Dot and Sam 43

Dorothy Philpot. Landlady of The Light pub Harbour
Sam Philpot. Drag-queen and lifelong companion of Dot.
Billy Parkins Doorkeeper.
Jessica Merlot The town’ and county archaeologist.
Josephine MacDonald The town and county archivist.
Richard Drummond Town planning inspector
Robert Vincent. Junior planning inspector.
Georgina. (Georgie) Homeless Transgender girl previously known as George.
Bobby Gay boy on the school bus.
Marty Girl on the school bus. (She becomes Georgie’s best friend, lover, and wife)
Jack. Marty’s twin brother (Keen runner).
Trevor Aitkins, Georgie’s Biological father.
Lucinda Aitkins Georgie’s biological mother
Terence Georgie’s step-dad
Peter Terence’s homophobic son.
Allison Old friend of Trevor & Retired Solicitor
Fred Allison’s husband
Elizabeth Aitkins (Beth) Georgie’s younger biological sister.
Later proves to be sympathetic to her ‘sister.’
Jonathon Aitkins (Johnny) Georgie’s younger biological brother.
Rosie the Rivetter Terf Gang Leader on campus.
Peggy Marty’s mother
Chapter 43

In the harbour office on the pier head at the end of the preserved row of cottages, Trevor, Georgie’s biological father, was ticking off the wedding guest list while Marty sat beside him. They were checking through the ‘RSVP’s’ that had so far arrived. Peggy sat on the opposite side of the partner desk, going through the seating arrangements based on the same list of those who had so far replied.

“Ah, I see Alison and Fred have replied and agreed to come.” Peggy observed with some relief. “That makes things easier for that table and I can start to sort another group for the remaining Table. Have Georgie’s family replied yet?” Peggy asked.

“Beth and Johnny have definitely agreed by phone,” Marty confirmed “but Lucy and Terry haven’t replied at all. I had expected them to phone the moment they got the invitations; if only to make a fuss about Lucy not being notified of the wedding. We still have not told them Marty’s pregnant.”

“I’m anticipating another earthquake when they do find out.” Trevor observed.

“Too bad,” Marty sniffed contemptuously. “She lost all rights to being included when she threw Georgie out and declared her to no longer be a part of their family.”

Trevor nodded sympathetically but the issue still needed to be resolved. Lucy and Terry still needed to reply to the invitation and the question of Terry’s children needed to be resolved. In truth Trevor would have preferred that the transphobic Terry did not come, nor his equally transphobic son Peter. As to Terry’s two daughters, well Trevor did not know much about them or their views about LGBT issues.

Lucy still had a right to attend her child’s wedding, though it irked Trevor to have to concede the point. However, the more his daughter confirmed she was not happy to have Lucy and particularly Terry not to attend, the more Trevor secretly hoped that they would stay away.

Once again, he studied the private letter that Lucy had written to Georgie when they had come down to see Allison in a previous summer, but the contents did not really offer a solution. As Georgie had pointed out, she did not know if the letter was sincere or just some sort of trap.

Trevor scanned through the letter thoughtfully.

Dear George (or as you prefer, Georgie,)
I am finding it hard to reconcile your wish to be considered female but if it serves to maintain some sort of connection between us then, (as any good parent should) I will strive to do so when in your company if I ever get to find myself there again. Both Elizabeth and Jonathon tell me that they have no problem accepting you as female and indeed they have warned me that if I persist in referring to you as a male, then I will most certainly will lose you and I might consequently yet lose both of them. This troubles me greatly.

It's hard to come to terms with the idea that my children have virtually no problem accepting your condition whilst I still have to persevere with my own take on it.
Parents often make sacrifices for their children so please consider this as my sacrifice for you; I will endeavour to remain in touch by using female pronouns towards you and I will also endeavour to keep you and Terry apart. That is the best I can do. Be assured, I will certainly make occasional ‘pronoun mistakes’ when or if I ever meet with you again because old habits die hard.
There is little more I can add to this letter until or unless I hear from you, either through your father or via Beth or Johnny.
It only remains to say that I DO NOT want to lose touch with you.
Mummy
Xx

Trevor placed the latter carefully on his work desk and absent-mindedly pressed out the creases. After staring across the dock towards ‘The Harbour Light’ pub he eventually decided to use the latter as an ‘open-says-me’ to try and get some action on the wedding RSVP they had sent to Lucy and Terry. Firstly, he had to get Georgie’s permission.

Georgie answered her private mobile phone while she was sitting at her workstation at GCHQ, Cheltenham.

“Oh, hello Daddy!” She answered cheerfully, “to what do I owe this pleasure?”

“You won’t thank me for this darling, but I have to get a response from your bio-mother because Peggy and Dot are finalising the wedding guest list and Lucy has even yet failed to answer.”

There was a brief silence that Trevor completely understood, then Georgie replied in a subdued, almost truculent manner.

