Gaby Book 5 - Bits
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
by Maddy Bell Book 5 in the Gaby series sees the action move to Germany where life for Drew can only get better - or can it? Join Drew in his new life in Germany and his new set of conspirators as they travel on a roller coaster of new friends, locations, and action. The Purchasable forms of this book includes material never before available in any format!
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop
and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Her Official Web Site is at MaddyBell.com Please Visit! |
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *1* A&E
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Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *1*
There were lights flashing past overhead but I couldn't focus properly for some reason. And none of the sounds made sense either although they seemed pretty loud.
“We're losing her! ICU! Quick.”
“Nooo!” a woman's voice called.
“Drew!” another voice called from the other side.
“Huh?”
I swung my head about or rather tried to — whoa that doesn't feel good and why is nothing moving?
“Lay still kiddo, the collar is just a precaution.” Mums voice was a bit jerky; I guess coz we were still moving.
I recognised the sounds as a hospital — lets face it I've visited several in the last year or so, lets see now — the broken collarbone, the accident on the Cuckney road — I guess that was the worst, and what with one thing and another I do seem to spend a fair time in the places. With my head fixed staring at the ceiling I could only listen to what was going on around me, I guess I must've been knocked out as I don't remember getting here — wherever here is.
“Okay Mrs Bond,” a voice addressed Mum, “we'll get the doctor to take a look as soon as possible.”
“Thanks.”
There was a swish of a curtain and some of the noise of A & E was shut out.
“Mum?”
“I'm here kiddo.” Her face came into my narrow field of view.
“Er what happened, how did I get here?”
“Ambulance, it's a good job the local Red Cross were at the race. Do you remember what happened?”
“Well I remember sprinting for the line but the next thing I remember was just now when we came in here. Is my bike okay?”
Mum shook her head and smiled, “the bikes fine, maybe a few scratches and a bent wheel but your helmet took quite a knock, split in two. The medics don't think you've broken anything but we won't know till after you've had some x-rays. One things for sure, you'll have a few bruises.”
“So what happened, did I win?”
“Geez, he tries flying without a licence and frightening his mother half to death and he wants to know who won! Yes for the record you won.”
“Kewl, super Bond strikes again!” I exclaimed.
“You okay in there?” a girls voice enquired.
“Yes thanks nurse.” Mom replied
“I heard raised voices so I thought…”
“Sorry it was just Wonder Woman here celebrating.”
“Well if everything's okay?”
“We'll try to keep it down nurse.” Mum offered.
“Sure, the doctor won't be long, it's fairly quiet today.”
“Thanks nurse.”
The curtain closed again.
“So what happened Mum?”
“Well the lad you were sprinting with had a front blow-out and hit your back wheel, it all happened so fast but you must've been knocked off balance because you swerved and hit the barrier just after the line. It was pretty impressive I must say, you cleared the barrier and some spectators before you hit the tree.”
“Kewl.”
“Hardly, we thought you'd broken your neck.”
“Is that why I can't move?” an edge of fear creeping into my voice.
“They're pretty sure you're okay, you can't move because they've strapped you up just in case.”
My mood became somewhat more sober. Mum held my hand and I squeezed hers back. Things were starting to hurt a bit — I recognised the deep ache from past spills, yes I was gonna have a few bruises. Mum sat down still holding my hand. There was a lot of activity somewhere outside, someone was obviously in a bad way, I could hear crying and some urgency in the voices — by the fact I was lying here waiting I was obviously gonna be okay.
It seemed like forever but it was closer to thirty minutes before I was examined and shipped to x-ray. I was thoroughly irradiated and returned to ‘my' cubicle to await the results.
“Okay ladies,” the Doc started twenty minutes later. “No broken bones although you'll be sore for a few days, we'll get you some pain killers, we'll keep you in overnight, you took a nasty knock on the noggin after all and we'd rather be safe than sorry. We'll get you transferred to the ward shortly — I think you'll be in time for dinner. Then in the morning you can go home.”
“Thank you Doctor.” Mum allowed.
The Doc left us alone.
“I'd best call your Dad, you gonna be okay for a few minutes?”
“I'm not going anywhere.” I grinned back. I'd lost all the restraints but it was painful to move very much, I'd never get off the bed!
Mum went out to phone Dad leaving me to my thoughts . How'm I gonna get home? Its not like I can get a taxi and they won't provide transport. I'm gonna have to stop falling off bikes — it hurts too much! And what will I wear? My race kit is a bit knackered and I've not got any shoes either. I sighed and lay back to relax my aches. I could just see a clock through the partly open curtain, four thirty; I've been here for over three hours!
I'm sure it was only five minutes but it felt like Mum was gone much longer.
“Well that's all sorted.”
“What?”
“Your Dads booking us into a hotel for the night then they'll come to see you and collect me. Caro has had to go back home but she sends her love and the rest of the team send their regards too.”
“I'll have to ring them.”
“Tomorrow, tonight you rest!”
“Bond?” a highly Scots accented voice enquired.
“That's us.”
“We've got the lassie a bed in paediatrics, best make a move before someone beats you to it.” The porter chuckled.
Mum gathered our meagre possessions and our little procession set off into the myriad corridors of what I now knew was Northampton General Hospital. The porter seemed to be having a conversation with himself, I couldn't understand half of it and from Mum's similar silence she was in a similar position. You could hear it before you arrived, paediatrics was housed in a new-ish building and the normal wards were noisy. Our entourage stopped in a side ward and I was helped onto a bed.
“There we are missy, get well soon.”
I could swear he winked at me; did he just call me missy? Before I could say anything we were joined by a youngish nurse.
“Okay, let's get you out of those togs and into bed, let me just get the screens.”
Janice, that's the nurse's name, was very efficient and soon Mum was stripping me of my ruined cycling kit in a modicum of privacy. It wasn't the easiest or most comfortable few minutes and I wasn't particularly pleased to find my bed ware would be one of those tie back nightdress things rather than pj's — still it was easy to put on at least.
“There we are, that's better now Drew eh.” Janice mentioned reopening the curtains and I got my first view proper of the ward.
Like I said, it was a side ward with just four beds, all of which were now occupied — well not physically, the occupants of the other three beds were not actually in the room but there were plenty of cards and stuff to show ownership.
“The others'll be back soon, dinner is on its way, would you like some Mrs Bond?”
“Er no, I'll eat later thanks.”
“You hungry poppet?” she directed the question to me.
My stomach rumbled in answer.
“We'll take that as yes then — I'll be back shortly, get yourself settled, there's a jug by the sink Mrs Bond if Drew's thirsty.”
“She's very cheerful.” Mum noted.
“Yeah.”
“Water?”
“S'pose. This sucks.” I sighed.
“Shit, as they say, happens.” Mum mentioned.
Mum busied herself with the water then we ended up just sat, well I was sort of reclining. At least I didn't smell as much now I was out of my race kit but I didn't think I was quite up to a shower.
“Come on you lot,” Janice chivvied, “there's a new inmate so behave.”
“Aw Jan!” a girls voice sort of mock moaned.
“Susan Barnes.” The nurse stated.
“Oh alright.”
“Ah Drew, meet your room mates. Susan, Kylie and hop along there is Tamsin. Girls this is Drew and her mum, she had a biking accident today so she's staying the night with us.”
Her? She? Nooooo!
“Hi Drew.” Tamsin grinned.
“Um hi.”
They think I'm a girl!
“Come on girls, Maggie will be here shortly with dinner.” In fact I could hear what I guessed was the food trolley approaching as she spoke.
“Mum! They think I'm a girl!” I sort of whispered to my parent.
Well I won't bore you with every detail but it seems I was on a girls ward, Mum did have a word with Janice but apparently there were no other beds to be had. Unless I fancied the geriatric wards, maybe not! All those old people. So I went with it — it was only one night after all. Tamsin had broke her leg falling off her horse, Kylie was recovering from having her appendix out and Susan was in for some sort of girl operation, you know, down there. Actually they were an all right bunch and we ended up playing Monopoly together after evening visiting.
The night was uneventful and I was given the all clear at morning rounds. Well I still hurt everywhere of course, a likelihood foreseen by Mum as she had somehow located a loose fitting sundress for my return home. It wasn't so much wearing a dress that was embarrassing, no, it had to be bright yellow with small pink flowers — you couldn't miss it!
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *2* Personal Best
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Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *2*
"Hey Drew, do you fancy going to another Con?"
"Dunno, when is it?"
"Three weeks."
"Three weeks? That's cutting things a bit fine Mad."
"Well I wasn't gonna go but its the last chance to go with you."
How does she do that? Make me feel guilty
"I'll have to check, I might have a race."
"Oh ok." she sounded a bit despondent at that.
"I'll check with Mum when I get home okay"
"Kewl!"
The idea of going to another con was tantalizing, they are good fun, and you get to meet some cool people, it really was great meeting JK Rowling last year - even if I was dressed as Hermione! But I guess that's what cons are about, a chance to dress up in costumes and that just for the heck of it. And lets face it; Mad's already had me dressed up in some pretty weird stuff over the last year.
I left Mad at the end of her road and plodded the last bit to Bond Acres. The car was on the drive when I turned into our road so Mum should be in.
"Hello? Anyone in?"
The door had been locked which means Mum is either in the bath or out. I headed into the kitchen to score some milk and found a note on the table.
‘Put the oven on around five and do some veggies - I should be home around 5.30 - gone for a ride. Mum.'
Well that explains that then.
"I'm home!" Goth girl announced as she banged into the house.
"Mums out." I called back.
"Oh right." she replied looking round the door as she kicked off her shoes.
I still can't get used to my sis with black hair - it just looks, I dunno, wrong.
"There's something in the oven for tea but we need to do some veggies."
"Don't cut yourself peeling the spuds then." and with that she took off upstairs.
Bummer, I've got caught again! Hmm it's only four twenty, plenty of time to watch some of Under Arrest .
“Drew? You got the taters on?” Jules enquired through my door.
“There's loads of time, Mum'll be ages yet.”
“No she won't, its quarter past five.”
Sugar! This anime is flippin dangerous, sucking you in with great funny stories. I hit the pause button and leapt for the door in one action nearly bowling Morticia over as I exited my room.
“Watch it squib!”
‘Bum if Mum gets home and dinners not ready my chances of going to the con are about zilch!'
I skidded into the kitchen to find it slightly steamy with a saucepan of spuds gently bubbling away and some veggies doing their best to melt in the steamer.
“Jules!” I moaned.
“What?”
“You, you…”
“Angel? Life saver?”
“Yeah whatever, you coulda said.”
“You never gave me a chance.”
Well I guess that's true, I did sort of go into turbo mode there in my panic.
“So what've you two been up to?” Mum enquired some forty-five minutes later.
“Just the usual” Jules allowed.
“Drew?”
“Er nothing much. Muum?”
“What Spud?”
“Well you no in three weeks?”
“Yes.”
“Well I know we're moving the week after.”
“Glad you remembered, you need to start packing, both of you.”
“Yeah well er Mad wants to go to a Con thingy that weekend. I've checked and I'm not racing!” a hint of desperation in my voice.
“You mean you want to go?”
“If he gets to go there I can go to the Battle of the Bands.”
Mum was now under attack on two fronts, it would be all or nothing.
“One at a time. Right Drew, where is this Con thing and how are you getting there?”
“I think Uncle John is taking us, I think its in Lincoln.”
“Well you'd best find out the details hadn't you?”
“Thanks Mum!” I enthused giving her a hug.
“Now Ms Clapton, what's with this band fight thing?”
“…So if you come round tomorrow after school we can start on the cossies.”
“I can't tomorrow, it's the ten and I really want to ride this week. Can't you start on your own?”
“I guess so — but no complaining.”
“Well no stupid Chobits costumes then, promise?”
The phone went quiet for a bit before Mad replied.
“Okay, no Chobits.”
One small victory.
“I'd best go, I've gotta finish my English essay.”
“Okay, see ya in the morning.”
“Yeah, ‘nite.”
“G'night.”
I put the phone down — Mad had promised we wouldn't do Chobits again, hadn't she? Given the time scale we can't do anything too complicated so maybe it'll be something simple — hey I could go as Ken from Under Arrest*, nah I'd end up as Aoi** with my luck!
It might be May but that hasn't stopped it raining today, in fact its hardly stopped all day. I clicked into my pedals and pushed off for Cuckney. God I hate riding in the wet — it's not the wet per se but everything that goes with it, the cold spray on your feet, the traffic is louder and everyone is miserable. I was soon onto the Worksop road and I made an effort to spin a low gear up the drag out of Warsop. I'm sure you know by now but its not far over to Cuckney and I was signing on barely fifteen minutes after leaving home.
“Not many tonight.”
“Weather prob'ly put a few off.” John noted.
“Softies!”
“Looks like it might be quite quick tho, the wind's dying down some.”
“Yeah,” I agreed checking the sky out. The rain was now barely more than a few spits and spots and the clouds were clearly breaking up although it was still on the chill side of cool. “ How long before you go up?”
“Ten minutes so you can have a bit of a warm up.”
I found my number in the pile, number ten — usually a good start number in open events but in this fish ‘n chipper pretty meaningless as it just meant I was the tenth to sign on! I pinned the fluorescent square to the bum of my skinsuit and checked it would stay put by simulating my racing position — anyone passing must've thought there was something wrong with me! At least I had the foresight to oil up at home tonight so I was ready to go — well I would be after the ride up to the start!
By the time I got to the start John was seeing number two off. I waited on the footpath till five was on the line before losing my race cape and tracky top, brrrr it's not warm. Still the rain has stopped and the wind is dropping even if the roads are still wet.
“Take care at the turn.” John instructed as I rolled to the line.
“Yep.” I agreed, my mind already focused on the next twenty-five minutes. I checked my computer was primed and took a few deep breaths.
“Thirty.”
Ken, tonight's pusher, grabbed my steed and I clipped in, backpedaling to get into start position.
“Fifteen.”
“Car coming up as you start, have a good un.” Ken instructed.
“Ten…five,” Ken started rocking me, “four, three, two, one, go!” and with a hefty shove I was on my way.
The car gave me a wide berth as I settled into position and I was on my way. Kerchunk, chunk — up the gears in quick succession, the comp was soon reading over thirty, well nearer to forty as I dropped through the village but a lot of that was scrubbed off by the slight incline up to the finish area. That said the wind was on my left shoulder which means that it'll be on my back up to the turn — kewl!
I was steadily reeling someone in by the time I passed the nursery entrance and a quick look at the clock showed eight minutes gone. It seemed to drag up through the trees then as I joined the long straight the wind sort of gave me a kick in the behind. Kerchunk! Top gear and its spinning nicely! It seemed like no time at all later that I was climbing up to the turn hard on the wheels of number eight and I could see nine not too much further away, I guess the tailwind was helping everyone tonight.
A quick check on the computer as I exited the stupid Worksop island had me on sixteen thirty — jeez I've got to get back in under ten minutes and there's a headwind, isn't there? I realised as I hit the ski ramp that the wind had dropped completely. Hmm well maybe its just possible then. Clunk, back into top and concentrate. By the Hodthorpe turn I was past eight and nine and cooking on gas! Eighteen ten, is that seven ahead? Concentrate kiddo.
‘Dare I look at the little screen again? No it'll put you off.' I told myself as I motored towards the last bend after passing starter number three. The road was starting to dry off but not enough to prevent a few splashes from passing traffic. Good there's the finish, one last effort Drew. The red mist started to rise as I made the last climb then there was John. “TEN!”
I stopped pedaling and for the first time realised that there was a significant wind on my back, huh? How can that be? It was a tailwind going out — whatever. By the time I got back to the ‘car park' John was only waiting for two riders.
“Nice one Bond” Ken called across the road.
“Thanks.”
I retrieved my kit from John's car and quickly pulled on my tights and tracky top, it‘s still chilly even if the rain has stopped! In truth I forgot to stop the computer at the finish but I reckon I've done a 24, maybe even a short one.
“Well done Drew, I think you got the best of it tonight.” John clapped his arm about my shoulders.
“What did I do?”
“Twenty three twenty, you're quickest tonight.”
Kewl, twenty-three — hang on, “did you say 23.20?”
“Yup, new personal eh?”
“Wha hey! That's nearly twenty seconds off what I did at Lincoln the other week.”
“You coming out to Tuxford next week?”
“Tuxford? I didn't think that was until August?”
“Our club one is but Retford Wheelers have invited us over as they ride here so often — theirs is on Thursday night.”
“Can Mad ride?”
“Your cousin? Don't see why not, she's a paid up member and I'm sure if your Mum wanted to there'd not be a problem.”
“Brill! I'll see if we can go.”
“Take care going home.”
“See you next week”
I made my farewells and headed home. There's one advantage to being quickest — you only need to remember one result! 23.20 — that's nineteen seconds off my old PB! Hmm I wonder what Mad has done for the con? I'll ring her when I get home.
* Full title ‘You're Under Arrest' — a Japanese Anime series which runs to @ 50 episodes, a film and several specials.
** Pronounced Aye-oy, Aoi is a male character who dresses and lives as a woman.
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *3* Another Con
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *3* Another Con
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *3*
“You have got to be kidding!”
“Why? You did Chobits last year.”
“Yeah but,”
“Well Tenshi isn't any different.” Mad stated.
I had to concede that. The Chobits costume last year was if anything more revealing, dare I say sexy, than the outfit Mad had on the screen. Tenshi No Koromo was a new manga story and Mad wanted to ‘do' it before anyone else. That's the thing with the anime cons, although a lot of peeps are happy to go with popular characterisations others want to be at the cutting edge and my cousin was one of them. But why do I get the cute girl costume?
There's no point in arguing with Mad — especially two days before we are due to go.
“So like what're you wearing?”
“I knew you'd do it, here,” she hit return and another picture popped up, “mines not that different.”
Hmm, I guess I'll let her off; her outfit isn't that much different apart from the colour.
“So how far have you got with the costumes?”
“Just need you to try yours on, unless there're any alterations they're done.”
“You did them quick.”
“Well mum helped out, she's quicker with the Singer * and I had already started on them.” She admitted.
“Lets get it over with then.” I sighed.
Aunt Carol sat opposite me on the Trans Pennine Express reading her book while Mad and me played pontoon. Seems that the rents thought we should have an adult with us in Manchester to stop us getting up to mischief. As if! Anyway we're coming over tonight on the train as Aunt Carol is sans car at the moment so we get a night in the Ibis in Salford.
“Twist.”
I turned the card — bum!
“Bust.”
“He he — that's a pound you owe me.” Mad crowed.
“Calm down Mad.” Aunt Carol instructed her daughter.
“‘Nuther round Drew?”
“Nah I've had enough and we'll be in Manchester soon.”
“Hey cool, can we go to the evening sesh mum?”
“I guess we could go straight there from the station, that okay with you Drew?”
“I ‘spose so.”
Ten minutes later we were waiting outside the station for a taxi.
Oh did I forget to tell you about that? Yup, I got talked into being Gaby for the weekend — ‘just for old times sake' — yeah right! Why I couldn't wear jeans though is beyond me and I shoulda known better than let Sylv ‘tidy up' my hair at lunchtime I'll never know. I mean just look at it, this fringe will take forever to grow out!
“Come on girls, he won't wait forever.”
“Shake a leg Gabs.” 
Mad encouraged, hmm at least she didn't make me wear something like that!
“Coming.” I sighed grabbing my bag.
It wasn't far to the venue — the student union building at Salford Uni — but too far to walk. We passed our hotel on the way; we'd be able to walk back later. Having been to a couple of these things now I knew what to expect and Salcon 2004 didn't look like it was going to disappoint.
We joined the queue to register and I felt somewhat under dressed! The big guest for the weekend is Terry Pratchett, which is well cool, so there were quite a few Discworld cosies mixed in with the usual Sailor Moons and Bleach outfits. They were well organised with the registration and fifteen minutes after arriving we had our ID cards.
“Right you two, I'm going to take the bags to the hotel and get us checked in, I shouldn't be too long, I'll come straight back and then we'll find somewhere to eat ok?”
“Sounds like a plan mum.”
“Well I'll give you a ring when I get back.”
“Best ring Gabs, my phone needs charging.”
“Okay, see you in a bit.”
“Laters!” Mad waved to her Mum.
“Come on little Miss Glum, let's go check the hall out.” Mad enthused.
“Yeah okay, toilet first?”
“Good idea, I saw a sign somewhere.”
It being the first session, there weren't any ‘proper' events tonight but it was a good opportunity to mingle and get a feel for the place. Most of the sales stands would set up in the morning so the couple already open were getting a lot of attention. With the move coming up I'm on a tight budget this weekend so I'm not really looking for anything.
Aunt Carol rang, I was surprised that it was already after nine but I guess our train only got to Manchester at five past seven!
“Come on you pair, I've got a table booked at that Indian over the road from the hotel.”
“Kewl!” Mad allowed.
Well I'm quite partial myself.
“So Gabs, are you packed yet?” Aunt C enquired over the popadoms.
“I've started.” I replied carefully loading some lime pickle onto a piece of popadom.
“You're leaving it a bit late, you go in a fortnight.”
“There's a lot I can't pack yet but we've been sorting the garage an that.”
“You looking forward to going?”
“Sort of yes and no, I want to go but I don't want to leave all my friends.”
“Like me?” Mad grinned.
“Nah, I shall be glad to be rid of you.” I deadpanned.
“Wha?”
“Just kidding, ooh here comes the food!”
“Wow Gab, do you look cute.” Aunt C gasped when I emerged from the bathroom.
To be truthful I felt like a right Charlie. The Chobits costume might have been revealing an' that but this made me feel more ‘exposed'. I mean just look at it, its like a pink maids outfit, all frills and flounces — and these prissy stockings! At least I don't have to wear heels with it all, that would be like total porn!
“Er thanks.”
“Its come out better than I thought it would.”
Of course I've had to go full ‘Gaby' to wear this get-up, hey maybe this'll be the last time I have to be Gaby — ever! That was a cheery thought, my mood lifted immediately.
“Come on Mad, time's a wastin'!”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Salcon was a different beast today, a lot busier, I guess Mr Pratchett is quite a draw. Of course two cute ‘girls' attracted a lot of attention, so much so that the organisers arranged an impromptu photo shoot to stop us clogging the place up! We caught a session on drawing Manga and I bought a ‘How To' book — not that I'm ever likely to. Oh I forgot to tell you, Aunt C was in costume too, she'd gone for a more ‘mature' outfit, Rei Ayanami from NGE** wearing a party outfit. I know I shouldn't really say it but she looked pretty hot!
I did spot something I wanted to get on one of the stalls but the Pratchett session was starting imminently so we went to commandeer some seating. It was a really great session, TP did a reading from one of his books that's not out yet, Going Postal or something like that. The way he read it had everyone in hysterics. Of course they had a costume competition, no repeat of Dunstable as we weren't exactly part of the Discworld crew.
The big bummer was that when I got back to the stand I wanted to buy from they had sold the figures I wanted. The guy reckoned he could get more of them so I left my details and a deposit.
We caught another session — well a showing actually. It was a sort of premier of an Anime called I think Kashimashi — Girl Meets Girl , it's a bit weird and I found myself squirming a bit. This sort of loner kid gets killed by an alien spaceship and then gets resurrected but as a girl! It was all a bit weird really. Afterwards we grabbed a snack before the evenings festivities started.
I hadn't really thought about what I wasn't wearing since this morning but now it had come to show time I was nervous as hell. There were a hell of a lot of photographers, we'd be online before the night is out if previous experience is anything to go by!
“First prize — goes to the Tenshi girls, come on up girls.”
Oh heck, not on the stage again! Mr Pratchett was dishing the prizes and he insisted on kissing us both — yeuk and that beard — gross! We posed for yet more pictures then retired back to where Aunt C was waiting with our stuff.
“Well done kids.”
“I didn't do anything.” I pointed out.
“You wore it didn't you?”
“Yeah.” I admitted.
“So you did something Gabs. Look I'm not bothered about the party so if you like I'll take your stuff back to the room.”
“Kewl mum!” Mad bounced.
Looks like I was partying whether I wanted to or not. I guess this might well be the last Con I go to so I might as well make the most of it.
“Shush!” I held my finger to my lips, “you'll wake her up.”
Mad was having a giggling fit as I tried to get the key in the lock.
“That lad in the Bleach outfit!” and Mad was off again.
I finally got the key in and turned and carefully eased the door open. Mad however pushed straight in.
“Hi Mum!”
“Shush, I'm watching this.”
Aunt Carol was sprawled on the bed watching telly still in her Rei outfit. Boy does she look a fox!
“Hmm, what time is it?” she enquired.
“Just after twelve Mumsie.” Mad advised bouncing onto the bed.
(In case you were wondering, Mad and Aunt C are sharing the double bed and I've got a foldout thing to sleep on.)
Uncle John collected us Sunday morning; he was on his way back from a trip to Canada so dropping into Manchester wasn't difficult from the airport.
We took the slow route back across the Pennines, which, after I tuned Mad out, gave me a chance to reflect on stuff. Would I ever get to ride here again? Will we even come back to visit? I wonder if they have Cons in Germany? Hmm it was kewl winning the costume comp mind you I'm glad I won't be wearing that again! I guess Mad'll just have to ‘Con' someone else to go with her.
* Sewing machine
** Neon Genesis Evangelion
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *4* Friends Night
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *4* Friends Night
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *4*
“So why weren't you at school yesterday?” Helen enquired as she locked up her bike Tuesday morning.
“I um had a bit of an accident at the race on Sunday and they kept me in hospital overnight.”
“What? In Worsop?”
“Northampton, the race was near Milton Keynes.”
“So are you okay then?”
“Few scrapes, nothing much for Super Bond.” I joked.
“Well they must've thought it was serious to keep you in.” Helen noted.
“I suppose, anyway they let me out yesterday morning but by the time we got back home it was nearly lunchtime so Mum rang in for us.”
“Better luck next time.”
“Yeah, if'n I had more lead he wouldn't've caught my wheel.”
“You what?”
“The kid I beat in the sprint, he had a blow out and crashed into me, that's why I crashed.”
“You won?”
“Course I did!”
“Keep your hair on!”
“Sorry Hel, I thought I said.”
“So you still coming tomorrow night?”
“I said I would didn't I?”
By this time we were nearly at my form room.
“See you later.”
“Yeah.” I agreed as we went to our separate desks.
Mum suggested I give the ten a miss this week but rather than waste the evening I rode out to watch instead.
“I was hoping I'd see you out here” John mentioned as I rolled up beside him at the finish.
“Oh?”
‘Nine!'
“There's a box in the car for you.”
“For me?”
“New helmet and race kit, by the way good ride Sunday.”
“Er thanks and thanks for the kit.”
“I was over in Manchester today so it made sense to bring it back with me, you want me to drop it off after this?”
‘Six!'
“Might be easiest.”
“…So Cookie says ‘I never wear knickers for work.' Well you could' a heard a pin drop.” John finished telling mum the tale as I arrived back from the shower.
Mum was almost in hysterics and Dad was having a good chortle, I might've joined in but when you only get the punch line.
“There you are Drew.” Mum stated the obvious.
“So are you looking forward to Germany Drew?” John asked.
“I guess so.”
“The racings different over there, no time trials every week.”
“They don't do testing?”
“Not like over here kiddo.” Mum confirmed.
It had never really crossed my mind, I just sort of assumed that I'd pick up over there where I stop here.
“You got all the forms sorted Dave?” John enquired.
“I think so, I'll take them up to the registrar in Bonn as soon as we're over so it should be sorted for the Düsseldorf event.”
“Baptism by fire eh Drew?”
“I guess.”
“Well I'd better be off, she'll wonder where I've got to.”
“Thanks for bringing the kit over John.” Mum mentioned.
“Yeah thanks.” I agreed.
“I'll see you out John.” Dad got up to do the host bit.
"You are coming tonight aren't you Drew?"
"Tonight?"
"Friends Night! Drew you said you would!" Helen was already heading towards tears.
"Oh that, of course I am, there's food isn't there?"
"Drew Bond, you are so, so ooh!"
It was so easy to get a rise out of Helen. Not like Maddy, no Mad was a work of art!
"So what time is this thing then?"
"We'll pick you up at twenty past six."
"What should I wear?" I'd never asked that.
"Well a nice dress would be good."
"What?" I replied by reflex then I saw the glint in her eye.
"Just kidding but I had you going didn't I?"
"Not funny."
"Just wear something normal, I'll be in my uniform."
"Right."
The bell rang for registration.
"See ya laters."
"Er yeah." good job she didn't broadcast too loudly, if the lads get to hear about this I'll be mince!
“You sure this is okay Hel?”
I nervously looked around the hall used by the 5 th Meden Vale Girl Guides — well actually the Church Warsop church hall. The place was full of girls — well duh I know it's the Guides but this is Friends Night right? And Helen said boys were welcome tonight but to me it looks like I'm in a minority of one!
“Welcome to Friends Night, we'll get things rolling in a few minutes but if all the Guides can form up for the promise please.”
Whilst Helen and her mates were pledging allegiance to the Queen and God I cast a look around at the other visitors and the other Guides. It was hardly surprising that I recognised a lot of faces from school although Helen was the only one that I really knew. But that meant that they'd recognise me too.
“…To God and the Queen.”
Looks like things'll get going in a minute.
“Thanks for your patience everyone, the girls have got all sorts of stuff organised for you so if you want to make yourselves comfortable Dove patrol will start things going.”
I reluctantly followed the ‘crowd' to the pews in front of the little stage and slipped into a seat in the back row.
“You're with Helen right?”
“Um yeah.”
“Chelle.” The girl stated, she looked about twelve.
“Sorry?”
“All my friends call me Chelle, mum wants me to join this lot coz she was a Guide back whenever but I've only come as Lizzy invited me.”
She barely paused to draw breath.
“So like are you gonna join?”
“Join?”
“Well duh this is a recruitment thing, Lizzy told me, but its not like this every week.”
Was Helen trying to recruit me to the Guides? Don't be daft Drew; she knows you're a boy.
“Oh?”
“Liz says they usually do crafts and stuff for their badges.”
“Right.” Does this girl ever shut up?
As if on cue, what I presume was Dove patrol broke into song, they were hardly the Corrs but they managed to keep reasonably in tune for their little medley during which Chelle kept quiet except for a hushed ‘ that's Liz' during the first song.
We sat through an hour of ‘entertainment' Girl Guide style before Helen found me.
“You okay Drew?”
“Sure.” Well I couldn't really say I was bored could I? “Where've you been? I haven't seen you do anything.”
“I've been in the kitchen helping get the food ready.”
Hmm food.
“um there's not any other boys here Hel.”
“I sorta noticed that, do you mind?”
“I'm still here, what're we eating?” my stomach growled as if to emphasise the enquiry.
“we've got all sorts, you know all sorts of finger food.”
“oh.” My disappointment was obvious.
“there's burgers an stuff too, that's what I've been making.”
“making? I thought you just went to Sainsbury's and bought a pack.”
“them things are awful.”
“well I like them, ‘specially them with onion in.”
“you need to get out more, just wait till you try mine.”
“well I hope its not gonna be much longer.”
The woman in charge clapped her hands for attention.
“supper is ready girls, then we'll start the disco.”
Disco?
“come on Drew.” Helen didn't need to say it twice.
“hey Helen, your burgers are really good.” Chelle grinned.
“oh hi Chelle, thanks.”
“what do you think Drew?” the chatterbox barely drew breath.
“hm, ‘licous.” In fact I'd have to say they were fantastic! These bore no close relationship to Cap'n Birdseye's offering. For a start they were huge, not some shrivelled lump, and they tasted like real meat too, they even had onion in them. Wonder if I can get Hel to make me some for home?
“ah there you are Helen, well done with the food.”
“thanks Captain, this is Drew my friend from school.”
“that's a pretty name, is it after the actress?”
“it's my Dad's middle name.”
The Captain woman frowned a bit, “well its nice to see you here Drew, hope to see you again soon, I best go get the music going.”
“what was that about?”
“what?”
“Chelle said that this is a recruitment thingy.”
“well Captain did mention that we usually get some new recruits each time we have one of these, we always had too many members back home.”
Before I could pursue it any further the music started.
“you wanna dance?” Helen enquired.
“I guess.”
“theres one good thing Drew.”
“whats that?”
“I get to dance with the only boy here!”
well I can't say as I had a problem with that. And I was me too — I can't remember the last time Drew got to go to a dance or anything, its always Gaby that gets to go.
I pulled Hen into an impromptu hug, “thanks Hel.”
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *5* Moving Home
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Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *5*
“Come on Drew, lets get started, there’s a lot to get packed”
“Sure Dad” Drew replied.
It was finally here, pack up time. It really didn’t seem that long ago that they had first discussed the move and here they were actually packing stuff. Things really had moved along quickly - the house in Germany was pretty much finished and after deciding to rent rather than sell the Warsop house they had a tenant waiting to move in. The biggest surprise there was that it was Helen and her mother who were moving in!
Dad decided that they would move themselves as they weren’t taking much furniture so this weekend he’d arrived home in a borrowed Apollinaris van with a trailer. If it didn’t fit in it wasn’t going!
Drew followed the elder Bond out to the garage where there was already a scattering of cardboard boxes.
“You make a start on the tools, put them in those plastic crates.”
“What like all together?”
“Use a bit of savvy kiddo, bike tools in one, saws an’ stuff another and so on.”
“Sure”
Drew set to work and was soon engrossed in thee project. Meanwhile Dave was busy sorting through the other stuff that seems to grow in garages, old tins of paint, bits of cars, old bike tyres - well you name it it’s likely to end up here!
Father and son worked away with mixed feelings, Radio Two playing away to itself in the clatter of packing. Neither of them noticed first Jen then her daughter watching from the kitchen door.
“Leave ‘em be Jules, tea can wait a bit.”
“Sure Mum.”
“How much have you done?”
“The small wardrobe and my chest of drawers”
“I hope you’ve chucked some stuff out”
“Some” Jules allowed.
“Hmm” Jen noted - Jules was a right squirrel; it was only last year that she got rid of her Care Bear ™ collection!
“You can help me with the kitchen tomorrow morning.”
“Whatever”
Meanwhile out in the garage the boys were now sifting through boxes of old bike bits, looking for anything remotely useable.
“Some of this stuff ought to be in a museum,” Dave mentioned.
“We could sell it on Ebay” Drew opined.
“If you think I’m lugging it all the way to Ahrweiler just so you can sell it on Ebay you’ve another think coming.”
“Aww”
“Tell you what, we’ll drop it round to John, I’m sure he can find a home for some of it like those old screw on wheels.”
“They’re Campag hubs” Drew noted.
“They’re still not compatible with the new stuff.”
“I guess not.”
“Dinner!” Jen called out.
“Sheesh, is that the time?” Dave hadn’t realised how long they’d been at it. He surveyed ‘his’ garage, it was still full but instead of the clutter of his workbench and shelves full of junk, the walls were now bare and the contents occupied a pile of storage crates. ‘I really do hope this all works out.’ he mused to himself.
“Da-ad!” Jules shouted from the kitchen.
“Coming”
“You need any help in there Drew?” Jen enquired from the doorway.
“Nah, I’ve only got a few bits left.”
“Okay then, bring it down when you’re done, your Dad and Uncle John are loading the van, I’m sure they’d appreciate a hand.”
“Yeah okay Mum.” Drew replied without enthusiasm.
Jen slipped away leaving Drew to his packing. For his part, Drew was clearing his desk of the clutter of a lifetime. Mum and Jules had already packed the contents of his wardrobe and chest of drawers so he only had his toys and books to pack - plus the desk. He’d been quite ruthless with his games an’ stuff, most of the ‘kid’ stuff was waiting for Uncle John to take to Oxfam, everything else had gone in just a couple of boxes. But the desk, his desk, was full of his life and so far all he’d thrown out was a broken Airfix battleship, a Chrimbo prezzie from Clive two years ago, and some scrappy bits of paper.
Why the stack of cinema ticket stubs was so important he couldn’t say but the thought of throwing them away - well it didn’t bear thinking of. Then there were the photo’s, pictures of the gang, school trips going back to junior school, birthday parties and more recent stuff including some from the Cons last year. There was a copy of the school brochure in there too, you know, the one Gaby stars in. another drawer had all his cycling stuff, programmes and stuff, the squirrel in him had even kept some purloined direction arrows from some of the big events he’d watched. Then there were all the daft bits and bobs you hang on to, some were presents, others things that had taken his fancy - it all got shoveled into a plastic carrier, well apart from his earring collection which went in his ’safe’ along with his cycling - and cheering, medals.
He taped the big box up and scrawled ‘Drews Stuff’ on the top before adding it to the pile of stuff that included his Scalextric set and toy cars. That only left his PC but Dad was going to sort that out and like his sisters would be traveling in the Saab with him, Jules, Mum and several bikes when they left in the morning.
The atmosphere around the Peters’ dining table was a little forced. Aunt Carol had excelled herself for the Bond’s last meal in Warsop with a full roast job followed by spotted dick -not that anyone had much of an appetite.
“What time are you leaving Dave?” Uncle John enquired.
“I’ll set off about seven with the truck, Jen and the kids will meet me at Dover so they’re giving me an hours start, we’re on the one o’clock ferry.”
“You going straight to the house Jen?” Carol asked her cousin.
“Yeah, Dave’s gonna leave the truck at Apollinaris overnight then we’ll move stuff in on Monday, the Pinger’s said they’ll help. We’ve got most of the furniture but I guess we’ll be seeing the inside of Ikea before the week’s out!”
“Kewl!” Jules noted.
“Can we go Mum?” Mad chirped, the shopping gene now activated.
“To Germany?”
“No Ikea silly.”
“Maybe.” Aunt C allowed.
“Yay!” her offspring exclaimed.
Uncle John had been busy topping everyone’s glasses up.
“A toast everyone, to the Bond’s and their new life in Germany,” he raised his glass, “the Bond’s!” Mad and Aunt Carol echoed him before everyone chinked glasses and sipped their drinks.
Dave offered a counter toast, “the Peters for being good friends over the years, the Peters.” We repeated the ritual with the drinks.
“You daft thing Dave Bond, we’re family, it’s what family’s do.” Carol mentioned giving Dave’s shoulder a squeeze.
“Well I needed to say it.” Dad noted.
Our departure from the Peters drive was a tearful one but thankfully quite quick. Mad pressed a bag into my hand, ‘so you don’t forget us, open it later.’ after a round of hugs ‘n stuff we pulled out and were off. Yeah I know we’ll be visiting and stuff but when I go back to school it won’t be with the gang, it’ll be some place in Ahrweiler, Germany.
We weren’t in a race so for once Mum was driving a bit slower, after all the car was well loaded despite the truck ahead of us and there were four bikes on the roof too.
We headed out to the A1; it’s quieter than the M1 according to Dad, somewhere down the road I drifted off.
“That’s all we need.” Jules voice cut through my dreaming.
“What’s up?” I asked stretching and noting we weren’t actually moving, “why’re we stopped?”
“Roadwork’s.” Mum noted.
“But it just said there’s an accident on the M25, they’re closing the motorway to deal with it.” Jules added.
“I hope your Dad’s okay.”
“Shall I ring him?” I offered.
“He won’t be able to answer if he’s driving dumbo.” Jules pointed out.
“I guess.”
“Here we go!” Mum advised, as we started moving again.
The traffic shuffled along and after some debate we decided to stay on the main road - at least for the time being. It was pretty frustrating though. At least we weren’t desperate for the ferry - our ticket allows us to travel anytime today subject to space even though we are booked on the two o’clock sailing.
“ And the latest on that accident on the clockwise M25. The Police advise that the motorway will be closed for at least another hour while the accident is recovered. The accident, involving a foreign registered commercial and up to four cars, has resulted in at least one fatality. So if you can avoid using that stretch of the M25 please do but roads in the area are already heavy with traffic avoiding the smash. ”
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *6* Shock To The System
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Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *6*
The words must've hit all of us at the same time, the radio was now glibly playing some pop tune but our conversation was at a stop.
“Mum?” Jules stated more than really asked.
“Don't worry kids, you're Dad should be well down the road.” Mum tried to soothe.
“But what if he's not?” I whined.
“Drew, its not your Dad.”
“But…”
“Calm down both of you.” There was an edge to Mum's voice, a worried tone I hadn't heard since she was in hospital.
“And coming up next a classic from the 70's, it's ELO and Mr Blue Sky.”
The traffic shuffled along a bit but despite the happy tone of the music our worries over Dad kept our mood down. Things didn't improve much over the next hour; the traffic moved maybe a mile and each successive news flash just went further to fuel our fears.
We had been in the jam for nearly two hours when my phone went off.
“Hello?”
“Drew, it's Dad.”
It was as if a weight was suddenly lifted.
“DAD!”
“You don't have to scream kiddo.” Dad complained.
There were loud sighs of relief from the other car occupants.
“Your okay!”
“Yes I'm okay, can I talk to your Mum?”
“Its Dad, he wants to talk to you Mum.”
“We gathered that” Jules mentioned.
As luck would have it we were stopped so Mum took my handset.
“Where are you love? ” Jules and I only got one side of the conversation which was a bit frustrating.
“We'll see you there then Dave, say goodbye to your Dad kids.”
“Bye Dad!” we both called at the phone.
“See you soon, oops the traffics moving, bye Dave.”
I retrieved my phone and we edged forward again.
“So?” Jules enquired.
“We're going to meet up at Farthing Corner services, then we'll do the last bit to Dover together.” Mum advised.
The radio was playing Sargeant Pepper and our mood was much lighter — even the traffic started to move.
The rest of the trip to the coast was pretty uneventful, Jules did the last bit in the truck with Dad and we just made the check in for our ferry. We reconvened on the ferry, it was pretty busy but we managed to find each other.
“Come on guys, lets go out on deck.” Dad suggested.
The Pride of Calais was already edging out of the harbour by the time we got to the observation deck.
“Lets get some pictures.” Mum instructed.
We used my digital to record the occasion even getting a fellow passenger to take a couple of all four of us with the White Cliffs as a backdrop.
It started to sink in a bit then, this wasn't some holiday trip that we'd return from in a couple of weeks, we were leaving England behind, maybe forever, certainly for several years. I think we were all having similar thoughts as we stood at the rail with the English coastline slipping inexorably away behind us. What will living in Germany really be like? Mum put her arms around me an' Jules and gave our shoulders a squeeze.
“We're really leaving aren't we Mum?” I asked plaintively.
“It'll be okay kids, I promise.” Mum tried to sooth.
We both cuddled up to Mum and Dad joined in by wrapping his arms around the rest of us. The Kent coast disappeared into the distance and soon we could see the French coast instead.
Once on French soil we quickly cleared the port and started the long drive across France and Belgium to our new home. Jules elected to ride with Dad for at least part of the journey of some 400km. Unlike the motorways back home, the French Autoroutes were fairly quiet except around the bigger towns and cities so we made good time.
I have to say I was fascinated, I recognized some of the places we passed from watching Euro sport — and Mum pointed out others that she had visited during last years race circus. We made a couple of stops at services for the essentials and near to Brussels for fuel too. A bit over four hours out of Calais we crossed the German border near Aachen.
“Welcome to Germany kiddo!” Mum enthused.
