Many thanks to Gabi
 
Author's Note: This is the continuing story of Tamara Smart and her clan.
 
 

Angela caught up with Tammy in the sixth form common room just before lunch. It had been a few weeks since Tammy had stood here, and certainly the first time since Tom became Tamara.

The room itself was equally different this Monday morning. In the corner was a small Christmas tree, barely as tall as Tammy, covered in baubles. There were no lights, this was considered to be a fire risk by the overzealous Health & Safety brigade. Streamers and other decorations were allowed, however, giving the room a warm seasonal feeling.

Angela walked in the room and stood as she admired the scene.

“Any problems?”

“Not really, Tammy, I had a few strange looks as I walked through the school, it took some of the neanderthals a few seconds to cotton on to who I was, or used to be.”

Tammy giggled. “Many of those neanderthals paid good money for their grades!”

“Miss Smart, Miss Small, the Headmaster is ready to see you now. Given that you’re a prefect now, I’d expect more respect for your fellow students, Miss Smart.” Mr Thompson actually agreed with Tammy, but couldn’t tell her.

“Of course, Sir, sorry.”

“Accepted, now scoot!”

The girls made their way to the Head’s office on the ground floor in as lady-like a manner as they could manage, trying to hide their anticipation or dread—perhaps both. They’d not attended any classes as yet today as officially they were not yet back at school. Rules are rules.

“Miss Small, Miss Smart, the Head is expecting you. Go straight in.” Often it appeared as though the Head’s secretary, Mrs Adams, actually ran the school. She certainly knew everything the staff did, before they themselves knew.

The Headmaster, Mr McIntosh, had his office on the ground floor. In keeping with the rest of the 100 year old building it was oak panelled with a distinct odour of seasoned wood.

The Head was sitting behind his solid oak desk, Harry Davison, Chairman of the Governing Body, sat to one side, a cup of coffee balancing precariously on one corner of the desk. Tammy and Angela were directed to two seats in front of the desk; there was no coffee table and easy chair cosiness about this meeting, indeed there was no coffee offered. The grandfather clock in the corner was striking eleven thirty.

“Miss Smart, Miss Small, thank you for being so prompt. As you will know the Governors met this morning to discuss your circumstances—amongst other school business.” He paused.

Tammy and Angela weren’t entirely certain what to expect at this juncture. It was well known that several of the governors did not approve of Tamara Smart nor of Elsie McPherson’s campaign on her behalf. They actually had disgust for Angela. However, it went deeper than that. It was known before the meeting that Angela’s father, George Small, had been in recent contact with several of the governors and had spread his personal venom around, including an allegation of a vendetta against him.

The Head continued, “I’d like to reassure you both that you are able to remain at St Andrew’s in order to complete your exams next year. I’ll be honest with you, however, several of the parent governors demanded your expulsions for bringing this institution and its staff into disrepute.”

Harry Davison took over, “I can’t go into specifics but I have accepted the resignations of two governors while a third is considering his future with the school. Mr Small was a teacher governor and has already been replaced. Plainly I don’t like losing governors so the vacancies must be filled quickly, I would certainly like names before Christmas.”

He looked directly at Tammy as he said the last sentence. The meaning was not lost on her.

The Headmaster agreed, “Quite. I’ll make certain the boys, and girls—erm female students—know that two parent governor vacancies have arisen. It will also go out in the Christmas Newsletter. Now, on to logistics.”

He spent another ten minutes explaining what facilities would be available to Tammy and Angela as well as any changes to their class schedule or masters. Finally he mentioned Yvonne Stewart.

“As you may know we have employed Miss Stewart as a Deputy Head. She will take her post in January. I have also asked Miss Stewart to look after the interests of the female students, I’ll schedule a meeting for you with her after Christmas. Any questions?”

“No, Sir,” in stereo of course.

“You have no classes scheduled for today so I’d suggest you re-acquaint yourselves with the rest of the sixth form. Miss Smart you should arrange to meet the rest of the prefects as soon as possible.”

“Yes, Sir.”

They two girls were dismissed and headed past Mrs Adams who was waiting expectantly for them.

“Miss Smart, Miss Small, your transport is here.”

“Thank you Mrs Adams, but I’m not sure what you mean?” Angela was confused.

“That your transport is outside, you are excused school for the rest of the day.”

“How did you know?”

“Know that you didn’t have lessons this afternoon? Or that you wouldn’t need lunch in the refectory?”

“Either? We need to get our coats and bags from the common room.”

