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The Girl With A Bicycle 33

The girl With A Bicycle - 33 By Wandering Lanes

Codes (no-sex, slow)

The fateful day had arrived. It was Wednesday and I had an appointment

with the courts. I was nervous, Hell I wasn't nervous, I was scared -

would John allow me to adopt Becky? If not would my idea work?

Sharon and Kylie had stayed overnight - Sharon had received a day off

work from Isabel with a request to ensure that we won otherwise Isabel

promised that she let Rob interview me about the case! With a threat like

that I had another reason to win!!

I was checking my clothing for a third time, Kylie smiled, "Uncle Mike,

you look fine, now don't worry."

I laughed, here she was trying to calm me, I thought I was supposed to

keep her and Sharon calm, "I'm sorry pumpkin, I just want the case to be

over."

She shook her head, "How can it be over, it hasn't even started yet!

Now come on Uncle Mike, relax!"

Sharon came down stairs and overheard the last of Kylie's words, "Yes,

Mike, relax, you won't do Becky any good if you're all jittery. Now sit

down!"

I sat down, heavily, Sharon smiled at me, Kylie went to me and sat in my

lap, she looked at me, "There you are Uncle Mike, now you've nothing to do

until we have to go."

I leaned back, and then moved forward, "I forgot to let Becky know that

we'll be there."

Sharon placed a cup of tea in my hands, Kylie, by just being where she

was, kept me in the chair, Sharon said, "You told her yesterday Mike, now

please just stay there, I don't know anyone would think you were an

expectant father, they're supposed to have nerves."

It didn't help, because in a way I was going to be a father, I sat back

and thought. That's right I was going to become a father today, well

that's if John make the right decision.

"Uncle Mike!" Kylie's voice interrupted my thoughts "watch your cup,

it's tipping."

I managed to steady the cup before I drenched either Kylie or my lap,

and I didn't want to have to change my clothes, "Thank you Kylie," I said,

"I think I'd better drink this before it goes to waste." And I downed the

tea, to find it was weak and sweet, I looked at Sharon.

"I wanted to help you with your shock," Said Sharon, reminding me of our

first meeting, when I had made her a cup of warm sweet tea, I just glared

at her, she smiled back.

Kylie laid back on top of me, holding me with her arms. "Don't worry

Uncle Mike, you know Becky will be alright no matter what." She looked at

me her eyes serious, "And Becky knows you'll be doing your best, and Joan

and Paul have said they'd look after Becky, and we can always visit her

whenever we want, so it isn't the end of everything is it?"

I just looked at her, trying to work out what she had said, then I said,

"But I want to be the one to look after Becky, I do know she will be

alright, but a part of me says that I should be there for her."

Kylie smiled, "But Uncle Mike, you've always been there for us both, we

know that and we both trust you." I hugged her - I wished Becky was with us

so I could hug her too.

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

Finally it was time to get to the court, I gave Sharon the choice of the

front or back seat, and so Kylie was allowed to sit in the front. Sharon

kept a close watch on Kylie and was amazed at how she coped with the

journey.

We parked at the shopping centre car park, and walked to the courts, as

we passed Greg's shop he gave a thumbs up, hopefully encouraging us. Kylie

waved to him.

We arrived at the courthouse, Joan, Paul and Becky were waiting for us

outside, Paul shook my hand, "Well here we go, good luck Mike." Joan echoed

the words to Sharon and the two kissed, Becky and Kylie hugged each other,

and started to whisper to each other.

We went to the waiting area where I looked around for Hugh, I was still

searching when we were approached by a solicitor in robes, "Mr. Moore, my

name is Knapp, I'm the junior to Hugh, we've heard that one of the nurses

on the Intensive Care ward has returned from her holidays, he wanted to

ensure that he contacted her himself, normally that's a job for the office

staff, but Hugh though it was better if he did it."

I looked at my watch; "Well he going to be cutting it fine, what's the

plan if he isn't here when the case is called?"

Knapp looked awkward, "I hope to be able to convince the judge to allow

a delay of half an hour, and with any luck Hugh should be back by then, if

not then we'll have to play it by ear. I've got all the notes here."

I didn't hold much hope for his chances, but then I realised they were

also my chances as well!!

