Sibling Rivalry

by E A Harvey

  "Do you think she could be going to see Penny to apologize? Maybe she wants to go to the wedding and maybe be her bridesmaid".

  "After what happened with the last boyfriend I am not sure Penny would let Janet near Pierre. Are you"?

  "Sometimes I think you and your sister are much too hard on Janet".

  "No mother that's not true. Janet is her own worst enemy. Everything which happens she brings on herself. It's jealousy. She is jealous of Penny and I have never known why. They are as pretty as each other. You and father love them equally. It's not money so what's the reason behind it"?

  "Promise me that after the wedding you will try to be nicer to her. She will lose Penny who, I am sure, will choose to stay in France after she gets married, and daddy. Well daddy is not going to get better, we both know that darling. Will you try for me please”?

  "Ok mother you win. I will try I promise. But right now I need to get packed ready for work tomorrow”.

  “But first I must let Penny know Janet's in France” he thought.

  Chapter 28 Clubs

  The sergeant drove D.I Daniels to The Minories in the city and The Way-Out Club.

  "What do we know about this club George?

  "Actually I have and found that the management has a lot of rules, quality rules. It's a transgender venue and the girls, boys, are well looked after".

  "Looked after? How do you mean, looked after"?

  "The girls are respected. No touching, you know sexual advances. It's a fun place of course but that's it, fun. And if you take it too far, out on your head. I know that the hostess is a Ms Lee but I think we want to be as inconspicuous as possible so let's talk to our lads outside and maybe to a few regulars".

  "Well done George, sounds like you've checked it out. Let's park and get started".

  As they walked to the club's entrance they could see that it was certainly a popular place.

  "You know George it never fails to amaze me how late certain places get started. As a teenager I would be in bed by now or certainly thinking about it".

  "You’re so right Ma'am. When they start to go home we might have been thinking about getting up".

  They reached the entrance and showed the guys at the door their warrant cards.

  "What has happened? Has there been trouble inside which we don't know about"?

  Sgt Wentworth explained the reason for their visit and asked would they mind looking at some photos.

  Neither of them recognized the photo of Penny Scott but one of them thought he had seen Mr

  Peters, but could not remember who with.

  Sarah and George talked to a few of the arriving customers and Sarah commented on some of the dresses.

  Just as they started to talk about calling it a night or morning one of the men accompanying a pretty girl/boy said he remembered Brian Peters.

  “We were at secondary school together and I recognize him. He was here on a Saturday night with a real looker. He was not happy to see me. In fact, he was pretty embarrassed. I have no idea why. Can I see the other photo again".

  He took a long hard look at the photo of Penny Scott.

  "Yes that's her. Or at least I think it is".

  "Would you mind giving us your contact details? We might need you to look at some more photos" asked Sarah.

  "That's fine. But what has happened? Is Brian in trouble or something?”

  "We are sorry but we cannot give you any information regarding an on-going inquiry but your info has been very helpful and very important, thank you”.

  The young man wrote out his address, mobile number, and email address.

  They thanked him again as he and his partner entered the club.

  "Let's go home George and get some sleep. Tell you what; there were some great dresses on show tonight, a few I would like to own".

  The following afternoon Sarah got the same group together.

  "Last night Sergeant Wentworth and I had a bit of luck. We found a witness who saw our victim with a woman. We are not sure of the gender of the young lady but she looks very much like the girl in your photograph. If she is a transvestite, the only time we have a chance of finding her is when she is dressed as a woman. I know it's not that simple but yesterday we had nothing. The club in question will contact us if our suspect visits again. Keep visiting the clubs and doing what you have been. The clubs and bars are your best chance of another breakthrough. Good work all of you”.

  Two nights later came another break.

  "Afternoon Ma'am, last night a squad car working near Vauxhall saw some girls heading for a club near Vauxhall Bridge. They were getting a lot of stick from some local lads and it was getting noisy. Our lads thought it might turn nasty so they stopped and warned the lads to keep it down and clear the area. The officers then approached the girls/boys to see if they were hurt in any way. Turned out one of the girls lived locally. The PC, thankfully, used his brain and went back to the car and found our two photos. Yes, she knew Brian Peters and had seen him at the club a couple of times with a really pretty girl with great legs. She looked at the photo of our missing girl. “That's her” she said. The officer has all the information on our witness and she is happy to come to the station any time, ha, ha”.

  "What's so funny”?

  "As long as we send a car for her she will only be to glad”

  "Does the Super know what this officer did last night? If not he should. The PC deserves a pat on the back. That was first class police work".

