Gaby Book 4 - Once Upon A Time In America
Chapter *1* Capitol!
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!

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Chapter *1*
 
 

I looked out of the window again, we seemed to be barely moving, vapour trails crossed the clear blue sky around us as we skimmed along above the cotton wool clouds somewhere above the Atlantic. I shut out the general hubbub around me and returned my maudlin thoughts to Mum back in England. Mum. I closed my eyes and pictured her at home with Dad coping with things as though the big C had never come into our lives. I know what Dad promised, that he'd get us home if or should I say when the time comes but I can't help thinking that I'll never see Mum again.

I turned thoughts to my memories of Mum; it's surprising what springs to mind. The one memory which sprang into mind took place years ago, well I think I was about eight. We'd been on holiday, Devon I think and I remember it being really hot, I was wearing shorts and sandals anyway. To cut a long story short we ended up walking quite a distance to get back to our old camper, one of those old Ford things, and anyway the heavens opened and we got drenched. I just remember Mum making up some sort of game to encourage her two wet and disgruntled kids, by the time we got back all four of us were involved in a puddle jumping competition! I smiled to myself as I pictured Mum's smile and laughter when Dad ended up on his backside.

Then there was my tenth birthday party. My birthday's in February yeah? Well that's still winter in England and over the years it has invariably snowed around my birthday. So anyway, the party was going to be on the Sunday before my birthday for some reason, all my mates were coming, we were all going bowling in Mansfield. Can you believe it? What did it do but start snowing that morning, not just a bit but really heavy, the upshot was that my birthday party had to be cancelled. I was devastated; I had a really cool afternoon all planned and then nothing. I was heartbroken, I was just totally pissed and I started storming round the house being a general pain in the arse. So what did Mum do? Somehow she put together some food, managed to organise my guests and we had an impromptu sledging session over at the church. Afterwards we had hot soup and pizza, and from the depths of despair I ended up having a great day. The irony was that a thaw set in overnight and there was barely a trace of white stuff left the following morning.

“You okay Drew?” my thoughts were disturbed by Miss Cowlishaw's voice.

“Er yes Miss.”

“She'll be okay Drew, she's tough is your Mum.”

“How did you know?”

“The look on your face. Thinking of happier times eh?”

“Yeah. Why Miss?”

She slid into the vacant seat next to me — Mad was off on walkabout.

“I don't know Drew.”

“She's never hurt anyone and she's hardly ever sick.”

“I haven't any answers Drew, nothing I say can make it go away. But I do know how you feel, my Mum had cancer.”

“She died?”

“No she's still around, they caught it early and were able to operate straight away…”

“I think Mum's is really advanced, there is a chance though isn't there? That they're wrong, that she's not gonna die in a few weeks?”

It was as much a desperate clutching at straws as opposed to a real belief that the doctors were wrong.

“You keep believing that and think positive. It won't do your Mum any good if you and Juliette are miserable, she needs all the help she can get right now.”

“We shouldn't be here, we should be at home with her.”

“You're here because your Mum wanted you to be here. Your Mum wants you to have this experience, she'll be happier knowing you're having a good time than having you mope around at home.”

“But…”

“But nothing Drew. She needs you all to be positive right now.”

“I s'pose you're right Miss.”

“I'm gonna have to check on everyone else now but remember, if you need to talk you can come to either me or Mr Pilling anytime okay?”

“Yes Miss.”

She levered herself out of the seat.

“Miss?”

“Yes Drew.”

“Does everyone else know? About Mum I mean.”

“Not unless you or Jules have said anything, Mr Pilling and I won't unless you want us to.”

“Okay.”

“I'll leave you to it for now eh?”

“Thanks Miss.”

“Looks like Maddy's on her way back, remember, anytime okay.”

I managed a brief smile by way of reply and she left to call on the others in our party. Oh yeah, for some reason the airline gave us seats all over economy class, me and Mad here, some are over on the far side and Jules is right at the back. Maybe they didn't want a load of excited kids all sat together?

I closed my eyes in a pretence of sleep as I saw Mad approaching from her stroll; I didn't feel like talking right now. The ploy worked and Mad let me be, my thoughts drifted off and rather than Mum, my mind played over today's trip so far.

The coach ride to Manchester was terrible. Well let's rephrase that, the journey itself was okay but both Jules and me were not as excited as the rest, or at least most of the others. To be fair, the fact I spent most of the trip sniffling on Mad's shoulder didn't get the usual catcalls that my peers usually distribute. I'm sure something had been said but to be honest I couldn't have cared anyway.

If you've been keeping up, you'll know that I'm not a stranger to flying but going to the States was going to prove a bit more hassle! We arrived at Manchester airport what I thought was well early and Mr Pilling organized us with luggage trolleys for the hike that was to follow.

Thankfully I regained some composure but you still would be hard pressed to call me happy. Our little procession wound its way inside to the main concourse and after some slight confusion we arrived at the check in desks. Luckily we were quite early, the desk for our flight had only just opened. Talk about chaos - Miss C and Mr P somehow got us organized and the long suffering book in clerk was still smiling by the time all twelve of us had deposited our bags.

"Okay, who's for breakfast?" Mr Pilling enquired.

I think everyone was feeling the munchies coming on so we all descended on the first cafeteria we came to. I was still not firing on all cylinders but I 'forced' a 'full English' down my neck!

Before the check in everyone was a bit tense but by the time we joined the queue for immigration and security even I was more relaxed. Not that the gun-toting policemen contributed much to that state. Hmm, that's one thing we'll have to get used to, policemen with guns.

We all had a bit of a fright when Julia, one of the seniors, was hauled to one side and her bag emptied by the security people. Seems that her nail scissors were a lethal weapon, which were confiscated, thankfully she joined the rest of us in the departure lounge.

We had over an hour to kill before our flight was due to be called so we had time for some window shopping before Bernie produced a pack of cards and a sort of Pontoon tournament got underway.

"All passengers for BMI flight 613 non stop to Washington please proceed to gate 6."

"Come on kids, that's us!" Miss C called over.

"Ten o'clock already?" Rhod enquired.

"Ten past actually," Miss C replied, "they're a bit late calling the flight."

We gathered our belongings and joined the crowds heading for the last pre flight hurdle.

"All passengers for BMI flight 613 non stop to Washington please proceed to gate 6."

The announcement repeated again as we shuffled towards the desk, boarding cards in hand. I started to get a bit wound up as the queue seemed to move infuriatingly slowly but eventually I reached the front and quickly joined my grinning friends for the walk down the tunnel to the plane.

"Row 26, seat A next to the window" the stewardess smiled checking my boarding stub.

I trailed Maddy on board and we soon joined the meleé for locker space before settling into our seats. I settled my stuff around me, CD player, the New Year copy of the Comic, a new Pratchett novel and a bag of toffees. With the long flight ahead of us I didn't intend to become bored!

# +++++++ #

I was jerked awake by the sound of the intercom.

‘Bong! Good afternoon ladies and gentleman, we hope you've had a pleasant flight with us today. We will shortly be starting our final approach into Washington where local time is just coming up to three pm. The weather is currently clear and sunny with an air temperature of one degree Celsius or thirty-four Fahrenheit. So wrap up warm! Thank you for flying British Midland, we hope you will join us again soon.'

The announcement ended and the seatbelt light came on.

“Come on Drew, time to get with it” Mad enthused.

“Yeah okay.”

In truth Mad had more stuff spread around the seats than me, a fact I didn't think was politic to mention. One degree, that's colder than it was at home! Brrrr.

"Welcome to Dulles International Airport Washington DC where the local time is ten past three..."

Forty minutes later we were queuing at immigration, finally in ‘The Land of the Free' — what a misnomer! Dulles airport certainly lived up to its name, dull. Apart from the rather odd bus things that carried us from the plane to the main terminal it was just your standard airport. On the other hand, I couldn't help thinking that all the security we had to go through was a case of stable doors and bolting horses.

We had collected our bags; mercifully mine hadn't gone astray this time before walking for what seemed like miles to join the queue of new arrivals to the USA. It was a bit intimidating with all the armed guards around and the officials' humourless attitude was frightening. Eventually we emerged from officialdom and into the echoing expanse of the arrivals hall.

I don't know what I expected really, so okay everyone was talking funny but most of the adverts and signs could have come straight from Manchester with us!

“People!” Mr Pilling called our attention, “do not wander off, I need to make a phone call then we'll go find our transport okay.”

“Yes sir” several voices replied.

I sat on my case and watched the airport traffic go by.

“You okay Drew” Miss C asked.

“Sure Miss.”

“Not that different to any other airport eh?”

“I guess not.”

“Still thinking about your Mum?”

I nodded.

“Moping won't help you know. She needs you and Jules to be positive for her, she's probably wondering why she insisted you came. Tell you what, why don't you give her a call while we wait for Mr Pilling, use my phone, do speed dial seven, I put all of your numbers in.”

“Thanks Miss” I took the phone.

I hit seven and after what seemed like forever I could hear it ringing.

“Hello, Bond residence.”

“Dad it's me!”

“Drew? Where are you?”

“We just got to Washington.”

“You okay son?”

“I guess. Is Mum there?”

“She's asleep right now, its been a long day for us here you know.”

“I never thought, it's only just after four here.”

“That's okay Drew. Look she's okay at the moment, a bit tired that's all. Try not to worry. This call must be costing you a fortune.”

“I'm on Miss Cowlishaw's mobile.”

“That's good of her, look I'll tell your Mum you called when she wakes up, now enjoy yourselves. Give Jules my love. I'll give you a call at the Walters tomorrow, about tea time where you are okay, now don't fret.”

“I'll try. Bye Dad.”

“Bye kiddo.”

He broke the connection and I switched the phone off. Dad sounded, I dunno a bit weird. I guess it's difficult for him too, first Mum leaving and now the cancer, Dad suddenly became less indestructible to me with that realisation.

“Everything okay Drew?”

“She was asleep Miss.”

“Well that's good eh?”

“I s'pose.”

“Come on, I can see Mr Pilling on his way back.”

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Maddy Bell 13.03.05  © 2005
 

Gaby Book 4 - Once Upon A Time In America
Chapter *2* Arrival
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!

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Chapter *2*
 
 

“Ok ladies and gentlemen,” Mr Pilling intoned as he rejoined us, “I've just spoken to Miss Bell, she'll be here with our transport in about twenty minutes so I suggest you all use the facilities and then we'll go over to the pick up area. I know it's quite warm in here but it is cold outside so you will need coats. Questions?”

“Have we got time to eat” one of the older girls asked.

“Not here Justine, we'll stop on the motorway somewhere.”

“Interstate Sir” Bernie put in, getting a few giggles.

“Thank you Bernadette, Interstate. If that's it? Back here in ten minutes”

Leaving Mr Pilling in charge of our luggage, we all headed off to the conveniences.

It was closer to half an hour before Miss Bell did finally arrive with our transport. I don't know quite what I was expecting but it certainly wasn't the bright yellow thing that pulled up. I hope it's more comfortable than it looks!

“John! Fran!”

“Hi Jess” Miss C called back as we started wheeling our trolleys to what looked like a mini version of one of those American school buses you see in the films.

“Hi kids, sorry we weren't here to meet you but there was an RTA on the innerstate, traffic stacked for miles!”

The guy driving the bus came over to join our huddle.

“You planning on loading up or standing here freezing our asses off?”

“Sorry guys, this impatient lump is George Wentworth”

“Nice to meet you George, John Pilling”

“Well I guessed you weren't the lady Jessica's been going on about all the way up here” George turned and took Miss C's hand and kissed it.

Well of course that hardly went unnoticed by ten teenagers, Miss C blushed, certain elements of our party made comments, none of which seemed to faze Mr Wentworth.

“Now come on George, le's get these folks on the bus.” Miss Bell broke the moment.

“Sure Jess, come on kids, get them cases off those trolleys and inside, they should all go in the pen at the back here” he opened the back door and we started passing cases up.

“Get yourselves on board” Miss Bell instructed, “We'll leave as soon as your bags are on board.”

Sometimes appearances can be deceptive but with this bus my hopes were dashed as soon as I stepped aboard. I mean our school minibuses are pretty basic but this is ridiculous! I think it is quite new, there wasn't much graffiti in evidence anyway, but the seating is horrible. Not just horrible but actually terrible. The plastic seats might be low maintenance but you don't want to be planning on being on them very long, the small ‘pad' on each seat wouldn't qualify as a cushion in anyone's book. I slid in next to Rhod and by the look on his face he was having similar thoughts.

“How far is it?”

“Too far! I think about 150 miles.”

“Bummer!”

“You're not kidding,” I agreed.

Miss Bell closed the door behind her and addressed us.

“Well, welcome to America everyone, it's good to see you all again. Mr Pilling mentioned that you need to eat, so as George wants to clear DC before rush hour we'll stop at a truck stop on the innerstate. Okay with you guys?”

“How long Miss, I'm famished,” Justine asked.

“George?”

“Bout an hour, hour ten” he offered.

“Okay lets hit the road!”

Despite the early start and the time zone stuff, I was too busy looking out of the window to think about being tired. There really are yellow cabs; I know I shouldn't be surprised but it's one of those sort of American clichés. Once we were on the go the bus started to warm up relieving the chill that our short time outside at Dulles had instilled in my bones. With the rise in temperature my coat found better use as a cushion and I settled down to ‘enjoy' the ride.

Our noisy but warm chariot soon had us away from the American capital, I'd have liked to have seen the place but I guess you can't have everything! Compared to like the M1 at home, the traffic was light, a few cars but mostly trucks of one sort or another. What was a bit weird was that quite a few were things like Volvo's and Mercedes like you see at home, i was expecting to just see things like the truck in Smokey And The Bandit . There were little trucks too and we passed a huge camper thing just before our first meeting with ‘real' America.

George pulled off the Interstate and parked us by the entrance to the café bit of the truck stop.

“Okay kids, we'll get some food in here. I'll sort the tab but don't go eating too much; there'll be food waitin' in Grottoes later. Let's go eat!” Miss Bell enthused.

For the first time today, reality matched my vision. Back home motorway services are mostly a bit like the food court at Meadowhall, selling overpriced food of variable quality to jaded travellers. This place though was just like in the films, right down to the waitress's. The place wasn't overly busy so we were all seated pretty much together; our chaperones on one table a little bit to one side.

“Kewl” Ally intoned settling in next to me.

“What are ‘sunny side up' or ‘eggs over easy'?” Bernie asked already scanning the menu.

“Dunno,” I admitted.

“Oh I think that's just fried eggs,” Rhod offered.

“Oh” Bernie sounded deflated, “why don't they just say that?”

We were interrupted by the arrival of our waitress.

“Hi kids; my name is Laura and I'm your waitress today, what would you like to drink?”

“Do you do tea?” Jules asked.

“Sure, we have sweet and regular iced tea, or you could have hot tea.”

“Iced? Yeurgh! English please.”

“Would like, cream, milk, or lemon with that?”

“Milk please.”

“Do you have any pop?” Mad asked.

“Pop?” Laura queried.

“Soft drinks?” I offered.

“You mean soda. Sure hun, we have Cherry Coke ® , Sprite ® , Mellow Yellow ® ,………” she went on and on, there must have been twenty to choose from. “Diet Coke ® and root beer”, she finally drew breath.

“Root beer” Mad announced.

The rest of us gave our orders and Laura went to fetch the drinks.

“Root beer?” I queried.

“Yeah.”

“Sounds revolting” Ally mentioned.

“Well I always fancied ordering it: it's what Snoopy drinks in Peanuts. ”

“Peanuts, what's that?” Rhod asked.

“Dur dumbo, you know, Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty, Linus” Mad started lecturing.

“ Peanuts is what the cartoon strip is called” I explained, “it's in Dad's Sunday paper.”

“That's Peanuts ! I never knew it was called that, I thought it was called Snoopy. ”

“Well anyway, when Snoopy is being the air ace he drinks root beer.”

Laura chose that moment to arrive with a tray of drinks, I was impressed that she handed them all out correctly.

“Are you ready to order?”

“Just vegetable soup for me” Rhod was first on the draw.

The choice of food was pretty much what I, in my idealised world, would expect. Various burgers, other assorted fried stuff, chilli, steak in various forms, meat loaf - whatever that is; the one attempt at international cuisine was Swedish meatballs. Lets get this straight — no la di da fancy stuff, no pizza, no fancy names for cheese on toast but did I mention lots of meat?

I settled on a cheeseburger special and with everyone having ordered the conversation returned to Charlie Brown and his relationship with Lucy. My mind soon wandered and I looked around the diner. This place really was like in the films, or should I say movies now I'm in America. Our temporary guardians were chatting and laughing, Miss C glanced our way and smiled at me; by reflex I returned the gesture, my musings disrupted by a voice behind me.

“Miss? Your food”

“Oh sorry” I sat back so Laura could deliver my burger. Instead of just the burger on a plate I was expecting she placed three dishes in front of me too.

“Erm I didn't order all this?”

“You ordered the cheeseburger special right?”

“Yep” I agreed.

“Well that's what you have here, one patty with melted cheese in a bun, side salad, fries and rings, makes one cheeseburger special.”

“Okay, thanks.”

“That's okay miss.”

“I'll never eat this lot,” I moaned as I surveyed enough food to feed an army, the burger was like six inches across, it would cost two quid for all those chips at the Hygenic Fisheries and there was enough salad to keep Rhod going for a month! Then there were the onion rings! I made what I considered to be a valiant attempt to clear my food but even offloading some to Rhod left enough to feed a family of four. No pudding for me that's a dead cert!

 

We returned to a much quieter road and resumed our journey into Western Virginia. The combination of food, early start and warm bus had a soporific effect on nearly everyone and I finally dropped off soon after I spotted the first sign for Richmond and Shenandoah.

“Drew” I felt someone joggle my arm, “wake up Drew, we're there” my brain just about engaged to recognise the voice as Rhod's.

“Hum?” I started to stretch.

“Gerooff!” Rhod shoved me a bit harder than was strictly necessary.

I opened my eyes and realised why, I was currently laid in his lap!

“Er sorry bud” I told him hurriedly sitting up.

“S'okay but we have arrived.”

“Okay people” Miss C raised her voice just enough to be heard over the excited buzz. “I know its been a long day but we are finally here, Grottoes West Virginia”

“Yay!” someone called.

“Quiet!” Mr Pilling intoned.

“Now they've got a little reception arranged in this place just here, we are a little earlier than planned; Miss Bell is ringing round all your exchangee's right now to let them know we're here. So for now, collect your cases and go on inside.” She looked down the bus and caught my eye, “Okay everyone?”

“Yes Miss,” we chorused.

“Up and at ‘em then!”

Did I mention they were intent to make us explode with food? The ‘place just here' was actually a coffee shop going by the name of ‘Pru's'. The staff welcomed us in, cases and all; George took off in the vehicle of our torture as I collapsed into a sofa.

“Urgh!”

“Looks like they're getting ready for a big party” Mad mentioned collapsing next to me.

“I think you might find that's for us,” Ally suggested from her perch on the arm of the sofa.

It was only a few minutes later when our hosts started to arrive, it was really strange seeing people we knew again but in this alien to us setting and with a whole bunch of other people we didn't know. I spotted the Walters sisters coming in the door and soon we were renewing our acquaintance.

“Mom, Dad, this is Jules and Drew” Brit started the introductions with a wink at me. “These are our parents' guys.”

“The girls never stop talking about you two and all your friends girls, welcome to Grottoes!” Mrs W started.

“I've converted the loft space so there's plenty of room for you girls.” Mr Walters advised us.

“Dad!” Deb hushed her father.

“What I do?” he asked no one in particular.

“Donald, let them be, they just got here.

“Come on you two, Sab's just got here” Brit indicated we should depart.

Hang on! One room? Surely they don't want me and Jules to share? Wait a minute!

“Brit?”

“Ut huh”

“Your olds were expecting the both of us right?”

“Course.”

“So why do I get the feeling that there's something you're not telling us?”

“Hi guys!” Sabrina beamed, “this is so cool, you guys being here!”

“What's up Drew?” Mad enquired.

“I dunno yet” I gave Britney Walters a pointed look.

“Alright” Deb started, “our ‘rents think Drew's a girl.”

“Dee-ebbb!”

“What!” I joined the exclamations.

“Why?” Jules asked, “We've got to tell them the truth.”

“I told you sis!” Deb hissed at Brit.

“Please don't, we'll get in heaps of trouble” Brit practically begged.

“So you expect me to pretend to be a girl for the whole trip?” I can't believe this!

“Not all the time, just around our folks, please” Brit whined.

“It's not like it needs much effort Drew, they didn't freak just now did they?” Deb pointed out.

“What about the erm sleeping arrangements?” Jules was softening.

“We thought you two could use the attic, its gonna be mine afterwards so Dad even fitted a shower up there. Please say yes?” Deb now took up the begging.

“Okay girls? Hello Sabrina.”

“Hi Ms Walters.”

“And who is this, I thought there were only two Bond girls?”

“I'm their cousin Madeline.”

“I showed you the pictures Mom,” Deb stated.

“Well I never realised that Drew and Madeline were quite so… identical. You two look more like sisters than Drew and Juliette!” Mrs Walters told us.

Jeeze, just what I need to know. Hmm, I'm not happy but if I don't have to dress as a girl I can live with it I suppose, that is if Jules goes for it.

“That'd be great Ms Walters.” Sab was saying.

“Well I'll sort it with Jessica later then” Mrs Walters finished before heading off to talk to some other ‘rents.

“What did I miss?”

“Mom suggested Sab and Mad come for a sleepover tomorrow.”

“What about... you know?” I queried.

“As long as you stick to the rules I'll go for it,” Jules sighed.

“Yes!” Brit stated.

“What about you Drew?” Debs asked.

“It won't kill me to be a girl when your ‘rents are about I suppose, but that's it, no dresses or stuff.”

“Thank you Drew” Brit gave me a bear hug.

Ally was right about the food, I'm just glad it was a buffet! After that ‘cheeseburger' earlier I was now beyond food really. I think most of the English party were but our hosts weren't shy of digging in! We were introduced to Principal Roberts who gave the standard welcome speech before passing the floor to our ‘student co-ordinators' Jessica Bell and John Fredericks. Mr F apologised for not meeting us at Dulles, whatever! Then they introduced Miss C and Mr P to the ‘home crowd' before giving some general notices. Looks like we start at Augusta High School on Tuesday, tomorrow, that's Sunday, we get to just hang and settle in then on Monday we get what Miss Bell called a day of familiarization with West Virginny and more specifically Augusta County. I know the Americans had a similar session last summer in Warsop.

# ~~~~~~~~~ #

"So you doing training?" Brit asked as I finished drying the breakfast plates next morning. Jules rules for sharing were the same as last year in Germany — she gets choice of bed, first dibs on the shower and wardrobe space — well basically what she says goes! Deb and my sister were off with the senior Walters somewhere but Brit and I managed to duck out of that hence we got the clean up to do.

"Training?"

"Training as in bike champion training." Brit emphasized.

"Well I don't have a bike do I, so I guess I'll do some running and stuff instead"

Brit looked thoughtful.

"Hmmm, get your coat on girl, I've got an idea."

"Briiit!"

"Okay, just grab your jacket and get with the action."

What is she up to now? I rescued my fleece and joined Brit in the hallway.

"This isn't another one of your hare brained schemes is it?"

"Nope. We are gonna get you a bike."

"Don't be daft, we haven't got that sort of money, what are you up to?"

"You want a bike right?"

"Well it'd be nice to have one to us.e"

"So, I think I know how we can get you one."

"This better not involve nicking anything."

"Nicking? Oh you mean stealing, course not."

"So where are we going?"

I had to trot to keep up with my tormentor.

"Erin's Cyclery."

"What the heck's that?"

"A bike shop?"

"Whatever" I sighed pulling the collar of my jacket up, there was a bitter wind sweeping along the street.

"You'll like Erin; she went to high school with mom."

"Uh huh" I mumbled

We crossed the road and Brit navigated us along the street for a bit before turning up an alley.

"Where're we going?"

"I told you, Erin's. Its just round on George Street."

The gennel ended on another street and across the way I spotted the sign 'Erin's Cyclery'. From what I could see Erin sold mostly mountain bikes, according to the window Trek, Cannondale and Marin. I followed Brit to the door where she pushed me inside, into a blast of hot air.

"Be right with you" a woman's voice called from some hidden spot in the Aladdin's cave that is Erin's Cyclery.

"Neat huh?" Brit suggested.

"Yeah" I replied distractedly as my attention was grabbed by a very sparkly Klein hanging on the wall.

"It's only me Aunt Erin, I brought a friend" Brit called into the hidden recesses of the shop.

"Britney!" exclaimed a small woman with light brown hair who appeared wiping her hands on a rag. "To what do I owe this visit? And who's this?"

"This is Drew Bond from England, but everyone calls her Gaby."

"Nice to meet you Gaby."

"Hi" I allowed.

"Bond? You must be Jenny Bonds youngster, when Brit and Debbie told me who they lodged with last summer I couldn't believe it. Your Mom okay?"

"Er well she's not that good at the moment."

"Cold huh? I get 'em every year and they take forever to clear."

"Something like that" I agreed, not wanting to talk about Mum's illness and trying hard not to think about it either.

"So, what I can I do for you gals?"

"How did you know we wanted something?"

"Britney, you always want something when you drop by."

"I don't! Well maybe sometimes."

"So what is it?"

"Well you know that Gab here is like a junior cycle champion?"

"You did mention it - once or several times" Erin grinned.

"Well we, that is I was wondering if you have a bike Gab could borrow while he's here?"

Ah! Brits plan.

"We-ll, I'm not sure guys."

"He'd look after it real well," she turned to address me, "wouldn't you? And it's only for like a month."

Erin's face softened a bit.

"Hmmm, how bout I have a look to see what I've got out back and you guys call round after school tomorrow?"

"Great!" Brit enthused, “'cept we don't go back till Tuesday for this semester, Gab has something going off but she should be done by three.”

"Gaby? That okay with you?" Erin asked.

"That would be great."

"You prefer a mountain bike?"

"A road bike would be better, that's if it's not too much trouble."

"I'll see what I can do" Erin grinned, “So, you guys fancy some hot chocolate?”

# ~~~~~~~~~ #

So here I am writing this journal thing that Mr Wood asked we all keep. I've not been in Grottoes 24 hours and so far Brit has convinced me to be ‘Gaby' around her parents, but of course that has spread to anyone they know like Erin at the bike shop. I have to take my hat off to her though, it looks like I might have a bike to borrow while I'm here and Erin is pretty cool and knowledgeable!

 

I've not really had time to think about Mum much; I hope she's okay — Dad is supposed to ring later this afternoon so I guess I'll find out then.

 

And just wait till I get my hands on you Maddy Peters! Remember she packed for me? Well she didn't put any of my undies in, only Gaby stuff so I have six bras but no pants! Oh I have some knickers, but they are hardly the same are they? And she didn't pack any jim-jams; I had to borrow some from Jules last night. It could have been worse I suppose, she did put my fave t-shirts in but I only have two pairs of jeans, one of which is from my Gaby stuff. Goodness knows why she put that stuff I borrowed from camper woman in, mind you I will need something to wear for the cheer stuff besides the uniform.

I glanced over to where Jules stuff was bulging out of the wardrobe doors, yep could have been worse, much worse.

“Gaby!”

Bum, that'll be the others back, I suppose I'll have to go down.

---

 
Maddy Bell 18.03.05  © 2005
 

Gaby Book 4 - Once Upon A Time In America
Chapter *3* Small Town, Va.
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*
 
 

I don't think I've told you much about where the Walters live have I? The house that is. So lets go back to Saturday, that's yesterday, night.

After the ‘fine' speeches and buffet it was finally time to split up and go to our temporary homes.

“Right then girls, let's get your luggage organised” Mr Walters instructed, “Mrs Walters is just fetchin' the car out front”

Now don't get me wrong, Mr Walters doesn't have a strong accent but I had to digest that for a moment before having to stop myself replying in a very bad imitation.

“Okay”

“So is it far to your house Deb?” Jules enquired

“Just a couple of blocks”

“Right” I noted none the wiser. I mean how far is a block? What is a block? Whatever.

Between us we got everything outside on to the pavement just as Mrs W pulled up in a fairly new looking car, I'm not up on American cars but the badge on the wing said Caprice.

“Let's get these in the trunk and we can get off home,” Mr W stated.

I've seen enough American stuff on the telly to know that the trunk is what we call the boot, our bags actually looked quite lonely in that gaping maw! That done we clambered inside the car, which wasn't as big as I expected but big enough that all four of us were reasonably comfortable sat on the rear seat.

The ‘couple of blocks' turned out to be about as far as Mad's place is from ours; we carried our cases further in Manchester Airport! As much as Grottoes has an old town, this was it. I think Brit said before that they call it a brownstone or something like that, it and its neighbours look pretty much like some of the Victorian villas in Worksop except there're no gardens to talk of and the whole street looks a bit ‘twee'!

“Go on in girls, Mr Walters will bring your bags” Mrs W advised. Well you know what they say, never look a gift horse! The girl bit is already starting to grate already tho'.

“Come on, you'd better have the dime tour” Brit enthused.

Inside it was nothing like those English villas. On the ground floor, or as the Americans call it first floor, there was pretty much just the entrance hall and sitting room cum dining room, the kitchen and a toilet were in an offshoot at the back down a couple of steps. Upstairs on the first or is that second floor, the girls and their ‘rents bedrooms took most of the space apart from the main bathroom. Deb then led us through a cupboard like door and up another set of stairs to the newly converted attic. I was impressed, it was a good-sized space and the steep pitched roof gave plenty of headroom. As promised there was a small en suite and two single beds crowded the floor space just a bit.

“Mom was all for putting a queen bed in” Deb told us, “but we thought the singles would be er, more suitable”

“It'll give more space after you go too” Brit added.

There is a cellar too, and just like in the films, it gets used for the laundry and storage. I actually felt a bit guilty that we were getting the new room but the girls assured us it was the easiest way. Not for Mr W though, he was positively bushed by the time he'd dragged our bags all the way to the top!

<~~~~~~~~~>

 

“Gaby!”

Bum, that'll be the others back, I suppose I'll have to go down.

I carefully descended to the middle floor and then down to the ground floor where the Walters senior with Debs and Jules were just de-coating.

“So what did you girls get up to Gaby?” Mr W asked

“Hi mom, hi dad!” Brit joined us.

“Your father was just asking Gaby what you two did today,” Mrs W told her.

“I took Gab over to Erin's”

“I hope you behaved yourself Britney Walters”

“‘Course we did, didn't we Gab?”

“Er yes” I agreed.

“We just looked at the bikes and stuff, I told you Gab is a bike racer back home”

“I hope you've the sense to steer clear of my daughters hare brained schemes Gaby” Mr W stated

“Daaad!”

“She does have a habit of causing mischief”

“Er I'll bear that in mind” I allowed. Don't I just know it?

“So did you guys have a good time over in Waynesboro?”

Nice diversion Brit! We all ended up in the kitchen whilst the tale of the visit to the local metropolis was regurgitated — I'm sure Jules will repeat most of it later when we go to bed so I switched to ‘uh huh' mode.

Brrrng brng! Brrrng brng!

“I'll get it” Debs offered.

“Hi there, Walters residence…oh hi Mr Bond, its Deb…yeah sure, they're right here…and you to Mr B, here's Gaby”

I eagerly took the handset from Deb.

“Drew?”

“Hi Dad, how's Mum?”

“Why was Debbie calling you Gaby?”

“It's a long story”

“And I don't want to know right?”

“Er yes. So how's Mum?”

“She's okay son, she went for a short ride earlier but it took a lot out of her”

“She's okay though?” I started to panic.

“Calm down, yes she's alright, the doctors have said to expect it. Look son, I wasn't supposed to say anything, your mother made me promise, but well,”

“Daad! What aren't you supposed to tell?”

“Your mother is going in to hospital tomorrow to be assessed for surgery.”

“You knew before we left?” I accused.

“Yes, we knew, it was your mothers decision not to say anything, she knows how you'd react”

“But…”

“Its your mothers call son. I promise to get you here if things take a turn for the worse. Put your sister on son, I'll try to get your Mum on the phone tomorrow okay?”

“Yeah. Bye Dad, give Mum my love, here's Jules”

I passed the phone to my eagerly waiting sibling.

“Everything okay Gaby?” Mrs W asked when I joined the others in the family room.

“I guess so”

“Homesick huh? Come and have a cuddle”

In lieu of an alternative I took up the offer and joined Mrs Walters on the sofa where I managed to embarrass myself by crying onto her shoulder for a good ten minutes.

Mad picked up on my mood as soon as she and Sab arrived for the ‘sleepover' half an hour later. Miss Bell had run the taxi service; Mad is actually staying with her rather than at Sab's remember?

“You okay Drew?” she hissed as she trailed me up to the Walters bedroom.

“What do you think?” I snapped

“Sorry, I only asked”

“Okay girls, you know the rules,” Mrs W intoned following us into the room. “I'll do you some supper later, and please keep the music down a bit huh?”

“Yes mom” Deb and Brit chorused.

“Okay then, have fun” and with that she was gone.

“So, what happens now?” Mad queried

“You mean you've never had a sleepy?” Deb squealed

“Well we sometimes stop at each others house for the night, we don't really do anything tho”

At this point I should mention that I'm not exactly ignorant of the format myself, you remember the incident last year? If there was going to be any sort of repeat, I'm out!

“I'll leave you lot to it.” I told them heading for the door.

“Where're you off to Drew?” Brit immediately asked.

“Upstairs, out of you girls way.”

“Whatever for Drew?” Sab followed on.

“So I'm out of your way, Mad might not know what goes on at a sleepover but I do and I want no part right? And besides in case you lot have forgotten, I am not a girl! ”

 

“Shush!” Brit hissed, “You want the olds to hear you?”

I looked daggers at her.

“Look, you girls have fun, I'll see you in the morning” I turned for the door once more.

“You can't Drew” Deb implored, “mom will smell a rat straight away if you go”

“I won't say anything”

“That's not the point Drew and you know it” my sister joined in. “you have to stay, it won't be anything like last time, I promise”

“What happened last time?” Sab asked before adding, “and how come Drew was at a sleepover?”

“Long story Sabrina, I'll tell you some time but we both ended up grounded.”

“Not good huh?” Sab allowed.

“Please Drew, this is gonna be different, honest. No drinking, no dares, just a video,”

“We got ‘Lizzie McGuire' ” Deb put in.

“And listening to music and stuff” Jules finished.

“Drinking?” Sab exclaimed

I could see that my absence might raise questions and it didn't sound too bad even if the film sounds a bit flaky.

“Okay I'll stay” I let go of the door”

“Brill!” Brit exclaimed grabbing me into a hug.

<~~~~~~~~~>

 

I stood in the shower letting the hot water play over me as I went over the events of last night. It was actually quite good fun, even for me, and certainly no repeat of my last ‘sleepover'! The film was one of those flaky teen romance things; I'm told there is a telly series too. I've seen worse and the girls seemed to enjoy it. Mrs W actually made a sort of Spaghetti Carbonara for supper — she should have a cook off with Aunt C! Then we listened to CD's for a while, I remember feeling a bit drowsy then I just woke up this morning. I guess the traveling finally caught up with me.

“Hurry up Gab, we're being picked up in an hour” Jules encouraged.

Oh yeah, today we've got our, what did Miss Bell call it, that's it, orientation. The weather looks pretty good, almost spring like with an almost clear blue sky and bright sunshine, good weather to be out on a bike. Despite appearances, I decided to go with warm, so I pulled jeans and my roll neck on, I'd rather be warm than cold, call me nesh if you like!

All six of us went down to the corner to wait for our transport and pretty soon an ugly yellow bus grunted into sight.

“See you guys later” Brit smiled as Mad, Jules and I climbed aboard.

“Bye” Mad waved back.

“Morning girls” George greeted us as we clambered inside.

“Hi” Jules replied.

“One more stop then we'll head for the school,” George advised us.

To be honest, after that last stop to pick up one of Jules mates, everyone was talking and the drive out to Augusta High School went by in a blur of noise and excitement. I couldn't stay miserable with the general mood on the rattley bus and we soon pulled up alongside a couple more buses at the front of a modern building that couldn't be anything other than a school. We climbed off the bus and gathered to take in the ‘view'.

Miss Cowlishaw and some of her charges!

(l to r, Maddy, Drew, Miss C, Jules, Bernie, Ally and Rhod)

We saw Miss Bell heading towards us and soon we were started on a tour of the ‘facility'. A more seasonal temperature soon replaced the warmth of the sun when we moved into the shadows; thankfully we were soon inside the school. I'm not sure what I was expecting but I suppose schools are pretty similar wherever they are. Biggest difference I suppose is that back in Warsop we have a cloakroom where we put our coats and our lockers are in our form rooms. Here they just have a locker in one of the corridors, more convenient I s'pose. Mr Fredericks allocated our party some lockers for our stay then we assembled in a classroom, Miss Bells from what I could see.

