Josette's Dilemma (SCS) 27/5/05
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#201:  Author: Robin, Location: London PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 1:51 pm

So now Jem knows, he needs to fix it! Poor Josette - it must be such a relief to finally be able to say what she's thinking. Hope she makes it to London and can make up with Sybs. Although the way that Madge is headed, she is going to be permanently in an alcoholic stupor that she won't notice that Josette isn't around any more!

 

#202:  Author: Emma A, Location: The Soke of Peterborough PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 6:25 pm

This is great, Jennie. Very much admiring Jem that he is admitting his faults and trying to help Josette - I hope she isn't too angry to destroy their frail rapport. Madge sounds in a bad way...

 

#203:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 9:25 pm

'Josette, please don't cry.' begged Jem. 'I promise you, you can and will go back to the UK, to LSE or any other university that you choose. I'm going to write a cheque for you that will cover your air-fare back, and your fees and accommodation costs. Plus, of course, some spending money and a decent dress allowance.'

'But, but, how?'

'Never mind how, I'll do it. But, I have to make some phone call first. I'll call several friends who live in London. They might be able to help me to get you somewhere decent to live. No, I don't mean live in their houses as a paying guest, I mean somewhere self-contained, where you can really be free. I suppose you've missed out on living a student life. Well, you shall have it now. Of course, it won't be a luxury penthouse, more probably a little basement flat somewhere. It might even have to be a bedsit, but I'll make sure that you have enough money so that you can have your own bathroom and small kitchen. I will insist on that.'

'Oh, I really don't know what to say. it seems impossible somehow, so much freedom after being controlled for so long. But, but, what about John? How do I tell him? And, what about Mother? You know what she's been like, dictating everything and insisting on having everything her own way. I've felt as though I wasn't living my own life. I've just been a puppet, dancing as the two of you pulled the strings.'

'I'm just beginning to realise that, Josette. you have no idea how ashamed I feel, now that I know it. However, I'm going to say this, your mother is not your problem, she's mine, and I'll have to be the one to face it and sort it out. Back to you leaving Australia. We need to write some letters, make some phone calls, and see whether we can get you into LSE again. If not there, then somewhere else. I'll use a secretarial service and get the letters typed and sent off by airmail. It won't happen immediately of course, but if we can make a start, perhaps you'll be able to begin your course in the next academic year. I think that that's the most we can hope for.'

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 1:21 pm; edited 1 time in total

 

#204:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 10:14 pm

Bet Josette can't believe it, good for Jem though, making such a decision - especially as it will leave him to try and sort out Madge on his own.Thanks Jennie.

 

#205:  Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 11:37 pm

Well done Jem! Once he has decided to help Josette, he is going about it in a satisfactorily wholesale way.

 

#206:  Author: Cathy, Location: Sydney, Australia PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 12:06 am

Very glad that Jem is going to try and put things right -- have a bad feeling that it's not going to be that easy though.

 

#207:  Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 1:10 am

well done Jem!

 

#208:  Author: Miss Di, Location: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 1:53 am

Yay Jem. I knew you couldn't possibly be as bad and evil as your wife. Speaking of which, how is he going to deal with her?

 

#209:  Author: keren, Location: Israel PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 10:39 am

But will madge find the lettter from David?

 

#210:  Author: Robin, Location: London PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 10:43 am

I'd forgotten about that letter but yay for Jem!

 

#211:  Author: Miriam, Location: Jerusalem, Israel PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 12:30 pm

It certianly won't be as easy as it looks at the moment. Look at the title - there is a dilemma coming up somewhere... (and I'm getting an inkling of where).

 

#212:  Author: Katie, Location: A Yorkshire lass in London PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 2:30 pm

He doesn't do things by halves, does he?! Really enjoying this - but I had also forgotten about the letter. Hope we find out about that soon!

 

#213:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 4:31 pm

Miriam wrote:
It certianly won't be as easy as it looks at the moment. Look at the title - there is a dilemma coming up somewhere... (and I'm getting an inkling of where).
Oh? Do tell me where and what it is, I'd love to know.

 

#214:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 5:54 pm

Well! Once Jem reforms, he seems to do it pretty thoroughly I must say! I'm glad Josette gets the option to go to the LSE (or somewhere similar) Thanks Jennie Liz

 

#215:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 6:20 pm

I hope she can get away alright. Good for Jem. Now he's started to sort things he may be able to carry on. the letter! *wibbles*

 

#216:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 10:36 pm

Perhaps the letter is a red herring - while we're worrying about Madge finding the letter, Jennie's planning something worse. Although I don't know what could be worse than Madge finding it and managing to dial David's phone number and have him answer...

 

#217:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 8:57 pm

'How are you going to break the news to Mother?' asked Josette. 'She won't be pleased, you know. I don't know whether I can bear to live at home any more. You see, I'm being honest with you. If you hadn't offered to do this for me, I was going to get a job to support myself through University like so many people I know are having to do. I spent most of yesterday in Jean's flat. I know Mother looks down on her, but Jean is one of the best people that I know. I just broke down in tears when I met her, so she took me home, let me cry, then made me some tea and put me to bed. She has a little basement flat she rents it from her aunt and uncle, so she gets it cheaply.'

'She sounds as though she's a wonderful person who's been a true friend to you. I'm glad that you know someone who's like that, and that you had someone to support you. I realise now that I've been very lttle help to you, but I want to change that. And I'm going to make sure that the other three learn that I want the best for them, not what I think is the best.'

'It's so hard to remember that Mother actually started the Chalet School. She must have been independent and determined to have started it so young. Then there's the school itself. We were told to work hard, be sporting, always play fair, but real life isn't like that. It's hard, and problems crop up unexpectedly, and I don't think that school life prepared me for that. Then there's another problem that I have to tackle. John. I have to tell him that I'm going back to England. I don't really want to marry him. I'm too young, and I haven't seen much of life. That's one thing that you can't help me with. I know that I'll have to tackle that by myself. But, will you be there to pick up the pieces after I've done it?'

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 1:22 pm; edited 1 time in total

 

#218:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 9:15 pm

Poor Josette - can feelher puzzlement at how much Madge has changed. Thanks Jennie.

 

#219:  Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 9:19 pm

Poor Josette - she's not really had much help in the past, has she? Hope Jem will help her with the John thing now though.

 

#220:  Author: JackieJ, Location: Kingston upon Hull PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 9:35 pm

Poor Josette. I hope Jem can really make it right for her. *grrrr* could kick Madge right now JackieJ

 

#221:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 10:33 pm

what a lot for her to have got off her chest! she must be feeling very reilieved - i only hope Jem can help her to sort it all out

 

#222:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 10:37 am

Poor Josette, I hope John isn't nasty to her when she tells him. And good for Jem realising that he needs to let the other three realise that things are changing for the better as well. Thanks Jennie Liz

 

#223:  Author: Emma A, Location: The Soke of Peterborough PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 12:53 pm

Thanks Jennie. Hope things can be resolved. Wonder how Jem will get Madge to realise her dependence on the bottle? And to try to fix her problems, too. Also wonder how Joey will react to any news Madge might give...

 

#224:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 2:17 pm

Good to see Josette being honest and beginning to assert herself. Thanks Jennie Very Happy

 

#225:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 3:16 pm

Poor Josette :(At least she is opening up to Jem now though, so hopefully he will get everything sorted *crosses all crossable body parts*Thanks Jennie!

 

#226:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 11:28 pm

Thank you Jennie. It is nice to see Jem helping Josette and trying to be honest with her. Hope he lets her go and share with Jean till she can leave Austrlia to get her away from Madge and the damaging relationship they have. Also hope John is not too nasty with Josette.

 

#227:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 11:50 pm

I hope that John realises it is best to end it now than to later discover it was a mistake to marry so young.

 

#228:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 7:27 am

Thanks Jennie.

 

#229:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 5:28 pm

'Yes, of course I'll be there to pick up the pieces. In fact, if you want me to, I'll be there whan you tell him. The only thing that I can think of against that, is that John might think that we are ganging up against him. It won't be a pleasant interview, don't think that, but I want you to have what you want, not what you think will please us and lead to a lifetime's misery for you.'

Josette felt emboldened to ask her father.

'Daddy, what are you going to do about Mummy? She's totally unreasonable, she's drinking far too much, and I don't see how you're going to manage to get her back to what she should be.'

