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Nena: Book 4 - Four Star

 
 

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Part 1
 

Since all that carry on at the beginning of the summer season, things have sort of got back to normal. Den and I have been doing back-to-back tours with no more than a day in the UK between since Spring Bank. At least after this tour we get a few days off while Betsy gets a thorough service and a few things sorted out.

No matter how many times you do this run down to Dover, it never gets any less tedious! So far we've had two lots of roadwork's and three accidents and we've only just crossed into Kent! At least I get to spend the week with Jools; she's learning the tour so it's my girlfriend on the front seat instead of punters. For now she's catching forty winks. Hmm might have to negotiate with Den over our accommodation, I'm sure he'll go for it; we've been sharing for eight weeks after all.

It's been a while since I've done this tour, Goslar and Berlin. It's not really that bad as tours go - just one long day to Berlin, the rest is pretty relaxed. For example, tonight we stay in Antwerp, a bit off course but we'll easily be there for about six. And that's the pattern all week, except Berlin we never do more than a couple of hundred kilometres between decent stops and the excursions don't involve long drives either.

We were back to a crawl on the M25 but we broke free when we reached the M2 slip and I started my last tea run this side of the Channel. There's a good load this week and I don't think we'll have any problems. No walking sticks, only two singles although the rest aren't all couples, there's those brothers in 5 and 6 and the father and son in 9 and 10 and of course two lots of lady friends. I yawned as I waited for the water to boil, yep I'll be ready for a few days at home.

This week is a bit unusual, with only two coaches going out and Mand's trip only being a five-day; we are on our own for the ferry. Well if you ignore the twenty other coaches from other operators and parts of Europe! We were actually running a bit early so I managed to get us on a slightly earlier boat than our booking. Having done it so often, Jules, Den and I were pretty much on automatic, the promise of lunch now foremost on our minds. Of course with any tour, the ferry is the first chance to root out the daft and inattentive passengers even though on first look we should have a good bunch here.

“If you can return to the coach as soon as the announcement is made please, so that's deck five, yellow zone. Enjoy the crossing”

I jumped down to the deck to help the passengers off of Betsy. They filed off, one or two were a bit shaky getting down but they all seemed pretty able. Finally the last couple were off and Jools joined me to wait for Den to lock Betsy up.

“I hope there's something better on the menu this week, that pie last week was terrible,” Den grumbled as he joined us.

“Well there's always the curry” Jools offered

“I'm off curry at the moment eh Chris?”

“Yeah that stuff in Ostend the other week has put me off a bit too” I agreed. I'm sure it was horsemeat, all yellow and stringy then it was covered in bilious green curry sauce! I nearly gypped just looking at it.

We climbed up to the public decks and on up to the drivers lounge. I hadn't spotted any of the usual crowd on the dock, the earlier sailing I guess, so it really will be a quiet crossing! To be fair, the pie this week was a lot better, steak and kidney, one of my favourites but Den dipped out and went for fish and chips.

“So what's on the menu tonight guys?”

“Nothing”

“Nada” I agreed.

“Oh come on guys, there must be somewhere to eat.”

“Well I guess we could go up to the old town,” I allowed.

“I can't believe you've not been to Antwerp Julia” Den mentioned.

She shrugged, “just lucky I guess.”

“Aw its not that bad.”

“Well Mand hates it, says it's dirty and smelly.”

“She has a point Den.”

“But there are some nice bits. Talking of which, I take it you two want to share?”

“If you don't mind Den” Jools agreed.

“Well as long as you don't come to me complaining about his snoring”

“I don't snore!”

Den and Jools exchanged looks.

“Well okay maybe a little”

At least the weather is better this week, last week is was wet and windy and yesterday was pretty choppy. Today though it was like a billiard table with blue skies and cotton wool clouds. The fact we lost one old couple when we loaded back up was a bit ominous though - they weren't the only ones but its not exactly difficult to find deck five, the main car deck even if you don't arrive in the right zone. Somehow they had ended up in the cargo decks two levels below us. I thought it was too good to be true.

We weren't delayed too much and we hit French soil just turned three local time. After negotiating the wacky races of Calais dockside we joined the motorway and set off north for our overnight at Antwerp. Once everyone settled we did a tea run, I took the orders and Jools brewed up. It's not too far to Antwerp, a couple of hours or so tops so we are going straight through to the hotel.

Past Dunkirk and into Belgium, only the road signs indicated that we'd crossed the border. The huge apartment blocks over on the coast stood out clearly today, the only things breaking the low horizon. Everyone tackles the boredom differently, Jools sleeps, I read, the coach was quiet for the most part. Only one couple of women were talking and they were going at it like an Olympic sport!

We made good time and we reached our turnoff at Gent barely an hour after landing. A few more people seemed to take interest in the passing view, not many trips come this way and the place names are different even if the scenery is much the same! We picked up a bit more traffic as we closed the distance to Belgium's second city and Den switched on his new toy, the sat nav.

'Take the next left in four hundred metres'

Useful but that voice is irksome!

Jools was paying attention now, it's not compulsory for the host to know the way but it doesn't hurt. We joined the Ring and were soon heading towards our river crossing, not the Kennedy tunnel but the smaller St Anna tunnel under the Schelde. We emerged into Antwerp proper and our electronic navigator started again.

'Turn left in two hundred metres'

 

“I remember this now” Den mentioned as we pulled up at the traffic lights. “We need to go along where that bus is if I remember rightly”

“Don't we have to do a u turn or something?”

“At the other end of this dual carriageway”

We made the turn and Jools was the first to spot our overnight accommodation, the Holiday Inn Express on the opposite side of the road. It took only a few more minutes to get turned around and parked in front of the featureless building.

“If you can all wait on the bus for a few minutes while we get you booked in please, come on Jools”

“Oh right”

We walked inside and soon had Marcus on the desk organised! There's one good thing about these places, the quality is consistent so I'm pretty sure we won't have any complaints about these accommodations.

“Okay then Jools, I'll go fetch the kids”

“Leave me with this stranger huh?”

I rolled my eyes and returned to the warm evening outside where Den was already unloading cases.

"All set Chris?"

"Yup, lets get the bodies inside"

"Make sure they get off the centre door"

"Wilco"

For such a simple task, it seemed to take forever but eventually we got to our room and some time off from the customers. Its a bit strange not sharing with Den but I think I prefer Jools! With long practice, we were both showered and changed within the hour and we headed down stairs to find Den.

"Ah there you two lovebirds are"

"Give over Den, the passengers might hear."

"I'll swap if you want?" Den offered.

"Please Den, take me away from all this" Jools quipped.

"If you insist my lovely" Den put his arm around my girlfriend and headed for the door.

"Hey wait up you two!"

Last time we were here Den and me ended up in Maccy D's then afterwards found the old town square full of restaurants. This time we are heading straight to the old town. It's not a great distance, easily walkable, so we set out for the riverfront. We strolled along in the early evening sunshine, Jools draped on my arm. There were plenty of people out, lots of bikes as well as dog walkers and other pedestrians. We paused briefly to look at the outdoor exhibits at the grandiose maritime museum, then using the cathedral as a point of reference, headed inland towards our destination.

The little roadside cafes and restaurants were already quite full, I spotted a table at one but on getting there, the waft from the sewers put us off! Undeterred we headed into the square proper and were soon seated at a table overlooking the town hall and the passing human traffic.

It was really quite pleasant, its okay living full board but it's nice to get away from work, if only for a few hours.

"So what's for tomorrow guys?” Jools enquired as we enjoyed an after dinner beer.

"Another easy day" I started, "eight thirty start, across into Germany and through the Ruhr."

"That's all factories and stuff,” Jools mentioned.

"Not all" den advised, "We go the south route past Dortmund, it's not quite so dismal that way."

"I'll take your word for it."

"Well we stop at Möhne for lunch then its on to the hotel, we should be there about five."

"In that case, who's for finding a bar?"

"There's one at the hotel,” I pointed out.

"I guess that'll do" Jools pouted.

“Good morning everyone.”

An assortment of greetings echoed back down the coach.

“Sounds like there were a few heavy nights.”

A few chuckles came by way of confirmation.

“Well for those who haven't read the itinary I'll run through today's ride. Once Dennis has got us out of Antwerp we'll head for Eindhoven in Holland before we cross into Germany near Venlo. There'll be a comfort stop soon after the border then it'll be straight through Germany's industrial heart and past Dortmund to the Möhne Dam for a short stop and lunch. Then its back on the motorway past Kassel and we should arrive at our four star hotel in Braunlage about five.

Jools and myself will be round for drinks once we get on the motorway. So sit back and enjoy the ride.”

I sat myself back down in the courier seat.

“The water on Den?”

“Of course.”

“You can mash this morning Chris” Jools instructed.

“Yes sir!”

“Its like working with a double act” Den grinned as we bumped through the roadwork's which seem to be a constant feature of the Antwerp ring.

There's not much traffic at nine thirty on a Sunday morning on the Belgian motorway system so we made good time as the early morning haze burnt off. By the Dutch border the temperature outside was already in the low twenties and we'd finished the day's first refreshment run. With two of us working it speeded things up a lot, Jools was keen to catch a few more minutes sleep while I settled on my CD player as we trundled through the Netherlands and into Germany.

We pulled off the motorway at Moers for the promised stop, it wasn't much more than a service station and shop so we restricted it to the thirty minute break that Den had to take. Then it was back on the autobahn past Duisburg, Essen and Bochum before starting the loop of motorway that takes you south of Dortmund. Then as if by magic we passed Unna and gone was the heavy industry, replaced instead by fields and a very rural landscape. I checked the map and warned Den to look out for the Soest turn off.

Twenty five minutes later we again left the motorway and rather than turn on the sat nav, Den relied on my map reading to guide us first to Delecke where we caught our first views of the Möhnesee then along the shoreline to the infamous Möhne Dam.

I let Jools handle the intro,

“Okay folks, we'll be stopping in a few minutes at the famous Möhne Dam, which I'm sure one or two of you will recall was the subject of the famous Dambusters attack of the second world war. When the wall was breached it caused widespread flooding of the Möhne and Ruhr industrial region seriously hampering the German war effort for many months. According to Chris here, if you look carefully on the middle of the dam wall you can see the extent of the breach. We'll be here until…”

“One fifteen” Den mentioned.

“Until one fifteen, so there will be plenty of time to take a stroll across the dam and get some lunch.”

Den swung Betsy into the car park where we joined a German coach in the shade of the coach parking area. We ushered our charges off and Den immediately went to fetch his bucket and mop.

“You two go look at the Dam, I'll meet you in the café in twenty minutes?”

“Okay” I agreed.

Once out of earshot Jools spoke,

“He like this all the time?”

“Like what?”

“Cleaning the coach”

“Well I usually help out, we only do the windows, its good for the punters and with all these flies about…”

“I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, Betsy always looks smart.”

'You don't know the half of it! ' I mused as we started across the dam.

The weather was perfect, mid twenties, blue sky, the waters of the Möhnesee reflecting the sun in a myriad pattern of light. We watched as the passenger steamer headed south across the expanse of water. At the far side I tried to point out the repaired section to Jools but the light didn't help in spotting the subtle colour variance. We beat Den to the little café and shop perched at the end of the dam, but only just.

“All clean?” Jools enquired.

“Bug free at least.”

“We eating?” I enquired.

“I guess so, if I remember rightly dinner will be about seven thirty.”

“In that case I'm gonna have the noodle soup and sausage and chips.”

“Piggy” I mentioned.

Jools just stuck her tongue out.

In the end she just had the soup but pinched some of my chips. We still had fifteen minutes before we needed to be back at Betsy so the three of us took the path down to the bottom of the dam. You can see the repair easier from the bottom but the climb back up was steeper than the descent seemed, Den was puffing a bit by the time we got back up!

All the passengers were back in good time, in fact we were all loaded and away before the one fifteen deadline. We made our way back to the motorway and with the sun now more behind us, continued our eastward journey.

The surrounding countryside took on a much hillier aspect as we turned towards Kassel.

“Tea?” Jools enquired.

“Love one” Den agreed, “the boiler's on.”

Jools hadn't been gone two minutes before she rushed back.

“Quick, stop the bus! We've got a fire!”

“Oh shit!” Den immediately eased off and I grabbed the extinguisher to try to tackle the blaze.

The passengers were already aware of the problem as smoke was pouring from the kitchen area. While I prepared to douse the flames, Jools tried to calm our cargo.

“Please everyone, stay seated until we stop then make your way to the front exit, we should have this sorted in a few minutes.”

Famous last words! Well not last thankfully. With Jools looking after the evacuation I concentrated on the blaze. The first extinguisher wasn't sufficient so I had to retreat for a second canister, by the time I got back the flames were licking the side door - shit!

“How's it going Chris?”

“Not good Den, get the luggage off and everyone away from Betsy!”

“The fire brigade is on the way”

“I think we need them, go!”

I lost track of time as I did my best to contain the flames, I was vaguely aware of sirens and blue lights before I passed out.

“Chris, Chris!”

“Ungh?”

“Thank god” Jools hugged me close and I realized I was laid on the motorway verge.

“Fire!” I shouted in panic.

There was a loud pop and I sat up to see Betsy well ablaze fifty metres up the road, the battle lost, the emergency services were pretty much watching as Den's, and my for that matter, pride and joy was consumed by flames.

I coughed violently and found myself in the care of a green suited paramedic before I passed out again.

'Chris? Can you hear me Chris? Quick get the oxygen' my mind barely registered that they were actually speaking German but there was another voice that I should have recognized but couldn't quite place.

“Chrisssss!”

The other voices continued around me for some time before I drifted back into full unconsciousness.

 
 

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Maddy Bell 15.08.05  © 2005
Photos  © Maddy Bell 2001,2002
 
 
End of Part 1
 
 
To Be Continued...

Pictures of Nena have been generated using Ania's 'Cherie' Fkiss doll on Angy-Chan's template and are Copyright 2004. They are used with permission, if you'd like to see more go to www.acharsi.prv.pl

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Nena: Book 4 - Four Star

 
 

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Part 2
 

“You are back with us eh Christopher?”

“Back?” I blinked in the harsh light of the emergency room.

“You had us worried there, all that smoke you inhaled.”

“Smoke?”

“Your bus? The fire?”

It came flooding back. Jools look of panic, the flames, the smoke, the image of Betsy burning fiercely on the motorway.

“Jools, Dennis? The passengers?” I coughed hard which started a session off.

“They are all fine” the woman who I took to be a doctor stated, “calm down, it will hurt for a while and we need to do a scan to check you out.”

“Where?” I bleated.

“the Krankenhaus Baunatal in Kassel. We will keep you in overnight and if the scan is okay you can leave in the morning.”

“Hmm” I allowed before dozing.

"Come on sleepy head, rise and shine."

The voice seemed familiar, and it's in a foreign language. My mind wouldn't compute the information.

"Chris! Come on wake your ideas up."

Language - English, hmmm, not foreign, normal. My eyes snapped open.

"Den?"

"At last, thought you'd had a relapse."

"Where? What?"

"The hospital in Kassel remember."

"Urgh!"

"The Doc said you’re okay so I'm here to fetch you."

"Jools?"

"Holding the fort at the hotel. She wanted to come herself but they'd only let me drive the car."

"Oh!"

"So come on up and at em, I'll wait for you outside, there's a shower and lav through the door by the window."

"Thanks."

It was close to an hour later when I finally slid into the borrowed car outside of the hospital. I was clean but my clothes stink of smoke.

"You could have brought me a change of clothes."

"I could've but..."

"But what?"

"We got all the other luggage off."

"Den" I mentioned with a sense of impending doom."

"Well we couldn't get to yours, by the time I tried to get it the whole bus was full of smoke and I just couldn't get into the front lockers."

"So?"

"So you don't have any clothes."

"Why me? My new shirt was in there."

"That fifty quid one?"

"Yep. Bum!"

It's an hour's drive to Braunlage and most of that time Den was telling me what happened yesterday.

"...So they rushed you off to hospital and left us stood on the motorway. Jools wanted to go with you, but the ambulance was one of those estate car things so there wasn't room.

Anyway, the cops organised a couple of service buses to come out and take us into Kassel and by the time we got to the bus station the office had organised a coach for us."

"Bit efficient" I mentioned.

"Its a good job I got us signed up with that international rescue thing last season. Anyway, we got loaded up, and we pottered on to the hotel. We finally got there just after nine. So we've got a new bus for the rest of the week."

"So what happens now?"

"What do you mean?"

"With the holiday."

"We go on as planned. Sort you out some clothes and continue as normal."

"Right."

"Why? You okay with that?"

"I dunno, I'm still a bit shaken up to be honest."

"It's a good job Jools is along then, I'm sure she'll be able to cope with most stuff."

"Yeah" I admitted with more humour than I was really feeling.

We turned off the autobahn and started the final leg of the journey. I sat there looking blankly out of the window, taking no notice of Den's chatter, occasionally grunting when it seemed appropriate. The road climbed and dipped through increasingly wooded hills, my stupor finally broken when Den mentioned,

"'Bout ten minutes, just over this next hill."

"Right."

"You haven't heard a word for the last twenty minutes have you?"

"Um, no. Sorry."

"Didn't think so, you've had that glazed look on your face. We'll go in the back way so we miss any passengers hanging about down stairs, I expect Jools will be waiting for us."

