Mandm

Mandm
Part 10.050 - The building, dresses, police

Caveat

This story is a complete work of fiction. Whilst some research effort has been made, nothing should be taken as factual, in particular anything to do with medical, legal, technical, political, social, educational or religious issues. Any opinions expressed are those of the characters, not necessarily the author's.

Dresses for a wedding

Midge asked "Can you come round to ours, we need to know all about everything, but most importantly, what you want us four to wear." The other three nodded. Charlotte shook her head, "I'm only just managing to get a dress for myself, I can't pay for any more. Ann and Sophie are paying for theirs. You'll have to wear your normal dresses." Midge: "We've not had new clothes for ages." Molly: "It's about time we did." Midge: "Never expected you to pay." Molly: "No argument." Charlotte: "Oh, are you sure? that would be marvellous, it's very good of you."

Molly: "Come round now, bring George." Midge: "It's not late." Molly: "It looks like he's finishing." Charlotte said "If we're talking dresses, George can't come." Sophie: "We could entertain him …" Ann: "… in a different room." Sophie: "He wouldn't know …" Ann: "… at all." Charlotte laughed, "They are rubbing off on you." "What?" chorused Ann and Sophie. "And that. Speaking alternately, then as one." All of them laughed. Charlotte said "Let me have a word with George." She disappeared into the kitchen, to return a minute later, "He'll be a few minutes more."

Half an hour later, all eight were at the twins' house. They were in the sitting room, Kitty made tea for them all. They started talking about the wedding, it was on a Saturday afternoon, a couple of months away. Charlotte said the dresses were being bought on line, cheapest way they could get them. Kitty asked if they could see them on the web site, Charlotte said they could.

Charlotte and the four went into the dining room, Kitty opened up her computer and let Charlotte navigate to the web site, then down to her dress. It was white, quite low cut, sleeveless, a tight bodice and long straight skirt, slit up one side. There was a veil and train to go with the dress. The four all made appreciative noises. "Molly likes the neckline."

The picture was rotatable, Charlotte moved it round. The neckline was halfway down the back. "Molly likes." Kitty: "I think we all do."

Midge "What about the maids of honour dresses?" Kitty: "Just a moment …" She reached for the trackpad, clicked to save a bookmark, then let Charlotte find the dresses chosen for Sophie and Ann.

These had the same bodice shape, the same neckline front and back. The skirt was just above the knee, also tight and with a slit. She'd chosen a pale green colour. Midge said "Oh, yes." Molly: "Molly likes."

Charlotte asked "Any ideas for you bridesmaids? I've not found anything on this site that I would like, I've explored it before while choosing the maids of honour dresses." After a moment's silence, Midge said "Holly." Kitty: "Brilliant." Charlotte: "Who is …" Molly answered before the question was asked, "Assistant to our dressmaker." Chloe: "Very good on complete outfits."

Kitty clicked to save the bookmark for the maids of honour page, then asked "When do you expect to see the dresses?" Chloe, on the same wavelength, "Need an exact colour match to look good." Molly: "Or a different colour …" Midge: "… that looks good with these."

Charlotte asked "Is that where your, you know …" she tailed off, really not wanting to remind them. Kitty answered, even she didn't know how the twins might react, "Yes, and they were perfect." Midge and Molly looked at each other for a second. Midge asked Charlotte "Would you like to see them?" Molly: "Us wearing them?" Chloe quietly asked "Are you sure you want to do this?" Midge and Molly, together, "Yes, we do."

Charlotte looked at each of them, then said "I'd love to see them, I only saw the picture in the newspaper, but heard a lot of comments about them. Are you quite sure?"

Midge and Molly each took one of Charlotte's hands, they led her upstairs, Kitty and Chloe following. In the bedroom, they opened the wardrobe, laid out the four black dresses on the bed. All four undid the dresses they were wearing, let them fall on the floor, then helped each other into the funeral dresses. Kitty and Chloe were keeping a very close eye on Midge and Molly, but they stayed expressionless. They found the black shoes they wore for the funeral, put them on.

When all four were satisfied the dresses were on them properly, they turned to face Charlotte. Then they turned slowly, to let her see all round. She stared at them, muttered "Beautiful." Then "Have Sophie and Ann seen them?" Without a word, Midge and Molly held hands and walked downstairs, the other three following. They walked into the sitting room, where George was sitting on a settee, Ann and Sophie in the two armchairs.

All three looked up as they entered the room. George just stood up and stared. Ann and Sophie both went towards the four girls, stopping halfway. Charlotte sidled past them all, she took hold of George's hand. Kitty started to walk round the room, this got the other three walking. After once round they were all smiling, they went round again. Molly managing a twirl without breaking step. The twins, Kitty and Chloe sat down together on a settee, still smiling.

George was the first to speak. "Absolutely lovely." He then said "It's a bit like the picture … oh, that's Kitty, isn't it. That's a different dress, but the same." Chloe replied "That's their mother's dress, gave them the idea for these." Kitty: "Rachel and Holly made them, she's the dressmaker in the row of shops." Ann: "Perfect." Charlotte was just standing, tears appearing on her face. "If mine looks half as good …"

Midge spoke for the first time since they'd left to go upstairs. "What we mustn't do is detract from you." Molly: "This is your day, you must look better than any of us." Chloe: "Holly will know."

Kitty: "One slight problem, Charlotte works full time." Charlotte: "I can get an hour or so off around three, lunch has finished, teas not started. Oh, the dresses won't be ready for a few weeks, we're placing the orders as soon as I've got enough money saved, they should be here about a week before the wedding. We hope."

Midge: "Let us know when you have them, we'll arrange something." Chloe: "Would you mind if we go to Holly, show her the dresses on the web?" Charlotte: "No, that's fine, but I would like to be there if she has suggestions. But George mustn't come." She smiled, gave him a quick kiss.

They talked about the wedding for a while, after which George and Charlotte wanted to go. "But not until I've looked at your dresses again" from Charlotte.

The four stood up, spread out a little so that Charlotte could walk round them. She studied them, shook her head, muttered "So perfect". Without thinking, she put a hand flat over the lace over Molly's tummy, moved it up to feel where the lace ended, the cloth began. She continued running her hand up and over one of Molly's breasts, then tucking a finger round the lace of the neckline, running it along to Molly's cleavage and along the top of Molly's other breast.

Suddenly she realised what she was doing, pulled her hand away, stepped back, put her hand to her mouth. "Oh, god, I'm sorry …" Molly immediately went to Charlotte, took the hand from her mouth, put it back on her cleavage. "Molly was enjoying that, keep going." Charlotte looked round, George had a look somewhere between surprise and shock on his face, the others were all grinning.

Charlotte shook her head, took her hand away. "Sorry", she said, "It looks so well fitted, just looks so good on you. I wish …" her voice tailed off.

The twins gave each other a two second look. Then Midge said to Charlotte "Tomorrow, come to Rachel's." Molly: "As soon after lunch as possible." Together: "We'll be there." Kitty asked for Charlotte's email address and mobile phone number in case they needed to change the arrangement.

A few minutes later, George and Charlotte got up to leave.

George was somewhat surprised to get a kiss on the mouth from the four girls, as did Charlotte. As Charlotte was kissing Chloe, she naturally put her hand on Chloe's back, felt the neckline halfway down Chloe's back. She couldn't help but half-turn Chloe to have another look, she ran her fingers along the line. "Beautiful." She had tears in her eyes as she and George left.

Ann and Sophie left shortly after, they, too, got full on kisses. Their visitors all gone, the four girls sat down, Midge said to Molly "It would be really fantastic." Molly: "It would totally make their day." Chloe: "What are you two scheming up?" Kitty: "This is more than just the bridesmaids' dresses, isn't it?" Midge: "Yes, sorry, we're thinking …" Molly: "… of getting Rachel …" Midge: "… to make …" then together: "… all of the dresses." Midge: "Our wedding present."

Kitty: "That'll cost a fortune." Chloe: "Several thousand pounds." Midge "That's not all we're thinking." Molly: "We have a bigger purchase in mind." Together: "Have to talk to Daniel." Midge: "Probably Samuel as well."

Molly immediately phoned Daniel, said "Could we have a serious talk with you about money? Possibly first thing tomorrow?" She waited for a minute, then said "Thank you, we'll be there." She turned to the others, "His office, eight o'clock, an hour before his usual start."

Midge gave her sister a look, it said 'Well done'.

The four went upstairs, carefully took off their dresses, hung them in the wardrobe. A communal bathroom session, half-hour later they were asleep.

In the morning, they had an early breakfast and were waiting outside Daniel's office when he and Audrey arrived. His greeting was "At least you all look cheerful, I was getting worried." Meanwhile Audrey gave each of them a hug and a kiss on the forehead, she unlocked the door.

"Come on through" he said. Chloe and the twins followed Daniel into his office, Kitty stayed with Audrey. As an explanation she said "They're talking about a wedding, I might get upset, spoil it." Audrey gave her another hug. "Come on, help me make some tea for everyone." They went into a small side room.

Daniel sat behind his desk. There were two chairs in front of it, Chloe sat on one, Midge on another. Without bothering to get a chair from the side, Molly plonked herself on Chloe's lap. Daniel: "Now, what's so …" Molly cut him off. "Wedding present." Midge: "Charlotte and George." Molly: "Make their day." Together: "We really want to." Molly added "And something else⁠" Midge: "even bigger."

Chloe, with a voice slightly muffled by Molly's hair that she had started chewing, "Would you like an interpretation?" "Yes please. Let's start off with who are George and Charlotte?" Chloe said "Twins, be quiet. I'll see if I can get this right.

"Charlotte is the girl we mentioned before, Sophie's current gold standard for cooking. George is the waiter at the restaurant we went to." Molly interrupted, "Dreadful place. We want to …" Chloe poked Molly hard in the ribs, Molly said "Ow", but didn't retaliate. Chloe told her "One thing at a time."

Chloe continued "They are getting married, but on a shoestring budget. Charlotte is getting her dress from a web site, so are her two maids of honour, that's Sophie and Ann. Her words 'cheapest way to get them'. Charlotte asked us four to be bridesmaids, but she couldn't possibly afford dresses for us. The twins suggested Holly to see what dresses we could get for us to go with theirs. They came to ours last night, we four showed them our funeral dresses, we put them on. Charlotte was overcome with how good they looked.

"The twins want to get Rachel to make the dresses for all seven of us."

She stopped, Molly and Midge were both nodding. Daniel looked somewhat taken aback, looking first at one of the twins then at the other.

In the silence, Audrey knocked, then came in with a tray of mugs of tea, closely followed by Kitty. "How are we doing?" she asked. Daniel managed to get out, "I think it's a good job Chloe was here to translate their shorthand." Audrey: "Made some tea. Kitty, where do you want yours?" Kitty replied "In here, please, I'll be all right." She promptly sat on Midge's lap. Audrey laughed, put five mugs on the desk. Daniel said to Audrey "You can stay if you want, nothing they won't mind you hearing." Kitty jumped off Midge's lap, grabbed a chair from the wall, placed it next to Midge's, jumped back onto Midge's lap. Audrey said "All right." She put the sixth mug on Daniel's desk, leant the tray against its side.

"Right" said Daniel, "This will cost quite a lot." Midge and Molly alternating: "Yes, it" "will probably be" "several thousand, but⁠" ‑ in unison ‑ "we really want to."

Audrey started to speak, Kitty leant over to her, "Dresses for Charlotte's wedding, seven, from Rachel including we four bridesmaids, wedding present." Audrey squeezed Kitty's arm, she mouthed 'Thank you'.

Daniel: "Let me phone Samuel. I'm all right with it, but this will take money directly from your trust, so he has to agree. When do you need to know by?"

Kitty answered "We hope to see Rachel at three this afternoon."

Daniel: "Hang on, I'll see if I can talk to him now."

He got out his mobile phone, walked out of the office while he waited for an answer. Molly poked Chloe in the ribs. "What's that for?" "You poked me." Within a second the inevitable happened, they were on the floor, fighting. Midge and Kitty were about to join in when Daniel came back in. Before he could say a word, Molly and Chloe were back on the chair, only this time Chloe was on Molly's lap. Audrey was just smiling throughout, she was getting used to their play.

Daniel sat down, then "Yes, Samuel is generally happy, but let us have Rachel's estimate before committing. Find out for just your dresses in case it would be too much. But I think he'll allow the full amount, he's given me a 'mamma mia' figure, beyond which we'll have to discuss it. And, no, I'm not going to tell you the figure."

Midge and Molly more or less threw Chloe and Kitty off, ran round to Daniel, both hugged him and gave him a kiss on his cheek. "All right" he said "Let's take the thankyous as read. Now, I have the impression there's something else. Chloe, can you give it to me in English?" Chloe shook her head, "Sorry, no, they've not told us." Kitty: "But if they tell it, we might be able to interpret afterwards."

Daniel, "All right, twins, the floor is yours."

Midge started, "The restaurant" "dreadful place" "food worse than" "Kitty's." "George is the" "waiter, he told us" "it's going bankrupt" "but if" "he, Charlotte and Sophie" "would be" "success." "We fund" "them buy until" "on feet."

Daniel: "Wow. It's all right, Kitty, Chloe, I think I've got that. You want to purchase this restaurant that is currently struggling to make ends meet, and George has suggested that if he runs it, with Charlotte as the chef, also Sophie, you think, or rather he thinks, it will become profitable within a reasonable period of time. Have I got that right?"

Alternating: "Nearly." "We lend them the money." "They pay us back" "from profits." Molly" We know it" "may take" ‑ together ‑ "years."

Daniel thought for a moment. "Obviously a much bigger sum than just a few dresses. You're not asking for this just to make the dress cost seem insignificant? ‑ No, don't answer, I know you better than that. Have you any idea of the amount needed?"

Both twins shook their heads. Midge: "We only thought of" Molly: "this yesterday."

Daniel: "Have you talked with them about this?" Molly: "Not about funding them." Midge: "They couldn't possibly do it." Molly: "But we know they would" Midge: "⁠make a go of it." Together: "We want to help them."

Daniel: "Right. This is a much more significant deal. First, don't say anything to them, if we can't do it, it would be a huge disappointment. I will talk to Samuel, we will make some enquiries. I doubt you even know whether the current owner really does own it, or whether it's leasehold or just leased or rented from a landlord. Very important factors. Between us, Samuel and I can find out all of that. When we know where we are, we can start thinking about where to go. It'll take some days. I may want a meeting with Samuel and you. All okay?"

Midge: "Yes, there's a lot we hadn't thought about." Molly: "But we still want to do it."

Daniel: "Okay. Anything else?" Kitty replied "We had the get‑together with some of their ex-school friends, talked with them all." Molly: "Took sneaky recordings." Chloe: "Think we have some useful info on some others." Midge: "Should we send recordings to Philip?" Kitty: "There's a lot to trawl through."

Daniel thought for a moment, then "Each of you, email your recordings to me. I'll talk to Philip. Again, there may be legal issues with your 'sneaky' recordings being used even to steer the investigation. If that's unacceptable, you'll have to do your own trawling, write anything down, but I think Philip would prefer his people to hear them." Midge: "We'll email them to you."

Daniel: "Right. If there's nothing else?"

The twins shook their heads. "Good. Now clear off, the lot of you."

He got two more hugs from the twins, Chloe and Kitty each kissed Audrey. The four crashed their way out of the office, then there was sound of the outer door closing. Daniel phoned Samuel again.

That afternoon, the four girls burst into Rachel's. They were briefly greeted by Holly, who was dealing with a customer and her husband. The four girls went to where the photographs of their dresses were shown, there were several more than were originally displayed. Molly was particularly drawn to a nearly life-size view of the torso of one of the twins, another of a bust above it.

The customer came over, "Is that you?" Molly grinned. "Me or my sister." The customer: "It's those photos that made me realise just how good Rachel really is, you look so gorgeous in those dresses." Her husband came over, he'd heard the remarks. He gave his wife a little kiss, "Don't think they'd quite suit you." She smiled, "You're right, but they really show what Rachel can do.

"Anyway, we're done now, nice to have met you." Molly shook the husband's hand, gave the lady a brief kiss on the cheek. "Bye" she said, "Hope you've got what you wanted." "Oh, yes, thank you." The lady and the man left the shop.

