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Chapters 41 & 42

  The following morning, Wednesday, I was up just after seven and started work on my laptop straight away. Mum made some comments about a shower, breakfast and something else so I reluctantly closed it down again. I was getting out of the shower when the phone rang, mum answered it and I went to get dressed.

"Eve?"

"Yes mum?"

"That was Mr Dixon. Ms Holts got one night in the cells and a £200 fine."

"That all?"

"Apparently she claimed it was all down to stress."

"Yeah, and pigs can fly?"

"Never mind the sarcasm, we're needed in half an hour."

"What for?"

"There's a detective constable who wants to interview you, at Mr Dixon's office."

I finished dressing quickly and grabbed two slices of toast, this was becoming a habit. As it was we made it to our solicitor's office a few minutes late, mostly due to the traffic. We were introduced to DC Barnaby by Mr Dixon, of course we'd met before at the hospital.

"Good morning Miss Jones, Mrs Jones."

"Mornin'"

We all sat and the officer explained he wanted to go back through our involvement with the Stevens family. Making certain which one of them we were talking about was difficult at times, but the DC managed to be certain about what he was writing, before committing his pen to the statement.

We were on page nine before the incident at the retail park came up.

"I took some photos."

"Did you? Could I see them?"

I showed the photos, which included images of DVD's on the floor, as well as the son hitting the uniformed copper in the stomach. DC Barnaby was very excited at this image.

"Could I take your phone please? That image could be very useful."

"Certainly, but can I have it back today?"

"I'll see what I can do."

We finished off the statement then read back through it, with Mr Dixon making the odd observation. Finally at eleven the statement was finished, DC Barnaby popped my phone in an evidence bag and left. We sat for a minute longer, Mr Dixon spoke to us.

"I'm afraid, Eve, you won't be seeing your phone for a while. As it's evidence in an attempted murder, it has to be preserved for the court. I'd suggest you get a replacement and let me have the receipt. I'll arrange for your number to be transferred, you should buy the equivalent handset if the exact model's not available."

"I wish I hadn't mentioned it now, but if it helps to put him away ..."

"It will indeed help judging from what I have seen. If that's all?"

We left the offices and stopped at Asda for a few essentials before heading home. While we'd been out the post had arrived, two were from the hospital. The first was from Dr Preston, his letter told me that, as far as he and Dr Fox were concerned, I was a month into my Real Life Test and he included a 'to whom it may concern' letter. I made a note to check on the 'net what it meant.

The second letter told me to report to the hospital for an appointment in the Genito-Urinary department with Dr Roberts for Monday morning two weeks hence, the 26th. I remembered his attitude last time, and his eyes for mum. I showed the letter to mum, she pointed out a second page that said I should have nothing bar water from six the previous evening. I had to be at the hospital at eight with an overnight bag.

I didn't understand what this meant and mum said we'd speak to Sharon later, she first saw the letter from Dr Preston.

"Do you know what this means?"

"You're officially female, make some duplicates straight away."

After lunch we went out with a few copies in my bag. The first stop in town was our solicitors, he was out but a receptionist took the letter. Next was the Post Office for a few Driving Licence application forms and a replacement passport form. Next stop was the doctor's surgery where the receptionist, who was obviously new, couldn't work out what was going on. I should have put it in an envelope, isn't hindsight wonderful?

Back home I went to see Sharon.

"It looks like you are going to have a procedure under anesthetic. Give the hospital a call and ask if you want to. Don't worry yet though, there's probably another letter but they arrived in the wrong order."

We were there when the girls returned. Claire threw herself at me, almost pushing me over. When she calmed down I told her about the letters.

"That's wonderful, I mean the RLT not the surgery."

"Do you know what it is?"

"Yes, we've had some talks on discrimination and tolerance. One of the speakers was a Dr Preston."

"Oh. He's a Gender Identity specialist."

"Yes, he said something like that. So, you're definitely a girl now, legally, my girl!"

I couldn't quite see how my life had changed since yesterday so decided to change the subject, and location. "I suppose so, are you ready for that bike ride?"

We rode out along the canal but it was too damp to sit on the grass and a sudden shower had us dashing home after forty-five minutes. We were both suitably soaked but agreed to talk later so I could get some more work done.

I spent an hour working before we broke for dinner, just as we sat down there was a knock on the door and a courier delivered an envelope. I signed and took it to the kitchen table, in it was a letter from the hospital with a compliment slip apologising for the delay.

All the letter said was that an anomoly had been found and they wanted to do some exploratory surgery. It went on to assure me that I was in no danger. It then said I should receive instructions within two days. So much for hospital administration!

