Elizabeth Grey - Parts 21 - 22 free porn video

Elizabeth Grey - Part 21: Everything is fine. By Carmenica Diaz The buzzer sounded and Jeremy finished my hair at the same time. We heard Dean open the door and low voices. 'Do I look all right?' I asked nervously. 'Are you joking?' Jeremy laughed. 'You'll knock his socks off.' Sean was waiting with Dean and when he turned to see me coming down the stairs his jaw dropped. 'Wow,' he said and then laughed self-consciously. 'How bloody sophisticated of me. You look beautiful, no, you are beautiful.' Dean and Jeremy beamed and I felt a wee bit self-conscious myself but I also enjoyed the attention. I smiled. 'Thank you, that's terribly sweet, shall we go?' I said, taking his arm. There was no doubt I enjoyed my dates with Sean. He was always the perfect gentleman and didn't try to kiss me until the second date. 'Liz,' he murmured as we stood outside my door, 'thank you again for accompanying me to dinner.' 'No,' I murmured, watching as his face grew closer, 'thank you. It was wonderful and the company charming.' Our lips met and electricity darted through me. As he held me tightly, I could feel his hardness and I felt rather pleased that he found me that attractive. 'Liz,' he whispered in my ear, his breath warm on my throat, 'are you seeing anyone else? I mean...' he stuttered, suddenly unsure. 'No,' I whispered, running my fingers through his hair, 'no I'm not.' 'Good,' he said and kissed me again. It was on the third dinner that Sean blurted out that he was falling in love with me. 'Sean,' I said, flustered, 'oh my...' 'I've been hopelessly infatuated with you since I saw you on the Continent. It's gets deeper every time I see you, I can't help myself.' 'Sean, I don't know what to say...' 'Liz,' he said solemnly, 'do you have any feelings for me?' Did I? I did have feelings but was it love? It didn't feel the way I thought it would, he's nice and I like him but love? Was I just grateful to have a man attracted to me? The moment he knows the truth about me and I'd have to tell him, I couldn't lie, he would run for the hills. Don't, I told myself, don't build your hopes up, my girl.' 'Sean, of course I do,' I said, looking down at the tablecloth, 'but there are things about me that you don't know...' 'So tell me, let me be the judge.' Tell him after the surgery, not before, wait, I cautioned myself. 'Soon,' I said, patting his arm, 'I promise to tell you soon.' 'Liz, if you worried about whatever you got up to in Eastern Europe, I don't care. I'm leaving the department in a few weeks...' 'Are you? What are you going to do?' 'I haven't decided, it all rather depends on a certain lady,' he said with a warm smile and my heart melted again. 'Sean,' I began slowly, 'there are some things I have to do. It will take some time and then I'd like to explain. Can we put everything on hold until then?' 'Well, if we must, but I don't...' 'Please, Sean? It's only for three months at the most.' There was silence and then he smiled. 'I could never refuse you anything.' Fiona had organised a night at the Red Note so Vernon could record the concert and produce our next album from it, a live one. It suited me as I had arranged for the Reassignment surgery to occur, if approved, in a month's time on the Continent. Janet and Sylvia felt confident that it would be and I felt nervous but also that a huge weight had been lifted from me. At the back of my mind, I also knew that once it was over and the final step was completed, I would have to tell Sean and the others. I had told Mum of course but no one else. Of course, I was sure I would tell selected people but I had to choose my moment, as everyone was knee deep in preparations for the concert and the recording. Keith Coltrane was flying over to produce and he and Mel were becoming pretty intense. So were Cleo and Toby. 'I think,' Toby said, 'that we have everything under control for the performance and the recording. Keith's arranged for a mobile studio which will be parked in the car park.' 'It's bloody exciting,' Mel said. 'Ok, we all set?' Toby asked and he seemed nervous. 'This time tomorrow we'll be just about ready to begin the concert.' 'We'll be brilliant,' Mandy exclaimed and I agreed. 'Liz,' Toby called, 'don't be late.' 'Ha ha,' I said but I did smile a little. 'Right,' Cleo said suddenly standing up, 'before we go, I have something to say.' Toby stood next to her and we leaned forward, trying to guess. 'Toby has asked me to marry him and I've said yes,' Cleo said in a rush. In a flash we were around them congratulating them, hugging and kissing. Cleo had a few tears and Mel, never one to let a moment go by said, 'Cleo, don't be so emotional,' before hugging Cleo tightly. 'Does this mean I'll have to introduce you,' Mandy teased, 'as Cleo Whitley?' 'I'm working under my own name,' Cleo said quickly and Toby smiled. 