Gaby - The Anime Years -11-20- :: BigCloset Classic :: BigCloset TG Stories <br /> June 2001 to November 2004

Drew is an ordinary 13-year old. But everyone from his mother and girlfriend to his teachers, wants to dress him up – as Gaby! Not only that but he keeps getting mistaken for a girl even when he’s being Drew! Here is the tale of Drew/Gaby’s adventures and tribulations, from innocent fancy dress to more serious deceit!

Gaby Title.jpg

Parts 11-20

by Maddy Bell

Part 11

Dance Away

At least with the costumes all but sorted I could turn my thoughts back to the rest of my life. With the longer evenings came the opportunity to go out my bike for a couple of short rides before hitting the books. My next race was coming up on Sunday all the way down in Surrey! So we were going to be away all weekend, mum had a race on Saturday as well as one on Sunday so it was going to be a full weekend.

The run up to the weekend was uneventful, I hung with Clive and Paul mostly, but whenever I saw the girls they were whispering about the dance.

We left for the south coast as soon as Jules and I got home; we would eat on the way down. The trip was a bore! Heavy traffic and nothing but other traffic to look at. Dad decided to go via Oxford and on down to Southampton where we finally left the motorways for the short run to the campsite on the edge of the New Forest. It was almost ten when we finally parked up and all four of us were pooped and ready for bed.

Saturday turned out to be one of those sharp but bright spring days with hardly a cloud in sight. We all had our bikes so the plan was that dad would take us kids for a ride round before going to the circuit to watch mum's race. Mum would take the camper to the race HQ where we would all meet up afterwards. I just knew it was going to be a good day!

The race was sixty miles on a circuit based at Brockenhurst, in a week's time there would be so many tourists about it would be impossible to run the event. By riding against the race and cutting across the circuit we would see mum six times before the finish. Each time we saw the race pass, mum was mixing it at the front, our team strip easily identifying her from the local riders. We cheered her enthusiastically and as she is fairly well known we heard some other spectators cheering her too.

We got the finish area with just enough time to lock our bikes up and get to the barriers. I would be lying if I said there was a big crowd but there were plenty more than you ever see at minor league football matches. The commentator was giving us the low down on who was leading and so on and mum was up there!

The lead car caromed around the last corner and as it pulled off the road we could see the flurry of bright jerseys and shiny bikes hurtling down the road towards us. Know I know from personal experience that you are concentrating too much at this stage to really hear the cheering but we screamed ourselves hoarse for mum.

And then suddenly there she was on the opposite side, pedalling like a demon as she came past the slower riders. The local favourite thought she'd got the win but mum timed it to perfection to edge her by half a wheel! We heard the expected mutterings of the local supporters and a few comments that were a bit friendlier, "she's making a comeback", "first time Tina's been beaten in nearly a year!" (Tina was the local favourite).

To say mum was elated would be something of an understatement. When it came to the prize presentation Jules and I proudly flanked mum as she waited to be called. Although we knew that in the past mum was a world class rider, this was the first time we had seen her actually win in the flesh rather than on video. Despite their own ace having lost out, the crowd were generous in their applause and cheering and mum was pretty made up, so much her winners speech lasted just about ten seconds!

It was still fairly early and rather than watch the following men's race we elected to visit the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu just a few miles away. Our trip south was turning out to be rather good. We marvelled at the old cars, the prototypes, even old bikes, mum enjoyed the gardens and Jules and I had a go on the quad bikes that were a 'visiting' attraction. We had dinner in a restaurant in Lymington and afterwards watched the Isle of Wight ferry arrive and depart before returning to the campsite.

Our races on Sunday were on the famous Goodwood circuit on the edge of the downs and as they started at ten we had to make a reasonably early start. As this was a closed circuit there was no 'circuit riding' allowed so while mum and I variously prepared for our events, dad and Jules went for a walk to find a good vantage point. The day was bright but the wind off the sea was quite brisk up on top of the hill.

My event was first and I was surprised how hard the circuit was. I managed to stay with the main group but when it came to the final gallop for the line I lost out to local knowledge and finished an exhausted twelfth.

For mum's race, most of yesterday's riders lined up with a few more from further afield, but mum was the only rider from north of London. I found the rest of the family and we cheered mum every lap and there were thirty of them! We made our way to the finish a couple of laps before the end and watched the now denuded field rush up the tarmac. There was a clash of bikes and several riders crashed out, but there was mum safe from harm just behind Tina who was determined not to be beaten again.

Mum had other thoughts and her experience again showed as the two battled to the line, this time mum's final lunge getting the win by just a tyre, so close that the photo finish was needed. Mum really was back.

Mum was a bit more composed on the podium today and just like mum, her greatest adversary this weekend Tina got a hug. This weekend was sure to get mum noticed, but quite what impact it would have we could never have foreseen.

As we had a long drive home and it was school tomorrow, we left almost straight off for the drive back to Nottinghamshire, which at least in daylight, was a bit more interesting.

Monday and the Easter dance was just a few days off on Friday, which was also the last day of term. The change in atmosphere at school was palpable. It was Maddy's turn to be hostess again this week; Rhod had to duck his duties due to some parental thing. At least tonight could be more like our usual sessions, no Jules, no costumes, no Gaby or Pippa! How wrong can you get?

