“Rough Waters”

A Gaby FanFic

by PB

Prologue:

Thanks go out to the various fanfic authors and Maddy Bell, herself, for creating this ‘universe' and providing the inspiration. Whether you realize it or not, there's a part of each of you, in this work. I also wish to dedicate this work to Karen J, Jillian and Angharad – three lovely people without who's prodding, this or any other of my writings, would have never appeared.

… And to all who read this, I hope you enjoy it as much as it was for me to continue the Journey.

It would seem that I've been put on a literary path somewhat like George Lucas did with Star Wars. “Rough Waters” is the prequel to “Reconciliation”, which in turn was based upon “Notes of a Journey”. As such, like “Reconciliation”, it is highly recommended your read/re-read “Notes of a Journey”, at least up to the point the kids are preparing to leave Grottoes, Virginia. This is to avoid any confusion with references to events that occurred prior to the start of “Rough Waters”.

... the calm before a storm …

PB

Chapter 3

As they sat down on Caro's lounge, Jenny and Gaby filled her in with an edited version of Gaby's history and especially events since last New Year's. When Gaby talked about the American trip, she only spoke in general terms. However, when she talked about Atlanta, it was in some detail.

Jenny added her perspective to Gaby's weekend. Caro just smiled and shook her head when she was told about Gaby's encounter with Lance Armstrong. Jenny also mentioned Dave and Gaby's involvement with the Apollinaris Youth Development Project.

As they were getting up to leave, Caro broached the subject of the British Youth Squad.

“What about Drew's involvement with the squad, his statistics and titles?” Caro asked with some concern.

“Drew died last New Year's … he doesn't exist except in here,” Gaby solemnly replied, as she poked her chest.

She quietly added, “Drew was on the squad, not Gaby … might be a bit awkward if Drew goes an' Gaby pops in, wouldn't it then? … Anyway it won't matter, since we're moving to Germany. Dad's already mentioned we'll be moved by the end of the school year, if not before …It's better if you just cut Drew from the squad.”

“As for my titles and stats, that's something I guess Mum and I will have to look at after my name change … it shouldn't be hard … they already believe I'm a girl … ( giggle ) … I don't think John ever got it right.” Gaby offered.

“Besides … wouldn't having my name legally changed mean they would have to change my name on my stats by law?” Gaby asked. A bit of a smile crossed her face when she said, “It's not like I ever won ‘Best Boy'….”

“That's something we'll have to look into when the time comes, Kiddo”, Jenny replied as she put her arm around Gaby's shoulders and pulled her close.

“You never did tell me your new name.” Caro replied.

“Gab…” Both Jenny and Gaby answered in unison.

“Go ahead dear,” Jen allowed.

“Gabrielle Drew Bond,” replied Gaby.

“That name just might make things a bit easier at the Federation, Gaby … Gabrielle Drew Bond … Drew Bond … eh? … Anyway, as your mum says, we'll just have to wait and see what comes,” Caro optimistically stated.

On that note, the Bond women took their leave. As Caro stood on her terrace, she had a smile on her face watching them leave and recalling the afternoon. She thought of how she'd not seen a trace of Drew either in appearance or mannerisms, when she looked at Gaby – just a very pretty young lady who looked a lot like her mother.

“Never did get any shopping done, did we?” Jenny asked her daughter as they were heading back to Warsop. Gaby just smiled a response. “Oh, well … Caro did get to meet Gaby … I think that went over rather well, don't you?” Jenny glanced over at Gaby.

“A lot better than I expected!” Gaby offered.

“If traffic doesn't ease up, your Dad will be home before we get there,” Jenny said.

As Jenny eased the car into the close, they saw the camper was already parked and Dave was waiting in the opened front door of their house.

“Saw you coming up the street as I came into the house. How'd your day go?” Dave asked as he kissed his wife on the cheek as she walked past him, into the house.

Jenny related the day's events including Gaby's visit with Caro and the call from Dr. Sanwari. By way of reply, Dave informed Jen that he'd already put a pizza in the oven for tea and Jules was upstairs in a good mood. He confessed he was still a bit mystified at Jules' request the previous night, but she refused to tell him anything.