The case was called and we filed into the courtroom, Becky and I were

directed to seats near the front of the court, Knapp sat down on one side,

I noticed that there was no prosecution attorney. Then John appeared at

the judge's bench, an Usher called out, "All rise. The case of Rebecca

Smith, Ward of Court, will be heard, all those persons with interest in

this case are called to bear witness."

The Usher bowed to the judge, who sat down, the rest of us were then

allowed to be seated.

Knapp rose from his position, "My lord, I'm afraid that my learned

friend Mr. Hugh Fawkes sends his regrets and begs the court's indulgence,

he requests that a delay of half an hour be allowed."

John looked down from the bench, "May I enquire as to the reason for

this delay?"

Knapp looked at John, "My lord, we have found a witness vital to this

case, we beg leave to be able to produce this person as she has evidence

that may prove for our client Mr. Moore."

John contemplated for a moment, "Why was this witness not presented

during the interview phase?"

Knapp looked through his notes, "My lord, it would appear that she was

mentioned by Mr. Fawkes during his deposition, she was a nurse on duty

when Mrs. Mildred Smith sadly passed away, after that day she was on

holiday, she is expected to arrive back at any moment."

John looked at his watch, "Very well Mr. Knapp, I will allow a fifteen

minute delay, but no longer." He motioned to the Usher and rose up out of

his seat, to retire to his room behind the courtroom.

Becky looked up at me, "Why did he have to do that, I though we wanted

this over as quickly as possible."

I hugged her, "We do, but if Hugh's witness is as necessary as he

thinks, then it may help us, we'll have to see." I looked up to the

audience and found Sharon and Kylie sitting next to Paul and Joan, Sharon

showed me her hands with the index and middle fingers crossed, I smiled at

her.

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

After fourteen minutes Knapp was talking on his mobile phone, I could

hear his side of the argument, "But how much longer . . . No I don't think

I can . . . Well when do you think the train will arrive? . . . How long?

. . . Oh! . . . I'll see what I can do . . . Yes, but hurry please . . .

Okay, bye." He turned to face me, "Problems!" he said, "The train's

delayed, Hugh is waiting on the platform for it to arrive, if you're excuse

me." He went over to the Usher and started to speak to him, and then he

wrote a note, which the Usher took to John's room.

After a few minutes the Usher returned, he was shaking his head, he

spoke a few words to Knapp, who then returned to us. "It's no use, it

seems that another case needs this room immediately following the decision,

we have to go with whatever we've got."

While he was saying this John had reappeared and was motioning to the

Usher who again boomed out "All Rise." Which we did, John then mounted the

bench and sat down, allowing us to sit as well.

John looked at Mr. Knapp and then spoke, "I understand that your

witness is not available at this time Mr. Knapp?"

Knapp rose and spoke, "I'm afraid not M'lord, she is expected to arrive

at any time, but her train is delayed, I'm sorry to say."

John nodded, "Yes, most unfortunate, most probably leaves on the line

again, however we cannot delay proceeding due to the railways, I'm afraid

that the due process of the law cannot be delayed by the elements, I've

given you all the time I can spare. I'm sorry but I must proceed with the

case"

John Mortimer looked at his notes and started to speak.

"With regards to Mr. Michael Moore's application to adopt Miss Rebecca

Smith, Ward of this court, " He looked up, "If I could ask both of you to

approach the bench."

Becky looked apprehensively at me, I smiled at her, took her hand and we

both went up before John. He looked at us both, noted Becky's hands

holding onto my hand and arm and shook his head,

"I'm sorry but I think I will have to deny the application," Becky's

mouth opened, but John continued, "I have read all the evidence before me,

the reports from the Social Services, the Police. I have noted Mr.

Moore's action with regards to you Rebecca, and I agree he has your

interest at heart, but I also have to consider his lifestyle, he is single,

has never married - How would he cope with a juvenile of your type?

"If there was a more stable situation - were he married there would be

no doubt that he would be the better type of father for you, but not as he

is now, I'm sorry but I'm afraid I have no choice but to. . . ."

