Bab’s New Year’s Resolution 10

Barbara. Chief Protagonist AKA Bab’s.

Lola (Seventeen) Barbara’s oldest adopted child. Transgendered girl rescued from an attempted murder.

Olivia. (Fifteen) Barbara’s second adopted daughter: Black lesbian girl fostered out of care then adopted. (With Olivia’s consent!)

Joyce Banks. Bristol Social worker.

Aaron Talbot Surgical registrar – married to -

Shirley Talbot Lecturer at Local university.

They are a married couple who own a narrow-boat on the canal. Friends of Lola

Mickey Talbot (Twelve) Aaron and Shirley’s oldest child.

Jessica Talbot (Eleven) Aaron & Shirley’s middle child.

Bianca Talbot (Nine) Aaron & Shirley’s Youngest child.

Billy Medical colleague of Aaron’s – he also owns a narrow boat in Bristol.

Sandra Her parents also own another Narrowboat in Gloucester.

Jackie Sandra’s friend (a bit headstrong and ‘adventurous’)

Julie Third member of the threesome, (more level-headed and sensible than Jackie).

Jason. (Black) London Gang member deals in drugs at the children’s homes

Tyrone (Black) Also a gang member, friend of Jason. Also a dealer.

Tyson (White) Also a gang member into drugs and trafficking young girls.

Angela (Angie), Olivia’s trafficked, drug-addicted friend (Rape-gang Victim and important witness)

Sergeant Davis, female police bodyguard for Angela.

Inspector John, Heading up the anti-rape-gang operation in Birmingham.

Chapter 10

Olivia had only just closed the door to the interview room where she and Angie had been talking when she encountered Bridie and an impatiently hopeful Inspector John. After what Angie had burdened her with, it was a huge weight off her mind to meet the two police officers and unload the burden immediately.

“I’ve got stuff; important stuff,” she whispered.

Inspector John hid his anticipation well as he nodded imperceptibly towards another interview/consulting room and the three stepped inside. Strangely, Olivia didn’t feel dishonest as she detached the hidden recorder for she now knew the police would require every bit of information they could get to advance the case. Nevertheless, they still needed Olivia to report in her own words for legal purposes.

“Go ahead Ollie,” Bridie encouraged her so Olivia gave it to them chapter and verse.

After a full hour of exhaustive writing Bridie’s arm felt as though it was falling off while inspector John gave a tearful Olivia the umpteenth supportive hug.

“This information is gold Olivia. It ties so much of our information together and also gives us some more leads. Do you want to come up again on Saturday? Some aspects of this case have far wider implications, international ones in fact.”

Olivia nodded eagerly then asked hopefully.

“Can Lola come and is there somewhere outside Birmingham we can go shopping. Not just for clothes but so Angie can get out. I’m sure Angie’s got other stuff but she seemed too hurt to speak of it. She spoke of Manchester but wouldn’t say anymore. I remember you telling me about the young girl from Nottingham being found dead in Manchester. D’ you think it’s connected.”

Bridie was still rubbing her elbow and flexing her arm as she smiled assurance.

“We’ll organise something Ollie. Now which way d’ you want to go home?”

“The train’s good.”

“Okay, I’ll get Brian to pick you up in Gloucester. He’s been helping to site the Caravan by the river lock.”

Olivia grinned, “I’ll bet Lola’s been sticking her oar in.”

Bridie grinned back, “I don’t know kid but I suppose she has.

Now, we’ve got an unmarked van to get you out of the hospital and down to the station. We’re not going to New Street station but you’ll board the train in Bromsgrove and you’ll take the flyer via Worcester to get off at Gloucester. There’s a Severn-Trent Water Authority van to take you to the cottage.”

Olivia nodded and reflected how much her life had been altered.

“I’ll be glad when all this shit is over. I felt really evil Lying to Angie.”

Bridie gave her a hug as she whispered.

“I know love but think of her delight when she discovers she’s staying with you in the cottage.”

“But there’s no room. Where will she sleep?” Olivia whispered back.

Bridie released her embrace and stared deep into Olivia’s eyes whilst continuing to whisper.

“I believe your sixteen at the end of August aren’t you.”

“Well, yes, but -.”

“And Angela’s sixteen in mid-September,” Bridie smiled a knowing smile.

Olivia’s eyes came out like organ-stops and she almost squealed out joyfully before remembering the secrecy issue. She whispered hoarsely in her endeavour to keep it secret.

“You mean -!”

“It’s legal isn’t it. You’ll have reached the age of consent.”

“But. But how did you -! How did you know?” Olivia wondered as tears of relief ran down her cheeks.

“D’ you think I’m stupid darling? Babs and I worked it out in the car the first time you came to see Angie.”

“Doesn’t Babs object?”

“You have a long chat with Babs sometime. How many seventy-three-year-old women would accept a pre-op girl like Lola and let her live with her in the cottage?”

“I know, Babs is such a brick, she never hurts Lola about her trans stuff and she’s solid; solid as a rock with me.

