Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience. >The Girl at the Bus Stop by alan14 Copyright(C) 2021 by alan14 Chapter 22 I awoke again when Jenny brought us coffee. I checked the clock, 7:30, we -(TM)d slept through the noise of everyone getting up and ready. Belle had crawled back on top and was cuddling me again. -You had fun last night, - Jenny said with a smile. -Oh shit, we so did, she wiped me out, - I replied, running my hands through Belle -(TM)s hair as I spoke, she was still fast asleep. -I know, I couldn -(TM)t wake you afterwards, so I threw that blanket over you both and slept in Poppy -(TM)s room. - -What happened to Helen? - -She went home to Nita. - -Did you... - -Did we ever, we had just as much fun as you did. - I moved slightly to reach for my coffee, Belle made a little noise as she started to wake, so Jenny sat on the side of the bed, watching Belle as she came to. -She really is so beautiful, she looks like a little puppy lying on you like that. - Belle -(TM)s eyes finally fluttered open, -oh hello, - she said sleepily. -Good morning sweetheart, - Jenny said, -did you sleep well? - -Oh wow, I don -(TM)t remember the last time I slept so well, - she replied before looking at me, -did you sleep ok, I think I remember you getting up and washing my bits, but that might have been a dream. - -Haha, it wasn -(TM)t a dream, I couldn -(TM)t wake you so I could go to the bathroom, so I carried you and left you on the side of the shower while I went to the loo. You dribbled a bit, so I cleaned you up. - -So, how do you feel? - Jenny asked her. Belle had a think, -mmm, I -(TM)m a bit sore downstairs, but damn, I feel good, and do you know why? - -Because you lost your virginity to the nicest guy in town? - Jenny laughed. -Well, there -(TM)s that, and Poppy always said she feels amazing after a good fucking. No, I feel good because I made him cum three times, and I love watching a man cum, and then watching Alex -(TM)s face as he came inside me as I came at the same time, oh man, that was mind blowing, and then we kind of fell asleep. - -I watched you, we all did... - -Did Helen see us? - -I -(TM)m afraid not, she went home before then, but Poppy, Katie and I did, and do you want to know something? - -What? - Belle asked excitedly. -Poppy came just watching you, I had my arm around her and I felt a little orgasm run through her body as you came Belle, you looked that good fucking Alex. - -This is so weird you know, talking to you after I -(TM)ve had sex with your boyfriend, and you being so nice about it. - -I had sex with Alex -(TM)s sister last night, that -(TM)s how we are here, but only amongst ourselves, we won -(TM)t bring anyone else in, and we don -(TM)t talk about what we do outside, partly because most people don -(TM)t understand polyamory, and partly because it -(TM)s very illegal for us to be sleeping with you girls. - -Oh yeah, I understand that bit, but all this polyamory stuff doesn -(TM)t stop me being all weirded out about you being so nice about me sleeping with Alex. - Jenny leaned forwards and kissed Belle on the lips, -mmm, you still taste of Alex, lovely. I -(TM)d love to chat longer, but I -(TM)ve got to get to work. Katie -(TM)s making pancakes, if you -(TM)re quick you might be able to get one before Poppy eats them all. - With that Jenny gave us both a kiss and headed for the door, -have a nice day together, see you tonight. - -I want pancakes, but I don -(TM)t want to let go of you, I feel so safe right now. - -How about if you get off me, then we both throw on some clothes and go down for pancakes. - -Ok, that -(TM)s nearly as good. - Belle pulled on the t-shirt I -(TM)d worn last night, while I pulled on yesterday -(TM)s jeans and sweater. -Oh shit, this t-shirt is so big on me it would make a great nightie. - -Keep it if you like. - -But, it -(TM)s an Armani, they -(TM)re really expensive. - -Yeah, but if you like it, you can have it, I don -(TM)t mind. - Belle took my hand, -you -(TM)re so much like my real dad, he was really kind. - -I -(TM)d like to think if Tammy and I had got married, and we -(TM)d had children, they -(TM)d have been as polite and sweet as you three girls. - -You wouldn -(TM)t have been able to have sex with me if I was your real daughter. - -That -(TM)s true, - I said, -now let -(TM)s get downstairs, I -(TM)m sure your sisters are dying to ask you about last night. - And they were. -I can -(TM)t believe you fucked him, - Poppy said as we entered the kitchen, sounding genuinely shocked, -yesterday morning you seemed so terrified. - -Yeah, but then you told me how nice he was to you and Katie, and he was patient while I was blowing him, he didn -(TM)t grab me, or force me to do anything, and I was so fucking horny, I came so hard, I don -(TM)t remember the last time that happened, and I wanted to win my bet that I could make him cum three times. - -Three times! Shit girl, that -(TM)s better than I managed, - Poppy said, nothing but pride for Belle in her voice, -so what did you win? - -Same as you, - Belle replied nonchalantly. -Oh really, that -(TM)s great. What are you going to do with it? - -Same as you did with yours, - she replied, equally nonchalantly. Poppy ran around the kitchen island and grabbed Belle, picking her up and spinning her around, -seriously, you -(TM)re going to give it to street girls. - -Of course, what do I need with all that money? I didn -(TM)t want to bet Alex money, I -(TM)d have been happy with a Mars bar or something. I want to give it to your charity. - -On that note, I -(TM)m going to see my publisher this week about my next book, I -(TM)ll bring up your charity Poppy, see where it -(TM)s going. Lois will quiz me about your book, have you made any progress with it yet? - -Actually I have, I -(TM)ve made a few notes, just outlines for what I -(TM)d write. - -That -(TM)s great, if you could let me have the outlines I can show them to Lois, I -(TM)m sure she -(TM)ll be happy that we -(TM)ve made a start. - -What are you writing? - Belle asked. -Alex -(TM)s publisher wants me to write about my life on the streets, - Poppy replied. -Oh, that -(TM)s so cool. Can I help? I was always good at writing stories and essays at school, it -(TM)ll keep me from getting bored until I can start school again. - -Of course you can help, then you can get equal billing on the book, Katie, can you finish the pancakes while I find my notes. - Katie served us the pancakes while Poppy was upstairs, we were tucking into them as she returned with a notebook. I flipped it open as I ate, she -(TM)d written a heading and some notes, leaving a few pages to add further notes before the next heading. -This is good work, - I said, -I like how you -(TM)ve organised this, so you can add more notes to each section. - -Thanks, I asked my English composition teacher for some ideas, she -(TM)s written a book about the Bronte sisters, she noticed how I -(TM)m not really computer literate just yet, so she told me to leave about 10 pages for each section, then if I need more space, rip the binding off the book and put it in a loose leaf binder. - -That -(TM)s smart, it -(TM)s how I work on the computer, I have a separate file per chapter and then join them all together once the chapters are all finished. - -So, I -(TM)ve got a chapter on why I left home, we can add a chapter on why you left home if you want Belle, it -(TM)ll be useful because your homelife was the total opposite to mine, but then it all went horribly wrong, I think it will give a really good contrast and show there -(TM)s several ways people end up on the streets. - -Yeah, - Belle agreed, -that would be good, but I -(TM)d want that fucker behind bars before the book comes out, - she looked at me, -I -(TM)m really sorry, I -(TM)m swearing so much, I -(TM)m going to try really hard to be more ladylike from now on, I really am. Poppy used to have such a potty mouth, but she hardly swears now, I need to be more polite around you all. - Katie dashed over to the recycling and pulled out a clean jam jar. -Here we go, I -(TM)ll cut a hole in the lid and put a label on it, -~Belle -(TM)s swear jar -(TM), you can use it as a money box if you like. - -Cool, can somebody give me a pound so I can pay for that last one? - -It -(TM)s no good having a swear jar if we have to pay every time you swear. - -Ahh, yeah. Ok, somebody give me a pound, and I -(TM)ll do one of your chores. - And with that both Katie and Poppy slapped a pound coin on the table. -Fuck! - Belle laughed, -there, that -(TM)s two swears, I -(TM)ll have both pound coins, and I -(TM)ll do your laundry Katie, and I -(TM)ll do your hoovering Poppy. - With that they gave Belle the money and she collected the plates and loaded the dishwasher, -can somebody show me how to do this again please, I wasn -(TM)t really watching properly yesterday. - After Katie showed Belle where to add the detergent pod and set the dishwasher going, they returned to the table. -So, my next chapter is about my immediate life on the streets, a couple of days sleeping in the rain, then finding that first squat I kind of showed you on Saturday, more time sleeping outdoors, the underaged prostitution and drugs. -Then rescue in the shape of Jeremy, who I may rename, I don -(TM)t think he -(TM)ll be happy if I tell people about him, Max -(TM)s squat, and then we re-join Belle. - -That sounds great, - Belle said, -it might be difficult for me to write about you finding me without me making you sound like a saint, because really, that -(TM)s what you are Poppy. - -I -(TM)m not a saint, it -(TM)s just there -(TM)s so many evil fuckers out there... - -That -(TM)ll cost you a pound, - Belle laughed. -Shit, oh go on, here -(TM)s £2 for your money box. Anyway, like I was saying, there -(TM)s so many evil people around, preying on kids on the streets, not just girls, there -(TM)s a lot of vulnerable boys out there, and sadly most of the pedos don -(TM)t care about gender. So, the evil is so dark, it makes the actions of ordinary decent folks like me and Jeremy seem like the work of a superhero, although Jeremy is kind of like Batman at times. - Poppy looked at her phone, -oh bollocks, we -(TM)d better run. - -I -(TM)ll let you off that one, - Belle laughed as Poppy gave her a quick kiss before she ran for the door with Katie in tow. -So, what are we doing today? - Belle asked as she put another pot of coffee on. -Well, I need to get you some money... - -I -(TM)m serious, I don -(TM)t want that money, give it to Poppy -(TM)s fund. - -You need some pocket money though; you can -(TM)t be relying on Poppy and Katie to buy you stuff all the time. - -I guess, but look, I -(TM)ve got £4 from my swear box already. - -Ha yes, so you -(TM)ll need pocket money to keep paying into your swear box. - Belle looked a little sad, -I -(TM)m serious about this as well, I need to be more ladylike, like Helen, she -(TM)s a proper lady. - I knelt down beside Belle, -you can try to stop swearing if you like, but being a lady, whatever that means, doesn -(TM)t mean you have to stop swearing. Helen swears like a frigging trooper, so does Jenny. When I -(TM)m writing my kids books I have to be careful, obviously, I -(TM)m allowed the odd shit and bastard, even the f-word if it -(TM)s appropriate to the scene. My grown up books have a lot of swearing, if used well, in context, swearing can really emphasise the importance of a scene or passage of dialogue. Like last night, when Poppy ran into the room, you said -~it fucking hurts -(TM), that told Poppy you hurt more than -~it hurts -(TM) or -~it really hurts -(TM). - -Well, it did, but also, it hurt in a good way, does that make sense. It hurt a lot, but not the same way as a punch to the stomach hurts, or a toothache. I still ache down there by the way, is that ok, I meant to ask Katie, but they had to dash off. - -I -(TM)m not the right person to ask, I -(TM)ll say that after Poppy was particularly vigorous with me, she had to lay off for a few days, but that was because she was already hurt down there, you know. - -Oh yes, I can -(TM)t believe what those bastards did to her, they deserved everything they got and more. Oh man! I forgot, Poppy was allowed proper sex last night and I took her place, oh no, I feel bad now, will you be able to have sex with her tonight? - -If Poppy wanted sex last night, she -(TM)d have joined in. Maybe she had sex with Katie, she has a toy that lets a girl have sex with another girl... - -Oh yes! She -(TM)s told me about that, didn -(TM)t she use it on you? - -She did, - I replied, regretting mentioning it now. -What was it like? Was it fun? - -It was less awkward than I expected. - -Did it hurt? - -It was uncomfortable at first, things are meant to come out of that hole, not go in. But Poppy knew what she was doing, and it was ok. - -Maybe I -(TM)ll let her do my bum one day, no offence Alex, but that cock is going nowhere near my bum hole. - -No offence taken, you only ever do what you want to do. - -So, anyway, back to today, bank, then are we going to school? I -(TM)d like to visit, and see what it -(TM)s like, and if they -(TM)ll have me. - -Of course, we -(TM)ll do the bank, then school, then we -(TM)ll go to the supermarket and see if we can get the ingredients for the chicken dish you spoke about last night, you practice it before cooking it for the full family meal at the weekend. - -Before we do anything, Poppy said if I have any girlie questions, I should ring Helen. - -Oh yes, Helen -(TM)s helped Poppy a great deal, and Katie. - -She -(TM)s so super cool and glamorous, but so easy to talk to, can you phone her for me please, I just need to ask her a couple of things, about last night, you know. - -Of course, - I replied as I grabbed the cordless handset off the charger, -she -(TM)s number one speed dial, just hold down the one key for a couple of seconds, make your call while I get a shower. - -It -(TM)s ok, it -(TM)s nothing private, like I said, I would have asked Katie, but she -(TM)s gone to school. - I poured coffee whilst she dialled, Helen answered almost immediately, -hey Helen, it -(TM)s me, Belle, err, hang on a second, how do I put this on speaker Alex. - I leant over and pushed the speaker key, -just push that again to turn it off if you want to talk privately. - -Thanks, we -(TM)ll be ok. Ahh, sorry about that, err I just want to