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The Saint and The Chaletian's 07/02
http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=1418
Author:  Carys [ Wed Oct 04, 2006 9:05 pm ]
Post subject:  The Saint and The Chaletian's 07/02
Connected to machine’s to help her breathe and monitor her heart the thin lady with grey hair was just about conscious. Despite her hair and skin resembling that of a woman over seventy this lady was actually only fifty-five. The last three years had been full of pain and anxiety for the lady and she had prematurely aged. Five years ago she had been ageing gracefully some had still regarded her as a beauty, now she was unrecognisable.
The lady’s faithful and patient husband had not strayed from her bedside for more than a couple of hours over the past week, while four of her children were also present in the private hospital room. Needless to say everyone, including the lady herself, knew that within hours she would be dead.
Silence dominated the room, the husband and the children did not know what to say to ease each other’s pain while the lady herself was lost in her own thoughts. For days she had been deeply agitated and fretful, and the doctors believed that this had drained her of her last strength. The presence of her husband and children did little to reassure the lady, she knew that they loved her and forgave her for the mistakes she had made, it was her other children’s forgiveness which she craved. She did not want to die without hearing their words of forgiveness. But despite frantic phone calls from the older two children to their siblings no appearance had been made in the hospital. The lady was not surprised, it had been many years since she had last seen the absent children, and they had what many people believed perfectly good reasons to be absent.
Summoning all that remained of her strength she croaked, “They’re not coming are they?”
The eldest child, hands shaking and eyes bright, answered, “I don’t think so Mummy, I left a message for them asking them to ring the hospital but they have not rung.”
“It’s nothing more than I deserve.” The lady sighed turning her head away from her eldest child.
“Don’t say that Mummy! You did what you had to do and you did it for love, in the long run we all turned out fine.”
The lady shook her head, evidently she did not agree.
Wearily the eldest child rose and said, “I’ll go and try to phone them again.”
The door had slowly opened as this was said and a fresh voice came from the doorway, “There’s no need to do that, we’re here now.”
The lady turned her head towards the door and gestured for the newcomers to come closer to her.
“I’m so glad you came,” she said quietly and carefully. She was evidently thinking carefully over what she said. “You do forgive me for all that I have done don’t you? Please forgive me, darlings.” If she could have got on her knee’s and begged for their forgiveness then she would have.
The newcomers looked at each other for a long time before one of them nodded slowly, and in unison the reply of, “Yes we forgive you,” broke the silence in the room.
The lady smiled and closed her eyes for the last time, within seconds the machine monitoring her heart was beeping. The lady was dead, as her husband and the four other children gathered around her mournfully the newcomers slipped quietly out of the room and into the cold winter night.
Author:  Pat [ Wed Oct 04, 2006 9:14 pm ]
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It's a fantastic start, but it isn't long enough! :roll:
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Oct 04, 2006 9:17 pm ]
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That's really got me wondering!
Author:  kimothy [ Wed Oct 04, 2006 9:47 pm ]
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thanks! but what a mystery......
Author:  Squirrel [ Wed Oct 04, 2006 10:02 pm ]
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I love the thought you have obviously put into the start of this Caz, and yes, I'm thinking, wondering who it could be. - you have wrapped it in mystery. I do hope you have more of this soon!
Author:  Kat [ Wed Oct 04, 2006 10:03 pm ]
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I'm think Mollie Bettany, and the second twins...?

Thanks, Caz!
Author:  Cath V-P [ Thu Oct 05, 2006 12:06 am ]
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Oh, I wonder....

Thank you Cazx
Author:  Liane [ Thu Oct 05, 2006 7:33 am ]
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*ponders*

Thank you Cazx
Author:  Ruth B [ Thu Oct 05, 2006 12:08 pm ]
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Kat wrote:
I'm think Mollie Bettany, and the second twins...?

Thanks, Caz!


That's what I was wondering, but I'm not sure...
Author:  Fatima [ Thu Oct 05, 2006 2:22 pm ]
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*joins the crowd of people pondering*

Please put us out of our misery soon, Caz!
Author:  Laura V [ Thu Oct 05, 2006 3:08 pm ]
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hmmm...I think its Madge, but I'm usually wrong!
Author:  Mia [ Thu Oct 05, 2006 3:10 pm ]
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I thought Madge, too, but the eldest child sounds female, so...

Thanks Caz, so intriguing!
Author:  Carys [ Thu Oct 05, 2006 8:48 pm ]
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The newcomers were silent as they drove through the darkness. It was not until they had reached the motorway that one of them spat out in anger, “Why did you make me forgive her, you knew that I never would deep down.”
The driver sighed, he had been expecting this outburst, “We had to tell her we forgave her, even if we did not in our hearts. She died happy because we lied to her, and for that I am thankful. If I was on my deathbed and Ailie, Stella, or Rhys refused to forgive me over something then death would be unbearable to me but if they did forgive me then it would be such a sweet final feeling… Do you understand what I’m saying?”
There was no response for several moments, and as the driver decided that his sister was now giving him the silence treatment he suddenly heard a choked sob. Glancing over he saw his sister’s cheeks were glistening with tears, catching his eye she crossly brushed them away and abruptly said; “Yes I do understand, we were right to tell her what she wanted to hear.”

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

“Where’s Daddy?” It was a small girl’s voice that asked the question. “He’s only just come home, and he’s gone again already. When’s he coming home Mummy?”
“Stella I thought I told you to go to bed, it’s well past your bedtime!” The child’s mother, who had once been Ailie Russell, put down the paper she had been reading and taking her daughter’s hand led her upstairs.
“But I want to wait up and see Daddy.” Stella protested pulling her face into a most spectacular pout for a child of five.
“Daddy had to go to visit someone in hospital, I don’t know when he’ll be coming back, but when he does I promise you he’ll come and kiss you goodnight.”
“Daddy’s not sick is he?”
“No, he’s visiting someone who is sick.”
“Who?”
“Nobody you know darling, now be quiet for a minute I don’t want to wake your brother.”
“Rhys will cry if he’s woken up.” Stella said smugly, she never cried when she was woken up, babies certainly were stupid.
“Yes he certainly will so shush.” Ailie carefully walked past the nursery where her infant son was sleeping peacefully, she had no desire to wake him as once woken it often proved very difficult to get him back to sleep. Once in Stella’s room she shut the door behind them and after tucking her daughter into bed she said sternly, “Now Stella I want you to promise me that you won’t get out of bed again and that you’ll try and go to sleep.”
“But I want to wait up and see Daddy.”
Seeing that her daughter was planning on being obstinate, Ailie saw that she had no option apart from blackmail, “Stella if you don’t do as I say then I’ll have to write a letter to Father Christmas and tell him that you don’t deserve any Christmas presents, and that he’d better give your presents to a little girl whose good and does what her Mother asks her.”
Stella’s face fell, she had been looking forward to Christmas for weeks, every day she excitedly opened the door of her advent calendar to reveal a traditional Christmas scene as well as receive a piece of milk chocolate. “I suppose I’ll go to sleep then,” She said grudgingly recognising that her Mother was in control.
Ailie kissed her daughter’s fair curls, said goodnight and went back downstairs to finish her paper. It was past ten already and after a busy day running around after the children she was tired. So tired in fact that within a short space of time she was fast asleep.
Ailie was woken up a couple of hours later by the sound of a key turning in the front door, rubbing her eyes she went to greet her husband.
“Hello,” She said softly as she put her arms around him.
“You did not have to wait up for me.”
“I didn’t really, I fell asleep on the sofa.”
“You sound positively middle aged darling.” Her husband responded as he led her into the living room and collapsed onto the sofa, Ailie snuggled up next to him.
They lay there in silence for a while before Ailie asked, “How was Elaine?”
“She’s dead.”
“Dead! Oh darling.”
“She wanted us to forgive her so we did and then she died… It was a case of us arriving, and then five minutes later leaving again.”
“How are you feeling?” Ailie asked gently remembering how upset she had been when her Father had died.
“A bit shocked I suppose but I mourned my mother, or rather the mother she should have been, long ago. I just want to forget about her and concentrate on you, the children and us having a wonderful Christmas. Elaine is out of my life now, and she’ll never come back.”
Author:  Vick [ Thu Oct 05, 2006 9:35 pm ]
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Oooooooh!:shock:

