21 Action Replay

I got to my knees and looked at the bike. Back wheel snarled with tyre and tube, Front wheel, well it wasn't a wheel anymore. Damn I couldn't even support myself on it.

The crowd started to chant as I stared at the bike. "Gaby! Gaby UP! UP! UP!

It was Maddy who finally got through to me.

"COME ON DREW SHAKE, A LEG!"

My legs were doing enough shaking on their own. But I got the message and struggled to get the bike onto my shoulder. Damn that hurts.

"COME ON DREW!" Mum and Dad together this time. Never mind rubber, my legs were like a runny jelly escaping from the spoon. I limped and slid to the line. I was on my knees twice before I made it.

No cheer this time just a collective sigh of relief, as dad yanked the bike of my shoulders Mum draped her fleece around me and I tried to scream 'that hurt' but nothing came out,

I found myself lying on my side on a bright red blanket. Shit, not again the last time I was on one of these it was a trip to the hospital. That green shape was hovering over me as well. No wrong colour, green. It was Jim.

"Hi Gabs, spectacular flying display, but the Station Commanders livid. Low level aerobatics are not allowed!"

I grinned more in relief than anything else. I started to get up.

"No stay there a bit longer." Said Mum

Maddy was kneeling in front of me. I reached up and touched her arm.

She was on the verge of tears but she choked out.

"That's the second time you've tried flying this week. You're supposed to miss the ground Drew."

"I need to move Mum, I'll stiffen up to much if I don't."

"Stay there." Said Carol " Roll over on you stomach." I could feel her wiping my back with some thing. Odd, I was still wearing my skins.

"Right got that can Jim?" I felt the spray hit my back and I flinched, but it didn't sting, it was just cold.

"Instant skin." said Jim "It keeps the wound clean but still breaths, it's pretty good."

Carol had moved on to my left leg.

"Alright Gaby now you can get up." Mum said.

"Here you'd better have these, it washes off with warm water" said Jim

"You sure you wont get into trouble? Jim, Giving us these I mean." asked Carol.

"You pay taxes don't you? That makes you my Boss." He grinned " Besides I'll blame the Chief, right Sandy."

"You usually do Corp. You usually do. Don't worry about it. I'd probably get chewed out for not using it anyway."

I slowly got to my feet. I was stiff and sore. A good soak would sort that out. "Where's Maddy?"

"Right here Drew." I felt her arms move around my waist from behind and her head nestled into my neck as she gave me a gentle squeeze.

Cheering and applause came from the line. I looked around to see who was finishing and immediately wanted to hide.

"It's Ok. Drew. Remember what John told you Friday?" Carol said,

I thought of our night at the 'Exchange'. Risking a slight smile I raised my right arm and waved.

The cheering got louder.

Mum draped the fleece across my shoulders.

I was amazed I expected to feel far worse than this. Maybe the cheering was a painkiller.

"How's the bike dad?"

"Front wheels shot, probably the rear as well if I can't hone the rims, one brake lever. And the frame will have to go to Doc's to check the alignment."

"Ouch, nothing much then."

"At least your still around to joke about it. Your skins are shot, your helmets shot, your gloves are in pieces, I think you came out ahead though." Dad said.

"Come on," said Mum "Time to meet the Fans."

We linked arms and moved towards the tent. People were clapping as we passed which made me feel a bit uncomfortable. But a few nods' and a lot of smiles got us across the tarmac.

Nikki was coming out of the tent I was disappointed that I hadn't seen her ride. I hadn't seen her all day.

"Gaby I swear we're going to start calling you Kitty, you seem to have nine lives."

"Give me a cutch." What? I thought, until Nikki opened her arms. That gave me a clue. It was a nice hug not as good as the ones from Mum but very welcome.

"So cutch is Welsh for hug is it?" I asked.

"Well not really. You could say its 'Cardiff' though."

We went in, the inside walls of the tent were covered in printouts of the results. Cool I thought.

"How did you get these done?" "Easy" said Nikki. "Take a look." Nikki pulled a flap back to reveal a second room in the tent containing some computers and a laser printer.

"Actually I'd like to show you something else if you're up to it." Nikki looked from me to Mum and Dad "It's the take from the cameras around the course."

"I think you should see it because the video has already gone out on the Satellite and it's bound to be on every TV in the country for the next 24 hours. It will be better than getting surprised by it."

"What do you think Mum?" She thought for a minute, then said

"When you said already gone out who will have seen it."

