Chapter 30

Catherine & John

Ally came to see Gaby, "We have been talking it over with the Psychologist. All most all of our old town carried the Same Genes as us. Until now none of us gave it much thought."

Justine, "I could arrange for everyone in the country to under go a test if you want. If positive we will have to move them all here."

Raven came in, "These are the results of the tests I did. Quite a proportion is already here although there still are several affected families in our old town."

Gaby, "Getting them here is easy as most of them already work for us."

Justine, "Using national security I have ordered tests to be done in every town in America, Britain & the Commonwealth are also following suite."

Gaby, "Well according to the finder there are none left."

Ally, "That dos not mean to say that there is none of the family still there."

Jools, "Most of the town is now related to each other there are a few that are not. I want to talk to you about a friend of ours who lives just out of town." Elizabeth was one of the dancers who went across to Europe with us & then went to America with us. She still is dancing with us. Her father worked for one of our companies & was injured in a car crash while on Company business his two Colleagues got killed. He has been in & out of hospital following the crash. He turned over in bed & his leg shattered again."

Little Lily, “Perhaps I should visit him & work my magic on him."

Gaby, "No I will take four to visit them." "Maddy, Jools, Ally & Darcie."

Darcie, "We where the ones who danced the most with her."

Gaby rang the number & found the family was at home. "A small group of us where thinking of visiting you if it is ok."

Catherine, "Yes I would be pleased to have visitors."

Little Lily, "If you take the Zafira, Starr & I could also go."

Maddy, "Ok we will take the Zafira." Five minutes later they were pulling up outside the house. Catherine welcomed them in. Elizabeth took all but Maddy & Gaby to the garden there she played with her friends.

Catherine, "I am worried what we are going to do as John's firm will not go on paying us forever. He wants to get back to work but it will be a long time yet before he returns. In addition I have the worry of getting a solicitor to process his claim for compensation."

Gaby, "Darcie can deal with that & we do not charge friends."

Catherine, "I think we may have to sell up & look for a bungalow or get a lift installed here."

Whilst Gaby & the group where away Leti went to Visit Darcie, “Saraswati Sorry Darcie. I have just received phone call to say the Chief will be an hour before his plane arrives at Ringway international.”

Darcie, "I suppose we will have to plan your wedding Leti."

Leti laughed. When I became the High priestess to Saraswati & Lakshmi I was married to them.”

Darcie, "So in effect you are already married to Maddy & me."

Leti curtsied, "If you so wish I will go through the ceremony again."

Darcie, “Gaby staked her claim on you when she healed you. You & your children do they not already ride with the Empresses daughters."

Leti, "Yes but they are my children."

Darcie “Once they decided to ride the devil dogs they became sisters with the others & likewise. You became our sister when you took your first vows. The others though have been complaining you have not gone through the service with them & they all want you to unite with us all.”

Leti, "In that case I will let you decide where we are all united."

Helen came in & joined the discussion. Darcie, "Mum I was just telling Leti it was time she was formerly accepted to the sisterhood."

Helen laughed."Is this for your benefit or Gaby's?" Jill & Ellen joined the discussion.

Ellen, "Gaby's mind is elsewhere so we will plan everything for you. Rachel & Julia can you speak with Joss & see if we can use the chapel at Horse Houses again & we have some more christenings to perform. Tell Baccus this time he is expected the Empress commands he be there if he wishes his union with Viola be sanctioned."

Viola, "I heard that I think I may have another sister who will also wish to be united with him."

Darcie, "That would be your twin Violet."

Darcie, "Mars is in no position now to prevent his son from becoming a companion when he had already done the same thing. Gaby has already said, "She has no objection to the three of you sharing the apartment. The Leprechauns are waiting with the coaches to bring the dream people here.

Lola, “I better get ready for daddy's arrival.”

Gaby, "Catherine we actually came to talk about Elizabeth. Aunt Anna has decided to send teams to the International Dance & song festival in Wales." She would like Elizabeth in the team. That though would mean Elizabeth going to Anna's School on a permanent basis rather that once or twice a week as now. As to you there will be no cost involved. Elizabeth will still have to have the basic education. Far more time will be spent on dance."

Maddy, “Petrova & Darcie will be taking her & teaching her."

Elizabeth had just come in to get some cola for her friends & heard this. "Please mum you know the only thing I am any good at is dancing."

John, "Katherine. I think it is a good idea."

Gaby held her hand out. "I am Gaby."

John, "As you can see I am rather incapacitated at the moment."

Katherine, "Until you have to do it you do not realise how hard it is to get round town pushing a wheelchair. The cobbles are horrendous the wheels get stuck in them. At the bottom end there is an incline & it is extremely hard to push up it although it looks nothing. We could do with one of those places where people can borrow electric scooters for the day while they are shopping."

Gaby, "I understand you work for Unova or something similar."

John, "I do not know for how much longer. They have made some redundant & now the firm has been taken over by a big multinational conglomerate that appears to be swallowing up Blue chip companies. Most appear to be in the Computer, clothing or engineering sectors although I did here they have a hotel group as well."

Gaby, "That reminds me the other reason I came here. I have booked two weeks at the Empress Gardens in Scarborough. For some of the dancers & now four sisters can no longer go. I was wondering if you & your family would like to take the places & come as our guests."

John, "We would love to if you can arrange for somebody to push me about as it will be rather tiring for Catherine."

Maddy, "That is no problem we can either arrange for an electric buggy to be available for you or we can all take it in turns pushing you around."

Little Lily came in; "If Uncle Nemo is about perhaps he would keep John Company."

John, "That is an unusual name."

Elizabeth, "I thought it was a film about a fish."

Catherine, "Do you think your uncle would mind keeping John company some of the time."

Gaby, "No I think they will get on fine. Can you swim John?"

"If a hoist is available then yes."

Jools said, "The pool has all the conveniences needed as it is almost brand new."

Ally, “Gaby I forgot to tell you Aunt Jean said, we have a vacancy on the full-time catering course if we can find anybody to fill it."

Elizabeth brother Mathew had just walked in & overheard this. "Please where is the catering course?"

Gaby, "We run all our own courses & so it is in Skipton on the Bailey site. We usually tie it to several other classes like languages & computers."

Mathew, "I wanted to get catering qualifications but I also need these as well."

Jools, "Well we all have had to do the course. The hours are longer than a normal school but they do include all meals. There will be no home work."

Gaby, “The students start at seven & then have a break at 9.30 & then 12.00, 14.30 & 17.00 & finish at 19.00. As I said it is a long week Monday to Saturday with only Sunday off. Most that do the course complete it in a very short time. We allow you to take longer if you want to go to the advanced levels which will give you a degree in catering."

John, "What would it cost if he was to come for the course?"

Gaby, "We can claim the cost of his tuition back so other than needing a chef's hat & apron & the normal pens nothing."

Jools, "You still get the other basic lessons & could find yourself with your sister for them. Even there though you are put in for exams as soon as the tutors feel you can pass there is no waiting for the rest of the class to catch you up."

Mathew looked across at his father, "Can I change schools like Elizabeth?"

John, "I suppose we could give it a try but if your grades start slipping then you are going back to where you are now."

Gaby, "It may be best to change School at the end of the term. Which is only three weeks off? You then will have the full year's results to compare for both of them."

John, "Well I know Elizabeth's brains are in her feet. She might be as suburb dancer but academically she is a none starter."

Gaby, "Well I can assure you they both will end up with some sort of certificates. They both will be expected to work hard in every sphere. Although they both are specialising. I can arrange for you all to come & visit. We are currently expecting some guests from abroad & they will all be undergoing a lesson or two. All our current students have finished in record time but they all put in more hours than was expected."

Mathew, "So the more hours I do the quicker I would finish."

Gaby," I have quoted the maximum hours you would be expected to put in." If you where off sick then you might have to come in on a Sunday to make the hours up."

Jools, "They are trying to put you off. Our official start time is nine but most come for seven we get longer on the computers if we do that & we get a super tutor."

Elizabeth, "Will I get chance to do some cookery or will it be mainly dancing?"

Maddy, "Apart from certain specialist subjects that are for a few of us then we all take every subject. Those specialising in something get far longer in their main subject."

Mathew, "So I would have to do some dance?"

Gaby, "It is in place of gym & so is compulsory for everyone."

Catherine, "He has never been very sporty all he likes is swimming."

Gaby, “That is something else I omitted to tell you both we have our own pool & you can practise under expert tuition."

Mathew, "Would it be possible to get my Mile & 1500 metre badges with you?"

Gaby, "Not only can you get them but we award the distance badges & diving badges."

"Err can I do swimming instead of dancing if I join."

Elizabeth had the competitive element, "If he gets to swim a mile so do I."

Gaby, "If you all come on Saturday & bring your costumes & goggles if you use them & I will have my experts assess you.”

John, "I would like to see the facilities before they actually start the school."

Little Lily, " If You two both want to try for the Mile & 1500 metres then my sister Rose & I will do it with you."

Gaby, "If you are going to do that then you had better be at the site for nine. I will show you around & then you can start racing against Lily & Rose.”

Gaby noticed the smirk on Matthew's face. As they left Gaby said, "Lily takes it easy on them, but make sure they keep going at full speed."

Lily, "The plane has landed at Manchester.”

Gaby, "We had better get the rest of the group there then before they clear customs." The chief & his followers eventually cleared customs. When they saw Gaby they all started to fall to the floor.

