Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience. >The Girl at the Bus Stop by alan14 Copyright(C) 2021 by alan14 Chapter 48 Jenny was already home when we arrived, she was chatting with Helen over a bottle of wine in the kitchen. Belle dropped her bag at the door and ran into Helen -(TM)s arms, -Where -(TM)s JoJo? - she asked, -you said JoJo was coming, I -(TM)ve got a meal planned for you all. - -She -(TM)s on her way, - Helen laughed, -and there -(TM)s no way I -(TM)m letting you cook for so many people, we -(TM)ll order a Chinese. - Janet stepped into the kitchen, -hello school counsellor. - -Err, I am really the school counsellor. - -I didn -(TM)t even know the school had a counsellor on the staff. - -They do now, I -(TM)m doing it on a voluntary basis. - -You -(TM)re not mad with us for meddling? - Poppy asked. -Not at all, - Maisie replied, -it -(TM)s all worked out, and I -(TM)m sure you had some grand plan all along. - -Not really, - Belle replied, -I just wanted to be your friend. Then, the more I learnt, the more determined I was to help you any way I could. - Jenny held her hand out for Poppy, -can we have a chat, upstairs. - -Can Belle come? - Poppy asked. -Of course Belle can come, and grab some tissues, we -(TM)re all going to need them - -What can you tell us about this Amber person we -(TM)ll be living with? - Janet asked as we waited for Jenny to return with Poppy and Belle. -She -(TM)s the receptionist at a lovely hotel, - Helen started, -I actually know her a little as I stay in that hotel whenever I -(TM)m in York. - -Belle and I stayed there when we went to visit her grandad, - I paused, working out a way to skirt around the details, -Belle struck up quite a friendship with Amber while we were there. Amber recognised Belle from the stories when she ran away. She only lived a couple of streets away from Belle and used to pass her house on the way to school, so she -(TM)s really happy to now be living in the house. - -Why did Belle let Amber rent her house after such a fleeting meeting? - Janet asked. -What you need to understand about Belle is that she only ever wants to help people. She had a wonderful childhood that was cut short by her parents -(TM) deaths. She knows how important it is to be happy and secure. -While we were in York her grandad mentioned her mum -(TM)s will. So we went to see her mum -(TM)s solicitor, who was lovely, and helped Belle change her name legally while we were in the office. -Then she reads the will, and Belle finds out she -(TM)s got a lot of money from the insurance, and a house that was fully paid for by her dad -(TM)s boss, who -(TM)d been having an affair with her mum since before she was married. - Janet raised her eyebrows at this, -did Belle -(TM)s dad know this? - -We -(TM)ve no way of knowing, but we think not. Anyway, once Belle found out she had a house that she didn -(TM)t need, and can -(TM)t sell for a few years, she remembered Amber -(TM)s little apartment and decided she could live in the house, kind of as a live-in caretaker. - -And you say Amber might be able to find me a job? - -That -(TM)s what she says, they -(TM)ve a couple of vacancies in the office, obviously there -(TM)s no obligation, if the jobs aren -(TM)t suitable, you -(TM)re free to look elsewhere. - -I -(TM)m happy to do any work, although I -(TM)m not sure I -(TM)d be ready to clean hotel rooms, I -(TM)ve heard all kinds of seedy stories about what people get up to. - -Mum! - Maisie cried, -stop thinking bad of people, I -(TM)m sure people behave well in a nice hotel. - I could barely keep a straight face thinking about what Belle and Amber got up to in that room, then Amber and myself. Oh god, Janet would throw a fit. -I -(TM)m sure Amber has a good job lined up for you. - I replied, then almost burst out laughing as Lia whispered, -isn -(TM)t that where Belle fisted Amber? - into my ear. -Anyway, - Helen broke in, saving me from trying to explain my red face, -I think we -(TM)d better order some food, is Chinese ok for everyone? - We agreed it was and Helen rang the takeaway to order a banquet for 10, there -(TM)d be something for everyone in the box when it arrived. -I think I -(TM)ll go see how they -(TM)re doing upstairs, - Helen said as she put her phone away, -I need a word with Poppy in private anyway. - While Jenny and Helen chatted with Poppy and Belle in my office, Lia brought down a couple of suitcases and they packed everything Maisie wouldn -(TM)t need tomorrow. Maisie nipped into the lounge and tried on a bra to show Janet, she was so happy with it she ran out to show Katie and Lia, -Mr Harrison can see you! - Janet cried. -So! It -(TM)s not like I -(TM)m naked! - -It doesn -(TM)t matter, you shouldn -(TM)t be showing your secret things to men. - Lia was almost doubled over with laughter as Maisie ran back into the lounge to get properly dressed. -My god! - she gasped, -she -(TM)s got the biggest tits I -(TM)ve ever seen, and she -(TM)s Belle -(TM)s age. How big will she be when she -(TM)s my age? - -I know, I feel so sorry for her, - Katie replied, -but damn, she looks good with the new bra and that smile. - -Think she should have put the knickers on though, - Lia laughed. -What? - Katie replied. -You were so busy looking at her boobs you didn -(TM)t notice she had nothing else on? - -Oh my god, really? - Katie laughed as she looked at me, -did you notice? - -I was looking at the bra, - I replied. -I -(TM)m going to lend Belle my razor, - Lia said, -she can show Maisie how to tidy herself up downstairs. If she wants to attract boys she needs to keep herself trimmed. - -Don -(TM)t boys like pubes? - Katie asked. -None that I -(TM)ve spoken to. - -Weren -(TM)t you a virgin until... - -I was, but that -(TM)s not to say I -(TM)d never talked to boys. Anyway, most of them like to be able to see what they -(TM)re eating, so to speak, but don -(TM)t mind a neatly manicured lady garden, if you know what I mean. - -Like mine, - Katie replied proudly. -Exactly like yours. - Maisie was fully dressed and her things packed away by the time Poppy and Belle returned. Together we set the table in the dining room for 10, JoJo arrived just before the food, she helped Belle carry the meal in as everyone took their seats. -This is my friend Maisie, - Belle told JoJo as they spread the takeaway cartons along the table, -and her mum, Janet. Maisie, this is JoJo, Helen -(TM)s, err, prot(C)g(C), is that the right word? - -It -(TM)s kind of the right word, she -(TM)s an aspiring model and I -(TM)m helping her, - Helen explained. -I thought you were a psychologist, - Janet asked Helen. -I am now, I used to be a model, I kind of still am, part time. - -And she was on Celebrity Big Brother, - Maisie added, -I -(TM)ve seen her photos, on the internet. - -There are quite a lot of my photos out there, and I -(TM)m not ashamed of most of them, - Helen laughed as she scooped a generous helping of Special Fried Rice onto her plate. -Are they risqu(C)? - Janet asked. -Some of them are, is that a problem? - Janet shrugged, -I guess it isn -(TM)t, not anymore. - -It never was a problem mum; you -(TM)re still letting dad do your thinking for you. - Janet patted Maisie -(TM)s hand, -~I am, and it will take a while to adjust, give me time. - -I took some risqu(C) photos today, - JoJo announced. -Yayyy! - Belle cheered before Poppy slapped her hand. -You -(TM)re not supposed to sound quite so excited about it, - Poppy chided her playfully. -I -(TM)ll let you look at them later, they -(TM)re very arty, nothing sordid. - -Can I look at JoJo -(TM)s pictures mum? - Janet looked across to Jenny, -you -(TM)re OK with Belle looking at pictures of naked women? - -If you knew some of the things she -(TM)s seen and done to survive on the streets... - is all Jenny told her in answer. -Well, if you put it that way. This is all so far out of my frame of experience, I -(TM)m sorry if I sound like an old fuddy-duddy. These photos, they -(TM)re nothing too explicit? - -Just my boobs, and my, err ... well, nothing you -(TM)ll go to hell for looking at. - -I guess it -(TM)s OK if you show them to Maisie, after all, she -(TM)s a