped as she saw Stephen walking over to where the two of them were stood talking.

     “Hello Jayden. It’s so nice to see you again.” Stephen said with a smug smile as he put a hand on Callum’s shoulder, just like they were the best of friends.

     “Wish I could say the same.” Jayden said, but not even bothering to try and make it look like she knew his name. “You better run along and do whatever it is you two have planned.” Jayden added, just before she turned and walked away without letting Callum or Stephen say another word to her.

    Jayden had a feeling that Callum was lying to her about everything. She just knew that he was doing something with this Stephen. Jayden thought it might have been some secret sort of boys club that Stephen had now made Callum a part of, which would explain the lack of him wanting to spend time as Kara now days. Either way, Jayden decided to just go out and have fun with Chrissy and the others. She wasn’t going to keep mopping around waiting for Callum to come back to his senses.

*****

    All the girls were dressed and ready for a crazy night of dancing and having fun at the club. Becky had already told Chrissy that she would have some slow dances with her later in the night, but she wasn’t going to be waddling around to any of the faster stuff that Chrissy and Amy normally danced around to. Chrissy had offered to just do the same, but Becky wasn’t going to let Chrissy sit around while Amy and Amber danced around having fun all night.

    Vicky arrived in the people carrier and they were soon on their way to the club. Jayden was adamant she was going to have a good time even if Kara wasn’t there with her. She’d told the others that she wasn’t going to sit around waiting for Callum or Kara to come along to make her happy. Jayden was now sat in the back of the car singing along to a song on the radio that Amy had got Vicky to turn up for them.

    Frank helped them all get out the people carrier when they got to the club, and they all waited for Chrissy and Amy to do their normal check up and down the street to make sure they weren’t being watched by a want to be member of their ever growing family. Not seeing anyone, they all entered the club and made their way up to the VIP section.

    Ann had run off in front, and was stood hugging Brad as they kissed each other, when the others made it to where they were. “Hi boss. Do you mind if I get Paul to cover for me, while I have a quick word with Ann about something?” Brad asked Becky.

    Becky already had a pretty good idea it had to do with him wanting to ask Chrissy to be his best man. Becky had been trying to think of another way to say it, because Chrissy was no man, but she was the best, Becky thought to herself. “Sure, take all the time you need Brad.” Becky winked as she started pulling Chrissy towards the stairs to the VIP section again.

    They were soon being followed by all the others as they made their way up the stairs. Mandy ran past them all when she saw Carla stood talking to Claire and Magumi. Carla was soon being hugged as Mandy tried to see how far she could stick her tongue down Carla’s throat.

     “Did you just miss me princess? Or were you looking for something?” Carla asked when they broke the kiss, and Carla tried to get her breath back.

     “I just missed you my love.” Mandy purred as she let Carla lead them over to the private sofa section she and Becky shared.

    They had a new waitress bring the drinks over to them, as Claire and Magumi were now hostesses, but they were still coaching the two new girls that were now serving in the VIP section in their place. The two girls had been working down in the main club for a couple of years now, and Chrissy had got to know them well over the last couple of months as she helped Becky around the club. Their names were Lyne and Stacey.

     “Hi Lyne, hi Stacey! How do you like the new jobs?” Chrissy asked with a smile as the two girls handed out the drinks to everyone sat around on the sofas.

     “Hi Chrissy. I love it up here; it’s so much nicer than being down on the main floor.” Stacey grinned.

     “Same for me Chrissy. I still can’t believe that they picked us to replace Claire and Magumi though.” Lyne grinned.

     “Chrissy said that you two were the best at spending time getting to know the customers, so I took her word for it, and here you both are.” Becky smiled at the two of them. “I trust you won’t make why wife out to be a liar would you?” Becky added with a pout.

     “No! Never Becky!” Both girls said together as they looked at Chrissy in shock.

     “Thank you Chrissy, for having faith in us.” Stacey gushed, as she looked at Chrissy with a new look of total respect in her eyes.

     “I want to thank you too Chrissy and we won’t let you down.” Lyne said with pride, as she grabbed Stacey by the arm and dragged her away to get on with their jobs.