'Leave that to me, Josette. Oh, well, I suppose you have the right to know. After all, you are being seriously affected by it, and I shouldn't treat you in that way any longer. My first step, - well, I'm going to see a psychologist and ask him to take your mother on as a patient. I think she needs to be hospitalised for the drinking, and whilst she's there, perhaps someone can get to the bottom of why she's doing this.'

'I see,' replied Josette. 'She does need help, but she just won't listen to me, it's as if she feels that if she doesn't have everything her own way, the world will come to an end.'

'You know, I think you're right. I hadn't thought of that. Look, do you have any lectures or tutorials this afternoon? No, that's good. We've hardly managed to eat anything of this, do you want a pudding or some coffee? I can't bring you out here for lunch and not feed you. We've both got a lot to think of, so let's leave it for a few days, then we'll talk again. Just remember this, I'll do my best for you.'

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

 

#230:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 5:42 pm

How nice that Josette is still so concerned about her mother. Thanks Jennie.

 

#231:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 6:22 pm

You can see Josette visibly growing up here. Thanks, Jennie

 

#232:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 8:30 pm

patmac wrote:
You can see Josette visibly growing up here. Thanks, Jennie
and Jem as well I'm completely hooked by this Jennie, thankyou

 

#233:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 8:32 pm

Thanks Jennie! Tis lovely to see Jem being so supportive Smile

 

#234:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 11:37 pm

Great to see that Josette sees Madge needs help, rather than just resenting her. Thanks Jennie Liz

 

#235:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Sun Feb 06, 2005 11:57 pm

Thank you Jennie. At least Josette can show concern for her mother not many girls would after the way Madge is treating her. Hope Jem can get her to accept help.

 

#236:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 8:57 pm

After they had eaten their pudding, followed by several cups of coffee, Jem and Josette left the restaurant and drove back into the city.

As they pulled up outside their apartment block, Jem said thoughtfully,

'Perhaps it would be best if you didn't come up just now. Here, here's some money, go out for the rest of the day, and find your friends, spend the evening with them. There are a few things that I want to do, and it would be best if you weren't there. Have a good time, and try not to be home before eleven o'clock, at the earliest. I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast. have a good time.'

Josette hurriedly got out of the car, and went off to catch a bus. She knew where her friends would be, and she didn't want to miss them, so she knew she'd better catch them before they moved on to somewhere else.

Jem parked the car, then, his heart as heavy as lead, went up to their apartment. Letting himself in quietly, he stealthily opened the drawing room door and peered in. Madge was sitting in her favourite armchair, and from the way her head was moving, and the glassiness of her eyes, she had been hitting the gin again.

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 1:24 pm; edited 1 time in total

 

#237:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 9:20 pm

Thanks Jennie Hope that Josette can have a good evening out, and Jem is able to start to deal with Madge. Liz

 

#238:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 9:22 pm

Go, Jem! Thanks Jennie.

 

#239:  Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 9:23 pm

Quote:
Have a good time, and try not to be home before eleven o'clock, at the earliest.
What a great thing to say! Smile Oh dear.... it's not looking too good for Madge right now, is it?

 

#240:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 10:09 pm

Don't envy Jem his task now- basically, until Madge admits she has a problem he can do very little. (Have know a woman with an alcohol problem catagorically deny she had a problem even when found unconscious at her workstation clutching an empty litre bottle of vodka.) Thanks Jennie.

 

#241:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 12:45 am

Thank you Jennie. Sends Jem lots of good wishes in dealing with Madge. Hope Josette has a good time with her friends.

 

#242:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 7:39 am

Lesley wrote
Quote:
Have know a woman with an alcohol problem catagorically deny she had a problem even when found unconscious at her workstation clutching an empty litre bottle of vodka.
I knew someone who told me he wasn't an alcoholic as somedays he didn't drink at all. The fact that, once he started, he didn't stop until passed out/kicked out of pub & out of money, kinda made me disagree with that.

 

#243:  Author: Robin, Location: London PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 11:03 am

good luck jem - think he's going to need it...

 

#244:  Author: Katie, Location: A Yorkshire lass in London PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 2:19 pm

Lyanne wrote:
Lesley wrote
Quote:
Have know a woman with an alcohol problem catagorically deny she had a problem even when found unconscious at her workstation clutching an empty litre bottle of vodka.
I knew someone who told me he wasn't an alcoholic as somedays he didn't drink at all. The fact that, once he started, he didn't stop until passed out/kicked out of pub & out of money, kinda made me disagree with that.
My ex used to get quite angry whenever I tried to broach the subject of his drinking, but is it just me or is it not normal to drink at least 2 litres of beer nearly every night? This is really good, Jennie - I hope Madge hasn't been reading David's letter!

 

#245:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 5:32 pm

I had a friend, and I say had advisedly, who drank six cans of beer every evening, followed by half a bottle of wine. She denied that she was an alcoholic. I did my best, but she she wouldn't give up drinking. End of friendship, the stress was making my life intolerable. The worst was the not knowing what she was going to do next. She would drink anything, even alcohol that she didn't really like, just to keep drinking.

 

#246:  Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 7:47 pm

My ex-husband is a recovering alcoholic and he used to drink mouthwash.

 

#247:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 10:22 pm

Now I feel ashamed that I didn't admit it was my ex & the father of my elder son. Once I was given a bottle of wine & I came home from work the next day to find he'd drunk it - "But you hadn't drunk it, it would have only gone off" he said. Another time, I'd been shopping & bought some floral disinfectant. I'd left it on the worktop int the kitchen & he came in & started drinking that.Katie,
Quote:
is it just me or is it not normal to drink at least 2 litres of beer nearly every night?
It is NOT normal. And eventually it leads to health problems & even death.

 

#248:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 9:48 am

*Drops of hugs to everyone who's been affected by alcoholism* Liz

 

#249:  Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 8:01 pm

Lyanne wrote:
Now I feel ashamed that I didn't admit it was my ex & the father of my elder son. Once I was given a bottle of wine & I came home from work the next day to find he'd drunk it - "But you hadn't drunk it, it would have only gone off" he said. Another time, I'd been shopping & bought some floral disinfectant. I'd left it on the worktop int the kitchen & he came in & started drinking that. Katie,
Quote:
is it just me or is it not normal to drink at least 2 litres of beer nearly every night?
It is NOT normal. And eventually it leads to health problems & even death.
Mine used to steal port from kwik save as it was the stongest alcohol not locked up(like vodka etc)

 

#250:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 2:57 pm

Gathering his courage, Jem walked into the drawing-room and went to stand in front of Madge's chair.

'Madge, Madge.' He received no answer, so, deciding that he had to do something, he went into the kitchen and wet a towel with cold water. Back in the drawing-room, he gently wiped Madge's face with the wet towel, but she was so far gone that she made no voluntary response, just the reflex action of moving her head away from the cold. Then Jem made a decision.

He could no longer get through to Madge, she alternated between drunkenness and a shrill determination to dictate every minute of their lives. He began to realise that he had no alternative. Something had to be done, and if he didn't take action, Josette's chance to live her life as she wished to would have disappeared like a wisp of smoke.

He left the room, then went into his study and picked up the phone. He was soon talking to Dr. Spenser, the Clinical Director of a small, discreet clinic. He outlined the problem, then answered several searching questions that his medical colleague asked him. Finally, almost breaking down into tears, Jem told him that he could not cope alone any longer. Madge would have to have treatment, and soon, or Jem would not be able to carry on. On hearing this, Dr Spenser was helpful and soothing, which made Jem feel much better.

Finally, the two men made arrangements for a private ambulance to come to the back entrance of their apartment building. Madge would be admitted to the clinic, would be allowed to sleep off her latest dose of gin, and would then be given treatment for her addiction. Dr Spenser was adamant about several things. The treatment would include psychotherapy to attempt to discover why Madge had become an alcoholic. For the first week, she would not be allowed to have visitors, and all her possessions would be searched for alcohol. She would also be kept on a form of suicide watch to make sure that she could not get hold of anything that she might drink or use to harm herself.

Hearing this, Jem felt that he had reached the very bottom of a pit of despair. He blamed himself for the entire situation. There was no-one else he could blame. In climbing in his profession, in doing his utmost to save other people, he had neglected his family, had utterly failed his children and had come to this, a lonely middle-aged man whose children were afraid and resentful of him, and whose wife had chosen a bottle of gin rather than talk to him.

