What Tom Did Next
The CBB -> Ste Therese's House

#1: What Tom Did Next Author: RroseSelavyLocation: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Sun May 15, 2005 1:00 pm


This is my first drabble, so I hope you like it! I've been trying to finish the last bit for ages, so I decided to go ahead and post in the hope it would spur me on to write the last few sentences. Thanks to the wonderful Liz B for all the help Very Happy

~

Part One

Tom stood in front of the long mirror and examined her reflection with a a critical eye. There were still moments when she could not believe that this day had come, and her cheeks were flushed with emotion. She raised a hand to brush some stray ends of hair from her eyes - even in her early sixties, she had kept the short crop of her teenage years - and shifted from one foot to the other.

"Will you keep still, Tom?" The elderly lady attending to her dress cast an exasperated glance at her charge. "I know you're nervous, but there's no reason to hop about like that. Try to be a little dignified."

"Sorry, ma. I just can't take any more of this waiting. Surely he must be ready by now? What can be keeping him?"

Mrs Gay straightened up and surveyed her daughter, smoothing down the stole she had just arranged about the woman's shoulders. "I'd say you've been waiting long enough that another ten minutes isn't going to make much difference." She paused and continue in a different tone.

"You do know how proud we all are, don't you? Your father would have been overjoyed to see you today."

Tom stroked the folds of the white gown and peeped at herself in the mirror once again. She nodded as she squeezed her mother's hand. "I know."

A knock on the door interrupted them, and Tom turned to see the curate enter the room.

"We're all set now, Tom. If you could take your seat, Mrs Gay, I'll take care of her from here on in." He smiled at the two ladies and waited for Mrs Gay to leave before moving to stand beside Tom.

"Ready?" He asked.

"Ready." Her voice was firm. At first, she had doubted her ability to make such a commitment, but now she could imagine no other future. True, she was older than most were when they made their vows, but she felt that a whole new life lay before her.

The young man held the door open for her and she heard the soft chords of Bach from the organ. She exchanged smiles with the three other women already waiting in the small anteroom, dressed in white gowns like her own. There was no time for conversation, however, as the curate was already motioning them through the stone archway. She took a deep breath and began the walk towards the chancel.


Last edited by RroseSelavy on Tue May 17, 2005 8:06 pm; edited 2 times in total

 


#2:  Author: LauraLocation: London (ish) PostPosted: Sun May 15, 2005 1:02 pm


Ooh good! A lovely shiny new drabble Very Happy Is there going to be any more? *hopeful*

 


#3:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Sun May 15, 2005 1:58 pm


Embarassed You're most welcome

Beautiful start - looking forward to more

Liz

 


#4:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Sun May 15, 2005 2:11 pm


Oooh what a lovely beginning, looking forward to more Very Happy

 


#5:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Sun May 15, 2005 2:37 pm


You've got me hooked! *Can we chant yet?*

 


#6:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun May 15, 2005 4:25 pm


It's never too early to chant.

A lovely start, Rose, but just one teensy quibble, it was too short. Will there be more soon, please?

 


#7:  Author: RroseSelavyLocation: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Sun May 15, 2005 6:00 pm


Of course there will be more, but you'll appreciate it more after a little suspense Twisted Evil

Thanks for all the lovely comments Very Happy

 


#8:  Author: nikkieLocation: Cumbria PostPosted: Sun May 15, 2005 6:28 pm


RroseSelavy wrote:
Of course there will be more, but you'll appreciate it more after a little suspense Twisted Evil

Thanks for all the lovely comments Very Happy

Thats enough now !
Thank you Rose

 


#9:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun May 15, 2005 7:44 pm


Thank you for a lovely start, Rose.

 


#10:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Sun May 15, 2005 8:38 pm


thank you Rose

*waits patiently*

 


#11:  Author: KatLocation: Swansea PostPosted: Sun May 15, 2005 8:41 pm


Aww bless her!!

Thank you Rrose! Very Happy Do we get some more soon?

 


#12:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Sun May 15, 2005 10:02 pm


Thanks Rose, a very nice promising start. More soon please.

 


#13:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Sun May 15, 2005 10:22 pm


Ooh, more please asap!

 


#14:  Author: kerenLocation: Israel PostPosted: Mon May 16, 2005 5:01 am


Is she going to be a nun or get married????

 


#15:  Author: Emma ALocation: The Soke of Peterborough PostPosted: Mon May 16, 2005 7:24 am


I was thinking that she's going to be ordained...

 


#16:  Author: RroseSelavyLocation: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Mon May 16, 2005 8:57 am


Here's the next bit, folks. There's some good guesses of what's going on, but that's all I'm saying Wink

Part Two

As the procession entered the cathedral, the music changed and the congregation stood to sing the first hymn.