Now was the time, if this didn't work then all was lost. I interrupted

his decision, "Pardon me your honour, can I ask a question before you make

your decision final?" He nodded, I continued - "As I am single you don't

think that I'm suitable to bring up Becky, uhm I mean Rebecca." Again he

nodded, I turned to the courtroom looking at the people there, looking,

looking - found her - as I knew she'd be there, I turned to John again,

"Your honour, can I ask if Mrs. Sharon Williams can be called down here?"

He looked at me, "Does she have a bearing on this action?" I nodded - he

turned to an Usher and gave a direction.

The Usher stood up and intoned "Call Mrs. Sharon Williams." I saw

Sharon rise up and make her way down to the bench, Kylie remained in her

seat, smiling.

I held Sharon's hand, and said to John. "Your Honour, this is Mrs.

Sharon Williams, mother of Kylie Williams, Rebecca's best friend, in some

cases the two have been mistaken for sisters." Sharon gave a nervous

'hello' to John.

He moved his gaze to me, and said, "Mr. Moore, whilst I find these

facts fascinating, how does this apply?"

"If you will bear with me Your Honour," I turned to Sharon, "His Honour

is going to tell Becky that I'm unable to adopt her, because I'm single," I

turned to John, "Is that not correct your Honour?" He nodded, I turned to

Sharon again, dropped to one knee, held her hand, "Sharon, we haven't known

each other long, but I think we are aware of how much we mean to each

other, I would like to ask you to do me the honour of agreeing to marry

me."

Sharon looked at me, and then at the Judge, "If I agree to marry Mike,

how will this affect Becky?"

John smiled as he considered, "Well his situation would have changed,

and with your daughter, she would have a friend to be with, and a mother
and father is always better, so I would say that in this case I would find

for the application."

Sharon looked at me, "Then I accept, I would be happy to be your wife."

John regarded her, "you know that I could consider this as a promise

made under duress - in which case you could decide not to marry Mr. Moore

- At that point Rebecca Smith would have to be returned to court."

Sharon spoke to John, "Your honour, I spoke to Mike, I mean Mr. Moore

several weeks ago, he explained why he wasn't going to propose to me, and I

agreed with his reasoning. It is true we haven't really known each other

for long, and it was due to my daughter that we met, Becky - Rebecca, sorry

- is my daughters friend and has been part of our family for some time.

For her sake I would do anything," She looked at me, and smiled, "Even

marry this man for her."

John looked at us both, weighing up the situation, he shook his head,

"Mr. Moore, Mrs. Williams - you have both promised to marry each other in

this court, Now any such promise I deem to be legally binding, but has to

be witnessed by the court - I suggest you get the invitations ready, Oh and

don't forget mine!" John looked up, "In the matter of Rebecca Smith - I

rule that she be placed in the custody of Mrs. Sharon Williams and to be

tasked with the duties of a bridesmaid, after which time she shall legally

be under the guardianship of Mr. And Mrs. Michael Moore." He looked at us

both, and still smiling said "and may the lord have mercy on your lives!"

I smiled and kissed Sharon, then Becky, She clung hold of me and said,

"Does that mean I can call you Daddy Mike?"

I hugged her, "Becky, you can call me anything you wish, I've promised

to look after you and will, until the time you decide to marry."

Becky looked at us both, "Daddy Mike, can't I marry you?" the court bust

out in laughter.

John looked at her smiling, "I'm sorry Becky, but Mr. Moore is now

spoken for, you'll have to find a young gentleman of your own, when you're

older. Usher, this case is now concluded, Case for the applicant Mr.

Michael Moore." He banged his gavel.

Then the doors of the courtroom opened and Hugh rushed in with a young
lady in tow, "My lord, I must ask for a slight delay, I've found a witness

on behalf of Mr. Moore, she's only just returned from holiday."

John looked at Hugh, and shook his head, "I'm sorry but I've already

decided on the case and have pronounced sentence, your witness is too

late."

Hugh approached the bench, "But your honour the witness was present when

Becky's mother asked my client to look after the girl, you have to hear her

statement before deciding, its only right!"

John looked at me and smiled, then turned his attention to Hugh, "I'm

sorry, the decision is made, Becky is to be adopted by Mr. Moore, and

nothing you can do will change that!"

Hugh hadn't been listening, "YOUR HONOUR I MUST OBJECT, you can't just

dismiss. . . . What did you say?" his ears had finally managed to get his

attention.

