Jenny gaped at me as I got onto the bus on Monday morning. I was a new Sandi today. I was wearing a skirt for the first time. I also did not need breast forms anymore, as my own breasts were evident with no help at all. Indeed, I filled a B cup bra with no padding. I was wearing make up, and even earrings. My father had given me a huge selection of jewellery and I had to suspect that some of it was still hot.

I sat down next to her, and she still gaped.

"What?" I asked. "You are...."

"Yes?"

"But your dad?"

"I told him yesterday, and he didn't kill me."

"So?"

"He's cool," I said, and grinned.

I told her all about it, and when we arrived at school my appearance caused quite a stir. I smiled and managed to ignore it all. Dave saw me, and came over to me at lunch. He stared, and smiled.

"Hi babe. You look hot," he said. A silence seemed to spread to everyone around us, as others strained to overhear what was said.

"Hi," I said, and slowly and deliberately he bent over and kissed me.

There was a moment's stunned silence in the cafeteria. I smiled at him.

"Thanks," I said, very quietly. Words just could not describe my feelings at that moment. His single act meant so much. I was instantly verified in front of everyone.

"No problem," he said, and smiling, walked off.

I never looked back. The meeting was held, and my father was at his most charming to everyone, and gave his consent, even though at seventeen I would not need it. It was decided that I was to wear female attire from this day on, and under the Equal Opportunities Act, records at the school would be altered to show me as female.

I went into hospital on a Friday evening, and on the Saturday morning I had my useless testicles removed, and the doctor told me that it was just in time. A growth was on one of them, and although benign, she suspected that it could have turned malignant quickly. I had my meeting with the psychiatrist, and I was dressed as a girl. He agreed that SRS was the only valid option, and I met the consultant, Mr Rogersen.

He was charm personified, and he explained everything he would do, and why. It was actually far more involved as I had naively believed, and would put me in hospital for nearly a week, and with several weeks' recovery thereafter. But he told me that I had youth on my side, and I should heal quickly. He had done the same procedure on people in their sixties, and then it was a major operation.

A date was set for the end of July. Only four months away. Dad asked me to pop into Woolworths and get some passport style photos done of me as a girl. I knew enough not to ask any questions, and simply did as I was asked.

The Easter Holidays arrived, and I spent a lot of the time working at the hotel. So much so, that I would often get up in my waitress outfit. Dad accepted me now, and we talked more now than at any other time. I enjoyed keeping house for him, and even my culinary expertise moved up to the 'edible' stage. He used to tease me and call me his 'kept woman' or his 'hand maiden'. I actually liked it, as he had come to terms with me far better than I had ever hoped. One day, Dad had gone out, and I was at home changing the beds, one of my many chores about the house.

I was wearing my waitress skirt and top, as I was due at the hotel in an hour, and I head voices in the hall. I went out on the landing, and saw three strange men standing there. One saw me, and he pointed and the other two came running up the stairs. I retreated into my Dad's room and tried shutting the door, but it was forced open, and I was grabbed. They dragged me, kicking and screaming down stairs and held in front of the first man.

"Shut up you silly tart! Where is he?" he asked. He had an East End accent.

"Who?"

"Johnny Lake."

"I don't know. Mr Lake left earlier today, I think."

The other men were going through all the rooms.

"Where is the boy?"

"What boy?"

"His son, Alexander?"

I shrugged.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"Sandi. I work at the hotel up the road as a waitress and a maid. I get paid extra to come here and I make the beds and stuff."

"Fuck!"

"No one else is here, Bruce," said one of the men.

"You related?"

"To whom?" I asked, and he laughed.

"Not to fucking Johnny, speaking like that. When are they due back?"

I shrugged.

"I don't know."

"Well, listen close darling, we are going to wait here for them, so you keep quiet and you won't get hurt. Okay?"

"I am due to be back at work at the hotel. If I don't go, they will come looking and may even call the police," I said.

"Bollocks!" said one of the men.

The man called Bruce looked at his watch.

"All right, you go. But if you call the police, or tell anyone about us, I will find you and I will cut your fucking throat. Get me?" Bruce said.

My hand went to my neck, involuntarily.

"I get you."

"Finish up, and get the fuck out, this is private business, and so just stay quiet and no one will ever know."

