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Chapter *33*
 
“You never did show me what you got yesterday in Bonn.” Bern hinted as I poured the tea.

“Didn't I?” I hedged.

“No you didn't Gaby Bond.”

I sighed, she's like a flippin' Rottweiler sometimes.

We got back about thirty minutes ago after an epic drive home, we had to divert around Bochum due to a pile up on the E34 that cost us nearly an hour. As a result we missed out on both refreshments and Tatort at Mettmann.

“So?”

“Give me a chance.”

“You are bang out of chances.” She growled.

“Oh my god Drew, you are so wicked!” Bern crowed a few minutes later.

“I still have to get him to wear it all.” I pointed out.

“I'm sure he will if you ask nicely.”

“If you say so.”

“You know he's soft on you.”

“Eww! That is just so wrong.”

“So what about your costume?”

“Mostly sorted, you?”

“Steff's lending me a slinky frock and Anna has a wig I'm gonna use.”

“Seems like most people are making a bit of effort.”

Bern picked up the tray loaded with beverages and biscuits.

“Where's Dad?”

“In the office, new shoes Gab?”

That's my sister, miss observant.

“Er yeah” I admitted, to be honest I'd forgotten I was wearing them.

“Nice, I might have to borrow them.

“Sugar! Dad's present!”

I took off up stairs, my heels clattering loudly on the treads, before skidding to a halt in my eyrie. I picked the board up and got as far as the top step before realising the danger of descending the stairs, especially wearing heels! I backtracked and after flipping the sandals off restarted the descent barefoot. Down was much slower than up, there is just no way I was risking dropping it!

At the bottom I stood it on a step and lifted the cover to check it was ok, yep, everything was still in place. Once more safely in my arms I nudged the door open.

“What have I told you about those stairs?” Dad enquired as I came through the door.

“Er?”

“Don't run and especially not in heels, you'll break your neck.”

“Sorry.” I sheepishly noted.

“Dad!” Jules motioned at him.

“So what was so important you had to crash around the house in such a hurry for?”

“Clear us a space Bern.”

She moved some stuff off the coffee table and I placed my precious cargo down.

“Happy birthday Dad!” and with a flourish I whipped off the cover to reveal my masterpiece.

There was a moment of silence before anyone even let out a breath.

“The pictures don't do it justice.” Dad allowed.

“Bern helped me with the stones.” I mentioned.

“Wow Drew, that's well cool.” Which is more praise than I generally get from my sister.

“I like the people Gabs.” Bern put in.

“Come here kiddo.” Dad instructed pulling me into a hug, “thank you and you Bern.”

For a second night we both ended up shedding a tear or two.

“ Max, Max !” I hissed under my breath as he passed with the Strech's.

“Eh? Oh right, see you guys in a few, business to sort.”

“Nice business!” Ralf grinned before Freddy yanked him away.

“You got the stuff?”

“Pretty much everything, we need to do a fitting though.”

“Okay, when and where?”

That's a good question; I'm working after school all week, which makes things more difficult.

“How about your place tomorrow night, I can ride up after work so I'll be there at like, seven thirty?”

“Fine, yeah I've got a copy you can borrow.” He waggled his eyebrows to the right.

I caught on when I heard Martin and Bern chatting.

“Right thanks, tomorrow then.”

He took off before our classmates arrived.

“You're never thinking of going out with him Gab?” Martin enquired.

“As if! Nah he's got a book I wanna borrow for my social studies project.”

“So how come we get to see your legs today?”

“She's got very nice legs.” Bern defended.

“Never said otherwise liebchen, just its rare to see them out of trousers.”

Its hardly news is it?

“I'm working after school, it's just easier if I don't have to change when I get there. That all right with you?”

“Hey keep your knickers on! I was only saying.”

“Yeah well.”

“You coming for lunch or what?” Bern queried.

“Bleh!” I was all I could manage as I slumped onto the sofa.

“Gab.” Bern indicated my skirt, which I hurriedly rearranged to protect my modesty.

“What have I let myself in for?”

“Busy I take it.”

“Could say that, we didn't stop all evening, where's Dad?”

“In the office. So you set up with Max?”

“We are not doing anything other than trying his costume out, which reminds me, any parcels come?”

“There's one in the hall I think.”

“Kewl!”

I returned to an upright position and padded out for my package, yes it's the one I'm waiting for. I'll tell you this; its infinitely dodgier rushing up our stairs in tights than it ever is in heels! I barked my shin quite painfully when I slipped on the top step.

“You all right up there?” Bern called up.

“Yeah, fine.” I replied rubbing my leg.

“You want a drink?”

“Sure.”

I took a bit more time making the final ascent to my room.

The package was wrapped in more tape than I thought was possible from a single roll! After a five-minute battle I resorted to a pair of scissors only to reveal a second bag, grrr! At least that was easier to break into, I pulled out the neatly folded garment and standing shook it out. I have to wear this? I checked in the package and found the other items each in their own bag.

I stripped down to my underwear and started pulling the new garments on, bloomers, ruffled petticoat and finally the dress.

“Whoa!” Bern exclaimed.

“Tell me about it.”

“I mean like that is just sooo cute.”

“There's some accessories to add too.” I sighed, “Why couldn't she dress normal?”

“Who?”

“Anju, my character. I went through all the books and this is quite mild compared to some of the stuff she wears.”

“You got shoes?”

“In the bottom of the closet.”

Bern fetched the black patent ‘dolly' shoes and slipped them on my feet.

“Hair?”

“There's a picture on the desk.”

She found the printout and studied it for a moment.

“Looks quite straightforward, just a big bow and that doily thing.”

“There was one with the dress I think.” I searched through the wrappings and found both the doily and a lacy choker.

“Did you buy the ribbon?”

“Ta da!” I waved the material.

“Lets give it a try then, park your arse.”

Of course the skirts managed to get in the way however I tried to sit so I just let them poof out. Bern took out my ponytail and started brushing my hair out; hmm I could sit here all night.

“Hmm.”

“What?”

“Its not quite right, where's that piccy?”

“Here.” I passed it up.

Bern um-ed and ah-ed a bit more.

“That's it.”

“What is?”

“How do you feel about fringes?

“No strong feelings, why?”

“That's what's missing, Anju has a fringe.”

“Oh.”

“What do you reckon, I can give you one?”

“Much better.” She grinned.

I had to admit that although my hair is shorter, it does look very much like Anju. I turned my head to take in the whole effect.

“Some pale makeup and you'll be her twin.”

“Anyone in?” Mum's voice reached up from below.

“Coming!”

I picked my way down from my room followed by Bernie.

“Mum!” I hugged her tightly.

“Whoa, ease up kiddo!”

to be continued....

Maddy Bell 13.10.09  © 2009