Is this Elaine as in Head Girl from St Scholastikas????

Very intrigued now. Thanks Cazx
Author:  kimothy [ Thu Oct 05, 2006 9:48 pm ]
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Vick wrote:
Oooooooh!:shock:


*echoes vick*
Author:  Squirrel [ Thu Oct 05, 2006 10:16 pm ]
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Wow - not a familiar name at all. I'm very interested to see how this goes.

Thanks Caz
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Oct 05, 2006 11:05 pm ]
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Ooh - I assumed someone from St Scholastika's was involved somewhere, but it hadn't occurred to me that the person who died might be Elaine. Looking forward to more!
Author:  Fatima [ Fri Oct 06, 2006 8:27 am ]
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Mysteriouser and mysteriouser! Thanks Caz.
Author:  Alex [ Fri Oct 06, 2006 5:23 pm ]
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*Feels rather idiotic because I thought it was going to be a drabble about Simon Templar*

Although I suppose that would possibly belong in St Clare's or St Scholastika's.
Author:  KathrynW [ Fri Oct 06, 2006 5:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
This is a very interesting beginning...thanks Caz!
Author:  Carys [ Sun Oct 08, 2006 1:00 pm ]
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By the time her brother had dropped her off at her home the other outsider had overcome her angry tears and simply felt numb. Her husband had waited up for her and on seeing the blank expression on his wife’s face he realised what had happened.
“Come here,” He said to her holding out his arms to embrace her.
“Christian said we should forgive her so I did but it was not true forgiveness.” Her voice was muffled due to the fact that she had buried her head into the security of her husband’s chest.
Stroking his wife’s brown curls Nikolai slowly said, “Maybe Christian was right to say you should forgive her. It’s not a good thing to hate people forever Fleur.”
Silence was the response that met this piece of insight. Nikolai continued to hold his wife and stroke her hair, waiting for her to move or say something. Suddenly she moved her head away from his chest and towards his mouth, where she began to kiss him frantically.
“Fleur…” Nikolai said pulling away from her.
“Don’t say anything.” She said putting her hand across his mouth. “I need to get rid of this numb feeling. I need to feel and experience emotion… I need to forget.”


xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

“Hi Ailie, it’s me Jan.”
“Jan, I was literally just about to ring you.” Ailie said smiling as she spoke to her oldest friend.
Janice laughed, “How strange! What did you want?”
“I was just ringing to say that Christian and Fleur’s mother, Elaine you know, has died.”
“Oh gosh,” Janice paused unsure of what else to say. “How are they?”
“Christian’s fine, he says he mourned her long ago, I think Fleur is a bit shocked but she’s not really letting on how she really feels… Maybe she’d be less cagey with you.”
“Perhaps.” Janice replied knowing that Fleur would only talk when she felt ready to.
“Let’s talk about something more cheerful anyway, why did you ring?”
“I was just wondering when do you want me to drop the children’s Christmas presents round?”
“Well if you’re free this afternoon do you want to come over then, Stella’s got a Christmas party with school so we should have some peace and quiet. She’s so excited about Christmas, she’ll go completely giddy if she sees that you’ve got presents with you.”
Janice giggled, “She sounds completely sweet!”
“Completely mad if you ask me, she’s beginning to make me wish that Christmas had never been invented.”
“You always were one to exaggerate Ailie.”
“I’m not exaggerating,” Ailie protested. “Just wait until you have children of your own and then you’ll see what I mean.”
Silence greeted this remark before Janice quickly said, “I’ll be round about two then.”
Ailie knowing to well that she had put her foot in it replied with, “Yes that sounds wonderful, I’ll see you then.”
“Ok bye then.”
“Bye Jan.”
On hanging up Ailie stared into space, lost in her own thoughts, cursing her own insensitivity. She knew too well that Janice, who had been married for two and a half years, wanted nothing more than a family of small children to care for. All too vividly Ailie remembered the hurt expression, which had flashed across her friends face when she had announced that she was expecting Rhys. Ailie loved Jan like a sister and hated the thought that her joy was hurting her friend so deeply. Resolving to try and be less tactless in future Ailie was roused out of her thoughts by the sound of a crying Rhys demanding to be fed.
Looking into her baby’s solemn brown eyes as she fed him Ailie was overpowered by love for him, she knew she would do anything for him and Stella. Knowing how much Janice wanted to be a mother Ailie could not help but pity her friend and wish that one day Janice would get the chance to love and care for her own child.
Author:  Fatima [ Sun Oct 08, 2006 2:26 pm ]
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Poor Janice. Thanks Caz, this is a most fascinating story.
Author:  leahbelle [ Sun Oct 08, 2006 4:15 pm ]
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This is great. Very compelling. Thanks, Caz. Looking forward to seeing some more.
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Oct 08, 2006 6:11 pm ]
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Poor Janice. At least Ailie realises that she's been insensitive - one of the things I really can't stand about Joey :evil: is her constant harping on about big families with complete disregard for the fact that so many people would love to have children but can't.

