Part 42

    Lianna and Danielle were just walking down to breakfast on the Monday morning when the doorbell rang and they both walked over to see who it was and found Clare and Carol stood there.

     “Hi Clare, Carol.” Both girls said together as they opened the door and let them in before Danielle and Lianna gave Clare a big hug.

     “What was it like being Clare then last night at home?” Lianna asked when she saw how much happier Clare seemed to be.

     “It was totally amazing.” Clare said sounding just like a normal teenage girl her age would. “We both got our night clothes on when we got home, then aunt Carol cuddled up with me on the sofa and told me all about some of the things her and my mum got up to when they were younger.” Clare added with a grin.

     “Did you learn anything good?” Danielle asked in a fake whisper. “Like something worthy of blackmail later with your aunt?”

     “I wasn’t born yesterday young lady.” Carol giggled as she gave Danielle and then Lianna a hug. “It was a fun evening though.” Carol added with a smile as she looked at Clare grinning.

    Lianna and Danielle led them down to the dining room where the others were all sat around the table talking or eating their breakfast.

     “Good morning Carol.” Carl said as he rose to his feet and walked over to greet her. “Join us for a cup of coffee or tea, and we’ll get going shortly.” He added as he led Carol over to the table where Chrissy was now getting ready to pour her a drink.

     “Coffee would be fine thank you Chrissy.” Carol said.

     “How were things when you got home last night?” Chrissy asked as she finished pouring out the coffee and then took a seat next to Carol so they could talk.

     “It was a really fun night actually.” Carol smiled. “I never realised just how talkative Clare could be, and she was so natural as well.” Carol added with a little shock in her voice. “I’ve almost forgotten what it was like to have Charlie around.” Carol said with a little guilt in her voice.

     “That’s nothing to feel bad about, just look at how happy Clare is, to how Charlie use to act.” Chrissy said as they both looked at Clare laughing and giggling at the other end of the table with the other kids.

     “I just wish I’d seen how unhappy Charlie was sooner.” Carol said with a sigh.

     “You’ve had a lot to deal with Carol, and Clare’s doing fine now, and you have all us to help you out.” Chrissy giggled as she gave Carol a hug.

    Chrissy let Carol have her coffee, then Carol left with Carl and Ann to go and take a look at Carol’s company records and see where they needed to start. Chrissy, Mandy and Amy finished getting ready for work and left after giving all the kids a hug.

     “Let me go and get ready Clare, and then we’ll see about taking you to see Jane.” Becky said just before she left the dining room.

     “Who’s Jane?” Clare asked Lianna and Danielle.

     “Jane’s another aunt that runs a beauty shop. She’s the one that will do something with your hair for you.” Danielle said with a grin. “She’s really good, and a lot of fun to hang out with.” Danielle added with a giggle.

     “Are we all going there?” Clare asked.

     “No, just you, mother, Jen, Nikki and Jess.” Lianna said. “Danielle, Lauren and I were there a couple of weeks back.”

     “I’m glad that some of you are coming with me. It was scary being with my aunt last night without any of you being there.” Clare said in a nervous tone. “I’ve been thinking of asking my aunt something, but I’m not sure if she might think it a little weird.” Clare added.

     “What is it you want to ask her?” Lianna asked.

     “I was thinking of asking Aunt Carol if I could call her my mother. Charlie was Suzie’s son, but as Clare, I don’t feel like I ever really had a mother, and it felt like I was Aunt Carol’s daughter last night when we were curled up on the sofa.

     “I think it’s a cute idea, and I’m sure Carol will love the fact that you want to call her mom.” Danielle grinned.

     “All you can do is ask her, but I’m sure she’ll jump at the chance once you explain it to her.” Lianna said.

     “I will then.” Clare said in a tone that told Lianna and Danielle she’d finally made her mind up. “Aunt Carol told me that Carl is going to have a word with the school and make it so I can start back after the holiday as Clare.”

     “We were told last night, and I want you to know that we’ll all do what we can to help you settle in, and make sure you don’t have any trouble.” Lianna promised.

