Jenny: Is starting to come to certain conclusions

Saturday morning: Four teenagers wake up within a few minutes of each other. They sat up and looked around. To any observer it would have been obvious that none of them were early morning types.

Yawn. "So Turquoise, how are you?" said Carmen.

"Sort of good. I think. Isn't this a bit early in the morning? After all, it is Saturday."

From Turquoise’s perspective, she could see Carmen, Mackay and Jenny, all in a line, each sitting in their own beds.

"Err, those battery charge gauge thingies in your heads, what do they read now?"

"Mine says ten hours." said Carmen.

"Mine says a bit over ten hours." said Jenny.

"They need twelve hours charging, apparently. And we seem to get nine hours of sleep each night." said Mackay.

"So it's a real pain. We still have to spend three hours stuck in the close proximity to this - person - each day." said Carmen.

"At least I'm no longer scared of him." said Jenny.

"Thank God." said Mackay. "Or should that be thank Angel?"

"By the way, considering your story last night, what do you think of Mackay?" said Jenny.

Actually, what do I think of him?

But, for the time being, Jenny decided to leave that topic alone.

Turquoise considered her reply.

"Now, if any other boy, say from our class, walked in to this bedroom and sat on Mackay's bed, I would definitely freak out. Like major freak out. My father, ah, you know, ah, it started three or so years ago. And, and, that, plus the fact that I like girls, means, well, it means that when it comes to, you know, anything to do with, ah - sexuality - or boys, I'm, like, a total basket case."

She stopped to sniffle a few times. Carmen patted her back.

"So that's why you're behaviour was, shall we say, a little weird at school." said Carmen.

"Yeah. Any time a boy approached me I got a major panic attack. It was not only the, the abuse, but also it was the fear of being found out. And the shame of being different."

"Then I would really like to give you my apologies, I'm pretty sure I spooked you out a few times." said Mackay. "I mean, I didn't mean to, but..."

"That's fine. It's fine now. Because you were the one who stepped in front of me and saved me. That more than enough to make up for it. I feel comfortable with you being here. Not that I want to get any closer to you, if you get my meaning, but. But like this is fine."

"Thanks" said Mackay. "You certainly were a lot faster in accepting me than the other two."

"Well, she's got Carmen as a buffer between him and her, unlike me!" said Jenny.

"You realise there was a flicker of red in your eyes? You must be channelling Esmeralda." said Mackay.

"Sorry. Oops, I shouldn't be using that word. I mean, I realise it is tough for you too." said Jenny.

"Hmm, if you don't mind saying, Turquoise, how do you think your - past - will affect your future relationships, as in, ah, romances?" said Mackay.

Turquoise put her head on Carmen's shoulder, and stared down at her lap.

"I think I'm stuffed. Totally messed up in my head. Damaged goods. Whenever I think of you know what, my thoughts are completely contaminated by horrible memories of my abuse. I can't get them out of my head. I just can't see how I can ever get into a relationship with that shit getting in the way. It's even difficult to, to, you know, be by myself, and, you know, fantasize and all that..."

She trailed off with some mumbling and was silent.

"I'm really sorry about that." said Mackay.

Sitting right at the edge of his bed, he reached out across Carmen and briefly shook hands with Turquoise.

Jenny walked around and sat on the other side of Turquoise, arm around her waist.

"I can really sympathise with you on that. I also am freaked out over the possibility of getting into a relationship with a boy, and actually doing something physical. Even thinking about it gets me stressed out. The fear and the pain and..."

Jenny stopped, composed herself, and continued.

"In fact, I've actually tried thinking of a certain very cute female teacher we all know, when I'm fantasizing by myself. Sadly, it never works out. It appears that I'm stuck with being not attracted in that way to women. So, yeah, I'm damaged goods also. I cannot in any way imagine being in a physical relationship with a boy any time soon."

They were quiet for a while. Definitely not feeling all that upbeat about things.

"So, Mackay, your harem hasn't worked out very well, has it?" said Carmen, poking his arm with her index finger.

"No, I suppose it hasn't. And, in my current circumstances, there is no way on earth I can get a conventional girlfriend, as Seff has managed to do so. And, unfortunately, I don't think there's any chance I can take Handel's route."

