33



Laura, while sorting out some stuff at David’s, came across the tape recording from Cydalia’s interview. She listened in shock. Someone knew. Someone was planning on outing her. But no. Laura couldn’t, wouldn’t let that happen. It mustn’t happen. Her previous life could damage not only IL DIVO’s and David’s career but her and David’s relationship and Laura was determined for that not to happen. So she came to a sad, but what she thought of a necessary decision. She must finish her relationship with David as soon as it was possible. Before their relationship went on to the next step. David had already talked about them moving in together. But Laura knew that wouldn’t be enough. Then David would be wanting marriage. Seb already being married and Urs due to be married in the next few weeks had already given him ideas. But Laura couldn’t marry David for two reasons - 1. They would never be able to have a ‘’proper’’ wedding just a commitment ceremony, therefore it wouldn’t be completely legal. 2. He would then want children. Something which was virtually impossible considering Laura hadn’t been born a woman. Adoption of finding someone to have David’s baby would be the only possibility. So no. She couldn’t stay with him and let her secret ruin his life. She had to leave. It was the only possible option. The only thing Laura could think of. It would break his heart, and hers, in the long run but both of them would get over it. Would learn and move on. Eventually. Laura would hate to do it. But it had to be done and done soon. The longer she left it, the harder it would become.

Laura had decided that a clean break was needed. Which meant selling her beautifully decorated flat and finding another job. She was an artist. Specialising in set decorating. A job she loved and could do anywhere. But as David knew where she worked she knew as soon as they split he would be round, in a flash, begging for her to take him back.
She was in the middle of deciding what to take and what to leave when Roberta turned up at her door.
‘Going somewhere?’ Roberta laughed on seeing all the packed labelled boxes.
‘Actually, yes.’ Laura decided not to lie. They would all find out eventually.
‘What…?’ it wasn’t what Roberta had been expected to hear.
‘Its for…my own good.’ Laura sighed.
‘And David? What about him?’
‘I’m…leaving him too.’
‘I’m guessing you haven’t told him yet, or Seb would know too.’
‘I….no.’ Laura sighed.
‘What? Why?’
‘I’ve…discovered something…’
‘What?’ Roberta asked again.
‘A…tape.’
‘Oh…?’
‘An interview tape.’
‘Who…interviewing who?’
‘Some woman.’ Laura shrugged, ‘interviewing David.’
‘About….?’ Roberta asked, waiting for the answer.
‘Me…’ Laura let out a long, sad, sigh.
‘Eh…?’
‘Some reporter…found out about me, about my…past life.’
‘And…?’
‘And, obviously if some reporter knows my secret, then they might.. Publish it, and….and ruin David, Seb, Urs. And Carlos’ career.’
‘Oh Laura…they won’t. It won’t.’
‘But it might.’
‘You don’t know that.’ Roberta pointed out.
‘And you don’t know it won’t.’
‘But David loves you! He’ll stand by you!’
‘He might not.’
‘David loves you!’ Roberta repeated, almost shouted it this time.
‘I’m no good for him!’ Laura cried back.
‘Yes you are! I’ve never seen someone so much in love with anyone like David is with you!’
‘That’s just lust.’ Laura tried dismissing it.
‘No it isn’t. And you know it isn’t.’
‘Yes it is.’ Laura tried again.
‘No it isn’t. Its love. Pure and simple.’ Roberta told her.
‘A bit like you…and Seb.’ Laura then smiled.
‘We’re not talking about Seb and I.’ Roberta blushed anyway.
‘Yes, well. He does love you all the same.’
‘Anyway,’ Roberta smiled, ‘back to you and David.’
‘I’m still no good for him.’ Laura repeated, sighing sadly.
‘I don’t see why not.’ said Roberta.
‘I’m bad for his career. I mean…we’ll never be able to be properly married. Or have children…’
‘Like having children is the be all and end all of everything.’ Roberta pointed out.
‘It is. To David.’
‘Has he told you this?’ Roberta asked.
‘Well…no.’
‘Well then. Being with you is all he needs. All that matters to him. Making you happy.’
‘I like making David happy too…’ Laura smiled at this.
‘Then don’t do this. Don’t turn around and break his heart.’ Roberta cried.
‘I have to!’ Laura cried back.
‘No you don’t.’ Roberta tried.
‘But David…IL DIVO…their career…’ Laura tried again.
‘This, this interview…’
‘Yes?’
‘Has it been in any magazine? Any newspaper?’ Roberta asked.
‘No…’
‘Then I wouldn’t worry. Anyway, my job is IL DIVO’s PA.’ Roberta then said.
‘You’re their PA?’ Laura asked.
‘Oh yes.’ Roberta nodded.
‘So any stories…’
‘I’m responsible for either admitting them, or denying them.’ Roberta smiled.
‘So you could…’
‘Deny it.’ Roberta nodded again.
‘OK.’
‘You’ve a new birth certificate, right?’ Roberta then asked.
‘Yes.’ Laura nodded.
‘Which gives your sex as…?’
‘Female.’
‘Then you are female.’
‘But I was born a man!’ Laura cried.
‘Says who…? Where is the proof?’ Roberta winked.
‘Well…there isn’t any anymore.’ Laura then realised.
‘See? Problem solved.’
‘Its that easy?’ Laura asked.
‘Its that easy.’ Roberta agreed, nodding.
‘OK.’ Laura then smiled.
‘OK…?’ Roberta asked.
‘OK I won’t break David’s heart.’
‘Or…leave him?’
‘Most definitely not.’
‘So, lets unpack these boxes shall we?’
‘OK.’ Laura smiled.
‘And Laura?’ Roberta then asked.
‘Yes Rob?’ Laura asked in reply.
‘When you marry David, I’m chief bridesmaid.’
‘It would be a commitment ceremony…’
‘Same thing honey. Wedding. Commitment.’ Roberta smiled.
‘But it isn’t…’ Laura sighed.
‘Honey, it is. It is.’
‘Is it…?’ Laura asked.
‘Oh yes. All means the same thing. You and David would be married. Mr and Mrs Miller.’ Roberta hugged her.
‘OK.’ Laura relaxed, hugging her back.

Later, David went home to his apartment to find boxes everywhere and Laura waiting in the living room area for him.
‘Moving…?’ he nervously laughed.
‘Yes.’ Laura nodded.
‘Oh…?’ he held his breath, waiting.
‘In…with you. If that’s OK.’ Laura lightly smiled.
David breathed a sigh of relief, ‘Oh Laura!’ he pulled her easily into his arms, ‘I’d love that.’ he smiled down at her.
‘Sure…?’ Laura nervously asked.
‘I was going to ask you to move in.’ David smiled in reassurance.
‘Great minds think alike then.’ Laura beamed.
‘Oh yes. They sure do.’ David winked, sweeping her off her feet.
He then carried her into the bedroom, where they made passionate love.