     “Do you think Simon and Ian will be alright with me going to school as Clare?”

     “They were okay with me turning up as Lianna, so why shouldn’t they be?” Lianna asked with a shrug. “We’ll find out later on anyway.” Lianna added with a grin.

     “Why’s that?” Clare asked looking nervous again.

     “Their coming over to hang out before Lauren goes out on her big date later this evening.” Lianna giggled.

     “Can you swim Clare?” Danielle asked.

     “I little, but the other kids in my old school use to pick on me, so I started faking being sick to get out of it, and I couldn’t swim at the minute anyway because of this.” Clare said as she held up the cast on her arm.

     “We have some special swimsuits for when you have the cast off, so you can go swimming as Clare and not have to worry about it.” Lianna explained.

     “I might not see Simon and Ian anyway, if I’m going out to have my hair done.” Clare pointed out sounding hopeful she’d miss them.

     “You won’t be gone that long Clare.” Lianna said shattering Clare’s hopes of missing the two boys. “Don’t look so worried; Ian and Si will be fine with you.” Lianna said as she wrapped an arm around Clare and hugged her from one side.

    Becky was soon back down stairs dressed and ready to leave, so she collected up Jennifer, Jessica Nicole and Clare before she left to go and see Jane.

    Danielle, Lianna and Lauren all went up to Lauren’s room to help her pick out something to wear for her big date with Simon. They were just going to see a movie and then grabbing a burger after, but it was still something special to Lauren, and she needed to wear just the right outfit.

*****

    Brad was sat in the games room getting his ass kicked on some fighting game by Richard, when he heard the front door bell chime, so he let Peter take over for him, so he could go and answer the door. He found Simon and Ian stood there.

     “Hey kids. You here to hang with Lianna, Danielle and Lauren?” Brad asked as he stepped back from the door and let the two boys enter the house.

     “Yes sir we are.” Simon said in a polite voice that had a nervous edge to it.

     “Relax kid, and call me Brad.” He chuckled. “Wait here and I’ll go let them know you’re here.” Brad added as he made his way up the stairs and down the hall to where he could hear the music and girl’s giggling coming from. He knocked on the door and entered when he heard a chorus of “Come in!” shouted at him. “Ian and Si are here.” Brad said as he poked his head around the door.

     “Okay, we’ll be right down.” Lauren said with a grin just before she started acting all silly and jumping around.

    Brad just shook his head as he left again closing the door and making his way back down to where he’d left the two boys stood waiting. He was only halfway down the stairs when he heard the clatter of feet behind him and then he was passed by the three of them, so once at the bottom he went back to the games room to see if Peter had had any more luck beating Richard than he was having.

*****

     “Hi Si.” Lauren said with a grin as she reached the point where he was stood with Ian. “Feel any better after your holiday?” Lauren asked.

    Simon and Ian had both been on holiday the past week visiting with Ian’s uncle who was an outdoor sports nut that took them rock climbing and lots of other crazy things like that.

     “It was good fun, but I’m glad to be back.” Simon smiled as he closed the distance between the two of them and wrapped his arms around Lauren before leaning in for a kiss. “I missed being with you.” Simon added.

     “Hi Ian, did you have a good time with your Uncle? Is he still trying to get himself killed whenever he can?” Lianna asked with a giggle. Andrew had been away with Ian and Simon last year for a week, but that was Andrew more trying to fit in as a boy, than having fun doing outdoor stuff. Andrew had hated every minute of it, and thought Ian’s uncle to be a bit of a sexist.

     “It was okay, but Dave is an even bigger jerk than ever.” Ian said with a look at Simon that said something nasty had happened. Dave was his uncle’s name, and Lianna knew the look they gave each other meant they were trying to keep something from her.

     “Did something happen?” Lianna asked.

     “Nothing worth worrying about.” Ian said trying to brush off whatever it was.

     “Was it something to do with me?” Lianna asked, and worked out it was when Ian just looked down at the floor while balling up his hands into fists. “What happened?” Lianna asked in a tone that said she was going to find out one way or another.

