Part Ten   "Back to Normal"

 

Tammy's Tales Book 6
 

 
Saturday 19th September 2015 (Continued)
 

"Oh, damn, what's she found?"

Tammy left the kitchen, and a bemused Zara. She found Joan at the top of the stairs, Tammy slowly made her way up towards her mum.

"Your bathroom is in a mess, I can't expect Lily to clean that up after you."

"Sorry, but I had a twenty four hour journey here and I barely slept. I'm going back to bed."

"I tried to call you during the week but you didn't call back once, that's not your normal phone either." She pointed at Beccy's phone that was now fully charged.

"It's complicated mum, I couldn't swap my stuff over."

"Swap? With who?"

"Look, it's complicated and it will be sorted out tomorrow."

"Were you really on a course?"

"Yes, I have certificates and bruises."

"Hmmm, there's a text message on that phone from a Daniel asking if you got home ok, is he the same boy who you fell into bed with?"

Tammy blushed.

"What gives you the right to check my phone?"

"So it is your phone?"

"Yes!"

"Don't bring that attitude here, young lady, I had enough of Tanya dictating all her maternity rights."

"So it's true?"

"Yes, she's a silly girl, it puts me in a pickle from the beginning of March."

"Can't Jeri or Lori fill in?"

"They'll be in the heavy revision phase before their A Levels, I can't ask Jeri to do any more. It will have to be John who's on call-out and if he refuses then we'll have to revise the cottage arrangements."

"How has it worked so far?"

"Not bad, Jeri hasn't had a single problem that she couldn't resolve and Tanya's called me at two in the morning a few times, including this morning."

"Okay, I'll clean my bathroom before tonight and I'll get my phone back tomorrow."

"Where is it?"

"In a safe."

"Why?"

"It's complicated, mum."

"That's the only answer you're giving me, I'm frightened you're involved in something dangerous."

"I can take care of myself."

"That's not what I said, Tammy."

"I know and I can't talk about it."

"Not to me?"

"Not to anyone, sorry."

"Well, I have a right to know."

"Mum, the law says otherwise. I know you care, but it's safer for you that you don't know everything. I don't tell Dad either."

"He seems to know more than you're telling me."

"He has guessed a few things, but that's all. By tomorrow afternoon I'll have everything sorted out and I can get on with the rest of my normal life."

"So what you did for the past week isn't normal?"

"Yes. Not normal for civilians nor for nineteen year old girls, as the guys kept reminding me. But I survived it and it's made me a better person. If you want an idea of what I did, think of it as an outward bound course."

"Like with the army?"

"Yes."

"You said guys, any women?"

"No, except a horrible female NCO."

"Did any of them ....?"

"No, Mum, I made it clear I was not available and they didn't bother me. In fact I said I was on the rag!"

"Oh, Dr Sutherland called, she wants to see you on Monday at nine. I said you would be there."

"Thanks."

"Look, Tammy, she sounded worried but she wouldn't tell me what it was about. You're not hiding an illness are you?"

"No, I'm fitter at the moment than I have been for months. I've lost weight as well."

"That isn't always a good indicator."

"I know, but we went for a training run every morning before breakfast; the Kent coast is beautiful and the Romney Marsh is just surreal in the morning mist. The first couple of days were hard but it got easier."

"You weren't supposed to do anything vigorous for months after your surgery."

Tammy shrugged. "Well, I survived."

"Okay, but clean your bathroom."

"Yes, Mum."

 
Sunday 20th September
 

"Why didn't you let me know what time you were going to be back yesterday?"

"I don't trust the trains once I get past Edinburgh and my phone died before I knew we were only half an hour late."

"Okay, perhaps you should carry an emergency charger pack?"

"I'll order one when I get home."

"Now, I haven't had any feedback from the trainers."

"You can read it in my report, I wrote it last night when I couldn't sleep."

"I wasn't going to ask for one."

"Since I had a run-in with some of the staff and suffered an injury I guessed one might be pertinent. There was also a connection to my summer experiences that needed to be logged."