“Danke.” I used my limited German in reply.
“Only a couple more hours now Drew, we'll stop at Aachener Hof services then drive straight through to Dernau, we should arrive at the house around nine.”
“We're not unpacking tonight are we?”
“No silly, we'll use the camp beds tonight then you and your Dad can unload the truck and trailer while your sister and me go to buy some essentials in Bonn or Koblenz.”
“Aw, can't I come?”
“There'll be plenty of time Drew, I'm sure we'll need lots of stuff. Here we go, Aachener Hof.”
We had a meal, there's no food at the house yet, the restaurant was nothing like the services at home — quite civilised in fact. Then it was back to the car for the last leg.
Mum pointed out the ‘Schumacher Karting Centre' shortly before we turned south onto another quiet almost empty motorway. From my map reading I thought we would turn off at Dreieck Sinzig but we took the turn before that took us directly down to Bad Neunahr. I sort of recognised some of this from last years trip, we passed the Roman villa place and it seemed like moments later we were turning off the main road in Dernau.
Of course I'd seen the new house — well pictures of it but the reality is always different. There was a car parked on the road outside and I was surprised to see lights on inside as we pulled to a halt on the drive.
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *7* Dernau
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *7* Dernau
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *7*
They'd only been moved for a week but already Drew was getting used to the local roads. Of course it was a bit odd riding on the ‘wrong' side of the road but for the most part he remembered which kerb to ride in! The new family residence on the edge of Dernau was the opposite side of Ahrweiler to the Pinger's place across in Lohrsdorf but the village was much more rural.
The railway station was a five-minute walk away and the few shops were another couple of minutes away. Most of the neighbours worked down in Bad Neunahr or even Remagen but a few work locally, the Bond's next-door neighbours, the Gärtner's, actually have their own vineyard! It wasn't the original plan but Stefan found the new house half built and for sale so everything moved up by quite a bit.
After talking with the school it was decided that Drew should attend for the summer term instead of waiting till September, Jules thought she'd lucked out going to the ‘English' school in Bonn but that had backfired on her a bit as she was soon ‘volunteered' as a teaching assistant at the Silverberg Gymnasium helping in the English department. Drew slipped down a couple of sprockets as he started the sharp little ascent to the Altenahr tunnel, the hillside above temporarily blocking out the heat of the day.
Yep on Monday it was school time, somehow he felt more nervous about that than before a big race! He burst back into the sunlight and then started to navigate the narrow main street of Altenahr even now spilling with tourists and their transport. He thought about the gang back in England, would they miss him? Would anyone in Warsop notice he wasn't there anymore? Would they care? He had to stop at the level crossing and he took the opportunity to take a pull on his bottle.
What will school be like here? At least there'll be no Gaby here, I got Kat, Lori and Freddii squared away on that one, I think they promised not to mention last year to anyone, but I'm not certain.
This afternoons ride was already one of his favourites, a mostly steady climb from home to Adenau then a choice of climb up to Nurburg. From there, today at least, it was a loop back down to the valley and after negotiating Altenahr again, a fast few km back home through Mayschoß and Rech.
As he once more fell into a steady cadence his thoughts moved to his new peers. Although he hadn't really met any of the local kids yet he had seen a few and exchanged a ‘Guten Tag' with a couple of them on trips to the shops. There was a lad he'd seen a couple of times living a few doors away and there was a girl who lived over the bakery. There were some others he'd seen but they looked either older or younger.
He slipped past the end of the railway line and his thoughts turned to the new house. He couldn't remember living anywhere other than the house in Warsop, he was too young to remember the old two up, two down that the Bond's started married life in. in fact the stay in Grottoes was the longest he'd ever been away from the old house. Their new abode was quite something though. Stefan had managed to adapt the plans of the part built property to accommodate their needs better and it really was pretty cool. Built into the side of a low rise it was effectively on four levels. In the basement was a laundry room and what should've been the garage was now home to the bike workshop and storage facility, a shower and a general storage area.
The ground floor was much like Warsop except it was more open plan — and the kitchen was at the front not the back. Next to the kitchen there was Dad's office and a ‘guest' toilet. Above that were the ‘rents and Goth Gurl's bedrooms along with a small box room which Mum was going to set up as a guest room. Then set in the eaves was his room. Like the other bedrooms it was sort of ‘en suite', it had its own shower although he still had to use the main bathroom and toilet next to Jules' bedroom for anything else. But it was his and it was huge!
It seemed strange seeing their belongings in this new setting, most of the furniture was new of course which only went to make it seem even stranger. The Pinger's and even George had helped with the move and they'd even had a party to celebrate the move. Adenau was busy with buses and shoppers and Drew prepared to start the serious climb up to the highest point of the Eifel region.
Once under the race circuit he opted for the more direct but steeper climb to Nurburg and was soon too busy concentrating on climbing to think about much else. Down a gear, out of the saddle, steady pace, friendly toot from the bus as it passed near the top. Several ‘radtouren' waved as they crossed paths then back in the saddle, up a sprocket for the final run to the top. The noise from the race circuit reverberated around the trees; he'd have to come up when there was a race on. Several cars screamed along the straight as he turned to start the ride back home, amazing that he was so close!
He took a long drink from his bottle and was soon bowling along the main road at a good lick. The noise of the cars on the track provided accompaniment for several km and so intent on riding was Drew that he almost missed his turn off.
Once he'd negotiated Kaltenborn it was best part of ten downhill kilometres back to Ahrbrück and his thoughts started to wander again. ‘Maybe living in Dernau won't be so bad, it might be a fairly small place but at least there are a few shops — the bakery, that Schlecker place that's a bit like Wilko's * at home, then there's the two petrol stations, the butchers, a Spar and that strange looking clothes shop. Then of course there are several restaurant cum bar places, that little café at the railway station and the wine wholesale place on the main road.'
The road wasn't the best or the widest, so when he met the bus he ended up doing a bit of cyclo cross to get past!
In some respects the Bond's new home was similar to their old. The Dukeries and Sherwood Forest attract a fair number of visitors and the Ahr valley is likewise blessed, but with knobs on! At the weekends there seemed to be a continual stream of coaches on the valley road, a few even stopping in Dernau and the cycle path was often filled with trekkers with their heavily laden tanks of bikes. It was a bit of a toss up which was the safer traffic wise to use, the road or the cycle route!
The rest of the ride to the house, it didn't seem like home as yet, was uneventful and downhill. The junior Bond let himself into the garage and was soon showered, bike hung up and headed for his eyrie at the top of the house. As everyone else was out it seemed like a good time to boot up the computer and make use of the broadband connection that Dad had finally conceded was a good idea.
“So what did you do today?” dad enquired as he speared more potatoes onto his plate.
“Not much, I went for a ride up to the Nurburgring then I came home and surfed a bit.”
“Surfed? Looking for anything in particular?”
“Not really, just catching up with my emails and a few of the racing sites.”
Dad wasn't exactly subtle in his probing; did he actually think I would admit to looking for porn? Not that I was!
“I've spent the afternoon trying to sort out your racing permit”
“Can't I just use my UK one?” This licence thing was a bit of a farce.
“Well you could but only for circuit events not the elite series.”
“So I miss a race ‘cos some dimwit put the wrong thing on my permit.” I fumed
“Its only one event kiddo, you'll get to make your German debut nearer home though. And look at it this way, it's a good job your sister spotted it when she did otherwise they'd've had you riding the girls series!”
There was that I guess, for once I was thankful for my siblings nosiness.
“I guess,” I agreed as I chased some Erbsen, stupid name for peas, around my plate.
“I was thinking,” Dad went on, “you fancy watching yer Mum on Sunday instead?”
Mum and the rest of the Apollinaris pro's are riding in Düsseldorf Sunday, Mum and Jules went today so they could do the shops tomorrow leaving me an' Dad here.
“Yeah!” I enthused, after all if I'm not racing my next favourite thing is watching Mum ride.
“Okay, that's settled then.”
It's pretty cool really, since we got here last week Mum has really cheered up and she almost insisted that she be on the card for Sunday, her first race post cancer. It's not like she's expecting to win or anything but I guess I know how she feels — I hate not racing. And Sunday is really only a toe in to see how much fitness she has — training rides are one thing but racing is another matter.
*A sort of hardware cum pharmacy cum stationers based in the north Midlands.
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *8* Das Erste Radrennen
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *8* Das Erste Radrennen |
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *8*
Drew glanced behind, the main bunch was continuing to slip back, slowly but surely their little breakaway group was climbing away. There were a few spectators scattered up the climb from Niederzissen but they were the last thing on young Bond's mind. You couldn't get much more local than the Já¼ngere Rond du Vulkan, the circuit was less than ten kilometres as the crow fly's from Bond central so Drew was pretty familiar with the roads.
However the wunderkind was quite nervous, this was after all his first race in Germany, his first race on the open road if you discount that thing at Easter and his first race for his new team. The one thing in his favour was that he was as unknown to the other riders as they to him. His National Champions jersey meant nothing here and the anonymity was actually quite nice, back at home the title was a double-edged sword and success this year was rare.
They were on the second of three 24km circuits based on Ká¶nigsfeld and their little group of seven had slipped away on the Adert climb after about 18km. The road snaked into the woods below the white tower of Olbrá¼ck Castle which gave some much needed shade on this warm morning. Things weren't much different to races at home, with his Elite under sixteen licence events like the Vulkan were now on his calendar. Of course that didn't mean he'd be racing on the road every week — far from it, next week it's the Mittel Rhein crit series and in a few weeks there's even a two-lap event on the Nurburgring!
The breakaway was working well together and Drew took his turn on the front without extra effort. To be sure, Drew rated his chances of winning pretty slim but after best part of a month without competition he was just glad to be here. Of course that was largely due to the move but then there was the debacle over his racing licence too. Where they got the idea he was a girl was anyone's guess but it did mean he missed making his German debut last weekend up at Bonn. Jules of course thought it was hilarious when he asked her to translate what it said on the slip of plastic, Já¼ngere Má¤dchen, Elite Kategorie - how am I supposed to know what that says? Some of these German words really are complicated!
“Come on Drewbie!”
I glanced across to where Jules and Dad were stood cheering me on — at least some things are just like home. Most of the spectators were on this bit of a climb at the Adert, no doubt they would follow us down to the finish area so they wouldn't be here next time round. The course turned into the sun for the drop to Ká¶nigsfeld and even with his shades Drew had to squint a bit in the bright sunshine. From up here the views across the Hohe Eifel can be spectacular but the breakaway was too busy to take in the scenery.
For Drew, sweeping along like this was ecstasy, the Tintwhistle race was never like this and the tight circuits most UK under sixteen's race on never come close. Of course you can do things like this when you are training but if you are racing it brings in another dimension, the roadside banners, the gleaming race bikes, the multi coloured jerseys, the race cars and today at least Polizei escort — they all add up to an extra adrenalin boost. For the first time Drew really appreciated the buzz his mother got from riding, it wasn't just the winning and adulation, no it's much more than that. It was no wonder Mum had been a bit depressed for the last couple of months even if she had returned to full training — you just can't simulate racing!
As they swung right in the village Drew noted one of the lead cars had pulled over, that generally means a gap of over a minute, kewl. This next bit has a couple of dodgy corners and that level crossing at the bottom had already floored a couple of riders on lap one. There was a hairy moment before they got to the crossing when the lad at the front had a blow out which nearly had them all on the deck but some nifty riding and even a bunny hop by Drew meant their number wasn't further cut.
The Polizei had the road at the bottom stopped and clear allowing the teens to use the full width of the road to make the turn — this was real Tdf stuff! The Vulkan Express tooted a greeting as they headed to the start of the long climb for the third and final time. Drew once again sized up the opposition, they were almost by default all bigger than him but size isn't everything! By the fact they were in the event they had to have some experience and they all looked like they knew what they were doing. The bikes whilst bearing names like Storck, Schauff and Felt rather than the American and Italian brands popular at home, were all clearly top notch. These guys wouldn't be even close to a push over.
Drew wasn't the only one making assessments. The Germans were all a bit bemused by the presence of this obviously capable newcomer. They all made the same gender assumption, after all Apollinaris sponsor a women's team and this girl has the same sponsor. What really threw them was that most of the girl racers were bigger — taller at least and there certainly weren't any locally that could ride at their level. There was that girl over in Cottbus who won a medal at last years Worlds but she was an exception. This slip of a thing was certainly good though and with her braid flying behind her looked pretty damn cute too!
‘Hmm, big effort and hope or leave it to the sprint?' Drew mused as they once again passed the white tower of Olbrá¼ck Castle.
Being a Bond not trying to win was anathema but how you went about it was another thing. Safest would be to just hang in there and go for the sprint but it was downhill to the line which would give the bigger riders an advantage. More risky would be to launch an attack on the Adert and hope for the best. The bends at the top would help but the last four kilometres are pretty open and exposed. The others looked to be content to leave it to the dash, unless there was a really cool customer in there, there hadn't been any of the usual tell tale glances, these guys obviously knew each other pretty well which made them predictable.
Attack it is then. He'd already decided on the spot and recent training rides meant he knew the road well enough to be confident in his move. The road to the Adert climbed steadily between the forest, the sun casting short shadows almost directly under their wheels. Although the pace was quite high, around 30kmh even on this drag, Drew was confident there was enough left in the tank to make his move.
He missed a couple of turns and took on some liquid, the ruse seemed to be working, his companions almost seemed to grow in confidence. Drew inwardly smiled to himself, ‘just wait fellas!'
The departure point was approaching and Drew made sure he took a final go at the front to further put off the others, just slowing the pace a little which the others seemed content to leave it at. The road started to get a bit steeper and there was a round of gear changing and leaving the saddle which was the signal Drew was waiting for. A quick up change and he launched himself along the outside of the breakaway. The others, clearly taken completely by surprise, tried to pick up the pace to chase but they were now both too lowly geared and moving too slow to change up.
Dad kept trying to drill it into him to not look back and for once he followed the advice. By the right hander he was a good 50m clear, he swung wide to lessen the gradient then sprinted hard for the next corner, the tactic worked, he was basically out of sight of the chasers even if he was only a hundred metres in front. His breathing was becoming a bit laboured but the road leveled some so he sat back down and went into time trial mode.
The cars in front sped away as he reached the top, the next couple of k's would be so much easier when he could pick his own line, by default the others would be hampered in their descent. He nearly overshot the first right hand hairpin but that panic over he turned the screw back up and soon the computer was showing over 70kmh! He zipped through Vinxt and his speed died back to a more sensible 50kmh, did he risk a look back? No, the few spectators weren't looking behind him, just at him; he still had a stretch of clear tarmac between him and the chasers.
If they caught him now that would be it but at the end of the day they were all on the same gearing so at these speeds it would be difficult to gain much. The last couple of kilometres were only vaguely downhill so if his legs could hold out it would be in the bag!
Behind him the chasers were all over the place. His sudden departure had effectively blown them apart as they gave chase, which meant that instead of a bunch of five they were now a leading duo and three chasing to get back in contention. That little girl is gonna be one to watch that's for sure! They could see her but although they were now gaining a bit, the kilometres were passing rapidly.
Drew spotted the banners across the road at Ká¶nigsfeld and despite now blowing more than a bit pushed a bit harder. It was still very tempting to look back but he recalled his Mum telling him ‘only losers look back!' the actual finish was at the far end of the village which meant there were quite a few locals cheering as he passed their homes. He straightened his jersey out and then there it was, the finish line.
“Get on with it Drew!”
“Allez Bond!”
I heard the family cheer team and with a grin the size of Cheshire I crowned my first German race by crossing the line first. I was barely across however before the chasers joined me, sugar, another twenty metres and I would of have been taken!
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *9* New Beginnings
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Chapter *9*
Text in Blue is in German
Drew stood on the curb and looked his new school over. It was nothing like Warsop College that was for sure! For a start it was in the middle of the town, there was no big security fence, no playing fields and there was a mini bus station in front of the reception area — nothing like Warsop. Of course it was quiet today, the students were off but Drew could see some activity in the offices.
Maybe I can be me here, no dressing up, no cheerleading, no Gaby — a clean sheet. I hope so anyway. Nobody knows me here — well apart from Kat that is, so there’s no reason for anyone to think I’m anything but me.
He crossed the road and peered through the trees to the main school buildings beyond, it was all pretty new and Drew thought he’d enjoy coming here, it looked friendly, hopefully the kids would be too.
There was the sound of a car door closing and then feet hurrying across the road. Who would’ve thought that just a few short months ago Mum was at deaths door? Drew smiled to himself, this weekend would mark his Mum’s return to competition, so okay it’s a series two race but it is a race! If Mum can do that he can do this.
“Come on kiddo, let’s go in.” Jen encouraged.
“Okay.”
“Bit scary eh?” Mum enquired as they started towards the reception building.
“I guess.”
“It’ll be alright.” She stated giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
They reached the doors and Jen ushered her son inside.
“Good morning!” a pleasant voice greeted them from behind the hotel like counter.
“Morning,” Jen answered, “We have an appointment with Fr. Boxberg, Jenny and Drew Bond.”
“Ah yes, the deputy said you were coming, oh sorry I’m Claudia Pfeffer I think we spoke on the phone the other day.”
Jen smiled, “yes I think we did.”
“If you want to sit for a moment I’ll let Fr. Boxberg know you are here.”
“Thanks.”
The Bond’s sat themselves on the sofa opposite the desk.
Drew hated waiting rooms and whilst this wasn’t the dentist or the doctor he still felt a bit intimidated. His Mum picked up some sort of booklet and started reading, which left him to check out the room. It didn’t feel like a school should, it was too clean looking! Heck, even the notice board was tidy. His German was still pretty shaky so his translation of the notes was a bit haphazard — ‘GroáŸer Tanz’, big dance? Hmm June the 14 th in the Rathaus, Ahrweiler. Rathaus, that’s that place opposite the church I think.
”Fr. Bond? Do you want to come through?” Claudia requested breaking Drew’s train of thought.
“Come on kiddo.” Jen urged her son.
Claudia led the way and just a short walk later knocked on a partly open door with a nameplate stating ‘Fr. Boxberg, Rektorin’ on it.
”Come.”
The Bond’s followed Claudia in to the heads office.
”Thank you Claudia, nice to meet you in person Fr Bond, please sit. Would you like coffee?” She ushered them not to the desk as Drew expected but to some over stuffed seating around a low table.
“Thank you, please.” Jen agreed.
”Drew? Coffee?” Fr. Boxberg enquired.
“Um no thanks.”
“Claudia if you could please.”
“Of course.” She slipped out closing the door behind her.
”So Drew you are going to join us at Silverberg Gymnasium?”
Drew tried to sort the German out, something about the school, he got that much.
“Um, yes?”
“Sorry I will try to keep it easy.” The head apologised in English. “My English is not so good so can we try German?”
“Thank you, I’ll try to translate if my son doesn’t understand.”
Drew was warming to her already, she looked to be about Gran’s age and her smiling face certainly put him at ease.
Claudia returned just then and deposited a tray of coffee stuff on the table and a can of diet coke that she placed in front of Drew with a wink. Fr. Boxberg poured the coffee before settling back into her own armchair.
”So, lets see do you have Drew’s Zeugnisse from England Fr. Bond?”
“Yes of course,” Mum passed over what I recognised as a Warsop report card, “I’ve put a transcript in German inside, some of my ex colleagues writing can be a bit difficult to decipher!”
“Ah thank you Fr. Bond, let me have a quick look.”
“Please call me Jenny.”
“And please call me Sylvie. You said ex colleagues, you are a Lehrerin Jenny?”
“For my sins yes, I taught geography at Warsop before I started racing for Apollinaris.”
“That would account for Drew’s excellent grades in that subject, and very good at history also.”
“My husbands influence, he has a degree in archaeology and is always dragging the kids off to look at excavations and stuff.”
“He has come to Germany too?”
“Yes, he is working for Team Apollinaris as director of the junge squad.”
I’d just about been able to follow most of the conversation and the bits I didn’t quite get I could make a reasonable guess at. Although she isn’t a language teacher Mum has done a fair job of teaching the rest of us enough German to get by. I sipped at my coke as they continued talking.
”Well Drew lets see what we can do for your schedule.”
We spent the next twenty minutes organising what classes I would be doing, it wasn’t that different to back home really, the names might be different but it was pretty much the same stuff, German, maths, English, science, but given both my sporting prowess and comparatively poor German I copped for an extra session of ‘conversational’ German and grammar with Fr. Boxberg instead of Friday afternoon games for my year. Whoopee!
I’ll be in class 8-2 and although there isn’t a form as such we are based in Fr. Dá¼rst’s room for most of our classes.
“So do you have any questions Drew?”
“Um is there a map so I can find my way round?”
“But of course you haven’t seen about yet, I’ll get Claudia to take you around. Anything else? Jenny?”
“Do you think my son will cope with the classes being all in German Sylvie?”
“Well his ability to understand seems pretty good for someone so new to the language, I will talk to his teachers regularly to make sure he is not left behind. Mostly they have some English so Drew you are not to be afraid to ask questions if you do not understand eh?”
“No Fr. Boxberg.”
“Let me call Claudia.”
”So Drew, you are in Fr. Dá¼rst’s room, you will see on the map room 325 in the south building, on level three?”
I located the room on the crappy photo copied map.
“Got it.”
“We’ll go there first so you know the way then I’ll show you around the rest okay?”
“Thanks. Um what should I call you?”
“Ah of course, I never said, you should call me Fraulein Pfeffer in school but for today it’s Claudia okay?”
“Okay.”
She led us out into an area that I guess was used as ‘playground’ and towards a new looking block of classrooms.
“This block has all the classes for the artistic subjects inside, languages and drama below and art on the level three.”
So Fr. Dá¼rst was an art teacher then, maybe she’ll be like Miss Cowlishaw, mind you knowing my luck she’ll be a right fuddy duddy. Claudia opened the door and we made our way upstairs to ‘my’ class. The door was locked but I peeked through the door window, it was a pretty ordinary schoolroom except for the décor of student art and craft. Pretty much what I’d expect.
“So let’s see the rest eh.”
Mum and I followed Claudia across a walkway into the main school where we got what Gran would call the ‘thre’pence ha’penny tour’. The science labs, canteen, home craft rooms, carpentry and metalworking departments, swimming pool and finally the sports hall.
“Besides sports the sport hall is used for many other school activities.” We were informed by our ever-smiling guide. “We have student dances each term but also there are out of school activities held here. I think in three weeks there is a competition for American cheering, maybe you should give that a go with your fitness from Radfahren Drew!”
You have got to be kidding! My look must have been off putting!
“Well maybe not but I’m sure there are some out of school activities we can get you involved with Drew.”
“I don’t have much time really.” I hedged. “Um, are there any toilets nearby please, that cola has gone straight through!”
“Sure, through the doors here and the second on the left.”
“Thanks”
“We’ll wait here Drew.” Mum stated.
The coke really had gone straight to my bladder! I hurriedly followed Claudia’s directions, second left wasn’t it? I burst into the room and the first receptacle I came to was actually a cubicle, out of habit I dropped my keks and sat down — boy was that a relief!
It was only when I was washing my hands that it dawned on me — these weren’t boy’s toilets, unless I’m very much mistaken this is the girls! Sugar, did I miss the gents, I’m sure she said second door. My fears were confirmed as I exited the door, there, clear as day was a female figure on the door. In fact I couldn’t see a gents at all, maybe she just sent me here as it was closest and no one else is around. Yeah that must be it. I was however disabused of this theory as I returned down the hall; literally round the corner from the sports hall door was the gents. Maybe she just thought of the nearest ladies as that’s where she’d go, yeah that’ll be it.
“So then Drew, on Monday you come to reception for eight thirty and I will take you to introduce to Fr. Dá¼rst and your class okay?”
Eight thirty!
“Sure.”
“You will cycle or come by bus?”
“Either me or my husband will drop Drew off as its on the way to the team head quarters.”
By now we were back at the school offices.
“Thanks for the tour Claudia.” Mum offered.
“No problem, see you next week Drew.”
“Yeah, er thanks.”
We emerged from the school almost two hours after arriving.
“That wasn’t so bad eh kiddo?”
“I guess.”
“You’ll be fine, I’m sure Fr. Boxberg will keep an eye on you.”
That wasn’t my primary concern just then as I once again surveyed the bus stands outside the school. I’ve never started a school on my own before, there’s always been the gang changing with me, even from nursery to infants Ally and Bern were with me. I know Kat comes here but she’s in the year above me so its not like we’ll have any classes with her or her mates.
Then there’s the toilet business, I’m sure it was just a mistake.
“Come on daydreamer, we’ve just got time for a quick ride before your Dad and Jules get back from Bonn.”
I took one last look at my new school, yep I think it’s gonna be allright.
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *10* School's In
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Chapter *10*
Text in Blue is in German
After so many years of going to school in uniform it seemed a bit weird that there wasn't any here. It was kinda cool in one aspect; I mean you can wear pretty much what you want although there was a loose dress code. But it still seemed a bit odd seeing kids going to school in jeans and trainers.
“Time to go son” Dave encouraged his reluctant offspring.
“I guess”
“It'll be okay Drew, the first day is always the worst, I remember when I went up to Uni, the first few days almost had me heading home but I soon made friends and had a whale of a time. Yes it was scary at first but in a couple of weeks you'll be wondering what all the fuss was about. Now get out there and enjoy your self.”
“Yes Dad” Drew sighed.
“And don't forget that we're eating at the Pinger's tonight so you're going home with Kat.”
“I know!” he pretty much snapped at his father.
Dave was tuned in enough to let it go this morning - it must be quite stressful for the lad after all.
“See ya later then squib.”
Drew was already out of the car.
“Whatever.”
Dave sat and watched as his youngest child crossed the road and made his way to the school reception. 'I really do hope he can cope with this, the last few months have been quite a roller coaster for the lad with one thing or another.' with a sigh he slipped the car into gear and continued his journey to the squad headquarters along in Bad Neunahr. Tonight's dinner with the Pinger's was to celebrate Jens return to the team - even if it was only to ride the shorter events. No Tour Feminin this year, it was too soon but the road worlds in September - there was a good chance that she'd be defending her title in Osaka!
“Good morning Drew, nice and early I see.”
“Good morning Fr. Pfeffer”
“Sit for a moment, I've just a quick phone call to make and then we'll go and introduce you to Fr Durst.”
Drew was too nervous to risk sitting so he busied himself with trying to decipher some of the notices again. There was a lot more activity this morning than when he was here last week; one or two students but mostly what he guessed were Lehrin, the staff. One or two gave him appraising looks, a couple more offered a 'Good Morning', he was starting to get a bit nervous, how long does it take to make one phone call?
“Who is your teacher? What is your name?” The inquisition, rattled off at machine gun pace, was issued by a stern looking individual with a beard and glasses who towered over Drew. It was too quick for Drew to grasp and he stood there bewildered.
“I er um.”
“You.” “Silly girl!” “What is your name?”
“Herr Viessner, the head is looking for you, I'll look after this.” the smiling voice of Claudia came to Drew's rescue.
“Okay Fr. Pfeffer, the girl doesn't seem to know her own name!” and with that he pushed his glasses up his face and went through the door marked 'teachers only'.
“He can be a bit gruff sometimes but he's quite nice really, I think he will be teaching you English if I remember.”
Just what I need!
“Lets get you to your class Drew.”
“Um yeah.” I half-heartedly agreed.
Claudia led the way to what was effectively going to be my form room, at least for the next eight weeks. I was too flippin' scared to take too much note of the other students and I stood mutely by when we did get to Fr. Dá¼rst's room.
“Fr. Dá¼rst, here is your new student, Drew?”
“Good morning Fr. Dá¼rst.”
“Good morning to you Drew.”
“I'll leave you with Fr. Dá¼rst Drew, if you have any problems you know where to find me.”
“Danke Fr. Pfeffer.” I allowed, and she was gone.
“Well I have to say I'm impressed with your German Drew.”
“Thank you.”
“Well the rest of the form will be here shortly for first period so lets get you sorted out. Looking at your schedule there are several students who have the same timetable, let's see,” she consulted her list. “Yes I think Steffi would be best. Hmm, find yourself a seat, I'll introduce you when everyone is here.”
I was very tempted to slink off to the back of the room but instead I took a desk near the front, off to the window side of the room. I sat nervously twisting a few strands of hair, my classmates started to arrive and other than a few curious looks I was pretty much ignored. I didn't see Fr. Dá¼rst approaching so I jumped when she spoke.
“Drew, this is Steffi, she'll show you the ropes.”
The girl assigned as my minder was brown haired, a bit gangly with a slightly angular face and glasses.
“Hi Drew.”
“Um hello.”
“People!” Fr. Dá¼rst clapped her hands for attention and the general buzz died down. “We have a new student starting today,” she motioned for me to stand which I reluctantly did, “Drew has moved here from England so I hope you will all help when you can and make Drew welcome here at Silverberg.”
To say the morning was a little bewildering would be putting it mildly. My first lesson in Germany was maths, which is at least pretty much the same in any language. As luck would have it, it was stuff that we did back home just after Easter so I was actually able to help Steffi a bit with that.
The next session was still in our base room but my luck ran out - it was German! There was actually little I could do except to try to follow the text in the book as the rest of the class read and discussed several passages. In fact it really started to get me worried, I could recognise a few words, even understand what some meant but a lot was just totally double Dutch or should that be double German?
“So Drew, you have brought your lunch?” Steffi enquired as we stowed our books after German.
“Yeah.”
“You want to eat with us?”
I wasn't quite sure who us was but it would be good to try to make some friends. No one else had really said anything to me and I was trying to decide where I could hide for an hour.
“Thanks, I'd like that.”
“Come on then, you can leave your bag here, we've got English straight after.” she chirped.
I retrieved my lunch, some rather mangy cheese and pickle sandwiches I threw together this morning, a couple of bits of fruit and a bottle of energy drink. I followed Steffi outside into the hubbub of school lunch time where we headed for a quiet area away from the buildings but in the shade of some trees.
“Heya Stef!” a girl called out as we approached.
“Hi guys, this is Drew, she started today.”
The rest of the group gave me the quick once over.
“Hi Drew, welcome to Drearyville!” another of the girls smirked.
“Drew is from England.” Steffi mentioned.
I don't think I mentioned that the group we were joining were all girls did I?
“So Drew, the one in the black is Annie, then we have Connie, Nena, Pia and Bridget.” she pointed to each in turn.
Okay so it looks like I'm eating with a bunch of girls but its not like I was inundated by offers from the guys is it? And lets face it; it's not exactly the first time is it? I didn't recognise any of them from our class but Connie seemed to be familiar from somewhere.
“How come you've ended up here?” Bridget enquired.
“My parents both have jobs here and it's a hell of a commute from England!”
I think my little joke missed their funny bones by the lack of reaction from all of them except Annie who seemed to have a quiet chortle.
“Where do they work?” Nena asked.
“Apollinaris,”
“My dad works for them as a driver, which department are they in?” Connie interrupted.
“They are both on the Rennrad team, Dad's a manager and Mum rides.”
“My sisters friend, her mother is on the team.” Pia stated.
“That'll be Kat and Maria?”
“For sure, you know them?”
“Yeah, we are having dinner there tonight.”
“My sister, she says Kat is always talking about their champion rider, on and on, Jenny something.”
“Bond.”
“You know this rider too?”
“She's my Mum.”
“Oh kewl, just wait till I tell Ingrid tonight!”
“Pia let her get her food.” Annie mentioned.
“Sorry Drew.”
“Sit here.” Nena patted the ground next to her.
The early arrivals already had their alfresco lunch laid out so I delved into my makeshift lunch bag (a Sainsbury's carrier bag!) and extracted my slightly squidged sandwiches.
“What's that?” Steffi queried.
“Cheese and Branston.”
“What is 'brown stone'?” Pia enquired.
“Um, its a sort of um *tangy spread*, pickle?” how do you describe it? I peeled the bread back to show them my brown and yellow lunch. “It's all that was in the fridge this morning.”
“You make your own lunch?” Bridget exclaimed.
“That would explain why you have toast bread not brotchen.” Connie stated.
“Don't you make your own?” I asked the group.
“Of course not! We get it at the Bá¤ckerei like everyone else.” Brid stated.
“Mama would be annoyed if you didn't!” Connie exclaimed.
That's where I knew her from, the bakery.
“I thought I recognised you, you live in Dernau, at the bakery?”
It was a two-way recognition.
“Yes, and you have the new house at the edge of town no?”
“Yup”
“Eat already, lunch will be over.” Annie pointed out.
I eyed up their sandwiches enviously, cheese, ham, salad, salami, egg, fresh rolls and I'm sure I saw Stef with a Danish just now.
“How will you come to school?” Nena enquired.
“You have a bike?” Bridget added.
“Of course she has, her mother is a Weltmeisterin!” Connie answered for me.
“You should meet us in the morning Drew and ride with us, then you can get lunch as well.” Steffi advised.
“Er okay.”
Hang on a minute, what did Connie just say? Was it Sie or sie? I really can't get these subtle tense things.
“So you all live in Dernau?” I asked no one in particular.
“Neh,” Annie replied, “Steffi and Bridget live in MayschoáŸ, Nena is living in Rech, I am in Esch and Pia comes from Holzweiler.”
I recognised some of the names, I guessed the others were nearby too.
“We have known each other since kindergarten.” Pia mentioned.
Bit like the gang back home I guess.
“Shitezen! Lunch is nearly over, we better hurry Drew, Herr Viessner is a stickler for punctuality!”
Oh great, that was the Lehrin from this morning so that means its English.
“See you tomorrow Drew, later Steffi.” Bridget called as we quickly binned our refuse and set off back to class.
Herr Viessner was indeed already at the blackboard chalking away when we arrived back at class, we were thankfully far from last! There was the usual murmur of conversation as we waited for the lesson to begin, then the scratching stopped and the room quickly quieted.
“Good afternoon everybody”
“Gut afternoon Herr Viessner” my classmates replied to my surprise, in English.
“We have a new student today?”
He must mean me I guess.
“Here sir.” I managed raising my arm.
“Ah yes, Drew Bond from England,” he intoned looking me over clearly without recognition of this mornings encounter, “don't think this class will be easy for you, I will be calling on you.
That sounded ominous.
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *11* Ich bin Drew!
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *11* Ich bin Drew!
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *11*
Text in Blue is in German.
Herr Viessner's English class was excruciating! Boy am I glad that that's over! The whole lesson was supposed to be in English except I found myself cringing almost every time one of my classmates mangled the language. At one point, Helmut, who seems to be the class swot, managed to make what I thought was a simple sentence into something so complicated and plain wrong that I had to stifle a laugh. Of course Herr Viessner called me on it so I had to stand up and translate it correctly.
Afterwards I felt a bit guilty over my smugness; I mean I know I do a similar if not worse job of German!
"Come on Drew, stop Wollversammlung , we need to get to the Biologie lab." Steffi encouraged.
"Um yeah." I slung my bag over my shoulder and trailed after my minder and the rest of the class.
Biology wasn't too bad, I managed to follow most of it, we were looking at the plants and animals of somewhere called the Heide, which according to the map is up north somewhere. It was quite interesting even if I didn't understand it all. Still I've got a list of words to translate; maybe it'll make more sense then.
"So Drew, we'll see you at seven thirty at the bakery?"
Seven thirty!
"Yeah okay, see you in the morning Steffi."
"Tschuss!"
Steff headed off to the bike storage area, as I was supposed to be meeting Kat I found a bit of wall by the bus stands and settled down to wait.
It seemed a bit strange to Drew, riding a bike without all the right togs on but lets face it, you can hardly ride to school in full lycra! There was no way that he'd ride without mitts and the Klein had Spuds so his Atb shoes were a must too.
"See ya later kiddo!" Mum called from the kitchen as with a wave he set off to meet the girls.
He did a backwards wave as he set off clicking his cleats into place as he rolled off the drive. The ride up into the village took him along Alt Rech Weg, the street the Bond's now called home, then where the Esch road headed off, into the Altstadt, the heart of old Dernau. The bakery was actually housed at 33 Bäckstrasse in a modern apartment block, its glass frontage so different to the bakeries back home.
There was a bike rack by the road into which he parked the Klein, the natives trust was starting to rub off on him, the lock stayed in his ruckie for now. The Bäckerei Thesing didn't look very open, he was a bit early yet after all.
“Hi Drew, come in, the others won't be far behind.” Connie greeted him as she struggled with the door and the offer board.
“You want a hand?”
“Thanks, if you could hold the door?”
“Sure.” He held the door open and Con soon had the A frame placed on the pavement.
“Come, Mama is already pouring coffee.”
Coffee? He followed her into the shop and although he had made a couple of bread buying trips the last couple of weeks he only now really looked around. On one side was the familiar counter, at this hour almost full of baked goods but Con was heading to the other side where there were various tables and a few high stools to perch on.
“So how are you enjoying it here?”
“It's okay I guess.”
“Here we go Connie.”
“Mama this is Drew, they have the new house on the old road. Drew, this is my mother.”
“Hello Drew, another addition to the gang! Don't let Connie coerce you into anything.”
“Mama!”
“Um Güten Morgen Frau Thesing.” I didn't catch half what she said but she was smiling so I guess it wasn't anything bad.
“Morning guys!”
Over the next few minutes all of the girls arrived and I found myself enjoying what the others insisted was a usual breakfast of coffee, brötchen and a Danish pastry. It was fairly filling and I was surprised that everyone was tucking in — I mean half the girls back home don't eat breakfast at all.
“Ooh is that the time, we'd better get a move on!” Steffi mentioned.
I joined the mass exodus and quickly found myself in the breakaway group of my first Dernau — Silverberg Grand Prix! What surprised me most was that despite the motley collection of trekking and roadster bikes we were actually riding along at a good lick. Just like in a race there was a constant change of riders at the front as people maneuvered to talk to different people in the group. I could just see the girls at home doing this every day — NOT! And it wasn't like we were the only group either, we must've passed or seen at least a hundred other riders in the twenty minutes it took us to reach Ahrweiler. Our only hold up was the crossing that took us into the school — we had to stop for about thirty seconds!
Unlike back in Warsop, Silverberg's bike park ran to more than a dozen stands behind the boiler house. In fact huge collection of two wheel transport for the most part was parked under the sports hall, and not just bikes but quite a few of those Mofa things too. In many respects the Silverberg Gymnasium is a lot like Warsop College but this really rammed home the difference.
And so day two of my German school career got under way.
I can't remember how many times I told people ‘Ich bin Drew', but by the weekend it must've been into the hundreds!
“So what did you do today?” Dad enquired as he speared more potatoes onto his plate.
“Not much, I went for a ride up to the Nurburgring then I came home and surfed a bit.”
“Surfed? Looking for anything in particular?”
“Not really, just catching up with my emails and a few of the racing sites.”
Dad wasn't exactly subtle in his probing; did he actually think I would admit to looking for porn? Not that I was!
“I've spent the afternoon trying to sort out your racing permit”
“Can't I just use my UK one?” This licence thing was a bit of a farce.
“Well you could but only for circuit events not the elite series.”
“So I miss a race ‘cos some dimwit put the wrong thing on my permit.” I fumed
“Its only one event kiddo, you'll get to make your German debut nearer home though. And look at it this way, it's a good job your sister spotted it when she did otherwise they'd've had you riding the girls series!”
There was that I guess, for once I was thankful for my siblings nosiness.
“I guess,” I agreed as I chased some Erbsen, stupid name for peas, around my plate.
“I was thinking,” Dad went on, “you fancy watching yer Mum on Sunday instead?”
Mum and the rest of the Apollinaris pro's are riding in Düsseldorf Sunday, Mum and Jules went today so they could do the shops tomorrow leaving me an' Dad here.
“Yeah!” I enthused, after all if I'm not racing my next favourite thing is watching Mum ride.
“Okay, that's settled then.”
It's pretty cool really, since we got here last week Mum has really cheered up and she almost insisted that she be on the card for Sunday, her first race post cancer. It's not like she's expecting to win or anything but I guess I know how she feels — I hate not racing. And Sunday is really only a toe in to see how much fitness she has — training rides are one thing but racing is another matter.
* A sort of hardware cum pharmacy cum stationers based in the north Midlands.
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *12* Train - In
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Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *12*
Text in Blue is in German
The sun was beating down relentlessly onto the platform, Drew found himself desperately seeking the meagre shade offered by the shadow of the trees across the line. He was a bit early, the others weren't due for another five minutes but he'd really needed to get out of the house. Mum could be a real pain some times ‘ do your homework, tidy your room, your not going out like that' - ever since the summer hols started she'd been having a go.
At least today he'd get some peace. He looked up the line, the heat was already enough to supply a bit of heat haze making everything look a bit wobbly. A couple more people joined him on the platform, no one he really knew but they exchanged a quick ‘tag' all the same. A distant toot heralded the imminent arrival of the 9.20 Ahr Express - where are the others?
As if they had read his mind there was a clatter of bikes and his friends pulled up just as the train hove into view through the haze.
"Thought you weren't coming."
"Someone forgot her wallet." Pia noted.
Drew recovered his own steed, a sparkly new Schauff from the factory shop in Remagen. And no it isn't a race bike but a typical German town bike. It hadn't taken him long to realise that using a good bike for school and stuff wasn't such a hot idea, the olds had agreed and both he and Jules got a new ‘school' bike out of it. So okay its got a step through frame, so do the rest of the gangs and its certainly easier when you've got a bag of school books on the back — and the dynamo means you don't need to remember lights and the suspension makes it more comfortable over the cobbles and that's the saddle it comes with okay.
The train hissed to a halt and the four of them loaded their bikes and joined the others already on the train.
“Hi guys.” Steffi enthused.
“Heya.” Drew replied.
“Bit warm for jeans eh Drew?” Brid noted.
Drew had to agree, it hadn't been his best decision but he'd already arrived at the Bahnhof before he realised his error.
“Yeah, I'll survive.” At least the train had aircon.
“Fahrkarte bitte.”
Everyone had regional season tickets for the VREA so today's trip to the Jakobsmarkt and the Freizeitbad in Remagen wouldn't hurt their pockets too much. Although it was smack in the middle of the summer hols and full-blown tourist season the train was pretty quiet as most visitors were headed the other way and the workers were long gone.
Drew sat and fussed with his by now very uncomfortable trousers.
“Will you give over, you are making me itch.” Nena told him.
“Sorry but I'm really er, sticky.”
“Gross!” Annie and Connie chorused.
“I can't stand it, come on you.” Pia grabbed Drew and started hauling him down the carriage.
“Wha?”
“Lets get you more comfortable.”
By this time the hapless Drew was at the door of the toilet compartment.
“Here, put this on” she slapped a bundle into his hands.
“But…”
“Go” she just about pushed him into the compartment.
‘Geez, the girls can be pretty full on', Drew mused. ‘What has Pia given me here?' he shook the bundle out and let out a sigh. This lot are as bad as the gang back in Warsop! Maybe worse. Well it would be more comfortable than jeans but he cringed at the colour — bright yellow decorated with small flowers. At least the toilet was clean and spacious; with ease drawn from much practice he was soon wearing Pia's sundress. Yeah so it's a dress, wanna make something of it?
“Much better eh Drew?” Nena noted as he rejoined the girls.