     “Dave asked why you weren’t with us this year, and we just said you had other things going on, but after a couple of days of him going on about you being a wimp and acting all girlie last year, I blew my top and ended up telling him what happened, and that just made him even worse.” Ian said with a growl as he thought about some of the nasty things his uncle had said. “I won’t go into details, but he seriously crossed the line and I ended up hitting him on the last night there.” Ian added with a smirk.

     “I thought Ian’s dad was going to have a go at Ian, but he just stopped Dave from hitting him back at the time, but on the trip home he said he was glad that Ian hit him, because it saved him the job.” Simon chuckled.

     “Dave’s my mum’s brother, and dad said it wouldn’t be good for him if he started punching her family members, but it was fine for me to do it.” Ian grinned. “It felt good as well.” Ian added.

     “Thanks for doing that Ian, but it doesn’t really matter what people think or say about me if I’m not around to hear it.” Lianna said with a smile, happy that her friends were still sticking up for her.

     “It matters to me what people say about you, and I won’t put up with it.” Ian said in a firm voice that let Lianna know he wasn’t joking. “You got any food? I’m starving.” Ian asked with a grin.

    Lianna giggled as she could always count on Ian to want feeding, and it was the least she could do after finding out he’d defended her honour.

     “I’m sure Nana can make you something.” Lianna said as she took Danielle by the hand and led the way to the kitchen with Ian following close behind, and Lauren bringing up the rear with Simon holding her hand.

    Holly was sat at the kitchen table with a cup of tea while looking in a magazine when she saw Lianna and Danielle enter the kitchen with Ian following just behind.

     “Hello dears, you looking for some lunch?” Holly asked as she got up and made her way over to the fridge to make a start on some sandwiches for them all. “I don’t need an answer from you Ian.” Holly added with a grin when she saw him about to answer her question for them all.

     “What can I say Mrs Clarke, you do make the best sandwiches.” Ian chuckled as he took a seat at the table.

     “How many times have I got to warn you young man, its Nana Holly to you now-a-days.” She warned with a grin as she pointed a butter knife at him.

     “Sorry Nana.” Ian said with a sheepish grin.

     “Hello Nana Holly.” Simon said with a smug grin as he entered the kitchen with Lauren, having just heard Holly grumbling at Ian about calling her Mrs Clarke.

     “Hello Simon, I hear you’re taking my Granddaughter out later? I hope you treat her right, or you and I will be having words.” Holly warned as she now pointed the butter knife at him.

     “I plan to treat her like the princess she is Nana.” Simon said as he pulled out a chair and seated Lauren at the table before he sat down next to her.

     “Do you need any help Nana?” Lianna asked before she sat down.

     “I can manage, you play hostess and pour some drinks for you all.” Holly said over her shoulder as she sorted out the sandwiches.

    They were soon sat with drinks and sandwiches to eat for their lunch as Simon and Ian told them all about their adventure week. Lianna even got Ian to tell Holly about punching his uncle when he kept saying nasty things about Lianna.

    Holly pretended to be a little mad with Ian for fighting, but then she smiled and said it sounded like he had it coming, but don’t make a habit of punching people for saying things you don’t like. Ian agreed with a nod, due to him now having a mouth full of sandwich again.

    They all looked over towards the kitchen door when they heard girl’s giggling just before they saw Becky enter the room with the other girl’s following behind her.

    Clare stopped dead in her tracks and also stopped laughing when she saw Simon and Ian sat at the table. Clare was now sporting a cute short spiky look to her hair, and it was a platinum blonde just like Lianna and Lauren had. It looked like Jane had done some work on her eyebrows and they were thin and made Clare’s eyes look bigger. All in all Clare looked nothing like Charlie now, even with short hair.

     “Wow Clare! You look amazing.” Lianna said as she jumped up and ran over to give Clare a hug and help her calm down and not run from the room.

    Clare threw her arms around Lianna to hug her back, and that is when Simon and Ian saw the cast on Clare’s arm for the first time and worked out who Clare really was.

