“Reconciliation”

A Gaby FanFic

The first thing I have to do is to publicly thank Angharad, KarenJ and last, but certainly not least, Jillian, for all their efforts to decipher my scribbles. It was also their encouragement that gave me the courage to submit this to Maddy, in the first place.

I also extend a warm ‘thank you' to Maddy, for creating this ‘universe' and giving my mind a place to occasionally wander.

Five

As the team plane lifted off from Vancouver International, Jenny announced they only have one more stop in Canada.

“It'll be a refueling stop in Gander, Newfoundland - just to top up the tanks and then a direct flight to Amsterdam, Holland.”

Jenny decided to give them a glimpse of what's to come and to give them a pat on the back for a tour well ridden.

“I'll say a bit more later, but up until now, this team has done beautifully. You've handled everything thrown at you and you've done it very well, both individually and as a team. These last two races of the 2008 Jr. World Cup Tour will actually be world class in every respect, including the competition. We'll see more teams and individual competitors than we did in the US or Canada. Being a World Cup race, you'll also get your first real taste of world-class size crowds, as the fan base in Europe is much greater than in North America, even for a junior event.”

Jenny paused for effect and then continued, “This team has been entered in the junior ‘Ronde van Gelderland 2008', out of Apeldoorn, Holland.” Jenny glanced over to Kristen and noticed she resembled the Cheshire Cat from ‘Alice In Wonderland'.

“Thought you'd like that, Kris.” Jenny commented. “Your Grandmother still lives there?”

After Kristen mentioned that she hadn't seen her Gran for three years, Jenny told Kris they'd make time for her to visit.

“The last thing I'll say for now about the ‘Ronde van Gelderland 2008' is to remind you that the winner will be the 2008 Women's Jr. World Champion.” This time, Jenny looked at both Gaby and Kristen.

Jenny continued with her impromptu pep talk. “The final race will be back in Germany in a town called Schmölln, and it'll be for the 2008 Women's Jr. World Cup title. The course we're riding on is the same course used for Stages 4 and 5 of the 2006 Internationale Thüringen-Rundfahrt der Frauen and like Vancouver, it'll comprise of both a same-day time trial and a road race.

She finished up by stating, “We'll have three days before the ‘Ronde van Gelderland' so for today, relax.”

As Jenny rose from her seat to go back to the kitchenette, Judith approached her. “Jenny, can we talk to you for a sec.?”

“Certainly, what about?” Jenny asked as Nina and Kristen joined Judith.

Nina spoke for the three by saying, “We've been thinking ever since Gabs told us she was going pro … an' we'd kinda like to stay with her and also go pro … would that be possible?”

“I've been wondering when you'd approach me about this … I thought I saw it in your eyes when Gaby informed the three of you back in Toronto.” Jenny intoned.

She went on to say, “Each one of you girls has proven not only to me on this tour but to George when you were training with the pro team, that you can easily make the transition and what's more … we both think all of you're ready to make that jump.”

Finally Jenny looked at her daughter and called over to her, “Gaby … you've got some loyal friends here ... they all want to follow you to the pro team.”

Then turning her gaze to the other three girls, Jenny stated, “I'll ask George for a meeting with each of you, when we get back to Bad Neuenahr.”

Jen noticed the happiness on the girls faces, so she cautioned, “Now don't let this go to your heads, you still have two important races to ride.”

The stopover at Gander although as short as Jenny said it would be, was long enough to allow everyone an opportunity to grab something to eat. It was dark when they finally departed Gander and headed out over the Atlantic. Shortly after they were airborne and even though their bodies told them it was early in the evening, Jenny told the girls to try to get some sleep before they arrived in Amsterdam. Nina handed out some blankets but when she saw Gaby and Maddy already asleep and snuggled together, she simply covered up the two lovebirds.

Hours later as they over flew England; Eric left the cockpit and came back into the cabin to inform Jenny and Hans they were approaching the European continent. That was the signal for the two to awaken everyone else.

As signs of life began to show amongst the others, Jenny cheerfully announced, “We're over the Channel now, so it won't be long until we've put down in Amsterdam. After we get through customs, it's just a short drive to our hotel in Apeldoorn and once there, we can all freshen up, grab a good breakfast and generally try to join the living … ok?”

Maddy glanced at Gabs as she opened her eyes. “Morning lover”, Maddy quietly cooed and then followed her greeting by a light kiss on Gaby's lips.

