"I'm sorry, Mrs Turner, I hope I didn't break anything," I apologised as I replaced the chair.

"Well, I was going to suggest Anie-Frid take you into the living room, as the furniture is softer, but on reflection, I think my collection of china elephants will be safer if you stay here."

"Sorry," I sheepishly answered, not getting the joke for a few seconds, which made me even more embarrassed when I heard everyone laughing.

"Don't worry, Drew, I take it you've got a problem with being tickled." I nodded, relieved that she seemed to understand.

I think Mrs T had a fair idea as to what had happened with Jonesy, but the girl's were obviously dying to know more about it. Freddie seemed to be making a serious attempt at keeping her mouth firmly shut, while I was trying to beam thought waves at Maddy to change the subject.

My aim must have been off or, Maddy, wasn't listening; it was Freddie who drew all the attention. She suddenly lurched to her feet. The trouble was, her target was me. The embarrassed look had disappeared; she was smiling as she came toward me.

"Now I can thank you properly for the ride." She threw her arms around my neck and kissed me hard on the mouth. Shit. Was that her tongue?

"Ahem.... You can put my boyfriend down any time now." Maddy was smiling, but the way her fingers were drumming the table, told me that Freddie, was pushing her luck.

"Oh...Yeah...Sorry, Maddy." Freddie seemed to take the hint. I had to steady her as she stepped away; I had visions of her not being able to stop before she hit the wall.

Maddy slipped her arm round my waist, and wagged her finger at Freddie. "Miiiiiinnnne," she purred.

Shit, I so did not want to go there. "The pictures were printed in the Chad. You know what they're like, accuracy, is well down on the list of priorities. It just, sort of snowballed." I was quite pleased with that; after all it was the truth.

Mrs T was rummaging in the freezer. "Fish fingers and chips Okay with everyone?"

"Yes please mum."

"Oh, before I start, is anyone allergic to anything? Only, it says on these, that they might contain fish." Mrs T laughed as she looked between Mad and me.

"Actually, Mrs T, Drew has this really serious problem with most foods," piped Maddy. She waited 'til everyone was looking her way, then added, "He can't seem to get enough of them."

"Hey that's not fair," I humphed through the laughter. "I just burn it up quick, that's all."

"Just how much do you eat, Drew? I mean, there's nothing of you." Asked Mrs T.

I shrugged. "I just replace what I burn riding, anyone would if they train regularly. I mean, if I was eating too much, I'd be putting on weight. Wouldn't I?" I looked hard at Maddy, I'd been telling her to do more training, not that Mad was overweight either, but she did eat a lot less than I did.

"I'll just get my kit." I grabbed the pannier, pulled it open and removed my spare T and the wet wipes, from under my bum bag.

"Why the bum bag Drew?" asked Freddie.

"Spare fuel. I try to eat every 10 or 15 minutes on the longer rides; more if I'm really pushing it."

Maddy's head bobbed up, in surprise. "Since when Drew, I haven't seen you?"

I couldn't believe I hadn't told her. "You're not usually with me on the longer runs. I started after I got the sags.... Remember when Brit was here and I won that 25?"

"Oh, I didn't go to that one. Hey, wasn't that when your mum...?" Mad trailed off as she realised that that would be even harder to explain.

"Won her race as well." I put in.

"The Sags?" Asked Mrs T.

"Oooo Kay. How can I put this? You know when a marathon runner sometimes hits 'the wall'? Well, cyclists get that as well, but 'sagging' is much worse. Some people call it 'the bonk'."

"So you get a lactic acid build up," Mrs T said.

"That's 'the wall', 'the bonk' is a sudden drop in blood sugar level, it only happens to cyclists."

"So you get the same symptoms as a diabetic?" she asked quietly. I nodded.

"Drew, No!" Freddie was starring wide-eyed at me.

"Hey, it's all right, I'm not sick. It would happen to anyone if they used more fuel than they were carrying; I just need to keep the carbo's topped off."

"So, what happened at Blyth, Drew? I take it that's the local one, not Northumberland. Mrs T asked.

