31 Sneaky

We were just lounging when I suddenly heard Mad say.

"Come on Drew, Wake Up!" I stared at her, she was talking to Kat

"Drew Are you alright? You've gone pale again." Carol Asked.

"I think so. Just dozing really." What was that about? I'm hearing things now.

John the timekeeper found us He was wearing a blazer with the BCF badge. What is it with committeemen and blazers.

"Hi Gaby can I have a word?"

"Sure."

"Strategy talk Ok?"

"What strategy? I just go like stink until mum catches me right?"

"Wrong Gaby. If you play this right your Mums going to get a shock" Suddenly I was all ears.

"First the bikes, your Dad told me he clocked you at nearly 50ks at the last 10. Were you comfortable at that gearing?"

"Yes I think so."

"Right I've measured up your bike pedal throw, gears etc. and fed them into the computer that gave me your power factor. Given that your going for speed not acceleration I've selected a fairly high gear set. Your Mum on the other hand will need the acceleration to get after you as quickly as possible, so she will have a more normal setting."

"Does Mum know about this?"

"Hey! your Mums the professional right? I reckon if she doesn't twig when she sees you start, she will when you start the second lap."

"But wont I lose too much energy just getting started."

"Just remember you can take as long as you like getting up to speed, the race doesn't start till you pass your Mum. So use all of the track."

"Take it easy from the line, you should be able to get over half way up the banking on the first half. Use it to accelerate, then use all of the next bank to get your speed up as you approach your Mum, she'll be inside you when you pass Ok, remember to move out. Once you pass your Mum its just a matter of head down and go. I reckon at least five. Ok."

"Your real sneaky aren't you John?"

"I was asked to set up the bikes for the event, it just happens that you're in a speed event and your Mum is in a pursuit. Just what am I supposed to do? But remember you've still got to do it, not me. When, not if your legs start to go, Jenny will make mincemeat of you. So prepare carefully Ok. " He chuckled as he walked away.

I hoped John had got the sums right, if the gear was too high I'd never get going.

"Come on, let's go back up," said Kat

We returned to the deck, again the wall of sound.

The last events, the individual pursuits were in progress and I was explaining the event to Carol when Mike came over.

"We're still running late Gaby, It looks like a start at 1:40 now. Will you be Ok."

I nodded It was still only five to one. I was starting to feel tense. Maddy must have noticed as she came behind me and started massaging my shoulders.

"Hey relax Drew, you've done this before." Said Kat

"Not like this I haven't, I've only been on the track once, I've never actually raced anyone. In fact I've never raced Mum before."

I hadn't. I realised. Sure I'd ridden at the same events, we rode together all the time but this would be the first time ridding against her.

Carol delved into her bag and came out with yet another bottle of Yuk.

"Much more of this and I'm going to need a Pit stop" I said.

Kat looked puzzled until Maddy whispered to her. Yet again we descended to the rest area and made the required Pit Stop.

Mum met us as we came out.

"Do you want to use the rollers Drew?"

I shook my head Mum knew I was nervous of the things, and just nodded. We set off for the warm up area, which was really a mini gym. Mum got her bike going on the rollers while I settled for a running machine, as did Maria.

I didn't want to rush things, after all we had a couple of laps to do before changing bikes for the race so I set about a cycle of brisk walking, up to a jog and back. George appeared at the entrance, there was no door, you just turned a corner and there it was.

George pointed at his watch and the three of us wound down.

We collected our bikes and made our way to the Up ramp which would take us to the track, the rest of the group using the stairs but Maddy and Kat walked up beside us as we wheeled the bikes up.

The final event was just about to start as we reached the assembly area.

We set about the more serious Isometrics while the Pursuit continued around us, and eventually finished to a huge roar from the crowd. They were obviously enjoying the event. I looked around at the rest of our group and found for a disconcerting moment, they were all looking at me. I was about to say something when Mum asked.

"You up for this Drew?" as she pulled on the yellow jersey.

I smiled and nodded we ended up in a three way hug before collecting the bikes and making our way to the track.

