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.
I rode the high from the con for most of the week and whenever Eve and I passed each other at school we smiled or waved or sometimes even talked to each other.
Then I started looking forward to the weekend and Drew and Maddy's visit. Things were going very smoothly - far too smoothly. I expected something to happen to mess it up but I hadn't foreseen this.
Jo was the other girl riding with us on Saturday, she had approached me first but couldn't find anyone else in the area to ride with us, that's why I tried to rope Drew and Maddy in. We were talking about the event.
"So are you ready for Saturday?" she asked.
"I hope so, have you done a time trial in teams before?"
"Um nope, I don't think we're ready for that but it's not a team time trial we're doing, it's a proper race."
"What!" I said.
"I thought you knew that, the four of us will be racing against six or seven groups around our age and they are chucking some individual riders in to make the numbers up," she added.
"I'm dead, my parents won't let me race; they say it's too dangerous."
"You can't back out now, this is my chance to show the clique that you don't need to be a big shot. We're going to ride as a team and we're going to beat them because their egos will get in the way. What about if my folks had a word with yours?"
She seemed pretty passionate about this whole thing; I had no idea it meant so much to her. "No that's ok, I'll handle it," I said. My theory was if I didn't tell them then they couldn't object.
Well the next thing on my agenda was to call Drew with an update and that wasn't the only thing I had to discuss with him.
"Hi Drew."
"Hi Cat, you're never going to guess who was here a couple of weekends back."
"Your mum?"
"Well yeah, but guess who she brought with her."
“Millar?”
"No, only Erik Zabel."
"Oh wow, what's he like? Is he kewl? Did you get his autograph? Did he give you any advice?"
"He's pretty cool, although having mum back was the biggest deal for me."
"Yep, I totally get that," I said. Even in the little time I'd spent around Drew I could see just how much he was missing her.
We exchanged edited highlights of our last fortnight before I got around to the point of the phone call.
"You know this time trial thing you and Maddy are coming down for in a couple of days?" I enquired.
"Yes?"
"Well there's been a little bit of confusion, it's not a time trial, it's a race, not on the scale you're used to but it's still a race, four start and first three times count." Drew didn't respond. "Is that still ok, will you still be coming?"
"I didn't think your parents wanted you racing."
"They don't but I wasn't going to tell them until afterwards. Anyway that's irrelevant if you change your mind, and what about Maddy, will she still be up for it?"
"I'll still be there and so will Maddy; I don't think I'll tell her it's a regular race until we get to the start though."
"Drew, anyone would think you're taking the opportunity for a teeny bit of payback." If he was (and the short silence suggested that he was) I couldn't really blame him, cycling was the part of his life he seemed most in control of.
"So how big is the field and what's the competition like?"
"Maybe 30 give or take a few, one lot from Hemel are a bit handy and the girls from our club fancy their chances, apart from that I have no idea," I stated.
"Could get interesting then," he responded.
There was that one other thing which I couldn't avoid any longer. "Drew I'm afraid I have another favour to ask and I don't think you're going to like it." I heard a sigh at the other end of the line.
"Go on."
"Jo sees this as her big chance to show that teamwork is important but if you turn up as Drew Bond national schoolboy champion then everyone will think that whatever we do is all down to you."
"You want me to come as Gaby?"
"Did I say that? No. All I'm asking is that you're not recognisable as you. Come as Richard Head or Ronald McDonald if you want to."
"What about Maddy, should she come in disguise too?" he asked.
"If you like," I chuckled.
"Better not," he replied, "she'll only get me back for it later on."
I wasn't going to argue on that one.
"So what are we going to do after the race?" Drew asked.
"Don't worry Drew we've got a few things lined up, even a castle for your Dad! Got to keep the folks happy." He laughed.
Anything else that needed to be said could wait a couple of days, so we said our goodbyes.
"See you Saturday."
"Bright and early."
"Well I don't know about that," I replied.
"No, me either. Bye."
They had the offer to stay Friday night but Mr Bond had decided not to rush home and travel down that evening but to leave early on the Saturday and have an easy run down the motorway.
Saturday morning, and I was up early for the third week in a row, unheard of for me. We were expecting them around 9.30 but that didn't stop me from looking up and down the road every five minutes. Any second Drew and Maddy could be here! Can you tell that I'm just a little bit excited?
In the end Dad got me doing something as the camper pulled up, it was probably best; I could have run alongside it otherwise.
