The CBB :: View topic - Mike

#1: Mike - COMPLETE!!! Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 3:38 pm

For those of you awaiting more Francie and more Dreams of the Sun, more of them will be following later on. For now, this is a plot bunny that bit me while I was on holiday...
The first hint of the trouble to come arrived with the morning post at Freudesheim. Or to be more accurate, it arrived shortly after that, in the form of Claire Kennedy, Rosalie's helper, bearing a letter that had somehow ended up in the school's postbag instead of the one for the Maynard clan. How the mix up occurred was a complete mystery to both Claire and Joey, the letter's actual recipient, for the address was very clearly written in Mike Maynard's clear, round hand.

"Thanks for bringing it over, Claire," Joey said, frowning at the letter thoughtfully. "I was beginning to wonder where Mike's usual letter home was."

"My pleasure," Claire answered, grinning. "Anything to get a bit of fresh air before I start typing the next set of correspondence."

Joey mustered a smile at Claire's response, but other things were beginning to strike her about this letter, so much so that she barely noticed Claire taking her leave. The main thing was this letter seemed far thinner than normal. Though Mike didn't quite have the ready pen of either Con or Charles, he certainly did have a lively imagination and his letters tended to run to several pages describing his lessons, his masters, his sports matches, his practical jokes – perhaps a few too many of those, Joey noted privately, but he was a bright, lively and intelligent boy who bored very easily and always needed a challenge. It was only reason he had gone to Winifred Embury's tutor; there was no earthly way Joey – even with Anna and Rosali's help – would have been able to completely engage him. Stephen was a steady, hard-worker and Charles was studious and quiet. Both were self-sufficient mortals who had been trusted to read or play quietly for an hour or so when they were small. Mike, by contrast, was a livewire of energy and curiosity who just couldn't help but get into mischief through perpetual boredom when he was small.

At first, he'd resented being sent away. There had been tears and tantrums, but both Joey and Jack had been prepared for those. Then there had been the silent treatment, something that, from Mike, was just too funny for words: Despite his better efforts, he was a gregarious soul and the silent act had lasted barely a day. Finally, when he had exhausted his protests, Joey had spoken to him.

"Do you remember," she had begun, "when you were so very bored last week?"

Mike had nodded. "I 'member," he admitted. "Hate being bored."

"So do I," Joey had answered, smiling. "And when I was little, I used to be bored a lot."

Mike had frankly goggled at the concept.

"I was too young and too poorly for school," Joey continued, "so what Auntie Madge did was give me lessons. Just little lessons, one a day. One day history, one day geography, one day maths, one day English."

Mike's eyes had shone at the suggestion. "Could you do that?" he asked.

"That's what we're going to do," Joey had replied.

"I thought you were sending me away cos I was bad," Mike had murmured.

"Not that," Joey had answered. "Never that. I promise: Whatever you do, wherever you go, I will always love you. You are my son, Michael." She had wrapped him up in a hug. "If you absolutely can't abide this; if, after a week's trial, you still want to stay at home, then we'll see what we can do. But will you give it that week's trial at Aunt Winifred's?"

And Mike had nodded. "I'll try."

He hadn't looked back. He had loved the tutor, Mr Bryan, and he had adored the lessons. After the first week, he had spent the weekend alternately gabbling about all he'd learned in just that short time and begging to go back!

Coming back to the present, Joey realised that conversation had been nearly ten years earlier. Mike was now a young senior at his school and the sub prefect in charge of the rugger second eleven. The practical jokes in class, at any rate, had ceased, though he did continue to rag his compeers from time to time. All in all, he should have had plenty of news. So why was this letter so thin?

Puzzled, and not a little bit worried, Joey folded herself into the nearest chair and carefully slit open the envelope. As she'd guessed, there was just one sheet and it contained fewer than twenty words.

Dear Mother,

I'm in the most fearful jam. I need your help. Please?

Yours,

Mike.

Last edited by Ray on Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:44 pm; edited 13 times in total

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

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 3:46 pm

Ooooh. More please Ray! Even if the last post was only 10 minutes ago! Embarassed

#3: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 3:53 pm

*joins in the chant for more* Wink

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

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 4:00 pm

Adds drumroll to chant Liz *hooked already*

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

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 4:16 pm

Wow, thats a fascinating start Very Happy

*wants more, now!!*

#6: Author: Rachel,

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 5:11 pm

Ray what a fabulous beginning! I do hope you have lots more ready to post?

#7: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 5:14 pm

Oh do post some more soon please!

#8: Author: Cath, Location: Cornwall

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 5:52 pm

Oooh, what a great start! I'm hooked already. *joins the chant*

#9: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 5:54 pm

Another hooked, here. More please.

#10: Author: Emily, Location: Land of White Coats and Stethoscopes.

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 6:13 pm

I think you should go on holiday LOTS if things like this happen Very Happy

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

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 7:52 pm

I'm very curious. Can't wait to read some more...

Last edited by Alice on Sun Jan 30, 2005 9:46 pm; edited 1 time in total

#12: Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 8:02 pm

It was nice to see Jo being positive towards Mike over his schooling. *joining the chant for more*

#13: Author: claire, Location: South Wales

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 9:32 pm

There had better be more of this - soon, please

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

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 9:43 pm

oooh intrigued more soon please!

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

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 9:59 pm

Yet another one hooked - wonderful start Ray! Laughing

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

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 10:21 pm

Eeeek! Love the explanation oof why he was sent away so earlier - makes it seem so much better than in the books

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

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 10:33 pm

What jam? *wibbles* More please Ray, 'tis a very good beginning. JackieJ

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

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 11:27 pm

I'm most intrigued! More soon please, Ray!

#19: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 1:20 am

argh! ineed more! right now!!

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

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 6:12 am

Ooooo. What's he done? Can Joey help? More Please Quick!

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

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 11:13 am

Also hooked already - what's up??? Thank you Ray and please may we have some more?

#22: Author: Rachel,

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 11:22 am

Come on Ray, you can stop sitting there sniggering now and post some more! I want to know what Mike's been up to - obviously I have my suspicions but I want to know if I'm right or not!

#23: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 11:27 am

*grins* I actually wasn't sniggering until you mentioned it. Then it seemed like a waste not to ) I'm curious as to what you think he's been up to, though... I'm pretty much betting that whatever you're thinking it's NOT where I'm going with this Twisted Evil

Ray *plotting and aiming to post more this afternoon when she's finished messing around with code*

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

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 12:43 pm

*sulk because I thought that was an update* *wonders if Ray can have got her priorities right - messing around with code over drabble?* *cheers up with the realisation it is now the afternoon* Liz

#25: Author: Robin, Location: London

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 1:29 pm

wow! great start! glad that it is this afternoon so that I can expect some more soon! And I know what my first thought was... Robin *bends over and scoops her mind out of the gutter YET AGAIN*

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

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 2:58 pm

What has Mike been up to? Or been accused of? Come on Ray, it's definatly afternoon!