The chief, "We did not expect you in person to greet us."

Gaby, "My friends will escort your group to their coaches. You may come with us if you wish."

The portal opened & they all walked through as if it was just a door.

Gaby, "We will have 90 minutes before the others arrive & they have been told to drive around the town so your people can see everything for themselves. You get a personalised guide around this place & round the school. I presume you would like your people to be taking lessons while they are here? I can arrange for Lola to be one of their instructors if you wish.”

When the chief saw the pool he asked “Do you mind if I practise a bit as it is not often I get chance to swim?"

Gaby, "You can use it when you want. I have two friends coming to use it on Saturday & it will be in using most of the morning."

"The Chief, "I will have to get out before they arrive then."

The rest of the group arrived & soon settled in. They were all shown around the castle. Most of them where shattered with the journey & wanted to sleep. The chief was swimming when Elizabeth & Mathew arrived with Lily & Rose.

The chief was about to get out but Elizabeth's father said, "They are hoping all to swim at least a mile."

The chief, "Do you mind if this old man races against you all?"

Elizabeth set off hell for leather & her brother was keeping up with her but after 40 lengths she started to tire. The brother continued to plod on & started to lap his sister but she refused to give in. Lily decided to up the stakes & passed her brother. That did it he set off so Lily & Rose Followed leaving the Chief & Elizabeth both way behind. Mathew kept going. By the time Elizabeth had completed her Mile & 1500 metres. Mathew had done five miles. There was clapping from the balcony as they all came into finish together.

Ariel, "Next time we put you against the advanced swimmers not the beginners."

Mathew, "Did I get my mile & 1500 meter badges then."

Orial, "You have got all you wanted plus the others up to five miles & your sister has the first two she wanted."

By the time he got out of the water Mathew said, "My legs feel as if they are jelly." Elizabeth was doing some stretching exercises. Mathew decided to follow her example & do them.

Anna was watching him, "Bravo Bravo he is good at that too."

Elizabeth turned round & curtsied, "Madam” Mathew tried to copy his sister.

Anna, "No you bow like this only girls curtsy."

Mathew bowed. Anna, "Now copy me both of you." They both copied every move she made.

Anna stopped. "You two may need to shower go with Lily & Rose." While they were away. "I came to watch your daughter as I wanted her for the competition. I did not expect to find the brother was just as good in fact probably better than the sister. I would like to offer the two of them a scholarship to my school,”

John, "He was hoping to take catering."

Anna, "He still can as we all need to eat. I want him to do the dancing rather than swimming."

"He has already passed all but his diving badges & from what I have seen he can easy do them on a Sunday if he wishes."

Catherine, "He still gets to do everything else?"

Little Lily had persuaded Mathew she would race him every Sunday if he agreed to do dancing as her partner."

Elizabeth, "You have a girl friend."

Rose, "No two. We both want him to partner us."

Gaby, "Guess who your catering partners are going to be."

Ally, "You get me & Jools as your partners for the catering & dancing.

Anna, "Mathew until you start her officially can you come every Saturday & Sunday & bring Elizabeth if you wish. I will personally put you trough the ropes.”

John, "I will see that he attends or at least Catherine will."

The chief, "I presume you have been in some sort of accident."

John, "I am lucky to be here both my colleagues were killed in the accident."

"In Australia I am what you call a medicine Man or witch doctor or herbalist. If you allow me I can prepare a mixture that will taste vile but it will have all those damaged bones healed within a week."

Gaby looked at the chief. John, "Chief the conventional doctors have taken months to heal me. If you manage to cure me in a week I will swim the next mile against you. Gaby can you get these herbs for me?"

Gaby looked at the list, "Lola you father wants these items can you bring him everything here including a pestle & mortar for him.” The chief started to prepare the mixture for John in front of everybody.

Eventually he said. "Can I have a jug of boiling water & a strainer please?" He brewed the mixture & then strained off the Herbs. The mixture was poured into a stone jar. There was some left over."

The chief, "This should be the strongest & should be drunk now."

John drank it, "I was expecting it to taste nasty."

Lola, "You have to take a glass before each meal. There should be enough for two days there & then I will have to bring another batch. Do not continue to use it after two days. Use the new batch & I will take the old away."

All week John continued with this & seemed to be getting stronger. On the Friday he had to go for another x-ray. The doctor, "I do not know what you have been doing but keep it up. Your bones appear to be finally healing." On the Saturday John accompanied his family, "I will swim against you as I am apparently healing. The doctor has told me to continue with what I am doing."

The chief, "I will send you another week's mixture & then you will no longer need it." John continued to get stronger by the time the holiday came round he was able to walk. Gaby though had made arrangements to hire an electric buggy for him.

Maddy, "When are you going to tell him he will no longer be going abroad?"

Gaby, "I will leave it to the last day of the holiday." John had made arrangements to have his mail forwarded. There was a letter from one of his work colleagues to say the firm was going to be interviewing for a new general manager.

John, "I would have been interested in that but I am still off."

Catherine, "Why not still apply they can only say no." John decided to write a letter applying for the position.

Little Lily, "He has applied for the job." Two days later while out in Scarborough John was talking to the Chief. He clutched his abdomen & fell to the ground. John was taken to the District hospital. He was x-rayed again & all his bones were found to have healed. The initial crash though had caused other damage that had gone unrecognised.

Catherine was called to the consultant's office. "Your husband is seriously ill. Unless we operate he will be dead within eight hours." The doctor explained what was going to have to be done.

Catherine looked at her husband, "I love him dearly do what is needed."

The consultant explained he would experience drastic weight loss & the other side effects. Catherine went back to the hotel very upset.

Elizabeth came to have a chat with her. She explained that she originally had been Gaby's father & something similar had happened to her.

Catherine, "Your children accepted it then?"

Elizabeth, "All you need to know is that you are among friends here & they all have your best interests at heart."

Catherine, "Can you come & talk to John about your experience." Elizabeth went with Catherine to the hospital.

Bluebell was relating everything to Gaby who decided to send Raven & Sheila there straight away with instructions to take the three angels & let Nobody other than family of members of Gaby's family in for the next five hours. The doctor after inspecting John had said he needed surgery but they would have to wait for a while as he had just eaten.

The doctor, "For now we will make you comfortable & there will be some people coming to talk to you."

Sheila Raven & team flew there & consequently got there before Elizabeth & Catherine who had driven to the general hospital. Raven gave John a tablet & told him it was to help him relax. Shortly after taking the tablet John had need to go the toilet. As he was going he was losing weight & volume.

Elizabeth & Catherine eventually arrived & where shocked to see how he had already changed. Elizabeth said, “Catherine asked me to come & talk to you as I had something similar happen to me. It is easy for people to tell you to get on with your lives but you are undergoing a drastic change. I know this is the result of an accident & mine was because of a faulty gene but we are both going to be in the same boat. My children still love & respect me & sometimes they still call me dad rather than Elizabeth. One of the hardest things was realising that none of my clothing fit & my wife & daughters had to go & buy me new clothing."

John, "I am not gay or transsexual or anything like that."

Elizabeth, "Neither was I although my wife thought I was always slightly feminine. We have managed to work it out & so can you. Catherine loves you dearly & would rather have you alive but feminine than dead."

John though for a moment, "I presume with all this weight loss I have had that I am going to need new clothes eventually."

Catherine, "He is taking the news better than I expected. Gaby I have a favour to ask you. Can you go through all his clothes with me & we can dispose of all that will not fit him."

Gaby, "If he is going to be the same as dad then everything needs to be dumped. John will need a complete new wardrobe."

Catherine, "This is going to cost us a fortune."

Darcie, "I have already processed your claim for damages."

Catherine, "I do not know how we are going to pay you."

Darcie, "It is already taken care of the insurance of the other party is paying. We have an interim payment for you. It will be substantially more than that."

Catherine looked at the cheque she had just been handed, "Well this will certainly get the new wardrobe he will require."

Gaby, What we did with dad was we just get a basic stretch fit all dress & underwear & some pumps & then Granny & mum took him shopping and got him fitted correctly. At first dad was very depressed eventually he has come round to it. To me he still is my father although he is dressed differently & looks like aunts twin."

Eventually the Porter came for John to take him to the theatre. By the time they had arrived John had lost half his body weight. In the side room the consultant came to see John & he was surprised.

John, “I think you had better reweigh me before you put me to sleep, as I appear to have lost considerable mass in the matter of hours.”

The consultant reweighed John, "You are correct you are down to 9 stone now."

John, "It is not the only thing can you check my hormone level as I appear to be developing at the top end."

The consultant, "Well considering what we have to do then perhaps that is a bonus.”

The Anaesthetist injected John in his arm. He felt the fluid racing up his arm "Should not be long now." The next second he was out cold.

The team put him on the table & put his feet in stirrups." The Consultant started to clean the area with iodine. As he cleaned the area everything just came away. This shocked the consultant & nursing staff.

A junior nurse came in, "Those results you asked for the X chromosomes appear to be replacing the entire Y-chromosomes as there are hardly any left." The doctor decided to keep John in a comatose state & keep a record of the changes. He asked the nurses to keep a special watch on John. Within 24 hours John had finished changing & was allowed to come round.

The doctor called Catherine, "It appears that the accident has triggered a defective gene in John & that has caused the changes."

Catherine, "Can he be altered back?"

The consultant, "No that is not possible all his Y chromosomes have been destroyed & replaced with x chromosomes. I have documented all his changes from coming in yesterday. This is the first time I have ever witnessed a complete transformation like this. Although I know of several cases that have taken place in America."

