The CBB :: View topic - JO RETURNS TO THE OBERLAND 23/7/05

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

Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 3:09 pm

Good for Joey - she has turned around and got on with things - for a while there I didn't think that she would - perhaps it was being able to write that changed her attitude?

Thanks Jennie.

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

Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 10:38 am

Glad to see that Jo has turned around and is starting to cope, also good to see her and Jack working well as a team. I would want to be in the boys shoes when their father has finished with them.

#403: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 11:16 am

Jack seated himself behing his desk, and looked slowly at the three boys who were standing sullenly in front of him.

He heaved a huge sigh. He was almost too tired to deal with this, but he knew that he had to do it for his own sake as well as Jo's. And there were the two girls to be thought of; it was clear from Jo's words that they had worked hard that day. And it was better that the boys should realise that stupidity and unhelpfulness of the sort that they had shown would be dealt with quickly.

'So, today, you've wasted a great deal of money by having a paint fight, and you've managed to tell me that you think that women are a lesser species who are only fit for domestic tasks whilst you young lords of creation enjoy yourselves.

'Well, let me disabuse you of your notions. Everyone in this family has a responsibility to everyone else. You are failing in yours. Firstly, you may have noticed that we no longer have the help in the house that we once enjoyed. That means that everyone else has to help with the work. One of the main reasons for that is to give your mother some time to write the books that help to pay for your school fees.

'So this is point number one. If you don't help out round the house and do the tasks set for you as well as possible, when you go back to school in September, it will be for your last term there.'

Stephen went white at this, he was very much hoping to make the first rugby team now that he was in the sixth form.

Jack continued. ' And your attitude to your mother and the girls makes me wonder whether that would not be the best course to take. They were not put on this earth to look after you, run around doing your washing and ironing, getting your meals, and generally allowing you to do as you please. No, you have to contribute, and by that I don't mean bringing your dirty laundry home and your appetites to the table. I mean that you have to do something for the good of everyone else in the family. Today you wasted the paint, so you won't be getting any more pocket money for the rest of the holidays. Did it not occur to you that the room wasn't being painted for fun? No, obviously not. That room is where our new au pair girl is going to sleep, someone who will be able to help your mother with the children and the house, so she can carry on with her writing.

'I'm ashamed of your stupidity and your selfishness. Go to your rooms, and don't let me see you again tonight. Tomorrow, you do everything that's asked of you. There'd better be an improvement. And spend some time tonight thinking about what you can do to help instead of assuming that you you don't have to do anything.'

The boys trooped out of the room, leaving Jack to bury his face in his hands, wondering where he had gone wrong.

#404: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 11:21 am

Well I think they got off quite lightly! And poor Jack - I feel so sorry for him now

Thanks Jennie

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

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 11:29 am

Thanks Jennie. Hopefully the boys will think about that and will start to change and there will be an improvement.

#406: Author: Joey, Location: Cambridge

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 11:36 am

Good for Jack! That can't have been easy.

And yes, the boys have got off lightly, but I think that is right - they'd probably rebel even more at a stronger punishment.

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

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 12:12 pm

Wow. Can't believe how much Jack and Jo have grown since she went to Australia!

Those boys amaze me. Not in a good way.

#408: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 1:05 pm

Woohoo! Go Jack! Very Happy

#409: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 1:38 pm

I suppose this is a shock to the boys as well. If Steven is about to go into the VIth form, he has had at least 16 years of being waited on hand and foot - which answers Jack's rhetorical question

Quote:

where he had gone wrong

.

Jo and Jack seem to have got it about right, I'd say and with some firm handling the boys are not too old to change.

Thanks Jennie.

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

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 1:39 pm

Go Jack! (even if they did get off lighly!) I'm so impressed by Jo at the moment - she's changed so much in such a short space of time.

Thanks Jennie.

#411: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 1:44 pm

I hope what Jack has said will sink in. Women definitely weren't put on this earth just so they could look after their men.

#412: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 4:01 pm

Glad to see Jo improving so rapidly and Jack backing her up now she has got the message.

Thanks, Jennie.

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

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 6:38 pm

Thanks Jennie - think Jack may have to look at his own attitude prior to all this as a clue to where the boys got it from - and if he can change so can they.

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

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 3:36 am

Lesley wrote:

Thanks Jennie - think Jack may have to look at his own attitude prior to all this as a clue to where the boys got it from - and if he can change so can they.

So true Lesley. After all, they have never had to contribute before, although they are being little sh*ts, teenagers generally can be pretty oblivious to what is going on outside if they don't want to see it.

Look forward to more the the Reforming of the Maynards Jennie!

#415: Author: Elle,

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 6:46 am

Good for Jack! I think that was an excellent telling off!

Mexican Wave

#416: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 10:02 am

Poor Jack - he's certainly trying his hardest. I hope the boys have a good think about what he said, although I don't think that attitudes so ingrained in them will change overnight.

Thanks Jennie.

Star Wars

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

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 10:24 am

Well that told them! Go Jack - he's seen the light at last

#418: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 11:25 am

Unfortunately, Jack was so tired that evening that he almost fell asleep over his coffee. Jo was sympathetic, though she was very tired herself. She didn't even object when she had to wash the dishes herself. She left them to drain, merely putting a clean teatowel over them; she was far to tired to dry them and put them away, and she was certainly not going to ask the girls to help her, they'd done enough.