“I don’t really want her, as you’re well aware, but I know that Beth’s step-sisters are keen to be bride’s-maids and if they are to be invited then I suppose you’ll have to contact my egg-donor. Don’t make it sound as though we’re pleading with her to bring them.”

“You’ve obviously been in touch with Beth then. How does she get on with her stepsisters?”

“Much better than with Peter. Why is it that girls are usually more sympathetic about LGBT stuff?”

“Well, you girls can answer that better than me darling.” Trevor conceded. “So, you’re telling me that they are sympathetic.”

“Beth says yes, so I’ve no objections to they’re being bride’s-maids.”

“Do you think inviting them to be bride’s-maids might serve as some sort of olive branch?” Trevor ventured tentatively.

Again, there was a pregnant silence before Georgie replied.

“I’m not offering any olive branches, but if it makes Beth’s stepsisters happy to be bride’s-maids I don’t mind that. At least it should give them something to look forward to. If it serves to repair stuff. It’s no skin off my nose. You’d best make sure that the girls know that it’s an all-girl affair. The only males will be you, Johhny, and Marty’s family.”

“What about Terry and Peter? What if they decide to come.” Trevor asked.

“Uuuhm, according to Johnny and Beth, both Terry and Peter have adamantly declared their refusal to attend. Something about ‘effing queers’ in dresses.”

“Let’s hope they stick to that decision.” Trevor finished. “I’ll get on with an e-mail. See you tonight darling.”

“Bye, Daddy; love you.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

An hour later, Trevor was about to shut the harbour office when his desk-top beeped and the printer churned out and email. He reached across the desk hopefully and was relieved to see it was from Lucy.

“We have to talk. Call me using Beth’s phone.”

Trevor paused thoughtfully for it seemed there were still some issues between his ex-wife and her new husband Terry. It seemed to him that she still avoided any possible issues about Georgie with her husband Terry,

‘Could he still be that homophobic,’ he wondered.

On the basis of the brevity of the e-mail, Trevor concluded she had little time to talk so he phoned Beth. The phone only rang but once and Lucy answered immediately.

“Yes, the girls and I will come. Give the venue and stuff to Beth and the dates of the dress-fittings.”

“Okay, I – “

But the link was already closed, and Trevor was left holding a dead line.

“Hmph,” he expostulated as he realised that Lucy was keeping communications to a minimum.

When he next spoke to Beth he would get the picture, but he suspected Terry was trying to enforce control over the family while Lucy was determined to enable Terry’s daughters to come as bride’s-maids. It struck Trevor that Lucy was trying desperately to hold her family together.

That evening Trevor organised a ‘council-of-war’ at ‘The Harbour Light’ and he invited Marty’s parents to attend. Once they had gathered, he set out the issues.

“Firstly, Lucy wants to attend but she’s anxious to keep Terry and his son Peter away in case they cause trouble.”

Peggy and her husband exchanged glances and Peggy spoke.

“The last thing we want is family trouble. How do you intend keeping them away?”

Trevor explained.

“We don’t tell Terry or his son Peter where or when the wedding is to be.”

“Easier said than done,” Marty’s father observed. “If the banns are to be read and posted, he need only look at the parish registry.”

“Only if he knows which Parish is holding the wedding. I have spoken on the phone to Georgie’s Bio-mother and stepsisters about the need for secrecy and I’ve let Allison and Fred know as well. If we can keep the wedding location a secret from Terry and Peter, then the rest of the day will be easy to Manage.
Dot has developed a good relationship with the police since the pub has acquired a good reputation for peace-keeping, so the reception at ‘The Harbour Light’ should pass without trouble. Billy Parkins and his regular team of doormen are invited as guests anyway because they’ve known Georgie since she’s lived there.
A lot of the drag queens want to come to the wedding as well and they’ve promised to not go overboard with their outfits. Dot and Sam have made it quite clear that Georgie and Marty are not to be out-shone.”

This raised a chuckle but once the arrangements of secrecy were sorted between the two families, the rest of the meeting was devoted to the last and final arrangements. The following day, Georgie and Marty met with the lady vicar of the pertinent Parish church and the date was fixed.

“A Thursday wedding then,” she mused. “That will help my schedule a lot. Everybody usually wants the Saturday. Will you need time for the decorations and festive flowers.”

“There’ll be decorations enough with our wedding gowns and bride’s-maids.” Georgie chuckled. “It will also leave time for anybody having the following Saturday wedding to organise their own flowers. It will also enable you to attend our wedding breakfast and later reception at ‘The Harbour Light.’”

The vicar smiled.

“Oh yes. I’ve heard it’s a good night there.”

“It will be a special night vicar, because normally the public entertainment nights are Friday and Saturday.” Marty grinned. “Only our friends and the regular performers are invited.”

“The drag queens?” The vicar grinned. “Will they be at the church?”

“Yes, but very subdued.” Dot explained. “The sequins and feathers only come out in the evening. Some will even arrive in drab if I know them. You’re welcome to stay all night, we’ve still got a room spare.”

