I felt a bit conspicuous walking to Maddy's place. Dressed in my winter cycle gear of, thermal bib a sort of salopette version of my skinsuit but windproof on the front to keep wind-chill at bay, and windproof top over my Hogwarts T, carrying my shoes and helmet with my old one for Freddie.

It didn't seem so bad once Maddy had joined me, even though I was still on foot while she rode to Freddie's.

We were early, but Fred was waiting for us wrapped up in a fleecy tracksuit.

"All set Drew?" Fred asked nervously.

"Just as soon as we've checked the bike Fred, You Ok? You sound worried."

"I don't think Anie-frid slept well last night, she was worried that something would happen to prevent the ride." Mrs T said as she joined us.

"Here's Dad now!" Fred whooped, and I turned to see the minibus enter the close. Far from being empty, the bus was packed with people in various kit, some in tracksuits some in combats.

Mr T opened the rear doors, pulling a few rucksacks out, then a couple of the guys in the bus helped to unload the bike. It now sported a bright purple block on the rear downtube. Unlike my effort this footrest could have been part of the bike, it was finished so well. Apart from the colour that is.

"That ought to do the trick." I said as I took a few minutes to check the rest of the bike.

"Kewl colour!" Fred said as I put some air in the rear tyre.

"The dye was already in the 'Anodising' tank, for another job Freddie, it wasn't my fashion sense." Mr T laughed.

"Come on try it out, I have to get these guys and gals started, You'll have some company on the road to Shirebrook. Ok?"

Fred needed no encouragement, so I hurriedly got on the bike as she prepared to mount.

"Hold on, put this on first." Maddy passed her the helmet I'd brought.

"What about the crutches?" I asked, suddenly panicking.

"Sorted, watch." Fred repeated her balancing act with all the style of a skater, as she got on the bike, arranged her feet on the rests then telescoped the crutches before tucking them through her belt.

We had quite an audience as I pushed off and did a couple of circuits of the cul-de-sac. This time I could feel an increased confidence from Freddie through the bike, she seemed much more relaxed and followed my movements well as we swept round and back to the drive.

I was ready to move, but Mr T wanted time to get to the Shirebrook road first, so we waited five minutes before Maddy led us off.

Freddie was bubbling over with excitement as we made our way through the village to the Shirebrook junction.

As we got to the turn, a maroon estate was just entering the road, it looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn't remember why.

Mr T, parked up in the lay-by, was checking his charges against a clipboard before sending them onto the road. Freddie gave a whoop as he waved us through.

A few of the soldiers were already on the route, but we passed them pretty quickly and settled down to a leisurely pace. Mad drifted back so she could chat to Fred, and that's how we stayed until, Whoosh another cyclist came past.

"Looking good girls!" he called as he shot passed.

Another two followed him a few minutes later.

"Hey Gaby, missed you last week." One called as he passed.

I wobbled a bit as I looked at Maddy, who looked just as puzzled as I was.

There was a toot from behind as the minibus cautiously passed us.

Freddie waving furiously to her father as they disappeared into the distance.

When another two cyclists came past, I definitely smelled a rat.

"Looks like both your Dad's are keeping tabs on us Drew."

I nodded in reply, I wasn't short of breath, I just didn't want to waste it.

"Keep it up Gaby!" called another of the Cuckney crowd as he came past. This one I recognised as one of the more experienced members and as he wasn't exactly working hard, there was no other conclusion to come to.

As we neared the crossroad, Maddy moved ahead ready to be my eyes, but when I cleared the last bend I realised I'd have to stop anyway. There was a Police car parked at the junction.

Thoughts of a conspiracy were in mind when I saw the constable get out of the car and do what Maddy was going to do.

Fred let out another whoop as he waved us through before returning to his Radar camera.

Three minutes later we entered the car park at the Harrier. I was expecting more of the cyclists to be there but only a few were at the picnic tables.

