The CBB :: View topic - Josette's Arrival

#1: Josette's Arrival Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 1:16 pm

Well, here I am. I have to get my trunk and suitcases unpacked and all my stuff put away, I'm starting at LSE in a few days' time, and I still have to buy a lot of my books. Believe me, I haven't read a single word of economics since the middle of June.

It was great to stay with the Lucys for the summer. Janie insisted that I arrived there a fortnight before the schools' terms ended so I'd know something about the island and had a chance to relax before I started work. Those long lazy days on the beach at La Rochelle were wonderful. I had nothing to do but swim, read, sunbathe, eat and chat. Janie must have briefed her sisters very thoroughly. None of them asked me about my mother, though all chatted freely about Daddy. I could feel the tension seeping out of me, and by the end of the first week, I could hardly keep my eyes open. I certainly slept well every night.

I slept well after they'd all arrived home from school, but that was from exhaustion. I would say I've never met a livelier pack of youngsters, but I can't since I've known Ailie almost since she was born. They all loved the clothes and presents that I'd brought them from Australia. I swear that Ailie went to bed in her shorts one night. It wasn't as though I had to do all the caring for and amusing the gang of them. Whenever we went out, there were several adults, including nannies to help. At first, I wondered whether Janie had manufactured the job for me, but it soon became clear that her nanny was growing older and slower and just couldn't keep up for the whole day. I was never overworked, but I think I earned my money.

One great thing that happened was that Janie had a letter from Sybil, asking if she and Hugh could call if they came to Guernsey for a few days. Janie was quite thoughtful about it, and showed me the letter. She could see from my face that there was something wrong, so one evening, after dinner, we had a good long talk about it. The end of it was that Janie left me to answer the letter, telling me that I could invite them to stay there for a week.

Well, they came. I had quite a tearful reunion with Sybs, but we managed to clear the air. I also got to know Hugh a lot better. The most important thing that I learned was how much they loved each other. Hugh is a really nice person, not the money-grubbing, ostentatious person that Mother had hinted he was. Sybs is doing her course at the School of Art Needlework at last and doing some interior design classes as well. She was really pleased because Hugh has asked her to help with designing some flats that he's converting from old warehouses into homes that young married couples can afford.

I had expected Sybs and Hugh to start raving about their social life, but it seems that they prefer to spend quiet evenings at home together. They do some entertaining and going out, but life isn't a huge whirl of parties and dances. One thing that surprised me was how good Hugh was with the children. He invented all sorts of beach games for them and the kids were thrilled to have him play with them.

The week went all too quickly, and I cried after we'd seen them off. I really missed Sybs. One thing that their visit taught me was that I would never have been really happy married to John. I'd started to realise that when I saw how loving Janie and Julian were together, and my sister's visit really made me understand that you can't marry to please your family, you really have to love the other person.

We got all the children off to school safely, which was a miracle in itself. Hugh and Sybil met the girls off the boat train, and showed them around London for a couple of days. Ailie and Janice both wrote to tell me that they had the best time ever, seeing all the sights.

I stayed in Guernsey for another week as Janie insisted that I deserved a rest after the summer. I'd been so happy there that I didn't really want to leave, but university called.

I was astonished when Sybs and Hugh met my train. They drove me home and I stayed with them for a couple of nights. We went out and did some shopping and went to a couple of tourist sights. It was a lovely break. Then, when I moved into my little flat, Sybs and Hugh insisted on stocking up the cupboards and fridge for me with all the basic things that I'd need, so I didn't have to go shopping immediately. I knew that I could go to them if I needed to, and Hugh invited me to come around if I wanted to. That felt wonderful. I wish that I'd got to know him better out in Australia, than I'd have known that he could be a friend, not an intruder.

I start at LSE tomorrow. I must admit I'm nervous, it's got such a huge reputation, but all I can do is my best. I'm not going to let Daddy down, he's making a huge sacrifice for me, and I'm going to make it worth it. I can't stop yawning, I must turn out the light and go to sleep.

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

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 2:58 pm

Oh that's lovely, Jennie, after all that Josette's been through with her mother she really needed that kindof summer - and how thoughtful of Jane Lucy.

So glad that she's got to know her brother-in-law and has cleared the air with Sybil.

*Warm fuzzy feeling!*

#3: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 2:59 pm

A lovely interlude, Jennie, and I'm so glad Josette has realised she made the right decision about John.

I'm also glad she now sees Sybil in her true colours and is feeling so much happier about everything.

Thanks, Jennie.

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

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 4:34 pm

awww thank you Jennie

I do hope she#ll be happy at LSE and make a go of it

#5: Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 4:44 pm

oooh I also have the warm fuzzy feeling! Thank you Jennie! This is so luffly! I'm really happy for Josette, things are starting to go so well! Very Happy

#6: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 6:31 pm

This is luffley! Thanks Jennie, so nice to see Josette clearing the air with Sybs.

Very Happy

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

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 6:51 pm

Thank you Jennie, so nice to see more of Josette and Im glad she had a good summer. *wishes her luck for uni*

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

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 9:14 pm

Thank you, Jennie - really good to see Josette's thoughts.

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

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 9:22 pm

Thank you Jennie, I love the warm fuzziness of this, a lovely Sunday night feeling. Janie comes over as so thoughtful and caring, and it great to see Sybs and Jos clearing the air.

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

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 10:20 pm

Thanks Jennie

It's nice to hear they cleared the air properly and that Josette is thriving in her new situation. I hope starting at uni goes well too.

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

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 12:02 am

Thanks Jennie. This was just so heart warming and reassuring. Very Happy

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

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 1:28 am

Thanks, Jennie - agreeing with everyone who has commented on how heart-warming this is. After Josette's experience in Australia before she left, it's really good to know that she had such a good time in Guernsey and that she and Sybil have now made friends again. Nice to see Sybil and Hugh helping her set up her flat in London, too.

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

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 9:33 am

Thank you Jennie - great to see how much happier Josette is and learn about her thoughts.

#14: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 10:07 am

Thanks for that Jennie. It was good to see Josette and Sybil clearing the air and becoming closer as a result.

Star Wars

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

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2005 2:20 pm

Oh, that's just what Josette needed.

#16: Author: Lucy, Location: Leeds

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2005 2:41 pm

Thanks for this Jennie - really glad Josette had such a good summer after everything before. Lovely to see her and Sybil getting to know each other again. Lovely and fuzzy!

#17: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2005 4:04 pm

Thanks Jennie. That left me all warm and with a huge grin on my face.

#18: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 12:34 am

Lovely, Jennie, thanks Very Happy

#19: Author: Tiffany,

Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 12:36 pm

Oh Jennie, thankyou! *big soppy grin* I'm so glad Josette is friends with Sybil and Hugh, and that she had a good summer.

#20: Author: Sandra, Location: Oxfordshire

Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2005 10:41 pm

That was lovely - I hope that Jem manages to sort out his relationship with Sybs too. Josette would surely mention all of the family problems to her.

The CBB -> Ste Therese's House

output generated using printer-friendly topic mod, All times are GMT

Page 1 of 1