Holly asked "What can we do for you?" The twins, alternating: "Wedding." "Dresses." "Bridesmaids, and possibly" "maids of honour and" "even the bride."

Holly laughed at them. "I think you need to see Rachel. Just a mo." Holly went to the workroom, a moment later Rachel came out. "Hello, good to see you again. How are you all?" Midge and Molly were almost too excited to talk, Midge managed "Kitty …"

So, Kitty started "They have a friend who is getting married, she's asked the four of us to be bridesmaids, we'd like you to make our dresses. Molly butted in, "And, and, and …" Chloe put her hand over Molly's mouth. Kitty continued "The bride is ordering a dress over the internet …" she saw Rachel's look of dismay "… she can't afford anything else. Same for the two maids of honour. The twins want to get you to make all the dresses, but they know it will be costly, they need to know about how much, firstly for our four dresses, then for the whole seven."

She turned to the others, "Have I got that right?" "Yes" from Midge. Molly tried to say "Perfect", but it came out somewhat muffled by Chloe's hand.

Chloe added "She's coming here in a bit, but we don't want her to …" Molly yanked Chloe's hand away, "… Not to know, may not, want to, wedding present if, then know."

Chloe clamped her hand back over Molly's mouth, she asked "Did you understand that?" Both Rachel and Holly were laughing, Rachel answered "Yes, I think so, she knows about your bridesmaids dresses, but the rest is a secret until you know you can?" Midge: "Exactly." Rachel continued "And she's coming here to talk over your dresses thinking she and her maids of honour will be wearing internet dresses?" Molly once again yanked Chloe's hand away, she almost shouted "That's what I said!"

The shop doorbell dinged, Charlotte walked in. "Oh, hello, good, you're all here, I can't be away long." Midge introduced Charlotte to Rachel and Holly. Rachel said "So, these want bridesmaids' dresses, can we get an idea of the dresses you've chosen?" Kitty asked "Can we go into the workroom, use your computer?" Rachel led them in. Kitty had remembered the links, she typed in the first, it went directly to the page with the dress. She opened another window, put in the link for the maids of honour dress. Rachel said "Nice, they certainly go together, that green does look good. Holly, your opinion?"

Kitty showed Holly that the images revolve. Holly had a close look, she viewed each dress at various angles. "Yes, they go well together. I'd like to see the girls in person of course, in any case I'd change one or two things, but I suppose …" "No," said Charlotte, "Not an option I'm afraid, just measurements when the order is finally placed."

Rachel: "Right, Holly, do you want to sketch something? Remember the bridesmaids mustn't outshine the bride?" Holly smiled, nodded, said "It'll take me a little while. Maybe by tomorrow?" In a stage whisper "She's a slave driver, not much spare time." Rachel laughed, "More like you're a workaholic. Okay, same time tomorrow?" Charlotte said "I can, can you four?" Midge answered "No problem. It's mornings we are tied up, schoolwork. We can slip the afternoons a bit."

"Thank you" from Charlotte, I'd better go, got to bake some cakes for tea." She went out of the workroom, they heard the shop doorbell ding as she left.

Kitty explained "She's the cook in the café down the road." "Ah, yes, nice place" from Rachel. "Now", she said, "I can give you a ballpark figure. If we're not going super fancy, and I don't think that would suit her anyway …" "You're right" from Holly "… let's say a thousand for the bride, five hundred each for the other six. Total of four thousand. Will that do as a starter? It's unlikely to be much different. Of course that's two thousand for just the four bridesmaids' dresses."

Kitty: "Sounds good." Molly: "Goody, goody." Kitty: "Should know what they can do by tomorrow." Chloe: "If they can, Charlotte should be told with George, not surprised here."

"Why not here?" from Molly. Kitty replied "If it's a wedding present, it's to them both. In any case, Rachel can do much better than just copy the dress she's looked at." Chloe: "Might change her thinking, she could have different ideas starting from scratch."

Midge and Molly looked at each other, Midge said "You two aren't just pretty faces." Molly couldn't resist, "Not even pretty faces." The four were immediately on the floor fighting. Rachel and Holly were both laughing at them when they heard the shop doorbell ding. Rachel said "Holly, lose these four" as she went into the shop. Holly found a free arm, pulled it, she extracted Midge from the melee, pushed her into the shop. Holly went back, found another arm, this was Chloe. Next was Molly, and with no one left to fight with, Kitty followed meekly behind.

In the shop, Midge was already phoning Daniel. When he answered, she started "Two just one, all seven four …" Chloe grabbed Midge's phone off her, she said "Hello, Daniel, Chloe … yes, Midge, far too excited … Yes, thank you. We're at Rachel's. She's given a ballpark figure, breakdown is a thousand for the bride, five hundred each for the two and our four. … Yes, that's right. … Oh, okay, thank you. … No, Charlotte's been here, but we've not said anything. … We've arranged to meet her here tomorrow, same time, but probably tonight. … Okay, thank you. 'Bye." She ended the call, handed the phone back to Midge.

Midge and Molly in unison "Well?" Chloe looked at them, grinned, looked from one to another. She hung it out a bit longer, until the twins each grabbed one of her shoulders and started shaking her. Finally she said "He says …" she was laughing now, "… Yes, the lot!"

Instead of punching Chloe, the twins grabbed her and Kitty, had them all jumping up and down in a tight circle. Holly grinned at them, Rachel and the two ladies she was with just stood looking at them. Rachel apologised, but she was told "We were at the funeral, it's really good to see them like this."

Eventually the four released each other, Holly went to them, "Good news?" Midge: "Yes, we can" Molly: "pay for them all."

They decided to wait to talk to Rachel, all four started looking at the displayed photographs of themselves. Holly remarked "Those have helped to get us many commissions, beautiful dresses on beautiful models."

Holly was called over by Rachel to help with her customers, the girls started a prodding game, not fighting, just passing time. After a few minutes, they found a place to sit cross-legged on the floor. Midge was serious for a moment, "Kitty, are you going to be all right with all of this?" Kitty answered, with a smile, "Yes, thank you. It still hurts, but it is what it is. Life must go on." In unison, the twins said "Good girl." Chloe gave Kitty a kiss. Kitty prodded each of the three in turn. "What's that for?" "Being nice to me." "We always are, except about you being weird." "And your cooking."

The inevitable fight was about to break out, but Rachel came to them, said "You have some news?" They all stood up, Chloe immediately put her hand over Molly's mouth, Kitty said "Daniel says the twins can pay for you to make all the dresses." Rachel: "Oh, that's good. When can we start measuring?" Midge replied "We need to tell Charlotte first, hopefully tonight, then tomorrow afternoon for her. Molly tried to speak, Chloe kept her hand firmly clamped over her mouth, Chloe said "Not sure about all the others, we'll find out, may have to be in dribs and drabs."

Rachel nodded, "That's okay, so long as we have enough time. Talking of time, we'll need a bit longer than Charlotte was here to sort what she wants, is there any other day that's better?" Midge replied, "Not really, but …" She hesitated, Molly once again forced Chloe's hand away, "Free six." Kitty once again interpreted, "Charlotte finishes around six, if you could possibly see her in the evening after that?" Molly: "That’s exactly what I said." Chloe: "Well, not exactly."

Rachel nodded, "No problem. Holly?" Holly grinned, "For these I think I'd have to, or they might start attacking me instead of each other." Midge said "Holly, you know us so well." Then "We need to talk to Charlotte and George, not sure when, can we arrange with you in a day or two? And for Sophie and Ann? All have different commitments." "Yes, that's fine, but the sooner the better."

Kitty asked the others "Should I send a message to Charlotte, see if she and George can come to ours this evening?" Midge said "Yes, please, good idea."

About nine thirty that evening, George and Charlotte came to the house. When they were sitting down, Midge started: "We'd very much like to give you a wedding present." Molly: "We really want to." "You asked us to be bridesmaids" "and to get our own dresses, but we'd" "like to get Rachel" "to make the dresses" "for all seven" "of us." "Our wedding present" "to you" ‑ the last two words spoken tgether.

Charlotte looked at them, then at George, then back again. "Why?" she asked "It'll cost a fortune." Molly: "Want to." Midge: "Can't really say why, but it would give us …" Molly: "Just want to." Midge: "… real pleasure to do it for you."

There was silence for a minute, both Charlotte and George were looking doubtful. Then Kitty spoke, "Midge, Molly, do you think Chloe and I could talk to them without you hearing?" The twins both looked at Kitty, then stared at each other for several seconds. Without a word they stood up. Holding hands, they walked out of the room and closed the door behind them.

Turning to Charlotte and George, Kitty said "They really want to do this for you. I think they have seen their parents' happy marriage coming to its sudden end, they want to help a new one begin. Chloe, what do you think?" Chloe said "I hadn't thought of it quite like that, but it does make sense." She paused for a moment, then "It's often, no, almost always, difficult to read them, but we do know they really want to be bridesmaids, as do we. The more I think about it, the more I think Kitty's right, it will help them in their own grief." Kitty: "Oh, we do know they are still really suffering inside, though they hide it from everyone as best they can." Chloe: "If they can do this for you, I think it would help them." Kitty: "So, please, say you'll let them."

George spoke to Charlotte, "I think we should." Charlotte turned to Kitty, "Please, ask them to come back." Chloe got up, she found the twins upstairs sitting on the bed, just holding hands. Chloe took their free hands, pulled them up, hugged them together. She said "Come on down" and led them downstairs into the sitting room, where Charlotte and George were now standing. Charlotte went to them, hugged them, said "Thank you, we'd love that." Molly and Midge suddenly had broad smiles on their faces, they forced Charlotte towards George, pulled him into the hug. Chloe sat down beside Kitty, whispered "Good."

After a little while, Kitty got up, went to the group. "Midge, Molly, go and sit by Chloe, I'll sort out some details." Somewhat reluctantly, they complied, one sat either side of Chloe, they each held one of her hands.

Kitty made sure they were settled, then said "Charlotte, we'll need to get you into Rachel's to sort everything, it'll take maybe a few hours, but Rachel will do an evening for you, maybe straight from your work?" Charlotte nodded. Kitty continued "Who will choose the dresses for Ann and Sophie? You, them or all together?" Charlotte said "Best if all of us, but timing is difficult. We met up very early to choose them before, do you think Rachel …" her voice trailed off. Kitty said "I expect she will, or possibly Sunday? Are you free Sunday at all?" Charlotte: "Yes, café doesn't open on Sunday, so that's all right for all of us." Kitty: "We'll ask Rachel tomorrow, see what she says."

"Right" said Kitty, "I think we're sorted as far as we can be for now. Anything I've forgotten?" She looked back at the twins and Chloe. Midge got up, came over to her, said "Kitty, thank you, you're a brick. Charlotte, thank you for letting us do this." Molly called from the settee "That's from both of us." Chloe stood up, pulled Molly up, came over to the others. After they'd all hugged, Chloe asked "Who's going to tell Ann and Sophie? Charlotte? I think it should be you." Charlotte: "I'll do that tonight, they're going to be thrilled."

The next afternoon had the four girls at Rachel's waiting for Charlotte, they talked with Holly for a bit until Charlotte arrived. Holly whisked her straight into the workroom, the four followed. Rachel greeted them all, she asked Charlotte if she minded the audience whilst she measured her. "Oh, no, that's quite all right." Rachel said to the four, "No fighting, I need to concentrate, must get these right."

Molly pouted, she said "We don't always fight." Rachel said "Only almost every time you've been in here. Now, shut up." Charlotte looked surprised, Kitty explained "She has to say it like that or Molly will ignore her. Molly grabbed Kitty, pulled her out of the workroom. They could hear the scuffle breaking out, the sound disappearing as the door closed. Chloe and Midge sat on the floor, Midge reached for Chloe's hand, just held it.

While Rachel was measuring, Charlotte started saying "I wonder if …" Rachel asked "If what?" Charlotte "Could we have a complete re-think?" Rachel: "What had you in mind?" Charlotte, glancing at Midge and Chloe, "Could we base it on the dresses you made for them? They look so lovely." Midge and Chloe looked at each other, Midge said "Chloe, bring them back."

Chloe jumped up, ten seconds later all four were back, sitting on the floor. Rachel, still making measurements, asked them "Would you mind if the wedding dresses were based on your dresses?" Midge and Molly gave each other the briefest of glances, and in unison said "We'd love that." Rachel said "We'll have to adapt them, particularly the bride's. But I can see that working. I've just got one more measurement … just write it down … All right, Charlotte, put your clothes back on, let's have a word with Holly."

Back in the shop, Rachel asked Holly "Would the four girls' dresses adapt for all the wedding dresses?" Without a word, Holly picked up a sketch pad, turned over a couple of pages, showed them a sketch.

Her picture showed two views, a three-quarter front and a three-quarter back view of a dress. Sleeveless, the neckline at the front was rounded, its top was lace, as were the shoulder straps. The midriff was also lace. The skirt was tight, ankle length, the left leg was showing through a slit that went halfway up the thigh. The back had a rounded neckline, but it wasn't a neckline, it was only just above the buttocks. There were no embellishments, it didn't need any. The sketch showed a train that came from the shoulders, dragging on the ground behind, it was some see-through material.

"I did this last night, just to see if that would work."

Charlotte and the four girls just stared at it. Charlotte said "Oh my god, that looks so good." After a minute, Rachel asked "Any thoughts for the maids of honour and the bridesmaids?" Holly said "I've not sketched anything for them yet, but I thought keep the tops similar, but not the midriff lace for the maids of honour, have it for the bridesmaids, more because I suspect Midge and Molly would insist on it than anything else. They all have good legs, so maids of honour skirt length four, maybe five inches above the knee, bridesmaids higher, all slit well up of course, so long as we don't think it'll detract from the bride. She grinned, "The very high hem really suits these four."

"Colours?" asked Rachel. Holly replied "Off-white or very pale cream for the bride. That pale green that they'd chosen for the maids of honour. For the bridesmaids, Kitty and Chloe a pale lilac, the twins a deeper shade because of their blonde hair and complexion. Shoes in matching colours, high heels for the bride and maids of honour, just a small heel for the bridesmaids. That's what suits them best, in any case it will keep their heights down, so as to keep the bride at the centre."

Charlotte suddenly said "Oh my god, I'm late, I've got to get back, can you arrange with Rachel for the others to be measured, perhaps some time for us all to talk over Holly's ideas? Beautiful, I might add." She was off.

Rachel suggested Sunday morning, "It's the only time we can all be here. See if everyone can be here for what, nine o'clock in the morning?"

Kitty said "We'll let everyone know, I'm sure it will be all right." The girls were still admiring Holly's sketch. Rachel asked Holly, "Could you sketch your ideas for the other two dresses? Makes it easier for all of us to visualise." Holly nodded, "Won't take too long, do you want me to colour them?" Rachel replied "Not yet, we'll get everyone's impression first. But your suggested colours sound good."

Kitty asked "Can we get shoes the right colours?" Holly replied "Standard problem, we get white shoes and dye them, so we can make them any colour. Henrietta knows all about that. Same for the lace, means it's the same pattern for all the dresses."

Sunday morning saw all seven girls at Rachel's, all were there when she and Holly arrived spot on nine. She opened up the shop, took them into the workroom. She asked Holly to show her first sketch of the wedding dress. Ann and Sophie both loved it, said it was much better than the online one.

Rachel had a sample of off-white satin that she showed them, Holly then produced the sketch for the maids of honour dresses, same two views. Once again, total admiration. Rachel got out a sample of pale green satin fabric, the colour very close to the internet colour they'd chosen. Finally it was the sketch for the bridesmaids. Rachel produced a pale mauve sample of satin which she laid over Chloe's front, then a little darker one to put over Midge's.

The girls fought to see themselves in front of the long mirror, holding the material to look at it held over themselves and over the others. Rachel asked "Any comments?" "Yes", said Charlotte, "Absolutely perfect."

"Let's get Ann and Sophie measured up. As you will appreciate, with close-fitting dresses we have to be very accurate. I'll remeasure you four as well" ‑ this to the twins, Chloe and Kitty. "Make sure you've not eaten too much since I measured you last time." Molly muttered "Our black dresses were all right when we tried them on a few days ago." Rachel smiled, "So they might have been, but I'm doing it anyway, no arguments. I do the job properly or not at all." "Not going to argue" said Molly. "First time for everything" from Chloe. "No." said Rachel. "I can't measure with you lot fighting." Molly: "Later." Chloe: "Looking forward to it." "Stop it!"