We were joined shortly by a stern looking woman and Principal Roberts. The Principal introduced her as Mary Jones; the schools head counsellor, whatever that is? Apparently we should go see her if we have any ‘issues', I haven't the foggiest what that means. Still, Mr Roberts seems to be okay, a taller version of our Woody, and fancies himself as a bit of a wag. Ms Jones left with him shortly afterwards leaving us to the care of Ms Bell and Mr Fredericks, Mr P and Miss C sat at the back sipping coffee.

In many respects it would be similar to last year at Warsop, we would be ‘shadowing' our hosts in their classes on the days we were attending school, that is three days each week. The other two days we would be doing visits and other stuff, the weekends will be ‘free' with our hosts. The biggest difference really is the school day; apparently we start in ‘home room', that's like our form room, at eight o'clock. Eight o'clock! Jeez, I'll still be asleep then. The bonus is that school finishes at three; any extra curricula stuff is therefore done on the afternoons. We'd mostly be using the yellow buses for transport; a couple of us, Mad for example, would travel in by car.

We left the school just before twelve, the canteen was shut it not being a school day so we all piled onto George's yellow rattler and we started our first lesson, Grottoes 101 — well that's what Miss Bell called it! So I'll try to remember the geography for you, here goes. Grottoes itself is midway between Newtown and Waynesboro, its about 25 miles to either of them, and lies on the border between Augusta and Rockingham counties. The school takes students from both ‘Counties', there is only a sparse rural community outside of Grottoes. To the east and north lies the Shenandoah National Park — more of that later, to the west is a rolling river valley beyond which are more hills and the state of West Virginia. Trying to put it into a frame I can relate to, it's sort of like being on the edge of the Peak District, well sort of.

Anyway, as it was still quite pleasant if a little cool, George took us up towards the hills, stopping at a little pull-in going by the name of Madison Lookout, the road went on but it was as far as a yellow bus could get! Miss Bell told us that the little river was called Madison Run and very pretty it looked too. This was to be our lunch stop, George fetched a box up from the back of the bus and soon we were all tucking into a picnic lunch, chicken, corn, hot tomato soup, brownies and fruit. A surprisingly balanced meal!

After eating we had a bit of spare time and not surprisingly our gang got together, the first time really since we set off on this trip.

“So how are yours” Ally asked me.

“Okay I guess”

“They think he's a girl” Mad put in.

“Why?” Bernie voiced the obvious question.

“Apparently Brit and Deb never told their olds he was a boy”

“Mad!”

“Well its true”

I sighed, there was no denying it.

“Poor Drew, so they think you are Gaby?”

“Sort of.” I allowed, “they know my name is Drew but they are thinking ‘Barrymore', they think Gaby is some sort of nickname.”

“Haven't they noticed your lack of, um, bits?” Rhod asked.

“Well they are hardly gonna say anything are they Rhod?” Mad pointed out.

“I suppose not.”

“What about you lot?” Mad asked.

“Okay I suppose” Bernie was non-committal.

“I've got my own room” Ally mentioned.

“How about you Mr Morgan?” Mad pursued Rhod.

“Yeah what's this Sandy like?” Bernie joined in.

All eyes turned expectantly towards the slightly effeminate looking Rhod.

“I bet he's a right hunk,” Ally stated.

“Er not exactly” Rhod finally managed.

“So?” I urged.

“Well I guess you'll find out soon enough.” he sighed. “Sandy's eighteen,”

“We knew that” Mad interrupted.

“Let him talk Mad” Ally admonished.

“She lives on her own and has a car”

“Hang on, you said she” ever sharp Bernie pointed out.

“So she's a girl” I joined in. “go on then Rhod”

“Well she's quite pretty, fairly tall and slim, look you'll meet her tomorrow, you can do the Spanish Inquisition bit then okay?”

“Come on you lot, time to go” Mr P called over.

We finished the 101, (apparently that's what the ‘Mericans call basic level courses), and found ourselves back at AHS. Miss Bell had included just about anything of interest, tho to be honest that didn't really run to much. There was the municipal pool (closed for the winter as its open air), the Augusta County Showground (empty for now), the nature park at the south end of town and a very ‘Back to the Future ' style town square, that just about wrapped it up. She did point out the local teen hangouts, the big M and ‘Jenny's' drive through, a games arcade and a diner type place called ‘Jacks'. Much the same as we have at home I guess.

 

It was quarter to three when Jules and I got back to Walters central.

“Come on Gab, time to go” Brit grabbed my arm.

“I only just got here”

“We have to get to Erin's remember”

“I'm sure Erin won't mind you being a few minutes late,” Mrs W pointed out. “and invite her back for dinner okay?”

“But mom!”

“Let Gaby get changed if she wants”

“Go on then Gaby ” Brit was being a bit of a pain.

In truth, a change of footwear and a wee was all I needed and I joined an impatient Britney Walters for the short walk to Erin's Cyclery.

---

 
Maddy Bell 10.04.05 © 2005
 

Gaby Book 4 - Once Upon A Time In America
Chapter *4* School's In
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*
 
 

I can hang about bike shops all day if anyone let me. Erin's wasn't a great deal different to the shops back home really, maybe a little tidier but it would fit in well back home. No, apart from the silly name, the really amazing thing to me about Erin's shop was the fact it was here at all! I know there are a few top riders from America but it's hardly a hot bed of cycling. The fact that the shop was here in this little town suggests a bit more interest in bikes than I expected. Not that I'd seen anyone riding one yet!

“Hi girls” Erin came through from the workshop.

“Hi Erin”

“Hi” I allowed

“Did you find anything Erin?” Brit asked

“I think so, come on through girls”

We followed her round the counter and into the workshop.

“I've just been tidying it up a bit”

Erin pointed to a sparkling jewel in the workstand.

“Erin” Brit started.

“Its okay Brit, it was a trade-in last fall, it's on the small side for most riders so a few extra miles won't make much difference”

“Its gorgeous” I sighed eyeing all the sparkly bits.

It really was a beaut. From the cherry red metal flake paint to the highly polished wheels it was sweet. Campag Chorus from about two years ago made up the bulk of the kit hung from what looked like a lightweight steel GT road frame. Only the tyres and bar tape showed any sign of use, this bike had obviously had one very careful owner, then I noticed the top tube.”

“I can't use this Erin”

“Why ever not Gaby”

“It's your bike” I accused

“Okay so it's mine, but I never get the chance to use it much, I've got a Trek that I use most days, the GT hasn't been out since last May”

“But what if I damage anything?”

“I can tell that you appreciate fine things, I know you'll look after it. I'd rather it was ridden to be honest rather than sit in my attic collecting dust.”

It was very tempting.

“You got any togs with you Gaby?”

My heart sank, with Mad packing my case stuff like bike shorts never made it.

“No” I replied despondently.

“Can you watch the shop for a few Brit?”

“Sure”

“Come on then Miss Bond, lets find you some kit”

I found myself propelled out of the shop and into a slightly careworn pickup. Erin soon had us heading out towards the high school but we turned off before we got there and bounced along a dirt road for about half a mile before pulling up at what I guessed was Erin's home.

“Come on Gaby or do you prefer Drew”

“Drew.”

“I thought you probably did young man”

“You know?”

“Well I do try to keep up with stuff over the pond. And I know that it was Jenny Bond's son that was crowned circuit champ last summer.”

She led me into the house, so much like what you see on the telly!

“So the Gaby thing is one of Brit's games huh?”

“Sort of”

I ended up giving Erin a potted version of the events leading up to the present situation while my unexpected benefactor found me a full set of winter riding kit including shoes, we actually share shoe size.

“I've a mind to tell Jocelyn, Britney has overstepped the mark this time”

“Please don't Erin, I don't want to get her in trouble”

“Hmm”

There was an uncomfortable silence for a moment.

“Okay then, I'll go with it for now but you want out, come see me or give me a call okay?”

“Deal” I agreed.

“Come on then, lets get back and see if that girl has bankrupted me yet”

It was almost six and dark when we returned to the shop.

“I thought something had happened to you guys” Brit greeted us.

“Just talking about Drew's cycling career” Erin emphasised.

“Oh” Brit allowed.

“So have you given the shop away while we were gone?”

“I did not give it away, it was marked with the wrong price!”

Erin grinned.

“So any customers?”

“Only that banker guy to collect his wheels”

“Alec”

“Yeah that's him, said he'll catch you tomorrow night”

Erin blushed slightly, is Alec her romantic interest? Hmm, I'll have to find out.

“Lets get you two and this bike home.”

I took charge of strapping the bike into the rack bolted into the pickup while Brit and Erin closed the shop up. Erin did join us for dinner and I arranged to meet with her for a ride on Saturday morning, she has someone look after the shop for her so she can get a ride in.

Dad's phone call was pretty much a rehash of yesterday so I won't bore you with the detail. When I get some real news I'll let you know.

<~~~~~~~~~>

I was feeling pretty nervous as I stood with the others and a few other kids waiting for the school bus to arrive. Although the sky was fairly clear, a few flakes of snow were blowing about, not enough to settle or even make the footpath damp but it was snow nonetheless. It wasn't George driving the bus today but a middle-aged woman who would make Oliver Hardy look slim! By the time we left the town the bus was fairly full of students exchanging tales of their Christmas and New Year break. None of the others were on this bus, Mad would be travelling with Miss Bell, Rhod with the mystery Sandy Jones, the others were on different bus routes.

Once at Augusta High, Brit and I went to find her friends, this is just like starting a new school — well I guess I am sort of. I was introduced as Drew who's nickname is Gaby. No one queried my gender so it looked like I could be Drew at school anyway. We stowed our coats in our lockers and headed in to ‘homeroom'. Yep just like back home. Biggest difference really was that there wasn't a big assembly; instead the principal relayed the notices over a scratchy PA direct to each room. That ended with everyone bar me standing for flag allegiance thing Miss Bell told us about yesterday. As Brits we are excused that bizarre episode. Bernie reckoned it was something they probably do in communist countries; she might have a point there.

Whatever, Miss Jackson introduced me to the other students who for the most part were a little bit less than bothered. I received a few looks of appraisal, mostly from the girls but I got the uncomfortable feeling that a few of the boys were checking me out too. I'm sure that Brit had told me her schedule at some point but I was still surprised that after homeroom we took ‘home ec'. Don't get me wrong, I mean I do washing, cooking and cleaning at home but I wasn't really expecting to be sitting in on a dressmaking course! And of course it got worse!

As I didn't have any course work to do I got ‘volunteered' to act as tailors dummy. Not good! Luckily I was actually wearing some Gab pants which kept my, um bits under control. Luck stayed with me as the current project was a skirt, it was embarrassing but somehow I managed to keep my bits from display. I'll have to try and get out of this class if its possible, maybe extra maths? Well the other classes went better, American History, Algebra, English, then it was lunch before having Geography with Miss Bell and finally Art where Miss C was helping out. Do you know? Miss C is really cool. Oops did I just say that?

It was only as we waited for the bus back into town that I realised that most of the cars in the huge car park belonged to students. I saw Rhod following a tall girl to an old Volvo estate, that must be Sandy I guess. The late afternoon sky held the promise of more snow but for now it was just cold with a mean wind. Well I guess I've survived the first day at Augusta High.

“Bum!”

“What now?” Jules sighed from her bed where she was reading a book.

“I'm sort of out of clothing options”

“What do you mean? ‘Run out of clothing options'”

“Well I can hardly wear jeans and a jumper again tomorrow can I? Mrs W will smell a rat, lets face it, you change three times a day and your ‘little sis' wears the same stuff every day? Not likely is it?”

“You must have brought more than that”

“Mad packed remember? So I've got underwear but no extra trousers, and the only other stuff I've got is full on Gaby, I can hardly wear that for school can I?”

“Why not?”

“Well I'm being me, your brother at school?”

“You are kidding aren't you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well I'm sorry to burst your bubble brother mine but half the guys want to meet ‘that cute little blonde' and you've got half the girls hating you for being ‘that stuck up British bitch'”

I groaned and slumped to the floor. Here I was thinking that everything was going swimmingly, sugar! Home ec this morning! They thought I was a girl! Why me? I've been wearing my boy stuff even. I started to sob a bit, there was a thump beside me and I felt Jules arm go round me. We sat like that for a while, I eventually got myself together and we moved from the floor to our beds.

“What are you reading?”

“Bill Bryson”

“What's that exactly?”

“Its called A Walk in the Woods, it's about walking along the Appalachian Way”

“Sounds boring”

“Its quite funny really, Bryson is American but he used to live in Yorkshire and he sort of pokes fun at American attitudes.”

“I still prefer Discworld ”

“So what are you going to do?”

Good question. The Walters think I'm a girl. At AHS they assume I'm a girl because I'm with Britney. Only Erin doesn't take me for a girl, well she knows I'm a boy at least, she never said I look like a boy though did she? And we've got that stupid cheer contest in a few weeks. Looks like the decision is made for me doesn't it?

“Looks like I'm gonna have to be Gaby”

“For the whole six weeks?”

“You got an alternative?”

“Ut uh” she replied.

“You brought those foam pad things?”

“What pads” by her blush she knew exactly what I meant. “Er what for?”

“Well Gaby needs her boobs, Mad's got my stuff so until tomorrow I need a bit of stuffing.”

When I joined the others a bit later it was as 100% Gaby. Mad had packed what I've come to think of as my favourite Gaby outfit, well at least this time of year. My lightly padded bust looked more like I was bra less than boob less and I always find this outfit comfy.

“Well don't you look purdy tonight?” Mr Walters mentioned as I found a seat in front of the telly.

“Give over dad, you've got her blushing” Deb mentioned.

Well it was more than a slight blush I have to admit. My fate is sealed for the next what? Five and a half weeks. It doesn't entirely solve the clothing problem but at least I can borrow from Jules and the others now. Great.

Dad didn't call yet; he said it might be late if they decided to operate. Mum please be okay! I really need you, especially right now! By how quiet Jules was over dinner she was having similar thoughts. By the way the senior Walters were treating us I'm guessing that Dad has spoken to them and clued them in a bit. Neither of them has mentioned Mum directly but they are so obviously trying to avoid mentioning ‘something'.

It was a little after seven when Dad finally called, that's like midnight or something at home.

Jules got first crack at him then I just about snatched the phone from her as she finished her goodbyes.

“Did they operate?”

“Yes Drew, that's why I'm calling so late, I've only just got home”

“And?”

“Well the good news is that the surgeon thinks that it went exceedingly well but it will be a few days before they can tell how successful the surgery has been.”

“Does that mean she's cured?”

“Not exactly son, it could still go either way and your mother is still very sick”

I could tell he wasn't telling me everything but it sounded like good news for the most part. He sounded tired with more than a hint of worried.

“So how are you kiddo?”

“Okay I guess. Mrs Walters friend, Erin, she owns the local bike shop, has lent me a bike to ride and I'm supposed to be going for a ride with her on Saturday”

“That's very good of her. Make sure you thank her and look after the bike.”

“Daad, course I will! It's a really cool GT with Chorus kit and its mint!”

“Just remember you have to ride on the opposite side of the road and be careful.”

“I will be, give Mum my love”

“Of course I will, I'll try to ring a bit earlier tomorrow okay”

“Anytime”

“Bye Drew”

“Bye Dad”

Wednesday dawned dry but with a sky promising a fall of crystalline water droplets, in fact a few were already blowing about as I looked out of the dormer into the morning gloom. I headed for the shower about the happiest I've been on this trip so far, after all Mums surgery seems to have gone well, I know Dad said it was early doors yet but you have to think positive right?

It was only when I emerged from the shower and started looking for my jeans that the day started to go badly.

“Jules?”

“What?” my sibling grunted from the shower.

“You seen my jeans?”

“Ut uh. Where did you put them last night?”

“On that wicker thing”

“The laundry basket? By the door?”

“Yeah”

“Ah”

“What do you mean ‘ah!'” I heard the shower shut off.

Jules poked her head round the bathroom door.

“Er Mrs Walters took the laundry after dinner last night, I guess she thought you put your jeans to be washed”

“So what am I supposed to wear to school today? I could borrow yours”

“I only brought one pair and I did put mine in to be washed”

“Sugar! Don't you have any other trousers?”

“‘Fraid not”

“Bum, bum, bum!”

“I guess Gaby is going to school in a skirt today then”

“It's going to snow, I'll freeze my bits off” I moaned.

“Don't be so melodramatic. I'll lend you some thick tights and you can wear two pairs of knickers.”

“Gee thanks” I replied sarcastically.

When we left for school there was little doubt of Gaby's gender. I ended up borrowing a coat from Deb, a skirt and trainers from Brit and a top and the aforementioned tights from Jules. I just caught Mad before she left with Miss Bell, my breast forms and stuff would be at Augusta High when I arrived. This is not going to plan — not by a long chalk!

Of course wearing a skirt to school would confirm to the natives what they assumed yesterday — there will be no way to be Drew on this trip now. As you might recall, its not like I've not attended school as Gaby before, but that was literally only for a couple of days and my appearances as a cheerleader haven't exceeded a few hours either. As I stared out of the bus window I realised that I was going to be Gaby for a long, long time. It didn't click last night but wearing this stuff this morning it finally sank in.

Despite Jules assurances of temperate comfort, it was absolutely freezing around my nether regions as the cold wind whipped up my skirt when we arrived at school. Of course, in my short skirt I was in a minority of one, either ankle length skirts or trousers clothed all the ‘other' female students, I couldn't have stuck out much more if I tried!

Two things happened on my second day of High School. Firstly, with any doubt over my gender removed I became more of a target for male lust, not good! Secondly, the luke warm reception from the girls now evolved into a more polarised response to my presence. Whilst I was largely made more welcome, a few girls with insecurity problems took bigger dislike to me than yesterday. Brit told me that they considered me competion, hot competition for their boyfriends. As if!

Unlike at home, most students have the same classes every day here, they do fewer subjects than I'm used to and I guess it keeps the timetable straightforward! So it was pretty much a repeat of my first day except I was attracting more attention. At some time during the day I shared classroom time with all the extended gang, the only ‘lesson' that we all share is gym but that's not until tomorrow. I wonder if I can pull a sickie? At least there's no school on Friday, we are off on our first ‘excursion', we're going to Richmond I think it is.

One thing is for sure. If I'm going to be Gaby for the next six weeks, I need to do some shopping — I can't keep borrowing stuff from the Walters and Jules. And one skirt and jumper and one cheer outfit won't go very far. Damn! I'm not exactly rolling in dollars, not that there's much to spend them on but buying girls clothes was not on my original game plan. And if that snow does finally make a bigger effort I'll need some warmer kit too.

The other thing that happened today was that we got invited to go and ‘hang' at the diner after school. Brit and the others were all keen to go; apparently it was a regular thing much like our gangs Monday nights. I didn't want to chance missing Dad's call but the others, mostly unaware of the situation, finally persuaded me to join them. From what Dad said last night I don't suppose there will be any real news today, I consoled myself with that thought as I climbed into the back of Sandy's Volvo.

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Maddy Bell 12.04.05  © 2005
 

Gaby Book 4 - Once Upon A Time In America
Chapter *5* Cheers Brit
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!

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Chapter *5*
 
 

"You're kidding right?"

From the look on Brit's face it was pretty clear she wasn't.

"Can't I just wear shorts and a tee shirt?"

"Not an option, you want to stand out?"

Drew mulled that over for a moment, a bit of a no brainer really. After Tuesdays near miss, looking less Gaby really wouldn't be a good idea.

"Haven't you got anything a bit less, er, Barbie?"

"Not really, it's this or pink"

I let out a deep sigh; I suppose Brit had offered the less, if that's the term, girly option to me. I picked up the pile of stuff and stuffed it in my bag. Why me?

"Hey Gab" Brit waved a hand in front of my face, "anyone there? We gotta go"

"Oh right"

I hefted my bag and followed Ms Walters downstairs.

"There you are girls, lets get this show on the road!"

Mrs W can get a bit enthusiastic; we're only going to school after all.

The old Forester, Mrs W's car as opposed to Mr Walters huge Caprice, only took a quarter of an hour to transport us the ten miles to the High School that I am a temporary student at along with the rest of my fellow exchangees. It's not that different to school at home but it's a bit weird attending as a girl. We might be getting a lift to school but it's the bus on the way back still, Mrs Walters is going down to Waynesboro for something this morning.

"Hi guys" Sabby called over.

"Hi Sab" Brit replied

"Where's Mad?" I asked

"She said she'd meet us after homeroom"

"Okay" I sighed. Damn, I wanted to talk to her alone, I suppose it'll wait.

"Come on Gab, we'll be late"

"She's been like this all morning" Brit advised, "daydreaming"

I never did get that chat with my cousin, what with one thing and another the opportunity never occurred. Well not before what they call Gym here, and by then it was too late.

Back in Warsop we'd be doing cross-country running or if were lucky old Pilling would let us do Badminton or Basketball or something inside. How I wish for that here! As soon as they found out that the five of us were the 'English cheerleaders' there was no hope.

I thought I might get out of it but there's no escape! Gym class = cheer stuff, more specifically a combination of gymnastics and dance. Sheesh! Hence my rebellion with Brit this morning. While everyone else gets to wear normal gym kit, the cheer squad wears aerobics stuff. As this was hardly on my packing list I was borrowing off Brit.

This just isn't right! Here I am looking like a right fairy!

"Cute!" Bern exclaimed

"Aw, she's blushing" Darla put in.

"I am not!" the flush I felt creeping up my face gave the lie to that. Lets face it; you'd be embarrassed too. Here I am in a lemon yellow leotard, shiny white tights, two what looked like pink jumper sleeves which my tormentors called leg warmers, my cheer shoes and with my hair in two bunches. Now tell me, wouldn't you feel embarrassed in that get up? What's worse is that most of the class was dressed in t-shirts and shorts.

I didn't get much chance to reflect on things though, the cheer coach, Ms McDonald, soon had us hard at it. After getting over my initial reluctance it wasn't really so bad. We started off with some stretching exercises before starting a round of basic, line up and go gym exercises. I actually remember doing this sort of thing in junior school.

After a short cool down the focus changed to a more cheer bias. That is to say more dance type stuff. Nothing specific, but there were elements from ballet and what Mad christened showgirl stuff! I was pretty chuffed when we had to do the splits, I got right down easily but a few of the girls couldn't manage it. Ha, the Drewmeister wins again!

<~~~~~~~~~>

 

But I've jumped a bit here haven't I? You no doubt want the low down on the rest of yesterday huh? Well okay, I told you we were going to the diner right?

The drive to Jacks Diner in Sandy's old Volvo was a bit cramped, me, Brit, Sab and Mad were crammed in the back while Rhod joined Sandy in the front. One of Debs friends has an SUV that the others were traveling in — apparently there would be quite a gang descending for ‘Wednesday at Jack's'. Sandy seems okay, she's a bit of a wit but I still can't work out how she came to be hosting Rhod who, it hasn't gone unnoticed, seems really happy at the moment. Could something be going on between them? Nah it's only been a few days and Rhod wouldn't do that to Ally, would he?

Sandy works at Jack's so when we arrived she went to get changed while the rest of us joined the other kids in the restaurant. Although we passed the place on Miss Bells tour of the Grottoes district, that hardly prepares you for what its like inside. The place has obviously been here a while and I suppose it's standard American diner just like you see in films and stuff. It's a bit like a Little Chuff but more — hmm what's the word — homely I guess. At one side of the building they have a pool table, where a few kids were already poking the balls around. There must have been about thirty high school students in but the atmosphere was relaxed, we claimed a booth by the window and soon the others joined us.

It was all a bit surreal really; Sandy appeared in her uniform and took our order. The other staff, a gruff looking bloke who I guess is Jack himself, and two older women, joked and talked with the slightly noisy students — I can see this happening at home — not! It wasn't a static scenario either, kids were moving between groups and there seemed to be a loose competition at the pool table. For the most part I sat and observed the comings and goings but this gregarious bunch were quick to include the ‘Englishers' into proceedings. When Sab let slip that some of us were cheerleaders and that we'd be in next month's competition we were firmly installed in the group. Of course we had to explain how it worked in England and how different it was to here in America.

More kids arrived, some left, the time just flew by. There were other patrons of course. A couple of gun toting policemen, their uniforms so alien to what I'm used to, stopped for coffee, a young mother with two little tots took a quiet table, the kids seemed excited but well behaved. The light was starting to fade when I was surprised by the arrival of two bike riders, a well-built bloke and a pale redheaded girl, both I guessed to be in their late teens. They were wearing all the kit, these were no casual riders but serious athletes — I wanted to go and talk to them but I had a shyness attack and instead tried a bit of across the room eavesdropping.

“Hi ya Diane, Derek. What'll it be?”

“Hi Sandy, English for me and the usual for this lummox”

“Hey just coz I took the limits sign!” the guy mentioned. Yep sounds serious to me.

“And a couple of slices of pie” the girl, Diane added.

My attention was diverted by Sab grabbing my wrist and having to give an impromptu Foresters cheer. I didn't realize that we had the attention of nearly all the diner until we finished with me doing my usual splits. I was lost in the exercise while we went through the routine and only the cheering when we finished brought me back to the here and now. I looked around and turned a very obvious red when I realised I was the only one to have done the usual finish, the others, dressed in either jeans or long skirts wisely never attempted the grand finish. I hurriedly got up and slunk back into the booth.

Why did I go and do that? The conversations passed around me and I missed the bikies getting ready to leave.

“See ya later Sandy, bye Jack”

“Take care you two” Sandy called back.

“We will” the guy noted.

I half expected to see them depart on mountain bikes but the lights from the diner glittered off two smart looking road bikes. I'll have to ask Erin who they are on Saturday.

“Hey miss show off, you ready to hit the road?” Brit waved a hand in front of my face.

“Er sure”

“Dad'll be here in about five”

I put ‘my' coat on and joined the round of goodbyes; Jules paid our bill — all of eleven dollars! Mr Walters pulled up outside and the four of us quickly scrambled into the car. Once we were on our way I decided to ask Brit about the two bike riders.

“Brit, who were the two at the counter in the cycling kit, Sandy seemed to know them?”

“You mean Dianne Biggs, the guy is Derek Drake, he's a bit of a hunk huh?”

“Diane was in?” Mr W asked from in front.

“With Derek Dad”

“That's one plucky Miss there Gaby. When Johnny Biggs, that's her old man, died last summer we thought she'd shut up shop and leave town. ‘Stead of that, she's gotten more business in, got young Derek working for her and last I heard she's even got some school kids on the payroll learning the business.”

“Yeah, Janice is up there every afternoon” Deb agreed.

“Quite impressive for a teenager, everyone hereabouts is right proud of her” Mr Walters finished.

I determined to get to meet Derek and Diane before I leave Grottoes.

Back at Castle Walters we had barely got in the door when the phone rang, Dad making the promised call. Well there was nothing new to report, Mum was recovering well from the surgery, she had a bit more colour but she was still under sedation. Dad was sounding a bit happier and certainly less tired than yesterday which in turn made me more relaxed. Jules looked a lot happier too. Even if it only gives Mum a bit longer it'll be time we can have with her. I tried in vain to remove all thoughts of losing her from my mind but it had the opposite effect, I started to think about how life might be without Mum around, could I be like Diane Biggs and grab life by the horns and carry on? Of course we still have Dad so it's a bit different.

I'd pretty much forgotten how I was dressed by the time I headed for bed, I'll have to get Jules to help me with putting Gaby's bits on in the morning. This afternoon at the diner was good — even if I did make a bit of an exhibition of myself with the cheering business. I dropped off to a more content sleep than I'd had since Mum told us about her cancer.

<~~~~~~~~~>

 

 

Which of course brings us back to today. Jules helped me to stick my boobs on and after a bit of er delicate struggling I got my ‘special' pants on too. At least now any potential embarrassment would be lessened; my body bears more than a passing resemblance to what people imagine they see. Well I've already mentioned about gym class but what I didn't tell you was what happened in home ec. The teacher, Mrs Pryce, a trim woman about Mum's age, decided that us visitors should do a project while we are here. I'm not sure what is worse, acting as a manikin for the rest of the class or having to design and make a ‘formal' outfit. Geez! So now I've got to study women's magazines for ideas — the smirk on Brits face did little to warm me to the whole idea.

After that gym session it was time for home. I joined Brit on the school bus back to town, no ride this afternoon, and I decided to give Erin's bike a spin, I could get about an hour in if I get straight off. I hurried up to the attic where I stripped one lot of Lycra ® off to replace it with another, this time the thermal bib tights and jacket that Erin has lent me. Donning a warm hat and thick gloves, I wheeled the GT out onto the street.

I know it might sound a bit absurd, but my first ride in the USA was back out to Augusta High, at least I know the way and it was just far enough to get there and back before dark descends. After a few bike free days, it took a couple of miles to loosen up, a couple of nervous miles, as I've not ridden on the ‘wrong side' of the road before. The road is gently rolling and although the gearing is a bit higher than I'm used to, I soon found a comfortable cadence and the school hove into view less than thirty-five minutes after leaving the Walters'. There were still a few cars in the car park that I used to get turned around without stopping.

The light was starting to go as I started the return journey, Erin had Spinacci's fitted so I assumed a racing tuck and made haste. The higher gearing had me reaching for the down lever once or twice but the couple of longish down slopes let me make good use of what was on offer. I got the speedo up to almost 35mph on the steeper of the two, which helped to get me back into Grottoes a bit less than thirty minutes from leaving the school. I must be fitter than I thought. Some bits of me were less than comfortable though! In my rush to get out I left my girl pants on, with my ‘bits' trapped irretrievably inside. All I can say is that I'm glad Erin had one of those saddles with a cut out fitted, as it is my equipment was feeling decidedly bruised despite the thick padding. Note to self — remember to take those damned pants off before riding a bike!

All in all I was pretty chuffed with the ride, the road was well surfaced, it stayed dry and my borrowed steed is a bit of a mover! It was a tired but happy Gaby that joined the rest of the household for dinner sometime later.

<~~~~~~~~~>

The news from home when Dad rang was a bit of a mixed bag. Gran has moved over to Warsop and is staying at our place to look after Mum when she returns home at the weekend. As far as Mum herself goes there is little change, Dad tried to explain some of the stuff but to be honest I didn't understand a lot of it. The bottom line seems to be that no change is not necessarily bad — at least it's not getting worse.

The other news from home is that it's been snowing. Snowing and I'm missing it! I love snow, well most of the time, I even like riding my bike in snow, well when its finished falling anyway.

<~~~~~~~~~>

 

Dear diary — that just sounds so corny I had to put it in! Well here I am again, Mrs W did her best to make what she called ‘a traditional British stew' for dinner tonight, to be honest it was okay except for the rather terrible dumpling things but after my ride I was hungry enough to eat anything. I've had to borrow some more clothes, the sleeves on this cardi' of Deb's are getting on my nerves! And at least I can get away with not wearing a bra all the time — small consolation I suppose. Jules is still reading that ‘Walk In The Woods' book; she keeps laughing which is driving me potty as she won't explain why. Guess I'll have to borrow the book and read it myself.

 

It was good to get out on a bike again, Erin's bike is really something, the full 27 speed Chorus setup, I've only got Veloce, Mum says its not worth spending more for me to smash it up — well I suppose my bike has accumulated a few ‘battle' scars! Anyway the bike is really smooth and even with the steel frame it only weighs 19lbs! (I know because I checked earlier.) That's lighter than my aluminium! I spent an hour after dinner cleaning it; no one is going to accuse me of not looking after it. These tights itch.

 

Tomorrow we have our first bus trip; we're going to Richmond. Apparently there's loads of history stuff in the area, battlefields and stuff like that, a chance to really put my new camera through its paces, Dad'll kill me if I don't take lots of pictures. I should probably carry it around with me. Bum! Is that the time?

 

<~~~~~~~~~>

“Come on Gaby, we'll miss the bus” Brit shouted up to the attic.

So okay, I'm running a bit late. I'm not used to all this girl stuff every morning. Yeah I know I've done it before but it's different when you are ‘being' a girl not just pretending. Jules and the Walters can only do so much without causing suspicion so I'm having to hone stuff like putting on makeup myself. Mad usually does that but she's not here and Jules, well I'm just as likely to end up all Goth!

I checked my bag — camera, batteries, wallet, makeup [!], notebook, pen — looks like everything.

“There you are, we'll be late” Brit greeted my appearance downstairs.

“We've got five minutes yet”

“Well Deb and Jules have already gone so get your coat on”

“Have a nice day girls” Mrs Walters called from the kitchen.

“Thanks”

“We will mom, byeeee”

I shrugged into my borrowed coat and slung my bag onto my shoulder. Outside, a cold wind swirled around my nylon clad legs and up my skirt, I was glad for once that my bits have so much covering them! We made the bus only due to hold up tactics by our siblings and thankfully joined the other students in the austere but warm interior.

We still had to make an appearance in homeroom but after getting our ticks in the register we joined everyone else in the car park where once again George was waiting with his bus. After a quick head count we were off. Instead of the road south to Waynesboro that I expecting to take, George turned off to the right and we headed along the local equivalent of country lanes for about twenty minutes before meeting and joining what the signs declared to be I81.

“Where's Sandy?” I asked Rhod.

“Well she's not really part of the exchange thing and teaches a class herself on Fridays”

“Teaches?” Mad enquired.

“Sand tutors Math and Calculus.” Darla advised us, “I usually have her on Fridays for Calculus.”

Seems a bit odd to me, but there again, I'm sat here in a skirt so who am I to say anything! We passed a sign to Waynesboro and joined the I64 and we continued south to arrive in the environs of Richmond mid morning.

We split into two groups, Jules, Deb and the other older kids went with Mr Fredericks and Mr Pilling, the rest of us get to hang out with Miss Bell and Miss Cowlishaw. We stayed on the bus as our first stop was a little out of town.

“How are you doing Drew?” Miss C slid into the seat that Brit had just vacated next to me.

“Okay Miss”

“How are things at home?”

“Mum should be home tomorrow, my Gran is gonna look after her”

“That's good news eh?”

“I hope so”

“And what about you? I thought you were going to be Drew except for the cheer competition?”

“So did I”

“So what happened?”

Over the next fifteen minutes as we made our way out to a civil war battlefield, I gave Miss C the story of my week so far.

“You should have come to me or Mr Pilling Drew”

“I never thought about doing that,” I admitted.

“Drew Bond, what are we going to do with you?” she shook her head with a smile. “Now promise me Drew, if things start to get more complicated you'll come talk to me eh?”

“Yes Miss”

“Hmm, looks like we've arrived”

I looked out to be greeted by what looked like a cemetery with a white fence round it.

“Depressing” I stated

“Well Miss Bell assures me it's interesting so shake a leg”

With that she departed down the bus.

“What was that all about?” Brit asked returning to collect her stuff.

“Just making sure things are okay, especially as I'm being Gaby”

“Oh” she looked a bit worried. “She's not gonna do anything is she?”

“I don't think so”

“Girls!” Miss Bells voice echoed down the bus, “if you can all assemble at the gate we can get started.”

It wasn't so bad. A bit like that ‘Walking The Battlefields' programme Dad likes watching ‘cept we were doing the walking. Miss Bell explained what happened in these fields over a hundred years ago, the savage fighting, heroism and tragedy of over 5,000 deaths. The quiet fields we walked around on the official footpath bore no resemblance to the carnage of the battle between the northern and southern states. By the time we returned to George and our transport I was, despite myself, moved by the scale and horror of the battle, such was Miss Bell's storytelling skills.

Back in Richmond we met up with the others for lunch in the museum cafeteria before splitting up once more. Lets get one thing straight, I'm not a great museum person — I've been dragged around so many by my ‘rents and on school trips its unreal. Some are really good and informative but most are at best pretty displays of artefacts without any real context. I'm starting to sound like Dad! You know what I mean though? And even the informative ones treat everyone as imbeciles or four year olds. The museum in Richmond Va. Was no different.

I think everyone had had enough of looking at cabinets of uniforms and guns, gore filled pictures and so on by the time we rejoined the others fresh from their trip around the battlefield site. I was expecting us to return to the Interstate to go home but instead we headed off on a different road, it was only after a few turns that I picked up on the signs for ‘Richmond Raceway'. It didn't seem to be a likely destination but a few minutes later we were parked in the huge parking area outside of the raceway.

I have to admit, I was impressed. We did the official, well only, tour, Kenny, the guide, told us all about the origins and development of the circuit into one of the best known motor racing circuits of the eastern US of A. it being well out of season there was little activity although we could hear someone playing with an engine in the pit area. We even got to drive around the oval — in a minibus — it was hard to imagine what it must be like when the racing is on. To be honest, although I've seen some NASCAR and Champ car racing on Eurosport, I'm not a great fan. Looking at the huge stands and the obvious excitement that even the girls had on going round the oval maybe I'll check it out again.

