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Eve Chapter 25

By Topsy

The following morning I decided I would get the Sunday paper. I put on a set of sweats and a pair of trainers with pink stripes, and went for my bike in the shed. I still don't know how it got back here from the school after all this trouble started. It was still before eight and mum wasn't yet up.

Anyway, the tyres on my bike needed some air so I picked up my pump and started working. I'd never had trouble before but I could feel my upper arm muscle like I'd never felt it before, maybe it was just lack of exercise? Once the tyres were right I mounted the bike and went to push off. That's when I stopped and thought. This is a boy's bike, very obviously a boy's bike.

I put it back, checked the tyres on mum's bike and took that out instead.

Rather than go direct to the newsagents I went on a ten mile ride, collecting the paper on the return. I only saw a couple of people and even fewer cars.

It was hard work on the uphill stretches, Mum's bike was geared but not the same ratios as mine. I was sweating when I got back home an hour later.

I walked into the kitchen to an immediate tongue lashing from mum.

"Where do you think you went? You tell me before you go. If I hadn't have heard you get the bike out of the shed I'd be ringing the police by now."

"Mum, I never needed to tell you before."

"It's different now you're a girl. Different. You tell me first, right?"

"Yes mum, " reluctantly.

I was enjoying life as a girl, particularly Claire, and was getting into clothes, make-up and the rest of the girly scene. Why then did I suddenly have restrictions I didn't have before? Before, when I was a boy.

I wanted to have a sulk but knew my coursework took priority, unfortunately. I went upstairs and had a shower before dressing. I put on some leggings and a vest top, grabbed a coffee and went up to my PC. A laptop would be really useful. By twelve I'd finished the report and did half an hour on the online tutor site.

I shut the PC down and went down to see if there was any lunch. Sharon was in the kitchen with mum, by the look of the coffee cups they'd been talking for a while.

"Sit down Eve. We'd like to say something."

"Okay mum, out with it."

"Young lady, less of that attitude. It's about you returning to school."

"Oh."

"Don't worry Eve. It's just how we'll handle any reaction you get at school and how much of that affects Claire. Even in 2009 some have problems with same sex relationships, more so where one is transgendered."

"Don't worry? Of course I've worried about it, but I love Claire too much not to be there for her. We'll get through it together. But, mum, Mrs Johnson, it's not been decided that I'm going back, is it?"

"Eve, please call me Sharon."

"Okay Sharon."

"Eve, I think there is a real chance on Tuesday that the Governors will ask you to go back. I think it's best that you do this willingly and not wait for them to try and force you."

"Whoa, what did you just say?"

"Sorry, what I meant was that if they ask you to go back, then I think you should. If there are problems we'll deal with them, even if that means switching to another school. If you stay at home, the LEA could be difficult. Dr Kumar has signed you as unfit for school but the LEA could have another doctor examine you."

"Right, I understand that, but hadn't we wait until Tuesday?"

"I suppose you're right." Mum shrugged.

She'd tried to push this extra worry onto me and it hadn't worked. She probably thinks it's for the best, but I'm just taking things one day at a time. Trying to analyse everything would just confuse me even more. It had been difficult enough getting to the bottom of mum's deception, I was stronger now, maybe because of that.

The doorbell rang and my aunt walked in, followed by my cousin Jenny. Mum hadn't said anything, again. I'd try to have a word with her later. I wanted to take a harder attitude with mum, but it never seemed to be the right moment.

"Hi Simon."

"Hi Jenny. It's Eve now."

"You changed your name and ..."

"No, Eve has always been my name." I decided not to make a fight out of it and simply suggested to Jenny that she and I went into the lounge.

My aunt went into the kitchen to see mum and meet Sharon. Jenny and I sat on the couch. Over the years we'd always tried to out do the other but Jenny was one year older and physically stronger, I tended to lose in every aspect.

"So you're gay?" Nothing like a direct question from her.

"I'm a lesbian."

"Huh? But you're a boy."

"No, I'm a girl with the wrong parts."

"Prove it."

Her mum was standing behind us, "Jenny, stop that and apologise. Eve is a girl now. Period."

"Period? Do you mean ..."

"You know exactly what I mean young lady. Now apologise."

"Yes mum, sorry Eve. If I hadn't have seen you I wouldn't have believed it."

