Managing a wheelchair with only one hand is not easy and after nearly colliding with a wall and narrowly avoiding running over several people's feet, a nurse came to my rescue, and after scolding me severely, wheeled me back to my room.

The next morning I couldn't wait to see my Mum, sisters and Tom. I felt like I was starting a new life again and just had a few odds and ends to clear up from the old one. After hugs all round and a final clearance from the doctors, I was wheeled out to where Bessie had parked her car. I had explained about the apartment and how I was leaving it immediately and everyone agreed to drive me there and help me pack. It was fortunate that Bessie had brought her husband's seven-seater SUV, as there should be enough room to pack in all my belongings as well as the five of us. We stopped off on the way to Sandgate to buy enough packing boxes (I hoped) to take all my things, and arrived at the apartment quite early. I was glad to see that a car was parked in Michael and James' spot, so someone was home.

I led everyone up the stairs to the apartment, and after they had admired the sea view, they set to work packing. I felt a bit awkward about Tom seeing the bedroom, so I suggested that he could pack some of the items in the rest of the apartment, while Mum and my sisters starting packing my clothes. Greg always left a change of clothes plus some toiletries in the bathroom, so those would be staying. Everything else was mine apart from the furniture, but basically it consisted of my clothes and some personal items like ornaments and a few paintings and prints.

“I'm just going downstairs to see the boys about looking after the keys,” I said, picking up one item from the small table.

I walked down the stairs and knocked on the door. Michael answered it and I was glad it was him. I like them both, but I had a special affinity for Michael. His welcoming smile changed to a look of concern when he saw my arm in a sling.

“Why Mandy, whatever happened? We wondered where you were when you didn't return Sunday evening,” he said.

“I was in a car accident with Greg who owns the apartment,” I replied. “I have a broken arm and some bruising but he is more badly injured and still in hospital. He'll be alright though.”

“Oh you poor thing, please come in,” said Michael.

“There's something I have to tell you. Greg is married and now of course his wife knows about us, so it's best that I leave the apartment immediately. My mother, sisters and Tom are upstairs packing.”

“Tom?” said Michael with a smile. “Am I to believe that he's 'The One'?”

I smiled “Yes he is, and it was my accident that brought us back together, so every cloud has a silver lining.”

“I knew it!” Michael said. “There's always been a bit of an air of sadness about you, but it's gone now. You're positive glowing.”

I glowed some more as I started to blush, but he was right — I felt happier than I had for many years.

“What I came down to ask you was would you look after the keys of the apartment until Greg comes to collect them?”

“Of course.” said Michael “One or other of us is usually home or he can leave a note and we'll arrange a time to hand them over.”

“Michael, you and James have been such great friends and I may not see you again for some time, so I brought this down as something to remember me by.”

I held out a small wooden, brightly polished and beautifully crafted with inlays of different woods.

“Your music box?” Michael seemed incredulous, “But that's one or your treasures.”

I smiled “Yes it is, but that shows the high esteem in which I hold you both.”

Michael lifted the lid and the little ballerina began to twirl as 'Lara's theme' from 'Doctor Zhivago' tinkled out. For a second I almost regretted giving it away, but I knew they would care for it.

“It's not too 'girly' I hope?”

“Not at all,” he replied, “We will find a special place of honour to display it and it will help us remember you until we meet again.”

I was about to leave, but then stopped.

“Michael, there's something I never told you before, but friends shouldn't have secrets from each other. When I was born, I was called Michael too.”

“Really?” his eyebrows shot up.

“That's why I came to Brisbane. My gender specialist practises here. I've been through the whole transition, including going to Thailand for surgery.”

“Wow. That is so brave,” said Michael.

“Not really. It was something I had to do. Right from when I was very young, I knew I was not going to grow up as a man.”

He smiled “You know, there is only one thing that might have made me guess, and that's that you are more feminine than almost any other woman I know. You always wear make-up and have your hair styled nicely, and you almost always wear a dress or a skirt.”

“Well, when someone like me has to work so hard to be a woman, I suppose we want to make the most of all that being female has to offer.”

“Thank you for sharing that with me,” he said, “it makes you even more special in my eyes. May I tell James?”

“Of course,” I replied. “You're both very special friends and I do hope we meet again.”

His eyes were glistening as we hugged, and so were mine.

To break the mood he said “I've just been baking, you can probably tell from the smell. When you've finished packing, why don't you all come down to have some tea with me?”

When I arrived back in the apartment it was to some comments like “Here comes Her Ladyship! It's alright, we've done most of the work.”

“I'm sorry everyone, but I had to go downstairs to see my friend Michael and arrange about the apartment keys.”

“Michael eh?” said Tom in mock alarm “Should I be worried?”

“Yes you should!” I replied, “Gay guys are always a girl's best friend.”

“By the way, is that your car in the other parking bay?” asked Bessie.

“Oh Lord! Yes it is. That complicates things.” I replied.

“Not really,” she said, “Three out of the five of us can drive at present, so I suggest two of us go in the Mini, and three in the wagon. After two hours we can switch around so everyone gets a break and only drives four out of six hours. It also means we have more room to stash all your stuff.”

After all the boxes and my suitcase were loaded into the cars, I took one final look around to make sure nothing was left behind, and we all trooped down to the ground level apartment where Michael greeted us warmly. He always knew how to play the perfect host, and we were treated to tea in the best china, and some delicious cup cakes.

“I'm sorry James isn't here to meet you,” he said, “but he's on a late flight and won't be back until nine o'clock.”