Mrs Peters supplied us with a bag of doughnuts and a selection of soft drinks then left us to it. Remember what I said earlier? Well I guess in the words of Meatloaf, two out of three ain't bad. However three was a return for Gaby and Pippa much to both Rhod's dismay and mine.

"What are we doing tonight Mad?" I asked in all innocence.

The girls exchanged looks and I just knew I wasn't going to like the answer.

"We're giving you two makeovers so we're ready for Friday."

"Can't we do that on Friday?" Rhod suggested

"Don't be daft, there won't be time, we've got to get ready too you know."

I had to admit there was some logic in there but,

"Erm, what do these makeovers entail? We can hardly go to school all week with makeup on."

"Well der. We need to practice on you for makeup but we'll do it on Friday. No tonight is sorting out other stuff like your nails."

"Ok then, I guess. As long as you promise not to leave any makeup on us."

"Guides honour."

"Fair enough" Rhod agreed.

Despite their tender years, the girls were already experts at this stuff and before we knew what had hit us we were getting the full treatment. Full manicure and pedicure including nail polish, a bit of eyebrow shaping then makeup from the skin out. When Maddy hit us with the mirror we really did look like the girls we were going to impersonate (if that's the right word?) even without our wigs. That was a bit worrying, and as we sat there afterwards, anyone walking in would not have guessed that there were only actually three girls in the room.

"Can we take this all off now?"

"Sure."

So we then suffered the removal process.

"Right now go and wash your faces to get any stray bits off."

"Fine, we can spot for each other."

We went to the guest bathroom and first Rhod inspected my face for makeup, then I returned the favour, it was as I was drying up I realised that our nails were still painted.

"Rhod, nails!"

"Oh bugger!"

We almost ran back to the girls.

"You left the nail varnish on, we can't wear it home."

"Or to school" I added

"Oh silly us" Bernie was giggling

"Come on Drew, I'll take yours off, Mad can do Rhod."

"Thanks Al."

It didn't take long before our fingernails were clean of paint

"What are you guys up to" Mrs Peters poked her head round the door.

"Oh just talking about Fridays party."

"Well keep the noise down, your dads working next door."

"Ok mum."

"Ok Mrs Peters" the rest of us echoed.

Phew that was close.

I don't know when Rhod realised but I was getting dressed next morning when I rediscovered my painted toe nails. Shit! why did I agree to all this? I had games this afternoon; every one would see my pink toenails.

"Jules" I hissed at her door, "Jules."

"What?"

"Can I come in?"

"Ok I'm dressed."

Once inside Jules took up the questioning

"What do you want?"

"Well you know last night at Maddy's?"

"What about it?"

"Well the girls practised our makeup for Friday."

"I know, they told me that's what they planned. So?"

"Well they painted our nails too."

"Cute."

"Look this is serious, they forgot to take it back off out toes."

Jules could barely contain herself as I pulled my socks off to show her.

"They are just so cute Drew."

"They are not cute! And I have PE today, everyone will see them, I'll be a laughing stock. Can I borrow your remover?"

"No way."

"Oh please Jules."

"There won't be time to redo them on Friday."

"I don't care, no one will see with my shoes."

"But what if you take them off, a pretty girl like Gaby would have painted toenails, it's expected."

"But Jules" I whined

"Ok, ok. A compromise. I'll clean your nails now, but on Thursday night after your training I'll redo your toes and you can do mine."

"Anything, just so long as I don't have to go in the gym with nail varnish on."

"Come on then, sit on the bed and put your foot on the stool."

Well my nails were cleaned in double quick time, but I had just agreed to have them done again in a couple of days. What was I doing?

Thankfully the rest of the week up to Thursday night was uneventful other than the giggling fits the girls had over our toenails. Rhod had discovered his the same night and as his mother kept her remover in the bathroom, he'd removed his paint some time before me. Unlike me however the girls let him off a reapplication, as he would be wearing opaque knee-highs unlike my sheer stockings.

So Thursday night, after my training ride, I was once more allowed into Juliette's inner sanctum for a nail painting session.

"Ok Drew I'll do yours first, then you can do mine so watch how I do it. Then in future you can do your own."

"And why would I want to?"

She just shrugged her shoulders and smirked.

It took forever this time, Jules was really picky, but I had to admit that the finished article looked good, only bad thing was that ten of the baby pink nails were mine!

"Now your hands."

"Get awf!"

"Come on, there won't be much time tomorrow. If I put on some clear for you tonight, no one will know at school but it will be a lot quicker when we get ready. We are still meeting at Maddy's?"

"As far as I know and I guess I can cope with clear varnish" I reluctantly finished.

Half an hour later my nails were finished; the clear varnish however had a slight cast to it, but what the heck it was done now.

I have to admit with it being the last day of term and the dance, the last thing on my mind were my vaguely pink nails. I did get a couple of comments from girls about my "pretty nails Drew" but no one seemed to want to make an issue of it, least of all me! Most people were after all just wishing the day away so we could start the two-week break.