Catherine, "I have just discovered that the same happened to one of our friends while in America."

“Catherine It looks as if you have been enrolled in a very special club & I would take the advice off your friend. I have asked the nurse to take various measurements so that you can get her the correct sizes. I will also sign documentation so that John can change his name on all legal documents.”

John's son & daughter had been swimming in the pool with Ariel & Oriel. Ariel, "Elizabeth we might as well get you up to the same standard as your brother. If you try this diet it may work wonders for you."

Elizabeth, "All I am bothered about is dancing."

Oriel, "We all have to dance & Anna expects us all to swim at least five miles a day.”

Elizabeth, "Even me?"

Ariel laughed, "Why do you thing we are putting in so much time with you."

Elizabeth, "At this rate it is my brother that will be performing at the international." Eventually Elizabeth completed the five miles.

"Now all we have to do is get you up to speed." said Ariel.

Oriel, "Soon you will be swimming at the same rate at us."

Catherine took hold of Elizabeth & said, "It was true about what happened to you & you where not pandering to me."

Elizabeth, "I told you the truth all the males in the family carry the same gene. It will eventually affect them all."

Catherine, "Do you have sons?”

“I had a son, but now I have two daughters. My brother was also affected & he was the last to change not long ago."

Catherine, "So there are at least four of you here. Do I know the others?"

Elizabeth, "Yes you know three of us but not the fourth. Catherine this is my brother Andrew."

Catherine, "You look like a teenage girl."

Andrew, "Regardless of how old we are we all appear to become teenage girls & are just as fertile."

Catherine,” So the same could be happening to my husband. So my John could look like my Elizabeth's older sister."

Andrew, "If you want to know if your daughter & son could be affected then you will have to ask to see Raven or Sheila & they will do tests on all your family."

Catherine, "Elizabeth how do your family cope."

Elizabeth, "My son freaked out at first & needed the help of his cousin & elder sister before he came to terms with it. I was the last to change. We have all learned to cope."

Gaby came in, "Talking about me dad?"

Catherine, "Gaby you cannot have been one of the boys."

Gaby, "I tried to commit suicide a couple of times. I was the first we knew about but once I started doing family history I discovered it had kept happening to all the males in the family. Usually some sort of stress triggered the changes."

Catherine, "Andrew how did you cope?"

Andrew, "It came as a shock to my wife but she realised it could happen to me after Gaby, & my Brother all changed. "We discussed what could happen & decided we would stay together. For a while my wife introduced me as her daughter. As you may have guessed we are all one big family & decided to stay together. Anna who instructs the girls is my wife's sister & also my Cousin.

Catherine. “So all but John & I are related to you in some way."

Elizabeth, "There is a possibility that John could be distantly related to us & if he is will he look like a teenager."

Raven came in & said, "Catherine have we your permission to check the blood of your children & John."

Catherine, “Well I suppose I need to know the worst."

Return of Helen

Sheila returned, "Sorry Katherine but you & Elizabeth are carriers while John & Matthew are changers. I also can tell you Matthew have already started changing & before the year is out you will have another daughter."

Catherine, "I will have to start changing all the documentation."

Gaby, "Darcie will help you with that. I think in the circumstances that you might be better with friends."

Elizabeth came running in with Little Lily, "Mum is it true we might be moving?" Just then Matthew came in with Oriel.

Catherine, "Matthew I have something to tell you. The illness that has affected your father could one day affect you in the same way."

Matthew started to laugh, "Mum have you ever wondered why I hated doing sports."

Matthew undid his top, "You can now see why I hate sports."

Gaby, "You are going to need a costume in future."

Matthew, "If I am to be changing schools could I go as a girl at least then I can wear a bra as these get rather uncomfortable. I overheard what was said so I know there is no hope for me. At least I will not be the odd one out with the cookery classes."

Gaby, "Catherine this is very important we are going to need to check all your family & John's family.”

"Oh John is easy he was orphaned in the war & has no family to our knowledge."

Gaby, "By any chance has John a piece of Jewellery he never takes off.

Catherine. "No."

Daughter Elizabeth, "He has a plate or something under his right wrist & that has been there for as long as I can remember.”

Catherine, "I forgot about that."

Jools returned from the hospital, "This has been removed from John's Wrist he is going to be ok now."

Elizabeth astounded her mother when she saw the item that had been removed, "That is Greek & Latin & is a charm to ward off evil."

Catherine looked at her Daughter, "Who taught you that?"

Elizabeth, "Nobody I just knew them. I can read it if you wish. This is my son John who you have here. He is of the house of Elrond."

Gaby, "We need to get John back here quickly & all his records will need removing. I fully understand what is happening now. Catherine I am really sorry about this but all will be explained to you shortly."

John was brought to her but he now looked more like his daughter. Catherine looked him over, "At least you are dressed decently. I suppose I will have to introduce you as my elder daughter now."

Iris came in, "I have to ensure you all put theses dresses on & that your hair is correct." All four of them sat down & let Iris do their hair & somebody else came & did their nails. "It is wonderful what this make up can do it takes years off."

Catherine looked at her husband & daughter, "They all look the same age now."

John laughed, "Look at yourself now."

Catherine looked, "How can this happen to me?"

Iris, "Catherine I know you may find this hard to believe but John was my son & now is my Daughter Judy. Once the silver tablet was removed from John your transformation was also ensured. John still has some sisters missing but one day we will find them. Now come with me I have a task to do."

"Empress may I present my former son John now to be called Judy & her family, Catherine, Elizabeth Jo & Matthew now Marcia.”

Gaby, "Judy you are my parents cousin so that means Elizabeth & Marcia are my 1/2 cousins. I have to be honest with you all I was not expecting this outcome when we tried to help you." Catherine you will be getting a letter from John's firm saying they are sorry to hear of John's death. Judy you will if you want be receiving a letter offering you the position of General Manager of Unova."

Gaby, "Now you two have been presented you can be changed to Gold the same as your mother."

Catherine, "Gaby where are we here & why are you dressed like a Queen?"

Iris, "In here you address Gaby as Empress otherwise it is Gaby. The reason is she is our Queen but she is also Queen too many more that pays their respects to her here."

Gaby, “Elizabeth & Marcia step forward.” Little Lilly Handed Gaby two wands who threw them into the centre of the room then a fire burst around them & then went out.

Little Rose went & picked them up & handed them to Gaby. Gaby gave Marcia & Elizabeth one each. “Now watch & copy Galadriel." They watched & copied & did exactly as shown. "Now spread your arms out like this." The two of them did as they were instructed."

The three angels, Annie Joanne, Mary & Laura Jessica stood by them. Elizabeth, "I have grown wings & so have you."

Catherine. “I am feeling very strange." Both children successfully did their first flight & then came to land.

Gaby, “Now Catherine & Judy it is your turn to impress us."

They both managed to light the fire & then they both had to read from a book. As they read Catherine felt a tingle run through her. "Now for your first flight you saw what the children did just do the same." Eventually they came down again.

Catherine, "If we are angels I presume we are all dead."

Iris & all the others started to laugh. “Catherine I can honestly say that none of you are dead & you are all going to have very long lives."

Iris, "All I need to do is find my daughters."

Judy, "By any chance where they considerably older than me & five of them?"

Iris, "During the war I lost 3 daughters but they could also have two cousins with them."

Judy, "I know five females who have similar lumps under their wrists but they are considerably older than me & will soon be retiring."

Gaby, "Myra, Miriam, Isis, Anita & Alicia can you go and collect them now. Judy will go with you."

Catherine, "That sounded like an order to me."

Beatrice, "Do you want me & Starr to go also?"

Gaby, "Ok in fact Starr could be a good idea."

Within ten minutes they had returned with the five ladies. They were brought directly to Gaby who asked them all to hold their wrists out. Dr. Jones extracted the silver plaque from each one & the cut appeared to heal immediately. Catherine watched as all five of them got younger.

Gaby, “Aunt Iris & Aunt Flora I suggest you collect your daughters & present them properly.”

Flora, "Hannah & Sarah".

Two of the group, "Here."

Iris "In that case the others should be Chastity, Cleopatra & Celandine."

"Present." said the three remaining.

Iris, "Empress in that case may I represent all my family & Flora hers. As the others went away Catherine went with them.

Judy, "Gaby I would like them in the office with me as they know about as much of the business as me."

Gaby, "Judy you have just got your departmental heads. However all of you will be expected to come for further training & that includes Catherine. Catherine I am afraid you will have to give your part time cleaning job up you will be spending the time catching up on other things. Now I suggest you go and catch the others up & come back with them Judy & Catherine you can come back in gold dresses." It did not take long for the presentations to take place & for the basic test to take place.

Charity, "We were all due to retire this week & have just had a retirement party."

Gaby, "All of you will be going back as department heads under Judy."

Cristobel, "Empress my father is due next week for the staff conference as yet he has no inclination I am his boss. For the moment I want to keep it that way & was wondering if Josie would stand in for me & I do not want him turning to plastic."

Josie, "I will be the assistant vice president if you wish."

Gaby, "Josie I do have use for your special talents. We have got the contract to take over the jails. The government has decreed that those with sentences ten years & above have to have no contact with their family until they have served at least ten years."

Josie, "Am I going back into my former business?"

Gaby, "Yes but Lily & Star will scan everyone before they are changed. As only those that are truly guilty will be changed. If there is any doubt then they will not be altered."

