Posted by: Admin on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - 02:58 AM
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!
Parts 21-30
by Maddy Bell
Part 21
Gaby Exposed
Mrs Peters was now unsure as to how to proceed. Accuse 'Gaby' of being Drew? Ignore it and see what develops? The two youngsters were certainly not acting 'strangely', Maddy obviously knew the truth or did she? And Jenny in Europe too! By the end of the meal she had made her decision for better or worse.
"Right girls, I think you have something you need to tell me?"
"We do?" Maddy asked in all innocence.
"I'm not stupid Madeline, now I would appreciate the truth"
"About what Mum?" Mad was really playing this while I had got an inkling that she knew.
"If I have to spell it out. Why is Drew Bond sat at my table wearing your dress?"
Well the cards were on the table sure enough. I just sat there trying to sink into the solid dining chair. Maddy was not ready to give up yet though.
"He's not, this is Gaby!"
"Look girls, I'm not angry and I'm not going to argue. I will keep up the pretence but please tell me what's going on"
"Sorry Mrs Peters"
"No Gaby" Mad butted in.
"Its alright Mad, we better come clean. Yes it is me, Drew, but how did you know?"
"Well Drew it was the way you eat that really gave you away. You always eat my tagliatelle with such enjoyment and gusto; you did the same just now. I've never seen anyone enjoy it like you except for 'Gaby'."
At least I hadn't been spotted as such. Sheesh there is just so much to watch when you're a girl!
"Are you going to tell me what's going on, I'm not really happy that you were both half naked in Maddy's bedroom"
"Mum!"
"Oh I think I can trust you both but I think I deserve that explanation and start at the beginning please?"
"Ok Mrs Peters, but can you call me Gaby while I'm dressed like this please?"
"Alright Gaby, now hit me with it"
Between us we gave her the full story much as I told Sally this morning.
"I'm not sure I can believe all this but I guess the evidence is in front of me. Who else knows?"
"Just the gang Mum"
"And Mr Wood, Mrs Johnston, Sally and John the photographer"
"Oh and Juliette"
"Is that everyone?"
"Yes Mrs Peters"
"What about your parents Gaby?"
"Well they sort of know about this week, I don't know what Mr Wood told mum though"
"Ok then, it seems you kids know what you are doing so I won't pull the plug but there are conditions"
"Conditions?" Maddy asked
"Yes conditions, number one: You Gaby are staying here till the weekend, in the spare room. We can't have Maddy's cousin staying at the Bond's can we.
Number two: I won't have you two alone in a bedroom, if the other girls are here fine but otherwise it's a no no. And lastly number
I'm taking you to Mrs Morgan for a quick makeover. Ok guys?"
I breathed a sigh of relief; things had gone better than I thought possible. I heard Maddy relax too.
"Yes mum"
"That will be great Mrs Peters"
"Not Mrs Peters Gaby, Aunt Carol right"
"Yes Auntie"
"Fine that's settled then. What time is your sister coming over?"
"About seven?"
"Ok, I'll ring Sylvia and arrange your makeover and we can all go together."
'Aunt Carol' got up and went to the hall phone.
"What a turn up Gab!"
"I guess your mums right with the conditions, it does make sense"
"Lets do the washing up"
"Sure"
We collected the plates and dishes and carried them through to the kitchen. I caught a bit of the phone conversation as we crossed the hall.
"...my niece Gaby, I must have told you about her Sylv...yes till the weekend, thought I'd pamper the girls a bit if you don't mind.....no eight o'clock's fine, see you then...bye"
"Well that's sorted then. Eight o'clock so we don't need to rush. When you've finished the dishes we'll get you dressed a bit more modestly eh Gaby?"
"Yes Mrs.. I mean aunt"
Maddy stifled a laugh at my discomfort.
Well I was grateful in the end for Mrs Peters intervention. Maddy changed out of her jeans into pedal pushers and I got the use of Maddy's knee length shorts teamed with a t. (it might have been a t shirt but it was cropped and emphasised my chest quite a lot!) I was just about dressed when Jules arrived a bit late.
"Hi Mrs Peters"
"Hello Juliette, Maddy and my niece will be down in a minute"
"Your niece?"
"Yes you know Gaby don't you? She's staying for a few days"
Juliette was a bit confused by this statement.
Hearing me and Maddy on the stairs, Aunt Carol continued
"Here they are, I'm treating everyone to a beauty session at 'Sylvia's', I thought you'd all enjoy a girlie night!"
"Hello Juliette, you are coming aren't you?"
"Er yes Mad, that's a great idea Mrs Peters, thanks"
All the while she was looking at me stood next to my 'cousin'.
"Erm, could someone tell me what's happening please?"
"Alright Jules..." And so between us we filled my sister in on the plan. She'd tell dad I was staying with Rhod, which we would square tonight with his mum.
"Ok now we have that sorted, are you girls ready?"
"Yes mum"
"Yes Auntie Carol"
"Yes Mrs Peters"
"Come on then"
The drive to 'Sylvia's', Mrs Morgan's salon cum boutique only took a few minutes and we were inside a few minutes before Sylvia, Rhod's mum finished her previous clients nails and came to talk.
"Hi Carol, Maddy, Juliette" this was the classier of three local ladies salons so all the girls came here, "and this shy thing must be Gaby"
"Yes my niece is a bit quiet isn't she"
"Muuum" Maddy glowered
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"Ok ladies, what are we doing tonight?"
"Oh I think faces and nails for this pair" Aunt Carol indicated my sister and 'cousin', "and I leave Gaby to you, her mums never done the salon thing with her"
"What about you Carol?"
"I'm in tomorrow anyway so I'll just have a coffee and chat"
"Well I think you could give me a hand, you do Juliette and Madeline and I'll concentrate on Gaby here. I'll do their nails if you like"
"No I don't mind, come on you two over here"
"Sit down then Gaby, what's it short for?"
"Gabrielle Mrs Morgan"
"Oh call me Sylvia, everyone else does. Ok lets have a look at you"
I was inspected close enough that I thought I must be uncovered but after a minute Sylv made her pronouncement.
"Right young lady, facial, arm and leg wax, pedicure and manicure"
"Is like the waxing really necessary Sylv?"
To be truthful it wasn't the result that bothered me but the girls always went on about how much it hurt and I'm a wimp!
"I bet the others have been laying it on haven't they?"
I nodded
"It's not that bad really and I know you will love the results. You'll never want to 'just' shave again."
"Uh ok then"
Well for the next hour I was treated to all sorts of stuff, I quickly relaxed when Sylv put the face pack on and I dropped off, I was so relaxed.
"Gaby, Gaby, wakey, wakey"
"Uh"
"Well I think you enjoyed that. It's the first time anyone has ever slept through a waxing!"
"You looked so sweet Gab, we didn't want to wake you" Maddy added.
I tried to glower back but it was more of a sneer.
"Come on girls, and thanks again Sylv"
"No problem Carol and Gaby I expect to see you again soon eh"
"Thanks Sylv, I will" it just seemed polite to reply in the affirmative.
"Bye" the others chorused and we were on our way back to Maddy's.
"I'll drop you home Juliette ok"
"Fine thanks Mrs Peters, and thank you for tonight"
"That's all right, I told your mum I'd keep an eye out for you two"
"Yes thanks 'Auntie', I think I enjoyed it"
The others had a fit of giggles at that. We dropped my sister off and we were soon back at 'Castle Peters'.
"Ok you two, bed at ten thirty, you've both got school tomorrow. Gaby I'll sort you out some night clothes, I'll leave them in your room."
"Thanks Mrs Peters"
"Right you two, I'm off to bed, I'll see you in the morning, goodnight"
"Night mum"
"Night Mrs Peters"
After she went upstairs Maddy and I went into the lounge.
"Where's your Dad?"
"Oh he's in America for some business thing, he's not back till Sunday"
"My legs feel really weird after that waxing"
"Cool eh, we were sure you'd wake up, especially when she did your pits"
I immediately felt under my arms and sure enough they were hairless.
"I must have been really tired I guess"
"How do you like your nails"
I inspected my now even fingernails, a little longer than I remembered and now sporting a French polish.
"Well they do look a lot better"
"I had mine done the same look." She showed me her hands; "This is like really cool. Oh you haven't seen your hair yet either"
"What?"
"Don't worry, it's just a few highlights"
That didn't reassure me.
"Come on you can look in the downstairs loo, there's a big mirror"
She led me to the downstairs bathroom and stood me in front of the mirror. Staring back at me was Maddy's twin sister! The 'few' highlights really made me look girlier and my eyebrows had received their second working over of the day. I was gob smacked. My hair was somehow fuller at the back and I now had bangs the same as Maddy.
Who's who? Well I, that's Gaby, am on the left!
"Whoa!"
"I think Drew, you need to sit down"
She took me back to the lounge and we sat together on the sofa.
"Don't worry, we can disguise your eyebrows next week and we can get your hair put back but lets face it, no one is gonna think you're a boy tomorrow"
"I guess that's the idea. I was just a bit surprised that's all."
We sat and talked for a bit, then Maddy made us some Horlicks(r) and we went up to bed.
"G'night Gaby"
"Night Mad, see you in the morning"
Well my nightclothes were I guess what you'd expect for a thirteen year old girl, pink satin pj's! I suppose I had at least escaped a nightdress! I undressed and realised that I had missed my pedicure as well while I slept at the salon. My toenails were now
All painted with cherry red polish.
I can tell you, I didn't get to sleep easily. My dreams were bizarre and mostly on the lines of me being discovered as a boy in a dress. One thing though, I was sure that although I had come into it voluntarily this time, I didn't enjoy dressing as a girl. It was all right I guess, the buzz was in fooling my schoolmates. Even Sylv, Mrs Morgan, didn't guess! But eventually slumber came.
Maddy Bell 30.03.03
Copyright (c) 2003
Part 22
New Girl
"Wake up girls!"
"Urgh" my mind just about registered the voice.
"Come on Maddy"
My mind couldn't make sense of the words. I heard a door nearby open.
"Come on Gaby, time to get up for school"
I was still struggling to make sense. Who was Gaby? Who was the female telling Gaby to get up for school?
"Come on Gaby, your breakfast is waiting"
"Ugh" I was really articulate, "who? What?"
"Come on young lady, up and at 'em!"
I sort of recognised the instruction was aimed at me through the fuzz of morning and started to get up. I rolled over and something was in the way, something that was a bit of me, something on my chest.
"Whaa!"
The door banged open to admit a dishevelled Maddy.
"What's the matter Drew?"
Even as the words left her mouth she realised what was up, I was sat bolt upright staring down in fear at my chest and my breasts. My breasts.
"Oh right, I guess they would be a shock if you just woke up with them"
I looked over at my friend with a look of horror on my face.
