By Sharp.
Gaby got up and after washing went to the dining room. In the dining room she spotted Lucinda & Lucinder chatting away. “Hello I hope you do not think I am rude interrupting your talking. I just remembered something you said yesterday about parrarell worlds. I used to like watching Dr Who and his Tardis. I presume if you have access to other worlds you also have access to a machine that can go to the other worlds. I was wondering after Nena & Julia get married at the Cathedral in Sheffield if I would be allowed to visit some of these other worlds? I also have been thinking that perhaps we should call you Justine in future. The reason being is so that we do not get you confused with Lucinda Tiny’s mum, and also you described yourself as Justice. After breakfast we are going back to Harrogate in the helicopter. We have to meet up with the young man from Bek’s electrical. I have no doubt he will be there waiting at the Majestic for our Helicopters to arrive.”
“Gabriel please sit down. We were discussing you. Lucinda has been telling me how you seam to have a knack of spotting marked and unmarked family members. The only other thing she has noticed about you is any boys you meet change to girls. Nearly every one of them though carries a faulty gene like you do.”
“At School I was surrounded by family members. I just did not know it. That is apart from Maddy who has always looked like me. Are you any good with dreams? I have been getting dreams even in the daytime. In some it starts with welcome Golden one. We are many part of the one. You will unite the many parts as one. Already I can feel you power surging through me. Then I see a hall with lots of girls in. There also was lots of Tinys. Oh Kiko has left this golden dragon out.”
Gaby picked the dragon up. “You are a fine piece of craftsmanship.”
As Gabriel picked the dragon up to examine it. The dragon started to vanish. “Where did it go? Kiko is going to be upset it has vanished.”
Justine, “Do you feel ok Gabriel?”
“Yes in fact I feel full of energy. There is an old man coming into my head. He says welcome child of Draco, to Oberon & Neptune’s realm. Soon we his blood brothers will pay you a visit. I see our sisters Justice and Isis have already taken an interest in you. You are the catalyst who will unite all the different sections of the family. I see you already have some of our smallest people as your companions. Many more will come now the spirit is united again with you. Justine what does he mean the spirit is reunited with me?”
Angharad, “The little Golden dragon you picked up off the table was always destined for you Gabriel. Kiko did not place the dragon on the table for you to find. She placed herself there for you to find her. Our brothers can speak to you over great distances because the spirit of the dragon has already merged with you. Kiko will already know you have both merged as one. As she was the keeper of the spirit. The first time you handled the dragon you saw smoke coming out of its mouth and wondered how Kiko lit the flame. She did not, but you did when you handled it. The smoke was the spirit checking to see you were the correct one. The second time you handled the dragon she was ready and she merged with you. Somewhere on your body a tattoo of a dragon will have appeared.”
Gaby looked at her wrist and then her arm. A dragon had appeared on her arm around the brand already on her arm.”Oh you are correct? Do you have a similar mark?”
“This mark Gabriel is it the sign of a magical ruler?”
“Will it prevent me from racing and how do I remove it?”
Justine thought before answering the questions. “Gabriel there will be nothing to stop you from riding. You may find some of your companions have to accompany you though. You will also discover all your family you have who are currently here will now have a similar mark around their particular brand. Those you currently do not know will also get it once you meet them. Now I should try and explain there are many Gabriel’s, but they are all one. For instance there is Gabriel the daughter, Gabriel the sister, Gabriel the cousin, Gabriel the rider, Gabriel the Queen. These are just a few of the different Gabriel’s. They all combine to make the one. Likewise the Gabriel’s in other worlds are still part of you and they also will discover they now have the brand of the Golden Dragon. There should be only one Golden Queen. You though have already ensured that there are many.”
“Your friend Kiko called Nena the silver Queen. She was very surprised to see you both together. You will weld all the colours back as one. Some call me the Red Queen. All that means is I am a fire Queen like you but not as powerful as you are. To some people I am the queen of Hell. To others I am Kali the destroyer. To others I am Justice. Over the years I have had many names. All our people have had countless names. Some colours are closer to you than others. Reds, Yellows and Oranges will be the closest as they are all fire signs. The other colours are split into Air, Water and Earth”
“Justine like the signs of the zodiac, are all our signs split into those areas. Leo is the lion and a fire sign.”
“Yes we split into the same areas. Except we have one additional area Golden that rules over all the others. The Golden queen rules all. That means literally all. Regardless of if you fly in the sky, or swim in the waters, or walk upon the earth. Currently you do not do magic. Or at least you have had no training. You though do use magic without knowing. You spotted Tiny & her mother and countless others. With Tiny and her two small sisters things are a little different. Both you and Nena have shared everything with them. The others are coming now so I better change subject. I will talk to you later.”
All the girls had their breakfast & then started to make their way to the helicopters. Tiny, Baby & Wee Wee all hung back apparently waiting for Constance. Tiny spotted Lucinder talking to Angharad. “Hello we are waiting for Constance. She has had to return to her room for something. We thought we had better tell you both we know who you both are. We are not scared of either of you. In fact while we want to be friends with you both. We have to give you a warning. Man may be terrified to go before Justice. She though is nothing compared to the retribution the tinys will bring forth should anybody harm our mistress. Now as I said previously we want to be friends and as Constance is here you can give us a lift.”
Constance came up. “I got what I needed. I see you have two more friends are they carrying you two down to the helicopter. Wee Wee come here and let me carry you.”
Both Tiny & Baby put their arm up in the air. “Ok you two we will carry you.” Both Tiny & Baby had a grin across their face as they were lifted up.
Angharad, “Somehow I think we have just been conscripted as tiny packhorses.” With that they set off for the Pier and the helicopter.
Return to Harrogate.
Like on Saturday they passed over York. This time the girls had their cameras ready and took pictures of York from the helicopter. The remaining flight to Harrogate did not take long. As Gabriel had expected the boy was waiting with his mother. The boy was wearing his skins. Beryl recognised them as Knaresborough ladies skins “Gaby I have never seen him ride, The skins he is wearing are the colours of granny’s old club. Both mum & I are still members of the Knaresborough Cycling Club and we have similar sets.”
The mother. “Gaby you said you wanted to test my son Clarence before the public entered the hall. I packed us both some lunch as I was not sure how long these tests will take.”
Nena “As you have already got your skins on we will start with the stress test. This tests your stamina. Actually first we have to measure you to ensure the test machine is getting the maximum out of you. Once that is done we need you to strip off completely and you will be measured by our machine for new skins.”
Tim’s Mother. “Is it really necessary for him to strip off completely? It is just that he has a little problem.”
