Only the Virtuous. Part III Update 19/03 Pg 20 COMPLETE!!!

Select messages from

#

through

#

FAQ

[^/[Print]\]

The CBB -> Ste Therese's House

---

#1: Only the Virtuous. Part III Update 19/03 Pg 20 COMPLETE!!! Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 8:42 pm
    —
Cherry turned tear-stained eyes upon the other woman, “Proud of it? How can you be proud? I got pregnant at fifteen, was expelled from school without any qualifications, worked as a prostitute and ended up in prison. How can you possibly be proud of any of that?”

Hilda reached forward and placed both hands onto Cherry’s shoulders, looked directly into the girl’s eyes, “At the age of fifteen you decided to take on full responsibility for your actions, there are some adults that never manage to do that. When everyone was urging you to a-a-abort the baby you decided to keep it, you tried to continue your schooling but, when faced with extreme hostility from the headmistress you retired with some dignity.” Hilda paused for a moment to catch her breath before continuing,
“Yes, you became a prostitute, selling yourself to men, but, while I cannot approve of what you did I wholeheartedly approve of why you did it - for your child, your responsibility, your son. As to the act itself? Why should the seller be vilified but the buyer, the man, remain unsullied? You did everything that you could to ensure that Robbie have a decent childhood. He is a credit to you and your greatest achievement.”

Cherry blinked back tears, “Thank you Hilda, I appreciate that, but I was still in prison when we first met, and if it hadn’t been for you…”

“If I hadn’t been there you would have found some other way to continue,” Hilda replied softly, “You had other friends there,”

“I had no-one…” Cherry began.

“No?” Hilda raised an eyebrow, “I think you’ll find you had Geri Shaw and possibly Pat Francis, both of them would have helped. You would also have been helped by the Social Workers. It may have taken longer but you would have managed - you wouldn’t have accepted anything less.”

“I suppose,” Cherry said doubtfully, “and you think Shane will think that too?”

Hilda shook her head slightly, “I don’t know Cherry, I think he will - if he doesn’t then, in my opinion, he is not worth knowing. Perhaps you need to speak with him.”

Cherry nodded.

“Before that though Cherry, there’s someone else you need to speak to,” Hilda continued.

“Robbie?”

Hilda nodded.

…

Back in the tent Nell had managed to get the little boy to stop crying; the pair of them were sat on the groundsheet of the tent, Robbie on Nell’s lap listening while Nell read to him from one of his favourite books, Captain Underpants, and, although still very upset, he was giggling along with the story. Just as Nell had finished a chapter the tent flap was pulled back, Robbie looked up to see Cherry entering the room,

“Mummy!” Robbie scrambled up and ran toward Cherry who sank down on the floor and held her arms out wide, Robbie ran into them, his arms immediately going round Cherry’s neck, “I sorry Mummy,” he said, crying again, “I won’t do it again, promise,”

Cherry shook her head and tears started to run down her cheeks, she pulled Robbie to her, burying her head in his shoulder for a second,

“No Robbie, you don’t have to say sorry darling,” she said, brushing some of Robbie’s tears away and kissing him, “you didn’t do anything wrong. I was wrong, I shouldn’t have shouted at you, I shouldn’t have made you cry. I’m really sorry, Robbie,”

Robbie looked up his green eyes wide, “Mummy doesn’t say sorry,” he said with some surprise.

“Yes she does,” Cherry replied, “Mummies can make mistake, just like everyone else, I was wrong to get angry, you were only asking a question - something that I’d not answered properly. I didn’t mean to shout at you, I didn’t mean to upset you, I’m so sorry,”

Robbie sat for a few seconds, thinking, he looked into Cherry’s face then reached up with one little hand to wipe away some of Cherry’s tears, “Don’t cry Mummy, all better now,”

Cherry hugged her son closer, “Yes darling, all better now.”

Last edited by Lesley on Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:02 pm; edited 47 times in total

---

#2:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 8:49 pm
    —
Awww! Robbie is so sweet.
I hope that Cherry can sort out her relationship with Shane, one way or another.

---

#3:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 11:57 pm
    —
Yes, it was important, that Cherry should apologise to Robbie. And Hilda made the important distinction between what Cherry did, and why she did it...

---

#4:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 2:25 am
    —
I especially liked Cherry's admission about mummies.

(Hilda goes without saying. )

---

#5:  Author: Liane, Location: Manchester Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 8:47 am
    —
I loved that last bit with Robbie!
Thanks Lesley

---

#6:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 8:50 am
    —
That was lovely - thanks, Lesley

---

#7:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 8:33 pm
    —
Mummies often need to say sorry, I'm afraid, Robbie!

Well done, Hilda - and well done, Cherry, for listening.

Thank you, Lesley

---

#8:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 9:07 pm
    —
The rest of their holiday proceeded without incident and, on returning to the Real Chalet School, Cherry made a point of speaking with Shane, wondering if they could at least remain friends. Shane, who had been miserable since he and Cherry had stopped seeing each other, was keen to do that. He knew that he shouldn’t attempt to push Cherry into anything further. News came, via Niall O’Rourke, about the search for Rowan Elliott. As he had spent time in prison the police were able to use his description and fingerprints - a request to all law enforcement agencies throughout Australia had revealed that he had been convicted of drug trafficking in Queensland five years before - had been sentenced to six years in prison. He had served four years and, on his release just over a year before, had disappeared. Niall was extremely disappointed that the man had, literally, been within his grasp for many years. He had managed to see the photographs of the man and was able to positively identify him as the one who had attacked him during the raid. Information had been sent to all Police Forces warning that the man was a suspected cop killer.

Hilda and Nell had supported Cherry when she heard this news - surprisingly she was not as upset as they had expected. As she said herself, Rowan had never been a particularly close brother, never caring about her. She was, though, very disappointed, expecting that the news would immediately mean that Shane would not want to remain friends - however Shane himself proved her wrong.

The next term for the Real Chalet School started at the beginning of May and, for the week or so beforehand both Hilda and Nell were busy preparing everything. The second term of the year was only eight weeks long and promised to be as busy as any. Among other things was the promised Staff Evening. The Evenings had been reintroduced for Middles and Seniors during the previous term with each Year being responsible for entertaining the rest of the Middle and Senior School on a Sunday Evening. The evenings had all done extremely well and the Head was able to announce on the first Main Assembly, that the Staff Evening would be in two weeks time. Miss Annersley also advised on the dates for Half Term and that, for the first time, the Juniors and Kindergarten would be having mini field trips for Geography and Science.

…

In the Prison Butcher and her second in command were talking while both of them were working in the metal shop.

“I thought Shaw would have done something by now,” Rees said quickly, “I mean, you said she’d noticed a problem weeks ago, didn’t you?”

Butcher nodded, “Yes, about three weeks ago, maybe more. But why should you think she can do anything? We’ve not been able to yet, have we?”

Rees shook her head, “It’s not like a power play - you’ve had them before, can deal with them. But Wade and the others haven’t tried to take over have they?”

“No,” Butcher replied, “and they’ve followed all orders. But the underlying defiance is still there - and it’s spreading. Some of the mice have it now - have you noticed? As if they’re just humouring me.”

Rees looked across, realising that Butcher’s patience was wearing thin, “What are you going to do?”

Butcher thought for a moment, “A bit of digging first,” she said slowly, “I don’t believe that Wade has suddenly started all this up, not on her own. She’s been inside more than three years, she’s never been this subtle before,”

“She backed Sullivan last year,” Rees reminded her chief, “and she tried to defy you just after that Mason thing,”

“Yes, but this is different,” Butcher insisted, “she’s gathering more and more support from people and she’s doing it with money - and I’m sure her drugs business can’t be doing that well - the screws caught on to her visitor bringing the stuff in, she’s had little supply for the last few weeks.”

“So where’s she getting the money then?”

Butcher shook her head, “I dunno, I thought about her cell mate, Haslam,”

“Haslam? You mean the newbie? But she’s nothing, in for bribery and corruption, nothing more,”

“Nothing more?” Butcher smiled, “You know who she is?”

Rees shrugged, “What d’you mean? She’s nothing,”

“She was one of Masters’ gang. Regional Manager for Prisons. She’s the reason Masters got away with it for so long.”

Rees looked shocked, “And you’ve done nothing about it? Why?”

Butcher smiled, “Main reason? Because Shaw’s not stupid. Anything happen to Haslam and guess who’s door she’ll come knocking on? Mine.” She took a breath, “No, Haslam’ll keep, I’ll just give the Governor time to think that I don’t know who she is. By the time I do something about it Shaw will think it an accident.”

“But what if she is the one backing Wade?”

Butcher considered, “Well, maybe that accident might have to come a little earlier then. Speak with the rest of the women, I want Haslam and Wade watched, who they speak to, who speaks to them. If they have visitors identify them, if they are getting cash in I want to know about it. We’ve worked too hard to establish ourselves, Rees, no one is going to take it from us without a fight.”

Last edited by Lesley on Sat Jan 13, 2007 1:56 pm; edited 1 time in total

---

#9:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 9:12 pm
    —
This is looking as if it's going to get nasty.
Didn't you get the death and destruction bit out of your system last month Lesley?

---

#10:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 9:14 pm
    —

Pat wrote:

This is looking as if it's going to get nasty. Didn't you get the death and destruction bit out of your system last month Lesley?

No, it just fuelled the desire for more!

---

#11:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 9:17 pm
    —

Lesley wrote:

Pat wrote: This is looking as if it's going to get nasty. Didn't you get the death and destruction bit out of your system last month Lesley? No, it just fuelled the desire for more!

And someone said to me that you didn't do death and destruction!!!

---

#12:  Author: Sugar, Location: second star to the right! Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 9:53 pm
    —

Pat wrote:

Lesley wrote: Pat wrote: This is looking as if it's going to get nasty. Didn't you get the death and destruction bit out of your system last month Lesley? No, it just fuelled the desire for more! And someone said to me that you didn't do death and destruction!!!

I was wrong!!!

---

#13:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:08 pm
    —
Lesley does death and destruction very well indeed.

---

#14:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 3:31 am
    —

Carolyn P wrote:

Lesley does death and destruction very well indeed.

But surely she'll keep it to Advent! (*carefully ignores elimination of certain elements in previous episodes*)No, contrary to some rumors, it wasn't Lesley who killed Nell Wilson in that avalanche, was it, Carolyn?

All relatively serene after the trip.... Butcher safely in the know about Haslam .... sounds like a cue for mayhem.

Thank you, Lesley.

---

#15:  Author: Tan, Location: London via Newcastle Australia Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 7:24 am
    —
Aah. Have been wondering what was happening with Butcher and Geri.

*Sits back to wait for more*

---

#16:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 8:39 am
    —
I hope Haslam and Wade haven't managed to get a mole in with Butcher's people!

Thanks, Lesley

---

#17:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 12:53 pm
    —
As the others are all concerned about death and destruction, shall I focus on that Staff Evening you made such a point of mentioning, Lesley?

Many thanks.

---

#18:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 3:47 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I'm glad that Cherry and Robbie have sorted things out and they both got home safely. I look forward to seeing how Butcher deals with this.

---

#19:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 10:30 pm
    —
Partway through the second or third week of term, the problem affecting Katrina Palmer in the previous term reared its head again. But in a somewhat surprising way. Miss Derwent, the Senior Mistress, was the first to notice a problem, she mentioned it at the regular HOD Staff meeting during Any Other Business,

“I’m not sure if it’s anything,” Ruth began, “but have any of you noticed any problem with Katrina Palmer?”

The Head looked across, “What have you seen, Ruth?”

“I’m not sure,” Ruth replied, “I don’t have Katrina for any lessons, I only see her in class during Registration, but she seems somewhat subdued, I just wondered if Nell or Nancy had noticed anything? Her classes are in Maths and Science after all,”

Nell shook her head, “I haven’t seen her a great deal,” she said slowly, “Pauline is taking the Sixths for Chemistry at the moment, I’m concentrating on trying to get a little basic Science into the Thirds at the moment,” her response was accompanied by a rueful grimace that had most of the other Mistresses spluttering.

Hilda reached across and patted her friend’s shoulder, “Never mind, Nell,” she said softly, “in just a few years you will be extolling the virtues of a Chemistry prodigy from those very same girls that, at the moment, are causing you so much woe.”

“Hah,” Nell refused to be consoled, “more likely we’ll be seeing them succeeding in blowing up the entire School,” she shook her head with a grin, “I’ll have a word with Pauline, Ruth, she may have noticed something. What about Nancy?”

The others all turned to look at the tall Maths Head, Nancy was shaking her head slowly, “I’m not sure,” she began, “there may be something there. Katrina’s work hasn’t fallen off but she hasn’t been very happy recently.”

“I would be very surprised if the Third Formers had started anything again,” this from Julie Berne, “I had the impression, after Half Term, that they didn’t want to ever again cause Hilda to notice them,”

There was muffled laughter from all the others at this observation, then Ruth spoke again, “It may be nothing,” she said, “but Katrina definitely has been unhappy since term started. I wonder, could it be bad news from home?”

Hilda shook her head, “If it is I’ve not been informed of anything. I think, for now, we should just keep a close eye on things. Nell, speak with Pauline and the rest of you have a word with any member of Staff that has Katrina for lessons. Hopefully we’ll be able to get to the bottom of this.”

The situation was left like that and the meeting finished; over the next few days the Department Heads passed on their concerns to their own staff and Katrina Palmer was watched surreptitiously. Over all nothing concrete was found, although Nancy Wilmot did agree with Ruth that Katrina was rather upset about something. However she was obviously keeping it from her fellow Prefects as none of the others seemed concerned. Then, one morning, just after the bell for second lesson had rung, Miss Annersley was interrupted by a knock on her Study Door.

“Come in, oh, hello Ruth, What is it?” The question asked quickly as it was obvious that the Senior Mistress was very angry about something. For reply Ruth Derwent held out a sheet of paper,

“Read that, Hilda,” she said abruptly.

The Head took the paper and quickly smoothed the edges down. There were a number of lines handwritten on the page,

Don’t think it’s because you deserve it, Katrina. You were only made a Prefect because the Mistresses felt sorry for you. Such a good little girl now, she’s learnt her lesson, won’t be a naughty girl again. Everyone knows your mum and dad have split up, your mum’s even been admitted to the Psych hospital - yeah I know you said it was for observation only - but we all know she’s crazy.

So go on, tell someone about this - baby, sneak, can’t cope with the truth, can you? You know you shouldn’t be Prefect, you know you…

Hilda looked across, “Where did you find this?”

It was on the floor in my classroom,” Ruth said grimly, “I found it as I was clearing up after everyone had left for their next lesson.”

“Then Katrina must have dropped it?”

Ruth shook her head, “No, it wasn’t there when I started the lesson and Katrina doesn’t take A’Level English. I think it was dropped by accident, by the person that has written it.”

Hilda nodded slowly, “If Katrina has been getting notes like this then it’s not surprising that she hasn’t wanted to report them. Are you saying that the writer must be in your A’Level class?”

“Yes, I am.”

Hilda nodded, “Then I think we need to speak with them, don’t we?”

---

#20:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 10:45 pm
    —
Wonder if Ruth recognises the writing?! Or has the little s**t disguised it?

---

#21:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 11:28 pm
    —
Very nasty indeed, and extremely worrying.

---

#22:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 11:37 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I wonder whom has written the note.

---

#23:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 2:52 am
    —
Nasty! And I wonder how far the poison has spread....

---

#24:  Author: Liane, Location: Manchester Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 7:35 am
    —
That's awful! And from someone as old as that...

Thanks Lesley.

---

#25:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 8:52 am
    —
Nasty!

---

#26:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 1:18 pm
    —
Count on Hilda to worm out the little so-and-so! Fingers crossed anyway.

Thanks, Lesley

---

#27:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 2:18 pm
    —
Expulsion would be too good for them.

---

#28:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:37 pm
    —
I'm shocked that it's a member of the Sixth Form who's hassling Katrina. I wonder who?? She's certainly an unpleasant specimen.

Enjoyed Nell moaning over her Third Form, and am worried about future developments in the prison.

Will we get to see the Staff Evening? T'would be rather fun!

---

#29:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 2:47 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. We just can't have any part of RCS running smoothly, can we?

---

#30:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 5:42 pm
    —

Jennie wrote:

Thanks, Lesley. We just can't have any part of RCS running smoothly, can we?

I can write that if it's what you really want, Jennie.

It proved impossible to identify the handwriting on the note - it had been written in block capitals - obviously as a way to disguise the writer. After trying for some minutes the two women sat back, “We‘ll just have to speak with all of them,” Ruth sighed, “and hope that you can work your normal magic and discover the culprit,”

Hilda smiled, “Between Nell and your opinions of me I‘m sure you both think I should be a witch,” she said mildly, “I do agree though, we‘re not going to be able to identify the person’s handwriting from this note. You‘re certain the note couldn‘t have been there before your class started?”

“Absolutely certain, unfortunately it means one of my A’Level English class is the writer,” Ruth sighed, “but I’ve no idea which one.”

“That class is made up of how many?”

“Ten,” Ruth listed the names.

“All of them good students as far as I’m aware,” Hilda remarked.

“Oh certainly, they don’t tend to continue into the Sixth unless they are serious about studying,” Ruth replied, “though, of course, that doesn’t automatically mean that they have a good character.”

“No, the Head replied, “well we must see them, of course we must; but I think we will need to speak with Katrina first - she may have some idea as to just who could be sending her the notes - and she might be able to tell us a little more detail.”

As soon as the bell signalling Break sounded, Ruth Derwent went across to the Prefects’ Common Room. She returned a short time later with a very worried looking Katrina in tow,

“Miss Annersley? Miss Derwent said you needed to speak to me?”

Hilda smiled, trying to put the girl at ease, automatically noting the dark shadows under Katrina’s eyes, the worried expression, “I did, Katrina, won’t you sit down? Now, have you had a drink? No? Then let’s arrange that first,” the Head spoke quickly into her phone and, a short time later, Gill Culver appeared with a tray of coffee. After seeing that all three inhabitants in the room had a drink the Head sat back, “Katrina, I asked you here because I had heard some concerns voiced about you and because Miss Derwent here had discovered something rather disturbing.”

Katrina’s eyes flickered from one woman to the other, she shook her head, “I don’t understand, disturbing? How?”

For answer Ruth Derwent pushed the sheet of paper across the desk toward the girl, Katrina looked at it with some distaste but did pick it up. She quickly read the lines,

“Oh,” she said quietly.

Hilda reached across, placed her hand on top of the girl’s, “This is not the first such note received by you, is it?”

Katrina looked up, “How did you know?”

“It has been noted, Katrina, that you have been very unhappy since term began,” Hilda replied, “how long have you been receiving these notes?”

Katrina swallowed before taking a deep breath, “They started during the holidays,” she began, “I think it was the second week of the holidays that I got the first. When I got the first I didn’t know what it was - just a normal letter posted here in Melbourne. Now they seem to be arriving about twice a week,”

“Did you tell anyone you were receiving them?” Ruth Derwent asked gently.

Katrina shook her head, “I couldn’t say anything at home,” she began, “Mum and Dad are…” she paused, “well the letter’s right really, Mum was admitted to hospital over the break, she’s back home now but it’s still difficult. My parents are getting a divorce,”

“What about once you had returned,” Hilda asked.

“Well, to begin with, I didn’t think they would continue,” Katrina replied, “then, when they did, well I wasn’t quite sure whether anything could be done anyway - I mean the person is just expressing their opinion aren’t they? It’s free speech.”

“No Katrina, this doesn’t count as free speech,” the Head said grimly, “this counts as malicious correspondence - you can be prosecuted for sending something like this.”

Katrina frowned, “I thought that was only with emails and text messages?”

Hilda shook her head, “No, handwritten messages also count. Do you have any of the other letters?”

“No, I threw them away,”

“Pity,” Ruth said quickly, “what of the information in the letters? How easy would it be for someone to discover that information?”

Katrina shrugged, “Pretty easy I suppose, I’ve not kept anything a secret, most of my friends and the Prefects know or could find out.”

“Very well,” Hilda sighed, “this letter was discovered by Miss Derwent at the end of her A’Level English class, is there anyone in that class that you have recently had an argument with?”

“No Miss Annersley, I don’t know who could be sending these letters,”

“Alright Katrina, leave this with me, please,” Katrina turned to leave then stopped as the Head spoke again, “and make sure you let us know immediately should you receive any further letters.”

“Yes Miss Annersley,”

Hilda waited until her Study door had closed before turning to the Senior Mistress, “Not a great deal of help there, unfortunately,”

Ruth shook her head, “Nothing really, except that it has to be someone fairly close to her. If they were posted here in Melbourne it could point to it being an Australian girl?”

“Perhaps, though I’m sure it won’t be that simple,” Hilda replied, “well there’s nothing for it, we’ll have to speak to all your English class,”

A short time later a tannoy message went out over the loudspeaker system,

“Could the following girls please go immediately to Miss Annersley’s Study…

Kylie Anderson
Melanie Blake
Rose Chad
Angela Defoe
Carolyn Johnson
Kathy Lewis
Sally Lowe
Helen Murphy
Beth Reid
Janet Saunders…”

---

#31:  Author: Alex, Location: Cambs, UK Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 6:31 pm
    —
My guess is someone who is jealous because they weren't made a prefect.

---

#32:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 8:47 pm
    —
None of those names stand out, I wonder if they should?

---

#33:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 8:57 pm
    —
All I know is, if it were me writing the letters, I wouldn't like to have to face Hilda when I am discovered. Could be lots of reasons, I suppose, as to *why* they are being written.

Thanks, Lesley.

---

#34:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 10:07 pm
    —

Quote:

...you can be prosecuted for sending something like this.” Katrina frowned, “I thought that was only with emails and text messages?” Hilda shook her head, “No, handwritten messages also count.

Ah, the modern world!

---

#35:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 10:11 pm
    —
Oh dear....someone is being very unpleasant indeed.

---

#36:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 10:17 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I wonder if it will be any of those girls.

---

#37:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 8:36 am
    —
I have at two possible theories for this - both of which are probably wrong!

Thanks, Lesley

---

#38:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 6:30 pm
    —
Another meeting between Butcher and Rees was taking place at about the same time. The situation within the prison had not improved; indeed it had deteriorated quite significantly. Both women had noticed that the sense of underlying defiance had grown and there had been a number of occasions when that had manifested in inmates attempting to disobey instructions from Butcher and her team. So far these attempts had been quashed thoroughly however it was at a price – three of Butcher’s people were currently serving sentences in Solitary for assaulting inmates. More worryingly, however, was the fact that the attempts had not stopped; women were still defying Butcher’s edicts, even in the knowledge that such defiance was going to lead to a physical attack.

“There has to be a lot of money involved,” Butcher said angrily, “that’s the only reason these women are prepared to do this,”

“I agree, look at the one last night,” Rees replied, “Hutton’s been inside for nearly three years, hardly said a word, is a trustee and everything, then, suddenly, she decides to set up a book without getting your okay? And even when Grant confronted her she was still insisting that she could do it.”

“What did Grant get, by the way?”

“Ten days in Solitary,” Rees replied, “think Shaw is getting p*ssed about all the assaults, wanted to make an example. At least it was pure bad luck that the screw, Dean, caught Grant while she was kicking Hutton; don’t think they’ve got to the stage of grassing yet.”

“I wonder how long it’ll take,” Butcher replied, “if there’s enough money on offer it might come to that,”

The pair stopped talking as a Prison Officer walked over to see that they were working, the pair were in the metal shop, sat at the bench at the back, ostensibly working on car license plates. They worked in silence while the Officer remained close then, as soon as she had moved to the front of the workshop continued their conversation,

“So what more have you got to tell me, then?” Butcher demanded.

“Well I thought I’d got an idea where they’re getting their money,” Rees replied, “had that kid Bradley keeping an eye on Haslam, thought she might be getting it in from visitors,”

“Not Wade then?” Butcher began, then answered herself, “Oh no, she’s not having any visitors at the moment, is she? At least not without them being strip-searched.”

“Yeah, once the screws cottoned on to that mate of hers bringing in drugs, any visitor for Wade’s going to go under the microscope,”

“Right, so what about Haslam then? Is it one of her visitors?”

“No, she hasn’t had any visitors,” Rees said with an apologetic air, “Bradley said that, apart from a couple of legal visits, no one’s been in to see Haslam,”

“Damn,” Butcher said explosively, “but they’ve got to be getting the money in some...wait a sec,” she stopped and looked across at her lieutenant, “legal visit? Her lawyer you mean?”

Rees thought, “No, not lawyer,” she said slowly, “social worker,”

“Social worker?” Butcher drew her hand down her face, “Is that Kirby, by any chance?”

“Yes, Bradley did say it was Kirby, why?”

Butcher sighed, “Remember that mobile phone? Kirby’s?”

“Yeah but...oh!” Rees stopped, turned wide eyes on her chief, “You think Kirby is bringing in money for her?”

Butcher nodded, “It would make sense, wouldn’t it? We know Kirby was part of Masters’ gang – a small part, yes, but still in the know. And the screws might not be quite so thorough searching her – especially as she’s well known as being a part of the committee trying to arrange decent jobs and housing for cons when they’re discharged.”

There was silence for some seconds then Butcher spoke again, “Damn, damn, damn!”

“What?”

Butcher looked across, “I’m going to have to speak to Shaw,”

“About Kirby? Isn’t that grassing?”

Butcher shook her head, “No, how can it be, Kirby’s not been convicted of anything – and she’s on the same level as Masters. Damn!”

Rees looked puzzled and Butcher explained, “I’ve known about Kirby for, what, three months? Shaw’s not going to be too happy when she finds out. Damn!”

A shadow behind the two women and a voice spoke, “More work and less chat, Butcher. You and Rees have the lowest production today,”

Butcher looked up, “Yes Miss Stanbridge, sorry. Miss Stanbridge? Is the Senior Officer on duty today?”

The young officer looked across, “No, Butcher, Mr Wood is not in today, is there a problem?”

Butcher shrugged, “Need to get permission to speak to the Governor, Miss Stanbridge,”

“Well in that case you can speak with Mrs Francis, she’s Senior Wing Officer, but not until work detail is over. For now I suggest you get on with your work.”

“Yes Miss Stanbridge,”

For the rest of the shift the two women worked hard and managed to catch up with the production from the rest of the inmates. When a buzzer sounded signifying the end of the morning shift they lined up with the others to be searched and have a metal detector run across them. Once everyone was cleared the Officers marched them back to the Wing. Butcher quickly moved across to her cell and retrieved an item from it before walking over to where Miss Stanbridge was speaking with Mrs Francis; as she appeared Pat Francis looked across,

“Ah Butcher, Miss Stanbridge tells me you wish to see the Governor?”

”Yes Mrs Francis, it’s important,”

There was a short pause then the Senior Wing Officer nodded, “Very well, I’ll take you across now, that is, unless you had something you wanted to buy at the shop?”

Butcher shook her head, “No, nothing,”

A short time later saw Mrs Francis and Butcher walking along the Admin corridor; Butcher was left in the waiting room for a short time before being escorted to the Governor’s office.

“Come in Butcher,” Miss Shaw looked up from her desk, “there’s no need to wait, Mrs Francis."

“I’ll be outside when you need me, Miss Shaw,” Pat Francis nodded and left, closing the door behind her.

Last edited by Lesley on Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:39 pm; edited 1 time in total

---

#39:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 6:39 pm
    —
Just when you think something might be resolved (Hilda's meeting with the girls) you 'jump' to another world.

Things are getting dicey all over.

Thanks for the update!

---

#40:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 7:24 pm
    —

Chelsea wrote:

Just when you think something might be resolved (Hilda's meeting with the girls) you 'jump' to another world.

Makes us aware of the passage of time, Chelsea!! Gives Hilda chance to gather her thoughts

*pondering Butcher's and Geri's actions after this meeting* - hmmm!

Thanks, Lesley.

---

#41:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 8:11 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I wonder what will be said at the meeting.

---

#42:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 8:24 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. Such problems!

---

#43:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 9:32 pm
    —
It's a habit that Lesley has! Doesn't she call it... um... not cliffs... Oh I know! Not finishing that part just yet.

---

#44:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 10:33 pm
    —

Pat wrote:

It's a habit that Lesley has! Doesn't she call it... um... not cliffs... Oh I know! Not finishing that part just yet.

Tra la la.

---

#45:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 12:33 am
    —
Two extremely interesting posts, Lesley. I wonder how Hilda's meeting with the girls will go.... and Butcher's with Shaw?

---

#46:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 9:06 am
    —
I wonder how Geri will receive this information.

Thanks, Lesley

---

#47:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 1:49 pm
    —
Verrrry interesting. I feel really sorry for Katrina - she hasn't had it easy at all. And Shaw won't be pleased to hear about Kirby.

Thanks Lesley

---

#48:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:55 pm
    —
Poor Katrina, how helpless she is feeling. Greatly wondering who this snake of a girl is??? I'm sure Hilda will 'work her normal magic' and find out! The magic of knowing people very well, I suppose.

Geri is not going to like the fact that Butcher's kept her in the dark, is she. I don't at all like all these undercurrents and the deep unease amongst the prisoners - it's a volcano waiting to blow.

---

#49:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 10:10 pm
    —
Shaw looked up at the inmate standing in front of her desk, “Whatever it is, Butcher,” she began, “it must be important. Normally you would wait until you caught me on my rounds in the afternoon.”

“It’s important, Governor,” Butcher said quietly, she reached into her back pocket, and brought out the object she had picked up from her cell. “You need to see this,” she said, placing the object on the desk.

Geri Shaw looked at the silver object then slowly reached out and picked it up, she frowned, “This is a mobile phone, Butcher,” she said, “you know the penalty for being caught in possession of a phone inside,”

“Yeah, I know,” Butcher agreed, “if it makes you feel any better, I haven’t used it – even though I’ve had it about three months,”

”Three months?”

“Yeah, got it just after the first meeting we had about improving the women’s chances once they’re released.”

Shaw looked down at the phone again, then across at the convict, “Am I to take it that this belonged to one of the committee members?”

“Yes,”

“And you stole it?”

Butcher considered, “Technically no, I didn’t steal it, but it was stolen,”

“Who stole it?”

“Can’t tell you that, Governor,” Butcher said firmly, “but she won’t do it again.”

There was silence for some seconds, then Shaw nodded her head slightly, “Very well,” she took a breath then continued, “so if you have had this phone for three months and you haven’t used it in all that time, why are you suddenly giving it to me?”

Butcher swallowed sharply before meeting the Governor’s gaze, “Because you need to know something about the original owner of that phone,”

“I do?”

Butcher nodded, “Take a look at the saved text messages,”

Somewhat puzzled Shaw did just that, there was some seconds of silence then, suddenly, Shaw drew in a quick breath and glared across at Butcher, “Who is it?” she demanded.

Butcher swallowed again, “Kirby, the Social Worker,” she replied.

Shaw’s eyes widened, “You can prove that?”

Butcher shrugged, “No, but you could, get the cops to subpoena the phone company records, prove who the phone belonged to. I can tell you it was stolen from Kirby just after the first committee meeting - the one where she was a total bitch - and before you ask, no I didn’t get someone to target her. It was pure chance.”

“Pure chance?” Shaw replied, “And was it pure chance that in all the meetings since the first Kirby has been the most vociferous supporter?”

Butcher looked down, a slight smile curling her lip, “No, that wasn’t chance.” She met Shaw’s gaze steadily, “I want that committee to work at least as much as you do - Kirby was the sticking point - she knows I’ve got the phone, knows what she has to do to keep me quiet.”

“You blackmailed her,” Shaw said abruptly.

Butcher nodded.

“Then why tell me about this now?”

Butcher considered for a moment, “Kirby has been visiting some of the inmates, professionally I mean,”

“So?”

“So one of them is Haslam,” Butcher nodded on seeing the obvious question in the Governor’s eyes, “Yeah, I know who Haslam is, I’ve known from the start. And Haslam and Kirby must know each other,”

“Yes they must,” Shaw sat back in her chair and regarded Butcher in silence for some time, eventually she nodded slightly, “I see, you’ve had the phone for the last three months, told no one about it instead just used that knowledge to coerce someone to do as you wanted, correct?”

Butcher said nothing and Shaw continued, “And then, suddenly, you discover that, rather than you controlling Kirby, you’ve just allowed her to help out your enemy, Haslam - and yes, Butcher, I worked out, some time ago that Haslam had to be behind the recent problems within the prison. And now you bring this to me - still serving your own interests,”

“You need to know about Kirby…” Butcher began.

“I needed to know three months ago, Butcher,” Shaw interrupted, “has it not occurred to you that Haslam is probably not the only one Kirby has been visiting? I understand that visiting prisoners is never very popular, I should imagine that the rest of her department were very pleased when she volunteered to visit Masters.”

“Visit Masters?” Butcher suddenly looked rather sick.

Shaw nodded, her eyes hard, “Yes, I fully expect that to be the case - how much damage has she done?” Shaw shook her head, “I really thought you were better than this, Butcher. After our shared experiences back in January I really thought we could work together - but no, you still view me as the enemy. I’m really disappointed.” She reached over to press a small buzzer on her desk and the door opened,

“You wanted me, Miss Shaw?” It was Mrs Francis.

“Yes, please take Butcher back to the Wing,”

Butcher looked across, “Not Solitary?”

Shaw shook her head, “What would be the point, Butcher? You never seem to learn anything. The Wing, Mrs Francis,”

Pat Francis nodded and ushered the inmate out, Butcher went without another sound, her face showing her sense of disquiet.

---

#50:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 10:43 pm
    —
Intriguing Lesley - but this reveals Geri to be the capable governor that she is. She doesn't have to rely on Butcher - and perhaps Butcher needed to be reminded of that?

---

#51:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 1:39 pm
    —
It seems that not being sent to solitary will hit Butcher harder than if she had been.

---

#52:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 2:51 pm
    —

Lesley wrote:

Jennie wrote: Thanks, Lesley. We just can't have any part of RCS running smoothly, can we? I can write that if it's what you really want, Jennie.

Wonders idly if Lesley really could



Thankyou Lesley

---

#53:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 5:08 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I'm sorry that Geri is disappointed with Butcher.

---

#54:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 6:58 pm
    —
Not only has Butcher not helped Geri, she's helped the opposition. That must have been a real blow to her pride. And Geri would know that - much more of a punishment than Solitary.

Thanks, Lesley.

---

#55:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:58 pm
    —

Dawn wrote:

Lesley wrote: Jennie wrote: Thanks, Lesley. We just can't have any part of RCS running smoothly, can we? I can write that if it's what you really want, Jennie. Wonders idly if Lesley really could Thankyou Lesley

Oh she *could*! She could keep it up till everybody screamed too! But the real question is - would she enjoy writing it?