'We all think it's wonderful,' I said, wiping my own eyes, 'it's terrific.' Kiefer telephoned a few times and Jeremy told me I would have to take the call sooner or later. The next time he rang, I answered. 'It's the lady herself,' he exclaimed. 'I'm afraid it is,' I said coolly. 'Liz,' Kiefer said, 'I was hoping we could catch up, perhaps dinner or something?' 'That sounds nice but I have a terrific lot on with the concert and I'm going away soon after that, spending two weeks with my Mum and a few other things.' A pretty important operation for one. 'Oh,' he sounded disappointed and then his tone became wistful. 'It's the stuff in the press, isn't it? The photographs?' 'What photographs?' I asked innocently, but he was right and he knew it. 'There've been a few of me... with women...' 'Why would that worry me?' I said lightly. 'I just find it difficult to stay in one relationship, but I thought with you...' 'We don't have that kind of relationship...' 'No relationship at all?' 'Of course we do,' I laughed, 'friends.' 'Well, that's the kiss of death.' He laughed. 'Goodbye, Liz Grey,' he said a little sadly, 'I'll always wonder about what could have been.' The Red Note was packed to the rafters and Vernon even had a warm up comedian work the crowd, telling them what was happening and how to react. He was pretty funny and soon everyone was laughing and in a good mood. I was watching him work when Keith came up, 'I don't understand why the audience laughs at some of that stuff,' he said in his Texas drawl, sipping coffee. 'I suppose you have to live here and our humour is different from American, I suppose. Shouldn't you be in the studio?' 'Plenty of time,' he drawled. 'The engineers have it under control.' He drained the coffee. 'But I'd better get going.' 'You are coming back for...' 'Wouldn't miss it, Liz.' The applause was deafening when we walked on and we went into our opening number. We did an upbeat version of 'At Last' and my voice soared a few notes higher than normal and I was able to belt the song out a little more than usual. At last My love has come along My lonely days are over And life is like a lovely song We had been rehearsing a long version of 'The Shadow of Your Smile' with solos from Mel and Mandy before the music melted to just the piano, Cleo with brushes and me singing. The shadow of your smile When you are gone Will colour all my dreams And light the dawn Look into my eyes My love... and see All the lovely things You are to me Keith did join us on stage for 'I'll Be Long Gone' and the applause was huge. We were called back for an encore and we flew into a pulsing version of 'Take Five'. Keith came back on and played a duet with Mel on saxes and it brought the house down. I smiled when I saw the way she looked at him. Now, that's love, I thought as I played, I certainly don't look at Sean that way. In the dressing room we could still hear the audience calling for more and we waited for the cries to fade but they didn't. Then, someone began stamping their feet and soon all the audience was. 'Crumbs,' Mel said, looking up at the ceiling, 'they'll bring the place down.' 'You just have to do another encore,' Toby said breathlessly when he burst in. We all looked at each other. 'But what?' Cleo said. 'We've done all the up tempo numbers.' Mandy looked at me and said softly, 'we won't be playing together for at least three months.' 'Yes,' Mel said sadly and she must have read Mandy's mind because she just said, 'let's do it, let's do 'Stormy Weather.' The four of us looked at each other, remembering the other time we did it as an encore and we moved together to hug. The audience was on their feet and Mandy asked them, 'hello, hello well, what's going on here, then?' in her best Percy the Plod voice and laughter rocked the stadium. 'Femme Fatale is taking a break after tonight... don't worry,' she said when protests came from the audience, 'we'll be back but some of us have to get married. Stand up Cleo,' she said and we all laughed, the audience applauded and Cleo, blushing stood from behind her drums. 'This next song has a bit of meaning for us so we're going to leave you with this, our last song. Definitely the last,' she said in a stern voice, 'because we haven't bloody rehearsed any others.' More laughter and Cleo counted us in and I sang what I didn't know, was a song of prophecy. Don't know why There's no sun up in the sky Stormy weather, since my man and I ain't together Keeps rainin' all of the time As Mel played a sax solo that gave me goose bumps, I wasn't surprised to see her eyes were glistening under the lights. We finished, it was an achingly beautiful performance and the audience was stunned into silence until I breathed into the microphone, 'goodnight, London.' It was a great performance, we know each other so well now, follow each other blindly with such faith that, I'm sure, still surprises us. Without even hearing the tapes, I knew it would sound great. As the applause washed over us, we bowed and then hugged onstage before running off to consistent clapping. It was an emotional time for us, taking a break of at least three months and being apart. Cleo and Toby were getting married in that time and Mel, apparently, was going back to America to meet Keith's parents. 