AMATEUR XXX STORIES

-

ALPHABETICAL SEX STORY LISTINGS:

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z

The Girl With A Bicycle 30

The girl With A Bicycle - 30 By Wandering Lanes

(Story codes No-sex, slow)

I was sitting in the living room - with me was Maria from the local

Social Security office and DS Nichols of the police. Nichols turned to me.

"Is it okay if I phone in, I'll get the boys in blue out onto the streets -

I think I can swing this as Becky was on the at_risk register."

I nodded to give my assent and he picked up the phone, I turned to

Maria. "Becky was on the at_risk?"

She nodded then said, "But that was before Darren's attack! Since Becky

is now a ward of court and with foster parents she has been down graded,"

she looked at Nichols, "But don't tell them that until after we find her."

She grabbed my hand, "Don't worry Mike - we will find her." I looked down

at the hand, then along my wrist - The radios!

I looked at both Maria and Nichols, "I'm a fool!"

They both looked at me questioning my statement, I showed the radio. I

pressed the talk button. "Becky can you hear me," there was no reply, I

tried a different approach. "Kylie this is Uncle Mike, Becky is hiding, do

you know where she is?"

Becky's voice then came over the receiver. "DON'T TELL HIM KYLIE, YOU

KNOW WHAT I SAID!"

Kylie's voice could then be heard. "I'm sorry Uncle Mike, I did promise

Becky that I wouldn't tell, and you did say to keep a secret."

I tried to convince her. "Kylie I did say that if someone was in

trouble then it was okay to tell."

But Becky had other plans, "Don't tell him Kylie, I'll be in worse

trouble if you do."

I jumped in. "No Becky, you're not in trouble, you're just confused,

it's normal, please tell us where you are, I'm worried about you."

Her reply was short, "NO. And Kylie don't tell them okay?"

Kylies response wasn't what I wanted to hear, "Okay Becky I did

promise."

I shook my head - Maria held my hands again. "Don't worry Mike, Kylie

doesn't know how serious the situation is?"

Nichols added "Well I've asked for all the uniforms and cars available

to keep an eye out for Becky, we'll find her." But I remembered what Becky

was saying to Kylie on that Sunday when we had her parents round, 'see I

told you it was a great place!' it had to be close by, but where?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I pushed the talk button,

"Becky, where are you"

Her angry voice answered "Go away Mr. Mike, I don't want to go back and

that's what you'd tell me to do," I looked at Maria who nodded her head.

I answered her "Yes, Becky, I won't lie, you will have to go back to

your foster parents, but its only for a short time, I promise," Should I

tell her, yes I had to, "Becky I'm trying to adopt you, but I can't if we

can't find you"

I could hear her sobs over the radio "I'd like to believe you Mr. Mike,

but I just can't, I'm sorry, Mr. Mike but I don't want to talk to you,

goodbye,"

"Becky, Becky answer me please," no reply, I looked at Nichols, "She's

switched off." Then I thought 'Switched off? How? -what did Greg say,

remote tracker. Of course!' I reached for my mobile phone, Nichols looked

on in astonishment.

"Greg's electrical outlet..." I never gave him a chance,

"Greg, Mike here - get those instructions for the radios, find the

section on remote tracker, Don't ask I haven't got time."

My voice must have shown my anguish because after a few seconds Greg's

voice came back, "Okay Mike, on the master radio tune into the frequency,

now press the 'find me' and broadcast buttons together, hold until the

radio bleeps twice, then press tracker." - I wrote down the instructions

and read them back to Greg who agreed with my check.

I phoned up Sharon, when she answered I had to say, "Sharon can you

re-tune your radio, it doesn't matter which frequency as long as its not

our private one!"

She didn't ask why but a few seconds later she said, "Done," then she

asked, "Why Mike?"

I told her, she thought for a moment then said, "What about Kylie, would

she know where Becky might be?"

I said, "I've tried, but Becky's asked her not to tell, I don't want to

force Kylie on this." I said a quick goodbye to Sharon. and pressed the

talk button on my radio, "Kylie, I want you to retune your radio from our

frequency, don't worry it's just for a short time, okay"

Her reply was slow in arriving, "Uncle Mike, I. I'm. Sorry about not

obeying you, but Becky's my friend, please don't make me betray her trust

in me, she'd never talk to me again." I reassured her, telling her I

understood and asked her to retune her radio to a Brownie frequency which

she promised to do.

