At last ‘A life’
By Julie D Cole

Chapter 65 Drying out

I was grateful to Kate for accompanying me and especially since it started to rain as we left the surgery. The warm spring weather had disappeared overnight and we were both unprepared as we ran to the car in a heavy squall of rain.

Kate was laughing as she opened the car door and I asked what was funny.
She said that I’d soon learned to run in heels and was surprised that I’d kept up with her.

In truth I surprised myself and especially since my skirt had restricted my strides to shorter steps. My hair was wet as I sat in the car and Kate reached over to her sports bag and produced a small towel. I removed the excess rainwater and she did the same.

‘Shall we go dry out rather than go back to the office? Have you time to have a coffee and a tidy up and I’ll drop you home afterwards?’

I was happy for the offer and said I appreciated her thoughtfulness.

‘OK you’ve got the choice. Would you like to call at my Fitness centre or perhaps you’d like to come to my apartment and I can attend to a couple of urgent things I need to do whilst the coffee is brewing?’

‘My God what a choice it was a no brainer really but I didn’t know if I dare say.’

‘Never mind I’ll decide for you since it’s still working time. Come on I’d like to show you what hard work can bring and I never have chance to have anybody around that is such a waste.’

I smiled and fastened my seatbelt and said I’d like to do whatever she thought best and because she’d been distracted away from the office I’d be happy to help if she needed it.
As she accelerated out of the car park she said I’d have to forgive her mess since her it was her housekeepers day off.

It took less than 30 minutes to reach the security gates where Kate lives and they opened automatically using a remote control in the car. It was a beautiful location on the edge of the countryside with large trees both sides of the drive leading to a residents car park.

Kate had the first floor of one of the converted buildings and somehow I’d expected that she’d live in one of the exclusive central city apartments near the old wharf.

Kate explained that she liked privacy and that this was one of her family’s investments and they rented out the other 5 apartments. Each one had private areas and there was a covered swimming pool that had a patio area alongside it and a communal barbeque.
She said ‘Like it?’

I nodded and looked around with some envy as we crossed the pebbled area where Kate parked her car and she held onto my arm to ensure that I didn’t fall over.

We both looked a bit bedraggled as we entered Kate’s apartment and looked in the large hallway mirror removing our shoes. I had to put on a pair of slippers because no heels allowed on the wooden floors.

The apartment was massive and very modern and bright with large windows and it made my home seem very old fashioned and small.

‘Come on Chrissy let’s dry out and tidy up and then we’ll brew some coffee. Would you like to use the guest bathroom?’

Wow it was amazing. Better than any bathroom I’d ever seen before with a giant sunken bath and separate shower and a large vanity unit full of nice soaps and crá¨mes and I hardly dare use.

There were lots of fluffy white towels and 2 matching dressing gowns.

I dried my hair with the drier and tidied my make-up. Luckily my hair wasn’t that long to be a problem and I quickly brushed and styled it.

I was slightly damp but not enough to catch a cold and at least the rain shower had created an opportunity to spend a little private time with Kate.

When I returned to the lounge I could hear her talking on the telephone in her bedroom so I found the kitchen to look at making a drink. She had left her breakfast dishes unwashed so I tidied around and found her fresh coffee and coffee machine and since I already knew Kate’s preferences I started to brew.

Normally she liked Americano style hot and black whereas I preferred latte so I found some milk and no doubt the aroma attracted Kate so she appeared in the doorway.
It was nice to sip the warm coffee and Kate finished the call and insisted we go through to her lounge.

‘Well what do you think?’

‘I think it’s fantastic, absolutely fantastic.’

‘Good I’ll show you around soon if you have time and I hope I’m not distracting you.’
I was perfectly fine and was itching to look around. It was the sort of place I’d like to live and yet I’d never expected to be able to afford it unless I won the lottery. I wondered if I could ever afford such a place.

‘Kate this is 5 star and I really think it’s fabulous. How long have you been here?’
‘Three months so I don’t know where everything is yet and I rely heavily on my housekeeper. It has 4 bedrooms and a separate dining room so I do tend to rattle around a bit.’

‘Don’t you feel scared here alone?’

‘No it’s very secure and you didn’t see the security guard or the surveillance cameras did you?’

‘No but what about your neighbors?’

‘They are not the average residents they are very nice business people and families and I’ve met all of them and they made me very welcome.’

‘Do you swim in the pool?’

‘Well I’ve used it twice so far but hopefully I’ll use it during the summer months. But I do tend to be a workaholic these days.’

We sat down on the sofas and Kate switched on the gas live flame fire that gave a nice warm feeling to the room especially as Kate switched on some of the soft lighting.

‘Are you feeling better. It was a bit traumatic really. A doctor’s appointment and then a cold shower.’

‘Yes I didn’t have time to take it all in. The examination was a bit of a repeat of the other day but at least the doctor seemed satisfied with the results but I don’t want to tempt fate. It’s not like I’ve got a disease or anything so I did feel a bit guilty to be there.’

‘Chrissy you need all the opportunity you can get to talk about your situation and especially if you want to carry on and make a permanent transition.’

‘What do you mean permanent transition? I don’t think I want any surgery.’

‘I meant to live and work as Chrissy since I would like to think you’ll accept the job. I like you and I think you’ve been very helpful already and in fact you are a natural.’

‘Thanks I do enjoy working for you and I do like the job.’

‘What did the doctor say?’

‘He didn’t say much he just asked questions but mum had sent him a letter that he didn’t show me. I want to ask her what she said when I get home.’

‘Do you like living as a girl?’

‘Yes I think I do. It’s much more satisfying than my life as a boy. I can show my feelings and people are much nicer to me. It makes me feel better about myself and I’m not lonely like I was before.’

‘Well believe me Chrissy it is nice but I’m sure you’ll also find that you’ll face a lot of challenges. Life as a woman does have it’d downside sometimes as you will find if you persevere so don’t hesitate to talk to me if things get complicated or you have any problems.’

‘Thanks you’ll be the first on my list to call.’

‘Good, now how about your family situation? Is everything organized for the weekend?’
‘Yes I do need to catch up with Julie though since she’s supposed to finalize the arrangements for our Spa weekend and also I do need to call dad and ensure that mum doesn’t back out of her promise.’

‘Oh Chrissy I’m sorry, I don’t want to delay you but I did just want to let you know that I’ll be there for you as and when you make your decision.’

‘Yes I know and rest assured that is an important consideration.’

‘Chrissy I did want to carry on our conversation a little bit from this morning that is the other reason for inviting you for coffee.

You seemed to have some concerns about me and my family and at least you now know about Jessica so did that satisfy your curiosity?’

'Yes thanks. Well yes but maybe not fully.’

To be continued……..