Agrees with Mary. This will make Butcher very annoyed with herself I think!

---

#56:  Author: Liane, Location: Manchester Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 9:30 pm
    —
I think she'd probably enjoy our reaction to it if she did!

---

#57:  Author: Katarzyna, Location: North West England Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 9:41 pm
    —
*fighting the urge to sit in front of the computer singing "why are we waiting"*



I really need to get a life but RCS is much more exciting than mine!

---

#58:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 8:27 pm
    —
During the journey back Butcher didn’t say a word, once she and Mrs Francis arrived on the Wing Butcher immediately turned to go to her cell,

“Don’t you want any lunch, Butcher?”

Butcher shook her head, “No, Mrs Francis, not hungry,” she walked across to her cell and lay down on her bunk, gazing, with unseeing eyes, at the ceiling. After the meal was over Rees sought her out,

“Hey Butcher, you tell Shaw?”

“Yes,”

“That was a result then, I thought you’d get a week in Solitary, at least,”

Butcher looked over, “So did I,” she sighed, “and I think I’d prefer it to what she did instead,” she turned back to look at the ceiling again, her expression so forbidding that Rees didn’t feel able to ask exactly what the Governor had done. She left Butcher alone for the rest of Association Time.

On the way back to the workshop for the afternoon’s work detail Butcher sought Rees out,

“Where’s Haslam working?”

Rees thought for a while, “She was on cleaning duties,” she began, “but I think she’s been moved to the laundry,”

“Right, I want to speak to her, alone, try and sort something out that’ll mean I can get across to the laundry this afternoon would you?”

“Sure Butcher, no-one to know you’ll be there?”

“No, just me and her. Got some business to take care of.”

…

While waiting for the girls to arrive Miss Annersley and Miss Derwent discussed them,

“Five Prefects, including the Second Prefect and Games Prefect,” the Head observed, “not that it means a great deal, but I would have hoped that no Prefect would have done this,”

Ruth Derwent nodded, “I agree, thing is, though, I wouldn’t have thought that any of them would do this. All of them have excellent character,” she rose abruptly from where she was sitting, paced up and down a few times before looking across at her chief, “I don’t want it to be any of them, Hilda. I’ve taught all of them for the past three years, the Prefects are all in my Form. I hate this!”

Hilda Annersley rose and walked over to place a comforting arm around Ruth’s shoulders, “As do I, Ruth,” she said softly, “but we must try to establish who is responsible, this note,” she pointed to the note on the desk, “is unacceptable.”

Ruth nodded, “I know,” she said, “and I know that it has to be one of them. But I’m really eager to discover why…” she stopped as there was a knock on the Study door.

Miss Annersley sat back in her chair, motioned to Miss Derwent to sit beside her, “Come in!” she ordered, as the door slowly opened she looked across at the Senior Mistress, “So am I, Ruth,” she said quickly, “so am I.”

---

#59:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 8:52 pm
    —
Two women, two problems - wonder whose will get sorted first.

Thanks, Lesley

---

#60:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 12:18 am
    —

Quote:

I really thought we could work together - but no, you still view me as the enemy.

Oh, ouch. That hurt. And Butcher is suffering from more than hurt pride, she's aware that she has made a volatile and dangerous situation worse.
Very impressed with Geri here, she sees so clearly and is ruthlessly forthright.
Butcher will want to do something to change things, but I am not at all sure that seeing Haslam on her own is a sensible way forward, the woman has too much influence and too many powerful friends.

As for the school - poor Ruth, awful to feel that any of 'her' girls have behaved like that. I will be fascinated to find out what's behind it all.

---

#61:  Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 12:45 am
    —
*scratches her head and says, "hmmm"*

---

#62:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 4:01 am
    —
Hadn't thought at all about Kirby's other contacts! Feeling very sorry for Butcher -- but worried about what she's about to try with Haslam.

And yes, how horrible to find that one -- at least for the moment I'm assuming it's one -- of the most trusted girls could act so despicably. Unless of course the note had already been confiscated and the prefects were trying to deal with it themselves and, um, err.... but that only pushes it onto someone else, doesn't it?

---

#63:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 5:22 am
    —
I wonder how this will work out - for both Butcher and Hilda.

---

#64:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 8:44 am
    —
Butcher's world has changed so much, hasn't it!

Thanks, Lesley

---

#65:  Author: Alex, Location: Cambs, UK Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 4:03 pm
    —
I've just had an idea about the notes....but it's so bizarre and twisted that I'm not sure even Lesley could have thought of it!!

---

#66:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 5:27 pm
    —

Alex wrote:

I've just had an idea about the notes....but it's so bizarre and twisted that I'm not sure even Lesley could have thought of it!!

Don't count on it!

---

#67:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:09 pm
    —
If it is bizzare and twisted, chances are that Lesley has thought of it.

---

#68:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:16 pm
    —

Carolyn P wrote:

If it is bizzare and twisted, chances are that Lesley has thought of it.

Thank you......I think!

---

#69:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 9:12 pm
    —
Oh it's defintely a compliment Lesley!

---

#70:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 9:19 pm
    —

Pat wrote:

Oh it's defintely a compliment Lesley!

Of course it is....any ideas for advent 2007?

---

#71:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 10:03 pm
    —

Carolyn P wrote:

Pat wrote: Oh it's defintely a compliment Lesley! Of course it is....any ideas for advent 2007?

Lots!

---

#72:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 10:11 pm
    —

Lesley wrote:

Carolyn P wrote: Pat wrote: Oh it's defintely a compliment Lesley! Of course it is....any ideas for advent 2007? Lots!

Oh good!

---

#73:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 11:57 pm
    —
Lesley, my sweet, stop plotting for things that are 11 months away, and get on with writing more of this....



...please!


And thank you for all the posts I've just caught up on!!

---

#74:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:51 pm
    —
The interview with the eight girls was not very forthcoming; all the girls, when confronted with the note and its contents, professed themselves innocent and horrified. Unfortunately it proved impossible to discern if one was lying.

“You couldn’t see who was the guilty party?” Nell Wilson asked her partner that evening when the pair had left the School for the day.

Hilda Annersley poured out a glass of wine for each of them and settled herself on the sofa, she shook her head, “No, Nell, for once I couldn’t,” she said with a sigh. “Oh there were guilty expressions, but belonging to all of them, why were they guilty? I suspect because some had probably felt the same sentiments as those expressed in the letter.”

“What of the Prefects? Surely they wouldn’t feel that?”

“They might,” Hilda responded, “Ruth pointed that out to me - something I hadn’t considered - when we choose Prefects and place them in a separate form to the rest of the Upper Sixth we could be interfering with friendships that have lasted throughout the time the girls have been at the School. Perhaps one of the Prefects felt that, had Katrina not been chosen, her own special friend might have been.”

Nell blinked, “You really think that is the case, Hilda?”

“I don’t know what to think, Nell,” the Head said with a slight smile, “I’ll admit to being somewhat disappointed that I couldn’t just pick out the guilty party,”

Nell frowned, “You’re not considering the P word again, are you? P as in Perfection?”

Hilda smiled ruefully, “I wouldn’t dare,” she said, “besides, I do have precedent - even in the original series I was not always successful, do you remember Jennifer Penrose?”

Nell Wilson looked across at her friend, a frown on her face, “Jennifer Penrose? No, can’t…oh yes, locked Blossom Willoughby in a music room didn’t she?”

Hilda smiled, “Yes, and later managed to fool me, along with everyone else, into thinking that she had not done it. The only reason it came to light was because she had nightmares about it,”

Nell nodded, “Yes, guilty conscience at work,”

“Perhaps, but my point is that I wasn’t omniscient, even when we were in the fictional world,”

“No, you just thought you were,” Nell said absently, then she frowned, “Hilda Annersley it is,” she glanced at her watch, “a quarter to ten at night. Where do you get using a word like omniscient in normal conversation?”

Hilda smiled, “Why Nell, I just have a wide vocabulary, it is possible to know more than just the simple words, you know,”

“Oh I know them,” Nell shot back, “being a scientist I know a fair number of unusual words - but I don’t tend to use them in everyday speech. Honestly!”

Hilda’s lips curved upward in a smile, “I can help you to improve your vocabulary if you wish, Nell,” she said demurely.

“My vocabulary is just fine, Miss Dictionary 2006!”

---

#75:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:09 am
    —
Hilda not immediately winkle out the troublemaker?

Love the reference to Jennifer Penrose, and of course the byplay -- though I'd consider 'omniscient' a perfectly ordinary word!

Thank you, Lesley.

---

#76:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 10:25 am
    —

Kathy_S wrote:

though I'd consider 'omniscient' a perfectly ordinary word!

Me too! Maybe Nell does need some help with her vocabularly

Thanks, Lesley

---

#77:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:42 pm
    —
Thanks Lesley.

*racks brain as to who the guilty party could be.*

---

#78:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:39 pm
    —
The following day the pair continued their conversation while walking across to the School for breakfast,

“So how have you left it then? With the girls?”

“There was very little I could do, Nell,” Hilda Annersley confessed, “I could hardly punish all of them when only one is guilty. I know we have had communal punishments before, but not for something as serious as this,”

“Serious enough to consider expulsion?” Nell asked soberly.

Hilda nodded, “Yes,” she said simply, “if it were a younger girl then I could reconsider, but all those girls are eighteen, they are adults. As I said to Katrina, this is considered a criminal offence nowadays,”

“It always has been, really,” Nell replied, “wasn’t there a couple of Agatha Christie novels about ‘poison pen’ letters?”

“I think so,” Hilda replied, somewhat distracted, “at the moment, though, not knowing who has actually written the letters, there’s very little I can do. Oh I’ve warned all the girls, in the hope that the guilty one will listen. And Ruth spoke with Katrina yesterday afternoon, instructed her to report any more letters,”

“You think she’ll get more?” Nell sounded surprised.

“I doubt it,” the Head replied, “not now that the writer knows we're aware of them. Her only advantage was that Katrina had not thought to report the letters, now she’ll know we are watching for them.”

“Hmmm,” Nell said, she looked across, “just out of interest, Hilda, if you had not made Katrina a Prefect, who would have been in her place?”

Hilda Annersley frowned, “I’m not really sure,” she said slowly, “you remember in the meeting just before Christmas? Had Nancy objected to Katrina I did consider other possibilities but there were no other candidates. Why?”

“Well, one possible reason for this could be jealousy,” Nell said, “just wondered if there was anyone that sprung to mind.”

“As I say, I cannot think of anyone, for once the Sixth divided itself quite neatly into two halves.”

As she said this the pair reached the door leading to the Dining Room and opened it. The noise level inside dropped away to nothing as the two most Senior members of Staff made their way to the Staff Table. Once she had reached her chair Miss Annersley looked round,

“Good Morning everyone,” she said, smiling, “please all bow your heads for the blessing,” she waited until everyone had done so before nodding across to where a rather nervous fifteen year old stood waiting, after a quick gulp the girl read from a paper,

“Affirmation to my Body
I recognize you are the temple in which my spirit and creative energy dwell.
I have created you from my need to have my spirit manifested on earth so that I may have this time to learn and grow.
I offer you this food so that you may continue to sustain my creative energy, my spirit, my soul.
I offer this food to you with love, and a sincere desire for you to remain free from disease and disharmony.
I accept you as my own creation.
I need you.”

The girl looked across at the Head again and visibly relaxed when Miss Annersley smiled, “Thank you, Charu, everyone, you may begin,”

The catering staff immediately began to serve breakfast while those that wanted only cereals helped themselves from large tables to one side, Nell Wilson leant across to whisper in her friend’s ear,

“I liked that, what was it?”

Hilda Annersley smiled, “A Hindu blessing, Charu and her two sisters are from England, but their family are originally from India,”

“So how many different faiths have we now?”

“A fair number - we’ve even got a couple in the Fourth Form that insist they are White Witches, Wicca I believe they call it,”

“Are they serious?”

“They seem to be,” Hilda shrugged, “and from what they have been telling me of their Faith it is fascinating,”

“It makes saying Grace before meals rather more interesting for everyone,” Nell replied before starting to eat.

---

#79:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 7:05 pm
    —
Nice to see Hilda and Nell at a loss for a change!

---

#80:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 7:22 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I really liked the blessing.

---

#81:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 7:29 pm
    —

Chair wrote:

Thanks, Lesley. I really liked the blessing.

So did I. Very unusual.

---

#82:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:47 pm
    —
Thank you Lesley.

The blessing was lovely, and I like the snippet about there being two girls in the fourth form who are Wiccans. The school really HAS moved with the times.

---

#83:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 11:31 pm
    —
Hmmm. Personal jealousy or anger on behalf of a friend? Interesting. I wonder which (if either) it will be. Perhaps it will make Hilda and Nell reconsider their rather divisive practice of putting the Prefects in a separate form. Sounds a bit of a relic of the past.

I loved their conversation, particularly

Quote:

Nell frowned, “You’re not considering the P word again, are you? P as in Perfection?” Hilda smiled ruefully, “I wouldn’t dare,” she said, “besides, I do have precedent ... my point is that I wasn’t omniscient, even when we were in the fictional world,” “No, you just thought you were,” Nell said absently

and I enjoyed the little touches like silence descending on the dining room as the two of them appear. Slightly ironic contrast between the respect in which they're held and their at-sea-ness in the present situation!

---

#84:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 6:10 pm
    —
Butcher’s meeting with Haslam had taken place during the afternoon work period; Rees manufacturing an emergency that had most of the Prison Officers from both the laundry and metal workshop having to combine to break up a fight between four inmates. It had cost Butcher quite a lot to set everything up, especially as each of the four women would expect severe punishments – she knew that any disciplinary matter would be dealt with by the Governor as the Senior Officer was not in. And that Shaw was always very strict over any actions that appeared pre-meditated. When the fight had broken out Butcher was already on her way across to the laundry, having left the metal workshop earlier. The laundry and metal workshop were both within the same block so, luckily, there were no security gates to traverse.

In the laundry, when the fight had broken out, the women had all rushed out to watch, ignoring the Officers’ attempts to keep them in place. Except one. As the women all moved out into the corridor Haslam moved with them, eager for anything that would mean a break from the difficult and tiring work. She was probably one of the last out and, as she moved past a door leading to a store room, was not expecting any trouble. Suddenly the door opened and an arm snaked out around Haslam’s neck. She felt herself being dragged backwards into the room, unable to call out and fighting a strength far greater than her own. Inside Butcher kicked the door shut and leant against it. Finding that whenever she struggled her attacker had tightened the grip around her neck; Haslam had stopped struggling. As a reward Butcher loosened her grip slightly, allowed the older woman to breathe.

“Very sensible, Haslam,” she said quietly, “I don’t want to have to kill you before I’ve had a chance to speak to you. After all, I’ve gone to some trouble to meet you.”

“What do... you want?” Haslam’s voice was breathless and also held more than a touch of fear.

“What do I want?” Butcher twisted Haslam round so she could stare into her eyes; Haslam found herself moving back until stopped by the shelves running along either side of the room. “What I want is to complete your education about life inside, Haslam. See, I don’t think that, being Regional Director for Prisons is enough – you need to know the realities of being inside and exposed to the dregs of society.”

“You know?” Haslam looked green.

“I’ve known from the day you were convicted,” Butcher replied, her hand still on Haslam’s throat, her dark eyes remorseless. “What, you think that, just because we’re in here, we’ve got to be stupid? I made it my business to know of any women involved with Masters...”

“I didn’t know what he planned to do with...”

“Yes you did,” Butcher interrupted, “don’t make things worse by lying to me. You knew and didn’t give a damn. As long as you were making money, you didn’t care who got hurt – certainly not a bunch of no-hopers already proven to be failures. Am I right?”

Haslam didn’t answer to begin with, then, slowly, she nodded her head very slightly.

“That’s better,” Butcher whispered, “so, now you’re in here with the rest of the no-hopers, what do you decide to do? Set yourself up against me…”

“No, I…” Haslam stopped as Butcher’s hand round her neck squeezed.

“I said, don’t lie to me, Haslam,” Butcher said very softly, “I’m really not in the mood. Now I’ve had any number of people try to takeover from me, it doesn’t bother me, it’s expected. But the last few weeks in here have not been pleasant - because your people are starting to stir up the mice. If it doesn’t stop soon I’m going to have to make an example…”

As she said this Butcher quickly released her hand from around Haslam’s throat, however before Haslam had a chance to react, Butcher had swiftly punched her in the stomach. Haslam fell to her knees doubled over, her head close to the floor. Butcher reached down and grabbed hold of Haslam’s hair, dragged her head up so she could whisper into an ear,

“That’s just a taster, Haslam, an idea for you of just what’s in store if you don’t pull back. See the example I’ll make will be of you. I won’t go after any of your people, not even Wade. I’ll come after you. Every single time. You understand?”

Haslam’s breath was coming in short gasps and she was trembling, she looked deep into Butcher’s dark eyes, seeing only the promise of more pain, she nodded quickly.

Butcher smiled, “Good, glad we had this little chat, Haslam, I’ll be seeing you.” She moved across to the store room door and quickly let herself out, joining the group of women all milling about in the corridor.

---

#85:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 6:18 pm
    —
Hmmmm...

I'm not that sure Haslam will be that easy to deal with

Thanks, Lesley

---

#86:  Author: Nell, Location: exiled from the big smoke Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 2:27 pm
    —
Me either...too simple.

Thank you Lesley.

---

#87:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 5:47 pm
    —
Having returned to the land of the living, I have just caught up on a huge chunk of this, Lesley, to find NOTHING resolved!!

Is Butcher trying to make up for the time Geri told her she had wasted, I wonder, or following her own agenda here. Whatever, I hope Haslam doesn't turn round and bite her.

Thanks, Lesley

---

#88:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 5:51 pm
    —
Thank you Lesley.

Hmmmm, I don't trust Haslam one little bit. Hope Butcher isn't underestimating her....

---

#89:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 8:58 pm
    —
That evening during Association Time, Butcher related the scene to her lieutenant, Rees. When Butcher had finished Rees sat back in her chair, a satisfied grin on her face, “That’s the last we’ll hear of them, then,” she began. Her expression changed to a frown when Butcher shook her head,

“No, Rees, she’ll not stop, she’ll be even more determined now to overthrow me,”

“I don’t understand,”

“No?” Butcher smiled, “Change it round - what would I do, if someone had come after me with that type of warning?”

Rees replied immediately, “You’d have fought even harder,” she said with certainty, “you won’t take anyone trying to tell you what to do. But that’s you, that’s not Haslam - she’s just a mou…”

“No she’s not,” Butcher interrupted quickly, “I made that mistake more than eighteen months ago with Annersley. Just because someone is quietly spoken and is obviously not a fighter, doesn’t make them a mouse. Haslam is a leader, she’s ruthless, she rich and she’s used to having what she wants. Sure I can beat her physically, but that’s not going to be enough, not with her.”

“Then why do it?” Rees asked puzzled.

Butcher smiled lazily, “Because it’s what she expects from me, she looks on me as a thug, so, I give her what she wants. She’ll try and fool me now, by pulling back, so I think my little chat has worked, whereas in reality she’ll be planning the next stage.”

“So what have you gained?”

“Some time,” Butcher replied, “the rest of her people really are thugs, they’ll start getting restless when they see her doing nothing - and she won’t think to tell them why, maybe she’ll tell Wade, but no one else. And in that time her supply of money’s going to dry up - Shaw won’t sit on the information I gave her. More importantly though, it’ll make her angry - and angry people make mistakes.”

---

#90:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:10 pm
    —
Seems she's learned more than we thought from Hilda!

Butcher's really putting her mind to work now - but is she right? Or has she misjudged Haslam? And will it get get her what she wants? Hmmm! And will Geri approve of her methods?

Thanks, Lesley.

---

#91:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:43 pm
    —
Butcher's really thought this through, hasn't she. But she's still trying to sort it all out herself, as she always has, and Haslam is very different (though certainly no nicer!) from the people she usually deals with. True, angry people do make mistakes, but an angry Haslam is going to be dangerous.

---

#92:  Author: Nell, Location: exiled from the big smoke Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:29 am
    —
Thak you Lesley!

---

#93:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 6:42 pm
    —
Okay, so Butcher has NOT underestimated Haslam. That 's at least a little reassuring.
*crosses fingers and looks at Lesley hopefully.....*

---

#94:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:47 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I'm glad that Butcher was not fooled by Haslam.

---

#95:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 8:35 am
    —

Vikki wrote:

Okay, so Butcher has NOT underestimated Haslam. That 's at least a little reassuring.

*hoping Vikki is right*

Thanks, Lesley

---

#96:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 2:18 am
    —
Just caught up with the last few posts - good to see that Butcher has not underestimated Haslam. She really does have the capacity to observe and learn doesn't she?
And I wonder who is responsible for those nasty letters?

---

#97:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 1:55 pm
    —
Butcher was correct in her assessment; Haslam was angry, very angry. After Butcher had left the older woman had forced herself to get up and return to the laundry. She had not mentioned to anyone what had happened, shrugging off concerns from Wade and a couple of the Prison Officers as to why she was so quiet and not eating. In the shower she was able to examine the bruise left by Butcher’s punch and vowed to seek vengeance. Her first steps were, exactly as Butcher predicted, to pull her people back, stop them from intimidating the weaker women. They became far less visible and the prison as a whole seemed to regain some of its stability. Wade tried to get Haslam to explain why the change in strategy, especially as a number of the other women were very confused. Haslam, however, refused to explain, just insisted that, for now, everyone pull back.

The next meeting of the committee formed to oversee the release of women back into the community was held a week later - just before Half Term for the Real Chalet School. Almost everyone was surprised when the Governor introduced a new member from the Social Services to replace Kirby. The only two not surprised being the Governor herself and Butcher. The meeting went well; the new Social Worker was very keen and seemed to want the scheme to succeed. Already there were a dozen or so women that had signed up to it and were receiving special coaching to enable them to pass any exams. In addition Madge Russell and the firm that had originally offered employment to Mel Richards had combined to give the prisoners talks on the type of work offered and the benefits enjoyed. Although the first woman wasn’t scheduled for release for another six months everyone felt that the scheme was going well. During this meeting they had listened to a representative from the Housing Office explain about what could be offered in the way of affordable housing - Butcher herself mentioning that if the housing was in one of the designated ‘problem’ areas then the women would have far too much temptation placed before them.

One thing that had been very noticeable, at least to both Hilda and Nell, was the lack of rapport between the Governor and Butcher. Although the two women had sat next to each other they had hardly exchanged glances. On their way into the Governor’s office for refreshments halfway through the meeting, the two discussed the situation,

“Geri hasn’t said anything, Hilda?”

Hilda Annersley shook her head, “No, not a word and neither has Butcher. Perhaps she’ll tell us when we visit tomorrow.”

“Hope so,” Nell smiled her thanks as one of the Admin Staff brought her across a cup of tea, “it’s very awkward with the pair of them hardly acknowledging the other’s existence,”

Hilda nodded, “Though, actually, that is probably the norm between a Prison Governor and a long-serving prisoner.”

“Yes but it’s not the norm for those two,” Nell returned and Hilda nodded her head in agreement.

Back in the meeting room Butcher remained sat at the table; as a serving prisoner she could not be included in the informal and sociable get together in the Governor’s Office. Instead one of the Prison Officers generally brought her a drink here in the meeting room. Geri Shaw had always tended to remain with Butcher rather than leaving her on her own for up to thirty minutes. On this occasion Butcher was quite surprised to see the Governor remain; in the time since the two women had last spoken - when Butcher had told Shaw of Kirby’s phone - Miss Shaw had deliberately ensured that Butcher not have any opportunity to speak with her, except through official channels. When the Governor made her official rounds in the afternoons and when she went on unofficial ‘walkabouts’ Shaw had kept Butcher at arms length. Butcher had missed the closeness she had enjoyed with the Governor even when she had not had anything particular to say.

The Officer guarding the door had disappeared only to return a few minutes later with two mugs of coffee. After placing them on the table Miss Shaw told him to take a break himself. He nodded and left the room, locking the door after him. Inside the meeting room there was silence for some minutes, then, after drinking her coffee, Shaw took a deep breath,

“For your information, Butcher,” she began, “Kirby has been arrested. Following the information provided by you, the police were able to set up surveillance. She was caught taking money and drugs into Masters.” She looked across at the inmate, “Of course you probably already knew that,”

Butcher shook her head, “No, I didn’t know, thanks for telling me.” A pause then, “Will she be coming…?”

“No,” Shaw interrupted, “I insisted that the Authorities find a place elsewhere. I cannot guarantee her safety here.”

Butcher nodded, “I see,” she thought for a minute then, “Governor? Can I speak freely?”

Shaw looked across, “It’s never stopped you before, Butcher,”

“No but I don’t really want to go to Solitary at the moment,”

Shaw nodded, “Speak,” she said quietly.

Butcher took a breath, “You were right, I should have given you the phone three months ago. Never had this sort of situation before, you know? Where I actually trusted the Governor, wanted some cons behind bars. I thought I could deal with Kirby, use her - but I made things worse.”

“Yes you did,” Shaw replied, her eyes not leaving Butcher’s.

There was a long pause then Butcher continued, “I’m not going to become an informer, Shaw. I’m still going to fight you and the system every way I can…But…occasionally, there will be times when we should be cooperating. The situation with Kirby was one of them.”

Butcher stopped speaking, looked down at the floor, Shaw waited, then Butcher spoke again,

“Sorry,”

Shaw nodded, “Apology accepted, Butcher,” she said. There was silence for a while then the Governor rose and walked across to one of the locked cupboards at the rear of the room, she returned with a half-bottle of wine and two glasses. She poured out the wine into the two glasses and passed one across to the inmate, “Drink up,”

Butcher lifted the glass in her cuffed hands, sipped the wine, she grinned, “Ain’t it against Prison rules for any member of staff to offer alcohol to an inmate?”

“I’m Governor, Butcher,” Shaw replied, “I’ll do as I damn well please.”

Last edited by Lesley on Sat Jan 27, 2007 10:56 pm; edited 2 times in total

---

#98:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 2:20 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. It was nice to see them sharing a bottle.

---

#99:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 2:22 pm
    —
That took courage, Butcher, and Geri appreciates it. Just as she appreciates that a leopard is not going to change its spots - she doesn't need you to spell out that you will still fight her. But she will be ready for you!

Thanks, Lesley.

---

#100:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 8:28 pm
    —
Oh, excellent!

Lesley wrote:

But…occasionally, there will be times when we should be cooperating.

Somehow I suspect there'll be another in the not too distant future....

---

#101:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 9:35 pm
    —
That was a lovely scene. Thanks Lesley.
Tis good to see the two of them back on good terms.

---

#102:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 9:37 pm
    —
Oh, good for Butcher. And Geri's integrity and consistency are impressive, too. Lovely to see them on the same side again (well, ish!). Given the loneliness of Butcher's life, with the only prospect more of the same, this relationship with Geri is important for her. One of the few people she can actually trust.

---

#103:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 9:44 pm
    —
That took a lot of courage from both of them - and a lot of respect for each other too.

---

#104:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 10:47 pm
    —
That is good to see.

---

#105:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 12:07 am
    —
That was very courageous of Butcher, and shows how much she trusts and appreciates Geri. Good to see that reciprocated too.

---

#106:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 4:34 pm
    —
In another part of the prison a somewhat annoyed Prison Officer was escorting an inmate to the Admissions Area,

“Why the Hell this couldn’t have waited until tomorrow, I don’t know, Haslam, as it is you’ll have to stay there for the next hour or so, I can’t hang about waiting for you - not with Visitors this afternoon. If you don’t get back in time for your Tea that will be too bad,”

“Yes Miss Dean,” Haslam said quietly, “I understand.”

“Really? Well I don’t. Miss Little will not be there, only the Auxiliary Officers, what can you want with them?”

“I need to retrieve something from my belongings, Miss Dean,” Haslam replied.

“And it couldn’t wait until tomorrow?”

“No Miss Dean, you see…”

“Save it, Haslam, I’m not interested,” They had reached the Admissions Area and Miss Dean swiftly pressed the buzzer, a short wait then the electronic door opened. The pair walked in.

“Miss Dean? What can I do for you?” A man’s voice asked.

The Prison Officer looked over, “Oh, Mr Wheeler, sorry about this but Haslam was desperate to see you to retrieve something from her stored belongings, hope you don’t mind?”

“Of course not, this way Haslam,” the man turned to show the way then turned back as Miss Dean spoke again,

“I can’t stay, Visitors, I’ll be back in an hour or so. Stick Haslam in lock up when you’re done - I’ll collect her when I can,”

“Of course,” Wheeler operated the control to open the door again then shut it behind the annoyed prison officer. He turned to Haslam and pointed, “Over there, Haslam, stand on the white line. I’ll retrieve your belongings from storage.”

Haslam walked over to the line and waited; she looked around the Admissions Area - a second Auxiliary Officer had come out of the Staff Room when the door had opened, however, on seeing just the one inmate he went back inside. Haslam could hear the sound of a rugby match on the TV before the sound cut off abruptly as the door closed. She looked over to where Mr Wheeler had disappeared into the store room. It was strictly against the rules for any inmate to enter - it was a week in Solitary minimum - but she did so anyway. Waling into the room she looked round and heard Wheeler’s footsteps along a different aisle, she walked over to stand in front of him.

“What are you doing here, Haslam? You know you’re not allowed in here - that’s a week in Sol…”

“I don’t think so,” Haslam interrupted, and her voice held such assurance that the Officer stopped and stared,

“What do you mean, you don’t think so?” Wheeler was angry now and yet, beneath it, Haslam could detect another emotion.

Haslam smiled, “I mean, I don’t think you want to send me to Solitary, Wheeler,” she replied, “because if you did I might find that I just had to confess a few things to Shaw.” She paused for a few seconds before adding, “Like a full list of all those on Masters’ payroll?”

Wheeler went pale, “Y-you can’t,”

Haslam grinned, “Yes I can, see I knew everything about Masters’ organisation - how do you think he managed to stay undetected for so long? And that included a full list of everyone that he’d paid.”

Wheeler’s face went even paler, took on a greenish cast, he shook his head slowly, “I had nothing to do with the last scam, nothing, they can’t pin anything on me,” he said, somewhat desperately.

“No they can’t,” Haslam agreed, “but can you really see Shaw keeping you, when she hears you were one of Masters’ people? I can’t. You’ll be out of a job so fast your feet won’t touch the ground.” She paused, adopted an expression of profound regret, “Oh, and you were working up to applying to be a full Prison Officer too, weren’t you? Sorry, can’t see that happening - the Prison Service won’t take you on in any capacity once they know you were one of his. In fact I can’t see you having a chance at any employment anywhere in Victoria, can you?”

Wheeler took a number of quick, shallow breaths, “You can’t do that,” he said quietly, “I have debts, a family, please,”

Haslam pretended to consider, “Well, perhaps I can help,” she said, “I mean, I wouldn’t want your family to suffer,”

“Thank you…” Wheeler began.

“But I’d have to get something for my trouble,”

“Anything,”

Haslam reached up and patted the man’s cheek, “Good boy,” she said very softly, “now, to make a start, there’s nine hundred dollars in with my stored belongings - get it!”

Wheeler made to protest then, seeing the cold eyes watching him, he just nodded and reached for the pertinent locker.

---

#107:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 5:56 pm
    —
This is going to get nasty.

---

#108:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 6:43 pm
    —
*hides behind sofa*

*calls 'thank you Lesley' in slightly uncertain tones...*

---

#109:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 7:45 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I am wibbling about what Lesley is going to do, and I don't even know what is going to happen yet!

---

#110:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 8:11 pm
    —
Well she's certainly reacted, hasn't she?!

---

#111:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 8:14 pm
    —
Hmmm! Wonder how many others she's going to get her hooks into - and just what she plans to do with this money....

Where are you, Butcher?

Thanks, Lesley

---

#112:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 11:36 pm
    —
Vikki, is there room behind the sofa?

Masters' tentacles have spread everywhere, haven't they, and a lever like this is all Haslam needs. Once she's got her hands on the money, she'll have power again.

Help!

Edited to correct a misplaced apostrophe!!!!!

Last edited by Tara on Mon Jan 29, 2007 11:18 pm; edited 1 time in total

---

#113:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 11:39 pm
    —
Hmm, nasty. But she may have made a mistake: those being blackmailed can react unpredictably.

---

#114:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 11:30 am
    —
In fact, if Haslam turns up dead or dying, I wouldn't find it a surprising thing. She's only offering money, and blackmailing people all along the line.

Butcher may be a murderer, a thief (and a liar at times) but she does genuinely care about the women in prison, and she does have a strong code of ethics, even if they're not the ethics we want.

---

#115:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 8:07 pm
    —
At the Real Chalet School the Half Term weekend brought with it the fun of expeditions. As was the custom now, this Half Term meant that those girls remaining would be taken on expeditions – this time it had been decided to take everyone on local expeditions within Victoria. Remembering the number of questions that the girls always asked had meant a rush on all the available guide books the Library had in store – plus close questioning of all Staff native to Victoria itself. The Head and Deputy Head had placed their names down as two to take some of the girls out and, when the list was finally published, saw that they were both down to help with either the Senior Middles or Lower Fifths – these being the classes where problems were more likely to occur. All the expeditions had included staying away for two nights and visiting places within Melbourne as well as driving to Apollo Bay, Otway Ranges and Port Campbell National Park to see, among other things, the natural rock formation that looked very similar to London Bridge – at least it had until one of the spans collapsed into the sea.

Half Term over, the Real Chalet School settled down to their work once more, although hopes for a nice peaceful time seemed dashed when, while moving from one lesson to another, three members of the Lower Fourth decided that descending the main stairs was a good place to start an argument. The argument quickly degenerated into a physical altercation and all three girls lost their balance. Unfortunately, in falling themselves, they also took with them another girl and Miss Derwent, who had been on her way up to stop the row. Ruth Derwent was pushed forwards and hit her forehead hard on one of the stairs on her way down. When other members of Staff appeared, alerted by the noise and screams, it was to find Ruth Derwent unconscious, two girls sitting up on the floor clutching injured limbs and another two almost in hysterics they were crying so much.

That evening Miss Annersley was able to fully assess the damage; Ruth Derwent had regained consciousness even before Nancy Chester had finished examining her. Although fully alert the English Department Head had been left with a thumping headache and nausea. A quick trip to the Real Hospital for a check up and X-rays had revealed no bony injury but she was thought to have a slight concussion. Rather than remain in the hospital Ruth asked if she could return to the School – permission was grudgingly given but only as long as she returned to the School San for the next few days. Visiting her Senior Mistress that evening Miss Annersley found Ruth somewhat annoyed that she couldn’t just return to her own suite. Hilda sympathised,

“I can understand how you feel, Ruth,” she said, smiling, “but look on it from my point of view. I’m the one that the Press will vilify, should you return to your own room and suffer complications and we discover that you’ve expired overnight. I cannot afford all the paperwork, you know?”

