Michelle spent most of the week online, looking at things she would need for her wedding. She hadn't even set a date yet. She had called Suzi, and told her the news. Sam could hear Suzi screaming over the phone. Typical women he thought, he smiled at the idea that Michelle was just a "typical women". She really was getting there now.

When the rapid chat and laughs had ended, Michelle put her phone down and helped Sam put on his coat. She kissed him before he left for work, and stared lovingly into his eyes.

"I love you Sam, I'm going to be the best wife ever!"

"Listen I know you're excited, but we have to plan it around you. I will marry you the way you are. You're perfect to me, but I know you want to get your breasts done. "

"I know. In a few weeks I'll see that friend of yours in Harley Street. I know it will cost, but the money from the selling mum's house has given me more than I know what to do with."

The house had sold for just over half a million. On Sam's advice she had invested Tommy's half. Tommy had pleaded guilty and after reports were taken into account about his mental health, he was sentenced to eighteen months. When he came out he would have enough money to buy himself a flat. Sam just hopped he would stay sober. He realised that Tommy, like many people were a sum of the events in their lives. Michelle had forgiven him, and she felt better about herself for doing it.

Sam knew that holding grudges and hate inside just turned you into a bitter and unfulfilled person. He tried to live his life by the wisdom of; Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Tommy would have been a much nicer person if he could have told someone how he had been treated. Sam knew though that rape is something most men just want to deny and hide. Men are meant to be strong. They say things to each other like, "I'd die before I'd let anyone do that to me." Sam knew there is always someone bigger and stronger that can. Emotionally boys are raised not to show their feelings. This leads to men like Tommy. They suffer and explode in horrible ways.

The era Tommy grew up in would have made it nearly impossible. Ireland in the past put unmarried mothers into institutions and took their children from them. It would deny claims that priests had interfered with children. The children would be punished for making the claims. Trans people in the U.K. were treated as mentally ill. They used to give them electro shock therapy to "straighten them out". It was purely torturing them until they said they didn’t want to change sex.

The world was a more accepting place now. LGBT were tolerated, if not completely accepted. Women like Michelle, still had to be made of strong stuff though. Trans seemed to be the hardest for people to come to terms with. Life could still be brutal. You would not know anyone was Lesbian , Gay or Bi. Often trans people could stand out. That was where Michelle was so lucky. For most it was far from being a bed of roses.

"Earth calling Sammy, do you read me?"

"Sorry Love I was lost in thought."

"Your sister is coming around this afternoon to discuss the wedding, she's in Cambridge now, she should get here about four."

"Great, I'm sure you can plan the whole thing in a few hours. Once you decide on a date that is."

"Don't get snarky Sam. You know what us girls are like with weddings. You can cook the dinner. "

“Ok, but you know I like to sing as I cook. That radiogram’s going to get a workout.”

Sam gave her a lopsided smile and kissed her goodbye.

"I'm taking the Leaf today. I’m going into central London. If I use the BMW. I'll pay nearly thirty pounds with the ULEZ and congestion charging."

Sam had got himself a small electric car. It was very expensive to drive in London now. Some places even charge more to park if you had a diesel car. Mayor Khan had introduced the new charge at the end of October. Sam had screamed “ KHHHHAAANNNN” at the top of his voice, doing his best Captain Kirk impression. He had, had to explain it all to Michelle.

Michelle had concluded that Sam was a geek. It was just another reason to love him. Sam knew pollution was becoming a problem in many large cities. Something had to be done.

He drove to work happy and content with his life. Everything was going to be fine. Two of his favourite women would be there when he got back from work. Life was good!

How Fiona had managed to get to the services without killing herself had been a small miracle. She had come down from her cocaine high and had thrown up next to her car. She had slept for three hours afterwards. All she had ingested in the last eight hours was half a bottle of scotch. She eyed the cocaine in her handbag, but resisted it. She loved the confidence it gave her. She would take it before she had it out with Sam. She wanted £200k from him. That should be enough to bail herself out. If he didn't transfer the money, she would let the shotgun do the talking. It all made sense to her drunken addled brain.

She went to the services and used the toilets to try to freshen up. The sat-nav said she should arrive just after 5P.M. She grabbed a coffee, and resumed her journey.

Back in Herford, Michelle sang along to Neil Diamond as she did the housework. She loved Suzi like a sister, she was looking forward to seeing her.

Fate was drawing closer, in the form of a bitter, angry, women, with a shotgun.

©Leeanna19 2022