| Mandm |
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| Part 10.090 ‑ Thanks, treats and a wedding |
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.
Editing here, Editing here 2
Daniel had done a lot of organising for Kitty's thankyou party, including sending out invitations to all who had contributed to readying the building.
The party was due to start at midday, the hotel providing a buffet lunch, it was due to finish early evening. The four girls walked to the hotel, they arrived early, they wanted to be there for when the guests started arriving. They'd put on in their normal dresses and were wearing their necklaces.
When they arrived, the receptionist phoned the manager, he came to them, shook hands with each of them. He said "Pleased to see you all again. We think everything's all right, let me take you through to the function room."
They saw a long table with buffet food laid out on it, all the dishes still covered. There was a bar, Kitty said to the manager "I hope all the staff know none of us four can have any alcohol, we could have a very bad reaction." "Allergic?" he queried. "Near enough" from Chloe. He said "They've been told, your man Daniel did emphasise it."
The manager added "Daniel also asked for us to transport anyone who wants in our minibus, we've a list of pickups, it's out now. Daniel doesn't want any drink-driving."
He continued, "Look, you do know this will all cost quite a lot, don't you?" Kitty replied "I can afford it, and they all deserve it, they've worked wonders. I think Daniel will settle the bill with you? He is controlling my money." Chloe muttered "She's got no control over anything." Molly added "Except her broomstick." Midge: "And not much over that." Kitty smiled to the manager, "They know they're safe, I'm not allowed to attack them while I'm wearing my necklace." She turned to the others, "You are for it when we get home." The manager grinned, "We don't want any fighting here anyway, necklaces or no necklaces. They do look good on you, by the way."
"Yes, they do." This from Audrey, she and Daniel had just come in. They immediately got hugs from the four girls, Kitty said "Thank you, Daniel, you seem to have organised this perfectly." He smiled, "This was easy compared to the building. Any problems there?" Midge replied "A few" Molly: "things still to" "be sorted, but" "it's gone" "very well." The manager looked from one to the other, opened his mouth, closed it. Chloe saw this, "Oh, you eventually get used to their way of speaking." Kitty added "You don't get used to anything else about them." Molly: "Now who's taking" Midge: "advantage of us" "wearing our" "necklaces?"
Smiling, the manager excused himself, he went off to check up with the staff who were in the room. Kitty asked Daniel, "How many are coming?" Daniel replied "About fifty, most of those involved are bringing a plus one." As they were talking, Samuel and Natalie came in, they, too, got hugs. Before they could say anything, a group came in, the first ones brought in by the hotel minibus. The four girls went to them, some they knew, some they'd seen, some were spouses or partners. Each got a hug from at least one of the girls, all got profuse thanks, whether they were directly involved or supporting the person who was.
As more arrived, the four girls repeated what they'd done with the first group. When all who were invited had arrived, the buffet and bar were opened. Now the four started going round, talking to all. Any they didn't recognise they'd find out what they'd done, all were thanked.
It was more than an hour before the four could get to the buffet. Midge and Chloe took plates, put a selection of food on them, Molly and Kitty each got a bottle of water, sharing made it easier to keep circulating. Meanwhile the noise level was going up, many were taking advantage of the free bar. At one stage they saw Isobel. Molly immediately asked "Crutch?" Isobel smiled, she said "Unfortunately I couldn't bring him, he's not allowed where people are eating. It's all right, he's used to being left at home, and I didn't tell him I was seeing you."
As the afternoon wore on, the noise level got even louder. The four girls had split up, Kitty and Chloe having been assured by the twins that that they were safe, they wouldn't touch any alcohol. This meant that all four were each talking with different people.
A little later, Midge heard Kitty saying 'NO' quite loudly, Midge immediately excused herself and ran to where Kitty was. A couple of waiters, seeing what was developing, also started towards them. Daniel stopped them, he had seen Midge moving towards Kitty. To the waiters he said "They will deal with it better than anyone. Just watch."
Reaching Kitty, Midge found two young men, one trying to get Kitty to drink from a glass. Molly arrived half a second later but stood back. Midge said to the young man "She's said 'no'. Please take her at her word." He replied, with a slightly slurred voice, "She says she's never drunk this, she'll like it if she tried it." Midge: "You helped us with the plumbing, didn't you?" He replied "Yes, glad to help." Midge: "Do you want to continue to be able to do your work?" "What do you mean?" Kitty butted in, "Please, don't hurt him, it's not worth it." Midge: "I think you'd better move away before I disappoint Kitty." He laughed, "I'm not scared of you."
By this time, a small crowd had gathered round, including Chloe, who said "You should be." The man said "Rubbish" and prodded Midge's shoulder. Before he'd taken his finger from her, she'd grabbed his wrist. He let out a sound that slurred from "Ahh" through "ow" to "ooch". Kitty once again said "Please don't hurt him, it's really not worth it."
The man's companion stepped forward, he was stopped by Molly getting in his way, and having seen what her twin was capable of, he wisely stayed where he was.
Keeping hold of his wrist, Midge led the young man to a table where she said "Please put down your glass." With tears of pain coming from his eyes, he complied. Midge led him through the group of onlookers out of the function room, Molly stayed with the companion, not that he looked like trying anything.
Getting to the hotel foyer, Midge released the young man's wrist, she quietly said to him "We are grateful for what you've done for us. If it wasn't for that, and for what Kitty said, you would have a broken finger or possibly arm. Now, if you promise not to drink anything alcoholic again today, and not to molest my friend, you can go back in. If not, you will leave. Can you make that promise?" Rubbing his wrist, he said "I promise. I meant no harm." After a brief pause, "Can I apologise to her?" "Yes, of course." "Did you say that was Kitty?" "Yes." He paused again." "Is she the one paying for everything?" "She is." "Now I'm not sure I dare tell her I'm sorry."
Midge quite gently took his good hand, she led him back into the function room where the room went almost silent as most of the people there watched the two as they walked to Kitty. Reaching her, he said "Kitty, I'm really sorry, I should never have done that to you." The only ones who weren't surprised by what happened next were Midge, Molly and Chloe; Kitty kissed his cheek. Then she said "No harm done, forget about it. What's your name?" A little taken aback, he replied "I'm Maurice, and that's my brother Conner." Kitty said "This is Chloe, these two are Midge and Molly, never sure which is which, but I think it was Midge who, er, surprised you, Maurice. Now, how about some coffee?"
A few minutes later they were sat sipping coffee in a quiet corner of the room, the girls having arranged some chairs into a rough circle so they could all talk. The rest of the party resumed to normal as the drama seemed to have finished.
The girls sat Maurice and Conner opposite each other, Midge and Kitty sat either side of Maurice, Molly and Chloe either side of Conner. Maurice and Conner both found themselves with their knees touching those of the girls either side of them, the girls had placed the chairs very close together.