Shortly after being asked to fasten their seat belts, the girls felt the plane begin its descent into Amsterdam and within a short time later they were on the ground, once more bypassing the congested commercial terminals for a private corporate facility.

This stop was a bit different. After checking in at the arrival desk, Hans collected the keys for the team's leased van and trailer. While the others waited at the plane, Hans brought it around where he and Maddy made short work of off-loading the plane – all under the watchful eyes of customs officials. Paperwork completed, the girls all piled in the van, then with Jenny navigating and Hans doing the driving they made their way out of Amsterdam and to Apeldoorn.

Eventually the group arrived at their hotel and Hans located the reserved area in the car park for the cycling teams. Everyone quickly made their way into the hotel to get checked in and into their rooms. As a parting comment, Jenny mentioned everyone was to meet in the lobby, in an hour's time for breakfast.

Once in their room, Kristen offered the shower to Gaby while she made a call to her Grandmother.

As her call connected and Kristen heard the ringing at the other end, she mumbled, “I hope I'm not waking Gran.”

“Hallo?”

“Hallo is Gran, het Kristen. Ik ben hier in Apeldoorn met het team. Wij blijven in Bilderburg Hotel DE Keizerskroon. Ik deel ruimte 615 met een ander meisje, Gaby Bond.”

She went on to explain that she's with the Jr. Team Apollinaris to compete in the ‘Jr. Ronde van Gelderland 2008' and she just wanted to let her know they were in town. She'd call again when she had a better idea of the team's schedule but the team's Director told her that she would have time to visit. When finally Gaby emerged, it was Kristen's turn to become human again - as Gaby put it.

At the appointed time, the team gathered in the hotel lobby and began their search for food. Jenny mentioned there would be a short team meeting after breakfast and then everyone was free to rest up for the task at hand.

“Did you manage to call your Gran, Kristen?” Inquired Jenny, between bites.

Kristen nodded her head and replied, “I let her know I was in town and told her I'd call back when I had a better idea of our schedule.”

“Well, after the meeting, you're free for the day.” Jenny countered.

“Ok people, here's what you're facing.” Jenny opened the team meeting by letting them know the course was 140 Km in length, starting and finishing at the Loolaan in Apeldoorn. Taking a small road along the river Ijssel, you can expect a few hills. The first one will be just outside of Rheden, about 77 Km into the race. Because you loop around at that point, you'll encounter the same hill at the 85 th Km.”

Jenny mentioned there were a total of nine hills that vary from a 30-meter ascent to 100-meter ascents and detailed every one in terms of height, the ascent grade and were they are on the course. She also mentioned two of the nine hills are right at the start/finish routes, just outside of the city.

“Tomorrow we'll take a ride over the entire circuit so you can see it for yourselves and let you come up with suggestions on how to best ride this course.” Jenny paused to let that announcement soak in. She wrapped up the meeting with a summary on the expected competition and also gave the team their first look at the Route Schedule.

The rest of the day saw the team doing the tourist thing, with Kristen acting as guide. They even managed to engage in Maddy's now second favourite sporting event – shopping. Kristen's grandmother hosted the team for dinner, later that evening.

 

The next morning saw the girls out with Jenny and Hans, on the course. Since the circuit wasn't closed to normal traffic on this morning they all piled in the van to drive rather than ride, the full course. Hans made frequent stops to allow the girls to study a feature.

Jenny pointed out that even though kilometre 0 is at the Loolaan/Heuvellaan, the official start is in Wiesel, 2.4 Km away. On the way through the various towns, Jenny and the girls noted any features of the roads, like concrete islands, roundabouts, narrowing of the road and other points of interest – including hills and a lift bridge! They also noted there would be a single feed at Middachterallee, 71.2 Km into the race.

The first two hills they would encounter, was the Zijpenberg with a 90-meter ascent. Since the course looped at Rheden, the girls would encounter this hill twice. Jenny pointed out of all the nine hills they would negotiate, this particular one was the highest but she made sure the girls were familiar with each and every one as well as each and every turn.

When they got back to the hotel, Jenny immediately called another team meeting to thoroughly discuss all they had seen. After lunch, Jenny took the girls on a short ride. She chose to follow the last portion of the course between Apeldoorn and Arnhem, a round trip of approximately 95 Km.

The next day was spent with practising tactics and honing skills. Finally, race day rolled around.

