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Eve Chapter 27 by Topsy

We arrived at the hospital a few minutes early for my appointment with the Gender Identity specialist. Dr Fox met us in reception and introduced us to Dr Preston but did not go into the room with us, closing the door behind her.

"Good morning ladies. Eve I presume."

"Yes."

After a few minutes he asked mum to leave the room. I wasn't sure about some of the questions but he was making notes even when I gave silly answers to silly questions. He then asked mum to come in and I was to wait outside, Dr Fox was waiting there.

"So Eve, how did it go?"

"It was alright. No worse than your interrogations."

"Fair enough."

I was called back in, this time Dr Fox came in as well.

"Eve, from the moment I met you I saw a confident young lady, I still do. I know you have been under Dr Fox for a month and I also know you have made your mind up, but it has only been a month. I'd like to see you again on Friday afternoon, just you, okay?"

"Dr Preston, I'm not happy with my daughter being here unescorted."

Dr Fox interjected, "Mrs Jones, I will be here with Eve. You come here if you wish but we'll only need Eve for the session."

We left an hour after we'd arrived. There was plenty of time before our appointment downtown. Mum had an idea as we reached the car.

"How about we go to that furniture store on the retail park?"

"The huge one?"

"Yep."

We pulled into the carpark twenty minutes later. We walked into this warehouse and stared at the signs until a young man with a name badge arrived.

"Can I help you, ladies?"

"Yes, bedroom furniture please."

"Up the stairs and left at the top."

"Thank you."

Half an hour later we'd identified a small dressing table and long mirror that would suit my room. We accosted another member of staff and arranged for payment and delivery, Mum's little car was not up to the job. We walked across to the curtains and bedding, picking up a new set of each for my room. Those we did take with us.

We called into Tesco's and intended to pick up a few bits but ended up with a trolley full of food and other bits. Since this was one of the larger stores they did clothes as well. I gained some school style skirts and trousers, a body warmer and a winter coat. We bought some hot chicken and fresh rolls for lunch.

We'd finished lunch by one and mum sent me up to change.

"Wash first and take all your make-up off."

Mum had figured that if I was to make a good impression as a school girl, I should appear as one. I figured that as I was in the sixth form I could wear what I wanted to, apparently I was wrong. Where was Claire when I needed her?

I was told to apply simple makeup. We parked up in town just before two and walked round to Mr Dixon's office.

"Please come in. I've asked Mr Davis, Chair of the Governors, to join us in fifteen minutes, in the meantime I'd like to talk about the main issues."

"So we get the story straight?" I offered.

"Quite Miss Jones, but I wouldn't normally put it like that."

"So what approach will we take?" Asked mum.

"I believe the accident at the school is just that, an accident. We could argue that the stress of being told Eve was female, according to their records, was relevant but they would contest that the tumour caused her collapse. In any case, Eve has decided to become female since then."

"That is reasonable."

"Now, what is obvious that confidential records have been released and there has been a campaign of harassment. These originated with one member of staff but the school will have to take responsibility."

"Ms Holts?"

"Yes, although it appears she has now resigned. We'll concentrate on this issue."

"Right."

"While you're here I'll just mention the hospital. It seems that David Stevens Snr has missed several shifts and they are preparing dismissal papers. The Chief Executive has now taken over this case and is apparently angry. He wishes to apologise for the distress caused and has offered to send a cheque for £5,000. We could argue but I believe it is a fair settlement."

Mum wanted to appear calm, I just had a broad smile on my face.

"I'm not convinced Mr Dixon. My daughter has suffered harrassment over several weeks by this man, using hospital records. The out-patients appointment was just the last straw."

"I'll put your view back to the hospital trust but I can't promise anything."

"Okay."

There was a knock on the door. Two gentlemen walked in.

"Good morning Frances, Harold."

"Mrs Jones, Miss Jones, may I introduce Frances Davis of the Governing Body and Harold Spinner the Head Teacher, who I believe you both know."

We acknowledged the two. I thought I saw a wink from the Head.