I ran up stairs, and grabbed my case, and as many clothes as I could. I heaved my case out of my window, and heard it land in the flowerbed outside. I stuffed all my makeup and stuff into a small bag and grabbed my shoebox with all my money in it. I then ran from the house, and leaped onto my moped, and disappeared round the bend. I stopped, and parked up. I walked back, and crept round the side of the house, and collected my case. All the stuff left in my room was Alexander's, so my complete female side was now in my hands! I managed to lug the case to my moped, and rode precariously up the road to the hotel. I ran in and found Jenny. I told her what had happened, and she was really worried.

I tried calling my father on his mobile, and left a message. I contemplated telling the police, but knew that if it went wrong, then the men would come to the hotel. I didn't want to cause them any trouble. Jenny ensconced me in her room, as she had two beds in there. We worked the dinner as usual, and towards the end of the meal, I saw the man called Bruce look in the dining room. He saw me, and waved me over.

"Just checking," he said, very quietly and menacingly.

"What do you want?" I asked, afraid now.

"You were a good girl. Now, keep sensible, and you will do fine. You could have called the cops, and you didn't, that shows you are not stupid. Now, I want you to pass a message to Johnny."

"What message?"

"Tell him that we have his son, and if he wants to see the little fucker again, then he pays us what he owes. Got that?"

"You have Alex?" I asked, surprised to say the least.

"Not yet, but we will. Just pass the message, okay?"

"What name?"

"He'll know, and no cops, or this nice hotel might burn down."

He was gone.

"Shit!" I said, and Jenny came over.

"Who was that?"

"One of the men."

"What did he want?"

I told her, and she laughed.

"They never guessed."

"So, they are still very nasty people," I said.

I went and tried Dad again. To my relief he answered. So I told him everything, and he went very quiet.

"Dad?"

"You did fine, just stay put, and don't say anything to anyone. I am sorry that this happened, I never meant for you to get caught up in any of this," he said, and put the phone down. I was at my wits end, as I hadn't a clue what was going on. Jenny told her parents that I was having some trouble at home, and I needed somewhere to stay for a while. Gratefully, I accepted their hospitality.

The next day, I had an appointment with Dr Shepherd, so I rode off on my moped. She was surprised to see me as nervous as I was. I tried to explain that it was a family problem, and not related to my condition. She told me she was upping my doses of oestrogen, and as there was little testosterone in my system, I could expect certain side effects.

"Like what?"

"Mood swings, lethargy, tiredness, aching joints, possible nausea and heightened sensitivity to the breasts."

"Great," I said, and she laughed.

She had me strip off and examined me.

"How are you down there?" she asked, indicating my groin.

"Fine, or it will be when the rest has gone," I said, and she smiled.

She gently probed my breasts.

"These are quite firm. How tender are they?"

"A little sore when prodded, but not too bad."

"You are quite big already, you can expect a little more growth, and I don't know if you will need implants."

"Oh, how come?"

"I think your self-administered hormones helped, you never had a chance to start developing as a man."

"Oh!"

"Your figure is almost perfect. You are so lucky to be young enough to start."

"Tell me about it."

She smiled.

"How is your father about it all?"

I shrugged.

"Not exactly thrilled, but he accepts me, at least."

"So many don't. You are very fortunate."

"Hmm," I said. I would swap my dad for an honest one any day.

She looked at my head, chin and throat.

"What are you looking for?"

"Sometimes, the male characteristics lie in the jaw, nose and throat. But once again, you have managed to prevent secondary male characteristics, and have no Adam's apple, or a firm male jaw line. In fact you are remarkably feminine and a very pretty girl."

I smiled, and she told me to get dressed.

She gave me an implant in my thigh. It would slowly release female hormones over a six-month period, and then I could replace it. I was resigned to the fact that I would be taking hormones for the rest of my life. I was leaving the surgery when Dad's Jaguar pulled into the car park. He opened the passenger door from the inside.

"Get in!"

I got in.

He drove fast out and down the road. Pulling into a car park in an industrial estate.

He looked at me.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded.

"What's happening, Dad?"

"You don't need to know. I am in the shit, and I am going to have a fucking job to get out of this one. So listen! The house is in your name. That is as Alexandra Lake. The solicitor has all the details. Here is a passport and birth certificate as Sandi Hemmings, the birth certificate is a bloody good forgery. It is a complete replica of a real one, even down to the serial numbers. Only the gender and names are different, so forget Alexander Dean Lake ever existed. But the passport is the real thing, it was applied for quite legitimately. Use them for everything, until you know that you are safe. There is a card with all the details of the solicitor. Okay?