"Tough!" said Carmen.

Oh, don't be so mean, Carmen. He does have some good points - I think?

"Well, actually, I feel sorry for him, you know." said Jenny. "At least us girls get to live instead of dying, but what does Mackay get?"

"Carmen, I have to agree with Jenny on this one." said Turquoise.

"Ok, Ok." said Carmen.

"Indeed, and what do you get out of it?" said Turquoise.

"Well, I suppose I get to live with three attractive ladies? Even if it's only strictly platonic. And they don't necessary like me. And it almost came to violence in the first two weeks. But, nevertheless, it's actually nice to know that I saved you three from dying."

"Mackay, I don't actually hate boys, you know. Even if they do give me panic attacks. So I'm pledging my friendship to you. Although, remember, it may take me some time to really get used to you."

"Thank you." said Mackay.

Jenny opened her mouth to say something, then closed it and looked at her hands in silence.

So, Turquoise wants to be good friends with Mackay. That's - nice.

Carmen looked at Turquoise and then at Mackay. "I suppose."

Turquoise: Has her hair combed

Four teenagers shuffled into the dining room for breakfast. Already present were Mary, Janet, and Charlie. Jiro was out shopping. Apparently, it had been determined by his better half that there was not enough food and consumables to last the weekend with the extra people, so he had received his orders.

"Good morning, my bright eyed and bushy tailed teenagers!" said Janet.

"Eek, what?" said Mackay.

"Turquoise, the food available is on the side board, help yourself. We'll worry about who pays for all of this later."

They helped themselves and sat down.

"Hi, Turquoise. I'm Charlie, Carmen's father, in case you haven't realised."

"Ah, pleased to meet you."

"He's also a police officer, but please don't freak out." said Carmen.

"It's all right. Now." said Turquoise.

The four teenagers had to squish right up to get their four chairs to fit into the table length. They could not spread out to the ends of the table or the other side, as they had to leave room for the parents, even if not all parents were going to be present at all times.

Big sigh of exasperation from Carmen.

"Now we practically have to coordinate our arm movements when we eat. This closeness thing is getting a bit out of hand."

If I'm right next to Carmen I certainly don't mind!

After few soothing words from the mothers, they managed to have breakfast in relative peace.

Half an hour later, when everyone had eaten.

"I have received news from my colleges. Turquoise's father was arrested last night. And this morning his lawyer informed him about the results of the genetic testing. It appears that there will be no problems, he'll probably plead guilty. This means there will be no court appearance for Turquoise."

"Thank you, Janet." sniff, sniff.

Janet walked around the table and gave Turquoise another hug.

"I pleased to be able to help you. Fixing up wrongs, providing justice, looking after people. It's why I joined the police force in the first place. Although things don't always work out..."

Sniff, sniff. "Janet, can I please stay here? I think you are all wonderful. And Mackay and the girls are beautiful. And they're such good friends. I want to be a part of that. That's if it's all right with you three?"

"Of a course you can." said Janet.

"As far as I'm concerned, you are already a part of our group." said Mackay. "Not that I have any choice in the matter, anyway."

"Yeah, I agree, you're already a part of us!" said Carmen, has she took Turquoise’s hand and gently squeezed it.

This is so nice. Such a contrast to yesterday's breakfast.

Turquoise noticed that Jenny glanced at the handholding, and then looked down and to the right, at Mackay's hands, currently resting on the table.

Hey! Does she want to hold hands with Mackay?

"That's fine with me." said Jenny.

"It is part of my job to take authority on such matters for cases like this. So, no problems, come Monday morning I'll start the required paper avalanche." said Mary. "Since you're already seventeen, there shouldn't be too much in the way of problems."

"Wait a minute! What did you mean by saying we're such good friends?" said Carmen.

"Because that is what it looks like to me." said Turquoise.

The adults laughed, but refused to explain why.

"Now that breakfast is over, would you like me to brush your hair now?" said Jiro, speaking to Jenny.

"Sure. Ah, just so that you know," she said, looking at the other three, "Dad used to brush my hair when I was younger. And, after my, err attack, he resumed. Ah, it was so comforting. And we kept on doing it."