The thought of seeing Jools lifted my spirits somewhat. We crested the climb and dropped down into our home for the week, Braunlage. The place was, even mid morning, pretty quiet but as we neared the ‘centre' more people were about, and I recognised one or two of our passengers, making use of the free day.

"Oh Chris, I was so worried!"

Jools smothered me in a hug that would impress any bear before I was into our hotel room.

"Go easy on him, he's still a bit out of sorts."

"Oh sorry Chris, I never thought. I'm just so glad you're okay."

"Me too."

"I'll go get some coffee,” Den offered.

"Den?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks"

"What for?"

"For picking me up and, you know."

"No problem Chris, that's what mates are for. I'll get that coffee."

"I was really worried Chris, I wanted to come to the hospital but the ambulance was too small and then we had to organise the passengers and getting another coach and...."

"I know Jools, I know."

"But I should have been with you."

"It wouldn't have made any difference."

"But…"

"But you did what needed doing, those people were relying on you and Den to sort things out. I wasn't in any real danger, the doctors would have let you know if there was anything serious."

"I know, but, but I felt so helpless."

We hugged again, this time with me joining in.

"Oops, I'll come back."

"Don't be daft Den, I could murder that coffee."

"I guess I'd best go shopping, I can't wear this stuff all week."

"Now you mention it, it does stink a bit."

"And I love you too!"

"Well I've got the car all day, we can pop over to Wernigerode, there're some bigger shops there."

"Good idea and I can get a look before we take the punters" Jools enthused.

I shrugged my agreement. After all, I need clothes and the local shops are not really up to much.

"You've not seen the coach yet Chris"

"That'll wait Den" Jools advised.

By now I was at least out of my ruined uniform, Den lent me a shirt and

Jools supplied a pair of jeans so I don't look or feel so scruffy. I followed the others back out to the car park and to the borrowed car. We were soon on our way down the steep drive.

"There's our transport for the week" Den pointed to the coach park.

I looked out expecting to see Betsy, but of course she wasn't there.

"Which one?"

"The white one, we'll give you the guided tour later."

I don't know if you know, but this area was right on the frontline during the cold war. The border between east and West Germany ran right through this area and as we drove to Wernigerode the scars from that era were still evident despite best part of a decade having passed since unification.

It wasn't a long drive and we were soon parked up at the bottom end of the town. The last time we were here I didn't get out of the coach park so I was intrigued to see this little town, preserved largely by the Cold War.

"The boss said to charge it to the company card but not to go mad."

"Chris nearly gets killed and all he's worried about is the cost!" Jools fumed.

"I don't need much Jools, a couple of shirts, trousers and underwear."

"Humph! We'll see, if that lump thinks we're doing this on the cheap..."

"Look you two, I'll leave you to do the shopping, I'm going to check out the train for Wednesday, we can meet up a bit later" Den suggested.

"Den" I whined, "don't leave me in her clutches!"

"Hey" Jools swiped at me.

"So I'll come find you when I'm done?"

"Are you going to book it today?" I asked.

"If you want, I wasn't going to."

"You might as well, I'm pretty sure they'll all want to go."

"Okay then. Enjoy your shopping" Den darted off before I could retaliate.

So it was just the pair of us who started to walk up Wernigerode's main street. I was still feeling a bit frail and once or twice I had to stop for a good coughing session. The doctor warned me that I might have a few breathing problems for a couple of days so I was less concerned than Jools.

We looked in one or two shops but there didn't seem to be any of the usual chain stores. Knowing that the locals must buy somewhere, I asked at the tourist office and we were directed to a new shopping centre barely five minutes away but out of sight of the picturesque centre.

"This is more like it!" Jools enthused as we passed into the air-conditioned splendour of the Harzer Centrum.

"Jools, I'm not feeling so good, I need to sit."

"Over here" she directed with more than a hint of concern.

I sat on the bench getting my breath back for several minutes.

"I don't know whether I can do this."

"Do what?"

"Work."

"If you don't feel up to it, I can cope."

"Its not that so much as the passengers."

"They were all concerned for you."

"That's just it. I'm gonna have the concerned passenger bit all week."

"Hero more like."

"Whatever, I don't think I'll be able to hack it."

"So what are you going to do? I mean I can look after the tour stuff, you can't stay in the room all week."

"I dunno Jools, I just know that if I'm on that coach it'll be one long round of sympathy."

"Hmmm, lets get a coffee" my girlfriend suggested.

"So its not the work but the attitudes of the passengers that's the problem?"

"I guess so,” I admitted picking at my slice of torte.

"Well...I think I've got the answer."

"Go on."

"You might not like it but hear me out."

"Spit it out already."

"Work as Nena."

"No way!"

"Chris. Look, we can kit you out this afternoon, tell the punters that Chris has gone home to recuperate and that Nena has stepped into the breach. I'm sure Den'll be okay with that."

"But Jools..."

"Oh go on Chris, it'll be fun!"

"You are joking?" one look at her face said she wasn't!

"I'm serious Chris, the passengers took to Nena before, they won't mollycoddle you and it'll be fun."

'Fun for you maybe.'

"At least think about it."

Well maybe the idea does have some merit. It's true that the passengers always treated Nena okay and it wouldn't stop me doing my job. But the whole dressing up thing? I dunno.

"Aw go on Chris, it'll be fun"

I suppose it wouldn't hurt and being Nena can be a lark.

"Okay."

"It would be better than moping around the hotel."

"I said okay."

"And we could...." Jools face was a picture as what I said sunk in.

"Lets get started then."

"Shouldn't we tell Den?"

"Den'll be fine, it's the office I'm more concerned about."

"Lets do it then girlfriend!"

"Remember I agreed to be Nena not Barbie!"

"Spoilsport."

At least there's one thing, I know my dress size so I won't need to get into the Nena zone till we get back to the hotel, leastways not fully.

Jools was a girl on a mission; I could but follow in her wake as we moved from store to store. I would have been content to just get a few basics, you know underwear, shoes, a skirt or two but Jools had other ideas. When she led me into Beat Uhse, that was the limit!

"No way Jools!"

"You didn't, you did."

"What?"

"You thought we were coming in for underwear."

"Well that is what you usually get in one of these places."

She rolled her eyes; "if you are going to be Nena all week you need boobs. And they sell falsies in here" she explained.

I sighed in relief.

"You really did think we were going to buy some sexy undies for you didn't you?"

"Well you must admit it was a reasonable assumption."

"You've got a one track mind!"

By the time we met Den I was loaded up with enough bags to sink the proverbial battleship.

"I thought you were just getting a few bits to last the week?"

"There's been a change of plan Den."

"Um" I managed.

"What my lummox of a boyfriend is trying to say is that he's going to be my girlfriend."

"Chris?"

"Just for the week Den, Nena's back" I told him.

"Phew, I thought you'd been holding something back."

"You're not bothered?" I exclaimed.

"Well actually, I kind of miss her. Those trips at the beginning of the season were great fun. I know all that stuff with the mugging was a bit queer but...."

"You fancy her Dennis!" Jools stated.

"What's not to fancy?"

"Dennis!"

"Den!" we both echoed.

"Well you have to admit, you do make a good looking girl Chris."

"What did you mean, holding out?" Jools enquired.

"Well you hear these stories, you know, 'Sargeant Major now Major Miss', that sort of thing."

"You really thought..."

"Dennis you are a one!" Jools slapped his shoulder.

"Well..."

"Lets get back to the hotel, if Nena is arriving today we have a lot to do"

Jools mentioned.

"Did you get the train booked Den?"

"Yep, slight change of plan but I think you'll like it."

"So long as it's booked I trust your judgement ."

We walked back to the car; I still hadn't really seen much of Wernigerode, still!

Dinner was scheduled for 7.30 so when Den left us at our room at a bit before four we didn't have long to make Nena convincing. I won't bore you with everything, but lets just say that it was tight! It was definitely Nena who looked back from the mirror just before we left the room. My newly bleached hair, false bosom and short skirt yelled 'sexy woman' rather than 'drag queen', and somehow it just felt right.

Indeed, all my fears of pity were now replaced by a need for Nena to be accepted.

"Damn girl, if I was a bloke I'd be trying to get in your knickers!"

"Well I am a bloke and you are welcome anytime!" I replied to Jools comment.

"Later maybe, right now we need to introduce you to the mob."

"No time like the present."

We descended to the restaurant where we found Den partaking of a beer.

"Nena! Great to see you again. Thanks for stepping into the breach."

"Dennis how is Chris?"

"Better but not up to work yet."

"And so I am here!"

What a charade! Of course the passengers in the waiting area were all ear wigging - which of course was the plan!

"Come on then girls, lets introduce Nena."

It's a big hotel and the restaurant matches. Not exactly intimate but for feeding lots of guests - well we'll see. The maitre de took the three of us to our table; the bus passengers were taking their places on the tables reserved for Global, a strip along one wall.

"Ready?" Jools asked.

"As I'll ever be."

We made our way to the passengers, Den then started the introductions.

"Good evening everyone, hope you had a pleasant day,"

A round of mumbles was the reply.

"As most of you know, I went back to Kassel this morning to see Chris. The good news is that there's nothing seriously wrong, just smoke, but the doctors want him to rest up for a few days so he won't be rejoining us this week."

"Give him our best Dennis, we'd have been in a pickle without him."

"Glad he's okay, poor luv."

"I'll pass on your regards when I speak to him. In the meantime, as we were running two couriers this week, and Jools isn't familiar with this tour, she has talked her friend Nena into joining us for the week"

"Hi" I offered with a little wave.

"Nena is German and I hope you will make her welcome. Nena?"

"Thank you Dennis. I am so sorry to meet you all in these circumstances but I hope we can have a good vacation. I am from southern Germany, a place called Augsburg, and I work on the tour bus as a guide. Tomorrow we have the big day, we go to Berlin. I think Dennis has told you, but just in case you forgot, we leave at seben thurty, I know it is early but we want to give you a good visit - and miss the traffic! So, enjoy your dinner and we will see you in the morning"

"Everyone okay?" Den asked.

The usual mumbles.

"Okay, as Nena said, seven thirty out front and we'll have a good day out."

We made our escape as the soup turned up.

"That went well,” Jools observed.

"Lets hope the rest of the week does" I mused straightening my skirt out.

 
 

---

 
Maddy Bell 11.09.05  © 2005
Photos  © Maddy Bell 2001,2002
 
 
End of Part 2
 
 
To Be Continued...

Pictures of Nena have been generated using Ania's 'Cherie' Fkiss doll on Angy-Chan's template and are Copyright 2004. They are used with permission, if you'd like to see more go to www.acharsi.prv.pl

Nena: Book 4 - Four Star

 
Part 3
   

"Come on sleepy head" Jools gave my arm a shake.

"Gnh?"

"Its six o'clock already, we haven't got long to get dressed, get breakfast and show you round the bus."

To emphasise the point there was a rapping on the door.

"Come on girls, shake a leg" Den stage whispered through the door.

I crawled out of bed to find Jools already in the shower. Well I guess I can get my clothes organised and find my notes. Berlin today, over three hours drive, just what I need!

"Your turn and don't take all day we need to do your makeup and hair."

"Yes mother"

I dived into the bathroom before she could retaliate.

It was a bit strange being Nena again, the white blonde hair, the slinky feel of the clothes and mostly breasts. How weird is that?
   

The still tired pair who joined Den at the impressive breakfast buffet did however look like, well if not a million $'s, at least a bag full of Euros! Having missed breakfast yesterday and it being a while since I last stayed here, I took a double take at the stuff on offer. I know it's a four-star hotel but champagne, salmon and fresh fruit salad were still a bit over the top. You could have a different breakfast every day for months from the stuff on offer, I decided on some scrambled egg, Nurnburger wurst and beans to go with my tea and fruit juice. The fact that Jools slipped me an almond croissant, (how good are they?) and a chocolate brioche, (yummy) just goes to show how well she knows me!

"So you ready then Nena?" Den asked.

"I guess so"

"Lets give you the quick bus tour before the punters start turning up."

The passengers were mostly just starting breakfast so we had maybe fifteen minutes. I'm glad I insisted on some flat shoes yesterday, the walk down to surrogate bus would have been murder in heels!

"Here we go, our carriage for the week"

Our 'carriage' was quite impressive; in fact it made the now destroyed Betsy look positively steerage class! The latest model from the Neoplan factory no less, a Starliner II, definitely a bit different! Inside though it's a coach just the same, seats, lockers, toilet and kitchen. The biggest difference really is that the driver and courier sit in an almost separate area below the passengers. Oh and of course, unlike our own bus its left hand drive!
   
"So what do you think?"

"I'll let you know later, it looks fantastic though"

"Ot oh, here they come girls" Den advised. He'd driven the bus up to the hotel while Jools showed me over the bus so that we were now parked outside the reception.

Most of the passengers were loaded by twenty past however the arrival of one half of a duo of sisters didn't auger well!

"Um hi, what time are we leaving?"

"At half past" Jools supplied, "is there anything wrong?"

"Only my stupid sister, I'll be back in a mo" and she darted off.

"What was that about?" Den enquired.

"Sounds like all is not well on seats eleven and twelve!" I offered.

The rest of the stragglers climbed aboard then one flustered and one dishevelled sister almost ran up to the coach.

"Made it"

"Sorry Manda" the disheveled half of the duo mentioned as they climbed up to the passenger area.

"My guess is someone got the time wrong"

"Looks that way" Jools agreed.

"They the last?" Den asked.

"I think so, I'll just do a head count"

"Make sure there are bodies attached Nena!"

"Dennis!" Jools stated.

"What?"

I returned shortly, "all here"

"Lets get this show on the road" Den released the brake and eased us down into the town.
   
It was a tad weird being sat in the front of a strange bus, the familiarity of Betsy now gone and not only that but I'm not riding shotgun! Once we cleared the twists and turns of Braunlage I climbed the steps up to the passenger area.

"Güten morgen"

"Morning Nena"

Hey that's a more positive response than I usually get.

"I know it is still early for you but I think the effort is worthwhile. We will join die autobahn in a few minutes then it is direct to Berlin. Julia and me will come for drinks once we are on the autobahn. So for now, please enjoy the drive."

I bobbed back down to Den as a thought struck me.

"We have got drinks and stuff Den?"

"Don't panic girl, I found a supermarket near the hotel when you two were getting ready yesterday afternoon. You'll have to rough it with real tea bags and coffee but I got a load of cans and some of those small bottles of beer so we should be set for now."

"Bottled water?"

"I knew I'd forgotten something"

"I'm sure they'll live. I'll do a walk, we should be at the motorway by the time I get back."

"See you in a few minutes"

I clambered back up to where Jools was chatting with the couple sat on the front seat opposite.

"ready Nen?"

"ja"

"Okay, have to go Jane, duty calls"

I led the way to the back; there were a couple of rows of empty seats so we regrouped.

"God she can rattle!"

"In two?"

"Yeah"

"Says Miss Talk for England!"

"I do not!"

I raised my arms in submission, "come on"
   
The morning coach walk took us well onto the first stretch of motorway, everyone wanted to talk to Nena and sure as eggs are eggs, Jools was not exactly shy of gabbing away! We were barely back at the front of the bus when Den slowed the coach.

"What's up?"

"Dunno, a police car went down a few minutes since and now there's a lane coned off"

"At least its not us this time" Jools advised from her perch on the steps.

The single lane reverted to two after about a kilometre; unlike the motorways at home there were only about six cars in the queue! We picked up speed again and had driven maybe another kilometer before Den spoke again.

"Ot oh!"

"What's up?"

"Blue lights and stuff"

We slowed again and joined the file of vehicles passing the emergency vehicles.

"Looks like someone's gone off the road"

"Yup" Den agreed.

It's human nature to be curious, I'm sure half the bus was looking to see what was up.

"Urgh gross!"

"What?"

"There was a body on the road, just laid there"

What can you say? It's not something you expect to see and I guess we all react to death differently.

"You okay Julia?" Den asked.

"Yeah just a bit surprised"

"Come on, let's do the tea run and hope the passengers didn't see it,” I offered in the vain hope of taking her mind off of the corpse.

Of course the passengers saw, well some of them anyway! Thankfully the roadworks around Braunschweig provided some distraction especially as the sat nav was giving some interesting instructions, I think it was confused as some of it was in English, some in German. Well it kept the holidaymakers amused at least.
   
We were on the main Berlin motorway heading towards Magdeburg before we finished watering and feeding.

"Okay?"

"Yeah I think so"

""They're still glowering at each other on row three" Jools mentioned.

"They'll get over it"

"I hope so Den"

"So you ready for the guided tour Nena?"

"I thought I'd let Jools do it"

"Good idea"

"What?"

I couldn't keep a straight face for very long.

"Had you going for a minute there Julia" Den grinned.

""Just you wait Nena Ziegler!"

"Soz, I couldn't resist it"

"Well do. It's quiet on here."

"You wouldn't think this is the German equivalent of the M1,” I agreed.

Indeed the motorway was almost empty of traffic, it had noticeably thinned after passing VW town, that's Wolfsburg and looked more like five on a Sunday morning than nine on a Tuesday.
   
"So are you ready for Berlin Julia?" Den asked.

"Well I read Chris's notes last night, it looks to be a full trip."

"Last time we came we had a hired guide, the drive around was nearly an hour longer than planned."

"Which is why I'm doing it this time" I added.

"Well you sure have enough notes girl!"

