The CBB :: View topic - Dilemma for the Deputy Head

#1201: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 9:03 pm

Hilda's words took my breath away, so wonderfully were they expressed, and how kind of her to admit to all that to make Ruth feel better.

No doubt Butcher and Miss Shaw will go on respecting and needling each other.

Lovely two posts. Thank you, Lesley.

#1202: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 9:23 pm

Great post Lesley - loved seeing Butcher being so concerned about a 'screw' Smile

#1203: A New Dilemma Author: Elder in Ontario, Location: Ontario, Canada

Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 10:17 pm

I read the two debriefing posts both together - the fruits of having been out since the seige itself ended!

Both are superb. As always, in revealing so much of her own, almost always well-concealed, feeings in difficult situations, to Ruth and the others, Hilda has shown her great gift for understanding other people's needs. This was just the sort of reassurance Ruth needed at this point - and the others, too, for that matter. I'm so glad they all got out safely.

Am also glad to see that Butcher and Miss Shaw can continue to spar, even after everything that's happened - and that Miss Shaw was able to thank Butcher for coming back inside to help out at the end. It all shows the basic respect each has for the other, and which will surely continue.

Thanks Lesley!

#1204: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 10:26 pm

What concerns me is that even after all that there has been no dilemma! That is still to come!

#1205: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 10:30 pm

Pat wrote:

What concerns me is that even after all that there has been no dilemma! That is still to come!

What, haven't I mentioned that yet? Silly me! Twisted Evil

#1206: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 10:36 pm

Lesley wrote:

Pat wrote:

What concerns me is that even after all that there has been no dilemma! That is still to come!

What, haven't I mentioned that yet? Silly me! Twisted Evil

You are evil! Twisted Evil

Thanks Lesley. Good for Hilda helping Ruth out like that, and I love that Butcher and Miss Shaw's relationship is still the same as ever, albeit with a little more warmth.

#1207: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 10:36 pm

Lesley wrote:

Pat wrote:

What concerns me is that even after all that there has been no dilemma! That is still to come!

What, haven't I mentioned that yet? Silly me! Twisted Evil

*surreptitiously pokes Lesley, then runs off to hide!*

Thank you hunny! (specially for not killing any of them!!!)

*looks round nervously for next cliff!*

#1208: Author: Beth, Location: Back in Durham...nearly finished a whole year!!

Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 10:39 pm

Lesley wrote:

Pat wrote:

What concerns me is that even after all that there has been no dilemma! That is still to come!

What, haven't I mentioned that yet? Silly me! Twisted Evil

*wails*

I thought that was an update!!! Pretty pretty please, Lesley, may we have some more? I'm feeling in need of some nice cliffs, to detract from RL...

#1209: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 11:08 pm

*breathes*

the siege is ended!!!! Thank you, Lesley

*careful refrains from mentions the d word*

#1210: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 1:04 am

Loved this Lesley especially the way that Butcher and Shaw see past each other's status to value their similar strengths. And at one point (quite a while ago now) I was reading Butcher as a "dark" version of Hilda - especially in the comment about enjoyment of leadership.

#1211: Author: Miss Di, Location: Newcastle, NSW

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 2:03 am

Phew! (wipes brow, sighs with relief and quietly wibbles over what's going to happen next...)

I'm soo glad the seige is over. I especially liked Hilda and Ruth's discussion on fear and hiding it because of responsibility.

#1212: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 2:06 am

Wow!

Have just caught up on this since Tuesday - I decided that my nerves couldn't take any more and waited until now in the hopes that it was resolved - thankyou

Even so I while reading I was getting very tempted to revert to childhood Dr Who watching and try and read it from behind the sofa while cuddling a cushion for added safety Wink

Please please please please can we have a few nice normal gentle posts so we can all recover?

and if I have nightmares tonight, I'll have to tell Andy who's fault it was that I'm being haunted by gory violent scenes Confused

#1213: Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 2:32 am

Thank you Lesley.

Really like the relationship demonstrated between Miss Shaw (who is awesome) and Butcher (who reminds me of the early Bea Smith from Prisoner).

Also really like how Hilda opened up to show Ruth she had behaved normally and really was brave.

And anybody who writes a siege like you just did has some nerve giving a whole paragraph of "good news/bad news" in someone else's drabble! poke

#1214: Author: Mora, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 9:22 am

Wow! I am so much in awe of Hilda, Ruth, Butcher and Miss Shaw. And you too Lesley! Thank you for not killing anyone (yet)
Is it time to wibble again yet?

#1215: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 10:23 am

Mora wrote:

Wow! I am so much in awe of Hilda, Ruth, Butcher and Miss Shaw. And you too Lesley! Thank you for not killing anyone (yet)
Is it time to wibble again yet?

Well, apart from Taylor - she died.

The four, Miss Annersley, Butcher, Mr Spencer and the police officer, watched as the ambulance moved slowly over to the main gates, then passed through. They resumed their interrupted journeys. Miss Annersley walked next to Butcher,

“You are being taken to solitary?” she asked.

“Yeah, no idea how long for yet, will find out after they’ve sorted out all the charges.” Butcher’s voice had a fatalistic tone, “Could be there till Christmas!”

“I doubt that.” Hilda Annersley’s voice held some amusement, she looked across at the prisoner, thinking, then, “I have a query Butcher, something that has puzzled me.”

“What?”

“Why did you feel the need to visit the Education Block anyway? You are educated, have no need for the lessons.”

There was silence for some seconds, eventually Butcher turned to the prison officer by her side, “Need some privacy for this Mr Spencer, any chance?”

The prison officer considered, his first thought was to refuse, after all Butcher was a notorious trouble-maker, was facing any number of charges because of the siege. Then he thought about the scene in the ambulance, the Senior Officer obviously felt she owed Butcher some thanks, they had a mutual respect for each other, he nodded. Leading the way into a nearby admin block he opened the door of a small office nearby and ushered both women inside. Moving across to the barred window he quickly removed the cuff from around his own wrist and clipped it round one of the bars, leaving Butcher handcuffed to the window.

“We’ll be outside when you’re done,” he said to Miss Annersley, indicating both the police officer and himself.

The door closed and Hilda looked across at Butcher, “Obviously not something you wish the authorities to hear, Butcher. I’m not sure if you should be telling me.”

“No, it’s nothing like that. Simple really, I used to come over to see you.”

“Checking to see that I upheld my part of the bargain?” Miss Annersley sounded disappointed.

Butcher shook her head, smiling, “No, I knew you’d keep your word. Last night, wasn’t sure whether you’d be there or not, so thought I’d wander across just in case.”

“Why?”

There was a long pause, as though Butcher was having to consider her reply. “How old are you Annersley?” On seeing the raised eyebrow she continued, “I’m leading somewhere with this.”

“I see, then I am 46 years old.”

Butcher nodded, “You look younger, but you sometimes act a great deal older, like you were born a hundred years ago!”

“You’d be surprised.” Miss Annersley smiled slightly, “Why did you want to know?”

“Wondered how many of those years you had been in charge. Had been a leader, thought it might be on a par with me, I’ve been in charge since I was first convicted, nine and a half years, you?”

“Longer.”

“I figured.” There was silence for a time, Hilda Annersley sensed the convict was building to something, she remained silent, patiently waiting. Eventually her patience was rewarded.

#1216: Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 10:42 am

*wonders when OUR patience will also be rewarded*

Thank you Lesley for the shiny drabble Very Happy

#1217: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 11:16 am

Thank you Lesley. I thought you might take a break after that marathon run of posts ending the siege but I see the bunny is still with you.

I think when we say that no one died, we're meaning RCS, Shaw and Butcher. It's a shame about Taylor but we were wibbling for Ruth and Co!

#1218: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 11:36 am

Lesley, please reward our patience, after all, we haven't started to chant yet.

Oh, and I don't want to have to wait any longer.

#1219: Author: Catherine_B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 11:52 am

Hmmmm!

Is Butcher thinking about her successor?

Has Butcher guessed about Hilda really being a hundred years old? (well you know what I mean)

Or what...?

#1220: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 11:57 am

Thanks Lesley

*cogs whirring frantically to no avail*

Liz

#1221: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 12:01 pm

Love the way Butcher has sussed just how wise Hilda is, and the way Hilda shows her respect for Butcher by patiently answering her questions and waiting to see what is coming.

What IS coming?

#1222: Author: Alex, Location: Hunts, UK

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 12:18 pm

Can you imagine Hilda saying to Butcher, well I'm about 100 but it depends how you count it, in some ways I'm only 2 ish!!!

#1223: Author: Katie, Location: A Yorkshire lass in London

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 12:49 pm

Maybe Butcher's a closet CS fan. You never know... Very Happy

#1224: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 2:14 pm

Katie wrote:

Maybe Butcher's a closet CS fan. You never know... Very Happy

That's what I was wondering Katie!

#1225: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 2:22 pm

She didn't learn any lessons from the books though did she!!

Thanks Lesley!

#1226: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 3:49 pm

“So you been running things at that school for more than ten years? Tell me Annersley, you got friends or family that aren’t connected to the school?”

Hilda thought for a moment, then shook her head, “No, all my friends have a connection with the school.”

“No family, back in England?”

“No.” Hilda debated mentioning Cherry and Robbie, but sensed that Butcher didn’t mean them.

“Same as me then, in a way. Any friends I have are inside, are ex-cons or, well, lets just say they’ve not been caught yet.” Butcher ended with a slight smile.

“You have no family?”

Butcher shook her head, “Disowned me years ago, last I saw them was at the murder trial that put me in here.”

Hilda Annersley’s eyes showed her feelings and Butcher picked up on it, “Don’t you feel sorry for me, Annersley, I don’t want your pity. I knew what I was doing, knew what it would mean. As I said to a copper a few hours back, I’ve been in serious trouble since I was six. They say under ten you don’t know right from wrong? Load of rubbish, I knew, but did it anyway! No way I could live with all the rules and regulations, live the way you do, it’d stifle me. I don’t regret my life. In fact the only thing I regret is trusting some sneaky Pommie bitch ten years ago, but then, I’ve since realised all English women are devious.”