"You still have some more 'charging' to do, I take it?" said Jiro.

"Yeah, an hour or so." said Jenny.

So they continued to sit in a row, Jiro went off to collect the hairbrush and returned. He sat on a chair behind Jenny and started to comb her hair.

"Ouch" said Jenny.

"Oops, I'll just untangle this knot."

Since this was the first time Jiro had brushed Jenny's hair since their return from the hospital, it was a novel experience for all of the others. They sat and watched the performance.

"Hmm, I think you should wash your hair a bit more often. There's some dirt..." said Jiro.

"It's such a nuisance, it takes so long to dry, but I suppose." said Jenny.

Finally.

"Here, I'll put this scrunchy on for the time being." said Jiro.

He swept back Jenny's hair, looped it and pushed it through the scrunchy, then extended the free end.

"There you are, fit to be seen by the public." said Jiro as he gave one last stroke with his hands down the length of her ponytail.

Turquoise had watched this intently. And eventually found she could not keep in her emotions.

Sniff, sniff.

Everybody looked at the end of the row, at her. A couple of tears were running down her face.

"So that's how a father is supposed to act with his daughter." she said. In a voice that could hardly be heard.

Jenny stretched her arm past Mackay and Carmen, and stroked Turquoise's hair. Which was also long.

"Would you like dad to do your hair also?"

So Jiro brushed down Turquoise's hair. Being fully aware of her story, he was meticulously careful not to touch her in any other way.

"There you are, nicely combed and straightened dark brown hair. I'll leave you to the care of the others now."

He got up and left, leaving the teenagers alone.

"I think you're spacing out, you know." said Carmen.

"Hmm," Turquoise put her head on Carmen's shoulder. "This is such a wonderful group to be in."

That gave Carmen and Jenny something to think about.

Half an hour later.

"At last, I'm free of Mackay for the day." said Carmen, "Here, Turquoise, let's get your bedroom sorted out. You need to get your stuff from your old room first."

So Janet drove Carmen and Turquoise to Turquoise's original house and came back with a trailer full of her belongings. Since Turquoise's father was no longer present at home, there was no trouble. However, there was a certain difficulty when Janet tried to reverse the car and trailer up the driveway.

"Damn, the trailer is skewed. Reversing this stupid thing of Jiro's with a trailer attached was never my forte."

Janet got out and looked at the trailer's position.

"It's good enough. The side door should just clear it. Now, if you an excuse me, I need to visit my office for something, I'll be going in my own car."

The girls waved off Janet, then called out to Jenny, who was still in the house. She tried to open the side door.

"Damn it! The side door doesn't clear it!" she said.

Three girls stood in a line accessing the situation. It was a pity that all the men were missing. Mackay had gone with his mother, back to their house; Jiro was out again, and Carmen's parents had also gone home.

One loaded trailer, perhaps 300 kilograms. One side door, too close to the trailer by a mere 10 centimetres. Three teenage girls.

"We'll never be able to budge this thing and we don't know how to unhitch it and move it by hand! We'll have to cart everything through the front door! What a pain!" said Jenny.

"Yeah. This isn't a projector table. It's considerably heavier. I wish dad was here, he could move it." said Carmen.

"Humph" said Turquoise, "Each of you should be able to lift at least 25 kilos. I know I can lift 50 kilos. So that's 100 kilos in all. The trailer's got springs. So if we coordinate our lifting, we can bounce it along, easily."

Which they did.

Just as well that Janet had securely tied everything down in the trailer.

"Girl power!" said Carmen.

Jenny was impressed.

Turquoise held Carmen's hand. "Yes!"

Yes! I really like this group. Carmen most of all.

Carmen helped Turquoise transfer the stuff into her room and to get it organised.

"The rules are that we don't go into each other's bedrooms. Unless it is for special purposes like this, of course. And Mackay is definitely not allowed in our rooms at all. And we, of course, have absolutely no desire to go into his room." said Carmen.

"That's fine by me."

"And we always get dressed in our rooms. So we are always fully dressed, or in our pyjamas and dressing gown, outside. After all, we never know who might see us, do we?"

