The CBB :: View topic - The School at .....?

The School at .....?

The CBB -> Ste Therese's House

#351: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 7:20 am

Wondering what on earth they are going to do out there.

Don't keep us in suspense too long,Pat Rolling Eyes

#352: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 1:07 pm

Thanks Pat - loving this.

#353: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 4:22 pm

Sleep in a tent provided by a handsome sheikh who falls in love with Madge?
Or someone who wants to buy Juliet and offers twenty camels?

#354: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 4:24 pm

You surprise me Jennie! I thought you would have suggested selling Joey off!!! Laughing

#355: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 4:27 pm

I could come out with an offer for her, two goats?

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

Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 9:22 pm

Er, I'm confuzzled...why is it traumatic that it's four o'clock? Isn't their charabanc supposed to be collecting them?

#357: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 8:12 pm

Madge sat up and looked around her wildly, not really knowing what to expect. The sun was blazing down out of a clear blue sky, there was only the same slight breeze taking some of the edge off the heat. Nothing that she could see to make Joey exclaim like that.
“Look at the time Madge! When was the man coming back for us? Didn’t he say we had to be ready for him as he had another booking after us, and wouldn’t be able to wait?”
“It was 4.15,” said Madge. “what time is it now Joey?”
“Five past! We’ll never get there in tie Madge. However will we get back to the school? It’s far too far to walk, and we had such a problem finding this man that we’ll never get someone else.”
By this time the others were all awake and staring at the sisters with horrified faces.
“We must hurry and hope that we catch him,” said Madge. “Come along girls, pick up your things. I’m afraid that we must miss the statue of Rameses this time.”
They scrambled to get there things together, and ran for the entrance, but it was nearly half past four when they arrived, breathless from their run, and there was no sign of the bus. The guardian of the place looked at them in sympathy, and said something in Arabic.
“He says that the man could not wait,” said Miss Fahmy. “He had to go to his next appointment, but he will be back for us first thing tomorrow morning.”
“But where will we sleep?” asked Madge, worried for her charges. The nights in desert regions get very cold, and she had no mind to allow the girls to spend the night out of doors.
“We must go to the Museum and ask if we may spend the night there,” said the young mistress. “It will at least be indoors and out of the night air. Come and we will ask him.”
The party straggled back through the ruins to the museum that occupied part of the site. While Madge and Maryam went to interview the curator, the girls stood around in a forlorn group, more than one of them close to tears.
“Well at least we’ll see the statue,” said Joey, with irrepressible optimism. “I was disappointed at missing that.”
One or two of them brightened up at that, for the statue was said to be well worth seeing. At that moment the a two mistresses returned with smiling faces.
“We may camp in the museum overnight girls,” said Madge. “We ill have to make do with what food we have left I’m afraid, as they don’t run to a restaurant here, but they can provide us with water to drink. Come along girls and they will show us where we are to go. Then I think we may take the time to visit Rameses, don’t you?”
The trooped into the museum and turned into the offices just inside the door. The curator was just packing up for the day, and he showed them where they could sleep, and the water supply. The laid their baskets down at one side of the room and looked about them. The floor looked hard and uncomfortable, but they knew by now that they would have been far worse off outside and were grateful for what they had. When the man had gone, they wandered out into the lobby and turned into the main room of the little museum. No sooner had they entered the vast room than they halted in shock. They had been told that the statue of Rameses was big, but nothing that the girls had seen up until then had prepared them for what they now saw. The statue was enormous, a colossus lying on his back with his arms at his sides. One of his legs was missing, and the other was broken off at the knee, but he was still an imposing sight. By the time they had recovered from their shock and gazed at the statue for a while, the light was going fast, so they went back to the office and finished what little food was left before settling down for the night. The floor was indeed hard, and there was nothing to soften it, so they slept only fitfully. By the time dawn was breaking they were more than ready to rise and wash themselves as well as they could. When the curator returned to say that they bus was waiting for them at the entrance, they were ready, though feeling distinctly the worse for wear.
When the bus deposited them back at the school Madge gathered them together in the entrance hall.
“Breakfast, bath and bed in that order girls,” she said. “We none of us slept well last night and we need to make up for it.”
Not one of them stayed awake for a minute after their heads touched the pillow, and it was well into the afternoon before any of them stirred.

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

Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 8:21 pm

Again you have fitted this in so well against School At.

Great stuff Pat.

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

Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 8:54 pm

Thank you Pat, excellent.

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

Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 10:24 pm

wonderful, Pat. thank you so much

#361: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 3:37 am

Sleeping in the museum, what a great touch! I'd wondered where they'd end up....

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

Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 9:20 am

Brilliant idea to sleep in the museum

Thanks Pat

Liz

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

Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 9:25 am

Thank you Pat. Wonderful idea to sleep in the museum...no straw in the hair though! Wink

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

Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 8:47 pm

Lovely Pat!!!

Glad there was somewhere they could spend the night. Even if it wasn't terribly comfy!

#365: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 10:29 pm

Thanks Pat, glad they didn't have to sleep on the streets.