    Stacey and Lyne were both pre-op transsexuals that had started out as men when they first started working at the club, but later they both decided to start living as women full time, and were now saving up to have the final surgery. Carl had worked out a deal with Prue, and they helped with the cost of surgery, but Carl would only meet any member of staff half way on the cost, and they had to have been working for him, for at least three years before he would offer to help. It was all done legally with Prue’s friend Sarah signing off on them being suited for the operation and they all had to do the real life test. Carl didn’t want any come back on him if someone made a mistake and had the surgery when they didn’t really want it. Carl had a good legal team working for him, so he never had any problems from the one’s found suitable. Some staff that thought they wanted to be women, later found out that they were much happier being she-males instead, they all seemed glad that Carl had such a good team working with him, as it stopped them making big mistakes.

    Chrissy was just coming back from the toilets in the VIP section a little later in the night, when she was suddenly pounced on by Stacey and Lyne. They both wrapped their arms around Chrissy and hugged her in thanks for the promotion and pay rise that comes with it.

     “Thank you Chrissy, thank you so much for putting in a good word for the two of us.” Stacey grinned when she stopped hugging Chrissy and helped her to straighten back up again.

     “Don’t thank me; you two did all the hard work.” Chrissy told them. “Becky just asked who I thought would be best suited for replacing Claire and Magumi in the VIP section. I said that the two of you showed the most promise, and you worked well together when it was busy.” Chrissy added, just before she got another grateful hug from the two girls.

     “Well thank you anyway for putting in a good word for us.” Layne giggled.

    The two girls got back to work and let Chrissy get back to Becky and the others. Chrissy was just about to sit down when she heard Ann call her name from just behind her, so she stopped and turned to see Ann stood with Brad. “Sorry to bother you Chrissy, but do you mind if Brad and I have a quick word with you about something?” Ann asked with a worried tone to her voice.

     “Sure Ann, Brad. Is everything alright?” Chrissy asked, thinking she might have upset one of them in some way, but she couldn’t think of anything she might have done to upset either of them. “Shall we go to the office where we can have a little more privacy?” Chrissy asked as she pointed towards the office.

     “That would be fine Chrissy.” Ann said as she let Chrissy lead the way, while Ann and Brad followed her.

    Becky knew what they were going to ask, but she wanted to make sure Chrissy would be okay with the news and the reason for Brad asking her to do it, so she got up and made her way towards the office, but Claire stopped her with a quick question about serving drinks to a customer that had already had a little too much. So she was going to be to late to help Chrissy understand fully why Brad wanted Chrissy to be his best woman.

    Chrissy had walked over and taken a seat on the sofa and she watched as Ann and Brad sat on a sofa facing her. “I’m sorry to pull you away from Becky and the others Chrissy, but Brad and I need to talk to you about our wedding.” Ann said, as she looked to be trying to find the right words to use. “I don’t want you to be a bride’s maid at the wedding Chrissy.” Ann added.

     “Oh, I see.” Chrissy said with a shocked look. Of all the things she thought Ann was about to say, that was not one of them. “May I still come to the wedding and watch you get married? Or am I not welcome there at all?” Chrissy asked close to tears now. “I’m sorry if I’ve upset you both.” Chrissy had to wipe away tears now as she started to sob.

     “Oh god Chrissy, I didn’t mean it like that.” Ann said as she realised that Chrissy had got it all wrong. “We still want you as part of the wedding, but we want you to play a much bigger part.” Ann added as she pulled Chrissy into a hug with her. Chrissy soon found Brad sat on the other side as he also hugged Chrissy until she stopped sobbing and Ann could carry on telling her what they did want her to do.

     “I won’t be your maid of honour Ann! Amy is looking forward to that so much.” Chrissy said in a firm voice.

     “I could never do that to Amy, Chrissy.” Ann smiled as she used a tissue to wipe away some of the makeup that had ran down Chrissy’s face as she sobbed.

     “Then what other part could I play in the wedding?” Chrissy asked confused now.

     “Please don’t take this the wrong way Chrissy, but I want you to be my best man, or woman in your case.” Brad said with a smile. He soon stopped smiling again though when Chrissy shot up out from between him and Ann, to face them with anger on her face.

     “After everything I’ve gone through, the two of you see me as nothing but a man in a dress?!” Chrissy almost screamed at them.

    Ann went to get up and try to calm Chrissy down, but Chrissy just backed away from her looking a little scared. “Please Chrissy, calm down. We don’t see you that way at all.” Ann pleaded with her.

