14.

We gave Jenny a lift to school on the Monday morning. We were a little early as Simon did not want to be late on his first day. He drove the Jag, and parked it next to the art room, which was set apart from the main school buildings.

I decided to dress appropriately as a model, and wore a stunning gold and black dress from the Kysinski collection. Simon gave me a kiss and disappeared to the staff meeting, and Jenny and I walked into the sixth form block. Heads turned, and I ignored them all, and we went and looked at the notice boards where our class timetables and other notices were on display.

"Shit, they've made you head girl, Sandi."

I gasped, as I had not even considered that. We had a head boy and a head girl every year, and some responsibility went with it. Brian Goodson was going to make me pay for being a pain. I smiled, he was a crafty bastard, that one.

I copied down my class listings, and found that Fridays were clear. Mondays I had art, Tuesdays and Thursdays I had French, and Wednesdays was design. That meant I would be able to model on Fridays as well as the weekends. The bell went for assembly, and we slowly made our way towards the big hall. The staff collected on the stage, and the sixth formers stayed at the back. But the head boy and head girl had to stand on the stage with the staff.

I felt very nervous as I went up onto the stage, and noticed that Errol McFadden, the head boy, was already there. He stared at me for a moment, confusion painted across his face. Then he realised who I was, and he went red. Most people remembered the androgynous child I had been, and few connected the new me with her/him.

I was in heels, and stood a shave under six feet. He was five nine, and although stocky, I was still a few inches taller than he. The head entered and everyone stood up.

We sat to the left of the stage.

"Welcome back to another year. It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you your head boy and girl for this year. Errol and Sandi, please stand up."

We stood, and were clapped. I wasn't sure why, we hadn't done anything, yet.

"I am sure it has come to most of your attention that Sandi has made quite an impact as an international model recently. It is to her credit that she is returning here to complete her A levels, and I am sure it will pay off in the long run. I know she wants to lead as much a normal life as possible, so please let her do so.

"We welcome two new members of staff. Mr Dewar replaces Mrs Hind in the Geography department. And Mr Haddow will be filling in whilst Mrs Simmonds has her baby. So a big welcome to the pair of you.

"For those of you who are new this term, this school prides itself at being progressive and moving with the times. But we have rules, and these rules will be maintained. Cross them and you will be sorry, as they are all there for good reason. Now, as you are all no doubt aware, this government is planning to reduce cannabis from being a class B drug to a class C drug. This means it is still illegal, and anyone caught with it will be suspended and probably expelled. I have a zero tolerance towards drugs, and I will insist that all pupils here are aware of the penalties of possession. I will call the police in, and you will get a criminal record!

This year, as we are fortunate to having an expert American football coach on the staff, we will be running a football team for those who may be interested. Mr Haddow will run this on a Friday evening, so sign up as soon as you can. Mr Haddow played for his University in America, and declined pro-football as a career to become a teacher. So let's make use of him while he is here."

"I want you to help me make this term a good one, work hard, play hard and enjoy yourselves. Thank you."

Assembly was over, and we had a prefects' meeting before classes.

First, Mr Goodson had Errol and I alone.

"Right, I am expecting great things from you. Lead by example, and you will be my lieutenants in running this school. The most important thing is that you two talk to each other. Regardless of what you know or think about each other, you are here to do a job, and you will do it well. You will do it better if you work as a team, so every week, on Monday mornings, I want you two to get together and talk through anything you have to do in the week to come.

Neither of you are children, you are adults, and I expect you to behave as such. So, no smoking, drinking, and no drugs, especially from either of you. Get me?"

"Yes sir," we said, and left.

Eventually, I went to my art class. Everyone else was already in the art room, and I came in late and apologised to Simon.

He smiled and told me to take my seat.

Caroline was beside herself, she was staring at Simon as if he had two heads. When I came in she was dying to speak to me, and couldn't. Jenny watched and grinned. All the other girls were looking at Simon all gooey-eyed. He was actually very switched on, and in a short space of time we were all busy. He wanted us to think about planning, and less about the execution of making a work of art. As with many things in life, adequate planning ensures more perfect execution.

The time flew past, and I just enjoyed being a normal person again. After the break, we had to go to the library and research certain artists and styles of art. The project was quite complex, so we had an afternoon of research and reading. Needless to say, Caroline came up to me as soon as she was able.

"Sandi, why didn't you tell me your boyfriend is the new art teacher?"

