Part Twenty Three   "Animal Farm"

 

Tammy's Tales Book 6
 

 
Friday 16th October
 

"Mr Smith, how certain are you that the court hearings will actually happen?"

"Miss Smart, unless the defendants all have medical issues in the next week or so, they will be in court on the twenty sixth, ten days from now."

"Am I likely to be called?"

"It's possible, even likely."

"But the cases are in Edinburgh and London at the same time."

"The courts will arrange video access if necessary."

"Fair enough, but it seems silly that the cases being heard together?"

"I believe the plan is to slow the flow of information between the defence teams, as many of the cases are linked. They have all, plainly, had full access to all of the prosecution material that is to be used in court so there shouldn't be any surprises, unless the defence try to play one defendant off against the other in order to disrupt the cases. It's been done before in major criminal and terrorist cases, resulting in costly retrials."

"Okay, Mr Smith, who's in which court?"

"In Edinburgh, we have John McPherson, Jerry Trethgarwyn and Yvonne Stewart, those cases will run in adjacent courts. In London, at the Old Bailey, are Doran Kelmendi and Alban Berisha. They will be prosecuted in the same court. Your mother will be appearing as a prosecution witness at the Old Bailey, by the way."

"It seems so long ago, I can barely remember what happened, I saw Berisha in London last November, and Kelmendi was around over last Christmas. John McPherson's issues also started at the end of last year, Yvonne started interfering last year as well; how am I supposed to remember any of this if I'm asked to give evidence?"

"I have all your police statements and the notes from our own conversations. I suggest you re-acquaint yourself over the next week."

"When will I know if I'm needed?"

"You should get a warning the previous day, my colleague will be in Edinburgh monitoring the cases for yourself and Mrs McPherson. If you are needed in person, the court will give you as much notice as possible."

"What about Yvonne's involvement in David Stewart's murder?"

"Her alleged involvement?"

"Yes, of course."

"Given that the inquest starts on Monday, only a week before the trials, until the procurator fiscal has concluded his civil investigation, the police won't charge her. That means it can't be included during these proceedings and would necessitate a new trial if, and only if, she is charged and prosecution is appropriate."

"So the legal process continues, even after these trials?"

"Indeed, Miss Smart."

"I was hoping this would be the end, it all started almost a year ago."

"Many cases don't come to court for two or more years, so this is quite speedy."

"Still seems slow to me."

"If you were being prosecuted, Miss Smart, wouldn't you want enough time to prepare your defence, call witnesses, examine evidence and mentally prepare yourself?"

"Yes, naturally."

"Then these defendants have the same rights, as well as an expectation of innocence unless proven otherwise. This constitutes a free trial, a cornerstone of our legal system."

Jeremiah Smith left shortly after in order to speak to Elsie, the only other person who had been spoken to was Angela.

"How was it Tammy?"

"Hard work and I have a pile of material to read. What about you?"

"I have a few statements to look at but it's not thought I'll be called."

"So it'll just be me, I hope that doesn't mean a trek to Edinburgh, or even London."

Angela wandered off, outside it was chucking it down so the day was already rather glum even before her legal briefing. Indeed the whole week had been dreadful with the storm lasting into Wednesday and torrential rain following that. Any ideas about attending the keep fit on Tuesday evening had been shelved and Tanya had only grudgingly attended her ante-natal appointments.

The coursework Martin Gore had given Tammy wasn't challenging but there were potentially two correct answers. A fictional firm was in difficulties, Tammy was asked to consider if she should wind it up or suggest a viable rescue plan. Either answer had to be fully supported but she was aware that one of them was an easy way out.

Although, this time, the fictitious firm wasn't one she was familiar with, it did bear similarities to Sarah Bonney's shop. Sarah had been facing ruin and was considering closing down when Tammy, and her father, had intervened. Less than a year later she had a thriving business in larger, more central, premises. Taking inspiration from Sarah's turn-around, Tammy had looked at ways to save the company in her coursework.

Following her talk with her tutor on Monday, Tammy had dropped an email to Dr McIntosh, the Headmaster of St Andrews, asking that he contact the University of the Highlands and Islands to confirm that the fashion show had taken place. He'd replied the next day, copying his email to Tammy.

Mr Flint,
 
I have been asked by Miss Tamara Smart to contact you with regards coursework that you have queried. I can assure you that the school was asked by Miss Lane to hold a fashion show and that Miss Smart was the co-ordinator for this, liaising with myself. Permission was granted for this to be included as part of her submitted work for the Business Studies A Level. Unfortunately, the examination board has not yet returned Miss Smart's work but I have asked that a school copy be sent to you and you should receive this in a few days.
 