Change the name on the registration document of your moped, to Sandi Hemmings, that way no one will trace it to the Lake family. Don't forget the insurance as well. You will need to apply for a drivers licence in both names, so you don't drop yourself in the shit with the Old Bill.

I have put a lump sum in a safe deposit box in a bank in New York. The account is in your name, as Sandi Lake that is, and here is the key, and the account details. Don't for fuck sakes lose it. In my bedroom floor is a safe. Everything in it is yours, if you don't see me again. The combination is your birthday. Don't go back to the house for a while, and I mean it. It is not safe, they will be watching for anyone to go there."

He stared at me for a few seconds, and then reached out and took my hand. My mind was in a complete whirl, how the hell could I remember all this?

"Look, it is too fucking late now, but I am really sorry the way things have worked out. You are a beautiful girl, and I would have loved to have seen how things pan out from here. You never know I may, but I think this might well be goodbye."

"Dad?"

"I'm so sorry. I'm a shit. I should have quit, but I didn't, but I want you to know that I do love you, and I have done everything I can to ensure you at least have a better chance than most."

"Stuff your money, I'd rather have you," I said.

He looked at me, and tears came to his eyes. He held me for a moment.

"Sandi, you're just like your mum. You're too nice for me too. Just keep being nice, find a good man, and live your life to the full. I am so proud of you. Look, I've written everything down, it's all here in this envelope. Just remember that I love you."

I just sat and wept.

He drove me back to the surgery, and kissed me goodbye. I watched him drive away, knowing that I would probably never see him alive again.

I managed to get back to the hotel in a daze, and told Jenny what had happened. I was pretty useless for the rest of the day. She told her father, and he came and sat with me for a while. I was so frightened of getting his hotel damaged I was almost beside myself.

John was brilliant, and we kept things very quiet. The holidays ended, and we went back to school. I changed ownership of the moped to myself as Sandi Hemmings, and applied for a drivers licence in the same name, giving the hotel as my address. I even applied for insurance and so I was illegally legal. I would wait until I was legally allowed to be Alexandra Lake before I applied for anything in that name.

It was horrible waiting for a reply, as I convinced myself that they would find me out, and arrest me. But both documents were returned, and I felt a lot better. Life was almost getting back to normal, when a big black Ford pulled up at the bus stop as I waited for a bus with Jenny.

It was Bruce.

"Get in."

"Fuck off!" I said.

He sensed that it was not the best place to try to snatch a girl, so he got out and stood next to me.

"Go for a walk darling," he said to Jenny.

She looked at me, and I nodded.

"That wasn't helpful," he said, when Jenny was out of earshot.

"Leave me alone."

"What's your name?"

"I told you, Sandi."

"Sandi what?"

"Hemmings."

He nodded, but I could tell he was unsure of me.

"Got any ID?"

I took out my drivers licence and showed him. He read it, and looked closely at it.

"So Sandi, where do you live?"

"At the hotel, with my cousin Jenny. It is as on my licence."

He nodded again.

"Where are your parents?"

"They died in the States in a car crash a few years ago. I have stayed with my grandparents for a while, then they were too ill, so I am with my aunt and uncle at the hotel."

"Have you seen Alexander?" he asked, changing the subject abruptly.

"He hasn't been back this term," I said.

"Interesting that."

"You said you had him."

"We might at that."

"So why ask me?"

"Have you told his old man?"

"I haven't seen him."

"No?"

"No!"

"Hey Sandi, are you okay, love?" came a familiar voice. It was Dave, he was standing by his car.

"Tell him you are fine," Bruce snarled.

"I'm fine."

"Can I come round tonight?"

"Sure."

"See you."

"Bye."

He drove off.

"Who's that?"

"My boyfriend."

"Hmm. Nice looking boy, I'm sure you are a lovely couple. Alright, Sandi. I want you to do something for me."

"What?" I asked, somewhat belligerently.

He laughed.

"You are a sparky girl. I need you to go to Johnnie's house. You have a key, I assume?"

I nodded.

"They keep it at the hotel," I said.

"Good, I need you to go in and bring me some pictures of the boy."

"Who, Alex?"

"Yeah."

"I thought you had him?"

"Lets say the little fucker is more illusive than we had anticipated."

"Oh. Why can't you get it yourself?"

"Well, you can never tell how Johnny boy will react, he has been known to take such things seriously."

"If I do this, will you leave me alone?"

"Maybe," he said, and then sighed. "Look, this isn't your business, and you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. So, do this, and we will leave you alone. Okay?"