"Preparation, my middle name"

"Well I think I'll catch forty winks" Jools stated.

"Okay, I'll wake you before we get to Berlin."

I followed her up to the passenger area to check they were all happy, then returned to the crew area.

"Well you are certainly chipper this morning, I was a bit worried about you yesterday"

"I dunno why but being Nena, well I just feel more relaxed."

"You happy though? I mean about being Nena?"

I thought for a minute. Am I? Well as me, that's Chris, I was struggling to cope with the fire and stuff. But as Nena, it's sort of like putting on a coat, it conceals everything else. It doesn't make them go away but I can cope with them. Don't ask me why, it just is.

"I think I am Den, I think I am."
   
We drove along the almost empty autobahn for a while in mutual silence.

"I remember the first time I came to Berlin" Den started.

"Uh huh"

"Just after the wall came down it was, about 1991 I think. This road was a lot busier, and narrower for that matter."

"That wasn't with Global?"

"Nah that was back on Wally's. Mind you the tour was pretty much the same as this except it was mid March"

"Bet that was lovely"

"I remember it being bitterly cold. Anyway we did the city tour and all that and set off back about four and this road was heaving, like the M25. Anyway we get out of Berlin and it starts snowing, hard enough to settle on the road. So the traffic slows right up and just along here somewhere its just about parked."

Den has dozens of these stories but I've not heard this one before.

"So Bill looks at the map, 'if we go off at the next junction we can cut across', well he had the map so when we get to the turn we goes off into the East German countryside. So it's dark, there's Russian army trucks everywhere and Bill directs us onto a side road. So we follows this lane for miles and eventually we gets to a bridge across some river. There was a weight limit but we decided to chance it but that was one scary ride!"

I expected that to be the end but Den went on.

"So we end up in this town, it's not even on the map, but luckily there was a signpost for Magdeburg so we headed that way. Well the road, if you could call it that was more potholes than anything, railway lines, allsorts. So we get to Magdeburg but we're completely lost so I spots this copper and pulls up. My German was zilch and Bill could order beer so you can imagine the fun we had explaining things.
After some to do he directs us onto the right road and we set off again. To this day I've never worked out how we got where we did but we got back to the Harz. Ah, here's the Berlin Ring"

"I'd best wake Jools then"

"Okay, mines tea"

"Coming up Herr Kapitan!"
   
The drive around part of the ring was still pretty traffic free and Jools joined us at the front as we turned towards the centre and Tempelhof Airport.

"Not far now" Den advised as we joined our first traffic queue since Braunschweig.

"It's not very busy" Jools noted.

"Not compared to London or Paris at any rate" I agreed.

"Depends on the time I guess but more people use the public transport than back home."

We turned onto a wide boulevard and despite the traffic you could see why the Germans love the city. Unlike the cramped approaches to so many towns and cities, this place was built to impress! Den seemed to have the route down pat leaving myself and Jools to sightsee on our way to the Hauptbahnhof and Zoo.

"Time for your chat Nena" Den mentioned as we turned into Zooplatz.

"Oops. Half an hour?"

"Round it to eleven thirty"

I grabbed the mike and ascended to passenger central as Den manoeuvred Helga into a parking spot.

"I hope you all had a good journey"

"Yes thank you"

"Not bad."

"Well here we are in my capital city, Berlin. We will give you a break here until elf und halb, sorry elefen zirty when we will depart for our included city tour. We should return approximately at three pm and you will have time then to look at some shops, maybe visit our zoo before we leave about four thirty.

So, there are toilets in the Bahnhof and you can purchase sandwiches and snacks in the shops by the station. If you are not joining us for the tour please let one of us know and please meet us here at four thirty, we will try to park close to here. I hope you all enjoy your visit to Berlin."

There was a flurry of movement as they prepared to disembark from Helga, oh I didn't mention did I, Den has christened the bus Helga, in honour he says, of a train conductor from his first trip out here.
   
"How many?" I asked when everyone was off the bus.

"Seven" Jools replied.

"We going for a leg stretch?" Den enquired.

"Maccy D's?"

"It'll do, we'll eat after the drive round" Den advised.

"Okay" I agreed.

The three of us left our behemoth behind and made our way to the fast food joint of choice, more for the exercise than need. It was a gorgeous day, blue skies, high twenties and just a slight breeze. Jools and I commandeered a table while Den went to buy.

"What's with that totally fake German stuff?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know 'elefen zirty'"

"Well I am supposed to be German you know, it would be uber odd if my English was perfect"
"Hmmm, I guess"

"And anyway, I think the passengers like it, makes me more approachable if I make some mistakes."
   

"The large building coming up on our right is the Berliner Dom, the main cathedral of the city"
   
The Berlin tour had gone quite smoothly up until now, Checkpoint Charlie and the famous painted Wall were safely behind us and now we are stuck in traffic in Alte Berlin.

"This flippin' traffic" Den sighed.

"No worse than London or Paris" Jools pointed out.

I had to agree with her although the slow moving traffic meant I was having to talk more than I might wish!

"This area was traditionally the heart of Berlin and many of Germany's premier museums are located here. Behind the Dom is the Alte National Galarie, the building beyond the Lust gardens is the Altes Museum and the welt famous Pergamon Museum, and the German equivalent to the British Museum in London is beyond that."

The traffic shuffled along so at least they got a good look at the attractions.

"The large square on our left is Bebel Platz and has the State Opera house and to our right we can see the library of the Humboldt University."

The traffic moved along a bit before we once again stopped amidst the tourist buses and construction traffic that currently clog old Berlin.

"The road we are now on is the Unter Den Linden, or Under The Lindens, and before 1945 this was the home of café society in Berlin. From here the tourist buses departed and many open-air cafés and restaurants took up the pavements. Since unification in 1989 many government departments have returned to Berlin and new offices have replaced the alte apartments in this area."

We continued to inch along the street.

"I wish they'd hurry up and finish all this building" Den moaned.

"What are they doing anyway?" Jools enquired.

"No idea" Den shrugged.

"The guy in the shop back at the Wall was telling someone that it's a new underground line to replace the old east west trams."

"Well I just wish they'd finish it" Den grumbled.

I flicked the mike back on.

"In front you might just see the Brandenburger Tor, the most famous symbol of Berlin."

Whether they saw or not I'm not sure because we swung right to make our way around to the Reichstag for the last stop of the city tour. The day had turned into a right scorcher and the coach air conditioning was working overtime. Den aimed us at the on street coach parking and Jools and I braced ourselves for the short walking tour to come.

"Here we go" Jools sighed.

"From here we have a short walk so if you please to leave the bus, we will start soon."

Jools headed to the centre door while I took station at the front as the passengers, bless 'em, started to file off. Between us we managed to round everyone up and I got back on to get my sunnies.

"How long do you reckon?" Den asked.

"Forty five? I'm not sure really."

"Okay, see you in a bit."
   
I told you that it was hot, well there was at least a gentle breeze blowing across the Tiergarten so unless you were stood still too long it was almost bearable. Jools led the way and I acted as sweeper, keeping the stragglers moving as we headed to the first stop, the Russian War Memorial. The bright sunlight made it seem less sombre but we fairly quickly moved on through the trees towards the Reichstag, the restored seat of government.

At the Reichstag I gave a potted history to my audience, the irony of the Germans giving the job of revitalising the German parliament to an English architect was not lost on them. These walking tours can be a chore but whether it was the weather, my attire or just a good group, this one was going swimmingly! We left the seat of government behind and made our way the couple of hundred metres to that symbol of Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate. It's closed to traffic again now and a fancy new plaza, Pariser Platz, with government offices around it, but its still the 'must do' site for the visitor to Berlin.

We let our charges loose for a few minutes, taking the opportunity to snaffle an ice cream. Even the relative shade given by the Gate still felt hot, the breeze funneled through the central span eased things slightly, it actually felt good to have my skirt flapping in the wind!

"So, how’s it going?" Jools enquired between licks.

"Going? How is what going?"

"You are such a blonde Nena! How are you feeling, about you know," she motioned toward me, "being a girl again?"

"Oh right. I hadn’t really thought about it too much. Okay I guess."

"Well if it helps, you look very comfortable."

"Thanks I think."

I concentrated on licking ice cream for a while and contemplated what my girlfriend had said. I look ‘comfortable’ being Nena, what does that mean? I absently licked away.

"Earth to Nena, come in. Time to go."

"Eh?"

"Come on Dolly Daydream, time to herd the masses back to the bus."

"Sorry I was miles away."

I finished off my ice cream and followed Jools to where our charges were amazingly all gathered waiting. They all seemed happy enough and we set off to rejoin Den and Helga to finish our tour round Berlin. As we approached the bus I could see Den talking to someone and on arrival that materialised into two someone’s Maureen and George our mates on the Trollies.
   
"There you are girls, Nena you remember Maureen and George?"

"I think from the Schwarzwald?" I ad libbed.

"That’s it girl, how are you doing?" George enquired.

"Very good thank you."

"And this must be Julia?" the other half of the double act suggested.

"Sorry, Jools, meet Maureen and George, mates of your boyfriend and me, they work on Wally’s"

"Nice to meet you."

"Dennis was just telling us about Chris, I hope he’s okay." Maureen mentioned.

"He sounded okay when I spoke to him last night." Jools replied.

"Maybe Nena here should take over full time, we only see her when Chris is ill." Maureen stated with a wink.

Was I rumbled? Do Maureen and George know? I blanched at the possibility of being outed to my friends.
  
© Maddy Bell 2005 
 

 

Photos  © Maddy Bell 2001,2002
 
 
End of Part 3
 
 
To Be Continued...

Pictures of Nena have been generated using Ania's 'Cherie' Fkiss doll on Angy-Chan's template and are Copyright 2004. They are used with permission, if you'd like to see more go to www.acharsi.prv.pl

Nena: Book 4 - Four Star

 
Part 4
   

"Well I suppose we'd best be off." Den mentioned.

"You off down the zoo?" George asked.

"Yeah, a quick turn around the park then we've got an hour down at the zoo."

""Probably see you down there then, if not have a good trip."

"And you."

Den mounted Helga, Jools and I followed and after a quick count, we set off to join the traffic again.
 
 
There wasn't really much to tell the passengers as we made our way slowly back past the Reichstag and around the serpentine roads of the Tiergarten. Of course we paused to point out the memorial at the Großer Stern then it was onward towards the Kurferstendamm where we stopped briefly whilst I explained the significance of church with its part destroyed tower. It was only a matter of minutes then before we were once again pulling up outside the zoological gardens.

"I hope that you have enjoyed the short tour of Berlin, there is much more to see but maybe another visit? We have now one hour and thirty before we start our return to our hotel, we suggest you have imbiss, sorry snack as dinner is not until eight o'clock. For shopping opportunities the shopping is behind us."

For seemingly the twentieth time today Jools and I manned the doors as our passengers disembarked.

"You coming for a walk Den?"

"Nah, I think I'll catch forty winks."

"You want anything fetching?"

"Grab us a sarnie for later, cheese and something."

"Okay. Come on then Jools."

Well our forty minute walk was a bit like being dumped in Trafalgar Square and told that you have five minutes to see London, you take a couple of pics, buy a postcard and that's about it. We wandered along to the Kurferstendamm, looked in a couple of shops, Jools bought herself an 'I love Berlin' t shirt and it was time to head back to Den.
 
 
Den was half listening to the radio when we got back; even with his German the traffic reports are understandable.

"Drink?"

"Please. You two shopped out?"

"Hardly." Jools stated.

"There's not enough time on these day trips, you need a couple of days at least."

"That's coach holidays for you!" Jools chirped as she followed me back to the kitchen.

You know what its like, you're chatting away and something suddenly 'feels' wrong.

"Den? Everything all right?"

"Nena, Jools, you'd best come down."

That sounded ominous. We both hurried up to the front of Helga where we found Den and an obviously distressed George sat on the steps.

"What's up? George? Where's Maureen?"

"She's been taken ill girls, just a few minutes after we left them." Den explained.

I drew a deep breath. Maureen ill, but she's always so full of life. "What? How?" I was incoherent as ever.

"The medics have taken her to the hospital, they think it's a heart attack. George had to stay for the passengers but I don't think he's taking them anywhere soon."

"Bummer!" Jools stated.

"You must go to Maureen George,” I stated.

"But the passengers, I need to get them home."

"No you don't, you're priority is your wife. Den and we two will sort your passengers. Right Dennis?"

"You're the boss Nena."
 
 
The next twenty minutes were one long round of phone calls and anxious waiting. Wally's head office back in Leeds wanted to fly another driver and courier out but that would leave the passengers stranded in Berlin until tomorrow. The alternative was to bring a driver from one of their other tours in Germany but that would still take half the night.

"What if I drove the coach back?" I suggested.

"You don't have a licence,” Jools mentioned.

"Well okay it's not the full PSV but I've got class B which means I can drive without passengers."

"Well duh! George has a full bus,” my girlfriend stated.

"It's an emergency Jools. What do you reckon Den?"

"I'm sure you can do it, not that I condone it, but it would get the bus nearer to their driver. You can follow me most of the way so you won't get lost. Best run it past WA."
 
 
I'm not sure that Den told the whole truth about my qualifications but the result was that they agreed. We despatched George in a taxi to the hospital after a 'crash' course on how everything on his bus worked. He really was in a state and there is just no way he could have driven anywhere. Jools helped round up the Wally passengers and nervously I told them the plan. It was a bit of deja vu, only a couple of days ago my own passengers were fretting over me, now a different bus load were concerned for both Maureen and George.

We pulled out of the Zooplatz about thirty minutes later than planned, Den leading the way and me as nervous as hell following behind.
 
 
Talk about nervy! I would have been on edge if me as myself, that is Chris was doing this. But when the reality hit home somewhere around Tempelhof that I could get into some serious trouble and I'm dressed as a woman - well that didn't help! To be fair, the passengers on here were being angels, one of them had already volunteered to make drinks but the joint thing of losing their crew and getting some strange German girl driving them back to the hotel left twitchiness in the air.

We trundled along, my confidence growing a little the longer I spent behind the wheel.
 
 
"Here you go me duck, nice cup of tea."

"Er thank you."

"Least I can do after you stepped into the breach, I know everyone is grateful for your help."

I blushed all the way to my newly bleached roots. Why is life so complicated? Talk about a turn of events. First the fire on Betsy and now Maureen - what else can go wrong this week?

Driving the autobahn was no less boring, a few trucks to pass but nothing to look at or break up the monotony. I sort of switched into automatic mode and nearly didn't see Den signalling to turn into the Magdeburg Services.  
 

"Zirty minutes please" I announced over the tannoy after I pulled up next to Helga.

I let the tired travellers leave the bus before grabbing my bag to join them for a comfort stop.

"How're you doing Nena?" Jools asked as she joined me.

"Okay I think, it's a bit nerve wracking at times"

"I should have come with you"

"We need you on our bus"

"Maybe, but Den's the experienced driver, he could've managed on his own."

By now we had reached the lav queue, I looked longingly at the non-existent line at the gents and prayed I wouldn't wet myself while I was waiting. Sometimes being a girl sucks! At least the loo's were clean and despite some lingering embarrassment, I was soon through and heading to the cafeteria where Den already had coffee and a slice of choccy gateaux waiting for me.
 
 
"Thanks Den"

"Thought you could do with some comfort food"

"Goody! Chocolate cake!" Jools chimed joining us.

"Hey hands off, its mine!"

"Meanie "

"I thought Nena needed it more than you" Den inserted.

"Humph! Ot oh, visitors." Jools motioned with her head behind me.

"Eh?" I swung my head round just in time to come face to face with a gun.

"Abend, wir suchen den Englischen Busfahrer."

My heart sunk

"Ja hier bin ich."

"Ah gut. Ihr Blinklicht ist noch an."

I let out a breath, "Vielen Dank." I smiled back.

"Sind Sie Deutsche?"

"Neh, meine Mutter ist Deutsche, aus Augsburg."

It was a little lie but the truth would be worse.

"Sehr gut," he smiled, "Blinker".

"Danke"

"Wiedersehen Fräulein und gute Fahrt."

"Tschüss"

The cop departed towards his colleague who was now waiting at the door.  
 

"What the heck was that all about?" Den asked once the coast was clear.

"Apparently I've left my flashers on"

"I think he was smitten,” Jools stated.

"Was not,” I snapped.

"Girls!" Den interjected. "Best turn them off Nena, they'll hang about till you do, remember Cologne last Christmas?"

I sure did, we got a right rollicking for not getting a stoplight fixed straight away.

"Okay, and you leave my cake alone!" I glared at my girlfriend.
 
 
It felt more than a bit strange walking out to 'my' coach. Boss man suggested I get a PSV licence earlier in the year, just in case, I'm sure he never envisioned this happening tho. My full test is booked for next month so I suppose the practice won't do any harm. Den was right, the cops were waiting, I slipped on board, hit the switch and by the time I was off the bus again, they were off. So much for half an hour break, what with queuing for toilets and turning lights off I'll be lucky to get fifteen!
 
 
The guys were talking about Maureen and George when I got back.

"Sorted?"

"Yeah, they were waiting"

"Told you"

"We were just saying" Jools started, “that maybe I should come with you for the last bit."

"Erm"

"It's alright Nena, I suggested it, you'll need a navigator, and Jools can drive you both back to Braunlage later."