"That's right, though I wouldn't put it past Dad to enter me up there. It was just Dad and me; Nobody else wanted to get up at 5:30." I paused to make Maddy feel guilty. Ha, it was like water off a ducks back. "The results were in and I'd just heard that I'd won, so I was jumping around. Then I sort of fainted. I woke up on the grass. I think Dad wanted to chew me out for not eating breakfast, but then he remembered we'd eaten the same things together."

"Drew, you never told me." Mad might be feeling guilty after all.

"I didn't know what it was until Mum explained it last month. Dad thought it could have been Diabetes, but the doctor cleared me after all the tests. We finally put it down to the long gap between eating and racing."

"So, what happens when you get it?" Mrs T asked from the stove.

"According to Mum, it can be different each time. I mean, I just fainted, but others act as if they're drunk."

Both Maddy and Freddie were looking worried; I was beginning to wish I hadn't said anything.

"Whoa, back up a minute. Drew, you said it only happens in cycling; what makes you think that?" asked Mrs T as she rejoined us.

"Mum says it's the nature of the sport, hard climbs and sprints then relaxing or coasting downhill, no other sport has that. It's as though your muscles have decided they can relax, then you demand more." Mad was beginning to get it, I think, but the others still looked puzzled.

"My doctor told me, you've only got about 1500 calories to burn at any one time, if you run out its like pulling the pump off a bouncy castle, it certainly felt like it."

"So you have to keep eating?" Mrs. T. asked incredulously "while your riding?"

"That's it, hence the Sag bars. It takes about 15 minutes to work though, Mum says in a stage race, she might burn 6000 calories, double that if it's a mountain stage."

"Good grief! That's like, a weeks worth of food for ME!" gasped Fred. "Has your Mum had it?"

"Mum didn't say, but she told me that even the best get caught; Lance Armstrong almost lost the lead in the 2000 Tour de France when he bonked.... Oh." I started chuckling. "I guess that's why they call it the sag wagon."

Judging by the strange looks I was getting, I was thinking aloud again. Damn, I've got to watch that. "Sorry, there's usually a bus that follows a bike race to pick up riders that drop out. It's called the Sag Wagon, I've never thought about it before."

"Why didn't you tell me about Blyth, Drew?" Maddy seemed a bit miffed, but to be truthful, apart from Mum's advice, I had forgotten all about it.

"Well, I didn't see you 'til the next day; I felt fine then. Anyway, I had other things to worry about, didn't I?" Mad kept quiet. I grabbed the spare T and the wet wipes.

"No need for those, Drew, there's soap and clean towels already out. I'll show you." Mrs T showed me where the bathroom was.

I felt a lot fresher after a wash, and found that nobody had moved from the kitchen.

"I'm not sure I understand, Drew," Mrs T. asked, "why did it take so long to affect you?"

"I went through it with Dad afterwards; we came to the conclusion I should have had a larger breakfast and eaten during the ride, but I don't ride the 25 that often, so it sort of crept up on me. I'd used up all my carbs, I suppose, it was a hard ride. Dad thought that, just as my muscles had started to recovering from the race. When I started jigging about, they demanded more sugar and there wasn't any left in reserve... I'll make sure of the calories before the next one though."

"Are these any good for your sag bag then?" Mrs T had a handful of the little green wrappers.

I grinned. "Excellent! Mr T said he would keep some for me, thanks."

"Well, exchange is no robbery, but make sure you drink plenty of water with them." She pointed at the table; my stock of nutty bars was looking thinner with a few empty wrappers in their place. Of course both girls started innocently looking up at the ceiling. We all ended up chuckling though.

Freddie kept staring at the bib part of my shorts, when I caught her eye she looked down. "I really am sorry Drew."

I held up my hands. "Stop it Freddie, I believe you, but that's enough. Okay? You don't have to keep apologising its over, right?"

"Er, so, we can do it again right?" She asked with a sort of lopsided smile.

"Oooh, I suppose I could be persuaded. What do you think Maddy?"

Mad grinned. "Sure, how about next weekend?"

I was about to say no, but Mrs T got there first. "Hold on there, Anie-Frid. We're busy next weekend, or had you forgotten."