#27: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 10:41 pm

I've had some very interesting guesses as to what it is Mike's been up to *grin* So far, though, only had one tepid hit (*waves to Rachel*). More tomorrow...

Mike leaned against the windowsill of his room and looked out across the school grounds. Immediately below was the wide sweep of the gravel where important visitors parked their cars. Beyond that was a lush sweep of parkland and the tree-lined avenue that led up to the school buildings. In his vaguest and most distant memories, he remembered another place like this, where his biggest sisters and youngest aunts had gone for a time.

He knew none of them would have been in the position he was in now.

Not even Margot, his fellow black sheep.

He smiled faintly at the phrase.

"Black sheep are the different ones," his mother had said once. "Sometimes they have further to go; sometimes they have a harder path. That never means their mothers love them any less."

That had been after someone had made some sniffed remark about his behaviour on the boat to Canada. That had been just after the occasion he had been found in the company of the Captain. Her opinion had been that the Captain should have had him horsewhipped and that he should have been seen and not heard. She'd said other things, too. Things that, mercifully, he hadn't understood and that time had rubbed from his memory. His mother had, though, and his mother had been angry. Though Mike couldn't remember what had happened next, he got the feeling the woman had only evaded his mother's ire by the presence of the Captain – not that the Captain had been impressed by the woman's comments, either.

The woman's parting shot had been to wave an imperious hand at Len and Stephen, who were most successfully restraining Con and Charles, and spit: "Some of your children are quite well behaved, but he will never be anything but a black sheep."

That night, he'd cried, and his mother had held him.

Where was she now?

Last edited by Ray on Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:21 pm; edited 1 time in total

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

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 10:44 pm

Oh.

I thought there was bound to be more by now - the afternoon has well and truly been and gone! Ray?? ETA: Laughing

That was the quickest answer I've ever had - we must have posted at the same time!! Thankyou Ray *off to actually read it now*

#29: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 10:50 pm

It's still after noon, you know ) Anything to oblige, Helen *grin* Ray *about to impersonate Zebedee*

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

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 10:52 pm

Had she said that about one of mine I'd have punched her out. Twisted Evil

Poor Mike. Oh,and thanks Ray!

#31: Author: Rachel,

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 10:57 pm

Ray wrote:

I've had some very interesting guesses as to what it is Mike's been up to *grin* So far, though, only had one tepid hit (*waves to Rachel*). More tomorrow...

I guessed that Joey is in fact an alien and Mike is luring her away from her lair in order to slay her. Glad I'm on the right track at least. )

#32: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 12:09 am

It's tomorrow... Smile

After the momentary shock the letter had brought, Joey pulled herself together. That Mike needed to see her, and urgently, was not in doubt, but there were practical matters to be dealt with. She couldn't just up-sticks and dash across to England, much as she wanted to even as flimsy as this solitary plea for help was.

And then the phone began to ring.

"Funny how that always seems to happen," Joey mused as she uncurled herself from her seat.

With Anna away on a much-deserved holiday, Jack at the san and all the children either at school or university, she was on her own to answer it. As a consequence, it had neared the end of its fifth ring before Joey was able to pick up the receiver.

"Mrs Maynard?" The voice sounded crusty and exceedingly British of a type that made Joey instantly think of Colonel Black and the trouble the school had run into in their first term in Armifordshire. She couldn't quite avoid shuddering. "Dr Parkinson here."

For a moment, Joey was confused. There were no Dr Parkinsons working at the San, and besides, she was positive she'd recall one who sounded quite this stuffy. Then she remembered. He was the new headmaster at the boys' school. "Good morning, Dr Parkinson," she answered.

"I have a request to make," he continued, harrumphing. "Your son, Michael. He's in a spot of bother at the present time."

Last edited by Ray on Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:22 pm; edited 1 time in total

#33: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 12:36 am

argh!!!! MORE please!

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

Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 4:02 am

Ray, this an immensely shiny drabble, but it's FAR too short at the moment!!! Wink

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

Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 5:41 am

Thanks Ray! Laughing

#36: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 9:35 am

Please can you tell us what's wrong with Mike soon!

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

Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 10:06 am

Im very very curious now. Hurry up and tell us what has happened to Mike!!!

#38: Author: keren, Location: Israel

Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 10:21 am

It's nice to hear about Mike.

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

Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 10:27 am

Thank you Ray! Very curious!

#40: Author: Robin, Location: London

Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 10:28 am

Also very curious! *slaps nasty woman on boat* Poor Mike! Thanks Ray

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

Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 4:44 pm

So the headmaster knows whats going on then... hope he's understanding, whatever Mike's trouble is Which we'd really like to know by the way Laughing

Liz

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

Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 5:30 pm

Well I finally managed to catch up and you've told us precisely nothing. I'd be sulking if I wasn't so worried about Mike! (thanks Ray Smile

)

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

Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 10:45 pm

*Wibbles* the headmaster is involved? it must be serious!!! but i LOVE the way Jo's mind jumped to all the doctors at the San and couldn't remember her son's headmaster

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

Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 11:05 am

*worried* I *hope* the headmaster is understanding but for some reason I don't think he is... Hopefully I'm wrong because I really have no reason for thinking that right now.

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

Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 12:34 pm

This is excellent, Ray - but please let us know what's happened as soon as you can!

#46: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 12:48 pm

I had intended to post some yesterday evening, unfortunately I had a hockey club committee meeting, which ran long Sad

But there should be some more this evening. Ray *would write some more now but has left all her notes at home* * Embarassed

#47: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 10:42 pm

Have just caugt up with this Ray. It is wonderful Hope you have found your notes cos I really would like to know Mike's problem.

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

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 1:14 am

me, too, Susan! (yes it's wonderful and yes I hope Ray you've found your notes) Ray...?

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

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 1:50 am

Isn't hockey over yet? Need to know what trouble Mike is in!

#50: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 12:36 pm

Yey, another Ray drabble. Please post more Ray - I'm really intriuged. I have some ideas, but they're probably all wrong.

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

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 1:54 pm

*points out that it's now Friday* Please Ray, may we have some more, since it's been exceedilngly shiny up until now? JackieJ

#52: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 10:38 pm

I've been crap and everyone on here's been really shiney and nice and patient - here's the very very overdue installment and I will try and get two more installments done tonight/tomorrow morning.

Mike heard the door open behind him.

"Why don't you own up?" The voice of the current Head Boy, Alistair Watson, was sorrowful. "It was all an accident and…"

"And I didn't cause it," Mike cut in, not bothering to turn and face his one-time friend. "If I own up to causing it, it would be as bad as if I was lying about it now. Which I'm not." The last words were said without rancour. Mike had used up his supply of that over the past week and all that remained was a tired matter-of-factness.

"Maynard…" Alistair began.

Slowly Mike turned away from the window and met the Head Boy's disappointed gaze. "I didn't do it."

Alistair looked away first.

Last edited by Ray on Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:23 pm; edited 1 time in total

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

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 11:02 pm

Thank you, shiny Ray! Smile

But we're still on that cliff!