Thanks Caz :D .
Author:  ali [ Sun Oct 08, 2006 7:46 pm ]
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Glad to see this universe making a return. It will be interseting to see how Fleur, Ailie and co have developed as they've grown up.
Author:  Ruth B [ Mon Oct 09, 2006 11:49 am ]
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Great to see Fleur et al back again! Did we know Elaine was their mother in the previous drabbles?
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Mon Oct 09, 2006 12:48 pm ]
Post subject:  The Saint and the Chaletian
I'd forgotten Elaine Gilling was Fleur's Mother. It's great to see this back again. Thanks
Author:  Carys [ Wed Oct 11, 2006 8:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ailie had just put Rhys down for his afternoon nap when there was a knock on the door. Glancing at her watch she thought that Jan was rather early, on opening the door however she discovered that it was Fleur rather than Janice on the doorstep.
“Well this is a pleasant surprise!” Ailie exclaimed as she kissed Fleur’s cold cheek.
Fleur did not return the kiss, “I just thought I’d pop by and see how the children were.” She explained.
“Well Stella’s at school, then after that she’s got a Christmas party, and Rhys has just gone to sleep.”
“Oh.” Was all Fleur said as she hung her coat up.
“But,” Ailie continued, “Janice is coming over shortly to drop off the children’s Christmas presents.”
“Oh good.” Fleur gave Ailie a tiny smile.
By the time Janice had arrived it was clear that Fleur was reluctant to talk that much about herself. The conversation mainly revolved around Christmas and the New Year celebrations. However Ailie was conscious of the fact that she did not want to upset Janice by talking too much about what presents Stella and Rhys would be getting, and how the magic of Christmas reappeared when you had children to share it with. Ailie racked her brains to come up with an alternative topic of conversation, one, which would not cause Fleur to clam up, and which would also not upset Janice. There was one topic, which Ailie knew, would take both of her friends minds off their own problems but still it was not exactly a light hearted topic.
Deciding to take the plunge Ailie said, “I wonder if we will hear anything from Judy this Christmas?”
As she had expected Fleur immediately became much more alert, “I doubt it.” She said sadly. “I think we may have to accept the fact soon enough that we will probably never see her again.”
“Is it really three years since we last saw her?” Janice said sadly.
“Yes it was.” Ailie confirmed, “Or nearly that anyway, it was New Years Eve wasn’t it, and she came to Fleur’s party with that awful man who none of us liked in the slightest.”
“He was very good looking, but so conceited and arrogant that he grew uglier and uglier the more time you spent with him.” Fleur shuddered.
“Well his band never did anything over here so I fail to see why he was so conceited.” Janice remarked.
“They were quite famous in America though, they were one of those bands who were successful in their own country but could never quite break the international scene.” Ailie said thoughtfully before adding, “But I must say I haven’t heard anything about them for quite a long time.”
“I wonder if she is still with him?” Janice said slowly.
“I hope that she isn’t!” Fleur said with such force and conviction that Ailie and Janice looked at her in surprise. Feeling that she ought to explain Fleur continued, “I heard rumours a couple of months ago that his band had taken time out due to the large presence drugs played in their lives.”
“But Judy wouldn’t be stupid enough to do drugs, would she?” It was Ailie who asked the question.
“I don’t know.” Fleur said slowly. “She was very into him, I mean when he went back to America she went with him, I think she would have done anything to please him and fit in with his life.”
“I wish we made more of an effort to tell her he was bad news.”
“We did try Jan,” Fleur said sternly, “And a lot of thanks we got for it. Remember how she lashed out at us that New Years Eve when we tried to talk sense to her? She made it perfectly clear that she did not value our opinions and that she never wanted to see us again.” Fleur paused before saying, “Thinking about it she may have been on something then, it would explain a lot regarding her behaviour and attitude that night.”
“Hopefully one day she will come back to us.” Ailie said breaking the silence, which had fallen over the three as they thought of the missing member of their quartet. “I’d hate to think that she’s alone and dealing with problems on her own because she’s too ashamed and scared to get in touch with us.”
Author:  Squirrel [ Wed Oct 11, 2006 9:04 pm ]
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Oh dear - the plot thickens...

Thanks Caz - an interesting update.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Thu Oct 12, 2006 2:04 am ]
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Oh dear, oh no!

Thank you Cazx.
Author:  Fatima [ Thu Oct 12, 2006 1:42 pm ]
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I hope Judy's all right. Thanks Caz.
Author:  leahbelle [ Thu Oct 12, 2006 2:01 pm ]
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Also hope things will be ok!
Author:  Carys [ Thu Oct 19, 2006 4:15 pm ]
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It was in between Christmas and New Year and Fleur, who worked as a freelance journalist, had plunged herself into work. She was in the middle of researching an article on the role of women in the Russian Revolution when the telephone rang.
“Hello,” She answered the phone a tad irritably.
“Fleur, it’s me.”
“Hi Paul,” Fleur’s tone softened slightly as she recognised the voice of her twin.
“How was your Christmas?” He asked politely, he had not spoken to or seen his sister since the day Elaine had died.
“Oh you know quiet, Dad was in Switzerland with Dominique’s family so it was just Nikolai and me. We went over Christian and Ailie’s for Boxing Day though. How about you?”
“Well the funeral was only a couple of days before so we were all quite cut up after that so…” Paul’s voice died away.
Fleur took a sip of water before saying, “Christian explained why we didn’t think it appropriate that we came didn’t he?”
“Yes.” Paul said shortly. “You were probably right not to.”
Fleur regardless of this comment still felt she needed to explain, “You see we mourned for her years ago when we were just children. Then when she did come back we barely remembered her she was a bit like a ghost to be honest, someone that had come back to haunt us… We didn’t feel as if we could mourn her again, as we never asked her to come back into our life’s. And even if we had come to the funeral then there would have been all sort of awkward questions from people who didn’t know us about who we were and how we knew Elaine… I wish I could have been strong enough to come and be there for you but I just couldn’t, sorry.”
“You don’t need to explain Fleur,” Paul told her, “If she had left me behind and taken you then I would feel exactly the same.”
“I’m glad you understand.” Fleur said sincerely.
There was silence on Paul’s end of the line for a considerable few moments before taking a deep breath he said, “Mother’s will was read yesterday.”
“Oh.” Was all Fleur could think of to say.
“She split her money between the four of us, the house she left to my stepfather when he dies her share is to be divided between me, Emma, and our half brother and sister.”
“I don’t want the money.” Fleur told him calmly. “And I’m sure Christian won’t either.”
“Well give it to charity or something.” Paul told her quickly, “She left you something else as well.”
“What?” Fleur demanded before adding “I didn’t ask her to leave me anything.”
“She left you her diaries, it said in her will that it would help you understand everything.”
“I don’t want them.” Fleur said forcefully. “Burn them or something Paul because I don’t want them.”
Paul had expected an outburst from his twin at this piece of news, “You may not want them now Fleur but you may in the future and you’ll regret it if they’re gone then.”
“Well how about you keep them for me and if I want them then I’ll ask you for them.” Fleur said seeing this as a compromise to get her twin off her back.
Paul knew that if he agreed to this then Fleur would just push the diaries to the back of her mind until she forgot about them. “I can’t do that Fleur, you see Emma doesn’t want you to have them, she wants them for herself. She’s told me that if you don’t have them then she will…”
Fleur bit her lip if she left the diaries with her brother then she knew that somehow or other they would fall into her elder sister’s hands. Emma was very much her Mother’s daughter and there was little love between her and Fleur. “Have you got them now?” She asked at last.
“Yes,” Paul replied, “Do you want me to bring them over?”
“I suppose you better had.” Fleur grudgingly agreed.
It was now evening, Paul had been and gone, and soon Nikolai would be home after spending the day with his Mother’s family. The diaries were on Fleur’s desk, there were seven of them in total each one faded with age. Fleur’s hands hovered over the first one trying to resist the temptation to open it and peep into Elaine, her Mother’s, life. Closing her eyes Fleur quickly opened the diary, on opening her eyes she saw large sprawling writing before she quickly closed her eyes again and slammed the diary shut. Gathering the diaries together she hurried upstairs and shoved them at the bottom of her bedside table where they would be out of sight. She simply was not ready to read about Elaine’s life yet.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:12 am ]
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How hard for Fleur this will be.

