The CBB :: View topic - A moment in time

#1: A moment in time Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 8:45 am

Thanks to Ally for encouraging (blackmailing) me to post this.

It only took a second.

It had been a rather depressing day. I’d had to give bad news to one of my patients, and then I’d been called too late to help with a complicated delivery; despite all my efforts the boy had been stillborn.

Helen had understood. She always does, bless her. She pulled my slippers off my feet, took the newspaper I wasn’t reading from my hands and brought me the dog lead. “Go and take Rough for a walk.” She ordered me. “Blow away the cobwebs. Stop brooding about what has happened. You need to let go of the morning before you face the afternoon, or you’ll be no good to your patients. Go on.”

I didn’t argue with her – one generally doesn’t with Helen. I pulled on my outdoor gear, kissed her on the cheek as she held the door open for me and called for Rough.

After a while I stopped contemplating the ground at my feet and started to take in what was around me. It was one of those late February days when you know spring is arriving – the first hints are there, the bulbs are bursting up from the soil, the blustery wind hasn’t got quite such an edge to it, the sun pushes through the clouds, the birds are starting to flit around with bits of twig and grass in their beaks. A day when you know in your heart that there is a God and, despite what happens, He is in control. Bit by bit my depression slid from me.

We were almost home when Rough and I heard a commotion. I turned and saw a party of girls, two of whom were bawling their eyes out. Then, further along the causeway I saw two figures in the water, trying to lift something from underneath it. There wasn’t time to think. I dashed along, grabbing my army knife from my pocket as I did so. It wasn’t the first time a child had got caught under those weeds. A couple of slashes and the child’s head could be lifted above the water, a few more and she was free, and the two in the water lifted her up to me. I laid the child down, clearing the weed and mud from her mouth, praying desperately that I was in time. I was vaguely aware that somebody was helping me. Somebody who know what to do and anticipated my actions, but I was concentrating too hard to take a look. I was just grateful for the help.

After what seemed like an age, as it always does, the child coughed and spluttered and I knew the worst was over. She needed to be got warm and dry, and to have some rest, but she would live.

I picked her up and turned to thank my assistant.

She stood there, soaking wet, shivering with cold, her curls plastered to her forehead, a streak of mud on her cheek, her hands cut and green with slime, and pondweed trailing across her skirt.

And in that instant, I fell in love.

Last edited by LizB on Sun Jun 12, 2005 9:46 pm; edited 1 time in total

#2: Author: Nina, Location: Peterborough, UK

Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 8:59 am

Ahhhh, warm and fuzzy Smile

lovely to see this from a male perspective.

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

Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 9:18 am

Lovely, thank you Liz.

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

Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 9:52 am

Liz that was wonderful, all warm and fuzzy feeling. Thank you and thanks to Ally for 'persuading' you to post it!

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

Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 10:00 am

Thank you Liz Very Happy

So warm and fuzzy, and great to see Phil's perspective!!

#6: Author: Joey, Location: Cambridge

Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 10:43 am

Woohoo! Super. Thank you, Liz.

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

Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 11:52 am

That was luffly! Thank you Liz

#8: Author: Katie, Location: A Yorkshire lass in London

Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 12:51 pm

Awww, that was beautiful Liz - thank you!

And well done Ally Very Happy

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

Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 2:12 pm

Liz that was wonderful

next time don't wait to be persuaded - just post

please? Very Happy

#10: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 2:33 pm

Aww, how lovely! Very Happy

#11: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 5:07 pm

Thanks Liz - that was lovely Very Happy

#12: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 5:46 pm

aww, lovely...

#13: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 6:03 pm

How lovely! I do like Phil Graves.

Thanks Liz Very Happy

#14: Author: Cath, Location: Cornwall

Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 10:40 pm

Oh that was uberly lovely! Thanks Liz Very Happy

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

Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2005 7:40 pm

awwww how sweet!!!!

thanks Liz

#16: Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex

Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2005 8:04 pm

Thank you Liz! That was lovely! Very Happy

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

Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2005 9:45 pm

It’s funny how life surprises you, isn’t it. I thought I’d never love again. I was reconciled to that, to spending my life at the Chalet School, teaching. The girls were great; I had many friends among the staff and living nearby. It wasn’t the home I’d once dreamed of, but I was content.