#366: Author: Lisa, Location: South Coast of England

Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 7:46 am

Great fun! Think I might be a bit of a spineless jellyfish to sleep in a museum - all those mummies - *shudders* Shocked

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

Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 12:36 pm

Ah - just wait until they get caught somewhere else and have to take shelter in a tomb Wink

Liz

#368: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 7:14 pm

Perhaps it was a reaction to the excitement of the trip, but over the next few days there was a rash of mischievous tricks played in the school. The washbasins were treated with sherbet, which caused the water to froth up in a billowing cloud when the tap was run. Bette, who was the unfortunate recipient of this, was so surprised that she reverted to the superstitions of her country nad declared that it was witchcraft, much to the delight of Joey and Simone who had hidden nearby to see the result of their trick. Then the two girls found themselves on the receiving end of a joke when their pyjamas were sewn up, top and bottom, so that they were still unpicking them when Miss Maynard came to turn the light out. Juliet found her pillow had been dressed up to look like a strange figure, and Grizel found hairbrushes in her bed. It was all harmless fun, and the staff turned a blind eye as much as they could. However, the next trick had more serious repercussions.

Joey and Grizel came to Gisela one day managing to remain very serious and solemn though they were dying of laughter inside.
“It is the 15th of July tomorrow Gisela,” she said. “St Swithin’s Day. It is the custom in English schools to sip a cup of water and pass it around, making a wish. But you must first present it to any foreign member of staff, starting with the most senior.”
Joey meant Mlle of course, who was the oldest member of staff, but they failed to realise that all the staff except Miss Fahmy, were foreign here. Therefore they watched with dawning horror the next morning when Gisela walked up to the dais just before Prayers with a tumbler of water and stopped in front of Madge.
“The glass of water for St Swithin’s Day, as is the custom in English schools,” she said.
Madge looked puzzled for a moment, then realised what had happened and swiftly took the glass and drank from it, returning it to Gisela with a word of thanks. They were more horrified still when Madge made a quiet announcement at the end of Prayers.
“Would Josephine and Grizel come to my study before lessons start please.”
When the two sinners appeared, rather red in the face, she looked at them sternly.
“Now,” she said. “I want to know just what Gisela meant.”
“It was a - a joke,” said Joey.
“I see nothing humorous in a silly trick like that. Whose idea was it please?”
The two girls said nothing, and stared at the carpet.
“Who suggested it?” snapped Madge, making them jump.
“It was me,” muttered Grizel sulkily.
“Your idea of correct grammar is as well developed as your sense of humour. I shall send for Gisela and you will apologise to her.”
When Gisela arrived and was told what was to happen she spoke up at once.
“It is quite all right. I realised immediately that is was a joke Madame,” she said.
“Nevertheless, they will apologise Gisela. It was impertinence.”
“I’m sorry Gisela,” said Joey. “I didn’t think of it like that, honest injun.”
“That is all right Joey,” replied Gisela, giving the embarrassed Jo a kiss.
“Now Grizel.”
“I’m sorry,” she muttered and ducked to avoid the offered kiss.
For Joey the incident was over and done with, but Grizel hated having to apologise for anything. She sulked through the rest of the morning, only answering when spoken to, until she remembered something that had been done at a boys school her cousins had gone to.
“I’ll do that,” she vowed, “Though where I shall get the stuff from I don’t know.”
However, fortune favoured her, for she found the big medicine cupboard on the landing open when she went past and she took her chance. She vanished after tea, and no one could find her.

The fun started next morning when lessons started. They were having German with Mlle, and after correcting their homework, she turned to the blackboard to start the main part of the lesson.
“Can anyone give me the word for mountain?” she asked.
“Gebirge,” said Margia promptly, “Die gebirge.”
“Good Margia,” said Mlle and wrote the word on the board - or tried to , for nothing appeared at all.
“Is the chalk wet Mlle?” asked Joey. “It doesn’t write if it is.”
A fresh piece of chalk was fetched, but the results were no different. At that moment the door opened and Madge appeared, very angry. She marched up to the blackboard and ran her hand over it, checking the result when she had done.
“I thought so,” she said. “Which of you has vaselined the blackboards?”
There was a deathly silence, for no one had seen the Head so angry before, broken when Madge struck the desk with her hand, making them all jump.
“Who did it! Is there a coward in the school?”
“I did!” said Grizel defiantly, springing to her feet.
“Go to yor room and wait until I come to you Grizel. I am ashamed that a Senior should cause so much trouble by her childish impertinence. Go at once.”
Grizel went without another word.

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

Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 7:31 pm

Silly Grizel! Though I think more of a fuss was made than truly was warranted.

Thanks Pat.

#370: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 8:08 pm

So do I. Madge is described as being white with anger! Well OTT!

#371: Author: Lisa, Location: South Coast of England

Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 8:19 pm

LizB wrote:

Ah - just wait until they get caught somewhere else and have to take shelter in a tomb Wink

Liz

*whispers* don't give Pat nasty ideas!

Thanks for another great post Pat! Very Happy

#372: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 9:30 pm

*agrees with Pat & Lesley that Madge overreacted*
It's not as though anything was permanently damaged, or a specific individual were targeted. I figured that Madge must have been having one of those (all too familiar) days when one more thing can send you over the edge -- though Grizel's motive in this case does seem to have been anger rather than mischief.

LizB wrote:

Ah - just wait until they get caught somewhere else and have to take shelter in a tomb Wink

Liz

That's what I was contemplating the night they slept in the museum! (Too much Amelia Peabody, no doubt....)

