Have a question for all Manx owners past and present?

I have a 10 month old stumpy female, Spark Plug, aka Sparky. I've always loved the look of a Manx though I've never owned one before. She's not a pure bred though, as far as I know, I got her from a local horse farm when she was about 4 weeks old. Too young I know, but they didn't want the kits around, but yet refuse to spay or neuter their cats. I took her to the vet as soon as I got her, he told me that she is indeed a female, and that she's in good health. I also did a lot of reading on the breed, so I know that they mature slower than other cats and I also know that they aren't the most vocal of felines. I also read that you're supposed to wait until they come into heat once to spay them. She's 10 months old now, and I don't think she's come into season. I'd just take her to the vet to have her checked again, but my vet hasn't been around very much the last few months as his father lives in Florida and is very, very ill. He brought another vet in to cover while he's gone, but I think he regrets his choice of vets as he told me not to see this other vet. Where we live is pretty rural, and I'm sure the pickings were slim. He's also been our family vet for over 20 years and is very protective of our animals. The only other vet within an hour's drive is a large animal vet who isn't taking new patients. So I wanted to ask the Manx people on here if they've every experienced this. Could she have come into heat and I missed it because the breed, and her herself are so quiet? Could it just be the maturing slowly thing? I also read that when you show a female Manx, as a pet anyway, that you should alter them because being around the males can bring them into heat. Do I have to bring her around a male to make her come into heat? If so, can he be neutered? My mom has a neutered male and I could bring Sparky over to her house for a few hours. Do I really have to wait for her to come into season for her to be spayed? I haven't with any of my other cats, but what I read about Manxes says that I should because it prolongs their life. If I don't have to, I'll just take her to the vet when he's back in town next month. Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.