All of the original situations in this story are mine, the rest is the intellectual property of Maddy. Cat is a fictional character, any similarities to anyone living or dead is purely my warped mind in action.

Catalyst

Part 9

I had danced about as I'd finished my call with Drew, if he and Maddy both make it then things will be very interesting around here come race day.

The other girls at the club seemed to have a problem with me anyway, but it got a whole lot worse last week. Since I had come back from Gran's my times for the ten had improved in leaps and bounds, as a result I'm now Dacorum cycle club's most improved youngster. I think John has been busy too because they took all of my Cuckney times into account.

So what does that mean? Apparently this season's winner gets a nice frame, however in exchange what little credibility I used to have looks to have gone. Maybe it's the green-eyed monster or maybe it's something else about me they don't like. All I know is that, I just want to show them that I'm not hopeless and I really do deserve it.

I was trying hard to contain my excitement all evening but it must have shown to Mum and Dad. Then it took me ages to get to sleep as I thought things over, Drew and Maddy visiting little old me - great.

I was still buzzing the next day when Drew phoned to let me know it was all ok. I decided to get things organised there and then, much to Mum's amusement.

At first the sleeping arrangements seemed straight forward, Maddy would sleep in my room, we could fit a guest bed in there once I tidy up. I thought Drew and his Dad could share the spare room.

One glance into the room and I knew that idea was a non-starter, it was now a junk room and even with three weeks to go I knew there was no way to clear it in time.

So I guess now was a good time to resort to plan b, if only I had a plan b. No way was I going to have them sleeping in the camper even if there was room and I very much doubted their claims that it did.

Before any of you get confused that's my other Gran, she lives less than a quarter of a mile away in her flat. Well it's more like a maisonette really. Her spare room has quite a bit of junk in it too but at least you can get around the double bed.

I took a few groceries from Mum to Gran and used the opportunity to ask if she minded taking in the Bond's for a weekend. It was fine with her so that left me with the job of finding the stunning entertainment to repay them for the hospitality that they had shown me!

Monday marked the last day of summer holidays and I was determined not to waste it. Mum had to work today so she left me a few things to keep me occupied but once I got those out of the way I had the day to myself.

I took advantage of the good weather to go on a long bike ride. I headed towards Tring with no clear plan for a route. I ended up riding through the town and taking a left where the fizzy drink place is (it's called Rodwells if you are interested) then past Tring Zoological Museum, under the A41 then up into the foothills.

This isn't the route I use too often so I tried to remember the best way. I ended up at a t-junction by a cricket pitch, I knew where I was now. There were a few ways for me to go home but I'm glad I chose the one with the nice fast downhill run.

I was cruising along quite happily and heard the unusual motor sound before I saw the machine that was making it through a gap in the hedge. It looked like a plane and the sight of a windsock above the hedge just confirmed it. I pulled over by a gate to investigate.

I couldn't see how the field would be long enough but the change in engine note told me that I wouldn't have to wait too long to find out. The little plane was already airborne by the time it passed me, it looked really lightweight but not at all flimsy. I watched it climb away and only got back on my bike when it was a small dot in the sky.

I used the main roads to get home, not ideal but the back routes are a collection of pot holes. I got back before either of my parents did and I couldn't wait to tell them. Mum thought it sounded a bit far fetched but Dad convinced her, he said it must have been an advanced microlight.

Tuesday signalled a return to the weekly grind that was school. To make matters worse a steady rain was falling. Normally I walked to school, but on days like these I took a bus to the centre of Berkhamsted and walked up the hill.

I trudged along to the bus stop; last term Anne would have been with me and we would have been chattering away, however she moved away in the summer so here I was on my own.

The next bus arrived, it wasn't full so I was able to find a corner and I sat there quietly for my short ride.

I got off outside WH Smith and glanced at my watch, plenty of time to get to school. So I took my usual spot in front of the cycling mags and had a browse. Apart from a couple of good reviews there wasn't that much to read, some interviews of people I've never heard of and the obligatory Armstrong article.

One thing did catch my eye though. One magazine had managed to get ahead of the game and already had the results from Eastway. As well as a picture of Drew crossing the line there was one of him, Josh Waugh and Kristen Oakey afterwards. As if that wasn't enough you could just make out half of me (partially obscured by Josh's elbow) most of Maddy and Britney's arm. Kewl.

I left two pounds lighter in the pocket and with the magazine safely stored in my bag. A quick check of the watch said it was time to go and once outside I followed the rest of the uniformed kids to start school.