"From the timings I've got and from the studio fold back, Gaby's finish coincided with half time at the Rugby. So it would have been shown during the sports roundup they have then. But it's sure to be taken up by other agencies like Sky or CNN Sport."

"It was actually shown on the big screen at the stadium," Nikki added.

"Oh My. Your right Nikki perhaps we should see it." Dad said.

We went out through to the rear of the tent. A white van with 'BBC NEWYDDION CYMRU WALES NEWS' on the side. Standing alongside were Mike Preece and John the timekeeper, and two others that Mike introduced as committee members of the WCF.

"Well done" said John, "another tremendous ride, the finish was a little too spectacular for my taste though." he added

"Thank you er. I think. Mm. Does any one know what time Stuart Lacey did?" I hadn't seen him to ask.

"Yes, real dark horse that one. I can't understand why we haven't seen him before" said Mike as he fumbled through a sheaf of papers.

"Ah. here it is Junior Results . 3rd Rhianon Efans, 2nd Eric Woodcock, 1st Stuart Lacey timed at 36:31.24 A very fine ride."

"You on the other hand went through the gate at 35:40.36 nearly a minute faster."

"But..."

"It's within the rules Gaby, one rider, one bike go round the course with no outside assistance, It's more usual to actually ride the bike, not carry it but there it is."

"But the time!"

"Was outstanding till your little incident and still is really." He checked his watch

"Ten to five now. Medal ceremony in fifteen Gents. See you there Gaby. Lets go."

We climbed into the van, it was icy cold.

"Air conditioned to keep all the gadgets cool." Explained Nikki.

When we were squeezed in around a monitor Nikki said.

"I've always wanted to say this ' RUN VT!' " She giggled.

The tape started and showed me warming up with Mum, Maddy gasped and gave me a squeeze as it showed us stride to the bike. It then showed me make a blistering start, Even I gasped, and the camera angles really showed it well.

Because of the gaps between cameras the tape seemed to leap about, but showed the bulk of the course. At one point it showed the short right hander at the northern end.

"Great move!" Mum said when she saw my slingshot technique. "When did you learn that?"

"The first bend." I chuckled.

The next camera was at the water spray, and then cut to the last bend and finish line it showed the battle to catch my minuteman very well. Of course the next lap was the same apart from the grin on my face as I came through the water it was like bursting through a rainbow the way they caught it, and they showed me catching the other rider.

As it showed me clearly start to sprint Maddy buried her face in my chest, and I felt mums hand tighten on my shoulder.

Even I didn't want to see, but couldn't take my eyes off the screen.

I could clearly see the back wheel go down and start to snake from side to side. It was all over in a flash.

At one point both the bike and myself were airborne at the same time. The impact was sickening as I slid along the tarmac, bits of my helmet breaking off along the way.

I thought he'd stopped the tape at that point it took so long for me to move but I could see a few people running toward me, including Jim and his crew.

I could barely stand the last bit. the struggle for the line, I was clearly hurting. The back of my skins ripped away, my back showing red scrapes across it. It ended with my silent scream as Mum put the fleece around me.

"You Ok." Mum whispered. "You've gone a bit pale."

I looked at her.

"So have you Mum" Dad didn't look too good either.

22 Another Rough Ride

We went back to the main part of the tent In silence Maddy was still clinging to me, Mums phone started to ring, she looked at it for a bit then shrugged and went outside to answer it. We found some chairs and plonked ourselves down.

"Are you all right Drew?" Asked Carol

"I think so, I had now idea it was so fast, it all seemed like slow motion to me."

"Adrenaline" said Dad "It speeds up your reactions and you become aware of every detail."

"I know it sounds a bit sick at the moment but when you've calmed down a bit more it might be worth taking another look." He added

"Whatever for?"

"Well if nothing else we might find out what went wrong, and I think your Mum will want to see the earlier parts to analyse your riding."

Nikki got up and headed back to the Beeb mobile again, she returned after a few minutes with a couple of 'CD's' in plastic wallets and gave them to Dad.

There was a cough behind us we turned and saw Mike looking concerned.

"Are you all right in here, only they're about to start out there?"

I nodded and we all trooped out. Mum came over and stood behind me with her hands on my shoulders. I could see Stuart on the far side and he gave us a grin and thumbs up when he saw us.

The prize giving was a bit of an anticlimax as it was decided to have a full ceremony at Newport tomorrow. So it was really just a list of winners that was read out and we all went forward to shake hands with the Station Commander as our names were called.