Ruth looked across at her chief through blackened eyes, an expression of distrust on her face, “That’s all it would mean, would it? More paperwork?”

Hilda nodded solemnly, her eyes sparkling.

Ruth thought for a few seconds, moved slightly in the bed before grimacing at the pain in her head, “Oh alright then,” she said with a smile, “I’ll stay here in the San tonight,”

“At least tonight,” Nancy Chester said firmly.

“Hmmmm,” Ruth replied, not fully appeased, she then stopped, closed her eyes against the pain and looked across at the Nurse, “Any chance of something for the pain, Nancy?”

Nancy nodded and disappeared out to the drug cupboard, she returned with some tablets, “Sorry it can’t be anything stronger, Ruth,” she said, “but we’ve got to be careful with head injuries,”

Ruth took the tablets, “Next time I’ll break my leg,” she promised with a grimace.

---

#116:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 8:41 pm
    —
And here was me looking forward to all the excitement of half term! All the thrill and spills. Instead it's Ruth gets the spills. Does this mean Hilda is now about to teach the Sixth?

Thanks, Lesley.

---

#117:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 9:29 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. It would be interesting to see Hilda teach the 6th.

---

#118:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 9:53 pm
    —
Yikes!!!

Poor Ruth! Hope there won't be any complications. (although I love Hilda's comments there!!

Thanks Lesley.

---

#119:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:55 pm
    —
Poor Ruth! Loved Hilda's remarks about the press and paperwork!

---

#120:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 11:52 pm
    —
I hope Nell got to see the London Bridge rock formation, she'd enjoy that.

I, too, chortled over Hilda's remarks about the press and paperwork, and Ruth's promise to break a bit of anatomy that allowed her strong painkillers next time! What hooliganish behaviour from the girls - I'm shocked.

Well, it would be a good opportunity for Hilda to have contact with that Sixth Form group, wouldn't it ...

---

#121:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:48 am
    —
Knowing Lesley, that was her motive for injuring Ruth in that way.

Thanks for the update, Lesley.

---

#122:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 1:30 pm
    —
Does Lesley need a motive to injure people now, Jennie? It seems to me she just does it on a whim, or maybe when she's feeling extra happy....

Thanks Lesley

---

#123:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 1:37 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley!

---

#124:  Author: Tan, Location: London via Newcastle Australia Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 7:11 pm
    —
Hmm, interesting. Just when it was getting interesting at the gaol ...

---

#125:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 4:24 pm
    —
Wonders why Lesley hasn't posted lots more if she's not at work.

---

#126:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 6:47 pm
    —

Jennie wrote:

Wonders why Lesley hasn't posted lots more if she's not at work.

Hmmmm, let's see....

Sleeping
Chilling
Collecting courtesy car from dealer as my new one not arrived from manufacturers yet
Shopping
Watching new DVD of Earth Story - excellent, would recommend highly.
Playing Pharoah computer game - the best city building game there is.
Arranging for equipment to be picked up by courier - now don't have a mobile phone or a laptop!
More sleeping
More chilling
Speaking with friends on telephone about how wonderful it is not to have to work.
Writing scenes for end of this drabble
Writing scenes for inclusion in next RCS drabble



Oh, and writing this...

After seeing that Ruth was settled the Head moved on to see the girls. Of the four girls involved one had, like Miss Derwent, been a completely innocent bystander. This girl, another Fourth Former, had managed to sustain some bruising to her back and right shoulder. Nancy Chester was keeping her in the San overnight solely to ensure that she managed to get a good night’s sleep. Miss Annersley visited her first to find the girl was taking advantage of the quiet to read. She smiled as the Head appeared,

“Miss Annersley? Nurse Chester said I could read,”

Hilda smiled and sat on the edge of the bed, “That’s fine, Gemma, as long as Nurse Chester is happy. Now, how do you feel?”

“A bit achy, really,” Gemma replied, “my shoulder hurts a bit. Luckily though I didn’t break anything,”

“No, but I hear you have a fairly impressive bruise there?”

Gemma grinned and pulled her nightshirt down from her left shoulder. Miss Annersley looked, with some shock, at the blackened area,

“Hmmm, well you were very lucky that it wasn’t broken,” she said, “that’s going to be painful for some time. Are you right or left handed?”

“Left,” Gemma said.

“Well once you’re back at School make sure all the Mistresses are aware of your injury. I’m sure we can arrange for you to have copies of others' notes if you find writing to be too painful. Have your friends been in to see you?”

“Yes Miss Annersley, they only left a few minutes ago - Nurse Chester told them they had to leave so I could get my rest,”

The Head nodded sympathetically, “Yes, I’m afraid Nurses are like that, they will insist on you getting the proper amount of rest, especially if you’re unwell.”

“Definitely,” another voice came from the door, Nancy Chester was standing there, her eyes twinkling, “And I’m here to say the same to yo…Miss Annersley!” The Nurse’s voice had suddenly changed and the final two words had been uttered with a tone of complete horror.

Hilda frowned, “What is it?”

Nancy Chester pointed, “You are sitting on the bed!” The words were uttered with the same degree of horror as if the phrase had been ‘you are holding a live rattlesnake’.

Miss Annersley looked down, “Er, yes, that is…”

“Up please!” The Nurse gestured dramatically and the Head quickly stood, “beds are for patients, they are not for visitors - unless you wish to become a patient? There is a spare bed there, Miss Annersley,” she pointed to the bed against the opposite wall, “I’m sure you could probably do with the rest?”

“Er, no,” Hilda said swiftly, “that will be fine, I’m leaving now,” she quickly smiled across at the girl in the bed, delighting in the mischievous grin that flashed across the girl’s face at seeing her Headmistress being reprimanded.

Outside the ward she stopped for a moment to compose herself before entering the third ward in the San. The third little ward, unlike the other two, did not appear to be a cheerful place. There was one occupant, Lauren Carter, who was lying in bed, supported by pillows. Her right arm was in plaster from fingertips to just below the elbow and supported by an arm sling. As Miss Annersley appeared Lauren looked up, her eyes red with crying, “M-M-Miss Annersley?”

Hilda Annersley allowed her stern expression to soften very slightly, she moved over to the girl and went to sit on the end of her bed; hesitated, then, instead, pulled a chair across and sat on that. “How are you feeling, Lauren?”

“Okay, I suppose,” Lauren said quickly, “the doctor said I’d got a greenstick fracture to the radius. The plaster has to stay on for at least four weeks. But it doesn’t hurt much - Nurse Chester gave me something for the pain and it’s really helped.”

“Good, I’m pleased,” Hilda sighed, “now, tell me what happened,”

Lauren looked down at the bedclothes for a time then, “It was an accident, we didn’t mean to hurt anyone,” she said very quietly.

“I should hope not,” the Head returned, “if I thought that you had caused the injuries to a member of Staff and another girl on purpose I would not want you as a pupil.”

Lauren swallowed quickly, her eyes wide, “We were only messing about,” she said by way of an excuse.

“…’only messing about’..?” Miss Annersley repeated, “The three of you were playing dangerously at the top of a flight of stairs. When you lost your balance and fell you took with you two completely innocent bystanders. Their injuries could have been far worse. You are thirteen years old, Lauren, I would not accept that type of behaviour from the Kindergarten, let alone someone who is a Senior Middle.”

“I’m sorry,” Lauren said miserably.

Hilda Annersley nodded, “Well that’s a start,” she replied, “now, I understand that you will not be fit to return to School until next Monday?”

Lauren nodded, “Yes, Miss Annersley, Nurse Chester said I need to have a lot of rest - so I recover from the anaesthetic,”

“I see, in that case I will see you, first thing on Monday morning in my Study - to discuss your punishment,”

Lauren’s face fell, “But I…”

Miss Annersley shook her head, “No Lauren, I do not consider the fact that you have been injured as enough punishment, Jessica and Amy will be seen at the same time and you will have the same punishment - that is only fair.” Hilda stopped there, seeing that Lauren was almost in tears. She took a breath then added, “I’ve spoken with your mother, Lauren,”

“You have? What did she say?”

“She sent her love and said that she will be flying over to see you at the weekend.”

“And I can see her?” Lauren suddenly looked very anxious.

Hilda nodded, “You may, your mother will be worried so it is for her sake, not yours, that she is visiting,”

“Yes Miss Annersley,”

Hilda rose, “Now try and get some sleep, Lauren,” she said, “you’ll feel better in the morning,” she bent and kissed the top of Lauren’s head, “Good night,”

“..’night, Miss Annersley,”

By the Nurses’ Station the Head spoke with Nancy Chester before leaving the San, the Nurse confirming that, while Gemma would probably be fit to return in the next day or two, neither Ruth Derwent nor Lauren would be fit until the following week.

“Well keep them here as long as you feel it is necessary,” Hilda said, stifling a yawn.

The Nurse looked across, “I wasn’t joking about that bed, you know,” she said, “you look as though you could do with an early night,”

“Yes Nurse,” the Head quickly said goodbye and made her escape before Nurse Chester thought to act on her threat. She made her way across to her cottage to find her partner had beaten her there. Nell had already poured out a couple of glasses of wine and she passed one to Hilda as she guided her to the sofa, “Everything alright?”

Hilda nodded, “Thanks Nell,” she sipped her wine, “Ruth won’t be back at School before next week at the earliest, according to Nancy, same for Lauren. Gemma Topf will probably be back tomorrow or Thursday. What about the other two?”

“Jessica and Amy?” Nell asked with a smile, “Very subdued, attempting to make everyone believe they didn’t exist. A few tears,” she considered then added, “quite a few by the time I’d finished.”

Hilda looked over, “You didn’t go too far?”

“No, just enough to let them know they are in deep disgrace. I sent them to bed early tonight but said they could wait on the rest of their punishment until you saw them all on Monday,”

“Good, we'll make sure the rest of the week all three of them are treated normally - they'll have their punishment when I see them, no need to make this week bad for them as well. Thanks for that Nell,”

“No problem, my job,” Nell looked across, “now what about cover for Ruth?”

“Overall not too much of a problem,” Hilda replied, “Sharlie told me that she, Donna and Kirstie can manage most things - there is a problem with taking the Upper Sixth for A’Level English Literature - but I can cover that,”

“Okay, well in that case I’ll cover Ruth’s Form and take Prep on Friday - I noticed that it was her slot, luckily you were covering this weekend anyway.”

“Yes,” Hilda yawned and stretched, seeing this Nell frowned,

“Bedtime for you,” she said quickly, pointing to the stairs, “go on, you need your sleep,”

Hilda rose, yawning again, “Why is it everyone's giving me orders to go to bed, today? Nancy Chester was just as bad.”

“Because you can’t be trusted to look after yourself,” came Nell’s reply, “have you gone yet?”

Last edited by Lesley on Fri Feb 02, 2007 8:02 pm; edited 1 time in total

---

#127:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 7:07 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I haven been ill and off work this week. I am feeling better today and your post has definitely helped towards my recovery! Nancy's remarks to Hilda have got me giggling away! Thank you!

By the way, is the Pharoah game on a website, or is it from a shop? I just was interested in playing it.

---

#128:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 7:24 pm
    —
It's a game from a shop - you can probably pick it up quite cheaply as it was released some years ago. It's set in Ancient Egypt and you start off building villages and progress to building huge cities and Pyramids - it's totally addictive.


Hope you feel better soon.

---

#129:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 8:08 pm
    —
Thanks Lesley!
Hilda handled everything very well there. I definitely don't envy Lauren and the others their interview with Hilda....

---

#130:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 8:24 pm
    —
Knew she'd sneak in to teach the Sixth! Just hope she can make use of it to unearth the *sinner*

Loved Lauren assuming she would escape punishment - and Hilda being attacked from all sides.

Thanks, Lesley

---

#131:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 9:37 pm
    —

Lesley wrote:

It's a game from a shop - you can probably pick it up quite cheaply as it was released some years ago. It's set in Ancient Egypt and you start off building villages and progress to building huge cities and Pyramids - it's totally addictive. Hope you feel better soon.

Something like Caesar III then!
Only that's Rome.

Thanks Lesley. Keep writing please.

---

#132:  Author: Liane, Location: Manchester Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 9:46 pm
    —
I loved that scene between Nancy and Hilda! Thanks Lesley

---

#133:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 10:28 pm
    —

Pat wrote:

Lesley wrote: It's a game from a shop - you can probably pick it up quite cheaply as it was released some years ago. It's set in Ancient Egypt and you start off building villages and progress to building huge cities and Pyramids - it's totally addictive. Hope you feel better soon. Something like Caesar III then! Only that's Rome. Thanks Lesley. Keep writing please.

Made by same people - better than Caesar III (I have that too. )

---

#134:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 10:42 pm
    —
I'll have a look in town tomorrow then!

---

#135:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 12:10 am
    —
Definitely Hilda's trademark mixture of mercy and justice there! No-one's going to get away with a thing, but they're not going to be made miserable either. Not until Monday, anyway!
Looking forward to Hilda's lessons with the Sixth, and giggled with Gemma as Nurse Chester sorted Hilda out!
Much enjoyed Nell's final 'have you gone yet?'

---

#136:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 1:07 am
    —
There was I thinking, "Hilda's sitting on the edge of the bed - things have changed!" and suddenly.....

Lauren was a bit optimistic wasn't she? But I loved Hilda's careful insistence on equality of punishment and the need to reassure Lauren's mother.

---

#137:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 9:55 pm
    —
Thursday saw the Head walking over to take the A’Level Literature class with the Upper Sixth. They had been expecting her as the entire School knew that Miss Derwent was off-sick. Although Miss Derwent had been released from the San she had not returned to her suite in the Staff Boarding House - instead she was spending a few days with Rosalind Moore. When Miss Annersley entered the classroom the ten girls all rose; she smiled,

“Good morning, girls,”

The ten replied, and, when indicated, sat down. They all looked across expectantly. Although they had all attended lessons with the Head she had not been particularly involved with their work in the past eighteen months specifically for A Level. They were all interested in how her teaching differed from that of the Senior Mistress.

Miss Annersley smiled, “I understand, from Miss Derwent, that this week she was planning to go through with you the types of questions you could be asked, prior to your mock exams?”

One of the girls, the Second prefect Sally Howe, nodded, “Yes, Miss Annersley, Miss Derwent planned to go through poetry analysis this week.”

“Analysis of unseen poems or those that are a part of your set works?”

“Both really,” Sally replied, “I don’t think any of us are very good, whether we’ve seen the poem before or not.” There were a number of murmurs from the other girls. all seeming to agree with Sally.

The Head sat back in her chair, “Very well, let us discuss poetry analysis, why do you find it difficult? I’ve read some of your compositions and essays, you’re understanding of language is well above that expected of your level. You are able to analyse plays and novels - why do you find it difficult to analyse poems?”

There was silence for a time then, hesitantly, Rose Chad spoke, “I think it’s because it can be so difficult, reading a poem, to try and gauge what the poet was thinking,” she began, “and, I don’t know about the others, but I’m always worried that I’ve got it wrong,”

“The analysis?”

“No, Miss Annersley, that I’ve guessed wrongly about how the poet was feeling, what he meant,” a number of her classmates nodded in agreement.

“I see,” Miss Annersley thought for a moment, “well that is always a possibility,” she said thoughtfully. She looked up to see ten pairs of shocked eyes staring at her, she smiled, “Of course it is,” she continued, “when you analyse anything you are giving your own opinion,”

“Then whatever we say is correct, then?” Kylie Anderson said with a grin, the rest of the class laughed, as did the Head,

“Well perhaps not quite that,” she said with a chuckle, “but, regardless of your opinion, even if it is contrary to every other opinion ever made about a poem, if you can justify it - show that you’ve investigated thoroughly, prove your points, then it will be valid.” She stopped, seeing confusion on the girls’ faces, “An example,” she continued, “I know it isn’t one of your set poems this year but have any of you every read or heard the poem by Dylan Thomas…Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night…?”

Most of the girls nodded.

“Well I read that some time ago and formed my own opinions of how the poet felt, what he meant, even how particular words and phrases should be said. I recently wrote an analysis of it for part of my own studies. A few months ago I managed to listen, for the first time, to a reading of that poem. Not read by an actor, by the poet himself - and most of my ideas were different to his.”

“Did you get a poor mark, Miss Annersley?” Kathy Lewis asked breathlessly, and the rest of the class concentrated on the response.

Hilda shook her head, “No, because I was able to justify my analysis, because I could give examples and reasons for my views.”

There was silence for a time, then someone said quietly, “Could you tell us your analysis, Miss Annersley?”

The Head smiled and thought for some minutes, “Before I do that, why don’t you all attempt to analyse the poem yourselves? You can have that as your Prep for tonight - the poem is in one of the Anthologies. We’ll spend the rest of this lesson going over how to analyse a poem.”

The tem girls all seemed to relax at these words, took out notebooks and pens and looked expectantly toward the Head, “I don’t plan to do all the work here, girls,” she said with a smile, “but I’ll begin, firstly, look at the language, is the poet using traditional or modern, has he colloquial or formal diction, does he even have slang, or worse,” she grimaced and the girls all laughed. “Also does the diction give you any clues about when the poem was written? Remember this is specifically for an unseen poem - one that you will be presented with in an exam.”

“Like if a poem has Modern language it must have been written recently, but one that has traditional and even words and spellings that are not used now must have been written a long time ago?” Beth Reid asked.

“Almost - or it could be a Modern poet being exceptionally annoying,” Miss Annersley said with a smile, “Next., look at imagery, what images the poet has used, why you think he or she has used them. Consider if the images tell you anything about the poet themselves - what could it tell you, Janet?”

“Erm, well it could tell you something about their culture,”

“Good, can you give an example?”

Janet thought for a time, “Tennyson’s Charge of the Light Brigade, it showed the culture of England during the time of Victoria, the almost unquestioning obedience, regardless of how stupid the order,”

“Good, very good,” the Head smiled and Janet flushed slightly, “Next look at the form - and if you do not know the definitions for these forms I suggest you look them up,” she waited until everyone had pen in hand before reciting, “Ballad, Elegy, Lyric, Narrative, Ode, Rap, Shape Poem, Sonnet - for that last make sure you are aware of the two forms of sonnet…”

Last edited by Lesley on Sun Feb 04, 2007 10:29 pm; edited 1 time in total

---

#138:  Author: Sugar, Location: second star to the right! Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 10:27 pm
    —
Ohh that took me right back to English Literature classes!

Thanks Lesley - let's hope Hilda can uncover who wrote the letters as she teaches.

---

#139:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 11:59 pm
    —
Oh, what a lovely lesson. I did enjoy it - and the easy relationship between Hilda and the girls is delightful. Totally agree with Hilda's philosophy, and loved her grimacing at the thought of 'unsuitable' language in a poem! Wish I were in the class.

Edited because AOL kept eating it!

---

#140:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 3:33 pm
    —
I too was always worried about my poetry analysis, even at uni. I needed Hilda, quite obviously.

But how is this getting her to her objective???

Thanks, Lesley

---

#141:  Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 4:20 pm
    —

MaryR wrote:

But how is this getting her to her objective???

I expect she has a cunning plan.

So glad I haven't had to do poetry analysis for about 12 years!

---

#142:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 4:50 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I was never any good at poetry or analysis. Miss Annersley (and Lesley) have been very helpful.

Thank you for your good wishes, Lesley. I am feeling better now.

---

#143:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 6:12 pm
    —
At the end of the double lesson the Head made her way back to her Study; she had just switched her kettle on when the Deputy Head appeared,

“You making coffee, Hilda? Good, I need a drink,” Nell Wilson’s voice preceded her into the room.

Hilda looked round, “Problems, Nell?”

Nell shook her head, “Only the normal ones of wrestling with the timetable - I’ll be so pleased when Kathy Schmid gets here this weekend,”

Hilda made two mugs of coffee and walked across to where Nell was sitting; placed one of the mugs in front of her friend,

“You are sure you’re alright?” she asked worriedly.

Nell took a sip from her mug then smiled across, “I’m sure, just looking forward to having a few free periods, that’s all. What about you? You don’t look as though covering extra lessons is affecting you badly - quite the contrary in fact.”

Hilda Annersley smiled, “I’ve just spent a double lesson with the Upper Sixth, discussing poetry and how to analyse a poem properly,”

Nell raised an eyebrow, “With most people that would be at the top of their ‘things I’d prefer to stick nine-inch nails in my eyes than do again’ list,” she said dryly, “I gather that was not the case with you?”

“Oh Nell, it was wonderful,” Hilda’s face split into a huge grin, “I’d forgotten how good it feels to teach people that want to learn - and there are two or three in that group who are extremely good. I know I take classes in Literature but, until today, I’ve had very little to do with the Sixth Forms.”

Nell sat back, she nodded, “Well certainly by the time they’ve reached the Sixth they’ve worked out whether they like the subject,” she agreed, “and those that don’t like the subject are no longer there. I enjoy teaching the Sixth for the same reason.”

“They not only want to learn,” Hilda continued, “but they have such fresh, original ideas,” she sighed, “makes me almost wish that Ruth was going to be off for another week or two,”

Nell laughed, she took another sip of her drink before remarking, “While enjoying the class did you get any closer to discovering which of them wrote those notes?”

The Head suddenly turned a horror-struck expression toward her friend, “I-I didn’t even think about it,” she confessed, she brought her hand up to her face, “I was so interested in the lesson that it totally slipped my mind.”

Nell shook her head, “Should have know,” she said, a wry expression on her face, “get you and a poetry discussion in the same room and everything else goes out the window. Have you got any more classes with them?”

Hilda nodded, “Yes, tomorrow afternoon, I’ll see what I can do then,”

---

#144:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 6:38 pm
    —
*giggles*
Thanks Lesley, that was brilliant.
LOVE Hilda forgetting all about what she was supposed to be doing!

---

#145:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:22 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I love the fact that Hilda managed to forget all about the notes!

---

#146:  Author: Sugar, Location: second star to the right! Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:57 pm
    —
That was a diddy update! Not surprised Hilda forgot to analyse the clas for clues I know how easy it is to get engrossed in teaching when you enjoy it

---

#147:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:02 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley.

---

#148:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:31 pm
    —
Well, that answered my question, didn't it? Hilda!! Tut, tut!

But that feeling that the class are with you.... nothing can beat it. It's a bit like drinking champagne. It just goes to one's head.

Thanks, Lesley.

---

#149:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 10:56 pm
    —

Quote:

“With most people that would be at the top of their ‘things I’d prefer to stick nine-inch nails in my eyes than do again’ list,”

Well really, Nell! Some people analyse poetry, others teach incomprehensible science.

No wonder Hilda appreciated that, especially if she hasn't had the experience for a while. Sugarplum and Mary I agree with you; when they are with you, and want to be there, there's nothing like it - it makes up for all the other times.

---

#150:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 12:44 am
    —
Bother finding out who wrote the notes, it is sooooo lovely to see Hilda enjoying her lesson so much. There is absolutely nothing in the world like it. Loved it, loved it, loved it. Loved Nell's reaction, too. Philistine!

---

#151:  Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 9:39 am
    —

Quote:

“With most people that would be at the top of their ‘things I’d prefer to stick nine-inch nails in my eyes than do again’ list,”

And for me, a Chemistry class would be pretty high up that list!

---

#152:  Author: Nell, Location: exiled from the big smoke Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 2:25 pm
    —
Fab updates, thank you Lesley.

---

#153:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 9:54 pm
    —
In one of the cottages on-site Ruth Derwent was, at the same time, gazing into dark brown eyes with a sense of wonder.

“Ruth? Ruth wake up there!”

Ruth looked round, “Sorry Ros, was gazing into Jake’s eyes,”

“Yes, so I saw, any particular reason?” Rosalind had a large grin across her face.

“Just looking at how much he resembles both you and Geoff,”

“Well I should hope so,” Rosalind retorted, “I’d be a little worried if he didn’t,”

“Geoff would be even more worried,” Ruth’s quick reply bit back.

Rosalind giggled, “Ruth! How can you say such things? He does have aspects of both of us there, doesn’t he?” She smiled indulgently down at her son; Jake Stevens was now six months old and a very placid little man, sitting up on his Auntie Ruth’s lap playing with a small ball.

“He definitely has your eyes,” Ruth replied, “they’re nearly as dark as yours already and he’s still got some time to go before the eyes stop changing colour,”

“He’s got Geoff’s chin though,” Ros said, tickling Jake beneath said chin and laughing with him.

“True, but he..ah, no, Jake let go,” Ruth stopped talked and reached up to release her bruised nose from her godson’s grasp,

“I told you, it worries him, seeing his Auntie Ruth all injured like that,” Ros said taking her son from her friend.

“Yes, well he should try it from my side,” Ruth retorted, “the bruising is still coming out,”

“Poor you,” Ros sympathised as she lay Jake on a changing mat and proceeded to remove his clothes and nappy, “will you be fit to return next week?”

“Definitely,” Ruth said with decision, “it’s been lovely staying here, Ros, don’t get me wrong - even lovelier because I’ve been able to look after Jake too - but I’m a teacher, it’s what I do,” she shrugged apologetically.

Ros looked across at her friend, “I know that, silly, I feel the same, I just wondered if you would be fit enough to return that…hey, Master Stevens? Would you kindly point that thing somewhere else? I’ve already had a shower today,”

“Jake obviously felt you needed another one,” Ruth observed, trying and failing to stop a huge grin crossing her face.

Ros managed to complete changing Jake’s nappy before taking herself off to the bedroom, she returned having changed her top, “I get through two or three of these every day because of his bad habits,” she said, picking Jake up and throwing him up to the ceiling.

“You love it,” Ruth replied, she held out her arms and Jake was placed in them for another cuddle, “I see you managed to get rid of his nappy rash, did the health visitor give you any ideas?”

“No Cherry did,” Rosalind replied, kneeling beside her friend, when Ruth looked across with a puzzled expression she continued, “she pops in a couple of times a week, normally just after she’s picked up Robbie from School - it’s been a godsend having her here - she’s managed to stop me panicking about Jake on at least a dozen occasions - having someone that’s been through it all, and recently too. It’s no good me talking to Biddy or Grizel, or even Joey - their experiences are too far away. Cherry went through it all with Robbie only a few years ago. Though Robbie was most indignant when Cherry said that he’d had a similar nappy rash when he was a baby.”

Ruth nodded, “It must be difficult for you,” she observed, “being the first to go through this,”

Rosalind shrugged, “It’s not so bad,” she said, “Geoff has been through it before - though he admits that he’s far more of a ‘hands-on’ Dad this time round. Having Cherry as a friend is really useful though. Especially as I can see that having a mother who works doesn’t seem to have hurt Robbie’s development.”

Ruth looked over sharply, “You’re planning to come back to work?”

Rosalind nodded, “Jake is the most important thing in my life,” she said quietly, “along with Geoff and Kelly, but I’m like you, Ruth, I’m a teacher. I know I could stay at home, Geoff’s salary would be enough, I know millions of women do just that. But it’s not for me, I‘ve discussed it with Geoff - he‘s fine with whatever I decide.”

Ruth thought for a moment then spoke, “One of the things I’ve loved about this world,” she said quietly, “is that women have so many choices nowadays. It’s so lovely to be able to advise the girls that they can go for anything. So long as you and your family are happy then, whatever you choose is right for you,”

“Thanks Ruth,” Ros smiled, “I don’t plan to abandon this little man just yet but I will be coming back to the School to teach,”

“What about Jake, though? Are there any decent places nearby?”

“Not sure,” Rosalind replied, “my local ‘Mother and Baby’ club warns that it’s really difficult in the Port Nepean area here. I was going to have a word with Hilda,” she shrugged slightly, “after all, the Real Chalet School takes children from age three - thought she’d want to consider having a crèche on-site too,”

---

#154:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 10:34 pm
    —
What a lovely conversation, and how nice to see Ros and Ruth enjoying Jake like that.

It was good to see Ros building a relationship with Cherry based on their shared experiences - as she said, the other women who'd had babies had done so rather a long time ago!

And Ruth's comment says a lot...

Quote:

"One of the things I’ve loved about this world,” she said quietly, “is that women have so many choices nowadays. It’s so lovely to be able to advise the girls that they can go for anything."

Ros - you need to get that nappy on quicker......

---

#155:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 10:42 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. It will be nice to have Ros back.

---

#156:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 10:45 pm
    —
LOL at Ros's impromptu shower!!

Thanks Lesley, another fab post!

---

#157:  Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 9:34 am
    —
Lovely Cherry! And good for Rosalind coming back to work.

---

#158:  Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 11:36 am
    —
This is a bit of a side track, but Lesley do you realize how long the RCS goes for? I'm slowly making my way through the archives before reading this. (Sorry but I really like reading series in order) Have spent the whole day laughing at Nell and Hilda going on a restful holiday. and just wanted to say am really enjoying all this so far. By the way have you ever thought about putting it all together in a book? Its fabulous

---

#159:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 1:59 pm
    —
Lovely conversation - and hopefully something will come of it for Ros.

Thanks, Lesley

---

#160:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 5:32 pm
    —
The next few days passed in normal routine; the Head had spent another double lesson with the Sixth and continued teaching about poetry analysis. Unfortunately she was unable to move much further forward with reference to the problem of just who was responsible for writing the notes to Katrina Palmer. She discussed the problem with Nell one evening over the weekend,

“None of them showed any particular amount of guilt, Nell,” she said with some sorrow, “and I did make some effort to guide the lesson. They had all written out their analyses of a poem that can engender feelings of anger, of guilt, of sorrow. I was able to steer the conversation round to the feelings of guilt in particular - but was able to discover nothing.”

“Do you think, perhaps, Ruth was mistaken then?” Nell asked. “About the letter she found having to have been written by one of them, I mean.”

“I hope so, Nell,” Hilda said soberly, Nell looked across with a frown and Hilda elaborated, “the alternative is very worrying. Someone that has written these letters, but doesn’t feel guilty about it. Considers that they are right or that Katrina deserves it.”

There was silence for a time then Nell Wilson said quietly, “You mean, no remorse?” Hilda nodded and Nell’s expression dropped, “We’ve only ever had one girl like that,” she began,

“I know, Thekla,” Hilda replied, “the only thing she regretted was that she had been caught. It was the reason she was expelled. We have also had a member of Staff that expressed no remorse, Nell,”

“Vida you mean?”

Hilda nodded, “Yes, Vida seemed to believe that she was correct to do as she did - and it appears that this girl feels the same," she sighed, “with that type of attitude I don’t know if she will salvageable.”

Nell thought deeply for a time then sighed just as deeply, “Perhaps she won’t be,” she said bluntly.

The Head looked across, somewhat startled, “What so you mean?”

Nell shrugged, “Well think about it, there are all types of people around, and we know one, at least, who has values, morals and ethics that we consider to be wholly unacceptable,”

“You mean Butcher?”

Nell nodded, “Before coming to the real world we had a somewhat simplistic view of the world,” she said, “the epitome of all evil were the Nazis and Elinor; otherwise almost everyone was capable of being reformed. Could you agree with that view now?”

Hilda shook her head, “No, Butcher being the best example, previously she would just have been held up as a Bad Example, yet we both know that she is capable of true goodness,” she paused before adding with a wry smile, “although, even knowing that, I would not want a young Butcher as a pupil,”

Nell laughed, “Not least because we’d probably lose all cash and valuable objects on-site, but my point is that maybe this girl, whoever she is, may not be reformable - is that a word?”

“It wasn’t, until today,” the Head said ruefully, “however I know what you meant to say,”

“Good, pleased one of us does!”

Last edited by Lesley on Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:41 pm; edited 1 time in total

---

#161:  Author: Liane, Location: Manchester Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:09 pm
    —
Thanks Lesley. I love the idea of an on-site crèche!

---

#162:  Author: Nell, Location: exiled from the big smoke Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:14 pm
    —
Hmm interesting. I love seeing how the original Chaletians are still adapting to life in this world.

Thank you Lesley.

---

#163:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:22 pm
    —
Thanks Lesley!

I can't help feeling a bit sorry for Hilda and Nell here. It's not easy to accept that some people CAN'T be helped.

---

#164:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:35 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I am sitting her trying to imagine a young Butcher at the RCS!

---

#165:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 9:02 pm
    —
A good highlighting of the ways they are still adapting to this world, and a reminder of where they have come from.

---

#166:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 3:23 am
    —
That's a very interesting point, that they have had to adapt to a world where there are multiple perspectives, and absolutes become much harder to define. And that there is often a gap between a person's declared ethics and their actions, as in the case of Butcher.

---

#167:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 12:32 pm
    —
Monday afternoon, just after lessons had finished, saw Ruth Derwent knocking at Rosalind Moore’s cottage,

“Well? How’d it go?”

Ruth smiled, “Not too bad, though I’ve got a bit of a headache now. Hilda sent me off early - told me to come over to you for the evening. That is, if you’ll have me?”

“Of course, idiot,” Ros hugged her friend and pulled her into the lounge, “I was hoping you’d pop in - wanted to know how the first day back went. Want some coffee?”

“Hmm, please,” Ruth said, sitting herself on the floor next to her godson; Jake Stevens sat on the floor in his baby bouncer; he looked up and grinned when he saw Ruth. Ros appeared with a couple of mugs of coffee, she looked over at her son,

“He has been a perfect little horror all afternoon,” she observed, “and now he’s smiling as though to say, ‘see mum? I can be good, just not when I’m with you,’...” she smiled at her friend.

“I can’t believe this little fellow would be bad,” Ruth observed, passing Jake one of his toys, “he’s just too gorgeous,”

“Hmmm, you just don’t know him, Ruth Derwent,” Rosalind declared with feeling. The two sat and drank their coffee for a while until the sound of the door bell interrupted them, Ros got up, “I’m popular today,” she remarked.

At the door were Cherry and Robbie Elliott, Cherry smiled, “Just a flying visit, Ros,” Cherry explained, “but Robbie made something at School that he wants Jake to have,”

Ros crouched down to speak to Robbie, “What have you made, Robbie?” she asked.

Robbie beamed, “It’s a cat,” he said, showing her, “Miz Burke said we could make cats or bears or bunny rabbits but I made a cat.” He held out the object and Ros took it. It was a soft toy, felt, in the shape of a black cat. It had whiskers and a long tail. Cherry explained,

“It’s not got any sharp bits in it and it was stuffed with cotton wool. I’ve checked the stitching and gone over some so it should be safe,”

Ros smiled, “Don’t you want it yourself, Robbie?”

“No Auntie Ros, it’s for babies,” Robbie said firmly, “Miz Burke said we could make for little brothers and sisters and Mummy said I could give it to Jake instead,”

Ros gave the cat back to Robbie, “Well thank you very much, Robbie,” she said, “why don’t you go on in? I’m sure Jake will be very pleased to have this from you.” She watched with a smile as Robbie moved importantly into the lounge then turned to Cherry, “Would you like a coffee before you go?”