School let out an hour early at three thirty and I joined mass exodus with mixed feelings, glad that the holiday was starting and dreading that evening's social event. I guess I could even at this stage have got out of going, but that would leave Rhod on his own. I couldn't do that and I knew he would feel the same, so I guess my conscience was the problem.

By the time I got home, Jules already had our stuff together and mum was going to drop us off at Maddy's.

"You must take some photo's kids, I haven't even seen your costumes."

"Sure mum, Drew's camera will fit in my bag and I've a spare film."

I didn't know she had purloined that from my room.

"Okay then, enjoy yourselves and remember to ring when you want to be picked up, it ends at 11 doesn't it?"

"Yes but Mrs Peters says she doesn't mind if we come back here after, she's doing pizza and stuff."

"Well okay, but ring and let me and your dad know what you're doing."

"Yes mum" we both chorused.

"Well bye then" she offered a cheek that we both dutifully kissed.

We finally entered the Peters house of chaos. Mrs Peters had made herself scarce by going to a neighbour while we got ready so mine and Rhod's transformation might get overlooked, if we were lucky!

"There you are! Ok we've got a production line going. Jules can you take him to the upstairs bathroom and do his legs then Bernie will do his face while Ally does his nails, then I'll do his hair. He can dress himself and then we can do the finishing touches."

I just gaped at the organisation as Jules led me upstairs.

Then it dawned on me.

"What are you doing to my legs?"

"Shaving them of course."

"What! You are not!"

"Don't be such a sissy. All us girls do it and even your little bits of hair will show through those stockings. And anyway all your big cycling heroes shave their legs."

I knew that, they kept smooth legs mum said, so that if they crashed it was easier to clean the wounds and she confided most of them probably liked the way it looked too. I had to agree, smooth, oiled and tanned, their legs looked really boss and I sort of aspired to have a pair just like them. Weird. I guess shaving them today could be excused from a sporting point of view, and the hair would grow back anyway.

"Ok then."

I stripped to my pants and sat on the toilet seat while my sister expertly de-haired my legs, somehow managing to avoid cutting me.

"Ok, you best have a quick shower to get all the soap off, and use this" she handed me a tube of shower gel, "It'll make you smell a bit more ladylike. Go back down stairs when your done, and clean the shower after you" she admonished.

Although it was quick, my shower was thorough and the gel certainly left me smelling girlie, in fact you couldn't avoid smelling me! By the time I got downstairs, Rhod was well on his way to becoming Phillipa as he had avoided the leg shaving due to his floor length costume. Mad finished my costume off with a pair of pink crystal studs in my newly pierced lobes. Both Bernie and Ally's costumes were donned in double quick time and when Mad's mum came back just after five we were all ready.

"I thought Rhod and Drew were coming?"

"No they're meeting us there. This is Gaby and this is Pippa, they're in our registration group. They live in Cuckney so I said they could get ready with us."

"Hello girls" you could see her brow furrow quizzically.

"Hello Mrs Peters" I used my best girl voice

"Well as the boys aren't here you can join the others, I've booked a limo to take you, my treat ."

Well the girls all went potty and Gaby and Pippa were swept up with the euphoria too.

"Ooh thank you Mrs Peters."

"Yes thanks Mrs Peters."

"Thanks mum."

"Now calm down or you'll ruin your costumes, they really are very good you obviously spent a lot of time on them. I'm not sure I approve of the stockings on young girls though and I don't suppose your mother knows what your wearing does she Gaby?"

"No Mrs Peters."

"Well it is fancy dress. Lets see now, Maddy and Gaby you must be Chii right?"

"Yes mum."

"Juliette must be Yubi and I know Bernie's Merle. I'm not sure who you two are though."

I did tell you that Maddy's parents were into Manga too didn't I?

"Pippa's Nuriko and I'm Nina" said Ally

"Well you all look splendid, as good as any I've seen at cons. Lets get some pictures before you go, I've got the digital camera next door, and I'll do you all prints for when you get back."

"Great mum! Come on everyone we can take them in the garden."

So we spent twenty minutes, with Mrs Peters taking pictures, with her digital camera and both my and Bernie's compact cameras. We were stopped by a car honking out front.

"That will be the limo, get you bags and go and have fun, and tell Drew and Rhod they are welcome back later."

"Yes mum."

The limo was one of those big American ones, very long with dark windows and a plush interior. And enough seats for all six of us plus a couple of spares. I was well impressed. So it was that we arrived in splendid style to the schools Easter fancy dress dance. We made quite an entrance, the chauffeur held the door for us as we exited his vehicle and I heard him tell Jules that he would be collecting us too. Now that's what I call style.

On the way in we stopped at a table manned by a couple of prefects to register for the competitions and then our flock of girls joined the female dominated gathering in the main hall. I felt really exposed in the short dress and Maddy and I drew comments about our stockings. However there were several other girls wearing stockings with their costumes so we weren't unduly picked on.

Rhod and I were introduced to everyone as Maddy's cousin and friend from Worksop, just far enough away to be foreign! When I saw Batman trailed by a gawky Robin I knew that my mates were here and spotting us they came over to say hi. How embarrassing can you get? The only good thing was that almost instantly any frostiness from our peers disappeared, we were obviously kosher.