In fact, as she thought about the girls, she was wondering whether she would be able to find somewhere where they could have a week's rest and holiday before going back to school. She realised that the girls had done far more for her, and far more cheerfully than her own sons had been willing to do.

Well, the boys were a problem that she couldn't solve by herself. She would find out what Jack had said to them, then act accordingly. She and her husband really had to talk at the weekend, thrash things out, so that they were in agreement.

There was another thing, the room for the au pair still had to be painted and then got ready. She just wished that the triplets were here to help out. She felt rather ashamed of herself when she remembered that she had intended that the three oldest girls would take over the entire running of the house for her instead of having a vacation from university.

She had to make time to write to them, it wouldn't be fair for them to come home and be plunged into the situation without warning. Still, if they were willing to help out, Adrienne and Erica would be able to have a rest before starting back to school. Secretly Jo was dreading what Matey might have to say if Adrienne was no better at the start of the new term than she had been at the end of the last one.

She locked the doors and checked the windows, then went upstairs to check that all the children were sleeping. They were, so she quietly washed and undressed in the bathroom, then slid into bed beside Jack. Another day over and done with.

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

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 11:28 am

Thank you Jennie. Glad to see how far Joey has come and that she really is trying to sort things out.

#420: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 11:42 am

Lovely to see the progress they've made, thanks Jennie

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

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 12:02 pm

Good to see Jo actually considering all the girls as people not her work force, and wanting to dicuss things with Jack. Thanks Jennie

#422: Author: Robin, Location: London

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 12:04 pm

good to see them working things out, although i can't help feeling that the boys were only acting by example - up until now, they'd only seen Jack being waited on hand and foot and not contributing around the house...

thanks Jennie

#423: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 12:11 pm

Thanks Jennie. I hope they can keep it up.

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

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 12:19 pm

Thanks Jennie

Good to see how much Jo's attitude to the girls has changed - hope the boys' attitudes change in the same way

Liz

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

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 10:13 pm

Thanks Jennie - so nice to see Joey growing up.

#426: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 10:15 pm

I'm glad the whole house is starting to pull together. I wish Jack would help Joey more instead of falling asleep.

#427: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 8:48 am

Thanks Jennie for the update. I'm glad to see that they'restarting to work as a partnership more.

Star Wars

#428: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 2:48 pm

Jack looked back on the weekend with amazement. It was surprising how much they had managed to do. He had supervised the boys whilst they painted the room for the au pair, and then they had all taken turns with the mower and succeeded in making inroads on what had been the lawns but now looked more like hayfields than anything. That had taken him all weekend, with breaks for meals and drinks, but surprisingly, he felt better for the outdoor work.

It hadn't stopped him from thinking wistfully about the good old days, when Gaudenz had done the heavy gardening, Anna had run the house, and Rosli had taken care of the children. As he sat sipping a cool drink, he began to realise where the problems lay.

As a boy he had lived in a large house and as the second son he had never had to bother about the responsibility of estate management. Yes, he had helped with haymaking, and in the vacations had driven a tractor for the harvesting, but he had been able to treat that as fun. Then when he and Jo had married, they had had only a few months of managing before Anna had found her way to them. She had taken over the running of the house, doing her job calmly, capably and economically. It hadn't seemed to matter how many children they had had, Anna had coped. Then, when they had come out to the Platz, Rosli had been looking for a job, so they had employed her.

He had honestly believed that he was an involved parent because he had gone out and earned the family's living for them, only dealing with the children on a day out, or when there was an emergency, or when one of the childen needed some form of discipline. None of the boys had seen him do anything for a baby or small child except sit with the child on his knee, or carry it on his shoulders. They had never seen him do anything domestic, either. No dishwashing, no sweeping, no bedmaking. And he had thought that that was how life was destined to be for him. Of course, he had seen plenty of poverty in the mountain villages, but somehow it had always been scrupulously clean poverty, never the real misery of slums and filth. And now, he was helping to put the little ones to bed, washing them, changing them, helping them to eat their meals. Perhaps that was why the boys had acquired their attitudes. Men went out to work and were waited on when they came home. Women put food on the table, washed and ironed clothes, looked after children, that was what they were for.

Well, he had had to make the adjustment, so they would have to. Perhaps they might end up as better husbands and fathers for having to help out at home now they were teenagers. That was his drink finished, no more sitting around, there was bound to be another job that needed to be tackled. Yes, he'd had to be very firm with the boys, but now he had to lead by example, not just by giving orders. He got up and went to look for his next task.

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

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 2:57 pm

Good for Jack - there are any number of men that still don't get that.

Thanks Jennie.

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

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 3:02 pm

Thanks Jennie - good to see Jack realising he has to set the example.

Hope the boys are quick to follow

Liz

#431: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 3:04 pm

Keep it up, Jack, and it might just do the trick.

Thanks, Jennie.

#432: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 3:38 pm

I'm glad that Jack's being so honest with himself. Hopefully his attitude willrub off on the others.