#373: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Sat May 14, 2005 9:48 pm

Thanks Pat. Wonder if Grizel is still going to run away.

#374: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Sat May 14, 2005 10:10 pm

I wrote an update this afternoon, but when I cam eot post it the file on the disc was corrupted and wouldn't opne. This is a re-write I'm afraid. Crying or Very sad

Madge found Grizel to be sullen and unrepentant, and in no mood to apologise for her behaviour. This on top of the misuse of the trust she placed in her Seniors made Madge feel that she had to make Grizel understand the seriousness of what she had done. Therefore the decree went forth that Grizel was to be isolated from the rest of the school until she did apologise. She would sleep in a room apart, and eat her meals there. During school she would sit at a desk apart from the other girls, as she couldn’t miss her class work.
That afternoon, while the rest of the school were enjoying swimming, she sat at her window looking out at the distant pyramids and thinking hard. She was still far too angry to even consider the apology demanded by her Head. Her upbringing had been uneven, for she had had five years living with her Grandmother, who had loved her dearly, but had perhaps not enforced the right amount of discipline into her life. Then her father had remarried, and his wife had not known of Grizel’s existence until she arrived at the Cochrane home to find Grizel waiting for them. She had proceeded to take her annoyance out on Grizel, imposing a strict regime where the girl could seemingly do nothing right. The relaxation of the harsh discipline had done much to help her, but in this situation she had automatically reverted to the sullen, defiant child she had been at home.
The bedroom window looked out over the garden and she could hear the other girls enjoying themselves in the swimming pool. Then two voices floated up from below her.
“I wish Grizel would apologise,” said Wanda. “It is so horrid to have her isolated like this. She must be so sad to be out of everything.”
“She was rude to Madame I think,” said Margia. “She has some funny ideas you know. She said she would get into that monastery - you know the one we saw where they won’t have women anywhere near.”
“Oh but she didn’t mean that! It is impossible to get into those places.”
The two girls moved off but the damage had been done. Grizel was determined to carry out her threat, if only to ‘show them’. Miss Maynard came to take her for a walk around the grounds. She tried to open several topics of conversation but Grizel remained silent and the mistress gave up her attempt. She took Grizel back to her room and left her. Grizel wandered over to the window and started planning the next day. She was delighted to find that her supper consisted of a bowl of chilled soup, two rolls filled with salad, and a thick slice of the wonderful spicy fruit cake that they all loved. She decided that the soup and the glass of cold milk that she had been given would have to do for her supper. She would keep the rolls and cake for the next day, and hope she could find some fruit or something similar in the kitchen the next day. She was determined to be out of the house before anyone else was up. At bedtime Madge looked in to say goodnight. She had intended something more, but Grizel gave her such a hard and defiant look that she left it unsaid, and left the room, closing the door gently behind her.

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

Posted: Sat May 14, 2005 10:51 pm

Stupid files!!!! Re-write seems fine Pat.

Thank you.

#376: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Sun May 15, 2005 12:14 am

Thanks Pat that reads really well. Sorry about the corrupt disc hope you mamage to get it sorted.

#377: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Sun May 15, 2005 1:36 pm

Poor Grizel. How hard she takes life, whether in the Tyrol or here.. Crying or Very sad

Here's hoping she doesn't cause too many problems with this latest outbreak.

Thanks, Pat

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

Posted: Sun May 15, 2005 3:01 pm

Thanks Pat

Will Grizel get into the monastry? And will Jo have to get in to find her?

Liz

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

Posted: Sun May 15, 2005 8:11 pm

*pokes disc*

i wouldn't have known if you hadn't said! thank you very much

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

Posted: Sun May 15, 2005 9:26 pm

Well the rewrite seems fine Pat. I wonder if Grizel will get as far as the monastry, and prsume Joey will be off to find her.

#381: Author: Lisa, Location: South Coast of England

Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 9:45 pm

Ooh!

What WILL she get up to? (assuming she gets there, of course!)

#382: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 4:53 pm

When she settled down to sleep that night Grizel banged her head four times on the pillow to make sure she woke up in time. She wanted to be out of the school and away well before anyone else was up and about. She crept into the kitchens and scouted around for anything to supplement her rations, finding a bowl of apples standing on the side, and some figs in the fridge. She dropped 6 apples and a large handful of figs into her satchel and headed for the garden where there was a small wicket gate let into the wall. Before long she was running down the street outside, heading for the outskirts of the city and the road east.