The music started up soon after we arrived and soon the occupants of the room were split between dancers and watchers. I, as Drew, was usually one of the latter but this time the girls made sure I was a dancer. I was sort of enjoying the proceedings until Clive asked me to dance with him. I was prodded into doing it, and thankfully Clive was a worse dancer than Drew was.

As the boys were outnumbered nearly two to one, any girl who snagged one for even one dance, suddenly became both envied and hated at the same time. So I became the target of catty remarks and green-eyed looks, much to my discomfort. On one hand, it proved that I was doing well as a girl, on the other hand I felt that everyone was watching me. Here I was after all pretending to be a girl wearing a costume, confusing!

A couple of times my group of friends gathered for their silly little dance routines which I had to be part of too. Rhod didn't seem on very good form, so was sitting out most of the dancing. Just before ten Mrs Johnston took over the mike to announce the competition winners.

There were five categories, boy, girl, couple, group and best overall. Looking around the hall, most people had made a real effort and there were no obvious winners. One of the year eleven boys won with his John Travolta in Grease costume. A cute year ten Alice in Wonderland took the girls' prize, then to my horror I heard Mrs Johnston call Maddy and myself out as best couple. Maddy had to drag me to the stage and we suffered a lot of catcalls amongst the cheering.

Much to the other girl's delight, they were then called up as group winners, apparently Maddy had entered us separately. Then the big prize of the night, best costume. I didn't know whether to run or scream when the announcement was made, I had won.

I just stood bemused as I was presented with my prize but the biggest shock came as I left the stage and passed Mr Wood.

"Well done Miss Bond, I wasn't sure at first but that look just now on the stage, I knew it was you. Don't worry I won't tell anyone."

He had obviously read my mind.

"Your costume really is excellent if a bit risqué. Now go and enjoy the rest of the dance with your friends."

"Yes Sir, thank you Sir."

"What did he say?"

"Oh he just congratulated me on my win."

I didn't want to panic anyone else.

"Come on lets get a drink and a couple more dances."

"Okay Mad."

"What was your prize anyway?"

"I don't know, I haven't looked."

I fished the envelope from its current stocking top position and opened it.

"Wow, it's a cheque for £100!"

"Kewl, what with the Alton Towers tickets we all got for the other prizes, that's quite a haul!"

"Damn, they've made the cheque out to Gaby Thomas."

"That's the name I entered you as."

"So how do I cash it huh?"

"Well I suppose you'll have to open an account at the bank as Gaby."

Things just took a downward turn.

"Come on cheer up, we've still got my 'after' party and another limo ride."

Maddy was trying hard to lift my slowly descending depression."

"Yeah ok"

It looked like Gaby was going to be around a bit longer, and my headmaster knew that I made a convincing girl, convincing enough to fool everyone else at the dance. Shit creek and lack of paddle came to mind.

The rest of night was going to get even weirder!

Maddy Bell 11.02.03
Copyright (c) 2003

Part 12

After Party

Well things spiralled down a bit until the limo turned up to collect us. I was getting myself into a fugue, Rhod was still feeling queasy, and even the girls were feeling the pace a bit!

True to her word, when we got back to the Peters' there was pizza and drinks and stuff waiting for us.

"How did it go girls?"

"Great mum, it was so cool. Me and Gabs got the prize for best paired costumes, the guys got best group and you'll never guess what."

"There's more than that?"

"Oh yes Mrs Peters."

"Yeah mum, Gaby won best costume out of the whole dance!"

"Gaby you must be really pleased."

"Yes Mrs Peters."

"Come on then dig in, there's plenty here and there's more pizza if you want. Are Drew and Rhod coming?"

"They said they might come but we didn't see them when we left school."

"Ok, we'll leave you to it then."

"Thanks mum."

"Yeah thanks Mrs Peters."

Mad's mum left us to the food and drink and a recovering Rhod and a less paranoid Drew joined the others.

"I'm glad that's over Drew, I just never, ever want to wear a dress again!"

"It's alright for you, I'm going to have to."

"What do you mean?"

"Well Mad entered me as 'Gaby Thomas'."

"So?"

"Well the cheque for best costume is made out to 'Gaby Thomas'."

"Can't one of the girls get it cashed for you?"

"I don't think so, I'm going to have to be Gaby to get the cash."

"Sorry Drew but I didn't think anything like this would happen."

"That's alright Mad."

"I'll try to help bro."

"Thanks Jules, it would be a shame to lose £100."

"No kidding."

"Heck how are me and Rhod going to get changed with your parents here Mad?"

"Oh, I hadn't thought of that."

I started to panic a bit.

"Well I reckon if I just change into my jeans and stuff I can get the makeup and stuff off at home no problem. If mum sees me I can just say it was for the party." Rhod told us.

"Can't you do the same Drew?" Ally asked

"Mum will want to pick us up from here and your mum will be around, I'm sunk."

"Look I know," Bernie put in. "if you and Jules come over to mine, you could change and get picked up from there."

