Monday by Karen Blayne

Oh by the way red tape first.

Be warned these short stories contain mature content or naughty bits and as such may corrupt you if you’re under 12, 16, 18, 21 or 25 depending where you live thus they are not suitable for you so put them back on the shelf and let them age for a year or two.

They were sort of scribbled for fun. ©2018

Luv Karen

Harriet and Gemma sat at the screen and filled in the questionnaire. Three days later Gemma received a real letter saying she had a summer job. Harriet’s followed two agonising days later, with the same date stamp. Report Monday morning at 9 am. It was out of town but at least it was a job. They had arrived at 6:40 in the morning, the train only being two hours behind schedule and holed up in a coffee bar whilst Harriet looked for accommodation on the web and arranged to look at two that evening.

“Good morning how can I help you?” “We’re summer students reporting for work.” “May I see your letters?” They handed them over. “Ah yes that project was cancelled I’m afraid, but not to worry I’m sure we can find you something. Pop down to the transport section in B2 for me will you. They’ll be expecting you by the time you arrive.” They picked up their back packs and walked to B2. The door behind reception was open and they heard a loud voice shouting “Two bloody summer students, after the last one managed to infect the network I don’t want them on the premises and I don’t care who says we have to find them work.” There was a quieter voice speaking but they couldn’t make out the words. Gemma looked up the times of the trains home again on her smartphone. “Mrs. Buswell, let me make myself clear, just find an off site training course for them. Just get rid of them and no I don’t care what it is we have too much training budget anyway and the less we have in it the less time my employees will spend in nonproductive time away from their desks.”

A harassed looking admin assistant closed the door behind her “I’ll just be a moment whilst I make a few phone calls.” Gemma and Harriet exchanged looks. “A17, yes that sounds alright but do you have anything that starts earlier?” There was a pause “Well the other courses sound fine as well if you could stretch it out until September? They’ll be there this afternoon and we’ll cover their food and accommodation.” She turned and looked at the girls “Unfortunately Mr. Saunders feels you don’t have the specific training we require so I’ve arranged a couple of courses for you.” She wrote down the contact name and the address. “You can pick up your tickets at the airport and there is a flight in three hours so hopefully you’ll be through security by then. Off you go and I expect to see you back when you’ve completed the training.”

“We’re being paid remember and if we have a summer job and are being paid as long as it legal it’s fine by me.” “They might be white slave traders.” They looked at the tiny aircraft. “It wouldn’t fly far enough.” They were first weighed then the pilot looked at their weights and assigned them their seats. Still the flight wasn’t too long and even if the location was a bit remote it was pretty. They found their way to the campus and reception.

“Oh good you’ve arrived safely. There’s been a development, your first course is fine but there is a certain amount of overlap with the others so we’re working out how best to fit you in. One of the courses has an optional component and after confirming funds I’ve signed you up for that one.” “So what are we signed up for?” “Commercial licenses for driving a bus, an ambulance and a truck plus the heavy equipment courses which will take you through the summer. I take it you have your driver’s licenses to drive a car?” She eyed them speculatively “They didn’t explain you what the courses were?” “Well no but we heard through the open office door something about find an off site training course for them, just get rid of them.” “That might explain it then.” “Explain what exactly?” “The optional component relates to the ambulance driving course and the fact that the admin person mentioned she’d found a new job. Anyway all your possible fees and accommodation are in the bank together with a quite generous allowance for you.” She looked puzzled for a moment “Still I’ll ask David to show you around.” She picked up her smartphone and sent a quick text message. “Now would you like a cup of coffee? I usually make myself one about his time.” She led them to a small kitchen and found Harriet a tea whilst Gemma had a coffee and biscuits.

By the time they had returned David was waiting for them. “David, Gemma and Harriet will be joining us for the summer to obtain their commercial driving licenses. Did I mention you get a discount on your car insurance for having a commercial license?” She passed him a set of keys. “I thought you might like to show them round. I’ve put them in the new postgrad accommodation and given them D5 all to themselves. If you could persuade them to take the paramedic course next year it is all paid for and it would mean an income for you tutoring them should they need it.” David blinked “You mean the paramedic course has enough students now?” “With Gemma and Harriet yes.” “Ladies step this way.”