"I thought you'd appreciate the surprise."

"Is it a secret?"

"What, that we are lovers? No, but then I don't really want it broadcast everywhere."

I walked off, and she just gaped after me.

The term settled down into a pleasant routine. So many people came up to me and told me that they always knew that I was a girl. A few were a little confused, as they had thought me to be a boy. But I had no troubles, and explained to most people that I had suffered from a hormone imbalance, which had caused me to develop late, and I had been very self-conscious.

The work was not hard, but there was more than enough of it to keep me busy. The novelty of being a model wore off, and I was soon wearing jeans as the weather deteriorated. Jemima kept me in modelling work, and I found some Fridays and Saturdays were very busy times. The solicitor and financial advisor took me in hand, and gradually we made some order out of Dad's affairs. The taxman was paid, and I found myself with a very healthy portfolio of investments and properties. In short, I was worth several millions.

I started taking driving lessons. The instructor had a little Ford Fiesta, and asked me what car I had. I showed him the Mercedes Sports car, and he was speechless. As the winter approached, the modelling work dropped off. I actually started watching the guys practising their American football. I had 'donated' a sum to the school for the purchase of uniforms and kit. So at least they looked the part. There were a few clubs and schools who played, so they started to line up fixtures.

I was approached to head up a cheerleader squad, and it tickled my fancy. I had no idea, so I went to the nearest US Air Force base, and found some experts amongst the women there. Very soon I had a squad of twelve girls in full yellow and red kit, practising along side the blokes. It was harder than I thought it would be, and was a good way of keeping fit.

Needless to say, the press got to hear of it, and Superbabe got into the news again.

Simon and I settled into a very pleasant, but hectic social life. We were manic during the day, and spent most evenings in, just enjoying being together. Our relationship deepened, and we found ourselves even closer than ever. It did not take long for the truth of our relationship to become common knowledge, and yet, surprisingly, no real comments came of it. We were discrete, and in school time, we behaved with the utmost decorum, as demanded.

We began to be invited to dinner parties with other staff members, as if we were already married. It was weird calling staff members by their first names on one day, and having to call them Sir or Mrs. Whatever the next. One Saturday, Simon and I were shopping in Tescos, and we met Dave. He stared at me for a second, and then looked at Simon, and then grinned. He gave me a huge hug and shook Simon by the hand.

"I heard about you two, and wasn't surprised. I understand congratulations are in order? Whatever happened to not wanting a steady relationship?"

I blushed, and he laughed.

"Seriously, Sandi, I am really pleased for you. You two are made for each other, and I have no hard feelings now. I admit, at first I was pissed off, but then I met Gail."

"Gail?" I asked.

"Yeah, she was on the same interview board for the Navy. We are even at uni together, and we are as steady as you two."

"Oh, thank God! I felt so bad over what happened, and I was afraid of hurting you," I admitted.

"You must come and meet her at Christmas. She is at uni at the moment, while I came home for a family birthday, and she is tied up with some work, so she stayed behind. You are looking really good, Sandi."

"So are you, babe," I said, and he smiled at my choice of words.

"I'm very good. How's school? I hear your new art teacher is a bit of a twat."

"He's a real twat," said Simon with a grin.

We all laughed.

"Hey, how about we go for a pint and some lunch? I'm not due home for a while, it is pretty gruesome there at the moment anyway."

So after shopping, we all went to the pub and had lunch. It was really odd being with him again, and when I looked at the pair of them, I wondered what the hell I had seen in Dave in the first place. He was good looking, but we had very little in common, and compared to Simon he was nothing. And yet, part of me would always love him a little bit. He was the first person to treat me as a girl, and I would never forget that.

I told him so, when Simon went to the loo.

He smiled, and kissed my cheek.

"Sandi, you are very special, and I still love you. But you and I know that we would never be able to live together, we are too different."

"Friends?" I asked.

"Always, and if He-man there gives you the push, look me up."

He-man returned, and I was feeling very content. I had been so worried about Dave, and now I was satisfied that we would always be friends. Christmas approached, and I was wondering what to do about it. Natasha had called Simon and told him she was off to the Caribbean, so there was no point going there. She would be either in bed with Wayne, or in the bar half pissed.

Or both!

"Why don't we go skiing?" he suggested.

"Where?"

"Does it matter? We could go to Switzerland, Austria or even the States."

