The CBB :: View topic - Sam of the Chalet

#1: Sam of the Chalet Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 12:46 am

Sam stared out of the rain-streamed window, watching anxiously for Uncle Mac to arrive home. It was her sixteenth birthday today, and he had promised her a very special present, which, despite numerous tickle fights and threats he had so far kept secret. Well, today she would find out, and she hugged herself happily, perusing the possibilities. Uncle Mac was always so shiny, she thought, he knew exactly what to get her, as well as any real parent could. Here, a dark cloud threaten to spoil her happy thoughts, but she was a positive creature, and she rarely let the memory of her barely-remembered dead parents upset her. She wiped away a surreptitious tear and chided herself for being so pitiful. Whenever she felt like this she always reminded herself not to be a spineless jellyfish – although why she thought exactly that she could never have told anyone. She imagined that it was something that her mother used to say to her.

The sound of a key in the lock brought her down to earth with a bang and she jumped off the window seat, her long legs making their way across the room before Uncle had even reached the umbrella stand. “Uncle!” she enveloped the man in a bear-hug and he began tickling her mercilessly.
“Hello young missy. Been watching out for me have you eh” he teased in his thick Yorkshire accent.
Sam blushed. “Ye-s, but also to see you” she added
“Well that’s nice to know” he chuckled unwrapping his nieces arms and legs and pushing her forward into the living room. “Is Jane in?”
“She’s in the kitchen – Auntie, Auntie!”
“Hey! That’s loud enough to deafen the people six doors down” Mac chided gently.
“Sorry Uncle. But you see, I’m so excited!”
“I know that – oh hello dear, good day?” Auntie Jane arrived, her pale blue eyes sparkling with carefully hidden excitement.
“Are you ready Mac?”
“Yes, yes, why not. She’ll excite herself into a fever otherwise” he said grinning, clearly enjoying every minute that he was allowed to be tantalising. “For your sixteenth birthday….

Last edited by Nicci on Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:55 pm; edited 3 times in total

#2: Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 1:10 am

and...?????

#3: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 1:18 am

See how vair nice I am Soph!

….. we’re going to go to Switzerland on holiday.” Sam squealed loudly and executed a quick pirourette on the carpet.
"Hurrah and huzzah!” she cried throwing herself into her Aunt and Uncles arms. “How did you know?” she asked, her eyes shiny through their tears.
Mac looked like he was seriously considering the question. “Well, you know, there were a few hints, here and there…” he grinned at her. “Does that suit you then Sammy girl?”
Sam thought about all the magazines she had read, the pictures she’d seen on the internet, and even more so – the stories some of her friends had told her about Switzerland. It all seemed so beautiful, so romantic – and she was finally going! “Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you” she garbled.
“Don’t you want to know when we’re going?”
“Of course!”
“ In the Christmas holidays” – Sam squealed again (Switzerland at Christmas!) – “approximately five weeks away”.

Those five weeks passed slower than any interval in Sam’s life. She ticked off each day on the calendar until finally she was on the plane, sat between her Aunt and Uncle on the way to Switzerland.

On her first morning in Switzerland, Sam work up early, dressed herself quietly and stepped onto the balcony of their chalet. She sniffed the air hungrily like a dog, and breathed in deeply at the fresh, frosty morning air. She gazed around in awe at the mountains, the Jungfrau to her left, rising beautifully over the other peaks. She heard Uncle slip onto the balcony behind her. “Don’t tease” she said automatically, expecting some comment on the unlikelihood of finding her awake at this hour.
“No”, he agreed, “It’s something about this place isn’t it, it makes you want to savour every second that you can”
Sam turned to him, her face glowing. “That’s exactly it, Uncle.” Then she looked hesitant and he watched her thoughtfully.
“What is it pumpkin?”
“It’s just, it all looks so jolly out there, but I know Auntie Jane is still asleep”
“You want to go and investigate?”
“If you don’t mind”
“Not at all. Here – pocket money” she protested as he parted with several notes and stuffed them into her pockets. “That’s got to last you the next couple of weeks mind!” he added. “Now then, be back in time to join us for breakfast at nine okay.”
“Okay!” Sam ran back inside and put on her winter coat, hat, scarf and gloves. Once she was all buttoned up she left the chalet and started out down the road toward the centre of the village. Mac watched her until she reached the end of the road and then stepped back into the bedroom with his wife.