Hilda stifled a smile at this and spoke, “I had heard that there was doubt about your original conviction?”

“Yes, the one out of four I didn’t do, but it makes no odds, the reason I’m in here for life is because of a murder five years ago, and I did that one!” Butcher took a deep breath, twisted uncomfortably in the handcuffs, “Look, we don’t have much time, Spencer’ll be banging on the door soon, he’s eager to see me in solitary. You want to know why I came over to see you?”

Hilda nodded.

Butcher looked down at the floor, she spoke very quietly, “To talk to someone…I knew I could trust. Someone who knew how it felt to be in charge all the time, knew how lonely it could be.” She looked directly into the blue-grey eyes, “You know that, don’t you?”

“Yes,” Hilda said softly, “I know that.”

“And how do you cope? I mean you’ve done it for longer than me, how do you keep going?”

Hilda thought hard, it was unlikely that Butcher would ever again feel she could ask the question, she deserved a complete answer. “The greatest help? Apart from my Faith, of course…”

“Can’t see that helping, Annersley.”

“Perhaps not,” Hilda smiled, “Then it would have to be Nell Wilson, her support and friendship have sustained me for more years than I care to remember.”

“Wilson. She the one I met last September? She’s your lieutenant isn’t she?”

Hilda nodded.

“Then that won’t work, anyone I take on as a lieutenant is just waiting for me to fall, so they can take over.”

“Not necessarily,” Hilda replied, “if you choose for things other than just strength you may find someone.”

“Wilson is strong,” Butcher remembered a handshake.

“Yes, but it’s her loyalty and common sense that I rely upon.”

“Hmmm,” Butcher didn’t sound too convinced, “Well, maybe, I’ll think on it.”

Miss Annersley, sensing the conversation was finished, moved over to the door, then, as a thought struck her she walked back to the window, “Butcher, it’s likely to be some time before the classes begin again, if they ever do. And when they re-start I can see the security being far higher. You will not be allowed access.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right,” Butcher said slowly.

“Butcher,” Hilda paused then continued, “Do you have many visitors?”

Butcher looked across, startled, “You mean?”

“If that is what you want, Butcher, I’ll visit.”

Butcher thought for a while, “I don’t want any lectures, Annersley, no attempts to convert me.”

“Agreed, in return I don’t want to hear of any illegal events planned for the future.”

“Agreed. As soon as I’m out of solitary then, I'll send a visitor’s pass. Thanks Annersley.”

“I look forward to it, Butcher.” Miss Annersley then left the room and was taken out of the prison. Butcher was taken down to the Isolation block to begin her bout of Solitary.

Last edited by Lesley on Mon May 30, 2005 4:17 pm; edited 1 time in total

#1227: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 4:13 pm

Awwww!!! Thank you Lesley!!!
Hope Hilda can help Butcher somehow!

#1228: Dilemma for the Deputy Head Author: Elder in Ontario, Location: Ontario, Canada

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 4:41 pm

Trust Hilda to see beyond the 'villain' in Butcher to the real and lonely person underneath - and it's very interesting that Butcher can also sense the 'loneliness at the top' of her own position, too. While there's evidently mutual respect between Miss Shaw and herself, there would be no opportunity for any deeper relationship there.

It's clear that she trusts Hilda implicitly, and I hope that Hilda will be allowed to visit in due course - just the uncritical contact could do so much good.

Thanks, Lesley.

#1229: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 5:08 pm

Thank you Lesley. I think the friendship will be more mutual than Hilda just supporting Butcher. Good for both of them, I reckon.

#1230: Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 6:38 pm

Thanks Lesley, I have just managed to skip over most of the latest cliffs, But you did give me a dream about knives Confused

#1231: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 7:46 pm

I am enjoying this. The fantastic insight into the characters as well as the cliffs.

#1232: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 8:20 pm

Wow, I wonder wether this is a point towards the dilemma or not?

#1233: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 8:37 pm

Lovely, Lesley. Respect on both sides, and as patmac says, this could be good for both of them.

And what a testament to Hilda's trust in Nell. Very Happy

#1234: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 8:40 pm

When Miss Annersley finally arrived back at the Real Chalet School she could have been forgiven for thinking another riot was taking place! As she walked into the main building the noise hit her, the noise of hundreds shouting and cheering. Following the sounds she walked into the back of the main Hall to discover the entire School had already gathered. As she glanced round she saw that it wasn’t just the students, all the office Staff, all catering and domestic Staff, even a fair number of Security Staff were all in the room. Up on the dais Miss Wilson stood with a very pink looking Miss Derwent, Miss Ferrars, Miss Burnett and Miss Jones. Just behind them were Nancy Wilmot, Rosalind Moore and Sharlie Andrews, she could even see Ben Pieper, trying, unsuccessfully, to blend in with the Staff!

As she was looking at all of this, Miss Annersley heard her name being called, turning she saw Cherry running toward her,

“I was so worried,” Cherry said, having to shout to make herself heard,

Hilda frowned and pulled Cherry out of the Hall, with the doors shut the volume reduced slightly, “Why were you worried? I wasn’t in danger.”

“Well I couldn’t be sure of that,” Cherry returned, “suppose the riot had got worse?”

Hilda smiled, “I’m fine,” she said, “there were some injuries, even one fatality, but I was never in danger. Ruth and the others were, however.”

Cherry shivered, “I’ve heard, they were so brave. Hilda what about Miss Shaw? Nell said that she was hurt.”

“She was, she’s been taken to hospital,” she paused looking over at the girl, “I planned to visit her in hospital at the weekend, would you like to come along?”

“Would she want me to visit?” Cherry looked doubtful, “I mean, I’d like to see her, thank her for her help when I was inside, but maybe she wouldn’t want that.”

“I expect she would appreciate it greatly.” Hilda thought for a moment, “Cherry, I cannot see that many would take the trouble to thank the officers, most of the time their work is unappreciated.”

“OK, I’ll come along.” Cherry smiled and hugged Hilda, “Really glad you’re OK.” she said, before disappearing back into the Hall.

The Head followed her, smiling, she watched as Cherry went over to join a number of the other cleaners, saw how most of them smiled in a friendly way when Cherry reappeared, saw one who did not smile and wondered. Then her attention was drawn by a sudden drop in the noise level and she realised that Nell Wilson was speaking,

“Now, I’m sure Miss Derwent and co really appreciate your cheers and applause, and, as they didn’t have much sleep last night, they are all off for the rest of the week. I don’t expect that we’ll get very much work from any of you today, so I will just say that all lessons and Prep is cancelled for today, as a celebration.”

The School cheered even louder at that pronouncement, at least they did until a well-known voice cut across the noise.

“Miss Wilson, you exceed your authority.”

There was a deathly hush as everyone recognised the voice of the Headmistress. All heads turned to watch her figure walking into the Hall and across to the dais. As she reached the dais the Deputy Head smiled, “I didn’t know you were back on site, Miss Annersley, of course the final decision is yours.”

Miss Annersley stepped up the lectern, a twinkle in her eye, she gazed out at the waiting School, “So Nell,” she said in an undertone, “what will you promise me so that I don’t rescind your order?”

Miss Wilson looked across, shock on her face, “You wouldn’t do that, would you Hilda? I’d look pretty silly.”

“Well I don’t know, depends on what’s on offer,” the strain of the siege and the overwhelming relief appeared to have brought out a barely used mischievous side to the Head; she smiled at her partner.

Miss Wilson’s eyes narrowed, “Oh I think I can get you to agree, Miss Annersley,” she said grimly. She stepped forward and looked out at the silent School, “Everyone,” she called, “we have shown our appreciation for the bravery and courage of the four Mistresses held hostage in the prison riot. But there is one other who needs your praise, who deserves your cheers,” Miss Wilson placed her arm around Miss Annersley’s shoulders as she spoke, “Miss Annersley was also at the prison all night, she took over negotiations with those holding our Staff prisoner. It is because of her efforts that they are all with us today.”

All the Staff standing behind the two Heads saw the instant when the friendly arm draped across Miss Annersley’s shoulders suddenly tensed. Miss Annersley, realising what her friend was doing, had thought to make her escape, she was unsuccessful.

“Now I’m sure you would all like to show your appreciation in the normal manner!” continued the Deputy Head, the School all rose to their feet, clapping and cheering.

“Let me go, Nell!” Miss Annersley hissed the words at her friend, Miss Wilson grinned,

“Now Hilda, the more you struggle, the sillier you will look, the entire School will see you appearing to writhe in agony!”

Miss Annersley stopped struggling, aware that Nell was telling the truth, “Let me go!” she whispered, while her face blushed a deep red at the cheers from the School.

“Only once you’ve confirmed my order.”

“That is blackmail!”

“Yes I believe so.”

“I’ll call for help,”

Miss Wilson looked at her friend in some disbelief, “And allow all the students to see that their headmistress wasn’t able to deal with a problem on her own? I don’t think so.”

The Head looked across at her friend for some seconds before bowing to the inevitable, “Oh, very well!” she turned to the School and raised one hand, they instantly quietened, “Thank you for your cheers,” she said, “I really do not deserve them, now, I’m sure, after all that noise you are in no fit state to work today, so I will just confirm Miss Wilson’s earlier order. Lessons and Prep for the day are cancelled!”

Beneath the cover of the cheers that statement provoked Miss Annersley spoke again, “You may let me go now, Nell!”

Nell Wilson grinned, twisting slightly she hugged Miss Annersley before releasing her, “Proud of you, Hilda,” she said quietly.

#1235: Author: Katarzyna, Location: North West England

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 8:48 pm

Thank you Lesley

It's so good to see Hilda and Nell back to their normal bickering selves!

#1236: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 8:49 pm

I love the way Hilda and Nell interact. Laughing

#1237: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 8:50 pm

Lolol!!!!

#1238: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 8:50 pm

I'm so glad Hilda is safely back at the school.