“Can I bring a friend?” The vicar asked.

“By all means,” Dot allowed. “Will you be sharing a bed?”

“He’s my partner, an architect managing the Cathedral repairs.”

“I’m sure he’ll enjoy looking around the basin then. Yes, he’s most welcome.

And so, as the weeks and then the days to the wedding, shortened, so did the excitement mount. On the Saturday before the Thursday of the wedding, the brides and bride’s-maids met for the final fittings of the gowns. To everybody’s relief there were virtually no adjustments to be made and Marty turned to Georgie with a grin as they left the shop.

“I thought with my ‘bump’ they’d have to let my dress out.”

“We can hardly notice your bump darling. Stop worrying. Come on let’s go to the clinic for your check.”

Georgie and Marty agreed to meet the bride’s-maids later, then they separated as Georgie and Marty left for the clinic.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Is there something wrong?” Marty asked nervously as she saw the gynaecologists expression turn to a frown.”

“No, I don’t think so, but I’d better get my colleague check this out.”

Marty’s mood darkened as she turned to Georgie.

“Something’s wrong! Did you see her expression.”

“Yes!” Georgie swallowed nervously. “But we don’t know for sure.”

As they exchanged fearful looks the gynaecologist returned with a familiar face of the midwifery nurse towing a familiar instrument.

“What’s wrong? Are the babies okay.”

The tension mounted as the nurse adjusted the natal scanner. Then she looked up matter-of-factly.

“Perfectly okay, here take a look.”

Marty leant forward as the nurse rotated the screen and released a knowing smile.

“D’you see anything.” She asked as the gynaecologist also bent to look.

“Oooh yes!” The gynaecologist exclaimed as she turned to Marty. “Do twins run in your family?”

“Yes. I’m a twin!” Marty replied as she peered at the screen and realised what she was looking at. “Is that another head?” She squealed as she tapped the screen?”

“It certainly looks like it,” the Gynaecologist replied as she checked Marty’s file, “and it looks as though the female foetus has divided. We must have missed extra heart-beat because of the twins. Can I ask you to roll on your side?”

Marty did as asked, and the nurse promptly smeared the cream on the side of Marty’s belly. After taking a second scan, they made Marty roll on her front and took a third.

“Why all the palaver,” Marty asked.

“We’re double checking the third foetus,” the gynaecologist explained, “to see if we can determine the sex.”

“Oh. Would it matter, we already know there’s a boy and a girl in there.”

“Multiple births always need extra care. Anyway, wouldn’t you like to know?” The nurse pressed.

“Well, the grans will want to know I suppose,” Marty conceded, “they’ve been discussing baby names since day one.”

The nurse studied the new images and nodded with satisfaction as the gynaecologist also nodded approvingly.

“Twins, girls; are you happy?” the nurse asked Marty.

“Of course, provided they’re healthy.” Marty replied.

“We can’t see anything else on the scan, but we’ll take some fluids and run some tests, just normal procedures. Don’t worry I genuinely can’t see anything amiss.”

Marty sighed as Georgie took her opportunity to study the images with Marty. The gynaecologist studied the pair and asked.

“Are you going to tell the grand-parents?”

Marty’s eyes widened with amusement as she turned to Georgie.

“Let’s keep it as a surprise. They’ve been rattling on about names since day one and I’ve sensed a noticeable aura of competition between the grans.”

Georgie’s eyes widened with delight as she contemplated the idea.

“That’ll be a hoot. We’ll keep them on tenterhooks right up to the births. You know how they’ve been going on about it.”

The doctor and nurse suppressed a chuckle as they saw the mischief glittering in Both girl’s eyes.
“So, you haven’t decided yet anyway?” The gynaecologist asked.

The nurse smiled and turned to the gynaecologist as she tapped the screen with satisfaction. They exchanged a hand signal and the nurse turned to Marty.

“Do you want to know? It looks pretty certain.”

“Go on.” Marty replied as Georgie leant in.

“It’s a girl, and they’ll be identical. We only planted two eggs.”

“Are they healthy?” Marty asked.

“As far as we can tell, yes.”

Georgie and Marty gave each other a long tight hug as they contemplated the day they would break the news, after the children were delivered.

Armed with their secret, Georgie and Marty met the families in town and chatted excitedly about the forthcoming wedding for the following Thursday.

“So, you’re certain that Terry and Peter have no inkling?” Georgie asked Peggy.

“As certain as we can be, they’re working on a housing estate near Exeter during the week, and they’re booked to watch Bristol Rovers on the Thursday night. Serendipity I think.”

Thus reassured, the families finished the last minute shopping and arranged to collect the wedding gowns on the Tuesday ready for the Thursday wedding.

“We’ll keep everything at the ‘Harbour Light’ for secrecy’s sake Dot declared.”

This had already been pre-arranged and everybody departed with the plans firmly arranged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~