The announcer was burbling on about a guest appearance but I didn't hear much of it apart from our names as we moved off. Mum and Maria were waving to the crowd and I followed their lead, but to be honest it made me feel a bit awkward and embarrassed.

Mum lead us on our three laps keeping high on the track to be nearer the crowd, before swooping down for a sprint on the last lap. It was soon over.

The Big Screen showed Highlights of the races with Mum and Maria and to my horror some of yesterday at Saints, while Mum and me prepared for our Match

Just as at Saints Mum took me through the last part of the warm-up and before I knew it I was on my toes striding to the bike and John waiting at the line.

As I mounted John winked and said.

"Remember Gaby, make the track work for you use your weight not muscle to get going. Ok."

He started to rock me and had to say "In your own time Gab." Before I realised there would be no countdown. So at the next forward push I stood on the leading pedal.

"Shit!" I thought, I'm not moving, but eventually one leg went down and the other came up as I moved forward.

I almost laughed as I thought `Right Obiwan lets see where the force will take me'.

I steadily picked up speed still standing on the pedals. Mum must realise what was going on because I never ride like this normally. The crowd had gone quiet after the initial burst of cheers as I started. But they started again as I got almost two thirds up the bank on my first turn still on my toes.

I sat back on the saddle as I reached half way on the turn and swooped down to the line. There was a bit of a gasp as I overshot slightly but regained the blue strip and started to use the momentum I'd built up.

I made it right to the top of the bank this time and I could hear the tyres start to sing as I swooped down again to the line. As I started to power toward Mum, the Wall of noise really started up again and I moved out to clear Mum and John. I was tingling, what a rush.

As I whistled past Mum the electronic hooter sounded and I knew Mum was away. I gambled that I could get more speed and again went high at the turn, this time I would hit the line and stay there. The lower pitch tone sounded as I crossed the opposing start line and I was counting the seconds in my head till the next beep to get an idea of were Mum was.

I was whistling around the second bank when I looked up and saw her, only about half way into her first turn. Wow I had almost three quarters of a lap on her! I dug in and the high pitched beep as I crossed the line would tell Mum where I was. That's one I thought as I felt the bike vibrate under me the crowd were stamping as well as cheering. When they all got it together there was a Clump. Clump. Clump, sound.

I whooshed off the bend!

Into the first turn again and I concentrated on fighting the G's as I zipped around. Mum must have been into her stride now, I thought, but kept my head down and concentrated on the blue ribbon stretching ahead.

Again the low beep and I listened for the next high tone to find Mum. I hadn't reached the second turn when it came, still about three-quarters maybe a little less.

As I came out of the second I caught a glimpse of one of the screens and almost lost it as I saw the split 0:24.3, and I felt better this lap. "Bleep" followed about 3 seconds later by another "Beep". Mum was closing.

Again I fought the G's and concentrated on my line. Keeping my head well down this time and powered my way through I kept up the pace as I flashed into the back straight. "Beep"... "Bleep" still about three seconds I was holding her. Did I risk a look at the board. 0:18.54.

Oh. Come on that's ridiculous I thought until I saw Mums time 0:18.03.

Shit it's real!

I concentrated on my breathing more from then on. I was just finishing three and I wanted four and possibly five to be just as good. "Bleep, Beep". I still had Mum by half a lap. Again the drumming through the wheels reminded me of the crowd I hadn't thought of them at all.

I dug in and again flashed around the first bank head down and power again into the back straight. Bleeeep. As the two tones overlapped. Into the second. another glance at the board, 0:18.48. Yes!

I felt the first twinges of fatigue as I crossed the line to complete my 1K. This time I heard Mums beep a fraction before mine. And became aware of the chants from the crowd for the first time.

"GO GABY GO!" as I hurtled into the first bank for the sixth time. Still trying to get more air into my lungs.

I knew Mum was on her way as the beep sounded nearly two second before I got to the line but I had to keep going I wanted to make it last. 0:18.49 said the board for the fourth lap. Cool. 1:19.81 for the 1K. Ace.