After a few moments, Maurice put his coffee on the floor so he could rub his wrist. He said "My god, you're strong, I can barely move my fingers, and look at those bruises. But I did deserve it." Midge laughed, "I was actually very gentle with you. I'll just put my coffee down … now, let me feel your wrist." Maurice tentatively offered his arm to Midge, she took it, rested his hand on one of her thighs and placed her two hands, one under, one over his wrist. His immediate reaction was that of any young man whose hand had been placed on the thigh of a young lady, but within a second both he and Midge seemed to be asleep, the two slumped against each other, Midge's hands held round Maurice's wrist.
Conner was looking at this, "What's happening?" Molly, Kitty and Chloe, in unison, said "Nothing." He tried again, "No, something's going on." Molly put her hand on Conner's thigh, he forgot about Midge and Maurice, and when Chloe put her hand on his other thigh, he gasped, just shut his eyes. Kitty, watching this, said "I don't think Conner is used to having young ladies touching him." Conner managed to blurt out "No, he's not." Chloe asked him "No girlfriend?" "No" he managed. "Maurice?" "No, neither of us."
Kitty, Chloe and Molly casually talked to Conner, they learnt that the brothers worked for their father who ran a successful family building and engineering firm, they'd supplied all the building, plumbing and electrical materials for the building's modifications as well as doing the work. Maurice was a plumbing apprentice, Conner a trainee electrician, they lived with their mother and father. Molly asked "Is your dad here?" "No, he's having to work, your building took us a bit behind schedule, but he made us come in here, he said we deserved it." Kitty said "Well, you do. Tell him we really appreciate it all."
"Appreciate what?" Maurice had woken up, Conner looked at him, "Are you all right?" Maurice "Yes, of course. Oh, my wrist …" Conner asked "How bad?" Maurice replied "Look, it's as if nothing had happened, maybe just a hint of bruising, but it feels normal. What did she do?" "Nothing" the three girls chorused again. Maurice asked "Is Midge all right?" She was still leaning against him, fast asleep, he was almost breathing through her hair. Chloe replied "She's fine, she'll wake in a few minutes. Hope you don't mind her leaning on you." "Actually, I rather like it." Kitty said "I'd better help you balance", and promptly leant on his other side. Chloe and Molly, not to be outdone, both leant on Conner, he very nearly spilled the coffee he was holding.
Conner said "I think you'd better sit up, people will see." Kitty said "We're not doing anything." Molly, in a quiet voice, "Yet."
The three girls did sit up, they talked some more about the building. Kitty started asking questions about air conditioning, solar panels, heat pumps, the lads could only answer in general terms. Chloe asked "What's the witch scheming up now?" "Molly thinks the witch is wanting to cast spells on the building."
Kitty, deep in thought, ignored the 'witch' comments, she said "Actually, yes. It's going to be roasting in there if we have a hot sunny day, and oil heating will be very expensive in the winter as well as very noisy with those industrial heaters. And my guess is the ventilation isn't really adequate with the numbers we have there, and more ventilation would mean more heat loss."
Conner said "You need to talk to Dad, he'll know much more than we do. He will certainly have the right contacts."
Midge had woken up, but she hadn't moved, she was still leaning on Maurice. She said "Kitty, that'll cost a bomb, I very much doubt Daniel and Samuel will let us raid the trust that much." Kitty replied "I'll be getting my uncle's inheritance, hopefully within a few months. We can at least get a feel for it."
At last Midge moved, as did Molly, they both went to Kitty, they hugged her and kissed her, leaving Conner and Maurice staring. After a couple of minutes, Kitty said "Please, let me breath." When they'd released her and had sat back down again, Kitty asked "Maurice, could you set up a meeting with your dad?" Maurice: "Are you serious?" Molly answered "Kitty wouldn't say it if Kitty didn't mean it." Kitty added "The sooner the better."
Midge: "Kitty, we're only using the top two floors at the moment, but we may want to use the bottom two at some stage." Chloe muttered "Kitty did say she suspected you had a use for it." Kitty: "Let's see how practical things are, see what's possible, what might be best. Maurice, could you ring your dad now?" Molly added "And let him know you might be late home."
Maurice took his phone from his pocket, tapped it a couple of times, held it to his ear. "Hi, Dad … No, nothing wrong, we're at the party … Yes, we're talking with the four of them now … No, they seem very happy with it. Look, they're asking about solar panels, air conditioning and suchlike … Yes, it's a bit beyond our pay‑grade. Could they have a meeting with you? They want to get an idea of what's possible … Yes, they know it'll be costly, but they seem to think money will be available fairly soon … just a minute."
He turned to them, "He could see you tomorrow. It's a Sunday, so he knows he'll be free." The four girls nodded between themselves, Midge said "Yes, just tell us where and when." Back on the phone, "Yes, where and when?" He listened for a moment, to the girls he said "Preferably at his office, it's a little way out of town, can you get there?"
Midge replied "Yes, bicycles." Back on his phone, "Yes, bikes … I'll show them on my phone … Dad, they're not stupid … I'll check." To the girls, "Eleven o'clock?" They all nodded. "Yes, they'll be there … Okay, thank ouch … no, one of them prodded me. Just a mo." He turned to Molly, "What?" "You're going to be late home." "You were serious?" "Yes." Conner said "Erm, they want to talk?" Maurice nodded, "Dad, they want to talk about stuff, is it all right if we're a little late back? … Yes, okay. … Thank you." He ended the call.
"He said not to wake them."
Kitty said "We should be circulating, boys, please stay until it's over, we'll see you then."
The four girls stood up, took their coffee cups to a table where dirty glasses and cups were being left, and started going round the room to talk to people. At one stage, Daniel and Audrey went to Kitty, he asked "What was that all about?" Kitty asked "What started it or our talking with them?" "Both." "Well, he was trying to be nice, educate me, which of course I didn't want, so Midge persuaded him to stop. Then he came back and apologised, he's actually a very nice young man, as is his brother. And then we were talking about improving the building, you know, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and stuff. We're going to talk to their dad tomorrow, find out what's possible."
Audrey asked "Did he hurt you?" "Oh, no, he never touched me. I'm afraid Midge did hurt him a little after he prodded her, but he's better now." Both Audrey and Daniel nodded, then he said "Your ideas for the building, it sounds expensive." Kitty replied "I'll be getting the inheritance from Uncle Bob, I can put it to good use." Seeing Daniel frown, Kitty said "We won't commit to anything until we've talked to you and Samuel, we're not that stupid." "Kitty," Daniel replied, "I know full well you are not stupid, none of you are." Then as something of an afterthought, "In spite of how you all act most of the time." Kitty, grinning, gave him then Audrey a quick kiss on the cheek and left them to continue her rounds.
When six o'clock came, Midge and Molly went to one end of the room, Midge tapped a cup with a spoon, but the noise level was too high, so Molly clapped her hands, which got everyone's attention.