“Michael and James are both airline stewards but for different companies,” I explained. “I'm sure we'll be down this way again, Michael, and we'll definitely call by and see you both.”

With that we made our farewells and walked to the cars. I went in the Mini with Kate driving and me as Navigator. Knowing Brisbane better than the others, I could show them the best way to the main highway heading north. After stops for driver change-overs and a meal, it was evening when we finally arrived at Rockhampton and pulled up outside Mum's house. I had been thinking of sleeping arrangements, but had said nothing. Ideally I wanted to sleep with Tom of course. Now we were together again I didn't want us to be separated.

It was Tom's mother who provided the solution. Mum had rung her to let her know we were home, and when she arrived at our house and greeted us warmly, she made a suggestion.

“I wonder if you two would like to sleep at my house? I have a double bed in my room and a single in the spare bedroom, and I'd be more than happy to let you have the double bed.”

I felt myself blushing slightly (it's been a lifelong embarrassment that I blush so easily, but it would be worse if I was a man).

Tom said “Thanks Mum, that would be great.”

After sorting out some clothes, and saying goodnight to Mum and my sisters and thanking them for all their help, Bessie drove us down to Tom's mum's house.

That night I discovered something new and wonderful. As far as sex goes, I was experienced of course, some might say too experienced, but now at last I was in bed with the man I loved. I don't think Tom expected that with us both to a degree incapacitated, we would do anything more than literally sleep together, but I was not ready to give up, and when after a careful cuddle, I discovered that it wasn't just his legs that were working again, how could I not help to see what I could do to encourage him even further? He was not yet mobile enough to take a dominant position, but that was alright. With great care, using my sole available arm, I managed to straddle his body, and then with a sigh which changed to a deep groan of satisfaction I lowered myself onto his manhood.

That was when my discovery began — making love to the man I loved was like nothing I had ever experienced before. We had to take care of course, but perhaps that was even an advantage as we slowly built each other up to the heights of ecstasy, and when finally the great wave of pleasure broke over us and carried us along with its power, I finally realised what I had been missing all those years.

“Oh Tom! My Tom,” I gasped “I adore you. I never want to be parted from you again.”

Only then did we sleep together, 'like babies' as the saying goes.

The next morning Mrs Shore greeted us at the breakfast table by saying “I hope the bed was comfortable enough for you?”

“Oh yes! Very comfortable indeed,” I replied, knowing I was blushing, but not really caring.

Much though we didn't want to be physically parted, Tom had only managed to wangle three days off, so the next day I reluctantly bade him a temporary farewell, managing to hold back my tears until he was on the train and out of sight. I realised I had to be sensible and it wouldn't be fair to him to have to act as nurse as well as do his job, whereas I could stay at home with Mum until my arm was healed enough, and then drive down in the Mini.

I must admit I was a bit concerned how I would manage financially after sending in my resignation to BTB. I knew that I had some money owing from accrued annual leave, but that would not keep me going for long. However I was pleasantly surprised when a very generous cheque arrived which the partners said was a bonus for all my good work over the years. It was accompanied by a glowing reference and an offer to provide a verbal reference when I had recovered sufficiently to apply for another job. I feel ashamed to say this, but it did cross my mind that there might have been a hidden agenda present. After all they didn't want me revealing Greg's affair to a wider audience. Perhaps I was wrong to think this for it had never entered my head to do so. I was grateful to BTB for all they had done for me, and I would always be fond of Greg, how could I not be?

After three weeks my cast was removed and I was given physiotherapy exercises. I was phoning Tom every day and he came up twice to see me, but I was desperate to go to Sydney and live with him. He lived in Pennant Hills, an outer western suburb, close to his company's headquarters, which was convenient especially when he was using a wheelchair taxi to get there. Finally, and more than a little reluctantly, my doctor agreed that I could go to Sydney, but said that driving my car all that way was out of the question. I didn't argue. Perhaps with increasing age I was getting more sensible!

Kate came to my rescue. She liked Sydney and said she would drive me down there in exchange for a couple of nights accommodation while she toured the shops. That was most agreeable. I could go shopping with her too!

Tom's one-bedroom unit was a reasonable size with a lounge/kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, toilet and a tiny laundry. On seeing it for the first time, I couldn't help thinking that for a male living on his own, it was remarkably tidy, although I suspected he had made an extra effort in anticipation or my arrival. He had a double bed which he explained in a slightly embarrassed manner was because he liked to 'stretch out'. I didn't follow it up with any questions. If indeed he had shared it with anyone else that was none of my business and certainly not something I could hold against him in view of my past.

Tom offered to sleep on the couch while Kate and I shared the bed, but Kate wouldn't hear of it and insisted the large couch was fine by her. She stayed three days and we had a great time touring the stores in town. It's true that in those days Sydney, and probably Melbourne were the fashion capitals of Australia, while Brisbane was still something of a 'country town' and the clothing available was not quite up to the latest fashions. I was careful with my money and did not go mad in the shops. I hoped to get another job in the legal area, but that would have to wait until my arm was totally healed which might take a few months.

In due course, particularly with the glowing reference from BTB I was able to find an excellent job in the city, and together with Tom's income we were very comfortably off indeed. By now I had changed my name by deed poll to become Mandy Shore. The lawmakers of Australia might not allow Tom and I to marry, but I could at least take his name. Tom continued to heal and eventually walked with a stick and sometimes even for short distances without one. We were very happy together.