The girls rose as usual and went down to breakfast. There was clearly a row going on in the kitchen, but none of them had a sufficient grasp of Arabic to understand what it was about – which was probably just as well. No one missed Grizel at first, and it was only when Madge took her her breakfast that she discovered that she was missing. She sped along the corridor to the dormitory and hurried in.
“Girls! Have you seen Grizel this morning?” she asked.
Joey looked at her sister in astonishment. “No, not since yesterday. Isn’t she in her room?”
“No. And her clothes have gone too. I did think that I could trust you girls.” Replied Madge, before leaving the room. Behind her she left a group of extremely indignant girls, who felt unjustly accused of untrustworthiness.
Joey finished her bedroom duties thinking hard. She had a niggle in the back of her mind that she was trying to pin down. Then light dawned and she gasped.
“I know where Grizel may have gone,” she said to Simone. “I bet she’s gone to that monastery; she threatened to get inside, and it’s just the thing she’d try when she’s cross like this. I’m going to get her. Tell my sister where I’ve gone Simone.” Then she dashed out of the room and ran downstairs to the splasheries where she pulled on her shady hat. She also grabbed one of the long cotton robes that they wore round the pool and headed out into the street.
Meanwhile Grizel was well out into the surrounding countryside. The wind was getting up a little, blowing first in little eddies that made the sand fly up into dancing whirls, then settling down to a steady blow that increased steadily towards a full-blown gale. Before long she was walking bent over into the wind, unable to see very far ahead of her for the flying sand. They had been told that the summer months were the wrong time of year for sand-storms, but to Grizel’s mind this was the next best thing to one. At last, unable to see anything and afraid of losing the road she stopped by a pile of stones and sank down with her back against them. She was beginning to feel frightened, for the sand blocked out much of the light and it was far darker than she would have expected for the time of day. Then her emotions overwhelmed her and she put her head in her hands, sobbing bitterly.

#383: Author: Lisa, Location: South Coast of England

Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 5:11 pm

Oh, of course! Clever Pat! A sandstorm Shocked

Now that is scary, my mum and dad got caught in a sandstorm when they were in Egypt and said it was horrible - and disorientating.

*I've always giggled at the apples bit - apples don't seem to be very sustaining somehow!*

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

Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 5:47 pm

Ooh gosh, poor Grizel, what an awful thing to be lost in, I hope Joey is able to find her...!!

Thank Pat Very Happy

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

Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 8:21 pm

A sandstorm!

Poor Grizel - yes I know she's stupid but it's still a horrible situation to be in.

Thanks Pat

Liz

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

Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 10:19 pm

but they can't get pneumonia from a sandstorm?!

heatstroke? dehydration?

*waits patiently, safe in the kowledge that pat has all the answers*

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

Posted: Thu May 19, 2005 5:29 pm

They can suffocate though!

Thanks Pat.

#388: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Thu May 19, 2005 10:48 pm

Thanks Pat wondered how you would get round the mist. Looking forward to hearing how Jo finds her and gets her back to school.

#389: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Tue May 24, 2005 4:21 pm

Joey had set off much faster than Grizel, determined to try and catch her before she had gone too far. The increasingly strong wind frightened her, but only made her determination stronger. Finally, through the swirling sand, she caught sight of a figure ahead of her, and put on a spurt of speed. She had nearly caught her up when the sand blotted out everything, leaving her isolated. She stopped immediately, afraid of becoming disoriented, and listened hard for any sign of her quarry. Then the sound of crying reached her and she stepped carefully in the direction that it came from. The pile of rocks appeared dimly through the gloom and the sobs became louder. Then finally, she could see Grizel slumped on the ground and sank down beside her. The sand was everywhere, getting into their eyes ears and mouths, and making breathing hard. Joey pulled off the cotton robe she had carried and wrapped it around them both, covering their heads. She had a vague idea that this was the thing to do, and it did help to keep the sand away. Then they huddled together, Grizel clinging onto Joey in relief.

Simone hunted for Madge throughout the school before she finally found her and told her that Joey had gone after Grizel. Madge gasped and Maryam Fahmy went pale. She had heard the rising wind, and knew what it meant.
When Simone had gone she turned to the Head.
“Miss Bettany, we must find them quickly. The wind is rising, and that may very well mean a sand-storm. They are unusual at this time of year, but if they come they are very bad. Let me fetch my father and we will go and look for them. Let us pray that Joey is right, for if Grizel has gone somewhere else it will be very hard to find her.”
But when she found her father it was already too late. The sand was flying, and both of them realised that they would all have to wait until the storm was over before they could start to look for the two girls. It would not help anyone for the rescue party to become lost.

#390: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Tue May 24, 2005 6:05 pm

Silly Grizel. Will she never learn? Nor Joey either! Sad

Having said that, you've made me feel quite sorry for Grizel, Pat.

This certainly still mirrors effectively the original and yet is so different.

Well done, Pat, and thank you.

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

Posted: Tue May 24, 2005 9:34 pm

Great Pat. I wondered how you would get around the mountian and the mist, and now I know.

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

Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 1:47 pm

*wibbles slightly*

how closely are you sticking to EBD's version, Pat? Or will we have a double tragedy?

#393: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 7:23 pm

Joey and Grizel managed to work their way round the rocks until they felt that they were sheltered as well as they could be, and huddled together. They were both shaking with fright, but knew they had to stay where they were and wait to be rescued. It felt like hours before the wind began to die down and the light started to filter through the flying sand. They had both dozed off, much to their surprise, but the gradually lightening sky roused them. Joey sat up, pushing against the robe which was covered with sand. She managed to free it and gave it a shake. The sun was shining through the gloom and she struggled to her feet, hauling Grizel up with her.
“I think we’re quite close to the road aren’t we?” she asked. “I think we should stay here and wait, but I need to stretch my legs a bit. They feel as if they’ve gone to sleep. Let’s walk around the rocks a bit, shall we?”
Grizel nodded wearily, having no energy to contradict her. They stumbled round and round the rock until Grizel could go no further and sank down again, luckily on the side facing the road. Joey was nearly as tired herself, and settled down beside her, and it was there that Madge and the two Fahmys found them as they drove down the road in Mr Fahmy’s car. They were packed tenderly into the car and whisked back to the school with very little being said to either of them.