Within a short while the prison population had dropped by a third. Josie said, "They are all earning money & being useful to society now."

Whilst checking through the prisoners Star & Little Lily had uncovered several miscarriages of Justice & put the wheels in motion to free them.

One couple came to see Josie. "We have come to see if it is possible to obtain a mannequin that looks like our late daughter."

Josie looked them over & Lily said, "Their daughter was murdered by this man."

Josie, "I may be able to help if you leave pictures of your daughter & if you have a voice recording that would also help." The man was eventually found guilty & sentenced to life with recommendation he was never released.”

Lily & Star both checked him over & found he was guilty. A week later Josie called the couple & said, "Can you come here I want you to see this."

They looked at the mannequin, "It is almost a perfect copy of her she even had a birthmark just there."

Josie, "I will just have to burn on the birth mark."

"How much do we owe you asked the couple?"

Josie, "This is on the house. The mannequin can move if told to & also can speak if asked a question. She will only answer to your daughter's name. Although she is a mannequin she has an in built program to allow her to age as your real daughter would have done. Now I want you to go with your mummy & daddy."

After they had gone Josie said, "They will eventually forget their daughter died & start treating the mannequin as their real daughter. When that happens the mannequin will find she is female forever."

Gaby, "I think you have just come up with the ideal punishment for murderers." All the cases where sifted through & some of the mannequins where recalled. The majority of parents who had lost a child wanted a replacement Mannequin. Over the next few weeks the deaths of several long-term prisoners were announced.

Nobody took much notice, as the general population was glad to be rid of them all. One couple though Josie was unable to help the killer had got 9 years on a manslaughter charge.

Little Lily went to see him to get his version of events. It turned out he had been attacked by a drunk passenger causing him to hit the child. The passenger had been given a life sentence."

Josie, "We can help them after all but it will be the passenger not the driver who is the substitute daughter.”

Back in Manchester the Anti Terrorist squad had been in action & had arrested 15 suspected Muslim extremists. Apparently they had been planning to bomb the Trafford centre during the August bank holiday. Along with another 185 they were put on trial & found guilty. The government decided to invoke the death sentence as an example to other terrorists of what to expect. There was quite a lot of letter writing but the event was televised & one of the Arabic channels was allowed to broadcast the executions.

The Prime Minister, "We almost lost our entire Royal Family due to Terrorists. We therefore have decided to show the terrorists the same mercy they showed the people in the twin towers. All executions will be by lethal injection. Tomorrow all 200 will be executed in front of the world cameras then their bodies will go to medical science.

Only one of the group professed his innocence, Little Lily, "I actually believe he is innocent & that he was in the wrong place at the Wrong time."

Gaby, "Once he has the injection all we can do is turn him to a mannequin permanently."

Josie, "All of them are more use to us as living mannequins rather than dead ones."

Gaby, "Ok give them all knock out injections & then transport them for Transformation.

Gaby contacted the mother of the boy, "Yes she would like her son back but she would rather have a daughter as they tend to get into less trouble.”

Chastity, "Gaby do we have all have to go to school then?"

Gaby, "Regardless of who you are & your position here. Everyone has to go for lessons. Some will need more time in various subjects than others."

Catherine, "I am already a mother & homemaker what else is there to know."

Little Lily, "For a start off you have to come up to the same standard as your children at computers, swimming & dancing. You should pass the catering & home making classes easy. Then there are the special classes you will have to take."

Judy. “In that case I better do the five miles first if I still can." Catherine said, "In that case I will also do it."

Charity, "As there are eight lanes available can Ariel or one of the fastest swim against us."

Robyn, "I will take the eighth lane & I intend to go all out to get the best time.” Catherine was the slowest off the mark but she soon caught up with the others & it was going to be very close who ever won. Robyn was first back with Judy & Catherine in close second place & the remaining five where not far behind.

Gaby, "As you all have done so well we will all go for a proper swim tomorrow."

Ariel, "Elizabeth & Marcia you like the other children will get a surfboard. The rest of us swim.”

Catherine, "Where are we going?"

Iris, "Just for a short swim in the North Sea."

Catherine, "I have only just got warmed up is there any reason why we cannot do it now?"

Sharon, "If you all want to set off from the centre dad can provide the backup service if required."

Catherine was eager to get swimming. All of them set off for the swim they started to get faster.

Catherine, "Come on Robyn you appear to be slowing down."

Ariel laughed, "Dad would be proud to call Catherine Daughter the way she pushed Robyn. I would have been pushed to do that after just swimming five miles."

Oriel, "Robyn has no intention of giving in & neither has Catherine."

Neptune was watching & said to Lorelei, "She is as good as my daughters & wives."

When they got back Catherine, "Robyn how do you fancy another couple of laps around the Isle.”

Robyn groaned. "Neptune spoke up I will take you on if you do not mind racing an old man."

Catherine, "I will race anybody who can do 30 miles."

Neptune, “Can we do five laps of the island & any of the others who wish to join us can do."

In the Event Catherine & Neptune where the only ones to race. The others decided to watch the race. Lindi then said, "We had better accompany you.”

Ariel groaned, "Come on sisters we have to accompany our mums." Neptune found that Catherine was giving Neptune a good race. Eventually she won.

Neptune, "Catherine you have beaten me well & truly after already swimming 15 miles."

Catherine, "These days I do not get chance to swim much my favourite swim was to swim the channel & return. I used to do that often until various regulations where brought in. I take it you will have no objection to ME joining your little swimming group. So long as it includes long distance swimming or deep sea diving then I am happy."

Neptune, "Can the rest of your family swim like this?”

Catherine, "For as long as I can remember I have been able to swim like this. My mum once told me as a child I fell into the Sea near Copenhagen." "A young woman called Lindi rescued me. Ever since that day I have always liked to swim."

Neptune, "Lindi did you say."

Lindi, "Did somebody mention my name?"

Neptune, "Catherine was telling me about 40 years ago a young woman called Lindi pulled out of the sea near Copenhagen. I think you will find it was my wife that did that when she was visiting our daughter who was living in the area at the time. As my wife rescued you all those years age I would like to confer on you the privilege of calling me father. As with my other daughters & granddaughters I will give you & your partner & children a special bracelet. This will allow me to come to your aid if you ever need it."

Catherine, "Father sounds better than the old man of the sea or Neptune."

Neptune, “So you realised who I am?"

Catherine, "It is hard not to realise I am in some sort of magical realm when all my family develop wings & can swim like fishes."

Neptune, "Your ability to swim is natural as is that of your children. There are things you all need to know & one is you must never ever kiss a normal mortal on the lips. It could prove life changing for that person. So long as you stay with Gaby & the girls there is no problem.”

“At the end of next week Judy & her sisters & cousins have their new jobs to start will they be ok doing them?"

"Catherine you on the other hand wanted to be doing some sea swimming & along with the children that are what you will be doing. Gaby has a contract to clear the Suez Canal of wreaked ships from the last Arab -Israeli war. That should not take long. All the wrecks are to be transported to the Docks at Teeside. There the majority of them will be dismantled. As predicted the canal was cleared quickly.

Gaby, "Who is for more deep water salvage or in particular the Pacific between Japan & America?"

Catherine, "Will we not be bothered with sharks in those waters?"

Lindi, "We have our own anti shark team that will protect us while we work."

Yellow, "I presume that means Nessie & the rest of us."

Gaby, "You have to admit that any great white will run for cover if they even get a smell of Nessie & friends."

"Ok we will provide the protection for you while you all work on the sites."

Catherine kissed Judy goodbye, "We will be together after the summer break & the children start school."

Gaby, "Judy & team Galadriel will be taking all of you for special lessons learning you all you need to know."

Justine came in, "I have signed the deal with Japan & America to recover the ships. We have to be very careful with one ship if we find it as there could be an A bomb on board."

The team discovered they only needed two Nessie to stand guard the rest could be utilised to recover the wrecks. All the wrecks British, American & Japanese where all recovered. The ship that might have the Atomic bomb on board was discovered but it was found to be a dummy.

Catherine, "There must have been some misinformation put out to attract the attention of the enemy from the real delivery source."

Gaby used one of the small-uninhabited islands for storing the wrecks. "Then she asked all three governments, which if any of the ships they wanted back?"

The Respective personages from each country came & each selected several ships to go in new naval museums of each country. Gaby was told she could have the rest. Gaby had handed over the remains of the sailors to the Americans who then worked out who were who from the DNA. Beside the ships a considerable amount of aircraft where recovered. Gaby chooses some of the ships to go in her naval museum at Scarborough. The rest of the ships where to be taken to Teeside to be scrapped.

Catherine, "I cannot believe we have just recovered those ships."

Ariel, "They where nothing you should have seen us when we recovered the Titanic."

Lucy, "As we have time to spare can we all go back to the Greek islands as we never finished checking over the islands I bought. With the exception of Simi there was nothing of interest on them. While looking over Simi they discovered a map of the Labyrinth on Crete. In ancient writing was only the water witch may enter here.

Ariel, "Who is for going to Crete & looking for the Labyrinth?"

Cassiopeia, “We can see if the legends are true about the Minotaur. We will start in Suda bay."

Sue, "If you are going Crete then I would like to visit a cave on Mount Ida.

Juno, "It is not called that these days it is called PSILORITI."

“Well I still call it Mount Ida & I would like to visit my birthplace.” It did not take Gaby & the others long to find the underwater entrance to the palace. The above section was in ruins.