Thank you Cazx.
Author:  Elle [ Tue Oct 24, 2006 9:47 pm ]
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Gosh. This excellent.


*makes note to go back and re-read all the Fleur drabbles*


Thanks!
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Oct 24, 2006 11:12 pm ]
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Poor Fleur, horrible situation for her..

Sad about Janice - hope she will be able to have a baby, and what about Judy? :cry:


Good to see this universe again.
Author:  Mia [ Thu Oct 26, 2006 10:46 am ]
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Squee loads to catch up on! I'd totally forgotten that Fleur was Elaine's daughter too. Poor both of them.

Thanks Caz
Author:  KathrynW [ Thu Oct 26, 2006 5:57 pm ]
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Thanks Caz, just caught up on this and you're setting this all up so nicely...
Author:  Carys [ Sun Nov 05, 2006 4:58 pm ]
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It was the end of January. Fleur was confined to her bed, unable to keep any food down. She felt horrendously faint and dizzy every time she stood up or moved around. Her doctor had ordered constant bed rest, something, which Fleur resented greatly even though she recognised that it was for the best. Her work had been confiscated from her and after two days in bed even her favourite books now bored her.
As she lay in bed trying to think of something to do her mind kept on coming back to Elaine’s diary. Should she read it? Fleur was certainly curious to see what Elaine had written, she also realised that future events could well make it very difficult for her to find the time to read the diaries.
Deciding that it was a case of now or never Fleur leant over to her bedside table and took the first diary out. The sudden movement caused nausea to sweep over her and Fleur quickly collapsed into her pillows and closed her eyes willing this horrible feeling to go away. A considerable length of time passed before she felt well enough to slowly sit up and take the diary into her hands. Opening the first page she was surprised to see that the date was January 1st 1934, the first diary had been written nearly forty years ago, thirteen years before Fleur had been born, what did this have to do with later events?

January 1st 1934

It’s the start of a New Year so I have decided to keep a diary in the hope that it will help prevent me from making the same mistakes I made last year. To make sure that I don’t forget my behaviour over the last couple of months I’m going to write it down here in order that I don’t forget how stupid I have been.
I suppose I had better start from the beginning, my name is Elaine Gilling and I am seventeen years old. I have no brothers or sisters and as I think back to my childhood I have always been rather spoilt by Mother and Father. Whatever I wanted, whether it was a new doll when I was kid, or as I grew older a new hockey stick or dress then it was mine. Father is a baronet and money has never been an issue for us… Now though I sometimes think that if we had less money then it may have made me a nicer person. I have been away at boarding school since I was twelve. Most of my school years have been spent at St. Margaret’s, it was a typical English boarding school. Last September though St. Margaret’s moved to the Austrian Tyrol and became St. Scholastica’s. I went to Austria as the first school captain of St. Scholastica’s, and I was proud that it would be I leading the school into a new era, that it would be I who the other girls would look up to, that it would be I whose example they would follow. If only I had been a better school captain.
There was another school across the lake from St. Scholastica’s, the Chalet School, and it was due to my encouragement that a feud emerged between the two of us. A feud that nearly resulted in the death’s of two people. Death’s which would have been my fault. I did nothing to stop Maureen when I heard her plan to go out on to the ice after dark when we had been forbidden from doing so. The ice was weak where she and her friends were skating and it cracked. Maureen would have drowned or frozen under the ice if one of the Chalet girls, Joey Bettany, had not come to save her. Both got sick and nearly died of their illnesses, if they had died then it would all have been my fault.
The worst thing about it though is that even after this had happened I still continued with the feud, I encouraged my fellow saints to call the Chalet girls names when we met them one time and it was only me in charge and to even have a snowball fight with them. It was only when Miss Browne, the head, discovered that Vera Smithers, a girl who looked up to me and who my behaviour undoubtedly influenced, had sent an anonymous letter to the King of Belsornia, who’s daughter had attended the Chalet School, that I came to my senses. The letter had originally been my idea in a fit of temper but I would never have taken it further, if only Vera hadn’t been there to hear my anger and foul ideas. Vera got expelled for what she had done, she showed no remorse for her actions while I did. And I am truly sorry for how I have acted. If only I had been more sensible then a lot of unhappiness and worry could have been avoided.
My New Years resolution is to make an effort with the girls from the Chalet School in the hope that we can forget about the troubles of last term and become friends. I’m also going to try and lead St. Scholastica’s in the right direction and set a good example to the other girls. I only hope that I succeed.

Fleur was in shock as she finished the first entry. She had known Elaine had attended St. Scholastica’s but she had never known that she had raged warfare on the Chalet School nor that she held herself responsible for Joey Bettany nearly dying. Fleur reflected that reading Elaine’s diaries would enable her to know more about her Mother now that she was dead than she ever would have when she was alive.
Author:  LizB [ Sun Nov 05, 2006 5:32 pm ]
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Just found this and am Hooked!

Thanks, Cazx
Author:  leahbelle [ Sun Nov 05, 2006 5:39 pm ]
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Thanks, Cazx!
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Nov 05, 2006 7:56 pm ]
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Very interesting that she never knew exactly what happened to her mother.


Thanks Cazx
Author:  Cath V-P [ Sun Nov 05, 2006 11:34 pm ]
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This is fascinating. Thank you Cazx.
Author:  Mia [ Mon Nov 06, 2006 1:49 pm ]
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Thanks Caz, am enjoying this.
Author:  Vikki [ Fri Nov 10, 2006 10:36 pm ]
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OOoh!!

Thanks Cazx! I do like your Fleur universe!
Author:  Liz K [ Sat Apr 21, 2007 9:55 pm ]
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I've never read any of the other "Fleur drabbles" so don't really know much but this is good, as are all the drabbles written by everyone. I really admire what's written and wish I could write like this. I know what I would like to say but have trouble getting it across.
Author:  Carys [ Mon Jul 09, 2007 8:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
I know I haven't posted for a while but that's because of my internet woes, so this week as I have my parents broadband at my disposal there'll be updates.

