Babs’ New year’s Resolution
Chapter 6.

Before the police car set off for Birmingham, the lady sergeant took Bab’s aside while the girls debated what to wear.

“Right Miss Smith, might I respectfully ask that you let the younger girl Olivia ride up front with me. It will give her some sense of worth and importance and I’m hoping she’ll open up a bit.”

“That’s fine by me, and call me Babs, that should lighten the mood.”

The sergeant studied the girls as they appeared dressed to kill in the shortest mini-skirts she had ever seen. She grinned at Babs.

“I think their mood’s light enough, don’t you?”

Babs studied the girls and wagged her head with a smile.

“Couldn’t you find any skirts short enough girls?”

“This is how Angie and I used to dress in London.” Olivia argued. “It might help to jog her memory.”

Babs and the sergeant exchanged knowing, but slightly worried smiles while Lola’s face turned defensively pink.

“Go on, get in,” chuckled Babs as she chose a back seat for herself and caught Lola’s eye inviting her to join her.

Lola immediately grasped the import and Olivia somehow found herself left with the front passenger seat as the only option. She paused while glancing suspiciously at Babs.

“Are you getting in Oliva?” The sergeant asked innocently.

Olivia shrugged and slid easily into the only remaining seat. As she momentarily struggled with the four-point safety harness she grinned.

“What is this, a bloody formulae one car or summat?”

“Extra safety young lady. If we get involved in a police chase, we are not easily recognised as a patrol car so we are more vulnerable. Four point full harnesses protect you better even if the car gets rolled.”

There was a brief pregnant silence before the sergeant continued.

“Uuhm; we will NOT be involved in any chases today.”

“Aww. There’s a pity,” Lola giggled.

Olivia had seen several of her care-home friends involved in different car crashes; often in police pursuits and some fatally. She didn’t smile. Sensing there was some hurt in Olivia’s demeanour, Lola fell silent. After several minutes the silence became painful so Babs changed the subject and the atmosphere lightened appreciably as they started to chatter freely. As the girls kept nattering away, Babs’ noticed the sergeant cunningly extracting useful information from the thirteen-year-old Olivia by way of casual conversation.

When they arrived in Birmingham, Olivia’s relationship with the kidnapped girl Angie had been established as two young teenaged, lesbian lovers and the psychiatrists surmised that the girls had probably been intimate. Olivia however had never alluded to any intimacy.

“What price charges of under-aged sex?” Babs wondered silently as they pulled into the police parking slots at Birmingham hospital.

In her long life as a transsexual, Babs had recalled many stories of ‘pyjama parties involving teenaged intimacy under sixteen; occasionally even lesbian explorations, because most parents with daughters naturally refused to allow boys up the stairs in the family home whilst female friends were welcome.

“And no doubt,” Babs reminded herself, “things would have been even more licentious in the children’s homes.”

When Olivia’s relationship to Angie was confidentially related to the Inspector and the hospital medical team, they surprised Babs by actually endorsing the fact and encouraging Olivia. The explanation to Babs became obvious once it was revealed as one of the psychiatric team explained.

“If there’s an intense emotional and sexual relationship between the two girls, then the additional chemistry might intensify the connections and help to pull Angela out of her abyss.” The psychiatrist continued. “We still aren’t entirely sure which factors are affecting the girl’s memory and in what proportions. It could be drugs, trauma, anger, fear or any one of each. Come on let’s get the girls reintroduced.”

Nonplussed by the strategy, Bab’s fell silent and just tagged along as the responsible but very self-conscious adult accompanying her minor.

The hospital seemed huge to the visitors and they seemed to trudge miles before finally entering the drug rehabilitation ward. Lola and Olivia had expected to find Angie in bed but instead, she was sat on a sofa and chairs with several other teenaged girls and watching television. Olivia immediately lunged forward to give her erstwhile friend a hug but she was shocked and disappointed by the seemingly total lack of reaction by Angie. After stepping back hesitantly she reached out again and took hold of Angela’s arm.

“It’s me Angie, Ollie your best friend.”

Angie just stared for a long, silent moment causing Olivia to try again.

“It’s me! Ollie. Don’t you remember, from the home, Brixton! Remember! Ollie! It’s me Ollie!”

The girl continued staring blankly then finally replied very softly.

“Ollie? Ollie, room seventeen.”