You may not be aware that Miss Smart was Head Girl during her last year at St Andrews and is a St Andrews Ambassador, representing the school at public and corporate events.
 
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any other queries.
 
Dr S. McIntosh

The long-term coursework that the tutor, Freddie Flint, had mentioned was much more involved. The premise was that a fictional local authority was buying back services it had sold off. The implications for employment and salary were great, should the public services be re-absorbed. The background was that the services had been sold to the highest bidder some ten years earlier in a different political climate and a recent change of political colour had prompted this move. The trick was to make it work without bankrupting the local authority or being sued by the companies that currently owned the services.

One aspect of this homework was that you could collaborate with another student, John Hibbert was the obvious choice. The biggest problem facing Tammy was finding time to work with John, or rather finding time when Tanya wasn't demanding his presence.

"What about tonight?"

"We're having a Chinese with Sandy and Debbie."

"Saturday?"

"She wants to go to Inverness to look at prams, cots and that sort of thing."

Given the travel time, that rules out the whole day. "Sunday?"

"We're at Elsie's for dinner."

"So am I, do you have anything else planned for Sunday?"

"Not that I'm aware of."

"Good, why don't you both lunch here on Sunday and then we can sit down with the coursework. I think Elsie wants to see us at five?"

"Yes, she does, apparently there's something to discuss."

"So that gives us a few hours. Tell Tanya to bring a swimsuit."

"They don't fit her any more."

"Really? She's still in the first trimester, but what would I know? Get one in Inverness, I think there's a Mothercare or similar for maternity wear."

"I'll try to talk her into it, she's rather self-aware of herself right now."

"It'll only be us, and a swim will be good for her."

"I'll try. Got to go, Tammy, there's another call for me, probably Tanya!"

"Cheers, John."

 
Saturday 17th October
 

Overnight the weather had abated and Tammy drove to the Mill Theatre in glorious sunshine, although the air temperature was barely five degrees Celsius. The change in the weather also seemed to have lifted everyone's mood and all of the cast were ready a few minutes early.

"We'll start straight away, it's a complete run through. Positions for the first scene!"

It wasn't just the cast rehearsing, the lighting and sound techs were there, with the principle actors fitted for mics and the follow spots manned, as it would be for the public shows.

Naturally there were niggles, but Tammy was quite pleased with the first act.

"Take five, I'm not going to critique anyone today, so please relax and do your best."

The band moved their kit onto the stage, Tammy wondered if there was a better way. She asked Sandy Franklin, the musical director.

"I wonder if we can get one of those plinths that you can wheel across the stage, and put the drum kit on it?"

"They're not cheap, I'll see if there's any budget left from the improvement works, we might even be able to get a grant from the Scottish Arts Council or Creative Scotland."

"Thanks."

The second act went better than the first, it was clear that the cast were enjoying themselves.

"That was great, now, who's away over half term?"

A few hands went up, that meant the next two Saturdays were pointless.

"Okay, we'll take two weeks off but the dress rehearsals will start on the seventh of November. The press night is Wednesday the sixteenth of December and there's an extra show on the seventeenth. Tickets for that show go on sale on Monday."

There was a groan as the cast realised the usual four shows had just become six.

Tammy drove into town and was headed for the Castletown hotel for lunch, it had gone half past one and she had no intention of going without again.

"Tammy?"

"Yes, err, Fleur."

"Look, I'm sorry about the other day, and I'd like to thank you for not being judgemental."

"Why should I have been judgemental?"

"Because I'm different."

"No two people are exactly the same, so we're all different. I guess you could quote George Orwell if you really think so."

"George Orwell?"

"Google him, many of his books will also be in the library. This quote is from 'Animal Farm' and says 'All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.'"

"That doesn't make sense."

"Indeed, which is why you shouldn't consider yourself to be different."

"Even if I am?"

Tammy sighed, "I can guess your self-confidence isn't brilliant? Do you doubt yourself?"

"All of the time."

"Have you had lunch?"

"No, I'm trying to lose weight."

"That's not sensible, I've just finished rehearsing and I'm hungry, join me."

"I don't have any money, my benefits only just cover my expenses."

"It's on me."

"I can't."

"Why not."

"They'll look at me, I hate bars, cafés and restaurants."

