Gaby Book 26 On The Edge by Maddy Bell Copyright© 2021 Madeline Bell Seventeen - it's a birthday overshadowed by its predecessor and successor and Gaby's looks set to follow that pattern. There are however big decisions to be made, should she grab life by the horns and experience everything it has to offer or take the more conservative, safer route through life. This volume, the 26th in the Gaby series has all the elements of classic Gaby, bike riding, teenage angst, developing relationships, grist to the mill for our heroine as life in the Ahrtal ticks on.

 
"How's the stew?” I enquired once everyone had food in front of them – well a chef likes to know.
"I'm glad I'm not veggie any more,” Mand stated.
“'s really good,” Max informed us.
"The dumplings, they are not potato?” Soph suggested.
"Ut uh, nope one hundred percent beef suet, proper dumplings!”
"You are so clever Gaby, Mama despairs at my cooking,” my noble friend informed us.
"Not everyone is gifted like Gabs, right Max?” Mand hinted.
"Mand!” I complained, "Dad?”
"Don't drag me into it kiddo.”
"You should see her roast dinners,” Max told his cousin, "Whoever said English food was boring was lying.”
"Maybe one day you should cook for the Family Gaby.”

I didn't like the sound of 'Family', knowing this lot 'Aunt Liz' would be there, you know, the Queen.

"Er sure, we could do that sometime.”

Well if I do say so myself, its difficult to beat a good lamb stew, most people favour beef or chicken these days but with the right veggies and my secret extras – well okay not really secret, a bit of pearl barley and 'erbs, you get a really flavoursome meal. If Sophia hadn't been here I would've been a bit less ladylike in my eating but I don't want to look too much like the peasant that I am. Not only that but I'm looking forward to the rhubarb and ginger crumble bubbling away in the kitchen!
 

"Urgh, I couldn't eat another thing,” Max advised sitting back from the scraped clean dessert dish.
"You didn't have to have seconds,” Sophia pointed out, "Although it was rather good.”
"One of your best kiddo,” Dad added.

If I was blushing earlier, well the dial was now turned to eleven.

"Come on Max, time to earn your dinner,” Mand told my BF as she started collecting crockery, "Thanks for dinner Gab.”
"Er right, I'll er make some coffee,” I suggested.
"Now coffee, Gabs is the master barista,” Max blathered having finally got Manda's hint.
"Max!”
 

Now don't get me wrong, I love Soph to bits but apart from being the same gender we don't really have a great deal in common, maybe that's what attracts us to each other, we aren't competing, our two worlds really are pretty far removed from each other. I guess our one other common denominator is some sort of relationship with the von Strechaus, she by family ties, me by boyfriend. Of course, any thoughts of romance this evening had been scuppered by the presence of Sophia – not that von Strechau was in my good books anyhow.

"Thanks for dinner Gaby,” Soph told me as we exchanged a parting hug, "See you tomorrow.”
"Tomorrow?” I queried as we parted.
"I er said you might come up tomorrow afternoon,” Max interrupted.
"First i've heard,” I noted giving him a look.
"Well I was just going to ask now.”
"That's right, he said he was going to ask you tonight,” Soph added.
“'kay,” I allowed, "Dad's taking us to the Anker for lunch, guess I could come afterwards.”
"Er yeah, that'd be great,” Max told me, "Well goodnight Gab, “ he dived in for another codfish kiss, "Best not keep your dad waiting.”

I watched as they departed, Max whispering to Sophia as they departed. There is something weird going on, Max has been quiet all evening – perhaps thats just because he was outnumbered? Sugar, if the Taxis are here I wonder who else from their clan is here for this 'meeting'? Maybe I'll ring Max in the morning, tell him i've changed my mind.
 

February twenty fifth, normally i'd be a jumping bean on my birthday morning, the expectation of cards, prezzies and of course, a party. I might not like it but i've sort of reconciled myself to not having the latter and, almost certainly, a scaling down of the other two. So yay for me, I'm seventeen.

"Morning,” I allowed joining the rest of the household in the kitchen where the smell of bacon pervaded the air, still dressed in my PJ's.
"Happy Birthday kiddo,” Dad gave me a peck on the forehead, "You want coffee?”
"Er yeah, please.”
"Frohes Geburtstag Gabs!” Mand told me, "Here, from me.”

She handed me the obligatory envelope and a small parcel.

"Cheers Mand, at least somebody thinks its worth celebrating.”
"There's more on the side but first, breakfast, full English okay?” Dad queried.

Really?

"Er sure.”

Well that doesn't mean I can't open Mand's contribution does it? I scrabbled the pink paper open and slid out the contents.

"Aw, cheers Mad,” I enthused as I inspected the model car and caravan, one of those Amazon Volvo's and period holiday trailer. It was on my to get list and I think I did bore her with my enthusiasm when I saw it on the cover of the model magazine the other week.
 

