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#1: Christmas at Sea Complete Author: Secret Santa, Location: The North Pole

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 10:48 am
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The doctor walked into the room with a heavy heart. He knew the two youngsters were waiting eagerly for the news but he knew that the news he had to break would be heartrending to say the least. Twelve year old Madge looked up when the doctor came in.
“Has Mummy had the baby?” she asked eagerly.
Dick looked up from his book he was attempting to read, at his sister’s words.
“Your mother is asking for you,” he said gently. “Hang on a sec young lady,” as Madge leapt up and started for her Mothers’ room.
“Madge, Dick,” said the doctor gently. “Your mother isn’t well.”
“Is she going to be all right?” asked Madge fearfully, while Dick gazed at the doctor wide eyed.
“No,” said the doctor softly. “She’s asking for you both and wants to show you your new baby sister.”
Madge blinked back sudden tears while Dick started kicking the toe of his shoes on the floor and refused to look at anyone.
The doctor hated himself for saying and wished he could give the twins more time, but there wasn’t much time.
“It’s time,” he said, “your Mummy wants to see you and Madge nodded and taking Dick by the arm moved towards her mothers room.
“What do we say?” she asked fearfully stopping at the door.
“You tell her you love her,” answered the doctor gently, “and that you and Dick and the baby will always stick together.”

Madge never forgot those words or the few precious moments of saying good bye to her mother.
“I love you mummy,” said Madge with tears streaming down her cheeks, “an I’ll take care of Dick and the baby.”
“I know darling,” said her mother gazing at her and Dick with such love. “And I love you and Dick and baby Josephine and you will always be in my heart.”
Madge nodded, hardly able to speak past the lump in her throat and hugged her mother good bye before rushing wildly out of the room leaving Dick to say his good byes. She went to the new baby and held her in her arms.
“I’ll always take care of you Josephine,” she crooned. “I’ll tell you all about Mummy and Daddy.”
Dick found her there a few moments later, his hands in his pockets, trying not to cry. He put an arm around his sister.
“It’ll be all right Madge,” he said gruffly. “We’ll stick together like the three musketeers, you, me and Josephine.”

It was just over two weeks before Christmas that found Madge, Dick and Josephine on a ship bound for England and an unknown Guardian. It had been a whirl of activity, that had kept Madge and Dick busy packing all their things for England. The doctor with great difficulty found an escort where an older woman agreed with reluctance to keep an eye on the children, but she soon proved to have no patience for the tiny sickly baby and the twelve year old twins. Madge and Dick tried to keep out of her way, which left most of the caring for baby Josephine to Madge. Madge didn’t mind and cuddled Josephine to her any chance she could.
“Look Dick,” she said excitedly. “I think she knows who I am. Look she’s smiling at me.”
Dick craned his head to look. “I think its just wind,” he said judiciously.
Madge poked him. “Men,” she said with withering scorn. “What would you know?”

A sailor working on the deck smiled at the trio walking past. “Morning lassie and laddie,” he said.
“Morning,” chorused the twins in unison. “You’re up early.”
“The baby wouldn’t go back to sleep,” explained Madge, “and Mrs Maxwell said to get it away from her cos she is sick of the crying.”
“Och, that’s no good,” said the sailor sympathetically. “It’s hard luck for you.”
“Oh I don’t mind,” said Madge honestly. “Dick and I would rather be up on deck than stuck in the cabin and Mrs Maxwell is feeling seasick.”
The sailor nodded, without saying much about his thoughts on Mrs Maxwell!
“And what is the wee bairn’s name?” he asked instead.
“Josephine,” introduced Madge.
“That’s a mouthful for a wee’un like that,” said the sailor, tickling Josephine under the chin.
“Would you like to hold her?” offered Madge as though conveying a great honour. The sailor nodded gravely. “That I would, thank you lassie. Well she’s a bonny wee thing,” said the sailor holding Josephine gently. “I think we’ll have to shorten that lengthy name of yours though.”
“I know,” agreed Dick.
“What about Joey, then?” suggested the sailor. “Joey’s are what they call baby kangaroos and she’s a baby.”
“What are kangaroos’?” asked Dick interestedly.
“They’re an animal that hop around like rabbits but they carry their wee ones in a pouch at the front and all you see is their wee heads sticking out,” explained the sailor.
“Joey,” said Madge rolling it on her tongue.
“Joey, I think she likes it, said Madge with delight as Joey wave an arm uselessly in the air. Thanks mister.” and her face broke into a grin.
“Your welcome lassie,” said the sailor, “now the two of you better scoot off for breakfast before anyone starts wondering where you are.
“Thanks,” said Madge and Dick together and headed towards the dinning room.