“Mum, Beryl & Denise Burton are with the group and will have recognised the skins I am wearing as Knaresborough girls.” Then Clarence burst into tears. “I am a freak. I told mum it was not a good idea to put that suit on although it fits me quite well. Mum took me to the doctor and he said, this sometimes happened to boys. He gave me a note to exempt me from sports. At school some of the girls had approached me and said, you should be wearing a bra. The boys can see all your assets through that shirt. Others have said, Well you can no longer pretend to be a boy when you are larger than us. I did not tell mum what the others say to me because I am embarrassed. I am a boy but I have developed girl bits.” Clarence started to cry again.
Nena gave him a cuddle. “We do not mind if you are boy or girl as far as we are concerned you are a friend who might be joining our team depending on today’s results. Now go and strip off and let the laser measure you correctly.”
The boy went into the compartment and stripped off he followed the instructions and found himself in a cylindrical tube.
Nena selected male on the touch screen in front of her. After a few seconds the screen came up with please select female and rerun test. Clarence’s mother touched the female symbol and the test started again. This time the screen came up Teenage female abnormal growth found allow immediate removal. The mother touched yes on the screen. There was a whirring sound and healthy fertile teenage female, growth removed appeared on the screen. The printer then started to churn out quite a lot of paper this was all gathered up and handed to the mother.
The mother spoke, “I sort of guessed the sizes Claris might be, I brought this bag with me. It has a dress, bra, pants & trainers. Oh this has her skins in how did that get here?”
One of the tinys spoke, “We exchanged the bag you had for these. Claris also needs a prom dress for the school prom this coming weekend as she will be getting an invite from her fiancé.”
A smart young man came up. “Hello Mrs Bek I am called Simon. I go to school with your Claris. I think of myself as a friend. I am a little embarrassed saying what I have to you, but it must be done. All through primary school and secondary school Claris would only ever dress as a boy and answer to Clarence. The girls tried telling her that she needed a bra as she was giving the boys thrills. For reasons only known to Claris she would not listen. I would like to take Claris not Clarence to the school prom on Saturday night at the Crown Hotel. So please can you ensure she has a dress for that event. If money is a problem then I will pay for the dress.”
Meanwhile Claris had found the clothes laid out for her. The bra was the biggest problem she got it on but could not fasten it. Then she tried again and fastened it at the front but got it upside down. The third time she got it correct. She also realised she had to adjust the straps so they gave the maximum support. The underwear like the dress was pink it was made of a stretch material and showed off her figure. With the trainers there was a pair of pink trainer socks. Claris looked at herself in the mirror. The machine had done her hair and given put makeup on her face. She was also sporting two pairs of studs in her ears. Her finger nails looked more like pink talons rather than the short chewed nails she had previously. She thought well Claris you look more like Barbie than Clarence now. She opened the door and came out.
“Mum I need a dress for Saturday for the prom. Oh hi Simon do you like the new look?”
“You surprised me. I was asking your mum for help. I want to take Claris to the prom. That is if none of the other boys have not asked you already.”
Claris planted a kiss on Simon’s lips. “Yes I accept. Mum this is Simon Tordoff he has been my boyfriend and protector through school. He even got a few beatings protecting me.”
“I also got quite a few detentions because I was protecting Claris. Are you both doing anything special?”
Jools, “Well Claris and her mother were coming with us to look round the exhibition, and then we were going for a ride out. Nena where are we all going and do we have room for Simon?”
Nena, “Well I think we can find room for a boyfriend. Especially one so loyal that he gets in fights because of Claris.”
Claris, “Simon the Clarence phase of my life is over. I am 100% girl now. My friends here have made me realise what I was missing out on. Sorry for causing you trouble. There were good reasons for me being Clarence. When I was born the doctors informed my parents I was both boy and girl and rather than make me one or the other they would prefer to wait and see what nature had decided for me. Well my parents waited, but it was decided that I would be brought up as a boy as dad always wanted a boy. I thought I got away with it well until these babies started to grow. Then all my body started to change.”
“Oh I had no idea I and the others all thought you just liked being a tomboy. So what happened to your boy bits? Do you need surgery or has your body absorbed it somehow?”
“Well I have not been in hospital for any surgery. I am not sure what happened one second it was there and then it was gone. I presume it must be as you suggested that my body has absorbed it. I need to get myself checked out, but I believe I am a fully fertile female now. So now you know do you still want to be my BOYFRIEND?”
“Claris I have never stopped being your boyfriend. If you mean do I want to be your fiancé and put everything on an official footing then yes I do. I hope one day to make you my wife if you will have me”.
“Yes please.”
Mrs Bek burst out laughing. “You two are as bad as each other. Claris it appears Simon has just proposed to you and you have just accepted. I have no objection to the two of you becoming engaged although I would prefer you both to wait a while until you got married.”
“Oh I was going to wait until after I had finished university Mrs Bek. Grandma gave me this ring for when I chose a wife. She said I had to know what I was doing before I gave a girl this. I also told grandma about you Claris. She informed me I was just like grandpa getting into fights over a girl. Apparently grandpa also got into them over grandma. Grandma laughed and said Simon regardless of if you know it or not that is the girl that will become your wife and carry the Tordoff name on. So as dad would say. If a job is worth doing do it correctly.” Simon got on to his knee “Claris while I want to wait until we have our degrees I would like to get engaged to you. So will you become my fiancé?
“Yes I will go the prom with you, yes I accept your proposal and I will be your fiancée, yes we will wait until we have both finished university before getting married.”
Renate, “Young man well done. I see you are trying to steal away one of our riders.”
“No madam Claris has been my friend for a long time. I know she rides with the Knaresborough club and I would not stop Claris from riding with them.”
Renate, “Nena today is trip to Skipton Market. I would like to have a chat with Mrs Bek. So can you find room for these two on your coach?”
Anniefrid who was in a wheelchair spoke. “I know you Simon you have a sister like me. You also like watching the racing as I have seen you at the Knavesmire stand at York pushing your sister about. Where is Serena today?”
“Hi Anniefrid I was looking at some of the stands. I was looking at an adaptation for a tandem that allows an able-bodied person to take a disabled one out on a bike.”
“Serena I know about those as I had the first prototype. Drew Bond made it for me and then daddy had his men ensure it was secure. Since then Apollonaris have started producing the adaptions.”
“Oh Anniefrid you were lucky having him as a friend. You know his mum is still the ladies champion. Drew himself is or was the Junior Champion. Simon can you buy one of those adaptions that goes on the back of a normal bike and then you can take me riding?”
Gaby, “Anniefrid I presume you two know each other quite well?”
“We both go the local PHAB club. We both got injured around the same time by horses. PHAB means physically handicapped able bodied club. In fact Serena here thinks Drew is rather dishy.”
“Anniefrid do you have to tell everybody? Anyhow if you read the cycling papers like I do you would know something happened while he was in America on a school exchange. I did read in one paper he had died. I thought I saw him after he was supposed to be dead and it was his sister Gabriel Bond with another girl who was dressed like a Goth. They both had been crying as I could see the stains left by the mascara. In another paper I read Gabriel Bond had taken her late twin brother’s place as junior champion. The paper was speculating how long it would be before she managed to unseat her mother as world champion.”