Midge spoke, "We would like to thank you all for what you've done, it is really appreciated. We hope you've enjoyed this little gathering for which we have to thank Kitty." There was quite a lot of applause, a very embarrassed Kitty sat down, she tried to hide behind Chloe. This didn't work, Chloe pulled her up, she hugged the very red‑faced Kitty. When the room quietened a little, Chloe turned and said "This hug is from you all." More applause, shouts of appreciation could be heard.
After that, people started to leave. When everyone had said their thanks to Kitty and the other girls and had left, many in the hotel minibus, Daniel went to the hotel manager to settle Kitty's bill. Audrey, Samuel and Natalie were chatting with the four girls, Conner and Maurice were sitting quietly by themselves. When Daniel came back, he asked about the two boys. Kitty answered "We want to talk to them some more." Molly added "We're taking them back to ours." Audrey: "Please, we don't want anyone hurt." Midge: "Nor do we."
When the adults had left, the four girls went to the boys, Chloe and Molly each took a hand of Conner, while Kitty and Midge did the same with Maurice. As they went through the foyer, Kitty spotted the manager. She let go of Maurice's hand and went to the manager to thank him. He said "It's a pleasure, any time." Kitty kissed his cheek and went back to Maurice.
The girls pretty much dragged the boys back to their house at a run, Chloe and Molly with Conner, Kitty and Midge with Maurice. In the house, all ran up the stairs, Chloe and Molly took Conner into their parents' bedroom, Kitty and Midge pulled Maurice into the spare room.
Some time later, Kitty, Midge and Maurice were suddenly woken by Molly jumping on the bed and throwing herself across the three lying there. Maurice was immediately almost panicking, Kitty put her mouth over his, which had an immediate calming effect. Molly said "Come on, Conner thinks they should be getting home." Molly rolled off them and off the bed, she hit the floor with a thump which made all of them laugh. Kitty and Midge dragged Maurice off the bed where he promptly tripped over the prone Molly, which made her laugh even more.
Eventually Maurice, Kitty and Midge went downstairs into the kitchen where they found Conner, Molly and Chloe. The two boys looked a mess, the four girls' hair was all over the place. Conner and Maurice looked at each other, both looked embarrassed, then Maurice somewhat tentatively asked "Are you going to be all right? I mean, we didn't use any protection."
Kitty immediately ran from the room, they heard her scrambling up the stairs. Before either of the boys could say anything, Midge said "You don't need to worry. None of us" … Molly took over … "can have babies." Chloe added "It hurts Kitty even more than us three, please don't mention anything about it again."
Maurice asked "Is she all right?" Chloe replied "None of us are, but we deal with it. Kitty will be back to normal soon."
"Will we see you again?" ‑ this from Conner. Midge replied "Simple answer: Yes." "Will we do this again?" Molly immediately almost shouted "YES!" Chloe added "But please realise this is just fun, hopefully for all of us, nothing long term will come of it."
Maurice, quietly, "I don't think I'd survive you long term." Conner: "We'd best be going, we should say our goodbyes." Maurice asked "Can you say goodbye to Kitty for me, please? Tell her I'm sorry?" Midge just said "Chloe?" Chloe nodded, she went out of the room. Midge said "You can tell her yourself, Chloe is good with her, she'll bring her down. Would you like some coffee before you go?" Maurice and Conner looked at each other, two head‑shakes. "No, thank you" from Conner. "Hopefully another time" from Maurice.
A minute later, Chloe and Kitty came down, they were holding hands. Kitty smiled, "Sorry about that, gets to me sometimes." Maurice said "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean …" He was interrupted by Kitty putting her mouth over his, when she took it away she said "Nothing to be sorry for, you were only thinking about possible repercussions. Just being thoughtful."
Maurice: "Thank you. And thank you for everything, it's been quite an experience." Conner added "I second that, that was my first time, and my seventh", he was grinning as he said it. Maurice also grinned "I lost count. Come on, I bet they're waiting up for us."
Each girl gave both boys a kiss, Midge said "See you tomorrow, eleven."
As they closed the front door behind the boys, the four girls went into a laughing hug, until Kitty said "Coffee." In the kitchen they made some, sat at the table and talked about the boys.
Arriving at the builder's next day, they found Conner waiting in the yard for them. He said "We've not said anything, but it's obvious they know. Please don't say or do anything to embarrass us." Kitty nodded, "We understand. Is there somewhere we can change out of our cycling kit?" Conner led them to an empty office, being a Sunday the place was deserted.
Conner waited outside the office until the four emerged, he led them up some stairs into what looked like a meeting room. In it, Maurice was talking to what turned out to be their father, who stood up, shook each of them by the hand. As he did so, each said their name, "Kitty" "Chloe" "Midge or Molly" and "Molly or Midge". He laughed at the last two, "They said something about not knowing which was which. Call me Benny."
They sat down, Benny said "They tell me you want to put in air conditioning and solar panels. Is that right?" Midge just said "Kitty."
Kitty started "We're thinking of making the building as energy efficient as possible, also to make the insides comfortable whatever the weather, different rooms with their own temperature controls, all with good ventilation. Without knowing what's possible, I'm thinking heat pump using the nearby lake water as the heat supply or sink, or if that's not practical, underground, I don't think air‑sourced would be enough, in any case probably very noisy.
"Heat exchangers for airflow so incoming air can be warmed or cooled by outgoing air. Maybe a combination of underfloor heating and air vents for heating and cooling, but airflow to be kept quiet and unobtrusive. Solar panels on the roof, maybe use rejected lithium car batteries for electrical storage to get a suitable capacity. Probably update the double glazing, I think modern would be better than when the building was put up.
"Oh, yes, have the heat pump in an outbuilding to keep the noise to a minimum. We're open to suggestions for how to do everything, or any alternative ideas for the best result. While we are at it, I think we should put in some garages, there's an old stable block there, I think it would convert suitably."
The six listeners were all speechless for a minute. Benny was the first to recover, "Who have you talked to about this?" Kitty said "No one, other than to say we're thinking of doing something." Benny: "You mean you thought of all this yourself?" Kitty replied "I suppose so. Of course I've read a bit, but not heard of anything quite like we want."
Benny asked "You realise this will be expensive? We're talking many tens of thousands." Kitty replied "Yes, as well as for the comfort of the girls living there, it's an investment into however we might use the building in the future."
Benny was writing some notes into a laptop computer, he said "I have to ask. You can fund this?" Kitty replied "In a few months time I have an inheritance coming. If you are concerned about being paid, please speak with Daniel, he knows all about it, I presume you know him?" "Yes, he's been coordinating our work." Midge: "Yes, thank you so much for all …" Molly: "… that, it's gone very well." Benny looked from one twin to the other, Conner spoke up "They do that all the time, finishing each other's sentences."
Benny quizzed Kitty more about her thoughts, where she could answer she did, where she couldn't, she said so. The three other girls were listening, though much of the talking they didn't understand. Maurice and Conner just listened, most of it way over their heads.