ask a couple of things about last night. - -Oh, ok, ask away, Nita -(TM)s here, is it ok if she listens? - -Of course, I -(TM)ve not met Nita yet. - -Listen, the things you want to talk about, would you be more comfortable talking face to face? - -Probably, it -(TM)s nothing private, just girlie questions that Alex couldn -(TM)t possibly answer, and the others have gone to school, and I -(TM)m a bit confused about things I -(TM)m feeling right now. - We heard an indistinct conversation, as if Helen had her hand over the phone, then she came back, -don -(TM)t go anywhere, we -(TM)ll be round in half an hour. - -I don -(TM)t want to put you out or anything. - -It -(TM)s no trouble at all, and you -(TM)ll get to meet Nita. - -Ok, great, I guess I -(TM)ll go and have a quick shower and get dressed. See you in a bit. - Belle cut the call and handed me the phone, -I didn -(TM)t mean for her to come round here, I feel bad putting her out like this. - -It -(TM)s fine, she only lives down the road, and she likes to see your face as you talk, it -(TM)s her training. Maybe we should have zoomed her or something instead. - -Zoomed her? - -Ahh yeah, sorry, had a video call from my iPad. - -Ahh, like facetime, I know that. - -Yes, facetimed her. - -Oh well, we -(TM)d better get dressed. Now I -(TM)ve got nice clothes, it -(TM)s going to take me longer to dress than shower... - Belle grumbled as she stalked off upstairs. I put the phone back on its stand and followed her. Belle didn -(TM)t take nearly as long as Poppy to get ready, and she was downstairs before me, making a fresh pot of coffee dressed in the nice jeans with flower prints and a pink t-shirt with a sleeping cat print, she -(TM)d also pulled her hair back and fastened it into a pair of pig tails. -You look nice, - I said as she handed me a mug, -I like your hair like that. - -I don -(TM)t really, but now that I -(TM)ve washed it properly it -(TM)s gone all flyaway, I need to get it cut. - -There -(TM)s a hairdresser near the bank, I -(TM)m sure we can get you an appointment today or tomorrow morning. - -Oh, tomorrow is Nikki -(TM)s funeral isn -(TM)t it. Shit, we didn -(TM)t buy any black clothes, I -(TM)m going to look really bad. - -Don -(TM)t worry, you -(TM)ve got black jeans, we -(TM)ll get you a black blouse today no trouble, and a coat, unless Katie -(TM)s got one you can borrow. - -Oh yes, I wore her black coat yesterday, it fit me ok, a bit big but not stupid. - She took a sip of her coffee then put the mug down, -I never met Poppy -(TM)s mum, obviously, what was she like? - -Well, I only saw her in hospital a few times, and she was in quite a bad way. - -The few times Poppy spoke about her, she really hated her mum. - -Not at the end, when she spoke to Nikki, I could tell Poppy loved her, there was no hatred at the end, Poppy realised that Nikki had been treated as badly as she -(TM)d been treated, and she also saw that if Jeremy hadn -(TM)t intervened, she -(TM)d have ended up in just the same position Nikki had. - -I think when we write our book, we -(TM)re all going to learn even more about what Poppy has been through. Surely your publisher will never publish some of the stories she can tell. - -Oh definitely not, but she needs to write that story or it -(TM)ll never come out, it -(TM)ll just become a black hole in Poppy -(TM)s heart, and yours, you need to tell everything as well. Even if I -(TM)m the only person who reads it, please write the whole story. - -I -(TM)ll try, but it -(TM)ll be hard for us both, especially Poppy. - We heard the key in the door and Belle dashed to pour more coffee. -Good morning, - Helen called out as she hung her coat in the hall cupboard. -I can -(TM)t stay long, - Nita apologised as she came into the kitchen, -I have a couple of patients to see this morning, but I wanted to meet Belle, Poppy told us so much about you. - Belle handed mugs to Helen as Nita pulled her into a hug, -you -(TM)re everything Poppy said and more. - -Thank you, - Belle replied, blushing a little at the attention, -how are you feeling, we were a little worried. - -I -(TM)m so much better, thank you. - Helen put her -(TM)s and Nita -(TM)s mugs on the table and hugged Belle, -are you ok? - -I -(TM)m fine, honest. - -Fantastic, - Helen replied as she sat down next to Nita, -so, before I left last night I saw a little bit of you in action. - Belle perked up, -really, what do you see? - -You were going down on Alex and doing very well indeed. - -So, mmm, kind of lost for words now, - Belle started, before taking a long drink of her coffee, -so, after that, I got really horny grinding myself on Alex -(TM)s cock, so I slid it home and did it all properly. - -Can I stop you there, just so we -(TM)re clear, you were in charge at this point, - Helen said sternly. -Oh, absolutely, I told Poppy straight away, because she asked more or less the same thing. I, err, well, whatever the opposite of penetrated is, I held his dick and slid back so it went inside, and then I screamed and Poppy came running. - -You screamed because... - -Because it fucking hurt, - Belle replied bluntly, -ahh, sorry, I owe myself a pound. - Helen brushed away the apology, -so it hurt, what happened? - -Poppy went down on me, and it started to feel better, and then we made love, well it was more than that, I ended up riding him like a porn star, and it was the best thing ever, and then we slept together until morning, me cuddling him like a big teddy bear. - -So, what do you need to know? - Helen asked softly. -Should it hurt like that, and should I still be really, really sore down there, and I -(TM)m a lesbian, I know I am, so why did I want to fuck Alex so much. - Helen smiled, -you were a virgin? - -Yes, I -(TM)d had nothing bigger than Poppy -(TM)s fingers up there. - -So, that -(TM)s why it hurt, Alex is a lot bigger than Poppy -(TM)s fingers. Did you ever do sex education at school? - Belle shook her head sadly, -I left home before those classes, I know how stuff works, like we could have made a baby last night, but it -(TM)s not my time at the moment. - Nita looked at Helen, -maybe we -(TM)d better get you the morning after pill, just in case, - Nita said, -then we -(TM)ll get you started on birth control. - Belle nodded, looking serious. -So, do you know what your hymen is? - Helen asked. -That -(TM)s my virginity, isn -(TM)t it? - -Not quite, it -(TM)s a bit of skin just inside your vagina. In some girls it tears when you do sports, or if they masturbate vigorously, with a hairbrush, or their mum -(TM)s vibrators, like I did. - I must have looked shocked, -what? - Helen said, -mum had vibrators, and I found them. She had needs, and dad was a lot older than she was. - -It -(TM)s ok, - I said, holding my hands up, -just not something I knew or suspected, I -(TM)m making no judgement. - -Good, - Helen said firmly, then she became softer again as she turned back to Belle, -so the pain you felt, was it a sharp, tearing pain, like if you -(TM)ve pulled a muscle, or like when you try and force out a really big poo. - Belle giggled at that, -it wasn -(TM)t a sharp pain, just like I was trying to spread my legs too wide I think. - -Was there any blood? - Helen looked at me as she asked. -I didn -(TM)t see any, but I didn -(TM)t put the bathroom light on when I cleaned us up, so I don -(TM)t know for sure. - -No matter, the main thing is, Alex didn -(TM)t do anything wrong as far as you -(TM)re concerned. - -Oh no, he really didn -(TM)t, he was the perfect gentleman, once it eased, I think Poppy told him he could do stuff, then I came, and everything was right with the world and I started to ride him. My main worry is that I ache this morning, that -(TM)s what I want to know is normal, I don -(TM)t want to have torn something. - Nita stood and picked up her bag, she held out her hand for Belle, -come with me pet, I -(TM)m a doctor, I -(TM)ll take a look. - Belle looked at me, I smiled, -it -(TM)s fine, Nita examined Poppy after I found her, she -(TM)s good. - Nita led Belle upstairs and I poured more coffee for Helen and myself. Helen took a sip of her hot coffee then smiled, -you -(TM)re one lucky bastard Alex, she -(TM)s just perfect, and you took her cherry. - -I know, and as it was happening, as I realised what she was about to do, I tried to stop her, but it all happened too fast, she slid down and basically impaled herself. Poppy came running so quickly I -(TM)m sure she must have been waiting outside. - -What -(TM)s she like, she looked like she knew what she was doing. - -Oh my, I -(TM)m not about to say this when any of them are present, but if you had a gun to my head, I -(TM)d say Belle was better, she has skills Poppy hasn -(TM)t, but Poppy has skills Belle hasn -(TM)t. Belle wins on sheer enthusiasm I think. - Before Helen could answer Belle skipped back into the room, followed by Nita who was smiling as she tossed a pair of disposable gloves in the bin. -Nothing to worry about, just not used to your bigger than average cock is all, she -(TM)ll be better after she -(TM)s walked around a bit. - -Thanks Nita, - Belle said, -I was a little bit worried I -(TM)d bitten off more than I could chew. - -That -(TM)s basically what you -(TM)d done, but you -(TM)ll get better, and with a bit of practice, if you want to practice some more, you -(TM)ll get used to it. - -Fuck yeah, I want to practice some more, but I also don -(TM)t want to tread on anyone -(TM)s toes, so I -(TM)ll maybe let Poppy and Katie use the dildo on me for a little bit. - Helen laid a hand on Belle -(TM)s, -and if you want to use the dildo on someone else, I -(TM)m happy to let you practice on me. - Belle blushed so brightly she walked away from the table for a moment. -I think she -(TM)s excited by that prospect, - Nita said with a smile. -I -(TM)m so sorry, - Belle said from the other side of the room, addressing the fridge rather than Helen, -I -(TM)m kind of like the nerdy boy in American Pie who -(TM)s just had Nadia proposition him. I can understand why Poppy liked me in the squat. I was quite pretty compared to most of the ladies there, except for Flower, but here in the mainstream world, there are so many prettier girls, why does she still like me? - -Belle, look over here please, - Nita said quietly, calmly. She turned slowly to look at us, her flush mostly gone. -Belle, who do I live with? - Nita asked. -Helen... - -So, would you say I -(TM)m in a position to judge who is, and isn -(TM)t attractive. - -Well, yes, obviously. - -So, I can say without fear of contradiction, that you, Belle, are the most beautiful woman in Alex -(TM)s life, prettier than Poppy, Katie, Jenny, Helen, and me, obviously. - -Why! - -You just are, it -(TM)s not something that can be measured by science, you have such clear, healthy skin, your eyes, they sparkle with life, with honesty, with intelligence. Your body... - -But I -(TM)ve only got tiny boobs, how can you like my body when you -(TM)ve got Helen -(TM)s whoppers, and Jenny -(TM)s, even Poppy -(TM)s are huge compared to mine. - Nita stood up and without a moment -(TM)s hesitation she unfastened her blouse and removed her bra. -Look at mine, they -(TM)re basically nipples, I have no boobs to speak of, yours, they -(TM)re like apples, sent to tempt Eve. Many men, and to be honest, most men are twats who know nothing, but one thing many men are right about is that often more than a handful is a waste. So sweetheart, your breasts are absolutely perfect, not a gram of waste. - Belle smiled, she cupped her boob in her hand, -just a handful, perfect. Thank you. - -Are you coming back to the table, or shall we go over there while you ask your last question. - Belle came and sat down at the table, she saw her mug was empty, so she took mine and finished it, -ok, so here -(TM)s my main problem. I -(TM)m gay, there -(TM)s no two ways about it, I -(TM)ve always felt more attracted to girls than boys, right from before I hit puberty, which I did distressingly early, while I was still at primary school. - Helen reached out for Belle, -oh sweetheart, and I guess you had no idea what that was at that age, no one would have prepared you. - -No, and asking your primary school teacher why your knickers are all bloody is not a conversation I ever want to have again, - she said with a grimace. -So, I -(TM)ve never been interested in boys, which is why I was doubly repulsed by Uncle Liam -(TM)s advances. Yeah, I blow the guys at the porno cinema, and wank them off, and if I -(TM)m honest, I do kind of enjoy it, and we get paid well, and nobody touches us, or even talks to us, so I don -(TM)t really count that as being against my gay tendencies. - -But last night was different... - Helen said. -Yes, last night was pure lust, I wanted Alex -(TM)s cock inside me. - She paused, thinking, -no, that -(TM)s not true, at first I didn -(TM)t, at first I was just interested in finding out more about Alex -(TM)s cock, working out why both Poppy and Katie, and Katie is gay remember, she -(TM)s not bi, why they -(TM)re both so fascinated by it. So I started playing with it. At first I -(TM)m still wary, still a little frightened of it if I -(TM)m honest. Then it gets all hard, and I start teasing it, using all the tricks I -(TM)ve worked up playing with the old mens -(TM) cocks in the cinema, some of them take a lot of work to get hard, you -(TM)d think with all the money they -(TM)re paying to watch the illegal filth on screen they -(TM)d cum in seconds, but no, we earned our money there. - She stopped again and checked my mug, still empty, Helen absently pushed hers over and she drank half of it. -So, as I played with Alex I was getting hotter and hotter, I made him cum twice, and I -(TM)d promised myself I -(TM)d get him to cum three times, but I needed to cum, and I needed it bad, so I lay on top of him, and I kissed him and I started to grind my pussy against him, and I came so hard, I was seeing stars, then I felt his hard cock underneath my tummy, and that -(TM)s when I decided that what I really needed was that cock inside me, and there wasn -(TM)t a moment to lose. - -And after the pain had eased, you enjoyed the sex, - Helen said. -I came twice, so I guess it was ok, - Belle deadpanned. -Ok, here -(TM)s something most men don -(TM)t understand about lesbians, they think we hate men, but that couldn -(TM)t be further from the