Gaby, “I did not see that article. How long did they give Jenny Bond?”
“Well it was not how long they gave Jenny as could Gaby do it before her marriage to Prince William of Wales. Just think Anniefrid your friend Drew would have been brother in law of our future King. Simon why are you giving me funny looks?”
Simon, “Please excuse my sister she thinks with her mouth. As you might have guessed she is a fan of Drew Bond’s.”
“Simon how long do you have to keep me out in town?”
“Well mum told me she wanted us both out of the way for most of the day so she could pack the cases and tidy the house before we left early for Scarborough. Your friends here have invited me to join them for the remainder of the day on a coach trip. I was just going to say I could not go because I had something to do.”
Nena, “Well Claris do you still want Simon. Simon can come with us now you know he has another girl to deal with?”
“Yes I do. In fact it would be better for his sister if there are some girls to help out. I bet Simon has not given thought to her going to the toilet.”
Renate, “Have either of you a telephone to call home. I will speak with your mother.” Simon hands his mobile phone over to Renate. “Hello is that Mrs Tordoff Simon’s mother? I am Renate of Bavaria. Simon & his sister are currently talking to my nieces and grand daughters. They have been invited to join us for the remainder of the day on a tour and we will ensure they get to Scarborough. We will meet you at the Royal at 20.00 where you will join us for our evening meal. Now as you did not get informed earlier Simon has just proposed to Claris and did it like a true gentleman.”
“Did I miss hear you? I thought you just said Renate of Bavaria. As for the news about Simon I am not surprised. I presume he gave Claris his grannies ring.”
“No you did not miss hear me I am Princess Renate and married to Sigfried Prince Regent of Bavaria. Your son & Daughter are currently talking to Empress Gabriel of Northumbria.”
“But neither of them knows any Royals. How can they be talking to any Princesses?
“I take it you are bringing your children for the disabled holiday. Your daughter has already been found suitable to join the disabled team as she is already friends with Anniefrid who already is a team member. She has also been getting on great with my grand daughter who currently in a wheelchair following treatment from cancer. So with that in mind you will come to the Royal.”
“Simon I have informed your mother the two of you are joining us for the remainder of the day. I also have informed your mother about your engagement. Apparently that did not surprise her. You did say your father works at a family garage. I believe your mother will be down to see your father at work if only to tell him the news. Now though we have tarried long enough even Maria wants to get in the coach.”
Capital of the Dales.
The group minus one or two who had to be present at the exhibition boarded the coaches. Simon watched as his sister went on the same coach as her friend Anniefrid. Just as the coaches left the urban sprawl of Harrogate the girls noticed four giant wind turbines on their left hand side. On their right hand side they noticed signs pointing to two military bases and a third on the left hand side pointing to the Army College.
Sonja, “Is this the main road or have we taken a shortcut through a camp or something?
Den,” This is the main A59 it goes from York into Lancashire. Shortly we will be driving down a very steep hill and then back up another one through a gorge.
Anniefrid, “I have been to all three bases with my dad. The Army College used to be called the Army Apprentice Collage. HMS Forest Moor is a navy site and RAF Menwith Hill that is the one with the golf balls is used by the Americans. I suppose all three now belong to Gabriel Battenberg.”
Den, “As you can all see we have safely passed through the gorge and now we start the slow descent to Bolton Abbey.
Nena looked at her notes. “Bolton Abbey is the Yorkshire home of the Duke of Devonshire. On our right we will pass Beamsley Hall. This was the home until recently of the Marquis of Hartlington. On the death of his father he assumed the title Duke and I believe one of his daughters is now residing in Beamsley Hall. We only have about another six miles to go. On your right you will see clouds of smoke coming from the Yorkshire dales Steam Railway. Perhaps another day we might get chance to go on it. In Skipton we are pulling into the Town Hall Car park. Will all the groups stay together please as we are booked into the Castle? This is for the benefit of Maria Enzberg and David Bond. According to my notes the castle was the last to fall to the parliamentarian troops in the North of England. Some of the Royalists who survived the Battle of Marsden Moor escaped to here. Lady Anne Clifford was the nominal owner of the castle. Her husband though was a parliamentarian General. At different times it has been the Home of the king of Scotland, Richard the Third and the Queen of France. Now it belongs to a family called Fattorini.”
With that bit of information they all got off the coaches. Simon went to push his sister. The group then walked through the car park down the side of the town hall. They could see the imposing gatehouse of Skipton castle with the word Henceforth in Latin. Gaby noticed a strange flag flying.
Nena read her notes. “That flag was given to the castle by an ancestor of Lord Clifford. It is the ancient Clifford Standard.”
Gaby, “Maddy Anne was that not a Lord Clifford we sold some bikes to along with all the works?”
They walked through the gateway and stopped at the entrance lobby that was situated in the gatehouse. The walls of the gatehouse were decorated with sea shell one of the previous lords had brought back from his travels. They all were given a printed sheet. Some got the English version and some the German version of the sheet. Kiko found there was some in Japanese.
A young man with a badge on that said Guide Mr Hugh Fattorini took them round the castle. Gaby pointed to one area they had not been taken. What is that area?”
“That is the apartments built for Queen Eleanor of France and sister to HenryV111. At the moment they are empty as several relatives have died in quick succession. There deaths mean I might have to sell the castle to pay all the death duties. The family thought they had covered all eventualities. What they did not expect was quite a few getting killed at the same time. Trouble is in the current climate if I was to put it up for sale it would have to be somebody with deep pockets. I would hate to see this place bought by a builder and turned into flats.”
Dave Bond, “What sort of money would you want for this place?”
“What I want and what I get will be totally different. It is grade 1 listed and so all repairs have to get the sanction of English heritage. I believe the name is now Northumbria Heritage. The ivy and trees growing on the rock above the canal all need removing. Usually we do that at least once every ten years. I need to get on to the waterways as the springs canal is silting up and that requires dredging. It was my families dream to fully restore the castle to what it looked like prior to the siege. We have drawings and plans of what the castle once looked like. The dungeon always puzzled me as it was so small in comparison to everything else.
Tiny tapped Dave Bond and handed him a note. He looked at it and smiled. “Well Mr Fattorini my daughter would like to purchase this castle off you. I have a cheque made out for you. As for the restorations work it will all be done as we intend keeping this open to the public although it will also be a family home.”
Hugh Fattorini looked at the cheque. “Is this for real or is somebody playing a joke on me?”
Dave Bond, “It is no joke Queen Gabriel of Northumbria has decided that as this was once the home of a king and Queen it will suit her fine. That cheque is what she considers it is worth considering the repairs she will need to do to bring it up to her standard.”