On one hand it was very tempting, on the other I felt slightly affronted that Den thought I needed help.

"I can cope okay"

Something in my tone gave me away.

"We didn't mean that you couldn't do it, its just, well you know, single girl alone and all that" Jools added.

Was I being stubborn? I'm thinking like a bloke I suppose and currently I couldn't be dressed or look much less manly than I do right now. Yeah, I would've had a go at Jools for even suggesting going alone and here I am doing just that - too much of Chris showing through!

"If you don't want..." Jools pouted.

"I er, yes that would be great, if you are sure Den?"

"Thank heavens for that, I thought I was going to have to force you to take her! I'll feel a bit happier with the two of you together."

So I was manoeuvred into it but, well it will be comforting to have someone else along. I finished my cake and coffee and in a still contemplative mood the three of us headed back out to our transports.
 
 
"Hello everybody, my colleague from Global, Julia, will be travelling with us to your hotel as I can't drive and read the karte. Hopefully we will arrive about acht heure in time for your evening meal. So sit back and enjoy."

I gunned the motor and set off to follow Den back onto the autobahn.

"So, where are we headed?"

"A liddle village called Lautenthal, I marked it on the map."

"Oh right, I got it" Jools confirmed.

"We follow Den to Braunschweig then go across to Goslar I think."

"That should work. I'll just do a bus walk, we've got a while to go yet."
 
 
The drive west continued without incident and all too soon we were approaching Braunschweig where we would lose Den as a guide. Jools reported a lot of sleepy passengers and I just crossed my fingers that the rest of the trip would go as well.

"Next left"

"We can't, it's a motorway!"

"Oh sorry, the next junction then."

I'd sort of worked that out myself but she was trying to help and I did feel better for having her along. Goslar was signposted at the top of the ramp and I felt confident we could at least get that far without incident. I hadn't really noticed as I was concentrating on driving so much, but the weather was turning rapidly from the blue skies and sunshine of Berlin to impending rain. The first spots of wet hit the windscreen a bit short of Goslar and quickly developed into a full-blown downpour. The sudden drop in temperature resulted in a sudden misting of the coach windows, which the air con struggled to cope with.

"Which way?"

"Erm, straight I think"

I eased the bus through the lights but the unequal argument the blowers were having with the condensation left me none the wiser, I decided to go with Jools navigation.

"We should come to another junction shortly, we need to go left."

"Okay"

The rain was coming in sheets the wipers struggling to clear the water quick enough. The traffic was slow and I followed the car in front at a goodly distance.

"Left, left!"

I hit the brakes and luckily there was no traffic behind so I was able to change lanes to take the turn.

"You are sure?" I queried, as we seemed to be heading into a housing estate.

"Yup, we should come out of the houses in about erm, half a mile"

"Okay"
 
 
It wasn't the wide road I was expecting but that's not unusual in Germany. I had to negotiate some narrow traffic calming but we did indeed soon leave the housing behind and start to climb into the northern Harz. There was next to no traffic, which was surprising, but given the weather...well maybe they're just not out. The road wound upwards and into the pine forest, the rain still coming down like stair rods.

Jools studiously followed our progress on the map; I kept mine on the road. We had been going for about twenty minutes out of Goslar when she spoke.

"I think we've gone wrong"

"How? There's not been any turnings since we left the town."

"Well we should have got to another junction by now according to the map."

"You sure?"

"Yep, and the map doesn't show those squiggly bits we just came through."

A feeling of dread came over me, if we are on the wrong road, bum, we could be anywhere! I looked for somewhere to pull up, hell we might be going completely the wrong direction. I spied a pull off and stopped Wally's Trolley.

"Lets have a look at the map"

"Sorry Chr... Nena"
 
 

I took the map off of my girlfriend and quickly located Goslar. Hmm, that's the way we came in, along to the junction, left, yep that seems right. Hang on; I'm sure we didn't pass a hospital. I backtracked our route tracing it with my finger. Hmm, I saw the town gate but we turned before we got there. Bugger! I spotted the error, we had turned too soon!

"Shitezen"

"We've gone wrong haven't we? It's all my fault!"

"Calm down. We turned too soon in Goslar."

I traced the new road on the map, it fitted exactly what we had just covered.

"Can we turn round?"

"Not easily. Look" I showed her our current position, "if we keep going we can work our way round,” I told her with more confidence than I felt.

"Sorry"

"Anyone could have done it Jools, that rain, the windows steamed up."

"Anyone could, I did"

"We'll just be a bit later getting there"

I started us away again, taking the microphone from the dash.

  
© Maddy Bell 2005 
 

 

Photos  © Maddy Bell 2001,2002
 
 
End of Part 4
 
 
To Be Continued...

Pictures of Nena have been generated using Ania's 'Cherie' Fkiss doll on Angy-Chan's template and are Copyright 2004. They are used with permission, if you'd like to see more go to www.acharsi.prv.pl

Nena: Book 4 - Four Star

 
Part 5
   
The rest of the drive to Lautenthal was pretty much painless except for a short diversion at Clausthal Zellerfeld. I think we were both pretty happy when I finally set the handbrake.

"I'm knackered!"

"Well I think you're great" and Jools grabbed me around the neck for a quick snog.

"Give o'er, someone might see."

"Hmm, I suppose we ought to go inside and organise getting back to Braunlage."

"And give Den a call"

"I'll ring Den while you sort transport."

We went into the 'Hotel Goldener Lamm' and while Jools found a seat I headed to the reception.

"Ach die bus Fahrer ja?"

"Er Ja"

The next bit was in German but I've translated for you.

"One of the passengers told me what happened, I hope they are both okay"

"Me too, they are old friends"

"The coach company have a new driver on their way, he should be here later this evening."

"That's good. Is there a taxi we can get to take us back to Braunlage?"

"Neh, neh, neh. I will drive you but first you must eat."

"Thanks er?"

"Brigitte"

"Nena and my colleague is Julia"

"Well dinner will be about thirty minutes, here use 214 and freshen up."

"You don't have to"

"But I think you appreciate it yes?"

"Thank you Brigitte."

"And after dinner we take you back to your own bus."

Back to Engrish!

"Tschuss"

"Bitte schon"

I walked back to where Jools was now waiting.

"Sorted"

"Well I need to use the lav before the taxi gets here."

I shook the keys to 214 in front of her.

"No problemo, Brigitte will drive us after we eat and we've got a room to freshen up in too"

"Chr.. Er Nena, you are something else!"

"I try"

The Golden Lamb was a small, family run place unlike our four star splendour but to be honest room 214 wasn't much different to our room in Braunlage, maybe a little smaller.

"I'm gonna grab a shower" I announced.

"I'm okay with a quick sploosh,” Jools noted, watching me disrobe. "You know Chris, it weirds me out a bit when you do that."

"What?"

"Get undressed. One minute you are one good looking babe, the next you are a weird thing with your man bits down below but still the babe up top."

"Erm"

She came and gave me a hug.

"Never mind me, go get your shower."

We were of course more than the half hour getting sorted but I felt a bit more human even if I was wearing the same stuff.

"Ah Nena, you are better?"

"Ja, vielen danke Brigitte. Hier ist mein freund, Julia."

"Hi, thanks for the use of the room"

"That is okay"

"Well thanks anyway"

"I haf a table for you, come"

Introductions over, Brigitte led the way to the restaurant. The passengers were just placing drinks orders, a few looked a bit worse for the long and for some emotional day but we were universally greeted with smiles.

"Here", Brigitte indicated a table just far enough from the punters that we could have a private conversation. "You would like drinks?"
"Bier bitte, Jools?"

"White wine for me please Brigitte"

"Bier und weiss wein" she confirmed before leaving us.

I was feeling a bit awkward, not because of how I'm dressed but I guess as its a bit embarrassing being treated as though I've done something special. By the look on Jools face she was having similar feelings.
 
 
The hotel might have not been as grand as our lodging this week but the food was just as good. Oh and it turned up with admirable speed! The downside was that the emotional and nervous tension of the day had reduced my appetite and I was unable to do the meal justice.

We were finished eating and savouring a cup of coffee when Brigitte came over with a bloke in tow.

"You enjoy?" I think she was using English for Jools sake.

"Excellent thank you"

"Your replacement is here"

"John Reynolds" he offered, coming to join us.

"Nena Ziegler"

"Jools"

"Nice to meet you girls, and thank you for stepping into the breach."

"George und Maureen are gut friends, we were glad to help."

"Well thanks anyway"

"You are on your own?" Jools asked.

"'Fraid so, I'm sure I can manage."

Why do I set myself up?

"What is the rest of the programme?"

He retrieved a scrap of paper.

"Lets see Berlin Tuesday, Wednesday's Goslar and Thursday is some steam train."

"Hmm, we do the opposite days"

"What are you thinking Nena?"

"Well we are two on our bus, if we changed the plan slightly we could help John"

"I dunno" Jools shook her head.

"Just an idea"

"John? What do you think?"

"I think you've done enough between you already"

"I'm going to ring Den,” I told them.
 
 

"So what do you think?"

"Its up to you, I'm sure given the circumstances the office will be okay with it."

"You sure?"

"Yep. You do realise that one of you will have to stay there if you do it?"

"I never thought of that"

"Well I'll leave it to you"

"Okay"
 
 

"Well?"

"He left it up to us, where's John?"

"Just gone to get a coffee. I can see by the look in your eye that you want to do it."

"Well it'd be a shame for the passengers, they've already had a big upset."

"You're just a big softy. So how we gonna do this?"

"Well one of us had better stay here"

"We'd best talk to Brigitte then and we don't have any clothes?" Jools reminded me.

"Come on then, lets go find them."
 
 

"Hi ladies"

"You are ready to depart?" Brigitte asked.

"Well that is what we need to discuss"

"Yes?"

"We would like, or at least one of us would like to stay to help John, but of course we would need a room"

A stern look from Jools halted the rejoinder from John.

"The hotel it is full" Brigitte informed us. "The room you used even has now been taken."

"That's that then Nena"

"Einer moment bitte, whichever one can stay with me, I haf a Zimmer frei"

"That is very generous Brigitte"

"Das ist gut?"

Jools shrugged, "okay by me"

"You girls sure about this?" John asked.

"It is not a big problem, we can meet Dennis at the ersten halt then we only need to follow each other."

"I could do that on my own"

"True but if there is a problem? Who knows?"

"Okay, you've convinced me"

"So, who will stay?" Brigitte asked.

Now that was a leading question!

"You go Nena, I'll stay" Jools volunteered.

"Neh, you should go with Dennis, I will stay for John."

"Excuse us a moment" Jools tugged me towards the door and propelled me outside.

"What are you playing at Chris?"

"Nothing"

"Well leave me here then."

"I think it would be better if I stay, we have to reschedule the WA trip and stuff, you are supposed to be learning the tour remember? All of our stuff is sorted so you don't need to do much."

"You sexist pig"

"Now what did I do?"

"Stay then! I'll give Brigitte your bag to bring back" Jools was clearly in a strop.

"Joo-oools"

"Don't you Jools me, Christopher Hornby." with that she stormed back inside.

Geez, women! I'll never understand them. I give her the easy job with no hassle and she throws a wobbler! 
 

I followed her back inside a moment later.

"Everything alright?" John enquired.

"It is fine"

"So, I will fetch my auto" Brigitte departed and Jools just looked at me daggers.

"Tell Den that we'll meet you at the railway in the morning."

"Whatever"

I'm sure even John picked up on the tension between us. 
 

It was with a feeling of loss that I watched Jools and Brigitte drive away. What did I say? What have I done? What I have done is maroon myself in the middle of Germany with just the clothes I'm stood up in - which just so happen to be women's. Which of course wouldn't be a problem if I were a woman!

"Fancy a drink Nena?"

"I don't think so"

"Brigitte will be at least an hour,” John pointed out. Well I guess it won't hurt.

"Er oh right, okay then, a small bier bitte"

"Sit yourself down I'll fetch 'em over."

I really was feeling vulnerable; I don't think I felt this way even that first time I appeared as a woman. My mind kept returning to Jools last words to me 'you sexist pig!' how the hell could she lay that one on me?

"Here we go, one beer for the lady, coke for the driver" he joked, sitting down opposite me.

"Thank you"

"So, we need to sort out what we are doing tomorrow I guess."

"I suppose,” I answered distractedly"

"So what is this train thing then?"

"It is a steam train ride, have you the itinerary?"

"Well it's a bit vague, apparently I'm supposed to ring the station to book it tomorrow."

Bum! I'd forgotten about that what with Den booking ours on Monday.

"I will have to ring the railway in the morning, also we need to tell the passengers of the change."

"I think some have already gone to bed, the morning will be okay."

"It is included?"

"Lets see" he checked his paperwork, "er," he quoted from the sheet, "half day to Wernigerode with optional steam train to Drei Annen Hohne Fifteen Euro"

"Well they'll get a bonus then, I wonder if it is sorted? Damn!"

"For a German you speak very good English"

"I er spend a lot of time with English tours, also I went to University at Nottingham" well there wasn't a lie there was there?

"Well I'll see you at breakfast? I'm bushed, they dragged me off a double header to Spain to come up here"

"Güten nacht"

"Night Nena"

John left me at the table to await Brigitte; most of the bus passengers were gone by now leaving me to nurse my beer alone.
 
 
Another German interlude that I've translated for you.

"Nena, sorry I was so long, I can see you are tired. Come, my flat is only a short way."

"Sorry I think I just dropped off"

I got up, collected my bag and cardi and followed Brigitte out into the now cool late evening air. To be honest I was too tired to take in most of what she was saying as we walked up into the village proper. I did catch that George had spoken to Den but she didn't have any more details. I was a little afraid of what Jools might have said on the drive to Braunlage so I avoided asking.

"Ach so. My apartment, come on in"

Maybe the apparent preoccupation with that Japanese comic stuff took me by surprise but it was otherwise a fairly typical German abode.

"Sorry for the mess" the place was spotless compared to chez Hornby!

"Coffee?"

"Er, okay, white no sugar"

"Make yourself at home."'

I selected a chair and had barely seated myself before she was back.

"Won't be long. We'll have a drink and then sort you out with a bed."

"Thanks for this, you didn't have to."

"I don't think you are a murderer, it will be nice to have someone to talk to."

"Well thanks all the same"

The kettle chose that moment to announce boiling water so our conversation was interrupted while she went to make our drinks. I took the opportunity to examine my surroundings. There were the usual things, telly, stereo, a computer shoehorned into a corner but the dominating theme was what I think they call manga. Is that all the time is, the clock over the fireplace showed it to be five past ten. The bookshelves were crammed with DVDs and brightly coloured books, a variety of figurines decorated most flat surfaces and on the walls, a collection of stills from I presume, the animations. 
 

"Here we go"

"Thanks, you are into the cartoons?"

"Anime, yes for my sins"

"I've never seen so much"

"I've been collecting since high school, some of my friends have lots more though."

I sipped at my coffee.

"So, how come you work for an English busreisen?"

"I studied there and I did experience work with the company. If they need help like this week, I help out."

"Ah but you are too modest, you have a licence for driving reisebusse also."

I blushed at that. I was pooing my pants when the traffic cops came over this afternoon.
 
 
We spent a few more minutes in idle chit-chat but my eyes were starting to go, it has been a long tiring day.

"Schitzer! Your bag, I left it in the car"

"Its okay, I can manage tonight."

"Neh, I will lend you some nightclothes, we are the same size"

"But...." she was already gone!

I finally climbed into Brigitte’s guest bed just after eleven, I was a little bit weirded to be wearing a pair of silk pyjamas over my bra and pants, I didn't dare undress further - just in case! I was out almost as soon as my head hit the pillow.

 
 
I tossed and turned, my dreams seemingly rooted to the concept that I was abusive to Jools, everything I said was wrong, taken out of context and if I tried to explain myself it got worse. Not only that but I was always dressed as Nena not Chris, each time more girly than the last. I woke up with a start after one episode where I was dressed in a very lacy outfit with lots of flounce and ridiculous strappy sandals.

"Aaargh!"

Waking up to see someone staring at you is never good, waking from a nightmare to find someone looking at you is enough to make you wee yourself! I didn’t quite but not far off. Instead I just screamed.

The light flashed on and Brigitte came in.

"Nena, you okay?"

"Uh, there was a face"

She looked around the room,

"Ach it is only my mask, see"

I looked to what she was now holding, in the light it was clearly a mask but in the dark it had looked really very real!

"Er sorry for waking you, I was having a nightmare and then I woke and saw." I pointed to the mask.

She giggled a little seeing where I pointed.

“That is only Minato, she is lifelike no?”

“A bit too lifelike in the dark.” I managed a weak grin.

"You want a drink or something?"

"Um no thanks, I’m okay now. Go back to bed Brigitte, I’m fine."

"Okay, but if you want I am only next door. I turn the light?"

"Thanks."

"Night."

Sheesh! Talk about embarrassing. First the bad dream then screaming at a rubber mask, I must be going daft. Mind you I think I already have, why else would I be dressing as a woman? I lay there again, now unable to get back to sleep. I glanced across the gloom to where ‘Minako’ was sat on the top of a dresser, what am I like! My dream now forgotten my barely conscious thoughts turned to other things, I hope I can sort the train after saying I will. Its going to be odd with a different driver to Den, John seems okay if a little blunt, mind you he was tired last night.