“I guess.”
“You need some makeup, come here.” Connie suggested.
“Connie…” he moaned.
“Some liner at least.”
Well it's easier to go with it than argue with Connie so he succumbed to her ministrations. The forty-minute ride seemed to pass much quicker and it was seven girls who emerged onto gleis 5 of Remagen Bahnhof. They were quickly into the town centre where there were a few stalls of the Jakobsmarkt but they pressed on down the hill to the riverfront where the main market was taking place. They parked the bikes up and started to explore the stalls and attractions.
Drew was quite excited to be attending his first German Festival Market and was keen to soak up the atmosphere. It was an eclectic collection, food and bier stalls rubbing shoulders with crafts, kitchen wear, clothing and toys. A few small kiddy rides and a bandstand vied to provide entertainment for the quite reasonable crowds.
The Dernau gang keenly scanned the goods on offer and various members purchased items as diverse as ‘ohrstucker', a decorative plate, leather belt, Drew succumbed to a Frikadellen, the smell was too much to ignore. They took their time but it was still not quite twelve when they returned to the bikes.
“So we going to the Freibad now?” Steffi asked.
“What about lunch?” Nena mentioned.
“There's a café at the pool.” Connie pointed out.
“Suits me.” Drew shrugged, which meant having to readjust his frock.
“Okay, we can go along the river, save going back into town.” Pia suggested.
It wasn't that simple, they had to re-negotiate the market before they could mount up for the short ride along the riverfront. There was a welcome breeze by the river and the trees gave some shade and respite from the ever-warmer sun. They swung away from the river by the ‘Peace Museum' and soon thereafter they were locking the bikes outside the pool.
This was the first time Drew had been here but the others seemed to know it quite well. Just like TWIN in Bad Neunahr the place was busy, three pools a separate diving pool and a slide could accommodate a lot of visitors! Four Euros paid for the rest of the day's entertainment and first job was secure a ‘base' for the crew. Most of the good spots were taken but Connie found a spot that whilst currently in the sun would shortly be in shade and stay there for most of the afternoon. Soon people were diving off to get into their cozies.
“What's up Drew?” Steffi asked.
“I er only brought my trunks.”
“But a girl must wear a top!”
“I could put my t shirt on?” Drew suggested.
“Geez Drew, you really need to get organized.”
“I thought I was.” He mumbled.
“Anyone got a spare costume?” Steffi enquired of the others, “Drew forgot hers.”
“Here.” Annie threw something at him, a not particularly big something.
“Come on Drew, we're missing the rays!” Steffi dragged him towards the lockers.
There was a distinct feeling of déjá vu; Drew's thoughts went back to a trip to Ladybower last year where he ended up in a girl's cozzie. Then it was because he had forgotten his trunks, this time it was because his new friends were convinced he was a girl pretending to be a boy — well Connie knew that wasn't true but the others wouldn't believe otherwise and he was ‘one of the girls'. At least they hadn't latched on to ‘Gaby'; they did at least call him Drew! In the 8 weeks since he met them all they had firmly adopted him but as a madchen not a boy.
At least the changing cubicles were private although he was dismayed to find ‘his' costume was a white two-piece which showed off more than it covered including accentuating Drew's two small mounds. With a sigh he rejoined his friends, the feeling of being watched as he walked across the grass making him very self-conscious.
“Wow Drew, you really should dress better, you have a great bod.” Connie noted.
“Urm thanks.”
The worrying thing was that the way he was filling out Annie's bikini he really did look more like Gaby than Drew. It was pretty embarrassing, although his chest was actually not very big there was enough of it that going bare chested was out. Since he'd started taking the low dose hormones they had slowed their growth but nevertheless he could now fill an A cup bra, Jules wasn't much bigger. The doctors reckoned they'd likely become less obvious as he grew and filled out but he was showing little sign of doing either in the near future.
“Come on Drew, let's take a dip.” Connie grabbed his arm and started dragging him towards the nearest pool.
So started an afternoon of fun and hi-jinks, after some initial coyness he even joined in the lighthearted teasing and flirting with some of the local boys. It was pushing five when they left the Goldener Strand to head for the station to go home. The sun was still high although the heat was starting to seep away; all the gang had caught the sun, none more than Drew, despite several applications of sun cream.
There was best part of half an hour before the Ahrtal Express was due out so they parked the bikes and descended on the hotel opposite the station for some ice cream. Drew was pretty relaxed and allowed himself to slouch in his seat. The sounds of an Oompah band could be heard from the direction of the Jakobsmarkt in the town and life seemed good.
“Whoa Drew, you've caught the sun!” Jules exclaimed as he entered the kitchen.
“We were at the pool all afternoon.”
“That's gonna sting some, you put any after sun on?”
“Like when?”
“You are just so blonde sometimes.”
“Takes one to know one.” He poked his tongue out.
“You red like that all over?”
“I dunno, maybe, it does itch a bit.”
“Lets have a look.” Jules sighed. The little twit seems to spend his life doing dumb stuff and Mum had left her in charge.
Drew shrugged, “whatever,” before pulling his T over his head.
“What have you been wearing?”
“Er nothing.”
“They've had you in a bikini haven't they?”
“No”
“Don't fib I can see the strap marks.”
“Okay, I borrowed Annie's spare cozzie , I could hardly go top less could I?”
“Well you could' a worn a top.”
“To swim?”
Jules had by now found the after sun and was warming a handful.
“Here goes,” she transferred the cream to her brothers back, “geez you are burning.”
Drew shivered.
“Ah, ah, ooh!”
Jules spread the lotion evenly over Drew's fiery shoulders and back.
“Turn round.”
“Geez Drew, you really need to take more care, Mum'll kill me if that goes manky.” She prepared to spread more cream on to Drew's chest.
“Yow! Jules!”
“What?” Jules took her hands away.
“They're sensitive you know.”
“I can see.” She noted her brothers stiffening nubs. “I'll keep away from there, you are gonna have some right tan lines you know.”
“I guess. Can I get dressed now?”
“You don't want anything on those shoulders.”
“So I have to parade my chest around all night then?”
“No.” Jules sighed, “Hang on I'll fetch you a top you can wear.”
“Whatever.” Drew sighed.
Five minutes later he was wearing one of his sisters strapless tops with a built in bra. It did feel more comfortable, his boobs weren't wobbling so much and there wasn't anything to irritate his glowing shoulders.
'Life does seem to conspire to get me into girls clothes, well okay,' he admitted to himself, ‘I didn't put up much fight at the pool but it is more comfortable with a bra.'
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *13* Tenshi No Koromo
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Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *13*
Text in Blue is in German.
The doorbell rang far below. ‘Bugger!’ Drew thought to himself, no one else was in this morning and whoever it was was likely to have gone by the time he got down. ‘Hmm, the window.’
“Hallo?”
“A package for bond.”
“A moment please.”
‘Bum, I’ll have to go down anyhow!’
A minute later he was at the door.
“Ah, good morning Ms., they ask for a signature.”
Drew took the proffered stylus and scrawled on the screen.
“Name?”
“Drew Bond.”
“Thank, good by!”
“Good by.”
‘Hey he called me fraulein, soddin’ cheek!”
The parcel wasn’t that big and on inspection it was actually addressed to him.
‘I don’t remember ordering anything, wonder what it is?’
He walked through to the kitchen to find a knife to cut the tape. ‘Whatever it is it’s well packed, a box and brown paper, funny stamps.’
A quick rummage in the drawer supplied a craft knife and soon the string and sellotape were severed and it was down to the box. No clues there, it was plain white, the sticker on the lid looked like it was written in Chinese and it didn’t rattle. Another quick couple of slices with the knife and its contents were revealed, well something wrapped in bubble wrap was at any rate. Another couple of nicks with the knife and he could unwrap whatever it was.
‘Hunh? Oh wow I’d forgotten all about this.’
The contents revealed themselves as a pair of resin figures, anime style of the ‘Tenshi No Koromo’ girls, the costumes he and Mad had warn to that last con. All thoughts of sorting out his CD collection were lost as he examined the figurines, he had been conned into wearing the ‘Little Maid’ outfit by Maddy who dressed herself in the somewhat less revealing ‘Sister’ costume. The figures were, he had to admit, quite exquisite, detailed down to underwear and wispy bits of ribbon.
Maddy was fastidious in her costume production and the modelers were obviously cut from the same cloth. Drew was fascinated and re-examined them in delight.
“Drew?”
His reverie was broken by the voice from the doorway.
“Oh hi Connie, what’s up?”
“Not much, thought I’d see if you wanted to do something, what’s that?”
“Just some figures.”
Connie Thesing joined him at the table.
“Kewl, you collect these?”
“Not really, I um just fancied these.”
He didn’t want to admit that he’d worn a costume like that himself.
“You’ve gone very red,” Connie grinned, “spill!”
Connie could be worse than Maddy and could certainly get him to reveal stuff virtually by just giving him the ‘look’.
“I bet you’d like to wear these costumes eh?”
He felt his face redden more.
“Er course not, why would I?”
“Liar!”
He’d never been very good at this fibbing and hiding the truth.
“Look, me an’ Mad went to a Con before we moved out here and w-she wore the-is costume.”
“I bet you looked cute, which did you wear?”
“The Petit Maid.”
“Hah! I knew it!”
Geez, he’d been suckered again!
“So you still have the costume?” Connie enthused.
“Can’t remember, Mad does the costumes.”
“Lets go look.”
And Connie was off heading to his room.
“Connn!”
He let out a deep sigh, closed the kitchen door and set off in pursuit of his friend.
By the time he got to his room Connie already had his wardrobe open. She had of course been up to his eyrie fairly regularly over the last few months, as he had visited her flat too, they were firm friends and at least she knew he was a boy — even if she played it like he was a girl most of the time.
He sat on his bed with a sigh.
“Gott Drew, you need to sort this closet out, everything is so mixed up.”
‘Like me’ he mused, “try the left side.”
In fact he knew exactly where it was, right at the back behind his favourite dress and his Foresters uniform. Maybe he should sort the wardrobe out and now Connie would see just how much girl’s stuff he actually had. It’s a walk in closet and his friend was now hidden amongst the coats, shirts, skinsuits, trousers and um dresses that made up his wardrobe.
“Oh kewl!” a muffled exclamation reached him followed by Connie bearing not just the TNK costume but the cheer outfit too.
“Sugar ” he mumbled to himself. “You found it then.”
“Right at the back, this a costume too?” she waved the cheer outfit at him.
“A...um not really.”
“Not really?”
“Well I was on the cheer team at home.”
“Oh kewl! You did all that jumping and stuff?”
“Um yeah.” He started to colour up again.
Connie however had already hung both outfits on the back of the door, “show us how the maid dress looks then you can show me some cheerleading.” She enthused.
What happened to a quiet morning sorting out his desk? And just saying no to Connie never worked, he’d tried that and ended up in a worse fix than ever, he was the reigning Queen of the Vineyards after that episode. Well it couldn’t be that bad and he’d already been out on the bike.
“Okay.”
“Great!” Connie beamed, “you need any help?”
“Not yet.” He thought Connie’s offer of assistance was a bit eager.
‘Well if she wants Petit Maid that’s what she’ll get’ he decided . Although he’d ended up dressed as Gaby several times in Germany since they moved, he’d never intentionally set out to go all the way. But he got the devil in him this morning so he dug a box out from under his sink, a box that he’d last opened for that Con before the move.
“What’re you doing in there Drew?” Connie queried through the door.
“Nearly ready.”
‘Geez I don’t remember it being this tight.’ He readjusted the short sleeves and assessed his appearance. ‘Hmm, not up to Maddy’s skill with the make-up but not bad, not bad at all.’ Of course he hadn’t stuck his breast forms on properly but there was enough tack to keep them in place and most of the cleavage looking back at him was his own anyhow. ‘Well here goes.’
“Ta da!”
“Drew?” Connie was lost for words, “wow!”
“So waddya think?”
Connie was still gold fishing. “You, you er must be a girl really, no boy looks so good!”
“Well” he pulled the front of the dress up to reveal his lace covered smooth crotch, “hmm?”
What did she think? Now she was really confused — Drew was a boy wasn’t he? Leastways that’s what he said but this person in front of her was clearly a girl, wasn’t she? Its true that the costume was terrific and the person in front of her wore it well. She was just so cute from the be-ribboned stockings to the lace headdress she just screamed girl.
“Er how er?”
“Might show you later.”
“You are a boy? Aren’t you?”
“Course I am.”
“But ”
“Later, what do you think of the Petit Maid?”
“You look fantastic, the outfit is just like the doll.”
“Mad really is a perfectionist, you want a drink?”
“Sure.”
Drew led the way back to the kitchen and headed to the fridge for some pop.
“I can’t believe that the tomboy I usually hang with can look so, so ”
“Kawaii?”
“Kawaii?”
“Japanese for cute according to Mad.”
“Seems fitting.” Connie mused.
“So how come your erm ”
“Bits are gone? It’s a special gaff thing to make me look like a girl down there.”
“Why would you have such a thing?”
“Now that is a long story.”
“I’ve got time.”
‘Should I tell her? Hell why not.’
“Swear you won’t tell anyone else?”
“Okay, just spill it.”
He took a sip of his lemonade, where to start?
“Well it all started before Easter last year ”
“And so Woody paid up and I got to keep the prosthetics — not that I wanted them but like Sally said it isn’t exactly hygenic to re use this stuff even if it has been cleaned.”
Just then the back door opened.
“Hi kids.” Jenny greeted them.
“Hi Mum.”
“Hi Mrs. Bond.”
Jenny was already stooping to remove her cycling shoes so she hadn’t really noticed what her son was wearing.
“Good session?” Drew enquired.
“Um yeah,” she glanced over to the teens, “Gaby? Why are you dressed like that?”
‘Oh bugger, I forgot I was wearing this still.’
“I um was just showing it to Connie.”
Jen surveyed her offspring sat at the table in a ridiculous frilly pink outfit that hinted at stuff he didn’t have and exposed stuff he did. Flippin heck, he looks more like a girl than his sister!
“Well change if you are going out, you’ll be arrested for indecent exposure in that outfit.”
Drew flushed.
“I’m gonna shower, you staying for dinner Connie? Its only a pasta salad tonight I’m afraid.”
“Yes please Mrs. Bond.”
“Well you’d best change Gaby, you wouldn’t want to be mistaken for the help!” Jen quipped.
“Sure.” ‘What was that ‘help’ bit about?’
“So why’d your Mama call you Gaby?” asked as they once again climbed up to Drew’s bedroom.
“She always does if I’m in a dress, she says that she can’t picture Drew as a girl, its so embarrassing.”
It was when he slipped the dress off that he realised he was in trouble. Instead of the jelly blobs going with it they hung on his chest still. Oh shit! A quick tug only confirmed his fears — there must have been some adhesive on the forms still and as it’s a contact adhesive .hmm solvent. A search under the sink failed to turn up the precious bottle and then the colour drained from his face, what if the gaff was stuck too? Double shitza!
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *14* Baden?
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *14* Baden?
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *14*
Text in Blue is in German.
I cracked an eye, woken by a different engine tone or something like that.
"Hmm where are we?"
"Just south of Stuttgart. Good sleep?" Dad replied.
"I guess, how much further?"
"Maybe another hour or so on the motorway then we use the back roads to get to Freudenstadt."
"Oh" I sighed, "I didn't think it was this far."
"Now you know why the pros fly so much."
"Yeah."
I settled back into my seat.
This weekend is really important in more ways than one. Firstly it's an Elite category race so I get to race on real roads again but it's also the first time that the Apollinaris youth development squad has been entered as a team since I moved to Germany. The other team members have of course raced together several times this year but I've only actually met one of the others before which means that tomorrow I'm the ‘newbie'. There's a thought.
The other thing is that Dad thought it would be nice to spend some extra time down here so whilst George has come in the team bus and is collecting the others from the airport the two of us have come down in the Saab.
We weren't actually staying in Freudenstadt so after leaving the autobahn at Horb we made our way to Baiersbronn where to my surprise we found George and his charges waiting for us at the Hotel Sonne.
“George! Good trip down?”
“Sure, how about you?”
“A bit of traffic at Heidelberg but not bad really.”
“Gut, and Drew, you are okay?”
“Tired.” I admitted to our mechanic — wow this is like the big time!
“Well lets get checked in kiddo you can have a lie down for an hour before dinner if you want, we can do the introductions when we eat. I'll come and find you George.”
“Okay boss.”
Now don't run away with the idea that being on the Apollinaris roster gets you 5 star accommodation — it doesn't. Not that I'm complaining, the Hotel Sonne was a typical family run place who by the décor rely on the winter ski trade for a good bit of their income. In the summer its walkers and weekenders so I guess we sort of fit right in. We'll be here two nights although the others will head straight home after tomorrows race.
We were quickly allocated a room, normally or I should say up to now Dad and George have shared but this weekend at least he gets a room on his own. We climbed the grandiose staircase and worked out where our room was. The sounds of animated teens could clearly be heard from an open door that Dad stuck his head into.
“Abend Herr Bond!”
“Hi madchen, gut fahre?”
“Ja danke.”
“Greta, ihre mutter ist hier?”
“Ja am die café.”
“Gut, essen am halb sechts ok?”
“Ok. Drew Ist hier?”
I stood back, a bit nervous about meeting my new teammates.
“Ja we'll do the introductions at dinner. Don't get too rowdy now.”
Once installed in our room I collapsed on the bed and Dad went to find George.
I looked along the line nervously, by their attitude it was clear that a lot of these riders know each other. Our team has drawn a front row start so at least we should get a clean getaway! This really will be a test of my abilities, the course is pretty hilly and a lot of these riders are big. And I do mean big! I feel like a dwarf amongst this lot - even the girls are bigger than me. I noticed several riders eyeing us, well I think it was me up, maybe they were wondering what the red, white and blue sleeves on my jersey were about. I was a bit surprised when I got my strip but apparently whilst I can't wear my champions jersey in Elite races I am forever more entitled to wear the national stripes as trim (the same thing applies to Mum and her World Champs jersey.). I mean apart from that my strip was the same as the girls, which means it's a sky blue version of the pro team strip — officially we are sponsored by ‘Apollinaris Lite' while the pros use the company house colours .
The Marktplatz already had a good number of people making use of the animated fountains and the blue sky above us held the promise of a warm day. I was only half listening, well that's a lie really as I was having trouble understanding the officials accent, as we were given the usual pre race talk through. I cast about the start area in the hope of seeing Dad but I failed to spot him. Come on lets get started!
My thoughts wandered back to last night and my introduction to the rest of the team…
“So Drew, we have Greta and her mother Sonja, you know Veronike already and that's Thalia next to George.” Dad did the introductions when we arrived at our table,“team this is Drew.”
“Glad you could make it!” Veronike ( say Ver-on-ee-ka ).
Although we'd only met briefly when we went to see Mum ride at Düsseldorf, Roni, as she insisted I call her, seemed a good sort and back in June had won the NRW Elite girls title.
“Erm hi guys.”
“Nice to meet you at last.” Thalia ( say tal-y-a ) grinned.
Dad had told me about Thalia and Greta on the way down. Thalia is from the east someplace and Dad was really chuffed to sign her as several other teams were trying to recruit her. Apparently her mum used to race internationally for the old East Germany so she's a bit like me in that. Greta on the other hand comes from up north near to Hamburg, she's quite big — well a lot bigger than me and although she doesn't have any titles she did come second in the German nationals last year. Her mum, that's Sonja, is along as chaperone and will help out George in the service van tomorrow.
“She's very small.” I heard Greta whisper to her Mum.
“You can get to know each other after we've eaten, dunno about you all but I'm starving!” I was seeing a new side to Dad, the friendly boss man.
After eating we actually all got in the team bus and George drove us around tomorrow's circuit, a 48km loop which tomorrow we cover twice. Our hotel is actually on the circuit, which is quite convenient! I have to say that the hour we took to go round didn't actually instill any confidence in me — I mean there is a lot of climbing although of course what goes up must come down! Once we got back to Baiersbronn we stopped off at the Bahnhof for ice cream — hmm that hit the mark.
I was brought back to the present by the starter.
"Funf...vier...drei...zwei...eins...go!"
It was a rolling start to get us safely out of the town square; the start proper was at the town limits that took us straight into a fast descent that I would've hated to ride up! Being a category one race the field was about a hundred strong, Dad said there were teams from Austria, France and Switzerland besides the ‘home' squads. Although we had strung out on the first descent we regrouped by Baiersbronn where we swung left to start the main climb, 15km up the Ruhesteinstrasse. We of course had discussed tactics last night on our drive round so the four of us held a close formation about twenty riders back as we made our way through Mitteltal and on to Obertal.
Although it was still early the day was already heating up, I could feel the sun warming my back quite warmly. Through Obertal a couple of lads tried their luck and succeeded in making about fifty metres on the rest of us but it was too early to get away with it, the bunch was too fresh and they were both swallowed up on the hairpins a couple of k's later. The climb, although quite steep was mostly a case of attrition and when I risked a glance back before we climbed into the trees revealed riders already spread over a considerable distance.
We lost Greta from our little group on the steepest part of the climb — hopefully things would come back together after we make the 1000m plus summit on the famous Schwarzwaldhochstrasse. I was able to slot into the ‘bus' and benefited from the sheer size of my opponents, lets face it I'm small, great for climbing and sprinting but the big guys tend to have the power needed for a breakaway and some of these lads were bigger than Dad!
Being the new guy I was being more than usually attentive to my teammates and the opposition so I was ready when the break came. Well it was less of a breakaway than a run for the Schliffkopf prime (say preem ). Although we were only a quarter way through the race I had to make my move so I dropped a sprocket and shot off in pursuit, Veronike and Thalia both sitting tight at the front of the shattered bunch.
They'd gone from quite a way out which at home I wouldn't be bothered about but these lads were all big, like huge! I think I mentioned that before. I managed to hook onto the back which gave me a chance to get my breath but by the time I realised we were at the top it was too late and I crossed the line in about twelfth position. The next twenty k's are a mostly undulating descent which as no one at the front seemed interested in making a move, allowed much of the field to come together again. Team Apollinaris regrouped and shortly before the short climb into Freudenstadt even Greta was back.
The town centre was now awash with crowds although the half way prime was barely contested. Things would get serious now. Unsurprisingly there weren't many girls in the event and even less surprising was the lack of them at the front — except for my teammates. Everyone seemed quite comfortable, Dad has had me doing at least two two hour plus rides a week in preparation so I felt confident of my ability although I'm not looking forward to doing that big climb again.
We swooshed out of the town and on the flat leg to Baiersbronn everyone took the opportunity to eat and hydrate. There was a sort of truce for a couple of kilometres but as soon as we made the turn onto the Ruhesteinstrasse again the attacks came thick and fast. Our squad isn't exactly strong, indeed Roni was starting to struggle a bit, so we just gritted teeth and clung on to each chase! The result was that by Obertal the field was decimated but by some miracle all four of us were still in the front group.
Of course the worst of the climb was still to come and we had already planned to take the bull by the horns this time round. A silent nod sent Roni away as we left the village swiftly followed by Tali and Greta — I got the job of playing interference. Of course the other players could hardly let the girls or me get our own way so despite my delaying tactics I found myself dragged up to my team mates, Greta lasted longest this time around but with nearly seventy k's on the clock something had to snap.
I found myself chasing wheels all the way to the top of the Schliffkopf; my first chance to assess things came as we started the long descent. Jeez-us! There were just ten of us left at the front including a determined looking Greta — even if she was dangling at the back. There were a couple of attempts at a getaway over the next few undulating kilometres but I was gonna be hard put to get to the finish at this rate, let alone attack!
Fate as usual had a hand in the final outcome. I only managed to make the front of the bus a couple of times, I just don't have the strength and my prime consideration was getting to the finish. What didn't help was that I dropped back to encourage Greta a couple of times, she was starting to struggle with the pace but my visits seemed to have a positive result. At about three to go, as we started the last climb the elastic finally broke and I could see any chance of winning climbing away from me. Greta for her part was a further ten metres adrift after an impressive ride.
Things might've turned out different but for the dog and my weariness. The dog succeeded in breaking free of its owner and then ran into the leaders which brought them all down twenty metres in front of me. Unfortunately my chance to take advantage was almost lost as I nearly blindly continued on, my weariness finally taking its toll.
“Drew! In front!” Greta shouted, which caused me to slam my brakes on. Sugar! I quickly surveyed the carnage in front and found myself following Greta, who had gotten a second wind, past the mess. They were already picking themselves up, no one looked seriously injured but their preparation for the sprint was thrown completely. My legs were jelly though so I was barely able to get the wheel of the hulk who was first up, a big blonde lad with RT Bayern on his shorts. The impossible looked possible, Greta was gonna win!
The crowd was enthusiastically cheering but with about fifty to go my teammate seemed to engage reverse at about the point my legs gave out too, between us we effectively gifted the big lad the race. Greta tried to chase his wheel, which meant that I just failed to claim second place from her but I did make the podium!
Dad was ecstatic. Well everyone was really; I know our success had a lot of luck involved but that's the way it goes. At least I didn't end up on the floor today, I seem to do that a lot! Second and third was more than good, it was brilliant. Tali and Roni both arrived in the next group two minutes down and there were only two other girls finish.
I wasn't really paying much attention when they did the presentation but they seemed to make a lot of fuss about Greta and the PA seemed to be saying a lot before I was called to the podium too. As I couldn't understand half of what he'd said I just grinned and waved the bouquet I'd been handed which seemed to be the expected response.
“So I'll see you on Tuesday George.”
“Okay Boss man!” George agreed, “Good ride Drew, enjoy your trip.”
“Thanks George.”
“Bye Drew!” Roni shouted from the bus.
“Bye guys.” We really seem to be gelling as a team already.
We watched the bus pull away, waving until it was out of sight.
“Ready for something to eat?” Dad enquired.
“Not many, my legs are still like jelly.”
“Come on then, I think you deserve something nice.”
I must admit that I was well knackered; the combination of a hard course and thirty-degree plus heat had left me exhausted. After the others left Dad drove us back into Freudenstadt to eat. I never really took the main square in earlier, if this used to be the market it must've been huge! It was still hot and there were still kids playing in the water as we made our way around the pleasant colonnades in search of a restaurant.
“This looks good.”
At least there seemed to be a couple of empty tables.
“Fine by me.” I allowed.
We claimed a table and waited for the waitress to find us.
“You wish to eat?”
“Please” Dad told her.
She gave us both a menu before continuing,
“Drinks?”
“Beer for me.”
“And the young lady?”
“Erm radbier please.”
She departed with our order, hey what did she call me?
“So what do you fancy?”
I surveyed the me an u, all the usual stuff was there, schnitzel, steak, sausage but I felt like something different. Leberspätzelsuppe sounded interesting and Rahmschnitzel I've not come across before either.
“Dad?”
“What Champ?”
“Do I really, I mean really look like a girl?”
“Whoa! Where did that come from?”
“Well the waitress did just call me young lady.” I pointed out.
“She was stood behind you and your hair is still in a braid so I don't think it was more than an assumption.”
“I er guess so.”
“As if on cue” Dad mentioned.
“Ready to order?” she asked placing our drinks on the table.
“My son will have the Leberspätzelsuppe followed by Rahmschnitzel and I'll have the Tagessuppe and the Röstii Hawaiian.”
“Danke.” And she was off again.
“Thanks dad.”
“No problem kiddo.”
We left the hotel about nine the next morning and we had a whistle stop ride through the Schwarzwald, heading south to Hausach first before crossing the Hornberg on the way to cuckoo clock central, Triberg. We had to stop for a picture at the huge cuckoo clock then pressed on to Villingen to pick up the motorway towards Konstanz. It was an interesting drive, we crossed high over a fledgling River Danube, and there were a couple of hilltop castles before driving down the side of some big lake. We had a short stop in Konstanz to see the Rhein; its difficult to believe it's the same river that's at the bottom of our valley.
“Right, I've got a surprise for you now.” Dad mentioned as we returned to the car, “you fancy a boat ride?”
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *15* Reflections
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *15* Reflections
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *15*
I was still on a high as we waited on the slipway for the ferry to dock. I mean I know I didn't win or anything but I reckon third was pretty good in the circumstances. But lets face it the kid who won is twice my size, I never really stood a chance against those thighs and Greta did come second so Dad's well made up! Its certainly more exciting riding these Elite races than the usual fish ‘n chippers.
So now we get some Dad time before we head back home, which is why we are waiting to cross on the Bodensee ferry.
“Here we go” Dad muttered as we were waved forward onto the ferry, a glorified version of the ones that cross the Rhein near home but a bit bigger I guess. We clanked down the ramp and drove to what answers as the pointy end before parking.
“Eine Fahrkarte, bitte .”
The ticket geezer was already at Dads window.
“Neunzehn Euro bitte.”
Money changed hands and already the boat was starting to move.
“Lets go up and get a drink, its about twenty minutes across to Meersburg.” Dad informed me.
“Okay.”
It was well breezy on the open deck but it was a gorgeous day still and pleasantly warm out of the wind.
“You can just see the Alps over there.”
“Where?”
“If you look down the lake, those pointy things?”
“Oh I see.”
“Well that's Switzerland.”
“They must be pretty big if you can see them from here.”
“You could say that. Nothings organised yet but George is thinking of bringing the squad down for a training camp in the New Year.”
“Lucky sods”
“I might see if I can hang the junior squad on too — if you think anyone would be interested?”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Yes please!”
We had barely finished our drinks before it was time to go back to the car to disembark. The ferry docked with a small lurch then we were off and up the ramp.
“So what's this place we're going to?”
“Unter Uhldingen It's a reconstructed lake village, I've been wanting to get here since I was at Uni.”
“It's not like old then?”
“No about sixty years I think. Keep an eye out for a sign.”
We passed loads of people walking and cycling then I saw a sign for the Pfalbauten Museum as we entered the village.
“Left Dad.”
“Okay.”
Five minutes later we were parked and walking around to the museum building.
“Doesn't look very big.” I noted.
“We'll see.” We walked up to the entrance, “Hallo, ein Erwachsener und einmal unter sechzehn bitte.”
“Acht Euro bitte, die ná¤chste Fá¼hrung ist in fá¼nf Minuten, warten sie bitte unten in der Ausstellung.”
“Das ist kostenlos?”
“Ja, die Fá¼hrung ist im Eintrittspreis enthalten.”
“Vielen danke, come on kiddo, it looks like we get a free guided tour.” Dad enthused.
We were in the museum place for about an hour, the guide explained a load of stuff that Dad sort of translated although I think he already knew most of it. It was quite interesting especially as some bits felt like they were gonna drop into the lake anytime! I didn't think they'd have fires an' stuff but there was even a bread oven on one bit. I guess it was more interesting than some of the dry old castles I've been dragged to over the years!
“You want to eat now or later?”
“Well we didn't really have any lunch.” My stomach growled in affirmation.
“Ok, there's a restaurant place over there.” He indicated a building opposite the museum.
“Do me.” I agreed.
We decided to sit out under an umbrella as it continued to be quite warm.
“How are you finding Germany then Drew?” Dad slipped in as we waited for our food.
“What d'ya mean?”
“Well do you like living here?”
“Its okay I guess, I mean I do miss Warsop but I'm sort of getting used to things.”
“What about the language?”
“Well I can sort of understand a fair bit but like I was lost on that tour a lot of the time.”
“Me too to be honest!” Dad chuckled, “I'm sure that'll come kiddo.”
“Do you think we'll stay here forever Dad?”
Dave contemplated his reply, “to tell the truth I don't know. It was a big wrench to move out here and I guess I sort of expect, hope at least that the job will last until you kids leave school or university — your mother is keen to keep riding I think but she can get work teaching over here — we've already checked that out. Maybe we will go back to the UK sometime but I'm determined to make a go of it.”
I sat contemplating his reply. It was pretty much what he and Mum have said all along really, and I guess I have made friends — even if they are all girls! Its not the same as back ‘home', it was never going to be was it?
“Aha — food!” Dad mentioned breaking my train of thought.
The drive back home was long and tiring, endless autobahn with a couple of comfort stops. It was close on eleven when we turned off for Ahrweiler and ten minutes later we were at Schloss Bond. It's not the same as returning to Warsop, well of course not, but it is starting to feel more ‘right'.
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *16* Gaby?
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Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *16*
Text in Blue is in German
The last few weeks had certainly thrown up some new experiences for Drew but deep down he was pining for Warsop and everyone there. He'd spent the last hour as near as damn it just staring out at the vineyards behind the house and getting a bit morose to boot.
Downstairs he could hear Goth girl arguing with Dad over nothing important as usual. The Ahrtal Express tooted from somewhere up the valley and the gentle put-put of a tractor out on the road added to the feeling of alien-ness he was feeling.
'Hmm, I really ought to email the gang' he mused, 'Ally did mail me last week after all, I guess I've been a bit distracted.'
There was no excuse for the tardiness, Dad had finally agreed to them getting an ADSL line so line time wasn't an issue. No it was as much that Drew didn't know what to write. He booted his PC up and opened his Yahoo mailbox.
'Hi everyone, remember me?
Sorry I didn't write before but life's been a bit hectic what with moving and school and stuff. Hope you are all well, my hay fever has calmed down a bit.
The new house is really cool; I've got a room in the attic that even has its own shower! I'll have to take you some pictures. Mum says that we could maybe arrange a visit in the summer hols, what do you guys reckon?
I've started school and it's not as bad as I thought it would be. I can sort of understand most stuff and Connie helps out when it all goes double Dutch. I've started going to school with a bunch of kids from around our village; we meet at the bakery and ride the couple of miles to the school.
Everyone seems pretty nice and they asked me to go to Bonn on Saturday but I've got a race on Sunday at a place called Kassel, we're driving up on Saturday as its too far to do Sunday morning.
Oh yeah, nearly forgot, I did my first race last week and guess what? I won! I ride in a different category over here, which means we can race on the road properly sometimes - much better than those boring circuits and airfields at home.
Jules is still mostly skiving, as she isn't starting school till September. She is helping at my school as a teaching assistant for English - can you imagine Goth girl as a teacher?
Anyway that's about all the news for now - let me know about the summer hols.
Drew'
He hit the 'send' key and sat back. He really was missing the gang even if things had gotten a bit strained sometimes since America - especially with Mad. Of course Rhod or rather Em was at his Dad's place in Wales now so there were really only the girls left in Warsop.
"Are you going to mope up there all evening Drew?" Dad's voice enquired from below.
"Dunno."
"Well go and find something to do, its too nice to sit indoors."
The tone of his voice brooked no argument.
"Whatever."
I slipped my Air Rifts on, found my shades and wallet and headed out avoiding the still heated discussion between Dad and Jules - I'm sure I'll find out later what its all about. What to do? I know, I'll go see if Connie is doing anything.
Its not a long walk to the bakery so I was there in ten minutes, Fr. Thesing was behind the counter serving but Connie wasn't in sight.
"Güten tag Drew, you after Connie?"
"If she's around."
"She's upstairs, go on up." She motioned to the door at the side that I knew led to the family apartment above - not that I'd been up myself.
"Er thanks Fr. Thesing."
I cautiously made my way up to the flat.
"Hello? Connie? Anyone there?"
The stairs opened into a neat hallway, I could hear a telly playing MTv - that seemed like the place to head for.
"Connie?" I poked my head in the door.
"Um?" she was indeed there laid on the floor reading a magazine while drivel TV played in the corner. "Oh hi Drew."
"Your mum said to come up."
"So what's happening?"
"Well nothing really, Dad has kicked me out while so he can shout at Jules in peace. I wondered whether you fancied a walk or something - if you're not doing anything."
"Only catching up on the celebs." She twitched the magazine cover to reveal it was Stern she was reading. "Tell you what, we could go over to Anna's, I have some stuff for her so we could kill two birds."
"Up in Esch?" 'That's a fair walk.' I mused.
"Sure, we can ride, it won't take long."
"I've not brought my bike."
"You can take Mama's, come on." She beamed.
"Okay" I shrugged, after all it's not like I'm a bike snob is it?
Five minutes later I found myself struggling to balance Fr. Thesing's weighty Schauff along Backstrasse. The riding position was all wrong which was the problem and it's almost impossible to stand on the pedals for more than a couple of metres. Connie was struggling not to laugh at my efforts but I finally managed to tame the beast and the pair of us started the climb up to Esch.
"So you are liking it here?"
"It's a lot different to England - and I miss my mates,"
"You have new friends now,” she mentioned.
"I'm getting used to it, things are a bit more relaxed and yep, you guys have made me really welcome."
A few clouds passed overhead as we started the climb proper but I pretty much ignored them, in fact they were welcome relief from the suns heat. Maybe I should've paid more attention. About three quarters of the way up it got pretty steep and I was all too grateful when Connie dismounted and started pushing, her mum's bike weighs a ton!
"Not like your Rennrad eh?"
"No" I puffed back, my calves already complaining.
"It levels out shortly."
"Good!"
The breeze seemed to get stronger and colder as we remounted a couple of minutes later, that usually means rain is coming on behind - hopefully we'll be at Anna's before then though.
......
Then in a sudden flurry the wet hit. You could still see blue sky around us but the rain really hammered down and very quickly we were drenched to the skin. With the rain still falling the nearest shelter was Anna's house and we made a frenetic effort to get there.
"Schitzer, you guys are nearly drowned!" Anna helpfully pointed out.
"A bit damp." I allowed from beneath my ratty hair.
"Come, I will find you some dry stuff, Connie you know where the bathroom is ja?"
"Sure, come on Drew, let's get this wet stuff off." Connie agreed.
Talk about embarrassing! Connie was only wearing a skirt and spaghetti top so she was very quickly dressed in a bath towel.
"Come on Drew, you'll catch your death." Connie cajoled.
"Bring your wet stuff down for the drier." Anna added from the foot of the stairs.
Well he could hardly claim to be fine, his clothes were thoroughly soaked after all, best to just go along - he'd be wrapped in a towel anyhow. He quickly lost his wet outer clothing - there is just no way that he was going to remove his undies! He'd never really mastered the whole towel wrap thing but there was salvation in the form of a bathrobe with 'Anna' embroidered on the breast hanging on the door, she wouldn't mind would she?
"There you are Drew, you found my robe, that's cool. Give me your wet stuff and we'll get it in the drier."
"Er thanks Anna. Um sorry about this." Drew apologised.
"Neh, neh. No problem." she switched the drier on and we adjourned to the lounge. "You guys want a drink?"
"Well I'm wet enough." Connie laughed.
"Drew?"
"Er sure."
"What would you like, there's milk or I think we have cola."
"Lite?"
"Ja of course, you sure Connie?"
"Oh go on then, lite."
It wasn't a usual situation, sitting in someone's kitchen semi naked on your first ever visit and Drew was a little thrown by it. Connie and Anna were chatting away, Drew was doing his best to follow things but he was catching only odd words. There was something about a kid called Jurgen, which was presumably funny as they both started giggling.
"You okay Drew?" Anna enquired.
"Er yeah, just day dreaming."
At that moment there was a bang - not explosion bang, more BANG!
"What the heck was that?" Connie exclaimed.
"The drier's stopped." Drew noted.
"Oh bum, it must be the fuse again, it did it last week, and we couldn't even get the clothes out until Stefan fixed it." Anna told them.
"Sugar!"
"Well at least it's dry outside." Connie mentioned.
"Sorry guys, I'll ring Stefan."
Anna disappeared but returned in fairly short order.
"It will be the morning before he can fix it guys, you'd best borrow some clothes to go home - you'll get arrested like that!"
"Thanks" Connie mentioned.
'Hope she has some shorts or something.'
"Come on up then." Anna instructed.
With some reluctance Drew followed the others up to Anna's bedroom with a sense of foreboding. You could tell it was a girl's room even if the décor was a little unusual. Certainly it was a generally pink free zone, owing more to the Adam's Family than Barbie. That didn't mean it was devoid of dolls and stuff but Drew recognised the Goth leanings.
.........
There was a squeal of brakes outside, bike brakes, not a sound you hear very often around Bond acres with Dad as a mechanic. Interest piqued, Jules went over to her window and was greeted by "flippin' skirt!" and some giggling. Down on the drive were two girls, currently the smaller one, a girl in a red fitted blouse, black and red patterned skirt and black tights was fiddling with something on her big German roadster. The other one looked like Drew's mate, Connie. So who is the, never!
"Gaby?" she called down.
The small blondes head jerked up. Yep that's Drew all right.
"Jules!" Drew complained turning to look for the source of the voice.
"Up here Gab's"
"Drew, why is she calling you Gaby?" Connie enquired.
Bugger!
"It's a um family nickname from like ages ago. Park your bike and come and meet the family."
Drew led the way into the house, compared to Connie's home the Bond's lived in a mansion!
"That you Drew?" Dad's voice enquired from the lounge.
Before he could answer Jules' voice chipped in.
"Gab's brought a friend Dad."
Dad stuck his head into the kitchen to find one bemused teenage girl and his son, er daughter - well Drew stood there in a skirt looking daggers at his sister who preceded him into the kitchen by a short head.
"Jules!"
Kids!
"Drew?" he enquired.
"Oh sorry, Connie meet my Dad and you know my sister."
"Ah the famous Connie, nice to finally meet you." Dad beamed.
"You also."
"Its not always like this." Dad mentioned.
"Sometimes its worse." the black haired one finished.
"So um Drew, haven't seen you in a skirt for a while." Dad was fishing for an explanation.
"Anyone want a drink? Connie?" Jules enquired.
"Um sure."
"Mash some tea Jules." Dad instructed, "Come on you two lets go through to the lounge."
Drew's heart sank. Just when he thought Gaby was a thing of the past this had to go and happen.
"Drew tells me your family are bakers."
Daad!
"Um yes, the bakery in the town."
"Not causing you trouble, this one?"
"Not at all Herr Bond, she's one of the gang already."
"So how did you get Drew into a skirt today?"
Drew tried to hide in the sofa, now Dad was interrogating Connie.
"Well we were headed up to Anna's on the bikes..."
Drew could only sit mutely as his friend related the tale.
"...It was all that fit - Anna is quite tall." Connie finished.
‘And I'm not!' Drew fumed to himself.
They drank their tea after which Jules insisted that Connie have a tour of the house.
"...And up here's my room." Drew mentioned leading the way to his eerie.
"You are so lucky Drew, this house is so big."
"Its not much different to our old house really."
"Are all houses in England so big?"
"Nah, Rhod lives over his mums shop in a terrace, that's really tiny."
"Ooh you have your own shower!"
"Well it gets a bit crowded in the mornings."
"I guess."
Connie was a bit confused, downstairs her friend answered to Gaby, she was wearing a nice outfit of Anna's but there were not any nice things in her room, if anything it was a bit boyish.
"Bother! Is that the time? Momma will go spare."
Drew checked his alarm clock - it was just turned nine, where did the time go?
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *17* Boaring
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *17* Boaring
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *17*
Text in Blue is in German.
“Ah here she is, our new Königin, Drew Bond!” the Emcee announced as Pia pushed me forward.
Despite my earlier resolve to come clean never really had a chance from there. Against my better judgement but at the girl's insistence I was already dressed in one of those German dress things, I think it's called a durndall or something like that. So before I realised what was happening I was crowned Dernau Wein Königin 2005!