He led them to an apartment. “I’m afraid you’ll have to share.” “Who with?” “I meant you get a postgrad apartment between the two of you.” They dropped their backpacks on the carpet and looked round. There were two bedrooms with double beds and two studies together with a large kitchen and full bathroom. “Not bad.” “Well if you want to I’m sure you could be found a room in tower block hall of residence. Twelve bedrooms share one kitchen.” “No we don’t mind being lonely.” “Are you in the postgrad block as well?” “No such money, these are the most expensive student accommodations on campus.” Harriet inspected the appliances in the kitchen including the freezer. “It’s definitely luxurious.” “It’s targeted at rich overseas students who pay a lot more than the normal students in fees.” “Lucky overseas students.” “I’ll take you back through the student’s lounge, we have the usual range of sport and social clubs.” He led them back through a canteen area “Food is probably included in your package if you don’t want to cook or for the postgrad students they have a range of frozen meals you can just warm up if the meal times are inconvenient.”

“So do you like the accommodation?” “It seems luxurious to say the least.” “Now have you thought about the accelerated paramedic course?” David seemed keen to listen to their thoughts. “Why is it so important to you?” “We’re a small college and having the expensive postgrad apartment filled both over summer and for the full year means quite a bit financially. We expect more overseas students after word of mouth gets out for the following year but next year we would like to just fill it. We’re two students short of the minimum numbers to run the new accelerated paramedic course. It’s experimental as it has been normally done at other colleges over two years. Once you sign up then it becomes confirmed and I expect we’ll see lots of other students wanting to take it.” “And more to the point you have 150 tutoring hours credit each that would lessen my student debt should you require my services.” “We’d like to talk it over if we may.” “Certainly.” Harriet looked across at David “Would you care to join us for tea?”

As they walked across the quad Joshua hailed David “Hi are you playing bridge later?” Gemma’s nose twitched “If you’re thirsty you may join us for tea.” “If it includes food I’m in.” David did the introductions and Harriet led the way to the apartment. Gemma produced a packet of chocolate biscuits from her backpack. “So if we took the course then it might be possible to squeeze four people into the apartment.” “I suppose so but its only got two beds?” replied Joshua. “You’re right still we could share.” “Two girls and two boys together?” Joshua turned red and started to splutter. “I don’t think he likes that idea.” “Would you prefer to share with me?” Gemma asked provocatively. “Yes but.” “Splendid let’s try you out then.” She took his hand and led him off to the bedroom, “Now remember its free accommodation for you and a hundred and fifty hours tutoring money. If you’re very good I might even buy you some food as well.”

David’s jaw seemed to drop “And of course that means the only space left will be in my bed.” He blinked “So I’d better try you out and see if you’ll please me as well.” David didn’t feel in control. Harriet took his hand and guided him into the second bedroom. “I feel like a gigolo.” “Don’t worry I’ll tell you exactly what to do to satisfy me.” She slowly undressed her new toy and ran her fingers over his skin before licking his chest. “Tasty anyway.” “I’m not sure I’m much good at this.” “I’ll trade you hour for hour tutoring you about what my body adores.” She wiggled up to him and slow danced against him without music. He tilted his head and as he kissed her his doubts disappeared. “Now the side of my neck is supersensitive and likes to be nibbled.” David felt this might be considered a little forward but then reflected in a way he was being paid and the customer is always right. He lightly kissed the side of her neck then nuzzled her before nibbling as requested. As he followed her commands he noticed she was getting more explicit in her instructions. “Now peel my knickers down gently.” Was she getting aroused from what she was saying? “Nose your way up my thighs with kisses please.” At least she was saying please. She seemed to hesitate as if she wasn’t quite able to say the words so he took pity on her and covered her mound with his mouth. He slurped his tongue up her slit then parted the sides with his nose and wiggled it. Then having teased her he paid attention to her clitoris and the surrounding skin. Licking gently with his tongue. He got the impression she was very sensitive there so kissed and stroked the surrounding area until she was whimpering quietly.

He moved up the bed and hugged her covering her with more kisses then kissed his way down her body taking his time as he passed her breasts and nipples. Down he went once more across her tummy then this time he simply lapped her until she went limp when he moved back up the bed and hugged her once more holding her and covering her forehead with gentle kisses. “You’re good.” She said stroking his face. “I enjoyed that so much.” Then she kissed him on the lips.

“We’ve decided we’d like to take the course. Is there any problem if David and Joshua move in with us?” “No the apartment’s paid for they’ll just need a meal plan.” “Can you take it out of our allowance?” “Done.” “Now your first class is tomorrow morning. They started today but that was just house keeping and introducing them to the college and amenities.”