     “So I’m nothing more than some freak that you want to show off at your wedding then?” Chrissy asked, letting her anger get the better of her. “It’s fine with me if you don’t want me as a bride’s maid, but I won’t be put on show as some freak in a suit just to make the two of you feel better about whatever reason you have for not wanting me there.” Chrissy ran for the office door and was gone before either of them could stop her leaving.

     “Chrissy! Please stop and let us explain everything to you!” Ann shouted as she got up and ran after Chrissy with Brad right behind her.

    Becky had just finished talking to Claire when she saw the office door burst open and Chrissy run out and straight through the VIP section and down the stairs before Becky had time to say a word to her. The one thing Becky did notice was how upset Chrissy had looked as she ran past her. Becky then saw Ann and Brad run out after her with Ann shouting Chrissy’s name, and asking he to stop and let them finish explaining everything to her.

    All the others were sat on the sofas as they saw all this happen. None of them knew about Ann and Brad asking Chrissy to be Brad’s best man, so all they saw was Chrissy running away from them both looking very upset about something.

    Chrissy had made it out the club and was in a taxi before Frank had time to work out it was Chrissy that had just ran past him like a bullet out a gun. He looked around puzzled as to what was going on just in time to see Ann and Brad run out and look around to see which direction Chrissy had ran off in.

     “Have you just seen Chrissy run out here Frank?” Brad asked, as he tried to get his breath back. Ann wasn’t fairing much better as she was gasping to get enough air back into her lungs as well.

     “I saw someone that looked like Chrissy just get in a taxi, but it all happened so fast.” Frank said. “What the hell just happened in there?” Frank asked.

     “I asked Chrissy about being my best man, and she wigged out over it, and not in a good way.” Brad said with a sigh as he slapped his hand to his head to show just how stupid he’d been to even suggest such a thing in the first place.

     “So you just came right out and asked the kid to be your best man? She’s spent all this time trying to prove to the whole world that she’s never been a man, or male for that matter, and you go and break her heart by asking her to be a man again at your wedding?” Frank asked looking angry with the two of them.

     “Kind of, yes.” Ann said looking worried. “I might have started off on the wrong foot though to start with.” Ann added looking even more worried now.

     “What do you think you might have done Ann?” Frank asked looking really angry with them both now.

     “I started the chat by telling her that I didn’t want her as a bride’s maid at my wedding, and she took it the wrong way and thought Brad and I didn’t want her there at all. It kind of went downhill from there.” Ann said as she looked down at the floor like a child waiting to be punished by an angry parent.

     “You both thought the best way to ask Chrissy to be the best man at your wedding was to tell her that you didn’t want her as a bride’s maid, and then hit her with the being the best man instead?” Frank asked, shocked at just how stupid the pair of them could be. “And you thought Chrissy would be fine with all that?” Frank added with a chuckle that didn’t sound like he found it funny at all.

    Amy, Amber, Becky and the others had all come out while Frank told the other two off, so they all knew why Chrissy had just ran out the club looking very upset over something.

     “You said what to her?!” Amy asked, not believing what she’d just heard Frank say. “How could you do such a horrible thing to someone, but to do that to Chrissy? She must be heartbroken.” Amy added looking hurt for her best friend.

     “I didn’t mean to hurt her sis.” Ann pleaded looking close to tears as she said it. “We were just trying to let Chrissy know that she’s important to us both so much that we wanted her to play a very special part in the wedding.” Ann added as tears ran down her cheeks.

     “I bet Chrissy is feeling really special right now sis!” Amy spat out the last word with venom. “I suggest the two of you go and find Chrissy, and pray to god she’s not off on another one of her little get a way’s.” Amy ordered Ann and Brad.

     “She’s going home.” Mark, one of the bouncers said from just behind Brad. “Chrissy is in a cab being taken home as we speak.” He added.

     “How do you know that Mark?” Frank asked looking puzzled.

     “I saw the name of the cab company, and just called to ask where the driver of that cab number was taking its fair. He gave Chrissy’s home address.” Mark replied like it was the most normal thing he could have done.

     “Come on Ann, we’ll take my truck and go get this all sorted out.” Brad said as he pulled his truck keys out his pocket and took Ann by the hand to walk around the back of the club to get his truck.

     “I better come with you, or you won’t stand a chance of even getting in the house, never mind getting her to sit and listen to either of you.” Becky said as she waddled out from between Amy and Amber.