"Hiya champ, Maddy, Mr Bond, good trip?"
"Yeah," Drew replied.
"And you would know, having been awake the whole time," Mr Bond added. Drew blushed and Maddy smirked. Well she did until Mr Bond looked at her and made a quiet snort - the kind I've heard Mum make when she falls asleep in the car.
"So do you have time for a brew," my Dad asked.
All three followed him inside while I found a place to stow my bike.
Ten or so minutes later and we were off, driving into Berkhamsted then past the station and under the bridge.
"I spy a castle; well what's left of one."
No prizes for guessing who said that. "Funnily enough it is in the plan for later," I said.
The road started to climb. "I hope the course isn't this hilly," Maddy commented.
"No sweat," Drew responded.
"S'alright for you, you do hill climbs," she countered.
"Don't worry, Ashridge itself is pretty flat," I reassured.
We were running early, only a few other riders were there which was handy, it gave Drew a chance to Gabify (like you ever doubted that would be his chosen disguise). I wanted to stay and watch the transformation taking place but I got shooed out so he and Maddy could have a bit of privacy.
While I waited for them to finish, Martin turned up. He's one of the more senior members of the club (in terms of his standing rather than his age).
"Hiya Cat, I think Jo will be here shortly, what about the rest of your quartet?"
"In the camper, getting changed," I replied.
"You'll need these then," he said and held up a set of jerseys.
"Z!" Mr Bond said. "Now there's a name from the past, how did you get hold of those then?"
"Long story, lets just say R. Millar and positive PR shall we."
It seemed as if Mr Bond had some idea of what he meant, I didn't have a clue. I just took the jerseys and banged on the camper door.
"What is it?"
"Your jerseys."
The door opened just enough for a hand to snake round it, I passed a couple of jerseys to the hand and watched the door shut behind it.
Jo turned up while they were finishing off, she seemed pretty psyched and was already in her gear.
Drew and Maddy emerged from the camper together so I took the opportunity to introduce everyone. It felt funny telling Jo that this was Gaby. I was almost done when I was interrupted.
"Don't you need to warm up?"
"Yeah shouldn't you be changed by now," Drew said and grinned.
I shot 'him' a look and disappeared inside the camper to strip down to my cycle gear. It's funny, it doesn't look that big from the outside but there was plenty of room to change. I made sure I hadn't forgotten anything before I stepped outside.
I saw Drew sizing me up, I thought I was dressed for the occasion with my replacement helmet, specs, the Z! team jersey, proper cycle shorts and.... shit, I'd forgotten my shoes, I still had my walking boots on.
"You look the business from your head to your ankles," Drew commented, "but you probably want some more appropriate footwear."
I reached back inside the camper and retrieved my shoes.
"Much better. Although having the clothes and that nice new frame of yours won't make up for a lack of ability...... good job you've got some of that too."
Maddy gave her cousin a gentle swat which saved me the trouble of doing it myself.
"Warmups. Now," Mr Bond instructed.
We cycled gently up the road together chatting as we went.
"So Jo, have you raced before?"
"I've done a few local things, stuff like this."
"I thought this was a time trial," Maddy said.
"Not you too, I had to put Cat straight earlier in the week. Four start and the fastest three times count," Jo said.
"Racing? - count me out," Maddy replied.
"Don't worry Maddy, you stick with me, I'll keep you out of trouble and Jo will look after Cat."
"You've raced a bit then Gaby," Jo asked.
I felt sorry for her, the three of us knew the truth but didn't dare say anything; we just smiled.
"Yeah I've done a few races."
We took a quick look at the course, like I said pretty flat, one dip to worry about but pretty easy going apart from that.
For the start we lined up towards the back, it would be safer for me and Maddy; we could see who was going where.
The first lap went well enough, we stayed out of trouble in the middle of the peloton (if you can call it that with a field this size) with team Hemel at the front and our rivals from the club scattered throughout. Then on lap two as I took the left-hander after the dip my path was blocked by two cyclists who had slowed for no apparent reason. I took evasive action but couldn't keep my back wheel on the road and I ended up in a heap by the side. I heard laughing as the girls cycled off while I just sat there.
Next thing I heard was, "Are you ok Cat?"
It was Drew.
"Don't worry about me, you've got a race to win, fastest three times, you don't need me."
"We started this as a team and we're going to finish it as a team. Nobody gets left behind." I'm sure that's a line from a movie. "Now are you going to get back on that bike?"