Gemma and Harriet looked at the elderly school bus “You mean we have to learn how to drive this?” The instructor beamed at them. “And all the other transport we have. We’ll do them one at a time.” Gemma looked at Harriet “Are we nuts?” “Just think of tonight and having Joshua eat you out again.” “I guess all this studying is worth it for that.” “Well judging by the moans last night.” Gemma turned bright red “You weren’t so quiet yourself.” “We could swop partners and compare?” “It’s a small town I don’t think they’re ready for something like that.” answered Gemma primly.

They followed the course for driving a small school bus. Their tutor was pleased with their progress and mapped out an individualised program that combined elements of all the courses and by doing so managed to cram in what was normally twelve week heavy equipment operator courses alongside the driving courses. The boys all worked harder so as not to be beaten by the girls. They never really knew what they would be driving next, sometimes an ambulance, sometimes a city bus under a regular city bus instructor, sometimes a small truck, a backhoe, a bulldozer, a loader, a dumper truck or even a telescopic fork lift handler. Harriet thought the telescopic fork lift handler was really neat.

Finally they looked up at the largest truck. “We have to drive that one?” “I’m not sure I can climb into the cab never mind drive it.” “You’ll do fine. You managed all the other ones and most students come straight from driving cars.” Harriet had her doubts but climbed up into the cab anyway. “The controls look much the same as the smaller trucks?” She hazarded. “That’s right they are.” “Do they have winter tires in winter?” “Well no they don’t need them, the weight of the truck means that their normal tires just grip much better than a lighter car tire.” Nervously she pulled away gently as she’d been taught on the smaller trucks and buses. “So same sort of idea with the gear box and ranges?” The instructor nodded. He was pleased with the two girls, they were brighter than his usual students and picked up things quickly. Besides which having them for the whole summer on different vehicles meant he could teach them the nuances and not just enough to get past the test. Eventually they were allowed to sit their tests for the largest trucks with air brakes and passed easily. Their last week of summer was spent driving a large tractor with a double trailer on the back by themselves for a commercial company to give them confidence.

In September they started the paramedic course and found having their commercial driving licenses meant working the occasional trip or shift driving buses was far more lucrative than the normal student jobs apart from the whispered rumours about how much pole dancing paid. “I heard some nights it can be three hundred and others twenty. It doesn’t sound very predictable.” “Really you mean there’s a men only club with boys dancing around the pole and doing lap dances?” “Well that’s only what I heard.”

Halfway through the paramedic course one of their tutors asked “Would you like to swop and finish your degree here?” “Is it possible?” “Certainly and we would give you academic credits for the courses you’ve completed already. Not so much for the driving courses as there wasn’t that much theory but certainly for the paramedic course.” Harriet and Gemma sat down and talked through the options and included David and Joshua in the discussion. “Well I dare say we could stay together in D5 if we asked.” “The coffee and food are slightly cheaper here so if we pooled our money even after paying back our student loans we could you know. My dad gave me back the tax relief he got from claiming my fees and stuff.” Joshua looked at Gemma “Please.” And she knew she couldn’t deny him. Harriet and Gemma passed their paramedic exams as did the rest of their course. Some complained about the hard work involved in cramming it into one year as opposed to two years but as Gemma said it wasn’t perhaps what she’d pick as a first choice but she’d found the academic side was fairly easy.

The following September they started their degree courses once more. D5 was still available and with the money they’d earnt so far they could keep David and Joshua for another term or two before getting into student loan territory. David and Joshua’s PhDs seemed to stretch out longer and longer. Harriet asked David about it “Well its supposed to take three years but the average is five and some people take ten years.” “So you’ll still be here when we finish?” “With a bit of luck we might even finish at the same time. Often to get enough money to live on post grad students do more tutoring but being kept has meant both my work and Joshua’s work have progressed rather nicely.”

Frida looked round the teleconference room “Are we ready?” The offices came up one at a time until they were all present. “This year we know our competitors are launching a mid-sized tractor which is a radically different design for them. We need desperately to upstage them. We know once our sales people start the conversation we can point out that our mid-sized unit has a track record and can deliver 1% better fuel consumption but how do we start the conversation? We need press coverage.” “Drape a few half naked girls over a unit?” “The competition will be doing that already. We need a twist.” “But what if our girls could drive the units?” “We’ll never find models who can drive trucks get real.” “I could.” Frida heard herself say “We’d need at least one more.” “The girl who just walked across the background on the top right window? Who is she?”