They went silent.

"Right, Sophie, let's start with you. Do you mind the others seeing you with your dress off?" Before she'd finished, Sophie had taken off her dress. "All right then." said Rachel, "that'll be a 'no'. Ah, you are wearing underwear. I'll tell you now, I don't want underwear under your dresses, and we'll make the dress to give you sufficient support. Oh, if any of you do need to wear knickers on the day, I have some very fine silk ones, they will barely show. So, let's get you measured."

She did all her measurements, wrote them in her ledger. When she'd finished with Sophie, she repeated the exercise with Ann. After that, she got Chloe, she checked the measurements she had, "That's very good, no change." She found exactly the same result for the other three, "I don't know how you do it, but you're all within my measurement accuracy the same as last time." Chloe muttered "Why do you think we fight all the time?"

Rachel: "Right, unless anyone has anything else?"

Kitty asked "Charlotte, do you have someone to give you away? And does George have a best man?" Charlotte said "No to both, we don't really have anyone for either, and it's not a church wedding, so not overly important." Chloe: "You are getting married. It is the most important day of your life." Midge: "I think Kitty's got a thought." Kitty: "I'm sure Daniel and Samuel would do that if we asked them." Molly: "I'm sure they would." Charlotte started "Who …" Kitty asked "Can I tell her?" Midge nodded. Kitty explained "Daniel is the twins' legal guardian, he and Samuel are family friends of theirs forever. They are both trustees of their inheritance. They are both nice people, though we don't see very much of Samuel."

Charlotte said "That would be good, it would make it more of a proper wedding. Could we meet them?" Molly: "We'll arrange something." Midge: "Sophie and Ann have met Daniel and Audrey …" Kitty interrupted, "Audrey is Daniel's wife." Midge continued "… but not Samuel or Natalie." Midge: "We'll talk to them, see if they will. You talk to George, see if he would like that."

Kitty asked "Could I take photographs of Holly's sketches? Show Daniel and Audrey?" "And Samuel and Natalie" from Chloe. Rachel nodded to Holly, Holly laid the sketchbook flat on the counter for Kitty to photograph the three sketches with her phone. After that, Holly got the four samples of material, she took those near the shop window to get the natural light, and held each up in turn for Kitty to photograph.

Shortly after, all except Charlotte left the shop, she wanted to ask more about the dresses.

Outside, Midge said "I'll phone Daniel, see if we can go there now." They stood while Midge phoned. "Hello … yes, everything's fine. … We're with Sophie and Ann, could we come round and see you? … No, not money this time. … Thank you, that would be excellent, anything to avoid Kitty's cooking ‑ oof ‑ sorry, no, it's all right, she just punched me … Oh, good, we'd like to see them … Okay, see you in a bit."

Midge said to the others, "Audrey will feed us all." Chloe: "Kitty, Midge, please don't start, let's just go. You can scrap later." Kitty grabbed Midge's hand, set off running. Midge yelled over her shoulder "Samuel and Natalie are there." Molly took Sophie's hand, Chloe took Ann's. They all ran, in the end it became something of a race, a bit of barging and attempted tripping going on, but no mishaps. When they got to Daniel's, as Kitty rang the doorbell, Sophie said to Ann "This lot are dangerous." Ann replied "Always have been, I expect they always will be." Audrey, opening the door, just heard the last few words. "Always will be what?" she asked. "Dangerous" chorused Ann and Sophie. "You're right there. Do come in. Daniel's made coffee for us all."

Inside, Samuel and Natalie were sitting on one of the settees. As the six girls entered the room, they got up. Daniel introduced Ann and Sophie to them, Samuel said "So, schoolfriends I gather." Ann said "Well, more like old-girl schoolfriends, they sort of adopted us." Natalie commented "They do have that affect on people. Anyway, good to meet you."

The four girls sat on the floor, Sophie and Ann sat on the other settee. Natalie said "Sophie, you are at the café, aren't you. I do remember you, had lunch there a couple of times. The food was first class, much better than normal café food." Sophie smiled, "That's Charlotte, she's the cook there."

Samuel and Daniel exchanged looks, but said nothing.

Audrey asked "Now, what is it you want to talk about?" Kitty promptly put her hand over Molly's mouth. Midge said "Chloe, you say." Chloe said "Why me?" Midge: "Because I'm as excited as Molly, I'll garble, and Kitty will need all her concentration to keep Molly quiet."

Chloe grinned, "All right then. Midge and Molly have sort of volunteered Daniel and Samuel for wedding duties to give away Charlotte and be George's best man, neither know anyone to do that for them. Molly pulled Kitty's hand away, "Want dresses wedding nice everything …" Kitty managed to put her hand back. Chloe continued, "Yes, particularly with the nice dresses they will all have, they'd like the whole thing to be a bit more traditional, even though it's not in church, give them something really good to remember."

Molly managed to nod even with Kitty's hand on her mouth, and from a clearly excited Midge "Please? But Charlotte not George Kitty idea Rachel's think good ask today." The four adults looked somewhat perplexed, Samuel asked "Chloe, do you think you could translate that?" "I'll try" said Chloe. "Kitty only thought of it while we were at Rachel's, the twins think it's a good idea. Charlotte has yet to ask George, she hopes to do that today." It was Midge's turn to say "That's what I said!"

It went a bit quiet, all of them sipped coffee, though the four girls had to get up to get theirs from the coffee table. Daniel looked towards Samuel, "What do you think?" Samuel looked at Natalie, she gave a hint of a nod. He said "I'm happy enough, but I'd like to meet them well before, try to get to know them a bit." Daniel said "That's settled then, if they want us to do it, we will, but like Samuel I'd like to know them a little." Daniel and Samuel both had to rapidly put their coffees down as they got hugs from Midge and Molly.

In the silence that followed, Chloe said "Kitty, show them your pictures."

Then, to the adults, "Holly has drawn sketches of what the dresses might look like, Kitty took some pictures on her phone." "Oh, yes please" from Audrey, Natalie was nodding. Kitty got the photo of Holly's sketch for the bride's dress. She passed her phone to Natalie. Natalie looked for several seconds, but when she tried to expand it, she lost it.

Daniel said "Just a minute, Kitty bring your phone into the office." He got his laptop, found an iPhone lead, plugged it in. He got Kitty to unlock her phone, between them they transferred the sketch pictures and the cloth colour ones to his laptop. He took the laptop back into the sitting room, used a cable from the laptop to an HDMI port on the television. It took several minutes, but now the pictures could be viewed on a big screen.

"Here, Kitty, you show them." He passed the laptop to her. She showed the bride's dress sketch first, all could see it, "Bride" she said. She kept it on the screen for a short time, then "Maids of honour" as she scrolled to the next, left that on the screen for a while, "Bridesmaids" as she put the bridesmaid's sketch. No comments, until Sophie asked "Colours?" Kitty said "I don't think these will show up well, but …" She put up the first, said "Bride, off-white." After a few seconds, the pale green one, "Maids of honour", then "Bridesmaids, Chloe and me" as she put up the paler mauve, and "Midge and Molly" as she showed the slightly darker mauve.

Audrey asked "Why the two different mauves?" Chloe answered "Holly says the paler one is better with our darker hair, the darker with the twins' blonde." Molly: "We won't question Holly on this sort of thing." Midge: "She just seems to know what's best."

Natalie said "If they turn out as well as the other dresses, and look like those sketches, this will be a wedding to remember. I've never been disappointed with anything Rachel's done for me, so I've no doubts."

Audrey suddenly said "The dinner!" She rushed out, Natalie following.

Daniel asked Sophie and Ann, "Have they got a photographer? With all these dresses, it must be properly recorded." Sophie said "They've not mentioned one." Ann: "Probably can't afford one, I'm pretty sure their jobs only give them the minimum wage. Expect they're hoping they'd get some from people's phones." Samuel looked at Daniel, they nodded to each other. Daniel said "Can you find out? We'll pay for Derek."

Ann immediately sent a message to Charlotte. "She'll be busy, but I know she checks her phone occasionally."

A few minutes later, Natalie poked her head through the door, "Five minutes." One twin grabbed Sophie, the other Ann, pulled them to the door, Kitty and Chloe chasing after them. Natalie barely had time to get out of the way, "Wow" as she turned and went back to help Audrey. Three minutes later, there was the noise of bodies tumbling down the stairs. Samuel immediately got up, Daniel said to him "Don't worry, that's their normal way of coming down. Let's go to the dining room."

Daniel had put an extra leaf in the table, so now there was room for four places each side and one at each end.

Audrey called "Kitty, Chloe, come and help carry some plates." Daniel went as well, so five of them each brought through two plates, it was roast beef, plenty of vegetables, gravy. They all sat down, Audrey said "Horse radish and mustard on the table, please start." Samuel said "I have to ask, why no wine? Why can't the …" Chloe choked, got up, ran from the room, Molly went after her. Samuel asked "What's the matter? I know there's something wrong, but …" Daniel said "I'd like to know too, will someone please explain?"

Kitty, also struggling, just about managed to ask Midge "Should I tell them?" Midge replied "Not while we're eating. I'll get them back." Midge got up, left the room. Kitty, looking down in front of her, "It was a nasty event, we'll tell you later, sorry, please don't mention it." A minute or so later, the three girls returned. Chloe just said "Sorry", sat and concentrated on eating. Conversation soon resumed, mostly about the dresses for the wedding.

Pudding was a fruit salad with meringues, Audrey said "This is what we were having, the full pavlova requires some notice. Kitty said "Don't think anyone is complaining." Molly: "They'll have me to contend with if they do, this is such a pleasant change from …" Sophie butted in, "Don't say it, let us all enjoy it in peace." Kitty grinned, "Oh well, another time." Ann asked "You like them insulting your cooking?" "Of course, it gives me the excuse for a fight." Daniel muttered "Incorrigible."

A little later on, they were in the sitting room, Natalie and Samuel were on one settee, Sophie and Ann on the other. Daniel and Audrey were in their armchairs. The four girls sat on the floor, all were drinking coffee.

Wine and knives

Daniel said "Come on then, we want to know, what is this about wine that upset Chloe so much?" Midge got up, took Chloe's hand, led her to Audrey. Chloe climbed on to Audrey's lap, just as Kitty so often did. Midge returned to where she was sitting with the other girls.

Midge and Molly started their explanation, alternating: "We were wandering around the kitchens, found a door that" "led into a cellar. " "Racks of wine. We took" "three bottles each, carried" "them into a wooded area" "we often went to." "Sat, drank most" "of it straight" "off. Memory gets" "a little hazy. We had" "knife buried there for practising" "throwing at trees." "Used two trees little way" "apart, took turns to throw." "Vision gone" "wonky, one missed" "tree, next time" "stood next to tree, said 'Better not miss', kept throwing until" "did miss tree again, hit one of us. Just carried" "on, both hurt several times. Couldn't stay" "standing, managed to reach" "each other, still" "had knife, think used it" "cut each other more." "Nothing else until" "woke in hospital." "Kitty, you tell."

Kitty, trying to keep herself under control, "Chloe and I went searching for the twins, they hadn't appeared for lunch, very unusual. We knew places they would sometimes go to. Chloe found them, went to phone for an ambulance. Only phone is in the abbess's study, which is always locked. Chloe managed to brake the door down, she hurt herself really badly doing it. She phoned for an ambulance, by that time two nuns had come, probably heard the door being broken.

"I returned from my searching to see nuns dragging Chloe away, her words to me were 'Ambulance coming, gates, woods'. Didn't know what was wrong then, but knew it must have been bad. Went into the study, pressed the button that opened the gates, ran to the woods, saw the twins."

Kitty stopped for a moment, lifted the hem of her dress to wipe her eyes, then continued. "Knew I couldn't do anything, so went to the gates, waited for the ambulance, showed them where the twins were." She stopped again, then "They said another minute or so both would be dead." She broke down, started sobbing. Chloe, through her tears, "They were lying in a pool of blood, it looked like they'd been kissing."

Samuel got up, he went to Kitty, pulled her to her feet. He picked her up, carried her to Natalie, put her onto Natalie's lap, where she curled up, gently crying.

The twins had remained totally expressionless throughout Kitty's part of the story. After a minute or so, the twins started speaking: "Chloe got the whip for breaking into the abbess's study, Kitty got caned, don't know why." "These two saved our lives." "We were in hospital for a few days, but mended all right." "Got better before Chloe did." "She shoulder barged door, once each shoulder." "Rammed feet into it." "Then whipped." In unison: "She and Kitty every right to be upset." Sophie got up, closely followed by Ann. Sophie knelt in front of Midge, Ann in front of Molly. They leant forwards and kissed them, then hugged them. Sophie said "We knew you'd gone to hospital, there were all sorts of rumours." Ann: "None as bad as what really happened."

After a minute or so, Kitty and Chloe went back to the twins, sat either side, each got hold of the twin's hand. Ann and Sophie gave the twins a kiss, then Chloe and Kitty. They returned to their settee. Midge said "Now we don't trust ourselves near wine." Molly: "We might do something like it again." "To each other." "Or to someone else."

Samuel looked at Daniel, "That's why they wanted the wine gone from their house."

More wedding gifts and the restaurant

In the ensuing silence, Ann's phone pinged. She looked at it, said "Happier subject. Charlotte says they'd both be very grateful for the best man and giving away, also for the photographer. If I read between the lines correctly, they are both puzzled as to why you'd do all that for them."

Daniel said "I can answer that one. It would give all of us a lot of pleasure while we're dealing with some horrors. Don't tell them that. But we must meet them."

Kitty said "It's not easy to get a time when we are all free, and I think we all want to be together at least at first. Sunday morning up until George has to go to the restaurant wouldn't be bad, but next Sunday morning seems a long way away." Ann: "Maybe very early in the morning? Like we did at Rachel's? So long as I can get to the pharmacy by nine."

Audrey suggested "What about if I do breakfast for everyone here, seven o'clock? You can arrive at, what, six? Should give time enough at least say hello." Sophie asked "Can you do breakfast for twelve of us?" Audrey said "Biggest problem is sitting round the table, but I think we can squeeze two on each end. I've a freezer full of food. Oh, except eggs, only got a couple. How about a sort of cut-down full English, if that's not a contradiction in terms? I've plenty of bread for toast."

Glances round the room, murmurs of agreement. Ann said "I'll message Charlotte." Daniel said "One slight problem, we've not got enough chairs, we need another two. Girls, if I drive you back now, can we borrow a couple of your dining chairs?" Molly and Midge: "Of course."

Samuel stood up, Daniel looked up, Samuel beckoned him with his head, walked towards the door. Daniel went over to him, they talked in low tones for a short while. They returned to their seats, Daniel said "What about a reception?" Sophie replied "They've not planned anything in particular, they'll probably just go to a pub." Audrey immediately said "The twins couldn't possibly do that." Samuel said "This means so much to these girls, I'd happily pay for the hotel where, you know …" Midge and Molly got up, just about threw themselves at Samuel, "That would" "be so" "good." Samuel laughed, "Come on, let me breath. If we're doing breakfast tomorrow, we can talk it over with them then."

The twins each gave Samuel a kiss on his cheeks, then Natalie, before returning to their places on the floor. When Audrey had stopped laughing at the reaction, she asked "Can we look at those sketches again?"

Ten minutes later, Ann got another message from Charlotte. "She says they will be here for breakfast tomorrow. They are very grateful to you."

After another half an hour, they broke up. Daniel drove the four girls home, they had a bit of a fight to see which of Kitty and Chloe sat in the back with the twins, in the end they again used 'rock, paper, scissors' to decide. On the way, Daniel said "Look, if we do the reception at the hotel, the guests will expect alcohol." Silence for a few seconds, then the twins alternated: "Kitty and" "Chloe will" "be with us" "the whole time." In unison they added "They'll keep us safe."

When they got to the house, Daniel stayed with the car to put the rear seat backs down. Kitty and Chloe brought out two chairs, the twins followed them, between them they were holding a box of a dozen eggs. After the chairs were loaded, the twins proffered the box to Daniel. In unison they said "Must have eggs."