Cherry smiled, “Just a quick one then,”

A short time later they were all sitting in the lounge and Robbie was presenting Jake with his toy. To Robbie’s delight the baby seemed to love the soft cat, immediately releasing all other toys to hold this one,

“You’ve made a friend there, Robbie,” Ruth Derwent smiled.

Robbie smiled slightly, he looked over at baby Jake and said disparagingly, “He’s only a baby,”

“Yes, but he’ll grow, and he’ll have his big cousin Robbie to look up to, won’t he?”

Robbie suddenly looked excited, he turned to Cherry, “Mummy is Jake my cousin?”

Cherry smiled, “Well he’s your Auntie Rosalind’s little boy, Robbie, perhaps you should ask her?”

Robbie turned to Ros who laughed, “Why not?” she said, “he doesn’t have any cousins, I’m sure he’d love to have you as a cousin,”

Robbie’s eyes widened, “What can cousin do?”

“Well you can look after him, give him presents, teach him how to do things,” Ruth said, “he’s only little now, but he’s learning,”

“I can show him things too,” Robbie said quickly, “I can show him my toys and books, Mummy, can’t I?”

“Of course you can,” Cherry smiled, “and when he’s older you can show him all the places on the beach and in the garden where you play, can’t you?”

Robbie looked entranced at this and appeared to be seeing Jake in a totally different light. Jake had, by now, migrated onto his Auntie Ruth’s lap and was happily continuing to play with his cat. Ros and Cherry grinned at each other. After a short time Cherry looked across at Ruth,

“How’s your head?”

Ruth smiled, “Much better, most of the bruising has gone now - and I had a very contrite three girls come and apologise to me at Morning Break.”

“What did Hilda do to them?” Ros asked, a smile on her face, “it must have been something pretty impressive, it normally is,”

Ruth’s smile widened, “Well she saw all three first thing, they were all reduced to tears - but that’s normal. They had to apologise to both Gemma and me, of course. And, for the rest of term and the first four weeks of next term they are not allowed to move anywhere in the School without an escort from either a Mistress or Prefect. As even the older Juniors are allowed to move unescorted this has truly impacted on their dignity as Senior Middles. Oh and they have detention all day Saturdays until the end of term.”

“Ouch,” Rosalind replied with a laugh, “bet that went down like a lead balloon? Especially as any member of Staff or Prefect that has to escort them will make their displeasure known. I know I would have, when teaching.”

“Well it’ll give my Form something else to think about, other than this business with Katrina and the letters,” Ruth replied, extracting Jake’s arm from down her front.

“Letters?” Cherry looked puzzled.

Ruth looked somewhat shame-faced, “Oh sorry, shouldn’t have mentioned that,” she said, “a problem with one of the Prefects and some rather nasty letters she’s received, don’t pass it on, will you,”

“Of course not,” Cherry replied promptly, looking rather worried.

…

It was almost eight o’clock that evening when there was a knock on the Head’s Study door; expecting a visit from the Deputy Head, to order her to stop working, Miss Annersley thought nothing of it, other than to wonder why Nell had not come through the connecting door,

“Come in,” she called, then, without even looking up she continued, “yes I know the time, Nell, I’ve only got…”

“It’s me, Hilda,” came a subdued voice.

Hilda Annersley looked up, surprised, “Cherry? What are you doing here? There’s not something wrong with Robbie is there?”

Cherry shook her head, “He’s asleep, Sarah’s watching him. Can we talk, Hilda, it’s important.”

Hilda nodded at mention of Sarah Eldridge, she was one of the cleaners, an Australian woman, she had recently applied for and been offered a room in the Domestic Staff Boarding House.

“Of course, Cherry, come in, sit down. Now what’s wrong?”

Cherry walked across to sit at the oval table, waited while the Head joined her, she paused for so long that Hilda reached forward and placed a hand on her shoulder,

“What’s wrong, Cherry?” she repeated.

Cherry swallowed quickly, looked across to meet Hilda’s gaze, “I was over at Rosalind’s place earlier. She and Ruth were talking about a problem you’ve got, with someone sending anonymous letters?” Hilda frowned slightly and Cherry saw this, “I don’t think they knew that I didn’t know,” she said quickly.

“They should have known better than to talk about it,” the Head said sternly.

“Maybe, but I’m glad they did,” Cherry replied, she took a deep breath, “means I have to tell you something.”

---

#168:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 2:50 pm
    —
Thanks Lesley!

LOvely post there. Robbie is SO cute, and I can just picture him and little Jake in a couple of years time!

And so, what does Cherry know about these letters? I'm assuming that she is NOT the one who's been writing them. Has she come across something while she's been cleaning the girls' rooms maybe?

---

#169:  Author: Sugar, Location: second star to the right! Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 3:39 pm
    —
Ohh I wonder what Cherry knows.

Thanks Lesley! Do you really think I'd risk giving a 4yr old a needle tho!?

---

#170:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 3:47 pm
    —
I never knew cousins had such responsible jobs, Lesley!

Hilda does believe in wholesale punishments, doesn't she? But what is she about to hear from Cherry now, I wonder.

Thanks, Lesley.

---

#171:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 5:01 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I wonder what Cherry is going to say.

---

#172:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:15 pm
    —
This is an interesting development.

---

#173:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 3:31 am
    —
What a lovely idea - to give Jake a cousin in the shape of Robbie!

Hmm, I wonder what Cherry knows?

---

#174:  Author: Josie, Location: London Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 11:02 am
    —
Phew - have finally caught up! Robbie was very sweet there with Jake - always nice to gain a cousin too!

No idea who's writing the letters, but *g* at Hilda and her teaching.

Thanks Lesley - looking forward to more.

x

---

#175:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 2:03 pm
    —
“About the letters?” Hilda sounded very surprised.

“Well, sort of,” Cherry said quietly, “first though, can you tell me all the details about it? It’s important, I wouldn’t ask otherwise.”

Hilda gazed into Cherry’s eyes for a time then seemed to make a decision; she walked back to her desk and unlocked the top drawer, retrieved a sheet of paper from it. She sat back at the oval table.

“Last year, just over a year ago, in fact, there was a very nasty and unusual episode of bullying, here at the Real Chalet School,” the Head began.

“Unusual?”

Hilda nodded, “Yes, unusual in that the ones being bullied were two of the Mistresses, Nancy Wilmot and Kathie Ferrars,”

Cherry stared, “Nancy and Kathie? But why? They‘re two of the loveliest people…oh, just thought, because they’re a couple?”

Hilda nodded.

Cherry shook her head, “What is it with some people?” she asked with some despair.

“In this case those doing the bullying did so mainly because of ignorance,” the Head returned quietly, especially in the case of the chief instigator, Katrina Palmer,”

“The same Katrina that’s now receiving the letters?”

“Yes,” there was an interruption as, after a quick knock on the door Nell Wilson appeared. Miss Annersley quickly informed her friend about the reason Cherry was there and Nell took a seat and waited. Hilda continued, “Katrina learned a hard lesson about herself and her actions. She had to grow up quickly and, in the course of growing up, discovered that her parents, her mother in particular, wasn’t the person she had thought. When it came to choosing Prefects before Christmas, I had no hesitation, along with Miss Wilmot, in picking Katrina as one.”

“I see,” Cherry was quiet for a time and Nell spoke,

“What did you want to tell Hilda?”

Cherry looked over, her expression strained, “I…um,”

Hilda suddenly had an inkling as to why Cherry was finding this difficult, “You want to tell me something, Cherry?” she began, “But at the same time you…”

“You think it’s ‘grassing’…” Nell finished triumphantly.

Cherry nodded very slightly, “This is really difficult,” she said quietly.

Hilda thought for a moment, “But, Cherry,” she said gently, “there are times when you must report things to a higher authority. When the deed itself must be dealt with by ‘reporting’ to someone. This is not a case where you are being malicious or nasty to ‘tell tales’ this is where you have information that will stop a particularly nasty crime - and one that is victimising a girl who has already learnt her lesson and does not deserve this.”

Nell reached forward to cup Cherry’s face with one hand, “You know me, Cherry,” she said quietly, “and, more to the point, you know Hilda. Can you see her doing something unjust with this information?”

“No,” Cherry said quickly, she paused for a time, looked across at Hilda who responded,

“I appreciate this is difficult, Cherry,” she said, “why don’t you take a little time? Think about it and I’ll see you tomorrow, alright?”


Cherry nodded, rose and left the Study. Hilda and Nell looked at each other,

“I think she must have discovered something, Hilda,” Nell said firmly, “and the most obvious would be when she was cleaning - she would have access to the girls’ rooms then, wouldn’t she?”

“She would Nell,” Hilda agreed, “but, as far as I’m aware Cherry’s ‘patch’ is the Middles Boarding Houses, she doesn’t have contact with the Seniors Boarding Housing, nor does she clean the Main School itself. Whatever she’s discovered will have to wait until she’s happy to tell us…”

“That’s now,” a third voice interrupted, both women looked over toward the Study door - Cherry had opened the door and was standing in the entranceway, “I’d only gone a few metres before I realised I didn’t need to think about it. I know that you, both of you, will act on the information properly. And although this Katrina’s actions toward Nancy and Kathie were nasty - if she’s made good she doesn’t deserve some other nasty cow to mess things up for her.” She walked over and sat at the oval table again, took a deep breath,

“One of the Boarding Houses includes the Thirds, the Upper Thirds. My job includes cleaning all the bathrooms and toilets and general tidying and vacuuming of the dormitories and Common Rooms,” Cherry began. “Last term, not sure exactly when, near the end of term anyway, I was tidying up in the Common Room when I knocked a couple of books off the bookcase, when the books fell one opened and scattered some papers on the floor,” she looked over at Hilda and Nell. “I read the papers as I was picking them up, they were letters, to a Katrina Palmer, nasty letters at that. They were inside a text book on studying A’Level English Language - I just thought they were part of an English assignment, didn’t think any more about it, until today.”

“Did the book have a name in it?” Hilda asked quickly.

Cherry shook her head, “No,” she said, “but I did notice, a couple of days later, that the book was no longer there,” she shrugged, “don’t know if it’s of any help. I mean, from what Ruth said the letters had been written by someone older - perhaps, instead, they were written by Third Former,”

Hilda shook her head, “I think that extremely unlikely,” she said firmly, “the language used was definitely not that used by an eleven year old. There has to be some other reason why the book happened to be there,”

“How about the book was there because one of the Upper Third has a sister in the Upper Sixth?” Nell Wilson said triumphantly, the other two looked at her and she nodded, “think about it,” she said, “the earlier problems involving Katrina were with girls in the Upper Third - have any of them an older sister?”

Hilda thought quickly, “Dana Novak, Josie Wheeler, Lisa Blake and Heather Fish - they were the four responsible for the trouble last term involving Katrina,” she swallowed quickly, “and one of them not only has a sister in the Upper Sixth, she is one of the ten taking A’ Levels in English.”

---

#176:  Author: Liane, Location: Manchester Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 2:27 pm
    —
Oooh we're getting close!
Thanks Lesley

---

#177:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 2:32 pm
    —
So pleased Cherry trusted Hilda and Nell enough to know that they would do the right thing with her information.

Sitting here racking my brains over those names - and not one blessed thing comes to mind! Very clever, Lesley. I suppose I now have to go and do a re-read.*sighs*

---

#178:  Author: Kat, Location: Kingston-upon-Thames/Swansea Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 2:39 pm
    —
Uh-oh...

---

#179:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 4:59 pm
    —
OOoh!!!

Well done Cherry. Not easy to overcome the ingrained hatred of 'grassing' like that, but it needed to be done. Now, lets see who it is and WHY!

Thanks Lesley|!

---

#180:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 11:46 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I wonder which of the girls has a sister in Upper Sixth.

---

#181:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 1:42 am
    —
That was difficult for Cherry, but she trusted Hilda and Nell - and for the right reasons.

Thank you Lesley.

---

#182:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 3:02 pm
    —
Oooh we're getting closer to finding out who did it! I really have to admire Cherry's courage in taking the decision to tell Hilda, and Hilda's sensitivity.

And of course if Ros wants to return to work before Hilda can get a creche set up then I'd be more than happy to relocate to Australia! I hear nannying Down Under's great fun

Thanks Lesley!

---

#183:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 11:17 pm
    —
The following day saw a meeting in Miss Shaw’s office of all the Prison Department Heads; the Governor didn’t keep them in suspense for long,

“Very simply, ladies and gentlemen,” she said quickly, “I want your impressions as to what is happening within the prison, any thoughts or observations, however strange they may seem,”

“Because of the continuing problems, Miss Shaw?” the questioner was the Senior Maintenance Officer.

Geri Shaw nodded, “Yes, because the problems have, if anything, worsened over the last few weeks - something I did not expect after the Social Worker, Kirby, was apprehended.”

“Haslam seems to have retained some method of controlling the women,” Pat Francis observed, “but she is very subtle, none of the Wing Officers have been able to ‘catch her in the act’ or see her doing anything illegal,”

“Well that’s the whole point, Pat,” Alex Wood , the Senior Officer, replied with a lazy smile, “if we could catch them there wouldn’t be a problem. Are you sure that Butcher’s not the problem here, Geri?” He, like many of the Officers, recognised the close relationship there was between the Governor and Butcher.

Geri Shaw shook her head, “No, I don’t think she is, I’m sure she’d like nothing better than for everything to return to how it was before Haslam was convicted.”

“Excuse me, Governor? Don’t think I’m actually suggesting it, myself, but during our training it was emphasised many times that one of the things all Prisons should strive for would be a prison without any one inmate ‘in charge’ - that we are in charge, not them...” the speaker trailed off as he saw that everyone was looking at him.

Alex Wood leant forward and whispered into the Governor’s ear, “Mickey Fielder, he’s not been in post a year yet - he’s the new Union Rep at the moment,”

Geri nodded, she looked across at the young man, “Mr Fielder? All those of us who have been through the same training,” she indicated all the Prison Officers, “are well aware of what is said in the classroom. In an ideal world perhaps it should be something we should strive for. But this is not an ideal world. We are dealing with people who have chosen to operate outside the values that we consider to be important. I’ve worked as a Prison Officer for twenty-one years, in total I’ve been assigned to nine different prisons for varying lengths of time. I’ve never come across one where there isn’t a man or woman who has set themselves up as the leader and spokesperson for the prison. That hasn’t used coercion and intimidation to enforce their views,”

“But surely that just confirms the view from the college,” Fielder interrupted, “we shouldn’t allow these people to do this,”

Geri forced herself not to smile at the naivety from the young officer, “How would you do that, Mr Fielder?” she asked gently. “You have a community of several hundred inmates, you have to allow them time outside their cells, time to socialise - we cannot keep them on lock-down permanently. The staffing levels are never going to be high enough to observe every inmate intently - and remember you will be dealing with some inmates that are extremely clever and have seen far more prisons than you’ll ever see.”

“But that means we’re letting them win,” Fielder said, his voice heavy with disappointment.

“No,” the Governor replied, “accepting that something will happen does not mean that the inmates have won - it means that we recognise that we are only human. Instead of attempting, futilely, to stop inmates from forming gangs, we should ensure that inmates have protection. That all inmates know what behaviour will and will not be tolerated. That, if necessary, you will enforce the rules rigidly, but that you are prepared to give some leeway.” Geri smiled, “When I was in my first probationary year, my Senior Officer at the time likened it to walking a tightrope in a hurricane - a comment that, over the years, I have come to appreciate more each day.”

There was a rueful chuckle from all around the table and the young officer nodded quickly and subsided. Alex Wood looked across at the Governor,

“The tension levels are rising again,” he said, “they did drop for a while, just after that fuss with the Social Worker being caught, but now, if anything, they are worse than ever.”

The Senior Hospital Officer, Alan Marsh, commented, “We have three women in the hospital at the moment, all of them injured with what the Doc says is an exceptionally sharp knife - personally I think it’s a razor blade, myself. None of the three are inmates that are normally in trouble - and all three are terrified.”

“That’s not Butcher,” Pat Francis said emphatically.

The Governor nodded agreement, “I agree, it doesn’t sound like her style - she doesn’t generally resort to blades - at least, unless it’s a siege situation,” she added dryly. She looked round at all her senior staff, “I’m inclined to the opinion that Haslam has found another source of money - enough that she is starting to make inroads into Butcher’s organisation. We need to discover this source and block it - because otherwise we will be looking at civil war here. Speak with your staff, warn them. Anything out of the ordinary, anything different - especially relating to either Butcher or Haslam - they are to report it. We need to stop this from exploding, quickly.”

---

#184:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 11:33 pm
    —
Yikes!!!

Things do not sound good here! PLEASE let them sort Haslam out soon Lesley!!!

---

#185:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:02 am
    —
Hmm, Haslam seems to have been quite successful in the short term. And how very interesting to see the contrast between the theory and the practice and how much adjustment the newest officers have to make.

---

#186:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 1:26 pm
    —
Love that line about a tightrope in a hurricane, Lesley. And one can see how much Geri would appreciate it. There is always someone who will rise to the top in any organisation, be it legal or not. Geri was very patient with that young man and hopefully will have taught him a thing or two - though it's really only experience will do that.

Oh' dear, though - the thought of civil war is horrifying.

Thanks, Lesley

---

#187:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 4:33 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. It was interesting to see Geri giving Mickey advice.

---

#188:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 8:48 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. It's interesting to see the different dynamics of how it ought to be, and how it actually is.

---

#189:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 11:46 pm
    —
And just when I thought we were going to find out who'd written the letters ...

This is turning very nasty. I'd be very worried indeed if people were being razor bladed - that is surely in the category of behaviour that will not be tolerated. Haslam's access to her money has clearly made all the difference and you can almost see the tension levels rising.

Quote:

We need to stop this from exploding, quickly.”

How true.

I, too, loved the 'walking a tightrope in a hurricane'!

---

#190:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 8:33 pm
    —
By the time Cherry had finished relating her information it was almost ten o’clock, Miss Annersley decided not to disturb the girls then but, instead, to confront the Sixth Former the next day. Accordingly, the following morning a message arrived for Mlle Berne and she spoke with one of her class. A short time later there was a knock on the Head’s Study door and, on hearing the soft, ‘come in’ from inside, the girl opened the door. Miss Annersley looked across, her expression grave,

“Come in please, Melanie, sit down.”

Melanie Blake walked over and sat in the chair indicated, she smiled across at the Head, “Mlle Berne didn’t say why you wanted to see me, Miss Annersley,” she began, “is it something about my poetry analysis from last week?”

Hilda shook her head, “No Melanie, this has nothing to do with your work,” she said with some regret,

Melanie’s black eyes suddenly appeared even darker, “Can’t be Lisa, I saw her at breakfast,” she began, “it’s Mum or Dad, or Helen…” she stopped as Miss Annersley again shook her head.

“I’ve asked you here about something very serious, Melanie,” she said, “but something that affects only you,” Hilda paused for a moment and took a deep breath before continuing, “I should like you to explain to me why you have been sending malicious letters to Katrina Palmer?”

After the blunt question the Head watched Melanie’s expression and body language intently, at the question Melanie had immediately jumped up, outraged, her expression one of shock and horror, “Who’s said I did that? I want to speak to them now! How dare someone accuse me of something like that without any proof…”

“What makes you think that there is no proof, Melanie?” Hilda Annersley’s quietly voiced question silenced the girl. Before she could speak again the Head continued, “Copies of the letters were discovered in an A’ level text book, found in the Upper Third Common Room. I’ve already spoken with your sister - she tells me that you used to visit her quite regularly, at the beginning of the year.”

Melanie sat down once more, “That’s hardly proof…”

“It’s circumstantial evidence, I’ll admit,” Miss Annersley replied, “but it’s the second piece of circumstantial evidence that applies to you - the first being the dropped letter in Miss Derwent’s class. And the trouble in which your sister Lisa and her friends managed to find themselves last term, is another piece of evidence. I’m sure that Lisa didn’t know that she had obtained her information from you - if she had then she would have told me. But I’m also sure that you know your sister’s character - knew that she would immediately act on the information. How did you do it, I wonder? Did you ensure that you were discussing Katrina’s difficulties in an area where Lisa and her friends were certain to hear?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Melanie returned quickly, “whoever sent those notes to Katrina it wasn’t me, why would I do that? Katrina’s a friend. We used to be pretty close, at least we did until she started that bullying last year,” that last said with some measure of anger. The Head looked across thoughtfully,

“You sound as though you really disapproved of the behaviour of Katrina and her friends last year?”

“Of course I do,” Melanie replied quickly, “I told Katrina so at the time but she just ignored me. What she did was terrible - I told her I couldn’t be her friend after that - she was just so nasty.” The girl rose from her seat and paced angrily, “She deserved to be expelled, you know?” she said distractedly, barely noticing the Head in her anger, Hilda Annersley, recognising this, said nothing, concentrating on being as inconspicuous as possible, “She didn’t deserve another chance, not after what she’d done - but no, she’s given another chance, told all’s forgiven. I mean, that’s not a good example to the kids, is it? Oh you can behave as badly as you like, kids, even almost get expelled, but none of that matters, so long as you say sorry, they’ll believe you. You can then be made Prefect even though you’re totally unsuitable for the role - even though there are other girls far more qualified, girls who have never been in trouble, have always been good students…”

“Girls like you?” the Head said very quietly.

“Yes!” Melanie shouted back in reply; she then stopped and stared, suddenly aware of just what she had been saying -and more importantly, to whom. She swallowed sharply, aghast.

“I see,” Miss Annersley said quietly, she paused, looked at Melanie for some seconds before nodding to herself, “You are jealous,” she said with decision, “jealous of Katrina’s success. You believe that she should not have been allowed to become Prefect, that you were the unfairly treated because Katrina was given the chance?”

Melanie took a couple of quick breaths, “So what if I was?” she said harshly.

The English Mistress within Hilda Annersley winced, however she showed no sign, “So what? So you decided to try and force Katrina to resign or to make her so unhappy that not only would she be unable to perform her duties, but that her schoolwork was affected.”

“No, you can’t prove that,” Melanie had turned pale.

“It was, perhaps, unfortunate, from your point of view, that the Prefects supported Katrina so well, and even more unfortunate that your sister and her friends were stopped so quickly; but you had a second plan, a rather more nasty one and, incidentally, one that meant you were committing a criminal act - something that Katrina never did, by the way.”

“I tell you I didn’t do it,”

“And now I discover that the reason was jealousy,” the Head continued, as though Melanie had not spoken, “jealousy and envy, that another girl had a post that you wanted. Well I’m sorry, Melanie, but even if, for whatever reason, I had to strip Katrina of her post, I would not be appointing you Prefect.”

Melanie’s jaw dropped, “But you must,” she said quickly, “that’s the whole point of…” she stopped, suddenly realising what she had said.

The Head nodded, her expression solemn “…the whole point of your campaign?” she continued, “Yes Melanie, I realise that.”

---

#191:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 9:44 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I wonder what Miss Annersley will do next.

---

#192:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 9:45 pm
    —
She's so puffed up with her own importance, she can't control herself, can she? It's been festering inside for so long, it only took one little push and out it all came - and even now she can't see what she's done wrong; she's still convinced she deserves to get what she has schemed for. Jealousy makes all the usual rules fly out the window.

Thanks, Lesley - and Hilda.

---

#193:  Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 9:51 pm
    —
Clever Hilda! I was worried that the evidence was so circumstancial, but Melanie just convicted herself!

---

#194:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:19 pm
    —
MaryR wrote:

Quote:

It's been festering inside for so long

That is exactly what I thought as I read this - all that jealousy and anger building inside her to the point where she can't see beyond it and nothing else matters. And it took so little in the end.... Hilda was very wise. And I imagine that the shock of learning she would never have been a prefect might be more devastating than being found out.

---

#195:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:34 pm
    —
Well Melanie couldn't really expect to be appointed a Prefect after she'd just admitted all that....even if she had continued to deny it surely she should have realised that she didn't have a hope.

And yet I still cling to the hope that Hilda will straighten her out....

---

#196:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:50 pm
    —
Silly silly girl!

Hope Hilda can sort her out.

Thank you Lesley! (How's the new job going by the way?)

---

#197:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 12:35 am
    —
Hilda handled that so cleverly, effacing herself until Melanie had worked herself into the rage that made everything come splurging out, then pinning her down so calmy but implacably with her own understanding of the situation.

Can sort of understand Melanie's resentment, when she's been the 'good' girl and the 'bad' one is forgiven and promoted, but the deliberateness of the 'campaign' shows that she never had the right qualities for the job.

---

#198:  Author: Tan, Location: London via Newcastle Australia Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 11:30 am
    —
Hmm. You can see her twisted reasoning, but that twist in her character is the whole reason she is unsuitable. At least Katrina could see what she had done was wrong and she really paid for it. I am interested to see how Hilda will deal with this situation.

---

#199:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 2:23 am
    —
Such a lot to catch up on!
That Melanie -- she's as bad as Haslam in her way.

---

#200:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:50 pm
    —
There was silence for some time, Miss Annersley watching the girl closely whilst thinking of her next actions. Eventually she swallowed sharply and spoke, “Melanie, can you not see just how wrong your actions were? You released information to the younger girls that they should not have known; information that caused your sister and her friends to question the authority of a Prefect. You were therefore indirectly responsible for your sister and the other three girls being in serious trouble last term. In addition, due to the solidarity of the Prefects they attempted to protect Katrina - but were mistaken in who they thought were responsible - the Upper Fifth were victimised for some time - all of which was, ultimately, due to your actions,”

“She didn’t deserve to be Prefect,” Melanie shot back, obviously realising that her previous protestations on innocence were invalid.

“Whether she deserved to be a Prefect or not, Melanie, that wasn’t your decision and didn’t warrant your action,” Hilda replied firmly, she paused for a quick breath before adding, in a rather more intense voice, “and then, this term, you take your campaign further and start to write malicious notes to her in the hope that this will cause her to voluntarily resign. Were you aware, Melanie, that this action, sending malicious communication, is a criminal act? You are eighteen years old - you could be prosecuted for this,”

“I only said what many were thinking,” Melanie replied hotly, “and I didn’t lie, everything I wrote was the truth,”

“That is your opinion,” Miss Annersley said, her voice still low but with an underlying sorrow, “and, regardless, you should not have sent malicious anonymous notes to someone who considered you a friend.”

“Well I didn’t consider her a friend,” Melanie replied, “not after all the trouble she was in - I mean, she wasn’t Deputy Form Prefect anymore, was she?”

The Head frowned, Katrina had lost her position as Deputy Form Prefect, it was true; the title being stripped from her as part of her punishment, but the way that Melanie spoke…Miss Annersley asked a question somewhat hesitantly, “But that wasn’t the only reason that you were her friend, was it, Melanie?”

Melanie looked across almost surprised, “Of course it was. And once she'd lost that, why should I want to be her friend after that? She couldn’t give me anything,”

“But you are not friends with someone purely because they might be able to give you something, Melanie, surely?”

“Why else would I want to be friends with her? And anyway, after what she’d done I’d have thought you’d approve of me not wanting to associate with her,”

“No, I wouldn’t approve of that,” Miss Annersley replied troubled, “I could accept someone being appalled at the deed, at the fact that a person had performed the bullying. At being disappointed that a friend could actually do something like that - but it would not occur to me that I should withdraw my friendship. At that time Katrina probably needed her friends, all the girls involved did. To remove your support at such a time…”

“Oh come on,” Melanie sounded scornful, “why should I continue being friends with her? She couldn’t help me in any way. With respect, Miss Annersley, it’s different for you, of course everyone wants to be your friend - you’re a useful person to know, you’ve got status and a good position. Me? I’ve still got to work on that, got to make sure I’m seen with the right people. In a way I suppose this was all for that - it looks much better on any CV to be able to say you were a Prefect, chosen by the Headmistress and Senior Staff, doesn’t it?” She smiled slightly and looked across at the silent woman opposite, “Still, suppose I’m not going to be able to do that, am I? Suppose you’re going to give me lines or detention or something? Fine, I can accept that,”

Miss Annersley shook her head, “No Melanie, I’m not giving you lines or detention. I would give those punishments if I felt that a person would learn from them. I give most punishments in the fervent hope that a child learn from their mistake and not repeat their offence. But you have not even accepted the fact that you did something wrong. And you seem to view friendship as something to be acquired solely to help you achieve future success. In the same way you seem to view being a Prefect as a means to an end. I find your attitude to be very disturbing, especially as you are now eighteen years old and, officially at least, judged to be an adult. So much so that I cannot keep you here at this School. I am too afraid of how your attitude and ethos may affect the other girls here.”

“What do you mean?” Melanie looked a little worried.

“I mean, Melanie,” Hilda returned regretfully, “that for only the second time in my career, I am going to have to expel a student from this School.”

---

#201:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:30 am
    —
Just for a moment, it seemed as if Hilda was hearing an utterly foreign language - expressed in words that she could understand and so even more alarming. And how terrifying to know that this point of view was so far removed from her own way of thinking. And Melanie doesn't even see her behaviour as in any way unusual; she doesn't have the faintest idea of the enormity of what she's done - for her, all relationships are expressed in terms of commodification, and valued only for what they can do for her.

Hilda has no other option does she?

---

#202:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:25 am
    —
Poor Hilda. But there is no other action she can take here.

---

#203:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 3:19 am
    —
No, I don't really see much of an alternative for Hilda, in the face of such amorality.

I'm a little surprised someone with Melanie's "practical" bent isn't more adept at concealing such an ethos. Too convinced everyone else thinks the same way, I suppose....

Thank you, Lesley.

(Meanwhile, back at the prison....?)

---

#204:  Author: Tan, Location: London via Newcastle Australia Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 7:33 am
    —
This reminds me a little of the Thekla situation. The same cold, planned behaviour. The only option of course for Hilda is to expel Melanie.

---

#205:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 10:53 am
    —
All Hilda was looking for was an expression of sorrow - and that would have saved Melanie.

Yes, this attitude is incomprehensible to Hilda, but if Melanie had shown one spark of humanity, Hilda's perceptive understanding of others would have helped the girl a little, maybe convinced her there is another way of looking at things. But Hilda knew it was a hopless case - and that will hurt her.

Thanks, Lesley

---

#206:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 11:49 am
    —
The only reason anyone has ever been expelled from the CS is the inability to express any true sorrow and regret. Hilda has no choice, and even if Melanie tries to say she's sorry, she won't be believed now. Her attitude is too clear, and too deeply entrenched. It would be nice to think that expulsion will make her think, but I'm afraid that all she'll think about is revenge on the school.

---

#207:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 5:08 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I wonder how Melanie will react.

---

#208:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 7:41 pm
    —
There was a shocked silence that seemed to go on for hours, then Melanie shook her head, “You can’t do that,”

Miss Annersley raised an eyebrow, “I think you’ll find that I can, Melanie. Not only that, but I must, to protect the rest of the School from your attitude and, hopefully, give you enough of a shock that you will truly think about your behaviour and attempt to change. I must admit, listening to you this morning, I’m not very confident of the latter.”

Melanie sank into the chair opposite the Head, her face pale, “You can’t do that, please, I’ll be taking exams at the end of the year, I’ve been provisionally accepted for Oxford. How will I explain that to the selectors?”

“I don’t know, Melanie,” Hilda returned levelly, hardening her expression, “you could try telling them the truth…”

“No, you can’t, my parents…”

“I will be contacting your parents, Melanie,” Hilda looked at her watch, “It’s almost nine am therefore in England it will be almost eleven at night - a little late but I believe the situation warrants it,” she paused as a bell rang signifying the start of lessons (Miss Wilson having taken morning Assembly), then continued, “You will not, of course, attend any classes, instead I will ask Nurse Chester to open up the San for your use. I will ask your Housemistress to bring across your belongings,”

Melanie listened to the impassive voice of the woman opposite with shock, “You’re going to expel me? When you didn’t expel her?” There was no need to ask who the ‘her’ referred to.

Miss Annersley nodded, “Yes Melanie, because she appreciated that she had behaved wrongly and she attempted to make amends, neither of which you have done - and you will not convince me now, that any attempt by you at this late stage is genuine.”

Melanie’s eyes darkened as she recognised that the Head would no accept any attempt at repentance now, “You’re throwing me out? After being one of the top students for the last three years? How can you justify…”

“Do not attempt to reflect this back toward either myself or the School, Melanie,” Hilda Annersley said sternly, “you are being expelled because of your actions, nothing more or less. I would suggest that you take time to think about that, and reflect on if you truly wish to live the rest of your life being able to rely on no one for friendship or help - unless they feel it is in their own interests to aid you. That sounds like an exceptionally lonely and emotionless existence.”

The Head made no further comments, instead ringing the San and speaking with Nurse Chester. A short time later the Nurse appeared and, after being briefed by Miss Annersley, escorted the Sixth Former back to the San, leaving Hilda to make the call to England.

---

#209:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 7:45 pm
    —
Not an easy call to make. Poor Hilda. Poor Melanie too - what must her upbringing have been like for her to have this attitude. The telephone conversation shiould be interesting if she's got her oputlook from her parents!

---

#210:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 8:05 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I don't think her parents will be too happy!

---

#211:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 9:07 pm
    —
Poor Hilda. A rotten call to have to make!
Thanks Lesley!

---

#212:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 9:08 pm
    —
Hilda MIGHT have been tempted to be a little more lenient - but not after a reception like that of her diktat. The joys of leadership - not!!

Let's hope the parents don't cause too much of a ruckus.

Thanks, Lesley

---

#213:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 10:47 pm
    —
Even now she cannot understand it can she? And hearing that, what else can Hilda do? But I do wonder how her parents will take it. Do they share her attitudes?

(((Hilda))) - having to make that phone call.

---

#214:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 12:37 am
    —
Well, Melanie seems to have managed to avoid absorbing a single decent value from the school, and would only ever be so honest if she truly didn't realise that her attitude was unacceptable. Which is why there's so little hope for her. Presumably she's got it from her parents?? In which case, I doubt they'll be happy.

A very unpleasant and sad decision for Hilda to have to take, and she realises its implications far more than Melanie does - but, my goodness, having taken it, she doesn't hang about, does she! Melanie's feet are not going to touch the ground! I hope Hilda will give her advice on how to take her exams, nonetheless, she won't want to break her life into little pieces.

---

#215:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 7:00 pm
    —
The call to Melanie’s parents went far better than the Head had expected; Mr Blake had obviously been awoken by the telephone and, to begin with, Hilda found it difficult to make him understand what had happened. Mr Blake had misheard and thought she was speaking about their youngest daughter, Lisa. When he finally understood that it was Melanie his reaction was one of complete surprise,

“I cannot believe it, Miss Annersley,” he said, “Of our three daughters Melanie has always been the best student - almost driven to succeed, but she has never been in trouble…”

“I assure you, Mr Blake, the evidence is unequivocal,” Miss Annersley replied.