girl with all the same parts. - -Just mine are frigging huge! - -Language Maisie, there -(TM)s no need for profanity. - -Sorry mum, I guess I -(TM)m getting a bit giddy. - -You -(TM)d better get some food on your plate, - Poppy advised, -or Belle will eat it all. - -She -(TM)s not kidding, - Belle told her, -I could eat everything on this table. - -You -(TM)re so tiny, where do you put all the food, - Maisie asked, as she hurriedly scooped food onto hers and Janet -(TM)s plates. -I guess I just work it all off, nervous energy you know, I -(TM)m hardly ever still. - -I thought you were going to say something else then, - Maisie smirked. -Well, there -(TM)s that as well, but not on school nights, or rather, not often on school nights. - Janet looked up at that, surprised. -Like I said before, they -(TM)re very responsible kids. - I told her, -they take their schoolwork very seriously. - -We -(TM)ve both got a couple of years missed school to catch up on, - Poppy added, -I want to go on to sixth-form, and I can -(TM)t do that if I don -(TM)t pass my GCSEs. - -And I -(TM)m doing food tech, which is great, and I -(TM)m really good at it, but I -(TM)ve got so much Maths, English and Science to catch up on. It -(TM)s a lot of work, but it -(TM)s fun, you know, working together upstairs. Lia is really clever, she was more sensible than me and Poppy, she spent her time on the streets learning in the library. I wish I -(TM)d done more studying when I had chance. - We ate quietly for a while until we were interrupted by the Buffy The Vampire Slayer theme from the kitchen. -Ahh sorry, - Lia sighed, -that -(TM)s my phone. Hang on, the only people with my number are in this room. - She dashed into the kitchen, -oh my god! It -(TM)s Lady Marina! - -Answer it, quick! - Katie cried. -Who -(TM)s Lady Marina? - Maisie asked. -She -(TM)s a princess, Lia snogged her last week, she was in the papers! - Belle replied in a scandalised whisper. -Oh my god, I remember, she -(TM)s the mystery brunette? - Janet looked like she was going to complain about Maisie -(TM)s blaspheming, but she decided not to, instead she looked at Katie, -why did you let your girlfriend kiss another woman? - Katie was puzzled, -why shouldn -(TM)t she, it -(TM)s not like she belongs to me, besides, we both kiss Poppy and Belle all the time, it -(TM)s fun! Anyway, Marina is a princess, who -(TM)d pass up the chance of kissing a princess? They only did it to wind up the press anyway. - Janet weighed this up, -there -(TM)s a lot here I -(TM)ll never understand, you live very different lives to ours, but you -(TM)re happy, and kind, and who am I to criticise anyone -(TM)s lifestyle. - Lia ran in from the kitchen, -do we have any plans for the Saturday after next? - -I don -(TM)t think so, - I answered, -what about you Jenny? - -Doesn -(TM)t ring any bells. - -That -(TM)s great, because we do now. We -(TM)re going to the Savoy! - -The Savoy? - Jenny asked, her fork poised in mid-air, -why? - -Because Lady Marina has booked it for our grand charity launch, she -(TM)s got loads of her celebrity friends, there -(TM)ll be hundreds of people there. - -What? - Poppy cried, jumping out of her chair, -The Savoy, for us? Seriously? - -Yes, seriously. - -Oh man, so this is it, we -(TM)re going live, for real, - Poppy sighed as she sat back down heavily. -You need new outfits, - Helen said brightly, -something glamourous, but not too showy, I think anything too flash would be vulgar, considering the cause you -(TM)re launching. - -We could get something from the Samaritans shop at Marylebone, - Lia replied, -they have designer stuff. - -That -(TM)s a great call, - Poppy agreed, -Oh shit Lia, are we even ready to go, you know, is the charity actually going to work? - -Relax, Poppy. I have it under control. Jeremy has lockups all over the place that he -(TM)s filling up with donations, we -(TM)ve three kitchens lined up, and I -(TM)ve got 30 people signed up to help. - -30 people, who are they? Oh my god Lia, I -(TM)ve been so wrapped up in school and other dramas, I -(TM)ve not been concentrating on what you -(TM)ve been up to. - -It -(TM)s OK, I understand, you put me in charge of the day to day running, and that -(TM)s what I -(TM)m doing. At the moment, I -(TM)m working from the kitchen and your homework room upstairs, so I -(TM)m having to pack everything away when I finish for the day. When I get my office, I can keep my work spread out, and you -(TM)ll be able to see what I -(TM)ve been up to. - -I -(TM)m so grateful for everything you -(TM)ve been doing Lia. - -And I -(TM)m grateful you -(TM)ve given me a roof over my head, and someone to share my life with. - -You -(TM)ll have to come to our charity launch, - Belle told Maisie, -and you Janet, it -(TM)s going to be amazing, Lia -(TM)s friend Lady Marina is organising it, she -(TM)s getting lots of glamourous people to come and give us loads of money to get the charity running properly. - -What -(TM)s the aim of your charity, - Janet asked. -Essentially, we want to help street kids. They need food, that -(TM)s a given, and we -(TM)ll get them food. We -(TM)ve been sourcing surplus from supermarkets and wholesalers and market traders. Most of this food is ingredients, which is great if you -(TM)ve got cooking facilities, not so good if you -(TM)re living under a bridge, so we -(TM)ll be setting up field kitchens to make soup and casseroles and sandwiches. What street kids lack, apart from food and shelter, is a little dignity, so we -(TM)ve also been intercepting sanitary products, and soap, and deodorant, and clothes and combs and shampoo, and condoms, because STIs are a real problem on the streets. My friends have also been getting doctors on board to set up street clinics, walk in clinics in church halls, soup kitchens, anywhere there -(TM)s somewhere that offers a bit of privacy for a chat with a GP. Most of this is Lia -(TM)s work. - -I -(TM)ve just been riffing off your ideas, Poppy. - -It was your idea to get the kids birthday cards and presents. - -None of this good work you plan is about getting the children off the streets, - Janet asked. -There are charities that offer shelters, - Lia started, -and ironically, I -(TM)d just got a place in one when Poppy and Katie came to find me. These places are warm, they -(TM)re dry, and they -(TM)re usually safe, but they -(TM)re also temporary. The one I was in would only let you have a bed for two weeks, after that you -(TM)re back out on the streets. In those two weeks you have to find a job, then find and rent a room. If you don -(TM)t manage that you -(TM)re out. -One of the reasons some people avoid the shelters is because they simply can -(TM)t bear the crushing disappointment of going back out on the streets after two weeks inside. - -So, our plan is to work with other charities, - Poppy added, -to help people find work, we -(TM)ll go into large employers and see if there -(TM)s any who can employ people who may be fragile, they may have mental illnesses, they may have never worked before. These people are not the ideal candidates, but they need a helping hand to lead them back into society. - -I -(TM)ve been chatting with a few mental health charities, - Helen joined in, -trying to get some people together who can offer a few hours a week to visit shelters and kitchens, a few of the larger squats. - -A lot of the kids are sceptical, - Belle explained, -they don -(TM)t trust anyone, including other street kids. They -(TM)re the ones we tended to keep clear of when we were on the streets ourselves, and they -(TM)re the ones we -(TM)ll have the hardest time working with. - -But we -(TM)re not going to ignore them, - Lia continued, -we -(TM)ll go in with one of Jeremy -(TM)s guys as back up, and we -(TM)ll try to win them over with kindness. - -Jeremy -(TM)s the one we spoke about earlier? - Janet asked me. -Yes, he -(TM)s saved Poppy -(TM)s life a couple of times, - I replied. -He works for the Salvation Army, - Belle added, -but he spends most of his time deep in the streets, helping the kids that everyone else has abandoned. He loves all the kids and will do anything for them. He loves