CHAPTER 52
Breakfast, to my surprise, wasn’t awkward, as all we did was smile at each other over our cereal and toast. In between her smiles, she asked, “What are we up to today?”

I thought for a few seconds before I answered.

“Depends on whether we have transport”

“Mam’s out in her work car, lo--- Jen. We could borrow her own”

“Yeah, but go where?”

I thought for a while, then inspiration struck.

“Fancy a swim?”

“In the sea?”

“No. Swimming pool. We could go down to the International. I haven’t been swimming since…”

The grief ambushed me, and Amina clearly knew exactly what was going on.

“I get it, love. If that… It might…”

She tailed off, then grinned.

“I get to see you in your cossie, then?”

“Amina, you, well, you’ve seen me naked”

“Don’t care! Well, I do, but swimsuit, aye? We can add the evening wear later. Yeah; swimming would be great”

I bustled around while she went home for her own kit, sorting towel and costume, shampoo and goggles, and on her return we walked down to the bus stop for our ride to the leisure centre. The sun was out, hands were held, and I realised I was actually looking forward to a swim. Amina could press so many of my buttons, but the one she was mashing so well that day was a cheerful one.

Off the bus, up to the cash desk, and then into the changing rooms, which thankfully had cubicles as well as an open central area. I put my clothes into the locker and slipped the key’s strap around my wrist before showering, then into the pool. No sign of Amina, but there was only one way to go, and she’d catch up.

I managed two lengths of breast stroke before she appeared, and she was in a bikini, rather than a one-piece, and, well, it bloody well worked for me. I waited as she descended the little ladder, murmuring, “You took your time”

She ducked her head.

“Crisis of confidence, Jen. Not worn this for ages, but thought I’d get it out for you, but when I got it on, just walking through the changing room scared me. Does it show too much, that sort of thing”

“You look good, butt”

She raised an eyebrow.

“Just my butt?”

“Oh, that was contrived, even for you!”

We spent over an hour in the water, some of it swimming slow lengths side by side and chatting about little, unimportant things, just for a change, some of it simply leaning against the pool’s edge, and I felt a lot of my tension washing away in the embrace of the water. Good idea, that woman.

Eventually, as my stomach rumbled, we had to climb out, and that was another amusing moment, as Amina went from sort-of-hidden in the water to having to walk her bikini down the edge of the pool and into the changing room. She was just pulling her own toiletries out of her locker ready for the shower, when a woman shouted from immediately behind me.

“WHAT THE FUCK! GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE YOU FUCKING PERVERT!”

I turned quickly, so find a dumpy woman, face mottled with rage, and it was clearly aimed at me.

“SOMEONE CALL THE POLICE! IT’S A FUCKING MAN!”

She balled a fist, but suddenly Amina was between us, her own fists raised.

“You touch her and you’ll end up on your fat arse, bitch”

“IT’S A FUCKING TRANNY!”

“SHE is my girlfriend. Try me. Go on. You’ll need a dentist after, got me?”

Another voice called across, a pretty obvious demand to know what was going on, and it was Security. Mottleface gave another series of screams about men and trannies, Amina backing off just lightly, and Security Woman said a few things into her radio, listened, then said, “Police have been called. I’ll ask you all to remain here till this can be sorted”

“GOOD! THEN THEY CAN ARREST THIS PERVERT!”

“And I’ll ask you not to shout. There are children here as well. I could hear you from the corridor. Tell you what: you wait over that side, and, you two together?”

Amina took my hand, still glaring at the fat cow, and nodded.

“Right. If you can please wait this side for me. I don’t want any more people upset”

“BUT HE’S STILL IN THE CHANGING ROOM!”

“Wait for the police, please”

Ten minutes of being glared at followed, before a couple of policewomen joined us. One took Mottleface off for a chat, while the other spoke to Amina and myself.

“Talk me through what happened, please”

“Short form? We came for a swim, came out of the pool, just about to have a shower, and that woman started screaming and swearing at me”

“What about?”

“Claiming I was a man, a tranny and a pervert”

Amina quickly added, “Not quite: fucking man, fucking tranny, fucking pervert. Then she made a fist, and I thought she was going to punch Jen”

“What did you do?”