'You were right, Liz,' Mandy had murmured when Mel told us, 'it looks like Keith is a keeper.' The dressing room was filled with shouting and laughing, congratulations and champagne flowing and I sank into a chair in the corner, watching everyone. Mandy came over and smiled. 'You ok?' 'It's just a bit sad as well, don't you think?' 'Yes,' Mandy said softly, 'I'm going to miss all of you.' 'Mandy,' I said slowly, 'I need to talk to you and the others.' Mandy looked at me and I knew a thousand questions were racing around her mind but all she said was, 'ok. I'll get them.' She melted back into the crowd and, suddenly, they were all around me like that night almost two years ago in Eastern Europe. 'I told Terry we're using his office,' Cleo said and I felt people watch us as we slipped out. Toby began to follow but Cleo shook her head and he stayed back. Mel shut the door and they watched me as I leaned against the desk. The room smelt of stale cigarettes and Terry's cheap cologne. 'You're not breaking the band up, are you Liz?' Mel asked in a tremulous voice. 'Goodness, no!' I laughed nervously. 'I think I can guess,' Mandy said quietly, watching me. 'You're going into hospital?' I nodded, not saying anything as, suddenly, my eyes were filling and I didn't trust my voice. 'When?' Cleo asked softly. 'In two weeks,' I managed to say. Suddenly, as one, the three of them surrounded me and held me, just held me and didn't say a thing. I told Jeremy and his reaction was, 'I'm coming.' 'No, Jeremy, that's not necessary...' 'Liz! I am bloody coming and that is definitely that!' Mum was worried, but the two weeks we had were great even though Edward had not been back since my last visit. 'He can be very stubborn,' Mum said. 'I wonder,' I teased, 'where he gets that from?' All to soon Jeremy picked me up from Mum's and drove back to London in silence as I cried silently in the front seat. Suddenly he said, 'Liz, are you sure?' 'More than anything else,' I smiled through the tears, 'I want this so much.' And the lady is waiting At the end of my day We flew to the Continent and I checked into the hospital. Discretion was assured and in a few days, I was drowsy and prepped with Jeremy holding my hand. 'I'll be here when you wake up, Liz,' he said and I think I nodded before I slipped into darkness. He was there, just like last time and the room was filled with flowers, although I definitely didn't feel like inspecting them. Jeremy stayed with me as much as he could and then towards the end of the final week I was walking around and feeling pretty positive and physically much better. It was the last day, I was packed and dressed with Jeremy waiting for me outside. Staring at myself in the mirror, I smiled and remembered the dream and then the road to the dream. It was worth it. The plane touched down and we walked through to where Dean was waiting and we drove home. I hadn't told Dean and wondered if Jeremy had. It was idle curiosity, nothing more as I wasn't ashamed. In fact, I was rather proud and pleased as punch. The house in Notting Hill was in darkness when we drove up but, as we walked in, the lights suddenly came up with a shout of,'surprise! Welcome home!' Mel, Mandy and Cleo were there and I was surprised to see Mum there as well. Jeremy, obviously the instigator was grinning and I suddenly felt teary. 'Oh Liz,' Mel grinned, 'emotional again.' We hugged and had a drink and although everyone complimented me on how great I looked, nobody asked about the operation. Mum had embraced me the minute I had walked in and it was her that finally asked. 'Liz, is everything... I mean.' I kissed her cheek. 'Everything is fine, Mum, everything,' I said smiling at everyone, 'is perfect.' Part 22: Keep your chin up, girl. Life as soon as I returned from the hospital became rather hectic. Of course, I had to take it easy for a while, perform the exercises, and even though I spoke to Sean on the telephone, we didn't get a chance to see each other as he was busy leaving the 'department' and looking at other career options. He was travelling to Scotland regularly and I wondered if he was thinking to live there which meant he would be away from me and with our playing schedule, difficult to see regularly. I searched my mind to see if that worried me and I couldn't be sure. There was no doubt in my mind that I liked Sean. He was nice, kind and considerate but, was it more? I wasn't sure. However, it was becoming very urgent that I should tell him the truth about me. I had spent many an hour in hospital staring at the pristine white ceiling and asking myself if I loved him. Part of me wanted to say I did, but a voice said that I was in love with the idea of love, that he was the first