After dinner I went upstairs and concentrated on getting an essay completed. At nine I again stopped work but checked if Claire was online before calling her. We chatted for a while and I let her know that I would be in the school in the morning. We exchanged kisses, as best as you can with video-conferencing, then cut the connection.

I gave up the idea of a hot chocolate so just got a glass of water. I was asleep by half nine.

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On Thursday morning I was still tired but forced myself out of bed just before seven thirty. I headed downstairs for a mug of tea, for a change, before taking my shower. Shortly after eight I was back downstairs having some cereal. I declined the offer of some toast and had a banana instead.

I went back upstairs to do some work before mum called at nine forty-five. We got into the car and drove to my school, St Peter's Comprehensive & Sixth Form Colege, St P's. We were expected and were led into the Head's office. Some coffee arrived a minute later, before we'd started.

"Good morning Eve, Mrs Jones."

"Good morning headmaster."

"Eve, please call me Mr Spinner."

"Okay."

"Right, I'd like to talk about your return to school, but I fear there may be some legal issues to resolve."

"Like what?"

"Like your file now says you are Simon Jones, Male."

"Ah, would these help?" I pulled a copy of the Stat Dec from my bag followed by a copy of Dr Preston's letter.

"Those will do nicely. So I take it you are now female."

"Apart from a small medical issue."

"So what is the current position with your health, please don't think you have to tell me by the way."

"No, there's no problem. I am due to have some minor surgery on the 26th, during half-term week. Otherwise I have no appointments beyond this week."

"That's good news. So when do you think you could be back?"

"Assuming the surgery doesn't create any more problems I should be here on the second of November."

"I'll make sure your tutors are aware. I'm assuming you aren't expecting everyone to be welcoming."

"I'm aware that some may have an issue, but haven't there been some anti-discrimination classes?"

"Yes, but although we have a zero tolerance policy we can't be certain that everyone will abide by it. Obviously we will deal with any problems straight away but you need to be aware that these things could happen."

"Mr Spinner, I believe my daughter has accepted this position, otherwise she wouldn't be talking about returning to school and we'd be looking at another solution."

"Mrs Jones, I'm not trying to frighten, merely state our position. We are, thanks in many ways to Eve, more aware of our obligations. We see them as challenges not as problems, our aim is to ensure the smooth running of the school, intolerant pupils, students or staff are a hinderance to that policy."

"Mr Spinner, I'm told that Mrs Abbot won't touch my work."

"I believe there was an issue, but she has asked to move to another school from Christmas. She won't be teaching your year group between now and then."

"Right, I'm a little confused at the amount of work heading my way at the moment. I know I'm behind, but it feels like I received two weeks' worth earlier this week."

"We didn't receive any of last week's assignments back, or any messages."

"Claire." I said softly.

"Pardon? I didn't catch that."

Mother took over, "Mr Skinner I was in hospital from Wednesday to Saturday. Eve was dealing with the hospital concerning me as well as her own appointments. We were told on Monday this week that work had been set but we never saw it. Each of Eve's tutors were supposed to receive an apology from Claire Johnson, the messenger who didn't deliver."

"Mum!"

"Sorry Eve, but it's true."

"Mrs Jones, I'll pass that on to the tutors, although I wasn't aware of any of the circumstances, it might have been useful if Miss Johnson had said something, but it's too late now. What does need to be addressed is how far back you are. I hope the latest assignments will help us work that out. The coursework that's been submitted so far is excellent, by the way."

"Thank you."

"Okay, I'd like to see you once again during the half-term break if I can, maybe the Friday morning, say at ten again?"

"We'll be here."

Mum and I left and walked back to the car.

"You know, I wanted to go away during half term but now I'm in hospital for one, perhaps two, days and have a meeting on the Friday. It's not an option now."

"Eve, there will be other times. Don't forget the theatre trip, that's only two weeks from now."

We drove home and I went straight back to my work, determined that it should be some of my best. I broke for lunch and dinner and was still up there at nine.

I heard the sound of a bell ringing and realised that I was laying on my bed, my laptop was next to me, it was the laptop making the noise. I had a choice at this moment to answer the call, or answer the call of nature. I chose the latter, by which time the ringing had finished. I changed and fell asleep almost instantly, at least it seemed like that.

On the Friday morning I knew I wanted to get the girls something special for their birthday, but for Claire it had to be very special. I had some vague ideas, but decided to go for a few things that would be very personal to Claire. First however was the small matter of a physical.