"Fair enough, I know you need to get into the safe but I've changed the safe combination so I'll have to open it for you."

Tammy deposited all of the equipment and documents she wouldn't, or shouldn't, need in Thurso and then collected everything that she did need in Thurso.

"What's your diary for the week, Tammy?"

"Doctors, enrolment, course induction and I've had an email asking me to do a talk at the school."

"Any days that you're free?"

"Wednesday, I think. Why?"

"I'd like to go over the Martin Gore case with you."

"Okay, mid morning?"

"Sure."

Tammy switched her phone on, pleased that it still had nearly a full charge. Missed call messages came in so she cancelled all of them, as well as the many social media notifications.

Tammy's next port of call was the cheap clothing store, HP Bazaar. She needed to replace all the leggings that had been ripped during the course, plus it made sense to buy some new smalls at the same time. Sarah's shop didn't stock knickers, bras or leggings so Tammy didn't feel any guilt.

Not many of the shops were open on this Sunday and it didn't look as if Sarah was one of them. Tammy decided she should go visit someone.

"Hi Tammy, where have you been?"

"I was sent on a course after what happened here, I got back yesterday. How's it been?"

"I was offered counselling through Victim Support but I told them I didn't want it. It's been bad enough dealing with everything through Kelly."

"What's happening now?"

"The Sheriff won't release David's body yet."

"Why the delay"

"None of them have admitted murdering him and the police were afraid they'll lose evidence as David wanted to be cremated."

"Who's organising the funeral?"

"I am, I was still his wife. You were right, David was being led along and wouldn't have done this by himself so I will do what I can to make up for my misgivings."

"It will send Yvonne a signal."

"I know, but she won't be allowed to attend regardless how much she moans."

"Where is she?"

"In prison, in Scotland. The others are with her."

"Good, what are you doing with the house?"

"I can't do anything until the inquest, and that's not until the end of October apparently."

"I guess I'll get called."

"Probably, I told Kelly to put anything through your solicitor when I found out you had skipped town. Where did you go?"

"Kent, on the coast overlooking France. Not that sunbathing was an option."

"You've lost weight, Tammy."

"Half a stone if you believe my scales."

"Did they starve you?"

"No, the food wasn't too bad but the days were long and there was plenty of exercise."

"Sounds like an army camp."

"It was, Cathy."

"I was joking!"

"I wasn't."

"Oh, you were sent to an army camp because of what happened here on Saturday?"

"Pretty much so," Tammy decided to change the subject, "when are you going back to work?"

"Tomorrow, I have a hire vehicle while the insurance company sorts out who's liable for my car. My headteacher didn't want me back for another week or two but I can't sit here much longer. It's a good job Elsie's not here, that I really couldn't cope with."

"Have you spoken to her?"

"Yes, although Thomas had already sent a full report. He seems to know more than I about what was going on, and I was there."

"He may be a better observer?"

"True. Do you fancy a swim?"

"I don't have a cossie with me."

"It won't bother me and I can't be asked to go upstairs to get one! Lunch will be in about forty five minutes and, by the way, your folks are invited for dinner tonight."

"When was that decided?"

"As soon as you called to say you were coming up here. Now, do you remember the way to the pool?"

"Of course I do, oh."

As the pair approached the stairwell down to the basement Tammy remembered the events of two weeks earlier. They both hesitated.

"Have you been down here, Cathy?"

"No, not since the police were here."

"Take my hand, we'll go down together."

They looked at the snooker table which now had a new baize, the damage to the lights and the ceiling had also been repaired. They passed through to the pool and stripped before diving in.

"I've looked forward to this, Tammy, but I could hardly ask the staff?"

"I would have come round yesterday if I'd have known."

"You could barely keep your eyes open by all accounts. How's the new maid?"

"I've spoken to her once!"

"She's Anna's baby sister."

"Oh, I thought she looked familiar."

They swam for a bit.

"What's that on your shoulder?"