Chelsea reluctantly found herself being coached on driving a tractor unit. “It’s a bit noisy?” Still it was Josh, the nice boy from the workshop, who was teaching her. They had to get the detailers in before she’d even condescend to climb into the cab. It took time but finally she had the important commercial driving license. She wasn’t sure about flying across the Atlantic but Frida talked to her and pointed out the very best dress designers were based in Paris and travelling business class was an experience she wouldn’t want to miss.

The purser ran his eyes over the passengers in the lounge and then the list. A single female travelling business class? She had one of the ground staff discreetly point her out. Well why not bring a bit of glamour into the first class passenger’s lives. “I’m sorry Miss but do you mind being upgraded?” Chelsea blinked at him. “But I thought I was flying to Paris?” “Yes Miss we’ll get you to Paris.” She was seated next to a nice businessman who seemed delighted to explain what he did for a living. Chelsea didn’t mind as he paid her lots of attention and he had a really nice suit on and those two men across the isle seemed so friendly as well. She thought the food was a bit odd though but didn’t like to say anything.

She met with Frida in Paris and together with a designer they discussed what they needed to do. They reviewed videos of previous shows and compared the skimpy dresses and outfits. Both were tall and Frida being an engineer wasn’t totally sure she liked the idea of being a booth babe with so much on display. “Well at school we used to vary what we wore. We’d vary what was acceptable so one day we’d all wear longer skirts, the next day shorter ones. We’d plan it out the day before and we always had the attention as guys would be looking to see what was on show that day. Could we have two whatevers painted to match our outfits? Something in pastel blue or pink would look good with your skin colour.” “The whatever they are they are like cars right?” “Yes?” “So you draw them in with a big muscle car then once in the showroom you switch them to a car they can afford but you give them their dream to get them in.” Frida saw the sense of it.

“So let me get this right you want three top of the line with all the options tractors painted in pastel shades to match your dresses and you want to bring in a dress designer to create a different exclusive outfit each day?” “You want to upstage them? Two units inside and one out to drive the journalists around to show off the units will totally upstage the opposition.” “Do it.”

Chelsea was sent back to the dealership to await the show. At the airport she fell in conversation with one of the friendly guys who’d been seated across the isle from her last time who was a frequent traveller. He raised his eyebrow questioningly at the counter staff and seating was quickly rearranged so a senior airline manager who had been expecting to fly First Class was reassigned into business class. Chelsea thought flying was quite different than what had happened to one of her friends who spoke of cramped seating and inedible food last time they had flown. The food was a bit odd but not totally inedible. She wondered which Airline Kate had flown on.

The show was a total success. The first day the demure outfits individually designed to show off their wearer’s best features made the oppositions’ look trashy, specially as the two matching units appeared to be fashion accessories. The journalists were blown away by the fact that the booth babies were driving them to show off the units in the car park. Frida complained about the heels in private but in public smiled sweetly and grinned when a salesperson called her over to answer a more technical question. Chelsea’s hands off parking the tractor precisely was a hit as the self drive features were shown off. “There is some more testing to be done before its ready for full release. The mid-sized units use the same cab layout.” She remarked as part of her patter. The second day the film crews arrived and wanted to know where Chelsea was. Frida knocked on the cab door and Chelsea drew back the curtains and lowered the power window. “Oh is it morning already?” After tweaking her nipples just a touch she stepped down from the cab dressed a silk designer baby doll nightdress in the same pastel colours as the unit. A scantily dressed waitress set out a small table and she had a morning coffee and croissant by the side of the cab. She hoped the cotton lining on the silk knickers would be enough to hold her juices. She led the cameraman back into the sleeper cab where she had a dress hanging up on one side. The sheets were rumpled as if she’d been sleeping in them and various items of intimate underwear were scattered about, all caught on video.

She delivered the points she’d been taught about how the sleeper cab was the roomiest on the market and how comfortable it was before ushering the cameraman out and drawing the curtains once more before giving herself some relief after flaunting her body and getting dressed. Later that day they were visited by a number of fashion journalists and by the end of the day social media was full of the latest must have fashion accessories called tractors.

“So why didn’t we think of that?” “We put our latest mid range unit in the centre of the stand because that’s the one we expect to sell.” “But they had two matching top of the line units which with their sleeper cabs tower over ours and where did they find two models who could drive.” “One is one of their design engineers.” “Good grief. Still get out there and see what you can drum up. Get the girls to smile a bit more and flash a bit more bum.”

