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Spring Term -a sequel to Rachel tests the Chalet School 4/3
http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1959
Author:  Squirrel [ Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Spring Term -a sequel to Rachel tests the Chalet School 4/3
I hadn't planned on posting this yet - I'm hoping to get as much of possible written before the start of term. However, I'm finding that I need something to get me started properly. So, here is the first post for you to see what you think.

Introduction

Tamara Darleigh stood at the railway station awaiting the arrival of the girls. There were 7 of them to come aboard at this station, and so far 3 had arrived. One of those 7 was Rachel Westly, whom she had met the term before.

Rachel had a diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome, which was on the Autistic Spectrum, and the whole school had had to get used to the differences that she brought with her. But Tamara had had to get used to an even bigger change. She herself shared the diagnosis that Rachel had been given, and it had taken her some time to get used to the fact that the best way to help Rachel was to let the school authorities know about her diagnosis.

She couldn’t have told you what it was which usually kept her silent on the subject, other than an intense need to be independent, and partly, too, to do with her intense need to keep her own feelings private. It had taken her a while to reconcile herself to such a situation, and even now different situations could arise, which made life difficult for her.

As if that was not enough, the school overall was going to be changing this term. 3 of their rather elderly teaching staff – Miss Annersley and Miss Wilson being well into their 70’s now, and Miss Wilmot who was fast approaching them – had retired. So had Miss Dene, who had been school secretary since the start of the Second World War. It really was time for all four of them to retire, but the school would be very different without them.

They left behind Miss Ferrars as head, Mrs Entwhistle as deputy and head of English, and a staff who would be loyal to both their new bosses. Matron Lloyd was still at the school, though she was older than any of the rest. However, her job had been significantly changed, and she was there in the school as an extra comforter to those girls who were finding all the changes rather difficult.

Tamara smiled as she recalled just how much Matron had been watching both herself and Rachel as term progressed. Her ideas were not always the best – bed was not always the best way to treat utter exhaustion – but she had been willing to learn – and she certainly loved each person who came to her in need.

Still, what Tamara was not certain about, was her plan to die in harness. The rest of the retired staff had not gone far away – they had merely moved across the road, to live with Jo Maynard. Jo had lived on her own for several years by this stage after the death of her beloved husband Jack, and the fact that her own large brood had grown up and moved away. So, now she was one of many who lived in this happy home.

Glancing round Tamara saw a family of 3 coming towards her. The parents appeared rather harassed, and the girl had a mutinous expression on her face. Taking a deep breath, Tamara readied herself to enter into the fray. It looked like this was going to be a hectic term already.
Author:  kimothy [ Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:34 pm ]
Post subject: 
thanks i havent read the first drabble, but this one looks extremely interesting
thanks squirrel
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
Glad to see more of this. This was one of the stories I managed to get around to reading in the archive and I found it fascinating especially as my nephew is either ADHD or asbergers and he seems to have aspects of both! Love to hear what it's like without the stalwarts of the school being there and what it's like without them
Author:  MaryR [ Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
Whereas I am waiting to hear how Hilda and Nell and Nancy get on in retirement, all living together with Jo. How will it be with no girls to distract them? :lol: But Tamara is right to worry about Matey staggering on, even if she is s comforter.

Tamara has clearly settled down and is now prepared to do her best for the school. I do look forward to reading more about herself and Rachel.

But who is this coming along the platform, I wonder, looking so rebellious.....

Thanks, Squirrel, for posting it so quickly.
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
Now I, being greedy, am looking forward both to seeing the school without Miss Annersley, Miss Wilson and Miss Wilmot, *and* to seeing how the three of them will get on living with Jo, as distinct from next door! Don't want much, do I? And Tamara is right to be concerned for Matron and her wish to 'die in harness', too.

Having thoroughly enjoyed Rachel at the Chalet School, and learned a tremendous amount from it as well, I'm glad to see this back, Squirrel Will be looking forward to more.
Author:  Tara [ Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:07 am ]
Post subject: 
Goodness, they're brave, living with Jo! Have to admit I can just imagine Matey dying in harness, I certainly can't envisage her retired.

Good to see Tamara back, Squirrel.
Author:  leahbelle [ Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:18 pm ]
Post subject: 
Can't wait to find out how things work out! Thank you, Squirrel.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Fri Jan 26, 2007 3:24 am ]
Post subject: 
I wasn't expecting to see this when I got back from my week in Brisbane - what a nice surprise Squirrel.

Looking forward to seeing how the retirees and the school cope with all the changes that are coming....
Author:  Fatima [ Fri Jan 26, 2007 5:21 am ]
Post subject: 
Oh I love the idea of Freudesheim being a home for retired CS mistresses! What a thought!

Thanks Squirrel.
Author:  Ruth B [ Fri Jan 26, 2007 11:18 am ]
Post subject: 
This is looking good Squirrel. Looking forward to the rest when you have it!
Author:  LizB [ Fri Jan 26, 2007 2:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
Is this a troublesome new girl I see approaching?

Thanks, Squirrel
Author:  Squirrel [ Fri Jan 26, 2007 8:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks everyone. I'll hopefully be able to get to everyone's requests as time goes on. For right now I've come to the conclusion that I shall do my best to post on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - which will help me in my aim to have enough written up to last until Easter.

It being a Friday therefore, here is the second post!

Chapter one - Before the end of the holidays

Nell Wilson looked at the screen of her computer. She was sitting in the lounge at Freudeshiem with both Hilda and Jo. The other two were chatting away, talking about times gone by, and of plans for the next day or so. She was reading through her e-mails, having set the account up just before the start of the holidays.

Only a few people had her address of yet, of those, the majority were either staff or pupils at the school. Now she was sitting reading a right epistle from Rachel. It seemed as if the girl was having a right difficult time of it.

Nell sighed. She supposed that it was hardly surprising that the changes hadn’t gone as smoothly as possible. She knew of many girls who found trips home for the holidays difficult – though there were fewer now than when the school was based in Austria. During the early years there at the very least, the girls had not actually gone home during the holidays, other than the long summer holidays.

Things *had* changed, but Nell still remembered several girls whose parents had expected the school to make provision for their daughters, rather than wasting 2 days of the holiday with lengthy travelling. And there were others who felt it would be good if the school would give them the chance of getting to know continental Europe during their holidays if at all possible.

As the school had grown, and there were more and more girls coming from England, this had changed. There were, however, always some who stayed, with the Russells or other people up at the Sonnalpe when Madge retired, or visited the families of girls who lived in the area before then. Eventually of course, this became an impossible task. If it had not been before the amalgamation with St Scholastica’s it certainly was after that!

Now it was common for the girls to go home at each set of holidays – it meant that the staff could get a proper rest, and the families were able to stay a little bit closer than they had before. However, this did not mean that the girls always had an easy time, and while the majority enjoyed spending time with their families Rachel was one of the few who appeared to hate it.

A quick note to Tamara from Nell earlier on in the holidays had brought the discovery that at least part of this would be to do with the loss of routine that the holidays naturally always brought with them – and the promise that she would attempt to call in at Rachel’s house at some point in the near future.

It seemed that this had happened at last, for in amongst the talk of how there was nothing for her to do, and that her parents simply didn’t understand, there was the talk of how Tamara had sent a note to the house asking if she could take Rachel out for an afternoon. Apparently they had taken advantage of the nice weather – which though cold, had produced some winter sun – to go to the Zoo and look at all the animals there. Rachel had loved seeing them, but apparently thought that they would be far better off in the wild.

Tamara’s explanation that most of these animals were used to captivity, and that the zoo did everything they could to give them a normal lifestyle had produced little change to this opinion – though she had admitted that without such a place as a zoo she wouldn’t have been able to see many of them.

Though Rachel could have been described as slightly old for this kind of trip, she had been perfectly content – especially when Tamara told her that she herself loved a walk around the zoo almost as much as she enjoyed visits to farms of animals open to the public. These had the advantage that these ones had rabbits and other small animals which if they were careful the public could actually hold – under appropriate supervision of course. Apparently the last time Tamara had visited one of these places, there had been young rabbits born the week before – though these were only for looking at!

Rachel said no more about the visit however, and Nell was left to hope that this trip would alleviate at least some of the girls misery. It was hard to go home to people you hadn’t seen for some time, and to find that you were expected to attend this family trip, or that party. And for a girl like Rachel, suddenly being asked for details of her school by family members she had not seen for months had proven too much.

No wonder the girl had baulked, Nell thought to herself, though she would not have been impressed to be told that she didn’t know most of the people Rachel would talk about, so she could have no interest in them!

Tamara had sent her another quick note to say that she had done what she could, but that the next move really had to come from Rachel – though she understood where the girl was coming from when she got upset at even meeting her parents when it seemed as if they were only interested in her if she had done something wrong, or if they had a job for her. That this wasn’t helped by her hiding away in her room was something that didn’t seem to have occurred to Rachel – and her parent’s attitudes were not helping either.

It was at this time that Nell suddenly began to feel slightly thankful that she had not married or had children. Though she had never mourned the fact, she had occasionally wondered, particularly when each staff member left as her time to make her own family approached. She now saw that she would not have been able to get on with her family easily – and that the relationship she had with them while they were in their childhood would have affected how they saw her as adults.

Having read all that there was of importance in her e-mail account, Nell shut it down, and went to join in the chat that Joey and Hilda were having. It sounded like there was something of great interest being discussed. Or at least, of great humour!


Author:  MaryR [ Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
Interesting to see Rachel's predicament through both Tamara's and Nell's eyes, and to see a little into Nell's own psyche and to realise that she is happy as she is, with no regrets.

You have detailed so clearly how difficult the holidays can be for people with Aspergers, Squirrel, a time when routine flies out of the window. Rachel so desperately needs the type of rourine she has at school and also needs her parents to understand how difficult it all is for her.

Thank you.
Author:  Tara [ Sat Jan 27, 2007 12:07 am ]
Post subject: 
How typical that Nell is the one to be into modern technology!

The fluid, unprogrammed days of the holidays must have been hard for Rachel, and having to visit multifarious members of her family even worse. Sad for her nd them, but they don't seem to understand very much.

Interesting to see some of Nell's inner thoughts.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Sat Jan 27, 2007 1:35 am ]
Post subject: 
That was very interesting Squirrel - I can see how the lack of routine would affect Rachel, and that problem is compounded by her parents' inability to see her own point of view.

And that was an intriguing glimpse into Nell's thoughts.
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Sat Jan 27, 2007 1:42 am ]
Post subject: 
It is indeed typical that Nell would be the one to have mastered modern technology - and to have made sure she stayed in touch with both Rachel and Tamara over the holidays, too. It's also good to catch her in reflective mood, and that she is able to show so clearly that she is fully satisfied with what her life has been - clearly shd does not regret her choice to remain single and not have children!

Any girl going home to her family after her first term at boarding school almost inevitably finds it a little difficult to slip back into that old environment and have to face crowds of relatives, all wanting to know how she had got on, but not knowing the people she is talking about. Having been at boarding school for 7 years myself, I well remember the challenges of adjusting between the two worlds, not just the first term, but every time!

How much harder must it have been for Rachel, whose parents had no real understanding of the 'needs' arising from her Aspergers' and certainly didn't realise that the fluidity of the holiday routine wasn't structured enough for her. I'm glad that she was able to enjoy that day out with Tamara, though, and I'm sure she is looking forward to the new term just starting.

Thanks, Squirrel.
Author:  francesn [ Sat Jan 27, 2007 8:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm really looking forward to reading more of this Squirrel. The first installment was so interesting and I'm sure this one will be even more so given that there are two mini-cliffs already!

Thank you
Author:  Squirrel [ Mon Jan 29, 2007 7:38 pm ]
Post subject: 
Chapter 2 – Friends and ponderings
Joanne was wandering along the Platz. She had been staying with Len Entwhistle, as one of the few girls who could not join her parents at any and every holiday. She had not seen her parents in the last 3 years, but had received a Christmas letter, in with her gift, which told her that they hoped that they would be able to come home by the end of this school year.

This was exciting for her – though slightly nerve wracking as well. She would have to get to know her family again, and she was not sure that she was looking forward to it at all.

Len had offered lots of comfort – telling her that as soon as she saw her parents, she was likely to forget all the worrying she had done on the subject, and to just enjoy being with them. She admitted that they may have their problems, but suggested that the deep love they had for each other would be the overarching feeling that they were going to feel.

