Christine of the Chalet School
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#1: Christine of the Chalet School Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 2:07 am


This may not be entirely historically accurate - and I have adapted the careers of some CS girls to suit my purposes.....I call it artistic license

Two little girls sat alone on the platform of Armiford station, waiting. Both had short brown curls that were presently rather disordered. They were dressed alike in flame coloured tunics, cream blouses and the regulation school tie. At their feet lay an assortment of cases, umbrellas and clothes. The day was warm and they had both, in defiance of the rules (as they were about to discover), removed their thick coats and their blazers. As they waited they sucked philosophically on peppermints that had been the parting gift of their guardian, a Mr Hays.

Their mother had died suddenly, and the kindly solicitor, who had never met them, had taken in the two little orphans. However, he had made the mistake of sending word to the kindly lady who ‘did’ for their mother that they would have to be sent to school. Mrs Paske had arrive the following morning in a ferment, but had been too occupied with the packing of the twins garments to notice the looks of dismay on the identical young faces.

The twins had adjourned to the orchard and spent long hours contemplating their fate. Nevertheless, as Natalie, the younger twin, pointed out, “contemplating did not solve the problem”. It was a sorry pair that traipsed in for lunch, and a pair that were sorrier still that were put on the train to London. Until the elder twin struck upon a solution so daring and so simple that it seemed the answer to all their problems


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 10:27 am; edited 20 times in total

 


#2:  Author: KateLocation: Ireland PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 2:16 am


Smile Looks great so far, I'm intrigued! (And I really want a peppermint. Laughing)

 


#3:  Author: EllieLocation: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 2:34 am


Definitely hooked! Would love to know exactly what this simple and daring plan comprises of.

 


#4:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 2:39 am


All will be revealed....but you have to wait about 5 chapters first!

 


#5:  Author: EllieLocation: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 2:40 am


Crying or Very sad S'not fair! I want to know now Crying or Very sad

 


#6:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 6:18 am


Looking good - am hooked! Laughing

 


#7:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 12:03 pm


Oh well here's a little more....to keep you in suspense Laughing

The twins were distracted from their peppermints by a shadow falling upon them.

“Are you going to the Chalet School?”the figure asked.

The children nodded.

“Can you speak?” it demanded.

In response, Natalie stuck out her tongue, displaying a goodly sized peppermint. Her twin kicked her ankle, hard. The figure laughed.

“Come along, girls. I’m Joey Maynard. Your guardian wrote to me and asked whether I would mind having you for the few days before term begins. You might find the house a little crowded as I have living with me not only my own girls and boys, my adopted sister, the Robin, my nieces-by-marriage Daisy and Primula Venables, and another set of twins, Flora and Fau….Fiona McDonald. Those last two will be a form or two above you I expect, but it will be nice to know some people when you eventually get to school. Now I found the two of you without coats OR blazers and I must warn you that once term starts there won’t be any of that allowed! Everyone round here knows the school and you must look proper at all times or you’ll hear about it.”

The twins sat silent, thankful of their peppermints, which prevented them from saying anything while the tide of information washed over them.

“In any other circumstances I would have asked my sister, Lady Russell to put you up as there was a problem about where to put you to sleep - there aren’t quite enough rooms in my house for everyone, even though it’s on the large side. However one of her daughters is on the delicate side and she has a new little one and we thought it was best that you came to join my gang even if it did mean sharing rooms!”

The twins looked at each other in horror. So near, and yet so far. Sharing a room with strangers would surely expose their secret!

“But then I had a brainwave and it’s quite alright now. Anna and I did some reorganizing and we’ve just about managed to fit two beds into the little dressing room next to Robin. It’s a bit of a squash but it will do.”

The twins let out the breath that they had been holding. Their secret was safe after all.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 10:29 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#8:  Author: RuthLocation: Lincolnshire, England PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 12:37 pm


Intrigued! Can't wait to find out what the twins secret is!

 


#9:  Author: RoseaLocation: Edinburgh PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 1:01 pm


Is one of them really a boy, but they don't want to be separated? Prepared to look very stupid when it is revealed how far off target this guess is! thanks frances

 


#10:  Author: KateLocation: Ireland PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 1:15 pm


^ That was my first (and only) guess too, Rosea! Smile

 


#11:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 1:35 pm


That's what I thought too (or three...). Reread carefully & noted that elder twin does not yet have a name & that they are described as girls only when sitting at the station.

 


#12:  Author: Emma ALocation: The Soke of Peterborough PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 2:23 pm


Hmm... Intriguing. Next bit, please?

 


#13:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 7:10 pm


Yay! I'm glad you've posted this, Frances, it's great!

 


#14:  Author: MihiriLocation: surrey england PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 7:26 pm


Brilliant Frances, thanks very much for posting. I am really intrigued as to the secret

 


#15:  Author: nikkieLocation: Cumbria PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 8:20 pm


Rosea wrote:
Is one of them really a boy, but they don't want to be separated?
I thought this too!

 


#16:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 8:45 pm


Looking forward to further revelations. Laughing

 


#17:  Author: Helen PLocation: Cheshire PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 10:18 pm


I'm also most intrigued - had no ideas of my own about what their secret might be, but agree that one of them being a boy sounds possible! Looking forward to more, thankyou Frances!

 


#18:  Author: janetbrown23Location: Colchester moving to Mid Wales as soon as I can PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 10:33 pm


I really like this so far but just one little quibble...................Flame colour tunics thats the Tanswick Uniform surely Jan

 


#19:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 12:02 am


janetbrown23 wrote:
I really like this so far but just one little quibble...................Flame colour tunics thats the Tanswick Uniform surely Jan
quite possibly - i make apologies for it not being entirely accurate!

 


#20:  Author: KateLocation: Ireland PostPosted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 12:21 am


aww, frances, i thought you'd posted more! Sad (that was a hint... I'd love some more please!)

 


#21:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 12:30 am


Kate - your wish is my command.

Joey chattered all the way home, and by the time they reached Plas Gwyn they had finished there peppermints. As they turned into the drive they espied three little maidens sitting on the lawn with two girls who appeared to be slightly older than the twins and one who was about a year younger. These, they surmised must be Flora and Fiona McDonald, the set of twins slightly older than themselves, and one of Joey’s relations. While Natalie and her twin were identical, the McDonalds were easily told apart by their hair colour, one fair and one dark. In the same manner their hair colour, one fair, one dark and one a beautiful chestnutty red distinguished the three damsels who were playing happily together.

Feeling slightly overwhelmed already the twins walked onto the lawn with Joey, who was greeeted by the younger girls with rapturous cries of “Mamma”. Joey gathered them into her arms and dropped a kiss on each little head before turning to the twins with a wicked grin. Natalie gasped. Twins were not common but these were THREE.

“Like them?” Joey said casually.

“Oh, they’re darlings!” she cried.

Joey beamed delightedly and proceeded to introduce the gathering. “My daughters, Len, Connie and Margot. They are six, seven in November, and will be joining the First Form this term,” she said pushing the girls forward. The triplets smiled sunny smiles and pronounced greetings. “My niece by marriage, Primula Venables,” with a wave to the dainty girl with fair hair, “and Flora and Fiona, the other twins. Robin and Daisy are probably in the house getting some refreshments as it’s such a hot day. You must be boiling in that uniform - did you have nothing else to wear?”

Natalie spoke up, crossing her fingers behind her back. “Well, Mrs Paske said we had one frock apiece that was decent to be worn and we were to wear that to meet Mr Hays. She said he would see to our clothes, but other than our uniforms he didn’t.”

“Oh well that’s easily sorted,” said Joey, cheerfully. “We have plenty of frocks here, these people grow so fast! Flora, Fauna - be dears and run ask Rob or Daisy to dig a couple of frocks out.”

The McDonalds accordingly ran, and presently returned accompanied by Daisy, a leggy fair girl, carrying a tray with a jug of lemonade and various glasses.

“This is Daisy, she was the Head Girl last year at the Chalet School where you will be going, she’s off to begin training as a doctor. Oh well now you’ve met most of the mob bar my adopted sister who you’ll meet presently and my boys who are in the nursery, let’s have some lemonade.”

Hitherto Primula had not spoken, she had merely blushed when introduced to the twins but now she piped up in a clear voice, “Auntie Jo, please, what are their names?”

The twins held their breath again. Jo swung round completely floored.

“Do you realise I don’t know?” she said ashamedly.

Relieved Natalie spoke “I’m Natalie, and this…...this is my sister Christine.”


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 10:32 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#22:  Author: KateLocation: Ireland PostPosted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 12:41 am


hmmm.... very suspicious... Confused This is great, Frances! Smile Thank you!

 


#23:  Author: ChelseaLocation: Your Imagination PostPosted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 1:32 am


If they are identical twins than either our guess is wrong - or they are both boys!

 


#24:  Author: KateLocation: Ireland PostPosted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:34 am


Ye-es, but it also could be read as that they just *look* identical, as opposed to being biologically identical.

 


#25:  Author: JosieLocation: London PostPosted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 5:15 pm


Just started this one. Am well confuddled!! (Not hard, admittedly!) Enjoying it though. Cheers frances. Very Happy

 


#26:  Author: Emma ALocation: The Soke of Peterborough PostPosted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 7:09 pm


The plot thickens! Really intrigued now Very Happy Please keep posting, Frances!

 


#27:  Author: LauraLocation: London (ish) PostPosted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 8:13 pm


Ditto! More please, Frances Very Happy

 


#28:  Author: MihiriLocation: surrey england PostPosted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:07 pm


Thanks Frances, I really want to know the secret, so please keep posting Smile

 


#29:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 10:29 pm


ohhh well i suppose you can have some more...seeing as you're so insistent...

Hilda Annersley and her secretary Rosalie Dene sat in the pretty study that belonged to the headmistress of the Chalet School, occupied with the form lists for the forthcoming term.

“You do realise we haven’t a clear candidate for head girl?” Rosalie Dene asked the headmistress of the Chalet School. “And Daisy will be such a hard act to follow.”

“Our choice is somewhat limited. I wish we hadn’t had such a clearout last term!” Miss Annersley sighed. “Who do we have left from last year’s Prefects?”

"Well, Mollie Avery, Nancy Canton, Gillian Culver, Pamela Whitlock, Gay Lambert, Dorothea Wentworth and Marilyn Evans."

"Gay is Games Prefect," Miss Annersley mused, "Mollie Avery is a dear girl but not quite cut out for the post of Head Girl. How long has Marilyn been a Prefect for? "

Rosalie Dene consulted her list before answering the Headmistress. "Two terms now." She replied. "And Dorothea?"

"Just the one term."

"I see,"Hilda Annersley said reflectively. "And Marilyn is to be in the Special Sixth this term?"

"Yes – she goes to Oxford next year." Rosalie replied. "Her timetable is rather unusual."

"But she doesn’t have any public exams, unlike Dorothea, who will take her Higher this year?" Rosalie checked her list again and nodded to confirm the Head’s statement.

"Well, Marilyn it is then. And Gay Lambert for Games. To join them as Prefects Mary Anstey, Dilys Vaughn and Roosje Lange with Barbara Wallace, Joanna Linders and I think Janet Scott as sub-prefects. It’s such a shame that Gwensi Howell had to leave so unexpectedly. It really has left us quite depleted."

The two women bent their heads over the form lists once again – Miss Annersley still uncertain as to whether the choice to make Marilyn Head Girl had been a wise one. [i] Edited after KB provided me with accurate form lists![/i]


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 10:33 am; edited 2 times in total

 


#30:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 11:01 pm


Quote:
Miss Annersley still uncertain as to whether the choice to make Marilyn Head Girl had been a wise one.
Ho, ho, we know it's not. More lovely story and an explanation of what Marilyn did! Smile

 


#31:  Author: KateLocation: Ireland PostPosted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 12:16 am


I'm really enjoying this, Frances! Smile

 


#32:  Author: MihiriLocation: surrey england PostPosted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 6:37 pm


Thanks Francesn, will be interesting to read about Marilyn's time as head girl

 


#33:  Author: KatieLocation: A Yorkshire lass in London PostPosted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 10:51 pm


This is great, Frances. I'm really jealous of all you drabble writers. I can't even think of a good idea, let alone write a whole story!

 


#34:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 11:10 am


Katie I always used to say that... This is looking good Frances and i'll be interested to see how the twins secret is discovered.

 


#35:  Author: Emma ALocation: The Soke of Peterborough PostPosted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 2:05 pm


Ah, so we're going to have an explanation of Marilyn's conduct as Head Girl as well as the twins' secret? Looking forward to more!

 


#36:  Author: Sarah_KLocation: St Albans/Leicester PostPosted: Fri Dec 17, 2004 10:56 pm


Thanks Frances, looking forward to actually reading about Marilyn's time as head girl.

 


#37:  Author: KateLocation: Ireland PostPosted: Fri Dec 17, 2004 11:32 pm


*wonders if I can have some more before I go home* i leave at 3pm tomorrow... Smile

 


#38:  Author: jontyLocation: Exeter PostPosted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 3:36 pm


francesn wrote:
“You do realise we haven’t a clear candidate for head girl?” Rosalie Dene asked the headmistress of the Chalet School. “And Daisy will be such a hard act to follow.” “Our choice is somewhat limited. I wish we hadn’t had such a clearout last term!” Miss Annersley sighed. “Who do we have left from last year’s Prefects?”
Great, I always wanted to know what happened when Marilyn was Head Girl, thanks Frances. But why didn't Rosalie & Hilda see the crisis coming? After all, girls don't just suddenly up and leave, couldn't they have figured out they were going to be left with no obvious candidates, and have done something about it a bit earlier? One of these days Hilda will discover the joys of a little bit of forward planning. Wink Jonty

 


#39:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 9:32 pm


Yeah, Jonty's right. Especially when you think practically as soon as Mary-Lou starts at the school , the staff are saying she''s in line for Head Girl.

 


#40:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 10:22 pm


And how many people were unconvinced by Mary Lou's surprise when she was told? I mean come on, the girl has to see that she's being groomed for it! Rolling Eyes

 


#41:  Author: MihiriLocation: surrey england PostPosted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 10:47 pm


What would have been interesting would be to see how Mary-Lou would have reacted if someone else had been made head girl!

 


#42:  Author: MiriamLocation: Jerusalem, Israel PostPosted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 11:30 pm


Well we do know that however 'suprised' she mifgt have been about it, she didn't show any of the protests that earlier head girls showed. Confused

 


#43:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Sun Dec 19, 2004 12:16 am


Thanks Frances - any chance of some more?
Mihiri wrote:
What would have been interesting would be to see how Mary-Lou would have reacted if someone else had been made head girl!
*shoos bunny away to find someone else to play with* Liz

 


#44:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Sun Dec 19, 2004 11:53 am


Sends bunny back to Liz with lots of chocs as a bribe

 


#45:  Author: MihiriLocation: surrey england PostPosted: Sun Dec 19, 2004 12:57 pm


*adds more chocs in hope of persuading Liz*

 


#46:  Author: jontyLocation: Exeter PostPosted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 1:34 pm


Miriam wrote:
Well we do know that however 'suprised' she mifgt have been about it, she didn't show any of the protests that earlier head girls showed. Confused
Ah, that's because she always sees life, love and school from a grown-up POV. Knows what the Authorities are thinking before they know it themselves.