Everything changed that day at Bosherton Lily Pools. Everything happened so fast – Signa falling, Carola and I desperately trying to get her out from the weeds who would have those thin stems would be so tough, then in the nick of time a man and dog appearing and cutting through the weeds lifting out Signa, then helping Carola climb out before scrambling out myself.

I knew Ivy didn’t know first aid, so while she rushed Carola off to get her some coffee I stayed to help with Signa. All I could focus on was the pale stillness of Signa’s face as I went into automatic pilot to help the stranger – thankful that he knew what he was doing.

After what must have been minutes at the most, although it felt like hours, Signa coughed, and opened her eyes. I uttered a prayer of thanks as the stranger lifted Signa and we got to our feet.

I suddenly realised how cold and wet I was. My teeth were chattering as we walked up towards the bus. Somebody put a rug around my shoulders, but it made little difference. We reached the bus and I heard the stranger talking to Ivy, but it seemed as if it was from a long way away. A mug of coffee was pressed into my hands, but I was shaking too much to lift it to my lips. Ivy had to help me, and then got me into the bus.

We only drove a short distance and then I was bustled out again. Despite the rug and the coffee I felt even colder than before, but the magic words ‘hot bath’ spurred me to put one numb foot in front of the other as I left the bus and went into the house. Somebody showed me into a bathroom and I started to peel off my wet coat. Before I had got very far she returned and assured me Carola was already in a bath, while Signa had been bathed and tucked up in bed. She helped me remove my sodden garments and climb into the tub, then left me to soak. The numbness in my limbs faded away as the warm water started to do its work.

I towelled dry and dressed myself in a warm dry nightgown, loaned to me by my hostess, then was led to a bed, which I climbed into gratefully.

The stranger, whom I had learned by this time was a doctor came to look at my hands, which were cut by the weeds – I hadn’t noticed them at the time but now I had time to notice they stung like anything. He put some ointment on them and gave me something to relieve the pain and help me sleep.

As I lay back against the pillows, he tucked the covers around me and gave me a smile.

Suddenly, I knew I had come home.

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

Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2005 11:10 pm

Loved that, both parts. Wonderful.

Thanks Liz.

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

Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2005 10:39 am

Thank you Liz, still warm and fuzzly and surely you don't really mean it's complete do you? Don't you want to tell us the next bit and then the proposal and the wedding and...? Wink

#20: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2005 11:49 am

Loved the second part too. Thanks Liz, that was lovely.

Star Wars

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

Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2005 12:48 pm

Thank you Liz, fantastic second part!!

Shall I send Hilary Bunny back to you? Sorry, she didnt exactly explode, more like faked her own death......... Wink

#22: Author: keren as guest,

Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 10:57 am

Isn't that lovely

#23: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 11:13 am

Just found the update, I agree it is lovely

#24: Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria

Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 9:54 pm

Lovely thanks Liz

#25: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW

Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 1:53 am

Oh, lovely!!

#26: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 7:23 pm

Thanks Liz. Seconds Nell's plea for you to tell us more! Laughing

#27: Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex

Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 7:44 pm

Thank you Liz.

More pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore pleaseMore please

#28: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 1:18 pm

Liz, that was so beautiful and moving.

Small but perfectly formed! Smile

#29: Author: Chair, Location: Kent, England

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 2:42 pm

I'm looking forward to hearing more of the story. It's great to hear it from both Hilary and Phil's POV.

#30: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 8:51 pm

Ace, Liz!! I would love to see lots more of this: Hilary is such a great character and we never see enough of her and Phil.

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

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 8:45 am

That was lovely, Liz. Thank you!

#32: Author: Emma A, Location: The Soke of Peterborough

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 1:10 pm

Echoing everyone else - that was lovely. Thank-you, Liz.

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

Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 11:51 pm

I never saw the second part till now! Thank you so much Liz it really is luffly.

#34: Author: Cath, Location: Cornwall

Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 4:06 pm

Ooh, I never realised that there was a second part! That was just as lovely Liz, thank you. Smile

The CBB -> St Agnes's House

output generated using printer-friendly topic mod, All times are GMT + 1 Hour

Page 1 of 1