Crossing The Line Chapter 1 by Angharad Copyright© 2022 Angharad

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(title picture Andrea Piacquadio)

It was now two days since Drew had returned home from Dorset. The bruises had faded, but the psychological damage was still fresh. He moped about the Peters’ house, feeling listless and tired. He wasn’t sleeping well, and despite his doctor’s advice, refused the pills he was offered.

It had taken days for the full horror of what had happened, to sink in. Someone had tried to kill him, and in doing so had killed another cyclist, in fact, his arch-rival, Ronnie Cheeseman. The killer, a small-time drug dealer and hoodlum, Rodney Meadows, was still at large.

To have been involved was bad enough. To have been riding a very valuable bicycle, when said bike, was destroyed during the race, made things worse. Drew had a great sense of guilt about it.

For it to happen right in front of a tv crew, made things impossibly worse. Within an hour, it was on news networks around the globe. Gaby, Drew’s alter ego, was now front page news, she was also a witness in a murder case.

The only mitigating result was, that the bike shop and Specialized, the US bike company, got lots of free publicity, as the footage of the hit and run was shown on tv sets around the world, for the next two days.

Back home in Warsop, questions were being asked about Gaby. How come, she had gone with Drew and Maddy on their holiday? The school was buzzing with it. Where was Drew in the bike race? Tongues were wagging, gossip was rife as facts were in short supply, so rumours were made up to fill the gap.

In Germany, Jenny Bond received an urgent message to come back from training and watch BBC News 24. She did and was horrified. She was booked on a plane an hour later, having called Drew’s phone.

Dave Bond was interrupted in a meeting. He was told to go home and watch the news bulletins. He did, he called Drew moments later, then called Germany.

The proverbial had hit the air conditioning. The Bond family was soon to be under siege from news crews and paparazzi. All because of a bike race and a small-time thug. The fact that one of the victims was a photogenic, young woman and daughter of a sporting celebrity, made the news hounds, more especially, the tabloids, very interested. That it happened to a new model of bike, made the cycling press interested. To Drew, it was a total nightmare.

He had personally achieved all he had set out to do, to beat Cheeseman in the race, while riding a superbike. He was ahead of Cheeseman when the impact happened, he would have won the race. He was the only finisher, walking across the line carrying the remains of the bike with him, before collapsing with the effort. Cheeseman had died, the victory was pyrrhic.

It was now a case of minimally manslaughter, or perhaps murder, depending upon if the crash was deliberate or accidental. No one who saw it, thought it was an accident. But who was the intended victim? Drew was sure it was him, but the police thought it might have been Cheeseman, as he was suspected of supplying drugs to other teenagers. However much Drew had despised the boy, he now felt sad for him and his devastated family who would now have their eyes opened to their son’s activities.

It was all questions. Everybody wanted to speak to Drew, to ask questions. Carol and Maddy, with help from the families of Harry and William and the local police, tried to keep everyone away. But it was at a cost, the house was like a castle under siege, and Drew was reminded of Corfe Castle. Thinking of the courage of Lady Bankes, helped him cope.

Just in case Gaby was the intended target, the police had reluctantly installed a copper on the gate of the cottage. So at least, for the moment, he kept everyone out. Carol and the two kids had gone home after it was decided that Gaby was not badly hurt. Drew spoke to both his parents who phoned to ascertain both his health and his whereabouts. Dave, who wanted Juliette to stay behind, lost the argument and they both set off after packing small bags.

Jenny was on the first plane to Southampton she could get, thence by train and taxi to the cottage. One of her babies was in trouble, she would cycle there if necessary: thankfully, it wasn’t. She was also fortunate, that by leaving so promptly, she missed the press who called at her training HQ minutes later. She left the team press officer and manager to earn their living, by fielding the questions.

The snowball effect was happening. An insignificant event, interrupted by tragedy in front of the media, who made a meal of it, regardless of the consequences to those involved. Unfortunately, because it happened in Weymouth, a border area of two independent tv channels, plus their equivalent BBC ones, it doubled the number of journalists in a very short time.

Gaby and Maddy were protected, insofar as they were minors, and the incident being under investigation with possible prosecutions arising, made it sub judice. However, there was footage to be analysed and rerun, over and over. There were photos to be got as well, by those able to get them. Such was the collection of photographers waiting, when Gaby emerged from the ambulance, some fifteen or so minutes after the accident, she nearly got a tan from the flashes of the cameras.

Drew was concerned for the safety of his friends and family when he emerged from the ambulance. He was also riven with guilt, he had been responsible for the bike. He was shocked and confused and his body ached, although that would be worse later after the endorphins faded. His memory of the event was hazy, he was tearful and wanted to go home. Not to put too fine a point on it, he wanted his mummy, and who could blame him?

