The CBB :: View topic - Josette's Dilemma (SCS) 27/5/05

#1: Josette's Dilemma (SCS) 27/5/05 Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 5:13 pm

JOSETTE

She sat up sharply in bed, then blushed again as she remembered what one of her friends at University had called her mother ‘A Gherkin on speed.’ And that was the most flattering comment! Oh, it was so embarrassing. The news of her mother’s behaviour had reached the gossip columns of the papers, oh, not by name, it was the insinuating way it had been done that made Josette writhe with humiliation.

‘Which wife of a distinguished visiting TB specialist made a fool of herself at the A………. Hotel, demanding to see her daughter at 6:45 one fine Sunday morning? Doesn’t Mummy know better than to interrupt newly-weds so early on the day after they get married?’

Then there was the way her mother wouldn’t let the matter drop. No, she kept on and on, vowing to be revenged on Sybil. In fact, Josette was beginning to wonder if her mother was quite sane in the subject. She tried, she really tried to push away these treacherous thoughts, but some of Sybil’s words kept coming back to haunt her. ‘Who do want to have running your marriage, Josette?’

She began to see that Sybil had had a point, a very good point indeed. It had already started, the fuss and bother over Josette’s own wedding. Every time Josette made a decision that conflicted with her mother’s opinion, Mother had a fit of hysterics. It seemed that Josette was to have no choice at all, whether dress, flowers, bridesmaids, reception, hymns – anything.

Appealing to Daddy just did no good whatsoever, he was clearly just as alarmed by it as Josette, but made no move to stop his wife, or even to say that Josette was entitled to make her own choices as it was her wedding. No, Mother had to micromanage everything, and went out of her way to contradict everything Josette said, or wanted. In fact, Josette was beginning to wonder whether she wanted to get married at all.

It seemed that Mother had everything planned out. Josette had heard her talking to John only the other evening. ‘Well, we shall be out here for another three years, so I expect there to be at least two grandchildren before we set off for home.’ John’s face had been an absolute picture when he heard that. Oh, it was too bad of Mummy, trying to run her life for her.

Josette knew that she had to talk to her father. What she really wanted to do was to go back to England, and go to a University there, no, perhaps a Scottish one, St Andrew’s or Edinburgh, that would be far enough away from the Round House to make it impossible for Josette to go home every weekend. If only she didn’t have to live at home now. If she couldn’t do that, and she really couldn’t see her father agreeing to it, she knew she didn’t want to stay here in Australia.

‘Dear’ Aunt Jo was no help at all. When Josette had asked her for help with her problems, she had received a scathing reply that made perfectly plain that Josette should be an obedient daughter and do exactly as mother decided. She also made it abundantly clear that whilst she forgave Sybil as a good Christian should, she still regarded her oldest niece as a combination of Jezebel, the W---e of Babylon, the Spanish Inquisition and a body-snatcher of the ilk of Burke and Hare.

No, if Josette was to have any peace and any freedom, she had to do something. She knew other girls who were working their way through university she could do the same. Then she was brought back to reality by her mother’s voice shrilling into the peace of their apartment. Another day, how could she bear it? Perhaps it was her punishment for being horrible to Sybs on her wedding day. Now she knew exactly how she had felt. She got up to face the day, wishing with all her heart that she too had sailed on the SS Corinthia.

Last edited by Jennie on Fri May 27, 2005 11:20 am; edited 40 times in total

#2: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 5:21 pm

Shiny, Jennie. Do let her get free, please.

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

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 5:42 pm

Poor Josette, I hope she escapes too!!! (and I love Joey's opinion of Sybil!!!)

#4: Author: Mihiri, Location: surrey england

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 6:40 pm

Thanks Jennie. Is interesting to see that Josette has also been unhappy with Madge's behaviour

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

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 8:13 pm

Well part of me says 'serve her right' after the way she treated Sybil, but perhaps she truly wasn't aware of all Sybil had to put up with. Please continue with this Jennie - I'd love to see Josette too manage to escape. Wink

#6: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 9:23 pm

Well, this was intended to be just another little epilogue. I'll have to wait to see if the PB bites.

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

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 9:27 pm

Yes but some of these little one-off posts have a habit of growing.... Wink

#8: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 9:29 pm

I know, that's the problem. I can see that I'll be turning it into a full-length drabble before I know where I am.

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

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 9:32 pm

Sounds good to me! Laughing

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

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 9:43 pm

Me too!! I certainly won't complain if there is more. *plotting to see whos else's views Jennie could do* Wink

#11: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 9:49 pm

Come on Jennie - write some more. You know you want to.

#12: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 9:51 pm

If the Plot Bunny bites, I will, promise.

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

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 9:59 pm

Ooh, I hope it does bite then!! *Holds out lettuce and carrots to tempt the bunny*

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

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 1:37 am

*Smears plot-bunnynip On Jennie!* Wink

#15: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 8:36 am

Poor Josette - I hope she manages to escape from Madge's clutches. Star Wars

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

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 8:47 am

I didn't like Josette's behaviour in Sybil's story Smile

, but I did wonder whether she had a fear of abandonment. She would have been aware that Sybil got into trouble about the water & that after that Sybil vanished (as it would seem to a young child) when S. went to school to board & then was left behind when the Russels went to Canada. Does Josette's subconscious tell her that she must do as mummy says or she'll be left behind too?

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

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 6:00 pm

Agree with Lyanne, about Josette's behaviour in the Sybil drabble. Interesting to see that Madge is being even more controlling about her younger daughter (probably scared that she'll repeat Sybil's offence). Boo to Jem, though, for not supporting Josette. This seems like it could go further... please?

#18: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 6:45 pm

*packs lovely lettuce and fresh carrots and really young dandelion leaves and sends them by same day chilled courier.* I do hope the bunny enjoys them. Wink

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

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 7:44 pm

Agree that Josette probably didn't realise how bad it was for Sybil until Sybil had left & Madge started to take it all out on her. Bribes the PB with an assortment of fresh greens and goodies.

#20: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2004 4:31 pm

Glad to see Josette is waking up to the nastiness of Madge. Thought she was very unsympathetic to Sybil but maybe Madge was talking to Josette about Sybil and twiating things. Would love to see Josette stand up to Madge and Madge to wake up or lose her second daughter.

#21: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 3:39 pm

Breakfast was the usual dreadful beginning to the day. Josette could feel the screams beginning, way down in her stomach, and it was difficult for her to keep them there. She knew that if she let them reach her lungs they would burst out, and she wouldn't be able to stop until their entire apartment was filled with the sound of scream after scream after scream.

Taking a deep breath, she pasted a smile on her face, then started to think furiously. Daddy had paid for a whole year's fees at Uni, she would just have to earn enough to pay for food and accommodation, and try to save some money.

She was woken from her calculations by the sound of her mother's voice.

''Josette, I was speaking to you. Don't you dare ignore me in that way. Why don't you answer me?' 'Sorry, Mummy, I was just thinking about John and our wedding.'

'Well, I suppose that that's all right, but really, it's time someone in this family paid some attention to me and my opinions!'

Jem broke in, trying to calm things down. The last thing that he needed was another tirade from Madge at the breakfast table. Perhaps Josette had been right to ask him to stop her mother being so outrageous, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Still, he was beginning to wonder who would be the first to have a nervous breakdown, Madge, Josette or himself.

'Now, then, Madge. Josette is entitled to think about John, after all, she is engaged to him. Are the pair of you going out tonight, Josette?'

'No, Daddy, I have an essay to finish tonight, but we're going to the cinema tomorrow evening.'

'Good, good', said Jem, wishing furiously that he could think of something apart from platitudes. He decided that he would ask Josette if she would like a lift into the University, but was forestalled by Josette excusing herself from the table and saying that she had to hurry, she needed to buy some more file-paper before her lecture started. Another opportunity gone!

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 12:50 pm; edited 1 time in total

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

Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 6:58 pm

Is Madge having problems going through the menopause? Not hot flushes, just very trying behaviour. (No insult intended to anyone who is going ttouhg the change!)

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

Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 7:08 pm

Thank you Jennie, poor Jem and Josette! Very Happy

(the imp of mischief wonders what Madge would do if David announced he was gay?) Wink

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

Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 9:12 pm

Oh go on, do include that Jennie! Twisted Evil

I'm sure that Madge would simply not believe him and never take it in, trying to arrange his marriage to some suitable girl.

#25: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 10:40 pm

Jennie, *begs on knees* do continue this. I can't wait to see who breaks first!