The following morning, the four girls arrived at Daniel and Audrey's at about ten to six. Daniel and Audrey had expected the early arrival and were ready for them. A few minutes later Sophie, Ann, Charlotte and George arrived, shortly followed by Samuel and Natalie. Charlotte introduced George to the adults, he shook hands with each of them, he said "I don't understand why you want to do this for us, but we are really grateful."

Daniel checked where the six girls were, he saw they were in a giggling huddle the other side of the room. He said quietly "This is really for the twins. Losing their parents hurt them, no, is still hurting them dreadfully. I think they see this as an opportunity to start another marriage as good as their parent's was. They've not been this full of life since …" He stopped, Midge and Molly were coming towards them.

Midge said "Come on you're hogging them." Samuel said "For a bit longer. Charlotte, sit with Daniel there …" indicating one of the settees, "… I'll take George, we need to get to know you a bit." He and George sat in the other settee.

The twins went back to the others, they sat in a circle on the floor, chatting. Audrey and Natalie were in the two armchairs, quietly looking at all the others in the room.

After maybe twenty minutes, Kitty punched Chloe. "Ouch, what's that for?" "Not enough excitement." Chloe jumped up. She grabbed Kitty's hand, and without letting her get to her feet, she dragged her along the floor. Kitty managed to smile and wave with her free arm to the faces turned towards them, until they disappeared behind one of the settees. The scuffle that ensued was accompanied by sounds of slapping, yelps, odd bangs, and a lot of laughter.

Both George and Charlotte looked round, Charlotte asked "Isn't anyone going to stop them?" Audrey answered, "Not much point, they'd just resume somewhere else. Anyway, it's time I started breakfast, it'll have to be in stages." Charlotte asked "Could I help you? I'm sure it would make it easier for you." Audrey glanced at Daniel, he gave a slight nod. Audrey said "Yes, please, that would be good." Natalie had started to get up, she sat down again, saying "Too many cooks …".

Audrey and Charlotte went into the kitchen, Daniel following. Ann got to her feet, "Not used to sitting on the floor like that." She made her way to the settee vacated by Daniel and Charlotte, followed by Sophie. Midge and Molly promptly got up and joined Kitty and Chloe, the sounds of the struggle increased. George looked round at them again, Samuel said "It's all right, they do this all the time." A head popped up from the scrum, it said "Getting appetite for breakfa… ouch." The head disappeared again.

Ten minutes later, the sounds of the fighting slowed and stopped. George looked round again, the four girls were lying side by side, flat on their backs, holding hands. He looked away quickly, their dresses were in considerable disarray. Natalie saw his look of embarrassment, she said "I'm afraid you'll have to get used to that if you are around them at all, modesty isn't something they practise much." Samuel added "You do have to be on your guard with them." George commented "Sophie did warn me, it's still something of a shock."

The four girls got up, smoothed their dresses down. Swaying their hips a little, they walked back to where they were sitting on the floor. Samuel and Natalie both shook their heads, George just stared. The four sat down again, all were grinning.

A few minutes later, Audrey came back in. "Sophie, George, could you help in the kitchen please? The rest of you, dining room, I'll show you where we want you to sit. She took them through, she said "Charlotte and George will be at this end, Samuel round from George, then Kitty, Sophie and Ann. The other side, Daniel round from Charlotte, then Molly, Midge and Chloe. Natalie and I will be at the other end. Now, no arguments. I want Kitty and Chloe as far apart as I can get them." She could hardly stop herself laughing while she said the last sentence.

Somewhat surprisingly, she didn't go back to the kitchen, she just sat down with the rest.

Less than a minute later, Daniel, Sophie, Charlotte and George came in.

Daniel was carrying two plates, he put them for Audrey and Natalie, he sat down next to Molly.

Sophie was carrying three plates, one was in each hand, one balanced on her arm. George had four, one in each hand, one on each arm, Charlotte had three like Sophie.

Charlotte put hers for Chloe, Midge, and Molly, she sat down.

Sophie placed one plate in front of Ann, took the plate from her arm and put it in her own place, the last of her three she put for Kitty, she turned to George. She took the two plates from his arms, placed them for Daniel and Charlotte and took her seat.

George placed the two in his hands for Samuel and himself. He looked round to make sure everyone had a plate in front of them before he sat down. The whole placing of the plates took just a few seconds.

Samuel said, mainly to Daniel, "That was very professional." Daniel nodded, quietly said "We'll talk later." Meanwhile people were tucking in to plates of fried egg, bacon, sausage, black pudding, mushrooms, baked beans and croutons. There were murmurs of appreciation.

Nothing was said until all had finished. Then Kitty spoke, "Nobody need say that that was better than my cooking. Best breakfast ever." Audrey said "No credit to me, that was all Charlotte. All I did was get stuff out for her." Charlotte: "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to take over, I'm so used to working on my …" Audrey stopped her, "Nothing to apologise for at all, I'm glad you did, I would still be cooking it now. And I still can't work out how you managed to cook twelve fried eggs to finish together in a pan that's only big enough for six, even though I saw you do it. Oh, Kitty's right, better than anything I've ever done."

Another look between Daniel and Samuel, each nodding to the other.

Audrey asked if anyone wanted toast, all declined, "Molly eaten too much deliciousness already" from Molly. Audrey suggested they go into the sitting room, she'd bring tea through. Sophie made as if to start collecting plates, Audrey said "Please don't, let's spend our time together, I can do this later." Sophie smiled again, "Too used to doing it."

Audrey went into the kitchen with Natalie, the rest went into the sitting room. Daniel asked Sophie and Ann if they were all right on the floor, Ann said "Yes thank you, it won't be for much longer anyway." Sophie: "Just so long as we don't get attacked." Chloe said "Too full to do anything like that. Hope Rachel's measurements will still be right."

Audrey and Natalie came in with trays holding mugs of tea. "Sorry they're random mugs, we don't have enough the same." George said "Tea will taste the same whatever the pattern." Conversation went quiet for a bit, then Samuel said "Reception." Daniel said "Midge?" Midge: "George, Charlotte, did you have a reception planned?" They looked at each other, George said "Not really. Thought about the restaurant, but it's not good enough, the café isn't right, in any case no licence. Probably end up in a pub." Molly said "What about the hotel?" George said "Ideal, except we couldn't possibly afford it." Natalie said "We wouldn't want to spoil the ship for a ha'porth of tar. We'll do it for you."

Charlotte's mouth dropped open, George said "That's too much, we couldn't possibly …" Kitty was immediately in front of George, fist raised, threatening to punch him. The incongruousness of a five-foot nothing girl threatening to punch a well built six-foot man made everyone laugh, Charlotte said "I think we'll have to accept, thank you so much." George took hold of Kitty's fist, "Stop frightening poor defenceless men like that." He pulled her to him, kissed her briefly on the mouth, pushed her back. "And thank you, everybody."

Kitty ran back to sit on the floor with the other girls, Chloe kissed her, whispered "Well done."

Daniel said "We would like to know a date and time though, sooner we can book everything the better." Charlotte: "We have the wedding booked, it's the Saturday the twentieth, two month's time, at the town hall, twelve o'clock." Samuel: "I'll book the hotel. What would you like, something like lunch and evening buffet? Let me know, well, let the girls know, they'll make sure everything's done."

Kitty asked "Shouldn't they talk with Derek as well? He seems to like to get to know his subjects, and what they want in their pictures?" Daniel nodded. "Girls, could you organise booking and them seeing Derek?" Kitty immediately said "Chloe will love that." The inevitable fight started between Chloe and Kitty. Daniel, ignoring the scuffle, "We needn’t be involved, simplify things. Get his estimate so we know, just tell him he'll be paid."

Samuel asked "Do you have numbers? We'll need to know that as well." Charlotte: "There was no need as we were. Neither of us have any family, so it's mostly my school friends. We'll work out how many, let you know."

Ann got up, "I have to go, mustn't be late. Thank you for breakfast, delicious. Girls, we'll keep in touch, and thank you." Kitty and Chloe stopped fighting, got up and went with Ann to the front door to see her out.

Charlotte got up, "If you don't mind, I'd like to go, we've got a large lunch booked at the café, I would like to get things prepared well in advance." George said "I'll walk you there. Sophie?" Sophie nodded, "Okay, I'll come with you."

They gave their thanks, said their goodbyes, and were gone.

Kitty said "Mustn't forget we've got Tom and Fea in a little while." Daniel glanced at Samuel, then said "We'd like to say something to you." Samuel nodded. "We've thought a bit about the restaurant, and now we've seen …" Samuel interjected "And tasted" "… Charlotte and George at work, and if they had Sophie as a waitress, we could see them making a go of it." Samuel: "We've looked into the ownership, apparently it's freehold and on a mortgage … oh, freehold?" ‑ he'd seen questioning looks ‑ "Outright ownership, no landlord of any sort." The four girls were looking at him intently.

Samuel said "We're going to make tentative enquiries, but if we do consider what you are asking for, Midge, Molly, we would want it purchased in your names, kept as a trust asset, to keep the risk to us down.

"Not quite what you asked for, but we find that much more acceptable."

The twins were silent, looking at each other. Kitty asked "Not my business, but does that mean that George becomes the manager and takes the profits? The twins get no income?" Daniel looked at Samuel, "Told you they're not stupid." Samuel said "That's something we can discuss, but what we've suggested is at least financially secure. George would be responsible for things like insurance, council tax and so on." Daniel added "If they need initial financial help to get it going, that would be all right up to the point where it looks like it won't succeed."

Midge: "Hope we got all that, we own, George manages, pays necessary outgoings." Molly: "And we help him financially to get started."

Samuel: "Exactly." Kitty, somewhat thoughtfully, "That way, he won't feel like you're giving him charity, more acceptable for him." Chloe asked "To that end, if he makes a profit, he pays a percentage to Midge and Molly? Or rent?" Samuel: "Definitely not stupid. But that's really up to the twins."

"Sorry" said Chloe, "Sticking my nose in. Not my busi…" She was cut off by Molly, "We want you to stick it in." Midge: "Yes, both of you." Molly: "We may take no notice." Midge: "But we still want to hear."

Daniel: "So, are you okay with our suggestion? Do you want to see if it can be done?" Midge and Molly together: "Yes, and yes please." One twin went to Samuel, one to Daniel, they got hard hugs.

Midge and Molly released the two men, looked at each other for half a second. Midge spoke "Give us some time to think it over." Molly: "We will probably have more questions for one or both of you." Midge "We've not done anything" Molly: "like this before."

Daniel: "If we all agree on some sort of possible arrangement we'd like to make with George, then, and only then, should we approach him, see if he likes the idea. It's after that we find out if the present owner wants to sell, we've only got George's opinion about that."

Midge said "Wait one." She and Molly walked to a corner of the room, sat crosslegged on the floor facing each other. They held hands with each other, interlocking their fingers, leant forward and touched foreheads. Samuel looked at them, was about to say something, Kitty went to him, quietly said "They're having some sort of very deep conversation, I don't think there's anything to worry about." Samuel asked "How long will they …" Before he'd had time to complete his question, the twins stood up, gave each other a brief kiss, walked back to the adults. Midge said "We've decided we don't know what we should do." Molly "We would like your opinion on what would be best." Midge: "Both financially" Molly: "and personally." Both together: "Please."

Samuel spoke, "Wow. Can I say, that was very brave of you to ask that." Daniel nodded, he said "You are normally so self‑assured, that must have hurt."

Midge and Molly spoke alternately "We feel" "out of our" "depth on this one." "It would be stupid" "not to take" "advice. We don't think" "we are normally" "stupid, except" "we put up" "with" - then in unison - "Kitty's cooking."

Kitty ran to them, but instead of punching them, she pulled them both to her, hugging them and kissing each in turn several times. Meanwhile the others in the room were all laughing, what had become a somewhat tense atmosphere had completely changed. Kitty released them, she fell to the floor face down, laughing with the rest.

Samuel said to Daniel, "We need to discuss this." Daniel: "Midge, Molly, we'll get back to you in a few days. We'll try to find out what the place is worth, which has to be part of the equation." Samuel added "We may even visit it?" he looked questioningly at Daniel. Samuel nodded. "Maybe treat our ladies to a meal there." Chloe said "Doubt it will be much of a treat, food's awful." Midge and Molly, in unison, "Even worse that Kitty's."

Kitty, still lying on the floor, managed to get out "Which is a very low bar." She buried her face in the carpet, started banging the floor with the flat of her hand. Midge finally said "Come on, schooling in a bit." She and Molly bent down to Kitty, rolled her onto her back. Each grabbed a hand and hauled her to her feet. Chloe went to the adults, "Thank you for everything, we'd better be off."

Midge and Molly frogmarched Kitty to the front door, they managed to get through it, closely followed by Chloe. Daniel closed the door, went back into the living room. Natalie and Audrey were hugging each other, still laughing, Samuel was just sitting, smiling to himself.

Daniel suddenly said "Look at the time. Got to get to the office. Audrey?" She said "The plates should at least be put to soak." Natalie spoke, "You can all go, I'll stay here, clean up. Okay?" "Thank you" from Audrey.

Two days later, Daniel phoned Midge at lunchtime, asked the four to come for an evening meal. He said he'd bring their chairs back in the car, so he'd pick them up.

That evening, driving the girls back to his, Daniel said "We went to the restaurant yesterday evening. You're right about the food. George was a little surprised to see us, we didn't say why we were there. I'll tell you a bit more when we're back. And an update from Philip."

Once in the house, Audrey greeted them, then went to the kitchen.

Daniel told the girls that Philip had his team going through the girl's recordings, that they were putting anything they could get from them into the database they were building. There were several discrepancies in what different girls had said, but that was to be expected.

"One comment from the ones listening to the recordings, they said all four of you have an amazing talent for putting people at ease so that they were prepared to open up to you."

He also told them that they'd done a couple of drone scans covering some of the grounds, there was nothing that looked interesting so far. "Disappointing, but that's how investigations went sometimes."

By the time he'd finished telling them that, Audrey came in with the five minute warning, she was surprised that the four girls walked in silence to go to the bathroom. Audrey gave Daniel a questioning look, he just said "Bringing them up to date on the school stuff."

Over the meal, Daniel started talking about the restaurant. "It's a good size building, it's in an excellent location, good parking area. There was only one other table being served while we were there, so I was able to talk a bit with George, just casually. The current owner had renovated the place when he got it a couple of years ago. Decor was good, the kitchen was fully equipped. But it was let down by lack of decent linen for the tables and cheap cutlery, paper serviettes instead of linen, generally adding to the poor diner experience. But with relatively little outlay it could be much improved."

He went on to say both he and Samuel thought it would be an excellent investment provided it got the right staff, and clearly Charlotte, George and Sophie would be a perfect combination, though with any reasonable success more staff would be necessary.

He and Samuel both thought that, provided the present owner wanted to sell at a sensible price, it would work.

Midge asked "If we were to go ahead, should we buy it outright or on a mortgage?" Daniel replied "Buy it outright. There's mortgage interest to consider, and the return should eventually be higher than earnings on the money as it is presently invested."

He went on to say that in Samuel's professional opinion, the twins, or more correctly, their trust, should, at least initially, retain ownership. They could help George financially by lending money for any outlays, rent, salaries and so on to give the best chance for success, with a formal agreement specifying everything including interest. When the place was a going concern, George would pay back the loan.

At some stage he could buy it if he wanted, though how he finances that would be up to him, but probably with a mortgage. It might be worth considering his buying it in monthly instalments directly, that would save money all round, but it could be quite a number of years before ownership passed fully. But that was for later.

The formal agreements would be both good business sense for the investment, also good from a personal point of view, it wouldn't seem like charity.

The twins were obviously thinking about all this, eating mechanically. When the first course was finished, Midge and Molly got up, went away from the table, knelt in front of each other, held hands, stared into each others' eyes. At the table, no one spoke, just waited for the twins. Audrey collected the plates as quietly as she could, took them into the kitchen. Daniel followed her, they returned with dishes and a serving dish with a pudding on it. As she sat, the twins returned to the table, smiling.

Midge started, "We accept everything you say." "We would like to go ahead" "but don't know how" "to approach George" "or the" "present owner." Then, from Molly "Goody, goody," Midge: "⁠pineapple upside down pudding!"