Grizel slept the clock around and woke to find Miss Maynard sitting by her bedside. Little was said as they Powers that Be had decided that the experience that she had gone through was punishment enough. And there were other things to worry them, for Joey had not woken from the deep sleep she had slipped into on the journey back to the school. A doctor had been summoned, and he had said that the terrible strain that the imaginative, highly-strung girl had gone through might result in brain fever. He insisted that Madge must eat and take a walk, before trying to sleep or she would make herself ill too, which would help no one.
Madge went out into the garden. She could eat nothing, for she felt that food would choke her, but she took with her a tall glass of the delicious fruit drink that they all found so refreshing. There she found the rest of the girls who clustered around her asking after Joey.
“We do not yet know,” she told them. “The doctor is with Joey, and he says we must wait for her to wake before we know how she will be. Grizel has woken, so Miss Maynard says, and she is simply exhausted and suffering a little from trying to breath in all that sand. The doctor says she simply needs to rest. Tomorrow we will have lessons as usual, for Joey is far enough away from the school rooms to be undisturbed. I will ask that you all pray for Joey please. That is something that you can do to help her.”
All that day Joey slept on in a heavy stupor. Madge was persuaded to rest for a couple of hours, but then she returned to the sick room and sat up with the doctor, watching Joey lying in the bed, her face white, hardly seeming to breath. When dawn came Miss Maynard came to relieve her and she managed to choke some food down and then sleep for a little while. The day dragged on, with lessons continuing. Grizel had slept and woken, to be told the news about Joey. She was still suffering from her experiences herself, and drifted back to sleep soon afterwards.

At 3 o’clock Madge was downstairs trying to help Amy Stevens with some geography when a maid brought a message that the doctor wanted her. She flew upstairs and tiptoed into the room.
“I think that she is starting to rouse,” he said quietly. “Stand there where she can see you Miss Bettany.”
Madge stood where she could see the white face on the pillow. It was true that Joey seemed to be rousing; the only question was, would she be herself, or would it be to a babbling delirium?

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

Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 8:51 pm

Oh please let it be babbling delirium Pat - always wanted one of those! Laughing

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

Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 10:38 pm

I'm glad they were rescued ok - I hope Jo doesn't have a babbling delirium.

But maybe we could arrange for Lesley to have one Wink

Thanks Pat

Liz

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

Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 10:41 pm

LizB wrote:

I'm glad they were rescued ok - I hope Jo doesn't have a babbling delirium.

But maybe we could arrange for Lesley to have one Wink

Thanks Pat

Liz

Ah, you don't want me to write anymore then Liz? Wink

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

Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 10:48 pm

Of course I would like you to write some more Lesley Very Happy

You're the one who wanted the babbling delirium, and as long as it's not permanent you can write until you have it and carry straight on again afterwards Wink

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

Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 8:05 am

I'm with Lesley - please let Jo have a babbling delirium Smile

#399: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 9:18 am

I shall restrain myself regarding the babbling delirium! Rolling Eyes

Poor Pat, creating this tense mood - and ............

On the other hand Rolling Eyes

it is very tempting , isn't it?

What would EBD say? Shocked

Thanks, Pat. I'm sure you will do the right thing and Jo will be fine!

#400: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 10:03 am

I'm casting my vote for the babbling delirium as well. Thanks for the update, Pat.

#401: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 7:25 pm

Joey’s head began to move slowly from side to side, and she shuffled slightly in her bed. Then her eyes snapped open and she sat upright as if shot from a gun.
“Grizel!” she cried. “Where’s Grizel?”
“Hush Joey baba,” said Madge. “Grizel is asleep in her bed.”
Joey did not seem to hear her. “Grizel!” she cried again, her eyes staring into the distance as if she was till hunting for her friend. “I can’t see anything! Why can’t the sand stop!”
Two bright spots of red were burning on her cheeks, and she was totally unaware of her surroundings. Then with a little moan she sank back onto her pillows, muttering something unintelligible. Madge cast a wild look at the doctor, who had his fingers on Joey’s pulse. When he laid the limp wrist back onto the bed, he turned to look at the worried woman beside him.
“Miss Bettany, I am sorry to say that her pulse rate has increased since she roused. She is clearly reliving her experiences, and that is not aiding her recovery. I very much fear that she is suffering from the brain fever. We must try to bring her temperature down, and I suggest that you sponge her with tepid water. That can help to stabilise the temperature. Other than that we must hope that she will recover, for there is little that I can give her that will help. I will make up a cooling draught for her and we will try to get her to drink it. She should not be allowed to become dehydrated, so you must do your best to get her to drink; fresh fruit juice would be ideal.” He stood and hurried from the room. Madge went to the bedside and smoothed the black hair back from the flushed little face. Joey was still muttering to herself, and beginning to toss from side to side.