"But we shouldn't be walking around this time of night."

"We don't have to, we can get a taxi, mum gave me the money, we can drop Rhod off on the way and your mum can collect you from my house. We can tell Mrs Peters that you're both staying over with me before going home to Cuckney tomorrow."

"What about Ally?"

"I'm staying over with Mad, dads picking me up in the morning."

"Sounds like a good plan to me" Jules agreed, "you can put your jeans and sweatshirt on here like Rhod and we can clean you up at Bernie's."

"Ok then let's do it."

Us two guys changed into our boy's stuff, but with our made up faces and hairpieces we still looked like a couple of girls. If Mrs Peters noticed anything odd when she saw us out to the taxi she didn't let on.

Bernie had a key so we didn't need to wake her parents, which was just as well. We had about fifteen minutes before mum fetched us, so while Bernie cleaned my nails, Jules removed my makeup and wig. It was a relief to once again look in a mirror to see Drew rather than Gaby. Mum turned up and we left Bernie at the door and got in the car.

Mum gave me a couple of funny looks as we set off but I ignored them.

"You all have a good time?"

"Yeah, me and the girls one a prize" Jules told her

"What about you Drew?"

"No I guess my costume wasn't that good" I lied

"This really cute friend of Maddy won best costume."

"Did you take pictures?"

"Yes, but I think I might have messed up the one of Drew."

"That'll be a pity. Well I guess if you all had a good time that fine, you can tell me more tomorrow."

We got home and I went straight up to bed, stripped and got under the duvet, I was asleep in minutes.

When I went to the bathroom next morning, I realised what mum had been looking at last night, I still had the crystal studs in my ears. I quickly took them out and hoped I'd get away with it. My toenails were still painted too so I repeated Tuesday's episode with Jules and this time she didn't hesitate in helping out.

At long last it was the Easter break!

Maddy Bell 15.02.03
Copyright 2003

Part 13

Easter Break

Two whole weeks off school! It was all planned to the nth detail, bike rides, bowling, cinema, the Easter weekend away racing, a visit to Nan and lots of chilling with the gang!

The only black cloud on the horizon was the potential problem of cashing my prize cheque from last night. After a short training ride, I got dressed in jeans and t shirt ready for today's main attraction - bowling.

We were all going, that is Bernie, Ally, Rhod, Clive, Paul, Maddy, Jules and her mates Charlie and Anna and me. We had an alley booked for two so we were meeting at the bus stop at twelve thirty.

That left me with some time to kill so I thought I would bug my sister for a bit.

"Jules?"

"You know about the cheque right?"

"Yes."

"How am I gonna cash it? I mean it's made out to an imaginary person"

"You could go and see if the school secretary can get it changed."

"But that would mean letting people know it was me!"

"I see your point."

"Could you like pretend to be Gaby and get it cashed, you can have a share."

"Everyone at the bank knows me so I don't think that would work, what about one the girls, they could do it."

"I'll ask later. Changing the subject, I forgot to take the studs out before mum picked us up."

"Do you think she noticed?"

"I'm not sure, she kept giving me funny looks on the way home though."

"She hasn't said anything this morning though?"

"No."

"Well quit worrying, what's done is done, you can't undo it now although the exact circumstances will take a bit of explaining."

"No kidding!"

"Lets get a sandwich then we can walk over to meet Charlie and go for the bus."

"Ok."

"Come on, cheer up. Two whole weeks off, no uniforms and not much homework for a change."

"I guess."

We made sandwiches for dad and ourselves, mum was out shopping. After polishing the food off, we donned our coats and set off to collect Charlie and make our way to the bus stop. Charlie was waiting for us and soon she and jules were deep into a post party discussion while I trailed along behind.

Everyone bar Clive was already at the stop and soon there was a lively nine-way conversation in the bus shelter. Obviously the previous night was the main topic of conversation, both Rhod and I had to feign interest as though we were absent from the festivities, there were three people who didn't know about Gaby and Pippa and we wanted to keep it that way. Paul, bless him, actually helped by telling jules' friends 'all' about Maddy's cousin and friend, backed up by Clive when he arrived a couple of minutes before the bus.

The bus was pretty full but we managed to commandeer enough seats upstairs and our little party were soon attracting the attention of the tutting brigade, they must have been kids once, mustn't they?

We split into two teams, Paul, myself, Maddy, Charlie and Ally against Bernie, jules, Clive, Anna and Rhod. We were fairly evenly matched and the final score was even - no winners, no losers. We hit Maccy D's afterwards for the usual teenagers fill of burger and chips. The restaurant was packed so we took our food outside and found some seats in the precinct.

On the way back to the bus station I managed to get Maddy alone.

"Mad, you weren't serious last night about the cheque were you?"

"Don't be daft, I talked to Ally and she said she'll do the business for you."

"Phew, thank heavens, you really had me going there."

"Look a deals a deal Drew. You and Rhod were really fantastic, I mean most guys would have run a mile. We all thought that you would chicken out and we wouldn't have held it against you guys. We owe you one so sorting the money is our job."

"You mean we could have ducked out?"

"Of course."

"Sheesh."