I said to Nichols, "How many uniform officers are there in the area?"

He looked baffled at the question then pulled out a police radio, spoke

into it then said, "There's 20 on the beat and 8 in cars, why?"

I ignored the question, but asked, "In the cars do they have tracker?"

He nodded, I continued, "Good, ask the cars to tune to 47.2 MHz. Ask the

beat officers to make themselves conspicuous, I'm going to get the Brownies

to help us track down where Becky is!" While he spoke to the control room I

pressed the broadcast button on the radio.

"Flamingo, flamingo, flamingo - this is Mike Moore with an important

announcement, All Brownies I need your help, Brown Owl, Tawny or Snowy Owl

please respond on Broadcast mode."

I heard Margaret's voice respond "This is Brown Owl, Mike what's wrong?"

I explained the situation and what I wanted to do, Margaret agreed and

asked all the Brownies who were listening to go to the nearest policeman

and await instructions.

I followed my written instructions, relieved to hear the bleeps sounding

from the radio, then I pressed the tracker button, a single light pointed

at 45 degrees. I turned until the light was pointing ahead. Then I

pressed the broadcast button.

"All Brownies the tracker is active, please tune your radios to 47.2

MHz, press find and tell the nearest police officer the direction."

Nichols was onto the control room, he reported back to me, "Well, you've

got most of the force talking to Brownies at the moment, I've asked the

control room to use a map and line up the directions given."

We all got into Nichols car and started to follow the tracker, after a

few minutes his radio crackled, he answered it and was given directions to

where the lines had intersected.

When we arrived in the area there were 3 police cars moving in the

roads, and a couple of policemen with some Brownies concentrating on their

radio's

I spoke into my radio, "This is Mike Moore, thank you everybody, I think

we've found her, you can re-tune to your normal frequency, I'll let you

know what happened later." I asked the few Brownies with us to keep their

radio's tracking

As the Brownies had already found out, with several trackers we

triangulated Becky's position, an old derelict house quite near to mine, a

small flapping piece of wood showing an opening large enough for a child to

enter.

We managed to force the door open and Nichols allowed me to enter, Maria

stayed behind with the others, the pointer showed ahead, but there was a

wall in my way, I angled the radio up and a new direction was given, she

was upstairs.

The stairs were rotting, but we managed to negotiate our way up them to

the first floor, the sounds of sobbing could now be made out coming from

one of the bedrooms, we entered to find Becky sitting on the floor hugging

her legs with her head on her knees.

I walked towards her, "Becky, Oh Becky - I know its difficult"

She looked up at me, "No you don't"

I sat down beside her, "Yes, I do. I promised to look after you, and I

am trying to do so."

She spat out the words "But why can't I stay with you, why do I have to

stay with them, I want to stay with you Mr. Mike, Please let me."

Nichols spoke from the doorway "Becky, until Mike can get the adoption

papers sorted out you have to stay with a responsible family, the

McGruder's have looked after loads of children, But Mike is a single person

the rules don't allow him, or people like him, to quickly adopt children. I

know Maria and Nancy have already spoken up for him, but it takes Judges to

decide."

Becky looked at him, "But Mr. Mike has looked after me, he's even saved

me, why can't they just let me stay with him?"

Nichols looked at her, "Because too many are like Darren, and the judges

don't know which is which, so until they decide Mike has to prove to them

that he isn't another Darren in disguise."

Becky was in tears, "Bu, but Mr. Mike isn't like Darren, can't you tell

them? You're a policeman, they'd listen to you."

Nichols was now crouching down, "I have Becky," I looked at him, he

nodded, "I was called as a witness yesterday - You should be called in a

few day's time," He turned back to Becky, "So you see, Becky you have to go

back to the McGruder's, it'll only be for a short time, and you'll be able

to talk to Mike and Kylie whenever you want, I'll ensure your radio isn't

taken away again, okay?"