Gaby, "The British Archaeologist Evans excavated all the top levels. He found a considerable treasure which has been placed in the local museum He did find stairs that led to a solid wall. We know the section below was only to be accessed by underwater swimmers."

They decided to go on to Crete. There they went to the Bay & found the entrance to the undersea cave. In side they discovered a complete palace that was as it had been left. After exploring they found the stone wall & realised that it was a massive stone that totally blocked the entrance & nobody would be coming down from the upper level. They looked at the murals on the wall.

Many showed Zeus & Neptune. Some showed the daughters of Neptune.

Ola "Look at this there is even you Gaby. Or at least somebody who looks remarkably like you."

Gaby, "This would make an ideal retreat for us."

Flora, "When I explored the upper site I discovered this leaflet but it is all Greek to me."

Lucy looked at the note. “Apparently the Greek government has decided to raise money by selling off the site but it must remain as it is."

Helga, "I will put in a bid immediately."

Gaby, "No we will ask just a short while before the closing of the bids."

Little Lily accompanied them & told Gaby & the others that the official had nobody interested & he had been told to drop the price by half."

Gaby, "This is what I am prepared to offer for the site.”

It was half again of what the man wanted. Gaby remembered the Greeks like to barter for everything. Finally they agreed on the price Gaby would pay for the site.

Gaby, "I need to confirm that I can restore the upper levels. I also want written confirmation that all artefacts found are mine & not the Greek government. "

A minister came to see Gaby, "Ff you want to restore the levels we have no objection. As to any artefacts you can keep all you find as the area has been well dug up & there is nothing to find. You have my & the Greek Governments assurance that all you find you can keep."

Gaby though got him to put it in writing. From the murals they worked out what the palace had once looked like & set about restoring it. The locals thought they were mad but still did the work required. A short time later the same minister came to look at the site.

Gaby, "It is complete externally as it originally was."

The minister, "These may help the restoration. They are drawings that Evens did when he first excavated the site."

Gaby, "At least we will be able to recreate some of the murals." A short while later the minister was asked back to see the murals.

The minister, "The murals are fantastic. You have managed to marry the old & the new. I see you decided to block up the stairs that led to the stone wall."

Gaby, "As they served no purpose it was decided to cover the stairway over & complete the mural. I have also ordered furniture & crockery in the style of ancient Greek. I will eventually be looking for staff to run my living museum."

The minister, "I have made enquires & find you have considerable experience of living museums. I want to put a proposal to you. There was considerable opposition to selling off the palace. The money you paid us though will be used to restore other sites on the island. I was wondering if you would consider setting up a joint company to fully restore all the ancient buildings on the island. If we could sell a pass that would allow visitors to visit all the sites."

Darcie, "Minister we have already spent a considerable amount on this site. If we are to be equal partners then we are willing to do the work providing you provide us with the cash to bring the other sites up to scratch."

"The Prime Minister thought you might say something like that.”I have been authorised to sign on behalf of our government & to create a joint company called GB Helios Estates. GB is to have 51% shares of the company & to take charge of overall running of the buildings.”

Gaby, "Yes I will agree but I do want to retain part of the palace as my personal apartment."

The minister, "You have already done a considerable amount of work there. I can understand you wanting to retain part for personal use."

Gaby, "The majority of the palace will still be available to visitors." After the minister had gone Gaby pushed the wall & went down the stairs.

Shona, "Mum we have been sorting this area out & Sue & Juno have gone to visit a cave. We found these portals down here."

Gaby. “Finding them is going to make getting home easy from here for everyone.”

Lucy, "Amanda, Helena, Wendy & I are willing to supervise the restoration of the other buildings."

Gaby checked each portal & found one of them led to a cave. There she saw Sue bending over a prone statue crying. She listened to what Sue was saying to the statue. "Mother I may have been the chief god but I could never restore you. I know you keep appearing to Gaby & so your spirit still exists. I should ask Gaby if she can restore you or is it too late."

Juno, "Sue perhaps if we pray for guidance."

Sue, "Empress you came to my aid when you thought I was a frail old man. Please I am asking not for me or my brothers but for our mother. You are also descended from her as we all are. Only you have the ability to restore her to us."

Starr, "Sue I suggest you say the correct words then & see what happens." Sue was joined by the remainder of her brothers & sisters.

Gaby laid her hands on the statue. The statue opened her eyes. "You finally managed to restore me. I see it was Gaby who managed it."

Gaby looked at her, "What do I call you?"

Helen. "Well seeing as I have managed to appear for short times for you. You had better call me Granny the same as you do with Galadriel. I must admit you have done a great job with my big headed son he always thought he was right & never listened to the others. Poor Galadriel & Gabriel where to suffer at his hands. Sue I see you are now rather placid. It is grand to feel the Blood flow through my veins again. Gaby not that you need it your power has just increased considerably. You should also be able to detect the others easy now."

Gaby, "Have I not got everybody now?"

Helen laughed, "No but you will find them all easy now. Even those with tablets inserted under their skin."

Helen's Golden daughters

Helen, "We are finally together rather than just my spirit presiding over your multiple weddings."

Gaby. "I have a few more & some will be your granddaughters."

Helen, "I know all about them & how you transformed them all back. I watched as you attracted your friends like moths around a light. The moment you & Maddy, Renate, Little Lily & Rose all united my body started to heal. For a short while I was able to borrow the body of others but I always had to return here."

Gaby, "You should all come with us to Minas' Palace."

Helen. "I thought that was in ruins."

Gaby, "Part of it was but I have restored it. I had the upper levels restored to their former glory."

Helen, "That sounds as if you have managed to access the lower levels. Have you got to them all?"

Gaby, "The girls where cleaning & mapping the level when they found the portals."

Helen, "You are on level three then & there are another six levels below you."

Gaby, "I think you should show us around as it appears that you know your way around."

Helen showed them a control panel & touched it the whole place was illuminated & they could hear pumps working."

Helen, "They re-circulate the air otherwise it would get very stale down here." They realised there was a plan on the wall of the different levels.

Diana, "Do you mind Gaby if Herne & I go first with your Valkaries to explore the remaining six floors?"

Helen, “You may find something on the ninth level or it may no longer be here."

Gaby, "Diana you are my friend. If there is something nasty chase it to an area & then call me. You may be a goddess but I will not have you in danger either."

Beatrice, "Mother you are wondering if the Minotaur still exists or if it was fiction."

Level after level opened up before them & the surprising thing was they were all spotlessly clean. There appeared to be many statues of gold.

Gaby looked at the statues, "You could believe these where all beautiful young women." Gaby stopped to inspect the statue.

Helen, "They look like some of my missing daughters."

Gaby touched the first statue, "Be you Gold or be you flesh you are now mine. Daughters of Helen reveal your true self." One by one the statues started to change & all that was left of the statues was a pile of gold dust on the floor.

Gaby, "Now can one of you tell me how this has been kept so clean & spotless."

One of the girls curtsied to her mother & then to Gaby, "The Minotaur still lives He used to come & talk to us. He is as trapped as we were. He was one of our younger brothers & during the bull hopping games he put a bulls head over his own. During the games an enemy caught him & enchanted him so he could not remove the head. The same enemy changed us all to statues until a golden Queen arrives."

Gaby laughed, "Recently I have acquired many names including the Golden Dragon Queen of all dragons."

Helen, "Then that prophecy has been fully filled." As they got to the lower levels they found more statues & Gaby released them all.

One of the former statues, "Behind that panel is the hand of Midas's."

Gaby waved her hand. "It has been moved to a far safe place where it can be inspected at leisure." They got to the lowest level & heard crying.

"All my sisters are gone & I still keep going. I have not found my way out of here yet. Sisters all I ever wanted was to be like you & now you all are statues."

Gaby, "No they are not as I have just released them."

The Minotaur looked up, "You look almost like mum but she is also a stone statue."

Gaby, "Not any more she is not. Did I here you correctly you wished to join your sisters? Yes that is what I said & what I have wanted for centuries."

Helen, "Can you remove the head so I can see his face again." Herne tried to pull it off but it would not come off.

Gaby waved her wand, "Let the enchantment be released." The head dropped off & there stood a rather pretty young man.

He ran to Helen, "Mother is that really you?"

Gaby, "Why are you wearing female clothes? That is easy mine wore out ages ago & all I could find was these so I started wearing them. I will show you where I got the clothes it is full of statues. These are the yearly tribute from Athens & the other states."

Gaby said, "All these where once people”

Helen, "Have you thought of the consequences if you free them all."

Gaby, "Statues I have come from a farland to free the Minotaur & his sisters. The world you all knew has long since gone. Because of this I would like you all to work for me. All you have to do is take the money & walk & work as you would have done in centuries gone by." One by one the remaining statues started returning to normal. "Now you can speak have any of you any objection to working for me. Come with us to the surface & we will prove that centuries have gone by."

The Athenians all followed Gaby to the surface. They looked around "It is changed."

One of the groups asked, "Does Athena still live?"

Gaby, "Yes she is here with me."

Diana, "You asked for me?"

"Please forgive us goddess. We were all from the temple of Athena & where the high priestess & priestess of the temple."

Diana, "Well you all have been promoted to be the priestesses of the Heavenly Queen. As you where all the High priestess for me you can do the same for the Empress."

Diana knelt in front of Gaby with the High priestess & said, "I give them all to your keeping."

