The story of Catherine Lawrence is in 15 parts and I apologise for such a long story but it got out of hand. All 15 parts are completed and for those who like to print the story so you can read it in bed, I will have all 15 parts posted soon.
Carmenica

  

Catherine Lawrence

by Carmenica Diaz

Part 10

  

'Well?' Belinda asked the next morning as I made tea and toast in the kitchen.

'Well what?' I asked innocently.

'You know, what happened?' She was in her dressing gown and I was just in an oversize tee-shirt that came to my knees and knickers.

'It was a wonderful night, I laughed a lot and he's kind of attractive in a restrained terribly English way.'

'Did he kiss you?'

'Ah, no.' I brushed my hair from my eyes and buttered the toast furiously. 'He was the perfect gentleman.'

'Did you want him to?' Belinda asked slyly and I blushed.

'I'm not sure, ' I truthfully answered. 'Besides, we're friends.' There was a noise from Belinda's bedroom and I looked at her. 'What's that?'

She went deep red. 'Rodney stayed over last night, you don't mind?'

I moved close to her, a cup of tea in one hand, my toast in the other and whispered, 'Was that you screaming out in passion last night? I thought it was Mrs Barnes cat.'

'You bitch!' Belinda laughed and tried to chase me.

The door opened and Rodney stood there in his boxer shorts. He turned bright red when he saw me with Belinda. 'Good morning, Rodney,' I sang as I ran past, 'lovely underpants.'

'He was mortified that you saw him like that,' Belinda laughed as she quickly styled my hair for the final act.

'He saw me in my tee-shirt,' I pouted. 'I was sooo embarrassed.'

'You were not! Apparently, he told Billy and the crew about it and they wanted descriptions.'

'Of what Rodney was wearing?' I teased and we both laughed.

 

Henri approached me after the performance to introduce me to Amanda Donovan, the actor who was playing Simone in the forthcoming second season. 'Congratulations,' I smiled.

'Thanks but after watching you tonight, I've got big shoes to fill.'

'Nonsense! Interpret Simone the way you feel comfortable with, each season is different.'

 

'You can get dressed, Cate,' Helen said when she completed the examination. 'The blood tests showed you have always had a low amount of male hormones,' she said while I dressed behind the screen.

'What does that mean?'

She shrugged. 'I'm not sure it means anything but it explains why the hormones I prescribed have been so effective. Look.'

She showed me a chart that had outlines of two body shapes. 'This was you when I first examined you. As you can see even then, you had the beginnings of a female shape. Now, with the hormones and the surgery you can see there has been a remarkable change. The biggest changes have been to your hips, waist, and bottom and, of course, your breasts. You have a figure to die for. We'll maintain the hormones but I will alter the dosage slightly.'

I said nothing, just nodded.

'What, Cate?' Helen prodded gently.

'I'm thinking about, you know, other things.' I shifted in my chair.

'I see.' She paused and then said, 'Cate, I would expect you to live as you are for at least twelve months before we would even consider sexual reassignment…'

The look on my face made her stop. 'No, I hadn't even thought about that yet, Helen, it's a step I'm not really sure about.'

She nodded. 'So, what's bothering you?'

I sighed and then told her about the supper date with Stephen. 'Are you attracted to him, Cate?'

'No, I mean…yes…I don't know.' I buried my face in my hands and felt like crying.

'It's very difficult to understand relationships at the best of times. Don't take this the wrong way but before you were Cate, I understand you weren't that proficient at relationships?'

I shook my head. 'But, I'm improving, I think,' I said softly.

'Do you talk to your friends about relationships?' I nodded. 'That's one advantage of being a woman, isn't it?' she smiled. 'I know it is difficult for you to understand it all and you must accept that.'

She smiled and took my hand. 'Cate, you are confused and that's to be expected. I would like you to attend some sessions with a psychiatrist and then with a psychologist. I'm afraid you have to have these sessions sometime but having them now may help resolve some issues and ease the confusion. Don't worry, it will be completely confidential.'

I sighed again. 'Ok,' I agreed in a small voice.

 

I was mentally exhausted on the day of the final performance but managed to scramble out of bed for a morning coffee with Lucy and Belinda. Mark was off on tour again, it was how he spent his life and, fortunately, he loved it but he had promised to fly back for the final performance.

'After tonight, it's all over,' I said as I stirred my coffee.

'Not completely,' Lucy said,' don't forget the photography session for Sascha Cosmetics.'

'She hasn't forgotten,' Belinda said slyly and they both grinned as Lucy had interrogated me about the date and knew all about it.

'Oh leave it out,' I grumbled. 'I'm so tired.'

'Poor dear,' Belinda said, 'should we tell her?'

I looked up. 'Tell me what?'

Lucy smiled. 'I've arranged a little holiday, five days in the sun, for you.'

I perked up at that. 'Where?'

'Spain.'