#1239: Author: JackieJ, Location: Kingston upon Hull

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 9:22 pm

Jennie wrote:

I'm so glad Hilda is safely back at the school.

I'm glad that I'm back at school as well.

Thank for your high posting rate though Lesley - it's lovely to log on and find two or three more sections.

JackieJ

#1240: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 11:09 pm

YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!

Thanks Lesley! Very Happy

#1241: Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 11:39 pm

Hip 'ray! Hip 'ray! Hip 'ray!

Thank you Lesley!!

#1242: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 12:09 am

Yaaaay!! Wondrous Lesley!.....Now what do you have planned for us?

#1243: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 8:43 am

Fantatsic! Thank you Lesley. Love the way Hilda and nell interact and look forward to seeing Hilda's visits to Butcher.

#1244: Author: Rachel,

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 10:26 am

That was rather jolly - just caught up from page 53!

As brilliant as ever Lesley - what more can I say?

#1245: Author: Mora, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 3:23 pm

Awww! Loveliness Very Happy

Always love Hilda and Nell sparring. And even more impressed by Butcher. Thank you Lesley... and I'll try to keep a better death count next time ;)

#1246: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 6:22 pm

Later, after all the cheering had died down, and the students and Staff had left the Hall, intent on enjoying their day off. After the Teaching Staff had finished toasting their four heroines and had finished off the bottles of wine there for the purpose. Those involved in the siege retired to try and get some sleep;

***

“Look, I’m feeling fine, I can easily cope without one night’s sleep, honestly Sharlie I’m fine,” Peggy Burnett’s voice floated up the corridor, some of the Staff looked across to see Peggy being firmly pushed in the direction of the Staff House by a very determined Sharlie Andrews.

“You are not fine, Peggy, you are going to bed, if I have to drag you there!”

“But it’s unfair on Emma, she’s arranging a tournament this afternoon, she’ll need help.”

“Hilary Graves is coming in, and anyway, regardless, you are going to bed.”

“Oh, come on Sharlie, have a heart, I don’t want to go to bed.”

“Have a heart? Have a heart? Well if that doesn’t just take the cake. Margaret Burnett you are going to bed, you’ve had a terrible experience and you need to rest. And if I hear one moan or grumble from you, you……”

It is to be noted that Miss Andrews' language deteriorated at this point, so much so that it was not possible to record anything further. She had obviously learnt a great deal during her association with Eminem.

***

“So, do you think anyone will mind if I abduct you from here, Miss Jones?”

“Why Mr Pieper, aren’t you supposed to be working?”

”Nope, Dr Venables gave me the rest of the week off, to look after my heroine.”

“Hmmmm, well I do need looking after right this minute. And it has to be someone called Ben, with red hair. I don’t think anyone will mind.”

***

“Come here, you!” the order would have sounded better had the person giving it not been lying on one half of the double bed in the main bedroom, however the person to whom the order was given immediately obeyed. Kathie Ferrars snuggled over toward Nancy, feeling her partner’s arms engulf her. She rested her head on Nancy’s chest.

“Thanks Nance, really need this at the moment.”

The pair cuddled in silence for a time, then, “So what did you do all night last night then?”

“Mostly sat waiting for the phone to ring, watched the news broadcasts.”

“You didn’t sleep either?”

“A little,” Nancy laughed, “woke up to find I was resting on Nell’s lap once or twice,”

“Oh yes?”

“Calm down, she’s not my type,”

“Should think not, if they ever open Nell’s heart they’ll find Hilda written there.”

“True.” A pause, then, “Kathie, I did want to be there, at the prison I mean, but Hilda and Nell…”

“I heard, they were probably right, it may well have meant some of the women would have been nasty….nastier. Don’t worry about it. I knew what you were feeling because I knew how I’d feel if you had been the one in there.” Kathie snuggled further into her partner’s arms then looked up mischievously, “So if Nell’s not your type, then who is?”

“Oh I don’t know, someone who’s not so strong, definitely, it’s no wonder she can hold Hilda so easily, I couldn’t move!”

“Well love, I’m not as strong as you,” Kathie said demurely, “but I bet Nell couldn’t do this.”

There were a few seconds of muffled giggles then Nancy said, “Well, I don’t think anyone else has ever tickled me there!”

“They’d better not.”

Last edited by Lesley on Tue May 31, 2005 7:01 pm; edited 1 time in total

#1247: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 6:45 pm

Love all the different reactions between the different couples, wonderfully portrayed.

The comment about opening Nell's heart and finding Hilda written there was spot on...very touching and yet nicely understated.

The last line...They had better not...had me giggling! Laughing

#1248: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 9:16 pm

Carolyn P wrote:

The comment about opening Nell's heart and finding Hilda written there was spot on...very touching and yet nicely understated.

I couldn't agree more, Carolyn. Thank you, Lesley, that was great, calm and restful after all the other scenes.

Wonder how Nell and Hilda are doing?

#1249: Dilemma for the Deputy Head Author: Elder in Ontario, Location: Ontario, Canada

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 9:23 pm

I couldn't agree more with both Carolyn and Mary - what a great example of the calm after the storm - rather like the last movement of Beethoven's Pastoral symphony, for those who know it!

#1250: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 10:58 pm

lovely, thank you Lesley

*breathes a big sigh of relief that nothing else has happened YET*

#1251: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 11:25 pm

Thanks Lesley - good to see everybody is being taken care of by their friends and loved ones

Liz

#1252: Author: Gem, Location: Saltash/Aberystwyth

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 11:27 pm

Thank you so much for all of the posts lately Lesley! I'm sorry I haven't been replying to them as I've been going along - just haven't had the time - but I've been keeping one eye on it and been wibbling alongside everyone else! Loved this latest post - perfect. Thank you Kiss

#1253: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 11:42 pm

What a lovely set of reactions, and so accurately portrayed. But I'm sure you've still got something planned.....

#1254: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 5:17 am

Yay that Hilda's arranged things so we don't lose sight of Butcher! Watching the development of their relationship to mutual respect and beyond has been a real plus.

Nice to see everyone having a breathing space. But -- whoops! -- I'd almost forgotten the hard time Cherry was having with some of the other staff. *looks forward to seeing Hilda & Cherry's visit to Miss Shaw*

#1255: Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 7:58 am

Elder, I love that metaphor (?). Also love the Pastoral Symphony.

Lesley, echoing everyone else - what a lovely calm after the storm.

#1256: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 8:19 am

Thank you Lesley, wonderful interlude before what i'm sure will be another roller-coaster ride!

#1257: Author: Robin, Location: London

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 9:47 am

pheweeee
def glad that I went away for a long weekend even if it has just taken me for ever to catch up!!

glad it's all ok - also enjoying the peaceful interludes after the stress of the siege

thanks lesley

#1258: Author: Cumbrian Rachel, Location: Kendal

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 2:04 pm

*breathes a very large sigh of relief!*

*now wondering what the dilemma will be...*

*eagerly(!) awaiting the next big cliff!*

#1259: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 5:25 pm

Have been catching up on and off all day and have finially managed it! Thanks Lesley. Wonderful.

#1260: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 5:35 pm

“Sit yourself down, Ruth, you look shattered,” Rosalind Moore ushered her friend into the Senior Mistress’ own suite in the Staff House. Ruth Derwent smiled slightly then walked over to her favourite armchair. Within seconds she was curled up in its depths. “I’ll make us both a coffee, shall I?” Rosalind’s voice floated across.

“Mmmmm, yes please,” Ruth said appreciatively.

A few minutes later the two women were sipping coffee in a calm silence. Ruth looked up, “It all seems unreal,” she said quietly, “I mean, what happened just a few short hours ago. It almost seems like a dream.”

“It wasn’t though,” Ros replied, “and you acting so heroically and…”

”Oh that!” Ruth sounded very disparaging.

Rosalind looked across at her friend, Ruth had turned a pale pink once more, “Ruth,” she said gently, “Get used to hearing people say that, you were very brave, you deserve all the praise.”

“It still seems strange,” Ruth said quickly, “I just did what had to be done. Anyone would have done the same. And I certainly didn’t feel brave.”

“Perhaps, but you were the one that did it,” Ros said brusquely, “and anyway brave’s not what you feel, it’s what you do.” She paused for a moment to review her last sentence then laughed, “And I’d hate for Hilda to hear that sentence, terrible English.”

“Yes well, Hilda’s not the only English mistress, Ros,” Ruth said quickly, “and I’m tempted to make you write out the correct grammar for that sentence one hundred times!”

“You wouldn’t do that to a friend.” Rosalind’s reply was quite smug.

“Don’t count on it!”

There was a pause for some seconds, then Rosalind walked across to sit on the arm of Ruth’s armchair, “You wouldn’t be so cruel,” she said with certainty, “especially as I have some news to tell you.”

“Oh, what news?” There was silence for a time, long enough that Ruth twisted round to look at her friend, “Ros? What is it, have you bad news?”

Rosalind smiled, and it seemed to Ruth that her entire body was glowing, “No Ruth, quite the contrary, can’t you guess?”

Ruth just looked puzzled.

Rosalind smiled, “Ruth, what were you planning to do for next Christmas?”

“Next Christmas?”

“Well, probably just after, though I’m not absolutely sure of my dates,” Rosalind grinned at her friend.

“Dates? Ros what are you talking about?” Ruth looked very confused.

Rosalind Moore sighed, “Would it help if I just said I expected to be busy then?”

Ruth’s eyes widened, “You’re not? You’re pregnant? But how?”

“You want an anatomy lesson?”

“No, stupid, I mean…” Ruth stopped, grinning; leaping up out of the chair she enveloped her friend in a bear hug, “That’s wonderful, Ros, fantastic! Oh, sorry, sorry,” she pulled back slightly, eyeing her friend worriedly.

“Now you can take that look off your face, Ruth Derwent, I’m not fragile.” Rosalind was adamant, she stood and walked across to hug her friend, Ruth, after initially being concerned, returned the hug.

“Ros, that’s fabulous news,” Ruth said quickly, “have you told anyone else yet?”

“Well Kelly knows,” Rosalind replied, “We told her over Half Term.”