Joanne accepted this, but did not dare tell her teacher and mentor that one of her biggest concerns was the fact that this meant her holidays with her were finished. She had grown very fond of Len, and her family, and was very uncertain about having to leave her behind.

Len of course knew all about this, and would miss having Joanne about the place during the holidays – but she had no intention of letting the fact that Joanne would not be staying with her cut her off from their relationship altogether, and even now, plans were forming in her head as to what she could do about this.

Joanne of course, couldn’t realise this, and so she walked along, wrapped in gloomy thoughts. Suddenly she realised that she had reached the school, and wasn’t getting much fun from her walk, so she shook herself out of her mood and began to think of other things. Tomorrow would see the arrival of Rachel and her other friends from the surrounding countries.

Joanne had heard from Rachel a few times over the holiday, and she knew enough to know that Rachel was not enjoying life. In fact, Joanne got the impression that Rachel would be returning to school to escape the hassles that home brought with it.

When Joanne recalled just how difficult Rachel had found those first few days, she wondered just how enjoyable Rachel would find it. The change might not be as smooth as Rachel anticipated. While she disliked things about home, there was a lot more she disliked about school.

As she remembered those first days, Joanne burst into laughter over her own first faltering steps into relationship with Rachel – the train trip over here had not been fun.

Joanne had spent the summer holidays with her friends that year, and had therefore ended up travelling to and from school with the British troupe. This had meant that she had been selected to befriend Rachel when she first met up with the school people. Unfortunately things had not worked out quite so simply, and she had ended up overwhelming Rachel with a barrage of information.

Their relationship had got better since then, though Joanne still found some areas where she was not quite sure how to deal with Rachel – which had meant she had been thrilled to hear that she was certainly going to be staying with Mrs Entwhistle this year. Len had managed to get quite close to Rachel as well, and might well have some light to shed upon Joanne’s difficulties.

It had taken more than a week for Joanne to find a situation where she could talk undisturbed with Len – for the usual hassles of settling into a new home, and the busy period which ran up to Christmas, was complicated by the numbers of relations that Len had – in particular the children.

However, eventually one day, Reg had managed to get all the guests out of the house. They were going to take the children to visit Joey, and Joanne who had begged to forgo the trip to help Len with one or two of the chores, had the chance to talk to Len.

Len had been expecting this, and was wondering exactly what her issues would be. She was not surprised that the girls mind was working overtime on how it was best to make things easier for Rachel – they had talked it over occasionally during term time. That girl seemed to be a catalyst for change for anyone who came across her.

They had talked all round the situation while they had the time, going between reminiscing about one of the situations which had come up over the course of the last term, and talking about how Joanne could best help Rachel if any similar situations came up.

The thing which caused them most joy however, was the memory of Rachel’s reaction to Joey, the first time she had visited Freudeshiem. This had happened before the girl had been at the school for a week, and she had proven to be a very shy girl at that time, prone to becoming quite upset at the least thing.

While she couldn’t help but laugh as she recalled her mother’s abject horror at the reception she had received – and her subsequent reactions to it – Len had to smile, for this period of time had brought her much closer to Tamara Darleigh. Up until that time, the younger mistress had been a bit of a dark horse to the rest of the staff.

She rarely joined them, and when she did she was rather standoffish. The staff room had got used to her being quiet, and not joining in their discussions often. However, over the course of time, Len, Kathie, and Nancy had agreed that this could not be allowed to continue, and had worked out a way to try and pull her into the conversation.

They had known that she was not a particularly social creature, though she did well at her job. However, they had not been prepared for the revelation that Tamara was also suffering from Aspergers. This had quite taken the winds out of their sails – particularly those of Audrey, Tamara’s direct senior. Audrey hadn’t lasted much longer at the school, for she had proven to be ambitious, and had tried to hurt Len when she discovered that the heads were due to retire at the end of term.

That was one of many occasions when Len had realised just how thankful she was that Tamara had opened up that bit more. During the time Len was thinking of now, she had offered Len a straight forward, warm, friendship which had helped her through that difficult time.

Now, she returned to her conversation with Joanne, to see if she could convince her that with her help Rachel could weather any difficult the next term.
Author:  MaryR [ Mon Jan 29, 2007 8:15 pm ]
Post subject: 
Squirrel wrote:
That girl seemed to be a catalyst for change for anyone who came across her.

Rachel had certainly been that, for all concerned at the school, and it will be interesting to see how much more of it she does when she returns.

I do like, Joanne, Squirrel. She seems so sensible and intellingent, with that humorous streak which helped her with Rachel. It's sad that she has adjustments to make in her own life, but maybe Rachel will be the one to help her there in the end. Let's hope she and Len can come up with some ideas to help Rachel even more this term. And of course Tamara will be there with her own brand of help and comfort.

It's lovely to meet all these characters again, Squirrel. Thank you.
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Mon Jan 29, 2007 8:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
It's really nice to have this 'refresher' on the events of Rachel's first term before this second one commences, and in particular to see Joanne so concerned to see what more she can do to help. She really *is* both sensitive and sensible, isn't she? I'm glad Mrs. Entwistle is able to reassure her, not just about helping Rachel, but about the adjustments she herself will need to make when her parents finally do come home in the summer. And I agree with Mary that Rachel may well be able to help her there.

Thanks, Squirrel - I'm really looking forward to watching how things will develop.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Mon Jan 29, 2007 11:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
Joanne is very perceptive isn't she? Plus she has the (comparatively rare!) ability to know when she needs help, and is able to seek it out.

That was a nice review of the previous term which also provided a further insight into Joanne's own background.

Thank you Squirrel
Author:  Tara [ Tue Jan 30, 2007 12:16 am ]
Post subject: 
I'm looking forward to getting to know Joanne more - she seems so nice. Glad Len has no intention of letting their friendship tail off when J's parents return home. Scary for her.

Thank you, Squirrel.
Author:  leahbelle [ Tue Jan 30, 2007 2:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
I like Joanne, too. Thanks, Squirrel.
Author:  Mrs Redboots [ Tue Jan 30, 2007 6:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Squirrel! This is good.
Author:  francesn [ Wed Jan 31, 2007 1:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
More please? please?

Thank you Squirrel
Author:  Squirrel [ Wed Jan 31, 2007 8:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
francesn wrote:
More please? please?


I hope now is soon enough! It is still Wednesday after all!

I think this one might be slightly longer as well

Chapter 3 – the train journey

Tamara had successfully managed to extract Rachel from her family without too much difficulty. The small family was obviously under some strain, and she shook her head sadly, knowing that such feelings were inevitable at some point or another.

However, she had another issue to deal with before she could think upon family ties – she had to get Rachel and the other girls settled safely on the train. Seeing there were so few of them here they were going to have to share a carriage. Somehow she thought that the journey to the Platz was going to be on the difficult side, particularly with Rachel in this mood.

The girl was still frowning, and looked increasingly bad tempered, and Tamara smiled at her gently. At this precise moment there was nothing she could do to cut through the girls mood, especially seeing some of it was bound to be coming from nerves – and the rest was more than likely to do with the holiday period.

“Come on Rachel” she said quietly, “time to get on the train.” The girl slipped a hand into the crook of the mistress arm, and went with her without saying anything. Tamara smiled down at her again, and covered the girls hand with her own in a gesture of comfort.

The girl glanced up, the beginnings of tears glistening in her eyes, but she blinked them away and headed into the compartment the mistress was showing her into. She didn’t know any of the other girls who were getting into the carriage with them – to be fair though, the majority of them were actually girls who had gone to St Mildreds the term before. Now the finishing branch had closed, and the girls were going to be housed at the school proper, though their training would follow on the same way it would have usually done.

There was also a junior, who had asked the mistress if she could sit with her. Tamara was expecting some squalls from her as time went on, but now she was amusing herself happily with some colouring in.

The other two girls were quite a bit younger than Rachel was, and could do with the eye of the mistress on them, particularly as they were giggling between themselves. In the time honoured way that Middles always were, they were leaders in their own set, and led the rest of the form in a merry dance.

Having settled Rachel into one of the window seats, and made sure that the rest of the girls were comfortable, Tamara felt that she could sit down and await on the train to pull out of the station. Once it got going she could then relax for the most parts. However, their next change was going to require them to get out several stations away and join the rest on a busy platform. She was well aware that when this happened she was going to have to keep a careful eye on Rachel.

It did work out rather more simply than she had expected – and Tanya, one of Rachels friends, joined the party at that point, so Tamara let Rachel spend more time with her when they arrived at the platform. However, the train had been delayed a little while they were on their way there, and Tamara had been more than pleased when she could hand her junior pupil over to the person who was going to be travelling with them on this trip. She still couldn’t understand why parents chose to send children so young so far away to school, but she understood that some families may not have much option, and it was far better to be sure that their family were being looked after and receiving a good education, than to go away without being sure of this.

As they settled into their new compartment, with Tanya dragging Rachel into the carriage she was on (Tamara wondered if there might be explosions at bedtime because of this), Tamara was able to join the rest of the staff members in the carriage they were sitting in.

At first conversation flowed freely, as the mistresses caught up on what everyone had been up to over the course of the holidays, but then, later on, everyone became slightly quieter again, and Tamara was able to think over the last few days of the holiday.

Donal had returned to his term life about a week before Tamara had, with the start of term for him (and revision week) being the first thing that needed to be seen to. So Tamara had ended up helping him settle back into the uni, and catching up with some old friends whom she had not seen for a few terms – her previous half term being used to see some of the highlights of Switzerland.

She had even managed a quick ‘hello’ to her old supporters, and had been pleased to see how well they all seemed to be doing, despite the business of that part of the term. She knew how bad it was from her many years with them as a student, and just rejoiced that she had nothing to do with that kind of lifestyle now.

While she had enjoyed spending time with her friends, she had also found the almost constant change of routines difficult. It seemed that term time slipped into exam time without any warning, and exam time led into holidays, where she hadn’t a choice of whether to stay at the university or go elsewhere.

Gradually her thoughts turned to Len. She had been so good to Tamara last term, and that family were almost closer to her than her real family, well, other than Donal of course. She wondered how young Ashley was doing now. Last time they had met up, Ashley still wore a light cast on her arm. While they were certain it had healed properly after her tumble off her grannies games cupboard shelf, they had decided to leave it with a little protection for a little while longer.

That last little bit of protection had been due to come off the day after Tamara and the rest of the school had departed from the Platz, and she was wondering how the little girl was doing. It wasn’t often a toddler ended up breaking an arm, well, as far as Tamara was aware it wasn’t often.

While she was looking forward to seeing Len and family, Tamara was aware that this visit might have to be postponed for a while. Len was now deputy head of a school which was in for a lot of changes, and it was the start of term, both those things made Tamara’s visiting with them in the near future highly unlikely.

Glancing round the rest of the staff, Tamara would have liked to know what they were thinking. As she remembered previous trips, it wasn’t usual for them to quieten down so early on in the trip, there was always something for them to discuss.

She then took a quick look at her watch, and decided it was time for her to take a quick look along the train – it wouldn’t be too long before their next stop, and she wanted to make sure that all the girls were beginning to get ready to go. A quick break for lunch, and one more train would see them meeting the waiting motor coaches for the last of the trip to the school.
Author:  MaryR [ Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
Clearly the staff are apprehensive about the new term with three of the most Senior mistresses now retired. No matter how much they know about their new Head and Deputy, the anxiety will still be there.

And I would say Tamara will have her work cut out with Rachel in this mood. Not a promising start to their second term. Hopefully the relationship they built up last term will see them through and they can move forward.

Thank you, Squirrel
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
I think that everyone will be better once they are safely back at school and have a day or two of the new term under their belts! I can understand why the escort staff will be apprehensive about what will happen under the new leadership - but the fact that they were quieter than they might otherwise have been at this stage of the journey is probably helpful to Tamara in her efforts to sort out her own thoughts and prepare for the return to the regular routine of school. It's not surprising that Rachel, too, is apprehensive, even though Tanya has linked up with her - but I'm sure she will be looking forward to seeing Joanne again.

Hope the rest of the journey is accomplished without incident.

THanks Squirrel - looking forward to more of this when you have chance.
Author:  francesn [ Thu Feb 01, 2007 12:07 am ]
Post subject: 
Yay! Thank you Squirrel.