She gave a quiet sob, then nodded, "Okay, I'll go back to them," she

looked at me, "I'm sorry Mr. Mike,"

I hugged her, "That's okay Becky, you were scared and didn't know what

you were doing or saying," I lifted her up into my arms.

How I managed to get down the stairs carrying Becky I don't remember,

but we left the house to find the three police cars, an ambulance and a

tearful Maria not to mention the police officers and Brownies standing

outside.

Becky looked at me, "Why are all these people here?"

I hugged her closer to me, "They were all worried about you, and have

been looking for you ever since you ran away!"

Her tears started to flow again, she wriggled in my arms trying to show

that she wanted to be put down, which I did.

She ran to the waiting crowd, "I so sorry, I didn't mean to cause such a

fuss, please forgive me." And her crying drowned out her words, but it

didn't matter, she was surrounded by all of them some offering

handkerchiefs, others just awkwardly trying to hug her.

After each had tried to calm her, the only person left was Maria, who

held out her arms to Becky, who ran into them, hugging her.

Becky looked up at Maria, "I know I have to go back, but please, is it

true that Mr. Mike's trying to adopt me?"

Maria nodded, "Yes, he has made an application, which is being decided

on now," she thought for a moment, "The McGruder's have said that you can

keep your radio, and - although he isn't really allowed to - Mike's going

to be able to visit you, just don't run away again okay?"

Becky nodded, "Yes Maria, as long as I know I can see Mr. Mike I'll be

happy."

Maria hugged Becky again, and waved me over, I said to Nichols, "Thank

you for your help,"

He shrugged, "No, that's okay, I didn't really help you, you were the

one with the tracker all I did was to call the boys in."

I shook his hand, "You were there, and you helped, so thank you." He

accepted my thanks and I joined Maria.

Becky held onto my hand, "Will you come with us Mr. Mike?"

I looked at Maria, "Is that allowed?"

She smiled and shook her head, "No, its against regulations, but I can't

see that it will do any harm." And taking hold of Becky's other hand we

walked to her car.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Becky clung to me all the time that Maria drove, she was sobbing away, I

remembered that Kylie was still unaware of the situation. I pressed the

broadcast button on my radio. "This is Mike to Kylie, you can tune your

radio back now. Brown Owl and Brownies, I thank you for your help" - Becky

pulled on my arm and nodded, "Becky also thanks you all, I'll try to see

you at the meeting tomorrow, Mike out."

Maria spoke up, "that was good of you Mike, I mean thanking the Brownies

like that."

I smiled - for the first time really that day. "Well I had to, without

their help we'd never have found Becky so quickly - I couldn't say nothing

to them could I?"

My radio crackled. "Becky are you there?" It was Kylie, I pointed to

Becky's radio.

I said, "I think you need to turn the volume up" She looked at the

radio, noticing that the tracking light was flashing and that the volume

was turned down - she switched off the 'find-me' button and turned up the

volume.

"Hello Ky. I'm here!" she said.

Kylie's voice came back. "Oh Becky, I didn't tell anyone about your

hiding place, honest!" she seemed scared - afraid of losing her friend.

Becky quickly answered. "I know Ky. Mr. Mike was being sneaky, he

managed to start my tracker and then played hide 'n' seek using the cops

and Brownies - he didn't play fair!" she managed to giggle at this, her

youthful exuberance finally coming out again.

I held onto Becky as she continued to talk to Kylie, Maria kept driving.

We soon arrived at an old house, two people were standing outside, Maria

parked and let us out of the car - she then walked to them. She spoke to

the McGruder's, for it was them, they were in their 50's and my first

reaction to them was of grandparents, they had a happy look about them.

I turned to Becky. "How could you run away from them?"

She shook her head. "Because they're not like you or Aunt Sharon," she

said. "I mean they are nice, but they don't hug as much and," she said in

an aside, "he can't keep up with me!"

Maria called me over to them, "Mike Moore this is Paul and Joan

McGruder. They've been in the foster parenting system for over 25 years." I

shook hands with them.

"I'm sorry Becky's been giving you problems." I said.

Paul shook his head. "She hasn't really been a problem you know, I mean

compared to some that we've had."

Becky seemed amused at that. "What? Some boy was worse than me?"