“Come on then, let’s get you into this van.”

With that, their whispering ceased and they made their way to the hospital basement.

Two hours later, Olivia met with Brian in a falsely signed water authority van at Gloucester station.

“Where’s Lola?” She asked.

“Checking out our narrow-boat being fitted out in the Gloucester docks.”

Olivia grinned. She’d come to love narrow-boats since the fun with Aaron’s boat in the Bristol Maritime festival and Gloucester Dock Regatta.

“This I’ve gorra’ see, you and Bridie sharing a narrow boat. Will Bridie be putting extra locks on her door?”

“Haven’t you forgotten something Olivia?”

“What?”

“Bridie and I are twin brother and sister.”

“There was a deafening silence as Olivia realised her blunder.”

“Oh shit! I forgot, I completely forgot. I’m sorry! Honestly I forgot, I’m sorry!”

Brian grinned to reassure the kid.

“Apology accepted. Just don’t forget to remember to keep quiet about the arrangements when Angela comes. The safe house principle only stands if we keep it secret. There’ll be no talking and no tittle-tattle to ANYBODY. Can you remember that?”

Olivia swallowed partly through nerves and partly by way of further apology. Finally she found her voice again; albeit a very subdued voice.

“It’s not going to be easy what with all the people on the canal during the end of summer. People always ask questions as to how I’m living with Lola and Babs cos I’m black. When Angie joins us they’re gonna’ ask again.”

“The main thing is to keep the story simple.” Brian repeated.

“Yeah, and plausible." Olivia added. "The thing is people always ask if we’re related to Aaron and Shirley.”

“Who are they?”

“He’s a casualty registrar at BRI and Shirley lectures at the university. They own another narrowboat in the marina by the cottage. They’re black and other people always assume we’re somehow related. During the summer they virtually live down on the boat with their three kids. Lola and I are good friends and we see them a lot. When they see Angie, they’re bound to ask questions, her being black as well.”

“That put’s a bit of a fix on things. When do they move back to their main home?”

“When Shirley and the kids resume school, but they come down most weekends as well unless the weather’s really bad. The kids aren’t likely to ask too many questions but Aaron and Shirley have been really good to me. They are bound to ask about Angie. Shirley’s become like a second mum to me and we’re like that. (Olivia crossed her fingers.)

When the weather’s really bad, Lola and I always check their narrowboat, I mean we're so close to them that we’ve got a key to their boat . Then we sometimes help the Marina checking the other unattended boats, well Lola does but I’ve been getting involved lately as well. Lots of people know Lola and mee and they often ask Aaron or shirley about us. I can’t just suddenly stop seeing Aaron and Shirley, nor can Lola. It would look really bad.”

“Hmm,” Brian pondered the issue, “I will have to run it by Inspector John. Can these people be trusted?”

“That’s a horrible question. He’s a doctor so he knows how to keep shtum! Shirley’s pretty good as well and they’d never want to see me put at risk. Just cos they’re black do you think they would inform the brothers?”

“No! Sorry Olivia. You’re right, my turn to apologise, I was just beginning to worry that’s all. Sorry about that. I apologise, will you accept my apology?”

“You accepted mine about the brother and sister mistake so yes, I do. Call it quits?”

“Call it quits then. Ah here we are, look; there’s Lola exactly where she said she’d be.”

Olivia saw her house-mate tidying up some ropes on an unrecognised boat.
“Is that the boat?”

“Yeah, come aboard there’s an emergency strong room for you and Angela if things get really iffy. I certainly don’t expect it to come to that, but this idea of a narrowboat is a good one. The police in other authorities can use it when we’ve finished with it. It can be moved at a couple of weeks’ notice to anywhere on the canal system and it can be easily disguised with a few coats of paint.”

As they parked the car, Lola came bounding excitedly towards them.

“Hiya. Come and have a look Ollie. It’s like a little palace inside, real home from home.”

As the girls trotted eagerly to the boat-yard, Brian held back as he texted the inspector to advise of the situation with Aaron and Shirley. After some consideration – and a lot of chat; inspector decided to include Aaron and Shirley in the secret. There were more pro’s than cons to the idea of two black responsible adults helping to reinforce the story to protect the girls. Also it would be two more pairs of eyes alert to the threat. By the time Brian arrived at the narrowboat, Lola had shown Oliva everything including the reinforced, steel lined retreat.

After enthusing about the ‘picket-boat’ as Lola christened it, they chatted about the anticipated appearance of ‘Angie’ in a couple of months. Brian once again felt compelled to reinforce the warnings about secrecy but the girls weren’t really interested.
In the confines of the police car and secure company, the girls could genuinely relax and chatter freely. Hopes and ambitions were described while Brian listened intently for any extra clues that Olivia might have revealed about her chat with Angela. There were a few possible snippets but in the main, Brian was forced to conclude that his passengers were little more than two typical teenaged girls giving it large.