After something like an hour, Benny sat back. "Well, Kitty, I am very impressed. You have a very good understanding of pretty much all aspects, perhaps the only thing you've not mentioned are the inverters needed for the solar panels and batteries. You also have a fair idea of the amount of solar energy available and necessary battery capacity. You even know how a heat pump works, very few do." He then asked "Do you all understand what she's being saying?" Chloe answered "In general terms, yes." Midge added "She dreams up all sorts of stuff." Molly: "We'll interrogate her later." Kitty said "They're all perfectly capable of understanding it, just not looked into it at all."
Benny asked "How soon do you want this? Actually, I know the answer to that, straight away. When do you think funding might be available?" Kitty replied "It really depends on probate being granted, the lawyer dealing with it thinks it's pretty much a formality, but it still takes time. Then the assets have to be realised, again, this also takes time. Impossible to give any definite timescale, but my hope would be funds might start within say three or four months, but that really is only a guess, and probably optimistic."
While she was speaking, the twins turned to look at other, stared into each other's eyes. Benny looked at them, he frowned. "What …" Chloe butted in, "They're talking, it's a twin thing." Turning away from each other, Midge said "Yes, we might get earlier funding, we need to talk with Daniel and Samuel. Maybe our trust would lend money, Kitty pay back later." Kitty got up, went to Midge, kissed her, then to Molly, she did the same. "Brilliant idea." Midge said "They may not agree." Chloe said "Molly can be very persuasive." Midge: "We'll talk to them, but only if Benny thinks what Kitty is asking for is practical, and give us some idea of what we might need to get things going."
Benny said "I need some time to think this through, talk to some specialists. Can we meet back here in, say, a week? Kitty, let me have your contact details in case things change. Oh, boys, see if you can get coffee for us all, I like to get to know my better customers."
When Maurice and Conner had gone, Midge said "You're going to ask us about them, aren't you." Benny asked "Is it that obvious?" Kitty replied "To Midge and Molly it is." Benny smiled, "All right, then. We're pretty sure we know what you've been doing with them, their mother and I don't want our boys hurt." Midge answered "You are right, and we believe no one will be hurt." Chloe added "There is no possibility of any sort of long term relationship here, they understand that." Molly: "Just a bit of fun." Kitty: "We hope you are all right with it, we don't want their mother or you upset at all." Midge added "You should know, although you've probably guessed, we are all quite experienced, we do know what we're doing."
Benny: "Thank you. Daniel has mentioned that you four are all very honest, so I feel I can take you at your word. You've been very open with me, you have certainly reassured me, and I'm sure Maisy, that's their mother, will be happier when I've told her what you've said."
Kitty: "Something else you should know, we don't naturally have the inhibitions most people do, we can forget ourselves and be very, er, demonstrative in our actions. Please, if you see us behaving in a way that you don't like, let us know."
Benny nodded, then "Ah, here's the coffee." Conner started passing it round, when he gave Benny his, he asked "Been talking about us?" Benny laughed, "Maybe a bit, just getting to know these four a little better. They're quite something." Maurice, without thinking, "They certainly are." He suddenly turned very red, looked down at his coffee. Benny ignored this, he asked "Kitty, if you don't mind me asking, where does you inheritance come from?" Kitty said "I don't mind, but I'll get emotional. Chloe?"
Chloe explained "Kitty's uncle emigrated to Australia when she was five. He died a few weeks ago, Kitty and I went there for his funeral. When we were there we learnt that he'd left everything to her." Kitty muttered "Insurance." "Yes, he had life insurance, Kitty was the benefactor. It enabled us to do some of the building works for the schoolgirls, but without the contributions such as yours, we couldn't have done it." Midge said "And then those poor girls … so thank you."
"Yes, pleased to help, as were these two, they did what they did without pay, I hope you two think it was worthwhile." This time Conner spoke without thinking, "Very worthwhile." It was his turn to go red in the face and concentrate on his coffee.
Benny and the girls chatted some more, at one stage Benny said "Daniel says you are always fighting each other, but you seem so good together. What's that about?" Kitty replied "It's usually when they mention my cooking." Chloe: "Or when we remind her she's a witch." Kitty grabbed Chloe, hauled her off her chair, the two were immediately rolling on the floor, scrapping. The twins were grinning, Benny was looking, open‑mouthed. Maurice and Conner went to the fighting pair, managed to pull them apart. As they stood up, Kitty gave Conner a kiss on his mouth, Chloe did the same to Maurice. The boys pushed the girls away and sat themselves down, this time both of them with very red faces.
Kitty and Chloe kissed each other and resumed their seats, Benny shook his head and laughed. "Yes, I can see it now. You actually enjoyed that, you look for an excuse." All four girls grinned, Midge said "At last, someone …" Molly: "… who understands." Benny said "I wouldn't go so far as to say I understand it.
"Right, I've got to get home to my better half. Maurice, Conner, can you wait to see these out? And make sure you lock up properly when you leave. Girls, I'll try to get something for you by next week, in the meantime I'll say goodbye." He got up, the four girls stood. As he shook each one's hand, he received a kiss on the cheek, as he left the room he just said "Thank you."
Midge: "We've got …" Molly: "… to change." The two boys found themselves each grabbed by two girls and dragged down the stairs to the office where their cycling kit was. After some play between them all, the four girls ran laughing to their bikes and pedalled away, leaving the two boys wondering quite what had hit them.
A week later found them once again in the meeting room. After the initial greetings, Benny said "Well, I've talked with a number of people. Everything you ask for is technically feasible, and no one has suggested any significant changes to your ideas. The solar panel people and the air conditioning lot want to do surveys, but I have ballpark figures from them. I would naturally want us do all the constructional stuff. Of course, you are welcome to get quotes elsewhere if you wish, but if you do get another firm to do it, I would want to charge a consultancy fee, I hope you would be all right with that."
Midge and Molly immediately alternated "I think that won't be" "necessary, but you should" "be aware we" "would know if" "you were" "cheating us" ‑ the last two words said by both.
Benny smiled, "Yes, Daniel did say you twins have some unusual talents, one is being able to read people. He also said that you didn't tolerate anyone hurting any of you in any way, physically or mentally. What he wouldn't say is what you would do about it, he just said 'Be warned'."
Without thinking, Maurice started rubbing his wrist, Benny saw this. He asked "Maurice, have you experienced this?" Once again, Maurice went red in the face, but before he could say anything, Midge said "Only very mildly. Without realising it he was upsetting Kitty a bit. But everything's sorted now." Maurice: "I'm afraid I'd had a bit to drink, I was trying to get Kitty to try some from my glass. Midge, well I think it was Midge, persuaded me to stop."