On the third day Frida was amazed to see that Karl looked stunned when she crossed her legs and the ankle length split skirt she was wearing giving him a good glimpse of stocking clad thigh. “I’m not sure you should be dressed in such a way.” She turned and looked towards the hot panted babes on the next stand. “You think something like that would be more effective?” Karl was flustered by her response. Frida hadn’t been sure about the stockings but Chelsea thought you had to have something under a slit to give it a bit of interest.

For the next two days they strutted their stuff. There were one or two guys under forty but not that many. Just enough to allow Chelsea to bask in their attention. Even Frida flirted with one or two although Chelsea thought it was more to make Karl jealous than anything else. Chelsea grew a little tired of middle aged transport managers accidentally running their hands over her butt so took her revenge on one. She ran her fingers discreetly over his crotch. She couldn’t resist teasing him “Would you like one?” She’d signed him up for one of the units before he realised what was happening. She hadn’t been watching the salesmens’ closing techniques for nothing. She was sure they’d come in useful on a Friday night sometime.

On the last day Frida and Chelsea sat down, gossiped and laughed. “If I never have to wear heels again it will be too soon.” “I think we did it though. Some guy said they’d more leads than they could follow but I think I agree one show is enough. It just seems to be one person after another asking the same questions.” “And the same stale lines.” “Oh you mean Did you know that your body is made 70% of water? And now I'm thirsty.” “It made me laugh the first time but after that I just gave out bottles of water.” “I saw you handing them out I thought you were just being kind.” “The worst one had to be Hi, can I follow you home tonight? Sorry, that came out a little strong, my mom always told me to follow my dreams.” “Can I have your picture so I can show Santa what I want for Christmas?” “Something to remember though.” “God yes if only for the attention.” “Back to work on Monday.” “So do you think Karl will come up to scratch?” Frida blushed “You never know at least he’s noticed I’m female.” Chelsea thought those flirty dresses would definitely find their way into her Friday night wardrobe.

Harriet and Gemma decided to return home for Christmas. The airfare was bad but they managed to get a shared ride in a minivan from Hannah’s mother who had driven up to collect her. “Hopefully we’ll have a smooth ride home and not run into a tornado.” “I’d heard something on the news about power outages and that dozens of homes have been damaged.” Harriet touched the walnut coloured trim for luck before realising it was plastic.

“I don’t care if it is almost Christmas surely someone can get four trailers of parts there? See if we can rent four tractors and find drivers for them if we can’t rent them buy them.”

“Chelsea, in our absence you’re acting area manager but you’re not to change the organisation chart.” Chelsea pouted that meant she was stuck in the office whilst the others went out for their Christmas lunch. Chelsea was doing her nails, manning the phones as the others had gone off for their long boozy Christmas lunch when the phone rang. “We don’t have anything for rent but we do have one small box truck and two large tractor units.” They wanted to buy them well why not Mike had delegated authority to her to sell when they went off to lunch. “Yes they are available if you’d like to come and pick them up.” Two down and two to go. Drivers she’d call the truck driving schools surely they must know someone who was available. “You could call Mohammed. He’s usually available for extra work.” Mohammed’s wife answered the phone “I’m sorry but he’s not available.” He’d worked every bank holiday for the last four years, this year she was determined to have him home for the family before his children forgot who he was. Bradley looked at the weather forecast and decided he wasn’t mad enough to drive through what was forecast. She called in favours, nothing, a lead came Blackmore college, they had two students that might be available not only that but they were visiting their parents so local. Well two meant at least they could get some parts shipped. Face to face might be best and snow was forecast so she took her boss’s BMW SUV with its all wheel drive.

“So who is this young man of yours?” “Mom?” “I went to college as well you know and I’m sure it wasn’t much different in my day.” Gemma couldn’t imagine her mother doing some of the things she got up to with Joshua then realized she must have to have Gemma. Gemma went bright red. Harriet was faring no better her grandmother was examining the Christmas cards. “Love David?” she read out a loud. “I didn’t know we had a David in the family?” Other embarrassing questions followed. The door bell rang “I’m looking for Harriet?” Harriet came to the door “I need a driver urgently to get some supplies to the tornado hit city could you help?” Well given the choice between questions she didn’t want to answer yet and money being offered she agreed and quickly picked up her back pack and stuffed a few clean clothes in it before climbing into the BMW. They picked up Gemma and drove directly to the dealership.