"Come on Drew or should I say Gaby, you must remember yesterday? School? Photos?"
Something finally registered then.
"Er sorry Mad, I just, well I, I'm not used to having boobs"
"Well you've only got them until Saturday so make the most of them! Now get up and come down for breakfast."
"Be with you in a minute"
It was only after she'd gone that I realised that I was wearing a pair of Mad's satin pj's. Yesterday came flooding back and despite reservations I put on the fuzzy slippers that were by the bed and made my way down to the kitchen.
"There you are Gaby, juice and cereal on the table, do you want tea?"
"Er tea please Mrs Peters"
"Aunt Carol" she replied automatically.
"Er Aunt Carol"
"Maddy you can help Gaby get ready after breakfast, I'll drop you both off today so you've got an extra twenty minutes"
"Ok mum"
We finished eating and then Mad took me to get ready.
"Well don't you two look nice this morning! Come on or you'll be late"
"Here Drew you better take a bag today or people will be suspicious"
Maddy handed me a well-used backpack with assorted girly bits written and attached to it.
"Er thanks"
"There's a pencil case in there and the other stuff you'll need today"
"Come on you two, stop dawdling"
"Gaby nearly forgot her bag"
"You got everything now Gaby?"
"Yes auntie"
"Well get in then"
The journey to school only took ten minutes by car, I was thankful for the ride; a walk to school dressed as a girl was not on my list of favourite things to do!
If you want a blow by blow account of a day in a secondary school, you're in the wrong place! I followed my usual timetable as far as classes went with John snapping away and occasionally organising a set piece. My classmates soon had me pegged as a cheerful but quiet girl and they all treated me just as I appeared, a thirteen year old girl. I spent break and lunch with my 'cousin' and her friends. Clive was attentive which didn't go unnoticed by the rest of the class much to his (and my) chagrin.
In the last period John let me in on Fridays programme.
"Tomorrow you'll join this class for gym and after lunch you'll join the other third years for swimming"
"Swimming!"
"What's the problem?"
"Er John, you do remember I'm a bit over equipped?"
"Don't worry, Sally will sort you out at lunchtime tomorrow, it'll be fine ok?"
"Well if you say so I guess"
"Right, I'll see you tomorrow then and by the way the hair and nails are great, bye Gab"
"Yeah bye John"
I helped Mad with her homework after dinner and after the previous evening's excitement we spent a quiet time watching telly. 'Aunt Carol' treated me entirely as though I was her niece, I was Gaby! I told Maddy about Friday's arrangements as we sat drinking cocoa.
"How I get away with a swimsuit I don't know?"
"Well I guess we'll find out tomorrow"
"But what about gym? I can hardly get changed with the girls can I?"
"Well most of us wear our gym kit under our uniform"
"Great but what about afterwards? You know showers and stuff?"
"If you take your time tidying up everyone else will have gone, and the showers are not communal like the boys are so you should be ok."
"Hmm" I wasn't convinced.
Well as it turned out Maddy's advice was sound and I got through gym without any problems, even I can manage to play badminton. I had barely finished my lunch when Sally found me and carted me off to an out of use office on the second floor.
"I see you've added to my work, you look really good Drew"
"Gaby please, Sally, just in case you know?"
"Fair enough"
"Maddy's mum worked it all out and insisted a bit of help wouldn't go amiss."
"The boobs holding up ok?"
"Yeah, I've even sort of got used to them"
"Well for this afternoon you have a real treat. Ta da!"
"What is that?"
Sally was brandishing a skin tone something at me.
"This young lady, will keep your secret safe this afternoon, it's called a gaff and this is a professional one"
"How?"
"Well this will hide your bits and make you look just like a girl"
"Why didn't I have it for gym this morning, I was certain I would be found out"
"Well it's not exactly comfortable if you're not used to it so we thought we'd not use it until we had to. Come on, I'll let you put it on yourself, I'll wait outside"
She handed me the garment and left the room. I examined it and worked out what I needed to do, if you think about it I'm sure you can work it out too. I slipped 'my' panties off and pulled on the gaff, after a bit of fiddling with my bits to get them comfortable I was done. I pulled my panties back on and called Sally back in.
"What do you think?"
"Well I guess my bits are well hidden, I don't have a bulge at all"
"That's the idea, you can even use the toilet with it on. Now don't be bashful I need to just finish you off with this tape, so pants down, skirt up!"
Well I was covered wasn't i. I complied and Sally applied what looked like surgical tape around the gaff, when she'd done you couldn't see the join of skin and gaff.
"Ok young lady, you could pass all but a very close inspection, you even have a reasonably realistic pussy"
Well I sort of knew what a pussy was, I mean like all the guys claimed to have seen one but I actually had one of my own. Even if it was only temporary thankfully.
"Ok Gaby, showtime. Tidy yourself up, Mrs Johnston has given me a costume for you, here"
She gave me a piece of blue Lycra that didn't look like it would cover very much. I shook it out to find a school regulation one piece cossy, blue with the school crest on the left hip.
"Er thanks I think"
"Don't worry, it'll be ok. Now off with you"
"Er, thanks Sally"
"No problem now go!"
I stuffed the costume into my backpack where I already had one of Mrs Peter's towels stowed. Everyone was rushing around after registration to get to fifth period; I headed to the entrance and spotted Ally and Maddy who also had swimming this afternoon.
"Ah here she is, come on Gaby we haven't got all day" Miss Burton intoned.
"Sorry miss"
"Right everyone, out to the minibus"
I should explain here that our school had never deemed a pool essential so the school minibus took swim classes down to the pool in Mansfield. No one complained, we got out of lessons alternate Friday afternoons this year and most of the session wasn't formal. We arrived and Miss Burton joined us girls in the changing rooms. I managed to snag a corner cubicle and after a fight with my bra I emerged wearing 'my' costume.
I joined everyone else at poolside to some astonished looks from Maddy and Ally and appraisal from the rest.
"Ok class quiet down. You've all seen Mr Dover around school taking photo's, he'll be here in about half an hour to take a few shots at the pool. So" she looked at one of the boys, Gavin I think, "I don't want any horsing around"
"No miss" we all replied almost in unison.
"Right, swimmers over in the main pool, non swimmers wait here. Oh Gaby can you stay here too please"
I was a bit annoyed; Drew is a fairly good swimmer after all. So I spent the first part of the 'lesson' and Johns photo session in the kiddie pool with the bricks (non-swimmers). Admittedly swimming with boobs and a one piece cossy was a new experience but by the time the formal lesson was over I had adapted to my new buoyancy devices!
"Over here Gab!"
"Hi Ally, I'm glad that's over"
"You look really, erm, like a girl Gaby"
"Well I wouldn't want to be exposed would I"
Maddy arrived at our little coven.
"You look fab Gabs, how'd you manage it?"
After making sure no one else was within earshot I whispered to my mates.
"It's called a gaff, it's a bit uncomfortable but I think it looks like the real thing" (I'd no point of reference!) "Least ways Sally said it did"
"Well it looks real enough from here and how come your costume fits better than everyone else's?"
I shrugged
"Well I guess it is new"
A voice broke into our conversation.
"Come on you three, you're supposed to be swimming"
"Yes Miss"
When we got back to school Mr Wood was waiting.
"Gaby can I see you in my office please"
"Yes sir"
The others gave me a knowing look.
"We'll wait for you by the gate Gab"
"Ok, see you in a bit"
I followed Mr Wood to his office where he bade me sit.
"Well Drew, Mr Dover tells me things went really well and he's got all the pictures for the brochure. I have to thank you for doing this for us"
"Thank you sir" I meekly replied
"Did you enjoy this week?"
I had to think carefully before I replied.
"Well sort of. I mean it was sort of cool fooling everyone into thinking I was a girl, but it was a bit of a drag (no pun intended) wearing the girls uniform and specially the swimming costume, that was just so weird!"
Mr Wood just nodded occasionally while I talked.
"Well I guess we won't be seeing Gaby back on Monday then?" he sort of half joked.
"Definitely not, I'll be back in my own uniform!" I replied with some vehemence.
He leant forward to his desk and removed an envelope from his drawer.
"Well, young man, I managed to get you the going rate for the job, don't spend it all at once" he joked as he handed me my pay for the week.
"Thank you sir"
"Ok Drew, off you go and thanks again"
"Oh and Drew, john gave me this for you from his assistant"
I took the proffered package and left the Head's office.
I didn't think it was polite to look in the envelope while I was in the office so I waited until I was crossing the car park to meet the others.
"Wow!"
"What's up Gab?"
"I just got paid and it's like a lot"
"How much Drew?" Bernie asked
"Four hundred and fifty pounds!" I still couldn't believe it.
"But Drew it's made out to Gaby"
I silently cussed Mr Wood again. This was the second time he had done this to me!
"I suppose I'll have to go to the bank as Gaby again," I said resigned to the idea.
"You got your bank book?"
"No it's at home in my room, why?"
"Well you could stay as Gaby tonight and we could go to the bank in the morning, it's open 'till twelve"
"I 'spose, but I've got a race tomorrow afternoon"
"We'll go down early then" Bernie proposed
"You can get Juliette to bring your bank book round to Maddy's" Ally added
"We could have a sleepover! " Maddy enthused
"I guess we could do the bank in the morning then"
"What about your mum Mad?"
"She'll agree, she really likes Gab, she is family after all!" even I joined in with the ensuing laughter.
Maddy Bell 09.04.03
Part 23
Sleepover
When we got to Maddy's I rang home and got my sister in on the plan and told her where the bank pass was. She agreed to square things with dad too, she was a more convincing liar than I was!
Maddy meanwhile had got her mother to agree to the plan and I'm sure I saw a twinkle in Mrs Peter's eye when she looked at me. Ally and Bernie went home promising to return about seven with their nightwear. So here I was, reluctant participant in a girl's PJ party. Other guys would fight to be here but other guys are not dressed so they look more like a girl than some of the girls!
To be truthful I didn't know what to expect. When Ally and Bernie got back, 'Aunt Carol' as she insisted I call her, put a pizza in the oven, Jules must have smelt it as she arrived just as it came out. Afterwards Aunt Carol laid out the rules for the evening.
"Right girls, you're all old enough to know how to behave. I don't want to see naked bodies, the music will be at a reasonable volume and any mess you clear up ok?"
We nodded our ascent.
"Are you staying over Juliette?"
"No, I told dad I'd be home about eleven."
"Ok I'll drop you home then. In the meantime I'm relying on you to keep your sister and her friends in check"
"Yes Mrs Peter's"
"Ok, I'm going round to number seven for a while, I'll be back to take Juliette home ok?"
"Yes mum" Maddy offered
"Now have fun and behave!" she left leaving the five of us alone.