Kitty added "I got a very nice apology from him, no harm done." Maurice said "Well, if you call what she did to my arm 'no harm'." Chloe laughed, "I think she said at the time something like she was very gentle with you. And she was, she could easily have broken it." Benny, frowning, "You're serious. How?" Kitty glanced at Midge, Midge nodded. Kitty said "With her hands." Molly grinned, "Bit of fun. We're in a builders. Piece of two‑by‑four?" Kitty said "They don't usually give demonstrations, but, a bit of wood? Maybe two feet long?" Benny said "Conner, nip down to the yard, see if you can find an off‑cut. Maurice, while he's gone, make us all some coffee."
The boys went out of the room, Benny said "What you are saying is unbelievable, but Daniel did tell me you don't lie. He also told me some of your talents were, well, he used the word 'unique', but he wouldn't expand on that. If what you say is true, are my boys safe with you?" Kitty asked "Midge, can I answer that?" Molly nodded. "They are completely safe unless they are a threat to any of us four, or for that matter anyone else the twins care about. As an example, if Conner came through that door and took a swing at Chloe with a hunk of wood, he would be seriously injured before the wood connected. But if he punches one of us in fun, he'll get punched back in fun." Benny asked "Like you and Chloe last time?" "Exactly." Benny said "Well, we'll hopefully see about this particular talent."
After a few minutes, Maurice returned with a tray with mugs of coffee on it, he put the mugs round the table. Shortly after, Conner came in carrying a piece of timber. Midge stood up and faced him. Holding one end, Conner proffered the other end to her. She didn't take it, what she did do was raise her arm, chop down at the centre of the wood with her hand, it was so quick none of the watchers could follow the movement. The end Conner was holding barely moved, the other half was rapidly spinning end over end as it flew away. Midge snatched the spinning piece out of the air and laid it on the table, she sat down and started to sip her coffee.
Midge and Molly were expressionless, Kitty and Chloe were both grinning. The two boys and Benny were just staring at the half of the wood that Conner was still holding. After a minute Benny stood, he picked up the wood from the table, went to Conner, took his piece. He examined the shattered wood at the break, shook his head, "No sign it was partly cut." Then "My god, there's an indentation, must be where you hit it. Let me see your hand." Without turning, Midge raised her hand above her head. Benny examined it, "Maybe just a trace of redness on the edge by your little finger knuckle. Incredible."
After another minute's silence, Chloe asked "Could we get back to why we're here, please?" Benny nodded, "Yes. Right. Kitty, I've got ball‑park figures from everyone, but be aware these might change significantly. All are happy to do surveys, this would give a more accurate estimate, however I think this will do for your immediate needs. Now, I'll put it up on the big screen."
He got his laptop computer from a side table, moments later the display screen on the wall behind him was showing a page of a spreadsheet. After a second, Kitty said. 'Fifth row, the sum is wrong." Benny frowned, looked at it, went to the computer. He examined the cell formula, "You're right, for some reason it's got the wrong multiplier. Try that." "Thank you" from Kitty. Conner said "You didn't have time to even look at them." Kitty shook her head, "It was obvious." Chloe said "That's one thing she is good at."
Benny grinned, "Please don't say what she isn't good at, we need her to take this in." Kitty said "It's all right, just thinking. The final figure is a bit less than I was expecting, but that is welcome." Benny: "Bear in mind these are little better than guestimates, so they are likely to be a bit out." Kitty said "Anyway, it's not far off. Now, how much to get us started?" "That's these two rows, say a quarter, that'll do all the groundwork that is necessary before much else can be done. Oh, using the lake water is a non‑starter for legal reasons according to the air conditioning people, so we'll be digging up some of the grass area behind the building ready to lay in the pipework for the underground heat source Or we could go under the drive, that would be a little more expensive, but no risk of scarring the land."
Kitty asked "Can you give us an idea of each, both disruption and cost? And any other such decisions?" Benny nodded.
"Perhaps we could take the list home with us, we can see what each refers to on the ground." "Of course, I'll email what I can, including the spreadsheet. Who should I send it to?" Three fingers pointed at Kitty, who said "You have my email address."
After they'd talked a little more, Midge asked "Can the people start surveying without an order? Avoid delays after we've got the finance?" Benny replied "Yes, of course, they won't expect a firm order without having given a quote." Kitty: "It'll have to be by appointment, please, we want to be there." Chloe explained "The girls would be frightened with strangers around." Kitty added "And we'd prefer afternoons if possible."
Benny nodded, "No problem. The spreadsheet shows the companies so you know who to expect, can we say all communication through Kitty? Keeps things easier." Kitty nodded, "Easiest for us as well."
Benny said "There is one more thing. While internal modifications to the building are okay, there may need to be planning permission for the garages you are asking for, perhaps you could get Daniel to look into that? All other parts are underground, so won't be an issue." Kitty asked "Even the pump?" "That can go in one of the old outbuildings, we'll rebuild it properly. Before the work starts we'll draw up plans, you will be able to see them. If you want anything done differently we can discuss it. Any more questions? Though I may not have answers yet." Four shakes of heads.
"Right. Now, with everything that's going on, Maisy has said she'd like to meet you. Would that be all right?" A quick glance between the four girls, Midge answered "Yes, we'd like that. What had you in mind?" Benny said "Normally I'd suggest a pub, but I know that's not for you. Could we come to your house, have a coffee or something?" Kitty and Chloe looked at the twins who were staring at each other. After a couple of seconds Midge looked at Kitty and Chloe, who both nodded. Midge: "Yes, no time like the present, how about this evening?" Benny held up a finger, "Just a mo, I'll check with the boss." He got on his phone, turned away from the table and had a quiet conversation. Putting his phone away, "Eight o'clock?" Four nods. So, your address, please."
A little later, the boys showed the four girls out of the meeting room, leaving Benny staring at the two pieces of wood. Maurice and Conner didn't watch the girls changing, but both of them got a good kiss from each of the girls before they cycled off.
That evening, Kitty answered the doorbell, she said "Please, come through, we'll do introductions together." She led Maisy, Benny and the two boys into the sitting room, where the twins and Chloe were sitting in one of the settees, they stood as the visitors came into the room.
Benny did the introductions, "My very much better half Maisy, these are Kitty, Chloe, the other two are Midge and Molly. Anybody's guess as to which is which."
Maisy said "Very pleased to meet you all." Each girl came to her, shook her hand and gave her a kiss on her cheek. Benny remarked "I didn't get a cheek kiss." Kitty glanced at Maisy, she got a slight smile and a hint of a nod. Kitty went to Benny, quite formally shook his hand, then stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. The other girls followed her example, barely able to stop themselves laughing. Each then went to Conner and Maurice, they each got a brief kiss on the mouth. The boys stood their ground, but both had red faces.
Midge said "Please, sit down, we'll get you some coffee. Only instant, I'm afraid. Maisy, how do you like yours?" She replied "Just a little milk, please." Midge: "Chloe, could you make it, please? They haven't got the immunity necessary for Kitty's."