  
© Maddy Bell 2005 
 

 

Photos  © Maddy Bell 2001,2002
 
 
End of Part 5
 
 
To Be Continued...

Pictures of Nena have been generated using Ania's 'Cherie' Fkiss doll on Angy-Chan's template and are Copyright 2004. They are used with permission, if you'd like to see more go to www.acharsi.prv.pl

Nena: Book 4 - Four Star

 
Part 6
   

At some point I must have drifted off again as I was rudely awakened by a particularly loud alarm clock going off.

"Hey Nena, time to get up"

"Gnh"

"Come, we’ll get frühstuck at the Lamme."

"Yeah"

It was only when I dragged myself out of the bed that it struck me how I was dressed, and that I wasn’t even safely with Jools. Oh sugar! I quickly assembled myself before making a dive for the littlest room. I had at least got a bit of what Jools insists on calling ‘slap’ with me so when I joined Brigitte ten minutes later I looked at least reasonably presentable.

"Ach so. You can change at the Lamm, we haf plenty of time"

I looked at my watch, six fifteen!

"Um yes" I agreed.

In the light of day the village looked very different, not particularly picturesque, but clean, tidy and very German. A few older buildings had timber cladding in traditional Harz style but its not somewhere that I’d bring a coach for a visit!

We walked the short distance to the Lamm, Brigitte kept up a non-stop dialogue that although I understood, required very little input from me. Just as well as I was still early morning groggy.

The next couple of hours flew by. A quick breakfast, equally quick change of togs and a fraught half hour on the phone to the railway was not the early morning start I like.

"All sorted Nena?"

"Finally John, you have informed the passengers?"

"Done"

   
"Good morning everyone"

"Mornin’"

"I’m John, your replacement driver and I think you all met Nena yesterday? She has agreed to stay on to help out. I’ll pass you over to the lovely Nena now and we’ll be on our way."

He handed me the mike and started our steed.

"Which way girl?"

"The signs for Braunlage first"

I waited until we were moving before clicking the PA on.

"Gut morning everyone"

"Morning Nena" a fairly enthusiastic chorus replied.

"As you know we have needed to change around your itinery slightly, so today we ride the Harzquetalle Bahn. I haf managed to organise a longer ride than in your brochure so we pick up the dampflok? Smoking train? At Drei Annen Hohne and will travel up to the Radio Station Brocken before returning by the coach to Wernigerode (vare knee gar roader). We will haf time there for sightseeing before we have a scenic drive back to the hotel.
Tomorrow instead we will visit Goslar. I will visit you as we drive if you have questions, Güten fahr."

I plonked myself into Maureen’s seat and my thoughts turned to my friends back in Berlin.

"You okay girl?" John asked.
"Er yes sorry, I was just wondering how Maureen is"

"I’m sure she’ll be okay, we can give George a call later eh?"

"Yes of course. Do you want a trink?"

"Tea would be good, white with two please."

"Okay. Moment"

The passengers seemed okay this morning and no one seemed put out by the changes to the itinery. I made Johns cup of syrup, I mean tea and arrived back at the front just in time to get us turned onto the right road. The scenery is pretty unremarkable, mostly trees and not dissimilar to the Black Forest although lacking the same elevation.

"So Nena, you are going on the train and I meet you here?"

"Neh, you meet us at Wernigerode station for two o’clock. The road goes straight to the town."

"Okay, see you later"

I followed the passengers along to the rough bit of tarmac that makes up the platform and made a quick stop at the ticket office. Well at least something was going right! The global party should arrive on the next train from Nordhausen then we all get on the train up to the Brocken. I was a bit surprised that den wasn’t already here but I guess he’s gone straight down to Wernigerode.

Even as Chris I never had a huge interest in railways but as I licked at my Cornetto I watched some obvious train buffs as they cooed over and took pictures of anything that moved or didn’t in the station area! In the distance a train hooter or whatever they call it announced the imminent arrival of a train, I was expecting it to be the one with Jools on board but instead it came the other direction and was indeed the train we would be joining.

There is plenty of leeway on the schedule and anyhow the northbound train wasn’t here yet so I didn’t rush to round up my charges although I made a mental note of where they all were. I needn’t have worried, most were already gathering on the up platform and I spotted a label on the next carriage that stated ‘ Reserviert fur Wallace Arnold’ and another saying much the same but with ‘Global’ inserted.

Another hoot rent the air and this time the expected train chuffed into view to the obvious delight of the train buffs, a few of the gents in my party joined the excited throng of would be David Bailey’s as the noisy, smoky little Lok pulled into Drei Annen Hohne
   

"There she is!"

A voice stated louder than strictly necessary.

"Hi Nena!" another called in my direction.

Not wanting to make an exhibition of myself I just gave a cheery wave by return.

"Please to board" I started to usher ‘my’ passengers onto the carriage. I kept a look out for Jools but maybe I missed her in the crowd. The Global passengers reached where I was stood and after a cheery greeting they started to board the train too.

After giving one old dear a hand up into the carriage I turned around and found Jools there.

It wasn’t the usual Jools though, the venomous look was enough to tell me I was in trouble, and I just wish I knew why.

"Hey up Jools" I went to give her a hug but she shied away, "everything okay?"

"What do you think?"

I dunno, what do I think? I do think this isn’t the place for an argument.

"We’d best get the stragglers rounded"

She nodded, her expression now more of hurt than anger.

"Wallace Arnold! Bitte the train!"

"Global people"
The pair of us watched the last couple join the train, then climbed up ourselves for a head count before the train started! I hadn’t lost anyone and by the fact I could see Jools chatting in the next carriage, it looked like all the Global bus were on too.

The whistle sounded, the carriages rattled and squealed as the slack was taken up then we started to slowly move off. Distractedly I watched as the crowd on the platform waved and took their snaps, those on board equally enthusiastic. Well mostly the men it has to be said, the ladies were chatting away merrily, they might have been on a number nine bus instead of a scenic railway!

Clouds of black wood smoke billowed back down the train as the little engine struggled to get going, then another hoot and the air cleared somewhat as we picked up more speed. My lot were happy enough so I thought I’d go find Jools.

I opened the door and crossed the open platform to the next carriage where Jools a half hearted participant in a discussion about German fashions.

"Hi Jools"

"Oh Hi" she replied without any real feeling.

"Um, can we talk bitte?"

"I guess"

"Maybe on the platform?" I prompted when she made no move.

"I suppose so"

I led the way back to the end of the carriage and onto the little end platform, the countryside racing past and the odd cinder floating into the space.

"I don’t think I’m talking to you" she started before I could say anything.

"Look Jools, I have no idea what I did last night to upset you, but sorry anyhow" the train whistle shrilled its warning drowning out half her reply.
"...Don’t know? If it was anyone else I wouldn’t believe you."

My expression was, I think, of some cluelessness as she went on.

"I guess you want to know?"

"Only if it helps"

"Hmmm, look, last night, when we were sorting out who did what?"

"Uh huh."

"Well you slapped me down good and proper and made it clear you didn’t think I could organise anything, so like a man!"

"I never did" I just caught a glimpse of a couple of deer watching us from the trees.

"You did, well it seemed like it"

"You know I wouldn’t do that, you’re great at that stuff."

"You say that now"

"I mean it"

"Hmm" she seemed slightly mollified.

"Friends?"

"I guess. But why did you want to stay with the Wally lot?"

"Dunno, I thought I was protecting you"

"Protecting me? What from?"

"I dunno, any hassle, John"

"Look Nena, I’m a big girl, if anyone needs protecting its you, you’re so so...ooooh naive!"

"Um"

I turned away and looked at the trees flashing by.

"Come here girl" Jools instructed before enveloping me in a hug. "Sometimes you are really infuriating!"

"I’m sorry"

She cuddled me closer and we both stood on the rattling, smoky platform for a bit longer.

"You fancy a drink?"

"Have we got time?"

"I reckon so, come on" Jools beamed.

I think I’m forgiven but I’m not entirely sure.

We made our way to the front of the train, only two carriages away, where we found the quaint refreshment car.

"Zwei cola lite bitte"

"Drei Euro"

The girl passed me the two bottles with plastic cups and I joined Jools at one of the little tables.

"So, what’s it like?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know, staying at Brigitte’s and John, he’s a bit of a hunk."

"Give over"

"Well he is. If I didn’t have a boyfriend I’d be interested"

Now let me just make one thing clear here, I might be wearing a skirt and makeup but I am not, I repeat not interested in blokes!

"So come on, spill"

"I’ve no idea what you are on about, I suppose he looks well enough"

"Well what are your digs like?"

"Weird"

"Weird?"

"Weird. Don’t get me wrong, Bridg is great but she has some weird stuff."

"Like?"

"Like I woke up this morning with a strange face staring at me."

"God, have I got to drag every bit out of you?"

"Give me a chance. Well apparently she’s into some Japanese dressing up thing."

"Like kimono’s and stuff?"

"No, its cartoon characters, from those Japanese manga comic things, she’s got loads of Dvd’s and stuff."

"Weird."

"That’s what I said."

The trains whistle and a glance out of the window revealed scrubby hillside, we must be near the top.

"I suppose we should get back, we eating up here?" Jools enquired.

I checked the time, it was a bit early but we wouldn’t get down to Wernigerode for the best bit of three hours.

"Maybe just a wurst or something"

I arrived back in the WA carriage just as the train pulled into the hilltop Brocken station.

A description of our hour at the radio station would be too tedious for words, we had a bit of a wander, looked at the views and I got my wurst! With my relationship with Jools now apparently back on track, I was a lot happier but still a little wary of saying the wrong thing.

We managed not to lose any of our combined group and got everyone onto the down train without problem. It was one train all the way to Wernigerode with a brief halt at Drei Annen Hohne. We pulled into the station in a Wernigerode bathed in hot sunshine.

   
John and Den had found each other and both buses were waiting for us. Our two bus parties were starting to mingle in my mind and there isn’t a label pinned on them saying which bus they are on!

"I hope you enjoyed the dampflok, John will take us to the Busse Park, we will be staying for one hour forty five." John was following Den around to the coach park as I spoke. "From the parking it is funf minuten to the stadt, there is also the Bummelbahn up to the castle." by this time we were nearly parked.

Five minutes later and divested of passengers the four of us gathered by Helga.

"Den suggested we all go up to the schloss for a coffee" John opined.

I actually fancied a proper look at the town; the shopping trip on Monday hardly counts.

"Whatever you like" I shrugged.

"Fine by me" Jools added.

"The tourist train will be here in a couple of minutes"

"Oh goody, another train" Jools mentioned with some sarcasm.

"Some of us haven’t been swanning about the woods half the day" Den grinned, ducking from Jools friendly slap.

The little road train pulled up and the four of us shoehorned ourselves into the less than spacious ‘carriage’.

"Busse Fahrer?"
"Er, ja" I replied as the driver came to collect fares.

"Ach, keine geldt"

"Danke"

"Bitte shun"

"We haf a free ride"

The little tractor unit let rip and with a ring on the bell we took off.

"So, Nena. Den was telling me how you ended up on his bus, you really are a glutton for punishment."

I glared at Den who just raised his eyebrows.

"Glutton?"

"You know, um all the extra work, helping out at Global after the fire, volunteering to bring our bus back and then staying over last night, you must really love doing this."

"Um"

"You’ve embarrassed her John" Den stated.

I was saved from further inquisition by our arrival at the castle. In truth I was actually pretty much lost for words, looking at it like that I do seem to both attract trouble and act as good Samaritan. I followed the others towards the little restaurant and joined Jools at an outside table while the drivers went to fetch some drinks.

"Penny for ’em"

"Ungh?

"You’ve got that dazed expression again"

"Oh sorry Jools. Its just what John was saying"

"Well you have to admit, he’s right"

"That’s just it, he is. But he thinks its heroic Nena doing it all, its like Chris doesn’t really exist and instead there’s this German wonder woman."

Jools giggled at that.

"What are you two laughing at?" Den asked as he joined us with a tray of drinks.

"Nothing" Jools said then mouthed ‘wonder woman’ at me.

John appeared with another tray bearing what looked suspiciously like cream cakes.

"Here we go, one for Jools, one for Nena, first to finish gets the spare."

"You are not having?" I asked.

"We had some while you were gallivanting around the woods." Den advised.

Well I’ve never been one to look a gift horse in the mouth!

"You will make me fat"

"Me maybe, it’ll take more than a couple of bits of cake to fill you out!,” Jools mentioned.

At least the conversation was now not about my ‘heroics’! We caught a different ‘train’ back down which deposited us behind the main square so I was at least able to take a few pics of the famous carved town hall and the old town behind it. We had a relaxed walk back down to the coach park, on the way firming up plans for tomorrows trip into Goslar.

I felt a bit lost as I watched the Global bus depart, once again I’m alone with a bunch of complete strangers, well okay I know John a little better now but still.

The drive back to Lautenthal took a little over an hour and I must admit to not being the life and soul during the ride.

"...So we depart at nein heure. Tschuss."

I stood by the door and helped the passengers disembark then followed them into the Lamm while John went to park the coach.

"hey, Nena! Gute tag?"

(Translation!)

"Yes it was fine. Mind you all those trains can be a bit wearing."

"I know what you mean. George rang earlier, Maureen is better today but still in the special care."

"That’s good news at least"

"Yes. You have anything planned this evening?"

"Dinner I suppose"

"Well I have tonight off, if you like to come out with me?"

Memories of previous ‘Nena’ nights came back, that first time down in Austria with Ingrid. And that girl’s night in Koblenz with Mika. No denying I’ve had fun in a skirt! I wonder what Brigitte is planning?

"What about John?"

"Ach, he will be fine, I saw some of the passengers eyeing him last night!" she stated with a giggle.

To be honest although John is a nice bloke I wasn’t really looking forward to a night propping up the bar and getting sozzled. And as I’m boarding at Brigitte’s - well it’d be churlish to turn down the offer.

"Um okay then"

"Great!"

"Do we eat here first?"

"Neh, we eat out, Sandra has booked a place."

"Sandra?"

"Yes, it is our group meeting tonight, we join up each month, and it is great fun!"

"I don’t want to impose" what group is this?

"You won’t be, we always have gäste"

"Um, what sort of group is it?"

"It is our Cosgruppe, we dress up, eat, watch some anime, it is great!"

Brigs eyes had lit up, this Cos thing is obviously a big thing for her. What am I letting myself in for?

John was clearly a little disappointed that I wouldn’t be passing the evening with him but we had a drink while I waited for Bridg to finish her shift. We took her car up to the flat; at least I would have my case!

"I hoped you would say yes, I have been thinking all day what you can wear."

"You have?" I cautiously enquired.

"Of course."

"I have a nice dress in my case"

"Dress? Oh you thought we put on nice clothes to meet?"

"um yes?"

"neh, neh. We go in costumes of course, Sandra has said the theme this time should be Sailor Moon so we all will try to be dressed that way."

Oh my god, a bunch of nutters and I’ve agreed to go! And I don’t see any reasonable way out. Brigitte obviously mistook my expression.

"It is good we are the same size, I have just the outfit for you!"

Oh goody.

"You are kidding?"

"Of course not. You will be a fine Sailor Venus" she beamed back ten minutes after she had disappeared.

"This Sailor Venice,"

"Venus"

"She always wears so little?"

"Uh huh"

I held up the outfit again, it was like some sort of gymnastics or skating outfit, white with an orange skirt and like a sailor collar thingy attached. To define that, it’s short, tight and revealing.

"I have the matching schuh also!" she brandished some orange things at me.

"Come, we get changed then I will finish your outfit"

Much as I wanted to make my excuses, I had agreed although I was a bit wary that my secret would be revealed. I was just about to disrobe when Bridg came back.

"I forgot, you will need hosen also" she chucked me another garment and disappeared humming some infuriatingly catchy tune.

   
Well I can’t say that I was exactly happy but I was less unhappy when I returned to the living room. After a little bit of jiggling and trial and error I got the outfit on, the tights were flesh coloured but as thick as the rest of the outfit. The dress, if that’s what you could call it, had built in knickers and was, how can I put it, tight. No that’s not it, firm is a better description. There was no loose material in the body, it gripped me in a sort of assuring way and only the slight swish of the skirt acted as a reminder of the brevity of my garb.

"Bravo Nena! Wunderbar!"

She herself was dressed in some bits of purple material that made a floor length dress that conspired to expose as much as it covered. Queen something or other she said she was, I’m not sure now who got the better deal, maybe this Sailor Venus wasn’t so bad after all.

Half an hour later I was coiffed, painted and nervously climbing into her car. Apparently we were going to Kassel, where I’d been in hospital, for this bizarre soirée.

On the way over I got the abbreviated, I think, story that our costumes were based on. I didn’t quite understand the plot but Brigitte obviously new it well and was hyper enthusiastic.

"...Of course Final Fantasy is more realistic."

"Er yeah", I’d switched to nod mode.

I sort of recognised some of the buildings and realised we weren’t far from Kassel now. Instead of heading into the town though we turned off the main road and spent ten minutes darting along back lanes before finally pulling into the parking area belonging to what looked like a sports club. This must be the place, there were other costumed people heading inside and for the first time since I’d put it on I didn’t feel quite so daft.

I meekly followed my tormentor into the building, the sign exclaimed ‘wilkommen bei SV Ober Kassel’, and we went through to the bar where the most bizarre sight I’d ever seen was taking place. All around were more ‘Sailors’ in different coloured outfits, including one or two who were clearly lads, and a bunch of other assorted costumes that I presume are other characters. In all I guess there were about thirty people from early teens up chatting and drinking.

