Part Thirty Three   "Decisions"

 
Monday 25th May (Continued)
 

It seemed as if Livvy's eyes had been opened, she'd ignored Jeri's needs and now thought she could fix everything.

"No, Livvy, although we can dig back to find the cause, that does not mean we can wind the clock back and fix it. All we can do now is deal with the issues as they are."

"No time machine then?"

"We'd risk changing the timeline, the Time Lords wouldn't be happy."

Olivia Anders laughed.

"Come on Livvy, we need to collect your daughter." Tammy pointed towards the ladies loo, a little make-up restoration was needed. Tammy wasn't alone very long.

"Ah, there you are!"

"Hello Tanya."

"Why didn't you answer me?"

"I've been busy."

"It doesn't look like it?"

"I have been, I'm just waiting for Jeri's mum."

"You didn't need to be so rude to me."

"Now is not the place."

"So I guess here is not the time?"

"Something like that."

They giggled.

"Look, Tammy, check your phone."

Her social media timeline was full of references to Thurso's recently departed MP. There were photos of press outside a house, "that's Helen's house," and another "shit, that's home."

There were several missed calls, but Livvy returned before Tammy could make a call.

"Livvy, this is my good friend Tanya, Tanya this Jeri's mum. We have a problem and need to move."

Across the bar Tammy spotted a couple of faces she'd seen at a press conference the previous week. She called Frances over.

"Could we leave by the side exit?"

They escaped into the alley, Tammy led Livvy to the car whilst Tanya went to collect Jeri. Thankfully this was managed without disturbing the pack of hacks. Tanya slid in the back with Jeri.

"Where are you going, Tanya?"

"With you, looks like you need me."

Tammy docked her phone and called home.

"Hi Pru, what's it like?"

"We're locked down."

"Okay, we'll go direct to the school."

"I'll let your dad know."

"Cheers."

Next call was to Hilary.

"What does it look like on the monitors?"

"If you're heading to the school, pretty good. Oh, can you let Tanya know we're watching." Hilary rang off before Tanya could react!

"Ruddy cheek!"

Jeri creased up, her mum was at a loss to see the joke.

"Who was that lady?"

"My manager in the agency I work for."

"Spies!"

"No, Tanya, research and business intelligence."

"Spies!"

"Tanya!"

The gates to the school were closed but opened as Tammy approached. "I haven't been here for years" offered Livvy.

Tammy parked by the main doors but took a gander at Jeri before they went in, not having had a good look beforehand.

"Wow!"

Jeri's hair was now a short bob, layered, with room to grow. Her brows had been waxed and she now had a single gold stud in each ear. Her make-up was minimal, or at least looked that way.

She'd dressed that morning in white capri shorts and a short-sleeved pink top, her bra straps clearly visible. The look was simple but unequivocally a girl, how were they going to resolve this?

Tammy wanted Tanya to remain in the car but she'd already wandered into the school and was busy talking to the secretary Janet Adams.

Tammy coughed, "Janet, could you see if the Head's free? We're a little early."

"Of course, Tammy."

Tanya started to wander away. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Your common room?"

"Get back here, you have no reason to be here." Tanya threw her arms up just as the Head's study door opened.

"Ah, Mrs Anders, Miss Anders, please come in. Miss Smart, I may need you and Miss Smith don't go anywhere."

Tammy shrugged, "coffee?"

Regardless of Tammy's intentions, the two girls found themselves in the sixth form common room, much to the surprise of the few boys around the school. The supply of Hob Nobs was running a little low, Tammy made a note to remind someone.

"Tanya, please tone it down. It may seem like a laugh but there's some nasty business going on."

"They got rid of a bent MP, so what?"

"There was a hit out on Helen yesterday."

"What?"

"The police arrested two thugs who were looking for her."

"I didn't know."

"No-one does, well almost no-one. You are blessed with a little inside knowledge and then insist on embarrassing me in public, it's not doing me any good and it's not just a bit of fun."

"Well, if you told me ..."

"I can't, I can't say when it's not okay to repeat stuff because it very seldom is. Imagine, someone in your school leaks all sorts of problems concerning you but claims it's just for fun?"

"I'd be wild."

"Right, now consider that you're involved in a welfare case in this school where the parents are well known, internationally known. Do you think it's okay to tell all your friends about this?"

"A bit of celebrity gossip?"

"No, a child's health and security."

"When you put it like that?"

"Correct, the first time you make a mistake like that you can lose your job and your home. Try getting another when there's a breach of confidence on your record."

Tanya ran out of words so just sipped her drink.