I quickly got the impression that Mr Dixon and Mr Davis knew each other well.

"Frances, how are we going to sort out these problems?"

The school governor addressed Mr Dixon, "John, we reviewed the accident report and saw that the school was not culpable and we hope you see that the same way."

"My clients have accepted that they do not blame the school for the accident."

"Thank you. Regarding the release of confidential information and the misuse of the school computer system we interviewed Ms Anne Holts. Without waiting for the outcome of our investigations she has resigned. We will leave it to the LEA how they follow up any remaining employment issues."

"So does the school accept responsibility for these actions?"

"We do, further more we are in the process of implementing safeguards to prevent this from happening in the future. Other schools in the district have already made the necessary changes. It appears we were not directly informed of the need. That is a related issue."

"So this could have been prevented?"

"I wouldn't say that as such, but we should have been able to identify any problems earlier and for that we must apologise."

"Now, what about the harassment at the school, both to my clients present and my clients who cannot be here?"

"Again, we believe that we could have dealt with Mr Stevens sooner if the right information had been available. I'm afraid I can't elaborate further but please let me assure you that the revised anti-harassment policy is strict and future attitudes such as the one that Ms Johnson encountered will not be tolerated. To that end we have permanently excluded Mr Stevens."

"There was another boy involved in the incident with Ms Johnson."

"Indeed and we have reviewed his case carefully. Certain undertakings have been sought and received and whilst he is under threat of exclusion he has returned to school following suspension. He has no more chances. Please forgive me if I don't mention his name, under our confidentiality rules."

"Thank you Frances. Harold, would you like to say anything?"

"Thank you John. Firstly I'd like to say that I am looking forward to seeing Eve back at school. Whilst I must accept that the school is partly responsible for the some problems you have encountered I'd hope that you can return soon."

"Mr Spinner, I am looking forward to returning, but I believe we have some issues to discuss before then?"

Mum spoke, "Mr Spinner, I'd agree with Eve. Can we meet with you when we're finished here?"

"Certainly."

"All, thank you. I believe we have dealt with all bar one issue. The question of compensation."

"John, do you feel this is necessary?"

"Frances, my client has had her character dissected across the school as a result of lax policies that have only been changed because of her problems."

"John, obviously I need to discuss this with the relevant governors. Can I get back to you?"

"Certainly. If that's all?"

We all thanked Mr Dixon and left his office.

Eve Chapter 28

Apparently school governors all have real jobs as well so Mr Davis went off, leaving me, mum and the head. Mum, as usual suggested a coffee and the head accepted. As it was the end of the school day, and he didn't quite have his feet back under his desk, he was okay about spending an hour with us.

We sat at the back of the coffee shop, away from the counter. After all, we didn't want my problems announced to all the customers, did we?

"How are you Si, err, Eve?"

"I'm mostly fine Sir, but I'm still under my surgeon and other doctors." I didn't want to say I was seeing a shrink and was still on anti-depressants, obviously.

"I understand. I had a letter from Dr Fox explaining that you might need some time."

Great. Now he knows I'm seeing a shrink.

"Did she say any more?"

"No."

That helps, I think. "I have been thinking, Sir, about coming back to school, but I don't want to create more problems."

Mum was unusually quiet.

"Eve, Mrs Jones, your welfare is more important than your school work, but we can work around any problems. I hope that the remaining staff and pupils will understand and will welcome you. As a sixth-former you won't see much of the lower years."

That limits it to over a hundred students and thirty staff then.

"Sir, before we go any further, I think I need to explain a few things."

"I'm listening, but I am not here to judge you. Explain as much as you need to."

I started with my mum's problems when I was born, and explained that until my exam certs arrived I had no idea of my full name. Then I explained how medical circumstances forced me into skirts, I missed out the bit about how mum manipulated me. Then I said how I was comfortable with this and it was no longer a disguise, especially now I was developing breasts.

I then told him I was seeing a gender identity specialist again on Friday.