Several girls came to greet Bridg and I was introduced to Sandy, Inge, Maria and I started to lose the plot when one sailor-outfitted girl introduced herself as David in a very male baritone!

I know what you are thinking, here I am myself pretending to be a girl, in fact I’m a guy pretending to be a girl wearing a girl costume and not just a guy wearing a girl costume, and very convincingly too, you see what I mean? I’m not sure I do now I put it like that! Whatever.

I fetched us some drinks and cursed the wand thing I was carrying which nearly caused me to drop the drinks.

I’d tell you more but my mind was turning fast to mush! The edited highlights I guess I can manage. We’d been there about an hour before the barman announced the grub was ready, we moved into an adjoining room where we were seated and provided with a meal of Hacksteak, mashed potato and veggies followed by ice cream, not exactly cordon bleu but there was plenty of it and it was eatable.

After the food we retired to the bar while they cleared the tables then we returned to watch one of these Sailor Moon cartoons. It didn’t help me understand it any further but there again I’m not sure the double translation from Japanese to English to German helped much! I did find out what all the weird posturing and finger waving was about - I think! I didn’t say understand it, just the why!

To be completely honest it has to rate as one of the weirdest evenings I’ve ever spent, as either Nena or Chris. Memo to me - check what you are agreeing to do in future! So okay it wasn’t really that bad, they were all having a good time, it was good clean fun (?) and it finished before midnight. I think I drank a bit much because I don’t recall the drive back to Brigitte’s or going to bed.

  
© Maddy Bell 2005 
 

 

Photos  © Maddy Bell 2001,2002
 
 
End of Part 5
 
 
To Be Continued...

Pictures of Nena have been generated using Ania's 'Cherie' Fkiss doll on Angy-Chan's template and are Copyright 2004. They are used with permission, if you'd like to see more go to www.acharsi.prv.pl

Nena: Book 4 - Four Star

 
Part 7
   

At least I slept all night, no surprise awakenings in the early hours! In fact I may have slept a little too well as I was still half asleep when I joined Brigitte for the walk down to the Lamme.

"So you are off to Goslar today?"

"Uh huh"

"You go back to your friends tonight?"

In truth I hadn't actually thought that far ahead, the Wally bus would be leaving early tomorrow morning and I wasn't planning on being on it. My trip, with Global has an extra day before heading home so at least I'll get another day doing what I'm supposed to.

"I'll need to talk with them later."

"It is no problem for you to stay again."

"Thanks Bridg"
 
 

We arrived at the hotel and I went through to join the passengers for brekkie.

"Mornin’ treacle"

"Um, morning Alec"

Several other passengers added their greetings before I had finished collecting the components of my breakfast.

"Hi John."

"Heavy night?"

"A bit I guess,” I agreed.

"Spoke to George a few minutes ago, Maureen is improving steadily."

"That’s good news"

"I'm gonna take their stuff back with me tomorrow, George thinks Maureen will be okay to travel after the weekend."

I nodded through a mouthful of ham and cheese.

"So you staying for the big meal tonight?"

I'd forgotten about the traditional end of stay 'party'.

"I will need to talk with Dennis later."

"I hope you can, I'm sure most of the bus would like you to come."

I blushed slightly.

"You deserve a rest after all the effort you have put in the last couple of days."

"I...."

"Come on Nena, you've really worked your nuts off to make sure this lot still had a good holiday, I know they are grateful."

I blushed more, partly at the compliment and partly at his turn of phrase.

"I will see."

"Is that the time? Damn, I'd best go get the bus, out front in ten minutes."

"Okay"
 
 

I was down to my second cup of coffee so I took my time draining the cup before heading for the vital loo stop before boarding Wally's Trolley.

"Güten morgen everyone"

A chorus of "morning Nena" rang around the bus.

"My last day with you today"

"Shame" came from halfway down the bus.

"For today we have a visit to Germany's oldest city, Goslar. Before we visit there we will have a scenic tour of the Harts, it looks like a nice day so please to sit back and enjoy."

I descended to the crew area, "okay John?"

"Yup"

"Lets go then."

He released the brake and we moved off.
 
 
Once we were on the main road I headed up to the passengers. It was a little odd doing my morning run on a strange bus; don't ask me why, it just was. Everyone seemed in good spirits and determined to make the most of the last day of their trip. Maureen’s welfare was still a major concern that I could at least give some positive news on.

I finally got back to the front armed with a coffee for John.

"Okay"

"Yes, they are a good bunch, the lady in 8B has volunteered to do the drinks for you tomorrow."

"That’s good, I thought we were gonna have a dry run. Its a long way to Gent with only the normal stops."

I nodded my agreement.

"You going back to England with Dennis?"

It was an innocent enough question but one that to be sure I couldn't really answer. Would Nena be going all the way? Or would we have to figure something else out?

"Only if Global have work for me nächste week. Otherwise I will get Den to drop me off part way and go home."

John grunted an "uh huh" by way of reply as we negotiated the climb up into Clausthal Zellerfeld.

We had quite a good run around, a thirty minute stop at Braunlage essentially for toilets then we climbed up to Torfhaus for another brief stop to take in the views across to the Brocken.
 
 
We still had a bit of spare time before our rendezvous with Den and Jools in Goslar so I guided John down to Okerstausee, a popular spot for walkers and other outdoorsy types. A fifteen minute leg stretch and we were on our way again.

The road we came into Goslar on looked vaguely familiar but this time I had to spring into action to give a little bit of spiel.

"If you look to the right when we turn you will see the town gate, Stadturm Breites Tor.”

We followed the road around the town and turned in at the sign for the Kaiserpfalz. Den was already parked up and Jools was escorting the Global passengers up for the start of their walking tour.

"Thought we'd lost you." Den stated.

"Just an extra stop."

"Well I guess I'd better get everyone up to the top so we can start."

"John and I will meet you in the main square in, what, two hours?"

"About that."

"Good luck!"

John was already pointing his, and I guess, my, passengers up to the imposing edifice of the Kaiserpfalz that we were going to start from.
 
 

"...From here the famous Siemens family started their empire. If you can follow me now to the main square, we will watch the carillon before we continue our tour."
The problem with walking tours is always the same; the slower walkers end up making the trip boring for the more able. It’s a difficult one to call but with today’s double coach load we had come to a working solution. The girl from the tourist office was taking the 'steady' group with Jools and yours truly was taking a twenty strong hardcore group on what nearly amounted to a route march!

I led the way along to Der Marktplatz where my group joined a good many other visitors to watch the three hourly automaton display.

"The automatons show the history of the town and its important industry of mining? Yes mining the silber und gold."

On cue the clock struck the hour and the ten-minute display of Das Glockenspiel started. The show isn't what you would call exciting but the various tableaus managed to keep their audience's attention pretty well.

"So, we will return to look at the Rathaus later but first we will see some of the other town features."
 
 
I led my hardy sightseers on for the next leg. Over the next hour or so we covered a lot of ground, out to the Breites Tor via the Stephanikirche. Then around the wall via the curiously shaped Teufelsturm and Weberturm to the Rosentor where the 'fat couple' provided some amusement. Rather than wear my charges out completely we started back across central Goslar stopping briefly at the Jakobikirche before taking a zig zag route along some of the fine medieval streets before rounding out our tour with a visit to the fine Huldigungssaal with its amazing ceiling, wall panels and the Trinitatiskapelle, a tiny chapel hidden behind the wall murals.

“I hope you have enjoyed our kleine walk.” that raised a few chuckles as we finished our tour on the steps of the Rathaus. “You have some time now to explore we will depart from die Kaiserpfalz at four pm.”

 
 
"Urgh!"

"You look whacked girl." Den stated.

"Thanks a bunch"

The drivers had just arrived at 'Kaiserworth' after the rest of us had been walking all afternoon, well it felt like all afternoon. Our passengers get a two-hour 'free time' slot before we depart, time for something to eat and drink for their minders.

"You going back with John?"

"Yes, I have my things with Brigit."

"And the farewell dinner Nena." John mentioned.

"How’re you getting back to us then?" Jools enquired.

"Dunno, taxi?"

By the glint in Dens eyes I knew he had something up his sleeve.

"Den?"

"Well it’s just an idea"

I rolled my eyes, "spit it out!"

John chortled at the exchange.

"Well its another free day tomorrow right?"

"Ja"

"Well what if I offer a half day excursion to that mine just down the road from your hotel?"

"Mine?"

"You know, what is it in German, that's it Bergwork"

"I didn't know there was one." I admitted.

"I saw it this morning Nena, it’s only about half a mile from the Lamb." John offered.

It sounded like a good idea, kills two birds with one stone, entertaining the peeps and me rejoining the crew easily.
"Okay, sounds good"

"I'll let you sort out the mine and we'll have them with you for...lets say eleven?"

"You swine Dennis, you already had decided this."

"Well only about an hour ago."

"So why not say straight away?"

"Well you might have had your own plan, thought we'd see your idea first."

John and Jools were falling about now, I guess my indignant stance was a bit comical, I couldn't help it, I joined in the laughter.

 
 
We strolled back to the coach park via the Lohmühle and a look in the shop of the Großes Heiliges Kreuz and a look at the statuary of the Domkapelle.

The passengers arrived in dribs and drabs but no one was actually late. This is the last time our two lots of passengers would be together and for John, Jools and Den to say their farewells. Friendships had been forged over the last few days and the usual anti-snobbery of both crew and passengers towards WA was long gone. However it was time to depart and Den led the British cavalcade out of the coach park and away from Goslar. Our two buses ran in tandem until Den signaled off, a bit of tooting and waving and we were once more on our own.

It’s not far to Lautenthal so I stayed down at the front and contemplated the scenery. What a week! The loss of Betsy, my decision to become Nena again. Then the trip out to Berlin and poor Maureen's heart attack, I'm glad I get next week off, I don't think I could stand much more of this excitement! Then there was the night out with Brigitte, how weird was that? Well at least things should get back to some semblance of normal tomorrow.

“Nearly there” John noted.

“Um ja, the dinner, it is at seben?”

“That’s right, you got something to wear?”

Have I? That's a good question. I know we bought a fair chunk of stuff on Monday but I don't actually remember getting anything dressy.

“Er yes, I think I have something appropriate.”

Bummer, I've heard that some of these WA passengers take the big dinner thing quite seriously; I don't think the normal Nena wardrobe will cut it tonight. We pulled up at the hotel and soon it was just me and John left.

“I'll see you in the bar about quarter to then.”

“um yes, okay”

He climbed back on the bus and headed off to park up while I headed inside to find Brigitte.

 
 
(Of course, the following discourse was all in German!)

“Why the long face?” Bridg enquired as I made my way to the reception desk. “It is the big dinner tonight!”

“I know, it’s just…”

“Yes?”

“Well I don't have anything to wear, not formal.”

“Ach, this is not a problem, wait here.”

She disappeared and I found a leaflet about the 'Silberwerke Lautenthal’, which kept me occupied for a couple of minutes. I borrowed the desk phone and before Bridg got back I had us booked in for our visit in the morning.
 
 
“Okay Nena, Margot will cover while I help you to dress, come time is passing.”

I followed her back outside and we headed for her apartment.

“So you had a good day in Goslar?”

“Yes but quite tiring. I should have thought earlier I could have got something in Goslar.”

“With hindsight we can all say these things.”

I sighed, she was right of course. We climbed up to the flat and I wondered exactly what she had in mind.

“Go get your dusche, I will make coffee and look some things out.”

“Thanks Brigitte.”

“It is okay, now go.”

I got my shower; I checked myself for unsightly hair and got myself sort of ready. Now what? Bugger, how am I going to do this? She thinks I’m a girl and she’ll expect me to try on stuff, if I go out there she’ll know straight away I’m not really female.
 
 
"Nena? Are you done in there?"

"Er yes"

"I’ve left a couple of dresses in your raum."

"Thanks"

"And there’s coffee out here"

Well looks like I’m off the hook, at least for now. I slipped Bridg's bathrobe on and slipped across to ‘my’ room. I snicked the door shut and turned to see what my saviour had found for me. There were two hangers on the front of the wardrobe so I went to investigate. The front one I dismissed very quickly - it was, how could I put it, a bit er risqué for someone in my position. It was nice though, almost transparent with some beading and a hem which would be, well, a bit high!

The other garment surprised me, not so much by what it was but by the fact it was Bridg’s. If anything this dress was too formal, the sort of thing you might see at a formal dinner. It was surprisingly heavy a tailored bodice segued into a floor length skirt in a sort of plum colour. Well it might be a bit overboard but given my options it would have to be this.

I got my underwear on, sorted out my ‘bits’ and prepared to try the dress on. My first impression had been of weight and there was no doubt that it was a well-made garment. I got it pretty much on and reached for the zip, it moved about an inch before resisting my efforts. Bum.

"How are you doing?"

I felt confident enough that I could ask for zipper help.

"Er could you do the zip?"

"Sure" Bridgett came into the room, "I felt sure you would wear the other, lets see, yes you look good in that, turn around."

I did as instructed and she gave the zip a few tugs.

"Hmm, it is nearly closed, breath in"

I took a deep breath.

"No, it is too much. Hmmm, I’ll be back in a moment, slip the dress off."
 
 
Sugar! Well my options are restricted here. I slipped the bodice off and stepped out of the skirts. Here goes nothing.

"Here we go, turn around" she ordered returning to my room.

I was taken by surprise when she wrapped something around me and started doing something behind me. The firmness of this new garment surprised me, then it dawned on me, she was putting me in a corset.

"We need only perhaps six centimeters." she gave a grunt as she cinched the restrictive material tighter. She checked my new waist with a tape and with apparently practiced ease she worked the lacing a bit more before tying off and then I heard a zipper being closed.

"There, how is that?"

How indeed? My whole midsection was compressed by the garment in a firm embrace, not so tight to be uncomfortable but rigid enough to restrict my movement somewhat.

"I can’t bend"

"Of course not, I will help with your hose und schuh, sit"

She steered me to the bed where I gingerly balanced on the edge. Thoughts of my exposure as a man were pushed backwards by the new sensations of corset wearing. Stockings? I realised two things, one, there were suspender tabs hanging from the corset and two, there is no way I could now put tights on over the corset, well not sensibly.

"Here, I have these glanz strumpf you can wear." and Bridg started to dress me.
 
 
To be honest I was in no position to help much, I couldn’t bend enough to reach my knees, let alone my ankles! She eased the delicate stockings up my legs, smoothing them as she went and finally bid me stand. Moments later she had the suspenders attached and I could feel the taught resistance on my thighs. I looked at my legs and was amazed at the glossy sheen and on further inspection, smoothness of the stockings.

"Okay so now the dress, come"

She held the garment out for me and I gingerly stepped into the skirts before pulling the bodice up. I slipped into the sleeves and my dresser easily slipped the zip closed this time, the corset having done its job. The dress reached to the floor, the skirts in fact dragging as I moved to try to see myself.

“Ach, you need schuh, moment.” She was off again and in short order returned with a pair of shoes, well a tangle of straps would be more of an accurate description. “My favourite heels” she beamed.

What could I do? Bridg was already down on the floor guiding my left foot into the new torture device. It wasn’t until I was perched on the second stilt that I realised how high these things are, I might have volunteered for Nena this week but I know my limitations and a pair of strappy sandals with ten-centimeter heels were pushing the envelope! It wasn’t so much that they were uncomfortable so much as I’m not used to the elevation. Oh shit!

“Come on, we should go, we will be late” Bridgett encouraged.
 
 
I checked my watch; sugar and I need to do my makeup yet.

As Jools often says, less is more. I did a quick slap job with the major makeup components but my host was now getting agitated.

“Come on, I’ll help with that back at the Lamme.”

And so I could demur no longer.

 
 
The walk back to the hotel was something I’d rather not repeat. First there were the shoes. It was a steep learning curve, not helped by the long skirts. I stumbled once or twice as I clumsily tried to walk as normal, once I realised that smaller steps would help, I did make better progress. Then there was the frock. I hadn’t realised just how much work it would be to wear the thing, I had to hitch it up to negotiate even a curb otherwise I would have tripped and landed on my face as I nearly did before leaving the flat. And of course to top it off there was the corset. It was only when we started walking that I realised how much impact it was really going to make on my movement. So okay it made bending over nigh on impossible but I found that as well as my tiny, unsteady steps due to the high heels, my attire restricted my every move. If it wasn’t one thing it was another and the other was a lack of breath, the corset seriously restricting air intake.

Now I’m sure you are all thinking, ‘stupid girl, why didn’t she complain’ but of course I haven’t told you everything. So okay I allowed myself to be squeezed into the corset and buckled into the shoes but I did complain, honest I did, as I struggled to keep pace with my torturer.

“Stop complaining girl, you look great, we are nearly there now.”

As we approached the hotel I tried to comport myself a bit more ladylike, I almost succeeded in pulling off that face plant on the reception steps but Bridg caught me before I could complete the manoeuvre. Once inside she sat me down and told me to wait a minute. I checked the watch again, six forty – I don’t know how we managed that. Then she was back again with her makeup bag, I suffered her prodding and poking for a further couple of minutes.

“There, you look fantastiche!”

“Thanks.”