We got a chance to visit the gift shop before we left; it was more like a mini mart dedicated to oval racing! Posters, models, books, clothing, well you know the sort of things. I bought a souvenir guidebook, a postcard for my collection and a model racecar — it's a boy thing alright! I needn't worry, Brit bought a poster of ‘Dale', one of the NASCAR drivers, so maybe it's a girl thing too, and Jules watches all the GP's after all.

The drive back to Rockingham County along the interstate seemed to take forever as the light left us before we left Richmond and the unlit highway reminded me returning home on the A1 after some distant race. Mad dozed on my shoulder as I flicked through the pictures on my camera, nearly a hundred today! If I keep on at this rate I'll run out of disc space in a fortnight!

Back at Augusta High, both of our temporary guardians were waiting in the Caprice and rather than going back ‘home', we ended up at a restaurant in the town. It reminded me of that place Dad took us to in Oxford last year with its garish interior except the menu here was more varied. In fact the Grace House's menu was very much ‘steak house' in a family restaurant sort of way. Upmarket from Jack's Diner to be sure but not quite Salvatore's, at least, I didn't feel under dressed and although the other diners were smartly dressed no one was ‘done up'.

I was ready for a feed; we only had soup and a sarnie in Richmond. I ended up with gammon steak; don't these Americans know how to do anything with potato except make chips? Well at least tonight's were big and chunky, not fast food sticks. For dessert I went for cherry pie with cream — hmmm! Finally American food I'd like to see at home.

It was only when we returned to Walters Towers something after ten, that the message on the answer machine from Dad alerted me to his missed call. If there was anything important he would have said, wouldn't he? Of course he would.

I set my alarm for six, plenty of time to get ready to meet Erin at eight.

---

 
Maddy Bell 20.04.05  © 2005
 

Gaby Book 4 - Once Upon A Time In America
Chapter *6* New Friends
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!

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Chapter *6*
 
 

I awoke with a start, the sound of my alarm muffled by the pillow wrapped around my head.

“Drew! Turn that flippin' thing off!” my sisters voice permeated my fuggy head.

I groped for the offending noisemaker and managed to get it to desist. I lay there a moment longer, my brain trying to assimilate some odd feelings and the fact that it was supposed to be awake. I sat up with a start, pillows and bedclothes scattering in all directions, the pull of something attached to my chest producing a reflex reaction.

“Aargh!”

“Drewww!” Jules moaned from the other bed.

“I've got tits!”

“Shush! You want to wake the whole house!” my sister hissed.

“But…”

“Of course you've got boobs, you are a girl.”

I'm sure she mumbled something else as I stared at my chest.

“Come on Drew, I thought you were going for a ride with that Erin woman?”

“Eh?”

“Its gone seven” Jules mentioned

Must have been a dream. I felt my chest, yep the falsies were still there, no feeling there at all, not like in the dream, they were real. Bum! Seven o'clock.

I scurried out of bed and was soon kitted out in my borrowed cycling kit. Mrs W did me a light breakfast, tea and some toast and jam — enough to keep me going for a couple of hours as long as it was steady. I left the house under grey skies just after eight, the girls all still in bed. Geez, its cold! I'm glad Erin had plenty of spare kit.

I was a bit surprised when I turned the corner into George Street and was surprised to see several other people already waiting outside Erin's Cyclery. I thought it would just be me and Erin going. I pulled up a little way up the street to wait for Erin to arrive, I get a bit nervous meeting new people, and being abroad and looking like a girl doesn't improve that state. I'm not sure whether any of them saw me but they stood around casually chatting with occasional glances up the street or at the sky.

They looked like a typical group of club cyclists from back home, a couple of what Mum calls boy racers, all posh kit and no talent, three older blokes and a lad of about 17 or 18. As I watched another couple of riders rolled up to the shop, that Diane woman and the bloke she was with the other afternoon, what was his name? Dez? Den? Oh that's right Derek. Just then a pickup came around the corner, I recognised it as Erin's, she tooted as she passed the shop then turned up the alley to go round to the back of the store.

It was only a couple of minutes later that she returned to the storefront pushing a gleaming Colnago. Hesitantly I scooted across the road to a position a bit closer to the group.

“Sorry I'm a bit late, just need to wait for one more” Erin told the others.

“Someone new?” one of the old blokes asked.

“Yeah he er she's just visiting for a few weeks” she looked my way and spotted me sort of hiding behind the others.

“Gaby, what are you doing back there? Come over here girl”

I carefully pushed the GT along and joined Erin at the centre of the group.

“Everyone, this young thing is Gaby Bond, she's over from England on a school exchange.”

Erin did the introductions, I'm terrible at names but I was right about Diane's friend being called Derek. There were cheerful greetings from everyone which I shyly returned before Erin went on.

“Be nice to her, she's not used to our style of riding, so look out for her” Erin gave me a wink. As Erin knows all about me it was obvious that she was planning something so I stayed schtum.

As if that was some sort of signal everyone prepared to set off and in just a few minutes we were bowling south out of town two abreast at a steady fifteen mph, I was sat next to Erin.

“So how far are we going?” I asked slightly nervous.

“Depends on ole man weather, we'll make a decision at Waynesboro, if its okay we'll come back through the National Park, otherwise we'll just head on back to Grottoes direct.”

“I thought it would just be us, I wasn't expecting all these other people.”

She grinned, “These are my best customers, the all season guys. We go out just about every Saturday all year, we pick up a few extras when it's warmer, maybe twenty, twenty five in summer.”

Back home a lot of the clubs near us get more than that in the winter — I suppose things are a bit different here.

“So you been out since Monday?”

“A short ride on Thursday, just down to the school and back.”

“How was the bike?”

“Its incredible!” I enthused.

“I have a confession to make about that”

“Huh?”

“Well yes, it is my bike but it's actually too small. I bought the frame and built it up before I knew too much about sizing and stuff, this one is my usual ride now its two centimetres bigger so I'm not so crunched up”

“But you run the shop”

“I know, I know. I come from a mountain bike background; small is beautiful there right, so I thought road irons were the same. Always wondered why it never felt right. It was young Diane there that put me right.

By now we had rotated to the front of the bus and I pushed harder to keep the pace up. It seemed like eternity but Erin finally signalled for us to swing off. We made good time and the pace quickened some, not uncomfortably but by the time Waynesboro appeared in the distance we were snicking along at a steady 20mph. Erin moved along the bus to chat with her friends and make a decision on the rest of the ride, this gave me the chance to talk to some of the other riders. Although the accents were funny and some of the terminology was a bit strange, they were typical enthusiasts.

Being the ‘baby' of the group in both age and stature, they were keeping an eye out for me, but really they needn't. From what I'd picked up so far, only Erin and Diane were of a level that might shade me, the others, unless they were talking themselves down, would pretty much all manage sixty minute twenty fives but no better. I smiled to myself and tried not to look smug. Erin found her way back to me as we hit the Waynesboro sign.

“It's looking pretty reasonable so we'll go up into Shenandoah, we'll take a break at Turk Mountain then head on home.”

“Mountain?” I asked in a slight panic — visions of Mum in the Pyrenees last year came to mind.

“Don't worry, the climb is long but it's a steady grade, once we get up there it rolls up and down some but nothing too bad.”

Our little bunch avoided central Waynesboro and turned around to a more northerly direction, the weak sun now behind us. The hills that had followed us on our left for the last hour now became our target. We passed a couple of signs for the ‘Appalachian Trail', isn't that what Jules' book was about? Whatever. The long drag reminded me of a cross between the Pennines and the area where Appollinaris are based in Germany. The traffic, not heavy heading south was even lighter now, one or two huge trucks loaded with timber heading downhill but still we climbed.

“You okay?” Erin enquired.

“Great so far” I took a sip of water.

The pace had dropped back to about 15 mph.

“We usually have a bit of a race from the next summit to the cabin, you up for that?”

Hey, why not?

“Sure”

“Okay then, Frank will shout go, and we'll show this lot some real riding huh?”

“Well…”

She wasn't listening; rather she had pulled out her mobile and was making a call.

“Paula?… Erin, ten in say thirty minutes… yeah that's fine… uh huh… really?… much?… well okay, see you shortly bye!” she glanced over as she re-stowed the phone. “Just ordering coffee.”

I managed to do a few little stretches as we went through a dip before the last bit of up to the start of the ‘race' at Jarman Gap.

‘Jarman Gap 2175 feet' the sign proclaimed and I'd barely passed the sign when a shout of ‘go!' went up.

Initially it was a bit of a free for all, the two poseurs obviously fancied their chances and quickly took front place as the pace climbed to over twenty five mph. I tucked myself in behind Erin and Diane and left them to it. The road switched about a bit and started to climb once more and the bravos almost in unison dropped off the pace. Derek and the older guys took up the slack and I noticed the other member of our party, Aidan I think his name is, watching things carefully as Diane eased forward.

I watched carefully myself, especially when we passed a sign for the footpath thing that said ‘Turk Gap 3 miles'. Erin's backward glance was enough of a give away and I changed down a gear in readiness. Right on cue she made the move, I was glued to her wheel and we picked up Aidan and Diane on the way through. I reckon Erin has been watching videos of Mum, as so far this was classic J Bond stuff. I decided that I wasn't going to play along, I had other plans! When about half a mile later she motioned me through I shook my head no and feigned tiredness, instead letting first Aidan and then Diane past me so I ended up fourth of four in line.

Aidan was obviously a bit more savvy than he looked as he soon made room for Diane who immediately launched into a suicide run for home — with two miles still to go it just wasn't going to happen! Her constant backwards glances confirmed her lack of experience in these things and the small gap she had opened stayed at a constant ten metres. Erin and Aidan were watching each other and supposedly a spent force I was forgotten. I dropped back a bike length — far enough to be out of earshot but still just in their combined slipstream.

We came around a bend and our destination hove into view about half a mile away across a small valley but nearer to a mile by road. It was a slight rise for the last half-mile so I needed to make my move soon. Up ahead Diane was tiring fast and the others were watching each other closely; I saw my opportunity just ahead, a small dip in the road. Most people will ease slightly through the down slope then power out, I was relying on my companions doing just that.

I checked the road behind, good no traffic, a quick look ahead, clear, excellent. A last backward glance, a change down and I streaked past the others, bit early but the element of surprise was enough. I assumed a tuck and as I hit the dip I changed up to power down and use that momentum to climb back out. I settled my breathing and got comfortable. Sunday mornings on the A1 found a purpose at last, I tucked lower as another log truck headed the other way as I started the last drag to the cabin. Half way up I risked a quick look back under my arm, hah, they were toast!

My bike was already parked outside the ‘Turk Gap Cabin' when first Aidan then Erin rolled in followed by Diane a minute later.

“I enjoyed that,” I mentioned in the flattest voice I could manage given my lack of breath.

“Where huuuuh did you huuuuh learn that?” Aidan asked propping his bike up.

“How huuuuh?” was all that Diane could muster

Erin just grinned at me as she caught her breath.

“Lets get inside, it's a bit nippy up here” she shooed me towards the door.

“Right on time Erin” a pleasant woman's voice called out, “first agin?”

“Not this week Paula, got beaten by two of these.”

“You finally did it then Diane?”

“Nnot me Paula,” Diane replied, “Aidan and young er Gaby here”

Paula looked towards me and seemed to see me for the first time.

“How did a slip of a thing like you take these three? these two, “ she indicated Erin and Aidan, “ride for the state team and young Diane should make it this summer too”

I blushed with some embarrassment.

“Its in her genes Paula, never guess who her Mom is?”

Paula studied me for a moment.

“Well she looks a bit like Angelina Jolie but she aint old enough”

“She's English”

Aidan was sharper than he looked for sure.

“Jenny Bond” he stated

“Did someone mention Jenny Bond?” Derek asked as he led the stragglers inside.

“Gaby is only her daughter!” Aidan announced.

“Geez if I'd known we had royalty with us,” Frank started, “I'd have cleaned my bike!”

I joined the laughter that set off.

“Get y'all sat down and breakfast will be right out,” Paula stated

“Breakfast?” I asked Erin as I removed my thermal jacket.

“Yeah, you don't think we climbed up here just for coffee do you?”

“Well…” to be honest I could murder beans on toast with an egg right now. “I um didn't bring much money,” I whispered.

“Don't sweat it, this ones on me, the lesson you just gave us pays your share twice over.”

“Lesson?”

“I'll let you into a secret Gaby. Today is the first time this winter anyone has beaten me up here. Young Aidan has been threatening to do it and it's been close a time or two, but this morning you annihilated the both of us. And not because you are stronger than us but because you used your head, somehow you knew what we would do before we did. I've been up this hill forty, fifty times and I always ease off at that dip, somehow you knew that.”

Paula was back and distributing ‘breakfast', the other riders were listening to Erin.

“Well its not rocket science,” I started, “everyone eases off through dips like that.”

“But you didn't” Aidan pointed out.

“Well I saw it as an opportunity, you and Erin were so busy watching each other that you'd forgotten I was there.”

“But you were tired, you looked terrible after we broke away” Diane interjected.

“Oldest trick in the book” I grinned.

“Well I'll be darned” one of the bravo's, I think his name's Rob, chuckled.

“For a young un you sure have an old head” Frank added.

“Well she's the British champion for her age group” Erin offered.

“Not just a pretty face then” one of the other ‘oldies' allowed.

I just blushed and ate my waffle.

“Hey Erin, guys. I just spoke with Marty up at Blackrock, says it's snowing like crazy and the road back to town is already closed.” Paula brought another jug of coffee.

“Dammit, I thought we'd miss it, must be moving quicker than they forecast.” Erin stated

“What does that mean?” I asked in my ignorance.

“Well it looks like we've got a long ride home ‘stead of less'n an hour” Rob advised.

The words were barely out of his mouth before the first flakes of snow hit the window behind his head. This was not looking good. Only Thursday I was wishing I was home because they had some snow, now I'm stuck in Appalachia land wondering how I get back home to Grottoes.

“We'd best get a move on” Derek mentioned with a worried look out the window as another log truck headed Waynesboro direction.

“Now y'all finish up that food, I ain't slaved over the stove for you to up an leave it all. I got the bus out back, you can take that down and one of y'all can bring it back up when the weather clears, how's that sound?”

I have to admit, it sounded better than a long cold ride back on a bike.

So that was that. My first proper bike ride over here and we end up baling out due to bad weather. The bus turned out to be about the size of our school minibuses, we got ten bikes and us inside with a bit of spare and with Frank at the wheel we set off back to Waynesboro through an already white over countryside. There was a little blowing around when we got back to Erin's shop just after one but nothing to what was up in the hills.

<~~~~~~~~~>

I was barely back in doors at the Walters residence when Brit accosted me.

“Shower, dress, we're going shopping!”

“Shopping,” I groaned, “I only just got back”

“Well Mom's taking us to the mall at Harrisonburg, so git!”

I can hardly say no can I? I peeled my cycling kit off and spent ten minutes luxuriating under the shower nozzle. Hmm, maybe I'll be able to buy some more clothes, not that I really want to spend much on girls stuff, hey I could buy guy stuff!

At least my jeans were washed, no way am I going shopping in a dress! I needed warm so I decided on a ‘layered look', warm yes but the down side was that it emphasised my um assets!

With Mr Walters dipping out, there was a bit more room in the Caprice and the corner I found myself in was very conducive to sleep. It was only about a fifty minute drive but I caught just enough zeds to make me at least feel a bit more human.

Mrs Walters had stuff she wanted so we split up after arranging to meet in the food hall later.

“So Gab, we need to get you some clothes!” Brit declared.

“I'm not buying much” I stated.

“Deb and me got you into this so we'll get you out”

“What my cryptic sister is saying Drew, is that we get a fairly generous clothing allowance each month and this time it's all yours”

 

“Exactly how much are we talking?” Jules enquired.

Brit nodded to her sister.

“Four hundred dollars?” it sounded like an offer rather than a final figure.

“That's nearly two hundred pounds” I gasped.

“Tell you what, lets go shop and see what the bill comes to.” Jules took control on my behalf.

<~~~~~~~~~>

 

Two hours later and I was shopped out. Not the girls though. Oh no, I was dragged around more stores, the place wasn't Meadowhall but it was big enough. I somehow managed to stop them buying everything in sight; I got a new pair of jeans and a few tops that I'm sure one of the girls can make use of later. Of course there was more than that, more underwear and hosiery, a dress that I made the mistake of saying looked cute, two skirts for school and some girls PJ's. Then there was a pile of cosmetic type stuff — geez. I did manage to get some more memory for my camera in a place called Radio Shack but there wasn't really anything else I fancied getting for ‘me'.

Lets face it, when it comes to shopping malls they are all much of a muchness. Even the shops are similar, maybe different names but in our global economy even the fashions are pretty much the same. The sizing was the only major difference, excuse enough for the girls to get me trying stuff on — it was not funny!

With the new jeans I have just enough stuff to return to being Drew, trouble is, everyone thinks I'm Gaby now, at school, the diner, even Erin's biking mates. I felt an urge to lash out at someone, anyone, Maddy was top of the list as she ‘packed' my case, but really it was down to me — I should have packed earlier and done it properly. The drive back to Grottoes was uneventful until we were about five miles from town when we hit the snow. Not literally but the road was covered and the white stuff was continuing to fall in big wet flakes.

The phone was ringing as we got in the door — Dad!

---

 
Maddy Bell 20.04.05  © 2005
 

Gaby Book 4 - Once Upon A Time In America
Chapter *7* White Out!
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*
 
 

“Drew?”

“Mum?”

“Yes its me”

I squealed in delight, I know it's a bit girly but that's how my pent up feelings manifested themselves.

“Whoa there kiddo, calm down”

“Are you, you know, cured?”

“It's a bit early to know that Drew, but the doc's think they got it all, so fingers crossed eh?”

“I miss you Mum”

“I know you do, but less about me, you're the ones doing all the exciting stuff, so spill”

“Well what do you want to know?”

“Everything, your Dad's given me the basics but I'd like to hear it from you, so how about you start from last Saturday.”

“Okay, it might take a while though”

“Well I'm not going anywhere” she encouraged.

“You asked for it. Well after we left you…” I started to recount the main points of our first week in America.

< ------------->

“… So I was first to the café place.”

“Showing off eh?”

“No! Well a little bit maybe.” I moved around on the floor cushion Debs had supplied me when it became clear I was in for a long call.

“Well I must admit, I would've probably done the same,” Mum allowed.

I filled her in on the rest of the day's events, our escape from the mountains, the trip to Harrisonburg and the mall. I hope Mums ears weren't as sore as my throat! We'd been on the phone for over two hours; the call must be costing a fortune. Mum was sounding more than a bit weary but she kept prompting me to go on. I decided not to mention all the stuff that the girls bought me earlier and maybe I hadn't really mentioned that I was sort of stuck as Gaby either. Jules had been hovering on the foot of the stairs most of the time and reluctantly I said goodbye to Mum and let Jules have the phone.

The Walters had eaten some time ago but Mrs W soon had a plate of cheese flan, chips and peas nuked and I soon polished that off! I joined our hosts watching some dross on the box while Jules spent only a small amount less than me talking to Mum. By the time she put the phone down it was fast approaching nine and the day's excitement was starting to catch up with me. I could tell that the girls were itching to ask about the call but they never plucked up the courage to start that conversation. Just as well really, I didn't want to talk about it and I'm sure it would cause all sorts of embarrassment and stuff.

I finally excused my self and headed up to the attic where I discovered the bags of new Gaby stuff still on my bed. Tomorrow, it can wait until tomorrow. Well except for some pyjamas, I fished through the appropriate bag and settled on the yellow and grey set, not too girly and they promised to be quite warm too. I yawned loudly as I returned from the bathroom, the window, or rather what was beyond it catching my attention. Geez, it's still snowing. I stood enthralled, watching the steady fall of white stuff as it descended past the faintly yellow glow of the streetlights below. There was now quite a carpet of the stuff, a couple of sets of wheel marks broke the smooth surface and some footprints were already fast filling in on the footpath opposite. I could just hear Brit now, ‘ it's a sidewalk !' Whatever. I stared out a while longer before finally drawing the curtain and clambering into bed.

Talk about weird, I snuggled under the sheets, why they can't use quilts beats me, here I am thousands of miles from home and for the first time in what must be months I actually feel quite content. So okay I'm wearing girls PJ's and I've got these damn rubber boobs stuck on my chest but I've actually had quite a good day. I was out like a lamp as soon as my head hit the pillow.

< ------------->

“Come on dozy, breakfast is on the table” Jules voice broke through my dream to wake me. And I was enjoying that one too; I was just making my move against Lance on the Alpe d'Huez to claim the yellow jersey, now I'll never know if I did it!

I dragged myself out of the warm cocoon I'd made of my bedclothes and noted that my sister was already dressed.

“Get a shift on bro, and you'd best put something warm on, it's cold out”

“Huh” I grunted.

After doing my ablutions, which now apparently includes using what is it, that's right a ‘facial scrub', I started dressing. Jules said to dress warm so I surveyed ‘my' wardrobe, my new jeans were out, and something they put on new jeans brings me out in a rash so they need washing before I can wear them. Not that jeans are that warm really anyway. Well we won't be going out today with all the snow out there so I decided to try a combo that the girls suggested and bought for me yesterday, I know it's a skirt but what the heck.

“There you are Gab” Brit greeted my arrival, “we thought you were never coming, like the hair”

“What?” I realised I hadn't brushed my hair yet, “bum!” I must look a right mess.

“We need to leave in five minutes sis, so shake a leg,” Jules mentioned.

“Leave?” I asked before digging into my waffles.

“To meet the gang?”

My baffled look prompted Deb.

“She wasn't there, it was after she went to bed”

“What was?”

“The Call” Brit sounded exasperated.

“What call, will someone tell me what's going on?”

Brit rolled her eyes, “whenever it snows like this, someone makes the Call and we all meet up for some fun.”

“What sort of fun?” I asked between bites.

“You'll see”

Whatever. I finished my breakfast and was almost dragged out to Mrs W's Forester. It was a bit breezy round the ole legs but the street looked picture postcard perfect, the blanket of white dampening sound and giving the light a slightly eerie feeling. I was surprised to see that the car now sported a roof box and somehow all six of us squeezed inside. I think I mentioned before, I really like snow but I was a bit concerned that we were setting off in a car with so much snow about. Still none the wiser regarding our destination, I tried to relax and peered out of the constantly steamed up windows as we slowly made our way to the main road which whilst not clear had at least seen a snow plough some time quite recently. It took me a few minutes — it all looked different under snow, but I realised we were heading out towards Jack's Diner.

Indeed that was our destination and Mr W piloted the car into a car park already boasting at least a dozen others.

“So just what are we gonna do here?” I asked

“Ski silly” Brit mentioned.

“Ski! How? What with? Jules!”

The others all got out but I cowered in the doorway.

“Brit?” I whined. I have to admit that I had a few issues here.

•  I can't ski

•  I don't have any gear

•  I can't ski

•  I'm wearing a skirt!

•  I can't ski

“Hey Gab, you made it!” Rhod called over.

“Er yeah”

He made his way over, muffled in a red ski suit and lugging a pair of skis.

“This is really cool eh? Can you imagine doing this at home?”

“We never get this much snow, well hardly ever,” I agreed

“The others should be here soon, hurry up, we can practice before they get here if you're quick.”

“Here you are Gaby, put these on and I'll show you how to work the fittings” Mr W presented me with a pair of what I recognised as a pair of ski boots. Looks like I'm going to learn to ski!

Ten minutes later and I had just had my first lesson on staying upright on two planks. Apparently what we were going to do isn't that stuff you see on the telly, whizzing down hills at breakneck speeds, no we are doing cross - country or what did Mr Walters call it? Lang something. Anyway it's a bit like walking by sliding your feet and pushing on your poles. Apparently the ski's I was using used to be Mrs W's but she got some new ones, the rest of us visitors had similarly borrowed planks. It was actually not that difficult I was more concerned by the fact that I was the only one not wearing trousers — again! At least my skirt was fairly long and warm if not exactly sensible ski wear, just you wait Juliette Bond!

There must have been about fifty people there by the time we moved out, in two lines abreast, about five metres apart from the pair in front. I found myself next to Rhod who seemed to have had motor mouth surgery!

“This is so cool”

“Yeah” I agreed once more.

“Sandy says we ski for about an hour then we stop to eat before looping back to the diner”

“Right”

“Oh come on Drew, it should be fun. Mind you I think you're brave not wearing trousers, you'll get a right draft up your skirt.”

“Tell me about it! No one mentioned what we were doing so I just dressed warm.”

“Bummer”

“So what's it like at Sandy's place?”

We haven't really had much chance to talk this week and I was missing our guy talk.

“Well you know her mum is the school counsellor?”

“That's her mum?”

“Yeah. Well anyway they have a really big house and I'm staying with Sandy in the guest flat, over the garage. It is just so cool. She's got her own kitchen and telly and stuff, just like her own house ‘cept it belongs to her rents. I've got my own room with its own shower and that.”

“Sounds cool,” I agreed sliding down a little slope. “So you cook there and everything?”

“Well I usually eat with her mum and dad and her little brother in the house coz she's at work but we have breakfast in the flat.”

“I never knew she had a brother, I've not seen him at school”

“He's only five, he's just started elementary school”

“Is he retarded or something?”

“Naw…. Aaargghh!” Rhod just saved himself from landing on his bum. “No it's the same as infants school at home.”

“Oh. So how come you got paired with her then, I mean she's much older than us and a girl”

“Well spotted Blondie. Well apparently, after Dan was chucked off the programme they tried to find someone to take his place and they got a kid called David to do it. Unfortunately he was killed just before Christmas along with his brother in a car crash so rather than cancel everything, Mrs Jones volunteered to put me up as they had a spare room in Sandy's apartment. Wheeeee!”

Whee indeed. It was pretty cool this skiing thing. The pair of us scooted along, chatting as we went; our arrival at the ‘lunch' stop seemed to happen in bare minutes. It was harder than it first looked and my bits were certainly a bit, um numb by the time we stopped. Surprisingly my legs were not so cold, my thick stripey tights are actually quite warm and with the long heavy socks inside the ski boots, its just my knees that are really cold, not that I can feel them! I worked out how to divest myself of the skis and then discovered that walking in ski boots is a skill I don't yet have! Not only that but some muscles I didn't know I had were complaining a bit, this skiing lark is harder than it looks. After parking our skis and poles, Rhod and I followed the crowd through into a clearing where, by the miracles of organisation, there was already an impressive barbecue going.

“Hey Dee!”

I couldn't see her but that could only be Maddy.

“Over here cuz.”

I spotted her then along with Bernie, Darla and a girl I didn't know.

“Catch ya later” Rhod advised heading to where I could see Ally and a few others getting a warm from a brazier.

“Sure.” I was a bit peeved but I made my way over to where Mad seemed to be holding court.

“…And so like this bear just sat on the deck and watched the cubs playing, it was like so ü ber cool!” the mystery girl finished.

“Biggest thing we get at home is a fox,” Bernie allowed.

“Aren't they dangerous?” Mad asked.

“Foxes?” Bern queried.

“No, bears.” Mad clarified.

“Not if you let them be,” mystery girl stated.

“A kid over in Madison got hurt pretty bad last summer” Darla told us, “but I heard he was annoying the bear.”

“That happens.” the other girl agreed.

“Oh sorry Drew, this is Mary Ellen. Mary Ellen, this is my cousin Gaby but we sometimes call her Drew.” Mad did a belated introduction.

Mary Ellen looked to be a bit older than us, maybe fifteen and my attention was drawn to the little dimple in her cheek that crinkled every time she spoke! Cute! Mad was giving me ‘The Look' as the girl addressed me directly.

“Hiya Gaby, Maddy has told me all about you.”

“Er hi.” I managed colouring up a bit.

“Mary Ellen's staying with Ms Bell for the weekend.” Mad explained.

“Yeah, Aunt Jess thought Maddy could do with some company.”

“So Gab, what've you been up to?” Bernie enquired.

“Not much really.”

“Sab thought she'd seen you at the mall yesterday.” Darla mentioned.

“Er yeah, I had to buy some stuff.” I admitted.

“Urgh! I hate it when I'm on.” Mary Ellen shared with us.

On? What is she on oh my god she thinks I'm having a period! Mad and Bernie didn't help my embarrassment by their barely contained snorts of laughter.

“What's so funny guys?” Mary Ellen asked looking a bit peeved.

“I don't think Gab was shopping for her monthly visitor, were you?” Mad suggested.

“Um no, I needed some new clothes as someone didn't pack enough.” I turned bright red.

“I said I was sorry.”

“Cool what did you get?” Darla asked.

So I spent the next twenty minutes giving my audience a blow by blow of my visit to Harrisonburg Mall.

“There you guys are, oh hi Mary Ellen,” Brit greeted us.

“Oh hi Brit, Gaby was just telling us about the mall yesterday.” Mary Ellen replied.

“Mom sent me to find you, they're just about to start serving the food.”

Now she came to mention it, I could smell something pretty good on the air!

“Great! I'm starving” Bernie mentioned.

“Me too” Mad enthused.

Brit led the way to where a good-natured crowd waited relatively patiently for their chance at the food. And for a spur of the moment gathering it was quite a spread! (I found out later that everyone pitched food into the communal pot, Mrs Walters had donated a couple of trays of her famous caramel brownies.) There was quite a choice, baked potatoes, hot roast beef or pork, some sort of fish beside what Darla called ‘weeners', but looked like chipolata sausages, and burgers. There was more than enough to go round that meant that I got to sample nearly everything! The sausages were a bit crappy, not even as good as Sainsbury's Economy, but everything else was okay or better!

By the time I'd helped with the clean up operation, the more sporty elements were already itching to set off on the return trip.

“It's a bit further going back,” Deb advised.

“You could go back the short way if you want to” Brit mentioned, “but its more fun going the full route”

Well that's a challenge if I ever heard one! Five minutes later I slid to a halt at the back of some very intent skiers, my shoulders and forearms already starting to complain.

“You sure this is a good idea?” Mad asked slipping in next to me.

“If Brit and the others can do it, we can”

“Well okay then, but lets not get carried away huh? My arms still ache from the trip out here.” Mad voiced her concerns.

“Okay Mad, no racing”

“Humph!”

Someone blew a whistle and all hell let loose around us. There were ski's and poles seemingly going in every direction but soon the ‘bunch' were away in front of us and Mad and I tagged onto the back of slower, less technically able group. Even they were going at a fair pace and by Mad's already laboured breathing it was clear we'd have to slow up quite soon.

“You go on Drew” Mad panted as I checked on her progress.

“No way, I'm not leaving you alone and anyway I think I prefer doing this a bit slower.” I admitted.

I fell back so that we were scooting along next to each other. We skied along in silence for a while, our ragged breathing providing a staccato counterpoint to the whoosh whoosh of the skis.

“So” Mad started.

“So” I agreed.

“Are you really okay? You know with having to be Gaby.”

I thought about that for a minute, “sort of”

“Sort of?”

“Well it's a bit of a hassle, you know trying to act like a girl all the time”

“Even us real girls want to kick back some times” she put in.

“The longest I've been Gaby before is a few days, I don't know whether I can keep it up for another five weeks.”

“Sorry Drew”

“Its not your fault Mad.”

“Well I feel sort of responsible, after all I packed your case.”

“What's done is done. If anyone is to blame it's the Walters sisters but I'm just as much at fault, after all I agreed to go on with it.”

“Under pressure!”

“Whatever. Anyway how are you getting on with Miss Bell?” I asked changing the subject.

“Okay I guess. You'll have to come over, she's got this cool cabin place, her dad built it as a holiday place but she lives there full time. Mary Ellen is her brother's daughter, they live in Monterey. Jessie, Miss Bell, says we'll go over in a couple of weeks to visit.”

“I miss our chats,” I admitted.

“Me too”

We shooshed along in silence for a bit. The trail was easy to follow and a weak sun sprinkled its light onto the shimmery snow. My skirt was still funnelling cold air up to freeze my nether regions and I had to make an unscheduled stop for a wee, not easy in a long skirt out here in the wilds covered in snow. What I'd give to be me so I could just stand and aim! I felt much better having emptied my bladder and we set off with renewed vigour.

This was certainly a longer way back and the watery sun was dipping towards the horizon long before the lights of the diner hove into view. A couple of dark figures came toward us, as we closed the gap they were revealed to be Deb and Jules.

“Thank god Drew, they're just about to raise a search party. Where did you two get to?” Jules gushed.

“Nowhere, we just couldn't keep up.” I stated as they fell in beside us.

“Just wait till I get hold of that sister of mine, she's gonna be so grounded” Deb fumed.

“What for?” Mad asked.

“She knew you'd go for the long route, what she didn't tell you was that its an unofficial race, there's no way you'd keep up for long. Everyone here ski's and its your first time, no contest.”

“We didn't have to go” I tempered.

“Come on Drew, when was the last time you didn't take a challenge? And Mad, you always go with him.” Jules pointed out.

“Well”

“They're here!” Deb called to a bunch of adults, which the lights from Jacks Diner revealed to be the Walters senior, Miss Bell and a couple of what looked like policemen.

“You two okay?” Mr W asked as we slid to a halt.

“Bit cold,” I admitted.

“Lets get you inside, just wait till I get hold of that daughter of mine.” Mrs W fumed.

We traipsed inside and after assuring everyone we were okay, some hot chocolate appeared and I started to thaw out.

We'd been warming for about twenty minutes when a voice I vaguely recognised broke through my fug.

“Hey Gaby, good day skiing?”

I looked round to find Diane, the girl from yesterdays ride, with another girl and Derek, her mate from the ride.

“Oh hi Diane, Derek”

“So good day?” she pursued.

“Pretty good, I've never done skis before”

“Hard work eh?” Derek mentioned.

“Yeah. Oh this is my cousin, Maddy”

“Hi Maddy, you're not a bike rider too?” Diane asked.

“Well nowhere near as good as Gab here.”

“Did she tell you she beat us all to the cabin yesterday, poor Erin was spitting feathers!” Derek grinned.

“I didn't mean to upset anyone”

“Don't be daft, she was mad at herself for not seeing what you were doing. Its clear you are a chip off your mothers block.” Diane put in.

Mum! Here I am sort of enjoying myself and she's ill at home.

“… Well see you around Gaby, nice meeting with you Maddy.” I just caught the end of what Diane was saying.

“Er yeah, bye”

There was an exchange of farewells and I found myself alone with Mad again.

“How is Aunt Jen?” Mad asked.

“They operated earlier in the week”

“Oh”

“We had a good chat last night, she's feeling a bit better.”

“That's good right?”

“Well Dad said that she might not seem ill all the time even when she's pretty sick, but the doctors are optimistic.”

“So when will they know, you know?”

“Might be weeks or even months, Dad said.”

“Oh. Well give her my love when you talk to her again.”

“I'm afraid Mad. I might never see her again. I'm scared.”

I cuddled into her embrace, it felt good and comforting.

“What are you two up to?” Jules voice broke the moment.

“Talking about Aunt Jen” Mad supplied as I wiped a teary face on my sleeve.

“Oh” Jules mood changed.

“Maddy, time to go!” Miss Bell's voice called out.

“Looks like everyone is heading home” Jules stated, “I was just coming to fetch you sis .”

The three of us made our way to where the last stragglers of the Call were saying their goodbyes. Rhod, Ally and Bernie were already gone; Sab was catching a lift with Miss Bell, Mary Ellen and Mad. Out in the car park it was clear that the cold, white interlude would be over soon, the tarmac was mostly clear and there were distinct signs of it thawing. The Forester ride back into town was less exciting than the outward edition earlier today; my arms and shoulders were more than ready for a hot shower!

---

 
Maddy Bell 24.04.05  © 2005
 

Gaby Book 4 - Once Upon A Time In America
Chapter *8* Ructions
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!

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Chapter *8*
 
 

“I’ve told you before Britney Walters, one of these days your pranks are going to get you into serious trouble!” Mr Walters raised voice carried clearly to Jules and I sat at the top of the stairs. Brit’s reply was just a mumble.

“And if I find out that you are up to any more of your tricks or are trying to involve the Bonds in any of your plots, you will be grounded indefinitely” Mrs W’s equally annoyed tones continued. “Gaby and her cousin could have been lost out there, it was only last year that the Williams boy died right outside town when he got turned around.”

More mumbles.

“I don’t care, it was a stupid thing to do, and they were neither of them dressed for it” Mrs Walters went on.

I know we shouldn’t have been eavesdropping but wouldn’t you? We were barely in the house when Dad rang, no real change with Mum, which at least wasn’t bad news, then Jules and I headed up to our eyrie to shower and get changed. When we emerged the Walters clan were already having this ‘discussion’ so rather than interrupt we plonked ourselves on the top stair to wait it out. The bits that reached us left no doubt that Britney and to a lesser extent Deb, was in deep doo doo over this afternoons ski episode.