I was a bit shaken when Stuart came over with a bag containing my Nott's strip.

"But you'll need them tomorrow for the presentation. You'll feel odd with everyone else in skins"

"Er. I Er won't be there tomorrow, Gran will need to get back and I can't ask her to drive out tomorrow, I cant."

I felt Mum stiffen.

"That's one of the problems of not training with a club" she said "You don't get the help on things like this. If I can find a way for you to stay over, will your Gran agree?"

Stuart was embarrassed "Well maybe" He whispered

"It's alright Stuart the Committee are supposed to help, but because you're unregistered they wouldn't know." And she strode off to buttonhole Mike.

And I do mean Buttonhole with a capital B! I thought she was going to nail him to the tent pole. I couldn't hear what she said but three of the Committee Members scurried out of the tent in search of Mrs. Lacey.

Mum came back dusting her palms. I was struggling to keep a smirk of my face. Nobody messes with my Mum.

I gave the bag back to Stuart.

"I think you ARE going to need these, and please keep them. I can use Mum's spare set, these were getting a little tight anyway."

His eyes were moist as he stammered out his thanks. So I quickly said.

"I think your Gran might have some news for you, go see."

Maddy gave me an enormous hug that brought tears to my eyes as she found the bruises on my back.

"Argh!" Maddy quickly eased off but she didn't let go.

"Right lets away," said Dad. "I think someone needs a Radox moment."

We made our way back to the Vdub. The number of people who came and congratulated me on the way stunned me. One senior thanked me for helping him take two minutes off his PB. It turned out he was the minuteman I was playing tag with.

Mums bike was already strapped up.

"Dad where's my bike?"

"Steve Baker's got it. He's putting it on the jig tonight we'll get it back tomorrow with a report." (Steve Baker was the local Doc.)

We nosed our way through the cars onto the peri track where I made a painful discovery. All Vdub suspensions are hard. I knew that of course what I hadn't noticed before was that the thick foam seats, caravan seats, compensated the hard springs, really.

So with every bump I bounced on the seat. The back of the seat stayed still, the hard cushion covers rubbed my back like sandpaper. Before we'd got to the main gate I was leant forward begging Dad to slow down. Normally I cheered when we got past 50.

Mum got Dad to pull over after she saw my back, the spray on skin was rubbing off exposing the grazes. Carol sprayed some more onto my back and I spent the rest of the journey lying on my side in the floor space. Maddy got down with me to stop me rolling around at the corners, thankfully Dad took the bypass around the city as the hotel was on the East Side.

23 Quiz Time.

I breathed a sigh of relief when Dad switched off the engine, and Mum slid the side door open.

My legs and back were stiff as I climbed out, so I risked a few stretches once I was upright. I saw that Maddy had the same problem, so I felt almost normal as we headed for the door, with visions of a long soak in my mind.

The dreams were put on hold as Joe greeted us.

"Just in time, Through here please folks." As he guided us into the bar. To be greeted by a forest of black blazers and grey slacks. They were lined up Two deep in front of the bar posing for a photographer near the door.

Brad detached himself and came over, hoisting me on his shoulder and boomed.

"Hey lads, here's some one else who beat the Welsh today."

"That raised a cheer and much stamping of feet. (They couldn't clap as they all had glasses of champagne in hand.)

Brad carried me to the centre of the group and sat me down on the Bar. Joe thrust a champagne flute into my hand. (Orange juice. Honest.)

"Group round her lads." I heard from the photographer then three or four Whops from the flashgun. And it was all over.

"See you later Gaby. About two hours Mama. Right lads let's not keep Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant waiting and they all filed out.

As Dad lifted me down, I saw Nikki. She looked stunning. How did she get changed so quickly? When I looked closer I could see she was still wearing her skins but had added a flower print Sarong, a red scarf at her throat to draw the eye, and with her hair flowing around her shoulders. She was a picture.

Mum was impressed. I think she was taking notes on how to look stylish while wearing a skin suit, as were Maddy and Carol. Nikki calmly took the offered lead from the camera and plugged it into her laptop, tapped a few keys then connected her mobile the same way.

"Why do I think we'll see those at breakfast tomorrow?" said Carol.

"You can see them now if you want" as Nikki turned the laptop toward us.

The Pictures were superb quality.

"Actually these will be added to the archive in the news room do you want to see the rest of it?"

"Yes please." said Mum

Nikki pulled a CD out of the case and put it in the tray and set the picture editor to browse, in seconds about 100 thumbnails appeared.