since I became Elizabeth Grey and that I was just attracted, nothing more. No matter what was between us, I wondered whether I should tell him about me on the telephone but, somehow, it didn't seem right so decided against it. If he loves you as he says he does, that evil little voice inside of all of us said, he won't care will he? Our first album 'This is Femme Fatale' was released and began to make an impact in America and also in the jazz sales in Britain, Australia, Canada and some parts of Continental Europe. Surprisingly, it was also doing well in Japan. To our shock, 'Lonely Days' was being played on pop stations in America and was becoming a minor hit or as Vernon called it, a 'crossover'. The U.K. followed and soon we heard it being played on the radio. Vernon told us it was being played on Japanese radio as well, a concept we found astounding. 'I'm not going to Japan,' Mel said firmly, 'those big sumo blokes frighten the hell out of me.' 'If we go,' Mandy observed mildly, 'I don't think we'll be wrestling.' 'We'll be on 'Top of the Pops' next,' I had laughed. 'No bloody way,' Cleo had growled. 'We're jazz, not those sort of wankers.' Nevertheless, we soon found that journalists were contacting Fiona for interviews and profiles, which we avoided as we had more important things, such as the wedding, on our minds. Cleo and Toby's wedding was fast approaching. We three were bridesmaids and our entire focus was the wedding. It was to be held in the church in the village where Toby grew up, not so far from his parent's house that we stayed in that first weekend as Femme Fatale. As Cleo's mother had died when she was young, Enid stepped in and helped with the dresses and all the other arrangements. 'I don't know why girls complain about their mum-in-laws,' she said one afternoon. 'Enid is great.' 'I'm glad,' I said. 'She seemed really nice that night at their house.' 'Feels like ages ago, doesn't it?' I nodded, flicking through the bridal magazine, looking for dresses for bridesmaids. 'She's been really nice,' Cleo continued, 'you remember that sleaze James?' 'How could I forget?' I said, rolling my eyes. 'I think Cheryl is about to give him his marching orders,' Cleo said. 'It's always sad when break ups happen.' 'Yes. Anyway, James makes this snide remark about Jamaican steel drum bands or something - I just ignored the wanker but Enid leaps in with this really cold smile, says 'James, Cleo was born here, so were her parents'. I had to laugh, he was really taken aback.' 'What does Toby think of him?' I asked as I pushed the brides magazine across the table. 'What do you think of these dresses?' 'Nice but Jeremy said he has some ideas, told me not to do anything until he shows me. You know what he's like, Liz.' I smiled, shutting the magazine. 'Toby thinks James is a sleaze, he's really close to his sister and I think he hates James, although he would never say anything.' 'He's close to Cheryl?' I asked, immediately interested. 'Yes, they are very close. You know Toby, he's not your usual bloke,' she said proudly. 'No,' I smiled, 'he's not, you're very lucky.' She nodded but I was also envious of the relationship Cheryl had with her brother. Then, Mum called me, her voice strained and urgent. 'Liz, I don't want to alarm you but there has been a journalist asking questions around the high street about Allan? The busy body even went next door and tried to interview Mrs Pratt.' 'Allan? Why?' Suddenly, my heart leapt to my throat and I wished I had told Sean, as I intuitively knew that I was about to be 'outed' by our friends in the media. 'I don't know but I'm worried.' 'Don't be worried, Mum. I'm not ashamed of anything I've done.' I didn't care what strangers thought of me, my only concern were friends, especially Sean, Toby and Dean. I immediately called Sean but there wasn't an answer and I worried until I realised he had flown to Brussels for some conference or business opportunity. Time was running out and I tried to remember the hotel he was staying at in Brussels but couldn't. Desperately, I sat down and wrote him a letter, explaining everything and especially telling him how I cared for him and had planned to tell him face to face. I ended the letter with a small plea. Sean, if I have guessed correctly, the entire world will soon know about me. I don't give a continental what strangers think of me but I care very much what you think. Please forgive me for not telling you, I stupidly thought I could control everything and, to be honest, I was also afraid to tell you. Selfishly, I wanted to keep what we had but that was never meant to be, was it? I understand that you will make your own decisions and I'll abide by those decisions. With affection, Liz. Jeremy took me aside the day before the wedding. 'Liz, Geoffrey Taylor called me with an interesting rumour that's circulating?' He raised an eyebrow and we both knew what rumour he was talking about. 'What did you tell him?' 