The familiar car was there though, complete with the driver, John the timekeeper. He waved as we came past

"Hi John." Mad called as I braked to a halt near a clear table.

I sensed that people were moving to help, but Freddie seemed unconcerned as she did the dismount thing. I couldn't see her properly while I steadied the bike, but when I did look back she seemed a bit tense.

"You Ok Freddie?"

"I need the loo, is it alright to go in?" John had come up behind us,

"Yes but don't go near the bar's, your not sixteen yet. I've got to see the landlord about next months treasure hunt, so I'll square it with him."

John held the door open while Freddie and Maddy headed through.

"John, how come you're here? It's not a coincidence is it."

"Ah...Well your dad mentioned what you were up to, so I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone, sort the treasure hunt out and keep an eye on you."

"Now before you get shirty, your dad didn't ask, I just thought it'd be safer, that's all."

"What about the others?"

"They're here to see me Drew, pay sub's, pick up entry forms and such. When people ring, I tell them where I'll be, and they come to meet me, it's more convenient that way." He held up the briefcase to emphasise the point, then added.

"Er... I did tell Ken and Marge, I thought the tandem would interest them."

Ken and Marge Sefton were the long distance legends of the club, I'd never actually met them. Their claim to fame was charity marathons. They'd do Landsend to John 'o' Groats at the rattle of a collection box. In the last five years they'd collected over £150,000. If people knew that they were coming there'd be a lot more here, it's been known for people to cycle fifty miles just to put money in their box, and getting sponsors for that trip too.

"They should be here soon."

"What they're actually coming?"

"Sure, they want to meet you."

"Me? Why?"

"Well Duh.... How many National Champions have we got in this club Drew?"

"Oh and while we're on that subject tell your dad the annual dinner and presentation evening will be around the second week in January, we haven't decided on a venue yet, but tell him to bring a wheelbarrow." He grinned.

"What?" John just rolled his eyes and went in to find the landlord.

Confused as hell I went back outside, and saw Mr T had parked up in the lay-by across the road. Clipboard in hand checking the troopers in and out, he waved me over.

I was halfway across the carpark before I realised what John had been talking about. If he wanted Dad there, he wanted me there. That could only mean I was up for some kind of award. That seemed stupid to me, getting an award for winning a medal?

This was going to be far more embarrassing than Timber's morning assembly's at school were.

Then it hit me, a 'wheelbarrow' to take the trophy's home.

SHIT!!!! More than one, I stopped.

I felt a hand on my shoulder while another waved in front of my eyes.

"Hey Drew, are you in there?"

"Huh?"

"If you're going to stop, can you NOT stop in the middle of the road."

I felt the hand move from my shoulder to the small of my back, and I was propelled to the rear of the bus.

"SIT!" I sat on the rear step of the bus while MR T checked my pulse at both wrists and my ankles, finishing at my throat.

"What happened out there? I thought you were going to faint." He was holding out a camouflage coat for me to put on.

As I struggled with the oversize jacket I noticed the material.

"Wow, is this GoreTex? Cool."

"Yes, contrary to what you read in the tabloids, we do have some good kit."

He filled a kidney shaped mug with tea from a big green container, and handed it over.

"So what happened? You're still shaking."

"I just realised I might be up for an award from the club, it was a bit of a shock."

"That's great Drew congratulations, but why the panic?"

"It's embarrassing." I huffed and went on to explain about the assemblies at school.

"Ignore them Drew, they sound like a load of 'Numpty's' to me. You should be proud of your achievements. Trust me you wont have that trouble at the presentation, after all everyone's there for the same reason."

"I agree." Said the driver. "Hey if you need an escort to the Dinner I'm sure my little brother would volunteer."

SHIT, here we go again. There was something about his voice that gave me the creeps, sort of smarmy. I couldn't help myself it just came out.

"Just because your brother is gay, that's no reason to assume I am." I spat.

Angela Peters 29.06.04 © 2004

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