John burst out laughing, "You know Hugh, if you don't attend the cases

you will never know what happens - I have agreed to allow Mr. Moore to

have custody of the child Reb. . Becky Smith, now I believe you were going

to accuse the court of some form of malpractice?"

Hugh pulled himself together, "err, err I, err I your honour, I w.

would never, err never presume to, to do such a thing."

John snorted, "And a good thing too, now you were late to this court,

but your junior has been persuasive about your absence so I won't say any

more about it. Mr. Moore, Mrs William and of course Becky, I'll see you

at the wedding, now go before I change my mind."

Before we could leave Becky unhooked herself from my grip, and ran

behind the judges bench, to reappear beside John, she kissed his face and

said, "Thank you, I'm glad you were on my side."

He smiled, "Well if I knew I would be rewarded for my judgement, I'd

have said that earlier, now go before the prosecution asks for a retrial

stating undue influence of the judge." She kissed him again and then ran

off to reappear next to me.

We quickly left the court to find Nancy and Maria waiting outside, Maria

spoke first - "Well done Mike, we knew you could do it, but I don't know

how to break it to Joan and Paul."

Just then the pair in question showed up behind her, they had Kylie with

them, Paul said, "That's okay towel head." Becky sniggered, "We had to be

here with Becky, I must say we're sad to lose her, even if it was only

after couple of weeks, but we're glad she's where she is, Mike will take

good care of her, I know it."

Joan spoke up, "And Maria, you know when Paul says something like that

he's normally right!"

Maria nodded, "Yes Aunt Joan, I know." She turned to me, "Mike you do

realise that we'll have to keep an eye on Becky, not that either Nancy or

myself don't trust you, we do, but it's all part of the Social Services

routine."

I smiled, hugged Becky and said, "Maria you and Nancy can visit at any

time - Oh can you give us an hours notice to untie Becky and make sure the

manacles are hidden away."

Becky gave an indignant 'Humph'; Maria smiled and said, "Oh I think I

can arrange that, I'll make a special note in the file!"

Then an usher arrived and checked our names, when told he handed Sharon

a piece of paper, he said, "I hope you put this to good use!" Sharon looked

at it and laughed.

She then showed it to me, it was a special Marriage licence - which

allowed us to arrange an almost instant marriage at any church or registry

office, Sharon looked at me, "Let get married now!" She said.

I shook my head, "We can't, we've got to organise the invitations, and

the reception - I mean we did promise John that we'd invite him."

Hugh looked at us, "You did? Well you'll have to invite his wife as

well, do you know her," We shook our heads, "I thought you did, her name's

Margaret, she's the Brown Owl of the local Brownie pack!"

Sharon and I just looked at each other - that explained her words on

Sunday. I shook my head, "Just when you think you know everything,

something else crops up!"

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

After saying goodbye to Joan and Paul, and promising to keep in touch,

we walked back to the car, first of all we went to the paper's offices and

up to Isabel's office, when she saw all of us she smiled, "Well Mike it

seems I don't need to get that interview done after all, I take it you did

win your case?"

I nodded, Sharon smiled and said, "It was wonderful, Mike proposed to me

in the middle of the courtroom, I had to say yes, and I didn't want to

disappoint him." Then she looked at Becky and added, "Or lose Becky in the

process."

Isabel looked at Becky, "And what about you Becky, are you happy? Or

are you having second thoughts about Mike?"

Becky shook her head, "Oh no, Daddy Mike is the bestest thing that could

have happened."

Kylie looked a bit down, I went to her and asked what was wrong, she

shook her head and said, "It's not fair, how come Becky can call you Daddy

when I call you Uncle, why can't I call you Daddy as well?"

I smiled at her, "But Kylie when I marry your mother I'll be your daddy

won't I? So you can call me Daddy Mike, or even just Daddy, can't you?"

She threw her arms around my neck, "Do you mean that Daddy? Really?" I

nodded; she looked at Sharon who also nodded, "Oh Daddy, I'm so happy."

Then she became serious again and asked, "But I won't have to forget about

my real daddy do I?"

I knelt down so that we were looking eye to eye, and said, "Kylie, I'm

not here to replace your father, you can always think of him, I'm sure

where-ever he may be he's keeping an eye on you, and is proud of you. I

know I am, so no! And I'm sure your mother will never forget him either."