Well if not a princess, I did get the sort of house guest treatment, the coffee was passable and even Mand's toast was only slightly charred. Between them they had produced a fair facsimile of a Full Monty1, the only thing missing was black pudding but getting hold of that in Germany is like searching for the Holy Grail!

"We are still going to the Anker?” I asked as I helped myself to more toast.
"Sure,” Dad agreed, "Just thought i'd cut the bill by feeding you up first.”

If he hadn't been grinning I might've believed that.

The pile of envelopes and prezzies was, sadly underwhelming, I guess things really have been scaled back. A card and fifty euros from Jules and Boris – well they are students with a family on the horizon, but more disapointing were similar envelopes from Gran and Mum. Of the remaining stuff, there was swag from Ally and Maddy back in Warsop, a brooch from Al and an Anime DVD from my cousin. The only other parcel was from Gramps and Nana Bond over in Somerset, a rather nice necklace and matching drop earrings.
 

"So,” Mand started as we loaded the dishwasher (you didn't think we use the sink did you?) "We still dressing up for lunch?”

Whilst my position has softened towards Dad a bit, I'm still not happy.

"You betcha, especially if I'm going up to the Schloss later, I don't want to be shown up.”
"Yeah, right.”
"You dressing up too?”
"What sort of friend would I be if I didn't support your stand?”
"An ex friend?”

"Daa-ad?” I bellowed into the house.
"You don't have to shout,” he replied from the hallway.
"What time are we going to eat?”
"You've only just had breakfast,” he pointed out.
"Well duh, I need to get dressed and stuff, I'm hardly going out like this am I?”
"I wouldn't put it past you,” he mumbled.
"So what time?”
"Twelve? That okay for Madam?”

I checked the clock, hmm two hours just over, should be time enough.

“'kay.”
"And daughter mine, tidy please.”
"I'm always tidy.”
"Thats what I'm afraid of, twelve o'clock then, I'll be in the bike cave.”

And so we each retired to our respective boudoirs, I'll get Mand to do her hairdressing bit once I'm ready.
 

Okay, so I know what I said to Mand yesterday but I tried on the red dress and I just wasn't feeling it so guess what, yup, I found myself pulling out my absolute best frock, the D&G sequins. I did compromise though, instead of the ten den hose I usually wear with it I dug out a pair of hundred glossy opaques, with my best shoes on I reckon I'll look well sophisticated – well I will after my tresses have been teased into some sort of order.

"You decent?” Mand asked from beyond my door.
"As I get, its open.”

The portal opened and Mand came in looking very chic in her green frock, what I do with posh frocks, she manages with a few bits of bling.

"So, can I borrow that cardi? I didn't think you were wearing that?”
"This old thing? Thought i'd give it another outing and the red, was so not birthday.”
"Geez Gab, you make everyone else look like twenty watts in that thing.”
"I thought that was the idea. Cardi's on my bed.”
"Cheers,” she paused halfway across the room, well okay two steps, its not exactly a big space, "Be right back.”

Huh?

She darted back downstairs leaving me none the wiser as to what she was up to. Oh well, I'm sure I'll find out, my new birthday jewellery seemed to work well with the dress so I dug out a pair of tiny pearl studs for my outer holes. Hmm, something else, I know, instead of my usual diamond nose stud, I slipped the gold ring in its place but blinged up with a tiny pearly bead – yeah sophistication with a bit of roar, at least in my dreams.

De Vreen burst back into the eyrie, "Here, you can wear this over the top, keep you a bit warmer.”
"What is it?” I asked looking at the handful of shimmery black nylon that she thrust into my hand.
"I think its supposed to be a sexy dressing gown.”
"You can see through it.”
"I think that's the idea Blondie.”
"Oh right,” I allowed shaking it out.

It really was quite sheer, like thin tights but not stretchy and rather than the black I first took it for it was actually a deep purple and very shiny.

"Go on, it'll keep you a bit warmer.”
"If you say so.”

I slipped the garment on, the sleeves only came to just below my elbows but it was long enough to just about reach my knees, not that it would stay there as it had no closure device. To be honest, I wasn't totally convinced when I looked in the mirror, I could just put a proper coat on but I kept it on as Mand was making approving noises. Yeah, downgrade my birthday at your peril.

“'s'pose you want something doing with your hair?”
"Pretty please?” I tried to look cutesy, not sure if it was working though.
She sighed, "Up or down?”
"I was thinking up but that was the red dress and it is February so maybe down would be better?”
My self appointed hair technition just rolled her eyes, "Sit.”
 

Dave snagged Amanda's elbow as she followed his daughter into the family room.

"I know I said dress but isn't this a bit OTT?”
"Don't shoot the messenger, you said dress, you got dress.”
"I'd best get the shotgun out.”

Mand couldn't suppress her giggle at that.