Thanks Jennie.

Star Wars

#433: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 5:26 pm

Thanks, Jennie. I hope you let Jack live long enough to have appreciative daughters in law. The change from the early 1900s 'male breadwinner', 'female housekeeper' was hard for all men but probably more so for men with the status that went with Jack's job - and for their wives too.

#434: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 8:14 pm

I think this attitude still lives on with some men today! I wonder if 'supervising the boys painting' meant watching them and not actually doing any of the work himself? Would that have been a very good example to set?

#435: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 9:16 pm

Glad Jack is being like this now - thanks Jennie!

#436: Author: Squirrel, Location: St-Andrews or Dunfermline

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 9:38 am

Wow - well done Jo and Jack. It's been a difficult time for both of them, but it looks like they are beginning to work out the best way to run the home. And I love to see the consideration for each other that is growing. I do hope Jo managed to have that talk with Jack, though it sounds like the weekend was very full anyway. Thanks Jennie

#437: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 2:39 pm

On the Monday morning, Jo concentrated on dealing with getting the laundry ready for collection. That meant that she got the children out of bed, then handed them over to Stephen and Charles to supervise for breakfast whilst she remade the beds and the cot for the tinies. Once she had that packed away, she went downstairs and chivvied the boys to change their beds. She discovered that the only thing that worked with them was to tell them that they would have to spend the next week sleeping between their dirty sheets if they didn't hurry up. Then she made breakfast for all the rest of the family.

What she found the most tiring was the fact that she had to keep on at the boys to do their jobs, and she found it irritating as well. She knew that she would find it quicker to do the jobs herself, but she was absolutely determined that they weren't going to get away with doing things badly so that she got tired of telling them then eventually told them to go away whilst she did the work. No, they were going to contribute to running the house. This morning they could take the tinies out for a walk before it got too hot for them to be out.

When she informed the boys of their job, Stephen tried to protest. It wasn't good enough, someone of his age, and a boy, shouldn't have to spend his time looking after small children. What if someone saw him?

Jo looked at him levelly, then asked who would be likely to see him. Stephen muttered something about tourists. Jo just continued to look at him. Would nothing get through his head? She made her preparations for the walk, then got out the push-chair and sent the little party off to walk across the Platz.

Seeing them go off, she was glad to remember the talk that she and Jack had had on the Sunday evening. They had discussed everything thoroughly, and now that Jo was assured of his support, she felt a lot more capable of managing the house by herself. Yes, it was going to be hard work, yes she would have to do more, but the au pair would be arriving soon, and that would be a big help. Jack had worked hard all weekend, first painting the bedroom as he couldn't trust the boys to do the job by themselves, and then doing the mowing. That had been a job and a half with the length the grass had grown to.

Oh well, she couldn't spend more time dreaming, she had to get on. First there was the washing to do and hang out, then she had to get the newly-decorated bedroom furnished and finished. The cleaning firm could do the polishing, but Jp felt that she ought to look through cupboards and storage boxes to find a few little homely touches that would make the girl feel welcome. First curtains and counterpane, then the finishing touches to tone in with them, that would be best. She suddenly realised that she was enjoying this in an odd sort of way. Almost like playing house, but this time it was the real thing.

#438: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 3:08 pm

I'm glad that Jo has the patience to allow the boys to take as long as they need to do the jobs. Stephen's attitude is still annoying me.

#439: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 3:21 pm

Given that:

1) teenage boys can live a bedroom that looks like a municipal rubbish dump
2) think that housework does itself
3) don't see the need to do jobs every day
4) think that holidays mean that they don't have to do anything

it's not very surprising that Stephen still has a bad attitude towards helping out.

#440: Author: Joyful, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 3:22 pm

Jennie wrote:

She suddenly realised that she was enjoying this in an odd sort of way. Almost like playing house, but this time it was the real thing.

She never really had to do it before - shows you how much she's had to do for herself that she never had to before.
Thanks Jennie

#441: Author: Squirrel, Location: St-Andrews or Dunfermline

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 3:40 pm

I just hope that they can do this job properly without any accident through carelessness or lack of responcibility occurring. I mean I know that accidents do happen, but the kind I'm thinking of are those which would occur simply because the boys began to fool arround. And yes, their behaviour is terrible, but they are only going through what Joey, and Jack to a lesser extent have already had to go through. I think its a bit of a pity that they didnt know what the state of affairs would be earlier on so they had had a chance to adjust to it, though writing would not have made much difference to the reality I guess. They will get used to it in time, as the others have had to.

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

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 3:54 pm

Thanks Jennie - like the fact that Jo is finally starting to take pride in and enjoy her work.

#443: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 4:03 pm

Quote:

She suddenly realised that she was enjoying this in an odd sort of way. Almost like playing house, but this time it was the real thing.

I think this sums it up beautifully! Smile

#444: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 6:45 pm

Fantastic update Jennie, thank you

#445: Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 7:03 pm

Fantastic Jo is really being a grown-up now!
Thanks Jennie

#446: Author: BethC, Location: Worcester, UK

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 9:27 pm

This is great, Jennie - there's clearly hope for Jo (and the rest of the family) now! Thanks.