Freddie looked blank for a moment, then said, "Grief, yes, its Remembrance Sunday." I'd forgotten as well, it didn't affect me much. Yes, we wore our Poppies and we had a two minutes silence at school on the eleventh, for Armistice Day. But last year I'd missed the parade at the little war memorial in the village because of a trip to see Gran.

"You're, not getting out of it Anie-Frid. Your father's got four parades to do, the least you can do is attend one."

"I wasn't! I'd just forgotten, that's all," Freddie huffed.

"Four parades?" Maddy asked.

"Yes, there are lots of villages close by, all with memorials. They like to have representatives from the Services there, so the parades are staggered. There'll be two on Saturday, and another two on Sunday."

"That's a lot of shoe polishing," I said. "Which one are you going to?"

"I did the big one in Worksop last year. It'll probably be the local one this year, what do you think Mum?"

"That's fine with me, I like the small ones best." Mrs T looked pointedly at us. "What about you two?"

"I really don't know. Mums coming home on Thursday, before dashing off to London Friday. I'm hoping we can get more time together, so I don't want to make any plans until I know what's going on."

"Wow! That's great....! Oh, just one night. Bummer." I could only nod in agreement.

"Oh, I expect your dad will organise something special for that then, Drew," Mrs T smiled.

"I er, don..." my mouth went dry suddenly and my voice faded as that sank in.

"What's wrong, Drew, don't you think that's worth celebrating?"

"Well, yes, but...." Even Mad was wondering what was on my mind. "It's just one night. If we go out, I won't even get that, will I?" By their expressions, they still hadn't got it. "If we go out, we'll spend ages getting ready, then we'll be in some crowded restaurant. It's not exactly quality time, is it?"

"Ah, I see what you mean. How long has she been away?" Mrs T asked gently.

"It's six weeks since her last visit, seems longer than that though." I was trying to put a brave face on it, but the sigh didn't help.

"So you won't be at the sports centre either?" Fred asked, obviously disappointed.

"I'll ring and let you know what's happening. 'Kay?"

I was pretty quiet on the walk back to Maddy's place. "Hey, cheer up, Drew, It's better than no visit at all, isn't it? Are you coming in?" Maddy asked. I looked up and saw Carol waiting at the door.

"Er, no, I'd best get back. Dad will be starting to panic about the state of the house, I expect."

Mad saw my glance at Carol and frowned. "Drew what's going on? Mum's been asking about you."

"I just...." My mouth had gone dry again.

"Something happened Thursday, didn't it?"

"It just got a bit much." I shrugged.

"Come on, Drew, we've been shopping before. What's going on? You know mum wouldn't do anything to hurt you; she loves you. You're one of the family."

And that's the problem; I thought to myself. I had the feeling that Carol liked Gaby a lot more than Drew. "Not like that," I eventually said, "and I'd like to think you'd stop if I asked you to.... It's different when you're around."

Mad nodded slowly, frowned slightly, then leant over and gave me a peck on the cheek. "I'll try and call over later, it was good today." she turned, seemed to square her shoulders and walked past Carol into the house. I got the feeling that words were going to be said.

I walked slowly home, pushing the bike through the dark streets, as I hadn't fitted the lights.

Dad must have heard the garage door opening; he poked his head in as I started wiping the tandem down. "Hey kiddo, I'd almost given you up." he was taking a good look at the new footrest. "That's quite a meaty bit of kit. No fear of that bending.... How did it go?"

"Pretty good... apart from the circus that is."

"Circus?"

"Yeah, not only 'Dads Army', but most of the club turned out as well. It was bedlam. Even Ken and Marge were there."

"Good grief. I didn't know they were back. How are they?"

"I think the word 'characters', sums them up dad. What did you tell John?"

"Only that you were taking Freddie out on the tandem and where. Why?"

"There were a few of the trialers there and nearly all of the touring members. Dad, I thought he'd called a training day. With Mr T's mob as well, I was beginning to think it was a set up."

"Now don't start getting paranoid on me, leave that for when you're older. You can hardly blame Mr Turner for wanting to keep an eye on you. Of course, it might have been coincidence."

"You could be right, and of course there really is a platform 93/4 at Kings Cross."

"Ha, well at least you can joke about it. How many miles have you got in this week?"