Daniel and Audrey both laughed, Audrey said "They do like their food." Daniel: "We'll talk some more over coffee."

Kitty and Chloe were both looking at the pudding suspiciously. Audrey asked "Another one you've not had?" They both nodded. She said "Midge, I've left the custard in the kitchen, could you?" Midge disappeared on the run, reappeared moments later with a large jug, she placed it carefully in front of Audrey.

Audrey cut a wedge out of the pudding, put it in a dish. "Kitty, do you like custard skin?" Kitty shook her head, "I don't know." Audrey said "Some people do, some don't. I'll put some skin with the custard on the dish, if you don't like it, pass it to Molly. I know she does."

Kitty tried it, "No, sorry, not for me, the custard's really good, though, and not lumpy at all." Chloe asked "Should I try it, see if I like it?" Kitty passed the dish to Chloe. "Oh, yes, Chloe likes!" Smiles all round the table at the Molly impression. Audrey served another one out for Kitty without the skin, with for Molly, without for Midge, finally with skin for Daniel, without for herself.

They ate is silence, until Kitty said "Lovely, never had that before, but too much." Chloe said "Same here, wonderful." Audrey smiled, "We had such a poor pudding last night, had to do something like that to recover."

Kitty asked "Why is it called 'upside down' pudding?" Molly: "Because the cook has to stand on her head to… oof" Midge had poked her. Audrey said "Take no notice, this cook doesn't stand on her head. The pineapple is at the bottom of the pudding bowl it's cooked in, but when it's turned out on the serving dish, the pineapple is on the top." "I like Molly's explanation better" from Chloe.

Daniel: "I think we all need coffee." The four girls got up, each went to Audrey to give her a quick kiss, though Chloe tried to turn her head upside down to do it, falling on the floor in the process. Kitty helped her get up. Laughing, they ran into the sitting room.

When the coffee had been poured, Daniel said "Samuel and I have talked about the 'approach' situation. As trustees, we can invest your money however we want, so long as it's in your best interest. Samuel and/or I can go to George, pose the question to him, 'Can we, as trustees with money to invest, buy the restaurant for you to make work?' That way it's a pure business proposition. You don’t even need to be there. It's only if he wants to do it that we approach the owner."

Midge and Molly glanced at each other, then alternating, "Could you do that" "please? But we" "would want to" "be there" - the last two words spoken together.

Daniel "How about tonight? Sooner the better? He'll be off work soon." Kitty said "Poking my nose in again, but shouldn't Charlotte be here as well?" Chloe: "Possibly Sophie?"

Daniel said "It depends on whether they've already discussed this, but it could do no harm. In any case, we would want the three of them to be working there, that's a combination we know will work. So, yes, let's see if we can organise that now. But I think not Sophie yet, we don't know it they've talked seriously to her. Midge, let me have George's phone number ‑ oh, you've not got it?" Right, Charlotte's then, I'll message her, see what happens."

Midge looked at Kitty, Kitty nodded and sent Charlotte's contact details to Daniel's phone. Daniel wrote a message, he read it out "Charlotte, we'd like to talk to George and you, preferably this evening, could you both come round, please? Nothing to worry about."

Midge and Molly both nodded, Daniel sent it.

A few minutes later, Daniel's phone pinged. He looked at it, "They'll be here in ten minutes. I'm going to get Samuel here." He walked out of the room holding his phone to his ear, returning a couple of minutes later, "He's on his way."

He thought for a moment, "I think it might be better if it's just Samuel the twins and me who talk to them, keeps it more business-like." Audrey said "The two girls and I can make ourselves scarce when they come. Got some menial labour for them in the kitchen" which caused some grins. "Maybe some more coffee for us all after your talk."

Samuel arrived first, Daniel let him in, briefed him on what they'd discussed in the hall. In the sitting room he said hello to everyone, then to the twins "Good decision. This could work well. Make everybody happy."

They talked about nothing in particular until the doorbell rang, Daniel answered the door and led George and Charlotte into the sitting room. After the usual greetings, Daniel said "Right, we have a proposition for you." Kitty, Chloe and Audrey got up, Audrey said "We'll leave you to it."

In the kitchen, the two girls helped Audrey clear up, then do the washing up. Somehow, the remainder of the pudding had shrunk a little by the time they'd finished. Moments later, Daniel came into the kitchen, said "We're done, I'll make some coffee."

Back in the sitting room, George was just releasing Samuel's hand. Charlotte was talking quietly on her phone, she looked up, "Can Ann come as well?" Midge immediately replied "Yes, certainly." Charlotte spoke into her phone again, ended her call. "They'll be here in a few minutes." Molly got up, "I'll tell Daniel two more for coffee." Samuel said "Make it three, I'll phone Natalie."

Samuel asked George, "Do you want to talk with Sophie in private? Quite all right if so." George glanced at Charlotte, he said "No, thank you, all we need do is tell her where we are."

Kitty, Chloe and Audrey stayed quiet; although clearly there was some sort of positive outcome, they'd find out the details when Sophie came.

A few minutes later Natalie arrived, followed shortly by Sophie and Ann. After the usual greetings and coffee distribution, George said to Sophie "These want to buy the restaurant provided we three will staff it. Whether they can buy it or not depends on the present owner. Are you still in?" Sophie didn't even need to take a second, "Oh, yes, that would be great. As I've said, I'd much prefer it to working at the café."

George smiled, said to the room "We've thought about this before, all the 'what ifs', this is pretty much our ideal." To Sophie, "The conditions are on the generous side of fair, I can't see a problem." To Samuel and Daniel, "I'd like to see a contract in writing so I could get it checked by another solicitor." Daniel nodded, "I'd insist on it. I'll draw up a contract, you'll need to get it checked before you agree. We need your agreement before we commit to buying. Meanwhile we can make enquiries to see if a purchase is possible."

Samuel added "As we said, the rent may need adjusting according to a final purchase price, we've only estimated it for now." George replied "My business plan lets me know what we should be able to afford for rent and interest on the initial loan, but your present figures are very reasonable."

Daniel said "We are certainly not trying to screw you, we want this to be a success. Long term this benefits us all. And I'd get beaten up by the twins if you failed because of us overcharging you."

Midge and Molly immediately ran to him, both managed to get on his lap, they hugged him, each gave a kiss on his cheeks, they repeated the process on a somewhat surprised Samuel then an even more surprised George. They returned to the floor, Midge punched Chloe, Molly punched Kitty. The four dragged each other behind a settee and started their usual scuffle.

George said "They do take some getting used to." Charlotte: "I think we are going to see a lot more of them." Sophie: "Frightening prospect." Audrey: "They're just pleased and excited."

Evidence to police

Four days later, Midge got a lunch-time phone call from Daniel, could Philip and he come to theirs in the evening?

Seven o'clock had them all in the sitting room. Philip told them that the drone scans were inconclusive, and they were having no luck tracing the whereabouts of the missing girls. He said they couldn't make any more progress, it was time to present at least the whipping video to the police. They would state about the abortions and probable sterilising, the girls would need to be interviewed about that and the whippings. This should all lead to a court case, Philip was fairly sure they wouldn't need to appear in a court in person, but probably through a video link. Maybe, if the case was considered strong enough, only a pre-recorded sworn statement, though this depended on the prosecutor.

All the girls looked a little disappointed, Kitty asked "Does that mean all those photographs will be of no use?" To which Philip replied "As you know, they're not legal. Having said that, I will be giving some serious hints to the police, including searching their documents, and on interpreting the pages on each of the girls. I won't involve you in this. But definitely not wasted."

Daniel asked "What if the girls are asked the circumstances about their going into the convent, how and why they went in? They won't lie or mislead and they can't refuse to answer a direct question."

Philip answered "This is where we have to hope the court will accept a statement. That will have to be discussed with the prosecution, but I hope the video will be so conclusive that further questions won't be forthcoming. Of course, if they are asked, they must answer. I can't see any case for entrapment, they didn't ask for any punishment, all they did was enter the school, albeit illegally.

"Same goes for their second expedition, but hopefully no one will know about that."

All this while the twins just sat, listening, expressionless. When Daniel finished talking, the twins looked at each other, a hint of a nod. Alternating they said: "Saying how we" "got in hurts" "nobody, but" "whatever happens, we won't" "say where the camera" "came from. It would" "be so unfair."

Daniel shook his head, "Tricky one, you will have sworn to tell the whole truth. I suppose you could argue you didn't know the question was coming, but …"

Midge and Molly suddenly became agitated, looked at each other, both were shaking. Chloe immediately put her arms round Molly, Kitty hers round Midge. Kitty said "Please don't." Chloe: "You'll only hurt people you don't want to."

Daniel asked "What's the matter?" Kitty replied "They are being put into an impossible situation." Chloe: "They are incapable of lying, but are totally loyal, they can't get Derek into trouble."

Daniel asked "Did you tell Derek what you wanted it for?" Midge managed to say "Just to photograph …" Molly: "… writing in" "low light" "like starlight."

Daniel said "In that case, you needn’t worry, he can't be responsible for what you did with it."

The twins both looked relieved, then looked down at the arms round them, each turned and kissed the owner of the arms. In unison they said "Thank you, all right now."

They reverted to their usual holding of hands.

Philip had just watched this play out, shook his head, but didn't comment. He said to Daniel "I will give the video to the police probably tomorrow. Ed may wish to start a newspaper story, that's entirely up to him, though he may talk to you first."

To the girls he said "You will almost certainly be questioned by the police, don't talk to anyone about this without Daniel being there, that's imperative." Daniel nodded, he said "Applies to all four of you, understood? And that includes Isabel or any other newspaper person. In fact, don't talk to anyone that you don't know is, how shall I put it, totally safe." All four girls nodded.

Kitty asked "What about the other girls? Won't the police learn about Ann and Sophie and other girls from us?" Daniel replied "That's inevitable. We'll warn as many of the girls as we can, Philip, can you let me know the second you tell the police?" Philip nodded.

Philip: "There is another thing that worries me. We don't know who might be involved, it could well include organised crime. If so, the girls might be in danger. Would any of you object to having protection, either police or private? I know you will say Midge and Molly are protection enough, but there could be firearms involved. Even they couldn't stop a bullet."

Daniel was about to say something, but saw Midge and Molly staring at each other. They spoke, alternating, "We understand" "the need, but we" "wouldn't want anyone" "staying inside" "the house" "overnight." Kitty smiled, "That would be a little, erm …" "… inhibiting" finished Chloe.

Philip, nodding, "If we do it, we'll have to come up with some sort of satisfactory arrangement."

The next day, Daniel phoned, said he and Samuel had some news on the restaurant front, would they like a meal in the evening?

That evening, over the meal, Samuel said he had contacted the present owner of the restaurant, he was interested in selling, and yes, he was losing money. But he wouldn't give it away. Samuel had suggested getting independent valuations from suitable estate agents, see if they could agree a price after that.

Daniel said he'd written a contract for George, but didn't want to pass it to him until there was near agreement on a price.

The forgotten building

Then something unexpected from Daniel. "I'm still going through your trust's assets. I've come across a building that I'd forgotten about. It was purchased many years ago, a while before you were born. As far as I can tell, it has just been left empty."

This was met with surprised looks from the twins, then Molly asked "Could you take us to see it, please?" Daniel answered "I thought you might ask that. How about Saturday morning?" The twins nodded, Midge said "Thank you, that would be good." Kitty asked "Can Chloe and I come?" Molly dug Kitty in the ribs, "Of course."

Daniel: "One problem, I don't have the keys, are there any here that might be them?" Midge: "There are some keys in a kitchen drawer that we don't recognise, so maybe." Daniel: "Right, I'll pick you up on Saturday, say nine."

So, on the Saturday, Daniel picked them up. The usual 'rock, paper, scissors' to decide which of Kitty or Chloe sat in the back with the twins, then a ten minute drive to the building, though it took a bit of finding, hidden as it was off a wooded stretch of country road, the entrance to its drive was just an inconspicuous farm gate. The drive snaked through a wooded area, the building was completely invisible from the road.

When they reached the building itself, Daniel immediately said he was surprised that it looked in very good condition, the drive was gravel, but no growth, a few trimmed shrubs either side, also grassed areas that looked freshly mown. This mystery was solved a few minutes after they got there when a Land Rover rolled up, out came a man dressed in well-worn country clothes. He asked Daniel who he was, Daniel told him his name, said that he was solicitor for the owners. The man turned to the twins, "Of course, Midge and Molly, should have recognised you." The twins nodded. He continued "I'm so sorry, your parents were the best."

He turned to Daniel, "My name is Roy. I've been employed as a caretaker for years by Clive and Amelia. I don't know why they had this, but they wanted it kept in good order, so I've been maintaining it and keeping the grounds in reasonable trim. They paid me a monthly sum, I expect you'll find the payments coming out of their bank account."

Daniel said "The place certainly looks good on the outside, what's the inside like?" "Come in, I'll show you." Roy produced a key, but before he can do anything with it, Midge asked "Are any of these right?" She opened a plastic freezer food bag she was carrying in which she's brought the unknown keys from the house. A quick look through, Roy said "This looks like the front door, try it." Midge took it to the door, found it fitted, she unlocked the door. She quickly put all her keys back into the bag, tossed it to Daniel, shouting "No pockets." She opened the door, all four girls dashed inside. For the next ten minutes they were running round, going in and out of rooms, running up and down stairs, shouting at each other. Daniel and Roy stayed just inside the door, Daniel said "This is really good for them, the twins are in real distress over their parents. Oh, the other two girls are Kitty and Chloe, school friends, now living with the twins."

Roy said "I was at the funeral, dreadful what happened, but they seem to be surviving." Daniel: "Yes, they are. Kitty and Chloe are helping them. They do have some other distractions, but every so often it hits them again."

Daniel asked Roy for his contact details, then asked if he was owed money since the parents' bank accounts were frozen. Roy said he had missed one payment, told Daniel the amount and when it was normally paid, Daniel said he'll pay him what was owed and set up a new standing order. Roy also told him there were occasional bills to be paid, odd repairs, oil for the heating that he ran on an anti-frost setting during cold spells. The old arrangement was that small amounts he would pay himself and let Clive know, larger amounts he'd ask for directly. Daniel asked that he kept doing that, and he was obviously doing a good job. Daniel gave Roy a business card, "My contact details."

Roy also told him that he was a handyman for many of the people in the neighbourhood, the building was hardly full-time employment.

They waited for a while longer, until the four girls came tumbling down the stairs, ending up in a heap in front of them. Roy started to go to help them, but Daniel put a hand on his arm, just said "It's all right, that's how they usually come down stairs."

Kitty, picking herself up, rubbing an elbow, "Yes, but our stairs and the floor are carpeted." But she was grinning, as were all the others.

The others got up, also rubbing some bruises. Midge said "Fabulous place." Molly: "Hundreds and hundreds of rooms." Midge: "Must be twenty stories high." Chloe: "They are exaggerating slightly." Kitty: "Four floors, maybe fifteen rooms on each of the bottom two, top two are empty."

Roy was laughing at them, then turned to Daniel, "Would you like to come back to the cottage, have a cup of tea, talk a little? My wife, Jane, is there, she'd love to meet you all." Daniel looked at the girls, all four were nodding, Midge said "We'd like that." Molly asked "Do we get to ride in a Land Rover?" Daniel looked at Roy, who said "Only one passenger seat, but the back's empty. It's only a few hundred yards up the drive." Daniel said "Go on then, but try not to distract the driver too much."

All four girls piled into the back of the Land Rover, Roy shut the rear door, got in and drove on, Daniel following in his car. A minute later they got to Roy's cottage. Roy got out, he could hardly stop himself laughing. He said to Daniel "They were fighting each other in the back the whole way. I think they still are." Daniel opened the back door of the Land Rover, "Out." the girls fell out in a heap on the drive, picked themselves up. Molly said "That was" Midge completed: "fun."

Bits of gravel were stuck on arms and legs, they brushed themselves off, all four grinning. The front door of the cottage was opened by a lady, Roy introduced her as Jane to Daniel and the four girls. "Sorry, don't know who is who" he said. The girls lined up, "Chloe", "Kitty", "Midge or Molly", "Molly or Midge" they reeled off.