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

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 11:04 pm

Thank you Ray Very Happy

wonders what happened to 'innocent until proven guilty'. They seems to be assuming Mike has caused this accident Confused

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

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 12:08 am

And his friend has deserted him. Poor Mike - 'give a dog a bad name...' Thanks Ray!

#56: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 12:24 am

I hate to say it, but that's the least of what Alistair has done... Twisted Evil

More at a saner hour of the morning...

Dr Parkinson harrumphed again and for one horrible second, Joey thought he was going to ask her to remove Mike from the school.

"Michael and some of the other senior boys were out last weekend. They had received permission to go into town. Considering that quite two thirds of the prefects were in the group, including your own Michael, none of the staff felt any qualms about granting permission."

Joey silently nodded. She could well imagine the school authorities' thinking on the matter. If you couldn't trust your prefects to behave well without supervision, who could you trust?

"I don't know if you know our town at all," Dr Parkinson continued, and Joey detected a kindly note to his voice, behind the bluster and crust, "but there is a river running through the town's centre. It's not particularly deep or fast flowing, but it is quite wide."

"I have visited several times," Joey replied quietly. "I know it."

Dr Parkinson harrumphed for a moment, then said, "Last Saturday, the boys were walking beside the river. There, they met a gang of local boys. There were words spoken and everything seemed to pass off acrimoniously but otherwise harmlessly. Our boys continued their walk, heading back towards the school when Michael and another boy, Robert Winstanley, remembered that they had to collect photographs from the local chemist's shop." Another harrumph. "They turned back. En route to the chemist's shop, they ran across the local boys who, in the meantime, had found themselves a new target; a young lady by the name of Elizabeth Harptree…"

"Mike's Housemaster's daughter," Joey exclaimed involuntarily.

"You know the young lady?" Dr Parkinson sounded surprised.

Joey smiled briefly. "Mike introduced her to me when I came to visit him last summer," she explained. "She is a fan of my books."

"Ah, yes; you write books for girls." Dr Parkinson harrumphed again; this time it sounded like it might be amusement.

"She's a nice girl," Joey observed. "Is she all right?"

There was a long and tense silence.

"She will be," Dr Parkinson eventually temporised. "She's currently in hospital."

Last edited by Ray on Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:23 pm; edited 1 time in total

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

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 12:30 am

Ohhhhhh, what happened? Crying or Very sad

#58: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 1:26 am

Didn't I say I was going to go to bed?...Oh well...

Mike turned back to the window. It was his only real view of freedom. The school authorities had confined him to the building ever since that fateful Saturday. It seemed fitting, somehow. Here he was, confined to the building, while Elizabeth was confined to a hospital bed. Except it wasn't fitting: He knew he would be walking out of the building sometime soon. Elizabeth didn't have that knowledge.

"'Fess up," Alistair urged.

"I'm not going to lie," Mike replied. "I didn't do it."

"But you were there!"

"So were you." Mike felt a surge of anger. "So were you; so was Winstanley, so was Langer. I don't see any of you being blamed for this."

"I didn't see what happened."

Mike could hear the lie to Alistair's words. "Of course not." He fixed his gaze to the top of the farthest tree. "Get out."

"But I…"

"Get out." The words forced themselves from between gritted teeth. "Get out before I actually do something."

"Are you threatening me, Maynard?" Alistair asked coldly.

Mike slowly turned back to the Head Boy. "It's not a threat, Watson, it's a promise. Now get. out."

Last edited by Ray on Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:24 pm; edited 1 time in total

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

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 1:46 am

Ohhhh, so did Alastair attack the girl, one of the local boys or what??? Very, very, very intrigued. *See you've not gone to bed either, Ray! Rolling Eyes

#60: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 1:53 am

Can't believe I've managed to miss this one. Looks great Ray. I presume Mike's being set up for something then? (Apologies if I've just stated the obvious there!!) Glad to see there's at least two other people who're also up and about! Laughing

#61: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 2:31 am

Ohie, poor Mike... Sad

Thanks Ray! (And thanks for filling out my survey too, that was great!)

#62: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 2:32 am

poor mike!

#63: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 3:06 am

Sure doesn't sound as though Mike would have done anything to harm Elizabeth, if that's the trouble. *VERY suspicious of Watson* Thanks, Ray!

#64: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 10:36 am

Thanks very much, everyone - glad you're enjoying it Smile

Quote:

Though I was glad to see that this Joey had been taking an interest in Mike at school and had been to visit him.

Well, Joey isn't in every page of the Swiss books so I figure it's not unreasonable to have her visit the boys at school when she can )More later on today :)Ray *working hard*

#65: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 10:57 am

Thanks Ray! Poor Mike hope someone believes him soon!

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

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 12:12 pm

Hope Jo can help Mike and that Elizabeth is able to recover and let people know what really happened. poke

Alistair Liz

#67: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 12:23 pm

A nice long section for you. Things will start unravelling soon...

Joey's heart skipped a beat. She remembered Elizabeth well. She was a nice, bright, friendly girl a shade older than Charles. "What happened?" she asked.

This time there was no harrumph, as if Dr Parkinson had finally got into his stride. "Your son recognised Elizabeth and dived headlong into the group to rescue her; that much is clear. More than that, isn't. There was a mêlée. Several of the local boys ended up battered and bruised. Four of our boys, including your son, ended up in a similar condition. Elizabeth was, somehow, knocked unconscious and pushed into the river. Your son was the closest person to her."

Joey's heart leapt into her mouth. She didn't need to hear any more to know what Mike was being accused of, nor did she need to hear any more to know that it was the one thing Mike would never have done. No matter how much he'd scrapped with his brothers, he had never, every hurt one of his sisters; the idea seemed an anathema to him. Stephen, Felix and even Charles had all lashed out once in the direction of their female siblings when they were younger, but never Mike. And even if that hadn't been the case, Joey knew Mike couldn't have done: He thought far too much of Elizabeth.

"Now," Dr Parkinson continued gravely, "I know that Michael was not the one to injure Elizabeth. He has said that to me, and I believe him. I also know, however, there is far more to what occurred last Saturday and whatever it is that Michael knows, he is refusing to say." Dr Parkinson paused. "Because of those circumstances, however, and because of allegations made by one of our other boys and the way the tale has spread through the school, I have been forced to suspend your son."

A sour taste filled Joey's mouth. "What happened to 'innocent until proven guilty'?" she asked coldly.

"It is not that way, Mrs Maynard," Dr Parkinson replied patiently. "I have not convicted him of anything. Unfortunately, his compeers have and he is refusing to say what did happen. I had to step in for his own good."

Joey could well imagine how that would be the case. Girls could be similarly bull-headed when they considered one of their own had sinned and not owned up. Hadn't Len described a situation like that during Jack Lambert's first term? But of course, that hadn't been this serious.

"What do you want me to do?" Joey asked, already making her mind up to travel to England just as soon as she could, regardless of what Dr Parkinson's request was. This was not a time she was prepared to be separated from her son.