 


#47:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 2:05 pm


Another hooked! Thank you, Frances.

 


#48:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 1:22 pm


Sorry for the gaps between posts...I have been enjoying the shopping delights of Birmingham (so much nicer than London at Christmas) and have consequently been ignoring the bunny....however it is back with a vengeance and here is just a little more for you all

Later that day Natalie and Christine were undressing in the little room that Joey had informed them was theirs for the duration of their stay.

"I say, Nat, that uniform is simply awful, I’ve got so much to learn," sighed Christine, as she struggled out of her blouse.

Natalie was unable to reply at that moment as she was struggling into the threadbare nightgown that was the only one not packed in her trunk to take to the school. The twins had grown rapidly and most of their clothes were positively indecent. Finally she forced her tousled head through, ripping the material in the process.

"It isn’t all that bad, Chris," she replied, surveying the damage to her nightgown. "Oh bother, I’ll need a new one now. Mrs Maynard said she would take us into the town to see what clothes she could get us."

"Crikey!" Chris exclaimed, "That won’t do at all. You’ll have to go alone, I’ll have a headache or something. Luckily we’re the same size. Brush my mop, will you?"

"At school you’ll have to do this yourself," Natalie warned. "We might not be in the same room."

"Dormy," interjected Christine.

"What?" Natalie said, confused. "They call them dormies, short for dormitories." Christine explained. "Flora was telling me. They speak awful strange those two."

"They’re Scottish." Natalie replied. "Primula, that’s the tiny fair one, was telling me they used to live on a little island called Erisay and they spoke Gaelic there. Here – tie your hair back with the ribbon."

Christine grimaced as she struggled to tie back the wild curls. Natalie sighed, exasperated, having swiftly tamed her mop.

"You’re no good at this," she said.

"Well I’ve never done it before. It’s alright for you, you’ve had years of practice!"

Natalie did not reply to the comment for she had climbed into bed and was fast asleep. Christine lay back and pulled the sheet over her, her mind filled with thoughts of the Chalet School


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 10:36 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#49:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 1:29 pm


Hmmm, interesting! So who will find out and when? Thank you Frances!

 


#50:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 1:44 pm


Looking forward to seeing exactly how this pans out!

 


#51:  Author: jontyLocation: Exeter PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 6:05 pm


francesn wrote:
"I say, Nat, that uniform is simply awful, I’ve got so much to learn," sighed Christine, as she struggled out of her blouse. "Brush my mop, will you?" "At school you’ll have to do this yourself," Natalie warned. Christine grimaced as she struggled to tie back the wild curls. Natalie sighed, exasperated, having swiftly tamed her mop. "You’re no good at this," she said. "Well I’ve never done it before. It’s alright for you, you’ve had years of practice!"
Aha!! I know, they're not twins but cousins - Christine was the rich side of the family with servants to dress her.

 


#52:  Author: ChelseaLocation: Your Imagination PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:06 pm


They're both boys but Christine started cross-dressing before Nat did???? Anyone else noticing the Chrismassy theme of the two names???? Please may we have some more?

 


#53:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 8:08 pm


Jonty wrote
Quote:
I know, they're not twins but cousins - Christine was the rich side of the family with servants to dress her
I thought Natalie had been time travelling from the future, while Christine in her own time, but the housekeeper had always done it for her

 


#54:  Author: MihiriLocation: surrey england PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:14 pm


Thanks for the update francesn. Am very intrigued as to what is going to ahppen

 


#55:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Thu Dec 23, 2004 12:43 am


Your curiousity will be satisfied in due course - but I can assure you time-travel doesn't feature in plot although it's definitely a good idea.....

The following morning Natalie awoke early. She sat up in her bed in the little room, wondering momentarily where she was. Then she remembered the events of the previous day. She looked across to her sleeping twin and decided to let Christine sleep. Quietly she gathered some clothes together and set out to search for the bathroom. Five minutes later she emerged from the bathroom, neat and tidy, and went downstairs. Following the smell of cooking to the kitchen, she found a cheery young woman busy making bread.

"Good morning," Natalie said shyly.

"Ah the little one has awoken," the woman said in a prettily accented voice. "Come in and I shall fetch you some milk."

Natalie came forward to collect the milk offered to her. She recalled that this must be Anna. Mrs Maynard had mentioned her last night, but she had been up in the nursery with the younger children so the twins had not met her.

"Where is Mrs Maynard, please?" Natalie asked, before drinking her milk.

"She is in the study writing to Herr Doktor Maynard. She bids me tell you that the little ones are by the pond and you are to join them when you are ready." Anna smiled kindly at the girl before continuing. "Run and tell thy sister to come to Anna for milk when she is dressed, then you shall go and play."

Natalie drained the cup of milk and left the kitchen. Outside she ran into Joey Maynard, who held her at arms length before pronouncing, "Much better for a night’s sleep. A more washed out pair I never did see by yesterday evening. How’s Christine this morning?"

Natalie gasped. Most people were unable to tell the twins apart at sight even after knowing them for weeks.

"She’s still asleep. But how did you know which one I was?" she asked, bluntly. Joey grinned.

"Twins run in the family," she explained. "And I had identical triplets of my own before their eyes changed colour!"

"Ohhhh, I see," said Natalie, even though she didn’t really see how experience of twins helped matters.

"You are much tidier than your sister. Your frock is neater and your hair in order. I’ll bet Christine has managed to crease her frock already!" Mrs Maynard shook her head. "Anyway, I want to take the two of you into town this morning and kit you out properly for school. Matey will have something to say if you don’t have everything in order for Thursday. And then there’s naming to be done. Mr Hays sent nametapes in your trunks but nothing is stitched on. You can both sew, I take it."

Natalie fidgeted. "Well I can, but Christine can’t. She never had much use for it."

Joey laughed. "I never loved my needle, but at the Chalet School she’ll have no choice. She’d better start to learn this afternoon. Run along and tell Christine to be downstairs by the car in half an hour."

Natalie obediently ran upstairs to the room the twins shared and woke Christine. She delivered Joey’s message and turned to go downstairs.

"Well I can’t go," said Christine in horror. "They’ll know in an instant."

"I’d forgotten that," Natalie admitted shamefaced. "I suppose I could say you were a bit tired, but we’re the same size so we just need to get everything twice."

"Well in different colours if possible, but that’s the general idea." Christine said. "Although I suppose everything will have to be named."

"Oh yes," Natalie said eagerly. "We’re to spend this afternoon naming our belongings."

Giggling at the look of dismay upon her twin’s face, she turned and left the room.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 10:40 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#56:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Thu Dec 23, 2004 12:50 am


Well, I really think 'Christine' must be a boy then. Or, has she been in a coma for a few years?

 


#57:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Thu Dec 23, 2004 11:36 am


Ooh just found this and I am hooked. Christine certainly is a mystery!

 


#58:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu Dec 23, 2004 10:44 pm


Curiouser and curiouser. Thanks Frances.

 


#59:  Author: MihiriLocation: surrey england PostPosted: Sat Dec 25, 2004 12:15 am


Thanks Frances. Am favouring the idea that Christine is really a boy

 


#60:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Sat Dec 25, 2004 2:48 pm


Just reading Genius at the Chalet School (pb) and note that on page 40, Vi tells Miss Annersley that Commander & Mrs Willoughby have a new baby:
Quote:
Oh, and Auntie Nan had her fifth baby on Christmas Day - a little girl at last. She's to be Christine Natalie - becuase of being a Christmas baby, you know...
Coincidence? Or something more?

 


#61:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed Dec 29, 2004 3:01 am


Have just read this all the way through. Was convinced before I read all the other replies that Christine is a boy! It is a really super story and quite fresh. Would really like to see what happens next.

 


#62:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Wed Dec 29, 2004 3:25 am


Wonders what I've missed that Susan read so that she doesn't think Christine's a boy?

 


#63:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed Dec 29, 2004 4:38 pm


Lyanne wrote:
Wonders what I've missed that Susan read so that she doesn't think Christine's a boy?
Sorry Lyanne maybe I didn't express that very clearly. I do think Christine's a boy. What I meant was I had already seen it before reading everyone else's replies.

 


#64:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Wed Dec 29, 2004 5:49 pm


Half an hour later an immaculately presented Natalie was standing by the car waiting for Joey. They were to be joined on this trip by Daisy, who was busy relating tales of the school when Joey arrived.

"No Christine?" Joey said as she came up to the pair.

"No," Daisy spoke up. "She was a bit tired. And Natalie says it doesn’t really matter as all they have to do is get two lots of everything."

"Preferably in different colours," added Natalie.

"Oh well, I suppose yesterday might have been a bit much. She’ll have to be up by the time we’re back, though. You’re not to do all the sewing yourself." Natalie blushed, for this was indeed what she had privately resolved to do. Their mother had taught Natalie to sew very neatly but Christine scarcely knew one end of a needle from the other.

The rest of the morning passed in a blur as Joey whisked Natalie in and out of shops, adding to the parcels in the large string bag Daisy had produced once she had purchased her stockings. Natalie was staggered at the amount of clothing Joey deemed necessary for school, and Daisy informed her that they had at least that much again in their trunks. Finally Joey asked Natalie whether there was anything else she would like.

"I assume you Mr. Hays saw to your pencil boxes and things?" Joey asked. Natalie nodded, remembering the large stationers they had visited the previous week.

"We’ve got pens and pencils and colouring pencils and everything we need for school. At least that’s what the lady in the shop said," she finished doubtfully.

"Oh I’m sure you’ll have everything then!" Joey said, easily. "What about dressing gowns and nightdresses?"

"We have dressing gowns and slippers, and two nightdresses each, and pajamas for when it gets cold. But I did rip my nightdress last night, so do you think we could afford a new one?"

"Of course we can," Joey said, looking at the worried little face. "Your guardian sent oceans of money and instructions for me to kit you out with everything else you needed. I can wire him for more money if your taste in nightgowns is that expensive!"

Natalie giggled. "No, it’s quite alright. We always had to be careful with money…..when mummy was alive I mean."

Joey whisked them to be buy a new nightdress and Natalie chose a delicate nightdress of white cotton sprinkled with tiny pink flowers for she was a feminine creature at heart.

"Now what will Christine like?" Joey asked, when Natalie had made her choice. "If you managed to rip your nightdress I hate to think what might happen to hers."

After some deliberation, Natalie pointed out a plain blue nightdress with a floral motif around the hem.

"She doesn’t really like flowers," Natalie explained. "But it’s not fair that I should have such a pretty nightgown and she go without."

"Well she can always have a plain gown with a little lace if you think she would prefer that?" Daisy said. "I never went much on flowers myself."

Natalie’s face lightened and she nodded. "I do think she would prefer it. But isn’t lace awfully expensive?"

"It’s not too dear," Joey said. "And here’s a lovely one in a pastel blue with lace around the collar and cuffs. You’ll have to watch your language at school, my child. Words like ‘awfully’ don’t go down too well."

Daisy nodded vigorously. "They’re ever so tough on slang," she said. "You’ll find yourself minus any pocket money in short order if staff or a pree catches you saying something you oughtn’t."

Natalie gulped. This was indeed news to her, and she did not intend to find herself penniless at the end of each week.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 10:43 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#65:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Wed Dec 29, 2004 6:02 pm


Lovely update Very Happy So Christine doesn't like flowers much, *hmmmmm's a bit*

 


#66:  Author: KatieLocation: A Yorkshire lass in London PostPosted: Wed Dec 29, 2004 6:09 pm


But neither do I, and I'm not a boy...

 


#67:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Wed Dec 29, 2004 6:10 pm


Ally wrote:
Lovely update Very Happy So Christine doesn't like flowers much, *hmmmmm's a bit*
nor does daisy - and she isn't a boy!

 


#68:  Author: ChelseaLocation: Your Imagination PostPosted: Wed Dec 29, 2004 6:17 pm


Ally wrote:
Lovely update Very Happy So Christine doesn't like flowers much, *hmmmmm's a bit*
Sounds like my request on my Christmas list - Bathrobe - plain. no flowers, lace, or frilly things. Not pinkI got a nice white one with a removable decorative thingy on the lapel

 


#69:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 12:06 am


Neither do I, doesn't stop me from Hmmmming though!!!!

 


#70:  Author: MihiriLocation: surrey england PostPosted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 12:44 am


*joins the hmming* Thanks Frances

 


#71:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 2:01 am


Poor Natalie must be difficult fo her. Nothing suspect in not liking flowers but feels it may be another clue.

 


#72:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 11:02 am


Hmmmming also....will Christine find the lace any more acceptable though?

 


#73:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 1:25 pm


Quote:
Christine scarcely knew one end of a needle from the other
Maybe she's partially sighted. She can't be blind, because she saw Natalie stick her tongue out at Joey.

 


#74:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Fri Dec 31, 2004 12:02 am


Those staff not on escort duty arrived at the Chalet School that afternoon for the beginning of term. Miss Annersley joined them for coffee in the staffroom after dinner and was soon settled in a chair with coffee and biscuits.

"Mmmm, Jeanne, your coffee is as good as ever," she said. "Don't ask questions any of you until I've finished this nectar."

The staff collectively groaned at this, for they were all dying to hear the latest news.

Finally Miss Annersley put her cup aside to find them all looking at her expectantly. Immediately they began questioning her eagerly.

"One at a time," she laughed. "Mary?"

"Who's to be Head Girl this year?" Mary Burnett, the history mistress and former head girl of the school asked.

"Well, as most of you know, Gwensi Howell has left and we all hoped that she would be head girl after Daisy Venables. We eventually decided, and Miss Wilson agrees with me, that Marilyn Evans should be our Head Girl this year. She has no public exams in the summer, unlike most of the Sixth who were prefects last year, although she will be in Special Sixth to accommodate her timetable. Sally, she plans to take Italian this year, if you agree of course."

Sally Denny, the sister of the school's singing master nodded. "She's very ambitious," she said shrewdly. "Julie tells me her French is excellent and her German I know is very fluent so she should cope with Italian."

"So Gay remains as Games Prefect?" Hilary Burn, the Games Mistress and another Old Girl, asked.

"Yes," Miss Annersley said, "The two of you get on well together and she seems to enjoy the post, so she stays."

“How many new girls do we have?” asked Pam Slater, who taught mathematics.