But it didn't finish there, oh no. Connie was voted as one of the ‘Wein Prinzessin', the other spot was taken by Analise, a girl in the year above us at school. And then, deep joy, we had a ride around the village on a horse drawn wagon thing decorated with barrels and grapes an' stuff. Boy, that was uncomfortable; it had solid wheels that transmitted every bump up to our perch's. That was bad enough but we were trying to balance in heels on a rocking, uneven floor — it's a wonder none of us fell over!
Then it was back to the restaurant for a reception thingy — by this time word had reached Bond acres and my heart sank when I saw Goth Gurl and Dad with the organisers. Maybe I can still escape from this nightmare.
“Dad!”
“What mess have you got yourself into now Gabs?”
“I um.”
“It's cool eh Mr Bond, Gaby is the Weinkönigin!” Pia exclaimed joining us.
My sister wasn't being much help, laughing every time she looked at me.
“Pia come and help!” her mother called across.
“So exactly why did you enter for this?” Dad enquired steering us into a quiet corner.
“You don't enter you get nominated.”
“Okay, so you didn't enter but why are you dressed like that?”
“Erm, well.”
“The Germ has no idea Dad.” Jules helpfully put in.
“How do I get out of this Dad?”
“Looks to me like you've precisely two options.”
“Yes?”
“Well you can go and tell the organisers that you are in fact a boy which given how you look at the minute I doubt they'll believe. Of course that will cause a scandal, everyone for miles around will know that you are, er prone to dressing as a girl, you'll get picked on at school, the papers will spread it about and even if you never wore another stitch of female clothing again it would follow you about for years.”
That didn't sound too good.
“And the second?” I asked hopefully.
“The other option to be blunt is to serve your term as wine queen.”
Well blunt was right. Cause a rumpus and scandal or just go with it. What an option, I couldn't see any realistic alternatives to Dad's.
“So Gaby ” Jules emphasised, “what's it gonna be?”
“Looks like I'm the Weinkönigin I guess.” I sighed in resignation.
“Okay, now that's settled, you will put as much effort into this as you do your racing, no half-hearted dressing, I'm sure there aren't many appearances but we'll deal with event clashes as they come up. As soon as possible young lady you will get all the dates. You're mother is gonna go loopy when I tell her.”
“Sorry Dad.”
“Come on Gab's, its not that bad.” Jules pointed out.
“GABY!” Connie's voice rang out.
“Coming.” I sighed.
“They want some pictures.”
We had an exciting ride up through the vines on one of those monorail things they use to move the grapes around. It would've been more fun if I hadn't been trying to keep my skirt from flapping about but it was still sort of cool.
First the photographer took some group pictures —
And then some individual ones — I hope I don't look as small as I feel next to Analise and Connie! Analise is the tall blonde on my left.
Oh yeah, in case you didn't realise that's Dernau behind us, our house is off to my left and Connie's place is sort of hidden behind my right shoulder.
I forced myself to concentrate on the job in hand, Fridays goings on were still weighing on my mind — I guess I'm stuck with being Gaby for the next year now. Hmm, concentrate Drew.
“…Unt gut fahre!” the bloke doing the starting finished his pep talk and we all readied ourselves to move off.
“GO!”
I pushed off and was clipped in before I'd done a full pedal stroke. All around me riders were doing the same — it's a good job we've got a kilometre before the ‘proper' start — some of this lot are making a right hash of setting off! I checked that everyone (that is our team) was with us then we started jockeying for position. I checked to make sure everything was working (again), today's race looks like its gonna be quite fast, there're only a couple of small climbs as the circuit goes around this big reservoir called Möhnersee near a town called Soest east of Dortmund.
We've got four laps to do to make the 100km distance and I'm rather hoping the trees will give us some shelter as the sun is beating down hotly on the Möhne Grand Prix.
The waving red, yellow and black of the German flag signalled the start proper and we were off.
Off to our left the waters of the lake glinted under the almost cloudless blue sky, I'm glad Dad made us all carry two bottles — I've a feeling we're gonna need it. Today's race boasts over 100 starters and thankfully Team Apollinaris are up at the head of things. No time for sightseeing though, the dam hove into view all too soon and I started preparing for the turn. Yup we get to ride across the dam, the back side of the course is mostly on some private roads starting with the dam.
The left hander is a bit tight, its only like three metres wide across the dam and being near the front increases your chances of getting round without miss hap. Dad warned us that someone might try something at this point so all four of us were primed and ready.
“Links!” Greta shouted the warning.
With only half a dozen riders in front of me I was easily able to chase the move down, by the time we were across the dam it was over and I let myself slide back into the front of the bunch. Since the Black Forest trip the other week Dad has had me concentrate on my endurance so I'm more confident of going the distance this time. I checked where the girls were — our team will usually be at a disadvantage having three girls on the four-rider roster but what we lack in strength we hopefully make up for with tactics. Thalia and Veronike were both nicely placed in the front echelon; Greta was a couple of places behind me.
Things settled down and except for a couple of half hearted breakaways we bowled along comfortable through the edge of the forest. Most of the field seemed to be in contact when we made an almost hairpin turn over a beck and a quick check on the computer showed a comfortable 30kmh pace — more like a club run! We soon rejoined the public roads and without the trees the full heat of the sun hit us. Geez!
The pace picked up when we returned to the lakeside but no one seemed willing to make a move so we were riding piano as we approached the start finish area for the first time. Lap two won't be anywhere near as laid back; there are some good riders in this field and besides which I'm under team orders!
We crossed back over the water and we had barely cleared the bridge when the first attack was made. About seven or eight riders reacted, Veronike was there for us and I suddenly found myself at the front of the peleton keeping a watching brief. Others were less patient — or didn't have riders up there, so I made use of the chasers to get up to the leaders.
The increase in pace thinned the field a little — not that I was too bothered up at the front. A big lad in ‘Wupper RT' strip took a flyer as we approached the dam for the second time but it came to an abrupt end as he clipped the curb on the way in and did a spectacular flip into the bales. Hmm, been there, done that. Still, Dad does say take your chances where you find them.
I made my intentions known to Greta who was alongside me then launched my own attack. The sound of gears changing behind me informed me that I was being chased but I stuck with it across the dam, up the slope beyond and into the woods. Time to check for damage, a quick glance behind revealed a heavy-duty response not more than fifty metres behind so I sat up — no point in wasting energy on a lost cause.
However our team wasn't finished with the move, as they started to swallow me and eased up a little Thalia went for one. We never expected her to succeed but it threw the bunch and she dangled in front until we rejoined the public roads. Right on cue Greta streaked off and I could see a few ‘not again' expressions around me. So okay, we aren't the strongest squad around but we leave a lasting impression!
The rest of us did our best to block for her but it only delayed the inevitable. We couldn't do another repeat when things came together as Veronike managed to get herself boxed. Ah well, plan B.
Through the finish area the bunch was still about sixty strong with half the distance covered. Worryingly my first bottle was already empty, a quick glimpse about showed similar levels for most of those around me, time for a bit of rationing. The view across the water was starting to get a bit hazy as we started lap three, I bet its up in the 30's. I moved my braid off my neck, I really ought to get my hair cut short, hmm then I'd have to wear a wig to be Gaby. Which would be a bugger as I'm stuck with the Wine Queen thing.
We safely made the turn onto the dam and probably as everyone was expecting a move there wasn't one. However the pace did pick up when we turned into the woods, some of the older riders finally deciding to do something. The speedo was hovering between 45 and 50kmh as we descended slightly when several of us realised we weren't alone in the woods. Something quite big was moving in the undergrowth toward the lakeside.
There was a lot of noise then the cause was revealed — some sort of big hairy animal that by its actions was probably half scared to death. It was joined in short order by several more.
“Wild Eber!” Thalia panted.
Well I dunno what an Eber is, what I do know is that ‘they' and me weren't happy with the situation. What do you do? Make a run for it? Stop? The ‘Eber' were keeping pace with our slowing bunch — sugar! Riders were shouting at the animals to scare them off but they weren't taking the hint. I think someone's tyre blew, or maybe it was a gunshot, whatever, the animals pretty much as one moved — directly through the bunch.
I'm sure you've seen those clips from the Tdf an' that where a dog or something runs into the bunch? Well multiply that by about ten. I didn't remember crashing but my world was suddenly made up of yelling, snorting, screaming and that was only the riders! A couple of the animals had gotten themselves caught up in the tangle of bikes and were kicking up a right racket.
Geez that hurts.
“You okay Drew?” Thalia asked from nearby.
“My back hurts, you?” I replied trying to locate what was causing the pain in my lower back.
“Yeah but my handlebars are snapped.”
By now the following caravan was stopped and more bodies joined the mêlée. I located the problem, I was lying on a rock, and a quick manoeuvre soon had me more comfortable. All around me bikes and riders littered the road — none of the front group had escaped the pandemonium and none of the back markers could get past.
“Where are the others?”
“Greta looks okay, I can't see Roni though.”
I got myself up and checked over my own steed.
“Bum my front wheel's had it.”
“Take mine.” Tali was already removing her good wheel from her wrecked machine.
By the looks of things most people were okay, a few were still down though amongst them Roni.
“Roni!”
“You get on Drew, I'll stay with her.” Thalia instructed.
“I'll be okay guys,” Roni grimaced.
“Go on Drew, we'll be okay, the Notfall are here.”
Should I go? Roni was bleeding quite heavily but what could I do if I stay? Well nothing I guess. That decided I carried my bike to the clear road where several others were readying to rejoin the fray.
“Come on Drew,” Greta encouraged, “they'll be okay.”
To be truthful I half expected the officials to abandon but the lead car was merely waiting for someone to lead and soon a much-depleted field set off once more under a neutral flag.
As you can imagine everyone was a mite nervy until we cleared the woodland then we got the green flag and hostilities could continue. I hope Roni isn't too badly hurt, lets try and win it for her!
About thirty riders were still in the running although a good percentage of that number had been amongst the back markers before the incident. The lead car loudspeaker crackled into life.
“We shall cut the race length by fifteen kilometres with a short last lap. We will turn left at the roundabout after the finish line.”
So there won't be another trip through the woods — good. Now I need a strategy.
“ Gret, ” I whispered to my teammate, “at the roundabout .”
“Ok.”
I reached for my bottle and found an empty cage; oh bum it must've come out in the crash.
“Here, you need it more than me.” Greta passed me her bidon.
“Thanks,” I took a swig, “this ones for Roni.” I tried to pass the bottle back.
“Hang on to it, I'll do what I can.”
For a third time we crossed back over the water and approached the finish zone. The rest all looked content to leave things to a sprint, hmm there's Dad.
“Roni's down.”
“You two okay?”
“Yep Tal's with her.” And we were past.
I took a last drag at my purloined water and played my move through my head. I let Greta ease her way forward sticking to her wheel like glue so that when the roundabout came into view I was lying about fifth and yes I can do plan A! Riders started dropping gears in preparation for the turn, which provided cover for my up change, and as they started to go round the island I dived left to take the short route! The rest were committed to going the long way and combined with an out of the saddle effort I gained about a hundred metres by the time the leaders exited the island.
It was an all or nothing attack so I got my head down and went for it, by the time I reached the opposite side of the reservoir my surprise attack had made me nearly two hundred metres. I kept the pressure on up the short climb away from the water finally allowing myself a few easy revs on the little dip to the left-hander that would take us back to the finish.
This stretch is a bit twisty and I was just far enough ahead to be lost from view of the peleton. Greta was hopefully confusing matters too, just by being there. The bridge to the finish came into sight and I realised that I'd be back in sight on its straight length, best try for more lead! My time trialling background let me concentrate my effort and despite my tiredness I got an extra bit of speed, which at least let me get onto the bridge with most of my lead intact.
I hadn't noticed before as I'd been sheltered by others but there was a stiff breeze blowing across the bridge, at last something to be thankful for being small — I crouched low over the bike and dug in — can I hang in? I didn't dare look back but I allowed myself a quick glance as I left the bridge — they were closer, was that Greta at the front? It felt like forever but I finally passed the kilometre board, not long now.
The lead car sped away leaving me alone on a wide and empty road, I must do this for Roni, must win, come on Drew, dig in. 500m, 400m, 300m, 200m — one last do or die effort! The crowd were yelling loudly and I started into the red mist zone as I stood for a final sprint effort.
“Come on Drew!” I could hear Dad shouting at me.
The sound of bikes behind me alerted me to impending failure, somewhere I found that bit more that kept me in front at the line to be engulfed barely a metre further on by the cream of German junior racers. Yes!
Greta was shelled out of the lead group as they left the last bridge crossing but still managed a creditable fourteenth place. Roni ended up in hospital — one of the animals, Dad told me they were Wild Boar, had managed to gore her with its tusks in the melee, an injury requiring a bit of home ec. It looked worse than it really was but they decided to keep her in over night. Talia had used Roni's bike to get back to the HQ, her own broken machine getting a ride back with George in the team van a little later.
Despite the apparent carnage caused by the animals Roni was the worst injured, there were a lot of bent wheels and broken bikes though — I don't think anyone will forget the 2005 Möhne Grand Prix in a hurry!
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *18* Don't Möhne To Me
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *18* Don't Má¶hne To Me
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *18*
Text in Blue is in German.
“You fancy something to eat before we go see Roni?”
“Sure.” I agreed sliding my seat belt into the clip.
George as usual was in charge of getting the others to the airport but getting Roni repatriated was gonna be the problem, although she lives just outside Dá¼sseldorf that's a good hour's drive from Arnsberg where they took her.
We drove along the lakeside that had so recently seen the conflict of the Má¶hne Grand Prix, when we reached the dam Dad turned into the car park. With the race now long gone it had returned to its usual Sunday afternoon bustle of tourists.
“Lets have a look at the dam.” Dad suggested.
“Do we have to —I've ridden over it three times already.”
“Yes we do, it's a bit of modern history.”
“Like oh they built a dam!”
“Sometimes Drew Bond…I really wonder what they teach you in those schools. “You have heard of the Dambusters?”
“Like in that film last Christmas?”
“That's the one. Well this was one of the dams they attacked.”
“Didn't do much of a job did they, I mean it's still here.”
By this time we were at a viewing platform looking out at the dam wall.
“They were very successful kiddo, thousands of Germans were killed in the floods caused by the RAF breaching the wall. If you look at the wall, can you see in the middle, the lighter brick?”
I looked where Dad was pointing; there was an obvious lighter patch of stonework right in the middle of the wall.
“Uh huh.”
“Well that's where they rebuilt it.”
“That was a big hole. Why'd they blow it up?”
“Lets get some food, there's a café up top.”
We walked up to the little circular eatery and after ordering wá¼rst und frites Dad resumed the history lesson.
“Have you seen the pictures?”
Well you couldn't miss them really. The café was decorated with black and white photos of the dam, they looked quite old, lake ferries, tourists then a few showing altogether less scenic views — water pouring through a big hole in the dam and other scenes of devastation.
“So why'd we blow it up?”
“Well the heart of Germany's manufacturing base is the Ruhr valley.”
“We did about that in geography.” I interrupted.
“Well during the war it was obviously very important, the dam here supplied power for the factories. The idea was to disrupt production in the Ruhr factories, slow down arms production and so on.”
“I guess it worked huh?”
“Better than they had hoped, the floods caused tremendous damage all the way down to the Ruhr. Did you know they practised for it in the Peak District?”
“Really?”
“Yup, they practised with the bouncing bombs on Howden and Derwent dams, in fact when you were a nipper we went up to watch the fiftieth anniversary memorial flight up there, I don't suppose you remember. We sat up on the moors and watched a Lancaster bomber below us flying over the dam, quite a sight.”
“Kewl”
“Certainly impressive to see but the result here was death and destruction.”
Our food arrived and I realised that I felt slightly uncomfortable, I dunno why, it was quite irrational but I sort of felt guilty about the destruction of the dam sixty years ago.
“Hiya Roni, how're you doing?”
“Okay I guess, I have to stay overnight.”
“We brought your clothes.”
“Thanks Drew, so how'd it finish?”
Well I had to relive the race for Roni; Dad was busy talking to the doctor so she got the full heroic version!
“Hi Mr Bond.”
“I've been talking to your doctor, looks like we can't break you out till the morning.”
“Sorry to be so much trouble.”
“You didn't ask to be gored Veronike.”
“Yeah but…”
“We'll get a hotel nearby and pick you up in the morning. I've spoken to your parents, they would've come up themselves but…”
“Dad is flying to America tonight and Mama doesn't drive.” Roni filled in.
We stayed with Roni for a couple of hours then we had to go find a hotel for the night. We ended up in a Garni in Husten — basic but cheap and close to the hospital.
The hospital thought that Roni would be released about nine thirty so we got the chance to have a leisurely breakfast before leaving our accommodation. You can guess of course that it wasn't as easy as turn up and pick up — oh no, Dad was mired with paperwork for best part of thirty minutes before we could take our patient.
“In future can you kids stay out of hospitals please.”
“Sorry Herr Bond.”
“I'll try Dad.”
“You wouldn't believe how many forms I had to fill in.” Dad grumped to no one in particular.
The motorways around Dortmund and Hagen were horrendously busy and there wasn't much to see, Roni and I were soon both in the land of nod, not the place in Yorkshire of course but in the back of the Saab.
“Roni? Can you direct us a bit?” Dad's voice broke my dreaming — just as well, for some reason I was cheerleading wearing ‘my' Chobits costume — geez I do not want to think about that!
“Where are we?” Roni blearily asked.
“Wuppertal, we just passed a turn for Elberfeld, there's a motorway junction in a couple of k's.”
“The Essen autobahn?”
“I think so.” Dad agreed.
“Take that then the signs for Mettmann, the first turn I think.”
“Ok, ah here we go. I came in from Dá¼sseldorf last time.” Dad explained.
Roni's family live on the edge of Mettmann in what I guess is a fairly typical detached house. Not as big as Schloss Bond but still quite roomy. Frau Grá¶nberg insisted we stay for lunch even if it was only a bit after eleven when we arrived. That's how I know so much about their house, the invalid got to entertain me while her mum bent Dad's ear.
“How's the er injury?”
“A bit sore, they didn't even sew it up, they just used those plaster things to close it.”
“It looked really nasty yesterday.”
“A little blood goes a long way.” Roni noted.
“Still.”
“Well I bet no one will beat this story at school next week.”
Maybe not here in Mettmann but in Ahrweiler I'll be running it close!
“What did you do in the holidays, oh I got gored by Wild Boar! Yup I think that'll be hard to beat.” I agreed.
“So if you take the first right that'll take you out to the Three.” Roni's mum instructed us.
“Thanks for lunch, hopefully we'll see you both in a couple of weeks at the velodrome.”
We pulled away to start the last leg of our somewhat extended ride home.
“I think that was the turn Dad!”
“Already? Bugger! We'll have to look for somewhere to turn around.”
“There's a turn up ahead.”
“I see it.”
“It's signposted for Ká¶ln, maybe this is the right turn she meant.”
“Well it'll do for me.”
We took the turn and headed out into the countryside.
“What's that? Neandertalmuseum?”
“Where?”
“That sign on the right.”
“I didn't realise we were near that, fancy a butchers?”
Or put another way ‘I'd like to have a look but you get to decide sort of'.
“Whatever.”
We slowed down and turned into the car park. The museum was a sort of oval thing covered in aluminium.
I wasn't quite sure what this place was about but Dad seemed pretty enthused. That should've been a hint I guess, turns out its like an archaeology place, apparently they found some bones nearby of some human ancestors called Neanderthals. The museum sort of traces mans history from the start to the present — not really my sort of thing but Dad enjoyed it. All I'll say is that they were well ugly!
We had some of those earphone things giving a sort of commentary as we walked up the sort of spiral which Dad reckoned represented the ascent of Man — well I think we're in trouble in that case coz at the top was just a coffee shop! I was surprised to find that we'd been there nearly two hours when we got to the top, despite having not that long ago having eaten at Roni's I managed to find space for a Danish with my coffee. With a final photo opportunity on the way out we finally departed at just turned three.
The rest of the drive home took another hour and a half, nearly all on boring autobahns; only the last few km back to Dernau was on ordinary roads.
“About time too.”
“Mum!”
“Hi ya love.” Dad got to her first and gave her a good kissing — gross!
“Is everything okay? I thought you were supposed to be in Spain.”
“You're running a day late, we got back this morning.”
“How'd it go?” Dad asked.
“Mountains and two top six.”
“What about you?”
“Eleventh, it was a bit hot for me.”
“Kewl.”
“Looks like I'm taking the backseat to you young man, Jules told me you won yesterday.”
“Only just.”
“Doesn't matter by how much kiddo.”
“I guess.”
“She also told me about Friday. I think we need to talk.”
My bubble burst, I'd been trying to forget about that.
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *19* Wein
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Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *19*
Text in Blue is in German.
Of course there were repercussions after last night. To start with Anna and Steffi have now seen me dressed as a girl and worse than that Steffi knows of Gaby. Oh and it gets worse. When I took Steffi home it was a bit of a rush so not only was I still wearing Anna's skirt and blouse but Fr Thesing saw me dressed that way. That's why I'm dressed like this this morning, check shirt, jeans and even proper shoes, I need to reinforce my masculinity.
"Guten Tag Drew" Anna greeted me as I parked my bike outside the bakery.
"Hi Anna, I've er got your stuff I borrowed, all washed."
"Thanks, Stefan should have our machine running later so I can rescue your stuff."
"Sounds interesting" Pia Mentioned parking her Kettler next to the other bikes.
"Hi, Drew had to borrow some stuff last night." Anna started to explain.
"Morning guys." Steffi greeted as she joined us at our usual table.
"How come?"
"We got caught in that storm last night?"
I just wanted the ground to open and swallow me.
"What did you borrow Drew?"
"Um" I started.
"The red blouse and the black print skirt, you know I wore it to Greta's birthday." Anna put in.
"And it really suited her." Steffi added.
"So why don't you where skirts and stuff to school?" Pia Enquired between mouthfuls of pastry.
"I um don't have any." I was turning redder by the second and that wasn't strictly true either.
"Our Drew is a bit of a Tom boy" Steffi smirked.
Then it dropped, the penny that is - they think I'm a girl!
"Hi girls!" Bridget called from the doorway.
"We need to go shopping Bridget, Drew here hasn't any decent clothes."
"Um"
"Hey cool, we should make a day to Ká¶ln or Bonn." Bridget enthused.
"But..."
"Great idea," Steffi agreed, "Pinkie have some great stuff right now."
"It'll be fun eh Drew?"
Fun? How do I sort this one out? They'll go ballistic if I tell them that I'm a boy after all I've been in Steffi and Anna's bedrooms and worn Anna's clothes. Mum - help!
Connie and Nena arrived together and joined the breakfast crew at Thesing's and it wasn't long before the 'Dernau' gang were deep into organizational mode. The guys back in Warsop could sometimes get a bit like this but I was much more heavily outnumbered here - and they all really thought I was a 'Má¤dchen'!
“Um guys?” I started.
“Oh right,” Connie broke off, “time to go kids.”
Bum, my confession of boydom will have to wait till later.
School is school pretty much wherever you are and although it's in a different language the lessons at Silverberg are pretty much the same as Warsop. Except for Frau Boxberg's extra German sessions.
"So Drew how are you getting along?"
"Okay I guess."
"Making friends? I've seen you with Steffi and her friends."
"Yeah we come to school together most days." I agreed.
"Boy friends?"
"Boyfriends? Why would I have a boyfriend?"
"No you misunderstand Drew, other male students" She quickly inserted.
That's the problem with this language stuff; it's quite easy to misunderstand something.
"Well not really, I'm not into the same stuff I guess."
"Maybe" she noted. "Best get started then."
"Yes miss."
She watched as her newest student got his stuff ready, he's a nice lad, polite, and the girls seem to have taken him under their wing. Mind you it's a bit odd he hasn't become friends with any of the boys.
"So today we will look at past participle..."
Drew tugged his shoes on and was soon making haste back to Dernau. The girls left ages ago so for once he could make his own pace and tonight that was f.a.s.t. as Mum was due home.
"Home!"
"Your late." Dad mentioned.
"I was with Frau Boxberg."
"Oh your extra German. Look Mum won't be back till about seven so we'll eat out when she gets here, make sure your ready."
"Yes Dad." Just time to go for a quick ride.
Plenty of time to get ready, hmm I wonder if I've got any mail?
Old faithful was soon booted up and within a couple of minutes he was logging into Yaboo. Lets see, inbox - thirty-two new messages - I bet they are mostly spam, I wish Paul had set that filter thingy up before we moved.
Drew scanned the list and it was indeed mostly spam, get rich quick, have better sex - right! Oh that's Ally he grinned seeing her ‘Allythegerbil' I.D. in the list. He clicked on the message and impatiently waited for it to load.
‘Hi Drewbie!
Sounds like your busy so I'll let you off not mailing before! BTW the gang and everyone in class say hi.
A visit sounds good, the others would like to come too so if you can work out some dates for us.
Who is Steffi? She in your class?
It seems really weird without you here + of course no Rhod at school either. I think Mad and Helen are getting along a bit better - well
there hasn't been a fight lately!
Ttfn
Ally'
I re read the message a couple of times before my reverie was broken.
"DREW BOND, get your bum in gear, we're leaving in five minutes." dad's voice informed me. Where did the time go? Sugar, I didn't even shower let alone go for a ride. I scrabbled out of my school clothes, paused briefly at the sink then dressed with a bit less planning than I intended.
"I told you to dress in something decent" Dad fumed when I got downstairs.
"What's wrong with it?"
Well okay so I was wearing jeans, but they're clean and this is one of my favourite t-shirts. Truth be known it was the only one I could find that was clean!
"I'll live with the jeans but I'm not taking you into a restaurant wearing that t shirt. Go and put a proper shirt on."
"Yes Dad" I sighed.
I trooped back up to my nest and pulled the wardrobe open. So okay maybe a manga t-shirt with a big bosomed girl across the chest wasn't my best choice! I surveyed my options, some slightly tired old school shirts would've been okay if I had a magic iron, and my other lumberjack shirt is missing some buttons. Hmm what's this? Collar, ironed, looks like it has all the buttons - it's a wrap! Or as I discovered two minutes later, a blouse!
My options were all used up so with a resigned sigh I put it on. At least it was plain except for the two tiny breast pockets and, I reasoned, it could pass as a boy shirt unless you looked close.
Altenahr is a bit touristy but maybe because of that there are several half decent restaurants and it was to one of these we headed after parking the car at the Bahnhof. The fine weather encouraged a fair number of tourists ‘Promenieren' on the streets of the small town which we had to dodge to get to the ‘Goldene Brá¼cke', a large establishment with a riverside terrace.
“In or out?” Dad enquired.
“Out I think Dave, looks a bit smoky inside.” Mum decided for us.
We trooped through to the terrace and swooped on a newly vacated table next to the fence that stops you falling into the river.
“Guten Abend, Speisekarte?” the young waiter enquired.
“Ja bitte, Haben Sie ein Tagesgericht?” Mum got to show off her skills in the language. He deftly passed out the menus.
“Tut mir Leid, heute ist Spezialitá¤ten Nacht .”
“Okay, das ist gut.” Mum replied.
“Getrá¤nke ?” our waiter suggested. I know that one, it's drinks.
“Eine Flasche offener Wein, Drew?” Mum prompted.
“Er Cola bitter.” I stammered.
“Und das andere Má¤dchen ?”
“Cola Light danke” Jules finished by poking her tongue piercing at me.
“Juliette Bond, I told you to take that out.” Dad hissed across the table.
“Sorree.” She didn't exactly sound it.
“We'll talk later young lady.”
“Whatever.”
Dad glared back at Goth Girl.
“Zo Ihre Flasche Wein,” our waiter was back and placing the ‘rents drink on the table, “ Cola fá¼r Sie und Cola light hier.” He winked; I swear he did, at Jules.
“Danke” Mum mentioned.
Time to peruse the me-n-you.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm taking getting to like the food out here (not that I couldn't murder a battered sausage and chips with curry sauce!). However, pretty much everywhere you go there are the same things on the menu — Wiener Schnitzel, Gulasch Suppe, Bratwurst — you get the idea and whilst they are all quite good they get a bit samey. So my eyes were drawn to the ‘specials' page, wonder what that is ‘Gefá¼llte Kalbsbrust mit Bratkartoffeln, Erbsen, frischer Spargel mit einer spezial Ká¤sesoáŸe'. Some sort of meat with taters, peas and whatever spargel is — hmm, I'll try anything once!
“Ready?” Mum enquired.
“Think so.”
The waiter was obviously waiting and watching for some sort of sign and was at Mums elbow with pen and pad at the ready before I put the menu down.
“So?”
“Der gemischte Salat und Strammer Max.” Dad started.
“Tagessuppe und Huhn mit Reis.” Was Mum's choice.
“Okay, Frá¤ulein?”
Does he mean me?
“Drew.” Jules hinted.
“Oh right, um Bohnensalad and the erm Gefult Carbsbrost.” My pronunciation couldn't have been too bad; mind you he did take a quick glance at where my finger was pointed.
“Und Sie?” he asked my sister.
“Tagessuppe and then Schinken Salat mit pommies.”
“Danke.” And he was gone and I'm certain he winked at Jules again.
“So how is the teaching going?” Mum addressed my sibling.
In case you missed me mentioning it before Jules is doing some sort of teaching assistant thing at my school until the summer before starting her new school, college whatever in September.
“‘S okay I guess but they speak English with some weird American accent.”
“Yeah I noticed that.” I chimed in.
“Frau Boxberg did mention that they usually have some Canadian assistants in the language labs.” Mum noted.
“I guess it might be Canadian but it's like really weird to listen to.”
“They probably think you sound strange.”
“But I'm English!”
“Exactly.” Dad grinned.
“So how are you getting on with the German Drew?”
“Okay I guess.”
“The sessions with Frau Boxberg helping?”
“I guess but all this male / female stuff is a bit hard to get.”
“What about the other subjects?” Dad put in.
“They're okay I guess, I can follow most of it and the girls help if I get stuck.”
Our starters arrived at that point and everyone's attention turned to stuffing their faces! Hmm so that's what Bohnensalat is, a dish of salad with some red and white beans in it, at least its fresh unlike the limp stuff you get back home.
You don't really want a blow-by-blow description of dinner do you? All I'll say is it was good and I even managed to snaffle a half glass of the ‘rents wein! Our waiter was definitely flirting with Jules who in turn was returning some of his attention.
“Rechnung bitte.” Dad requested some two hours after we arrived.
Smiling boy brought the bill over and after a quick check Dad paid.
“Come on then, anyone fancy a walk up to the castle?”
Memories of the climb last year came flooding back.
“Think I'll pass.”
“As if” Jules rolled her eyes.
“I guess that's a no then.” Dad sighed.
“Anyone fancy ice cream?” Mum enquired.
We hadn't had a dessert and I am addicted to the stuff.
“Yes please!”
“Dave?”
Dad's as bad as me.
“I um think I could manage one.”
I'm sure my sister thought no one saw but she definitely waved at waiter boy as we left the terrasse — hmm blackmail material, he he he.
We walked round to the ice cream shop — wish they had these at home, each of us suggesting a combination for our cones. My choice was clear- Pfirsich und Kokosnuss — peach and coconut, mmm! Mind you pistachio and cherry is good too. There are some things about living in Germany I'm really getting to like and the ice cream shops are close to the top.
The ice cream was consumed on the walk back to the car and all too soon we were back at Bond towers in Dernau.
“Don't be too late going to bed Drew.” Mum called after me as I headed to my eyrie.
It was a bit after ten; hmm I ought to reply to Ally's email. I hit the on button and by the time I was in my jarmas the computer was ready to go.
‘Wotcha Al
Yep its all go here…'
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *20* Tracking the Moves
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *20* Tracking the Moves
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *20*
Text in Blue is in German
Jules Mofa* spluttered to a halt on the drive.
“And what time do you call this?” Dad was absolutely boiling.
“Erm late?”
“Too right its late, I've a mind to take your keys away.”
“Daa-aad!”
“Don't Dad me, you know the rules, ten o'clock you are supposed to be home, its half eleven now.”
“Sorree.” My sister mumbled.
“Get that thing inside.”
This was just the latest in a string of such episodes since Mum and Dad agreed that Jules could have a Mofa for her birthday. I listened through my open window to scuffles, creaks and cursing before the workshop door slammed shut and the argument moved indoors. I'm sure we haven't done much for the reputation of Brits abroad lately with all these shouting matches.
I sighed, even up here I could hear Dad having a go, I wouldn't be in my sister's shoes for anything! And it's the first day back at school tomorrow.
“Bond?”
“Here.”
Have we really been off for eight weeks? This place looks just the same, the sun is still shining and the girls are still dressed for summer. So much has happened since we broke up for the summer, I've been racing all over the place, I won my second under sixteen title back in England and the Dernau gang have done loadsa cool stuff! Its been brilliant, Mum has started racing seriously — to the point where BC** convinced her to defend her Road Race world title next month! Kewl
“Okay so you all have the flyer for the trip ?” Frau Dürst asked
There was a collective mumble.
“So, I need your permissions by Friday please.”
“Yes Miss.” We echoed.
The trip looked like it was gonna be fun even if it was for our science course work. In the morning we are going to the Space Centre near the airport then afterwards we've got a session at the Karting centre at Kerpen. We all had a vote on that bit before the summer break, the alternative was Phantasialand and frankly we are a bit old for that stuff!
I joined the others down at the Bahnhof, Frau Dürst had arranged for the coach to make some pickups on the way to school to save a bit of time.
“Morgen mädchen!”
“Morgen Frau Dürst.” we replied in a chorus, wish she wouldn't count me with the girls.
“Hurry up and get on, not the front seats.”
No one had claimed the back seats yet so we did! We weren't even sat down before the coach moved off and we were barely organised before the coach was swinging around to the stands in front of the school. As everyone else were already waiting we were stopped barely ten minutes before we started out for the space centre.
“So Drew, you gonna show us how to cheer?”
It was all my own fault for letting Connie see my scrapbooks. She'd told Steff who'd told Nena and Pia.
“Dunno if I have time this week.” I hedged.
“We could come round to yours to do our homework and you could show us after.” Steffi suggested.
“Great idea!” Pia enthused.
“Your Dad wont mind will he?” Nena asked as an after thought.
“I guess not,” I admitted, “as long as Jules hasn't wound him up again.”
“What has she done?” Steff enquired.
“She keeps going off on her Mofa.” Connie put in before I could say anything.
“She didn't get home until nearly midnight the other night.” I added.
So it looked like I would have to show them some cheer moves to get them off my back. My thoughts drifted to Warsop and the Foresters — I wonder what they are all doing?
“Hey Mad, you heard from Drew?” Paul called across the cloakroom.
“Not for a couple of weeks.” Maddy admitted.
“Tell him I said hi when you do.”
“You could email him yourself.” Mad pointed out.
“I lost his address.” Paul countered.
“Geez, I'll send it to you.”
“Cheers Mad, you wanna go to see a film on Saturday?”
“Maybe, let you know.”
Mad let the world go by and started daydreaming. When Drew was around all the gang woulda been out on Saturday, going to one of his races or Meadowhell for the day. One thing's for sure there was never a dull moment when Drewbie was in town! It was only just over three months since the Bonds emigrated but already things were so different. Before the summer she wouldn't have even thought of going out with Paul but now, well now a girl has to have some fun right?
The German Space Centre was an impressive place and everyone seemed to enjoy the visit. We had a questionnaire thing to fill out — I really had trouble with some of the technical words, I mean what is a ‘Weltraumlabor' or ‘Stromerzeugungspotenziale'? Anyway we were told all about the European Space Station project and we got a chance to play with a full-scale model of a Mars Rover.
We returned to the bus around one and started the shortish drive to our afternoon stop.
“Okay listen up people.” Frau Dürst suggested.
We sort of quieted down.
“Okay, our session starts at two thirty sharp so please make sure you get to the pit area by quarter past. I suggest you eat now if you haven't already done so, have fun!”
The Michael Schumacher Kart Centrum was pretty impressive. Once inside the huge building the noise sort of hits you, the lawnmower whine of go karts pervading even to the loos! We had half an hour to kill so we took in the ‘Michael Schumacher' museum and gift shop — not a patch on when we went to the Nürburgring last year.
The Karting session was a hoot. We went onto the track in six kart heats then they ran something like a repechange that you get in some track racing events so that everyone had at least three goes against different people. I was amazed to get through to the ‘B' final. It was only six laps and I guess my competitive spirit broke free as I completely whupped the rest, which got me a place in the grand final!
“Good luck Drew.”
“Gab-ee, Gab-ee.”
I couldn't hear too well with the crash helmet on but I guess the girls were shouting pretty loud. The start light went to amber, flashed once then went green. As far as I knew it was an all boy final, I guess we're more competitive at stuff like this than the girls; there had been some hairy driving this afternoon! Although I started at the back of the grid I soon found myself up in third spot and spent the rest of the race maintaining that position, I seemed able to go quickly on the straights but I lost ground cornering.
“Third place and best girl — Drew Bond!” the mc announced.
What the?
“Go on Drew, fetch your prize.” Steffi prodded me.
“But..”
There was a good-natured cheer as I joined the others on the podium to be greeted by a raft of flashes as pretty much the rest of the group captured the moment on film. We each had one of those laurel things; much to my chagrin mine had a sash with ‘1st Mädchen' slung across it for all to see.
“Have a good day Drew?” Frau Dürst enquired as we milled about before getting on the coach.
“Yes thanks miss except winning the girls prize.”
“Um sorry about that, that wasn't to do with me, the chap in charge was keeping track and I guess he thought Drew was a girls name.”
“It's short for ANDREW,” I hissed under my breath.
"So its one and two and three and four" Drew showed his pupils again.
"How did you learn all this Drew?" Annie asked as they got into the ready position.
"We told you," Connie mentioned, "Drew was in his school team."
How they came to be in Nina's garden learning some basic cheering from Drew is a long story - well not that long but it started two weeks ago...
..."Aw go on" Connie chivvied.
"What for?"
"Well to show me what it looks like?"
"You put it on then"
"It won't fit me, I'm bigger than you"
Well that was true, Connie was a good 6 inches taller than him and correspondingly bigger all-round!
"Pretty please?" she whined.
In truth he was a little afraid to put the blue and yellow outfit on again. Afraid that it would bring back memories, afraid that he might like it. On the other hand it wasn't like he'd be rejoining the Foresters was it?
They had to change their plans this morning though, Dad wanted to talk to Goth Gurl this evening so they had relocated to Nina's. He hit the play button again and counted them in.
The evening had actually turned out to be quite fun, what the girls lacked in skills they made up for in enthusiasm. Several times they'd ended up in a heap on the floor, which resulted in much laughter and hilarity. He was sure Miss C would be laughing her head off at his teaching methods but whatever, they were having fun. At least he'd escaped putting the Foresters uniform on again, although Connie tried to get him to bring it but he had ‘forgotten' to pick it up this morning — some things he'd do but others…
* Low powered mopeds that anyone over sixteen can ride without a licence, restricted to @25kph. Helmets are not compulsory.
** British Cycling
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *21* Das Mädchen
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This is an absolute first - This chapter is getting posted here first! Don't get in too much of a tiz - Angharad threw down the gauntlet last night so I had to reply in like!. This will be going up on my site with 179 next week so for now consider yourselves spoilt!
Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *21* Das Má¤dchen
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *21*
Text in Blue is in German.
"Are you listening Gaby?"
"Yeah yeah."
"Well I decided to have 'I love Robbie Williams' tattooed on my back."
"What?" Drew suddenly snapped to attention.
"I said that I'm getting ' I love Robbie...'"
"Tattooed on your back, but you hate him," the penny suddenly dropped, "and I wasn't listening was I?"
"Gotcha!" Jules crowed.
"So what do ya want?"
"Mum said to remind you to put the washing on."
"Yeah I know."
"So what's got your attention so much?"
"Homework, European history."
"What're you doing?"
"The Habsburg succession in the sixteenth century."
"Heavy!"
"Yeah and everything I can find on the web is in German."
"Bummer!"
"Looks like I'll have to skank the info from one of the girls, my Germish isn't up to translating that stuff. So like are you getting a tattoo?"
"Well duh! You know what the olds were like with my tongue."
"So that's no then."
"For now at least, maybe when I go to uni. Well I'm off, I've got a date tonight."
"Not that Jürgen kid?"
"Might be"
Drew rolled his eyes; Jules seemed to change her boyfriends like others change knickers!
"See ya laters!" Jules concluded as she disappeared down stairs.
No rest for some though, Drew re read the question, 'In what circumstances did the succession change in 1546?' 'It'll be some prince or other with a great string of odd names, Josef Maria von Clodstein or some such. I wonder if Connie knows? '
"So Drew, you fancy earning a few Euros?" Frau Thesing enquired.
"Um."
"Its only a bit of work in the café on Sundays."
"What would I have to do?" my interest was piqued.
"Help Connie serve tables, clean up, you know, general stuff."
"Sounds okay but I'll need to ask my parents."
"Of course, let me know soon though as I'll need to advertise if you can't do it. Oh its €50 a week."
€50's! Wow, that's over two weeks allowance!
"I'll let you know tomorrow."
Fr. Thesing left to be replaced by Connie.
"Here we go, Habsburg's."
"You're mum just offered me a job."
"Kewl, for Sundays?"
"Uh huh."
"Please say you'll do it, its great fun and easy money."
"Really?"
"Sure, we just take the orders and serve them, Mama and Papa do the rest."
"I need to check with my 'rents but I could do with some extra money - specially with Chrimbo coming up."
"Brill!"
"I guess we'd best do our homework now though."
"Worst luck."
“So Connie's mum has offered you a job?”
“Yep.”
“Doing what pray?”
“You know, waitress - I mean waiter stuff, serving an cleaning an all that.”
“What about your training and school work?”
“It's only in the afternoons so I can still go training first and I can do my homework with Connie. Please Dad can I do it?”
Dave was a little taken aback — Drew actually wanting to work — its not that he's lazy, no one who's achieved what he has on a bike can be lazy but volunteering for work?
“If I say yes you have to be properly committed to going every week, no skiving ‘cause you don't feel like it, Frau Thesing wants a worker not just a body.”
“Does that mean I can do it?”
“Yes you can do it.”
“So he said I can do it Con.”
“Kewl!”
“I'd best speak to your Mum.”
“Sure, (Mama, Drew's on the phone, you want to speak to her? ……. Ok, right, sure. ) She's tied up right now Drew, she said to sort it out in the morning before we go to school.”
“Ok, in that case I'd best not chat, Mum'll be ringing from Italy soon and I wanna tell her.”
“See you in the morning then, tschuss!”
“Tschuss.”
“So that okay Drew?”
“Yeah great Frau Thesing, Sunday at eleven.”
“You'd best join the others, you don't want to be later for school!”
“Thanks again.”
I returned to where Steff and Connie and crew were just starting to gather their stuff.
“So you are to be a waitress Drew?” Anna asked.
“From Sunday.”
“We'll have to come for free coffee.” Pia mentioned.
“I er dunno about that.” I started to panic, would everyone come in wanting discounts and free stuff?