I'm really looking forward to finding out what the new term brings.
Author:  Squirrel [ Fri Feb 02, 2007 9:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
Chapter 4 – at the school at last

The girls assembled together as they came off the coaches, and there were smiles all round as chummeries got together again. Joanne was especially pleased to meet up with both Tanya and Rachel, though she knew that Sally would be on the look out for Tan as well. The rest of her group would be arriving back slightly later as they had had to get the later train, and the coaches were going to be heading back to pick them up as soon as they had got rid of the latest luggage.

Here came the first big change for all the girls, for instead of Miss Annersley waiting for them, it was Miss Ferrars. She quickly welcomed them to the school, and told them that they would have a full assembly in the near future, but that until then, Matron had changed some rooms around at the start of the holidays, and they should report to her, and start to settle in to their new cubicles before heading down to the common rooms.

Once everyone had arrived they would be able to eat, and everyone was to have an early bed this evening.

While Kathie had been as brief as possible given the circumstances, the girls were still comparing her unfavourably with Miss Annersley, and she knew that this was always going to be the case with this particular set of girls. Of course, she had the complete staff backing her up, but Hilda was always going to be a tough act to follow.

Len had been keeping her eye out for Tamara from the moment the coaches had arrived, and as soon as Kathie had finished with everyone, she picked her way through the crowd to join her. It would have been typical if Tamara had decided to move over to give Rachel a hand, but on this occasion the girl seemed to have cheered up, and appeared relatively comfortable where she was. Tamara had also reasoned that the girl knew where to find her should she need the support, and so left her to it.

Thus, she was rather surprised when someone tapped her on the shoulder, and turning round she found Len behind her. With a big grin, she gave her friend a big hug. “Oh, I’ve missed you” she told her quietly. Now she was back with this wonderful supporter of hers all was right with the world. After a few moments longer she laughed and let her go “It seems I didn’t realise how much I missed you until I saw you.” She continued ruefully, knowing that it would now be difficult for her to leave the Platz.

Len grinned at her friend, almost forgetting that she was no longer a schoolgirl herself. “I missed you as well Tamara. Look, I’d love to catch up with you soon – come over to our house tomorrow.” (the next day being a Saturday to give the girls the chance to settle in over the weekend before work began properly.)

Tamara looked at her stunned. “But… But I thought…” Len just looked at her lovingly. This girl seemed to forget how much Len and family thought of her. The term before they had been in the habit of having her over to see them almost weekly, and now she was stammering over the invitation to go and see them on the first Saturday back.

“You thought that I’d rather wait another week before catching up with you?” She asked quietly. Tamara didn’t answer for a bit, seeming struck dumb. Len had to continue in another tack “Even if I didn’t want to catch up with you myself, Ashley would never forgive me if I didn’t have you over as soon as possible. In fact, I’m sure that she is not going to be happy that I didn’t make it tonight instead!”

At that statement she paused to run her eyes over her friends face, taking in how tired she looked. “Just as well I didn’t really” she commented, “you look like you are in need of a rest!”

She turned round expecting the other mistress to follow her into the building. When she sensed that she was on her own however she turned back to look at her friend who had not moved. “Come on Tamara!” she called, before moving back to her and taking her arm. This time Tamara let her lead her into the house, and Len, after looking at her again, took her up to her room and left her there.
Author:  MaryR [ Fri Feb 02, 2007 9:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
I don't know about the girls, I'm missing Hilda myself. :roll: And I bet, over at Joey's, Hilda is missing welcoming the girls as well. :cry:

But how lovely Len is to Tamara, squashing all her worries. Each of them appreciates the other so much and this is a true friendship, despite Tamara's fears on the train. Of course Ashley would miss her! And already Len is taking care of Tamara.....

A lovely episode, Squirrel. Thank you.
Author:  Tara [ Sat Feb 03, 2007 1:29 am ]
Post subject: 
I feel for Kathie Ferrars - Hilda is, indeed, a tough act to follow.

Glad to see such a joyous reunion between Len and Tamara, and how quickly Len dispels all Tamara's fears of intruding and not being wanted.

Thanks, Squirrel.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Sat Feb 03, 2007 2:15 am ]
Post subject: 
Lovely - two updates! I'm glad the journey passed relatively calmly, although everyone is clearly a bit apprehensive about the changes.

Good to see Tamara welcomed so warmly by Len, and hopefully Rachel will be able to settle down at school without too much difficulty.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sun Feb 04, 2007 6:50 am ]
Post subject: 
Great to catch up with this
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Sun Feb 04, 2007 8:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
I, too, feel for Kathie - Hilda certainly a hard act for her to follow. While she can't do anything but be herself in the way she handles things, there could be those waiting for her to make a mistake, especially at first, so that they can make negative comparisons. But as she gains confidence, I'm sure she'll put her own stamp firmly on everything.

It was lovely to see the interaction between Len and Tamara - and I can well imagine Ashley being most disconcerted that she wouldn't see Tamara that very night!! But how reassuring for Tamara to know how welcome she was there.

I hope that both she and Rachel will settle well into the routine of the new term.

Thanks, Squirrel
Author:  Squirrel [ Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thank you for all the comments :)

Chapter 5 – settling in

Rachel somehow managed to content herself with her friends for that evening. There was no choice really, half the time she was pulled along with the others, and the other half Tamara was nowhere in sight. Sighing she reluctantly admitted to herself that she was at such a stage where she was able to do for herself – well more or less anyway.

It was a real relief to her to reach her pretty bedroom, knowing that she could hide away in here for a little while. Booting up her computer she accessed her e-mail, and as she had expected, found the usual e-mail from Miss Wilson.

Joey had promised her daily e-mails, and small challenges each day, and though she still did get the occasional note from Jo, it was Nell who had ended up being the one to send her e-mails constantly.

Through this medium she had heard snippets of how all the retired staff (and Miss Ferrars) were settling into their new home. She had heard of Nell’s relief at how relaxed Hilda was beginning to feel having actually had the chance to get a rest, and of all the talk that the 4 of them – Hilda, Nell, Mrs Jo, and Rosalie Dene – would all go off on a cruise, to generally take a break and see the world once the school returned.

Nancy Wilmot had thought about joining them briefly, but had decided against the idea firmly when the date was settled – she could hardly leave Kathie to deal with the start of the school term without her being at least vaguely in the background after all.

Kathie had apparently smiled at her gratefully at this information, and Nell had confided in Rachel that she expected the school to see nearly as much of Nancy as they had done previously.

However, this evening, the note was short, and only contained a welcome to the Platz. Nell had even given her an invitation to Freudeshiem for the next day, and had suggested that once she had finished with Joey, she might like to look at science with her.

The reasoning behind this, Rachel was to discover in the future, was that Nell was already growing bored without having any classes to teach, and she thought that the girl might be quite apt at science if she put her mind to it. She was also remembering words she had heard Jo say about authors needing to research their work – if she could give Rachel a firm basis in the ideas of science this would surely be that much easier.

With a grin, Rachel hit the reply button and not only responded to the questions that ‘Bill’ had sent her, but told her of the last few days in the thorough way that Nell had come to expect of her.

Once that was done Rachel made sure that everything else she needed to do was done before heading down to the common room where she could meet up with her friends again.

It just so happened that on her way there she bumped into Len who was returning downstairs from Tamara’s room. Seeing Rachel she paused and asked the girl how the holidays had gone. Rachel looked at her uncertainly, did she want to tell Mrs Entwhistle all about the holidays? How did she go about it if she did? How much detail should she go into it all anyway?

After a few minutes of silence she eventually started to try and answer the question. “The holidays? Um… Er…I don’t know Mrs Entwhistle”.

Len looked at her sympathetically “Had a bit of a hard time Rachel?” The girl looked down at the floor before nodding reluctantly. “Hey, that’s alright.” The teacher stated calmly “We can’t all enjoy every holiday we ever go on. Why don’t you e-mail Miss Darleigh in the near future, and see if she can fit in time to have a chat with you?”

The girl looked up uncertainly “we-el…”

Unfortunately Rachel couldn’t find any way of expressing her feelings, and the short pause soon turned into a long silence. Len let it go on for a while before taking ahold of the girls arm and steering her gently in the direction of the stairs. Then, in direct defiance of the rules, they sat down at the top of them and Len suggested that Rachel tell her what she was thinking.

Rachel, apparently feeling cornered, eventually found a way of explaining what she was thinking. “I don’t want to talk about home, to anyone! I hate it!”

Len looked at Rachel in surprise. Here was something she hadn’t expected. “What makes you feel that way Rachel?” she asked.

The girl frowned at her angrily, hoping to scare her off with the sort of look that the prefects in her story books used to manage to scare their younger charges with. While Len did not react in the way her former fellow pupils had, by laughing at her, and imitating her, she wasn’t phased by it. “The truth please Rachel” she reminded her.

Giving it up as a bad job, Rachel condescended to explain a little more. “My parents, all they thought to do was cross question me about stuff which has nothing to do with them, or to give me jobs to do. And if they weren’t doing that they were telling me off for hiding in my room and not joining the family parties!”

She paused for a moment as she thought about what she was going to say. “I once did join them.” She continued, shuddering as she remembered the experience. “The room was filled with people I didn’t know, all talking noisily, and as I entered the room, suddenly one of them turned to me and expected me to tell them everything which had happened last term. If that has nothing to do with my parents, it has even less to do with them!”

Len managed to make a suggestion here. “Could it not simply be that they are interested in what is happening to you Rachel? Or that they don’t know what else to talk about to you?”

The girl seemed to pause for a moment, before shaking her head. “I don’t think so.” She responded, slightly more quietly. “They were just being nosey, and it’s no business of theirs!”

Len looked at her with a gentle smile. “I don’t know about that really. These people are your family, or friends of your family. Friends and family tend to be interested in what you are doing, and it could well be that they are looking to find a way to start conversation up with you.”

The girl was silent, apparently mulling this over, but then she shook her head. “No, to have a conversation you need to have things in common. They were just being nosey because we don’t have things in common!”

Len continued to watch her, wondering how she could show Rachel that there was another way about this without appearing to criticise her. “Well, you know, when you first meet someone new you don’t always have things in common with them. Even if you do, you don’t restrict your conversation to that one thing – life would get very boring if you did. You begin to ask them questions about what they are doing, and then move on to talk about those things. Through this you get to know more about them, and feel as if you also have in common those other areas that you are talking about.”

She paused, hoping that she had been clear enough on this matter.

Rachel sighed, and responded “I suppose, I still don’t think it was any of their business though!”

Len laughed and decided to leave things at that. “Well, I guess that is your decision Rachel love. Now I must get back to my family, and you will want to go catch up with your friends. I hope to see you soon – and remember, if your friends ask you about the holidays it’s simply because they are interested!”

With that she stood up and walked the girl down the stairs before departing to pick up her jacket and head home.
Author:  MaryR [ Mon Feb 05, 2007 9:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh, how lovely of Nell to be so comcerned about Rachel and interested in her - mind you, I'm not surprised she's getting bored. Nell is a *doer*, isn't she? But I'm sure her contimued interest will help Rachel.

And how good of Len to wait patiently for Rachel to speak, and then finally to force it out of her. She got rather more than she expected, didn't she? :lol: But Rachel is clearly not in a mood for thinking of any other point of view but her own while she's so tired. Keep trying, Len, you may eventually get some of your points home!

Thanks, Squirrel.
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
Trust Nell to be the one who is keeping up with those daily e-mails to Rachel, rather than Joey! But it's good to see the relationship beginning to develop between them, and I'm sure Nell will know just *how* to arouse Rachel's interest in a good many aspects of science - I think those lessons will turn out to be fun for both of them.

Also good to see how Len gently encouraged Rachel there, until she persuaded her to talk honestly about how she was feeling, and just why she had found her holidays such a burden. I think many of us, if we are totally honest, have been in that situation where we have just left home, either for school or uni, and on returning for holidays sometimes resent the interest being taken in our affairs by our families and relatives, and the expectations of what we are going to do with our time whilst we are home. (I know I can remember answering this type of questioning rather briefly at first, and failing entirely to realise that the questioner was genuinely interested to know what I had been doing). It's not an easy adjustment for any of us, but for Rachel, whose whole outlook on life is so very much black and white, with no grey areas, it must be so much harder to accept that people are asking out of interest and not out of a wish to pry. I'm sure Len will get through to her in the end, though, as will Tamara if Rachel opens up to her in the same way.