We arrived at the GP surgery at nine and were shown into the examination room. Dr Kumar asked a few questions and found out I was due some exploratory surgery just over a week hence, he also found out I'd already given his staff my RLT letter, but nobody had actually told him.

A nurse drew some blood, lots of it. She left the room and I undressed behind a screen then came out wearing a gown. I was prodded, weighed, sized and then he put on a one-fingered glove.

I did not like the experience one little bit, and I still don't know if Dr Kumar was expecting any reaction, or any other result, because he was mightily confused. A repeat examination yielded nothing new so he gave up, but first made several lengthy notes on his PC. He told us to return the following Friday and sent us away. I asked mum to drop me into town.

I first decided to surprise Claire, in fact everyone, and go to see a stylist. It was quiet so I was seen straight away. Once my wig came off they could see my original hair, I was sent straight to one of the washing stations to have my hair washed and conditioned. Back at the cutting station we agreed on a style and spent half an hour getting it right before the dryer was used, after dampening my hair of course. I then let them give me a manicure and a pedicure. My wig went into a borrowed carrier bag before I started my shopping expedition.

My treks around the stores eventually wore me out, so I took a break in our favourite coffee house. The barista was on duty, as usual, and welcomed me in his own Italian style. I ordered a Moccha for a change, it arrived two minutes later. I was still sipping it a few minutes later when I saw Ms Holts walk past the coffee shop, I just knew that she'd seen me, seen that I was alone. I didn't want any trouble and I didn't have a replacement phone yet, I'd forgotten.

She pushed the door open and walked towards me, her face was red. The barista stopped his cleaning and moved to intercept. She tried to move around him then kicked him, he was not impressed and kicked her legs from under her. The rest of the barista's family started to arrive, followed a minute later by the police. She was kept on the floor, swearing freely.

I'd lost my cool exterior and was now crying against one of the older women who'd sat next to me. I was offered a tissue and brought my head up to see a familiar face in uniform, it was the same PC who'd arrested David Stevens when he'd thought he could create artwork with his spray can on mum's car.

"Miss Jones, I believe. Can you think why this lady would want to hurt you?"

"She is David Stevens' aunt, who is now in a Young Offender's Institute. She is also the former bursar at my school and has an attitude problem, she spent Monday night in a cell after swearing at the magistrates."

"I heard about that, apparently she got off lightly. It might be different now. It's a good job I was nearby, but there's several ASBO's in force right now so we like to keep an eye out when it's not busy." He looked around, there didn't appear to be any damage to the café. He then saw the CCTV camera that looked the length of the café to the street door, that prompted a quick conversation with the barista who sent one of the family to fetch the tape. One of them told me they'd seen her enter the café and had hit the panic button, not waiting to see what she wanted.

Another coffee was brought, my original one had gone cold.

"Would you like to ring anyone?" asked the PC. I nodded and he handed me his mobile, I rang mum and told her where I was.

Ms Holts had been taken away but the copper stayed with me until mum arrived twenty minutes later, with Mr Dixon. Does that solicitor have any other clients? I went over the very short story with mum and Mr Dixon, the PC found a statement pad from somewhere and we sat to take my statement, then the barista's, then each of his family who'd been downstairs before she'd landed, face down.

A shopping trip had turned into a saga and we all downed several more cups before the PC left, I wasn't asked to pay for a single one. The barista was trying to work out who she was, and why she'd want to attack me. When we mentioned she was the aunt of the little toad by the name of David Stevens he instantly knew, the kid was barred from everywhere in town and his poster was in most shops.

Mum marched me to a phone shop and got me a new mobile before putting me in the car and driving me home.

"Mum, it's not my fault she tried to attack me."

"I know, but I'm not sure about you going into town on your own again. Where's your wig?"

"I'm nearly seventeen and not a little girl, I can't hide for the rest of my life. I'm not wearing that wig any more."

"You should have had a phone with you! You should have consulted me before going to the salon!"

I could see I wasn't going to win this argument with logic so I did what any self-respecting girl would do, I started crying. The one-sided discussion ceased and mum comforted me, parental manipulation at work.

I gave up trying to do any meaningful school work and spent an hour programming my new phone, I then called Mr Dixon's office and gave his secretary the SIM card number, my old number and the temporary number. She seemed confused but I explained it was pre-arranged. I then wrapped my presents for the girls.

At five I went upstairs and took a shower, wearing a shower cap. I was sat on my bed, still wearing a towel, when mum found me.

"I'm sorry Eve, I shouldn't have argued like that. I keep forgetting that you're not that little girl I often dreamed of. I want to be there all the time to protect you, especially when this kind of thing happens, but I know I can't. I'm scared for you."