  "George there it is again. Those mists which keep floating in front of me and when I blow it away there, again, are the Scott Family in plain view"

  "Yes ma'am. I understand what you’re saying. We have been thinking that, maybe, it is a man in drag but last night the lady-boys confirmed it's a girl. Didn’t they"?

  "But it makes no sense. Why does a gay man take a girl to a transgender club unless that girl is gay also? Could it be that they are just friends and not a couple? "George I am beginning to think I am more confused than ever. Let's recap. We have our victim. He sees Janet Scott and thinks she is Penny Scott. That's fine because they are identical. But he has never met Penny Scott or so we are led to believe. Janet is not the killer because she as an alibi. Her sister lives in Paris so it’s not her either. But people keep seeing Scott sisters in places they can’t possibly be”.

  Chapter 29 Dates

  "Penny, have you spoken to that brother of mine recently? If so when is the idiot coming home to his beautiful fiancée"?

  "Yes Gabby. I talked to him earlier today and my idiot man still loves me so very much and can't wait to come home to me".

  "So when is he coming home has he told you yet"?

  "Not for another few weeks I am afraid, things are just going slower than thought".

  “Penny, I need a favour from you and it's rather a large favour I am afraid”.

  "Ok darling. If I can help, of course, I will anything for the sister of my man. What is it"?

  "You might not want to do it when I tell you what it is. Unless you love me lots"

  "Ok out with it Miss DuPont. It sounds very mysterious"

  "I want you to go on a double date, oh dear”.

  "What? Are you mad Gabrielle DuPont? I am engaged to your brother, and you want me to cheat on him. I could never do that and I can't believe you asked me. You know I love you and I would do anything for you but not that".

  "But it's OK. Pierre said so. I asked him before you spoke to him and he said it’s fine".

  "What do you mean he said fine? He is happy for me to cheat on him"?

  "No of course not, but what did he say to you when you spoke to him"?

  "Of course, now I understand what he meant. As I went to ring off from his call he said, ‘By the way it's okay, I talked to Gabrielle earlier” “So what's this all about"?

  "There is this boy I really like and he has asked me out. But his stepbrother is staying with him and the brother goes back home in two days’ time. My lad is going with him to s
ee his biological mother and won't be back for two months".

  "So you want me to go on a date with this stepbrother, so you don't miss out? I get it. And Pierre is OK with that? Gabrielle I know that dozens of guys ask you out, you a gorgeous woman. So why does it have to be this one"?

  "Thank you darling. Lots of men do try to date me but most of them are not my type and go about it the wrong way. This one is different. Claude the boy I like tells me his stepbrother is very good looking. His name is Jean he also knows that you are engaged but he does not mind if it makes his brother happy".

  "So when is this date going to happen Gabby? My God, I'm cheating on the man I love and he says it's fine. You were right when you said he is an idiot".

  "It's tonight darling, tonight".

  "Tonight, you and your mad brother were sure I would say yes, were you not"?

  "Yes, because he knows you love him and he trusts you, also he knows you would do anything for

  me, what better chaperone than his own sister? They will call for us at eight, is that alright”?

  The girls took their time to get ready. Penny wore a yellow dress with thin shoulder straps and tied a yellow bow in her hair.

  Gabrielle looked amazing in her favourite pink dress with pink shoes to match.

  "Gabby you look stunning. Claude is going to fall head over heels in love with you tonight".

  "But poor Jean, he will want this magnificent woman but knows he cannot have her, I feel so sorry for him. Let him down gently won’t you”?

  The doorbell rang and Gabrielle went to open the door.

  "Good evening Claude" Penny heard Gabby say "And this must be your brother, Jean".

  "Hello Gabrielle. My brother was right when he said that you were very beautiful".

  "Thank you Jean. Please come in and meet my wonderful friend Penny".

  The two men walked into the room and Jean stood and stared as did Claude.

  "Bonjour Penny” they said together.

  "Bonjour Jean, Bonjour Claude".

  "Never in my life have I seen two women so beautiful in the same room” said Jean.

  "Be careful Penny he has a silver tongue” said Claude.

  "Thank you for agreeing to be my partner tonight Penny. Your fiancé is a very lucky man and I envy him greatly".

  "You’re right Claude. Your brother has a silver tongue, but thank you Jean for the compliment".

  "There is a taxi waiting downstairs. We have booked a table at the Cha-Cha Club. I hope you approve"?

  "Oh yes. We have been there before. The food is always good and we can dance after we have eaten" said Gabrielle.

  The meal was first class and the boys great company.

  Claude took Gabrielle’s hand and led her onto the dance floor. She glanced back at Penny with a look that said “is it OK to leave you alone”? Penny smiled a smile that said its fine.