“All she kept saying is that I'd have to wait until later,” Dave stated as he threw up his arms in mock frustration.

Following tea, Jules instructed her parents to wait in the lounge and after Gaby and she washed up, they would join them.

“I've a bad feeling about this. Jules has been in a right helpful mood ever since I got home. She told me she even picked-up around the house before I got home!” Dave jokingly commented.

“Oh my …” Jen replied.

It didn't take the two girls long to wash-up and they eventually joined their parents. Jules looked serious as she sat on the couch beside Gaby. She took Gaby's hand as she started to speak.

“I said last night we'd explain an' I guess this is the time.” Jules voice conveyed the importance she attached to the moment. She paused briefly and looked at her sister, who in turn closed her eyes while giving Jules a nod of approval and a squeeze to the hand to tell her it's all right.

“To hear Sis tell you or anyone about her six weeks in the States, it'd sound like she had a wonderful time … truth is, it was very different. Sure she had some good times, but …” Jules voice was quiet and as her voice trailed off, she gave a quick shrug of her shoulders.

Jenny left her chair to squeeze in beside Gaby on the couch. Like Jules, she reached out to hold Gaby's other hand. Dave sat a little straighter in his chair, waiting to hear everything that Jules told them. As for Gaby, she vowed to remain steadfast through all of this. Only problem being, was whenever she'd resolved not to tear up, she usually – make that, always did!

Jules had thought long and hard about what she was going to say, if nothing else than to organize her thoughts so she wouldn't leave anything out. She was speaking from her nightly talks with Gaby when she bared her soul to Jules on the day's events & how she coped. She covered things like how the kids in general treated her, how Maddy and the ‘gang' had changed – particularly Maddy, how Maddy set Gaby up with Sam then toyed with Gaby's feelings, the silence following the Atlanta weekend, DC and the trip home.

To be fair, Jules did cover some of the highlights like Gaby's cycling friends, her weekend rides, the cheer competition, some of the field trips, Atlanta, helping Ally when she got shot and of her decision to finally tell Ally about Gaby.

However, Jules intentionally saved the telling of the emotional aftermath of the cheer competition, leaving both the Sherwood Forester's and Maddy to the last. She finished with her account of that last night at the Walters and Gab's fears if she stayed in Warsop.

By the time she finished recounting the trip, tears were freely flowing down Gaby's face as she buried her face into Jules' shoulder. Dave came over and knelt down in front of Gaby, joining his wife in holding Gabs' hand. Jenny was also in tears, hating herself for insisting the girls go to Virginia instead of letting them stay with her.

Trying to comfort Gaby as well as each other was all Dave and Jenny could do. Neither had any answers or suggestions but both realized why Jules stated they had to leave Warsop for Gaby's sake and Germany was the perfect opportunity.

For a long time, the family sat in silence, trying to comprehend everything that was said with only the odd ‘sniffle' to break the silence. Finally Dave announced that he'd contact George in the morning. Dave and Jenny agreed that he wouldn't give his notice until they can see what can be done about Gaby's documentation and name change.

“Hopefully we'll know a bit more after Gaby and I see Dr. Sanwari, tomorrow.” Jenny told Dave as she dabbed the tears from eyes.

As the girls went upstairs to their rooms, Gaby followed her sister to her door. Embracing Jules, Gaby, still with a lot of emotion in her voice, whispered, “Thanks Sis … for being there.”

“You gonna be ok, Gab?” Jules asked as Gaby started to go to her own room.

“Yeah … After what we just talked about, I dunno why but I'm gonna upload my Virginia pictures. Fran wants Mad an' me to make a photo journal for the school's web page.”

Gaby realized that after six weeks, she had a lot fewer pictures than she thought and a good chunk of those were discarded for ‘bad photography'. Almost two hours later, she had burned a CD of photos she thought would be suitable for their photo journal.

The ring tone of her mobile shook Gaby from her thoughts. As she answered it she heard Maddy's voice.

“Drew? Ya wanna go to Sheff tomorrow? The others are coming,” Maddy inquired.

“Yeah … I guess,” Gaby replied.