“They’re over there.” Chelsea waved towards a pair of snow covered pale pastel coloured tractors. Harriet asked to see what type they were and Chelsea typed in the model number brought up the web page. “I can give you a free respray in your company’s colours if you like. It’s got a Cummins engine.” Chelsea was proud to remember that line. “The colour’s not important. Pity you haven’t got four.” “Why?” “There are four trailers full of parts and equipment to go.” “But these babies can haul two trailers each.” “Really?” “We have the dollies for that.” added Chelsea helpfully. “Oh and it comes with a built in sub woofers for the stereo and a microwave.” “A first aid kit might be more useful.” “I saw one in the back I’ll go and get it.” Chelsea tottered off to find the first aid kit and came back with a large red plastic case on wheels with a cross on it. “Here you are they sent us two last week. Now the trucks are fitted with things to avoid collisions and they can road train.” Gemma looked at the online owner’s manual then copied it down to her laptop.

“Whoops there’s a problem. The computer has a limit to the size of a transaction unless you’ve done business with us before.” Chelsea gave the screen a hard stare then turned back to them. “So let’s get this right you need to get four trailers to the tornado place?” “Yes.” “But you two are not employees of her company?” “Correct?” “Oh then its easy.” Chelsea’s fingers flew over the keyboard and the printer started to whirl. “Sign here, here and here.” More papers came off the printer Chelsea tagged them with stickers to show the girls where to sign. Finally she was satisfied. “There all done. I gave you a ten percent discount since you didn’t want a respray. Is that all right?” Well the dealership had been given a special fifteen percent discount since they were left over after the show so she thought her managers wouldn’t mind. She remembered the salesmen had been promised a two week vacation for two in the sun for shifting the two remaining tractors. She wondered if Josh might like to join her.

“Right ladies off we go.” They drove in convoy to the warehouse and the warehouse staff helped manhandle the dollies to the back of two trailers. Harriet and Gemma carried out their inspections together before Harriet carefully backed up the tractor to the first trailer then very carefully backed it up to the second before hooking it all together. Gemma followed and the two rolled out onto the highway in the early afternoon. Harriet called Gemma on the CB radio and suggested she set the road train setting which meant the second tractor would tightly follow the first. That way Gemma could rest for a while before taking over as lead.

“Chelsea did you see someone steal the two tractors out front?” “I sold them Mike.” “Who to?” “Two owner drivers who had a contract to deliver something to the tornado place.” “Did they pay cash?” “Not exactly the electric company paid them and then they journal vouchered their invoice money to us. The money’s in the bank I checked. I had to do it that way because the computer has a maximum limit for a new customer. I have photocopies of their driving licenses and everything here. Oh and I threw in that duplicate red box we got with the last ambulance.” Mike scratched his head he never could follow Chelsea’s logic still the important thing was the money was in the bank and they’d reached their sales target for the year.

Conditions weren’t ideal but not too bad to start with but as darkness came down a few banks of mist covered parts of the highway. They pulled into a truck stop and sat down for a meal and a coffee. “If you want a bed we’re full.” “No we’re fine we’ll be on our way shortly.” “Not with the banks of fog surely?” “We’ll be fine, the trucks have different scanners so they can self drive in theory and they penetrate the fog.” Joe’s ears perked up as an owner operator if it was safe to drive through the fog he’d take a chance hell he’d been thinking of creeping through the fog himself. The whisper ran through the truck stop and as the girls pulled out the truck park emptied as tractor trailers pulled out behind following them through the fog banks.

Harriet look in the rear view mirror “Gemma I think we’re being followed.” “Hi guys, welcome to the convoy.” Various comments came flying over the air. Two hours later it began to snow and soon conditions worsened to be a white out so Harriet who was in the lead spoke “I’m slowing down a bit guys the scanners are showing something odd ahead.” Gemma spoke to the highway patrol who told her a car had self-reported a collision roughly on the sector they were in but they hadn’t managed to reach it yet. “Most of the time it’s a faulty sensor on the car but it is supposed to report when the airbags are deployed. It has been reporting the same position for the last five minutes though.” Gemma passed the information to Harriet and the convoy. Harriet slowed down and saw flashing hazard lights by the side of the road. “We’re stopping guys I can see the accident.” After grabbing her parka and hand held CB Harriet opened the cab door to step down and the snow swirled into the cab.

