Cathy has a tough time with her favourite shrink, upsetting the good doctor in the process. Still no plot to speak of, but what's new?

Easy As Turning Out This Drivel.
by Angharad & Virginia Creeper.(A bit of a social climber).
part: 150-1

I must have gone to bed the previous night because I woke up in one, my own. I was so tired, the night before, I hadn't remembered climbing the stairs and getting undressed. My mouth felt as if I hadn't cleaned my teeth and my tongue seemed to have more fur than the average dormouse.

I showered and started to get the breakfast, aware I had to see Dr Thomas, although I really could have used the time for the project. I was going to have to speak to Bristol uni again, and try to set up a meeting when I was there theoretically, tomorrow or friday. I had so much to do.

I took Simon his breakfast, Stella was away last night, I suppose she's earned the odd night off. Simon was still asleep. "Wakey, wakey rise and shine," I trilled, "Good morning campers!" I said in a very poor Welsh accent which was supposed to be a rendition of Ruth Madoc's, from a sitcom based in a holiday camp.

I gave him a tray of toast, cereal and coffee. He smiled and we kissed, "I have to go, lover," I purred.

"I'll bet that bloody professor of your's doesn't start this early," he said looking at his watch.

"I'm not, I've got to see Dr Thomas."

"What for?"

"I told her I was engaged to you, she told me to get my head examined. I am."

"Bah, shrink wrapped, bloody shrinks. What do they know about madness? Now if they came and lived with Stella for a few days....", he grinned at me.

"You are so ungrateful to that long suffering sister of yours," I chided him.

"Me ungrateful! Ha! You should see her side of the bargain."

"Well I think she's done a super job of nursing you," I said.

"She ought to, she's supposed to be a professional. I'll bet your guinea pigs, get better care."

"Dormice," I corrected him.

"Whatever."

"I have to go," I kissed him and pinched a piece of toast, "Ugh it's got marmalade on." His reply was to laugh.

I was wearing my suit again, this time with my boots and a red blouse. I got to the good doctor's office a few minutes before my appointment and knocked on the door.

"Come," was called from within, so I opened the door, "Did you smell the coffee?"

"No doc, but I can now."

"Okay, I did promise you a cup." She poured me one and I accepted it and sat down in a comfortable chair alongside the small cofee table.

We sat and sipped the coffee for a minute or two. Then she leant forward and grabbed my left hand, "Is that what I think it is?"

I nodded, having taken a sip of coffee. "Yes," I said after swallowing.

"It's a lovely ring."

"Yes, he had it designed and made for me."

"What without your prior knowledge?"

"Yes."

"He took a risk then?"

"A calculated one." I went to explain about the design and my mother's jewellery. I also told the story of them conspiring and me thinking they were talking about drugs.

"So you wanted to withdraw as soon as you thought they were doing drugs?"

"Yes, I won't have anything to do with them."

"I wish that some of the young people I see with drug induced psychosis or schizophrenia, had done the same."

"Do you see much of that?"

"Too much I'm afraid, far too much. Anyway enough of that, what sort of week have you had?"

I told her about the incident in the department and subsequent funeral.

"Gosh you do lead a busy life, any after affects, nightmares, anxieties?"

I held up the cup, "Only when strange women offer me coffee," I smirked.

"Somebody nearly kills you and you make a joke out of it, you do realise the threat you were under?"

"I was out of it on rohypnol or whatever they call it. So I wasn't scared. I've been too busy since, covering for the Prof."

"What? You are doing his job?"

"Only the bit relating to the survey project."

"The last time I spoke to Tom, he seemed to think that was about two thirds of his current workload. He'd already offloaded much of his day to day admin to his admin assistant. I hope they're paying you."

"They said they would."

"Tom will see you right, he's a good man."

"I owe him my life."

"Oh, yes I see your point, however, I'm sure he doesn't see it that way."

"No he doesn't, in the same way you don't Dr Thomas."

"So how are the mad siblings?"

"Mad."

"I spoke with Stella a few days ago."

"Oh!" I gasped and felt myself getting hot. "What about?"

"Her surgeon buddy."

"Oh!" another gasp, her face looked very serious and I knew it wasn't good news.

"I spoke with him too."

"Please just give it to me straight," the suspense was killing me.

"Anyone would think I was tormenting you Cathy? I am merely explaining why I had to make the decision I did."

"Look Dr Thomas, we discussed this before and it crossed the guidelines and we agreed it could get you into trouble. So what decision was there to make?"

