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The Girl With A Bicycle 31

The girl With A Bicycle - 31 By Wandering Lanes

story code (no-sex, slow)

John looked at me as I breathed a sigh of relief. "Don't raise your

hopes Mike, I did say the adjudicator would have to be fair within the

bounds of the Social Services act"

I nodded and said, "Yes, I know, but seeing you sitting there does mean

that I can expect a fair hearing - I didn't know how anyone would react to

my request."

He nodded, and pressed a button on his desk, then started to speak.

"Mr. Michael Moore, this is an informal meeting, however I will be

recording so that notes can be taken. Any information given here will be

held in strict confidence. Except where a major felony may have taken

place in which case it will be up to the officer to decide on the action

taken - Do you agree to these conditions?"

I spoke for the microphones that were obviously listening out, "I

agree."

John smiled, "Now Michael Moore, tell me. Why exactly do you want to

adopt Becky?"

I spoke quickly, without thinking, "Because I'm responsible for her

current situation, if it wasn't for me she'd still have a family."

John shook his head. "Would she have been happy? I've read the

official police and Social Services reports, I've heard Kylie's testimony

and Sharon's as well - Becky wouldn't have had a happy family life, I think

you showed her what her life should have been like."

I shook my head, "But I interfered! All I did was to hurry the process

along. If I hadn't stopped Darren then Becky parents would still be

alive."

"And still not believe that their son would do such a thing to his own

sister." John countered. "But you're skirting around the question. Why do

you want to adopt Becky?"

I was at a loss to answer. I'd already said that I was responsible.

Wasn't that reason enough? "I. . I suppose I feel sorry for the girl. I

thought she deserved better."

John leaned forward. "So you felt sorry for her, if that was the

criteria for adoption then the third world would find millions of homes in

England for their children. That's not good enough, I might as well stop

this now and let Social Services find someone who's more able to cater to

the child!"

I stood up. "No way, Becky doesn't deserve that, she knows me and

trusts me, should I just roll over and play dead, just because I can't say

that I love her!"

John leaned back and smiled. "THANK YOU! You finally said it. You

love the child." He saw the look on my face and motioned me to sit again,

"There are several versions of love, sexual, paternal, all are confusing to

the mind, and people will confuse one for another. Sharon was quite frank

about you, so I know you're not speaking of sexual love for the child, to

be honest Sharon was overflowing about your actions with both Becky and

Kylie."

He smiled at this, "I could let you read her statement, but that

wouldn't be right." He considered matters for a moment, then said. "Lets

start from the beginning. When did you first meet Becky?"

I recounted my first encounter with Becky, at Sharon's house the way she

was so quiet when she saw me, Kylie bringing her round to my house that

afternoon. I was talking away when John asked me a question I didn't

expect. "Mike, what's Becky's safeword?" when I told him he said, "Why

would she need a safeword? Isn't that something that fetishes use?"

I started to get annoyed, why did people always think the worst? "No, I

wanted Becky to know that if I ever did or say something that frightened

her she would be able to say the word to stop me!"

"And has she ever had to use it?"

I couldn't see what this had to do with Becky's adoption, "No, of

course. . Oh wait, yes she did, while I was making love to Sharon, Becky

thought I had a problem and wanted to stop me before I infected Sharon." I

smiled at the memory.

John asked, "Do you normally invite children to watch you when you make

love."

I was scandalised, "Of course not, what type of person do you think I

am, it was just the girls were frightened that Darren would break in and

attack them, they just ran into the bedroom at the wrong time."

John asked slowly, "So did you order them out of the room, so that you

could continue?"

I shook my head, "No, the mood was destroyed, anyway I had to convince

Becky that there was nothing wrong." He looked at me so I expanded on the

answer, "Becky had seen I was wearing a condom, as she didn't know what one

looked like she thought it was all me, and that something was wrong with

me. So I had to explain what a condom was and how it was used!"

