Bab’s New Year’s Resolution 34 and Heir to a Title (merged). ©

All Characters in this story are purely fictitious and bear no known resemblance
to any living people.

Copyright belongs to Ms Beverly Guinevere Taff. ©

List of Characters. (Bab’s Resolution)

Barbara. Chief Protagonist AKA Bab’s.
Lola. (Seventeen) Transgendered girl rescued by Bab’s from an
attempted murder.

Olivia. (Fifteen) Barbara’s second adopted daughter: Black lesbian
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.

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
Sandra Her parents also own another Narrowboat in Gloucester.
Jackie Sandra’s friend (a bit headstrong and ‘adventurous’)
Julie Third member of the threesome.
Jason. (Black) 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 girls.
Angela (Angie), Olivia’s trafficked, drug-addicted friend.
Sergeant Davis, (Bridie) female police bodyguard for Angela.
Sergeant Davies. (Brian) Bridie’s twin brother.
Inspector John, Heading up the anti-rape-gang operation in Birmingham.
Erica. Another vitally important witness/victim. Very attractive.
Gareth Jenkins, police office trained in firearms and witness protection.
Belinda Harrington. Lola’s new girlfriend in college.
Maxwell Barker Boy with I-phone who posted Erica’s picture on Facebook

Characters. (Heir to a Title.)

Ellie. (Eleanor) The prime Character.
Bill (William) her father, (obviously)
Callie (Callista) Ellie’s only daughter. Initially Callum - a transgendered son.
Charlotte. (Nana) Ellie’s Paternal Grandmother
Sandie (Sandra) Ellie’s Older Aunt
Rosie (Rose) Ellie’s Younger Aunt
Henry Ellie’s boyfriend and husband. (Second son of the Duke of Denton)
Molly Duchess of Denton. Henry’s mother.
Bev (Beverly) Ellie’s aunt (Previously Uncle Bernard and brother to her dad.)
Jennifer. (Jennie) Beverly's older adopted daughter.
Beatrice (Bea) Beverly's younger adopted daughter.
Lucy, Henry’s oldest niece, Callum’s cousin.
Eleanor, Henry’s middle niece Callum’s cousin. Same name as Ellie.
Virginia Henry’s youngest niece Callum’s cousin
Julie Ellie’s sister-in-law.
Angela, (Angie) Beverly’s wife (kidnapped by pirates and rescued.)
Megan Beverly’s only blood daughter by Angela.
Margaret Arnold. (Maggie) Callie's best female friend. (Eventually to become wife.)
Jane Arnold, Maggie's mother.
James Denton (The Ferrety Denton) Callie's ambitious, uncle.
Uncle Phillip Arnold American Relation (CIA)
Abdul Ibn Saud. Spoilt Saudi Arabian prince and convicted sex offender (In the UK)

Author’s note.

At this juncture, my two stories titled ‘Bab’s New Year’s Resolution and my earlier story about an Heir to a Title are merged in this chapter. From this point forwards both stories and more importantly, the characters therein share the same lives and destinies. This chapter deals with their meeting and making acquaintances.

Bab’s New year’s Resolution. 34.

Lola and the three girls needed no encouragement to meet this unconventional duke who had reportedly transitioned from male to female.
As they dashed down the corridor, their bold, typically cheeky attitude presaged their arrival as their excited chatter carried into the executive police canteen where a married couple with very young children were talking to a high-ranking Deputy constable.

On arriving in the doorway, the four girls cast around for a somebody they presumed to look like a ‘docker-in-a-frock’ and they hesitated uncertainly as all heads turned to examine the noisy quartet. Olivia, ever the bold one took the bull by the horns and loudly announced.

“We’re looking for the duke!”

Lola elbowed her sharply in the ribs to correct her.

“Duchess you fool, duchess!” Then she too cast around looking for some middle-aged or elderly man in a frock. “Has anybody seen her?”

At the mention of the words ‘Duke and Duchess’, Callie was alerted to the girl's intentions and she stood up protectively anticipating some sort of attack on her and her family right there in the police canteen. After all, two of the girls were black and might easily be jihadists.

At that point Sergeant Bridie arrived breathless, but quick to realise the implications surrounding the confrontation. She had done her homework and was thus the only police officer aware of the full circumstances surrounding both her four young charges and the Duchess of Denton.

Even when recognising that the Duchess and her family was standing next to a deputy chief constable, she still had to defuse the tension and temporarily take charge. She did this effectively by loudly explaining the situation.