“We'll get the 9:30 bus then … I'll tell the others … see ya tomorrow.”

“I'll be there … night Mad,” Gaby softly replied.

“Night, Drew”

As Gaby put down the phone, she realised that Drew would have to be the one to show up to go to the mall in Sheffield with the others. She hadn't told the others so as far as they would be concerned, why would Gaby still be around? Since she was seeing Maddy, Gaby thought it best to put the burned CD in her bag.

Gaby decided she'd best inform her mum that Drew was going to be back, at least part-time for awhile.

“Best be back here all the earlier to bring my daughter back! We've a 4:30 appointment, so let's say … be back here by 3:00 PM, ok?”

Next morning saw Gaby up bright and early, determined that she wasn't going to be rushed and that Drew will appear for the trip to the mall – at least on the surface. She deliberately decided to go full Drew-mode by wearing a T-shirt, jeans and her Nike Rift Sandals. Gabs put her hair back into a low pony, held by elastic, then went to her parent's room and presented herself to her mum for inspection.

“You look fine, Drew ... except for the nails.” Jenny pointed out with a smile.

“Mummm,” Gaby whined.

“Relax, honey”, Jenny reassured Gaby as she reached across for her nail polish remover. In a minute or two Jenny pronounced her daughter ready to go out.

“Remember, 3PM!” Jenny called after Gaby as she ran down the stairs and headed for the door.

“Ok … bye Mum!” Gaby called back. She knew she was a bit behind schedule, but felt if she moved quickly, Drew would make it to the bus stop on time. As it was, she made it there just as the bus was pulling up to the stop and the kids queued up to get on.

Maddy was the first to question Drew why ‘he' was late. As she couldn't say the real reason, she made up one and then Gaby decided to change the subject and asked Ally about her arm. Mad promptly tried to change the topic of conversation back to the task at hand – shopping! The remaining time on the bus was spent with everyone catching up on the previous day's events.

“What about you, Gaby?” Asked Ally when Gaby didn't join the others in telling what they did yesterday

“We're getting off soon … I'll tell you on the next bus.” Gabs replied. She thought it ironic, all the effort she put into having Drew appear and when Ally correctly calls her Gaby, no one even takes notice.

Once they changed buses, Em resumed the questioning and Gaby proceeded to give them an abridged and edited version of visiting Caro and the morning ride with her Mum. It also occurred to Gaby that Maddy had been unusually quiet on the ride over as if something was bothering her.

Standing at the mall entrance, Gaby checked her watch – yep, it was a girl's watch and noted the time she had available before she had to leave. She figured about two hours.

It was in the main concourse, crowded with shoppers and students enjoying the half-term break that Gaby and the others suddenly realised both Ally and Maddy were very uncomfortable. Only when Ally jumped at a loud ‘bang' did things register and memories of the shooting in Washington came flooding back.

Maybe it was because Gaby was running on adrenalin the day of the shooting that she hadn't really noticed what effect it'd had on Maddy until they heard the noise. Maddy was pale and shaking; after all she did witness the shooting.

They all decided to head for a quiet lunch and let Ally and Maddy calm down a bit. A couple of

I-told-you-so's were directed at Maddy for thinking that Ally was ready to handle this. In the end, they decided to abandon their shopping plans and head back home, even if it meant taking the slow bus back.

“You're back early. I didn't expect you for some time yet,” a surprised Jenny commented.

“Yeah, well … it was too early for Ally … memories of her shooting were too fresh. I didn't realize how upset Maddy was by the shooting, either. She found it hard to stay in the mall as well,” Gaby explained.

“Pop upstairs and return my daughter … if you'll be so kind. Put on something nice!” Jenny called out as Gaby headed of the room for the stairs.

“I always do!” Gaby allowed as she hit the stairs.

“I know.” Jenny, smiling to herself, thoughtfully whispered into an empty room. When Gaby reappeared, Jenny was quite pleased with how Gaby looked.

“We have time before we need to be at Dr. Sanwari's office; care to stop in at Carol's?” Jenny casually asked.

“Um, not really Mum. Maddy doesn't know about ‘Gaby', remember? That's why Drew went out this morning.” Gaby replied.