I'm not going to relive the entire evening for you. Do you really need to know who won the Pontoon school (me) or who had to kiss four legs during spin the bottle (Maddy!). after Mrs Peter's took Jules home the rest of us put on our night wear and we settled down for a horror story session. (Is this obligatory at any teen overnight event?) We talked late into the night but we eventually all ended up asleep in Maddy's room.
Saturday dawned nice and bright and after breakfast we all got ready for our trip to the bank with my big pay cheque.
Not having any clothes of my own, Maddy supplied my wardrobe, jeans, T and a wrap top. I think Bernie has got one like it too. With the gaff still on, in truth I had gotten used to it, I really looked like a girl even in jeans.
We walked into town and headed straight to 'Gaby's' bank.
"Hello girls, Gaby"
"Hello Mrs Jenkins"
"Call me Janet girls. What can we do for you today?"
"I've got another cheque to pay in Janet"
I handed her my passbook and the cheque
"Golly Gaby, what did you do? Rob a bank!"
We all politely laughed at her attempt at humour.
"I did a bit of modelling and this is my pay"
"Well I reckon I'm in the wrong job then"
In truth Janet was a bit of a looker, every time I've seen her she's been wearing trendy stuff and today was no exception. She was certainly not the usual stereotypical bank worker. She quickly put the cheque through the system as she talked.
"Do you want any money out?"
"Er not just now. How long before I can get this money?"
"It should be clear by Wednesday, I hope you're not planning on frittering it away young lady"
"Course not Janet, I was just wondering thanks"
"Well I'll see you all soon then"
"Bye Janet"
"Bye girls"
Our little posse departed the bank and gathered outside.
"What now?"
"Well I need to be home as Drew by one"
"It won't take long to get you sorted, if we get back to Maddy's for eleven we should have time"
"What are we doing then?" I asked
"We'll stop at the baker's and get some buns, we can chill in the park for a while"
What the heck, at least I was wearing jeans and didn't feel quite so exposed.
"Sure why not"
So that's what we did, armed with a bag of assorted doughnuts we spent best part of an hour larking about in the playground before returning to Chez Peter's.
"Drew how are gonna get your boobs off?"
I had already checked out the packet from Sally so knew I had what I needed. I thought I'd wind them up a bit first though.
"Oh no, Sally said I needed a special solvent to get them off" I feigned shock
"Oh my god Drew, you'll be stuck with boobs!"
"I can't go home like this, what can I do?"
"Can we get hold of Sally? Do you know where the studio is?"
"She gave me her number I'll try that"
I dialled a random number and held a quiet conversation with myself.
"Well?"
"It's alright, she said I should use the stuff in this bottle" I flourished the bottle at my friends, "it'll do the job"
Ally made a grab for the bottle and claiming it read the label.
"You fraud Gaby Thomas, you had this all the time" then she playfully lit into me.
"Stop, stop, I give in"
"Getting us all worried for you like that"
"Sorry, I couldn't resist it"
Well I was de-boobed, un-gaffed and through the shower in time for a light lunch. Apart from my highlighted hair and thinned brows, I looked like me again, after half a week as Gaby I never wanted a repeat.
"I'll collect the uniform tomorrow Mad so Jules can wash it"
"That's alright I'll do it with my stuff later and bring it to school Monday"
"Thanks Mad"
"You off Drew?"
"Yes Mrs Peters"
"Well I suggest you take your earrings out before you get home and we'll see you soon"
"Bye everyone"
"Bye Drew" they all answered in kind.
"I thought you'd left home"
"Sorry dad"
"Well you're home now, your mum rang earlier, she sends her love"
I was a bit pissed at missing her call.
"We need to leave in twenty minutes if we're going to get there on time so get your arse in gear young man"
"Yes dad"
Maddy Bell 09.04.03 Copyright (c) 2003
Part 24
Return to Normal
It was a miracle that I was ready on time! The event I was riding was up in Yorkshire near Goole, only just over an hour away but dad liked to allow plenty of time and who was I to argue. Jules was out with Anna and Charlie so it was just me and dad making the trip.
"You're quiet Drew"
"Er sorry dad, just thinking"
"Penny for 'em"
What I was thinking I could hardly share with dad. The last few days had not really been that bad, I sort of enjoyed the deception and I certainly appreciated the money it had generated! It was sort of weird to be sat in the car without boobs, even if they were falsies, I mean I had gotten used to the weight and movement even if I didn't really want them in the first place. I didn't need to be 'Gaby' anymore; I had an ATM card to get to my little nest egg, so there really would be no need.
"Drew, are you with us?"
I snapped back to the present.
"Just a bit annoyed at missing mum's call"
"She asked how your job went"
"Er, ok I guess, Mr Wood seemed happy anyway"
"Good"
"How's mum getting on?"
"Oh she's fine, her first race is tomorrow, the Ardennes Speziale in Belgium. She's got all her kit and as Mercedes are a co sponsor they are lending her a car."
"Wow a Mercedes, what sort?"
"I think she said one of those A something's."
"Clive's parents have got one of those, I guess it's still pretty cool"
"Well look we're here, where are we to park?"
"The sheet says at the village hall"
"That must be it over there"
It seemed a bit strange being at a race without mum but I suppose I would get used to it. Dad sorted out my bike and I was warmed up and on the line before my mind could wander again.
The course today was flatter than I'm used to so my expectations were high as I listened to the timekeeper counting down to my start.
"Go!"
I concentrated on following all the advice mum had given me previously as I headed out to the turn. I turned in thirteen minutes; pretty good as it was over half way round the ten-mile course. I realised why as I started the second leg, there was actually a stiff breeze blowing across the course and I was now riding into it.
The finish hove into sight and I pushed just that little bit harder and barely had the energy to call my number as I crossed the line. By the time I got back to the HQ dad was waiting for me.
"Well done Drew, 25.47 that's a personal best isn't it!"
"Yes" I panted
"Come on, let's get you changed" he pushed me along back to the car where I dismounted and collapsed into the seat.
"Give me your number and I'll get you a drink, what do you want?"
I unpinned my number and replied
"Tea please dad" mum always said it was better than squash, I tended to agree.
"Back in a minute, finish changing"
I did the usual TT challenge, or how to change in the back of a car with people walking past all the time! I had just got out to stow my kit bag when dad got back.
"Look's like you're third, that big lad from Hull has done a long '22 though"
"He is nearly sixteen and he did a '21 last year"
"Well anyway, you've done really well, you might get best improvement too"
"It's only a few seconds"
"Yes but it looks like you being small is an advantage with this wind on the course, everyone else is slower"
I finished my tea while dad put my bike away, then we walked to the result board. There it was ' third under sixteen, A Bond' then lower down 'best improvement A Bond 7 sec's', being a time trial the prizes were hardly phenomenal but even so I was pretty chuffed.
We stopped at a Little Chuff on the way home, a treat for me, as I love their cherry pancakes. Once home I showered then joined a now returned Jules in front of the idiot box for the Saturday film.
Sunday morning was overcast and I hoped the weather was better where mum was. I went out for my usual Sunday ride and got home as Paul and Clive turned up.
"Hi Drew"
"Hi guys"
"You okay now?"
I had to think about that.
"Er yeah"
"I had a dose of flu last year and it was dire"
Flu, right, that was my cover for not being at school this last week.
"Well it wasn't too bad, it was more of a precaution really"
"You never guess Drew?"
"Guess what Clive?"
"Clive's been drooling over Gaby while you've been off"
"Have not!"
"Have, you remember Gaby Drew? Maddy's cousin?"
"Oh right" I tried to act dumb.
"Well she's been at our school this week as a model"
"You mean in art or something?" I dumbed.
"No, they've been taking pictures for some school book or something" Clive chimed.
"Right"
"Yeah and Clive has had his tongue hanging out all the time, he fancies her something rotten!"
"I do not!"
"Who ended up in a rubbish bin coz he was watching her?"
"I was distracted" Clive tried to bluster.
"Drew, this individual here was heard with witnesses to declare unending love for Gaby Thomas!"
Clive was colouring up now. I was having a hard time not making a run for it but was saved by dad.
"Morning lads"
"Good morning Mr Bond"
"Hi Mr Bond"
"What are you three up to today?"
"Thought we'd play with the RC's" Paul replied
"Get yourself showered and changed first Drew"
"Yes dad"
"Well see you later"
Dad went back inside leaving me with my mates, one of which had declared his love for my alter ego! Sheesh!
I showered, changed then got out my RC Mini, spare battery packs and stuff and we went round to Paul's bungalow where we spent the rest of the day tearing the lawn up.
"Here you are Drew" Maddy handed me a bag, "your uniforms in there and the other bits you left at our house"
I looked stupidly at her.
"You know" she mimed grabbing her breasts
"Oh right, thanks Mad"
"How'd the race go?"
"I came third and best improvement"
"Great, you coming to mine tonight?"
"Isn't it Ally's turn?
"Yeah but her mum's out tonight so we swapped"
"Right"
"See ya later Drew"
I thought I'd best give Mrs Johnston the uniform and stuff as soon as possible so I wasn't walking around with a bag of girls clothing. So I went to the staff room before registration and managed to find her.
"I've brought the uniform and stuff, Mrs Johnston, it's all washed and Sally's stuff is in there too"
"Oh Drew, didn't Mr Wood tell you on Friday, they are all yours, we're sure you will need them again some time!"
"I don't think so Mrs Johnston"
"Well you never know Drew. Anyway, leave them here for now and pick them up later"
"Er ok then, thanks"
Was this some sort of conspiracy to get me into girl's clothes? First it's my friends and now it's my teachers! I mean what the hell use is a girls school uniform to me? It's not like I'm going to attend school as a girl (again!) any time soon or ever. Well I guess I could always 'forget' to pick them up from the staff room.
I got through the rest of the day without incident, which surprised me a bit, I was sure someone would make the connection but I guess no one looked at me too closely. After all people usually only see what they expect.
I met Rhod after school and we walked round to the Peters house together.
"I wasn't sure who I'd see this morning, you or Gaby"
"Not you as well! Everyone seems to want to see me in skirts and stuff lately"
"Well you do it pretty well you know, I mean I got away with the dance but no way could I have pulled last week off."
"Jeez, I do not want to dress as a girl!"
"Okay, okay!"
We dropped the subject and we talked about mum's new car until we arrived at Maddy's.
"Hi guys"
"Hi Mad"
"Hello Rhod, hello Drew"
"Hi Mrs Peters"
We went through to our usual haunt, the dining room where Ally and Bernie were already sat.
"Hiya"
"Hi"
"Tea in five minutes" Mrs Peters advised, "get the table laid"
"Hmm that smells good"
"Steak and kidney pudding for us and veggie burger for Rhod"
I could see Rhod look longingly at our meal, he was not vegetarian by choice, the doctor had put him on a meat free diet last year as he had developed a bad reaction to meat.