“Told her to back off or she’d need a dentist”

“Right… Now, I’m going to ask a question here, and you don’t need to answer it, but it would be helpful. Are you trans, or a man in drag? I only ask because that is clearly her beef”

I shook my head.

“I have PCOS: polycystic ovary syndrome”

“Ah. Heard of that, and it answers the other question, as you obviously need to have ovaries in the first place. Given all that, would you be looking to press charges for amything?”

“Such as?”

“Criminal harassment, threatening and abusive behaviour, common assault”

“How is it assault?”

She adopted the rhythmic tone of someone quoting a set phrase.

“An assault includes any action that puts someone in fear of imminent battery. Did you think she was about to hit you? Your friend certainly seems to have thought so”

The copper lowered her voice.

“For what it’s worth, I recognised you, as did the Security woman. She says you’re a mate of her boss, and one of my own mates is called Paul. We’re not being naughty here, but it’s info that confirms that our friend over there is talking rubbish”

Amina snarled, “Talking out of her fat arse, more like”

The policewoman winked.

“What I say has to be correct. What I think, well, that’s a private matter. Just going to speak with my oppo. Would you be okay if I explain about the PCOS in front of the shouter? Might help calm her down”

“I generally end up telling people anyway, so feel free”

“Thanks, Jen”

There was a short copper conference, then we were waved over to face ‘the shouter’. Our PC nodded to her colleague, and then told the fat cow her fortune, in the sweetest and gentlest of tones.

“Right, Mrs Higgs, we have a decision to make here. This young lady—”

“FUCKING MAN!”

“Ah. This is your one and only warning under the Public Order Act, I will not give another. Any more swearing or abuse, and I will arrest you. Understood? Just nod, that’s fine, thank you. As I was saying, this young lady has agreed that I can share a personal detail. She has what is called political ovary—”

Amina interrupted with “Polycystic ovary syndrome. PCOS”

“Thank you. Not good with long words, me, but I am with shorter ones like abuse, threat and assault, or breach of the peace, those sort of words. Normally, I would have cautioned you by now, following your arrest, of course, but I am leaving the choice of further action to the young woman you have just abused. I didn’t witness all of your behaviour, but this Security Officer did, and so did the lady’s partner. Over to you, Jennifer”

I walked off a little way with Amina, who was still bristling.

“I know, love, but do we really want to spend a day off down the police station? I get this all the time”

“No you don’t”

“Well, not usually so loudly, I’ll admit, but I really just want to go and get something to eat, somewhere away from her”

“Okay. Love”

I kissed her forehead, then returned to the others.

“I can’t be bothered wasting a day off on an idiot, Constable. Any sort of warning you can give instead?”

“Yup. We have had a free and frank discussion, Mrs Higgs and us, and she has come to a clear understanding of the error of her ways, which she WILL NOT BE REPEATING. Is that clear?”

A hesitant nod.

“Good. Can I suggest that you make yourself familiar with Cathedral Road in Pontcanna before you repeat your actions?”

“Why there?”

“That’s where most of the city’s dentists are. Now, you’re dressed, so there is actually no reason now for you to be here. I would suggest an apology to these ladies, but I can’t compel it. My colleague will issue some paperwork outside, and then you can leave”

The Security woman held up a finger.

“Just got my own confirmation. In short, do not come back. Ever”

I didn’t expect an apology, nor did I get one, but she was gone at last and we could think about showers. Our copperette was giggling as soon as the door closed, though.

“You’re Dai Gould’s mate as well, aren’t you? Oh, that was good value! I should have brought popcorn. You sure you’re okay?”

I wobbled a hand, so-so.

“Well, she’s being given s sort of junior ASBO, antisocial behaviour order. Plays games again and she gets lifted. We’re off; thanks for being sensible”

Amina laughed, relief now showing.

“Me? Sensible? And in this costume?”

“You didn’t hit her, so that’s all that counts. Prefer it that way, we do. Laters!”

We sat for a few moments before showering, then dressed and made our way towards the exit, where we were met by the woman from Security.

“You okay, Jen?”

“I know you?”

She grinned.

“You know my old boss, back when I was doing door work. Anyway, that cow’s now barred from the centre. I’ll give your best to Elf when I see her”