Gaby, "We need to get documentation for all of you."

One of the priestesses, "Heavenly queen we were all selected to be Athena's companions because of our special skills. We may not be gods but we are not exactly normal mortals either." Each one demonstrated their special skill to Gaby.

Galadriel, "I think that although they were all born mortal they are going to have to start training like everybody else."

Gaby, "When you all can pass the tests Galadriel sets for you then I will take you as my eternal companions."

One of the girls, "Can you tell us what happened to our families."

Gaby, "I cannot tell you but it may be possible to show you."

They started with the high priest. She watched as a girl was handed over to a woman who took her away. Then she saw the Trojans come & kill all her family. Later she saw the lady she was with come & cremate her parents & family. As she watched she realised the woman was Diana.

She watched as the woman changed into a massive dog & went after & killed every one of the soldiers. Then she returned to the child, "They have paid for their crime now you are now my daughter."

All the others had similar stories but for one. She had fled from her family because they wanted her to marry for a political alliance rather than for love. She asked the High priestess for help.

Gaby decided to play the whole scenario so everybody could see it. Rani, "Gaby she is Leti's twin sister. Like all the Indian Gods her powers are negligible but she should be with us immediately."

Gaby, "Maid by any chance did you have a brother called Shiva & a sister called Leti?" At the mention of those names the girl was petrified & looked around. "I take it from the way you are shaking the answer is yes."

Perfecta stepped forward, "I ran the same as you aunt. Father never found me but my true love did & it was him I had run away from."

Gaby, "Who where you supposed to marry?"

The girl, "My name is Irvetta." At the mention of the name this brought a gasp from Ariel & Oriel. Robyn spoke, "To prevent further misunderstandings will you as you are a god's daughter agree to be the companion of me & the Empress Gaby."

Leti, Rani & Perfecta, "You have us & we are all companions."

Irvetta, "I have an apology to make first. Neptune if you are listening I apologies for running out on you. I felt it was better to run than tell you the truth. As Leti will confirm I was originally called Irvine & I started to change little by little. My parents thought they were doing the best by arranging me a marriage & getting me away. The problem was me although I looked like a girl I still had a boy's brain & that would only allow me to look at females. I was happy as a priestess of Diana until we were all taken prisoner & brought here."

Neptune, "You did the right thing in running away. Yes I was sore for a short while but I have plenty of wives & daughters who all love me. I also think you would be better off with the Empress. That does not get you off completely. Your father is no more & so I will give you to Gaby & give you the same present all my daughters get."

Irvetta kissed Neptune, "Thank you for your kindness."

Lindi, "Neptune would not have wanted a wife who could not love him."

Irvetta, "If you are taking my Fathers duties then father may I ask if I can become the Empresses companion & partner."

Gaby, "Odin will you also bring the high priestess Aurelia here. Also we had better take these two straight away rather than wait."

Ola, Yellow & Orange, "Not without us you are not taking any more partners & as we are here we suggest that you take us all on block on mount Olympus.”

Gaby, "I will allow you all to choose. I do not need extra companions but if you are not already a companion or daughter raise your hand if you wish to be considered." Gaby noticed every one of the new ones had raised their hands.”

Lucy, "You are my friend & healed me & offered me a job. I love been around you & we all feel the same so even if you are already married I propose we all repeated the vows on Olympus together."

Gaby noticed Catherine looking upset. "Catherine what is wrong now?”

Catherine, "I was thinking of where John & I stand now. Sorry I should have said. Judy. She is spending more time with her sisters now than me."

Robyn, "Catherine there is nothing to prevent you & Judy both becoming eternal partners for Gaby & myself."

Catherine. "But you are girls."

Robyn, "We both where like Judy. We both now have children of our own."

Catherine, "That is what is bothering me."

Robyn, "If you agree to become our partners then I will show you how you can give Judy twins."

Catherine's face lit up, "Without either of us sleeping with other men."

Robyn, "If you do it right you both can become pregnant or just Judy." There is something else you should know. You already can have children at will all you need to do is think about having babies & you will have children."

Catherine looked puzzled. Robyn, "Lindi must have given you some of her life force & if she did then you would be a natural in the water. Also your body will have been storing the deposits from John for future use."

Catherine smiled, "So although John is no longer around I can still have his babies. I have no intention of ever going with another man."

Robyn, "I am glad to hear that because we are all female here although we did not all start out that way."

Catherine, "For ages I have wanted to give you & Gaby a kiss but because of John I decided not to."

Gaby. "OK I will agree to it."

Robyn, "Although you still think of John as your husband he officially died in the crash & you live with his sister whose husband also died in the crash." Meanwhile Judy's sisters had also been working on her. She agrees far quicker than Catherine did.

That night Catherine said, "Judy I still love you dearly but we are both going to have to make new vows."

Judy, "Catherine my sisters have convinced me that we both have to agree to become companions of the Empress. We can still stay together & can have children together."

Catherine, "Robyn was telling me I could still give you babies if you wished."

Judy, "Well I have to catch up on you so if it is possible then we can do it but I have no intention of sleeping with anybody but you."

As to the suggestion everyone took or re-said their vows again on Olympus. Catherine that night asked if she could borrow the present. She made full use of it for a week & then returned the present. Three days after she had returned it Judy started getting sick. At first she thought it was something she had eaten. Catherine realised straight away that it was because of the present.

Gaby, "I see congratulations are in order."

Catherine, "Does everyone but Judy realise."

Gaby, "We all know what happens when the present is borrowed it is responsible for every pregnancy here."

Catherine looked around, "That would mean then every child here is half sister or full sisters to the others."

Gaby, "Beatrice & Brenda are two of my full daughters in so much that I gave birth to them both."

Helen came in, "I know you got the hand of Midas & placed it in a safe area but there are other mystical items that could be within the palace & I would like to come with you looking for them.”

Gaby, "Exactly what are we looking for?"

Helen, "You already have the Sword Boudicca used against the Romans. This is similar it was a present from Apollo to Alexander the Great." Aster & Poppy came in with Daisy & Buttercup.

Aster, "I understand you are going to search the palace for ancient relics like the sword of Apollo?"

Gaby, "Helen has just told me about it & that there is a possibility that it could be here."

Aster, "In that case I am the best Qualified to help search for it." Going from room to room they found many swords & weapons just laid about. Eventually Gaby picked up a small golden knife, "I may not have found the sword of Apollo but you will sure do for ceremonial duties." Nearby Gaby found a golden harp & started to play it.

Aster stopped searching & came running & saw Gaby seated on a golden throne playing the harp. The others all came & listened to the music. Aster said, "With that you can enchant friends & enemies. That was the harp I gave to Alexander but he never used it & that was the first time in thousands of years it has been played. By playing the harp you have chosen peace over war."

Gaby, "I never did find a sword only this little golden dagger which will make a fine paper knife."

Aster, "You picked that up but yet played the harp."

Gaby, "I found quite a lot of toys all in gold here. Look at these."

Aster, "You just picked these up & thought they were toys."

Even Helen gasped. Poppy, "As you have already handled them all. We had better take them to the surface & show you what they can do."

Aster, "Now take the golden sword & hold it aloft. Gaby felt the power of the sword surge into her. Now place the sword on the stone over there. Walk back to the centre & say come to me." The others watched as the sword appeared in Gaby's hand.

Poppy. "The bow has only had one other owner who could use it & that was the king Armageddon." Gaby fitted an arrow to the bow & aimed at a target.

"I like this it is easy to use. I prefer this & the music is peaceful. I think we will have to make a CD or two of me playing the harp."

Poppy was concerned, "Gaby do you feel OK?"

Gaby, "I know what is worrying you. Father always insisted we competed with firearms against each other. Handling them was no different to me. I am quite happy just been me with my family & friends around me."

Poppy, "It does not matter where you are those weapons are now yours & will come to you when called."

Gaby, "Are these then also not toys?"

Sue was looking over the finds, "Gaby you have just got every enchanted weapon that was made."

Gaby did not seem too bothered with the weapons, "Aster & Poppy as you two seem to know about these I suggest that you take them to Galadriel & ask her to place them with the other sacred items."

"The harp I will keep with me although I noticed a much larger one."

Poppy, "This is the travelling harp. Depress the button on the base & its much larger companion will appear." The harp along with a seat appeared. Gaby started to play it.

Helen, "She has a musical talent as well as been able to dance.”

Gaby, "I have just realised that we can put in, American, Chinese, English, Greek, Indian, Irish, Italian, & Manx teams in for the international.”

Anna, "You have forgotten Russian."

Petrova, "It will be hard work but we have enough of us to all go into nine teams.”

Victoria, "It will be 18 teams as there is a junior & senior team."

Gaby, "Anna you will have overall charge of every team."

"Every team will need to select a national dress."

Perfecta, "Can Rani, Leti & I be in the Indian team?"

Gaby said, "Choose your team from the rest of the Indian & Nepalese we have.”

Princess Zita, "Before they chose can I have two Nepalese teams. Then Perfecta can select from the others." Desire was chosen to captain the Italian teams.

Petrova the Russian teams. Bridget the Irish teams. Vespasian was chosen for the Manx teams. Gabriel was chosen to captain the Chinese team. "Ruth can you be in charge of the English teams & Ellen the American Team.

Maddy, "We still have enough to enter Spanish, Bavarian & Australian teams."

Gaby, "Lola do you think you can captain the Australian team."

Lola, "Can I select the girls who were captured with me?"