truth, most of us don -(TM)t hate men, we just don -(TM)t fancy them. We fuck each other with dildos, we do it because it -(TM)s one of the most fun ways for us to get off, and how much more fun is it if the dildo is warm, flexible and attached to the owner, and the owner really knows what they -(TM)re doing. -So, in short, gay women do occasionally fuck men, and they enjoy it, but they usually don -(TM)t fancy that man, he may be a mate, a fuck buddy...: -A brother... - Belle added. -Yes, a brother, and that happens more often than people realise. So what I -(TM)m saying is, just because you slept with Alex, and enjoyed it, doesn -(TM)t stop you and Katie being gay. - -What about Poppy? - Belle asked. -Good question, I really don -(TM)t think Poppy will ever fit nicely into any box, Poppy is pansexual, she loves everyone, regardless if they -(TM)re gay, straight or bi, she -(TM)s one of the most highly sexed people I -(TM)ve ever met. - -Does that mean we -(TM)re not enough for her? - Belle said sadly. -Oh no, I think she -(TM)s happy now, she -(TM)s got the person she loves most in the world, and she -(TM)ll do anything to keep her safe and happy. - -Katie you mean. - -Nope, you. She loves you more than anything, she talked about you constantly, and now she -(TM)s found you, and she -(TM)s different, she -(TM)s a little more mature. I was worried about Katie, but I spoke to her, and I spoke to you, and I think you -(TM)re going to be just fine, because Katie saw in you exactly what Poppy saw in you. - -I love Katie, not just because she -(TM)s pretty, she -(TM)s really kind and nice, and that first night, they both cuddled me to keep me safe, like we were puppies in a basket. - -Are we ok? - Helen asked. Belle smiled warmly, -yes, I am, thank you. Poppy told me to phone you if I had any personal questions because you -(TM)re so understanding, I -(TM)m glad I did. - -Make sure you have my number in your phone. I -(TM)m not your mum, that -(TM)s Jenny, but Jenny -(TM)s job means she can -(TM)t always answer her phone, so I -(TM)m happy to answer any questions you -(TM)d ask a sister or mum. - Belle hugged Helen, -Thank you. - -Now, we need to get you the morning after pill, that -(TM)s not a job Alex can do, the pharmacist will be suspicious and probably phone the police, so I -(TM)ll take you, then you can get on with your day. - Nita had to leave for work, so she gave Belle and Helen a quick kiss and dashed across the park to get her train. I walked with Helen and Belle to the pharmacy. -Ok, I -(TM)m your cousin, you went out with some friends last night, you had a drink and you think you might have had sex with a boy. The pharmacist won -(TM)t ask you any personal questions, they may ask if you -(TM)re allergic to a few things, but that -(TM)s all. - -What will this pill do to me? - Belle asked warily. -It may give you a bit of a headache, you may get a tummy ache, you may feel sick. If you throw up within a couple of hours, phone me and we -(TM)ll have to get you another dose. - Belle stood outside the pharmacy, clearly nervous. -It -(TM)s ok, I -(TM)ll be there the whole way. - -Can you be my big sister instead of my cousin, I think you -(TM)re a better sister than a cousin. - -Ok, - Helen laughed, -whatever works for you. - -I -(TM)ll just hang around out here then, - I said. -Go get me a bacon sandwich, - Helen said, -I really fancy one. - -Me too, - Belle said as she pushed the door open. I guessed that they -(TM)d probably want to talk for a while afterwards. I decided we -(TM)d get bacon sandwiches in a cafe rather than a takeaway, so I sat on the wall across from the pharmacy. They were inside for about 15 minutes. Belle looked downhearted when she came out. She ran up and hugged me. I held her close and could feel she was holding back tears. Helen reached us and gently patted her back as she spoke, -unfortunately we got a pretty judgemental pharmacist today who gave her a stern talking to about sleeping around, I -(TM)ve a good mind to write to her manager, a pharmacist is supposed to dispense medicines and only give advice if requested, they are definitely not supposed to lecture young girls who could possibly be going through a crisis. - Belle looked at Helen, -please don -(TM)t cause a fuss, I just want to find somewhere that will give me the pill, I don -(TM)t want to get pregnant. - Helen disengaged Belle -(TM)s arms from my body, -it -(TM)s ok sweetheart, we -(TM)ll go see my GP, she -(TM)s most definitely not judgy, and get you registered and checked out. - -Can we do it after I -(TM)ve had a bacon sandwich? - Helen laughed, -of course we can, in fact I -(TM)m wondering why Alex didn -(TM)t do his job and have them waiting. - -Ahh, I was going to take you into the cafe for coffee and sandwiches. - -Cool, we -(TM)ll do that and I -(TM)ll make Belle an appointment while we -(TM)re there. - Belle was smiling as she tucked into a big sandwich with extra bacon, fried egg and lashings of HP sauce. -Mmm, - she sighed when she was half way through the sandwich, -this is amazing, bacon really is the perfect food. - Helen leaned over and used a napkin to wipe some egg yoke from the side of Belle -(TM)s mouth. A single tear appeared at Belle -(TM)s eye, -my mum used to do that, she -(TM)d spit on a tissue and wipe my mouth. I miss mum and dad so much, gran and grandad were lovely, but they didn -(TM)t understand me as much as mum did, she liked the same music as me, and dad liked some of the same books and films. They knew I was gay and respected my choice, mum even tried fixing me up with her friend -(TM)s daughter, - she stopped talking and laughed at the memory, shaking her head, -fuck, that did not go well. Anna was pretty, I fancied her a bit, but we had no shared interests, and we -(TM)re both subs, so we -(TM)d just sit there waiting for each other to start something. -Gran though, she really didn -(TM)t understand, she -(TM)d keep saying -~but you -(TM)re so pretty Amelia, you could have any of the boys in school -(TM). No amount of raging that I didn -(TM)t want any of the boys in school would work. Eventually she gave up and we settled on a policy of not really understanding each other. From then we were happy, and I grew to love them both dearly. -When gran had her heart attack and died in hospital it was the second worst day in my life to that point. I knew Liam would be straight round to claim me, but I held onto the hope I could stay with grandad as his carer. - Helen used a fresh napkin to wipe Belle -(TM)s eyes, -have you spoken to your grandad at all, since then? - Belle looked distraught, -no, I wanted to, but I was scared if I tried to contact him Liam would find out. I don -(TM)t even know where he is. - -Ok, here -(TM)s a plan, we -(TM)ll find out where he is, then once Jeremy and Jenny have sorted out the business with Liam we -(TM)ll go and see him. - -Really! You -(TM)ll do that, take me to see grandad? - -Of course, You -(TM)re my favourite cousin after all. - Belle smiled at last, -I just realised if Alex is my dad you -(TM)re my auntie. - -As long as you smile like this, I -(TM)ll be whatever you want me to be. - -I -(TM)d like you to be my girlfriend, - once again looking downhearted, -but we -(TM)re both taken. - -We are, and happily taken, but that doesn -(TM)t mean you and I can -(TM)t have a lot of fun occasionally. - -I still can -(TM)t quite get my head round this, why all you beautiful people are so open and not at all jealous. - -It just happened, and seemed to work instantly, - Helen replied, -there -(TM)s no need for jealousy when anyone can sleep with anyone else. - -I guess I need to spend a little more time with you all, to see how it all works. - -That -(TM)s the plan sweetheart, oh, look at the time, we need to get to the doctors. I -(TM)m sure you -(TM)ll like my GP, she -(TM)s lovely, and if you do, you can register with her as your doctor. - -Don -(TM)t I have to see the same doctor as Poppy and Alex? - -Not at all, luckily though, they -(TM)re at the same surgery, so it all works out nicely. - They dashed out of the cafe and I ordered another coffee. Jenny phoned while I waited, she -(TM)d just spoken with Jeremy and he -(TM)d told her some of his friends from the Leeds area were driving up to York to speak to a couple of the girls who -(TM)d made accusations against Liam, they had his address and would call in on him before the end of the day. -What will they do to him? - I asked. -Jeremy wouldn -(TM)t be pressed on that, but I get the feeling they will impress on Liam the need for him to relinquish any claim on Belle, and to forget any ideas he has about assaulting other young girls. - -Will that work? - -Everything I -(TM)ve read about him tells me he -(TM)s a bully, and the thing about bullies is they soon back down when confronted by someone bigger, stronger and more ruthless than them. - -So, you -(TM)re ok if they do some damage? - -Frankly, yes, he -(TM)s assaulted girls and mentally scared Belle, probably for life. I know my job really means I should uphold the law, but I -(TM)ve seen far too many people like Liam get away with sexual assaults and worse. Aren -(TM)t you OK with it? - -I -(TM)m totally with you, I just wonder if you -(TM)re not feeling some conflict with your work. - -I am a little, but for now I -(TM)m on a squad that -(TM)s working to help the girls that are running from predators like Liam, so I -(TM)m not feeling much love for him. Anyway, how -(TM)s Belle doing? I can -(TM)t hear her in the background. - -She had a chat with Helen about last night. - -Oh dear, did something go wrong? - -Only in as much as she hurt herself, and she wanted to know if it -(TM)s supposed to hurt so much. - -Oh dear, were you too vigorous for her? - -She did most of the work, Helen and Nita both reassured her, but her more pressing worry was why, as a lesbian, she wanted to have sex with me in the first place. - -Ahh, I did wonder if that would come up, what did Helen say? - -Helen told her that lesbians sometimes like to have sex with men, they just don -(TM)t form romantic attachments to them. - -This morning she looked to be 100% in love with you, - Jenny laughed. -I think that was more to do with feeling completely safe for the first time in a while. - -And coming down from a massive orgasm last night, she was really throwing herself into it, we were all impressed watching her. - -Well, anyway, Helen let her know it -(TM)s perfectly normal for lesbians like her and Katie to enjoy sex with a man. - -And Poppy? - Jenny asked. -Helen says Poppy is probably pan, she will enjoy sex with anyone she -(TM)s attracted to, regardless of gender or orientation, but she -(TM)s certain Poppy currently has no need for anyone outside our circle. - -That -(TM)s interesting, Helen is amazing isn -(TM)t she, how she pulls deep analysis like this out of little chats with the girls. Is Belle around? - -Not right now, Helen took her into the pharmacy for emergency contraception and the pharmacist gave her a lecture about sleeping around, so they left empty handed. She -(TM)s taken Belle to her GP instead. - -Ok, I -(TM)ll speak to her later then, I -(TM)ve got to get back into the office, we -(TM)re doing an initial briefing for Friday. - -Can you hang on two more minutes, they -(TM)re back. - -Of course, most of the guys have gone over the road for a smoke break, they won -(TM)t be back for another 5 minutes at least. - I handed the phone to Belle as she took her seat opposite, -it -(TM)s Jenny, - I whispered. -Hey mum ... oh yeah, she was so nasty, so Helen took me to her doctor, she -(TM)s called Laura and she -(TM)s so nice ... yes, I -(TM)ve had it, it tasted horrible, so Helen bought me some mints ... Laura also gave me the pill, I can -(TM)t take one until tomorrow, then I -(TM)ve got to leave it a few days before I can go out with those boys again ... hahaha, I -(TM)ve no idea if she believed us or not, but she played along either way ... she didn -(TM)t even ask me any personal questions, I guess she just assumed Helen had already gone over everything with me ... mmm yes, she didn -(TM)t have time to give me a proper check-up, I -(TM)ve got to go back later in the week, she said I look healthy enough, and I -(TM)ve got good strong teeth ... OK mum, I -(TM)ll see you tonight, love you. - Belle handed the phone back, -did you follow that, or do you want me to go over it again? - -I followed it, but if you want to tell me everything, I -(TM)m happy to listen again. - -Thanks, I like talking to you, you -(TM)re such a good listener, and totally non-judgy unlike the cow over the road. - Helen came back to the table and put a big mug in front of Belle, who looked at Helen in astonishment, -oh wow, what -(TM)s this? - -It -(TM)s Poppy -(TM)s favourite drink, hot chocolate, whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles and marshmallows, over a week -(TM)s worth of calories in a mug. - -This is amazing, - she said after taking a sip, -thank you so much. - Helen pointed, -you have cream on your nose. - Belle went cross-eyed to look, then she flicked her tongue up and licked her nose clean. Helen gasped, -that -(TM)s some tongue there, I -(TM)m definitely borrowing you some day. - -Why do you think Poppy loves me, - Belle said with a cheeky grin. She drank some more hot chocolate then detailed every moment of her time at the doctor -(TM)s office, right down to what she was wearing. -The only slightly judgy thing she said was that I shouldn -(TM)t really be going with boys at my age, so I assured her it was almost certainly a one-off because I -(TM)m more interested in girls. So, then she pulled out some leaflets with guidance about coming out to my friends and in school, which was a lovely gesture, but I only have a few friends, and you all know. - -It -(TM)ll be different when you go to school, - Helen said, -it may be fine for everyone to know you -(TM)re gay, but Katie isn -(TM)t out yet, which means neither is Poppy, although as you -(TM)d expect, Poppy really doesn -(TM)t care what anyone thinks about her, but she -(TM)s respecting Katie -(TM)s wishes. - -Ahh, I see, maybe I could just be their gay friend, that wouldn -(TM)t cause any problems, and I could scout out other gay girls. - -That would probably be ok, but speak to them both, just to make sure they -(TM)re ok. It can be frustrating, I