The Daily Dormouse. (aka Bike) Part 1557 by Angharad Copyright © 2011 Angharad All Rights Reserved.

I convinced Caroline and Stella that it was essential that I went with Simon the next morning and they agreed to look after the children. I could therefore shower and dress–in that suit–yeah, the YSL one. The one that I wore in the posters in the bank caressing Spike. I hadn’t long had it cleaned and with my silk blouse and court shoes, I looked every inch the aristocrat’s wife, aided and abetted by my sapphire jewellery. I did my makeup very carefully, doing the finest lines of liner on my upper lids and making my lipstick not too red against the blue of the suit, I opted for a violet-pink. A splash of Coco and I was ready–actually I wasn’t. It was peeing down outside so I had to wear a coat to go out to the car. I did offer to drive, but Simon said he was okay. If I had I’d have changed my shoes for the driving anyway, it marks the heels of shoes and boots–rubs the colour off them or leaves black marks.

I kept the colour of my accessories very sedate as befits a bank director’s wife, replacing the usually raunchy red with navy shoes and bag.

When Simon saw me before I put my jacket on, he said, “Forget the bank, let’s just make love all morning.” It was a tempting thought but I’d just ironed my blouse so I was going to wear it.

We drove in his Jaguar, and thankfully the traffic was fairly light, but then it was only just nine o’clock as we approached London. The appointment was at the FSA headquarters in Canary Wharf, not far from High Street’s own HQ,In one of the development’s high rise blocks. I suppose with the high cost of land, all modern cities seemed to be built of sky scrapers if not as high or many as New York, for which I was grateful, I hate them–to me, they are the business equivalents of the ivory towers of academe and the occupiers ARE about as much in touch with real life as visitors from outer space.

We parked at the bank’s headquarters and took a taxi the couple of hundred yards to the FSA, where we arrived five minutes early. I’d told Simon we could have walked, we were parked in the car park for half an hour, but he was worried that the wind or rain would mess my hair–well, that’s what he said, at any rate. If it was true, and why should I believe any different, you can see why I love this man and why I was showing solidarity with him now. If we’d had better babysitting arrangements, I’d have been with him the whole time.

We alighted the taxi and Simon paid and took his card for the return journey. We both had mobiles so could call him.

In the vestibule we found reception and then were directed to the meeting room, where much to my disgust, they wouldn’t allow me entry. I saw Monica coming out of the ladies and was tempted to try and hide. Instead I waved to her and she and I sat and talked while the boys and one or two girls had their meeting.

“I was disgusted,” I told Monica and she agreed. She’d come to show support for Henry and Simon and had also been excluded. “I think it’s sexism,” I opined and she nodded.

Instead, we talked about the children and she was interested in how I’d coped since Billie died. I told her, with difficulty, but I did manage to hold back the tears and therefore not spoil my eye makeup.

I asked her what she thought of Caroline. Her response caught me a little unawares.

“She’s a very nice girl, or will be one day with your help.”

“I thought she was doing alright.”

“She’s not like you, Cathy. The first time we met you at the hospital when Simon had been shot, I thought, ‘Hmm, who’s this pretty little thing?’ I knew we were going to meet you and I’d been warned that you were transsexual, or were in those days, but you completely blew us away. You were never transsexual, you were always female in mind and body. Caroline is part way there, but has a long way to go to be half as feminine and female as you are.”

I blushed and looked away.

“See, how demure you are–you were never a boy, Cathy.” What could I say? I simply sat there and blushed.

“Do you recall that day we met at the restaurant?” she asked me.

“That was the same day we met at the hospital, only lunch time, I came with Stella.”

“So it was. That’s right, you looked so delicious and I couldn’t believe you were supposed to have been a boy, but the only way I could think to find out was to seduce you–except you wouldn’t play. That’s why I’m so convinced you were never male, a man would have taken the bait–you were quite properly repulsed by the whole idea.”

“I was going out with your stepson, of course I was repelled by the whole idea as I’d have been if Henry had propositioned me.”

“You mean he didn’t?”

“Of course not.”

“Are you sure, he told me he did and you turned him down flat.”

“I don’t remember that–I think that’s his imagination talking. No, the only man I’ve ever wanted is Simon and that’s still the case.”

“What about Gareth Sage?” she nearly floored me with that one.

“What about him?” I replied casually.

“A little birdie tells me you have a soft spot for him.”

“He’s a very nice chap and I like him, but I’m married to Simon, and at the time Gareth was engaged to your little birdie.”

“I also believe that Des was after you before he settled on Stella, but it was you he wanted.”

“I’m not aware of that,” I said, lying through my teeth.

“So why did he leave his entire estate to you?”

“What d’you mean?” I blushed furiously, this was becoming very uncomfortable.

“I checked his probate and his will–he left everything to you, nothing to Stella or his baby.”

“I’m sure he was going to amend his will,” I said rather lamely, “after all, his death was very premature. Have you told Stella?”

“Of course not, and I presume by that remark, you haven’t either?”

“Um–no. I’ve ring fenced his estate, the rental for the house goes to pay for the upkeep of the house. When she’s old enough, I’ll give it to Puddin’, it’s rightfully hers.”

“I see, and why should I believe you, and what would happen if you died suddenly, before she reached maturity?”

“I’ve left directions in my will, the house is essentially a trust fund in her name, which I manage on her behalf.”

“Have you now, and why doesn’t that surprise me? Hmm, you’re too honest for this world Catherine, but it’s good to meet someone who has such integrity.”

“I’d be grateful if you told no one about this.”

“Unless you die suddenly and as prematurely as Des, I promise I won’t breathe a word to anyone.”

“Thank you. Now why are you trying to seduce Caroline?”

“I think that’s the other way round, dearie, she was chasing me.”

“That wasn’t what I saw at Julie’s party.”

“Things weren’t as they seemed at the party. But she amuses me and I offered her a chance to work with me in France if you can spare her.”

“I doubt it, not unless Jenny recovers very quickly and wants to work for me again.”

“Ah, the poor girl who jumped off the bridge?”

“Yes, but a very good worker.”

“And Caroline isn’t?”

“She’s very willing but hasn’t learnt all the ropes yet.”

“I like them willing,” Monica said licking her lips.

The door of the meeting opened and Simon emerged with Henry, neither looked very happy.