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Fanfic - All of the original situations in this story are mine, the rest is the intellectual property of Maddy.

Part 4

Diane was working in her shop building another bike. She was starting to make a name for herself, in the cycling circles and was staying fairly busy. She had six bikes to build this month so far and expected new orders to be coming in. The business at both her shops had picked up considerably thanks to Derek, who was busily selling her bikes and coming up with contracts for her fabrication shop. The shops were doing so well she hired a couple of local high school kids and shop janitors/apprentices. They kept the shops clean and learned the art of fabrication.

William Christy and Janice Watkins were both juniors and both came recommended from the schools metal shop. William worked in the big shop with Little Tim, while Janice worked with her. It felt good to be able to teach someone what she had learned from her father and it kept her on her toes. Janice worked closely with her. She could barely draw a straight bead with a welder when she first got here but practicing welding on scraps the girl showed promise. She wasn't ready for titanium welding yet but she was learning.

Work went fast as Janice learned how Diane worked and she was beginning to anticipate her needs. She was welding the head tube to the top tube and down tube when she heard the front door open and heard her name called out. She finished the bead she was pulling before she stopped raised her hood and turned off the argon.

Diane looked to where three girls had entered her shop. One was Brit, and there appeared to be a pair of twins with her. She thought for a second and realized who they were. Drew was here in a fancy pair of girl's jeans, a blouse and wearing a bra.

“Hey Brit; who are your two friends?” Diane asked.

“Hello Diane, these are the two kids you wanted to see. This is Maddy Peters and this is Drew Bond. Maddy and Drew this is Diane Biggs and Janice Watkins. Janice, are you working here now?”

“Yes I am apprenticing here to Diane. I go to school till one and work here for credit.”

Diane took off her gloves and hands were shaken.

“Hello Drew, and Maddy, you are just the people I wanted to see.” Diane said warmly to the kids. They were dead ringers almost twins. It would have been hard for Diane to pick them apart if not for Britney's introduction, especially since Drew was dressed as a girl.

“Hello Miss Biggs,” they both said.

“Please call me Diane I am not that much older than you two. I am only nineteen. I understand both of you ride bikes seriously. I am into bikes too and as you can see. I am a bike builder. I build bike frames and front forks and can put the rest together quite easily. I have a proposition for you Drew. This is my bike. I ride it everyday tell me what you think of it?”

Drew walked over to Diane's bike and inspected it very closely. He knew enough from working on his own bike and seeing his bike and his Mum's bikes that he was looking at a very high-end road bike. He checked it closely looking at the components and how well the bike was put together. He picked it up it was very lightweight. It was a little heavier than a carbon fiber bike but definitely lighter than Chro-Moly.

“This is bril Diane; did you actually build this bike?”

“Yes, I started with titanium tube in these racks, and built the frame and front fork. I laced and trued both wheels, installed and adjusted all the components. This one is set too tall for you but how would you like to ride one like it?”

“I would love to but I can't really afford it. How much would a bike like this cost Diane?”

“Like that it is quite pricey, you see the frame is custom built to my height and riding styles and all the hardware, I bet you have noticed, is high end gear. It has the complete Campagnolo group. The rims are top grade clincher rims on Campy hubs and Vredestein tires and tubes. Rigged like that, the bike would cost you $4500 US dollars or about £ 2400 UKP. What do you think?”

Drew nearly choked when he heard that price. There was no way he would ever be able to afford it in a long time.

“It is sweet Diane, but a little out of my price range right now.”

“That is where my proposition comes in Drew. I have only been building bikes for a short time. I need advertisement and I hear you are a very good rider, Under 16 National Champion if I don't miss my guess and Maddy is an up and coming rider herself. I just want you ridding my bikes and all I ask is that you keep my logo painted on the front forks and frame, and I will build you a bike that will fit ya like a glove. As a matter of fact I have two old junkers over here you could try out and see if you like them.” Diane said and led Drew and Maddy over to two bikes covered by tarps. She pulled the tarps off and told them to check them out.