Jane laughed, "They didn't know which was which when I last saw you, you couldn't have been more than six months old when your mummy and daddy brought you here." Suddenly the twins were crying, Kitty and Chloe immediately hugged the two. Daniel quietly said "They are really suffering over their loss, all their play is just a front." Jane said "Bring them in, I'll make them some tea."

It didn't take long for the twins to recover as they followed Jane into the cottage. She showed them into the sitting room, there were two chairs and a small settee, the four girls immediately sat cross legged on the floor. Jane went into the kitchen, Daniel sat on the settee, Roy in one of the chairs.

Daniel asked "Is this cottage part of the property?" Roy replied "Yes, it's one of several outbuildings, this used to be some sort of manor house with its estate. This cottage is the only one in good order, we live here, we pay a nominal rent, part of our agreement." Daniel asked "Sorry, I don't doubt you, but was this a formal arrangement? I've not come across any paperwork about this place. Probably still in Clive's study somewhere. Oh, another family friend Samuel and I are executors of the estate." Roy replied "There's nothing formal, so I don't know quite where we are over that." Daniel: "Don't worry, we're not going to turn you out. But I think I will have to get something on paper, I am their solicitor, so it's my duty to do it."

Just then Jane came back in with a tray. She had a large teapot, seven mugs, a milk jug, a large plate piled with biscuits, and some tea plates. "You've timed your visit well," she said, "made these this morning."

She passed tea plates round, then offered the plate of biscuits to Kitty first. Kitty looked at them, started crying. "What's the matter?" asked Jane. "I don't know what these are, I've never seen …" Molly picked one up, pushed it against Kitty's lips. "Shortbread" Molly said. "You'll love it. Open." Kitty allowed Molly to push it a little way into her mouth, took a small bite, chewed for a moment. "Wow, that's nice, thank you." She grabbed the biscuit from Molly, started eating it as if she's not seen food for a week. Jane offered the biscuits to Chloe, she looked at Kitty munching away, took one, said "Thank you" and took a small bite. Two seconds later "Oh, she's right, delicious."

As Jane offered them to the twins, Molly said to her "Neither had a normal family life." Midge: "But we're gradually training them." When she got to Daniel, Jane gave him a querying look. He just said "Maybe I'll tell you one day, but now isn't the time."

Jane poured tea, asked if anyone wanted sugar, the girls all shook their heads, their mouths were too full of shortbread to speak, even Molly's. As Jane was sitting down, Kitty asked "May I have another one, please?" "Help yourself, please, no need to ask." Daniel said to Jane "You might find there are none left." Jane replied "Not a problem, I can always bake more." Chloe, as she took another, said "Let us know when, we'll be back." Daniel said "Slight problem, getting here. I'm not driving over any time you fancy a shortbread biscuit." Molly: "Roy can pick us up in the Land Rover, it's fun in the back." "Sorry", said Roy, "can't do that, unsafe for you on the road as well as illegal."

Kitty asked "Bicycles?" Daniel asked "Can any of you ride?" Molly: "We had tricycles, does that count?" "No" from Daniel. "I'm not sure how safe you'd be, even if you could ride." Chloe: "Lessons." "And you'd have to buy bicycles."

Kitty got her phone out, tapped the screen a few times. "I've got some money in the bank, it's been accumulating." Chloe: "Molly will have lots of money. She does our expenditure distribution, she cheats us something rot … ouch" She didn't finish, Molly had punched her. Daniel said "Stop. Not here." Molly, to Chloe, "Just you wait." Chloe: "Looking forward to it."

Jane looked somewhere between aghast and surprised. Daniel saw her, "Don't worry, they are always having fights. They end with a few bruises, possibly bite marks, maybe a bit less hair. Always followed by hugging." Molly and Chloe hugged each other, as did Midge and Kitty. Daniel shook his head, "Normally they wait until afterwards."

Jane laughed, "They do seem to get on well together." Daniel replied "None better."

Kitty asked "Roy, how did you know we were there? You can't see the building or the entrance from here." Daniel: "She's always the one with the good questions. So, how did you?" Roy replied "There's a quite high tech security system installed, there are several cameras that can be accessed over the internet. I'll show you if you like."

Roy fetched a laptop, started to show it to Daniel. "Show Kitty," he says, "she's our computer wizard." "Witch, more like" from Chloe. "That's two of us going to get you."

Kitty got up, stood beside Roy's chair. He sat down, opened a browser. "This is its web site" ‑ he typed into the address bar, "Do you want to write this down?" "No, it's fine, I can remember it." "And the password." He typed in an apparently random set of characters, displayed as dots on the screen. Kitty said "Okay, got that." Roy looked at Daniel with bit of a frown, Daniel smiled, "She was watching you type. She's good."

Roy looked a bit doubtful, but continued, "So, you can select to see all cameras on one screen, pick out just four, or have one full screen." Kitty said "I see they have motion-sensitive recording available, where are the videos stored?" Roy looked across to Daniel, he said "You're right, she is good." To Kitty "There's cloud storage, you can retrieve it using this same web site, go back to the home page, links here." He clicked on a drop‑down menu, selected a link, he was offered a list of times and cameras. After a couple more clicks, "Here, this is you arriving. Oh, this one will show you coming down the stairs. Jane, come and look at this." He clicked the link, it showed a view of the entrance from inside, facing the front door. On the left, the foot of the stairs were just visible. Two seconds after the start of the video, the four girls could be seen hitting the hall floor, it showed them picking themselves up, then speaking to Daniel and Roy. "Sound?" asked Kitty. "Yes, sorry, got it muted. Some cameras have microphones, some don't. He unmuted his computer and replayed the video. The thumps of them landing and their talking were quite audible.

Jane was laughing, "Don't tell me they always behave like that." "Pretty much" from Daniel. "They can behave more normally, but take every opportunity to inflict bruises on themselves and on each other. Don't think they're going to change any time soon."

Roy told Kitty "It uses motion sensitive software, the recording is from a couple of seconds before motion is detected, continues a few after motion ceases. It doesn't record with us just standing there."

While they were talking, Kitty had taken the laptop from Roy, she was sitting crosslegged on the floor with it. She said "Oh, look, you can automatically follow movement from one camera to the next." Roy looked surprised, "I didn't know it would do that, show me." Kitty passed the laptop back to Roy, said "Click 'Play'." He did so, the video followed the girls arrival then on various cameras around the ground floor, automatically switching to a four-camera view, enabling all four girls to be followed as they explored different rooms. It stopped a few seconds after they went up the stairs. Kitty showed him how she got to that.

Roy commented "They're right, she is a witch." Kitty asked "Have I got to thump you as well?" Roy laughed, "Please don't, I probably wouldn't survive."

Kitty: "Something else, the building must have internet connection, who pays for that, and the storage? Will the payments have been stopped?" Daniel "Yet another good question. I think they will still be being paid, I simply transferred all small direct debits and standing orders to a new account for all your house services, so it's probably okay, but I will check."

Roy and Daniel talked a bit more about the building. It would appear to be some sort of commercial structure. All floors are supported on heavy duty girders, there are crawlspaces under the floors and several vertical channels in the outside walls for putting in services. There's a full sprinkler system and fire escapes on every floor.

The present rooms have no structural function, so it would be easy to change the layout completely. Roy said he'd always assumed it was purchased as a warehouse for storing charity items awaiting distribution, but he didn't know, in any case access for large lorries was very poor. It's something like a hundred and twenty‑four feet wide by seventy‑two feet deep, four storeys plus a basement.

Kitty said "Can I ask another question?" Roy nodded. "What actually alerted you? Surely you don't stay looking at the video feeds all the time."

Daniel: "Always with the right question." Roy said "Quite right. There's a phone app, here, let me show you." He took his phone out of his pocket, showed Kitty. Kitty went to the App Store on her phone, downloaded it, told it to run. It asked for the web site URL, she typed it in, then the password. It asked if it could give notifications, Roy told her to enable them. "Now it will tell you when I'm around, and you can see what I'm doing."

Kitty said "I have a sneaking suspicion the twins are thinking up uses for it, they've been very quiet." It was Midge's turn to say "She really is a witch." "No, met you before."

On the way back, Daniel asked "Do you have a use for the building?" Molly answered "We think it's worth hanging on to." Midge: "But we would like to know what it's costing us." Molly: "It probably isn't worth much to sell." Daniel said "I'll get Samuel to find out the real cost of it. There must be services like electricity, council tax and so on as well as Roy and the internet. It can't be all that much or we would have picked up on it already."

After a few more minutes, Daniel said "I've a feeling you actually do have some idea what you might use that building for. Anything you'd like to say to me?"

Midge and Molly looked at each other, then "That building has" "lots of possibilities." "We think we" "might possibly start" "some sort of" "entertainment business." "But only after we've" "finished our degrees." "But we haven't" "got things" "straight in" "our mind yet."

The use of the singular word 'mind' shows how closely the twins think as one.

Police interview

Twelve o'clock on Monday, Daniel phoned Midge. He said "The police want to interview you all. It's informal at the moment, can you come to my office for quarter to two?" Midge's phone was on speaker, they all heard. Midge looked round at three serious faces. "Yes, we'll be there."

When they arrived, Audrey told them to go straight into the office. Philip was there, they said their hellos. There were four chairs in front of the desk, Philip was in one. The girls sat on the floor against the wall.

Philip started. "The police have watched the recording. They were appalled, it was escalated up to the Chief Constable. There it seemed to stick, I don't know why. But finally it's come back down the line, they want to speak to you. Should be here at two."

Daniel took over. "When they ask you a question, just answer it, or say you don't want to if that's the case. Don't answer for each other, unless the one being questioned asks you to, though, twins, you will be interviewed as one. This won't be the case in any formal interview, but they've agreed to this for today.

"Don't volunteer anything, just stick with the questions they ask. There will be an opportunity to add anything more you want to say later. Understood?"

Four nods.

Daniel: "Philip, anything you want to add?" Philip shook his head, "No, I think that about covers it."

Daniel asked "Any questions?" Kitty asked "Will you butt in if you don't want us to answer something?" Daniel replied, "Yes I will just tell you not to answer, Philip will as well. Give us at least a full second before you answer so we can, but take as long as you want to formulate what you are going to say."

Kitty asked "Do they know about our infertility?" Philip nodded, he said "They've been told, shown the consultant's report, but they haven't seen anything to tie that directly to the convent. That can only come after any legal proceedings against them start, which is when they'll get a search warrant and can search through their documents.

"They don't know about your photography sessions, but I did hint about having some inside knowledge. Midge, Molly, don't mention anything about your expedition unless Daniel gives you the nod."

No more questions were forthcoming, Daniel said "I will be recording this. They may want to as well, which is really why I want to be careful, even though this is not a formal interview. We don't want them to get ideas that may be incriminating. Okay?"

Four nods.

Daniel: "Audrey will bring us all tea after a little while, I expect you will want some, and it helps keep things informal. Oh, if any of you want to stop, you can do so, you can leave the room. But the more we can get through today the better."

Shortly after, Daniel's phone rang, he answered it, listened for a couple of seconds, turned to the girls. "Ready?" They all nodded. He spoke into the phone, "Okay, please show them in."

First in was Mathew, the same detective who had come to their house after the attempted theft of the girls' computers. As the girls got to their feet, Daniel said the girls names, "These are Kitty, Midge, Molly and Chloe." Mathew said "Hello again. This is detective constable Olivia. How are we all?" He just got murmurs from the girls. "All right then, I know this is a bit intimidating for you." The girls sat down. "Daniel, is it all right to start?" Daniel showed Mathew his phone, saying "I am recording this, hope that's all right." Mathew said "That's fine, we'll just be taking notes. Now, Midge and Molly, can I start with you, please? I watched the video of your punishment, I hope you have recovered from it, it looked horrendous." The twins just nodded.

"Tell me what happened on that occasion." After a quick glance at Daniel, and a nod from him, the twins started talking in their alternating manner. "We went into" "the school, we" "were discovered by" "nuns, they" "took us first" "into their" "lounge, where" "the abbess" "was. She had us" "dragged by hair" "to her study. Then first" "I had my blouse" "removed and her skirt" "pulled down, and" "she was" "whipped, then "it was" "her turn," "I was also" "whipped."

Both twins were crying by this stage, Chloe and Kitty had their arms round the twin beside them, trying to give some comfort.

The two detectives were looking a bit perplexed by the way the twins were speaking, Daniel said "They talk like that when nervous or emotional. You must appreciate you are making them relive what was done to them."

Olivia nodded, she said "That's quite understandable, and we are sorry to have to do this, but it is necessary. Can you tell us what happened after that?"

Again a quick glance at Daniel, then "We were taken" "to cellar, can't remember" "much until" "we were in there. It was" "cold and pitch" "dark. Found" "our blouses" "they'd thrown in" "with us, we set" "about trying" "find way" "out. Not easy," "found coal chute, managed" "move wine" "rack to it," "climbed, kept" "pushing at" "cover until" "hinges gave way." "Took hours." "Crawled out," "back rubbed" "cover." In unison, both said "Hurt." They both let out a yowling cry of pain that lasted a few seconds, it stopped as suddenly as it started, and as if they hadn't stopped speaking, "Made" "way home."

The twins were sobbing, both Kitty and Chloe were bawling, Daniel said "I think a break, remember these are sixteen‑year‑old kids, been through some terrible times, all four of them. I can't imagine the suffering that was inflicted on them."

The door opened, Audrey came in. She dumped the tray of tea on the desk, ran to the four girls, knelt in front of them, hugged the four, started whispering to them. After a couple of minutes, the girls' crying subsided a bit. Audrey looked at the detectives, "Please be gentle with them, they don't deserve this."

Molly managed to say "We have to do this" Midge: "for the others."

Audrey kissed each girl on the forehead, looked towards Daniel, he just said "They are right, it has to be done." Audrey just shook her head, she was in tears as she walked out of the office.

After they'd all drunk a few sips of tea, Olivia asked "Why didn't you go to a hospital? Surely that would be the best place?" All four girls looked at Daniel, he said "They don't want to answer that, it doesn't affect anything that led up to their state. If you think any of that was put on, that it needed some sort of medical verification, then that is lost. But any forensic examination of the video or of the subsequent photographs of their injuries will find nothing doctored." Philip added "The video passed to you was a half hour extract from within something like a two hour total video, you are welcome to a copy of the full length one if you wish to do such an examination."

Mathew took another sip from his tea, "Perhaps we could ask Kitty or Chloe something?" Daniel looked across to them, Kitty said "It has to be done." Chloe nodded, and said. "I'll go first."

Mathew said "Thank you. So, Chloe, what did you know about what Midge and Molly were going to do?"

Chloe, after a glance at Daniel, replied "Tuesday, they told us they were planning something, wouldn't say what. On the Friday they said they were going out, but they wouldn't tell us what they were going to do, that we were to contact Daniel and Philip if they weren't back by Sunday. That's all we knew."

Olivia: "Are you sure they didn't say anything about their plans?" Chloe "Quite sure."

Mathew: "Kitty, same question?" Kitty replied "Exactly the same, we didn't know what they were going to do."

Mathew said "I thought they told you everything, that you had no secrets from each other."

Kitty was about to speak, Daniel looked at her, shook his head. He said to Mathew "Please, if you want to ask a question do so, that wasn't a question. We want to cooperate, but I won't have these girls badgered. They've all been through enough."

Mathew said "Yes, you're right, I'm sorry. A different question, then. Kitty, have you ever received the whip?" Kitty said "Yes." "How many times?" "Do you mean lashes or occasions?" Before Mathew could answer her, Daniel said "Again, she's not trying to be awkward in any way, the question wasn't clear to her. Kitty has a very literal mind, always asks questions if she doesn't think she understands something."

Mathew smiled, "Yes, again, you're right, I'm sorry. Occasions, then?" Kitty said "I don't remember exactly. Probably four or five. It's not something you want to remember. But never …" Daniel stopped her, "That's answered the question."

Mathew asked "Can you tell me, on the latest occasion, how many lashes?" Kitty sobbed "I don't remember. Until I screamed loudly enough for them." She got up and ran from the room.

Daniel stood up, "That's enough questions, certainly for now." Mathew said "Yes, I'm sorry. We'll call it a day, but I would like to resume some time soon, we do need first hand accounts."