Ecstatic to get a response, Olivia pitched in with both feet.

“Yes, yes! Ollie, Olivia! The room at the end of the corridor, top of the stairs. Room seventeen, yes!” Ollie! The girl with the pink elephant on her bed! Remember?”

The psychiatrist was convinced she saw some glimmer of coherence in Angela’s stare so she discreetly touched Olivia’s shoulder and mouthed encouragement.

“Try some more Ollie, anything to do with the children’s home.”

To everybody’s surprise, Angela turned and glared at the doctor.

“Don’t say Ollie. She’s my Ollie.”

The psychiatrist immediately recognised the possessive nature of Angela’s remark and tried apologising to see if she could get a connective, coherent response.

“Sorry Angela. She’s your Ollie – my Olivia!”

Angie nodded and the psychiatrist let out a soft sigh of relief as she turned to Babs and the inspector.

“That was the first response anybody has had out of her. Your prisoner has obviously been closely connected to our patient.”

The inspector rankled a bit and immediately corrected the psychiatrist as he glanced at her name tag.

“Excuse me Doctor Hepplewhite!” He declared loud enough for everybody to hear, “Olivia is not, nor ever has been our prisoner. Olivia is helping us with our inquiries and seemingly now helping you. She is to be treated with the utmost respect, courtesy and indeed, thanks. Without her input, we would be nowhere with Angela’s case, now I note with no small satisfaction and optimism that these last few minutes have obviously opened a window into Angela’s trauma.”

“Sorry inspector. I might have jumped the gun a bit. For now, let’s just be grateful for the result we’ve got today. I think we’d better just let the two girls chat together while we go and get some tea or coffee.”

She motioned with her eye-brows and the inspector got the hint. Everybody, including the other younger girls, turned to leave but Olivia motioned to Babs to stay.

“Stay with me please, Babs. You might be able to help me.”

Babs smiled kindly before replying.

“I’ll do what I can Olivia. Hello Angela. My name is Barbara but everybody calls me Babs. Olivia lives with me now; she’s left the children’s home in Brixton. Are you happy for me to stay as well?”

Angie didn’t answer; indeed, Barbara had not expected any response for she seen drug damaged people before. Angie’s silence worried Olivia more than Babs and she stepped closer to Babs seeking reassurance. Babs spotted a flicker of some emotion pass briefly through Angie’s gaze so she gave Olivia a hug then advised her.

“Angie needs your love more than me Olivia. Give her another hug, go on try it. Sit beside her on the sofa.”

Olivia glanced nervously at Babs then cautiously -and very slowly- sat close to Angela.

“Can I give you another hug Angie?”

“I don’t bite.”

Olivia’s eyes widened with hope as she offered her hands to her friend. Angela’s head turned to meet Olivia’s gaze.

“Do you hate me?”

Olivia frowned uncertainly and cautiously reached around to squeeze Angela’s shoulders.

“No Angie.”

She left her answer at that. No explanations, no resentment nor any indication of her hurt that her best friend should even have contemplated such a hurtful question. Olivia though, was confused and uncertain as to how to go forward but after a painfully long pause Angela eased the tension by removing Olivia’s hands from her shoulders and pressing them towards her stomach. Olivia could feel her hands being dragged closer to a more intimate place and she glanced beseechingly to Babs for help or reassurance. Unfortunately Babs was also at a loss for Angela’s behaviour exceeded all the norms of adolescent behaviour. She turned towards the one-way viewing panel and motioned with her eyes for help as Angela took Olivia’s fingers and dug them hard into her groin.

At a complete loss as to how to respond Olivia whispered urgently.

“Not here, not now. They’re watching!”

Angela released Olivia’s fingers as though they were hot coals and then she cursed.

“It fucking hurts!”

Olivia’s hands hung uncertainly over Angela’s lap as she wondered whether to hug again. Sensing that Angela seemed to be drifting back into a nonresponsive trance, she reached out again to take Angela’s hands. This time however, she just kept massaging Angela’s fingers and knuckles in a nervous effort to somehow try and transmit affection without inviting another demand for intimacy. After a seemingly ineffectual interaction Olivia had an idea.

“Shall we go for a walk in the garden?”

“Ask them.” Angie replied.

Olivia looked up to Babs with questioning eyes and Babs left to inquire.