Fleur, Ailie and Janice tried to meet for lunch at least once a month, it was chance for them to share news and have discussions without the threat of Stella over hearing something she shouldn’t.
It was early March and the three had not met since the middle of January as Fleur’s sickness had caused the February meeting to be cancelled.
“Well I’m very glad that you’re back on your feet again Fleur.” Ailie remarked as she sat down. “The last month has been very dull with no lunches to look forward to or not hearing the latest gossip.”
“You found the last month dull! Just think how I found it!” Fleur exclaimed, “It was the worst month of my life.”
Janice and Ailie laughed they knew how much Fleur hated being sick.
“Shall we get a bottle of wine to share?” Janice asked as she looked at the menu.
“Oh yes, I think we deserve it.” Ailie quickly agreed.
“Not for me I’m afraid,” Fleur said ruefully, “Doctor’s orders.”
Ailie looked at Fleur sharply but decided not to say anything just yet.
“So what have you been doing during your month of almost constant bed rest?” Janice asked.
“A lot of reading and sleeping.” Fleur said, “I think I’ve read every single book in the house, I never thought I’d get bored of reading but I am now. I even started reading Elaine’s diaries.”
“What are they like?” Ailie asked out of interest.
“I haven’t read that much, they’re quite draining. She’s still at school so they’re not overly interesting, it’s mainly to do with being a good head girl and becoming a better person. Your Aunt is mentioned quite a bit” Fleur said to Ailie. “She seems to look on her as a role model which is strange considering that Elaine was older than your aunt. I have greater hopes of them picking up once she becomes a deb.”
“I didn’t know your mother was a deb.” Janice commented.
“Neither did I but in the last entry I read she mentioned leaving school and being presented-sounds awfully dull to me and I’m sure her writing won’t have a Mitford spin to it. But hopefully there will be some scandal in there somewhere.”
The waiter came at this point and the three ordered their food.
“So was that what you wanted to discuss with Christian yesterday?” Ailie asked in interest. She had grown used to Fleur summoning Christian to come and see her so they could have a sibling’s only chat.
“Partly.” Fleur said. “I told him he got read the diaries if he wanted but I don’t think he’s that fussed. He said he’d rather I told him the edited highlights.”
The waiter brought Ailie and Janice’s wine over at this point and as soon as he had poured it Fleur took a deep breath and said, “Actually there was something else I told Christian…” She paused, “I’m pregnant, that’s why I’ve been so ill.”
“Congratulations.” Ailie said warmly as she kissed Fleur on the cheek, “Christian said you had some news for us but I didn’t expect it to be that.”
“No, well I messed up my pill what with all the stress over whether or not to go and see Elaine on her death bed but I don’t mind. It’s something to look forward to I suppose.”
“I’m very happy for you Fleur.” Janice told her quietly, “Are you happy though?”
“Oh yes,” Fleur said honestly avoiding Janice’s eye, she had no desire to upset her friend, “I suppose I’m not jumping for joy because I’ve just spent a month in bed because of it.”
“What does Nikolai think?” Ailie asked, Fleur’s husband had always been more of a party animal than Christian-it was hard to imagine him as a doting Father.
“Oh he’s pleased of course,” Fleur said with a smile, “We’re planning on the baby being fluent in English, French, German and Russian so we’ve been discussing on how we’re to do that.”
“That is really cruel!” Janice said with a short laugh.
“Yes but it’ll be useful for when it’s older.” Fleur decided to change the topic of in conversation, she didn’t want to hurt Janice by talking about the baby constantly. “When are you going to New York Jan?”
Janice worked as an artist and had an art show opening in a New York gallery.
“Next week, I’ll be there for two weeks then I’ll fly out again in a couple of months when it closes.”
“You must be so excited,” Ailie commented, “your first American show!”
“I don’t know whether I’m more excited or nervous.” Janice said with a smile.
“You’re going to meet so many interesting people.” Fleur said with a sigh. “I’m really quite jealous you know!”
Ailie looked at her friends thoughtfully, she knew Fleur was speaking the truth she had loved New York since her first ever visit there with Kaiser Tsar. However Ailie also knew that any envy Fleur felt for Janice was nothing compared to the envy Janice felt for Fleur right now.
Author:  Jennie [ Mon Jul 09, 2007 8:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Carys. It's good to see this back.
Author:  Carys [ Tue Jul 10, 2007 4:48 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks to KathrynW for moving this to St Mildred's for me!

Despite the indifference, which she had adopted when, talking about Elaine’s diaries with her friends Fleur was secretly hooked. She believed that reading the diaries was central to her being a good Mother to her baby, if she read them then she would know what mistakes to avoid in the future. Due to receiving so little mothering from her own Mother Fleur had a secret dread that she would prove to be a bad mother herself. Needless to say part of what she had told Ailie and Janice was true, the diaries were very draining. Even reading what Fleur saw to be boring, mundane entries concerned with the trials and tribulations of being Head Girl, made her think of her mother in a light she had never thought of her before and she found that she could only handle small doses at a time.

July 22nd 1934
My school days are officially over. As soon as we arrived back in London I was no longer responsible for the younger Saints. When they travel back to Austria in September it will be Gypsy whose Head Girl and not me. It’s a strange feeling knowing that I’ll never be a school girl again, I’m finding it hard to imagine what life will be like now-what will I do? Who will I meet? Will I continue to remember the lessons that I learnt during that first term in the Tyrol-I hope so.
From what I can work out this summer is going to be almost the same as any other. I’ll play tennis, visit family, the only difference is that I’ll be allowed to attend a few balls held by family friends. Then come September Mother wants to take me on a European tour for a few months, she did something similar when she was my age and thinks it will be good for me-I’m not sure how Father feels about it.
We’ll come back home for Christmas and spend the winter here. I’ll be eighteen in March and Mother has already promised me that we’ll go to London in late February and my coming out ball will be my eighteenth birthday. It’s so many months away but she’s beginning to plan it already. I think she’s more excited than I am. To be honest I’m scared of coming out into society; I’ve realised that I haven’t really got any friends who will be there. I’ll know nobody and everybody else will probably know at least someone. Mother has said that I’m bound to make friends with some nice girls over the next few months but it’s still something I worry over.
I have to go now the Vicar’s daughters are coming over to play tennis with me-it’s a shame that they aren’t going to be presented…