John summed up. "So in the middle of the night, after being interrupted

while making love, you held a sex education class? -You know that's the

daftest thing I've ever heard!" he chuckled.

I had to smile at that. "I had to reassure the girls that there was

nothing wrong, I couldn't just say we'll leave it until the morning, they

would have pestered me all night, and Becky would have been worried all the

time."

John kept smiling, and asked. "So, how did you feel while you were

doing this?"

I remembered my feelings exactly "Embarrassed as hell, I mean it was bad

enough with Kylie but with two girls there now, well I didn't know where to

put my face."

He arched an eyebrow, "What was bad enough about Kylie?" I realised that

I'd said too much.

I tried to look surprised. "I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean."

He sighed, "Mike you said 'it was bad enough with Kylie' I just need to

know what had happened with Kylie."

I tried to be nonchalant. "Oh that, its was just one night, several

weeks ago, actually the evening before I met Becky, Sharon invited me to

stay over with her, he husband had died some months before, we 'clicked' I

suppose, anyway we were in her bed when Kylie attacked me, she thought I

was hurting Sharon, we ended up that night giving a brief explanation of

sex as well. But this is nothing to do with Becky, has it."

John shook his head, "Not in itself, no. But it is part of the greater

picture; if Becky is allowed to stay with you what type of family is she

going to be a part of? Would she be happy in such a family? Would you be

able to cope with such a child like Becky in your family? Remember she has

been abused and is used to being abused, as far as anyone can be said to be

used to something. I believe there is a psychiatric report, not on Becky I

hasten to say, but a general study of such children, they are sexually

precocious at an early age, and seem to regard sexual matters as a general

and indeed normal thing. Would you be able to cope with this?"

I tried to consider a rational answer, but before I could speak John

started again. "Mike, I know it's a difficult subject, and to help you let

me add, I seen Maria's and Nancy's official reports - the ones the Social

Services keep, I have also seen their own reports on you, Becky and Kylie.

Yours was especially interesting, you managed to coax a withdrawn child

from never talking to anyone - to the bright bubbling young lady I spoke to

on Friday, does she still have problems?"

I nodded, "Yes, she misses her father - understandable I think, there

are nights when she can't sleep, she has problems travelling in cars, but I

think I have a solution to that. But she's thrown herself into the

Brownies and is trying now to help others, Becky in particular."

John nodded, "She was the one who introduced you to Becky wasn't she?"

I smiled remembering the two girls arriving on my doorstep, how

different Becky was then to now. I looked at John and started the whole

story.

I don't know how long I talked, I stopped at times when John asked his

secretary to bring in tea, then carried on afterwards.

When I finally finished John said. "That's quite a story, do you know

how many crimes you've committed in that?"

I was worried at that question "No. But in my defence it was in the

interest of the girls, and I never forced them, they knew that when asked I

would stop."

John smiled. "Oh don't worry, I was only asking. I agree, although

there was sexual molestation - which society will always frown on, there

was no, how can I put it? Predator action involved, it was purely for the

pleasure of the girls. As a legal judge I would be shocked, as a human

being I would think it was what Becky at least needed, an unconventional

but loving environment." He continued, "Mike, I must say you do seem to be

doing the best for Becky, but I would ask you to consider this, there are

foster parents trained to look after children with the same problems as

Becky, it may be that she would be better looked after by them." I started

to protest, but he held up his hand. "I haven't made any decisions at this

time, but remember I also have a duty to Becky, I have to decide what will

be best for her, and believe me I will do that."

I must admit that I did believe him, so I nodded my head, he stood up

and shook my hand, "I will say this, Don't worry about her. What ever I

decide I will ensure that she will be happy."

I said, "I truly hope so."

John nodded, "I'll convene a court next week when I'll give my

judgement, I hope it will satisfy you as to my intentions to Becky's well

being."

I was shown out of the office, to find sitting on the seats were Joan

and Becky.

Becky looked at me, "Hello Mr. Mike, why are you here?"