"I appreciate that you are overseas; is there someone, a family member here in England, who could come and reason with Michael? I have tried, but I don't believe he sees me as being on his side. Mr Harptree has also tried; he, more than anything, wants to know what happened to his daughter. But so far, Michael has remained silent."

"I shall come myself," said Joey firmly.

"Are…" Dr Parkinson stopped, then harrumphed. "Of course. When can we expect you?"

After a few moments of hasty calculations, Joey said, "Tomorrow." She wished it could be sooner, but even if she managed to find a seat on the immediate next flight, and left immediately, she still wouldn't arrive in England until the evening and this was not something to tackle when tired. She knew that Mike could be as stubborn as a herd of mules when he wanted to be and, from the sounds of things, that was exactly what he wanted at this moment.

"Thank you, Mrs Maynard; I look forward to meeting you."

Last edited by Ray on Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:25 pm; edited 1 time in total

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

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 12:38 pm

Hurrah! Joey to the rescue! Although I bet it won't be that simple! Thanks Ray Liz

#69: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 1:25 pm

I do like Joey in this drabble Very Happy

#70: Author: Shander, Location: Canada

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 2:08 pm

I'm really loving this drabble Ray! I really like how Mike's character is being developed and yay for a nice Joey.

#71: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 2:29 pm

Yay for a nice Joey - Joey rocks! Smile

Thanks Ray!

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

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 3:18 pm

So is it the 'Head Boy' that's really guilty? And if so, why is Mike protecting him? Thanks Ray.

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

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 3:26 pm

er... blackmail of some variety? Thanks Ray, this is veeery interesting.

#74: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 3:35 pm

Waheeyyy. Thanks Ray. This is shaping up marvellously. I can't wait for the next part.

#75: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 4:53 pm

Go Joey! Thanks Ray, and loving Joey in this - that's the second time I've said that in a drabble this evening!

#76: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 5:04 pm

Perhaps Mike thinks that Watson should own up to what he has done, and take his punishment like a man.

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

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 9:31 pm

Hmmmmm, yes, it could be the sneaking v reporting thing. I have an idea that the lines may have been different at a boys school, although I may be wrong. Thanks Ray JackieJ

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

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 9:38 pm

My mind went to sneaking vs reporting as well. I like seeing more of Mike in this, and how good and refreshing to see a Joey that is appearing to be a good mother to her boys.

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

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 9:40 pm

Poor Mike!!!! And good for Jo!

#80: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2005 1:15 am

Glad to see Jo can treat at least one of her children sensibly. Poor Mike hope it is all sorted soon.

#81: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2005 8:37 am

Just caught up and looking forward to seeing this continue. Ray has a good point that Joey is not in every page of the Swiss Books. EBD would concentrate on the girls as she would assume that her intended audience wouldn't be interested in boys. At least that's what I've always assumed. I know when I was at school (and I'm only slightly younger than the Triplets), boys were of no great interest. Little did she know her heroine would be criticized by adults. *Wonder if EBD spins in her grave.* Thanks Ray.

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

Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2005 2:41 pm

Its good to see a Joey who supports her sons as wellas her daughters. Poor Mike, I hope this mess can be sorted!!

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

Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2005 3:58 pm

Nice to see Joey being good with her boys Very Happy

Poor Mike, it must be hard if the school think he's lying and those who know the truth won't 'fess up. Sounds like whatever happened had some history behind it Sad

Thank you Ray

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

Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2005 11:22 pm

nice joey! hope she can sort the headmaster and the other boys out in true joey style - although she can't offer them english tea at freudesheim.....

#85: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 12:12 am

In fairness to Dr Parkinson, I don't think he needs sorting out - unless you're talking about his unfortunate tendancy to harrumph at the drop of a hat... ) Sorry it's been a bit late in updating today - I had an essay due. More tomorrow...

The door of Mike's prison opened again. He wondered whether it was Alistair again or whether it would be another of the prefects come to try and talk him into confessing, but at the sound of harrumphing, he realised it was Dr Parkinson. Mike rolled his eyes to himself. At least Dr Parkinson did believe him but that hadn't stopped the Head Master form suspending him and confining him to the sanatorium like this.

"I've spoken with your mother," Dr Parkinson said.

Mike felt a flash of fear. Was he to be expelled?

"She will be here tomorrow." Dr Parkinson harrumphed again. "You aren't being expelled," he continued. "But this present state of affairs cannot be allowed to continue. I hope that you feel you can talk to your mother in a way that you seem unable to do with any member of staff here."

Mike thought over what he knew and silently shook his head. He would not own up to things because he had not done them; he could not report what had happened because no-one would believe him. Either way he was doomed to be accused of cowardice. Better to just go forward with as clean a conscience as was possible.

After a long silence, Dr Parkinson harrumphed again. "I also thought you might wish to know that Elizabeth is a little better today."

"Has she come round yet?" Mike asked quietly.

"She came round last night," Dr Parkinson replied. "She is in a lot of pain, though." For a few moments, Mike felt a little shaft of hope pierce the gloom. "Unfortunately," Dr Parkinson continued, "she seems to have no memory of the events of Saturday."

Mike's heart sank. "Oh."

So it was down to his word against theirs, and he knew who would be believed. And it wouldn't be the Maynard Black Sheep.

Last edited by Ray on Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:26 pm; edited 1 time in total

#86: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 1:06 am

at Dr Parkinson's harrumphing! Poor Mike. Come on Joey, surely you can help him out?

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

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 5:00 am

Poor Mike, lets hope he will be able to trust his mum!

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

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 7:19 am

But surely at school he's not

Quote:

the Maynard Black Sheep

He can't be, or he wouldn't be a prefect.

#89: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 7:29 am

Poor Mike! He may not be the 'black sheep' at school but I expect it is ingrained in him to regard himself as that. Poor lad. thanks Ray.

#90: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 9:09 am

Poor Mike

Hope Elizabeth will regain her memory soon!

#91: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 9:46 am

Poor, poor Mike, he feels that everyone and everything is against him.

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

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 11:28 am

Thank you Ray. Poor Mike - hope Joey can help.

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

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 11:28 am

Poor Mike. If Dr Parkinson believes him, what is he doing punishing him!! Liz

#94: Author: Robin, Location: London

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 2:48 pm

Poor Mike Hurry up and get there, Joey!

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

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 3:41 pm

Poor Mike!!! Hope Elizabeth will be okay, and regain her memory and clear Mike's name!

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

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 8:49 pm

Poor Mike, I too hope that Joey can help him. It can't be nice feeling that no-one will believe you. (((Mike))) JackieJ

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

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 10:20 pm

((Mike)) he could be the Maynard Black Sheep at school when compared to responsible Steve and plaster-saint Charles. but what happened?

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

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 11:12 pm

I hope Mike finds that once Joey is there he can speak to her about the incident (mainly because I want to know what happened!) Thanks Ray.

#99: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 1:11 am

Hope Mike trusts his mum and all this is sorted out very soon and that those that did it are punished.