Thanks Squirrel.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
Typical Nell - delighted that Hilda is able to rest, but starting to get bored herself! And how good to see her wanting to do something for Rachel, and taking the time and trouble to send those emails.

Len dealt with that well - giving Rachel the time and space in which she could answer, but also trying to show her that the overwhelming regard of family and friends may not be exactly what it seems, but can spring from a genuine interest.
Author:  Tara [ Tue Feb 06, 2007 1:35 am ]
Post subject: 
That shows Nell in a really lovely light - steadfast to the end. And I can just imagine her getting bored very quickly with being a woman of leisure. I expect we'll be seeing more of Nancy, too.

Joining the dots between home and your other life is never easy at first. Hopefully, Len will have given Rachel something to think about as she tries to understand what seems to her very strange behaviour.
Author:  leahbelle [ Tue Feb 06, 2007 2:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm glad Nell and Len are taking the time to help Rachel.
Author:  Squirrel [ Wed Feb 07, 2007 11:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
I just realised that it's Wednesday!!!

Chapter 6 – in the common room.

Rachel was swooped on joyfully by the rest of the group she seemed to have found herself a part of as soon as she entered the common room. These were Joanne, Tanya, Sally, Vicki, Lyn and Hannah.

Of these she knew the first three the best, though she admitted to herself that Vicki had been good to her during the first few weeks of the previous term. Joanne had actually been closest to these three, and the other two, Tanya and Sally, had only joined the group after a bit of shaking up had taken place with the addition of Rachel. Even now the pair often chose to go off on their own, and though Joanne tried to drag Rachel into the conversation of the group, she was still a little bit of a ‘cat that walked’.

On this occasion however, she was wildly excited to meet up with all her friends again, and listened cheerfully to the story that Hannah was telling of her trip around Italy with her family. They always liked to go away for the Christmas period, preferring others to do the hard work of Christmas day for them!

The girls were very good, and the topic soon passed on to what the rest of the girls were doing, rather than being centred on the more exciting plans of Hannah. Rachel, when she was asked, merely shrugged her shoulders and avoided making any comment. She hadn’t quite become comfortable with how to give questions the polite ‘brush off’.

Luckily Joanne was ready for her to feel this way, and was quick to distract the others onto the topic of all the changes that were taking place this year. Joanne had a vague feeling that she half knew how Rachel felt. The girls only tended to talk generally about what they had been up to, and she was nowhere near ready to mention her parents possible trip home to her classmates.

They were soon discussing the way that the arrival at school had been handled, and the comparative difference that Miss Ferrars made when compared to the way Miss Annersley had treated them. To be fair, any differences so far were to do with the differences between who Hilda had been, and who Kathie was.

However, this didn’t stop them discussing it – though Rachel would have termed it more like arguing than discussing. They had hardly got started on the topic when the bell rang, and the form created a seething mass as they attempted to get into line nicely. Rachel, seeing the confusion, suddenly realised just how much she disliked certain of the school practices, and rather than moving in to find her space, moved out to the sides of the crowds and along to the wall of the common room.

At first no one noticed her, and she was sighing in relief that she was going to be forgotten. She was reckoning without Joanne however, who suddenly realised that she might not like this time, and glanced round for her. Not seeing her from where she was stood, she was just about to let it go, but something stopped her, and she left her place to look along the line properly. If nothing else she could invite Rachel to join her.

It was then that she realised that the girl was not in the line. If she had thought that it would get Rachel anywhere she might have left it, but she was well aware that not only would Rachel be in need of food, once they arrived at the tables someone would be sent to fetch her back, and Rachel would be in trouble.

Remembering the reaction of the preceding term, Joanne did her best to make sure that no one realised she had left the line, instructing Lyn, who stood behind her to stay where she was, and to let one of the mistresses know if she took a while to arrive a the hall, Joanne slipped over to the corner where Rachel was most likely to be hiding.

When the bell went, the others left the room, but Joanne sat next to Rachel unconcerned. If she let the crowds clear she was far more likely to have a chance to talk the girl into coming with her.

For once, however, Rachel did not give in. She was not going to go to the hall for food, and that was that. Eventually Joanne gave up, and hungry though she was, she went in search of a teacher to see if they could do anything.

As it happened, one of the new teachers – Miss Redpath caught her as she was leaving the room. Catriona had been taken on to help with history, as the department had lost not only Miss Bannock, their former head of history, but also Miss Finley, who had been ill for most of the previous term, and whose family wanted to stay closer to home once she had recovered.

Miss Bannock had been replaced almost at once by the arrival of Miss Hammond. While the girls got on alright with her, Miss Hammond had managed to set the staffroom on edge with her attitude. In the end, they had to decide that it was simply the way that she got used to new situations, but even Tamara, who had been a close friend of hers before she arrived at the school, had had a difficult time with her.

Miss Redpath had not yet had the chance to learn about the different girls, and when she had been told that one of the girls was refusing to leave her common room, she went along to see what she could do about it.

Joanne was slightly uncertain when someone she didn’t know entered the room. She would have preferred to see Miss Darleigh, or Matron Lloyd turn up as she knew that they understood where Rachel was coming from.

However, as there was now a teacher present, she was just going to have to accept that this adult was in charge, and hope she would go about things the right way.

She was in for a rather abrupt awakening as the lady turned to Rachel and asked “Now, what is the reason for this babyish behaviour?”
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Feb 08, 2007 2:26 am ]
Post subject: 
This is really interesting. Hope the new mistress proves to become a little more understanding. Doesn't look hopeful though
Author:  Cath V-P [ Thu Feb 08, 2007 3:08 am ]
Post subject: 
Oh dear, understandable given the stage in the term, but unfortunate. Joanne really does try to put herself where rachel is doesn't she?
Author:  MaryR [ Thu Feb 08, 2007 2:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh dear, is all Joanne's good work about to be ruined by Miss Redpath? :cry: Has nothing been said to the new teachers about how to handle Rachel? I think that might be a job Matey could handle.

Thanks, Squirrel
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Thu Feb 08, 2007 3:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oops - that could be a signal for trouble, if Miss Redpath insists on going in here like a 'bull at a gate' if you'll pardon the expression! A shame that there hasn't yet been chance for someone to 'bring her up to speed' on the needs of various girls. I can understand why Joanne would have preferred to encounter Matron Lloyd or Tamara Darleigh at that minute - at least either of them would have understood by now why Rachel had shied off as she has done. But good for Joanne for standing by her and trying to help.

Thanks, Squirrel - will be interesting to see what happens next.
Author:  Squirrel [ Fri Feb 09, 2007 8:43 pm ]
Post subject: 
Chapter 7 – continuing discussion

It was hardly surprising that she did not get an answer – Rachel just stared at her. Of course, being a teacher and expecting respect she was not too impressed at ‘being ignored’ and told the girl so in no uncertain terms.

Rachel was thoroughly woken up by this statement, and starting to feel caged had finally responded, telling the teacher that she was not going to the hall and that was that.

Just as Joanne was going to step in and try to explain the situation to the mistress, the aforementioned lady decided to improve upon the situation by reaching for the girls arm and pulling her into a standing position. Then, telling the girl that if she did not go to the hall under her own steam she would take her there herself.

Rachel had not responded, but had dug her heals in when the mistress had tried to lead her. “I’m not going to the hall” she repeated again when Miss Redpath tried to force her. Suddenly Matron entered the form room to see Joanne standing and watching in shock as Miss Redpath tried to pull a fighting, trembling Rachel towards the door.

“What is the meaning of this?” she asked, horrified by what she was seeing. Miss Redpath responded slightly breathlessly “One of her form mates told me that this naughty girl was refusing to come to the dinner hall. When I asked her why she wasn’t coming, she ignored me, and then when I took her to task about that she answered me back and refused to come with me. I was just bringing her to the hall when you arrived.”

Matron looked more and more angry as the mistress completed this speech, and by the time she finished, made Joanne wish the ground would just swallow her up. The teacher didn’t seem bothered by it however, seeming to think that Matron agreed with her about how badly Rachel was behaving.

Eventually she spoke in glacial tones. “You may leave Rachel to me now Miss Redpath, I shall deal with her.” Then in slightly less chilly a manner she turned to Joanne. “I’ll make sure she eats Joanne, you take yourself off and get something for yourself now. Thank you for staying with her.”

Joanne went as she had been asked to do, and was soon to be found sitting with the rest of her friends catching up on the courses she had missed. Miss Redpath however did not move from the room, and was rather astonished when Matron firmly removed her hand from Rachel’s arm. “You may go Miss Redpath” Matron repeated before turning her attention completely on to Rachel, deciding to ignore any further actions by the young teacher.

Rachel, having coped with all that had been thrown at her until this time, had at last allowed herself to crumple down to the floor. Sighing at the impetuous actions of her junior colleague, which had apparently brought on this response, Matey sat down on the floor and comfort the poor girl.

At first she did nothing other than sit with the poor girl companionably. However, after a little while she began to talk gently to her. “Rachel, you’re all right Rachel. I’m with you now.” She paused for a moment before repeating herself in the hope that this might get through to her.

At first it seemed as if she wasn’t going to get any response, however, after another little while she raised her voice a bit, and the girl lifted her head. Seeing who it was sitting on the floor next to her Rachel moved over a little and took ahold of Matron in a firm hug. As she snuggled in closer the good lady found tears in her eyes. This was the first time that Rachel had come so close to her, though they had developed a close relationship as the previous term had developed.

At first Gwynneth was speechless, and overwhelmed by the love shown by this girl even in the depth of her hurt. Slowly however she recovered her equilibrium, and after a several minutes she was able to turn to the girl and tell her that if she would like to go to her room they would send her dinner, which she was to eat, and then, if she was good, Miss Darleigh would come up to spend some time with her.

Tamara had wished to come and see Rachel for herself, however, having seen exactly how tired the girl was Gwynneth had refused to let her leave the table. She felt rather strongly that not only was Tamara in need of her dinner, if she had to cope with a bad storm she may well end up in tears herself.

While this may not have been bad for Rachel, Gwynneth was sure that it would have coloured Miss Redpath’s view of her colleague in such a way that it would not change easily. No, on the whole Matey was pleased at the way things had worked out.
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Fri Feb 09, 2007 9:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
Clearly Miss Redpath has not yet been apprised of Rachel's situation, or else, young and inexperienced though she might be, she would not have tackled the situation in the way she did. Thank goodness Gwynneth was able to size up the situation quickly, and send the other two off, (not without thanking Joanne for her help) whilst she herself calmed Rachel down. I can well imagine how touched she was at the way Rachel clung to her, too.

I'm glad she had the forethought to come herself rather than let Tamara come - the latter will deal better with Rachel when she's had a little time to rest herself. But I also hope that whoever explains things to Miss Redpath can do so in a way that will ensure she understands why Rachel really does need to 'retreat' sometimes, and that this will help her to deal with her more compassionately another time.

Thanks, Squirrel.
Author:  MaryR [ Fri Feb 09, 2007 9:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
I have to say that I feel somewhat sorry for Miss Redpath - not having been told anything, one could see why she would see it as insolence and disobedience of the worst kind. Although taking hold of Rachel and manhandling her in that fashion was certainly wrong and counter-productive.

Matey was wonderful, and showed her tender side there, as she has done to Rachel from the beginning. And she got her reward. I just hope she can now get Rachel into bed without too much fuss, for the poor girl must be exhausted.

Thanks, Squirrel.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Fri Feb 09, 2007 11:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
Feel a bit sorry that Miss Redpath is so obviously unaware of Rachel or decided to ignore what she had been told (don't the mistresses have a meeting and discuss the girls the day before they come back? I remember that from Nes Mistress). Matey was wonderful both to Joanne and to Rachel. Glad Matey protected Tamara Darleigh and went herself. Miss Redpath would respect Matey more than Miss Darleigh.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Sat Feb 10, 2007 4:26 am ]
Post subject: 
Oh dear - Miss Redpath did not know, Rachel could not deal with the situation and Joanne didn't have the chance to say anything. What a tangle! But Matey was splendid!

Thank you Squirrel.
Author:  Fatima [ Sat Feb 10, 2007 4:58 am ]
Post subject: 
Matey was brilliant. But Miss Redpath should have been informed of all the details of Rachel's needs and I'd be shocked if the school hadn't done this.