"Mum, I know you care, but I can't go out into the world wearing cotton-wool or bubble-wrap. Not everyone out there is out to get me, believe it or not. All this trouble has come from one family, just one family. One's in a YOI, one's under a strict curfew and the third is in a cell. It's safe out there again."

"I believe you, by the way Mr Dixon rang, I believe she finally got the thirty days she obviously craved, the magistrates were only too pleased to see her again."

"Oh good."

"Now, get your butt in gear, you've got to look your best."

I put on some of my new black lingerie before sitting to do my make-up. Nothing too heavy, just enough to enhance. Finally I put on some tights and my new LBD, before taking it back off to remove the price label.

By six thirty I was ready and I joined mum in the lounge. She was wearing a red dress with a black jacket, I suddenly realised I didn't have a jacket so went flying back upstairs to find something in my wardrobe, eventually I settled on a calf length black coat. I grabbed my bag, making sure I had my bank card, then rushed back downstairs as the taxi stopped outside.

Sharon had ordered a six seater for our trip to the restaurant, I don't think anyone saw my hair when we got in, Sharon and the girls were still indoors getting their shoes and bags organised. The ride took ten minutes and Sharon paid. As we all got out Claire went to give me a kiss then shrieked.

"Eve, what have you done?"

"It was time for that hairstyle change, remember what I said last weekend?"

"But when?"

"This morning. Do you like?"

"Yes, yes, hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm." The rest of the group, which now included Jenny, Aunt Sue and two other girls, started coughing gently, Claire eventually took the hint and put me down. We were then able to move inside, we had reserved a large round table at the back of the Chinese restaurant. The manager took our coats and left us alone for a few minutes.

Annie introduced me to Andrea and Suzie, Claire was muzzling my neck and unable to achieve anything meaningful, it was as if someone had turbo-charged her hormones. I could see Andrea and Suzie holding hands so I just knew there wouldn't be an issue with them.

The meal itself was pretty standard fare, there was tons of wasted food as everyone always misunderstands the size of the dishes, or that you can order more as you go along. Maybe one day us Brits will understand?

After the meal, which was alcohol free given the number of sub eighteen year old girls, we chatted for a while and I settled the bill. Our taxi was outside when we finally all made it to the street, nine girls all wanted to use the Ladies at the same time, who'd believe it?

We all went back to Sharon's, Aunt Sue had driven the two new girls and arrived just after us. Once inside we all started talking at once. Jenny grabbed my hand to inspect the ring on my finger, she'd been sat opposite me, between my mum and her mum, so couldn't get close enough to see. Claire's ring was next.

We then got to the present giving time. I went first, giving Claire a pamper day at health spa outside the town, a gold chain and matching earrings. Both were inset with diamonds. That earned me a big kiss and some open mouths from everyone else. For Annie it was a little more mundane, a writing set with gold plated pens. The others then took their turns, there was a mixture of gold, clothing and trinkets. some of the clothing would be going back to the shops to be exchanged, I knew Claire's tastes intimately.

Andrea and Suzie were desperate to hear how we'd met and the rest of our life story, but before I could start to tell them anything the three adults appeared with a cake

We had to give a rendition of "Happy Birthday" but I doubt we'll get a call from Simon Cowell soon. Claire and myself were then toasted with a sparkling alcohol-free perry. It was cold and fizzy, those were its only attributes. None of us could manage the cake so Sharon went back to the kitchen to prepare some slices to take home. Us girls got back to the serious subject of talking.

"Where did you two first meet?"

This was one I posed to Andrea and Suzie, they'd already asked that question of me and Claire.

"I moved to the school two years ago when my folks came to town. Andrea was asked to show me around and look after me for the first week. We just clicked."

"Yeah, we became good friends first and lovers second, about six months ago. How far have you two gone, I mean ..."

Thanks Andrea, nothing like a direct question. Claire answered for me in a matter-of-fact way, as I turned shades of crimson.

"We've been sleeping together since last week, but we made a promise to abstain, how about you?"

The two girls looked at each other and it was Suzie's turn to blush. Andrea answered.

"We've had sleepovers but our folks think it's separate beds, they don't know about us."

"Oh."

By mutual concern we switched the conversation to the school. Claire knew more about the sixth form than me, so took the lead. I hoped it wouldn't take me long to catch up with the gossip and the new students when I get back.

By eleven we were showing exhaustion, Aunt Sue took Andrea and Suzie home as it was on her way. Mum went home and Claire led me to her bed.