“Excuse me for a minute please.” Hugh Fattorini shot out of the castle grounds and across the road to where there was a solicitor’s office. Robert Foster was just having a cup of tea when a flustered Hugh Fattorini arrived. “Robert I need your help. I think I may just have sold the castle if this cheque is good. Will you come with me to the bank to find out if it is ok? If it is will you transfer the deeds to Queen Gabriel of Northumbria? I am not joking. She is looking round the castle now.”
Robert brought up on a screen a picture. “Yes that is the girl.”
“In that case I will start the ball rolling and get the juniors to start doing the paper work. I take it you want this deal finalised as quickly as possible. Now I will accompany you to the bank if only to see their faces when you pay that in.”
Hugh noticed it was drawn on the same bank he used. He asked the teller “Could he have this cheque express cleared?”
The teller called the manager to verify the cheque could be express cleared. The manager gave a nod and the cheque was express cleared.
While Hugh was at the bank Gaby and friends had discovered a hidden graveyard. The Gardener Mr Robinson spoke. “These are the graves of some of those poor sods who managed to escape from Marsden Moor, but did not survive because of their wounds. May I ask why you are in the private are? This section is usually reserved for family.”
Dave Bond, “Actually we are waiting for Mr Hugh to return with his solicitor as we have just bought the castle from him.”
“In that case perhaps I should show you some of the other secret areas. I am only the gardener. Then so was my grandfather when this was owned by the Earls of Thanet so I am privy to some secrets even Mr Hugh knows nothing about. As you may have already guessed this area is staunchly Royalist. In the re-enactments that take place here they have to get the parliamentarian soldiers from other areas of the country. Several times in its history it has been a Royal castle. Even now to hear the locals talk you would still think Lady Anne still ruled this land. Now that was a true lady. She repaired her churches and castles. Sticking her fingers up at Lord Cromwell and his cronies. Even he knew she ruled the North not him. So when his contemporise came and informed him what she was doing he said. Let the lady do as she wishes. Lady Anne called Queen Elizabeth Auntie. Why she never made a grab for the crown we will never know. Had she done so the civil war might have been averted. For most of the North and a large proportion of the South would have rallied to her standard.”
Gaby, “That reminds me we wanted to look at Holy Trinity Parish church. We are going to the castle shop and café and then we will move on to the church.”
Hugh & Robert caught up with the group in the Castle tearoom and shop. Robert, “I have a ton of documents to sign and then the castle once again has a Royal owner.”
Gabriel signed the documents and then said, “Mr Fattorini I wish you to continue as High steward of my castle. I do ask that you replace the union flag with my Royal standard. You shall also get your wish to see this castle brought back to what it once looked like.”
Gabriel and the others left to look at the Ancient Parish Church. They wandered up to the high alter. Gaby looked at the tombs of the Cliffords. The Priest the Rev Arthur Sephton Arch Deacon of Craven was up at the high altar. “Hello can I help you girls?”
Isolde, “We were wondering why there were two holes on this tomb?”
“That is easy there should be two brasses there but somebody has stolen them and the Duke of Devonshire has not replaced them as yet. I do have a copy of what they should look like if you are interested. All those AP are to show Countess Anne of Pembroke repaired the church.”
Sonja, “Gaby come here quickly look at the royal arms they have here?”
Renate when she saw it said, “Oh, Oh, Oh.”
Rev Sephton, “Yes a mistake was made by who ever painted that. There is England in one quarter, Scotland, France and the third I do not know. I think it might be Hanover but I am not sure.”
Sigfried, “Well this was the last thing I expected to see here. That wooden painting denotes this as a Royal Church of those countries you named and of the Three Germanys, Prussia, Bavaria & Hanover. That writing is in old German as opposed to modern German. I will attempt to read it. This painting was done on the express wishes of the Rector of this church. He had a dream that all the countries you see before you now will be united as one by the queen yet to come. After looking round the rest of the church they left for the market.
Kat though stayed behind and asked.”What time is Mass?”
“We have Evensong at 18.00 if you are interested.”
“That will do fine I promise god I would sing in all his churches I visit.” Some have been big like York & Durham and others in ruins like Lindisfarne. The smallest church I sung in was at Fylingdales.”
“Fylingdales how is the Rev Bird these days? He was a curate here before he got his own parish. By any chance did you happen to meet the New Bishop of Durham?
“Oh Richard he is funny. He turned up to watch Rev Bird being appointed to look after the Catholics as well as the Anglicans as did Cardinal Waibel. Bye for now we will be back for evensong.”
The Archdeacon telephoned the Bishop in Bradford for some information. “Yes we know all about the joint church as we have something similar in Cottingley. The Bishop and some friends went to Durham where Richard Seed besides being Bishop of Durham was made a roving Cardinal. We take it you have just had a visitation from Queen Gabriel & her companions?”
“Well I have just had a group of school girls with some adults. They were surprised at a painting on the wall. An old man read the Old German on what I thought was an old painting with an error. They all were excited by the picture. One said something about the three Germanys and the queen to come. To be honest they talked that fast I missed a lot.”
The girls were looking at the stalls. They went down one side and back up another.
Claris stopped a teenage girl in the high street. “I need a prom dress for Saturday can you tell me is there a shop here that does them?
“Yes that is where I am going myself. I hope they have something to fit me. The shop is called Cinderella’s.” With that Claris & Mother went off with the girl.
Anniefrid had got into difficulties crossing the setts and asked Robert to help. One of the front tyres on her wheelchair had got caught in the ruts when she went over the stone sets. Robert managed to get it back on and then he helped Anniefrid on to the pavement. He then took his sister across. Luckily he had no problem with her wheelchair.
Anniefrid, “We have to go to the canal as we have been booked on a canal trip. It is a special boat that takes disabled people.” Going down Sheep Street and onto Swadford Street they found the former barge that had been converted to take wheelchairs.
Isolde, “When I realised we were coming here I asked Gaby if we could have a boat trip for those in wheelchairs. We are going towards a place called Gargrave and then we will return. Kat has already asked that we are back for 18.00 as she wants us all to go to Evensong at the parish church.
Cat meets up with Helen.
In Warsop Cat had met up with Helen. “Have you seen anything of Drew recently?
“Sorry Cat the Bonds are with the Apollonaris team. Em & Kim also seam to have vanished. To be honest it is a little lonely around here these days. In fact nothing has been the same since the trip to America. I do not know what went on there but after that trip the gang seamed to break-up. Till I met you I was feeling kind of lonely. I noticed there is a bike fare on at Harrogate and mum has promised to take me tomorrow. Do you want to come with us?”
“Well providing my granny agrees. She will need your mum to confirm that we have just not made a story up.” With that both girls went to see Helen’s mother.
“Helen that is a good idea. If Cat’s grandma can make it we both can have a companion for the day. I know how lonely you have been since Drew and then the rest of the gang seamed to vanish.”