'Spain! Fantastic!' Bel and Lucy laughed and then I asked, 'I'm not going on my own, am I? You two are coming?'

Lucy waved three tickets at me and I shrieked and we hugged. 'When?'

'We fly out the day after tomorrow.'

'But, what about shopping for clothes, what will I wear?'

'Dear,' Lucy patiently explained, 'we're going to Spain, we shop in Spain, ok?'

'Yes,' Bel grinned, 'we can get swimsuits at the resort.'

'Swimsuits?' I said softly.

'Can't wait to see you in a bikini,' Belinda teased and I gulped.

 

House lights down, single spot on Simone.

Simone: This is who I am, this is me!

Fade to black, curtain down.

 

As I said the words the final time, I felt a mixture of relief, sadness and pure exhaustion. I was so exhausted; I didn't notice the others joining me for the encore. When the curtain was raised, the noise level of the applause trebled.

We bowed and the audience rose as one to award a standing ovation. I found myself gently propelled forward and the audience began calling, 'Cate! Cate!' as Henri emerged from the wings with another bouquet of roses, kissing my cheek as he presented the bouquet to me.

The company came forward, Humpy bowed and kissed my hand again which sent the audience into another frenzy of applause and then Wade copied him, winking at the audience.

I backed off the stage but, suddenly, the theatre erupted as the audience, as one, chanted my name. Humpy smiled down at me, hugged me and then said, 'Your fans await, Milady.'

'Oh Humpy, I'm so tired.'

'I know you are,' he said gently, 'but one last performance? I remember a certain actor who said that we should thank the audience because without them we have no purpose.'

He was right, of course and I smiled, blinking the tears back. 'Thanks, Humpy. How do I look?'

'Ravishing, as always.'

Wild cheering greeted my return to the stage and still clutching the bouquet, I blinked against the lights, offering a teary smile. The theatre became hushed.

'What would they think of this in Liverpool?' I said in the Liver accent and the audience laughed. I waited for the laughter to die down and began in my normal accent.

'I wish Sarah had written something for me,' I said, 'she has a way with words and I don't. Thank you for being here, thank you to all the audiences everywhere who come and give us, the mere actors a reason to do this night after night.'

The house lights came up a bit so I could see the faces of the audience and I silently thanked Billy for intuitively knowing what I needed. 'I would also like to thank Sarah for writing this play.' Small applause rippled around the theatre. 'I would also like to thank Sir Humphrey Barton for teaching me so much.' More applause and I saw Humpy smiling from the wings. 'And I'd like to thank Wade Thompson for presenting the role of Tom in such a perfect way and for being so kind. It's extremely difficult working with two such dishy men,' I said with a broad wink and the audience burst into delighted laughter.

I went on thank everyone and I was just thanking the crew when suddenly some members of the backstage crew walked out with a huge bouquet of yellow roses. I was shocked and Billy winked, gestured at me and said to the audience, 'She's a cracker, ain't she?' The audience went wild again and thankfully, I was allowed to escape from the stage.

 

Bel was all ready dressed and obviously quite keen to party as Rodney was prowling up and down the corridor in his dinner suit.

'You go ahead, Bel,' I said. 'I'll meet you there.'

'Are you sure? Lucy and Mark have gone ahead. I can stay if you want?'

'Don't be silly,' I laughed. 'I'll do a quick change and be there before you know it.'

She smiled gratefully and disappeared. I stripped the costume off and dressed in my robe over my slip and underwear, I cleaned my face. There was a soft tap at the door and I guessed it was Wade or Humpy. 'Come in,' I called, beginning to make up my face for the party.

'I'm not disturbing you, am I?'

I whirled in shock to see Stephen standing half in the door. Some men look uncomfortable in a dinner suit, others act as if they were born to it and make them as handsome as hell. Stephen fell into the last category.

'Stephen!' I exclaimed with a smile. 'No, you're not disturbing me, I'm glad you're here.'

He eased in and looked around uncomfortably at the dresses hanging on the wall, the cosmetics strewn across the dressing table and the flowers.

'I just had to congratulate you, Cate. You were extraordinary.'

'You were there?' He nodded and I nervously ran my fingers through my hair. 'Did you mother enjoy it or did you bring someone else?' God, I thought, I'm so obvious!

Stephen, however, didn't appear to notice. 'No, I came alone, I had to bribe a friend a considerable amount of money to obtain a ticket but it was worth it. Congratulations again.'

He smiled again and put his hand on the doorknob. 'I'll leave you to your party and I'll see you at the photographic shoot.'

'Not so fast lad,' I said in the Liverpool accent and then added, in my normal accent, 'I'd love you to accompany me now, if that's permissible?'

A broad grin leapt to his face and then vanished quickly. 'I wouldn't wish to intrude…'

'You won't, I want you to come. Now, I have to dress…'

'I'll wait outside,' he said quickly and was gone in a flash.

 

His mouth fell open when he saw me and I turned for him. 'Do you like it?'