Chloe went out of the sitting room while Kitty and Midge were wrestling on the floor. Molly said "Please, sit down, just ignore them." Benny, shaking his head, "Impossible. Boys, better not look." Both of the combatant's dresses were in considerable disarray, and in no time, Kitty's front had been pulled open from neck down to her waist. Shortly after that, Midge's dress was ripped from the side of her neck past the front of her shoulder and down the side nearly to her waist, the dress was hanging away from her on that side.
By the time Chloe came back with a tray of coffee, Midge and Kitty had stopped their fighting and were standing up, hugging each other. Putting the tray down on a coffee table, Chloe said "It looks like that was a good one, shame I missed it." Kitty and Midge, still hugging, sat themselves down on a settee, Molly sat beside Midge while Chloe waited for the others to sit, then she sat beside Molly. Benny and Maisy had put themselves in the armchairs, Conner and Maurice were on the other settee. Both were staring at Kitty and Midge, who were making no effort to cover themselves, they were just laughing at each other, each with an arm round the other's neck.
Maisy said "Well, Benny told me several things about you, none of them I believed. I now believe what he said about your looks, there's no other word for it, you are all beautiful. He also said you liked to fight each other. Well, I've seen that with my own eyes now. He didn't say anything about you exposing yourselves …" Kitty interrupted, "Oh, sorry, we don't often have visitors." Kitty carefully passed the clump of blonde hair she was holding to Midge while she tried to do up the buttons on her dress, this was only partially successful because some of the buttonholes were ripped out. While she was at it, she dabbed at a bit of blood coming from a bite just above her left breast, but it wasn't bleeding too much.
When Kitty was done, Midge just as carefully passed the clump of hair back to her, then attempted to tie the torn neck of her own dress. By undoing the top few buttons, she managed to free just material to knot it and cover herself.
The repair work finished, Maisy continued "He also said you were incredibly strong, showed me a piece of wood, or rather two pieces. He said you broke it by hitting it with your hand." Chloe said "Only the twins can do that, we're normal. Well, I'm normal, Kitty's anything but." Kitty looked past the twins to her, "I don't think my dress would survive another bout, I'll deal with you later." Chloe: "Looking forward to it."
Maisy asked "If Kitty is not as strong as Midge, how come she's happy to fight with her?" Kitty answered "Oh, she won't hurt me too badly, she loves me." Midge promptly put her mouth over Kitty's, they had quite a deep kiss. Chloe and Molly just sat sipping their coffee, pretending not to notice.
The kiss released, they all sat drinking their coffee. Maisy asked about the building, how the schoolgirls were getting on. After quite a long and serious talk about them, Maisy said "You really are doing a good job for them." Kitty: "And people like Benny have been essential for that. I suppose Conner and Maurice contributed something", this last with a grin on her face.
They talked for a while, Kitty went to get more coffee for them all. While she was hgetting it, Maisy remarked to the boys "They've been praising the work you've been doing for them, that pleases me, thank you." They talked a little about the building, Benny was saying it was actually a very easy building to work on. Conner remarked "You only say that because you didn't have to go into the crawl spaces." Benny quipped back "That's why I employ you, for me it's easy."
Kitty brought the coffee through, put the mugs onto the coffee tables. When she'd sat down, Midge asked "Seriously, though, if we wanted to use it for something else altogether, it could be done?" Benny replied "Yes, it would be easy to adapt for almost anything, provided you didn't want change the floors. You could make cut‑outs for services, but nothing larger, they were built to stay. Got plans?" Molly answered "Maybe. Thinking about it. Not sure yet."
Kitty and Chloe both looked questioningly at the twins, but they said nothing more.
The coffee drunk, Maisy said "Well, Kitty's coffee was just as good as Chloe's, why do you suggest it isn't?" Chloe replied "We love her, we know she likes fighting, it gives her the excuse." Kitty: "I suppose you don't like the fights?" "Of course we do, but this way we can blame you." "Oh, that's all right, then."
Shortly after, Maisy said "I think it's probably time we got out of their hair. Those that have any left, that is." She was looking at the clump on the coffee table. Midge said "It's all right, I'll get some of hers next time." Maisy: "I suppose if I asked if it hurt, you'd reply something like 'that's the whole point'." Midge grinned, "Now who's good at reading people?" Maisy asked if she could take the hair as a sort of souvenir, Kitty's answer was "Of course, I can always pull some more out of her."
As they got up to go, Benny said "I'll get the surveys started, If you let me know when you have funding, I'll schedule the work in." All four of the leavers got cheek kisses from each of the girls, though Molly managed to plant mouth kisses on the two boys.
A few days later they were having an evening meal at Daniel and Audrey's, Samuel and Natalie were there as well. Midge had asked if they could talk about trust money, Audrey liked the excuse to have them round.
The meal finished, they were drinking coffee in the sitting room, Daniel said "Now, what is it you want?" Kitty started, "As we mentioned at the party, the building really needs proper air conditioning and ventilation, also more efficient heating. It will get stiflingly hot on a sunny day, and heating it with oil is expensive, and those industrial heaters are horribly noisy, let alone a real eyesore. We've come up with a way of dealing with all the issues, but it is quite expensive. I intend to pay for it out of my inheritance when it comes through, but that is months away, maybe even a year. We'd like to get the work started as soon as possible, this could be at least started with partial funding."
Midge and Molly took it up, "We would like" "to borrow from" "our trust, Kitty" "pay back when" "can. At" "least starting amount," "maybe full amount" "if Kitty's" "too long."
Samuel immediately asked "How much?" Kitty told him Benny's best estimate for the full amount, and what he'd want to start the work. Daniel asked "Midge, Molly, you really want this? It's a huge investment." Both nodded. Kitty added "It would benefit all the girls there when it's done, and the sooner it's finished, the sooner we start saving on running costs. We'll be almost completely self‑sufficient in terms of energy."
Daniel asked "How do you work that out?" Kitty started talking about solar energy, the roof area available for solar panels, the optimum angle of them as a compromise throughout the year. She talked about how hot the building might get on a summer's day, and in cold weather how much heat would be lost through walls, roof, windows, probable loss due to people opening doors to go in and out. She started explaining about the heat pump for both heating and cooling, its energy requirements, the source or sink for heat, air heat exchangers to pre‑heat or pre‑cool fresh air coming in with the stale air going out. She talked about battery storage capacity and inverter efficiency.
After while, Daniel held up his hand, "All right, you've clearly done your homework, though I don't understand much of what you've said. You say Benny has gone through this?" Midge replied "Yes, he's talked with various specialists to make sure that it's all practical and the right way to do what we want, also to get an idea of costs, they'll be doing surveys to give firm estimates."
Daniel turned to Samuel, "What do you think?" Samuel replied "Two ways to look at it. Purely from the trust's point of view, it's a bad idea. The trust will inevitably lose interest and there will be some early termination costs, though I suppose we could charge that to Kitty when her money becomes available. However, if we look at it from the viewpoint that these treat their finances as shared between all of them, which I know they do, the early release of funds is in their best interest. So I say we do it." Daniel said "I hoped you would say that, it's certainly what I personally would want for them. All right, girls, you're on … oof" two girls were wrapped round him, two round Samuel. After a short while they swapped, finally releasing the two men.