#26: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2004 12:58 am

Poor Josette. What a mother! Hope she finds soace at uni and can find a flat to share or something away from Madge. Would also like to see those scenes with David.

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

Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2004 9:35 am

Yes, please, have David being gay and Madge's reaction! Great idea, Carolyn! Twisted Evil

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

Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2004 1:10 pm

Just loving this Jennie think madge might completely ignore David if he was gay (lucky him) - maybe her just finding him living with a woman would be more effective

#29: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2004 9:40 pm

Jem retired to his study, knowing that he had to do something, but not knowing what he could do. He found himself longing for the dear old days gone by in the Tirol, and then in Guernsey and Wales, where his word had been law to his wife and family, and he had been looked up to as the omniscient doctor, Head of the Sanitarium, and generally regarded as an upstanding member of the community.

It was only on the morning of Sybil's wedding that he had realised that, whilst he had been successful as a doctor, he had been a failure as a father. When Sybil had challenged him that morning, he had been forced to realise that his method of child-rearing had led to nothing but alienation from his growing children. Sybil had shown him the errors in his thinking, and had begun a process that he could liken only to a balloon slowly deflating in a corner. He was having to shed all his misconceptions about himself, his marriage and his family. But always, his mind went back to the problem of Madge. What on earth was he going to do about her? How could he get through to her? How could he pierce the shield of affronted self-righteousness and injured dignity that she had surrounded herself with? He really felt that he wanted to give her a good smack, but his upbringing as a gentleman forbade that.

He knew that Josette was desperately unhappy but he didn't know how to talk to her. He was beginning to wonder how he could manage to get her to talk to him. After all, he'd never been the sort of father that his children could confide in, always insisting on immediate obedience to his orders, so that their poor little wishes had always come second to his own convenience.

The only thing that he could congratulate himself on, it seemed, was that he had managed to read David's letter that morning without showing any surprise at the contents.

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 12:51 pm; edited 1 time in total

#30: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2005 2:14 am

At last Jem is waking up to hos children. Wondering what news there is in David's letter.

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

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2005 12:39 pm

Oooh and errrrr, very interesting. I almost think smacking Madge may be the best idea! Thank you Jennie Very Happy

#32: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2005 1:19 pm

Josette hurried onto the University campus, and went straight into the stationery shop where she bought a pad of the best-quality paper.
Might as well get the good stuff while Daddy's paying.' she thought. She then went off to her lecture, for all the good that it did her, for her thoughts were whirling round in her head and commanded so much of her attention that she hardly heard a word that the lecturer was saying.

Afterwards, she walked around until she saw Jean Morris, a girl with whom she was friendly, and greeted her. Jean's response to this was not encouraging. With an inward groan, Josette realised that her mother's behaviour had started to turn her friends against her. She couldn't blame Jean, as Madge, when she had discovered that Jean was working her way through uni had barely bothered to be polite to her, and had several times stressed that she considered that Josette was far superior to Jean as she had her family's support and lived at home.

Jean's response had been forthright. 'Well, Lady Russell, my family can't afford to send me through university, so I'm doing what a lot of people do, working my way through. But MY family always makes my friends welcome when they visit and they're always glad to see me.

Remembering this, Josette attempted to speak to Jean, but to her horror, she burst into tears and stood there, sobbing as though her tears would never end.

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 12:52 pm; edited 1 time in total

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

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2005 6:22 pm

Good for Jean! Poor Josette - wonder if there is anyone that can get through to Madge? I know that Joey is almost as bad - but what about Mollie or Dick - although he always came across as somewhat ineffectual! What is David's news???? Oh, and thanks Jennie! Laughing

#34: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2005 8:26 pm

Jean, seeing the state that Josette was in, swept her away into the lee of a building where no-one could see them, then put her arms around Josette and let her cry herself out. Once the crying fit had stopped, Jean carefully wiped Josette's face with a tissue, then led her away across the campus.

'This way, Josette. I live just over there, so I'll make you a hot drink, then tuck you up for a sleep.'

'No, no, I don't want that again!' 'What do you mean?' 'Well, when I was at school, if we got upset, we were sent to the San and got dosed with hot milk and a sedative, and I just.....'

'There's no danger of that, Josette, I meant a cup of tea and then you can be tucked up on my bed, or on my sofa, until you feel better. If you want to talk about what's troubling you, then you can, and I'll listen. if you don't want to, then don't talk about it. But, I am going to say this, I've seen just recently that you're getting more and more unhappy. If talking will help, feel free to use me as your audience.'

Josette looked at her, and it was soon clear that more tears were on their way, so Jean made haste to bundle her across the road and down into a basement flat.

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 12:53 pm; edited 1 time in total

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

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2005 9:27 pm

Good for Jean! I wonder what news is in David's letter?

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

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2005 9:48 pm

Nice that Josette has such a good friend. Thanks Jennie!

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

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2005 10:13 pm

Quote:

...the omniscient doctor, Head of the Sanitarium...

I never realized that all these so called TB patients were actually mad as well! Could explain the behavior of some of their daughters though... Wink

#38: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2005 11:18 pm

Thank you Jennie. Glad Josette has such good friends, really hoping she can open up to Jean.

#39: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2005 11:52 pm

I really would like to shake Jem! Thank you Jennie BUT What is in David's letter?????

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

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 4:37 pm

Very impressed by the prolific updates thankyou Jennie but WHAT was in the letter??

#41: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 5:02 pm

Once they were inside Jean's flat, she pushed Josette down onto a rather battered sofa, and said,

'I'll put the kettle on. You look as if you could do with a decent cup of tea and a bit of a rest. Here, there are some tissues in here, use them. I won't be long. Look Josette, cry as much as you want to, it will help you if you do your crying here, you know. I have realised that you won't get much help at home with your problems. I may not be able to help you, but I can certainly listen to you.'

With that, she walked into the kitchen and Josette could hear her running water into the kettle, and then the sound of a gas cooker being lit. What Josette did not know was that at home, her father was coming to one of the most difficult decisions of his life. He had read and re-read the letter from David, hoping for some inspiration that would help him to break the news to his wife. How could he tell her?

The other problem was that Madge was certainly not behaving rationally these days. He was beginning to wonder if she needed to be admitted to a mental hospital under the care of a psychiatrist. This worrying trend in her behaviour had started during Sybil's engagement. Madge had automatically assumed that she would be in charge of the wedding preparations, and would make all the decisions. At first, he had backed her up, after all, they were paying for the wedding.

Then Sybil had started to oppose her mother's decisions. This had not gone down very well with either Madge or with Jem himself. The real problem with that had been that neither he nor Madge had genuinely liked Hugh. Jem knew absolutely that Madge would have preferred Sybil to marry Peter Johnson who was a doctor, working at a small outback hospital. Sybil had been as disobliging about this as she had been about the wedding arrangements. She was not going to marry Peter, and she was going to have her dream wedding.

They had had to give in when Sybil had appealed to Hugh. Hugh had told him, Jem, that if he wasn't prepared to give Sybil her dream wedding, then he, Hugh, would pay for the lot.

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 12:55 pm; edited 1 time in total

#42: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 5:30 pm

Apologies for the spreeing, I thought I'd managed to lure the PBs into the freezer, but the damned things have escaped!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well, the end of it was that Jem had felt stung by this, as though he had been accused of meanness, so he had given in and Sybil had had her dream wedding.

That had led to another problem, Sybil had escaped, and he really didn't blame her. She was starting a new life with her husband, and Jem had to admit, she was right to get away. If she hadn't, Madge would have tried to run her life for her. Jem's lips curved in an appreciative smile. Well, Hugh had certainly been a cool one, whisking Sybil away like that.

Unfortunately, Josette was suffering the backlash from that. The poor girl couldn't really call her life her own any more, not that she had ever really been able to. Brought up by nannies and maids, in an atmosphere where ordinary people were looked down on, she had never had any friends until she went to school. Jem excepted her cousins from that category, they, poor souls, were as mother-ridden as his own children.

His face darkened as he thought about his sister-in-law. She and Madge had never really grown up, no matter what they did or what happened to them, they stayed the same, always convinced that they were right, that they knew best about everything, that they were wonderful mothers, and so on.

He read the letters that Jo had sent to Madge about Sybil's wedding and had been astonished that Jo considered herself to be a Christian whilst writing such dreadful things about his daughter.

He laughed ruefully to himself. He was willing to bet anything that Jo would never have had all those children, Catholic or not, if she hadn't had Anna and Rosli as well as a succession of nursery helpers to do all the hard work for her.