“Lots,” replied Rosalie Dene succintly. “The Trips are coming to join the Kindergarten, of course. All yours are new in any case, May, but those are the only three that the rest of the staff will be interested in!”

“Are they really to start this term?” Miss Evverett, the Gardening mistress asked incredulously. “It seems such a short time since they were little babies that Joey carried around in a big basket.”

“Yes, they really are to start this term,” Rosalie said. “In addition to that we have one new for the First form, five new for the Lower Second: Phillida Craven, Mary Leigh, Viola Lucy and Iris Wells as boarders and Josette Russell as a day girl, although she isn’t really new, but she’s not been to school for a while – not since that accident with Sybil. Twins, identical apparently, for Upper Third, Christine and Natalie Bowes. Betsy Lucy has a double remove and is now in Upper Third. As usual we have a lot for the Fourth and one or two for the Fifth and none for the sixth, although a lot of the fifth form gained their remove this year into the Sixth. We have also some grandchildren for the school - Natalie Mensch, Marie and Emmie von Glück and Josefa Wertheimer, but we will have to wait and see before placing them. ”

“Identical twins,” groaned Miss Edwards, the Junior Maths mistress and form mistress for Upper Third. “Do we know anything about them?”

Miss Annersley’s face grew grave. “They are orphans. Their father was missing, believed killed shortly after the outbreak of the war and their mother seems to have faded away a few weeks ago. They came to us via a Mr. Hays, who seems to know Dr Maynard, and they are staying with Joey for the present. She can’t tell us much more than that at the present, other than that the poor mites looked worn out when she picked them up from the station yesterday.”

“You’ll want to watch Phillida Craven, Gillian,” Rosalie Dene interjected. “We don’t know much about her or her family but her governess has said she’s unteachable. She thought we might be able to do something with the girl.”

Gillian Linton however was unfazed, having dealt with many young demons in her time as a prefect, later head girl, and also as a mistress of the school. Indeed her own sister, Joyce Linton had been the bane of many a teacher’s existence before she had reformed.

“However,” Rosalie continued, “young Viola has her head screwed on quite tightly and she’s a bit in awe of the mistresses. I think Betsy and Julie have been telling some tales at home!”

Miss Edwards laughed. “I wouldn’t be surprised after the way I came down on Betsy last term. Although she deserved it, she couldn’t have been more thoughtless had she tried!”

Miss Annersley smiled. “Well your action had the desired effect, Dollie. She certainly settled down after that escapade.”

“But what on earth did she do?” said Miss Carey, the handicrafts mistress.

“One afternoon I decided that instead of doing arithmetic we could start on simple practical problems – finding the area of paper covered by a book and so forth….the idea being that they would need the dimensions of one page and the number of pages in a book, so I sent Betsy Lucy to fetch a selection of books from the stock cupboard. She returned with her arms piled high, carrying a copy of every book in the stock cupboard. How she managed it I do not know!”

Miss Edward chuckled at the memory. “When I asked her what she thought she was doing, she grievously replied that she thought I would find a use for them all.”

“Well, what did you do to squash her?” Miss Carey asked, “Assuming carrying all those books didn’t finish her off.”

“I informed her, in my blandest voice, that if her desire for problem solving was that great she could spend her free time that day calculating the amount of paper in square feet and inches used to produce the books she had carted up from the stock cupboard. It certainly improved her arithmetic, and she now thinks before she acts.”

“So young Vi comes to us with an impression of our draconian punishments?” Rosalie said wryly.

“I would imagine so,” replied Miss Edwards, “Is that how they shorten her name? It’s a shame if it is because Viola is such a pretty name.”

“It’s also a lengthy one for the poor girl! She’s quite a petite creature.” Rosalie laughed. “Mrs Lucy was saying only yesterday that once she let Vi come to school, she was fairly sure Vi wouldn’t be answering to Viola anymore.”

“I wonder how the other kid…Phillida…shortens her name?” Gillian Linton asked.

“As far as her governess says she doesn’t. We might persuade her to make it ‘Phil’ before her little playmates do. Anyway I’m for my bed, we still have tons to do before the school descends upon us.” Rosalie yawned.

Laughing and joking the mistresses scattered to their bedrooms and slept the sleep of the righteous.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 10:47 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#75:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Fri Dec 31, 2004 2:05 am


Lovely bits of school gossip. Can't help but notice they have not paid much attention to the twins as new girls feel they may regret this.

 


#76:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Fri Dec 31, 2004 2:19 am


Lovely Frances - quite EBDish too!

 


#77:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Fri Dec 31, 2004 9:22 am


I love the interlude in the staff room. We know who's who this term now. Wildly guessing Christine's secret and probably wrong.

 


#78:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Fri Dec 31, 2004 1:15 pm


Lovely gossip, and great to see so many missing bits filled out Very Happy

 


#79:  Author: MiriamLocation: Jerusalem, Israel PostPosted: Sat Jan 01, 2005 10:49 pm


It's juust occured top me that out of all the sets of twins at the CS, I can't think of any that were identical. Confused I'm sure that at least one person is going to coprect me on this, but there can't have been many, which is rather odd when you consider how many twins there were. It's puzzling me by the way, that if christine is a boy, how does she have long hair already? And not liking flowers could just be a sgn of having hayfever!

 


#80:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jan 01, 2005 11:18 pm


Were the Dawbarns identical? Seem to remember they were, not sure though. However identical twins are far less common than non-identical ones.Very EDBish - thanks Frances.

 


#81:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Sat Jan 01, 2005 11:26 pm


That was a great staff room scene. Very in keeping with CS.

 


#82:  Author: MiriamLocation: Jerusalem, Israel PostPosted: Sat Jan 01, 2005 11:27 pm


I seem to remember Richenda thinking how similar they were, but being abloe to tell them apart at her first meeting - on the train. Wasn't one fairer than the other or someting? And anyway I'm sure that if they had been completely identical, they would have played some games with that, but we never hear of any.

 


#83:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 10:08 pm


here's a little more for you......

The same period after dinner was a very different story in the Maynard household. All the girls gathered their sewing and sat in the pretty salon, Christine and Natalie with large mounds of clothes to mark, the elder girls with mending or embroidery. Joey Maynard was upstairs in the nursery, playing with her children and she had warned Robin and Daisy to keep an eye of Natalie and Christine.

“Natalie told Christine has never had to sew a stitch in her life. Watch them and make sure Natalie does her own clothes and no more. She can then fetch a book if she would like to and read, or she may knit or embroider but Christine is to do her own sewing.” Joey had told them privately before departing for the nursery.

Daisy had looked at Robin in horror. “Never sewn in her life! I say, she will have a job on her hands if she’s to do all those to Matey’s specifications.”

“Oh we’ll give her a hand,” said Robin easily. “After all, she’s going to need some instruction at first.”

Upon entering the room they found the younger girls spread out around the room, Natalie and Christine sat in two easy chairs with a large pile of clothes beside them. Natalie was already going hard at it, but Christine was staring at the pile in dismay.

“We don’t have to mark all these, do we?” she asked Daisy when the girl approached her.

“You do indeed,” said Daisy cheerfully. “Come on, thread your needle and I’ll give you a hand for a while. Then Rob will come and help while I mend the skirt I tore gathering blackberries yesterday.”

Christine threaded her needle carefully and picked up a tunic with a scowl on her face. She had a boyish hatred of sewing and other ‘feeble activities’ as she termed them.

“Hi, start with something easier! Try this vest. Those tunics are terribly thick, best save them til last.” Daisy said, privately resolving to name the tunics herself unless Christine came on in leaps and bounds before her bedtime. Christine took the proffered vest, bent her head and curled up her tongue as she concentrated on the task before her. She stabbed the needle down through the cloth and brought it back up in an imitation of her sister’s actions. To her surprise the cotton attached to the needle followed smoothly through the fabric. Daisy smothered a giggle.

“You forgot to knot it,” she explained. “Here, let me do it.”

She suited the action to her word tying a deft knot at the end of the thread. She passed the needle back to Christine, who repeated the previous action with a good deal more success. Again, Christine imitated her twin, sewing around the edge of the name-tape with what she imagined were small stitches. Ten minutes later the vest was marked, and Christine was becoming very proficient at rethreading needles. She picked up another vest and set to with a will, for she was an eminently practical creature and soon realised that the faster she completed the hated sewing, the faster she could move on to more pleasurable activities. Daisy was privately astonished at the determination Christine was showing. The second vest was completed in a fraction of the time of the first and soon Christine had an untidy pile of marked underwear to her left.

Robin, having mended her stockings came to supervise Christine and gasped in horror at the untidy pile, however she was loath to disturb Christine and, kneeling down, swiftly folded the clothes forming two neat stacks.

“Christine,” she said gently, “try to fold the clothes once you have marked them. It will prevent them from becoming creased and also save time when you come to pack the trunk.”

Christine nodded, only half hearing the elder girl so intent was she on her task. Having mastered the basic stitch she was now sewing rapidly and rivaled her sister’s speed, although her stitches were far larger and less neat.

Just then Joey came into the room and announced that the evening sewing session was over. She shooed the girls upstairs to bed, although Robin and Daisy by virtue of their additional years remained downstairs. Natalie and Christine went willingly, exhausted by their day and acutely aware that school was drawing ever closer.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 10:50 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#84:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 10:32 pm


Yes,well, Joey had a boyish hatred of sewing too - so that means nothing... Thamks Frances. *Hmmm - wonder how men became tailors if they all had a boyish hatred of sewing.*

 


#85:  Author: Caroline OSullivanLocation: Reading, Berkshire, UK PostPosted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 10:53 pm


Thanks Frances. *wondering if Christine would be able to give me a hand sewing on Helen's labels for her school uniform*

 


#86:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 11:34 pm


KNOTS!!!!! I was always taugt never to use knots in sewing unless they were French knots in embroidery. We had to fasten on with two small stitches over the top of each over, and finish in the same way.

 


#87:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 2:23 am


Echoes Carolyn but adds was also told to knot tacking stitches as it helped in taking them out. Christine obviously has a practcal mind but till no definite clues there.

 


#88:  Author: RosieLocation: Huntingdonshire/Bangor PostPosted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 2:30 am


Carolyn P wrote:
KNOTS!!!!! I was always taugt never to use knots in sewing unless they were French knots in embroidery. We had to fasten on with two small stitches over the top of each over, and finish in the same way.
TWO?! I always have about 12! Just in case like.... But I was always taught not to knot as well. Oh, and I take it the plentiful usage of 'her' and 'she' mean Christine is, in fact, female?

 


#89:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 3:00 am


I have in my sewing tin a handy little booklet for teaching girls to sew - it was my aunt's but grandma said she and her sisters had similar ones. ther is no mention of starting with knots. And I don't think Matey's going to like Christine's ideas of 'neat' stitches. Smile But I like this drabble Smile

 


#90:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 7:18 am


Thank you for a scene that I could just imagine! Still no nearer to guessing Christine's secret. Confused

 


#91:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 3:57 pm


christine being new to sewing is allowed to knot the thread otherwise there was no explanation for her miraculous progress...... and you just have to wait and see what matey says *smirks*

 


#92:  Author: Helen PLocation: Cheshire PostPosted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 11:38 pm


Well, now it seems that Christine is, in fact, not a boy, I am totally and utterly stumped! I could have done with her tonight though - both our older kids had new hat, scarves and gloves for Christmas, and DS had a new coat today - so guess what I have been doing all evening (they are back at school tomorrow)?... ... 9 nametapes! And I loathe sewing - would have been a great disappointment to Matey I fear!

 


#93:  Author: MihiriLocation: surrey england PostPosted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 11:17 am


Thanks Frances. Looking forward to more

 


#94:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 7:02 pm


“Pass my blouses will you, Natalie?” said Christine, her head buried in her trunk. “I can just about fit them in here if I move my velveteen to that corner.”

Natalie obediently passed her twin the blouses and surveyed her trunk with dismay. “I’ve forgotten to put in walking shoes,” she exclaimed. “I’ll just have to repack it all.”

Sighing, she emptied the contents of her trunk onto the floor and firmly placed her walking shoes at the bottom. She then carefully repacked her trunk, only to discover that she had now no room for her brown velveteen frock, which was evening wear at the Chalet School, if it was to remain uncrushed.

“How on earth have you fitted it all in, Chris?” she exclaimed. “I’ve still got stacks of clothes to go.”

Her twin smiled smugly. “Rolled all my socks and undies up and pushed ‘em down the sides,” she said, succinctly.

They continued in silence for a few minutes. Eventually Natalie spoke.

“Are you scared, Chris?” she asked, timidly.

Christine sat back on her heels and looked at her twin gravely.

“Scared? No,” she said, “I’m a bit excited, and a little bit nervous I suppose, cos there’s going to be lots of people and we’re used to just each other. But Primula and the others say it’s great fun, even the triplets are looking forward to it, so I can’t be scared. If it were that bad they wouldn’t like it so much, you see.”

“But they’ve been to the school forever, we’re REALLY new.” Natalie protested. “It’s going to be different for us.”

Christine shook her head. “I don’t think so,” she said. “I’m sure we’re going to settle in fine. We’ll always have each other, you see. Just think what it would be like if we weren’t together.”

Natalie considered this point of view for a few moments.

“It’d be awful,” she said, frankly. “I’d miss you ever so much and I wouldn’t want to make any friends at all. I’m so glad we’re together.”

“It won’t be forever, you know,” her twin warned.

“I know, but it makes all the difference now, after mummy…..” Natalie fell quiet, contemplating the pretty, gentle mother they had lost. “I miss her ever so much, and daddy too. I keep hoping he’ll turn up one day.”

“Maybe,” Christine said. “Now that the war’s over and everything he might come home. He’ll find us Nat, don’t worry. And I’ll look after us for now.”

Natalie reached over and impulsively hugged her twin. Christine, who was not given to physical displays of affection, put her arm around Natalie and gingerly hugged her back.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 10:52 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#95:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 7:30 pm


Awwww! Sad bit. Thanks Frances.

 


#96:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 9:55 pm


Lovely. Smile Sad

 


#97:  Author: Helen PLocation: Cheshire PostPosted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 12:03 am


Thankyou Frances. I want to hug them both!

 


#98:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 3:13 pm


Thank you Frances - poor little twinnies, whatever the secret is they would be so unhappy seperated.

 


#99:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 3:38 pm


Quote:
I keep hoping he’ll turn up one day.” “Maybe,” Christine said. “Now that the war’s over and everything he might come home.
Crying or Very sad We were watching Return to Neverland round the in-laws on Sunday. We missed the beginning (but I'd seen it at the cinema), so my mother-in-law was surprised to see me crying at the end when Jane's father comes home.

 


#100:  Author: dackelLocation: Wolfenbuettel, Germany/Cambridge, England PostPosted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 4:21 pm


Am becoming more and more fascinated, what on earth is this big secret they're keeping?