“It’s okay everybody! I’m Sergeant Bridie of Gloucestershire police and these four girls are here for the Ibn Saud identity parade. They simply wished to meet the Duchess of Denton because apparently she too has been a victim of Mr Saud’s activities”
Bridie quickly glanced towards the deputy chief constable and on receiving a brief judicious nod, she continued by addressing him and Callie.

“Your Grace, Deputy Chief Constable, I’m sorry for the somewhat energetic and excited arrival of these four young women but they were keen to meet your grace for several reasons. If I can explain a bit more privately.”

The atmosphere in the canteen quickly calmed down as Olivia once again characteristically - and loudly - declared.

“What! You’re the Duchess. Crickey! We thought you’d be much older!”

Once again, the marginally more erudite Lola gave Olivia another elbow in the ribs as she tried to apologise for Olivia’s crass remark.

“Sorry Duchess Denton. She’s a one off with a loud voice but she’s got a good heart. No offence intended.”

“None taken,” Callie grinned as she quickly recognised four typical east-end kids having briefly escaped their leash.”

Callie stepped forward and smiled as she extended a hand to Olivia; an act that completely dissolved Olivia’s boldness.

“Yes, I’m her grace the Duchess of Denton and you are?”

Olivia’s innate bravado evaporated as she reached out uncertainly to shake the proffered hand.

“Olivia miss. Olivia Smith.” She replied, while taking her adoptive name from Bab’s.

“Lola here wanted to meet you because; you know. You’ve walked the walk so to speak.”

Callie turned to face Lola and smiled as she thought she recognised a fellow traveller.

“Am I right in thinking Olivia meant transitioning?”

“Yes your Grace. I meant no harm. I’m Lola Smith, Olivia’s adoptive sister and these two are Erica and Angela. We’ve just completed the identity parade for Abdul Ibn Saud.”

“Oh him! We’ll we share common ground there Miss Smith. I’ve also met with that individual. Would you like to join us at our table? Perhaps we have things to discuss.”

Callie’s charm utterly disarmed the four girls as introductions were made mostly by Sergeant Bridie and Callie. As the girls took their seats, an embarrassed silence settled momentarily before the Deputy Constable used his experienced conference techniques to break the ice.

“So, young ladies, two things, firstly, it's a good thing that Her Grace the Duchess is not directly involved in your case or you might have caused problems with the court case. Witnesses are not really supposed to discuss the case between themselves, however I know that you four girls are actually victims as well as witnesses, so your communicating between yourselves becomes legal as litigants in the trial. Secondly, I’ve read something of your case and your unfortunate experiences, would you like to elaborate whilst remembering that there are two young children present, namely Callie’s son and daughter.

Lola responded as her marginally greater age invariably reflected itself through the dynamics of the quartet. She completed the introductions and outlined their mutual history whilst then leaving it to Olivia, Angela and Erica to elaborate their own stories. Callie then responded with her own experiences both at the hands of Abdul and by describing her route to transitioning. The latter part of course mostly interesting Lola.

“We can discuss your thoughts and choices more privately back at my house if all the identity business is completed here,” Callie offered Lola who sighed wistfully.

“I’d love to but we’re going back to Gloucestershire this evening. The court resumes on Monday.”

Callie turned to face Sergeant Bridie.

“Can Lola not stay with my family overnight. She can come down to Gloucestershire tomorrow in my helicopter. I think she needs a long chat if she’s thinking of having a family and stuff.”

As Callie said this she gently ruffled the hair of her son while gently scooping her arm around the baby daughter who was waving her arms in the carry-cot. As she skilfully lifted the infant and perched the girl on her knee then unbuttoned her blouse, Lola watched slightly enviously. Then Callie’s wife Maggie wrapped a beautiful Pashmina shawl around Callie’s shoulders because the baby girl had obviously latched onto Callie’s breast under the discreet privacy of the shawl.

“You can feed her?” Lola gasped softly as Callie allowed Lola a private peak under the shawl.

“Both of us do.” Maggie explained as she hoisted their older son and offered him a drink from a plastic nursing cup.

Lola’s eyes misted up as she turned to Bridie.

“That’s exactly the sort of thing I want to be able to do. Can you understand.”

“Of course I can darling but you’ve plenty of time yet. Finish your degree at university first.

Callie nodded and smiled supportively as she spoke softly to the obviously feminine Lola.

“I can see you’ve already started on hormones. Have you pre-prepared by freezing your sperm?”

Lola nodded as her eyes fixed enviously on the slight movements hidden under the shawl.

“Then Sergeant Bridie is quite right.” Callie advised. “Finish your degree. Where are you studying?”