Paul laughed. "No, not a boy! It was a girl! Let see she was eleven

at the time, couldn't be held in any house and ran away from us four times.

She finally settled down! What was her name again?"

Joan spoke up "Paul stop playing around, you know that Maria doesn't

like you talking about her like that."

Becky looked at Maria who nodded, Becky said in astonishment "Maria, you

were a. a. " She didn't know what to say

Maria came to her rescue. "Yes, I was orphaned when I was seven, I was

moved from one family to another, I couldn't allow myself to stay

anywhere." She smiled - "I was sure my parents would be looking for me,

even though I knew they couldn't." she started to look wistful at the

memory. "Then I was moved onto the McGruder's." She held onto Joan's hand.

"I thought they were pretty weak at first, but after the fourth time I ran

away they showed me compassion, normally kids are re-assigned to different

parents or even placed into a foster home, I didn't want that so I accepted

their help, and that's put me where I am now." She hugged Joan and then

Paul.

Paul looked at Becky, "I know you don't want to be with us, we're not

the people you know or trust, all I ask is that you give us a chance, we're

not judging you, we're trying to provide you with a base, somewhere to fall

back on." I was hearing my words being repeated from someone else's lips. "

Becky looked at me, "But I don't want to lose you Mr. Mike."

I ruffled her hair. "You won't Becky, just because you're staying here

doesn't mean that you are stuck here, you still have your friends, I'm sure

that Paul and Joan aren't going to stop you from having your friends

visiting you."

Paul agreed with me. "Heck no, we love having children round." Becky

started to put her hands on her hips. "I'm sorry Becky, I meant having

other people around." His smile showed that he knew what her reaction was

going to be, it became infectious, Becky realised it as well and started to

smile, then giggle finally laughing, which we all joined in with.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

We were shown inside, Maria wanted to talk to Becky - this time to

ensure that she wasn't going to run away again and to get her to talk about

her fears. I was left to the tender mercies of the McGruders - No I didn't

mean that, they are quite a pleasant couple.

I tried to break the ice. "I have to thank you for your patience with

Becky."

Paul smiled, "We're used to it, Maria always sends us her worse, and

most of the time we're successful in helping them." He got a wistful look

on his face. "Unfortunately we don't always succeed, we've had a couple of

kids who wouldn't trust us." He looked hard at me. "I suppose we're like

you."

I was taken aback with that. "I don't understand, I mean I couldn't do

this."

Paul smiled. "But you are, when Becky talks of Mr. Mike, there's a

touch of hero worship in her voice, I know you're not related to her, but

you've had a profound effect on her, I understand you're trying to adopt

her." I nodded, he continued, "I'd better warn you - the courts prefer

married couples to adopt, I'm not trying to railroad you into anything, but

I think you'd better plan for when you're request is refused."

My shock was apparent on my face - refused! How can they refuse? Joan

spoke up, "I'm afraid Paul is right. Good intentions aren't the only

criteria that other people look for. Do you have a girlfriend?" I nodded,

"Are you planning to marry her?"

I immediately replied, "Yes - but only when she in a position to be able

to rely on her own judgement, without my pressuring her. I've had my share

of pressure and I don't want to inflict it on others!"

Paul said, "and what about Darren?"

I looked down. "You know about Darren?" Paul nodded, I drew a deep

breath, "I didn't like Darren - for what he was and what he did to Becky, I

could have cheerfully killed the bastard for what he did," I looked at

Joan, "I'm sorry about my language."

She smiled. "Don't worry Mike, we've heard worse, and from much

younger."

Paul then said, "Maria let us have the official notes about Becky, but I

believe there's some details she hasn't included." He held up his hand. "I

don't know and I don't care, I just think that you have been doing the

right thing with her, however awkward it may be for you. Becky does need

you, for your understanding and for you yourself. I wish you luck, but use

your bloody head, or you will lose her!"

I looked shocked - Joan nodded. "He means it, there are times when he

seems to know things without realising it! He surprises me at times."

I smiled wryly. "I think I know what you mean, Sharon would say the

same about me at times."

Joan smiled and left the room, Paul gestured me to sit down. "I could

feel a kindred soul in you Mike, remember sometimes it's better to slowly

coax people along, other times they need a kick in the pants - I think

that's what you need."