There was certainly no question, if there ever really was, Gabrielle Bond would make heads turn today. After some debate, they settled on re-cutting her fringe and blunt cutting it straight at the back, only taking off about five centimetres which was barely noticeable once they'd had the straighteners to it. Red lippy and more dramatic eye makeup and the innocent sixteen year old was replaced by the sophisticated seventeen year old version.

"Come on then, lets go.”
 

They were past Ahrweiler when Dave slapped the Saab's steering wheel.

"Damn, I knew i'd forgotten something, just need to make a short detour to pick something up girls.”
"Sure,” Gaby replied from her unusual position next to her father.
"Go for it Mr B,” Amanda told him from behind.
 

"Where're we going?” I asked after Dad had made the longest U turn in history and started back towards Dernau.
"Up to the place where the Thing is.”

What?

"Yeah, it wouldn't do to forget the Thing,” Mand joined in the nonsense from beside me.

Is it just me or have I fallen into a different dimension?

To be honest, I wasn't really paying that much attention to where we were going, having decided to confirm this afternoons 'play date' with Max so I hardly noticed when Dad got out of the car.
 

"How we doing Connie?” Dave asked when his daughters friend finally picked up.
"Just waiting for Frau Bond Mr B, she rang to say they'd be about ten minutes late so they should get here any time. How is it your end? She hasn't twigged?”
"I'm running out of delaying tactics, might make another ten minutes.”
"Hang on,” Con muttered to someone else then came back, "Your wife is here, we'll be ready in five.”
'Never again,' Dave allowed under his breath.
"What was that?”
"We'll see you then.”
 

"Von Strechau.”
"Dur!”
"Oh its you Gab, er happy birthday.”

I could hear a murmuration in the background, no doubt the countless relatives up for the weekend.

"Thanks, so this afternoon, I guess I'm up for it, I'll get Dad to drop me off after lunch, if we ever get there.”
"Right, so where are you now?”
"Back in Dernau I think,” I aldvised looking out at the lane Dad had pulled up in, "Dad gets all the way to Ahrweiler then remembers he's got to collect something back here.”
"So what time do you reckon?” Max queried.
I checked my watch, "Maybe two thirty?”
"That should be okay.”
"I'll ring if its different,” I offered, "Best go, Dad's coming back, tschussie!”
"Tschussie.”

"So did you get it?” I asked as Pater got back in the car.
"Eh?”
"The Thing, that we came back for?”
"Not here, I forgot its at the other place.”
"Do we have to get it now?” I moaned.
"I promised George, it won't take long.”

Whatever.

For some reason he made a big deal of turning the car around in the lane, I'm sure if he just went to the end you can get out by the Penny markt. Eventually we ended up exactly there, about fifty metres from where we started, but then we turned to join the valley road towards Rech. Unlike Mum, Dad does usually drive within the limits but today he was in danger of setting a new slow time up to the next village.

"What've we come here for?” I asked when he pulled into the Sebenschuh's driveway.
"The er, Thing is here.”
"Great, we could've come straight....what the?”

I'd looked forward, through the windscreen as we came to a stop to be confronted by a stripey marquee and a huge posse of people.

"Think we found the Thing,” Mand suggested.
My door popped open, when I turned I found Max, in his best Landeskostum, holding the door for me, "If you'd please madam.”
"But, I just spoke to you, at the schloss.”
"Yes and no, come on, your court awaits.”
"What about the Anker?” I asked the back of Dad's departing head.
"Never gonna happen,” he called back.
"Get on with it Bond,” Mand chivvied.
"Okay, I'm moving.”

As Max led me towards the throng to the strain of 'Happy Birthday' from some tinny sound system I felt a right prawn. Here I am, dressed up like the dogs dinner with the intention of showing Dad up at the Anker after complaining about the lack of 'birthdayness' for half the last week and in front of me are half the valley who have apparently been plotting this surprise celebration behind my back. Hang on.

"Max?”
"Hmm?”
"The Taxis, Soph and her rents, they aren't here for a family thing are they?”
"Well you are almost family, I thought Sophia had blown it last night though.”
It suddenly clicked, "The late invite to yours.”
"Its was all I could think of, smile.”

And there everyone was, my girl friends, most of Apollinaris juniors, girls from the TanzKlub, the Preiser's, yep, the Taxis family, my sister, Boris, oh my god, Mum and thats Gran. Of course I lost it at that point, yep one hundred percent blubbing machine, Max's jacket was only saved by the timely intervention of Gran taking over the hugging duties.

"W, w, why? How?” I finally got out.
"Lets just say you have lots of friends who love you very much.”
"I feel so stupid,” I admitted.
"You look like some superstar model,” Gran opined, "Come on, I don't know about you but these old bones do feel the cold, lets get in the tent.”
“'kay, how's my makeup?”
She stood back and looked at me, "It'll do, like the fringe by the way.”

Sometimes the most bizarre thoughts go through your head and this was one of those times. If we aren't eating at The Anker where are we eating?
 
Maddy Bell © 15.02.2021