#447: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 10:36 pm

It's really good to se Jo really getting to grips with how her life is now. I'm also glad that she wouldn't let the boys off the hook, though it must have been tempting to get the job done quicker.

Thanks Jennie.

Star Wars

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

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 12:32 am

Just caught up on this entire drabble - thank you so much Jennie! I felt like banging Jo's head against the new washing machine on several occasions, but she really seems to have changed now Very Happy

Am just hoping that she doesn't take a step backwards when the au pair arrives...

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

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 2:15 am

Nice to see that Jack and Jo are being mutually supportive about this. Also interesting to see Jack evaluating his whole life.

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

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 9:20 am

Thanks Jennie

wibbling a little about the safety of the tinies, given the boys attitudes

So good to see Jo really taking hold and starting to take pride in what she's achieving

Liz

#451: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 11:41 am

Gem wrote:

Am just hoping that she doesn't take a step backwards when the au pair arrives...

I know what you mean, Gem. I felt like drowning her in the damn twin-tub, then putting her through the spin-drier at times.

#452: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 1:01 pm

Apologies for Spreeing.

A couple of hours later, Jo was beginning to wonder where the children had got to. She had whipped through her jobs for the day, and was busy in the kitchen preparing the mid-morning milk and biscuits for everyone, and was just putting the kettle on to make herself a cup of coffee.

Charles and Mike appeared outside the kitchen door, Mike pushing the pushchair and Charles holding the twins by the hand.

'Where's Stephen?' she asked, perhaps more sharply than she had intended.

Charles immediately looked guilty, then she noticed that Mike was looking distressed.

'Come on, out with it. What's happened?'

The tale came tumbling out. Stephen had suggested that they take turns in looking after the children, saying that he wanted a bit of time to himself. They had agreed, but very reluctantly, as Stephen had been so forceful about it. Stephen had run off, giving them no time to put forward any more objections, and he had not returned. This had left Charles and Mike to look after the children by themselves. They had walked for quite a distance before turning back, and Charles had had to carry both twins for some way.

Jo's heart sank at the thought of what Jack would have to say to Stephen, but she managed to thank the two boys for doing their jobs so well. Then she told them. 'I don't blame you for what has happened. You've done what you were told to do. Have some elevenses now and calm down.'

She managed to smile at them and noticed the relief on their faces.

After the children had all had their food and drink, she suggested water-play for them all. With all of them out in the garden, she would have time to prepare the dinner for that evening, and it would give her time to think. She was rewarded for her idea by hearing the delighted squeals from the garden as the children played with their buckets of water. Adrienne and Erica seemed to be enjoying themselves as much as the younger ones, and she reflected that some harmless, childlike fun would be good for them. They had been so good about helping, they deserved a couple of hours to romp around.

But she simply could not forget how stupid Stephen had been. She decided then and there that she was not going to make any attempt to excuse her oldest son's behaviour. She realised that he was behaving in the same way as she had done when she came back from Australia. She thought about those few days with shame. She had not behaved well, she had expected everyone to rally round her and take away the jobs of ordinary living. Perhaps she deserved not to have any help. Still, she had managed to realise that the days of live-in help had gone, for her, anyway. Stephen would just have to do the same, and learn to pull his weight. She would leave him for Jack to deal with, perhaps that would make more of an impression.

She made herself the luxury of a second cup of coffee, deciding to take it out into the garden so she could sit in a chair and relax for a few minutes. It would be good to spend some time with the children just being with them instead of thinking about her next job.

Last edited by Jennie on Mon Jul 18, 2005 7:28 pm; edited 1 time in total

#453: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 1:15 pm

Ooh I wouldn't like to be in Stephen's shoes!!

Though he is the eldest boy - it makes sense that he would have the most trouble adapting to the new regime.

EBD's eldest boys are always the ones who are stubborn, aren't they? Very Happy

Thanks Jennie - I know this is greedy but more soon please! Very Happy

Last edited by Mia on Mon Jul 18, 2005 2:00 pm; edited 1 time in total

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

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 1:16 pm

Oh dear. What will Jack say to Stephen this time - that was just irresponsible no matter how much he resented having to look after the twins.

Glad to see Jo is starting to get on top of things a bit more and has realised how awful her behaviour was on her return form Australia.

Thank you Jennie.

#455: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 1:22 pm

With Stephen being so forceful, maybe he was the one who encouraged Charles and Mike to not do the other jobs properly. Maybe Charles and Mike might have tried harder if Stephen hadn't been there.

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

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 1:25 pm

I wouldnt like to be Stephen just now, what a silly irresponsible thing to do, and him the eldest too!! Thanks Jennie.

#457: Author: Squirrel, Location: St-Andrews or Dunfermline

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 1:31 pm

Mmmmm - possibly his age as well. But yes, I'm glad to see how well Joey is doing just now. Hope that Jack can handle Stephen so that he doesnt just put his back up. I'm pleased the other boys are doing so well also. Thanks Jennie

#458: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 8:04 pm

Jo was just stretching her arms wide to relieve the tension in her neck when she heard the sounds of someone rooting around in the kitchen. She knew that the girls were resting outside, ensconced in deck-chairs reading quietly, as they had told her that that was what they meant to do.