I nodded, and then said. "As I said before I don't want to force Sharon

into a marriage that she might regret later, I want to be sure that she's

able to stand on her own feet first."

Paul asked, "And when might that be? 5 years time? 10? Would you wait

that long?"

I shook my head, "No I wouldn't, and I wouldn't ask her to either, but

she should be financially secure in about a months time, when she gets the

insurance money following her husband's death. I'm planning to ask her to

marry me after she gets it."

Paul nodded. "So you're going to wait for what? Six weeks?" I nodded,

Paul continued, "Since she's going to get the money anyway. Why do you

need to wait?" I opened my mouth, but he stopped me. "No, don't answer. I

want you to think about that! Only you can decide! Now I think Joan has

tea ready."

He got up and pointed the way to the kitchen, Maria, Becky and Joan were

already seated and were talking to one another, as we entered Maria held up

a small cloth doll. "I didn't know you still had Michelle, she was still

in the hiding space I found."

Paul laughed, "That hole's been there since we got the house, I think

you were the third one to find it!" He turned to me and said "I keep an eye

on that just in case the mice find it. I think there's a diary and a toy

car in there as well."

Maria looked indignant "Uncle Paul! I thought it was secret."

He shook his head, "Towel head, you should know there's no secrets

here."

Becky giggled. "TOWEL HEAD! Why did you call her that?"

Maria started to shake her head, but Paul ignored her, "Because she kept

on washing her hair, it was a rare night when she didn't have a towel

around her head, I just started to call her that."

Maria looked darkly at Becky, "You've been let into a state secret, and

you're not allowed to tell anyone."

Becky smiled. "That's okay Maria, your secret is safe with me, honest.

I mean would I lie to you - 'towel head'?" Which set everyone off laughing

- well Maria did join in afterwards.

Becky then looked at Paul. "Why did you start looking after children?

Was it for the money?"

I covered my eyes - the mercenary side of Becky was back, maybe that was

a good sign. Paul laughed, "Do you know how much we're paid per child?"

Becky shook her head, Paul said. "a pittance." At her enquiring look he

explained, "A very small amount, just enough for food and clothing, luckily

we have a private fund that we use when we need it. But as to why we do

it?" He pulled Joan closer to himself. "Just after we were married we

found out that we couldn't have children, that nearly destroyed us, but it

was suggested to us that we could act as foster parents."

He hugged Joan as he remembered, "Jackie was the first child we looked

after. He was a handful, but we learnt a lot from him, and I hope he

learnt from us. Since then we've accepted children and hopefully gave them

a solid ground to build from. We still hear from them at times, all seem

happy and now have children of their own, we're sort of adopted

grandparents to them."

Maria nodded. "Yes, I realised later that if Paul and Joan hadn't taken

me on, I'd never be where I am now." She went behind them and hugged their

shoulders. "I owe them a great deal."

Becky smiled and said. "Yeah, so you send them people like me to pester

them!"

Paul smiled. "We enjoy being pestered, it keeps us young, Maria knows

that and so sends her 'problems' to us." He looked at Becky, "We try to

comfort them when they need it, which is why we seem distant to you, as you

have Mr. Mike here to fall back on."

I had to speak. "Yes, but while she's here Becky will have to rely on

you two, I might not be able to drop everything at a moment's notice,

although I'd like to think I would, I'm sorry to say that Becky, but you

have to know this."

She nodded. "That's okay Mr. Mike, Maria's explained it all to me, and

I'll behave myself, I promise."

Paul smiled, "Hey, you don't have to do that, sometimes we like kids

that cause a fuss, it gives us old folk a bit of exercise you know!"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

We stayed with the McGruder's for another hour, in that time Becky

became more relaxed and contented to remain with them, she did manage to

start calling them Aunt Joan and Uncle Paul - I was still Mr. Mike!

Paul asked her why? She replied "Well, he's Kylie's Uncle Mike, I

thought he'd get confused if we both called him Uncle, so I call him Mr.

Mike, and I always think of him like that."