Then his heart sank. He knew that he was just putting off the dreadful moment when he had to decide how he was going to tell Madge that David, their firstborn, the heir to the Baronetcy, was giving up his medical studies and was going to live in the South of France to become a painter, and furthermore, was going to live with his partner, his male partner.

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 12:56 pm; edited 1 time in total

#43: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 5:40 pm

oh good heavens...i can see this is going to get harder for everyone before it gets better! Great story...more please!

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

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 5:43 pm

Don't apologise for spreeing Jennie, we love it! I think if Jem grew some backbone I'd almsot feel sorry for him. If Josette escapes and David's in the South of France he's soon going to find himself alone with Madge which at the moment sounds quite scary.

#45: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 5:43 pm

Yay! Good for David! *Seals freezer door so PBs can't be locked in the nasty cold*

#46: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 5:46 pm

PatMac, I thought you were my friend!

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

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 6:02 pm

*worried about Ailie, Kevin and Kester*

#48: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 6:04 pm

They're not involved in this drabble, so please don't fret about them.

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

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 6:10 pm

What has Madge done to them? *panics*

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

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 6:46 pm

*Also panicking* In they are not in Australia that means that Joey is looking after them *wibbles* Yay for David Very Happy

I hope Josette can have a happy life too but I am feeling quite sorry for Jem.

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

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 7:38 pm

Thank you Jennie!! Very Happy

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

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 8:06 pm

Thanks Jennie! Very Happy

It's so nice to come back from holiday and have so many drabbles to catch up on *cheerfully resigned to devoting the rest of the night to the CBB!*

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

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 8:14 pm

Thanks Jennie, this looks as if it is going to run and run...after all once Josette has escaped you will need to rescue Ailie, Kevin and Kester! Laughing

You can't be mean enough to leave them to Madge and Joey. Twisted Evil

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

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 8:51 pm

more than slightly worried about the thoroughly dysfunctional russell family...... lucky sybil for being out of it but poor josette dealing with the backlash

#55: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 8:52 pm

You'll all have to wait and see, I'm afraid. There are two conflicting PBs nagging me.

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

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 9:09 pm

Oh to be a fly on the wall when Jem tells Madge! Thanks Jennie.

#57: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 9:15 pm

You will be, Lesley. Twisted Evil

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

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 9:23 pm

Oh goodie! Twisted Evil

#59: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 9:43 pm

Josette sat on the sofa, weeping again as if her heart would break. Jean looked at her in silent sympathy, letting her finish her sobbing. When Josette showed signs of stopping, Jean went back into the kitchen and made some tea. Josette sat sipping the tea, feeling exhausted and drained.

Eventually she managed to give a tremulous smile, but her throat felt too sore to speak.

Jean smiled at her encouragingly, then said, 'It's all right, Josette, you don't have to talk, just nod. Now, would you like to curl up in my bed, or would you like to have a nap on the sofa? I've got an essay to write, so I won't really disturb you. I can always go upstairs to write it. My aunt and uncle own this house, that's why I can manage to rent this flat so cheaply, and they never mind if I go into their part to do my work. So, what would you like to do, sleep here, or in bed?'

Josette thought that bed sounded like a large slice of heaven, and managed to say so. Jean took her into her bedroom, helped her into bed, then fetched her a glass of water.

'I'll be back in a couple of hours, just have a good nap, you'll feel better. See you later.' With that she left, then Josette fell into a bottomless pit of sleep.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jem was wrestling with his conscience. He had always known that David had artistic gifts, but he had never encouraged his son to use them. No, he had made it perfectly clear to his oldest son that the proper way to please his parents, especially his father, was to work hard at the sciences, then go on to do his medical training. Then, he would have his career path well established, what could be better for a medical student than knowing that he would eventually inherit the San? No need there to worry about getting a job, there would always be a place for him.

His mind was wrenched towards the girls. They had dragged Sybil and Josette out here to Australia without consulting them or even thinking about their ambitions. Of course, there had always been the tacit understanding that the girls would start some sort of training, but that was only to fill in the time until they married. A woman's place was to marry, wasn't it?

He suddenly realised that if Josette had been bright enough to win a coveted place at LSE, she ought to have been able to take it up. He should have fought for it, not meekly given in to Madge's demands that the girls should go with them because she worried about feeling lonely.

Sybil had been right. Madge had never even mentioned her possible loneliness once there was a chance of getting two daughters married within a year. He began to wonder if Josette's marriage would ever take place, the girl had looked so distressed recently. And he knew that he had to sort Madge out.

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 12:58 pm; edited 1 time in total

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

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 9:55 pm

Thanks Jennie. I'm so glad Josette has Jean to 'mother' her. Am looking forward to seeing Madge's reaction Laughing

#61: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 10:20 pm

Me too! Madge is worse than Joey here!!

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

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 10:54 pm

Thankyou Jennie. Jean is really lovely - she is being a perfect friend despite the way Josette and Madge treated her before. I'm looking forward to being a fly on the wall with Jem and Madge!

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

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 11:38 pm

Josette's really lucky she has Jean - and it's about time Jem started doing some serious thinking! Thanks Jennie!

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

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 12:46 am

Jennie wrote:

You'll all have to wait and see, I'm afraid. There are two conflicting PBs nagging me.

Write both Very Happy

ducks and hides from Jennie rather rapidly

#65: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 1:48 am

Wonderful updtaes Jennie. Well done Jean for looking after Josette. Maybe she could move out of home and move in with Jean. Yay for David. Will Madge actually take in what Jem is telling her? Really looking forward to those scenes.

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

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 2:06 am

What a nice girl Jean is! After the way Madge spoke to her, it would have been understandable if she had ignored Josette instead of taking care of her.

#67: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 2:09 pm

Just caught up with this story. Thanks Jennie for all the updates. I can't wait to see what happens when Jem tells Madge Very Happy

#68: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 2:35 pm

Quote:

And he knew that he had to sort Madge out.

That's the first sensible thing he has said! PS Jennie. Yes you are my friend ......... But I love your bunnies too Wink

#69: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 6:45 pm

I've just read this from (nearly) the beginning. Poor Josette! I'm glad she has someone to look after her. Hope David has the same. ~LadyG

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

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 1:09 am

Can't help feeling a little sorry for Madge after reading this - NOT because of the way she is behaving which is appalling, but because it feels to me like she is teetering on the edge of loosing everything. I wonder how long the bottle of gin has been her only friend (and surely that's partly Jem's fault)?

#71: Author: Robin, Location: London

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 11:32 am

I think the menopause is going straight to her brain - she seems to be turning into a complete fruit-loop! chuckling about David though - that's really going to push her over the edge!

#72: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 5:30 pm

Jem came to a resolution. He was going to have to get some treatment for Madge. He still loved her deeply, didn't want to spend the rest of his life without her, but as things stood, he couldn't live with her. He was helpless to cope with her moods, her inability to cope with anything that she had not decided, and above all else, her drinking.

He thought back wistfully to the slim, laughing, sporting girl whom he had met, fallen in love with, wooed and married. Perhaps he had been wrong to insist that she concentrated on running his house, looking after his children, taking on responsibility for his sister's children. He should have realised that a young woman who was capable of earning her own living by the unusual means of moving to Austria and starting a school had more initiative than he had ever thought a woman capable of.

He supposed that his mother had helped to form his thought patterns. She had been that and no more, his father's wife and the mother of her children. Curiously, Jem had never paused to wonder whether his mother had found it enough to satisfy her.

After she had died, they had found pads full of sketches and water-colours that she had done before she married. His father's response to that discovery had been the comment,

'There was no time for that after we married. I wanted a properly-run house, not someone who was forever dashing off somewhere to paint.'

Jem realised that his mother must have loved his father a great deal to have given up something which showed that she had a lot of talent, and instead spent her time doing a thousand and one mundane tasks which everyone took for granted.

He thought he had been a good husband by ensuring that Madge had maids and nannies to help her with the house and children, but he began to realise that he had taken her acceptance of their way of life as acceptance of the perfectly natural order of things.

Then there were the children: David, struggling against his own nature and his own talents Sybil, married now and out of reach of her parents, he should have realised that if she were old enough to marry, she had the right to run her own life as she wished to. Josette, so tormented by her mother, all decisions taken away from her by her mother's strident emphasis on being in control. Then there were Ailie and the twins. He didn't want to see them growing up in such misery that they could not confide in their parents or rely on them to do what was best for them.

Jem finally gave way to the tears that had been threatening to come for the past couple of hours. He had been brought up to believe that tears were unmanly, that a stiff upper lip was the way to behave and so felt slightly ashamed of himself for giving way, but he couldn't hold them back any longer.