The doctor returned and they managed to get Joey to drink the potion he gave her. It seemed to help, and she stopped tossing and turning, and the muttering died away.
“I will arrange for a nurse, Miss Bettany,” said the doctor. You must not wear yourself out with nursing, for your sister will need you to be fully fit. That means that you must eat and sleep too, even though I know you would prefer to stay here.”
Madge stared at him as if he was out of his mind, and then sighed a little and nodded.
“I will try,” she said. “Thank you doctor.”
He nodded briskly and hurried from the room. The rest of the day passed like a night mare for Madge, and for the rest of the school, for word soon reached the girls that Joey had woken to delirium. The nurse arrived, a softly spoken competent woman who made Joey drink what was given her. She sponged the hot little body, flushed with the raging temperature, and did all in her power to help her little patient. However, the temperature remained very high, and before long the muttering and restless tossing started again. Soft singing seemed to ease her a little, so Madge sang some of her favourite lullabies very softly.
The night passed. Madge was persuaded to rest for a time in her room, but she slept only fitfully and in the end gave up and returned to the sick room. All the next day Joey temperature remained high, and the doctor began to look worried.
“I begin to fear for her,” he said towards the end of the long day. “She should not still have such a temperature. Nothing seems to be able to bring it down. I am sorry Miss Bettany, but I believe you must prepare yourself for the worst.”
Madge dropped her head into her hands, and sobbed, the tears running unheeded from between her fingers.
“Oh Joey,” she whispered brokenly. “Please come back to us.”

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

Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 7:33 pm

Thanks Pat

Liz

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

Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 8:23 pm

Oh dear. Can't see Joey dying though - where would the CS series be?

Thanks Pat.

#404: Author: Katarzyna, Location: North West England

Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 8:31 pm

She can't die, can she?

oh dear....

Auntie Pat........... please...........pretty please??

#405: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 8:33 pm

Lesley wrote:

Oh dear. Can't see Joey dying though - where would the CS series be?

Well this isn't the CS is it? It's the School at the Pyramids!!!!

#406: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 8:45 pm

I didn't see that coming - I assumed that she'd be okay (as she was in the original).

YIKES

#407: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 8:49 pm

I was asked for babbling delirium. I gave you babbling delirium!!! Twisted Evil

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

Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 9:20 pm

Oh that's alright then - didn't think Joey much of a character anyway! Laughing

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

Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 9:28 pm

*g*

exxxxxcellent

thank you Pat!!!

#410: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 1:42 pm

Thanks Pat! Babbling delerium makes a change. Do hope she gets better though.

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

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 7:19 pm

Babbling delirium you were begged for, and babbling delirium you gave us! Can she please be OK now?

#412: Author: Lisa, Location: South Coast of England

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 7:59 pm

Oh no! Quick, someone sing the Red Sarafan!

#413: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 1:56 pm

You lot are never satisfied are you! Rolling Eyes

EBD didn't give her a fever this time, but you asked for it. Now she has one, you want her to pull through!

All night the fever raged. At times Joey muttered to herself, tossing and turning in the bed, and at others she lay quietly making Madge wonder if the end had come. The tepid sponging continued in the hopes that it would bring the temperature down, but it was hard to see if it made any difference. It looked very much as if they might lose the battle, and as dawn approached it was clear that the crisis was upon them. Madge stroked the damp hair away from Joey’s forehead, and replaced the cool cloth that lay across it. Joey’s breathing was becoming laboured, and Madge was shaking. Then Joey gave a funny little gasp, and the and the breathing stilled. Madge went white with fear, but then realised that Joey’s had become quieter, not ceased altogether. Her eyelids fluttered and then opened, and Joey looked up at her sister.
“Hello old thing,” she said. “I’m awfully tired.” Then she snuggled down in the bed, curled into her normal sleeping position with her hand under her head, and went to sleep.
“Allah be praised, she has come through the crisis. She will sleep now and be well when she wakes again. Now Miss Bettany, you must sleep yourself. Take a bath and then go to bed. When you waken go to have your hair done. It will make you feel better, believe me.” The doctor smiled and left Madge alone with her sister. Feeling rather dazed, Madge looked down at the peacefully sleeping form in the bed and breathed a silent prayer of thanks. Then she walked unsteadily from the room to obey the doctor’s instructions.

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

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 2:19 pm

Thank you Pat!

#415: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 3:58 pm

You swhould know by now, Pat, that you can't please all of the people all of the time!! Laughing

Thank you.

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

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 4:49 pm

Thank you Pat for bringing her through ok.

Liz

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

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 5:43 pm

That is great Pat.

Loved the babbling fever, but I suppose to be true to the book she had to get better in the end.

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

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 7:28 pm

Pat wrote:

You lot are never satisfied are you! Rolling Eyes

EBD didn't give her a fever this time, but you asked for it. Now she has one, you want her to pull through!

I didn't.

Thanks anyway Pat. Laughing

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

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 7:47 pm

i didn't either......

who's the Egyptian equivalent of Herr Braun? i think it was him doing hairwashing

thank you anyway Pat - even if you didn't kill Joey off

#420: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 11:50 am

And it was far too early for the Red Sarafan, as well. Thanks, Pat.