"Good grief" said Dad

"Look there. The Obicon photo's." said Maddy"

"I was wondering about those" said Nikki "they came up in a general search on Gaby Bond."

"There Ar... They're very good " said Maddy. Apparently her shin was sore.

"Come on you two. Time to get cleaned up"

"Thanks for showing us those Nikki will you be here later?" asked Dad

"If I can, I try not to miss a Saturday sing-a-long at Mama's." giggled Nikki

As we got upstairs Mad asked.

"What did you kick me for Mum?"

"She's a reporter Maddy, there's enough in the news about us already, don't you think."

"I'm not sure I trust the dizzy blond act either, She's smarter than she looks." Added Carol.

"Spose so." Huffed Maddy

"Hey Drew can I see if your charger fits my phone." The switch in topic was so fast, I had to stop and think for a moment.

"Sure I'll dig it out"

"Come on Drew I've drawn a bath for you."

"Ok. Mum, be right there." I tossed the charger to Mad.

"Ok Strip" said Mum

I started to peel the skins off, and started to feel embarrassed so I turned around.

"Oh for heavens sake Drew, I'm your mother I've seen it all before remember."

"Well not quite like this Mum." As I turned back around.

"So your wearing a bra, I think I worked that out Drew" Mum was peeling what was left of the skins away from the scrapes on my back.

As she started on the lower parts she gasped then started to laugh as she got to the fake bits.

"I see what you mean. Drew where did you get that?" so I told her the whole story of how I was fitted for Gaby's school uniform. Mum seemed fascinated by it.

"Doesn't it hurt Drew?" she asked as I removed it.

"Well it felt a bit strange at first, but you sort of get used to it."

"And can you erm?"

"Go to the loo, sure, ok I have to sit down but that's the idea isn't it?"

"Actually I was thinking about erections."

"Oh." Mum was using a face cloth on my leg to get me used to the water temperature.

"Right step in and I'll do your back."

"I mean, I take it you do get erections when you're with Maddy?"

"Muu-um."

"Come on Drew, I know precisely what you and Maddy were up to this afternoon in the camper."

"Well yeah."

"You mean you had an erection."

"Yes Mum"

"And did you ejaculate"

"Mu-um."

"Drew, I know Carol gave you the talk, I asked her to. So I'd just like to know ok."

"Yes Mum"

"So you did."

"Yes Mum."

"Drew I know your pretty safe with your wearing that thing but things can go wrong, it's happened before. What I'm saying is, it is possible to get a girl pregnant without penetration do you understand that?"

"Yes Mum"

"Ok then. Just be careful and should it happen again make sure you clean up properly before you let Maddy get close again, all right. We're not ready to become Grandparents just yet. Right Mister?"

"Yes Mum."

Mum draped a towel in the bath and lowered me back slowly. Then when I didn't scream she let some more hot water into the bath.

"Right I'll leave you soak for ten. Don't fall asleep and drown either." She laughed and left me to stew literally.

Mum paused at the door.

"And it didn't hurt with that thing on?"

"er. It felt rather neat actually" she laughed again

"I bet it did"

She closed the door after her.

What was that all about? I mean half the time I'm around Maddy I get scared that she'll notice any stirring down there. I don't want to scare her do I.

"Drew I told you not to fall asleep, if you'd drowned I'd have had to give you a serious telling off!"

We both laughed as Mum helped me out of the bath and stared to dry me off. She was really gentle on my back and legs but seemed to take a long time over my genitals for some reason.

Mum carefully sprayed a coat of the synthetic skin on my back and leg, then said.

"Come on get Kitty back on and I'll send your stylist in. she chuckled.

Mum waited while I carefully cleaned and dried Kitty as she'd called it and I finally got the pun. I was laughing so much I could hardly get the thing back on.

"You're sure that's not uncomfortable?"

"Yes Mum why?"

"Just curious."

Mum handed me a robe and left. As the door opened I heard Maddy's phone chirping it's little tune. She must have got enough charge into it to get a signal. Maddy came in carrying a hanger with the Lilac outfit, hung it on a rail and set about my hair and face.

She seemed quieter than normal and looked a bit pale.

"You Ok Mad, you look a little peaky?"

"I'm fine Drew. It's been a long day that's all."

That didn't sound like Maddy at all, She could party when everyone else had given up.

"You're sure?"

"I told you, I'm fine" Ouch that was a little sharp. I backed up.