A few hours later, he got his wish when Jenny arrived and scooped him into her arms. He dissolved into tears and she held him for over an hour, during which time he fell asleep. He was still asleep, sitting on his mother’s lap, when Dave and Jules arrived.

He awoke thinking he was dreaming. He could hear his father and mother talking quietly. It had to be a dream, he cuddled down again, then realised he wasn’t in bed. He opened his eyes, “Dad, Jules?” he gasped.

“Hi Gabs,” said his sister, smiling.

“Hello kiddo,” said his father.

Jenny eased him off her aching legs, and he rushed to hug his dad and sister. “I’m so glad to see you. Mum’s here too.”

“Yeah, I’ve just been talking to her, and you’ve been sitting on her.”

“Oh, yeah, I suppose, I have,” said Drew a little shame-facedly.

“How are you feeling?” asked Dave.

“Better than the bike does. Do you think they can fix it?”

“I doubt it girl, that’s the problem with CF, it doesn’t like impacts.” When Drew seemed to begin to tear up again, Dave added, “I’m sure it’s insured. Pros go round breaking them for a pastime. If you remember, Nicole Cooke, rode one into the back of a motorbike and got fragments in her knee. Didn’t happen in my day. There’s something to be said for a steel frame…”

He was interrupted by Jenny and Carol singing, “ Granddad, granddad, we love you ….” Everyone laughed, Dave loudest of all.

“I suppose I asked for that,” he said good-humouredly. “Oh Jen, talking of grandparents, your mum wants you to call her. And you, young lady,” he said prodding Drew, “she wants to talk to you as well. She saw the news too.”

“I’ve only seen it once,” said Drew, “How I missed that wall … and poor Cheeseman he was flung like a rag.”

“Yeah, he was very unlucky,” agreed Dave.

“I thought you couldn’t stand the guy?” said Jules, looking perplexed.

“No, I couldn’t,” said Drew, recalling the emergency paramedics working on the crumpled body of his enemy, “but he didn’t deserve that.” Tears began to form in his eyes again.

“Okay Sis,” said Jules grabbing him in a bear hug, “Perhaps you’re right, and we shouldn’t speak ill of the dead.” They held each other for a few moments. “I knew you’d be famous one day,” she whispered in his ear, he chuckled a bit at her comment.

Fitting everyone in the house was a problem. Carol had extended the let for another week, her friend had been going to use it herself, but understood the problem when she saw the news. They would have to stay initially for the inquest to be opened, and probably adjourned. Then they could go.

The arrangements for sleeping became, Jenny and Dave, Carol and Maddy and Jules and Gaby. Jules did pout a bit, but then remembered the rule ... when Drew is in Gaby mode, treat as female … so she shrugged her shoulders and accepted her fate.

Carol, went to organise the meal, Jenny and Dave went off for a walk so the three teenagers sat around together. Maddy looked at Jules and said, “Didn’t you want to sleep with Gabs?”

Jules looked slightly taken aback and began blushing. “It’s okay, I’ve shared with my little sister, before.”

“I’ve shared with your brother,” whispered Maddy, “besides, if you think you’ve got troubles, have you heard how my mum snores?” She made a noise which sounded a bit like a cross between a pig and a tractor. Then they all fell about laughing.

“So what’s this boy like?” asked Jules of Drew.

“Which one?” asked Drew, meaning which of Harry and William, did she mean.

“Just how many have you got?” said Jules, with wide open eyes, as Maddy chortled in the background.

“What d’you mean?” said Drew blushing like a beacon.

“How many boyfriends, and dates have you got?”

“Eh?” choked Drew.

“I mean, got any spare ones for your li’l ole sister?” teased Jules.

Drew coughed and spluttered and Maddy was giggling fit to burst. “I only pretended, for that one night,” he confessed, haltingly.

“You spent the night together?” asked Jules, her eyes even wider.

“No stupid. I went to the dance as his girlfriend. That’s what I meant.” Drew was blushing furiously.

“And I heard you kissed him so hard, he collapsed….”

“No, that was another boy…,” said Drew very quietly, while Maddy fell off the chair laughing.

“How many did you kiss then?” asked Jules, knowing how Drew always managed to dig himself deeper into the mire, instead of keeping quiet.

“What’s so funny in here?” asked Carol as she came in.

“Nothing Auntie Carol,” replied Jules with as much innocence as she could muster.

“You alright, Gaby?”

“Yeah, I’m okay.”

“I’m looking for a volunteer to wash some salad, coming to help?”

“Yeah, alright,” said Drew, and he went out to the kitchen with her.