I smiled at her, "Just talking to Mr. Mortimer, I think he wants to

talk to you, and Becky?" She looked at me, "Please be honest in what you

say, I've told him everything about you and me, don't try to hide the truth

from him, understand."

She looked puzzled at my words, "Okay Mr. Mike, if that's what you

want, but what if he asks about, about?"

I smiled, "If you feel uncomfortable use your safeword, you do remember

what that is don't you?"

She grinned, "Yes Mr. Mike, teapot, but I still think it's a daft word!

And how would he know about it?"

I hugged her, as if I'd never see her again. "I said I've talked about

us, I included your word."

The secretary then spoke up, "The adjudicator will see you now Re. .,

I'm sorry, Becky!"

She got up and reached apprehensively for Joan's hand, they both entered

the office.

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

I walked back to my car and I realised that I never really answered the

first question John had asked me, Why did I want to adopt Becky? I got to

the car and sat in it, I looked in the mirror, I could see the empty back

seat, but in my mind's eye I could see Becky sitting there, and I felt a

warm happy feeling spread over me. I looked again, no Becky - my world

seemed to crumble. Yes I loved the girl and would do anything to keep her.

I drove to George's offices and asked to speak to Hugh, he invited me

into his office and I sat down. "What do I do if John decides against me?"

Hugh thought for a moment then said, "I don't think there is anything

you can do, legally Becky is a ward of the court, should the court decide

to place her with a foster family, then it's able to do so. There is,

however one thing you can do!"

I was on my feet in an instant, "What? For god sakes tell me!"

Hugh looked amazed. "But I would have thought it was obvious." At my

blank look her continued, as if talking to a child. "The courts follow the

Social Services guidelines, they will be quicker to adopt children to

married couples, they rarely foster children to single parents - they don't

have enough time to look after the children properly. By the way how is

Sharon?"

I didn't want to be distracted, "Sharon's fine, I spent some time

yesterday with Kylie, Becky and some Brownies at her house, due to John's

stipulations she didn't want to spend any nights with me since Friday, but

I think that should be okay now, but why did you ask?"

Hugh smiled, "Just trying to focus you onto the right course. You do

know what to do about Becky, I'd advise you to take the leap and go for

it!"

That sounded too cryptic for me to work out, yes I know I'm getting dim

in my old age. Then Hugh asked me. "Are you going to the Smith's funerals

on Thursday? Its all been arranged by his firm."

How could I have forgotten them? "I think I'd better." The last I had

seen of Mildred was in the Intensive Care Unit, and then I had a thought.

"Hugh have you managed to find the nurse in the ITU? The one that might

have heard Mildred ask me to look after Becky?"

He shook his head, "No a group of them went on holiday abroad that

evening, until they get back we're stuck." He was apologetic as he said

that. "If we could have got her statement beforehand it could have been

used! Which may have solved the problem, but if wishes were horses we'd

all be riding by now!"

He showed me out, reminding me as I left, "Don't forget you do have the

means to keep Becky, all you have to do is think!"

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

I left his office with the words echoing in my ears, it was all well and

good to say think! But about what? They were all saying the answer was

obvious, perhaps it was but I wasn't going to rush things just because I

wanted my own way. To me it wasn't right!

Talking about things not being right, how could I have forgotten about

the Smiths? I did read about the funeral in the papers, but with worrying

about Becky I hadn't really taken any notice, I went to a florists and

ordered a wreath, they already knew where the funeral was taking place, and

gave me the address and time.

I returned home and was going to sit down when the front door was opened

and Kylie walked in, "There you are Uncle Mike! I was beginning to get

worried. Did you talk to John?" Her hand went in front of her mouth, "Oh

I'm sorry, mum and I was told not to say his name until after you saw him."

I managed to smile. "Yes Kylie, I've seen John, I've told him all about

us as well."

Kylie's eyes went round, "You mean even about the bath times Becky and I

had?" I nodded, "But that means that everyone will know." She started to

wail.

I shook my head. "Why do you think that? Did John strike you as a

blabbermouth?"