“Who does know? I don't want to accidentally do anything to hurt you.” Jenny finally asked the question that had been on her mind since Gaby informed her about Drew going to Sheffield with the others.

“Lessee … us, Uncle John, Auntie Carol, Gran, Fr ... I mean Miss Cowlishaw, Mr. Pilling, Mr. Woods, Miss Bell, Caro and Ally,” Gaby counted off.

“Why not the rest of your friends?” Jen pressed.

“Like Jules told ya … now it's more like I'd be telling strangers. All things considered, I don't know how they'd treat it. ‘specially Maddy! For all I know, she'd blab it all over the school, just to see me squirm.” Gaby complained.

“I take it you've no plans to let your school mates in on this, either,” Jenny observed.

Gaby admitted she never really gave it much thought other than what Jules already mentioned. If they were going to move after a short time, she didn't think it would be to her advantage to let everyone know. Jen pointed out that only left two options. Either they fabricated a story to explain Gaby's appearance in class or Drew continued at school until such time as they moved.

“At most, it's only one term. Think you can be Drew for school and Gaby the rest of the time? It really wouldn't be any different from before, except this time it would be Gaby pretending to be Drew,” Jenny put the question to her daughter.

“Guess so,” Gaby quietly answered although she didn't want to continue the double life.

“Come on, dear … grab your bag and coat. We should get a move on or we'll be late for our appointment,” Jenny urged.

Gaby observed one of life's mysteries first hand. The ease that one finds a parking space is inversely proportional to the urgency to find one! After what seemed like a prolonged struggle and a few muttered words, Jenny finally found a space within reasonable distance to the doctor's office.

Upon exiting the lift, Jenny and Gaby soon made their way to the reception desk.

“May I help you, m'am?” asked the young lady at the desk.

“Jenny and Gaby Bond to see Dr. Sanwari. We have a 4:30 appointment,” Jenny replied.

“I'll let him know you're here. You can hang your coats in the closet and take a seat. The Nursing Sister should call you, shortly,” the receptionist told Jenny.

After a short wait they were called and shown to the doctor's office.

Hello Jenny … Drew? Or do I call you by another name?” Dr. Sanwari greeted his patients although he wasn't concerned about Jenny today.

“Gaby, will do Dr. Sanwari,” Gaby allowed.

Dr. Sanwari explained there were two reasons he asked them to come in. One was to discuss getting Gaby's birth certificate changed and because it involved a change to the birth gender, he would have to make the request for change to the Registrar General's Office, himself. He was confident he had all the supporting documentation the RGO would require for such a change.

He also needed their authorization to proceed and as well Gaby's full name for her new birth certificate. He planned to phone the RGO not only to confirm his Monday afternoon appointment but also to verify that Gaby and one or both of her parents were required, as a name change was also being requested and signatures would be required.

The second reason he asked them in was to discuss ‘corrective' surgery'. He explained, unlike in the case of a transsexual and SRS, Gaby could have ‘corrective' surgery at any time and considering that she was still going through puberty, it would make sense that it be done soon.

When she mentioned they would be moving to Germany in the foreseeable future, everyone agreed that getting it done under the NHS before they left the country would be prudent.

He examined Gaby, explained both the surgery and post surgical treatment and then told Jenny to think about it. She looked at Gaby then told the doctor she would let him know their decision in a couple of days.

Back home they told Dave of their meeting with Dr. Sanwari. Gaby surprised her parents by being quite enthusiastic about getting the surgery done.

In turn Dave informed them that he contacted George and told him that he accepted the job offer. Dave also mentioned the while not handing Frank his notice, he did let Frank know of the impending move.

At George's request, Dave arranged with Frank to get a couple of days off next week. He planned to meet with George and work out all the details. It was arranged that Dave would use Jenny's apartment while he was there. At the same time, Dave assured Gaby he'd be home for her birthday!

“Any idea of when we might move Daddy?” Jules asked as she walked in on the last of the conversation.

“By the time I give proper notice to Frank and then work my notice … (sigh) … probably a few weeks yet … around Easter possibly,” Dave replied, turning to look at Jules.