'He didn't ask,' Jeremy said, 'just wanted me to know. He's a good man.' 'Jeremy,' I said, 'does Dean know?' Jeremy opened his mouth but I didn't allow him to talk. 'Will you tell him for me, please? It's probably better coming from you.' Jeremy just smiled and hugged me. When we pulled up at the church, we saw the journalists and photographers clustered around and Mel said, 'are we that famous that Cleo's wedding is news?' 'I don't think so,' I said, my heart sinking watching the media scramble for positions. Cleo was smiling nervously as we helped to arrange her gown before walking inside the church. Nervously, I glanced over at the scrum of photographers on the other side of the road and, as I knew they were probably taking photographs, smiled in their direction. I am not going to look guilty, I told myself, I have no reason to. The wedding was beautiful and as we gathered around in the churchyard for photographs, one of the news photographers suddenly yelled out, 'Elizabeth Grey!' I ignored them and we posed smiling for the wedding photographer as friends and family milled around. Toby and Cleo glanced at each other when they heard the calls from the photographers but smiled for their wedding pictures. Toby's parents looked over at the photographers and then at me, questions in their eyes. 'That's what happens when you let pop stars into the family,' Toby said quickly to his parents, darting a glance at me and, at that moment, I guessed that Toby knew, that Cleo must have told him. I smiled at him and he smiled back. 'Which one is Elizabeth Grey?' The news photographer's voice carried into the churchyard and Cleo turned to me. 'What's going on, Liz?' she whispered. 'I'm sorry, Cleo, I think I'm about to be outed.' I tried to smile at her but she saw straight through me and squeezed my hand. 'Bastards!' Cleo muttered and smiled again for the wedding photographer but she didn't let go of my hand. Cleo's brother, a big lad with dreadlocks began to walk over to the media gang with a determined look on his face but Toby said something to him and he reluctantly turned back. The reception was great fun and I cried when I saw Cleo and Toby dancing the bridal waltz. Sniffling I looked over at Mel and saw she was in deep water works, but I was surprised to see Mandy also crying. We suddenly all looked at each other and smiled through our tears. When we waved the bride and groom off, I peered into the darkness, thinking that the photographers had left, but the headlights from Toby's car lit them up and I saw them in the stark light, smoking, talking and getting their gear ready. Jeremy also saw them and smiling, took my hand and quickly led me back inside with, 'let's have a drink before we make a run for it.' We were supposed to stay the night in a small inn but we scotched that idea and decided to make a run back to Notting Hill. Mel and Mandy agreed and put our bags in Jeremy's car. We changed out of our bridesmaid dresses into casual clothes. Wearing black skirt, charcoal turtleneck, black tights, boots and leather coat, I smiled nervously at Mel and Mandy. 'You don't have to come with me,' I said. 'You can go on to...' 'Liz,' Mandy interrupted, 'shut up and stop talking rubbish.' 'Of course we're coming with you,' Mel said. Jeremy tapped on the door and Mel let him in. He had also changed and smiled. 'Are we ready for the mad dash, ladies?' We left the reception in a thunderstorm of flashguns, running for the car with news people calling out to me to look their way, asking questions. Jeremy backed the car up, his face grim and determined as I sat, shaking in the back seat. 'I might just accidentally run over one of the bastards,' he muttered. The wheels spun in the gravel and we sped off. 'I feel awful that I've spoilt Cleo's wedding,' I murmured. 'No you didn't,' Mel said, taking my hand. 'Did you see her? Nothing could spoil it, it was wonderful and she was beautiful.' 'She was worried about you,' Mandy said, 'but I told her to go off to Majorca and to enjoy the honeymoon, we'll look after you.' 'Quite right,' Jeremy said. 'What about Toby's parents?' I asked as we sped towards London. I glanced behind to see if we were being followed but couldn't actually tell. 'Cleo says they'll be fine. I think they quite liked the fuss. Did you see Randolph?' Mel giggled. 'Randolph?' 'Cleo's brother, he was going over there to move them on. He's a big lad, he probably could have done it.' Mandy and Mel insisted on staying with me and we found another media mob around the house in Notting Hill, television trucks in the street. 'Oh lord,' I moaned. 'We could go to a hotel,' Mel suggested but I shook my head. 'No,' I said more firmly than I felt, 'I'm not going to let them make me run away. I am not ashamed.' 'That's the ticket,' Jeremy said, parking the car and we walked to the door. The flashes of the cameras and the spotlights from the television camera lit the street like it was the set of a Humphrey Bogart picture and we hurried to the front door. 