#100: Author: dackel, Location: Wolfenbuettel, Germany/Cambridge, England

Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 9:15 pm

Hope Mike manages to trust Joey, I mean, if he can't tell her, who can he tell? Maybe she'll interfere, like she always does, and help him sort things out. Please?

#101: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 10:34 am

I found this bit a little tricky to write - sorry for the delay! Many thanks to Liz for taking a look over it Smile

The moment Dr Parkinson rang off, Joey dialled the Sanatorium. She didn't expect for one second that Jack would be able to accompany her to England – she knew that there were at least five emergency cases in at present and two of the other senior doctors were on leave – but he would want to know what was going on and more, she would have to tell him that she would be away for at least a couple of days.

Surprisingly, given the situation at the San, Jack was actually available to take the call. He listened silently as Joey retold Dr Parkinson's story. At the end, he sighed.

"He's certainly got your talent for finding trouble even on his lawful occasions," Jack observed. "But this seems like a bit much."

"Jack, he hasn't done anything," Joey replied.

"Oh, I know that." Joey could hear Jack's smile over the phone line. "I separated more than one scrap between him and Stephen caused by Stevie doing or saying something to one of the girls; and you seemed very certain of his fondness for Elizabeth." Jack sighed again. "But this does seem like a lot too much."

"What do you mean?"

If you straighten this all out," said Jack carefully, "do you think that Mike's going to want to go back to the school?"

That was something that had been nagging at the back of Joey's mind. "I don't know," she admitted. "And would it be fair to expect him to?" Joey chewed her lip thoughtfully. "I suppose that's a bridge we must cross when we get to it." It was her turn to sigh. "Poor kid – I wish the school had contacted us sooner."

"Heart up," Jack answered. "He's had a rough time of it but that'll be over soon if I know you. I wish I could get the time to go with you but with Morrison at his father's funeral and Graves treating his wife to a rest-cure…"

"I know," Joey replied. "And Hilary certainly needs the time away."

"All too true," said Jack in a tone that suggested there was more, even, to the Graves' trip to the South of France than Joey was aware. Wisely, though, Joey didn't press for details. "Give Mike my love?"

"I will," Joey promised. "And I'll call you tonight, when I arrive."

Last edited by Ray on Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:27 pm; edited 1 time in total

#102: Author: Robin, Location: London

Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 10:41 am

thanks Ray *also wondering what's wrong with Hilary* glad mike has both his parents on his side though

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

Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 10:42 am

what Robin said!!! Thanks Ray!

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

Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 11:20 am

Quote:

"Poor kid – I wish the school had contacted us sooner."

Exactly what I was thinking! Ray, thanks for showing us a glimpse of real Stephen.

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

Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 6:06 pm

thank you Ray and here I was thinking that it was all going to be about mike when you introduce hilary graves! what's going on there?

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

Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 8:52 pm

Glad that they both trust Mike. Worried about Hilary.

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

Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 8:55 pm

Both parents give full support to Mike. Confused

Worried about Hilary.

#108: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 9:11 pm

Thanks for this Ray, it's good to see a story about Mike, and to see that J & J don't just think of him as a nuisance. Maybe Hilary is going to be busy? *Hoping for the best*

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

Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 1:55 am

Good to see that Joey was "too wise to press for details". Hope she can intervene and sort poor old Mike out! (And get the guilty party to confess and clear his name)

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

Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 10:50 am

Thanks Ray Liz

#111: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 12:04 pm

Hilary will receive her own drabble in due course. In the meantime, here's more of this drabble...

At one o'clock, the bell for lunch rang. Distantly, Mike heard the clatter of three hundred boys all heading for the refectory. He didn't move. Part of his suspension was remaining in isolation. In truth, though, he wasn't sure he really wanted to be in the refectory right now. The couple of meals he had suffered through on Sunday had been a nightmare of the worst sort.

Everyone had stared at him, believing him to be the one who'd caused Elizabeth's injuries. No-one had said anything, of course; at least, not to his face. They had just stared.

The door of his prison opened yet again. "I've brought your lunch, Maynard." The words revealed his new visitor to be Mr Harptree. "I also brought up a couple of text books and some paper; I thought you might like something to do."

Mike turned to face his House Master. "Thank you."

Harptree smiled faintly as he deposited lunch tray and books on the room's solitary table. "I also thought you'd like to know that Elizabeth is going to be fine."

Mike mustered a smile. "That is good news; thank you, sir."

Harptree nodded. There was a long pause, then the House Master said, "I wish you would reconsider and tell us what happened on Saturday." Mike looked down at the floor, wishing he could do just that and knowing that it wouldn't help matters one jot. "I understand your mother is arriving tomorrow. Should I tell Elizabeth to expect a visit from her?"

"I don't know," Mike answered. "Knowing mum, probably."

Harptree nodded again. "All right." He turned to leave. "I expect one of the domestic staff will be up to collect the tray later." He paused. "Do try and eat something, Maynard. Nothing is worth starving yourself over." And with that, he was gone.

Mike looked at the tray. None of the food seemed remotely appetising. Still, Harptree was right, he should eat something. Spotting a bread roll amongst the dishes, he grabbed that, selected one of the textbooks, sat down on the bed and began to read.

Last edited by Ray on Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:27 pm; edited 1 time in total

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

Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 12:13 pm

Why won't it help matters? Really hope Joey can get to the bottom of this mystery. Thanks Ray.

#113: Author: Mihiri, Location: surrey england

Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 12:22 pm

Just read all of this, thanks Ray. Is lovely to see a different side of joey, I hope she can help sort thigns out. Im also glad to see that Elizabeth's dad doesnt seem to eb blaming Mike.

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

Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 12:52 pm

Is good to see that Mr Harptree is judging Mike. Hope Joey can help him. Thanks Ray - lookign forward to Hilary's drabble too! Laughing

#115: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 12:54 pm

Thanks Ray, I really hope Mike's name will be cleared soon!

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

Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 1:33 pm

*Also wondering why it wouldn't help matters* Is whoever did it so perfect that they wouldn't believe Mike? *worries* JackieJ

#117: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 1:12 am

At least Mike does have allies. Can't Jo's plane go any faster?

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

Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 12:01 pm

At least someone has thought of giving Mike something to do instead of just stewing over his own thoughts. It sounds like nobody believes him guilty of whatever happened, so why is he being punished like this. Thanks Ray Liz *looking forward to Hilary's story*

#119: Author: dackel, Location: Wolfenbuettel, Germany/Cambridge, England

Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 9:51 pm

Looking forward to more...

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

Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 11:12 pm

dackel wrote:

Looking forward to more...

preferably VERY soon only cos it's so good Ray Very Happy

#121: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 6:51 am

Thank you Ray. Lots more soon, please.