“You’ve done the salad,” he gasped at her.

“I know, but I thought you could help do the dressing...”

“Thanks for rescuing me,” he said quietly.

“It’s okay Gaby; girls can be a bit cruel sometimes.”

“I don’t think Jules meant anything...”

“I’m sure she didn’t, but it’s been a tough enough day for you, and you’ll be better able to deal with her teasing tomorrow.” She put her hand on Drew’s shoulder, “You really okay?”

“Yeah, just a bit tired.”

As they spoke, the doorbell rang. Knowing there was a policeman on the gate, Carol became suspicious, she heard Maddy answer the door, and then the door closed. “Who was that Madeleine?”

“Only some woman wanting to know if Gaby lived here.”

“And what did you say?” asked Carol feeling concerned.

“I told her, yeah, she does,” then, before Carol could say anything, Maddy walked into the kitchen with an enormous bouquet. “So she said, “give these to her.” So I am;” she shoved the flowers into Drew’s arms. “It’s not fair."
”

“What isn’t?” asked Carol.

“This isn’t. Gaby has only been here two weeks, ‘n’ she’s had more flowers than I’ve ‘ad in my whole life.”

“I’d complain to the management if I were you kid;” said Jules, “Or that useless brother of mine, tell him you want flowers, loadza flowers.”

Seeing Drew’s embarrassment, the two girls laughed. He was about to protest that he did give Maddy the odd bunch of flowers, when Jules demanded to know, from whom they had come. “Come on, Gabs, who they from?”

Drew eventually managed to find a card stapled to the packaging. He slowly read the card, and then a tear formed in his eye.

“Come on, who they from?” chorused the girls.

He showed them the card.

'Gaby,
Saw the incident on tv. Hope you are okay, let me know if you need anything.

Frank Bower,
Specialized (Europe)'.

“Wow!” said Jules and Maddy together. “Another boyfriend, must be serious judging by the size of the bouquet.”

“Size isn’t everything!” said Drew, and walked out of the kitchen, handing the bouquet to Carol on the way through.

As soon as he was gone, Carol shut the door behind him. “Now look here, you two, Gaby’s had enough trauma for one day, without you ganging up on her. So stop the teasing, now.”

The two girls looked shamefaced at each other, each feeling themselves blushing. Maddy was about to say something, when Juliette beat her to it. “You’re right, Auntie Carol, it’s just that Drew and I tease each other all the time. You know I wouldn’t hurt him for the world….”

“It’s not me you need to tell it to, it’s Gaby, whose feelings you hurt.”

Jules accepted the chastisement, she had acted rather stupidly, but she didn’t mean anything by it. She loved her brother to bits, even if he did seem to spend so much time in skirts. That was his business, she loved him anyway. Surely, he knew that, after all, he borrowed her clothes from time to time. She wouldn’t do that for just anyone!”

She searched through the house and finally located Drew in their bedroom, he was standing looking out the window.

She knocked on the door and went in. He didn’t look around. She walked up behind him and put her arm around his shoulders.

“We saw a deer in the garden, early one morning,” he said to her, still looking out the window.

“Really?” she replied, ”Whereabouts?”

“Over there, under the apple tree.”

She cuddled him; “I’m sorry I teased you.”

“It’s nothing,” he replied, a tear rolling down his cheek.

“Yes it is; I thought it would cheer you up, make you laugh ... you know.”

“Sorry I forgot. Ha ha.”

“Gaby, I am sorry. I wouldn’t hurt you for anything, surely you know that?”

“Yeah, I s’pose so.”

“Am I forgiven?” as she asked this she pulled him round to face her, and placing a hand under his chin, gently lifted it until they looked in each other's eyes. “Am I?”

His eyes, now filled with tears, and he nodded a yes. She embraced him and held him for several minutes while he sobbed on her shoulder. “I’m … sorry (sob)… I …(sob) … can’t … stop ... (sob) … (sob) ... crying.”

“That’s okay, Sis, you’ve had a difficult day.” Ever the master of the understatement, Jules hugged her brother until he stopped crying. At one point she felt his legs buckle for a second, then realised it was because he nearly fell asleep, he was so tired.

She edged him to the bed, bade him lie down and stroked his hair while he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. “I’ll save you some tea,” she said quietly, then slipped away, silently closing the door behind her.

While they walked, Jenny and Dave held hands, “You know, I haven’t been to Dorset since I was a student,” he said to her.

“I haven’t been here since last week," she chuckled. She related the episode of the autograph hunters in the hotel restaurant.

Now it was Dave’s turn to chuckle; “They recognised Gaby, not you, that’s a good un.” They walked a little further. “Look, I’m concerned about this contract thing. What’s going to happen when they find out about Gaby and Drew being one and the same?”