'Elizabeth Grey? Look this way Lizzie!' 'Is it true you were once a man?' The microphone was shoved into my face and I smiled at it but kept my mouth firmly shut. 'When did you have the operation?' 'Lizzie! This way, Liz!' 'Have you had the operation?' 'Are you a woman now?' 'Do you have the equipment, Lizzie?' 'Have you slept with Kiefer Brennan?' 'What's he like?' 'Does he know?' 'What will this do to your hit record?' 'Does the band know?' Jeremy was cursing the front door as he fumbled for his keys and I stood in the pool of white light. Taking a deep breath, I smiled at the cameras and raised my hands slightly. Remarkably, they stopped shouting and pushed their microphones towards me. 'Now,' I smiled cheekily, 'do I look like a man to you?' There were a few laughs and I waved as I walked up the stairs and inside, Jeremy slamming the door shut the moment I was in. Almost running to the telephone, I called Sean but the number rang out. I tried again and then, with a sinking feeling, wondered if he now knew and was sitting there alone, angry, listening to the telephone ring. 'Well,' I said brightly, eyes filling, 'looks like everyone knows, including Sean and I didn't get the chance to tell him.' I tossed and turned all night and even the mug of warm cocoa Mel made for me didn't help. When I finally got out of bed, I hoped it had all blown over, that it was a small story in the middle of the newspaper or something. I couldn't have been more wrong. Jeremy had braved the media siege to get the newspapers and he was reading them with Mandy when I came down. Mel was still asleep. 'Well?' I asked softly, pulling my robe tight around me as I sat down. 'Have a cup of tea, dear,' Jeremy said, pouring. 'It's not good, Liz,' Mandy said with a sad smile. She showed me some of the headlines and the photographs and Mandy was right, it wasn't good. Jeremy put the television on and there was a group discussing me while they played footage of Cleo's wedding, arguing if I was a man or not. 'That's not a man in drag,' the man argued, 'look at her, she's gorgeous.' There was footage of me as I helped Cleo from the car, adjusting her gown and helping the others hold the train. I was proud I didn't look flustered and even smiled. 'I give you that,' the woman, 'I didn't say she is a man now, the story is she was a man!' 'Does it matter?' The man argued. 'She isn't the first, surely?' 'No, but she does happen to have a hit record so that makes it news.' 'And dated Kiefer Brennan,' the man pointed out. 'Well,' the woman said snidely, 'that's a large club.' The phone rang and Jeremy strode across to it, his face angry but the expression softened and was replaced with affection and I guessed he was talking to Dean. I couldn't hear what Jeremy was saying but when he replaced the receiver, he smiled and said, 'Dean says to tell them all to sod off.' I smiled back as the phone rang again. 'It's Fiona,' he said, worried, offering the phone. 'Here it comes,' Mandy said, rolling her eyes. 'Look,' she said, seizing my wrist lightly as I went past, 'if she gives us the sack, we'll get Toby to manage us, that's all, it'll be ok.' I wanted to tell her that I hadn't told Toby and he mightn't want to manage us but decided against it, just smiled, and walked to the telephone. Mel was coming down the stairs and had heard Jeremy and Mandy so she sat on the bottom step, waiting and listening, her big eyes watching me. 'Hello?' I said softly. 'Is it true?' Fiona asked bluntly. 'Yes,' I said in a small voice, 'it's true.' 'Right,' she said in a businesslike tone, 'do not talk to any media, I mean that, Liz, do not! I will control that. Who are your doctors?' I told her and I waited as she wrote them down. 'You may have to go on television, Liz, are you prepared to do that?' 'Yes, I'm not ashamed.' 'I didn't expect you to be. Does the rest of the band know?' 'They always knew.' She laughed softly. 'I often wondered what secrets kept you four so close, now I know. What about Jeremy?' 'He knew from the start.' 'I see.' 'Fiona,' I asked softly, 'you're not giving us the sack?' 'Why on earth would I do that? Liz, I like you, like you all. I'm proud to be your agent, Femme Fatale is bloody talented, and besides this will sell a bomb of your records. There's no such thing as bad publicity, Liz. I just wish you had told me earlier so we could have been prepared. Remember, no talking to the media and always show them that beautiful smile of yours.' 'Fiona,' I said, voice breaking, 'thanks.' 'You're not getting rid of me that easily, Liz Grey,' Fiona said dryly, 'I intend to remain your agent for some time. Now, is there anyone who will be surprised by this news? Mother, father, brother?' 'Boyfriend,' I said softly. 'Oh, bugger,' Fiona said quietly. 'I'm really sorry, Liz.' 'No point crying over spilt milk and all that rubbish,' I said brightly. 'No,' she said slowly, 'I suppose not. Will he sell his story to the media?' 