"Fleur, you'll be fine."

"I'm not sure."

"There's that self-doubt again, why not challenge yourself to try something new every day, starting today?"

"Every day?"

"Yes, it doesn't have to be radical, change your hairstyle, wear something from the back of your wardrobe that you've never worn, go somewhere different, that sort of thing."

"Okay."

"Just 'okay'?"

"Let's do lunch, thanks for the offer."

Tammy took Fleur to her favourite quiet table, they both ordered a cheese omelette from Frances then Tammy tried to get Fleur to talk about herself.

"I moved into Thurso last year, I had to get away."

"Why?"

"I was being bullied, at school, at home, everywhere."

"Your parents?"

"Horrible bigots, social services helped me until I was eighteen last summer then I was tossed out, the council put me in a bedsit."

"What about your Highers?"

"I had a tutor, I wasn't able to go to school, although I did sit my exams in Thurso High."

"What did you do for the last year, then?"

"Not much, but I completed my transition and I've done a year of RLT."

"Okay."

"You didn't ask what that meant."

"I know, I didn't need to."

"Oh, so you know about me?"

"I guessed you were TG when I first saw you on Monday, it's no big deal but it does answer a question."

"What question's that?"

"Who else was seeing Joanne."

"She told me last year there was another TG in town, now there's four or five."

"I transitioned last November."

"I never guessed."

Frances was back with their omelettes so the conversation was interrupted. One or two of the cast had spotted Tammy in the corner and waved but didn't come over.

"You're known, Tammy?"

"Yes, I'm directing Guys and Dolls at the Mill and some of the cast are having lunch in here."

"Directing? I thought you had to be older?"

"I have experience and was asked to take the job on. Have you thought about acting?"

"I couldn't get on the stage, in front of all those people."

"It wouldn't be you on the stage, you'd be playing a character and it's the character the audience sees."

"I suppose so."

"Think about it, we'll be doing a Shakespearean play in the Spring."

"Not the Scottish one?"

"We did that a few months ago, so no, it hasn't been decided even if it'll be a tragedy or a comedy. Actually, it's probably going to be 'Much Ado About Nothing'."

"That probably sums me up, worrying about everything."

"You're right to be worried some of the time, I was attacked several times for just trying to be me, and my mother hated me."

"But you only transitioned a year ago? When did you come out?"

"So far as everyone was concerned, the same day. Almost everyone."

"What do you do for a shrink, now that woman's gone?"

"I had my surgery in the summer."

"How come?"

"Some good friends sorted it out, I had a few days warning."

"Wow, I doubt my experience will be anything like your was?"

"How come?"

"You have friends, good friends by the sound of things. I don't make friends easily, apart from Joanne, you're the first person I've told."

"Your doctor must know?"

"I don't have a doctor, I didn't like Dr Hoskins' attitude."

"He's retired, the new Doctor is Dr Adi, Dr Adelaide Sutherland. are you on HRT yet?"

"No, only blockers, Dr Davison prescribed them."

"Right, on Monday morning phone the surgery and get yourself an appointment. I'll go with you if you want me to." Tammy took a business card from her bag and handed it over. "send me a text with the appointment details."

Fleur started to cry, "no-one's ever offered to help me before."

Frances walked over so Fleur dried her eyes and appeared to want to flee.

"Was everything alright, ladies?"

"Yes, thank you Frances."

"Could you help me, Miss Smart?"

"Of course."

"I need a waitress for Sunday lunch and occasionally during the week, do you know of anyone?"

"Not anyone trained, but I think Fleur could do it."

"Me?"

"Yes, Fleur, you. Excuse me, I'll be back in a minute." Tammy left the table and escaped into the ladies loo. She was drying her hands when Fleur crept in, scanning the area.

"What's up with you?"

"Another reason for not liking restaurants and bars, having to use the loo."

"You could hardly use the little boys room?"

"I suppose."

"Did you sort it out with Frances?"

"He wants to see me at eleven and one of the other girls will show me the ropes."

"See, consider that tomorrow's new thing."

"I'm not sure if my benefits will be stopped."

"By working three or four hours? Unlikely."

"I'll worry about it."

"By the way you're crossing your legs, there's something much more important to worry about!"

"Oh!"

Fleur dashed into a cubicle, Tammy checked herself in the mirror then returned to the table.

"Is your friend okay, Miss Smart?"

"Yes, Frances, just a little insecure, she'll get over it."