Cat punched in her granny’s telephone number and then handed the telephone to Helen’s mother. “Hello this is Helen’s mother. Helen and Cat have met up. I was wondering if you and Cat would like to spend the day with us. We were thinking of going to Harrogate to the bike show and after looking round perhaps going to the RHA gardens at Harlow Carr.
“In that case I will come. I was wondering what to do with Cat. I actually have two life memberships for the RHA. So if you want to go there it will cost nothing. I had been intending to take Cat and my daughter on holiday to Scarborough. Unfortunatly she is unable to go. I know you do not know me, but Cat and Helen do know each other.”
“I will bring the girls round and we can talk. See you in a few minutes.”
There was a knock at the door and Cat came running in. Granny I have brought guests. I will go and put the kettle on and bring us all a coffee & biscuits.”
Granny, “Helen Cat is in the kitchen preparing us a drink each. I think she might need help.”
“Ok.”
“That has got rid of the children for a short while. As I said on the telephone I have already booked and paid for a ground floor flat in Scarborough. The bedding and towels are provided. It would mean either making meals or buying out. The flat is a family one with four beds. Now Cat does not know about this. Her mother should have being staying, unfortunately she had to work. How would you feel about joining us?
“I know Helen has been rather on her own this summer. For her to have Cat for a short while would be a great advantage. By any chance can you get the flat a little earlier like Wednesday? I was thinking if we went home and packed our cases we could stop at the travel lodge in Harrogate and then on Wednesday we would be nearer to Scarborough.”
Cat’s Granny telephoned the travel lodge and discovered they could have a family room. It was also close to the exhibition centre. “We are booked in there. I hope you don’t mind I said I would be accompanied by my daughter and grand daughters.”
She then telephoned the Queens hotel. “Oh you are the lady we have been trying to contact. The owner has sold the entire complex. You still have your lifetime lease on the flat. As luck would have it the flat is empty as we did not want to use it without your permission. I take it you need it for the remainder of the summer holidays.”
“Yes that will do fine and I will discuss the use of it with you once we get there.”
The two girls brought the Coffee and biscuits in and sat down. “Helen I have been having a chat with your mother. We have decided to stop the night in Harrogate and then you and your mum will be joining us in Scarborough for the remainder of the summer holiday.”
The two girls hugged each other and then went to Cats room. They then started to pack Cats suitcase. “You have some cool stuff here. Most of it looks brand new.”
“It is Granny bought most of this for my visit. I was told to only bring myself. Well I almost did as I was told I brought my laptop with me. It has all my favourite songs on and lots of pictures. Granny wants mum to move up here so we will be closer together. They did say we will be stopping over night in Harrogate that also means an overnight bag with a change of clothing like T-Shirt, Shorts & underwear. I better put my makeup in this bag as well.” Before long both girls were dragging the case and bag downstairs. “Granny I am all packed and ready. Do you want us to go to the paper shop and cancel the newspapers?”
“Yes girls that would be an idea. Pay up for what we have received and cancel the papers but ask the newsagent to keep hold of the magazines until we return.”
“Ok Granny.” With that the door slammed and the two girls left the house.
“Well I better check what she has put in here.”
“Your grand daughter has packed the case rather neatly. She has even remembered an overnight bag. I spotted the wheelchair when we came in. I presume it is yours.”
“I actually have an electric one that I use at home. That is for when I go off with my daughter and she pushes me around.”
“In that case we better see if we can get your scooter in my car. I have a Citron Picasso.” The two ladies managed to get it in the back of the car. Now if you start packing your case I will also put your wheelchair in the car in case it is also needed.” While the old lady was collecting her things the suitcase and overnight bag also went in the car. “Hello I have put Cat’s things in the car and I wondered if you needed help with your case?”
“No dear Cat will bring my case down and I can manage my overnight bag.”
“Nonsense I can carry it down. I presume one of those in the photograph is Cats mother. Who is the other girl?
Tears streaming down her face Granny replied. “I had twin daughters one was the apple of her father’s eye and always wanted to be with him. She got swept off the seafront at Skegness and although the RNLI boat was called out she was never recovered. When I saw you I was reminded of my missing daughter.”
Helen’s mother started to rummage in her purse. “I was brought up in a children’s home and this is all I have belonging to my original family. It is well worn, but I think you will find it is the same photo Mum.”
When Cat and Helen got back they found both ladies crying and cuddling each other. “Are you both ok? Why are you both crying?
Helen, “Mum it is the same newsagents we use, so Cat also paid our bill as I had no money to do it.”
“Girls while you went to the newsagents your granny and I have packed the car with all you need. After we leave a note for the milkman we will lock up and go to our house. Cat as you done such a good job of packing you can help Helen pack & Mum will help me.”
Cat and Helen got out side and started to giggle. Did you pick up on what your mum called my Granny? They must have decided to pretend they are mother and daughter. What do we do pretend we are Sisters or cousins?”
“Perhaps cousins Cat and then you can call mum aunty. If those two can be silly at their ages then so can we.” The two adults followed them out and after checking everything was secure got into the car. It was only a short drive to Helens home. The two girls went to Helens room and started to pack a suitcase. Like at Cat’s they then got an overnight bag ready.
Cat, “Oh Eck I have just realised I only packed for one over night & now it will be two.”
“Not to worry I will put in extra for you. It is a good job you reminded me or I would have done the same. That is us done so we better go and put these in the car.”
Cat’s Grandma was on the telephone booking a room for the night. She typed in her card number and the room was paid for.
“Granny I only put enough clothing for one night in my overnight bag.”
“So did I Cat. We can always buy an extra outfit each tomorrow.”
Cat found Helen in the kitchen making a drink for the adults and then she shared the remaining milk with Cat. She washed the milk container out and put it in the recycling bin. Helen was putting some food stuff from the fridge into a cooler box. These might as well come with us and the fridge is now empty. Papers are already cancelled & we get the milk from the supermarket. Better take this it is my debit card. There is a little bit in it for a rainy day.”
“Thank you girls for the drinks is there much left in the fridge?”
“No mum it is empty& I have been round removing all the plugs from the sockets. That is all but the Freezer.”
“In that case we will have these drinks and I will give the house a final check over. Then it is on to Morrison to fill up with petrol.”
At the filling station Granny said, “Girls would you like a magazine each and some spice for the journey?”
Helen looked puzzled, “Granny means sweets Helen.”
“Oh yes please.”
“In that case you two had better come with me while your mother fills the car up.”
They had just got to the counter when the mother came in. “I filled it completely up.
Granny was already paying when the young man said, “Do you have a miles card? This is worth quite a few points.”
Helen’s mother handed over a miles card. Then once again they set off. As Helen’s mother was unsure of the way she switched on the Tom Tom for the fastest route to Harrogate Travel Lodge. Journey time was estimated at an hour and an half.