Last edited by Nicci on Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:53 pm; edited 1 time in total

#4: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 1:24 am

I honestly don't mean to spree

Sam wandered dazedly down the road, taking in with sheer delight the beautiful sights around her. There were a few people about in the village, and she expected it would get much busier later. She wandered into a few shops, the bakery, post office, and a few early opening gift shops that were clearly hoping to make the most out of the tourists. She purchased a few postcards from the post office, using her limited German which was the language of the locals.

That done, she wandered around for a while, searching for a café that she liked the look of. She found one on the corner of a street at the far end of the village. It looked a lot older than the others, more traditional, with no bright lights advertising its existence. After ordering a hot chocolate (with lashings of whipped cream) Sam took a seat next to the window so that she could watch out for all the people passing by. The woman who served her gave her a few odd glances, she noticed, but she figured that perhaps the old dear wasn’t used to seeing young girls out on their own. And Sam knew that she looked younger than her age, much to her disgust.

She searched in her corduroy satchel bag for a pen, and once she’d discovered one (along with half a dozen half-empty sweet wrappers, her mobile phone, four hair bands (and yet she hadn’t been able to find a single one whilst getting dressed) and some packets of sweet and low from the airplane) she began scribbling away at her postcards, telling her friends all the exciting things she planned to do whilst in Switzerland. And all while, the woman behind the counter kept staring.

Last edited by Nicci on Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:59 pm; edited 2 times in total

#5: Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 1:25 am

Mais oui, ver' ver' nice indeed Smile

ETA: OK who from the CS does she resemble??? Wink

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

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 1:48 am

Sophoife wrote:

OK who from the CS does she resemble??? Wink

Wot she said. Tickle fights with a 16 year old? What kind of uncle is he? Gets mind out of gutter and clambers back on high horse

#7: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 1:52 am

Sam stayed in the café for an hour, ordering another delicious hot chocolate when she had finished the first. The woman behind the counter had tried to speak to her, but being not even at the ‘this is the pen of my uncle’ stage, Sam was unable to understand what the woman was trying to say, and the woman in turn gave up trying to explain. No one else came in the café the entire time Sam was in there, and she began to wonder when this woman ever made any money. But then, she supposed it was still early, and it would most likely fill up like everywhere else by lunch time.

Sam payed up and moved to the door, still under the watchful eye of the woman behind the counter. “Auf Wiedersehen” she managed, somewhat pathetically she had to admit, before running out into freshly falling snow. She checked her watch. It was quarter to nine. She had better make a move. As she ran down the street, creating new footprints in the snow, she caught sigh of a middle aged woman pushing a pram into the café she had just left. The sight cheered her up, for it meant that she wasn’t the woman’s only customer that morning, and likely they’d be many more.

Last edited by Nicci on Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:58 pm; edited 1 time in total

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

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 5:05 am

Very interesting, now what is the mystery????? Confused

#9: Author: JenniferG, Location: Durham

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 8:42 am

Ooh, this does look interesting. [wonders what CS connection Sam will turn out to have]

#10: Author: Alice, Location: London, England

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 9:09 am

I'm wondering if she went back in time when she entered the shop.

#11: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 9:57 am

A new drabble, and lots of it too-yay! Looking forward to Sams CS connection.

#12: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 10:14 am

“Well sweatheart. Did you have a pleasant morning on your own?” asked Uncle Mac as they sat down for hot bread twists, jam, ham and sausages.
“I found the queerest little café” began Sam, pouring out coffee for her Aunt.
“Oh yes” replied Mac, although he was not really concentrating, having obtained from somewhere (goodness knows where, but this was the kind of thing that Uncle Mac excelled at) a copy of the Telegraph , and was deeply emersed in the headlines.
“Yes,” continued Sam. “It was really old fashioned, quite sweet really, but the woman there was a bit odd.”
“Hmm. Odd you say?” asked Mac, stirringly vaguely from the depths of British politics.
“Yes, she wouldn’t stop staring at me” said Sam, still feeling quite puzzled over it.
“That’s because you’re such a bonny lass” chuckled Mac, delving into broad Scots and squeezing her knee. Sam gave up. When Uncle wasn’t listening, he really wasn’t listening. One got used to it after a while.