She stopped and thought for a moment, then brightened up. "No, he

seemed a nice man, well once we were able to talk to him, he treated me

like an adult, not a child, and he listened to me. I liked him!"

I smiled. "And he liked you!" I then changed the subject. "So what

have you done today?"

She sat down and started to talk, it seems that she had arranged to meet

some of her Brownie friends, and they played hide and seek for a couple of

hours, then the girls introduce Kylie to some of the policemen who helped

them find Becky. Kylie told me that several of the girls had never talked

to policemen before as they found them frightening, but now they've found

out that the police are human after all! Kylie added, "And they're all

looking forward to the visit on Sunday." It seems that Becky's escapade had

created new bridges between the Brownies and the Police.

When Kylie had finished, she said to me. "Uncle Mike, can I sit in your

lap please?"

I said yes, and she jumped up ran to me and sat down on me, with her

head against my chest. "I used to do this with daddy." She said, "It

always made me feel safe. Do you mind if I stay here for a bit?"

I laughed and said. "No, that's okay pumpkin, I don't mind at all." And

we sat like that for over an hour, when I did look down I saw that Kylie

was asleep, and she looked like an angel.

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

I woke up to a heavy weight on my chest and a voice coming from my

wrist, "Mr. Mike are you there? Please answer!"

I gently raised my hand and pressed the talk button, "Hello Becky, how

did the interview go?" She sounded nervous. "Alright I suppose, he did

know a lot about what happened, and sometimes I didn't want to answer, but

he didn't mind. I'm afraid I told him of my problem and how you helped me,

I don't think Joan knew of that, she squeezed my hand when I spoke about

it. But Mr. Mike he asked me how I would feel if I couldn't stay with you!

I started to cry, I don't want to be without you Mr. Mike."

Again she was crying, I tried to placate her but without success, then I

heard Joan's voice say "It's alright Becky, he only meant to find out how

you really felt about Mike, can you let me talk to him?" The sound cut off

for a moment then Joan's voice came back. "Hello Mike, can you hear me?"

I answered. "Hello Joan how is Becky? Do you want me to come round?"

Joan replied, "Mike, Becky is alright, just a lot of emotion that she

has to get out of her system, don't worry she'll be fine, I don't think you

should come round just at this time, but you're welcome to visit her

tomorrow."

I went to answer her but Kylie's voice sounded both in my ear and from

my radio, "Aunt Joan, is it okay if I visit Becky as well. Sorry I can

call you Aunt Joan, can I?"

I could almost see the smile on Joan's lips as she answered, "Of course

you can, Kylie isn't it? I'll be please to see you!"

I then managed to answer, "Hello Joan, Mike again, I don't want Becky to

worry, as I said I'm trying everything I can, all I ask is that she trusts

me."

Becky's tearful voice answered me. "I do Mr. Mike, you were the first

to listen to me and to help me, I. . I'll always trust you!"

I smiled, "Thank you Becky, I hope I never betray that trust. Now I

think you'd better listen to Joan, she does know what she's doing, I'll see

you tomorrow, okay"

I listened to the sniffles as Becky said. "Okay Mr. Mike, I'll see

you, here, tomorrow, bye, and Bye Ky."

We both said our goodbyes to Becky, I was glad she added the 'here' it

put my mind at rest, at least I wasn't going to be involved in a hunt

again, but then knowing Becky she would leave her radio at home this time -

I wonder if there are plans for simple trackers available, just sew them

into clothes and activate when necessary? They'd need to be waterproof,

heat proof, and small?. . . My thoughts were interrupted by Kylie who was

saying. ". . . . Doesn't she Uncle Mike?"

I looked down at Kylie who was still sitting in my lap, "I'm sorry

pumpkin, I was miles away, what did you say?"

She giggled, "I said that Aunt Joan sound nice, I think Becky is lucky

that she has a friendly couple to look after her. I mean compared to who

might have looked after her!"