New school year, new form room, new teacher, same classmates. You would have thought that they would have worn out all the name jokes by now but no. The first time I failed to reply straight away I heard, "Cat got your tongue." That one never gets old does it.

As soon as morning break was signalled I took refuge in the computer room and checked out a couple of websites while generally keeping to myself.

I looked round and saw a younger girl looking at me and the site with Maddy and 'Drew's' pictures on. Judging by her immaculate uniform (and I mean fresh out of the wrapper) it had to be her first day here.

"I was introduced to it this summer, by these two in fact," I answered pointing at the screen.

"It's in a couple of weeks time. I'm going, but only for one day. I know we've only just met but would you like to come with me? My cousin was booked but she had to drop out."

I envied her confidence around strangers. "If you're sure it's ok I'd like that. I'll have to check my diary though," I answered. In reality that meant asking my parent's permission but I was hardly likely to admit that to a room full of my peers.

Maybe the new school year won't be as bad as I'd feared, I thought as I walked down the corridor making my way to my German lesson.

I joined everyone waiting outside the classroom and heard the familiar voice of Danny the pain.

"Cat, Cat, her chest is flat!" he called out, much to the amusement of everyone else. I tried to disappear into the walls. Good job he didn't know my little secret, he would have had a field day.

I can only guess that little ditty took a lot of effort. He certainly didn't come out with any more 'lines' before our teacher appeared.

I managed to go the rest of the day without hearing any more wisecracks from anyone. I had hoped to run into my cosplaying friend at lunch or afternoon break but there was no sign of her. I thought I caught a glimpse of her at the end of the day but whoever it was got into a car before I caught up with them.

It had stopped raining sometime during the day so I decided to walk home. I got my magazine out but I wasn't really reading it, I had too many other things on my mind.

I let myself in the house, dumped my school things and made myself comfortable in front of the TV. I wasn't really paying too much attention until Kim Possible came on, I think it's pretty kewl. About halfway through I had a great idea, I could be Kim at the con! I would be pushed to make the cheer costume in two weeks but I'd have a go and if it didn't work out then I could fall back on green combat trousers and a black sweater.

I was feeling inspired now so I flipped through the listings and tried to come up with a shortlist. Hmm, Black Hole High - maybe I could do Josie, she's cute. Where would I get the plaid skirt though, it's nothing like the one I wear for school. Cardcaptors - I could do Kitty Sakura, all it needs is a black leotard, black tights and I could dye an old-fashioned apron pink. I also considered something from Spirited Away, Inspector Gadget or the Demon Headmaster but decided to save those ideas for another time.

When Mum came in from work I made her a cup of coffee and then asked if I could go to the con with my new friend.

I tried to remember, but I couldn't, it was a good job we had exchanged phone numbers earlier. I found the strip of paper I had so carefully rolled up.

Mum had been there to pick up the pieces the last time one of my schoolfriends found out my history.

"It's just one day, we won't need a room, if we want to change we'll just use the bog."

"Well as long as Dad and I get to veto any outfit that we feel is inappropriate then you can go."

I phoned and let Eve know it was on. She tried to find out what I'd be wearing but I told her I wanted to do a bit more research. We agreed to meet at the library at 12.30 to discuss our plans. We probably could have chatted longer but her dinner was ready and ours wasn't too far away either.

I spent the rest of the evening doing the costume research, so far everything was working out nicely.

Wednesday was just an average schoolday, meeting Eve was the only thing to set it apart.

When we revealed our choices it seemed that cosplay wasn't the only thing that we had in common. Eve also planned to do Sakura but in her school uniform, that sounded pretty kewl to me. Then she said she had an even better idea, she would borrow her Dad's camcorder and be Tomoyo - the girl who designs all Sakura's outfits and videos her in action. This was sounding better and better.

There were still a few things that we needed so we made plans for the weekend, there was a pretty good costume shop in Watford and there was the market too.

The rest of the day was pretty routine too, after school I did my homework, had tea and went to the first Girl Guide meeting since we broke up for the summer holidays.

Thursday was a better day, it started with drama which is one of my favourite lessons. Then later I had science and history, they almost made the last lesson of the day bearable - games.

Unlike Drew I don't get excused from games, not for my cycling (I'm nowhere near that level yet) and not for medical reasons (such as the one bit I can't have removed until I'm older). Every time I get changed I'm convinced that someone will figure me out even though things are hidden away.

The one advantage to having games at the end of the day is that I can either dawdle until every one else has gone or I can leave my games kit on to go home which is precisely what I did today.

I just hoped that my half-hearted efforts in hockey hadn't taken too much out of me for my ride tonight.