Thanks Squirrel.
Author:  francesn [ Sun Feb 11, 2007 3:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
Surely any new teacher should have been told about any girls with particular needs - Kathy should have done that at the staff meeting, but I suppose she's still inexperienced as a head yet. I just hope Miss Redpath won't cause any more trouble.

Thanks for all the lovely updates Squirrel
Author:  Squirrel [ Mon Feb 12, 2007 8:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
Chapter 8

It had take a while for Matron to get Rachel upstairs and to ensure that she did actually eat something – the girl was most reluctant to take anything and it was only with constant encouragement from Matron that she did actually eat.

However, with the end of the meal there was the arrival of Tamara Darleigh, and for the first time since they had actually met up for the journey to school the two were able to talk in relative peace. Matron left them to it, knowing that they were close to being friends despite the fact that they were also teacher and pupil. This was not so bad as it would have been in a ‘normal’ school environment, here the staff saw a lot of their pupils outside of school, and the older they got the more friendly relationships were encouraged. After all, many of the girls who had been taught here ended up coming back to teach. How Gwynneth wished that had been possible with the post that Miss Redpath had been awarded.

However, she quickly reminded herself that one mistake didn’t make the woman a bad person – even if she did seem to be too sure of herself. Matron remembered the way the woman had bustled out of the room after her and Rachel, to try and ensure that Gwynneth took the girl to the hall. The expression on the woman’s face when Gwynneth disappeared along a corridor, closing the door in her face had been a picture.

She wasn’t one to be so rude to other staff members usually, but this time the woman had got on her nerves, and she particularly did not want her to know her way round the building to the room Rachel lived in. Somehow Matey didn’t trust her with a girl such as Rachel. Hoping that she was wrong in this feeling, Gwynneth put it to the back of her mind and focussed on getting the young girl to eat something.

Tamara had gone in to join Rachel with a smile on her face. She knew that the girl had had a difficult time, but she wanted to see if her being positive could help her. Of course, Tamara knew well that a change of mood didn’t help with everything, but it could help to cover it up.

Tamara had also known that just being in the presence of people you counted as ‘safe’ was also a good way to forget about your troubles. They still troubled you, but you knew that they couldn’t get at you while you were with the safe people – they wouldn’t let them. Somehow even just being with them gave you the confidence you needed. And somehow leaving their presence brought the weight of everything you had been dealing with fell firmly back on your shoulders again.

After talking for a few minutes on general subjects – including the train journey and how Rachel had felt about being left with Tanya during that time (it hadn’t bothered her), and how nice Len had been to Rachel just before she left (Len had taken the time to wait for Tamara to get downstairs to tell her about the chat they had had), Tamara firmly turned the conversation on to the way that Rachel was feeling, and how Miss Redpath had treated her in the common room.

Mealtimes were always going to be an issue, and Tamara wanted to be sure that this evening was just a once off. Rachel wasn’t too sure about this, and while she knew that she was going to have to face mealtimes at some point, she didn’t know if she wanted to start in on them soon.

In the end Tamara suggested that she attend 2 out of every 3 meals in the dinner hall, and they would make alternative arrangements for the third meal – though she was also hoping that eventually the girl would attend meals in the dinner hall generally. She wasn’t going insist that Rachel always attend every meal – even Tamara still occasionally took a meal (or two) out, however it would be good for her if she could do her best to join the rest at meal times regularly.

It was the treatment that Rachel had received from Miss Redpath that was the most concerning, thought Tamara. Really, that kind of behaviour to a pupil might have been acceptable 30 years ago, but now it was simply asking for lawsuits. If she was head, she might give the silly woman one more chance, but if she didn’t conform to school rules (and those of society!) then really the woman was better off out of the place. Rachel had enough to deal with without crotchety staff members who ordered you about the place without trying to find out why you were behaving in a certain way. Well, perhaps she meant tried to find out what was wrong by making you feel like you were being attacked, but same difference really she thought.

After a little while she thought about what she had said, and had to laugh to herself at the idea that she think someone should be thrown out the school by not abiding by the rules of society. Even as she did it though, her eyes became angry and hard as she remembered the difference between the kinds of social breach she was likely to make, and those of the ones that Miss Redpath had already made.

It happened that Rachel looked up in time to see this expression in her eyes. “What’s up Miss Darleigh, is there something wrong?” she asked quietly.

Tamara looked at her, the concern for her pupil softening the look in her eyes again. “Oh, I’m just getting irritated at teachers who act like babies Rachel, that’s all!”

With that the two of them started to giggle, and Rachel began to seem a bit happier than she had all day.
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Mon Feb 12, 2007 9:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
I enjoyed seeing the differences between Gwynneth and Tamara's reactions to Miss Redpath's handling of Rachel there. Both knew that Miss Redpath had been wrong to act as she did, but Tamara's thoughts about suitable 'remedies' were so much more black and white than Gwynneth's were!

And I'm glad that both of them were principally concerned to do the best for Rachel - Gwynneth first, by getting her to eat something, and then Tamara, gently trying to work out a compromise about the whole question of Rachel eating in the dining hall.

It will be interesting to see how this all works out.

Thanks, Squirrel.
Author:  MaryR [ Mon Feb 12, 2007 10:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
Rachel needed Tamara to talk to her and find out what was going on inside, didn't she? Just holding it all in would have made everything so much worse. But I just hope evryone else will be as undersatnding about the meal times as Tamara.

I have a feeling Miss Redpath won't let well enough alone. Couldn't Matey have a chat with her and explain some of the issues? Because there is no Hilda, no Nell and no Nancy to sit on the woman!

Thanks, Squirrel.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Mon Feb 12, 2007 10:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
I hope someone has a chat with Miss Redpath soon and she accepts what they have to say. I forsee a few problems coming up. Thanks, this is a great drabble
Author:  Cath V-P [ Mon Feb 12, 2007 11:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lovely to see the relationship between Tamara and Rachel working so positively. Miss Redpath? Hmm, if she reacts like that, then things could get difficult.
Author:  Squirrel [ Wed Feb 14, 2007 8:19 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lets have a change of scene for a bit.

Chapter 9 – trip to Joey’s

Both Rachel and Tamara had had an early night after the rigours of the day, and now they met up in the mid morning just outside the school. Tamara had given up walking Rachel over to Freudesheim after half term of the previous term, but if they happened to be going the same way they would often walk at least part of the way together. Besides, now that the snow had come with a vengeance the ground was slippery under foot, and it was good to have a companion in weather like that.

Tamara waved her goodbyes and headed over to continue her visit to Len as Rachel wandered over to the house. This visit was going to be rather different Rachel thought to herself – she was going to be meeting up with her former head mistress and her co head as well as her beloved authoress here this time. They, plus another 2 of the retired staff members were now living at Freudeshiem – and the present head Miss Ferrars was also staying there.

Rachel had not had reason to meet up with Kathie since she had arrived at the platz this term – though she was rather concerned about how such a meeting would take place. Rachel was still remembering the talking to Kathie had ended up giving her when Rachel had found herself driven out of the Heidi-hut by the noise that the others were making. That she could have asked for them to be quieted down had not occurred to her – and Miss Ferrars had been firm in dealing with Rachel, leaving the girl rather nervous about seeing her again.

Part of the issue of course was that Rachel had not been taught by the teacher, and thus had rarely come across her until the time of the trip – and Kathie had been very worried by a pupil running off. If that was not bad enough, Rachel had calmly informed the mistress that she would not hesitate to do the same thing again in similar circumstances, and the badly worried teacher had had to insist that she stayed with a member of staff for the rest of the time they were out of school.

She wasn’t to meet up with Kathie on this occasion however – Nancy had taken the opportunity of Jo having Rachel over to drag her friend out for the morning – the pair of them were heading over to visit Biddy Courvoisier and catch up with her news. The truth was that had Nancy not dragged her off Kathie would have been back at the school, trying to catch up on the never ending pile of correspondence, and Nancy wasn’t going to stand for it. That was what they had assistants for!

Rachel had been welcomed by the remaining inhabitants of the house with open arms, with Rosalie asking her to come over and tell her what was happening at the school. Hilda and Nell were talking near by, and after about 5 minutes Hilda asked for a chance to talk with Rachel – this would be very difficult for Hilda as Rachel still reminded her strongly of her brother Hughie, and the way he had been treated, but she felt that now she was no longer the girls head mistress she needed to take this opportunity offered her to actually get to know the girl.

Nell was pleased to see her friend’s efforts. For all her tiredness Hilda was slightly bored and she needed something to keep her interest. After about 10 minutes or so though, she could tell that Hilda had had enough, and she insisted on Rachel joining her, and they began to talk of science. Nell was definitely planning on giving the girl a working knowledge of her subject before she left school

And so it was that Joey eventually arrived to find her guest busy working on some scientific tables Nell had set for her. As she stared at the scene in amazement Nell grinned up at her – “Well, you’ll have to be quicker than that if you want to get Rachel to yourself Jo!”

Nell knew that Joey, like Hilda, was of 2 minds about getting to know Rachel better, and that this had made her leave the girl to the tender mercies of her friends. Now she wanted to show Joey that others were interested in the girl if she was not.

Rachel was too busy with the work she had been set to do to take in the undercurrents that her elders were setting up around the room. Miss Wilson had suggested that she would be able to write her stories far more clearly if she had a good knowledge of science. The idea was that she was likely to understand any processes she might want to include in her tales – such as how someone might go about dieing wool in Edwardian times – though Rachel thought she was not likely to want to write about that topic again.

Indeed, her story about Rosemary had only been gratuitous as she had actually been aiming to write a more reflective piece about the beauties of the church St Michael le Belfry. However things had got outwith her control, and she had found herself writing about people and times long past – though she wasn’t exactly sure even when those times long past might be.

Rachel’s mind had been caught by Nell’s suggestion, and she had eagerly attacked the work that she suggested, hoping that Hilda Annersley might be encouraged to give her a hand in her subjects as well.
Author:  MaryR [ Wed Feb 14, 2007 9:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm sure Hilda would love to help her with her story and give her the benefit of all her experience. And Nell soon got stuck in there, didn't she, with her Science? Can't keep a good woman down. :lol:

But having these older, wiser, gentler people talking to her, helping her, taking an interest in her, will give Rachel some stability, some peace away from the demands that school makes on her. And Hilda and Nell will give her the space she needs, whereas Joey might not.

Thanks, Squirrel
Author:  leahbelle [ Thu Feb 15, 2007 2:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm glad Nell and Hilda are taking an interest in Rachel. Thanks, Squirrel.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Feb 15, 2007 8:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
Love Nell telling joey that if she didn't hurry up she would miss out on having time with Rachel
Author:  Cath V-P [ Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:18 pm ]
Post subject: 
Good to see that retirement hasn't really altered them - not that I thought it would you know! Hopefully, Hilda will be able to follow Nell's lead and really get to know Rachel.
Author:  Tara [ Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:51 pm ]
Post subject: 
Nell and Hilda can't help themselves, can they - fortunately! They will provide a lovely haven away from the school when necessary.
Author:  Squirrel [ Fri Feb 16, 2007 9:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
Er - this is where I introduce a bit more of the date wobblys! I'm not exactly sure how old Len is supposed to be in this!

Chapter 10

While Rachel was enjoying herself with Hilda, Nell, Rosalie and Joey, Tamara had gone on her way to meet up with Len and family. She spotted Reg out working in the garden, and keeping an eye firmly on him she walked steadily past the gate, remembering the time she had done something similar by mistake.

Reg looked up to see her marching on, making as if she didn’t want to join them, and called out as he had before “Mara ahoy!” The young girl turned to laugh at him. “Hello to you too Reg, and how are you all doing?” she asked him coming to lean against the fence.

“We’re alright” he responded with a smile. “Len is in the kitchen with the young ones, and as you see, I have a job for myself keeping the garden in a reasonable state.”

Tamara looked at him, silently agreeing that he had plenty to keep him occupied. She was nearly ready to enter the house, but she had one more thing she wanted to see to. “Len looked pretty tired last night. I take it she is OK?”

Reg looked at her, a frown passing over his face to disappear quickly. “She just had a bit of a busy holiday” he explained “and the run up to the start of term is always busy, more so when you happen to be one of the powers in the land. I’m trying to see that she rests, but it’s not simple – particularly with all the changes which have taken place in the aftermath of Hilda and Nell retiring.”