Fleur was in shock. She had never seen such a fragile side to her Mother before. She had always appeared so confident and sure of herself, never had she appeared to lack self esteem as she did here. Did Elaine intend for the diaries to demonstrate a more humane side to her character than Fleur had ever witnessed during her life?
“I just can’t find any similarities between the seventeen year old Elaine and the Elaine I knew, who abandoned two small children and disappeared off the face of the earth for so many years.” Fleur said to Nikolai in bed that night.
“Perhaps the ruthless world of society caused her former self to reappear.” Nikolai suggested. Fleur had been keeping him up to date with what was happening in the diaries.
“Maybe…” Fleur said thoughtfully. “But if it did then how did my Father end up meeting her and marrying her? I’ve never really thought of it before, though I should have really, but how did they end up together.”
“I have no idea. Your Father is one of the most genial and honest people I have ever met, while your Mother was one of the most difficult people I’ve ever met. They must have made a very strange couple. You’ll find out sooner or later though about what happened between them.”
“I know that’ll be strange, reading what she thought of Dad and what happened between them.”
“Have you decided whether or not to tell your Dad about the diaries?” Nikolai asked.
“I think I will tell him… I was thinking about it earlier and once I start reading about the two of them then I have to give him the right to tell me his version of events. Though I don’t know when they met… It must have been sometime during the war, a whirlwind romance, I suppose poor Dad didn’t realise what he had got himself into until it was to late.”
“Are you going to wait until he makes an appearance then before you tell him?”
“No I think I’ll tell him next time I speak to him, I hate keeping anything from him… At the moment I’m on edge whenever I’m on the phone to him in case it slips out.”
“Right. Now fascinating as your parents relationship, or lack of as it turned out, maybe I’m tired so come on lets go to sleep.”
Fleur smiled to herself as she snuggled against Nikolai, she knew that with him by her side she’d get through reading Elaine’s diaries just fine.
Author:  ali [ Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
Really pleased to see this return. I love the Fleur universe so I'm hoping you get to write plenty more.
It will be interesting to see what happened to Elaine after she left the CS universe, she's one of the characters who disappeared after one book, like so many others!
Author:  Jennie [ Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, it's good to see this back.
Author:  leahbelle [ Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:45 am ]
Post subject: 
Great to see more of this.
Author:  Carys [ Wed Jul 11, 2007 8:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
Janice had taken the news that Fleur was pregnant better than both Ailie and Fleur had expected. The reason for this was that Janice was keeping a secret from her two best friends, she was also pregnant. It was very early days and Janice was unwilling for anyone other than herself and Dylan to know about it. So Janice went to New York leaving her friends none the wiser about her situation.
It was the first time Janice had been to New York, where Fleur and Ailie tended to go there whenever Kaiser Tsar played in the city, Janice much preferred watching the band play more intimate, one off gigs rather than staged concerts. Dylan had come to America with Janice and for the first few days of their stay there he showed his wife the sights of New York. Both shared a passion for art, Dylan had designed some of Kaiser Tsar’s album covers, and a whole day was devoted to the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art. Another day was spent on Ellis Island and going on a boat tour around the Statue of Liberty. And of course whenever Janice could she’d find time to shop.
Once Janice had recovered from her jet lag and become moderately acquainted with New York she threw herself into organising her exhibition. Her artwork had been shipped out in advance and was waiting for her to say where it should be hanged. Even though the exhibition was only going to be a small one, compared to some of the exhibitions Janice had had in London, it was going to be held at a prestigious New York gallery and Janice wanted everything to be perfect. The lighting had to be just right in order for her pictures to look their best; some pictures had to have “acres” of blank space surrounding them in order for them to create the impact Janice wanted them to. Needless to say Janice threw a lot of time and effort into the exhibition-she wanted it to be a success.
“What do you think of it?” Janice asked Dylan anxiously the night before the exhibition opened.
Dylan didn’t say anything, he was a man of few words, he looked around the exhibition space analytically, and tried to forget the artist was his wife.
Janice was used to Dylan doing this, and she sometimes found that he would suggest her changing something which would then seem to her to be such an obvious effect to create that she’d find it hard to believe that she hadn’t thought of it herself.
“I like it.” Dylan said at last. “I think you’re right to place only the sunset on that wall, it means you have less space but if something else was there with it then you’d loose the dramatic effect. The critics will love it.”
“You really think so?”
“I know so!” Dylan told her with a smile. “In fact I think this is your best show yet.”
Janice’s anxieties were swept aside after hearing those comforting words she knew she’d sleep well that night, there’d be none of the usual pre exhibition opening nerves.
Author:  Fatima [ Wed Jul 11, 2007 8:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
I hope Janice's pregnancy goes ok. Actually, I'm wibbling about it already!
Author:  Carys [ Thu Jul 12, 2007 3:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
The opening of the exhibition was going well. New York’s most respected art critics had come in their hoards, as had the cream of New York Society. Janice in a stylish new dress and wearing her long black hair down looked the part of belonging to the new young artists who were taking the world by storm. It did not take long for those of her pictures, which were on sale to be quickly snapped up.
Janice talked to the art critics and mingled with her guests for what seemed to her to be for many hours, with each person she seemed to have exactly the same conversation. After a while it grew extremely tedious, therefore she was extremely glad when she was presented with a fresh topic of conversation.
“Excuse me but am I right in thinking that you attended the Chalet School?” Janice turned to the lady who was addressing her and saw a slightly stocky blonde middle aged woman accompanied by a graceful lady of a similar age.
“Yes, you are.” Janice answered graciously, “I was a pupil there from a very young age. Why do you ask?”
“I read about it in a magazine, after reading that we simply had to come and support you.” The stocky lady continued, she had a noticeable American accent unlike some of the other guests there that night. “You see Evadne and I were both pupils there to, I’m Cornelia by the way.”
Janice’s eyes widened, “You don’t mean to say that you’re Cornelia Flower and Evadne Lannis?”
“Yes, well we were before we married.” It was Evadne that spoke; her voice was more refined than Cornelia’s. “You’ve heard of us then?” She added trying to keep the surprise out of her voice.
“Why yes of course, you’re school legends. When my friends and I were middles we always wanted to emulate you and your friends with our pranks… though we rarely succeeded.”
“But how did you learn about us? You must have attended the school years after we left.” Cornelia was clearly astonished.
Janice grinned evidently these two old girls had forgotten the Chalet School love of retelling tales from the school’s glorious past. “The Nazi’s were after both of you weren’t they when the school was in Tyrol? You had to travel over the mountains with Miss Wilson, Aunt Joey, Dr Jack and others. Ailie Russell is one of my best friends so we often heard that tale from her Aunt when we were younger, as well as other tales from Tyrol. Then my eldest sister Beth told me about you being Head Girl during her first year at the school.”
“You had a sister at school when I was Head Girl!” Cornelia exclaimed.
“Yes, Beth Chester. She was friends with Daisy Venables, Ailie’s cousin, do you remember her?” Cornelia nodded, “Beth said that when she became Head Girl she was determined to live up to both your and someone called Elizabeth Arnett’s high standard, she told me about it when I became Head Girl.”
“You were Head Girl to.” Evadne said in mock sorrow, “Well it seems that I am the odd one out then, for I never was.”
“If Maria hadn’t had her breakdown then I would never have been either.” Cornelia told her friend in a matter of fact manner before adding, “I always feel like the odd one out anyway as I was the only one of the five of us who became Head Girl, I always feel that Margia, or Elsie should have been.”
“We mustn’t keep you from your guests any longer honey,” Evadne said, she had noticed some important critics look as if they wanted to talk with Janice. “But if you are free then why don’t we go to lunch the day after tomorrow? I’m sure you must have a lot of school hanes to share with us.”
“I’d really like that.” Janice said as she gave them her contact card. “It’s funny but wherever you go it seems you are guaranteed to bump into some old Chaletian’s, that’s one of the reasons why I love having been to school there so much!”
Author:  leahbelle [ Thu Jul 12, 2007 5:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lovely to see Cornelia and Evadne again.
Author:  Bookwormsarah [ Fri Jul 13, 2007 11:51 am ]
Post subject: 
So glad to see this back! Thank you.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
Glad to find this again. I hadn't realised it had moved and I loved reading all your archived Fleur drabbles. I think its great Janice is pregnant and she gets to meet up with two legends such as Corney and Evvy
Author:  jacey [ Mon Aug 13, 2007 10:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh, I've just found this again. Really enjoying it Carys. I hope your internet woes are sorted soon. And that you have time to post some more. :)
Author:  Carys [ Fri Nov 23, 2007 11:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm very ashamed for not updating this for so long, especially when I find writing about Fleur et al so easy.,. Sorry

