A magical crossover
The CBB -> St Clare's House
#1: A magical crossover Author: catherine, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 5:03 pm

One cold, sunny morning Matron entered Len’s cubicle to find the girl standing in the middle, clicking her fingers with a puzzled air.

“Len! What are you doing, child?! Just look at this mess!” Matron exclaimed.

“Wh-what?” Len jumped and turned. “Oh Matron!” she exclaimed vaguely. “Good morning! Yes, it is a mess, isn’t it?” she turned back to her cubicle with a frown. “Now, if only I can remember,” she muttered. “Think tidy, Len. Right! Come on fingers, work!” she gave her fingers determined click and the startled Matron could only stand and watch as drawers flew open and tidied themselves, pyjamas folded, sheets flew off the bed and landed neatly on the back of the chair, ornaments straightened themselves and the cubicle was restored to its pristine self once more. Len smiled in satisfaction and then turned to Matron who was looking pale. “Are you all right, Matron?” she asked in concern.

“What? Oh! Yes, oh yes! Carry on, child!” Matron withdrew, scratching her head and wondering if she really was quite all right. A little further along, she bumped into Con. “Don’t forget to come to my room for your tonic at Break, Con!” she ordered.

“Yes Matron,” Con replied properly. “Remember Con,” she added, in a murmur under her breath, “a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down!”

“Pardon?” Matron stared at her.

“Er nothing Matron,” Con said hurriedly. “Excuse me, please. I must go and exercise my fingers – er I mean, tidy my cubicle!”

“Morning Con!” her younger triplet came hurtling past her just then.

“Morning Meg!” Con responded. “Hurry along now!”

“I know! Spit spot and all that!” Margot returned, sliding into the bathroom and Matron, after another stare at Con, returned to her room, scratching her head.

“I think I’ll just have a lie down,” she decided. “I mustn’t be quite awake yet!”

“There you are, Meg!” Emerence Hope remarked as her bosom chum joined her ready for their morning walk. “I’ve not seen you yet, this morning!”

“No, I know. Things to do and all that!” Margot responded. “A jolly morning, isn’t it? A lovely day for an outing, don’t you think?”

“I wonder who we shall meet today,” Con observed dreamily as she passed her sister, with Len as her partner.

“Or where we shall go!” Len added.

“Depends on the picture, I suppose!” Margot suggested cheerfully.

“What picture?” Emerence demanded, giving her friend a puzzled look.

“The picture on the pavement!” Margot responded.

“What picture on what pavement?” Betty Landon demanded, overhearing this.

“Betty Landon, completely curious in every way,” Len muttered to Con as they took their places at the head of the line, out of earshot of Betty, fortunately. Con giggled and the pair fell silent to listen to their sister’s reply.

“Any picture on any pavement you like,” Margot responded airily. “I say, Emerence! We’re not in line properly! Come along! Move up! Spit spot!”

“Aber nein Margot!” Louise von Eschenau interrupted.

“Speak English, Louise!” Margot reminded her, just in time for Miss Ferrars appeared to take them on their morning walk.

“But no, Margot!” Louise translated her remark. “There is no spot for you to spit!”

“What on earth?” Miss Ferrars heard this remarkable comment and came to a stop, whilst all those within hearing giggled. “What did you say, Louise?”

“I said that there was no spot for Margot to spit,” Louise repeated.

“I see,” Miss Ferrars replied, not really seeing at all. She eyed Louise and the giggling Margot thoughtfully and then moved onto the head of the line.

“Miss Ferrars – small but jolly. A quick temper.” Con muttered to Len as the mistress approached.

Len giggled. “I wonder if we’re right or if the tape measure would prove us wrong,” she murmured back. “Do you reckon we could borrow it?”

“I don’t know,” Con frowned thoughtfully.

“Don’t pull such faces, Con! The wind will change and you’ll stay like that!” Miss Ferrars’ voice, laughing, interrupted them and the pair grinned.

“Awfully sorry, Miss Ferrars! Still, there’s plenty of time for improvement!”

“Oh absolutely!” Len agreed cordially. “We can’t hope to be perfectly turned out just yet. Still, we will be soon!”

“We will! I say, Miss Ferrars! Where are we going today? Are we going to go along the road that leads us to the merry go round again?”

“What?” the mistress stared at her. “What road that leads to what Merry go Round?”

“Oh nothing!” Len broke in hastily, giving her sister a dig in the ribs. “You know what Con’s imagination is like, Miss Ferrars!”

“I certainly do!” Miss Ferrars agreed, giving both girls an odd look all the same. “Still, perhaps it would be best if you kept any imaginings to yourself for the moment, Con! I wouldn’t want you to say or do something you might regret later!”

“Oh right! Yes! Of course not, Miss Ferrars!” Con agreed, feeling slightly confused, whilst Len gave the mistress a wondering look. Did she know?

“I say, you two!” thus Len at Break, when the triplets were by themselves in a favourite spot in the Shrubbery. “We’re going to have to be careful! We’ll end up giving the game away at this rate and people mightn’t understand!”

“True enough! Though I’m rather glad Matey saw you tidying your cubey, Len! I’d not have got out of my tonic then!” Con giggled.

“Get out of your tonic?” a voice demanded from behind them and the three jumped. “Good Gracious! What a ridiculous idea! Somebody who is practically perfect in every way never forgets anything! Really, Constance! Stand up at once and take this! Come along! Spit Spot! I have no time to waste!”

“N-no,” Con agreed feebly. A yellow substance was poured out and Con eyed it dubiously before swallowing. “Mmm! Banana!” she licked her lips.

“I say Mary Poppins!” Len began but it was no good. The nanny had gone as suddenly as she had appeared. “Bother!”

“What’s the matter?” Margot asked curiously.

“I wanted to know if we might borrow her tape measure,” Len explained. “Con and I have thought up measurements for Betty and Ferry and I wondered whether we would be right!”

“I don’t think it’s such a good idea,” Con remarked thoughtfully. “The tape measure isn’t usual – I think it’s magical, like Mary Poppins – and messing about with magic could be dangerous.”

“Rubbish! What could possibly happen with just a tape measure?” Margot demanded scornfully. “Don’t be silly, Con! As if we’d get into trouble just by measuring people!”

Last edited by catherine on Tue Apr 26, 2005 8:39 am; edited 5 times in total

 

#2:  Author: Vikki not logged in!,  PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 5:12 pm

Wonderful idea Catherine!!! Very impressed by your hard working bunny!

 

#3:  Author: Kate, Location: Ireland PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 5:14 pm

OH MY GOSH, I LOVE MARY POPPINS!!!!!!!!!!!! More please!!! Now?!

 

#4:  Author: Pim as guest,  PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 5:30 pm

Ahhh, so this is what Mary Poppins was doing on your bed earlier Catherine... ) More please!

 

#5:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash/Aberystwyth PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 6:36 pm

I love Mary Poppins!!! Very Happy *giggling madly* I hope Kathie does know what's going on - I can forsee much fun Very Happy Thank you Catherine! Smile

 

#6:  Author: Emily, Location: Land of White Coats and Stethoscopes. PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 6:45 pm

Brilliant Catherine! I am at this very moment being berated for my lack of life, and would love the great hole left by not going clubbing to be filled with more Mary Poppins! Please?

 

#7:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 7:32 pm

What a brilliant idea catherine! I love mary Popins and this looks very funny, would love to see what measurements they get for various people!

 

#8:  Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 8:40 pm

I haven't seen Marr Poppins for a long, long, time, but hopefully this wil revive my memories. Looking forward to more.

 

#9:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 8:59 pm

I now have Mary Poppins songs in my head! Looking forward to seeing more of this!

 

#10:  Author: Lulie playing guest,  PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 9:03 pm

I love Mary Poppins!! Great idea, can't wait to see what happens *sings Mary P songs at the top of voice*

 

#11:  Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge PostPosted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 9:40 am

I haven't read Mary Poppins for ages... always was rather fond of it though... *looks hopefully at Catherine*

 

#12:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 2:01 pm

Love it! Impressed that Catherine obviously requires no sleep!

 

#13:  Author: catherine, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne PostPosted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 4:38 pm

Con remained dubious about the idea of messing with Magic, as she called it, but Len and Margot refused to listen to her and insisted on going ahead so she had no choice but to fall in with them. Besides, it could be fun, as a small part of her admitted. A day later, Margot got hold of her conspirator in crime within the Maynard family, Mike, and told him what she wanted and why. He duly promised to come up with the goods as he called it and a day later, the tape measure was in Margot’s possession.

“You’ve got it?” Len demanded, noting her triplet’s gleeful face. Margot nodded. “Oh good! Jolly good for Mike!”

“Now what?” Con demanded.

“We get hold of people and start measuring!” Len answered. “Bags me first!”

“Oh no!” Margot retorted. “I got Mike to get it first and I’m the one who risked a row to grab him and tell him what we wanted! I get first go!”

“All right then!” Len sighed. “Who first?”

“Let’s do Emmy first!”

“And then Ferry!” Con interrupted. “I’m dying to know if she knows!” The triplets giggled and then, as the ringing of the bell recalled them to lessons, they scattered.

“Now, Emmy! Stand still!” Thus Margot later that day. They were all free and Emerence had joined the triplets in the shrubbery. She had been startled when they begged her to let them measure her but had agreed to it and now she stood still and upright whilst the triplets measured her.

“What does it say?” Con demanded excitedly.

“It says “a firebrand. Bears watching at all times!” Margot reported, with a giggle.

“It does not!” Emerence refuted.

“It does too!” Margot retorted, still giggling. “Look!” she held the tape measure out for Emerence’s inspection.