It was a thought, and I was tempted. I didn't really want to stay in the house, just the pair of us, it should be a time of families, and we were all we each had.

I took and passed my driving test, and started driving the Mercedes. The insurance could have bought me another car, but I didn't care. Out of the blue, a letter arrived from my aunt. I had not heard from my mother's older sister, Amanda, since Mum left. She was writing to express sorrow and regret over hearing about Dad's death, and also for failing as a Godmother. Once Dad moved away, the family seemed to cut us off. She was a little confused, as she had been convinced that I had been a boy, and yet, the papers clearly showed me as a very attractive young woman.

She was very apologetic, as clearly I had had an awful time, and was now all alone in the world. She invited me to her home, and even for Christmas, as I was her only niece. She lived near Maidenhead, in Berkshire, and I could hardly remember her. I knew her children were older than me, and that I didn't particularly get on with either of them when I had last seen them. Admittedly, I had been about seven at the time, but still, memories are strong things.

So I wrote back, a nice letter stating that my fiancé and I would be spending Christmas abroad this year. But, I thanked her very much for her thoughts, and explained that I was very independent now, and perhaps we could meet sometime after Christmas. It made me realise that there was some family out there, but they had not helped when I needed it, so sod them!

Simon booked us a skiing holiday to the Pyrenees , and on the 20th of December, we caught a flight for France! The resort was called La Mangie, and it was a few hours drive south of Lourdes Airport. I had had a few hours skiing when younger, but nothing really. Needless to say, Simon was an advanced skier, and was happy to teach me. We had a lovely room in a sweet little hotel, and it was all very cosy.

The resort was purpose built, and fortunately they had an early fall of snow, so all runs were open. I had spent a fortune on some really showy ski clothes, and looked really professional right up to the moment I first snapped on my skis. But Simon was really patient, and by the third day he took me up the chair lift, and we had a gentle ski back down. I remembered all my very early lessons, and could snowplough, and even just about execute a parallel turn. Many a time we ended up in a heap in the snow, convulsed with the giggles.

It was super fun, and I learned I had muscles that I had never used before. The après ski was superb also, and we had wonderful meals, and far too much wine and beer. We had two weeks of constant companionship, every minute of every day. The days were spent on the slopes, and the evenings in different restaurants. Every night, we spent in each others' arms, making love for as long as our stamina would allow.

Being December, it was very cold, but still we managed to improve our suntans.

Christmas day was a special time, and we exchanged stockings in our bedroom at about eight in the morning. I bought him a man's ring, with my name engraved on the inside, and he placed it on his ring finger. It had two diamonds set in it, linked together by a stylised chain. I also bought him some little jokey things, like a set of playing cards with my photograph on the back, and a willy measurer, that had inches that were rather shorter than standard.

He gave me a set of really sexy red and black underwear, a basque, with bra, knickers, suspender belt and several sexy stockings. I immediately tried them on, and the result was eminently predictable. We ambled into the little church, and sang some carols in French. I held Simon's arm, and was about the happiest I could ever remember. The atmosphere in the resort was so friendly it was one huge family party, and we made lots of friends. A few people recognised me as a model, but mostly I was as anonymous as the next person. And it was brilliant!

New Year was equally fun. We saw it in at the hotel, and with an awful lot of alcohol.I dimly recall stripping down to my new underwear, and dancing a Can-can on the table. I do remember waking up with a terrible head, but still wearing the underwear. I grew up a lot on that holiday. I learned how to be a woman, and how to love my man with my heart, soul and body. I gave my all to him, and he to me. We accepted that we were true soul mates, and we returned refreshed and renewed to our rather dull scholastic existence.

School life droned on. I was accepted by everyone without exception, and even made some really good friends. But in many ways, I was older than all of them, and only stayed to get my qualifications. I was granted permission to use my car, as I had no parents I was considered an exceptional case. It was mildly amusing to see me, a sixth form student, parking my year old silver Mercedes cabriolet sports car next to the Headmaster's five year old Vauxhall Omega. I became involved in some school activities, but gradually bowed out, in favour of younger girls who needed experience in interaction with peer groups. The cheerleader squad was the first to go. I still watched and helped coach, but it wasn't really my thing. I would go home and prepare a meal for Simon who was inevitably later than I.