Poppy the most, and he went berserk when she was kidnapped by those bastards. Anyone who messes with Jeremy -(TM)s kids soon regrets it. - -Don -(TM)t get us wrong, - I hurriedly told Janet, -Jeremy is an amazing guy, he considers all the kids he works with as his own kids, and he loves them and protects them, he -(TM)ll do anything to them safe, and stop at nothing if anyone dares to hurt his kids. - -I must add, - Belle continued, -he loves them like a father should love his kids, he does not love them in any kind of pervy way. - -I can confirm that, - Poppy added, a note of shame in her voice, -one time I offered to, err, you know, pleasure him orally, and he very politely refused my offer. Contrast that with the St James Mission, where the paster refused us entry to their shelter one terrible November evening unless I did similar things to him. - -And we got wet that night, didn -(TM)t we, - Belle laughed, -and I -(TM)ve never been prouder of you. - -Yeah, you didn -(TM)t feel that way when you had a cold for the next week. - -Does that happen a lot? - Janet asked. -What, men demanding sexual favours in return for food and shelter? - -Yes, that. - -All the time, unfortunately, and sometimes I -(TM)d do what they asked, sometimes I didn -(TM)t. The pastor at the mission that night was a repulsive prick, I wouldn -(TM)t have slept with him if he gave me a million pounds. Other guys, well, if they were nice about it, I was nice to them. - -And you -(TM)re not ashamed of what you did? - -Not at all, - Poppy replied, proudly, -I did it to survive, and to help my friends. There -(TM)s only one thing I -(TM)m ashamed of, apart from all the drugs I took, and abandoning my friends for a while, and that -(TM)s coming on to Jeremy. He -(TM)s the most upright, honest, decent man out there, and I tried to seduce him, - Poppy banged the table with both hands as she shouted, -that -(TM)s the only thing I -(TM)m ashamed of. - -I -(TM)m so sorry Poppy, once again, we -(TM)re from a different world to you all, and our values are perhaps a little restricted. - -It -(TM)s OK, Janet, sometimes I feel a little defensive, and I had some very bad news earlier. I apologise for shouting. Do you want to go and watch a film or something while I clear the table. - -It -(TM)s OK, we -(TM)ll clear the table, - Lia offered. -No, Lia, I want to be alone for a bit, I need to think about Misha. I -(TM)ll be fine, I -(TM)m not sad now, I -(TM)m just angry, I want to try to remember who did it. - -Can I stay, to help, - Helen asked. -You can stay Aunty Helen; you -(TM)ll be able to help me. - Belle turned on the TV and spent the next five minutes with Maisie and Katie working out which film to watch, they decided on Toy Story 4. As we settled back to watch the movie, JoJo asked Belle if she had her iPad handy. -Yeah, it -(TM)s over there on the record shelves. - -Great, I -(TM)ll airdrop you some photos, you can look at them once we -(TM)ve gone. I -(TM)d rather not be in the room when you look at them. - -Why, are they bad? Has Helen seen them? - -Helen was in the studio, but she -(TM)s not seen the finished photos. I guess I -(TM)m nervous about your reaction. Cameras can be so unforgiving, they catch things that our eyes sometimes miss. - -OK, we -(TM)ll look later, when you and Helen have gone. Do we get to see your tattoo? - -I -(TM)m afraid not. - -Oh, have you had it lasered? - -Ha, no, nothing that drastic, the make-up artist covered it up with some concealer the same colour as my arse cheeks. - -So, your arse is bare in the photos? - Katie asked. -I -(TM)m fully nude, as god intended. - -I -(TM)m not sure I want Maisie to see you If you -(TM)re fully naked. - -There -(TM)s nothing sordid, you can see my boobs, my bum and my lady garden, my legs stay closed. - -Lady garden? - Janet asked. -Pubes mum, - Maisie answered. -Oh, that -(TM)s a nice word for it, I like that. - -I -(TM)ll send you two folders, - JoJo whispered to Belle, -keep the second folder away from Maisie, they -(TM)re just for you and your sisters. - Belle beamed, -I -(TM)ll keep that one private, I might not even show Poppy. - -Now that wouldn -(TM)t be fair, would it. - -Hahaha, don -(TM)t worry, Poppy will be very happy to see the photos in the special folder. - Toy Story was nearly over by the time Poppy and Helen joined us, JoJo moved off the sofa and let Poppy sit with Belle. Poppy put her head on Belle -(TM)s shoulder, Belle wrapped her arm around her girlfriend. -Are you OK, sweetie? - Belle asked. -I am now. - -Did you work out who did the horrible stuff to Misha? - -I don -(TM)t know his name, but I know who he is, if that makes sense. - -Who is he? - -He -(TM)s the guy who runs it all, all the girls and drugs, Kenzie -(TM)s boss. - -Does mum know who that is? - -No, and Jeremy doesn -(TM)t either. They know there -(TM)s someone, but it -(TM)s all a big secret. I can -(TM)t even describe him properly, Helen -(TM)s just tried to hypnotise me and there -(TM)s just this black hole in my memory, which is just weird, I see him raping Misha, I see him kill her and carry on raping her, then as he turns and comes for me, it all goes black, like I passed out or something. I know I didn -(TM)t pass out right away, or at least I think I didn -(TM)t, because I also remember a lot of pain, but I can -(TM)t see anything. - -Did he blindfold you, or put a bag over your head. - -I ... don -(TM)t ... think ... so... - Poppy answered uncertainly, -I -(TM)ve been blindfolded before, you know, I won -(TM)t go into why, but this is different. With a blindfold you know you -(TM)re blindfolded, there -(TM)s usually light around the blindfold, and with a bag you can see through the bag a bit, yes, I -(TM)ve had both done to me, I -(TM)m not proud of some of this stuff. That night though, it -(TM)s all gone. - -I think something truly horrific happened, - Helen explained. -The brain is a remarkable organ, yeah sometimes it plays massive tricks on us, making us think about stuff we really don -(TM)t want to, but sometimes it knows there -(TM)s a memory you really, really do not want to be reliving any time soon. Those memories it keeps locked away, buried so deep even hypnosis won -(TM)t reveal it. - -Will she ever remember it? - Belle asked. -Maybe, maybe not. That memory could stay buried forever, or it may come out when you feel able to cope, feel able to rationalise what happened to you, or the memory could be triggered by other events, for instance, if you ever meet the person in that nightmare. - -Oh god, I don -(TM)t want to meet him again. That man is pure evil. I thought Kenzie was evil, especially the way he killed Gemma right in front of me, while he was raping her ... I -(TM)m so sorry Maisie, and Janet, you didn -(TM)t come here to hear horrible stuff like this. - -It -(TM)s OK, - Janet replied quietly, -if you need to say this stuff, to get it out of your mind, just go ahead. - -I -(TM)m nearly done now, the way Kenzie looked right in my eyes while he strangled Gemma, like he was telling me I was next, that look, it was just dripping in hatred. But that night, the man who killed Misha, it wasn -(TM)t hatred, he felt nothing. He has no soul, no feelings for anyone, she was just a body to use, and after he used her, he dumped her, then I think he used me, but I don -(TM)t know for sure. - -Shall we catch Frozen for a bit, - Belle chimed in after the room fell silent, -you know it always cheers you up. - -There -(TM)s only one thing that will cheer me up right now, and we can -(TM)t do it with guests in the house, but we -(TM)ll see if Frozen helps a little. - -I can kiss you for a bit, in the kitchen, while no-one -(TM)s looking. - -You -(TM)re so adorable Belle, maybe later, let -(TM)s watch Elsa and Olaf for a bit. - -I think we -(TM)ll get going, - Helen said as Belle scrolled through the Disney+ library, -Nita will be home soon. - -Was she working today? - Katie asked. -Kind of, she was speaking at a conference in Manchester. - -Oh wow, she -(TM)s really important if she -(TM)s giving speeches at conferences. - -Nita -(TM)s probably in the top 5 in her field in this country. - -She seems