Later that evening, Gaby was on the phone.

“Hi, Mad. Want to get together tonight and spend some time on this photo journal we're supposed to come up with? I've already got my photos burned onto CD or at least, the better ones.” Gaby asked Maddy. If she agreed, Gaby knew that it was Drew that would be going over to Chez Peters.

“Ok, I just have to help with the washing-up then I'll be right over … later, bye.” As Gaby put down the phone, Jenny gave her ‘a look'. She pointed out the washing-up was done a while ago.

“Maddy doesn't know that. Hey! It was all I could think of to buy me some additional time. Drew has to get ready.” Gaby explained to her mum. Jenny told her that she'd drive Gaby over and have a bit of a visit with Carol, herself.

About a half an hour later, Drew was with Maddy at her computer, both kids busily sorting out the many photos they had accumulated in the States. Maddy had quite a bit more to sort through than Drew had when she burned the CD, but they both narrowed them down to a manageable lot.

However it became apparent they had a problem they'd have to consult with Fran on. It seems while the photos showed all the kids, Drew and Rhod were noticeably absent in any and all the photos even though as far as the rest of the school was concerned, they were on the trip. Plenty of photos showing Gaby and Em, though! To be truthful, ‘Rhod' did show up on three or four taken on the return flight.

The pair soon concluded that Miss Cowlishaw would have to give this some deep thought.

“Waddya mean you haven't thought about a party? You gotta have a party.” Mad insisted.

“I guess … I'll ask Mum later and see what she says.” Drew said rather unenthusiastically

as they saved their work and went into the lounge to join Jenny and Carol.

“You two finished already?” Carol asked as the two joined their mum's in the kitchen.

“We have to ask Miss Cowlishaw about something on Monday.” Maddy confirmed.

“Mum?”

“What do you want, Kiddo?”

“You think I can have a small party for my birthday … just the gang and maybe a couple of others?”

After explaining she didn't think she was up to the chaos of a party, both Jenny and Carol saw the disappointment in Gaby's eyes. Carol then offered to hold the party at their place but placed a limit on the number of invited guests. Following a bit more talk, the party became a dinner party with Gaby's request for one of Carol's spag bols. After another tea, Jenny and ‘Drew' said their goodnights.

“Maddy seemed ok tonight.” Jenny intoned as they got into the car.

“She's got her moments. If you noticed, she was rather ‘distant' tonight.”

“Explain.”

“Well, before the trip, we were close, like boyfriend/girlfriend … even when I was Gaby ... come to think of it, especially when I was Gaby! Now when she's nice an' it's Drew, we're … ‘just cousins'. An' she hates Gaby for some reason.” Gab's voice faded with obvious disappointment and heartbreak.

“And when she's nice?

“Like Jeckel n' Hyde!” Gaby grinned at the comparison.

“Oh….”

“Mum? … You're a girl, right?”

“Uh huh” Jenny tried hard not to impulsively answer with some smart remark. She knew only too well how serious Gaby was.

“I don't understand Mad … why would she hate Gaby? … I've done nothing to her,” Gaby lamented.

Jenny heard the anguish in her daughter's voice only too clearly. “Let's continue this in the house, ok?” she suggested as they pulled into their close, up behind the van.

Once inside, Jenny took Gaby into the kitchen and sat her at the table. Armed with two teas, Jenny joined her daughter.

“Men like saying women are complex, emotional creatures … true enough … sometimes we don't even know ourselves, let alone understand why another woman reacts or thinks as she does,” Jen resumed their discussion.

“It might be possible she's jealous of you and feels threatened when she's in your company.”

“Why? She didn't before we went to the States. She was always finding ways to be close to Gaby, kissing Gaby an' things…” Gaby ventured.

“An' things??” Jenny asked.

Not wanting to treat Gaby's question lightly or get off track, Jenny continued, “I'm no psychologist so don't hold this as gospel but you hinted Maddy showed you more affection when you were Gaby, before you went on your trip, right?”

“Yeah.” Gaby was wondering where her mum was talking this.