"Yes, yes."

"And, during the day, we either stay in our rooms studying or whatever, or I and Mackay visit our families. I'm going to my parent's house this lunchtime, how about you come with me? I can introduce you to my mother and brother and his girlfriend, who will be there also."

"Yes please."

"And, ah, I believe you are very good at mathematics?"

"Yes..."

"Well, ah, my maths results aren't all that crash hot, would you like to give me some help? I could ask Mackay when he comes back, but..."

"I'll be delighted to."

So Turquoise and Carmen studied maths together.

In Carmen's room.

Janet: A police officer's work is never done.

Janet came back from the police station and arranged lunch for those at home. That afternoon, while Turquoise was having dinner with Carmen's family, Janet returned to the police station.

"Oh, hi Parker. You're working weekends too?"

"A policeman's lot is never done, you know. We're actually just going over the suspect list, how about joining us?"

In Parker's office.

"On the assumption that the attempted murderer and the rapist are the same, we have spent the last week or so going through the lists of people who were present at all three locations. The train crash, at the school last year when Jenny was attacked, at the school a month ago when Jenny and Carmen were attacked. Unfortunately, it is very possible that it was someone who we don't know anything about. But we can only work with what we have." said Parker.

He put his first transparency on the projector. It had a long list of names.

"I could be a school student. Of which there are a lot of them who were at all three sites. Discarding females, and males who are too young, we are left with a list of forty or so names. Obviously many of them could be easily eliminated once we can interview them. But, that's the problem, if we start interviewing students without a really good cause, the parents will start to complain. And asking the teachers' advice is also problematical."

Parker stopped at this point, removed the first transparency and picked up the second from his desk.

"Before I put this one up, I would like to point out that the only police officer here who is normally stationed in this station is Janet. I would like to stress the importance of not talking about this outside of this group, because, unfortunately..."

He put the second transparency onto the projector.

There were three names on it.

"Oh" said Janet.

"Right. You will see that the first name is Gagnon. As in police officer Gagnon, who works from this station.

"But, of course, were not saying that he's the perpetuator. It's just that he was at all three locations."

"The second one is Father Joshi, the school pastor."

"And the third one is Daskalov, a teacher. In fact one of the classes he teaches is the one that Jenny and her friends are in."

"So, we need to keep this strictly confidential."

"We also need to keep in mind that, in actual fact, the criminal might not on any of our lists. And these three men all have the perfect right to be where they were at those times. In fact, it's part of their employment duties."

Parker put the transparencies back into his file.

"Now Janet, this is a slightly painful point I have to bring up. You see, our superiors, in their infinite wisdom, have declined to fully fund this investigation. They quote something about a worsening political climate which has lead to a diversion of resources away from community policing. Or something. Whatever. So, in essence, we are under staffed, and we can't make as thorough investigation like we want to. We are going to have to carefully pick and choose what leads to follow and what to leave for the time being."

Parker had been looking at Janet as he was saying this. He abruptly stopped what he was saying, loosened his collar, and stepped back until he came up against the display board.

"Ah, yes, Janet, I know you are angry, ah, just try not to look at me like that?"

Janet looked down at the floor and spent some moments composing herself.

"Sorry, I realise it's not your fault." she said.

"That's all right. I have children too, you know. Although mine are grown up now."

"Ok, Ok. How about I take this opportunity to leave you, since I have work I need to do, anyway?" said Janet.

Janet left, went to her office, and put in a call to the security company that managed the passenger railway stations.

"Yes, Officer Janet, we have located the footage you requested this morning. I've already sent it to you by email."

Janet clicked on the play button. And there, on her computer screen, was a view of the rail station.

"There's Jenny now. And the others. Hmm..."

The whole performance was clearly visible, including the faces of all the students involved.

Janet put in another call.

"Hello vice principal, this is police officer Janet. I need some information about one of your students..."

At the evening meal, Janet made an announcement.

"Hello kids. I have arranged to have a little chat with Hyacinth tomorrow midmorning. Her mother will also be present. Now, assuming all goes well, would Turquoise like the opportunity of having an apology from Hyacinth? It's your choice, you don't have to."