I nodded. I didn't believe him and I certainly didn't trust him, but I went with him to his car, and Jenny looked very worried.

"I'll see you at the hotel in a while," I shouted.

"Sure?"

I nodded.

"Good girl, you are bright enough, aren't you?"

"She gets worried, she would call the police."

I was in the back, next to Bruce, and the other two men were in the car as well. Not a word was spoken all the way there.

They parked a little way up the road. I walked down and opened the front door. There were some letters on the floor. None for me. So I put them on the hall table. The alarm was set, so I turned it off, and walked to dad's bedroom. I knew there was a picture of me taken last year, when I had slightly shorter hair. I looked at it, and knew immediately that they would see it was me. My heart sank.

I heard a noise, and I went to the window. One of the men was walking round the back of the house. I could see Bruce standing up the road, and the car was behind him, the man behind the wheel was smoking. Suddenly, there was the most almighty explosion, and the car was literally blown to small pieces.

Bruce was knocked over in the blast, and the other man was running towards the scene as fast as he could. I watched, amazed, as the man started to help Bruce to his feet, and a big truck came round the bend in the road, and took them both out against the centre of the front grill. They were cast to right and left like discarded rag dolls, the front wheel grinding Bruce into the tarmac.

I stared in horror for a second, as I had recognised my father's face, pale behind the steering wheel of the truck. The brakes came on, and one of the figures stirred on the road. I saw the white reversing lamps come on, and slowly the truck returned, reversing over the injured man.

I felt sick.

I dashed to the loo and puked up into the toilet. When I came back, the truck was gone, and the men were motionless on the road. I hurriedly reset the alarm, and locked the house up, and literally ran all the way to the hotel. I arrived, breathless; to find Jenny very worried about me. We ran to her room, where I told her what had happened.

"Shit, want do we do now?" she asked.

I shrugged, this could be habit forming.

"Let's take one step at a time. Did anyone know I went home?"

"No."

"Did you tell anyone I went in the Ford?"

"No."

"Then I came back shortly after you."

"What if the police come looking for you?"

"Then that is my problem, you know nothing."

Dave appeared later, and asked about the strange man he had seen me with. I told him that it was someone who knew my Dad, and he wanted some papers. He dropped it, but I could tell he wasn't sure. I don't think I was very good company and he left quite early.

Needless to say, it was a day later when a tired looking Police Officer attended the hotel. He had made enquiries as to who lived at the house, and eventually someone said that they might know something about it at the hotel. It was inevitable, but I had to speak to him.

"Hello, Miss. Do you know who lives at the house called Seaview?"

"I do."

"You do?" his voice registering surprise.

"I live there with my father. But he is away on business at the moment, so I am staying here with my friend."

"When were you last at your house?"

"To stay, about a week ago. But I had to pick up some clothes and mail and stuff since."

"What is your name?"

"Sandi Lake."

"And your father is?"

"Jonathon Lake. Why, has something happened?"

"Were you at the house today?"

"I dropped in after school, to check the mail."

"What time?"

"I don't know, after four sometime, it would be on the alarm record, as I had to switch it off and on again. I was only there a few minutes."

"Did you notice anything happen on the road?"

"As I was walking back here, a lorry was driving rather fast past me. I heard some big noise from behind me. Was there an accident?"

"Did you not think of going to have a look?"

"I was halfway up the hill, and it was a long walk to get that far, so I figured that by the time I took fifteen minutes to run back, I would probably get in the way." I looked down. "Besides, I'm not that good with blood."

"What did the truck look like?"

"It was a white one, an artic."

"You didn't see the driver, by any chance?"

"No, it was past me too quick."

"So it wasn't your father driving?"

"My father? Why should it have been, he doesn't drive trucks?"

"Was there any mail?"

"Not for me."

"When did you last see your father?"

"A fortnight ago."

"Where is he?"

"I don't know for sure, he moves about quite a bit, on business. Are you saying you think he is involved in this?"

"Look, Miss Lake, I don't know, but it is a possibility. Is he in the UK?"

I shrugged.

"Have you a contact number for him, a mobile or anything like that?"

"I have his mobile number," I said, and dug out my phone. I tried calling, and a voice said it was switched off.

"It's switched off."

He took the number, and wrote it down.

"Could you come back with me to your house?"

"If I must. Why?"

"It will help if I can pin down the time of the incident."

"What happened?"

"I am not sure, a car exploded, and two men were found dead on the road. A full investigation is underway, and it appears to be more than a simple accident."