"Quick, there's the bus!"

Well that effectively ended that conversation and I felt happier on the bus back home. We split up back in Church Warsop, each to their own homes; we would be seeing plenty of each other the rest of the hol's anyway.

Along with mum, I had another of the airfield races on Sunday so you can guess how the day panned out. Mum did well again, finishing in the front group, the only lady to manage that. I was concentrating more this week and it showed. I made all the moves and although I was only eighth overall, I won my age category, which bolstered my prize fund by ten pounds.

Mum had the same holidays as us; so on Monday she herded the junior Bond's into the car to go visit Grandma at Nantwich. I always looked forward to visiting grandma and the two-hour drive across the Peak District was remarkably pleasant. We were coming this week as the traffic Easter week would be heavy with lots of grockles clogging the lanes, if you visit the Peak District avoid Easter!

Grandma had lunch waiting when we arrived, a bit early really, but we were going to visit Joddrell Bank in the afternoon. It was really interesting and those dishes are really huge! I recognised the roads we used as the same as the ones we raced on at Christmas, how I missed seeing the observation centre I don't know. Well I guess I do, I was too busy worrying about wearing a dress!

Memories of Christmas flooded back. I tried to recall how it had all come about, oh yes that was it. Mum had seen the Xena and Gaby costumes at a Fantasy convention she went to with dad and on impulse had bought them both. The original idea was that my sister would ride the event with mum and I would ride on my own. However fate stepped in.

Two days before the closing date, jules got injured playing hockey and the doctor advised several weeks of rest for her badly bruised leg. That's when mum had the brainstorm, she rang the organiser and swapped my entry to the tandem event and withdrew my sis. Then she told me I would be in costume, not the one I planned on, Michael Schumacher, and I even had a red boiler suit. No I was going to go in Jules costume, as Gaby.

I kicked up a right fuss, threatening to refuse to go, to give up riding; well I got quite vociferous. In the end with the assistance of a bit of bribery, I was convinced to do the deed. I didn't really want to relive that episode so I didn't mention it; I didn't need to as grandma did!

"I wondered whether I would have two granddaughters today"

"Grandma, you know it was only really for the race."

"Well I know that's how it started, but you seemed to enjoy it when we went to the restaurant."

"Well I had to eat and I didn't get too much choice did I? If I never have to wear a dress again it will be too soon", I said with some vehemence.

"Now, now young man, calm down. I was only kidding you. Now then when did you have your ears pierced?"

If it wasn't one thing it was another!

"I haven't!"

"Come on Drew, I know what pierced ears look like and yours are definitely pierced."

So I had to come clean, well sort of, to Grandma.

"I didn't mean to get them done" well that was no lie anyway. "Me and the guys were joshing a bit and Maddy bet that I wouldn't do it. Well I said that I would if she'd wear her hair in pigtails for a week, she hates braids! But I lost the bet so I let her do my ears, I mean they would heal up afterwards wouldn't they?"

"But they didn't or you didn't want them to?"

"I did want them to but" here I reverted to the truth, "Maddy managed to leave keepers in when she took the studs out. I just thought my ears were sore. When I found out it was too late, they were healed, but not closed. Please Gran, mum doesn't know, she'd kill me, she won't even let Jules have hers done yet!"

"Don't worry I won't tell her."

"Thanks Gran."

"But if she asks I'll have to tell her. I'm sure even your mother isn't that blind!"

"You mean she just hasn't said anything?"

"Knowing your mum she's waiting for you to tell her."

"I guess, I suppose I'd better tell her then."

"Well come on, lets you and me get tea ready so you can get home before it's too late."

I decided not to say anything to mum just yet, if she was really upset I'd soon know about it so why rush the wrath?

Tuesday the guys and me were going biking. I've got three bikes; one for training, one for racing and what mum calls my street bike. My street bike is actually a fairly nice mountain bike, 24 gears, front suspension and a really gross lime and pink colour scheme. Well a friend of my mum who races professionally gave it to me. Caroline didn't use it anymore, it was her old training bike and it fit me great.

I got to be leader of our little group for bike rides, as I was the 'expert', well you know what I mean. We were going to the Sherwood Forest visitor centre at Edwinstowe today, not a long way but the girls didn't ride much and Clive never rode if he could help it. There were six of us today as Paul couldn't come and Jules and her friends were doing more 'adult' things.

We met at Ally's place and after a session of tyre pumping and brake checking, we set off for the day. A short ride along the road soon had us at the bridleway; we were not going to use the roads much if we could help it. In these situations it's always a temptation to show off a bit to those less adept and Rhod and even Clive didn't help, insisting on impromptu races. However after one such episode had dumped the three of us on the track, the appeal passed and we rode along at a more sedate pace.

I was dying to ask Ally if she'd got the cheque paid in but she pre-emptied my question.

"Drew, I couldn't get to the bank yesterday, mum insisted on going to Nottingham. I'll go tomorrow before we meet up ok."

"Sure" I couldn't help but let a slight edge of disappointment into my voice.