"Sorry Drew I didn't mean to bite."

"'S okay." And gave her a hug

"You wearing the blue then?"

"Yeah I thought we'd make a Pair"

"Mum's more worried about us making a trio."

"What? With who."

"Just us. Mad." And the penny dropped.

"Oh."

"Right that's you sorted" and I grappled with the bra and panties, while she set about her own face.

I glanced in the mirror as I reached for the hanger, jeez was that me? I had to look carefully to see the make up but my eyes were huge again. My hair looked longer and fuller than ever.

I eased the skirt part up and fastened the waist then figured out the top and got Maddy to fasten the back, I hoped the spray skin covered the scratches, as the top was cut low at the back.

"Zip me up said Mad."

24 Small Victories.

We went into Mum and Dads room, Dad and Mr. P were waiting to get into the bathroom, while Mum and Mrs. P had commandeered the Peters room.

Dad did a double take as he turned and saw us, John just said.

"You look great girls, Worth the wait eh. Dave?"

"Yes of course." he said diving for the bathroom. John chuckled.

I'm sure he's more comfortable with Gaby than Drew. I wondered if he knew about the gaff.

"Like two peas in a pod. Give us a twirl then."

So we did as a flash went off from the connecting door.

"Mu-um." moaned Maddy

"Oh stop moaning Maddy, everybody else has a photo of you two this weekend, why shouldn't I?"

I couldn't fault that argument so I just shrugged my shoulders. Mad pouted.

Mad and me went done to the TV lounge to wait for Rhod and the mystery Cherys to arrive.

"Young ladies do not clomp down the stairs." Carol called

"Maddy stop clomping" I said loudly, little victories.

We continued our way down

I wished we hadn't bothered. When we got to the TV room.Two couples I vaguely remembered from yesterday, one pair from Scotland, the other from Sweden were watching the news roundup.The Rugby reports had just finished and surprise the next item was the Cycling at Saints.

It wouldn't have been so bad if the studio reporter didn't have a picture of me airborne to his right as he gave his intro to the Video to come. They showed general action of the riders as the voice over gave the results and then cut to a shot of the reporters attempt to interview Stuart. I thought I sounded a bit prissy but Mad reckoned it was the contrast in accents that did that. The voice over continued.

"Miss Gaby Bond putting our reporter firmly in his place."

"Gaby had a lucky escape an hour later when sprinting for the finish line. When a tyre burst 50 metres out." They showed the video of my somersault, arrival and stagger for the line, this time adding footage of me being carried to the grass by Dad.

I'd have grabbed hold of Mad then, but she was already hanging on to me.

Stuart then had done the honours for me. By describing my time as outstanding especially as I'd spent over a minute on the tarmac, adding that if I hadn't loaned him a set of skins, he would have missed his ride.

"A fine example of sportsmanship from these youngsters, one that many so called professionals would do well to follow."

"Here! Here!" said a Scots accent behind me. I'd forgotten about the other people in the room.

"That's a rare bruise ye have on your shoulder lassie, are ye sure its alright?" said the lady.

"It's a little tender, but I feel fine really, thank you."

"I'll fetch the wraps," said Maddy as her phone trilled again " It'll hide the bruise at least." and disappeared back upstairs.

I wandered out of the lounge, and into the lobby. TV had lost its appeal, Dad and John were on the last flight of stairs, Mum and Carol descending behind them, Mad was catching them quickly as Dad said.

"That was no way to speak to you aunt earlier Gaby."

`NO' My brain screamed. Not Dad as well. It was too much. I was beginning to shake with rage

"What are you going to do Dad? Make me wear a dress as punishment."

25 Consequences

I turned and fled out through the back door and into the car park. I desperately wanted to smash or kick something. But even in my rage I wouldn't smash somebody else's property so the Beamers and Audi's were safe at the moment I contemplated kicking seven bell's out of the container but in these shoes I'd do more damage to myself.

I saw the gate. My brain said run.

I was fumbling with the keypad when I felt Dads hand on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry Drew." I spun into his arms, and dissolved once more into a sea of tears.

"Dad!" I sobbed. "You were the last one, I was counting on you."

"What do you mean Drew?"

"I thought I could handle it as long as you still saw Drew. When you called me Gaby, I knew I'd lost. Gaby's won everything." I paused "I'm Drowning Dad. This weekend has been a disaster."

"Oh? Even winning the Championship?"

"Dad I worked my tail off on that 15. Only to have Gaby take all the credit."

