Gaby Book 25 Only Five Minutes by Maddy Bell Copyright© 2019 Madeline Bell After all the excitement of the last few weeks culminating in the trip to Austria, surely Gaby can get back to some sort of 'normal'? Well it wouldn't be Gaby if it was that simple would it?

 
“Right young lady,” Mum addressed me as I slouched on the sofa still be-dirndled, “we are not having the usual last minute packing panic.”
“Its not a panic.”

Mum just gave me that look, you know the one, it seemed politic not to argue the point further.

“Your Dad wants everything in the car before lunch on Thursday, we'll eat and get straight off, where's your Passport?”
“Erm.”
“This is what I'm getting at Gaby, we'll find it tomorrow, if you've got washing put it out I'll do it with ours tomorrow.”
“'kay,” I agreed with a note of resignation.

She's right of course, I'm not exactly the most together of people, as Gran puts it, I'll forget my head one of these days! I do actually know where my passport is, I think, although I don't actually need it to go to the UK as I can travel on my ID card which i've done in the past. I guess it wouldn't hurt to know where everything is for certain.
 

“Whats up with you?” Max asked as Olaf's Polo crawled along the autobahn, the traffic being unusually heavy this morning, “you're either bouncing or miserable as sin lately.”
“Am not,” I shot back.
“Whatever, so what are you doing later?”
“Apart from Cheer and packing for England?”
“Apart from that.”
“Dunno, should I be doing something?”
“Only if you want to.”
“What have you got in mind?”
“Dunno, go get a burger or something?”
“Last of the romantics,” Freddy chortled.
“And you'd know, didn't you take Bridget to the Kebob shop the other week?”
“It was her choice.”
“She never said anything,” I mentioned.
“It was only food,” Fred pointed out.
“So, burger Gab?” Max prompted.
“When?”
“I could pick you up from the TanzKlub.”
 
Unlike Friday with Garde we aren't having a party at Cheer, instead the girls voted to go for a meal in the New Year, out of season so to speak. That means that tonight is just a usual training session and my usual lift buddies, Pia and Mand are both working a party at the Stube – I had to pass the work up as I'm supposed to be in charge of the All Stars.

“Go on then.”
“Yes!”
“I can't be out too late, i've got stuff to sort for England.”
“We can eat then go back to yours.”
“Watch it Gab, he'll have his feet under the table before you know what's happening,” Olaf opined as we inched forward, I'm guessing there's an accident or something.

 
“...and don't forget we need your completed placement questionnaires before the recess,” Herr Liebemeyer finished, “have a good Weihnachts and I'll see you all in two thousand seven.”

I was as glad as anyone that we were done with Herr Liebemeyer's accountancy classes until the new year, we usually have him on Thursday and Friday as well but like we finish Wednesday this week.

“Glad thats over,” Hildie allowed as we gathered our stuff.

Hild, thats Brunhilde Schöning, often shares a table with me in Accounts.

“Its not that bad.”
“So says our resident genius, some of us aren't quite as gifted.”

i've had my exam results thrown at me before – the whole 'best of the Eifel' thing, I still can't work out how I scored so high.

“So you going to the social Wednesday?” I asked in an attempt to change the subject.
“Not sure, you?”
“I've got a tutorial in the morning so I'm here anyway.”
“I forget you live out in the sticks.”
“Dernau, throbbing toe nail of the Eiffel,” I chuckled.
“Pretty toe nail if you're there.”
“Hardly, I'm the ugly sister.”
“And I'm Claudia Schiffer.”

Don't get me wrong Hild is far from ugly, plain maybe but not exactly model material – well she make's about twice me.

“Nice to meet you Claudia,” I joked.
“So what're you doing for Weihnachts,” she asked as we headed towards the common room.
“Spending it with my Oma.”
“Just you? Thought you'd be doing stuff with your boyfriend.”
Me too. “nah just the family, we fly out on Friday for a week.”
“Fly? Where's your gran live?”
“England.”
It was clearly a lightbulb moment for her, “thats right, your parents are from Ausland aren't they?”
“Uh huh,” I agreed, I don't think she quite got that that made me English too.
“So do you speak good English then?”

Talk about a head slap!

“I get by, you must've passed your certificate though,” I pointed out.
“Only just.”
“Me too, i had to do some remedial classes in the summer.”
“Now that sucks.”
“Tell me about it.”
She made a slight chuckling noise, “you've got to admit though, its a bit ironic given your parents.”
Yeah, a proper barrel of laughs, “i guess so.”

 
you wouldn't think we're like a week away from Christmas, Lisbet set us an essay to do over the break so guess where I was for most of the afternoon – yep the library. I actually got quite a bit done – well I don't intend slogging over it during the holiday any more than I have to, I did have to leg it to catch the northbound Express. Well I guess I could've caught the next train but i've got stuff to do, like decide what to wear for our date tonight.
 