I went to the kitchen and pulled a couple of drinks out of the fridge. Claire walked in the kitchen door.

"Thanks, I could do with a drink."

"I'll get another one."

"So who's this one for?" Asked Claire.

Jenny, who'd followed me, decided to answer, "for me, who are you?"

"Jenny, this is Claire, my girlfriend."

"You weren't kidding then?"

"Look, let's go back into the lounge." I suggested again, mostly to change the question and answer session with Jenny.

Mum, Sharon and my aunt had gone outside. My aunt smokes so had stepped outsideas mum does not allow smoking in the house. Mum and Sharon went out as well, taking their coffees with them. They'd have their own group conference, about me no doubt.

Claire joined me on the couch, relegating Jenny to one of the chairs. I knew she was desparate to say something but assumed she'd wait until Claire and I had finished our current kissing session. I was wrong, she was too impatient, as ever.

"Cut it out guys."

I did my best to explain to Jenny what was going on. Claire explained the bits I missed out. I'm not sure if she was totally convinced but it was too wierd a story to be made up, that's what I told myself.

"So what happens next?" She asked.

"In what regard?"

"The boy to girl thing."

"I'm seeing a specialist on Tuesday."

"And does he cut your bits off?"

"No! At least not yet."

"I want Eve as a whole girl, all mine," said Claire. This stunned Jenny into silence for a few seconds. The longest so far today.

I looked at the clock, it was gone three and we'd not had lunch. Mum had clearly been thinking the same thing and put her head into the lounge, suggesting everyone stay for Sunday dinner. She pulled a large piece of beef from the fridge as if she had been expecting visitors all along. I must have a word with her, she has kept enough from me. I really should start writing a list, or would that be the start of paranoia?

The collective was told dinner would be at five. Us girls were sent to the nearest shops to collect some additional ingredients. Jenny mellowed and stopped trying to better me. I got the feeling she had accepted me as a girl so had stopped trying to prove she was better than any boy, if that makes sense?

We got back a bit later than expected and helped set the large table in the dining room. We never normally used this room, in fact it wasn't even a separate room, more an area at the back of the lounge. I'd never understood why we had a table that could seat eight when there was just the two of us. Today seven of us would eat here.

It was somehow odd, there wouldn't be a single male at the table. All of the woman, and girls, were single. Sharon's husband had run off shortly after the twins were born. Jenny's dad had been divorced by my aunt, I'd never been told why. All of this had happened years ago and wasn't a dinner table topic.

I was asked to select a bottle of red wine from the rack, I found a Merlot that would go well with the beef. Today the four girls would all be allowed half a glass of wine, topped with lemonade, Jenny however just had lemonade. The adults all had one glass each, although I suppose it could have been more.

The dinner was a lovely end to a peaceful weekend after a hectic week. It turned out that Jenny was driving her mum home and that she was due to take her driving test the following week.

Sharon and Annie left shortly after. Claire cuddled up to me.

"I'm not at school tomorrow."

"Why not?"

"We're in court, my dear."

Eve Chapter 26

Mum had me up before seven and into the shower. I was told to wear a suit today, I had a bright pink one with a knee length skirt. Make a statement! My blouse needed pressing so I had found myself in the kitchen wearing a bathrobe with the iron in my hand before eight o'clock. I had ironed before, mum had insisted I learn since there was just the two of us, but never previously had to iron anything so delicate.

The blouse was going to show my bra so I selected my prettiest one with a B cup. The breastforms went in, although I wasn't convinced I'd need them much longer. Mum didn't quite agree.

"You're only an A cup right now, quite full though, but don't expect a B cup overnight."

I did my makeup carefully then made my way downstairs.

Back in the kitchen I put on an apron before starting breakfast. Neither of us knew how the day would start so we had a boiled egg, toast and OJ. The summons had told us to be at the court at ten so we had just over an hour.

The post arrived and I dropped it on the table, the top one was addressed to me and was from the bank. I was about to open it when the phone rang.

"That was the Deputy Chief Exec from the hospital. Apparently David Stevens senior couldn't be contacted on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. I told them that his son is due at court this morning so they will send someone there to wait in case either of them shows."