know, but please read those leaflets, there can be pitfalls to letting people know you -(TM)re different. - -Ok, I see I -(TM)ll have to be super careful, but I -(TM)ll try, because I -(TM)d hate to get Katie into trouble. - I -(TM)d finished my second coffee, so I popped out to my bank while Belle enjoyed her hot chocolate. They had no trouble adding another card to Poppy -(TM)s account, I transferred another £1,000 into Poppy -(TM)s savings, she could hold it until we -(TM)d sorted an account for her charity. I also withdrew £100 for Belle -(TM)s pocket money and added 50% extra to my weekly transfer into their pocket money account. As I sat back at the table Belle was running her finger around the mug to collect up every last drop of the hot chocolate, -we -(TM)ll never be let back in here if they catch you doing that, - I laughed as I slid the money across to her. -What -(TM)s this for, I told you I wanted to give that money to Poppy -(TM)s charity. - -I know, I -(TM)ve transferred £1,000 across to Poppy -(TM)s savings account, she can keep hold of it until we get the charity set up. - -So what -(TM)s this? - -That -(TM)s pocket money, if you want to buy treats or whatever, you -(TM)ll get a bank card in a few days for your shared account, Poppy has an app, she -(TM)s in charge of the account, so she -(TM)ll let you know how much you can spend when you go shopping. - Belle fanned the money out, I -(TM)d asked for it all in new £10 and £5 notes, -I feel like I shouldn -(TM)t be allowed all this money, what if I waste it on rubbish? - -Then you -(TM)ll have no money to spend until your next pocket money arrives. Based on what I -(TM)ve learnt from you over the last few days though, I -(TM)m pretty certain you won -(TM)t waste that money. Of the three of you, I think you -(TM)re the one who I -(TM)d feel safest holding on to my credit card. - -Can we go look at the school now. I think one of the things I missed most over the last year has been going to school. I loved school, even though I didn -(TM)t have a big friendship group, I always felt I belonged there, do you know what I mean? - -I do, - Helen replied, -I loved school, some of the other girls used to be really snide to me, calling me names, like I was a freak for wanting to learn stuff. I -(TM)d have gone to university after college if I hadn -(TM)t got a modelling contract, the lure of vast wealth turned my head a little I -(TM)m afraid. - -Did you earn a lot of money modelling? - -Not at first, I -(TM)d get a couple of hundred for a catalogue shoot, maybe £1,000 if it was for a big brand. A lot of people thought we made a fortune posing topless in the newspapers, but we didn -(TM)t, the fee was £90, of which ..." went to the photographer, ..." went to my agent, which was my mum, and I kept £30, which normally didn -(TM)t even cover my expenses. - -But the Page 3 photos made you famous though, Katie told me her posters were from your Page 3 photos. - -Oh yes, they got us noticed, I did Celebrity Big Brother off the back of my Page 3 work. - Belle slammed her hand on the table, -shit! That -(TM)s where I recognise you, you came third didn -(TM)t you? - -I did! Well remembered. I got a decent fee from that show, I was on while it was still on Channel 4, so they paid good money. I earned most money though from work I think Alex doesn -(TM)t really approve of, he -(TM)ll try to argue, but I saw the look on his face when I first told him about it. - -What was that? - -I -(TM)ll tell you as we walk to school, this cafe is a bit posh for that kind of talk. - -Can I just say I didn -(TM)t disapprove; I was just shocked is all, - I said as we left the cafe. -See, he -(TM)s trying to deny it, - Helen laughed. -So, what did you do that shocked Alex so much? - -Escorting. - -Oh, with men? - -Yes, I was strictly straight then, I had a steady boyfriend. After I -(TM)d done Page 3 a few times I did the usual round of lads mags, then I was approached by the main publisher of men -(TM)s magazines... - -You mean porn? - Belle asked as she took a seat on a bench opposite the school gates, I -(TM)d made an appointment with the headmistress while they were in the chemist, we had a few minutes to wait. -No, I never did actual porn, these were just solo nude shoots, the UK had pretty strict laws about what could be legally published when I started, so it was pretty tasteful, and I -(TM)m quite proud of some of the shoots. Towards the end most of the laws had been scrapped and they even allow you to touch yourself, but no penetration in the regular mags in newsagents still as far as I -(TM)m aware. - -Ok, so where does the prostitution work come in? - Belle asked. -Ahh, straight to the point, - Helen said with a smile, -I guess it was kind of prostitution, but not like street walking or in-calls or anything, we -(TM)d be paid a lot of money to take various rich friends of the publishers out, for dinner and a show, and anything that happened afterwards was entirely our own business, if you know what I mean. - -But basically you were expected to fuck the men. - -Once again, you hit the nail on the head. If the men weren -(TM)t pleased with their date we -(TM)d get no more work from the publisher, and they were really the only game in town for basic top shelf work. If I lost that deal I -(TM)d have to go work for the US guys, and those magazines were far more hard core than I was comfortable with. - -So you just do fully clothed work now. - -Haha, not quite fully clothed, but I rarely do nude work. I still produce a topless calendar, that makes me a lot of money, and I mean a lot, I -(TM)ll not tell you how much or Alex will get upset that I make more money from a one day calendar shoot than he does spending 6 months writing a book. - Belle laughed so hard that she fell off the bench, -girl power! - she managed to cry. Helen helped Belle to her feet, -I won -(TM)t go through why I stopped that kind of work because it -(TM)s not a nice story, but just so you know, I came out on top, a nice fan gave me my amazing flat, and I -(TM)ve a lot of very good memories from that time, and some very, very attractive friends that you might get to meet some day. - -Oh wow, really? If they -(TM)re as nice as you I -(TM)ll definitely lose my shit if I got to meet any of your friends. - -Let me just say that some of my friends are as beautiful as you, Poppy and Katie, and most of them are really nice to work with. - -It -(TM)s a good job I -(TM)m not a boy, you -(TM)d be able to see just how excited I am, - Belle sighed. -If you were a boy most of the girls I know on the scene wouldn -(TM)t be interested in you, so it -(TM)s double good news, - Helen laughed, -come on, let -(TM)s go have a word with the headmistress. - Chapter 23 We were shown straight into the Headmistress -(TM)s office, I -(TM)d not met her before, as the last time I was here, to sign Poppy up for the school, we -(TM)d met with one of the admission -(TM)s team. -Good morning Mr Harrison, I -(TM)m Emma McCarthy, the Head. - -Please, call me Alex, and this is Helen, my sister, and Belle. - -Ahh, so you -(TM)re Poppy -(TM)s friend, I -(TM)m pleased to meet you. I have to say Poppy has made a great start to her life here, all her teachers have told me she -(TM)s working very hard. - -I -(TM)m glad to hear that. She is very diligent about doing her homework in the evenings, and now Katie is living with us, she -(TM)s helping Poppy with the things she -(TM)s missed. - -Ahh yes, your partner explained the situation with Katie -(TM)s family, I -(TM)m very grateful for you stepping in to help her, it would have been such a shame for her to change schools in her GCSE year. So, how can I help you today? - -Well, Belle... - -You see, - Belle broke in, -I -(TM)ve been on the streets for over a year, a lot of that time I lived with Poppy, she -(TM)s my best friend, she saved my life more than once. What I really want to do now that I -(TM)m almost part of her family, is come back to school. - -I see, so where did you go before? - -It was in York, where I -(TM)m from, but there -(TM)s a slight problem, - Belle replied. -You see, Ms McCarthy... - Helen started. -Please, call me Emma. - -Ok, Emma, Belle ran away from home due to a custody battle after the deaths of both her parents, and her grandmother, the courts awarded custody to an uncle, who Belle was afraid of due to past predatory behaviour. - -I see, I -(TM)m afraid social services can often be blind to the obvious. - -At the moment Jenny is working towards applying for custody, but until then Belle -(TM)s status with Alex is less than official. - -Ok, so if I was to search for Belle in the national student database, you -(TM)re afraid he will somehow be alerted. - -Yes, I -(TM)m terrified he -(TM)ll find me, - Belle replied. -Ok, now to put your mind at rest, I can search for you without anyone being alerted, I can also enrol you at school temporarily without informing anyone. - -Really, I can start school next week? - -You can start tomorrow if you like. - -Oh, errr, maybe next week, I was going to help Alex with some DIY, and I -(TM)ve got to see Helen -(TM)s doctor about, errr, things, and there -(TM)s Poppy -(TM)s mum -(TM)s funeral. - -I see, you have got a busy week. - -I really do, which is strange after doing nothing practically for over a year. - -Not a problem, next week is fine, so, can I have your name and date of birth please, so I can see your school record, no-one will find out about this search. - -Ok, I guess it -(TM)s ok. My full name is Amelia Saffron Dean... - -That -(TM)s a lovely name, but where did Belle come from? - -Sometimes, on the streets, you don -(TM)t want people to know your name, so your friends make one up for you. Poppy gave me the name when she found me. - -That -(TM)s wonderful, she chose well. So, your date of birth please. - -Sorry, yeah, 22nd October 2006. - -And you said you -(TM)re from York? - -Yes, that -(TM)s right. - Emma started typing into a search form, then she turned her screen so we could see the results. -So, here you go, you -(TM)re currently at Year 9 age, so assuming you want to come here, I -(TM)ll put you straight into year 9, you -(TM)ll have a lot less work to catch up on than Poppy -(TM)s having to do, and you -(TM)ll be fine to pick your GCSE options after Christmas with all the other girls. We study both French and Spanish here, I see you only studied French before, so we can use the time when you -(TM)d normally be in Spanish to catch up on your Maths and English. - -Err, I wasn -(TM)t very good at French, any chance I could drop that too? - -Ok, that will give you more time to catch up on the core subjects. - -Thank you. - -So, let -(TM)s get the paperwork started, what do you want to be called? - -Err, don -(TM)t you have to put my real name down? - -I do, but I -(TM)m assuming like Poppy you -(TM)re going to change your legal name. - Belle looked at Helen, -I can do that? - -Oh yes, Poppy -(TM)s legal name is Poppy now. - -Oh wow, but I really do like my real name, you can call me Belle or Amelia, I -(TM)ll answer to both ... but I guess I -(TM)m not the same girl I was before, Amelia was shy, she was mostly in the closet, I -(TM)m not shy any more, and I -(TM)m very out, so I -(TM)m now Belle, can I have three first names? - -Of course, Poppy had three first names originally, - I replied. -Amazing, so can I be Belle Amelia Saffron, ahh do I have to take your name, not that it -(TM)s a problem or anything. - -You can keep your surname, - I replied. -Cool, Belle Amelia Saffron Dean it is then. - Emma turned her screen back and she started filling in the admissions forms, -can I assume that one way or another you and Jenny will be Belle -(TM)s guardians. - -That -(TM)s the plan, - I replied, -we have people meeting with her legal guardian today, I have a good feeling that we -(TM)ll have everything sorted shortly. - -That -(TM)s great, saves me some typing, I can just click here and link Belle to Poppy, oh, and you link to Katie, one big happy family. - -That -(TM)s true, I -(TM)ve not been as happy as I am now for a long time. - Emma printed out the forms and passed them to me to sign, while I checked them she spoke to Belle, -so, did you mean what I think you did when you said you -(TM)re out? - -That I -(TM)m gay? Yes, but I don -(TM)t mean to make an issue of it, it -(TM)s just what I am. - -And I -(TM)m happy to hear it, we have an LGBTQ society in school, and I -(TM)ve kind of been expecting Katie to join, especially as she -(TM)s no longer got her homophobic mother to worry about. Can you give her this leaflet, I -(TM)m sure Poppy will want to join as well. - -How did you know? - -I -(TM)ve seen the badge on Poppy -(TM)s bag, and I -(TM)ve seen them kissing right outside my office, they think because they can -(TM)t see through my windows I can -(TM)t see out. - Helen took the leaflet, -this will be very useful, because Poppy is definitely out, but Katie is worried about what other people will think, if there -(TM)s a school society who will be behind her, it -(TM)ll give her much more confidence. - Emma called her PA in and introduced Belle, -can you get Belle some uniform, Jules, and a backpack, and can you get Max to add her into 9G, dropping languages, replacing them with additional Maths and English. - -Would you like trousers or a skirt? - Jules asked. -Oh, I used to love wearing dresses, Evie was going to show us all how to make our own dresses, but then the squat was demolished and we all scattered. - Jules looked shocked, -Belle lived on the streets with Poppy, now she -(TM)s living with Alex, - Emma told her, -can you make sure she -(TM)s in the Textiles class for CDT, so she can learn how to make her own dresses in future, and why don -(TM)t we have both trousers and skirt so she can choose each morning. - -This is great, - Belle exclaimed once Jules left to collect her uniform, -my old school was fun, but we didn -(TM)t have a course called textiles, and we had to wear trousers to stop the boys looking up our skirts. - -This is one of the benefits of not having boys in the school, - Emma replied with a smile, -the textiles course is carried on to GCSE level if you enjoy it, you can learn about fabrics, design, manufacture, it -(TM)s very popular. - -That does sound like it would be useful. I wanted to study Health and Social Care, I