"Well that's not strictly true is it, you're on the books as D. Bond. Look son, in time people will start to see more Drew than Gaby when they look at you. Your thirteen, just starting puberty, where will Gaby be when your voice breaks and you start shaving?"

I smiled, Dad had opened the curtains a little and a chink of sunlight was showing through.

As I started to relax so did Dad who was crouched down to look me in the eye.

"Have pity on my knees Drew lets go sit in the van." He opened the side door and we sat side by side on the step. I could see Maddy nervously watching from the door. I could sense rather than see that Mum and Carol were standing further back.

"Drew." Dad said quietly "When you ran out what were you going to do?"

"I wanted to break something, anything. I wanted to let off steam." I whispered

Dad looked around a bit then picked up a loose bit of paving and handed it to me, nodding at the container.

"Just don't miss Drew" He laughed "I can't afford too many windscreens! Ok?"

I hefted the stone in my hand took aim and let fly. It hit the container with a satisfying THWUNK, the echo lasting a few seconds.

Dad handed me a second stone, THWUNK.

"Feel better now?"

"Yeah I just get so scared Dad."

"Scared, you always look so natural it's hard to believe it's scary."

"Just because I look good doesn't mean I'm not shitting myself Dad, there were times with Jules when I thought I had.

"Drew why haven't you said this before?"

"'cause you always say you don't want the details."

"But that was wh...." He went quiet

"Dad the last time I asked for help you told me to be quiet and to do what my sister wanted. Three minutes later I was in a dress." I paused for breath, "Did Carol tell you about Tuesday?"

"Only that you'd had a rough day and that's probably why you fainted"

"Dad, Monday night I cried myself to sleep at the Peters house,"

Just as Dad put his arms around me my phone beeped. I lent into him anyway as I answered it.

"Hya. Drew, it's Mfanwy." Well that told me how Rhod was dressed.

"Hi Mfanwy, where are you?"

"Just off the A470 at the flyover."

"Tell her to head for Newport Road just past the Infirmary, if she gives us a code call well come out to meet her." Dad said leaning into the phone.

"Ok, got all that." said Rhod.

"Oh, Mfanwy, who's Cherys?"

"My step mum" Rhod sounded nervous. (Been there. Done that. I thought.)

"And does she kn....?"

"Not a Clue."

"Ok I'll set it up."

I was about to wave Maddy over but Dad stopped me.

"What about Maddy?"

"I love her Dad. I feel safe when she's around. I know we get into scrapes but she's always looking out for me. It's Maddy that blew the whistle on Juliet."

"And she loves you?"

"She say's so."

"I sense a but coming"

"Well I'm not sure if she loves the Drew me or the Gaby me, or what?"

"Have you asked her?"

"I'm scared Dad. She might say Gaby."

"That's what you accused me of Drew. Don't ask the question, you might not like the answer. No time like the present." He added giving me a nudge.

I waved Maddy over and met her a few paces from the van. Maddy looked worried, questions in her eyes. I took a deep breath

"Maddy you know I love you, I couldn't have survived the last few weeks without you."

"I love you too Drew."

"Maddy I need to know. Is it me or Gab....?"

She reached up and kissed me.

"I've told you before Drew Bond. I love you because your you."

"But you seem more relaxed with Gaby."

"That's because you're safer as Gaby."

"You mean because of the .."

"No Drew because your in more danger when your not Gaby"

"What, How?"

"You said it yourself Tuesday It's the SEP thing But I think you've got it wrong."

"When you walk into the Mall or a room full of people then people see what they want to see. It could be Drew or Gaby. But if one person says `Hi Gaby' then everyone in the room will look and say oh yes there's Gaby. With me so far?"

"I think so."

"Tuesday in the Mall then. Clive saw Gaby on the big screen but in the Café. Paul got in first and called you Drew."

"What would have happened if one had seen Gaby and the other Drew" .

"I was really scared then Drew. I was sure one of them would say something and they're both in your class at school. Or what if Sarah had come past at that point and said `Hi Gaby'. What then?"

"Oh shit." I felt the curtains begin to close again.

"You see when you are Gaby there is no problem. It's when your Drew that the SEP becomes a real problem."

"Are you sure about this?" asked Dad

"Didn't Mum tell you about Tuesday Mr. B. 8 people thought Drew was Gaby before lunch, he was wearing shorts and a T. But they saw a girl."

"Carol hasn't said a thing about it." He looked a bit peeved.

Angela Peters 21.02.04 © 2004

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