"So, two men died?" "Two on the road, one was in the car."

"Shit, how awful! Who were they?"

"No details have been released as yet!"

"And you think my dad did it?"

"I don't know who did it, that is what I am trying to find out."

I got into the police car with him, and Jenny looked out of the window, looking even more worried than before.

"Can my friend come too?"

"If you want."

I waved for her, and she ran and jumped into the back of the car. "What's up?" she said.

"Some men were killed on the road near my house, and as I was home to check my mail this afternoon, I may have seen something." I said.

"Oh," she said, still worried.

We arrived and I opened the door, and turned off the alarm. I showed him the alarm record, and that I had turned it off at 1638, and back on at 1645.

"I was probably a good ten minutes up the road, at least, so the accident or whatever must have been nearly five o'clock. Were there no witnesses?"

"A van driver found it at five past five. The car was still burning."

"I heard a sort or 'whump', could that have been the car?"

"Possibly," said the policeman, noting the times on the alarm box.

"Can I just go and get some stuff from up stairs?"

"It's your home love, do what you like?"

I went to dad's bedroom, and lifted the carpet in one corner. I never knew there was a safe in the floor. I punched my date of birth into the pad, and the door opened upwards automatically. There was a lot of stuff inside. I simply emptied everything into a small suitcase, and shut the safe again. I replaced the carpet, and made sure it was smooth. I then returned to the ground floor.

"Just some more clothes," I said, and he smiled.

He gave us a lift back to the hotel, and left us alone.

Jenny and I returned to our room, and I opened the case. There was over £500,000 in £50 notes, and $1,000,000 in $100 bills. There were bonds and securities, and deeds to various properties all over the world. There was an apartment in New York, a house in Florida, a flat in Paris and a villa in Portugal. All in my name, Alexandra Lake.

"Shit, Sandi!"

"Shit yourself, Jen."

"You are bloody loaded."

"Not a lot I can do with it at the moment, though, is there?"

"I suppose. What can you do, bank it?"

"Oh yeah, excuse me, can I deposit half a million quid in your bank, oh and by the way, I am a school girl undergoing gender reorientation surgery."

Jenny laughed.

"S'not funny Jen, I'm stuffed!"

We sat and looked at the pile on the bed. I examined the bonds.

"What are these worth?" I asked.

She shrugged, I smiled, at least I didn't have the monopoly on shrugging.

"Do they have safe deposit boxes in banks?" I asked.

"I suppose so."

"Then I will put it all in a bank."

"Don't you have to be seventeen to do that?"

"I'm seventeen tomorrow," I said.

"What, you will take it to school with you?"

"Why not? First two periods are study periods, I'll just pop to the bank."

"How do you know which one has boxes?"

"Oh."

"I'll ask Dad, he'll know," she said, and ran out of the room.

So, next morning, at nine thirty, with my suitcase, I attended the Nat West Bank, and asked if I could rent a safe deposit box. I had to show my passport and my drivers licence, and I also showed them my insurance details. They were all in the name of A. Hemmings.

I placed everything, minus £1000, into the box, and left the bank a lot happier. I returned to school, and was able to concentrate on my lessons for the rest of the day. It had been a rough few days, and I was tired when we caught the bus back to the hotel. I was a little upset, as I had hoped to see Dave, but he seemed to be avoiding me. I hoped he wasn't fed up with me already, and I sensed a mood swing beginning to bite. I was a little tearful, and Jenny tried to cheer me up. But I was feeling quite low.

We arrived at the hotel, and I just wanted to go and lie down for a while. I went to the room, and lay on my bed. I couldn't wait for my operation, as I was fed up with being neither one thing nor the other. I must have dozed off, for Jenny was shaking me.

"Hey, sleepyhead. Dave is here."

"Tell him to go away, I feel miserable," I said.

"Tell him yourself, you crabby cow," she said, and left me alone.

I felt immediately sorry and guilty. So I got up and ran after her.

"Jen, I am sorry. The doctor said the hormones would give me mood swings."

"That is no excuse to be a stroppy tart," she said, still cross with me.

"I know. I'm sorry. You are such a good mate, I don't deserve you!"

She relented and we had a hug.

"Come on, Dave wants to see you."

"I look a mess!" I said.

She smiled.

"You are no way a boy," she said, and I laughed, and went and re did my make up. I went downstairs, but no one was there. Frowning, I went into the bar. It was deserted, so I went into the dining room. It seemed empty, but as I walked out again, the door was closed, and a huge shout rang out!