He had thought that he had learned his lesson on the morning of Sybil's wedding, but after the things that he had learned from Josette today, he realised just how far he had to go before he could win his children's trust. And he still had to answer David's letter.

With misery in every fibre of his being, Jem went to their bedroom to pack a bag for Madge. Then a small thought came to him. At least Josette was out enjoying herself whist her mother was being taken away to the clinic. He sent a small prayer Heavenwards that Josette was being spared the sight of her mother's drunken body being loaded onto a stretcher and into an ambulance.

Last edited by Jennie on Mon May 23, 2005 1:26 pm; edited 1 time in total

 

#251:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 3:13 pm

Poor Jem! Poor Madge, too. She must have been very unhappy to get into this state. Thanks Jennie.

 

#252:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 3:13 pm

Poor Jem, and poor Madge -let's hope the clinic can help her. Thanbk you Jennie.

 

#253:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 4:37 pm

Poor Jem - hope he is not the sole cause of Madge's retreat to the bottle.Hope he is right and Josette is enjoying herself.Thanks JennieLiz

 

#254:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 11:20 pm

oh dear i feel quite sorry for Madge - she's just so out of control, and the treatment for alcohol addiction that she's facing won't be at all pleasant for her

 

#255:  Author: Robin, Location: London PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 1:08 pm

hope that Madge doesn't flip out too much when she comes round! And hope that nothing too gruesome is revealed in the psychotherapy. poor old Jem

 

#256:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 2:12 pm

Poor Russell family. At least Jem is now trying to climb out of the pit.

 

#257:  Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 5:04 pm

*prays that the clinic will help Madge* Poor Jem is having a horrible time, at least he's trying now and maybe this will actually help Madge too.

 

#258:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 11:59 pm

I have a feeling Madge will flip when she finds out where she is. Poor Jem it must be so awful for him. Hope Josette is having a good time.

 

#259:  Author: Mihiri, Location: surrey england PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:49 pm

This is a very intense drabble Jennie, thank you. Good on Jem for trying to sort things out - he must reply to David asap though as David must be worrying so much

 

#260:  Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:49 am

Thanks Jennie for posting more of this. I hope that Madge gets the help she needs, and that Jem gets the support that he needs.Star Wars

 

#261:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 9:18 pm

Apologies to anyone who thinks that my times are out of joint. I'm pleading artistic licence and an overdose of EBD.

Josette returned from her night out with her friends feeling very relaxed, as though she had shed an enormous burden. The smile drained out of her face when she saw that her father was waiting for her. Obviously something serious had happened to make him look so strained and unhappy. 'Josette, I know you must be tired, but would you just come into the drawing-room for a few minutes, please.'

She felt all her hopes for the future ebbing away from her. Oh no, not Mother refusing to let her go. She started to feel faint and dizzy, but was a little relieved when she saw her father give her a tentative smile. She managed to walk into the drawing-room, and sat down. She assumed that her mother had had enough to drink and had been poured into bed.

'Josette, it's,... it's,.... well, I came home this afternoon to find your mother drunk again. I hardly know how to tell you this, but, well, I just couldn't cope any longer. I've had your mother admitted to a clinic, where she'll be dried out and given some treatment to try to find out why she started to drink so heavily.'

'Oh, does that mean that we'll have to go to visit her tomorrow?'

'No, we aren't allowed to visit for the first week, so don't worry about that. The real problem is going to be that it will be a long, expensive process, no, don't look like that, please. Your university education is going to happen. It's just, well, I was wondering if you'd like to fly home earlier and go to Guernsey for a few months. You know the Lucy- Chester -Ozanne clan? They're looking for someone to help out with the summer invasion of children . You'd be staying with Janie Lucy, you know her, don't you? Well, apparently the three of them want someone to help out with taking the small fry for walks and to the beach and so on, and wondered if we knew anyone. Well, would you like to do that? Of course, you'll get your board and lodging as one of the family, and a small salary as well. If you were to go, it would solve one problem for me. I wouldn't have to worry about how your mother will treat you if you go to visit her. I don't expect you to give me an answer immediately, just think about it for a couple of days, and let me know.'

'But, how did Mother take being whizzed off to hospital? When did this happen?'

'When I came home after our lunch together, I found her completely drunk. She didn't know that she was being taken into hospital she has to sleep off her bender, then they'll give her drugs to help her through the worst of it. Don't worry about this, it really isn't your problem, and you have nothing to feel guilty about. Now, it's really time for you to be going off to bed. I hope that you'll be able to drop off . I have a few things that I absolutely have to do before I have any hope of getting some sleep. Goodnight, sleep well.'

Josette kissed her father goodnight and went into her room, feeling a curious mixture of relief and sadness. She undressed, washed and got into bed thinking that she would never be able to sleep, but the strong emotions that she had been feeling all day had exhausted her so that she soon dropped off into the most peaceful sleep that she had had for several months.

Jem, meanwhile, had gone into his study where he sat behind his desk staring at a blank sheet of paper. He had to write to David, and soon.

 

#262:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 9:31 pm

thank you, Jennie! I wonder what Jem will say to David.

 

#263:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 10:13 pm

Quote:
you'll get your board and lodging as one of the family
Good! A dose of normal family life for Josette, plus a perfectly acceptable thing for her to do, so Joey shouldn't be able to complain. (Not that it's nay of her business.) ((Josette and Jem))

 

#264:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 10:14 pm

Thanks Jennie. But I'm getting very confused by all these Russell drabbles... I read Jem's speech and thought - What??! But he's dead! (after Cazx's drabble!)

 

#265:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:26 pm

Thank you Jennie. Poor Jem seems to be running from one crisis to the next. At least Josette should get a taste of normal family life witth Janie and co.

 

#266:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:27 pm

Poor Josette - wonder if she'll decide to go or if she feel she should stay to support Jem. Liz

 

#267:  Author: Miss Di, Location: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 3:35 am

Poor Josette. Hope Janie & Co. can give her a happy time while Madge is in recovery for her "general overwork and exhaustion".

 

#268:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 11:20 am

Dear David,

I have to admit that your letter was a complete shock to me. However, recent events here in Australia have shown me that I really do not know my own children, so all I can do in this very brief letter is to tell you that you are my son, and I love you. I want you to be happy with your life and in your life, so I wish you every joy and success in what you want to do.

I cannot write much tonight, I am too tired and overwrought, but I promise you that I will write a much longer letter in the next few days. To be brief, you will have heard of the shock that we got on the day of Sybil's wedding, finding out that one of our daughters had never felt that we loved and valued her, and this was made worse when we discovered that she and Hugh had made plans to leave Australia without telling us.

Today, I discovered that Josette was angry and resentful that we had made her give up her place at LSE to accompany us out here. Fortunately, I can make some reparations there, and so I'm going to be sending her back to England where she can go to any university that she pleases.

The worst news that I have to break to you is about your mother. She has become an alcoholic, and grown to be so demanding and domineering that I have felt at my wits' end. I had to have her taken into a clinic today, where she can be dried out and treated. Please don't worry. That sounds like a silly thing to say, I know, but I will give you more details later.

Above all, my main reason for writing is to let you know that I will support you in whatever you want to do, and however you want to live. I am deeply ashamed that you have spent all these years doing something that you did not want to do or be, just to gain my approval. I will honestly try to be a better father in future.

With all my love, Dad.

'Well, now that's done, perhaps I can go to bed with a quieter mind.' said Jem. Then he found himself weeping long, slow, silent tears.

 

#269:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 11:25 am

Well done Jem, a bit late but better than nothing. Hope the tears are healing for him. Thank you Jennie for letting us see the letter.

 

#270:  Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 11:48 am

Good luck in Guernsey Josette! :wave: Poor Jem! :ahhh: Poor silly Madge! poke

 

#271:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 11:50 am

Good for Jem for finally writing the letter, he must feel a weight lifted and Im sure David will appreciate his honesty!!

 

#272:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 12:54 pm

Good letter, Jem. That took guts to write. Thank you Jennie.

 

#273:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 1:26 pm

Good for Jem - and that he can so totally accept David's new lifestyle -many fathers cannot. Thanks Jennie.

 

#274:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 1:59 pm

Well done Jem for writing the letter *blinks back tears* Liz

 

#275:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 10:45 pm

Suddenly starts to worry that David will hurl recrimainations at Jem for letting Madge get so bad. Hopes that someone will help David understand it was his mother's own choice to start to drink, even if she got to a stage where she could not stop by herself.