Last edited by Secret Santa on Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:37 pm; edited 2 times in total

#2: Author: keren, Location: Israel

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 10:51 am
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so moving

#3: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 10:53 am
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Very moving - thank you, Santa.

#4: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 12:43 pm
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A story for ME!! Thank you Santa! Very Happy

This was lovely.

#5: Author: Sugar, Location: second star to the right!

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 2:29 pm
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Aww that was lovely

#6: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 4:24 pm
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That must have been such a hard time for Madge and Dick. What a lovely story and what a wonderful love they have for little Joey.

#7: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 5:34 pm
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So sad - poor twins - all they had was each other.

Lovely sailor - thought he was going to turn out to be someone we'd know.

Thanks Santa

#8: Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 11:11 pm
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Oh, that's lovely, and shows so clearly the bond betwen Madge and Joey.

#9: Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:55 am
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Thats so lovely. Thanks

#10: Author: Secret Santa, Location: The North Pole

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:57 am
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Madge and Dick saw their new friend often after that, they soon learnt his name was Andrew McCardle and he had three wee laddies in Inverness.

“Do you miss them?” asked Madge while Dick was peering interestedly at the machine Mr McCardle was tinkering with.
“Aye I do, especially with Christmas around the corner,” said Mr McCardle with a sigh.
Madge’s eyes clouded over at the mention of Christmas. “It’s our first Christmas without Mummy and Daddy,” she said her lips trembling while Dick slipped a consoling arm through his twins.
“Och, that’s a shame,” said Mr McCardle. “I always think the first Christmas without your Mother and Father is often the hardest. It never seems quite the same after that. You’re lucky you have the three of ye together and I know the Captain was wondering if the two of ye would help decorate the ship for us,” he added cleverly changing the subject.
“Do we have decorations?” asked Dick practically.
“Aye we do, in fact the Captain has them stored and I think if the two of ye are free we could make a start now,” said Mr McCardle.

The twins followed after Mr McCardle, pushing baby Joey’s pram to the main lounge and dinning area and were soon hard at work putting up decorations. Andrew McCardle included Joey’s pram as needing decorations and Joey soon found herself staring up at tinsel with silver bells hanging from it. The Captain himself came into to help and chatted with the twins. They were the only children on board and the Captain had liked what he had seen and heard of them. When they were finished, he invited them to join him at his table for Christmas dinner. Madge and Dick had been on the ship for long enough to realise the honour at being invited to the Captain’s table for Christmas.
“I even think Santa may make an appearance,” he said genially, “and we have a bit of a dance afterwards.”
Madge’s eye’s shone, while Dick made a face at the idea of a dance, “but what about Joey?” she asked, her face falling a little.
“Joey is invited too,” said the Captain with a smile. “Now how would you like to see around the ship?”
The Captain was fond of children and escorted them to the bridge. Dick was especially excited and asked so many questions about how to steer the ship. The Captain kindly allowed a few moments of steering and his joy was complete.
“Now I think that’s all and I must get back to work,” said the Captain after he had completed the tour. “I’ll see you both in a few days.”
“Thanks for showing us around,” said Dick, while Madge’s eyes shone like stars.