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 1:00 pm; edited 1 time in total

#73: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 5:52 pm

Quote:

drinking her third large gin of the morning.

I think Madge is in serious need of help! While I don't like the 'stiff upper lip' mentality that forbids the showing of emotion, I can't help thinking that Jem is more sorry for himself than anyone else. Rolling Eyes

Thank you Jennie. I'll be interested to see how you resolve the problem, short of a mass suicide Shocked

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

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 6:18 pm

i'm actually feeling quite sorry for madge now - not that its any excuse for her behaviour but she WAS rather "kept down" by jem and is now taking it out on her daughters. their whole family is really messed up - hope they can sort it out

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

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 6:22 pm

Thanks Jennie. Feel Jem's own behaviour is partly responsible for how Madge has turned out - but she still need serious help!

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

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 6:54 pm

Interesting to see Jem's thoughts and his own faults. I do hope he can help Madge

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

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 9:00 pm

At least Jem can see his own faults and relaise that he may have helped to contribute to Madge's position, and he realises she needs help. Unfortunatly she needs to realise that herself before anyone can help her.

#78: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 1:33 pm

Feel sorry for both Madge and Jem. Poor Madge that she could not conide in Jem in the early days of their marriage that she needed more out of life. Poor Jem that it has taken this long to realise how miserable his family is. Jem's tears may be of self pity but at least he is beginning to wake up to the problems. Madge needs a serious wake up call but needs to be sober enough to hear it.

#79: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 1:51 pm

poor Russells

#80: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 9:59 pm

That's what Iwas trying to show, that it is a family problem, not just Josette's. I also think that Jem needs to have a good cry and get it off his chest, then he can start to tackle the problems that are besetting his family. Apologies for no post today, Andrew has been home for most of the day, so I've not had much access.

#81: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 10:03 pm

*sobs* I thought that was another instalment. Seriously, Jennie, I'm looking forward to seeing how you resolve this when you have uninterrupted access. ET correct some appalling grammar!

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

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 1:18 pm

This is great, Jennie. I really enjoyed the Sybil drabble, but this is better, going into much more detail about every else's feelings. Hope you manage to sort everyone out!

#83: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 5:11 pm

When Jem had finally finished crying, he slept for a short time. When he awoke feeling exhausted and groggy, he realised that it would do him no good to put things off any longer. He went into the bathroom, showered, then changed into clean clothes.

He knew that he was still motivated by an acute sense of guilt towards his children, but had begun to realise that that might just possibly be the first step towards towards putting his family on a better, more wholesome footing.

He went into the drawing room to find his wife sitting drinking tea.

'Thank you for your company at lunch, Jem.' she said in a sarcastic voice. 'No doubt you had very important medical business to attend to with your head on your arms and snores issuing from your mouth.'

'Madge, oh Madge,' he said. 'Please don't speak to me in that way. We have far more important things to discuss than whether we had lunch together today.'

'Such as, Jem? I notice Josette isn't home either. I shall have a lot to say to that young lady when she deigns to put her nose through the door this evening. Anyone would think that this was Liberty Hall, the way she treats her home. After all the hard work I've put in, making a good home for you and our family, you'd think that I could get a little appreciation now and then. You know I didn't want her to go to university here, I said it would put ideas into her head.'

Hearing Madge's voice beginning to shrill, Jem groaned mentally, then walked over to her, pulled her to her feet and gave her a good shake.

'That's quite enough, Madge, more than enough. Now, if you're sober enough to listen to me, I've a few things that really must be said, and said as soon as possible. Now, just this once, are you prepared to listen to me, or not?'

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 1:01 pm; edited 1 time in total

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

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 5:22 pm

ooooh *wibbles* is Madge going to throw something at his head or is she going to listen?

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

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 5:38 pm

Oh, definitely want to see the next bit of this - as soon as you can Jennie - this is riveting! (Oh and a big thank you too! Laughing

)

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

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 6:08 pm

Oooh Go Jem, I really want to hear what he says! (so Madge had better listen!!)

#87: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 8:03 pm

Go Jem! I shouldn't condone him shaking her, but how else is he to get through?

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

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 9:18 pm

Go Jem Go Jennie this is just so riveting - please can we have some more soon

#89: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 10:41 pm

I'm just picturing the scene in Airplane with the hysterical woman and everyone queuing up to slap her Very Happy

Looking forward to seeing how Jem deals with this. Star Wars

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

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:05 pm

francesn wrote:

is Madge going to throw something at his head or is she going to listen?

Maybe there was some kind of genetic Bettany thing that passed it down to Margot??! Thanks Jennie. Poor Jem!

#91: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 1:19 am

Thank you Jennie. Poor Jem, I have a feeling he may have a struggle to make Madge listen. Even if she does listen will she take on board what he says or will she just dismiss it?

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

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 2:01 am

Jennie wrote:

'That's quite enough, Madge, more than enough. Now, if you're sober enough to listen to me, I've a few things that really must be said, and said as soon as possible. Now, just this once, are you prepared to listen to me, or not?'

My goodness, how many of those large gins is Madge in the custom of having - Jem certainly doesn't expect her to be sober. Feeling sorry for everyone. (expect possibly Josette who deserves to suffer for what she did to Sybs)

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

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 7:35 am

The problem is, if she's in the habit of drinking what seems like large quantities of gin, (blearch! I do not like gin!) even if she listens now, and underrstands Jem's issues, she may not remember what is said until back at the same alcohol stage again.

#94: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 5:09 pm

Madge looked at Jem in shock. Never before in the whole of their marriage had he ever used physical violence against her. The effect of the shaking almost brought her to her to her senses, but that was quickly followed by an almost overwhelming surge of the grievances that had been occupying her time and thoughts for so long.

'Listen to you, Jem? Why should I listen to someone who has just used violence against me? For thirty years now, I have been a perfect wife and mother to you and our children, and how do you all repay me? Sybil marries someone completely and utterly unsuitable, then runs away. Josette is trying to interfere in the arrangements for her wedding, as if she were old enough to know what is best. I'll make certain she does as she's told, and now you dare to come in here and shake me, shake me as if I were a stupid, irresponsible, selfish person who needs a lesson. Please go away, I don't wish to speak to you at the moment.'

Jem could do nothing for the moment, but then rallied. 'Madge, the way that you're behaving, Josette won't be getting married. Can't you see what you're doing to us as a family? Josette is perfectly right to want to have some say in her own wedding, in fact, I'm going to give her some money so she can make her own choices, even go away if she wants to.'

'I utterly refuse to listen to you any more, Jem. As I've just told you, I've been a perfect wife and mother, and how am I repaid? Well, as far as I'm concerned, I now have only one child who counts in my estimation. David will always do as I want, he's the perfect son, and as soon as he's married, I shall go to live near to him, so I can give him and his wife the benefit of my experience.'

Jem was horror-struck by this announcement. It was becoming clear to him that the problem that lay at the heart of his family was not going to clear up because he wished it to, or by the simple means of discussing it and coming to some agreement, it was going to take a lot of hard work, and some serious, skilled therapy for Madge.

And he had to cope with his own sense of shame.

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 1:03 pm; edited 1 time in total

#95: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 5:15 pm

Madge is well out of control! I feel sorry for Jem, even though he should have dealt with this long ago. It was probably for peace that he didn't make a fuss earlier. I want to know what happens next, please. Especially her reaction to the news that her 'perfect' son is not likely to be getting married Confused

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

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 5:52 pm

patmac wrote:

Madge is well out of control! I feel sorry for Jem, even though he should have dealt with this long ago. It was probably for peace that he didn't make a fuss earlier.

Agree completely - certainly the way Madge is acting at the moment - will she even admit that there is something wrong, though? Because not even therapy will help if she can't see that something needs to be fixed. At least Jem is now trying to help his family out of the morass into which his own actions largely helped to propel them. Like Patmac, I long to hear what Madge will say when she finds out about David!

#97: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 7:15 pm

eeeek...once again...poor russells I hope Jem manages to sort Madge out! *edited to correct that typo - i was irritating myself! Very Happy

*

Last edited by Marianne on Tue Jan 11, 2005 12:59 am; edited 1 time in total

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

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 7:48 pm

What about Ailie, Kevin and Kester? Don't they count any more? How can Madge say she only has one perfect child left?Also desperate to see Madge's response to David's plans - but will she accept that it even exists?Thank you Jennie!