 

#276:  Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster PostPosted: Fri Feb 18, 2005 3:58 am

Poor all of them... Sad

 

#277:  Author: Miss Di, Location: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Fri Feb 18, 2005 3:58 am

Jennie wrote:
Please don't worry. That sounds like a silly thing to say, I know, but I will give you more details later.
Well yes. Of course he will worry. Hope Jem doesn't waste time setting about writing a longer letter. And SEND THEM AIRMAIL!!!!

 

#278:  Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester PostPosted: Fri Feb 18, 2005 7:17 am

Arg, I didn't realise this had been updated! That letter must have been hard for Jem to write - good for him!

 

#279:  Author: Robin, Location: London PostPosted: Fri Feb 18, 2005 10:53 am

good for JemSo glad he can support david, and is thinking of his children even while everything is going wrong with madge.thanks Jennie!

 

#280:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Fri Feb 18, 2005 7:58 pm

Poor David, I wonder how much he already realised about Sybil and Josette. Glad that Jem could support him and hope he manages to rebuild his relationship with David and Sybil in the way he has with Josette.

 

#281:  Author: Catherine_B, Location: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Fri Feb 18, 2005 11:33 pm

Have just read through several pages of this, and either I've blatantly missed a post, or we haven't been told what was actually in David's letter! Can someone enlighten me? Question Confused

 

#282:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Fri Feb 18, 2005 11:52 pm

Cathy, we find out the contents of David's letter in the second post on page three.....

 

#283:  Author: Catherine_B, Location: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Fri Feb 18, 2005 11:58 pm

D'oh! Obviously didn't go far enough back in my catching up Laughing Thank you very much, Vikki!

 

#284:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sat Feb 19, 2005 12:02 am

You're welcome hunny! It was further back than I thought! Wink

 

#285:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Feb 19, 2005 5:14 pm

In the bedroom of the small, discreet, private clinic, Madge Russell was slowly waking up. She felt dreadful, sick and headachy, and it was simply too much trouble to open her eyes. She supposed that she ought to ring for tea, and after that, she would perhaps try to eat a little breakfast. Really, there was so much to do and so little time to do it in, there was no wonder that she felt tired all the time. And Jem and Josette were just so ungrateful, especially Josette. With that thought, she managed to sit up and look around her. Where on earth was she? She simply didn't recognise this place at all.

Then the door opened and a nurse walked in. 'Good morning, Lady Russell. How are you feeling this morning? Your breakfast tray will be brought in in a few minutes. I'll just take your temperature and pulse. No. Lady Russell, sit quite still please.'

Oh God, she must be in hospital somewhere. But why? There was nothing wrong with her, at least, nothing that couldn't be cured by a good large measure of gin with a little tonic. The hair of the dog, they called it. As soon as the thermometer was out of her mouth, Madge began to fire questions at the nurse. 'Where am I? Why am I here? I'm not ill, so why have I been brought here? Where is my husband?' The nurse, however, would tell her nothing apart from the fact that her breakfast would be brought to her shortly, and that the doctor would be visiting her soon. With that, she went out of the room, leaving Madge fuming and calling more questions after her.

 

#286:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Sat Feb 19, 2005 5:19 pm

Poor Madge, what a shock. I wouldn't like to be a nurse on that ward!

 

#287:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Feb 19, 2005 5:42 pm

Should imagine the nurses are used to anything - let all the orders and insults wash over them. Thanks Jennie - feel sorry for Madge even while knowing she has to go through this.

 

#288:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Sat Feb 19, 2005 10:58 pm

Poor madge that must have been a nasty shock! Hope no one is stupid enough to smuggle any gin in for her.

 

#289:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 11:18 am

I don't think she has any friends in Australia. So there wouldn't be anyone to
Quote:
smuggle any gin in for her
as Susan worried.

 

#290:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 1:43 pm

*Joins in feeling sorry for Madge* Thanks Jennie Liz

 

#291:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 2:26 pm

Jem sat up in bed, feeling rested and restored. He had just had a wonderful night's sleep, in spite of his doubts and weeping the night before. He knew that he had a lot to do that day, but for once he felt that he could tackle it without worrying. Without doubt, his letter to David had helped him to sleep, he could not have put off replying for too long. It had been on his conscience for several days. That didn't mean that he was free from worry.

Madge might have been admitted to the clinic, so he didn't have to concern himself about the state she might be in when he returned home from his appointments, and they might not be able to see her for a week or so, depending on how she responded to the treatment, but she was still his wife, and he still loved her.

Then, he had made a promise to Josette, and he had to see about getting on with that. He had letters to draught and take round to the secretarial service that he used for his important correspondence. The thought of Josette brought another worry in its wake. Poor Josette had to tell John that she didn't want to marry him after all. Then there were her airline tickets to book, and some new clothes to buy for her. Jem felt sure that Josette would go to Guernsey to stay with the Lucy's. Janie would be good to her and for her, and those imps that she and Julian had produced would keep Josette so busy that she wouldn't have time to worry about how things were going in Australia. No, a bit of normality would be the very thing for his daughter.

Another important task that he had to face was writing to Ailie and the twins. They had to know what was going on. In fact, Jem was beginning to wonder whether to contact the Lucys to see whether his three youngest children would be able to go Guernsey for the summer holidays as paying guests. They would be bound to have a better time with their friends than they would with their aunt, especially when that aunt discovered what had happened to her sister. He was counting on an indignant explosion from the Gornetz Platz. Smiling a little, he began to wonder whether Guernsey would be big enough to contain four of his children, all let loose for the summer, especially as Ailie was such good friends with Janice Chester, and by all accounts both found plenty of mischief to make. It might be the right thing for them, though. He would have to write airmail letters, of course, and contact the school. It was such a pity that Jo had never let the school free of her clutches, and that she had encouraged Hilda to depend on her. Yes, definitely, he would see if the clan in Guernsey would have his children.

 

#292:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 2:33 pm

Excellent idea to send them all to Guernsey - can imagine them having a lovely holiday there. Thanks Jennie - so glad Jem has woken up and is thinking about all his family - and that he still loves Madge despite everything - gives me hope for them all. Liz

 

#293:  Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester PostPosted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 4:00 pm

Oh, they'll definitely have a better time at Guernsey than at Joey's! Please let the Lucys say yes! Smile Glad to see Madge is getting help she needs and that Jem is understanding of his kids after so many years Smile

 

#294:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 5:17 pm

Oh yes they will enjoy Guernsey far more than Joeys. A great idea and I hope they say yes! Thaks Jennie Very Happy

 

#295:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 5:37 pm

Excellent post Jennie - though I don't know that Hilda was that dependant! Wink (Me? Biased? Surely not!)

 

#296:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 11:51 pm

Thank you Jennie. Poor Jem he is having a difficult time. I wasn't just wondering about friends but about if she could manipulate/browbeat some of the staff.

 

#297:  Author: Robin, Location: London PostPosted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:44 pm

thanks Jennie good luck to the nurses and doctors at Madge's clinic, is all I can say!

 

#298:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 11:30 pm

Good boy, Jem! The younger ones will have much more fun with friends in Guernsey than with an alcohol soaked mother in Australia.

 

#299:  Author: Honor, Location: London PostPosted: Tue Feb 22, 2005 6:48 pm

Love this drabble. More please!! Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy

 

#300:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 3:18 pm

After a busy day, Jem actually felt pleased with himself. The breathing space free of worry about Madge had done wonders for him. He had drafted letters to several universities on behalf of Josette, asking if she could be admitted as a student in the forthcoming academic year, then had written to the Lucys to say that Josette wanted to spend the summer with them. He had also asked if their clan could manage to put up with his three youngest as paying guests for the summer. He had been honest with Janie and Julian, telling them that he needed somewhere for the children to go where they could enjoy themselves without worrying about the family, and without being reminded of their mother. Josette had already told him that she wanted to go to Guernsey, saying that she thought that she would enjoy it there far more than staying in Australia, so that was one problem sorted out.