#122: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 12:13 pm

I've really got to spend today working on other things (and that includes not spending the whole afternoon yibbling and reading on the CBB!), but I will try and put out the next part this evening. As far as speeding up Joey's plane goes, I'm not going to be breaking any physical conventions OR employing concorde where concorde was never used *grin* but I will see if I can't speed things up a little ) Ray *is looking forward to getting Joey and Mike talking*

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

Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 12:33 pm

Darn! Thought that was an update! Sad

Hope you can get them talking soon RayLiz

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

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 9:07 am

Liz B wrote

Quote:

It sounds like nobody believes him guilty of whatever happened, so why is he being punished like this.

I think it's not so much that the staff believe him guilty, as protective custody from the student body. When the Head Boy came to see him, he was urging him to confess. the Head, & Mr Harptree haven't.

#125: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 4:23 pm

Lyanne, you're absolutely correct Smile

Though it looks like it's a punishment, it is more for his own good than anything - as will become very clear in a part or two... Meanwhile, many thanks to Jennie for the help here's the next installment - hopefully, more later...

The following morning dawned brightly. Joey felt tired by a combination of a day of travel and a night of worrying over Mike, but today was the day.

In the small room of a local hotel that she had been able to rent at the last minute, she dressed as if she was going into battle. In some ways, perhaps she was about to do just that. She finally looked at herself in the mirror and nodded: A smart white blouse and a well-cut tweed suit contrived to make her look business-like without being too severe. Just the impression she wanted to make.

Giving her hair a final pat with her hair brush – and at once blessing the time saving it was having short hair once more and mourning the loss of the great shells of plats she'd once laid claim to – Joey turned to leave the room. Breakfast was the first order of the day, then, at nine o'clock sharp, she would attend Mike's school, meet Dr Parkinson and, hopefully, straighten this whole mess out.

~*~

Mike slowly knotted his tie without entirely knowing why he was bothering. It wasn't as if his exile from the rest of the school was going to be over today, regardless of his mother's efforts, and there was no-one else to see that he was wearing the proper uniform. Still, it felt wrong not to be correctly dressed. The soft sound of footsteps and the rattle of a tea-trolley told him his breakfast was nearly here.

A moment later and one of the school's domestic staff entered the room, pushing a trolley before her. Mike offered her a shy smile and a polite "Good morning", but the maid ignored him, just as she'd done every single other morning this week. Mike sighed and watched her silently place his breakfast tray on the table. He guessed she resented this extra duty.

"I'll be gone soon," he found himself saying.

The maid froze for a moment, then, for the first time in the week, she turned and looked at him. "It'll be a crying shame if you're expelled," she said hotly. "Don't you let them get away with that."

Mike blinked, a little startled by the vitriol. "I'll do my best," he ventured.

The maid nodded. "Good." There was a moment's pause. "You're the only boy in this place who's ever taken the time to say thank you to us or say hello or treat us as anything other than non-people; we none of us want to see you leave. Especially not like this."

Then, having said her piece, the maid departed, leaving Mike feeling rather shell-shocked and oddly gratified.

Last edited by Ray on Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:28 pm; edited 1 time in total

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

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 4:41 pm

Thanks Ray*incites domestic staff to a demonstration in favour of Mike*Liz

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

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 6:06 pm

What a terrible indictment on the other boys -but good for Mike!

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

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 8:04 pm

Awwww!!! That was sweet! Glad Mike has always been nice to the domestic staff. Hope Joey can help straighten things out!

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

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 8:33 pm

How lovely!!! despite the problems, Mike inherant decency is recognised. I hope others will see it soon!!Thanks Ray Very Happy

#130: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 8:35 pm

Mike seems to be the only decent person in a school full of Rah-Rah's and Sloanes! Thanks Ray Very Happy

#131: Author: dackel, Location: Wolfenbuettel, Germany/Cambridge, England

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 9:30 pm

Joey without her "ear-phones" *shock, horror, maybe even heresy* but I can see why she'd be glad to be rid of them - and I'm sure they'd gone quite out of fashion... Wink

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

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 11:08 pm

*lies on floor still, grey and to all appearances...* no ear-phones! Aside from that sentance lovely post, Ray. I wonder just what will happen. And I think bit with the maid is brilliant - glad to see Joey's insistance on good manners has paid off.

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

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 11:28 am

Thank you Ray! And good for Mike.

#134: Author: Robin, Location: London

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 11:44 am

shocked that you've chopped off joey's ear-phones!! but really pleased that the maid realised that mike is a well brought up young lad. thanks Ray

#135: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 11:49 am

Hey! Why am I getting all the blame for Joey's earphones biting the dust?! It was the author of New Beginnings who did that, not me... There'll be more this evening - I have an entire website that needs to be programmed today... Ray *up to her elbows*

#136: Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 12:35 pm

Ray I've just read all of this - I love seeing Joey as such a good mother, and Mike as such a nice boy. Would like to bite the bumheads who did that to Elizabeth though.

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

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 3:59 pm

Quote:

"Don't you let them get away with that."

Sounds like the maid might be aware of what really happened?

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

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 5:12 pm

Well I'm glad Mike's getting some support *hugs him tightly* Now lets just hope either Elizabeth remembers or someone else owns up!

#139: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 8:13 pm

And as promised here's today's installment. More tomorrow...

Joey arrived at the school at exactly nine o'clock. The taxi driver drove her the length of the impressive avenue, coming to a halt in with an equally impressive spray of gravel, just in front of the wide front doors. She thanked him and paid the fair.

"Will you be requiring a taxi back?" the driver enquired.

"Eventually," Joey answered. "But I have no idea how long I shall be."

The driver produced a card with the phone number of the taxi company and handed it to her. "For when you're ready."

Joey smiled. "Thank you." She slid the card into her handbag. "Thank you very much."

She turned and started across to the building. Behind her, the taxi pulled away. Movement caused her to look up and she spotted a very familiar if unusually pale face at one of the windows. Joey felt her heart contract at the sight of Mike's face and vowed that one way or another, this would be settled as soon as possible.

~*~

Mike sank down on the bed.

She was here.

She was finally here.

This would soon be over now.

Last edited by Ray on Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:29 pm; edited 1 time in total

#140: Author: Mihiri, Location: surrey england

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 9:11 pm

Thanks for the updates Ray. The last bit sounds slightly ominous though, I hope things aren't going to get worse for Mike

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

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 9:25 pm

awwww - it seems mike is glad to see his mother. i hope she can sort everything out....

#142: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 10:30 pm

I'm so happy to see a drabble where Joey's sons have a good relationship with their mother.

#143: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 10:37 pm

Thank you Ray. I do hope Jo can sort this out. She will need to be very 'Mrs Maynard' with this load of incompetents. The Head knows he was not responsible and seems to be unable to do anything about it Shocked

#144: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 12:27 am

Thank goodness Jo has got there at last. Looking forward to seeing her 'Mrs Maynard on her dignity' act with all those who have been horrible to Mike. Glad he was nice to the domestic staff.

#145: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 5:29 am

Thanks, Ray. I do like your portrayals of Mike & Jo. Hope things get straightened out at the school! *wonders whether the perpetrators have other guilty secrets known to the domestic staff*

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

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 9:42 am

Thank you Ray! Hope Joey can sort them out now.