Samuel said "I'll look into what we can release soonest and get that started, I'll let you know when funds become available, I'd guess one to two weeks."
Chloe said "Planning." Midge: "Oh, yes, thank you, Chloe. While we are doing this, we want to convert some of the outbuildings to garages, we see this as sensible, and almost certainly necessary for our future ideas, but we don't want to say more about those at the moment. So, could you please look into what planning permission might be required?" Daniel said "it'll need plans for what you intend." Molly: "Benny will do that. Have to ask him."
Daniel: "Change of subject. Now, particularly with Kitty's inheritance, have any of you thought about a will? I know you're still young, it's very unlikely any of you will need one yet, but the possibility is always there." Chloe immediately came out with "I have nothing to leave anyway." To which Daniel responded "Not at the moment, but it wouldn't surprise me if the twins or Kitty made you a beneficiary under their wills, then you would have something. It's as well to be prepared. Also remember that inheritance tax will need to be paid, the only time it isn't is between married partners, it is paid between siblings. So if Midge or Molly died, inheritance tax would be due even if the other inherited."
Molly said "If Midge died, I'd be dead within a day." "And vice versa" from Midge.
Daniel nodded, "You don't surprise me saying that." Samuel: "You can specify that if one beneficiary died within a reasonable period of time after you, that part of the inheritance would go directly to another beneficiary, that way there wouldn't be two lots of tax to pay."
"Just think about it, let me know what you want, I'll draft wills for you all. If you are worried about tax, how it might be paid, talk to Samuel. If you want advice on anything about it, talk to either or both of us. You really don't want to die intestate, your estate will be distributed according to legislated rules. Kitty, Chloe, anything you have will go to the state. Midge, Molly, yours too if both of you died."
Editing here 2
The next Saturday was Charlotte and George's wedding. As well as paying for a reception, Samuel had paid for a room for them. They'd organised between themselves that Rachel and Holly should help the four bridesmaids to dress first, they would then walk to the town hall while Charlotte, Ann and Sophie were dressing. This all went according to plan, with something of a sigh of relief from those remaining when the four bridesmaids actually left without causing any ructions.
Leaving the hotel, the bridesmaids pretty much danced their way four abreast to the town hall, everyone they passed just staring at them, they smiled and waved to everyone. Reaching the town hall, they saw Derek and Riana, Derek was taking photos of people going into the town hall. Kitty told Chloe just to say hello, not to start kissing, they were here for Charlotte and George, not for Chloe and Riana.
So the four stayed outside the town hall and talked with anyone who came to them, the ladies generally admiring their dresses, the men admiring the girls.
Quite a few people were going into the town hall, mostly school friends of Charlotte. Of those, most knew Midge and Molly, all knew their names. Quite a few also knew Kitty and Chloe, all wanted a chat. But a few minutes before twelve Samuel and Natalie arrived in their car with George, so the people went in. George and Samuel greeted the four girls, Derek took some photographs of George, Samuel and Natalie, then George and Samuel went in. A few minutes later, Daniel and Audrey arrived with Charlotte, Sophie and Ann.
Audrey went into the town hall with Natalie, while Sophie and Ann helped Charlotte out of the car. The four bridesmaids took hold of the train to prevent it dragging on the ground, Daniel stayed ready to escort Charlotte. Derek took some quite formal posed photographs, then he got all eight to make as if they were walking into the town hall to get some back views. He ducked in front of them so he could get pictures of them entering the hall.
As they walked into the hall, Daniel was beside Charlotte holding her arm, either side and slightly behind were Sophie and Ann. Midge and Molly were behind Daniel and Charlotte, one each side of the train, with Kitty and Chloe behind the twins. As might be expected, almost every head in the assemblage turned to look at the bridal group, clearly everyone admiring what they saw.
About halfway along the aisle, Kitty almost tripped, the way she moved the train was felt by the other three girls. Chloe looked across at Kitty, to see she was looking very upset, tears were flowing, but she'd managed to pick up walking in step with the others again.
Reaching the front, Daniel sat next to Audrey, Ann and Sophie sat on the front row on the other side by Natalie. The four bridesmaids laid the train on the floor and went to the front row of seats where Audrey was already sitting. Chloe whispered to Kitty "What's wrong?" Kitty whispered back "I've seen Red. I'm all right." Chloe gripped Kitty's hand, she whispered to Midge who was the other side of her, "Kitty's seen Red." Midge whispered back, "Yes, we saw him. Is she all right?" "Think so."
None of the four girls noticed the wedding ceremony, Kitty was staring at the floor in front of her, the other three were watching her, very concerned. Audrey had to tap Midge's arm when Charlotte needed to move, the four immediately took their positions, they held the train as Charlotte and George went to sign the register, then as they walked out. Kitty seemed much more herself, but she wouldn't look to where she'd seen Red.
Outside the town hall, Derek was taking photos, Kitty had pulled herself together and joined in with the rest, though she was quite deliberately not watching as the people came out of the hall.
Going to the hotel for the reception, Daniel, with Audrey, drove George and Charlotte, while Samuel with Natalie drove Ann and Sophie. The four girls walked in line abreast, arms round each others' waists, though very unusually Midge and Molly were on the outside, Kitty and Chloe in the middle, presumably because of their concern for Kitty.
In the hotel, the dining room was prepared for lunch for all the guests, all had named places. Charlotte and George, Ann and Sophie, Daniel and Audrey, Samuel and Natalie and the four girls were on three sides of a table overlooking all the other guests.
A meal was served, the four ate mechanically, Chloe, Midge and Molly were so concerned about Kitty that they were unaware of what they were eating. She was not very responsive, when asked if she was all right, she just said "Yes." But she clearly wasn't. George asked Molly why they were so quiet, Molly said that Kitty was a little upset, but he wasn't to worry. There was similar concern shown by Audrey, Chloe told her that Kitty had seen Red, but she was all right really.
After the lunch was cleared away, glasses of bubbly were brought round. The four girls were given lemonade, though they took no notice, didn't even check that they weren't alcoholic. Luckily Daniel and Samuel had both emphasised to the hotel staff that the girls weren't to be given alcohol.
George did the speeches, again, the girls barely heard what was said. When George finished speaking, the clapping appeared to wake them up a bit. At the same time, Kitty seemed to have come to some sort of decision, it looked as if she gave herself a little nod, after which she was a bit more herself. Teas and coffees were brought round, the four all chose coffee. Part way through drinking hers, Kitty stood up, she walked over to the table where Red was sitting. Chloe was about to get up, Midge said "No, leave her, I think she wants to do this by herself."
Red's back was to Kitty, she stood behind and to one side of him. It was only when someone sitting opposite him said something that he turned his head, he saw her and stood up, the girl sitting beside him stood as well. The three talked for a short while.