“Gosh!” Emerence was amazed. “What does it say for you three? Go on, Meg! You first!”

“OK,” Margot agreed amiably and Len and Con, with giggles, measured their triplet.

“Listens to her ‘devil’ too often!” Con read, with a chuckle and Emerence giggled.

“What about you Con?”

“A dreamer. Fails to think before she speaks!” Margot read out, giggling.

“And Len?” Emerence asked eagerly.

“Over cautious! In need of fun!” Con answered, with a giggle.

“May I have a look at the tape measure?” Emerence demanded and Con handed it over. Emerence examined it gravely but, although she had read the measurements as clearly as the other three, it was blank. She scratched her head and looked at the three, puzzled. “It hasn’t got anything on it!”

“What hasn’t got anything on it?” Margot demanded.

“The tape measure! The one Con has!” Emerence indicated Con but that young person was holding nothing in her hands. “At least, she did have! You know, the tape measure said I bore watching at all times but there’s nothing on there!”

“A tape measure saying something like that?!” Con stared at Emerence. “Good Heavens, Emmy! Are you sure you’re feeling all right?”

“I er yes! You saw the measurements as well as me! ”

“But we didn’t see any tape measure!” Margot replied.

“But I did! We did! I-it said things about you too! You know it did!” Emerence stared at the three, scratching her head again and looking upset. “At least, I think it did!”

“You did see a tape measure, you’re right,” Len answered. “But it only had measurements on it. Maybe you’re getting confused with a dream you’ve had?”

“I er well maybe,” Emerence admitted. “I um think I might go and find Matey and see if I can lie down for a while.”

 

#14:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 5:16 pm

I love Mary Poppins too! Thanks Catherine!

 

#15:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash/Aberystwyth PostPosted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 6:05 pm

*giggling* Thanks Catherine!!

 

#16:  Author: pim, Location: Helmel Hampster PostPosted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 6:18 pm

*giggles* Thanks Catherine!

 

#17:  Author: catherine, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne PostPosted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 6:37 pm

The triplets proceeded to measure the rest of their particular crowd but the effect was always the same. The girl would meet them in the shrubbery, have her measurement taken, demand to know the measurements of the triplets, who might have got bored with it, had the tape not seemed to possess an amazing ability for their measurements to differ every time. For example, on one occasion, Len’s measurement was “Untidy” on another it was “helpful”, Con’s measurement was “Lives in a fairy world” or “Weak at Maths”, Margot’s became “Does not apply herself properly” or “Loses her temper too much”. After the measurements had been read out, the girl would demand to see the tape measure for herself but it would either be blank or merely show the standard measurements you would find on any tape. The triplets, however much they wanted to say different, would deny all knowledge of the ‘strange measurements’ and the girl concerned would end up going to Matron, confessing to feeling strange and spending the day in bed.

Matron, concerned that there might be an epidemic, took temperatures and pulses three times a day, every day but there seemed to be no accounting for the mysterious affliction amongst the members of Vb and Inter V. The staff were equally concerned – or at least, all but Miss Ferrars were. The latter lady, whilst doing nothing to arouse the suspicions of her colleagues, remained quite calm and unconcerned by it all, and the triplets were strengthened in their belief that she knew what was happening.

“She must do!” Len said to her sisters. “She’s the only one that’s not worried.”

“And she made that comment the other day too,” Con remarked. “About not saying things I might regret later!”

“Yes but she could have meant anything by that. You know what you’re like for blurting out the first thing that comes into your head, Con!” Margot argued. “And she could just think it’s some trick we’re playing and be unconcerned cos she had most of our two forms all last year and so knows us all.”

“There’s only one thing we can do,” Len decided. “We have to get hold of her and measure her! Surely if she knows, the tape will tell us!”

“Ye-es but if she doesn’t know and we tell her what it says, won’t she think it a bit odd?” Margot asked dubiously. “She’s too jolly on the spot, if you ask me!” she added, with a grumble.

“Won’t she think it a bit odd, us asking her if we can measure her, anyway?” Con asked. “And what if she does know? What will she do if she knows what we’re up to? Either way, imagine,” she began as an awful thought struck her, “what would happen if she confiscated the tape measure until the end of term?”

“We’d be for it then!” Margot shivered in her shoes at the thought.

“OK, here’s what we do,” Len decided. “We start by dropping a couple more odd phrases into our conversation with her and maybe even try tidying the formroom using our fingers. If she doesn’t know what’s going on, she’ll act just like everybody else and be confused and go to bed. If she does know, then she’ll probably not react at all. If she doesn’t react, then we bring her here and measure her. If she does react then we don’t do anything.”

“If she does know what’s going on, she’s being a sport not saying anything,” Con decided. “Do you think she might measure some of the staff for us?”

“You’ve got a hope!” Margot snorted. “All the same, I’d love to measure Auntie Hilda, Auntie Nell and Matey!” she added yearningly.

 

#18:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 7:13 pm

We'd all love to see the measurements of those three!!! :Party Angel:

 

#19:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash/Aberystwyth PostPosted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 7:27 pm

Oh, so would I!!! Please can they, Catherine?? *begging* Looking forward to seeing if Kathie does know - I'm certain she does!

 

#20:  Author: catherine, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne PostPosted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 7:47 pm

A day or two later, Miss Ferrars, brought to Vb formroom through a ruse of Con’s, walked in on Len and Margot, supposedly trying to tidy the formroom through clicking their fingers. She stood watching them in amusement and it deepened as Margot glanced round and saw her, muttered something to Len and then the pair redoubled their efforts. Despite all their energy nothing was happening and in the end, the pair stopped and eyed each other doubtfully.

“My dear girls, what are you doing?” Kathie came forward, a wicked look in her eyes. “Since when has it been possible to tidy the formroom through clicking your fingers? Physical activity is what is required here, not standing around hopefully clicking your fingers and waiting for something to happen!”

“B-but it’s always worked before!” Con, who had followed the mistress, stuttered.

“Careless and lazy habits, Con! You can’t get away with standing around doing nothing all the time, you know!” the mistress remarked. “Really girls! If you three think all you ever have to do to tidy a room is click your fingers then I think it’s about time I asked Matron to give you some lessons in keeping things tidy!”

The triplets looked at each other with downcast faces. This was getting them nowhere! They had no more idea if Miss Ferrars knew what was going on than they had before!

“Miss Ferrars,” Con decided it was time to be blunt for subtle methods would obviously get them nowhere. “Have you ever heard of Mary Poppins?”

“Have I ever heard of Mary Poppins?” Miss Ferrars repeated. “Should I have? Is she an Old Girl by any chance?”

“Er not as far as we know,” Margot replied.

“A friend of your mother’s?” Kathie suggested next.

“Well um no, we don’t think so.” Len replied.

“We er met her during the holidays,” Con said quickly.

“I see. A new friend for you then?”

“Does this mean you’ve never heard the name then?” Margot asked in desperation.

“Ah yes! Now you mention it! I do believe your mother mentioned something to Miss Annersley about you having a new nanny called Mary Poppins,” Miss Ferrars responded thoughtfully. “It sounds as though she has been teaching you that every job has an element of fun in it! Provided you can find the fun first, of course! Jobs are always so much more fun when they’re a game!” She twinkled at them and then left the formroom, leaving the triplets looking at each other once more.

I am at the mercy of Mary Poppins! I know not where we shall go or where this will end up!

 

#21:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash/Aberystwyth PostPosted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 7:50 pm

I'm just as confused as the triplets now! Very Happy And I soooooo want to watch Mary Poppins! Crying or Very sad Why didn't I bring it with me?!

 

#22:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 8:16 pm

*wonders when the triplets will find out the truth?* Me? Gloating? As if!!!

 

#23:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 8:47 pm

*Also dying to see the Staff measured!* Catherine this is excellent!

 

#24:  Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 8:55 pm

Whereever it may go, it's sure to be an enjoyable journey. Please carry on Catharine.

 

#25:  Author: auntie karry, Location: Stoke on Trent PostPosted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 8:56 pm

wow!!! I watched Mary Poppins every day for 5 weeks when my daughter was in Birmingham Children's hospital!!!! It is so familiar and so very veeeery frightening! HelpMe

 

#26:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 9:04 pm

karry Edited above post and deleted second! Wink Lesley

 

#27:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash/Aberystwyth PostPosted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 10:19 pm

Lulie wrote:
*wonders when the triplets will find out the truth?* Me? Gloating? As if!!!
tongue Catherine? *pleading smiley* If it's already written...

 

#28:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 11:55 pm

Bright one, that Miss Ferrars! Very Happy *goes off to hunt for "element of fun."*

 

#29:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 12:58 pm

Wonderful, this is great! I got all five Mary Poppins books for my birthday! Kathie Ferrars is very on the spot!

 

#30:  Author: catherine, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne PostPosted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 3:34 pm

“She knows! She must do!” Con breathed, after the mistress had gone.

“She did sound as though she did!” Margot agreed.

“But she could just have said those words anyway,” Len said dubiously. “I mean, she is awfully on the spot. If she thinks we’re up to something then she’ll not let herself be taken in by us!”

“On the other hand, if she does know, then she may never actually let on that she knows unless we do something to make her,” Margot said thoughtfully. “I vote we measure her anyway! We could always just say that we’ve made this tape measure with all sorts of different comments for measurements and want to see which one she is! If she asks to see, we’ll have to let her see of course and if she does know, then I reckon she’ll be able to see the measurement for herself. If she doesn’t know then we’ll have to say we’ve brought the wrong tape!”

“Margot’s right,” Con decided. “We’ll never know one way or the other at this rate! Ferry is being too awfully cautious! OK, we’ll wait for our chance! She’s a sport so she’ll agree all right!”