The unfortunate thing about living in the Chilterns is the hills and to make it worse being in the valley you can't go far from home without a climb. I hate having to work so hard just to get there but I guess it's the same for most of the riders. Anyway I got there in plenty of time, checked in and got a number then tried not to get bored waiting, no mean feat when a lay-by next to a cemetery is the safest place to prepare.

It wasn't too long before it was my turn. I didn't have to worry about clipping my feet in and my cheap and cheerful cycle computer starts when I do so all I had to worry about was going on the B of bang.

I quickly got into a rhythm before negotiating the junction where the road turns right but we go straight and then out into the country. I put all my effort in to the outward leg and just hoped I had enough left for the shorter return leg.

I checked the computer, it didn't look like I was on course for a good time - oh well.

I pushed harder than ever, so hard that I almost forgot to check the time as I crossed the line. Wow it wasn't a PB but it wasn't far off.

I hung about long enough to get my official time then cleared off down the hill making the most of the gradient.

Fish and chips after a ten had become a tradition while I was in Warsop but I resisted the temptation at the bottom of the hill and went straight home.

Friday would have been another unremarkable day if it hadn't been for the envelope waiting on the table when I got home.

Inside it was a load of Apollinaris goodies, I guess you would call it a media pack. It had posters and team history, a few stickers, even a product history. The only thing missing was a bottle of the water itself.

There were two things that really drew my attention, one was the double spread poster of Drew's mum. It felt strange to see a picture of a friend's mum like that but that wasn't going to stop me from putting it on my bedroom wall. The other was in the handful of publicity shots, it was the Bonds on the podium in Paris. I wonder if Drew knew about it.

I made sure to set my alarm for 8am, I wanted to get a short ride in before I went shopping. It's funny, on a schoolday I struggle to get up yet here I am, awake, up and on my bike within ten minutes.

When I got back I had time for a shower and a light breakfast then I had to meet Eve and her mum at the end of our road.

Given my record for timekeeping I fully expected to see them waiting for me but for once I was ahead of schedule.

It was about five minutes later when they pulled up in a dark red Volvo. I'm no motor nut but I recognised it as an S40 and if it wasn't new then it was very close.

I decided not to correct her on the mis-pronunciation yet, I found Eve's mum a little intimidating.

We drove through the town in silence then as we picked up the trunk road Mrs Sansom tried to break the ice.

"Yes, I was looking at pictures of a con that a couple of friends went to," I replied.

"Unfortunately not, they live near Nottingham. They are coming down the week after though for a cycle race."

"A cycle race! Eve and I are more into horse riding than bike riding aren't we dear."

"Now tell me Catriona, you have a Scottish name, is there a family connection?"

"I think there's a link somewhere, but it's only Scottish when there's an 'o' in it."

Oh shit, I've gone and done it again. I can't say things like that in front of other people. The last time I did it I had to leave the girl's school I was at. Time to use the cover story.

"Yes, my parents said that when I was born they had a name chosen for me but they felt that I was telling them that I wanted something different."

A few more minutes and we were on some strange back street where we pulled up.

"Right you hop out here, I'll be parked in the DIY store just round the corner."

We walked down to the shop, it's window display was jam packed full of every kind of costume thing you can imagine. There were complete costumes, hats, wigs, swords, wings, wands, makeup. I conjured up images of what it must be like inside - packed to the rafters with costumes and hardly any space to move. I wasn't disappointed when we went in even though there was more space than I had expected.

"So what do you think of it?" Eve asked.

"Magic," I replied.

As much as I wanted to look around we were here to get specific items so we found the counter and made our requests.

"How can I help you two young ladies?" asked the woman behind the counter.

I looked at Eve to go first but she nudged me forward.

"Hi, err I'm looking for a ginger wig, some cat ears, a tail, one of those old fashioned aprons and a purple cheerleader outfit if you have one," I said.

"That's quite an outfit," the woman replied. "Lets start with the wig, do you want it straight or curly and how long?"

"Straight and about shoulder length," I said. At least I knew that much.

"With a fringe?"

I was pretty sure that Kim didn't have a fringe but I hesitated.

"Now dear, why don't you just tell me which costume you are doing? It'll probably be easier that way."

"Kim Possible."

"Oh of course, so that's a straight ginger with a side parting, and we know the length. I think I know just the one." She disappeared to the back of the shop with a small stepladder.

I turned to Eve. "I didn't think it would be this complicated," I said.

"Nor did I the first time I did it. Good job Joyce is here, she really knows her stuff."

"Joyce?"

"Mrs Costa, she insists that everyone calls her by her first name."