We ate with minimal interruption; it seems that everyone liked the suet pudding as much as Mrs Peters pasta! We cleared up afterwards and then regrouped.
Maddy was just bursting to tell us all something.
"I've something to tell you"
"What Mad?"
"Spit it out" Ally added.
"Well you know dad was in the States last week?"
"Yeah" I replied for everyone.
"Well while he was there one of his clients said that his daughters school was running an exchange programme and did he know of anyone who might be interested at home!"
"Cool" Bernie exclaimed
"Neat" Rhod concluded
"Anyway, dad said he thought we might be interested, so he's brought all the details back, it has to be done through school so mum's going to see Mr Wood tomorrow"
"What happens then?"
"Well dad said that if Mr Wood agrees, the American kids come over at the end of August and stay for six weeks, then we go to them next spring."
"Where is it?" Rhod asked
"Well Mr Dobson, dads client, lives just outside of the Shenandoah National Park"
"Where?" I'd never heard of it, Yellowstone yes but this Shenoah?
"It's in Virginia sort of between New England and Florida"
"Is that the East Coast then?" Bernie asked, she wasn't much good at geography.
"Yes" the rest of us chorused.
"I hope Mr Wood says it's okay"
"Yeah it would be a bummer if he said no" I intoned.
Well as you can guess we spent the evening talking about America and the exchange scheme. There was usually an exchange visit for the fourth year language students, a bus load of German kid's came before Christmas and some French kids were coming in May, Jules friend Anna was having one stay with her.
We all went home abuzz with excitement.
I got home just after nine and I was barely in the door when the phone went. Dad answered the phone and announced,
"It's your mum, you can talk to her in a minute"
Great! I guess I hadn't missed her quite as much as I thought I would but it would be good to talk to her. I got a drink while dad talked to her then he passed me the phone.
"Hi mum"
"Hi Drew, you alright?"
"Great, how did it go on Sunday?"
"Ok I suppose, we won the team prize but I was only thirty third"
She didn't seem too keen to talk about it so I changed the subject.
"When do you get your car?"
"It's not mine really but I get to use it to get to races and stuff, I pick it up on Thursday. What's happening with you?"
Where to start?
"I did a PB on Saturday, 25.47 and I got best improvement"
"Your dad said you'd had a good ride"
I spent a couple of minutes talking about the race.
"What else have you been doing?"
"Maddy's dad was in America and he thinks we can do an exchange thing, she's just told us tonight!"
"That sounds exciting Drew"
So I spent another five minutes telling mum all I knew.
"Well Drew, your mother needs her beauty sleep so put your dad back on "
"Ok"
"Bye Drew, talk to you soon"
"Bye mum"
I passed the phone back to dad and went to wash my cup. By the time I got back dad had finished the call.
"Your mother is sorting out some accommodation so we can go visit at Whitsun while you're off school"
"Wow, that's brill"
"Now what's this about an exchange student?"
So I had to tell dad everything too!
"Well your mother reckons it would be good for you, so it's a provisional yes, but I want to know more before I agree"
"Thanks dad"
"Time for bed now"
"Ok, g'night"
"Night Drew"
I went up to my room and hadn't got the door shut when Jules came in.
"You left this at school"
She was brandishing a bag that looked all too familiar.
"Mrs Johnston caught me as I was leaving, she said you'd left it with her for safekeeping"
"Well sort of"
"Gaby, you can't just leave your uniform laying around!"
"Shush, dad'll hear and cut it out with the Gaby stuff!"
"Ok but you'd best hang it at the back of your wardrobe."
"Why can't you keep it in your room?"
"My wardrobes full and anyway with mum away who's gonna look in you cupboards"
Lets face it all mums are nosy and poke around your stuff!
"No one I guess, but I really don't want it, I mean I have no intention of dressing up again, ever"
"Hmm! Well it won't be a hardship to store this stuff then will it"
I'm sure there was some sort of twisted logic to Jules argument but I couldn't see it or beat it.
"Okay then but not a word to anyone. Now get out, I'm going to bed"
"Goodnight then"
"Yeah night Jules"
She left my room leaving me with far too much to think about. America, going to see mum and a girls school uniform and stuff in my closet! Life was certainly getting interesting. Instead of all this I ended up dreaming about my brilliant career as a pro cyclist, well it was a dream!
Maddy Bell 14.04.03 Copyright (c) 2003
Part 25
News Travels Fast
Tuesday and time for another ten. School was uneventful, Mrs Peters had her meeting with the Head but we wouldn't know the outcome till later on. At least this week I wouldn't go to the race wearing makeup and earrings! Well I suppose they were just props, I mean everyone treated me the same as when I was wearing them. I was slower this week but the weather was cooler and the weekends wind was still making it's presence felt. I didn't hang around but rode home as soon as I got my time.
"Can you ring Maddy, Drew?" Juliette greeted me
"Did she say what about?"
"Some exchange thing"
There was an element of expectation as I dialled the number.
"Hi Mrs Peters"
"Hi Drew, Maddy is just here"
"Hi Drew"
"Hi Mad, is it on then?" I asked
"Mum said Mr Wood wasn't too keen but she talked him round"
"Cool!"
"He want's to see us in the morning before assembly" I seemed to end up in his office far too often lately.
"What for?"
"I think he want's to sort of keep it quiet"
"Ok"
"Well I thought I'd let you know as soon as I could, anyway got to go. See you in the morning"
"Yeah bye"
"Night Drew"
Yes! A trip to the US.
"What was that all about" Jules asked
"Mr Peters is organising a student exchange to America, Mr Wood wants to see some of us in the morning."
I could see that my potential trip had already sparked a spot of jealousy.
"Nothings settled yet, it might not happen"
Jules didn't say anything so I left it there.
"Okay you lot" Mr Wood was speaking to our small gathering the following morning.
"Madeline's mother has convinced me, against my better judgement, that a cultural exchange visit to America would be good for you lot."
He paused as though waiting for a reply.
"I agreed on the following conditions
1. You don't go round rubbing it in everyone else's face.
2. You all pass the year end exams with at least a B and number
3. You write me an essay on why I should let you go to America.
Any questions?"
What could we say, it all seemed reasonable, even the B grade, a little bit of work on our part and we would spend six weeks in Virginia!
"No Mr Wood" we replied in unison.
"Okay then. I'll contact the school in America and when I've got more details I'll let you and your parents know alright?"
We nodded in reply
"Right then, off to assembly and remember what I said about telling other pupils"
"Yes sir"
We filed out and led by Bernie we had a group hug and general happy couple of minutes.
"Come on guy's we don't want to be late, we'll talk at break" I suggested
"Okay" Mad answered for the others.
It was difficult to not tell Paul in double history but I managed to get to break without letting the cat out of the bag. I met my other co conspirators at break and we found a quiet corner where we could talk without the world listening in.
"Mad tell your mum and dad thanks" I started
"Yeah, we really owe them one on this" Ally added
"Six weeks in America! This is just so cool" Rhod put in
"I know, it's pretty cool" Bernie agreed
"I'm going to Germany at half term too, my passport's gonna be worn out" I continued
"Cool Drew, you going to see your mum?" Maddy asked
"Yeah, I hope the exchange stuff is here by then"
"What do you think it will be like?" Rhod queried
"Dad said it was just a small place a bit like an American Warsop"
"No malls or anything?" Bernie put in
"Don't think so but we can find out on the internet I suppose"
"Yeah great idea"
"What is this place called anyway?"
"Grottoes"
"You're kidding right?" Ally suggested
"No seriously, that's what dad said it was called"
"And I thought we had some strange place names" Rhod added
"Well I hope they're not a load of pixies or something" Bernie giggled
[I must state here that while Grottoes, Virginia will be the geographical location for the 'American Episode', it is purely a convenient geographical location and any similarity to that town or its burgher's is entirely coincidental.] Maddy Bell
The bell for third period rang and we split up to go to our various classes.
"Hey Drew" Clive started, "are you going to America with the girls?"
Well I hadn't said anything so I decided to play dumb, something I was getting adept at around Clive.
"What? Who's going to America?"
"Your girlfriend Maddy and the others, whoops, perhaps your not supposed to know!"
"I don't know anything about anyone going to America and she's not my girlfriend" I stated.
"Whatever, I think it's some sort of secret, but Karen told us at break. Some sort of exchange thing"
Sheesh, news sure does travel fast round here. Karen must have overheard us I suppose.
"I'll have to ask them at lunch then, they sure kept that quiet"
My ability to act affronted was sorely stretched but I think I pulled it off. Our teacher then attracted our attention and the subject was at least temporarily dropped.
Fate kept the five of us apart for the rest of the day but in last period, metalwork, the school secretary brought an envelope to class for both Rhod and I, addressed to our parents. I walked home with Jules to find dad home before us.
"Hi kids"
"Hi dad"
"I've spoken to mum and she's got some accommodation for us and I've booked tickets for us on the train."
"We're not flying?" Jules whined
"No it's too expensive and anyway the train doesn't take much longer over all"
I remembered the envelope.
"I got this for you dad" I passed him the white manila.
"I'll have a look while you two do tea"
"Aw dad" my sister was about to argue.
"You only have to cook the pasta and heat the sauce through" dad informed us
"Humph ok then, come on Drew you're not getting out of it" I was instructed.
We made the meal and as is usual in the land of the Bond's, we each grabbed our plate and ate from our laps.
"I suppose you guessed that the letter was about this exchange thing Drew"
"Yeah"
"Well Mr Wood has spoken to the principal of the school over there and it's definitely on"
"Way to go!"
"Alright for some" Jules mumbled
"Less of that young lady"
"Yes dad" she sulked
"Anyway Drew, the Americans are sending some forms over but it looks like they won't have any trouble finding 'partners' for you all. And Jules Mr Wood has suggested that some fifth formers might like to apply too."
Well my sister's face lit up and I felt a bit less guilty too. I suppose the other affected households spent the evening much like us, talking about Mr Wood's letter and it's implications. Of course our household also had the trip to Germany to occupy us, I'm just glad that I didn't have much homework!
"Dad showed us where it is, on the internet there's maps and all sorts" Maddy enthused.
We all dutifully looked at the printout she was brandishing.
"Wow, it's only about a hundred miles from Washington DC" Ally exclaimed
"Maybe we'll get to go" Rhod enthused
"It's only a small place according to the website," Mad added
"I wonder if they're trying to find out about us too?" Bernie asked no one in particular.
"'Course they are!" I stated, "I mean if they're anything like us they will be"
The bell for registration brought us back to reality.
By the end of school on Friday I think most of the school had found out and although it was still a valid topic, the upcoming weekend had taken over in peoples priorities.