“I don’t know if they will?”

“What do you mean? Surely there would be some sort of medical?”

“That depends upon what they want; either way, Gaby or Drew are both minors, the law is different with regard to them and adults.”

“I don’t see what you’re saying. If they sponsor Gaby, sooner or later they’ll want a medical. Besides which, when would Gaby get to ride, it’s bad enough making arrangements for Drew?”

“I know love, I know how hard you work for Drew, and I know he appreciates it.”

“Be nice if he said so, once in a while.”

“He’s a teenager Dave, you know what they’re like, all hormones and complexes.”

“Sometimes I wonder about his hormones, I mean he’s smaller than all his mates, including some of the girls. His voice hasn’t broken, and he hasn’t got a zit in sight, and I hate to say it, he looks girlish without any makeup. If it wasn’t for his cycling exploits, I bet his life would be hell in school.”

“I see these things too, Love, perhaps even more than you do. I don’t see him week in week out, so I notice things about Gaby and Juliette.”

“Look, there you go again. Gaby this, Gaby that, his name is Andrew and he’s a boy. He’s not a bloody girl, no matter how much you’d like him to be one.”

“I love my children whether they’re boys or girls or in between, I don’t want Drew to be anything but himself or herself.”

“But you’re encouraging him…”

“No, I’m not. I’m trying to give our child a chance to be whatever or whoever, he or she wants to be. It’s his decision, not mine or yours. You’ve seen him as Gaby, no one suspects she isn’t real. He can even get away with it in a swimsuit. Maybe it’s his hormones or her hormones, but at the end of the day, he or she has to decide for him or herself. I just want him to be happy, I don’t care what he is, just happy. That’s all I’m trying to do.” With this Jenny’s eyes began to fill with tears. Dave noticed and he put his arm around her.

“Yeah, I know. I’m just frightened for him. It’s a big bad world out there, and it’s bad enough if you’re normal. Be a bit different, and you are very vulnerable.”

They walked along slowly, Jenny nodding her agreement.

“Did I tell you about the girl we had in my year at uni?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“She wasn’t the prettiest or shapeliest female on the course, and we had some crackers. At the same time, none of us thought too much about it, although at times she seemed a bit awkward, and she rarely had a boyfriend.

Anyway, one day it got out that she’d had a sex change, had been a boy called Nicholas, not Nicola. It didn’t worry me too much, I mean who are we to judge what someone else has gone through. The uni knew of course and was okay about it. Then one or two of the boys got to hear about it, and teased her. I told them to back off, which they did, calling me a tranny lover or some other stupid name. A couple of days later one of them got funny with her and began to assault her in the car park. I was just getting on my motorbike, do you remember that old Suzuki I had?” he paused for her to think and recollect the motorbike.

“Yes, horrible, blue thing.”

“That’s the one, went like a rocket. My dad used to call it a ‘Japanese arse rocket’”. He laughed as he thought of his father saying the phrase.

Jenny smiled at him, “So what happened?”

“What, to the bike?”

“No, your transsexual friend.”

“Oh that, I saw one of them fumbling with her clothes, egged on by the other one. So I screamed up on the bike, helmet in hand and smacked both of them with it. Laid ‘em both out.”

“My hero, fighting to preserve a lady’s modesty,” she said kissing him.

“Dunno, I hate bullying, and that was how I saw it. Fortunately, there were other witnesses. The two boys were suspended, but she left soon after anyway. I don’t know what happened to her.”

“And you? What happened to you?”

“I had to buy another helmet.”

“Dave, you are lovely, but sometimes very thick. I can see where Drew gets it from.” She kissed him and he kissed her back.

“If we were home now, I’d ask you to make mad, passionate love to me.”

“What a second time?”

She looked bemused at him; “Eh?” she said.

“Well, you wouldn’t have had to ask the first time. So I thought....”

“Dave Bond, you are incorrigible, and I love you;” they kissed again.

“How about we slip back in and … you know, have an early night?”

“We have to look after Gaby first.”

“Alright, it was just a thought.”

“Have you told Gaby this story?”

“Not likely.”

“I think you should. It might help her decide.”

“Yeah, the wrong way.”

“Dave, I thought we agreed about her making this decision. It’s her life. What you just said, sounded as if you were against her being Gaby.”

“It’s just easier if he stays as Drew.”

“For who, you or him?”

They walked in silence for a while, turning back towards the house. He stopped and held her two hands so they were face to face; “I’m sorry. You’re right, I was thinking about myself, not Drew or Gaby. I’ll go with whatever he or she wants to do.”

“You’re a good man, Dave Bond, and I love you;” she said, then kissed him.