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

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 9:02 pm

Thankyou Jennie. I was trying to think of how to describe the last couple of posts, and could only come of with 'wonderfully horrific'! I hope you can accept that in the spirit in which it was intended... Confused

Quote:

as soon as he's married, I shall go to live near to him, so I can give him and his wife the benefit of my experience.'

That part made me want to crawl under a chair and hide! Looking forward with some trepidation to Madge's reaction to David's news - I have a feeling that could just be the last straw for her - in fact I'm possibly starting to feel a bit sorry for her now Shocked

#100: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2005 1:21 am

Poor Jem he must be feeling dreadful realising how much of this is his fault. Madge is certainly delusional with her 'I'm a perfect wife and mother' mantra. Poor Ailie, Kevin & Kester at least they are safe at school. Looking forward to the next parts.

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

Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2005 9:19 am

Madge is making me so cross!! How can she think she is so wonderful and seemingly forget half her family exist in one go!

#102: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2005 5:00 pm

Josette woke up slowly, then looked around in amazement at the unfamiliar surroundings. Then it all came back to her, the terrible time at breakfast that morning, dashing off to the university, the unremembered lecture, then meeting Jean, her flood of tears and Jean's kindness to her. Unfortunately, she couldn't stay here in this bed for ever. She would have to get up, get dressed and go home. Home, home, it wasn't a home any more, it was a place of purgatory, if suffering was anything to go by.

She slowly got out of bed, then found a note addressed to her. It was from Jean.

Dear Josette,
You were still fast asleep when I came down from finishing my essay, and I didn't have the heart to wake you up, you looked so peaceful. I've had to go off to get to work on time, so I'm sorry I'm not going to be with you when you wake up, but needs must. Stay as long as you like, there's no hurry. Make yourself some tea if you want to, there are plenty of biscuits in the pottery jar on the worktop next to the kettle. Milk in the fridge. See you tomorrow, Jean.

Josette went into the kitchen, made herself some tea, then took it back into the sitting room. She sat there slowly sipping the hot brew, and tried to think. A few minutes later she had come up with several questions, but no answers. Did she really want to marry John? Or did she just want to leave home? Did she want to keep working for a degree, or did she want to find a job? How much more of living at home could she take? Would she ever be able to talk to her father about the situation? Would her mother ever change? Josette began to think back to her childhood and the extended family that she had lived in as a small child.

Some of her most vivid memories were to do with when Sybil had scalded her. She remembered with shame that she had been pestering Sybil and had really caused the accident, but it had been Sybil who had paid for it. Even Aunt Jo, who they had been brought up to reverence as a fount of wisdom, had blamed Sybil, and she remembered how, in the run-up to Sybil's wedding, the nasty letters that had arrived from Aunt Jo, telling Sybil that their mother knew best, and young girls should never oppose their parents' wishes.

Josette was beginning to understand Sybil a lot more now, and to sympathise with her desire to get as far away from their parents as possible. She bitterly regretted the way that she had behaved on the morning of the wedding.

Still, Daddy had taken Sybil's revelations better than Mummy, and he seemed to be truly worried about Mummy's behaviour. Perhaps she could talk to him, perhaps he might listen to her, might even help her.
Then she remembered that she and John were supposed to be going to the cinema that evening. She'd better find a telephone and call him to cancel.

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 1:04 pm; edited 1 time in total

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

Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2005 5:44 pm

Good that Josette's finally thinking - I thought Joey had been nasty in the run up to Sybil's wedding. Thanks Jennie! Laughing

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

Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2005 3:15 pm

Prehaps Madge (as she seems a little eccentric!) will go & David & his partner the beneifit of her experience anyway? :box: Good for Josette! You take the time to think what you want, girl!

#105: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2005 4:24 pm

I'm glad to see Josette thinking more clearly about her future. I do hope she can talk to Jem privately. Perhaps he will listen now.

#106: Author: ravenseyes, Location: New Zealand

Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2005 10:57 pm

What a mess- Jem should give Josette some money and send her back to the LSE and maybe he can use his influence and get Madge committed to a "private institution" - she has lost the plot with a vengence

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

Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:06 pm

poor josette.... and poor jem having to deal with madge while keeping the news from her that her "perfect" son is going to move in with his male partner.... i really hope madge can get herself sorted or the entire family is going to collapse

#108: Author: Robin, Location: London

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 12:28 pm

cor blimey talk about dysfunctional family! poor Jem and Josette - hope their combined wisdom can sort it out. I think Madge needs to be booked into a clinic for some severe drying-out and a large dose of therapy!

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

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 2:32 pm

Just wondering if Madge had untreated post natal depression and the feelings of inadequacy that that gives you, makes her over assert how good a mother she is etc? (dawn clutching at straws here Very Happy

)

#110: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 9:21 pm

Jem simply stood there, dumbfounded, staring at Madge. Then he regained his voice, and managed to speak to her without losing his temper. Inside he was seething, with a rage that had been building up for years, as he began to realise, a rage that would see him erupt like Mount Etna if he were not very, very careful.

'Madge, I honestly don't know what has happened to you, or what you are thinking, or how you are thinking, but do you realise that you've just mentally wiped out half of our family? Don't you love Ailie and the twins? what on earth is going on inside your head? Why are you behaving this way?'

Madge's reply astonished him. 'Jem, you haven't cared about me for years, all you want is someone to run your home and look good when we entertain people. As for Ailie, well, she's been a disappointment to me for years. Why couldn't I have just one girl who would be sweet, gentle and obedient? The twins will be all right, they're boys, and they'll be able to make their way in life perfectly well without me. I don't really care much about anything else at the moment. I'll tell you one thing though. I'm the person who is arranging Josette's wedding, I'll make all the decisions, and no-one is going to contradict me. Josette will do as she's told, if she knows what's good for her. Now, I've nothing else to say to you, that's all.'

Jem began to realise that Madge had lost touch with reality and was in serious need of treatment.

At that moment, Josette walked in. Feeling the tension crackling in the air between her parents, she looked afraid, and then started to back out of the room.

She managed to say, 'Sorry I'm so late home. I'm off to bed, I've got a vicious headache and I just want to get myself some tea, take a couple of aspirins and get to bed. Goodnight.'

Then she almost ran out of the room and into her bedroom. Throwing herself on the bed, she knew that she had to get away from this mad pretence of a life that she was leading.

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 1:05 pm; edited 1 time in total

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

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 9:28 pm

Can we arrange Madge to have a nice long stay in that special hospital in Morriset (it's a long way from Sydney in those days) - or Callan Park (I believe the conditions there were really bad). Nasty nasty person.

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

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 9:47 pm

Poor Josette, not a great scene to arrive home on!! And poor Ailie, dismissed like that!!! Evil Madge!

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

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 10:01 pm

o dear.... things just keep getting worse for josette but this drabble just keeps getting better and better Very Happy

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

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 10:16 pm

She did say that about Ailie on a number of occasions in the series. Poor Josette - wonder if she'll be allowed to rest. Thanks Jennie.

#115: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 1:02 am

wow...poor Madge, Jossette, Jem...and the rest! I wonder what Madge must be going through - to behave like that!!!

#116: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 12:13 am

Poor Josette what a life! Why can't she go and share Jean's flat? Madge needs putting away and someone losing the key!

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

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 11:36 pm

I'm really trying hard to feel sorry for Madge here - but failing miserably!

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

Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 2:28 pm

Why should Ailie have to be the one who was sweet gentle and obedient? I would have thought that Sybil (after the kettle incident) could have been described that way, so if Madge only wanted one daughter who was, then she had one! Looking forward to more Liz

#119: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 3:10 pm

After having retreated to his study, taken aback by Madge's statements, Jem sat behind his desk to consider his next move. He gave a snort of mirthless laughter, made all the more bitter because he had never hesitated to act when a patient's life was in danger. But now, with this facing him, he simply did not know what to do.

'So much for Sir James Russell,' he thought. 'How the devil do I get around this one? If only it were a simple case of TB.'

He knew that he had to speak to Josette, and very soon, otherwise the gulf between them would widen until she married John for the sake of getting away from home, and not for love. He felt a tender love for his daughter, but had never really expressed it: he had never had the example of showing love to children whilst he was growing up.
He had been packed off to school with his father's words ringing in his ears.
'Now James, don't make a fuss at school about silly things such as homesickness. You're going to school, it will make a man of you. Work hard and do well, I expect my only son to do well for himself in one of the professions, and this is the beginning. off you go now.'

Now Jem was beginning to wonder how it was possible to make a man out of someone who had never had the chance to be a little boy. And he had repeated the same mistake with David and with Kevin and Kester, shunting them off to school so that they could be prepared for good careers, and in practice, alienating them from the family. And what was worse, they had done it to the girls, too.