     “Charlie?” Simon asked as he took a closer look at Clare. “Is that really you?” He asked as he got to his feet and walked over to get a better look.

    Ian had also gotten up and stepped over with Simon, and they were both now stood right in front of Clare looking at her, while Lianna stood at her side grinning.

     “Hi Si, Ian.” Clare whispered as she gave them a cute little wave of her hand. “Surprise!” She added with a nervous giggle.

     “She’s called Clare now, and we think she’s like me.” Lianna said.

     “Hi Clare. You look...” Ian said as he trailed off trying to think of the right word to use.

     “Different?” Clare asked nervously.

     “Yes, but I was thinking more along the lines of stunning, or beautiful.” Ian said with a nervous chuckle.

     “Thanks Ian.” Clare blushed.

     “Hello Clare. I’m sorry about calling you Charlie just now, but it was the cast I noticed.” Simon pointed out. “I never would have guessed otherwise. Ian is right though, you do look very pretty now.”

     “Thanks Si. I do feel much prettier now.” Clare said with a grin. “Aunty Becky just treated me to a makeover at Aunty Jane’s.

     “I would have treated you if she’d let me pay her you mean.” Becky frowned. “I settled for buying her some earrings though for when the new holes have healed.” Becky added with a grin.

    The others all noticed that Clare was now sporting two gold studs in each ear.

     “Aunty Jane and Aunty Becky?” Danielle asked with a grin as she looked at Clare for an answer.

     “Jane and I thought Clare could do with a few more aunties, especially if she plans on talking Carol into letting Clare call her mum from now on.” Becky explained for a sheepish looking Clare.

     “Are we still okay with one another?” Clare asked as she looked at Simon and Ian.

     “Well we still put up with this freak.” Simon said with a grin as he pointed a thumb at Lianna. He was soon ducking and making a run for it thought when Lianna and Lauren started slapping him, but they were giggling, so they all knew Simon was just playing around.

     “I’ll teach you to call my sister a freak!” Lauren shouted as she kept slapping Simon.

     “Yes we’re still good Clare.” Simon chuckled as he held Lauren in a hug while Lianna tried to make him let her sister go, not that Lauren looked too bothered about being Simon’s prisoner.

     “We’re good as well Clare.” Ian smiled. “Being a girl kind of suits you.” Ian added as he noticed that Clare had skinny arms for a boy, but as a girl everything seemed to fit into place right, which left her looking very pretty.

     “Thanks Ian, I think so too,” Clare giggled.

     “How did all this happen anyway?” Simon asked as he waved a hand towards Clare. “Did Lianna do some weird Jedi mind thing on you?” He asked in a spooky voice. “I hope this girl thing isn’t catching.” He asked looking worried, but he was soon grinning again, so they knew he was just playing around.

    Holly made some more sandwiches while Clare sat down with the others at the table and told the two boys the story so far.

     “And your aunt is cool with all this?” Ian asked at the end of the story.

     “Yes, if anything we’ve become closer because of it.” Clare grinned. “I think as a boy she found living with me a little weird, but as a girl she’s started acting more like my mother than an aunt.”

     “That’s good then, you deserve some happy times.” Ian said with a smile. “So this is how you’ll be going back to school then as well?” Ian asked.

     “Yes, Uncle Carl is going to talk to the headmaster and sort it all out for me.” Clare said.

     “Uncle Carl?” Simon asked with a raised eyebrow.

     “Yes, I’ve been ordered to think of them all as my new family.” Clare said with a grin.

     “Very cool family I must admit.” Ian grinned back at her. “You’ll have to let Si and I know when we get back to school if you have any trouble with anyone, but I’m sure most people will have more sense than to pick on this family.” Ian added with a more evil grin this time.

     “You’ve got that right bro!” Simon said with a grin as he bumped fists with Ian. “They mess with one of us; they mess with all of us.” Simon added.

     “I don’t want any of you getting caught.” Becky warned them, but didn’t tell them not to fight or look the other way if something did happen. She was proud of these two boys, and the rest of the family for looking out for each other. And they were going to have five more members of the family at the school as well with Richard, Nicole, Craig, Tina and Danielle all starting there after the holidays.