    Brad and Ann took a steady pace so they didn’t rush Becky, and they were soon all in Brad’s truck as he made his way to Mandy and Chrissy’s house.

     “I’m so sorry Becky. I had no idea that it could have all gone so wrong.” Brad said as he drove them back to Mandy’s house, hoping that Chrissy would be there, and she hadn’t been dropped off there, just so she could go on the run again.

     “Don’t worry too much Brad. We’ll get it all sorted out.” Becky smiled. She wasn’t worried about Chrissy running away again. Chrissy had made a promise not to do that anymore.

     “How can you be so calm after what we just did to your wife Becky?” Ann asked, looking like she’d be happier if Becky was shouting at them both.

     “I still think Chrissy would have been happy to play her part in your wedding, if you’d just picked your words better. I should have been there to help keep Chrissy calm while you both explained everything to her.” Becky reached over from the back seat and rested her hand on Ann’s shoulder. “And I have to stay calm for the sake of the babies. Chrissy would kill me if I started getting worked up over all this.” Becky added with a giggle.

    Brad was soon pulling into the driveway and Becky saw that their bedroom light was on, so she knew that Chrissy had come home and was in their room.

     “You and Brad wait in the living room while I go up and see if I can talk Chrissy into coming down and talking to you both.” Becky said as she headed for the stairs while they went into the living room to wait for her and Chrissy to come back down, hopefully.

    Becky went up the stairs and then walked into hers and Chrissy’s room where she found Chrissy lying on the bed sobbing with her head pushed into a pillow. Becky sat on the edge of the bed and softly started stroking Chrissy’s back. Chrissy jumped and relaxed again when she saw it was Becky sat there looking at her.

     “You do know that you’re getting all worked up over nothing baby. Ann and Brad weren’t trying to hurt you; they just wanted to ask you to do something very special for them on their big day.” Becky said as she started peeling away all the damp hair from Chrissy’s tear streaked face.

     “They want me to be a man again Becky. Why is that special?” Chrissy asked. “I’ll just look like a fool in a suit, so I’m not going.” Chrissy added, just before she started sobbing again into the pillow.

     “That isn’t the way they meant any of this to come across Chrissy. Ann and Brad want Sara to design and make a special outfit for you to wear on their big day. You’ll be the sexiest best man with extra woo they have ever seen.” Becky added with a giggle.

     “If I can’t be a bride’s maid, then I won’t be part of the wedding, that’s all there is to it.” Chrissy said in a firm voice.

     “Please don’t be like that Chrissy, just come down and talk to them about it all, let them explain the reasons for them wanting you in this other role.” Becky pleaded with Chrissy. “You know they say that the best man for a job is a woman.” Becky added with pride.

     “Brad and Ann have come back with you now?” Chrissy asked with some anger in her voice. “Have they thought of even more male things they want me to do at their wedding?” Chrissy asked with more anger in her voice.

     “Stop being silly and come down so they can talk to you, and get all this sorted out.” Becky ordered. “Frank’s already tore them off a strip or two before we left the club.” Becky added as she started pulling Chrissy towards the edge of the bed. “Do you really think that Brad or Ann would do anything to upset you my love? Just calm down and think about it for one second, and then tell me what you really think.” Becky pleaded with Chrissy as she pulled her up off the bed and looked her in the eyes.

    Chrissy still looked upset, and her face was a mess from all the crying, but she did look to be giving it some thought though. “It does seem a little strange that they would want to do anything to upset me. I’ve been trying to work out what I’d done to make them hate me enough to...” Chrissy trailed off as she couldn’t think of how to finish her sentence.

     “That’s because they don’t hate you silly.” Becky had to giggle at the very idea of Brad and Ann hating Chrissy. “They just didn’t think through how to explain the reason for the change at the wedding very well. Now come down and let them do it the right way, and you might even be proud of what Brad is asking you to do.” Becky didn’t wait to see if Chrissy was going to follow willingly, she just took Chrissy by the arm and pulled her along.

    Brad and Ann were both sat on one of the sofas in the living room when they heard the clicking of heels on the marble floor in the hallway. They could tell by the sound that Becky had talked Chrissy into coming down to talk with them both. Neither of them made any sudden moves when they saw Becky enter the living room pulling a pander faced Chrissy in behind her.

     “Please take a seat Chrissy, and let them explain everything to you before you react in anyway. Promise me that?” Becky asked as she sat Chrissy down on the sofa facing Brad and Ann, just before Becky sat down next to her.