Sharon came over to us and also lowered herself to our level, she kissed

Kylie, "Oh Kylie, no, never forget your daddy, he was the most wonderful

man. All I ask is that you'll also make a space in your heart for Mike.

Can you do that?"

Kylie smiled, "Of course I have mummy, he's been with me as Uncle Mike

and will be with me as Daddy Mike, I do love him as well you know."

Becky was just standing to one side, not sure what to do, I reached out

to her and pulled her into the group, "Becky, Kylie, I've promised to marry

Sharon, but this doesn't mean that you are not part of the family - I hope

we're closer than a family, I think we are all friends which is more than

some families can ever be, we are here for each other now and for always.

Becky sniffed, "Yes Daddy Mike, I do know that I think your more of a

father that my daddy was, I was so scared that I'd lose you," She hugged

Sharon and Kylie, "All of you - I know Aunt Joan and Uncle Paul were really

nice, but they're not like you, promise you won't send me away. Please?"

Sharon held her tightly, "Becky Smith! - No - Becky Moore! We'll never

send you away from us ever, as Mike said 'we are a family' we may shout,

scream and argue with each other at times, but we will never, and I mean

NEVER send you away." At this her voice cracked, we stayed in this group

hug for a few minutes.

Isabel was watching us, tears pricking at her eyes, when we separated

she said, "I've never seen that before, it was so, so, moving"

I smiled at her, "We've never really thought of ourselves as a family
before, just a loose association of friends, I suppose you could say this

is the first time our family has really met each other so we're still

learning about ourselves."

Isabel smiled back, "Well if this was the real start, I don't think

you've anything to worry about. Now if you don't mind, I've got a paper to

get out, Sharon I suppose I'd better give you a couple of day's off, unless

there's anything else you need?"

Sharon shook her head, then said, "Oh yes, I'll be needing some more

time off to arrange a wedding."

Isabel shook her head, "I don't know, I mean you've had more time off

than many secretaries normally have, I'll have to think about it."

Sharon smiled, "Okay, but don't blame me if I forget to send you an

invitation to the wedding."

Isabel relented, "Well if you're going to resort to dirty tricks, I

suppose I could give you some time off, see me later okay?"

Sharon nodded, "Fine, I'll see you on Monday then, okay?"

Isabel smiled again, "That's okay, you need time to get to know your

family."

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

We left Isabel to work on in her office, I remembered I promised Kylie

to replace her radio that she had given to WPC Pembroke, so we went back to

Greg's shop.

As we entered Greg smiled to see all of us, "There you are Mike, looks

like you're really getting into the family thing. At least she's better

than that other one," at my blank look he continued, "You know the one with

the big," His hands gestured at his chest, "and hardly any brain."

Sharon smiled, and the girls giggled, I decided that the joke was going

too far, "Greg, I'd like to introduce you to my fiancé Sharon, my daughter
to be Kylie and my adopted daughter Becky."

Greg's jaw dropped, "You're actually going ahead with it? Good on you

boy, I thought you'd never get hitched. May I congratulate the bride to

be?"

Sharon nodded and went over to Greg, who gave her a brotherly kiss on

the cheeks, which I must admit surprised me. I heard him say to her,

"Thank you, and don't forget to look after him." She nodded, and then

returned to me.

Then Greg got all businesslike, "Okay Mike, now we've got that out of

the way, you need to sign these papers, they're the patent forms for the

invisible tether idea you had, George had checked and no-one has yet

suggested such a thing before, we've talked to the original team that

invented the radios, they seem excited - nobody seemed to give their idea

any chance of working, that is until you brought the rights to them, now

they're ready to work for you, all you have to do is give the word and

they'll get the prototypes ready."

I smiled, "Greg tell them the word is given, I want to get these out

cheap enough for most parents to be able to afford them, we could try to

get some of the chains stores, you know Mothercare or Toys 'r' Us, to

sponsor the productions, that may reduce the overheads, and get

country-wide coverage distribution."

He just looked at me, "Why not just give them away, I mean the profit

margin will be so low that we might not break even."

I nodded, "True, but then at least we'd be making lives a bit safer for

the children and parents, look on it like that."