“You found that passport yet,” Mum asked as I sorted out my washing – she might've put it through but I still have to fold it and so on.
“Its on my desk.”
“Give it to your Father before you go out.”
“Anyone would think you don't trust me.”
“I wonder why that would be?”
“It wasn't my fault.”

She was of course referring to that trip to the Tour de France the other year when I picked up Jules passport instead of mine. I know I'm blonde and I can be a bit of a ditz but its not always my fault.

“Hmmm. What time are you finished at the Klub?”
“Oh I meant to say, Max is picking me up, we're going for a burger,” don't give her any wiggle space and cross everything.
“Don't be late.”

What? No arguing?

“Er we won't, its only a burger, I thought you were gonna veto it.”
“And what would that achieve kiddo? You end up resenting me and throwing a strop, I get upset, no one wins. You're nearly seventeen, we should be able to trust you, hell, your sister was just about living with Boris at you're age, I know you're Dad didn't care for that much, can't say I was keen myself.
Anyhow thats your sister, we're talking about you, I know we've had a few 'moments' this last couple of years but you've proved yourself to be sensible and we're all very proud of you. I know it doesn't always seem like it but we do trust you, really we do, but you'll always be my baby.”
she pulled me into a hug.

“Mu-um,” I complained as a tear wet my cheek.
She pushed back, “just be sensible eh?”
“So I can get that tattoo of Godzilla?”

She swatted at me.

“You ready Gab?” Dad called through which broke the moment.
“Just got to finish this.”
“Get on with you,” Mum told me, “i'll finish this.”
“Thanks Mum.”
“And remember what I said.”
“I will,” I gave her a quick peck on the cheek before almost skipping out to where Dad and Mand were donning coats.

Good idea Bond, I dived into the cloakroom to retrieve my ski jacket – and my new Mofa helmet.

“What've you got that for?” Mand asked as we went out to the Saab.
“To keep my head warm?”
“I'm guessing you don't need collecting?” Dad posed, obviously guessing why I was carrying the helmet.
“Er no, Max is collecting me,” I admitted.
“Well be careful,” he advised beeping the car open.

We climbed inside, I claimed the front seat as Mand is only going as far as Rech.
 
“Just remember what I said,” Dad told me a few minutes later as I untangled myself from the seat belt.
“We have ridden before,” I pointed out.
“And look what happened then.”
“That hardly had anything to do with Max's riding,” I pointed out, “oh, Mum said you wanted my passport, its on my desk, next to the keyboard.”
“Okay, enjoy yourself.”
“I will, laters!”

 
“Hot date?” Han suggested as we got ready to vacate the TanzKlub.
“Eh?”
“Well you don't usually dress up for practice,” she pointed out.

I guess compared to my usual sweats and stuff I am dressed up, but honestly, you can hardly call, jeans, jumper and ankle boots dressed up can you.

“Date yes, hot, not so sure, we're going for a burger,” I told her.
“Must be serious if you've got your own helmet,” she motioned towards my new head gear.
“My parents have bought me a scooter for Weihnachts, thought i'd break the helmet in tonight.”
“Not literally I hope.”
“Don't.”
“Sounds like the hunk in question now.”

Sure enough the distinctive putt, putt of Max's Mofa sounded from the tunnel down from Altenahr.

“See you in the Neu Jahre,” Han mentioned.
“Yeah, Frohes Weihnachts!”
She left for her car and I turned to Max, “where've you been?”
“Flippin' stables, said i'd check on the new foal.”
“Didn't know you had one,” I allowed as I seated my helm.
“Born last week.”
“Surprised your mum didn't say on Saturday.”
“Think she was a bit distracted with sorting Gran out, nice hat, guess you don't need this,” he said shaking his spare helmet at me.
“Nope,” I grinned.
“Well come on then, BK in Neuenahr okay?”
“Fine by me,” I agreed climbing up behind him.

 
Its a good job that its downhill from Altenahr, Mofas aren't fast at the best of times, with a passenger, well think brisk walk. But who's bothered, we aren't walking, we're not using a parent taxi, we're independent adults – ish. We used the bike track most of the way, well the cars can be a bit fast on the main road and the lights on Max's machine are not the best – legal yes but not exactly a Tivoli display.

We eventually got to the BK after something like forty five minutes, the bouncing around having played havoc with my bladder I headed straight to the ladies!

“Phew, thats better.”
“What do you want?”

To be honest BK isn't as regular a stop as even Maccy D's so I'm not as familiar with the menu so I stood trying to make a decision for at least a full minute.

“Royale Menu with cheese?”
“'kay, go sit, can you take my helmet?”