As well as giving that news to the Lucys, Jem had also told them about Madge's illness and hospitalisation. He had been honest with them, and had not spared himself from criticism, blaming himself for not seeing the harm that his parental attitude had done to his family, and for not taking steps to curb Madge's drinking before it had reached this stage. He also had one further request to make. He knew that Nigel Willoughby had connections with property-owners in London, so he asked the Lucys if they would contact Nigel to see if he could help with finding a small flat for Josette. He knew that he had to accept that Josette had grown up, but she was still his daughter, and he wanted her to have somewhere decent to live. He knew that he could not afford to pay for anything luxurious, but he certainly wanted something clean and reasonably furnished for her.

He would have liked to sit back and relax in an armchair with a glass of decent brandy, but, as part of his new life and attitude, he had decided to give up all types of alcohol at home. Madge would not be able to have any in the future, so he would give it up, too. That was only fair.

 

#301:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 3:22 pm

Well done Jem. Thak you Jennie.

 

#302:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 4:04 pm

Thanks Jennie. Good for Jem. At least he is trying to help them all.

 

#303:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 6:03 pm

I'm glad Jem is being honest with the Laceys. It will make it much easier for Josette. Thanks Jennie

 

#304:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 8:19 pm

Susan wrote
Quote:
I wasn't just wondering about friends but about if she could manipulate/browbeat some of the staff.
I don't think they would work there for long if they could be persuaded. I feel a real sense of lonlieness for Madge. Jem is aware that Joey will be 'excited' at his treatment of Madge, but he's not contacting anyone to tell them Madge isn't well so can't... come & play bridge/sit on your committee/advise you an your gardening/anything else. This comes through in the books also. It may be because Madge is a less-important character to EDB, but there is hardly any mention of her friends. Why did none of them send their daughters to her school?

 

#305:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 8:59 pm

Thanks Jennie - Jem is really going in for this thoroughly isn't he? Shows his strong character - let's hope Madge's character will start to reassert itself soon.

 

#306:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 11:39 am

Thanks Jennie - Jem is turning out to be such a loving caring father & husband Liz

 

#307:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 10:40 pm

Jennnnniiiiieeeee? May we have some more please? Pretty please???? Very Happy

 

#308:  Author: ravenseyes, Location: New Zealand PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 3:43 am

Is there more of this Idea

please

 

#309:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 2:00 pm

Sorry for the delay, pleurisy in both lung cavities.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whilst all this was happening, Madge Russell was enduring a very unhappy time in the private clinic to which she had been admitted. She was not only unhappy, she was also suffering the torments of her enforced drying - out.

What made her the most annoyed was that the hospital staff refused to be impressed, intimidated or bribed by her.

She had tried to tell them that she was Lady Russell and should be obeyed, but they had just given her a small smile and carried on with whatever it was that had come into her room to do. She had attempted to threaten them, but that had meant that they had left her room immediately. She had tried to offer them money, but they had just shaken their heads, smiled slightly and walked out. What was the worst thing was that the cleaners were always supervised by a nurse, so she had no opportunity to strike up a conversation with them, a conversation which would have led onto the subject of smuggling in a bottle of gin, after a handsome sum of money had changed hands, of course.

She was in pain for a lot of the time, and it was only when she was at her worst, in real agony, that she was given the blessed release of an injection to dull the worst of the pain.

But what was making her really, truly angry was the continued absence of both husband and daughter. Yes, yes, she had waved away all the explanations given to her by the hospital staff, including the young doctor who was supposed to be treating her for, of all things, alcohol addiction. When she had told him just who her husband was, the famous TB specialist, the doctor had smiled at her and then coolly informed her that he had, of course, heard of Sir James, and then reminded her that it had been her husband who had had her admitted.

Madge felt that she might not know what was going on at home, but what she did know was that she was going to make both Jem and Josette very, very sorry for putting her into this place, just as soon as she set eyes on them.

 

#310:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 2:12 pm

Thanks for the update Jennie - hope you're feeling better *hugs*

Poor Madge - I hope she'll see the error of her ways soon

Liz

 

#311:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 3:29 pm

Good to see this back.

Thanks Jennie- poor Madge, she's got a lot more to go through.

 

#312:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 5:29 pm

*hugs Jennie* How are you feeling now?


Thanks for the update btw - am a trifle sorry for Madge, but not much!

 

#313:  Author: RroseSelavy, Location: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 5:33 pm

Hope you fell better soon, Jennie *sends a warm duvet, a cup of echinacea tea and a long-sought-after CS book to aid recovery*

This is still fantastic!

 

#314:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 5:44 pm

So sorry you've been ill Jennie. There seems to have been a load of chest problems around in the past few weeks. I hope you are better now.

I see Madge is still playing 'Lady Russell' Crying or Very sad

I do hope Jem gets Josette well away and doesn't let her see Madge.

 

#315:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 6:01 pm

Hope you feel better soon, Jennie. When will Madge see sense?!

Lovely to see this back though. Very Happy

 

#316:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 7:24 pm

((Jennie))

hope you're feeling better now and thank you VERY much for posting more of this.

poor madge, when will she learn?

 

#317:  Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria PostPosted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 8:13 pm

Jennie wrote:
Sorry for the delay, pleurisy in both lung cavities.


Poor you, hope you feel better now.
Thanks for more of this,hoping Josette can get away before Madge causes more probs.

 

#318:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 8:54 pm

Hope you feel better soon.

Poor family, Madge won't get better till she faces up to her problems and Jem and Josette look to be in for a bad time of it once she can see them.

 

#319:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 9:54 pm

*sends Jennie a fluffy blanket to snuggle into*

I'm sorry you've not been well hunny!

 

#320:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 10:38 pm

Sorry you've not been well Jennie. I hope the new post means that you're feeling better.

 

#321:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 10:47 pm

(((Jennie))))

Hope you're feeling a bit better Jennie

and thankyou for a fabulous update

 

#322:  Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield PostPosted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 12:00 am

I'm sorry you've been poorly Jennie.

Madge still doesn't seem to realise the extent of the problem she's got. I'm looking forward to when she starts to realise. Thanks for writing this.

Star Wars

 

#323:  Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster PostPosted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 12:34 am

sorry you've been poorly...
Thanks for the update...Poor Madge Sad

 

#324:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 12:05 pm

Sorry tro hear you have been ill Jennie I was wondering if something was wrong.

I just knew Madge would play the Lady Russell card for all it was worth.

Hope she sees sense soon and forgives Jem when she realises it is for her own good.

 

#325:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 11:38 am

Madge lay back on her pillows, feeling angry. The pains of the alcohol withdrawal were lessening, but her mood had not improved. Her sore arm didn't help her feelings, either. The previous day she had been forced to submit to the indignity of having blood taken from her arm, enough for several tests, and she was making the most of her anger and indignation.

That was why she had absolutely and utterly refused to get out of bed for her scheduled visit to a psychiatrist. Indeed, a psychiatrist, for her, for Madge, for Lady Russell. Who did they think they were?

She sat up sharply when a youngish man entered her room after tapping lightly on the door. When he had introduced himself as Doctor Burnham, and told her that he would be treating her, Madge quickly slid doen in the bed, turned away from him onto her side and resolutely refused to speak a single word to him.

He attempted to get her to answer him, but she maintained a stony and deadly silence. At last, he got up to leave, but what he had to say to her was so absolutely astonishing that she sat bolt upright in bed again.

'This is all very well, Lady Russell, but until you've had some psychiatric treatment from me, or from another practitioner, you won't be getting out of here. You see, your husband signed the papers committing you to this clinic, so you won't, can't be discharged until we are satisfied with your progress. Goodbye for now, Lady Russell.'

With that he left the room.

Madge was furious!

 

#326:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 11:48 am

*g*

so she'll be there for some time then?!

Poor Jem, having to deal with that. And poor Dr Burnham!

 

#327:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 12:21 pm

Oh good! A bit of home truth. She'll have to put that in her pipe and smoke it!!!

 

#328:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 12:22 pm

Jem's good mood had evaporated sharply when he received the call from the Clinic, telling him that Madge was refusing to co-operate. Then he realised that it was partly his fault, for the way that he had himself behaved, and encouraged his wife to behave towards their children.

Still, he was learning a lesson now. As he sat behind his desk, he began to think more deeply about their past lives. He had entered into their marriage with definite expectations of how a wife should behave, and these attitudes of his had not changed. But the times had changed, and until very recently, he had not changed with them.