"Not enough, Dad, I was going to do a few now."

"Drew, could you do me favour instead? Juliet is going for a run shortly, I'd feel happier if she wasn't alone.... It would be better if it wasn't my idea... if you see what I mean."

I got the message. Dad, didn't want to push it in case Jules changed her mind.

"Er... Okay, but you know what I'm like running, Dad."

"Yes, Drew, I know, but it'll make her feel better if she can beat you at something once in a while." Dad winked, and tapped his nose. First he tells me not to get paranoid now he wants me to join a conspiracy, Sheesh.

Now, I don't know why, but I just can't stand jogging. Maybe it's the pounding on my heels and knees, but the only times I could make an impression on Jules was on the sprints, when I was on my toes. Most of the time, she left me trailing. This evening was no exception.

Eventually, after a few miles, Jules stopped to let me catch up. "Come on, Speedy, get the lead out." Jules was doing stretches against a wall; I had my hands on my knees, not exactly gasping, but then again, not Mr smooth either. "Not like that, stand up straight! You can't fill your lungs bent over like that.... That's better in... out... keep going.... One two, one two." Grief, Jules, was just too keen.... Wow, where did that come from? Something was going on. I mean nobody changes that fast.... Well, Jules doesn't, anyway.

"Jules? What are you up to?"

Jules looked at me for a moment before brightly saying. "Come on, sprint the next three lights. Ready, GO!" And we were off. Well, I was chasing down the 10-metre start she'd grabbed before my brain reacted. Still, this was more my style, so I soon began to shorten the gap. I managed to catch her just beyond the second light and we finished up shoulder to shoulder. This time it was my turn to smirk as Jules was trying to fill her lungs.

"Damn, how do you do that?" Jules finally rasped out.

"Come on, stand up! Head up, you'll never fill your lungs like that." I twisted the knife. "Tell me what you're up to and I'll let you know the secret," I laughed.

"Who say's I'm up to anything?" Jules finally gasped out.

"You're my sister, Jules. You're always up to something.... You've been running every night since Thursday. Look me in the eye and tell me there's nothing going on."

"I'm just trying to get fit. What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing, nothing at all...." I waited.

"Oooh you...." I still waited.

"There's this boy..." I wasn't expecting that. In fact, I was stunned. Not that Jules was interested in a boy but that she would tell me about it.

"I just want him to notice me...."

Shit what do I say to that?

"I just want to be good at something... I can't even beat you on a run..." she choked. Ah, a clue but what do I say now?

"Jules, you know that's not true. I'm never going to beat you in any long race, I'm not built for it. Shit, I don't even like it."

"Yeah, that about sum's it up. You don't even try, do you?" Jules tried to shake me off as I reached for her arm, but I held on, her cheeks were shining in the sodium lighting.

I felt a hollow feeling building in the pit of my stomach. Shit, I wasn't built for this either. Jules was hurting and I didn't have a clue how to make it better. Dad's parting words were to go easy, he'd obviously picked up on Jules mood, and I'd blown it.

Jules, was shivering with the cold, so was I. I hadn't even noticed. "Come on let's get back it's too cold to hang about here." I ventured, trying to get her moving.

" 'Spose your right, come on I'll race you back."

I hung on tighter. "No, that won't work."

"What do you mean, Drew?"

"Just a brisk walk, Jules, I'm not racing you."

"Chicken?" she sniffed. But started to move in the right direction.

"No, but if we race and you win, you'll say I let you. If I win, you'll get upset again. Either way, you'll hate me."

Jules stopped suddenly. Staring at me for what seemed like an age, before fumbling in her pocket for some tissues, she handed one to me as she wiped her face. I looked at her for a moment, trying to read her thoughts, then asked, "What's this for?"

"To wipe your face with.... Something in your eye, right?" She gently wiped my cheek with her finger and held it up, it glistened in the light.

"Oh, I thought it was rain," I said quietly, as we started to walk back.

"Who's this bloke you fancy then?" I asked, hoping to keep the distraction going. I felt her stiffen.

"You're laughing at me."

"Why would I laugh?"

" 'Cause you're my kid brother. That's what little brothers do."