I nodded, "Yes she's very lucky, I hope she realises that herself." I

took a deep breath. "Kylie I don't want Becky to know this." She looked at

my face, which I hope showed how serious I was, I continued. "It's

possible that I might not be able to adopt Becky, she may have to stay with

the McGruder's until she really settled."

Kylie looked at me, tears glistening in her eyes. "Uncle Mike, don't

even say that! I trust you and Becky trusts you, we know you'll succeed!

And I won't listen to you if you say that again!" and with that Kylie ended

the conversation, she held onto me, softly sobbing, I couldn't speak the

conviction in her voice had quieten me. I just sat there stroking her hair

and trying to calm her down.

It was later and we had the dinner prepared and waiting for Sharon to

arrive for dinner. When she did arrive Richard was with her, both were

smiling, I put the dinner on a low simmer and we sat around the table.

Richard started to speak, "Well that's it. We've managed to close down

the local mob's influence in the insurance business. Thanks to DC Jones,

or rather ex-DC Jones's, statement we got the lot. And with the evidence

we were able to get the Insurance Association has agreed to pay up the

monies owed."

Sharon spoke up then, "I've had a word with George. He's sent the list

of people to the Association, and expects to hear from them in a couple of

weeks, isn't it wonderful news?"

I smiled for her, "That's marvellous news darling, I'm very glad for

you."

She noticed my reaction was forced and frowned. "Oh, I take it the

meeting didn't go as you thought it should?" I shook my head - she smiled.

"Oh well, I wouldn't worry. John did say that if you thought about it

you'd say the right thing."

A shiver went through me - I remembered my dream. The two girls playing

and Sharon saying to me 'aren't you glad you said those words?' and I never

did find out what the words were!

Sharon was smiling at me, "Penny for your thoughts"

I smiled back, "I haven't any change with me!" She laughed.

Richard got up. "Well I mustn't hold your dinner up any longer, I've

got to give Isabel the go ahead to start printing the story, Sharon when

I'm in tomorrow please remind Isabel that they can't print everything just

yet." He turned to me, "They still think we're mad at the press for

interfering, to tell you the truth they helped a lot!" He turned back to

Sharon, "But please don't tell Isabel or Rob that!"

Sharon smiled at him. "Of course not Richard, or else you'd arrest me!"

We all laughed at that and Richard showed himself out, we turned the

oven up to heat the meal, which was later devoured by all.

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

That night Sharon relented and decided to spend the night, as we relaxed

in post-coital bliss she turned to me. "What happened with John?"

I sighed, she did know me by now and could feel that I was worried, "He

said that I might lose Becky to Social Services, he also said that I knew

how to stop that, but aside from kidnapping her . . . "

Sharon smiled, (how could she smile at such an important point in my

life!) and said, "Oh Mike, of course the answer is simple - just get

married! I know! - Will you marry me?"

I shook my head. "I know that's the answer, but I don't want to force

you un-necessarily. I wanted to win Becky without causing you problems, I

mean you might not even want to marry me!"

She raised herself up on her and looked at me. "Michael Moore, how can

you say that? Where would I be without you, a lonely widow trying to raise

her child, who I might add would be finding her way to a psychiatric ward

due to her withdrawal from life. You are the influence on my life, and

Kylie's. Why do you think I'm here now?"

I though for a minute, "Well, I thought you were taking pity on a poor

old man, or trying to wear him out to protect your only child!"

She picked up a pillow and started to hit me with it, well two can play

at that game, and I picked up mine and retaliated, it was the most fun I'd

ever had, regressing to childhood, no real worries, just two people with

pillows, but the fun had to end, which it did with the demise of my pillow

in a flurry of feathers as the seam split along one end.

We both burst into laugher, which was interrupted by a sleepy voice

saying, "Mum! Uncle Mike! Now what are you guys doing? Look at all the

mess in here." Kylie was standing in the doorway, rubbing her eyes and

watching the feathers floating in the air.