 


#101:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 6:04 pm


francesn wrote:
Natalie considered this point of view for a few moments. “It’d be awful,” she said, frankly. “I’d miss you ever so much and I wouldn’t want to make any friends at all. I’m so glad we’re together.” “It won’t be forever, you know,” her twin warned.
??? A clue that they expect the secret to be discovered and then to be separated? Thanks Frances. We're all on the edge of our seats.

 


#102:  Author: KateLocation: Ireland PostPosted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 8:01 pm


I have probably been reading too much Harry Potter lately, but I'm vaguely wondering if Christine has gotten a letter from Hogwarts and is avoiding going... (Yes, I've gone mad...) I'm loving this, by the way.

 


#103:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 9:34 pm


Kate wrote:
I have probably been reading too much Harry Potter lately, but I'm vaguely wondering if Christine has gotten a letter from Hogwarts and is avoiding going....
no....that would be jen's drabble you're thinking of this is much more conventional

 


#104:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 9:52 pm


Meanwhile the triplet were having last minute fittings of their uniform with their mother and Anna. They were wildly excited at the prospect of going to the big school and not the kindergarten and consequently could not keep still for a moment.

“Mary Margaret Maynard will you stop flitting around and stand still,” cried their mother, exasperated. “That hem of yours is still uneven, my girl, and that won’t do.”

Len regarded her youngest sister gravely. “Better do as Mamma says,” she pointed out, “or Matey will be down on us like bricks.”

“Like a ton of bricks, Len,” corrected Joey. “And where did you pick up that expression anyway?”

Len assumed a look of innocence. “Can’t ’member,” she said sweetly.

Joey fixed her with a look. Len smiled back, angelically.

“Anyway Mamma,” Len said, “I’ve heard you say it yourself.”

“The bare-faced cheek of the child!” Joey exclaimed. “For two pins I’d send you to bed right now.”

“Die madchen has a point, meine Frau,” said Anna with a twinkle in her eye. She was on her knees attempting to pin the hem of Margot’s tunic. Joey stared at her faithful maid in surprise and promptly burst into fits of laughter. Len wriggled uncomfortably for her mother had stuck her with a pin.

“Sorry, darling,” said Joey, contritely, “Did I hurt you?”

Two fat tears rolled down Len’s cheeks for the pin had been a very sharp one.

“There, there. Let Mamma kiss it better for you.” Joey suited the action to her words. Hitherto Con had not spoken, being occupied in gazing out of the window. Now she turned to her mother with a puzzled expression on her face.

“Mamma…” she began. “What will school be like?”

Joey regarded her middle daughter quizzically. “Great fun, I should think sugarpie.”

“But will the lessons be hard?” Con persisted.

“Not if you work at them,” was Joey’s cryptic reply. And with that Con had to be satisfied for Daisy burst in to tell them that she had a visitor downstairs.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 10:54 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#105:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 10:39 pm


Lovely scene Laughing . Thanks Frances.

 


#106:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 1:11 am


Thank you Frances a lovely family scene.

 


#107:  Author: Miss DiLocation: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 2:37 am


Intrigued. If they are identical, then Chris can't be a boy. So what is the big secret? Hope to see some more soon 'cause I am enjoying this.

 


#108:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:00 am


Thank you Frances! Still intrigued...

 


#109:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 2:56 pm


A friend's daughter had twins about 4/5 years ago. She was told when they were born that they were non-identical so she didn't bother having them tested. As they have grown up even close family are having great difficulty telling them apart so she had the tests done and just before Christmas got the news that they are identical. Perhaps Christine and Natalie have a very strong family resemblance that makes them seem identical so only tests would make them non-identical? OK I'm clutching at straws here!

 


#110:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 6:07 pm


“Hilda!” Joey cried, entering her little study. “What a surprise – I didn’t expect to see you here today. Aren’t you terribly busy?”

“You know we always are the day before term starts, Joey. Do try to think a little! I’m here because Matron would like your boarders to come and unpack their trunks today, if you could manage it. We’re going to be overwhelmed tomorrow and it would be such a help if you could bring them over this afternoon.” Miss Annersley said.

“Oh, of course. Most of my crowd have only just finished packing their trunks, they won’t love you for that.” Joey said with a grin.

“Well it can’t be helped. Can you manage all five or shall I take some with me now?” Miss Annersley asked, knowing that Joey’s car would probably not hold six people and five large trunks.

“I think the McDonald twins are ready to go, if I can find them. They were last seen heading for the garden with books and deckchairs. This heat really is something, Hilda.”

“I’ll rout them out, Joey. You’ll bring Primula and the other two children later, won’t you?”

“Yes, just as soon as we’ve finished altering the tunics for my triplets. They’re terribly excited about going to school, although Con seems a little more nervous that the other two. I hope she’ll settle down once she’s got into the swing of things.”

Hilda smiled inwardly at the concerned expression on Joey’s face. “She’ll be fine, Joey,” she said, bracingly. “It might take some adjusting but I’m sure they will ALL be fine. It wouldn’t surprise me if it were Margot who gave us the most trouble. She looks to be a little imp.”

Joey giggled. “Oh, she’s dreadful. But I’ll allow you to find out just how dreadful in your own time. I must go and fetch the trunks for Flora and Fiona. The others will be with you after lunch.”


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 10:55 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#111:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 6:41 pm


Thanks Frances, another lovely post.

 


#112:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 7:09 pm


Thanks Frances, its really good to see the Triplets begin school Very Happy

 


#113:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:38 pm


Wonderful Frances! More soon please!

 


#114:  Author: BookwormsarahLocation: Cambridge, UK PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:50 pm


Susan wrote:
A friend's daughter had twins about 4/5 years ago. She was told when they were born that they were non-identical so she didn't bother having them tested. As they have grown up even close family are having great difficulty telling them apart so she had the tests done and just before Christmas got the news that they are identical.
I'm trying to clear an image of twins having to have DNA testing so they can be told apart - 'it wasn't me!' 'so *you* say, but lets have a cheek sample to prove it' So maybe I read the post too fast. . . ETA: a skip of celebration that the escort mistress has finally found me!

 


#115:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:57 pm


DNA testing on identical twins wouldn't help - they'd have the same DNA.

 


#116:  Author: BookwormsarahLocation: Cambridge, UK PostPosted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 12:13 am


Lesley wrote:
DNA testing on identical twins wouldn't help - they'd have the same DNA.
You'd think I've watched enough CSI etc to remember that...

 


#117:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 12:25 am


Lesley wrote:
DNA testing on identical twins wouldn't help - they'd have the same DNA.
fingerprints maybe?

 


#118:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 2:32 am


Thanks Frances nice to see an update. Poor kids having just packed their trunks now they have to unpack them again.

 


#119:  Author: Kathy_SLocation: midwestern US PostPosted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 7:26 am


francesn wrote:
Lesley wrote:
DNA testing on identical twins wouldn't help - they'd have the same DNA.
fingerprints maybe?
Right. While DNA fingerprints of identical twins are the same unless one twin develops a mutation early in development, actual finger fingerprints differ, even though identical twins' fingerprints are more similar than those of other siblings. Most curious about just what's worrying Nat & Chris! Also enjoying the other characters. Smile

 


#120:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 8:04 am


Got to point out, I don't think that when this drabble is set, DNA testing was feasible. Smile Shock! Amazement! Anna tells Joey what for! Surprised Yay!
Quote:
“Anyway Mamma,” Len said, “I’ve heard you say it yourself.” “The bare-faced cheek of the child!” Joey exclaimed. “For two pins I’d send you to bed right now.” “Die madchen has a point, meine Frau,” said Anna with a twinkle in her eye.

 


#121:  Author: JosieLocation: London PostPosted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 11:58 am


Had got really behind with this one, but just meant I had all the more to read in one go - yay! Also totally confuzzled as to the mystery, though like everyone else am leaning towards Christine being a boy. That staffroom scene was wonderful francesn, as was the one with the triplets, Joey and Anna Very Happy Looking forward to Miss A discovering just how awful Margot is too!! Laughing Looking forward to the next installment Very Happy

 


#122:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 3:28 pm


just an ickle bit more for you while i go away for the weekend

Joey was true to her word and the afternoon saw Christine, Natalie and Primula arriving at the large building that contained the Chalet School. She drew up at the front with a flourish and sprang out to greet a wiry woman in a crisp uniform standing in the doorway.

“Matey! How are you? Good hols?” she cried.

“I’m very well thank you, Jo. I see you haven’t grown up at all since I last saw you. How are the family?”

“Thriving!” Jo replied. “Stephen is bigger than ever and Charles is really beginning to put on weight at last. The girls are so excited to be coming to the school proper at last. It makes me feel so old.” She gave an elderly sigh.

Matron looked at her. “If you feel old,” she said dryly, “then the staff are verging on ancient. Hello Primula. Ready for a new term?”

Primula nodded. Truth be told she was still slightly in awe of the domestic tyrant, and had unpleasant memories of the last time she had boarded but neglected to pack sufficient handkerchiefs.

“And these are new pupils for us?” Matron said, regarding the twins.

“Oh yes,” said Joe, jumping in. “Natalie and Christine Bowes.”

“Come along then you two, I’ve put you in North Yellow dormitory. Primula you are in North Blue this term, with most of your crowd. You know the way don’t you? So once we’ve been to the trunk room I hope I can trust you to unpack neatly on your own.” Matey fixed Primula with a beady eye and Primula flushed.

Joey jumped in to rescue her. “I’m sure Prim and I will be just fine on our own. Come on then, we’ll leave the twins to Matey.”

They sailed off without a backward glance to the trunk room, leaving the twins shaking in their shoes.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 10:57 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#123:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 5:13 pm


OOHH thank you Frances. Feels very sorry for the twins. Matey is not an easy person to keep a secret from, if Prim is sacred of her the twins must be terrified.Have a really good weekend - don't forget to take the bunny with you.

 


#124:  Author: dackelLocation: Wolfenbuettel, Germany/Cambridge, England PostPosted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 6:10 pm


thanks, Frances, great as usual! *beating my brain frantically to come up with a logical answer to the twins' secret and failing* Just one tiny qibble, umm, actually it's "das Mädchen" - don't tell me it's illogical to have "the girl" as a neuter noun, I know it is, and "die" denoting female gender would be much more logical, but heaven knows, languages just aren't! *scowling at my book of Greek grammar*

 


#125:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 6:17 pm


thanks Frances. Have a good weekend.

 


#126:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 9:06 pm


Thank you Frances!!!!!! *getting desperate to know the twins' secret!*

 


#127:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 9:12 pm


Poor Primula - felt quite sorry for her then! Thanks again Frances.

 


#128:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 12:39 am


apologies for any glaring errors in the geography of the school/dormy here but this is just how i imagined it

Matron smiled. “Well?” she asked gently. “What are you waiting for? Your trunks will have been taken to the box-room and are waiting for us.”

Shepherding the twins in front of her she mounted the stairs and navigated the passages leading to the room housing the school’s trunks. Upon reaching the top of the house they could see that Primula and Joey had been and gone, leaving Primula’s trunk wide open in the middle of the floor. Matron tutted under her breath at Jo’s disregard for rules. However peace was restored when the lady herself appeared to gather up the few oddments left and stack the trunk neatly in the designated area. The twins’ trunks were standing unopened to one side.

Under Matron’s direction the twins emptied their trunks, placing most of their oddments on the large trays provided and gathering there clothes together neatly. They then followed Matron carrying one loaded tray between them to a large room divided in smaller cubicles by partitions of wood and pale yellow curtains. There were 8 cubicles in all, two of shared views from a large window at the opposite end of the room to the door by which they had entered. One of these, they were informed by Matron, belonged to the dormitory prefect, Anne Webster. They were delighted to find that their cubicles were next to each other along the left wall, Natalie with the cubicle nearer the door. The small areas each contained a bed, a bureau and a chair as well as hooks on the wall for dressing gowns and clothes.

“Your blouses and so on go in the drawers of the bureau,” Matron explained, deftly unpacking Christine’s clothes. “Now, your tunic and frocks hang up in the wardrobe, here. You have four hooks, which should be more than enough. Your outdoor things we will take the cloakroom in a moment. You can use the top of your bureau for any photographs you many have and also any books, providing you have handed them in to Miss Dene to be vetted first. Your hairbrush and comb go in this bag, and then you put them away tidily in this pigeonhole. There, I think that’s everything.”

Matron stepped back to admire her handiwork. The little cubicle was spick and span.

“Right, Natalie, we’ll fetch your belongings now. Christine, leave you outdoor things here. They’ll be quite safe.”

Overawed by Matron’s efficiency the twins silently followed her back through the passages to the box room. They communicated with each other by pinching on the way. They had evolved this secret language when still very small in order to communicate without alerting their mother.

“What do you think?” pinched Christine.

“I like her,” Natalie replied, “She’s like Mrs Paske but less of a dither. I bet she likes things tidy.”

“Me too,” Christine sighed audibly, as tidiness was not her strong point.

Matron did indeed like things left tidy, as the twins were to find out in due course. They reached the box room and were soon busy transferring Natalie’s oddments to the tray. Under Matron’s close supervision there was no chance for further discussion of the lady, and it was just as well for she kept them hard at it, acutely aware that time was pressing on and the school at large would be descending upon them in the morning.

When Natalie’s belongings were stowed away to Matron’s satisfaction she led them through a confusing maze of passages, down the back stairs to the cloakrooms. Here the twins were shown their pegs, pigeon-holes and informed that they could put there indoor shoes away as they would need them on the morrow, and it would save them carrying them in their hand-cases.

Thoroughly bewildered the twins were whisked back to the large front hall and deposited in front of Joey, Matron herself on her way to see Miss Annersley having discovered a problem with one of the bathrooms that needed to be fixed before the school arrived tomorrow.

“Well?” demanded Joey. “What did you think?”

The twins, however, were too dazed to reply


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:00 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#129:  Author: Helen PLocation: Cheshire PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 12:52 am


Thanks Frances, this is great. I never heard of twins having a secret pinching language before - and with such a large vocabulary too - how do you pinch 'She's like Mrs Paske but less of a dither' ?! *Very impressed* I'm now starting to wonder if Christine has some sort of special needs/learning disability which involves lack of fine motor skills and tidiness... clutching at straws here now...!

 


#130:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 1:03 am


Thank you Frances Very Happy *is very scared of Matey now*Is very interested by the language of pinching

 


#131:  Author: JosieLocation: London PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 2:11 am


Very Happy Thanks francesn! You can always rely on Matey to send a shiver down the spine of any self-respecting middle! Laughing

 


#132:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 7:28 am


Thanks Frances. Laughing

 


#133:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 3:04 pm


Thanks Frances A pinching language sounds interesting and... painful? Liz

 


#134:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 4:12 pm


Thank you Frances! May we have some more please?

 


#135:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 4:23 pm


since you asked so nicely, vikki

That evening, lying in bed, the twins discussed their first impressions of the Chalet School.