“What did she think?”

“Her initial response was, ‘Oh my god, that means my dad and step-mum must be doing IT’…” Rosalind grinned, “But she came round, I think she’s looking forward to having a brother or sister.”

“But no one else yet?”

“Not yet, Ruth, we want to wait until I’ve passed the twelve week cut-off, you don’t mind not telling anyone else, do you?”

“Mind? Why should I mind? I’m just over whelmed that you’ve told me.” Ruth said with feeling.

“Well we planned to soon anyway, and I think after what you went through, you deserved a little good news. There’s one other thing Ruth,” Rosalind eyed her friend quickly.

“What is it?”

“Geoff and I, we wondered if you would be Godmother.”

Ruth’s eyes shone, “You mean that, Ros?”

“Definitely.”

“Then I’d be honoured.” Ruth reached across to hug her friend again, “thank you.”

#1261: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 5:49 pm

How sweet, what a lovely post.

Giggled over:

Quote:

Ruth’s eyes widened, “You’re not? You’re pregnant? But how?”

“You want an anatomy lesson?”

and

Quote:

“Her initial response was, ‘Oh my god, that means my dad and step-mum must be doing IT’…” Rosalind grinned, “But she came round, I think she’s looking forward to having a brother or sister.”

Now, with all this niceness, why do I feel like there is a fall just aorund the corner? Twisted Evil

#1262: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 6:12 pm

Carolyn P wrote:

Now, with all this niceness, why do I feel like there is a fall just aorund the corner? Twisted Evil

Couldn't agree more, Carolyn, but am also wondering why we haven't seen Hilda and Nell relaxing after the storm. Rolling Eyes

Or don't they do relaxing?

That was a lovely scene, Lesley. Thank you.

#1263: Author: Rachel,

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 6:19 pm

MaryR wrote:

Couldn't agree more, Carolyn, but am also wondering why we haven't seen Hilda and Nell relaxing after the storm. Rolling Eyes

Or don't they do relaxing?

Perhaps they are having an out and out slanging match, hurling crockery at each other and generally letting off steam.

Lovely posts thanks Lesley - hope there is some more this evening!

#1264: Author: Alex, Location: Hunts, UK

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 6:40 pm

lol Lesley, I love that Ruth only understood because Ros said she was busy!

#1265: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 6:47 pm

“What are you doing awake?” Nell Wilson’s question reached Hilda Annersley as she wandered back down to the kitchen for a drink.

It was a reasonable question. After the School had been dismissed for the day all the Staff had gathered in the Staff Room for an impromptu Staff Meeting and celebration. They had quickly arranged a number of activities for the students to do for the rest of the day. Activities that would mean that the Staff could cope having lost eight of their number. Against their objections all four of the ex-hostages were told to disappear. When the Head and Deputy Head returned to their Studies it was for only a very quick update before Miss Wilson marched her friend across to their cottage.

Hilda looked round and smiled, “I was thirsty, Nell,” she explained.

“And how much sleep have you had this afternoon?” Nell said sternly, she had taken the opportunity of a free afternoon to finish some work for a module of her degree and was currently sat at the kitchen table with files, papers and textbooks scattered all over. Copious notes written in her scrawling hand bore testament to her hard work over the last few hours.

“I’ve rested, Nell, I’m sure I’ll sleep this evening.”

Nell took a look at her work; decided she had earned a break, and rose, “I’m making tea, would you like one?”

Hilda nodded.

“Go into the lounge then, if you have it out here I’m not sure my textbooks will survive.”

Hilda looked affronted, “Hah, you’re the untidy one, you’re far more likely to throw your drink all over the table!” She moved into the lounge despite her protests.

A short time later Nell appeared with two large mugs of tea, she handed one to her friend and they both sat, side-by-side, sipping appreciatively. Once they had both finished the tea and sat back, Nell stretched out an arm and placed it around Hilda’s shoulders, Hilda allowed herself to be pulled over so that she leant against Nell. Nell looked down at Hilda,

“OK, why can’t you sleep?”

Hilda looked at Nell, a denial on her lips, Nell held up a hand, “I know there’s something wrong, Hilda, and I know it’s stopping you sleeping. Now we know each other too well for you to deny it, so why don’t we just save some time and you tell me?”

There was silence for some time, eventually Hilda sighed, “Oh very well.” There was a longer pause, then, “I can’t help wondering about what might have happened.”

“…‘Might have happened’? You mean last night?”

“Of course,” Hilda looked at Nell quickly, “What if I’d not been able to persuade Butcher? What if my reading of her had been wrong, and when she went back in it was to continue the siege, but now armed with knowledge of what was outside? Suppose that, because of my failures, Ruth, Kathie, Peggy and Jackie were now dead? I can’t stop thinking about it, Nell.”

Nell Wilson was silent for a time, when she spoke it was with a truly sarcastic tone to her voice, “Let me get this straight Hilda, you are keeping yourself from sleeping because you are worried about what might have happened?”

“Well, yes, I suppose so, but…”

“What is the matter with you, woman?” Nell’s tones now were tinged with impatience too, “They are all safe, your reading of the situation was spot on, as always, and you can’t sleep because you’re wondering ‘What if’?”

Hilda managed to look just a little abashed, “You think it’s a little silly?”

“Silly? It’s laughable!” Nell was aghast, “Hilda, people say I don’t have much imagination, well that’s fine, as a scientist I don’t want one, but when they say it, it’s as though I’m missing out, that I should want to be able to imagine all sorts. But keeping yourself up after a night without sleep, worrying about something that didn’t happen? How ridiculous is that?”

There was silence for a time, then Hilda said softly, “Since you put it like that, very ridiculous.”

“Hmmmph!”

The Head smiled, “Thank you Nell, you always give me back a sense of perspective.”

“Too much imagination is bad for you, Hilda,” there was something almost smug in the way Nell said this. Hilda thought for a moment.

“Tell me, Nell,” she said softly, and, had Nell not been so busy congratulating herself she would have caught the change in tone, “How does the fact that you are undoubtedly a perfect scientist, with a minimum of imagination, equate to your reading matter?”

Nell looked puzzled, “What do you mean?”

“Let’s see, The Lord of the Rings, the Belgariad series, the Xanth series, the Discworld, War of the Worlds, Star Trek, Pern, Asimov’s Foundation series, Star Wars, The Lensmen series, The…”

“Alright, alright. You’ve made your point!” Nell glared at her partner, “But at least I keep my imagination for books, not for worrying myself silly. Now are you going to go to sleep?”

“Yes mother.”

#1266: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 7:35 pm

Thank you, Lesley. I got my scene. Rolling Eyes

And, of course, they are true to form as always, both of them.

Love Nell's reading matter. Shocked

#1267: Author: Rosie, Location: Huntingdonshire/Bangor

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 7:45 pm

Lesley wrote:

“Yes mother.”

*giggles*

Thanks Lesley!!

#1268: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 8:00 pm

Good grief! Lesley's been peeking in my bookshelves Shocked

I do love Nell's down to earth approach Razz

Great Lesley! They make a lovely couple.

#1269: Author: JackieJ, Location: Kingston upon Hull

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 8:33 pm

and here was me thinking that Lesley had been looking at mine and Ben's shelves - that said The Wheel of Time wasn't there - nort he Buffy stuff or the Dr Who books - so I suppose not.

Thanks for all you've posted though Lesley.

JackieJ

#1270: Dilemma for the Deputy Head Author: Elder in Ontario, Location: Ontario, Canada

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 8:41 pm

Two lovely scenes today, Lesley - I just read them both together. Great news for Rosalind, and I just cracked my sides at Kelly's reaction, too!

I'm really not so surprised that Hilda was tormented with thoughts of 'what might have beens', even though everything actually turned out all right with the seige - it's another sign of her sense of responsibility for all those around her for her still be able to visualise the 'worst case' scenario. Thank goodness for Nell's logic and common sense.

#1271: Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 11:10 pm

I also love Nell's reading list - all of it save Terry Pratchett and Asimov has made an appearance on my shelves at some time!

Thank you Lesley. Now seriously wibbling - all this nice calm stuff means Something Is Going To Happen That We Won't Like...

#1272: Author: Alice, Location: London, England

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 11:38 pm

Wonderful news about Rosalind expecting. Smile

Nell's reading matter makes me realise how much fun they must have had and still be having catching up on all the books and films and TV shows.

#1273: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 11:41 pm

how do you know lesley hasn't seen the error in her ways and decided that the term has had enough excitements and she's going to write nice fluffy scenes from now on, sophoife?

nope thought not

#1274: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 1:06 am

Oh yeah, of course!! ROFL

#1275: Author: Miss Di, Location: Newcastle, NSW

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 3:41 am

I spluttered at the same points that every one has commented on.

Should we start wibbling in advance of the next drama or wait until Lesley hits us with it? Or has she been reformed?

Yeah yeah I know...

#1276: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 3:52 am

Advance warning. Am away tonight - no more of this until tomorrow night.

(And Nell's reading list was just picking random books from my own shelves! Laughing

)

#1277: Author: Karry,

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 7:42 am

Pat mac wrote

Quote:

Good grief! Lesley's been peeking in my bookshelves

I do love Nell's down to earth approach

Great Lesley! They make a lovely couple

What??? DSo you mean that my bookshelf is the same as PatMac's?

What chances are that?

#1278: Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 8:39 am

francesn wrote:

how do you know lesley hasn't seen the error in her ways and decided that the term has had enough excitements and she's going to write nice fluffy scenes from now on, sophoife?

Err...experience?

Thanks for all the lovely fluffy scenes Lesley

Can so identify with Hilda's worrying about what might have been. Got into a "situation" with a [insert appropriate expletive here] of a motorcyclist the other night on the way home. It was all fine apart from me being shaken, but it took me ages to get to sleep as I thought of all the possible outcomes.

#1279: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 8:42 am

Lovely posts, Lesley, but I don't believe that you're going to give us a lot of fluffy posts for the rest of it. So, what have you got up your sleeve for the next lot?