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

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 10:51 am

Ray wrote:

Mike sank down on the bed. She was here. She was finally here. This would soon be over now.

Can't help thinking it might not be quite so quick and simple. Thanks Ray Liz

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

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:51 am

The school & the nasty boys don't know what thy're up against. This is Super-Joey, the lioness in defence of her young! She will conquer all! Won't she? :pale:

#149: Author: Robin, Location: London

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 12:43 pm

ok, need some more now please! Getting very worried about Mike! Thanks Ray

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

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 5:05 pm

*crosses just about everything that it turns out ok for Mike* Thanks for the update Ray

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

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 5:09 pm

Definitely looking forward to the next bit - Joey on her dignity promises to be good! Thanks Ray.

#152: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 9:41 pm

Sorry it's late today I've been feeling like three day old pond leavings most of the day and I don't feel entirely right now (though at least the chicken soup's stopped fighting back now...) Hopefully, more tomorrow.

Joey swept into the main school building very much on her dignity, determined to straighten out this whole mess as quickly and as painlessly as possible. Barely three paces into the entrance hall, however, and she was brought up short by the familiar, willowy form of Malcolm Harptree, Mike's House Master.

"Mrs Maynard," he began, offering his hand. "So very pleased you could make it."

"There was no other choice I could make," Joey answered, accepting the proffered hand. "Mike seems to be in trouble not of his making and…"

"And the school has failed him," Harptree finished, with a nod. "None of us are more aware of that fact than myself and Dr Parkinson."

"Perhaps you might see fit to explain what has been going on here in the last week?" Joey suggested.

Harptree let out a long, tired sigh. "This way, Mrs Maynard." Joey obliged, and followed Harptree into a spacious study. "Dr Parkinson will join us presently; he is currently overseeing this morning's assembly." Joey nodded. "Perhaps…"

"I would appreciate knowing now," Joey cut in firmly. "I do realise that your daughter is involved and that this can have hardly been an easy week for you, but at this precise moment, I am unclear just why it is my son, who Dr Parkinson was at great pains to say was not being punished, has been suspended."

Harptree opened his mouth, then closed it – as if he thought better of whatever his first response had been intended. Instead, he nodded and said, "Of course."

Last edited by Ray on Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:30 pm; edited 1 time in total

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

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 9:53 pm

Go Joey!!!!! Bout time it was said! Thanks Ray - hope you're feeling better soon.

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

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 10:13 pm

*hugs Ray* Hope you feel better soon hunny! Good for Jo!!!

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

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 10:20 pm

very much "Mrs Maynard, wife of the head of the San"much less of the "Chalet Girl when I'm a great-grandmother"fantastic!

#156: Author: Mihiri, Location: surrey england

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 10:25 pm

Love this portrayal of Joey. Thanks Ray

#157: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 10:40 pm

Way to go Jo! Hope you feel better soon Ray!

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

Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 9:26 am

*cheers Jo on* Its great to see her so dignified and supportive. Thanks Ray Very Happy

#159: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 9:49 am

This is a great Joey Ray! Very Happy

#160: Author: Robin, Location: London

Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 9:59 am

Go Joey!! hope you feel better soon Ray so that you can come back and enlighten us!

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

Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 10:32 am

Go Joey! I'm loving her in this! Thank you Ray - hope you're feeling better today.

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

Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 4:33 pm

Yay for assertive Joey, good to see her standing up for Mike and herself! Glad you're feeling a bit better Ray, hope you continue to improve *gentle huggles*

#163: Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria

Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 7:33 pm

Go Joey!

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

Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 10:41 pm

Yay for dignified Jo! Hope you feel better soon Ray Liz

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

Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 9:36 pm

Are you better yet Ray?Looking forward to seeing some more of this great Joey in action!

#166: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 10:03 pm

I am better (and thanks very much for all the good wishes - they really did cheer me up Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday) but there will be no more Mike until after the FG - I've been focussing on my novel this weekend, to just about the complete exclusion of anything else (!) and at some stage this week, I have to write an essay on Ninian Smart's seven dimensional model of religion. (I refuse to explain THAT any further - it's really not that interesting!) I can promise, though, that once I come back from the FG, I will wrap this up - and that includes writing Joey in action Smile

Ray *has many plots up her sleeves*

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

Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 10:15 pm

Ooh, I've only just found this. Hurrah for Ray! It's lovely to see a sane Jo. Glad you're feeling better Smile

#168: Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants

Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 12:55 pm

Glad you're feeling better Ray. Can't wait to see Joey in action!

#169: Author: dackel, Location: Wolfenbuettel, Germany/Cambridge, England

Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 10:01 pm

Jo standing on her dignity - what an unusual sight, I like it! Lovely to see her fighting for one of her sons!

#170: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:32 pm

Oh boy. Yet another drabble I've been leaving in limbo for *counts* five months! Oops...

And sad to say, this isn't a new part yet, either! BUT, the good news is, there WILL be a new part (parts, in fact) very soon as I want to try and get this finished off *BEFORE* the SG!!!

Ray *finally inspired*

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

Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:34 pm

Yay!!

Thanks Ray for letting us know.

Liz

#172: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:34 pm

I'd forgotten about this drabble - I think it was one of the ones I used to read as a lurker! Looking forward to seeing it finished Wink

#173: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 8:37 am

And as promised, here is the next installment.

Joey settled in the seat Harptree had offered to her and then looked expectantly at the Housemaster.

"By the time Michael returned to school on Sunday morning, a story had begun making the rounds," Harptree began after a pause. "A story that suggested that Michael had…" Harptree swallowed. "That he had made an improper advance on Elizabeth, suggesting that she should show her gratitude for the rescue."

Joey felt the blood drain from her face. Of all the things to be flung at Mike that had to be the worst. And at the same time, she knew Mike would have sooner sprouted wings than he would do such a thing.

"We…Dr Parkinson and myself, are not sure who started the rumour. It can only have come from the party who were out in town last Saturday, but each and every member swears to it that they did not. The whole group, Michael apart, are on report and will remain so for the rest of the term." Frankly, Harptree added, "I strongly suspect that I know who it was and were I to have any proof of it, the very least that would have happened would be he would have lost the Head Boyship."

"And yet, he hasn't and my son is the one who is suspended," Joey stated, anger turning her words to pure icy sentiment.

"Mrs Maynard," Harptree appealed, "we truly cannot convict someone with no proof. Nor could we leave Michael to face the boys' treatment. Though he has said nothing of it, I am sure that hearing the other boys, from the most junior junior to the Head Boy, whispering about him was the worst experience of his life. And, as hateful as it has been to suspend the innocent and leave the guilty free, I would support Dr Parkinson were he to take the same action again."

Joey chewed over Harptree's words. In them, she could hear the echo of things that Hilda Annersley had said, about the dilemmas of being Head Mistress or Master and of how cruel and unusual children could be.