She had just been working hard for a couple of hours, and was very pleased with what she'd done. She knew that she would be rewriting it all, but it was so good to be able to put it down on paper.

She walked almost silently, on tip-toe, into the kitchen. There was her eldest son, casually helping himself to a large plateful of food from the fridge and cupboards. As he turned towards the door, he caught sight of his mother standing there.

Jo didn't need to say anything to him. He flushed, then clearly decided to brave it out.

'I'm just getting myself some lunch. I feel jolly hungry after all that exercise.'

Jo looked at the pile of ham sandwiches and biscuits on the dinner plate which he was holding, then looked at Stephen again. His flush returned, deeper and hotter this time. His mother still said nothing to him, just kept looking steadily at him.

Then she spoke.

'You may have all the cold water that you want to drink, but since you didn't bother to turn up for elevenses or for lunch, I fail to see why you should have anything to eat now.'

Her voice was very cold, icy in fact.

Stephen made the mistake of trying to bluster.

'That's not fair, I'm jolly hungry. Just because I took a day off, it shouldn't mean that I don't get anything to eat, you know.'

'What I do know is that you left your two brothers to look after the little ones. You broke your word to them, and you broke your word to your father. I'd like a day off, so would your father. Instead of helping, you're doing your best to be as idle as possible. You know what your father threatened. Give me one good reason why we should keep you at school in England, when you can't do something for the rest of your family.'

Stephen's face took on a mulish look.

'Well, I'm a boy and the oldest son. I shouldn't have to do things like housework and looking after the children. When I inherit all this, I'm not going to have all the others around. We ought to be on holiday, that's why we get holidays from school, to rest and enjoy ourselves. It's not good enough, I wanted to go to our house in the Tyrol again this year. I wanted to be able to do some climbs, and instead I'm stuck here acting as a nursemaid and skivvy.'

Jo had to restrain herself from slapping him. She walked over to him, calmly took the plate from his hands, then put it into the fridge.

Then she told him. 'I think that you'd better go to your room and stay there, before either of us says anything that we might regret.'

#459: Author: Squirrel, Location: St-Andrews or Dunfermline

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 8:15 pm

Well done Jo. I dont think I could have kept calm like that. Stephen obviously has a lot to learn and his attitude needs to change fast. And as for all that stuff about eldest son and inheritance rubbish... poke

That is what I think of that *mutters darkly to herself*

ETA: Thanks Jennie

#460: Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 8:19 pm

Go Jo!
Stephen needs a touch(m-L or Jo) of getting under his skin
Thanks Jennie

#461: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 8:24 pm

I just got the full blast of that from where Jo's perspective changes and she realises there is enjoyment to be had from homemaking right through to Stephen's latest outburst.

If he goes on like this, he'll inherit nothing.

Top marks to Jo for keeping her cool. She managed to avoid a slanging match which would have done her status no good at all.

All in all, though, if they could just quietly murder Stephen and hide the remains successfully, I'd say they were getting it right now.

#462: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 8:33 pm

LOL, PatMac. What a good idea. It took me all my time not to drown Jo in her own washing machine.

That's the problem when the characters won't get out of your head.

#463: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 8:48 pm

I think Steve is in for a bit of a shock! Freudesheim might be a big house but it's not one of those entailled stately homes is it!? Confused

Good for Jo for keeping her temper though - I don't see her doing so at the start of this drabble!

Thanks Jennie Kiss

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

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 9:46 pm

Thanks Jennie

I wonder if it would help if Jo just went and chatted to Stephen - rather than a telling off/lecture and explained what she's gone through since she returned from Australia - he's old enough to appreciate being treated like a grown up (even if he doesn't behave that way) and he might realise that she understands what it's like and that if she can change maybe he can?

Liz

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

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 11:17 pm

Pretty Maids has been sold off to pay for school fees, I think. Plas Gwyn also sold or maybe just rented out. I think Jo & Jack will have to have everything sold off by their executors to have a couple of quid for each child. Prehaps Stephen can inherit the garden shed?

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

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 11:58 pm

Stephen obviously believes his own press releases!

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

Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 2:49 am

Inherits wot? Haven't heard he has any urge to be a doctor and inherit the San. And his elder (and younger) sibs may consider they have a claim to the estate too.

And what a horrid brat expecting to live on his expectations (if any!). Makes him sound like a minor Jane Austen character.

#468: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 6:08 pm

I'm very impressed that Jo managed to keep her cool. I don't think I'd have been able to in those circumstances. It'll be interesting to see how Jo and Jack tackle this.

Thanks Jennie.

Star Wars

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

Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 7:43 pm

Jo has made such strides here it's dreadful to see her behaviour mirrored in Stephen - that said, he knew he was doing wrong - you're not embarrassed if you think you're right.

Hope Jack deal with him faithfully.

#470: Author: Miriam, Location: Jerusalem, Israel

Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 8:24 pm

Pretty Maids was handed over to the National Trust around the time that the Maynards moved to Switzerland. Everyone seem to forget, but Plas Gwyn was sold when they bought St Scholastika. Jo commented that they had recieved a very good offer for it, and were unlikely to go back to England when they had a large enough resident family to justify living ina house that size.