She chose that moment to return with a bright orange thing in a bag.

"Here you are, this one should do it. Why don't you try it on, I've got a big mirror somewhere. Ahh here it is."

I needed some help to get my own hair hidden beneath, then I took a proper look. I wasn't going to win any prizes like this but it was pretty good.

We then went through the rest of the things, cat ears were simple enough and the apron came from some cheap costume, only the cheerleader outfit was no go. They had a couple of choices but nothing was the right style and they were either red and white or blue and white.

I paid for my things and let Eve sort her stuff out, of course she had a much better idea of what she needed but that didn't make it any quicker to find. I got bored standing and waiting so I went to have a browse through the racks of full costumes. There was one in particular that caught my eye, it was a kind of renaissance gown.

"Have we got time for me to try this on?" I asked.

"Of course we have," replied Eve.

I didn't need a second invitation, I took the hanger into the small corner with a curtain that was used as a changing area and started my transformation.

It took a few minutes to get everything looking as I wanted it to but when I was finally there I threw back the curtain with a flourish and said, "Tada!"

So much for my grand entrance, neither Eve nor Joyce gave me any more than a glance before they carried on. I got more of a reaction from the kid passing the shop. He looked in through the door, saw me and stuck his tongue out, naturally I did the mature thing and stuck my tongue out at him before he disappeared from view.

"Thanks for that underwhelming reaction," I said.

"Any time," Eve said grinning. "It suits you it's just not my thing."

I was just about ready to change back into my regular clothes when Joyce stopped me.

"Something is missing," she said and disappeared to the back of the shop again.

When she came back she was carrying something that looked like a cross between a mop and an alien creature. Actually it was a wig of tight curls, it reminded me of the scousers from some sketch show or other.

"Ey ey, calm down, calm down," I said and giggled.

Joyce teased her fingers through the curls then made me stand very still while she put it on and made final adjustments. It felt like she had been fussing for ages when she pronounced me ready and lead me over to the mirror.

"Wow, that makes all the difference, thank you," I said.

"You're welcome," she replied.

I wanted this costume, no I needed it, ok so I couldn't think of an excuse to wear it for the con but I wanted it anyway.

"How much is it?" I asked.

"I'm sorry that's a hire costume, it's not for sale."

My heart sank. "Not ever?"

"Well certainly not anytime soon."

"When you think of selling it can I have first refusal?" I pleaded.

"Oh I think we can arrange that then, don't hold your breath though, it may be some time," Joyce said.

I thought, 'It will be mine!'

When I had changed back out of my dress into my street clothes Eve was done buying the rest of her things so we left to find her mum.

"I'm definitely going back to that place I said while we waited for the lights to change at the crossing.

"It's great isn't it, you could lose yourself in there for hours trying things on," Eve replied.

"I almost did," I said.

Eve's mum spotted us before we saw her and pulled the car up alongside us. We hopped in and five minutes later we were in one of the multi-storey car parks in the centre of Watford.

The first place we checked out was the indoor market, it has a costume and novelty stall as plenty of clothing and accessory stalls.

I hoped they might have had a purple cheer costume but no such luck, the fabric stall didn't have any suitable material either so it looks like I'll be doing Kim in her mission gear.

Soon we were in the main part of the Harlequin centre, that's the name of the main shopping centre here. Apparently they named it after the local train line, why that was called the Harlequin line is anybody's guess.

As we worked our way through the shops I remembered the times I had been window shopping with Anne before she moved and more recently with Drew, Maddy and the gang. It felt good to be doing it again with a friend. I mean it's not quite the same going shopping with your parents.

I saw plenty of things that I liked enough to try on but nothing worth parting with cash for. The fluffy jacket was nice but it wasn't worth that much, maybe in the sales.

When we got to Smiths I marshalled Eve into the cycling section and showed her the Eastway pics in that magazine I had found so she knew who Drew and Maddy were. I even pointed out where I was in one of them although I didn't expect her to believe me.

We were ready to go by 12.30 but we stayed to have a light lunch in the food court, even though the place was absolutely heaving. I had a very nice tuna melt while Eve and her mum picked filled jacket spuds.

When we left we began to wonder if lunch had been such a good idea afterall, the roads were much busier.

"Watford Town must be playing at home," Eve's mum said.

Luckily she knew a back route so we managed to avoid the worst of it.

On the way back we decided to go to Eve's place to have a dress rehearsal. It wasn't that much of a surprise to find that they lived in a detached house in one of the better parts of town (not that there are any bad parts).