The triplets found their opportunity the following day when Kathie was on duty at Break. She was somewhat surprised to find herself pulled into the shrubbery by Margot so that the triplets could measure her but she made no objection and stood patiently whilst they did so.

“Well?” she queried, when they had finished and were looking at each other, puzzled. “Am I allowed to see what awful measurement you three imps have decided upon for me?” The triplets held out the tape for her to see and she read the measurement for herself. “An old friend. You have learnt your lessons well.” She smiled to herself and then chuckled at the puzzled faces of the three before slipping away to avoid further questions.

“Now what?” Con asked, with a gulp.

“I-I think maybe we’d better be careful with her,” Len decided.

“I don’t see why!” Margot argued. “We might as well just ask her straight out instead of pretending nothing happened! She knows more than she’s telling us, the tape proves it and if we never ask her straight out, we’ll never know!”

“Y-yes,” Con agreed.

“Don’t be such a wimp, Con!” Len ordered.

“Margot’s right! We need to know and the only way we’ll get a straight answer is if we ask her outright! She won’t lie to us!” Alas for the three, the lady proved strangely unobtainable for the rest of the day. She could not avoid them forever however and they caught up with her eventually.

“Miss Ferrars? Please may we speak to you? It’s really important,” Margot said.

“Come this way then,” she led the three up to her room as being the only place they were not likely to be interrupted. “Now,” she said, once they were all settled. “What exactly is it you want to know?”

“H-have you had a nanny called Mary Poppins?” Con blurted out.

“I have indeed,” Kathie answered, with a smile. “I know exactly what the three of you are doing and I would suggest that you be very careful from now on. I may not be the only member of staff to have had Mary Poppins for a nanny! I would also suggest that you think about returning that tape measure to her before she misses it! And girls, remember that in many cases, the comments on that tape measure may well be considered to be slightly offensive and the last thing you want is to upset anybody! If you do, you may well find the tape measure confiscated for the remainder of the term and then you would have some explaining to do! There is never any saying how long Mary Poppins will stay for and that tape measure must leave with her when she does!” she added warningly and the three gulped.

“We’ll look after it,” Len gulped.

“I wish we could find out what it says about the Heads and Matey,” Margot looked at the mistress hopefully.

“Oh no!” Kathie shook her head. “If that’s what you intend to do, you must find a way of managing it for yourselves! But you know, you would be far better to ask permission to spend a day at home in the company of your new nanny and seek her advice about certain school matters!” she gave it a moment for this rather large hint to drop and then rose to her feet. “I’ll be needed elsewhere now so I suggest we break this meeting up!”

“Miss Ferrars! One day, would you tell us about what it was like when Mary Poppins was your nanny?” Con asked shyly.

“I might well do!” the mistress smiled at the second triplet. “Not now though nor, I don’t think, in the near future! But I might do one day!” With this, the triplets had to be satisfied and they went off to seek their own crowd whilst Kathie joined her colleagues in the staffroom.

 

#31:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 4:00 pm

*grin* Lovely Catherine!!!! I DO hope they find a way to measure Hilda and Nell and Matey! (ooooH! and how about measurements for Jo and Mary Lou??????)

 

#32:  Author: pim, Location: Helmel Hampster PostPosted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 5:25 pm

*giggles* Lovely Catherine!

 

#33:  Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge PostPosted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 5:31 pm

Thank you Catherine Mr. Green

 

#34:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 6:31 pm

Knew Kathie had to know!! Definitely want to see the tape measure's idea for the Heads and Matey, as for Joey? Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing

 

#35:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 7:09 pm

Thanks, Catherine,

 

#36:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash/Aberystwyth PostPosted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 7:15 pm

Very Happy Thank you Catherine!!

 

#37:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 8:33 am

Thank you Catherine!! Love Kathie's comments, want to see who they measure next, and how they manage it!

 

#38:  Author: Nicci, Location: UK PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 11:30 am

Inspired! *wishes she could see Bill and Hilda's measurements*

 

#39:  Author: Kate, Location: Ireland PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 2:35 pm

I wish I could see my own measurement. Do you ever wich you could see yourself as others see you? So you know how you come off? I love it, Catherine! Smile

 

#40:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 4:42 pm

*giggling* Thank you Catherine, I've just read this and its wonderful! I also love Mary Poppins Very Happy

 

#41:  Author: catherine, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 8:28 pm

The triplets heeded Kathie’s remarks – in part, at least. They were still determined to find out what the tape measure had to say about their brevet aunts and Matron and they promised themselves they would return the tape measure then. Many were the confabs they had over the next few days but in the end, matters were taken out of their hands – in a rather spectacular way.

The weekend following their talk with Miss Ferrars, the triplets encountered the Head in the entrance hall. As it happened, Len was holding the tape measure in her hand – it had been in her pocket and she had unthinkingly taken it out.

“Hello, you three!” Miss Annersley gave the triplets a warm smile and Len jumped violently and dropped the tape measure. “Everything all right?” the Head queried, which had landed at her feet.

“Y-yes,” Margot stammered, watching the Head with an appalled expression mirrored on the faces of the other two.

“Sure?” the Head looked at the three, puzzled. “You all look very worried, all of a sudden!”

“N-no we’re fine,” Con stammered.

“Good!” the Head turned away, absently slipping the tape measure into her pocket as she wondered what evil deeds the three were planning or had carried out. She returned to her study and sat drumming her fingers on the desk, still thinking about it, whilst the three she had left, looked at each other, horrified.

“Now what?” Len demanded as they slunk back into the corridor. She was promptly called to account for talking in the corridor by Miss Wilson who was passing and docked of a conduct mark but she hardly seemed to notice. Her godmother glanced at her and from her to her sisters and came to a halt.

“What’s the matter?” she demanded. “Is something wrong at home?”

“N-no,” Margot replied. “At least, if there is, nobody’s told us,” she added, a trifle anxiously.

“Well in that case, why on earth are the three of you looking as you do?”

“I-it’s just Len dropped a tape measure that Mike gave her. He wanted us to write on it so he could give it to Felicity for her birthday, only Auntie Hilda picked it up and put it in her pocket, without realising,” Con said quickly. “We didn’t quite like to ask for it back as we didn’t think she’d realised a-and if she’s confiscated it, we’re not very sure what to say to Mike. He has awful tantrums sometimes.”

“Ah!” Miss Wilson looked thoughtful. “Well I don’t think we want your mother worried by tantrums and neither do we want Mike upset because his idea has been spoilt. Leave it with me, you three and I’ll see if I can get it back for you. By the way, what did Mike want you to write on it? And what would Felicity do with a tape measure?” she added curiously.

”He has some strange idea that she could use it to measure people and every time she measured someone, it would say something about them – instead of a number, a comment,” Con said quickly.

“We have a new nanny and she sometimes plays a game with them where she measures them and then pretends the tape measure says something about them,” Margot added glibly.

“Unusual but fun all the same,” Miss Wilson agreed. “All right, you three! Leave it with me and I’ll see what I can do. I’m sure Auntie Hilda didn’t mean to confiscate it – I expect she would have said so if she had. But if I do get it back for you, store it away safely please! We wouldn’t want it falling into the wrong hands!”

“N-no Miss Wilson,” the three agreed, inwardly thinking that it already had fallen into the wrong hands!

 

#42:  Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 8:31 pm

*giggling*thanks Catherine

 

#43:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 8:35 pm

Lol!!! Wonder if Nell wil use it? Cool

 

#44:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 8:58 pm

What a good thought! Laughing

 

#45:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 9:01 pm

Will Nell be shocked, or it turn out that she knows all about it as well??? Still want to know their measurements though! :tigger:

 

#46:  Author: Kate, Location: Ireland PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 9:33 pm

I hope they do use it, on everyone. It'd be a great way for Hilda to "size up" the girls. Hey, maybe that's what EBD meant when she used that phrase.

 

#47:  Author: Catherine_B, Location: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 9:55 pm

*ROTFL!* I can so imagine Kathie as Mary Poppins - cheerful, very brisk, and always on the spot! ROFLROFLROFL

 

#48:  Author: pim, Location: Helmel Hampster PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 9:57 pm

*giggles* *curious* Thanks Catherine!

 

#49:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 12:04 am

Oh Catherine! Please post more of this soon!!!!

 

#50:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 9:50 am

Wonderful, wouldn't be surprised if it turned out that Hilda or Nell had had Mary Poppins as a nanny! Would love to see their measurements! ROFL Cathy love your idea of Kathie as Mary Poppins!

 

#51:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 3:18 pm

Another Mary Poppins fan here too. Lovely story Catherine. I also wondered if Kathie was Mary Poppins. Hope they get the tape measure back soon and get the measurements

 

#52:  Author: catherine, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 8:08 pm

“Well! And what are you doing?” thus Miss Wilson as she walked in on her friend, still sitting at her desk, drumming her fingers.

“Hmm?” Hilda looked at her absently. “Oh! I was wondering what mischief the triplets are plotting – they looked very guilty a moment ago!”

“Ah!” Nell laughed. “I think that might be because you have something of theirs and they weren’t sure whether you’d pocketed it absently or confiscated it! A tape measure?” she prompted as Hilda looked at her.

“Oh good heavens! So I did!” the Head began to laugh. “My attention was caught by the horrified looks in their faces I wasn’t sure whether something was wrong or whether they were plotting some evil mischief and alarmed by my sudden appearance!”

“Ye-es I wondered the same thing at first. I’m still not entirely sure I’ve been told the real story,” she added pensively.

“What did they say?” Hilda demanded laughing and Nell repeated the story Con had told her.