Three cars were jumbled up at the side of the highway. She checked the nearest one and found a middle aged women looking blank. “It’s my husband?” Harriet reached across and felt a faint pulse. She called Gemma “Grab the first aid kit and bring it over. Hopefully there is a defibrillator.” “Is he going to be all right?” “We’ll soon see.” “Guys can a few of you come up and check out the two other cars whilst Gemma and I see to this one?” Gemma and one of the drivers arrived with the heavy first aid kit and together they looked over husband. “Could you step out of the car please?” They ushered the lady out of the car whilst they checked his cardiac rhythm and determined the appropriate voltage and timings. Joe guided her way towards Harriet’s warm cab as they used the defibrillator. “Stable?” “Stable.” They had four truck drivers carefully lift him into the bed in Harriet’s cab. “We seem to have a very comprehensive first aid kit and we have a drip.” Gemma lifted his leg and Harriet checked her smartphone for the responses. “Let’s do it.” They hooked the drip up and continued their work making sure he was comfortable. “He looks so pale.” “He’s in with a chance.” Harriet had the highway patrol patch her through to the nearest hospital and read off the readings. “You sound very professional.” “I’m a qualified paramedic which is about as good as it gets for treating your husband in the middle of nowhere. We’re very lucky the first aid kit had a manual defibrillator. It’s almost as if it was meant for an ambulance.” “You mean its something special?” “The automatic ones are fairly good but if you can check his cardiac rhythm first and you know what you’re doing then you can do a better job with a manual one.”

Gemma was led back to one of the cars that had an injured person inside. She checked him over “Nothing life threatening.” She grinned at him “But my leg hurts so much.” “Not surprising you’ve broken it.” “Are you a doctor or something.” “A paramedic.” “I didn’t see an ambulance arrive.” “Sorry I left it at home. I’ll splint you up and give you something for the pain. Normally I wouldn’t dose you up but you’ve an hour or so before I can get you to an A&E and the risk of them wanting to operate is low.” They carried him into Gemma’s cab and laid him on the bed. Gemma walked back to the third car that looked badly damaged. The other drivers had managed to break the rear window and extract the driver. She checked him over and looked at the car which was a write off. “Apart from a few bruises you look good to me. I guess you want a ride somewhere but I’m not sure if I should give strange men a ride.” At his indignant look she relented “Climb in the passenger seat then.” She called up the highway patrol again and reported what had happened before talking to Harriet. “Do you need me to drive whilst you monitor him?” “No I think we’ll be fine. I have his wife watching the monitors so she can tell me if anything changes.” “Let’s roll then.” Gemma chatted to her two passengers and found both were very anxious to reach the tornado damaged city. “Well in my professional opinion it won’t do you any harm to lie on the bed for an hour or two longer but I can drop you off when we hit the A&E.” “I’ll wait if you don’t mind.”

When they reached the next town with an A&E there was an ambulance waiting to meet them on the highway and transfer the man and wife rather than try to drive the big unit into the hospital car park. The convoy continued down the highway with Gemma in the lead.

Finally the GPS showed them it was time to turn off the highway. “Are you sure? Don’t GPSes show the wrong route sometimes?” “But this one knows how big and heavy we are so it will show us the right way.” They pulled up by a devastated power transformer. “OK guys this is it. The end of the line.” She unhooked the trailers and had the consignment sheets signed off. “I’ll drop you at the hospital and then I’m going to park up and go to sleep.”

The next morning she woke up to the sound of heavy construction equipment being used. Joe appeared and gave her an envelope. “We heard you were students and we all chipped in $50.” Gemma looked at him “There’s no need.” “Honey most of us are owner operators and getting delayed by a day by a snowstorm costs us big bucks. I don’t know about the others but I’m being paid a major bonus for on time delivery so take the money and spend it on textbooks.” She wasn’t sure about being called honey but money was money and as Joe said text books were expensive so she tucked it in her pocket and she’d talk to Harriet later about it but right now she was hungry. She strolled over to see Harriet climb down from her cab and together they approached the supervisor who was directing the equipment. “You look busy. Can we get something to eat?” “I’d love to be busier but I don’t have enough heavy equipment operators to get the repairs done as quickly as I’d like. Plenty of equipment but all the operators have gone south now the construction season has ended. Anyway food third portable on the right.” “We have our certificates from Blackmore college if it would help but I think we need to get the tractors back.” “Lifting gear?” “Back hoe, loaders, telescopic fork lift handler and so on.” His eyes lit up “Ladies I’ll take a break now and walk down with you.” A few phone calls as they ate breakfast and they became unionised city employees so they were covered insurance wise. Then once they had been found safety boots, glasses and hats they were put to work Gemma driving a large loader and Harriet her cool telescopic fork lift handler.