'I don't think so. He's probably just going to lay low.' 'Liz, this will blow over and people will forget it.' 'I know but,' I said trying to laugh, 'I don't care if they bloody don't!' 'I know,' Fiona said quietly, 'I know, you just call me if there are problems.' 'Well,' I said hesitantly, 'there is a concern, not really a problem but...' 'What?' 'My mum, the press will...' 'You're right, where does she live and what name?' I gave her the details and she said to leave it with her and hung up. 'Fiona Woolf,' I announced to the room as I put the phone down and dried my eyes, 'is worth her weight in gold.' I quickly picked up the phone again and dialled Sean's number. It just rang and rang. Sighing, I replaced the receiver. He's laying low, I thought, just as I said. The phone rang again and I answered it before Jeremy could get to it. 'Hello Cleo,' I said and he relaxed. I explained about Fiona and she was relieved to hear that. 'Cleo, I'm sorry about this right royal stuff up at your wedding...' 'Don't be, Liz,' she laughed, 'it will be something to tell the kids, how Auntie Liz was hounded by the press on Mum and Dad's wedding day.' Auntie Liz, I thought, I quite like that! 'Apologise to Toby, I feel awful that I never told him...' 'Liz,' Cleo said softly, 'I told him a while ago, I felt he had to know, you're part of me and I wanted him to know me...' 'I understand,' I said softly. He knew but never treated me any differently? I suddenly envied Cleo and then felt so glad for her that she was in love with a great bloke like Toby. 'And I trust him. I hope you don't...' 'Not at all,' I sighed, relieved, 'I trust him too, I'm glad he knows.' 'I knew you'd want to tell him. He didn't believe it by the way and reacted just like we all did, still can't believe it, could never imagine you as a man.' 'There are some old photographs of Allan Stratton in the newspaper if you want to see,' I said lightly, blinking. 'Tell Toby I'm sorry I didn't tell him; I guess I just put off telling people until the operation. That was a mistake,' I said mournfully. 'So Sean didn't know?' 'No, he didn't.' 'Poor Liz.' 'You enjoy your honeymoon, don't worry about me.' I put the phone down and stared at it, wondering if I should try Sean again and decided not to. Instead, I decided on a piece of toast. Mel hugged me and then picked up a piece of toast, reading the newspaper over Mandy's shoulder. They both looked up at me and then down at the newspaper, shaking their heads. I walked around and saw they were looking at an old grainy photograph of Allan Stratton that had been taken at the club I used to play in. Robbie must have given it to the papers, I thought, wonder if he wants me back in the club now? I looked down at the person I used to be what now felt like centuries ago. The stringy and uncared for hair, washed out face and eyes hidden behind the big glasses. 'I still can't see it,' Mandy muttered and I smiled, moving around the table for a piece of toast. 'They must have the wrong photograph,' I heard Mel whisper to Mandy. 'That's never Liz!' After we were all bathed and dressed, wandering aimlessly around the room, I suddenly had enough of feeling like we were under siege. 'I'm tired of this, let's go down to the caf? for a coffee.' 'Liz,' Jeremy said warningly. 'Jeremy, I'm not going to hide,' I said firmly. 'I won't speak to the miserable buggers but that doesn't mean I'm not going to live my life. I always go down to Mario's for a coffee in the morning, you know that and, besides, if they have enough photographs, they might go away.' 'I'm with you, Liz,' Mel grinned. 'Let's do it. I need to go to the chemist anyway.' 'I'm game,' Mandy said, standing. 'Oh dears,' Jeremy sighed, 'you will be the death of me. Let me get my coat.' The photographers burst into action when we nonchalantly stepped outside and ambled down the road towards the caf?. Studiously ignoring the throng of media who swarmed down the opposite side of the road, we chatted and laughed, linking arms as we walked. Some called out my name but I ignored them. Mario's small caf? had been my local caf? ever since I had moved in with Jeremy and Mario knew us well so I expected friendliness but I didn't expect the applause that the regulars gave us as we walked in. 'You stars,' Mario said with a broad wink, 'you'll do anything for publicity.' We laughed and accepted the coffees he insisted were free. 'Hey,' Mario called out cheerfully, pointing at the media throng on the opposite side of the road, 'my caf? is famous!' We ambled back and the cameras followed us, we ignored them again but kept smiling. Stopping at the greengrocer, I chatted with Mrs Evans while Jeremy and Mandy selected some vegetables and Mel went into the chemist for some tampons. 'You've created a hullabaloo, haven't you dear?' she smiled. 'I suppose I have, I'm sorry about these people in the street...' 'Don't be, love,' she said and winked. 