He shook his head, "You know Mike, it might give you a warm feeling, but

I'd like it to be in a more concrete form, remember money? You can spend

that, but you can't spend feeling!"

I clapped him on the back, "Don't worry Greg, you'll get your profits,

remember if we franchise these out we'll be paid for each one made and

sold, now don't worry, have I ever steered you wrong?"

He thought for a moment, then shook his head, "Okay Mike, I'll trust

you. I'd better get on the phone and get the ball rolling I suppose."

I nodded, "Fine. Oh by the way, you don't have another spare master

unit, Kylie lost hers"

He looked at Kylie and said, "She should be more careful, do you know

where she lost it."

Kylie smiled and said, "At the police station, I gave it to a

policewoman."

Greg shook his head, "and she kept it? I don't know the crooks are

everywhere these days. Did you get her name?"

Kylie nodded, "Yes, its WPC Pembroke, she's the community liaison

officer, I thought it would be easier if I gave her my radio to use, Uncl.

. . Daddy Mike said he'd replace it."

Greg smiled, "You've done it again haven't you Mike, you're a sucker for

a pretty face, okay here's a master unit." He reached under the counter and

remove a radio with a blue strap, instead of the normal black one.

"Another one of your ideas Mike, black straps for the normal radio and blue

for the Master units, easy to identify and at no extra cost." He handed the

radio to Kylie who placed it on her wrist, then tuned it into 'our' private

frequency.

"Thanks," She said simply and went back to Becky, Greg and I spoke for a

few more minutes before we left him to his work.

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

We decided to go back to the restaurant for lunch, the staff was quite

puzzled when we turned up and was expecting to see Joan and Paul as their

'daughter' was with us. We didn't try to correct them, it was a lot easier

for a start, then Kylie and Becky decided to have fun by both calling me

Daddy - this did confuse the waitresses, until I had to explain the

situation.

After they finally understood, we were treated to a party atmosphere,

balloons were presented to the girls (normally given at birthdays), and we

were given a special ice-cream sundae, with extra cream.

When we left the restaurant we felt so full up that we didn't expect to

eat again for the rest of the day.

We went back to Sharon's house where Kylie and Sharon packed away some

clothes to take back to my house, Becky sat with me, then she looked up at

me, "Oh Daddy Mike," she said, "I'll need to get clothes from my house." I

started to nod when I remembered that all her belongings had been removed.

I left her in the house while I went to the car and picked up the papers

that we were given last week, there was a telephone number at the top of

the sheet, I returned to the house and dialled the number.

"Council Depot - How may I help you?" the voice was of a youngish

female, I identified myself and quoted the reference number at the top of

the page, "One moment please while I bring up the details . . . . Ah yes,

Mr. and Mrs. Smith deceased, property of (she gave Becky's home address).

Right Mr. Moore why are you interested in this property?" I explained that

I was now the legal guardian of Rebecca Smith and she needed to reclaim her

clothing that would have been taken away for storage and that she needed

it.

She asked for details of Becky (although she did call her Rebecca),

which I obtained from Becky, finally she said, "That all checks out Mr.

Moore, when can you come to pick up the items you need?" I said 10 minutes

and that was agreed on.

I shouted up the stairs that Becky and I were going out for some minutes

and we went to the car, just as we were about to start off Kylie came

running out of the house and up to the car, "Can I come as well Daddy," She

said and got into the back seat with Becky.

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

We arrived at the depot and announced ourselves to the lady in the

reception area, a badge on her chest said she was called Sandra, "Ah Mr.

Moore, you phoned a short time ago, do you have the documents with you?"

I handed over the forms given to us by the driver, she looked them over

then at Kylie, "You are Rebecca Smith," Kylie shook her head and prodded

Becky who said, "No, I am, I need to get my clothes please."

Sandra smiled at her, "I'm sorry about your loss Rebecca, I hope coming

here doesn't cause you a problem."

Becky shook her head, "Not just at the moment, I've got my new daddy to

look after me."

At Sandra's quizzical look I explained, "I'm just been granted custody

of Becky, she trying to wear out the name daddy for me."

She congratulated me then said to Becky, "Mr. Moore called you Becky,

is that how you'd like me to call you?"