     “I promise you Becky.” Chrissy said, still not trusting Brad and Ann not to say something that would upset her even more. Chrissy just turned to look at them both, waiting for one of them to start speaking to her.

     “Chrissy, I’m so sorry that we upset you. It wasn’t supposed to be that way when we asked you to be the best...” Ann stopped speaking when she saw Chrissy flinch at what she was about to say. “Sorry, but I don’t know how else to say it other than like that.” Ann added with some pain in her voice at the thought of just how much this must be killing Chrissy to keep hearing.

     “You didn’t ask or explain anything to me Ann.” Chrissy snapped, more angry than upset now. “I was told that you didn’t want me as a bride’s maid.” Chrissy added with even more anger in her voice.

     “Chrissy, you promised to let them explain.” Becky warned as she heard Chrissy getting angry.

     “I’m sorry, please do explain.” Chrissy said, making it sound sarcastic.

    Ann went to speak again, but Brad put his hand on hers, and stopped her. “Let me do this Ann. It’s entirely my fault anyway.” Brad sighed. “Ann never wanted you to not be a bride’s maid Chrissy. She just jumped the gun and said her part before I had time to ask you my question and the reason behind it.” Brad was pleading now for Chrissy to stop looking so angry at the two of them.

     “Please do explain then Brad. Because I feel pretty crappy about your whole wedding at the minute, and I’m not sure I even want to be a part of it at all.” Chrissy warned as she tried to hide the hurt in her voice.

     “I think the term ‘Best Man’ is wrong for the role that I’m asking you to play at the wedding Chrissy. I think it should be ‘Best Friend’ instead.” Brad smiled as he said it.

     “Shouldn’t Frank have that role at your wedding then?” Chrissy asked looking confused again now, just like she did in the office back at the club.

     “Frank is more like a father to me Chrissy, he always has been, but you have been more like a best friend to me since the first time we spoke at the club. You’re also the only one that seems to be able to talk any sense into me when I’m being an idiot.” Brad chuckled.

    Even Chrissy had to giggle at the thought of Brad being an idiot. She had to talk him out of quitting the club a couple of times now.

    Brad saw the giggle as a good sign, so he continued speaking. “I hope you can understand now, just why I want you to be stood at my side when I take the hand of the woman I love. You see Chrissy, the best man I have ever known just happens to be one of the prettiest, most caring women I’ve ever known.” Brad said with so much passion that he had a tear running down his cheek as he said it. “Chrissy? I’m asking you; no I’m begging you to please be my best man at my wedding.” Brad slid off the sofa onto his knees at Chrissy’s feet to literally beg her.

     “You’re really serious about all this?” Chrissy asked, shocked at the request she was being asked to be Brad’s best friend at the wedding.

     “I’m on my knees begging you Chrissy. What more do you want me to do? A written request in blood maybe?” Brad asked.

     “That would make it a more legally binding...” Was all Chrissy got out before she heard Becky snap at her.

     “Chrissy, will you stop playing around and just give Brad an answer.” Becky growled, but she was fighting the urge to start grinning as she did it. Becky could tell that Chrissy had calmed down, and was now looking excited about the prospect of being Brad’s best friend at the wedding.

     “Brad it would be my honour to be your best ‘friend’ at the wedding.” Chrissy started grinning.

    Brad was soon on his feet and pulling Chrissy up with him. As he wrapped his arms around her and gave her a big hug to thank her. “Thanks Chrissy. I’m sorry that we upset you by not doing any of this the right way though.” Brad said as he hugged her.

     “Am I forgiven for upsetting you too Chrissy?” Ann asked as she stood next to Brad still looking upset with herself for not thinking what to say to Chrissy before she said it.

     “Just give me a hug and forget about it.” Chrissy smiled as she held her arms out for Ann to get a hug.

    They both hugged and Ann shed a couple more tears, all be it happy ones, now she knew that Chrissy was okay again. Chrissy sat Ann down and then set to work fixing her makeup for her so Brad could return to the club and let everyone know that they got it all sorted out.

     “You better go and do something with your own makeup Chrissy.” Ann said once Chrissy had finished with hers.

     “I’ll just remove it then go to bed.” Chrissy sighed, not having any plans to return to the club, not after her big exit scene earlier.