    They all finished eating and then wandered off to the games room just as Brad was taking Richard, Peter and Craig to the kitchen to get them fed.

    Ian and Simon went on the games systems, while Lianna, Danielle and Lauren all sat with Clare and quizzed her about her visit to Jane’s beauty shop.

*****

    Chrissy, Amy and Mandy were taking a tea break and having a cookie mid afternoon at the shop when they saw Carl enter with Carol.

     “Hi Baby!” Mandy screamed as she ran down the shop and jumped into Carl’s arms just before they started kissing.

    Carol just stepped around them and made her way up to where Chrissy and Amy were both stood giggling at Mandy trying to suck Carl’s face off.

     “Hi Carol. How are things at your business going now? Has Carl been able to help you get things sorted out?” Chrissy asked as she gave Carol a hug just before Amy gave her one as well.

     “Yes, he and Ann have managed to make sense of the accounts and Carl was on the phone for over an hour getting some of the companies that cancelled their orders with me to pay up after he quoted some legal stuff to them.” Carol said looking impressed with Carl.

     “So what brings you to our little shop then?” Chrissy asked. “Looking for something sexy to wear under your power suit?” Chrissy grinned as she looked at Carol in her ladies business suit.

     “I asked Carl to bring me by so I could give you this.” Carol said as she handed Chrissy the large gift bag she was carrying. “I still feel bad about the other night and what I said to you on the phone, so I wanted to get you something to show how sorry I really am.” Carol explained.

    Chrissy looked in the bag and pulled out a massive box of expensive continental chocolates. “You didn’t need to do this Carol.” Chrissy whined. “I said we were good.” She added as she gave Carol another hug. “Thank you anyway.” Chrissy said.

     “It’s sort of a thank you for all the other help as well with Clare. I never thought I could love that child anymore than I already do, but she’s just such a joy to be around now, and she’s so helpful around the house.” Carol said with pride.

     “Mandy spoke with our other mother earlier, and she’s sorted out for you and Clare to go see her tomorrow afternoon at six, so it won’t affect your business, and you can call in on your way home with Clare.” Chrissy started to explain. “Our mother’s name is Prue, and she will also sort out for you to go and see a psychologist friend as well, so they can start and help to find out just who Clare is, not that it’s going to take much working out, but they have to dot the i’s and cross the t’s. “Chrissy said with a roll of her eyes.

     “Did you have to do all this with Lianna as well?” Carol asked.

     “Yes I did, and we will need to keep going to see them for some time to come as well. So be warned.” Chrissy said with a sigh.

     “It’s better to be safe than sorry though, so I don’t mind, but I do think that Clare was born to be a girl, she just is a girl without even trying.” Carol said it like she should have seen it for herself sooner.

     “Lianna was the same way.” Chrissy said. “She found it harder trying to be a boy than she does being a girl, as you’ve seen for yourself.” Chrissy giggled.

     “You both have such wonderful daughters, and I’m so glad that Clare now has them as friends.” Carol said with a tear in her eye. “I was so scared the other night when I couldn’t find her.” Carol added as Chrissy and Amy formed a group hug with her.

     “I think you need a cup of tea and a cookie.” Amy said as she broke away from the hug and went into the back room to make Carol and Carl a drink so they could share a cookie with them.

    Mandy and Carl joined them once they stopped kissing each other, and Amy returned with two more cups of tea, and they all had another cookie while Carl filled them in on some of the interesting machines Carol had in her warehouse for doing the printing of the flyers, brochures and business cards.

     “The other reason for me calling in was to let you all know that I heard back from the police and our legal team dealing with the Ken Douglas thing.” Carl started to explain. “They’ve made a number of arrests connected to a paedophile ring, thanks to evidence on Ken’s computer and they tracked the money he’d taken to a number of people. The police seem to think he’d taken a large sum of money for Danielle, and that’s why he was stupid enough to try and take her from the house like he did.” Carl added.