Becky nodded and said, "Yes please Sandra," she had noticed the badge as

well, "I'm afraid I don't like my name at the moment"

Sandra nodded in understanding, although I don't think she understood

what Becky was saying. She escorted us further into the storage area, it

was a large warehouse space, split up into sections, each section holding

furniture, a mute testament to the people who had owned them, after a few

rows it began to be downright scary, I was expecting to see the ghosts of

the owners sitting on their chairs, reading papers and smoking pipes!

Finally we arrived at the area set up for Becky's Furniture, she could

see her wardrobe and she ran to it, I looked around the are and found some

suitcases, I opened one which was empty, Becky started to sort through her

clothes for the ones she wanted to keep, I noticed that she was packing

dresses and skirts instead of her usual jeans or trousers, I also notice

that she hadn't packed any socks or underwear, she blushed when I pointed

that out, but started to fill up the suitcase, I picked up another case for

her to use, when I opened it I found some photographs in frames of George

and Mildred, and a couple of young Becky which I kept, there was a picture
of all the family, Becky saw me looking at this, and said, "I remember

that, I was about six at the time." And she smiled with the memory, I also

kept that one, it was the only one with Darren in the shot.

I notice there were some other pictures, not in frames, just

photographs, I looked at a couple, then threw them down, then realising

that there was a chance that others might find them I asked Sandra to

witness that I had found the photographs in the suitcase, I didn't tell her

what they were, but informed her that I would be taking them to the police

to be destroyed. I noticed that Becky hadn't seen what I had done, and

asked Sandra not to mention them to her. But it seems that Darren had

another stash of pictures hidden away.

Kylie was watching me and seemed slightly worried at my reaction, but I

gestured to her not to say anything, at which she nodded.

When we had all the clothes that Becky thought she needed I asked her if

there was anything else she wanted, she looked at the remnants of her

parents possessions and shook her head, "No Daddy Mike, I don't really want

to keep anything else, they have too many bad memories."

Sandra then told Becky that they would be holding onto the property for

six months before they were either given to another family or thrown away,

and that Becky could come back during that time if she changed her mind.

We thank Sandra and left the depot to return to the car, with me

carrying both suitcases of clothes.

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As I was driving back, I could feel the photographs' burning a hole in

my pocket, at least that was how it felt, I mentioned to the girls that I

had to just visit the Police station and asked them to stay in the car. -

Much to their annoyance.

I parked outside the station and went to the front desk, the officer, a

sergeant, looked up and smiled, "Good Afternoon Mr. Moore, and how are

you?" He'd been on duty that previous Sunday, I said I was fine and asked

if DS Nichols was available to see me, the officer picked up his phone and

spoke into it, after a few minutes Nichols came out a shook my hand.

"It's good to see you again Mike," He said, then asked how he could help

me, I explained the problem, he put a serious look on his face, then spoke

to the desk sergeant and asked for a closed evidence bag, which was handed

over to him.

I then handed over the photographs he glanced at one just before dumping

the rest into the bag, he shook his head, "That poor child, I'm glad she's

safe with you." I thanked him and asked what was going to be done with the

pictures, he looked at me and said to follow him, but Becky running into

the front entrance interrupted us.

She was crying and looked at us, "Kylie said you had pictures of me,

were they the ones Darren took of me?" I held her, and nodded, she said, "I

didn't know he was taking them, I don't want you to see them, please say

you didn't."

I hugged her and replied, "I saw two of them before I put the rest away,

DS Nichols has them in that bag, and he was about to show me what was going

to be done with them!"

He nodded and then said, "Becky, with this type of evidence, as soon as

the case is over the evidence is destroyed. If you both will come with

me." He nodded to the sergeant who buzzed us through the door into the

station proper.

We walked down the corridor, passing several officers who said 'hello'

to us, we entered another room, one which I didn't recall on our tour of

the station, I mentioned this to Nichols, who shrugged his shoulders,

"Well, no, you see this isn't really shown to visitors but I thought Becky

would feel better if she knew about it."