He had to admit, the Chalet School was no real preparation for life, it was too sheltered, and the girls might be good at coping with skiing, or sprained ankles, could revel in having to spend the night in a shepherd's hut if they were overtaken by a storm, but they had far too little contact with real life, stuck up there on the Gornetz Platz. Just look at the problems the triplets had had when they first went to University. Their sheltered background had not prepared them for the freedom they had encountered there, so of course, they had made a lot of mistakes.

The one thing that lightened his mood was the fact that Sybil had managed to escape. He could only hope that he might hear from her if he were very lucky. But that didn't help Josette, or help him to decide what to do about her future.

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 1:07 pm; edited 1 time in total

#120: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 3:16 pm

Poor Jem

Hope he can talk to Josette and help her, and make things up with the rest of the family... *Slaps Madge with a moudly codfish* Laughing

Thanks for the update Jennie! Very Happy

#121: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 3:17 pm

Woo! Glad to see more! Poor Jem... what is he going to do?

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

Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 3:26 pm

Poor Jem!!! I hope he finds a solution. *is now overwhelming intrigued as to what happened to the triplets at uni Embarassed

#123: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 3:33 pm

poor Jem - i hope he finds some answers!

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

Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 4:06 pm

Jennie wrote:

Now Jem was beginning to wonder how it was possible to make a man out of someone who had never had the chance to be a little boy. And he had repeated the same mistake with David and with Kevin and Kester, shunting them off to school so that they could be prepared for good careers, and in practice, alienating them from the family.

That's so sad that he never had the chance to be a little boy. At least he can now see that and that they have continued the tradition. Please let him be able to talk to Josette and start to put things right with the rest of the family.

#125: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 4:13 pm

Thanks for posting more of this. Hope Jem can talk to Josette before it's too late, and can talk some sense into Madge. Star Wars

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

Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 5:03 pm

Glad that Jem is finally seeingthe damage that's been done to his family - hope he can patch things up with Josette. As for Madge - can't see what's going to help there! Interested in what happened tothe Trips -and Joey and Jack's reaction. Laughing

Oh and thanks Jennie.

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

Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 7:07 pm

Thanks Jennie! This is really great, seeing Jem actually stop being a RLGA and start to think about how his actions and attitudes have affected his family, and where they've come from.

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

Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 10:44 pm

Thankyou Jennie - it's good to see Jem taking stock of the mistakes he has made, and having the insight to see why, from his own background.

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

Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 6:47 pm

Ooh - lovely, Jennie. I like Jem's list Smile

Hope he and Josette can have a good talk, and sort out things before it's too late.

#130: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 7:03 pm

Good for Jem!

#131: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 9:11 pm

Going into the kitchen, Jem made a pot of tea, reflecting that it was practically his only culinary achievement. He could open tins and cook the contents on a campfire, but had never managed to produce anything remotely edible when faced with all the equipment that stocked a kitchen.

Once the tea seemed to be strong enough, he poured some into a cup, added sugar and milk, and then took it into the hall, where he tapped on the door of Josette's bedroom.On hearing her muffled voice, he opened the door and went in. Josette was lying huddled under her counterpane, but it was clear that she had not bothered to undress.Jem placed the cup of tea on her bedside table, then sat down on the edge of her bed.

'I, I, I haven't come to tell you off, Josette, or anything, I just want you to know that I need to talk to you, about what's happening here, and about your future. I know things are, well, let's be honest for once, they're about as bad as they can be, but one thing that I'm determined on is that you shouldn't be made any more unhappy than you are at the moment.'

Josette looked at him in amazement. This was definitely something new, her father admitting that something was wrong.

'I really need to talk to you about the situation, but we can't talk here, at home, there'd be no peace for that. What I'm going to suggest is that we meet tomorrow just before lunchtime, and drive out of the city to find somewhere quiet where we can have some lunch, and then perhaps we can start to talk to each other. Don't worry, I'm not blaming you for any of this, I'm blaming myself. I should have noticed that things were getting out of hand and done something before now, but I suppose I was just too much of a coward to tackle the whole messy situation that we're in.

'Now, drink your tea, then get undressed and into bed. I'll see you at breakfast time. Goodnight.'

With those words, he left Josette's room, and slowly walked towards the drawing room. He was dreading having to see Madge again, dreading having to listen to her shrill assertions and accusations.

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 1:08 pm; edited 1 time in total

#132: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 9:19 pm

looking good...thanks Smile

I hope life bgins to improve for Jossette

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

Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 9:29 pm

Thank you Jennie, its great to see Jem's caring side come out at last, I really hope this helps Josette Very Happy

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

Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 10:02 pm

I'm really starting to sympathise with Jem here. At least he's TRYING, now he's accepted how bad things are.

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

Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 11:39 pm

Well done Jem, it can't have been easy to make that move. Hope Madge is asleep so he doesn't have to face her yet... Thanks Jennie Liz

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

Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 11:46 pm

*huggles Jem* I'm so glad he's trying to sort things out. I only hope Josette can appreciate that and sort things out.

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

Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 11:53 pm

Hurrah for Jem! He's diagnosed the problem now he's trying to treat it. Hope Josette accepts it and works with him...interested to see the letters to David, Ailie and the twins...?

#138: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 12:46 am

Well don Jem! At least he is trying. Hope he manages to get help for Madge too though.

#139: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 12:59 am

It is good to see Jem thinking, and acting responsibly in trying to put matters right. It's hard to see hoe Madge can be helped when she doesn't think she is doing anything wrong, and doesn't want to stop acting as she is.

#140: Author: Robin, Location: London

Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 10:53 am

good ole Jem hope he sorts it all out

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

Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 11:13 am

Good for Jem! That must have been really hard for him to do

#142: Author: Sarah_G-G, Location: Sheffield (termtime), ? any other time!

Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 11:16 am

I've just read this all the way through and it's fascinating seeing the ways all the characters have been affected by their lifestyle. Now that Jem has made a start I hope they manage to sort things out, however gradually.

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

Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 2:52 pm

Good for Jem, he's finally being honest and I hope he and Josette can work something out.

#144: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 6:03 pm

Looking forward to seeing Jem and Josette make a new start. I love Jem's list! so true to life.

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

Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 7:23 pm

Thanks Jennie - lovely couple of posts.

#146: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 4:24 pm

Jem looked into the drawing room Madge was slumped in an armchair, her head on one side where she had fallen asleep, hooting snores issuing from her mouth, and a glass overturned on the carpet next to her chair. Clearly she had been at the gin again.

He made to move towards her to wake her up and get her to bed, but something stopped him. No, let her stay there for the night. He remembered something one of the psychological bods had said when giving a paper at a conference.

'Sometimes, only tough love will do!' The man had then gone on to illustrate his paper with the example of an elderly couple who had a middle-aged alcoholic son. For years, their son had refused to seek help or treatment. Well, why would he? Every time he came home drunk, they would see him safely to bed, make sure that he was clean and dressed in his nightclothes, on his side, and with plenty of water for him to drink left on his bedside table.

One night, the parents had had enough of the situation, so he had spent the night on the stairs where he had fallen up them. The next night had been spent on the cold hall floor. Then, the son began to realise that drinking to excess wasn't as much fun as it had been. Tough love!

Jem took himself off to bed, and though he spent the night tossing and turning, feeling alternately guilty and relieved, by the time that dawn broke, he was absolutely determined that whatever Josette decided to do, he was going to help her to do it. If she wanted to go back to England, back she would go, he would pay her fees and living expenses, and make arrangements for her to live with family friends during the vacations.

He knew that he wasn't going to get much help and support from Dick and Mollie in dealing with Madge, and none at all from Jo, so he had to be very careful what he told the rest of the family. Breakfast was dreadful: Madge clearly had a hangover, and spared neither Jem nor Josette the results of this pain. Josette ate very little and clearly couldn't wait to be off and out.

Jem left the table when she did and walked to the door with her. 'I'll pick you up at the corner of Taylor Street and Rodley Avenue at twelve o'clock,' he said. 'Then we'll drive out to a nice little place that I know, and have lunch there. Is that all right? I'll see you there, then.'

Then he went back to the dining room, to be met with complaints from Madge. 'Why didn't you wake me last night Jem? Leaving me to spend the night in a chair, how could you? And just what were you talking to Josette about, may I ask?'

'Oh, I was just asking her if she had enough money to get through the day, that's all.'