"You've been watching too much 'Summer Bay', you'll be wanting to have a 'barbie' in December next."***

Jules let out a snort as she started to giggle. At last, happy sounds. Gross, but happy. Trying to keep the mood going I asked, "So, who is this 'Boy Band' reject?"

"That's more like it, for a moment there you were mo.... His names Gareth, he's in the fifth form." She finished quickly.

"Can't place the name, what's he like?"

"Ooh 'bout 190 x 80Ks, Tall Dark and Buff, about sums him up."

"And you, want to be Tall Blond and Buff to match?"

"Don't you? He's been playing squash all year, keeping fit for playing Rugby."

"What position?"

"Second row."

Shit, he must be big, I thought. "He's probably only got one brain cell, suffering from concussion. That's why he hasn't noticed you."

Jules gave me a shove, laughing. "There, speaks the expert on concussion." Yes, it was funny. Painful, but I could see her point. After my tumble in August, it had been nearly five weeks before I was allowed to do any riding. "Come on lets make it look good for Dad, he's bound to be looking out for us, and we are a bit late." We had reached the last corner.

"Drew, why did you come out tonight?"

"Dad was worried about you running on your own."

"But you hate running."

"What's that got to do with the price of fish?" I chuckled. Jules suddenly leaned into me and gave me an awkward hug.

"Come on.... You're... going to let me win aren't you?"

"I wouldn't dare do anything else," I chuckled, as I loped off after her.

"Go get cleaned up Drew. I've ordered Chinese, 20 minutes, Okay." Dad said as I trailed through the door in Jules wake. Some joke, Jules, would be in the shower that long. I just grabbed a towel and waited in the kitchen.

"How did it go?" Dad asked, as he handed me a mug of tea. "Did she say anything?"

"Er, I'm... Dad I'm not sure..." I stumbled over the words, as I tried to sort out what had happened in my own mind.

"Alright Drew, I shouldn't have asked, it's not fair on you, it's, just that she's been so moody lately, and if this jealousy thing gets out of hand...." I gave a snort. "I know, I was a bit slow over Christmas, but this is now and I don't want it to get out of hand again. So, if you can give me a clue, it'll make life easier for everyone."

"Let's just say Jules is taking an interest in rugby."

"Uh huh, and there is a particular player. Should I be worried? Damn I wish your Mum was here."

"Whoa! Slow down, Dad. They haven't even spoken yet. From what I can gather, it's just a crush."

"Just... just a crush... Drew that's even worse!" Dad started pacing around the table.

"Dad, you can't say anything, you don't know about it. Okay?" Dad stopped pacing and looked at me.

"I'm overreacting, aren't I? You're right, sorry Drew... but crushes can be... well, you'll find out."

"Don't worry, Dad. He's a rugby player, when Jules, finds out he hasn't got two brain cells to rub together; she'll be cured. Right?"

"John Peters, played rugby for the RAF. Drew, his IQ is through the roof. But you're probably right, when she meets him it may just all fade away. Then again, it could get worse. It's part of growing up, so all we can do is wait and see." Dad sighed.

"Bathrooms Free!" Jules called from upstairs. I took my cue and shot up the stairs. I was glad to get out of the kitchen.

Monday morning was the usual mad dash to get to school, The Big surprise was Paul, who had decide to become the centre of attention by dying his hair red, bright red.

"You lost the bet then?" I joked.

"Bet? Oh. Very droll coming from you, you've had those wings for a while now." He was right; the temporary streaks that Sylve had given me had still not washed out.

"I guess, I'm just follower in the style stakes, Drew." Then added almost in a whisper. "Mind you, it did turn out a bit brighter than I expected"

I gave a chuckle, as I remembered the shock I got when Sylve, had done it to me.

"Head up Paul, it's the only way."

"Hope your right bro."

"Trust me, you'll soon forget about it, just stay away from mirrors," I laughed, "Anyway, it's too late now."

"Why do I start to feel nervous when someone says 'Trust Me'."

"Well, you know I'm not a politician, so, you should be fairly safe. Right?"