“Just kidding Drew, you went very pale.”
“Um just the excitement I guess. We'd best go if we're not gonna be late.”
The summer was certainly different in Germany to back home in Warsop. Firstly there was the weather - it's not like it was always hot and sunny it's just that you noticed the rain less! So okay there have been a few heavy downpours but there was definitely a tendency towards blue skies and high temperatures.
Then there's the whole social thing. I guess there is stuff happening in Warsop but mostly it's a bit focused - old fogey stuff or kids events, the only things that really include everyone are the carnival and bonfire night. There just seems to be so much happening if not in the village then in the local area. And not only that but most people take part too - not like back home. One thing was for sure and that's that everyone likes to party!
The girls in particular had been on about this latest bun fight for weeks, you remember I told you they grow grapes round here? Like for making wine? Well apparently they have this ‘Queen of the Vineyards' thing, a bit like a carnival queen but they have one of them too. So the girls, well most of them, all aspire to this post - Steffi was telling me that there's a Euro 1000 prize plus you get to do some cool stuff. There's only one catch really and that's that you can't enter for the competition, you get nominated / sponsored and then its a free vote of everyone in town. The winner is announced at a big do the night before the Weinfest proper and that's only a fortnight away.
Obviously my main interest is in the party! But I know Connie is keen to take part but out of the others only Pia and Anna are eligible and Anna's not really bothered. Steff and Nena are nominees in their respective village events — each of the villages then competes for a sort of ‘Queen of the Valley' title.
Drew tugged his stocking into place and slumped back on his bed. He didn't really feel like going tonight but he'd promised Connie - it didn't mean he had to like it. He stared at his ceiling, at the pictures stuck there. The pictures were of all sorts of stuff - bikes, his friends, articles from various bike mags - well the usual stuff any teen accumulates.
He scanned the colorful array there was that picture of the Forester's taken just before they moved, that double page spread from the comic when they went for that ride, a signed picture of Lance Armstrong ‘to Gaby Bond, keep on wheeling, Lance', the podium at the TdF Feminin, with Mad at that first Anime Con. It struck him then that there was one thing in common with all the pictures with him on - he wasn't on them. He scanned the gallery again to confirm his findings, nope not one picture of Drew but lots of Gaby.
He pulled his knees up and without thinking started rubbing his nylon clad legs. Gaby seems to be the one who does all the exciting stuff and gets all the attention. When I'm me I never seem to attract much attention, its like I don't exist but Gaby... With a start he realised what he had been doing and immediately stopped and sat up.
Tonight was going to be no better, a trip to Pia's place for some dance thing. So here he was in bra and knickers debating what to wear and jeans and a T were not on the list! No Connie had been insistent that it should be a frock and to his chagrin he realised he wasn't exactly short of feminine togs. Really how did all this get started?
With a sigh he went over to his wardrobe and surveyed his choices. Despite himself he had some favourite girls clothes, mostly skirts and jumpers but somehow they didn't seem appropriate for this evening. That left a small selection of dresses and one in particular was screaming for him to choose it. He pulled it down and posed in front of the mirror. Yep, he'd get Jules to do his hair up and he could wear the black shrug. That decided he set about finishing dressing, as seemed all too regular his earlier consternation changed to a warm comfortable feeling as he slipped into the silky frock.
"You what!"
"You won the vote Drew." Pia enthused.
Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit! This really can't be happening. I mean I didn't even know I was nominated until last week and now I've won. Hmm, so what are my options, come clean and tell the organisers that I'm a boy - that'd be favourite. Yep that's what I should do.
"Drew? You okay?"
"Uh yeah, just a bit shocked."
"It's just so cool, you get treated like royalty, I can't believe I know the Königin !"
This nightmare cannot be happening to me.
"Drew? You've gone awfully pale, Drew!"
With that I passed out.
"It must have been the excitement." I heard through the fug.
"She's coming round, Drew, wake up Drew."
"Wha?"
"You fainted young lady,” a voice I recognised vaguely as Pia's mother informed me. "You gave us quite a fright."
"Erm sorry." why is she calling me Jungfrau? My befuddled brain enquired.
"Do you want a drink?" Pia asked from somewhere above me.
"Er please."
"Lay there for a few minutes dear then you'd best make an appearance!"
"Thanks."
Appearance? Then it hit me, the reason for my fainting, the Wein Queen thing - oh bugger! Can I make a run for it now? I eased myself up to a sitting position, to find myself in a corner of the restaurant that Pia's family own. Outside there was a crowd, lots of cheering and no chance of escape!
"Here you go your majesty." Pia did a little curtsey thing as she passed me a glass of water.
"Pia, I er."
"I bet you're nervous, I know I would be,” she rambled on.
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *22* Twisted Logic
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *22* Twisted Logic
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *22*
Text in Blue is in German.
Connie had not been lying about working at the bakery, its not exactly hard work even if it's surprisingly busy considering the size of Dernau. Believe it or not they open at seven even on a Sunday and a good percentage of the village buy their breakfast ‘Brötchen' from the Thesing's — even the Bond household if we're all about. The real reason for wanting some extra Sunday staff was so Connie's parents could get a little downtime instead of working all day.
Connie, as number one cheap waitress starts around ten usually but the new ‘girl', me, starts at one and through to just after five when the café closes. Con's parents tend to have a couple of hours break after I arrive although not necessarily both at the same time, Connie can work the coffee machine and even I can manage to serve cakes ‘n stuff. Most of the bread has gone by the time I arrive so most of the customers are for the café, but like I say, we're hardly rushed off our feet.
Today is my third one working here and I've been promised training on the coffee machine, such excitement! At the minute though its time for a quick sweep round and as newbie guess who gets the job?
“Hey Drew, hurry up.” Con shouted back to where I was emptying the sweeping pan.
“Coming!” geez, it can't have got that busy in the two minutes I've been out back.
I finished with the pan and gave my hands a quick rinse before heading to the shop.
“Come on Drew!”
“I'm coming already!” I pointed out stepping around the counter, “where's the fire?”
“There you are, Nena and Claudia are here, come on I'll introduce you.”
Introduce me? I already know Nena.
“Here she is guys, Claudia, may I introduce the new girl in the Dorf, Drew Bond.”
“Er hi.” I managed; I'll get you for that Connie Thesing! “Um nice to meet you.”
“Oh hi Drew, Nena has told me so much about you.” Claudia smiled.
I was a bit taken aback, Claudia was obviously Nena's sister but she looked more like a younger one than older. In fact she looked decidedly frail despite the chirpy grin that she shares with Nena, I realised with a start I was staring.
“Um sorry.” I blushed.
“Hey its alright, I get the same reaction all the time, I really am older than Nen aren't I Diddlina?”
“Claud!”
“You guys want coffee?” Connie enquired.
“Ooh yes please Con, I've really missed coming here, um better make it decaf tho.”
“Sit Drew, we're not exactly overrun.” Connie instructed as she headed to coffee central.
“So Drew you are the famous Rennradlerin?”
I think that means race cyclist.
“Not exactly famous.”
“Does she always blush so Nena?”
“Quite often.”
“My Mum is the famous one.” I put in.
“Modest too.”
I gathered my courage, “I hope you don't take this wrong Claudia but Nena said you were really ill, you sort of look ok to me.”
“At the moment I am not so bad,”
“She has MS Drew.” Nena cut in as if I should know what that is.
“As I was saying before clog mouth here butted in,” Claudia nudged her sibling, “I'm having better health at the moment, do you know MS?”
“Here's your coffee Claud.” Connie announced placing the girls drinks on the table.
“Thanks. Drew?”
“Um nothing really, something with muscles?”
“Hmm sort of you maybe are thinking of MD, MS sort of affects all sorts of stuff. For me I have several things, mobility problems, I get tired easily and my memory is very poor also. There are other things but they are the main things, I am quite lucky, some people have things much worse.”
“How long have you been?…”
“Sick? Well maybe since kindergarten although not always so bad.”
“Nena said you are staying in a sanatorium in the south?”
“Worse luck! The Bad Herrenalb Sanatorium , which really sucks!”
“Claudia!” Nena sounded shocked.
“You don't have to live there sis. It really is dreary tho' yeah we sometimes go to Baden, to the baths or Karlsruhe shopping but the place is really in the back of nowhere with not much to do.”
“But you are much better in health there.” The younger sister mentioned.
“I guess but sometimes you really need to get out. That is when I'm not being tortured by the staff.”
“Tortured!” Con and I both exclaimed.
“They call it therapy.” She grinned.
“What do they do?” Connie asked before I could.
“All sorts of stuff, mobility stuff mostly but cognitive as well.”
“What's that?”
“Sorry I forget you don't know the terms, sort of brain stuff, to help remember better and stuff.”
“You still have school though?”
“Sure Drew, but that sucks too, I have a tutor and most of the other kids are younger so there's no one to talk with. Well I have some friends but they are older, you know what I mean.”
“Sorry Claudia, for the inquisition.”
“What for Drew? Most peoples first question is ‘can I catch it?' at least you didn't spring that one.” She grinned.
Actually I did want to ask that but I guess that wouldn't be wise just now would it?
“So how do you like living in Ahrtal Drew?”
“I'm a getting used to it I guess.”
“She's one of the gang now sis!” Nena added.
“I'm not sure that's a good thing.” Claudia noted with a straight-ish face.
“Hey!” Nena took a swipe at her sister.
“Only kidding, so you guys fancy going to Mayen tomorrow?”
“Mayen?” I asked, the name was sort of familiar.
“The other side of The Ring Drew.” Nena filled in.
“There's some good shops there.” Connie noted.
“So?” Claudia asked again, “you coming?”
We hadn't got anything planned, well I have my training run of course but I'm home before nine usually so that's no problem.
“Er ok.”
“Great! Annie and Steff already said yes and my friend Martine too.” Claudia beamed.
I guess she really doesn't get out much.
“Well we'd best get off, Dad is picking us up at the Haltestelle, we are going to the grandparents.” Nena told us.
“And I can't run so well!” Claudia joked as she started to get up.
I was quite shocked when I realised she had sticks to walk — I hope it didn't show too much.
“So we are taking the bus from Adenau so meet us on the nine thirty up train?”
“Sure.” Connie confirmed.
“See you guys tomorrow” Claudia waved before starting what to me looked to be a painful walk towards the main road.
“Come on Drew, we'd best start on the cabinets.” Connie encouraged.
“Er sure.” I gave a last look at Claudia and Nena's progress down the road, that must really suck.
I stared at my bedroom ceiling, not seeing the stuff stuck up there. I'd spent an hour after getting back home looking up Multiple Sclerosis on the web. It was really scary stuff and I'm sure Claudia wasn't exactly telling us everything. Some of the treatment sounds worse than the symptoms! And what's worse is that there's not a cure as such, just treatment. I know what I get like if I have to stay in hospital even just overnight, to just about live there must be so bad — I can't even imagine that. I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't go riding and stuff, Claudia can hardly walk! But she seems so chirpy, not like really maudlin or anything — at least to us.
It being Monday, the ‘rest' day in my cycling schedule, I only had an hours ride to get in so I did my sort circuit, up the valley to Altenahr then up through Houverath before swinging around through Berg then Kalenborn before dropping back to Dernau via Esch. My computer makes it about thirty k's and it's a reasonable workout. Even so I was running a bit late and had to run to meet Connie at the station.
“Geez Drew, you're cutting it a bit fine.”
“Couldn't find any clean underwear.” I admitted.
In fact I found plenty except it was still wet as I forgot to put the drier on before I went out, as a result I resorted to raiding the ‘Gaby' drawer. So okay most of my knickers are girls ones but at least they are plain, the Gaby stash can only be described as ‘lingerie' — all lace an' that but at least they're clean and dry.
Before Connie could make anything of that the up train arrived and we joined the other early trippers. Nena and Claudia joined us at Mayschoß and the girls spent the trip up to Ahrbruck catching up with stuff that I didn't know about so I was only half listening.
“Aren't the others coming?” I realised there were supposed to be more of us.
“They cancelled this morning.” Nena advised with a sigh.
“Oh right.”
“We can have fun still.” Connie pointed out.
“Yeah sure.”
Once past Altenahr and the old Engine sheds the train was pretty empty, only locals really except for a couple of serious looking mountain bikers. The train terminates at Ahrbrück so we crossed the platform with everyone else to get on the bus that goes through to Adenau.
Claudia was walking almost normally this morning, just using one stick, I still had to stop myself trying to help her, I saw Connie do the same. I was surprised to see the mountain bikers get on too but there was a reserved bay on the bus so I guess it's quite normal.
“So Drew, my sister says you come from north England.”
“Well north Midlands really.”
“You have scenery there?” Claudia continued.
“Not really, we lived in the middle of a coalfield.”
“Like tante Helga in Itzehoe Nena, they have Kohl fields all around them, it smells terrible in autumn.”
We sometimes used to get a blast of sulphur from the coke plant if the wind was wrong but that'd be any time of year.
“Erm why in autumn?” I enquired.
“When they pick the Kohl of course.” Nena supplied.
Pick the coal? Surely they mine it and why only in autumn?
“At least it tastes better than it smells.” Connie noted.
“You eat coal?” I couldn't believe what I was hearing, geez even the thought of it!
“Hot pickled Kohl with potato and beef — surely you have tried it?” Claudia exclaimed.
I thought for a minute, the only red stuff I could think of I'm sure Mum said was cabbage.
The conversation was halted by our arrival in Adenau where we piled off in the market place.
“Look the Mayen bus is waiting.” Connie pointed out.
“There's five minutes before it leaves, I'm not that slow!” Claudia mentioned.
Con flushed, “sorry, I didn't mean anything Clau.”
“S'alright, Con, its just that everyone assumes I need help all the time.”
“She can be too stubborn sometimes.” Nena put in.
“I admit it sis.”
By this time we had arrived at the bus, well coach really, it wasn't exactly easy access.
“Hmm maybe I need a bit of help here.” Claudia admitted.
“I'll go up and help from the top.” I volunteered.
“Thanks.”
To give him his due the driver did assist by holding the boarding gate out of the way and although it sounds like a lot of fuss it wasn't really. The big problem was that Claudia hasn't much strength for stair climbing so Nena moved her legs while I steadied her from above.
“Thanks Drew, I sometimes end up crawling!”
How undignified! We barely got ourselves settled before we set off and we were soon climbing out of town towards Nürburg. This bus takes the long way up through the race circuit emerging up near the Grand Prix circuit. Not that you could see anything but we could hear cars or something being given some well around the ‘Alte' circuit, hmm maybe I'll have to come up on a race day. The bus paused briefly in the village and I could see the castle looming high above the Eifel.
The drive on to Mayen was uneventful; taking about thirty-five minutes by the time we'd visited several villages on the way. We got off at the bottom of the town and crossed over to the gate that marked the entrance to the old town.
“Have you been here before Drew?” Claudia asked.
“Er no, I think we drove past once.”
“So you don't know the church then?”
“No”
“You can show her later.” Nena mentioned to her sibling.
“Yeah Clau, lets look in Andererwelt .” Connie agreed.
“Sure”
“Andererwelt ?”
“Yeah come on, they have some real neat stuff.”
We made our way towards a shop secreted into the town wall. Now at this point I must point out that except for my underwear I was actually wearing nothing that said ‘girl'. In fact I thought I looked as much ‘boy' as I ever do. The shop, it turned out, was one of those alternative places; you know all leather, velvet and big boots. It reminded me of that place in Worksop except all the signs were in Gothic German!
Somehow I found myself flicking through a rack of t-shirts and stuff — well this stuff is more Jules style than mine but a T is a T.
“Hey Drew, you should try this.”
Connie brandished a hanger at me.
“What is it?” it didn't look like anything in particular.
“Kleid”
Now what was that now, oh yes Kleider that's just clothes.
“Okay” I sighed.
“Wo sind die Ankleideräume?” she called out to the very Goth girl at the till.
“Die Umkleidekabine ist unter der Treppe.”
“Danke, go on Drew.”
Whatever, it looked like some sort of jacket thing although there seemed to be a lot of it. I made my way to the changing room and went into the little cubicle. When I hung the garment up I discovered why there was so much material, it was a flippin dress! Connie! I debated what to do, refuse to put it on was at top of the list but before I could exit the cubicle Claudia called through the curtain.
“Hurry up Drew, there's a queue out here.”
“Erm…”
“Its only a dress.” She noted.
Only a dress. But I'm a boy! I could just go out couldn't I?
“Come on Drew, I want to see what it looks like.” Connie cajoled.
Okay, I put it on, show Connie and change back, tops ten minutes.
“Ah so there you are,” Connie gushed, “looking good, hmm I think it needs some other stuff tho.”
Oh no!
Well that was as much encouragement as first just Connie but then the others needed to use me as their dress up doll. The girl at the counter was no help — in fact she made things worse suggesting stuff and even going to fetch stuff. The first dress wasn't so bad, at least it was a decent length, a bit frilly maybe but it was liveable — not that I'd choose it!
Stupidly I assumed that would be that, I'd get changed back into my jeans and we'd continue shopping. The others had other ideas. Lots of other ideas in fact! So while Nena and Claudia tried one or two pieces on I got to play real size Barbie®!
So okay it wasn't all bad but at some point I let my guard down, Connie painted my nails and I let Claudia play with my hair. I thought she was just using some hair lacquer to hold it in place — Sylv used to do that after all but then I got to look in the mirror.
“What have you done?”
“Keep your hair on,” Nena giggled, “its only a temporary colour.”
“I look like a freak!” I almost cried.
“It'll wash out.” Claudia soothed.
“But, but its BLUE! My hair is BLUE!”
“I think you look cute,” Connie added.
“You don't have BLUE hair!” I pointed out.
“Tell you what, I'll buy you that outfit to make up for it,” Claudia offered, “but you do look cute Drew.”
I don't want to look cute — especially not blue haired cute! I look like some anime character! And exactly why would I want a skirt and camisole? GRRR!
“Sorry Drew, I didn't think you'd mind, you showed me that picture from when you had it green.” Connie put in.
“That wasn't me, it was Maddy.”
“Your Cousin?” Nena asked.
“Yes.” I confirmed with tears now welling up.
Connie held me close.
“Sorry Drew, I thought it was you, its my fault ‘cos I told Claudia about it.”
By now hot salty tears were in full flow and it was some minutes before I regained some sort of composure.
“Tell you what Drew, lets go get some lunch.” Connie suggested.
(Sniff) “Ok” (sniff)
“Come on then.” And my friend dragged me out of Andererwelt.
We were out on the street waiting for the guys to join us before I realised what I was dressed in.
“My clothes!”
“I've got them.” Nena advised as she helped a distraught Claudia out of the door.
“Really Drew, I should of asked.” She sniffled.
“I guess it could be worse,” I admitted. “It could' a been pink.”
“It nearly was,” Connie mentioned, “but it was a two to one vote for blue.”
Ah well, what's done is done. I left home as a blonde boy and now I'm a blue haired girl! Once I'd calmed down I had to admit that it did look quite good but don't tell anyone I said that right? Well, after lunch, salad in the Dinea, Claudia pointed out the church that Mayen is known for — flippin heck it's just like Chesterfield! I tried to translate the Story about the Chesterfield Spire but I think it got lost somewhere and the girls didn't know why the Mayen spire is twisted — maybe I'll look it up when I get home.
By mid afternoon we were running out of shops and it was clear that Claudia was getting pretty tired.
“We should head home,” I suggested. “When's the next bus?”
“Four thirty.” Nena supplied.
“That's nearly two hours!”
“Well we could get the train.” Connie suggested.
“There's one to Andernach in fifteen minutes.” Nena consulted her diary.
“Lets go then!”
Well I have to tell you, it was a close thing. The station was a bit of a walk and there was nom way to rush — even when Claudia let us help her. We must've been quite a sight, me with blue hair, Claudia with her sticks and the other pair sort of dancing about trying to contain their urgency! So anyway, we got the railcar to Andernach then had to negotiate all the steps in the Bahnhof to get to the right platform for the train north. Another train change at Remagen finally got us home shortly after five thirty. I was not looking forward to walking in the house like this — oh bum! Everyone in the village will think I'm a girl now!
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *23* Missing Period
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *23* Missing Period
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *23*
Text in Blue is in German.
“So I have chosen three students for next weeks experiment.” Frau Schmidt announced, “So after class can I see Jorge Stevens, Monika Busch and Drew Bond please.”
Huh! Me? I wonder what next weeks science block is? I really should pay more attention.
“So this weekend I'd like everyone to read through section five of your course books, class dismissed.”
“See you in the canteen Drew.” Steffi mentioned as I took my time collecting my books up.
“Sure, get me some juice?”
“No problem.”
I joined Mona and Jorge at the front where Frau Schmidt, our science teacher, was waiting.
“Sit yourselves down, I won't keep you too long but I need to do this now as there won't be a chance later.”
We pulled up chairs while Frau Schmidt retrieved one of those plastic storage boxes with ‘Schwangerschaftvortäuschen' marked on the end, whatever that means.
“So next week we are studying reproduction and each of you will be helping in a practical demonstration."
“We get to have sex in school?” Jorge suggested.
“Gott! You boys have a one track mind!” Mona huffed.
“No there is no sex involved Jorge. I chose each of you for different reasons, Jorge you might find this hardest and Drew you also might have some difficulties with the simulieren due to your size. Monika you are our control for this.”
What has my size got to do with anything? So okay I'm hardly what you'd call tall but so what.
“I'd like you to keep a diary for the week while you wear the Schwangerschaftvortäuschen. I'll give them to you now so you can try them over the weekend then you should wear them each day for school. We will discuss your findings each lesson, any questions?”
“Um what sort of thing are we wearing, like a heart rate monitor or something?” I enquired.
“I thought I said Drew, a Schwangerkostüm .”
“Oh right.” I didn't want to admit that I still wasn't sure what she was on about.
“Bang goes my street cred!” Jorge sighed with some exaggeration.
“There are full instructions in the bags, I'm sure Monika and Drew will be okay but Jorge you might need some help putting it on properly. Please look after these carefully, they belong to the Schwangerklinik and I don't want to have to pay for them.” Our teacher advised. “Okay here we go.”
She opened the box and presented each of us with a box with a load of writing on the lid.
“See you on Monday.” Frau Schmidt concluded as we stowed the boxes in our bags. Mona and Jorge seemed to be having some private joke that I couldn't quite catch the gist of — something about children and starting a family I think, weird.
“So what's the big secret Drew?” Pia enquired.
“I get to be a guinea pig in the cause of science, I have to wear some suit thing all next week, what it's got to do with reproduction I've no idea.”
“What sort of suit?” Connie asked.
“Shangercostume? Here its in a box.” I opened my bag to show the girls the lid.
“Schwangerkostüm, oh Drew!” Connie giggled, the others joining in.
“What is it?” I requested feeling that I was missing something big
“Not here, I'll explain later.”
“You are to be a parent!” Steffi spluttered.
Before I could pursue that the bell rang for the afternoon session.
“You've got to be kidding? I have to wear this all next week? Sugar!”
‘This' turned out to be what I now understood to be a pregnancy simulator and quite a technical one too! Why me? If I understand it correctly, and I'm not certain that I do, this thing is the next best thing to being ‘with child', just what I need!
“Stand still, I need to adjust the straps a bit more.” Connie instructed.
“But I need the loo.” I complained.
“Well hurry up then.”
“Thank you!”
I found myself waddling as I headed to the Thesing's bathroom; the suit was quite bulky and threw out my balance. Even worse I had to sit down as I could hardly reach my kit let alone control it — how embarrassing.
“You alright in there?”
“Yeah, it's a bit awkward doing stuff with this thing on.”
“I think that's the point,” Connie noted, “You get some idea what being pregnant is like.”
“Well duh! That's not gonna happen is it? Not unless there's some sort of nasty miracle in my future!”
“I think it's a cool idea.” She noted, “anyhow it says that you can wear it over normal clothes or for a more realistic simulation you can wear it next to your body.”
“Whatever, this is just too weird.”
“I thought I heard voices.” Frau Thesing stated joining us in her lounge, “what are you wearing Drew?”
“She has to wear it at school next week, for science, it's a pregnancy simulator.” Connie explained for me, I just turned red.
“If they had this when I was at school you wouldn't be here!”
“Mama!”
“Just kidding liebchen.”
“Do you have any Mutterschaftkleider still we could borrow Mama?”
“Hmm, I might have, up in the attic, when do you need them for?”
“Before Monday?”
“I'll get your father to go up tomorrow.”
“Um can I get out of this thing?”
“Oh sure.”
 |
“You are kidding right?” “But you look cute Gabs.” “I am not wearing this to school!” I was stood in Connie's bedroom wearing one of Frau Thesing's maternity dresses and that is one avenue I am not going down! Look I know half the school think I'm a girl, what with the wine queen thing an' that but I am not going to school in a dress! “Well at least let me take some pictures, you could wear the trousers and the blue top to school.” The ‘baby' kicked and I could feel an urge for the lav — again! “Okay, okay but after I've wee'd!” “Yes!” Connie pumped the air. Oh to have such friends! |
“You what?” Jules spluttered through her tea.
“I wish you'd listen, I have to wear this false belly thing for our science class this week.”
“I got that bit, but why do you need maternity trousers an' all that?”
“Well duh! None of my clothes will fit.”
Jules just knew there was a flaw in her brothers thinking but she wasn't quite sure what it was — so far she had to agree with his statement.
“And you have to wear it all week?”
“Well apart from sports stuff, Frau Schmidt said we'd get a better feel for it if we wore it as much as possible.”
“I guess that's true. We never did anything like this at home, mind you we did have Mags Walters in the third year.”
“Who's Mags Walters?”
“Oh you remember, that slapper from Meden, always hanging around the offie.”
I searched my memory and came up blank.
“Can't place her.” I admitted.
“Well she got herself up the duff after the Halloween disco, rumour has it that it was Simeon Harper did the deed although she never said.”
“Right.” I did vaguely remember said scandal, not that she was the first girl at Warsop College to get into early motherhood and I doubt the last. There's something, can't say as I remember seeing any ‘gymslip' mothers since we moved to Dernau — I'm sure there are some but maybe this Schwangerschaftvortäusche stuff has another element?
I'm glad my Schauff has a loop frame; I'd never be able to ride my road bike with this thing strapped on, as it is I had to lower the saddle a bit. And talk about mucking up your balance!
“Oh my god Drew!” Anna exclaimed by way of greeting.
“Morgen.” I slid off the saddle and got my bulk under control, “geez this thing's uncomfortable.”
“I'll park your bike.” Anna offered.
“Thanks.” I puffed.
I got a couple of funny looks as I waddled into Thesing's — well duh, you saw me last week without this thing!
“Ah Drew, that outfit looks good on you.” Connie's Mum mentioned, “and how is the mother to be today?” she smirked.
“Hot and uncomfortable.”
“Summer pregnancies are like that.” She noted.
I rolled my eyes — now she tells me.
It was only when I got to school that I realised that I'd been had. By the time I got to class I felt like some sort of freak show with all the pointing and sniggering and when I got there Jorge and Mona were already there. Dressed in their ordinary togs with the belly strapped on top. And here I am wearing maternity togs and everything — sugar!
“Good morning everyone.” Frau Dürst greeted us.
“Morning Miss.”
“I see someone is taking Frau Schmidt's science project very seriously Drew.”
“Um yes Miss.”
“I'm sure you'll find it an interesting week, all three of you. Right lets take the register. Anhauser?”
“And there is a reason my son looks like a pregnant schoolgirl?” Dad enquired.
“Well it's for a science project.”
“ Jen! You need to come and hear this one.”
“What is it now? Drew? Something you need to tell us?” Mum asked coming in from the kitchen from where I could smell lamb chops.
“Okay Gaby lets have it.”
“Well…”
The explanation took longer than you'd think, I had to cover everything up to and including borrowing Frau Thesing's' clothes.
“Well I just hope it puts you off the idea of getting pregnant any time soon.” Mum mentioned.
“Mu-um! Its me, Drew, your son here!”
“You look more like Gaby our daughter from here.” Dad noted.
“And you're gonna be dressed like this all week?” Mum further enquired.
“I guess, that's what Frau Schmidt wants us to do.”
“Well in that case I'll find you some of my old maternity stuff, no daughter of mine is relying on charity!”
“Mu-um!”
“So how far along are you?” the girl in the paper shop enquired.
“Um,” I scanned my memory, what did Frau Schmidt say now oh right, “twenty five weeks.”
“Not long now, do you want a boy or a girl?”
“A um…a girl, I think.”
“Yes I agree, but I'm only twelve weeks.” I hadn't noticed that she was ‘expecting' herself.
I would certainly never of had a conversation like this before this week. Even though I could have wimped out from all the maternity clothes I decided to stick with it and although at times I've had distinctly hostile feedback I've also had plenty of positive experiences like this.
“Come on Drew, how long does it take to buy a bottle of water?” Connie called from the doorway.
“I um have to go, hope it goes well for you.”
“And you Drew, tschuss!”
“Wiedersehn!”
By Wednesday, Mittwoch, I had sort of got used to the damn thing. The weight wasn't the worst thing, in fact I got used to that quite quickly. No it was everything else that went with it. The weight sat heavily on my bladder so I seemed to want the loo every half hour and then there was the kicking. Yup the flippin baby even kicks and whilst I'm sure it's reassuring when a real baby does it this flippin thing is just annoying! Tuesday night I even slept with it on — never again! I couldn't get comfortable except laid on my back and with everything pressing on my bladder — well you get the idea.
Anyway I'm just glad that today I get to ‘lose' my ‘baby'.
“So Fraulein Bond, did you enjoy your pregnancy?” Frau Schmidt asked.
Jorge, myself and Mona were sat at the front of the class and our tutor was holding a Q & A session.
“I'm not sure I'd want to do it again, I mean some stuff was okay, people look out for you, like with doors an' that. But its not very comfortable and I think I've got a lifetime pass to the toilets!” that raised a laugh.
“Whose idea was it to wear the Mutterschaftkleider ?”
“Well er my friend Connie, her mother had them in storage, she thought it would be easier than wearing it over stuff.”
“Did you get any negative responses at all?”
“Well I guess a lot of people thought I really was schwanger and I heard some comments about me being um a bit slack .”
“Thank you Drew, Monika, anything to add?”
The session continued in a similar vein — at least Frau Schmidt let the three of us out early to get the simulators off. Of course as I was fully clothed I had to do a complete redress, the maternity clothing didn't exactly fit me without the big boobs and belly!
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *24* Apprentice
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *24* Apprentice
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *24*
"You are the limit Drew Bond!" Mum huffed.
"I already said I was sorry."
"I don't know what possesses you sometimes."
"I didn't do it on purpose."
"No I don't suppose you did but it still doesn't get you dressed for the reception."
"We could go buy some stuff." I offered.
"We could've if I'd known two hours ago but we have to leave in an hour. Maybe I'd best just ring them and say you are indisposed or something."
"I guess" I agreed feeling ever more dejected. I mean how was I to know that those chocolates I brought for the gang would melt all over my best togs!
"Well can you think of an alternative?"
"No" I sighed. I am such a screw up, the BOC even paid to fly me and Mum to London for this do and me, I can't even dress myself.
"Hmm, I've got an idea, its only the dinner thing tonight, the presentation is in the morning so how about if Gaby goes tonight"
"I dunno, its s'posed to be me here, like in Drew, male."
"Well it's either that or no show." Mum reiterated.
"Um I don't have any Gaby stuff either." I pointed out.
"But I do, well not Gaby's exactly but you've borrowed stuff from me before and I do have spare clean clothes."
I know what you're thinking, you wear girls stuff a lot anyhow so what difference tonight. Well I'll tell you what's different. Tonight I wanted to be me, Drew, there's gonna be like all sorts of BOC people, even royalty and I wanted them to meet me. But I guess I'd rather meet them as Gaby as not at all.
"Okay then."
"Well in that case you'd better shower tout suite. I'll sort you out some clothes, you have got clean underwear I take it."
"Um yeah, they were in a bag."
"Bra?"
"Um only like my usual sports ones."
"Okay we can sort that. Now scoot, I need to change too.”
‘Of all the stupid things to happen!' I mumbled to myself as I checked my legs for stubble, not that I ever got very much thanks to impromptu waxing sessions with the gang but it was pretty much ingrained after several years of bike riding. ‘Why didn't I put my best togs in a bag? But hey, how was I to know that the chocs would melt and leak all in my case?'
“Come on kiddo, shake a leg.” Mum encouraged from beyond the door.
“Minute!”
I turned off the shower and started a sportsman's dry — you know, quick and not 100% effective.
“There you are, right you can get dressed while I do my makeup then I'll finish you up.
“Yes Mum” I sighed.
For her part Mum was dressed in a very smart trouser suit, a dark red with like a sparkly pin stripe, her hair was up and she was wearing her black heels — very nice. I checked out what she'd found for me, and I wasn't pleased.
“How come I've got a dress to wear?”
“Well, ouch!” she had poked herself in the eye with the mascara, “one, this suit is new, and two, if you are going as Gaby you'll fit in better in a frock, how many fourteen year old girls do you see wearing trouser suits? Now get on with it.”
I guess she had a point there. And its not like the dress was bad or anything, just a bit erm sexy. Trust Mum to have spare clothes with her though. I quickly dressed in my knickers and I never knew Mum used padded bra's at least the one she put out for me was, all lace and it sort of enhanced by booblets somewhat although I hardly filled the cups — I'm not that big up top! The dress was new as well I guess as I can't recall seeing it before. Well I won't try to describe it except to say its that sort of stretchy panne velvet stuff in white with a square neckline and flowy sleeves — a bit sort of medieval looking. There was a matching choker and Mum gave me some holdups — pink fence net, and her pink ballet pumps, the ones with a little bow at the front.
“Hmm, come here, let's sort your hair out.”
One hair band, an elastic and numerous hairgrips later I was ready.
“Well I have to say kiddo, I think you look better in that than I do, my boobs hang out a bit.”
“Muum!” I complained.
“Well I think you look very nice.” She glanced at her watch, “bugger, come on the car will be here any time.”
With that she ushered me out of the room and towards the lift.
I don't really know London that well but according to the schedule thing it was about fifteen minutes from our hotel to the venue for tonight's festivities, The Grosvenor Hotel, Park Lane. Sounds impressive anyway. Back home in Germany the Mercedes limo would've only rated being a taxi but I guess when someone else is paying… To be truthful I was quite nervous so I didn't really take in anything that we passed on the way and then we were there, in a queue of cars waiting to drop off.
“You okay kiddo?”
“I guess.” I still wish I was in my Drew stuff even if this frock is nice.
They'd even got a red carpet from the car to the hotel entrance and oh bum! Photographers!
“Jenny, picture please.”
Mum was more used to this sort of stuff and I reluctantly stood with her while a dozen flashbulbs went off, nearly blinding me. Once inside a flunky checked our invites and we joined the back of a sort of queue of people waiting to get into the function. I couldn't work out why they didn't just go in, the door was open after all and then we reached the door ourselves.
“Names?” the overdressed bloke on the door asked in a hushed tone.
“Jenny and Dr-Gaby Bond.” Mum told him.
He checked his list, “ah yes Mrs. Bond and um it says Drew here?”
“Well she prefers to use Gaby” Mum filled him in.
He made a note on his sheet before going to the door.
“Mrs. Jenny Bond and Miss Gaby Bond” he announced and we found ourselves in one of those lines you see at these posh functions.
I recognised some of these people! The line wasn't long and I barely remember anything bar shaking a few hands and Mum having a couple of short exchanges. I'm sure I did say something but hey its not every day you get to meet a princess, a real live one and a couple of Lords! The Princess wasn't one of those girls that you see in the papers, heck you even get them in the German magazines! No it was Princess Anne who I think is something to do with the Olympic Committee and then there was Sebastian Coe who's trying to get the Olympics to London, he's a Lord and comes from round Sheffield somewhere. I'm sure he does something with cement these days as I've seen trucks in Sheff with ‘Coe-Crete' on them — Coe Crete mixers! I giggled to myself.
“What's so funny young lady?”
“Er nothing.”
“Well let's get something to drink, the meal isn't until eight and we need to mingle.” Mum instructed.
I checked the big clock over the door, seven twenty five — half an hour to kill.
Maybe I should explain what this weekend is all about. You know the Olympics right? Well some bright spark came up with the idea of planning ahead a bit; after all it does something for a country's creditability if you win a few medals. So anyway they came up with this idea whereby the lottery thingy provides support for, and I quote, “our precocious talent who we hope will become Olympic champions of the future.” Now like there are loads of sports and only twelve ‘scholarships' so to be picked is like a major ‘Ehrung'! It doesn't guarantee anyone a place on the team but the peeps in charge believe, (I think they were conned!) that we are all potential Olympic champions of the future, probably for the 2012 Olympics. Not much pressure!
We ‘mingled' as Mum put it, quite whom we spoke to I haven't a clue, somehow Mum managed to steer conversation away from my gender. Around the room I could see several other 'apprentice Olympians' doing the rounds, it was like some strange folk dance — chat two three, move two three, wait and again chat two three, move two three. You get the idea.
“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, DINNER IS SERVED!”
We again joined a queue, this time for the dining room and found ourselves swiftly seated on a table with some bloke from the National Lottery and his missus, the Shadow Secretary for Sport (whatever that means) and John from British Cycling with his wife. The last was a surprise, as we hadn't seen them previously.
“Ah good to see you Jen and you too young Bond.” He hid his surprise at seeing Gaby well.
“Hi John, didn't realise you'd be here.” Mum mentioned.
“They asked for volunteers and I didn't move backwards quick enough.” He joked. “So how is Germany?”
“Still there this morning.”
“And our superstar, how are you?”
“Okay thanks.”
“We had a bit of an accident with some chocolate which caused a last minute change of plan.” Mum gave a non-committal explanation, she could hardly tell the truth, well not all of it, with these other bods about.
“You look very nice dear.” Mrs. John advised.
“Um thanks.”
The meal was a right posh affair — like the bike club dinner times ten with knobs on! Lets see now, one, two, three — I make it five courses plus coffee. Then there was a bit of a speech session, which was really boring before we were expelled back to the reception room.
“Hey it is you!” a voice sounded near by. “Talk about a small world.”
I looked at the speaker without recognizing her, it sounded like she was from Sheffield but why I should know her.
“You don't remember do you?”
“Erm, I'm afraid not, should I?”
“Last year, Sheffield Skates, its Gaby right? I'll be so embarrassed if its not!”
I tried to remember but a lot has happened between then and now.
“The skater right?”
“It is you, phew! Jessica Mathews at your service. I thought you might come to the rink again.”
“Well er other stuff you know, and it's a bit far now.”
“You've moved?”
“Yeah we live in Germany now.”
“Cool, so like what sport are you here for, gymnastics?”
“I race bikes.” I admitted.
“Like that Jenny Bond, the cancer woman?”
“Erm she's my Mum.”
“And she's right here.” Mum stated joining us.
“Oh I'm sorry Mrs. Bond I didn't mean anything.”
“That's alright, I hear you are that skater girl?”
“I er…”
“Jess Mathews right, I've seen you on the telly. The British Championships wasn't it a couple of weeks ago.”
“Yeah, I only placed third though.”
“That's still very good.”
“Coach doesn't think so, I made stupid mistakes.”
“Not as many as I would.” I put in.
“Jessica!”
“Look I'd better go, maybe we can chat tomorrow?”
“Sure.”
“Laters!”
“Seems like a nice girl.” Mum noted.
“Yeah she gave us some lessons when Brit an' that came last year.
The public presentation was scheduled for ten o'clock at the Mansion House and somehow Mum had got my stuff cleaned and me into it before the car picked us up. I mean there was no way that Gaby could attend this was there?
It was a bit like those press conference things that you see on telly except bigger — well they were introducing twelve of us after all. It started with a video presentation where they showed a sort of historic overview of the country's Olympic prowess before introducing each of us with a short segment. I didn't even know that they filmed the Nationals and the interview thing I did at Hannover was really embarrassing! And what's more I actually knew another one of the ‘Chosen'! Anie-Frid Turner, Freddie wasn't here fore some reason but she was a hot Archer these days. I can't believe its nearly a year ago since we did all that stuff.
“Wow Drew, you're famous now!” Maddy grinned joining me on Aunt Carol's sofa.
“I guess.”
“They showed you on the news, was Freddie there?”
“Nah, I think she was sick or something but I did see Jess, you know the skater girl.”
“The one with the legs?”
“She couldn't skate without them.”
Mad just rolled her eyes.
“So like is everyone okay, Ally an' Bern?”
“Yeah, not heard from Em for ages though”
“Me neither.”
“Oh and Helen said to say hi.” Mad added.
Helen. It'd be good to see her, and Al and Bern of course but this really is a flying visit, our flight back to Bonn is at seven so we have to leave here about four, all this way for a couple of hours. Mind you I can smell one of Aunt C's roast dinners on its way, that's worth the trip on its own!
“I did have some chocolate for everyone but it melted.”
“Bummer and here I was expecting Cologne.”
“Well we had to throw what was left, it went all over my stuff.”
“Yeuk!”
“Yeah not a pretty sight.”
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *25* Drachenfels
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *25* Drachenfels
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *25*
"KAPOW!" the screen started to run through the victory video to the accompaniment of a rather cheesy bit of marshal music.
"Yess!" Drew punched the air in delight at getting through level 3 of D-Day Landing - The Push for The Rhine , a present from Gran last Christmas. Shoot em ups weren't really his thing but he enjoyed watching his troops charging across the countryside like so many hundreds of ants.
He glanced at the clock - nearly one - had he really been playing for three hours.
He felt a slight vibration through his chair, just like you get when a bus or something is in the wrong gear, some idiot but instead of disappearing it got stronger. Sugar! What the... The building started to shake and the vibrations started to have an effect on the stuff in his room - a couple of pictures fell off their hooks, a model plane launched itself off the shelf and everything was shaking, building to a crescendo before - nothing. Silence.
Drew sat shaking, what the hell was that. For all the shaking and rattling his computer was still playing away to itself and the lights hadn't so much as blinked.
Then the noise started - dogs barking and a couple of car alarms started screeching.
"Drew, Drew you awake up there?" Mum's voice called from the landing below.
"Y…yes, what was that?"
Mum climbed up to Drew's eyrie before replying.
"A little earth tremor kiddo, you sure you're okay?"
"Little! There was stuff flying around and everything was shaking an, an..."
"Come here luv." Jenny sat on the teen's bed and Drew, still visibly shaken, joined her for a cuddle. Jen could feel his heart racing as she held him close but after several minutes he seemed to of calmed down somewhat.
"D…does this happen a lot here?"
"Not very often, a bit more than at home but after all we are in a very active area."
"Active?"
"I'll explain in the morning, for now its bed!"
"Everything all right up there?" Dad queried.
"Yeah, I'm just coming down, night Drew."
"Night Mum."
Sleep however wasn't easy to come by; a dose of Sheryl Crow eventually did the trick some time after two.
“Come on Drew, time to get up!” Mum's voice broke into the dream.
“Hmm?”
“He obviously doesn't want to go Mum” Jules chipped on.
“Go? Where?”
“Sometimes Drew Bond! The airport?” Mum sighed.