“The Tom Tom is suggesting we take the A1 rather than the M1/A64 there has been an accident on the M1 and so there is a long tailback.” The girls sat back in the seats and watched the changing landscape. Before they knew it they were pulling up into a car park behind the travel lodge.
Granny pulled out a blue badge and time card. “This should get you free parking for us, but you better read what the machine says.”
“Yes it is ok to use that here.” They soon found the entrance to the travel lodge and went to book in.
The receptionist smiled. “You have a ground floor room as requested. There are complementary drinks in the room if you need anything else let me know.”
They dumped their bags in the room and then went out to explore. They walked up the hill from the travel lodge and found themselves in the town centre. “Well Cat we had better get the items we need and then that is out of the way. I noticed the International Exhibition Centre is only at the bottom of the hill. So you can be there for when it opens tomorrow. If your Aunty does not mind helping with the wheelchair I would like to go to visit the Valley Gardens tonight. As we have now got what we need I suggest we go to Betty’s Café for tea.
Back in Skipton.
22 miles away in Skipton Gaby and friends were just getting off the barge. The barge had brought them up the spring’s canal branch from the Leeds Liverpool they had been cruising on so that they were close to the Ancient Parish Church. They managed to get into the church in plenty of time before the service started. They found their remaining companions were loaded down with shopping bags waiting for them. The rector came and spoke. “By any chance are there any Angels here as I was informed there should be?
Kat. “Yes the angels are here but we have not got our cassocks.”
“In that case you had better get robed in the Vestry, and then we should be doing Evensong. However I was asked if it was possible to do a communion service instead. To be honest this is the first time I have had a Cardinal help me with a service.” This caused some laughter with the girls.
Tiny, “I doubt it will be the last time as we will be coming here quite often. That is once the repairs are done to the big house we are buying. Sorry I should have said the big house next door we bought.”
Canon Sephton Archdeacon of Craven smiled. “The prophecy has come to fruition then.”
“Not yet but shortly it will come true. Before that though we need to extend this church as there will be a lot of us attending services on a regular basis.”
The girls had put their robes on Nena had found the cross and the girls started singing. At the door of the vestry Venerable Canon Sephton met them. Beside the family a few locals and some visitors were also in the congregation. They all stood up as the girls came down the centre aisle singing. Kat managed to keep her promise. The rector said thank you to the Cardinal. “The little one is mistaken there is no big house near the church. Also alterations in churches like this need special licences before they get the go ahead.”
“Rector, I am both a Cardinal in the Catholic Church and a Bishop in the Anglican. I am one of two who have joint roving responsibilities. The other is the former curate from Skipton. Your former curate is the first of a shared priesthood. I believe other parishes are already sharing their churches. Sometimes with the Methodists as you have in three places close by and some times with the Catholics all taking place in your Archdeanary. So you are a pathfinder. Where you lead others will follow. As for licences they are already signed. Somebody from Northumbria heritage will be overseeing the alterations to this Church. The contractor will start in the morning. The local council may be slightly miffed as this is one of the first decisions of the council of the North. That is along with the full restoration next door at the Castle.”
“The last time that was summands was when Roundtrees in York got taken over by Nestle.”
“The council of the North is now the name for the Northumbria parliament. York will be the new capital while Skipton & Scarborough will provide homes for the new Queen. This is a Royal church or to be more precise a Royal Peculiar. You are not responsible to Bradford, York or Canterbury only to Queen Gabriel. What I can tell you is an error made when part of Ripon diocese was hived off will be corrected.” Shortly after this the group left Skipton to return to Harrogate over Blubberhouses. Their coaches deposited them at the Majestic Hotel.
Jenny was waiting. “Tomorrow the junior & senior teams will be holding an autograph session. That is from opening until 12.00. Then we all will be going to the RHA Harlow Carr Gardens. However we had better be getting back as we have a meeting with the Tordoff family. Apparently they own a chain of garages and would be interested in selling the Appolonaris bikes and accessories alongside their cars.”
Simon, “You talked to dad? Did he say anything about Claris?
“No Simon I talked to the head of the family & she is very happy you proposed to Claris even if she had to give you a slight push.”
The sister and Anniefrid started to giggle. “Simon, Jenny means the matriarch of the family Grandma. Regardless of what father may say. If Granny decides we are selling bikes alongside our other makes you can be sure we will be doing so. Granny has already decided Claris should be the next Matriarch in training. Is Claris not wearing her ring?”
Claris spotted her father waiting. “Sorry I could not be with you earlier. I came back looking for you earlier and I was informed you had gone shopping for a prom dress. I realised that could only mean one thing that your body had finally decided to become Claris. Now how about a cuddle for your dad?”
Anniefrid, “Wow look at that a fleet of Rolls Royce’s all drawing up outside the hotel. Somebody is out to make an impression.”
Helen & Cat had been stood by the Royal Hall when the Rolls Royce’s went past. They decided to go and see if they could see who was in the cars. They found a short cut to the Majestic Hotel and then they saw the helicopters parked on the lawn of the hotel. The girls helped push grandma up the pathway to the hotel. They could see armed guards stationed outside the helicopters.
Cat walked across to one of the guards and spoke to him, “These helicopters whom do they belong to?”
“Ich nicht spreken English.”
“Mine Deutche ist nicht ser gut. Ich Habe eine try. Mine namen ist Cattarina. Ich commen from Worksop to Harrogate in mein aunts Auto. Der schoolerin ist mein frunde Helen, Und der two fraus mein Grandma & Aunt.”
The soldier shouted something in German and another soldier appeared. “Hello ladies how may I help you? Mein Bruther does not speak English gut like me. “
Cat, “We are staying for two nights in Harrogate and then going to the Queens Hotel in Scarborough for the remainder of our holidays. We saw the Rolls Royce cars drive up, and we came to see if it was anybody famous. Then we noticed the helicopters and asked if they belonged to anybody famous. I then tried to speak German but I made a lot of mistakes, or at least I substituted English words if I was unsure of the German one”.
“The Helicopters are the Koenig’s flight. They come from the St Petersburg in Scarborough.”
“In that case we might see you and your brother as we stop two nights here and then we go to Scarborough. Mine Grandma has an apartment in the Queens hotel. Tomorrow we go look round the bike show and then go to the Gardens. I have a friend who is a champion rider Drew Bond.”
As they were speaking another helicopter arrived. As soon as it had stopped people started to board it. As Cat watched more people got into the second helicopter and that took off. As the third helicopter was being boarded Helen shouted “Hello Mrs Bond it is me Drew’s friend Helen.”
Jenny walked across to the small group, “Hello what are you doing here?”
“Hi Jenny we have got settled down in your old house. Cat & Helen were feeling a little low so we brought them for the bike show. We have booked two nights in the travel lodge and then we are off to Scarborough. Mum has a lease on an apartment in the Queens hotel. We decided the girls needed a break. I presume you are here for the bike show is Drew about?”