I said, "And I like being called that by you." I looked at Paul and

Joan. "I don't suppose I'll be able to borrow Becky tomorrow afternoon,

I've got to thank the Brownies and I'd like to take Becky with me."

Paul nodded, "That's fine by us, unless Maria has any official word on

that?"

Maria shook her head. "No Uncle Paul, I think Becky will be safe with

Mike, in fact I know she'll be safe."

"Then in that case," Paul said, "there's no problem."

We left them and as Maria drove away I could see Becky waving to us, on

each side of her was Paul and Joan, then they all turned round and entered

the house, in a way I was sad for she seemed to fit with them now.

Maria noticed for she said. "Its hard isn't it, giving Becky to another

person."

I nodded, "Yes, and some of the things Paul said. . . I'm not sure if

I'll be allowed to have her back."

Maria was silent for a short while, then said. "Don't worry Mike, I'm

sure you'll know what to say when the time comes."

I kept quiet, but I really wondered if I would?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I returned to a silent house, I phoned up Sharon and let her know about

Becky, she asked. "So do you think she's going to run away again?"

I said. "No. she understands now, I told her that I was going to adopt

her, and Nichols confirmed it for her, she's promised to stay with the

McGruder's, she's learnt that they're not so bad after all."

Sharon sounded concerned. "Was it wise for you to tell her, I mean we

were warned about that!"

"I know we were," I said, then carried on with, "but I had to let her

know that I was trying, that I hadn't given up. But there is one thing

that I was asked, by Paul."

I paused at this point, and Sharon asked, "Paul? Paul who?"

I grinned, "Paul McGruder the foster parent, he's okay, actually he's a

lot like me I found out. Anyway he asked me what would I do if I was

refused?"

Sharon asked cautiously, "and what was your answer?" I waited for a

moment, trying to gather my thoughts, Sharon got concerned, she said.

"Mike, Mike are you still there? Come on Mike answer me!"

I spoke into the mouthpiece. "I don't know, for the first time I just

don't know what I'd do. Sharon when the time comes for the judges decision

promise me that you'll be in the courtroom, I may need some moral support."

I heard the tone of her voice, patience I think it was. "Of course

Mike, I'll be there for both you and Becky." I thanked her, and then asked

if she wanted to come over and spend the night, as Becky already knew about

the adoption, she said. "I'd better not Mike, I promised the judge that I

wouldn't reveal any thing until after you'd spoken to them, I'm going to

keep my word."

I understood, and somehow I was relieved that she would honour such an

agreement, I did however manage to get an invitation to lunch on Sunday,

which I accepted.

After I hung up, I made a drink and tried to watch television, finally I

dragged myself upstairs and went to bed, alone again.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I turned up at Sharon's the next day (Sunday), washed, shaved and

looking respectable - Kylie was dressed in her Brownies uniform. She came

up to me and hugged me. "I'm sorry Uncle Mike, I should have told you, but

I was scared that Becky would stop talking to me."

I wrapped my arms around her. "That's okay Kylie, this time nothing bad

happened." I then looked into her eyes, "But that's not to say that it

won't happen again, but with different results, okay?"

She nodded, "Okay Uncle Mike, am I forgiven?"

I hugged her tightly. "Pumpkin, there's nothing to be forgiven about,

you were trying to keep a friend, and friendships are the major things to

keep alive, alright"

She smiled up at me. "Yes Uncle Mike, everything's fine now."

The rest of the dinner went without problems, although there were some

times when Kylie would start to say something about the adjudicator and be

interrupted by her mother.

I offered to take Kylie to Brownies when I picked up Becky but Sharon

said that she wanted to walk Kylie there, much to Kylie's annoyance "But

Mum, I wanted to see where Becky was staying."

But Sharon was adamant. "I'm sorry Kylie, but until Uncle Mike has

spoken to the adjudicator I'm not giving you the chance to spoil things."

She looked at me apologetically. "I'm really am sorry Mike, but you know

how I feel."

I nodded, "I do, but there's nothing stopping you and Kylie coming to

pick up Becky."

Again Kylie's hopeful face dropped as Sharon said, "I'd better not, I

may start crying over there and I don't want Becky to see that!"