“The quake must've addled his brain.” My sister added.
“Airport? Quake?”
“The girls?” Mum offered.
“Bum!” it came back in a flash, the gang from Warsop are arriving today. I shot out of bed, nearly strangling myself with my walkmans headphones.
“Mum?”
“What kiddo?” Mum slid the minibus onto the autobahn between a couple of juggernauts and we were headed towards Bonn.
“Last night?”
“The quake?”
“Yeah, I didn't know they had them in Germany.”
“Well they don't happen a lot, at least not that you'd notice. They even have them back home.”
“I don't remember any.”
“Me neither.” Jules put in from the back.
“Well I think I was still in Uni the last time there was a big one, early eighties.”
“Oh.”
“You know what causes earthquakes?”
“Something about volcanoes?” I ventured.
“It can be. Earthquakes and volcanoes are a bit like a safety valve for the earth, releasing pressure from movement of the earths crust.”
“So why wasn't there a volcano last night?”
“Dur!” Jules noted.
We took the turn for Bonn and the airport, the morning haze already clearing to blue skies.
“Well you get volcanoes where the plates meet usually but the pressure can build up a long way away which we then get as quakes.”
“But I thought those pointy hills were volcanoes.”
“They are or rather were thousands of years ago, the Rhein gorge is an old fault in the rocks.”
I sort of understood but the whole volcano / earthquake thing was still a bit confusing.
“You can see the planes lining up to land.” Jules pointed out the window.
“We should be there in about five minutes.” Mum advised.
I was getting a bit bored and impatient now.
"Give over fiddlearsing Drew." Jules huffed.
"They shoulda been here by now."
"Give ‘em a chance, it only landed ten minutes ago."
"Yeah"
"So when have you cleared customs that quick?"
"When we went to Paris."
"That was different, it was only a little airfield wasn't it Gaby ?"
"Mu-um" I complained.
"Leave your brother alone Jules."
"He started it" Jules whined.
"And I'm finishing it. They'll be here soon enough."
It was warm in the concourse - why do they build these places with so much glass?
We heard them before we saw them; Mad, Ally, Bernie, Helen and Jules mate Charlotte. My heart picked up a few beats in anticipation, I mean I've not seen them for months, will they look the same? Will they recognise me?
“Drew!”
“Maddy!”
“Jules!”
“Drew!”
I found myself engulfed in lots of teen girl before being nearly hugged to death!
“Girls!” Mum tried to attract our attention, “time for that later, the meter's ticking in the car park.”
It was a bit odd really, these were, are, my friends but there's like some sort of barrier that wasn't there before. I can't really put my finger on it, its like I'm not one of them anymore.
“You girls hungry?” Mum enquired after we'd extricated ourselves from the multi story.
“We've not eaten for hours.” Charlie advised.
“Okay, we'll stop and get something.”
Sounded like she had a plan but to be honest we were all too engrossed in catching up to take much notice.
“I thought we could eat at the top, there's a good restaurant and quite a view along the river.” Mum told us as we spilled from the bus.
“We got to walk up there Aunt Jen?” Maddy voiced the question on all our minds.
“Well it'll only take an hour.”
“An hour?” Ally clarified as we traipsed across the car park.
“Just kidding, we'll catch the tram up.” Mum advised.
The tram thing took us up this really steep hill to deposit us at the summit of Drachenfels.
“Wow, they should have one of these at home.” Bernie mentioned.
“What? Like up to Clumber Park?” Ally queried.
“Why not?” Bern defended her comment.
“Come on you lot, we'll eat on the verandah.”
We trooped into the concrete block and made our way to the restaurant on the balcony.
“How cool is this?” Mad told no one in particular, “You can see for miles.”
We commandeered a table overlooking the river and Mum pointed out where we live — well the general direction at least!
“Those hills are very pointy.” Helen pointed out.
“They're volcanoes” I advised.
“What? Like Vesuvius?” Charlie asked.
“These have been inactive for a long time.” Mum told us.
“We had an earthquake last night” I gloated.
Its gonna be a great week!
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *26* It's a Mad World!
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *26* It's a Mad World!
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *26*
"So is it better then?"
"Is what better?" Mad can be so vague sometimes.
"Well duh! Living here?"
"Oh right, S'okay I guess" I allowed.
"Your friends seem nice"
"They're okay but it's not like with you guys." I've no idea where she's going with this.
"I should think not, you've known us for like forever."
"Yeah I know." I leant back against my bed.
The rest of the gang have taken Pia up on a vineyard visit but Mad said she wasn't feeling well so I volunteered to stay home with her. It's not like the Weinkönigin needs to look at more grape based stuff is it?
“There's no one else about so you can tell me the truth, I'm not blind you know.”
“Truth? What about?”
“Do I have to drag it out of you? The photo on the Bond wall of fame?”
Which photo? Then it dawned on me.
“Oh that.”
“Yes that. So come on, how'd you end up dressed like some Teutonic Valkyrie?”
“A whatty what?”
“Teutonic, oh never mind, come on spill.”
Hedging wasn't gonna get me out of this one!
“So lets get this right,” Mad grinned at me, “everyone here thinks you are a girl?”
“I guess.”
“And you did nothing to like encourage this idea?”
“Why would I?”
“Who knows what goes on in that blonde bonce of yours!”
“Look I never once said I was a girl to anyone, it's not like I was wearing dresses or something. I dunno why they latched onto the girl thing.”
“But like you never said anything?”
“Well I tried, but I guess it doesn't help that all my friends here are girls.”
“Your teachers must know you're a boy?”
“Yeah, I s'pose.”
“And they don't say anything?”
“About what?”
Mad shook her head, God he's useless!
“So why didn't you say anything at this wine thingy?”
“Truth?”
“Well yeah”
“Well it was sort of cool, I mean like all these people voting for me, it's not like they know me or anything but they still voted for me. I never thought I'd win, like there's all these really pretty girls, why would they pick me? So what was the harm?”
“Have you looked in the mirror lately cuz?”
“Yeah?”
“Well it must be that you're blind then, you um look how can I put this, er, really um cute.”
“So do you.”
“That's what I'm trying to say, you look like me. I'm supposed to be cute, I'm a girl, and you are supposed to look handsome.”
“You don't have to carry on!”
“So do the girls know?”
“Connie does for sure, I have told the others but its like they don't believe me.” I sighed.
“Well even in jeans and that I must admit I'd still think you were a girl.”
“I suppose these blobs on my chest don't exactly help do they?”
“True, they got bigger?”
“A bit,” I admitted, “the Doc said they might, she said something about surgery later on to remove them.”
I allowed myself a shiver at that thought. To be honest I've sort of grown ‘attached' to my little nubs and the thought of having them removed seems a bit — um weird?
“So you have to do it for a whole year?”
“Unless I emigrate.”
“Kewl!”
“No it's not.”
“So why do it then?”
“I said before.”
“Well a year goes pretty fast, you get back to being you afterwards.”
“That is so not gonna happen is it? Everyone round here calls me Gaby whatever I dress in, my picture is on the town website, even my own family call me Gaby when I have to wear a dress!”
“You could chop your hair short and get loads of tattoos?”
“That's really helpful — not!”
“Sorree!”
“The only people who don't think I'm a girl are the cycle squad.”
“Have you got a picture, you mention them in your emails but I don't have faces for them?”
“Yeah there's one in my scrapbook, on the desk there”
Mad picked the collection of press cuttings; photos and other assorted guff up and started flicking through.
“Near the back I think.”
“This?” she showed me the page.
“Yeah.”
“I thought there were only four of you?”
“There are.”
Mad seemed to chew something over before speaking again. ‘If I didn't know I'd think it was four girls, they've even all got their hair in braids! I dunno Drew!
“So who's who then?”
I knew the picture well; Dad took it at the Möhne event back in the summer.
“That's Gret on my left then there's Roni and Tali.”
“Roni's the one who got trampled right?”
“Yeah, that was some event!”
“I miss going to races with you.”
Where did that come from?
“I thought you'd been riding the tens?”
“I did but it's not the same without you around.”
“Get off!”
“Its true!”
“If you say so.”
“I do.”
I'm not about to start arguing about it.
At least the weather stayed dry for the Barbie. The olds invited like loads of people so there were peeps from Apollinaris, the Pinger's which meant Kat, my mates of course and Jules invited some of her friends from school. Henryck Pinger, Kat's dad, got roped in to help Dad with the cooking; Dad hasn't quite got the knack of cooking schnitzel!
It was all going so well.
“Hey Gabs, you should show your friends your Königin dress.” Pia suggested.
“Yeah go on Drew, we saw the pictures at the restaurant.” Charlie encouraged.
Mum was no help.
“Maria and the girls haven't seen you in it yet either.”
“Muuu-uum!”
“Please Drew?” Mad purred in my ear.
I'll never hear the end of it if I do or if I don't! I can't win can I?
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *27* Pretty Face (Part 1)
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *27* Pretty Face (Part 1)
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *27*
Text in Blue is in German.
“So what do you think?” Anna enquired.
What did he think? Well it sounded pretty good, a real live Con up at the Phantasialand theme park near Köln. That was pretty cool but the other bit would be a first, he'd get to choose his own costume, no meddling from Maddy, as she was hundreds of miles away!
“Sounds okay, is there any sort of theme?”
“Not really,” Steffi allowed, “we just thought we'd find stuff we liked.”
Yes!
“So is everyone going?”
“I think so, Pia was the doubtful one but she said she'd try to swing the day off work.”
“Count me in then.”
“Great!”
“Can I borrow that costume from England Drew?” Anna asked.
Thank you God!
“Sure, it should fit you okay.”
“Brill! Well we'll see ya tomorrow then, Tschuss!”
“Tschuss!”
The girls got on the bus, since half term its been not exactly cycling weather — well for going to school at least, no one wants to get to school drenched after all.
Hmmm I wonder who I can go as? A male character at least, yeah! The Ahr Express gave a toot as it came up the line, the sessions with Frau Boxberg mean I miss traveling home with the others, usually Dad picks me up but tonight him and Mum have gone to the parents night at Jules' school up in Bonn. So I'm on the train, it's only like a couple of stops.
I scanned my Manga collection for inspiration — Chobits, NHK, Under Arrest, Love Hina , I flicked through them all and by the time I got to Pretty Face I realised a truth — the male characters were actually pretty boring! You got a choice of Mad Professor types, Students / Teachers or boring stuff like Coppers. The female characters always seem to have more, I dunno, pizzazz! A further search through my Con picture collection just confirmed things really, the only exceptions were from stuff like Bleach — but everyone does them.
I did contemplate them all, honest I did. But nothing worked in my head, white coats, school uniforms or even casual stuff; they all felt a bit like cheating. Even just the female students and stuff are actually more exciting costumes by far. Geez, here I am with the perfect opportunity to dress like a bloke and I'm starting to think about the girl's outfits! Every outfit that sort of appealed to me was for a female character; maybe there is no escape? Well if I'm going as a girl at least this time I get to choose so no stupid frilly outfits or stupidly short skirts! That decision made I started on a list of potential options.
By the time the rest of the family got home, nearly eleven I noted, I had a list of potential characters and costumes. Hazumu from Kashimashi would be quite a twist, or how about Yuki Imeda from Yubisaki Milk Tea or Yuna Kurimi from Pretty Face . I ruled out anyone from Chobits as being too complicated for my sewing skills, the same with any of the Maid stuff like Mahoromatic , Sakura and Sailor Moon get overdone — well I suppose the list is getting shorter. I realised that subconsciously my choices have one thing in common, they were or are boys — I mean how weird is that? Is cross-dressing more commonplace in Japan? Or am I some how drawn to these characters?
“Night Drew!” Mum called up to my eyrie.
“Night.”
“School tomorrow so don't be too much longer.”
“Yes Mum.” I sighed.
I stripped off and got into bed, my head was barely on the pillow before I dropped off to dream weird Manga dreams.
“For next time please read chapter 15 on the Prussian Prince's.” Frau Hochwald concluded as the bell rang.
“So Gabs, you decided who you are going as?” Steff asked as I gathered my stuff.
“I've got a few ideas.”
“I'm going as Sailor Mars.”
Newbie!
“That's cute”
“Yeah.” She beamed back.
After scanning the relevant comic books again it was obvious that I could cheat big style for all of them, just dress up in some girl togs and do something with my hair or I make a bit more effort and put together a school uniform. It certainly was tempting to go the easy route but like how would anyone know who I was playing? Well that sort of settles it I guess, schoolgirl it is. Sorting this all out is quite hard, I never realised before, I mean Mad sort of just turned up with the costumes before.
I surveyed my options, Yuki would be pretty straightforward, I'd need a jacket for Yuna and Hazumu would be a major project. Hmm… eeny, meeny, miney, mo, catch a beggar by his tow, if he screams let him go, it, bit, your it! My finger ended on the Pretty Face cover, Yuna it is then.
Well after a raid on Goth Gurl's wardrobe I had a blouse but that was it. I still needed a skirt, jacket and some of those baggy socks, the necktie should be easy enough and I've got some plimmys I can use. The stuff I needed wasn't exactly in your average German boutique, hey I know, I'll look on Ebay © ! A few quick searches revealed a ton of Cosplay stuff; you can buy full costumes even — that's cheating though.
I trawled through the pages and put a watch on several items, I even found a jacket — it was white but I reasoned that I could dye it. Now I just needed Mum or Dad to let me get them.
“There's a parcel on the side for you Drew.” Dad mentioned.
“Great!”
That'll be the rest of my costume stuff — I was beginning to think it wasn't coming, the Con is on Saturday. The jacket had turned up pretty quick and Jules helped me dye it to something close to the right colour, a bit of ribbon from Mum's sewing box made a great neck tie and I'd copied the school badge out of the manga. All that I needed now were the socks and skirt which hopefully would both be in this parcel.
I scurried up to my den and scrabbled the packet open — yup one skirt and a pair of socks, kewl! The skirt looks shorter than in the picture but I'm sure its alright, lets have a dress up session in case I need to get anything altered.
It took best part of an hour to get into my costume; there was no point in going half cock so I had my gaff and boobs on — not stuck of course! I looked in the mirror and was pretty chuffed, looking back was Yuna Kurimi! So okay I need to sort out my hair and maybe the skirt is shorter than I'd like but for my first solo attempt I was pretty chuffed.
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *28* Hübsches Gesicht (Part 2)
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Chapter *28* Há¼bsches Gesicht (Part 2)
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *28*
Text in Blue is in German.
Do you know what's weird? It feels really strange intentionally dressing as a girl, especially when I had a choice. I know what you are thinking, he's always dressing in skirts an' stuff, how can it be strange now all of a sudden? Well okay I do end up being Gaby quite a bit but truth be told I usually manage to wear jeans and stuff and I'm usually with the guys. Somehow this morning, walking to the station on my own in a stupidly short skirt I feel I dunno ' exposed I guess.
I pulled Jules coat a bit tighter around me, the pink duffel sorta goes with the costume and there is no way I'd be warm enough without it, it is November after all!
"There she is!" Connie told half the village.
"Hi guys."
"Heya Gabs, bit chilly huh?"
"I had to put some tights on." I admitted.
"Me too." Steff advised.
"Looks like the Express is on time at least." Anna mentioned seconds before it tooted for the crossing.
We clambered on board and it didn't take many seconds to locate the others.
"You look perished Gabs" Pia stated as I gave an involuntary shiver.
"Well my skirt is well short."
"And ours aren't?" Connie pointed out.
"I was just saying."
"Where are you lot off to at this time?" Myleen enquired.
"A sort of costume party at Phantasialand." Anna supplied.
"I wondered why there were so many short skirts, its nice to see you in a skirt too Drew."
"Um thanks." I allowed, Myleen can go on a bit and she runs a tight train.
"Well I'd best go and sort out the other car, have a good day."
"Thanks Myleen."
"Yeah thanks."
We probably looked like a right load of weirdo's. There we were sat on the train in short skirts, coats and various weird hairdos! And its only 8.30 in the morning.
Unlike the Cons back home today's event was modelled on the real Japanese events, just one day but set in a theme park where we'd have the run of the place pretty much. I hope it warms up a bit!
The Rhine Express was already waiting when we arrived in Remagen so we hotfooted - as much as we could, across to Gleis Zwei and joined the already packed train. We had to walk half the length of the train before we found seats, ironically in the bike carriage where we started.
At least they heat German trains, even just the short station transfer had made my legs cold. Note to self - 10 denier tights do not keep you warm, well okay it's better than bare legs but warm - nah! I was just about thawed out again by the time we pulled into Bonn Hbf where a good percentage of the train passengers departed to be replaced by an equal number joining. There were obviously a few heading to the con - or if they weren't they dress strangely!
The next stop, Brühl was ours and all too soon we were back out into the cold.
"Brrrr"
"Stop complaining Steff, there's a bus waiting." Connie pointed out.
"What are we waiting for?" Anna started towards our onward transport.
There were maybe another twenty or so Cosplayers heading the same way and for the first time today I didn't feel too out of place. The bus ride wasn't long; maybe ten minutes saw us deposited outside the gates of the amusement park. We joined the queue for pre booked tickets, I'm glad we had pre-booked as the other gate had a long queue and it was cold enough as it was!
"So what do we do first?" Pia asked.
"Lets hit the hall first, get warm and see what's on offer." I suggested.
"Yeah, no one told me how cold this outfit was - Gaby!" Steff gave me a half Paddington.
"It's never been this cold when I've been to one before." I offered in defense. I was actually sort of regretting my own choice, I could ‘a been in trousers or a long skirt but no I had to choose a stupidly short skirt. Idiot!
By contrast, inside the hall was quite warm and I quickly found myself taking off my coat.
“Should we enter the costume parade?” Steff enquired.
“Well I'm not wearing this for nothing.” Anna pointed out.
“It might not look like it but I did go to some effort too.” I agreed.
“Well it looks like we need to register over there then.” Connie pointed to a table with a banner stating ‘Karneval!'
“Come on then.” Pia enthused.
Our group flocked in the general direction although Nena was being a bit tardy.
“Wos up Nen?”
“Er nothing Gab.”
“Oh come on, you look terrified.”
“Well promise you won't laugh?”
“Sure.”
“Well it's a bit embarrassing but I've never done this sort of fancy dress thing before.”
I realised she was still clutching her coat around her. I wasn't quite sure what to say.
“The first time I did this, proper like, was at school, now that was embarrassing. At least you get to start without everyone knowing who you are and anyway, feeling like an idiot is all part of it.” It wasn't the complete truth but I hardly felt like trying to explain things in full just now — she wouldn't believe the half of it anyhow!
“So what did you wear?”
“You saw my scrapbook right?”
“Uh huh.”
“Well I went as Chi, you know, from Chobits? There was a picture at the front of the scrapbook.”
“With like a Minikleide und Strumpf?”
“That's the one, and I had to wear it at school.”
“Geez!”
“Now that was embarrassing. So who have you come as?”
“Card Captor Sakura.”
“That explains the pixie boots.”
“Come on you two.” Connie encouraged.
“Yeah.”
We caught up to the others and joined the short queue.
It didn't take long; we had to register who we were playing and all that, the girls were quite efficient considering their novice status compared to the old hand in the group.
“Well what now?” Pia asked.
I checked the programme and my watch, “there's a showing of Princess Momoke in about ten minutes.” I offered.
“As long as we get to do some rides after.” Anna agreed.
I shrugged my shoulders, “its not compulsory.”
“I'll watch it with you Gab.” Nena volunteered.
“Why don't we split up and meet for lunch then?” Pia suggested.
In the end it was just me and Nena who stayed inside, the others couldn't resist free rides in the theme park so we agreed to meet up at the cafeteria place at one.
“Well it was certainly different.” Nena mentioned as we left the small theatre. “Had you seen it before?”
“Only like a preview clip, Mad has it on DVD I think, she's really into the Studio Ghibli stuff.”
“Studio Ghibli?”
“You know the film makers?”
She looked at me blankly.
“Well anyway they've made a whole load of really good animated films.”
Mention of Mad brought back all sorts of memories, I know I saw her just a couple of weeks ago but I do miss her loads.
“Gab?”
“Hmmm?”
“You spaced out there.”
“Sorry, lets check out the sales stalls.”
Well to cut a long story short — I bought too much stuff! I got a complete set of Chobits figures which I've been after for ages, a couple of new Manga releases in English and a few other bits and pieces. I seemed to have about twenty separate carrier bags, which was getting to be a pain.
“Aha!”
“What?”
“Look they've got like real Japanese school bags.” I started to home in on the stall in question.
“Gab-ee” Nena sighed trailing behind.
“Lets see, schoolgirl, tartan skirt — that'll be Pretty Face right?” the guy on the stall enthused,
I nodded.
“So I'm guessing your doing Masashi Rando?”
“Yuna Kurimi actually.”
“Hmm not bad, so what can I help you with?”
“How much are the school bags?”
“I get them direct from Japan now lets see, for Yuna you need this one I think,” he reached up to retrieve a bag, “which is forty five.”
I drooped; my cash wouldn't run to that much.
“How much short are you Gab?” Nena asked.
“I've only got thirty left.”
“I'll loan it you.”
“You sure?”
“I wouldn't offer would I and anyway I know where you live!”
“Thanks Nen.” I gave her a hug.
“Here before I change my mind.” She waved a fifty note at the vendor who didn't need a second invite.
The bag really did finish my outfit off, I soon had all my other purchases stowed inside and I felt really in character walking round.
“You guys shoulda come.” Anna enthused.
“We had loads of pictures taken.” Connie added.
“The rides were a bit kiddy though.” Steff put in.
“Nice bag” Pia half mocked.
“Its what all the girls in Tokyo have.” I sniffed.
“We eating or what?” Steff suggested.
The Karneval was a sort of fashion show really. First off we took our turns on the stage, the MC introduced our characters, we got to walk across the stage then we had to wait for the parade. I'd seen this sort of thing on the web, the Japanese are pretty keen on it, essentially we all got to walk around the main complex area all together before returning to the theatre. Then everyone got to vote for their favourites — I wasn't gonna be in the running with my pretty basic costume but Anna had my Tenshi maid outfit on and Steff's Sailor Mars was really very good. Not that the others weren't good but some of the opposition was really and I mean really good.
In the end my prediction was quite accurate, Anna placed top five, which got her a hundred Euros — maybe I shoulda worn the outfit, that's two prizes in two outings! Mad will be well chuffed. Of course everyone got their picture taken afterwards, I was a bit concerned with some of the camera angles though. It was the first time since this morning that I really gave any thought to what I was wearing.
It was already dark when we headed out to the shuttle bus and my feet were killing! Note to self number two — plimmys are not comfortable to wear all day! I pulled my socks up, it was already getting cold, well colder! Everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves, it's a pity it was only a one-day event really. The journey home seemed to go quite quickly, I reached Schloss Bond just before eight after stopping off for some pizza at the bakery.
“I'm back.”
“Drew? Don't forget we're out early in the morning.” Dad called back.
How could I forget going to the Radrennbahn in Köln before going to work at the bakery?
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *29* Das Mudchen!
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *29* Das Mudchen!
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *29*
Text in Blue is in German.
Brrrr, its cold this morning! A glance out of my eyrie's window revealed fields covered with rime and to top it off a dank looking ground mist. The good news is that higher up the sky showed a stunning blue - the contrail from a plane the only thing marring the blue. I finished dressing and took a moment to find my favourite hat before heading downstairs.
"At last, I thought you'd gone back to bed."
"It was tempting." I admitted.
"Well let's shake a leg then." Mum suggested rather too cheerfully.
I thought it was unusual to find Mum so enthusiastic this time of the morning, she's not exactly known as a morning person! Five minutes later the pair of us were scooting down the cycle track towards Bad Neunahr where we were meeting the others. I was looking forward to this with some trepidation - it's been a while since I've been out on the Klein and longer still since I did any halfway serious off road riding.
We pulled into the station forecourt to find the others, Maria and Tina already waiting.
"Bit cold eh?" Tina proffered in greeting.
"You're not kidding." Mum agreed.
"You okay Drew?" Maria enquired.
"I guess."
"Well let's get a move on, its cold enough to freeze your nipples off!" Tina pointed out.
“Tina!” Mum and Maria chorused.
We set off down the valley taking the old road towards Sinzig. The bare fields still wore a bit of white and in a couple of spots there was ice on the roadway. It was fast riding even if the Klein's handling was entirely different to my usual rides. At the main road we turned right into Sinzig centre then with Maria leading the way we started heading up hill.
"I (puff) thought we were (puff) going off (puff) road." I gasped as the narrow lane leveled out a bit.
"We are (puff) but we've got to get there first (puff)." Maria advised.
"You are so (puff) impatient Drew!" Tina added.
The lane started to climb again, the bare fields to either side striped by lines of frost in the furrows, the overall effect was of dirty snow covering the countryside. After a couple of kilometres of steady climbing we crossed the E31 and just beyond we entered the Vehn woods.
“Geez I'm glad it's frosty this morning.” Mum noted.
I couldn't disagree with that sentiment as the first fifty metres of off tarmac had all the makings of a quagmire — once or twice a tyre broke through the crust to reveal the brown porridge waiting to engulf everything below.
“There wasn't much mud last time I came.” Maria told us.
“When was that Mar?” Tina enquired.
“August I think.”
“Hardly a surprise then.” Mum pointed out.
The track improved some in as much as it became less rutted although the trees seemed to hold the cold, our breath erupting in plumes of steam. We climbed some more before passing Schloss Vehn — or rather what remains of Schloss Vehn, it's just a few broken down walls now, dark and forbidding amongst the forest. We changed direction, south I think, and fifteen minutes later emerged at the little village of Königsfeld. Another short bit of tarmac then we cut across the fields on a farm track towards the looming presence of Olbrück castle.
“Flippin' eck!” I managed as we drew to a halt a few minutes later.
“Bit of a lung opener eh kiddo?”
“(Gasp) who (gasp) stuck that (gasp) there?” Tina added from over her bars.
Maria sucked on her bottle, “ready for some more?”
“Have we got a choice?” Mum enquired.
“Not really.” Maria giggled in reply.
The sun might have risen and was bathing us in warming radiation but not warm enough to make much impression on the frost, instead it just felt even colder when our route moved into the shade, which it seemed to do on an increasing basis. Maria led us back up towards, well over the peak of Adert where we took another short break.
“Its nearly all downhill now.”
“I'll believe that when I see it.” Tina sighed.
“I can't believe you're so out of form!” Maria countered.
“Get on with it old woman.”
It was great fun out with the girls — and Mum of course, the joshing was always in good humour but the effort needed was always 110%.
We left the road again and span easily up to the tower of Häuschen.
“Last one to the road cleans the bikes.” Maria announced as she dropped off the side of the trail.
“You!” Mum spluttered as she overshot the turn.
I made the turn in front of Tina and found myself hurtling through the trees on some single track, Maria already fifty metres in front. This is more like it; I dropped a couple of sprockets and soon closed the gap leaving a few metres spare in case of mishap. I could hear the others behind me then we concertina'd to negotiate a narrow defile.
“Got you now Pinger!” Mum sang from behind me.
“That's what you think Bond.” Maria replied as we emerged from the undergrowth onto a logging track.
“Ha ha!” I noted as I picked a line out.
Maria had the gas on and me, Tina and Mum were hard on her wheels.
“FRONT!” Maria yelled with a squeal of brakes.
Beyond her I could see a couple of bikers on their way up, hmm maybe….
We slipped past at a reduced speed and Maria was a couple of moments too slow in getting it going again — I wasn't!
“Links!” I screamed as I almost ducked under her elbow. Yes!
“Why you little….”
I clicked the shifter again and stomped on the pedals even harder.
“YE HA!” I mentioned as I sped downward.
“Gate at the bottom.” Maria shouted out in warning.
Spotted. Right then last minute speedway stop I think. I disengaged my right spud in preparation then hit the back brake to put me into a skid then I spotted it, the puddle! Bum! By now I was going sideways and was totally committed — Nooooooo! I almost made it but just as I was reaching for the ground my remaining momentum kicked in and dumped me in the mud with an almighty splash.
“DREW!” Mum screamed.
Brakes squealed and as the wash settled around me I spotted the others looking at me.
“You alright kiddo?” Mum enquired dropping her machine.
“Awesome splash Drew.” Tina smirked.
“Gee thanks, I think so Mum, bit wet maybe.”
“More than a bit,” Maria chuckled as I struggled to my feet, “at least its at the end of our ride.”
I dragged the Klein clear of the goop and gave it the once over. Nothing broke at least.
“Come on, let's get you home.” Mum suggested.
We set off again, emerging from the woods into the hamlet of Rech. Instead of the bike track we joined the valley road and in barely five minutes arrived at Schloss Bond .
Of course being Sunday I was due at Thesing's so while the others settled in in the kitchen I was straight in the shower to get ready for work. Sometimes I wish I hadn't accepted the job…
“So that's two coffees and two tortes.” I worked it out in my head, one ninety, three eighty and two tortes that's “six eighty please.”
I was handed a ten and made the change, “three twenty, thanks for coming.”
I've been working at the bakery for three weeks now and I've just about got my head round things.
“Gabs, table six!”
There is that of course. Connie has taken to calling me Gaby but you knew that didn't you? In case you don't remember she found out about my alter ego back at the start of the summer — ‘ "Drew, why is she calling you Gaby?" Connie enquired. "It's a um family nickname from like ages ago.” I admitted.' Well she like teased me with it a bit over the summer but for some reason since I started helping out here at the bakery she's started using it pretty much all the time.
I collected the tray and headed out to the pavement. Oh no not that lot!
“Hi what can I get you?”
“How about a coffee and you?” one wag suggested.
Jerk! Is he bent or something? I gave him a look of distaste.
“Just kidding Drew.” Max interjected before his sidekick Freddy could dig himself a bigger hole, “four coffees please.”
Maximillian von Strechau, a right pain in the arse. His family are some sort of local gentry, a fact not lost on some of the girls at Silverberg and the Strechs — his gaggle of followers. You'd' a thought he was God's gift.
“Four coffees, anything else? On the menu.” I added before one of the jerks could say anything.
“Just the coffee Drew.”
I headed back inside. Of course Max was in my class so we sorta know each other but we move in two different circles, Brit would probably call him a ‘jock', he plays footie and represents the Gymnasium at swimming and athletics too. He's always mucking about at school, well him and the Strechs, and that sometimes spills over into getting other students involved. I seem to have attracted his attention the last couple of weeks but coming to the bakery — well that's - I dunno, I mean schools one thing but here, he better not start anything!
“Hello? Anyone in? Gabeee!”
“Oh sorry Con.”
“What do they want?”
“Er four coffees.”
“Four coffees.” I announced five minutes later.
“Thanks Drew, can I ask you something?”
What's he want now?
“I guess.”
“Go for it Max!” Freddy, the gobby one, whooped.
“Shut up Freddy.” Ralf put in.
“I was only saying.” Gob a lot noted.
“So Max, I've got other customers you know.”
“Well I um.”
“Spit it out.” I encouraged.
“WouldyougototheKursaalwithmeonSaturday?”
“What?” Did he really say what I thought?
“Would you go to the Kursaal with me next Saturday?”
He's gay! Max von flippin Strechau is bent!
“Gab's, give us a hand in here.”
I was saved from replying by Connie.
“I‘ve gotta go.”
“Let me know tomorrow eh Drew.”
“He what?” Steffi exclaimed in registration.
“Honest!”
“That'll put a few noses out of joint, half the year were hoping for the invite.”
“They're welcome to him, the big gay boy!”
“Drew Bond? Would you like to share with the rest of us?” Fr. Dürst enquired.
Maybe I was a bit loud.
“No Miss, sorry Miss.” I turned an unbecoming shade of beetroot.
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *30* Gaby Chan!
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *30* Gaby Chan!
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *30*
Text in Blue is in German.
"We have a new transfer student today," the sensei Miss Hibari announced when 2-B settled down, "I hope you will make her welcome."
"Hai!" echoed around the classroom.
"Enter please Bond san."
A small girl opened the door and slipped inside. There was a bit of a murmur as the students appraised their new classmate.
"Kawaii!"
The little blonde figure made her way to the front of the class and stood next to Miss Hibari's desk. From her slippered feet to her pigtails she was the epitome of Japanese girlhood. Only the colour of her hair broke the illusion that the Fuku and short skirt engendered.
"Mushi Mushi! My name is Bond Gaby, I come from England, nice to meet you all, konichi wa!"
"Konichi wa Gaby san, please sit next to Mimi Chan in row three."
Gab made her way to the vacant seat, geez meeting new schoolmates is always nerve racking!
Miss Hibari went through a couple of notices before prep time then 2-B became a maelstrom of teen enquiries as most of the girls gathered about Gaby's desk. Gab fended the questions as best she could - no she didn't have a boyfriend, she was Pisces, blood type O, she hadn't joined any clubs yet and she liked Teriyaki. ‘ People really ought to print a card with all that stuff on for situations like this' she mused as first period math started.
“Gaby Chan, you coming to the canteen?”
“Oh sure Mimi Chan, I need to speak with Sensei first though.”
“Okay we'll wait for you in the corridor.”
Gaby finished stowing her books before making her way to Sensei's desk.
“Um Sensei?”
“Gaby Chan, what can I help you with?”
“Um I was just wondering sensei, what I'm doing here?”
“You don't know?”
“Sorry sensei!”
Gaby's pigtails jiggled as she shook her head.
“It's not for me to say, but I'm sure the girls will have some idea.”
“Thank you Sensei.”
This was all a bit weird.
“So which clubs will you join Gaby Chan?” Yuna asked.
“Not karate!” Rina giggled.
“I was only asking.” Yuna looked a bit peeved.
Gaby didn't really know what to make of her classmates. There was Mimi who seemed to be something of a bookworm, the Kurima twins, Rina and Yuna, the tall girl Yuki Imeda and Hazumu Osaragi who seemed to have a far away look in her eyes. Of course there were more in class but she found herself sat up on the roof with these five.
“Well?” Yuna pressed.
“I was thinking maybe the cheer leaders?” Gab proffered.
“That's a bit lame.” Yuki stated, “you should do photography with me.”
“Yuki Chan has a big portfolio!” Mimi grinned.
“We always need members in the gardening club too.” Hazuma added.
“Erm I'll have to think about it.” Gaby offered hoping to close the subject.
“Hmm don't you think Kobayakawa — Kun is cool?” Mimi sighed as a tall dark haired boy walked past.
“He's just a motor head, they say his father used to race motorbikes.” Yuki supplied, “now Rando….”
“Give up Yuki Chan, you'll only get Minori mad at you again.” Rina advised her friend.
“Um I have a question?” Gaby started.
“What about?” Yuna asked.
“Well it's sort of um, strange.”
“Yes?” Hazumu encouraged.
“Well sensei thought you might know why I'm here.”
“Ha! Well that's easy.” Rina grinned.
“It is?”
“Of course Drew Kun, its because you dressed as my sister for the convention.”
BRRRRNNNNNNGGGGGG! BRRRRNNNNNNGGGGGG!
BRRRRNNNNNNGGGGGG! BRRRRNNNNNNGGGGGG!
Drew nearly jumped out of his skin.
BRRRRNNNNNNGGGGGG! BRRRRNNNNNNGGGGGG!
BRRRRNNNNNNGGGGGG! BRRRRNNNNNNGGGGGG!
He flailed an arm towards the bedside table eventually connecting with the offending bit of electronica, his phone.
“Mushi Mushi.”
“Drew? That you?”
“Huh? Mum?”
“Geez kiddo, it's like trying to wake the dead, I've been ringing for fifteen minutes.”
“I was um asleep, what time is it?”
“Time you were up young man, seven thirty nearly.”
“Okay. So why are you ringing my mobile?”
“Because we couldn't get through on the house phone, we'd best go back Dave, heaven knows what's going on there. Where's your sister Drew?”
“In bed? How should I know? I mean I'm in bed trying to sleep.”
“Don't take that tone with me young man.”
“Listen to your mother.” Dads voice chimed in.
“Whatever. You want me to check on Jules?”
“No. Well yes actually.”
“Hang on then.”
He crawled out of bed and pulled a hoody over his pj's before heading downstairs.
“Drew — you still there?”
“Yes Mum, I'm at Jules room now.”
“Well?”
He knocked on the door, “Jools!”
Silence was the loud reply, not even a grunt.
“Drew?”
“Hang on Mum.”
He pushed the door open and peered into the Goth girl's gloomy room.
“Well is she there?”
“Not unless she's hiding in the cupboard.” Drew advised.
“Just wait until we get home, that little madam is gonna so wish she'd..” the tirade was cut off by the signal failing. Just as well Drew thought to himself, the Dark One could get it direct later.
Now he was up it was pointless thinking of going back to bed even if it was still dark outside, he returned to his eerie though to get togged up for training. At least today it was only a turbo session, the wind and rain outside didn't sound very inviting. With Jools gone AWOL he was on his own, the olds wouldn't be back until tomorrow night, Dad had arranged a romantic weekend in some Austrian castle for their anniversary. Why Mum was checking up on them at this unearthly hour though…
In short measure he was in the garage where his bike was already set up on the trainer, he pulled a bottle of energy drink from the small fridge and clambered aboard. The rear tyre was soon humming away to itself and after a ten minute warm up he upped the pace until the drone reached a critical point and the noise level dropped. It's mindless stuff, riding the turbo, usually he'd stick his Discman on but he wasn't in the mood this morning. Instead he let his mind wander a bit as his legs pistoned up and down at a steady twenty-five miles per hour.
‘ What was that dream about?' this always frustrated him, remembering something of a dream but not the crucial bit that made sense of it. There was something about starting a new school and there were some cute girls there but why was he in the dream as Gaby? And why was it in Japan? Hmm maybe I need to cut back on reading all this manga.
‘And just where was Goth Gurl? She could be a bit reckless with her time keeping sometimes but this was a first, not getting home at all.'
The computer rolled over another kilometer and he raised the pace to thirty for a minute before easing back to the original speed. He was supposed to do five of these sprint / rest sets this morning but he missed the third set as his concentration lapsed to thoughts of the rest of the day. To make up for it he did a double length effort on the last set after which it was a ten-minute wind down to end the session.
After showering and getting dressed for work — still a couple of hours away — he booted up the computer with the intention of writing a few mails to the gang in England.
“Drew, a word please?”
“Sure Frau Thesing, what's up?”
“Well you know the Weinachtsmarkt is soon?”
“The market thing in Ahrweiler? Connie mentioned it.”
“Yes, well we'd like you two to run it this year, Herr Thesing will set it up with you of course but then you girls will be in charge.”
It sounded pretty cool, according to Con we'd get paid for selling a few buns from a shed thing and get some tips. The market was on for three weekends at the start of December, the Christmas market season.
“Kewl!”
“We're trusting you to be responsible in this, you are both coming up to fifteen after all.”
Indeed.
“Well anyway I've got your uniforms so I need you to try it on after work today.”
“Sure.”
Its not like I rush home or anything is it? But uniforms? Drew shrugged his shoulders, probably some sweatshirt with a logo on it.
They have got to be kidding! I looked at the hanger again, if they think I'm wearing that they've got another think coming. It's most likely okay — if you're a girl! So okay, I've worn similar stuff like for the Wine Queen stuff and I've worn a good deal less to the cons! But this, this what did she call it, dirndl that was it, well it's not something I want to wear at all let alone in front of people that I might even know!
“Come on Gabs, lets see.” Connie called through the door.
‘I'll just quit, then I won't have to wear it, yeah that sounds like a plan'
“Minute!”
Well in the end I did put the damned outfit on. Talk about feeling a pratt! There is just no way I'm wearing that again, all those petticoats and that frilly blouse — well there was more lace than they make in Nottingham on it!
“Hiya!”
The house was in darkness — which was not a good sign. Either Jules was doing the total Goth thing or she hadn't come home yet. The answer machine was flashing though.
‘You have six new messages, message one. Beep…. Jules, Drew, pick up the phone will you….Beep…. message two… come on you pair, one of you must be up….Beep…message three…i'll ring again later…Beep…message four… Drew, you there? Its Jules, ring me on my mobile as soon as you can…Beep… message five…damn!……Beep…message six…this is Remagen Krankenzentrum, we are trying to contact Frau Bond, please ring reception on **********.'
Sugar! Why does the hospital want Mum? Best ring Jules too. I tabbed to the Dark Ones number and hit dial, after a moment it came up with the out of service signal, flipping heck Jules, what are you playing at?
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *31* Break & Enter
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *31* Break & Enter
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *31*
"So like you coming or what?"
"Um sure."
In fact Drew sounded far from sure. This latest hare brained idea from Mad had sounded quite reasonable last night but in the cold light of day Drew really was having second thoughts. So okay they weren't gonna do anything really illegal well not badly at least but getting into school to retrieve his phone - well he could have managed till Monday. But no, Mad thought they should fetch it this morning even if it meant a bit of breaking and entering.
"Come on sluggard, the longer you take the more chance old Willis will be about."
"Okay already!"
Getting into the grounds hadn't been difficult, you just had to follow the beck from the bridge and cross over using the old willow. No that was easy; the difficult bit was getting inside the building and through to the lockers. But of course Mad seemed to know far too much about this stuff and they were now behind the bike shed worrying at a window.
"Let me have a go."
"Its alright I've got it."
"‘Bout time."
The pair scrambled through into one of the Biology labs, Drew carefully pulling the window down behind them. Mad meanwhile was already at the door.
"Sugar, it's locked!"
"Well duh, unlock it then, its only on a latch."
"Oh right." Mad replied sheepishly.
That was one thing Drew did know, all the classrooms had a Yale lock, you needed a key to get in but nothing to get out - after all they were to keep people out not in! However you could fix the latch open, which is what he did now, no sense in getting themselves locked inside.
Mad led the way, first out of the science block, past the gym and into the humanities block where they both had their form rooms. It didn't take more than a moment for Drew to recover his phone.
"Phew!"
"What was that?" Mad asked.
"What?"
"Didn't you hear it - there it is again."
Drew strained to hear but there was no doubt the third time.
"Someone's coming."
"Willis!" Mad exclaimed.
By my reckoning he was heading our way and was about two doors away.
“Quick, in here.” Mad hissed dragging me through a door.
I'm not sure if it was my heart or Mad's but there was to me at least, a heavy thump, thump which I think was my heart, I'm sure Willis would be able to hear it from wherever he was in the school! We both listened at the door hardly daring to breath. There was a loud creak followed by the ‘whump, whump, whump' of the door swinging closed, at the same time the tuneless tones of the caretaker came to us.
“ Mull of Kintyre, ooh mist rolling in from the sea, oh Mull of Kintyre — look at the state of this place, I'll have to have words with Mr. Woods.”
There was a return to some scrambled McCartney lyrics that accompanied some door rattling outside; he was clearly checking each room.
“Sugar! He'll be here in a minute.”
“In a cubicle, quick!”
We were soon both stood on a toilet bowl hoping Willis wouldn't be too thorough.
“Oh Mull of Kintyre! Have to get that tap fixed tomorrow — mist rolling in from the sea, oh my desire…”
The toilet door thumped closed cutting off his mangling of the lyrics. We stayed where we were for a minute more before either of us dared to speak.