Sharon said to Kylie, "Oh we were just talking," Kylie looked at the

feathers, and then back at her mother, Sharon smiled. "Well, we started

off by talking, but Mike didn't want to marry me, so I thought I'd try to

convince him."

Kylie's mouth was wide open, I was almost worried that she'd swallow a

feather, "But Uncle Mike, everyone's saying that if you were married then

you'd be able to adopt Becky, why didn't you say yes?"

I was trying to collect the many feathers to put back into the

pillowcase - I looked at Kylie and said, "Because it seems too much like

blackmail - I didn't want to make your mother feel responsible. It's my

problem not your mothers."

She shook her head. "But Becky is my friend, I'm the one who brought

her to you." She smiled and then added. "Maybe you should marry me, that

way we'll be able to adopt her, and I'd be her mummy!"

We all laughed at this, but I had to shake my head. "I'm sorry Kylie,

much as I appreciate your offer, I think I'm a little bit too old for you,

you should find someone more you age." her look change to a thoughtful

aspect, so I added. "When you're older that is, not now!"

She pouted, and said "Oh now you're being mean!" and she poked her

tongue out at me.

Then she was suddenly serious. "So what are you going to do? I mean if

you won't marry mummy, and then you can't adopt Becky . . . " she started

to cry as the unspoken thought had run through her head.

I gathered her to me. "Kylie listen to me." she looked at me, I then

beckoned Sharon over. "Now this is what I want you both to do. I want you

to be present at the court when the decision is announced . . . . ." and I

started to outline my plan, which I was hearing myself for the first time!

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

After we tidied up the room, we gave up using our hands and resorted to

the vacuum cleaner, but still found feathers the next day, Kylie went back

to the 'girls' bedroom to sleep and Sharon and I laid down and slept as

well.

The next day Sharon went off to work, and I was going to take Kylie with

me to the McGruder's, we were about to start off when Kylie's radio came up

with.

"Hello this is Marilyn, is there anyone listening? I've got nothing to

do today."

Kylie was about to answer when another voice replied, "This is Susan,

you could come round to me, but I've got nothing to do either!"

Kylie looked up at me, I said, "Well, if their parents agree, and Joan

doesn't mind I don't see why not!"

I used my radio while Kylie talked to her friends. Joan said the more

the merrier and the girls said their mothers didn't mind, Paula had

listened in and said I could be trusted - which was nice of her!

We picked up the girls at Marilyn's house, gaining Theresa as well - as

the girls were getting in the car a policeman turned up and asked, "I hope

you girls know this man?"

Marilyn spoke first, "Yes officer, he's Mike Moore, it's okay."

He straightened up and spoke to me, "I'm sorry sir, if I had known who

you were at first I'd never have questioned you. I hope Becky is okay?"

I smiled, "That's okay officer, I'm glad you did. It's nice to see

you're watching over the girls, and Becky is fine, in fact I'm just

visiting her with Kylie, the others were bored and I thought they might

have fun."

He was smiling now. "That's good of you Mr. Moore, ever since last

Saturday we've all started to keep a special watch on the Brownies, they've

become sort of mascots to us."

I thank him and as I drove off the girls all waved goodbye to him,

saying 'see you on Sunday!' It was good to hear that from all the girls.

I said. "So are the police all bad."

Susan said. "No, they're really wicked, it was cool the way they

listened to us on Saturday." The general reaction was the same from all the

girls.

Kylie kept quiet, as she hadn't wanted to 'grass' on her friend - I

ruffled her hair. "Don't worry about it, you did what you thought was

right." I said quietly just so she could hear but the girls behind

couldn't.

We arrived at the McGruder's house - Becky was waiting outside on a

swing slowly going back and forth, the girls all piled out of the car and

ran up to her, I went up to the door which was opened by Joan.

She welcomed me in, "That was good of you Mike, to bring her friends

along."

I shook my head, "She's only met three of them on Sunday, they're part

of Kylie's pack in the Brownies, they didn't have anything to do today so

I'm afraid I've lumbered you!"