March 21st 1935
Yesterday was my eighteenth birthday and last night my Coming Out Ball. To quote Mother I am now a fully fledged member of society who can expect to be photographed in Tatler and have my movements noted in the society pages, I think that’s ghastly!
For my Coming Out Ball I had a completely new outfit, everything from my underwear to my jewellery was new. My dress was white, Mother says that all Coming Out dresses are white, my stockings felt like silk, and the diamonds in my necklace dazzled all night. Getting dressed up and being made a fuss of was fun and I did enjoy myself for most of the night but still it was not what I had been expecting. I barely knew most of the people there, Mother had deemed that it would be the Coming Out Ball of the season and that only people from high society could attend. Well she got her wish as whenever I suggested someone to invite Mother told me “No that’s impossible there’s no land in that family…”
So there I was dressed up in my finest clothes looking the part of an eighteen year old on her birthday, my dance card was quickly filled and everyone kept on paying me compliments, I was secretly terrified though. What if I dropped something on my white dress? What if everyone was having an awful time? What if everyone thought I was a typical spoilt only child?
The dancing was not what I was expecting either. We had danced a little in school and since leaving Mother has seen to it that I’ve kept it up and has even sent me to a couple of lessons, but I’d always danced with people who could dance and the men at my Coming Out Ball quite simply could not! They may be members of “High Society” to quote Mother but they are the most hopeless dancers I’ve ever encountered. One trod on my new shoes throughout our dance, one expected me to lead, and another held me far too tight and breathed his horrid breath all over me. Needless to say the dancing was not a success!
I’ve just read what I’ve written and I come across as being very ungrateful to Mother and all the hard work she’s put in, and I’m not really. I’m just disappointed with some parts of the evening. I suppose that I’m tired (I didn’t get to bed until 4AM last night!) and that’s affecting my perception of the evening.

Fleur’s reading was interrupted by the ringing of the telephone, “Hello,” she answered.
“Hi Fleur, it’s me Ailie, I’m not disturbing you am I?”
“No not really I was just reading about Elaine’s eighteenth birthday ball, I don’t think she enjoyed it.”
“Why not?”
“Well the men that were invited did not seem to be able to dance or know anything about personal hygiene.”
“I see why it would have been a disappointment!” Ailie giggled.
“Why were you phoning anyway?”
“Well Janice got back last night and I was wondering if you and her fancied coming over tomorrow afternoon for tea and cakes? We have to hear all about Janice’s American adventures!”
“What cakes are you buying?” Fleur questioned.
“I’m making Chocolate brownies and fairy cakes.”
“You’re making cakes!” Fleur exclaimed, “Well I’ll definitely be there, see you about two thirty?”
“Yes two thirty is fine, I’ll see you then.”
Fleur hung up and immediately got lost in the world of being a 1930’s debutante.
Author:  Chris [ Sat Nov 24, 2007 5:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
I am glad to see this back. It'll be interesting to see what has been happening to Cornelia and Evadne over the years - if Janice cares to share that information!
Author:  Helen P [ Tue Dec 04, 2007 3:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
I've just found this and am really enjoying it - looking forward to more!
Author:  Guest [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 7:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oooh, I've just found this! I read the other Fleur drabbles a little while ago & wondered if there'd be any more (that's a hint BTW!)

*sends lots of pb treats*
Author:  crystaltips [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 7:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oops that was me, forgot to log in! :oops:
Author:  clair [ Fri Aug 22, 2008 11:54 am ]
Post subject: 
Any chance of any more of this at some point? Wondering whether Evvy and Corney will reappear and help them get in touch with Judy?!
Author:  Carys [ Sun Oct 26, 2008 10:30 am ]
Post subject: 
I've actually had this written for quite a long time but haven't got around to posting it... Bad Carys!