“Hmm,” she looked thoughtful. “Well, I don’t see what possible harm they could come to with a tape measure but all three have been acting very strangely this term.”

“Could it be anything to do with their new nanny, do you think?” Nell suggested. “I gather from Joey that she’s something out of the ordinary.”

“Mary Poppins is her name,” Hilda Annersley sat back in her chair and regarded her friend but no recognition registered in it.

“Unusual surname,” Nell commented.

“I knew a Jane Banks when I was at school,” Hilda remarked. “I heard her talk of a Mary Poppins. She was her nanny for a while apparently – appeared when the wind changed and left when the wind changed again. Jane used to tell what we all thought were the most exaggerated stories – chalk pavement pictures becoming alive, having tea on the ceiling and she said some strange things. The staff have mentioned hearing some of the exact same phrases from the triplets. At first, I didn’t make the connection but I do now.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Hilda! How could a nanny of someone you were at school with be a nanny of some of your own pupils now?! Pupils over thirty years younger than you, I may add!”

“Nell, do you believe in magic?” Hilda asked.

“No I most certainly do not!” Nell retorted. “There isn’t any such thing! ‘Magic’ is merely some very clever people playing some very clever tricks and not giving away their secrets or explaining how they contrive to do it! Really, Hilda, if that’s the best you can come up with, I think I had better send for Matey and ask her to send you to bed for the rest of the day! You must be addle pated!”

“Not in the least,” Hilda smiled serenely. “I rather expected that kind of response from you – you’re a scientist, after all! I do believe magic exists – there are too many things that can’t be explained – and before you say it, they are not all or even most works of God. Oh you may pour scorn on my ideas as much as you like but I know what I believe!” she paused a moment. “Stand up a minute, Nell!”

“What?” Nell stared at her.

“Stand up!”

“Why?”

“Just a sudden thought that’s crossed my mind! Stand up, do Nell!”

“Oh very well!” Miss Wilson got to her feet and her friend came round the desk, the tape measure in her hand. “Good heavens, Hilda! You’re not going to measure me, surely? I can tell you my height if you really want to know!”

“I’m sure you can but it isn’t your height I’m interested in,” Hilda replied smoothly.

“Well what then?”

Before Hilda could reply, there came a knock at the door and before either of the two ladies could bade whoever it was enter, the door opened and a lady neither had met before walked in.

 

#53:  Author: pim, Location: Helmel Hampster PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 8:10 pm

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. *stares wide eyed* Is it Mary Poppins? Is it? Is it? Is it? Catherine please???? *impatient* (sorry I know you only posted about a minute ago!)

 

#54:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 8:12 pm

This could get very very interesting! Diver

 

#55:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 8:16 pm

Oh please let us see the Heads' measurements! :worthy: :worthy: :worthy:

 

#56:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 8:28 pm

Lol!! Come on Catherine. Don't leave us on top of the cliff!!! We may be tempted tp give some people a push over!!!

 

#57:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 8:58 pm

Oh! come back and post more please Catherine!!!

 

#58:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash/Aberystwyth PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 10:10 pm

Catherine_B wrote:
I can so imagine Kathie as Mary Poppins - cheerful, very brisk, and always on the spot! ROFLROFLROFL
I thought it was her!! But I think that her having had Mary Poppins as a nanny is just as fun!Thank you, Catherine - and if the triplets don't get to hear about Kathie's adventures with MP as her nanny, do we? Wink*leaning precariously over the cliff*

 

#59:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 10:41 pm

Hilda knew Jane Banks, wow Very Happy Love the cliff, please let us see their measurements!!

 

#60:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 10:00 am

It must be her....please Catherine can we have some more. Love Hilda guessing all about it and Nell pouring scorn on the whole idea!

 

#61:  Author: Nicci, Location: UK PostPosted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 5:44 pm

Brilliant brilliant brilliant. But who's at the door?

 

#62:  Author: catherine, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne PostPosted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:10 pm

Nell wrote:
It must be her....please Catherine can we have some more.


Nell, Nell, Nell! How many times do you have to be told?! You most certainly can have more! The question however, is not whether you CAN but whether you MAY!! Wink

“You are the Headmistresses of Mary Helena, Mary Constance and Mary Margaret Maynard?” the lady enquired and the two Heads stared at her. They were robbed of breath at the unheralded appearance and calm demand of the lady who was watching them thoughtfully. “I said, you are the Headmistresses of Mary Helena, Mary Constance and Mary Margaret Maynard, are you not?” the lady repeated.

“Y-yes,” they stammered together and then Miss Annersley pulled herself together an stepped forward.

“May I – er we, help you?” she asked politely.

“You are Miss Annersley and Miss Wilson?” the lady demanded.

“We are,” Miss Annersley replied smoothly. “How may we help you? I’m afraid we weren’t expecting any visitors today it must have been an oversight on the part of my secretary I apologise.”

“I think not,” the lady replied. “Your secretary is not at fault. My visit is unexpected – I am here to attend to some unexpected business. I believe you have something of mine.”

“Perhaps you would introduce yourself first?” Miss Wilson pulled herself together. “We may be able to help you better if we know who you are!”

“My name, Miss Wilson, is Mary Poppins,” she replied, stunning the younger Head into silence. How on earth did this strange lady know one from the other?

“And what exactly is it that you believe we have?” Miss Annersley demanded, smothering a smile at the way her friend had been silenced.

“My tape measure,” Mary Poppins answered.

“Your tape measure?!” the Head looked startled.

“Yes, that is what I said,” Mary Poppins answered patiently. “If you would just be so kind as to return it to me, I will be on my way!”

“But I was given to understand that it belonged to Mike!” Hilda exclaimed and Mary Poppins sighed.

“Well if I must explain, I must!” she sighed, sitting down on a chair. “But really! I had thought there would be no need for explanations considering your position as Headmistress! However! Sit down please and I will begin! There must be no interruptions, you understand!” she proceeded to explain how the triplets had coerced Mike into ‘borrowing’ the tape measure for them and how when she had been looking for it today but been unable to find it, he had confessed the whole story.

“But why on earth would the triplets want your tape measure so badly?” Nell demanded. “There are plenty of tape measures in School, goodness knows!”

“This tape measure is one I use on my charges when I first meet them it tells me what I need to know about them,” she paused for the Heads were looking puzzled – although Hilda, thinking hard, believed she vaguely recalled some comment about a magic tape measure.

“I think I had better demonstrate,” Mary Poppins told them. “Stand up, if you would Miss Annersley!”

“P-pardon?” the normally cool, calm and collected Headmistress was somewhat taken aback by this sharp order. Miss Wilson hurriedly covered her mouth with her handkerchief to hide her sudden choking, earning herself a glare from her friend. “

Stand up, if you would please!” Mary Poppins repeated. “You do understand that order, I presume?”

“Perfectly,” the Head’s natural authority returned to her. “I am afraid your manner is rather surprising, that is all. I am used to being requested to do things not ordered to do things!”

“I apologise but nevertheless, it is necessary that I require you to do this!”

“Very well,” the Head rose to her feet and stood whilst Mary Poppins measured her.

Twisted Evil

 

#63:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:18 pm

*giggling* Great to see Hilda phased by Mary Poppins and a wonderful cliff. I just hope she measures them both!!

 

#64:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:19 pm

Catherine, come back here and post those measurements before we hunt you down!

Last edited by Carolyn P on Fri Oct 15, 2004 11:40 am; edited 1 time in total

 

#65:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:20 pm

Post some more young lady or.....

 

#66:  Author: Kate, Location: Ireland PostPosted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:29 pm

The poor frog, Pat! Please, Catherine? Very Happy

 

#67:  Author: Nicci, Location: UK PostPosted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:32 pm

Personally, I'd really love to see Joey's measurements!!

 

#68:  Author: pim, Location: Helmel Hampster PostPosted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:34 pm

Love the frog!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Catherine *g*

 

#69:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 9:43 pm

Wonderful!!! Loved seeing Hilda totally flumoxed!

 

#70:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 10:45 pm

Whew, Miss A responding to orders from someone other than Matey! *joins chorus of "What's her measurement, please?"*

 

#71:  Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge PostPosted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:48 am

*chanting*

 

#72:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 12:26 am

gah! *disappointed* I wanterd to know! Catherine, there's only one word for this and I'm amazed no-one else has said it. This is supercalifragilisticexpialadocious!

 

#73:  Author: Kate, Location: Ireland PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 8:02 am

*sings* Even though the sound of it Is something quite atrocious If you say it loud enough You'll always sound precocious Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Um diddle diddle diddle um diddle ay Um diddle diddle diddle um diddle ay..... *goes off to ridiculously stupid meeting singing* Faraway sounds of "Um diddle diddle diddle um diddle ay....." can still be heard in the distance, as the CBBers groan, pull their pillows over their heads and say plaintively "It's not rising bell yet! Some of us want to sleep if YOU don't." Kate has gotten carried away again.

 

#74:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash/Aberystwyth PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 8:27 am

*giggling madly* Don't worry Kate, I'm mad as well - off to the gym at stupid o'clock on a Saturday morning Confused Catherine, any chance of some more today, please? Smile

 

#75:  Author: Kate, Location: Ireland PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 9:44 am

Aaaaargh. After getting up at EIGHT O'CLOCK on a SATURDAY, the meeting was canceled. Catherine, I need more to steady my nerves... Um diddle diddle diddle um diddle ay.... I'll keep singing, I warn you....

 

#76:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 3:01 pm

And I'm still ill and in need of story! Methinks I need a spoonful of sugar...and some medicine too!

 

#77:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 3:49 pm

Catherine, stop tormenting us, what do the meaurements say?

