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


Part 9

Diane got in from her morning ride and saw the message light on her answering machine flashing. She wondered who would be calling at this time in the morning. She reached over and punched the button on the phone to hear her message.

Hi Diane it is Drew we have a free weekend not this Saturday but the next. Check with the Ambassador and see if he is free for a ride around here. Please lets keep as mum as possible on this till we know for sure. Thanks Diane got to get ready for school.

Ok, she thought I guess I will call John today. She showered and got ready for work. She drove on to the dinner to get a bite first though; she really hated cooking at times. She went inside and saw Sandy.

“Hey Sandy, how are you girl.”

“Alright I guess, I sometimes wish my parents would disappear sometimes.”

“Don't say that Sandy, I don't care how much a pain in the butt they are, it is much better having them than not.”

“Oh I am sorry Diane, I wasn't thinking. It's just my Dad; I never seem to please him.” Sandy said on the verge of tears. The dinner was empty so she sat across from Diane.

“Hey Sandy, I know how it can be, but even though he may be a big pain in the backside I am sure he still loves you.”

“I just wished he would say it to me and accept me like I am.”

“Well just understand you have people that care for you girl, me for one. How is that exchange student your keeping doing?”

“Oh Em, she is a dream. Such a sweet girl. I am glad she is staying with me Diane. Her just being there is a lot of help with my dad.”

“Well I hope that things will get better dear, and if you need a shoulder to cry on come on by or call me girl.”

Diane ate and went on to work. Sally smiled and they had their morning talk. They had hired an extra fabricator so Little Timmy was spending more time helping her with bikes. Who would have thought that this could help the company so? Derek was busy on his computer working on a new design for parts.

“Hey Diane, Patricia wants to go to that big ride in Charlottesville this Saturday, will Drew be free?”

“I think they have a school function Derek, I will check with Miss Bell and Drew though, but I will ride with you two. How serious is it between you two.” Diane asked taking a sip of coffee.

“Pretty serious girl, I think she might propose to me any time now,” Derek joked.

Diane laughed and spewed coffee all over the two of them. “You just watch yourself, Derek she just might do that.”

Diane and Timmy went to work. The more they worked the faster they got, as it became second nature. Timmy worked half a day with her and they were turning out three times the bikes she had done solo. Janice was learning to rig up the hardware on the frame and she was getting good at it. Her welding had improved immensely too.

Diane took a break at ten-thirty and called John at the Ambassadors office. She told him what Drew had suggested and when. He said he would check with the Ambassador, but for security reasons told her not to spread it around. Diane got an idea and told John she was going to fax him a form for him to get the Ambassador's daughter's measurements. She shared her idea with him and asked him to keep it under wraps. They agreed to talk again later.

Janice and the rest of her apprentices showed up around two. Diane started teaching her to lace and true wheels. Janice was a quick study.

The money from the federal government would start coming in soon for her apprenticeship program.

About five, she got a call from John.

“Diane good news the Ambassador and his daughter were tickled by Drew's idea and have tentatively approved it. I am faxing you the form you sent and agreed with you idea. She has a nice bike but I think she would love one of yours. I also am faxing you the names and pictures of a couple of security people who are coming down to check things out before the Ambassador can come down.”

The door opened and Drew dressed in a cheerleaders skirt and sweater entered.

“John, Drew Bond just came in do you want to give him the news?”

“Sure, put her on, I would love to talk to her.”

Diane waved Drew over to the phone, and Drew talked to John for a few minutes. Diane checked her faxes and found the two John had mentioned. Derek wasn't in so she gave the fax to Samuel who started plugging in the data on his terminal. She would have Derek check it before they started the build.

Drew was hanging up when Diane came back up front. He looked so down.

“Why so down Drew I thought you would be happy?”

“Oh it's Brit; sometimes she gets me so frustrated.”

“Yes she is a handful.”

“Well she keeps getting me in these fixes and I just wished I could get her back sometimes.”

Diane thought for several seconds and a devious grin came over her face, as she looked at the faxes.

“Drew face brightened as he saw Diane grin, “What Diane? Tell me you have an idea.”

She took Drew back to her seldom used office and laid out the plan. Drew almost fell out of his chair laughing when he heard it.

“I think it is Brill Diane.”

“Now we have to get the rest of the kids in on it with no leaks, or it won't work. I will talk to Miss Bell. I think a lot of Brit's friends would love to see her taken down a notch, and no real harm will be done.”