really want to do something in that area, work in a care home. - -Of course you can, those subjects are usually in different blocks on the timetable, although we don -(TM)t do Health and Social Care until Year 10, so you won -(TM)t start it until September. - My phone rang just then, I apologised and took the call, -ahh, that -(TM)s the piano being delivered, - I said as I cut the call. -We -(TM)re getting a piano! - Belle cried, -oh wow. - -We bought it for Katie originally, to help her feel at home. Poppy told us about the time you played the grand piano in the warehouse. - -Oh yes, that was so much fun. - -Well, we bought this digital piano from the same place, they had no idea anyone had ever broken into their warehouse. - -And I -(TM)m ignoring what you -(TM)re saying, - Emma said with a smile. -Oh yeah, we didn -(TM)t make a habit of doing stuff like that, but I really wanted to play a proper piano, and they wouldn -(TM)t let us into the shop. There -(TM)s loads of old pianos in train stations and shopping precincts, but they -(TM)re always really badly out of tune, so we broke into a piano warehouse and I spent the night playing this really nice concert grand piano. We were very tidy though, and didn -(TM)t leave any mess or break anything getting in or out. - -I -(TM)m glad to hear it, - Emma said, -we have a nice grand piano in the school hall, and you don -(TM)t even have to climb through a window to get to it. - -Anyway, - I said, -I need to get over the road to let the guys in, are you ok finishing up here? - -We -(TM)ll be fine, - Helen replied. -We -(TM)re nearly done here anyway, just got to wait for Belle -(TM)s uniform and timetable. - -Oh yes, I need to pay for the uniform, - I said from the door. -It -(TM)s OK, we -(TM)ll send you a bill. - -Thanks, I really need to get home, I don -(TM)t want them to get impatient and toss the piano over the gate. - I dashed out of the school and across the park, the van was still parked outside the house, I started to apologise to the delivery guys as they climbed down from the cab. -No worries mate, - the driver said, waving away my apology, -it -(TM)s the boss -(TM)s fault because he was supposed to phone you first thing to check you were ok to take delivery. - I tapped the button on my gate app and they started to open as the delivery guys rolled the back of the van up and one of them pushed a huge box out onto the tail lift. -Wow, that -(TM)s a big box, - I said. -We -(TM)ve got a bigger one back there, - the driver laughed, -luckily that one -(TM)s on wheels. - I opened the front door and the guys carried the box between them. I led them into the lounge, where, between us we moved a few items of furniture around. The driver pulled out a knife and cut the straps holding the box together and I found out why the box was so big, the piano was fully built on the stand, and packed complete with the stool. We lifted the piano and stool off the box base and placed it against the wall. Whilst the driver -(TM)s mate carried the packing materials to the van the driver showed me how to turn the piano on, and the basic functions. -It -(TM)s for my daughter really, - I said, almost in apology for not having a clue what anything he said meant. -Ahh well, I -(TM)m sure she -(TM)ll know what to do with everything, all the modes are explained in the manual. - -The lad we spoke to mentioned an iPad app... - -Oh yes, if she -(TM)s got an iPad she -(TM)ll get so much more use out of the piano, she can download more sound samples, record what she plays, even mess around with layering multiple tracks, almost like a full recording studio. - Just then we heard rapid footsteps in the hall, soon followed by Belle running into the lounge. -Ahh, my daughter, Belle - I said by way of introduction. -Can I have a go? I know you bought it for Katie really, but can I have a go, please! - -I only bought it for Katie because you weren -(TM)t around at the time. Long story, - I said to the driver, as if that explained everything, -go ahead. - Belle sat on the stool and used the wheels on either side to boost the height a little so she was comfortable, then she cast her eyes over the buttons and switches, -I looked at this one through your window, I always wondered whether it sounds as good as the advert said. - With that she ran her hands across the keys to get a feel before she turned it on, set a couple of switches, pressed a couple of buttons then ran through the first few bars of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik before she turned to the driver. -The advert said this piano includes the Bösendorfer Concert Grand samples; how do I turn them on? - The driver leaned across the piano, -this display here shows you the sound preset you -(TM)re using, at the moment you -(TM)re set to a generic upright piano, - he flicked a couple of switches, pressed a button to cycle through a menu the tapped another button, -now it shows 230VC, that -(TM)s the 230 Vienna Concert. - Belle smiled, -ahh, I -(TM)ve played one of those. - -Really, where was that? There -(TM)s not many around, it -(TM)s a pretty new model, - the driver replied. -It was in your warehouse, very late one night a few months ago. - -You broke in? - -Yes, but we didn -(TM)t make any mess, nobody knew we -(TM)d been in. - -Back in June? - -Probably, me and Poppy were living on the streets, and days and weeks didn -(TM)t really register. - -So it was you, - he laughed. -What do you mean? - Belle replied, panicking a little. -Don -(TM)t worry love, nobody is looking for you. I only wondered because I -(TM)d put some boxes out to load up one night, and they -(TM)d all moved the next morning and I was really puzzled. - -Ahh shit, those will be the boxes the girls sat on, I hope we didn -(TM)t damage them. - -There was no damage, and I also wondered who -(TM)d swept up, that -(TM)s usually my lad -(TM)s first job of a morning. - -Hahaha, did we leave the place cleaner than we found it? - -It seems so, how did you get in and out? - -The toilet window, it -(TM)s quite high, we used the big bin outside, even then Poppy had to lift me up to the window. - -Well, nobody is going to hear of your escapade from me. - -Thanks, err, I don -(TM)t even know your name. - -I -(TM)m Jim, and the lad outside is my son, Jason. - -Thanks Jim, now let -(TM)s see if this sounds a bit like the piano I played. - She turned back to the keyboard and started again, this time treating us to the full piece. -Mmm, that -(TM)s really close to the real thing, I -(TM)m impressed. Can we run this through the big speakers? - she asked. -Oh yes, there -(TM)s several output options, including headphones for when you -(TM)re playing late at night, - he replied. Belle turned round on the stool to face us, -Katie will love this, I -(TM)ll turn it off and close the lid so she doesn -(TM)t know I -(TM)ve played it. - lAs I walked Jim back to the van Jason was moving stuff around in the back, presumably getting ready for the next drop. -Is your other daughter better than Belle? - he asked. -Mmm. I -(TM)ve no idea, I only recently took over custody of them, Katie had a piano at her last home, and was taking lessons, so I got this to help her settle. I think she said she -(TM)s a grade 6. - -What I just heard is a long way ahead of a grade 6, that lass could be on stage, she -(TM)s that good. Make sure she gets plenty of practice. - -Err, ok, I -(TM)ll make sure she does. - -Buy her some good quality headphones so she can play at all hours. - -I will, thanks. - Helen and Belle were in the kitchen making a snack, there were three mugs of coffee on the table, I sat down and grabbed the nearest mug. -Where did you learn to play the piano, - I asked Belle. -My mum could play really well, she gave me lessons, then I played at school for a bit. - -The driver was really impressed, and I mean really impressed, he reckons you could play professionally. - -Oh no, no, I couldn -(TM)t do that. It was bad enough playing for my friends from the squat, I can -(TM)t have anyone watching me. - -That -(TM)s ok, just so you know, I think you played amazingly, and I -(TM)d like to hear you play more. - -Thank you. Anyway, do you want to see me in my new uniform? - -I -(TM)d love to... - I replied, whereupon Belle stopped what she was doing, dashed into the hallway to grab her bag and dashed straight back. Was it too much to hope she -(TM)d go upstairs to get changed? At least she kept her underwear on, a very pretty powder blue bra and panties set. -I actually like this uniform, - Belle said as she fastened her skirt, -my last school we had this awful brown blazer, and in summer we wore a check blouse that looked like a frigging tablecloth, the uniform was clearly designed by someone who hates girls. - She shrugged into the blazer, which was still a little large, -this green is a great colour though, and I like the tie, although someone is going to have to show me how to fasten it, as I -(TM)ve not worn one before. - -Why did you choose the tie? - Helen asked, -Poppy and Katie both wear open necked blouses. - -I don -(TM)t know, I guess I just wanted to be different, and seeing as I -(TM)m wearing a shirt instead of a blouse, Poppy can -(TM)t steal my shirts and stretch them with her big boobs. - -Poppy is 6 inches taller than you, and bigger everywhere, she -(TM)d probably rip anything of yours she tried on, - Helen replied. -Yes, but now she can -(TM)t even be tempted, - Belle replied, conversation over. -You -(TM)ll be needing school shoes, - Helen said, -do you want some like Poppy -(TM)s, or something more feminine like Katie -(TM)s. - Belle thought for a moment, -do I look like I -(TM)d suit something ladylike? I -(TM)m emo, I want Docs, and the beauty is, I -(TM)m size 3, and only 5 -(TM)2 - so all my clothes are kids sizes and you don -(TM)t have to pay VAT, the head told me this when we were looking at the uniform order form, the prices are dearer for Poppy and Katie -(TM)s uniforms. Also, be thankful I -(TM)ve got tiny boobs, over a B cup and you -(TM)re into adult sizes and you pay 20% extra, that -(TM)s victimising girls like Poppy who already had big boobs in Year 7. - -Me too, - Helen sighed, -I was already a D cup in Year 7. - -Anyway, we -(TM)ve established you -(TM)re going to be cheaper to clothe than Poppy and Katie, shall we get you some shoes this afternoon? - I asked. -Can Helen come, to help me pick? - -Of course I -(TM)ll come, - Helen replied. -Amazing, oh, we -(TM)ve got to go to the supermarket, so I can get some food for tonight, and I need a black top for tomorrow! - -We -(TM)ll get all that, and you -(TM)ll need a laptop for school, - I added. Belle frowned, -that will be expensive won -(TM)t it? - -Yes, but you need one. I bought Poppy one, and a phone. - -But I -(TM)ve got a phone already. - -Yes, but it -(TM)s a pretty rubbish one. - -It makes calls, and I can text you. - -Does it have maps, or Instagram, or Spotify? - -Well, no, but do I really need those things? - -You don -(TM)t need them, but they -(TM)re nice to have, - Helen said, -All the other girls will have the latest phones, you don -(TM)t really want to be the only person to have a phone with actual buttons. - -But Poppy gave me this, - she said, holding it to her chest, -and it was a real lifeline. - -Ok, so you keep that phone, but we -(TM)ll get you an iPad as well as a laptop, for any Apps you need, and you can get an app to go with the piano, how -(TM)s that? - Helen served up a tray of bread and cheese, we made plans for the afternoon while we ate. Unlike Poppy, Belle had absolutely no fear of visiting the places where they used to shoplift. After lunch we took the train into London and headed straight for John Lewis, where Belle selected exactly the same MacBook as Poppy, but chose a cover for the lid, pink emblazoned with daisies, she did the same with an iPad, adding a similar pink cover. Helen took her to choose shoes while I settled the bill. When I found Helen and Belle she already had two pairs of shoes in a bag, -I -(TM)ve paid for them, - Helen said by way of explanation as Belle wandered off to find a black top for the funeral, -she wanted to pay for them herself, as you -(TM)d bought the laptop, I told her she didn -(TM)t have enough money to pay for two pairs of Doc Martens, so we compromised, I -(TM)ve paid for them, and before you say anything, I do not want you to pay me back. - -But I can -(TM)t have you paying for Belle -(TM)s shoes. - -I insist, I -(TM)m having too much fun with the girls, and no, not just that way. They -(TM)ve made our previously mundane lives so much more interesting. - -I can -(TM)t disagree there, what did she get? - -Exactly the same as Poppy, but several sizes smaller, and she insisted on pink laces, I -(TM)m noticing a theme. I told her that she absolutely can -(TM)t have pink laces in her shoes for the funeral, but afterwards she -(TM)s ok. - We found her a floor down in the ladieswear department. -Ahh there you are, - she said, a note of impatience in her voice, -we -(TM)re leaving, I -(TM)m not spending this much on something I hope to only wear once. - -I thought you -(TM)d like black, - Helen said, -you told us you were emo. - -Yeah, I like black as long as there -(TM)s some nice print to break it up, I don -(TM)t want a straight black blouse or sweater. Let -(TM)s get my calculator and stuff then we -(TM)ll go to some charity shops. - So, after we -(TM)d bought Belle -(TM)s school stationary, mostly pink and featuring cats and fairies, and calculator, also pink, we left John Lewis. -There -(TM)s a great Bernardo -(TM)s shop over past Manchester Square, - Belle told us, -the quickest way is down the side of John Lewis and onto Wellbeck Street. - So we started walking, on the way Belle pulled a bag from her coat pocket, -I got you a present Alex. - -Oh thanks, - I replied, tipping the contents out onto my hand. -I noticed the belt you wear on your jeans was a little tatty, so I bought you a new one. - -Thank you, that -(TM)s so thoughtful, - I said as I looked at the thick leather belt. -Some of them were really expensive, and you know what I -(TM)m like, this one looked to be both nice, and decent value. If you want one of the designer ones I can steal you one, but Jenny will be annoyed. - -This is absolutely fine Belle, really. It was very thoughtful of you. - Belle pulled