Fritz & Heidi decided against entering a team but would rather go into Renate's team. Darcie saw to it that all the teams where all booked in & they had the correct numbers.

Gaby, Maddy, Darcie & Adrienne all decided not to dance in the team. "When the organisers realised though they were going to be there they were asked if they would mind dancing for everybody."

Gaby, "I had at one point thought of entering the individual competition with the harp." After much deliberation the organiser said, "We have two places left one in the juniors & one in the senior."

Beatrice, "Mum I will do the junior if you do the senior."

The man, “I have pencilled in your names. Do you also want to do a duet together as we have a vacancy in that?"

Beatrice, "Yes please." The girls all put in considerable work & each team had selected their costumes. Each of the teams had to select individuals to sing & Dance as well as the team events. They all put in a team choir. The one thing they were short of was men.

Llangollen.

They discovered they had to be in Llangollen for the 09.00 procession through the town & then the competition started & went on for a week. Gaby took the stage & the announcer said. "Dame Gaby has entered not as a dancer but as a harpist & singer." The audience was enthralled with both her playing & singing.

Beatrice was to play later in the day & again she caught the audience's attention. The results were announced & Both Gaby & Beatrice got first with their singing & playing. They were to have done the duet but the other competitors have had to withdraw for various reasons."

Gaby, "So as not to disappoint you Beatrice & I will play for you all."

The judge, "That is the most beautiful singing & playing I have heard all day."

One team from Hungary turned up late for the event & had missed their competition. The Leader explained their transport had broken down on the way.

The judges, "We can allow you to perform but you cannot be awarded prizes as they have already been awarded. The team sung their heart out & then danced very well.

The judges, "If we could have placed you then you would have been in fourth place."

Gaby felt sorry for the group & noticed they appeared to be selling everything. The leader of the group. “We need to make money for our return journey to Hungary.”

Anna came & saw Gaby talking to the Hungarians.

The leader, "Some of us have not eaten for three days."

Gaby, "If I get you access to a phone can you notify the parents of your children that they will be stopping with the Royal Northern Ballet as their guests & performing with them. As for your costumes if you want to sell them all then I will buy the lot.”

On the last day Gaby took to the stage & first went on with a microphone. "I was asked to dance specially for you today. I have decided to ask the children & dancers of all the competing nations to join us on the stage. I especially want the Children of the Hungarian team to dance with me. They have had to undergo considerable hardship to get here. For this reason I have asked them to stay as my guests & perform with me in my latest production. With this in mind I have decided to make this our opening performance."

The performance was a resounding success. The leader of the Hungarian children looked at Anna, "You remind me of a Great Russian dancer I once had the privilege of seeing."

Anna, "Your children have just had the privilege of dancing with her niece & daughters."

Ivy & Candy came & looked at the children. One of the Girls said, "We all attend the Hungarian State orphanage."

Placido took the stage, "I was supposed to be singing to you tonight. After hearing Gaby & Beatrice play & sing though I am going to ask them to join me on the stage. I also am going to ask the audience to put their hands in their pockets. After hearing about the plight of one of our groups. I have decided to give the royalties from my next album to the Hungarian orphans we have seen. I realise we cannot help every deserving group. What we can do is all give generously. Dame Gaby has already offered the group a place to stay. They where sponsored to get here by the people of Budapest. Unfortunately all their money went on paying for repairs to one of their coaches & now the other two have broken down. Some of the group have not eaten for three days. So although you have all paid to come here I am asking you to give generously to help these children."

Gaby, "Tonight's performance is to be recorded live, & all proceeds from the sale of the CD will go to the Hungarian children". Placido started to sing accompanied by Gaby & Beatrice. The Hungarian children all came on singing. They were followed by almost all the other groups. Some of the adult groups who could not get on the stage came & sat in front of the audience & sang with the children.

The Chinese ambassador was there to present the awards. He said, "For years now we in China have been entering teams here. This year was a great surprise to me to find we had two teams entered. I would like to congratulate both teams on their excellent performances & the good they both have done for China. I would like to offer the Hungarian children a vacation in China. There is a proviso though that is Dame Gaby & team accompany them & dance for the Chairman." The broadcast of the show had been going out live. The BBC had been the one to get the contract & the found that there where requests coming for the tape & CD before the night was out.

Poppy came to Gaby, "Their coaches are shot at they are Kaput."

Gaby, "Can you get Daisy to help move all their goods to the castle." All the other groups had gone & Gaby called everybody to the competitor's tent. I promised to accommodate you & I will but some of you may have to share."

One of the girls, "We already have to share the bed so that is nothing new. Gaby said, "I have arranged for your belongings to be taken to my home & they should be there by now."

The driver of one of the coaches was also the girls' teacher, "Our coaches are they not drive able."

Gaby, "All three have been taken to see if they can be repaired but they will be quite a while." All three coaches had been sent back to Hungary.

Two days after the competition Gaby had a visitor it was the Hungarian ambassador. "I have come to thank you for the help you have given the children. I have had all three coaches checked out & they are not road worthy & should never have been sent with the children. I was wondering how long the children could stay with you. To be honest I have been asked to ask you if you would permanently take all the orphan dancers."

Gaby, "Before I agree I need to know how many more children you intend to send me. It is rather a large commitment but I will ask the rest of the family & the children what they think. Have any of these got Brothers or sisters still in Hungary?"

The Ambassador, "The other children comprise of their remaining siblings & would be another 69 children.”

Anna, "Petrova is going to have to work hard teaching them all but we could help her."

Gaby picked the youngest up, "What do you want?"

"I want to be at home with my mummy & daddy. That is not possible so will you be my Mummy?"

One of the older girls, "We all realise we are in a strange country but since meeting you all we feel we are with friends."

Darcie, "As GB's Legal representative we would be willing to educate & teach all these children & their siblings."

The ambassador, "In that case I have to offer you a one off payment for each child."

Gaby turned to the three Driver/Teachers, "Do you also want to stay with us."

One of them spoke. "We are three sisters & will have nothing to return to if the children are all here."

Petrova, "I need good instructors & it should not take you long to get to Anna's standard.

Olga, "See I told you she looked like the Great Anna."

Victoria, "I presume you all wish to accept the job then?"

Gaby noticed the Ambassador signing a cheque. "I know it look as if I am dumping them all on you. To be honest they will have a better chance here. For now they are all exchange students but should you wish to adopt them it can easy be arranged."

Gaby, "Well I am not sure on all of them but one young lady has asked me to be her mother & I will agree to adopt her."

Two days later a Hungarian plane touched down at Leeds- Bradford international Airport. Gaby was there with a fleet of coaches to meet them. Each child had a tag with its name on. Each child came clutching its carrier bags & suitcases. Gaby noticed one boy crying.

The girl at the side of Gaby, "That is my big brother he has never spoken." Gaby got his attention by rubbing her tummy & bringing her fist to her mouth.

The boy smiled & made to bite his hand. Gaby decided rather than wait till they got home they would all have something to eat in the Airport. The boy pointed to what he wanted & Gaby ordered for him.

His younger sister, "You understand him. Mum taught him to speak like that but nobody understood him other than me."

Gaby signed her name was Gaby to the boy & then spelt it out.

The boy, "I am called Ivor & my sister is called Sabine."

Eventually all the children had finished eating & drinking. The boy clung to Gaby & his sister like a leech. At the castle the rest of the group where waiting for them.

Gaby, "While we are all here this is Ivor & his sister Sabine he speaks ESL”. Ivor found for the first time since his parents had died that others, other than Sabine could now understand him. He did a tap dance to express his delight. He looked around & saw they were all giving his thumbs up. He ran over & hugged Gaby.

Maddy, "I think you are about to get another child."

Beatrice came & took his hand, "Come with me & I will teach you to play the harp like mum." He looked at Gaby & smiled. It did not take him long to copy Beatrice. Beatrice signed to him & he came & gave her a cuddle.

"I miss my cuddles he signed." Candy came & signed to him & asked if he would like to eat as they were all going to eat.

Ivor, "In that case I will come. In the orphanage we only had one meal a day & where always hungry & all have to share our clothing."

Candy went to see Gaby, "I have noticed the majority of the children have very little clothing & what they have could do with dumping."

Candy, "I also got into Ivor's mind & discovered he is more like me & you than you could imagine. Do you mind if I take Ivor & Sabine shopping as they have hardly any clothing?"

Gaby. "Unfortunately I cannot come but Little Lily will go with you. Candy can you ensure that all the children get what they need." Candy took Sabine & Ivor to the shops. They got a few items for Ivor & then went shopping for Sabine. Ivor found himself left with Little Lily while Candy & Sabine where in the changing rooms.

Little Lily took Ivor to the Hairdressers, "My sister is a bit of a tom boy & mum wants her to look more feminine like me." Ivor found he was having his hair washed & dyed & his nails all done. "Ivor will you permit me to dress you like me?" Ivor gave the thumbs up.

They found Candy, "OK Lily I got your message." Lily went & got a handful of clothing & then returned. By the time they were finished they all looked alike.

Sabine, "I have my sister back as she was before mummy went away." Sabine was ecstatic & it was obvious that Ivor was also happy. They went looking for Gaby & found her in the office. It took Gaby a while to realise that it was Ivor.

Gaby, "What do we call you?" Ivan replied, "I am Sabine's elder sister Solita I have been away for a while but I am sure I am here to stay." Solita came running to Gaby & gave her a kiss on the lips this was followed by Sabine doing the same.