"Ah, well, hmm..."

Turquoise took a deep breath.

"Ok, I suppose I must. I really don't feel like letting her go scot free after this."

"Right. I will try to arrange it something tomorrow afternoon. That's assuming that I judge it to be of any use. In these sorts of interviews, the worse ones are those who just couldn't care less. They listen to what I say, and look back with complete disdain."

Janet sighed. "So, let's have our meal now?"

Sunday morning, back at the police station.

"You still here?" said Janet to Parker.

"Well, after that solar flare glare you gave me yesterday, I decided I had better do as much as I can, in an effort to make up for the lack of resources."

"Humph" said Janet, "But, since you are here, would you like to sit in on my interview with Hyacinth? Having a male police officer on hand on these sorts of occasions always helps with the atmosphere."

"Sure. In fact, I like to keep up with the news on how Mackay and his quasi harem is going. Since it has some relation with the investigation. And, ah, that reminds me, do you mind if I interview the hospital staff about this whole miracle cure thing? I'll try not to let it interfere with the main investigation."

"Ok, if you want. No problems. I suppose it could be relevant."

Hyacinth sat in a chair, hunched up, staring straight ahead, fidgeting from anxiety. Her mother stood behind her, not looking very happy. Parker stood at the back, a neutral look on his face, observing.

Janet showed the first part of security footage on the large monitor on the wall of her office.

"As you can see, after Hyacinth knocks the chips to the ground and then walks away, Turquoise just gives up and decides to walk in front of the train."

"But, but, I, I didn't mean that! I didn't, ah, know what would happen! I, I was, I had my own problems!"

Janet played the rest of the recording.

"Fortunately it ended well. But only because those three teenagers saved her."

By now, Hyacinth was crying. Her mother stood there, behind Hyacinth, fidgeting herself. But she made no attempt to hold her daughter.

"I'm sorry, sorry, I, oh, mum, please, ah, please."

She turned towards her mother, who stepped up to Hyacinth and awkwardly put her hands around her.

"Yes, ah, Hyacinth." she said.

"If you are really sorry, you should consider taking the opportunity of apologising to Turquoise directly." said Janet.

"Yes, Yes, I will. But how do I do that?"

"Oh, I can arrange all of that. In actual fact, one of those students is my daughter, and Turquoise is currently staying at my place. How about this afternoon?"

It was arranged. Hyacinth, eyes red, holding on to her mother's hand, left the office. Parker showed them out, and then returned.

"So, what did you think?" said Janet.

"I'd say that was a sincere apology. She has her own problems with friendship and the like; she just needs to control her tendency to lash out at others. At least that's my interpretation. And did you notice the awkward relationship between the two of them?"

"Yes. And when they left, Hyacinth was holding her mother's hand, not the other way around."

For the second time that day, Hyacinth had to walk into a strange room, front up to people who had something over her, and be miserable. Hyacinth's mother refused to come inside, she said she would wait in the car. So Hyacinth had to give her apology to Turquoise without any moral support. The two girls stood, facing each other. The other three teenagers, plus Janet, were standing back and to one side.

Hyacinth, eyes red and looking as if she might start to cry again, managed to say:

"T-Turquoise, I-I would like to, ah, to apologise for, my, my bullying on Friday afternoon. I-I understand it, ah, caused, a lot, a lot of, pain."

By now, Hyacinth was having trouble breathing, and was dabbing at her face with her hanky. She was looking down at the floor, avoiding everyone's gaze.

Turquoise looked at the sorry sight.

"Well, Ok, I, you know, it wasn't just because of your actions. Anyway, I accept you apology."

Hyacinth continued to sniffle and look away from everyone.

"Perhaps you can go now, back to your mother?" said Turquoise.

Janet led Hyacinth out.

Turquoise went to Carmen's side and put her head on her shoulder.

"This is miserable all around. And tomorrow I have to go to the same classes as she."

"That's assuming she turns up tomorrow, that is." said Janet, who had just come back.

"Which reminds me, eventually the news that Turquoise is living here and that Turquoise's father is in prison is going to get out no matter what we do. So we need to think over how to manage this."