Tamara squeezed his hand as she moved through the gate. “I’m sure she will be fine Reg” she told him, knowing fine well that neither of them had come anywhere near the issue that worried them both – how on earth Len was going to deal with her job, and her young child Ashley in the run up to the birth of the child she was currently expecting.

However, shelving these issues for the present Tamara walked slowly through the garden and into the house.

Once there she found herself wrapped up in the arms of her friend Len who had been on the look out all day. “Oh Tamara, I’m so pleased you have got here!” Len told her with a smile. Tamara looked at her curiously, she had been warmly accepted into the family she knew, but she had never met Len in this mood before. After thinking about it for a little while she decided that Len always seemed to be responsible, and it was possibly a good thing that she should show simple fun for once.

Ashley heard her mother talking and was soon with them, wrapping her arms about Tamara’s legs so that she would have to be careful if she wanted to move further into the house.

However, eventually Len let her go, and scooping her young child into her arms she led the way into the sitting room. “You were just on time” she remarked as, having deposited her daughter onto the sofa, she returned to the kitchen and poured the boiling water into 2 cups.

Tamara sat next to Ashley, enjoying the joy of the young girl at seeing her friend again. Before the young girl could say anything Tamara turned to her, asking if she could see her arm. “All better” Ashley told her, lifting up her arm for Tamara’s inspection.

“So I see Ashley, I’m glad to hear it.” The girl smiled at her and gave her another hug, remaining there as her Mum came back into the room. “So, how did the holidays go with all your guests Len?” Tamara asked her.

She felt slightly guilty about not giving Len a hand, but with the young girl clinging to her so tightly she found that this was impossible.

“Not bad Tamara” Len said quietly. “It was busy of course, but there was always someone to help with the work. Joanne was a real blessing, all the little bits she saw to made everything else run much more smoothly. The children really enjoyed Christmas Day…”

Just here Ashley interrupted “Come see my toys Mara!” and scrambling off of Tamara’s lap she pulled on her arm, taking her over to the toy box where she pulled out a selection of brightly coloured battery powered toys.

Len laughed at the interruption, knowing that it was partly her fault for reminding her daughter of all the hidden delights. The time would come when she would have to teach her daughter about waiting her turn, but for now it was good to simply let her be a child.

As Tamara watched Ashley playing with her games, Len continued quickly “It was a real loss to loose Con and family after the break. It’s been a long time since this wee house has been so quiet!”

Tamara looked at her with a quiet smile. While some of Con’s eldest children would have been helpful – Len’s elder children having left home some time before – she knew that they were more of a handful than utterly helpful. Now, with Len in the last trimester of what was surely going to be her last pregnancy, plus having to deal with the deputy head job at the school during this tricky phase.

“how are you coping Len. You must be exhausted.” If it had been Reg, or possibly anyone but Tamara Len might have been able to cover up what she was feeling. However, with Tamara, the ever open, with her, Len found that she just could not hide it. “I… I’m not coping Tamara. I just can’t deal with this any more!” She told her, the tears coming to her eyes.

Tamara moved over to sit with her, pulling her round into a warm hug. You will get there Len. I’m here to help you through after all.” Then pausing for a moment she looked at Len quietly before continuing “You know love, it’s hardly surprising that your emotions are all to pot – I’m afraid that’s what hormones and pregnancy do for you.”

Len, being very much a product of her time (even if she *had* somehow managed to loose about 20 years as she grew older) was slightly shocked by this information even as she took comfort from Tamara’s obvious sympathy. Though this wasn’t her first pregnancy the emotions were taking her by surprise. Suddenly she was thinking to herself, no wonder, that when Mamma was due another child, everyone was told that she was ‘busy’!
Author:  MaryR [ Fri Feb 16, 2007 10:04 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh, that was such a satisfying post, Squirrel, seeing the close friendship, almost sisterhood, between them. Tamara, caring so very much for Len and seeing all the problems ahead. And Len, so grateful to be able to give in and admit that she is not coping.

And poor Reg, wondering how to help:
Squirrel wrote:
I’m trying to see that she rests, but it’s not simple – particularly with all the changes which have taken place in the aftermath of Hilda and Nell retiring.”

Aye, there's the rub. Too many people leaving at once and others having to move up and take more responsiblity. But as Tamara said, she is there to help - and she will.

Thank you, Squirel
Author:  Cath V-P [ Fri Feb 16, 2007 11:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
That was such a lovely post; the friendship between Len and Tamara is so clearly established now. And how good that Len can admit how difficult she's finding things - and I loved her slight surprise at Tamara's comment.

I loved Ashley hanging on to Tamara like that... :D
Author:  Tara [ Sat Feb 17, 2007 1:16 am ]
Post subject: 
Hard if you're just an ordinary member of staff, but trying to do the Deputy Head job as well, especially in a transitional time - nightmare! Poor Len. Glad she can tell Tamara - I guess she finds it really hard to admit it to anyone else.
Author:  Squirrel [ Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oooh! I just remembered! It is Monday. Lets see what I have for us all this time!

Chapter 11

Tamara and Rachel were soon back at the school, and things began to settle down into their usual manner. Of course, there were all the changes to the school in general to be dealt with, such as when Kathie decided to get the ex St Mildreds pupils to lend a hand with teaching their special subjects. That led to great disharmony for a while, but as time moved on everyone found that things were settling down, and everyone began to benefit from the scheme.

The next big change came when Len went on Maternity leave. Tamara had been true to her word, and had assisted Len as much as she possibly could. She hadn’t realised what the effect of that would be however, and was most surprised to find herself called in to the study a few days before Len finished work for the term.

That she could be asked to cover for Len surprised and upset her, and she had to take herself up to her room, and have Gwynneth talk to her for a while before she could settle down properly.

It had taken hard work for her to get to the place of actually managing to do the job – and far more trust than she had ever had in Kathie. However, with a little bit of help from her head of department – Sophia Hammond had been a close friend of hers, and while she now headed up the department, Tamara had done the job for half a term, while her former friend got her feet and began to find out about how the CS worked.

Now they had reverted to their actual job titles, and Tamara had been very shocked at this change. She could hardly go to Len about it, and felt she had heard all that Matron could give her. That being the case, she had not wanted to return to Matron at this time. So, she had turned back to her old friend Sophia.

It wasn’t really that she had dropped the friendship, more that Sophia had made a very poor start in the staffroom, and had hardly wanted to accept any friendship offered to her. Then, Tamara had recently become friendly with Len, who had not long suffered an unprovoked attack, and Sophia had found out about the claims made about Len, but had apparently not known that they were false, and proven to be so.

With one friend attacking the other, Tamara had no option but to comfort Len, and even though she knew that much of Sophia’s hostility had come from nerves, she had found it very difficult to resume her friendship to the former level.

Now however, when there was no one else able to give the support she needed, she had accepted the help that her head of department had hesitatingly given her. It was only as time had gone on that she realised that there was something else she had to worry about.
Author:  MaryR [ Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh dear, I'm glad Matey managed to talk Tamara round but I get the feeling she still doesn't believe she can do it. Will Sophia be willing to give her the support she needs? I do hope so. Though I am curious as to why she doesn't trust Kathie.....

And what else is worrying her? :cry:

Thanks, Squirrel
Author:  Squirrel [ Thu Feb 22, 2007 8:10 am ]
Post subject: 
guess what? I forgot this last night! :roll:

Chapter 12

The big change had come with the fact that Tamara had little time for teaching now. She still took some of her classes, but those ones she took had been decided for her by Kathie, who hadn’t been thinking properly when she had dealt with the timetabling.

Well, perhaps that wasn’t the best way for Tamara to think of it, actually she had probably been thinking of other things – and she knew nothing about Rachels run in with Miss Redpath.

So, it came to be that one of the classes Tamara no longer taught was Inter V, which Rachel graced, and that class was then handed over to Miss Redpath, for Sophia Hammond was already scheduled to take one of the other classes at the time, and the other history teacher, who had stayed on from St Mildreds, Miss Clamps, already had a timetable which was overly full.

That being the case, there was no option over who would take the class. Of course, there could no doubt have been some swapping of duties and times, but it would have been far too complicated for anything of the sort to be attempted.

It was over coffee with Len and her latest small bundle, young Peter, that Tamara eventually began to talk to someone about her worries over Rachel. The girl had become rather withdrawn, and refused to tell Tamara anything – being doubly silent when it came to class work.

Len could do nothing but try to offer some reassurance – and suggest that when she next went over to Freudeshiem (with Joey being away on her cruise, Nancy had offered what teaching she could give the girl) that Nancy would bring the girl over to see her. If nothing else it would give Rachel something completely new to think about.

After that Len had turned the topic of conversations on to a different topic for the short period of time that she had with Tamara – she didn’t want to be talking shop the whole time after all.

Tamara went home slightly comforted, but feeling rather uneasy still. She just wished she knew what was happening in that classroom, but there didn’t seem to be any way of finding out.

The girls were meticulous about telling tales, and talking to Joanne, while it had seemed like a reasonable idea for a short while, was hardly fair on the girl. She had half wondered if she could get Len to talk to Joanne, but one look at her tired face convinced Tamara that it was not wise to even bring the subject up.

Matron had caught her when she got home, and had tried to help her, but when it came to worries about Rachel, and a Rachel who was refusing to even admit to a problem there was little she could do about it. So she soon left, advising Tamara to talk to Kathie about it.

Tamara was reluctant to do this, for she didn’t want to worry her head about this. Acting as Deputy meant that she was far more privy to the normal things that Kathie had to deal with, and Tamara was not sure that Kathie could deal with something like this on top of everything else, That she herself had more than enough to deal with, without worrying about one of the girls did not occur to her – nor did the possibility of something being done to find out what was happening from Miss Redpath’s point of view.

Tamara would have felt herself too young to even consider questioning her colleagues thoughts on the matter. She had only been in the position she was in for a short time, and had had difficulties in the staffroom anyway. She felt that whatever luck she had had as department head came from the fact that she was working with one person most of the time, and most of her energy had gone into the planning and organising side of things rather than staff management.

In the end, Tamara had had to shelve the matter, though she knew that if something didn’t give in the near future Rachel’s health might, and then Matron would have to interfere.
Author:  leahbelle [ Thu Feb 22, 2007 2:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Tamara having to cope with all this!
Author:  francesn [ Thu Feb 22, 2007 2:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
Tamara is dealing incredibly well with her new duties. I'm full of admiration for her.

Thanks Squirrel
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Thu Feb 22, 2007 5:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
I've just caught up with the last three posts together - what a tangled web for Tamara to deal with. I'm pleased that she was offered the Deputy Headship during Len's maternity leave, but this certainly presented her with a whole raft of problems she was unused to dealing with. Of course it would help if her relationship with Kathie was better, but I'm sure that will come in time - and at least she is sufficiently cognisant of Kathie's own load to be hesitant about taking Rachel's problems with Miss Redpath to her just yet. And she's right about not asking Joanne to tell her something of what is actually going on in the classroom, too.

For once, I think that Tamara can't do anything other than wait for someone else, probably Matron, to get to the bottom of what's happening with Rachel - given that she already had evidence of Miss Redpath's initial handling of the girl, I would have expected her to be on the alert over this, once Inter V became Miss Redpath's responsibility. Unless, of course, Rachel eventually comes to Tamara herself in desperation, knowing that she will be received with understanding.

Thanks, Squirrel.
Author:  Joan the Dwarf [ Thu Feb 22, 2007 6:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm really not impressed with the CS at this! It seems like Inter V was handed to Miss Redpath without bringing her up to speed about Rachel, and there surely ought to be procedures in place to deal with problems between teachers and special needs kids that don't require the pupil concerned to complain first!

They really ought to get their act together if they want to expand into special needs, as Len was suggesting last term.
Author:  MaryR [ Thu Feb 22, 2007 8:23 pm ]
Post subject: 
I have a feeling that Hilda and Nell would have alerted Miss Redpath if they had still been in charge - and perpaps they could help now. After all, I would imagine Kathie would be pleased for any insights about the job.

But Matey - come on. You're in charge of health, you know Rachel's problems. Surely in your senior position you can do something. It's no good acting AFTER Rachel is ill with it all.

Poor Tamara - Kathie ought to be liaising with her more as Deputy Head.