I felt like a biker moll sat at the table, our helmets at one end – the illusion might last until we got outside to our steed. The place wasn't exactly busy which meant our food was essentially cooked to order so it was a few minutes before my knight in leather and denim arrived bearing the vittals.

“Royale with cheese, pommes, salad and Root Beer, oh and winter pie,” he unloaded in front of me.
My eyes were on stalks, “thats a lot of food.”
“No kidding,” he agreed, “i'm sure you're up to it though.”
“I'm not complaining, not had Root Beer since Kanada, what've you got?”
“Double King and onion rings.”
“That's got those slimy mushrooms, no thank you.” I stated wrinkling my nose.
“I wasn't offering,” he pointed out.
“Swap you some salad for an onion ring?”
He did an eye roll, “here, can we eat now?” he added a couple of battered rings to my pile of pommes.
 
Well maybe there was a bit much there for a sweet flower like me, Max finished my salad off, well I had to leave space for dessert! Winter Pie turned out to be filled with what in Blighty we'd call Mince, a glutinous mix of currants and stuff. First time i've had it deep fried, different but I guess not to everyones taste.

“Frohes Weihnachts,” Max proposed as I sucked the last of my drink noisily from the cup.
“Yeah,” I agreed.
He thrust a small package across the table, “you'd best have this.”
“Christmas isn't till next week.”
“When you'll be in England,” he pointed out, “you can open it now if you want.”
“Then I won't have anything to open on Weihnachts, nope, I'll take it with me.”
“Up to you,” he shrugged, “its not much.”
“I've got yours at the house.”
“You didn't have to get me anything,” his lips said but there was a happy sparkle in his eyes.
“I promised the Rents we wouldn't be too late.”
“We'd best get a move on then, its gone ten already”

 
It wasn't too late when we reached Schloss Bond, time for coffee, present retreival and some lip and tongue tango. I know we'll see each other tomorrow and Wednesday but it doesn't feel quite as bad leaving the big lunk behind. Up in my eyrie, the small gift wrapped box was placed on my 'to pack' pile – I really do need to do the packing tomorrow or Dad'll blow a gasket.
 
Tuesday was uneventful, well not strictly, stuff did happen just nothing of particular note. I guess there was a sort of excited buzz around the college but we still had lectures to attend, reports to write, books to read. And when I got home it was an hour on the turbo for one of Dad's monitoring sessions so there was no slacking with Dad stood watching and calling the shots.

When I got to college on Wednesday however, the air was tense with anticipation, anticipation of the end of classes and of the 'social' later. But before that I had my regular tutorial with Lisbet.

“Wasn't sure i'd see you today,” my tutor told me as I took my coat off.
“Why wouldn't I be?”
“Last day before recess,” she suggested.
“I didn't think it was an option, besides there's the party later.”
“Don't get too excited, i'd hardly call a few hors d'oeuvre and cheap sparkling wine a party.”
“I'll take what I can get,” I beamed back.

“Have you put your placement questionnaire in,” Lisbet asked an hour later.
“In my bag,” see I can remember things.
“Might as well cut out the middleman then.”
“Oh, er sure, hang on,” I fished in my bag and handed her the slightly crumpled papers.
“You might want to invest in some document folders,” she sort of hinted.
“I guess.”

“Well that looks okay, we'll have to try to find something that'll stretch you a bit, you have quite an advantage over most of your peers.”
“I do?”
“Not just academically but you already run a business and have quite a bit of experience in the workplace.”
“Frying Schnitzel and waiting tables,” I chuckled.
“Which means you have excellent people skills and whilst its not haute cuisine, you still need hygiene and technical skills to consistently serve up frites. I'll talk to your other tutors and see if we can find something a bit different for you.”
“Er thanks, I think.”
“Don't worry, it won't be anything you aren't capable of doing.”

That didn't exactly reassure me. On the plus side the placement is only a few weeks and its not even all week, if I suck at whatever I get it won't be the end of the world.

“Whats this?” Lisbet asked when I presented her with the gift bag.
“Just a sort of thank you.”
"For what?”
“Sorting stuff out for me, when I was away at the start of the year and when I was off for the training camp.”
“You don't have to give me gifts for doing my job Gab.”
“How about as payment for the only decent coffee in the building?”
“Okay, maybe you have me there but it was you who sorted my machine out.”
“Just accept it eh,” I cajoled.

Look I may be blonde but I'm not daft, a bag of Mozart Balls and a pair of tights from the Wolford factory shop doesn't break the bank but whatever she says, I'm storing Brownie points for future need.
 

She was right about the social, I met Hild in the common room, after a couple of vol au vents and half a plastic cup of sickly sparkling wine we adjourned to a coffee shop around the corner. Its not like we're besties or anything so after one cup we went our seperate ways, I was on the fourteen oh five with time to spare.

 
© Maddy Bell 20.05.2019