13.

The house was as I had left it. The cabbie came in and I made us all a cup of tea. He was over the moon at being invited in, and I am sure he would dine out on it for the rest of his life. I could see him now, boring the pants off his punters.

"I've had that model, Sandi Lake in my cab. She is a right darling, gave me a cup of tea and everything. She has a real nice house overlooking the sea down on the south coast. She is a nice one, she is."

But he was anxious to return to London, and Simon and I were soon alone. I felt shattered, as it had been a very long time without sleep, so I went and had a long bath, while Simon explored the house and garage.

He came into the bathroom as I was getting out.

"There are three cars in the garage!"

"I know. There is the Jag, the Mercedes sports and the Range Rover. My Dad liked cars, so he kept buying them." I noted I used the past tense for my father. It came quite naturally.

"So, they are yours now?"

"Yup, everything is. Dad is officially dead now, so it was all in my name anyway. I suppose I will have to find a solicitor, and have all kinds of shit with death duties."

I got dressed, the bath had made me feel much better and I was reluctant to go to bed, as I wanted to sleep at night. It was really nice to wear jeans and an old tee shirt for a change. I had been glamorous for the last month, even when off the catwalk.

We spent the morning going through Dad's stuff. For all his villainy, he was methodical, and had planned this well. I simply called the solicitor Steven Granger, and he took control of everything. The house was already in my name, but as the transfer occurred within seven years of his 'death' I had to pay some capital gains.

Most of his money was in cash, and invisible as far as the Inland Revenue were concerned, and for that I was grateful. Dad loathed taxes, and avoided paying them as much as he could. Steven simply organised everything, including probate, valuations and tax. As the sole beneficiary I was now very well off, but recognised that I needed organising.

Steven knew a financial adviser and set up a meeting, so that the three of us could make some order from the chaos. I felt quite overwhelmed, and was very grateful that Simon was with me. There was no food in the house, so once I had contacted the insurance company, and ensured that Simon was insured for all the cars, and me for the Mercedes only, we set off for the shops.

I had not been shopping properly for ages. Dad had been hopeless, so I had done most of the shopping. It had never been that hard, as I lived off precooked meals, as Dad was rarely at home. Now I felt strange and house-wifey, and wanted to try to cook for my man. But understanding my limitations, we were sensible. We still managed to collect a pile of produce from the shelves in Tesco. I really enjoyed just wandering up the aisles with Simon. He found it different to the States, and admitted to have never really been shopping before.

I couldn't see Natasha with a shopping trolley somehow.

We were looking at ice creams, a weakness we shared, when I heard a female shriek.

"Sandi?"

It was Caroline from school. She always managed to catch me when I least expected or wanted it.

"Hi Caroline."

She rushed over, and as her mother was obviously with her, she came too.

"My God, you look fabulous! When did you get back? We saw the news about your father, how terrible, but you have also been in all the fashion pages, you are so famous now. Are you going back to school?" she gushed, hardly drawing breath.

"I got back this morning, and Yes, I am going back to school. Hi, you must be Mrs Warren," I said, as her mother arrived, pushing her trolley.

"Mummy, this is Sandi, you know the girl from school who is the famous model they call Superbabe."

""Hello dear, oh yes, you lost your father in tragic circumstances, I am so sorry. It must be awful for you and your mother?"

"My mother died several years ago."

"Oh, I am so sorry, so are you alone?"

Simon chose that moment to return to me, carrying assorted ice creams.

"Yes and no. This is Simon, he is my boyfriend. Simon Haddow, this is a friend from school, Caroline Warren, and her mum."

Simon shook their hands, and Caroline's jaw dropped, and she looked a little pale as he took in his size and incredible good looks.

"How are y'all?" he said, putting on an outrageous accent.

"Ooh, you are American," said Caroline, the observant one.

"Sure, I met Sandi when she came over a month ago."

"Where are you staying?" her mother asked.

"With Sandi," he said, and I just smiled, and Caroline's eyes widened.

"Are you going back to school?" she asked.

"Yes, I may as well finish the year, and then see what happens."

"You've heard Mrs Simmonds is off having a baby?"

"So I gathered," I said, and Simon smiled at me.