“No you have missed the junior team. Tell you what here are four tickets come to the Royal Hall entrance for 08.00 tomorrow and I will introduce you two to the junior team. They will be signing autograph books until around 11.00 then they are going to Harlow Carr Gardens.”
Cat, “That is where granny wants to go it opens at 10.00 and closes at 17.00. Tell Drew we both look forward to meeting him again.”
Jenny, “Sorry Cat I can not stop to talk the pilot needs to be going. See you tomorrow and you can spend the day with us.”
“That must be the Apollonaris team that are getting flown around. It is a bit different from the school bus we have. Cat did you get told what the school bus was like in America. Apparently they had hard plastic seats and the gang had a long uncomfortable ride in them. They were all glad to get off the coach and go to the hosts.”
They crossed back across the road and followed the signs for the Valley Gardens. They went up to the top of the park. Both Cat & Helen went on the swings. In the children’s play area there was a house with slides and ropes. “Girls can you help me please. I am too big to go in there and Wee Wee will not come out.”
Cat went in one way and Helen the other. As soon as Wee Wee saw the two girls she shouted, ” you can not catch Wee Wee,” and slid down the slide into Constance’s awaiting arms.
“No but mummy Constance can. You do realise you have made us miss our transport home and we will now have to wait till tomorrow.”
“Wee Wee happy Wee Wee got two new playmates. Wee Wee play with them till sisters comes looking for Wee Wee. Wee Wee got big sisters to play with.”
As they walked back down the park Wee Wee got excited. “Wee Wee smell aunty Lucy. Aunty Lucy Wee Wee here. Why Aunty Lucy no Come Wee Wee knows she here.”
Constance, “No Wee Wee Aunty Lucy not here. It is the water that has the smell.” Constance looked in her purse, “Drat I have left my charge card in my other bag I forgot to transfer it. It looks like we might be sleeping on a park bench tonight.”
Granny you are not sleeping on a park bench. We have two double beds and a sofa. I will sleep with my daughter & you can have the sofa. The girls will share the other bed. Now do have sufficient funds for some tea?”
“Oh yes & Wee Wee does not need any food as it is on tap. I was thinking of going across to the Royal Baths it is now a Wetherspoons pub. They do some reasonable meals there.”
“In that case we will come with you. As we are getting hungry.”
“Cat did you notice Jenny Bond changed the subject when we mentioned Drew. It was as if there was something we should know. Do you think he has become Gaby again?”
Wee Wee started jumping up and down. “Wee Wee know Gaby. Wee Wee friends with Gaby.”
Granny, “You two know Jenny Bond and the children?
“I am afraid we do. The transport we missed was a helicopter back to Scarborough.”
“That is where we are going after we have another night here. We are staying at the Queens.”
“You mean the former Queens hotel on North Marine Road. Gaby bought that from owner a short time ago. Many friends stop there.”
“I doubt it can be the same person. The Bonds may own the house we live in but, they certainly are not rich enough to buy an entire hotel.”
Constance, “The Bonds have not bought the hotel. My cousin Gabriel has though. I see all of you are looking puzzled so I presume none of you have been reading the papers or watching the news.”
Helen, “We have been rather busy moving into the Bonds house to be bothered with the media & Cat's Granny does not have a television. Was there something we should know about?”
“In that case I will start with what I now know. In my family there are at least two faulty genes. One will ensure girls like my cousin here will never get any bigger or older than she is now. The other causes a condition that is called intersex. That is a child is born with both male and female genitalia. Usually the child is brought up as a boy. Around puberty the fun really starts when their hormones kick in. Invariably they start growing female characteristics. Then their female self takes over fully. Your friend Drew was like that & he changed completely so now he is Gaby full time.”
Helen, “I am not too surprised at this news as he always managed to slip into the Gaby mode very easy although I do know he hated it. Although he did slip into Gaby mode to go to the Guide camp with me. I believe Maddy was a bit peeved about it. So Maddy will now be not exactly happy about having a permanent twin sister. So Wee Wee exactly how old are you if you do not mind me asking?”
“No I do not mind. I am all of 16 years old. Officially I am called Elizabeth but all my family & friends call me either Wee, or Wee Wee because I am so small. I also like getting a rise out of people who think I am a baby. There is more yet Cousin Constance has not told you. Gaby & family were supposed to be on an Apollonaris team building tour of Yorkshire. It started off ok and then certain things were uncovered. The head of the Apollonaris team is Prince Sigfried, Prince Regent and Prime Minister of Bavaria. He appointed Jenny Bond captain as she was the only one in the team who was not one of his daughters. She then persuaded him to have a junior team. For the same reasons Gaby is appointed junior captain. Jenny had informed the team doctor of Gaby’s condition & what the doctors had said. Sigfried wife while talking to Gaby noticed certain things and had them checked out. The result was we had a visit from Queen Elizabeth & the family. The next thing we knew was that Gabriel & Maddy had become engaged to Prince William & Harry.”
Cat burst out laughing, “Does Prince William know Gaby was once a boy?
“That was what I told you previously. Gaby is totally girl. The mention of Drew causes her some distress. Well when the Royal Genealogists checked Gaby out they discovered she was a direct descendant of Robert Battenberg and the Tsar Nicholas. For that reason alone it was imperative the two princes dumped their current girl friends and became engaged to the two girls.”
Cat, “I remember doing about both of them in history. One should have been king of Germany & he vanished & the other was King of Russia & he got murdered. Helen do you see what Constance is telling us. Our friend Gabriel is Queen of Germany & Russia. No wonder William & Harry were instructed to announce their engagements. Wow I thought there was something strange when we saw Jenny. So you two are you like Princesses and should we curtsy.”
Constance, “Actually I never thought of that. We are both descended from the sisters of Tsar Nicholas so I presume we are Russian Princesses although neither one of us has set foot across there. We both were born in Yorkshire. Then we all ended up being marked. Look this is mine.”
Cats Grandma went very quiet. “May I see your mark please? You say all of you who are related to Gabriel received these marks. I was told it was the mark of the devil & that I needed to be protected from the evil one. That is why I wear a bracelet with a cross on to cover this. I never knew my true parents. Similar to the bible story of Moses I was found on the east coast in a rowing boat. There was no trace of any adults. I was taken in by the Little Sisters of the Poor and they brought me up. They always ensure the sign was covered over.”
As the old lady removed the bracelet a dragon appeared around the mark. Cat rubbed wrist and so did the other two. “Granny something just stung me on my hand.”
Constance, “We are not to blame the bracelet covered up your mark at the same time it protected you from the unknown. By now your other daughter will have been similarly marked. You all have previously met Gaby. The dragon shows to all in the magic world you are all her companions & woe anybody who tries to harm you. The centre one is your family line. Yours is different to ours. One of the senior ladies will know from which line you all come. Now Cat I noticed your face when we talked about faulty genes. Where you born a boy & changed to being a girl?