“Oh, I’m sure that it is,” the man hastened to reply, “I wasn’t doubting you, but it’s just a total surprise. I fully understand that you cannot keep her.” There was a pause while he obviously was speaking with his wife then his voice returned, “My wife has just asked if Lisa can remain, or will you want her to leave too?”

“No Mr Blake, Lisa may remain,” Hilda replied quickly, “I have no problem with her staying - and we will ensure that she does not suffer because of her sister’s actions and fate.”

“Thank you, Miss Annersley,” the relief in the man’s voice was obvious, “also,” he paused for sometime before continuing, “well, Melanie was taking some exams later this year, could she?” He stopped before saying quickly, “Oh no, I don’t expect you feel she deserves it…”

Hilda thought swiftly, “I am prepared to let Melanie take one of our school laptops with her, Mr Blake,” she said gently, “and to arrange for work to be sent to her - she should be able to sit her exams - although you will have to arrange that in England,”

“Oh thank you, Miss Annersley,” the man sounded very grateful, “I know that Melanie was very happy to hear of her provisional acceptance to Oxford, she boasted that she was going to beat her sister Helen…”

“She has another sister?” the Head sounded surprised,

“Yes, didn’t she tell you?” Mr Blake was surprised too, “Helen is a couple of years older than Melanie, she’s at University at the moment, taking a degree in Maths,” he laughed before continuing, “don’t know where the pair get their brains from, neither Debra nor I passed any exams at school. I was a plumber, Debra worked on the till at the local supermarket. Then, when my business started taking off we both put in all hours to make it a success. Perhaps we gave Melanie too much, but she had the same as the other two - only reason Helen didn’t come to your school was because she was in her final year anyway and preferred to stay here.”

“I see,” Hilda thought furiously, “tell me, Mr Blake, have there ever been problems between Helen and Melanie?”

There was another pause while the man was obviously consulting with his wife, then a different voice spoke, “Miss Annersley? Debra Blake here - speaking candidly I’d say that Melanie has always been jealous of her older sister. Could this be part of the reason why she’s in trouble today?”

Hilda thought for some seconds, “Yes Mrs Blake, that is a distinct possibility; jealousy is a terrible emotion and tends to cause a person to do things that would otherwise be considered incomprehensible.”

“She’s always been jealous of Helen,” Mrs Blake said somewhat distractedly, “we thought she’d grown out of it, but…” she took a deep breath, “never mind, Miss Annersley would you be able to keep Melanie until we get there? Steve is looking up flights - hopefully we’ll be able to get one tomorrow - but it’ll take us some time,”

The Head considered, “It’s Tuesday morning here in Melbourne,” she said, “I am prepared to keep Melanie until the weekend, that should allow you enough time to get here. However, Melanie is now eighteen - should she decide to leave I have no authority to prevent her from going,”

“Doubt that will happen,” Debra Blake returned, “she left a message only yesterday that she had run out of money - I was going to send some to her tomorrow. Thank you, Miss Annersley, we’ll be there as soon as we can.”

---

#216:  Author: Liane, Location: Manchester Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 7:11 pm
    —
Well, they took that very well! How typically Hilda to Let Melanie take a laptop, and arrange for her work to be sent to her!

Thanks Lesley

---

#217:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 8:00 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. It's good that the parents were reasonable and that Hilda is prepared to send work to Melanie.

---

#218:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 9:04 pm
    —
I was almost tempted to say that they took it all too well - until that fact about the older sister came out. But I do hope this doesn't mean she is about to abscond and cause more problems. One dreads to think what she could get up to.

Thanks, Lesley - could always stick her in with Butcher for safe-keeping!

---

#219:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 11:04 pm
    —
Thanks Lesley.
This sheds a bit more light on Melanie's behaviour, not that it excuses what she did, but explains a bit about why she's how she is.

---

#220:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 12:34 am
    —
How sad - that all her life she's felt driven to excel because of her sister and that that's coloured all that she's done.

---

#221:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 2:52 am
    —
Interesting development. I'm impressed that the parents seem to have been so understanding. Hilda's generosity, was, of course, expected.

I can certainly see Melanie wanting to outshine the older sister, and a warped character might well follow. It also fits with the urge to get what she think she deserves by fair means or foul, if she's managed to delude herself with arguments of unfairness to herself and justice for Katrina. I still wonder whether Melanie's assumption that friendships are commodities developed unilaterally, though....

---

#222:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 2:36 pm
    —
Melanie's egotism and solipsism is also frightening. In a lot of ways, she reminds me more of Margot Maynard than of Thekla von Stift.

---

#223:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 4:18 pm
    —
The rest of the day went quickly; although the Staff were aware that something significant had happened, the students were not. Only the Sixth Form were aware that something was wrong because Melanie Blake had been withdrawn from both the School and her Boarding House. The Head called a meeting of the Form Mistresses of both the Upper and Lower Sixth to inform them of recent events; then spent some time going over with them what should be passed on to the Sixth and, in particular, to Katrina Palmer. Miss Annersley also spent some time with Lisa Blake, trying to explain to the thirteen year old exactly why her sister was leaving the School. She left Miss Wilson to cover for her at meal times and Ruth Derwent took the lessons that could not be rescheduled.

Early evening saw a quick knock on the Head’s Study door before the door opened; Nell Wilson looked in to see her friend standing beside and looking out of the large picture window. Her desk was clear. She turned,

“Hello Nell, don’t worry, I’m not working,” the voice, normally so rich, seemed flat and lifeless.

Nell frowned, “No, but you have barricaded yourself in here since early this afternoon. You didn’t attend lunch or dinner - have you eaten?”

Hilda shook her head, “Not hungry,” she said without a great deal of interest.

“You’ve got to eat, Hilda,” Nell said forcefully.

Hilda shrugged, continued staring out of the window. Nell walked over and stood beside her, she looked across worriedly, “Come on, you can’t stay here all night,” she gently guided her friend out of the Study and across to their cottage. Once there she pushed Hilda into one of the chairs around the kitchen table and busied herself making a drink, then pushed one of the mugs toward Hilda, forced her to take it. There was a short pause while they both drank the coffee, then Nell looked across,

“The expulsion was justified, wasn’t it?”

Hilda nodded slowly, “Yes, it was justified,” she said quietly, “her actions and, far more importantly, her total lack of remorse - she couldn’t even see that she was wrong - I had no alternative but to expel her,” she looked across at her friend, “I just hope that she didn’t have to opportunity to infect others with her viewpoint.”

Nell nodded in turn, “I know you spoke with her parents - was it bad?”

“No,” Hilda replied, “it was actually extremely civilised, surprisingly. I think, at least partly, because when I called I had obviously woken them - it was late at night in England.”

“Could they give any clues as to why Melanie acted as she did?”

“One, a fairly significant one; she has always been jealous of an older sister - attempted to do better than her. It seems that jealousy was a core problem for her. We may discover more when they arrive here, they should be here by the end of the week,”

“You spoke with the Staff too?”

“Yes, with Ruth, Julie Berne and Nancy Wilmot in particular, all three of them are, obviously, shocked, Julie and Nancy both blaming themselves for not picking up on Melanie’s personality in the last eighteen months. I also spoke with Katrina and I’ll be talking to all the Sixth tomorrow.”

Nell sighed, “So out with it, Hilda. What’s the problem? You’ve just admitted the girl deserved expulsion, her parents seem to have accepted it, you’re talking to all the people involved. So what’s wrong?”

The Head didn’t reply immediately, instead just gazed into the mid-distance, thinking; eventually she replied, “What’s wrong? I should have thought that was obvious, Nell. I’ve just had to expel a student. That the expulsion was justified only makes it worse,” she locked gazes with her friend, “I failed her. It’s my responsibility.”

Nell Wilson shook her head, “No Hilda it’s…”

“Dammit Nell, yes it is,” the interruption was unexpected, Hilda rose from the table and started pacing back and forth on the kitchen floor, “this is not about my being a perfectionist, this is not about me setting myself impossible standards and goals. That girl has been a student here for three years, I have been Head for the last two, was Deputy Head for the term and a half before that. In all that time I never saw beneath the surface - all I saw was the good student - the ‘straight A’ student, never in any trouble, never causing any problems. Nancy and Julie might have been her Form Mistresses but I’m Headmistress. I have responsibility. I’ve even taught her, listened to her analysis of poems, novels and plays - yet never saw the underlying personality.”

She paused, facing away from her friend, stared at the kitchen worktop, “Had I done so, had I recognised two years ago, even a year ago, then I might have been able to do something. Might have been able to influence her, change her values and ethos, allowed her to recognise the terrible path she had set for herself. But now,” she turned round to gaze into her friend’s eyes, “now it’s too late, her values are too entrenched, even the shock of expulsion isn’t enough to change them. I’ve failed her, Nell, failed her. But she’s the one that will have to live with that for the rest of her life.”

---

#224:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 4:26 pm
    —
Hilda the Perfectionist! Not even Hilda can read minds, and there had been nothing to bring that particular aspect of character to the surface before this. I think that even if she'd seen it 3 years ago it was probably already too late. After all, that would have made Melanie about 15, and character is pretty well formed by then.

Last edited by Pat on Sun Feb 18, 2007 9:30 pm; edited 1 time in total

---

#225:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 5:20 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I am feeling sorry for Hilda.

---

#226:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 6:20 pm
    —
*hugs Hilda*
Poor love, I thought she'd take this one hard.


Thanks Lesley.

---

#227:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 8:39 pm
    —
Don't the Jesuits say *Give me the first seven years of a child's life and I will give you the rest*? In other words, Hilda, you were way too late to change her underlying character. You're right in that you might have been able to help her come to terms with it in some way. She could probably have used your wisdom. But you can't take on responsibilty for the whole world, just because you are Headmistress - and Nell won't let you.

But this was inevitable, given Hilda's character.

---

#228:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 10:11 pm
    —
I suppose this was inevitable, especially given the way that Hilda was able to recognise underlying character traits in the original CS world. But it sounds as if Melanie was adept at concealing herself from others - after all, nobody seems to have spotted any of this.

But, if she was such a good student, why wasn't she made a prefect? Did Hilda recognise that there was something not quite right - even if she couldn't see what it was? In that case, she was far ahead of everyone else.

Hilda, you are not the only one in this, you have nothing for which to reproach yourself, so listen to Nell!

---

#229:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 10:32 pm
    —

Cath V-P wrote:

But, if she was such a good student, why wasn't she made a prefect?

I was wondering this as well.

---

#230:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 1:01 am
    —
This is going to be very hard for Hilda. Logically, she might have ultimate responsibility as Head, but she can't possibly know intimately every girl in a large school, and if she's never had to deal with Melanie in a disciplinary context, there's no way she could have known. Ruth, for example, has had far more contact with Melanie - not that it's her fault either, of course.

Nevertheless, it's Hilda who has actually had to pronounce sentence and, having been there myself, I can testify that you never forget or cease to regret, or to feel that you could have/should have done more, even if, rationally, you know that's not true. It's part of being in charge, and one just has to live with it. Fortunately, Nell is there to stop Hilda berating herself too much and to tell her when her self-flagellation becomes self-indulgent.

---

#231:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 5:13 pm
    —
When she’d finished speaking Hilda Annersley turned and walked out of the kitchen and into the lounge. She stood by the patio doors gazing out into the evening, trying not to think. She heard her partner walk slowly into the room and come to stand beside her. After a minute or two of the pair just standing in silence Nell moved slightly,

“Now you know what I’m going to say, Hilda, don’t you?”

The Head took a deep breath and then sighed, “Yes Nell, I know,” she said quietly, “the normal lecture, I cannot possibly be expected to know everything that’s going on in a School this size. I’m not perfect, no one is, and no one would even consider blaming me for another’s actions in this way,”

Nell placed an arm round her friend’s shoulders, “There, see? I don’t even have to say it, you know it off by heart now. I must have said the same things to you a few times before,”

“More than a few times, Nell,”

The Science Head grinned, “And I’ll keep on saying them, until, one day, maybe, it won’t be necessary - probably when the pair of us are in our dotage,”

There was a faint smile from Hilda, then Nell continued, “Or at least you are.”

The Head’s eyes gleamed but she said nothing, merely filing the remark away for consideration later. After a time Nell spoke again, more seriously, “You know it’s unlikely that, even if you had discovered her two or three years ago, you would have made a difference? A person’s basic character is set very early, the most you’d have done would have been stopped her from doing anything here at the School - but it wouldn’t have really changed her.”

“Possibly,” Hilda conceded, “but it doesn’t stop the guilt, Nell,”

Nell tightened her grip across the other woman’s shoulders, conveying her support, “Hilda, you wouldn’t be human if you didn’t feel responsible, we all do - whenever we have to fail a promising student, or tell someone that they will never be good enough to reach their chosen goal - we all feel that we should have seen something earlier.”

“Yes,” Hilda said softly, “and she was, is, an excellent English student,”

“So you said,” Nell replied, “which begs the question - as Melanie was such a good student - why didn’t you make her a Prefect?”

Hilda looked across at her friend, a puzzled frown on her face, she thought for a moment then, “I…I don’t know,” she replied eventually, “she just wasn’t suitable. I never even considered her. Had Nancy objected strongly to Katrina Palmer being Prefect I had one or two others that I would have, reluctantly, put forward instead. But Melanie wasn’t even one of them,”

Nell nodded, “Ruth said much the same thing,” she commented, “I asked her earlier today. Which seems to me to show that both of you knew that something wasn’t quite right, even if neither of you could work out what it was.”

“Perhaps,” Hilda said softly, she walked across to sit on one of the sofas, relaxing slightly into it’s soft depths. After a time she became aware that Nell was standing above her, she frowned slightly, “Nell?”

“You don’t have time to rest, Hilda, we don’t want to be late,” while speaking Nell reached down to clasp both of Hilda’s hands, pulled her back to her feet.

“Late? What are you talking about?”

“Late for our appointment elsewhere, come on!” She began to drag the slighter woman to the door.

“Appointment? What appointment?” Hilda’s questions didn’t slow Nell in the slightest and she was dragged out to the car, “Nell, stop now,” Hilda said firmly, “I know of no appointment and I’m not going to leave the School, it’s almost seven thirty,”

“It’s okay, Nancy said she’d cover,” Nell replied, indicating the passenger’s door of the car abruptly, “and I know I said I wasn’t going to bully you any more but this is different, important.”

Realising that either she got into the car or Nell would force her in, Hilda bowed to pressure and sat in the front passenger seat, she looked across at her friend, sliding into the driver’s seat,

“Am I to know where you’re taking me?” she asked mildly.

“You’ll see,” was the only response, and Hilda had to be satisfied with that. The drive into Melbourne was made in near silence; eventually, just before eight thirty, Nell drove the car into a car park and stopped, she looked across at her friend, “Know where we are?”

Hilda shook her head.

“This is the theatre car park,” Nell explained, and we’re here to see this,” she pointed. Hilda looked at a billboard advertising the play being performed. Hilda’s eyes widened in surprise and she looked across at her friend again with a question in her eyes, Nell nodded, “Yes it’s a production of Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’…” she said, “Ruth had a couple of spare tickets, come on,”

The two got out of the car and walked over to the entrance of the theatre, while queuing to get in Hilda spoke, “How did Ruth happen to ha…?” any further questioning died on the Head’s lips as they entered the theatre itself; among the many patrons seating themselves before the performance, Hilda could see not only Ruth Derwent and the rest of the English Department, but almost all the Sixth Form, Upper and Lower, not only those actually taking English, but anyone else that wanted to see the play.

“Don’t you remember?” Nell asked, “Ruth told you she had arranged for this, managed to get a block booking for a reasonable price and opened it to any in the Sixth that wanted. It’s one of the pieces the girls are studying, isn’t it?”

Hilda nodded, “Yes, one of the set plays. I’d completely forgotten that it was tonight,”

“Ruth thought you might have,” Nell replied, “I said I’d bring you along - even though it means watching the play myself,”

“A true sacrifice on your part, Nell,” Hilda said with an expressionless face.

“True, but I’m like that,” Nell replied, her tongue firmly in her cheek. She then became more serious and, as the pair settled themselves, she spoke again, “Take a look around, Hilda, at all our girls, there must be fully two thirds of the Sixth Forms here, some studying English, but a large percentage not,”

“True,” Hilda nodded.

“Well think about it,” Nell said, “yes, there are some people around like Melanie Blake, and that’s really sad. But look around, see the rest of the girls, you are their Headmistress too, you know, you should be proud.”

Hilda slowly looked round, seeing the girls all settling down ready to watch the play, she turned back to her Deputy with shining eyes, “I am, Nell,” she said softly, “I am.”

---

#232:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:06 pm
    —
Oh, lovely Nell. Well done. And lovely Hilda too, for being so proud of them all.

Thanks, Lesley

---

#233:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:15 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I wanted to say an extra thank you for explaining the situation about the prefects part. I hope they enjoy the play.

---

#234:  Author: Tan, Location: London via Newcastle Australia Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:41 pm
    —
Just what Hilda needs. A chance to see one of her favourite playwrights, and a reminder that the vast majority of the students are genuinely good people.

---

#235:  Author: Identity Hunt, Location: UK Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 8:49 pm
    —
Good for Nell and Ruth, getting Hilda out of her concern with recent events.
Thank you so much, Lesley - a delight, as always !

---

#236:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:43 pm
    —
Thanks Lesley!

I think Nell was just what Hilda needed there. Those two are SO good for each other!

---

#237:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 10:50 pm
    —
Oh, excellent, Nell! Hilda needs that - one of her favourite plays (Bell Shakespeare Company I presume! ), and also a very visual reminder both of the importance of what she teaches, and what she represents.

Plus Nell made her see that she knew Melanie better than she realised - as did Ruth Derwent - and that knowledge was very important.

Thank you Lesley.

---

#238:  Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 9:54 am
    —
Lovely Nell and Ruth! They'll never stop Hilda's guilt entirely, but they give it their best shot!

---

#239:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 9:10 pm
    —
Sorry all, no update tonight - having real problems looking at a computer sceen for more than a couple of minutes at a time - eye very sore.

Hopefully more tomorrow.

Lesley

---

#240:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 9:14 pm
    —
Post when you're better Lesley. We can wait you know.

---

#241:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 10:28 am
    —
I hope your eye is better soon, Lesley.

---

#242:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:48 pm
    —
Nothing tonight either. I'm afraid - it hurts to look at the screen for too long. Spent six hours in Eye clinic at Maidstone hospital today - have Herpes Simplex infection of the left eye (same virus that causes cold sores) have an anti-viral ointment to put on x5 daily and must return for them to check eye on Monday. Didn't go to work as, on way, was having major problems as not only left eye was shut, but right one almost shut - diverted to Chatham and saw optician and they referred me to hospital.Not sure if will be OK to drive to Folkestone tomorrow either - great way to start new job.

---

#243:  Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 8:39 pm
    —
(((Lesley))) I had that a few years ago and can really sympathise! Hope you feel better soon.

---

#244:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 10:01 pm
    —
((((Lesley))). This sounds so unpleasant, I do hope the treatment works really quickly!

---

#245:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 11:50 pm
    —
Ouch. I hope you get better soon.

(((Lesley)))

---

#246:  Author: Kat, Location: Kingston-upon-Thames/Swansea Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 3:41 pm
    —
Eek! I hope the ointment clears it up quickly, Lesley.

Take it easy!

---

#247:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:47 pm
    —
Not a great deal better today - have both brightness and contrast down to zero on screen yet it still hurts eye to gaze at computer for more than a few seconds. Apologies for any typos that have slipped through - typing in near darkness.

Haslam and Wade waited until after the Prison Officer had slammed their cell door shut and locked it before continuing their conversation. It was normal ‘lock up’ at the State Prison. Haslam looked across at the other woman,

“Well? What else do you have to tell me?”

Wade shook her head, “Shaw’s good, she’s very good; she’s managed to get her staff in the right places to head off trouble, she’s changed the work details around so the mice all have far more protection. And I’m sure she’s said something to those three Mullins slashed - they were scared s**tless only a week or two ago, now, back on the Wing, they’ve gone back to being part of Butcher’s crowd.”

“What has Butcher got to offer that we can’t then?”

Wade thought for a time, “She offers stability,” she said eventually, “and the women know that she will fight for them…”

Haslam shook her head impatiently, “That’s just a ruse,” she interrupted, “the woman is just an ill-educated thug, she’s reached the top only because her type of slime is stronger than the rest.”

Wade shook her head in turn, “I don’t think so, Haslam,” she said firmly, “Butcher isn’t stupid, she’s clever and she does care - yes, she’s a fighter but not all her gang are - look at Dale and Bradley, neither of them are strong, they’re not fighters, but they are part of her gang. Dale’s near enough her second lieutenant after Rees.”

“They have just been intimidated into working for her,”

“No, they are loyal - Dale was one of those that was injured in the siege because she continued to back Butcher even after Sullivan took over,”

“Hmmm,” Haslam rose and began to pace between the two cots, Wade watched her in silence. Eventually she stopped and looked across at her own lieutenant, “Do you have any suggestions?”

“Well money on its own isn’t working,” Wade said, “I mean yes, many of the mice will take bribes or hush money, but I know damn well that if we decided now to go for a takeover, tried to fight Butcher’s people out in the open, most of them would still back Butcher - she’s got too high a rep, both for defending her own people and for fighting off previous attempts,”

“… ‘Defending her own people’…” Haslam repeated, she mused for a few seconds then brightened, “but suppose she didn’t? Defend her own people, I mean. Suppose one of her own people was hurt, badly hurt - that would show the mice that Butcher couldn’t defend them, if she was powerless to stop one of her own being badly hurt, or worse,”

Wade thought about it, “It might,” she said eventually, “though it would depend on who you wanted attacked - I’d say not Rees, she’s not in Butcher’s class but she’s still a dangerous fighter. You won’t want to go after Grant or Chapman, they are only new members, there’s not much kudos on attacking them, nor Bradley, the kid’s too easy to beat…”

“What about Dale?”

“Dale?” Wade looked surprised, “Dale might work, yeah, she’s near to the top of Butcher’s group, Butcher relies on her a lot, yes, she might do,”

“Plus,“ Haslam continued, “as well as being near the top of Butcher’s hierarchy, her loss would be even more devastating,” Wade looked puzzled and Haslam went on, “didn’t you tell me once that Dale was Butcher’s banker? She holds most of the money, knows where all Butcher’s stock is hidden?”

Wade nodded, “Yeah, losing all that would seriously hurt Butcher. Who’s going to do it? You want me to?”

Haslam shook her head, “No, for this to have the proper effect it’s got to be done by someone further down in our organisation - to show all the women that we, I, have no respect for Butcher or any of her people.”

“Mullins then?” Wade asked, at Haslam nod she continued, “need to be careful, Mullins is a bit unstable.”

“All the better,” Haslam replied, “this has got to strike fear into the hearts of all the women, when Dale is attacked Butcher will be shown as being completely ineffectual.”

“Mullins may well kill Dale,” Wade warned, “especially if Dale refuses to tell her where the money is,”

Haslam shrugged, “So? All the better,” she stopped as the overhead lights flicker once then went out, indicating ten pm, she smiled to herself before adding, “speak to Mullins tomorrow, Wade,”

“Right.”

Last edited by Lesley on Fri Feb 23, 2007 6:28 pm; edited 1 time in total

---

#248:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 6:01 pm
    —
I'm glad your eye is feeling at least a little bit better - hope it gets fully better soon.

Am in a bit of a panic over that "not a clif because Lesley doesn't do cliffs" cliff though

---

#249:  Author: Liane, Location: Manchester Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 7:28 pm
    —
(((Lesley)))

Hope your eye gets better soon

---

#250:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 8:51 pm
    —
Chilling stuff, Lesley. How the mighty are fallen - and how they wish to be mighty again by any and all means at their wicked disposal. But will it work for Haslam? I do hope not.....

Hugs for the eyes still hurting, Lesley.

---

#251:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 9:05 pm
    —
I have a great deal of faith in Butcher, and Haslam seems to be underestimating her.
*Hopes*

---

#252:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 10:18 pm
    —
Melanie and Haslam are very similar in that they only see people in terms of how they can be used. Nasty.

Hope your eye is recovering Lesley; take care of yourself.

---

#253:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 11:34 pm
    —
((((Lesley)))). Take care of that eye, we'll be patient, don't type if you're not up to it. Be good or we'll set Matey onto you!

In the previous post, I much enjoyed the clever way in which Nell restored Hilda's confidence and sense of perspective.

This last was quite terrifying. What a very evil woman. Am wibbling mightily about what they intend doing to poor Dale. Haslam definitely sees people as commodities doesn't she, and can't understand Butcher, a criminal with principles and humanity, at all.

---

#254:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 11:42 am
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I hope that your eye will be fully better soon. I am wibbling for Dale's sake.

---

#255:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 8:47 pm
    —
Think eye may be fractionally better - though still clamped shut when using computer.

The Blakes arrived at the Real Chalet School on Thursday morning, having managed the unexpected flight from England in less than forty-eight hours. Their daughter, Melanie, had remained in the San during that time, not allowed contact with the rest of the School. She had been allowed to continue her work - the Mistresses arranging work for her English, History and Art A’Levels, and she was allowed to walk around the grounds and visit the beach or nature park. However she was not allowed to enter either the School itself, nor any of the Boarding Houses, in addition she was not allowed to leave the School Grounds. Miss Annersley had regretted making Melanie, effectively, a prisoner, but she held responsibility from Melanie’s parents, despite Melanie having reached eighteen years old. As soon as Melanie’s parents arrived Miss Annersley passed over any responsibility to Melanie herself.

It was with some regret that Miss Annersley had to report to the Blakes that their middle daughter had neither expressed any remorse nor even appreciated that her actions were wrong. The Blakes had spoken with Melanie at length before moving across to the Head’s Study. There, seated around the small oval table, they passed on their concerns to Miss Annersley,

“I just can’t understand it,” Mrs Blake said apologetically, “she accepts that writing anonymous letters is wrong ’in practice’ but won’t accept that she personally did anything wrong. All she keeps saying is that it was for her future, to improve her chances of getting on later in life.”

“She was pleased that she could continue her studies, Miss Annersley,” Mr Blake continued, “especially as she has been provisionally accepted for Oxford, but I don’t know whether they will take her, now. Don’t you have to write a reference for her?”

“Yes I do,” Miss Annersley replied, “and I sent it two months ago…”

“Oh, that’s alright then,” Mr Blake said with some relief.

Miss Annersley raised an eyebrow, “I will, of course, be writing to inform the admissions team at Oxford university of these latest developments, Mr Blake,”

“You will?” the man said with some dismay, “but they might reconsider her application, might decide that they cannot offer her a place, after all,”

“They might,” Miss Annersley replied with some regret, “but they must know the whole truth, Mr Blake, regardless of the possible consequences. I’m sire that you agree with that?”

Mr Blake’s murmured acquiesce was somewhat forced; his wife looked across with some impatience, “She doesn’t deserve to go to Oxford, Steve, you must agree with that - she’s told us herself, in great detail, what she’d done to this other girl, Katrina,”

“Yes, but,” Steve Blake protested, “I just want her to get on, to better herself, after all, Deb, they have all the advantages we didn’t,”

Debra Blake nodded, “Yes I know, love, but maybe having all the advantages isn’t always a good thing - not if it means one of our girls gets to thinking she deserves everything, without worrying about who she’s going to hurt. We’ll see what Oxford have to say, but, personally, I’d prefer it if they rejected her - maybe that’d get through to Mel,” the woman turned to the quiet Head with an outstretched hand, “many thanks, Miss Annersley, for all you tried to do, we’ll take Melanie home now, try and sort something out. It is alright for Lisa to stay, isn’t it?”

“Yes, Mrs Blake, although you may wish to take her with you now? There is only another eight days to go before the end of term?”

“No, thanks anyway,” Mrs Blake replied, “but I think we need time just with Melanie, try and get her to realise what she’s done. Perhaps we could see Lisa though? Before we go?”

“Of course,” Miss Annersley pressed the Intercom on her desk and gave a few instructions, the Blakes were taken to an empty office and Lisa Blake retrieved from her classroom to speak with her parents.

Less than two hours later the Blakes left, taking with them Melanie Blake - the girl defiant to the end. Only Miss Annersley was there to watch her leave.

---

#256:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 9:23 pm
    —
How sad that ending as she left.

But, what a sensible mother she has. If only she had some influence on her daughter, the girl might yet come to see where she has gone wrong. Alas, that seems a vain hope - especially with a father who would prefer to cover it all up.

Thanks, Lesley

---

#257:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash/Aberystwyth Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 10:59 pm
    —
Just caught up! Poor Hilda, having to expel Melanie Desperately hope that she will change her outlook in time.

Hope the eye's better now Lesley *hugs* xxx

---

#258:  Author: Josie, Location: London Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 12:14 am
    —
Thanks Lesley.

Sounds like Melanie's parents are going to have their work cut out to get her to see the error of her ways!

Now here's hoping someone can stop Haslam.

---

#259:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 12:34 am
    —
It's not difficult to see where Melanie has got some of her attitudes from - and her father is completely unaware of it, as well. She is lucky to have such a very clear-sighted mother - and Headmistress. Of course Hilda couldn't conceal something as important as this from the college. I wonder what decision they'll make. Will you tell us, Lesley?

Such a shame that Melanie is defiant to the last. And that is a very, very poignant final sentence!

---

#260:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 4:06 am
    —
How sad that Melanie could or would not see the appalling wrongness of her behaviour. Her father rather gave himself away though; possibly his desire to have his children better themselves and get on in life has been carried to its logical conclusion in Melanie.

---

#261:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 8:30 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. It's good that Debra was able to see things more clearly.

---

#262:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:55 pm
    —
With thanks to Tara.

The following day, early evening, saw an extraordinary meeting of the Department Heads. Prep for the Middles was taken by Miss Andrews so that all Department Heads could attend. Nancy Wilmot looked across as Ruth Derwent arrived,

“Any idea what this is all about, Ruth?”

The Senior Mistress shook her head, “Not really,” she replied, “only that it seems to be related to Melanie Blake being expelled,”

“The Head doesn’t blame any of us for that, does she?” Nancy looked somewhat stricken.

“No the Head doesn’t,” a different voice replied, those already in the room all turned on hearing the familiar low voice of Hilda Annersley, she continued, “the Head hasn’t even been allowed to blame herself,” she glanced across at where Nell Wilson was seating herself; the Deputy Head grinned but didn’t say anything. Miss Annersley continued after smiling at her partner, “No, I don’t blame anyone, however there are some things that I think we can all learn from the event.”

The rest of the Department Heads all quickly took their seats and looked expectantly toward their Head, she sat down and looked round,

“As I said, I don’t, in any way, blame anyone, Melanie is completely responsible for her own actions. However, discussing the situation with others did cause me to reconsider how we arrange things in the Lower and Upper Sixth.”

“Arrange things?” This from Mlle Berne, Languages Head.

Hilda nodded, “Yes, one thing that had not occurred to me before was that our policy of placing the Prefects in a separate class was very divisive. We have probably been responsible for splitting any number of friendships over the years because, in their final year, we separate those who are Prefects from those that are not. For some this could be separating people who have been together for their entire school life.”

There was silence for some seconds before Ruth Derwent nodded, “You know, you’re right, that hadn’t occurred to me before. Yet I’ve seen it myself, the year before last the Head Girl was separated from her closest friend because while she was certainly worthy of being Head Girl her friend was not Prefect material.”

“I’ve also heard that any number of schools allow the girls to vote on who should be Prefects,” Kathie Ferrars put in, “rather than it being just the Staff who appoint them. Though I must admit that seems like just a popularity contest.”

“We’ve all had contact with other schools, haven’t we?” Nancy Wilmot looked round, “I know when I was talking with Michelle Dixon the other day she was complaining about how sometimes those that were elected were the ones she wouldn’t trust to look after themselves, let alone take on responsibility for others. We’re not looking to change to that, are we?”

The Head listened to the opinions from her Staff; eventually she nodded, “I think,” she began, “from all I’ve heard today and my own instincts, that the method of choosing Prefects isn’t going to change. Perhaps it will in the future, but at present we still ask a certain amount from our prefects and it is not always the girls that are most popular that are suited to being one.”

“But you do think that we should look at something different, rather than changing everything for their final year?” this from Nell Wilson.

Hilda nodded, “Yes Nell,” she looked over at Ruth Derwent, “this will directly impact upon you, Ruth,” she said, “traditionally you have always had the top form,”

Ruth smiled, “Yes but that’s only if you count being a Prefect as the top. Personally I’ve always felt that the top student was the girl that was top in English,”

Hilda smiled, “Yes, I’d have to agree with you there, Ruth, but…”

“But possibly,” Ruth continued with a grin, “Nell, Nancy and some of the others might disagree,”

There was a muffled laugh from the rest of those round the table, then Nancy spoke again, “What about splitting the Sixths into tutor groups - right from when they first enter the Sixth? Yes it might mean splitting some friendships - but if the tutor groups are there solely for when they are being taught, it shouldn’t be a problem,”

“What about things likes Registration? Surely they need to be in classes for that?” This from Peggy Burnett.

Nell shook her head, “Not really, remember this is the Sixth Form, the girls are there because they want to be there, Registration could be something as simple as getting them all to sign in, in the mornings,”

“If we did that we could also ensure that the Lower and Upper Sixth have large enough common rooms so that, if necessary, they can all fit in,” Hilda said thoughtfully. She nodded round to everyone, “Thank you everyone, for your input, I think we’ll leave the current arrangements alone, however at the end of the school year we may be implementing a number of changes."

---

#263:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 1:22 am
    —
Now that is interesting - a definite recognition of the more adult nature of life in the final two years of schooling, plus an awareness that these are students who have chosen to remain at school.

Loved Ruth's comment about staff perceptions of who might be the 'top' student!

---

#264:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 4:40 am
    —
Thank you, Lesley.

I'm not sure a different arrangement would have prevented the actions of a Melanie, but it's good to see such thoughtful discussion, and will doubtless help others.

As for the prison situation -- EEEEEK!

---

#265:  Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 11:41 am
    —
Thank you for all the updates Lesley, but do take care of that eye! When I had the same infection, the doctor artificially dilated the pupil to help the recovery process and told me to stay off work until it was healed, especially as I sit in front of a computer all day.

---

#266:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 6:31 pm
    —
Eye better today - went to eye clinic and they said there was a definite improvement. Have returned to work - will see how it goes.


Warning - this next bit is nasty.