     “Does this mean that Danielle is safe now?” Mandy asked.

     “Yes, anyone trying to touch Danielle or any of the children would be totally insane, but I’ll keep the security detail in place now we have them.” Carl said. “A little birdie told me that Ken had kept detailed records of all the children he’s used, and who he sold their services to, he was hoping that if he ever got caught he could use the information to cut himself a deal, but the police are going to use the evidence to bury him and all those involved.” Carl added with an evil grin on his face. “That also means that Danielle won’t need to have her case brought up in court.”

     “Good!” Mandy snapped. “It’s just a shame they stopped hanging people.” She added with a growl.

     “I’d settle for them cutting small bits off with a rusty knife.” Chrissy said as she wiggled her little finger to say which parts she’d be removing with said rusty knife, as she referred to Ken’s small manhood

    The others just nodded in agreement, even Carol thought it was a good idea, but after the fact she spent all Saturday night looking for Clare and having dark thoughts of her being taken by men like this Ken Douglas, she would be glad to see all the sick perverts like that off the streets.

    Carl and Carol finished their drinks and left again, so Chrissy, Amy and Mandy could get back to work.

*****

    Lauren had gone up and got changed so she could go on her first real date with Simon. Becky was going to drop them off at the movie house and then pick them up later, so that Lauren wouldn’t be out walking around the streets. The burger place was part of the cinema, so they wouldn’t need to leave the place until Becky arrived to pick them up again.

     “I hope you have a good time sis.” Lianna said as she gave Lauren a hug.

    Danielle gave her a hug and wished her the same before they let Becky lead them out the house and over to her car.

    Ian had been busy most the afternoon chatting with Clare about this and that. Clare looked comfortable talking to him, and he didn’t look bothered that Clare was once Charlie.

     “Do you think Ian might have forgotten who Clare use to be?” Danielle asked as she saw the two of them laugh at something Ian had said.

     “I doubt it; I think he’s just found something they have in common.” Lianna shrugged, not really having the answer to Danielle’s question.

    Ian’s mother arrived to take him home, but not before she got to meet Lianna for the first time. She’d met Andrew a bunch of times, but they hadn’t seen each other since Lianna showed up at school the other week.

     “So this is Lianna then?” Ian’s mother asked after Holly let her into the house and she was stood waiting in the hallway when Lianna, Danielle and Clare all walked with Ian out of the games room.

     “Hello Mrs Hayes, yes it’s me in the flesh.” Lianna said with a nervous smile. “How have you been keeping?” Lianna asked.

     “I’m doing fine, but don’t you look like the cutest little thing?” Mrs Hayes said with a smile as she gave Lianna a hug. “I find it hard to believe that you use to be the same boy roughing around with Ian and Simon.” She added as she broke the hug and held Lianna at arm’s length to get a better look at her.

     “Yes I have changed a little bit, thankfully.” Lianna grinned.

     “Are you happy now sweetheart?” Mrs Hayes asked.

     “Yes, very happy.” Lianna grinned even more.

     “Then that’s all that matters.” Mrs Hayes smiled. “I thought Ian was joking when he first came home and told me you were a girl now, but part of me kind of always knew there was something different about you, not in a bad way, just that you were always easy to talk to.” Mrs Hayes added

     “I’m glad that we were able to remain friends over it all.” Lianna smiled as she looked at Ian stood with Clare at his side.

     “It’s at times like this that you find out who your true friends are, and I know my Ian isn’t shallow enough to let a little thing like this stand in the way of your friendship.” Mrs Hayes said with pride.

     “Mum!” Ian whined as he started to blush.

     “That’s nothing to be embarrassed about sweetie.” Mrs Hayes said as she stepped over to where Ian was stood and she cupped his cheek making him turn even redder.

    Lianna couldn’t help letting out a giggle as she knew just how much Ian hated being treated like his mother’s little baby, but Lianna had always know that Ian was a stand up guy his friends could count on if you ever found yourself with a problem.