My modelling gradually encroached on my time, and although Jemima did try to restrict the hours I was given, I found myself in demand more and more. We completely redecorated the house, and gave all Dad's hideous fixtures and fittings away to charities. It felt like home now, and we were very happy. Simon never mentioned marriage again, but I knew he wanted us to get married as soon as I finished school.

My eighteenth birthday sort of arrived while I wasn't looking, and Simon, knowing I had more jewellery than I needed, bought me some more sexy underwear. I teased him that he bought it for me to wear, but for him to appreciate. He didn't disagree, and it led to the usual amorous interlude.

Easter came, and I surprised Simon by booking seats on the Eurostar, and taking him to Paris. I had an apartment and had never seen it, so we went and had a week overlooking the Seine. It was a really nice old fashioned apartment, which had been recently redecorated. It was a little sparse, so we spent the first couple of days furnishing it to our standards. We toured the art galleries, and bought loads of stuff he could use in his art classes. It was a cultural week, with the ballet and opera thrown in. We both had our portraits painted by pavement artists at Montmartre, and then Simon borrowed an artist's easel and painted him, and then he tried me. He was actually better than the artist, and I loved him all the more.

I loved Paris, and so did Simon, and we were reluctant to leave. My French became quite fluent, as we habitually used the small cafes and bars used by local people and not the tourist places. But we had to return, and with some relief, I realised that this was my final term. I worked hard, and within a few weeks all my exams were over.

Simon, however, was still working a long five day week, whereas I was now a lady of leisure. Jemima soon filled my time, and I was all over the place modelling anything from clothes and make up to shoes and even sports equipment. I was then signed up to do my first T.V. commercials.

They were very slick, and the anti-perspirant company used my profession as an active model as the backdrop for the product. Sales went up, and I was more in demand. I advertised soap, shampoo, and even pizza. I loved that advert, as I played myself as a pizza delivery girl to four loutish lads, who couldn't believe that it was me. The pizza was called the Super-pizza, so Superbabe was brought in to deliver it.

Sales of that particular product soared, and Superbabe became hot property. I even registered the name, with a view of using it with my own products in the future.

I was approached by a well-known soft drinks company, and did a set of commercials for them. They were mini movies which all ended up with me flying through a window or similar, and quenching some poor schmuck's thirst. Then came the seductive chocolate bar, which, quite frankly was overtly phallic and sexual. And then I took on trainers, tooth brushes, ladies shavers and even tampons!

I had a ball, and most evenings would be home in time to cook supper, and spend the evening with Simon.

Simon was equally content. He adored teaching, and really had a gift. The students loved him, and the quality of the art exhibitions said it all. He knew how to bring the best out in people, and he just was a born teacher. He was forever telling me that if it hadn't been for me, he would probably have gone into pro-football, and he'd have never known the joys of teaching. It wasn't all roses, as we both had our off-days. He was under pressure and stresses, as was I. And if it coincided with a certain time of the month, things could become very heated in our house.

Many times he would stomp off, and go for a drive to cool down, and I would chuck things about. But we always made up, and as time went on, there developed longer gaps between bouts such as these. Natasha flew in towards the end of the summer term, and came to stay without Wayne. I gathered that Wayne was history, and she was in the market for another man. I took a week off, just to spend some time with her.

She adored our home, and could not believe the change in her son. Simon would go off to work each morning, and came home shattered to a meal I had prepared. It was very domesticated. After a couple of days, Natasha shed the expensive clothes, and all the jewellery, and wore jeans as I did, and helped me redecorate my old room. In doing so she shed some of her brash and abrasive nature, and I got to know the sensitive and rather bruised individual that she was under the façade.

"This is going to be the nursery," I explained, and she immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion.

I had to assure her that I wasn't expecting, but we were definitely going to have children eventually. It was nice to see my room disappear, as my old personality and memories faded as we went. Alex was dead, long live Sandi. I had to attend the school prize day, and came away with a few prizes. As head girl I had to make a speech, which I did, and everyone was polite enough to clap. But I had already moved on, and I could see that Mr Goodson knew it.

Leaving school was an anticlimax. I entered three garments into the fashion show, and won two categories with two and a second with one. I had someone else model them, as I thought that I had an unfair advantage. Jemima judged the show, and told me that I had done the right thing. I attended the leavers' ball with Simon. I thought back one year, and only then did I appreciate how far I had come in that year.

Simon then dropped his bombshell.

"They have asked me to stay on full time," he told us.