"I wonder who they will get to take art. I hope they get someone nice, Mrs Simmonds was okay, but very dippy."

"We'll have to wait and see."

"I took my test last week, I am driving now," she said.

"I suppose I'll get round to it. I still have my bike."

"Not the same really," she said.

"Maybe, but I like it. Besides Simon is driving the Jaguar, so he takes me where I want to go."

"Well, I'll see you later, only three days to go now. We are the upper sixth now, and it will be great wearing own clothes."

"Yeah, see you."

I was glad to see the back of them. Nice, but busybodies.

We finished our shop, and returned home.

I called Jenny at the hotel.

"Hi Jen."

"Sandi! Where are you?"

"At home. We flew in this morning, and we've just been shopping."

"I heard about your Dad. I am so sorry."

"Yeah, thanks. That's life, isn't it?"

"Dave and Mike are back."

"Oh!"

She laughed.

"Dave knows."

"Oh."

"I saw him yesterday. He's okay about it actually. I think in a funny sort of way he is relieved. He and Mike are off looking for accommodation in Bristol."

"They are both going to Bristol?"

"Yes. The Royal Navy has offered Dave a scholarship, but he has to get through the first year, and thereafter they pay him. He passed his interview and is all set to be a pilot."

"Cool!"

"So what is he like?"

"You want to meet him?"

"He is with you?" she almost screamed.

"Book us a table for two in the hotel for dinner tonight, or three, if you can join us."

"Bloody hell, you didn't bring him back with you?"

"I can't leave him. Besides we are engaged."

There was silence on the other end.

"Jen?"

"Sandi, you are seventeen."

"Going on twenty-five."

"You are really engaged?"

"Yes, I have the ring and everything, but it has to be a secret for a while."

"Why?"

"I'll tell you when I see you."

"Are you staying in modelling, or going back to school?"

"I'll do both. I will go back to school, and do the occasional job for Jemima."

"Why bother with school?"

"Ah, I'll tell you that later as well."

"You are so mysterious."

"Yeah, good isn't it?" I said laughing.

"How are you?" she asked, serious now.

"Jenny, I am fantastic. I have a wonderful man, a wonderful job, and I am almost free of my old man."

"Almost?"

"I just know things will emerge that need dealing with. I am sorting through his stuff now, and I know there will be ghosts."

"Oh, I understand," she said, but clearly didn't.

"Anyway, I need to call Jemima, so I will see you later, okay?"

"Bye!"

Simon gave me a cup of coffee, and kissed my neck.

"I've put most of the stuff away. I like the house, but some of the fittings. Urgh!"

I laughed.

"We will have fun getting things nice. My Dad had awful taste."

I rang Jemima, and she was delighted to hear from me.

"Natasha has already called me, and can't sing your praises enough. When are you coming back to work?"

"I am going to finish my A levels. I need to get qualifications, and I do want to work as well, so anything you get for weekend work, or in the holidays, I'll do. I have loads of stuff for my portfolio, so if you want I can let you have a copy?"

"Sandi, you don't need a portfolio. With the publicity you have had in the last few weeks, everyone knows and wants Superbabe. I could get you enough work to keep you working every day for three years."

"Gosh! Really?"

"You were in the papers several times a week. If not on the front pages, then inside, with all that stuff about you and your father. I am so sorry, by the way."

"Its okay, I have sort of come to terms with it now, it is just getting back into things I am finding difficult."

"I understand that Natasha's son is someone special now?"

"You understand right, but it is not really official."

"You haven't read the papers today?"

"No, why?"

"Well, you are definitely an item, according to the Daily Mail."

"Bugger!" I said, and she laughed.

"So how serious is it?"

"Not really serious, we are only getting married!"

Silence reigned on the other end.

"Sandi, are you joking?"

"Nope. He asked me last night, and despite me trying to say no, it came out as yes."

"You realise what this means?"

"Yes, I will have the most outrageous mother-in-law."

"Not only that but you will be marrying into one of the wealthiest fashion families in the States."

"Then I might be okay for a job," I said, and she laughed.

"I should hope so. When is the day?"