Maddy Bell 15.04.03 Copyright (c) 2003
Part 26
Drew Time
Saturday and no race today so I went for my training ride early so I would be ready to meet the rest of the gang at the bus stop at nine thirty. We were making a return trip to Nottingham at Bernie's insistence; she is a certified shopaholic!
I decided to dress in jeans and t-shirt, as the day was warm and bright. At least I naively thought no one would think I was a girl, how wrong can you get!
Of course the main topic of conversation on the hour-long bus ride was the student exchange programme. We knew no more than on Thursday but it was our happening news!
Once in our county seat, we walked through the Victoria Centre, part of Bernie's paradise, before emerging into the city centre proper. The plan was to catch a film later after doing the shops in our usual thorough way. As usual Rhod and I spent a good deal of time waiting for the girls, no way were we going into girls clothes shops, especially not with my record!
It was during one of these interludes that I found myself checking out the phones in the grandly named 'Carphone Warehouse'. A lot of the kids at school had phones but I had never been bothered enough to even look at them. However I'm a sucker for a good deal and the 'pay as you go' deal on the Nokia was too good to pass up. I mean, it was the phone at school and I could own one for just £89.95! With my, or rather Gaby's bulging bank balance I could afford it easily.
"What do you reckon Rhod?"
"Cool phone Drew, that's the next model up to the phone that flash kid in the fourth years got"
Well I wasn't flash but the chance to bring Justin Morris down a peg or two was just too tempting.
"I'm gonna get one, wait here in case the girls come out and I'll get some money out."
So I left Rhod and used the ATM a couple of doors down to recover the necessary readies. The girls were still in Top Shop, so I slipped into the store and emerged ten minutes later the proud owner of a mobile phone. The girls had eventually emerged from their clothes fest and were waiting with Rhod when I exited the shop.
"You got a phone Drew?"
"Yeah"
"Getting a bit flash aren't we?" Ally intoned
"You've got one" I accused
"Just kidding Drew, what have you got?"
I showed the guys my flashy communicator and we ended up in Maccy D's still checking it out.
"The film doesn't start for another hour, we can get a few more shops in" Bernie suggested
"Ok then"
At least I had my phone to amuse me while they shopped.
"Come on lets have a look in here again" Maddy enthused
I just followed the others and only realised where we were when Maddy asked my opinion on a swimsuit.
"Er ok I suppose, I'm gonna wait outside"
Too late.
"Hi girls, back to get your leotards?"
Maddy was quick to reply
"Yes, Gabs has decided to get that one we looked at last time"
The salesgirl was good, I couldn't remember what I had been forced to look at but she could. My chance of escape gone and compromised by my friend I would have to brazen it out.
"Here we are" she held the garment up to me
"That looks really good Gaby"
"Er yeah I suppose so" I was trying to sound enthusiastic really!
"We've got some new designs just in this week, you'd really look cute in one of the 'Danceteam' ones"
Cute! Sheesh how could anyone think I was a girl dressed like this. And cute too.
"Come on Gabs, some of these are really neat"
"I don't want a leotard!" I hissed through clenched teeth "and cut the Gaby out"
"Oh this one matches your eyes"
I gave up in exasperation.
"If I get one can we go?"
"'Course"
"You pick one then"
Maddy, flushed with perverse success grinned back.
We left shortly afterwards, me clutching a bag containing a pale blue leotard and matching tights and Maddy got herself a similar outfit in pale green. I hate shopping!
"What was that all about Mad?" I turned angrily on her once in the street.
"It was just a bit of fun Drew, she didn't catch on at all"
"So why did I have to buy these?" I shook the bag at her
"Guilt?"
I was still pretty unchuffed.
"Well you'd better have them then" I thrust the bag into her arms and stormed off toward the cinema where the others were waiting for us.
"Drew, Drew" I could hear Maddy following me
"Drew, look I'm really sorry"
I ignored her apology
"Come on Drew, I didn't mean anything by it, I was just trying to wind up the shop girl"
"And me too, which you succeeded with" I stormed
"Oh please Drew. I'll take these back and explain to the salesgirl"
I wasn't sure what was worse, being mistaken for a girl or rubbing people's nose in their misapprehension by pointing it out.
"Maddy what's done is done just promise me you won't pull that stunt again?"
"Ok Drew I promise. What about these though?"
"Keep them as a present for helping last week" I couldn't stay angry with her for long. We had now reached the others and we all joined the short queue for the ticket office.
The film was a bit girly, 'Ten Things I Hate About You', but we all enjoyed it at least enough not to talk through it! When I tried, vainly, to shush some girls sat in front of us all I got was abuse,
"Who do you think you are little miss prissy?"
As you might guess I was more than a little affronted by this. I mean the cinema was dark and I was sat between Bernie and Ally who had to hold me down! Well they were tarts anyway!
Anyway after the film we hit a few more shops before trying to rush Bernie back through the Victoria Centre on the way to the bus station. Our attempts were in vain and we nearly missed our bus due to a pair of tangerine hotpants! Say no more.
The others were going back to Rhod's but I elected to go straight home, as I needed to get ready for my race in the morning.
The new day dawned fresh and bright and this week it was circuit racing out in Lincolnshire again. I'm sure Jules fancied someone who was racing, she never missed a mass start but time trials, no go Juliette! We took the Veedub instead of dad's car and we were out at Metheringham with plenty of time to spare.
The day was turning pretty warm which brought out a lot of spectators to watch the various events. My race was the first on the card, forty laps at just over half a mile each with a field of thirty two under sixteen's including five girls.
I might have had pretensions to my ability but lets face it some of the others were three years older than me and included the previous week's ten-mile winner. Realistically I had no chance"!
Well the older kids soon made it difficult for the girls and another couple of guys my age; it's amazing what difference a year makes. Our little group was dropped after a frenetic couple of laps and we settled down into a half-organised bunch. I say half-organised, most of us knew the concept of working together but a couple of the girls hadn't grasped the idea of taking their turn at the front. Although I knew if it came to a sprint finish I had the beating of most of the group, I hate lazy riders, mums influence I suppose.
We had done fifteen laps when I decided that I'd had enough, so on the wind assisted back straight I made my 'Pantaniesque' effort to break the group. It worked a dream, two girls and the three lads were soon in pursuit and a lap later I let them catch me, mission accomplished, lazy riders gone! The six of us worked well together and the main race had still not managed to gain more than three quarters of a lap on us when one of lads had a puncture on lap thirty.
I suppose the writing was on the wall, within two laps the front group caught us and we gratefully slid back through the group until we slotted in at the back. After getting our breath, we joined in the rotation, it seemed like the older kids were content to have a sprint finish. However with a couple of laps to go they raised the pace enough that our little group unanimously decided to let them go.
So it was that we saw the front of the race cross the line from the last corner. I had a quick look at my fellows and decided to make an effort at least. I slipped down a gear then made my move down the outside. The others decided I wasn't going to have my way and joined in a pursuit to the line. Lucky for me I watched mum and followed her advice, I eased slightly with about a hundred metres to go then as the others thought they had me I accelerated again catching all bar one out!
"Well done lass"
"Nice move"
"Must have been watching Jenny Bond"
I might not have been the event winner, but I had won the sprint that gave me the win for my age category. Even if some shortsighted spectators thought I was a girl! My family both thought I had ridden well and sensibly and a couple of seniors commented that they would try my move in their races.
As the weather was fine we stayed to watch the rest of the programme and much to my annoyance I overheard several people talking about 'that girl who won the sprint', it didn't register the first time but when Jules pointed it out to me I was mortified. It seemed that whichever way I went people thought I was a girl. Why? I guess if I could find the answer to that I could do something about it.
Maddy Bell 16.04.03 Copyright (c) 2003
Part 27
Moving Swiftly Along
Well after the weekend Monday almost came as relaxation. In fact most of the week was without notable incident. Monday evening we all met at Ally's and played video games and then on Tuesday I rode the Cuckney ten. I made a good effort and once again recorded a time within seconds of my new best. Even with no makeup, earrings or dolled up hair to confuse them, everyone referred to me as Miss Bond or even Dee Bond! (I guess that was because I usually told people I was D Bond, as in Drew rather than A for Andrew and they assumed I meant Dee!) Life is getting complicated! In fact the timekeeper put me on the sheet this week as Dee Bond, I now had another alias.
Wednesday was the first of May, which in the UK means next Monday is a public holiday. The rest of the week was as normal as a school week goes, get up, go to school, come home, do homework, go to bed. Ecouté et repeteé! (My poor French!).
The real highlight was another letter from Mr Wood about the student exchange, which we were given on Friday. This was not just a letter but all the forms and stuff that we needed to fill out to take part. So of course when we all met Saturday morning that was the main topic of conversation.
"Why do they need so much information?" Rhod asked the group in general
"Who knows? Perhaps they got wind we're from bandit country and think that we might start a crime wave"
"Don't be daft Drew, even the Americans know Robin Hood is just a legend"
"Bet they don't, bet they think it's all real, all that Sheriff stuff"
"Well I prefer 'Maid Marion and her Merry Men' anyway" Ally suggested
"They couldn't even get the locations right in 'Prince of Thieves'" Maddy added
"My favourite's 'Men in Tights', that is just so funny" Rhod stated
"Well there is a real Little Johns grave" I put in
"There's not!" Bernie disagreed
"There is, it's in Hathersage over in the Peak District"
"That's miles away!" Rhod declared
"So, it's still there. And there really is a Loxley, it's in Sheffield" I added for good measure.
"What happened to it all being in Sherwood Forest then?" Maddy queried
"Dunno, guess it was bigger back then and I suppose there weren't counties and stuff the same, even Conisbrough Castle's in Yorkshire!"
This was all getting a little surreal!
"Anyway it still doesn't explain why they want my Gran's name and address does it?"
"'Spose not" Maddy answered.
We decided to go bowling in the afternoon down in Mansfield, we asked Jules and her mates to make up the numbers and arranged to meet at the bus stop at one.
Charlotte was waiting for us, leaning against the wall when we, Jules and I, got to the stop.
"Where's Anna, Charlie?"
"She said she'd see us here, if she doesn't hurry up she'll miss the bus"
"I'll call her house to see if she's left if you like" I offered, brandishing my new phone.
"Hi guys!"
"Huh!" Jules gasped
"Anna what happened to your hair?"
I turned to see what was wrong and I joined the others in my gasp. To say Anna looked different would be an understatement! Her usually mousy brown hair was a sort of pink! I mean like lipstick pink.
Anna looked quite pissed (excuse the French!)
"My little sister!" she stated with vehemence.
Jules and Charlie both rolled their eyes as if this meant something.