'They keep coming over to buy stuff. We're having a boomer!' I laughed and we walked back. I tried Sean again but it rang out and, sighing sadly, put the phone down as Mel switched on the television. 'Look,' she shrieked, 'there we are.' Sure enough, the four of us walking down the road from the caf? was shown on a program. There I was, chatting and smiling with Mrs Evans and the camera zoomed in to fill the screen with my face. 'She appears to taking all of this very calmly,' Emily Munro, the host said to a guest. 'What is she doing?' 'I suspect they're buying groceries as everyone does. Yes, she is very calm, doesn't appear frazzled at all,' her female guest answered, 'but why not? I must admit I have admiration for her.' It flashed up on the screen that the guest was a professor who specialised in gender studies and they went on to discuss the transition path to gender realignment. The others listened avidly and I wandered back to the telephone, tried Sean again and hung up. 'Can I interrupt you, Professor,' Emily said, 'but we've just been advised that Paul is standing by with Kiefer Brennan. Paul?' 'Liz,' Jeremy called warningly, 'you better see this.' The television crossed to a short reporter who was standing with Kiefer Brennan in a Manchester street. 'Kiefer,' Paul asked, looking up at his tall guest, 'I understand you had a relationship with Elizabeth Grey?' 'Have a relationship,' Kiefer corrected him and I smiled. 'She's a good friend.' 'Did you know she or he was a man?' Kiefer laughed into the camera. 'Liz Grey is a woman, mate! Frankly, the most beautiful woman I have seen or been friends with and, lad, I'm an expert on women.' The reporter laughed sheepishly and Mandy scowled, 'Wanker.' 'He's standing up for me, Mandy,' I protested. 'No, not Kiefer, I meant the reporter. What a tosser!' Kiefer looked into the camera. 'I don't care about any of this rubbish. Liz is a special person, extremely talented and a good friend. You could tell me she used to be an spotted pink elephant and I wouldn't give a toss!' The others cheered and I felt a tear trickle from my eye. 'Did you have a sexual relationship with Elizabeth Grey?' Mel and Mandy hissed at the television but Kiefer clapped his hand on the reporters shoulder and smiled at the camera. 'Lad, if I told you who I had sexual relationships with, we'd be here all day.' He winked at the camera and then he said, 'But I will tell you I kissed her once and it made my toes curl and I've kissed a few girls, lad, but that was electric. I'd go back for more if she'd have me.' Mel and Mandy whooped at that, laughing at my red face while Jeremy winked at me. Kiefer moved closer to the camera. 'Keep your chin up, girl,' he said and I knew he was talking to me, 'don't let these wankers get you down.' He patted the reporter on the head, said, 'see ya, lad,' and walked off, leaving the sheepish reporter to cross back to the studio. 'Well, Professor,' Emily, back in the studio said and we could see she was hiding a smile. 'What do you make of that?' Mandy, Jeremy and Mel were still laughing when the professor, smiling, said, 'I think Mr Brennan is very secure in his own sexual alignment and makes a lot of sense.' 'Do you think a lot of this furore is generated by people who are insecure...?' 'Yes,' the professor cut in. 'as Mr Brennan put it, what does it matter if she was an elephant? I think,' she said with a small smile, 'I might begin following M.U.' Jeremy clicked the television off. 'He's quite a lad,' Mandy said, 'that Kiefer Brennan.' 'He's very good with the media,' I said, 'made that reporter look like an idiot.' 'I don't think he needed Kiefer's help,' Mel said scornfully as the phone rang. 'No,' I smiled, 'he didn't, did he?' 'It's Fiona, Liz,' Jeremy said, holding the telephone. 'Did you see Kiefer?' Fiona said immediately. 'Yes,' he's very good to do that off the cuff...' Fiona laughed. 'Liz, that was planned!' 'Planned?' 'Kiefer's agent rang me and said Kiefer wanted to help. We talked about it and Kiefer agreed to do a spot to help out.' 'Oh my, he did?' 'He did. He's quite a bloke,' Fiona said. 'Pity he can't keep his Willie in his pants, he's an agent's nightmare.' 'Yes,' I smiled, 'there is that.' 'Liz, we have two ways to go. You can issue a press release or you can do an interview. I suggest a combination. We arrange an interview and just before it, release a statement.' 'Fiona, you're the expert so I follow your direction.' 'Good. I'll find a suitable interviewer and we'll make it exclusive. I'll be in touch.' I put the telephone down and without warning, the song just popped into my head. Stormy weather, since my man and I ain't together Keeps rainin' all of the time AUTHOR'S NOTE: The final two chapters of Elizabeth Grey: The Lady is Waiting" will be posted soon, complete with the Femme Fatale discography. I want to thank Fictionmania for posting this 'saga' and, importantly, I wenat to thank everyone for reading it.