He still felt a deep sense of shame about Sybil, and unless she relented and contacted the family, he had no means of making even a feeble attempt at putting things right. He had done his best on her wedding day, but he realised that it would take much, much more than that. Still if he were lucky, he might get a second chance. He felt much more hopeful about Josette. At least they had been able to talk openly and honestly, and he had discovered what she really wanted. He felt sorry for her, she had the ordeal of breaking off her engagement still to come, and she was showing real courage in her determination to do this in person, not by letter. He was doing his best to help her, promising to support her through it, but he knew that Josette would not take it easily, she was far too much his daughter to go back on her word lightly or frivolously.

He still had to write to David, he had promised him a full explanation, so he would keep his word. Then of course, he knew that he would have to write to the family at The Quadrant, and of course, to Jo. But first, he would write to Jack, explaining things in medical terms, and begging Jack to prevent Jo from flying out to Australia. Poor old Anna, she already did most of the work around that house, and he didn't want her to have any more.

But, with any luck, the Lucys, Chesters and Ozannes would be able to take care of the younger children for the summer, and he would be able to write to them without their host families quizzing them about the contents of their letters. And, if they could go to Guernsey, they ought to have good summer weather, and have a good time as well. That was one cheering thought that he would keep hold of. Then his thoughts returned to the tasks that he had set himself.

Drearily, he pulled the writing paper towards himself, and began to compose a letter to Jack.

 

#329:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 1:01 pm

Poor Jem - having to face up to his responsibilities and faults like that can't be easy. Hope he can get his letters written.

Wonder if Madge will finally agree for treatment now she knows that's the only way she'll get out.

Thanks Jennie

Liz

 

#330:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 1:02 pm

I do hope the new posts mean you are feeling better, Jennie.

Madge is behaving fairly normally for someone in her position, I think. She can't see that she needs help.

I think Jem has an uphill struggle setting things to rights after all these years. The last thing he wants is Jo around Shocked

Thanks, Jennie.

 

#331:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 3:58 pm

Good to see more of this -thanks Jennie. Laughing

 

#332:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 4:18 pm

Thank you Jennie! Feeling better now??


*Pokes Madge viciously*

*gives Jem a hug*


(How's the Russian coming along Lesley?!)

 

#333:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 4:21 pm

We WON THE GRANDSLAM!!! wrote:
(How's the Russian coming along Lesley?!)


I managed a U for French O' Level- you can just see me doing Russian can't you! Rolling Eyes

 

#334:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 4:23 pm

Laughing You could try..... ROFL

 

#335:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 2:20 pm

2 lovely updates Jennie

as others have said, hope this means that you are feeling a bit better

 

#336:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 12:16 pm

Josette was feeling unhappy and confused. She was also afraid. She knew that the best thing to do was to tell John that she didn't want to marry him, and as soon as possible. She had another two days to go before he returned from working away from the city, but the anticipation was simply terrible.

She tried to analyse her feelings. She had agreed to marry John, but she now felt that she had done so because she hadn't known her own mind. After a sheltered upbringing and education, where boys, unless they were a family member or a friend's brother, were definitely not a topic of conversation, discussion or speculation, she had been thrown into life in Australia where things were approached with more freedom. John, with his rather old-fashioned manners, had appealed to her, and she now realised that she had felt secure with him. But, and it was a big but, she had never really known or gone out with anyone else. Then again, she had agreed to marry him because her parents thought that he was definitely the right sort, and her mother had been very eager for this marriage.

Josette thought miserably that her parents' approval had been the deciding factor. But, there was no escaping it, marriage was for life, for better, for worse, and once she was married, she would have to stay that way. But now, her soul was crying out to her, telling her that a life-long marriage to someone she didn't love would be cheating herself, and certainly cheating John.

Still, there were a few good things to be looked forward to. She was at last able to talk to her father, and he was actually listening to her and doing his best to help her. She was going to spend the summer in Guernsey, even if she was going to be looking after those rascally Lucy children. Some of the things that she'd heard of them doing, well, she was in for a lively time of it, and no mistake. But, she wouldn't be going to bed every night worrying over what Mother was going to do next or demand next. That led on to the third good thing. Mother was in a private clinic having treatment for alcoholism and some unspecified mental problems, though Josette had a pretty good idea about what they were. Best of all, unless Mother started to co-operate with her doctor, she would not be allowed to have any visitors, so Josette was hoping that she would be able to leave Australia without seeing her mother. Even the very thought of that made her feel good, but guilty as well. Poor Daddy, he had such a lot to cope with, but he was actually looking forward to getting her out of this situation, letting her go to Guernsey and possible to the LSE, so she wouldn't feel too guilty about that.

She came to with a start. She'd been sitting here for over an hour, and she still hadn't started her essay. This would never do.

 

#337:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 1:06 pm

Poor Josette, such a lot for her to have to think about - glad she now feels happy with Jem.

Thanks Jennie. Laughing

 

#338:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 1:40 pm

Thanks, Jennie. Poor Josette is pulled all ways!

 

#339:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 1:52 pm

Poor Josette, having all that on her shoulders Sad

But at least she's realised that Jem is on her side and willing to help, so hopefully everything will be ok Very Happy

Thank you Jennie!

 

#340:  Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield PostPosted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 5:06 pm

Thanks for writing more of this Jennie. It must be hard for Josette, even though things are improving for her.

Star Wars

 

#341:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 5:33 pm

Thanks ofr this Jennie - good that Josette does feel able to talk to Jem and I'm not surprised she doesn't want to see Madge before she leaves for Guernsey

 

#342:  Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 5:55 pm

Good luck Josette and Jem!

Hope you're feeling much better Jennie!

 

#343:  Author: Alice, Location: London, England PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 9:50 pm

Poor Josette, it's going to be hard talking to John.

Thank you Jennie. I hope you're feeling better.

 

#344:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2005 2:35 pm

Poor Josette what a prospect but better no than later. Hope shecab get away without speaking to Madge.

As for Madge's behaviour I expected nothing less.

Thank you Jennie hope you are feeling much better now.

 

#345:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 2:03 pm

At the breakfast table in Freudesheim, Jo Maynard was quickly sorting through the stack of mail that had arrived that morning. After removing all the letters and packets that were obviously for Jack, she began to sort out the rest of it. A small frown creased her forehead; another day without a letter from Madge. Strange, Madge usually wrote every week, without fail. Jo hoped that nothing had gone wrong, this was so unlike her sister.

Jack walked into the dining room, greeting her cheerfully, then sat down at the table. He began to sort through his pile of letters, then picked an envelope with an airmail sticker out of the pile. He opened it and began to read it, his face looking graver and sadder by the minute as he took in its contents.

He then became aware that Jo was speaking to him.

'What's that you were saying, Jo? Sorry, I was a bit inattentive, just some rather bad news about a patient.'

'I was just saying that I haven't heard from Madge this week, and wondering what could have happened. She usually replies to my letters pretty quickly. You know how much she relies on hearing from me every week, especially now Josette is being so troublesome over her wedding, wanting to make the decisions herself. As if there hadn't been enough problems with Sybil and her wedding. Poor Madge, she doesn't need all this stress.'

Jack looked consideringly at his wife of over twenty years. Yes, the sisters were very alike, both absolutely convinced that they were always right and ought to make all the decisions, especially when it came to things such as weddings. He honestly did not know how to break the news to Jo, not that she would believe it, not that Madge had become a, what was the term that they used nowadays, ah, 'control freak', that was it, and was also in a hospital being treated for alcoholism.

Jo broke into his thoughts again.

'..........so, with this royalty cheque, I was thinking that I'd fly out to Australia to help Madge with the wedding preparations, she'll appreciate my being there, it would be enormously helpful to her to have someone else who can control Josette's ideas and fancies. What do you think, Jack?'

Thoroughly on the spot, Jack could only say that it would be a long absence, and perhaps they ought to write to Jem and Madge first, and see what they said. Then his courage failing him, he told Jo that he had to hurry to the San, as he had a long list of complicated cases to see that morning.

As he drove off, he was beginning to wish wholeheartedly that he had never carried on the habit ofshielding Jo from unpleasant facts which had begun in their early days of marriage.

He was unaware that Jo, disregarding the time difference, had started to book a trunk call to Australia.

 

#346:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 2:28 pm

Oh dear! Wonder how she'll react when she finds out!

 

#347:  Author: Alice, Location: London, England PostPosted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 3:14 pm

Oh dear... Thank you Jennie.