"We are having an extended engagement. It is not official yet, I want to finish my A levels, and then see where we are. I need to know he is the right one, so I am not rushing into it."

"Sensible girl. To be honest, Natasha would drive me mad in large doses."

"Me too, and Simon."

"Well, I will defer the jobs I have ear marked. But if you are willing, I am sure weekend work will be possible."

"Fine, but let me settle back into the routine first."

"No problem, and well done, the American tour was very successful. You are on the map."

"Thanks."

We rang off, and I sat back and drank my coffee. Simon was nowhere to be found. I went looking for him, and found him in Dad's study. He had switched on Dad's PC and was trying to get in past the security.

"Out the way," I said, and took over.

I was in, in six seconds, and he looked miffed.

"I have been doing this for years," I explained. "Besides my PC is far better than this heap."

We went upstairs, and we moved into Dad's bedroom. Simon took Dad's dressing room, and I took the walk-in wardrobe. I also had to put the overflow into the wardrobe in my old room, as suddenly I had one heck of a lot of clothes and shoes.

I was still having my period, which was a shame, as I really fancied going to bed with Simon and doing nice things with him. Instead we played some silly computer games, and enjoyed being younger than our ages for a change.

"Are you cooking dinner or what?" he asked.

"No, I'm taking you out to dinner, so dress nice," I said.

We arrived at the hotel at seven-thirty, Simon looked really smart in a collarless white shirt, and a dark high collared jacket. He had a single onyx stud on his shirt, and it looked really cool. I wore one of Natasha's blackdresses, and I know I looked good. I spent ages on my makeup, and thought that Hazel would have been proud of me.

We parked the Jag, and walked into the hotel reception. Jenny was behind the reception. She glanced up, and didn't recognise me.

"Good evening, may I help you?" she said.

"Hi, we are here for dinner," said Simon, his American accent, very obvious.

"Certainly, sir, what name please?"

"Lake," he said, and Jenny looked down at the book briefly, and then the penny dropped. She looked up again and straight at me.

"Hi Jenny. I haven't changed that much, have I?" I asked.

"My God! Sandi?"

"Yup, me."

She squealed with delight, and came rushing round and gave me a big hug.

"I can't believe it! I really didn't recognise you. Shit, you have changed so much." she said.

"This is Simon. Simon, this is Jenny, she is my best friend, and Mike's girl friend. Or rather she was Mike's girlfriend."

"Still am. Hi Simon. Pleased to meet you."

She shook Simon's hand and stared in awe at his size.

I was almost six feet with my heels on, but he was still almost six inches taller than I, and I was aware just how striking a couple we were.

"I can't believe how different you look," she said, and noticed my left hand, and the ring.

"Sandi - My God! It is enormous!" she said, grabbing my hand for a closer look.

"Simon asked me to marry him last night. I appear to have accepted."

She stared at us, and smiled.

"Well you look as if you should fit together beautifully."

"Oh, we do, believe me, we really do," I said, with a grin, and her eyes almost popped out of her head.

"Come on, come and see Mum and Dad," she said, and dragged us into the kitchens.

Her mother recognised me, but it took her dad a few moments. They went through the statutory 'I'm sorry about your father' bit, and I felt a real fraud. But we ended up in the dining room, and Jenny joined us for the meal. The food was good, not perhaps on the same level as some that we had eaten, but then we weren't paying those prices. It was good solid home cooking, and Simon and I really appreciated it. Jenny kept me up to date on everything that had happened in the last month, which wasn't much. The main topic of conversation appears to have been me, my career and my father's death.

"You are going to be mobbed when you get back to school."

"Why?"

"You don't realise it, but you are so famous."

"Really?"

"Your picture has been in all the national papers, I am surprised the local press haven't been hounding you."

"They probably don't know I'm back. Long may it last."

"So, I now know you are engaged, what was the other secret?"

"Jenny, meet our new temporary art teacher."

Jenny did a wonderful goldfish impression, and we both laughed at her.

"No?"

"Yup, just one year. While Mrs Simmonds has her baby."

"And you two are living together?"

"Yup. That is why we are keeping it very quiet."

"With a ring that size, who needs speech?"