“Did the parts get through?” “Well yes they did I found a pair of students with Class 1 licenses who drove through fog and a snow storm to get them there quickly. The city has hired them to help with the repairs.” “That’s fine. The main thing is we got the parts there and 350,000 people will get their power restored quickly. Now did the engineers manage to get there as well?” “Apparently they were involved in an accident in the snow storm but strangely enough they were picked up by our two students. One broke his leg by the way but has been managing somehow. By the way I filled up trailers with small generators. I thought they might come in useful. I’m not sure what to do about the two tractors. There was a problem purchasing them. Apparently there is a maximum limit for purchasing for new customers and the two together were over the limit.” “So what happened?” “Chelsea first sold a numbered company to each of the two students then she sold the units to the numbered companies who invoiced us for the trip the cost of the units. I paid their invoices and she journal vouched that payment to herself. We have an option to purchase them for a dollar each.” He blinked “So technically we haven’t brought the units yet?” “What are you thinking of?” “Having to explain a capital purchase. I mean what would we do with them? We aren’t a transport company. The politicians have been on the phone wanting to know if we wanted anything flying in by helicopter. Well it might look good in the news but I told them realistically the parts were too heavy to fly and they’ve been dispatched.” “So you mean just rip up the option to purchase and quietly forget all about it?” “Would the students mind?” “I think Harriet and Gemma wouldn’t say anything and as you say in an emergency we just paid a premium to get the job done and it would be the operational budget not the capital one.” “Tear the options up and send them the pieces.” “Where to?” “Well the city should know where they are since they are working for them.”

“Fourteen hours a day for heavens sake. I know its critical and they managed to get the transformer back up within four days but after a week I feel so tired and sleeping in the tractor is OK for a tiny bit but its not a real double bed with you know who in it to snuggle up to.” “Missing him are you. Oh did George mention just how much we were being paid an hour for working Christmas day and Boxing day?” “No why?” “Double time and we get a day off in lieu. Same for New Year’s day.” “Really?” “I’m all in favour of unions now.” “Somehow I don’t feel quite so tired. I think we can make it through until next Friday when I think we really should be off home.”

“So how is it all coming together?” “Well the girls know their stuff. Running the engines for a couple of minutes to let the turbo charger cool down before turning them off and bringing the equipment to a halt before going in reverse. They’re gentle on the equipment.” “Want to offer them a permanent job?” “Love to but I hear they’re two students who have to go back to finish their courses.” “I’ll sort something out.”

The two girls were happy but exhausted. “Now don’t forget two pm at city hall.” “Yes sir.” “Do we want to go to city hall?” “We’d better, we are city employees at the moment. It’s probably our pay.” “OK let’s hope its not a lot of boring politicians making boring speeches.”

“There seems to be a lot of cameras here. Hello so you recovered I see? How is your wife?” “Harriet he’s wearing a chain of office. I think he might even be the major.” “Ladies and gentlemen I’d like to introduce you to Harriet and Gemma who together helped our city to recover more quickly than it might have done from the tornado.” “We did?”

“I’m not sure everyone knows the full story of our heroines but first they managed to drive through a snow storm with the parts for the high voltage transformer which meant power was restored a day earlier than it might have been. Second they picked up a pair of engineers who were vital to the restoration efforts on the way. Third they led a convoy of more than fifty trucks through the snow storm bringing not only in the temporary mobile masts which gave us mobile phone coverage much faster but also other much needed supplies.” He paused for breath. Harriet and Gemma looked to one side where the two guys they’d picked up waved to them, one from a wheel chair. “Good grief.” “The portable generators they brought together with the ones on the convoy meant we’ve been able to keep most buildings above zero so no frozen pipes etc. and for the last ten days they’ve been working fourteen hour days with heavy construction equipment to help repair the damage. In fact one may or another they’ve saved the city millions of dollars.” The major’s wife spoke up “Not forgetting saving the major’s life for which I’m very grateful.”

“Council has passed a motion to extend your temporary contract for three years and to pay any applicable course fees on any training courses you might like to take.” The Major’s wife translated “They were going to name the new skating rink after you but I thought you might prefer to have the rest of your studies paid for. Oh and there’s an envelope for you, its not the keys of the city but according to the post it note attached it means the tractor units are all yours now. You do already have the keys?”

Gemma blinked and walked up to the microphone. “Well thanks guys, Harriet and I are glad we could be of service. I must confess that we owe much of this to Mr. Saunders who provided the training courses and of course Blackmore college who got us through all the exams.” Harriet quickly texted David and Joshua, we have money to keep you for the next three years, see you Monday.

Mrs. Buswell smiled to herself, revenge was sweet.