Time to dig deep as I crossed the line for the sixth time the Buzz from the crowd was intense, I just had to keep going, I was determined to get another lap. The familiar burn was starting in my thighs and unusually my ankles as well as I hurtled on, making sure my breathing was controlled. It was too easy to start hyperventilating at this point.

I knew it wouldn't be long now. As I came off the bend to complete the sixth, my time for the fifth was 0:18.6. Mum caught me half way down the back straight on the seventh lap, and the hooter sounded to signal the end of the race. Mum stayed level on my outside as we cruised around to the line. My legs were burning there was nothing left, they were just being carried around by the fixed gear on the bike.

I panicked a bit as I realised I had no way of slowing down.

"Sit up." Mum yelled at me. I came out of the tuck and felt the wind tug at me as I sat up, she the guided me higher up the banking giving the effect of going up hill.

Mum kept us high as we came past the first array of seats. The crowd was standing as we passed. Mum waving to them, I didn't trust myself to take a hand from the bars.

We were still going to fast to stop but at the same time I didn't think I could go around again, then I felt Mums hand on my back, she was pushing me on.

We idled past the stands on the back straight and dribbled our way around the banking staying low this time. I was relieved to see Dad, Mike and the two Johns preparing to stop us as we crept up to the line. I was starting to wobble as Dad lifted me clear of the bike and Mike wheeled it away.

32 Flowers in the rain

Dad let me down when we were clear of the track, but I couldn't stand so I ended up on the floor, as Maddy and Kat did the leg rub my legs were twitching all over the place.

Mum hobbled over and got down beside me and gave me a hug.

"Drew that was tremendous I thought I was never going to catch you, Have you been practising track?"

"No Mum, just some sneaky advice from John over there."

John was grinning and gave me a thumbs up, Mum was making neck wringing motions with her hands. John just laughed.

"Come on time to meet the fans." Said Mum as she yanked me back up, I'd have preferred staying were I was. There's something about having your legs rubbed by two pretty girls, the cameras were making a meal of it I noticed.

I was about as steady as a new-born foal as Mum led me back up the track to the stands and we spent the next five minutes saying hello to people. I was taken by surprise when the first programme and pen were thrust in front of me.

"Go on then," said Mum "Your famous now."

After a while we started back down the track, Mum put her arm round my waist I brought my right hand to hold hers as we walked back.

As we neared the gate.

"One last bow Drew" Mum said and spun me round. She kept hold of my hand, as she stepped away, It looked like a practised dance move as I spun again to straighten up.

As I had to step one foot back to stop myself falling. It looked a cross between a bow and a curtsey

"Thanks a lot Mum." I hissed at her

"Keep smiling" Mum hissed back, as two little girls dressed in skins, came forward and presented us with bouquets of flowers.

I know its tradition and all that, especially in France and Germany, but these were honest to god bouquets, not the usual sprays you get at a garage forecourt.

"Keep smiling" Mum hissed again, and we had to make a fuss of the girls and pose for more photos.

We finally made it back to the deck and I'd started to calm down. Maddy came over and gave me a hug.

"Watcha got then Drew?" as she peered into the cellophane "ooh. Nice"

I looked closer then, and saw there were roses surrounded by an exotic array of other blooms I couldn't name.

One of the roses looked spectacular so I pulled it out held it to my nose before giving it to Maddy. There was a flurry of camera clicks around us, and I coloured as I wondered what the papers were going to make of that.

Maddy just hugged me tighter and nodded toward the big screen. Yes there we were again. Maddy kissed my cheek and said "Sod Em!"

Carol was smirking as she handed me my phone.

"Hello"

"You old smoothie Drew. When's the wedding? can I be a bridesmaid?" Britney gushed.

"I take it that went out then!"

"Too right it did, I'd say the whole school saw it. We rang the whole gang to get them to watch. Even Miss Bell."