#1280: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 8:50 am

Lovely posts Lesley. Loved the parts that have already picked out - especially Hilda and Nell and Ruth reaction to Ros's news!

Just wondering what still to happen...

#1281: Author: Robin, Location: London

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 8:53 am

great news for Ros and Geoff - hope it all goes swimmingly!

thanks Lesley

#1282: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 10:11 am

Alice wrote:

Nell's reading matter makes me realise how much fun they must have had and still be having catching up on all the books and films and TV shows.

*g* - hadn't thought of that, but SO true!

Thanks Lesley, 2 lovely posts. I love Kelly's initial reaction to the pregnancy! So very teenage! Laughing

#1283: Author: Alex, Location: Hunts, UK

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 10:16 am

Thanks, Lesley, although I think scientists need some imagination in order to make the great leaps of thinking which are sometimes necessary. I don't mean it as a criticism though, Very Happy

Hilda and Nell are as perfect as always.

*Puts physics hat back in storage*

#1284: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 12:22 pm

Thanks Lesley

It's nice to see that they're able to take some time to relax and recover after the events of the last - was it even a full day? it felt like a week!

Liz

#1285: Author: Mora, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 7:39 pm

Thank you Lesley! Always love your Hilda and Nell scenes. They are both so real and so good for each other Smile

And yaying for Ros's news.

ETA *settles down to wait for next scary cliff bit*

#1286: Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 10:41 pm

Yeah. Fluffy scenes all the way. Not.

Settling down to await Lesley's return. Made some caramel fudge ice cream to help while away the time...

#1287: Author: pim, Location: Helmel Hampster

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 3:43 pm

Whew! Never never enver again am I leaving RCS for the best part of a week! I'm sitting here shaking and in floods of tears and VERY thankful that my parentals have gone away.

Thank you Lesley - it's all been absoltely fantastic Very Happy

#1288: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 6:13 pm

*agrees with Pim*

5 days worth of RCS in one go is very draining!!!
(lovely though!!)

#1289: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 6:35 pm

That Saturday saw Miss Annersley and Cherry travelling to the hospital to visit Miss Shaw; Miss Wilson was covering for the weekend and had a fair amount of work to complete, including a report requested by the Head on the need for further Scientific Staff. She was therefore not able to take care of Robbie who accompanied his mother and Grandma feeling very important as it was the first time he had ever visited someone in hospital. They received directions from the Main Reception for the ward and, once there, were shown to a single room.

As they reached the room the door opened and a woman in her late thirties, dressed in jeans and sweatshirt appeared. She seemed vaguely familiar to both women but neither could place her. She didn’t appear to have that problem.

“Miss Annersley, and Cherry too! Geri will be pleased to see you.”

Hilda and Cherry exchanged puzzled glances, “I’m sorry, do we know you?” Hilda began.

The woman laughed, “Ah, common problem,” she said with amusement, “picture me wearing the uniform of a prison officer.”

There were a few seconds silence then, “Mrs Francis! I’m so sorry,” burst from both of them.

Mrs Francis grinned, “I love that, being able to say someone doesn’t recognise me with my clothes on! You have come to see Geri Shaw, haven’t you?”

“We have, if you think she would welcome us?”

“Definitely,” the prison officer said firmly, “and I think she might welcome saying hello to this little one too.” She indicated Robbie who was watching her with wide eyes, “Hello Robbie,”

“Hello Missus Francis, why you not have clothes on? Weren’t you cold?”

Cherry giggled and Hilda turned away to hide a smile, Mrs Francis also smiled, “Yes, I can see my reputation taking a nose-dive now!” She looked across at the other two women, “I’ve got to go, meeting the family, but go right on in, I know Geri will want to see you. I’ll see you again.” She waved goodbye and left.

Hilda walked over to the door and knocked, at the faint ‘Come in,’ she pushed open the door and all three looked inside.

Miss Shaw lay in the only bed, propped up on pillows. Her face was covered in bruising, in particular this seemed centred on the eyes, in particular the right one, with purple bruising and swelling causing the eyes to be difficult to open. There was also bruising and swelling over the right cheekbone and a splint bandage keeping her nose straight.

As she saw who the visitors were Miss Shaw smiled, “Miss Annersley, so good to see you, and Miss Elliott, thank you for coming. Please, come in, sit down,”

She raised her right arm to indicate seats and both women immediately saw that the right wrist was bandaged, a quick check and they saw a similar bandage on the left. The woman in the bed laughed very softly, seeing their glances,

“Would you like a run down of all the injuries?” she said quickly, “so far everyone else has!” At the nods from the other women she smiled and began, “Mainly it was severe and deep bruising, very painful, especially on my face, but also on my back, stomach, chest and upper arms. My nose was broken in two places; they’ve operated to straighten it, and also operated to lift a depressed cheekbone – weird name, zyg…something. I’ve to have some more x-rays because they’re not sure if the right eye socket is also fractured.

“I’ve had to have deep lacerations in both wrists stitched, where the wires cut into them, and I have three fractured ribs on the left side. I was lucky, apparently, I had no skull or jaw fractures, and no serious abdominal bleeding,” she continued, “my surgeon told me she had seen far worse when treating people who have been beaten.”

“I’m not sure I’d class it as lucky!” Cherry said with feeling, she lifted Robbie up onto her lap, “say hello to Miss Shaw, Robbie,”

The little boy looked across, “Hello Miz Shaw.”

“Hello Robbie, thank you for visiting,” Miss Shaw smiled at the little boy.

“Mummy said you woz hurt. How you hurt? Did you fall over?”

“Among other things, Robbie!”

#1290: Author: Elder in Ontario, Location: Ontario, Canada

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 6:56 pm

Lesley wrote:

The woman laughed, “Ah, common problem,” she said with amusement, “picture me wearing the uniform of a prison officer.”

There were a few seconds silence then, “Mrs Francis! I’m so sorry,” burst from both of them.

Brilliant, Lesley - I love that sort of confusion, and clearly Mrs. Francis does as well!

Quote:

“Hello Missus Francis, why you not have clothes on? Weren’t you cold?”

Trust a literal minded child!!

Quote:

“Mummy said you woz hurt. How you hurt? Did you fall over?”

“Among other things, Robbie!”

And what masterly understatment from Miss Shaw, given the catalogue of injuries she's just recited! And yet, the doctors are right in saying she was lucky - though I'm sure, with the amount of discomfort she must be in, she might not be thinking so just at this minute!

Thanks, Lesley, that's a lovely episode.

#1291: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 7:25 pm

Elder in Ontario wrote:

[color=blue]

And what masterly understatment from Miss Shaw, given the catalogue of injuries she's just recited! And yet, the doctors are right in saying she was lucky - though I'm sure, with the amount of discomfort she must be in, she might not be thinking so just at this minute!

I'm afraid I can only echo Elder here, Lesley.

Love the incident with Robbie. Wink

#1292: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 7:40 pm

Welcome back Lesley. Thansk for the post.

#1293: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 8:48 pm

Lovely Lesley - welcome back Very Happy

Masterful understatement from Miss Shaw, as others have said, and wonderful to see Robbie once again.

#1294: Author: JackieJ, Location: Kingston upon Hull

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 8:52 pm

Welcome back and thank you Lesley - and it's lovely to see Robbie again.

JackieJ

#1295: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 9:32 pm

Thanks Lesley.

I like the touch of Miss Shaw calling Cherry MISS Elliot.

#1296: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 11:00 pm

Thank you Lesley

Liz

#1297: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 11:12 pm

I'm up to date and there isn't a cliff

Somehow that makes me wibble A LOT

Thankyou Lesley - it's as superb as ever

#1298: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 4:08 am

Ouch! Poor Miss Shaw! But nice that she's up to welcoming visitors.

Very much enjoyed yesterday's interludes.
And no, nothing remotely unusual about Nell's bookshelves!
except, hmm, I'm missing one of those .... goes off to investigate... Laughing

#1299: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 5:37 am

I think it's all been said before me Razz

I think (after Robbie) Geri Shaw is my favourite non-CS character in this. She's so real.

Thank you Lesley

#1300: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 8:43 am

Thank you Lesley. Agrees with Patmac - think it has all been said before. Lovely visit.

#1301: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 9:37 am

There was an interruption as a nurse came in, she checked a few things then took some observations, blood pressure, pulse and breathing rate. She then fiddled with the drip running into Miss Shaw’s left arm, “How do you feel?”

“Tired, mainly, a lot of pain, especially in the stomach,” Miss Shaw smiled over at the nurse, “Would not recommend being punched in the stomach!”

The nurse smiled slightly, then frowned, “You had an injection only forty minutes ago, hasn’t it worked?”

“Yes, it’s eased the pain in most areas, only the stomach hasn’t eased, it’s got worse.”

“Hmmm, will be back to check in fifteen minutes,” the nurse left the room.

Miss Annersley leant forward, “Do you know how long you will be in here?”

“Not sure,” the prison officer replied, “I think it partly depends on the results of the X-rays on my eye. Luckily Pat Francis has said I can convalesce with her, they wouldn’t want me on my own.”

“Haven’t you any family?”

“Yes but not locally, my family are from Darwin, most of them are still there.” Miss Shaw smiled, “they are all fruit farmers, have been for four generations, but I didn’t like bananas or mangoes, and wasn’t happy to settle there. My eldest brother has already been on the phone to remind me that fruit doesn’t normally attack you!”

“They don’t approve of your profession?” Hilda Annersley said concernedly.

“Oh, nothing like that, I think they are quite proud of me, just don’t understand why I would want something different.”

“They should be proud of you, Miss Shaw,” this from Cherry, “I heard a little of what you went through from Kathie Ferrars, she said she’d never seen anyone so brave.”

The woman in the bed flushed slightly, “Thank you,” she said quietly, “but I really had little choice in how I behaved.”

Cherry looked sceptical but said nothing more. Miss Shaw looked across at Miss Annersley,

“I didn’t have the opportunity on Thursday,” she began, “but thank you. I know you were there to save your staff, but your intervention also saved a great many other lives, including my own. I think, to end that siege with the loss of only one life was a wonderful achievement.”