It wasn’t long before Brian was parking up in the visitor’s car park as the two girls erupted from the unmarked police car and skipped excitedly down the switchback lane to the towpath and the cottage. Once again their noisy effervescent approach was detected by Babs as she watched through the kitchen window, the kettle was bubbling away as they exploded through the door.

“Hey steady on girls!” Laughed Babs, “you’ll have the door off. Where’s Brian?”

“He’s checking that the caravan is all set up.”

“As the girls clambered upstairs Olivia turned secretively to Lola and invited her into her bedroom.”

“I’ve got something to tell you.” She whispered excitedly.

“What?”

“Bridie told me something before I left the hospital.”

“Well go on. Don’t keep me hanging!”

“Well she says that Angie will definitely be staying here with us and Babs has sanctioned it.”

“How? Where will she sleep?”

Olivia smirked and squinted her eyes sideways to her bed.

“What! There?” Lola gasped.

Olivia nodded and squealed with excitement.

“Ye-eess!”

“But, what does Bab’s say? It’s her house.”

Bridie said Bab’s is okay with it; do you know when my birthday is?”

“No.”

“It’s the end of this month, thirtieth of August.”

“You’ll be sixteen.”

“Yes! But more importantly, Angie’s sixteen on September the ninth. You know what that means.”

“You’ll be legally allowed to have sex.” Lola squealed.

“Exactly. We’re going to need a double bed.”

“What, in here?” Lola scoffed. “Where’re you gonna’ put it? You’ll have no room for clothes or a dressing table.”

“Bugger all that!” Olivia snickered. We’ll be together! Legally! And with Babs’s blessing.”

“You lucky bitches!” Lola replied wistfully, “while I still have to wait for surgery, It’s not bloody fair!”

Olivia suddenly realised she had inadvertently compounded Lola’s abiding despair. She reached out and hugged her housemate.

“I’m sorry Lol’s. I didn’t think. Angie and I will help all we can, I promise you.”

“Like how?”

Olivia paused as she contemplated a thought that had been occasionally occupying her mind for some time. Finally she broached the subject.

“Would you like to become a mum one day?”

“Oh come off it, I - - - -! Ooh! Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“Yeah, I’d love to have a baby one day. Not just yet of course.” She giggled. “Do your bits still work?”

“Well the nice bit works - still, I don’t know if the little beasties are still swimming.”

“Well get it checked and be quick with some swimmers before your hormones kill em, if they haven’t already.”

“Jeeze!” Lola gaped at her stepsister, “you’ve been mugging up on trans stuff haven’t you?”

Oliva grinned..

“You’re a looker. I’d even fuck you now cos you’re pretty girl with a dick; but I don’ wanna’ fuck my own life up too early with a baby. I saw plenty of that in Brixton.”

"And you'd be two-timing Angie. Don't you think she's got enough shit in her life without a two-timing friend to fuck with her feelings?"

"Yeah, your right. She's had enough shit to fill the Manchester Ship canal.

“Anyway," Lola pointed out, "there’s still a couple of steep hurdles to clear. It costs to freeze sperm and we don’t have the bunce.”

“But we will have.”

“How?” Lola demanded suspiciously.

“ Bridie told me, Angie’s due a lot of money cos of criminal compensation both from the government and from Brixton cos they were responsible for her care. I’m also due a bit cos of the abuse in the same home before Babs showed up. Bridie also said there will probably be a reward for our part in turning in Tyson and his mates. You might even get a bit if the judge thinks so. You did intercede by communicating on my behalf and co-operate with the police.”

“Bloody hell girl, you’ve been thinking this through, haven’t you?”

“I’m not just a pretty face you know. Anyway, this thing isn’t over yet. The more info you and I can squeeze out of Angie the better for everybody. And don’t forget, I’m a bloody good artist. I can draw some perfect likenesses of the rest of Tyson’s gang in London from memory. Only you and a few friends know how good my art is. None of Tyson’s gang have clue. That’s got to count when I present Inspector John with a potential rogues gallery, all with names attached. Angie can help me with the names.”

“That’s all very well, but we need the money now. My little wrigglies could stop any time soon cos I’ve started the hormones.” Lola lamented.

“I’m gonna’ push for an advance." Olivia revealed, "I'll tell the police I won’t co-operate with talkin’ to Angie unless they give me an advance for the sperm-bank!”

“Jeeze, you really are a mercenary bitch Ollie.”

“I want a baby and so do you. If you’re still good for the sperm, well let’s get some frozen. As I said, I like you! Anyway, it’s only costs a couple of thou to freeze enough sperm.”

“What if Angie doesn’t agree?”

“The last time we chatted about this stuff was back in Brixton and she wanted kids then. I don’t know how she feels now. She hasn’t got AIDS though and that’s a plus.”

Lola sat up off the bed and turned to her step-sister.

“This could work but let’s get through the gang-rape thing first..

With that, Bab’s called up the stairs.

“Dinner’s ready! Brian’s back from the Caravan.”

Olivia nodded her head towards downstairs.

“We’d better get down there before Brian scoffs the lot.”