Mrs Simmonds had had a hard time having her baby, and didn't feel up to coming back just yet. Her husband had a promotion, and she didn't need to return to work. So she resigned, leaving a full-time vacancy. Simon had been so popular and successful, that there was no hesitation on behalf of the board of governors to offer him the full-time post.

Natasha was thrilled, and I had mixed feelings. We had made no plans, but I had agreed to model Natasha's Fall range again, and would be doing the same tour as last year.

"Look, I will come with you, it will be our summer vacation, and then we can get back into me teaching, and you modelling," he said.

"But I want to try designing, and I may get work in the States," I said.

"Then I will quit, and come with you. But at least let's try."

I had agreed, and I simply rethought our future.

The Kysinski range was even better than the previous year, and I was a lot more professional. My face was known, and the impact was just as good, if not better. The London event set the tone for the rest of the tour, and we took the opportunity to announce our engagement at the first press conference.

This time, there were no police, no FBI agents, no gangsters lurking in pool, and we were able to appreciate the whole affair. I was so much more relaxed, that it was very apparent, and the show was much more effective. We managed to take time out in each city, and saw some sights, particularly looking at the art side of life, with a view to seeing what Simon could take back for his art lessons.

He was inspired by several different artists and styles, and was quite excited about it all. I was as excited for him, as I knew how seriously he took his work.

It was in L.A. that things happened to change our comfortable little life. I had just completed the first day's show, and had just changed and was looking forward to an evening on the town. Simon had met up with some old University friends, and we were all going to try out a seafood restaurant that had been recommended.

I was walking down to meet Simon in the lobby, when I was approached by a well-dressed woman, who obviously knew who I was.

"Miss Lake, have you got a few moments?"

I looked at her. She was dressed in a smart suit, a skirt and jacket, and looked to be about thirty or so. She was quite attractive, and in the land of the beautiful, I gauged that she had more brains than average. She had the appearance of a PA or lawyer, but there was something else.

"You aren't the press, are you?" I asked, cautiously.

She smiled and shook her head.

"No, I work for a studio casting company."

"Oh yes, don't tell me you want to offer me a part in a movie?" I said, sarcastically.

"Well, actually, that is what I was hoping to talk to you about."

I looked at my watch, as I was late already.

"Look, I'm meeting my fiancé and some friends to go out for an evening. Can we do this tomorrow?"

"Sure, what time?"

"Mornings are best, I finish my work-out by nine, so ten would be good."

"Okay, here's my card, my name is Marianne Hooper. I'll see you at ten tomorrow morning," she said and turned to go.

"One thing," I asked.

"Yes?" she said turning back.

"Is this for real, or a wind up?"

She smiled.

"Oh, it's for real!"

I smiled, and walked off.

As it happened the meal was brilliant, and Simon's friends were very nice and made me feel welcome. There were three guys and two girls, all five had been at the same college, and both girls were going out with two of the guys. The odd man was called Kyle, and he was gay. His degree had been in Film studies, and he was now hairdresser for one of the movie studios. He was very precious and his current boyfriend was off on location somewhere in the Arizona desert.

When I asked him about Marianne Hooper he was quite impressed.

"All the major producers and directors use her to select particular actors, for specific parts. If you get a call from her, then someone important wants you. So where did you see her name?"

"I didn't. She came to see me today about a part in a movie, but I was coming out with you guys, so I told her to fuck off," I said casually, as I helped myself to another prawn.

Their expressions were a joy to behold, all except Simon's that is, as he knew me only too well.

"Oh my God! Please tell me you didn't really tell Marianne Hooper to fuck off?" said Kyle, looking aghast at me.

"Why, is she important?" I asked, all innocently.

"Important? She is almost capable of walking on water as far as actors in this town are concerned."

"Just as well I made an appointment for her to see me at ten tomorrow morning, then," I said, and Simon laughed at me.

"You are so cruel sometimes, honey."

"I know, but it is such fun."

There followed a period of speculation about what part they could possibly want to cast me in. I sort of remained detached but saw Simon frowning.

I leaned across and said.

"Penny for them?"

"I don't know if I want you dragged into Hollywood."

"Neither do I, so let's wait and see what the woman wants."

"Okay, it can't hurt."

"Listen, you know I am not interested in the money, so I'm not about to sell my soul."

"I know, but I know you can never resist a challenge."

I kissed him, and he looked a little happier.