"We feel," Harptree continued quietly, "that the basic allegation, that someone made demands of Elizabeth, is true. It is such an unusual thing for one of the boys to have invented without any form of prompting. We also feel that Michael knows who it was."

"But he will not say," Joey stated softly. Silently Harptree shook his head. "He probably feels that it is not his position to say. That it should be Elizabeth doing the telling because she was the one who was wronged."

"But she can't." Harptree sighed. "She came to after five days of coma and has no memory of Saturday at all."

Joey nodded. She wasn't entirely surprised. She knew head injuries could often induce amnesia and her heart went out to Elizabeth in that moment. "Is she up to seeing visitors?"

Harptree blinked, a little stunned by this unexpected question. "Yes, briefly at least."

"Then," said Joey decisively, "I shall go and see her, once this is all sorted out. If I may?" she added enquiringly.

Harptree nodded. "Of course; she'll be delighted to see you."

"And in the meantime," Joey continued, turning back to the matter at hand, "I should like to see my son."

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

Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 11:23 am

Lovely to see more of this Ray.

Hope this Head Boy is sh*t upon from a great height.

#175: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 1:18 pm

Hurray, this is back. Thanks, Ray.

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

Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 1:25 pm

Im so glad this is back Ray Very Happy

*cheers Joey on*

#177: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 7:11 pm

And here's the next bit - thank you for your patience; glad you're still enjoying it Smile

Mike was back at the window, staring sightlessly out over the school grounds when the knock came. He didn't bother to turn or acknowledge it knowing that whoever it was would probably enter anyway.

When they didn't, he frowned. Who was so formal? Surely none of the boys or staff. Even the maids entered without waiting and standing on ceremony (a necessity given the habits of some of the boys here). Then the knock came again, followed by the one voice he'd been longing to hear: "Mike, may I come in?"

"Mama!" Mike tore across the room and opened the door, flinging himself on Joey as if he were six not sixteen. "You came."

How Joey managed to remain on her feet after this unconventional greeting was something that even she wasn't sure. "Of course I came," she answered. "When have I let you down?"

Mike pulled back, a little sheepish. "I know…but Dr Parkinson's told you what they're saying?"

"And I don't believe 'them' for one second," Joey responded firmly. "Mike, I would believe it of none of my children but I believe it least against you." She met his gaze. "I believe you, Mike."

Mike swallowed, foreign tears suddenly perilously close. "Thank you."

"Now," Joey continued, "how about we go and sit down and we can talk."

Mike swallowed again and stepped back into his prison. "I don't know what to do," he admitted. "It's my word against the head boy's. I did so hope Elizabeth would wake up and remember but…" Mike sank down onto the edge of the bed. "But she doesn't."

Joey took up a position on the room's solitary chair, facing Mike's dejected form. "Begin from the beginning," she urged. "Tell me what happened on Saturday and we'll see what we must do."

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

Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 7:16 pm

Hugs Mike - glad Joey is there for him, hope she pulverizes the 'Head Boy'

Thanks Ray.

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

Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 9:37 pm

Thanks Ray

Looking forward to seeing Mike's viewpoint. And Joey's righteous anger being deployed (please)

Liz

#180: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 11:47 pm

Go Jo!

I'm still unclear why it's Mike that's suspended, but sure Jo & Ray will set things right -- eventually.

#181: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 2:39 am

Glad to see this back, Ray Razz

The 'protective custody' must be awful.

Go Jo!

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

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 8:39 am

great to see this back Ray!!!! Thank you!

#183: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 9:17 am

Hooray for Jo, I'm sure she can sort things out

((Mike))

Thanks Ray

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

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 9:34 am

Thank you Ray. Great to see this back.

Looking forward to seeing Mike's recollections of what happened and Joey sorting everything out!

#185: Author: Joey, Location: Cambridge

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 12:39 pm

O hurrah!

Thank you Ray - fantabulous to see this back.

#186: Author: Lucy, Location: Leeds

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 2:04 pm

Yay!!

Really glad to see this back - love Joey in it!! Very Happy

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

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 8:40 pm

i think Dr Parkinson needs to go to the Hilda Annersley school for Headteachers so he can learn how to make the guilty confess.

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

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 11:49 am

Lyanne wrote:

i think Dr Parkinson needs to go to the Hilda Annersley school for Headteachers so he can learn how to make the guilty confess.

Or at least get the number of her eye specialist. His gaze obviously isn't steely enough.

#189: Author: dackel, Location: Wolfenbuettel, Germany/Cambridge, England

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 3:15 pm

Great to see that this is back!

Poor Mike, let's hope Joey can sort them all out.

#190: Author: Rebecca, Location: Kendal/Oxford

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 3:40 pm

Hurrah! It's back!

Go Joey!!!

#191: Author: Robin, Location: London

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 4:24 pm

yay! It's back! thanks ray

hope Joey can convince mike that this would be one case when telling the truth wouldn't be sneaking...

#192: Author: Trinka,

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 3:16 pm

Yay! It's back! This was one of my regular stops, and I'm so glad to see it's been updated!

I wonder who assaulted her? Certainly not Mike.

#193: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 11:40 am

Joining in with the cries of Go Jo!

Hope she can help him figure out a way to get out of it all and convince people that he's telling the truth. Either that or that Elizabeth remembers something.

thanks Ray.

#194: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 1:00 am

More tomorrow (or later today, seing as it's 2am...)

When, at first, Mike said nothing, Joey began, "You had gone into town with a group of other boys. You had some trouble with some of the locals. Then one of your group remembered he had photographs to collect…?"

"That's Winstanley all over," Mike said, studying the floor intently. "He'd forget his head if it wasn't screwed on. I said I'd go back with him. Didn't really think that we'd have trouble with the Mods; they're just mouthy. Mostly." Mike sighed. "But we didn't know what they'd do if they found one of us on our own and Watson didn't want us to run the risk."

"Was he right?"

"Oh yes." Mike nodded. "Besides, the rule is no fewer than two in a party."

There was more silence. Joey finally broke it by gently saying, "So you and Winstanley went back."

"We headed back along the river path," Mike said. "Most direct way to the shops. About half way along, we found the Mods again. We'd expected that. They'd found another target to abuse in the meantime. We'd expected that, too. We were going to just walk by and carry on. No sense in making trouble. Then we realised who they were harassing and I just couldn't walk on." Mike sighed. "Maybe I should have done."

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

Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 6:06 am

No Mike, you couldn't - that's why you are a gentleman.

Thanks Ray. Laughing

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

Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 10:25 am

Of course you couldn't ignore it Mike

Thanks Ray

Liz

#197: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 12:39 pm

Thanks, Ray. And the next bit will reveal?

#198: Author: Kateth, Location: Heidelberg

Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 5:31 pm

Ooooh... I've just read this through in one go! And, wow. Loved it. Especially loved how you've written Joey and Mike, and how Joey was so good with him when he was younger. Very Happy

Thanks, Ray.

#199: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 5:33 pm

((Mike)) Glad he did the honourable thing and didn't just walk on.

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

Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 7:02 pm