“Doesn’t look good” Jules noted in a hushed voice.

“If they tumble me being, you know, a boy, Brit and Debs might as well join a monastery.”

“Nunnery. Yeah” Jules agreed.

The voices had descended to a less audible level now, it still sounded like the Spanish Inquisition! Questions, replies, more questions and so on. After about half an hour the door opened and a clearly chastened and tearful Brit exited.

“Dinner will be in thirty minutes, tell the girls.” Mrs W instructed.

“Yes mom.” Brit confirmed before closing the door and starting up the stairs.

“You okay Brit?” Jules asked.

Brit jumped and nearly missed her step.

“Shit Jules, you scared me!”

“Sorry, you okay?”

“Yeah why shouldn’t I be?”

“We sort of overheard a bit,” I admitted.

“Sounded like your olds were giving you the third degree.” Jules filled in.

Brit visibly slumped as she joined us on the landing.

“If it wasn’t for you two being here I’d be so grounded.”

One bit of me said ‘vengeance’ another was saying ‘poor Brit’!

“But nothing happened really.” I temporized.

“But it could have and it would have been my fault.”

“We chose to go.” I pointed out.

“Is it true about that boy?” Jules asked.

“Little Geoff Williams? Yeah he got lost out by the nature grounds, they found him a week later but he was only like ten.”

To be truthful I’d never even thought about being in danger this afternoon, the tracks were clear and we weren’t doing anything daft. I suddenly felt more vulnerable. Clearly the Walters took their parental duties seriously though.

“And mom was hinting at something going on with you two, I think she suspects something. If she finds out you’re a boy I am like so much toast!”

“Well we’re not going to say anything are we Drew?”

“Er no” I agreed. There is no way I wanted to go public, well in a way it would be a relief but there was more at stake here, would I get chucked out? Where could I go? One thing for sure, Brit and Deb would be grounded for life!

We were now in the girl’s bedroom, a place I always had mixed feelings about being. Jules and me sat on Debs bed while the archfiend washed her tear-stained face and repaired her makeup.

“Maybe we should come clean,” a still morose Brit offered.

“You might as well take vows now if we do that. And what happens to Drew? Your ‘rents will be more than pissed!”

“I guess, but what if they work it out?”

“And just how will they do that? Gabs chest is glued on and her other bits are taken care of too.”

“Really?”

“Yes really.” I pouted.

“There’s no way unless they saw him naked and even then….” Jules offered.

Jules seemed more confident of my disguise than I ever am.

“After all, Gab is never mistaken for a boy is she?” Jules continued to nail the coffin down.

“Erin knows.” I admitted.

“That biker woman?” Jules queried.

“Uh huh.” I agreed.

“She never said.” Brit mentioned.

“Well we talked a lot when we went to her house.”

Life with the Walters looks like it’s going to get a whole lot more complicated!

This week we have excursions on Tuesday and Thursday so today being Monday we are all in school. This morning I couldn’t help feeling that Mrs W was scrutinising Jules and I, would I slip up somehow and out myself? More pressure I could do without.

“Can all members of the Sherwood Foresters from England please meet Miss Cowlishaw in the gym after final period today”

This can’t be good news. Something else to worry about.

How do I get into these positions? First period Home Ec, Dressmaking 101, of course today I have to make a start on ‘my’ prom dress, nightmare. Still there was no getting out of it and so I have found a picture of a dress I think Mad will like – if I can make it properly of course. I spent the first twenty minutes of Mrs Pryce’s class getting the low down on transferring the picture to a paper pattern and guestimating the materials required. Mrs P then left me with a pile of material swatches and colour samples, I get to put in my proposal at the end of the lesson and if it gets the go ahead I start in earnest tomorrow. I can’t say that I was greatly enthused by the prospect.

That was the highlight of the morning, I was pretty happy when I joined the others in the cafeteria for lunch. Don’t get me wrong here; being a girl at school is okay – if you happen to be one! Pretending you are one is another matter and into my second week it was no better than last. Although I suppose I look quite convincing, when it comes to the actual ‘being’ a girl bit I’m well off the mark. I’m not interested in boys, fashion, the latest heartthrob on telly or anything else remotely girly, nope, inside I’m still a 100% girl hungry, sport loving, boy! Rhod is my best chance of sensible conversation but even he seems reluctant to talk about sensible stuff, I guess he’s trying to fit in as Em. Here I am, surrounded by my best friends and I’ve never really felt quite this alone.

I went through the afternoon classes on autopilot; it only seemed like minutes after lunch that I found myself sat on the bleachers in the gym. The others were all chatting away, not intentionally leaving me out, well I don’t think so, but I’m feeling a bit isolated. Miss Cowlishaw came in talking animatedly with Miss Bell.

“Hello girls, everyone here?”

“Yes miss” Bernie replied for us.

I had a fair inkling of why we were here and Miss C confirmed my thoughts.

“Well you’ve escaped cheer practice for a couple of weeks now so we need to get cracking if we are going to be ready for the competition. So starting on Tuesday we’ll be having practice after class alternate days. Miss Bell has volunteered to help out and make sure our routine meets the competion criteria. So Tuesday make sure you have your gym kit, poms and cheer shoes. Any questions?”

“How long will it be?” Ally asked the question we all were thinking.

“About an hour” Miss Bell volunteered, “and don’t worry, we’ve got transport back to your hosts arranged”

“I was just gonna ask about that” Rhod mentioned.

“Well if you think of anything we can talk tomorrow but get off now, and we’ll see you in the morning okay?”

“Yes Miss” we all chorused, some with less enthusiasm than others.

Mrs W was waiting for me in the car park, the others having explained my lateness.

“Tactics?” Jules mentioned as I slid in next to her.

“Practice. Starting Tuesday Miss Cowlishaw wants us to practice three times a week after class”

“What about getting home?” Brit asked.

“I think Miss Bell will be doing taxi duty, well its organised anyway”

“I was a cheerleader at high school myself” Mrs W started.

“Muum!” the Walters girls started.

“Well I was. It wasn’t all this gymnastics stuff then of course”

“Gabs and the girls don’t do the fancy stuff either do you?” Deb queried.

“Er no, not really, there’s only five of us here so I think we’ll be staying low level.”

“Well I hope we are going to get to see your routine Gaby” Mrs W mentioned.

“They are entered in the regionals next month with us Mom” Brit told her mother.

“Well that’s something to look forward to then. Here we are.”

‘Here’ wasn’t the Walters place, no ‘here’ was a shop a short way up the street from Erin’s bike shop. I vaguely remember mention of going somewhere after class this afternoon but the Foresters meeting had blanked it from my mind. And not just any shop, ‘Venus’ is the local beauty parlour, the last place I wanted to be. So okay, with the copious amounts of slushy snow and patches of ice still about I wasn’t about to take Erin’s bike out but a beauty shop?

“Hi Jocelyn, girls and these must be your British visitors”

“Mary, meet Juliette and Gabrielle Bond” Mrs W introduced us, “girls, this here is Mary, owner of this oasis of calm.”

Well oasis was about right; the décor was a combination of Egyptian and Italian renaissance! These Americans haven’t got a clue! Somehow it wasn’t as bad as it sounds – quite but all the same. Compared to Sylv’s this place is in a different league even if the services offered are pretty similar. Not surprisingly the others, including Goth in waiting Jules, were well up on taking advantage of the services on offer. To say I wasn’t keen would be putting it mildly. Was this a test by Mrs W? Would an outright refusal prove my undoing?

“So Gabrielle, such a nice name, what about you?” Mary asked. “Trim, pedicure, manicure, facial?”

“Its Gaby please”

“Okay, so what’s it to be then Gaby?”

“I er had my hair done before we came”

“How about we sort those nails out then, might as well make use of Jocelyn’s generosity eh?”

I looked at my nails; they were looking a bit the worse for wear.

“Er okay” I agreed.

It couldn’t be that simple could it? The ‘nail technician’, a girl named Sandra that I vaguely recognised from Augusta High, expertly trimmed my nails, poked at my cuticles and finished off with a coat or two of cherry red varnish – well it was vaguely better than baby pink or any of the other colours. She insisted on doing my toes too, how embarrassing!

“How’re you doing Sandra?” Mary asked as Sandra finished my toenails.

“Just about done, I was gonna say Gaby, you could do with doing your legs”

Talk about embarrassing!

“And you a cheerleader too” Mary stated shaking her head.

“I er forgot,” I offered.

“Well I have just the solution young woman”

Not waxing, please don’t say waxing.

“I’ll just check with Jocelyn its okay, but I think a thorough sugaring is in order, on me”

Sugaring? That doesn’t sound so bad, even quite pleasant.

“Er okay” I allowed carefully.

“The results are just sooo good Gaby, your legs won’t need doing for weeks.” Sandra enthused.

Mary was soon back.

“The others are going on home, you okay to get there yourself when we’re done?”

“I think so, I’ve been to Erin’s a couple of times,” I allowed.

“Okay then, Sandra will get you ready and I’ll be in shortly.”

With that she was off again.

“Come on Gaby, we do this out back, I’ll just fetch you a robe”

Robe? Oh bum! I’ll have to take my jeans off. I looked for a way to escape but Sandra was already back with a white terry bathrobe thingy, I just hope they don’t go too high. A few minutes later I was enduring the application of something that looked suspiciously similar to leg wax although it was more like the result I got when I tried to make toffee last year.

“Aaaargh!”

“Come now Gaby, its not that bad” Mary told me as I let out a second yell as the ‘sugar’ was removed.

When she started on the other leg I passed out.

“Gaby? Gabrielle? You okay?”

I recoiled as I caught a whiff of something quite astringent.

“Careful there, you fainted” my eyes started to focus and I recognised Sandra.

“Is it finished?”

“Yeah, Mary thought it best to leave you out while we finished up, we did your arms too as you were getting a bit hairy” she giggled.

My arm hair? Gone? I felt at my arms and sure enough instead of the light fuzz I was so proud of I found just silky smooth skin.

“She okay Sandra?” Mary’s voice came from out front.

“Yeah, she’s awake now.”

Sandra handed me my jeans and as I slid them on it was clear that my legs were much smoother than even straight after a shave and it was almost, I dunno, goose bumpy when I pulled my socks on.

“You might be a bit sore this evening so put a skirt on when you get home, the redness will fade by morning.” Mary advised as I made my getaway.

“Er thanks Mary, it was good of you to do that,” I allowed.

“No problem, you can forget about shaving for a few weeks at least, when your hair comes back it will be finer and more sparse, a few treatments and you can just about forget having to shave again.”

Just what I need!

I made good my escape and stepped out onto the street, a quick look in the bike shop before I go back to the Walters’ is in order. The shop was shut when I got there but the window was lit so I spent a few peering through the glass at the wondrous contents inside. I realised as I made my way back to the Walters that I was actually getting quite used to this place, quite at home. By the time I got ‘home’ Mary’s prediction of soreness was manifesting itself somewhat so my first stop was the attic and a change of apparel. It‘s certainly different having such thoroughly smooth limbs, on inspection I couldn’t find more than one or two fine hairs even on my hands, my arms and legs look more girly than ever, especially with these nails! I hope I won’t get in trouble at school.

The others were busy arguing about something so I settled down in front of the fire with Jules Bill Bryson to await Dad’s call or dinner, whichever happens first!

 

‘Dear diary, its been a funny day today with one thing or another. Miss C wants us to start regular cheer practice starting Wednesday, I hope I can still get some riding in. then I ended up at this place called Venus with the Walters, they go every couple of weeks. I thought I’d escaped with just getting my nails done but it must be some sort of sadistic streak in beauticians and hairdressers coz I ended up getting sugared on my legs and my arms. It’s a bit like waxing but hotter and more painful! Its ‘sposed to last longer tho’, why she did my arms I dunno but they do feel really smooth now.

I’ve started reading Jules book by that Bryson bloke, it’s actually quite interesting and funny. Mum rang tonight, she sounds a lot more chipper today, she laughed when I told her about the beauty shop which was a bit mean but it was good to hear her laugh – and I know she didn’t mean anything by it.

Tomorrow we are off to some place called the ‘New Market Stud’, some sort of horse place. Well that’s enough for today’

<------------>

I was getting a bit erm, excited in the shower this morning. My hairless arms and legs made me feel, I dunno different, not like usual that’s for sure, my little friend was straining at the leash and I had to use a cold flannel to get him small enough to fit in my special pants, pretty embarrassing.

Apparently Virginia is famous for horse breeding and today’s trip is to one of the stud farms a couple of hours away. George was driving again and I felt a bit happier as we headed up the interstate, it wasn’t as far as Richmond, which was just as well as the comfort of the bus hasn’t improved! As it was a joint trip with our hosts there was little chance of acting the wallflower! I was expecting a farm sort of place with stables and loads of horses but we pulled up at what looked like some sort of visitor centre. It seems that the New Market Stud exists as much as a tourist attraction as a breeding centre, we weren’t the only visitors, there were two huge campers and a couple of cars in the car park.

I’m not exactly into horses but the guys here were determined to educate everyone about ‘equines’ as they insisted on calling them. We started with a short, well thirty-minute, vid tracing the history of the horse from the Russian Steppe to modern thoroughbreds. After that there was a sort of museum bit all about the Virginia studs and the New Market Stud in particular. It was heading towards twelve by the time we finished in there so Miss Bell suggested we eat before continuing with the tour of the stud.

It brought back fond memories of last summer, all of us together on a day trip, it might be supposedly educational but it was fun too. After eating we had a brief wait for the tour ‘bus’ to arrive, we all clambered on board and cameras at the ready chugged off between neat white fences towards the first stop.

It was amazing some of the stuff they had here. Laboratories, a sort of horse hospital, eventually we even saw some stables and horses! Of course the girls all oohed and aahed at the foals, I have to admit they did look cute but opinion remained fairly ambivalent to our four legged friends. We eventually returned to the entrance area and the gift shop! Kids and gift shops – made for each other. I restricted myself to a few postcards and a guidebook, some of the others spent out on china horses and stuff.

We didn’t head straight back to the interstate, George navigated our yellow bus around the country roads for a while, well in fact we used minor roads all the way back to a Grottoes now bereft of the weekends winter whiteness, instead a watery sun did its best to warm the place. There was still another hour or so of daylight when we got back to Walters central so I made a break for the loft and my borrowed bike kit.

Ah! This is so good. The tarmac zipped away under my tyres, and I feel revitalised. It feels good to be out on my own, a chance to think and relax. Out here on the bike I’m not compartmentalised, not Gaby, not Drew just me. I’m not a boy pretending to be a girl; nope out here I’m just Drew Bond, bike rider. I rode west out of town towards the local airport, Shenandoah Valley Regional the signs call it, well that is actually a bit grand considering what is actually there.

I turned back towards town with the wintry sun behind me lighting the hills in front over the Shenandoah range behind me so that the peaks were bathed in light the lower slopes by contrast in deep, almost black shadow. It was something of a race against Sol to get home before the light went, it was a close thing but I just made it before the streetlights started warming up. After my second shower of the day I ‘borrowed’ some of Jules body lotion, which soothed my still slightly sore arms and legs. We seemed to be getting into a sort of routine, read or watch telly until dinner, talk to Mum and or Dad, do our homework then return to either reading, listening to music or watching telly. Its easy to forget how you are dressed, at least I have some jeans now!

---

 

Maddy Bell 30.05.05  © 2005
 

Gaby Book 4 - Once Upon A Time In America
Chapter *9* Cheer Parade
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!

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Chapter *9*
 
 

‘Dear diary, first the good news! Mum's going home! Apparently the doctors reckon Mum can go home at the weekend. Dad says that Mum is looking a bit better again, more like her old self although it could be months before she's back to her old self. It sounds like they think she'll be okay, you can't imagine how good that feels!

Having had a chance to think about it all, I think Mum was a lot sicker at Christmas than she let on, I'll have to ask Jules to see what she thinks. I'm just glad that she's still going to be around.

We went to some horse-breeding place today, which was okay, I guess, not really my thing. On Friday we are due to go to some cave place, Brit says there's a bunch of other stuff there too so that sounds quite good. I did manage to get a short ride in when we got back, wouldn't have minded a longer ride but it was getting dark. Maybe I can get out for longer tomorrow.

We've spent most of tonight watching telly, there was a Buffy double bill then I watched SG-1 while the others used the attic room for a Karaoke session — the only one who can sing is Jules. And I don't think that Sheryl Crow would be too impressed with Goth girls' renditions not from what I heard! Well I suppose that just about wraps it up for today, we've got cheer practice tomorrow, damn, I might not get out on the bike after all.'

“You coming today or what?”

“Hunh?”

“Come on Drew, school today remember?”

“What time is it?”

“Seven thirty”

“Urgh” I rolled over and pulled my pillow over my head. Ouch! These boobs really dig in when you lay on them like that.

Jules was being annoying, all cheerfulness and humming some indeterminate tune.

I gave up quickly and hit the shower. How do girls put up with having breasts all the time? They're always in the way, especially in the shower, when I've worn them before it's only been for a few days max. It's a week now and it was never fun but its getting to be less of a joke every day, they're starting to feel like they are part of me.

Do you really want to hear about school? I don't really want to relive it! The only 'good' thing up to now is that my dress design has been okayed so tonight Brit and me are going to Harrisonburg mall with Rhod and Sandy to get the materials. Why couldn't Brit do something more interesting instead of Home Economics? Well that and no one has mentioned my nails, how embarrassing would that be? My attention was abruptly brought back to the present by Miss C's voice.

“Gaby Bond, are you listening?”

“Er sorry Miss”

The others giggled at my embarrassment.

“Care to share with us?” it was more demand than question.

“I was er thinking about my Home Ec. Project Miss.” More giggles.

“Well Miss Bond do you think you could maybe think about why you are here?”

“Yes Miss Cowlishaw” If the floor could swallow me I'd jump in.

“Right girls, now we have Miss Bonds attention, for today we are just going to show Miss Bell our current routine as we agreed and next time we'll start tuning our performance okay?”

“Yes Miss”

With only five of us, Miss C helped with the warm ups, she had on her trackies and was looking quite buff!

“So you okay Gaby?”

“Yes Miss” I got the short straw and was paired with her for the deep stretches.

“Sorry for shouting just now, you were miles away”

“Sorry I wasn't paying attention.”

“How are things at home?”

“Better Miss, Mums going home at the weekend, Dad says she looks much better.”

“That's excellent, how about at the Walters? Things okay there?”

“You mean apart from being Gaby 24/7? Okay I guess”

“I was going to ask you about that, how are you coping with that?”

“Well I don't know how girls cope with boobs all the time, they're always getting in the way”

“I suppose we learn to manage as they grow, you have had them thrust upon you”

“Sorry Miss, I didn't mean to be so personal”

“That's alright Drew. Let me know if things get difficult at all.”

“Yes Miss”

“Okay girls, let's show Miss Bell what you can do, Jessica can you get the music?”

I think we all felt a bit self conscious on that first run through, the next two were much better, not our competition display but not too shabby.

“Well done” Miss Bell stated clapping us as we all stood in various states of oxygen deprivation.

“I don't think I can help too much Miss Cowlishaw, you've done an excellent job with the girls. I'll run over the tape later and see what we can do.”

I hadn't noticed the camcorder she waved. she filmed us? Fluffs and all?

My hopes of getting a bike ride in today were finally totally quashed when we exited Augusta High to find Sandy and Brit waiting in Sandy's old Volvo. I really had been hoping to change before we left, shopping in my cheer kit was not something I wanted to do! So much for not changing to save time.

“You guys coming?” Brit called as we walked over.

“I don't suppose we are going home first?” I enquired.

“You are so slow sometimes Gab, we can't waste mall time!”

“But I'm not exactly dressed for it Brit.” I moaned.

“Neither am I” Rhod agreed.

“Well get changed in the car then, just get in” Brit instructed.

“Hi Sandy”

“Hi Gab, cute outfit”

Rhod piled in behind me.

“Okay Sand, let's hit the gas!” Brit encouraged.

Well at least Volvo's don't do the tyre squealing stuff but Sandy is no slouch behind the wheel. With apparent practised ease, Rhod pulled on a long denim skirt and soon had a western style shirt on over his cheer outfit. Why didn't I think of something like that instead of jeans? I pulled my jeans up but if I tucked the built in skirt inside it looked awful and it didn't work over the top either. Damn! Once again I cursed the one-piece cheer outfit. I pulled my jeans off again; at least I could wear my thick jumper.

“We'll stock up on groceries while we're out Em” Sandy called back.

“I hope we can get decent tea then”

“I haven't had a decent cup since I got here either, no offence Brit.”

“Well it tastes alright to me” Brit countered.

“Yeah but you drink that Sarsaspirella stuff”

“So? How you can drink what was it? Buttercup and Bourbon”

“Dandelion and Burdock. That's different, it's got some taste at least”

“What's dandelion and Burdock?” Sandy enquired.

“English soda, sort of like fruity root beer” Brit advised her.

“I like root beer” Sandy told us.

“Mad had that at that truck stop place” I mentioned.

“Tasted like antiseptic when I had a sip” Rhod, well I suppose Em really replied.

Our conversation about hot and cold beverages had taken us all the way to the Mall car park. I wasn't looking forward to this at all. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before grabbing my bag and following a rapidly departing group of jeans clad girls. This really is sooo embarrassing, at least I've got tights on but the damn skirt just won't stay put.

“Hurry up Gab” Em encouraged.

Can't I just crawl in a hole? It's probably not true but it feels like everyone is looking at me. In fact I'm sure a good percentage are looking at me. Sandy seemed to know where she was going and I just followed.

“Erm Brit?”

“Uh huh?”

“Urm, who's paying for this stuff?”

“Usually the student”

“Well I'm not spending too much” I sighed.

“It's alright, we can get something nice, Mom said I have to pay, to apologise for Sunday.”

“But…”

“Gab, just go with it” Brit told me, “don't look a gift thingy in the wotsit as you Brit's say.”

“Ooh I love this” Sandy enthused.

Well I know I'm ‘sposed to wear it but I'm sorry, I can't get that enthusiastic about material.

“That will make a great lining Gab” Brit added.

“Okay”

“Guys!” Em exclaimed.

“What you found girl?”

My mate proudly held up the swatch.

“How about this?” Rhod went on, “it'll go just perfect with that lining”

Rhod, what's happened to you? You were never Mr Macho but as Em you are just so, so, urgh sweet! Such a complete girly girl!

Half an hour later and we finally left the haberdashers, Brit somewhat the poorer and me clutching several metres of cloth. (I measured it all in metric but the shop sells in yards and stuff so I hope I got the conversions right!) Then there was a bag of assorted threads; pins, needles and other stuff needed to make the damned dress.

“Let's get a coffee” Sandy suggested.

Can't we just get out of here?

“Sure” I found myself agreeing, “I'll get them by way of thank you.”

“You don't have to” Sandy stated.

“Let her Sand, Gabs has a distinct sense of honour, eh Gab” Em put in.

“I suppose so”

“In that case Gaby, thanks.”

Back at the Walters there was no let up. After dinner and Dad's call, Brit dragged me back to the dining room where, with Mrs W helping out ‘we' started sorting out the pattern. As you might guess I hadn't got a clue but it seems Mrs W is a fair seamstress and Brit seems to understand it all too. Just as well, left to me there wouldn't have been any allowances for seams and the concept of ‘darts' missed me at birth! What was worse was that just when I thought we were about done, Mrs Walters insisted that we needed to ‘fit' the pattern, which means me appearing in just my undies.

If I refuse she'll think I'm hiding something (I am!), if I acquiesce she's sure to find me out. Damned if I do, damned if I don't! And I could hardly claim shyness after returning from the mall in my cheer uniform.

“I'll do it Mom” Brit volunteered, “you've helped enough already and I do know how”

“Well okay girls, give me a shout when you're done and I'll check it for you”

“Thanks Mom” Brit gave her parent a quick hug.

Mrs W left mumbling about coffee and ‘Springer'.

“Phew, that was close Brit”

“Well I could see you getting a bit panicky, this way it's only me who sees you nekked!”

“You are not seeing me strip”

“Aww! Were all girls here” she pretended to moan. “

“Plus I need to put a bra on”

“You went to the mall without a bra!”

“Shush! Well there's sort of one built into the cheer outfit, it's supposed to, um, enhance our assets.”

“Gaby Bond! You little hussy!”

“I am not!”

“You so are. In that case though we best do this up in your room, you go up and change and I'll bring the pattern up in a few okay?”

“I don't suppose I could say no?”

“Nope!”

“Ten minutes please?”

“Hmm, spoilsport. Okay, it'll take me that long to collect this lot up anyway.”

I made my temporary escape and darted up the stairs, not exactly elegantly but I'm making sure Brit doesn't get a view of more than she should. Once upstairs I performed the contortions required to divest myself of the Foresters garb and took the opportunity for a lav break. No time to relax though, I grabbed the first bra in my undies draw and slipped it on, it was only after I'd got it hooked up that I realised it was actually one of Jules push up things, grrr!

“You ready?”

Damn, it will have to do.

“Minute” I called in reply.

I settled my ‘breasts' into the cups, geez they look humungous!

“Come in then”

“Whoa Gab girl! You've been holding out on us, you sure you're not a girl?”

“You know I'm not, it's one of Jules' bra's”

“Well it'll do, its what this dress needs, a bit of uplift”

“Come on then, otherwise your Mum'll be up”

“Alrighty”

You ever do this? Showing amazing skill, Brit carefully pinned the various elements together and then around me so that I ended up wearing a bizarre paper dress. I didn't dare move for fear of tearing it despite Brit's assurances that it was pretty strong.

“How are you girls getting on?” Mrs W stuck her head around the doorjamb.

“Just about finished I think Mom”

“Well it looks pretty good. Oh Britney! Gaby's in her stocking feet”

So?

“I told you last time and remember what happened?”

“Sorry Mom, I guess I forgot”

“Sorry ‘bout this Gabrielle, but due to my daughters stupidity we'll have to start again.”

“Um, why Mrs Walters?”

“Well you need to wear the correct shoes when we do this, it alters the way you stand and so the fit is different, like if you wear heels with your jeans, it makes your ass stick out!”

“Okay” I sighed. Why me?

“So Gaby, what shoes are you wearing with this?”

“I er”

“We thought it should be maybe fours?” Brit suggested.

I don't wear fours; I'm in a five usually.

“Five” I put in.

“I think that's a bit high Gaby but four would be good I think. Brit, go fetch my patent pumps, they'll do for this.”

“Yes Mom”

“Now Gaby lets have a look at my daughters handiwork.”

So we spent another hour, me perched in Mrs W's four-inch heels, my poor toes, while the pattern was adjusted and altered. It was bedtime by the time they finished with me, apparently I would look ‘just darling'. Was I glad to lose those shoes! I have never worn anything like them although it felt a bit like walking on the toes of my cycling shoes, but my toes were cramped as my weight pushed them into the pointed toes of the too big shoes. I never want to wear shoes with that sort of heel ever again!

“I'll just mark up these changes for you Gaby so you are ready for class in the morning.”

“Thanks Mrs Walters”

“No problem Gaby. Oh and Gaby?”

“Yes?”

“I suggest you don't wear that bra to school, might give out the wrong signals”

“Night Mrs Walters” Jules offered as they passed at the door.

“Goodnight girls, see you in the morning”

“Night” I offered.

“What was that about bra's at school?”

“She thought this bra might be um a bit provocative”

“Hey that's my new one!”

“Sorry, it was in my drawer, I just grabbed the first one.”

“Well if I look anything like you in it sis, I'm wearing it every day!”

Was that an insult or compliment?

“Whatever”

I was glad to get out of it, my boobs might only be silicon but having them thrust up like that wasn't the most comfortable I've ever been with them!

‘Dear Diary, well it's been a funny old day…'

---

 
Maddy Bell 07.06.05  © 2005
 

Gaby Book 4 - Once Upon A Time In America
Chapter *10* On a Wheel
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 *10*
 
 

It might be January but the weather is being pretty kind to us. Take this morning, it looks a bit frosty outside, the cars in the street are white over, but the sun is out and it looks like it'll be a nice day. Apparently there's still snow up in the hills where I was on Saturday but it's much milder down here in the Shenandoah Valley. I really need a ride today, all that cheer stuff yesterday is alright but I'm itching to get out on Erin's bike again. Hey maybe I could ride to school?

“So would it be okay if I ride to school this morning?” I asked Mrs W over breakfast.

“Well I suppose so”

“What about your school bag — and your Home Ec?” Brit joined in.

“Oh yeah” I slumped into my chair.

“Tell you what, I'll drop you all at school, the bike can go in the trunk then you can take a ride after class. How's that sound?”

It sounds pretty good to me! I eagerly nodded.

“Well that's settled then. I'll leave loading up to you Gaby, the car keys are on the counter.”

“Thanks Mrs Walters.” I beamed.

With the bike, two lots of exercise clothing and the dressmaking materials, it seemed like the Forester was half full with just my stuff! I know it might sound a bit sad but the prospect of going for a ride this afternoon boosted my spirits no end. Mrs Pryce, the Home Ec. teacher, was well impressed with the dress pattern, even after I admitted getting some expert help. Apparently being steamrollered by the Walters women got me some Brownie points for ‘using your initiative Gaby'. Whatever. At least I didn't have to wear the damned thing again; there is just no way I'm stripping to my underwear in school — well outside of the gym anyway.

The continuing winter sunshine bolstered my outlook and the fact of my apparent gender couldn't dampen things. Through the rest of the days classes I even started to enjoy myself. I guess that the improving news from home has started to lift the veil of melancholy that had descended over the last couple of weeks. The weekend shopping expedition had, amongst other things, supplied ‘proper' gym kit, well as proper as girls kit goes. It's still embarrassing leaping around in what Mad christened ‘baruma', it's a Manga thing apparently, but much less so than Brit's leotard outfit! That was just too much last week, I must organise retribution!

After gym, instead of my street clothes I changed into my bike gear, entrusting Brit with my other stuff — will I never learn? I collected Erin's steed from the secure compound and with a promise to meet the others at Jack's Diner after my ride. I nearly fell off the bike when I realised that the whistling and catcalls as I excited the car park were aimed at me. That put things back in context. Here I am setting out for a bike ride thousands of miles from home, but its not Drew doing the pedalling its Gaby and Gaby is getting the reactions that ‘fit' girls get. I can't say that I'm very comfortable with that — or at all!

Having a somewhat limited knowledge of the roads round here, I've had to utilise the fairly pants tourist map of the valley that Miss Bell handed out last week, to plan my route. Not exactly Ordnance Survey but better than nothing! I dropped down the Waynesboro road for a short way before turning off towards a place called Piedmont. It really was quite pleasant, certainly not what I expected before I got here, the countryside is, well I suppose it's a bit like a slightly bumpier Cheshire.

I'm sure I'm missing all sorts of historical stuff, its supposed to be stuffed with loads of Civil War and Revolution battlefields, more Dad's scene than mine. Whatever I was missing, the ride was relaxing, little traffic and pleasant scenery. Piedmont was soon behind me and Knightly was the next village on my route. Yep, it was certainly not what you first think of for America, no desert or rolling plains, just human sized fields with cows and a few sheep, a few orchards bare of leaves, the rows of stubby trees standing expectantly — no this isn't what I was expecting at all.

After Knightly the lanes took me north, the sun lowering to my left as I bowled along at a steady thirty kph, not race speed but enough to get me breathing heavily! I eventually joined a more main road and followed the signs for Timber Ridge. I didn't get all the way there; I picked up signs for Port Republic, which according to my map would take me fairly well straight back to the diner. It was as I dropped towards the ‘town' that I spied a couple of bikies in front, sorry can't resist a challenge!

I assumed a semi tuck position and snicked up a sprocket, the drop to the river aided in upping my speed to forty five kph and instead of taking the back lane I'd planned on, I continued on the main road in hot pursuit of the two riders. They looked vaguely familiar, a slightly chunky rider and a more svelte figure — I wonder? Nah! Although it is Wednesday. I was just about on them when I passed a sign warning of a T junction, right for Grottoes and something called Grand Caverns, I think Mr Walters mentioned something about a visit there while we are here.

My rabbits turned my way and I swept onto the 340 behind them. It is, it's Diane and what's his name, Derek — Kewl. I eased a bit to get my breath, they still hadn't noticed me, then with a quick check behind I started the final assault.

“Afternoon” I mentioned as I nonchalantly pedalled past in a low gear.

“Wha?” Derek gasped.

“Gaby?” Diane was more on the ball.

“Oh hi Diane” I grinned looking back and easing down, “didn't realise it was you.”

“Do you always ride like you're passing Sleepy Hollow?” Derek asked.

“Nah, sometimes I use the big chainring”

“You off home?” Diane enquired.

“No, I'm meeting the others at the diner.”

“We're heading there too, we always get some pie and coffee after our Wednesday run.” Derek advised me.

“I think I saw you there last week, I was the one doing the splits”

Diane chuckled and shook her head.

“So you guys been far?”

“Forty k's, how ‘bout you?”

I checked the comp, “nearly fifty by the looks of it”

“How long has that taken you?” Derek enquired.

“Lets see, four fifty, I didn't leave school till twenty past three, so that's an hour and a half, I was just pootling about until I saw you up ahead.”

Diane shook her head again.

“You've done ten k's more than us in five minutes less!”

“But you were taking it easy right?”

“That's the sickening bit, we were actually giving it some most of the time” Diane admitted.

It was sort of embarrassing having her make that admission and me showing off when I passed them too.

“Well I'm not offering to sprint for the name board” Derek joked.

I'd spotted it out of the corner of my eye about a hundred metres further on, bum!

“But I will” Diane stated dropping around her mate to get a clear run.

Oh goody! I dropped a sprocket and took her wheel, letting her do all the work. I sneaked a look past her and went for the kill, the back wheel skipping a little as I headed for the imaginary line.

Beeeeeeeeeeee–eeeeeeep!

The northbound car sounded its horn as I used a fair bit of road width in my sprint. I freewheeled and navigated into the diner's car park, not needing to pedal all the way to the door.

“You really are something missy” Diane stated as she joined me.

“Did you realise your back tire was jumping all over back there?” Derek asked easing up a moment later.

“Er was it?” I asked all innocent.

“You know it was.” He answered his own question.

“You wanna join us for coffee?” Diane asked.

“Sure, but I'd best touch base with the others first”

“What'll it be?” Derek requested.

“Could you make mine white tea”

“Sure”

Once inside I used my radar to locate the gang arguing in a window booth.

“There you are Gab. Good ride?” Mad enquired.

“Great, you'd enjoy it Mad”

“Where'd you get to?” Amy asked.

“Piedmont, Knightly and then up and round to Port Republic”

“In under two hours?” Sabrina exclaimed.

“Yeah”

“So you want a drink?” Brit suggested.

“Diane's getting me one thanks”

“Diane Briggs?”

“Um yeah, she's over there with Derek, did you remember my shoes by any chance?”

“Here ya go” she handed me my trainers and gym bag.

“Thanks”

“Er Gab” Mad whispered in my ear, “you might want to um freshen up a bit, you smell like a pit pony”

Did I turn red. So that's how I ended up in the ladies lav of Jacks Diner having a strip wash! Five minutes later an admittedly fresher feeling Gaby joined Diane and Derek at the counter.

“Thought we'd lost you” Derek stated.

“Just doing a quick change” I allowed pulling my trainers on properly.

“Sandy? Can we get that tea now please?”

“Sure Diane, oh hi Gaby, good ride?”

“Er yes thanks”

Well the next hour or so the three of us covered everything from Saturday's ride with Erin to what it was like at the Tour finish.

“So that was you in those pictures?”

“Er yes” I admitted

“It'll be you up there for real soon, I just know it” she went on.

“Anyway Gab, we've got to ride back to the factory so we'd best get off. I'll talk to Erin before the weekend and we'll show you the fabrication shop and Derek's computers”

“That'd be great Diane. Thanks for the tea and buns”

“No problemo wunderkind, see ya Saturday”

“Saturday” Derek confirmed cocking an imaginary gun at me.

“Bye” I waved to my new friends.

I headed back to where a depleted student body were sorting out their tabs with Sandy. Most of the gang had already been collected or departed, of ‘our' gang there was only the Walters and Jules left. I saw Rhod leaving with Mad and Miss Bell a while back, when the others left I've no idea!

“Hi Gab, Diane gone?”

“Uh huh”

“Mom'll be here in a few” Deb mentioned from behind me.

“Looks like you made an impression there Gab” Brit mentioned from inside her purse.

“She's pretty cool”

“Pity ‘bout Derek”

“What do you mean?”

“He's got a girlfriend already”

“Diane?”

“Get real girl!”

“Give over sis. His SO lives Up Valley someplace according to his cousin Monica” Deb advised. Why I needed to know that I don't know.

A horn sounding outside drew our attention; Mrs W's Forester was waiting.