The Dutch were well represented with several teams, but the girls noted their competition include teams from Great Britain, Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Italy, the US, Switzerland and that other German team. There were 150 riders at the 2:30 start, far more than the girls had encountered in a single race thus far in the tour.

Even before hitting the official start at Wiesal some 2.5 Km from Apeldoorn, the leaders in the peloton were setting a fast pace, averaging 35-40kph. Gaby and the rest of the team found themselves in a comfortable position back in the peloton, but not so far back that they couldn't move up if they felt the need.

After snaking through the streets of Vaassen, the peloton was stretched out over a long distance and upon exiting the town, Gaby felt they hung back long enough. In the 4 Km between Vaassen and Epe, Gaby had eased the team up to a point where they could see the leaders and breakout if given the chance.

As the peloton approached Deventer and it's three small narrow bridges, Team Apollinaris made their move. Nina gradually moved up, and then burst out of the peloton, inviting others to chase her down. Some girls from the Dutch Jr. Women's National Team, T-Mobile and the Swiss Jr. Women's National Team took the bait and chased her down.

As in Vancouver, the ruse worked yet again, causing chaos among the peloton's leaders and allowing Team Apollinaris to escape almost unchallenged. As they passed Nina and the remnants of her breakaway, she re-joined her team mates. In the process they acquired four other riders, Monique and Noortje from the Dutch Jr. Women's team and two old friends - Uta from T-Mobile and Karen from team Canada.

After winding through several towns and working together, the breakaway group of eight found themselves a full minute and a half ahead of the main peloton. Even when she wasn't taking her turn at the front of the group, Gaby's computer was showing a speed of 43-45kph! She recalled her mum had mentioned the Route Schedule was calculated on an average speed of 40kph, so they weren't far off the pace. It was the rest of the peloton that was below the mark.

Once they hit Ellecom, Gaby knew it was a straight 7.2 Km to her first hill – the Zijenberg. She knew she could out climb the rest of her team mates, Uta and Karen but she was less sure of Monique and Noortje. As she approached the Zijenburg for the first time, she broke from the group as they were well into the ascent. The only one to follow was Noortje and at the crest, it was close but Gaby took the points. Gabs was now aware of her competition for the remaining hills.

It wasn't long before Gaby realised she was a far better descender than Noortje and that was her ‘Achilles heel' that Gaby could exploit. Jenny always told Gaby she had no fear. At the bottom of the descent, knowing it would be far easier to work in a group Gaby eased up allowing the others to catch up to her.

As the group completed the long loop in the course and approached the hill for a second time, Gaby changed her strategy. Still feeling good, she again made her break in the ascent but this time much further up the steep grade when the others were too committed to struggling up the hill to try anything. She struggled to rise out of her saddle but Gaby's gamble paid off and she reached the crest unchallenged.

Back at the bottom, she again eased back, waiting for the others to join her. The next four hills were much the same with a battle between Gaby and Noortje. Of the first three, Gaby only allowed Noortje to take one – Geitenkamp near Arnhem. Noortje also took Terlet, outside of Arnhem but only because the sustained fast pace was taking it's toll on Nina and Gaby was helping ‘talk' her up the grade.

With a little over 32 Km to go, the small group still had the original eight and their lead over the main peloton had increased to a little over two full minutes. Gaby knew she had one hill left before Apeldoorn and that was the Berg De Dalweg at Hoenderloo. The team had earmarked that one for Gaby and they acted accordingly. Even though it was only about a 30-meter ascent, it was steep but Gaby tackled it as just another hill-climb competition and as a result, easily took the points.

For the next 22 Km the course was downhill and they only had to go through Beekbergen then on to Apeldoorn. They re-entered Apeldoorn with 17 KM remaining, only to exit the city at the 11Km mark and prepared to tackle their second last hill. As they approached Wilsaan, Judith and Karen noticed the group of eight was now six with both Nina and Noortje having dropped back but they still remained in sight. With her main hill-climbing rival behind her, Gaby easily took the points on Wilsaan and Amersfoortseweg,

The good news for Team Apollinaris was that three of them were still together, Nina was within sight and it was a nice easy downhill run to the finish. The bad news was that they still had three strong riders with them in the persons of Uta, Karen and Monique.

Gaby and Kristen have seen both Uta and Karen fade in shorter races and judging by their faces, they didn't have much more to give. However, Monique was an unknown. Monique was also riding on ‘home soil', so she was determined to give a good accounting of herself. With 4 Km left to go and Monique at the front of the six, Gaby, Judith and Kristen took turns attacking Monique trying to bait her into a chase in an effort to determine just what she had left in her.