     “You’ve got to come back with us Chrissy!” Ann shouted, worried about what Frank would do to her and Brad if they went back without Chrissy. “Frank will never believe we got everything sorted out if he doesn’t see you with us.” Ann pleaded.

     “They do have a point Chrissy. Frank was really ticked off with the two of them before we left. Amy wasn’t much better either.” Becky said as she wrapped an arm around Chrissy’s waist and led her up to their room, so Chrissy could make herself look beautiful again.

    It wasn’t quite midnight yet, so Chrissy would still have a couple of hours to enjoy at the club. She set to work on her makeup, and was soon looking just as beautiful as she had when they left the house for the first time.

    Brad and Ann were waiting in the hallway when Chrissy and Becky got back down stairs, so they were all ready to leave, but Brad stepped in front of Chrissy and picked her up so he was looking her right in the eyes as he spoke. Chrissy suddenly looked worried when she saw how serious Brad looked all of a sudden. “Chrissy, I don’t ever want to hear you use the word freak when talking about yourself ever again.” Brad said each word very slowly to make sure Chrissy understood what he was saying.

     “Sorry about that Brad, Ann.” Chrissy looked a little sheepish as she said it, thinking back to her sudden outburst in the office back at the club. “I was just really upset and not thinking straight.” She added with a little giggle.

     “Come on then, let’s get you back to the club, so you can try and help get my other baby sister to talk to me again.” Ann frowned as she thought about the look Amy had given her and Brad when ordering them both to go and sort out the mess they had made.

     “That’s the least I can do after starting all this trouble in the first place.” Chrissy said as she let Becky lead her back out the door to Brad’s truck.

     “No, this was all my doing this time Chrissy.” Ann argued. “I should have thought about what I was saying before I opened my big mouth.” Ann giggled as she gave Chrissy another hug.

    Chrissy just giggled as she hugged Ann back, just before Brad lifted Chrissy into the back seat of his truck to sit next to Becky, who he’d already lifted up. Brad then helped Ann get in the front, and they made their way back to the club.

    Frank was glad to see all four of them walk around the corner after parking Brad’s truck around the back. “You three all good again then now?” Frank asked as he folded his arms across his chest looking all smug with himself.

     “Yes, we got it all sorted out, and Chrissy will be my best friend at the wedding.” Brad smiled as he looked at Chrissy as he said it.

     “Thank god for that.” Frank grinned. He wasn’t looking forward to being Brad’s best man, and he’d jumped at the chance for Chrissy to take his place. He also agreed with Brad when it came to Chrissy being more like a best friend to Brad, but then Chrissy was like a best friend to everyone that knew her.

     “If I’m playing the part of the best man, then doesn’t that mean I get to plan out the bachelor party for you Brad?” Chrissy asked with an evil grin on her face.

    Brad had been stood with an arm wrapped around Ann’s waist smiling until he suddenly realised that Chrissy had a very good point, and the evil looking grin she was now sporting on her face wasn’t making him feel good about it at all.

     “Don’t worry about any of that stuff Chrissy. I didn’t ask you to do it for that reason.” Brad tried to talk his way out of the trouble he could see on the horizon.

    Frank was laughing now, as he saw the look of worry on Brad’s face as he tried to talk Chrissy out of planning his stag night out for him. “Never thought of that part did you kid?” Frank laughed.

     “I don’t know what you’re laughing for old man. You’ll be right there with me.” Brad grinned.

    This suddenly made Frank stop laughing as he realised that Brad was right, he would be part of what ever plan Chrissy had install for them all. Frank had a sudden vision of all the guys from the club being led in and out of all the pubs with fairy wings pinned to their backs and looking like idiots.

     “I tend to agree with Brad, Chrissy. I don’t think you should worry yourself with planning out a bachelor party.” Frank said, changing his mind about letting Chrissy do it.

     “I don’t mind Frank. I’ve already got some really good ideas.” Chrissy grinned as she seemed to be eyeing both Frank and Brad up for some sort of costume, and wondering if she could get them in such a large size. “I may need to have a word with Sara though, to make some of them work.” Chrissy said as though she was just thinking out loud.

    Ann and Becky were giggling now, as they saw the worried look Brad and Frank had. Chrissy just wandered off into the club before Frank and Brad could say another word to her. Ann and Becky soon followed with Brad bringing up the rear. Frank looked ready to kill Brad for what he’d just set in motion.