Saturday mornings were always a quiet time in the prison; women taking the time to socialise, play sports or just relax. In one cell, Charlotte Dale was reading; she was a vociferous reader and had, in her two years inside, managed to get through most of the books in the Library. She worked there and had been able to order a number of books that she felt she would enjoy. As she still had another three years to serve of her original sentence - for receiving stolen property and money laundering - and an additional eighteen months for her part in the Education Department siege, she felt she should at least try and widen her reading. At the moment she was reading Homer’s The Odyssey and wondering if she had made a mistake in attempting to read it in the original Greek. A shadow fell across her book and she looked up at the figure in the doorway,

“What do you want?” she said, irritated, pushing her glasses up on her forehead as she looked across.

“Is that any way to talk? I might be here on a legitimate errand,”

“I doubt it, Mullins,” Dale said scornfully, “you’ve never been legit about anything. Now why are you here, interrupting me? I know damn well that it can’t be for anything pleasant.”

“It might be,” Mullins replied, moving into the cell, “I might be here to pick up some money Butcher has given me,”

Dale laughed, “See that pig flying out there? No? Well when you do, come back - because that’s when Butcher will sanction you having any money. Now get lost Mullins!” She settled back on her bed and started reading her book once more.

By the door Mullins stiffened; she removed something from her pocket then moved into the cell and kicked the door closed behind her. Dale looked up irritably,

“I told you, Mullins, get lost,”

“I heard,” Mullins replied, “just thought I could persuade you otherwise,”

“Well you can’t so…” Dale stopped as Mullins raised her right hand. In it she held a strange, home-made device. The handle was made of wood but, sunk into the top of the handle, was a triangular piece of metal - Dale recognised it as half a razor blade.

Mullins grinned when she realised Dale had seen the threat, “That’s right, Dale, it might be simple, but it’s deadly, you ever tested just how sharp a blade is?”

Dale stood and backed away, she shook her head, “You’re crazy, Mullins, no amount of money I might be holding for Butcher is worth blade work,”

“Oh I don’t need Butcher’s money,” Mullins said surprisingly, “Haslam is paying me well over the odds for this piece of work. When I get out I’ll have so much I’ll be able to take a bath in thousand dollar bills - three million dollars Dale, more than enough, wouldn’t you say?”

Dale shook her head, wondering if she should risk calling for help, but the sight of Mullins standing in front of the closed door persuaded her otherwise, “So why take Butcher’s money then?”

“Because it’ll show the bitches in here just how little Butcher can protect them, if she can’t even protect her own - Haslam’s orders are to get the money, Dale, if you get in the way that’s just too bad,”

“No,” Dale said firmly, she swallowed quickly and spoke again, “not from me, you won’t get to show the women in here anything like that. Think I’d betray Butcher? She’s the only reason I didn’t end up as someone’s punching bag two years ago - it’s called loyalty, Mullins, and it’s not necessary to buy that. You’re not getting her money.”

Mullins looked surprised that her attempt to coerce Dale hadn’t worked then she shrugged, “Your choice, Dale,” she said, moving forward, the knife held out in front of her.

Dale did everything to try and escape, bombarding the other woman with books and blankets in an effort to get past her and to the cell door and freedom; she was unsuccessful though, the greater strength and agility of the other woman, a woman who was a fighter, told. Mere seconds after her defiant speech to Mullins, Dale was lying across her bed, the razor blade knife embedded deep in her throat. Dale’s last sight was that of her life blood trickling onto and irretrievably staining the library book, The Odyssey.

Last edited by Lesley on Sat Mar 31, 2007 6:49 pm; edited 1 time in total

---

#267:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 7:31 pm
    —
Time for some serious wibbling now.

---

#268:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 9:48 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I'm sorry that Mullins did that to Dale when Dale was only standing up for herself.

---

#269:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 9:50 pm
    —
How on earth did I miss last night's episode? A very interesting take - but I always thought the Sixth WERE together, except when the Prefects had meetings. Loved the line about the Head not even being allowed to blame herself.

However, this last episode... !Oh, Lesley, I know stuff happens in prison but....

---

#270:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 9:54 pm
    —
The problem is that Haslam is innately vicious and selfish. I'm sure Lesley meant it as a parallel with Melanie, seeing what the girl might become if she is not taken in hand.

---

#271:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 12:32 am
    —

MaryR wrote:

How on earth did I miss last night's episode?

Look at the time it was posted, Mary. Way past your bedtime, my dear - even I missed it!

Good to see that Hilda is setting her mind to what can be learned from the Melanie episode rather than wasting her energy in self-recrimination (thanks to Nell).

Well, you did warn us, Lesley, but, yes, decidedly nasty. Poor Dale, that sounds such a vicious and cold-blooded attack, and again made on someone who is trying to get her life together (reading The Odysssey in Greek is serious stuff). It should certainly terrify some of Butcher's supporters, and I wonder how she'll respond? Being Butcher, she will care deeply about Dale, not just about her own position and possible vulnerability.

---

#272:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 12:51 am
    —
And Haslam will walk away from Mullins, whereas Butcher will not abandon Dale, no matter what. That's the loyalty that Dale is talking about.

---

#273:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 4:50 am
    —
Nasty is an understatement.
We knew Mullins was capable of this, but .... Poor Dale.
*hopes there were surveillance cameras, at least*
______________________________
Glad to hear the eye is better, Lesley!

---

#274:  Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 10:52 am
    —
Mullins is completely screwed now! As you say, Haslam will walk away.

Do they have surveillance cameras in all the cells? I wouldn't have thought so. But then, I don't know as much about prison life as Lesley.

*Hides*

---

#275:  Author: Alex, Location: Cambs, UK Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 4:36 pm
    —
Glad I'm in the library - a well lit place with lots of people around. Somehow, Lesley, I can't bring myself to thank you for that one.

---

#276:  Author: Identity Hunt, Location: UK Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 4:45 pm
    —
Lesley,
I don`t think i want any tea no
w.....
I do hope Geri will get the equivalent of CSI in there to nail the people responsible.
I`m sure Gil Grissom could find some interesting connections and join the dots to nail those involved....

---

#277:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 9:08 pm
    —
Ignoring the still form of Dale, Mullins quickly searched the cell, pulling out furniture and ripping shelves from the wall. She was just about to pull the cot out when she heard voices; suddenly panicking – everyone was supposed to be outside, watching a baseball match between North Wing and East Wing. She glanced round the cell and pulled a blanket over Dale’s body in the hope that it would hide her crime long enough to enable her to escape detection. She had been wearing gloves so there were no fingerprints and, she pulled the make-shift knife loose, no murder weapon. Haslam and the others would provide her with an alibi. She stepped outside the cell.

Along the corridor one of the Prison Officers, Miss Dean, was escorting three inmates to the Visitors Section. The mood for all four women was relaxed and good natured,

“Well all I can say is that it’s a good thing we were called when we were,” one of the women, Crawley, said with a smile, “because we were really creaming North Wing. Don’t you agree, Miss Dean?”

“Don’t involve me, Crawley,” Miss Dean said with a smile, “I’m completely neutral, all I know is that all three of you have visitors,”

“North Wing would have recovered soon enough,” Chapman said with a smile, “we were just letting you have a little fun, first, isn’t that right, Butcher?”

Butcher nodded, “Yeah, just biding our…” she stopped as, along with the other three women, she suddenly saw Mullins appear from one of the cells.

Mullins looked across and realised she had been seen, she stiffened and brought the knife round in front of her. She moved purposefully toward the group.

Miss Dean spoke sharply, “What are you doing here, Mullins? This isn’t your wing.”

For reply the inmate just raised the knife so that she was holding it at waist level, ready for an upward thrust into the abdomen, Dean backed away, looking round quickly for the nearest emergency alarm, she spoke tersely to the women, “One of you, quickly, go press the alarm, Mullins needs to be stopped.”

Crawley nodded and moved away, Chapman stayed close to the Prison Officer, Dean looked over at Mullins, “Put the knife down, Mullins,” she said steadily, aware that, should the inmate attack, she would be the target, “other officers are on their way, you won’t get away,”

“Then I’d better finish you off right now, screw, hadn’t I?” Mullins returned, she moved closer and the Prison Officer and Chapman both backed away. Dean spoke to Chapman,

“Get away, Chapman, let me deal with this,”

Chapman shook her head, “That’s a deadly weapon, Miss Dean,” she said, “and Mullins is half crazy at the best of times,”

“Half crazy am I?” Mullins had obviously heard, “I’ll show you,”

With that she lunged forward, the knife aimed directly at the Prison Officer. Dean backed up as quickly as possible until she reached a wall; she held her hands in front of her in an attempt to ward off her attacker. Mullins moved closer and brought her arm back in preparation for her strike…and suddenly a figure appeared behind Mullins and swiftly chopped to the knife-wielder’s neck. Mullins collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

Dean took a couple of quick breaths then focused on the figure behind Mullins, “Butcher? You shouldn’t have…”

Butcher looked across at the Officer, “Sorry Miss Dean,” she said, not sounding sorry at all, “but it didn’t look like the Riot Squad were going to get here in time, thought I should disable Mullins for you – seeing as I was behind her,”

Dean suddenly realised that, while she and the other two convicts had simply backed away from Mullins, Butcher had slipped into one of the empty cells, staying out of sight until Mullins had passed. Dean swallowed quickly and nodded, “Thank you Butcher,” she said quietly.

At that point the Riot Squad, a floating outfit of some eight or nine Officers appeared; one of them glanced round quickly, “Butcher is it?”

Dean shook her head violently, “No! Not Butcher, Mullins – be careful, she’s armed,”

The Officer nodded and the Squad quickly immobilised the now groaning Mullins, one of the Squad plucked the knife from Mullins’ grasp with a gloved hand; about to place the knife in an evidence bag he stopped, “There’s blood on this,” he said, “any of you injured?”

The four looked at each other, all shaking their head, Butcher was the first to reach the logical conclusion; dodging past the Prison Officers she ran over to Dale’s cell. Before any of the Officers could stop her she’d entered and removed the blanket covering Dale’s body.

“No!”

The groan from Butcher was heartfelt, turning swiftly she moved back into the corridor and toward where Mullins was being lifted to her feet, already handcuffed and on her way to Solitary. Before anyone could stop her Butcher was attacking Mullins, a fist to the gut then an elbow to the face causing Mullins to drop back to the ground. Butcher moved to kick the fallen convict in the head but was stopped as the Riot Squad all moved to stop her. It took all of them and Officer Dean before they had immobilised Butcher, even then she was still struggling. As they cuffed her hands behind her back she managed to move closer and spat into the unsteady Mullins’ face,

“You’ve signed your own death warrant, you hear me? You won’t leave this place alive, I swear!”

---

#278:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 9:41 pm
    —
Well at least everyone knows what has happened, not sure how it will go down Butcher helping an officer though...although I do think she was right to do so of course.

---

#279:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 10:37 pm
    —
Yes well, somehow I don't see Haslam displaying that sort of loyalty to Mullins - or anyone else for that matter.

Poor Butcher; what a shock for her.

---

#280:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 11:00 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. At least they know whom did it.

---

#281:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 12:04 am
    —
Butcher has more sense and is quicker on the uptake than any of them, including the staff.No wonder she's a leader. She'll be shattered about poor Dale, but needs to keep a lid on her anger so that she doesn't get herself into deep trouble.

---

#282:  Author: Sugar, Location: second star to the right! Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 12:24 am
    —
Eeeek - poor Dale. Mullins is a nasty piece isn't she. I hope Butcher doesn't get into too much trouble though.

---

#283:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 1:04 am
    —
Yikes!!!

Thank you Lesley. And many hugs for the eye. Hope it'll be completely better soon.

---

#284:  Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:47 am
    —
Yikes! Butcher will have to go to Solitary for that, even if she did help an officer. Can't see Haslam doing either of those things.

Also, pokes the officers who immediately thought Butcher was the cause of the trouble!

---

#285:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 1:33 pm
    —
I was impressed by Chapman - she could have laid low. And one has to feel for Butcher....
Thanks, Lesley

---

#286:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 7:19 pm
    —
It was some hours later before the door to Butcher’s cell in Solitary opened; Butcher was sat on her bed, her hands still cuffed behind her. She looked across as the door opened but said nothing. Miss Shaw walked into the cell carrying a small chair. She placed the chair on the floor and signalled to the Prison Officer, Mrs Blanchford, to close the door. There was silence for some seconds then Shaw spoke,

“Are you going to attack me, if I release your handcuffs?”

Butcher looked across and shook her head, “No Governor, I won’t attack you,” her voice sounded flat, as though she had lost all animation.

The Governor walked across to stand beside Butcher, “Stand up then,” she ordered quietly, when Butcher did so Shaw leant down and unlocked the cuffs from around Butcher’s wrists. Butcher nodded her thanks and sat back on the bed, rubbing at her wrists. Shaw sat opposite her. After a time she sighed and spoke, “The Scene of Crime Officers have been in to look at the scene. Mullins will be charged with murder.”

Butcher nodded, “Yeah; they’ll find her guilty, sentence her to life, she’ll serve seven years,”

Shaw bowed her head, swallowed, “She has previous violent convictions, her sentence will probably be longer,”

Butcher shook her head, “Not long enough,” she said firmly, then she shrugged, “it doesn’t matter, she won’t get to trial,”

Shaw frowned at the implication behind Butcher’s sentence, she took a breath, “Miss Dean says that she has you to thank for stopping Mullins from hurting anyone else?”

Butcher shrugged again, “If I’d known then what she’d done I wouldn’t have just knocked her out,”

Miss Shaw sighed, “Don’t say that, Butcher,” she said quietly.

“Why not? It’s the truth,” Butcher returned, “no way Mullins is going to get away with that. Wouldn’t be so bad if she’d attacked someone that could fight back - but Dale never raised a finger to anyone her entire life.” Butcher paused, swallowed a couple of times, “She was real clever, you know? Could read Greek and Latin, had worked her way through most of the books in the library, was part-way through a Law degree,”

“Yes, I know,”

Butcher continued, “I’m not saying she wasn’t a crook, or that she didn’t deserve to be in here, she did. At one time she was the biggest and most successful fence in the State - and would have continued to be just that when released. But she didn’t deserve to die like that.”

There was silence for a time, then Shaw spoke again, “I’m sorry, Butcher,”

Butcher looked across, “What for? Wasn’t your fault,”

“Technically, as Prison Governor, it was,” Shaw replied, “everything that happens inside the prison is,”

Butcher nodded, “Bitch of a job,” she remarked. She sighed once then straightened, seeming to listen for sounds within the prison, “Place on ’lock down’ is it?”

“Yes, standard procedure after something like this,”

“Yeah well, you can’t keep it on lock down forever,” she said with authority, “and when you relieve the lock down just wait, Mullins won’t have long to live.”

“You can’t…”

“I can, Shaw,” Butcher interrupted, she looked straight into the Governor’s face, “and I’m prepared to face the consequences, afterwards. Anything, so long as Mullins pays for what she did,”

Shaw returned Butcher’s gaze for some seconds before she responded, “And what of the person who gave Mullins her orders, Butcher? There has to have been one, doesn’t there?”

Butcher slowly nodded, “Yeah, Mullins isn’t quick enough to think up something like this. Haslam gave the order, but you’ll never get Mullins to tell you that,”

“I might,” Shaw replied, Butcher looked over in surprise, Shaw nodded and continued, “Yes I might get Mullins to inform,”

“How’d you manage that, then?”

Shaw thought for a time then nodded to herself, “I’ve just visited Mullins,” she said, “she is, of course, also in Solitary. Do you know what she is feeling at this moment?”

Butcher shrugged, “Pleased with herself, is she?”

“No, terrified,”

“Why?”

“Because she had not realised the possible consequences of her action,” Shaw explained, “she hadn’t realised what your probable reaction would be. She fears for her life.”

“Good,” Butcher said with some satisfaction.

“Yes,” Shaw agreed, “because, with your co-operation, I might be able to use her fear to get her to tell me about Haslam,”

“You want me to help someone inform? I told you Shaw I’ll not do that,” Butcher replied angrily.

“And what were you doing when you told me of that mobile phone?” Shaw asked quickly.

“That was different…”

“Not really, it was you, a convicted criminal, telling me, Prison Governor, about someone that had performed a criminal act,” Shaw responded, “I can understand why you did it, but you don’t seem to appreciate that there can be other times when allowing criminals to get away with their crimes is not ’keeping a code’ it is pure stupidity. Or would you like to see another of Haslam’s people in Solitary having murdered Chapman or Grant?”

Butcher glared at the other woman then, slowly, shook her head.

“Well then?”

“If Mullins does tell you stuff about Haslam it’ll mean more charges, a longer sentence for Haslam. How’s that going to help things in here?”

“Because I know how Haslam thinks,” Shaw replied, “she has a three year sentence, is probably looking to get full remission, out in two. If her sentence is increased - especially if she is convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, then she’s looking at a minimum of another five years - she’s getting older, she won’t be able to cope - and she won’t be able to hold onto her people, she’ll no longer be a threat within the prison. A fitting legacy for Dale, wouldn’t you say? You told me yourself that she was never a violent person.”

“No…” Butcher seemed undecided. Shaw stood up,

“You think about it, Butcher, I’ll be back later this evening,” she walked across and knocked on the cell door, leaving Butcher alone.

---

#287:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 8:35 pm
    —
Oh, clever, Geri. You made her see a some sense rather than just reacting in her grief and anger. A quiet, but telling, little scene

Reminds me of Hilda trying to bring round a miscreant.

Thanks, Lesley.

---

#288:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 9:06 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I think Geri thought up just the right plan there.

---

#289:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 9:30 pm
    —
Just done a catch up on this Lesley
and I'm still shaking

thankyou (I think) - and I can see that Geri has got somewhere with Butcher in that conversation


Hope your eye is feeling much better by now

---

#290:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:51 pm
    —
Geri handled that well - totally aware of Butcher's initial plan for Mullins, but pointing out the need to involve Haslam - and also stressing her own responsibility, thus emphasising her own link with Butcher.

---

#291:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:19 pm
    —
Shows that she knows Butcher pretty well, and can play to her strengths too. Thanks Lesley.

---

#292:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:19 am
    —
I watched with fascination as Geri gradually brought Butcher round to her point of view (or almost) without challenging her or expressing any horror, just with relentless logic and reasonableness. That reminds me of someone - as does Geri's acceptance of ultimate responsibility.

---

#293:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 2:35 am
    —
I like Geri's reasoning about Dale - and am impressed that Butcher didn't just brush off the idea. I wonder. Can she come up with a plan that maintains her authority, while bringing Haslam legally to justice?

*hopes*

I find myself really sympathizing with Butcher here. She's just lost one of her closest associates to a brutal and cold-blooded murder plot, and knows the system well enough to expect a criminally short sentence for the person who arranged it.

---

#294:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 6:26 pm
    —
Not sure if I feel more sorry for Butcher or for Geri in this situation..

Thanks Lesley.
*crosses fingers that both Haslam and Mullins get what they deserve!*

---

#295:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 8:59 pm
    —
Outside the cell the Governor stood in silence, thinking, for a time; she hoped that she had managed to get through to Butcher, she thought she had. What she was planning to do, if Butcher could be persuaded, was probably not, technically, legal. However, if it worked it would mean that the terrible death of Dale would not be in vain. She looked across as Mrs Francis appeared,

“Hello Pat, is everything quiet?”

“Reasonably so,” Pat replied, “the women know what’s happened, of course, we’ve not been able to keep a lid on that - not with Crawley and Chapman being able to tell everyone,”

“And the mood?”

“Shock mainly, shock and anger,” Pat smiled somewhat ruefully, “oh and a general feeling of ‘well done’ toward Butcher, both for saving Gill and the two inmates and for attacking Mullins when the murder was discovered,”

Shaw looked slightly surprised, “There wasn’t any anger that she had intervened to save a prison officer?”

Pat shook her head, “Not that I could see, I’ve spoken with a number of the inmates and some of the staff have been handing out meals and so talked with even more - the vast majority of the women seem to think Butcher did right. But you take a walk round, see what you think,”

“I will, thanks,” Shaw grimaced slightly, “once I’ve got rid of the circus in my Office, considering we’ve got the culprit in custody you wouldn’t think there was much that the Police needed to do, would you?” She stifled a yawn,”

"Are they going to charge Mullins with murder tonight?"

Geri shook her head, "No, they want to wait until they've got the results of the post mortem - they'll probably be along to charge her officially first thing in the morning..." she yawned again.

“You look tired,” Pat Francis remarked.

Shaw smiled, “Well that might be that I've been called in on my weekend off,” she said mock severely, “the first weekend I’ve taken off for the last three months,”

Pat Francis smiled, “Sorry,” she said, “but it’s in the SOP - something like this the most senior member of staff calls in the Governor - I had to,”

“I suppose,” Shaw looked over at the cell where Mullins was being held, “tell Amanda to instigate a suicide watch on Mullins,” she said, “I don’t think it’s likely but just in case - I don’t want her to escape the consequences of her actions,”

“Sure Geri,”

“And tell her to go easy on Butcher, she may well have saved Gill Dean’s life today - and her attack on Mullins was completely understandable. I’ll be back later."

Last edited by Lesley on Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:32 pm; edited 1 time in total

---

#296:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:27 pm
    —
Glad the whole thing seems to have backfired on Haslam! I say *seems* because with Lesley you never can tell!!!

---

#297:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:55 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. After so many cliffs along the way, I am not resting too easily!

---

#298:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:06 am
    —
I hope Geri has managed to convince Butcher that violence only breeds further violence. I suspect that Mullins needs to be watched, not only to protect her from herself, but from the other women.

Geri sounds very tired, but I fear that things are going to get worse before they get better, and she's the one who's got to sort it all out..

---

#299:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 1:00 am
    —
Hmm, a watchful quiet that has so much potential.....hopefully, Butcher will go along with Geri's course of action.

---

#300:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 7:17 pm
    —
I'm so lost! Things in the prison are very confusing and I don't see a clear way out of it.

Thanks Lesley

---

#301:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:32 am
    —
In their shared cell Wade sat on her cot watching as her cellmate stalked up and down, the tension evident in her hunched shoulders and nervous energy,

“And that’s all you heard?” she demanded.

Wade nodded, “Wasn’t much, just while the screw had the door open when they passed in the meals, but from what I heard Dale is dead and Mullins has been caught…”

“And the rest?”

Wade shrugged, “Well, way I heard it, Mullins went for a screw with her knife and Butcher stopped her,”

“Butcher’s in Solitary?”

“Yeah, when she found out about Dale she attacked Mullins, took the entire Riot Squad to haul her off,” Wade sounded impressed and Haslam frowned.

“I’ve won then, Butcher helping a prison officer won’t be tolerated,”

“Way Chapman and Crawley were talking it is, the women seem to think she did right. Yeah, Chapman is one of hers but Crawley is a neutral. Seems to be the women think Mullins got what she deserved.”

“Then the situation is worse than before?” Haslam said with some anger, “I don’t understand it, Mullins’ act should have scared the women so much that they would turn to me - and Butcher obviously couldn’t protect them. What went wrong?”

Wade thought for a while then, “It did scare them,” she said slowly, “but it also showed Butcher in a good light. She cares about her people, see? What the women will see is that Mullins attacked and killed someone that couldn’t really fight back, for money. While Butcher attacked someone holding a knife and then attacked her again, knowing the screws were there, because she’d killed a mate.” She shrugged before continuing, “It’s probably turned most of the women away from you now,”

Haslam stopped and glared at Wade, “No,” she ground out, “I’ll not accept that. Have Butcher lording it over me for the next couple of years? No. I’ll find some other way,”

Wade shook her head, “Most of the women won’t back you now,” she warned, “Mullins is looking at serious time - aggravated murder - they’ll probably lock her up for another twenty years,”

“She’ll be fine, she’ll be paid,” Haslam shot back.

“Yeah but she can’t spend the money until she gets out, can she?” Wade pointed out, “more importantly though - she’s just made an enemy of Butcher, she’ll be lucky if she survives to stand trial.”

“Butcher’s in Solitary, she can’t do anything,”

“Don’t be stupid, of course she can,” Wade replied, “you remember me telling you about a woman called Mason? She was in here last year? Butcher got to her while she was in Solitary and Mason was in the Seg Wing. Only thing stopping her at the moment is the ’lock down’ but the screws won’t keep that on for long.”

…

When Hilda Annersley arrived back at the Real Chalet School her partner looked over with surprise,

“Didn’t expect you back so soon, Butcher not able to see you?”

Hilda shook her head, “No, I was waiting, along with two other visitors, when suddenly I heard an alarm sound and the prison officers were ushering all of us out, saying the visits were cancelled, that our passes would be valid for another time - we’d be informed about when.”

“They didn’t say why?” Nell frowned,

“No, although it must be a major problem,” Hilda returned, “as I got to my car I saw all the prison officers from their Mess running across to re-enter the prison. And I’m sure that the alarm was the one meaning the prison was on lock-down,”

“Lock down?” Nell thought for a moment, “oh, when all the inmates are returned to their cells and locked in?”

“Yes, not normally used for long as it is considered severe,”

“Did it happen while you were an inmate?”

“No, but Cherry told me about it, said there had been a lock down that had lasted a couple of days just after she’d started her sentence, when one of the prison officers had been badly attacked. The inmate had been moved to a secure mental hospital. Cherry said it was far worse than normal prison life - you were caged day and night with nothing to do.”

“Perhaps this was something similar then?”

“Perhaps,”

Last edited by Lesley on Sun Mar 04, 2007 6:31 pm; edited 1 time in total

---

#302:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 12:12 pm
    —
Are we about to see Hilda enter the fray, I wonder, on behalf of Geri and Butcher.

Haslam isn't going to give up easily, is she - and simply cannot understand the respect Butcher has earned.

Thanks, Lesley

---

#303:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 12:22 pm
    —
Haslam just doesn't get it does she? She doesn't seem to see that Butcher's power-base comes from a very different basis than simply money and intimidation.

Hmm, it will be interesting to see Hilda and Nell's reaction to this.

---

#304:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 7:39 pm
    —
The difference between the two women is so clear!

---

#305:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:15 pm
    —
Great stuff.

---

#306:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 4:06 pm
    —
The following morning, first thing, saw the Police formally charge Mullins with murder; she had said very little either to the Police or to any of the Prison Staff, and, on hearing this she didn’t respond other to acknowledge that she understood. She had not wanted a lawyer present, despite being advised of her rights on a number of occasions. A short time after the Police had left the door to Mullins’ cell opened again,

“Outside Mullins,” Mrs Blanchford ordered, “time for your shower,”

Mullins picked up her wash things and towel and walked out into the corridor; she followed the Prison Officer along to the shower block. Inside she was just starting to undress when a sound caused her to look round. Just entering the shower block was another inmate, Butcher.

Mrs Blanchford looked across,

“Alright Butcher, hurry up,” she turned to the other officer, “I’ll watch these two, Miss Emmott,” she said, “you get back and stick the kettle on, would you?”

“Of course Mrs Blanchford,” the other Officer disappeared.

Mullins had frozen on seeing Butcher, however, apart from a derisory glance in her direction Butcher had ignored the other convict and walked across to one of the shower cubicles. These had, she’d noticed, now each got their own shower curtain, ‘Shaw’s influence’, she thought.

“Hurry up, Mullins,” Mrs Blanchford said impatiently.

Mullins looked round and realised that the Prison Officer was glaring at her, “Yes Mrs Blanchford,” she muttered, moving across to the shower cubicle and starting to undress.

She stepped into the shower and quickly washed, then shampooed her hair, as she was rinsing off she heard the Prison Officer leave in response to a call from the other officer. She towelled herself dry and started to get dressed, she was halfway through when a sound caught her attention, before she could react Butcher was there beside her, a hard fist impacting with her abdomen,

“Didn’t think I’d forgotten you, did you Mullins?” Butcher’s voice, hard and emotionless, hissed above the sound of the other shower. Butcher was fully dressed and had obviously not bothered with a shower; merely switching on the water to cover any movement by her.

Mullins, said nothing, concentrating on remaining upright and not giving in to the impulse to lie on the floor - said impulse would be fatal in this instance. Butcher moved closer, as always her stance giving no indication of where she would strike next. Mullins attempted to defend herself but her raised hands were swept away contemptuously as Butcher struck again, a kick to the knee, another punch to the stomach then, the worst, an elbow to the face. Mullins fell back against the wall, her senses reeling; the last blow had been accompanied by a dull crack and she was certain that her cheek bone had been broken. Butcher didn’t allow her any time, however, moving in close and pinning her to the wall,

“Just so you know, Mullins,” she said, still in that same hard voice, “I’m pulling the punches slightly - because I want you to feel every single one. It’s no good to me if you’re knocked out too soon see? I want this to hurt.”

“It’s not what you think,” Mullins managed to stammer, “I-I didn’t…”

“Shut the f**k up,” Butcher said quickly, emphasising the order with a forearm block across Mullins’ throat, that had the other woman choking, “nothing you say will make any difference, Mullins. You killed a mate of mine, someone I had a lot of respect for - and someone that had never hurt a fly in her life. Well now it’s my turn,”

Butcher fired off another punch to the stomach that dropped Mullins to her knees, then, as Butcher moved closer there was a noise from outside the cubicle. Mullins looked across, never more pleased to see that the Prison Officer had returned and had brought along reinforcements. As well as Officers Blanchford and Emmott, the Governor herself was standing there. The three women wasted no time, efficiently moving to restrain Butcher before she could deal any further damage to the stricken Mullins. After a fierce struggle Butcher was being held by Officer Blanchford and Shaw; the Governor looked across,

“Lock Mullins in her cell, Jane,” she ordered, “then come back here to help,”

Mullins could see that further help might be needed to move Butcher , who was still struggling hard. Mullins was helped to her feet by Officer Emmott and walked swiftly over to her cell, just before she reached it Butcher called out,

“Run now, Mullins, but you can’t hide. I’ll find you, in the Hospital Wing, in Segregation, here in Solitary, I’ll get you. You’re on borrowed time, you hear me? Borrowed time.”

The cell door slammed shut on Mullins, leaving her with that refrain repeating itself again and again, “Borrowed time.”

---

#307:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 4:58 pm
    —
But why were they left alone when everyone knew what Butcher had threatened to do?

Geri hadn't persuaded Butcher at all, had she? Now what?

---

#308:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 6:07 pm
    —
I read it that this was what Geri wanted to happen? To hopefully put the fear of God into Mullins, and make her spill the beans on Haslam?

Course, I might be totally wrong, this is One of Lesley's drabbles after all....

Thanks Lesley!

---

#309:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 7:12 pm
    —
I think you night have something there Vikki. Geri knows Butcvher exptrremely well doesn't she? And she wanted to use her to make Mullins talk too didn't she?

---

#310:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 9:01 pm
    —
That was my thought as well, it all seemed just too easy.

---

#311:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 9:33 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. Even though I don't like Haslam, I'm glad that the Prison Officer brought reinforcements as I was very surprised that she left the 2 of them alone together.

---

#312:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:26 pm
    —
Butcher could have killed Mullins easily in those moments alone couldn't she? But she didn't, so perhaps she has adapted Geri's words to fit her own approach. Mullins will be frantic....

---

#313:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 1:52 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I don't comment on this as often as I should, but I'm really enjoying it - compelling reading!

---

#314:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 8:59 pm
    —
I read this earlier and thought about it for a while. I definitely think that this is all planned to soften Mullins up to shop Haslam. Butcher could easily have broken Mullins' neck in that time, or inflicted a lot more damage, and she didn't.

---

#315:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:10 pm
    —
Back in the shower block the three women waited until the sound of Mullins’ cell door being locked was heard. On hearing this all three relaxed somewhat, Geri Shaw looked over at the Prison Officer,

“Alright, let her go,”

The pair released Butcher who straightened up slowly, she looked across at Shaw,

“Think she might be contemplating her future now, don’t you, Governor?”

“Perhaps,” Shaw replied, her face showing some anger, “back to your cell, Butcher,” she followed the convict into the Solitary cell. Butcher turned round,

“What’s the problem, Miss Shaw? Everything went as we’d discussed last night,”

“As we discussed?” Shaw returned, “I distinctly remember ordering you to talk, talk to Mullins. There was to be no actual violence, just threats from you.”

Butcher shook her head, “Talking wouldn‘t do it,” she said with certainty, “you said you wanted her scared, right? Well words alone won’t scare someone like her, it’s got to be physical. I pulled the punches as much as I could - but she knows now what’s in store for her, she’ll be receptive to what you have to say. She’s only got bruises, anyway - and perhaps a broken cheek bone - the elbow is always a powerful blow.”

“You could have killed her, Butcher,” Shaw responded, still angry.

Butcher nodded, “Yeah, I could,” she agreed. “You remember Robertson?”

“Of course,”

“I killed him, right? How long did it take?”

Shaw looked puzzled, “The entire fight was over in seconds, Butcher,” she began.

“Right, and that fight with Mullins was easily three times as long - if I’d wanted to kill I could have done it and been back having my shower before you appeared. I won’t say I wasn’t tempted because I was. But if coming the heavy and scaring her is enough for her to finger Haslam…well that might just be enough for Dale.” Butcher’s eyes darkened slightly as she spoke the last few words. Shaw noticed,

“You were close to her, weren’t you?”

Butcher shrugged, “Yeah I was close, person in my position doesn’t get the chance to get close to many. I’ve lost a lot of people that I’ve thought of as friends, mainly due to a violent death of one sort or another. Dale was one I always thought would be an exception…cause she wasn’t a fighter. Letting Mullins get away with that…it’s bloody hard, Shaw,”

“She won’t get away, Butcher,” Shaw said softly, “she will stand trial for murder and she will receive a hard punishment. But, hopefully, she will also be able to give me proof that Haslam directed the killing, that Haslam was behind it. And ensuring that Haslam is convicted and sentenced will make you feel far better than just killing Mullins, I promise.”

Butcher nodded slowly, she looked round the cell, “How long I got in here?”

“Three days,” Shaw replied.

Butcher nodded and Shaw moved to the door, then Butcher spoke again,

“She’ll pay? For what she did? For giving the order to kill?” There was no need to specify who ‘She’ was.

Shaw turned, “You have my word, Butcher,” she said solemnly.

Butcher nodded, “That’s good enough, Governor,”

---

#316:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:36 pm
    —
Thank you Lesley; it's always intriguing to see Geri and Butcher like this, essentially equals in a situation that insists that they are not, and both well aware of it.

Dale's death has had more effect on Butcher precisely because she was not a fighter, so Butcher has to deal with this completely unexpected loss.

---

#317:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 8:53 am
    —
Thanks, Lesley. It's good that Butcher has explained things to Geri.

---

#318:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 1:40 pm
    —
So it hadn't gone as planned! But at least Butcher did restrain herself - and was able to make Geri see why she had done it. Poor Butcher, losing people whom she had allowed to get close. One can almost taste her sadness as well as her anger.