#421: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 12:34 pm

By the time Joey was fit enough to return to school the term had almost finished. Grizel had been very aware of the consequences of her exploit, and had kept well in the background for the last week or so. When the holidays arrived, Mr Fahmy and Maryam agreed to take Grizel, Juliet and the two Stevens girls for a week so that Joey and Madge could have time to themselves. As a result they were able to find a family run hotel on Cyprus, where the others were to join them for a further week. They had had a wonderful week, visiting many of the interesting sites. Joey was very taken with the castle at Kolossi, originally built in the 13th century, and at one time the home of the Grand Commandery of the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, and with the tombs of the kings at Pafos. They spent many days swimming or taking one of the many small cruises around the coast.

On the last day that they had to themselves, Joey brought a bundle of letters forwarded to them by the domestic staff at the school. She had settled down to read her own when a sharp exclamation from Madge made her look up.
“What’s up old thing?” she asked.
Madge turned a stricken face to her. “Oh Joey, this is from a convent in Rome,” she said. “There has been an accident there, and both of Juliet’s parents have died. The Mother Abbess wants me to go there to deal with things as Mr Carrick has left Juliet to my care.”
Joey stared at her sister in horror. “Oh poor Juliet,” she said. “Now she has no one of her own. And she will already be on her way here with Grizel.”
“Yes I know. I’m afraid we may have to cut our holiday short and return at once if I am to go to Rome. There is some money for Juliet and her mothers jewellery. Wait here for me please Joey, I must go and think.”
Madge collected up her remaining letters and disappeared into the hotel. Joey meanwhile returned to her own letters while she waited. Then sat looking out over the view in front of her. Suddenly she stiffened and gave a low whistle. Walking down the sea front came a very familiar figure, still dressed in the tartan suit that she had worn before, came Frau Berlin! She looked neither to the right nor to the left, but plodded past the hotel, her face red with the heat. Joey leapt to her feet once the lady had passed out of sight, and hurried up to their room. Poking her head around the door, she saw that Madge was jut putting away her last letter, and came fully into the room.
“I say Madge,” she said. “ You’ll never guess who I’ve just seen!”
Madge looked up at her sister. “You’ll have to tell me Joey-baba. I couldn’t possibly guess.”
“Frau Berlin! She didn’t see me, but if she sees Grizel tomorrow she’ll remember her all right. Whatever are we to do?”
“That settles it. We go back to Cairo tomorrow. We can’t risk another scene with Frau Berlin, as you call her. It means that I shall be able to go and see to Juliet’s affairs. I’m sorry I won’t be able to take you too Joey, but it would cost far too much. You will be fine with Miss Maynard and the other though.”
“Oh yes, Maynie’s a dear out of school. I only hope that Juliet will take the news OK.”
That evening the two wandered down to the harbour to meet the boat bringing Grizwl and Juliet to the island. Madge drew Juliet to her side, and Joey kept Grizel with her, allowing the others to walk on ahead, out of earshot. Although not particularly perceptive, Grizel could see that Joey was unusually subdued, and asked her what the matter was.
“Madge has had some bad news about Juliet’s people,” replied Joey. “They have both been killed in a motoring accident in Rome.”
“Poor Juliet. But perhaps it’s for the best Joey. She had no sort of life with them, did she?”
“But she is left with no one – or anyway, only us. Oh Grizel, you’ll never guess who I saw today. An old firend of yours!”
“An old firend? Here? Whoever can you mean Joey? I don’t know anyone here.”
“Oh you do! She’s a very dear friend! We met her when we went to Alexandria!”
“You don’t mean Frau Berlin! Oh Joey no! That would be too awful for words!”
“It is then! Don’t worry old thing. Madge says we must leave here tomorrow. She says she won’t risk another confrontation, and she has to go to Rome for Juliet anyway.”
Grizel had turned a dull red at this, but nodded. “Yes I can see her point. Oh well, we have this evening anyway.”
When they joined the others at the hotel, Juliet was very quiet, and retired to bed straight after the meal. Madge and Joey showed Grizel around the village before they too retired for the night.

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

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 12:40 pm

Thanks Pat

Poor Juliet - even though they were horrid to her, it's not nice Sad

Liz

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

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 1:18 pm

Glad Joey recovered!!!

*hugs Juliet* it was such an awful thing to happen to her

*wonders how they will meet Jem*

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

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 1:23 pm

Thank you Pat.

Maybe they will have a ferry accident...

#425: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 1:25 pm

Madge had arranged passage for them all as soon as she had decided to return to Cairo, and the following day saw them embarking on the ferry that called at their village. The day was cloudy and the sea a good deal rougher than it had been for the whole of their stay. Luckily they were all good sailors, and they settled down on deck. Most of the others passengers retired immediately to the salon, most feeling the worse for wear even before the boat had let harbour. If anything the weather worsened as they crossed to the Egyptian shores, and when they turned up the Nile towards Cairo it became worse, for the wind was blowing the ship sideways, and rocking it badly.
They struggled on up the estuary, and were close to Cairo when disaster struck. The gallant engine seemed to miss a beat, then another. Then it coughed once, twice, sending clouds of black smoke into the air, and died. The wind rocked the boat sideways, and with no power to counteract the force of the gale, it was flung sideways into the bank of the river, ending up tipped over, with half of it under the water.

#426: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 1:43 pm

Lovely, Pat! I've just read a lot of it straight through and I really wouldn't have believed you could fit the original story into Egypt.