    Chrissy was still grinning when Becky and Ann caught up to her in the club, as she made her way up to the VIP section to sort out the trouble between Ann and Amy. “So what sort of things do you have in mind for Brad’s stag night?” Becky asked.

    Chrissy looked over her shoulder to make sure Brad wasn’t close enough to hear her before she spoke. “I haven’t got a clue how to sort out a stag night Becky. I was just bluffing them back there to worry them.” Chrissy said looking worried herself.

     “I’m sure Carl and Vic will help you plan it all for him baby.” Becky said, trying to help.

    Chrissy thought that would be a really good idea. Carl would know what to do for Brad’s stag night. Not that she was in any great rush; the wedding wasn’t going to be for some time yet. Becky was a good couple of months away from giving birth yet, and Ann was waiting for Becky to be back to her old self before planning the final date.

    Amy was pacing back and forth in the VIP section when she saw Chrissy and Becky appear at the top of the stairs, so she ran over to see how her best friend was feeling again now. “Chrissy! I’ve been so worried about you.” Amy shouted as she threw her arms around Chrissy and hugged her. “Are you okay again now?” Amy asked.

     “I’m fine Amy.” Chrissy giggled as she hugged Amy back. “I just misunderstood what Ann and Brad were asking me to do for them at the wedding.” Chrissy explained. “So you can stop acting all mad with her now.” Chrissy added with a grin.

     “Good! Because it’s to tiring being mad and upset with people.” Amy pouted as she stepped over and gave Ann a hug.

     “I’m sorry if I’ve spoiled your night baby sister.” Ann said as she hugged Amy back, happy that they were friends again, and Chrissy was happy again as well.

    All the girls were soon making their way down to the dance floor to do some dancing. Jayden was having a laugh as she let Chrissy, Amy and Amber teach her one of their silly dances. Chrissy got a couple of slow dances with Becky through the rest of the night. They were all sad to see the night come to an end, but it did and they closed up the club and made their way home.

*****

    Jayden had decided that she was going to give Callum the cold shoulder until he came to his senses and stopped putting work before her all the time. She stopped calling him and didn’t bother replying to his text massages when he sent them to her. Jayden was hoping for a face to face meeting the next time they spoke, not another argument over the phone, or her just walking away like she had done at the hotel the other day.

    Chrissy and Amy were doing a great job of keeping Jayden entertained most the time, and Jayden was even well in advance with her course work reading. They had all gone out to the club again on the Saturday night, and had another amazing time.

    It was now Sunday, and Jayden was sat at the kitchen table looking through her college books, just trying to kill some time. She’d finally caved and text Callum asking if he wanted to get together and do something for just a couple of hours, but he’d text back saying that he was working all weekend, but would sort out something very soon, and he still loved her.

    Chrissy and Amy burst into the kitchen and sat down with their heads resting on their arms while they both looked up at Jayden with bored expressions on their faces.

     “How can you still have anything left to read in any of these books?” Chrissy whined.

     “You need to give the books a rest and do something else instead Jay bear.” Amy added, sounding just as whiney as Chrissy had.

    Jayden giggled at the new nickname Amy had just given her. “Jay bear doesn’t have anything else to go out and do at the minute.” Jayden wondered if she was finally going mad, due to her now referring to herself in the third person.

     “Come shopping with us?” Chrissy grinned. “Let’s go and spend some money on new shoes and boots.” Chrissy added in a dreamy voice.

     “Thanks for the offer, but I think I’ll just stay here and keep studying.” Jayden said as she tapped one of the books on the kitchen table.

     “What is there to study Jayden? You’re already being shown the ropes by Dale, the Yoda of the hotel management world.” Chrissy pointed out. “Then there’s Carl, he’s like the Obi one of it all.” Chrissy giggled.

     “Who does that make me then?” Jayden asked with a silly grin on her face as she sat back to listen to Chrissy’s words of wisdom.

     “Simple, that would make you Jayden Skywalker.” Amy added with a giggle.

     “So you two would be R2D2 and C3PO?” Jayden asked, as she tried to remember her Star Wars characters.

     “No! Amy and I would be a couple of Ewoks.” Chrissy grinned as she wrapped an arm around Amy and hugged her as they both started giggling. “We’re cute, but good in a fight.” Chrissy added.

     “The two of you aren’t going to leave me alone are you until I say yes and come shopping are you?” Jayden asked with a frown.