It was later Madge dragged Dick to one side and asked worriedly, “What will we do for Christmas gifts Dick?”
Dick whistled in dismay. “I don’t know he said, but we will need to rustle up something, there’s Mr McCardle and the Captain…”
“And Mrs Maxwell,” supplied Madge while Dick made a face at Madge, “I know she hasn’t really wanted us around but she has looked after us a bit.”
“Or not at all,” broke in Dick, “but alright if you insist. What about hankies, they always come in handy and grown ups seem to like that sort of thing and I could whittle some sort of a top for Joey for when she’s older.”
“I’ll make her a teddy bear,” decided Madge, “but where will we get the things to make it with?”
“Let’s see Mrs Larson, she seems to have a lot of that sewing sort of stuff, she might be able to give us some scraps to make this sort of stuff in exchange for doing some odd jobs,” suggested Dick.
“Well, you can do the jobs as I’ll have to do the sewing,” said Madge decidedly and the twins ran off to talk to Mrs Larson a kindly older lady who had taken an interest in the twins and their baby sister. Mrs Larson had proven to be a useful sort a person in finding ways to make Christmas gifts for everyone. Madge even managed to sew a hanky for Mrs Larson herself without that redoubtable woman realising

#11: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:58 am
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This is lovely - people can be so kind.

#12: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 9:21 am
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Don't think much of Mrs Maxwell - but at least the Captain, sailor and Mrs Lawson are looking after them.

Thanks Santa.

#13: Author: Elbee, Location: Surrey

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 9:23 am
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I'm glad they've made some kind friends.

Thanks, Santa.

#14: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 2:00 pm
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This is so sad; I'm glad they've found some friendly people on board to make up for horrid Mrs Maxwell.

Thanks Santa.

#15: Author: Secret Santa, Location: The North Pole

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:36 pm
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Christmas day soon arrived and Madge and Dick were feeling a little choky when they woke early Christmas morning. Christmas didn’t feel like any Christmas they had ever known before. Neither said much but both were glad the other was there with them.
“Merry Christmas to the three of ye,” said Mr McCardle after having watched out for Madge, Dick and baby Joey since dawn.
“Merry Christmas Mr McCardle, chorused the twins. We have a present for you said Madge lifting a parcel out of Joey’s pram; she and Dick had found Joey’s pram awfully useful for hiding all the presents they had for people.
“Och, ye shouldn’t have but it’s the best hanky I have, thank ye both, said Mr McCardle touched at the gift.
“Your welcome,” said Madge beaming while Dick put his hands in his pockets and looked pleased.
“Now, I have something for the pair of ye and I haven’t forgotten baby Joey,” and Mr McCardle pulled out two gifts for the twins. Joey’s gift turned out to be a small rag doll which Mr McCardle had begged Mrs Larson to make, while Madge’s was a small sewing basket, also begged from the same lady, whereas he had managed to carve a small sailboat for Dick.
Madge looked overcome. “Thank you,” she said close to tears and impulsively hugged the sailor.
Mr McCardle patted her on the back, “there, there lassie,” he said. He patted Dick on the shoulder knowing Dick would consider himself to old for hugs. Dick, however, looked at him with such gratitude that he changed his mind and gave him a hug too.
“Now I think we should have some breakfast,” said Mr McCardle. “The Captain has a small service where we sing some carols and he reads the Christmas story and we don’t want to be late.”

The twins followed after Mr McCardle. He kept them entertained by telling them stories about when he was a boy and latterly about his own three boys. During the service neither Madge nor Dick felt up to singing much for it brought back too many memories but both were comforted by the hovering presence of Mr McCardle and by having each other nearby. Madge slipped a comforting arm through Dick’s and Dick turned and gave Madge a tremulous smile in return. After the service, everyone turned and wished a Merry Christmas to each other. Madge and Dick then gave gifts to the friends they had made and were touched by how many gave them and baby Joey small trinkets in return. Madge couldn’t help but wipe a way a few tears at how kind everyone was being. Even Mrs Maxwell was being unusually friendly for her. Soon it was lunchtime and lunch was sumptuous feast.