"That should be interesting, let me know what happens"

"Will do. Awesome ride Drew! We thought you were going to catch your Mum at one point. We nearly raised the roof. Dad came in to tell us to be quiet but he ended up staying and shouting too. What's happening now? They're showing surfing here."

"Oh. They're just starting the medal ceremony and there's some sort of presentation later."

"For who"

"Er me and Mum I think."

"Cool, put Maddy on."

I passed the phone to Maddy and ended up with half the conversation so I started looking around, only to find that we were the centre of attention.

"Oh loverboy did just fine." I heard as I tried to get Maddy down to the rest area.

Two giggle-fests later she hung up and handed me the phone. We made it back to the rest area, there was more room as people were heading for the deck and presentations.

I know we should have stayed on the deck but the seating was hard plastic up there and the comfy chairs down here were calling my name.

I was relaxing with my feet up and my head on Maddy's lap when I heard her say.

"Drew come on wake up." That is ridiculous I thought. I was looking right at her she hadn't said a word. Then I heard.

"Drew stop that" It was Carol "Young girls or young boys for that matter do not go round rubbing their nipples in public!"

"Huh." I looked down and I was "Oh. Sorry I didn't realise, their sort of itchy."

"Jenny told me you were having trouble Do you want me to check?"

I nodded and we moved to the Ladies.

"Drew that looks sore, is it?" I nodded again

"I've got some cream here, hang on." Carol smoothed the cream on. Ahh! That's so good.

Carol smoothed the pads back in place.

"Maybe you should have worn a bra today it would have helped Drew"

"I had my reasons Auntie."

"I know Drew, I know. Come on they'll be looking for you soon."

We moved back to the deck. Mum looked relieved when she saw us, and came to meet us.

"Trouble?" Mum asked

"Sore boobs." Piped Maddy

"Come on time for your bit."

They were just calling the winners of the juvenile trial.

33 By any other name

"And In First Place with a time of 36:31.24 STUART LACEY"

We clapped and stamped with the rest of the crowd and Carol managed to get a few pictures. I could see Stuart had the sparkle of tears in his eyes as he received the cup as National Champion.

Mum grinned at me and I was glad I'd told her to rip the forms up. "And In The Open Section" All that happened was Rhianon moved off the podium and Eric and Stuart moved down and collected another medal of a different colour. "And In First Place with A Time of 35:40.36 ! Drew Gabby Bond " I shouldn't have expected anything else really after the publicity of the last few days. But it was still Ironic that half the population now thought that Drew Bond was female. I stepped up onto the podium and received my medal and trophy to a huge cheer. I grinned at Stuart and we did the handshake and hug thing, with Eric as well, then posed for photographs. The announcer was droning on a bit but I picked up on. "Herr Director George Muller, Manager of Team Apollinaris to make a special presentation " George came forward with Mum and Maria and did his bit "And in recognition of Drew's fine achievements and demonstrations of sportsmanship, the Directors of Apollinaris wish to present you with this machine."

I waited impatiently on the rostrum.

More applause as Maddy and Kat wheeled out the carbon monster quite a few gasps were heard as well as more of the crowd appreciated its worth. The frame alone must have been £1500!

I shook hands with George and got mugged by Mum and Maria.

More Photos then we retired with Maddy and Kat to the centre of the arena where it was quieter. The Press had staked out one area and where interviewing all and sundry when I saw Nikki heading toward us camera crew in tow.

I was looking for an escape route when I felt a massive pain behind my right eye my back was agony and I couldn't see a thing. Bright white light suddenly in my left then darkness before the light seared into my right eye. What was going on I seemed to hurt all over.

I grabbed for Maddy's hand and as quickly as it had started it was over, the pain was gone and I could see again.

"Drew. Drew" It was Carol's voice but she was still some way off. Yet I heard it as though she was right beside me.

I was getting scared and clutched Maddy tighter.

"Drew you're hurting me, What happened are you in pain?"

"It's gone now, what happened?" as I started to shake.

"You just suddenly stopped put your head back and arched your back. Drew you look sick."