  Jean carried on talking but then offered his hand.

  Penny smiled and took his hand and walked on to the dance floor with him.

  They danced and he held her at a respectable arm's length. They looked very uncomfortable together.

  Jean pulled her a little closer and she came willingly. The wine was having its effect.

  She looked across at Gabrielle and saw that the pair was very much into each other. Claude was holding her as close as was possible and she was enjoying it.

  After a couple of dances, Jean led her back to the table where they sat and talked.

  She finished her glass of wine and once more he asked her to dance.

  "Penny I have very much enjoyed the evening so far, and I hope you have also”? "Yes I have Jean it's been lovely"

  "You are, by far, the most beautiful women I have ever held in my arms. Do you think your fiancé would allow me to escort you once more"?

  "Jean you are charming and very handsome but that is something you must ask him and Gabby”.

  By this time they were dancing very close and she could feel his body pushed against her. With the wine helping she was beginning to feel her body responding to him. As he pulled her even closer she let him. He bent down and his mouth pushed against hers and for a second she kissed him back.

  "Stop, what am I doing"? She knew that she had wanted that kiss and she had known that she had been turned on. She could feel the warmth between her thighs.

  "I am sorry Jean but I think you had better take me home".

  “Penny please will you forgive me, I could never have forgiven myself if while holding such a beautiful woman I had not kissed her” said Jean.

  Gabby had not seen the kiss but she had seen them return to the table and thought something might be wrong.

  "Gabby I would like to go home. I have a bit of a headache. But you please stay and you too, Jean. I am sure the club will get me a taxi".

  "Certainly not” said Gabby. “We will all leave together. I have had a wonderful evening and I hope we can do something similar very soon".

  They climbed into a taxi outside the club and Gabrielle cuddled up close to Claude.

  "Thank you all for a wonderful evening” said Penny as she walked to the front door,

  Gabby stood and kissed Claude long and hard.

  Jean reached out to Penny to kiss her good night but she took his hand and kissed him on both cheeks.

  "Good night Jean thank you and Claude for a wonderful evening and first class company. Take your time Gabby I will make some coffee"

  Five minutes later Gabrielle came in.

  As they sat and drank their coffee Penny said "Well Gabby how was it with you two. Are you into him or was it just a nice evening"?

  "He’s really nice and I think he could be a regular thing. And he is a great kisser and so good looking. If I had not wanted to look after you I think I would have let him spend the night"

  "Oh Gabby you hussy, you little tart" laughed Penny.

  "And what about you did you enjoy your evening? Was he charming and did you really have a headache"?

  "Gabby I do not want to do something like that ever again"

  "Why what happened? Was he rude to you"?

  "Dear me no nothing like that, I had too much wine and I danced too close to him. He is very good looking and I began to get turned on. And when he tried to kiss me I let him, and for a second I enjoyed it, I am so ashamed Gabby"

  "Ashamed for being normal, for wanting sex it's me who should be sorry my darling sister for asking you to do it, it was just one kiss and I cannot blame Jean. You did look lovely, how do you expect a red-blooded man to resist you"?

  "Gabby I have a feeling that you are going to ask me another favour tomorrow"

  "Why do you think that"?

  "You're going to ask me to disappear for the day while you bed Claude"

  "Oh dear how did you guess"?

  "Easy actually, but now I have a favour"

  "And that is"?

  "The kiss never happened"

  Chapter 30 Plot

  His head was starting to hurt like it did sometimes. It was always when he was upset and most times he was upset with Janet. As a child she had teased him and made him cry and when she did Penny would always be there to cuddle him and wipe away his tears. Now it was his turn to protect his sister, to stop Janet breaking her heart as she did with Bob. He had thought about calling Penny and let her know that Janet was in France. Of course that would not be enough to stop Janet’s deception. No he would have to go to France and make his sister return to London and leave Penny to marry Pierre. The wedding would be wonderful. How beautiful had his sister looked in the dress, which he had helped her choose, and such pretty shoes? Maybe Pierre would want him for his best man, an usher or something else, Gabrielle and Paula would be her bridesmaids. How his mother had cried when she saw how beautiful her daughter would look on her wedding day.

  Uncle Peter, his nephews and nieces would call him, if they had the four children that Pierre wanted.

  “Can I stop her? It’s such a big responsibility. Will she do as I
tell her? If she does not return to the UK everything will be ruined. I must stop her” Peter said out loud.

  He sat with his head in his hands; the pain getting worse.

  “I can’t do it, not on my own, she will know, she will know what to do”.

  Some hours later his plan was ready and he was sure that everything would be fine now he had talked to her.