“Nena will go to the ball!” she gave me a quick hug before going on, “go, I will see you later.”

 
 
“My god!”

“What?” I asked John with a little annoyance.

“You are just so…. So beautiful! That dress, you look smashing”

“Give over, I borrowed it from Bridgett”

“Well she has great taste, but it’s not just the dress.”

That’s all I need, a randy driver!
 
 

It was a pity about the corset really; there was no way I could do justice to the meal that Bridg and her team dished up. A full five-course dinner, German style but I could barely breath let alone eat so much. It was certainly more formal than I’m used to, I wasn’t the only wearer of a long frock, everyone including John had made an effort and I imagined how it was when this sort of thing was the norm rather than the exception.

Talk about embarrassing, after the meal I found myself the centre of attraction, all the passengers wanted photo’s of me, with me – I managed to drag John into a few but I reckon I was the subject of a couple of hundred shots! When I got invited to dance I had to draw the line, well try. As a compromise I agreed to sashay around the small dance floor with John for a couple of minutes.

“Well girl, you’ve done it now” he mentioned as I stumbled about on these stupid heels.

“Sorry?”

“Well they are going to want a glamorous tour guide every time now.

“Glamorous?”

“Don’t give me that innocent look Nena. Here you are in a ball gown, all gussied up and half the room is drooling the other half are envious.”

I let his comment sink in for a minute.

“And which half are you in?”

Now it was John’s turn to blush.

“I’d be lying if I said neither, even if you don’t believe it you are a real beauty. I shouldn’t be saying this, I could get in serious trouble.”

He didn’t need to say more, he fancies Nena something chronic much to my continuing discomfort. The music stopped and we broke, I was surprised when there was a round of applause and John gave me a peck on the cheek. My head was swimming with emotions, confusion being at the forefront, the room started to swim and everything went blank.
 
 

“She’s coming round,” a voice stated.

“Ungh”

“It’s okay young lady, here have a sip of this” a glass was pressed to my lips and I tasted nothing more innocuous than water, I took a small amount of liquid and felt my flush start to subside.

I cracked my eyes open, “danke”

“That’s alright luv, I remember when I was a lass, it wasn’t a good night out without a good feint!” it was Carol from 8B.

“She okay?” Johns voice came from behind me and I struggled to get myself upright.

“Just a bit too much excitement John combined with a tight corset, she’ll be okay in a minute or two.

Boy am I embarrassed now!

“I um need to…”

“Of course dear, you need a hand?”

“er nein danke, I can manage.”

I levered myself upright and carefully made my way to the ladies. Of course, given how I’m dressed even just a wee turned out to be a major exercise in contortionism. I finally managed to dribble into the bowl with my skirts up around my armpits, knickers and stockings, now divorced from the corset, around my ankles and leaning against the cistern to get my breath back. The renewed light-headedness soon passed and I set about redressing myself.
 
 
“Nena? Are you okay?” Bridgett’s voice called out.

“Just trying to sort my hose.”

“Come out here, let me help.”

I was grateful for the offer, the corset and heavy skirts were defeating my every effort and I was getting hot and flustered again. My saviour cheated, she just got under the skirts and deftly sorted my stockings out.

“There we go, come they are waiting for you.”
 
 

The rest of the evening was a confusing blur of white wine, short conversations, even more photographs and a few snatched kisses, not by me I hasten to add, by assorted passengers. Nearly as embarrassing were the number of notes pressed into my hands, its not polite to look at what they are, but my purse was pretty stuffed with crumpled paper money by the time things were breaking up.

“Well I guess its good bye time.” John told me.

“What time do you leave?” I wasn’t firing on all cylinders.
“Half eight, no need to leave at the crack of dawn”

“I’ll come down to see you off.”

“You don’t need to.”

“I want to.”

“Well in case I don’t get another chance, thanks for turning this week round for this lot and me.” With that he grabbed me in a hug and gave me a full on smacker. Strangely I didn’t feel anything except gooeyness in my stomach. “You are definitely the best tour manager I’ve ever worked with.”

He didn’t give me any chance to reply as he darted straight off, “bye Nena!”

“guten nachte John, guten nachte.”

“Come on Nena, time to go home, you’ll see him in the morning”

  
© Maddy Bell 2005 
 

 

Photos  © Maddy Bell 2001,2002
 
 
End of Part 5
 
 
To Be Continued...

Pictures of Nena have been generated using Ania's 'Cherie' Fkiss doll on Angy-Chan's template and are Copyright 2004. They are used with permission, if you'd like to see more go to www.acharsi.prv.pl

Nena: Book 4 - Four Star

 
Part 8
   
I woke up after the strangest dream you can imagine, I'd been dancing with someone, John maybe, and next thing I was somehow tied up and struggling to get free.

The fact that I seemed to be wrapped in a combination of bedclothes and apparently was still wearing Bridg's dress from last night might have had something to do with it but it was still weird. I managed to free myself, a look at the clock announced it as being just after five, late enough to be light but too early to get up. Unless of course you’ve have a bursting bladder and a need to remove the tight underpinnings that I was still encased in.

I struggled upright, at least I wasn't still wearing the heels, but then as I nearly landed on my nose realised that was a mixed blessing. Bladder relieved I set about doing what I should’ve done last night, which is undress! Easier said than done, I managed to undo the gown and freed myself from that bulk but the rest, well I needed to get the corset off. I'm not exactly practiced in the art and it took me a while just to find the knot in the laces let alone get that by now tight knot undone.

As I tugged and contorted, twice I found myself getting light headed and had to rest. After what seemed like forever I was finally free of the torture of the corset which allowed me to finish stripping. It actually felt a bit odd as I made for the shower, in barely twelve hours of wear I had gotten used to the constriction of the corset.

"Nena, Nena! Time to get up!"

Bridget’s voice interrupted my thoughts as I let the hot water caress my sore body.

"In the shower"

"Okay, I'll make some coffee."
I finished my shower and with the weather promising another hot day, dressed in a sundress, cool enough in the heat but modest enough for me to feel comfortable.

With the bus leaving today Bridg needed to start earlier so she went on ahead very trustingly leaving me to pack and lock up. I finished my coffee and went to start packing; it is definitely weird packing skirts and dresses instead of shirts and trousers. It wasn't a long job but I realised that I was leaving almost as big a pile of stuff that I’d borrowed from Bridg, I’ll have to sort something out about that. That wasn't all, amongst the discarded clothing was an embarrassing number of fairly large Euro notes, the booty from the passengers last night. I totted it up, sheesh over Euro 400! That's best part of £300, that's not tips, that's a wage! I gathered it up, a tip is one thing, this largesse is another.

I took one last look around to make sure I have everything, that rubber head still freaks me out, but satisfied, I departed for the Lamme just after 7.30.

I dunno how they manage it, the drivers that is, I arrived to find a freshly washed coach outside the hotel, John just finishing the windscreen.

"Morning!"

"Tag!" I replied.

"I'll be in for a coffee in a mo."

I had rather more luggage than I started with, I was thankful that Jools hadn't packed any more! Bridg marshaled my luggage into the office and I headed into the restaurant where breakfast was in full swing.

I hit the buffet but after last nights meal I wasn't that hungry so I made do with just a chocolate Danish and coffee. I'd just sat down when John arrived.

"Hey, there some coffee left?"

"Um, ja, here" I poured him a cup of the remarkably good coffee.

"Thanks, all loaded"

"Gut. Um der passengers, they gave me the tip? Yes tip letze nacht."

"Well you deserve it"

"But it is so much"

"They can afford it."

"But Euro 400?"

"Phew! That is a fair haul."

"Here, on Global we split the tip" I passed him half the stash.

"Don’t be daft girl, it’s yours,” he stated pushing it back.

"But"

"No Nena, they want you to have it"

"Please John at least some?"

"Tell you what, I'll take a hundred and they can have free drinks on the way back. How's that?"

Well it sort assuaged my conscience and gave John a noble out too.

"Okay"

I counted out the notes and John made a point of putting them separate in his wallet.

"Happy?"

"Better at least."

I felt a bit awkward, sat with John, him completely in the dark as to my real identity. I debated whether to say something, to come clean; I didn't set out to hoodwink anyone, not really.

"You okay? You look a bit lost"
"Um yes, fine, just thinking."

"Nothing too serious I hope?"

"Neh"

"Well I suppose its time to get this lot loaded up." John mentioned checking his watch.

"Yes" I agreed, standing up to join him.

I was taken totally by surprise when he pulled me into a hug.

"I've enjoyed working with you Nena, I wish you were coming with us. I hope our paths cross again - soon."

Talk about gob smacked, it wasn't quite a statement of undying love or anything but I can read between the lines, he fancies me, I mean Nena!

"Um yes, it has been good, I wish the circumstances were nicer."

"Yes" he agreed.

I'm just glad there was no one about to see this little episode. He released me and surprised me further when he planted a kiss on my forehead, whoa! Somehow I found myself leaning up to give him a peck on the nose in reply. Aaargh! What am I doing? Too much is what I'm doing.

"We should, er go,” I prompted.

"I guess so" he sighed.
 
 

As I waved the coach off alongside the staff of the Lamme I felt something, something odd. Sorrow? Sadness? And I'm not sure who or what it was centered on either. It was like, I dunno, suddenly there was a hole in my world.

"Your people will be here when?" Bridget asked as we walked back inside.

"Zehn Uhr" I replied absently.

"Ah, you the Englisher fancy" she grinned.

"I do not!"

"You say not but your face disagrees!"

Is that it? Don't be daft girl, fancy a bloke - never. Lets face it I'm really a bloke too and I've got a girlfriend and everything. And you quite like being Nena another little voice mentioned.

"You have time for kaffee then. Come"
 
 

Despite the promise of another hot day, I shivered a bit as I waited for the Global bus to arrive. Well okay the seat I was sat on was in the shade but dressed as I was did nothing to alleviate the slight chill. They were late, ten minutes so far and it was giving me far too much time to think about things.

Was Bridget right? Do I feel something for John? Well yes I do but what is I feel? It’s certainly not what I feel towards Jools and well, and my relationship with Den whilst close is completely different.

BRRRRRP!

I looked up to see the bus we christened Helga pulling into the coach park with Jools grinning and waving through the windscreen. I stood up and waved back, I realised as I did it that it was a very girly little wave, certainly not my usual brisk motion - what is happening to me?

"Nena!" Jools gushed as the door sighed open.

"You’re late" I accused.

"And hullo to you too" Den called down.

"Sorry, I was getting a bit worried."

"Well we had a bit of a delay this morning," Jools stated, "Den has been on the phone for absolutely ages with head office, the police and Wally’s."

"What’s wrong?" there must be something wrong, someone knows I'm not a girl, did I get a ticket the other day?

"Nothing really, we'll fill you in later, lets get this visit rolling." Den encouraged.

It was a little strange, being back in the company of the Global crew. I know that seems a bit odd but over the last few days I’ve sort of become a Wally girl, how bizarre is that.

The visit went well although I cursed my choice of dress when I had to clamber onto the miniature mine railway. That was an experience in itself, sat astride the carriage saddle style. I once again shivered as the little train left the morning sunshine entering the narrow access tunnel. And I mean narrow, it seemed barely wide enough or high enough, it wouldn't do to be claustrophobic!

The little train took us some way under the hillside before arriving in a larger open area where we found our guide waiting. It got a bit complicated, as his English wasn't great so I had to do a simultaneous translation! It was very interesting though, silver and gold were mined here into the eighties, there had been mining for precious metals here for over three hundred years.

"What do you think?" Jools asked as we mooched around the shop afterwards.

"Nice" I agreed looking at the earrings she held up.

"You should get some,” she proposed.

"Jools! Don't be so silly"

"What?"

"Remember Chris?"

"So?"

I rolled my eyes in disbelief.

“Come on girl loosen up”

I sighed in resignation, I guess until I return to Chris mode I did ask to be treated as a woman. I decided to play along - after all Jools will end up with all the Nena clobber when we get home. Get home, more problems at work I guess, still no point in worrying about that now. So okay I bought a cute pair of gold and silver drop earrings, not that I could wear them without getting my ears pierced!
 
 

“So Den, you gonna tell me about this morning or will I have to drag it out of you?”

We were headed back to Braunlage in a roundabout way to give the passengers a last afternoon in our resort.

“Well Jim Burns from Wally’s rang, he wanted to thank you again for stepping into the breach. Maureen should be released at the weekend.”

“That’s great news, I'll have to give them a bell next week.”

“He said to mention there was a job with them anytime you want it, driving or managing.”

“I er, driving?”

“I'm just the messenger,” Den stated.

I sighed, “So what were the other calls? Jools mentioned the police?”

“Yeah the Kassel police rang about Sunday. Apparently it was a damaged wire in the main loom, how they worked that out after that inferno I've no idea. Anyway they recovered a few personal items from the wreckage and wanted to know where to send them.”

“Poor Betsy”

“I never thought Dennis,” Jools interrupted, “are we taking this thing all the way back home?”

“I need to wring the office later but I think someone's bringing a bus to meet us at the overnight.”

“Pity” she lamented.

"So what about the other call?"

"Other call? Oh yeah Bill."

"Well?"

"He was ringing to find out what was going on"

"But we told him on Monday"

"Well we didn't exactly tell them about you looking after the Wally people."

"I'm in the shit aren't I?"

"Well sort of"

"And how did they find out?"

"You doing the job too well again"

"Huh?"

"Passenger power"

Life was going so well this time last week, now it looks like my jobs on the line because I do my job well.

"Looks like I'll need that job at Wally's"

"Bill never said you were in trouble,” Jools noted.

"But I got a verbal warning last time"

"You never said" Den and Jools echoed.

"Well I never thought it would come back to haunt me like this."

"Nena you daft cow" Jools leant down from her perch and gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Tell her Den"

"I don't think you need worry too much, it seems that word of what you've done this week has arrived at the office from loads of places, Wally's, George and both lots of passengers and um, I might have mentioned it too."

"Den!"

"Well you deserve some recognition"

"Why? I only filled in for Maureen for a few days"

"And helped rescue this lot on Sunday and drove the other coach back from Berlin and..."

"Okay, okay, I give in. But its hardly exceptional is it?" I looked at Den then Jools, by their expressions they at least, thought otherwise.

"I give in!"

"We thought we'd go up on the cable car this afternoon" Jools mentioned, changing the subject.

"Okay" I agreed, to be honest I can do with some r&r.

We were back at Braunlage a little after one and after dumping my case upstairs we headed down to the car park and the cable car up to the Würmberg summit. I like riding cable cars, the silent movement, I know it can get a bit sketchy if it’s windy but that's all part of it! The cars on the Würmberg Seilbahn are little 4 seater jobs and I found myself next to Jools as we lurched out of the terminus.

The Harz are hardly alpine in nature or height so we climbed the hillside no more than forty feet above the ground. Even so, about halfway up the wind rocked about a bit and I found my knee gripped in Jools viselike grip. It took about twenty minutes to reach the top by which time the little cabin was getting a bit warm.

"Phew, that's better"

"It was getting a bit warm" Den agreed.

"So where's this restaurant then?" I enquired.

"A bit further up, near the ski jump" Den offered.

The three of us walked the short way up to the restaurant and found a table in the shade; several of our passengers had already beaten us to the top, which meant that the rather brisk middle-aged waitress was already quite busy deciphering the Germlish.

“Einer small beer and one rot wine, bitter”

Its difficult not to smile but they were at least having a go.

“trinke?”

“drei grosser bier bitte”

“essen?“

“moment bitte“

She disappeared to fetch the drinks while we perused the menu. I fancied something pretty basic, with a big meal at the hotel tonight nothing too filling either! Twenty minutes later a mountain of French fries arrived hiding a six-inch Wiener schnitzel! So okay, it's a bit more than a light snack, Den had plumped for Nürnberger rotwürst and Kartoffelbrei (that's sausage and mash to you and me) while Jools settled on Schinken Salate.

We took our time and caught up with things in the afternoon heat, even in the shade it must've been 30°C. we checked out the ski jump before we headed back to the Seilbahn for the return trip, I wouldn't have minded walking back but three inch heels are not the best footwear for a couple of miles of forest tracks! Den decided he would which left us two girls to take a car on our own.

“So what are you wearing tonight?” Jools asked as we cleared the first pylon with a judder.

“Dunno I wasn't really planning on changing.”

“Nena! It's the big dinner? You know, dress up and stuff? What did you wear last night?”

“I er borrowed something from Bridg” I didn't really want to go too deep into exactly what.

“I wish you'd said earlier, we'll have to get you a frock”

“No we don't” I whined.

“Yes we do, no boyfriend of mine is going to show me up tonight”

“But…”

“No buts, it ain't happening!”
 
 

How I ended up an hour and a half later sat in 'Gaby’s Friseuse' I'm still not sure. Jools just about stormed the boutique and found what I had to agree was a nice dress, maybe a bit red but it fit okay without showing too much off. I think I mentioned washing my hair at some point and next minute I was being shampooed and primped. I hate to think what Jools told the girl, I decided to let her have her fun, I'll be back to being Chris Hornby in a couple of days after all. What I didn't expect was to leave nearly a hundred Euros lighter in the wallet with my hair, oh yes my now whiter than white hair, in a severely set style. So okay, it does look good and on someone else - well you know what I'm saying.

What I didn't sign up for was having my ears pierced. I thought the girl was just even-ing my hair out, it was only when she showed me in a mirror that I realised what she'd done. Jools!