I smiled, and glanced at my ring. It was so beautiful. Simon took my hand, and gave me a squeeze.

"I got the job by chance. I knew Sandi went to school down in Brighton, so I searched the Internet for teaching jobs in the area. I graduated earlier in the year, and was hoping to be close to her. I saw the one job, and went for it. I emailed my qualifications, and they ran a phone interview. Only then did I realise that it was for her school. I passed and here I am. Visa and work permits all up to date. Fate decreed that we are stuck with each other."

"It is so romantic," Jenny said.

"We are going to be up front with Mr Goodson. If we try to be sneaky, then things will come unstuck," I said.

"I agree. I have to go see him tomorrow, so why don't we both go?" Simon suggested. So that was agreed.

It was strange, but the house was a completely different place now. We only changed things a little, but it was as if it took on a new character altogether. I had decided to sell it, but now I was happy, and Simon was the main reason for that. We drove into Brighton, and went to Brian Goodson's office. He was surprised to see me, and frowned as we both came in together.

"Mr Goodson. We need to be honest with you," I said, and he frowned some more.

"I know that I am rather a one for weird revelations, but I know you have been supportive in the past, so you know that I will not hide anything from you."

He looked at me, and then at Simon, who had yet to open his mouth.

"Sir, I met Sandi while she was in the States. I had no idea she was at this school when I applied for the job, and only recently discovered that we are now both here, in different capacities, of course," Simon said.

"Do I understand that by met, there is an implication that a deeper relationship has developed?"

"Yes sir," Simon said.

"By coming here together, and having read about your unpleasant experiences in the United States, I assume you are cohabiting?" he asked me.

I winced at the word cohabiting, it sounded smutty, but then I think he meant it to.

"Simon is staying with me. We are engaged to be married. But I want to finish my A levels, and do things properly. So, yes, we are cohabiting, sleeping together, and happen to love each other very much," I said, finishing up rather sharply.

Mr Goodson smiled.

"Sandi, you are right, you have this knack of stretching the bounds of what I hope to expect from my pupils."

"I know this is rather unusual, but we don't want to cause undue embarrassment, nor bring adverse publicity onto the school. I am willing to leave, if necessary," I said.

"No honey, I'll just not take up the post," Simon said.

"Listen, you two! No one leaves, and I can't afford to allow you not to take up your post. You're seventeen Sandi, and I have no power over your private life. I have one rule, and one rule alone! While in school, you both behave with the utmost decorum, and if not, then we will review the situation."

We stared at him.

"Do you have a problem with that?" he asked us.

We didn't.

"And Sandi, please, don't wear that ring to school. If you lose it, I will not have the school bear that level of responsibility. And by the way, our levels of applications have doubled because of your exploits in the modelling field, so well done."

We walked out very much happier than when we walked in.

Mr Goodson showed Simon round the school, and I followed along. I was actually looking forward to school, which was strange in itself. We spent a lot of the time in the art room, and Simon seemed happy with the layout. I felt like a wife, and just enjoyed not being the centre of attention for once.

We went into town for lunch, and I was recognised in the Pizzahut. I had a mad few minutes of signing autographs, and then someone must have called the local paper, for as we were leaving a photographer turned up. I posed for a couple of shots, and Simon disappeared into WH Smiths, on my instructions. We then went home and I made us spaghetti bolognaise for supper.

We sat together in the dining room and ate it, and he smiled.

"Why do I feel like we are married already?"

"I don't know, but I feel the same," I said.

"Any second thoughts?"

"None!"

"I love you so much," he said, and took my hand.

"That's just as well," I said, and he laughed.

"You make me feel so good!"

"I'll remind you of that when I am nagging you about bringing mud across my clean carpets."

"Why don't we get married sooner?"

"Because I want to wait. At least one year, okay?"

"Why a year?"

"I want to finish school, and make sure we are right for each other. I'm not going to be rushed into this, Simon. I intend to only get married once, and it will be right."

"Okay. You are right, but I want to be your husband."

"Sweetie, I am your wife, but not yet."

We finished our meal and washed up. Then we sat and watched TV, snuggled together on the sofa. I was just coming to the end of my period, so we had a cuddly night again.