Part Eighteen   "Evidence"

 

Tammy's Tales Book 6
 

 
Thursday 1st October 2015
 

"Are you sure, Tammy?"

"Yes, Hilary, I'm convinced this is the real target."

"How did you come to this conclusion?"

"By examining the evidence. Look, I don't want to discuss this over the phone and I do need to collect Ellie."

"Okay, but any delay could be risky."

Tammy arrived in Inverness two hours later and pulled into the Raigmore hospital carpark shortly after ten. She found Ellie in her room.

"Are you ready to go?"

"I have my discharge letter, a prescription and a set of instructions on hygiene." Ellie dropped her voice to a whisper, "apparently I was lucky to not need dilating, but it's been suggested I use a sex toy a few times a week, but I wouldn't know where to get one!"

"The internet is your friend, no questions asked."

"I'm not really supposed to know about these things, I'm only just sixteen and only just a girl."

"You'll get over the embarrassment, but please ask your doctor if you can't ask anyone else rather than suffer in silence."

"I was told I need to see a GP next week but I don't have one yet."

"We'll get you onto Dr Adi's list."

"Dr Adi?"

"Adelaide Sutherland, you'll like her. There's a well-woman clinic on a Wednesday that's a drop in but we'll make a proper appointment first time. I brought clothes but it looks like you found some?"

"Your mum came over yesterday and explained the new arrangements, she spoke to Sarah and picked up a few bits for me, as well as bringing back the hoody I was wearing when I collapsed."

"She must have put it through the school's laundry?"

"I don't know, but it's softer than normal, do the girls have a different laundry routine?"

"I really don't know, Ellie, but I guess it wouldn't be helpful if a bra ended up in one of the boys' rooms?"

"No, talking of which I need a few bits and pieces. Mum's put four hundred in my account to get me going but my card's in my old name until I can get to a branch with all the documents."

"Come on, we've got some shopping to do."

The pair didn't leave Inverness for hours. There were several large supermarkets for simple essentials and several retail parks for other bits. High on the list, once undies were dealt with, were a couple of tartan skirts that would suffice for school, as well as two pairs of black trousers.

"You'll need shoes too, sensible ones for school and a few heels for other places. You can buy boots another day otherwise this money will be gone before we are finished."

They continued Ellie's total immersion into girlhood, ending up in one of the larger branches of Boots.

"My friend's been sent up here for school but her mum forgot to pack any make-up. She'll need a full set, do you have any of the gift packs?"

"We do, the Christmas stock arrived a week ago. What colours do you normally wear?"

"I haven't really bothered much, it was a bit of a mish-mash, I was a tomboy for years."

"Okay, let's see what suits you, have a seat."

Whilst Ellie was being given her makeover Tammy went around the store picking up cleanser, shampoo, moisturiser, cotton wool, nail polish remover .... everything a girl needed. Then she picked up pads and tampons, there was a good chance that Ellie's first few periods would be highly erratic.

Then she took a prescription that had been attached to the discharge letter and headed for the pharmacy counter. It had been Dr Wright's suggestion that Ellie went onto the pill in order to help regulate and stabilise her menstrual cycle. There were also pills for Ellie's diabetes.

"Where have you been?"

"Around the store a few times getting you some essentials, young lady. Look's good!"

"I feel amazing!"

"Come on, we've missed lunch but maybe we can catch afternoon tea back in Thurso?"

"I really should get back to the school so I can find my room?"

"Sure, let's go."

First stop in the school was Joan's office.

"Ellie's new clothes are in my car, it's around the back near the girls' boarding house."

"Okay, Tammy, I need to explain a few things to Ellie but do you think you could take any purchases to her room? Here's the key."

Tammy took the first few bags into the boarding house, and found Ellie's room opposite Lori's. The contents of Leonard Sturgeon's room had been moved over but most of the clothes wouldn't be needed. Thoughtfully, one of the pinafores that Jeri had worn was hanging in the wardrobe.

As it was gone three thirty, many of the girls were returning from lessons so were curious about the new girl. Tammy didn't sense any aggression from the girls this time. "Could one of you give me a hand with the last few bags?"

"So, is Ellie a boy in skirts?"

"No Martina, she just didn't know she was a girl so her first period was a real shock. I was there."

"Oh."

"Look, she'll need a friend, both of you have just arrived at the school so can you give Ellie a hand for the next few weeks? She's not used to being a girl. I'm taking her to the salon in the morning as she's excused classes until Monday."

"I always wanted a little sister."

"Don't overdo it!"

"I won't."

"Thank you. By the way, why did your parents send you up here?"

"It's a good education, they said, and Dad's an old boy."

"What about your old school?"

"Mum and Dad are out of the country so much that my nan looked after me but she's had to go into a nursing home and my old school couldn't do boarding."

"I see, how are you coping so far?"

"Okay, I suppose, but Thurso's a bit short of decent nightlife."

"I suppose so."

"I hear you've got some pressies for us?"

"Yes, the other school ambassador John Hibbert and myself have decided to give the girls a gift, I'm not sure which day they'll be distributed."

By the time Ellie arrived, Tammy had the room organised and everything unpacked. Lori had now joined them.