After a shower, dinner and a call from Nottinghamshire in which Dad told us that Gran was going to stay at ours to look after Mum, I ended up in the family room watching the box. It was mostly drivel and somewhere around ice hockey highlights I switched off and found myself going over today events.

This has to be about the best day so far. Good news from home, a good bike ride and even school was okay. Diane is so cool, fancy having your own bike factory? It'll be pretty cool to see it on Saturday, I'll have to make sure its okay with the Walters, I'm sure it will be though.

 

I hope I can get out to explore the lanes a bit more, I wonder if Mad would fancy a ride? Have to ask her tomorrow at school. I hope I don't attract any more male attention though, that was so, I dunno, weird I s'pose. But not good! It's bad enough with Clive lusting after me; I don't need half of Augusta High doing the same!

 

There are some pretty hot girls though; Deb's friend with the short red hair is well cute. Not that I'm in a position to make a move on her — or anyone else, it'd be well weird asking another girl out. Another girl? What am I thinking? This Gaby business is turning me queer or something, I'm not even thinking like Drew anymore!

Thursday arrived a bit more wintry than the last couple of days although the grey cloud's promise of wet didn't materialise. School was quickly becoming routine, I've just about cracked my timetable and unlike at home, they all keep the same classroom. Now that I'm not so entirely wrapped up in Mums state of health I've started taking a bit more notice of other stuff. Today for example I realised that I'm under constant scrutiny everytime I walk between classes or have a mixed class. I suppose I should expect some male attention, it's the couple of girls who watch my every move who unsettle me most. Either they've seen through Gaby or they fancy her, I mean me, which means they are lesbo's, I must ask the others what they think.

Anyway after school we had cheer practice and Miss Bell started to help fine tune our routine. I thought we were pretty good but as Miss Bell pointed out, here in America they've been perfecting the whole shebang for as much as fifty years! With all the ‘faults' she found it looks like we are on a hiding to nothing in three weeks time.

The news from home was pretty neutral, Gran is arriving tomorrow, Mum's getting restless and the latest lot of tests were inconclusive, I think that means okay, Dad was at least pretty upbeat. Mom, I mean Mum was eager to hear about yesterdays ride but told me off for showing off with Diane, it was hardly sporting to set her up for that sprint, well that's what she said, the smile in her voice betrayed some amusement.

I looked out of the attic window onto a Grottoes being thoroughly washed by insistent rain. It would do it today wouldn't it; we've got a trip today, just us Brit's this time although Miss Bell is tagging along as guide. I actually managed to dress fairly gender neutral, just one of my T's and the black jeans I got at Harrisonburg with my trainers. Mind you any illusions that I might have had were destroyed by having my hair in ‘practical' bunches — if they are so practical how come it was only me wearing my hair that way! I've been duped again haven't I?

Our trip wasn't that far, about an hour's drive so once again we met at school after homeroom. I was surprised to not find George's big yellow bus waiting; instead there was a minibus, a not very American Mercedes! We all clambered on board, no one wanted to hang about in the rain, and we started the drive to Luray Caverns.

“Cute bunches Drew” Mad mentioned with a smirk sinking down beside me right at the back.

I gave her a dirty look.

“Don't tell me, Brit's idea, what did she tell you this time?”

“She reckoned it was practical”

“Well it sort of is, come here lets take them out.”

I turned so she could free my locks.

“You really ought to stand up to her you know”

“Easier said than done, I bet you wouldn't do any better”

“That's a no brainer, I'm not staying there”

The seeds of an idea were placed with her statement.

“I bet you couldn't last two days at the Walters without Brit getting you doing something stupid.”

“Bet I could”

“Okay clever clogs, prove it”

“And just how am I going to do that brainbox?”

“Well everyone reckons we look like twins, we could just swap places, you go to the Walters and I'll stay with Miss Bell.”

“That'd never work”

“Why not?”

“Well what about Jules for one”

“We could let her in on it” I allowed.

“And Miss Bell?”

“I reckon I can pretend to be you well enough, you don't walk round naked or anything over there do you?”

“Well no”

“So its do-able”

“I s'pose”

“Lets do it then”

“What's the bet then”

Great! I've got her.

“How about if you last two days, forty eight hours we swap straight back. If Brit catches you in one of her schemes you have to stay for a whole week.” win win!

“There's nothing for me in that”

“Well the bet is about you staying out of Brit's clutches, you get to crow about it if you win”

“If we do this, when?”

“How about today”

“Today!”

“Why not? I'm up for it”

“Let me think about it”

“Chicken” I jibed.

“I am so not! Okay we do it today until Sunday.”

“Deal!” I was maybe a little too eager.

“We'll swap clothes and stuff later, in fact I'll put your hair back up so Miss B doesn't clock something's up, we can swap hairstyles later too.”

Me and my big trap! Ah well its in a good cause.

The rest of the drive to Luray was spent briefing each other so we didn't get tripped up, I even worked out a plan for ‘Mad' to go into town so I could go for my ride with Erin. Mad was sure Miss Bell would go for it, I hope so! The rain had eased but not stopped by the time we pulled into the car park for the Caverns so it was a mad dash to the entrance building where we gathered whilst our guardians did the paying business.

“Okay kids” Mr Pilling got our attention. “We've got a few minutes before our tour starts so use the facilities if you need to. Do not go shopping there will be ample time for that later! Pay attention inside, there will be a test later to see what you've learnt!”

A chorus of groans greeted that news.

“Five minutes then” he finished.

Despite my jeans and tights, my bladder needed emptying as much as the next girl so I joined the others to queue for the ladies. How I wish I could use the gents! We were soon reassembled and our guide came to meet us.

“Good morning everyone, my name is Agnes and I'm your guide to the Caverns. I understand y'all from England, I hope you're enjoying your stay in ole Virginny and that you enjoy the Luray Caverns”

Geez, she never pauses for breath!

“The Caverns were discovered in eighteen….”

Agnes certainly knew her stuff, keeping up a continuous commentary as we moved from cavern to cavern with names like Titania's Veil, Saracens Tent and Totem Poles. The stalactites (tites hang down) and stalagmites are amazing, the colours incredible. It was a bit scary when she cut the lights in one cave — total darkness, your eyes think they can see stuff but you really can't see a hand in front of you!

The most bizarre thing was the Stalacpipe Organ, some mad scientist type built it about fifty years ago, it uses the stalactites as natural organ pipes somehow. Talk about eerie, you can just imagine the mad scientist playing deep under ground — da da da dar, diddly dur dum! Just like in those old films.

We moved on through the Giants Hall, Frozen Fountain and the Empress Column to finally re emerge in the entrance building. I hope my pictures come out.

“Well this is where I leave y'all. I hope you enjoyed your visit to Luray Caverns, I hope you have time to visit the Car & Carriage Caravan and the Singing Tower before you leave.”

“We will thank you Agnes, appreciation please” Mr P instructed.

Its always a bit weird doing it but we all joined in a round of applause for our guide, even if she did never shut up for over an hour!

“Okay people, we're going to break for lunch now, I know it's a bit early but we've got a lot on today. So back here at twelve sharp, we'll go to the Tower and motor museum before we leave.” Miss C instructed.

A whole hour! I'm starving.

“Come on Gab, we can swap now, we might not get a chance later.”

“Before food?”

“If you shake a leg we'll have time after” Mad pointed out.

We slunk off and commandeered the disabled toilet. You know when you think you can't be embarrassed any further? Well my cousin had me glowing! When I suggested the swap I never thought beyond a superficial swap but Mad pointed out that if we were gonna pull this off we would need to be thorough. Why Mad was wearing stockings I never did find out, or strappy sandals for that matter but we were soon wearing each others clothes and Mad then used me as a template to adjust her appearance and hair before attacking me. The final touch was to change our earrings, I got her drops, and she got my gold hoops.

“Oops”

“What now Mad?”

“Nails”

“Well we don't have the stuff to sort them, we'll just have to chance it.”

“I guess”

When I looked in the mirror it was well spooky, Mad was me and I was Mad.

“Come on Mad, we've still got time to eat and shop — just!”

“Gaby!”

“Huh?”

“I'm Gaby and you're Maddy remember?”

“Oh right, I'll remember.”

“I hope so or the cat'll be out”

It was difficult to remember to answer to Mad not Gab but I think I did it okay. No one seemed to notice anything, maybe this will work. We assembled at the appointed hour and we dodged the wet to reach the motor museum bit. It wasn't great but there were a few neat cars, I think I like the Nurburgring museum better though. The rain had actually stopped by the time we emerged to go look at the Luray Singing Tower, which is officially known as the Belle Brown Northcott Memorial.

Jessica Bell smiled as the English kids joked amongst themselves as they walked towards the Singing Tower. They're a great bunch of kids, more mature than a lot of our students their age, it's a shame we couldn't have had them here in the summer but they don't seem too bothered by the weather.

The Bond girls seem a lot happier today, I keep forgetting that Gaby is really Drew, he'll make a great actor! She chuckled to herself. And Maddy, those two are nearly inseparable on these excursions, maybe I should get Drew to stay over for a couple of nights, keep Maddy company, I've got the attic room he could use. There's something different about Maddy today, I can't place what though.

“…Was built in 1937 and stands almost 120 feet high. There are forty seven bells and its one of America's finest Carillons.” Mr Pilling finished.

“What's a carillion Sir?” Bern asked.

“Carillon, it's a set of bells Bernie”

“Like St Johns?” I suggested.

“Yes Maddy, the church bells are technically called a carillon when they are automated otherwise you need bell ringers or campanologists.”

That's it, Maddy has changed her finger polish, Jessica mused as she listened to the conversation .

A resumption of rain had them all scuttling to the mini bus, time to move on.

---

 
Maddy Bell 11.06.05  © 2005
 

Gaby Book 4 - Once Upon A Time In America
Chapter *11* Duplicity
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*
 
 

Instead of heading back the way we had come we started to follow the ‘211' east, following signs for Thornton's Gap and Skyline Drive. It was a bit weird sat next to me, or rather Mad wearing my clothes, and I know it was sort of my idea but my current ensemble is a bit, let's just say not my personal choice! The damned stockings are actually those elastic top things and in this skirt it's proving to be a little fraught keeping the tops covered. Why couldn't Mad have worn jeans or at least a longer skirt today?

“Mad, Mad !” Mad shook my arm.

“Huh?”

“Duh, wake up Mad”

“I am awake,” I complained.

“Well what's it like being me?”

“I could ask the same and keep it down” I whispered back.

“There's still lots of snow up there”

“Yeah” I agreed.

Our bus continued to climb and we soon passed a sign proclaiming ‘Shenandoah National Park'. The little hamlet of Thornton's Gap seems only to exist to service tourists and even on this dreary January Friday there were a few RV's, (that's what the Americans call them, they are actually big campers) and my sharp eyes picked out some ‘out of state' registration plates as we waited to turn onto ‘Skyline Drive'.

The continuing drizzle did little to improve the views between the trees out over the South River valley and instead the slightly steamy interior of our minibus took on the conversations of a load of average teens, our teachers all sat up front content for now to leave us to it. I realised this duplicity will be harder than I thought as the conversation flitted around me. I know Mad and the others well but its clear that as Drew there is stuff I don't get the inside track on, compared to me my cousin is going to have a doddle of a time.

The wet eased off and we pulled up at a viewing area. Damn its cold in this skirt! The wind whipped around us as we went to look at the panorama.

“Lets get a group photo.” Mr Pilling suggested.

Just what I need today!

We were herded together under a sign proclaiming ‘Franklin Cliffs Overlook' and with me fighting my skirt an old couple in one of those camper things were roped into taking a bank of photos. Things never turn out how you expect do they? There was me, barely a fortnight ago thinking that I'd be out here as me, now not only am I having to be Gaby full time but now I'm in even deeper swapping with Mad. It's bad enough when everyone you know is treating you like a girl, they now all think I am a girl! I wonder how Mad will get on at the Walters?

Back in the bus we continued south, the world outside the minibus was more interesting now we could see it, Mad pointed out a couple of huge Eagles soaring over the forest and I'm sure I saw some sort of deer in the woods. We drove on for a while before turning off of the tourist drive onto route 33, quickly descending back into the Shenandoah Valley.

We had a brief stop at a place called Elkton for a brief history lesson from Miss Bell. Apparently one of the Civil War Generals, Stonewall Jackson made his headquarters here about 140 years ago to plan his spring campaign. We looked at the old house, built in 1827, although it wasn't open Miss Bell pointed out Jackson's sparse living quarters on the first floor. Can't say as I was that impressed. We reloaded ourselves into our transport and started to follow the river south back towards Grottoes.

Just when I thought we were safe, we pulled up at a sign proclaiming ‘The Coaling — Civil War Battlefields'. Oh joy.

“I said we'd look at a real battlefield when we were in Richmond” Miss Bell started. “These are the Port Republic and across the river, Cross Keys battlefields, just one of dozens of sites where the fighting in the early 1860's was particularly bitter.”

I recognised that name, it's where I caught Diane and Derek on Wednesday. Thankfully the rain has given way to weak sunshine, I found myself herded along as Miss Bell started to walk us over the battlefield explaining, to a largely uninterested audience the events of that far away conflict over these currently peaceful meadows. It might not be raining now but the grass was still wet and my sandal shod feet were quickly wet and cold!

It was actually dark when the minibus, now with just Miss C, Mr P and Miss Bell with me parked up at Augusta High.

“Well goodnight Jess, Maddy” Mr Pilling mentioned as he headed to the car he and Miss C were borrowing for the duration.

“G'night John”

“We'll be over about ten in the morning,” Miss C mentioned.

“Okay Fran”

“See you both then, goodnight Maddy, Jess”

“Er night Miss”

“Come on Maddy, if we're quick getting home we'll just catch ‘Buffy'

I followed Miss Bell across the car park; I refuse to call it a ‘lot', and stopped by her car. I'd not taken any notice when I'd seen it before but it was actually a Veedub Jetta, our neighbours used to have a red one, I think Miss Bell's is silver, the lighting out here is a bit dodgy.

“Come on, get in”

The door took a bit of effort to open, the catch was stuck and it needed a bit of assistance from Miss B to get it open.

“I really should let the auto shop look at that, Doug Jenkins said it's probably just a bit out of alignment when I asked last Fall.”

So started an almost non-stop, one-sided conversation all the way back to my temporary home. Mad's observations were pretty accurate and I recognised the house from her description, even in the dark. Mind you I never realised before that she lived out at Piedmont, I almost rode past the door the other day. I tried to remember what Mad had told me about the layout, if I remember right it's a bit like Bernie's place and Mad's room is upstairs to the right.

Well we did just get in before Buffy started and for thirty minutes I defrosted my feet in front of the telly.

“Is that the time? Damn. Come on Maddy, shower and change, the Roberts are expecting us in an hour”

“The Roberts?” Mad didn't say anything about this.

“I told you this morning, we're having dinner with the Roberts tonight, Samuel's parents remember?”

Samuel, who's Samuel?

“I er must have forgotten, all the stuff at Luray,” I bluffed.

“Well remember to put on something nice, not jeans.”

“Er okay” Maddeeeee! Just you wait!

I made my way up to ‘my' room, resigned to whatever Mad has set me up for. The room was pretty much as Mad has described it, a bit chintzy with a brass bedstead and a recently converted en suite bathroom in what I guess used to be a walk in wardrobe of some sort. Hmm, hang on, there's a phone in here, Maddy Peters you're not getting off that easily.

“Er Hi, this is G-Maddy Peters, can I talk to Ma-Gaby please?”

“Oh hi Mad, its Deb. Sure I'll just call her down.”

“Thanks”

I waited for what seemed like eternity before a voice I recognised came on the line.

“Hullo?”

“Its me Mad”

“D-Mad, what's up?”

“I'll give you what's up! Dinner at the Roberts?”

“Oh!”

“And just who is Samuel?” I demanded.

“I forgot about that”

“Convenient”

“Honest. I'm sorry” Mad did actually sound like she meant it.

“So who's this Samuel character?”

“He's in my homeroom, he gets a lift home with us sometimes”

“Oh.”

“There's nothing going on,” she blurted.

I never thought there was — until then.

“Right!”

“Really, we just do homeroom together, honest.”

I thought it best to play it by ear on that point.

“Okay, but what am I supposed to wear? Miss Bell is expecting some sort of debutant I'm sure.”

“Don't get so melodramatic. I brought a posh frock, by the way I like the stuff you got at the weekend, these red shoes are well cute!”

“Mad!”

“Don't take on so. If you go in the wardrobe my good dress is hanging up, you should find my undies in the dresser, left side, just don't go poking around.”

“Yeah well, remember the ride in the morning”

“Okay. Have a nice dinner”

“Bum, we're supposed to leave in thirty minutes!”

“Well see you tomorrow Maddy ” she emphasised.

“Night Mad”

The dress was where she said and with minimal digging I found fresh underwear, the lacy set looked like they'd do the trick. Clothing sussed, I headed to the shower.

I was late but that ‘s typical Maddy anyway.

“There you are Maddy, my you look real nice in that dress”

“Um thanks, it was a birthday present”

“Well whoever bought it for you has great taste”

I blushed a bit, when I bought it in Chester I imagined how Mad would look in it but I never envisioned wearing it myself. I know I'm actually trying but the fact that I actually looked passable as Mad wearing it was a little disturbing. I'm just glad that Mad doesn't wear too much makeup. Lippy and a smear of eye shadow; I've seen it put on enough so it only took two attempts to get it passable. I don't think I could do it every day though.

The drive to our dinner date was barely five minutes from start to finish; it was only at the other end of Piedmont.

Damn, I wish I could have worn something a bit less, um filmy, the temperature was less than tropical and Mad's frilly's aren't exactly designed for warmth!

“Hi Jessie and you must be Madeline, Sam never stops talking about you. My, that's a pretty dress you look like a model!”

Geez!

“Hey Maddeeeee” a slight and spotty youth bounded into the hall that we had now moved into, this must be Samuel. “Glad you could come, you enjoy the caves?”

God, how do I do this? Its one thing to dress up in Mad's stuff and look like her but this, I've no idea! Well I'll just have to go for it.

“It was quite nice”

“You Brits!”

“Come on kids, Sam don't keep Madeline out here, take her through to the family room” Mrs Roberts directed.

“You wanna coke Maddy?”

What does Mad drink? You'd think I'd know wouldn't you?

“Have you got any Diet?

“What's that?”

“Er sorry I mean lite”

“Oh sure, that's all Mom drinks”

“And who's this delicate flower” I blushed deeply as the voice of, I presumed, Mr Roberts greeted our arrival in the family room.

“Dad this is the girl I told you about, Maddy Peters. Maddy this is my Dad.”

“Well nice to meet you Miss Peters, come on in and grab a seat”

“Um thanks Mr Roberts”

“Cory”

“Sorry?”

“Call me Cory”

“Er okay”

“I'll get that drink Maddy”

“Okay” casting my eyes around the room I spotted a safe seat and headed that way.

“You don't want to sit way over there Maddy, come sit by the fire”

The seating options were suddenly reduced to an overstuffed armchair or the sofa, in what I'm wearing the chair looked safest.

“So Maddy, my son being a bore yet?”

Is he? Maddy!

“Er not really, well I don't think so” was that the right thing to say?

“Well he seems well taken with you, its Maddy this and Maddy that”

I blushed deeper but was rescued by the arrival of Ms Bell and the rest of the Roberts family.

“What have you been saying Cory Roberts?” his wife asked.

“Nothing Mand, hi Jess”

“Hi Cory, you got one of them for me?”

Sam brought my drink over while his father got up to fetch one for Miss Bell. I sipped carefully and took the opportunity to check out the rest of the room. The layout was different but the features were the same as back at the Walters house, a big telly, comfy chairs, music centre, small bookcase and a fireplace decorated with family portraits. There are obviously more family members than these three as the pictures showed a girl and another lad.

“Dinner will be about ten minutes,” Mrs Roberts mentioned.

“I um, excuse me, but could I use the toilet please?” that coke has gone straight though me!

“Oh sure Madeline, Sam show her the way”

Sam jumped up from his perch on the arm of my chair, when did he sit there?

“Come on Maddy, its only out in the hallway”

Getting out of the chair without exposing myself was not that easy but I think I managed it. Once in the smallest room I pulled my tights and pants down and collapsed onto the seat. How am I going to get through this? It's hard enough just being Mad but this!

Well luckily, with the three adults playing interference any hopes that Sam had of advancing his relationship with Mad were effectively stomped on. The food was okay and most of the conversation centred around Sam's siblings, Jane who is away at university and Joshua who joined the Navy last summer. The worst thing about the evening was Mad's underwear, by the time Mrs R, ‘call me Manda', served dessert, strawberry cheesecake that I'm sure was out of the freezer; the knickers were really starting to itch!

After we'd eaten I was really quite surprised when Ms Bell said we'd have to leave in short order. It seemed a bit rude, like we used them for a freebie feed. Sam's face dropped at the news, I think he was hoping to get some one on one with the object of his desires, me. Actually a quick departure took nearly an hour! By the time we got back to ‘our' house it was after ten.

“Um Miss Bell?”

“Uh huh”

“Tomorrow morning, could I um go and meet Drew?”

“I don't see why not, you planning anything particular?”

“Well I think Drew's got something organised but I'm not sure what.” too right I have!

“What time are we talking Maddy?”

“‘Bout nine?” I winced hoping that would be okay.

“Starting that early it sounds like you have a full day planned. That's fine, I wasn't sure what to do tomorrow, with you organised that's one thing less to worry on. You need to confirm with Drew?”

“Well I told him I'd ring if it wasn't on”

“A positive negative huh?”

“Sorry?”

“You not ringing is good”

“Oh right, yep”

“You want cocoa tonight?”

What did Mad say? Oh yeah.

“No thank you, I'm pretty tired, I think I'll go straight to bed.”

“Okay then, sleep well and I'll see you in the morning”

“G'night” I gave her a peck on the cheek. How weird is that, but Mad was most emphatic about that ritual.

Jessica watched her charge head off to her room on the second floor.

‘There's definitely something different about her this evening. And she was much quieter tonight than usual, cool even towards Sam; I could swear she's been flirting with him all week. Maybe it was something that happened today?

Tomorrow is good though, I need to go see how Rhod and the Jones household are doing, I'd best give Fran a call we can get breakfast at the diner instead of her and John coming right out here. And I can catch up with some paperwork too.'

With a sigh of relief Drew shut the door behind him and turned the lock.

‘What a night! Still, it looks like I've pulled it off though. And tomorrow with Erin and Diane is sorted.'

He stripped off his clothes, or rather Mad's clothes and replaced the dress with Mad's pyjamas. A quick visit to the lav and he collapsed into the frilly confines of the bed. After lying there for a few minutes, he realised that there was something about this room and the bed, he hadn't noticed earlier but it smelt. Not unpleasant mind although it was strong, a sort of flowery smell, a bit like, hmm, yeah a bit like that perfume Sylv Morgan wears. The essence seemed to fill the room and Drew fell asleep still trying to put a name to it.

It was still dark when Drew woke to the unfamiliar sounds of rural Virginia. A tractor trundled noisily past setting off a cacophony of noise from the local bird population. He checked Mad's alarm, six thirty! Well might as well get up, I wonder how Mad's getting on with Brit?

A shower later and dressed in jeans and a thick jumper he decided to venture down to the kitchen.

“I was just gonna come call you up” Miss B mentioned as he poked his head into the kitchen.

Miss Bell was sat at the large scrubbed pine table with her breakfast and a pile of what was instantly identifiable as schoolwork. It reminded him of last year before Mum stopped teaching; there were always stacks of stuff to be marked around the house. It's a funny thing to miss but not having that clutter when Mum went to Germany made the house feel even emptier.

“Just catching up on some marking” yeah Mum would do that.

“You okay Madeline?”

“Erm yes thanks. Is there any tea please?”

“I just put the kettle on, I don't know how you drink it this time of day though, I need caffeine!”

Drew caught himself before making a smart Alec reply.

“Thanks.”

“You want eggs on toast this morning?”

“I'll do it. Do you want some?”

“Not for me, you know where everything is if you want to cook”

Well no I don't, but its not rocket science!

It was ten to nine when Miss Bell dropped ‘Maddy' off at the Walters house; ‘Drew' was waiting on the front step.

“You made it then.” Mad stated.

“Yeah. So you got everything ready?”

“Of course I have, I'll just fetch it out”

A couple of minutes later I was holding my rucky and Mad had Erin's bike.

“I'm off, see ya later” Mad called back through the door.

“Later Gab” Brit's voice replied from somewhere inside.

I pulled the door shut and we set off for Erin's shop.

---

 
Maddy Bell 27.06.05  © 2005
 

Gaby Book 4 - Once Upon A Time In America
Chapter *12* Do I Know You?
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 *12*
 
 

“So?”

“So what?”

“Well duh, how is it with Miss Bell? You can be so obtuse sometimes Drew Bond!”

“Me?” I exclaimed, “you dropped me right in it last night!” I pointed out.

“You mean she twigged?”

“No, well I don't think so. You could have at least warned me a bit more about ‘Samuel', I think he was starting to smell a fish. Just what have you two been up to?”

“Nothing!” Mad's reply seemed a bit quick. “Anyway, what's it to you?”

“Well in case you forgot, quite a lot as I'm being you!” I must admit to being more than a bit peeved with Mad's attitude. “And anyway I thought you were my girlfriend.”

“I might be Drew's girlfriend but I'm not Gaby's, that would be really weird!”

She might as well've slapped me round the face. Our arrival at Erin's Cyclery precluded any further discussion and I was glad to note that a: no one else was there waiting and b: Erin was already at the shop. I didn't mention did I, the plan was for Mad to hang out at the shop while we had our ride then she'd join me to go to Diane's factory. As I say, that was my plan.

“Hiya Gaby?” Erin greeted us as we entered the shop. She looked a bit bemused.

“Morning Erin” I mentioned.

A confused Erin did a cartoon like double take.

“Tell me I'm seeing double”

“Nope, the ugly one is my cousin, Maddy.”

Mad swiped my ear hole.

“Ow!”

“Geez, you look like twins. Nice to meet you Maddy.”

“So you're the Erin he keeps on about?”

The two of them stood apparently sizing each other up.

“So Maddy, what brings you here so early?”

“That's my fault.” I admitted, “we made a stupid bet, we've sort of swapped places so Mad is pretending to be me at the Walters, so we sort of needed to swap back for the day.”

“If its alright Erin, I'll hang round here until you get back” Mad added.

Erin shook her head.

“You kids sure know how to live complicated lives! I guess that's okay, I'm sure Don won't mind some company, he usually holds the fort on his own this time of year.”

At least the plan was holding together so far.

“I'd best get ready”

“You can use the restroom, second door on the left okay” Erin told me

“Cheers”

I left Mad and Erin in the shop and taking the kit bag Mad had sneaked out, I went to get into my borrowed bike kit.

When I padded back in, the two of them were talking to a lad of about seventeen.

“There you are” Mad mentioned.

“Here she is Don” Erin added.

Mad giggled.

“Gaby, this is my Saturday help Don Tanner, Don this is Gaby Bond

“Nice to meet you Ma'am”

“Erm, Gaby will do”

“Well come on Gaby, I can see the others outside” Erin told me.

Although it was actually looking to be a better day than last week, we were a couple of rider's light when we set off. I was really looking forward to today and despite our little spat on the way over, I cheerfully returned Mad's wave as we departed.

We started out heading towards I-81 out past the airfield and we seemed to be heading towards a range of hills Diane identified as the Shenandoah Mountains, the highest peak being Shenandoah Mountain itself. We kept up a steady pace as we crossed the wide valley, with just over twenty miles on the clock we turned onto a more main road signposted for Churchville another fifteen miles on.

The road reminded me a bit of back home as it bucked up and down and twisted about the quiet Virginia countryside. We had been on the go for about ninety minutes when the word went out that it was only two miles to Churchville. When you know the form you expect the ensuing dash — unlike last week everyone remained pretty much together the gentle undulations made any escape bid much more difficult.

Of course after last week they were all watching me so I let ‘em! I don't know what they thought I was going to do; even Diane and Erin seemed to be watching my every move. Although the pace picked up everyone was together as the town hove into sight, I admit it was difficult not to make a move at this point. When Diane broke she might as well have waved a flag to advise me where the ‘line' was. A few brave souls made an effort but enthusiasm can never really overcome technique. Erin was still watching me, I waited until an oncoming car distracted her for a moment and I was off like a shot.

Diane was looking nervously back despite her twenty-metre lead; yep the line was where I thought still over a hundred metres away. I clicked up a gear just as a wheel came alongside and the gap to Diane shrank quickly. I picked my line and some five metres before I caught Diane I made my big effort. Out of the saddle I made my last gear change and stomped good and hard on the pedals. I was committed to my action so when Erin pulled alongside there was nothing I could do. We sprinted wheel to wheel and with one final thrust I pushed half a wheel in front just as we passed the Churchville limits sign.

I collapsed back into the saddle as first Erin and quickly the rest of the crew came up to me.

“Gee kid, I thought I had you there” Erin managed between gasps.

“Thought never won,” I mentioned one of Mum's favourite lines.

“How did you know where the line was? I know no one said”

“Simple”

“Go on”

“When Diane went I knew it couldn't be too far and the way a few others had a go confirmed it”

“But you sprinted for the line”

“Well there had to be an obvious marker, we do sprint for signs at home as well you know”

“I guess we're still underestimating you”

“But you were really close” I allowed.

“Not close enough” she stated.

We negotiated the town and picked up the Staunton road.

“We stopping today?” I asked Diane as she came alongside.

“Uh huh, ‘bout five miles there's a nursery that has a tea room”

“There another sprint?”

“Might be” she grinned back.

Well I might just sit that out.

Or not. I mean, I can hardly just let them go can I? We stayed pretty tight for a few minutes but I detected a certain nervousness around me, the café sprint must be soon. Diane was the one who lost her bottle first, she took off like a scalded cat, Derek decided to give chase, I decided to call their bluff on this one. Erin grinned as she checked what I was doing, then she took off with a couple more riders whose names I didn't catch. I had a fair idea of what would be going through their heads right now, ‘Gaby's done in from that last sprint', ‘got her this time!' Oh how naïve! They were only about twenty meters in front and after checking that I hadn't followed, were now preparing for the showdown.

I made sure I stayed in the clear at the front of the second bunch and kept an eye on the action ahead. Mentally I ran through the plan, I stretched as nonchalantly as I could with a grin at my companions. They visibly relaxed their posture; I mean no one is this relaxed for a sprint are they?

“So where is this café place?” I asked the chap next to me.

“About a half mile, they always sprint for the tea room sign just up by that tree at the top of the next rise.”

Oh do they, heh, heh!

“Looks too much like hard work to me.”

“For me too” he agreed.

We were holding station but the ‘main' contenders were starting to play around a bit, soon Drew, soon. We turned a corner and I spotted both the tree and sign, there was a sort of roller coaster climb, not steep but the dip in the middle will make it difficult. Erin was obviously expecting something from me but when she looked I was still sat on the tops, I even gave her a wave. This is it; I'll have one chance and one only.

Apparently satisfied she was safe from me; Erin started to position herself for what will be a sprint of attrition. One last stretch and I settled my position.

“See ya!” I mentioned and I was off like a shot!

Diane and co were still watching each other as I sprinted up to them and held off slightly as we crested the first of three rises. I got a chance to catch my breath before Derek chanced his arm and the others took off after him up the second rise. He was spent by the top of that and I'd done just enough to stay in contact. By now the back markers had discovered my presence but were thankfully too bushed to give anyone further up the order warning. No chance to rest this time through the dip, I estimated the gradient; well it'll hurt but what the heck!

I snicked it into the fifteen and stomped on the pedals, only about seventy meters to the sign I could now see ahead. Erin's mistake was to wait for Diane to go, I was already moving when they hit the start of the last climb and my momentum carried me past, a deft downshift kept the momentum and I was eyeballs out to the summit and as mum had taught me, a bit beyond.

“Gaby! Gaby? Come on girl wake up!”

“I'll dial nine eleven from the tea room”

“And give Jessica a call straight after”

I could hear the voices but I seemed to be in some sort of limbo with no interaction with the real world.

“Is she okay?”

“We saw her pass you guys like a bullet then poof she just seemed to lose it”

“Well I don't think anything is broken”

“She hit her head?”

“Dunno, maybe”

My head was sort of swimming, not unpleasant but just sort of floaty. I've done this before haven't I?

“I'm a doctor, lets have a look at the patient”

I felt someone touching me; it was the light in my eye that jerked me back to consciousness.

“Wha?”

“Whoa young lady, stay still” the woman who I guessed was the medic stopped me from jerking upright.

“Thank god!” Erin stated.

“Well there's nothing broken, lets get her inside”

I found myself in Derek's arms and being carried into the tearoom.

“She okay Maggie?”

“Looks like she fainted Donald, can you rustle us up some tea?”

“Sure Doc”

“Okay, Gaby is it?”

“Er yes” I agreed.

“You done this before, felt faint or even fallen off your bike?”

“Once or twice” I admitted, “I take some tablets for it”

“It your time?”

She wasn't embarrassed by the question but I was!

“Er not exactly”

“You taking iron supplements?”

“Uh huh” I agreed.

“Hmm, oh thanks Donald. Here you go young lady, drink this up.”

She handed me a cup of revolting sugared tea and a big brown pill.

“We still need Medicare?” Diane asked.

“No, I don't think so but I don't think she should ride anymore today. Where're you guys headed?”

“Grottoes” Erin advised.

“Is there anyone to collect her?”

“Did you get Jessica Diane?” Erin asked

“She must be out, the answer machine kicked right in”

“Damn, and I don't have the Walters number with me”

“Look if there's a problem, I'll drop her back home” Doctor Maggie offered.

“Not home, they're out all day” I gushed.

“That's right I forgot” Erin ad libbed, “if you could drop her at my shop that would be great.”

“Sure”

“So Gaby, you do a lot of bicycling in England?”

“A fair bit”

“As a girl or a boy?”

“A b.. How did you know?”

“Six years of med school and my own family, I think I can spot a boy by now.”

I slumped into the car seat.

“how?”

“your breasts, they don't feel quite right, a bit too squidgy”

“that was it?”

“that was it. You do actually pass really well, I doubt if anyone but a doctor would doubt that you're a girl when they see you, do they?”

“no.”

“Don't worry Gaby or do you prefer something else?”

“Drew.”

“Well Drew, I know it's not really my business but how come you are dressing as a girl, you TG?”

“TG?”

“Transgendered. I guess not, you don't have to tell me,” She pointed out.

Why not?

“It goes no further right.”

“Cross my heart.”

“It's a long story.”

“Well your friends won't get back to Grottoes for another hour.”

So I started to tell Maggie how come I'm being Gaby. Of course explaining why I was Gaby here in the States meant backtracking to stuff at home in England. For the most part the Doc just listened but after we pulled into a gateway just outside of Grottoes she asked a few questions. I've no idea what she made of it all; she seemed amused at when I told her about switching with Mad though.

“I have got to meet with this cousin of yours.”

“She should be at Erin's when we get there.”

“Talking of which, we should push on, they'll be there before us otherwise.”

We slipped back onto the road and I managed to direct her to Erin's shop without getting lost.

“‘Bout time Dru.. Gab” Mad greeted as I pushed the door open.

“Wotcha Mad”

“Where's Erin? Why are you muddy? Who?”

“Maggie, meet my cousin, Maddy Peters. Mad this is Maggie, she's a doctor”

“You crashed, are you hurt?”

“Drew's fine now Maddy” Maggie advised.

“You know?”

“I told her Mad. I'd best be Gaby now though Maggie, just in case.”

Just then there was a bit of noise at the back of the shop.

“Gaby! You back?”

“Out here Erin” I called back.

“Where's Don Maddy?”

“Said he had to pop out for a few minutes. Something about Hooch”

“Hooch!” Erin sighed shaking her head, “what has that brother of his gotten into now?”

“Well I'd best be off” Maggie mentioned.

“Thanks for dropping hi-er off Doc” Erin offered.

“No problem, it was an education. And Gaby, remember your medication in future huh?”

“I will, thanks for the lift”

Maggie departed leaving the three of us in the shop.

“Medication?” Mad asked.

“My iron tablets, you've got them at the Walters”

“I didn't know you took them all the time”

“Yeah well I don't exactly shout about it, the Doc had some so I'm okay now”

“Well come on miss drama queen, you need to shower and change.” Erin stated.

“Is the trip out to Diane's factory still on?” I asked.

“It is if my assistant gets back, ah talk of the devil.”

“Hey sorry Erin” Don mentioned as he slipped in.

“Hooch? What this time?”

“No great drama, he didn't fancy walking home after pretzelling his wheel is all.” He brandished a distinctly bent bike wheel. “I keep telling him to take that revert easy, but no, he slams it every time.”

“He hurt himself?”