 

#78:  Author: catherine, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 5:48 pm

I'm not tormenting you, Jennie! It's Kate's singing that's doing that! *puts fingers in ears* Wink

“Ah yes! Just as I thought!” she remarked. “A gentle manner always tempers justice with mercy!” she read and Miss Annersley, feeling she had not done too badly out of that, retook her seat complacently.

Mary Poppins turned to Miss Wilson who had gone from looking stunned to looking sceptical. “And now you, Miss Wilson!” she said briskly.

“Pardon?” the younger Head stared at this strange lady in her turn.

“I believe Mary Poppins requires you to stand up so that she may measure you, Miss Wilson,” Miss Annersley observed quietly but with a twinkle of amusement in her eyes.

“I’m sorry but I’m afraid I do not believe in magic,” Miss Wilson remarked. “I’m not sure how or why you expect us to believe you, Mary er Poppins, but I warn you neither of us will be taken for a fool!”

“Hmm,” Mary Poppins looked at the mistress thoughtfully. “You seem to be suffering from the affliction known as ‘sour grapes’, Miss Wilson! No matter! I have the remedy here!” she rummaged in the small bag she had with her and had just poured out a substance when there was a knock at the door and Matron appeared.

“Hilda!” she began and then stopped as she saw their visitor. “Oh! I apologise! Rosalie didn’t mention you had a visitor. Never mind, I shall return later.”

“Not in the least, Matron,” Miss Annersley stopped her colleague from exiting the room. “Come in, do. There is someone I think you would like to meet,” the glint of amusement was again present in her eyes but neither of her colleagues noticed it just then for Miss Wilson gave a thankful exclamation.

“Matey! Thank goodness! Somebody who will talk a little sense! This lady – she calls herself Mary Poppins, intends to dose me and all because I don’t believe a tape measure can tell her anything about anybody!”

“As I said, Miss Wilson, sour grapes! Now if you will swallow this, you will soon feel better! Come along! I have no time to waste!”

“Wait, please!” Matron stepped forward. “I am in charge of the health of these persons and I wish to know what exactly it is that you intend to dose this lady with!”

“I am quite sure that Mary Poppins knows what she is doing,” Miss Annersley said quietly, but still with a glint of amusement in her eyes. “Sit down Gwynneth and stop worrying. And as for you Nell Wilson, swallow whatever it is you are being given and stop behaving like a child! It will do you no harm, of that I am quite sure!”

“I do believe you’re enjoying this, Hilda Annersley!” Nell muttered.

“As I said, sour grapes,” Mary Poppins remarked. “Matron, if you wish to taste the dose I am offering your colleague, I have no objection. I merely find her a little uncooperative at the moment and this should cure it! It will do no lasting harm, no harm at all really, and I have used it on many of my charges in the past!”

“No, no,” Matron said hastily, deciding inwardly that if anybody was going to be poisoned she would far rather it was somebody other than herself!

“Thank you!” Mary Poppins advanced on Miss Wilson who seeing no help for it, swallowed the dose. Her eyes widened as she swallowed it and Mary Poppins smiled in satisfaction.

“A spoonful of sugar, Matron!” she turned to Matron. “A spoonful of sugar always helps the medicine go down!” She packed away the bottle and s***n and then turned back to Miss Wilson who was licking her lips.

 

#79:  Author: Kate, Location: Ireland PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 6:01 pm

Thanks Catherine! *eventually stops singing* I'm hoarse, but it was worth it... Smile

 

#80:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 6:04 pm

Thanks Catherine, great to see both Nell and Matey supressed just a little Very Happy Wink

 

#81:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 6:50 pm

Thank you, Catherine. I can't wait to see what Bill's and Matey's measurements are. Will Matey be adopting MP's medicine for all ills?

 

#82:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 7:16 pm

*groan* *blame Kate* A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, the medicine go down,... more please Catherine. My singing is worse than Kate's....

 

#83:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 7:56 pm

I won't even attempt to inflict my singing onto the board!! were you writing this on the train Catherine?

 

#84:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 8:01 pm

Thanks Catherine, and so Nell Wilson's measurements tell us that............?

 

#85:  Author: catherine, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 8:19 pm

A small snippet for now! (And no, Pat, I didn't write it on the train! I was too busy yibbling with Rachael and Ann!!) Something rather, ahem, different to follow. Wink

"Now then, Miss Wilson!" Mary Poppins said briskly. Miss Annersley suddenly bit her lips to stop herself laughing out loud and Matron stared as the sceptical Miss Wilson rose to her feet with alacrity. “My medicine never fails, Matron,” Mary Poppins remarked. “Ah yes!” she looked at the tape measure approvingly. “A sarcastic tongue sceptical by nature. A true scientist.”

Miss Wilson sat down, feeling rather deflated, although she had to agree with the remarks. Miss Annersley observing her friend’s rather disappointed expression, suddenly felt sorry for her. “But an excellent headmistress,” she murmured softly and Nell gave her friend a grateful smile.

“Naturally! That does not need to be stated for either of you,” Mary Poppins remarked. “Mary Poppins never states the obvious and she always entrusts her charges to those who can help them the most! Now Matron, if you wouldn’t mind!” Matron, warned by what had happened with Miss Wilson, rose to her feet although she inwardly characterised the entire thing as nonsense. Mary Poppins eyed her thoughtfully and then shook her head, to herself more than anybody else. “Such a sceptical world nowadays,” she muttered sadly, giving Matron a jolt. Could Mary Poppins read her mind? Surely not? “Now, let me see!” Matron stood still whilst she was being measured. “Yes!” Mary Poppins looked thoughtful. “As I suspected! Meticulously tidy! A bark that is worse than the bite! As it should be, Matron! We can take no nonsense from our charges although we must treat them well when they are in need of our help!”

“Y-yes. Quite.” Matron stammered, sitting down again.

“May we help you with anything else, Mary Poppins?” Miss Annersley decided to regain control of the situation since both her colleagues seemed to have been stunned into speechlessness.

“There is the slight matter of my tape measure,” Mary Poppins considered. “I feel my charges have behaved in a most unbecoming manner but I think I may find a way to make them see the error of their ways. Perhaps you would be good enough to excuse them tomorrow afternoon?”

“Yes, that should not be a problem,” Miss Annersley agreed. “Will you require them for Kaffee und Kuchen or will they have returned by then?”

“I shall require them until their bedtime, Miss Annersley, thank you!” As suddenly as she had appeared, Mary Poppins had gone and the three left behind, looked at each other, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

 

#86:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 8:26 pm

Yay for Mary Poppins.

 

#87:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 8:44 pm

Excellent. Love the 's***n full of sugar' Laughing And Hilda's little comment for Nell.

 

#88:  Author: Kate, Location: Ireland PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 8:48 pm

Lisa_T wrote:
*groan* *blame Kate* A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, the medicine go down,... more please Catherine. My singing is worse than Kate's....
My singing is LOVELY, I'll have you know!!!! *warbles* Thank you Catherine!! (That's my name too, yet it took three tries to spell it right!)

 

#89:  Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 8:58 pm

*sniggling* Thanks Catherine Kiss

 

#90:  Author: Guest,  PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 10:07 pm

devil I know what happens next... mwahahaha!!! *Giggling madly.. oooh, you'll love it!* Laughing

 

#91:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 10:08 pm

Buggery, that was me!!

 

#92:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 10:12 pm

*joins Kat in gloating*

 

#93:  Author: catherine, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 10:29 pm

Mary Poppins meanwhile turned out of the school gates, intending to take advantage of such a fine day and go for a stroll. Instead, she was ambushed by a small creature – or someone who appeared to be a small creature at first.

“Mary Poppins! Mary Poppins!” she squeaked. “You have to come fast!”

“Ah Victoria Kirkum, I believe,” Mary Poppins looked down at the small, rather strange looking creature at her feet. “A moment please!” she produced her tape measure and measured the creature. “Aha! Impatient given to yibbling lacks the stamina required to post drabbles a sneaky photographer. Not very impressive, Victoria!”

“My name’s Vikki,” the culprit muttered sulkily.

“My dear er child, is that what one calls you? I have no use for shortened forms of names when it comes to my charges!”

“I’m not one of your charges you can call me Vikki!” Vikki insisted, still sulkily.

“Please do not sulk!” Mary Poppins admonished. “You require my help, that makes you one of my charges, I believe. Now! What exactly would seem to be the problem?” she kneeled down to listen. “Ah. Mm hmm. Oh dear. Yes, yes. I quite see! Very alarming indeed! Very well!” she opened her umbrella, which like any true lady, she always carried with her. “Well,” she looked down at the tiny creature. “Are you coming or are you not?”

“What do you mean?” Victoria squeaked.

“Well you can hardly stay here, can you? You do not belong here! Where exactly it is you do belong, I am not quite sure! However!”

“B-but that’s the Chalet School!”

“Indeed it is! But as I said, you do not belong here!” Before the strange looking creature could object, Mary Poppins had grabbed her by the collar and they were floating up, up and away - and into the new century – 2004 to be exact.

“Really!” Mary Poppins remarked as they floated over England. “This time travel is very wearing at times! Never mind! Here we are, at last!” they landed and she dusted herself down expertly. “Now, which way? Ah yes! I can hear it!” she turned in the direction of the sound. “Come along Victoria! Stop stravaging along!”

 

#94:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 10:35 pm

ROFL ROFL ROFL :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Hope Vikki isn't :angry: (but she won't be or MP will get her!!!)