“Ok, hear me out … Jules told us that for-whatever reason, prejudice or peer pressure, the kids in Grottoes made you a social outcast because they saw you as a lesbian, so it stands to reason that your life-style was thought of by some as ‘just wrong'. Maddy and the others just spent six-weeks living with the rather foreign idea that the feelings you and Maddy felt were wrong but since no one realised Maddy had feelings for you, the American kids didn't give her the same treatment as they did you ...you see where I'm going with this?”

Since Jenny saw a puzzled look from Gaby, she continued.

“I'm suggesting over a period of time that idea was accepted … or partially accepted, by your friends and they began treating you as their American friends did. Now that your friends are away from the influence of the American kids, the idea will fade away in time as the values they grew up with, return … look at Ally.”

“Maddy is another problem. You've told me that with Drew, she doesn't behave too differently than she did before the trip, right?” Gaby nodded.

“Poor girl must be having a real fight within herself. On one hand, she's been told and now may even sub-consciously believe it's wrong for two girls to feel about each other as you two obviously did. On the other hand, she may still have very strong feelings for Gaby.” Jenny carefully explained her theory.

“You're both young. Give her as much time as she needs … but she's the only one who can resolve this conflict and you'll just have to accept the outcome, no matter how painful it is to you.” Jenny saw Gaby's eyes were tearing up at the suggestion Maddy might leave her.

“Your love for Maddy …That's one part of Drew that's not going to disappear, is it?” Jen lovingly whispered as Gaby embraced her mum.

Jenny stroked her daughter's hair as Gaby openly cried on her mum's shoulder. Not having napped, Jenny was becoming tired and would've loved to lie down but she easily decided it was far more important to hold Gaby for as long as it took for her to cry herself out.

Very much later, Jenny turned out the lights as she escorted her red-eyed daughter up to her own bed. Immersed in a feeling of deja vous, Jenny felt at peace as she helped Gaby get ready for bed before crawling off to join Dave in their bed.

The following morning at breakfast, Dave informed the kids that he was coming home from work early and as he was leaving for Germany early Monday morning, the family was spending the weekend at Gran's since it would be the last time the entire family was together for a while. They would be leaving not long after he got home.

“Pack your cycling kit, honey,” Jenny called out to Gaby as she walked past her bedroom door.

“Taking yours Mum?”

“Naturally”

“Kewl!” Gaby exclaimed as she reached into her closet for her Apollinaris skins.

Jenny also reminded both girls to pack something nice – since they were planning to have at least one nice dinner out.

The rest of the day started normal. Jules went off with Charlie and Anna and Drew spent time hanging out with the other's at Mfanwy's, challenging each other to PS2 games. Even with one good arm and the other one supported, Ally was still unbeatable on the F1 circuit!

Whenever Gaby wasn't involved in the games or idle conversation with one of the gang, she was in deep thought trying to sort out just how the gang had changed. Every time Drew looked at Em, she wondered how Rhod could possibly attend school on Monday. He clearly wasn't in the room with the other kids.

When it came to Maddy, Drew had to try really hard not to take her aside and talk to her. Ally even quietly told Gaby the same thing her mum did; to give Maddy time and she'll come around. Gaby wondered if others could see it why couldn't Maddy?

By mid-afternoon Gaby couldn't take it any more and using her upcoming weekend visit to her Gran's as an excuse, Drew finally made her good-byes and walked back home. By the time she arrived, Dave had transferred the rooftop bike carriers from the van to the car and was in the process of securing the bikes into their cradles.

“Hi, Princess … I assumed since your Mum's taking her bike, you are as well ... right?” Dave greeted Gaby as she walked up to the Saab.

“Uh huh … When we going?” Gaby asked as she was taking the elastic out of her hair.

“I figure I'll give your mum about another half hour then we'll have something light for tea and then get on the road,” Dave explained. “I wouldn't put it past Gran to have something a bit more substantial waiting for us when we get there.”

Dave kept things on a reasonable schedule, rousting Jenny, making tea, getting everyone organized, and the car packed. He noted that they got away at just about the planned time.