"They’ll heal up"

"I don't care, you never even asked!"

"I'm sorry okay? And you do look cute."

My new look was taking a bit of getting used to; every time we passed a window I got a flash of a woman with white hair. Okay so technically it wasn't white - not like china or paper, but it was on the edge of very, very light blonde! I wasn't sure if I looked elegant or just a tart, the looks I was getting seemed warm enough so maybe it's the former.

We got back to the hotel and it was straight into get ready panic mode, at least my hair is done! We were nearly ready to go out the door before I actually got to see the whole me and I have to admit, Jools was right about the hair and okay the earrings sort of set it off, I think I could fancy me. If I didn't fancy Jools that is.
 
 

“Christ Nena!” Den exclaimed when he saw me a few minutes later.

“You like?” I hammed a bit.

“you er look um...“

“She looks fab eh Den?”

“um fab, yes”

“Wind your tongue back in Dennis, its still me inside remember.”

“Well its certainly not you outside”

“Come on you two, we need to get downstairs.”

The biggest difference at my second farewell meal in two days was the surroundings. Instead of the rather cosy surroundings of the Lamme we were in the rather posher four-star premises of our resort hotel. It was all a bit impersonal after the Goldener Lamm and Bridget’s team. After eating the Global party was moved to a slightly friendlier function room where our passengers started to relax a bit more.

“Come on Nena, lets have a boogie” Den stated, I swear that's what he said!

“Erm okay”

After last night I was at least a bit more comfortable with the idea of dancing with the men rather than the ladies. I thought that with Jools looking pretty spiffy too I'd not be the centre of so much attraction. But of course everyone wanted to dance with Nena, even if Jools took up the slack! By ten thirty my feet were killing me, which at least gave me a chance to sit down if not rest. I now had to endure 'visits' from the ladies and less agile gents and there was no escape!

At some point I went onto auto pilot grunting and nodding at what seemed appropriate moments in a discourse on bunions. Do these people really not recognise me as Chris? Do I really pull off being Nena that well? So okay my hair's different, I'm wearing a frock and I'm talking in a foreign accent but under the paint it’s still me, Chris Hornby there, isn't it? I looked at my reflection in a window opposite; all I could see was a pretty blonde staring back.

“…So I got an appointment at the shropdist first thing Monday.”

“That was good fortune,” I noted.

“Ooh I'll have to get a word with Jackie, bye for now Nena.”

“Bye Mrs. Davies”

“You look tired” Jools stated sliding into the just vacated seat.

“Uh huh” I agreed.

“We should be able to escape soon.” She noted.

“Good night Nena, Julie”

“Güten nacht Mrs. Dawson, Mr. Dawson.”

“Breakfast at seven in the morning” Jools reminded the Dawson’s.
 
 

Well it was nearly midnight before we got back to our room. Den had cried off earlier but somehow Jools and I never managed to be free of passenger company, well not until I did actually drop off!

“Phew, am I glad to get those off “ I stated dropping my heels onto the floor and massaging my tootsies.

“I don't know how you do it”

“Do what?”

“Well all week while you've been staying with Bridget they've been not exactly quiet but I dunno, more restrained. You're back for a few hours and they've lit up, whatever it is I wish I could bottle it.”

“Don’t be daft, it's not me”

“You ask Den in the morning.”

“I don't need to, it's all in your imagination”

“Hmm”
 
 

Despite being dog-tired I couldn't get to sleep straight away and lay looking into the not quite black of the room, a line of light from the corridor giving things an eerie glow. Why did I become Nena this week? Oh I know what I said on Monday to Jools and Den but was that the real reason? I thought back to the start of the season and the first time that I became Nena down in Austria. That was to make a point and then the week on the Rhein, which was for a bet. I know I had to do a short Nena session for the court case but apart from that I've gone months without even thinking about becoming Nena. Then this week, this week I just about use Nena as a safety net, a crutch. What does it mean? Then there's John, he's a nice enough bloke but I'm not gay so why do I feel sort of, I dunno, squidgy even just thinking about him?

I did finally drop off but my mind was no clearer.

 
 

"You got everything?"

"I think so"

I looked around the room again, yep everything, well except my manhood and I’m not sure where I left that.

A shower this morning put paid to my hair do except of course the colour but I somehow felt a bit more at ease without the stiffness on my head.

I did the head count, the sleepy siblings had forgotten to hand in their key card, and we were off. It was another bright morning and the clear skies promised another scorcher. With my absence most of the week

Jools had commandeered the 'host' seat and I found myself perched on the jump seat.
"Penny for 'em"

"Sorry, I was miles away, are you sure head office didn't say I was in trouble?"

"Maybe a bit miffed but not unduly upset." Den told me.

"Don’t fret it Nena, we'll sort it when we get back." Jools added.

"I hope so"
 
 
We weren't using the autobahns until after lunch today, our route going across the Harz and on westwards to our lunch stop at Hameln - that’s Hamelin of Pied Piper fame to you and me. The short stretch of 'good' road saw a flurry of activity as Jools and I did the first tea run of the day.

We cursed tractors, complained about a detour but finally we arrived at rat central.

"We haf two hours and thirty here in Hameln. The tourist office is one hundred metres on the right; the stadt is via the underpass. So back here for one pm please."

The passengers climbed down, the big advantage with the German coach was they alighted onto the footpath, no need for anyone to risk life or limb in the road!

"We going for a walk?" Den asked.

"I’ve never been" Jools pointed out.

I shrugged, "ok"

We gathered our various bags and followed in the wake of our charges.

"Ooh toilets!" Jools exclamation seemed to prompt everyone’s bladder so we all headed into the park to find the conveniences. The one aspect of being Nena I never really get used to is having a wee. It doesn't seem to make much difference what I wear; it’s always a hassle! Case in point, Den was in, out and stood admiring some slightly pornographic sculpture before Jools and I finished queuing for a cubicle!

"What took you?"

I glared back at Dennis.

"Sorree"

Jools rejoined our party and we made our way out to the plaza where the tourist info is situated.

"Lets have a squint" Jools suggested and always a sucker for information, I followed her lead.

As you might guess there was an over riding theme, i.e. Rattus Rattus and the fabled Piper. From ratty hats to stuffed toys, posters and books, the town obviously took its infamy to heart. [I’m sure the politicians would still try to renege on a deal though!] I left clutching a bag with an all too lifelike plush rat inside - don't ask me why, but he looked cute!

Not to say the town isn't pleasant but apart from the legendary Piper the town doesn't have a lot to offer. We strolled up the main street, like many German towns it’s pedestrianised until we arrived at the civic square.

"So where now?" Den queried.

"Nen?"

"I don't think there's a deal more to see, food?"

"Bit early" Den noted.

"Shopping?" Jools tried.

"What for?"

"I don't know, we might see something,” she offered.

Well we did have some time to kill and it was early to eat.

"Tell you what, you two do the shops and I’ll have a bit more of a wander, meet you back here at say twelve? We can grab something to eat then." Den offered.

"Best make it quarter to" I countered without thinking.

"Okay, see you in a bit."

"So, where first?" Jools enthused.

Hang on a minute; have I just agreed to go shopping with Jools? Aaargh!

I don't know why she bothered asking as she half dragged me into what at first appeared to be a random doorway but no, it was H&M! Well I don't have a problem per se but with Jools in the driving seat - well somehow I can't see us visiting the gents department.

"Ooh that’s nice, that top's a nice colour..." Jools was away.

I know that in the past I’ve been fairly 'enthusiastic' about clothes shopping but today wasn't one of those times.

"Come on Nena, you have just got to try this on."

"No I don't"

"Aww, go on, it'll really suit you"

"Jools!"

"What?"

I give up. Here I am shopping with my girlfriend and she wants me to try on dresses and stuff! How screwy is that? And despite my self, I um, quite like what she has picked out - not for me of course! Well it does look quite nice.

"Okay, anything for a quiet life"

"Come on then"

I found myself propelled into what turned out to be a communal changing room, oh cripes!

"Um Jools"

"S’okay, who's looking at you?"

At that moment it felt like everyone in the room and I realised that would actually be true if I continued standing fully clothed by the door. I suppose I had a choice, flee or not, but my girlfriend dragged me in so sealing my fate. It reminded me of school changing rooms - not that mine ever had half a dozen half naked girls in them!

This was way scarier than anything else I’ve ever done, including wearing a frock for the first time. My best defence seemed to be to follow Jools’ lead so I found a spot on the bench and set about preparing to change. I chanced a glance around the room and with some relief realised I wasn’t the only one with some reticence towards communal changing. One girl had managed to get a dress on without removing anything - not her jeans or her t-shirt! And I thought I was paranoid!

In the end I slipped my top off, pulled the dress over my head then with my nether regions still covered, loosed my skirt. It worked and there is no way anyone could have seen anything.

"You have got to buy that,” Jools stated. "Go look in the mirror."

I was still not used to my super blonde look but the woman staring back out of the mirror looked, well I guess sophisticated is a bit strong but definitely very smart. There certainly wasn’t any sign of Chris in the mirror; nope the person looking back was definitely Nena.

"It just has to be done" Jools mentioned from behind me.

"Uh huh" I agreed.

"Oh bugger, it’s nearly twelve, come on lets get that paid for"

 
 

"I thought we said twelve?" Den mentioned as we joined him at a table.

"Nena was trying on a dress"

Thanks Jools.

Den gave me a questioning look; I shrugged by way of reply.

"So, how are we going to get you home" Den asked as we perused the menu.

"Dunno, I was hoping you might have some ideas"

"Not really" he admitted.

"What about if you swap back to Chris tonight, Nena says bye and Chris says hi" Jools suggested.

"It might work,” I allowed.

“What about, you know, hair and stuff?” Den asked.

“Hmm, yeah, last time I ended up with hair the colour of mud” I pointed out.

“A wig?” Jools enquired.

“And just where do we get a wig in the next four hours when we are driving for most of that time?”

“H&M!”

“H&M?”

“Yeah I’m sure I saw some when we were in there.”

“What about lunch?” I moaned as my stomach gave an involuntary grumble.

“I’m not that bothered,” Jools started, “you two eat and I’ll go see what I can find.”

“You sure?”

“Leave it to Julia!” and with that she bounded off.

The waitress chose that moment to appear so our thoughts moved to feeding our faces. With my favourite schnitzel and chips ordered, Den took up the conversation again.

“What’re you going to do about clothes?”

“Well I’ve got the stuff from last weekend still and I can wear Nena underwear, no one’ll know.”

“This’ll only work if we get there before Russell you know?”

“Hmm, I guess we’ll have to give him the heads up, you got your phone with you?”

“Yeah, I’ll do it”

I didn’t hear the conversation with the traffic manager as Den left the table to make the call. Our lunch arrived while he was talking and I started in on my pile of vittles.

“Okay, that’s sorted, he’s not going to get to Antwerp before nine anyway so as long as we arrive on time we should have long enough for you to do the switch.”

I let out the breath that I hadn’t realised I was holding.

“Well if Jools finds a perücke I should only need half an hour or so to get showered and changed.”

“An hour then, I take it a pruck is a wig?” Den stated.

“Um yes.” I decided not to argue the time point, my chips were going cold!

 
 
“So?” I asked Jools when she joined us back at Helga.

“They didn’t have anything suitable in H&M!”

“Bum”

“But I did get you some jeans”

“Great!” I moaned.

“I never said I didn’t get a wig did I?”

“Er, no, so you did?”

“There was one of those Beat Uhse places and they had some.”

“punters” Den intoned.

Yup, it’d not be good if our cargo found out about the duplicity.

By chance, or maybe it was choice, we were booked into the same hotel we used last Saturday for tonight’s stop. At least we should be able to find our way today! Having a pretty generous timetable we weren’t too sharp away from the Rattenfanger stadt, in fact we waited while everyone had an ice cream from the vendor who miraculously had appeared next to Helga whilst we were in the town.

The first half hour or so of our renewed journey was still on effectively ‘B’ roads before we picked up the west, Dortmund bound E34 autobahn. Saturday afternoon traffic wasn’t too bad and we made good time until we reached the industrial Ruhr region. Roadworks north of Dortmund slowed our progress to a crawl but by Herne we were back up to a decent speed. By the time we had cleared Germany’s industrial heartland we were ready for a toilet break. We had to wait however until we had crossed both the Rhein and the Dutch border before we could halt at Venlo services. We were not much more than an hour to the hotel from here, we would arrive in Antwerp shortly after five.
 
 

“Hallo everyone”

There was a tired rumble down the bus.

“Soon we will be arriving in Antwerpen where I shall be leafing you.”

“Aw!”

“Shame!”

“What a pity.”

I was warmed by the reaction but I couldn’t waver.

“I would love to stay with you, but I haf another job from Monday, and I need to prepare at home.” No lies there. “It has been a pleasure traveling with you all, I apologise that I wasn’t able to help Julia out as much as we hoped. In case I don’t get a chance in Antwerp I will say wiedersehn now, I hope the rest of your journey home is well.”

“You not staying with us tonight?” someone asked from halfway down the bus.

“Neh, I haf a train to take. I will pass you to Julia now who will tell you of tonight’s arrangements.”

I handed Jools the microphone before slipping down to the front again, feeling, I have to say a little sad. I never even noticed the applause and comments that followed my little speech, as I started sniffling into a paper hanky.

Once again we negotiated the Antwerp ring with it’s roadwork’s and diversions, Den eventually took a chance and followed a local bus to get into the centre as we couldn’t see any ‘official’ route. The worst thing and particularly embarrassing was that I could hardly rush off when we finally started unloading so pretty much like the other day with the WA passengers, everyone found an excuse to ‘see’ Nena. Not bad in itself but the fact that for a second time in as many days I found big Euro notes pressed into my hand caused me to colour up more than a little.

The lack of an included meal tonight did mean that Den, and Jools in particular, could help with the swap back to Chris. As we were losing Helga tonight too, I helped sort out the supplies with Jools before we could join the passengers in the quest for food. We had managed to ‘lose’ Nena’s case amongst the pile of luggage being stored in a conference room at the hotel and strangely, Chris would be traveling light!
 
 

“Beep beep! Beep beep!” The Global phone sounded as we finished a somewhat hurried meal in a small bistro only a few hundred metres from the hotel.

“Hello Russ” Den greeted our boss. “Ostend?…oh okay…about an hour…that’ll save time tomorrow…no there’s a bar at the hotel…’bout nine thirty then…okay, see you later then.”

“Well?” I asked.

“He’s just coming round Ostend so he’s going to stop for some scram and refuel, he should get here around nine thirty.”

“Its ten past eight now” Jools pointed out.

“We’d best smuggle you into the hotel then and get you changed.” Den stated as he signaled for the bill.

I think we managed it okay, my girlfriend and best bud left a few minutes before me, a few minutes that I used in the ladies to don a head scarf and some ridiculous oversize sunnies. I already had the dress I ‘had’ to buy earlier on, I just hoped none of the passengers recognised me through the flimsy disguise. I think luck was on my side, I didn’t see any of the Global clients as I crossed the lobby and a quick reroute up the stairs avoided any potential from the descending lift.

I knocked on Jools’ door.

“You look like a right suspect!” she greeted me.

“Thanks.”

“I was only saying”

I headed for the shower, shedding clothing as I went.
 
 

“Sugar!”

“What now?” Jools enquired of the latest of seemingly dozens of exclamations in the last forty minutes. First it was the falsies having painfully suctioned onto my chest, then it was my earrings and so on. Now it was my nails.

“You have got remover?”

“Of course I have, hang on.” She scrabbled in her makeup bag. “Bugger!”

“What?”

“I’m nearly out.”

“Jools” I whined

“There should be enough to do your hands, no one’s going to see your feet.”

“Okay”

Ten minutes later I stood before Jools for a Chris or rather anti Nena inspection.

“Okay?” I enquired.

“Well you are dressed like Chris, you sound like Chris but I ‘see’ Nena. There must be something missing, oops, course there is, the wig!”

I have been in such a tizzy myself that I’d forgotten that too.

“Sit and I’ll put it on for you.”

She retrieved the syrup; it was at least not too far from my natural mousy brown. Jools tugged and tucked and eventually declared herself happy.

“It’ll have to do”

I checked my reflection, bum, so okay it wasn’t Nena in the mirror – but it wasn’t Chris either.

“It’s a bit long and curly,” I noted.

“Well it’s all I could get. I can trim it a bit but I can’t do much about the curls. Hmm, you could wear a hat?”

“A hat?”

“Yes a hat, I’ve got one of those old Global baseball caps here somewhere, if I shorten it a bit and you wear the cap?”

“I don’t suppose I’ve got much choice have I?”

She shrugged and offered a weak smile.

“That’s better,” I announced joining my colleagues and a few passengers in the bar twenty minutes later.

“I got you a beer in kiddo” Den stated.

“Thanks Den, hiya Jools” I gave her a hug and a chaste kiss on the cheek, after all we had to convince the plebs that I’d just arrived with Russ!
  
© Maddy Bell 2005 
 

 

Photos  © Maddy Bell 2001,2002
 
 
End of Part 5
 
 
To Be Continued...

Pictures of Nena have been generated using Ania's 'Cherie' Fkiss doll on Angy-Chan's template and are Copyright 2004. They are used with permission, if you'd like to see more go to www.acharsi.prv.pl