As I went inside I felt the need to wipe my feet twice as much as I normally would; not that they were dirty just that their hallway was spotless. I definitely took my shoes off before going upstairs.

Eve lead me into her bedroom, it wasn't that much bigger than my own room but the real surprise - it wasn't much tidier either.

We cleared the clothes off the bed (and not by pushing them onto the floor either) then dumped the contents of our bags in their place.

After sorting things into four piles (two outfits for each of us) and checking we hadn't forgotten anything Eve started stripping off right there in front of me.

I knew we would be changing to try things on but I had sort of expected to have the use of a bathroom to change.

Ok so officially we are both girls but an orchidectomy only takes care of half the unnecessary bits, so until I was old enough to get rid of the other appendage I knew that I would have to be careful and I can't really put tights and a leotard on over my pants.

I remembered watching Mr Bean where he managed to put his swimming trunks on over his trousers then remove the trousers from underneath. That would be a useful skill but not here and now where it would only draw attention to me.

Oh well here goes nothing, I thought as I picked a moment where Eve was caught up in her own dressing. With my back to her I dropped my underwear then pulled up the opaque tights in one slick move, tucking at the same time.

As soon as I was done I turned back to make sure I hadn't blown it, maybe I should have been a little more discreet. She was just pulling up her Tomoyo skirt so to anyone else it might have looked like I was ogling her in her bra and pants.

Just then she looked up so I grabbed the leotard and tried to look busy.

"What?" she asked.

"What?" I repeated.

"Is something wrong?" she said. "You were looking at me."

Darn, she had spotted me, I would have to come up with a good cover.

That was the main thing that bothered me about my situation - the lying. Yes my family all knew except for the ones where we only exchanged Christmas cards but only a handful of my closest friends did. Even then it starts by not telling them because it's not important and then pretending to know about all the stuff I missed out on in the beginning. Next you let them assume things because it's easier than trying to explain, then when you do tell them it's a mixture of fearing what they might do and relief that you don't have to lie anymore.

One thing I had learned, it was less complicated if you stuck close to the truth.

SPAN LANG="en-US">"I was looking to see if you were looking at me, I'm self-conscious about changing in front of people, even friends."

"Why didn't you say so?" Eve asked. "You could have used the bathroom to change."

Why didn't I think of that. All that worry over nothing. I pulled a stupid face and started to laugh.

At first Eve just looked at me like I had lost the plot (which I had) then she started to laugh as well.

It took a few minutes for me to recover enough to finish dressing, with the ears and apron on and holding the staff that Eve had persuaded her Dad to buy off eBay I asked the all-important question.

"How do I look?"

Eve stood assessing me, it felt like it was a couple of minutes but was probably just a few seconds. I hoped I looked as authentic as Sakura as she did as Tomoyo.

"Not bad," she replied. "Obviously we still have to dye the apron pink and make the bell but there's something not quite right."

I found a big mirror to see for myself, it was the apron, it wasn't sitting right. I lifted the sides with my hands.

"I know," Eve said and bolted from the room.

I heard her run down the stairs so I sat on the edge of the bed and waited to see what she had planned. This time I heard two lots of footsteps on the stairs.

Eventually Eve came back in with her mum behind her, she was holding a small black petticoat.

"You will try to be careful with it, I still need it from time to time under some of my evening dresses," she said.

I could easily imagine her in a cocktail dress at a posh works dinner or hosting her own charity soiree in the kind of outfit that would need this petti. Not that any of that mattered. What did matter was that I looked a lot more convincing as Kitty Sakura with it.

With everything sorted out for that outfit I changed into my Kim Possible gear (in the relative safety of the bathroom this time). In comparison to my other outfit this was pretty dull. Cheerleader Kim would have been much more fun but Eve had convinced me that trying to make a good costume in the time we had wasn't the smartest idea.

She had no such worries with her costume, the girl ninja outfit was very kewl, I wish I had thought of that. She even had a set of foam nun-chuks she made herself!

I left my wig untouched, we decided that the less we messed with it now the less we would have to do on the day.

I had hoped we would get a chance to dye the apron pink before I left for home but it wasn't to be. Eve would do it during the week because she had done it before, my task was to make the bell for Kitty Sakura's neck.

I got a lift home from Eve's mum in time for tea with Mum and Dad and then had a quiet evening.

Sunday I made a start on the bell before I went out. The plan worked well, I put papier mache over a partly inflated balloon and when I got back late in the afternoon it was dry and ready to paint.

So that was my weekend over and done with, back to school tomorrow. <sigh> At least all the costumes have been sorted out, being ready this far in advance is so unlike me. I hope that I haven't forgotten anything.