“She’ll need a physically active companion.” The psychiatrist warned. “The kid’s led our staff a merry dance since her physical condition has improved. Do you think your charge Olivia is up to the task? You know, running after her.” The psychiatrist asked.

“I don’t know about her, but I certainly reckon I can,” Lola interrupted.

“Not in those heels young lady.” The doctor replied.

For an answer Lola reached into her shoulder bag and produced two pairs of trainers with a victorious smile.

“We planned to go shopping after this. Heels for clubbing and making impressions, trainers for shopping – and pursuit!” Lola giggled.
Babs wagged her head again, her older charge Lola was something of an enigma, at once both comedic and insightful.

“You’ll be the death of me Lola.” Babs observed.

“But practical you must agree,” Lola grinned, “so can we take her into the garden?”

Babs turned expectantly to the psychiatrist, the Lady police sergeant and the inspector.

“Can we?”

“Let’s see how well the young lady can run in trainers first. Angela’s caught us on the hop twice.”

Lola snorted and immediately changed her footwear, while showing almost all of her pantied crotch and seemingly not caring one iota.

“Right, where’s the hare?”

“Just give us a demonstration young lady, in the garden.”

Lola promptly obliged and Angela’s carers were convinced. Instructions were issued and Lola, Olivia and the lady Sergeant took Angela out into the grounds. Babs joined the inspector and the medical team in the refectory to discuss going forward.

“Well the patient certainly has responded well to your charge’s input,” the psychiatrist observed.

Babs’ rankled slightly at the doctors impersonal reference to a kid that Babs had grown to love.

“She’s got a name doctor, Olivia or as Angela prefers, Ollie.”

“Sorry Mrs Smith. We doctors are rather prone think of each referral as a case rather than a person.”

“I know, Doctor Hepplewhite, and I’m a Miss, not a Mrs. Oh look, they’re back already!”

The adults turned as one while Lola approached Babs.

“Can we take Angie shopping with us provided the sergeant comes with us.”

“Gosh. That’s something of a step darling, ask Doctor Hepplewhite and the inspector for that matter as well. Angela’s an important witness in this rape-gang business. We can’t afford to lose her.”

“As witness or as a girl in her own right?” Lola challenged.

“She’s valuable on both counts Lola.” The inspector intoned with annoyance, “Stop trying to push the boundaries of our patience.”

“Well she doesn’t seem interested in flowers and trees.”

“Why? Has she mentioned that?” The psychiatrist inquired.
“Not in so many words,” Lola admitted reluctantly, “but both Olivia and I get the feeling she’s bored.”

The inspector looked questioningly at Doctor Hepplewhite.

“What do you think?”

“Well the activity should at least be stimulating, it could help. I’ve got a few reservations but no serious objections.”

The inspector turned to face Babs.

“And what about you Miss Smith? Have you any objections?”

“Just bring her back safe. I think I’d better accompany them anyway.”

“That’s a given Miss Smith as will my sergeant as well. She’ll appreciate the overtime anyway and I know she’s got nothing planned for tonight. Lola, can you ask them all to come here please.”

With the briefest of nods, Lola was out of the refectory and dashing into the grounds. There she almost squealed the exciting news.

“It’s a yes Ollie, the inspector want’s to speak to us before we go.”

“Fuck me! I didn’t expect that. D’ you hear that Angie?”

“Shopping.” Angela replied absently. “Yeah, shopping ‘ll be good.”

Lola and Olivia’s eyes widened with delight as Lola gave a secretive little ‘thumbs-up’ sign to the Lady police sergeant.

“Thanks sergeant. That was a brilliant suggestion.”

“You just make sure Angela doesn’t try to do a runner!” The sergeant warned.

Then the sergeant mouthed word ‘Junkie’ silently to emphasise the risk of Angela possibly trying to escape to find some drugs.

“Just be alert okay?”

The sergeant and the three girls re-joined the main team where the risks were explained and parameters hammered out. As if to reinforce the message, the doctors administered some methadone to Angela prior to her leaving. This action had a very sobering effect on both Lola and Oliva and brought a glistening tear to Babs’s eye. Even the lady police-sergeant was subdued. Nevertheless, the five of them were soon in the unmarked police car bound for the Birmingham city centre and ‘The Bull-ring’ shopping centre.