Love Divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heaven, to earth come down


She spotted her mother, supported on either side by Bride Bettany and Julie Lucy. As she passed them, Tom was suddenly struck by the memory of a conversation they had once had, years ago, in the senior common room at school. They had been talking of their plans for the future, and Tom was moved to wonder how the three schoolgirls would have reacted if someone had told them what they would really be doing fifty years hence. No-one would be surprised to think of Julie as a respected barrister, but Tom would have laughed outright at the suggestion of what the turn of the century would bring her.

Serve thee as thy hosts above,
Pray, and praise thee, without ceasing,
Glory in thy perfect love


To her other side she saw several men who had once been members of her boys' club. Even as they stood there, respectable in their best suits, she saw the energetic twelve-year-olds whom she had taught. She turned her glance forwards once more, concentrating on David, who was standing a little to one side at the front of the church. As their gazes met he gave her an encouraging expression, his eyes twinkling as he watched her walk towards him.

It seemed like an eternity before they reached the steps up to the altar, and the little group came to a halt before the Bishop. She concentrated on him as he greeted the congregation and began to speak the words of the Collect.

 


#17:  Author: JoeyLocation: Cambridge PostPosted: Mon May 16, 2005 9:46 am


What a fantastic start, Rose! I'm hooked already.

More please!

 


#18:  Author: MaryRLocation: Sale Cheshire PostPosted: Mon May 16, 2005 9:49 am


Wonderful,Rose. Please keep going. Smile

 


#19:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Mon May 16, 2005 12:53 pm


Thanks Rrose Very Happy

Lovely hymn to start to the service with

Liz

 


#20:  Author: KatLocation: Swansea PostPosted: Mon May 16, 2005 2:23 pm


Lovely!

Thanks Rrose!

 


#21:  Author: MiaLocation: London PostPosted: Mon May 16, 2005 2:42 pm


I am far too impatient for this board! Very Happy
I think she's being ordained too !

*pleads for more* Wink

 


#22:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon May 16, 2005 6:59 pm


Mia wrote:
I am far too impatient for this board! Very Happy
I think she's being ordained too !


Me too!

Thanks Rose. Very Happy

 


#23:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Mon May 16, 2005 9:39 pm


If it's "turn of the century" then she could well be being ordained....I can't really see Tom as a nun!

 


#24:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Mon May 16, 2005 11:29 pm


Sounds as if it is going to be a lovely service. My first thoughts at the beginning of this were of ordination.

 


#25:  Author: AliceLocation: London, England PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2005 9:11 am


Thanks Rrose, that was lovely.

 


#26:  Author: RroseSelavyLocation: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2005 8:10 pm


Well, yurr tiz. I managed to get it finished before I go off on my continental jaunt this weekend, so... enjoy! And well done to those of you who guessed the ending Razz


Part Three

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I, Send me!'"

After a brief pause, the reader stepped away from the lectern. Tom began to itch with nervousness as the service went on, felt the ache of adrenalin in her limbs. She concentrated on repeating the words of the psalm which followed, feeling the words as though hearing them for the first time. Everything carried more meaning today, and Tom felt as if she spoke with a new voice.

She thought she would remember the words of the Bishop's sermon as long as she lived, so aware was she of everything around her. And then came well-loved words of the Creed, which she had known as long as she could remember, and which soothed her nerves as she stood before the altar. The warm July sun flowed through the stained glass windows and lent a peaceful glow to the polished pews and the gilt edging of the altar. Tom felt completely calm as the verse ended and the Archdeacon stepped up to face the Bishop.

"Reverend Father, I present these persons to be ordained to the office of priesthood in the Church of God. Barbara Jane Samson, of St Faith Under St Paul's. Jennifer Jones, of Christchurch. Alexandra Elizabeth Brown, of the Precinct of Whitefriars. Lucinda Muriel Gay, of St Botolph Without Aldgate."

The Bishop in turn presented the four women to the congregation, and addressed their supporting clergy standing to one side of the small group.

"Those whose duty it is to enquire about these persons and examine them have found them to be of godly life and sound learning, and believe them to be duly called to serve God in this ministry. Is it therefore your will that they should be ordained?"

"It is." Tom heard Father David's voice as the assembled men replied. He had supported her from the beginning, encouraging her to become his curate after the the decision was made to allow the ordination of women. And then her eyes were fixed on the Bishop as he questioned the group before him.

"Do you believe, so far as you know your own heart, that God has called you to the office and work of a priest in his Church?"

The ordinands' voices were firm as they replied.

"I believe that God has called me."

One by one, the vows were made, and as Tom spoke her pledges she felt as though the last pieces of her life were falling into place. She had found her vocation in missionary work, and now she was allowed to take the final step into the Church. She knew what a vicar's work entailed, and she felt she was stepping into a role that had been made for her. Tom wondered if her father had ever forseen such a role for her. If she could only do justice to his memory, then she knew she would succeed.

"Almighty God, who has given you the will to undertake all these things, give you also the strength to perform them; that he may complete that work which he has begun in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord." Tom felt the Bishop's hands lightly touch her head.