“Cambridge.” Lola replied.

“Oh well done girl. I studied there. Indeed I still have connections with Professor Williams.”

“Of the maths department?” Lola asked.

“The same,” Callie confirmed. “He’s my professor as well.”

“Then we have even more in common. We can talk at mine tonight if you’re agreeable.”

Lola turned to Bridie.

“I’m not much needed in the court am I. I never had anything to do with this Ibn Saud guy. I’m not even a witness. Can I accept her grace’s invitation?”

Bridie turned to the Deputy Constable and Callie as she asked.

“Is the house safe your grace?”

Callie snorted with amusement.

“Oh call me Callie for God’s sake! Everybody else does; and yes. My house is safer than any other house except Buck-house.”

“Buck house?” Lola sought confirmation.

“Yes. You know; that big place at the end of The Mall. The only difference is that I don’t have smartly dressed red guards parading up and down. I’m every bit as secure though, you know, cameras, security guards and so on. At least I will be until all this business is sorted.”

Lola turned beseechingly to Bridie.

“Can I go Serge-. I’m not really needed in the court.”

Bridie turned a questioning eyebrow to the Deputy Constable who affirmed while nodding.

“It’s secure sergeant. I’ve seen the set-up myself. The girl will be safe there.”

Bridie opened her phone on speaker then contacted Bab’s to check it out and everybody heard Bab’s chuckle down the phone.

“Good God Bridie! She’s over eighteen, I’m no longer her legal guardian. Of course she can go if she wants to, and provided you deem it safe.”

“It’s safe Bab’s,” Bridie confirmed.

Lola gestured for Bridie’s phone and the sergeant willingly handed it over. After silently mouthing ‘sorry’ for using the phone amongst company at the table; Lola then spoke to Bab’s.

“Thanks Nana. I won’t let you down.”

“You make sure you don’t girl. Remember your table manners, you’re staying with a duke.”

“No Nana; she’s a duchess.”

At this juncture, Callie motioned to borrow Bridie’s phone to reassure Bab’s. Lola received a confirming glance from Bridie and handed it across the table. Callie introduced herself.

“Hello, is that Mrs Smith, Lola’s adoptive mother?”

“It’s Miss Smith, I’m not married, Lola’s my adopted daughter.”

“Oh, sorry about the confusion. My Name’s Callista Denton, formerly Callum Denton. I’ve invited your daughter to stay with me and my good wife for the remainder of the weekend. Is that alright?”

“You understand the issues I suppose?” Bab’s checked.

“Yes Miss Smith. As you’ll know I’m speaking on Sergeant Bridie’s phone right now. The Deputy Constable of Yorkshire is also here. I can assure you that Lola will be as safe at my home as she is anywhere else.”

“Okay. Put Sergeant Bridie on please.”

Callie returned the phone to Bridie who completed all the assurances that Bab’s needed. As she closed her phone Callie looked across at Lola.

“Your Nan obviously loves you. That must feel good after the rejections you’ve probably endured in care.”

“I wasn’t in care,” Lola explained. “I was thrown out by my sperm donor and sofa surfed while trying to sort my life.”

“More power to your adoptive Nan." Callie finished. "We can chat at my house if everything’s okay here.”

Olivia, Angela and Erica listened enviously as Lola took up the invitation then Angela, ever the practical girl declared.

“You’ll need spare knickers you lucky bitch.”

“Don’t worry girls," Maggie interjected, "there’s a perfectly functional shopping precinct in Harrogate. We can stop by there in case the gang have got toadies in Leeds."

Arrangements were finalised and after bidding her friends ‘cheerio’ Lola departed for Harrogate with the duchess and her family.

In the car, Maggie, Callie’s wife, took the rear seat with Lola while their armed guard occupied the passenger seat. Lola shared a delightful hour playing with the children as the car bowled along to Harrogate.

When they arrived, the Duchess parked the car in what was obviously some private location right in the centre of the town and Lola was quite impressed when she looked around.

“This place looks very posh.”

“Yes," Maggie smiled. "Harrogate’s rather proud of its town centre. Look, there’s a lingerie shop. We’ll get you some underwear and pyjamas.”

“I can afford my own knicks,” Lola declared.” I just wasn’t expecting an overnight invitation.”

“My treat.” Callie offered. “Let it never be said that the dukedom of Denton stinted on hospitality.”

Lola shrugged and decided to go along with the duchess’s largess, and soon she was indulging her ‘shopping genes’ in some rather up-market shops.

ooo000ooo