Drew got on his knees and was checking out the hardware on one of the two gleaming bikes, and was startled by a shriek from Maddy.

“That bike has got my name on it! This bike has got my name on it!” Maddy exclaimed, jumping up and down on her feet excitedly while looking at the dark cherry metal flake bike. She threw her arms around Diane and gave her a big hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank you Diane!”

Drew then noticed that his name was on the top bar of the metal flake blue bike, “Wow this is too much, and are these bikes for us?” Drew held his hand out to Diane to shake. He gave up and just hugged Diane also.

“They are yours if you want them Drew. Call your parents and tell them what I said, I want to fax or e-mail a document to them for their approval. They are already geared for British cycling regs for your under 16 age group. We built them to fit you two and I have some cool weather riding clothes for you. We can pick up some footwear at the local bike shop. There is no obligation to you or Maddy except to ride my bikes. I get advertisement and you get bikes.” Diane said handing Drew a copy of a document. “I know riders get comped all sorts of equipment and I know these are big items, but it will really help me out if you will. I will even pay shipping and import tariffs for the bikes to get them back to England for you.”

“I will check with my Dad and my Mum but I don't see any problems Diane. I just don't know what to say except thanks.” A tear fell from Drew's eye.

The door opened and several people entered the shop. Derek, Little Timmy, Cal, Sally, Billy, Jake and William all came into the shop.

“Drew and Maddy meet my family.”

Their eyes went to the group that came in, they took a double take when they saw Little Timmy. “This is Cal Drake shop foreman, Sally Brooks my office manager, Derek Drake my computer geek, bike designer and son of Cal, that Little guy in the back is Timothy AKA ‘Little Timmy' Cross, Billy Jones, Jake Skaggs, and William Christy our other apprentice.” Drew and Maddy stared open mouth at the size of Timothy Cross. “Gang this is Drew Bond and Maddy Peters.”

“I have some cycling clothes for you but we need to get you some footwear. Let me get a quick shower and get changed. We can go to Erin's and get your shoes and cleats.

Everyone greeted and talked to the kids, while Diane hit the shower and changed. It took her about thirty minutes. Then Diane, Brit, Drew and Maddy headed to Erin's Cyclery . It was a short drive so there wasn't a lot of time for talking. In thirty minutes they had their shoes with cleats installed on them and a couple of bike locks.

They got back to the shop and Diane adjusted the traps on the pedals for both kids. Maddy was a little unused to the system but caught on fine. Drew took to it like a fish in water. They rode them a short while and came back.

Diane went and got two boxes that contained cool weather cycling clothes and safety gear and brought it to the kids.

“These are for you two so we can ride together. I would like to be able to ride with you while you are here guys.” Diane said handing the boxes.

They opened the boxes that contained bibs, socks, jerseys, jackets, gloves and helmet. The jerseys and jackets were personalized with Drew and Maddy emblazoned on the back.

It was then Diane realized the silk screeners made a big mistake. Maddy's Jersey had a plain blue front, but Drew's Jersey was blue with ‘Biker Chick' emblazoned on the front. I am going to give them a piece of my mind, Diane thought.

Maddy's Drew's

“Oh Drew, I just love your jersey you've just got to put it on,” Maddy injected almost hysterically.

“That would look Darling on you Drew.” Brit added.

“Oh no, not you too; there has got to be a conspiracy! Give over Mad.” Drew sounded exasperated and his face flushed. He started to say more but held his tongue.

“I am sorry Drew; I can find you one like Maddy's if you like?” Diane said.

Maddy quickly said, “No that‘s Ok, I think Drew will look good in it; don't you agree Brit?”

“Yes keep it Drew, please?” Brit added.

Diane was beginning to understand what Drew was going through.

“Drew, Maddy, I would like to ride with you a couple of times before you go home. I don't know your schedule but here is my card, with my phone number, cell number and all. Please, lets load the bikes in my truck and I will get ya'll home it is near dinner time.” Diane said handing them each a business card.

They loaded the bikes and Diane gave everybody a lift. Diane muttered to herself, “Things are getting curiouser and curiouser.”

(to be continued)

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