All that reading and I end up on a cliff Shocked

#427: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 1:47 pm

Cliff? Where? Shocked

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

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 1:58 pm

Don't know I can't see one!!! Wink

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

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 2:09 pm

Thanks Pat - excellent alternative to the train!

Liz

#430: Author: keren, Location: Israel

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 5:41 pm

And what will James Russel be doing there?

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

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 6:00 pm

keren wrote:

And what will James Russel be doing there?

Water skiing. Wink

Thanks Pat.

#432: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 6:06 pm

Fantastic fitting in to the original, Pat.

Watery graves for all of them then? Shocked

Thank, Pat

#433: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 7:30 pm

The school party found themselves flung against the cabin sides, suffering bumps and bruises, but luckily nothing more serious. They struggled upright, standing on the outside walls of the cabin and looked around them. There were screams and yells coming form the cabin, and people were pulling themselves up through the windows, standing on whatever furniture they could find. There was a horrible smell of wet coal, and a furnace doused with water. Madge edged up the side of the cabin until she could see the shore. It was within reach, and some of the men were making makeshift bridges with broken tables. She turned to her pupils and ordered them to make their way carefully across to the land. Then she heard the shouts for help and turned to see a woman stuck in the window that she was trying to force her way through. She was rather too large to squeeze through on her own, and Madge could see her arms waving in the air, and, through the window, her legs kicking wildly below her. Walking carefully, she grasped the woman’s hands and prepared to pull.
“Try to push against something,” she said in German – the language in which the woman was shouting. “With a mighty pull she managed to pop the stuck woman through the gap, like a cork coming out of a bottle, leaving her skirt caught fast in the frame. The effort was too much for Madge, and though she managed to reach the shore under her own steam, once safely there she collapsed in a faint.
She came round slowly to find Joey bending over her anxiously.
“Sit back and give her some air,” said a strange male voice, and Joey’s face disappeared from her view rather suddenly.
She struggled into a sitting position and looked around. Joey was kneeling beside her looking worried. A little way away Juliet and Grizel sat watching.
“How do you feel?” asked the voice she had heard before. She turned to see a young man beside her. “You gave your sister a bit of a shock when you fainted like that.”
“I’m fine. What happened to that woman who was stuck?”
“She’s fine too, but very embarrassed because she left her skirt behind. That was very brave of you Miss Bettany. The boiler could have exploded at any moment you know.”
“But it didn’t did it? That poor woman.”
“Oh Madge, do you know who that was? Frau Berlin! I don’t think she appreciated being rescued by an Englishwoman either!”
“Joey! The things you say!”
“Well its true!”
Madge turned to the stranger. “Thank you for looking after me Mr…?”
“Russell, James Russell. Think nothing of it Miss Bettany. I’m just glad I was here to help. And now, if you will take my suggestion, I think you ought to find somewhere to lie down after your ordeal.”
Madge was realising that she felt very shaky, but was determined to get back to the school as soon as she could. With Mr Russell’s help she made her way to the nearby road, where they were able to find a taxi to take them home. Miss Maynard and Miss Fahmy were delighted to see them, for they had heard of the accident and had been very concerned.
“I think I would be happy to keep to teaching and school for the next few years, and avoid all the adventures that we have had this term,” said Madge, before taking herself upstairs to bed.
“Oh I expect we’ll have plenty more adventures,” said Joey. And so they did. But that, as Mr Kipling said, is another story.

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

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 7:50 pm

Thanks Pat. Lovely end to the story.

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

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 7:54 pm

Thank you Auntie Pat!!!!

....so, when so you start "Jo of the Pyramid School"? Wink

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

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 10:54 pm

lovely - thanks Pat

Liz

#437: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 1:40 am

For some silly reason, I wasn't expecting it to end quite yet. Then again, I always find the ending of the original sudden.

*agrees with Vikki*
There's lots of scope for more Egyptian adventures!

Thanks, Pat.

#438: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 7:56 am

Thank you, Pat. Have so enjoyed following this and seeing how it slotted into the original.

Will we be getting more Egyptian adventures? Rolling Eyes

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

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 8:31 am

Thank you Pat. Wonderful, very clever how you managed to follow the original so well.

#440: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 12:19 pm

Thank you, Pat. Surely that wasn't the end, there must be lots more to come.

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

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 8:50 pm

*seconds calls for Jo of the Pyramid School*

Thank you Pat, that was a wonderful story

#442: Author: Lisa, Location: South Coast of England

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 9:10 pm

Thank you for a great and original story! It's sad that it has come to an end, but very satisfying, too!

Very Happy

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

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 11:04 pm

I love the way you mirrored the original all the way through.

*adds to the calls for Jo of the Pyramid School*

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

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 4:01 am

Yes, thank you Pat!

*adding further to the calls for Jo of the Pyramid School!!*

#445: Author: Helen C, Location: Sheffield/Luton

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 9:52 am

Thanks Pat.

*Also adds to calls for sequal*

#446: Author: keren as guest,

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 10:37 am

Isn't that nice

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

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 9:15 pm

I have so enjoyed this Pat

and a sequel would be lovely

please??

#448: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 3:06 pm

Gosh Pat I didn't realise you had finished this whilst I was away.

Love the familiar but different ending. It has been a wonderful story all through - very familiar but very different, thank you so much for writing it.

The CBB -> Ste Therese's House

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