Fleur was not renowned for her punctuality and so when Ailie’s doorbell rang at precisely two thirty Ailie was expecting it to be Janice.
“Oh, hello!” Ailie exclaimed in surprise when she discovered it to be Fleur.
“Why do you sound so surprised to see me?” Fleur questioned. “You did mean me to come over today and not tomorrow didn’t you?”
“No I meant today, it’s just well you are not always the most punctual person so I thought it would be Jan and not you. To be truthful I said two thirty hoping you’d be here by three thirty!”
Fleur laughed, “Well this will shock you but I’ve decided to change the habit of a lifetime and attempt to be punctual from now on. After all in a couple of months Nikolai and I are going to be responsible for a child and we’ll have to organise its life as well as our own so I think it’s best if we try and get ourselves more organised sooner rather than later.”
“I give you two weeks before you are back to your late ways.” Ailie told her before adding, “I bet Nikolai will only last five days.”
“I think Nikolai will last longer than me, when he sets about to change something he’ll stick to it whereas I often don’t. Look at the number of times I’ve said I won’t buy another dress for at least a month and have failed miserably.”
“That is true, I was to harsh on Nikolai. Do you want a cup of tea?”
“Yes please.” Fleur said following Ailie to the kitchen. “I suppose Stella is still at school but where is Rhys?”
“Asleep, Christian is going to pick Stella up from school so you can see her later if you choose to stay long enough.”
“All Rhys seems to do is sleep.” Fleur muttered.
“Well he is a baby!” Ailie laughed. “They don’t do much as you’ll find out, Rhys will wake up in a while so you can see him then if you wish.”
“I much prefer children when they can walk and talk. I expect I’ll get awfully bored by my baby if it just spends all its time sleeping, could you look after it for me until it gets more interesting?”
Ailie had to check that Fleur was joking before she felt it was safe to laugh.
“I had you then didn’t I!” Fleur grinned.
“Yes you did.” Ailie told her shaking her head.
“Are these the cakes you made?” Fleur asked reaching over to take one.
“Yes they are, and you have to wait until Janice gets here before you can have one.” Ailie batted Fleur’s hand away before handing her a cup of tea.
“Ta.” Fleur muttered still eyeing up the cakes.
Crying suddenly erupted from upstairs. “See with all that talk about babies being boring you’ve caused Rhys to wake up and become all demanding.” Ailie moved towards the kitchen door, “And don’t eat any cakes when I’m gone!”
Ailie hurried up the stairs and into her sons room, “Hush, hush baby Mummy’s here.” She told him softly as she picked him up and gently kissed his head. It took her sometime to get Rhys to stop crying and as he now appeared to be wide awake for the time being Ailie took him back downstairs with her.
“Oh good he’s awake!” Fleur exclaimed as she hastily pushed the plate of cakes away from her. “Give him to me Ailie.” She instructed holding out her arms.
“Here you go.” Ailie handed him over. “Did I hear the phone ring.”
“Hello darling, me and you are going to have lots of fun aren’t we!” Fleur told her nephew before turning to Ailie. “What’s that? Oh the phone, yes it was Dylan he said Janice couldn’t come, he didn’t say why. She’s probably still jet lagged I know I would be.”
“Oh that’s a shame, she seemed fine on the phone yesterday.” Ailie said with a frown. “I wanted to hear all about her trip.”
“So did I but never mind we’ll hear about it soon enough I’m sure.”
Author:  Sarah_G-G [ Sun Oct 26, 2008 4:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
Yay, another section! Wibbling about Janice now though...
Thanks for carrying on :)
Author:  Eilidh [ Wed Dec 03, 2008 2:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Saint and The Chaletian's 23/11
It's sooooo long since I've read any Fleur drabbles!

This is great though :D
Author:  bethany [ Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Saint and The Chaletian's 23/11
It's great to see another installment of this - I am really enjoying hearing more about the girl's life post school. I cant wait to see what Fleur is like as a mother.

I've just noticed that this update has been up for months before I spotted it - I really should check this house as well as St Therese!
Author:  Carys [ Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Saint and The Chaletian's 23/11
April 16th 1935
Ever since my Coming Out Ball it seems that I have not had one single moment to myself until now. Every weekend I’ve spent it either having friends to stay or visiting friends-I say friends but they are people who I only met less than a month ago, I can’t think of how else to describe them though. During the week there have been dances every night, meaning I don’t get up until mid-day (what Miss Browne would say I don’t know!) and then during the day I go to lunch parties with other debs or have dress fittings.
All the debs have the same goal, to marry a rich Duke, Lord, or Baronet-even someone without a title if they are rich and handsome. All we talk about is who is paying attention to whom, who is engaged, and who has caused the latest scandal. It sure is different from school…
Mother keeps on asking me if I have met anyone special yet. It’s as if she can’t wait to get me off her hands. I know she doesn’t feel that way really but she sees it as her duty to ensure that I make a suitable match. This summer she has arranged to take myself and Mary Collins, a fellow deb, on a cruise of the Mediterranean. It is truly a different world from what I am used to.

“Whenever I see or speak to you it seems that you are reading that diary.” Ailie’s voice interrupted Fleur’s progress.
Fleur jumped out of her seat and engulfed her sister-in-law in a hug. “Darling it’s lovely to see you. I didn’t hear you arrive. Where are Christian and the children?”
“Nikolai saw us arrive and met us on the drive, they’ve all gone for a walk. Stella could not stop talking on the drive here, she needs to calm down a bit before we inflict her on others!”
“Well it’s a good thing they’ve gone as I’ve got loads of stuff to do in the kitchen, I don’t know where the morning has gone. I only sat down for a quick rest…” Fleur made her way into the kitchen and Ailie followed.
“What are you making?” Ailie asked.
“Roast beef-that and the roast veg is already in the oven. Do you want to start making the Yorkshire puddings, while I deal with the rest of the veg?”
“Yeah ok, though if I knew I’d be required to help I’d have gone on a walk with the others.” Ailie joked.
“Well if you had done that there’d have been no dinner as I’d have forgotten to get on with it.” Fleur retorted.
The pair worked in companionable silence for sometime until Fleur asked, “Have you heard from Janice recently? She seems to be avoiding me.”
“No I have not.” Ailie said with a sigh. “But Dylan came to see Christian yesterday, he told him that Janice has gone back to America.”
“But why, I thought her show did not close for another month?” Fleur asked in surprise. “There isn’t anything wrong between the two of them I hope.”
“No nothing like that.” Ailie said shortly. “It seems that Janice has had a miscarriage and wanted to get away in order to forget.”
Fleur put her hand to her mouth, “Oh no, poor Jan…”
“I know… Dylan said that she’s taken it badly-well anyone would. She wanted him to tell us as she couldn’t face sympathy.”
“I just want to give her a huge hug.” Fleur said.
“Me to,” Ailie agreed, “but I think she just wants to be on her own and deal with this in her own way.”
“I guess I understand that.”
The two thought of Janice and how she was cruelly being deprived of her greatest wish.
“Nikolai, Christian and the children are on their way back,” Ailie commented looking out of the window.
“Really!” Fleur said sharply, momentarily stopping thinking about Janice and the pain she must be going through. “Well I’m afraid they’ll just have to wait for their dinner as it’s not going to be ready for at least another half hour.”
Author:  Sarah_G-G [ Sun Feb 08, 2009 10:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The Saint and The Chaletian's 07/02
Poor Janice! No wonder she wanted to get away from everything. Elaine's diary is fascinating as well!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sun Feb 08, 2009 1:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Saint and The Chaletian's 07/02
Poor Janice :( That would be so hard for her especially when all her friends are having babies
Author:  PaulineS [ Sun Feb 08, 2009 9:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Saint and The Chaletian's 07/02
Thank you for the update.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Tue Feb 10, 2009 12:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Saint and The Chaletian's 07/02
Oh, poor Janice.... good to see Fleur is reading her mother's diary.
Author:  crystaltips [ Wed Apr 08, 2009 10:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Saint and The Chaletian's 07/02
Carys, it would be very nice to have a little more of this........please.


(thanks for the story so far)
Author:  Emmsies [ Wed May 12, 2010 9:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The Saint and The Chaletian's 07/02
PLEASE write some more! It is awesome.
Author:  roversgirl [ Wed Dec 01, 2010 1:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Saint and The Chaletian's 07/02
Any chance that you'll write some more of this please?

Apologies in advance to anyone who thinks it's an update!
Author:  shazwales [ Wed Dec 01, 2010 6:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Saint and The Chaletian's 07/02
Echoing roversgirl,it would be a nice suprise before Christmas,please :)
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