Drew jumped up and hugged Diane, “Thanks for everything Diane, I will work on the kids.”

Drew talked to Diane for a short while. He looked much better and was more open to her. Diane had to admit to herself, he really made a good looking girl. In a few ways she would say he looked better than Maddy, his cousin.

Drew checked his watch and said he had to get back to the Walter's Place; So Diane gave him a ride in her Big Dodge Ram truck. She had to giggle as he struggled to get into the passenger seat, her truck had a jacked up high clearance suspension. Drew would have been very embarrassed if anybody had seen him.

At home Diane called up Miss Bell and set up a dinner date for the next day. She then called Mrs. Walters and had a conversation with her. She was tickled with the plan and agreed to help.

As she sat down to watch the TV there was a knock at the door. It was Sandy and a lovely little lady. She assumed that the girl was Em the exchange student. Sandy made introductions and Diane invited them in and offered them drinks.

“Do you have any tea?” Em asked

“I sure do, I have Earl Grey and a St. James Darjeeling.”

Em smiled real big as Diane said, “That would be brilliant Diane.”

“I would like that too Diane.”

“I know you Brits are very particular so would you like to help me Em?”

Em jumped up at that and went with Diane. Em was so pretty, Diane wished she was fourteen again and her Dad was here with her. Her eyes started to mist over a little.

“Are you Ok Diane?”

“Oh yes, I am alright, I was just thinking about what it would be like to be fourteen and have my Dad with me again.”

“Drew told me you lost both your parents.” Em said as she set the water to boil.

Diane got out her pot and Em cleaned it and scooped some St. James tea into it.

“Diane May I serve the tea for you?”

“I would be delighted for you to serve us.”

“Ok go and sit with Sandy.”

Diane hugged Em and headed into her living room sitting next to Sandy.

“Diane I wanted to thank you for your words today. I am sorry about what I said about parents.”

“Sandy there is nothing to apologize for you were just frustrated.”

“Well I wanted you to know that, you are so special to me. You have treated me well since I moved here and I really like you.”

“Sandy, I think you are a very nice person, I am glad to have other kids my age around. There are so few of us here, us girls have to stick together, let's go shopping some time girl. I think Em is so sweet too. I can see why you are so happy she is here.”

Em came in with a tray and proceeded to serve. Diane told her cream and sugar. The three girls talked as they sipped their tea. Diane thought it was so good; Em had a good touch brewing tea. They talked for a while about all sorts of things.

“It's getting late and Em has school tomorrow so we better be going.”

“Sandy, Em I want you two to come over anytime, and I mean anytime you want to talk, you hear me.”

“Yes, we will,” they parroted together.

The next day Diane changed her training routine, she started ten mile sprints twice a week. She found a route that gave her a ten mile circuit. It was a mostly level run, it had more twists and turns but the roads were decent and traffic shouldn't be too bad. It gave her a chance for good ride. She also added five miles to her other runs, making them thirty seven mile rides with 2 more miles of hills.

This ride would start and stop at the diner. From her place to the diner she would warm up and kick it in gear from there. She saddled up after stretching and turned her helmet light on and started her ride. The closer she got to the dinner the faster she went. She stopped just in front of the diner and set her computer. When she hit the start button she hit the pedals. A quarter mile then a big right hand turn. She picked up speed on a long mostly straight stretch on farm road 256; she was really going fast through here for about a mile and a half into another right. She was on a long three and a quarter mile run into a right hand turn for about four tenths up to farm road 825. Lastly she had a four and nine tenths ride to the diner. She clocked in at 25.03 not bad she thought considering all the turns she had to slow for.

This ride had her puffing more but she recovered faster after she cooled down she went in the diner. Sandy smiled at her as she came in and had her coffee for her as she reached her table.

“My you look so much happier today.”

“Yes, I enjoyed talking with you last night dear.”

“Gee, if that is all it takes to make you happy you ought to do it more often. I really liked having you over. Not many people come to see me. I am trying to get out more myself. I am having diner with Miss Bell tonight.”

“Yeah I know Drew called Em last night. She nearly fell all over herself about what they talked about. All I can say is go girl.”

Diane wondered how they were going to keep this secret. “We have to keep this from Brit if it is going to work Sandy.”

“I don't know anyone who would want to tell Brit. They all love the idea.”