so normal, not all high and mighty like some people get. - -Because she is normal, but also super talented. Like Belle, she -(TM)s probably the most naturally gifted pianist I -(TM)ve ever seen. and whilst I -(TM)m not sure I -(TM)d class her as normal, she -(TM)s certainly not all high and mighty. - -Oi, are you talking about me, - Belle cried as she paused the film, -I heard my name. - -I was complimenting you, - Helen laughed. -Ahh, OK, as you were, - she replied as she turned back to the TV. -So, we -(TM)ll be off. Best of luck with the trains tomorrow, say hello to Amber for me. - -I will, shall I give her a big hug from you? - -I was never that close with her, but feel free to hug her anyway. - -I definitely will. - Belle had her iPad open as I came back from walking Helen and JoJo out. Maisie and Poppy were looking over Belle -(TM)s shoulders. -She -(TM)s so pretty, - Maisie said in an awed whisper, -and I -(TM)m not even into girls. - -We -(TM)re allowed to appreciate beauty all places, - Janet told her, -JoJo definitely is pretty, and she -(TM)s got a lovely figure. - -Yes, - Maisie agreed, sadly, -I bet she doesn -(TM)t get backache just from standing up for a while. - -We -(TM)ll see how your new bras improve things, - Janet replied, -we can buy you more of the same kind. - -I still want a reduction as soon as I -(TM)m allowed. - -But those operations are so expensive. - -Helen said I might be able to get it on the NHS if they -(TM)re effecting my health. - -It doesn -(TM)t matter, I already told you, I -(TM)m happy to pay for the operation, and an entire new wardrobe afterwards. I -(TM)m taking no arguments about this, I have the money. - -You barely know my daughter, and you -(TM)re willing to spend so much money on her. - -I felt an immediate connection when I first saw Maisie, and I think it -(TM)s because of her past trauma... - -Were you abused by your parents? - Janet asked kindly. -Oh gosh no, my parents were wonderful people. My uncle though, he was a different matter entirely. He was a serial abuser and exposed himself to me a couple of times. After my parents died, he won custody, but my grandparents appealed and I lived with them for a few months, then my gran died, and my grandad isn -(TM)t well, and the courts gave me back to my uncle. A very kind police lady helped me run away that night. - -Oh gosh, and where -(TM)s your uncle now? - Janet asked. -He died, in prison. - -So, he -(TM)s out of the picture. - -Very much so, and on that note, please don -(TM)t mention Liam when Amber is around. - -Did he... - -Not Amber, but he did rape her girlfriend, and she killed herself afterwards, so it -(TM)s kind of a sore subject. - -Thanks for the warning, is there anything else we shouldn -(TM)t talk about. - -Not that I can think of. I -(TM)m sure she -(TM)ll let you know if there -(TM)s something she doesn -(TM)t want to talk about. - -You said she had a girlfriend before, is she... - -She -(TM)s bi-sexual I think, but she -(TM)s not seeing anyone at the moment, or at least she wasn -(TM)t a couple of weeks ago. She -(TM)s a big girl, if she meets someone, I -(TM)m sure she -(TM)ll find a way to manage her love life without causing any embarrassment for yourselves. - -We -(TM)ll be living in her house, - Janet started, -well, your house, but she -(TM)s the main tenant, if Amber wants to bring a girl home, or a boy, we -(TM)ll stay out of their way. - -I -(TM)m certain you -(TM)ll find a way to work everything out. It -(TM)s quite a big house, or it is in my memory. The master bedroom is on one side of the landing, next to the bathroom, the other bedrooms are on the other side of the landing. It should be pretty private. Besides, it might not just be Amber who brings a friend home, you might find a boyfriend, Janet. - -Oh no, I -(TM)m too old for that. - -Oh no, - Poppy joined in, -you -(TM)re only what, 35? - -I -(TM)m 33, I married David when I was 18, he was older... - -See, even better ... hang on, when you say older, how much older? - -He was 50 at the time, he was a mature student at the university, I worked in one of the student bars, he was different, and charming, and well, we hit it off. My friends thought I was weird, and in hindsight, maybe I was. - Jenny leant forwards a little and touched Janet -(TM)s hand, -Could I ask you a question? You don -(TM)t need to answer. - -Of course, ask anything, I might not answer if it -(TM)s too personal. - -David was kicked out of university, but the university have sealed his file. - -Ahh, there was something of a scandal, he was involved with a couple of lecturers, and he may have interfered with ... with... - -A lecturer? - Jenny replied, surprised, -that -(TM)s not really a scandal, especially as he was a mature student anyway. - -Not the lecturer, her daughter, she was only a toddler. - -Mum! - Maisie cried, -he did that and you still married him! Why? - -You don -(TM)t understand, he has this power, I couldn -(TM)t help myself, it -(TM)s like he -(TM)d hypnotised me. - -Did you feel different when you were away from him, - Jenny asked, -did you find yourself questioning his actions, but as soon as you met him again, you forgave him? - -Yes! I did, how did you know that? - -Pheromones, I bet he used a pheromone spray, that coupled with his charismatic personality would leave you questioning your own beliefs about him. - -I guess that could be how it happened, he always said it was an illness, and he was getting treatment, and every time I believed him, we both did, didn -(TM)t we Maisie... - -No mum, I never believed him, and do you know why? Because every time he said that, he -(TM)d just go and do it again the next night. Whatever mind tricks he played on you, they didn -(TM)t work on me. - -Gosh honey, I honestly didn -(TM)t know how often he hurt you. - -Well, you do now, and it -(TM)s time you took some responsibility for our lives. As soon as we get settled and I -(TM)m in school you -(TM)re going to start acting like a proper mother, you -(TM)re going to take an interest in my school work, and my life, you -(TM)re going to make sure I wear proper uniform and that I -(TM)m doing my homework. Act like DC Jenny does, she -(TM)s busy, but she still has time to show the girls that she loves them. - -I -(TM)m sorry, Maisie, we -(TM)ve not really had a good life so far. Tomorrow, we start afresh. - -Will we be able to come back for Belle -(TM)s party? - -If we can afford the train, and a hotel for the night. - -I -(TM)ll come and get you, - Belle told them, -and I -(TM)ll get you a room in the Savoy, so you can enjoy some luxury. - -You -(TM)re too kind to us, - Janet whispered. -There -(TM)s no such thing as too kind, not in my book anyway. I -(TM)ll come up the night before, we can do some shopping for dresses, then we -(TM)ll get the train down, have a wonderful night, then you can get the train back home to York. - -I think we -(TM)ll get to bed now, - Janet said as the end credits for Frozen rolled, we -(TM)d not watched the film at all, but Poppy enjoyed singing along to the songs, -are you sure it -(TM)s alright for us to use the bedroom, we -(TM)ll be fine sleeping down here on the sofas. - -We insist that you sleep in our room, - Lia assured Janet, -we do not let guests sleep on the sofa in this house. - -But where will you two sleep? - -In a big puppy pile in our bed, - Belle replied, -it -(TM)s fun, I get to snuggle boobies in every direction. - Janet really didn -(TM)t have a response to that, so she just smiled at Belle as she stood and led Maisie to the door. -We -(TM)ve left your night things on the bed, - Lia told them, -and there -(TM)s plenty of towels in the en-suite. - -Today has been a little overwhelming, I don -(TM)t know how to thank you all. - -There -(TM)s no need to thank us, - I replied. -Oh, and sorry you definitely won -(TM)t be thanking me for this, - Belle called out as Janet was about to close the door, -we have to be at Kings Cross Station for 8:30, so we -(TM)ve a really early start in the morning. - -Ahh, OK, so what time are we leaving here? - -About 7:15, we can dash across the park and grab the surface train to Kings Cross. Don -(TM)t worry about breakfast, I -(TM)ll get us a proper fry-up on the train, we -(TM)re going First Class. - Maisie stuck her head back in the room, -First Class, on the train, really? - -Yes, - Belle replied brightly, -nothing but the best for you all this weekend. - Maisie ran back in the room and kissed Belle, surprising us all, not least Janet. -Thank you, thank you, thank you a million times Belle. I -(TM)m so glad we finally talked, you -(TM)ve saved my life. - Janet tapped Maisie on the shoulder, -to bed missie, you -(TM)re not an early riser at the best of times. I -(TM)ve no idea how I -(TM)ll get you up in the morning. - -I -(TM)ll bring you both a coffee first thing, I -(TM)m usually awake for 6 o -(TM)clock, - Belle assured her. -And if Belle doesn -(TM)t wake, we will, - Poppy added, -we won -(TM)t let you miss the train. - Once Janet and Maisie had gone to bed, Poppy turned to Jenny and myself, -I hope I -(TM)ve not terrified them, I really shouldn -(TM)t have mentioned all that stuff that happened. - -It -(TM)s OK, - Jenny told her, -you -(TM)ve had a huge trauma these last couple of days, you can -(TM)t be expected to hold it all in. Janet knows some of what -(TM)s happened to you, word has got around school, and to other schools in the area. Kailee in the caf(C) told us she hears kids from the other schools talking about you. - -That -(TM)s because girls from our school have talked about you to their brothers, - Katie added, -then they talk to their mates in school. - -Are they saying nice things about me, - Poppy asked sadly. -They -(TM)re mostly calling you a hero, - Jenny replied, -They -(TM)ve all heard rumours about runaways that have been killed, some of them will have lost friends on the streets. They -(TM)ll know about the gangs who prey on kids. You -(TM)re the girl who lived. - -It -(TM)s a bit weird thinking about people I don -(TM)t know talking about me. - -You -(TM)ve been on TV! - Belle exclaimed, -I -(TM)ve been on TV! We -(TM)re famous, of course people who don -(TM)t know you will have been talking about you. - -Don -(TM)t remind me about the TV thing, you were fine, you can talk to people, I just came across as a bumbling moron, and on that note, am I allowed to punch your boss for dumping us in it with the TV interview. - -I -(TM)d rather you didn -(TM)t, - Jenny laughed. -Ahh, no worries anyway, I -(TM)m happy to talk to him about the house and anything else he wants to know, we could do it after school on Monday if you like. - -I -(TM)ll see him Monday morning, I -(TM)ll arrange a time with him then. Now I think it -(TM)s time we all went to bed if you -(TM)re getting up early tomorrow. - -I was going to make up for you comforting me yesterday without us making out, - Poppy told Lia as we tidied the lounge, -but we haven -(TM)t really got time, and we don -(TM)t want to disturb the guests. - Lia moved in close to Poppy and kissed her, -us making out is nowhere near as important as us comforting you when you needed it. We can make out any time. - -You could do it in the morning when I -(TM)ve gone with Maisie and Janet. - -I couldn -(TM)t do it when you -(TM)re not here! - Poppy replied, shocked. -Of course you can, then you can tell me all about it when I get back. And we can look at the special pictures JoJo sent me, the ones she didn -(TM)t want Janet to see. - Poppy grinned, -I -(TM)d like to see her special pictures. - -Something to look forward to when I -(TM)m back. - -How do the four of you fit in one bed, - Jenny asked as we climbed the stairs. -Come and watch, it -(TM)s easy, - Belle laughed, -I lie on Poppy, Lia and Katie get in either side, and we all cuddle, and I -(TM)m surrounded by boobies and beautiful girls, it -(TM)s the best thing ever. - -We believe you, - Jenny smiled, -but I think we -(TM)ll let you get to bed without an audience. - -I can -(TM)t believe how wonderful our girls are, - Jenny whispered as we cuddled later, she whispered because we -(TM)d left our door open in case of any drama overnight. -I really don -(TM)t know what I did to deserve the family I -(TM)ve got now, you -(TM)re all so kind. - -You started the kindness cycle, you didn -(TM)t have to save Poppy that night, you could have just walked on past, ignoring her like everyone else did. - -I couldn -(TM)t possibly do that, the poor girl was soaking and freezing to death. There -(TM)s no way on earth I could have left her there. - -Which is exactly my point, you showed kindness, and it -(TM)s snowballed from there. - -What -(TM)s Amber like? - Jenny asked as I was drifting off to sleep. -In what way? - -Well, I already know what she looks like, Belle sent me pictures, lots of pictures in almost pornographic detail, so I know she -(TM)s definitely a 10 in the looks department. What -(TM)s she like as a person? - -Mmm, well, I think she -(TM)s quite vulnerable, she had a tough time in her teens, what with her losing her girlfriend to suicide. She -(TM)s trying to be strong, and is largely succeeding, she -(TM)s got a good job, one she enjoys, with the prospect of advancement. -Belle bonded with her more than I did, I think that despite her enjoyment of hetero sex, she -(TM)s not keen on males in general. - -That -(TM)s quite understandable, given the circumstances of her girlfriend -(TM)s death. I think what I -(TM)m getting at is this, is she sociable, will she be OK with Janet and Maisie. - -Ahh, because she was living alone before, I see. When Belle asked her about a boyfriend as we first got chatting, she said she didn -(TM)t have time for a partner. She -(TM)s working in the day and studying a couple of nights a week. I think she -(TM)ll be OK with them, Maisie will adore her, I can tell, Amber will be a good role model for her to look up to. If they get into a routine of sharing chores, I think they -(TM)ll get on well. - -That -(TM)s reassuring, I can relax now, thanks, - Jenny mumbled as she drifted off to sleep. I stayed awake a little longer, I listened hard, the house was silent apart from a soft snore that I assumed was a very content Belle. I looked at the clock as I heard feet on the stairs, a little after 6am and Belle was already up, -hey dad, - she whispered as she passed our room, -are you awake? - -Yes, I -(TM)m awake. - -Do you want a coffee, I -(TM)ve made a full pot. - -Thanks, I -(TM)ll pop down and grab one, you -(TM)re busy. - -Put some clothes on, they -(TM)ll be up and about soon - she reminded me. -Thanks, I -(TM)ll put my pants and shirt on, don -(TM)t worry. - Soon the house was a flurry of activity as Janet and Maisie showered and dressed. I gave Belle a smartphone, I -(TM)d popped in her own SIM and stored all the train tickets in the Wallet app. Poppy logged the phone -(TM)s ID into her Find My Phone App so we -(TM)d know where Belle was, just in case. Just after 7am I walked with them to the station, Belle protested, saying she was a big girl and could manage to walk on her own, I told her I just wanted to wave goodbye from the platform, she was OK with this. After we -(TM)d eaten breakfast I messaged Amber to let her know when they would be arriving at York station, she promised to be there to meet them. -Amber says it -(TM)s about a 15-minute walk from the station to the house, - I told everyone as I put my phone down, -About the same for her to walk to work. It -(TM)s quite a compact city. - -It -(TM)s a lovely city, - Jenny replied, -they -(TM)ll love it up there, so much history, the Minster, The Shambles, Betty -(TM)s Tea Rooms. I -(TM)m a bit jealous actually, we should swap places. - -I don -(TM)t think we -(TM)ll all fit in that house, - I laughed. -There -(TM)s three bedrooms, and we -(TM)re only using three bedrooms here, - Jenny replied. -And an office, and the girls -(TM) study, and the lounge, dining room, this huge kitchen, and don -(TM)t forget the new office we -(TM)re having delivered tomorrow. - -I guess, - Jenny mumbled, -we could buy next door and make one big house! - she added brightly. -Well, that -(TM)s one option. Or we could stay here in this big house and go to visit every so often. I -(TM)m pretty sure Belle will want to be seeing her