 

#348:  Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex PostPosted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 3:19 pm

Hi Jennie,

Thanks for this story, I have just read the whole thing and it has me really gripped! i feel so sorry for poor Josette, Jem and even a certain degree of pity for Madge (but still think she needs to be poke )

On a lighter note... when you're reading fast - does anyone else read Jem as Jam? it's always entertained me but maybe I need to go away and be by myself.... Embarassed

 

#349:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 3:31 pm

Oh dear!!! Will Jem answer? And what will his reaction to Jo be?

 

#350:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 4:15 pm

Looking forward to Joey's reaction to what she'll hear over the phone Twisted Evil


Thankyou Jennie

 

#351:  Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield PostPosted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 5:41 pm

Oh dear - I'm waiting for the fireworks to begin. I'm almost sure Joey will blame Jem, Josette, Sybil - everybody except Madge herself.

poke Joey

Star Wars

 

#352:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 7:06 pm

I think Jack needs to give Joey a little dose - or two! She's going to be a problem otherwise Neutral

 

#353:  Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 8:13 pm

Oh 'eck, I didn't see that coming. It's a shame Jack couldn't just be honest with his wife.

I have to wonder, considering the sort of women Madge and Joey have turned into, what Dick is like these days? Is it a Bettany characteristic or is it the result of their respective marriages?

 

#354:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 9:18 pm

Thank you Jennie - hope you feeling a lot better now.

Poor jack has only himself to blame. Wonder if Jem will answer or is Jo will miss him and just turn up anyway? Looking forward t her reactions however and whenever she hears.

 

#355:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 9:19 pm

Thanks Jennie.

I hope Jack can break the news to Jo and she doesn't go ballistic

Liz

 

#356:  Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 7:41 am

eeble weeble!! Jem's got some explaining to do!!!

 

#357:  Author: Robin, Location: London PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 9:38 am

looking forward to Jo's reaction...!!! Shocked

 

#358:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 10:01 am

Well Joey won't get hold of Madge, but what will Jem, or whoever answers the phone say?

 

#359:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 2:01 pm

*Hoping that Jem is out, and that Jack will be back before Jo can try and get through again* Laughing

Thanks Jennie!

 

#360:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 6:20 pm

Think it's about time Jack started treating his wife as an adult.

Thanks Jennie.

 

#361:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 6:58 pm

Carolyn P wrote:
Well Joey won't get hold of Madge, but what will Jem, or whoever answers the phone say?


Hopefully something not very polite, but succinct, about the time difference Laughing

Liz

 

#362:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 8:26 pm

Ann wrote
Quote:
I have to wonder, considering the sort of women Madge and Joey have turned into, what Dick is like these days? Is it a Bettany characteristic or is it the result of their respective marriages?

Well, Jem is turning to the Lucys instead of the Bettanys, despite EDB suggesting that Joseete and Maeve were close. So i'm guessing it's a Bettany charactersitic.

 

#363:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 4:41 pm

Madge Russell, or Lady Russell as she insisted on being called, was sitting up in bed. She didn't call this a relaxing time, and thought longingly of the early days of her marriage when Jem would insist that she stay in bed for a fortnight if she looked tired or had been called upon to do some actual housework for more than a few days at a stretch.

And being asked these impertinent, inquisitive questions was more than enough for one person to bear. Indeed, who did this young man think he was?

'It's just a simple question, Lady Russell. When did you begin to feel that you needed the help and support of alcohol to get you through the day?'

'Young man, I have never needed alcohol to help me to get through my days. Indeed, I have never drunk more alcohol than was good for me. I am not an alcoholic, and never have been. Now, if you persist in asking me these impertinent questions, I shall walk out of this clinic. I may have been a little bit under the weather, and perhaps overtired, but there was no need for my husband to admit me to a clinic. Now, if that is all, perhaps you would be good enough to leave my room.'

'Lady Russell,' and in his voice the title was beginning to sound like an insult. 'Lady Russell, until you can begin to admit to your drinking, it will be impossible for you to benefit from this treatment. When you were admitted to this clinic, we took several blood samples which showed that your blood alcohol levels were such that you would have begun to suffer serious liver damage in a very short time. Now, we can, of course, discharge you from this clinic. You could return home, you could continue to drink, but if you insist on following that course of action, you will very soon be suffering from cirrhosis of the liver. Believe me, Lady Russell, that has very unpleasant symptoms and consequences.'

A silence fell.

'However, I see that you are still unwilling to speak to me. I'm afraid that I must repeat my first warning to you. Unless you begin to co-operate with the treatment, you will not be allowed to have any visitors. Good day, Lady Russell.'

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the Russells' apartment, the telephone bell began to shrill. Jem sat up in bed and cursed fluently. Who the Hell was it at this time of the morning!
Putting on his dressing gown, he went to answer the phone.

The voice of his sister-in-law greeted him. 'Hello, is that you Jem? I hope I didn't get you out of bed. I'm just calling to ask about Madge, I haven't heard from her this week, so I thought I'd call. Is Madge there?'

'No, Jo, it's three o'clock in the morning. What on earth possessed you to call at this time? I'm not disturbing anyone to come to the phone to talk to you, not at this hour.'

Jo's laugh trilled down the phone, setting his teeth on edge.

'Well, give Madge a message for me, will you, Jem? Just let her know that I've had a whacking great royalty cheque from my publisher, and I'm booking my flight out to Australia so that I can help her with Josette's wedding. I know that she needs my support with Josette being so troublesome, and I know that you'll be grateful that I can take so much of the stress away from Madge. I'll phone or cable with details later. Bye for now, this call's costing me a fortune.'

With that, she rang off, leaving Jem to groan loudly. He was willing to bet anything that Jack had chickened out of telling Jo about Madge, and now he was going to be lumbered with her.

 

#364:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 4:54 pm

Ooooh Jack in twouble - biiiig twouble!

 

#365:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 5:04 pm

Poor Jem, he is trying and the least he could have counted on is Jack's support!!!

Poor Josette too, she wont get a moments peace and Joey will be demanding Madge be released from the Clinic.

I suppose the one good thing is that Jem gets the chance to tell Jo a few home truths, face to face!! Twisted Evil

Thanks Jennie, and I hope you are feeling much better.

 

#366:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 5:19 pm

Hope Jem also tells Jack what he thinks of him! And how insensitive of Jo not to even apologise for the time of the call.


Thanks Jennie.

 

#367:  Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under PostPosted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 6:59 pm

Thanks Jennie - eek!!! poor Jem!!!!

how wude, Mrs Maynard!!

 

#368:  Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria PostPosted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 7:33 pm

Please let Josette escape before Jo arrives

 

#369:  Author: Jodi, Location: Glasgow most of the time PostPosted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 8:13 pm

not looking forward to joey arriving or fonding out...methinks there might be fireworks

 

#370:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 8:58 pm

OOhh heck. How very Joish! If I were Jem I'd put a call through to the San to Jack and tell him he had to tell Jo. I'd then change my phone number and get Josette out of the country as soon as possible.

Thanks Jennie.

 

#371:  Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester PostPosted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 9:23 pm

Oh dear oh dear! It sounds like Joey will be in for a very nasty shock!

Though in the particular drabble, it sounds liek she deserves it. Imagine phoning at 3am!!

 

#372:  Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 11:06 am

Shocked Poor Jem and Josette. The last thing they need is Joey bearing down on them all.

I wonder if Jem could get Joey in the clinic as well - that might solve a few problems Very Happy

Star Wars

 

#373:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 11:51 am

Please don't tempt me!

 

#374:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 12:58 pm

Poor Jem - but Jack hasn't had much time to talk to Jo about Jem's letter - if Jem thinks about it rationally I'm sure he'll understand that Jack will need to think things through properly before talking to Jo.

Thanks Jennie

Liz

 

#375:  Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 4:04 pm

Thank you Jennie - lovely shiny post.
Maybe the Australian airport security can refuse her entry to the country! Does Australia need Joey??

I sympathise with Jack - must be very hard to broach the subject (is broach a word?) with Jo and she probably wouldn't have wanted to believe him anyways!

 

#376:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 7:17 pm

Since the letter only arrived that morning I think it is abit unfair of jem to blame Jack. The letter may not have arrived, Jack may have been called into the san early to see an urgent case, the post might not come till mid morning, he may have been planning to talk to Joey calmly in the evening with time rather than in a hurry before work in the morning.