Thanks, Lesley

---

#319:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 6:41 pm
    —
Always interesting to see Butcher's interpretation of what Geri says.

Thanks for the word doc, Lesley - I'm now totally up to speed and looking forward to finding out how Haslam is going to get her comeuppance.

---

#320:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 9:20 pm
    —
Hmm, Butcher probably does have a better idea of what it takes to be convincing in these circumstances, and clearly didn't take out her grief and anger as thoroughly as she might have without Geri's counsel. Let's hope the combined strategy is effective!

Thank you, Lesley.

---

#321:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 8:36 pm
    —
Geri Shaw moved back to the Control Room; watching the CCTV she saw Butcher move to the sink and undress to wash. Moving across to the other live camera she watched Mullins. The convict was sitting on the edge of her bed cradling her face. Shaw looked over at the two Prison Officers,

“Contact the Hospital Wing, ask them to send up a trauma team. I think Mullins needs some attention. Don’t send them in until I say, however.” The two women nodded and one reached for the telephone, Shaw moved toward Mullins’ cell then stopped, turned back, “Oh and Amanda? Should you ever have to restrain Butcher for real, don’t use that particular arm lock - it doesn’t work on her.”

Shaw walked across to Mullins’ cell, unlocked the door and walked in. She closed the door behind her and looked across at where Mullins sat. Mullins looked up,

“I-I need a Doctor,”

Shaw nodded, “Medical help has been summoned, a Hospital Officer will be here shortly,”

Mullins took a couple of short breaths, “Shouldn’t have been allowed,” she said quietly but with some malice, “the screws knew what Butcher was like,”

Shaw raised an eyebrow, “Do you wish to put in a complaint?”

Mullins caught her breath and quickly shook her head, “No, no, just keep her away from me, that’s all. I’ve got rights you know?”

“Ah, rights,” Shaw’s expression darkened slightly, “you know, in my years within the Prison Service I’ve heard that refrain many times - I’ve got rights - it’s been said by young and old, male and female. And not one of them has appreciated the irony,” Geri stared directly into Mullins’ face, “Why are you so keen to claim ‘your rights’ when the reason you are in prison is because you have denied those self same rights to others? What of Dale’s rights, Mullins? Did you even consider that she had a right to life - one that you took from her. So why, now, are you so keen on your rights?”

“That’s different,” Mullins said sullenly, “I know my rights, you have to protect me,”

Shaw nodded, “So I do,” she said with a sigh, “well Mullins I will do my best. Butcher has been given Solitary confinement for her attack upon you yesterday, she will be given further days for her more recent attack. You will be held here in Solitary until your trial however you will not be exposed to Butcher’s anger - my officers will ensure that the two of you remain separated,”

Mullins shook her head, “That won’t work, she’ll get me anyway, you know that.”

Shaw allowed a slight smile to cross her face, she nodded, “Yes, I know that, but I’m afraid that’s the best I can do - the only way I could be certain of protecting you would be if I kept the entire prison on ‘lock down’…”

“Well then do that,” Mullins interrupted quickly,

Shaw shook her head, “I can’t do that, Mullins,” she said with a note of definitely false regret in her voice, “you see it would impact upon the ‘rights’ of the rest of the inmates - I’m sure you can understand.”

“Then I demand a transfer,” Mullins shouted out.

Shaw raised an eyebrow, “You’re in no position to ‘demand’ anything, Mullins,” she said flatly.

Mullins swallowed sharply, “I-I mean, I request a transfer, Miss Shaw, for my own safety,”

“Unlikely that will help, Mullins,” Shaw replied, “as far as I’m aware Butcher’s influence spreads throughout the State. In fact the only poss…no that wouldn’t work,”

“What? What wouldn’t work?”

Shaw shrugged, “Well I believe the State Witness Protection Agency might have been able to help, they could ensure a prisoner was moved to another State to serve their term,” she said, “but that’s only for inmates that turn State’s evidence. I’m sorry Mullins - we’ll do our best but…” she left it there and turned toward the door.

“Wait!” Mullins sounded almost desperate, Shaw turned back to look across at the inmate, “maybe I can help there,”

“I doubt it, Mullins,” Shaw sounded sceptical, “you’ll not get a reduction in your sentence or a reduced charge - you are being charged with murder - and you’re looking at serious time,”

Yeah, alright,” Mullins replied, “but I want to be alive to serve the time, don’t I?” There was silence after the question, Shaw judging that it didn’t really require an answer, then Mullins spoke again, “Suppose I gave you something else? Something big? Would that get me on this Witness Protection?”

Shaw shook her head, “Doubtful,” she said, “what information do you have that would be considered valuable?”

Mullins thought furiously, “I know stuff, about the prison I mean,”

“Telling me which inmates are making boot-leg alcohol or running a book is not suitable information, Mullins,”

“No, nothing like that,” Mullins replied, “but what about Haslam?”

Shaw allowed none of her satisfaction to show on her face, “What about her?”

“I’ve got proof that she’s the one behind all the recent trouble,” Mullins said quickly, “I can give you details of a bank account she paid three million into for me, for doing Dale,”

Shaw looked across sceptically, “Why would you give me that information? You’ll lose the money,”

“Hell I won’t be able to spend it, will I?” Mullins shot back, “The cops this morning said I’d be looking at a minimum of twenty years, add that to the three years I’ve still got - I’m looking at a lifetime. So if it means I actually have a life so I can serve, yeah, I’ll give up the money.”

“Very well,” Shaw nodded, “but how does Haslam come into this? If it’s just your word against hers there will never be a conviction. The Witness Protection will only swing into action if they feel there is going to be a successful conviction.”

“Yeah, but I’ve got a little insurance policy, haven’t I?” Mullins returned, “Haslam may be a real bitch but she’s a novice when it comes to being inside. She sent Wade across to give me my orders about Dale, but I wanted to make sure she’d protect me afterwards. I swiped one of them Dictaphones from the Admin Block some time back. Went and saw her with it running in me pocket - it’s got a bit of static on it - but it’s clear enough. Has her telling me, clear as day, to get Dale, frighten her, if she resists, kill her.”

Shaw blinked furiously, unable to believe the news, “Did Haslam know you had taped her conversation?”

Mullins shook her head, “No, I planned to tell her afterwards, so she’d have to give me an alibi. Didn’t expect to run into a screw as soon as I left Dale’s cell. Bloody unlucky I call it.”

---

#322:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 8:49 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I wonder if the evidence will be enough.

---

#323:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 8:52 pm
    —
Well she certainly caved.

---

#324:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:20 pm
    —
Hmm! Was that too easy? Or do I have a too suspicious mind where RCS is concerned?

---

#325:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:40 pm
    —
Well the worm has certainly turned. Big time.

Will Geri take the chance?

Thanks Lesley

---

#326:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:54 pm
    —
I thought Geri was very clever there - and completely unscrupulous!

I shall await the outcome with what patience I can muster, Lesley.

---

#327:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:59 pm
    —

Pat wrote:

Hmm! Was that too easy? Or do I have a too suspicious mind where RCS is concerned?

Yes.

---

#328:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 11:32 pm
    —
And which of Pat's questions were you answering Lesley?

Quote:

I’ve got rights you know?

That's what so much of this is about isn't it? - rights, and the responsibilities that come with them.

Thank you Lesley.

---

#329:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 3:13 am
    —
It seems to be working, but -- Pat has a scary tendancy to be right about these things.

More, please, Lesley?

---

#330:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:10 am
    —
Was awake early this morning! Not absolutely sure if this works.

“And she’d actually taped Haslam saying that?” Butcher’s question was asked in an incredulous voice, “Jesus, Mullins is more intelligent than I’d given her credit for,” she shook her head, “though if it had gone as she’d planned I can’t see Haslam sitting still for blackmail. So you spoke with the cops then? What did they say?”

It was some hours after Shaw’s interview with Mullins; an interview that, from the Governor’s point of view, had been far more productive that she could have hoped even in her wildest dreams. She had immediately contacted the Police and they had returned to the prison to interview Mullins again. This time she had insisted that a lawyer be present and the lawyer had spoken to Mullins for some time to ensure the inmate was aware of her rights and knew what it would mean to place herself in the Witness Protection Scheme. The tape had been found and did indeed appear to have Haslam’s voice giving the order to Mullins. Shaw had been kept informed by the police sergeant leading the investigation - once they had left the prison again she had gone back to Solitary to speak to Butcher. She replied to Butcher’s question,

“That there appeared to be good evidence to support a conviction. The tape had to be analysed first and the voices on there formally identified - but they have experts that can do that,” Shaw stopped there, feeling somewhat guilty that she was passing on this information to another inmate, yet at the same time certain that Butcher deserved the consideration.

Butcher nodded, “Good,” she said with satisfaction, “and thanks, Miss Shaw, know it can’t be easy for you, passing on info to a con,”

Shaw raised an eyebrow, wondering if Butcher had suddenly become telepathic, “Don’t think this will be a regular occurrence, Butcher,” she said with some asperity, “these are unusual circumstance,”

“Yes Governor,” Butcher replied, her tone soft, “and I do appreciate it,” she paused for a few seconds then added, “and I can’t see there being any attempts on Mullins for a while.”

Shaw nodded abruptly, appreciating the confirmation, “And none upon Haslam either, Butcher,” she said firmly.

There was silence for some time, Butcher staring across at the Governor. Eventually she sighed and nodded, “None upon Haslam,” she confirmed quietly, then added, “for now,”

Shaw smiled, “Thank you Butcher, I know I can trust your word,” she turned to leave but a laugh from the convict stopped her.

“You know you can trust my word,” Butcher replied, “but how do you know that? I’ve lied before,”

“Not to me,” Shaw said firmly, “not about the important things anyway, despite your efforts otherwise, you have a great deal of good in you.”

Butcher’s eyebrow rose, “You got me confused with some other con, Miss Shaw? Good in me? I don’t think so,” she thought deeply for a few seconds, “worked it out once, you know, out of the Ten Commandments, I’ve broken nine - can’t see much good in there,”

“But it is there, Butcher, nonetheless,” Shaw smiled, “thank you for your cooperation.” She made to leave the cell then stopped and turned back, “As a matter of interest, Butcher,” she began, “which one…?”

“Haven’t I broken?” Butcher grinned, “Committing adultery,” she shrugged, “never had the opportunity. There’s still time though - I’ll just have to try harder,”

Shaw stopped, momentarily robbed of speech, “Considering where you’ll be for the rest of your life, Butcher, I’d be interested to see you achieve it!”

Butcher’s grin widened, “That a challenge, Miss Shaw?”

Shaw, remembering that among her Staff were a number of married men, bit her lip and refused to answer.

Last edited by Lesley on Thu Mar 08, 2007 8:47 pm; edited 1 time in total

---

#331:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:08 pm
    —
Oh, I do like the relationship bewteen these two, Lesley. And Geris' right -about Butcher having a great deal of good in her.

Giggled at the idea of breaking the seventh commandment while in prison! But knowing Butcher....

Thanks, Lesley

---

#332:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 5:57 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I guessed the commandment and I liked Butcher's comments.

---

#333:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:42 pm
    —
Agree with Geri about Butcher. She has her own morality but shesticks up for her women no matter what.

---

#334:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:43 pm
    —
Just for a time, they were friends weren't they? And Geri is right; the love and loyalty that is part of Butcher (deeply buried, but definitely there) does balance her wrongdoing.

But even Butcher may find it difficult to commit adultery - unless she's been married that is!

---

#335:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:49 pm
    —
Thanks Lesley!

And LOL at Butcher's ambition to commit adultery and complete the set!

---

#336:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:41 pm
    —
thanks, Lesley.

---

#337:  Author: Miranda, Location: Perth, Western Australia Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:04 pm
    —
Well with all Butcher's resources and initiative... I certainly wouldn't put it past her.

(or Lesley)

ETA: I mean for Lesley to concoct an appropriate situation of course (definitely NOT implying Lesley would be committing adultery herself ) *hides*

---

#338:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 2:32 am
    —
Hmmmmm, wonder if I can arrange for the RCS to visit Perth again - go to see a certain Miranda....


Butcher was released from Solitary three days later; she discovered that a number of things had changed. Haslam’s power-base had completely dissolved – only those women closest to her retaining any respect for her. Haslam’s plan to frighten the women into rejecting Butcher and turning to her had failed totally. On her return Butcher received reports from Rees and the others; she also made enquiries herself and discovered that Dale’s cell had been stripped but hadn’t yet been reassigned as the Forensic team had not finished. This meant that Butcher was unable to access certain of her stores and money, however it didn’t appear that the authorities had discovered them. Butcher didn’t mention to any of her team about the plan she had devised with the Governor, realising that it should remain between the two of them. She did, however, derive a great deal of enjoyment from staring across at Haslam and just smiling – causing the older woman to become very uncomfortable in her presence.

Haslam discovered just why Butcher was smiling later that week when she was informed that the Police wanted to question her about Dale’s death. Once her lawyer had been summoned Haslam had entered the small room confident that she could not be in any trouble. She was wrong. After the Police had left, taking with them the damning evidence on tape, Haslam turned to her lawyer in fury,

“Well? What are my chances?”

The tall, expensively dressed man, Martyn Parkes, shook his head, “Candidly, Samantha,” he began, “I’d rate your chances as catastrophic. The Police have a signed confession from this Mullins character and, more to the point, they have that tape. That was your voice, I assume?”

Haslam considered, “Suppose I said that it wasn’t? That it was a fake?”

The lawyer raised an eyebrow; “With the technology available nowadays I would only recommend that as a defence if it were the truth,” he said, “it is far too easy to prove otherwise. For God’s sake Samantha, what have you been doing in here? You only had a three year sentence – I could have tried for an appeal, got the sentence reduced – you’d have been out of here in eighteen months.”

Haslam looked across furiously, “Have you ever been inside a prison, Martyn? As an inmate, I mean,”

“Well of course not, my dear, it’s rather a no-no where lawyers are concerned, you know,” Martyn replied lazily.

“Then you know nothing about it,” Haslam replied firmly, “to survive in here you’ve either got to sink or swim – I’m a good swimmer,”

The lawyer rose from his seat, “Not at the moment you’re not,” he said bluntly, “I’ll do my best, Sam, but if they can get the conspiracy to commit murder charge to stick then you’ll be looking at ten years, possibly life,”

“Life?” Haslam also rose, “How can I get life? I didn’t kill the woman,”

“You paid someone to do it, Sam,” Parkes replied, “in the eyes of the law that makes you culpable. I’ll do my best but you’ve got to face facts, that Mullins character might just as well have stabbed you – she’s wrecked any chance you might have had of getting out of here before you’re sixty. Dammit Sam what possessed you? I should have thought you were intelligent enough to ensure you were never caught – especially by a low-life like Mullins.”

“How was I to know she’d be taping me?”

“It was your business to know, Sam, come on, you’ve never been this woolly headed before - what’s different?”

Haslam shook her head, “I don’t know,” she said angrily, “I think, perhaps, I underestimated them, the inmates I mean. Especially that thug Butcher. And I underestimated Shaw,”

“Shaw? You mean the Governor? Well if you did you’re a bloody fool, Sam,” Parkes responded quickly, “she’s the reason you were convicted in the first place isn’t she?”

“I know, I know - think I’ve not realised it was a mistake?”

“Not your only one, Sam,” Parkes continued relentlessly, “not if you also underestimated Butcher - she’s one of the most deadly inmates in the State - male and female,”

“I said I know,” Haslam shouted, “I don’t need you to tell me my mistake. I should have gone to the top immediately, rather than mess about. You think I’m definitely going to get convicted?”

Parkes nodded.

“Then I’ve got to do something now to increase my status. The only way I’ll survive in her is by being in charge - and to get there I’ve got to do something pretty spectacular,”

Parkes shook his head, “I don’t want to hear about it, Sam, whatever your plan,”

That’s alright, I wasn’t planning on telling you,” Haslam replied. She thought for a moment, “Need you to retrieve something from my place,” she said slowly, “don’t worry, it’s in a locked box so, if asked, you can truthfully say you didn’t know what was in it,”

Parkes sighed, “I can get something from your house, Sam, I’ve got your keys, after all. But I can’t bring it in for you - like all visitors I’m searched before entering the prison - Shaw’s people are good.”

Haslam thought for a few seconds then smiled, “That’s alright, I know someone that can get it through the security - you give the box to him. By the time I’m convicted the prison will be looking to me for orders before they do anything.”

---

#339:  Author: Miranda, Location: Perth, Western Australia Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 2:45 am
    —
But I'm hiding remember...you can't find me

I do like the fact the charges against Haslam are proceeding so smoothly, that her power base has vanished, and that Butcher can achieve so much unease with a simple smile...

BUT I'm in wibble-mode as to what on earth could be in that box

Just give up Haslam, please? We all know you'll lose anyway...right?

---

#340:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 8:00 pm
    —

Miranda wrote:

Just give up Haslam, please? We all know you'll lose anyway...right?

Eventually! A lot can happen between now and then!

---

#341:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 9:24 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I wonder what is in the locked box.

---

#342:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 5:07 pm
    —
Haslam's overblown ego certainly made her lose any sense she may have possessed with regard to Butcher and Geri. She should just listen to her lawyer and bow to the inevitable, or it will go very badly for her with Butcher, I fear, despite what's in the box. Mind you, a lot of people could get caught in the crossfire....

Thanks, Lesley

---

#343:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 8:13 pm
    —
No release of tension there!

Thank you, Lesley.

---

#344:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 10:54 pm
    —
Wednesday mid-morning saw the Head and Deputy Head get together for their last weekly meeting of the term; not having a great many new policies to discuss they instead fell to reviewing the term,

“In general the term has been fairly satisfactory,” Hilda Annersley said thoughtfully, “the School continues to grow, the majority of the girls and Staff seem happy,”

“But?” Nell put in.

Hilda shrugged, “But we have to face facts, Nell,” she replied, “two terms ago I had to dismiss a member of the teaching staff - one of our original staff at that, the term before that you dismissed a member of our domestic staff and we had one of the security officers arrested. That same term I excluded a number of the girls for two weeks due to drug abuse.”

“And this term you expelled one of the Seniors,” Nell finished.

“Exactly,” Hilda replied, “it’s not like when we were part of the story, is it?”

Nell shook her head, “No, no you’re right, it isn’t part of the story,” she said slowly, “because it’s real life now - as reflected by our name. But you still enjoy the job, don’t you?”

Hilda was a while answering, when she did it was with absolute certainty in her voice, “I love it, Nell, I love the job, the responsibilities, the continual juggling of so many different personalities and all their wants and needs. Even the paperwork!” She paused and looked across at her partner, “And so do you, don’t you?”

Nell grinned, “Yes, of course I do. We are still able to make a difference but we’ve got the added bonus of knowing it’s through our efforts, not Elinor’s whims. We’re not the only ones, you know?”

“No?”

Nell shook her head, “No, the rest of the Teaching Staff love it - and what of Rosalind? And Nancy and Kathie?”

“True,” Hilda smiled, “I know that Karen has loved the last three years, too,”

“Don’t I know it,” Nell grinned, “didn’t you hear her on the subject last Christmas?”

“Last Christmas?”

“Yes, you know the Domestic Staff had their Christmas Party the Saturday after School finished and we were invited?”

Hilda nodded.

“Well Karen had obviously over-imbibed somewhat, I was feeling very jealous as I wasn’t drinking as I was still under the hospital after my injury - then she suddenly came out with how much more she loves the life here - that she was allowed to be a person rather than just a ‘School Cook’ - get her on the subject sometime, it’s very interesting.”

“I will,” Hilda said, somewhat intrigued, she stood and walked over to switch her kettle on, made another drink for both of them. When she sat down again she turned a somewhat worried expression toward her partner, “What of you Nell? How have you been? I’ve noticed that you’ve been finding it difficult these last two terms,”

Nell sighed, “Yes, it has been tiring, not having a Biology Mistress has been difficult - I’ll be pleased when Kathy gets here next week. Couldn’t believe that her university insisted she work the whole of her notice - and that they only told her the week before she was all set to move here.”

“She is definitely coming then?”

“Oh yes, she’s left the university now, is currently packing. She’s sent me her arrival time,”

“Good, because I’ve noticed that with you having to cover you’ve been working even later than I have,”

“Well that will stop next term,” Nell said with a smile, “now I’ve got four Mistresses in the Science Department I can move to teaching a small number of classes in each subject,”

Hilda looked across, “Is that what you want to do, Nell?”

The Deputy Head nodded, “Yes it is, I know I’ve specialised in Chemistry, but now Pauline’s here I don’t need to just teach Chemistry, I can return to doing everything - as I did as the Chalet School. As the Science Department head I should make sure I keep up with all sections of Science. I’ll get Kathy, Rebecca and Lesley to refresh my memory but, as I’m going to be teaching the Junior Middles I’ll have more than enough knowledge,”

“Junior Middles? But they are the ones you’ve been complaining of all year,” Hilda laughed.

“Yes I know,” Nell grinned, “but getting information into them, well, it’s satisfying, makes me feel I’ve achieved something, oh I’ll probably also teach a bit of A’Level Chemistry too, but I think getting the basics into the Middles will be best.”

“Well at least you’ll have less work next term - and the next four weeks should be restful,”

“You’ve said that before,” Nell observed, “what about out holiday to the UK? Hardly restful, was it? And I’m not going to want to visit Sydney for a while yet, you know?”

“Yes, we’ve not really been lucky with going away, have we?” Hilda smiled, “But this time we’re staying here. And we’ll have the girls over for most of the time too, Andrew was able to get his leave without any problems and his parents will be flying over next week.”

“True,” Nell nodded, “and we’ll have Cherry here for the holidays too - did you know Shane has taken a week’s leave as well?”

“No,” Hilda looked pleased, “perhaps they will be able to iron out their problems,” there was the sound of a bell, signifying end of lesson, she smiled, “and on that note I think we might as well finish, there’s nothing more to discuss about the School, at least for this term.”

Nell stood and stretched, “Fine, I’ll get back to my paperwork then - I have a particularly nasty report to finish, one that’s going to mean that a certain person will have to watch out the first day in the holidays we go swimming,”

“I don’t know what you mean, Nell,”

“Don’t you?” Nell glared across at her partner, “well let me put it this way, I’m going to take great pleasure ducking you as revenge for that report.”

“You’ll have to catch me first,” Hilda smiled, “oh, by the way, you haven’t forgotten that you’re covering tomorrow afternoon?”

Nell shook her head, “No, not a problem, in case I forget to say nearer the time, give my best to Butcher, won’t you?”

“Of course,"

Last edited by Lesley on Sun Mar 11, 2007 10:58 pm; edited 1 time in total

---

#345:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 10:56 pm
    —
What a brilliant conversation, reflecting just how different RCS is to the storybooks Elinor had them living in...

And I can't wait to see what Hilda has to say to Butcher when she gets to the prison!

Thanks Lesley

---

#346:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 2:53 am
    —
It's good to hear them confirming that despite everything, it's all been worth it - not only for them, but for others as well.

---

#347:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 2:11 pm
    —
Am I the only one who has a feeling that whatever is going to blow up at the prison is going to manage to do it while Hilda's there visiting? Or am I just being overly suspicious?


Thanks Lesley!

---

#348:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 6:47 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I wonder if they really will have a peaceful end of term.

Vikki, I am always suspicious of Lesley when she writes this!

---

#349:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 8:41 pm
    —

Vikki wrote:

Am I the only one who has a feeling that whatever is going to blow up at the prison is going to manage to do it while Hilda's there visiting? Or am I just being overly suspicious? Thanks Lesley!

Well if you are, so am I! I always get suspicious after a nice quiet interlude like that!

---

#350:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:38 pm
    —
The visit with Butcher was successful the following afternoon - unlike the aborted one the previous Saturday. Hilda asking Butcher about the reason why the visit had been postponed so abruptly. Butcher explained what had happened that Saturday and the incidents since then, Hilda listened in silence as the convict related everything; when Butcher had finished Hilda looked over at the woman opposite,

“I’m so sorry, Butcher, she was a good friend, wasn’t she?”

Butcher nodded, her dark eyes made even darker by her emotion, “Yeah, a good friend,” she confirmed, “never expected it, really, she was so different to the rest of the people in here I classed as friends. First time I came across her was a few days after she had been convicted - she was having the sh*t kicked out of her by a couple of the other cons in the toilets, I stopped them, put them both in hospital. When I was released from Solitary she was waiting for me, told me she’d figured out half a dozen places where I could keep things, stuff I didn’t want the screws to find. Was I interested?” Butcher shrugged, “I took her on there and then. She couldn’t fight for me, but it didn’t matter, she was just as much an equal member.”

“You appreciated her talents,” Hilda replied, “and you protected her even before you knew her,”

Butcher shrugged, “I suppose. I wasn’t there when she needed me though, was I?”

“You couldn’t know that she was going to be attacked,” Hilda said softly, “at least you were there to stop her killer,”

“Yeah,” Butcher confirmed, “though I wish I’d known she had killed Dale before I stopped Mullins. I know, with any luck Mullins is going to bring down Haslam but even so…” she shook her head.

“I can understand how you feel,” Hilda said sympathetically, at Butcher’s surprised glance Hilda nodded and continued, “of course I can, just because I cannot approve of murder doesn’t mean I cannot sympathise with the loss of a friend and how it can make you seek vengeance. But this way, Butcher, you are getting justice, and against not only the one that actually performed the deed, but against the one that gave the order.”

“I suppose,” Butcher said reluctantly, “though my form of justice does at least make me feel better.”

…

After her visit Butcher was returned to the Wing, it being too late to take her back to work; she had just settled herself in her cell when a different Prison Officer appeared,

“Butcher, the Governor wants to see you, now,”

“Sure Miss Mareck,” Butcher got up and followed the Officer.

Miss Mareck brought Butcher into the Governor’s Office and directed her to stand in front of the desk. After a short wait Miss Shaw appeared; she dismissed the Officer and then turned toward Butcher.

“What do you know about this?” Shaw said abruptly, tossing a crumpled sheet of paper on the desk in front of Butcher. Butcher reached out and picked up the paper, smoothed the edges and read the writing printed on the sheet,

You’ve earned yourself a reprieve, Mullins, but it’s only temporary. I can wait. If Haslam isn’t convicted then I’ll have you to play with. Ever seen a cat play with a mouse, Mullins? Guess who’s the mouse? You’ll take a long time to die, Mullins, I promise you. And at the end you’ll be begging me to kill you.

Butcher looked across at the Governor, her face expressionless, “Nasty,” she commented, “was there something I can help with, Governor?”

Geri Shaw glared at the convict in front of her, “Nasty doesn’t begin to describe it,” she ground out, “that note was discovered in Mullins’ cell this morning - and gives a good explanation of why Mullins suddenly stopped eating last night. How did you do it?”

“Do what, Governor?”

“Don’t play games with me, Butcher,” Shaw replied quickly, “the note, how did you do it? And what did you hope to achieve?”

Butcher smiled slightly, “Governor,” she said patiently, “if I were to admit that I’d sent this note - and I’m not admitting anything here - then that would earn me three days in Solitary, wouldn’t it? I’m not stupid, Governor.”

“Who else could it have been, but you?”

Butcher shrugged, “Mullins has upset a lot of people,”

Shaw took a deep breath and visibly calmed herself, “Alright,” she said, “I’m not asking you to admit to anything but, hypothetically, can you think of a reason why anyone would send this type of note?”

Butcher thought for a time, “Well Governor, hypothetically, perhaps whoever sent this note wanted to make sure that Mullins didn’t backslide - I mean we wouldn’t want her to suddenly retract her statement or anything, would we? Perhaps, whoever sent this note, thought that a little reminder of what she had to look forward to could ensure Mullins didn’t suddenly get cold feet.” Butcher shrugged then added, “At least, that’s what I think - it’s my theory,”

“I see,” the Governor appeared to be torn between continuing to be angry and wanting to smile, “and what are your theories about exactly how that note was delivered to Mullins? She receives her meals direct from the Officers’ Mess, no inmate has access,”

Butcher’s face remained expressionless, “Couldn’t say, Governor, it’s a mystery."

---

#351:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:03 pm
    —
I hope that talk with Hilda has done Butcher some good, and I loved the hypothetical conversation...How did she manage it? If indeed it was her.

Thanks Lesley

---

#352:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:26 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I wonder whom delivered the note.

---

#353:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 12:37 pm
    —
I had a giggle over Hilda saying that staying in school these holidays might circumvent the sort of problems their other holidays have had. Not a chance, Hilda.

As to Butcher and Geri here.... one could add two and two and get five or five thousand and five. As it's your drabble, Lesley, you understand! Thank you, all the same.

---

#354:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 5:23 pm
    —

Quote:

Couldn’t believe that her university insisted she work the whole of her notice - and that they only told her the week before she was all set to move here.”

Sounds all too plausible

Wonderful diptych of Butcher conversations.

---

#355:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:31 pm
    —
Back on the Wing Butcher reflected that the Governor knew very well just who had sent the notes – but that she was happy to go along with the pretence that the convict was speaking ‘hypothetically’.

“Makes you realise just how bad some of the Governors have been,” she said to herself as she went into her cell, “when a good one comes along,”

“What was that, Butcher?” Rees, who had just joined her, looked across.

“Oh nothing,” Butcher replied, “was just thinking aloud, that’s all, what’s up?”

“Not much,” Rees said, “got some news for you, mundane stuff though, if you’d rather I can put it off?”

Butcher looked across, seeing Rees clearly, the younger woman had dark circles beneath her eyes, “You OK, Rees? I’d forgot – you and Dale were close too, weren’t you?”

Rees nodded warily, “Sure, we were close, but I understand why you decided to go for Haslam, I’m okay with that,”

Butcher nodded, “Right, but you think Mullins deserves more?”

Rees shrugged, “I’d’ve liked the chance at her as well. Dale was a good mate,”

Butcher considered for a while, “Well Mullins has to stay alive to testify against Haslam,” she began.

“Yeah, I know,” Rees said with a smile, “I don’t mean nothing,”

“I said she’s got to stay alive, Rees,” Butcher began, “I’ve got no problem with her having a couple of broken limbs.”

“You could manage that?”

“Probably,” Butcher shrugged, “it’ll upset the Governor but, if you’re prepared for the Solitary, I think we might be able to manage it. I’ll try and sort something for this weekend, okay?”

“Okay Butcher, thanks. Now, I’ve had a couple of the mice decide they want to change career, they’ve taken on running a book – the one Mullins was running until the weekend,”

“You did speak with them?”

“Definitely, explained very clearly that you give out assignments, they don’t presume,”

“How badly they hurt?”

“Couple of broken noses and some bruises, nothing much – they’re very apologetic – at least that’s the message I got from the Orderly in the Hospital Wing,”

Butcher nodded, enforcing her regulations was fairly standard, “How come they thought they could do it?” She asked, “either of them have experience?”

Rees nodded, “Yeah, they’re both in here for the same job – insurance swindle, they were partners,”

“In that case when they’re released from the Hospital go see them again,” Butcher replied, “tell them that they can run the book – same conditions as always – and tell them if they cheat any of the women I’ll be coming to see them – and I won’t stop at just breaking noses,”

Rees grinned, “That’ll put the fear of God into them,” she observed.

“So long as they continue to fear me too,” Butcher responded with a smile of her own.

At that moment a prison bell rang signifying that it was 5pm, time for the evening meal. The two women walked down to where the catering staff were set up, ready to serve, they automatically walked to the front of the line. As they got there they realised that there was someone ahead of them – it was Haslam. Butcher looked round, with an unerring sense of trouble there were any number of inmates nearby, watching. At the same time Butcher was aware that the closest Prison Officers were over by the door and would not be able to see the scene unfolding in front of her. Rees took half a step back, content to leave Butcher to it. Butcher nodded to herself and there stared across at Haslam,

“You’re in my way, Haslam,” she said softly.

Although she couldn’t possibly have been unaware of Butcher’s approach, Haslam affected surprise, “I was here first,” she replied quickly, attempting to lock gazes with the other inmate.

Butcher took half a step forward, “You’re in my way, Haslam,” she repeated, “move!” Her dark eyes were uncompromising.

Haslam swallowed quickly, unable to hold that gaze; her head bent and she stepped to one side.

“That’s better,” Butcher said, her voice so low as to be a whisper, she stepped up to draw level with the older inmate, as she did she reached out a hand and grabbed hold of Haslam’s lapels, dragged her closer, “you ever try that again, Haslam, and I’ll break your arm,” she pushed Haslam roughly away. Haslam was propelled backwards into a chair and fell to the ground.

At that point Mrs Francis appeared, “Haslam, what happened? Have you been assaulted?”

Haslam rose quickly to her feet, her gaze met that of Butcher, watching her, she swallowed nervously, “I’m fine, Mrs Francis,” she said faintly, “just tripped, that’s all,”

Butcher smiled and turned to get her meal, aware that, all around her, the rest of the women had seen the meeting and its outcome. Her smile grew as she could feel the sense of relief from the other women. Her tray full she turned to walk across to her cell and, as she did, she caught sight of Haslam’s expression; Butcher’s smile faded and, with a faint frown and her appetite gone, she continued back to her cell. Once there she placed the tray of food on the table untouched and sat staring into space.

---

#356:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:22 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I realise that when you mention mundane stuff, it usually is there for a reason!

---

#357:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:49 pm
    —
Oh dear, when something has that effect on Butcher, one starts to worry. And it all seemed to be going so well....

Thanks, Lesley.

---

#358:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 9:56 pm
    —

MaryR wrote:

Oh dear, when something has that effect on Butcher, one starts to worry. And it all seemed to be going so well.... Thanks, Lesley.

Too well Mary!

---

#359:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:30 pm
    —
Um, I wonder if Haslam is setting something up - and those mice who wanted a change of career, I wonder if they're acting at Haslam's behest?

I rather like Butcher's distinction between 'alive' and 'alive with a couple of broken limbs'!

---

#360:  Author: Miranda, Location: Perth, Western Australia Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 12:01 am
    —
Uh-oh...I wonder what Haslam's expression was like.... Smug? Incredibly evil? Insanely happy? Smirky?

I guess only time (Lesley) will tell...

---

#361:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 1:33 pm
    —
I think Haslam gave in far too quickly there. Doesn't Lesley love it when we wibble?

---

#362:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 11:01 pm
    —
Her food remained untouched as Butcher sat and thought about what she’d seen. She’d expected to see Haslam upset, angry, beaten, instead, what had she seen? Butcher had become adept at reading a person’s expression and Haslam had, in an unguarded second, shown none of the expected emotions. Instead she had appeared satisfied, as thought the scene had been stage-managed by her and had resulted in exactly the outcome she, Haslam, had wanted. But why? Butcher was reminded of a conversation with Hilda Annersley earlier that afternoon when the subject of Haslam had been raised.