Just after the 2 Km marker Gaby signalled Judith to break out. Monique took the bait and chased her down but no sooner did she catch her than Kristen bolted past them. Again Monique gave chase. At the 1 Km marker all six were together again and the attacks were renewed on the leaders.

Passing the half kilometre marker, Kristen started to break to the right but found herself boxed in against the curb by Uta, Karen and Monique. They obviously thought Kristen the main threat and planned to contain her until the last possible moment then break for a short sprint.

Sensing that they had been forgotten about, Judith and Gaby seized the moment with Judith rocketing up the middle of the road past the four girls. At the same time, Gaby bolted off on the left curb. As expected, Uta and Karen started to give chase to the two girls, but faded before they seriously threatened either Judith or Gaby.

Both Karen and Monique were possible threats to Judith so while she kept their attention and with a little over 100 meters to go, Gaby called on whatever she had left and made her move. Monique decided to leave Kristen's side and rose from her saddle to challenge Gaby but by the time she had enough speed to be a serious threat, Gaby crossed the finish line with a good five or six bike lead! Judith crossed second and with the other three leaving her alone, Kristen came in third. A clean sweep by Team Apollinaris!

Gaby's official time was 3:15:15

As Gaby's bike slowed to a walking pace, Hans ran up and grabbed it. Maddy ran up to Gaby excitedly yelling, “You won darling! … You're the new Women's Jr. World Champion!”

As she got closer, Maddy lunged to grab a slumping Gaby as the three other girls approached with their bikes.

“Gabeeee … Open your eyes! … please?” Maddy pleaded.

“Why do you keep doing this? …( sigh ) … If you think I'll ever get used to seeing you collapse after a race…. ” Maddy had tears in her eyes as she wrapped her arms around Gaby and looked at her bewildered fiancée.

With a tearful sigh, Maddy momentarily looked up at the sky then returned her gaze to Gaby and ignoring the assembled crowd mumbled, “Oh, what the h….” and planted a kiss firmly on Gaby's lips.

As Jenny found the team in the crowd, she looked at Hans and then smiled at the lovebirds. “I guess I'll just have to get used to standing in line to congratulate my own daughter.”

Having heard Jenny, the girls sheepishly broke their kiss and Gaby turned to give her mum a big hug. Jen returned the hug to both girls.

During the podium ceremony, Jenny's pride in the Jr. Team Apollinaris was quite evident. Back at the hotel, Jenny hosted a small celebratory dinner for the girls .

 

Gaby's captured the 2008 Women's Jr. World Championship and it was the longest single race the girls had ridden thus far – what's more, they all stayed together and rode as a team, all the way! All that and a 1, 2, 3 finish - God, these girls have done really well!

While the girls enjoyed some well deserved ‘down time', relaxing in Nina/Judith's room, Jenny put in a conference call to both Dave and George informing them of the day's race results. She found it hard not to be excited over the level of teamwork displayed by the girls, not only in this race but also in the whole World Cup series, to date. Jenny was also justifiably proud of her daughter's accomplishment, earlier in the day.

She also mentioned the wishes of the other three girls, to turn pro with Gaby after the race in Schmölln. Once she completed the call, Jenny went to inform the girls and to tell them to pack after breakfast as they were scheduled to leave for Germany late the next morning.

“Com'on girls … let's get some breakfast, then back upstairs to pack … when you're done, my room for a team meeting everyone!” Jenny announced.

Jenny started with, “Since the flight will be only about an hour in duration, we're having the meeting now. To begin, we'll be flying to Leipzig and then it's a short drive to Schmölln.”

She continued with a run down on the course at Schmölln. “The course for the time trial and the road race, is identical. The only difference is that the road race is four laps for a total of 74.4 Km and the time trial is 18.7 Km. Both will be held on Tuesday – the TT in the morning and the road race in the afternoon. On Monday, we'll have a one-lap ‘recon' ride to take a look at the course. Today, we get settled in and checked in with the organizers. You girls know the routine.”

“On Monday's ride, you'll see why this course was meant for our resident mountain goat – even the flat sections are either a slight uphill or downhill grade. Not too much in the way of level road, I'm afraid. The two rated ascents on the course are both rated at 7%. You'll also discover on our ride, right at kilometer 0 you'll have your first 7% ascent with a vertical rise of about 40m. The last ascent on each lap is a three-step ascent with a vertical rise of about 60m, but what a nice downhill run into the finish!”