“Few scrapes, mostly pride, Amanda Dreyfus was there and you know he's sweet on her.”

Erin chuckled. “Come on Gaby, let's get you cleaned up.”

---

 
Maddy Bell 01.08.05  © 2005
 

Gaby Book 4 - Once Upon A Time In America
Chapter *13* Click!
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 *13*
 
 

The drive over to Biggs Fabrication didn't take long in Erin's pickup and we soon pulled into the yard of an obviously busy metal working company. Apart from the fact it was racks of steel and aluminium stacked on the racks, it reminded me of Dad's work place. So okay the wood yard was bigger but you get the idea. Off to one side was a slightly run down house out side of which Erin parked the Chevy.

“Hey guys, you made it” Diane greeted us, descending from the house to where we were exiting our transport.

“Hi Diane, yeah we had to drag Gaby out of my shower, oh yeah, I don't think you know Maddy here, Gaby's cousin.”

“Hi Maddy, you sure you two aren't twins?”

“Not unless someone dumped one of us,” Mad grinned.

“Well let's go find Derek, he's itching to give you the dime tour.”

Diane led the way back across the yard to what looked like a tin shed, with a flourish she opened the door and announced,

“Welcome to Biggs Fabrication!”

The three of us filed past her into the slightly warmer surroundings of the shed where we found Derek fussing with something.

“er hi guys”

”žDerek, Gaby's twin here is Maddy.“

“Hiya Derek, I'm hi-er cousin actually.”

“Hi Maddy, you were at the diner the other day?”

“Uh huh” Mad confirmed.

“Well its nice to meet you, I don't suppose you ride?”

“This is the one I was telling you about last week Derek” Drew mentioned.

“Dang, you English girls!”

“Derek” Diane chuckled.

“Oh right. Um I hope you don't mind but I sorta got this all planned up for a visit in a couple a weeks by the Chamber of Commerce, we're hoping to expand and they‘ll hopefully be fronting some funds.”

“Get on with it Derek” Diane prodded.

Our guide looked at his prompt cards.

“Er hi everyone, no skip that bit, nuh nuh nuh.”

Mad let out a little giggle.

“Here we go, welcome to Biggs Fabrication, the home of all things metal in Grottoes. With over twenty years experience we are the first stop in the Valley for everything from wrought gates to hi tech fabrications. Hmm that's that” he changed cards, “When John Biggs borrowed five hundred dollars from the bank in 1979 it was to set up an auto shop but his skill with metals soon saw him in demand for other stuff, have to re write that bit, nuh, oh right, if you'd all like to follow me.”

By now both Erin and Diane were struggling to contain themselves too and I was smiling too. Derek seemed oblivious as he led us into a second area.

“Um okay, right here we go. Since those early days Biggs have tried to support the local economy for services and by employing local people. The current workforce is six strong and is currently an out shop placement for two Augusta High students studying metal shop and CAD design. The proposed expansion will provide four more full time posts and two part time as a start.” He looked up at his audience with a shy smile.

“You're doing fine Derek” Erin encouraged.

“Thanks Erin. Um where was I?” he checked his prompt cards again, “oh yeah, jobs. Hmmm, okay, the area we are in now is our main fabrication shop…”

My mind wandered as I took in the small shed we were stood in. it looked a bit like a dirtier version of the metalwork lab at school, all the tools were stowed on wall boards, only the part built construction on the floor marred the appearance. Well that and the motor sport calendar, coffee mugs and unpainted floor.

“… the drawings. The new extension will double our floor space and allow us to install a powder coat booth. Currently everything has to go to Harrisonburg for finishing where we have no quality control besides adding extra cost. So besides improving delivery we can up the quality.”

“What is that?” Mad asked pointing to the strange pile of tubes.

“It's a race frame,” Diane advised.

“Race frame?” I queried as confused as Mad.

“One of our prestige customers. It's for a local based Nascar team, we build the roll cage then they strap the body, engine and wheels on at their base.” Diane told us.

“So they're not real cars?”

“No way!”

“I'm sure they use proper cars at home,” I mentioned.

“Well no Ford sedan could survive five hundred laps on the ovals”

“They never said when we went last week,” Mad stated.

“Well I guess they don't make a big thing outta telling folks,” Diane concluded.

“You guys ready to move on?” Derek enquired.

“Lead on Macduff” I told him which got a strange look.

“If you follow me, we'll trace the process.”

The next stop was a small office crammed with computers, a drawing board like we have in TD and loads of other odd bits of equipment.

“This is our nerve centre,” a more confident Derek started. “We generally work to customer drawings but we can also offer in house design if required. Lets follow a job through the system.”

We gathered around him as he sat at a computer with a huge screen.

“I think this will interest you guys,” Diane mentioned.

“We'll take this order, it's for one of our bike frames.”

I found myself perched on a chair paying close attention as Derek explained the process of changing the set of measurements on the order form into a drawing on the screen of a bike frame. At some point Diane must have left as she appeared with a tray of cups emitting the aroma of hot chocolate. Even Mad was fascinated when the special printer produced a detailed drawing of the frame complete with a materials list. Impressive.

“So we then take the drawing to our cutting shop where the tube is selected and prepared.”

We followed Derek into a garage sized space with a large steel topped table taking up a lot of floor space and racks with all sorts of tubing lining one wall.

“The standard steel and aloominum is stored outside, we keep the higher grade and expensive stuff inside” Derek mentioned.

“Catch Gaby!”

I reflexively grabbed the pipe Diane tossed at me.

“Whoa.”

“6020 tee eye that we use for down tubes” Diane proudly mentioned.

You don't usually get to hold just part of a frame and I was suitably impressed by the lack of weight in the tube I passed on to Mad.

“Wow! I wish my bike was built of this,” she stated.

“You and me Mad” Erin grinned.

“Well for the bike frames the tube goes next door to the small fabrication shop.”

Once more we followed our guide and Diane took over.

“So guys, in here we put the frames together.”

We gathered around something she called a jig that held a nearly finished frame. The loose tubes now actually resembled a bike frame and Diane explained all about ‘tacking', ‘aligning' and ‘getting a constant bead'. She then handed me a full frame ready for finishing.

“This is seriously light Diane, I thought my frame was pretty good but this must be half the weight.”

“Two point six pounds without forks, an ally frame is typically four four right Erin?”

“The CAAD six is three eight.”

“This is still well light.”

“And strong Gab. This stuff is stronger than steel or aloominum, doesn't corrode and is more comfortable to ride than carbon.”

“I'll have to take your word on that” Drew sighed, “maybe I'll get one one day but even Mum's team bikes aren't this good.”

Diane's eyes flashed a look at Derek.

“Well maybe you can test ride one while you are over, and you Maddy,” she added.

“Cool!”

The grand tour was now forgotten as everyone including Mad got into a discussion about bikes and kit, Diane was a Shimano freak and I'm staunch Campag, which produced a lively debate on the various merits. It ended up with a calculator and the catalogues to put together the ultimate super light road bike. I had a cheesy grin etched on my face when we finished — my ten-speed Campag Record equipped Biggs was nearly fifty grams lighter than the nine-speed Dura Ace set up Diane worked up! Hah, Campag wins again!

It was dark outside when we finally left the ‘factory' for the walk to the Biggs house where we were going to eat.

We were still talking bikes when the phone rang.

“Diane Biggs…oh hi Jessica…yeah they're still here, waiting for the pizza…sure…uh huh…okay I'll tell Erin…nine? Oh I see…fine, if Erin can't me or Derek will…yeah sure, bye for now.”

“Problem?” Erin asked, “I heard my name mentioned.”

“Not really, that was Jessica Bell, apparently the Walters and her are eating over at Sandy's so they want us to hang on to the girls till later”

“Well I don't mind but I need to go check that Don locked the store up properly at some point.”

“Hey we can watch the game Diane” Derek suggested.

“Maybe the girls don't want to”

“You two ever seen a game?”

“He means football.”

“Didn't think you played it over here” Mad stated.

“Not soccer Maddy, football” Erin put in.

“There's a difference?”

“I think they mean American Football, all those blokes in loads of padding.”

Erin chuckled, “that's the one Gaby.”

“It's the playoffs today, Redskins versus the Philly Eagles.”

“Who came up with those names?” Mad enquired.

Derek looked a bit affronted.

“I'm sure no one will mind if you have it on Derek, maybe the girls can get some tips from the cheer squads” Diane grinned.

“You girls cheer?” Derek asked.

“Well not very well” Mad allowed.

“Top class bike riders and cheerleaders, is there no end to your talents?”

“Never” I did my best Churchill, (it's pretty crappy really). So okay it's an English thing.

So that's how we ended up sat on Diane's sofa eating pizza and watching but not understanding American Football. The Redskins won which apparently set them up for the Superbowl, sort of like the cup final back home. All the commentary and stuff was pretty inane but Derek seemed to enjoy it although Erin used it as an excuse to go check on the Cyclery.

“Might see ya out on Wednesday Gaby” Diane mentioned.

“Hopefully, thanks for showing us everything.”

“Yeah thanks” Maddy added.

“No problem, remember what I said?”

“We will.”

“Come on you two, it's a bit of a way to the Jones place” Erin started the truck.

It was indeed ‘a bit of a way'. Well it seemed like it going along the unlit lanes and finally turning into the Jones' property. Erin pulled up behind Mrs W's Forester and I could see Miss Bell's car too.

Erin led the way up to the door of what I can only describe as a mansion! This is where Rhod is staying? Kewl!

The door opened before we got there.

“I thought I heard a car.”

“Hiya Mary, two English blossoms as ordered.”

“I've got a couple here somewhere too, come on in girls. You want coffee Erin?

“I think I will, Diane ran out of milk.”

Mrs Jones led us inside to where the Walters, Miss Bell, Jules, Rhod and the rest of the Jones family were variously talking, drinking and playing with a small child.

“Come on Kevin, lets get you to bed, I'm sure Em will play again in the morning.”

“You bet Kev” Rhod added.

We got introduced to Mr Jones, and did a quick hi and bye with Kevin who is apparently Sandy's baby brother.

“You guys have just got to see the coach house” Rhod grinned.

“That alright Miss Bell?” Sandy asked.

“Just the dime tour, your Mom will be wanting to be shot of us.”

“Brill! Come on Mad” Rhod grabbed Drew and with the others trailing behind led everyone out of the side door.

“You are so lucky Sandy” Jules mentioned.

I thought Sandy's smile was a bit forced, “I guess.”

“What is this place?” the real Mad asked as we clattered up the wooden stairway.

“It's where me and Sandy live” Rhod enthused.

“I thought you were staying in the house,” Jules queried.

“Mom thought Em should stay with me out here” Sandy supplied as we all trooped inside.

Sandy's flat was well cool. There's a kitchen two bedrooms and a big living room. It's like the Fonz's place in Happy Days ! (Mum's got them all on video at home, I sometimes watch one when I'm bored.) There was something not quite right about the whole set up though, not sure what but it's like Sandy is a lodger but Rhod says Mrs Jones is definitely Sandy's mum.

“Mad” I whispered as we were regaled with an Em and Sandy story,” we staying swapped?”

“We agreed.”

“I know but…”

“Okay, but we'll have to change.”

“Madeline, time to go luv.”

Bum.

“Er coming.”

So much for cutting the swap short!

“I guess we'll see you on Monday then Mad?” Deb enquired.

“I suppose so.”

Mad gave me a hug and after a round of farewells I went to find Miss Bell.

“Here she is, well I'll see you on Monday Mary.”

“Okay, bye Jess, bye Madeline.”

“Goodnight Mrs Jones.”

“You can call me Mary out of school Madeline.”

“um okay er Mary.”

I opened the car door and climbed inside, looks like I'm stuck as Maddy until school on Monday, I just hope Mad's okay being me. With a final wave, we left the Jones' to drive ‘home'.

“Your sister gave me these for you”

“Um thanks” I accepted my tub of iron tablets. Hang on, sister?

“You know?”

“Yes I know.”

“But…”

“How? Well I must admit I would never have realised but for your earring.”

“Earring? We swapped everything, well apart from redoing our nails.”

“Well I thought you were acting a bit odd with Sam last night, especially after Tuesday but it was only when I saw you tonight that I got it. That extra piercing at the top, Maddy doesn't have it but Gaby does. Ergo, the girl answering to Madeline is actually Gabrielle. Am I right?”

I decided to come clean.

“Guilty as charged” I admitted.

“So what's it all about?”

“I bet Mad that I could convince you I was her all weekend, I guess I lost huh?”

“I guess so, what was the prize?”

“If I lost I have to stay as Mad all week, so I guess that's me.”

“That so bad?”

“I suppose not but I'll never hear the end of it.”

“And if you had won?”

“Well we just go back to normal.”

We drove in silence for a while.

“Well maybe I didn't figure it out Maddy.”

“Why?”

“Well I think a couple of days is fine but a week? You'd not be able to get a break from the Walters again; I know they can be a bit full on. If you need to have a break again we can manage a few days don't you think?”

We nearly crashed when I gave Miss Bell a fierce hug.

“Thanks Miss.”

“No problem, our secret huh?”

“Uh huh. But why tonight?”

“Well I was expecting you to swap back today but I guess you called my bluff there”

“We were going to, but we didn't have time.”

Miss B smiled and just shook her head. These Brit kids, always doing the unexpected!

---

 
Maddy Bell 08.09.05  © 2005
 

Gaby Book 4 - Once Upon A Time In America
Chapter *14* Onward Christian Soldiers
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*
 
 

“Up you get!”

“Gnh!”

“Breakfast on the table in five”

I cracked an eye, which didn't help as the blurry vision was of an unfamiliar room. And that voice, its sort of familiar, not like Mum or the gang, no more like recognising a teacher. Teacher, teacher.

“Wha!”

I sat upright with a start and now with both optical devices in operation rechecked my surroundings. The room was in that sort of pre dawn greyness you get during the winter, the semi opaque curtains helping to keep the light level low. Nothing seemed familiar, except, is that Mad's coat on the back of the door? Instinctively I checked the bed for other occupants but I appeared to be alone. My brain slowly started working, Mad's coat, Miss Bell — Virginia! So I'm here because?………aaargh! I'm Maddy! No hang on that's wrong.

“Gaby? You getting up hun? We're going to church this morning.”

Gaby. My mind faltered for a moment before finally engaging fully. That's it, I'm Gaby and, and, and me and Mad swapped accommodations, hang on, no one else is supposed to know. The last clue finally slid into place, Miss Bell just called me Gaby which must mean she knows about our deception, that's it, I remember now,

“Your sister gave me these for you”

“Um thanks” I accepted my tub of iron tablets. Hang on, sister?

“You know?”

“Yes I know.”

“But…”

“How? Well I must admit I would never have realised but for your earring.”

“Earring? We swapped everything, well apart from redoing our nails.”

“Well I thought you were acting a bit odd with Sam last night, especially after Tuesday but it was only when I saw you tonight that I got it. That extra piercing at the top, Maddy doesn't have it but Gaby does. Ergo, the girl answering to Madeline is actually Gabrielle. Am I right?”

I decided to come clean.

“Guilty as charged” I admitted.

“So what's it all about?”

“I bet Mad that I could convince you I was her all weekend, I guess I lost huh?”

“I guess so, what was the prize?”

“If I lost I have to stay as Mad all week, so I guess that's me.”

“That so bad?”

“I suppose not but I'll never hear the end of it.”

“And if you had won?”

“Well we just go back to normal.”

We drove in silence for a while.

“Well maybe I didn't figure it out Maddy.”

“Why?”

“Well I think a couple of days is fine but a week? You'd not be able to get a break from the Walters again; I know they can be a bit full on. If you need to have a break again we can manage a few days don't you think?”

I felt for my betrayer in the top of my ear, gee thanks Sylv! A rumbling tum acted as a prompt to actually exit the bedding and start the process of making my dishevelled appearance halfway presentable. Hey, didn't Miss B say food was in five minutes? She did, sod getting dressed up, food first!

“There you are”

“Er hi”

“Not dressed.” It was a statement rather than question.

“I, er”

“Well never mind, we have time, the service isn't until ten, best get these pancakes before they go cold.”

The smell was truly unbelievable, a sort of vaguely warm dough with a hint of almond and lemon. My mouth was watering before Miss Bell, Jessica, placed the plate of food on the table.

“Dig in missy, there's more batter if you want more.” She smiled knowingly at me.

I didn't need a second bidding, I could get used to this although I can't say I'm a great fan of maple syrup. Still it's rude not to sample everything and I try to be polite and when another plate appeared, well it would be a waste wouldn't it? By the time I finished I was well stuffed and it was tempting to leave the dishes for Miss B but I cleared the table intending to do my share of the clean up.

“Its all right Gaby, I'll do that. Go get yourself ready for church, a dress or skirt please.”

Thus saved from domestic servitude I headed to Mad's room. Church. I can't remember the last time, or if I have ever been to church for a service. Oh I've been inside quite a few, Dad likes exploring the old ones at home, but a service? I guess like most people I know, the Bond family is nominally C of E, I know Jules and I were christened, I've seen the pics — was that my first time in a dress? Both of us used the lacy relic that is the family Christening gown. We used to have prayers and hymns and stuff at school but last year that stopped, some politically correct thing Mum said so we are hardly practising Christians. Now today Miss Bell is dragging me to church, not even as me, or even Gaby, no, I'll be going as Maddy!

Okay so that's not the end of the world and I've done it before. But before Mad has always been around to help, today it's just me and I have to dress up- in her clothes! Geez. I finished my ablutions and headed to the wardrobe. Where did she pack this lot? Compared to my paltry selection at the Walters this was ridiculous. And I've got to go through Mad's stuff to find something to wear, not good.

I found something I'd never seen Mad wear, it was a skirt with a matching jacket that even I thought looked pretty smart, sort of high class. It was sort of familiar but I couldn't work out quite why. Should I wear it? I made the decision and half an hour later I joined Jessica in the kitchen.

“Well don't we look fine?”

“Is it, you know alright?”

“Well Miss Bond, I'm sure Miss Peters will have no cause to worry over her reputation. Remember you have to be Maddy while we are out.”

I fidgeted with ‘my' skirt, it seemed pretty short but the patterned tights and jacket, even if it was only short, leant me more confidence than I was feeling.

“Come on then, times a wastin'.”

I hadn't realised before I stepped outside that it would be so cold; in fact the wintry sun was doing very little in the way of heat supply. I nearly went flying on some black ice on the steps, only a grab for the rail saving my dignity.

“You okay?”

“Er yeah”

Miss B was already at the car, which had a layer of frost on just about every surface. The lock wasn't frozen however so we were soon inside the icy tomb of the Jetta and after a couple of goes the engine spluttered into life.

“The heat will be through in a minute”

My chattering teeth were my only reply.

Within a minute warm air was indeed blowing around my legs and the screen was clearing in double quick time.

“Put your window down.”

“Down?”

“To clear it off, you can put it straight back up.”

I complied and we started away.

When the car did a little squiggle on about the fourth patch of black ice I silently noted that I was glad I wasn't on a bike, after last years icy episode I've got a bit more concerned over that sort of thing. We drove in pretty much silence; I didn't want to break Miss B's concentration!

It wasn't far to the church and I was surprised when we turned into a rapidly filling car park. Surprised because at home the only time I'd ever seen this many people at a church was for weddings and funerals! Once parked we excited the Veedub and joined the steady stream of people heading across the freshly gritted car park. Whilst trying to remain inconspicuous I looked around at the other churchgoers. I recognised a couple of kids from the school with their families, everyone was dressed up, I guess Sunday Best is a reality around Piedmont. It wasn't weather for dawdling and we soon joined the throng in the vaguely warmer interior of the church.

I said before I wasn't really religious, Mum and Dad have always said we should make our own minds up on that score, so the ensuing hour long service was a bit of an eye opener. I was in fact in a mild state of shock by the time we filed outside. Between singing a few hymns and a couple of readings, the pastor gave us the full fire and brimstone stuff and these people seemed to be enjoying it! There was a fervour about the whole thing and I realised what Mum meant when she said that Hitler was a good preacher. Some of what Pastor Brown said was so far from what I've been taught and read that it may as well have been Nuremberg.

I was feeling decidedly uncomfortable with a lot of what he was saying and I think I realised then what religious fervour, not just Christian but Moslem and Judaism really means.

“Hi Jessica”

The voice broke my train of thought.

“And Madeline. Good to see you here.”

The voice belonged to Mr Roberts and his irksome son was at his elbow.

“Hi Cory, where's Manda?”

“Buttonholing the pastor, it's the bakeoff next week.”

“Ah”

“You wanna walk?”

“Huh?”

“You fancy a walk Maddy?” Sam pressed.

“Don't be long.” Miss B mentioned. Gee thanks.

After the beating my brain had just had a walk didn't seem such a bad idea, even with Samuel Roberts.

“You look real nice this morning.”

“Erm thanks.”

I shivered a bit, my short skirt was not exactly offering much warmth to my nether regions and an hour on a wooden bench hadn't helped much either.

“You cold? You're shivering.”

“A bit, its not exactly summer”

My humour obviously looped straight over his head.

“Here.”

Im found myself engulfed in his jacket, he was a fair bit bigger than me and it swamped me and reached down to my hemline. I saw him shiver a bit himself after his act of chivalry but I must admit to being grateful for the extra layer.

“You wanna hang this afternoon?”

“I, um don't know what we are doing yet.” I didn't mean to sound so down on him, I was supposed to be keeping him sort of sweet for Mad. On the other hand what the heck am I thinking, I don't want Mad doing stuff with this ape, well mannered or no.

“I'll have to ask Miss Bell.”

“A few of us go to the diner, I can get you a lift back if you can get.”

“Okay, I'll ask but no promises.”

“Sure”

Was I really arranging a date — with a boy! Maddy Peters you will owe me big time for this. Not that I had any intention of going to the diner but Sam didn't know that.

“There you two are.” Miss B stated as we returned to the porch.

“I was just asking Maddy if she fancied hanging at the diner later.”

“I'm sure I could drop her off after lunch.” Nooooo!

“Cool!”

“That okay Maddy?”

“Er thanks, you'd best have this back.“ I slipped Sam's jacket off and shivered anew.

“‘Bout three then, have to go, Dad's waiting.”

“Bye Sam”

“Bye Maddy, Miss Bell.”

I belatedly added a ‘bye'.

“Lets get back home in the warm.”

I just followed her back to the car, grateful to be out of the freezing air.

“Miss Bell?”

“I told you before, its Jessie.”

“Jessie, do I have to go with Sam this afternoon?”

“Don't you want to? I thought you might want to, quite a lot of kids go, it won't just be Sam.”

“But…”

“And I've got a meeting with your teachers this afternoon, you don't really want to be stuck at my place all afternoon.”

Yes, yes!

“I guess not.”

“Well that's settled then. Go and change when we get home, I'll start on lunch.”

Well at least I could wear trousers now. I didn't realise just how cold my legs were until I started to slip my tights off — very was the reality so I pulled them back up and pulled Mad's jeans on over the top. I decided on a bit of layering on top too, a second short sleeve t before I slipped on a cardi. I was actually feeling a bit cosier by the time I returned to the ground floor.

“Great timing Mad, lay the table please”

“Er sure, where's the stuff?”

“Oh sorry Gaby, I thought you were your cousin, you two really are like twins! The canteen is under the counter.” She waved vaguely across the kitchen and with a minimum of draw shuffling I found the cutlery.

“Just soup for now okay? We'll eat properly later”

“Sure” maybe I can grab a burger at the diner!

“Its cauliflower and pea” Miss B pronounced as she ladled the pottage into a couple of soup plates. Sounds terrible but it doesn't smell too bad.

“Don't wrinkle your face like that”

“Um sorry”

“Bread? There are some baton rolls in the hamper.”

I guessed she meant the bread bin and soon I was ready to tackle the bizarre soup. Well I was pleasantly surprised. The soup was fairly smooth with small bits of cauliflower and garden peas floating in the creamy stuff. So okay it wasn't Heinz 57 but I can recommend it. The warming properties of even meat free soup are quite good and it topped off my warmth level just right! I could have managed a second helping but the idea of getting a burger in a short while was quite appealing. I tackled the washing up; well I stuck the stuff in the washer, while Miss B got her stuff together.

“Ready Gaby?”

I took a deep breath, “I guess”

“Well get your coat and bag then.”

Twenty minutes later I found myself stood outside of the Diner debating whether I could make a run for it before anyone saw me but a tap on the window scuppered that idea, Samuel Roberts had me. Well it was cold outside even in jeans so I walked up to the entrance and pushed the door open.

“I said she'd come” Sam virtually shouted.

Sam was with several other teens in a window booth and with an inward sigh I headed over. Of the others in the group, three lads and two girls, I only recognised Sam and one other, Dan Martin. Oh brother, just what I need a homophobic maniac and I'm dressed as a girl.

“Hey Mad, you warmed up now?” Sam greeted when I arrived.

“Er yes thanks”

“Sam you dog!” one of the unknown lads whooped.

“We were at church Chuck!”

“You gonna introduce us then Sam?” one of the girls asked.

This was not good, what was Mad up to with this gorilla?

“Guys, this is Maddy Peters from England,” Sam started the introductions, “Maddy we've got Chuck,”

“Hiya Maddy”

“…Jimbo,”

“Yo”

“And Dan.”

“We've met, hi again Mad”

“Er hi everyone.”

“Sam!” one of the girls humphed.

“Oh yeah, the blonde is Sherrie and the one pulling a face is Jem”

“Er hi” I smiled.

I don't really get all this girl stuff, the girls seemed to be checking me out, the lads too but there was something, I dunno, evil maybe, in the looks Sherrie and Jem were giving me.

“You'd best sit over here hun, away from the BOYS” Jem advised.

I'd prefer to sit somewhere else altogether.

“I thought it was you,” a vaguely familiar voice stated.

“Sandy”

“In the flesh. You want to order?”

“Um”

“Chocolate right?”

Why not?

“That would be great thanks.”

“You guys all set?” she asked my companions.

“Can I get another soda” Jimbo waved his cup.

“Anyone else?”

The lack of reply was answer enough and Sandy departed.

The tone of the afternoon was set when the lads started talking sports and the girls seemed to pick up a previous conversation which seemed to centre around putting just about every other girl in school down! I sat and listened, trying to feign interest but I didn't understand either conversation. Sandy delivered my chocolate and I used that to hide behind. I caught Sam grinning at me once or twice but it was actually the inspection I seemed to be getting from Dan; which was giving me more concern. After his reaction to Em last summer I was not exactly his number one fan.

So this is what hanging out with the guys is like, I'd almost prefer being with Sam on his own. My previous experience on this trip has been that people are curious about us Brits, to the point of embarrassment. My people skills are not great but it seemed that this lot were going for indifference, as though I was nothing out of the ordinary. I'm not saying I am, but you know what I mean eh? When the girls included me in their discussion it was to garner my impression of one of the female faculty at Augusta high.

The next time Sandy came over I asked for a menu, maybe food would help pass the afternoon a bit quicker. The others deemed it a good idea — at least we had food in common! I could have murdered the ‘double half pound cheeseburger with bacon' but Mad would never order that. Instead I settled on a ‘double Swiss' with a portion of onion rings, it would have to do until dinner.

The diner was fairly quiet this arvo, a few older kids were playing billiards and I saw the local bill stop off for coffee at one point. I have to say that I've had more stimulating conversations with myself than this lot were having.

“You want a lift Sis?” one of the seniors called over.

“I guess” Sherrie allowed.

“You girls off?” Chuck enquired.

“Uh huh, you wanna come to Sherries Maddy?” Jem asked.

I was tempted, and I think it was almost expected by the group, including my ‘date'.

“I'd best not, Miss Bell is picking me up from here in about thirty minutes but thanks for asking, maybe another time.” Best leave Mad's options open for her.

They gathered their stuff and I found myself in the company of just the four lads. Sam grinned at me and Dan still seemed to be measuring me up, Jimbo and Chuck however seemed more intent on discussing the virtues of the recently departed girls.

“Fancy a chat?” Sandy enquired.

“Please,” I made eye movements to indicate the current leching.

“Excuse us boys, Mad and I have stuff to discuss”

She half dragged me up to the counter where we took a couple of the fixed stools.

“How's R-Em today?” I asked

“Oh she's gone with my folks to some play down in Richmond”

“Oh” when I saw Sandy I sorta hoped Em would be by at some point.

“So how are you? Em is always on about you guys being so close an all, it must be difficult being so far from each other.”

There is something about Sandy, you feel you just have to like her. But there's something else too, something that I can't pin down, something that separates her from just about every other girl I've ever met.

“It is a bit odd,” I allowed, “we usually meet after school most days and I've hardly seen Ally or Bern.”

“That must be hard Mad.”

“It's a bit lonely.” I agreed.

“But you're making new friends eh?” she nodded toward Sam raising an eyebrow.

“Sort of, but its not the same.”

“I meant to ask before, but I never get Jessie or Mom at the right time, how come there are only two guys with you. I'm sure Mom said there were two your age — in fact, now I remember — wasn't there some thing with the Martin kid?”

What does she know? Her Mums the school counsellor so she probably got to know all about Dan and… bum! Rhod is staying with her! Does she already know about Em?

“Hey you okay girl, you've gone really pale.”

“I, er yeah”

“You want another drink? You look like you need one.”

“Thanks.”

She left me to go and fetch another drink and my imagination started running overtime. Did she know there was something fishy about me being here as Gaby rather than Drew? Would I be exposed?

“Here you go, better?”

I tried to keep my voice even. “I er didn't realise you knew about Dan.”

She rolled her eyes, “how could I not? Mom was all for excluding him when she found out, he owes Jessie big time and he knows it! Oh, is that why the kid he stayed with didn't come? I should have realised before.”

Well she might be seventeen but she's not the brightest bulb in the box.

“It er might have been, I don't really know.” Keep it neutral Drew boy.

“Sandy! Table six!”

“I'll be right back Mad.”

“Okay”

She left, almost skipping to do her work.

I sipped at the fresh drink, Sam and his mates were getting a bit noisy and I caught Dan looking my way. What could I do? I gave a little finger wave — well it seemed right. I watched as Sandy happily took orders and joked with her customers, she seemed so happy and carefree. I envied her that, Mum is at home very sick and I'm here, thousands of miles away supposed to be enjoying myself. I suffered a pang of guilt when I realised that I have been having a good time for the most part. Why did you have to get sick Mum?

“You're looking thoughtful”

“Oh, er not really.”

“I had like an idea? What do you think if I threw a pyjama party for you guys at my place? You could all come over and hang out, sleep over. What do you think?”

I could see a couple of problems but it sounded quite appealing.

“I'll talk to the others, sounds good.” I tried to sound enthusiastic.

“oh hi Jessie”

“Hi Sandy, you ready Maddy?“

“Er yeah” I had missed her coming in.

I realised that my coat and bag were still in the booth with Sam and co — damn!

“Just need to get my stuff.”

“I'll wait here.”

I think she was being diplomatic but I flushed anyway as I walked over.

“Heya Maddy, having a good time?”

“Er okay, my lift's here.” I motioned towards the counter.

“Aw, I thought you were gonna hang some more.” Sam sounded genuinely sorry.

I shrugged, “sorry.” Its not like we had actually been doing much of the ‘hanging out' stuff.

“See ya in class tomorrow?”

“I guess,” well it was inevitable wasn't it but it would hopefully be the real Mad and not me. “Well bye boys.”

“Byeee Maddeeeee” Chuck drawled.

There was that something in Dan's look when he added “later Maderlin.”

I started to make my escape but Sam managed to cut me off and I was the very unwilling recipient of a sloppy lip kiss. Yeuk! Maddy Peters, we need a talk. I broke free and crossed the diner to a raucous chorus from Sam's ‘friends'.

“Ready?”

“Er yes” I replied between mouth wiping attempts. Maddy you owe me big time for this.

“Come on then, lets go eat.”

Ms Bell led the way out into what was now a dark and cold exterior. The moon was big and bright in the clear sky and easily lit the way to the Jetta.

“So you have a good afternoon?”

“I've had worse.”

She obviously missed my irony as the Veedub growled into life.

“You seemed to be getting on well with Sam?”

“Hmmm.”

We turned the wrong way out of the parking area to be heading straight back to Piedmont.

“Where are we going?”

“I thought I said earlier, we're eating with my parents tonight, down in Lexington.”

“Oh”

Maybe she misread that,

“It's okay, you're dressed fine, my folks are really easy going. I hope your hungry, Moms doing a pot roast.”

My burger chose that moment to repeat itself.

“Pardon”

“It's a bit of a drive, reach in the glove box, there're some CD's in there, lets have some music while we drive.

---

 
Maddy Bell 20.12.05  © 2005
 

Gaby Book 4 - Once Upon A Time In America
Chapter *15* Return to Walters
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*
 
 

The evening in Lexington with Miss Bell's family was great. I'm still struggling with people automatically thinking I'm a girl but at least I was Gaby and not Maddy for the night so it was a bit less confusing. The Bell's were great, Mr Bell works for, what was it? State Legis something, well it sounded like the equivalent of the County Council at home. Mrs Bell was just like an older version of Jessica, (that is still weird, calling a teacher by their first name, somehow it feels disrespectful); she's even a teacher the same but she teaches English.

The pot roast was excellent — real food and I'm afraid I wasn't very ladylike, a second helping was on offer and I took it. Well I was quite hungry! It seemed like we had barely finished eating when Miss Bell announced it was time to head back to Piedmont. In fact it was heading towards nine thirty, it would be pretty late before we were back in Augusta County.

It wasn't far up the road before I dropped off to the tones of what I think was Pink, I remember thinking that it wasn't something you'd get Woody listening to anyway.

Jessica glanced over at the now sleeping form of the youngster in her passenger seat. Fran was emphatic that Gaby really is Drew but, well for a boy she makes an exceptional girl! Mom and Pops can usually spot a fraud a mile off but they never said anything, Mom most certainly would. And she's got young Sam convinced; I wonder what she thinks about that, I mean he. I just can't see her as a boy!

She shook her head, all she could do was keep an eye out for the youngster, after Dan over in England, and well things could get nasty if anyone finds out.

“Gab, Ga-ab. Come on hun, we're home.“

“Hmmm?” I stretched as my mind tried to engage.

“Lets get you inside, its school tomorrow.”

School. Urgh! That's right I'm in America. It wasn't just a dream then, well maybe some of it was but that sure looks like Miss Bell to me.

“Come on sleepy head,” Miss Bell released my seat belt and helped me out of her car.

“Thanks.”

I was pretty knackered, its not like I did much today but its been a fairly busy weekend and I suppose it just caught up. I stripped down to bra and pants and dived into bed, I shivered under the cold sheet for a minute or two before I finally succumbed to the land of nod.

“You got everything?”

“Think so.”

“Well I don't suppose it would matter too much, we can easily get anything you forgot back to you.”

When I arrived for breakfast Miss Bell sent me back to dress ‘more girly', why I asked, to look more like Mad she says. If I look much more like my cousin I'll be having babies! So anyway I put on a skirt and guess what? I just looked outside and it's started to snow. I hope Mad wears trousers to school this morning.

Jessica, Miss Bell that is, plonked a load of her school stuff in my arms and we went out into the already settling snow.

“I hope this doesn't keep up.”

I think I said before, I actually like snow but I was hoping to get a quick blast on the GT this afternoon so I grunted my agreement.

“Yeah”

The drive to Augusta High was interesting, snow flurries alternated with clear blue skies, all the time the Jetta's heater did its level best to keep us at least semi warm! I still find it strange seeing school kids driving and some have got really nice cars too. I saw Sandy's old Volvo swing into the car park, okay so some are pretty cruddy but all the same. Not that I'm saying Sandy's car is cruddy — oh you know what I mean.

Miss B locked the car and we headed towards the entrance, a sudden flurry getting up my skirt reminding me of the last time I was so attired in the snow. Brrrr! Usually a lot of kids hang about outside until the first bell but pretty much everyone was going straight in this morning. Inside it was bedlam , all the music, conversation and monkeying around that takes place outside was just transferred inside. The result? One god-awful din.

“You okay then?” Miss Bell asked.

“Sorry?”

She grabbed my arm and steered me out of the maelstrom to a quieter corner.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes thanks Miss”

“I'll see you later then.”

“Thanks Miss.”

She gave my shoulder a squeeze and disappeared into the mob. The first of the school buses pulled up outside and it was with some relief that I spotted some familiar faces getting off.

“Hiya Mad”

Talk about heart attack!

“Rh…Em!”

“Are you okay Mad? You look a bit pale.”

“You surprised me, I was watching for the others.”

“Soz. So is he a good kisser then?”

“Who?”

“The new man in your life.” Rhod grinned.

“There isn't one.” I mumbled.

“Sand said you were at the diner with some other kids yesterday and one in particular.”

Flippin' blabbermouth Sandy.

“I er did go to the diner but I wasn't with anyone. Not really.” Well I wasn't!