“This is my grand daughter Cattarina and what she once was does not matter any more.”
Helen cuddled up to Cat. “You explained about faulty Genes. Will I change to look like Elizabeth?”
“No the majority of girls are just that perfectly normal. All the family lines though seam to carry the gene that causes intersex. If you are like that then you will transform to a fully functional female.”
“I knew from a young age I was different to the other boys. All I wanted to do was play with girl’s things. Mum took me to the doctors who said I was Trangendered that is a girl in a boys body. He gave me some hormones to allow my body to develop as a female & I had to go for a monthly check up. He suggested we go across to Holland to see a doctor who specialised in seeing teenagers. She was very nice. She took a lot of photos of my insides. I had to strip for her. She felt around my breasts and then checked me out down below. Then she told me to get dressed & then she would talk to us. The first thing she said to mum was congratulations you have a healthy daughter. I would recommend removal of her additional equipment. The operation is relatively simple in your daughter’s case. For others it is more complex. The doctor pointed out on the pictures that I had ovaries and most of the normal equipment girls have. I was grinning like the cat that had been given the top of the milk. The operation was carried out the same day. The following day I was on my way home. That is the main reason mum is trying to sell up to move to gran's. Then I can have a fresh start where I am only known as Cat. Does this alter anything now you all know?
Helen, “Yes it means I get to help you be the best girl you can be. I always wanted a sister & now I have a cousin I knew nothing about. Mum you and Granny knew about each other when I heard you calling Granny mum.”
“When I went to the bedroom I recognised the photo at the side of the bed and realised it was like one I was found with. So Cat you are my true niece and cousin of Helen. I also think mum is in shock after realising we are all misplaced princesses. One thing for sure tomorrow morning you both will be wearing the finest outfits you have as will we. Now I have a question to ask you two. When we where in Valley Gardens Little Elizabeth here said something about she could smell Aunty Lucy. All I could smell was the sulphur coming from the spring. Is Aunty Lucy rather partial to Sulphur Elizabeth?”
“Wee Wee not know what you mean. Aunty Lucy nice to tinys. Wee Wee sleepy.”
Constance, “She knows full well what you mean, but she has switched to baby mode because she is hungry. Real magic does exist that bracelet must have cost the little sisters a fortune. The bracelet it self is made of mithral silver. Until we all got together we did not realise magic existed.
Gaby certainly has no training & yet she has marked you with her dragon. As for Lucy over the years her and her brothers have been known by many names. Even Jenny was a friend of a sister of Lucy. The sister was known as Isis the wife of Osiris and the mother Horus. Lucy herself was known by some as Justice and by other as Kali.”
Helens eyes opened wide, “The Indian Goddess Kali is my Aunt, and there was me thinking you were going to say Lucy was actually Lucifer”
Cat, “Helen you are a ninny Kali, Justice, Lucifer are all the same.”
Constance, “It is no use asking me any more as I was happy running Dracula’s rest café in Whitby until Gaby & friends visited. Then I got new partners and an extended café. I do not get to run it though as I am busy looking after the tiny tinys. We have a total of three of the smallest ones. Not that I complain this one has slept in my bed for as long as I can remember. I might even get more in my bed if the hotel was fully booked. I have a feeling this one deliberately delayed our returning home so she could spend some time with you girls and get you prepared.”
Helen & Cat started to tickle Elizabeth. “Mummy help giants attack Wee Wee. Wee Wee go Wee Wee.” Constance picked her up and shot to the bath room.
“Sorry about that she is rather ticklish and it makes her want to go.”
In Scarborough Gaby had noticed Wee Wee was missing. Tiny. “Wee Wee wanted to be the first to greet two friends of yours who have stayed over night in Harrogate. We have already cancelled tomorrows night booking so they can return with us. She also informs me Cats Granny has been hiding a sign under a mithral bracelet. When she took the bracelet off the dragon sign appeared around the existing one. None of the others were marked until granny took the bracelet off. Then both Cat & Helen jumped and said they had been stung.”
As Simon’s family had put on a display of wealth Gaby and the family went and put their finest dresses on. Claris looked at her mum & said, “What do we do mum?”
“Same as the others you put on your finest dress and we will just have to go shopping again for another dress or two.”
Sonja came knocking at the door. “We thought you might like to borrow a little bit of ornamentation. They are here to see you as much as to arrange about getting Apollonaris dealership. Claris do not argue just do as you are told. Now give us five minutes and then come down this staircase very slowly. Your picture will be in Hello before the end of the week.”
Claris did as she was instructed. She looked at here self in the mirror and then at the clock. Her five minutes were up. Slowly and carefully she descended the spiral staircase at the Royal. In her evening gown and bedecked with diamonds and wearing a tiara she came down the staircase. As Sonja said a photographer was taking her picture. A reporter asked her about Simon. As she entered the ballroom her name was announced. Miss Claris Bek fiancé of Mr Simon Tordoff. This brought considerable clapping. Simon came and took her in his arms and led her on to the dance floor. This was the signal for other couples to get out of their seats.
Claris sat down and an elderly lady came and sat with her. “Your feet ache a bit; mine did the first time I went to a ball. Simon has told me a lot about you. How for a long time you pretended you were a boy & he got beaten protecting you. I was a little bit like you with a Tomboy streak I always wanted to do better than my older brother. That was until I started to change. Being a Tomboy taught me many things most girls never learned. You will be strong like I am and will learn how to control all the family members. Do not be afraid to be yourself. Simon will be strong because you are strong. His mother my only daughter in Law I was hoping she would be strong, Alas she is a dither and consequentially weakens my only son.”
“Granny Tordoff thank you for your ring. Simon & I have been friends for a long time. I am not sure when we both realised we loved each other. Simon has always been the perfect gentleman where I was concerned. There will be no funny business before we get married and that will wait until we both have graduated from university. As for what we do once we graduate Simon will in all probability go into the family firm. As for me I would like to also work alongside him until such time as we start a family and then my time will be devoted to my children. I am a little old fashioned that way. I believe I as the mother should be there for my children and not pack them off to the nearest nursery. If I want to work there are still jobs I could do from home like the firms accounts.”
“Well young lady what do you think about our garages selling bikes?”
“Well I know places such as Halfords & Motor world sell cut price bikes. However like some of the cars you sell the bikes will be top of the range racing & mountain bikes. These bikes are going to attract people who have money to spend so you will need staff who are willing to spend time with customers. I went to the Great Yorkshire Show and saw a lady spend time with a customer who wanted the best bikes available. In addition he wanted a fully equipped maintenance van. Obviously the customer had somebody who wished to enter competitions and had the money to back who ever he was buying the bikes for. While I doubt all our prospective customers would be like that. There are people out there who have serious money to spend on the best bike, best gears. They want somebody fully knowing about the bike, and what sort was most suitable.”