“Phew! That was close.”
“No kidding Batman!”
“Lets get out of here, give us a hand Drew.”
Girls! I helped her down to floor level before heading over to the door just in time to hear the distinctive ‘whump, whump, whump' as Willis left the cloakroom.
“He's gone.” I sighed. “I need a whiz now.” It was only as I looked for the urinals that I realised we were in the girls' lav.
“Well put the seat down afterwards.” Mad chuckled.
“Whatever.”
“Which way did he go?”
“The way we need to go.”
“Bum!”
“He's got five minutes start on us, we just need to be careful that we don't catch him up.”
“What if he locks the door?” Mad started to panic.
Sugar, I hadn't thought of that.
“Maybe we can go round the other way.”
“Okay lets go then.”
We made our way cautiously along the corridors, listening out for the caretaker — of course ‘going round the other way' is okay if you know which way the other party has gone. We were so fixed on the idea that we never thought about that so we were taken by complete surprise when the doors to the science block swung open with Willis close behind.
“Oi! What are you kids doing in here?”
“Shit!”
“Run!”
“Stop you pair!”
All thoughts of stealth gone, we took off back the way we'd come with Willis in pursuit. There wasn't any plan, we just ran!
“Huh, huh, huh, what now?” I wheezed as we rested outside the drama studio.
“Dun, huh, no.” Mad gasped back.
“Do you think he recognised us?”
“We were pretty close.”
“Bum.”
Mad tried the door behind us, “I've got an idea.”
“That's what got us into this.” I grumped.
“And I'll get us out, come on.”
What have I to lose?
“You sure this is gonna work?”
“Hold still unless you want your eye poked out.”
“So?”
“Its worth a go.”
I sighed; it couldn't really get any worse could it?
“There, even your Mum won't recognise you.”
‘I hope not.' The drama club were doing some play thing, Jules mate Anna was in it, I've no idea what its about but my cousin thought we could ‘borrow' some stuff to throw Willis off our trail. That's why I was now wearing a long black wig, heavy makeup, fishnets, tartan mini skirt and a white frilly blouse. Mad herself was dressed in a Chavtastic white tracksuit topped off with a curly red wig.
“Come on, let's get outta here.”
We listened for sounds of our pursuer but he'd either given up or gone a different direction.
“What if he's gone for the cops?”
“Lets not wait to find out.”
We actually made it back to the lab without further incident, the door was still on the catch, we locked it behind us with a sigh of relief.
“So like how come you got the trackies and I end up wearing this stuff?”
“I didn't find it till you were dressed.”
Like I believe that.
“Anyway you look less like a boy dressed like that.”
No kidding.
We climbed back outside and I pulled the window back down. We crept around the building and were just about to make a run for it when we heard Willis quite close by.
“Bloody kids, I know they're round here somewhere.” He turned the corner; we were cornered with only one choice.
“RUN!”
“Oi hold it!”
We both dashed past him; luckily he's not too quick! We didn't stop to look back; we just legged it round to the front gate, clambered over and headed over into the Carrs only stopping when we had the cover of some bushes.
“Geez, that was close.”
I looked back towards the school, Willis had just arrived at the gate and was looking around for us, I dived back out of site.
“I think we made it.”
“Yeah” now all I have to do is get home dressed like a teenage tart, along the main road, past the church as the congregation are arriving then get in doors without anyone seeing me! Maddy Peters, you'll be the death of me!
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *32* RTF
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *32* RTF
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *32*
Text in Blue is in German.
"I wish there were some time trials I could ride, I really miss the evening tens."
"Not much I can do about that I'm afraid." Dad pointed out.
"He could do some RTF's." Mum suggested.
"Some what?"
"RTF - its like a kind of reliability ride, we sometimes do one if there's a gap in the race calendar." Mum explained.
“There's one on this Saturday up near Aachen if you're interested?” Dad offered
“I guess.” To be honest it didn't sound that great.
“Maybe Roni'd fancy doing with you.”
“Don't we like have to enter or something?”
“You can register on the day kiddo.”
The day was showing some promise for the time of year, there was a bit of damp in sheltered spots from the fast disappearing ground fog and the sun was doing its best to break through the grey clouds. It wasn't a long drive, around an hour and with the 100km event starting at nine we had left the house shortly after seven for Düren, the event headquarters.
There were already plenty of bikes about, the blue ribbon 200km event started a few minutes before we arrived, at eight, the 150km event would start at eight thirty then at nine the 100km. Roni spotted us coming into the car park and directed us to where her mother had managed to ‘reserve' a parking slot for our Saab.
“Morgen, Drew, Herr Bond.”
“Morgen Roni, ready for this?” Dad enquired.
“Sure, I'm all recovered, pity the others live so far away.”
“Well they'll be coming over for the track championships next month so I hope they're training hard!”
“Do we have to register or something?” I put in.
“Mama is doing that for us, ah here she comes.” Roni started waving at Frau Grönberg who was strolling back across the car park.
“Morning Frau Grönberg,” Dad mentioned, “thanks for that.”
“No problem Herr Bond, morning Drew.”
“Morgen.”
“I checked at the registration, it's not all marshaled so look out for yellow arrows which are for your event, it shows you the way on the map also.”
She handed Roni and I each a pile of stuff which on closer inspection included a number, map and stamp card. It looked quite straightforward, four checkpoints roughly equidistant; the longer events were based on the same circuit but with various extra loops tacked on to make the distance up.
Whilst I was perusing the paperwork and putting my number on Dad was readying my bike, my race bike now sported a seat pack, we needed to be fairly much self sufficient — no service car today! The time seemed to fly by and in short measure we were lined up with about a hundred others at the start line in the main town square. There were all sorts of bikes and riders of just about all ages although we were about the youngest as far as I could tell.
“Remember Drew, its not a race, there's no prize for finishing first.” Dad gave me a wink. “Stay out of trouble both of you, I'll see you at the second control.”
“Okay.” I agreed.
“Come on Drew, we should get towards the front to start.” Roni instructed.
The waiting riders were much more relaxed than at the start of a race although there was still an air of expectant tension. We joined in the watching of the Rathaus clock and precisely as it chimed nine we set off, a colourful mass of riders complete with police motorbike escort! The pair of us were soon slotted in about twenty riders from the front as we ‘paraded' through the town, the escorts peeling off as we reached the edge of the town. The pace was a healthy 35kph and we were soon lined out two abreast and purring along.
To me it seemed odd that there wasn't any jockeying for position but there again what was the need? The terrain was a bit like back home in around the north Midlands and we swept along, barely slowing for the inclines although there were a few nervous corners. We took our turn at the front, both Roni and I comfortable with the pace, even if I at least felt dwarfed by some of the other riders! A marshal pointed us into the first Kontroll and we came to a halt at the Stempelpunkt.
“Morning girls.”
Grrr!
“Morgen.” Roni replied for us.
“There's food and drink over at the left there.”
“Thanks.” I allowed as my card received its first ‘Stempel' of the day.
“You want some food or shall we get on?” Roni enquired.
“I'm good if you are.”
“Lets set too then, we can tag onto others as they come up to us on the road.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
The sun was bright even if it was offering little in the way of heat, we weren't the only ones foregoing the catering however as we were soon in a small bunch of six riders heading out on the second leg. The others were obviously quite serious riders and the pace went up a notch as the others were clearly testing our mettle. It felt much more like a race now as we made the most of our companions to provide shelter, our time at the front was mercifully short, but we seemed to pass muster as we were permitted to sit in as long as we took at least a brief turn at the front.
Roni was starting to show some signs of fatigue as we completed the first forty kilometres and approached the second Kontroll.
“You okay Ron?”
“Sure, the pace is fairly high I guess.”
“We can drop back.” I offered.
“Neh, it's good training.”
We spotted Dad and Frau Grönberg as we approached the control point, Dad grinned and gave us the thumbs up.
“Keep it up kids, only 55 kilometres to go!”
Cheers Dad!
This time we took advantage of the catering facilities, grabbing soft drinks and some fruit. Riders were arriving in a steady stream, the Kontroll was quite busy by the time we were ready to set off, this time on our own, the other members of our ‘break' having already departed. We set ourselves a comfortable 30kph pace and were soon eating up the miles.
“Up, up, up!”
I recognised Dad's encouragement and managed a forced grin as we once again passed our ‘rents.
We rode the entire third leg on our own; the weather seemed to be taking a turn for the worse such that by Kontroll Punkt 3 it was pretty overcast and distinctly cooler. That was offset by the hot coffee and crepes on offer, which we both partook of with some gusto! Both of the longer events rejoined our circuit at this point so there were already quite a few ‘rolleurs' already there. We didn't hang about unduly, joining about a dozen riders from the other events on the shared route to checkpoint four.
“This is better.” Roni stated as we were swept along in the midst of the pack.
“Yeah, bout another hours riding to go.”
“The front group for the 100 only departed a couple of minutes before us.”
“Hmm we might make some road on them in this big bunch.”
“My thoughts exactly.” Roni agreed.
No it wasn't a race but that doesn't mean we can't be competitive!
No one seemed to mind as we sat behind the rotating leaders of the group — we were far from the only ‘sitters' there.
“Rechts!”
We all swung towards the middle of the road as we swallowed the 100km lead group, we were only doing about 35kph but we seemed to pass them standing. In reality the four of them slotted in a few bikes behind us, joining us in taking advantage of the bigger group.
“You okay to make a run for the finish Ron?”
“Hmm I'll try.”
“Just say if you don't want to.”
“Okay.”
I moved us up into the rotation so we could clear the Kontroll quickly, we'd be on our own for the last fifteen kilometres so any advantage we could get… the only spanner was the lure of free bratwurst! I motioned for Roni to get going and joined the short sausage queue, collecting two portions. I quickly got myself back a-wheel, sausage in hand and set off in pursuit of my teammate. The murky weather seemed to be clearing as our route returned towards Düren.
It took me best part of four kilometres to catch back up to Roni — its not easy riding with a bratwurst in each paw! There was no sign of the other 100k riders, when I escaped the last checkpoint they were still queuing for food so we certainly had the advantage.
“Cheers Drew.” Roni managed through a mouthful of wurst.
“No probs, one last effort?”
“Lets do it.” She enthused snicking up a sprocket.
We were soon maintaining a ground eating cadence and the finish line was fast approaching, in fact no more than twenty minutes away. The weather was regaining its earlier promise and we rode turn about, keeping the speed above 30kph all the way to the finish. We were greeted by a noisy crowd and had the honour of getting our ride medals from the town Mayor! The next riders in seemed somewhat surprised to find us already finished — even if it was by just a few minutes.
“So how'd you enjoy it then Drew?” Roni enquired between mouthfuls of torte.
“Different.”
“So you'll be up to ride a few more then?” Dad suggested.
“Yeah!”
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *33* München
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *33* Má¼nchen
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *33*
Text in Blue is in German.
Bluh! I don't want another dream like that!
He stretched and luxuriated in the bed, his bed but there was something sort of naggingly wrong with that. A glance at the clock on the nightstand showed 7.30 so a degree of grogginess was to be expected. There was still something wrong, it wasn't really his bed was it, no that's right he was in Munich.
There was something else not quite right but he put that down to tiredness.
"Gaby, time for frühstuck, the rally is at ten so the coach will collect us at nine."
Rally? And just why was Jules calling him Gaby?
"Erm okay."
"And make sure your uniform is smart, mama pressed it specially for today."
"Okay already!"
"Don't use such language, you will get us all in trouble."
Huh? What is she on about?
"Ten minutes"
"Five!"
"Whatever."
He threw back the covers, some hotels still use proper sheets and stuff for some reason.
Why am I wearing a nightdress? A cotton one at that. Hang on what was all that about a uniform and rally?
He scrambled out of bed and headed for the old wardrobe to find his clothes.
There is definitely something weird going on here. I'm sure I wore my jeans yesterday so where are they? And why is there all this tan coloured stuff in here? Something very weird!
He headed to the sink to grab a quick rinse; jeez they really need to get new plumbing. The pipe work gurgled and banged a bit before issuing any water, which was at best barely luke warm. A quick splash woke him up some; enough to cause him to nearly faint away when he looked in the mirror.
There was no doubt it was him looking back but him with a ridiculous girls haircut which (and this was only cos he'd seen pictures in social studies), made him look like a refugee from the 1930's! What the hell is going on?
He checked to make sure Jules wasn't pratting about but the hair stayed put on his head; it really was him looking back. So if that's me... He checked under the nightdress to see if he was all there. Phew! Even the bits he could do without were still the same under the heavy cotton garment.
Weirder and weirder! A return to the wardrobe revealed an old fashioned flowery dress and the tan skirt and blouse, which he guessed, was the uniform his sister mentioned. Just what is going on?
Best not pee her off though. A quick search failed to turn up any of his own clothes so it was a case of make do. He wasn't exactly into the whole military look but it could've been camo! This outfit was less urban chic and frumpier soldier! Still it was kinda smart, in a way even if he could only find some short grey socks and some old fashioned T bar sandals, you know with like a flowery design stamped out on top.
"Where've you been?" Jules flapped.
"Er..."
The elder Bond was wearing pretty much the same, her hair back to its natural shade and in a similar cut to his own.
"Eat your breakfast, I'll do your hair, hurry!"
I thought we were gonna see Vampira at the stadium this afternoon so what's all the hurry and weirdness?
Jules fussed with his hair and then tied a sort of ribbon thing round his neck while he grabbed a light breakfast. An old fashioned horn sounded outside.
"That's the bus, come on Gabs, time to go." she enthused.
This was just getting way too strange!
Of course outside was not a huge brightly painted behemoth but rather a small thing with an old-fashioned bonnet affair on the front. Weirder! The board in the window really threw him a curve ball though.
'National Socialists Youth Rally, München''
Oh boy! Now this is weird and heavy!
"Jules?"
"What now?"
"I er thought we were going to a concert, you know like music?"
"Of course there is music silly, now hurry up, we have to pick up the others."
"Um ok"
"You shouldn't use those American words, please, only proper German"
What has got into Goth Girl?
"I'll try."
I climbed onboard the rickety old bus except it wasn't old or rickety! In fact it was like it was pretty new if a little spartan. The smooth leather of the seat was cold against my bare thighs and the seats weren't very wide. Must be one of those reconstruction jobbies I guess but why we were on it...
My sister whispered into my ear, “please Gaby, you must be very careful, especially today, I hate to think what would happen if your true gender was discovered.”
The bus picked up more teens, all wearing similar outfits — well the boys had long shorts, one or two wore the red armbands that Party members wear. Hmm, how do I know that? At the last stop we all helped garland the bus and we posed for pictures — yup that's me — what a dork I look!
We were soon on our way again and it wasn't long before we joined a huge number of other buses parking in the streets surrounding the Stadium. An eager lad in the uniform of the Junge Vormund checked our bus off his list and we found ourselves herded with hundreds of others towards the stadium itself. There was a tension in the air; a general excitement and I found myself being sucked in too. This clearly wasn't 2006, it wasn't even January! I'd given up trying to work out the now of things by this stage as far as I could tell we were off to see the countries leader, the Führer, Herr Hitler!
“Please come forward as your name is called.”
We were now in the shadow of the stadium itself and there were literally thousands of us waiting to enter.
“Helga Booman, Gabrielle Bond, Juliette Bond, Anna von Coburg … “
I shuffled forward and found myself joining the front rank of our party. I barely remember the rest of the morning — we marched into the stadium (after a fashion!), we listened to some martial music, Herr Hitler gave a speech which I didn't understand much of, there was a lot of cheering, more military band stuff and finally the Führer was driven around the stadium in the back of a huge Hörch limousine.
“What happens now?” I asked my sister in the euphoric aftermath of the ‘event'.
I have to admit that I was carried along with events, cheering and even craning to see the countries leader on his drive round.
“Find our bus for one then I think we go into the city.”
I have to say it was pretty strange in the centre of Munich. It was teeming with people largely attendees of the Rally — you could tell by the uniforms! Our group, all pupils at the Ahrweiler Gymnasium, were treated to a walking tour of the main sites, we got to climb the Rathaus tower, the Residenz, Isartor, Ministry and ended up in the Englisher Gärten, a huge park by the Prinz Carl Palais.
To say it was very strange would be putting it mildly. How I've come to be in Munich in 1936 I've no idea and now I think about it I'm frightened and worried. Lets face it, I know what's gonna happen in the next few years and I'd actually rather not be involved! So okay I'm a coward but I'm also a boy pretending to be a girl, which could turn out to be quite dangerous not just for me but the rest of the family too.
We eventually found ourselves at the Gästhaus we were billeted at.
“Ah Mädchen! Just in time for dinner, wash up and come to the dining room.”
Well a girl has to eat!
After a heart meal of Pork hock and potatoes we spent the evening with our landlady reading and listening to the radio. That was eerie, they played a recording of today's rally and this time around we could hear Herr Hitler's words clearly. I wish I hadn't been there, I wish I hadn't heard those words, seen that man.
I went up to bed shortly after nine very disturbed and unsure of what the future will bring.
“Drew! Come on, we'll be late.”
“Gnh?”
“Really bro, you are the limit! Get up!” and with that my duvet was ripped off me.
Duvet?
I blinked myself awake and looked around the room, TV, generic impressionist print on the wall, most definitely this is not 1936! No this is 2006 and we're here to see Vampira at the Olympic Stadium. That was one weird dream — I can't remember eating any cheese last night. I tried to remember it but with Goth Girl banging around all I know is that I don't want to go there again.
All I can think is that I was really tired last night, we came down straight from school — I met Jules on the train at Remagen, and although it was a ‘fast' train it still took over five hours to get to Munich so it was gone nine when we rolled out of the Hauptbahnhof in Munich. We were staying in one of those budget City Hotels just round the corner from the station, Mum booked it for us although Jules wanted to stay in some hostel place someone told her about.
And I guess my head was still going over the stuff we were doing in sociology class, which was about the rise of German Nationalism in the 1930's. Last week we had to read a book about some woman's experience of the period and yesterday we watched a programme about the rise of the Third Reich so I guess that's what I was dreaming about.
“Come on, I wanna see some stuff before we go to the stadium.” Jules pressed.
“Okay, I'm coming.”
Sometimes your siblings can be embarrassing, today I was embarrassed squared! There's me trying to be like cool teen laddo and there's Goth Gurl — well frankly I'm not sure what she was dressed as! I mean, just look at her, the whole black thing but really, those disgusting boots and a miniskirt with stockings — it's a good job Mum can't see her!
So anyway, the best way to get round the city was on one of the sightseeing buses which go from outside the railway station — at least I wouldn't have to be seen with her in public so much. It was really weird though, we'd stop somewhere like the Residenz and I'd get this weird sense of déjà vu, you know like I'd been there before? Except I've never been to Munich before — like ever! We got like this Japanese tourist to take a picture of us at Max-Joseph Platz and it was like über weird!
Anyway after doing the tourist bit and then hitting the shops for a bit — even C&A here sell dirndls! They really are into their traditional outfits. Where was I, oh yeah we dumped our stuff back at the hotel then headed to the stadium.
Don't ask me about the concert — all I can tell you is that 20,000 German Goth Rockers make a lot of noise and my head was ringing by the time we left! Sunday morning our train left at eight, which was not fun, but at least we could sleep on the journey north. Dad picked us up from Remagen station and dropped me at work on the way home.
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *34* Weinachtsmarkt
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *34* Weinachtsmarkt
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *34*
Text in Blue is in German.
“So where are we going?” I enquired. It was almost certain that he'd been told but you never really listen to what the gang say — do you?
“Sometimes Fraulein Bond you can really be annoying.” Connie huffed.
“Sorree!”
“Don't mind her Drew,” Nena put in, “we're going to Ká¶ln, for the Weinachtsmarkt well Markts really, there're three separate ones to visit.” She enthused.
“Ok.” Weinachtsmarkt — that's some sort of Christmas market like that thing in Nottingham last year.
He looked out of the window of the Ahrtal Express as they sped towards the Rhein. It was a cold, damp morning — not icy but definitely wintry, in fact the weather forecast suggested snow might be on its way particularly in the Há¶hes Eifel but maybe as far north as Dá¼sseldorf. At least the train was warm but everyone had dressed for December and he was currently regretting wearing the tights under his jeans — an old cycling trick to keep your legs warm. The only one eschewing some sort of trousers was Anna who had gone for a layered skirt look with woolly tights and sheepskin boots.
‘Die ná¤chste halt ist Reymargen'
Geez that seemed quick today, Remagen already!
“Get with it Drew, the Ká¶ln train's already in.” Pia jostled his elbow.
“It won't go before we get there.” I pointed out.
“I know.”
We all made our way to the doors as the train eased into Gleis 5. The platform clock was showing 08.55 so there was at least two minutes to get to Gleis drei where the Rhein Express northbound was indeed sat waiting. We joined the throng heading down the subway — it looks like half of the Ahr valley are here! There was a rumble and a sort of singing noise just as we reached the middle platforms and the southbound ICE wanged through the station at stupid kph.
“Come on” Connie urged, “I bet there are seats at the back.”
Like a string of ducklings the rest of us followed in her wake towards the rear of the train. A couple of people were loading themselves and their bikes into the last carriage and we arrived just as the manoeuvre was completed. As usual the train comprised ten double deck carriages that we discovered to be pretty full already.
“Upstairs.” Pia urged leading the way up.
It did already have quite a few passengers but by luck there were two lots of table seats almost opposite each other that we quickly commandeered.
“Phew!” Anna slumped into her seat.
There was a slight jolt and the train started to move. Looking out of the window I could see a coach outside the hotel that's opposite the station, hey that's a Johnson's coach from back home! It's a little bit weird to think that six months ago we lived in England because it sort of feels like we've been here forever! The coach soon moved beyond view as it started to pick up speed and soon the wide, dirty Rhein flowed beside us populated by a string of heavily laden barges.
“Which should we do first?” Steffi enquired.
“Neumarkt” Bridget suggested.
“Yeah and then we can work back through the shops.” Nena agreed.
“I hope someone has those 3d log villages,” Connie mentioned, “I want to get one for my Tantchen in Brazil.”
“What about you Drew? Anything you're looking for?” Anna asked.
“Dunno, I've never been to one before, well not a proper one — what sort of stuff is there gonna be?”
“Of course, I forgot you are a virgin!” Steffi announced gleefully.
“Ste-eff!” I complained checking to see if anyone else had heard.
“There's all sorts of stuff,” Pia put in, “wooden toys, special foods, candles…”
“Jewellery!” Nena added.
“Pottery an' stuff.” Brid dropped in.
Okay, maybe I can get some Chrimbo prezzies for the gang back home.
“Die ná¤chste halt ist Brool”
We must have been engrossed in our conversation when we stopped at Bonn, it must have been when all those people came through the carriage and that woman sat next to Pia. Still if we're at Brohl it will only be ten minutes to Ká¶ln Hauptbahnhof. I know this a train not a steamed up old bus but this morning sort of reminds me of going across to Sheffield and Meadow hell. So okay this is a bit more comfortable but I'm with my friends going shopping. I had tuned out the girls chatter and looked out the window at the bleak flat landscape that Ká¶ln sits in. ‘I wonder what the guys will be doing today? Probably the same as us here I guess in as much as Christmas shopping. Mad'll be bossing everyone around, Bernie will probably get in a huff and Ally'll have to make the peace.'
“Drew?”
“Eh?”
“We'll get off at Ká¶ln West, its closer to Neumarkt than the Hauptbahnhof.” Bridget mentioned as we passed the container port, Eifel Tor.
“Plus we miss a lot of the crowds by the Dom” Anna stated.
The others were already collecting coats and bags and by the time we were redressed the Ká¶ln West platform was already gliding past below us.
“Come on!” Pia urged as we made our way through the crowded stairwell to the doors.
“Brrrr, its cold out here.” Connie complained.
“Well duh! Do your coat up!” Anna suggested.
It certainly was cold, especially after the heat of the crowded train.
“Lets get going, we'll warm up walking.” I adjusted my rucky and headed for the exit stairs.
I've been to Ká¶ln several times since we moved to Germany but this is the first time I've been around this part. The others seemed to know the way so once at street level I just did the following bit. After about ten minutes we crossed the inner Ring then started threading through a few back streets before what Bridget called the ‘Bohemian shopping area', book shops, some of those arty coffee shop places and shops selling like weird clothing and stuff. We lingered at one or two windows — I wonder if Jules knows this is here?
We finally emerged at Neumarkt; the smell of wá¼rst and seasonal music identified the collection of wooden sheds between the bus stops and the tram station as our destination. It was still only quarter to eleven so not all the cabins were open yet as the magnificent seven strolled into town!
“Hmm I think I'm getting a Waffel” Nena announced.
“I fancy a pretzel” Brid sighed.
The source of such delicacies was soon located and we were soon all eating! Neumarkt is quite small, my guides advised, and whilst it gives a bit of flavour I didn't see anything to entice Euros from my wallet. I don't think anyone bought more than their food before we crossed over to the end of Schildergasse, Ká¶ln's main shopping street.
The crowds were already thick even at this end; the Dom end is usually even busier as that's where you find most of the tourists. I know that we had come to ‘do' the Christmas markets but there was no way the girls were going to miss the chance to visit Pimkie or any of the other fashion emporiums attractive to teenage girls in these parts.
We'd nearly walked straight past what has become one of my favourite destinations in Ká¶ln before I realised.
“I'll catch you guys up.”
“Where're you going?” Connie asked as the others gathered about us.
“The um Spielhaus?” I indicated the building with the plane crashing into it behind me.
“Toys?” Brid queried.
“No, no,” I back pedalled, “Stuff for my Dad.” I ad libbed.
“Hmm its time to eat, Galleria okay everyone?” Connie suggested.
There was a general murmur of agreement.
“We'll see you up there then Drew, 30 minutes?” Brid suggested.
“Okay.” It would have to do I guess.
The toyshop was heaving with, I realised quickly, a lot of tourists! I can remember the first time I came here, I was pretty much gob smacked by the place — four floors of toys, dolls, models and such. This was where I got sort of hooked on my newest hobby, collecting the small cars and trucks that you see on railway layouts. I've never really gotten into the whole model railway thing but the cars are well cool. It started with an Apollinaris truck but since the summer I've added quite a few to my little collection and today I was looking for one in particular. I managed to navigate up to the correct level and started scanning the displays. Ah there it is — a Smart car with a bike on the back! Kewlies — the bike isn't exactly brilliant but I mean it's only about a centimetre long. I made my selection (I still can't believe they have these things just out on the shelf!) and made a quick trip around the department on the way to the Kasse. Oh wow, I gotta get that — I studied the package of racing cyclists in the same scale as my model cars.
I waited impatiently to pay, for the first time in months I could hear English spoken outside of my family and Herr Viessner's English class . ‘I'll get that for Barry — ooh hang on that's only about three pounds.' I sort of cringed at the sound realising that I now considered myself ‘one of the locals'!
“12,50 bitte” the sales girl advised.
I passed over my twenty Euro note.
“Haben sie Klein geld bitte?”
“Er ja.” I handed her the coins to make fifty cents.
“Danke”
My purchases were now bagged and noting I only had five minutes before I was due to meet the others I headed towards the Karstadt across the way.
“Hey Drew, over here!”
I spotted the guys and headed over. Hmm the table was already laden with their food.
“Give us your bag and coat girl.” Anna instructed.
“Er sure.” I agreed disrobing. “Back in a couple.”
I headed to the servery — now in case you've never been in one of these places I'd best explain a bit. The Galleria places are like a super self-service restaurant with all sorts of stuff on offer including salad stuff and things like pork and rice, which you pay for by weight! Its so cool but can get expensive if you get carried away. One other thing about these places — the food is actually quite good!
I checked out the ‘carvery' and decided on the special — Schnitzel Thurau style, that's with a fried egg on top, with fresh veggies and new pots. I figured we'd have frites later otherwise I would've had them now. I rounded up a slice of coffee torte with cream, a cappuccino and a small dish of salad before paying and rejoining the others.
“We were just saying Drew, we'll do the Altmarkt after this then we can spend plenty of time at the Dom.”
“Sure,” I agreed, “What time train are we taking back?”
“Lets see,” Brid found her timetable, “we get the six o'clock which will get us to Remagen in time for the seven fifteen back up the valley, Dernau about eight.”
“Hmm” I noted around a mouthful of schnitzel.
It was well after two by the time we got to the Heumarkt where we watched the skaters on the big open rink for a few minutes before heading along to the Altmarkt. Compared to the Neumarkt this place is really buzzing, more people and I guess more atmosphere. There were some nicer things here too and I found a few bits and pieces for various people's presents — some earrings for Goth Girl and a hand knitted scarf for Gran.
There were a few ‘rowdies' around a Glá¼hwein stall and despite trying to avoid them one of them started trying it on with Pia.
“Go away!”
“Give us a kiss then gorgeous!” he countered leaning in.
Pia shoved him away, which started a chain of events that resulted in…
“Shitza!”
A full cup of mulled wine, hot mulled wine was deposited in my crotch!
“Aaargh!”
“Oh bum!”
“Hey like I'm sorry Fraulein.” Rowdy one allowed as Nena and Connie descended on me.
“Geez Drew, you've got to get out of those jeans.”
“Oh right, like I've got spare trousers with me.” I shot back.
“I've got an idea — take Drew in the toilets, I'll be there in a few minutes.” Anna ordered.
My jeans — and my tights underneath, were now a sodden sticky mess of material. Luckily it hadn't soaked through to my knickers!
“Here you go.” Anna passed a bundle around the door to me.
Why me?
I pulled on the skirt, a mid thigh length brown cord affair and sat on the toilet to pull on the socks.
“Anna?”
“What? The skirt fits yeah?”
“Erm it's not that, couldn't you find any plain tights or something?”
“I think they look cool.”
The garments in debate were far from ‘cool' as I saw it, yep they were warm and being over knee did a fair job on that score. No it was the fact that they were in pink and white stripes and, I realised when I stood up, not quite long enough to meet the skirts hem!
“Come on Drew, lets see.” Brid encouraged.
I sighed in resignation before stepping out.
“Well cool girl!” Anna grinned.
“Couldn't I borrow a longer skirt?”
“These are all too thin to keep you warm enough.” She advised as she fluttered her remaining layers about her.
“What's this?”
“One of my skirts and some warm socks”
Really, why me?
“Come on, the others are headed to the Dom Markt.” Brid encouraged.
By the time we had made the short walk to the biggest of the cities three markets my legs were accustomed to their new covering — or lack of and it was just starting to go dark.
We found the others waiting for us by the steps up to the market.
“Great look girl!” Steffi noted.
I replied with a pained look.
“Well it is.” Pia added her two Centimes worth.
“Come on, or we'll miss some of it.” Connie encouraged.
The crowds here were incredible — almost a tide of people flowing around the plaza. The noise was incredible too — voices in several different languages, seasonal music and off to one side a choir singing carols too! Then a voice caught my attention.
“Are you sure I need a large?”
“You're a large in Marks”
“This is hardly M & S is it?”
Yup I know that voice. I scanned the nearby crowd and there he was — Woody, Mr Wood my old headmaster from Warsop College! Oh sugar, I don't really want him to spot me.
“Lets look at those candles.” I hinted to the others.
“I didn't think you liked them just now?” Connie mentioned.
“Gaby? Gaby Bond? Is that you?”
“Is that person calling you?” Steffi asked as I froze in place.
“It is you, I told you Bren, its Jenny's youngest.”
Oh bugger.
“Er high Mr Wood, Mrs Wood.” I sighed.
“Fancy seeing you here Gaby, I thought you lived further south?”
“We do, me and the um girls came up for the day to the Weinachtsmarkt's.”
“Who are they Drew? Why do they use your nickname?” Connie whispered to me.
“Er sorry, this is my old headmaster from England, Mr Wood and his wife Brenda.”
“Ah.” My friends noted.
“Er Mr Wood, Mrs Wood these are my friends, Pia, Anna, Connie, Brid, Nena and Steffi.” I completed the introductions.
“Gooten arbent” Woody grinned.
The girls replied in a variety of broken English greetings.
“Um so how come you are in Germany Sir?”
“A flying visit I'm afraid, coach trip staying down the river. We drove over last night and we get home late tomorrow night after visiting another of these markets in Arken or some such.”
“Aachen?” I supplied.
“That'll be it.”
“Well its um nice to see you Sir, Mrs Wood, I'll tell Mum I saw you.”
“That would be nice, you'd better join your friends, nice to see you again Gaby. ”
“I thought Jenny's youngest was Drew?”
“That was Drew dear.”
“But that was a girl?”
“I'll explain later.”
“Come on, we should just make it!” Nena struggled against the tide of people between the stalls.
After the unexpected meeting with Woody we had returned to trawling the stalls. It was only as we watched a guy working on some cuckoo clocks that Brid spotted the time — five to six, oh crap!
We wove our way through the crowds and round the dark mass of the Dom ran down the steps and into the station. We reached the platform to see our train just disappearing from view.
“Shitza,” Connie noted, "when's the next one?”
“Lets see, seven o'clock.” Brid told us after checking the departure board.
“Bum!”
“I'll ring my mum, she can tell everyone in case they worry.” Connie advised.
“We can get some frites in MacDonald's and wait there.” Steffi suggested.
“Okay, Connie?”
“Moment mama,” she put her hand over the mouthpiece, “Papa will fetch us from Remagen in the bus and drop everyone home.” She informed us, “Ok Mama, Tschuss!”
We were almost at the Maccy D in the lower concourse when that voice came again.
“You still here Gaby?” Mr Wood enquired as our two parties met.
“We missed our train Sir”
“Oh dear!” Mrs Wood exclaimed.
“Its no problem there's another in an hour and Connie's Dad will pick us up from Remagen station.”
“That's where we're staying isn't it Bren?”
“Yes, the hotel is opposite the station.”
“You're on the Johnson's coach?”
“How did you know?” Mr W quizzed me.
“I saw it this morning when we changed trains.”
“You live near to Reymargen?”
“A few miles up the valley Sir”
“Geoff we need to get going ourselves if we're to get the coach back!”
“I'm a little worried about the girls being here on their own at this time of night.”
“We'll be okay Sir.”
“I've an idea, come on girls, we'll get you home a bit quicker.”
So that's how the magnificent seven found ourselves hitching a lift on the Johnson's coach back to Remagen. Apparently a few passengers hadn't joined the excursion, which left some vacant seats that, with just a little persuasion from my former head, we were allowed to occupy for the forty-minute drive down the river. I made a call home on the way; Mum was surprised and very happy at the news and would be in Remagen not much behind us.
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *35* Homesick
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *35* Homesick
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *35*
Text in Blue is in German.
"Mum?"
"What's up kiddo?"
"We'll be a bit late but you'll never guess what?"
"Go on" Jen prompted.
"Well you'll never guess who's here?"
"You're right I'll never guess, spit it out."
"Woody - I mean Mr. Wood and his wife, they're staying in Remagen."
"How do you know?"
"Well it's a long story but we met them in Ká¶ln earlier and we're on their coach right now."
Drew seems to have a habit of throwing curve balls and Jen decided not to pursue the why's at this stage.
"Are you ringing for a lift?"
"Nah, Steff's dad is picking us up."
"So you were just ringing to say you'd be late?"
"Well I thought you might like to see Mr. Wood, you could like drive down to Remagen?"
Drew you little bugger!
"You still there Mum?"
"Yeah I'm still here."
"We'll be the in about thirty minutes, that hotel outside the Bahnhof, see ya."
"Yeah, see you later." her son had already broken the connection.
Oh bugger Drew, sometimes you do the damnest things! I'm sure there's quite a story here somewhere but it would be nice to see Martin again - and Brenda for that matter. Hmm what's the time, right I'll go!
Within ten minutes Jen was on the road, a feeling of trepidation causing a nervous tapping on the Mercedes' steering wheel.
The tone of the coach's engine changed as we approached the turn into Remagen town and we were soon over the railway lines and threading our way towards the Hotel Alt Post opposite the Bahnhof. We pulled up and we joined the ‘proper' passengers in collecting our belongings and queuing to dismount.
“Thanks for the ride” I told the driver.
“Not a problem girls, couldn't have you stranded now could we?”
“Well thanks anyway.”
I joined the others on the pavement.
“Papa will be here in about fifteen minutes.” Steffi advised us.
“Its flippin cold out here!” I noted rubbing my goose pimpled thighs through the skirt.
“We can wait in the Bahnhof.” Connie suggested.
“Okay, I'll just say bye to Mr. Wood.”
“We'll wait here for you.” Anna stated.
I walked over to the reception where Woody was still queuing to get inside.
“Thanks for getting us the ride Sir.”
“No problem Gaby, my pleasure. So what are you and the girls up to now?”
“Well Steffi's dad is coming to pick us up so we're gonna wait in the station ‘till he gets here.”
“You'll freeze to death! Why don't you wait in the coffee shop — I'll even spring for Hot Chocolate.”
Hmm that's tempting.
“Go fetch the others and I'll get it ordered.”
“Thanks Mr. Wood.”
I headed back to the girls.
“Mr. Wood's gonna spring for chocolate so we can wait in the coffee shop.”
“Oh cool!” Pia muttered through chattering teeth.
That didn't take much convincing.
“Good, I feel happier with you not catching pneumonia Gaby. Look I need to go change before dinner otherwise Bren will kill me so I might miss you when your transport arrives. Tell your Mum high from both of us.”
“I will. Erm could you do me another favour sir?”
“A headmasters job is never done eh?” he grinned, “what is it Gaby?”
“Well could you say hi to Miss Cowlishaw for me?”
“No problem lass, I think she misses having you around as much as me.”
I dunno why but I found myself grabbing him and starting to tear up.
“Hey-yay-yay.” He hugged me back. “There there.”
I got myself back together and eased back.
“Better?”
“Sorry Sir” I sniffed.
“Its ok, look your chocolates just coming, go join your friends.”
“Thanks again sir.”
“Take care now.”
We went in opposite directions he to his room and me to rejoin the girls.
“Your headmaster is pretty cool yeah?” Nena suggested.
“I guess.”
We had just about finished our cocoa when Herr Olberg arrived in his Taxi bus. We quickly gathered our stuff again and exited the warmth of the coffee shop.
“Come on girls, I've got a nine o'clock booking.”
“We were going to catch the Express Papa.” Steffi complained.
“But your mother wouldn't give me peace eh?”
We scrambled into the Vito and we were soon heading towards home. I had thought Mum might go to see Mr. Wood but perhaps she doesn't want to. There was one thing with getting a lift from Steff's dad — its door-to-door service!
|
“I'm home!”
“Oh its you,” Jules noted coming down the stairs, “what are you wearing?” “It's a long story.” “I bet.” “It is,“ I protested, “it was an emergency.” “Only you could have an emergency that left you looking like a Japanese Lolita schoolgirl!” “Where's Mum?” I swiftly changed the direction of the conversation, “ I thought she'd still be here.” “She had a call then said she had to see ‘a man about a dog' before taking off in the car.” So she has gone. “Okay spill, I know you know something.” “I'll tell you when Mum gets back.” “Tell me now.” She moved in for a tickle fest. “No, get off, I said I'd tell you later.” I persisted. |
“Pah! Your no fun, what good is a sister if they don't gossip!”
“I'm your brother.”
“Maybe that's it.”
“I'm gonna go shower, you had dinner?”
“An hour ago, don't worry we saved you some.”
“Not that cardboard pizza again?”
“Nah, pasta bake, home made by yours truly.”
“That means I'm sure to die”
She poked her pierced tongue out at me, I replied with my unholey appendage.
“You girls finished yet?”
“Almost Mama”
Connie replied.We were nearly finished sweeping and wiping down the coffee shop, our usual last chore of the day. I've been helping out on Sunday afternoons in the Thesing's bakery since we started back to school in September, I get a few extra Euros which are always useful and its not like there's much else to do!
“I'm off to your Aunts Connie so make sure you lock up when you're done.”
“Yes Mama”
“G'night Drew, see you in the morning.”
“Goodnight.”
It took another five minutes to finish up downstairs before we headed up to the Thesing's flat where this week Con and me will be fending for ourselves. Usually Con's mum does tea before we sit down to watch Tatort . That really is a cheesy programme but its not like there's a lot of choice! This week however we get the whole Tatort cast to ourselves as Mrs. T has gone visiting her sister and Mr. T is down in Koblenz visiting a friend in the big hospital there.
“Give us a hand Drew.”
“Er sure.”
“Cut some bread and get the plates please.”
“Okay.”
I am thinking of quitting this week though. Not that I really want to but I'm nearly fifteen and I need to make a stand! So okay we normally work in ordinary stuff you know jeans an' stuff with just our aprons on top. No problem but in the run up to Christmas we are supposed to be taking the little van to a couple of smaller markets — that's not a problem but Frau Thesing has it in her head that we'll wear traditional costumes. Now that's all well and good but how many fifteen-year-old boys volunteer to wear all those flounces and things? Okay don't answer that. Anyway that's why I'm quitting tomorrow.
“So are you going back to England for Christmas?”
“Nah, the rents want to spend it here to sort of christen the house so my Gran is coming over for a few days.”
“Kewl! Hey that means you won't miss any of the parties!”
Oh joy.
“I guess.”
“And remember you have to go to the Neujahr Ball.” She enthused.
I wish everyone else would forget that. I certainly can't, worse luck. I mean that's just something else that I got suckered into over the summer; you'd think I'd learn wouldn't you?
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *36* Miss You - Obits
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *36* Miss You - Obits
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *36*
Dernau 1 st January 2005 12.02pm :
Jenny put the book she was reading down and went to answer the door.
“Morgen.”
“Frau Bond?” the policewoman enquired.
“Yes, what's happened?” policemen at your door were never bringing good news.
“May we come in?”
“Oh sorry, please.”
The two upholders of the law entered the Bond's kitchen and waited for Jen to join them.
“Your child rides a race bicycle?”
This was not going to be good.
“A red Schauff, why?”
“Would you like to sit first?”
“No just tell me, he's in hospital, is he okay?”
“I'm sorry Frau Bond, he's not in the hospital. A bicycle was found on the Radweg south of Remagen an hour ago.”
“Oh no! Not Drew!”
***---***----****REUTERS BONN****JAN 1 ST 2005****17.35****----*****
Body found in Rhein — thought to be missing teenager — extensive search called off — more.
Kripp 1 st January 2005 10.33am :
It was always good to get out on the bike for a bit and start the year as you mean to go on. Drew turned onto the river front - not even a ferry running he noted seeing the ‘Linz' tied up by the ramp. Geez the river was high this morning, as high as he'd ever seen it in fact. Well he'd ride down to the deer park and cut over the hill back home.
Drew being Drew he slipped up a couple of gears and picked up the pace, hmm better watch out, I'm sure that looked like ice back there. The trail was a mixture of paving slabs with the odd patch of tarmac ‘repair' and the river was barely a metre below him, swirling and gurgling towards the sea.
Yup, that was definitely ice, hmm have to be a bit more careful, don't want to deck myself. The river turned lazily towards Remagen, he could see the remains of the bridge on the opposite bank. At that moment the sun chose to break through the cloud.