“It’s terribly big,” Natalie said.

“Oh, not so bad,” Christine said nonchalantly. “And anyway, seeing as we’ll be living there, we’ll find our way round soon enough.”


“What do you think the others in our dormitory will be like?” Natalie asked.

“Jolly decent, I hope. I wonder how old this Anne person is? The others will be around our age even if she isn’t.” Christine was privately rather excited at the prospect of school, and found Natalie’s nerves rather wearisome.

“I do hope I’ll like it. We’ll be together though, I don’t know what I should have done if we were apart.” Natalie voice trembled.

“Survived,” came the brief reply. “’Sides, we might not be in the same form for lessons and things.”

“Oh, I hope not.” Natalie said, on the verge of tears, “I should be so terribly nervous, I’m sure Iwouldn’t make and friends and be homesick.”

“Oh don’t be so wet,” said Christine, more sharply than she intended. “We’re together in the dormy and I’m sure they won’t separate us, but just so’s you know now, I plan to have my own friends. I’m doing an awful lot for you.”

Natalie’s eyes filled with tears at this remark, and she sniffed loudly.

Christine, with her boyish hatred of tears immediately repented and said in a consoling voice, “Buck up. I didn’t mean we’d be apart always, just that I’m going to hang around with other people as well as you. You can join in , of course. “

With this Natalie had to be satisfied for Robin popped her head round the door on her way bed and told them that they’d better be quiet or they’d never get to sleep before midnight.

“And believe you me,” she wound up, “you’ll need all the sleep you can get for this term. It promises to be quite exciting.”

Just how exciting, of course, Robin had no way of knowing.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:01 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#136:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 5:31 pm


Thank you very much Frances!! Very Happy any chance we might have another bit more please? (well, it worked last time.... Wink )

 


#137:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 5:44 pm


*Content to wait until the time is right for all secrets to be revealed.* Thanks Frances

 


#138:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 6:55 pm


Thank you Frances, I'm still higly intrigued and looking forward to how the twins get on in school. The term sounds like it may be great fun!!

 


#139:  Author: pimLocation: the Derbyshire wilderness PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 7:32 pm


*also intriguied* Thank you Frances.

 


#140:  Author: JosieLocation: London PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 8:14 pm


Thanks Frances, lovely Very Happy

 


#141:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 10:24 pm


Apologies for the doggerel that's supposed to pass as welsh here!

"Gwensi’s left?” exclaimed a tall, well-built young woman, swinging round to face her three companions.

“Really, Dorothea, don’t be ridiculous! She’s to be head girl this term. Even Gwensi wouldn’t want to miss a chance like that.”

The speaker was a slight, dark girl with a Welsh accent.

“I know that, Dilys. But she has all the same. See for yourself.” Dorothea stepped back, allowing her companions to crowd round the noticeboard.

“That she has,” said the third member of their quartet, another Welsh girl going by the name of Marilyn Evans. “And see here, we’re all to see the Head in her study for tea. I wonder what that’s in aid of.”

“Oh, I can guess,” said the fourth girl, an astonishingly pretty English girl named Mary Anstey. “That’s a list of the prefects – see, Jacynth, Gillian, Gay, Nancy and Mollie were all prefects last term too. But the puzzle is who will be head girl?”

“Well I can tell you who it won’t be.” Dorothea grinned. “It’s not going to be you or Dilys, you weren’t even subs last term. And it’s not in the least likely to be me, as I’ve got my Higher this year and I mean to work all I can.”

“So do I,” chimed Marilyn. “I have so much ground to make up before I can even tackle the work at Oxford. Thankfully I took my Higher last term so I’ll specialise this year.”

“Oh well, we’d best sort our unpacking as much as we can before tea. Let’s go and find which dormy we’ll be in this term.”

Dorothea bounded off in search of Matron, taking the Mary with her. Marilyn and Dilys followed more sedately.

“I wonder…..” mused Dilys, a queer light shining her eyes.

“What, fach?” Marilyn asked, looking at her friend.

“We-ell. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be head girl. I mean Gay’s a certainty for games and you’ve been a prefect as long as any of the rest.”

“It would be rather an honour, I suppose,” Marilyn owned, blushing. “But you know everyone says Gay is such an excellent prefect and I do mean to work as much as I can for Oxford. I don’t want to get there and be miles behind everyone else.”

They strolled past clumps of seniors and middles all eager to view the form lists. A small dark girl bearing a striking resemblance to Dilys came over to join them. She was one of the few who had understood their conversation as the two had been speaking in Welsh the whole time.

“Bore da, Marilyn,” she said, joining their conversation. “And how are you?”

“Hello, Eiluned,” the elder girl said. “Very well, diolch. And you?”

“Feeling marvelous, so much fitter than when I left.” Eiluned replied, for she had been rather run down by the events of the previous year. “I suppose Dilys had told you all the news.”

“That I have, you monkey. Now run along and I’ll see you at Prayers,” her elder sister rejoined.

“No tea?” she asked inquisitively.

“Tea with the Head,” Marilyn said impressively. “We’ll tell you all the hanes later.”

And with that Eiluned had to be satisfied, for they had reached Matron’s domain and the two elder girls strolled in to join their companions.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:04 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#142:  Author: JosieLocation: London PostPosted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 9:49 am


Thanks Frances. Will be good to see more of what happened during the infamous time when Marylin was head girl!

 


#143:  Author: Emma ALocation: The Soke of Peterborough PostPosted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 1:52 pm


Really enjoying this, Frances - still no idea what the twins' secret is. Looking forward to reading more about Marilyn's time as Head Girl - you've very clearly set out her stall in terms of her priorities already!

 


#144:  Author: Sarah_KLocation: St Albans/Leicester PostPosted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 3:27 pm


Looking forward to hearing all the hanes too! Thoguh right now Marilyn sounds like a nice girl, and fairly sensible too. What IS going to happen? Thanks Frances

 


#145:  Author: RosieLocation: Huntingdonshire/Bangor PostPosted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 4:24 pm


Thanks Frances, though was it quite necessary to remind me that I'm supposed to be revising for my Welsh exams this week??

 


#146:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 9:41 pm


Thanks, it is going to be interesting to see marilyns term as HG. I think she would be a sensible and nice girl, she would never have been a prefect much less HG if she wasn't. I think it is more that she was single minded and that probably didnt show until she had a conflict of interests and had to choose.

 


#147:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 11:52 pm


Eiluned however, wasted no time in imparting the news to her form that those girls missing from tea would be this years prefects. Peggy Bettany, not one of Eiluned’s particular chums, joined them a few moments later.

“Ohhh I say Peggy,” said Frances Coleman. “Eiluned’s got the most smashing news. Her sister will be a prefect this term.”

“Oh?” said Peggy politely. “ I suppose there will be rather a few new prefects, seeing how most of them left last term.”

This rather took the shine off Eiluned’s news and she glared at Peggy with dislike. “I suppose you know all about it, being Madame’s niece,” she said spitefully.

“Not in the least, I assure you. It’s more that Daisy was telling me all her crowd have left now and she wondered how we would manage.” Luckily Peggy was a placid creature and not easily roused.

“But Gwensi’s still here,” said a small Scottish girl.

“Oh but she’s not!” said Peggy excitedly. “And she was going to be head girl!”


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:05 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#148:  Author: Emma ALocation: The Soke of Peterborough PostPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 1:54 pm


Thanks for the update - interesting to see how Eiluned is already at odds with Peggy. Why has Gwensi left, by the way (or will that come in the next update?)?

 


#149:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 1:56 pm


Thanks Frances some lovely new posts. Still waiting patiently to see ho the twins get on and really looking forward to seeing what happens during Marilyn's reign as Head Girl. It is yet another episode that is glossed over in the series.

 


#150:  Author: RroseSelavyLocation: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 10:13 pm


Emma A wrote:
Thanks for the update - interesting to see how Eiluned is already at odds with Peggy.
Can see why - Peggy's remark came across as quite bitchy *lifts handbag below chin and says "oooh!" in a Vic Reeves-esque manner* I'm enjoying this - currently racking my brains to see if any situation other than Christine being male fits with what we've been told... viking

 


#151:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 11:43 pm


I've just read this all the way through and there is still no answer to the mystery surrounding the twins! Hope we find out soon!

 


#152:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 11:53 pm


Emma A wrote:
Why has Gwensi left, by the way (or will that come in the next update?)?
invent your own reasons - i needed her to leave!!

 


#153:  Author: Helen PLocation: Cheshire PostPosted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 12:52 am


This is great, Frances! I'd temporarily forgotten about the Marilyn thread to this drabble and it's so interesting to find out all the details that EBD left out!

 


#154:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 1:06 am


Before long the question on everyone’s tongue was “Who would be the new head girl.”

Various people made guesses, not least the entire of the combined sixth, but the chosen one was still a mystery to the girls at large. Many of the sixth form were fervently hoping that they might be it, all except Marilyn, who seemed strangely unconcerned. Dilys looked at her friends many times in the hours that followed and wondered how she managed to remain so calm.

“I know she must be bursting inside,” she thought.

But Marilyn seemed oblivious to the ferment around her and departed for her dormitory to tidy her hair before tea with the headmistresses.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:06 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#155:  Author: Miss DiLocation: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 2:56 am


francesn wrote:
Emma A wrote:
Why has Gwensi left, by the way (or will that come in the next update?)?
invent your own reasons - i needed her to leave!!
Maybe she has left to go on a book signing tour as the Chalet School's latest successful authoress! However, back to the adventures in the school proper....

 


#156:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 3:41 pm


Thanks Frances Looking forward to seeing Marilyn's surprise - horror even - when she's told she'll be head girl. Liz

 


#157:  Author: Emma ALocation: The Soke of Peterborough PostPosted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 6:39 pm


LizB wrote:
Looking forward to seeing Marilyn's surprise - horror even - when she's told she'll be head girl.
Echoes Liz here - Marilyn obviously has no idea that she'll be Head Girl. Not sure what her reaction will be. Why would Gwensi leave? Er... perhaps she's devoting her time to writing, or her brother has decided that she's spent enough time at school. Or because Beth and Daisy have left, she's decided that school without them would be no fun?

 


#158:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 9:21 pm


Maybe she was abducted by aliens and the military have told the school to ask no questions and just say she has left. Well, it's a theory!!! Blame Vikki's magic cream. Laughing

 


#159:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 9:40 pm


Carolyn P wrote:
Maybe she was abducted by aliens and the military have told the school to ask no questions and just say she has left. Well, it's a theory!!! Blame Vikki's magic cream. Laughing
It SAID not for internal application on the tube!!! Is it my fault you didn't read it???? Rolling Eyes

 


#160:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 9:43 pm


Vikki wrote:
Carolyn P wrote:
Maybe she was abducted by aliens and the military have told the school to ask no questions and just say she has left. Well, it's a theory!!! Blame Vikki's magic cream. Laughing
It SAID not for internal application on the tube!!! Is it my fault you didn't read it???? Rolling Eyes
Well if you had given me the tube I would have done, but you just handed over some of the cream I ate it. Cream is good to eat. I like cream. How was I to know it would make me hallucinate?????

 


#161:  Author: DawnLocation: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 9:49 pm


Carolyn P wrote:
Vikki wrote:
Carolyn P wrote:
Maybe she was abducted by aliens and the military have told the school to ask no questions and just say she has left. Well, it's a theory!!! Blame Vikki's magic cream. Laughing
It SAID not for internal application on the tube!!! Is it my fault you didn't read it???? Rolling Eyes
Well if you had given me the tube I would have done, but you just handed over some of the cream I ate it. Cream is good to eat. I like cream. How was I to know it would make me hallucinate?????
And this is someone who deals with pre school kids Rolling Eyes

 


#162:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 9:52 pm


Stop trying to pass the blame! Rolling Eyes

 


#163:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 9:52 pm


Dawn wrote:
Carolyn P wrote:
Vikki wrote:
Carolyn P wrote:
Maybe she was abducted by aliens and the military have told the school to ask no questions and just say she has left. Well, it's a theory!!! Blame Vikki's magic cream. Laughing
It SAID not for internal application on the tube!!! Is it my fault you didn't read it???? Rolling Eyes
Well if you had given me the tube I would have done, but you just handed over some of the cream I ate it. Cream is good to eat. I like cream. How was I to know it would make me hallucinate?????
And this is someone who deals with pre school kids Rolling Eyes
Yes, imagination is important when dealing with pre schoolers! Very Happy

 


#164:  Author: DawnLocation: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 1:58 am


Carolyn P wrote:
Dawn wrote:
Carolyn P wrote:
Vikki wrote:
Carolyn P wrote:
Maybe she was abducted by aliens and the military have told the school to ask no questions and just say she has left. Well, it's a theory!!! Blame Vikki's magic cream. Laughing
It SAID not for internal application on the tube!!! Is it my fault you didn't read it???? Rolling Eyes
Well if you had given me the tube I would have done, but you just handed over some of the cream I ate it. Cream is good to eat. I like cream. How was I to know it would make me hallucinate?????
And this is someone who deals with pre school kids Rolling Eyes
Yes, imagination is important when dealing with pre schoolers! Very Happy
Now seriously worried about what you give them to ensure they have good imaginations Wink decides to go and hide remembers Carolyn is possibly coming to visit hopes Carolyn canbe bribed with home made white chocolate ice cream

 


#165:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 7:52 pm


and from all the yibble emerges another little teaser. here it is folks.....

Meanwhile Natalie and Christine scarcely knew whether they were stood on their head or their feet. To their secret relief they had been placed in the Upper Third together and given to the charge of a small girl named Lorna Wills. They had then been rushed around and introduced to so many people it was quite a relief when the entire form fell upon a small girl going by the name of Betsy Lucy and they were left alone.

Natalie looked around her, warily. “They’re much louder than I expected.” She said.

“Don’t go all shy,” said Christine. “You weren’t in the least worried by the Maynards, and these aren’t so very many more AND these are all our own age.”

“You were the one who was terrified of Mrs Maynard in the beginning,” Natalie retorted. “You never said a word tilL you had to!”

“She’s a rather intimidating person.” Christine glared at her twin. “And I felt such an ass in this get-up, I was sure she’d spot something was up in a trice.”

“Nonsense,” Natalie said heatedly. “We’re identical! Anyway you had long hair, you were wearing a frock.”

“Be quiet,” Christine hissed. “Do you want everyone to know?”

Natalie, who had jumped to her feet, sat down thoroughly subdued. “I didn’t think of that,” she said. “I’ll watch what I say in future.”

“Good,” said her twin. “Now lets join the others.”


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:07 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#166:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 8:59 pm


*Echoes Sophoife's last phrase!* Eager to find out though...... Wink

 


#167:  Author: KateLocation: Ireland PostPosted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 9:44 pm


Frances, you're a big meaniehead!! I want to know what's going on! But thank you for the story.