Thanks, Squirrel.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Thu Feb 22, 2007 11:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
That's all very difficult isn't it? Tamara is a bit stuck over what she can do - although Matey could probably get a better idea over what might be happening, especially as it id a health issue.

Thank you Squirrel.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Fri Feb 23, 2007 12:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
I don't know what to say except all this sounds eerily familiar. My nephew is ?asbergers and his vice Principle sounds awfully like Mrs Redpath. I know my brither has had a horrible time with the school. I hope Kathie and Tamara both get the support they need soon and someone tells them what is going on with Inter V soon
Author:  Squirrel [ Sun Feb 25, 2007 6:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
Um, Sorry! I remembered at 12am on Saturday that I hadn't managed to post on Friday, and by that time I was away for the weekend. So, without further ado, here is what you *should* have got then!

Chapter 13

The girls in general were slowly getting used to the changes that were taking place. Kathie had kept things more or less as they had been under Miss Annersley. She had had lots of experience of this as she had quietly attempted to deal with all the work that Hilda had fallen asleep over during the last few years of her tenure at the school.

There had been several girls who had eventually wandered up to see Matey just to talk about Hilda and Nell and what they were up to. The weekend visits to Freudeshiem, on a Sunday afternoon, were highly popular. Some girls even got permission to go and see them in the early evening.

This time, it was Tan who was finding life difficult. Joanne was wrapped up in her concern about Rachel, and hadn’t noticed the quietness of Tanya, who was often quiet anyway. Sally was in a bad mood, due to a letter from her parents which criticised Tan, and the other girls were simply not perceptive enough to realise that something was up. Well, there was a chance that Rachel might have done, if she had ever left her room to socialise with the others.

Tanya was too shy to even think about going to talk to Matey about how she was feeling, and had been going round looking like ‘a wet week’ as some of her friends might have called it, for a few days before she bumped, literally, into Tamara.

Tamara had been fathoms deep in a notice she had been reading, and got a shock when someone knocked her sideways, but for Tan this was the last straw and she promptly burst into tears.

Tamara took a few minutes to regain her equilibrium and work out what was where. When she saw it was Tanya however she put her personal worries aside. This girl had had a rather hard time of it over the last 8 months, and if she was upset then it was up to Tamara to do something about it.

As it happened, Tanya refused to say a word to her, and Tamara was beginning to get a complex about it when she remembered Gwynneth’s advice about Kathie helping out when the girls got upset. This didn’t look like being anything like as serious as what Rachel was going through with Miss Redpath.

However, before she could do anything about that, she had to help the girl recover herself. She put a comforting arm on the girls shoulder, and handed her a tissue. “You are alright Tanya, you are not going to get into trouble. You have done nothing wrong.” Slowly the litany of reassurance Tamara offered began to make an impact, perhaps she could trust this teacher. Not all of them were very friendly, but this one had proven nice in the past.

Eventually she raised her tear stained face to the mistress “I miss Miss Annersley” she said on a sob, and struggling to control it as she was, she choked through it. Tamara’s eyes softened on the words. While she had not been told anything, she had always guessed that Hilda had played an important part in this young girls life, as well as that of her old friend Sally.

At first she didn’t know what to do, then inspiration came. “Tell me about her?” This was all the invitation that Tanya needed, and she poured out the story of her stormy arrival at the school.

Tamara was astonished, though she had expected to hear of a lot of support given during the time of Tan’s accident, she hadn’t given a thought to anything which might have come before then.

Eventually though the girl ran to a halt, and Tamara had to think about it for a while. Then she decided that she would tell Kathie about the situation, and see if she would do the follow up for her. Tamara had a feeling that Tanya would need people looking out for her for some time to come, and she knew that she could not do it all the time.

As she sent the girl off therefore she gave her firm instructions that if ever she felt as bad as she had, then she was to come and see her, Miss Ferrars, or Matey, and Tanya, feeling far happier than she had for a while agreed that she would do so.
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Sun Feb 25, 2007 7:18 pm ]
Post subject: 
Tamara's reaction and responses were spot on there - it is really nice to see her coming into her own as she is doing this term. She could see that Tanya needed help and encouraging her to talk to her like that was so good for the girl. And now, at least, she will feel that if she needs to do so, she can always go and talk to Tamara herself, to Kathie, or Matey, about the way she is feeling. Hopefully, Sally will snap out of her bad mood, too, and be more aware of Tanya's needs, even if her parents do have some reservations about that relationship.

Thanks, Squirrel.
Author:  MaryR [ Sun Feb 25, 2007 9:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
Is there any chance she can go and see Hilda, as some of the others are doing, or that Hilda can come over and have a chat? Poor Tan. :cry: But how like Hilda to offer so much support.

Tamara is really doing well now and being aware of what others need. Now if she could just get Rachel to leave her lair....

Thanks, Squirrel
Author:  Cath V-P [ Mon Feb 26, 2007 2:10 am ]
Post subject: 
Poor Tanya, but how much tamara achieved there in getting her to talk. It was inevitable that Hilda would be missed, and Kathie has been very sensible in allowing people to get used to her being the head before making changes.

Hope the Rachel situation is soon resolved.
Author:  Squirrel [ Mon Feb 26, 2007 8:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
Chapter 14

Rachel and the visit to Len

Eventually it was Saturday again, and Rachel walked to Freudesheim with a ‘little black dog’ sitting on her shoulder. Nancy looked up from her letter in surprise. The last time she had seen Rachel the girl had looked happy, if slightly uncomfortable at the fact that the house was so much emptier than was usual.

She forbore to say anything however, and calmly told the girl what she had planned. The idea of seeing Mrs Entwhistle seemed to be quite a popular idea, and the frown on the girls face lightened a little.

They walked out of the house and along the path to the Entwistles house where Len had been installed a few days before (well, not literally!). Tamara had decided against tiring her, so had forgone her visit this time, and was back working with the Rangers on varying things. The girls had welcomed her open armed, and she admitted to herself that the meeting was a great way for her to distract herself.

There hadn’t been too much of a shake up of guiders this time – Nell had only had a limited interest in the company when she retired, and the guiders either came from within the younger staff, or from those who lived on the Platz. Len had been one at one point, but had given up her duties some time before, but that still left a reasonable number of others who were able to help out – and some of the prefects were old enough to be full blown guiders as well.

Len looked up with a smile on her face, and noted that the girl did appear to be suffering. That turned her thoughts to how Joanne would be taking this change. Tamara didn’t know Joanne very well – though she did know her as a responsible young girl – and probably hadn’t thought that Joanne would be worrying. Yes, Len was very glad that she had suggested this visit.

Rachel seemed to relax a little more when the young boy was put into her arms. “What’s his name?” she asked shyly.

Len looked up at her and smiled, pausing in her discussion with Nancy for the moment. “He’s Peter James Entwhistle.” She responded before turning back to Nancy to answer her enquiry about Ashley. As the visit went on she allowed her thoughts to go to her eldest son - now half way through his first year at University. It seemed fitting that she should start and end her family with a son. Andrew Jack as he had been called had actually had a twin brother who had been named Edmund John Entwhistle who had been born stillborn. That was long ago now, and though she knew it was unreasonable, she felt that this son, this last child of hers was given to her to somehow heal the last of the wound in her heart.

Len had had 5 children over the time she had been married – though there had been a gap of some time between Ashley and her older sisters Hannah and Jo, who were also twins, meaning that they were now at the school again, having been at St Mildreds the term before.

Len still heard much of the news from them – including their views on how Kathie was doing – not as good as Miss A. but alright, how Tamara was taking to being deputy – Ok, but she seemed terribly worried all the time, their views on the teaching staff – many and varied, and how they were settling back into the school again – that was fine, thought it was just as well that the only girls left at St Mildreds were ex Chaletians.

At this point young Ashley ran into the room. She scowled when she saw Rachel holding her baby brother. “He’s mine” she said looking at them. Len looked up and asked Ashley to go and see her, which the young girl did reluctantly.

When her daughter reached her side she lifted her up on the bed and spoke gently to her daughter. “I know you love your little brother sweetheart, but you are really going to have to let me decide who can hold him sometimes. We have to share holds, just like we share toys. Anyway, Rachel is feeling bad just now, and we thought that holding Peter would help her.”

Ashley looked at her once more, before saying magnanimously “I guess that she can hold him then!”

Len and Nancy couldn’t help but laugh at this statement, and when they saw Ashley’s surprised look their giggles became even more fixed than before. There was also a look in Rachel’s eye that suggested that she might have caught some of the humour in the situation as well.

The visit had to come to an end soon after this, but Rachel and Nancy left Len looking far better than she had when they arrived, and even Rachels difficulties seemed slightly easier than they had done before.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Mon Feb 26, 2007 9:19 pm ]
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Glad visiting Len helped
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Mon Feb 26, 2007 9:22 pm ]
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Good to see how this visit to Len helped Rachel, even though nothing much was said to her. She'd have felt very honoured to be able to hold the baby, too. And I really liked the way Len reasoned with Ashley when the child objected to Rachel holding the baby - and how well Ashley accepted the notion that she didn't have exclusive rights over him. It's also good to learn a little more about Len's own lengthy family.

Thanks, Squirrel.
Author:  MaryR [ Mon Feb 26, 2007 10:57 pm ]
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Len is so thoughtful and responsible, she has even worried about Joanne, who might well be conerned about Rachel. But at least Rachel herself is returning to school a little less wound up and irritable. Holding the baby and laughing at Ashley have done her a power of good.

I hadn't realised Len had five children. Not taking after her mum then? :lol:

Thanks, Squirrel
Author:  Cath V-P [ Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:45 am ]
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Rachel did seem a little more relaxed by the end of that. I loved Ashley's instant "He's mine!" approach!
Author:  Squirrel [ Wed Feb 28, 2007 8:06 pm ]
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Chapter 15 - Matron and Rachel

Still, though Rachel had her worries removed for a little while, Monday saw her back to her old routine of hiding away in her room. Then one day, when the new head matron came along to make sure that the room was in order, she found Rachel hiding away there.

She wasn’t doing anything, she was just hiding in a corner underneath her desk. Jane might have missed her, but for the bright blue of the uniform contrasting with the paler colour in the room.

Jane paused and wondered what to do about this dilemma. She knew all about Rachel, and hesitated about how she should deal with her. She knew that there had to be some reason for the girl still being in her room, it wasn’t just naughtiness, never mind anything else, the girl would be at her computer if she was planning on missing class for fun.

She sat down on the bed for a moment, wondering whether or not to say anything. However, she then heard footsteps, and guessing that Gwynneth would be the only person along here at this hour of the day (unless the teachers had sent someone to find out where Rachel was) she slipped out of the room.

Luckily enough her first thought proved to be correct, and she was able to slip out of the room and talk to Gwynneth quietly. Gwynneth was saddened by the news, but unsurprised. She had been expecting a break out from Rachel at one point or another, and the girl had had a class with Miss Redpath first thing in the morning – it rather looked like things had come to a head.

With a sad smile she put such thoughts to the back of her mind for the moment and focussed on how she could possibly help Rachel. Having never met her in this mood before, and knowing that Tamara had enough on her plate without having to sort Rachel out she entered the room and seeing quickly where the girl was hidden she pulled the chair out of it’s place and slipped in next to her.

Rachel sensed someone invading her safe zone, and instinctively leaned away from them. Why was the world invading her safe place, when all she wanted to do was keep the world out? Eventually she relaxed, and realised that the world sometimes had to invade, and only some people would attempt to join her where she was.

Looking round, she saw the comforting face of Matey, and relaxed even more. There was something up with Tamara, and she couldn’t let her help right now. Matey was alright though, and she was also someone Rachel was comfortable with, so she let herself relax into Matey’s arms, which were open to receive her if she wanted to avail herself of them.

After about 5 minutes though Gwynneth thought it about time they move a little – she was getting cramped, and really, this whole room ought to seem ‘safe’ to Rachel. So she spoke quietly to the girl, and suggested that they move. It took Rachel a few minutes to think about it, but in the end she must have thought it a good idea, for in the dark of their enclosed space Matey could see her nodding in acceptance.

Gwynneth left first and moved over to the side of the bed, which was still quite enclosed, if not as much as beneath the desk. It took a while for Rachel to even start moving, but move she did, and she was soon safely ensconced in Matey’s arms again.

With Jane having gone to report to Kathie, Gwynneth didn’t have to worry that the girl wasn’t in class yet – looking at her, she could tell that class would be no use to her at present.