We eventually arrived at the visitor centre and whilst we had all been before we did the tourist bit before finding a table to eat our sandwiches at. However the tempting smells of hot dogs and burgers issuing from the café soon changed our plans. Assorted junk food later, we set off to look at the famous Major Oak, supposedly one time home to Robin Hood. After having marvelled at the old tree and the props holding up some of the branches, we set off for home.

It would be too boring to go back the same way so I picked another trail for us to follow. Disaster struck after a few minutes when Maddy's front tyre exploded depositing her in a heap on the trail. Luckily personal damage was confined to pride but the tyre was ruined, even my puncture repairing skills would not mend the ripped tyre.

"We're not far from the centre, we could ring someone to fetch you."

"But that could take ages."

"Yeah but it's sensible."

"How about we just all walk."

"It's miles" Bernie complained

"How about this then. Two of us ride back and raise the alarm while the rest keep walking. I reckon by the time they got to the village the rest will be at the Meden road."

"Who's gonna go, you can't go Drew, we don't know the way."

"How about me and Rhod?" Clive asked

"Yeah we can go back the way we came, it's shorter too, we just go back to the centre and follow the signs."

"Ok then, we'll see you later."

The guys set off back up the trail and me and the girls started pushing our bikes in the other direction. I swapped bikes with Mad and we chatted as we went. The subject of Friday obviously came up and I had to tell them about my chat with grandma the previous day. On a couple of descents the girls rode down leaving me to catch up as best I could. We must have been walking for an hour and a half before we heard some traffic on the road ahead. Before we got there however we were greeted by Rhod and my sister.

"Hi guys."

"What are you doing here?"

"I saw Rhod and Clive and they told me what happened."

"Where's Clive?"

"He was too knackered to ride back out here so he went home."

"Is someone coming to pick me up?" asked Maddy

"No, I thought we'd sort it ourselves. I've brought a spare tyre and tube so we can fix your bike then we can all ride back."

"Ok."

"We can eat our sandwiches, anyone got a drink?"

"Come on Rhod, you can help."

That's one thing, in a house full of bikes, there's always spare bits around. It didn't really take long to fit the new tyre and tube, my parents made sure long ago that I could do the basics of get you home bike maintenance. Jules had some hand wipes, which were much needed after the tyre change, and after Rhod and I had a sandwich we all headed back toward home.

"See you guys tomorrow."

"Ok."

"I'll go to the bank in the morning Drew."

"Thanks Ally, see you tomorrow then."

Things were looking good, the money would soon be banked and I could forget the whole Gaby thing. As usual fate would play its hand and once again the press influenced things. I didn't even see the report on the dance in that evening's Chad (our local paper). If I had, I would have known that it was all going to go pear shaped again.

Maddy Bell 16.02.03
Copyright 2003

Part 14

Easter Break 2

"Drew I'm sorry but there was a problem at the bank."

My heart sank, I had really thought that Ally would sort the problem out this morning.

"Wouldn't they let you open an account?"

"Worse than that."

"What could be worse?"

Ally was obviously in a bit of a state, but I couldn't imagine why.

"Well I don't have the cheque either, they kept hold of it."

"Why?" I was a bit panicked now, I mean a hundred pounds is not a fortune but it's still worth having and to lose it, well I didn't want to lose it.

"I'd best tell you the whole story I guess. I went to the bank this morning and asked if I could cash the cheque. They asked a bunch of questions and I thought I had it sorted when another woman came in. any way she saw the name on the cheque then disappeared and came back with the paper."

Ally was nearly in tears now and I wasn't sure what to do.

"The woman said I had to have stolen the cheque, I clearly wasn't 'Gaby Thomas', because her picture was in the paper."

"Did they get the police or anything, what happened Ally?" I was getting hyper.

"Well I managed to convince them that I was your friend and that I said I would get the cheque cashed. Well I guess they sort of believed me, I mean I was getting really scared. Anyway they said that they wouldn't take it any further and they would give you the money if you went in with me yourself. Drew they kept the cheque and the only way we can get the money is if you dress up again!"

"I'm sorry you had to go through that Ally, I guess we'll have to meet with the others and discuss this."

"I told Mrs Jenkins, the lady at the bank that it might be a few days as you were going away for some of Easter break so we have a bit of time to get organised."

"Not much I guess, it's Wednesday today and I do go away on Thursday night."

"When do you get back?"

"Monday night I think."

"Well I guess we just plan on say next Tuesday or Wednesday."

"We're going to Meadowhall Wednesday, it'll have to be Tuesday I guess."

"Come on lets meet the rest of the guys."

Today we were going to hang at Rhod's place and I had a score to settle on his PS2. Well Rhod did have a copy of Chad so the first topic was again the Easter party. I looked at the picture that had caught Ally earlier, it was not particularly flattering, I mean what newspaper picture is, but I could see why it was obvious to the woman at the bank that Ally wasn't me. I didn't look like me as Drew (phew!) but Ally didn't look like me either. There were several pictures of the dance; I was even named as was Maddy. I don't even remember seeing a photographer!

Ally filled the rest in on the mornings adventure and I saw Rhod give me a look of sympathy. After all he wouldn't have to dress up again would he? As we had done it before, there wasn't so much planning to do and I even managed a go on the playstation before it was time to go home.