On one hand you can't blame steven for expecting to inherit, since that is what most of his class mates would also expect. If he starts to think about it though, he might realize that life isn't always that simple.

#471: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 8:26 pm

Riveting stuff, Jennie, thanks.

Typical teenager behaviour. Shocked

From Stephen, that is, not Jo!. Rolling Eyes

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

Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 10:30 pm

Feeling a little sorry for Steven - yes he's been behaving appalingly, but like joey and Jack it takes time to take new behaviour on board and he's not been brought up to do these things

hopefully he'll start to see sense after this and pull his weight and discover it's not all bad

#473: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 2:35 pm

Stephen stayed in his room for the rest of the day. Jo had made sure that he had something to eat and drink at supper time, but there were definitely no biscuits, cakes or pudding on the tray which he had received. She was determined that he would stay healthy, but he was not going to get the other little treats which found their way onto the plates of those who were contributing to the running of the household.

What had grieved her the most during the afternoon and evening was that she felt that she had in some way been responsible for his attitude. Perhaps she had relied too much on the three oldest girls to do things for her, and Stephen had got off too lightly. There was so much to plan, too. Now that she could not do things on the spur of the moment, it took a lot of organisation before she could even dream of going to do some shopping in Interlaken.

She decided that she would tell Jack about Stephen's behaviour, but would not make it a complaint, just the opening for a discussion. She realised that it would not be fair to the others if Stephen were allowed to get away with doing nothing. Even Felix and Felicity were doing little jobs now, and were feeling very important because they were being trusted to behave like grown-ups. Yes, the toys in the nursery had not been put away in the correct order in the cupboard, but they had been put away, and the older twins were very good about playing with the three smallest ones in the garden.

What she really wanted to do was to arrange to go down to Interlaken, taking Adrienne and Erica with her to see about some new clothes for the girls. Erica for one was growing like a weed, and her shorts were inching their way up her legs. And she could shop for some nice cakes and sthings for tea on Sunday, and perhaps buy a couple of tortes for pudding, as well. It might be a good thing to go into a bookshop and buy a cookery book. She was fast running out of ideas for meals that would suit all the family, so she desperately needed some new ideas.

Perhaps Jack would have the children whilst she went down with the girls; she was determined that Stephen should not be left unsupervised to escape for the day.

#474: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 2:41 pm

It's nice to see the family pulling together now (apart from Stephen). Jo really seems to have matured in this story. I hope Jo can find time to take the girls to Interlaken - they've deserve it.

Star Wars

#475: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 2:52 pm

Thanks Jennie. Very Happy

#476: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 3:24 pm

The girls have definitely deserved a treat like that - hope Joey can manage it.

Thanks Jennie.

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

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 3:37 pm

Thanks Jennie. Good to see Joey so much more aware of what it takes to run a home. Hope she can manage a day in Interlaken with the girls. And hoping Stephen can realise why his behaviour is wrong.

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

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 5:18 pm

Thanks Jennie - can't believe I'm saying this - but I like your Joey here!!! She has really matured - at the beginning I just wanted to shake her, now she's excellent.

#479: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 6:21 pm

Thanks Jennie. I feel if they can get Stephen sorted, they will be on the way to a more harmonious life for them all.

* Is it too early to chant?*

#480: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 8:43 pm

Thanks Jennie Kiss

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

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 10:33 pm

Thanks Jennie

Liz

#482: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 10:39 pm

Joey is always described in the books as never fully growing up. Maybe if she hadn't had so much help, she would have grown up more. Of course, I love her being half school girl and half adult!

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

Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 1:05 am

Nice to see Jo considering a course of action, not just reacting to events. Very Happy

#484: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 11:45 am

Jo sat back and relaxed. It was so good to be out again, having coffee and cakes in a cafe which was no more than the girls deserved. She beamed at the sight of Adrienne and Erica tucking into luscious fresh cream cakes and sipping their coffee.

They had done half their shopping and were now taking a relaxing break. Jack had agreed to supervise the other children whilst she brought these two down to do some shopping.

Jack had been very fair when dealing with Stephen. Instead of yelling at him, he had spoken to him as though Stephen were an adult, pointing out the obvious situation and the need for everyone to pull together. He had also gently informed his oldest son that there would be nothing for him to inherit. Once all eleven children were off their hands, whether they had gone straight out to work or gone to university, Jack's main problem would be to save enough to keep him and their mother in decent comfort during their retirement.

Stephen had looked shocked at this, obviously believing that his parents had a fortune tucked away in the bank, and was very downcast when he realised the truth of what his parents had been trying to tell him for the past few weeks. His father's income did not support them all. The fact that the girls had free places a the Chalet School meant that they could afford to send the boys to public schools in England, but only if their mother applied her share income from the School and her revenue from her books. The Maynard family had never been rich, they had made a decent living from the farms attached to Pretty Maids, but they had never been one of the great landowning families with large incomes from family trusts.

When Jack retired, he and Jo would be selling Feudesheim and retiring to England to live in a small house, not a mansion. Stephen had clearly not been impressed with this idea, but was reluctantly coming round to the idea that being the oldest son meant that he had to set a good example to his younger siblings, not sit back and wait for the expected plums to fall into his lap.