"Yes maam," I said as I remounted, "so what's the plan?"
"We ride bit and bit to catch up with Mad and Jo then we keep it up with the four of us and see what happens. Just follow my lead."
It didn't take long to get back into my stride, we were still half a lap down though.
"How are you feeling?"
"Fine D...Gabs, if you want to turn the wick up go ahead." I made sure to take my fair share at the front; no way anyone would accuse me of being a wheel sucker.
We caught up with the others with a lap and a bit to go, filled them in on the plan and rode as four which was handy for me as I don't think I could have rode two-up much longer. The rest of the bunch came back at us and I was on the lookout for any more dirty tricks but none came.
With about half a lap to go I called over my shoulder, "Gaby if you want to go for the win then do it now."
"No point," came the reply.
"Tenner in the pot," I said.
"So?"
I shrugged my shoulders, there was no way we could win the team event so I thought at least someone should get some individual glory, but no.
"Come on girls, dig."
That must be Mr Bond. We all responded to that by pushing extra hard for the finish.
Don't ask me what happened next, I know there were other riders around me as I finished but had no idea who they were. I do know someone grabbed my handlebars and helped me off the bike but I was too busy gasping for air to see who they were.
Gradually my breathing returned to more normal levels and I began to pay more attention to my surroundings. All of my group were looking at me!
"Something... wrong?" I asked, pausing between words to breathe.
"We almost called for the oxygen for you there," Mr Bond said.
"Sorry," I replied. I knew he'd had enough scares after races with Drew, he didn't need anyone else to worry about, even if it was only for one race.
"So how did we do?" I asked.
"It's not over yet, there are a few more riders to finish," Jo said.
"You must have some idea," I responded.
"Well Hemel won easily, Jo said.
"Stop teasing her," Martin scolded. "You came third."
"I'm sorry Jo."
"Why sorry?"
"For not beating the clique."
Her face broke into a smile and she led me over to one of the club members who was acting as an official. The Warsop crew followed.
"Can we see the provisional team result please," Jo asked. He held the clipboard out.
1) Hemel 1
2) Hemel 2
3) Team Z
4) DREG
5) Dac girls
(In case you're wondering we were Team Z, DREG was Dave, Ronnie, Ed and Gav, the Dac Girls' were our club rivals)
."Hemel had two teams?"
"Yes, one boys and one girls' team," Martin supplied.
All of a sudden I got the urge to do the happy dance, Drew, Maddy and Jo joined in too.
When we broke from the dance there was one question that I needed answering. "How did we manage to beat them, especially after I 'fell off'?"
"Because you did what you were supposed to do, you rode as a team and they didn't. That's what this whole race was about, we noticed that some of the kids thought they knew it all, that being fast is enough and they could do it all by themselves," Martin said.
"Huh?" was all I said in reply.
"Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox," he said grinning. "What happened was they dropped their fourth rider too soon, then to make matters worse, Laura went off the front in search of the £10 prize leaving the other two to struggle on; you passed them with a lap to go."
I looked at Drew, he gave me an 'I told you so' look.
We saw the other girls but tried not to draw their attention, we didn't want to be accused of gloating.
Back at the camper we started tidying stuff up but before we could stow the bikes we needed to change. I got to use it first and was halfway through when Jo went to leave so we said our goodbyes through the camper door. It was probably for the best that way as the last thing she said was to say hi to their talented cousin Drew and I knew I wouldn't have been able to keep a straight face (I didn't even try inside the camper). When I was done I switched with Maddy and that gave me a few minutes to chat with Drew about stuff.
"I guess the season is pretty much over for you Dr...Gaby so what are you doing instead?"
"Actually mum thought I should do cross to get a head-start for next season," he replied.
"Cross, eww, all muddy and yucky," I replied.
"Not a lot different from being all hot and sweaty."
"I suppose not, you'll not catch me doing it though," I said.
"That's what you said about racing; just look at you now," Drew said. I suppose he had a point.
"So are you going to de-gabify yourself in a minute?" I said changing the subject. He looked at me like the thought of not spending the rest of the day as Gaby simply hadn't entered his head.
"Won't someone recognise me that way?" he said.
"Jo has gone, so has Martin, once you're changed we're out of here. Don't tell me that girl stuff is all you've brought or that you've glued the falsies on."
"Half right anyway, I did use the glue but I put the solvent somewhere safe in the camper. I've got trousers, unisex perhaps, but not a skirt," he said proudly.