grandad again soon. - -Is she not going to see him today? it -(TM)s a perfect opportunity. - -She didn -(TM)t think of it, - Poppy replied, -she was too wrapped up in planning the trip to think of gramps, and we -(TM)re not going to remind her, or she -(TM)ll be devastated. - -That -(TM)s true, - Jenny agreed, -have you checked the app -(TM)s working, so we know where she is. - -I -(TM)ve not looked, - Poppy replied, -I -(TM)m trying not to worry about her. I know I -(TM)m being silly, she -(TM)s a clever girl, well capable of taking care of herself, but I love her so much, I -(TM)d hate to lose her again. - -Do you want me to check, - Katie asked, -I -(TM)ve got the same app on my phone. - -Yes please, just so we know it -(TM)s working, and she -(TM)s actually taken the phone with her. - -She -(TM)s got the phone alright, - I assured her, -she used it at the station, it -(TM)s got all the tickets on it. - Poppy sighed with relief, -ahh yes, that -(TM)s right. You know, I -(TM)m acting like I -(TM)m her mother and she -(TM)s gone off on a first date with an unsuitable boy. - -You are, a little, - Lia replied, -but it -(TM)s better than not caring about her at all. - -I guess, - she turned to Katie, -where is she please? - -They -(TM)re near Peterborough, do you want me to keep watching? - -No, I want to do something to distract me. - -We could go to a gallery or something, - Katie offered, -didn -(TM)t you say you wanted to go to Dulwich art gallery, Lia, but you didn -(TM)t feel right in your street clothes? - -Oh yes, I -(TM)d love to go there, but not today, why don -(TM)t we go to the V&A? I saw a poster while we were out yesterday, they -(TM)ve got an exhibition of Victorian dresses, I -(TM)d love to see that. - -Oh yes, that sounds great, - Katie agreed, -do you fancy that Poppy? - -I do, yes. Isn -(TM)t there a great charity shop near the V&A, we could look for outfits. - -Yes, there -(TM)s one not far from there. - Lia replied, -It -(TM)s so posh around South Kensington, we -(TM)re bound to be able to find something. - -What about Belle? - Katie asked, -shouldn -(TM)t we go shopping when she -(TM)s with us. - Poppy smiled, -no, we -(TM)ll buy her something. If we let her choose, she -(TM)ll buy another suit. - -But she looked so cute in the suit, - Lia replied. -I don -(TM)t want her to look cute, I want her to look beautiful, I want her to look as good as all of Princess Marina -(TM)s friends. - Lia nodded, -I think that -(TM)s a brilliant plan, we -(TM)ll definitely find her something great to wear. There -(TM)s a couple of shops near there, or we could wander into Mayfair, I know a great shop in Mayfair that sells clothes from dress agencies, you know, stuff they used to hire out for proms and film premieres. - -Oh wow, if we could get her something that was worn at a big premiere, that would be awesome. I -(TM)m getting so excited about shopping for Belle. - -Do you know her dress size? - I asked. -I know every inch of her body, Dad. I know the exact distance from her belly button to her clit, and the distance between her nipples, both standing up and lying down. - -Is there much difference between those measurements, - Lia asked with a completely straight face. -Well, for me, yes, because they flop to either side when I lie down, with Belle, not so much. - -That -(TM)s what I thought, - she turned to Katie, -we should try that, although mine are quite firm, - she mumbled quietly. -So are mine, - Katie replied, -what about you mum? - -Same problem as Poppy, - Jenny replied, matter of factly, -we should ask Helen, hers look nice and firm now she -(TM)s had them done. - -Anyway... - I said, to change the subject, -do you want us to come, or will we be in the way. - The girls looked at each other and shrugged, -we don -(TM)t mind, you can come if you like, - Lia replied, -you -(TM)ll probably be bored in the exhibition though, dad. - -I think I -(TM)ll stay home, - I replied, -I -(TM)ve got paperwork to do, and bills to pay. - -And I -(TM)ve got stuff to prepare before I meet my boss in the morning. - -About me? - Poppy asked timidly. -Oh no, I -(TM)ll mention you -(TM)re happy to speak to him, but the meeting is more about the search of the house in general. I checked my emails earlier, we know who Misha is. Amaraja Kingsepp, 15-years-old, from Estonia. - -Just fifteen, the same age as me, but she looked so much older, her life must have been a living hell to look the way she did. - -The autopsy didn -(TM)t find drugs, but it was unlikely too after so long, but she had a lot of needle marks, on her arms and her feet. She also had damage to her teeth and gums, which can happen from smoking crack. - -I didn -(TM)t really know her, - Poppy replied, sadly, -I -(TM)d met her a few times, around town, you know, at the sort of places they hired cheap Eastern European girls, and me. She seemed nice, quiet, you know, probably because she didn -(TM)t speak much English. She was pretty when she wore make-up, she had a nice figure, like a lot of girls from around that part of the world, a little bum like Belle -(TM)s, but bigger boobs, like yours, Lia. I kind of liked her, even if I didn -(TM)t really know anything about her. I don -(TM)t think I could have helped her though, once you touch crack or meth you -(TM)re dead, you just don -(TM)t know it yet. - -We -(TM)re looking for any relations, - Jenny told her, -but it seems unlikely, she was probably brought into the country by her pimp. - -If you don -(TM)t find anyone, I -(TM)ll pay for her funeral. I think this is maybe something we could do if we get lots of money, have little funerals for the kids nobody wants to claim. - -That -(TM)s a wonderful idea Poppy, - Katie replied, -I don -(TM)t think anyone is doing that. - -It -(TM)s terrible to think this way, - Lia joined in, -but I bet we could negotiate a bulk discount. - -That -(TM)s sad, but true, - Poppy agreed. We were both working upstairs after lunch when my phone rang, it was a video call from Poppy. -Hey dad, err, we -(TM)ve kind of found the perfect outfit for Belle. - -That -(TM)s great, why are you calling me. - -Well, you see, we -(TM)ve bought all our outfits from this amazing Oxfam shop Lia showed us. Our dresses were all about £20 each. - -And? - -We didn -(TM)t see anything for Belle, so Lia -(TM)s taken us to the costume shop she mentioned, the one in Mayfair, and we -(TM)ve found the absolute perfect dress, it -(TM)s the right size, and it -(TM)s both cute and sexy. - -And? - I asked again as Jenny crowded close to see my phone. -Maisie Williams wore it at a film premiere, did you know she is exactly the same size as Belle? The same height, same measurements, same EVERYTHING! - -I didn -(TM)t know that, Poppy. - I replied. -But we do now, - Jenny added. -So yeah, we -(TM)ve got this dress, it -(TM)s black with gold embroidered flowers on it, and when I say gold, it -(TM)s actual gold thread. The boddice is tight, like a bustier, the skirt is short, really short. She -(TM)s going to love it, - Poppy gushed. -Why are you telling me all this? - I asked. -It -(TM)s quite expensive, - Poppy replied sheepishly. -How expensive? - -It -(TM)s more than I can pay on my debit card, it -(TM)s more than the three of us can pay on our cards if we pay a third each. - -How much is it? - -It -(TM)s £5,000, but it -(TM)s gorgeous, and Belle will knock everyone out, she -(TM)ll be in the papers the next day... - -We -(TM)ll get so much publicity, - Lia added. -And we thought, if Belle will let it go afterwards, we could auction it, - Katie offered. -So, I guess you need me to come and buy it for you. - -You -(TM)re not mad? - -Not at all. - -But this is an insane amount to spend on a dress. - -Remember that Vivienne Westwood dress Lia wore? - -Oh my god, that was amazing. - -It cost me £10,000 and almost as much again for the shoes, handbag and jewellery. - -Oh shit, really? - -Yep, and she wore it once. What time does the shop close? - I heard quiet chatter as someone asked the shop owner. -She says she -(TM)ll stay open as long as you need to get here. - -Mayfair you say? - -Yes, I -(TM)ll get Lia to send you the address. - -I -(TM)ll be there in an hour. - We found the shop on a side street off Old Bond Street, not far from Lady Marina -(TM)s apartment, the sign on the door said the store was closed, but Poppy let us in as soon as she saw us. -How ever did you find this shop? - Jenny asked Lia as we entered the tiny shop, it was packed with rails of dresses safely ensconced in protective plastic coverings. -I used to walk all around here, just for exercise, and to see all the nice houses and shops. I never dared enter any of the shops, but I loved looking in the windows. This shop in particular, I always stopped to look in the window, did you look in the window? That sapphire gown, I -(TM)d love that dress, but I -(TM)m too tall, and my arse is a bit big for it. It would fit Katie... - -It -(TM)s not really a colour I -(TM)d wear, oh, and it -(TM)s £25,000. - -Apparently Cara Delavigne wore it, - Poppy told us as she walked over with a magazine, -this is the dress we -(TM)ve seen for Belle, don -(TM)t you think it -(TM)s perfect? - Jenny took the magazine, we looked at a full page photo of Maisie Williams, -it -(TM)s perfect, - she smiled at me, -I can -(TM)t think of anything more Belle than this dress. - -The girls have been talking about their charity, - a voice announced from somewhere behind the counter. I turned to see a small woman with the grey, leathery looking face of a heavy smoker, she was holding a small dress carrier, she laid it on the counter and pulled open the zip. -This is Erma, - Poppy said, -she owns this shop, it -(TM)s amazing in here. I -(TM)m so glad we came in, I can -(TM)t think of a dress more perfect. - -Well, this is the dress you need if you want to turn heads. - -If only you had it in my size, - I replied, laying my gold card on the counter. -This is a charity for homeless children? - -Yes, homeless people in general, - Poppy told her, -but mostly children, I was homeless for a few years, so was Lia, and Belle, she -(TM)s my whole life, and this dress is so perfect. - -I -(TM)ll tell you what, you can have the dress with my compliments... - -Seriously? - Poppy cried, -that means free, right? - -Absolutely, it -(TM)s a charity gala, this is my contribution. - -Oh wow, thank you so much, - Poppy gushed, holding her hands over her heart, -I don -(TM)t know what to say. - -I can do one more thing for you, I heard you mention auctioning the dress afterwards. - -Yes, there -(TM)ll be loads of rich people there, I thought we could auction some things. - -I -(TM)ll tell you what, let your Belle keep this dress. Why don -(TM)t you auction the sapphire dress? Cara Delavigne wore it to the Met Gala, I think it will generate more interest. - -Oh my god, you -(TM)ll let us have that dress! This is all too much... - -It -(TM)s really not that much money, I hardly sell anything, I make most of my money from dress rentals, for proms and for debutante coming out balls. - -They have balls for coming out, most gays just tell their mums over dinner, - Katie laughed. Erma smiled, -not that kind of coming out, it -(TM)s when young society ladies come out for their first season, to find a suitable husband. - -Ahh, very different... - -Yes, very much the opposite of your kind of coming out. So most of the dresses here will be loaned 6 or 7 times a year, then my ladies will alter them a little for the next season. - -How much would you charge for Belle -(TM)s dress? - -£500 for June Ball, maybe more if I don -(TM)t like the family. - We all laughed at that, -you really change the price based on whether you like someone? - Lia asked. -You just found out I can vary my prices dramatically when I like a customer, - Erma replied, and she actually smiled. -What if they damage the dress? - -Oh, that happens all the time, they -(TM)ll likely lose their deposit, but the dresses are insured, so I won -(TM)t make them pay for a replacement, which would be impossible as these dresses are unique pieces. Most of the time my ladies can repair them anyway. It -(TM)s usually small cigarette burns, or wine stains, or various bodily fluids... - -Urgghhh, - Lia groaned. -Indeed, they -(TM)re usually easily cleaned and repaired. - -What -(TM)s your oldest dress? - Poppy asked, -We -(TM)ve just been to the Victorian fashion exhibition at the V&A, some of the dresses there are so beautiful. - -Really, that -(TM)s a coincidence, they have a few of my dresses there. - -Oh wow, you -(TM)ve got some dresses that old? - -Yes dear, I think my oldest dress is from before Victoria was on the throne. I don -(TM)t loan those out, of course, they -(TM)re too fragile. - -Where did you get such old dresses from? - -My great grandmother, and she may have got them from her mother. - -Really, that -(TM)s amazing. I don -(TM)t even know who my grandmother is, never mind my great grandmother. - -Ahh, that -(TM)s very sad. My family has owned this shop for over 200 years, the shop is older than the oldest dress I own. - -This shop, it -(TM)s been here since Victorian times. - -Before Victoria, we opened this shop in 1790, when George III was King. - -Where was the shop then? - Poppy asked. -Right here, in this building, and my family have lived upstairs all that time. - -Oh man, I can -(TM)t even imagine that, - Poppy replied, -living somewhere so old. - -Remember that squat we stayed in Whitechapel, the old general store? - Lia asked. -Oh yeah, I think that -(TM)s the coldest place I -(TM)ve ever stayed. - -That was built about 1800. - -Oh really, that old. A shame they demolished it. - -Yeah, I bet the new houses they build there won -(TM)t last 200 years. - -Why don -(TM)t you try the sapphire dress Katie? You could model it on the night, - Erma suggested as she took the dress from the window and gave it to Katie, -there -(TM)s no fitting room here I -(TM)m afraid, just go through there, nobody will see you, and there -(TM)s plenty mirrors. - -This is so kind of you, - Jenny said as we waited. -It -(TM)s the least I can do, I remember the tall girl... - -Lia, - Poppy offered. -Yes, Lia, I remember seeing her a lot, I often wondered where she came from, and where she slept. So it -(TM)s nice to be able to help. I just ask for a small mention in the programme, or if you could place a couple of my cards on the desk. - -Of course, - Poppy replied, -err actually, I -(TM)ve not thought about a programme, I guess we -(TM)ll have one, with the menu for the night. - -I -(TM)m speaking to Marina tomorrow, - Lia told her as she came back in the room, -I -(TM)ll sort it out. Anyway, I present Katie... - she added, sweeping her arm across the room. -Oh shit, that -(TM)s gorgeous, and it fits you so well. - And it did, Katie was as tall and slim as a model, the dress flowed over her gentle curves like it was liquid and ran down to a ragged hem that stopped halfway between her knees and her ankles. -You -(TM)ll need some nice shoes, - Poppy told her. -No, I think it will go well with my Vans, - Katie laughed. -I -(TM)m sure there -(TM)s a pair of blue Prada sandals in the wardrobe, - Lia replied. -No, Katie -(TM)s right, - Erma interrupted, -I don -(TM)t have the magazine shots to hand, they -(TM)re upstairs somewhere, but Cara did wear some kind of training shoes with the dress, she -(TM)s that kind of girl and I admire her greatly. She -(TM)s always very polite when she comes in. - -You -(TM)ve met Cara Delavigne? - Lia cried. -Oh yes, she -(TM)s in here often, my ladies make a lot of her outfits. Cara gave me this dress, and she -(TM)ll be very happy it -(TM)s going to charity. - -I have some blue Converse, - Poppy told her, -Would they be OK do you think? - -Are they the hi-tops? - Katie asked. -Yes, and I -(TM)ve only worn them once. - -They -(TM)ll be perfect then, a nice contrast between practical casual and impractical high fashion, - Katie replied before she quickly grabbed the neck of the dress, -err, we -(TM)ll not tell anyone I can -(TM)t zip it all the way up, - she laughed, -I -(TM)m the same height as Cara Delavigne, but my boobs are bigger than hers, If I zip it to the top I can -(TM)t breathe. - Erma reached under the counter and pulled out a roll of tape, -here, this is normally