"Send down the Holy Spirit upon your servant Lucinda Muriel for the office and work of a priest in your Church."

Tom stood and took the Bible offered to her with a bow of her head, feeling the comforting weight of the book in her hands. She felt keenly aware of the details of the Communion which followed, and was thrilled (and, in truth, more than a little apprehensive) to think that in just a few days, she herself would be leading the service in her own Church.

And then she was outside in the bright courtyard, surrounded by friends and colleagues and having her hand shaken by people she had never even met. Amidst the confusion, Bride slipped her arm through Tom's. "Congratulations, Reverend Gay. Here's to your future!"


~fin~

 


#27:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2005 8:15 pm


What a lovely ending Rose - I'm glad the bunny bit and thank you for writing it

 


#28:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2005 8:20 pm


Amazing writing Rose. Thank you.

What a fitting climax to Tom's life.

 


#29: What Tom Did Next Author: Elder in OntarioLocation: Ontario, Canada PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2005 8:25 pm


I'd suspected this was to be the outcome of this story - how wonderful for Tom to finally reach this point and to be ordained in her mother's presence. Just a shame that her father hadn't lived to see it.

Thank you for finishing this before you go away, Rose! Enjoy your trip.

 


#30:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2005 8:35 pm


Thank you Rrose - glad you were able to finish it

That was beautiful.

Liz

 


#31:  Author: DawnLocation: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2005 8:50 pm


That made me all goosebumpy Rose - thankyou, and have a lovely holiday

 


#32:  Author: NinaLocation: Peterborough, UK PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2005 8:53 pm


Brilliant - I always thought it was a shame Tom was too early for women's ordination, in the CofE at least. Glad her mother was there, but sad that her father didn't see it.

 


#33:  Author: RroseSelavyLocation: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2005 9:13 pm


Thanks guys! Glad you liked it Very Happy The story was actually triggered by a woman vicar I met a few months ago. She was a friend of my nan's who would have been ordained when she was in her sixties. I suddenly thought how long she must have been waiting, and it just clicked with the idea that that would be a natural thing for Tom to do when the chance arose. (By the way, I'm not a Christian so I hope the fic makes sense to any churchgoers among you).

 


#34:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2005 9:33 pm


Thank you Rose that was a lovely story and such a fitting future for Tom. Perfect Very Happy

 


#35:  Author: JoeyLocation: Cambridge PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 9:38 am


That was beautiful, Rose. Thank you.

I always thought Tom would have been one of the first women to be ordained.

 


#36:  Author: MiriamLocation: Jerusalem, Israel PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 11:28 am


I just can't help wondering how she felt being adressed as Luncinda Muriel, on what must have been one of the very few occasions in her life when she used that name. In some ways it must have felt as thoufgh it wasn't really her. On the other hand, she could hardly tell the bishop to call her Tom. Shocked

 


#37:  Author: Sarah_KLocation: St Albans/Leicester PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 2:59 pm


Thanks Rose, that was lovely. I know a few women at church back home that I've always thought would have been ordained if it had been possible when they were younger and I'm glad your Tom took her chance when it came.

 


#38:  Author: MiaLocation: London PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 3:01 pm


This is a lovely drabble... so happy for Tom. Thanks Rose.
Are you planning on writing anything else soon? *hint*

 


#39:  Author: KatLocation: Swansea PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 3:51 pm


Awwww!! That was lovely and so sweet! Thanks Rrose!

*Picks up on Mia's hint - I hope you're going to drabble again soon!*

 


#40:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 9:14 pm


Thanks Rose, that was a lovely short piece, and seemed just right for Tom. Razz

 


#41:  Author: Cath V-PLocation: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2005 12:43 am


Oh, gorgeous Rose! My sister-in-law (in her early forties) was ordained two years ago, and although we couldn't be there (it's only David and me - and the children - in Australia, David's family are all in the UK), I was given a blow-by-blow account by Enid and you have got the atmosphere so well.

 


#42:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2005 5:50 pm


Lovely Rose - and so right for Tom.

Thank you.

 


#43:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2005 10:59 pm


Thank you Rose a very perfect ending for Tom so very glad you wrote it. Have a lovely holiday.

 


#44:  Author: Kathy_SLocation: midwestern US PostPosted: Fri May 20, 2005 2:00 am


Good for Tom! Lovely scene....

 


#45:  Author: JosieLocation: London PostPosted: Fri May 20, 2005 10:50 pm


Kiss Thanks Rose, that was lovely.

 


#46:  Author: RuthYLocation: Anyone's guess PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2005 3:51 pm


Thanks Rose that was a great short piece
Like the others hope you'll drabble again you're great at it

Ruth

 


#47:  Author: JustJenLocation: waiting for a bus PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2005 4:02 am


That was a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing

 


#48:  Author: SophoifeLocation: down under Down Under PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2005 9:24 am


Thanks Rrose! <sniffle>

 




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