Then later, when they were roaming the village together, Sam remembered the café. “Come on Uncle, I want to show you the café I told you about”
“Oh yes,” agreed Mac pleasantly, allowing himself to be pulled along. Suddenly Sam pulled up short. “Huh!” she exclaimed. “I’m sure it was this way.” She gazed around, trying to get her bearings. She had gone to the post office first, to buy her cards, then she had taken a right turn, or was it a left? She could not for the life of her remember now. “You know Uncle, I can’t remember where it was” she explained, much to Mac’s bewilderment. But then, he supposed, women always were dreadful with directions.

Last edited by Nicci on Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:01 pm; edited 1 time in total

#13: Author: Nina, Location: Peterborough, UK

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 10:17 am

Curiouser and Curiouser ... ... I'm going with Alice's "Back in time" theory too Cool

(and who was the middle-aged woman with a pushchair?)

#14: Author: Katie, Location: A Yorkshire lass in London

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 12:09 pm

Oooh, I love a good mystery (and if it is indeed a time travel thing then all the better!)This looks to be shaping up very well, little sis. You going to keep posting at this speed? (Peas?)

#15: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 12:42 pm

Ohhh this does seem to fit into Alice's theory... Or maybe Sam walked into another world?

#16: Author: Emma A, Location: The Soke of Peterborough

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 12:53 pm

Very intriguing, Nicci - I like the sound of Sam already. Don't worry about spreeing - I'm sure none of us will mind Wink

#17: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 1:08 pm

That afternoon, the three Standish’s went skiing. Mac was an excellent skier, but both Sam and Auntie Jane were novices and so spent a lot of time on the junior slopes while watching in admiration as Mac swished and swooped his way down the slopes.
Sam sighed, "I’ll never be able to ski like that" she said, turning to Jane. Instead she found herself facing a tall, elegant looking girl, with long dark-red hair.
“Oh you will! Just give it time, and plenty of practice. Is it your first time?” Sam nodded shyly. “I just keep crossing my toes though”
The elder girl chuckled. “Yes, that is a pain when they do that. But see here, if you do this - ” she demonstrated briefly, “then they shouldn’t do it.
“I think I saw you skiing on the big slope earlier – you’re very good” admired Sam.
“Years of living in the alps my dear, and growing up in Canada when we were kids as well. I’m just helping out my little sister at the moment, otherwise I’d give you a hand”.
Sam blushed. That’s ok, thanks,” she added, remembering her manners in time. “But my Auntie’s around here somewhere anyway” She looked around but couldn’t spot Auntie Jane anywhere. “Well, at least she was here.” She looked so sombre that the elder girl burst out laughing.
“You poor thing, you’ve been abandoned. I say, stick with us for the time being, and then when your Aunt gets back she’ll find you okay. By the way, my name’s Len, Len Maynard.”
“I’m Sam Standish”
“Standish you say? I’ve got an adopted sister of that name, well at least, it’s not an official adoption, she’s one of Mamma’s wards”
Sam stared at Len, not altogether politely. “Do you really call your mum that?” she asked.
The question did not seem to perturb Len in the slightest. “Yes – we always have done, except the boys don’t now, not since they all went off to school. I’m afraid they find it a bit sissy”
“It’s certainly um, unusual” replied Sam hesitantly. There was something else unusual about this girl – but why couldn’t she put her finger on what it was? In the distance she saw Auntie Jane struggling back up the slope to meet her. Sam waved and turned back to explain to Len, but Len was gone, as was her little sister. She was now surrounded on the slope by loads of skiers all practising their stops and starts, and miniature jumps. All different to a few moments ago.

“Auntie Jane, the funniest thing just happened.”
Jane heard her out and then looked at her niece concerned. “And you’re sure you haven’t banged your head?” she asked worriedly.
“Positive. Really Auntie.” Jane shrugged, she could not see anyone who fit the description now, more likely than not they had moved off the slopes, particularly if they had a young child with them. It was getting late, and with it the air was rapidly getting cooler.

Last edited by Nicci on Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:05 pm; edited 2 times in total

#18: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 1:21 pm

Definately sounds as though there is flaw in the space-time continuum and Sam keeps crossing over...This is great, thnks Nicci!

#19: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 1:27 pm

Wow - very impressed with how many posts you've made Nicci and a very shiny drabble as well

#20: Author: jonty, Location: Exeter

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 1:48 pm

Nicci wrote:

There was something else unusual about this girl – but why couldn’t she put her finger on what it was? In the distance she saw Auntie Jane struggling back up the slope to meet her. Sam waved and turned back to explain to Len, but Len was gone, as was her little sister. She was now surrounded on the slope by loads of skiers all practising their stops and starts, and miniature jumps. All different to a few moments ago.