'Small victories,' I thought. Now there's a phrase from my past, every time I made a little step towards being a girl 24/7 when I wanted to take a big one, that was exactly what Mum had said to me.
"Penny for them," Maddy said. I'd got so lost in my own thoughts I hadn't even notice her get out of the camper and Drew get in.
"Not worth that much," I told her. "Not helping Drew change then?"
"Gaby can change on her own," she replied. I was going to respond to that but thought better of it. Instead we talked about our first race and how the Forresters were doing and before we knew it Drew and Mr Bond were stowing the bikes and getting us in.
"Where to now?" I was asked.
"Mum and Dad are meeting us back at the castle," I replied. "I'll just give them a call."
We got there first but only by a few minutes, Mr Bond went off to explore what was left of the motte while the three of us sat on a knoll by the gate and relaxed. Well we tried to anyway; when the first express train flashed past on the main line beside us it took us all by surprise.
There wasn't room on the knoll for everyone so when Mum and Dad arrived we found a more suitable spot. I guess Mr Bond sensed that food had arrived because he appeared out of nowhere to join us.
"So what do you think?" my Dad asked.
"The site is a lot larger than it looks," Mr Bond replied, "and it's had an interesting history.
Maybe this place deserves a second look, with it being on my doorstep I've taken it for granted. I made sure to listen to Mr Bond's potted history of the place, names I recognised , a siege - definitely worth a second look.
Without anyone else noticing Maddy drew my attention and looked across at Drew. I glanced across, he was staring into space like he was in some faraway place, or a time long forgotten. I just smiled to myself and finished up my lunch.
The original plan had been to move on to the Bridgewater monument, not far from where we raced, but I wanted to check the castle out for myself while we were here. If it took me this long to pay my first visit there was no telling how long it would take me to come back.
Drew and Maddy came with me on my little tour, of course Drew has probably seen more castles than I've had hot dinners but he didn't look bored. I was just amazed that this place has two moats and all.
"Hello ladies, enjoying what's left of the castle are we?"
My thoughts were interrupted by a beardy bloke and his wife.
We smiled and nodded and they carried on walking, their dog bounded along behind them.
"Someone else that didn't recognise Drew as a boy," I stated.
Maddy smiled, Drew just looked embarrassed.
"That happens so often that he's used to it by now," she said. Judging by the look that was on his face now I'd say he was more resigned to it than used to it.
We found our way back to the parents and set off up the road, I wasn't paying much attention to the route that we took but we came onto the picturesque village of Aldbury.
"They've used this place for films and TV," I said.
"I can see why," Drew replied. "It's exactly what tourists expect an English village to look like, pond on the green, country pub, village stores, it's all here."
"We can stop for a photo opportunity if you like," I said.
"No that's okay, we have villages around home too."
We continued to follow Mum and Dad along the narrow lane out of the village, after a couple of miles we passed a group of walkers, then a few more.
"Why all the walkers?" asked Drew.
"We're crossing the Ridgeway," Mr Bond said. "It runs from here to Devizes or thereabouts."
"Kristen lives somewhere around there," Drew added.
"You and her could meet somewhere in the middle," Maddy said. "How far is it?"
"About 70 miles," Mr Bond said.
"Maybe not," I said.
We drove along the lane between the high hedgerows for a couple more miles before we emerged onto a proper road. On our left in the middle of a field stood a windmill; it looked lonely stuck out there on its own.
We turned off and headed towards the promontory that was Ivinghoe Beacon. I know that they live near the Peak District so they've seen bigger hills but I like the way it rises up from the flatness.
I thought the camper might struggle up to the top but we made it to the car park with ease. We retraced part of the route along the road then joined the well trodden path to the beacon. The wind wasn't strong but we were all glad of our fleeces.
When we finally reached the stones marking the spot, Dad stood up next to it and did his party piece.
 |
"Welcome to the edge of the Chilterns. In front of you is Aylesbury Vale, over to your left is Tring, beyond that is Wendover Wood and the remains of its hill fort, below that is Wendover itself then Coombe Hill. To our right the white lion of Whipsnade and the town of Dunstable. Down there is the London Gliding Club but for now we shall concentrate on history. Imagine if you will, that it is not 2002 but 1588, danger is spotted and the country needs alerting but there's no TV or radio to spread the word. In the distance we see a light, it is the fire of another beacon so we rush to light ours and pass the message on across the country." |
I was tempted to clap but that might look silly.