 


#168:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 11:38 pm


Ta, any chance of learning the secret soon though?

 


#169:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 12:57 am


Oh alright then.... At four sharp, the future prefects gathered at the door to the study. Gay Lambert raised her hand to knock just as the door swung open to reveal a statuesque woman with white hair.

“Do you really dislike me that much, Gay?” the lady declaimed in a deep voice. Gay blushed to roots of her short fair curls.

“I didn’t…I mean…I wasn’t…” she stammered apologetically.

Miss Wilson chuckled at her obvious discomfort. “Come in, girls,” she said. “Miss Annersley will be with us presently.”

The girls trooped in and took up stations on the various chairs around the room.

“Gillian, dear, ring the bell to let Megan know we’re ready for tea.”

Gillian Culver rang the bell on the desk and settled back into her chair. “Did you enjoy your holidays, Miss Wilson?” she inquired politely.

“Very much, thank you. It was certainly quite refreshing!” Miss Wilson laughed. “But I must say I am quite glad to be back. Now I believe this is Miss Annersley coming.”

At that moment the door swung open to reveal a slim figure dressed in a well-cut dress of powder blue. Her clear gray eyes, which had never yet needed glasses, swept the room alighting on Marilyn who sat on the sofa, quite composed.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:08 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#170:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 1:13 am


Thanks Frances Liz

 


#171:  Author: KateLocation: Ireland PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 2:06 am


Thanks Frances! Smile *whispers* more please?

 


#172:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 2:25 am


Thank you Frances but I think you missed off the end of that post.

 


#173:  Author: Miss DiLocation: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 4:13 am


Susan wrote:
Thank you Frances but I think you missed off the end of that post.
Not fair Frances. You promised Shocked Or were you just responding to our requests for more and not our requests as to What Is Going On?

 


#174:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 10:07 am


Thank you for the little update Frances but even more would be greatly appreciated Very Happy

 


#175:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 10:13 am


Thanks, but may we have some more soon!

 


#176:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 10:39 pm


oh....ok - here's a little more about Natalie and Christine

In the large school dining room, Natalie sat playing with her food. The sheer number of girls laughing, chattering and generally enjoying themselves bewildered her. She strained to see a friendly face but in the mass of girls was unable to find Primula, Flora or Fiona. The triplets would have already had their tea, she was informed by more knowledgeable members of the form, and would be leaving for home shortly. Christine was by now engaged in eager conversation with another member of their form, a mischievous young woman named Nicole La Touche and seemed to be enjoying her meal. Natalie crumbled her cake between her fingers and struggled to hold back tears. She had never felt so alone before in her life.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:09 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#177:  Author: KateLocation: Ireland PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 10:41 pm


Aww, poor Natalie. *huggles her* Thanks Frances. I'm just EATEN with curiosity here. Sad

 


#178:  Author: SophoifeLocation: down under Down Under PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 10:41 pm


FRANCES! It's nice to see a bit more, but I'm dying of curiosity here!

 


#179:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 10:46 pm


ohhh you mean you're curious about marilyn???? why didn't you say so!

“Now, girls,” said Miss Annersley, placing her teacup on the desk. “I’m sure you have all by now realised that you are our prefects this term and I’m equally sure you are anxious to find out which of you will be our Head Girl and Games Prefect.”

This announcement caught the attention of the entire room and they fixed their eyes on Miss Annersley’s face.

“Now,” she continued, “I am delighted to announce that Gay Lambert will continue as our Games Prefect this year.”

At this point she stopped, for the girls were congratulating Gay vociferously. She let them have their heads for a moment and then held up her hand. The room quieted instantly.

“Our second prefect is Gillian Culver,” she said, pausing for a moment. “And our Head Girl will be Marilyn Evans.”

For a brief moment the room was silent as the girls digested this news, then wild congratulations broke out on all sides and the room was filled with noise once again. Miss Annersley sat in her chair and affected to watch them, but in truth she was musing on the look upon Marilyn’s face when the news had been broken. The expression was one of shock, which was only natural, but Miss Annersley also detected a note of something she did not like. Had she been imagining it, or had Marilyn looked frankly terrified?


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:10 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#180:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 10:49 pm


*thinks Frances is a tease* Thank you for the updates!! Poor Marilyn!!

 


#181:  Author: SophoifeLocation: down under Down Under PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 10:51 pm


Grrrr!!! Thanks for the Marilyn update but you know very well what's killing us with curiosity and it sure ain't Marilyn's reaction to being made Head Girl! Razz

 


#182:  Author: KateLocation: Ireland PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 10:56 pm


*reiterates "Thank you but GRRR!"*

 


#183:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 11:08 pm


Thank-you but we really need to know what the twins secret is!

 


#184:  Author: JosieLocation: London PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 11:50 pm


Ally wrote:
*thinks Frances is a tease*
*thinks Ally is right!* Thanks for the updates frances. Using my RCS training and refusing to get impatient! Wink

 


#185:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 12:47 am


Frances!!!! You deserve to be ruthlessly tckled for being such a tease!!!!!

 


#186:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 1:24 am


Thank you for the update about Marilyn but we need to know more about Natalie and Christine and not just Natalie crumbling cake either!

 


#187:  Author: EllieLocation: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 2:41 am


Thank you Frances, it was really interesting to see Marilyn's reaction. May we see more of her thoughts please? *Secretly hoping that a request for more about Marilyn will be answered by a post about the twins*

 


#188:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 2:50 am


*huggles Natalie* *is greatly intriguied by Christine* *wishes luck to marilyn*

 


#189:  Author: Miss DiLocation: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 5:32 am


Echos (or is that echoes - why is there no spell checker?) all the Grrrrrrs and adds an Arrghhhh!

 


#190:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 8:25 am


Quite authenticly EDB to just tell the new head girl in front of all the other prefects, but why? In some of the CS books, EDB has the prospective HG told before the new term, so she can mentally prepare herself (try to get out & have to be presuaded to take it on by old girls...) but in others it is, as in Frances's drabble, just sprung on them. This seems somewhat unfair for the springees.

 


#191:  Author: RobinLocation: London PostPosted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 4:30 pm


just read all of this from the beginning - really good! although also very very curious as to secret feel sorry for Natalie too

 


#192:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 12:30 am


thinly veiled attempts to trick me result in posts which have nothing whatsoever to do with either of the things you asked for - however this will be important later so don't scream too loudly with frustration

In the Senior Common Room, Eilunedd Vaughn was holding forth to a select group of girls in one corner, while Peggy Bettany and some of her particular chums congregated in another. Dilys had lost little time in imparting Miss Annersley’s surprising news to her sister and although the school at large would have heard at Prayers Eilunedd prided herself on being the first to know. Peggy narrowed her eyes as she looked at the Welsh girl.

“It’s not that I dislike her,” she mused aloud. “But there’s something there that, I don’t know, irritates me. Thank Heavens it isn’t Dilys who’ll be Head Girl – then she would have been unbearable.”

Her great friend, Joan Sandys looked at her with concern. “It’s not like you to be so cynical, Peggy. Is something wrong?”

Peggy sighed. “No, not really. Just Eilunedd.”

“She’s a strange one that. Look what happened when she got her knife into Gwensi Howell.”

“Oh I’m not worried about her getting her knife into me,” Peggy laughed, innocently. “I’ve done nothing to warrant that treatment. No, there’s just something about her I don’t like.”

“She’s got a big head over her sister’s best friend being Head Girl,” Daphne Russell, a member of the Lower Fifth said. “She’ll settle down, Peg, there’s nothing for you to worry about.”

“I suppose so, I just don’t want trouble, that’s all!” With this perceptive comment Peggy jumped down from the table she had been sitting on and made for the door. “Come on, you lot. That was the bell for Prayers and we mustn’t be late.”


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:12 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#193:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 12:32 am


even more intriuged....

 


#194:  Author: Miss DiLocation: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 3:30 am


francesn wrote:
“I just don’t want trouble, that’s all!” With this perceptive comment Peggy jumped down from the table she had been sitting on and made for the door.
Oooo. What does Peggy know that we don't? I think we need to hear more about this... (not so thinly disguised attempt at trickery)

 


#195:  Author: Emma ALocation: The Soke of Peterborough PostPosted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 1:45 pm


Is this a foreshadowing of Eilunedd's behaviour in Peggy of the CS? Or is she going to do something this term? *wibbles*

 


#196:  Author: JosieLocation: London PostPosted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 4:52 pm


Is Peggy psychic?!! Wink

 


#197:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 11:25 pm


The School assembled in the large hall for the Head’s customary beginning of term speech, the Catholics having joined the Protestants a few moments before. Natalie and Christine, sitting with their compatriots of the Upper Third fidgeted. Unused to attending Prayers and unsure of what was to come they wished it were time for bed, for they were very tired and thoroughly overwhelmed by their experiences. The rest of the school waited with bated breath, except those members of the sixth forms that were privy to the information the rest of the school was waiting so eagerly to hear. Finally Miss Annersley, robed in her MA gown mounted the dais, followed by Miss Wilson. She stood at the lectern, smiled at the girls gently and spoke in her beautiful voice.

“Welcome back, girls. I’m sure you are all tired after your journeys so I won’t detain you much longer. Bed time tonight for the Juniors is at seven, for Middles it is at half-past and for the Seniors half-past eight. Tomorrow we will return to our normal timetable. Now, you have been waiting very patiently and I’m sure you are all very eager to hear who our chosen Prefects are this term. I would like to remind you that the Prefects represent myself and all the Staff and you should treat them with respect at all times.”

This last sentence was delivered with her eye upon certain sinners in the Middles with a reputation for impudence and disobedience.

“Will the following girls please come to receive their badges. Prefects: Mary Anstey, Mollie Avery, Nancy Canton, Gillian Culver, Roosje Lange, Dilys Vaughn, Dorothea Wentworth, Pamela Whitlock. Sub-prefects:Joanna Linders, Janet Scott and Barbara Wallace. Games: Gay Lambert. Head Girl: Marilyn Evans.”

The school broke out into applause as the chosen girls mounted the stage to receive their badges. Marilyn, the last to receive her shield which the Head pinned to her tie, blushing furiously. As she returned to her seat with the rest of the Special Sixth she contemplated that the following morning she would be sat on the stage, near the headmistress and would be expected to read the daily lesson from the big Bible on the lectern. She was not entirely sure that she liked that prospect, however she knew she had a good team of prefects behind her, and suddenly grateful to her closest friends, smiled.

“Surely,” she thought to herself, “it can’t be that hard.”


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:13 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#198:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 12:00 am


Thank you Frances!!! *wondering what will happen that term*

 


#199:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 12:33 am


Oh dear, don't think Marilyn has thought about it properly. Crying or Very sad Thanks Frances.

 


#200:  Author: SophoifeLocation: down under Down Under PostPosted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 4:10 am


At least she didn't have to read the parable of the Talents with the whole school going "...she's...IT!" Laughing

 


#201:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 11:22 am


Thanks for the updates!

 


#202:  Author: MihiriLocation: surrey england PostPosted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 3:07 pm


Thanks Frances. But what is the secret?

 


#203:  Author: JosieLocation: London PostPosted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 8:35 pm


Methinks Marilyn will be hoist by her own petard

 


#204:  Author: EleanorLocation: Eastbourne PostPosted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 8:49 pm


Enjoying this. Can't wait to find out what the secret is.

 


#205:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 9:16 pm


That evening Natalie and Christine were in their dormitory, preparing to go to bed. They had been quite pleased to see that three other girls from their form were in the same dormitory as well as three older girls from the Upper Fourth. One of these, the irrepressible Tom Gay had quickly found a kindred spirit in Christine and they were already well on the way to becoming fast friends.

Despite her initial shyness, Natalie had chummed up with one Peggy Adams, an ornament of the Upper Third and also in North Yellow. Like Natalie, Peggy was a fastidious feminine creature and her cubicle was already immaculate when the dormitory prefect, Anne Webster, came to see whether they were ready for bed.

“Hurry up, DO!” she said, impatiently. “The bell for lights out will go in a minute and only three of you are anywhere near ready.”

Natalie brushed her curly hair complacently. She was one of the charmed three, the others being Peggy Adams and Rosalie Way, a particular pal of Tom’s. Christine, Nicole and Tom however fared less well. Christine’s cubicle was in disarray and Nicole’s looked as though it had not been tidied for weeks with her clothes in a heap on the floor. Tom’s was marginally more tidy, but was still not up to Anne’s high standards.

Tom took the rebuke lightly, saying, “Listen to the pot talking.” At which Anne blushed, for she had neglected her own bedroom work in her zeal to ensure that those in her charge were presentable. She hurried back and swiftly put her own domain to rights, emerging in time to catch Christine slipping out of her sister’s cubicle.

“Christine Bowes! That’s strictly forbidden.” Christine had the grace to look ashamed.

“Sorry, Anne,” she mumbled. “But we always sort each others hair before bed.”

“Are you such a baby that you can’t do it yourself?” Anne said scathingly, much to the surprise of her form-mates for Anne as a rule was an easy going soul. Natalie jumped to her twin’s defense.

“You try our hair,” she said. “It’s all over curls and knots. We haven’t had it cut for ages either and it’s got so long it’s out of control.”

She turned pink. Anne was somewhat taken aback, being unaccustomed to defiance from her juniors. Nicole, who was also afflicted with unruly curls, although hers were much finer and her hair cropped short, jumped into the fray.

“It’s takes so long to untangle, Anne,” she complained. “It’s not fair that you jump on them either, they didn’t know the rules.”

Anne had the grace to look ashamed. “Well in future if you can’t manage then ask me to help,”

“Or me,” chimed Rosalie Way, an astonishingly pretty girl who sported a somewhat unorthodox coiffure as the result of her own silliness. “Long hair can be such a trial and I’d be happy to help.” Tom wisely kept quiet, having her hair styled in an Eton crop.

Unfortunately for the inhabitants of North Yellow, Matron had been attending to the dormitory two doors down and had heard the commotion. She appeared at the door, a small wiry figure in a crisp uniform, with an angry look upon her face.

“Girls, what is the meaning of this noise?” she demanded. “The bell for Lights Out rang five minutes ago and I can only see one girl in bed.” At this point, Peggy Adams coloured at being thus singled out. “Get into bed, all of you. Quickly.”

The girls jumped at her tone and speedily readied themselves for bed. Matron watched carefully, and when they were all settled to her satisfaction, switched off the light. Christine lay awake fuming. She deeply resented Anne’s remarks and resolved to make life as difficult for the elder girl as she could.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:15 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#206:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 10:06 pm


Oh dear, looks like Anne and Christine are destined to clash. Thank you Frances.