This is lovely Nicci, it's just like Brigadoon, the town that vanishes into the mist. Please can we have some more????

#21: Author: pim, Location: Helmel Hampster

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 2:05 pm

*intrigued!* Liking this Nicci, thanks Very Happy

#22: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 3:46 pm

this is brilliant!can't wait to find out the mystery....*also favours the space-time continuum theory*

#23: Author: Emily, Location: Land of White Coats and Stethoscopes.

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 4:02 pm

Ooooh I like this! I would ask for more, but it seems greedy since you've posted so much in so little time....oh what the heck, MORE please!!!

#24: Author: pygmy, Location: glasgow

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 4:14 pm

I really like this - very interesting indeed. Thanks!

#25: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 5:05 pm

This is definatly getting more and more curious!Is Sam connected to Erica Jane in any way or is it a coincidence, somehow I don't think it will be!

#26: Author: JackieJ, Location: Kingston upon Hull

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 7:31 pm

*Starts doing the time-warp* What ? It seems to be something like that. Lovely though, can't wait to see how Sam's adventures turn out. JackieJ

#27: Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 7:49 pm

Interesting.... Joining the chants for more!

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

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 9:10 pm

Definite time jumps there - thanks for latest posts.

#29: Author: Alice, Location: London, England

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 9:16 pm

Thank you Nicci for all the posts!

#30: Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 9:32 pm

Miss Di wrote:

Tickle fights with a 16 year old? What kind of uncle is he? Gets mind out of gutter and clambers back on high horse

The Tom Seymour kind Smile

(eeeewww)

#31: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 11:29 am

This looks excellent - Thanks Nicci Reminds me of A traveller in time. Liz *adds another book to the re-read pile*

#32: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 12:30 pm

Miss Di wrote:

Tickle fights with a 16 year old? What kind of uncle is he? Gets mind out of gutter and clambers back on high horse

lol. There's a simple explanation!! Sam was orginally much younger when I was planning her in my head, but then as the story developed it became clear she was actually quite a bit older. And thus the discrepancy! *makes note to edit post* (thanks Miss Di) Thanks for the comments folks. Not sure when the next post will be though, as I think that's all I've written for the time being. The story is there however, and is just waiting to be actually written!!

#33: Author: Katie, Location: A Yorkshire lass in London

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 5:53 pm

LizB wrote:

This looks excellent - Thanks Nicci Reminds me of A traveller in time. Liz *adds another book to the re-read pile*

That was one of my *favourite* books when I was younger - I read it sooo many times. *note to self: dig this out next time you go home* This is just getting better and better, Nicci - looking forward to some more very lots!!!

#34: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 9:46 pm

This is great Nicci! More please!!!

#35: Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England

Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2005 9:16 pm

Hmm...

Quote:

...memory of her barely-remembered dead parents.... she always reminded herself not to be a spineless jellyfish – although why she thought exactly that she could never have told anyone. She imagined that it was something that her mother used to say to her.

So, she's already GOT a history with tthe school?

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

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 1:23 am

Really glad to see I don't have a dirty mind, Nicci is just changing her heroines age at random! Thanks for the shiny updates.

#37: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 3:10 pm

Just found this Nicci. It is looking really good. Looking forward to the next bits whgen you can.

#38: Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire

Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 10:38 pm

What Susan said! Very Happy

#39: Author: Mihiri, Location: surrey england

Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 10:31 pm

This si very intriguing. Thanks. Im going with the time travel theory as well

#40: Author: Rose in Toronto, Location: Toronto

Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2005 11:22 pm

No, I think something like "Charlotte Sometimes". Although they didn't slip in and out so easily, did they... This is giving me the shivers!!! Confused

#41: Author: RroseSelavy, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 10:34 pm

Miss Di wrote:

Nicci is just changing her heroines age at random!

You mean she's keeping up EBD's traditions Wink

Great drabble Nicci! Looking forward to seeing more...

#42: Author: jonty, Location: Exeter

Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2005 3:28 pm

Please can we have some more of this luvvly drabble?

#43: Author: Tiffany,

Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2005 4:50 pm

Just discovered this, and now I'm late for German... very very very shiny! Please can we have some more?

#44: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2005 3:50 pm

Thanks everyone! Embarassed

I still haven't written anymore, but I will, I promise!

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