"Look Tanya, it's for your own benefit that I don't tell you everything, it's called plausible deniability. Because I know where Helen is, I've likely become a target. If you start telling everyone that you know where she is, or that I know, then you've also become a target."

"You said the police stopped them."

"Yes."

"So the danger is over?"

"What if there was a back-up team, or another team is on its way? The risk remains."

"Oh."

The telephone rang, Tammy answered it. "Okay, I'll come down."

She picked up her bag, "the Head wants me, I suggest you sit in Janet's office while I am in the meeting."

Tammy knocked on the study door before entering, it didn't matter how often she'd been in this room, it generated an irrational fear the moment you walked through that doorway. Tammy wasn't entirely comfortable.

"Ah, Miss Smart, please join us."

Reverend Franklin and Deputy Head Mr Thompson were sat with Jeri and her mother. Janet Adams supplied a coffee then sat at the rear of the room.

"I have asked Mrs Adams to take minutes of our discussions, in order to avoid any misinterpretations. I take it you have no issues with that?"

Tammy took her seat, "no, Sir, good morning everyone."

She received nods from the participants, sipped her coffee and instantly regretted not using the loo on her way here.

"It is fair to say, Miss Smart, that finding a mutually acceptable solution is proving difficult. My concern is that young Anders is painting himself, herself, into a corner that's likely to end up with exclusion or voluntarily leaving the school."

"I see, Sir."

"It's unfortunate that this could not have some up at the end of term as we'd have eight weeks to resolve the medical and legal aspects."

"Indeed, so it is the next six weeks that are the issue?"

"Correct."

"If Miss Anders were to attend as a day student, what dress code restrictions would you insist upon?"

"As you know, our sixth form dress code was expanded recently, we didn't see the need to distinguish between male and female as it was assumed that common sense would prevail."

"So if Jeri wishes to wear a skirt, she can?"

"It would be within the dress code, within the letter of the dress code. Those shorts would not be acceptable, nor would that t-shirt." Jeri nodded.

"School records would also remain in the name of Mr Gerry Anders until legally changed."

Jeri nodded, but this was not a new policy.

"So it is a question of accommodation for six weeks as Jeri would have to give up boarding for now?"

"Indeed. I gather you are aware of the bursary and the financial restrictions of the family?"

"I do know some of the background, Sir, and I believe that won't be a barrier."

"Please explain."

"The cottage has been empty since the new year, since Mrs Small moved out, and has been recently redecorated. I understand that won't be needed again until July?"

"Correct, and even that would be subject to Miss Smith and others."

"So, would you have an objection if I took a short term lease on the cottage?"

"Not at all, are you suggesting that young Anders lives there alone? I would remind you that they're under eighteen."

"No, not at all. My suggestion is that another day student, Miss Helen McPherson also resides there."

"Ah, the poor girl lost her mother yesterday?"

"Yes, and there are some concerns for her security."

"So you believe that moving her onto the school grounds solves the accommodation issue?"

"It's a workable solution."

"Mrs Anders?"

"I barely know Helen having only met her yesterday, we've not had a chance to talk. Is she reliable?"

"She's the daughter of the late Viscount Foreland, an old boy of St Andrews. She's attending here for her exams after a personal request from her aunt, Elsie McPherson."

"I see, Tammy would you expect us to pay you?"

"No, think of it as a gift. My concern is that any disruption will interfere with Jeri's education, it won't be ideal for either of them but Jeri will have access to all the school's facilities as well as a home."

"Can Helen cook?"

"Unlikely, it'll be a steep learning curve. Mrs Anders?"

"Jeri can cook."

The Head invited the Reverend to speak.

"Thank you Miss Smart for your solution, as you implied the main concern here is education, both of Miss Anders and the other students here. One thing does concern me, however, is that we'd be knowingly placing a female with a genetic male - regardless of how he or she dresses. That would be inappropriate."

"Reverend, my daughter lost her testes to cancer two years ago and refused to take any hormone replacement therapy. This leaves her unable to father a child and without any testosterone in her system. I would be truly amazed if she was capable of any sexual shenanigans."

The Reverend blushed. "So, your daughter is a castrati?" Livvy nodded. "I see, I have no objections, Headmaster, subject to appropriate supervision."

The Head turned to his Deputy, who was also the head of the sixth form at St Andrews, "I concur with Reverend Franklin, it is an acceptable solution subject to supervision."

"Now, Miss Smart, would you personally be taking the lease?"

"If you don't mind, Sir, I'd rather if my property company is the leaseholder. My PA can handle the paperwork."