Gaby, "It is a good job I adopted you both today. Solita & Sabine I think we will keep you like this if you have no objection."

Sabine, "My English is not very good. What is adopted mean?"

Beatrice, "It means you are now my sisters & Gaby is your new Mum." Beatrice, "In future you two get to sleep with me & Brenda." Just then one of the large dogs came in. Solita held her hand out & gave the dog a tit bit. The next time they looked both Sabine & Solita where curled up fast asleep with two of the great dogs.

Beatrice, "I was right they will make a great addition even the dogs accept them. Mum I presume you already know Solita is good at the harp."

Gaby, "Yes I already know that. Look at them both asleep with your hell hounds. I will let them sleep with you tonight but bring them to the clinic in the morning."

The following morning Gaby was awakened by one of the great dogs licking her face. Gaby looked up to see Sabine & Solita on the back of the dogs.

Sabine, "Mum these are our friends."

Gaby, "Can you two go into the shower & throw your old clothes out. I will get you both a robe because the doctor needs to check you out." The doctor checked Sabine first & declared her healthy.

Sabine, "Do you mind if I stay with Solita as she needs me."

The doctor checked Solita out. "I need to check you out next. Am I to take it you prefer to be a girl rather than a boy?"

Solita signed yes. The doctor gave her an injection & Sabine signed "I had to have that as well it in a vaccination."

The doctor gave her report to Gaby, "Solita needs a booster injection but otherwise she will be OK."

Gaby, "Am I to take it she is actually a girl then?"

"Gaby the second booster should stop the little problem she has had. Had she been given it before then she would also have been in the dance team. Gaby she may soon need the advice of an older sister or mum. The injection should kick start her."

Two days later Brenda found Solita very upset. She went & called for Gaby who realised what the problem was. Gaby, "It is part of growing up." Solita did as she was shown. Solita pointed to her chest.

Gaby, "You are getting sore there as well. I remember when mine started to grow." Gaby read the report on Solita. At some time somebody had severed the vocal cords but they could be reattached. Gaby decided to not wait for the medical intervention. She placed her hand on both of the girls. "You both wish to be my daughter & that is what you shall be. You both shall be as healthy & fit as your sisters & be able to sing like them."

The following morning Gaby & Maddy where awakened by the two of them coming into the bedroom & shaking them.

Sonita, "Mum where do you keep the box Sabine needs it?"

Maddy rubbed her eyes, "The top drawer has what you need." Gaby was still fast asleep.

Sonita, "Do you mind if we snuggle down with you & mum?"

Maddy, "Well she is my sister."

Sabine, "It is good to have a sister to cuddle up to." A short while later Brenda & Beatrice came in "We have lost Solita & Sabine.” Maddy pointed & they were both cuddled up to Gaby & all three of them where fast asleep.

"Good job mum insisted on a big bed there is plenty of room for us." When Gaby awoke she found another four besides Maddy. Mary was laughing & saying we were wondering if there was room for us. Over the next few weeks all the children found they where been adopted by Gaby's companions.

Olga & her sisters' came to see Gaby, "We are feeling left out & lonely."

"We enjoy the teaching but ever since your companions have adopted the children we no longer have the same rap ore with them. One of the girls informed us their new mummies have forbidden them to kiss anybody."

Gaby, "Olga, Medena, & Meltis come with me."

They followed Gaby to the nursery & said, "We have not been in her before." Some of the babies were crying & Olga & her sisters went instinctively to pick the babies up.

Medena, "You can suck there all you want but you will get nothing from me." All three sat down in the nursing chairs & where talking away to the babies.

Meltis, "Medena if I did not know better I would think we are the breakfast for these children."

Olga. "Yes it does appear that we are feeding the babies."

They did not appear to notice Gaby watching them & smile. They each picked up a child & fed it. Meltis turned to her sister, "Do you think this has anything to do with your name meaning enchantress."

Medena, "We have been through this before none of us have the gift."

Olga, "Well one of us must as we would not have been able to feed the hungry children. Not only that we all appear to be getting younger as we speak.

Medena, "You both know that it is only possible for me to carry children. What happened to you both was wrong."

Olga, "We should tell Gaby we are living a lie because of something that happened years ago."

Meltis, "I think of myself as female now." The three put the babies down & made their way out for breakfast.

Gaby chuckled, "Anna I think it is time our three latest recruits had a medical.

Anna, "They finally made it to the nursery then."

Gaby, "They fed every child on site including Beatrice who went to see what she could find out about them. Lily felt they were putting up a mental block. After they picked up Beatrice we were in & the Lily broadcasting could get to work.”

Anna, "You know what Medena means? Enchantress."

Gaby, "They were talking about some of the family having the gift. I think it is about time that the three were given a full induction."

Helen, "You are wondering who should introduce them to you. Grandma Helen if you want to introduce them then you can have the job. You know who they are." Candy went looking for the three sisters & found then in the nursery.

"The Mistress has sent me to get you three ready." All three of them changed into a pure white gown. Candy said, "Just stay here until somebody comes for you. The three of them where led into a room that looked more like a courthouse.

Helen started to speak, "Empress I am charging these three with unauthorised magic. I am further charging them with unauthorised feeding in the Royal Nursery.”

Medena, "We do not know how to do magic. The Babies were crying so we cuddled them & they started to suckle & we discovered we were producing milk for them."

"Is it not true you are the grand daughters of the evil enchantress Grizelda?" Granny was not evil although some thought she was. She was kind to us & others & I would defend her to the last of my days."

Gaby, "So you do not deny you are a witch."

"No none of us can work magic & we do not carry the mark grandmother did."

One of the others near the Empress, "If you where Griselda's children or grand children you would have a mark on your wrist to prove it."

Medena, "We meant no harm for we love all the children here. We could not stand by & let the babies cry."

Gaby, "I will give you all chance to prove your words. If you are the Granddaughter of Grizelda then you will be able to do some basic without training. If you fail you will have to return to Hungary & never mention us again."

Medena, "We are happy here only some of the new mums have forbidden the children to hug us like they used to."

Gaby, "Helen have they been searched."

“Helen could find nothing.” The same voice said,

"Helen remember how Tricky Grizelda was & how she protected the others."

Helen went over their bodies & got to the ankles. She pressed on the anklebone & a silver disk came out of each of the girls' ankles.

Gaby, "These prove that you where partially telling the truth. Apparently you are Griselda's daughters & not granddaughters. Now to see if you can do this."

All three girls knelt down in the circle, "Grandma help us we want to stay here & if we cannot do it correctly then we must go away."

Helen was smiling, "Will my help do?" Helen showed them how to light a fire. The girls managed to do it.

Medena, "Granny used to do that with her finger like this & managed it easy. Ops I did it the same way.”

Gaby, "Medena I want you to mix this up & give it to your sisters."

She looked at the ingredients, "I will mix it up but can somebody supervise me so nothing goes wrong?" Medena lit a fire & placed a cauldron on it. She carefully put in all the ingredients & then some water. She stirred it with a wooden spoon & then using a glass jug gave some to each of her sisters.

Rani, "Now drink some yourself." Medena did as instructed, "This reminds me of the pick me up Granny used to make for us all as children."

Gaby, "Now who is to introduce you three properly. Should it be your mother or your grandmother?"

Leti, "Perhaps we should let them both do it as the girls have not recognised Helen who has been with them all the time.”

Gaby, "Aunt Zelda. Time for you to come down & present your daughters to me."

The three looked at Zelda, "You are two young to be our mother."

Zelda, "I was there for you when those boys destroyed your man hood. I was there when all three of you took your first dancing classes. We all saw you feed the children & know you gave the last of the food to the children rather than have it yourselves. For a while I was puzzled with you three as nobody could read you. It was only when you went to the nursery that Beatrice cracked you.”

Beatrice, "Sorry you where set up. Unlike most of the others I have the ability to change myself.” Beatrice changed to a baby in front of them.

Medena, "You should have my name."

Beatrice changed back, "Well Grizelda are we going to do this correctly. As they are your daughters they should wear the same as their sisters." Beatrice waved her hand & the dresses changed slightly.

Medena, "Nearly All the children who sang with us on the last day appear to be here." Gaby blew a whistle & several lines of children started to form up. She blew it again & lines of the adults also formed. "But this is almost all the competition we had."

Gaby, "Apart from the other Chinese team & the Welsh team all the others where ours. Anna is responsible for the overall dancing instructing. Although each country team has their own instructor. Anna had to check each team & would not permit them entry if they were not good enough."

Sonita & Sabine came up to them. Gaby said, "Give them both a drink from the cauldron.

Sonita, "Thank you this tastes nice."

It was Meltis & Olga who realised she had spoken to them. Shortly after this all the other dancers came & gave them a cuddle.

Gaby, "I had to issue instructions that we only kiss family & not none family. There is a very good reason for this. We all carry a defective gene that can be passed by kissing or sexual intercourse. Rather than infect people we all live together."

Meltis, "We already had the Gene."

Gaby, "The silver disks prevented you from passing it on to the children. Now finally you can be one with us."

Helen, "Although I have occasionally managed to appear for you this is my first presentation. Has anybody any objection to me presenting all my children & not just my Granddaughters from Zelda?"

Helen curtsied, "In that case I will start with Zelda & all her daughters as she appears to have got rather a lot.” One by one they all were presented & this included the children who had been adopted.

To be continued

Sharp 22.03.09 © 2009

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