“I forgot, you met her, didn’t you?”

Hilda Annersley nodded, “I did, she was among those contacted along with Mr Grange and the Prison Board,”

“And what did you think of her?”

Hilda considered for a time, “I think,” she said slowly, “that she was one of the most dangerous individuals I have ever met,”

“Hey you not eating?” Butcher looked up to see Rees at the cell door, she shook her head,

“No,” she said shortly.

“Something wrong with it?” Rees asked, “I thought it was good tonight,”

“No, nothing wrong,” Butcher replied distractedly, “just not hungry, help yourself,” she sat in silence while Rees helped herself to some of the discarded meal. After a time, replete, Rees looked across at her chief,

“What’s wrong, Butcher?”

Butcher shook her head, “I’m not sure,” she said, she explained about seeing Haslam’s expression are the incident earlier then continued, “thing is Annersley’s good at reading people, I mean she managed to read me when I was busy smacking her round the face! And she’s met some pretty nasty characters in her time - I told you a bit about what happened to her when she went to England, didn’t I?”

“Yeah,” Rees replied, “and she wasn’t fazed at meeting up with you, was she? You’d think someone like her would’ve been. So?”

“So,” Butcher responded, “if she’s right about Haslam - that she’s dangerous, then it’s not likely that she’d just lie down, is it?”

“What do you think she’s planning then? To get Mullins?”

“Doubt it, even if Mullins were killed the cops have that tape, don’t they? And Mullins’ confession. No, Haslam knows she is looking at serious time, she knows she’s lost the power game to me - so why did she have such a self satisfied smirk on her face? Almost as though everything was going right for her?” Butcher sighed then looked over at Rees, “We’ll have to postpone you going for Mullins,” she said, “I need you out here, not in Solitary. Get the girls to keep watch on Haslam, I want to know who she speaks to, who speaks to her, if she has any visitors, and Official Visitors, anything out of the ordinary. Something’s wrong, I expected her to be beaten but she’s planning something.”

The next two days were tense, Butcher unable to shake the feeling that Haslam was planning something, Although she didn’t know it, what Butcher was feeling was the culmination of nearly eleven years inside, a lifetime of being able to read opponents, Haslam was intending something spectacular - she knew it, but she didn’t know what. When the rest of Butcher’s people gathered together early on Saturday morning Butcher was eager to hear their reports. Rees was the last to arrive,

“Screws are in a flap,” she commented as she walked in.

“Why?” Chapman was the first to ask the question.

Rees shrugged, “Seems all the phones are down throughout the prison. They can contact the outside using mobiles but the landlines are as dead as the dodo. They’re having to get some of the fitter screws to act as runners. Shaw’s been in touch with the phone company - went ballistic with them I heard,”

“Will they be out for long?” Butcher asked.

Rees shook her head, “Don’t think so,” she said, “couple of hours or so, doubt it’d be more,”

“Pity,” Butcher mused, “we might have been able to use it. Never mind. So, what have you learnt?” She looked round at the rest of the women.

Rees herself reported first, “She’s had no visitors other than her lawyer - he’s been in just the once - stayed for about an hour or so. Nothing much there, couldn’t get near enough to hear - but her lawyer looked worried when he came out,”

“Lawyers always look worried,” Grant said dryly, “it’s so they don’t jump for joy over the bloody fees they charge. Haslam’s got a new job,” she continued, “she ain’t in the laundry any more - has been moved to the Library. Don’t know if she requested the transfer or it was the screws,”

“Probably Shaw,” Butcher replied, “anyone else?”

“Haslam’s being shunned by most of the inmates,” this from Bradley, “even her old mob are leaving her alone. Wade speaks to her but then Wade’s her cellmate,”

Butcher looked over at Chapman, “Anything else?”

“Might be nothing,” Chapman replied, “but she’s picked up a couple of bits from storage, just clothes and an old jewellery box. I took a look at it - nothing much to it, nothing inside,”

“Jewellery box? What the Hell does she want with that?”

Chapman shrugged, “Dunno, she seemed real pleased on her way back from the storage place though.”

Butcher nodded and dismissed the others, Rees remaining with her, she looked across at her lieutenant, “It’s got to be there, somewhere,” she said, “she’s planning something, I just don’t know what,”

Rees shrugged, “Can’t see what she could do that’d mean anything,” she said, “I mean she can’t fight you, she’s lost all credibility and status. If she is planning something it’d have to be pretty spectacular,”

At that moment there was the sound of footsteps and the two inmates looked up to see Mrs Francis standing there, “I need both of you to help clear out a couple of cells,” she said, “we have some new inmates arriving and nowhere to put them,” she turned as Grant was walking past, “you too, Grant. It’ll not take long,”

Butcher shrugged and the three inmates followed the Officer across to East Wing, once there they were each swiftly issued with gloves, cleaning materials and plastic bags and enjoined to clean. As she swiftly stripped the bed and washed down the mattress Butcher struck up a conversation with Pat Francis,

“You don’t normally cover this wing, Mrs Francis?”

The Prison Officer smiled, “At the moment I cover anything that’s necessary, Butcher. I suppose you’ve heard that the phone system is down? Well it’s meant twice as much work for the Staff. Plus, having new inmates unexpectedly always causes problems.”

“Anyone we’d know?”

“I don’t think so, Butcher, I didn’t recognise any of the names. Another Officer appeared and moved across to speak with Mrs Francis, she quickly looked across at Butcher, “hurry up and finish the cells, Butcher, you’ll earn a bonus for working overtime,”

Butcher nodded and moved back into the cell; as she did Rees looked across from where she was cleaning the toilet,

“I’ve been thinking,” Rees began, “are you absolutely sure that Haslam is planning something?”

Butcher shook her head, “I don’t know,” she said, “it’s a feeling, nothing more, why?”

Rees sighed, “It’s just, there’s not much she could do, not that’d make an impression. She can’t beat you and that’s the only way she’s going to regain any prestige, isn’t it?”

Grant entered the cell, “Just heard the screws talking,” she said, “looks like Haslam wants out, she’s on her way up to see Shaw about a transfer,”

Butcher went still, “She what?”

Grant nodded, “Yeah, she’s on her way up to the Governor, said it was urgent, apparently. You must have scared her.”

Butcher shook her head, “No, not that,” she whispered, she looked at the other two inmates, “think about it, she needs to do something, something pretty spectacular, to get back her status,”

“So?”

“So, remember my first order after Shaw became Governor?”

“Yeah of course, it was a b…” Rees stopped as the same thought occurred, she stared across at Butcher, “what are you going to do?”

“Stop her!” Butcher rushed back out to where Mrs Francis stood; the other Officer having left, speaking quickly she told Pat Francis that she thought the Governor could be in danger,

“Come now, Butcher, Haslam is hardly a physical person,” Mrs Francis was frankly sceptical, “there will be at least one other officer with the Governor. I cannot see there will be any difficulties,”

“But you can’t be sure, Mrs Francis,” Butcher replied, “could you at least warn the Governor?”

“There are no free Officers to take a message to the Admin Block at present, Butcher,” Mrs Francis explained patiently.

“Then we could go, now,” Butcher insisted.

Mrs Francis shook her head, “Not now, Butcher,” she said, “there are enough problems at the moment because the phone system is down. The last thing the Governor needs is you attacking Haslam in her Office,”

“But I think Haslam is dangerous, Mrs Francis,” Butcher replied,

“Yes but you’ve not been able to give me any reason why you think that, Butcher, other than a ‘feeling‘,” the Prison Officer replied reasonably, “Haslam’s crimes have not entailed that she personally commit violence - unlike yours. And at the moment allowing you and Haslam to be in the same area is just asking for trouble - don’t think I’m unaware of exactly why Haslam ’fell over’ the other day. As soon as the phone system is back up I’ll contact Miss Shaw, pass on your concerns. For now return to your work, all of you,” her glance included not only Butcher but Rees and Grant, both of whom stood nearby.

Butcher sighed, frustrated, she knew deep within her that Haslam was planning something, something against Shaw, but she didn’t know how she knew - couldn’t articulate just why she was so certain. Butcher turned toward the cells and, with her back to the Officer, paused, she made a decision, “Mrs Francis?”

“Yes Butcher?”

“I’m really sorry, Mrs Francis,”

Pat Francis looked puzzled, “Sorry? Wh…?”

She got no further; Butcher suddenly spun round, jerked her right arm up and elbowed the Prison Officer on the side of her head. Mrs Francis collapsed unconscious immediately and Butcher quickly caught her as she fell to the floor. She looked across at the other two inmates,

“Give us a hand, here!” she ordered.

Between them the three carried the unconscious woman into the nearby cell, laid her on one of the cots, as they did so she started to regain consciousness. Butcher looked over at Rees and Grant,

“Keep her in here, look after her,” she said, while releasing the key chain from Pat Francis’ belt, “and don’t hurt her! I’ve got to get to Haslam,” she swiftly left the cell.

Last edited by Lesley on Sat Mar 24, 2007 2:03 pm; edited 1 time in total

---

#363:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 11:06 pm
    —
Um, Butcher? That may not have been the wisest thing to do...I don't think attacking an officer, stealing her keys and running loose around the prison with said keys is going to be looked on leniently.

On the other hand, I'm sure she has a very good reason. Which worries me more than a little.

*wibbles obediently*

Thanks Lesley

---

#364:  Author: Lottie, Location: Humphrey's Corner Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 11:53 pm
    —
I've not had enough sleep for the past ten days, becuase I've just read all of RCS from the very beginning. Thanks for all the word documents. Lesley. Now I'm likely to have a sleepless night worrying about Butcher, Haslam and Geri. I suppose I'm going to have to get used to it!

---

#365:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 11:56 pm
    —
Have just caught up on loads - and ... help! Whatever's happening, it's been carefully planned and is going to be major, and Butcher is not going to leave Geri at anyone's mercy, is she. The build-up to that had me gnawing my fingernails down to the elbows. I'm quite glad that mincing Mullins has been put on the back burner, I feel rather less sympathetic to Butcher while she's breaking bits of people, but what, oh what, is Butcher getting herself into now? I do love her courage, her loyalty and her decisiveness.

---

#366:  Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:53 am
    —

Lottie wrote:

I've not had enough sleep for the past ten days, becuase I've just read all of RCS from the very beginning.

Man, that's impressive!

---

#367:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 11:14 am
    —
You had me hooked there, Lesley, as Butcher thought and thought and thought.... and then suddenly, wham! The danger peers round the corner! But can Butcher do anything and not damage herself in the process....?

Thanks, Lesley.

---

#368:  Author: Miranda, Location: Perth, Western Australia Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 12:54 pm
    —

Quote:

“Yeah of course, it was a b…”

A what? A bomb? A burglary? A blackmail? A big spider?

And what on earth has been done to the phones?

---

#369:  Author: Alex, Location: Cambs, UK Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 5:40 pm
    —
Interesting. Very interesting.

---

#370:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 8:18 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I am wondering what the b word was as well.

---

#371:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:33 pm
    —
I think I know what Rees was going to say, but that isn't stopping the wibbling at all!!

---

#372:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:47 pm
    —
Left in the cell after Butcher’s rapid departure Rees and Grant looked at each other; Rees shrugged, “Close the cell door, Grant, stand in front of it,”

As Grant did so Rees turned her attention to the woman on the bed. Although a screw, Mrs Francis was a decent one and Rees had no intention of hurting the woman. Instead she soaked some paper towels and then knelt beside the bed to lay them on Pat Francis’ head to try and reduce the bruising already apparent on the woman’s temple. As she did so Pat Francis awoke with a start,

“Rees? What are you doing?” Pat’s eyes were wide and she stared across at the inmate in some confusion.

“Just putting a cold compress on your head, Mrs Francis,” Rees replied steadily, “Butcher caught you hard with her blow,”

“Butcher…?” the Prison Officer began then, as full memory returned she stiffened and her hand moved to her waist and where her keys should have been, “I’ve got to stop her,” she began, pushing herself up from the cot.

Rees firmly pushed the woman back to lie on the cot, “No, Mrs Francis,” she said quickly, “you’re not doing anything, you’re staying here,”

Pat Francis paled, suddenly aware of her own situation, she swallowed, “What are you going to do to me?” she asked quietly.

“Just keep you here, Mrs Francis, ‘til Butcher’s finished doing her thing, we’re not going to hurt you,”

The Prison Officer relaxed very slightly, “If you’re not going to hurt me, Rees,” she began, “how are you going to keep me here?”

Rees smiled, “There’s two of us, one of you,” she pointed out, “if necessary we’ll just hold you down,”

Pat nodded, “I see,” a pause then, “may I sit up?”

“If you want,” Rees replied, “though you’ll probably feel a bit sick - Butcher hits hard,”

The Prison Officer reached up to the bruise on her temple, “Yes,” she agreed, she took a breath, “could I have a drink?”

“Sure,” Rees stood and walked across to the sink, returned with a glass of water. Pat Francis drained the glass,

“Thank you,” she said gratefully, “so, how long do you plan to keep me here, Rees?”

Rees shrugged, “Not long, just so Butcher can get up to the Governor’s Office, stop Haslam,”

“You mean you believe Haslam is planning to attack the Governor too?” the Prison Officer sounded surprised.

“It’s possible,” Rees replied, “she’s looking at serious time,”

“And she’s lost all her power,” Grant put in, “she needs something big to impress the women - and this would show her contempt for Butcher as well,”

Pat held the compress to her head, “I don’t understand,” she said, “why would it show her contempt for Butcher?”

The two convicts looked at each other, obviously contemplating how much they could reveal. Eventually Rees nodded, “Why not? It’ll all come out soon enough,” she turned to the Officer, “Butcher placed a blanket ban on anyone attempting to target Shaw - when Shaw first became Governor. If Haslam kills Shaw she’s not only shown herself to be ruthless, but shown just how little influence Butcher has over her.”

“And Butcher thinks that Haslam is going to try and do that?” Pat sounded horrified, “but she can‘t be sure about this, can she?”

“Sure enough that she knocked you out so she could steal your keys,” Rees pointed out.

…

When Butcher attacked Mrs Francis it was with one clear aim, to retrieve the prison Officer’s keys and attempt to reach Haslam in time. Moving swiftly, but without running - running would immediately have brought curious and official eyes upon her - she moved to the Gate leading out of the Wing. The keys would give her access to all parts of the prison - though it would not give her access to the outside. That was via only one area - the Gatehouse. All visitors, inmates and prison officers had to enter and leave the prison grounds through that one place. The keys would, however, get her out of the Wing and across to the Admin Block. Once out of the Wing Butcher ran, no longer caring about curious eyes. No inmate would be out of the Wing without an escort so her only chance was to move as fast as possible. As she ran she mentally castigated herself for not realising sooner what Haslam was planning. The clues had been there all along - Butcher spared a thought for just how Haslam was planning to do it - she wouldn’t be able to overpower Shaw physically, perhaps that jewellery box had held a knife? Butcher shook her head - ‘worry about it after you’ve stopped her’ she thought.

She skidded to a halt in front of the gate leading to the Admin Block, fumbled to unlock the Gate while aware that the security camera above the door was tracking her movements, ‘I'm going to be hip deep in screws in less than a minute,’ she thought quickly. Inside the Block there were a number of Civilian Staff, all looked up in alarm as Butcher tore past them, she heard the Riot Alarm sound but didn’t stop, moving to the Governor’s Office. She burst in, Haslam was standing to one side, an officer beside her, Shaw was closer to the door, obviously interrupted midway through pacing the floor, she turned as Butcher crashed in,

“Butcher? What the Hell…?”

Butcher paused to catch her breath, pointed, “She’s going to kill you, Shaw,” she said, “stop her,”

Everything seemed to happen at once, Butcher was grabbed from behind by one Officer while the one standing next to Haslam moved across to help subdue the convict. Haslam was left alone and in that instant she moved and there was an odd sound. Butcher recognised it and struggled fiercely against the two officers, using all her martial arts skills to break free from their grip. Shaw moved toward Butcher but before the Governor had taken more than two steps she heard a dull ‘thrum’, felt herself being shouldered roughly to one side, the shove pushed her across to slam against the far wall and, for some seconds, she was too dazed to move. Vaguely she heard the sounds of a struggle and realised that, for whatever reason, it was Butcher who had attacked her. As her eyes re-focused she saw Butcher struggling with Haslam, while two prison officers were attempting to separate them. As Shaw pushed herself upright and went to join the fray there was another ‘thrum’ and Haslam suddenly dropped to the floor. Shaw stared down at the woman, there was a large amount of blood pooling on the floor near her head, the entry-wound of a bullet obvious in her temple, Shaw turned to where Butcher was standing, bent double, seeming to have difficulty catching her breath,

“Butcher, what have you done?” she whispered, she moved toward the convict, laid a hand on her shoulder,

“No Governor, not Butcher,” it was one of the guards, Shaw looked round, puzzled, “look, in Haslam’s hand!”

Shaw moved over to where the guard pointed; in Haslam’s right hand, half hidden by her long sleeve, was a small pistol, she looked over at the guard,

“Haslam was aiming at you, Governor,” the guard said quickly, “I was too far away to do anything, Butcher pushed you out of the way even as Haslam shot. Butcher then attacked Haslam.”

Shaw stood still for a few seconds, taking the news in then, as she suddenly realised her eyes widened, “The first shot?” she turned back just in time to see Butcher collapse to the ground. Shaw ran over, dropped to her knees beside the convict, “Call an ambulance and get me the first aid box!” she ordered over her shoulder, whilst rolling Butcher onto her back, she then hissed at the sight, the whole of Butcher’s left side, from just below the collar bone to the waist, was drenched in blood. Butcher opened her eyes,

“Oh shit that hurts,” her voice barely above a whisper, her breath coming in short gasps, her eyes focused on Shaw, “it’s bad isn’t it, Governor?”

Shaw bit her lip, “Yes Butcher, it’s bad.”

As she spoke one of the guards appeared with the first aid box, he reached into it and ripped open the largest pad, Shaw placed it over the wound, pressed hard, causing a further grunt of pain from Butcher. Another was placed on top and a third, blood almost immediately seeping through. Butcher coughed and a small amount of bright red, frothy blood appeared on her lips, she focused on Shaw again,

“H..Haslam?” she whispered.

“Dead,” Shaw said quickly, she nodded to the guard to keep pressing on the wound, looked down at Butcher, “how did you know?”

Butcher took a few quick, shallow breaths, “Had gun…sheath…her arm,” she explained, “seen it before… makes a strange noise…gun slides down.”

“You knew she was about to shoot and pushed me out of the way? But why? You must have known it would place you in…” Shaw stopped, gazed into the dark eyes that were, even as she spoke, starting to glaze over.

Butcher smiled slightly, “That’s what….friend does….isn’t it?” there was a questioning look in the eyes.

Shaw reached across, held Butcher’s hand, “Yes,” she said simply, “a friend,” saw the answering smile in those dark eyes before they closed and the body went limp.

Last edited by Lesley on Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:08 am; edited 2 times in total

---

#373:  Author: Katarzyna, Location: North West England Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:52 pm
    —
And that would be a perfect place to leave it for the weekend wouldn't it Lesley!!

---

#374:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:54 pm
    —
I held my breath through reading all that, willing Butcher to get there in time.

---

#375:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:54 pm
    —
Okay, so I figured out that Rees was going to say Ban but I did NOT see Butcher dying.

Maybe her eyes glazed over because she was going to sleep for a little while, to wake up in the hospital. Yup, that's it. And that is the belief that I am sticking to for the weekend.

Very powerful post Lesley.

---

#376:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:55 pm
    —
Well I wasn't expecting a post tonight, but now that I've read this I know why you posted it the night before a G!!!!

Well done Butcher!

---

#377:  Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:57 pm
    —
Oh...

My...

LEEEEEEEEEESLEEEEEEEEY!!!!

Ray *literally slackjawed*

---

#378:  Author: Caroline OSullivan, Location: Reading, Berkshire, UK Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 10:03 pm
    —
What else would we expect from the Queen of Cliffs

Thank you Lesley. I'm now going to be wibbling about Butcher all weekend. Although part of me is glad Haslam is dead I'm sorry she won't face charges for Dale's murder

---

#379:  Author: Lottie, Location: Humphrey's Corner Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 11:11 pm
    —
When sending RCS word documents to me, Lesley wrote

Quote:

I don't do cliffs - can't understand where you get that idea from!

All I can say is that this feels like a cliff to me, and I don't like heights. Help!

---

#380:  Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 11:24 pm
    —
Lesley, I realise there is quite a lot of pretty amazing stuff to compare it to, but I think that is quite possibly the best post you have ever written.

*breathless*

---

#381:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 11:28 pm
    —
Of course, that's exactly what Butcher would do for her friend, and both she and Geri recognised it.

Thank you Lesley.

---

#382:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:25 am
    —
No, no, no, Butcher isn't dead, she mustn't be, you can't do that to her or us, Lesley - can you?? It would be so typical of her to give her life for one of the very few people in the world whom she even wants to count as a friend (and, oh, the irony in that). Geri's instant response was lovely, but is that recognition of connection and fellowship to be the last contact they have? I do so hope not!
That was a pretty stunning post, Lesley.

---

#383:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 1:11 am
    —
LESLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not Butcher

---

#384:  Author: Miranda, Location: Perth, Western Australia Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 1:28 am
    —
*sniff* I'm just glad that Shaw got the 'answering smile' from Butcher *sniff again* So beautiful but so horrible but so well written!!

Quote:

Maybe her eyes glazed over because she was going to sleep for a little while, to wake up in the hospital. Yup, that's it. And that is the belief that I am sticking to for the weekend.

I'm all with Chelsea's idea here!

---

#385:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 2:37 am
    —
Arrrrrrgh!

Thank you, Butcher, but -- Lesley, you aren't going to go off to the Gather and leave us on this cliff, are you?

Chelsea has the right idea.
Chelsea has the right idea.
Chelsea has the right idea.
Chelsea has the right idea.
Chelsea has the right idea.
Chelsea has the right idea.
Chelsea has the right idea.

---

#386:  Author: Elder in Ontario, Location: Ontario, Canada Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 2:38 am
    —
"greater love hath no man [or in this case woman]....?"

That's just exactly the sort of thing Butcher would do, though, isn't it, especially given the entirely unique relationship between Geri Shaw and herself. But like Miranda, I'm glad that Geri got that 'answering smile' before Butcher lost consciousness.

I've just read this straight through twice, almost falling off the edge of my seat. It is a truly powerful piece of writing, Lesley. Thank you for that - but I'm not sure about thanking you for the content!!

Although, I can now confess that I wondered to myself a couple of episodes back whether Butcher was going to be killed, (ducks for cover) but I'd no idea how it might happen and didn't dare even air the suggestion in public at that point!

And of course, you've left us all dangling until after the Gather, haven't you? Enjoy yourself picturing the rest of us gnawing at our finger nails until you post the next bit!!

---

#387:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:24 am
    —
Wow!

---

#388:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:18 pm
    —
Lesley Ann Green!!!! How dare you leave us on such a huge cliff for so long?

---

#389:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 1:20 pm
    —
This is so sad, Lesley, but I am so glad that Geri called Butcher *friend* at the last - and that Butcher realised she had indeed been a friend by offering her life.

But what effect will this have on Geri and Hilda?

Last edited by MaryR on Sun Mar 18, 2007 9:51 pm; edited 1 time in total

---

#390:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 6:14 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. It is taking me a while to recover from the cliff!

---

#391:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 12:58 pm
    —
Geri Shaw, Governor of the Prison, sat along with the rest of the congregation. The last six days had been hectic to say the least and, rather than listen to the Minister, she was attempting to put her thoughts in order prior to having to stand to deliver her speech. Thinking back to the events in her Study the week before she had known when Butcher had died, there was a difference in a body’s muscle tone between when it was dead and when purely unconscious. When unconscious the muscles retained their tone, continued to provided support, something that didn’t happen when life had ceased. The term ‘dead weight’ was very appropriate - though Geri counted herself as unfortunate to actually know that. When the Paramedics arrived they worked on the prone form of Butcher, obviously reluctant to admit defeat. They had taken her to the nearby hospital, blue lights blazing, sirens on. But it was all in vain. Once at the hospital one of the casualty doctors had entered the back of the ambulance and, after a number of tests, pronounced Butcher dead on arrival.

The Officer who had accompanied the ambulance had immediately phoned back to the Prison; had managed to get through on a phone system that was, in a cruel form of irony, obviously working now. Had the phones been working before..? Geri wasn’t sure whether, had the phones been working earlier, any message would have got through. Pat Francis herself admitted that she wasn’t sure if she would have passed on Butcher’s warning. Geri glanced across to where Pat Francis sat beside her, she was still a little pale and showed evidence of the deep bruising on her temple. She had been released by Rees and Grant before the rest of the prison had even known that she was being held - managing to persuade the two inmates to release her when they all heard the sirens. She’d spent a few days in hospital under observation for concussion, but, although still on sick leave, had insisted that she was well enough to attend this service. Also attending were Butcher’s two helpers on that day, Rees and Grant - Mrs Francis insisting that no charges were to be laid upon the two.

The tone of the Minister’s voice changed, he was obviously nearing the end of his address, Geri thought quickly about the rest of the events, the Police had entered to take all their samples and photograph Haslam’s body. Her death had been deemed self defence, whilst Butcher’s was murder, or possibly manslaughter - as it was obvious that Haslam had not intended to kill Butcher. Investigations were continuing into how the gun had managed to enter the prison - as yet nothing had been found, but it was a worrying lapse in security. The Press had attempted to interview her on a number of occasions but she had become adept at dodging the cameras and microphones… The Minister finished, glanced over in her direction, Geri Shaw took a deep breath and concentrated on the task at hand. She rose from her seat and walked across to stand in front of the congregation. She spoke,

“When I was checking though all the official files with relation to Butcher,” she began, “I discovered that, some years ago, Butcher had requested the ‘next-of-kin’ box be deleted. Her supposed family had rejected her more than ten years ago - she saw no reason to have any loyalty toward them. In situations like that, where an inmate has no ‘next-of-kin’, it falls to the Prison Governor to arrange for any memorial service. I decided that having the service here in the Prison would be most appropriate. Not least because the security headaches involved in arranging it elsewhere, with the number of inmates that wished to attend, would be extraordinary.”

There was a low murmur of amusement from the congregation, composed mainly of prison inmates. Shaw gave a half-smile before her expression returned to its serious one,

“So, what can I say about Butcher? Her full name was Ann Susan Butcher, though no-one ever referred to her as anything other than just 'Butcher' - and indeed that was the only name that she would answer to. She was thirty-seven years old. She had spent almost the last eleven years in prison and, in total, had spent about half her life inside. She had been convicted of murder, of armed robbery, of drug dealing, of assault. She had used blackmail, extortion and kidnapping, had lied and cheated throughout her life. Attempted to bully and intimidate those weaker physically than herself.”

Shaw paused for a moment and smiled at the two figures sitting near the front, both Hilda Annersley and Nell Wilson had insisted that they would attend, “Not a very pleasant individual,” she commented, “and yet, she was capable of great loyalty, she protected those unable to protect themselves,” her eyes rested for a moment on the young face of the inmate Bradley, “she cared about the women in here, considered them to be worthy of respect and worth fighting for,” a rueful expression crossed her face as she continued, “and she did fight at every opportunity, she fought against unjust rules and regulations, against Authority in it’s many guises. She even fought against an Authority considered by many to be the Highest - she once told me that of the Ten Commandments she had broken nine, and was looking for opportunities to break the tenth.”

Geri stopped for a moment to scan across the faces of those listening to her, “There are other ways to describe her,” she said after a while, “in the incident in my Study, the one where she met her death, she knowingly placed herself in the path of a bullet to save my life - a hero’s death, by any standards. And, regardless of the litany of faults that I have recalled, she can also be described in another way. It may surprise some to realise that Prison Officers may have outside interests, one of mine is French History, in particular French Philosophers. Voltaire once said,

‘The wicked can have only accomplices,
The voluptuous have companions in debauchery,
Self-seekers have associates,
The politic assemble the factions,
The typical idler has connections,
Princes have courtiers,

Only the virtuous have friends.’

As she lay dying, Butcher confirmed to me that the reason she had pushed me from the path of danger was because she considered me a friend, before she died I was able to return the compliment. Whatever else she may have been, whatever her crimes, faults and sins. Butcher was virtuous, she had friends, I was one of them.”

That completes this episode - and gives you the reason for the title. Many thanks to everyone for your interest, ideas and especially your comments - they, more than anything, prompt me to continue. There will be an RCS 10, when I have recovered from this one.

Lesley
x

---

#392:  Author: Miranda, Location: Perth, Western Australia Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:11 pm
    —

Quote:

only the virtuous have friends

And Butcher certainly deserved her friends.



Round of applause for Lesley - brilliantly done as always!!

Looking forward to #10 *cheers up slightly*

Last edited by Miranda on Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:11 pm; edited 1 time in total

---

#393:  Author: Caroline OSullivan, Location: Reading, Berkshire, UK Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:11 pm
    —

I was hoping all weekend that Butcher was still alive.

One thing that really hit me is that Butcher was just over a year older than me. I'm going to have to re-read the last post several times for it to sink in

Thank you Lesley - I'm sure that that was really hard to write. Will be looking forward to RSC 10 when you've had a good break.

Caroline
xx

---

#394:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:12 pm
    —


That is amazing Lesley. This is one time when I wish I had been wrong.

Butcher was a wonderful creation, and this last episode has left me breath taken.

Thank you.

---

#395:  Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:17 pm
    —
Thank you, Lesley. What a very fitting tribute.

Ray **

---

#396:  Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:36 pm
    —
A fitting and very honest tribute.

Thank you Lesley.

---

#397:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:51 pm
    —
Thanks for a gripping episode Lesley.

Gerri's tribute was beautiful.

---

#398:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:54 pm
    —
That was wonderful, Lesley, thank you.

---

#399:  Author: Lottie, Location: Humphrey's Corner Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 4:57 pm
    —
Oh, no!!! I really hoped that Chelsea had been right, and that Butcher was just unconscious, and would recover in hospital. But you've killed her, Lesley, and I'd only just got to know her! I'm glad she and Geri Shaw recognised the friendship between them. I wonder who's going to take over the inside running of the prison, now Butcher's gone. Presumably that will become apparent in RCS10, when you feel like writing it.

Thanks for writing the first nine. Please may I have a copy of the word document of this last one, and also the first one, to complete my collection, when you have time?

---

#400:  Author: Identity Hunt, Location: UK Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 6:01 pm
    —


I`m so sorry Butcher is dead, but a very fitting end and a very fitting tribute from Geri.

Thank you , Lesley.

---

#401:  Author: Liane, Location: Manchester Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:14 pm
    —

This was fantastic, though I did actually have a bit of a cry reading this last bit.Thank you so much for writing it Lesley!

---

#402:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:58 pm
    —
Oh, no! I was afraid of that. I never thought, when Butcher made her first appearance, that she'd end up a friend -- not just to Geri & Hilda, but to all of us.

*mourns*

(I also still suspect Haslam of having the phones sabotaged.)

Thank you, Lesley.

I'm having a hard time envisioning a post-Butcher prison. Fortunately, Lesley has more imagination....

---

#403:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:08 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I'm sorry to see the end of Butcher. I was really hoping that she would be alive. I will definitely miss her.

---

#404:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:09 pm
    —
Butcher would have been tickled pink to be the focus of such a tribute and such service. One can imagine her thoughts as she watches.....

One can also imagine the grief of those who HAD regarded her as a friend. She will not be forgotten - by them or by us.

Thanks, Lesley, for the creation of such an original character.

---

#405:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:34 pm
    —
A heartfelt thank you, Lesley.

---

#406:  Author: Elder in Ontario, Location: Ontario, Canada Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:41 pm
    —
A moving tribute from someone who had the perception to see beyond the surface of Butcher, the hardened criminal to the intelligent (even when she put her intelligence to the wrong use) and caring person, Butcher the friend - to prisoner and 'screw' alike when it suited her. Geri will miss her - and I suspect Hilda will, too, as well as many of the prisoners, regardless of whether they approved of what she did or not. She was truly a staunch friend, but a fierce foe.

Thanks, Lesley.

---

#407:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:48 pm
    —
Thanks Lesley. I was afraid she'd died even though I was waiting to see. As it wasn't Hilda or Nell there was no way of telling really.

---

#408:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 9:39 pm
    —

Caroline OSullivan wrote:

....One thing that really hit me is that Butcher was just over a year older than me. I'm going to have to re-read the last post several times for it to sink in Thank you Lesley - I'm sure that that was really hard to write. Will be looking forward to RSC 10 when you've had a good break. Caroline xx

Yes, I'll be 37 this year. I can't imagine being able to do the things she did. (Or being in that position.)

Thank you Lesley.

---

#409:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 11:11 pm
    —

Kathy_S wrote:

I never thought, when Butcher made her first appearance, that she'd end up a friend -- not just to Geri & Hilda, but to all of us.

That is so true. Butcher has been such a powerful creation, Lesley, so complex and compelling, and ultimately so attractive. I cannot imagine the prison or RCS itself without her - and you will miss her so much. It took a great deal of courage to accept her death.

*Goes away to grieve quietly and privately*

---

#410:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 11:36 pm
    —
"Only the virtuous have friends".... and Butcher certainly had those. Friends who appreciated the complexity and difficulty of her personality - that which made her the murdererer, the armed robber, the drug dealer, but which also made her fiercely loyal, a respector of persons and capable of true and deep affection.

Thank you Lesley.

---

#411:  Author: Nell, Location: exiled from the big smoke Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 6:47 pm
    —
Finally I've caught up - what a tribute to Butcher. Fantasticly gripping as ever and I'm looking forwad to no.10 when you've got the energy!

Thank you Lesley

---

#412:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 8:48 pm
    —
Thank you so much Lesley. That was absolutely amazing, and has reduced me to tears. Butcher was a pretty amazing character, and Geri's tribute was beautiful. Thank you for giving us the chance to know her.
RCS 10 will be strange without an appearance from Butcher.

---

#413:  Author: Tan, Location: London via Newcastle Australia Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 8:46 am
    —
Wow! I have been away for a few weeks so caught up on a lot of the story this morning. Thanks again Lesley for keeping us spellbound. I almost feel as if I lost a friend when Butcher died.

---

#414:  Author: Josie, Location: London Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 8:38 pm
    —
Oh wow - didn't see that one coming!

Thanks Lesley. Sorry my comments have been so intermittent of late (RL has been somewhat all-consuming so far this year) but the whole thing has been fab as ever. And this last bit in the prison has been utterly brilliant.

Looking forward to RCS 10 when you've given yourself a bit of a break!

x

---

---

---

The CBB -> Ste Therese's House

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

Page 1 of 1

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group