So it was that I made a lonely drive to the McGruder's to pick up Becky,

when I got there she was looking out of a window, she saw me and ran from

it, to reappear at the front door with Joan beside her, I waved to them

both and after parking the car, got out and said. "So she stayed with you

this time Joan?"

Joan smiled, "Yes, we've just taken the shackles off of her as you drove

up."

Becky smiled. "It was awful Mr. Mike, they fed me on bread and water."

I nodded, "Good! Tell me they didn't waste the good bread on you, I

mean stale is good enough"

Joan laughed. "No, we ran out of stale, she had to made do with fresh.

You couldn't get some for tonight could you?"

I joined the laugher. "I'll see what I can do. Now Becky are you ready

to meet the Brownies."

She held my hand, "Yes please Mr. Mike, they don't bite do they?"

I left the question unanswered, opened the passenger door for Becky,

making sure she tied the belt up securely. As we drove off she waved

goodbye to Joan.

I asked her. "How do you feel about them now?"

She smiled, "I like them, I mean not as much as you or Aunt Sharon, but

they're not as bad as I thought!"

I nodded, "So no more running away?"

She smiled. "Only if I have to." She saw the look on my face, "Hey, I'm

only kidding, I'll stay with them don't worry!"

I shook my head. "Please don't do that again, you put 10 years on me!"

She giggled - "Don't worry Mr. Mike, I'll look after you when you're

old and grey."

I smiled, "You mean next week?" she burst into laughter.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

We approached the Church Hall, I notice that Becky started to hold back

- I turned to her. "What's wrong?"

She looked at me apprehensively. "I don't really want go Mr. Mike,

what if they moan about me?"

I stopped and held her. "Becky if they do then I'll take you back! I

know you were just frighten and they know it as well, so don't worry, I'll

be with you until you're happy okay?" She nodded, I said, "Good, now come

on - last one in is a rotten pig." And we ran to the Church Hall

I was in the lead when Becky said, "Mr. Mike you've dropped something."

I stopped to see what it was, letting Becky run past me shouting, "Fooled

you!" as she got to the door of the Hall.

I turned to her giggling form and said. "That wasn't nice, I would have

beaten you!"

She kept giggling and said. "I didn't want to be a rotten pig." And she

poked her tongue at me.

What could I say, except "Oink".

I brought Becky into the Church Hall, the Brownies were in their groups

(sorry sixes), Margaret was busy with her sixers but looked up as I

approached.

"Hello Mike," she said. "And who is this? A new member?"

I smiled. "Well, she can be if she wants to be, however at this moment

she is a very apprehensive young lady called Becky"

Margaret stood up and held out her arms. "Hello Becky, I hope

everything is okay now?"

Becky was overwhelmed by this gesture, she thought that most adults in

uniform were ogres, and here was this unknown person trying to comfort her,

she ran into Margaret's arms. "I'm sorry I cause all that fuss yesterday."

She said.

Margaret hugged her. "Oh my dear, don't worry - we were dying to use

the radios for an important reason, you gave us the opportunity to do so. I

must admit it shows the girls how useful the radios can be to them, not

just Kylie. They now have first hand knowledge, also they know that the

police will listen to them, you'd be amazed how many of the girls distrust

the police - you were able to bring the pack closer." Margaret looked at

me. "You know Mike, we even have an invitation to visit the station next

week - The chief constable was most impressed with our work."

Margaret then turned to Becky. "I'll tell you what why don't you spend

some time with the pack, see what we're doing and join in, okay." At

Becky's nod, she continued. "Why don't you go over to Tawny Owl's group I

know Kylie is anxious to see you." She pointed to Paula who was watching.

Becky started to say "Thank you. . ." one of the girls mouthed 'Brown

Owl!' at her so she continued, "Brown Owl" and scampered off.

Margaret laughed, "Oh Mike what a delightful young girl, why did she run

away though?"

I shook my head then said, "Because she was scare of losing something

she loved I think"

Margaret looked at me. "You?" I nodded, "Don't worry," She continued,

"I'm sure you won't let her down! Now do you want to join us? As a friend

of the pack you are able to you know."