Jenny briefly paused, then resumed by stating, “Finally, keep these two things in mind when formulating your strategy on Monday's ride …Gaby and Kristen … It's a course well suited to Gaby's hill climbing and descending talents … Kristen on the other hand, will find this course to her liking with all the flat open stretches and descents, if she can handle all the ascents … But it's not a sprinters course per se. Since the finish is at the bottom of a long downhill, it's not going to be the sprinter's that decide a close race, it's going to be the one's that can handle the descent the best that will have the advantage at the finish.”

Following the meeting, they made their way down to the van and eventually back to the Amsterdam airport. After an uneventful flight to Leipzig and the short drive into Schmölln, the team arrived at the hotel. Following check-in, while Hans and Maddy took care of the team's equipment, the girls took care of the registration process for the race and by the time everyone completed their tasks, it was time to hunt for food and settle for the evening.

Monday was spent taking the team for a familiarization ride over the course. Even though each lap of the course is only expected to take about a half hour to ride, the team found themselves stopping frequently to study the area or hone their skills needed for this course by re-riding a particular section, several times. Six hours later and feeling confident about tomorrow's race, they finally made it back to the hotel.

Tuesday arrived and everyone was up and mobile by seven AM. Following breakfast and all the various individual race preparations, the girls were on the line at Markt Pfarrgasse for their turn to start the Time Trial. As in Vancouver, the ranking of the girls meant they started in the last quarter of the field with Gaby again dead last on the course. Precisely at 9:30, the first of 120 riders was off on the course. Four hours later, the best time of the day to beat was 28:47:26, posted by Amanda Sullivan of the Australian Jr. National team. So far the best for the Jr. Team Apollinaris was Nina with 31:15:47. Good enough for 12 th position.

Beep, Beep, Beep … and with the gentle nudge on the back by the starter, Gaby was off on the course. She took the Bergkuppe with its 500m slope with relative ease. Going through the first checkpoint at Kummer, she recorded a 3:33:00, third best time of the day. At the mid-way point at Weisbach, she went through at a blistering 12:04:01, by far the best time of the day. Soon as she cleared Weisbach, Gaby entered her first long descent, which she powered through despite the two right hand turns at Selka and Sommeritz.

After a quick left at the watertower in Sommeritz, Gaby pedaled through her second major descent, her computer was showing a blistering 85kph. Just outside of Sommeritz the descent reversed itself to become her last major ascent, this one being some 600 meters at a rated grade of 7%. The momentum gained from the previous descent, bled off quickly but she still recorded the best time going through the final checkpoint at the crest of the hill. There was only a long downhill run to the finish. She crossed with a 28:00:00, winning the Time Trial.

Following a massage , lunch and a quick team meeting, it was back in the bike saddle for the girls and the 16:30 start of the 74 KM road race. With the team now totally familiar with the course, each girl knew what had to be done. Gaby was still relying on the team gaining a position near the front to the peloton early in the race. However, critical to the team's planned strategy, was to not only get them up the hills together, but to stay together throughout the race. If they became separated on the descents, the plan was to re-group at the bottom. It was very successful in Apeldoorn and they hoped they could adopt the formula for Schmölln.

Jenny knew it was Gaby's climbing ability coupled with her aggressive, almost reckless descents that would combine to be a very real advantage for the team. At the same time, Jenny was concerned on the girls' ability to stay grouped. Where Apeldoorn was relatively flat with a few hills, Schmölln is the opposite.

As the peloton rolled past the official start at Markt Pfarrgasse and onto their first hill, the 400 meter grade of Bergkuppe, the Jr. team Apollinaris were resting about in the middle of the pack.

Approaching the hill, Gaby rose out of the saddle followed by the rest of the team. The maneuver had two benefits. It allowed the weaker hill-climbers like Nina to add power to get up the slope, thus keeping the team together and unexpectedly, allowed the team to move up a few places in the peloton. Gaby expected some would lose momentum on the slope, but she didn't figure it would be as many as actually did. The result was the main peloton became strung out much more than anticipated.

Once the girls were able to make any kind of a breakaway the profile of the course played right into the hands of Team Apollinaris' strategy. By pedaling down the descents rather than freewheeling, as the majority of riders would do, they were able to increase any gaps. Any increased speed they had when they reached the bottom of one hill served to greatly assist any effort to ascend the next hill, while the few flat areas served to offer a chance to rest and gather themselves for the next descent or hill climb.