"I..I've never felt pain like it. It started in my head then my back. Maddy hold me."

"Drew your scaring me." I was stating to sweat I felt Hot. I hung on tightly.

Everyone turned up at once.

Nikki completely oblivious to what had happened was gushing over the bike.

The cameraman was a bit more switched on and tried to stop her as she said.

"Oh. Gabby you've left a bit of wrapper on it, can we get a photo?" and started to rip the cover off.

"Not now Nikki" he hissed and dragged her off, it was too late, the banner was there for all to see.

Maria grabbed the bike and mum draped the yellow jersey over the crossbar before turning her attention to me.

After the publicity of the last few days it seemed ridiculous to get upset over that but I felt I'd never be able to ride that bike around home as Drew. If any pictures were taken everyone would know it as Gaby's bike.

"Didn't you see it?" the cameraman was saying, "She just had some kind of seizure."

"Oh God!" Said Mum. " I shouldn't have made you ride after yesterday as she cradled my head.

"I'm alright Mum, it's gone now." I was still shaking as Mum told Dad to see if the Doctor on duty was still around. "Come on Drew lets get you downstairs."

They frog marched me back to the rest room, and sat me down.

I just had time to say

"Don't let go Mad." As the horrendous pain behind my eye stared again. I felt my back arch. And I seemed to be falling through the floor into blackness.

I could feel Maddy's arms holding me, She must be falling too I thought and tried to call her, but nothing came out. Besides her touch all I could feel was a searing pain in my head.

34 Ouch

There was a roaring sound like the sea on rock's but continuous, a flash of bright light through the darkness in my left eye, then my right which seemed to trigger an horrendous stab of pain above my right eye.

The roar faded and the pain subsided to a lower level of agony. I could feel Mad's arm wound around mine our fingers locked.

" Mmdee." I managed to croak, and felt her grip tighten I squeezed back.

There was never any doubt in my mind it was Maddy, beside the matter of not letting her go. I just knew she was there, I could smell the Almond scent of her hair but that was just more proof of what I already knew.

"Drew can you hear me?"

"Uuurr." ? I couldn't get my mouth to move. I started to take stock.

The pain was back behind my eye, my back was itching like crazy the itching stretched from my back to my left arm and across my chest. I felt I could move but couldn't turn my head for some reason.

There was the sound of movement somewhere and I felt rather than heard the level of activity change as a door opened. The activity came in.

I felt a hand on my forehead then Argh! That brilliant light started the pain again, then the light in my left eye back to darkness no this time a sort a red colour.

"Drew, Drew cariad, can you hear me?" asked Nikki

Nikki? The last person I expected to hear.

"Ner hi." I heard a few beeps

"Ok. Drew calm down it's alright your safe now," said the familiar Cardiff accent.

"Ner hi."

"Its Ok. You've a tube to help you breath we can take it out now."

I felt two hands support my head, tape being peeled and suddenly I wanted to heave as the tube was extracted. I felt someone wipe my mouth.

"Can you open your eyes Drew?"

"Too bright, it hurts Nikki."

I heard a sharp intake of breath, then,

"Do you know where you are?"

"Hospital I guess." I croaked

"Do you remember what happened?"

"Pain in my head and flashing lights, you were there."

"Nurse can you page Neuro."

"Drew what day is it?"

"Sunday I think"

"What did you do today?" I felt the door open again and someone came in.

"I had a race against my Mum at Newport Velo."

"Did you win?" What I can't believe that.

"Get real! Mums rated in the top ten, anyway you were there you saw."

"Yes you said, can you describe me?"

"Tall, shoulder length blonde hair, you were wearing a white linen jacket sort of blue grey dress and pink scarf, you're beautiful."

"Flatterer." said Mad.

"Yow " what was that my right leg suddenly shot up nearly to my chest."

"Ticklish." A mans voice said.

"Very, ask Maddy." I felt her squeeze again. Mad could reduce me to a quivering blob with a few well-placed tickles.

"Can we turn the lights down nurse?"