'Well, I'm feeling absolutely dreadful, thanks to you, Jem, so I'm going to have a bath then go to bed for the morning. Don't disturb me, and don't let anyone else disturb me either. I see that I shall have to look after myself, as obviously no-one here is going to look after me. I don't see why Josette couldn't have stayed away from that University today to take care of me. It's not as though she's going to be finishing her degree, after all. She'll be married soon and starting a family, so why she spends time at that place, I'll never know.'
'Just go and get into the bath, Madge, then go to bed. I'll be here all morning if you need anything, but I have to go out just before twelve o'clock. Have a good sleep, you'll feel better then.'

'I don't know what you think I have to feel better about. But then, no-one pays the slightest bit of attention to how I feel, or what I think. There's really such a lot of ingratitude about, especially in this family. I'm working my fingers to the bone trying to organise Josette's wedding, but she never utters a word of thanks to me.'

With that, Madge got up from the table and walked out of the room, leaving Jem to sit forlornly by himself.

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 1:10 pm; edited 1 time in total

#147: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 5:27 pm

Thanks for posting more of this Jennie. Poor Jem - I hope he can sort things out soon and get through to Madge. Star Wars

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

Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 5:30 pm

Really, really want to kick Madge! Thanks Jennie.

#149: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 5:38 pm

Stupid Woman - why should Josette stay home to take care of her when it is all her fault she is feeling this way Evil or Very Mad

#150: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 5:50 pm

Lesley wrote:

Really, really want to kick Madge!

Get to the back of the queue, Lesley! Thanks Jenny. I still think he's being soft with her. I'd have told her it was her own fault she spent the night there!

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

Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 9:17 pm

*elbows way to front of the queue to kick Madge* GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR stupid woman ( Embarassed

i'm actually shouting at the computer)

#152: Author: JustJen, Location: waiting for a bus

Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 10:00 pm

My goodness isn't Madge a bitch! Gets into line to kick Madge

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

Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 10:50 pm

*Pulls Steel toe-caps back on* How many more in the queue before me now? But good for Jem, I hope he can sort everything out. JackieJ

#154: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 12:24 am

this is sooooo sad Sad

it actually made me cry....dunno why.... Sad

poor Jem!!!!! poor Madge...what happened?!

#155: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 4:06 pm

This isn't more drabble, unfortunately I haven't got the next bit from the PB, but it has told me how it ends, so future episodes are written. I want to get Josette safe and secure before tackling Madge.

#156: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 4:41 pm

Jennie wrote:

Ever hopeful! Sends bunches of carrots to PB.

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

Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 9:51 pm

*Puts some tasty lettuce in a jiffy bag for the PB and sends it off* *Joins the ever growing 'Madge-kicking' queue*

#158: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 12:32 am

Looking forward to seeing Jem talk to Josette. Glad Jem has decided to leave Madge alone when she is drunk.

#159: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 2:50 pm

Seeing that there was no improvement in Madge's state of mind, and he was beginning to suspect that Madge did not want to improve in any way, Jem decided that it would be as well to make an appointment for him to see the psychologist, Dr. Bradley, as soon as he possible could.

He looked through his file of business and professional cards until he found the one that he was looking for, then dialled the number of the consulting rooms. The telephone was answered by a woman with a warm, velvety voice, who, on hearing his name, asked if she should put him through to Dr Bradley.

Jem refused, saying that he wished to consult the psychologist professionally and would prefer to do it face to face. He was offered an appointment for ten days' time, and though he was a little dismayed at the delay, he accepted the appointment.

Then he turned to his more pressing task. He simply did not know how to talk to his daughter, and he had to come up with something, some way to introduce the subjects that he wanted to talk to her about. He wished that he had several difficult TB cases to diagnose, that would be simple compared with having to discuss emotional matters with his second daughter.

After a few moments' thought, he decided to make a list of questions. He still felt embarrassed, but as it was his own fault, he knew that he had to tackle it. Part of the problems brought about by keeping one's children artificially young, sheltered and obedient was they were unlikely to be frank and open when their parents wanted them to talk. He realised that he had absolutely no idea about his daughter's emotional life, or even whether she knew what love really was, after all, John was her first boyfriend, and Josette might have felt rushed or bulldozed into agreeing to marry him, mistaking the exhilaration of being able to go out with a young man for enduring love.

He knew that he had to be frank with Josette, and decided to begin by discussing the problems posed by her mother, then asking her to tell him what she wanted to do. The other thing that he knew he had to do was to offer to tell John that Josette did not want to marry him, if that was Josette's decision. He also had to tell her that he would support her financially in whatever she wanted to do. He had lost one daughter, it was his responsibility to make sure that he didn't lose another.

Having made the list, Jem slowly unlocked the desk drawer where he had put David's letter for safe-keeping, and read it again, slowly. he had to answer the letter, and soon.

David, he imagined, would be in mental agony until he heard from his father, not knowing what the response would be. Jem knew that he had to support David in this change of lifestyle, and so he really could not put off answering any longer.

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 1:12 pm; edited 1 time in total

#160: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 2:55 pm

thanks Jennie Smile

Good old Jem...

#161: Author: Robin, Location: London

Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 3:05 pm

thanks jennie poor jem, hope he is able to put things right with Josette - glad he is ready to support her whatever she decides to do.

#162: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 5:50 pm

Glancing at his watch, Jem saw that it was half past eleven, time to go to meet Josette. Before he left, he was careful to lock David's letter away safely. He knew that if Madge ever saw it, in her present state of mind she would be bound to make life even worse than it already was.

He quickly pulled on a light jacket and left the apartment, picking up his car keys from the hall table as he passed. Surprisingly, he felt quite light-hearted as he drove off. Perhaps he was feeling the beneficial effects of having made a decision, instead of suffering whatever Fate or Madge cared to throw at him.

As he drew up near the corner, he saw Josette coming towards him. She obviously had not seen him, because he saw how she was trying to seem composed. Obviously his daughter felt much more than she allowed to escape into public view. Once again, he cursed the upbringing he had given to his children - they were clearly accustomed to restraining their emotions in front of their parents, to present an acceptable face to the world.

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 1:13 pm; edited 1 time in total

#163: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 6:59 pm

Why do I have a horrible feeling that Madge will find David's letter?*wibbles*

#164: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 8:52 pm

*joins in with th wibbling*

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

Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 8:58 pm

Thank you Jennie, feeling really rather proud of Jem, he's trying to do the right thing.

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

Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 10:54 pm

Good for Jem I only hope Josette will appreciate the effort

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

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 12:48 am

LadyGuinevere wrote:

Why do I have a horrible feeling that Madge will find David's letter?

Why do I have the horrible feeling you are right? (joins the wibbling)

#168: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:45 pm

Madge Russell woke up from her sleep, feeling as though a herd of bison were trampling through her skull. She shouted for Jem, so that he could bring her some tea or even a glass of water, but there was no response to her calls. Then she remembered that he had told her that he had to go out.
She heaved herself out of bed, then tottered to the door of her room. Opening it, she looked out into the hall, then listened for the sounds of anyone moving around. No, It was quite clear that the cleaner wasn't there. Oh well, she'd just have to get herself a drink.

Somehow, she didn't know how it was, she found herself in the drawing room when she had intended to go into the kitchen. As if mesmerised, she slowly walked towards the drinks tray, poured out a large measure of gin, then added a dash of tonic. Then, entirely without her willing it to happen, she found herself lifting the glass to her lips, and drinking the entire glassful. Something inside was telling her not to do this again, but another interior voice was urging her to follow the first drink with another. 'Well, it can't hurt,' she reasoned with herself. 'It's not as though I can't hold my drink, I never do or say anything wrong, even when I've had a few. And I can stop any time that I want to.'

She poured herself another, larger stronger drink.

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 1:14 pm; edited 1 time in total

#169: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 5:17 pm

Jem sounded the car horn, and saw that Josette had recognised him. What made him feel so dreadful was that she had switched on a determined smile as soon as she had realised that he was there. '

'Will I ever get it right?' he asked himself. 'Well, if I can get through to Josette, then perhaps I'll be able to do it with Ailie and the twins. I wish I had realised a long time ago what being a parent is all about. It's not enough to father children, then give them a good education, it's about actually knowing and understanding your children.'

Josette got into the car, and sat silently as her father pulled out into the traffic.
'I've heard that there's a nice little restaurant out past the Harbour Road. Ithought we'd go there, apparently they have a nice shady terrace so that we can eat outside. Does that suit you?'

Josette looked very surprised to be asked for her opinion on the place for lunch, but agreed that it sounded a good place to eat.

Most of the journey passed in silence. Josette appeared to be unwilling to speak to her father, and Jem had no idea where to begin.