Mr Bond smiled and said, "Interesting little presentation, what do you do for an encore."
Drew, Maddy and I walked over towards the edge, it wasn't sheer but it was a long way down.
"I know you said you were close to Dunstable but not quite this close," Drew said.
"No excuses to miss Obicon next year then," Maddy added.
I was just about to respond when we were distracted by a strange engine noise. Maddy spotted what it was, at the same time I realised what it had to be.
"Look it's a small plane," she said.
"It's the gliding club," I replied. "Let's watch."
We sat down on the grass and waited, it was too far away to see what was going on but the plane eventually moved and the movement behind it must be the glider it was towing. They were soon in the air and climbing.
"How will we know when they've released?" Drew asked.
"You'll see," I replied and right on cue the glider appeared to stop.
Before we knew it our glider was joined by another then another, we watched them for a while, we even waited for the first one to land.
Our parents had been watching too but now that we were done they started to walk back to the cars with us not far behind.
"Excuse me," said a voice behind us so we turned around. "Would one of you mind taking our picture?" It was a young couple and their small child who must have been about three.
"Want her todoit," said the child pointing at - you've guessed it - Drew.
He took a couple of photos for them before passing the camera back.
"I didn't catch your name," the woman said.
He hesitated, so I jumped in, "It's Drew."
"Thank yoo Droo," the child responded.
"Andy has taken a bit of a shine to you. Thanks for the pictures, bye girls."
As we hurried to catch up I couldn't help giggling, not only was he mistaken for a girl again but by a boy who shared his name!
"What kept you?" my Mum asked.
So we filled them in on the story, leaving certain bits out of course.
We went home by a different route, over the Grand Union Canal at Bulbourne (so I pointed out the workshops where they repair narrowboats) and through Tring. When we got back we had a chance to veg for a little while, mum made a pot of tea (I offered to do it but my tea making skills are not the greatest).
I showed them my bedroom which wasn't easy with the pullout guest bed on the floor already, it did give us somewhere to sit and talk though.
"So how's the rest of the gang doing?" I asked.
"All doing fine," Maddy replied. "Bernie's been coming to some of Drew's races with me."
"Rhod and Ally are doing a lot of stuff together," Drew added.
"Lovebirds?" I suggested.
"Maybe," was Maddy's response.
"So when is your famous mum due back then?"
"As soon as this Australian trip is out of the way, I can't wait," he replied.
"I'll bet."
It didn't seem like we had been up there very long when our parents called up that it was time to get ready so we could go out to eat.
There could have been trouble as the house only has one bathroom but we managed to work it out even if it did mean sharing it briefly with Maddy at one point.
If you're wondering if we were joined by Drew or Gaby for dinner then you weren't alone. I wasn't sure which one would be going either. It turned out to be Drew, I think Maddy was disappointed but I wasn't, I didn't want to be explaining that one to my parents.
We couldn't think of anywhere else better to go so we ended up at our favourite Indian restaurant and apart from one of the waiters mistaking Drew for a girl (if my parents noticed then they didn't mention it) the evening went very smoothly.
Almost as soon as we got back everybody started yawning, which meant that Dad and I got to take the Bonds to Gran's because I wanted to introduce them and Dad wanted to make sure that I got home safely.
When I got back to my room Maddy was already in her bed so I changed discretely and climbed into my own. The fresh air had woken me up a little so I tried to chat with Maddy about all kinds of things until I felt sleepy again, eventually I got round to asking about Drew.
"Maddy?"
"Uh huh,"
"Why does everyone else see him as a girl except us?"
My eyes were now accustomed to the dark so I could see her biting her lip.
"You do too?"
"Not all the time," she replied.
"I don't get it," I said.
"Neither do I, sometimes when I look I see Drew, and five minutes later I'll see Gaby instead, I can't explain it."
"What about the times where you've persuaded him to dress as a girl?"
"He could always say no. Anyway you're one to talk, you got him to race as Gaby."
"Err no; what I actually asked was that he didn't race as Drew Bond - national champion."
"You see, he chose Gaby himself, I had nothing to do with it," Maddy said.
'This time,' I thought to myself. I could see one very good reason for using his alter ego though, he was so good at it, so natural that it was safer to be Gaby than to pretend to be anyone else.
I had more questions but Maddy didn't respond to any of them, if she wasn't asleep then she was pretending to be, to avoid them. Either way I decided to try and sleep myself; maybe I could find out more in the morning.
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