“Hey guys,” Em called over my shoulder, “Mad's got a new boyfriend!”

Damn! I missed them coming in.

“Woo, who is it Mad?” Brit gushed.

“No one, we just went to the diner.”

“Must be a cute no one to make you blush like that.” Brit went on.

I tried to make ‘save me' eyes to Mad who took an age to come to my rescue.

“I need to talk with Mad before class, in private like.”

“See you there then, and find out about this hunk of Mad's.” Brit stated as a parting shot.

“Yeah, see ya later, I've just seen Sab.” Em gushed.

“Laters” Mad mentioned to the departing backs. “Come on you, we've just got time to swap before home room.”

Yes!

Mad dragged me into the toilets and pretty much threw me into the first empty cubicle we came to.

“Quick, we've only got a couple of minutes and I need to do your hair. You can fill me in later.”

Thanks Mad, she had her hair in twin ponytails, which means I'll have to have mine like that, at least for a while. Ever tried changing in a toilet cubicle? Now do it with two in that little space, not something I'd volunteer for. But needs must, we did the major costume change in moments, I was disappointed to realise that Mad had gone for a skirt this morning too. The homeroom bell sounded as Mad finished my hair and we joined the latecomers in the hallway heading to class.

I got there just as Miss Jackson was finishing the register.

“Ah, Miss Bond, glad you could join us.”

“Er sorry Miss,” I had to think on my feet here, “I er had to make a bathroom stop, you know?” I'd seen that work for some of the other girls, what had I to lose?

She gave me an appraising look, “well don't make a habit of it, take your seat.”

“Yes Miss”

Short as it was, the conversation was readily picked up by the rowdier element of the class. I picked my way towards Brit and my seat to shouts of ‘Gaby forgot her period' ‘have you got the right period girl?' and more of similar ilk. I was blushing impressively by the time I got to Britney. For her part, Brit just raised her eyebrows.

I breathed a silent sigh of relief, at least I was me again, well Gaby and not Mad at any rate. It was pretty cool, fooling everyone like that, well everyone but Jessica Bell, Rhod certainly hadn't twigged and, I glanced at the girl beside me, Brit had missed our little deception too.

The start of our third week as students of Augusta High quickly settled into the normal routine, I was just thankful that we had swapped back before any classes. It could have been quite embarrassing for both of us as Mad and I don't share the same level of academic excellence in all subjects, especially Math's! At lunch I found myself lamenting the still falling snow, another day without turning a pedal I really fancied a rerun of last Wednesdays ride, see if I could improve my time. Even if it stopped snowing now I doubted it would clear before I could get out.

It wasn't until gym class that I got a chance to talk alone with Mad.

“So what did you get up to yesterday?” Mad asked as we shared our warm-up.

“Not much, church in the morning, the diner after lunch then we went to Miss B's ‘rents for dinner.”

“Less talking!” Miss Cowlishaw's voice carried across the hall.

“So what was Rhod on about?” Mad whispered between stretches.

“What?”

“The boyfriend?” she prompted.

“Oh that. I was sort of at the diner with Sam.”

“On a date?”

“Well not as such, he invited me after church, there were some other kids there too.”

I couldn't decipher Mad's look, except she didn't look particularly put out, in fact more like the reverse. There wasn't much news going the other direction, Mum of course had seen straight through the deception when Mad as me spoke to her and was apparently quite amused by the whole thing, I'm just glad that I'll get to talk with her tonight. We didn't get much more chance to talk as our cheer practice was taking on a more intense, purposeful and I guess, for me at least, fulfilling dynamic.

Our tormentors drilled us unmercifully and despite the growing fatigue we were improving, even I could see that. Miss Bell was at it with her video camera again and after we finished we had an impromptu film show.

“…So you guys, well done, we have ten days before the East Coast Cheer & Dance Champs over at GMU, I'm sure you'll knock their socks off.” Miss B concluded.

I dunno about that but you could see the improvement in the videos — and we thought we were already okay! Not great maybe but okay.

“Hey Gab!” Em's voice carried across the foyer from where she, he, whatever was stood with Ally and Sandy.

“Wassup?” I slung my book bag on my shoulder and headed over.

“Never guess what?” Ally enthused.

“What?” I tried to sound enthusiastic.

“Sandy's Mum has agreed to let us have a proper sleepover at the weekend!” Em filled in.

“Isn't that cool?” Ally burbled.

“I s'pose”

“Come on Gab, it won't be like Anna's.” Em stated.

“Anna's?” Sandy queried.

“Gab and Jules got into major doggy doo after the last sleepover they went to.” Ally told our would be host.

“Why?” a slightly worried Sandy asked.

“Gab got really drunk”

“Really drunk?” an even more worried Sandy repeated Ally's last words.

“Wish I'd been there” Em stated.

“But how could you get drunk, you're only thirteen?”

I could've done without this! What is it with girls and sleepovers?

“Don't worry Sand, she doesn't make a habit of it.” Em put in.

“I er, don't know whether I can come anyway,” I mentioned, “I need to ask Mrs Walters.”

“Well your sister's invited too.” Sandy told me.

“Thanks”

“Sugar! Come on Em, I said I'd collect Kevin from the child minder on the way home.”

“See's ya later!” Em grinned as they departed.

“Bye Rh-Em” I said to their departing backs.

“So, you gonna go?” Ally asked.

“Dunno.”

“Go?” Mad and Bernie chorused as they joined us.

“Yeah, to Sandy's sleepover.”

“You kidding? Try stopping me.” Bern enthused.

“Ye---ah!” Mad confirmed.

“Gab?” Al pressed.

“I'll ask.”

A horn tooted outside and I looked out to see Mrs W's old Subaru waiting.

“I gotta go, see you guys tomorrow”

“Laters” Bern called.

“Bye Gab” Ally added.

The snow had stopped mid afternoon but what had settled was still about, the freezing temperature that allowed that was more than enough to send shivers up my skirt on the short walk to my ride.

“You okay Gaby?”

“A bit cold.”

“You got everything you need?”

“I think so.”

“Well don't be shy to ask if you need more towels or anything.”

“Er sure, thanks.” What's that all about?

“So your cheering going okay?”

“Uh huh”

“I used to enjoy it, mind you it wasn't so competitive then and some of the outfits you girls wear these days.”

I realised that we weren't headed back into Grottoes.

“Where are we going?”

“Your sister said you'd forget, over to my parents, its Granny Williams birthday, the others have gone on ahead with Mr Walters.”

“Oh yeah, I remember now.” No I didn't, you could have said Mad. “what about Mums call?”

“Calm down, I put the phone on divert so the call will come directly through to Franklin so you won't miss her.”

I realised I was hardly dressed for a family gathering either.

“Was I meant to change?”

“Juliette has taken your party dress with her, you can shower and change at Moms. You are a worry Gaby Bond!”

“Sorry.”

“Don't sweat it.”

The drive to Franklin took just over an hour, it was pitch black by the time we arrived and pulled in behind Mr W's Caprice. The Williams house was the typical clapboard affair that makes up ninety percent of Virginia homes, someone must've been watching for us, as the front door was open before we reached it.

“Alice! And this must be Gaby” a woman I guessed was Brits Gran gushed, enfolding first her daughter then me in a hug. “Lets get you inside, it's cold enough to freeze the Potomac out here!”

I can agree it was cold and whatever a Potomac is I can believe it would freeze! Inside the rest of the family were all in evidence plus a few more bods who I guess were other bits of the Williams clan.

“Gabeee! We thought you'd got lost.” Brit squealed as she reached me.

“I um, need to change and stuff.”

“You do pong a bit!”

“Thanks.” I stated with the start of a pout.

“Come on then, Jules brought your dress and stuff, you can shower in the guest room some of the other Rels will be a bit late but I know my cousins are dying to meet you!”

Great.

Brit left me in the guest room where I found a hanger with my ‘party' dress on it and a bag with fresh underwear and stuff. I let out a big sigh; I really could do without all this girly dressing up. I looked at the dress, when I said it looked cute when I saw it in the shop I most definitely didn't reckon on wearing it! From the fitted bodice to the flared skirt it screamed girl, I mean any dress would do that but this goes that extra mile!

I shook my head in disgust and peeled off my school clothes, which I admit did pong a bit. I'm a bit of a narcissistic individual that led me to stand in front of the full-length mirror inspecting my bod. I reckon that I look pretty buff; I checked out my flat stomach, no fat there, my arms and legs are still hairless and looking pretty toned. It was the other bits that were less inspirational. My boy bits, even freed as they are at the moment, are not exactly impressive, I pushed them back between my legs, I hardly need the gaff! Worse though was my chest. The falsies stuck there are just so real to look at, I'll have to take them off one night this week for ‘maintenance', I struggled to remember what I look like without them.

The sounds of new arrivals downstairs brought me back to the present and with another deep sigh I headed into the en suite.

The chatter and noise in the room died and much to my embarrassment it was apparently due to me.

“Gab-ee!” Brit exclaimed.

“Sis?”

“Holy cow!”

“Stefan!”

I blushed profusely, now rooted in the doorway.

A kindly voice broke my rabbit trance.

“Well young lady, you sure know how to make an entrance! Come on in and meet the rest of the family.” I let myself be guided by, I realised, Granny Williams, into the family room where conversation was just restarting after my arrival. “Alice said you were a little heartbreaker and she wasn't wrong.”

After that I just sorta zoned out. Mrs Williams, Brit's Gran that is, introduced me round her family before Brit took over and a new round of intro's with her cousins followed. How come I attract so much attention? The other girls, I mean the girls were all dressed up and compared to one or two at least I felt very under dressed, no not undressed, oh you know what I mean. But the male members of the congregation seemed to be paying me far too much attention. Most of the names went in one ear and out the other, what does it matter, I'll never see them again after tonight will I?

“Gaby? Juliette? Your Mom” Mrs W interrupted Brits audience and it was with some relief that I followed her through to the hallway where the phone was waiting.

“Mum?”

“Who is that? It sounds like my daughter but I don't think it can be.”

“Muuu-uum!”

“Hiya kiddo. Having a good time?”

“We're at Brit's Gran's”

“Mrs Walters said, so you having fun?”

“Sort of. I'm wearing a ridiculous dress that shows my boobs off and everyone keeps looking at me.”

Mum giggled.

“How are you Mum?”

“Thought you'd never ask. Better thanks Drew, and better for talking to you. The Docs think that I will be back up and about in a week or so, we'll have to see.”

“I miss you Mum.”

“I know. You'll be back before you know it. Maddy said you'd been to a bike factory?”

“Yeah it was well cool. Its not exactly a bike factory, Diane just makes frames, really good titanium ones, they cost a fortune.”

“I bet.” Mum agreed.

They have all these computers and stuff, I wouldn't mind doing that some day.”

“Well if the job as an actress falls through you'll have to ask this Diane for a job.”

“Yeah, oh Mu-um!”

“Got ya!”

“Jules is here now.” I was being prodded by my sister.

“Okay kiddo, take care, talk tomorrow?”

“Yeah! Love you Mum.”

“Love you son and your Gran sends her best. Put your sister on.”

“Bye Mum”

“Byeeee!”

I handed Jules the receiver and sat on the stair behind her.

“Hi Mum”

I suppose as these things go, the Granny Williams party went pretty well. Being the only non family at the do, well with Jules, was a bit strange, everyone else knew each other and whilst they were all friendly enough it was like finding a piece of a puzzle missing. For the second night in a row I didn't get to bed much before midnight but at least tonight I was in ‘my' bed.

And I forgot all about asking about the sleepover thing at Sandy's, I suppose I could just ‘forget' it all together but someone's bound to dob me in. in the morning then. My eyes closed to the rhythmic snoring of my sister in the bed across the room, have to tell her not to sleep on her back. I smiled to myself and passed into the land of nod.

---

 
Maddy Bell 31.12.05  © 2005
 

Gaby Book 4 - Once Upon A Time In America
Chapter *16* Sandy's Sleepover
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 *16*
 
 

“It's six-thirty on another cold WKYXZee morning!”

Wha-at is that? My hearing was assailed by Britney Spears wailing about something, I pulled the pillow over my head but although it deadened the impact, Ms Spears still permeated my eardrums.

“Come on Gaby, we'll be late” Jules voice joined the assault on my hearing, “god, don't they have any decent music on this station!”

“Woz th' hurry?” I mumbled from under the pillow.

I could almost see her roll her eyes. “Because brother mine, we have a bus to catch in like an hour?”

The shower door thumped shut and I was left with Britney's wailing. Bus. Shite! The power station! No lessons but a trip out, Miss Cowlishaw said today comes under ‘educational', so our hosts are coming too. A power station doesn't sound that great but this Angela place is supposed to be quite cool, heaven knows why.

I chucked the pillow off and opened my eyes. Dark outside. I could hear Jules singing away in the shower, why do people do that? I tentatively released the blanket, yup its cold! I shivered despite my pj's and started to try and itch my nipples with little success. Them lumps glued to my chest might look and feel real but the real me is still underneath. I scratched all around the forms but it actually made it worse rather than giving relief to my itchy nipples.

“Gross!”

“Jools!”

“You look like a chimp doing that, so ladylike.”

“It itches.” I advised.

“Whatever. The shower's free.”

“Gee, thanks”, I made a dive for the steamy closet.

“Settle down!” Miss C almost shouted ninety minutes later in the school car park. “When George gets here, I want you all on the bus as quickly as possible please, we have a fair drive and we don't have all day.”

Right on cue the lumbering form of George's yellow school bus hove into view; just as well it was freezing! Which of course wouldn't be such a problem if I hadn't fallen for Jules ‘wear this' when I emerged running late from the shower. So okay it could have been worse but I'm sure jeans would have been better than even this skirt! So okay it was heavy and long but the cold still got to my tight clad legs in a way jeans just don't allow. I know, I fall for it every time but when it's a choice between a skirt and breakfast, breakfast wins every time!

We piled onto the bus and I joined Mad on a seat about halfway down the bus. I was surprised to see that Sandy was coming; I hadn't seen her until she got on the bus. We may have only been twenty strong but what we lacked in numbers we made up for in noise.

“So you coming then?” Em's voice boomed in my ear.

“Rh-Em!” I complained as he/she hung over the seat back between Mad and I.

“So did you ask?”

Did I ask? Well I did mention it to Jules last night who completely dissed the idea and well, there never seemed to be a right time.

“Never got a chance, we went to a family thing in Lexington straight from Cheering.”

“Well don't forget tonight, its gonna be Saturday.”

“What is?” Brit turned round from her seat alongside Darla.

“Something Em's organizing.” Mad allowed.

“What're you organizing Em?” Darla enquired.

“A sleepover.” Hapless Mfanwy beamed.

You idiot Em, I thought it was just the gang and now you've told the others.

“You guys wanna come?” Em continued.

“You kidding? No way am I missing a sleepy!” Darla beamed

“kewelle!” Brit agreed.

Geez, no escape now, thanks Rhod.

The trip to the power station eventually ended at a pretty lake called Lake Anna. This was no Trent power station though, the high security and pair of concrete domes were the first indications I had that this might not be quite so boring!

“Welcome to North Anna Nuclear Power Facility.” The guy at the front of the room beamed. I couldn't help but think of Homer Simpson when I looked at him, although Homer doesn't have a silly beard like ‘Charles'. When we first arrived, we came through an exhibit that explained all about nuclear energy.

The static tube kept everyone happy for several minutes before Charles, our leader for the day, greeted us. Some of the people who work at the power station helped explain what it is they do. This was quite interesting so I made a few notes that I'll share here.

The first thing you need to make electricity is heat. In a nuclear plant, they use Uranium/235 as a fuel. They don't burn it they use a process called fission to produce heat. Fission is when you take an atom and split it into two. The two smaller atoms don't need all the energy that held the large atom together, so that energy is let out in heat and radiation.

In a power station, they split the Uranium in a reactor. The heat is used to turn water into steam. The reactor puts pressure on the water so that it can be very, very hot and turn to steam without boiling. This hot water is used to make a different system of water boil. The steam from this second system is used to turn a generator.

Important for the heat and radiation to stay inside of the dome. The steel reactor vessel is up to 30cm thick. A metre of concrete and a layer of steel that is over 6mm thick surround that. Then another 1.5 to 2m of concrete goes around the steel.

The steam turns the blades on a turbine, which then turns a generator. After the steam is done turning the turbine, it is cooled down and turned back into water. This cooling process takes place when water from Lake Anna passes through a condenser to cool the steam. The condensed water is then returned to the steam generator to be reheated into steam to turn the turbine.

The lake water— which does not mix with the water used to make steam — flows into a “discharge canal” where it eventually passes through a series of cooling lagoons before it is returned to Lake Anna! The water is a bit warmer when it leaves the plant, but many fish and plants like to live in warm water.

A lot of the stuff they told us I sort of already knew but it was stuff like the fact of one tiny pellet that is 1cm long is equivalent to the energy provided by 500kg of coal, nearly 500 litres of oil, or 17,000 cubic feet of natural gas! Pretty kewl but a bit scary.

The plant is super safe though and can withstand earthquakes, lightning storms, hurricanes, bombs, and tornados! The people who work there go to special classes all the time to learn more about nuclear energy and how to be safe. They also take a lot of tests using a fake control room that looks just like the real thing. Our tour guide said it is like being in school your entire life! Now that sucks, maybe no one told Homer. 

One of the best things about nuclear energy is that it doesn't pollute the air, when coal, oil, and natural gas are burned; they release carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the air. Because nuclear energy doesn't need to burn anything to get heat, it doesn't release any chemicals into the air or have any leftover ash either.

“Okay kids, we'll get some lunch now and then this afternoon we'll split you up into smaller groups for a tour of the plant so you can see what the guys have been talking about” Charles beamed. Kewl!

“Jessie told me about Sunday.” Mad whispered as we queued in the North Anna canteen.

“Humph”

“Thanks for covering, when I saw Sam yesterday he never said anything so you must've been convincing.”

“I guess”

“What's up?”

“You want salad?”

“Come on Gab, I know something's up.”

Could I ask her? Should I?

“‘S nothing”

“Oh come on, you can't fool me. No beetroot!”

You asked for it Maddy Peters.

“Sam seemed to think we, I mean you and him are an item.”

“I don't know where he got that idea.” Came from her lips but the little smile and pink blush told another story that even stupid here could read.

“Well that's what he thinks.” I affirmed.

“Move it Gab!” Brit urged from behind.

I hadn't even realised that I'd stopped. With the close proximity of curious ears I didn't pursue the matter and my thoughts were held in check as we joined the other excitable teenage girls to eat.

Of course now that Em had invited the ‘Mericans to the ‘sleepy' that became the centre of conversation over lunch. Wunderbar. So I sat through tales of past girly gatherings, compared to my own experience they were pretty tame, film watching and playing with makeup and stuff. I guess the impromptu affair we had the other week was quite typical after all.

After eating we assembled in what Charles called the clean room.

“Okay guys, in a minute we'll split you up and let your guides take over.” Charles started. “First I need to give you a bit of safety and security spiel. Now you won't be going into any dangerous areas so we don't need to suit you up but for your safety you will have to wear a hard hat and one of these indicator tags.” He indicated his own. “Please stay close to your guides, no running or playing about please.”

“Can we take pictures?” Sandy asked.

“Well the security guys aren't keen but yes in some areas. Your tour guides will advise you if you can or can't, please follow their instructions, things can get a bit messy otherwise.”

I really enjoyed the plant tour. We rode around in these little electric cart things just like in James Bond which at least meant we didn't actually walk that much. Even then Brit complained every time we stopped. We got to see virtually everything from the control room through to the turbines, which were huge! Some stuff we only got to see on camera as it was too dangerous but I managed to get some pics.

We left North Anna just after three for the long drive back to Grottoes. Of course you can guess what the conversation was about, yup, you got it Sandy's sleepover.

The rest of the week was dominated by the sleepover, who was going, what we were going to do — I had to bow to pressure eventually, it was like planning a military campaign. I hope Sandy and her Mom know what they are letting themselves in for, I guess they do, Sandy must've had loads before, I bet her friends stay over regularly.

Still I did eventually get some bike time in, I escaped for a long overdue ride Wednesday after school. It was a horrible afternoon though so my time around ‘my' circuit was a bit slower than last week which meant Derek and Diane were already in the diner when I arrived, damp and cold. This week there seemed to be more kids in so my hoped for bike talk was restricted to arranging to go on Saturdays run with Erin and a discussion of the crappy weather!

School continued to be, well school. Our cheer practice seems to have stepped up a level, in fact I was glad to get out on the bike for a rest! Although we weren't really changing our routine for the competition next week we have been learning some new stuff which, according to Miss B will make things easier later. I'm sure she knows what she means.

And then there's the news from Warsop. Gran is still staying; she'll probably stay for at least another week. Actual Mum news is a bit mixed though, most of the week she has been quite poorly, not bad enough for a return to hospital but bad enough that she missed the transatlantic call twice. Dad said they were expecting it; something to do with the medication but it's still scary. At least she doesn't have to have that chemo stuff, at least for now. I can't imagine what Mum would look like without hair, your hair falls out with that doesn't it?

Today, that's Friday; we went back to Lexington, where Brit's Gran lives? We had more of that Civil War stuff; I think even Dad would get tired of the amount we've looked at. Today we've been to Jackson's Tomb, his house, Stonewall that is, and a bunch of other stuff about the war. Boring!

Rhod is starting to do my head in. well not Rhod, Em. It's sickening, she makes the rest of us girls look like gorillas! What am I saying? Well you know what I mean, she's acting really, I think Brit called it prissy, something like that anyway, you know really girly. And she's been wearing these really stupid big hoop earrings and that daft hair slide! I mean its not like she looks remotely boyish these days, I dunno what'll happen when she has to be Rhod again when we go home. I'm sort of dreading tomorrow at Sandy's; at least I get to go out with the guys for a few hours in the morning.

“Turn that light out Gaby!”

“Okay already!” bloody sisters.

Oh I forgot to tell you, the fifth years are having their own party tomorrow at the place Justine is staying which is over in Timber Ridge.

“Gaby!”

 

It's flippin' cold this morning!

“Hey Gaby!”

“Hi Erin”

“You look frozen”

“I've been warmer,” I allowed.

“Hang on, I've got a spare jacket you can use.”

“Thanks”

I used the couple of minutes while I waited by checking out Erin's stock. Again! I guess most bike shops have similar stuff, a load of mountain bikes and a variety of assorted Bmx, kids and road bikes. Erin's shop has a more road slant than most shops I've been in but from what I've seen there are only a few Bmxers in town and one or two off road enthusiasts.

“Here you go” Erin passed me a garment, “sorry about the colour.” It was a bit um pink! Well not quite all pink I released as I opened it out, it was a Lampre jersey so at least it was a proper race team top. By the time I had shrugged it on over my other stuff most of the others had assembled.

“You've had your tablets this week?” Aidan asked as I joined them out in the cold.

“Yeah, sorry for all the fuss last week.”

“We needed some excitement” Frank put in.

Diane and her constant shadow rolled up and we were all set to go.

“Where're we going?” I asked Diane as we kicked off into the cold morning.

“New Market”

“We went there the other week, some horse place”

“Yeah they are into their horseflesh up there.”

We went via the I-81 on the bus but today we joined the 340 north out of Grottoes, Diane advised that our northbound ride is pretty flat as we will follow the South River across Rockingham County and into Page County where we turn to climb through the George Washington National Forest before we drop into New Market. Sounds like an okay ride and I settled into a steady cadence watching Aidan's back tyre as we headed past the Port Republic turn.

To be honest I was feeling a bit tired, exercise tired that is. We've been working damned hard at the cheer stuff all week and Wednesdays bike ride was pretty intense too. Of my companions no one else looked particularly lively either, maybe it's the weather.

We kept up a steady eighteen to twenty mph as we rolled through Elkton; I noticed a couple of twitchy looks amongst my companions, sprint coming up! What did Diane say earlier, ‘ through Elkton and into Page County' , that'll be it, the county sign. I surreptitiously checked my state of readiness, hmmm; unless they leave it to the last minute I can break out and do the biz. I gave myself a silent smile.

“What's so funny Gaby?” Diane asked.

“Oh nothing, just something my sis said last night.”

“Must've been good,” she hinted.

You ain't putting me off that easily Diane Biggs!

“Just something about Mad's boyfriend, you had to be there.”

Up in front Aidan was looking a bit nervous and I could see Erin's hand poised to change gear.

“Not much traffic on here.” I noted looking around nonchalantly.

“They all use the Interstate, just a few locals use this rowt.”

There it was, the check behind from Erin.

Pretty much all in one go I told Diane, “see ya in a mo!” before I did my own glance behind before snicking up a sprocket and launching myself out of Aidan's slipstream.

“$%*&$!” Someone mentioned as I cleared the front of the group where Diane was just about to make her own gear change. I didn't hang about to hear anymore, I finished stage one and sat back down to gather myself. I spotted the sign about four hundred metres in front on a slight rise after a swooshy dip.

I decided to go for maximum effort on the down slope that hopefully would let me take the up side at a better pace. A rattle of gears and heavy breathing announced I had companions, I guessed on Erin, Aidan and Diane — no probs. I think with me sitting down they thought I was stretched despite previous experience; let the girl dangle out front! I upped the revs a bit and waited as first one, then a second changed gear, wait for it, wait for it. Kerchunk! Yep three, time to go.

I blew my nose under my arm, sorry guys, and pushed my own up shift lever, clunk and for a second time I was out of the saddle. The distance was closing rapidly and then with the speedo showing forty the road reared up, the sign out of site over a false summit. Keep it going, bit further, down a sprocket, my hill climbing experience stopping me from changing down too soon. The false summit was steeper than it looked but I kept out of the saddle and danced on the pedals all the way to the border a further twenty metres on.

I sat up and let a wry smile come to my face; Bond does it again! I heard my companions variously gasping and cursing as they made the summit and I was another couple of hundred metres down the road before Erin came alongside.

“How, urgh, did, urgh, you, urgh, know?”

“That'd be telling” I made an effort not to gasp myself.

“Gaby Bond.” She shook her head.

“Well Diane said we were crossing into the next county earlier and you lot told me when.”

“How?” Aidan asked coming up behind us.

“Well you were all checking your gears and the traffic, I was just watching you lot.”

“I told you” Diane stated as she too joined the reforming peleton, “there's no flies on Miss Bond here.”

“What do you reckon Erin?” Frank joined in, “she up to it?”

“Up to what?” my curiosity was piqued and the few wisps of snow barely registered.

“Oh nothing.” Diane mimicked my earlier excuse.

I stuck my tongue out at her.

“Erin?” I asked the only sane member of this lot.

“Looks a bit nasty over the pass” Rob voiced.

For the first time since Grottoes I took note of the weather. It was still pretty grey but over to the left it looked really grotty, well the clouds had that faintly bruised look that usually means snow. Not again.

“Best get a move on” Frank suggested, “Hopefully we can beat it.”

The atmosphere in our little group changed subtly, a more serious feel and instead of idle chatter a workman like intensity. The miles rolled away at a gladdening pace as we crossed and recrossed the South River. There was a turning signposted for those caves we went to at Luray and our route edged towards the trees to our left and the apparent weather front. A few snowflakes really were blowing about but other than a few small pockets they weren't settling.

The next junction put us on the 211 and Derek grunted, “only five miles” as we headed into the gathering wind and started the climb through George Washington. I'm sure another sprint was usually in order at the top, especially as I noted the Shenandoah County sign there too but the weather continued to close in with more determined flurries. I reached back and clicked my taillight on, it wasn't much but the other traffic was driving fully lit and frank suggested everyone else do the same. As we dropped off the ‘mountain' and out of the trees the snow eased back to flurries and then out of the greyness the rooves of New Market appeared.

It was a cold and damp group who almost fell through the door of ‘Laras Pantry'.

“Heya” Derek mentioned to the woman who looked up from the counter as we made our cold entry.

“Geez, you guys look frozen.”

“It certainly ain't summer!” Aidan wisecracked.

“I got you the back parlour reserved” the woman was already making the coffee machine shush and gurgle, “coffee for everyone?”

“Nine coffees and a tea for young Gaby, thanks Lara.” Frank replied.

I followed the others through what appeared to be a cross between a bakery and coffee shop. An elderly couple gave us a dirty look as we trooped through into the ‘back parlour', in reality just a second room with tables. The main feature however was a hearty open fire burning in the fireplace. I guess it's the same everywhere, we peeled off hats, gloves and wet jackets and vied to get them placed in a good drying position.

By the time we were seated Lara was bringing in the drinks.

“You folks sure picked a day to come out.”

“You know us Lara” Erin grinned.

“That I do. I told Hank to get yer vitals started, we got bacon and potato soup, that okay for y'all?”

Well at least I was prepared with some money today and if what I could smell was the soup, it was making my stomach rumble. We were all too busy warming ourselves inside and out to carry much of a conversation before the food arrived.

The bowls were huge and a plate of still warm fresh rolls had everyone engrossed for a while. We were onto a second round of drinks before I remembered Franks earlier question.

“What am I up to?” I asked Erin who was seated opposite.

“Sorry?”

“Frank asked if I was up to something.”

“Oh that.”

“Go on, ask her Er” Aidan urged.

“Okay already. How would you fancy joining our team for the Atlanta Winter Classic.”

The name rang a bell but I couldn't place why.

“Join you?”

“Yeah, its in two weeks, we go down overnight Friday and come back Sunday.” Frank mentioned.

Sounds like a good trip, get away from stuff and see the Classic. I remember now, there was an article in the comic last year about it, its one of those mass participation events like they have with the big Euro tours.

“I'd love to but I'd need to okay it with school and everything.” I sighed. They'll never let me go.

“Sorted!” Diane declared.

“Sorted?” I queried.

“I already talked to Jessica Bell and done the ground work, she said she'd okay it if you wanted to take part.”

“In that case yes please” I enthused.

“Hey Rob?”

“Frank?”

“Gaby's gonna ride the Atlanta.”

“We'll have a chance then” he grinned back

“I'll get you measured up when we get back to town.” Derek added to the conversation.

“I can't today, I'm going to Sandy's when I get home.”

“I'll call her, she'll be okay with it.”

My brain started to catch up a bit. Join the team. Take part. Ride the Atlanta. Measure me up.

“Um, Erin?”

“Hey teamy.”

“You mean you want me to ride this Atlanta thingy?”

“If you want.”

“I thought you meant go to watch.”

“Well you are just as welcome to come watch but I thought you might like to take part.”

“You bet!”

Just wait till I tell Mum. Mum! I'll miss her call tonight coz I'll be at Sandy's! The second half of the Virginia trip now has a focus for me !

“Erm Derek, what did you mean, measure me up, I can give you my jersey size now.”

“Jersey? You thought — Diane tell her will ya?”

“We need to measure you Gaby so we can build you that bike.”

“Build me a bike, I thought I'd be using Erin's GT?”

“No way Gabay! Our top rider gets a top bike, no disrespect Erin.”

“None taken.”

“This ones fine, really” I protested. My heart ached for the chance just to try one of Diane's frames and here she was proposing to build one for me! I know what Mum and Dad would say and despite my lust I found myself going on. “It's a waste Diane, all that trouble for one race and the expense, there's no way I could afford to buy it after even.” I finished sadly. Its not everyday you turn down the chance to ride and call your own, even for a short time, a $5000 bike. I sighed deeply.

“Don't be so ridiculous girl. I'm offering you the bike, I never mentioned paying for it did I?”

“No?”

“Listen to her Gaby ” Erin added.

“But it'll be wasted, just for one race.”

“Definitely not wasted.” Derek put in.

“Please Gab” Diane looked gooey at me.

Who would have thought I needed to be convinced to ride a well pukka bike? Oh what the heck.

We left ‘Laras Pantry' and New Market after our lengthened stop with a few flakes of snow still falling from the bruised clouds covering northern Virginia. The thirty miles back across Rockingham County were hard work but even the cold couldn't dampen my spirits. We were south of Harrisonburg before we broke clear of the snow, which at times coated the blacktop, and swirled about in almost total white out and others was merely a few flakes. But as we headed back towards Port Republic the skies cleared to wintry sunshine and the only signs of the white weather were a few stray flakes and a wet road.

By mutual agreement we decided to forego the end of ride sprint and instead we dispersed to our final destinations still having a modicum of breath left. I rode back with Erin who was going to drive me out to the Biggs place. And it was also Erin on whose shoulders it fell to get final permission from Mrs W.

“So you're gonna drop her at the Jones' after this measure up thing Erin?” Mrs W queried.

“No problem Jocelyn. You got everything Gaby?”

“I think so”

“Come on then, Don's gonna lock up the Cyclery so I don't have to rush back to town.”

Erin's pickup has a heater that is either on or off, off wasn't really an option but on meant we had to have a window open! Instead of going up to the house we pulled straight into the factory yard where Diane greeted us.

“Lets get inside, Derek has his amazing box of tricks set up already, you bring your cycling shoes Gaby?” looking at me somewhat bemused.

“Er yeah, in my bag” I proffered my big shoulder bag. The rest of my attire wasn't exactly bike wear tho, skirt, t-shirt and jumper.

“Come on then”

We followed her through to Derek's computer room where he was already fiddling with stuff.

“heya Gab, Erin”

“hi Derek“

“Hiya“ I nervously added.

“Right lets get started!” Derek enthused.

I've never been measured for a bike before, Mum and Dad have sorted all that stuff, the saddle gets moved, the handlebars changed — it's a sort of organic thing with the bike developing all the time. But Diane and Derek were starting from scratch pretty much. Derek jabbered on about biometrics and stuff and after changing into my cycling shoes, well the ones I've borrowed off Erin, I was sat on a jig thing. The whole thing was connected to the computers and we played about with different positions before settling on what felt to be just perfect.

“Okay Gaby, that's it, you can go on to your sleepy now” Diane grinned.

Thanks for reminding me!

“See you on Wednesday?” I asked.

“Weather permitting” Diane agreed.

“Come on Miss Bond, you're late enough for this sleepover as it is” Erin cajoled.

It was nearly five by the time we got to the Jones' place.

“You okay Drew?” Erin asked as I gathered my stuff.

“I'll survive and thanks for inviting me to the race and everything”

“It's alright kiddo, it was actually Aidan's idea, I think he fancies Gaby!”

“No way!”

“Way”

A pool of light suddenly appeared in front of the pickup.

“Hey its Gaby — Gabeeee!”

---

 
Maddy Bell 10.01.06  © 2006
 

Gaby Book 4 - Once Upon A Time In America
Chapter *17* Spin City
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*
 
 

A pool of light suddenly appeared in front of the pickup.

“Hey its Gaby — Gabeeee!”

“Looks like you're wanted”

“Yeah” I sighed, “thanks Erin.”

“For what?”

“Well you know”

“I think I do, it's my pleasure Drew, my pleasure. Now go have some fun, I'll see you later in the week.”

I climbed down from her truck and found myself engulfed by Sab, Ally and Darla.

“Bye Erin”

“Bye Gaby, girls. Have fun.”

“We thought you weren't coming.” Darla mentioned as she looped her arm in mine.

“Yeah well.”

“Come on, its cold out here” Ally whined.

I was marched up the steps and into Sandy's flat.

“Gabeeeee!” a second round of overdone welcoming ensued.

So started my second sleepover of this trip. And for a second time this trip I wasn't particularly looking forward to it, I mean on the face of it spending a night in the company of nine other girls doesn't sound bad. But that's part of the problem, other girls, and one of them is Rhod and another is Sandy who is nearly four years older than the rest of us so she won't be much fun. The fact that I'm ‘one of the girls', well that's the point really, I don't want to be!

“So what's first girls?” Sandy enquired, “film or food?”

“Film!” several voices chimed.

“Can you look after that Em, I'll get some drinks and nibbles.”

“You okay Gab?” Brit enquired.

“Just a bit cold.” I allowed.

“Come on we can snuggle!” she stated pulling me down onto Sandy's sofa.

“What're we watching Em?” Darla asked.

“Bring It On” she replied.

“Kewl, I've not seen that for ages!” Amy gushed.

“What's it about?” Bern asked.

“Oh you'll like it Bern, its about these cheerleaders and…”

“Don't tell ‘em Sab!” Brit insisted.

By this time the sofa was pretty full of teenage bodies, I was squeezed between Brit and Mad, Amy and Ally to one side and Sab, Bern and Darla were making themselves comfortable on the floor in front of us. Rhod had the film rolling and joined them just as Sandy returned with a tray of hot chocolate.

“Can I help?” Em asked handing out the cups.

“No its okay.”

The titles started to roll and the girls around me settled, now armed with their hot chocolate. It suddenly went dark and the dark shape of Sandy slid down in front of us.

“Here we go, popcorn and,” she passed a bowl up to Amy, “potato chips.”

I prepared to be bored by the chick flick; maybe I can commandeer the crisps to alleviate the boredom? Mad snuggled closer resting her head on my bosom and I didn't have much option but to put my arm around her, it was at least not so uncomfortable.