 

#95:  Author: Kate, Location: Ireland PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 11:46 pm

Oh my gosh, Vikki's in storyland... Smile
Quote:
small, rather strange looking creature
I like it. ROFL :laughing: ROFL :laughing: ROFL :laughing: ROFL :laughing: ROFL :laughing:

Last edited by Kate on Sat Oct 16, 2004 11:49 pm; edited 2 times in total

 

#96:  Author: pim, Location: Helmel Hampster PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 11:47 pm

*falls off chair laughing hysterically*

 

#97:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 11:55 pm

Catherine Laidler!!!!!! You are SO dead when I get my hands on you you little ratbag!!!

 

#98:  Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 10:30 am

*snickering wildly*

 

#99:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 1:32 pm

poor poor poor Vikki! *laughing maniacally* Good for you, Catherine!

 

#100:  Author: catherine, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 2:06 pm

Sorry but I er couldn't resist! *wibbles*

They had arrived in Yorkshire - Doncaster, to be precise, and as they walked along a certain street, the pair turned into a house, where had Mary Poppins not seen it before, she might have been quite alarmed by the sight that greeted them.

Vikki certainly was and she began squeaking again, causing one of the home’s occupants – the only one home at present, to look down at her. And she did look down. For at this moment, Pat was floating somewhere between the floor and the ceiling, roaring with laughter at apparently nothing at all.

“Dear me! I really do not see what is so funny!” Mary Poppins remarked but a squeak from Vikki alerted her to the cause – a computer screen. She bent and peered at it. “Well really! Comparing herself to me, the cheek of it!” she exclaimed. “Really! I can’t abide anybody saying that they are like me! Practically perfect indeed! And what sort of a name is Lulie? Another one of those ridiculous shorts, I suppose! Oh all right!”

Vikki’s squeaking had crescendoed and another glance up at the ceiling showed that Pat was now laughing so much she was turning somersaults. “Pat really!” Mary Poppins objected and Vikki gave an indignant squawk.

“That’s a short!” she squawked.

“Thank you, Victoria! I am aware of that!” Mary Poppins interrupted her. “Pat, however, is not one of my charges and as she happens to be older than myself I am afraid that however much I object to using shorts, I must use the name she chooses to call herself by. Really! I see I have a lot to teach you about respect for your elders, Victoria! You seem to be sadly lacking in more than one way!”

A loud guffaw reached their ears at this point and they looked up to see Pat lying flat on her back, her entire body shaking with laughter and tears pouring down her cheeks. Before Mary Poppins could do anything more, the door burst open and Carolyn burst in, holding what looked to be a gun in her hands.

“Well really! And who are you, may I ask?” Mary Poppins exclaimed. “And for what reason do you appear to be holding a gun in your hands?”

“I’ve been hunting Pat and I have come to shoot her down from the ceiling,” Carolyn replied in deep tones. She pointed her gun at the ceiling but even as she looked up at Pat who was laughing so much she was incapable of speech, she too began to shake with laughter. The gun dropped from her hands and she found herself floating up towards the ceiling. Vikki squealed and squawked and Carolyn and Pat screamed with laughter until Vikki too began to giggle and floated up to the ceiling to join them. All three shook hands and Mary Poppins sighed and shook her head.

“Ah! The Yellow Pages!” she seized on a book. “Now how far away I wonder, is the nearest lunatic asylum?” she wondered out loud.

“Too far!” Vikki giggled.

“Do you know Victoria, for once, you may just be right,” Mary Poppins decided. “Very well! If I must deal with this myself, I must!”

Wink

 

#101:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 2:15 pm

:laughing: :box: :laughing: :box: Oh Catherine, thats wonderful, thank you Very Happy

 

#102:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 3:21 pm

:hiding: I'd laugh, but if I do then I'll float up to the ceiling and feel obliged to dust that nasty corner that I can see!! *otherwise keeps mouth shut around Catherine!*

 

#103:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 3:27 pm

What have I done to deserve that pray? Just you wait Catherine. November isn't that far away!!!! Be careful with your next post. :boxing Evil or Very Mad

 

#104:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 4:14 pm

you laughed and gloated my poppet!Don't worry, I'm saving the BIGGEST portion of revenge for DEAR SWEET Catherine..... Twisted Evil

 

#105:  Author: catherine, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 4:37 pm

*chuckles*Vikki, dearest, you'll be dead before long!In for a penny, in for a pound ....

With a sigh, Mary Poppins tucked her skirts round her and floated neatly up to the ceiling, proceeding to poke and prod the manically giggling three with her umbrella and provoking many oohs and aahs from the three. It didn’t seem to reduce their laughter however – indeed, Pat snatched it from her and opening it out, began to do a very strange looking dance as she floated mid way between the ceiling and the floor.

“I love to laugh! Ho ho ho!
Loud and long and clear
I love to laugh
It’s getting worse ever year!” she began to sing, drawing howls from the other two whilst Mary Poppins calmly put earplugs in her ears.

“The more I laugh,
the more I fill with glee
And the more the glee
The more I’m a merrier me!” Carolyn joined in, the only to sing melodiously.

“It’s embarrassing!” Pat caterwauled, spinning round.

“The more I’m a merrier me!” Carolyn repeated.

“Some people laugh through their noses
Sounding something like this – mm hmm hmm
Some people laugh through their teeth – goodness sakes.
Hissing and fizzing like snakes – ssss ssss,” Vikki hissed.

“Some laugh too fastsome only blast – ha!,” Pat blasted.

“Others, they twitter like birds – hee hee hee hoo hoo hoo,” Vikki twittered.

Then there’s the kind
What can’t make up their mind,” Carolyn sang.

“When things strike me as funny
I can’t hide it inside,” Pat howled, singing away.

And squeak – as the squeakelers do!” Vikki squeaked.

“I’ve got to let go with a ho-ho-ho
And a ha-ha-ha ……too!” Carolyn laughed.

“We love to laugh,
Loud and long and clear
We love to laugh
So ev’rybody can hear
The more you laugh
The more you fill with glee
And the more the glee
The more we’re a merrier we!” the three chorused, swirling and twirling around Mary Poppins and thinking themselves most elegant although in truth they were a sorry sight. Mary Poppins waited until the caterwauling, blasting, shrieking and occasional melodious singing had stopped and then removed the earplugs from her ears.

By this time, she had decided only drastic measures were called for. A click of the fingers and the three gigglers suddenly found themselves in front of Matron – and Matron at her most annoyed – wither they had been sent by Miss Derwent for giggling non-stop in class. Mary Poppins was nowhere to be found and instead the three had lost all inclination to giggle and were feeling very sorry for themselves as Matron told them exactly what she thought of them all. A moment later, they were each swallowing a dose of cod liver oil.

“Ouch!” Pat exclaimed as she hit a hard stone floor.

“Ow!” Vikki squeaked. “My tail! Ooh! Ow! Get off me, Carolyn!” she complained as Carolyn landed on her.

“Ouch! You’re far too bony, Vikki!” Carolyn complained, getting up.

“What just happened?” Pat asked dazedly.

“You were laughing again,” Vikki informed her.

“I’ve a horrid taste in my mouth,” Vikki complained.

“Cod liver oil!” Brisk tones sounded from beside them and the three turned to look at Mary Poppins.

“Who are you?” Carolyn asked, puzzled.

“I am Mary Poppins and now that the three of you have condescended to stop laughing and come down from the ceiling, I shall be on my way!”

“B-but what just happened?” Pat repeated. “What are you doing here? Why have we had cod liver oil? And why do I think we’ve just met Matey?”

“Yes! Do explain, Mary Poppins!” Vikki begged – a plea echoed by the other pair.

“Let me make one thing quite clear!” Mary Poppins interrupted. “Mary Poppins never explains! Good day!” With that she was gone, leaving the three, quite literally scratching their heads.

Last edited by catherine on Sun Oct 17, 2004 6:57 pm; edited 1 time in total

 

#106:  Author: Donna, Location: Liverpool PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 4:41 pm

ROFL ROFL :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: ROFL :laughing: Fabulous Catherine! *hides from Vikki*

 

#107:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 4:43 pm

*smiles sweetly at Catherine* *thinks said Catherine is remarkable brave - or is it foolhardy?*

 

#108:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 5:57 pm

Vikki wrote:
Don't worry, I'm saving the BIGGEST portion of revenge for DEAR SWEET Catherine..... Twisted Evil
Yay!! Sorry Catherine, but you're doing me a favour by this! Wink *Goes off humming my MSN tune*

 

#109:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:00 pm

Oh don't worry Kat my pet! I'll save a nice big slice for you too!

 

#110:  Author: pim, Location: Helmel Hampster PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:26 pm

*splutters with laughter all over computer screen* Can't wait to see all the revenge... )

 

#111:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:28 pm

Vikki wrote:
Oh don't worry Kat my pet! I'll save a nice big slice for you too!
Mmmm, a slice of cake would be lovely, thank you Vikki dearest!

 

#112:  Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:34 pm

Laughing Mr. Green Laughing Mr. Green Laughing ROFL :laughing: ROFL :laughing: ROFL

 

#113:  Author: Kate, Location: Ireland PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:39 pm

*is slightly worried about Vikki's revenge plans, but enjoying story too much to care* :laughing: Laughing :laughing: Laughing :laughing: Laughing :laughing: Laughing :laughing: Laughing :laughing: Laughing :laughing: Laughing :laughing: Laughing :laughing: Laughing :laughing: Laughing :laughing: Laughing :laughing: Laughing :laughing: Laughing :laughing: Laughing :laughing: Laughing :laughing: Laughing

 

#114:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:42 pm

Ah Kate babe - you should know not to worry, Vikki is to old to remember things after 5 minutes Wink

 

#115:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash/Aberystwyth PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:47 pm

*giggles* Now I understand why Vikki's msn name says she's plotting revenge on Kat Thank you Catherine! Gem *grinning at Catherine's list of those who deserve to be punished whilst smiling innocently*

 

#116:  Author: Kate, Location: Ireland PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:48 pm

That is very true. Smile Thanks Kat!