"When would you envisage moving?" The question was directed at Jeri, who shrugged.

"Headmaster, I and Jeri's sister will be here for a few more days, perhaps Wednesday or Thursday would be best?"

"There is one aspect that we can't confirm, Miss Smart, will Lady Foreland agree?"

"I believe so."

"What about security?"

"I believe that will be in place in time, but the basic security system is adequate."

"Good, then I think we're done. Could Miss Smith be sent in?"

Tammy suggested Jeri went to the common room to meet any sixth formers who were still on site, but Livvy was not needed, nor desired. Deputy Head Mr Thompson came to the rescue and offered her a tour.

Tammy now had a chance to use the loo, she pulled Jeri into the ladies.

"I can't ..."

"Yes you can, do you really think you could use the boy's toilets now?"

"I suppose not."

"Look, I need a wee."

They made it to the common room shortly before the lunch bell, a few boys were waiting there instead of queuing outside the refectory. Tammy walked in first.

"Hi Tammy, Hi ......"

Several phones appeared and Jeri's image was taken, she wanted to hide.

"Now, now, don't frighten her, put those phones away. You know Jeri, she'll be a day student until the end of term. Can I remind you that taunting is dealt with as bullying."

The phones went away, but so far as Jeri was concerned the damage was done. It was with some relief that Tammy's phone pinged.

Waiting by your car

They went back to Dunbankin' via the back gate. Tammy briefed Richard then told Helen what was planned.

"So do I get a choice?"

"It's easier to protect you within the school than it is here, you'll also be helping Jeri."

"So what happens when I finish my exams?"

"I'd like you to stay so long as Jeri is still at school, but then it's your choice."

"I have a house in town."

Richard intervened, "until the will's sorted that's out of bounds, I would suggest selling it and buying somewhere more anonymous. What's your plan after school anyway?"

"I don't know."

"Well, young lady, you're running out of time."

"I know, but the past month's been difficult."

"Never mind that, Helen, you've had over a year to think about it!" Richard was becoming angry. "Get real, you're eighteen and no-one, no-one, has a legal responsibility for you."

Helen burst into tears, "I don't know, I don't know."

"Look, make yourself an appointment at the college, Pru will help you, and speak to the admissions team. When you know what you're going to do it makes the other decisions easier."

"I suppose so, but you know I can afford to go off on a world cruise first?"

"True, but if you blow all your money, what would you have to fall back on? Get yourself some life skills while you're young."

"My life's a mess."

"Then sort it out instead of moping, Jeri needs help putting a wardrobe together, learning make-up skills and a general crash course in being a girl, you have the skills to do that."

"I can't cook, mum never taught me."

"Then you'll learn, Jeri can cook but we'll arrange some training if necessary. There will also be supervision, whether it's Tammy, Joan or the Head."

"I see, so no wild sex parties then?"

***

It turned out that Tanya didn't have any plans for the day, but somehow did have a swimsuit in her bag. Lunch was first, however, then Tammy and Tanya changed into their bikinis.

"So what happened in the Head's office, Tanya?"

"They offered me the job."

"Interviews were at the end of the week?"

"Yes, but no-one else applied second time around."

"What about the paperwork?"

"Janet's posting the contract and emailing me a link to do my Disclosure, it's all online now. That'll take a few weeks, then I'm to be at the school for day or two a week until the end of term. I'm told you're getting the cottage first?"

"It's for Jeri, she can't be a boarder any more."

"Why not stay with you?"

"I can't run her to and from the school every day, it's been bad enough with Helen. Once she comes back after the summer, she'll be able to board again, but in the female wing instead."

"I see, how much of this is therapy for Helen?"

"Not too much."

"Hey, how's your photography job going?"

"I was in Scrabster at seven this morning, it wasn't very warm!"

"Rather you than me!"

They joined the others for a few hours of fun in the water, six girls in total. Richard again attempted to cremate the evening meal.

Joan sat with Tammy once Tanya had gone home and the Anders were back at Elsie's.

"Will it work, Tammy?"

"I hope so, but it's a temporary solution to a bigger problem."

"I agree, I'm concerned for Jeri."

"So am I, but we can't sit on the fence."

"I can, but it's clear you can't. Anyway, she has an appointment on Friday in Inverness with Dr Hall."

"How's she getting there?"

"I'll go with her."

"Okay, what about Professor Roberts?"

"He'll make an appointment when he's seen Dr Hall's report. Can you take her with you tomorrow, she needs a blood test."

"Okay."