Hilda shook her head, “From information I have gathered,” she said softly, “none of my efforts would have mattered, if a certain person had not, through her own example, caused some of the inmates to act against Sullivan.”

Miss Shaw bowed her head slightly, “Perhaps,” she admitted, “but it cost one of them their life,” she sounded both regretful and somewhat guilty, raising her head she and Miss Annersley locked gazes, complete understanding in both faces.

At this point Robbie caused a distraction, sliding off of Cherry’s lap he ran over to Hilda, “Grandma, want a drink, pease,”

Hilda rose, holding Robbie’s hand she turned to Cherry, “There’s a drinks machine in the corridor, I take him there. Would either of you like a drink?” The other two shook their heads, in Miss Shaw’s case very gingerly. Hilda smiled and she and Robbie left the room.

After a short pause Miss Shaw turned to Cherry, “How are you getting on?” she asked softly.

Cherry smiled, “Fine, no, more than fine,” she said, “I love my life, Robbie is settled, he goes to School and loves it. I’ve got friends who don’t judge me by what I did in the past. And Hilda and Nell…”

“You have a good relationship?” Miss Shaw’s voice was very quiet.

“The best, Robbie calls them both Grandma, they are like parents to me, I’ve never been happier.”

“I’m pleased.” Again a very quiet reply.

Cherry swallowed slightly, “I never had the chance before, Miss Shaw, but I’d like to thank you, for all your help when I was inside. I really appreciate it.”

Miss Shaw smiled slightly, “I get all the thanks I need, just seeing you embracing your new life,” she whispered, “I always…” her voice trailed off.

Cherry looked across, puzzled, the woman looked strange, despite the bruising on her face it appeared very pale and covered in sweat. Cherry reached across to touch her arm, it was cold, greatly daring she touched Miss Shaw’s face, it was also cold, and clammy, she was breathing very fast.

“Miss Shaw? Miss Shaw wake up, are you alright?”

There was no reply.

Cherry ran across to the door, looked out, “Nurse! Come quick, Miss Shaw needs help!”

Going out now - more of this tomorrow! Twisted Evil

#1302: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 9:40 am

Wonderful cliff! Thank you Lesley. Laughing

Have a good day...and I do hope the Geri Shaw is going to recover, assume there is further abdominal bleeding... Sad

#1303: Author: Laura, Location: London (ish)

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 9:46 am

A fine example of a cliff, indeed!

Thank you Lesley... hope you enjoy your day out!

#1304: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 10:06 am

Thank you Lesley

I hope you have a lovely day out

I am going to spend the day wibbling

Liz

#1305: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 11:46 am

Lesley, I have now got to wait 2 weeks to find out how she is. Talk about *cruelty*! Evil or Very Mad

I do hope all will be well. This was a lovely update - till you did that to Geri.

#1306: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 12:13 pm

Wonderful cliff, Lesley. Thanks for writing and posting so much. Please let Miss Shaw be all right.

#1307: Dilemma for the Deputy Head Author: Elder in Ontario, Location: Ontario, Canada

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 1:37 pm

Ouch!! I wondered what the next cliff would be! Please let Geri be all right in the end.

#1308: Author: Rachel,

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 2:48 pm

The minute Geri mentioned the pain in her stomach that hadn't subsided despite the injection I thought "AHA! A CLIFF!" and then proceeded to watch with interest as everybody tumbled over it.

Thanks Lesley, looking forward to tomorrow!

#1309: Author: JackieJ, Location: Kingston upon Hull

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 3:51 pm

Rachel wrote:

The minute Geri mentioned the pain in her stomach that hadn't subsided despite the injection I thought "AHA! A CLIFF!" and then proceeded to watch with interest as everybody tumbled over it.

*Gaily abseils down*

Sorry Rachel - I spotted the signs as well as you did and made sure I was fully harnessed for this one Very Happy

Thanks Lesley - I hope Geri's okay.

JackieJ

#1310: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 4:51 pm

Even though I saw it coming, it was still horrid because I want Geri to get better and that sounds serious. Crying or Very sad

I will have a quiet wibble till tomorrow.

#1311: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 9:07 pm

*also spotted the cliff and descends carefully*

I do hope Geri gets better!!

Quote:

My eldest brother has already been on the phone to remind me that fruit doesn’t normally attack you

oh but they do Shocked

#1312: Author: Laura, Location: London (ish)

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 10:42 pm

Did you know more people are killed by falling coconuts every year than through shark attacks?

#1313: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 10:57 pm

Rachel wrote:

The minute Geri mentioned the pain in her stomach that hadn't subsided despite the injection I thought "AHA! A CLIFF!" and then proceeded to watch with interest as everybody tumbled over it.

I spotted it too! *is rather chuffed* I don't usually pick up on such things.

But *wibble* all the same - please don't kill Geri off, Lesley!

#1314: Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 4:05 am

<sigh> have to admit I was dumber than many and didn't register the cliff coming.

Lovely to see Robbie again.

Pease pease fix Geri nice and well again Miss Lesley?

#1315: Author: Gem, Location: Saltash/Aberystwyth

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 11:15 am

ERP!

I saw it coming, but erp!

Lesley! Please make her better!

#1316: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans/Leicester

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 12:53 pm

I guessed what was coming as soon as she mentioned the pain in her stomach but knwoing a horrible cliff is coming doesn't make it any easier!

Thanks Lesley

#1317: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 4:16 pm

I also saw it coming. But, Lesley dear? It's tomorrow now! More please!

#1318: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 4:51 pm

Sarah_K wrote:

I guessed what was coming as soon as she mentioned the pain in her stomach but knwoing a horrible cliff is coming doesn't make it any easier!

Ditto. Thanks Lesley. Please don't kill Geri off - she's lovely.

*knows pleading is unlikely to change Lesley's mind, but throws dignity to one side and begs anyway*

#1319: Author: Katarzyna, Location: North West England

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 6:06 pm

Rachel wrote:

I thought "AHA! A CLIFF!" and then proceeded to watch with interest as everybody tumbled over it.

Ah, Rachel, there you are, shift over a bit will you so i can sit down, and you might aswell pass that hipflask over, it seems like it's going to be quite a wait for the next installment.

Nice view at the top of this cliff innit

#1320: Author: Rachel,

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 6:08 pm

Katarzyna wrote:

you might aswell pass that hipflask over, it seems like it's going to be quite a wait for the next installment.

You have the hipflask, and I'll have the tanker with a hose attached Wink

#1321: Author: Katarzyna, Location: North West England

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 6:10 pm

Fair enough

Are we scoring them as they fall of the cliff, you know for style and attitude and such like?

#1322: Author: Rachel,

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 6:13 pm

I think it is only polite to do so - although Jackie abseiled with such aplomb she should get some points too.

#1323: Author: Katarzyna, Location: North West England

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 6:16 pm

True, very true, though I think she should loose marks for all the safety equipment, afterall, with this many cliffs she is becoming something of an expert.

Perhaps if she at least lost the hardhat!

Oh, and have we got anything to eat up here?

#1324: Author: Rachel,

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 6:18 pm

*pulls out the picnic hamper*

Olives for you, parma violets for me, ciabattas for both of us, mashed nana sandwiches - and if you can wait a wee while, there will be apple crumble and tinned custard.

#1325: Author: Alex, Location: Hunts, UK

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 6:33 pm

*Settles down at top of cliff with RTW and Katarzyna, carefully putting Baileys to one side so it doesn't get knocked off as anyone rushes past*

Please Lesley, it is rather chilly up here so may we have some more?

Edited for missing letters

#1326: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 6:39 pm

Can't, I'm stuck! Sorry about this - have hit a block - going away to eat something - maybe it will go then.

#1327: Author: Rachel,

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 6:40 pm

Alex wrote:

*Settles down at top of cliff with RTW and Katarzyna, carefully putting Baileys to one side so it doesn't get knocked off as anyone rushes past*

Oooooh it's been a while since we had a CBB sit in with Baileys!

#1328: Author: Katarzyna, Location: North West England

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 6:59 pm

Excellent, someone pass the chocolate, well there has to be chocolate in a sit in.

And i am sure someone will be along in the minute with some comfy chairs and cushions.

.........Oh, look at that one go over, pretty, the way the arms and legs waive about like that isn't it!

#1329: Author: Rachel,

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 7:30 pm

Pretty enough I suppose, but I definitely score higher for blood curdling screams as they go.

Aniseed balls anyone?

#1330: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 7:32 pm

Katarzyna wrote:

I'm appalled, I really am! Here I am, sitting at the top of this cliff holding a candlelit vigil for Geri Shaw, and you're enjoying yourselves! Shame on you!

#1331: Author: Katarzyna, Location: North West England

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 7:46 pm

Hey at least you stopped at the top of the cliff

Whilst your hear, make yourself useful, use the candle to light up the fire, it's getting a bit nippy you here.

And Rach, do you need a light?

#1332: Author: Rachel,

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 7:47 pm

Ann wrote:

I'm appalled, I really am! Here I am, sitting at the top of this cliff holding a candlelit vigil for Geri Shaw, and you're enjoying yourselves! Shame on you!

Course I'm enjoying myself! There's food, theres alcohol and there are ciggies! What more could a girl want?!?

#1333: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 7:50 pm

Shove up you lot and make room for me! I don't jump off cliffs either!

#1334: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 7:50 pm

Ann, CBB vigils have to involve chocolate, alcohol, ciggies and other foodstuffs. It's the law.

Don't forget that you can do it in comfort in a drabble sitting-room which has all mod cons.

#1335: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 7:51 pm

Oi! Will you lot stop toasting marshmallows over my candles!

#1336: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 7:52 pm

I didn't jump, I embrace cliffs (always was a bit mad before you say it!).

Anyone want a white chocolate disco drop, or a chocolate chocolate one? I also have a very large bottle of very cheap perry.

#1337: Author: Rachel,

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 7:53 pm

Ann wrote:

Oi! Will you lot stop toasting marshmallows over my candles!