 

#117:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:56 pm

Catherine has obviously never heard me sing!! But I would never hunt Pat down with a gun...Catherine now that is another matter!! *wishing link to smiley site was on this puter...will be back to edit sometime soon!*

 

#118:  Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 8:25 pm

*giggling helplessly* thank you Catherine

 

#119:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 8:28 pm

No probs Gem and Kate!

 

#120:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 8:32 pm

Kat wrote:
Ah Kate babe - you should know not to worry, Vikki is to old to remember things after 5 minutes Wink
*makes a note of this impudence for future reference.....*

 

#121:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 8:34 pm

*Knows full well that Vikki will lose said reference within the next 3.5minutes* Laughing

 

#122:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 8:34 pm

*g* Well I wouldn't worry too much. Vikki may SAY she's plotting revenge, but uintil it actually APPEARS I wouldn't lose any sleep *smiles sweetly* ETA: good grief! it has appeared! *faints with shock* *awaits retaliation* on Vikki, you understand! *wibbling at a text threat* Wink

 

#123:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 9:35 pm

*giggling wildly again*

 

#124:  Author: Nicole, Location: New Zealand PostPosted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 9:03 am

*laughing like unto a loon* Now I understand all the revenge drabbles which seem to have popped up since last night. Catherine, this is sheer genius. More please, when you can. BTW - I'm in awe of four drabbles. I'm having enough trouble keeping one straight.

 

#125:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 3:35 pm

Thank you Catherine!! Lovely and very, very funny!!!
Quote:
Nell wrote: It must be her....please Catherine can we have some more. Nell, Nell, Nell! How many times do you have to be told?! You most certainly can have more! The question however, is not whether you CAN but whether you MAY!!
And I know, I'm just a slow learner or else I don't think enough - actually probably the latter and that's why my posta are always full of typos!

 

#126:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 5:37 pm

More please Catherine!

 

#127:  Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 6:21 pm

That certainly does explain all the revenge drabbles! I can't believe I got behind with this, and I've missed so much. ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL

 

#128:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 8:05 pm

Very funny Catherine, also cannot believe how far I am behind in this.

 

#129:  Author: nickyj, Location: Essex, England PostPosted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 10:38 pm

Now I understand! And there I was feeling so sorry for Catherine because everyone seemed to be taking revenge on her

 

#130:  Author: Nicci, Location: UK PostPosted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 10:53 pm

aha, now I comprehend all the revenge-getting threads in C&D!! Fabulous Catherine, and totally unexpected. Laughing Laughing

 

#131:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:04 pm

Where's the next part of this then Catherine? I hope the revenge bunnies haven't driven you away!

 

#132:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:05 pm

So do I, this is good.

 

#133:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:13 pm

Please come back Catherine!!! We'll protect you from the evil bunnies!

 

#134:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:17 pm

*splutters* given what The Above have done to you lately, I think you can be forgiven for ignoring their reassurances, Catherine.... *smugly virtuous having never done anything reprehensible to Catherine in any drabble*

 

#135:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:22 pm

Lisa, your innocent act fools no one my love!!!!! Rolling Eyes

 

#136:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:34 pm

That was more by luck than judgement Lisa, considering certain other drabbles you have written in the past!!!

Last edited by Pat on Thu Oct 21, 2004 7:02 pm; edited 1 time in total

 

#137:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 4:57 pm

*Starts Chant... More! More! More!*

 

#138:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Thu Oct 28, 2004 5:55 pm

Caaatttttttthhhhhhhhheeeeeeeerrrrrrriiiiineeee!!!! Please give us some more!

 

#139:  Author: catherine, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne PostPosted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 5:35 pm

Here you are then, Kat. Sorry for the extreme dullness of this part but hopefully more sometime soon.

The triplets were feeling very sorry for themselves by the end of the day and very scared too. They had of course been called to account for the way they had lied to Miss Wilson and for using their younger brother to steal for them. By the time they had heard her opinion and the Head’s opinion of them, there was very little left of them.

“Oh, by the way, Mary Poppins did indeed take our measurements,” Miss Annersley ended blandly. “Now you may go!”

The triplets went, feeling very deflated and hard done by for it was clear that now they would never get to know the measurements of their brevet aunts. Their formmates found the three distinctly subdued over the next day and a half and positively silent as the hour for their tea with Mary Poppins approached.

“Come along! No time to waste!” Mary Poppins said briskly as the three appeared in the nursery where they would have tea. They had to submit to being measured again and the measurements read out – untrustworthy, dishonest, made them all cringe with shame but by the time they returned to school, they were all three greatly puzzled for no more mention than that had been made of their wrongdoings.

Margot, ever the optimist was convinced that that was the end of their punishment and prepared to go on with life as normal but her sisters were more cautious. “Oh tosh!” Margot retorted to Len’s caution. “If she was going to do anything, she’d have done it by now! We’ve got away with it!” she began to dance a wild fandango but before Vi Lucy who was nearby could call her to account, her legs somehow got tangled up with each other and she threw a complete somersault before landing on the ground, her arms and legs splayed out like a starfish and her face in the flower bed.

Vi came hurrying over just as Margot’s triplets heaved her to her feet. “Gosh! How did that happen?” Margot wondered through a mouthful of soil and promptly spat it out most inelegantly. Len and Con could say nothing for Vi had appeared but they eyed each other meaningfully, knowing that nothing but magic could have caused their normally athletic and sure footed triplet to ended up splatted on the ground. They followed the prefect inside and up to Matron who was not sparing in her strictures about the frock and dosed Margot, who was heard to mutter: "Whatever happened to a spoonful of sugar?"

"Sugar is not for girls that fall into flowerbeds!" Matron said tartly.

"Oh but Matron, it helps the medicine go down!" Con burst out.

"Don't be so ridiculous, Constance! If that is the best you can do, I think the three of you had better go to bed! Perhaps a bath and an early night will help you to think and act more like your normal selves!"

"Yes, Matron," the three murmured meekly, recognising that Matron would not be argued with in this mood.

"I-I think that might be best," Len murmured suddenly as Matron bustled away to see about hot baths. "I feel all queer all of a sudden."

"Me too," Con suddenly said.

"And me," Margot added just before Matron returned.

"Follow me, please!" she ordered and the three obeyed her, little knowing what the result of their queer feelings would be!

 

#140:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 5:56 pm

Poor Triplets! But they deserve it really! Laughing Good to see this back Catherine.

 

#141:  Author: Emily, Location: Land of White Coats and Stethoscopes. PostPosted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 6:08 pm

Heeheehee! Nice to see this again Catherine!

 

#142:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 6:12 pm

Wonderful! Did anyone else see the Mary Poppins extract on Children in Need last night (they showed it twice, but only part of it the second time)

 

#143:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 7:04 pm

YAY!!!! THANK YOU CATH!!! Hehe, yay!

 

#144:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 7:52 pm

Can't help giggling over 'a Spoonful of Sugar' remembering Con being scolded for eating sugar in Jo to the Recsue.....

 

#145:  Author: pim, Location: Helmel Hampster PostPosted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 7:53 pm

Hurrah! It's back! Thank you Catherine Very HappyVery HappyVery HappyVery HappyVery Happy

 

#146:  Author: catherine, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne PostPosted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 9:10 pm

That queer feeling that the triplets had experienced the night before manifested it the next morning. Con, usually the neatest of the triplets, rolled out of bed and promptly yelled as she trod on her hairbrush which was on the floor by her bed.

“Con?” her cousin, Josette Russell, dormitory prefect, poked her head through the curtains, startled by the yell. She was even more startled by the mess in the cubicle. Con’s clothes and dressing gown which she thought she had carefully hung up last night were strewn around the floor. “Con! What on earth?” Josette gasped, staring at her cousin, whom she knew to be tidy.

“I don’t know,” Con sat down limply on the bed. “It wasn’t like this when I went to bed, I’m sure of it!”

“Well you’d better hurry up and get it tidy before Matey sees it,” was all Josette vouchsafed, inwardly deciding her cousin must have slept walked last night. She resolved to have a word with Len and Margot to see if they could get to the bottom of whatever might be causing it she was very fond of her cousins and had no intention of reporting Con to Matron. She slipped out and turned her attention to the rest of the dormitory leaving Con, thankfully remembering she was second bather not first to scramble into her dressing gown and slippers and replace things tidily. She went to her drawer to get clean knickers and stockings out and found to her consternation that it was a mess – as indeed were all her other drawers. She had no time to puzzle on it however for just as she set to work to tidy her undies drawer, Josette returned from her bath and shouted over to Con who had to hurriedly shut her drawer and fly to get her bath.

Meanwhile, Len who tried to be tidy but failed more often than not, found to her surprise that things were worse than usual. She had to spend ten minutes searching for her clothes and it was only the appearance of Gwen Parry, demanding to know if she meant to have her bath today or tomorrow, that recalled her to the time. As it was, no sooner had she run it than Virginia Adams of Va was hammering on the door demanding that Len get out and let her in. Len decided against plunging into the bath and instead stood in it, sponging quickly from top to toe before scrambling out, and not even half dry, flying for the door and back to her dormitory. Unfortunately, half way there, she tripped over the end of her towel, which dropped as she fell and she landed on the floor, completely naked and in full view of the girls hurrying to and fro across the corridor to the bathrooms.

“Len Maynard! What on earth do you think you’re doing? Cover yourself up at once!” the Head Girl, Mary-Lou Trelawney, bore down upon her and Len hastily got up, snatching up her towel which was on the ground and fled for her dormitory, her cheeks burning at the stares and narrowly disguised laughter from the other girls. She scrambled into her clothes, still wet, and then set to tidy her cubicle.