"SURPRISE! Happy Birthday Sandi!"

I spun round to see about twenty of my class-mates and friends. I just sat down and burst into tears.

Dave came over and helped me up.

"Hey, are you okay?"

I nodded, and clung onto him. I then pulled myself together, and set about enjoying the first birthday party I had had since my mother died.

Jenny's dad came over to me. He handed me an envelope. I recognised my father's handwriting.

"It came for you this morning, but you had already left for school. Incidentally, you father gave me £1000 to go towards your keep. I don't need it."

"Keep it, he would be insulted if you refused it," I said, and opened my envelope.

There was a soppy card, to MY DAUGHTER, and he had scribbled 'Dad' in it. But there was a letter inside.

Sandi.

I'm not a great writer, but here goes. I told you I was sorry about everything, well, I really am. The men who came to the house work for a man in London Called Frankie Holland. Frankie was after a deal, that I managed to get, and thereby he lost a lot of dosh. I mean a lot, over £5,000,000. Frankie is not a man to cross, and those that do have a habit of snuffing it in lots of nasty ways. The bloke Bruce was his main man, and he will take it very personal now. They will try to get to me through you, so you may have to fuck off quick. Just be ready to go at a moment's notice, have a bag ready, and just run, don't look back. These people do not hesitate, and they can't be bargained with.

Sounds like the Terminator, don't it? Anyway, I am trying to fix things with Frankie, so they will leave you alone. They still think you are a boy, so don't change back now, whatever you do. (my poor attempt at a joke.) Hopefully, you will be a bit shrewd and get the stuff out of the house and into a safe deposit box. My guess is they will take the house out next. Good luck with the operation(s). If I get a chance, I will come and see you, but it may not be possible. If Frankie can be bought off, I might be lucky, but the chances are slim. Cross Frankie, and he crosses you out permanently.

There is one bloke I trust, and ironically he is a copper in London. His name is James Randall, and last I heard he was a Detective Inspector in Stoke Newington, but he may be somewhere else by now. I did a bit of work for him, information and the like, so he came to trust me. I have left a folder at Heathrow Airport left luggage in Terminal One. The key is on the page, go there, and take the folder to Jim Randall. Tell him it is from me. He will know what to do. There is enough dirt to bury Frankie Holland for a very long time. If you have cleared out my safe you will know that you are a very wealthy girl, so be wise and live long.

I love you, too little and too late, but know that I do.

PS All the stuff you inherit is clean. I promise.

I put the key into my purse, and folded the letter up. I wiped a tear away from my eye, and Dave came over to me.

"Hey what's up?"

"My Dad, he is in the shit," I said. "What kind of shit?"

"Smelly shit! He is a bit of a villain, and he has crossed the wrong man. You remember the man in the car, the other day?"

"Yes, what about him?"

"He works for a guy my old man crossed, he was looking for Dad, and they didn't realise that he is my Dad. They thought I was just a girl who works at the hotel, and goes in to make the beds and stuff."

"Oh!"

I smiled, as he really was stuck for words.

"It is okay, I haven't inherited his dishonest streak."

He smiled.

"You look great."

"I feel like shit," I admitted.

"Why?"

"I am pumped full of female hormones, so I imagine I am feeling like most women feel every month at that special time. I feel depressed, tired and just grotty. My Dad is running for his life, and I may attract some of the shit meant for him. I am not a healthy person to be around at the moment."

"Oh," he said, and I laughed again.

He handed me a small box, wrapped in gaudy paper.

"Happy birthday."

I opened it, and there was a small ring, with a single white diamond winking at me.

I hugged him, and gave him a kiss.

"Thanks Dave, it is lovely."

I slipped it on my right ring finger, and it sparkled at me.

"I'd like to get you one for your left ring finger, but that will have to wait," he said, and smiled. I felt the emotion well up, and the tears came again.

"See. Look what you made me do," I said, and he hugged me until I stopped crying.

I really enjoyed the party, and was almost overwhelmed with people's love and generosity. If it wasn't for a small piece of useless flesh in my knickers, I would have been really content. I sank into my bed, a little after midnight, a much changed person. The fact that people cared, even my father, had a profound effect on me. The fear and trepidation I felt against this Frankie Holland, changed to a degree of anger and outrage. How dare he try to ruin my life like this? Who the hell was he to dictate who lived and died? I had enough crap in my life without him and all he had to offer. I decided that I was not going to run any more. I was going on the offensive.

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