We found ourselves in a boiler room there was a police officer seated at

a desk, Nichols went up to him and spoke for a few minutes, I could get

part of the conversation, ". . . Extra evidence to closed case . . . not

booked in . . . couldn't hurt . . . destroy them . . ." Finally the

officer accepted the bag and, without opening it, went to the boiler, where

he opened a small flap in the door - we could feel the heat emanating from

the flap - and dropped the bag inside, the flap was closed and Nichols

gestured for us to look inside a small window, I lifted Becky up so that

she could watch as the bag started to burn and fold in on itself, the

yellow flame erupting from inside as the photographs were blackened and

crisped up into ash.

Nichols then spoke to Becky, "I'm sorry to say I had to look at the

other pictures Darren had taken, I can promise you that they are all

destroyed, just as those were, don't worry about them again."

Becky allowed me to put her down on the ground, and then she turned to

me, "You knew about the pictures didn't you."

I nodded, "Yes I did, Nichols mentioned that some had been found, but he

didn't say what they showed and also he said that your parents never knew

about them." She looked at him, he nodded, I continued, "I don't know what

was in the pictures, and I don't want to. That's in the past and doesn't

concern us now, if at some time you want to talk about it, that's fine as

well, but it's up to you."

Nichols escorted us back to the front office, and before we left Nichols

stopped Becky, "I hope you're not worried about those pictures, I know it's

difficult but they are all gone now."

She put on a brave face, "I didn't want to have them taken, but Darren

wouldn't take no for an answer, the only trouble is I don't know how many

more there might be hidden away."

Nichols nodded, and then said. "Do you want us to go through the

furniture again, we could, as a prevention!" Becky though for a moment,

then nodded, Nichols nodded as well, "Thank you, I will assure you that any

thing else we find will be destroyed as well, do you want me to let you

know if we found anything?"

She shook her head, "No. I'd rather not, I'll just worry about who

looked at them first, just get rid of them please."

Nichols nodded, "I understand, don't worry Becky, we'll be discrete."

We left the station and went back to the car, Kylie was sobbing in the

back seat as we entered. "Oh Daddy, I'm sorry I didn't mean to tell Becky

but she was insistent, and I didn't know what pictures you'd found. And,

and. . ." She went back to crying

I reached over to her and tried to hold her, a difficult thing to do as

I was in the front seat and she was in the back, Becky came to our rescue,

by holding Kylie, "It's okay Ky, I didn't want anyone to know about the

pictures, I didn't know that Daddy Mike already knew, I was trying to stop

him from looking at them!"

I added, "But I did know about them, and knew that the police were able

to destroy them, we've already sorted that out so don't worry Kylie it's

alright, now dry your eyes, and we'll be on our way."

The drive back to Sharon's house was subdued, a fact that Sharon noticed

as we entered the house, I gave a quick explanation to Sharon who hugged

Becky, while I reassured Kylie that I wasn't annoyed at her.

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

That night we had a light meal, after still being full following the

dinner, just sandwiches. The girls were tired out after the events of the

day and went to bed early.

They both washed their hands and faces and dressed in their bedclothes,

nightdress for Kylie and pyjamas for Becky, I tucked them both into their

beds, Kylie held her arms up for me to bend down and kiss her goodnight,

she whispered, "I love you Daddy, can you read to us please."

Becky's voice came from her bed, "Yes please Daddy Mike, please read a

story."

I kissed Becky's cheek and said, "Alright girls, but I expect you both

to stay in your own bedroom tonight, we're all tired and I don't expect to

be disturbed, we've also got a lot of work to do tomorrow, so expect to be

up early."

I picked up a book that Kylie had pointed out - Emile and the

detectives, about a young boy in Holland who goes visiting and is robbed of

some money - I'd got as far as him meeting the young children when I notice

that both girls were asleep, I book marked the page and quietly walked out

of the room.

I returned to Sharon who was sitting downstairs, I kissed her gently,

she giggled, "Mike," she started, "do you mind if we just go to bed

tonight, I mean to sleep, I really don't feel like doing anything after

today."

I groaned, "Oh I see, first you tempt me with your body, then once I

propose you put yourself off limits, I can see how our marriage is going to

go now."

She picked up a cushion and started to hit me over the head, saying,

"That's not what I mean and you know it! I'm just too tired after the

court case."

I held out my hand, "I know darling," I said, "and I do know what you

mean." she took my hand and we walked up the stairs into 'our' bedroom,

where we undressed and went to bed, and fell asleep immediately.

- 30

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