Over the course of three laps, the peloton split twice and suffered a few failed attempts by some to breakaway. One breakaway did go unchallenged on lap three and managed to chase down Team Apollinaris during the 600m ascent outside of Sommeritz, leading back down into Schmölln. It was during this descent that they succeeded in losing half of the second breakaway that caught Team Apollinaris. Judith's computer read 87kph when they neared the bottom of the hill. On this occasion they did find themselves having to brake to make the long left into Schmölln, at the base of the hill.

Whether it was skill, reckless abandon, an adrenalin rush or a combination of all three – it carried the break effortlessly up the next slope and over the crest. Back on the ‘flats', the rogue group quickly re-assumed ‘piano' and taking turns to lead the group, allowing the others rest by drafting. It was during one change of leadership, when Kristen was drifting back to assume her place at the end of the line, she glanced over her shoulder and realized the main peloton or the lead elements of the peloton were no longer in view. As she drifted past, she informed Gaby of this development.

As the merry band approached the large hill at Kummer for the last time, Gaby knew that with it being roughly the halfway point of the bell lap, something would have to be done with their ‘guests'. She decided that they would keep the status quo until the very last ascent and try to loose them on the ascent, providing the girls of Team Apollinaris aren‘t exhausted themselves. As the girls of the team drifted past Gaby after doing a stint at the head of the line, Gaby gave them a subtle signal to follow her lead. Another thing in their favour was the breakaway group had become somewhat complacent with their large gap, relaxing the pace a bit.

About one-third of the way into the 600-meter ascent of the last hill, Gaby rose off her saddle and powered her way out front of the breakaway group. Although the other three tried to do the same, Judith had the only other successful attempt. Together they reached the crest a few bike lengths ahead of the leader of the group they just left.

Once past the crest, they were gone. Once again, Judith and Gaby found they had to apply the brakes in order to make the turn into Schmölln. In the end, it was Gaby and Judith of Team Apollinaris, followed within three bike lengths by Kate Spratt of the Jr. Australian National Team.

When Jenny came up to congratulate Gaby, she hugged her tightly. “It's only a very select few that can claim the Women's Jr. World Cup and the World Championship at the same time.”

Fighting tears, she whispered into Gaby's ear that she's got to get some fear; either that or she's going to give her mother a coronary.

Maddy was a bit more direct, telling her through the tears, “Please don't ever do that again, darling … I need you.” She added, “… but I'm so proud” and then proceeded to wrap her arms tightly around Gaby.

Next morning, life had returned to normal. Traffic into Leipzig was the usual Wednesday stop and go. Once the team made it to the airport and got things loaded onto the aircraft it was less than an hour's flight from Leipzig to Bonn. When the Challenger 604 taxied up to the Apollinaris corporate hanger, Mike was there with the same mini-bus that he used to drive them to the airport.

“ Willkommen ! … Let's get all this stuff packed and we go back to Bad Neuenahr, ja?” Mike enthusiastically greeted the team as they got off the aircraft.

He added, “George und Dave are anxious to see you girls.”

On the way back, Mike chatted with Hans and Jenny while the girls largely stayed silent, just glad to be getting back home. Maddy and Gaby had mixed feelings and just sat quietly in their seats, cuddled up to each other as much as the bus's seating would allow. On one hand, they were both glad to have completed the World Cup and spent the summer together but on the other hand, their time together was fast drawing to a close. Maddy would be retuning to Warsop on Sunday.

It was just after noon when the mini-bus pulled into the Team Apollinaris facility. Together Mike, Hans, Kat and Maddy made short work of off-loading everything and as they started to wipe down the bikes, Jenny appeared in the shop door and told Maddy she was requested in George's office.

As Maddy and Jenny entered George's office, they saw the entire Jr. Team Apollinaris, Dave and another man that Jenny identified as the Team Apollinaris' lawyer, all sitting around the large table that dominated one half of his office.

As they sat down, George started the meeting by stating how pleased everyone including the Sponsor, was with the jr. team's performance and with Gaby for winning both the Women's Jr. World Championship and being overall first in the standings for the Jr. World Cup. As far as they were concerned, the jr. team validated the decision of the sponsor to go with Jenny's suggestion to create a junior program.