"How often will your appointments be?"

"I'm not sure at the moment. Can I get back to you?"

"Of course."

I asked for his direct email address, I still wasn't happy about dealing with the office staff because of the problems at the school, even though the bursar was history. He gave me a business card but asked that none of the other students are told.

"Now, what my return?" See, I've made my mind up.

"I can't see there being a problem but I will need a letter from your psychiatrist explaining why you are returning as a female. I have now been told that we have a transgender policy, in fact it covers the GLBT spectrum. Apparently County adopted the policy a few years ago but myself and the governors weren't informed. The former bursar was also the clerk to the governors."

"Ah, that explains a few things. I'll talk to the shrink about that letter."

"Right, otherwise I'll talk to your tutors. As you're not changing your name, so far as the records are concerned, we won't need any deed poll or statutory declaration."

Mum decided to speak, "Mr Spinner, in fact Eve has changed her name." She handed him one of the copies.

"Thank you, although I must admit I wasn't expecting this. I'm sure the new bursar will be able to handle it."

"I have told my home tutor that I want to take my work directly from the school. I have a memory stick with my latest work."

He accepted the memory stick. "I  had heard that your home tutor wasn't needed any more. I'll talk to your sixth form tutors and arrange things. Mrs Abbott however has asked not to mark your work any longer, I don't know what that's about but I'll deal with it. In the meantime can Claire Johnson act as a go-between?"

"If that's alright with her. I take it you know?"

"Eve, relationships between students are none of my business so long as the school isn't being disrupted."

"Right."

Mum spoke, "Thank you Mr Spinner. Can I suggest we meet again once we have some more information from Eve's doctors and aim for Eve returning to school after half-term? She has a medical certificate valid until the 31st."

"That's a reasonable timescale, subject to Eve's doctors. Please let the office know when you want to meet me."

"Thank you."

We all rose and said farewell to the head. I'd never had a real problem with him previously and it didn't look like I would now.

Mum suggested we get back to the car before the rain hit us. We have had a prolonged dry spell, but the darkening sky was very threatening.

We made it indoors just as the first drops fell. Within seconds the path outside the house was awash. Looks like we're staying in for the rest of the day. Then the doorbell rang!

I found two drenched delivery men on the doorstep with some boxes. They put then in the hall then asked mum to sign for them.

"That's your dresser."

"But it's flat pack."

"Yes, leave it there for now, you can put it together tomorrow."

The rain was continuous, it really was the first meaningful rain since August, and the garden sorely needed it, but, hey, it really put a dampener on the day, pun intended.

Mum and I prepared a curry for dinner. I found my letter from the bank on the table. They welcomed me and included some student style offers, like a new credit card. Of course, as I was only 16 they shouldn't offer me such things. Another envelope, this time unmarked, contained my debit card. No PIN yet though.

By now, the smell of the curry could be found throughout the house, mum had me closing our bedroom doors as she didn't fancy curried smelled clothes. While it was cooking, a long slow affair, I went up to my PC and checked emails.

Claire had sent me a soppy email complaining about the weather. She added that she wasn't getting any strange looks or comments now. Apart from David Stevens and Joey Brown I wasn't aware of any one having a go at her, I must ask Annie what the score is.

I'd stopped checking my old Simon mailbox a few days ago so only read emails to Eve. Apart from Claire and Annie, only Jenny had my new email address. She'd let me know about arranging to meet in town on Saturday while her and my mums were doing something unspecified. Mum hadn't mentioned any of this to me, as usual. I forwarded that email to Claire, so she could join us if she was free.

Then I logged into the online tutor website. There were a couple of multi-choice Q&A quizzes so I worked on one for an hour until mum shouted for dinner.

The curry was superb, and very filling. We put everything in the dishwasher and set it going. The breakfast bits were in there already. I suppose we were just lazy, but neither had any energy. The telly was awful so I went upstairs to listen to the radio, changing into a nightie. I fell asleep on the bed with the radio on as it was still playing in the morning. Not done that for a long time.