Stephen tried to answer but stuttered. I laughed, took his arm and said, 'I'll take that as a yes.'

There was an instant of silence when we walked into the restaurant; I felt all eyes on me for a moment and then thunderous applause. Sarah came up and hugged me. 'Nice dress,' she said approvingly and then looked at Stephen and then back to me with a small wink.

The night became a blur of congratulations and emotional farewells as everyone drank more. Richard, obviously a little drunk, went on and on about what a wonderful company, so much so it was becoming uncomfortable until Billy called out in a loud voice, 'You're right, Cate girl, he does go on!' There was wild laughter and Richard sat down to sulk.

Monica seized my arm while I was waiting in the queue to the ladies. 'Nice dress,' she grinned, 'if you've got it, flaunt it! Who's the dishy one you're with.'

'A friend,' I said, flushing.

'Liar,' she said cheerfully.

I found Stephen seated with Mark and Lucy. 'The queue was a mile long. Sorry.'

Stephen immediately stood and so did Mark after Lucy jabbed him in the ribs. 'I just rescued Stephen from Sir Humphrey,' Lucy explained as I sat.

'Humpy? He's terribly nice, what did he do?'

Stephen smiled wryly. 'Gave me rather a lecture, I'm afraid. Informed me he could still wield a formidable horsewhip if I broke your heart.'

'Oh my,' I murmured, my face burning. 'I'm sorry, Stephen…'

'Not at all,' he said with a smile, 'I can understand his feelings completely.'

'You saw the final performance, Stephen?' Mark asked and Stephen nodded.

'Yes, Cate was superb, as usual.'

Lucy glanced at me and smiled. 'We have to go, Mark has to fly out. I'll call you tomorrow to make arrangements for our holiday.' They kissed my cheek, Mark winked and they were gone.

We sat quietly and talked as much as we could. Our conversation was constantly interrupted with members of the cast and the crew saying their goodbyes. After I had hugged Wade, Humpy and Sarah the final time, I was crying hopelessly and said to Stephen,' Do you mind awfully if we go?'

He stood immediately. 'Not at all,' he said, took my hand and led me through the shrinking crowd. Henri seized me and hugged me fiercely goodbye and, with a final wave, Stephen and I were in the street.

I was trying to wipe my eyes when Stephen said, 'I think I should take you home. I hope you don't mind me saying but you look exhausted.'

'I am.' I stifled a yawn. 'I'll take a taxi, I'm afraid I'm not much company. Everything has caught up on me.'

'I'm afraid I'm going to insist on escorting you,' he said with that crooked smile. 'You should know me by now. My car is parked in a garage a few blocks from here, do you mind walking to it?'

'No, it's nice to be away from all of that.'

He took his jacket off and put it around my bare shoulders. 'It's chilly,' he said simply and, hand in hand we walked slowly down the street, completely oblivious to the looks from the pedestrians passing by.

'Thank you for coming with me,' I said softly and suddenly I put my head on his shoulder as we walked, just like that! He's a friend, a warning voice sounded in my ear but I don't know whether it was the champagne, the exhaustion or something else but I chose to ignore it.

He smiled that crooked smile. 'It was a terrible and onerous duty but I persevered. I enjoyed every moment of it.'

'Even Sir Humphrey?'

'Even Sir Humphrey.'

Stephen opened the car door and I gratefully slipped in, kicking my shoes off and pulling my legs under me so I could lean against the car door.

I sleepily watched him in the flickering lights of the city and the dim lights of the car's instrument panel as we drove to Notting Hill. All too soon, we were home and he was helping me from the car.

'Good night Cate,' he said at the door.

'Can I offer a cup of tea?' Where, I thought, did that come from? What am I doing? He nodded and followed me in.

I had my shoes in my hand and dropped them beside the door. Bel and Rodney weren't there so we had the place to ourselves. Yawning, I took the teapot down and put the kettle on. 'It won't take long to boil,' I said, lowering myself onto the sofa.'

Stephen was standing at the kitchen bench and smiled. 'Let me make it,' he said.

'If you insist,' I murmured and that was the last thing I remembered.

 

'Cate!' I groggily woke up to see Bel and Rodney looking down at me. I was on the sofa, covered by a blanket and, as I quickly checked, still in my dress. 'What happened?'

'Oh great!' I groaned, 'I must have fallen asleep.'

'Look at this,' Rodney said, pointing at a sheet of paper on the kitchen bench next to two cups and the teapot.

'God! He even made the tea!' I got up and padded over to the bench so I could read the note.

Cate,

I found the blanket in the cupboard, I hope it's acceptable and I let myself out. Enjoy your holiday and I'll see you at the photographic shoot.

S.E.

PS. You look like an angel when you're asleep.

Bel read the note over my shoulder. I glared at her and then at Rodney. 'Don't say a word,' I said, stalking off to my bedroom.

 

End of Catherine Lawrence Part 10 by Carmenica Diaz

  

  

  

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