something from her other pocket and offered it to Helen, -we -(TM)ve been using one of your really expensive perfumes, I couldn -(TM)t afford a full bottle to replace it, so I pocketed the tester. - Helen took the bottle and laughed so hard she had to sit down on a bench, -thank you so much Belle, - wiping tears of laughter from her eyes, -but really, you don -(TM)t have to replace those perfumes, I stole most of them myself. - -Really, from shops? - -Oh no, I was never that brave. I took them from fashion shoots, a lot of the clothes Poppy and Katie have been wearing are ones I -~forgot -(TM) to give back after photo sessions. - -Ahh, I like that, shame none of them fit me, although most of them aren -(TM)t my kind of thing, I really like a few of the dresses. - -Well maybe, when you start learning about dressmaking in school, you could alter some of the dresses, use the fabric to make something new. - -Really, you -(TM)d let me do that, destroy some of your nice clothes? - -They -(TM)re not mine anymore love, I gave them to Poppy, and I -(TM)m sure she -(TM)d be fine with you recycling some of them. - -That -(TM)s amazing, thank you. - We walked on and Belle led us to a large charity shop behind Manchester Square. -The church over the road used to feed us a couple of nights a week, and if the weather was really bad, they -(TM)d put a few beds up in the basement, they were quite strict about who they let in though, one of the priests didn -(TM)t like Poppy, so if he was on duty we weren -(TM)t allowed to stay, they -(TM)d still give us a cup of soup and a sandwich though, he didn -(TM)t dislike her that much. - -Why didn -(TM)t he like Poppy? - Helen asked, -she -(TM)s just so loveable, I can -(TM)t imagine anyone, especially a man, not liking her. - -I -(TM)m not sure, maybe he was unhappy about Poppy -(TM)s reputation, although some of the other girls with us were nearly as active as she was. Who knows. - We followed Belle into the shop where she greeted the lady on the till warmly, -Hey Mary, how -(TM)s it going? - -Belle, is that you? - -Yes, it -(TM)s me. - -You look so smart, I only recognise your eyes and voice. - -Thanks, I -(TM)ve got a house and family now, this is my foster dad Alex, and my foster aunty, mmm, is that even a thing? Whatever, Helen. - -Ahh, I -(TM)m so glad you -(TM)re off the streets. You know, I -(TM)ve not seen Poppy in months, you were so tight with her, is she ok do you know? - -Oh, she -(TM)s fine, she -(TM)s adopted Alex as her dad, and they found me at the weekend. - -Oh, that -(TM)s wonderful. I loved chatting with Poppy when she came in, tell her I said hello. - -I will Mary, she -(TM)ll be so glad I -(TM)ve seen you. - -Now, how can I help, are you looking for anything in particular? - -I am, I -(TM)m afraid I have a funeral tomorrow, Poppy -(TM)s birth mother died last week. - -Oh dear, that -(TM)s so sad. - -Yes, it is. I -(TM)ve got this nice black coat, and I -(TM)ve got black jeans and black shoes, but all my tops are really colourful, so I need something black, or at least mostly black. - -Mmm, you -(TM)re so tiny, I wonder what we -(TM)ve got in the children -(TM)s section. - We watched as Belle and Mary dug through the racks, she eventually returned with a black satin blouse from Miss Selfridge, a denim jacket, a pair of Gap jeans, some Spongebob Squarepants pyjamas, a jigsaw of Beauty and the Beast and a couple Pixar movie DVDs. Belle handed Mary £20 and refused the change. -That was fun, - Belle said as we left the shop and walked down to Bond Street to jump on the Central Line towards home, -it -(TM)s ages since I -(TM)ve had enough money to have a real good dig through the racks in a charity shop. - -Poppy will love those sexy pyjamas, - Helen laughed. -Stop it, - Belle pouted, -I love Spongebob, and they feel like they -(TM)ll be nice and warm. I -(TM)m looking forward to doing the jigsaw, it -(TM)s brand new and still sealed, so hopefully all the pieces will be there. - Back in Wimbledon we popped into Waitrose where Belle insisted on paying for the ingredients she -(TM)d assembled to make a vegan version of French honey mustard chicken, she even found a vegan white wine. Walking home, each of us with a bag in both hands, we heard a shout and Poppy ran up to meet us, Katie close behind. -Oh wow, look at all your shopping, - Poppy panted, out of breath from running up the road, as she took one of Helen -(TM)s bags and Katie took one of Belle -(TM)s. -Two pairs of Docs, oh look, they -(TM)re the same as mine, I love these Mary Janes, you -(TM)ll really suit them. - -I -(TM)m starting at school next Monday, - Belle replied. -Yayyy, - Poppy squealed, -have they let you start even though you -(TM)re not officially our sister yet. - -Yes, Emma, the headmistress, is so nice, she totally understood my position, so I start in Year 9 next week, and I -(TM)m doing textiles, so I can learn to make clothes. - We were at the gate now, Katie tapped in the code while Poppy found her keys, -there -(TM)s loads of dresses that you -(TM)ll really suit upstairs if you want to alter them, or even make something new from the fabric. - -See, I told you, - Helen said. -Oh, sorry, is it ok to let Belle alter them? - Poppy asked her, misunderstanding Helen -(TM)s comment. -It -(TM)s absolutely fine, I told you before, everything in that room belongs to the three of you, and that includes the perfume, so whilst it was a lovely gesture Belle, please don -(TM)t steal any more testers to replace the perfume you -(TM)ve used. - -Ok, I guess I didn -(TM)t believe you -(TM)d really given us all your stuff, I -(TM)m not used to such kindness yet. - -You -(TM)ll be used to it soon, because Alex, Jenny and me, we love you all so much. We -(TM)re trying to be as kind as your birth parents. - -Thank you, it -(TM)s all a bit too much to take in all at once. - -Which is absolutely to be expected, we plucked you from the streets, or more accurately an underground station, and gave you nice clothes and a warm bed for seemingly no reason at all, I -(TM)d be a bit bewildered if I was in your position. Just remember that we mean you no harm, we only want you to feel safe and as happy as you possibly can be. - Poppy unlocked the door, I called out, -leave the bags in the hall, Katie, you might want to look in the lounge. - Helen and I stayed back to let Belle show Katie their new piano. -Ooohh, a digital piano, - Katie said. -This is your new piano. - -Surely it -(TM)s our piano, Belle, - Katie replied. -Yes, but they bought it for you. - Katie pulled Belle close and hugged her, -just because we were here before you, doesn -(TM)t mean anyone loves you less, there -(TM)s no hierarchy here, the three of us, we -(TM)re all equal. - -Even Poppy? She -(TM)s a goddess, - Belle replied quietly. -She is, but we are all goddesses in our own way. - -How? Nobody is as powerful as Poppy. - -Ahh, but that -(TM)s where you -(TM)re wrong, nobody can make people smile like you can, just by being in the room you make people happier. - -How? - -Because you -(TM)re so damn pretty, that -(TM)s your superpower Belle, being so fucking gorgeous. - -People keep saying that, but I don -(TM)t believe you. - -How can we all be wrong? It -(TM)s not like we -(TM)re copying off each other. - -Mmmm, well, never mind, I guess maybe I am quite pretty, in a weird kind of way. Anyway, this is our piano. - Katie steered Belle to the seat, -why don -(TM)t you show me how it all works, we only had a normal piano at home. - Belle smiled sweetly as she lifted the lid, -there -(TM)s a manual, but I figured out the basics from just reading the labels and stuff, if you press these three buttons and flick these two switches you get a really nice grand piano sound. The guy said we should be able to plug it into the main room speakers for a really huge sound. - -Ok, now play something for us, - Katie said. -No, it -(TM)s your piano. - -It -(TM)s our piano, Poppy told us how good you are, so play me something, please. - -Ok, - Belle replied, she flexed her fingers for a moment before starting to play, it took me a moment to recognise Debussy -(TM)s Clair de Lune, a much slower piece than the one she -(TM)d played before. She stopped after a couple of minutes, -I -(TM)m sorry, I made a few mistakes there, I -(TM)m so nervous when people are watching me. - -You -(TM)re so good, - Katie gushed, -really, so much better than me, please play some more, we -(TM)ll sit down and not watch. - -Thanks, that will hep. - We all sat down around the room and Belle turned back to the piano, where she gave us a little concert, starting with the really fast 3rd movement of Moonlight Sonata. -Oh wow, - Katie said as Belle finished, -that -(TM)s so hard to play, and you made it sound effortless. - -Thanks, I -(TM)m enjoying playing again, - Belle replied as she started to play Fur Elise, followed by a change of tempo with Radiohead -(TM)s Street Spirit, we could hear her singing very quietly as she played. We applauded loudly when Belle eventually stopped playing. -You liked it? - she asked shyly. -That -(TM)s some of the best playing I -(TM)ve ever heard, you -(TM)re so much better than my mum, and she -(TM)s a professional pianist, - Katie replied, -and your singing is so sweet. - -Do you really think so? I don -(TM)t have much of a voice, but I do like singing. - -You can definitely hold a tune, which is better than me, now, how about you show me how to use this properly. - Helen and I left them, moving to the kitchen to put the shopping away, -they -(TM)ll be in there for hours now, Belle won -(TM)t have time to cook the food she -(TM)s bought, I think I -(TM)ll order a takeaway, do you want to stop for something to eat. - Helen checked the time, -ahh, I can -(TM)t tonight, I -(TM)m meeting Nita and we -(TM)re going for a late show at the cinema, some French film, we -(TM)ll be having dinner first. I -(TM)d better get home and change, are we meeting here or at the funeral home tomorrow? - -At the funeral home, it doesn -(TM)t make sense for them to drive all the way here then pass their offices on the way back to the crematorium. - -I -(TM)m working in the morning, so I -(TM)ll meet you all there. - We heard nothing in the lounge as we passed, so I pushed the door open, Katie was on her iPad, Poppy was reading a school book and Belle was at the piano reading the instruction book. -Everything OK? - I asked. -It -(TM)s perfect, - Katie replied, -I -(TM)ve downloaded the App, now I -(TM)m trying to figure out how it works. - -I -(TM)m looking at the different settings, - Belle said, -it says here I can make it sound like a church organ, but I think we need a different pedal board. - -Do you want it to sound like a church organ? - I asked. -It would be fun, especially through the big speakers we use for the telly. - -OK then, I -(TM)ll get you the pedal board next time we -(TM)re in London. - -No, you can -(TM)t spend any more money on me, it -(TM)s not right! - Belle almost cried. -It can be your Christmas present then, I -(TM)m allowed to spend money on Christmas presents. - -I guess, oh I don -(TM)t know, I -(TM)m just paranoid about spending money, because we were always careful before, mum and dad were never well off, so I never got big presents or anything. - -Fair enough, this is my first Christmas with people to buy for other than Helen, so I guess I -(TM)ll be careful not to upset you with anything too extravagant until you -(TM)re used to your more comfortable life. - -Thank you, like I said before, I -(TM)m a bit confused about things. Is Helen still here? - -Yes, I -(TM)m here honey, - she replied, popping her head around the door. -I -(TM)m really sorry about stealing that perfume before,, I -(TM)ll try not to steal stuff again. - -No need to apologise, - Helen replied as she came fully into the room, -but we -(TM)ll keep it our little secret, no need to tell Jenny or Nita. - -Thank you, I will try to behave properly. - Helen hugged Belle, running her fingers through Belle -(TM)s shoulder length black hair, -it -(TM)s ok sweetheart, you -(TM)re our little scamp, we can -(TM)t expect you to be perfectly behaved, it -(TM)s not in your nature. Just be super careful though, if you get caught, Jenny could get into real trouble. - -I -(TM)ll be careful, - Belle replied, her voice muffled as Helen held her between her breasts. -And we -(TM)ll keep her safe, - Katie said, -I -(TM)m loving having a little sister to look after. - -Thank you Katie, - Helen said, -oh, and I nearly forgot. When we were in with the headmistress she gave me this leaflet, she thought you might be interested. - Katie took the leaflet and read the front, -why does she think I -(TM)ll be interested in an LGBTQ society? - -Because she -(TM)s got eyes, she -(TM)s seen Poppy -(TM)s pride badge, and she -(TM)s seen you both kissing when you think no-one is looking. She thought that now you -(TM)re away from your mother you might be more comfortable coming out. - Katie turned to Poppy, -do you think it will be ok? - -Pretty much everyone knows I -(TM)m gay, and they see us holding hands around school, I -(TM)m fairly sure it will surprise absolutely no-one if we go to one of the meetings. - Katie laughed, -shit, you -(TM)re right, if Emma knows I bet everyone knows, who was I trying to kid? - -Only yourself, - Poppy answered as she pulled Katie into a hug. Helen let go of Belle, she gave her a quick kiss, -don -(TM)t ever change, - she whispered. -Ok girls, - Helen said as she turned for the door, -I -(TM)ll see you all tomorrow afternoon. - Poppy turned to face Helen, her face suddenly sad, -I -(TM)m not sure how I -(TM)ll cope tomorrow, I -(TM)ve been blocking it all out, I only just got her back. - -You -(TM)re allowed to cry as much as you like, whenever you like. - Helen reassured her, -I know you -(TM)ve had to be so strong for the last few years, but right now is not the time for a stiff upper lip. I -(TM)ll have pockets stuffed with tissues, so will Nita. Not one person will judge you for crying at your mum -(TM)s funeral. - Poppy sniffed, Katie handed her a tissue, -I hated her for so long, then I found out she actually knew Kenzie was abusing me, and she -(TM)d been fucking him and Parker. I was sitting there in the hospital while she told me, I was boiling with anger, I actually wanted to stuff a pillow over her face, shutting