used on the front of a dress, in place of a bra... - -Oh yes, we -(TM)ve used tit tape before, - Poppy laughed. -Indeed, - Erma smiled, -although we prefer to call it lingerie tape. If you apply a couple of pieces on the back of the dress it -(TM)ll stop it falling open. - -That -(TM)s a good idea, - Katie replied, -although I -(TM)m not sure I could wear it for long, perhaps just to show it off for the auction. - -That -(TM)s another thing I -(TM)ll talk to Marina about, she can talk to her friends about other auction lots. - Katie swapped back to her own clothes, then Erma slipped both dresses into a single dress bag to make it easier for me to carry them home. -Would you like to come to our gala? - Poppy asked as we were about to leave. -I -(TM)d be honoured. - -Amazing, it -(TM)s going to be such a fun night. I -(TM)ve never been to the Savoy, I -(TM)ve heard it -(TM)s dead posh, hope they let us in. - -I let you in here, didn -(TM)t I, - Erma replied, -I have a very exclusive clientele, but I let you in. You -(TM)ll have no trouble getting into the Savoy, and if you do have any problems, just give them my card. - -Do they know you there? - Poppy asked. -Oh yes, they know me there. Mention my name to your friend Lady Marina when you speak to her next. She -(TM)ll be impressed that you know me. - -I feel we -(TM)re missing something, - Jenny said as we left the shop and walked towards Green Park station. -Oh my god! - Katie exclaimed, -I -(TM)ve just found her on Wikipedia. She -(TM)s made dresses for the Queen! She -(TM)s really famous, and she -(TM)s just given us two dresses. - -I feel like we didn -(TM)t thank her enough, - Poppy said, sadly, -were we properly thankful, dad. - -You were overwhelmed, like we all were, I -(TM)m sure she -(TM)s fine with how you all acted. - -Why didn -(TM)t she tell us how important she is, I feel like we were a bunch of urchins in that shop. - -If that was the case she wouldn -(TM)t have even let you in, - I replied, -and she certainly wouldn -(TM)t have given you the dress. - -Did you notice she only gave us the dress once she knew we could actually pay for it, - Katie said, -I wonder if she wasn -(TM)t sure about us until she saw we had respectable parents. - -Oh yes, it was when she saw your gold card that she made the decision to give it to us, - Lia replied, -but she still let us in, so she must have thought we were OK. - -She recognised you, Lia, - Poppy told her, -Erma said she used to see you looking in the window and wondered where you lived. Maybe she let us in because it -(TM)s the first time you -(TM)d dared to push the buzzer. -(TM) -You could be right, - Lia replied, -still, she let us in, and she -(TM)s given us two beautiful dresses, and she -(TM)s coming to our gala, and at the end of the day, that -(TM)s all that matters. - My phone rang just as we got to Green Park station, Lia took the dresses off my arm as I dug my phone out of my pocket, it was Amber. -Hey Amber, how -(TM)s everything going? - -Everything is fine, I just wanted to let you know Belle -(TM)s safely on the train home. - -Thanks Amber, we -(TM)ll meet her at the station when she arrives. Are you going to be OK with your house guests? - -Do you know what? We -(TM)ll be fine, Janet is a bit uptight, but Maisie is gorgeous and a lot of fun, I like her a lot. I understand Janet has been under her husband -(TM)s thumb for a long time, so it -(TM)s going to take a while for her to relax. Between me and Maisie, we -(TM)ll turn her around. - -You -(TM)re happy to share the house with them? We were worried you would feel put out by the intrusion, you know, if you -(TM)d met someone. - -I -(TM)m fine with it, this house is too big for me, I was thinking of asking Belle if I was OK to get a lodger in, I was going to ask one of the girls at work if she wanted to share the house. Bringing Maisie and Janet here is perfect. - -I -(TM)m sure Belle will tell us everything when she gets home. - -That -(TM)s guaranteed. She -(TM)s been great today, I think she enjoyed being important. Anyway, when are you all coming up, I need to meet Poppy. - -Hang on a sec, I -(TM)ll pass you to her. - I gave my phone to Poppy, -invite Amber to your gala, - I whispered. -Oh, hey Amber, it -(TM)s Poppy here, how -(TM)s Belle been, I hope she wasn -(TM)t too much. - -She was brilliant, she introduced Janet and Maisie perfectly, and she gave them a tour of the house, Maisie now has her old room, Janet will use the room her grandparents slept in when they stayed over to babysit Belle. - -I -(TM)m so glad she -(TM)s done this, I -(TM)m not sure why or how, but Belle really clicked with Maisie, it -(TM)s kind of a shame they had to move away, because they would have made great friends. At least this way she can keep in touch. - -When are you coming up to visit, I -(TM)m so looking forward to meeting you, and Lia and Katie. - -Why don -(TM)t you come down here? We -(TM)re launching our charity officially in a fortnight with a gala dinner at the Savoy. - -The Savoy! How on earth have you managed to book the Savoy? - -Lia -(TM)s new best mate, she -(TM)s a princess with connections. So, how are you fixed for the Saturday after next? You can be our guests, and we -(TM)re staying in the hotel afterwards. - -Count us in, we -(TM)ll definitely be there. - -I -(TM)m dying to meet you Amber, Belle was, shall we say effusive, about you. - -That -(TM)s a good word, she was effusive about you as well, - Amber laughed, -I -(TM)ll see you all in a fortnight. - Poppy smiled as she gave my phone back, -thanks dad, I should have thought about inviting Amber. - -It seems the perfect opportunity for you all to meet. - -She -(TM)s got such a sexy voice, I might be a little embarrassing when we meet. - -I think we all will be, considering the people Marina is likely to invite. - -Oh my god, that -(TM)s right, there -(TM)s going to be models and actresses, how are we going to cope. - -Relax, - Jenny told her, -in reality, how are any of the other guests going to compare to you, and Belle, and Lia, Katie or JoJo. You will be the most stunning people in the room. - -Especially Belle in that dress, - Lia added, -and Katie with the Sapphire Dress. - -Do you think I -(TM)ll be able to wear it all night? - Katie asked, -because it -(TM)s kind of growing on me. - -I can -(TM)t see why not, providing you don -(TM)t spill anything on it, - Poppy replied, -and you promise to hand it over to the auction. - -Oh gosh, yes, it has to be auctioned, I can -(TM)t keep it. - After checking the train times we worked out what time Belle would be home. I booked a table at an Italian restaurant, and we strolled over to the station to meet Belle. -Argh, I said I could walk home by myself, - Belle complained as she saw us at the station. -We know you can, but we -(TM)re excited to see you, - Poppy replied, giving her girlfriend a big hug, -and we thought maybe you hadn -(TM)t eaten, so dad -(TM)s booked us a table at the Italian. - This got us a huge smile from Belle, -ahh, trying to win me over with pasta are you? - -I think it -(TM)s worked as well, - Poppy laughed, she took Belle -(TM)s hand as we walked across the park to the high street, -just wait until you see the dress we got you for the gala, you -(TM)ll explode. - -You bought me a dress? - -We were going to buy it, and it was going to be insanely expensive, but the lady decided to give it to us because it -(TM)s for our charity. - -What -(TM)s it like? - -It -(TM)s the most Belle thing we -(TM)ve ever seen, - Lia told her. -We -(TM)ll come clean, it -(TM)s second hand, - Poppy added, -but the previous owner is quite famous. - -Stop teasing me. - -Maisie Williams wore it to a premiere. - -You -(TM)re shitting me! You got me one of Maisie Williams -(TM) dresses, how? Where? - -We -(TM)ll tell you over dinner, then Katie can tell you about her dress. - -It -(TM)s not mine, it -(TM)s for the charity. - -You -(TM)re the only person it fits, therefore for now, it -(TM)s your dress. - I don -(TM)t think anyone else spoke for the whole evening as Belle detailed every minute of her day, Poppy looked like the proudest mum at a school nativity.