"Can you open your eyes now?" I risked a few quick blinks and found I could manage in the darkened room. He produced a small light and told me to look straight ahead while he moved the light around.

"Reflexes are Ok. There are still signs of concussion; loss of peripheral vision on right side, but that should clear in a day or two. I think we can safely take the brace off for a while now." Said the man.

Again I felt hands on my head from behind as the plastic form that had prevented me from moving my head was removed.

"Can you see Nikki"

I looked around she was standing to my left, the man at the foot of the bed, Maddy to my right, her head almost on the bed with me.

"Yes, but why the doctors coat. I thought you worked for the Beeb?"

She ignored the question and asked.

"What about Saturday? Drew."

"The time trials at Saints" I was getting confused

"Friday?"

"Shopping in Cardiff, Oh and I feinted and ended up in the Heath." Her eyes went wide.

"Thursday?"

"That was the trip down, and I met you and your brother."

"My brother?"

"James Fox." Mad gasped so did Nikki.

"Are you in pain now"

"There's an ache behind my right eye, it's agony in the light, my back aches across my shoulders and side and my chest is itching like crazy."

Nikki looked across at the man who nodded.

"Drew, its Tuesday afternoon."

"You mean I've been out for nearly three days."

"No, I mean you've been out for three hours. You were brought in this morning after falling down some stairs.

35 Deja Vu

"That can't be right! How could I possibly have dreamed away nearly a week in three hours, or experienced what I did, how did I know Nikki?"

"You might have picked up on the sound of her voice earlier. I don't know that I believe in Déjà vu, but I do know about Lucid and Cognitive dreaming." The male doctor mentioned.

"Well we know that you were dreaming because you kept moving, we had to restrain you at one point." Said Nikki

"In fact we had to sedate you before we could do a CT scan, every time we tried your legs would start pumping."

I looked at Maddy in disbelief but she nodded.

"You've barely stopped moving since we got you here" She said.

"But what about Cardiff, the Hotel, Mama, the Rugby?" I wailed.

"Mama?" asked Nikki.

"Mama Morris at the..."

"...Aston Hotel" Nikki finished for me.

"You do know her!"

"Yes Drew, she's a very close friend."

"The Rugby?" asked the Man. I suppose he was some sort of consultant.

"Wales versus the All Blacks. 28 : 9, Wales got stuffed" I said

"That's got to be worth a tenner." he laughed.

"If you're looking to make a bet." I said "You should look at a boy named Stuart Lacey in the trial on Saturday, you're bound to get long odds on that."

"I'll look into it, " he said " in the mean time you need rest to heal properly. Your father and aunt are outside, they can have a few minutes with you, then I'll up the medication so you can get some proper sleep. I've long given up trying to disentangle Lady Madeline here so she had better stay as a private nurse."

"Can you turn me? My backs on fire."

The nurse put me onto my right side after making a nest of pillows to support my head. Cool I thought but I knew if I tried that at home the pillows would soon squirt out.

"Doctor Adams, I should put a sign on the door warning about light levels Ok."

"Yes Doctor" said Nikki

"I'll look in, in the morning Drew once the signs of concussion are gone you can convalesce at home." And off he went.

"Well," said Carol as she came in with Dad. "While we've been worrying about you, you've been on holiday in Cardiff. I don't think that's fair do you Dave?"

"But you were there too" I said, " Did you enjoy the Castle Dad?" He chuckled and said.

"One of these days we'll have to do it in the flesh not in the imagination."

"Right we'll get off and leave you to get some rest, no dreaming allowed mind we'll be back this evening."

"Fine Dad"

As soon as the door closed Mad came around to face me, and I remembered that there was one thing that I must have dreamt that I wanted to be real.

"Maddy I Love You"

"I know."

She pulled off her trainers and walked back around the bed. And got up to spoon behind me.

Ok, there was a sheet between us but given the state of my back it was just as well.

I heard "I love you too." Just before the med's kicked in.

Angela Peters 24.02.04 © 2004

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