out what she was telling me, ending her life there and then. -But I thought about my life now, all the love around me and something clicked, no-one had ever loved Nikki, not like you all love me. Even in our squat we were loved, but mum, she never had that. - She wiped her eyes, -can I have some water please? - Belle ran to the kitchen and came back with a glass of iced water. -Thanks, - she took a sip, -ahhh, that -(TM)s nice. So, I -(TM)ve not told you this, just before she died she told me stuff, she was so quiet I had to be right next to her to hear what she was saying. Nikki -(TM)s mum, Cheryl, was also a prostitute, so were Cheryl -(TM)s sisters, drugs were a fact of life for them all, so was abuse and violence, Cheryl -(TM)s boyfriends raped Nikki from when she was really little, she can -(TM)t remember how young she was when it first happened. I almost fainted when she told me. So my dad is one of my gran -(TM)s -~boyfriends -(TM), either her pimp or dealer, just like Kenzie and Parker. And I started down the same path as my mum, gran and aunties. But that -(TM)s over now. I -(TM)m not on the streets anymore, I -(TM)m not on drugs anymore, and I -(TM)m not having a baby. Ever. -I loved my mum so much, yeah she fucked her clients at home, often when I was doing my homework or watching cartoons, she sometimes even did it in the room so her men could get an extra thrill. But we were never hungry, there was always food and clothes, and when her men tried it on with me she beat them off, literally, with a baseball bat if she had to. Once I started growing boobs, and she was too wasted to care, she let her men try it on with me, I usually managed to fight them off, or run away, but not that last time, no, he caught me, and raped me, and she laughed as she watched. I hated her, and I loved her and I just want to cry, but I can -(TM)t. - Belle took the glass from Poppy and carefully put it on the table, then she climbed on the sofa and sat on Poppy -(TM)s lap, without saying a word she wrapped her arms and legs around her best friend and Poppy finally broke, and she cried. Katie picked up the box of tissues from the coffee table, -it -(TM)s ok, - she said to us, -we -(TM)ll handle this. Poppy needs to let go of all her pain. You can go, we -(TM)ll see you tomorrow Helen. - -I know it -(TM)s difficult to see Poppy crying like that, - Helen said at the front door, -but she really needs to let it all out. Let the girls handle this themselves, they -(TM)ve got a really tight bond, they -(TM)ll be fine. - -How long should I leave them? - -I -(TM)d say don -(TM)t go back in unless they call you. When I was their age, a genuine emotional trauma could last all night, but I was on my own without two true friends to help me. I -(TM)d give them half an hour then pop your head round the door to see if they -(TM)re ok, they may not respond politely, but don -(TM)t take offense. If they seem ok, ask them what they want for dinner. - -Thanks Helen, I guess I -(TM)ve had an easy ride so far, this is my first taste of teenage trauma. - -You -(TM)ll be fine. Just in case, I -(TM)ll keep my phone switched on. - -Don -(TM)t spoil your evening, Jenny will be home soon. - -She will, but I -(TM)ll still keep my phone switched on, message me if Poppy needs me. - I put my ear to the lounge door on the way back to the kitchen, I could hear Katie and Belle talking quietly, whatever they were talking about was private, I left them to it and headed for the kitchen. I put on a pot of coffee and had just started working through some bills when my phone rang, Jenny. -Hey Alex! - -Oh, hi Jenny. - -What -(TM)s the matter, you don -(TM)t sound so good? - -Ahh, just a little crisis, Poppy is in floods in the lounge. - -Oh gosh, what -(TM)s happened? - -It -(TM)s a prelude to tomorrow, she -(TM)s finally told us what her mum said just before she died. - -Shit. What did she tell you? - -Basically, her gran was a prostitute just like her mum, and her gran -(TM)s sisters. Abuse and drugs were a fact of life, her mum was regularly raped by her gran -(TM)s clients. She looked back and realised she was heading down the same road until I saved her. - -Fuck, that -(TM)s awful, she didn -(TM)t say any of this while we were there. - -HI think she just blocked it out until she -(TM)d processed it. Helen said she -(TM)ll start to heal now she -(TM)s let it out. - -Is Helen still there? - -No, she -(TM)s had to go home. - -Ok, do you think you can cope with them a little longer? I -(TM)ll try to finish in about an hour. - -I -(TM)ll be fine, I was thinking about dinner, I was going to order takeaway. - -Let Poppy choose, and tell Belle I hope to have some good news for her. - -Ahh, on that note, school are happy for her to start. - -Oh great, even though she -(TM)s not ours yet? - -The head as a certain amount of latitude to accept a student even when guardianship is in doubt. Her feelings are that Belle -(TM)s education is too important to quibble about minor details. - -The head is lovely, isn -(TM)t she, so very understanding. - -She is, and pretty sharp too, she gave Helen an LGBTQ leaflet for Katie, - I said. -Oh, very nice, how did Katie react? - -She was confused at first, but Belle and Poppy made her realise she shouldn -(TM)t be worried, pretty much everyone should know she -(TM)s gay by now. - -Ahh, sorry, got another call, I have to take this. I -(TM)ll try to be home by 6. - -Ok, see you then. - I put my phone down and decided it was about time to see how they were getting on. I knocked on the door before I pushed it open slightly. -Come in dad, we -(TM)re ok, - Poppy called out. I pushed the door open fully, they were in a big cuddle on the sofa, Poppy -(TM)s eyes were red, Belle was on her lap, arms around Poppy holding her tightly, Katie was resting against her, arms around Poppy and Belle. I took a seat on the sofa opposite, -how are you feeling? - -I -(TM)m ok, still a bit sad, but I -(TM)ve got two amazing girlfriends, - she kissed Belle -(TM)s forehead, then Katie -(TM)s, -and a really kind and cool dad, and a super mum and aunty, so no matter how sad my past was, the future will be so much better. - -Same for me, - Katie said, -life wasn -(TM)t so much fun at home, my mum was a drunk and a bigot, and dad, well he didn -(TM)t do any harm, but he was just after a quiet life, so he tolerated everything she did. Now though, I feel like I -(TM)m part of a family. You and mum and Helen, you all take a huge interest in us, and that -(TM)s so nice. - -Thank you, I -(TM)m doing my best, - I replied. -I felt kind of sorry for you before, you looked a little helpless when Poppy burst into tears, so I took pity on you and shooed you away. - -I -(TM)d have stayed to help if you -(TM)d wanted me to. - -That -(TM)s sweet of you, but there -(TM)s nothing you could have done, - Poppy said, -I just needed a big cuddle, and that was Belle -(TM)s job. - -So, I -(TM)ve just spoken to Jenny, she -(TM)s hoping to be home by 6, and I -(TM)m wondering what you all want for dinner. - -Oh fuck, I was going to cook dinner, - Belle cried. -That -(TM)s ok, I guessed when you started playing the piano you -(TM)d be too busy to cook, so I -(TM)ve put it all in the fridge, it -(TM)ll keep for a few days. So, what do you all want for dinner? - -The only place my mum ever took me for food was Pizza Hut, - Poppy replied, -can we go there please? - -Of course we can, or we can order for home delivery. - -No, - Poppy said after thinking for a moment or two, -I want to pig from the salad bar, and have far too much pop from the bottomless drinks machine so I have to wee all night. - -Ok, - I laughed, -we can go to Pizza Hut. Oh, and Belle, Jenny hopes to have some good news for you by the time she gets home. - Belle turned her head, a huge smile on her face, -really, what did she say? - -Just that she was hoping to have some good news before she left the office. - -Oh man, I -(TM)m so excited, I really hope I can stay here. - -You -(TM)re staying Belle, we just want to make sure we do it the right way, - I replied. - She suddenly let go, -I completely forgot, - she said, -I -(TM)ll be back in a minute, - and she dashed out of the room, returning with the Barnardos charity shop carrier. -We went to the Barnardos off Manchester Square... - -Oh, really, did you see Mary? - -We did, she said hello. Oh, while I -(TM)m thinking, the church over the road, why wouldn -(TM)t they ever let us stay? - -Hahaha, it was only one of the priests, we could stay if Father Robert wasn -(TM)t on duty. - -Why didn -(TM)t he like you? - -Because I refused to give him a blow job the first time we tried to stay there. You probably don -(TM)t remember. It was a really horrible night and we -(TM)d gone for soup, I asked if they had any room for us to sleep and he took me to one side and said there would be if I helped him with -~a little problem -(TM) and oh my god, it was a little problem, I looked at his shrivelled dick, and laughed. I know I shouldn -(TM)t have, but it was so small and it smelt really bad. - -Ahh, - Belle said, -I can imagine he -(TM)d be quite upset with you. Oh well, never mind. So, anyway, I bought some stuff, - she started to pull things from the bag, -I -(TM)ve got this great Beauty and the Beast jigsaw, Toy Story 4 and Finding Nemo on DVD, a great denim jacket, and these amazing pyjamas, - she didn -(TM)t pull them from the bag, -no, you can -(TM)t see them yet, I -(TM)ll put them on. - Belle ran out of the room as Katie picked up the DVDs, -I -(TM)ve not seen Toy Story 4 yet, can we watch it later? - Poppy thought for a moment, -I don -(TM)t think I have, we used to sneak into the cinema a lot, but I don -(TM)t remember watching that. I -(TM)ve seen Finding Nemo though, it was great and I -(TM)m totally happy to watch it again. - Katie put the DVDs back on the table and picked up the jacket, -she -(TM)s so small, I think even when I was at primary school I was bigger than Belle, where does she put all the food she eats? - -Hollow legs, that -(TM)s the only possible explanation, - Poppy said with a laugh. It made me smile, listening to them chatting, Poppy saw me smiling. -And what are you smiling at? - she asked. -I -(TM)m smiling because it -(TM)s fun listening to you two chatting, and at how excited Belle is about the things she bought. - The door opened again and Belle strode proudly into the room like a model on a catwalk, although I -(TM)m not sure any model ever wore Spongebob pyjamas on a catwalk. Poppy clapped her hands, -oh shit, you look adorable Belle. - -Just feel them, they -(TM)re so comfy, I -(TM)m definitely wearing them tonight. - Poppy unbuttoned her school blouse and pulled it off, followed by her bra. -What are you doing? - Katie asked. -I want to see what Belle feels like wearing her Spongebob jammies, I bet she -(TM)ll feel great between us. - Belle jumped on Poppy -(TM)s lap, then Katie stripped her top off and joined them, which is how Jenny found them when she walked in a couple of minutes later. -Err, I can explain... - I started. -I -(TM)m not sure you can, - Jenny laughed, -but I -(TM)d like to hear you try. Is Belle in there somewhere? - -I -(TM)m here, - she cried out, -I -(TM)ve got new pyjamas and we -(TM)re all trying them on. - -That -(TM)s definitely what it looks like, anyway, how -(TM)re you feeling Poppy? - -I -(TM)m a lot better now thanks, and this is helping even more. - -That -(TM)s great, anyway, if Belle can extract herself, and you all get dressed again, I -(TM)ve got some good news. - Chapter 24 Katie and Belle climbed off Poppy, Jenny laughed when she saw Belle -(TM)s pyjamas. -What? - Belle said with a scowl. -Nothing, - Jenny replied, trying to suppress her giggles, -they -(TM)re, err, very colourful. - -They -(TM)re comfy, and warm, and Poppy likes them. - -Which is all that matters, now how about you all get dressed and we can have a chat in the kitchen. - -You may as well get dressed to go for dinner, - I said, -you can leave the pyjamas on if you want to wear them in Pizza Hut, -(TM) I added with a smirk. Belle gave me a very black look, -you oldies just don -(TM)t understand style, - she muttered as she walked past. Ten minutes later we were sitting around the kitchen table, I -(TM)d made a pot of coffee and we all drank it while Jenny spoke. -Ok, so I don -(TM)t need to tell you that none of this leaves this room. - We all nodded gravely. -I know I didn -(TM)t need to say that, but with my job, I just have to be careful. Right, Jeremy was true to his word, he sent some people to speak to a few of the girls I found when checking into the allegations made against Belle -(TM)s Uncle Liam. - Belle gasped when she heard his name, -sorry honey, don -(TM)t you want me to say his name? - -It -(TM)s ok, - Belle replied, -so long as I -(TM)m staying here I don -(TM)t mind. - -Spoiler alert, you -(TM)re staying, - Jenny said with a grin, -so, the guys took video evidence from a couple of the girls who were willing to talk. They confronted Liam with these videos. Jeremy said it took some persuasion, and Liam does need some medical attention, but they have a legally binding document signed by Liam to say he relinquishes all claims to you, and he will never contact you at any point in the future. - Belle sat in silence for a while, cradling her coffee mug in both hands. -Sorry, - she said after the longest time, -I -(TM)m just trying to let it sink in, does that mean you can adopt me now? - -It does, - Jenny replied. -And Poppy will be my sister, and Katie? - -Yes, very soon we will be one big happy family, all nice and legal. - -I can -(TM)t quite take it all in, - Belle said, shaking her head, -you must think I -(TM)m dense or something, but this is like a dream come true. I wanted Poppy to come and rescue me, and she did. I wanted to have a loving family, and I -(TM)ve got one. Dreams aren -(TM)t meant to come true like this. - Poppy turned to Belle, she tenderly touched her cheek, turning Belle to face her, -look at me Belle, you see me, I -(TM)m here in this room with you. - -Yes, you are. - Belle replied, earnestly. -And we -(TM)re here, together, in this lovely warm kitchen, with these fantastic people. - Belle looked around, her eyes wide, taking in the whole scene as if for the first time. -It -(TM)s all true Belle, your dreams are reality now. - -I -(TM)ve got one