"What did she do Anna?" Maddy queried
"Well I thought I'd, you know use one of those tint things, brighten my hair up a bit" she paused
"Go on" Jules urged
"Well I bought it last week and left it in the bathroom cabinet and that little *£$/@! doctored it."
"It's, er, different!" Rhod stated, "can't you wash it out?"
"I found the container and it's a permanent colour, I'm stuck with it at least for a few weeks"
"What did your mum say?" Charlie asked
"She blew her top, first at me, then when I told her what had happened she grounded Joanne for a month. Serves her right!"
"Bus is here!" Bernie mentioned.
We paid our fares and the conversation resumed
"At least you don't need a wig for Cosplay!" Ally joked
"It's not funny Ally, you try walking round with pink hair, everyone keeps staring at me like I'm some sort of freak!"
"What about school? Mr Wood will go ballistic!" Bernie suggested
"Mum said she'll ring on Tuesday morning to sort it out"
"Uh! What about your passport?" Charlie exclaimed
"Oh no, I've got to get a new passport photo this week, I'll have pink hair in my passport for ten years!"
"That will be like just so embarrassing" Maddy stated
"I'll never live it down"
"Of course you will" Jules soothed, "a couple of weeks time and you can get Sylv to dye it back, and everyone at school will think you're pretty cool"
"I doubt it"
"Yeah you can say it's a statement of individuality or something" I suggested
"I suppose that would be less embarrassing than the truth, at least Joanne is still in junior school."
The bus pulled in to the interchange and five minutes later we were waiting for a free lane over the road at the Superbowl. Me, Mad, Anna and Charlie made one team, Jules, Rhod, Bernie and Ally the other. I think I've said before, I'm no great shakes at bowling and neither are any of the others but we always have a good time.
Well for the first time I can remember I was on the winning side! We won convincingly too, a clear twelve points. It was still only three thirty when we finished so we decided on a walk through the precinct. This did not exactly fill me with enthusiasm, the last couple of times I'd been round these shops I was either dressed as a girl or buying girls shoes and stuff. Still, there was no reason to believe I would be mistaken again, after all I was with a bunch of good looking (don't tell 'em I said that) girls and I'm no picture really. Besides I'm hardly dressed like a girl am I?
We queued in Maccy D's for 'flurries', then like many other groups of teens; we drifted along the precinct. Rhod and I managed to stay away from the boutiques and I thought I had cracked it when I realised we were in Sarah's shoe store. I glanced around and couldn't see her; perhaps I could still escape!
"Hiya"
Luck was not on my side!
"Hi Sarah"
"Are you guys looking for anything this week, Gaby?"
"Er no, we're just killing time 'till our bus is due, we've been bowling"
"Who's the lad? Your boyfriend?"
She was only kidding about but I flushed pink anyway.
"Rhod, we all go to school together"
The others had left me when I hesitated inside the door and only just realised I was missing.
"Who are the others then?"
I pointed each out
"Maddy, my sister Jules, Bernie, Ally, Charlie and Anna's the one with pink hair"
"Is that for a bet or something?"
"No her little sister's to blame"
Maddy was waving me over so with Sarah in tow I joined the others.
"Hey guys, this is Sarah, I told you about her helping me get my shoes for the dance," I was making frantic eye signals, "remember?" I was laying it on thick.
"Hi girls, Gaby was just saying you've been bowling"
Several eyebrows shot up at that and I continued to make various 'don't drop me in it' signals.
Maddy cottoned on first and came to my 'rescue'.
"Yeah, Gaby, me, Charlie and Anna beat this lot by an end" she indicated the losers.
The others clicked then, it was a close run thing whether someone would actually burst into laughter, but they all just about kept their mirth to themselves.
"Well nice meeting you all, have to go, I've got someone waiting, bye Gaby, see you soon!"
"Bye Sarah"
"Bye"
She left us alone and Jules could contain herself no longer.
"Well 'sis', I don't know how you manage it"
"Give over Jules"
"Told you didn't I?" Maddy suggested
"This is just so weird Drew, I guess everyone else sees something that we don't"
"Let's just get out of here eh!"
"Spoilsport!"
"Give him a break" Rhod put in
"Ok then, come on 'girls'"
We waved to Sarah as we left the store; she returned a quick wave.
"I see what you mean now Mad," Bernie said
"He doesn't even need to try does he?"
"I'm here guys, you know"
"Yes but is it Drew or Gaby that's here?" Anna queried
"Oh give over will you!"
"Come on Gabs, walk with me" Mad suggested grabbing my arm. As a result I found myself walking along, arm linked with Mad's like so many other girls. What am I saying? 'Other girls', I'm 100% man, well boy! I think. The others trailed along behind and my 'friends' played it until it was well past it's best and I was getting pretty annoyed. Maddy at least, managed to stop me blowing up and Rhod was doing his best to help as well but one guy against five girls - well no contest!
Maddy Bell 19.04.03 Copyright (c) 2003
Part 28
Bank Holiday Blues
I pretty much sulked all the way home. Did no one think I was a boy?
"You coming to Clumber tomorrow Drew?"
I was in a world of my own staring out of the bus window.
"Drew!"
"Sorry Mad I was thinking"
"Yeah well don't do too much, it'll sap your strength!"
I batted at her, but she easily dodged my half-hearted slap.
"Are you coming with us tomorrow?"
"I guess so, we riding or what?"
"Yeah, mum and dad are gonna meet us there with a picnic"
I bucked up at that, Mrs Peters culinary skills are legend as I may have mentioned before!
"Who else is coming?"
"Are you all coming tomorrow?" Maddy asked the rest who were having an animated discussion.
"Where?"
"On our bikes? To Clumber? Remember?"
"Not us Mad, we're going to Anna's Grandma" Jules answered for the older girls.
"Mum's got me painting my room tomorrow" Rhod complained
"I'm coming" Ally stated
"Can't miss your mums picnic!" Bernie agreed
"Meet at Drew's about half nine then"
"Ok"
The bus reached our stop and we all piled off.
"See you tomorrow then" Mad called as she skipped off toward home.
"See ya girls" Rhod called
"Bye Rhod"
We all went our separate ways; Jules and co walked with me as they were eating with us tonight.
"Drew, I didn't realise this girl thing was getting so out of hand"
"It's getting worse sis" I moaned
"It takes a bit of imagination!" Charlie suggested
"I suppose you look a bit like Jules but not like a sister" Anna added
"Can I tell them about you know what Drew?" Jules asked, "they won't tell anyone else"
"Promise?"
"Whatever it is Drew we can keep a secret!" Charlie replied
"Okay then I guess."
We were nearly home now.
"Well remember the other week when Drew was off school?"
"Yeah, you said he had flu"
"Well he was at school all week!"
"Where was he then, we never saw him and he always hangs around with the girls."
"There was only Maddy's cousin with them..." Anna stopped mid sentence
The penny dropped!
"You mean that cute girl was Drew don't you?"
"And her name was Gaby?"
"You got it!" Jules beamed while I tried to disappear into the ground.
"Now I get it, you were the girl at the dance weren't you?" Charlie asked me
"Er yeah, that was me"
"Wow, that costume! You're a natural!"
"My brother, the perfect girlfriend!" Jules stated
"Give over!"
We reached home and went inside.
After dinner the girls disappeared to Juliette's room and I settled down to watch James Bond with Dad. It had barely got through the opening chase before Jules called me out.
"The girls want to see you dressed up"
"No way!"
"Oh come on Drew just this once then never again"
"No!"
"What are you two arguing about, I'm watching the film" Dad's voice reached us.
"Just asking Drew for a favour" Jules replied
"Do it for your sister Drew"
He didn't even know what it was!
"But.."
He cut me off.
"Do it Drew"
"Well it looks like you're gonna do it then"
"I guess so, but this is the last time!"
"Fine, ok agreed. Do you need any help? What are you gonna put on?"
"I think I can manage thanks, the school uniform is all the girls stuff I have as well you know" I almost spat.
"Hang on I'll get you some stuff"
She disappeared into her room then emerged thrusting some stuff into my hands.
"Okay, come over to my room when you're ready"
Just what I wanted! Not!
I looked at what she'd given me, just a skirt and top, at least it wasn't a dress like Mad kept dressing me in!
I went to my closet and retrieved the bag of stuff Mrs Johnson had given me, then emptied the contents on the bed. Panties, bra's and in the bottom, now in a box, the gaff and breast forms. Well in for a penny!
I stripped and then pulled the gaff on and got myself comfortable; it really did look realistic! Next I pulled on a bra and slid the breast forms in; I was not sticking them on! Panties then Jules t-shirt and skirt followed then finally the pair of sandals that were in the bag. I found my earrings and put them in, brushed my hair out and ta-da, there was a boy in a skirt!
I listened for dad, then knocked on Jules door.
"'S'open!"
I went inside, closing the door behind me.
"Oh wow, that's amazing Drew"
"You could be Maddy's twin!"
"Not you too, that's what her mum said"
"Her mum?"
Well I had to explain the whole thing to them then.
"That is just so amazing!"
"I would never have believed it"
"Well this is the last time I'm wearing girls stuff"
"And so cute too"
"I am not cute!"
"You are too!"
I sighed in resignation.
"Is that the right time Jules?"
"Just about"
"We'd better scoot"
"I'll get dad to take you home"
"Won't he mind?"
"'Course not"
"I'll go get changed, see you guys"
"Bye Drew"
"Bye"
The girls went downstairs and I went back to my room to lay Gaby finally to rest. I pulled off Jules t-shirt and with a bit of a struggle got the bra off. Aargh! The breast forms stayed put! Damn! There must have been some adhesive left from last week. I tugged a bit and while I got an edge up they were once again stuck to my chest! I searched through the stuff on my bed; I found the adhesive but no solvent. Damn, it must still be at the Peters. I heard Jules come back upstairs so I pulled the t-shirt back on and returned to her room.
"Er Jules"
"I thought you were getting changed?"
"I was but..." I pulled the shirt up to expose my breasts, "...these have got stuck on and I left the solvent at Maddy's last week"
Jules just started to laugh.
"Come on Jules this is serious, I need to get them off"
"Sorry Drew but you just look so much like a girl stood there holding your breasts"
I quickly let go of my lumps and pulled the shirt back into place, I barely noticed that I still had on the skirt and sandals.
"What am I going to do?"
"Well, first ring Maddy, make sure she's got the solvent."
"But dad will be back in a few minutes"
"Use your mobile up here stupid"
"Oh right, good thinking Batman"
I dashed to my room and found my phone and pressed the speed dial for Maddy.
"Hi Mrs Peters, sorry it's late but can I speak to Maddy?"
"Sure Drew, just a minute" the phone went dead for a few seconds then Maddy came on.
"Hi Drew, what's up?"
"Well I'm sort of Gaby at the minute"
"I thought you weren't doing that?"