During the trip, Jules worked her CD player and Jenny, sitting in the back beside her, slept. Occasionally, Dave and Gaby talked, but mostly they did the trip pre-occupied in their own thoughts. A lot had happened to the family in recent weeks and to Gaby in particular. Taking advantage of the long trip, Gaby replayed events leading up to the current situation in her mind. She especially tried to think of how Maddy had changed and how that might apply to what her mother suggested.

“Princess...” Dave started to say something, glancing at his daughter only to find she had succumbed to sleep as well. “Never mind.”

As they pulled into Gran's, she was waiting at the door and like Dave suggested, Gran had a stew, complete with dumplings, waiting for them. Table conversation centred on the trip to Virginia, with Jules and Gaby doing most of the talking. Considering the buoyant mood that everyone was in, both girls kept to the edited version of the trip. After they helped with the washing-up despite Gran's objections, both girls acknowledged a lack of sleep and said their ‘good-nights' to the ‘olds.

“It'll be an early morning, honey. I want to get in a ride before we go to Wrexham,” Jenny reminded Gaby.

When the kids went upstairs, Josy gave them a chance to fall asleep then turned to Jenny and told her she had the feeling that something was deliberately not mentioned by the kids.

“Seems like those two had a lot of fun in America. Shame I didn't get the whole story … did I? Too much eye contact between those two, like they were checking with each other. Is there something I should know?” Josy questioned her daughter.

Jenny and Dave looked at each other in silence, for a minute or two. After a brief telepathic exchange, the kind only a close couple can achieve, Dave broke the silence.

“I guess they didn't want to put a damper on the night but you're right, there is a lot more to it.” Dave's voice was quiet, yet serious.

Together, they gave Jenny's mum a summary of the talk Jules had given them, holding nothing back. When they concluded, Josy sat in silence for a few minutes, then with moist eyes staring off at nothing in particular, she managed to whisper, “Thank you for telling me.”

After a while, they turned in as well, or at least Dave and Josy did. Jenny had gone to bed shortly after they finished telling Gran the full story of the trip. Jenny also brought her mum up to speed with Gaby as far as Dr. Sanwari was concerned.

Next morning, Jenny kept her promise of an early awakening for Gaby. Their early morning ride to Nantwich started in the early low-lying mist that was a feature of the area. They rode on decent roads towards Audlem but turned towards Whitechurch before Jenny decided she'd use her intimate knowledge of the area to lead Gaby down some very narrow lanes to Ightfield.

“I thought we were going to Whitechurch, Mum?” Gaby asked as she pulled opposite her mum.

“Short cut,” Jenny offered. Gaby was glad to see her mum was finally enjoying herself. Jenny had a grin plastered on her face that would make the Cheshire cat envious!

Rounding Wrenbury and with a few miles back to Gran's, Jenny decided to see what she had and upped the pace with a sprint to Ravensmoor. Jen wasn't up to her old form with Gaby edging her out, but it was a very satisfied Jenny that rode up to Gran's door.

The drive to Wrexham was predictable, complete with a detour to Beeston Castle. Strangely, Jules didn't offer too much by way of a protest. Dave was already taking mental stock of the German castles that would soon become available to him.

The shopping excursion into Wrexham was uneventful but a nice change of pace. That evening Gran treated them to a proper dinner at one of the better eateries in Nantwich to celebrate Dave's job and Gaby's birthday.

Sunday's rain cancelled a repeat ride for Gaby and Jen so the family settled for an improvised trip to Hurleston Locks on the Shropshire Canal, followed by a big lunch back at Josy's and a quiet afternoon in front of the telly.

Before going home, Gran presented Gaby with an envelope for her birthday - then cornered Jules in her room, as she was packing.

“I felt there was something you and your sister weren't telling me the other night, so after you two turned in I had your mum and dad tell me. I'm so proud of you Julliet!” Gran's voice was quiet and by the time she finished, she was on the verge of tears as she gathered Jules in a long hug.

“Gabs needed me …I had to do something,” Jules whispered into her grandmother's ear as she returned the embrace.

As Dave and the family left to return to Warsop, they were looking to the next day with mixed feelings. It was another quiet ride with each of them wrapped up in their own thoughts of the coming day.

(to be continued)

PB 18.02.07 © 2007
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