Olivia turned to Daniel, "Can I ask Midge and Molly one last question, the same as Mathew asked Kitty? How many lashes on the last occasion before that video?" Daniel looked at the twins, "Would you like to answer?" Between them, "Couldn't count," "but many more" "than Kitty" "or Chloe" "ever got." Olivia: "Why so many?" Together, they both shouted "BECAUSE I DIDN'T SCREAM." Midge and Molly both shot to their feet, both looked like thunder, both were visibly shaking, staring at the two detectives. Daniel stood up, shouting "NO!" while Chloe rapidly got to her feet, she got in front of the twins, put her arms round them both. She just whispered "Please don't do it."

Brushing past Chloe, Midge and Molly ran from the office, Chloe followed them. Mathew looked at Daniel, whose face for once wasn't impassive, it showed relief that after a moment turned to something nearer anger. Mathew: "What was that about?" Daniel managed to reply, "They felt intimidated. They might have reacted. Let's leave it at that."

Mathew said "We'll go. But we really do need to ask more questions. We'll sort something out through Philip."

Daniel: "Before you go, let me say something. I have known Midge and Molly all their lives, from their first day in the maternity ward until now. I have never, ever, heard them cry out in pain, nor heard anyone else say they cried in pain. Not once. Not when they broke their legs when they were six, ripped their fronts open on barbed wire, countless quite nasty injuries that their type of play got them, all sorts. Not once. Not even moans or whimpers. Ask at the hospital, if you need permission to talk to anyone there about that, I'll give it. God knows how much that must have hurt if just the memory of it makes them howl like that.

"I'm sorry, you'd better go before I say or do something regrettable."

Mathew and Olivia went from Daniel's office to find Kitty curled on Audrey's lap, Midge, Molly and Chloe huddled round Audrey and Kitty. Olivia just said "Sorry, girls" as they left the outer office.

Wedding dress fitting

Two days later, Midge got a call from Rachel, "Would you all like to come in for a fitting of Charlottes's dress? We're doing it at eight tomorrow morning, Charlotte wants you to be there, she knows you need to be home before ten."

The next morning had the four girls waiting outside Rachel's at a quarter to eight. Charlotte arrived shortly after, she gave each of the girls a hug and a kiss. She just said "You have to be here." Then Sophie and Ann arrived, more hugs.

About five to eight Rachel and Holly arrived, Rachel opened the door, she said "Straight through."

Inside, Rachel went to a tall cupboard that she used as a wardrobe. She took out the dress, took it off its hanger and said "Let's see what we've got. Charlotte, clothes off, please."

Charlotte dutifully took off her shoes, skirt and blouse, never taking her eyes off the dress. Rachel said "You can step into it, probably easier than over you head. Good practice, it won't mess your hair up. But you will need help putting it on, Holly and/or I can do that on the day."

Rachel carefully put the dress on the floor, positioning it so that Charlotte could step into in. Rachel lifted the shoulder strap on one side, Holly the other. They lifted the straps up slowly, pulling the back up before the top, effectively making it a little wider to allow her bottom to go through. Her arms naturally went through the armholes, they put the straps onto her shoulders. Rachel went round, smoothing the dress down, taking out any slight rumples.

It was a perfect fit.

Holly wheeled up the full-length mirror. Charlotte looked at herself, she was speechless for a while. She turned this way and that, put one leg forward then the other. Charlotte turned with her back to the mirror, Holly immediately held up a mirror so Charlotte could see behind.

The six onlookers were just staring. Molly managed "Wow", Midge "Beautiful." Kitty and Chloe together "Perfect." Sophie and Ann didn't say anything, they just continued staring.

Rachel said to Charlotte, "What do you think?" Charlotte managed "I agree with them all. It's …it's …" She couldn't finish.

Rachel said "Walk away from me, turn and walk back." Charlotte did so, at first she was smoothing the dress over her hips, then with her arms naturally at her sides.

Rachel asked, "Are you used to heels? That would affect your walking." Charlotte replied, as if in a dream, "Worn them a few times, should be all right." Holly said "We'd better get shoes for you now, try them out. The shoe shop will be open soon, there should be time before you all have to go."

Rachel asked Charlotte to come to her so she could check all the seams. This took a few minutes, then "All good. And I don't think there's anything wrong with the fit. Holly?" "Looks good to me."

Rachel said "Now, I want you to sit on a chair. I expect you will need to pull the waist up a bit, or, with that low back, you might find your bottom sliding out of the back of the dress. Personally, I don't mind you showing yourself off, but it would strain the dress and might pull a seam, and that I do care about." A grinning Kitty muttered "Priorities."

Charlotte tentatively sat on a chair, and, yes, her bottom did start to come out. She hitched her dress up a bit, sat down again. She wriggled around a bit, it started to slide out again. She carefully stood up, spoke to the six onlookers. "You lot. I want you to promise me you won't let me do that. I could easily forget." She got five nods, the exception was Molly, who said "That might be fun."

Rachel: "All right, now, the train. Holly?" Holly went to the cupboard, folded on its base was some fabric. Holly carried it to Rachel, who said "This is Holly's idea, let's see how it works."

Rachel found the end of the material she wanted, she started at one of the shoulder straps. She used a needle and thread to tack the fabric to the dress, following down the inner edge of the strap, right down to where the dress went across Charlotte's buttocks. She followed it across then up the other side, leaving Charlotte's back bare. Midge and Molly took it upon themselves to get the bottom corners, spreading it behind Charlotte. Even Rachel was awe-struck, she had to sit in a chair. "Holly" she finally said, "that's beautiful."

Ann said "Wonderful. And I'm late already, got to go. Hope our dresses look half as good. 'Bye" and she was gone.

Snapping out of it, Rachel said "Right, dress off, Holly, take her to get some shoes. I want to see it today with shoes on."

Ten minutes later Charlotte and Holly returned, Charlotte holding a shoebox. Holly took the box from her, Charlotte took her clothes off. Rachel said "Safest to put your shoes on after the dress, there's a real risk of catching the heal." Three minutes later, Charlotte was walking with the heels on. It took her a few minutes to get back to walking with them, but soon it seemed a natural walk. This time Kitty and Midge were holding the train behind Charlotte, until Rachel said "Girls, drop the train, see how it drags on the floor." Then "Oh, that's good."

Sophie asked "When will the other dresses be ready?" Rachel smiled to her, "Bridesmaids next, the lace midriff is tricky, I want to get that sorted, then the maids of honour. First bridesmaid in a couple of days, probably a week or so before yours. Holly, organise getting these shoes dyed, perhaps you could do your thing for getting the other six pairs?" Sophie said "I have some more time, we could do mine now?" Holly nodded.

Holly turned to Rachel, "The shoes on our account with the shoe shop?" "Rachel nodded, "That's fine. Girls, can I bill you as we go?" Midge replied "Yes, I'm sure that will be all right, though it will be paid through Daniel, perhaps you could deal with him directly?" Rachel nodded. "Thank you, that's no problem."

Chloe: "We ought to get going, tutors at ten." The four girls went to Charlotte in turn, each gave her a kiss on the cheek. Last was Molly, "You look so good I could eat you." Kitty grabbed Molly's hand, "Come on."

Bridesmaids dresses fitting

Two days later, they were all back in Rachel's workroom a few minutes before eight, Kitty's dress was the one being tried. When Kitty was wearing it, there was nothing but admiration. Kitty was in tears, Charlotte went to her, ran her hands over every part of the dress, she said "Perfect, again. And, my god, sexier than ever." Then "Oh, sorry, letting my feelings run away with my mouth." Sophie said "I suspect we all think the same." Rachel started looking worried, "Too much for the bride? Charlotte, we'll get yours on."

While Rachel and Holly were helping Charlotte with her dress and shoes, the other five were going round Kitty. The twins and Chloe were prodding and poking her, putting hands through the skirt's slit, running fingers inside the dress along Kitty's bust. Molly soon found that by lifting the back up and away from Kitty's buttocks, she could get her hand down far enough to start exploring Kitty's bottom. Sophie was looking somewhere between surprised and shocked, the other girls were just grinning. Kitty, of course, was loving it.

When Charlotte had the dress and shoes on, Rachel turned to Kitty. Her mouth dropped when she saw what was happening. She quite angrily said "Stop it, or I'll have to make the back higher." But she couldn't help laughing, said "Come on, let's put you two together.

Molly removed her hand from a disappointed Kitty, who smoothed the dress over her bottom. Molly, Midge and Chloe all took turns to smooth Kitty's bottom as well, Chloe saying "Just making sure." When they'd finished playing with Kitty, a somewhat exasperated Rachel stood her and Charlotte side by side, told them to walk round a bit, then to stand together again. In the end, she said "I think that's about okay, though without the heels I don't think that would have been the case. Holly, right again."

Ann went to Kitty, looked her up and down, said "Beautiful, but got to go." Rachel asked "Ann, can you come at lunch time to get some shoes?" Without taking her eyes off Kitty, Ann said "Yes, see you then." She kissed Kitty, whispered "Didn't think it possible, but definitely even sexier." She went out, saying "Can't wait for ours. 'Bye."

Rachel said "Kitty, let me check your seams. Molly, if the back one has split, I'm charging extra." But Rachel found nothing wrong.

When they were changed back, Rachel said "All of you except Charlotte go with Holly, we'll get your shoes now. If there's time, we'll try Kitty's on with her dress."

Police interview 2

The next day, Daniel called them in for another session with the detectives in his office, again Philip was there before the girls arrived. The girls sat against the wall as they had done before, Daniel told them that the same rules applied.

The two detectives came in, said their hellos and sat down. Daniel once again showed them he was recording the conversation.

Olivia was the first to speak. "I know this is difficult, but we need to know. Philip showed us the gynaecological reports on you four. The reports say that you all have had a particular operation that has made you infertile. What it can't do is tell us is when this was done, just that it was some time ago. Midge, Molly, I understand you are aware of visiting an illegal abortionist. Can you tell us about that, please?"

Midge and Molly were gripping each others' hands hard. Molly said "Kitty, Chloe, hold us tightly." Kitty changed from sitting to kneeling, facing Midge, put her arms round. Chloe did the same with Molly. Before either spoke, Daniel said "They are worried they might react badly. Kitty and Chloe are probably the only ones on this planet who stand any possible chance of stopping them if they do start. Seriously, if they do get up, run. I doubt even your stun guns would stop them."

"Oh, come on" said Mathew, "They're just girls." Daniel waited a moment, then "Don't test them. Remember their break‑in? How they downed two men? And look at a report of a disturbance at the hotel not long ago. Four men ended up in hospital. All were dispatched by one of these 'just girls', the last three when she could only use one arm. I expect you have a copy of the security video."

Olivia said "I remember stories going round the station about that, it was ‑ oh, it was your …" She stopped. Mathew shook his head, "I'm sorry, I don't believe it."

Molly and Midge looked at each other for two seconds, a slight nod. Molly whispered something to Chloe, she looked a bit apprehensive, but took her arms from Molly and moved back a bit. Daniel saw the movement, was about to say something, but before he had time, Molly had got up, reached Mathew, unclipped his stun gun, and was standing in front of him presenting him with it, handle first. All in well under a second.

Mathew, an expression of disbelief on his face, took it. Molly turned and walked back and sat down, Chloe put her arms round her again.

Daniel finally managed to speak. "You doubt the capabilities of these two at your peril."

Kitty said "They don't do demonstrations. I think they did that for your sake, you must have got them worried. Oh, not that they'd be hurt, but that you would."

Daniel "They will defend themselves, and those around them, against any threat. Look at that surveillance video. It's instinctive, they just do it."

Olivia seemed to recover before Mathew. "Then why did they allow the nuns to do that to them?"

Daniel replied, "Their parents put them in that school sincerely thinking it was the best thing for them. To do anything other than to accept it would have meant the parents knowing at least something of what was happening to them, that they'd put their daughters into that situation. I quote from the twins when I asked that very question, 'It would have killed them.' So they did nothing."

Philip said "Now you know why I was asking about giving a recorded statement or a video link if they have to give evidence. You saw the beginnings of their reaction to oppressive questioning when you were here last time."

Daniel took it up, "In a court scenario, they would be treated as liars by the opposing barrister. He would badger them. These two don't lie. Actually none of them lie. Asking for clarification of an answer would be fine for them, they would want to be understood. But to suggest they were lying, that would hurt them. And they would want to defend themselves against that hurt. That defence could be physical."

Mathew, recovering a bit, said "But that's not normal." Daniel: "Nothing about the twins is normal. You've just witnessed a little taste of their physical abilities. They have extraordinary intelligence. Kitty and Chloe as well, for that matter, but other than that, Kitty and Chloe are much nearer to what you would call normal. The twins? As I said, I've known them for years, and still they can amaze me with what they can do, physically and mentally.

"What Molly ‑ I assume it was Molly ‑ did just now, is there anyone else you know who, from sitting cross‑legged on the floor, could be standing in front of you holding your own weapon that had been securely fastened in your belt, in what, I don't know, half a second? Molly, have you practised doing anything like that before?"

Molly turned her head from looking at her sister to looking at Daniel. "No. We've never needed to do it before." Daniel, looking straight at Mathew, "Molly, why did you do that?" "You said his stun gun probably wouldn't stop us. We don't know if he used it on me whether it would stop us. We think he should know he wouldn't get the chance to use it." Daniel: "Molly, what would you do to him if he threatened you with it?" "Don't know exactly. Stop him being able to use it." "How might you do that?" "Most likely break his arms." "Molly, there are two of them, both have stun guns." "I am two."

Daniel: "Molly, thank you. Mathew, I am trying to help you understand them. No, not normal. Under normal circumstances, they are the nicest kids you could come across. But they don't take that sort of stress well at all."

A moment's silence, then Olivia said "Mathew, were you watching them?" Mathew: "No, looking at Daniel." Olivia: "Do you realise they were speaking alternately throughout that, a few words each the whole time?" Mathew: "No, it was just Molly." Olivia: "Alternating every few words. Except the last phrase, 'I am two', they said that together. Sounded like one.

"Daniel, what did they mean by that?"

Daniel: "The answers to my questions certainly meant that the two of them could deal with the two of you. And of that I have no doubt."

Mathew: "So they were threatening police officers?" "They were threatening to protect themselves. They were being honest about their probable instinctive reaction.

"I've never heard them use the singular pronoun to refer to the two of them before, and they mixed singular and plural during their answers. I would guess that's due to the stress they are being put under. But the way I look at it is that they perceive themselves as one individual sharing two bodies, so the 'I' means them as a singular whole. I don't know how else to put it.

"Kitty, Chloe, have you ever heard them do that?" Kitty looked at Midge, "Do you mind?" Molly said "No, you can answer."

Kitty turned her head to face Mathew, "It's quite common for one to answer for the other, as if it was herself. You just heard it then, though that was for answering for them both. Can I give an example?" Daniel nodded. Looking at Midge, Kitty said "Testing your shoulder?" It was Molly who answered, "Yes."

Kitty "After the event that Daniel referred to earlier, Midge's shoulder was badly hurt. She went to hospital to have it looked at. A few days later we all went with her to have a checkup. When the doctor was moving her arm, it was Molly who answered for when it hurt, as if she was the one with the bad arm. That's just one example, they do it all the time without thinking, anyone who knows them just accepts it.

"I've never heard them use the 'I' for both of them before. But I think Daniel is quite right, to them they are one person in two bodies."

Olivia: "Daniel, another thing. You said 'I assume it was Molly'. Can you explain why you said that?"

Daniel paused, then "Because I don't know which is which. I am assuming it's Molly next to Chloe, Midge by Kitty. The fact is, no one knows which was named which, not their parents, not them. You can usually notice differences in their demeanour, their behaviour. If you look at them now, the one I assumed is Molly has slightly less tidy hair than Midge's, the way she's sitting, it's not exactly slouching, just not sitting up quite as straight as Midge. They have different behavioural characteristics, Molly is a bit more flamboyant, I don't know, unpredictable than Midge, which doesn't quite describe it. But I do know each can be either."

Kitty muttered "Fingerprints."

Daniel: "Ah, yes, thank you Kitty. The break‑in at their house recently. They had their fingerprints taken for elimination purposes. I watched them, they used 'rock, paper, scissors' to decide who should have which name. Oh, look at them now."

While they were looking at Daniel talking about fingerprints, the twins appeared to have swapped places, Molly where Midge was, Midge where Molly was.