more dream, - Belle said so quietly we barely heard her, -I hope that one comes true one day. - -What -(TM)s that? - Jenny asked. -I want to be Poppy -(TM)s wife... - Belle replied even more quietly. Poppy gasped, -oh my god! - -It -(TM)s ok, - Katie said, -you asked me before, we never knew you -(TM)d find Belle again, I completely understand, our engagement couldn -(TM)t ever be legal anyway. - Belle moved her head back and forth between her two girlfriends, she put an arm around each of them and brought them together, -err, I just want to be able to call Poppy my wife, I -(TM)m not really bothered if it -(TM)s legal or not, if we both want to -~marry -(TM) her, that -(TM)s fine by me. Like Helen said, I -(TM)m the little scamp, I -(TM)m not made for following the rules. - Katie and Poppy leaned in and they both kissed one of Belle -(TM)s cheeks each. Jenny leaned forwards, looking at each of our daughters, -ok, it -(TM)s early days, things change, but when the time comes, if you all still love each other, there is something you can do semi-officially to prove your love for each other. - -What -(TM)s that? - they asked in unison. -So, in the UK, and most of the world to be honest, only two people can legally marry, be they two women, two men, or a man and a woman, a marriage is between two people. There is something called a Commitment Ceremony though, you get to have a wedding, you can all wear wedding dresses, you can invite people and have a big party, just like a traditional wedding, there -(TM)s just no legally binding vows, and no marriage certificate. - The girls looked at each other, -I -(TM)m in! - they cried together. -Not before me and your dad have got married though. - Poppy turned back to us, -you -(TM)re getting married! - she cried. -She -(TM)s not asked me yet. - I replied. -I will, one day, when you least expect it. - We all laughed, I kissed Jenny, the girls kissed, the tears from earlier a distant memory. -I -(TM)m starving, - Belle said after a few minutes of laughs and kisses, -I thought someone mentioned pizza. - -Oh yes, pizza! - Poppy echoed. -Ok, let me get changed out of my work clothes, - Jenny said, -I -(TM)ll be a couple of minutes. - -How far is it to Pizza Hut, - Belle asked. -About a 15 minute walk, - I answered. -Mmm, maybe I won -(TM)t walk all that way in my pyjamas, I -(TM)ll get changed. Can I wear my new shoes? - -Of course you can, - I said. -Oh, you -(TM)ll probably want to put plasters on your heels, - Poppy advised her, -the backs are really stiff. I -(TM)ll come help you. - Katie collected up the empty mugs as Poppy left with Belle, -I love them both so much, and it -(TM)s so odd, because I -(TM)ve never liked anyone quite so instantly as this. Like, it was absolutely instant with Poppy. I saw her on her first day and we just clicked, - she clicked her fingers, -just like that, I knew right then she was going to be my best friend. It was pretty much the same with Belle, I saw her asleep on the floor in the station and my heart went out to her, she looked so beautiful. - -I -(TM)m much the same, Poppy had been in the house only a few minutes and we were chatting like we -(TM)d known each other for years. - -So you see why I can -(TM)t lose either of them, they -(TM)re my life now, and I -(TM)m still a bit bewildered by it all, but what I do know is I love them both a crazy amount. - -And Poppy loves you just as much, so does Belle, she told me the other night she hoped you liked her as much as she likes you. - -I guess I -(TM)m a little insecure because they -(TM)re so close, but that -(TM)s a bond built from surviving together, I can -(TM)t ever forge a bond like that, can I? - -No, but they love you all the same, - I assured her. We heard loud footsteps as Belle clattered down the stairs and ran into the kitchen, -Look Katie, are these the shiniest shoes you -(TM)ve ever seen. - We could practically see our reflections in Belle -(TM)s patent leather Mary Janes. -They look great, Poppy -(TM)s aren -(TM)t that shiny. - -No, I -(TM)m annoyed they didn -(TM)t have the patent ones in my size, I -(TM)m glad Belle got some though, so she looks extra special. - -Do you like my jeans? They -(TM)re from Gap, they -(TM)re boys -(TM) jeans, but I -(TM)ve only got a boy sized bum, so they fit ok. - -Are you saying we -(TM)ve got big bums? - Poppy laughed. -Well, you -(TM)ve got big boobs, so you have to have a big bum or you -(TM)d over-balance. - -Well saved Belle, - Jenny laughed as she joined us, -although that does mean my bum must be huge to keep me in balance. - -I -(TM)m saying nothing, - I said, -I -(TM)ll go get my coat while Belle digs herself out of that hole. - Monday nights are never busy, so we were given a big table in the middle of the restaurant, close to both the salad bar and the unlimited soft drinks machine. Poppy and Belle piled their plates with salad, dressings and breadsticks, and helped themselves to Pepsi, Katie was more restrained, just having a little salad, leaving room for pizza. -What do you want to order? - Jenny asked the girls. -Whatever, it -(TM)s pizza, I -(TM)ll eat any of them, - Poppy said through a mouthful of potato salad. Belle whispered into Poppy -(TM)s ear, she got a nod in reply, -just order two of the big ones, something meaty and something veggie, we don -(TM)t mind, this is the food of the gods, it -(TM)s all good. - Jenny laughed as Belle shovelled a forkful of lettuce and coleslaw just as the waitress arrived, -sorry, they -(TM)ve not eaten all day, - Jenny said. -Don -(TM)t apologise, - the waitress replied, -it -(TM)s good to see girls enjoying their food, too many don -(TM)t eat enough. - -Quite, so in that vein, we -(TM)ll have a large Supreme and a large Veggie Feast please, - turning to the girls, -do you want the stuffed crust? - -That -(TM)s more cheese isn -(TM)t it? - Belle asked. -Yes, it is, - the waitress replied. -Well, obviously we want the stuffed crust, you can -(TM)t have too much cheese. - -Oh, can we have some garlic bread to start? - Katie asked. -Well, you -(TM)ve not been feeding us, you admitted as much before, - Belle said, holding a fork of salad aloft. -Ok, garlic bread for three starving teenagers as well, - Jenny said with a sigh. -No problem, I -(TM)ll throw the garlic bread in for free, - the waitress said as she tapped the order into her tablet, -my name is Leoni, if you need anything else, just ask for me. - -Thank you Leoni, - the girls said in unison as she walked away. -I hope you are all hungry, - Jenny said, -I hate to sound like a proper mum, but there -(TM)ll be no desserts if you don -(TM)t finish the pizza. - -You -(TM)ve not seen how much pizza me and Belle can eat, you just watch. - -I intend to, because I have no idea where you -(TM)re going to put all this food we -(TM)ve ordered. - The garlic bread arrived, they dived in. -Oh wow, it -(TM)s properly garlicy, I love it, - Belle said between mouthfuls, -so much better than the takeaways near the squat. - -That shit was borderline lethal Belle, I think anyone not used to eating the crap we ate would be so ill after eating there. - -I guess, but I did love their cheeseburgers. - -Oh yes, I hate to think what was in them, but damn, they were a tasty burger. - Poppy refilled everyone -(TM)s glasses after they -(TM)d finished the garlic bread, they chatted about school for a while, then Belle changed the subject suddenly. -I was thinking back to the squat days, do you know who I miss most, Evie, she was lovely and it was so annoying we all got scattered after the place was demolished. - -Oh shit, we -(TM)ve not told you! - Poppy said. -What? - -She nearly died, Poppy saved her life! - Katie answered. -Seriously, what happened? - They told Belle the story of how Poppy and myself found Evie on a backstreet, taking turns to tell the story, Belle listening intently. -You are an angel, - Belle said reverently as Katie finished telling the story. -Don -(TM)t be daft, - Poppy said dismissively. -But you are, you -(TM)ve no idea how many people walked past me that day when I first arrived, well, you probably do, but you were the only person to stop and help me, then you gave me and Flower all that money when even just £20 would have made it the best day ever, then you came to find me, and now you -(TM)re telling me you saved Evie -(TM)s life when practically everyone else on the world would just have stepped over her. You -(TM)re an angel Poppy, and nothing anyone says will persuade me otherwise. - Poppy was saved further embarrassment by the arrival of two huge pizzas, -yayyy, - Belle cried as she grabbed the piece of Supreme with the most chicken. -I think they -(TM)ll be having desserts, - I laughed as Poppy shared the last slice of the veggie pizza with Belle, Katie admitted defeat five minutes earlier. Belle sat back and rubbed her stomach, -~shit that -(TM)s the best meal I -(TM)ve had in ages, I -(TM)m not sure I -(TM)ll need to eat again for the rest of the week. - -I guess you won -(TM)t be wanting ice cream then, - Jenny said with a smile. -Ice cream isn -(TM)t food, - Belle said seriously, -it -(TM)s just a solid milkshake, it doesn -(TM)t count, can I have chocolate please. - As Poppy licked every last atom of ice cream from her spoon she turned to Belle, -so, Evie and Max will be there tomorrow, we can say goodbye to them. - -Goodbye? Why? Where are they going? - -Evie hasn -(TM)t been well, someone got her onto hard drugs, so Jeremy is moving her away from London, at least for the time being, so she can get treatment. - -What about Max? - -Ahh, we didn -(TM)t tell you that either, did we. - -Tell me what? - -Mmm, you know how Kenzie and Parker and some others were killed after I was kidnapped? - -Oh yes, the news was all over the streets. - -Well, that was Max... - -Fuck... - Belle said quietly. -Not all of them, some of them were Jeremy -(TM)s guys, but most of them were Max, and she put my mum in hospital. - -Why? - -It seems after I went missing, and everyone thought they -(TM)d killed me, she went a little nuts and decided to take out everyone who -(TM)d ever hurt me. - -Oh shit, so because Nikki was never in the running for World -(TM)s Best Mum, she tried to kill her. - -Exactly. - -Oh man, I -(TM)m so sorry. - -It actually turned out to be for the best, Nikki was in a real bad way anyway, from the drugs and shit, so she -(TM)d have probably died soon enough, this way I got to meet her again, and I forgave her. - Belle held Poppy -(TM)s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. -See, you are an angel, if you could forgive her after all the shit she put you through. - -Maybe... - is all Poppy said in reply before she started to cry again, they all went to the bathroom for privacy as Leoni approached. -Is everything ok? - she asked as she cleared the table. -Yes, it -(TM)s fine, Poppy -(TM)s mum died last week, it -(TM)s her funeral tomorrow. - -Oh dear, losing your mum so young, that -(TM)s just awful, she -(TM)s got good friends to support her though, that -(TM)s lucky. - -They -(TM)ve all lost parents, one way or another, they -(TM)re helping each other. - -Oh my, so none of them are yours, I did wonder, you definitely don -(TM)t look old enough to have a daughter their age. - -Thank you for that, yes, we -(TM)ve adopted them. - -Very brave of you, adopting three teenage girls, I -(TM)ve just got one daughter and she can be such a handful some days. - -I imagine my parents would say I was, - Jenny replied, -these three though, they -(TM)re no trouble at all, in fact the older two, Poppy and Katie, take such good care of Belle, we hardly need to worry about her at all. - -Oh that -(TM)s brilliant, when you first came in I wasn -(TM)t sure if they were friends, girlfriends or sisters. - -They -(TM)re a bit of all three, they -(TM)ve bonded so well. - -It -(TM)s beautiful to see, it really is, - Leoni said as she handed me the bill. Jenny took the bill from me and looked at it, -there -(TM)s a mistake here Leoni, you -(TM)ve only charged for the pizzas, what about the salads, drinks, ice cream? - -Well, your girls have really touched my heart tonight, so I -(TM)ve discounted your meal as far as I can, - Leoni replied. -Thank you, but it really isn -(TM)t necessary, - I said. -It isn -(TM)t necessary, but I want to give your girls a treat, drop the money you -(TM)ve saved into the food bank collection tin at the till if you like. - Leoni left to serve another table as the girls returned, Poppy was smiling. Belle put some money down, -we -(TM)ve been working out the bill while Poppy had a wash, we reckon this will cover it. - -You don -(TM)t have to pay for dinner, - Jenny said, pushing the money back to Belle. -We don -(TM)t need to, but we want to. - Belle replied as she pushed the money back, -you -(TM)ve both been so kind to us, so we decided to treat you to a meal. - -Ok, if you insist, but that -(TM)s far too much, Leoni has only charged us for the pizza. - -What about all the other stuff? The pizza is less than half the bill, - Katie said. -I know, but you all touched her heart by being so close, and for eating all the food, - Jenny told them, -she said we could put the difference into a food bank collection box by the till. - -She -(TM)s getting a big tip, - Belle insisted. -Let me sort the tip, - I said, -you can put whatever you think you should in the collection tin. - -Ok, that -(TM)s fair, - Belle replied as she split the pile of notes in two, she picked up the bill and walked over to the till. -I didn -(TM)t think I could love Belle any more, - Poppy said to Katie, -but just look at her walking up to pay the bill like that, the only thing that could make this scene more perfect is if she -(TM)d kept the Spongebob pyjamas on. - I pulled the same amount as the bill from my wallet and passed it to Poppy, -give this to the waitress on your way out. - We took a longer route home to help walk off the food, the girls walked in front, Belle in the middle, holding hands with Poppy and Katie. -She was right you know, - Jenny started, -Leoni, she was right, teenage girls can be a right nightmare at times. We -(TM)re so lucky with these three, no tantrums, no competitiveness about who -(TM)s prettiest, in fact just the opposite, they -(TM)re all insistent that the others are prettier. They -(TM)re so much in love with each other, it -(TM)s wonderful. -