In fact, Jo thought, he had had as big a shock as she had received when she returned from Australia.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sight of Adrienne looking amazed and embarrassed as some cream squirted out of her eclair.

It wouldn't do to sit here for much longer. They had their shopping to finish, then Jo intended that the girls should have a quick visit to some place of interest, just to round off the day.

#485: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 11:53 am

Ooh those squirty eclairs! Poor Adrienne! Laughing

Thanks Jennie, glad Stephen was spoken to like an adult - hopefully he will see sense and follow the excellent example set by his parents!

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

Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 11:56 am

Lovely to see Jo and the girls able to enjoy themselves. i hope the other children and Jack have been able to enjoy themselves too. Also pleased to see that Jo has realised the shock Stephen has had and to see that he is starting to realise the implications of what he has learnt.

Thank you Jennie.

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

Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 12:34 pm

Well done Jack & Jo

Thanks Jennie

Liz

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

Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 12:36 pm

I've grown to like your Jo, Jennie - it's as though she has not only grown up, but finally become what she could be, if you get my meaning.

#489: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 12:43 pm

giggles at the eclair Razz

Poor Stephen, suddenly discovering his parents aren't rich. I wonder if he gets the idea from his friends at school who are rich and talk about inheriting?

Jo and Jack have both grown so much in the past few weeks.

Thank you Jennie.

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

Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 1:01 pm

Glad Jack was able to talk to Stephen and bit, and good to see Jo taking the girls out. *g* at eclairs

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

Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 2:03 pm

Thanks Jennie, it's amazing to see how Joey and Jack have changed, and to see the family pulling together.

#492: Author: Robin, Location: London

Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 3:22 pm

mmm eclairs.... yum...

glad Jack could explain things to Steven and that the girls are having a nice day out.

thanks jennie

#493: Author: keren, Location: Israel

Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 4:28 pm

But think what J and J had done to bring him up like this.
We often see in the books that they put a lot into the girls and we do not see how much they invest in the boys.
Obviously this is the result of a long term problem

#494: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 4:49 pm

Thanks Jennie. Glad to see things are looking up Smile

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

Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 7:22 pm

Thanks Jennie - lovely episode.

#496: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 7:32 pm

Fantastic.

Thanks, Jennie

#497: Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria

Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 7:37 pm

mmmm could just eat an eclair!
thanks Jennie

#498: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 8:03 pm

What a shock for Stephen. I actually felt sorry for him in the last section of the drabble as he had to come back to earth with such a bump.

Is it just me (probably is) but are Joey and the girls doing as much as they think they are? What jobs are they doing? Also, is shopping for food or just for pleasure?

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

Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 11:45 pm

poor Steve - I do feel sorry for him, actually. yes he's behaved appallingly, but school is pretty tough and boys especially just need to flop in the holidays. Plus he's not going to sound brilliant compared to his classmates when he goes back and has to tell them he spent his holidays doing housework and looking after his kid brothers and sisters, who - to be completely honest- probably aren't the most riveting company!

not to say he doesn't deserve his punishment, I just feel a tad sorry for him

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

Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 12:18 pm

francesn wrote:

...not to say he doesn't deserve his punishment, I just feel a tad sorry for him

I also felt a little sorry for Stephen in the way he's portrayed in this drabble. He seems quite a responsible boy in Joey and Co in Tirol. Still, it wouldn't be any fun if everyone reformed at once!

Obviously none of the boys were sent to Polgarth (not as Patmac describes it, anyway)!

Thank-you, Jennie - as good as ever.

#501: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 2:43 pm

Jo sat back with a sigh of relief. That was all the children back off to school at last. The last fortnight of the holidays had been packed with activity, getting the family's clothes clean, ironed and packed into their trunks. Of course, the boys had all forgotten something and had only remembered it at the last moment. Charles' overnight case had been bulging with the books that he couldn't bring himself to part with, so it had taken him quite an effort to carry his case onto the train.

She thought back over the last couple of months. What a shock she'd had when she discovered that she didn't have any household help any more. She knew that she had behaved badly, expecting other people to run to her rescue when she had demanded help from them. She felt ahamed of herself, remembering her reactions. But she was also very grateful for Jack's help and support. He had been the one to take the initiative, organising laundry and cleaning services, buying the new washing machine and fridge so that life was easier for her. And he had found the au pair, Angela.

Angela's arrival had made all the difference, especially with Stephen. He had been so eager to prove that he could do things that they had hardly had to ask him to do jobs around the house. It was comical to think about how much he had wanted to impress her.

Then the joy of the triplets coming home for a few weeks. They had all three been tired and much thinner than when they had gone away, but alos far, far more mature for the work they had done and the sights they had seen. For the first week, they had done little but sleep and rest, but then they had returned to their old selves, laughing and joking around the house and helping wherever they could. In fact, now the younger ones had gone back to school, they were doing more in the house in the mornings and spending their afternoons on their degree work. But Jo was being very careful not to take their work for granted. She realised the danger of relying on them for too much; it would be very difficult for her to get back into the swing of things if she allocated all her own work to them, and she simply didn't want to feel the exhaustion and frustration of having to start to do tasks that she had got used to.