Tamara, had she been there, might have reminded Gwynneth that sooner or later Rachel would be in the world of work, and that meant attending even if things were overwhelming her. However, she wasn’t, and Matey was certain that there was plenty of time for her to prepare for the world of work.

For the present she just sat with the girl, trying to comfort her and ensure that she knew there was always someone she could talk to. If Rachel had reached the stage of talking yet, things might have got easier. Unfortunately she hadn’t, she still felt that what was happening here was her own fault, and she didn’t feel she could cope with anyone else telling her off.

Rachel decided that she was not going to continue thinking about it, life was too complicated without worries of that kind. However, she had the kind of mind that meant if she didn’t spill it to someone, which she was resolved never to do, she couldn’t forget about it, so within minutes she was back on the topic again, and wondering what on earth she had done to upset this teacher so badly.
Author:  MaryR [ Wed Feb 28, 2007 9:42 pm ]
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Oh, poor, poor Rachel - but lovely Matey! Doing just what is needed - no pressure, no questions, just comforting arms. But she's getting through, because Rachel trusts her and NEEDS to pour it out. But why is Miss Redpath not asking for help? Why is no one showing her the error of her ways? And what exactly has she done to Rachel this time?

Things can't go on like this, can they? Especially when Rachel is blaming herself for whatever happened. :cry:

Thanks, Squirrel
Author:  Cath V-P [ Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:30 pm ]
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Oh dear, poor Rachel, caught in that trap of not being able to tell someone and not being able to escape form the problem.

Miss Redpath may not perceive Rachel as anything other than obstinate and naughty, and so may be resolved to deal with this herself, especially as she is new.

What a problem!
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:38 pm ]
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Am also feeling sorry for Rachel, caught in a position from which she can see no way out and isn't yet ready to talk about - no wonder she has hidden herself away. But thank goodness for Gwynneth, who is prepared to wait as long as it takes for Rachel to be ready to tell her about it all, and meantime to devote her energy to making her feel more comfortable in the the entire space of her room, not just the corner she had tucked herself into.

As for Miss Redpath, she may be disposed simply to regard Rachel as any other disobedient schoolgirl, but I'm a little surprised that no other staff member has realised that she needs Rachel's special situation explained to her. However, my 'gut' tells me that Gwynneth will be doing this herself, as soon as she is certain that Rachel is all right for the moment - I'm very interested to see that she's made no attempt so far to try and insist that Rachel go back into school.

Thanks Squirrel - I will be waiting to see how this unfolds.
Author:  leahbelle [ Thu Mar 01, 2007 2:29 pm ]
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Matey was marvellous there.
Author:  francesn [ Fri Mar 02, 2007 8:45 pm ]
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Poor Rachel -feeling she needs to hide under her desk in her own room. I hope someone can sort soemthing out for her, so she doesn't feel as pressured.

Thanks Squirrel
Author:  Squirrel [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 2:32 pm ]
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OK - I'm nearly up to the end of my typed up stuff. I've got this post and another complete, after that it will be pretty much as they come until I go off for Easter - which is the 24th, so not all that long really!

Again, this ought to have been Fridays post, but I was away for the weekend again, and managed to miss posting in the midst of it all. So, here we go.

Chapter 16 - Tanya and Kathie

Kathie wasn’t too surprised when Tanya sought her out at break that day. Tamara had mentioned that the young girl was finding things quite hard this term, and Kathie herself had made a point of reminding people that she was available to everyone if there was anything they wanted to discuss at assembly that morning.

She would have admitted to being slightly surprised at how quickly the girl had responded to her offer, but she thought she was ready for whatever the girl might have to throw at her. Whatever she was expecting though, she was not expecting the request that Miss Redpath would not teach her history any more. Tanya didn’t mind which class she would go in with, but have Miss Redpath as a teacher she would not.

Having got over her surprise, Kathie started asking the girl what was behind her question, and the girl blushed as she was well aware that she was making a most unusual request. However Tanya clammed up immediately under the surprised questioning that was unleashed at her.

Kathie was perceptive enough to see it at once, and mentally scolded herself. Where was Hilda when you needed her she wondered. Then she paused for a moment, and cleared her head. Hilda wasn’t head here any more – she was, and she would have to deal with whatever issues came up.

Therefore she started again. “I’m sorry for frightening you Tanya. I was just a little surprised. I do want you to be able to come to me about any issue, so tell me – how do you find Miss Redpath as a teacher?”

Miss Redpath had been one of her first appointments as head, and she just hoped she hadn’t made a serious mistake there. She guessed that this was something she was going to find out about, and soon.

Eventually Tanya looked at her, and found comfort in her kindly eyes. No, this was not Miss Annersley, and it never would be, but Kathie’s eyes seemed as comforting in their own way.

Slowly she relaxed, and then she began hunting for the right words. In the end she decided that she would just start, and see what came to mind as she went along.

“Well, she isn’t nice in class. She spends half the time demeaning either Rachel or myself, and I don’t think anyone is learning anything.”

With the big news out she paused for breath, and considered her next move. “I think what is worse is the atmosphere in the classroom. No one can relax, and I’m sure that all our grades are dropping.

“Miss Ferrars, I hate it – and I know Rachel does as well. She left the room immediately after Miss Redpath, and I’ve not seen her since. I’m worried about her, Joanne is worried about her, and I’m sure that Miss Darleigh is worried about her. She doesn’t seem to want to talk to any of us, she hides away in her room most of the time, and I don’t know what to do about it.”

Tanya stopped at that, the expression on the teacher’s face was utterly changed from her normal welcoming expression. Suddenly she felt terrible, she had caused her teacher to look like that. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sure we will cope with it!”

She was just about to leave the room when Kathie stopped her. “On the contrary Tanya, I am very pleased you have told me about it. I’m very sorry that it has taken so long for this issue to reach my ears however. Now, you say that Rachel left the classroom and you have not seen her since? I think that it may be time for me to have a quick word with her. Will you find out whether she is with the rest of your form mates or not, and let me know please?”

With that she dismissed the girl, and then turned to the telephone to ring up Nancy.
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 3:57 pm ]
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Thank goodness that Tanya has managed to bring this problem with Miss Redpath well and truly to Kathie's attention. And to point out the problems which Rachel is having here, too. That was all needed and very well done.

At least Kathie knows now, and can look more throughly into it all. But, and it's a big but, she also needs to understand that she herself is as new to the headship as Miss Redpath is to the school, and not berate herself too severely for the fact that she has 'missed' these signs until now.

But while she is Kathie and not Hilda, she does have a lot of the same traits in wanting to be completely aware of everything which affects either girls or staff, so I imagine she will do just that, unless Nancy or Matey can help her to rationalise things.

Thanks, Squirrel, I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. And don't worry if you do have a gap in posting after the next post - as you say, the Easter break is not so far away and we can all be patient!
Author:  MaryR [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 6:09 pm ]
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Well, it needed someone to tell her, didn't it? Thank goodness Tanya felt she had had enough. But Kathie must bear some of the responsibilty for this - by not alerting Miss Redpath to the problems.

She asked for any problems to be brought to her - and certainly got them in spades, didn't she? I do hope she can help Rachel - or find someone who can. But why is she ringing Nancy? Is she looking for help, I wonder, or just reasurance? Come on, Kathie, you've seen Hilda in action enough, and you have enough sensitivity of your own, to be able to bring healing to this situation.

Thanks, Squirrel.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 11:19 pm ]
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Well. at least it's out now and something can be done about this. I imagine that part of the problem is that the girls aren't sure how Kathie will react to news of this sort, and don't know haow to react to her in her new role of headmistress.

Looking froward to seeing what comes next.
Author:  Squirrel [ Mon Mar 05, 2007 7:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
OK - here is the last post I have typed up for the moment. We shall see what the future brings in the way of posting!

Chapter 17 - Kathie and Tamara

It was after Matron had come down to inform her that Rachel was having a chat with Gwynneth in her room that Kathie had decided that she needed to have a word with Tamara. She no longer needed to deal with the girl this instant – she was aware that Gwynneth would deal with her admirably. However, she did need to know what her colleague knew. Tamara had to know something, she was so close to Rachel, and Tanya had said that she was worried. Why had Tamara not shared that worry with her.

As she waited, her mind turned back to the scene just after Rachel had escaped from the Heidi hut, where Tamara had admitted that she had been intimidated by the chatter of the girls and hadn’t bothered to do anything about it. Kathie wouldn’t have worried about that so much if she had even mentioned the issues surrounding the situation. Tamara had had a cast iron reason why not, though Kathie had disagreed with her.

No, she decided, there is nothing that can be applied to this situation from that. She has played about with Rachels health by not mentioning it to me, there is no way she can pretend to have done the best for the school – I shall see what she has to say, but she has done wrong and I am going to have to tell her about it. I cannot have her risking the health of the girls period.

All that was left was for Kathie to await the arrival of Tamara at her office, which she did soon after this thought, slightly stressed, and wondering why on earth her head mistress had called her to see her. Tamara was still not quite into the rhythm of working closely with another to keep the school running smoothly.

As the door closed behind Tamara Kathie looked at her steadily. Then she dropped her bombshell. “Tell me Tamara, how is Rachel doing?” She knew it may not be the best way to go about it, but she could think of no other way right now, and she had to get to the heart of the matter as soon as possible.

She was not to know that this direct way, though possibly difficult for Tamara, also meant that she knew exactly what they were meeting to talk about and could follow things through better than during other meetings when she had found out her information by a more round about route.

Tamara looked up at her quietly. “Indeed, I have been worried about Rachel, and am not sure what to do about her. She is far quieter than she used to be, and has gone back to what she was like at the very start of last term. She doesn’t attend meals in the dinner hall, though she makes no fuss about classes usually. And she utterly refuses to talk to me about History.

“I don’t think that Joey’s absence has helped matters, but I’m sure that there is more to it on that, but she just doesn’t talk to me. I did ask Gwynneth what she thought, and she said she would keep an eye out, and that I should talk to you, but that was at the time that Frau Ackart was off because of the illness in her family, and you had more than enough to deal with.”

Kathie was stunned as the information flowed over her. Tamara was genuinely concerned, and appeared to have done all that she could – other than speaking to Kathie about it, and that was something that she would have to remedy.

She proceeded to gently tell Tamara where it would have been better if she had done things differently, and after talking with her for a while longer suggested that they implement a time of day when they got together and discussed all their issues. Kathie would tell Tamara what was troubling her, and Tamara would tell Kathie any issues she might have. She impressed upon Tamara the problems that might come if she kept anything back, and the girl agreed that she would come to Kathie if she needed to do so.

Then they separated for the day, knowing that they each had specific jobs they needed to do next.
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Mon Mar 05, 2007 8:45 pm ]
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Well, at least this has brought the matter out into the open as far as Kathie is concerned - and while she may not have agreed with Tamara not having told her about it earlier, I'm sure she can also understand just why Tamara had not wanted to add to her problems. And since each is almost as new at her present job as the other, both have to learn by experience, don't they?

But setting aside a regular time for the two of them to discuss any and all problems is definitely a step in the right direction and will be good for both of them.

Thanks, Squirrel - we will wait patiently until whenever you have time to update this. Good luck with all your uni work.
Author:  MaryR [ Mon Mar 05, 2007 9:39 pm ]
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Kathie is being very impatient, isn't she? :shock: And after all, she didn't explain things to the new teacher, so she can hardly blame Tamara for keeping quiet.

Poor Tamara is struggling to cope with it all, and having two new people in the two top jobs is causing friction. As Elder says, they will learn as they go along, but Kathie needs to get on top of it all quickly. Thank goodness Matey has Rachel in hand.

Thanks, Squirrel
Author:  Cath V-P [ Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:22 pm ]
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They are both learning aren't they? That idea of a specific time set aside to dicuss issues and concerns is a very good idea. And good to see Kathie realise that Tamara is aware of Rachel's difficulties and has done as much as she could at this point.
Author:  Miranda [ Fri Mar 09, 2007 3:40 pm ]
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Thanks Squirrel, I have just caught up with most of this and I'm really pleased to be seeing more of Rachel :) Although things aren't going too well for her at the moment, I hope now that Tamara and Kathie have developed a better relationship, they'll both be in a better position to help Rachel.

Looking forward to more around Easter - have a great break!
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