Easy As Stalling A Kite.
by: Angharad
part:356

I clopped out to Tom's LandRover and sat demurely inside it. "I still don't know how you walk in those things," he said as he started the engine.

"Practice, practice, practice," I said like a demented music teacher. He chuckled and drove out of the car park. "Where are we going to eat?" I asked although I knew the answer.

"Usual place, unless you have any objections."

"No, none at all." I began to wonder if he had an account there, or even if he had shares in the place.

We drew up outside and he helped me out of the cab, which is a little high compared to a normal car. I accepted his help gladly, after which I strutted my stuff on his arm as we went into the restaurant. Well it drew a few stares and made him snigger.

"The usual and a tuna salad, please", said Tom, "plus my Guinness and Cathy?"

"I'll have a cranberry juice," I replied, fancying the slightly sharp tasting juice.

We sat at a relatively private table, in the corner of the large dining room. "I won't ask who came to see you, but it would be interesting to hear your thoughts at what happened."

I waited until the drinks arrived, then after the waiter had left, began my version of events. "A student came to see me and told me he thought he might be happier as a woman. I told him there were better people to see than me, and he reminded me of my interview with the Beeb, when we had that little trouble with Comrade Mafia."

"So, he saw you as a role model?"

"I presume so."

"I'll bet he isn't half as lucky as you were."

"I doubt it. He looks quite masculine facially, and has a heavy beard shadow, all of which would make his task more difficult. It isn't impossible just harder."

"I can see that, your fine features have saved you no end of bother."

"Yes, I know I have been lucky all the way, except with my parents and in some ways even they came round when they saw there was no alternative."

"Yes, your father seemed to, didn't he?"

"I think he did in the end, once he saw no threat to his model of masculinity and also began to look deeper and see the individual inside. But that's all water under the bridge now, for me anyway. What are we going to do about my student?"

"Not much we can do until he asks us to officially, seeing you off the record, doesn't count, which is why he did it. Is he genuine, given your previous experience?"

"I'm not absolutely sure, but I suspect he is. But being genuine isn't the same as being serious about it."

"That's a subtle distinction," said Tom scratching his chin.

"Yes, in applying to myself, I was genuine all my life, I was serious after I met Dr Thomas and especially after my initial encounter with Stella."

"Can you not get this person on a bicycle and have Stella drive past him, if that was the magical catalyst in your case?"

"I think that might have been a one off."

"I rather think you're right there young lady, and here comes our grub if I'm not mistaken." He wasn't and we concentrated on eating rather than talking.

"This student of mine, he'd done some research on the internet, yet he still seemed poorly informed. He appeared not to know about the real life test and surgery."

"That could have been nerves," suggested Tom.

"Yes, it could have been, I suppose it could also be lack of opportunity and the anti-porn software may stop him being able to access a number of websites if he does it through our system. He seems to enjoy reading specialist fiction."

"I'd never even thought such a thing existed, but I supose it does and it's easier than going to grubby little bookshops in seedy back-streets, which was the case when I wanted to read Lady Chatterley."

"I can't imagine you emerging into the daylight with a book in a plain brown paper wrapper. Didn't that make it obvious as to what was in there, no one used brown paper for books."

"Smaller bookshops did and still do, before the emergence of Amazon and the cardboard book box."

"I thought most of them used bags with their name on."

"Not always."

"So was Lady C, worth the effort?"

"At the time, yes, on reflection now, no. But in those days my actions were products of the times."

"That's why I asked."

"I am not completely stupid, Cathy, but coming back to today's problems, what are we going to do with our little problem?"

"I don't know, hence my coming to see you. Remember, you big professor, me little, inexperienced teacher."

"Well, Glasshoppel, we wait and see."

"What, while we listen for the sound of one hand clapping?"

"Something like that. You told him where to go--politely, I hope, the university has its protocols and policies, so it will support him as much as it can, unless he uses this as an excuse for not doing his work. After all, it didn't stop you working, did it?"

"Is it reasonable for me to want little involvement, despite my own history?"

"Absolutely, you have no obligation other than to see him the once and give him appropriate advice about resolving his issue. It's his not yours, remember."

"I just don't like letting anyone down," I sighed.

"Neither do I, but there is also being reasonable and having your own life and agenda to follow. I would have said that once you start filming, you won't have time anyway. Let him go and see the experts, not rank amateurs like you!"

"Gee thanks, Tom, I hope you enjoy your meeting."

"Meeting?" he looked puzzled then recalled what I was on about. "Oh hell, yes, that meeting; bloody auditors!"