"I wasn't." I gave her the quick version of the evening
"... And I haven't got the solvent, I left it at yours"
"That's what that bottle is. It's in the bathroom"
"Can you bring it over?"
"Not tonight Drew, I'll bring it in the morning, I'll come early right?"
It was as good as I could hope for.
"Okay, thanks Mad, see you in the morning"
"G'night Gabs"
"Night"
"What did she say?" Jules asked
"Well she's got the solvent but she can't bring it tonight"
"'Course not"
"So she's gonna bring it in the morning"
"That's not so bad"
The front door closed.
"Dad's back, you stay here, it's nearly time for bed anyway"
"Okay"
Jules went down stairs and came back a few minutes later.
"Here, wear this" she threw a wisp of something at me
"What for?"
"Well it will support your breasts, you'll be more comfortable in bed"
"If you say so" I was not convinced
"Take it from me"
"Okay already!"
"Now scoot, I'll see you in the morning"
"Yeah, g'night"
"Night Drew"
I returned to my room and looked at what she had given me. It was pink and see through with a sort of nylon t-shirt at the top and matching panties. Well in for a penny, in for a pound, I stripped off the skirt and T and was soon dressed in Jules night-dress. She was right - it did a pretty good job of holding my 'breasts' still, better than Mad's Pj's last week anyway.
I could see why there were matching panties too, from the chest down was totally see through, the panties were needed for modesty. I left the gaff on, it wasn't uncomfortable, and pulled the bikini panties up into place. Looking in the mirror I got an inkling of what other people saw. Certainly wearing this outfit I looked like a girl, an ugly girl, but a girl, not a boy!
I got into bed and had to immediately readjust my nightwear as it bunched up as I slid under the duvet. The Pj's last week felt different but this night-dress affair was something else! I had to stop myself from feeling myself up, weird but nice.
I'd like to say I fell immediately into a deep slumber, but instead I lay thinking about the day's events for at least an hour before sleep took me. Surely tomorrow could only get better.
Maddy Bell 20.04.03
Copyright (c) 2003
Part 29
Sunday, Sunday
I woke early to the sound of birds and bright sunshine streaming into the room from a chink in the curtains. I rolled over and didn't! Well you know what it's like with breasts, it takes more effort and I wasn't expecting it. I sat up and after a quick check of what I was wearing; the previous evening's events came back to me!
It really was early, only six thirty but if I wanted to get a training ride in and miss dad, I needed to go soon. After stripping off and a quick bathroom visit, I pulled on my three-quarters and a long sleeved top over 'my' bra; it was really odd seeing it stretched over my temporary bosom! No one else was up yet, so I made good my escape and was out on the road before seven.
There wasn't much traffic around yet as I made my way up to Worksop. I was vaguely aware of the mounds attached to my chest but I could ignore them until I got to the climb at the Half Moon. They jiggled around a fair bit despite the restrictive clothing and bra, well weird! Still I was soon at the top, then across to Clowne and the third side of the triangular circuit. I was just on the rise out of Creswell when I spotted a group of riders heading toward me. I would just have to brazen it out I guess.
As we converged I recognised them as the club that runs the Tuesday tens, I guess they recognised me too.
"Morning Dee"
"Morning youngster"
"Your keen this morning!"
I just waved a greeting with a mumbled
"Morning"
Boy! things didn't get any better did they? Now they had seen me out riding with boobs! Nothing to do about it I guess. Except get home quickly, I stepped on the pedals with a bit more urgency.
There was still no one up when I got home, so I grabbed a shower downstairs after first getting my 'street bike' out. The battered Klein really did look out of place amongst all the shiny Campag in the garage! I tried the boobs again in the shower but no go; they were still firmly attached!
I crept back to my room and changed into my stuff for the day's ride to Clumber and tried to hide my chest with a baggy jumper. I was halfway through my proper breakfast (as opposed to my pre training slice of toast) before I heard dad coming downstairs.
"Morning Dad"
"You're up early"
"We're riding out to Clumber for a picnic"
"What time are you going?"
"The guys are meeting here at nine thirty, but Mad's got a problem with her gears, I said I'd try and fix them so she's coming early"
"You taking sandwiches?"
"No, Mrs Peters, Maddy's mum is meeting us there, she's taking food"
"Well take that new phone of yours along just in case"
"Yes dad" well in truth it had become a fixture in my kit already.
"What's with the jumper?"
"It's kind cold in the garage"
Talk about twenty questions. I finished my breakfast and rinsed my dish then went through to the garage to wait for Mad, all the while trying to hide my breasts from dad.
I busied myself cleaning the Klein a bit, pumping tyres and making sure I had spare tubes and stuff.
"Hi Drew" Maddy greeted me
"Hi Mad, am I glad you're here!"
She shucked her rucksack and dug into its contents.
"Here we are" she passed the container to me
"Thanks Maddy, can you give me a hand?"
"Sure"
We slipped into the shower room and I removed my jumper and t-shirt. It was easier for Maddy to work the solvent around the forms than it would have been for me, and certainly quicker.
"Thanks, Mad. That's a weight off my chest"
Mad cracked up at that.
"Come on Drew, take these upstairs, the others will be here in a minute"
I quickly put my t-shirt back on and took both the breastforms and the solvent up to my room. When I got back downstairs, Bernie and Ally had arrived.
"We're off now Dad"
"Okay, what time are you back?"
"About five I think"
"Okay, ring if you're going to be later"
"Yes dad, bye"
"Bye"
" You guys ready?"
"When you are Drew" Bernie supplied
"Right then lets go"
I set off in front and Ally joined me, the others following behind.
"So what happened last night Drew?" Ally asked
"Last night?"
"Yeah, Maddy said you rang her late last night"
"Oh that," I'd been hoping to not keep repeating the tale, "nothing really"
"I bet" Bernie chimed from behind
"Okay, I'll tell you"
"Knew you would!" Ally stated
"Humph"
"Oh come on Drew"
"I don't suppose I'll have any peace until I do will I?"
"No!" they all chorused
"Well you know Anna and Charlie came back to my house for dinner?"
"Yeah"
"Well they kept on about Sarah yesterday so Jules suggested I tell them about last week!"
"Did you?"
"Yes but I don't think they believed me at first"
"Well I guess it does take some believing" Bernie put in
"Anyway after dinner, jules asked me to dress as Gaby to show them"
"I thought you weren't gonna do that again?"
"I wasn't, but I sort of got forced into it by dad"
"He knows?" Ally asked
"No, well I don't think so anyway. No he told me to do whatever it was Jules was asking me to do, so it was like dress up or get in trouble. It seemed easier to do it than argue, I mean I'd have to tell him then!"
"Go on" Maddy urged
"Well Jules got me a top and skirt, and I had the underwear from last week so I got dressed up. I thought I might as well use the breast forms and stuff and I guess I sort of looked ok"
"And?" Ally pressed
"Well I showed them and they were er, gobsmacked"
"Well you do look cute when you're dressed up"
"I don't look cute!"
"Do!"
"Tell them the rest Drew" Maddy suggested
"Well after they left I went to get changed and the breast forms had stuck on. I guess I should have cleaned the glue off last week. Anyway I couldn't get them off, Maddy had the solvent still."
"Oh poor Drew" Bernie half mocked
"You may laugh, I had to wear one of Jules night-dresses and this morning I had to hide them from Dad 'till Mad got to my place."
"We wear night dresses all the time, what's the problem?" Mad mentioned
"I'm sure Jules didn't have to give me a see through one though!"
"Perhaps not, why didn't you just wear Pj's?" asked Ally
"Jules said the night-dress would be more comfortable"
"Was it?" Ally pursued
"I guess it was ok. Can we leave it now?"
"Okay Drew"
We had reached what dad said used to be called Fanny's Grove and we now left the road for a bridleway into Clumber Park. We bounced along the track through the forest, stopping to watch a herd of deer at one point and to untangle a branch from Ally's gears a bit further on.
We emerged on to one of the roadways and then followed the tarmac for a bit before reaching the busy area around the café.
"There's your mum" I pointed towards a green a short way off.
We rode over to the Peters car.
"Hi kid's you alright?"
"Yes thanks Mrs Peters"
"Fine mum"
"You want a drink?"
"Yes please" Bernie and Ally echoed
"Drew?"
"Yes please"
She poured us each a glass of squash and we sat around on the grass next to the car.
"Where's Dad?"
"Toilet, he'll be back in a minute"
And as if by magic, to paraphrase Mr Ben, he appeared brandishing half a dozen ice cream cones.
"Quick kids get these before I drop any"
We rushed to relieve him of the ices and just managed it. They were soft whip '99's, my favourite and by the lack of conversation over the next ten minutes, everyone else's too!
"Thanks Mr Peters"
"That's alright Drew"
The senior Peters had brought their bikes on the car.
"I thought we could have a ride round for a bit before lunch" Mad's mum told us
"You girls okay with that?"
"Yeah, it's not far here and we took our time"
"Come on then"
So we mounted up again and joined the many other trippers riding around the park. We eventually returned to the car about one for lunch, us 'kid's' making use of the facilities while Mrs Peters organised the food.
"How's your mum doing Drew?"
"Ok I think. She's done a couple of races and she's got a team car too"
"What sort?" Mr Peters asked, his ears picking up on car!
"It's a Mercedes, one of those small people carriers"
"A class?"
"That's it"
"Very nice. Madeline says you're off to visit in a couple of weeks"
"At half term, we're going on the train"
"Leave the boy alone"
"Sorry Drew, didn't mean to be the Spanish Inquisition!"
"'S alright Mr Peters"
"You all filled your forms for the exchange programme?"
"It took forever" opined Ally
"Dad's doing mine today" I offered
"Well I spoke to Mr Bahlsen in Grottoes last night and he said that they are all looking forward to it. It's only a little place"
"We looked on the web dad, small's an understatement!"
"Yes well Warsop is hardly the hub of civilisation either." he continued, "they've had to run a lottery to see who comes, seems the whole school wanted to come!"
"Cool!" I offered
"And I've got more good news, my company is sponsoring the scheme so your parents will not have to pay out on airfares"
"That's' brill Mr Peters, I know Rhod was worried about that" Bernie stated
"You all finished?" Mrs Peters asked
"Yes thanks, that was great Mrs Peters" Ally replied
"Yeah thanks" I added
"You kids riding straight back now?"
"Sort of, Drew says he knows a new way we can go"
"Well take care, we'll see you at home Maddy"
"Ok mum"
We gathered our steeds and directed the girls along the trails to the exit.
"That's cool about the flights eh?" Bernie offered
"Yeah, specially as dad would be paying for me and Jules"
"Jules has been picked?" Ally asked
"Yeah we got the letter with the forms"
"Kewl!"