I know that we saw Jack chicken out, but Jem didn't and I hope Jack will have enough about him to tell Joey anyway that evening.

 

#377:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 1:21 pm

Yes, I'm taking liberties with time differences and with the state of telecoms.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Having been busy all day with the lectures and seminars that he had come out to Australia to give, Jem had put off making the call to Jack. As he checked his watch, he realised that it would be in the early hours of the morning in Switzerland. He smiled to himself, well, fair's fair.

He dialled the number and a little while later heard the phone ringing in Freudesheim. He knew that Jack would answer the phone because of the San. Normally he would have felt guilty about disturbing Jack's sleep, but he felt that this was a critical situation.

Madge was still playing dumb with her medical team, unless she was behaving like an imperious autocrat, and Josette, well, he was just discovering that his daughter was a likeable, good-humoured, intelligent person who was beginning to trust him, and there was no way that he was going to destroy that trust, their relationship was still too tenuous for that.

When Jack sleepily answered the phone, Jem told him who was calling.

'Have you received my letter yet, Jack?'

'Jem, do you know what time this is?'

'Yes, Jack, it's the same sort of time of the morning that Jo got me out of bed this morning. Now, this isn't a revenge call, but I was seriously worried to hear from Jo that she plans to come out here. The last thing that I need, or Madge needs, or Josette needs, is Jo. Did you get my letter? Have you told Jo what has happened?'

'Er, well, no, I haven't. I've been worrying all day about how to tell her. You know Jo, she won't believe that Madge has anything wrong with her, or that her sister can do anything wrong, so, you see, it's all a bit difficult.'

'Try being here, Jack. Madge is refusing treatment, and Josette is waiting to see John, to tell him that she's not going to marry him. She's going to Guernsey for the summer, and Ailie and the twins will probably be going there as well. I'm just waiting to hear from the Chesters and the rest. The last thing that anyone of us needs is a visit from Jo. So, you'd better tell her the truth.'

'I've told you, Jem, it's going to be difficult.'

Jem broke into Jack's words. 'Jack, Madge is on the verge of developing a serious liver disease if we can't get her to stop drinking. She must have this treatment. she's been dried out, but she's refusing any other form of treatment, and is till denying that she has a problem. You must get it through Jo's head that Madge is in real danger. I know that means that she will want to rush to Madge's side, but Madge can't have any visitors at all, and I'm not having Jo nagging away at Josette about the wedding.'

'I'll tell her today, Jem. I just hope that I'm alive at the end of it.'

'You will be, Jack. Now, I won't keep you up any later, but please tell Jo.'

'good night, Jem. Yes, I'll do it first thing this morning.'

Jack put the phone down and went thoughtfully back to his bed. He was glad, that with all the problems that he had with his family, he wasn't facing the situation that Jem was in. He was dreading telling Jo, but there was no help for it, she had to know. Much as he loved Jo, he had to admit that she was quite capable of going her own way and ignoring the wishes of other people. It seemed that she had caught the habit of thinking that she was always right from her elder sister.

 

#378:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 1:29 pm

Thanks Jennie

Looking forward to seeing Jo's reaction when she finds out

Liz

 

#379:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 1:49 pm

*pokes Jo*

*pokes Jack*

*pokes Madge*

*hugs Jem and Josette*

 

#380:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 2:16 pm

Jennie wrote:
It seemed that she had caught the habit of thinking that she was always right from her elder sister.


Or of course they both caught it from their husbands?
Shiny post, Jenny. Thank you.

Just get Josette out of there quickly, please.

 

#381:  Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 9:10 pm

Considering both husbands have been RLGAs until now, I'd not be surprised if that's where Madge and Jo caught it from!

Thanks Jenny.

 

#382:  Author: Kathryn, Location: Kyabram (north of Melb) PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 11:12 pm

Sophoife wrote:
Considering both husbands have been RLGAs


Real life......???
Probably an accurate description, but what does it mean?!

 

#383:  Author: Miriam, Location: Jerusalem, Israel PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 11:20 am

Kathryn wrote:
Sophoife wrote:
Considering both husbands have been RLGAs


Real life......???
Probably an accurate description, but what does it mean?!


Real Life Great Aunts? I'm making wild guesses, based on The fact that the Swallowsd and Amazons always referred to the great aunt as the GA. I'm not too sure how it fits though. Rolling Eyes

 

#384:  Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 5:55 pm

Thanks for more of this Jennie. Hopefully Jack can get through to Jo that she's going to do much more harm than good by coming over to Australia.

Star Wars

 

#385:  Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 11:25 pm

RLGA = Right Little God Almighty

got it from reading Lucilla Andrews Smile

 

#386:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:17 pm

Miriam wrote:


Real Life Great Aunts? I'm making wild guesses, based on The fact that the Swallowsd and Amazons always referred to the great aunt as the GA. I'm not too sure how it fits though. Rolling Eyes


Must admit that was my guess too Very Happy

 

#387:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 10:20 pm

Thanks Jennie. I do hope Jack gets through to Jo but I don't think it will be easy. Looking forward to seeing the scenes between them.

Hope he doesn't take the cowards way out and give her a little dose or two.

 

#388:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 9:17 am

Makes you wonder - did Madge's dependence on alcohol, grow from dependence on being doped.

Liz

 

#389:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 10:19 am

We don't really see (in pb, at least) Madge being doped as often as Jo. But then, we don't see so much of Madge anyway.

 

#390:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 11:05 am

The scene between Jack and Jo that evening was not pretty.

Jack had attempted to keep it progressing smoothly and quietly, but Jo was having none of that.

Jack had told her that she would not be flying out to Australia as she was not wanted there. He attempted to give her the information that Jem had given to him, but Jo refused to listen. In the end, each was shouting the other down, and neither would listen to what was being said.

Jack spent the night in his dressing room, sleeping very little, and it was clear at breakfast the next morning that Jo was still in a state of high indignation.

When Jack again attempted to tell her the truth, Jo again refused to listen.

Impasse.

This was broken by the ringing of the telephone, which Jack dashed to answer. On picking up the receiver, Jack discovered that it was Jem calling. There was nothing Jack could do but tell Jem of his failure with getting Jo to see reason. Jem was silent for a moment, then asked to speak to Jo.

When Jo picked up the receiver, she immediately launched into a long diatribe against Jem and Josette, and almost screamed at Jem when informing him that her first action on reaching Australia would be to have Madge discharged from the Clinic.

Jem attempted to reason with her, but all his attempts were met by further diatribes or implacable silences.

Finally, he was reduced to speaking to her in his most dictatorial fashion.

'Jo, you are not welcome here, we will not have you to stay, you will not attempt to interfere in Josette's business, and Madge will stay in the Clinic until her treatment is complete.'

On hearing Jo begin again, he cut in abruptly. 'Fine, Jo. Just do that, will you. Perhaps you'd like to be chief mourner at Madge's funeral whan she dies of liver failure. But I tell you one thing, Jo. You will never again be able to interfere with my children's lives. Now, goodbye.'

Jo was left to shout down the disconnected telephone.

 

#391:  Author: Catherine_B, Location: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 11:13 am

Nuclear! Fabulous! Laughing

So is Jo going to jump on a plane anyway, I wonder?

Thanks Jennie, most enjoyable hearing Jo told where to get off!

 

#392:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 12:12 pm

Good for Jem, and, belatedly, for Jack - but will Joey listen?

Thanks Jennie - good to see this.

Last edited by Lesley on Sat Apr 09, 2005 2:08 pm; edited 1 time in total

 

#393:  Author: Kat, Location: Swansea PostPosted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 1:13 pm

Laughing Go Jem!

Jo, you silly bint, go and shove your head in an oven! Twisted Evil

 

#394:  Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield PostPosted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 3:08 pm

hammer Joey

I bet Jem felt much better after shouting at Joey like that Very Happy It was well-deserved. I wonder if Joey will take any notice at all, or if she'll still fly out.

Star Wars

 

#395:  Author: Sarah_G-G, Location: Sheffield (termtime), ? any other time! PostPosted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 3:55 pm

Wow! A lot has happened since I last caught up on this drabble! I'd quite like Jo to fall down a very deep hole at this point...

 

#396:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 4:12 pm

Good for Jem! I just hope he got through.

Jem should change addresses and phone numbers!

Thank you Jennie.

 

The CBB -> Ste Therese's House


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