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 1:15 pm; edited 1 time in total

#170: Author: Rosea, Location: Edinburgh

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 5:41 pm

Thanks for the updates. I hope Jem and Josette are able to make a start at communicating with each other.

#171: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 6:00 pm

I was expecting immediate - deep - talk! But this is far more realistic. Thanks... Smile

I hope Jem can talk to Jossette.

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

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 6:23 pm

Poor Madge, she needs serious help but in her current mood it would never work. Thanks Jennie, you have portrayed the tension between father and daughter so well.

#173: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 7:01 pm

Poor Madge sounds as if she has tipped over to alcoholic. I agree that the Jem and Josette scenario is very realistic. I just hope they find a way to talk during lunch. thanks Jennie. I'm enjoying this.

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

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 8:09 pm

Madge definitely has a problem - and one she refuses to recognise. Jem and Josette meeting sounds hopeful. Thanks Jennie.

#175: Author: Robin, Location: London

Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2005 2:44 pm

fingers crossed that they are able to talk and that madge realises she needs help (Call me a soppy cow, but I do like a happy ending!) I was reading Wrong CS last night and saw that Madge had Kevin and kester down for the Army and Navy when they were only 6 months old! Shocked

Wonder if they're rebelling against that yet - how old are they at the moment? still at school, I think?

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

Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2005 3:08 pm

That's the one line in the entire series that makes me REALLY hate MAdge, Robin. And this drabble isn't doing much to make me sympathetic towards her. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

#177: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2005 11:55 pm

Thanks Jennie. Also had the thought about Madge and the letter. Wonders if Madge will ever be sorted out. Hope Jem and Josette can talk to each other soon.

#178: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 10:46 am

Jem drove towards their chosen restaurant in silence. He decided that it would be best not to try to talk to Josette until they had found a table and ordered their food. For one thing, he didn't want their converstion to be interrupted by the waiters. What he had to say was best said uninterrupted.
After they had been seated at a table, and had ordered their lunch, Jem decided that he would like some wine. He thought that he needed something apart from water to help him through the coming ordeal. When the wine arrived, he poured a glass for Josette, and insisted that she began to sip at it. She did so tentatively, then seemed to relax a little. After a short wait, their food was placed in front of them, and they began to eat. Jem noticed that Josette was eating only very small amounts, unlike her normal, healthy appetite.

He started to tell himself not to be such a coward, but this was one of the most difficult things he had ever had to do in his life. At least, when he had had to tell families that there was no hope for their loved ones who had been patients in the Sans, he had treated it as part of his professional duties, but when it came to discussing emotions with his daughter, he admitted it, he was a coward.

Drawing all his courage about him, he began.

'Josette, I've asked you out to lunch today because I can see that you are bitterly unhappy. I want to help you, but I don't know how to. Tell me what you really want, and I'll do my best, but you'll have to help me. I just don't know what to do or say in this situation. But, one thing I can say, I've always taken it for granted that you would be happy as a member of our family, and now I can see that I was wrong to make any such assumption. If you feel that you can't or won't talk to me, I can't begin to put the situation right. You're going to have to help me.'

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 1:16 pm; edited 1 time in total

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

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 1:31 pm

Good for you Jem. Now hopefully Josette can see his offer how it's meant and open up. Maybe they can start making the Russells into a family again. Thanks Jennie JackieJ

#180: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 4:56 pm

Josette looked at her father, her amazement showing clearly on her face.

Then she looked down at her lap, and said in a tiny voice,

'I don't know where to begin, everything's wrong, nothing's going right for me, and I don't know what to do about it.'

Jem was not really taken aback by this, he had suspected as much, so he decided to start by asking a few questions.
'Is the work at university too hard for you?'

'No, it's just that I can't concentrate on it with everything being so awful, so I'm not doing as well as I should.'
'Do you want to stay at university?' 'Not this one, I really want, oh, but what good is telling you what I want, you'll never let me do it. You never have, I've always had to do as you say and not let you down. Always had to be the daughter of the founder of the Chalet School. As if that was any preparation for real life.'

Hearing the bitterness in his daughter's voice, Jem was appalled. So that was her view of life, was it? What the devil was he to do about this? He was caught halfway between his love for her and and anger that he had let this go on for so long. He knew that if he were to show the least sign of being angry, he would have lost this opportunity for ever. Josette would never open up to him again if she thought that his anger was directed against her.

He saw that she had gone as far as she could towards criticising her parents as she dared to. 'Well, that's one blow, Josette, but I think I'll manage to live. The real question is, do you want to go back to England, and go to the LSE? If that's what you want, I'll make sure that that's what will happen.'

Josette looked up at her father with the faintest glimmer of hope in her eyes.

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 1:19 pm; edited 1 time in total

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

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 4:59 pm

Yay! Go Jem! Good for him that he's finally set about putting things right. Thanks Jennie.

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

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 5:01 pm

Go Jem! Hope he and Josette can work together to start to fix things...

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

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 5:08 pm

Hurrah for Jem and Josette to be finally talking and communicating. I hope Jem is able to sort things out for her.

#184: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 6:01 pm

Good for Jem! He must find this very hard. I do hope Josette meets him half way. Thanks Jennie.

#185: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 6:18 pm

Yay for Jem!

#186: Author: Sarah_G-G, Location: Sheffield (termtime), ? any other time!

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 7:58 pm

Good for Jem! Wish I could say the same for Madge, though. Maybe she should be sent back to the CS as a "problem (sort of)new girl!" I'm sure Miss Annersley and Matey would sort her out! Laughing

#187: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 8:08 pm

:ahhh: Jem. I really hope that he and Josette can sort this out. I think sorting Madge out is going o be more of a problem though.

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

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 8:31 pm

Yay Jem!!!!!! And glad things are looking up for Josette!

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

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 9:09 pm

Echoes all the 'Good for Jem's' Glad he was able to hide his anger - although not directed at her, Josette wouldn't have known that. Feel Madge could be beyond hope..... Thanks Jennie.

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

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 10:28 pm

maybe madge will get an alcohol related disease and die? that would solve everyones problems rather neatly!

#191: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 11:48 pm

Go Jem! Poor Jossette! *huggles them both*

#192: Fantastic Author: Liseke,

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 1:40 am

Thank you. Nice to see a man get a thought of his own and proof that he is caring (not just the usual wonderful man spending so much time with patients).

#193: Author: Robin, Location: London

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 10:26 am

excellent, go Jem Hope they can work it out between them.

#194: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2005 8:57 pm

It is good to see Jem and Josette talking. Hopefully now they have started they will continue and get this whole sorry mess sorted out!

#195: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2005 11:03 pm

Go Jemmikins! Woohoo!!!! (And on that exuberant note, may we have some more please Jennie? Very Happy

)

#196: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 5:45 pm

'Yes, replied Josette. 'Yes. I worked really hard to get to LSE, it was somthing that I really wanted, but then we had to come out here, so that was that.'

Her voice began to shake towards the end of her short speech, and she fell silent.

Then she looked straight at her father. 'Why did you bother to have me educated at all, if you could just make me throw it away for one of your whims? You didn't ask David to give up his medical degree, did you? You didn't take Kevin and Kester away from school to bring them out here, and Ailie's still at school in Switzerland. But as far as Sybil and I are concerned, you might just as well have said, 'Now girls, your ambitions are just trivial, you're bound to get married anyway, so it doesn't matter if you have to give up what you want to do. Yes, we know we promised, but so what!' Do you know how that made me feel? As for being company for Mother, well, what company is she for anyone? Why didn't you just promise to keep her well supplied with gin?'

'Oh God, Josette,' stammered Jem. 'I, I really didn't know you felt so much bitterness and resentment. I should have realised.'

'But you never did realise, did you?'

Jem was too ashamed to answer her.

'You see, when I was so nasty to Sybs on her wedding morning, it was because I was jealous. She really loves Hugh, and Hugh would give her anything she asked for. John, well, I was flattered that he wanted to marry me, but really, deep down, I just wanted to get away from home. I thought that if I got married, I could start to live my own life, but just look at the way Mother's behaving. I'll never escape, never!'

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 1:20 pm; edited 1 time in total

#197: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 5:52 pm

Good for Josette! Jem has obviously never thought of his children of independent people, but just as appendages. You tell him Josette!

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

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 8:03 pm

Good for Josette, in the books this really shows Madge in a bad light - that she disregarded her daughters' own ambitions. Thank you Jennie.

#199: Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 8:08 pm

This is how I'm sure the majority of their friends saw it

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

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 10:22 pm