She laughed. "It's not a lumber, it's nice to hear children playing

happily, and it's a sound I sometimes miss." She finished wistfully.

She invited me in for a cup of tea, which I accepted - we sat in the

kitchen watching the 5 girls playing a game of 'it' (tag). After a few

minutes Becky rushed in and asked, if it was okay for her to play a game of

hide 'n' seek, Joan was about to say yes when I said that they'd better

keep the range to one mile. Joan looked at me. "ONE MILE? I thought they

were going to play in the house!"

I smiled and explained about the tracker device in the radios, once she

realised about the range she agreed with my proviso, which Becky relayed to

the others, Kylie looked back and mouthed 'spoilsport!' to which I nodded.

Joan watched my interplay with Kylie, "you are fond of that girl as well

aren't you?"

I nodded and told her of how I met Kylie, this time I kept nothing from

her, as I felt that I could trust Joan. When I finished she said, "That

explains the gap in Maria's notes." I gave a questioning look, she

continued "There were almost un-noticeable breaks in the official notes

that we received when we accepted Becky, Maria said that they didn't refer

to Becky and so we needn't worry about it, that's why Paul was questioning

you on Saturday. But coming back to Kylie your approach seemed to have

worked!"

I nodded, "Yes it did with her, but it could have turned out all wrong,

I shouldn't have done it."

"Now don't sell yourself short!" She scolded, "There's a part inside you

that seems to understand what needs to be done, Paul told you that, and you

should listen, if not to Paul then to yourself. Now how did your meeting

go with Judge Mortimer?"

I told her the whole story, which she listened to - making another cup

of tea while I continued - when I finished she nodded. "Yes that's just

about how I expected it to go. Oh not the details, but the general gist of

the story. Becky's was much the same, she did try to gloss over some

details, but John did straighten her out. We had a break early on when she

didn't want to continue" She smiled as she said this. "Becky started to

cry and then said 'TEAPOT'. John said 'lets stop here for a few moments

until you're ready to continue'. She was amazed at that and John explained

that he knew of the word and what it meant, after that she seemed to

realise that she could talk to him. After that we didn't have any

problems." She reached out and grasped my hands. "She does love you, you

do realise that?" I nodded. "So have you thought about it?"

At my blank look she added, "How you're going to adopt her?"

I smiled and said, "Yes," then adding in a Baldrick type voice "I have a

cunning plan!" she laughed at my poor impersonation and I outlined the plan

as I had with Kylie and Sharon last night.

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

We sat together talking, Joan talked about the previous children they

looked after, and how Becky wasn't really the worst that they'd had, "in

fact Mike she's really well adjusted compared to the life she was forced to

live - she does owe a lot to you." I was embarrassed at that - after all

I'd only known Becky for a short time.

While we were talking Joan decided that she'd better provide some

sandwiches for the girls, I helped to butter the bread as she added the

cold meat, tomatoes and cucumber - Kylie had already given me the frequency

that the girls were using so I retuned my radio and pressed the talk

button.

"This is Mike to Kylie and girls, please end your game and return to the

house, my apologies to any others on this frequency."

Kylie responded immediately - "Okay Uncle Mike, we're on our way." And

so Joan and I waited for the girls to return.

When they did I saw an extra girl amongst them, Kylie noticed and said.

"Oh yes, this is Stacy I hope you didn't mind, but she heard us playing and

asked if she could join us!"

I looked at Joan who smiled and said, "Of course she can."

I had to ask. "Her mother does know she's with you doesn't she?"

Kylie shook her head, "No, her mother's at work and so she couldn't ask

her, but it's okay as long as she's back home before four."

Joan seemed happy with that, and it was her house so she was in charge.

"That's okay then!" She looked at the girls standing in the kitchen. "Well

eat, the food would only go to waste if you didn't."

The girls demolished the pile of food, and ran back outside to continue

playing, this time their game changed to two girls hiding and the other

four searching, Joan was watching them closely, "They're lucky to have

those radios, do you know where they got them from?"