"I needed to discover if the Surgeon a Mr O'Rourke, was prepared to accept referrals and how we'd fund it. I have more patients seeking reassignment than you, you know."

"I'm sorry, I assumed...." I blushed and cringed at the same time, at this rate she would refer me in time for the Olympic Games in 2012.

"We had a very interesting discusion and in fact we ended up meeting for dinner. He's a lovely man, very cultured and very good looking too."

I wondered where this was leading, she didn't normally discuss that sort of thing with me, maybe she's in love and has to tell everyone, especially as I sort of brought them together. It still seemed very unlikely.

"It seems he had heard of you through Stella, and indeed did suggest to her that he could possibly help you. I pointed out to him that you had only been doing your life test for less than six months and he said he didn't know."

I knew it, come back in two years time and so on. My heart dropped even though I knew it was never on in the first place.

"I'm glad he's a nice man anyway, I hope if he's available that you see him again." I said, jumping over her boundaries, but I didn't care.

"I have to remind you Cathy that we are here to discuss your life not mine. Mine is quite acceptable at the moment."

"He is available, isn't he?"

"Would you like me to terminate this appointment? Yes I think I shall, you'll have to see Dr Winthropp next time."

"Dr Thomas, please, I am so sorry I was out of order. Please can I continue seeing you, I don't want to see another doctor, please."

"No, you will see Dr Winthropp on next monday."

"My birthday," I sobbed, I was really upset that she had dumped me, even if I had deserved it.

"Yes, I know."

"Some present that is," I sniffed.

"On the contrary, we need his agreement to refer you for surgery."

"What?" my head was spinning, did she say referal for surgery? I felt myself getting very giddy and....

"Cathy, Cathy, come on, take deep breaths, that's good now open your eyes. Good, how do you feel?"

"Phew! Strange." My head was still reeling. "I'm sorry, I think I must have gone off a bit then, I dreamt you were referring me for surgery, even though it's not possible."

"Why is it not possible?"

"Well because a moment ago, you were telling me you wouldn't see me again."

"When did I say that?"

"You told me, you were making me see Dr Win somebody instead. I asked for it because I got familiar with you, because I knew you were seeing the surgeon chap."

"How did you know that?"

"I just did, your eyes sparkled when you talked about him, I dunno, I guess I just knew it. Anyone could."

"No Cathy, not anyone, any woman might, but the average bloke wouldn't know until he saw it in writing."

"What does that mean?"

"You are catching up on your intuitive skills, some of the things which perhaps make women different to men, although there is dispute about whether these differences are societal role plays rather than sex differences."

"Is that good?"

"I think so."

"So can I see you again?"

"Of course you can."

"So why have I got to see Dr Windbag or whatever he's called?"

"Winthropp, Dr David Winthropp, because I need his agreement to refer you for surgery."

"What in a year's time?"

"You can wait that long if you prefer, but I was counting on using a space Mr O'Rourke has on New Year's Day."

My head went funny again, "I'm dreaming this, aren't I? You didn't say that did you?"

"Say what?"

"New Year's Day, you can't have said it, ooh...."

"Cathy, please wake up, Cathy, come on wake up."

My head was buzzing. Shit I had to get to the university, so much work to do. "I have to go Dr Thomas, I have lots of work to do." I stood up on wobbly legs. "Was I asleep for long? I'm so sorry, it's very rude of me."

"Cathy sit down, NOW!" her voice got louder at the end of that instruction. I nearly crapped myself, she had never shouted at me before. "Now I want you to repeat after me, got that?"

I nodded my understanding.

"I am going to see Dr Winthropp on monday, for my second referal for gender reassignment surgery."

I repeated what she said and felt tears welling up inside me.

"Wait no crying, now repeat after me, assuming he agrees, I will see Mr O'Rourke for surgery on Ist of January."

I repeated the sentence and burst into tears, shaking my head in disbelief.

"You'll have to see him before that obviously for an exam, but he thinks he can do something for you."

"I don't know what to say, thank you, seems inadequate." I was still sobbing and unable to look her in the face.

"Convince David Winthropp that my haste with you is reasonable and not my impatience to see you complete."

"I will. Thank you doctor."

She helped me up, gave me a handful of tissues and a hug, "Better sort your make up out in the loo, oh and Happy Birthday."

"Thank you," was all I could say, my head was still spinning.

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Usual request for comments on how bad this has got, you watch she'll be picked to Ride in the Olympics next! What a load of tosh.