SMORES! Yeah!

Woohoooo - this is turning into a great party! Might have to shift it to BV if it gets much livlier!

#1338: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 7:53 pm

Bringing some limoncello to share. Bit too warm for Baileys.

#1339: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 7:54 pm

Nah, if we shift we will miss Lesley, wonder if she would like to share the alcohol?

#1340: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 7:55 pm

Glad you're all enjoying yourselves - don't let me interrupt.

#1341: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 7:56 pm

Lesley, (sobs dramatically) stop tormenting us!

#1342: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 7:57 pm

Hi Lesley, want a drink, some chocolate?

#1343: Author: Rachel,

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 7:57 pm

Lesley wrote:

Glad you're all enjoying yourselves - don't let me interrupt.

You're more than welcome to join us! Laughing

#1344: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 7:59 pm

That's OK Lesley. You're welcome to some refreshments.

#1345: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:00 pm

I am not enjoying myself, I'm holding a candlelit vigil. *sulks*

#1346: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:00 pm

Rachel wrote:

Lesley wrote:

Glad you're all enjoying yourselves - don't let me interrupt.

You're more than welcome to join us! Laughing

OK, t'would be nice to watch them falling over cliff from close up - and I have zero inspiration at the moment!

So, are we giving them points then? And how much does a scream count?

#1347: Author: Katarzyna, Location: North West England

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:00 pm

Come on, shift up a bit you lot. If Lesley joins us we can watch for the bunny arriving............ that way we don't have to chant for the next installment.

Anyone got a blanket, it's getting a bit cold up here now and I left mine at home.

#1348: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:02 pm

Sending you a warm, snuggly duvet, Kate, better than a blanket.

#1349: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:02 pm

*offers kate a spare duvet*
*tops up Lesley's glass and offers her a score card*

How about points for co-rdinated leg and arm movements?

#1350: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:03 pm

Welcome Lesley. I've been enjoying the cliif diving for a while - since someone took a running jump in fact!

#1351: Author: Katarzyna, Location: North West England

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:04 pm

I think we should deduct points for those that make it unnecessarily dramatic, i mean, spotting it and still running of the edge just seems a little silly.

Mind you, the genuine ones, particularly if they get a good blood curdling yell in, they should get high marks.

co-ordination, well that's kind of stylistic interpretation, so down to each of us to award a mark

#1352: Author: Rachel,

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:04 pm

I brought the herd of cats too - feel free to wrap one rounf your neck fireliazard style!

A scream is worth twice the number of seconds the person spends falling. Bonus points if they bounce.

#1353: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:05 pm

Lesley, my plot -bunny is yelling 'Dramatic dash to Operating Theatre'. You aren't going to disappoint him, are you?

#1354: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:05 pm

What about cursing? I'd feel better if, as well as screaming, they were cursing my name as they went.

#1355: Author: Rachel,

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:06 pm

Cursing gets them points deducted.

Have to remain a lady even whilst falling to their doom.

#1356: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:09 pm

Jennie wrote:

Lesley, my plot -bunny is yelling 'Dramatic dash to Operating Theatre'. You aren't going to disappoint him, are you?

Well he is your plot bunny and you are responsible for his care so write it in your own drabble.

#1357: Author: Katarzyna, Location: North West England

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:09 pm

Oooh, look, that one managed a full sumersault!!

Mind you the swallow dive she went into was a bit unnecessary....... I think i might deduct points for that.

Why do they always seem to dash straight off the edge, you would have thought be now they could see these things coming, at least enough to slow down to a gentle jogging pace

#1358: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:10 pm

What about adding a few points for cursing trilingually? All three languages must be used.

#1359: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:11 pm

I agree about cursing, a CS girl would never curse, but if the can scream trilingually a few extra points would be in order!

#1360: Author: Rachel,

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:12 pm

Ladies don't curse - and if they do it trilingually it suggests they wasted time in lessons looking up the naughty words so I suggest they get temporarily barred from RCS reading until they learn to fall to their doom minus any such unneccessaries as curses.

#1361: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:20 pm

I'd try to work in a dramatic dash to the OR, Carolyn, but I only came over to collect my walking jacket and feed the cat.

#1362: Author: Alex, Location: Hunts, UK

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:39 pm

Should we not score them on technical ability as well as artistic impression?

All this sitting around on cliffs is doing my revision no good at all.

#1363: Author: Rachel,

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:46 pm

Alex wrote:

All this sitting around on cliffs is doing my revision no good at all.

You should have brought your books with you - plenty of revision space on the sofa!

#1364: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:50 pm

Carolyn P wrote:

I agree about cursing, a CS girl would never curse, but if they can scream trilingually a few extra points would be in order!

I would have thought the meaning of 'AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!' was pretty clear whatever language you speak...

#1365: Author: Rachel,

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 9:03 pm

Ann wrote:

I would have thought the meaning of 'AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!' was pretty clear whatever language you speak...

AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH! = English

LE AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH! = French

DER AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH! = German

EL AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH! = Spanish

O AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH! = Portugese

Hope this is of assistance to you in future cliff dives

Wink

#1366: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 9:04 pm

And finally! Twisted Evil

Bunny back from tour of Chatham Dockyard.

The trip to the drinks machine took longer that anticipated; Robbie had immediately sat and drunk all of his apple juice, sucking large quantities through the straw and swallowing rapidly. On finishing he had placed the bottle in the bin and announced that he needed the toilet. It took a little time for Hilda to find a public toilet for him, once he’d finished and washed his hands, they walked back to the ward. As they neared Miss Shaw’s room the door opened and two theatre porters, dressed in ‘greens’ wheeled out a trolley. It wasn’t possible to see who the figure was on the trolley as it was surrounded by a number of nurses and doctors, all of whom seemed to be very tense and preoccupied.

Miss Annersley swept Robbie up into her arms and stepped back against the wall to allow the trolley to pass. Once it did she became aware of another figure standing in the doorway of Miss Shaw’s room. It was Cherry.

“What’s happened, Cherry?”

Cherry Elliott looked across, her face white, on seeing Hilda she seemed to relax slightly, she swallowed, “Miss Shaw suddenly got worse,” she said, conscious that her son was listening to her words, “I called a nurse and she immediately contacted the Surgical Registrar. They are taking her to theatres, an emergency operation.”

“Did they say what the problem was?”

“They weren’t sure, the doctor mentioned something about bleeding.”

At this point one of the nurses came up to them to enquire if they were Miss Shaw’s relatives, on being told they were not she sighed, “The difficulty is, her next of kin is down as her brother in Darwin. Because of the distance involved she has given another name, a Mrs Pat Francis, but there is no answer at the number she gave.”

“Is it a home number?” Miss Annersley asked, whilst handing Robbie across to Cherry.

“Yes, oh, would you know her work number?”

“Yes, but I know she’s not there at present, but perhaps they will have a mobile number or something.” Hilda gave details of Mrs Francis’ workplace and then moved, with Cherry, to a small waiting room.

Time seemed to drag for both women, the need to keep Robbie occupied stopped them from dwelling too much on what was happening. They had not been able to get very much in the way of information from the nurses. As they were not relatives, the nurses would only say that Miss Shaw had developed complications and was having to have further surgery. They had been there about ninety minutes when the door opened and Mrs Francis walked in,

“Work called me on my mobile, in the middle of the cinema!” she said, by way of explanation, “Luckily I could leave the girls with the other half, got here as soon as possible, what’s happened?”

The other two women filled her in with what information they had, the three settled to wait. Robbie, growing bored in the waiting room, was starting to whine and grumble so Cherry took him outside into the Hospital Grounds for a run.

In operating theatre room 4, the Senior Surgical Registrar looked across at the Anaesthetist, he had been steadily calling a drop in blood pressure for the past twenty minutes. The woman had been under for a time and, initially, seemed fairly stable. He had quickly prepared himself for surgery whilst the ODA’s and nurses prepared the patient. There was obviously something going on and all clues seemed to point to the abdomen. The surgeon had palpated the woman’s abdomen and found it to be tense, all the muscles in spasm. In addition he noticed that the bruising across the area was far more pronounced.

On opening up the abdomen he had discovered an abdominal cavity full of blood, it was not unexpected, all the signs seemed to suggest that she had bleeding from somewhere in the abdomen. Her history of the assault and more recent symptoms only confirming that. And that she had developed it two days after her admission was also not wholly unexpected. As she was re-hydrated and her blood pressure returned to normal, it was always a risk that any minor bleed would worsen.

Retracting back the abdominal muscles and calling for suction to remove the blood, the surgeon started to feel the most likely organs, stomach and liver were fine, descending aorta seemed intact, that left the main suspect, pulling aside the stomach he looked at the spleen, ah there it was, obvious rupture. Ordering another eight units of whole blood to be prepped, he reached for the spleen, a few minutes to tie off all the arteries and the spleen was removed.

The surgeon looked across at the anaesthetist again, concern in his face, with the cause of the bleeding treated, with fluids and blood going in to replace that lost, the woman should be responding, but she wasn’t. Was something else happening? What about the kidneys? Their blood supply was huge, fully one quarter of the blood volume passed through the kidneys. Maybe he should check them…

A call from the anaesthetist, blood pressure was responding, slowly returning to normal, the woman was responding well. Excellent, she should make a full recovery. He swiftly finished off inside and closed. She would be spending a few nights in ITU but she’d be fine.

#1367: Author: JackieJ, Location: Kingston upon Hull

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 9:08 pm

Thank you for that Lesley - but why can't I shake the feeling that Geri's not out of the woods quite yet.

JackieJ

#1368: Author: Rachel,

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 9:10 pm

Shame the party has to break up but thanks for the post Lesley.

Very Happy

#1369: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 9:12 pm

We can continue to party while we wait for the next post.

I have a horrible feeling that he should have checked the kidneys as well.

#1370: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 9:23 pm

I'm glad I read most of that yibble in one go!

Rachel's reaction was expected (why do I always suspect that there is a soft marshmallow interior to this persona?)