The concerned onlookers couldn't hear what was said, but they saw Kitty take hold of Red's shoulders, she gave him a brief kiss on his mouth. Kitty turned to the girl and did the same, the girl seemed a little surprised. Kitty took Red and the girl's hands, and started to draw them away from the table. Chloe muttered "She wants a private word with them."
Midge rapidly went to Kitty, she said to her "There'll be somewhere quiet in the foyer." Kitty mouthed 'Thank you' to Midge, Kitty led Red and the girl out of the function room.
Back at her table, Midge said "She's okay, this will be all right." Midge fended off questions from around the table, just repeating "She's okay, she'll be back in a few minutes." Charlotte asked what was happening, Midge just said "Kitty and the boy were close, they had to split up. She's been hurting, I'm not sure what is happening exactly, but I think it's good. Now, please don't worry, this is your wedding."
A few minutes later, Kitty came back into the function room, she beckoned the other three. Excusing themselves from the table, they followed Kitty back into the Foyer, where Red and the girl were sitting on two chairs. They got up, Kitty introduced them. "Jin, these are Chloe, Midge or Molly and Molly or Midge. Jin is Red's fiance, isn't that fantastic?"
With some people, that could have been taken as sarcasm, but they knew Kitty, she meant it. After the initial hellos, Red and Jin sat in the chairs they were in before, Kitty and Chloe squeezed themselves into another one, Midge and Molly into a fourth. Kitty said to the three "Jin is a lovely girl, I'm really pleased. Tell them how you got together."
Jin smiled, "Just to let you know, my name is really Jenna, Red calls me Jin. Red and I go to the same school. Well, none of us girls took much notice of him, apart from his hair, nothing made him stick out. But then there was that episode in the playground when you two got Red's phone back, obviously really scaring those horrible bullies. I don't know how you did it, they're so much bigger than you. Hugely funny. Anyway, they wouldn't go near Red after that, and Red himself changed, he had an air of confidence or something about him. We girls started to get interested in him.
"Several of the girls tried it on with him, but he didn't want to know, oh, I don't mean he didn't like the attention. Anyway, when I asked him what was going on, he said he'd met the loveliest girl in the world. And, after seeing and talking to Kitty, I think he's right.
"Then he had his breakup, that hurt him so much. I think most at school thought he was weak, he was mooning about for days. I didn't see him as weak, I saw him as heartbroken. So I started talking to him, we seemed to click. He told me about Kitty, he was quite open about their relationship, I think talking about it helped him.
"He told me he still loved her, but knew there was no chance for them. Over the months we got more and more involved, eventually he popped the question, to which I answered yes. And when he did it, he was so nervous he called me 'Jinny' instead of Jenna, somehow Jin seemed to stick. Anyway, here we are."
Jenna found herself kissed in turn by Chloe, Midge and Molly. Chloe then asked "So, how come you're at George and Charlotte's wedding reception?" Jenna replied "I live quite near Charlotte, we've been friends for a while, so she invited me and my fiance.
"She'd told me things about you four, I have to say she loves all of you a lot, though some of what she said I found hard to believe, but Red confirmed much of it, and what I saw in the playground, of course."
Midge said "Jin, we ought to go back to the reception, but I think we'd like to talk to you some more, Kitty?" Kitty nodded. Red said "Kitty's got my email address, unless she's erased it." "I can remember it anyway" from Kitty. "Right" said Midge, "Let's go back in."
The six of them returned to their places, though Kitty went to Charlotte and George, she said "So sorry about that, I just had to talk to them." Charlotte asked "Everything all right?" Kitty said "Yes, thank you, the best it's been for ages."
As the afternoon wore on, almost inevitably the four girls found themselves going round the tables of guests. Most had been at their school, so many of them they knew. They always got admiring comments about their dresses, they overheard quite few comments about various parts of their anatomies, they would pretend they hadn't heard those. But whether they knew the guests or not, there was a lot of laughing, joking and teasing, they always left behind everyone smiling.
George and Charlotte were doing their own rounds, of course, as were Sophie and Ann. Later on, after a buffet tea, the guests started to leave. George asked those on the wedding group table to stay until all the others had gone. When Red and Jenna had said their goodbyes to the others, they came to the four girls, Red said "Thank you, all of you, for being so nice to us." Jenna added "Particularly you, Kitty, I was dreading meeting you in case you tried to kill me or something." Kitty shook her head, "You are making Red happy, I couldn't do anything to you." She paused, "Though what would happen if you hurt him, I don't know." Kitty gave Jenna a kiss, then Red.
After they'd gone, Audrey asked Kitty "How can you do that? Be so nice to someone who's stolen him from you?" Kitty immediately replied "She didn't steal him from me, the nuns did. I love him, I want him to be happy." "Kitty, you are a wonderful person."
George and Charlotte just heard this as they came back to the table. Charlotte said "It's not just Kitty who's a wonderful person, you all are wonderful people." George: "We can't thank you enough for everything you've done for us, you've really made our day."
………..
There were several companies who needed to give estimates, Benny had told them only afternoons. In each case, he would email Kitty when they would like to come. At least one of Benny, Conner or Maurice would bring them, both to ensure they understood what they were were estimating for, also to make sure there was minimum interference with the schooling that was ongoing. The four girls always made sure they were there, really just to stop any of the schoolchildren worrying about the strangers coming round.
Meanwhile Benny's workmen were doing the groundwork. The first work done was to dig a channel to the outbuilding that was to be the pump house. In the channel they laid a pipe of about a foot diameter, they could easily feed whatever services that were needed through this. Beside where they wanted to dig up the drive for the heat source piping, they laid down some heavy duty matting on the grass so vehicles could drive by without causing too much damage to the grass.
There was inevitably a lot of noise outside, but little actual disruption to the schooling, though drilling a large diameter hole through the basement wall for the tunnel to the pump house caused a lot of noise inside for a while. The pump house was rebuilt, the channel filled in and the drive relaid.
Over the next few weeks, more and more money was released by Samuel from the twins' inheritance trust to enable the work to proceed on the building. Scaffolding was needed for the installation of both the solar panels and the windows, Benny got the two firms involved to cooperate with the scaffolding. After the solar panels were installed, the scaffolders were asked to take down the upper section so that the top floor windows could be installed, this was repeated for each floor. They needed a crane to lift the windows into position so the workmen could fasten them into place.
There were days when schoolwork was impossible, in particular when the windows were being changed, each floor took several full working days. If the weather was reasonable, they'd hold lessons outside, though these often deteriorated into what the schoolgirls called nature rambles, their teachers called holidays. But, in spite of it all, the schoolchildren were making good progress.
During these weeks, the four girls would often stay for the full day, with the exception of Monday mornings, when they wanted to be at home for their time with Tom and Fee. If they were in the building on other mornings, they would have their Zoom sessions in the computer room, where they would use their own laptops.
Editing here
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Introduction