And for the rest of the meeting I was in the unusual place of being the

only male in a Brownie pack!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I stayed with the pack until it was time to finish, Margaret (sorry

Brown Owl) led the girls through the pledge which Becky tried hard to

follow, then the girls were dismissed to the care of their parents, Becky

and Kylie running to Sharon, who hugged them both.

Margaret looked at them and then turned to me, "Yes, she is happier now,

so what's the story with her?"

I gave her the bare bones of the facts, recently orphaned, currently not

sure of what was happening, and how I tried to help her, Margaret rubbed my

arm, "You know I said some time ago that there are many people who sound as

if they want to help and only a few who do. I think you are one of the

few. Thank you Mike!" And with that she left me to help Paula and Joyce

tidy up.

Sharon smiled at me, "Are we allowed to take Becky home for tea?" I had

to admit I wasn't sure, but Becky came to my rescue.

"Here Mr. Mike, Joan gave me a letter." She handed it to me.

'Dear Mr. Moore,

I don't know how long the Brownies meeting will take; Paul and I want to

do some shopping and won't be back before 7, can you look after Becky until

then.

Thanking you in advance,

Joan.'

Sharon read the letter and then said. "Good, then if we return home, I

can start serving."

I said "Serving? You make it sound like a meal,"

Sharon blushed, "Well I thought we could have a celebration." I thought

this was a bit premature, but decided to keep quiet.

Kylie asked, "Could I invite some friends along."

Sharon said, "Of course," then in an aside to me, "I think I made too

much anyway!"

Kylie stopped some of the girls and asked their parents if they could

come along so we were left with a troop of Brownies all laughing and

giggling away, with Kylie and Becky laughing with them.

I won't dwell on the chaotic scene that ensued in Sharon's house for

that party, I'm just glad that they didn't decide to have a food fight.

Afterwards I drove some of the girls to their homes and then took Becky

back to the McGruder's, arriving there just as they were getting out of

their car.

Becky and I helped them unload their shopping into the kitchen for Joan

to sort out into freezer, fridge or pantry.

Reluctantly I said goodnight to them all, and drove back home, Sharon

again having asked me not to stay until after Monday.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The alarm woke me to another day, I washed and shaved, dressed smartly,

butterflies had settled in my stomach, and were giving an occasional

flutter.

My appointment was for half ten, and it was only 9 o'clock, I didn't

realise how nervous I was about this. By half nine I was pacing the floor

like an expectant father, which seem ironic, I couldn't stand it anymore I

went to my car and drove to the courthouse.

I manage to park the car in an empty space and fed the meter hoping that

I'd used enough coins for the time I was going to take.

I went to the reception to be told that I was early - I agreed, the

receptionist directed me to an office, when I arrived there the secretary

logged my name, and asked me to sit down. Unlike a doctors or dentist

surgery there were no magazines to occupy myself with, and only a muffled

suggestion of words from behind the doors to the adjudicator's office.

Half Ten came and went - Eleven o'clock flew past. At a quarter past

eleven the door was opened and Morgan left the room, he looked at me, gave

a self-satisfied smile, nodded to me and left.

The secretary went into the room, to emerge a few minutes later, "The

adjudicator will see you now Mr. Moore!" he said and ushered me into the

room.

The Adjudicator was sitting down reading a file, the secretary showed me

to the seat in front of the desk, and then left, I sat down and waited.

Finally he stopped reading and looked up, he smiled. "We meet again Mr.

Moore." Said John Mortimer.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- Normal disclaimers apply, apart from frayed nerves there were no

injuries incurred. If you're not allowed to read this type of story either

due to age or legal reasons - why are you here? - if theological reasons?

Then why are we here?

- My thanks to Joe (programmer) for his suggestion of using the Brownies

to help in the search for Becky - suggested back in October (although

mainly in search when Darren kidnapped Becky!) BTW Joe, I've managed to

find 17 chapters of Savant I think that's where it ended unfortunately! :{

- Well I've manage to get this far, and still have at least two chapters

to go (again), I seem to be stuck in a time loop!

- I welcome comments from my readers, I will try to answer all those

sent, my email address is - wanderinglanes@aol.com - as you can see from

above I do listen to suggestions and try to include those that help the

story along. Please note any viruses received will be reported to the

originators ISP for action.

Wandering Lanes - 10th December 2001.