Diane never had to order here now they just started cooking when she showed up. She got her food and read the paper while eating. She always left Sandy a good tip.

Sandy and her said goodbye after she paid her tab and hugged before leaving.

Diane showered and got ready for work. She had her morning talk with Sally and found Derek printing out the plans for Jacquie Nelson's bike.

“Diane I checked Samuel's work on these plan they look good. Also Samuel has a formula set up for designing mountain bikes we both went over it so holler when you want to try it out. Samuel wants a mountain bike.”

“Ok I want to get Janice's bike rolling first then we will make Samuel's MB one. Our computer controlled machines are operating almost full time now. We might need to look to expand our equipment, get with Cal and see what he thinks. Then see if we can find some used equipment at a good price.”

“You got it boss.”

At ten Diane called Erin up. “Hey Erin how are you?”

“Doing very nicely Diane and how are you?”

“I am doing fine. Two things. The first save the Saturday next for a special ride I can't tell you much about it now but it should be good. Second I need a full Chorus-10 triple group and the rest of my setup with a girl's gel saddle. I need it yesterday if possible.”

“Ok I got it; you are being mysterious about setting up Brit.”

“Dang does everybody know?”

“I don't know but I am sure Brit won't?”

“Okay, I hope so.”

Diane's day went fast she got the tube cut and Timmy got the front fork worked out for Jacquie's bike. They also got several other bikes out the door to their painter. He now came to them daily seeing what they had at lunch time and to make his deliveries. The quality of his work was getting better as he got more experience in painting bikes and got back feedback on his work.

Diane left work early so she could get ready for her dinner with Miss Bell. Diane went whole hog to look pretty. She loved these dinners with Jessica it was a chance for her to look like a lady. She wore her LBD that had an asymmetrical hem, tan stockings, her black pumps and enough jewelry to look great. She finished about five minutes before Jessica got there. Jessica whistled at her when she opened the door.

“Diane if you dressed like that more often you would have the boys from five counties beating a path to your door.”

“You look alright too Jessica, I like the way you dress. A little too mature for me but you always look nice.”

We headed out to Charlottesville for dinner, and talked on the way. I filled her in on what we were going to do. We need someone to separate her from the rest of us and delay her getting ready. Jessica laughed at our plan and she said she knew just what to do.

“Jessica if things work out I think I might start at NC State the fall of next year can you help me get ready.”

“I will do anything to see you in college dear. I am so glad that you are headed in that direction.”

“Oh Sandy and Em came by last night. I think that Em is such a nice girl.”

“Yes she is, of those that came from England she, one of my favorites. Her and Gaby.”

“I talked with Drew for a while too, he seems much better.”

“That her Diane, be careful not to slip dear. Yes I understand her mom is much better.”

“What is wrong with HER mom?”

“Opps, that is what I mean about slip. Don't spread this around but she was terribly sick with cancer. It was a close call but after surgery she seems to be doing better.”

Dinner with Jessica was great, she was such a lady. Diane made a point of flirting with the waiters, batting her eyelashes at them and giving them her undivided attention when they were around. Jessica had such a quaint laugh when the waiters left the table in a flustered condition.

“Diane it is good seeing you like this, you are really starting to live again.”

“I know Jessica, I am getting over things now, and I want more for myself, than just a job. I think Derek might be headed for the altar. Patricia has that poor boy roped and tied.”

“I have heard that too, she was quite jealous of you riding with Derek in DC.”

“He is just a brother to me Jessica.”

“I know but she is still a woman, at least she likes you Diane.”

They had a pleasant drive back to Grottoes and Diane was happy when she got to her house and got ready for bed.

Over the next week and a half the plans for the ride were firmed up Diane, Erin and the security people went over the route and checked out some of the kids and potential riders. A lunch at Turk gap Cabin was planned that the embassy was footing the bill. They estimated twenty Grottoes riders, seven embassy staffers including the ambassador and his daughter, John was riding too, and seven security staffers riding. They didn't cover the rest of the security arrangements with them but Diane figured that wouldn't be a day to act up on that road.

Plans for Brit were going on quite well also. Half the town knew but as far as anyone could tell Brit didn't.

Jacquie's bike went to paint and came back looking great. Janice helped rigging out the bike. While Diane lace and trued the wheels.

Diane's times were getting better slowly all the extra rides were helping her conditioning.

(to be continued)

Paula Dillon 20.06.05 © 2005
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