Tammy had reduced the dressing to a large sticking plaster that morning but it was peeling off in the water, she removed it and put it on the poolside.

"I was hit."

"What with?"

"Never mind, it was during the final exercise on Thursday afternoon."

They swam a little more then showered and dressed, using Cathy's room.

"So, this course, were there any fit men?"

"They were all fit, really fit."

"And?"

"No I didn't!"

"So they weren't interested?"

Tammy blushed, "Well, I didn't want complications. I'm sure I could have had a different one every night, but I was too tired every day to do anything."

"Just lay down and think of England!"

Lunch was called so they made their way down, taking seats in the conservatory. Tammy stared out of a window, towards the woods.

"Was that an Osprey?"

"I don't know, Tammy, I didn't think they came this far North?"

A search of Google found some local bird sighting reports. "A pair of Ospreys were seen in April so it's possible.

Tammy continued, "it's a shame I don't have my camera with me, and a phone isn't good enough for that distance."

"Thanks for being here, Tammy."

Tammy held out her hand and waited for Cathy to take it. "Anytime Cathy, I'm just sorry I wasn't around for two weeks."

Cathy gripped Tammy's hand tight. "You're here now, that's the main thing."

 
Monday 21st September
 

Tammy arrived early for her appointment with Dr Adi, and was spotted in the waiting room by the nurse. A few minutes later she had a plaster on her left arm marking where the canula had been.

"Good morning Tammy."

"Hi Doctor."

"Now, something strange happened a week ago, two NHS Fraud investigators arrived and were interviewing me about you. Then a police officer arrived and told them to clear off and warned me not to say anything."

"Except you're talking to me about it."

"Yes, I think you deserve to hear it, but what are you involved in?"

"Nothing."

"Well, well those visits happened after someone had rewritten your medical history. It's back to normal now but you didn't have your surgery in Glasgow, did you?"

"No, but I can't say where."

"It could affect your post-operative care if your records are not correct."

"I know, but it wasn't my idea to muck around with them."

"It shouldn't even be possible, Tammy."

"Don't ask me how it was done, I'm a victim here."

Dr Adelaide Sutherland wasn't convinced.

"So, I've seen a strange report from the Gynaecologist."

"It was an odd appointment, he was convinced I was all girl."

"That's what the records said, but he should have noticed?"

"I squirmed a bit, it was uncomfortable."

"Of course it was uncomfortable, the examination was designed by a man!"

Tammy laughed.

"Too true!"

"Your mum said you were on a course."

"Yeah, outward bound with the army."

"You were barely ten weeks down from major surgery and you did that?"

"Yes, me and a load of special forces guys."

"That would have been an interesting way for you to lose your virginity."

Tammy smiled, "except I turned them all down and I'd already lost it."

Dr Adi shook her head, "I don't think I want to know how long after your GRS you tested the equipment? Now, get those tights off and hop up there so I can make sure you've not done any damage."

"Yes, Doctor."

The verdict was good, Tammy was fine.

"Is it safe to be waxed?"

"Yes, but be careful."

"I will." Tammy pulled her knickers up but left her tights off.

"Is there anything else?"

"Yes, this." Tammy slipped her top off and peeled the plaster off her shoulder.

"How did you do that?"

"Someone shot at me."

"Deliberately?"

"Yes, it was a live fire exercise."

"Tammy, are you insane?"

"Probably."

Dr Adi took a look but there wasn't much to see. "It's fully scabbed now, there's no sign of infection but you'll have a scar there for a while."

"My bra strap rubs there."

"Go to the chemist and get some better dressing pads, household plasters really aren't going to protect it enough. When did you do it?"

"On Thursday afternoon."

"Well, give it a few more days then stop covering it. Leave the bra strap down if it bothers you or wear a strapless?"

"Okay."

"Tammy, I don't know what you're involved in but it's obviously serious and dangerous."

"It might be, but I can't talk about it."

"Well, please be careful. That includes safe sex.

"There's no chance of me getting pregnant."

"With you, Tammy, I wouldn't even rule that one out!"