Well okay, I'll admit it, the film wasn't that bad. It certainly didn't seem like an hour and a half at any rate. The story was about some champion cheerleaders who have been sort of copying another lot from another town. The new head cheerleader has to try and sort things out which they sort of do by the end, well it wouldn't be much of a film if they didn't would it? At sometime Brit had copied Mad, effectively pinning me to the sofa and defeating my attempts to snaffle the crisps!

“You ready to eat now?” Sandy asked prising herself off the floor where she had been snuggled with Em.

“I'm starving” Ally stated.

“I'll help” Em enthused.

“So what're we doing now?” Bern asked no one in particular.

I checked my watch, eight thirty just turned, this is gonna drag!

“How about nails?” Amy suggested, “I've brought my stuff.”

“Food will be about twenty minutes” Sandy called from the kitchen.

“Maybe we should eat before we start stuff like that.” Sab opined.

“We could play cards for a bit,” Darla offered to the floor, “then do nails after.”

“Sounds like a plan, you okay Gab?” Brit enquired.

“I guess so, just a bit tired.”

“That's all that bike riding you do.” Amy suggested.

“Sandy? You got any cards?” Sab asked our host.

“Er yeah, sure, I think so.” She went into what I presume is her bedroom.

“Um, what're the sleeping arrangements?” I found myself asking.

“Don't worry about that Gab, that's hours away.” Brit replied.

Don't I know it!

Sandy returned brandishing a deck of playing cards and we started an impromptu round of pontoon. I was out first so I retired back to the sofa and found myself checking out Sandy's flat, apartment Rhod was calling it. There seems to be five rooms, the main room we are in is the biggest stretching almost the length of the building. Then opposite the way in there are the two bedrooms with the bathroom between them, Em said she was next to the kitchen which occupies one end of the main room with one of those breakfast bar things separating it from the main room. It must be lonely out here for Sandy; I wonder why she doesn't live in the house with her parents and brother?

“PONTOON!” Mad squealed.

“Aw”

“Bum!”

“Nuther round?” Mad enthused.

“Okay” Brit agreed gathering the cards up. “Gab, you in?”

“Nah I'll watch.“

“Could you check the pizza's then?” Sandy asked.

“Sure.”

“Be careful of the oven door, it sometimes swings a bit.”

“Okay.”

I'm no great cook but it was obvious that the pizzas needed a few more minutes, the cheese was barely melted. I swapped them around to give the one on the bottom shelf a chance and found myself watching the card players from the breakfast counter.

“They okay?” Sandy asked.

“Few more minutes.”

“Okay, oh twist!”

Sandy Jones — now there's an enigma! I watched her playing cards; she was like a fourteen year old not the eighteen she is. I mean most of the older girls I know, not that that's very many would not think it was cool to hang out with us lot but she seems to be really into everything like its new for her. I mean, Brit is always on about sleepies so Sandy must have been to like loads but its sort of like Dad and computers, he's read the manual but doesn't know the short cuts and stuff. Maybe its because she's in charge of nine giggling, make that eight, giggling schoolgirls. And lets face it, she's quite pretty but I think my stick on boobs are bigger than her real ones, I bet she gets some stick for that.

Rather than disturb the chaotic card school I decided to play chef and serve the pizza. I found a couple of big plates and a pair of oven gloves and quickly transferred the now ready pizzas. I found a pizza cutter hanging with the serving spoons and soon had each pizza cut into about a dozen pieces. There was already a bowl of salad and plates on the breakfast bar so I moved the pizzas there too.

“Foods up!” I called over.

“Oh kewl” Amy mentioned.

“You didn't need to do that.” Sandy stated.

I just shrugged my shoulders and grabbed a slice of pepperoni.

The others abandoned the cards and descended on the food like a flock of locusts, and stripped the plates just as quickly, I managed to grab the last slice of three cheese before Bern got there, I saw her take two slices earlier so I don't feel guilty at all!

“Cake now or later?” Sandy offered.

“Both” Ally chanced.

“I'm stuffed, later.” Bern told us.

“We can have it with hot choccy later” Em suggested.

“Well I'm on a diet anyway” Darla put in.

“Yeah, see food, she see's it” Amy started.

“And she eats it!” Sabby finished the sentence.

There was a communal groan and a pout from Darla to that.

“So we doing nails now?” Sandy enquired.

“We should leave that till later when we've changed.” Brit suggested.

“Lets do everyone's hair!” Sab enthused.

“Great idea Sab, what shall we do?”

Well I refuse to try and tell you what went on for the next hour or so. I know my hair was restyled about six times and the amateur hairdressing championships finally halted when me, Em and Darla found ourselves sporting a ridiculous amount of styling foam and very sticky and stupid punk hair do's.

“Yuck! I've got to wash my hair!” I stated.

“Me too” Em agreed.

“Anyone else?” Sandy enquired.

“Well I can't leave mine like this.” Darla mentioned.

“If you use my bathroom Darla, Em and Gab can go over to the house, it'll be quicker that way.”

“Good idea Sand!” Em agreed, “come on Gab, grab your coat!”

So it was that I was half dragged out into the cold January night.

“Flippin' ‘eck, its cold out here!”

“Brrrr” agreed Rhod as he led the way to the Jones mansion, and I mean mansion too!

We hurried across to the kitchen door and I followed Rhod inside.

“Who's there? Is that you Sandy?” Mrs. Jones voice came from the hallway.

“It's Em and Gaby.” Rhod replied.

Mrs. J came in to the kitchen.

“Oh hi girls. My they are interesting hairstyles!”

“Um yes” I agreed.

“Everything okay over there? I wasn't expecting to see you until tomorrow.”

“Great thanks Mary, but these barnets are a bit much so Sandy suggested using your downstairs bathroom to wash it out, Darla is using Sandy's.”

Geez Rhod, when did you become motor mouth? And calling Mrs. Jones by her first name too, that is so, so weird.

“Okay, you do look a sight. You know where it is Em, try to keep the noise down, Kevin's room is right above and I only just got him down.”

“Sure” Em agreed.

“I expect I'll see you in the morning then, goodnight.”

I only then realised she was already dressed for bed.

“Goodnight Mrs. Jones.”

“Night Mary.”

Em tugged me out into the hallway and angled across to a door under the stairway.

“Cool huh?” Rhod mentioned as the light came on revealing a room apparently made of mirrors.

“Weird”

“There's a shower over there, you use that and I'll use the sink.”

“Okay” I agreed. I felt more comfortable after Rhod locked the door but still a little strange as I stripped off in this strange house.

“There some shampoo?” I enquired.

“Um,” he opened a hidden cabinet, “yeah here you go.”

He chucked one of those sachet things over, you know like you get in hotels, then a second that had conditioner in.

“Thanks.”

I only intended washing my hair but at the last minute decided I might as well go the full Monty so I disappeared into the shower and closed the door. I was soon luxuriating in the stream of hot needles that caressed my back and shoulders. My mind tuned everything else out and I let the hot water play over me for a few blissful minutes. I was roused by a rap on the shower door.

“Come on Gab, we're missing the party.”

“Okay, minute”

I quickly washed my hair and got it back to a more natural condition, so okay the shampoo wasn't my usual but at least it shifted all that gunk. I emerged into the steamy bathroom wrapped in a towel.

“Rhod!”

“Shush!” he pointed to the ceiling.

“What have you done?”

“Nothing. Why?”

“Your, your hair.”

“What?” he sounded perplexed.

“It's, it's… look in the mirror.”

He wiped the steam from a section of the extensive reflective surfaces.

“Oh shit!”

It was my turn to shush Rhod.

“Quiet!”

“Where's that sachet?”

“Which?”

“Oh here it is.” He retrieved the plastic tube and read the label. “Oh bugger! Mum'll kill me.”

I took the tube from his hand and read it myself, ‘Henna conditioner with B2'.

 

“That's the stuff we used on Sonia.”

“I am so dead” he moaned.

“It'll have washed out by the time we go back.”

“I doubt it.”

I know it was still wet but Rhod's hair was now distinctly red and I mean not just a subtle hint either, I bet Mrs. J uses that stuff, she has red hair.

“Well it's done now, we'll sort something out, we can always dye it back.”

“I guess”

“Let me get dressed and we'll go back to the flat.”

“Apartment” he replied automatically.

“Whatever.”

I got myself dressed, I left my socks off to save time and I joined the new carrot top on the trip back to Sandy's pad. It was starting to frost outside and I immediately regretted not putting my socks back on as my legs immediately lost sensation. We almost ran across to the carriage house and up the stairs, virtually falling into the building.

“Shut that door!”

“Ooh Everard!” Bern added to Sab's statement.

“Eh?” I queried.

“Never mind,” Bern replied, “oh my God Rh... Em!”

Well that did it. Rhod burst into tears and ran to his bedroom slamming the door behind him.

“Gab? What's up?” Sandy asked.

“Um, h..She had a bit of an accident”

“Accident? Is she okay, what did she do, I'll get Mom!” Sandy was reaching for hysteria with both hands.

“She um accidentally dyed her hair.” I told my by now audience of eight.

“Red” Bern stated as the only one to actually have seen it except me.

“Red” I confirmed.

“How can you ‘accidentally' dye your hair?” Darla asked.

“Well…” I tried to explain what had happened, “…I guess it was your mums Sandy, Em thought it was just conditioner.”

We could still hear muffled sobs from the other room.

“I'll sort her out.” Ally stated. If anyone can sort Em it'll be Ally.

“See if you can get her back out here.” Sandy mentioned.

“Okay” and Ally slipped into Rhod's room, shutting the door behind her.

“Bummer” Amy stated.

“Come on guys, she'll be okay in a few, lets do our nails.” Brit tried to lift the dampened mood.

“Good idea.” Mad agreed.

By the time Rhod and Ally re-emerged into the main room I was the ‘proud' owner of a ‘French Polish' on my hands and glittery pink toenails. In fact everyone had a ‘French Polish' as a majority seemed to think it would look good for the cheer competition next week. So okay I got duped with the toes, at least no one is likely to see them.

“You okay now Em?” Sandy enquired.

“No she's not” Ally replied.

I could see why. When it was wet it just looked reddish, now it was dry, well there's no getting away from it, its red, the henna must've been pretty strong to do that on Rhod's nearly black hair. Actually it suits her/him, I never realised Rhod had so many freckles.

“What's done's done” Em pointed out.

“We too late for nails?” Ally asked.

“Never!” Sab stated.

“Cake?” Sandy offered.

Now that's something I can go for!

So while the nail squad turned their attentions to Rhod and Al, I helped Sandy in the kitchenette.

“This is fun huh?”

“Except for R...Em's hair” I agreed, it would be churlish not too. I mean it might not be my first choice but it hasn't been that bad.

“I never thought it would be this good” Sandy mentioned.

Strange thing to say, its not like she's had my prior experience of a girls night in, well out. Well I don't think so anyway.

“Um what are we doing now?”

“Dunno Gab, I've got some games?”

“Hey Gab” Brit called, “we getting that cake?”

“Just making the drinks.”

Fifteen minutes later I was just finishing my drink.

“Lets spin the bottle” Bernie suggested.

“What's that?” Amy asked.

Even I know that.

“You know, we all sit round and like spin a bottle and whoever it points to has to do something or answer a question or something.” Bern explained.

“That spin a bottle!” Amy grinned.

“Count me in” Brit stated.

“Sounds like I need to find a bottle.” Sandy observed.

At least it isn't forfeits.

Spin the bottle is one of those ‘games' that can go on for ever, specially when you've got this many in. the rules are somewhat fluid of course, there wasn't really any option about taking part and to be honest a boy in my place could find out some interesting stuff if he plays his cards right!

Whor, whor, whorr, whorrr, whorrrrrr, shrum.

“Gabeee!” Darla exclaimed.

Damn.

“Truth or dare Gab?” Mad asked, having the chair after getting called last spin.

I hesitated, weighing my options. Things started pretty straightforward, but things have moved to a new level now. We've had a display of bra removal while keeping your top on, a confession of lurv for Brad Pitt and a leg-kissing episode. But now things have moved to another plane, Mad just took a dare and had to tongue Amy — gross! I would've chanced the dare but for that.

“Truth?”

“Go for it Gab” Ally enthused, cheers.

Mad must have been thinking of a question before because she immediately came back.

“Who would you most like to snog?”

Oh geez. Maad! No time to think.

“Angelina Jolie”

“Ew!” Sab screwed up her face.

“What?” then I realised what I'd said. As Drew, myself that is, my answer would have been fine but as Gaby, well, nuff said.

“Grow up Sab, I'd give her a go,” Darla opined.

“Good call Gab” Bernie added.

Phew. I grabbed the bottle and made ready to spin.

“Ready?”

“Spin it already” Amy prompted.

The bottle spinning went on for a while but about eleven Sandy suggested we get changed and sort the sleeping arrangements out. Great. At least the bottle was put away.

“Your stuff is in my room.” Em advised.

“Thanks.”

“Come on we can change quickly and get a good spot to sleep.”

I hadn't in truth thought much about the actual sleeping arrangements. Brit had brought my Pj's over along with a sleeping bag each, I only realised we'd be camping on Sandy's floor when Rhod dragged his quilt off the bed and guided me back to the main room.

“We just going to bed?” Mad enquired.

“As if!” Darla replied.

I found myself sandwiched between my ‘protectors again as we settled down for what Amy called ‘scary time', otherwise known as ‘ghost story time'. My eyes began to close as Darla headed into a variation of Sleepy Hollow, and at some point I lost my fight with consciousness.

---

 
Maddy Bell 28.01.06  © 2006
 

Gaby Book 4 - Once Upon A Time In America
Chapter *18* More White Stuff
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!

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Chapter *18*
 
 

I woke up with a very strong desire to pee. And a stiff neck! A quick scan of my surroundings confirmed the feeling I had of not being at the Walters, that's right this is Sandy's flat. There seemed to be a strange not quite right glow in the room as I carefully picked my way towards the bathroom or what I thought was at any rate.

An icy blast and a vision of whiteness changed that assumption as I slammed the door shut and shivered with an extra degree or two of cold. I really, really needed that wee now so with renewed focus I leaped across the bodies strewn across the floor and into the thankfully empty toilet.

By the time I exited the bathroom a couple of other huddles of bedclothes were moving.

“Mornin'” a bleary eyed Maddy managed as I returned to my still vaguely warm bedding, “wassa time?”

“Um, seven thirtyish”

“Urgh!”

“It's snowing again,” I mentioned.

“Just what we need.” Mad moaned.

Well its not like we really have anything planned for today, well I don't anyway.

“Hi guys” Sandy's cheery greeting was far too awake for this time on a Sunday morning.

I snuggled into my sleeping bag but now I'm awake I just feel cold.

“Anyone want a drink?” Sandy offered from the kitchenette.

“Tea please” Ems voice mumbled from a nearby huddle.

“Anyone else, Gaby?”

“Er yes please Sandy” at least it would help warm me up.

Over the next thirty minutes everyone succumbed to consciousness and just after eight a flock of teenagers darted through the snow across to the Jones house where ‘call me Mary' Jones had breakfast on the go, mmmm, it smells delicious.

“Morning girls, breakfast won't be long, help yourselves to juice.”

“I'll give you a hand Mom.” Sandy offered.

On offer was basically what Brit calls a ‘full American', bacon, potato waffles, mushrooms, tomato then there was a plate of pancakes which I must admit were scrummy. At some point Sandy's little rug rat brother Kevin arrived and Mr. Jones appeared only long enough to collect a mug of coffee.

“Mfanwy Morgan, what have you done to your hair?”

I'd forgotten about Rhod's change of hair colour.

“It wasn't on purpose” Em replied, “Mum's gonna go mental!”

“Whoa, whoa! I'm not sure I want to know the detail just now. It does suit you tho'”

I can see why she's a counselor.

“You working today Sandy?”

“Late shift Mom.”

“So you girls got anything planned?”

Well what we did end up doing was fun and practical, a combination of clearing the drive and building a humongous snowman! It was still snowing but only lightly and the activity offset the cold to some extent. By lunch however it was time to go our separate ways, me and Brit were the last as we were going to the diner with Sandy and Rhod, I mean Em, Mrs. W was picking us up later.

When we got to the Diner there was an unexpected complication in the form of Sam. You remember Sam, the would be boyfriend of my girlfriend — he wishes!

“Hey Maddy, I thought you couldn't make it this week?”

Now what do I do? What has Mad said? Whilst I was formulating a reply I was rescued in effect by Brit.

“Sam you idiot, Mad's not here!”

“She is stupid, right next to you,” he turned to Dan beside him in the booth, “girls!”

“Er bro, I think you need to get glasses, that's her cousin, Gaby. Heya Gab, Em.” Dan offered.

“Dan“ I allowed.

“No way” Sam muttered.

“Way dude.”

“Jerk” Brit stated as the three of us sat in the corner booth.

“You think Mad is keen on him?” Em enquired.

“Well he thinks so” Brit supplied.

“I don't think so.” I added. Was she though? I mean it was clear last weekend that they were quite friendly but was it really serious on Mad's part? I'll have to have a chat with cousin Madeline!

“And that asshole Dan” Brit went on.

“He's not that bad.” I was as surprised as Brit at Rhod's declaration.

“You are kidding right? After last year in Warsop?” Brit pursued.

“We all make mistakes.” Em stated.

“Mistakes!” Brit was almost apoplectic.

“He's quite cute really” Em went on looking across the room towards the boy's booth.

“Em!”

“Well he is”

“What are you guys talking about?” Sandy asked arriving with our drinks.

“Boys” I sighed.

“Don't tell me, Samuel Roberts and Dan Martin?” she suggested. “Mad came to meet Sam last Sunday” Sandy went on.

“She, er said” I put in.

“Have to go, catch you later.”

“Mad's going with Sam Roberts?” Brit seized on this bit of information like a terrier.

“I er dunno, she told me she came to the diner last week and saw him.”

“I'm sure she said Miss Bell took her over there for dinner too.” Em added.

“Well I suppose he is on the basketball team.” Brit allowed thoughtfully.

“You okay Gabs?” Em enquired.

“Um yeah” I busied myself with the hot chocolate Sandy had supplied.

I sort of switched off, Rhod and Brit were having quite a conversation but I wasn't listening at all. A few flakes of snow were drifting down out of the bruised afternoon sky and adding themselves to that already on the ground from last night. My thoughts wandered away from the present….

“He's in my homeroom, he gets a lift home with us sometimes”

 

“Oh.”

 

“There's nothing going on,” she blurted.

 

“Right!”

 

“Really, we just do homeroom together, honest.”

And she wasn't exactly denying much on Monday either. Should I be bothered? Its not like I care really. Who am I kidding? Of course I care! She's my girlfriend. But am I her boyfriend? Now that's a question I'd never really considered before, does Mad see me as her boyfriend or just boy friend? We have had the occasional snog but what does that prove? And we're related. Does that make a difference? Are we just ‘close family'?

“Gabs, Moms here,” Brits voice brought my daydreaming to an end.

“Hi girls, I thought I'd best come a bit early with the weather the way it is.” Mrs W mentioned as she joined us.

“I guess” Brit sounded disappointed.

I checked outside the window, it wasn't heavy but those snowflakes were now descending from an almost black sky and were settling on the cars in the car park as well as coating the tarmac.

“You girls ready? Gaby?”

“Um, sure Mrs Walters.” I pulled my coat on and gathered my stuff together.

“You guys off?” Sandy asked.

“Uh huh” Brit offered.

“I hope they weren't any trouble Sandy.”

“Not at all Mrs Walters, I enjoyed it as much as them.” She replied.

“Well that's good to hear. Tell your Mom hi Sandy”

“I will.”

“Come on then girls, bye Sandy, Merfanwee.”

“Bye guys” Sandy countered which started the usual, by now, round of hugs, air kissing and exchange of farewells.

“Mum!”

“Easy on the volume kiddo”

“Sorry”

“You have a good weekend?

“Well it was okay. Never guess what?”

I spent ages telling Mum all about Saturdays ride, the Atlanta Winter Classic, the bike and about a minute on the sleepover. Mum was okay about me doing the ride but she was a bit concerned about the whole bike thing with Diane Biggs.

“Look Drew, I'm not very happy about her giving you a bike, especially an expensive bit of kit like that. What if you damage it?”

“But Mum…” I whined.

“I think I ought to speak to this Biggs woman, you have her number?”

“Um no, I could ring Erin and get it?” I suggested.

“You trust this Erin?”

“She knows about you know what.” I allowed.

“Well give me her number and I'll talk with her then.”

I found Erin's card and dictated the number to Mum. I realised that I hadn't even asked her how she was.

“I have to go to the unit tomorrow for a scan”

“Is that good?”

“Its normal Drew. Look kiddo, I'm feeling a lot better this week, I even had a go on the turbo yesterday.”

“Really?” I hate the turbo; I prefer the rollers, its really hard work to concentrate for long its so boring.

“Well to be fair I didn't do much more than turn my legs for quarter of an hour and your Dad went mental.”

“You should be resting Mum” I tried to sound grown up.

“I've been resting for weeks Drew and I am feeling better. I was talking to this woman at the clinic the other day and she said she couldn't hack the sitting around bit either. At the minute she's training to ride from Italy to Yorkshire on a tandem.”

“Really?”

“Really Drew. I'm not exactly up to that just yet but don't write your ole Mum off just yet.”

“Mum! I'd never do that!”

“I know kiddo, look what I'm saying is, I doubt if I'll ever be up to racing again but that doesn't mean I'm finished riding.”

My voice caught in my throat. This whole thing with Mum, its sort of a bit strange, remote. I don't suppose anyone ever really comes to terms with this sort of thing and Mums disappearing and stuff makes it even weirder. What will it be like with Mum around but not racing? She's raced as long as I can remember, well since she was my age actually. If it's weird for me it must be even weirder for Mum, and Dad of course.

“Drew? You still there son?”

“Um yes Mum.”

“You went very quiet?”

“I was thinking”

“Look I'd best get off this phone, I'll ring this Erin person and we'll talk tomorrow okay?”

“Yes Mum”

“Okay, bye son”

“Bye Mum, I love you” I really wanted to give her a hug.

“I love you too Drew.”

It was agony to put the phone down, my thoughts in turmoil, about Mum, about me, about the bike Diane is building for me.

“So dress up warm, we'll be leaving at eight thirty sharp.” Miss Cowlishaw stated after Mondays cheer practice.

As school days go it wasn't bad. The snow finally stopped late Sunday night but unlike at home where it usually disappears by morning it was still as much in evidence even now as it was yesterday. Classes are, well classes.

“See you all in the morning”

“Night Miss” we all echoed.

“Sounds like a bunch of fun” Ally moaned.

“Yeah, three hours on some old train.” Bernie agreed.

Personally I thought it sounded better than going to another bitty museum and Mr Pilling let it slip that it was going to be on a steam train too.

Back at the Walters I collapsed on my bed, with the competition this coming weekend, Miss C and Miss B worked us especially hard today and I ache everywhere.

“Hey Gab, you seen my black bra?”

“In the washing thing?”

“Oh right, thanks sis, um you've not got one I could borrow?”

“Second drawer” I replied without opening my eyes.

How many boys get to lend their sister clean underwear? More to the point, a bra? Not many and I wish I wasn't one of them. What's worse is that Jules seems to be treating me more and more like a sister. In the past, when Gaby has inadvertently made an extended visit she's been, well just about tolerant but still treated me like her brother . This time it's been over three weeks already and she's; well she's treating me like a girl, a sister . I suppose when I'm looking so girly, I've even got my ‘breasts' and the gaff on nearly 24/7, well I guess its sort of natural. Weird, but natural.

“So its alright then?” I hedged.

“I'm still not keen,” Mum stated, “but I'll take what Erin said at face value so yes, you can use this super bike”

“Cool!”

“Remember what I said earlier?”

“Yes Mum.”

“Put your sister on then.”

“Bye Mum”

“Bye Drew”

Yes! I get to ride the bike Derek designed for me Saturday. I can see Mums concern I suppose but it wouldn't be right if I missed out just because Mum's famous would it? I know that famous people endorse stuff, that's a lot of what Mum was doing at the bike show in Germany, negotiating contracts and stuff, but me using this bike?

The other good news was that the hospital told Mum the scan thing was clear, apparently that doesn't mean she's cured but it's a really good sign. Suddenly life is starting to look up.

“Does this look okay to you Jules?” I asked peering into the mirror at my chest.

“What?” she replied absently without looking up from her Bryson.

“This, look” I turned to face her.

“Wha? You took your boobs off. I sometimes wish I could.”

“Jules.”

“What am I looking at?” she sat up to look at my boob less torso.

“This” I squeezed myself.

“Lets see.”

My sister examined me, poking and prodding at my poor body.

“That hurt?” she squeezed the swelling.

“Geroff! Not hurt exactly, its sort of tender, the other sides the same.”

“Well I can't see anything wrong, you leaving your boobs off tonight?”

“Yeah”

“Well I'll check in the morning but I think its just coz you've had them glued on for so long, it's made you a bit sore.”

“That's what I thought.”

“Tell you what, I've got some cream that might help take the sting out a bit.”

“Brrrr!” I said to no one in particular as we waited on the platform.

The snow still coated everything but the railway track itself was clear and it wasn't actually snowing right now, there was even a patch of blue sky to the north. I stomped my feet to keep warm with limited success.

“Gaby, can you stand back from the track please.” Mr P instructed.

“Yes sir”, I shuffled backwards a step as the sound of a whistle rent the air.

I looked eagerly up the track and wasn't disappointed by the approaching leviathan belching smoke and steam as it approached what answered for a station hereabouts. Behind the loco I could just make out five, no six carriages through the billowing clouds and the single headlamp gave the approaching monster a cyclopaedian appearance.

It was just like I'd imagined, well mostly, the thing at the front, cow catcher I think its called, a bull bar for trains, the bell ringing as the monster approached us, the noise increasing to a crescendo as it reached us, steam billowed past us, I even felt its strength as it penetrated my skirts. It screeched to a halt and our teachers ushered us up the steps into the second carriage.

It was a real old carriage just like you see in those old cowboy films. Hard wooden benches supplied the seating except for a bit in the middle where one of those old-fashioned stove things stood. Like moths to a flame we all managed to head to that area, the carriage was frigid and the stove was the only heat on offer.

“Good mornin' everyone, my name's Zachary Wilson, the conductor on this here train.”

Our host went on to tell us about the carriages, the loco, the line we were on and yes, you'd better believe it, we were going to get another Civil War lecture!

With a clunk, shake and whistle, the Alleghany and Rockingham Railroad service S1 departed Pleasant Valley station. It was pretty cool, yes cold as well, as we chuffed along through the snow covered Virginia countryside. Zach kept up an interesting commentary about the tracks history and the renewed interest in commercial use of the line, hereabouts known as the Shenandoah Valley Railroad. We were lucky, he told us, today's train was only running as a trial before the tourist season kicks off in a couple of months. The loco, number 438 is only just out of the repair shop and this is the proving run.

We chugged alongside the interstate for a bit before arriving in Staunton finally pulling into the modern Staunton station. We all climbed down and Zach took us up to see the loco while it refilled the water tanks.

“So kids, before we get back on, can I have a couple of volunteers?”

Well you know the adage as well as me.

“Its in the cause of history, how people travelled a hundred years ago” he offered.

“Go on Gab” Rhod prodded me and I nearly fell forward.

“Well that's one, you are?”

I gave Rhod a look, “Gaby Bond sir”.

“Okay Gaby, if you go along with your teacher Mr?”

“Pilling”

“Mr Pilling to the caboose at the end of the train, we'll set things up.”

Why do I get the feeling I'm not gonna like this?

“Come on Gaby, looks like we just volunteered!”

“Yes sir” I agreed as I followed Mr P back down the train.

I was right of course. Mr Pilling and I were now nineteenth century passengers on the A and R Railroad and in the caboose, that's a sort of guards van affair another member of the crew, Mary Anne Babcock, took us in hand. Over the course of the next half an hour as we trundled towards Buffalo Gap I found myself stripping and donning period costume. I might have fancied being a train driver, or even conductor but no, I got a true nightmare.

“My, you look sweet in that Gaby.”

“I don't feel it,” I complained.

“Now don't take on so, I'm sure the other girls would love to be in this sort of finery, come on, lets find Mr Pilling and go back up to Zachary.”

To be fair she was dressed similarly to how I now found myself. Which was way too authentic for me. If I'd just donned a frock it would have been bad enough but Mary Anne had gone all out for authenticity and its not very comfortable! I've no idea what half the garments are even called but even if its not done up tight a corset I do know and the bloomer things are draughty. The dress itself is nothing like I would've imagined, I always thought that Victorian dresses were all silk and stuff but this is heavy cotton with loads of petticoats and buttoned from neck to waist. The whole was topped with a short brocade jacket, hat and a ‘muff'; at least I was reasonably warm.

Mr Pilling looked somewhat more comfortable in his long jacket and heavy coat, in fact I'm sure that apart from his high hat, no one would really give him a second look in modern times — unlike me.

“Oh wow Gaby!” Mad exclaimed.

“You look like the real thing,” Em mentioned.

No thanks to you Rhodri Morgan.

The weather was turning and by the time Zach pointed out Elliot's Knob it had started snowing again. I perched uncomfortably on the wooden bench in my constricting, uncomfortable and voluminous costume cursing my lot and especially Em. The stove was struggling to keep anything beyond ten feet away even remotely warm and I was grateful when Mary Anne produced a huge thermos of veggie soup. We halted briefly at Goshen before pushing on towards our final stop at Clifton Forge. The snow reduced visibility to little more than twenty metres at a guess and 438 slowed to what could well have been walking pace if there had been anything visible to gauge it against.

It was blowing an absolute blizzard by the time we stopped at Clifton Forge.

“Holy caroly!” Zach stated as he returned from the carriage doorway, “it sure is coming down. Jerry don't reckon on moving 438 fur a while so it looks like we all is stuck here at Clifton fur a while.”

Great.

“Anyways, we can go into the station and git warmed up, we can worry about getting y'all home from there.” Mary Anne suggested.

It wasn't the easiest thing in the world, climbing down from the train in nineteenth century garb, in fact Mr. P had to help me down. I found I had to lift the skirts up to prevent tripping on them as I hurried after my less encumbered peers through the snow to the little station building.

Being out of season Zach had to unlock the building, which of course wasn't really much warmer than the carriage, we had left behind.

“Let me get the stove going” Zach stated heading to the wood burner against the middle wall.

“There's a bathroom through the other side.” Mary Anne instructed — a file of cold twenty first century teenagers headed straight off.

“Right, stoves going, it'll soon warm this place up, I'll go see if I can rustle up some weather news.”

I had just about defrosted enough to start taking in my surroundings. Those of us not currently waiting to use the toilet were in what I guess was originally the ticket office. Timetables and sepia photo's of the railroad adorned the walls, a sign pointed to the waiting room, which was where Mary Anne had sent those wanting a wee. Zach had gone through into the office and I could hear him talking on the phone although the stove was my main concern at the moment, my legs are frozzed!

“You okay Gaby?” Miss C asked.

“Yes Miss, just a bit cold.”

“I think we all are.”

“Do you think we'll get home okay?”

“Of course we will, Zach seems to have everything under control.”

“I guess.”

“So what's it like wearing all that?”

“Okay I guess, it's not that comfortable though, I've got all the stuff on underneath too.”

“My, she's thorough.”

“Yeah” I agreed.

Most of our party was now gathered in the ticket office, and to be truthful the stove was doing a fair job of heating the space. Zach reappeared from the office and joined us as we huddled together.

“Well it looks like the roads are closed between here and Staunton so we might be here a while. I'm just gonna ring the CSX to see if they're running anything northbound.”

“Can I use the phone please Zach?” Mr. P asked.

“Sure, come on back.”

“As we gonna be here for a time we might as well show you the museum.” Mary Anne told us.

She moved like she always wore the full skirts and stuff and in a moment of insight I realised she probably did wear them a fair bit as part of her job on the A&R. I watched how she moved and tried to copy her, I thought I could cope with dresses and skirts pretty well but all these acres of heavy cloth required some different skills.

We followed her through to the waiting room, which turned out to now be a small visitor centre cum museum. It was quite interesting going around the exhibits with Mary Anne; she had real enthusiasm for the railroad like Dad has for his digging. She pointed stuff out and explained things that I'm sure we would've otherwise missed and even though I'm not really into all this Civil War stuff I was getting quite into it the way Mary Anne told it. We were almost done when Mr. Pilling and Zach came through.

“Listen up people!” Mr. P instructed.

“We've managed to organize transport back to Staunton where George will pick us up with the school bus. We're hitching a lift on the CSX that's due through in about fifteen minutes. If you need to use the toilet I suggest you go now as we'll be travelling no frills in the guards van. Questions?”

There were none and this time I joined the toilet queue myself. I was dreading this, hell I need to get changed back into my stuff before we go. I was actually glad of the draughty bloomers in the end, I would never have managed to have a wee with modern knickers on and all this lot as I could hardly bend due to the corset.

I was barely out of the toilet cubicle when Mad shouted me.

“Come on Gab, trains here, I've got your bag”

“Thanks” I replied straightening myself out a bit.

It was still chucking white stuff down in significant quantities as we stumbled across to where the CSX train was briefly paused.

“Okay folks, up you come” a guy who I guess was the guard instructed.

We were barely all on board before there was a clunk and judder, as we started moving. Outside the snow swirled playful about as we settled into the cramped cabin at the end of the train. At least the confined area was warm, Mike, the brakeman as he called himself, was a cheery chap and he entertained us with more modern railway tales as we trundled back towards Staunton through the blizzard.

Somewhere just before Buffalo Gap the white out started to thin and when we turned away from the Shenandoah mountains it pretty much gave up revealing a white landscape as far as you could see. Which was not that far now as it was late afternoon now, I looked at my watch, ten past four. Shit! Sorry about that but I just realised I'm still dressed a la 1900.

“Miss?”

“Gaby, what is it?”

“My clothes Miss, I didn't get a chance to change back and I left my stuff on the other train.” I was getting a bit wound up and panicky, I might not like dressing as a girl but I did quite like the stuff I set out in and the thought of losing it…

“Slow down Gaby”, Miss C soothed, “we'll get your stuff back from Mary Anne, don't worry, I'm sure she'd like the stuff you have on back too. And Mr. Pilling is in the same boat too now I think of it.”

“Where are Zack and Mary?”

“They stayed at Clifton Forge with the train.”

“Oh”

The train screeched and growled as Mike applied the brakes talking over his crackly radio and the train slowed to a halt.

“Here we go folks.”

“Thanks Mike” Mr. P stated everyone's feelings on escaping being marooned.

Staunton, although under a thin blanket of snow, was currently under clearing skies and ‘enjoying' minus temperatures. Our guardians marshaled us to the station building where we congregated to wait for George.

“I'm starving” Jules moaned.

Now she mentioned it so was I. I thought back — apart from the cup of soup on the train earlier we've not eaten since breakfast.

“John, what do you reckon?” Miss C asked.

“Well I could do with something.” He agreed.

“ People .”

We gave Miss C our attention.

“As our ride isn't here yet we'll get something to eat while we wait.”

“Kewl” Em mentioned.

“MacDonald's, our treat” Miss C went on.

“Right!” Bernie the burger bunny exclaimed.

Well food's food, even if it is Maccy D's. A couple of minutes later I was having second thoughts as I straightened my skirts in the nauseatingly bright and busy food dispensary.

“What're they looking at?” Ally asked.

“Dunno” Mad replied.

I knew though as I looked around — it was me.

“Heya Scarlet where's Ret?” one wag called out which caused his buds to burst into laughter.

“Come on girls, sit yourselves down.” Miss C prodded us out of the doorway.

I have to admit I probably did look a bit strange — even for round here. I adjusted my rucky on my shoulder and with as much aplomb as I could muster followed the others to a table and flounced into a seat. And discovered again that this outfit is not made for sitting in!

I was conscious that there was a lot of whispering and sly looks from the other mostly school age patrons of the burger bar. Well let them, I bet anyone not in jeans and a jumper gets the same treatment around here.

And to make matters worse, when the food turned up I couldn't manage even as much as pigeon portion, I felt really full after just a few chips, I had to force half a quarterpounder down and had to pass on the fruit pie, humph!

George eventually turned up and we finally started the last leg of today's adventure. I know I got a bit stressed earlier but it was actually a really good day — not that I want to repeat it any day soon! We got back to a freezing Grottoes a bit after six, Jules and I got dropped off about half a mile from home and walked the last bit along the now slippery town streets. It was odd walking in the full skirts but surprisingly warm, I was certainly glad of the muff although I had to be careful, as my balance was a bit off.

I was well glad to finally arrive at the welcoming light of the Walters front porch.

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Maddy Bell 11.02.06  © 2006