     “Nope, highly unlikely.” Chrissy giggled as she saw that Jayden was about to cave and go shopping with them.

     “Alright then, just give me ten minutes to go and put some better clothes on.” Jayden said as she closed her books and took them back up to her room and then set about changing out of her sweats and putting on a nice dress and some make up.

    Chrissy, Amy, Amber and Becky were all stood in the hallway waiting for her when she got back down stairs. They were taking Becky’s BMW as it was bigger than Amber’s little mini. Amber was going to drive though because Becky was beginning to have trouble working the peddles and not feeling the need to pee all the time.

    Chrissy was sat in the middle of the car in the back with Jayden one side and Becky the other. Amy was in the front with Amber behind the wheel. Amber liked Becky’s car a lot, so she took any opportunity to drive it when Becky offered her the keys.

    Amber soon had the car parked in the city centre car park they normally used, and then they started a slow steady walk around the shops at a pace Becky could cope with. Chrissy wanted to look for some cute dresses for Becky to wear while she was pregnant, so they spent a little time walking in and out of shops that catered for pregnant woman. Amber found a couple of nice dresses that she said her and Sara could alter to also fit a pregnant shape, so they brought them as well.

    Becky liked having a fashion designer as a friend. Amber was always finding stuff for them all to wear. The only down side is when she had them running back and forth to the shops they’ve already been to, so she could pick up a skirt or a top that would match something in another shop. Amber always made them look good though when they went out.

    All the girls loved it when a shop assistant tried to pull one over on Amber, or one of them. Amber would let them have it with both barrels then. It didn’t normally take Amber long to have the assistant running for cover.

    Amy and Amber had just got back from another trip back to the car to drop off another load of purchases when the afternoon took a turn for the worse. The girls had pretty much finished all their shopping and were just killing time now looking in some of the more upmarket clothing stores when they all walked into Kara out shopping with another woman.

    Callum, dressed as Kara was stood facing the girls looking scared to death that he’d just been caught. Kara was carrying a lot of bags, some of which looked to be from some very expensive jewellery shops.

     “Jayden?” Kara squeaked out in her female voice, as she looked around to see who else was out shopping with them.

     “Kara.” Jayden said through gritted teeth. “I wasn’t aware that Shopping was part of your job.” Jayden added with venom in her voice.

     “Oh Kara, are these some friends of yours?” The woman asked as she put her arm through Kara’s, just like they were a couple.

     “She’s no friend of mine.” Jayden growled, just before she turned and walked away.

    Amy, Amber and Becky all looked at Kara with disgust before they went after a quickly retreating Jayden.

    Chrissy was the only one not to leave with the others, she just looked at Kara with pure rage showing on her face. “Please Chrissy, I can explain everything. It’s not what it looks like.” Kara pleaded as she stepped forward and grabbed one of Chrissy’s arms in her hand.

     “Take your hand off me right now, or I’ll start shouting that you’re a man.” Chrissy said in a whisper, as she first looked at Kara, and then the hand on her arm. “Well done Callum, you really had me fooled into thinking you had changed, but you’re still getting a kick out of destroying people’s lives aren’t you.”

     “It’s not like that Chrissy. Please just let me...” Was all Kara got out before Chrissy cut her off again.

     “Save it for someone that gives a shit Callum.” Chrissy scowled. “I don’t ever want to see you near me or any of my friends ever again Callum. Have fun with your new friend.” Chrissy added as she looked at the woman that still had Callum by the arm, just before she turned and walked away to catch up with the others.

    Jayden was sat on a bench just down the road, so Chrissy ran to catch up to them and then she sat down in the space Amy made for her, so Chrissy could then pull Jayden into a hug as she softly cried on her shoulder.

     “I’m sorry Jayden. I thought he’d changed, but I was so wrong.” Chrissy said as she rocked back and forth as Jayden sobbed on her shoulder.

     “I had a feeling something was wrong Chrissy, I just knew it.” Jayden sobbed some more. “What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I find a nice guy that wants to be with me for more than a couple of weeks?” Jayden asked, but not expecting an answer from any of the others.

     “I don’t know Jayden.” Chrissy said in a soothing manner. “Come on, let’s get you home.” Chrissy added as she got up and helped Jayden to her feet so they could walk back to the car and then go home.

 

To Be Continued Next Friday  

 

Story by SaraUK

 

Edited and Posted by SamanthaK