Daniel said "They didn't move, so you tell me, which is which? It seems they've given you another demonstration. You are privileged."

Olivia: "Another thing, you said that Kitty and Chloe were the only people who might stop them, I think your words were 'Probably the only ones on this planet who stand any possible chance of stopping them'. How come they can, you said they were normal."

Daniel: "Yes, I said 'Probably the only ones' because I don't know of anyone else the twins would take any notice of, and I used the word 'possibly' because I am not certain they could. The way they would do it is simply by getting in the way and pleading with them. They would want to stop them because they know that eventually the twins would suffer if they hurt police officers. They would be relying on the total sisterly bond between the four of them, nothing physical. But even that would be no guarantee, they might be simply swept aside. That's even if they were able to move quickly enough to get in the way, though from where they are now, there'd be no chance."

Philip had been quiet while this was all playing out. He said "Perhaps we could get back on track? We were talking about them going to an abortionist."

Mathew: "Yes. Daniel, can we continue?" Daniel looked at the girls, Midge nodded. Daniel said "Okay, but please stick to questions, no badgering."

Mathew: "All right. Midge and Molly, did you go there together or on separate occasions?"

"Together."

"Could you tell where it was?"

Molly and Midge looked at Daniel, clearly torn in some way. Daniel asked "When you were taken there, did you know where it was?"

Molly: "No."

Mathew looked at Daniel, "Could we have a word without the girls? And perhaps you could stop your recording for a moment?" Without being asked, all four girls got up and left the office, closing the door. Daniel stopped his recording.

Mathew: "It's seems they do know where it is, but have found out since that occasion. Philip has already hinted that he may have some information that he won't tell us about directly. Is that where they got its location from?"

Daniel said "Yes, but client confidentiality prevents me from giving you any details about that."

"And you won't give us that address?"

"Anything you do with that information would be inadmissible in evidence. To tell you would prejudice any court case. After what they've been through, I won't risk it. I would also remind you that any normal person would have said they didn't know, reading the question the way I phrased it, so you are no worse off in that respect."

Mathew: "All right. I understand what you're saying and will have to accept it. It also confirms what you've said about their honesty. Perhaps we could resume?"

Daniel went to the door, opened it to see all four girls with Audrey on one of the settees. He said "All right to continue?"

The four girls each gave Audrey a kiss, and walked past Daniel into the office. Daniel said to Audrey "I'm hoping the questioning won't be quite so hard on them, they're beginning to learn what upsets them." He returned to his desk, showed his phone to Mathew, who nodded.

Mathew: "I'd like to continue where we left off. Midge, Molly, when you were taken there, could you tell me why you didn't know where it was?" Midge: "Bag over head." "How were you taken?" "Car." "How long to get there?" "Twenty‑eight minutes." To Daniel, "May I expand?" Daniel said "If you think it helps understand your answer." "Journey time wasted." "Can you explain what you mean by 'time wasted'?" "Driven circles some of time." "Thank you, that is very helpful. But how can you be so precise about the time taken?" "Just know."

Matthew looked to Daniel, Daniel smiled, "They know what the time is, they don't need a watch. Midge, what time is it now?" "Twenty‑three minutes to three." Matthew checked his watch, he looked round the room for any sign of a clock, then muttered "Blimey."

Shaking his head, he asked "Can you tell us anything about the place?"

Alternating, "Think house, probably terrace" "sounded front" "door to room not" "hall. Taken upstairs." "Back room." "Straps." "Vagina." "Hurt." "Blood." "Shut" "down." "Back" "in" "self" "dormitory."

Both twins had tucked their heads right down, touching their folded legs. Daniel said "Enough", Molly mumbled "Kitty tell."

Kitty, tears running down her face, her arms round Molly, staring at her while she was speaking: "They think it's a terrace because of the front door opening into a room, as is typical in terraced houses. They thought it was a room because a hall and a room sound different, presumably echos and so on. They were taken upstairs into a room at the back of the house, strapped down, to something unspecified, so they don't know what. My interpretation would be that it wasn't a bed, they would have sensed that and would have said so. Something was done in their vaginas that was excruciatingly painful and caused severe bleeding. They withdrew mentally, experienced nothing until they were back in the convent. Can I go, I'm going to be sick." Kitty ran from the office.

Chloe, crying, moved to the front of the twins, she was trying to hug them both.

After a minute or so of silence, the twins both lifted their heads and straightened up. They both gave Chloe a hug, they started to whisper to her. Her crying abated, after kissing both of them, Chloe returned to sit beside Midge.

Daniel quietly asked "Chloe, why did Kitty say 'excruciatingly painful' when the twins just said 'hurt'?" "Because any normal pain they would have coped with. Even the whipping, they bore it. So for them to say that it hurt and to shut themselves down …" She stopped speaking, shaking her head.

Daniel: "They said 'blood', Kitty translated that as 'severe bleeding'. Why 'severe'?" "Same as 'hurt'. They are always getting cuts and scrapes, we all do. It must have been pretty bad for them to mention it."

Daniel: "I understand that Kitty said 'withdrew mentally' for the twins saying 'shut down', you said 'shut themselves down'. Could you elaborate on that?"

Chloe said "They have an ability to put themselves into some sort of trancelike state. Their body just flops, totally limp. They seem to just think themselves into unconsciousness, I don't know, maybe self hypnosis. They once described it as having an out of body experience, I quote, 'My body isn't me any more'. They won't react to pain or anything else. I believe it's a last resort defence mechanism, vary rarely used, they are totally vulnerable when in that state."

Daniel: "So what brings them round?" Chloe: "Time, I believe they can adjust how long they are out of it for. Kitty and I know a way to bring them back sooner. We won't tell you what that is."

Daniel: "Thank you. I'm going to check on Kitty. No, Chloe, stay here and look after the twins." Chloe had started to get up, she sat down again. Before he reached the door, Daniel said "Philip, no questioning while I'm gone."

Philip nodded.

Some five minutes later, Daniel came back in. He was carrying Kitty, her arms round his neck, legs round his waist. He carried her to where she'd been sitting. Both twins got up, helped lower her to the floor. She sat down, put her arm round Molly, said "Sorry, all right now."

Mathew spoke, "Nothing to be sorry for."

Audrey had followed them in, carrying a tray with tea on it. She placed four on Daniel's desk, put the tray with four for the girls on the floor in front of them. All four girls looked up at her, they said "Thank you" together. Audrey almost ran out of the office.

Daniel said "I think you can continue."

Olivia took up the questioning "Thank you. Kitty or Chloe, do you remember going to the abortionist?" Both shook their heads. Daniel lifted his phone so they could see it, both said "No." Olivia: "So why do you believe you went there?" Kitty: "Because we are infertile. We stopped having periods about the same time as Midge and Molly. And they told …" Daniel interrupted, he just said "No." Olivia didn't press, she just continued "You don't remember going?" "No."

"Do you know of a reason why you don't remember?" Daniel looked at the girls with a slight frown. Chloe nodded to him and said "Yes." "Will you tell me what that is?" "No." "Why won't you tell me?"

Daniel interrupted, "I won't let her answer that."

Mathew "I think that's enough for now, though one last question. What is fifty-three thousand, eight hundred and twenty-seven added to thirty-nine thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven?"

Without pause or thought, Kitty said "Nine three six two four."

Mathew "And subtracted?" "One four zero three zero."

Olivia: "Is she right?" Mathew: "No idea. Anyone got a calculator?" Daniel turned to his computer, put its display on the big screen on the wall behind him. He opened a spreadsheet, typed in the two numbers in a column, got it to add the two in one cell, subtract in another.

Mathew: "Multiplied together?" "Two one four two one five three one one nine."

Daniel put the product in another cell.

Mathew: "Divided?" "One point three five two five three nine one …" "That's enough, thank you."

Daniel made the spreadsheet to do the division.

Mathew: "Wow. Are they all that good?" Chloe, with something of a mischievous grin, "No, but even so we let Molly do our household accounts." "And why do you do that if Kitty is so good?" "Because Molly insists so that she can cheat us."

The four were instantly scrapping on the floor. Olivia started to get up, Daniel said "No, leave them. It'll make them all feel much better." Olivia sat down.

After a couple of minutes, the four stopped, all laughing. They hugged each other, sat down as they were. Daniel said "Girls, please check your dresses." They all looked down at themselves, Kitty and Molly's dresses were in considerable disarray. They stood up, smoothed their dresses down, sat down again. Daniel said "Modesty was never one of their characteristics." All four girls were just grinning.

Daniel: "I should add, Molly does do their household accounts, but she doesn't cheat. So literally, Chloe was lying. They joke with the best of them, all have a wicked sense of humour. They do fib in jest, particularly when ragging each other. There's also the odd white lie, and they may use hyperbole. We had occasion to visit a large building, one of them said it had twenty floors, another that it had hundreds of rooms. It clearly wasn't that big. And Kitty, trying to be actually informative, said four floors, about fifteen rooms on each of two of them.

"As we said before, they won't lie with anything more formal."

Daniel then asked "Why did you ask the sums?" Mathew replied "I don't really know, I just was getting a feeling they all have something exceptional about them.

"Anyway, thank you, that might be a good point to stop." Olivia: "We will do our best to sort this." Mathew: "Daniel, Philip, we'll be in touch. Girls, thank you for being so helpful, and, I don't know, being yourselves."

All four stood up, Chloe and Midge went to Olivia and hugged her, Kitty and Molly to Mathew and hugged him. After a second, they let go, back to their places and sat down. Mathew looked at them, said to Daniel "They get to you, don't they?" With a goodbye nod to Philip, Mathew walked from the office. Olivia said "They've certainly got to me. Goodbye, all." She followed Mathew.

Daniel turned to "Philip, can you stay? I'd like a word. Girls, let's go into the outer office."

The girls got up, they walked past Philip. Kitty was first, with a very slight grin, she put out her hand for him to shake. Chloe was next, followed by Midge. Molly came last, took his hand, gave him a very brief kiss on his cheek, ran out laughing. Philip looked at Daniel, "Much better." Daniel said "Their little fights always help them." "But they were actually hurting each other, I could see that." "Pure affection, I assure you, no damage except a few bruises and bite marks. I've seen them lose some hair on occasion. They love doing it, Chloe was deliberately goading Molly, which Molly knew of course."

Daniel went into the reception area, to find the four girls chatting with Audrey. He said "Girls, are you going to be all right?" Molly replied "Fine, thank you, feel better." Midge added "Except we'll have Kitty's cook …" She stopped as Kitty kissed her on the mouth. On release, Kitty said "One punch‑up was enough for the time being." Midge looked disappointed.

Chloe asked "Are we okay to go, please?" Daniel: "Yes, if you're really all right." The four took it in turns to hug Daniel and kiss Audrey. When all were done, they ran for the exit door, managed to get through without anyone falling. Audrey said "So much better, poor Kitty was in a right state, she ran to the toilet and retched for ages. She wouldn't tell me why." Daniel: "She'd put into English what the twins said about their experience at the abortionist. I nearly had to follow Kitty, it was awful."

Wedding dresses at Derek's

Over the next four weeks, Rachel and Holly got all the dresses made for Charlotte's maids of honour, and for the bridesmaids. As each was finished, the girl it was for would be seen by Rachel at a time to suit her. When all were done, they arranged to meet at Derek's for some preliminary photographs, early one Sunday.

As soon as Chloe arrived, she went straight to Riana. The two hugged until Derek and Kitty managed to get them apart.

Charlotte, Ann and Sophie just stared. Smiling, Kitty said to them "They have a thing."

Rachel and Holly had brought all their dresses and shoes round to Derek's earlier. Derek stayed in the shop while the girls went into the studio and got their dresses and shoes on, Riana was helping Chloe, she smoothed Chloe's dress all over her body several times while Rachel was doing her hair.

When all were dressed and Rachel had brushed each one's hair to her satisfaction, she called Derek back in. She said "They're still at it. Derek smiled, "I've given up worrying. Riana has been much more loving to me ever since they started."

They went into the studio. The girls were all admiring each other, Derek just stopped and looked as they walked around each other, turning for others to see. Riana went to Derek, said "Isn't she lovely?" Derek replied "They all are. Now, can we get some sort of order?"

Riana clapped her hands, the girls all stopped looking at each other, turned towards her.

Derek said to them all "Right. We're doing posed shots. We will just do them against an unlit background. Let's start off with the bride. There's a train?" Rachel answered, "Yes, it's vulnerable, don't want to put it on until it's needed." Derek: "Okay. Charlotte, on the stage please. Oh, will you have flowers on the day?" Charlotte shook her head, "Holly says I'm better without them, just to have my hands beside me or loosely held in front."

Derek placed his camera and adjusted some lights and a couple of reflectors, checking the camera viewfinder between moves. When he was satisfied, he took a few pictures, asking Charlotte to look in different directions, to put her arms to her sides or clasped in front, her legs beside each other or one or other moved to the front. He asked her to turn to different angles, took quite a few more photographs.

He wanted the train to be attached, he took several more pictures with the train draped on the floor round her feet.

He asked how they would be holding the train, Charlotte: "Holly?" Holly said "The maids of honour to be at Charlotte's sides, or, when George is with her, either both outside Charlotte, or one the other side of George. The bridesmaids should have two or four holding the train, depending on the space. The twins one each side, Kitty and Chloe one each side. But whether or not they are holding the train, the four should generally be behind, unless group photographs required otherwise." Then "There is a real risk of them outshining the bride, and no one wants that."

Derek took many photographs with all seven girls on the stage with the train in various positions.

When he was satisfied, Rachel and Holly took the train off the fastenings it now had, showing the girls how it should be done to avoid any damage.

He went on to do solo shots and ones of the girls in several combinations.

Throughout, every so often he had to change the camera's memory card or battery. Riana copied each card's contents onto the computer, then erased it for re-use, the depleted batteries she put in chargers.

Kitty asked him if these would be used in the final album, he said they wouldn't, they were to judge how to take the best shots on the day.

At the end of it, all changed back out of their wedding dresses. Rachel and Holly left, taking all the outfits with them, Rachel wanted to check every seam. Midge invited all the others back for a cup of tea, including Derek and Riana.

Midge did ask Charlotte if George could come, but he couldn't because he was working at the restaurant from eleven, so nine of them went to Midge and Molly's house.

When they got to the house, Chloe and Riana immediately went upstairs, leaving Charlotte, Ann and Sophie looking somewhat surprised. A grinning Molly said "Quite a big thing."

Police disappointment

The next day, Monday, Daniel phoned, could the four girls come to his office at two in the afternoon?

When they arrived, Philip was there. After the hellos, the four girls sat in their usual position on the floor against the wall.

Philip said "Some very disappointing news. The police raided the school on the strength of the whipping video. The abbess's office had no incriminating documents or anything else, the cupboards and filing cabinets were mostly bare."

Midge and Molly looked at each other, but were stoney faced. Chloe and Kitty both started crying, though stopped after the twins put arms round them.

Midge asked "What do we think happened?" Philip said "It looks as if the nuns were given a warning and cleared the place. They searched everywhere their search warrant allowed, nothing incriminating found."

Kitty asked "What about the faces that were visible in the video?"

Daniel replied, "None of them can be positively identified as wielding the whip, it isn't even clear that they were in the room while the whipping was in progress. At best they were there with one or other of Midge or Molly laid over the desk. So accessory, not perpetrator. Relatively minor in the scheme of things."

Midge: "So, what's next?" Philip: "The police are basically stalled. They say they will continue investigating, but they have no leads. And the detectives say they won't consider looking at any illegally acquired evidence."

Philip continued, "I don't know what to say. It is dreadfully disappointing."

After a little more discussion, Philip got up to go. The girls all stood, each just shook his hand, the best they could manage.

When he'd gone, Daniel said "Just wait a moment girls. I've a couple of things to discuss." He pressed a button on his phone, said "Could you come in, please?" Audrey came in, sat on one of the chairs. Daniel said "Kitty, Chloe, Audrey and I are now your legal guardians, so …" Before he could finish, Kitty and Chloe rushed round to Daniel, hugged him and kissed him, the twins went to Audrey and did the same. After a minute they swapped over, finally the four girls forming a huddle, dancing round in a circle. All were apparently speechless.

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Introduction