At nine thirty mum and I checked our makeup and met Sharon and Claire outside, then all jumped into Sharon's car for the ride into town. We walked into the court, eight heels clicking in unison. Mr Dixon met us there.

"He was supposed to report from bail fifteen minutes ago."

"The hospital told us that his father hasn't been contacted yet," said mum.

"But the accused," a giggle from Claire, "was seen in town on Saturday."

Mr Dixon acknowledged what was said but was waiting to speak to the tall suited man who had just walked in. Our solicitor greeted him, "good morning Gerald. I take it you're here for the father?"

"Yes, I've just been told he might be here."

"Gerald, I'm representing Mrs Jones and her daughter, Mrs Johnson and her daughters."

"Ah, Eve Jones I presume. Please believe me, we are dealing with your problem."

"Thank you."

The court usher walked into the lobby.

"Calling David Stevens to court one."

No-one moved. In fact none of us saw him or his family. Mr Dixon waited a few minutes then asked to speak to the Magistrates. He returned a minute later.

"They have decided to extend bail for one week. As he is under eighteen they cannot issue a bench warrant yet. They are however considering the ASBO request right now."

"Great," my understatement was clear to all, this was not how I had expected it to finish, as if it had.

The four of us girls looked at each other and, as if synchronised, spun on our heels and headed for the door.

It was barely gone ten and the main event of the day hasn't happened. What do four girls do? We held a meeting at the Italian Coffee shop, Claire had already decided she wouldn't be going into school today. I'm not sure how she''d got away with last week's absences, and still managed to get  permission for today. They must be cutting her some slack.

The barista welcomed us, "good morning ladies. What can I get you today?"

Two coffees and a slice of cake later we headed into town, it was just past eleven now. We breezed through the shops. Being a Monday morning it was quiet and mostly we had the shops to ourselves, plus the full attention of the staff.

We got home at one. The day's post had included the one from the bank I'd seen this morning. Their computer confirmed that my account had been opened and I could expect my card in a week to ten days. I made a note to let Mr Dixon know.

We had a quick simple lunch and were just relaxing when the doorbell rang. Miss Scott, my tutor, walked in. She was very abrupt.

"You were supposed to hand in your work at the end of last week. Of course  you were unavailable all day Friday and you weren't here this morning. I won't accept excuses."

"Then don't. I've done the work but if you'd rather have an argument feel free. I fully expected a fight in court today and that, unfortunately, didn't happen so I'm ready right now. Don't treat me like a little kid."

"I want it if you've finished it."

"I don't think so. I'll hand it into the school myself tomorrow and save you the trouble. Goodbye."

Mum stood there quietly the whole time. Miss Scott hadn't got as far as sitting down.

"I won't take attitudes like that."

"I've already suggested you leave. Goodbye."

Mum followed her to the door then came back into the kitchen.

"That was a bit strong. You didn't mean to upset her, did you?"

"Sorry but her attitude was wrong the moment she walked in, besides I've decided to go back to school as soon as I can."

"Good girl. You're learning fast."

Claire came over and found me still in my suit, she pushed me upstairs and had me strip to my undies. Fifteen minutes later, after alot of giggling, I was in shorts, a sports bra and a hoodied top. She also told me not to wear any make-up, except a little lipstick.

"What's this in aid of?"

"We're going for a ride. You need to chill out."

"Oh."

I got mum's bike out and met Claire outside with her bike. She now had a backpack with her.

"Eve, you need to get a new bike."

"I know, but I can't ask mum. She's already spent too much on me. I'll wait until I've got some money of my own. I want a laptop as well."

We cycled out of town and several miles along the canal towpath. Claire found a picnic site a few feet away from the canal but behind a line of trees. A car park, some fifty yards away, was empty.

Claire pulled a blanket out of the bag and we sat, confident that we couldn't be overlooked. She also had a thermos of hot coffee. After the ride I was a little warm and, having checked the immediate area again, took off my top. Not wishing to be left out, Claire did likewise. I'd like to say we just sat and talked, but I can't.

I made a mental note to get a bikini, but it was the wrong time of year to find one in the shops.

We returned home a few hours later with grins on our red faces, which we explained was due to the fast sprint on the way home.

I was fed and watered by seven and retired to use my PC. There was an email from Claire that just made me giggle.

        "virtually a B cup."

I replied,  "but virtue all intact."