He went on to also say how very pleased he was to be able to offer each of the four girls that made up the Jr. Team Apollinaris, an initial two-year contract with Team Apollinaris. The lawyer then went through the contracts with the girls, ensuring they understood every detail. When everyone was satisfied with everything, the girls each signed the contracts that were in front of them. Maddy and Jenny signed each contract, as witnesses.

Following the meeting, George, Dave and Jenny socialized with all the girls before leaving the complex for the day. While Mike drove the girls to their homes, Maddy and Gaby went with her parents and Jules.

“Dave, it's still early enough in the day could you swing around to the Town Church on the way home? … The girls would like to see if Rev. Albrecht is around.” Jenny put her hand on Dave's arm as she settled in the front passenger seat.

“Don't you have to schedule things like that?” Dave asked.

“At least the girls could meet him … right now they just want to know if they can get married in the church ... it's just that Gaby and Maddy don't know if they should be thinking church or city hall … and I agree with them … it's just not right to not let them know ... they can't do any planning, let alone dream of their wedding, until they know what they're dealing with.” Jenny intoned.

At the church, Jenny and the girls were able to briefly meet Rev. Albrecht and they learned that they could be married in the church. They also briefly met his new assistant, Rev. Gotthard. The girls were asked to schedule a longer meeting at a later date.

When the two ministers were informed that Maddy was off to university back in England, they suggested that it be left open until Maddy would be able to join them. Jenny assured the ministers that Maddy would be in Bad Neuenahr for the occasional visit and that Gaby would schedule a meeting to coincide with one of her visits. The girls left the church feeling another hurdle had been conquered.

 

Both on the way home from the team's headquarters' and at home, Gaby noticed her dad was quiet, at least whenever the subject of her signing with Team Apollinaris came up in conversation. While Jenny and Maddy prepared supper, Gaby looked for and eventually found her dad, alone in his den.

“Daddy, what's wrong? … You‘ve been terribly quiet ever since I signed the contract … was that such a bad thing?” Gaby asked as she put her arms around Dave.

(sigh) “It's your life, honey … but watching you sign, I just saw your mother and it brought back some uncomfortable memories.” Dave quietly replied and then he immediately continued, “Please don't be like your mother was with us … Maddy doesn't deserve that.”

Gaby laid her head on Dave's shoulder and whispered, “Don't worry, Daddy ... I may be like Mum when it comes to bikes but don't forget I was also on the receiving end, just like you were … I remember the hurt all too well ... even if Drew didn't show it … it was there.”

Gaby heaved a heavy sigh and held her dad tightly, before she added, “ … I promise if I ever start treating Mad like that, I'll retire. I can't put her through what we went through.” Then in a more upbeat voice, she exclaimed, “ … Com'on betcha supper is almost ready.”

 

Meanwhile, back in Warsop…..

“Carol … sit down, honey … I've got something we have to discuss.” John announced as he came home from work.

“I'm listening.”

“Don called me into his office this afternoon and dropped a bombshell into my lap … It seems there's a vacant high-level senior management position and that they feel I'd be the right person for the job.”

“More money?” Carol asked.

“Oh, yeah….” John smiled.

“Do you think you can do it?”

“Yep….”

“Why do I see a big ‘but' on the end of that?”

“We'd have to move to Germany, it's in our Bonn office.” Then thinking for a moment, John added, “Now I know how Dave felt.”

“Except he and Jenny had two kids in school ... we don't.” Carol was excited at the prospect of moving to Germany.

“Take it John … I think it's a great opportunity and we could be close to Jenny and Dave again. From what Maddy tells me, Bad Neuenahr is an easy drive to Bonn. Maria Pinger's … you remember her … one of Jenny's team mates … she stayed here one weekend awhile back, while her daughter stayed at the Bond's … anyway, her husband Heinrich already does the commute. Besides, we'll see our daughter a lot more than if we stayed here.”

“Huh?” John was confused at Carol's last comment.

“They plan to live in Bad Neuenahr after she and Gaby are married.”

“Ok … fine … tomorrow I'll tell Don that I accept the position.” After he heard how Carol felt about it, John felt a whole lot better.

“When do we have to move?”

“I guess I'll be over there a few days a month until I get the ‘lay of the land'. I wouldn't expect the move to be done for a while yet but I'll learn more after I talk to Don. I guess I'll be talking to Dave to see what housing is like, in this place.”

“When we pick Maddy up Sunday, we'll tell her.” Carol added.

 

To be continued:

PB 17.12.06 © 2006

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