"Who else, do you know?"
"I can't remember the others apart from Anna"
"She never said!" Maddy accused
"She was a bit preoccupied yesterday what with her hair and all that" I suggested
"I guess so"
"I think the other two were boys"
"I suppose with both of you going that means you get two students to stay too?"
"Dunno, it'll be a bit crowded" I answered, "watch out for the ditch"
We eventually arrived on the Meden road and me and three tired girls were soon back at my house.
"Drinks everyone?"
"Yes please Drew"
I fetched soft drinks from the fridge and found the girls collapsed on the old sofa in the garage.
"I never realised you had so many bikes Drew?" Bernie exclaimed
I passed round the drinks.
"They're not all mine"
"Yeah well there's still loads"
I had to mentally tick them off, my three, Jules and Dads, the tandem and mums, well mum had loads, training hack, race bike, time trial and a track bike, oh and she had an ATB too. So that's eleven!
"Eleven" I informed them
"You've got more bikes than Halfords!" Ally stated
"Well I suppose there are quite a few, but there are four of us"
"I guess" Mad allowed
"I know people with more, there's one guy mum knows in Sheffield who has about eight on his own"
"Now that's serious weird" Bernie suggested
"What are we doing tomorrow?"
"I'm racing in Sheffield" I offered
"We've got nothing planned"
"Hey why don't you guys come to the race?"
"Well" Ally hesitated
"It'd be fun, we can go in the camper"
"I dunno, Drew"
"Go on, none of you have seen me race have you?"
"No, I guess not" Maddy replied
"And you already said you've nothing planned"
The girls looked at each other and seemed to make a collective decision.
"Okay"
"Great, I'll find dad and sort it out!" I was pretty happy about the prospect of having my own cheerleader squad for the day.
I quickly located dad and he agreed to the plan readily. I returned to the garage and the girls.
"It's in the afternoon, dad says we can pick you up on the way about eleven thirty."
"Okay Drew, we'll see you tomorrow then."
The girls then left together.
At least the day had ended better and tomorrow was looking good too! Perhaps I could now forget Gaby.
Maddy Bell 20.04.03
Copyright 2003
Part 30
Cheering Drew
Mum rang Sunday evening, she was over the moon, she's been named for the Tour Feminin, which runs on part of the Tour de France course! And she got tenth in Saturdays race in Switzerland, she was a lot happier this week. I guess even Mum has her ups and downs. I told her all about what was happening with the exchange scheme and she suggested that we could take our exchangees to Germany for a few days! Now that would be cool.
I rang Rhod too and invited him to join the supporters club but he was still painting so had to decline.
All in all Sunday had been pretty good after a rocky start. A nice day out with my mates, Mr Peters news and mums upbeat phone call. For a change I slept well!
The Bank Holiday arrived unusually fine (it's a standing joke in Britain that Bank Holiday weather is always bad. It's not true but it sometimes seems like it!). Mum had suggested I go for a ride this morning, steady, just to loosen up so that's what I did, just up to Fanny's Grove, along to Cuckney and back home. Not far but I did feel better for it.
We collected the girls as planned; Jules elected to stay home as she had homework to finish. The drive to Sheffield didn't take long and we found our way to Norfolk Park where the racing was to take place quite easily. The car parking was a hive of activity and there were hundreds of riders and spectators all round the park. The races would be on the park perimeter road which being Sheffield means down one side and up the other and I mean up! Mum always thought it was strange that the hilliest city in the UK should have the most cycling clubs, nearly twenty.
The girls went for a walk while I got my bike checked and changed. I watched a couple of races before mine, some of the seniors had two forty lappers this afternoon, I was glad mine was only 20 laps and that was going to be hard going.
The girls found me just before I went to the start and to my surprise (and delight) I got a kiss from each of them. Well I was certainly gonna put up a good performance for them now! Unlike most schoolboy races where everyone is in the same race, this time there were sufficient riders for smaller age categories, 12-13, 14-15 and a separate event for the 16-year-olds. I had a realistic chance for a change!
The flag dropped and our race was off. The descent was way fast, our restricted gearing meant we were spinning out by halfway down and relying on gravity and technique to gain any further speed. Being one of the 'older' kids meant I had a bit more experience and from lap one it told. The climb back to the top was steep and twisty but we climbed it easily, a small group of us leaving the younger kids behind. The girls cheered me through and I saw some of the other spectators giving them funny looks!
The next few laps were much the same, our small group gaining a little every lap. I watched my fellow riders as mum had taught me and decided that I might just be strong enough to make a go of it. The next couple of laps I put only enough effort in to stay with the group, which served two purposes, it conserved energy and the others would think I was struggling. Thanks mum! The ploy worked a treat; on the climb section of lap ten I made my effort and opened a small gap by the top. The girls were bouncing up and down with excitement as I crossed the line with my scant lead.
I could make best use of the circuit on the descent this time, not having to worry about the others in the group. I kept the pressure up a second time up the climb and when I checked over my shoulder near the top I had a good couple of hundred metres lead, enough to disappear from sight at some point of the circuit. I smiled at the girls as I passed them amid a cheering crowd. Well I guess the others must have given up as next time I checked, I couldn't see them at all, rather I was coming up to lap back markers.
I won't deny I was starting to tire, but I had sufficient lead to take the climb easier now. Seemingly too soon the bell went as I crossed the line so I dug into my reserves for a last time and just about caught a bunch of about ten backmarkers. This caused me a slight dilemma; lapped riders had to pull out so if I passed them they wouldn't have to do another lap. On the other hand, I knew from personal experience that they would prefer to go the distance. So I held off the back of the group up the climb and let them drop me a bit before the finish area.
I thrust an arm in the air as I crossed the line, the biggest grin on my face! Well dad didn't get a look in; the girls mobbed me big style. I could get used to this! The presentations took place before the start of the next race, so I didn't have long to wait.
"...And in first place after a very mature ride, Drew Bond, Notts. Velo!"
I climbed the podium and I don't know for sure but I think it was the Mayor of Sheffield presented the prizes. I saw dad taking some photos and the local paper too. I was made up I can tell you, my first win! All too soon though it was back to the showers and packing up.
"You were great Drew" Maddy enthused
"I didn't know you were that good" Ally allowed
"Well it is the first time I've ever won"
"He's too modest girls" dad put in, "he's won his category a few times now"
"Yeah but this is my first proper win Dad"
"And your mother will be proud of you when I call her later"
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"What are we doing now?"
"Well girls do you fancy watching some more sweaty racers for a while?"
"If Drew wants to" Bernie agreed
"Well perhaps just for a while then"
"Ok, then we'll go for a meal, how's that sound?"
"Brill dad"
"Great Mr Bond"
So the four of us set off around the circuit, I always find that the best way to see the racing, you get to see the riders more often if you walk toward the race too. As we walked I had to relive my own race, I wasn't exactly reticent and for once my audience was genuinely interested!
By the time we got back to the top of the circuit I'd had enough, I was knackered! So we sought out dad and we departed the park. Dad then surprised us by taking us around some back roads that eventually brought us to the Sheffield Arena and our destination. Mama's Italian restaurant was my favourite place to eat after Maddy's and my favourite was the tagliatelle!
"Ok kids, we'll eat and then catch a film okay?"
More than ok!
"Yes please Mr bond"
So we ate, (I had the tagliatelle) then got to watch American Pie 2 in the Full Monty screen which is the biggest permanent screen in Europe. It was awesome! And the film was good too!
What a day. We dropped the girls off and finally arrived home at nearly nine o'clock. After I made tea, dad rang mum to tell her the news.
"Hi Jen, I've got someone here itching to speak to you"
"Hi mum"
"Hi Drew, what's up?"
"You know I was racing in Sheffield today?"
"Yes"
"Well I won!"
"Oh well done Drew! I knew you had it in you. Tell me all about it"
So that's what I did for twenty minutes. I'm sure she didn't really want to listen in such detail but she did, making all the right noises and generally boosting me. Eventually my race was run and I said my goodbyes. It still wasn't easy having a long distance mum, but at least it was getting less traumatic.
"Time for bed Drew" dad pronounced, "school in the morning, and take those earrings out!"
I blushed deeply, I had forgotten all about them Saturday night and no one had said anything for two days!
"Yes dad, goodnight"
"Night Drew"
What a weekend! I guess more ups than downs overall but I could have done without the downs altogether!
One question though; why did Mr. Bond let Drew wear the earrings for the weekend? He and the rest of the gang said nothing even before the race. I would have thought Drew's Dad would have said something before he raced wearing them????
i guess he just didn't notice or he decided to let it go!As a parent myself, i've learnt not to make a big deal about these things and it's not exactly uncommon for boys to wear earrings these days - well not in the UK anyway!
Hugs
Maddy
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Re: Gaby - The Anime Years -21-30-
(Score: 1)
by Rhonda074 on Apr 15, 2004 - 08:00 AM
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http://
love the story, love the artwork, wouldn't mind seeing Drew trapped into a few more Gaby situations though (like maybe, an all girl trip to America)or something like that.
Keep up the great work!
Re: Gaby - The Anime Years -21-30-
(Score: 1)
by pjladyfox on May 10, 2004 - 02:39 PM
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Well, it definatly looks like you're hitting your stride now with this set of chapters. Excellent work Maddy! Look forward to the next batch. ^_^
Re: Gaby - The Anime Years -21-30-
(Score: 0)
by Guest Reader on May 15, 2004 - 08:25 PM
I loved it, any news when the newest portion is released?
Well, actually, I'm just reposting these for Maddy as sort of security in case Australia falls into the Indian Ocean. :)
They are all available on her site with some more art and some side stories too. Up to chapter 93 I think. :) Look in the links in the left column or click here: The Gaby Pages
Enjoy!
- Erin
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Re: Gaby - The Anime Years -21-30-(Score: 1) by ChrisW (redding96003@yahoo.com) on May 15, 2004 - 11:48 PM (User info | Send a message)
Erin,
Are you sure That the island hasn't floated away?
P.S. you can read up to 95 if you know how! Ha, Ha, ha
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Re: Gaby - The Anime Years -21-30- (Score: 0) by Guest Reader on May 16, 2004 - 08:36 AM
OK I just gotta know how to see up to #95
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Re: Gaby - The Anime Years -21-30-
(Score: 0)
by Guest Reader on May 16, 2004 - 04:35 PM
Man i Just read all the way up to 95, all I can say is that I love this story so much. I can't wait until its fully released, the pictures are great and make it so much easier. Thank you maddy. ;)
Re: Gaby - The Anime Years -21-30-
(Score: 1)
by steveo on May 16, 2004 - 04:57 PM
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That was me who posted above, I enjoyed this story and this site so much I had to register.
Who's who? Well I, that's Gaby, am on the left! 