“Cook has enough things saved for Christmas,” whispered Mr McCardle to the twins when he saw their surprise at all the food prepared. “Now I know you’ll be sitting with the Captain tonight, so you’re stuck with me for lunch.”
“We don’t mind,” said Madge honestly, “we’d rather it, wouldn’t we Dick?”
And Dick nodded his acquiesce.
The three sat on the table along with Mrs Larson, a retired minister and his wife that had worked as missionaries in India and four other people Dick and Madge knew slightly. The retired minister, Mr Langford kept the entire table in fits of laughter with all the stories he and his five brothers got up to in their childhood.
“I’m sure your mother to her dying day never understood how you who was such a terror to the neighbourhood ended up as a missionary,” said his wife comfortably. “Sometimes the worst behaved children end up being used in the most miraculous ways,” said the minister with a smile. “And life does have its twist and turns.”
“Now I think the Captain has a few games on the agenda after lunch, so I think we should join forces and make up a team, what do you think Dick and Madge?”
The twins nodded eagerly and were soon involved in a game of quoits and skittles, before settling down to a quieter game of tiddlywinks. Mr Langford kept winking at Madge and Dick as he cleverly managed to beat most competitors at quoits much to the frustration and laughter of everyone else. It was early evening when the majority of passengers started returning to their cabins to get ready for Christmas tea and the dance. The twins were unsure what to do but Mrs Langford came to Madge’s rescue.

“Come along Madge, I think its time we ladies start getting ready. Mrs Larson will care for Joey while you get ready.”
Madge followed Mrs Langford looking uncertainly at Dick but soon dressed in her prettiest frock and went to meet Mrs Langford. Mrs Langford helped her with her hair and pinned it up for her.
“I think tonight you should for the dance, my dear,” she said.
Madge gazed at herself in the mirror. “I look so grown up,” she whispered, her eyes filling with tears with a sudden longing to show her mother how she looked.
Mrs Langford an understanding soul gathered Madge into her arms and allowed her to weep on her comforting shoulder. Madge cried all her grief at missing her parents for Christmas and the pain of never being able to show her mother how she grew up.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered when the storm of tears died down, “I got your shoulder all wet.”
“It’s alright,” comforted Mrs Langford. “This dress has seen many tears and laughter. Now let’s go introduce your brother to the intricacies of how to dance.”
Madge joined the others and saw Dick looking uncomfortable in his best trousers and shirt.
“Madge, I don’t have to dance, do I?” he said in an agonised whisper.
Madge shook her head. “I don’t think so,” she whispered, “I don’t think many will ask us.”
“Good,” said Dick in relief.

Both felt unaccountably nervous sitting at the Captain’s table, but they needn’t worried as the Captain soon put them at ease and they started to relax and enjoy themselves. Madge loved her first dance and was touched by the Captain asking her for the first dance. She didn’t dance much, mainly with friends like Mr McCardle, Mr Langford and of course Dick, while Dick reluctantly danced with Mrs Langford and Madge. He mainly watched while nursing Joey so she could see all the fun happening. Mr McCardle gave a beautiful demonstration of the Highland fling, while everyone joined in the singing of Christmas carols. Dick and Madge enjoyed the camaraderie of the night.

Mr McCardle walked them back to their cabin, helping them settle Joey in her crib. “Good night,” he said tenderly, “I hope Christmas wasn’t too bad for you.”
Madge shook her head. “Thanks Mr McCardle, for everything,” and gave him a hug. “Merry Christmas,” said Mr McCardle with a sudden grin.
“Merry Christmas,” chorused the twins in return

#16: Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:41 pm
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Thanks, that was so sweet and lovely. The people on the ship were so sweet to the twins

#17: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:57 pm
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Aww, that was lovely. Thank you so much, Santa!! Very Happy

#18: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:34 pm
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That was so kind of everyone - making what could have been a terrible day into one that they will remember with pleasure.

Thanks Santa.

#19: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 9:57 pm
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Thanks Santa.

#20: Author: PaulineS, Location: West Midlands

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 11:15 pm
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Thanks Santa for a lovely tale and the support given to Dick and Madge on what could have been a very difficult day.

#21: Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 11:25 pm
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That was lovely. Thank you, Santa.

#22: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 4:00 am
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That was a lovely story, thanks Santa.

#23: Author: Miss Di, Location: Newcastle, NSW

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 5:55 am
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Awwww, bless. Santa that was very sweet.

#24: Author: Sal, Location: Walsall / Aberystwyth

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:59 pm
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*sniffs* Santa that was a lovely story thank you.

#25: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 3:50 pm
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Thank you, Kate's Santa. Smile

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