 


#207:  Author: nikkieLocation: Cumbria PostPosted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 11:13 pm


francesn wrote:
.” “Sorry, Anne,” she mumbled. “But we always sort each others hair before Natalie jumped to her twin’s defense. “You try our hair,” she said. “It’s all over curls and knots. We haven’t had it cut for ages either and it’s got so long it’s out of control.” She turned pink. .
Sounds just like my daughters hair, It takes nearly an hour to wash and comb it out, then anouther hour+ to dry, AND my youngests hair looks like it will be the same.

 


#208:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 11:16 pm


Seems like there will be trouble ahead!

 


#209:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 2:41 am


This is getting better and better!

 


#210:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 10:45 pm


Christine woke to the pealing of the rising bell. She rubbed her eyes and sat up straight in bed. She could hear someone flying down the dormitory and a few moment later her curtains were yanked apart by an anxious looking Anne Webster. Christine scowled.

“Come on, Christine! You bath after me so have your things ready when I get back,” she said.

Christine swung her legs out of bed and fumbled around for her spongebag. In the meantime she flung back the covers of her bed which she hoped would pass muster as bed-making.

Five minutes later Anne was back and Christine passed her at the door. She found that Anne had thoughtfully left the taps running for her and jumped into the cold water. She splashed quickly and then stuck her head under the tap, a method which never failed to wake her up. Toweling off briskly she gathered her things together and ran back to the dormitory where she finished her dressing. She heard her twin come back into her own cubicle and considered popping her head round but thought better of it following last night’s scene. She endeavored to do the best she could with her wet hair, easily reducing it to some kind of order as it was far more manageable when wet. Tom Gay, entering Christine’s cubicle two minutes later gasped at the untidy state of it.

“Hey this won’t do, kid,” she said. “Toss your curtains up like this, and then hump your mattress in the middle to allow the air to pass underneath. That’s right. Now tidy up before we say our Prayers.”

Christine gasped but did as she was told, although her cubicle still did not pass muster with Matron and she was hauled out of lessons later that day to explain herself. For the present moment she dropped to her knees and gabbled her prayers, finishing just as another great bell pealed and her dormitory lined up at the door. Standing next to Natalie in line, she pinched her twin reassuringly. They marched through the corridors to breakfast Their time at the Chalet School had begun.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:17 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#211:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 10:56 pm


Poor Christine - and rotten Matey, hauling her out on the first day! Laughing Thanks Frances.

 


#212:  Author: MiriamLocation: Jerusalem, Israel PostPosted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 11:14 pm


What happened to sheepdogging, and minute explanations on how to strip and make a bed? very unimpressed with Tom's offhand comments there. And I'm suprised Matey didn't ask who was in charge of Christine, and tell them what she thought. Nice to see them gradually moving into the school life. When do things start going wrong?

 


#213:  Author: MihiriLocation: surrey england PostPosted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 11:18 pm


thanks Frances.

 


#214:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 11:20 pm


Thanks! Any chance of revealing their secret soon?

 


#215:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 11:33 pm


Miriam wrote:
What happened to sheepdogging, and minute explanations on how to strip and make a bed? very unimpressed with Tom's offhand comments there.
Tom was never any good at sheepdogging!!!! That's why I made her do it! *evil streak wants Christine to get into trouble*

 


#216:  Author: MiriamLocation: Jerusalem, Israel PostPosted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 11:54 pm


Well, if that means that Matey (or anyone else find out about Christines secret, I'm sure none of us will object too much! Can't help thinking of whe Tom told Polly Winterton to brush her hair properly or she would get into trouble, but I suppose she was a few years older by then.

 


#217:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 12:07 am


Christine stood in front of the domestic tyrant in North Yellow dormitory, her head bowed.

“Can you explain this?” Matron said, waving her hand at Christine’s untidy cubicle.

“No,” Christine said. “Your drawers are a disgrace, you bed isn’t made correctly and you haven’t been at school for twenty-four hours yet. Who’s your sheepdog?”

“My what?” Christine said, bewildered.

“Who was supposed to be looking after you?” Matron sighed. “Lorna someone,”

“Hmmmph,” Matron said, making a mental note to speak to Lorna Wills later that day. “She isn’t in this dormitory though, so who told you how to strip the bed?”

“Tom Gay,” Christine replied, sulkily. Matron’s face softened. “And who’s your dormitory prefect?”

“Anne,” Christine wriggled uncomfortably.

“And did she tell you the rules about tidiness?” Matron asked.

“Well no…..not really,” Christine said. “She said it had to be tidy, but she didn’t say how tidy.”

Matron’s face was a study.

“That will do, Christine,” she said sternly. “You may go, but in future please leave your cubicle in order.”

Christine shrank before Matron’s glare, chalking this incident up as another black mark against Anne Webster. She turned and fled to the Common Room, seething inside.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:19 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#218:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 12:11 am


Poor Christine!! i think you are mean to her Frances!!!

 


#219:  Author: Miss DiLocation: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 3:28 am


All these cranky girls! I never did understand why they had to 'hump' the mattress. Wouldn't it bust the springs?

 


#220:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 1:19 pm


I don't think they had spring matresses. There's a discussion in Joey and co about the merits of spring mattresses as opposed to hair ones.....

 


#221:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 2:00 pm


We had horse-hair mattresses, and although we didn't have to hump them, we did have to strip the bedclothes back to the foot to air the bed. If you folded carefully, you could air the bed and still be able to fold the covers back up without having to strip the bed completely!!!

 


#222:  Author: MiriamLocation: Jerusalem, Israel PostPosted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 6:49 pm


I don't think \Matron would agree to even cinsider an idea that could be so labour saving! And those 'careless brats of in Inter V' wouldn't do it properly anyway. Wink

 


#223:  Author: EmilyLocation: Land of White Coats and Stethoscopes. PostPosted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 8:27 pm


I always thought they slept on feather mattresses, from Eustacia's objection at the beginning although that may be an objection to the plumeaux, I forget. Couldn't quote the bit exactly but it's somewhere in Eustacia.

 


#224:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 12:03 am


Life at the Chalet School settled down in the days that followed. On Tuesday evening Gillian Culver accosted Marilyn in the library where both were working.

“Marilyn,” she began tentatively, well aware that it was not her place to question the head girl. “When do you think our first prefects meeting will be? We’re yet to sort out prep duties and walks, let alone the jobs.”

Marilyn looked up from her essay, puzzled. “We’ve managed fairly well up until now, haven’t we?” she said shortly. “Those with free evenings divide the prep up between them.”

Gillian looked pained. “But it’s not really fair that way. We really ought to sort it out.”

Marilyn replaced the lid on her pen, seeing that she would not finish this essay until Gillian was satisfied. “Alright, we’ll have a meeting tomorrow afternoon. Wednesday’s a free afternoon for the Sixth as a rule, isn’t it?”

Gillian nodded confirmation.

“Good,” Marilyn said, enthused now. “I’ll put up a notice in the Prefect’s room and ask Megan for tea up there. I’ll also organise someone to supervise the Juniors and Middles for tea……some of the others in the Sixth should do that, maybe Alixe, Margaret, Peggy and Esther. If you could hunt down the minutes and draw up a list of jobs for tomorrow, I’ll see Miss Annersley and ask her whether she has any preferences as to who has which job.”

Gillian nodded again, astounded by Marilyn’s sudden enthusiasm. Hitherto Marilyn’s contribution to the life of the school had been conspicuously absent and the allocation of duties had fallen to Gillian, who had stressed that these were only temporary appointments, until a prefects meeting could be called. However Marilyn had shown no signs of organising one and Gillian had been very concerned. She returned to her own work, a history essay and before she was even halfway to her desk she could hear Marilyn’s frantic scribbling as the Head Girl raced to finish her essay in time to see Miss Annersley. Five minutes later, her work completed, Marilyn got up and departed for the study.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:21 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#225:  Author: MihiriLocation: surrey england PostPosted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 12:19 am


Thanks Frances. I love this drabble

 


#226:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 6:29 am


Hmmm, Marilyn hasn't made a very good start, has she? Thanks Frances.

 


#227:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 10:24 am


Thanks Frances! I feel sorry for Gill!

 


#228:  Author: Caroline OSullivanLocation: Reading, Berkshire, UK PostPosted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 10:30 am


Thanks Frances. I am getting confused with KB's extract's of 'Peace' though - I was thinking it was Gill who's Head Girl. Embarassed It's good to see the background to what happened Very Happy

 


#229:  Author: JackieJLocation: Kingston upon Hull PostPosted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 2:21 pm


I got a little confused there as well Caroline. I thought that Peggy was in the San with her ankle Embarassed It's lovely though, but what's the secret? JackieJ

 


#230: christine Author: mohiniLocation: india PostPosted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 2:47 pm


I have copied the whole story written up till now and will read it later. reading in bits and peices every day whets the appetite and is not good for I cannot concentrate in work. Do write soon and fast and more . I am hungry.

 


#231:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:10 pm


Thank you - the mystery continues.

 


#232:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:14 pm


Thanks, looking forward to hearing more about Christine and Sybs!

 


#233:  Author: MihiriLocation: surrey england PostPosted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:18 pm


Thanks Frances. If Christine is really a boy this has all sorts of intersting ideas

 


#234:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Wed Jan 26, 2005 1:03 am


i want to know Christines secret!!!!

 


#235:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Wed Jan 26, 2005 1:46 pm


Frances, sweetie, may we have the truth about the twins' secret?

 


#236:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Wed Jan 26, 2005 4:19 pm


The Prefects gathered together in the small room allocated to them. There were thirteen of them around the table with Marilyn at the head. Gillian Culver sat at her right hand and Gay at her left. The rest ranged themselves down the table with Janet Scott and Joanna Linders, two of the sub-prefects at the foot. Marilyn’s voice shook slightly as she asked Gillian to read the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes were passed and Marilyn duly signed them. Then there was a moment of dreadful silence.

Finally Marilyn took a deep breath and said, “I would like to congratulate everyone on the way we’ve managed so far this term, but we need to sort Special duties and turns at supervising prep for definite now. Gillian has a list of the jobs but before we start I would like to say that Miss Annersley has asked Mollie Avery to be the music prefect this year. I propose that we vote for the others among ourselves now. Gillian, could you read out the list omitting the music prefect, please?”

Gillian duly did so and Marilyn waited a moment for the girls to absorb the information.

“Thank you, Gillian. Now if you could write down on a slip of paper the person you propose for each job, remembering that Gay, Gillian and I have our own jobs and are not eligible for any other.”

Silence ensued while the girls voted and Gillian and Mollie Avery, who was sat next to her, acted as tellers while Marilyn relayed other news to the prefects.

“This term is our Nativity play, which Lady Russell will be writing for us this year. Rehearsals are expected to commence after half-term. Ummmm….I suppose we ought to sort prep duty now.”

This last with an appealing glance to Dilys, who immediately nodded and voiced her approval. The other prefects caught on quickly and soon they were hard it, drawing up a timetable for supervisions. At last, Gillian and Mollie finished counting and double checking the results of the votes. They scribbled a list and handed it to Marilyn who cast her eye down it.

“Righto, these are in no particular order…..Magazine, Nancy….Hobbies, Mary…..Library, Dilys……Staff, Dorothea…..Art, Roosje and Stationery, Pamela.” She glanced up and down the table but could detect no feelings of dissent. Pleasantly surprised, Marilyn fell quiet and the rest turned to Guide chatter.

“Maybe,” she thought, “being Head Girl isn’t going to be so bad after all.”


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:23 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#237:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Wed Jan 26, 2005 4:30 pm


Oh dear poor Marilyn she's going to be in for a shock if thats the way she's thinking...

 


#238:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Wed Jan 26, 2005 5:45 pm


thanks poor marilyn

 


#239:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jan 26, 2005 8:09 pm


Poor naive Marilyn - she's dealing with her peers, of course they will help her out - the Middles? Shocked Shocked Shocked Shocked Thanks Frances.

 


#240:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Wed Jan 26, 2005 10:21 pm


I can't help but feel sorry for Marilyn in a way.

 


#241:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 3:34 pm


poor Marilyn she in cloud cuckoo land me thinks. Really really wanting to know the twins secret.

 


#242:  Author: Miss DiLocation: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 3:59 am


Marianne wrote:
i want to know Christines secret!!!!
Uto, where are you? I WANT to know the twins secret!

 


#243:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 12:12 pm


Tom Gay stretched and yawned. It was fifteen minutes before the rising bell was due to ring so she reached over and picked up her library book, intent upon reading for a few moments. However before she could open it she heard a noise. Rising silently she went to the curtains and peered round them in time to see the dormitory door shut.

Reaching for her dressing gown she shoved her feet into her slippers and followed. Hearing a noise from the back staircase she made for them as fast as she could. She caught sight of a figure halfway down the stairs, dressed in her school tunic.

“Hey, you!” she whispered as loud as she dared. “Where d’ye think you’re off to?”The girl looked round.

“Nowhere,” she replied.

“So why’re you out of bed?” Tom said reasonably.

“Couldn’t sleep,” the girl said sulkily.

“Look, Christine, isn’t it?” The figure on the stairs nodded. “Come back upstairs and read until it’s time to get up.”

“But it’s such a glorious morning,” Christine protested. “I want to go outside.”

“We’re not allowed.” Tom said, firmly. “It’s different in the summer, when we can go and garden, but this term it’s strictly forbidden so don’t be an ass and come back.”

“I want to go for a walk,” Christine said, mulishly.Tom descended the stairs and stood a few steps above Christine looking down at the younger girl.

“What’s up?” she said, bluntly.

“Nowt.” Christine replied stubbornly.

“Give over,” Tom said. “You’re worried about something and I mean to find out what it is. Is it your twin?”

Relieved, Christine fastened onto that and nodded.

“Why?” Tom said puzzled. “She’s fine.”

“Oh she was worried about coming here,” Christine said haltingly. “We’ve never been apart.”

“You know, you two aren’t a bit alike, for all you look the same.” Tom mused. “Chalk and cheese. I mean you yourself are a lot like me in some ways, I’ve heard Matey ragging you about the state of your drawers.”

Christine blushed recalling Matron’s words on untidiness and her cheeks burned recalling that lady’s disparaging comments about amateur sewing. For a moment, she was tempted to tell Tom everything, but the rising bell rang, putting an end to any chance of such confidences and both swiftly made for the dormitory, slipping back into their cubicles before Anne Webster emerged.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:25 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#244:  Author: pygmyLocation: glasgow PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 1:30 pm


Aaargggh. Please reveal Christine's secret, it's driving me batty.

 


#245:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 2:34 pm


I've been keeping up with this but haven't said for sometime how good it is ----- BUT What is the secret?

 


#246:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 8:39 pm


Thanks for latest post, Frances. Smile

 


#247:  Author: MihiriLocation: surrey england PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 9:03 pm


Intresting Frances. And since tom is meant to be more like a boy thangirl, this certainly supports the theory that christine is a boy

 


#248:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 9:04 pm


Argh why did the rising bell have to interupt them talking! Thanks for the update though!