     “Okay mum, I think it’s time to go.” Ian said in a slightly annoyed sounding voice. “I’ll email you later Clare with those links we talked about.” Ian added as he looked at Clare with a smile.

     “Okay, thanks Ian.” Clare smiled back just before she stepped forward and gave him a hug just before she kissed him on the cheek, making him turn the deepest shade of red Lianna had ever seen.

    Ian’s mum just stood there grinning as she watched her son make a b-line for the front door before she could say anything else to embarrass him more than she had. Mrs Hayes gave them all a hug and said her goodbyes before she followed Ian out to her car and got in. Lianna, Danielle and Clare all waved them off before they returned to the house to go see if they could help Holly with dinner.

     “What’s going on between you and Ian?” Lianna asked Clare as they made their way to the kitchen.

     “Nothing much, we just got talking and we found out that we like a lot of the same things, and he’s kind of cool to talk to.” Clare blushed.

     “Do you like him?” Lianna asked with a smirk.

    Clare just blushed even more as she nodded her head. “Is that wrong for someone like me?” She asked sounding a little nervous. “Should I still like girls?” Clare looked confused.

     “Did you ever like girls in the first place Clare?” Danielle asked.

     “I never really gave it much thought, but I guess I liked them as in I’d look at what they were wearing, but other than the close friendship’s I’ve formed with all you, no I’ve never looked at a girl in a sexual way.” Clare said with a thoughtful look on her face. “Does that mean I’m gay?” Clare suddenly asked looking worried.

     “No, I don’t think your gay Clare.” Lianna said with a little giggle. “Danielle and I would be classed as gay because we’re both girls, or she’s a girl and I will be one day.” Lianna added as she playfully gave Danielle a shove with her elbow. “If your brain is wired like that of a girl, then you’re just doing what any girl would do with a cute guy.” Lianna tried to explain it like it was no big deal.

     “Looks to me like Ian kind of likes you in the same way.” Danielle said with a grin as she bumped Lianna back just before the two of them started hugging.

     “But he knows what I am, so how can he feel that way about me?” Clare asked looking shocked.

     “Yes, he knows what a cute, smart, funny girl you are, and he wants to spend time getting to know you better.” Lianna said with a grin.

     “I’m so confused.” Clare pouted.

     “You’re just over thinking it all Clare bear.” Lianna said as she wrapped an arm around Clare and pulled her into a one sided hug as they walked along. “Just relax and enjoy the friendship with him, and see where it leads.” Lianna added.

     “You’re just fighting with the male programming you’ve been used to dealing with, but once you take a mental step back and look at it all from a girl’s perspective, you will see that it’s perfectly normal to feel things in a different way.” Danielle said as she hugged Clare from the other side.

     “So I’m just a girl with a crush on a cute guy?” Clare asked with a grin.

     “Yep, that’s pretty much it.” Lianna nodded.

     “So you think Ian is cute?” Danielle asked in a teasing voice. “Should I be worried?” She pouted.

     “Yes I guess Ian is cute, but he’s not my kind of cute, so don’t start putting words in my mouth.” Lianna warned.

     “I’d never try to put words in your mouth, but I would like to put other things in there.” Danielle grinned as she broke the hug with Clare and wrapped her arms around Lianna and kissed her. Lianna kissed her back as their tongues darted in and out of each other’s mouths.

     “You are the only cute thing I have a crush on.” Lianna purred when they finally stopped kissing.

     “Wow, talk about an X rated kiss.” Clare said when the two of them finally remembered she was there with them.

    Lianna and Danielle blushed and then started to giggle as they took Clare by the hand and started running to the kitchen without saying another word about it. Clare just started giggling and let the other two drag her along.

*****

    Carol was told she’d be stopping for dinner again when she arrived back at the house with Carl to collect Clare, not that Carol was to bothered by that, as she enjoyed the company.

    They had an enjoyable meal and then Brad helped to load up Carol’s car with the last of the things they had bought for Clare last Wednesday, and the things that Becky had bought her while they were out today.