It happened so quickly — the glare from the ice caught him straight in the eye — by reflex he grabbed the brakes but he was already on the ice. Rider and bike slewed dangerously, the front wheel finally catching an edge that flipped Drew over the bars. SHIT!
CYCLING WEEKLY Jan 5 th 2005
Andrew Bond
We are sorry to have to announce the death of one of the UK's best hopes for the future in an accident near the family home in Germany. Full story next week.
Dernau 1 st January 2005 12.07pm :
“Where is he?”
“I'm afraid we don't know Frau Bond, we have the river Polizei searching and teams on each bank.”
“Drew!” Jen wailed.
“Is your husband in?” the other cop enquired.
“He, they, they've gone for a walk.” Jen managed between sobs.
“They?”
“My other daughter and my mother, Dave's taking them to Rech.”
“We'll find them,” the female officer stated, “Dieter.” She signalled her colleague who departed to start that search.
“Is there anyone you'd like me to call?”
“Oh Drew please be safe.”
PROCYCLING, FEBRUARY 2005
Drew Bond. The year started on a bad note for UK cycling with the death of Olympic hopeful Drew Bond on January 1 st . Still only fourteen, Drew was following in his mother's illustrious footsteps having secured a place on both the British Cycling development squad and the German Apollinaris youth team. He shot to fame in 2004 by winning the schools circuit race championship in the face of older and more experienced competition. This was followed up with a string of impressive rides at both hill climb and ‘cross resulting in him securing a second national title at hill climb.
2004 saw a move to Germany to join the Apollinaris squad where he again had an impressive season competing at Junior Elite level across Europe with six wins to his credit. He returned to the UK in August when he took an impressive win to secure a second under 16 title at Bristol.
On the morning of Jan 1 st he was out training at the side of the Rhine when its thought he lost control and left the path landing in the swollen river. His body was found later the same day 10kms downstream.
The funeral was held in Dernau near the family home on January 10 th and was attended by many of his friends as well as representatives from teams and organisations across the cycling world.
Church Warsop 2nd January 2005 08.17am:
“Hi Aunt Jen,” Mad bubbled, “Happy New Year!”
“Hello Maddy, is your mother there?”
“Yeah sure, hang on — MUM! It's Auntie Jen — she's just coming, give Drew a kiss for me.”
Jen lost it then and Dave rescued the phone passing his wife to her mother.
“Hello, Jen?”
“Carol, it's Dave.”
“Everything okay? Its bloody cold here.”
“Its Drew, he's gone.” Dave struggled to not break down himself. These calls needed to be made; he owed it to Drew to do it himself although Josie had offered.
“What? Run away?” Carol was confused now; Drew wouldn't do something like that.
“Nnno, he's dead Carol.” Dave couldn't prevent a sniff escaping.
“Oh no! Hang on let me go outside…how's Jen?”
“Not taking it well, Josie's here.”
“Do you want me to come out?”
“You don't need to Carol.”
“How did…”
“It happen? We think he slipped on some ice and got thrown into the river.”
“He drowned? Oh the poor luv.” Carols own eyes were close to betraying her own emotions.
“Can, could you tell his friends for us?”
“Of course I will,” oh god how do I do that? “You're sure you don't want me to fly out?”
“I'll talk to Jen and call you again later. I'd best get off, there're lots of people I have to ring.”
“Give Jen and Jules my love — and you take care too Dave Bond.”
“Bye Carol.”
“Bye Dave.”
“What's up Mum? Why are you stood out there?” Mad enquired.
Carol gathered herself but couldn't stop a tear trickling down her face.
“Something's happened.”
“Aunt Jens cancer has come back?”
Carol Peters closed the door behind her.
“No it's not your Aunt Jen.”
“What is it then?”
“Come here luv,” Carol gathered her daughter into a hug, “it's Drew, he drowned yesterday.”
“No! You're lying!” Mad shouted.
“It's true Mad.” Carol clung closer to her daughter, for whose comfort she couldn't say.
They held the embrace for a minute or so before Mad broke free and ran to her room. Carol started to follow but Johns voice stopped her.
“Let her be luv, I heard you telling her. Are the Bonds okay?”
“John, he's dead!”
John Peters held his wife tightly, he didn't know what to say but holding his wife seemed the right thing to do.
-------------
Dernau 10 th January 2005 11.22am :
Dave was doing his best to retain his composure but it was a struggle. They had discussed taking him back to Warsop but somehow that didn't feel right. No this was their home now, for better or worse and he knew they'd all feel better if Drew was here with them. He looked across the crowd — Drew would've been impressed. He spotted Cara with John from BC, all the Apollinaris team were there too. There was a sobbing mess of teenage girls — ironically it was as Gaby that Drew seemed to flourish. The team had paid for Ally and Bernie to come out, they hadn't managed to contact Rhod in time but there were flowers from his mother.
There wasn't a dry eye in the place; even the Polizei and rescue services were struggling with the emotion. You never want to bury a child — when that child was Drew it made it even harder. Jen had barely stopped crying for over a week and Jules, well she was outwardly together but she was pretty obviously on the edge.
“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust…” the Minister concluded the service and Dave took his place alongside John, George and the surprise of the day, Lance Armstrong. They lowered the casket into the still frozen earth and the final act of his son's life started.
Dernau 25 th February 2007 14.33pm :
Jules was a regular visitor to Dernau Friedhof; at least she visited when she came home from Uni. Her footsteps seemed loud on the gravel and her destination was over at the back wall. The plot was as usual tidy and had fresh flowers below the headstone, Mum said that Connie and the girls came every week, Drew woulda liked that. She put her own blooms with the others, carefully arranging the card with the same words as always ‘ Miss You'. She fingered the inscription,
Andrew Bond
Loving son of Jennifer and David
Brother of Juliette
Born 25 Feb.1990
Taken 1 Jan.2005
Always missed, you touched so many
It was ironic really that there was no mention of Gaby on the stone, it was after all as Gaby that most people had known her brother. Not that there weren't reminders of his alter ego at home. At first Mum had made his room into a sort of shrine, nothing was to be moved or disposed of but Aunt Carol had eventually convinced her to be more practical so that there was now a selection of photos, both Drew and Gaby, along with his medals in the family room alongside Mums own collection.
Why did you insist on going out that morning bro? Miss You.
There was a stunned silence in the Bonds living room.
“You didn't really put that last bit in Jules?” Drew enquired.
“Nah, just thought I'd wind you up.”
“Well it was quite a tale Jules.” Mum noted wiping a tear away.
“Mr Jacobs wants me to read it at next weeks school assembly.” Goth girl advised us.
“I'll put the kettle on.” Dad mentioned.
“It won't fit you!” we all chorused.
Geez, Jules story was really kinda moving and it was well spooky that he was the central character. He remembered Herr Viessner saying in English that a lot of good writers used personal experience to make their work more, what did he call it, 'realistisch'. And Jules writing certainly seemed that to him.
“So you are going to do English next year Jules?” Mum asked.
“Mr Jacobs thinks I should, I do sort of enjoy it.” My sister admitted.
Sometimes I wish I went to her English school in Bonn, on the other hand I'd miss doing stuff with the gang.
“Well just warn your Gran before she reads it eh — it'll give her a heart attack otherwise.” Mum suggested.
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *37* A Very Gaby Christmas
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *37* A Very Gaby Christmas
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *37*
Text in Blue is in German.
“As in Rome.” Dave allowed.
“Well that's settled then,” Jen confirmed, “I hope your Gran enjoys it.”
“She'll be glad not to be cooking luv.” Dave mentioned.
“Right then you two, Drew, you can be in charge of food and Jules, you're in charge of decoration and festivities.”
The two teens looked at each other, Drew shrugged, “ok.”
That was a fortnight ago, when they'd had a family meeting and decided to ‘go native' for Christmas, now it was starting to get a bit intense. Mum and Dad have taken Gran out for a bit of a drive round, to ‘get out of the way' as Mum put it.
“When will it be ready?” Jules enquired.
“Mum said they'd be back about four to get ready for the church thingamy so I've timed everything for eating at seven.”
“It's five to four now.”
“Bum — I need to change!”
“Unless you fancy going out looking like one of Gordon Ramsey's* rejects.”
“That outfit suits you.”
“Yeah well I maybe went a bit over the top.” She admitted.
I sorta had to agree. When Mum put her in charge of ‘decorations' she took that as everything not food including what we wear! But it came back and bit her with this, she insisted we wore ‘Heimat' costume; apparently her friends said it was ‘traditional'. The fact that it looked good on her was a bonus but I'm glad I'm a boy! At least my outfit is fairly straightforward, breeches, shirt and jacket; Jules has the full skirt thing with loads of petticoats. Still she has made a big effort and she's even done her hair into those pastry type things.
I heard the Olds arrive as I was getting in the shower so it was no surprise when I got back downstairs to find them ready and waiting. Mum and Dad, well Mum really, embraced the whole dressing up thing so they were both dressed up too. I have to say that Mum really looks good in a Dirndl! And Dad, well he looks so erm, German.
“Whatdya think kiddo?”
“Er great Dad.”
“You all look lovely.” Gran announced, “Let me take some pictures.”
“I hope you are doing something with your hair Drew.” Mum noted.
“I have.” I waggled my ponytail with my hand.
“Well it looks scruffy.” Mum insisted.
“Leave him alone Jen, come here Drew, I'll sort it out.”
I sat at the table and Gran started in on my mop.
“Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace”
You might have gathered by now that the Bond family are not exactly religious. Weddings and funerals really and in fact the same could be said for most of my German friends. However tonight at the big town church its like the whole town have turned out — and despite my worst fears, we are not the only ones dressed up!
“Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born”
In fact it's almost like a festival — well I guess it is really!
“Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth "
“Hey Gabs!”
“Oh hiya Connie.”
“I didn't think you'd be coming — and dressed up too.”
“Jules insisted that if she was wearing the frock and stuff I had to wear this.”
“Here they are Pastor, girls the Pastor has a favour to ask.” Frau Thesing announced.
“Good evening Connie, Drew, I know its short notice but I wondered if you could help out at the old people home tomorrow, we are having a party and I thought the Weinkönigin and her escorts might cheer them up.“
They say these things come to haunt you.
“I'll have to check with my parents.” I stifled a sigh. I mean here I am in full bloke mode and the Pastor still thinks I'm a girl! Well I suppose the French plait that Gran did doesn't shout boy but really!
“Come on Gab, let's go ask!”
Why was Con so enthusiastic?
I was half dragged to where the local goddess was holding court.
“Oh there you are Drew, hi Connie, what are you two up to?”
“Guten abend Frau Bond, the Pastor wants the Weinkönigin to help out with the old folks tomorrow, thats alright isn't it?“
“I don't see why not.“
Mu-um! My pleading look fell on blind eyes.
“Great!“
My fate was sealed.
“So Drew, what are we having to eat?“ Gran enquired as we made our way along Pfarrgarten a few minutes later.
“Yeah come on super chef, what're we eating?“ Mum demanded.
“Its a sort of traditional meal, Steffi helped me find the stuff, its what they have.“
“So?“
“Well its called Weihnachtsgans mit Kastanien und Backpflaumen, which is goose with chestnuts and prunes.”
“Prunes?” Jules pulled a face.
“Steff says its really nice.” I was on the defensive.
“I'm sure it is kiddo.” Mum placated.
“Christmas pud?” Dad enquired.
“Tomorrow luv, Drew's gone German tonight, so's there any cake?”
“Geez Mum, you're like a food bin!” Jools moaned.
“Well I need the carbs.” Mum informed us poking her tongue out at Jules.
“There's Stollen and Glühwein for later.”
“Sounds lovely Drew, don't mind them.” Gran cuddled me.
“I'm stuffed!” Dad announced collapsing into his chair.
“Well you won't want any cake then will you?” Mum teased.
“Hurry up, I want to open my prezzies.” My sister moaned as she readjusted her skirts around her.
Its long been a family thing that I get to distribute the presents and even if we are doing it on Christmas night rather than Christmas Day I still claim that honour! I sat down under the tree and started dishing parcels.
“Mum, Mum, Jules, Me, Mum………..Drew, Drew, Dad, Me and me!”
“Someone's popular.” Gran grinned.
I think she meant me, Jules had quite a pile but mine was nearly twice the size! I guess I'm more popular than I thought, the last day at Silverberg Gymnasium had netted me a right pile of packages and cards and then there was the parcel from Warsop and a smaller one from America. Not that Jules was doing badly but she'd only got cards from Anna and Charlie although I'm sure I saw some cash inside both of them!
On the other hand Jules had more from the ‘rents, that's cool seeing as they spent a fair bit on my bike stuff and I've got that trip to the Manchester Six** coming up in February too.
“So who's gonna start?”
Things were going well, Dad had given me some new cars for my collection — I've got about fifty now, and Gran's present was a cool pocket organiser — little slots to put coins and stuff in, pocket fluff collector, bit of string holder — just kidding, its one of those Blackberry things. Then it happened — I guess it was inevitable really.
“This ones from — erm Charlotte, she's in my class at school.” I shredded the paper to reveal — a hat and glove set. “Shitza!”
“Drew!”
“Cute” Jules mentioned.
Well cute it might have been, it was white with a pink pattern and most definitely for a girl. Things could only get worse really — by the time I was done I had three pairs of earrings, a bottle of perfume, some makeup, a bra and panty set — that was from Pia, some hair thingies, two pairs of fashion tights and a voucher for Pimkie! At least the guys in Warsop were more sensible, Mad sent me a cool Anime figurine, there was a book from Ally and some smellies, guy smellies from Bernie. There wasn't anything from Rhod, I mean Mfanwy but I did get a card.
Oh and then there was the one from Britney — I'm not sure if she was on a wind up as she sent me a nice cycling top, I guess she got it at Erin's, nice that is, for a girl! I mean it's not the colour so much but can you really see me riding around with ‘Chicks on Bikes' emblazoned across my chest?
It was not far off midnight by the time we had finished unwrapping, eating Stollen and drinking Glühwein and I for one was a little tipsy.
“Come on sleepy, the Pastor is picking you up in an hour.”
“Huh?”
“No alcohol for you today!”
“Do I have to?”
“Yes you do.” Mum instructed. “You can wear Jules' Dirndl and your Gran's earrings. You landed yourself as wine princess so you can live with it.”
“But…”
“Downstairs, ten minutes!”
“Yes Mum.” I sighed.
So okay I thought it was quite funny that they elected me Weinkönigin back in September but it never occured to me that i'd be stuck in the role! I mean, how could the whole town possibly think i'm a girl? Mum was no help, she just thought it was funny and Dad didn't help keep calling me his number two Töchter! Thanks guys.
“Morning Gran.“
“Happy Christmas Drew or is it Gaby?“
“Whichever.“ I sighed, “apparently Gaby is my nickname,"I glared at Jules,“although most people use Drew.“
“We call her Gaby to avoid confusion.“ Jules informed Gran.
“Do i recognise those earrings?“
“They're the ones you gave me last year.“
“They look lovely. Do you want me to do your hair?“
I ended up with a blonde version of Jules' Danish pastry hairstyle and felt like a right dogs dinner with all the underskirts and stuff that i'd sniggered about last night.
“Lets have a picture Gab's?” Dad enthused.
“Da-ad!”
“Well its rare to see you so clean and tidy.”
What's that supposed to mean?
“Here, you'd best put this on Sis.” Jules handed me my ‘crown', well tiara really, its all like grapes and stuff.
“Geez!”
“They're here” Mum announced from the kitchen, you can borrow my new jacket.” Which just happens to be pink.
“I see you've gone to extremes again Gab's.” Connie mentioned as I climbed into the Pastors Veedub bus.
“You look very nice this morning Drew.” The Pastor called over his shoulder, “we'll just collect Analise*** then we'll get off.”
I guess it wasn't as bad as all that, we were only at the old folks home for three hours. And its still a bit weird that everyone takes this Weinkönigin so seriously, I got applauded when the matron woman introduced us and our presence, three 'girls' in daft costumes, actually did seem to bring a smile to some of their faces. The only bad bit was the randy old sod who pinched my bum everytime I walked past him — God knows how with all the clothes i was wearing today.
Of course there was more David Bailey stuff and the Weinkönigin couldn't get away without at least one glass of wine! And I suppose I have to thank Frau Thesing's persistence for my comfort in the get up — after all, if she'd let me quit I wouldn't've had three weeks practice in wearing this stuff!
* UK Celebrity Chef not known for his patience or tact.
** Six day velodrome racing event
*** The other member of the Wine Queens' ( Weinkönigin ) court.
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *38* The Ball
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *38* The Ball
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *38*
"But Mum!"
"But Mum nothing, you are going to go and that's that."
Drew sagged in defeat. He might have agreed to the Weinkönigin stuff but it didn't mean he had to like it either. Of course he knew this was coming up and he knew he had little chance of dissuading his parents on this but he had to at least have a go didn't he?
"And young man you will not show anyone up, you knew what the stakes were when you agreed to this. Now go and get ready, I want to see the Weinkönigin come downstairs right?"
"Okay" he sighed.
There was no point in pushing things - that could only end badly - for him in particular.
An hour later he clumped down the stairs.
"Um, could someone give me a hand please?"
"Wos up Gabs?" The Goth One enquired.
"Can you help me with this flippin' dress, I can't get it to stay up properly."
"Lets have a shufti then." she got up and came round behind me, "nice frock by the way."
"Whatever, anyway how come you don't have to go tonight?"
"I'm grounded remember."
"Oh yeah." How could I forget!
There was some tugging and grunting from my sister as I was man, well girl handled into the stupid dress I've got wear.
"Think I'd a worn a bra." Jules noted.
"Tried that but it was really uncomfortable."
"Hmm, I think I can lace it up a bit tighter which should help."
"Thanks I think." I managed as she tightened the bodice about my chest.
"There we go that's better, it should be okay as long as you don't start cheerleading."
"I'll try to member that." I replied sarcastically.
"I suppose you want your hair doing?"
"I guess, it's supposed to be up so the crown thing stays on."
Jules chortled to herself.
"What?"
"You, crown thing indeed!"
Ten minutes of fussing and his hair was piled on the crown of his head and apart from some final touch up to his makeup he was ready.
“If its any consolation you look really cu - er — sophisticated.”
“You were going to say cute.”
“Well that an' all, the look suits you.”
“Humph!”
I checked my reflection in the kitchen doors glass panel, staring back was Maddy! Well Maddy if she happened to be wearing a strapless floor length ball gown, strappy sandals and his Mum's crystal necklace, the one on a fine gold herringbone chain. Problem was it wasn't Mad, it was me looking back.
“Lets have a look then kiddo” Mum's voice broke in.
I turned about to face my parents.
“Well you won't be short of partners tonight.” Dad mentioned.
“Thanks I don't think.”
“That dress really suits you Gab, there's something missing though — that's it, where are your Gran's earrings?”
“Sugar! On my dresser.”
“I'll get them.” Jules volunteered.
Mum herself was dressed to the nines although annoyingly she was showing less décolletage than me! Dad looked pretty smart too in his best suit.
“Here we go Gabs.” Jules handed me the earrings.
“If you're coming Jules you have fifteen minutes — you're dress is on my bed.” Mum offered.
“Thanks Mum!” she hugged both of our parents before launching herself back upstairs.
“I thought she was grounded?”
“She is but New Year is not a time for anyone to be alone so there is a one night lifting of hostilities!” Dad advised.
I fitted my earrings and perched on the arm of the sofa.
“Let me just touch up your makeup Gab.” Mum offered.
The New Year Ball is, so the girls tell me, THE social event of the year and as Dernau Weinkönigin I got the dubious pleasure of acting as hostess. Dad had organized a minibus — there was no way we'd get in either of our cars with these frocks on — I did mention they were the full nine yards, gloves the lot? I have to say that Jules looked pretty good all gussied up, the red velvet suits her but I'm not sure I like the sort of iridescent greeny blue of mine.
So anyway we got to the Rathaus for the start of my evenings torment and after a quick photo session my duties as hostess kept me from doing much other than shaking hands with various local luminaries. My two maids of honour , Connie and Analise were having an easier time of things — well at least they weren't getting their chests ogled by half the town!
The meal was at least uneventful even if I couldn't really enjoy the pork knuckle dressed like this. At least I managed to score an extra scoop of ice cream — the joys of royalty! The remainder of the evening was thrown over to the Ball proper — that is a semi formal dance and guess who got his toes trod on by the Mayor, Police Chief and Dad? Still everyone except my feet seemed to have a good time although I was more than glad when eleven o'clock came round and the last dance was called. (I've since found out that we raised nearly €6000 on the night.)
“Are you two changing?” Mum enquired while we waited for the taxi bus to take us on to the main event of the evening as far as I'm concerned — Pia's Neu Jahr Spiel at the restaurant!
“Have we got time?”
“Just if you're quick.” Dad supplied — neither he nor Mum would need to.
“Okay then.” I couldn't wait to get out of the wretched ball gown.
I managed a sort of Grand Prix change of clothing, shedding the voluminous frock for a more practical layered slip dress and my red cardi. There was no time for hair or makeup so they just got a quick touch up on the short drive up to Pia's.
The party was in full swing when we got there — looking around it seems that this is the second best place to be tonight!
“Hey Gabs, I thought you'd come in your gown.” Pia greeted me
“This is more comfortable.” But still not my first choice!
“Come on, we've got a disco in the tasting room, the others are already here.”
“Mum? I'm going to the disco.”
“Behave yourself and don't drink too much!”
“As if! You coming Jules?”
“Sure.”
By the time we'd got some liquid refreshment and found the others in the crowded cellar it was almost midnight and the DJ started the traditional wind up. Buckets of those party popper things went round and on the stroke of midnight there was a right ole din as everyone set them off to welcome 2004. Of course there was the usual smooching session and drinking to welcome the New Year — that hasn't changed even if we are in Germany! At home or when we've been to Gran's this has signaled the end or at least the winding down of the festivities. Not this year though, the DJ was soon picking things up again and after everyone had put each other down the serious partying started.
Lets just say that it was well late or maybe I should say early when we left the warm confines of the restaurant for the damn cold exterior to go home. It had even managed to snow a little at some point after we arrived which leant the whole scene a weird aura. Our cab was waiting so we didn't freeze to death although the taxi wasn't exactly a warm haven either.
Back home and we all just about managed to get to our beds before exhaustion set in, I did notice my mobile was flashing for a message but I was too knackered to look. I climbed under the covers having only removed my dress, cardi and shoes and was soon welcoming the New Year with z's.
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *39* Berlin
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *39* Berlin
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *39*
Text in Blue is in German.
"What's that then?" I enquired.
"Really Drew, its the parliament building." Connie explained.
"Like the Houses of Parliament in London then?"
"But no Big Ben!" Pia giggled.
The trip is in the New Year, well next week in fact and is part of our social studies course. We leave on Monday and take the Nacht Express to Berlin so we get there Tuesday morning. We have two days there, we stay in some hostel place Tuesday night then get the Nacht Express back so we are home Thursday morning - well back to school at least!
I'm sure it was mentioned before but you know me!
"So we get time on our own?"
"Yeah, Frau Boxberg likes the odd tipple and she can't take us all on the Ku'Damm!" Anna chuckled.
"Ku'Damm?"
"You'll see." Steffi promised.
"Come on you lot, we haven't got all night."
"Sorry Miss." Steff mentioned.
"I've got you lot in berth's four and five, don't disappoint me by mucking about."
"No miss." we all chorused before clambering on board the Berlin bound train.
The whole carriage was reserved for our party; I've never slept on a train before so it's a bit of a novelty.
"Come on." Anna chivvied leading the way to our 'cabins'.
Pia let out a yawn.
"What time is it?"
"Erm, eleven fifty."
"Still ten minutes before we leave Köln then." Connie advised.
We were all in one 'berth' playing Gin Rummy - well the girls were, I'm useless at it! The carriage juddered then without further ado we lurched forward.
"Yay!"
"Berlin here we come!"
The door sprang open.
"Okay you guys, back to your own berths and get in your bunks. And don't spend half the night talking!"
Well it cut the number of conversationalists in half but the three of us left in our berth, that's me, Anna and Connie were still having half a conversation an hour later. But exhaustion finally got the better of me shortly after one and lulled by the gentle swaying of the carriage I was son in the Land of Nod - no not the place in Yorkshire, you know, asleep.
"...Dieser Zug endet hier."
"Come on Drew, you're always last!"
"Not on a bike miss." Steffi put in.
"We are not on bikes now however so come on Fraulein Bond, shake a leg."
"Yes miss."
My first impression of Berlin was of it being cold and windy. Of course that description would probably apply to pretty much any railway platform at eight o'clock on a January morning! It wouldn't have been half so bad but I was only wearing shorts. Well okay they were knee length and there were thick tights underneath but come on - its January! And yes it is a long story and no I'm not going into it right now. At least my top half was snug in my ski jacket.
"Brrrr!"
"Brrrr indeed," Frau Boxberg agreed, "now we're all here, we'll go down to the concourse to get some Frühstuck then our bus will be picking us up at nine o'clock pronto. Got that everyone?"
"Yes Frau Boxberg." we all chanted.
"Right then, Stefan, if you could lead the way please. Drew if you have a moment please?"
What now? Am I gonna get bawled out for being last up? I waited with Frau Boxberg for the others to go ahead.
"Drew, I know there are things happening at home with you being Weinkönigin but why are you dressed like that now? Not that you don't look very nice for a girl but maybe jeans would be more practical?"
Oh sugar!
"Erm, well I erm sort of erm said I'd be like Gaby for the erm trip if Connie beat me in a bike race."
"And Miss Thesing bested you?"
This was embarrassing!
"Yeah well they never said that I had to wear an inflatable Santa costume."
"I hope there are pictures?"
"I wish there weren't." I sighed.
"So Connie beat you?"
"It was a fix!"
"But you still agreed to fulfill the bet?"
"Well you have to, I mean, I agreed to it."
"Sometimes Herr Bond, sometimes!" she shook her head. "Come on or we'll miss getting breakfast."
She gave me a quick hug before ushering me down the escalator to join the throng on the concourse.
We piled our stuff on to the coach, the first order of the day was an orientation tour, no stopping but Frau Boxberg pointed out all the points of interest, we'd get time to visit them all later and tomorrow.
"What are you up to Con?"
"Um just playing with your hair?"
Girls!
"I was thinking Gabs, can I put it in braids?"
"Do you have to? You had me looking like a five year old last time."
"I promise it will look fine."
"Whatever." I sighed in defeat before returning my attention to the city outside.
By the time we stopped for our first proper visit at the Reichstag Connie was done and I was sporting a pair of pretzels! Grrr! Why me? So not only was I having to wear what the girls told me but there was clearly a conspiracy to make me look as girly as possible!
We filed off of our bus and congregated around Frau Boxberg.
"Everyone here? Good. For those of you who don't recognise it, behind me is the home of our parliament, the Reichstag. In a moment we will go inside but first can anyone give us any history of the building?"
An hour later we returned to the front of the building and I found myself posing for pictures with everyone - I'm not gonna be allowed to forget this am I? It was pretty cool going in the Reichstag actually, the domey thing was really ace and apparently the guy who designed it is British!
"People - we will go to the Sowiet Kriegsdenkmal and then to the Brandenburger Tor so please keep up."
The sun was out but not really giving much heat but at least my legs were a bit warmer than when we got off the train! We trailed across the road into the park on the other side and we were soon contemplating what was clearly a war memorial and in true communist style it was over the top complete with artillery and tanks!
At least the Brandenburg Gate looked a bit more exciting - if you know what I mean. Frau Boxberg once again gave us the run down and of course we had to do a group photo in front of the gate. We left Pariser Platz and walked to our waiting bus on the Unter Den Linden.
"What're all the cops for?" I enquired, there were several more heavily armed than usual policeman stood at the intersection.
"That Fraulein Bond, is for the British Embassy." Frau Boxberg supplied. "Since the terrorist attacks in America and London there is much more security, the road in front used to be open for traffic and on the other side of Unter Den Linden the American Embassy also has high security. The prices we pay for freedom can be very high."
On that philosophical note we proceeded to our waiting bus. Hey! Who's she calling Fraulein?
The bus didn't take us far, we all piled off again opposite the carbuncle that is Berlin Dom. I'm sure Dad would have liked it but looking at old buildings doesn't really do much for me. Still we saw the National Opera, what's left of the castle, the Humboldt University and a bunch of museums before we reconvened by the statue of Marx and Engel's, the founders of communism.
"Okay everyone, listen up please. It's two o'clock now so we'll take a break for lunch now. I want everyone to meet back here at three thirty; we will then go to the Fernsehturm after which you will have free time until six when we go to the hostel. Any questions?"
There was a general mumble of consent.
“Right then, enjoy yourselves.”
The six of us started walking towards the road where we could see a few shops.
“So what's this Furnturn then?”
“Well duh.” Anna pointed up.
My gaze followed her finger, my eyes locking on the huge tower reaching skyward.
“Wow!”
“Its only a TV tower Gabs.” Connie noted
“Well…”
“We'll go up to the viewing platform, there should be some good views this afternoon.” Steff added.
“You never been up one Gab?” Pia enquired.
“Nope, Dad was on about it back in the summer, I think there must be one near Dusseldorf.”
“Yeah I've been up that one.” Anna advised.
“I hope we don't have to walk up.”
“There's a lift of course.” Nena supplied.
Well I hadn't actually thought we'd have to walk up.
We wandered about for a bit before homing in on Alexander Platz where Nena suggested we hit the Dinea to eat. I think I've told you about these places before, really great self-service restaurants with so much choice you could eat there for a month without doubling up on a meal. And the Berlin one was bigger than most! My problem is that faced with so much choice I never know what to have! I settled on a couple of Frikadellen with some Röstii and salad from the pay by weight selection - after all we are going out to eat later.
It was a close call getting to the rendezvous with the teachers, luckily we weren't the last to arrive — Dominic and Jacob had that dubious distinction. It was only a few minutes walk to the TV tower and the queue to get in was pretty short. I had to chuckle though; one of the things they used to compare heights was the Blackpool Tower! The lift up to the viewing levels was incredible — 200m in about 10 seconds, now that's what I call an elevator!
There are two floors open to the public; the upper one has a restaurant the lower one has a gift shop and snack bar — all over 200m up in the air. Frau Boxberg took us round pointing stuff out then announced that we should meet in the entrance hall in thirty minutes.
“Brill! Lets go get a coffee upstairs.” Nena enthused.
“We've only just eaten.” Steffi pointed out.
“Mark my words, you'll really like this.” Nena persisted.
“Whatever.” I sighed.
We had to check our bags and coats and the concierge told us what table we would be on before we even went upstairs!
“Oh cool!” I purred.
“Told ya.” Nena preened.
It was a pretty good view but more than that it was constantly changing as the restaurant was rotating. Well neat! We ordered coffee and the cakes looked really good so I had a slice of Marzipan torte with mine — yum!
We spent most of our time trying to identify stuff, that's the Dom; those trees must be the Tiergarten, which makes that the Reichstag so that must be the Brandenburg gate…. You get the idea. It was really fun, just as well that the lift is so quick, we only just got down in time even so.
“Okay, now that the girls have graced us with their presence.” The Head gave us a hard look, “For those interested I am going to visit the Pergamon Museum, otherwise we will meet up the Zoobahnhof at six, our bus will take you there now if you wish or you can stay in this area and meet my group at five forty five to drive there.”
“What'll we do?” Connie asked.
“I saw some cool looking shops up near the zoo.” Anna noted.
“Good enough for me.” Pia enthused.
I hadn't got any strong feelings either way so we all piled onto the bus, which then took us back past most of the sights on the way to the Ku'Damm.
“Are we really going shopping again?”
“Yeah.” Connie and Pia chimed.
“Well I'm not so bothered.” Steff admitted, “you got something else in mind Gabs?”
“I wouldn't mind checking out the Zoo.”
“Ok.”
The coach dropped us off outside the Zoo entrance that was to be our rendezvous point later, Steff and I headed in to see the animals, the others headed towards the shops.
Now I'm not a big fan of zoos — I can't remember the last time I visited one — but this example seemed pretty good to me. We wandered around, stopping to watch the penguins and hippos in their glass tanks. I thought it was pretty neat the way most of the animal houses were styled sort of like where the animals housed there come from. I know it's a bit soft but I was taken by the mountain goats on their artificial mountain — ironic really — the nearest mountains are nearly 300km away! We headed back to the entrance area where we waited for the others whilst watching the elephants.
The bus rolled up at five past six and we rejoined the rest of our party. The drive to our accommodation didn't take long; we were in a youth hostel that luckily was split into small dormitories. For a second night I was billeted with the girls — well I could hardly go in the boy's dorm looking like this and I'm sure they think I'm a girl anyhow.
“Right people, we have a restaurant booked for seven thirty so don't spend too long getting ready and girls — you don't need to dress up eh? Casual stuff is good tonight.”
Yay! I cheered to myself.
“Come on Gabs, we've got you something for tonight.” Anna grinned.
Oh joy.
Well it could've been a lot worse I guess. It complied with the bet but at least it was trousers and a t-shirt and cardi aren't too much hassle. The worst thing was that I had to keep the pretzels on my head. Grrr! Its not that they're annoying per se, no it's the reactions to them that get me, everyone thinks they are so cute and ‘Heimat'! If only they knew — not that I'm anxious to reveal myself.
The restaurant wasn't anything particularly different — Italian by theme. By the time we got to coffee I was nearly dropping off. Some day!
Gaby Book 5 Chapter *40* Potsdam
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Gaby Book 5 - Bits
Chapter *40* Potsdam
by Maddy Bell
Maddy Bell is selling her works in book form at Maddy Bell's Book Shop and has Gaby Character Dolls for sale. Please Visit!
Chapter *40*
Text in Blue is in German.
We were all pretty much done in by the time we got back to the hostel; I got changed in the thankfully private bathroom for our room. What a day! I was barely in my bunk before I was asleep.
"Come on Gabs, rise and shine!"
Urgh I hate morning people! And Connie was being far too morning.
"What time is it?"
"Six thirty" Anna supplied.
"SIX THIRTY!"
"You don't have to shout" Pia mentioned from below me.
"Erm sorry"
"Well shake a leg, we have to shower and get breakfast by eight thirty." Steffi noted.
"I um girls, I need to shower."
"That's ok, its free, we've already done that stuff." Connie stated. "oh and I've put your clothes in there already."
"Er thanks"
So far the only stuff of mine I've worn has been my pyjamas - this is like soo not fun!
Twenty minutes later I was dressed in surprisingly some of my own clobber. Mine but hardly what I'd pick myself, where Connie got it from - oh hang on she was talking to Jules at the weekend. Bloody sisters!
"Very nice Gabs." Pia stated.
"Come on guys, do I really have to wear a skirt? I'll even wear the shorts again."
"Its that or a dress, you can't wear the same stuff again today, think of your reputation."
"I don't have a reputation, I'm a boy remember?"
"Not this week you're not, Gaby Bond." Connie stated quite forcefully. "a deals a deal."
Sheesh, she's getting worse than Mad!
"Come here, I'll do your hair." Anna suggested.
"Not the braids again, please?"
"Of course not, they wouldn't look right with that skirt."
I wasn't sure if she was being serious or not. It was easier to succumb than argue so with a sigh I sat on a chair and let her have her way with my Barnet. The resulting 'do' was very girly, but I must admit it was quite practical however the big silver hoops she replaced my sleepers with offset that - Brünhilde meets Essex girl!
There was one positive thing going for all this bet stuff - I didn't have to pack my bags! Well anyway we went to the cafeteria to get some breakfast, we weren't the only school party staying, which made me a bit nervy, and the canteen more like feeding time at the zoo!
"Can I have the Silverberg party over here please." Frau Boxberg's voice cut through the cacophony.
"She could a let us finish eating." Nena grumped.
"Bring it with you dumkopf!" Steff admonished.
It was several minutes before we were all gathered. Frau Boxberg surveyed us, I'm sure she raised an eyebrow when she looked at me. Despite half the school thinking I'm a girl (the other half don't know I exist) today was the first time a lot of them had seen me in a skirt, so I was getting more than a few 'weird' looks anyhow.
"Okay, today we are going to Potsdam which is a short ride down the autobahn. We will visit some of the Palaces and so on, but also we will have the opportunity to visit some sites of more recent historical significance. We will lunch in Potsdam mitte before we return to Berlin this afternoon. Depending on the time you might get a bit of free time again before we return here to freshen up before we go to eat this evening. So you need to bring your bags down to reception where we will put them in the storage room. Questions?"
"Will we be able to change when we come back?" Hilde enquired.
"We should have time Hilde but there will only be the washroom available no showers."
"That sucks." Someone mentioned.
No kidding.
"Alright I'll see you all downstairs."
The weather was at least better than yesterday morning and promised to be slightly warmer which was good for me in my chiffon mini skirt! Not exactly winter clothing, I'll throttle you Connie Thesing! I'd better not end up with a cold; Dad'll kill me if I go down with another virus. The coach was toasty warm and we were soon heading down the motorway towards the capital of Brandenburg.
We turned off the autobahn well before Potsdam - a place called Grünwald and I think we were all surprised as we drove the rest of the way along the side of a lake. It wasn't like some reservoir either, even today there were boats out - a colourful collection of dinghies and yachts vied with several powerboats.
First stop when we reached Potsdam was the railway station - only for toilets -, which is when I discovered that the bright sunshine and warm coach had lulled me into a false sense of warmth! It was flippin' freezing, if you didn't want a wee before, by the time you got into the Bahnhof building you did - especially if you happen to be wearing next to nothing. Grrr!
My first impression of the town was 'it's a building site!' Frau Boxberg explained that it's a mixture of rebuilding wartime destruction and making up for best part of 50 years of neglect. They must be spending millions of Euros doing it. Anyway we drove around the edge of the town so we could see the mosque, which is really something to do with a fountain in the royal parks. Then it was through some fairly run down streets before we paused to look at the newly refurbished royal Bahnhof. Its not even being used as a station just some training place for the DB. It looked great but it seemed to me to be a bit of a waste of money. A couple of minutes later our bus pulled into a parking area.
"Okay people, we will have a short walk to look at the Neue Palais, it's only a couple of minutes walk but we'll be outside for about twenty minutes so bring your coats."
Not that my bum freezer will help much.
We trooped across the road and into the Royal Park where we were confronted by what appeared to be two stately homes either side of a wide drive.
"We all here? Drew, Connie hurry up."
"Yes Miss." I sighed.
"Right then, welcome to the Neue Palais.”
Well it turned out that the bit covered in scaffolding was actually just the gatehouse! Not that the Palace itself wasn't pretty impressive what with all those domes and statues everywhere. Apparently when this was under Russian control they let the university use the buildings but like everything else here it was left to rot so there's loads of repair work going on.
After taking a look at the huge gardens and the view back towards the town we headed back to our transport, I was really happy that the driver had kept the heat on — my thighs were blue! Anyway we then had a slow drive round the park to see the Belvedere, the Orangerie and the Botanical Gardens before reaching the bizarre sight of a windmill.
There were quite a few more people around this bit not that I could see much. After returning to the cold we gathered around Frau Boxberg.
“Although this is on a smaller scale than the Neue Palais, the building we are going to see now is much better known, the Sansoucci Palace.”
Well even I was impressed, the view was pretty cool and the building was on a much more human scale. The guy who had it built was Frederick The Great — we saw his grave and where his favourite greyhounds were buried! The really weird thing was that he never allowed women, not even the Queen, to visit the place; it was a real mens club, which is a pity as I'm sure they would've liked it.
Oh yeah the windmill. Apparently its something to do with some old law over land ownership that even the King couldn't overturn.
So anyway we had to walk back to the coach — thankfully via the lav's as it hadn't got any warmer — my bits were ready to drop off, they'd certainly shrunk with the cold! It was a bit of a drive to the next stop, back into town before passing the Russian Enclave and entering the ‘Forbidden City'. This was where the Russian KGB had their headquarters but now it's famous as a place for ‘personalities' to live, you know like footballers and TV peeps. We bumped along the lane then turned into the grounds of Cecielienhof.
Cecielienhof is really quite weird. I mean here we are in the heart of Prussia something like 600 miles from England and there's like this mock Tudor palace! In fact if you closed your eyes you'd think you were in Stratford upon Avon! So like it was only built a hundred years ago by that Frederick geezer and its named after his son's wife. It's mostly a hotel now, which is weird, but apparently this is where Russia America and Britain met after the war to divvy up Germany. It's hard to think about this really peaceful house having a past like that.
We took some photos — the guys had never seen anything like it before — they didn't get the Tudors in Germany or the Victorians for that matter. Never thought about that before, I'll have to ask Dad about it.
Back on the bus we returned through the ‘Forbidden City' to the city centre, Frau Boxberg pointed out the Dutch Quarter and the Catholic Church before we got a leg stretch at the ‘other' Brandenburg Gate. As it was lunchtime we were let lose for an hour — me an' the gang got Gulasch soup at one of the restaurants behind the gate then it was time to return to Berlin.
Back at the hostel the head issued instructions.
“People!” she waited whilst we quieted, “if you want to freshen up or change now is your chance. Our restaurant is booked for six so you have a couple of hours for shopping or whatever first. Make sure your bags are labeled before you leave here — I've arranged for them to be brought to the Bahnhof — we'll go there directly from the restaurant. Questions?”
There being none we all hoofed it for our bags. Well I sort of followed in the girls wake dreading what Connie might inflict on me for the remainder of the day. When we emerged from the washrooms twenty minutes later I was thankfully wearing a longer skirt than I started the day with. Mind you my nice thick socks were replaced by stupidly thin tights. It could'a been worse I guess and to be fair the others were dressed up a bit too.
We started to explore the Ku'Damm — not that we'd got much to spend in designer shops!
“Hey look over there!” Pia enthused.
“Where am I looking?” I tried to follow where she was pointing.
“By that bus, it's a Steiff shop!”
“Oh kewl!” Connie agreed, “Lets go take a look.”
“I want a picture.” Steff announced.
Somehow that meant I had to be in it too. I'd never heard of Steiff before but I know too much now! So much fuss about soft toys.
Well we finished our shopping and met the rest of the guys at the restaurant having only bought a mini teddy each, Pia got a top in Pinkie and I managed to sneak into a model shop where I bought myself a model of a Berlin bus for my collection.
The meal was pretty good, it was quite a fancy restaurant and we had a really good time. However all good things come to an end so at nine o'clock we left to go to the station. As promised our bags were waiting for us and after collecting them we headed to Gleis 5 for the Nachtzug. Although it wasn't due to leave for best part of an hour it was waiting and we were allowed onboard to settle in.
It was pretty much a repeat of Monday night, I was berthed with the girls and we were so busy chatting we were already clear of Berlin before we noticed we'd left!
I lay on my bunk listening to the rumble of the carriage through the by now Sachsen countryside. Its been a great trip but I've got to get Connie back for this, it's not like it has been so bad but some of the other kids have started calling me Gaby and now they've all seen me in a skirt. They must think I'm either a right weirdo — or a girl I guess. I think of the two I'd prefer girl to weirdo as like the lesser of two evils. Roll on tomorrow, Cons gotta let me have my jeans back to go to school. I know Mad can be tricksy sometimes but like she never pulled a stunt as big as this on me, just you wait Connie Thesing!