I don't want to bore you all with my usually normal life so I'll skip to the interesting bits.

We were going down to the Isle of Wight for the Easter racing weekend, by travelling down Thursday night dad hoped to miss most of the good Friday traffic and anyway the first races were on Friday afternoon. Well it sort of worked; we caught the last ferry out of Southampton and eventually got parked up just outside Cowes shortly after midnight.

Friday morning it was a bit foggy and instead of Dads planned drive to the Needles we settled on a trip to Carisbrooke Castle in the middle of the island. I like castles and this one was no less exciting, I was intrigued by the donkey mill and by the end of our visit the weather was clearing up. Today's races were to be on a short circuit in Shanklin so we headed down to the coast to get ready.

Well I have to admit that the racing was hard and fast and at the end of things I was glad just to still be on two wheels! Mum mixed it with the best, gave as good as she got and was rewarded with third place in the mixed sex event. We all stayed to watch the category one event, I imagined myself cornering like those guys, sprinting out of the bends, hunching low over the bars on the descents. Well like I said before, some kids dream of being Beckham, me its another David, Millar.

On Saturday the racing moved to Ryde seafront where everyone got to race about three times during the day, boy was I whacked. However the flatter circuit suited me better and I got third in one race, sixth in another and fourteenth in the third, but not in that order. Mum was still impressive and in her two events she finished top six both times.

Sunday saw the main event, the Tour de Wight, a nearly eighty mile event around the island. It was all senior categories but by invitation only, mum had an invite after the New Forest weekend I told you about. There was only mum and Tina, the girl she beat that weekend in the lady category; the rest were nearly all category one and two men.

We watched the start but because of the course we decided not to try and watch out on the road and anyway I had another seafront race before the main event finished. I got fourth today in a hairy sprint, one of my fellow competitors crashed badly in the sprint after running into my back wheel. It shook me up I have to say but I was pretty made up getting in the prizes again.

Mum was expecting to get blown out by the men today, it would at worst make a good training run! So when the big race swept through the town before the finish, it wasn't just our family that were jumping up and down seeing mum with the main pack of twenty riders. A few minutes later and the mass of riders hurtled towards the line and although we didn't really expect to see mum at the front, it was deflating when we couldn't see her.

We quickly found her afterwards and it seemed everyone, the other riders included wanted to congratulate her on her ride. I recognised some of them from their pictures in Cycling Weekly; this was my mum they were congratulating! It took a while to get the full result and the full story. Mum placed tenth, a huge achievement at this level for anyone, after instigating the decisive breakaway and while not taking all her turns on the front, she did enough to earn respect. Enough that when she did get dropped on the climb out of Cowes just a few miles from the finish a couple of guys dropped back to get her back on the group.

The race really had taken its toll however and as soon as she could mum hit the sack. There was free entertainment at a local holiday camp that evening so me, dad and Jules went along and left mum to sleep it off.

There was no racing on Monday so dad finally took us sightseeing around the island, the Needles, Black Gang Chine, we looked at the bizarre coloured sands in the cliffs and whilst we didn't stop we saw Queen Victoria's house the hovercraft that runs across to Portsmouth. Our ferry left just after two and we had a fairly hold up free ride back up to Nottinghamshire.

"What are you kids doing today?"

"I'm going out with Charlie and Anna."

"You going out with your friends Drew?"

"Yes mum, we're meeting at Maddy's."

"Well don't forget, you riding the ten over at Cuckney tonight, seven o'clock."

"Aren't you going mum?"

"I would love to but the Federation (Cycling Federation) have asked me to go over to Manchester today and I don't know what time I'll be back."

"If I take my kit, I can go straight from Maddy's as she lives closer."

"Is her mum okay with that?"

"Yeah we were all staying for tea any way."

"Well don't eat anything too greasy, you don't want cramps later"

"Come on mum, Mrs Peters hardly ever does burgers or stuff, its usually pasta or salad."

"Oh, don't forget this" she handed me a piece of printed paper, "you need the parental consent form to ride."

"Yes mum."

"And come straight home afterwards, it'll be dark about nine."

"Yes mum."

"Right then have a good day."

The excitement of the weekend had allowed me to quit thinking about today but now as I ride over to Maddy's house I got to thinking about it again. I was at least philosophical this time, it was positively my last time of dressing up, and we would be £100 better off!

Mrs Peters had a few errands to run, so my transformation into Gaby could take place unhindered. Well the girls in my absence had come up with a convincingly girlie outfit for the trip as Gaby Thomas to the bank. Maddy insisted that I practised signing 'my' name and after several attempts I got a passable signature complete with loops and bits - very girlie!

I once again had the long denim skirt I wore to Sheffield the other week but this time it was teamed with a yellow Betty Boo t-shirt. Bernie produced a black choker, the same as I had seen several girls wearing recently and Maddy supplied and fitted a pair of gold hoop earrings. With the long wig and makeup, I was once again Gaby. More confusingly I didn't seem to mind it so much this time, perhaps it was not showing any leg!

The girls all wore pretty casual stuff too and by ten thirty we were ready to leave for the bank.