    Carol was still shocked to see how different Clare looked after her makeover at the hands of Jane. She soon found herself booked in with an appointment for the works as Chrissy called it, after Carol had passed a comment about needing some treatment herself. Chrissy had called Jane and explained everything to Jane, and Jane had made the appointment for her to go and visit the next day. Carl had promised to make sure she turned up at the time Jane had given them.

     “Before we leave Aunty, can I ask you something?” Clare said looking nervous about what she was about to ask.

     “You can talk to me about anything sweetie.” Carol said as she led Clare over to a couple of seats they had in the hallway and sat Clare down before she sat down beside her. “What’s troubling you?” Carol asked.

    Clare looked deep in thought for a couple of seconds as she tried to work out the best way to word her request. “I know as Charlie I had two wonderful parents, and I’ll never forget them Aunty, but now I’m Clare, I don’t feel like I’ve ever had a mother and I was hoping that you might let me start calling you...” Clare couldn’t say the final word as she looked up at Carol with hope in her eyes.

     “You want to call me your mum?” Carol asked with shock, but also with a tear in her eye at the touching thing Clare was asking her.

    Clare nodded her head up and down as she fought back tears of her own. “Yes, mum, mom, mother, and mummy. All of them wonderful sounding names for what I see you as now.” Clare said with a snuffle as a tear ran down her cheek.

     “You’d make me the happiest person in the world if you would.” Carol said as she started crying, as she pulled Clare into a hug with her.

     “Thank you mummy.” Clare sobbed happy tears as she felt Carol hug her even tighter as she called her mummy for the first time.

    Carol was to shaky after her talk with Clare, so Callum offered to drive Carol’s car for her and Brad was going to follow them and then bring Callum back to make sure Carol didn’t have an accident while trying to drive herself. Brad and Callum helped to carry all the bags in with Clare’s new clothes in them before they left again.

    Becky got a call a little later in the evening from Lauren to say the film was over and they were just going to grab something to eat and she’d call back when they were nearly done, so Becky could go and pick them up and then drop Simon off at home.

    Chrissy went with her when they got the second call, and Lianna and Danielle were waiting for Lauren the minute she walked in the door. They dragged her up to her bedroom, so they could find out all the details of the date while Lauren got changed into her night clothes.

    It turned out that Lauren had had a wonderful time, and Simon was a true gentlemen not letting Lauren pay for anything. Lianna asked what the film was like, but Lauren said she didn’t see much of it as they were kissing each other more than watching the film.

    Lianna and Danielle filled Lauren in on the news about Clare having a crush on Ian, which had Lauren looking worried until they said that Ian looked like he had a crush on Clare as well. This bit of news made Lauren smile as she thought Ian was a great guy, and he would help to stop anyone from picking on Clare when they got back to school.

    They all went down for a hot chocolate and Lauren had to tell everyone else the same story she’d told Lianna and Danielle, but she left out the bit about all the kissing and not seeing much of the film, she just said it was an okay film.

    It was soon time for bed and they were all tucked in by their parents before the grownups went down stairs to spend a couple of hours talking about their days. Carl filled everyone in on the developments with Ken Douglas and how Danielle wouldn’t be brought up in the case against him now they had so much other stuff on him.

    Carl was going to see what he could do to help the children that had already been taken and used, if they could be tracked down. Carl had found out that with all the evidence they had against Ken, he would never see life outside a prison cell ever again.

 

To Be Continued Next friday  

 

Story by SaraUK

 

Edited and Posted by SamanthaK

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Child and Parent guide:

Parents	Children
Chrissy & Becky	Andrew/Lianna, Lauren (Twins)
Amy & Amber	Jessica
Ann & brad	Jennifer
Sara & Cathy	Peter
Mandy & Carl/Carla	Craig, Danielle (Adopted)
Jayden & Callum	Richard, Nicola (Twins)
Dan & Faith	Penny, Christopher

    EDITORS NOTE: Please Comment and/or leave Kudos and let Sara know you like her work please, Any comments on spelling, grammar or the layout of the story please PM me “Samanthak” not Sara. Thank you