"Tammy, I think they're making the rules up as they go along."

"Ellie, you're a one-off at the moment, the only female year eleven. The rules for year elevens are different to sixth formers so I guess you're still expected to wear a uniform?"

"Yes, but we knew that."

"Right, but I bet you were just reminded, what were the options?"

"Trousers, or black skirt or tartan skirt or a pinafore, plus a white blouse, blazer and tie. Apparently I might be allowed a gingham dress next summer term?"

"That was suggested a few months ago but no-one took up the option."

"Then there's the make-up rules."

"Before today I be you've never worn any?"

"Maybe not, but how will I learn if I can't use it?"

"Be subtle, I don't imagine it's banned?"

"I have to abide by the same rules as the boys."

"I didn't realise they couldn't wear make-up? Not that many would choose to, however?"

"Whatever, anyway I still have to do some PE."

"Such as?"

"It's been suggested I do a few hours dance a week, one of the masters' wives was a dancer."

"Maybe some of the other girls will want to do it if it's at a convenient time? We'll have to get you a leotard tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"You have an appointment in town to get your hair done, and a few other things. I'll collect you about half nine, I think Lori can handle any other questions?"

Lori nodded so Tammy left them and walked back to her car. A few of the girls were looking into it.

"Nice car!"

"Thanks."

"Did your dad buy it for you?"

"No, I did. I own a properties."

"Like what?"

"A couple in Thurso, one in London and a few others dotted around." She underplayed, deliberately.

"Aren't you at uni?"

"Yes, but that doesn't mean I can't work as well."

"You must be loaded?"

"Not really, I only spend what I earn."

"Do you have any vacancies?"

"Not at the moment, sorry but I have to go."

Tammy parked behind Caithness Marine and let herself into the building, there was no sign of Hilary. She sat at a terminal, logged in and wrote up an encounter report before checking the latest intel.

Next Tammy confirmed her suspicions. If Martina was indeed a plant, placed in the school to observe and report, then who was her target? Tammy was not convinced Finlay and Daisy were at risk, not from Martina at least. She'd examined all the boys, and girls, who had started at St Andrews a month earlier and none leapt out. Finlay had been at the school for 4 years and there was no guarantee that Daisy would join him so that link was a non-starter.

She looked at a list of the Year 8 boys, all of whom had joined a year earlier. Following a little online searching she established that one of them was the son of a prominent French politician, who had been critical of almost every non-French speaker on the planet. The man was a Député in the French National Assembly who had gained many enemies.

The boy, Claude Breton, had plainly been placed in the school for his own protection as well as a decent education as previous threats against his father, Yves Breton, had included murderous intent against his whole family.

Tammy guessed that the boy's presence in the school was not being publicised but was a little concerned that the boy wasn't using an alias. It wouldn't be long before his name was known, whether through academic achievement or being a part of the Year 8 rugby teams.

So, was Martina gathering intelligence, and to what end? Tammy was guessing alot but of all the newly arrived boys he was the one who stood out. Evidence was needed.

She wrote this into a report and submitted it before heading home for the evening meal.

 
Friday 2nd October
 

Tammy had found the bathroom gift packs in her room when she arrived home the previous evening so had moved them to the boot of her car in readiness for a trip to the school after dealing with the tags and one special pack.

Even though it was Saturday, some classes were in progress for the lower years so a few uniforms drifted past as she entered the main building. Lori was on reception duty.

"How did it go last night with Ellie?"

"A bit strange, Tammy, but the Head made an announcement that this was a known medical condition that can kill if not discovered in time and that it was not impossible for any of the younger boys to be in the same position. That helped turn the mood to one of mutual concern but a few of the older boys were making lewd comments and had to be spoken to."

"What about the girls?"

"A few were obviously keeping their distance but Martina was with Ellie the whole time."

"That's good, I'd hoped the two would bond."

"It looks that way and Martina has helped Ellie identify some minor issues that you and the hospital didn't spot."

"Like what?"

"No clothing sense!"

"I went shopping with her yesterday."

"And you bought stuff that you would wear. She's just sixteen and not nineteen."

"Okay, Lori, she's on a steep learning curve."

"True, but she has a limited time to just fit in and look like a typical girl her age."

"Are those your words?"

"No, it was said by several of the girls last night, but is more to do with life outside the school where the world doesn't know her circumstances."

"I see."

"Anyway, what are you here for?"

"I have those gift sets, they're named for each of the lower sixth girl, plus Ellie, and there are envelopes for the lower sixth boys who've just joined."

"Right, how do you want to do this?"

"Can you distribute the gift sets from your room?"

"Yes, that's easily done. What about the boys?"

"Slide them under the doors?"

"Yes, but females are not welcome in the boys' boarding house."

"Then let's find Mike Thompson and ask him?"

Those girls who were in their rooms soon found out and distribution went well, including ensuring that Martina received the bugged set. Within half an hour the job was complete.

At half-past nine Tammy took Ellie into town for her first meeting with Joanne, which was sure to be a memorable experience. Tammy went to Caithness Marine to update her report, but there was no sign of Hilary.