Jackie was just flexing her abseiling muscles and looking for pupils *shrug*

Ann was really trying and I would have been with her but for RL!

What really got me was Lesley joining in Shocked

I'm just glad he was a nice bunny and Geri will recover *touch wood, crosses fingers, hangs garlic round all four corners of the thread and traces a pentawhatchmacallit round Geri.

By the way, Any toasted marshmallows left?

#1371: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 9:35 pm

*giggles at yibble*

Thank you for the post Lesley!
So, did bunny come back cos he got the hump at being ignored? Wink

#1372: Author: Alice, Location: London, England

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 11:16 pm

Very glad I missed the cliff but nervous of more to come...

Thanks Lesley.

#1373: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 11:18 pm

Thanks Lesley - I'm glad Geri is still alive

Please keep her that way

Liz

#1374: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 11:29 pm

*laughs outright at yibble*

Thank you Lesley- although I still can't shake that horrid feeling...possibly brought on by

Quote:

Excellent, she should make a full recovery.

should.....

should....

see that's what gets me

why do I have a sneaking suspicion she won't?

#1375: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 11:44 pm

Post-cliff Scotch for anybody?! It's good for shock.
Hmm, do those kidneys need watching?

#1376: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 12:38 am

Not entirely reassured.
Please check those kidneys anyway, you idiot!

S'mores on the vigil candles? Shocked

*lights a few more, just in case*

you guys! Laughing

#1377: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 3:56 am

Away tonight, more of this tomorrow.

#1378: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 7:20 am

*wonders if Lesley actually went to bed last night*

Hope you have a good trip Lesley

*sits down to wait patiently*

Liz

#1379: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 7:57 am

Rachel wrote:

Ann wrote:

I would have thought the meaning of 'AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!' was pretty clear whatever language you speak...

AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH! = English

LE AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH! = French

DER AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH! = German

EL AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH! = Spanish

O AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH! = Portugese

I stand corrected.

I'm glad the bunny returned, Lesley - although I am worried about Geri's kidneys...

#1380: Author: Caroline OSullivan, Location: Reading, Berkshire, UK

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 8:08 am

Thanks Lesley.

**wibbling about Geri's kidneys**

#1381: Author: Robin, Location: London

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 8:46 am

wow, so much yibble!!
but also still wibbling...

thanks lesley

#1382: Author: Yvette, Location: Brisbane, Australia

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 9:01 am

Thanks Lesley for the new installments.

Thanks to a crashed computer and the work network thinking there was "nudity" on this site, I've had almost two weeks without RCS (or anything else!). Took a while to catch up and cogitate.

Keep up the good work (sorry, report card writing season student

).

BTW, loved the yibbling of how to sound falling off a cliff in many languages! Very Happy

#1383: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 9:03 am

Im glad Geri should be ok, but never have two kidneys been wibbled over so much!!

Thanks Lesley

#1384: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 9:25 am

Thanks Lesley! Glad Geri has stabilised...

Loved the cliff-top party!

#1385: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 9:36 am

Thanks Lesley Kiss

Glad she's at least stable...for now at any rate!

#1386: Author: pim, Location: Helmel Hampster

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 10:05 am

Meep! *crawls under the pootle table (which is nowhere near as roomy as my desk!) to wibble a little* Thanks Lesley.

#1387: Author: Rachel,

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 11:48 am

Geri's kidney's are going to be absolute fine.

Just add steak and a pie crust.

#1388: Author: Guest,

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 1:57 pm

So you're joining Miss Dene around the cannibals fire are you? Twisted Evil

#1389: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 2:16 pm

waaaargh!!!

Someone stole our Lesley!!!

*pokes Lesley's job with a sharp stick*

#1390: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 9:42 pm

Just caught up on what's been happening since Saturday morning - seems like you had a good party while I was away at a wedding

Must admit on reading it now, I did spot the cliff so would have joined you if I'd read it in real time

But the champagne at the wedding was very nice

Just wondering if the *kidneys* are a decoy and there's something else HelpMe

#1391: Author: Mora, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 3:39 pm

I arrived too late for the cliff but not for the wibbling.
*crosses fingers and toes and oter things for Geri*

Hmmm... wonder if you can cross kidneys? Confused

#1392: Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 8:23 pm

Jennie wrote:

Lesley, my plot -bunny is yelling 'Dramatic dash to Operating Theatre'. You aren't going to disappoint him, are you?

Is this for the CBBers falling from cliffs?
Idea for CS/ER crossover popped in my head if anyone wants it?

#1393: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 8:29 pm

It was more than an hour later before those waiting for news were finally allowed to see Miss Shaw; she had actually been returned to the ward rather than ITU, as it was not felt that she needed ventilation, however she was going to have a specialist nurse through the night. Eventually the surgeon was able to speak to Mrs Francis and tell her that the operation had been successful and that she did not appear to have any further complications. Miss Shaw’s bed had been moved to a room far closer to the Nurses’ Station and was one of four beds in the room. Miss Annersley accompanied Mrs Francis in to see the patient.

Miss Shaw was surrounded by a number of machines, drips and drains. She had a blood transfusion going into her left arm, while an ordinary infusion of dextrose saline was attached to her right. Two drains and a catheter were also in evidence. Lying slightly propped up, she had an oxygen mask on as well as machinery constantly measuring her blood pressure, blood gases and heartbeat. As the two women moved toward her Miss Shaw turned her head slightly, although muffled due to the mask, it was still possible to hear her,

“Sorry Pat,” she said quickly, “did you get to see all of your film?”

“No I didn’t!” Pat Francis said quickly, the picture of annoyance but with a grin on her face, “and that’s the second time in less than a week that I’ve had an emergency call from work because of you.” Her actions, taking hold of her friend’s hand and bending to kiss her forehead, belied her words, showing her true feelings.

Miss Shaw smiled slowly, “Well I didn’t really have a choice either time, you know.” Her gaze switched to Hilda Annersley, “I’m afraid I’ll have to revise that list of injuries now.”

“How do you feel?”

Miss Shaw considered, “Fairly terrible, I think,” she said thoughtfully. “The surgeon told me he had to check all my insides, it certainly feels as though he spent a great deal of time there.” She paused, then, “Thank you for staying, is Miss Elliott here? I have to thank her for getting help.”

“She had to go, Robbie was getting very bored, she took him home.”

The woman in the bed nodded slightly, “Understandable, he’s only three, after all. Please tell her I’d like to see both of them again, if she wouldn’t mind.”

Mrs Francis leant forward, “Geri, I contacted Graeme, he’s catching a flight from Darwin tomorrow morning.”

Miss Shaw frowned, “But what about the farm?”

Mrs Francis smiled, “I think he felt his little sister was rather more important,” her smile widened at her friend’s obvious embarrassment.

A short time later and Miss Shaw was asleep, a pain killing injection finally starting to work. The two women slowly walked out of the hospital together.

#1394: Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 8:44 pm

Thank you Lesley. And possibly also ick. (Hospitals = bad)

#1395: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 10:09 pm

Thanks Lesley

Glad she's ok at the moment - hope she now recovers well

Liz

#1396: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 10:14 pm

Welcome back, Lesley! Razz

*Wipes brow*

I just hope that surgeon was competent. I'm glad you didn't kill Geri off. I really like her.

#1397: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW

Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 12:41 am

Great - love the laconic way she describes how she is feeling!

#1398: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 6:16 am

Miss Annersley and Mrs Francis went across to a local coffee shop for a drink before heading their separate ways. Whilst sat drinking their coffee they discussed what had been happening at the prison. Mrs Francis was happy to update the Head.

“Everything is very quiet at the moment, but that’s understandable, it always is after something like this,”

“Have you seen other riots then?”

“Well, perhaps not as serious as the one Wednesday night, but yes, any prison officer with experience will have seen trouble at some time or another. This one was perhaps the most vicious that most of us had seen, even those with far more experience that I have.” Mrs Francis looked across at Miss Annersley calculatingly, “I suppose you want to know about Butcher?”

Hilda nodded, “If it’s not a breach in confidence,”

Mrs Francis shook her head, “Mrs Knight has already told us that you are to be accorded every courtesy, she feels that, without your presence, we would never have got Butcher’s co-operation.”

The Head dismissed this, saying only that she had only wanted to help.

“Nevertheless, as far as the Governor is concerned, any info you want, you get,” Pat Francis smiled, “As for Butcher, she’s in Solitary, of course, as is Sullivan. Those two were identified as the ring leaders. Sullivan is facing a murder accusation, normally this would be very difficult to prove, the women close ranks, but it was witnessed by all of the hostages so she’s certain to be convicted. She’s also facing charges of riotous behaviour, kidnapping, grievous bodily harm…oh any number of others.”

“And Butcher?”

“Some charges, assault, riotous behaviour and kidnapping, not as many as Sullivan but a significant number. I can‘t say that she seems all that bothered about them.”

“What of the rest of the women?”

Mrs Francis smiled, “Those were exactly the same words that both Butcher and Geri used when I spoke to them. As far as I’m aware the rest of the women are being charged with affray and possession of weapons, fairly mild charges and unlikely to add much to their sentences. They have yet to be seen by a judge but, so far, it seems that they will be lenient.”

Once they’d finished their drinks the two women parted, Miss Annersley returned to the School. As she entered her cottage Nell Wilson’s voice called out,

“That you, Hilda?”

Hilda Annersley entered the lounge as Nell walked across from the kitchen, concern upon her face, “Yes Nell, is something wrong?”

“I’ve been trying to call you, is your mobile not working?”

“I’ve been in hospital Nell, so it’s been switched off. Why did you need to contact me?”

“Madge called, she’s coming over, needs to see you. She said it was very urgent.”

Hilda looked puzzled, “Did she say why?”

Nell shook her head, “No, only that it was urgent, something that involved you personally, and that it couldn’t wait.”

#1399: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 6:32 am

Good morning, Lesley!

Are we off again?

*tests the tramplines, just in case Wink

#1400: Author: Miss Di, Location: Newcastle, NSW

Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 7:00 am