“I’ve dealt with that, they’re already in the car. It’s cold out there so hurry.”

Tammy’s father, Richard, was waiting for her in the warm Land Rover. “Come on girls, we have appointments in town.” Angela’s mum, Joan, occupied the front passenger seat, so Tammy and Angela slid on to the rear seat, gathering their skirts as they did.

It had been Tammy’s suggestion that they should wear full length skirts for their first few days back at school to emphasis their femininity. Coupled with a blouse and short cardigan they had achieved the right effect. Of course car seats were not ideal for two cold skirted girls in a hurry.

Richard had been busy that morning, together with Joan, arranging appointments for Angela. Tammy had been asked to join them in order to give moral support. Of course the girls had no idea of this before they’d arrived at school an hour earlier.

As soon as they arrived in town, Joan took Angela to the Photo machine inside the post office doorway and asked her to sign the form, pulled from Joan’s bag. Her old passport and Statutory Declaration, issued a few days earlier, were also extracted.

“What’s this?”

“You need a new passport—well, one with an up-to-date photo.”

Richard and Tammy walked into the post office and Joan had Richard counter-sign the application, given Angela’s change of name and appearance. Angela was then sent into the queue to take advantage of the application checking service. Of course, that cost extra.

Since they were missing lunch at school, Richard steered them through the doorway of the Castletown Hotel where a table had been reserved for them.

“Mum,” Angela said, “I thought you had business at the school this morning?”

“I did, the Governors agreed to create the post of female welfare officer for me. I start tomorrow.”

At two o’clock they entered the Small’s bank branch. Richard and Tammy had no sway in the operations of this financial institution, one based almost entirely in Scotland. Richard had tried to persuade Joan to move their accounts but she had stood firm.

“Richard, thankyou for everything you’ve done but Angela and I have to be able to cope on our own, we don’t know what’s around the corner and where we’ll all be next year, or even next week.”

Having said that Joan introduced herself and Angela to the assistant at the enquiry point podium. They went into a side room a minute later.

Whilst Tammy and Richard were waiting they were approached by a twenty something girl wearing the bank’s navy blue uniform.

“Good morning Miss, are you at college locally?”

“No, I finish school next June.”

“Then perhaps I could interest you in one of our student accounts?”

“No that’s alright, I have an account elsewhere.”

“I’m sure we can offer a better deal? Here’s the leaflet, the benefits include a free railcard and very reasonable overdraft rates.”

“Really, I don’t need one.”

“Sir, I think your daughter should at least consider our great product.”

“Tammy, have you got your cards there?”

“Yes Dad.”

Tammy reached into her purse and took out her platinum card, then put it away.

“Oh, I see. Have a good day.” Deflated, she moved onto the next customer who looked lost.

Richard and Tammy just smiled, there had been no point in creating a scene. They had to wait another ten minutes before Joan and her daughter emerged from the office, judging by her face Joan had not had an easy time.

“You’d have thought they would have dealt with something like this before?”

“What happened, Joan?” Richard was concerned.

“The assistant manager was trying to find the correct option in the computer for Angela’s change of name. He kept saying ‘it would have been easier if you had got married, but I don’t suppose you could do that?’.

As the four walked out of the bank Joan was becoming more animated. “I almost lost my temper with him at that point, the ignoramus. In the end he put Angela down as having a Gender Recognisance Certificate, even though she doesn’t—not yet. It was the easiest option he said, frankly I think he just wanted us out of the door in case the manager asked what he was doing!”

“Angela, did they issue a new debit card?”

“No Tammy, they promised it would be posted to me, within ten days, but I think that really means two weeks in bank days. It’s already the fourteenth, Christmas is only eleven real days away.”

“Do you need to come back here?”

“I hope not, he got me to sign one of those electronic pads and showed me my signature on the screen. I’ve been practising. He also told me to apply for a credit card, now I’m eighteen. As if?”

“Angela, I think you’re very sensible, you don’t need a credit card.”

They made it back to Richard’s car, grateful for the warmth and protection. Tammy’s appointment was with Doctor Hoskins, but that was simply for a blood test, Angela then had an appointment at four with Jill Davison. It had only been the previous week that Angela had pushed herself out of her bedroom window.

In the meantime Joan and Richard decided to drive back to the Joan’s cottage.

As they pulled into the driveway a police car was coming out. Richard pulled over to the left and lowered his window.

“Hello Sir, I’m looking for Mrs Small.”

“She’s right here, what does this concern?”

“I’d rather discuss that directly with Mrs Small.”