Matron, having heard the commotion and discovered that Len was the cause of it, arrived halfway through. She promptly demanded to know what Len had been thinking, to display herself in such an unladylike manner and Len could go no redder for she knew that the rest of her dormitory, who hitherto had known nothing about it, would have eyes wide with incredulity and would spread the tale with eagerness once away from supervision. The next moment, Matron was tearing Len from limb to limb having noticed the state of her cubicle and Len, at a loss to explain such thorough untidiness, could only stand there going redder and redder.

Margot, on the otherhand, had woken an hour earlier than necessary, thinking the bell was clanging, and woken to find, much to her annoyance, that had just dreamt it. Still, thinking that her cubicle was bound to be a mess, she had decided she might as well use the time usefully. She said her prayers and then got up, finding her dressing gown miraculously on its hook, struggled into it and then scrabbled round for her torch, which was also in its right place. She shone it round her cubicle and almost gasped for it was the picture of neatness and there wasn’t an inch of dust anywhere! Her drawers couldn’t have been tidier and her clothes were hanging neatly over the back of her chair. She sat down limply on her bed, rather as Con was to do an hour later, and tried to puzzle it out. She knew quite well things had been any old how last night but decided that Matron or Barbara Chester, her dormy prefect, or one of the others in her dormy, must have been in to tidy it and turned her attention to the forthcoming day. She was in a jubilant mood after the previous day, convinced they had got off almost scot free and thought hard about celebrating through some mad trick. She thought hard but could not think of anything, discarding what she did think of as being too boring and by the time the rising bell rang, she was in a thoroughly grumpy mood, although she was more puzzled when careful questioning revealed that nobody had tidied her cubicle and that Matron had been heard to comment on its neatness the previous night.

 

#147:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 10:35 pm

CATHERINE!!!! That was totally evil! Poor Len!!!!

 

#148:  Author: catherine, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne PostPosted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 10:46 pm

Sorry! Embarassed And Dawn - I saw the bits on Children in Need last night - not at all impressed!

 

#149:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 11:08 pm

poor len! That really was evil!!! ROFL! I wish I could have what Margot's got...

 

#150:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 11:39 pm

*giggles* poor deluded girls!

 

#151:  Author: pim, Location: Helmel Hampster PostPosted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 11:41 pm

*snickering* Lovely Catherine Very HappyVery HappyVery Happy

 

#152:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash/Aberystwyth PostPosted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 12:05 am

Thank you CAtherin Very Happy

 

#153:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Mon Nov 22, 2004 9:35 am

Thank you Catherine but poor Len!!!

 

#154:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 10:58 pm

Catherine dearest darling? May we have some more please? Laughing

 

#155:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 5:18 am

Poor old Len - though I'm sure something like that must have happened at the CS before - just never mentioned, Definitely wish I could have the same as Margot! Thanks Catherine. Laughing

 

#156:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 12:58 pm

Thank you Catherine!! Laughing

 

#157:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Fri Nov 26, 2004 11:00 pm

Thank you Catherine nice to see more of this. Poor Len and Con. TRust Margot to get things working in her favour.

 

#158:  Author: catherine, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 8:31 am

I have a feeling the bunny might have stopped biting - but here's the latest little bit. I've now got and read all but Mary Poppins and the House Next Door but I've made the mistake of lending to them to my sister - so I may never see them again!!

It was to quote Margot a ‘topsy turvy’ day for the triplets. Every time they did or said something, it came out the opposite of what they’d expected. Len would put up her hand to answer a question, knowing she had the right answer only to find herself saying the wrong answer. Con found herself feeling restless and constantly being scolded for fidgeting, when she didn’t even realise she was doing it and Margot, who had begun the day feeling restless and in need of some light relief in the form of some mad scheme or other, found the idea of causing mischief more unappealing than she had done in the whole of her life so far. She even found herself getting bored with her bosom chum Emerence Hope. The triplets’ chums watched them from afar, wondering what would happen next and feeling very uneasy about the changes in the three for it wasn’t just lessons that were affected, it was their friendships. Margot, who had hitherto struggled to control her impatient feelings towards Odette, started to spend more time in the company of both Odette and Ricki whilst dreamy Con found herself wanting to spend more time with Rosamund, Jo and Ted. The greatest change however was seen in Len who had started to become very pally with Emerence, of all people! It wasn’t until Margot and Josette had a conversation later that day that the triplets started to work out what had happened.

“Just a sec, you two!” Josette had not forgotten her resolve and now she grabbed the eldest and youngest of her triplet cousins, drawing them into a quiet corner after prep. “I wondered, do you know if everything’s all right with Con?”
“She hasn’t said anything to us if things aren’t,” Margot said carefully, at the same time feeling slightly surprised that she wasn’t feeling as irritated as she usually did when one or other of their cousins interfered in the private affairs of herself and her sisters. “Why do you ask?”
“Well normally she’s the neatest creature I know but this morning her cubicle was an appalling mess! She said she’d left it tidy last night and I believe her. I think maybe she might have done it in her sleep last night,” Josette explained.
“She’ll be all right,” Len said easily and a little impatiently. “Don’t fuss Josette! Oh there’s Emmy! I want to speak to her!” she ran off without another word leaving her sister and cousin staring after her.
“What’s got into her?” Josette demanded.
“I don’t know,” Margot frowned. “Things seem a bit topsy turvy today.”
“What on earth do you mean?” Josette asked and Margot eyed her doubtfully.
“Are you asking as cousin or dormy prefect and school prefect?”
“Cousin,” Josette answered promptly. “It’s too much trouble to be on my dignity all the time – especially with you three!” she grinned and Margot grinned back. “Get on and explain then!” Josette curled herself up comfortably.
“Well you know what I am – careless, untidy and always getting up to mischief –,” she began.
“You’re not as bad as all that,” Josette said quickly. “You were a pest as a kid but you’re much better now – you work hard and get decent marks and you manage to keep out of the worst trouble.”
“Yes but sometimes I feel like a little light relief,” Margot confided. “I felt like that today. Anyway, I’m getting out of order. My cubey wasn’t exactly tidy last night but I was so tired I just fell into bed and decided I’d risk a row, get up an hour earlier than normal and tidy it then. I woke up, got out of bed and pulled on my dressing gown but there was nothing to tidy! Everything was in its place – it’s never been so tidy. I wondered if maybe Barbara or one of the others had tidied it up but they hadn’t and Matey didn’t either – she just said how neat it was. And then I heard then Len couldn’t find any of her clothes when she got up – her cubey was a mess though she left it fairly tidy last night and -.”
“And now Con who’s normally the neatest of all of you gets up to find her cubey in a mess,” Josette frowned. “Do you think someone could be playing a trick on you?”
“Possibly,” Margot said thoughtfully. “But you see it’s more than that. Whilst I was waiting for the rising bell to go, I was trying to dream up some gorgeous scheme to do with Emmy but anything I did think of I decided was either too boring or too naughty. I just felt bored by all the ideas. But in lessons so far, I’ve not wanted to do anything but work and my marks have been better than they’ve ever been. Con’s constantly restless and can’t write any stories – and as for Len! She’s been restless and none of the work she’s done has been any good! I’m finding I want to spend time with Ricki and Odette, whilst Con is with Ros and Ted and Len’s spending time with Emmy!” Josette almost gasped aloud at this – it was only the remembrance that Emerence was normally Margot’s bosom chum that made her hold her tongue.
“How odd,” she said instead, a puzzled frown on her pretty face. “It’s as though the three of you have swapped personalities – though how, I don’t see.”
“But how?” Margot demanded. “We’re still the same people we always were – at least, I think so,” she ended, puzzled.
“Well you three have always been close, I suppose it’s possible that you might pick up on each other’s moods,” Josette suggested. “And maybe somebody did tidy your cubey for you last night but since they’d have been breaking rules wholesale whilst they did it, they wouldn’t have been likely to admit it. Even if they did in private, the chances are they’d have been overheard and an order mark and fine or even a telling off from Matey would be a fine reward for a good turn!!”
“How do you explain Len and Con then?” Margot demanded.
“That’s easier,” Josette replied. “They’re in next door dormitories. Chances are Con was sleep walking and looking for something – in her sleep, she was rummaging through drawers and probably ended up dropping clothes on the floor and when she walked into Len’s, she just moved things around so Len couldn’t find them. That’s what I think anyway and if I were you, I’d grab the other two and talk it over. If you are picking up on each other’s moods and altering the way you do stuff to suit your moods, talking together may help. That’s my advice anyway!” she rose as the bell for Abendessen sounded.
“Jolly good advice too,” Margot replied, having the glimmer of an idea as to what had actually happened. “Thanks heaps Josette!”
“Anytime,” Josette grinned at her and then fled to tidy herself. She was table prefect for a table full of noisy Juniors and she couldn’t afford to be even a minute late to her table or chaos would ensue. Margot, on the otherhand, could afford to take a bit more time since Vb and Va were always the last to enter the Spiessaal. She remained where she was thinking purposefully for a few minutes and then joined the others in the Splashery.

 

#159:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:26 pm

just disovered this - fantastic!! loving Josette's explanation for the triplet's 'topsy-turvy' day

*feeds bunny yummy organic carrots and greens*

 

#160:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 9:09 pm

Laughing

Thank you Catherine!!!

 

#161:  Author: Liane, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 10:44 pm

Just found this and it is fantastic. Can we have some more please?

 

#162:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed May 04, 2005 10:45 am

Thanks Catherine another lovely episode. Sends more carrots for the bunny!

 

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