I recounted the story of the Brownies and how I had supplied them with

the radios, while I was talking I could see something flash across her

face, "Kylie, Kylie, there was a report of a Brownie that helped a girl at

a camp?"

I nodded, "That was Kylie, she's been like that since I've known her,

she even made Becky one of her projects."

Joan nodded, "And she used you to achieve that! She's a bright child."

I agreed with that, sometimes she was so bright she blinded me!

I remained with Joan until Paul arrived home, he was smiling as he came

in, he looked at me, "I thought you were bringing just Becky's friend with

you?" he asked good humorously

I shrugged my shoulders, "Sorry, things just got out of hand."

He shook his head, "I'm not complaining Mike, honestly. I think Becky

needs more kids her age around here," he looked around then added, "Don't

tell her I said that."

I smiled, "your secret's safe with me."

Now that they were both with me I mentioned about the funeral that was

coming up, Paul looked serious as her thought about it.

"I'm not sure if children should have to witness a funeral. They

shouldn't have to think about death at such an age, they should be looking

forward to life, but Becky is mature for her age, she deserves to be able

to say goodbye. I'll bring it up with her later."

I looked at the time, 3:30, where had the time gone? I spoke into my

radio, "Hello Kylie, its half past three, don't forget about Stacy getting

home."

Her voice instantly came back, "That's okay Uncle Mike, and we're at

Stacy's now, I suppose you want to go home now?"

I laughed, "Well I'd better because I'd have three set of parents after

me if I didn't"

It was 10 minutes later when five out of breath and tired girls
returned, I said goodbye to Becky as the girls climbed into the car, I'm

glad to say they did remember to thank Joan for the lunch.

We drove away, the girls waving at Becky who was leaning back against

Paul's legs waving back, and then I had to concentrate on the road,

listening to the chattering of the girls as they talked about their day.

I drove the girls to drop them off at Marilyn's house - passing the

police office on the way, the girls waving to him as we passed - he waved

back.

When I returned home I made a drink for Kylie and a cup of tea for

myself we sat in the living room, Kylie looked at me. "We had a lot of fun

today Uncle Mike, thanks for taking us."

I smiled, "I'm afraid I was selfish, I wanted Becky to be happy, but I'm

glad the other girls were happy to play with Becky."

Kylie smiled as well. "Well when I asked them on Sunday they said they

would, I wasn't sure if their parents would let us go, but that's why I got

Marilyn to give her call."

I was astounded, I thought I was helping the girls with their boring

day, just to find out I'd been set up by Kylie. 'Well' I thought. 'I was

told Kylie was bright!' All I could do was to shake my head in admiration.

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

Note: Baldrick is a character in a British comedy program 'Blackadder' -

one of the catchphrases used is 'don't worry for I have a cunning plan' to

which the reply from Edmund Blackadder is 'Baldrick you wouldn't know a

cunning plan if it was painted yellow, jumping up and down holding a sign

saying I'm a cunning plan! But let's hear it anyway!' - it may not look

funny written down, but I like it! :) WL

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

- Normal disclaimers apply - this story is fiction - in fact the

characters do not exist, although I'm getting so wrapped up in their world

I'm starting to wonder if I exist? Perhaps I'm a figment of some-one

else's imagination?

- Urgent note - my email address has now been changed I can be reached

at wanderinglanes@hotmail.com - it appears that AOL is not happy with my

presence on their ISP. Please use this when trying to contact me, as

always I will try to reply to all emails sent.

- I'm going to stop estimating how many more chapters left, from my

reckoning there are three events to go, these to include - The funeral, the

Courthouse, the Wedding - which may mean three more chapters or more.

- My thanks to those who wrote about Savant, yes I should have looked in

the author's section at ASSTR, looks like I'm the one wearing the blinkers.

I'm about to start on chapter 32, which I should be posting during next

week

Again my thanks to you all for reading this story.

Wandering Lanes - 15th December 2001