There was a group of third formers approaching; you could almost hear their brains working on sarcastic comments to throw. Mad came to Paul's rescue, she waited 'til they, were nearly on us, then gushed, "WOW, Paul that's really wicked." Maddy announced; Bernie and Ally, joined in and the third formers passed without a murmur.

"Thanks guys." Paul said, as we made our way to assembly. Mad grinned at me, I think she realised that I was grateful not to have the spotlight on me for a change.

I was on pins during assembly, but Timber, only announced that the football team had managed to achieve a nil, nil draw, he did seem to look our way more than usual though. During his 'stand up act', I was trying to put a face to the mystery Gareth, but decided I needed more clues.

"They're improving." Chuckled Paul, as we made our way to class.

"Who are?"

"Duh, the 'Footyboys'of course."

"Oh, yeah. Say, Paul, do you know a Gareth, in the fifth?"

"Plonker Jones? Why?"

"Plonker?" I asked, dreading the answer.

"Yeah, he can't keep his mouth shut, he's been in trouble no end of times in class for making smart arse comments."

"Don't blag it, but I think my sisters developed a 'thang' about him."

"Shit! Drew, that's rough."

My toes were curling in my shoes, but I had to ask. "Just, tell me that he hasn't got a brother in the TA."

"Yes, he has, that's one of the things he keeps bragging about." Oh. Shit! Something else to give me nightmares.

"Is he the only Gareth in the fifth, Paul?" I asked nervously.

"As far as I know, but then I don't know many of them. I mean, they're the fifth and we're the tweanies."

I left it there, every time I asked a question, the answers got worse.

Jules was already out on her run when I got home, so I hit the rollers again, managing to get a solid two hours in before Dad got home.

Tuesday there was a bit of a kerfuffle, when some bigwig inspector interrupted the math class. Chairman of the school governors we were told. Timber walked him round, but they seemed more interested in the desks and things, than us. We just got on with our work as they did their thing.

"What was that all about?" Paul asked when they left. I did my usual shrug. "Timber seemed to be watching you and Mad a lot, what have you been up to?" He didn't get much further as the teacher called for order. I was grateful for the interruption, had Timber's spy network been in action again?

Another two hours on the rollers helped clear my mind; or it could have been the pounding from the CD player. God knows what the neighbours thought, I chuckled to myself as I hit the shower.

Realising my stock of clean sports kit was dwindling fast, I spent the rest of the evening feeding the washing machine. Juliet of course, volunteered me to do hers as well.

Wednesday was even worse, there were several times that I thought Timber was going to speak to me but seemed to change his mind at the last minute, after Dad telling me not to get paranoid, too. Sheesh!

The best part of the day was two other boys turning up with coloured hair. Paul was bouncing. He calmed down when Clive called him Tigger.

The worst part was getting reminded that it was Phys-Ed. Assessment day on Monday. I was exempt from the weekly torture because of my riding, but still had to be assessed each month, for the records. Maddy had applied for exemption as well, but hers would probably start after the assessment.

Thursday, I was a basket case; I couldn't concentrate on anything. Well, anything, that is, except Mums arrival. Anyway, school seemed to last at least 30 hours.

"Where are you going?" asked Mad as I turned towards her house.

"Walking you home?" I suggested.

"Mums been fetching your mum from the airport, so tonight I get to walk you home. Come on dreamer." As she caught my arm and swung me round laughing.

We ended up facing each other. It was one of those moments, you know the ones, where you know something's going to happen. We were already wrapped around each other; Maddy's head sort of tilted to one side and suddenly the rest of the world faded to a warm fuzzy glow.

"Blaarp! Blarp! Get a room!" Someone shouted from a passing car. Mad was giggling, while I turned crimson, as I slowly returned to earth. The warm fuzzy feeling stayed though, and we were still holding on to each other as we arrived at the house.

Taking our time over untangling ourselves, I didn't hear the door opening.

"I didn't realise it was that cold, maybe I should turn the heating up." I heard from the doorway.

"Mum!" I yelled, dragging Maddy with me as I tried to run to her, finally letting go as I tripped over my book bag, ending up in a heap on what passes for our lawn. A laughing Maddy helped me up. And I finally got the hug that I'd been wanting for six weeks.

Angela Peters 26.09.04 © 2004

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