Still, this nice little respite was good. The house was clean and dusted, the beds were all made, everywhere was tidy and the children were out having a morning walk. She sipped her coffee appreciatively, enjoying the feeling of knowing that she wasn't going to have to get out of her chair for what seemed like a hundred times to deal with some problem or other. Her writing was going well, perhaps having less time for it was sharpening her mind. She was sure that her publishers would like this one; she felt in her bones that it would sell well.

In fact, she thought as she got up to wash her cup and saucer, she was pretty happy with her life the way it was now. then a thought flashed into her mind. Perhaps she was completely grown up now.

THE END

#502: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 2:58 pm

Thank you Jennie. A lovely ending!

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

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 3:07 pm

Excellent Jennie - have really enjoyed this drabble - so nice to see Jo emerge such a better person - the person she should always have been.

Thank you.

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

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 3:10 pm

What a great ending, thanks Jennie. Good to see how far Jo has come and that she recognises it. Love Stephens reaction to the Au Pair as well Laughing

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

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 3:26 pm

Agreeing wholeheartedly with all the last three comments - it's nice to see this ending on such a positive note, Jennie.

I also giggled at the idea of Stephen's going overboard to impress Angela - clearly teenage hormones triumph again!!

Also nice to see Joey emerge as the person she should have been all along - truly grown up at last.

Thanks, Jennie for a series of great stories. Are there more where these came from, perhaps? Just asking - I loved Ailie's letter to Sybil.

#506: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 3:40 pm

Thanks Jennie for a lovely story. It's nice to see Jo 'grown up' at last and taking responsibility for herself and others.

Star Wars

#507: Author: Rosea, Location: Edinburgh

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 4:32 pm

That was a wonderful ending, Jennie thank you.

I hope there will be further adventures...

#508: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 5:18 pm

Thanks Jennie, I really enjoyed this. Sad to see it finished, but great ending.

*chortles at Steve*

#509: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 5:56 pm

What a lovely ending. Thanks for the drabble Jennie!

#510: Author: Kim, Location: Tipperary, Ireland

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 9:32 pm

Really enjoyed this one Jennie. Just proves people can change when challenged - hope for some of us perhaps?

Looking forward to your next offering Wink

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

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 10:54 am

Jennie wrote:

In fact, she thought as she got up to wash her cup and saucer, she was pretty happy with her life the way it was now. then a thought flashed into her mind. Perhaps she was completely grown up now.

That made me go all goosebumpy Jennie - thankyou

and oh the joy of

Quote:

The house was clean and dusted, the beds were all made, everywhere was tidy

and how rarely it happens Laughing

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

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 12:21 pm

Thank you Jennie. You've brought us so far as Jo has grown up, and now we can see Jo, as she should have been, as we wanted to see her.

#513: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 12:53 pm

Oh well done, Jennie, for bringing Jo to this point. And the rest of the family as well.

I hope she's not TOO grown up though - she just woouldn't be Jo any more. Laughing

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

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 1:43 pm

Lovely ending - thanks Jennie

Liz

#515: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 10:12 pm

What a lovely end to this drabble. I was thinking that everything was starting to go too well when I realised the drabble had ended. It's also nice to see Stephen's first crush and that the triplets are doing so well. Thank you for this great drabble, Jennie.

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

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 1:17 am

Thank you Jennie, this was great.

#517: Author: Robin, Location: London

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 9:20 am

thanks jennie - a nice and positive way to end it.

#518: Author: Squirrel, Location: St-Andrews or Dunfermline

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 3:48 pm

Whata lovely ending, thanks Jennie

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

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 4:27 pm

Alls well that ends well

Thank you, Jennie - that was a really lovely and thought-provoking drabble. Will we get to see any more from your alernate universe?

#520: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 7:32 pm

Not at the moment. My characters all seem to have gone to sleep. Perhaps they've got what they wanted to say off their chests for now.

#521: Author: Elle,

Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 11:29 am

Fabulous! Thank you very much Jennie.

#522: Author: Tiffany,

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 7:51 pm

Thanks, Jennie, I really enjoyed that. I loved Joey's journey of self-discovery, and how she's become self-aware enough to realise she's grown-up now...

#523: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 1:32 pm

Thanks Jennie - I just managed to finish this drabble now. It was nice to see Jo grow up and begin to think about her life.

I did feel sorry for Stephen in parts, I hated doing house work in school holidays and weekends but I had to do it.

Lovely to see Jo and the girls having a day out.

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

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 3:52 am

I've just managed to catch up on the last two posts. Joey turned out bee-yoo-tifully, especially after her decidedly awful behaviour earlier. Thanks Jennie, I have enjoyed this!

Off to the shops for a squashy eclair I think!

#525: Author: joelle, Location: lancashire, england

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 8:19 pm

just read this all the way through-its so good! congratulations jennie you write so well, your characters develop beautifully. its amazing! now, apart from this one, jems one and the josette one, is there anymore, apart from the sybil one? am so hyped! by the way, could someone please point me in the way of the sybil one? i read it a while ago and am wanting to read it again! go jennie!

The CBB -> Ste Therese's House

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