 


#249:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 9:27 pm


Frances!!!!! PLEASE tell us their secret!!!!

 


#250:  Author: LauraLocation: London (ish) PostPosted: Sat Jan 29, 2005 5:40 pm


Frances! Stop being tantalising! Tell us tell us tell us!

 


#251:  Author: nikkieLocation: Cumbria PostPosted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 12:47 am


Is it going to turn out that Christine is girl?

 


#252:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 11:39 pm


fred won't let me tell you - he says you have to find out about margot and camping first don't ask me - i am a loyal slave to my bunny

Margot Maynard pouted. Unused to being thwarted she was finding school a new experience. Len had settled in well, and despite Con’s initial shyness she too was making strides. Margot however was quite a different kettle of fish. With a positive genius for mischief of all kinds she soon found school an almost endless opportunity for causing havoc. Even a stern talk from her Auntie Hilda had done little to help matters and Miss Phipps was at her wits end.

Finally, after producing the most appalling composition, Margot had been condemned to sitting in the corner for the rest of the morning. She was missing art, always a favourite lesson of hers, and watching Con draw a princess in an enchanted castle weaving a story around it, she was suddenly unreasonably jealous. She did like listening to Con’s stories. She kicked the bookcase next to her. A couple of books jumped out and fell on the floor. Miss Phipps frowned in her direction but said nothing.

Encouraged, Margot kicked the bookcase again, harder this time. Again Miss Phipps frowned but said nothing. Deliberately Margot drew back her foot in preparation to strike the bookcase again. Suddenly Miss Phipps was on her feet walking over. Margot kicked the bookcase very hard and watched the avalanche of books fly out.

“Pick those books up please, Margot, and put them back on the shelf.” Miss Phipps said in a steely voice.

Margot looked up, angelically. “Shan’t” she said, clearly. “I asked you to put those books back, Margaret.”

Margot stared at Miss Phipps, defiant. Len jumped up to help her triplet and made for the bookcase.

“Sit down, Len,” Miss Phipps said, inflexibly. “Margaret must learn to clear up after herself.”

“NO!” said Margot.

“Very well. I shall telephone your mother and tell her how naughty you have been,” Miss Phipps said quietly.

Margot wavered, tears stinging the back of her eyes but she refused to back down. Silently, she was led off to the headmistress’ study to await her mother.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:27 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#253:  Author: Helen PLocation: Cheshire PostPosted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 11:50 pm


I never thought of Margot being called Margaret at school before! And here is her devil in his infancy - Frances this is superb! I'm trying to wait patiently to find out Christine's secret, but I do hope Fred hurries up!! Razz

 


#254:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 11:54 pm


Thank you Frances.

 


#255:  Author: MihiriLocation: surrey england PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 12:34 am


Thank you Frances.

 


#256:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 12:28 pm


Lovely picture of the young triplets - thanks Frances Liz

 


#257:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 1:14 pm


Oooh interesting to see naughty Margot at school. Thanks Frances Very Happy

 


#258:  Author: RobinLocation: London PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 1:22 pm


bad margot! thanks frances

 


#259:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 1:25 pm


Hehe! Love young Margot!

 


#260:  Author: Emma ALocation: The Soke of Peterborough PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 7:51 pm


This is lovely, Frances. But what is the twins' secret? Please let us find out.

 


#261:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 7:53 pm


Jo looked out at her youngest daughter sorrowfully.

“Oh, Hilda,” she said. “She looks so unhappy. I’m not at all sure that sending her to school was the right decision after all. She’s so delicate and I don’t think she can cope.”

“Nonsense, Joey,” Miss Annersley said briskly. “She’s merely had a temper tantrum and must be punished.”

“But she looks so unhappy out there!” Jo cried. “My poor baby. I think I’ll keep her at home for a few days, maybe she’s running a temperature.”

Miss Annersley sighed. She knew Margot was perfectly healthy and was only suffering from a lack of having her own way.

“I can’t stop you doing that,” she said quietly. “But I certainly wouldn’t advise it.”

Jo’s mind was made up. She left Miss Annersley’s study and gathered the naughty Margot into her arms.

“There, there,” she said softly. “Mamma’s here now and she’ll make it all better.”

Over her mother’s shoulder Margot made a face at her headmistress and sniffed audibly.

“Ohhhhh, my precious girl. Let’s take you home and give you a lovely hot bath. Then you can go to bed and have a nice sleep. It’ll all be better in the morning.”

Jo left, with a pleading glance over her shoulder at Miss Annersley who found herself unable to say a single word.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 23, 2005 2:11 pm; edited 1 time in total

 


#262:  Author: auntie karryLocation: Stoke on Trent PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 8:20 pm


Quote:
Jo looked out at her youngest daughter sorrowfully. “Oh, Hilda,” she said. “She looks so unhappy. I’m not at all sure that sending her to school was the right decision after all. She’s so delicate and I don’t think she can cope.” “Nonsense, Joey,” Miss Annersley said briskly. “She’s merely had a temper tantrum and must be punished.”
Oh dear - what ever happened to Jack's ideas of controlling Margot's devil? It seems as if Joey is encouraging it rather than helping Margot overcome it! Sad

 


#263:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 8:26 pm


Joey is wrong, wrong, wrong - and Hilda should not have allowed her to take Margot - she is attending school - she should be punished by the school, not pampered by her stupid mother!

 


#264:  Author: nikkieLocation: Cumbria PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 9:34 pm


Joey, you stupid woman,no wonder that Margot went so bad.

 


#265:  Author: Helen PLocation: Cheshire PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 12:19 am


Good grief! I can't believe Joey did that! Hilda must be furious....

 


#266:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 2:14 am


I think Joey is wrong, but its quite understandable Margot could have died as a baby and she probably looked very miserable.

 


#267:  Author: Miss DiLocation: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 2:51 am


Ohh Fred? Here is a nice carrot for you. And some dandilion wine. NOW will you tell us the secret? (In case of non-co-operation, starts hunting through bookshelves for recipe books with game recipes...)

 


#268:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 10:49 am


Nice to see how manipulative Margot could be from a young age.

 


#269:  Author: RobinLocation: London PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 12:45 pm


that was SO wrong of joey!

 


#270:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 5:47 pm


What does Joey think she's doing - any training for Margot in keeping her temper has been undone just like that! Liz

 


#271:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 11:18 pm


Quote:
Jo’s mind was made up. She left Miss Annersley’s study and gathered the naughty Margot into her arms. “There, there,” she said softly. “Mamma’s here now and she’ll make it all better.” Over her mother’s shoulder Margot made a face at her headmistress and sniffed audibly.
This happened to me today! we've a new member of staff at preschool whose son was already there - I asked him to pick up the home corner stuff he'd just thrown on the floor, but the rest reads exactly like my scenario! I know it's what EDB did but WHY did the school phone for Joey everytime her children did something? They didn't call in other parents when they're children needed disciplining or sneezed twice, so WHY JO??

 


#272:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 11:39 pm


that was lifted from my own experience at the nursery the other week..... the principal's daughter is a spoiled BRAT who plays mummy off against all the staff - I was picking Lise up at the time

“Company, ten-shun! Forward march!”

The Second Chalet School Guide Company stepped smartly out of its horseshoe and scattered to the patrol corners. Natalie and Christine separated for they were in different patrols, both wildly excited at the prospect of making their promise today.

"Come on, Natalie!” Peggy Bettany called impatiently. “I want to make sure you know your promise. Just think, after today you can begin to work for your Second Class. I’d start with morse first, it takes such an age to learn!”

Natalie nodded. She took Guiding very seriously and was already beginning to learn the skills she would be tested on for her Second Class. She glanced over at Christine who was being drilled in her promise by Eiluned, her patrol second.

“Good, Christine,” Eiluned said, warmly. “Now, we’re getting our patrol’s belongings together for camp in half-term. Let’s start with the tent pegs. We need to count them. It’d be such a bother if we got to the camp and any were missing.”

Obediently, Christine squatted on the floor and began to count the pegs under her breath. After a few moment Eiluned left her counting to perform the same task for the cutlery. She found the cutlery very dirty and vanished in search of cleaning materials. Once Christine had finished counting the tent pegs and sorting them into their respective bags she looked round for Eiluned but could not find her. She spied her twin busy with her own patrol and felt a pang of loneliness. Still she was glad Natalie had found her feet.

Just the Miss Wilson blew her whistle and Christine knew it was time to make her promise as a Guide. As the Guides gathered into their horseshoe she stood in front of Miss Wilson and began: “I promise….


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 23, 2005 2:13 pm; edited 1 time in total

 


#273:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 11:48 pm


*grrrrrrrrrrrrrr's at Joey* Good to see them settling into school life and guidea. Thanks Frances Very Happy

 


#274:  Author: MihiriLocation: surrey england PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 12:11 am


Thanks Frances. One can see why margot ended up the way she did.

 


#275:  Author: JackieJLocation: Kingston upon Hull PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 2:42 pm


Thanks Frances, that was lovely. Nice to see the Guides. JackieJ

 


#276:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 2:46 pm


Great update but we still don't know the twins secret!

 


#277:  Author: JosieLocation: London PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 3:13 pm


Loads of lovely updates, ta Frances. *sends Fred magic carrots that'll make him spill the beans*

 


#278:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 4:40 pm


Hope the twins enjoy guides. Wonder if their secret will be exposed at camp? Liz

 


#279:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 9:30 pm


The little ceremony was over in short order and soon it was Natalie standing before Miss Wilson. She said her promise in a high clear voice, and flushed with pleasure when Miss Wilson pinned the little metal badge onto her tie. She saluted smartly and rejoined her patrol. Christine’s heart swelled with pride.

Later that day Christine and Natalie were enjoying some rare free time alone. Their form had been granted permission by Miss Linton to put in an hour working in their form garden. Natalie and Christine were busy forking over soil.

“Chris,” Natalie began tentatively. “Are you alright?”

“What? Oh, I’m fine,” Christine said absently.

“You’ve been a bit quiet,” persisted Natalie. “It’s not really like you.”

“I’m fine,” Christine insisted. “Really.”

Natalie returned to her digging.

“I’m sorry, Nats. I was a bit of a beast,” Christine said apologetically a couple of moments later. “I’m just not feeling myself today.”

“Don’t you feel well?” Natalie said, alarmed. “For goodness sake you mustn’t let Matey know. She’ll whisk you off to the San and that’ll be that. We’ll both be in terrible trouble.”

“Don’t be such an ass. I’m perfectly well,” Christine said.

Just then, Gay Lambert, the Games Prefect shouted from across the garden. “Christine! Christine Bowes. Matron wants to see you.”

Christine and Natalie looked at each other in terror.

“I suppose I really ought to go,” Christine said helplessly. Natalie nodded mutely. Christine set off across the garden her heart in her boots.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 23, 2005 2:20 pm; edited 1 time in total

 


#280:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 9:41 pm


Aha! The mystery revealed! Or, oh dear, Christine's left her cubey in a mess again...

 


#281:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 9:42 pm


Why terror????? Thanks Frances.

 


#282:  Author: JackieJLocation: Kingston upon Hull PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 10:13 pm


does this mean we find out the secret..... Please ? JackieJ

 


#283:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 2:43 am


Please put us all out of our misery and tell us the twins' secret Frances!!!

 


#284:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 2:56 am


oh PLEASE can we have the secret!? Pwetty pwease with lots of cherries!

 


#285:  Author: Miss DiLocation: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 3:28 am


Still no finding out of the twins secret. Have you been taking lessons from Lesley? Want to know

 


#286:  Author: KateLocation: Ireland PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 4:13 am


A CLIFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FRANCESN GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW OR I WILL KEEP TYPING IN CAPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 


#287:  Author: EllieLocation: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 9:08 am


*Giggles* I have no idea of the twin's secret, but I love the way you are stringing this out, Frances. BTW, what's happening with Marilyn?

 


#288:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 10:07 am


I'm really enjoying this Frances! Looking forward to finding out the Twins secret.

 


#289:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 10:53 am


Oooo...poor christine I bet its just that her cubey is in a mess but when do we fidn out their secret?? Thanks Frances!

 


#290:  Author: JosieLocation: London PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 6:24 pm


Very Happy thanks frances. Am getting more intrigued by the post.

 


#291:  Author: Emma ALocation: The Soke of Peterborough PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 7:24 pm


Frances is really enjoying keeping us on tenterhooks... My guess is that she hasn't actually worked out yet what the twins' secret is, and is just hoping that our desperate prompting will spark the plot bunny into providing something compatible with the meagre drips of hint that she's so far provided.*this is a hint, Frances* Wink(That's weird - I wrote *p l o t b u n n y* and the preview pane substituted "small sparkling purple leaf". Wonder how it will actually appear)

 


#292:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 9:37 pm


Emma A wrote:
(That's weird - I wrote *p l o t b u n n y* and the preview pane substituted "small sparkling purple leaf". Wonder how it will actually appear)
Grin!! That would be down to abuse of the auto censor by our esteemed Squeen Lissikins! Rolling Eyes

 


#293:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 9:43 pm


“Let me see your tongue, please.” Matron said.

Christine obediently hung out her tongue as far as it would go.

“Hmmmmmm. Well no temperature, and nothing seems to be wrong. I’ll just give you a tonic and then you can go to tea.”

Matron poured out a dose of her patent nostrum, guaranteed to cure colds, fevers and general aches and pains. Christine made a face.

“Must I, Matron?” she pleaded.

“Well it’s that or spend the evening in bed,” Matron said tartly. “Hurry up, child, I don’t have all day.”

Christine swallowed the tonic, grimaced and fled before Matron could think of anything else.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 23, 2005 2:22 pm; edited 1 time in total

 


#294:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 11:23 pm


Why???? Confused Love that she disappeared before Matey to could think of anything else.

 


#295:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 12:57 am


Very puzzled. Guilty confession - last night I was putting new cuffs on my son's school sweatshirt & I KNOTTED the thread. Felt so self concious while i was doing it about all the abuse we sent when Christine knotted hers. Embarassed

 


#296:  Author: BookwormsarahLocation: Cambridge, UK PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 2:28 pm


Lyanne wrote:
Guilty confession - last night I was putting new cuffs on my son's school sweatshirt & I KNOTTED the thread. Felt so self concious while i was doing it about all the abuse we sent when Christine knotted hers. Embarassed
You were putting new cuffs on a sweatshirt - I don't think you should feel self concious about knotting when doing such a noble task!

 


#297:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 5:13 pm


Natalie met her outside the door. “

Are you….?” She asked her twin.

“Fine,” cut in Christine. “Dosed and sent away to play.”

Natalie sighed with relief. “Good,” she declared. “I thought for a minute the game was up.”

Christine fell silent thinking of how she had so nearly given their secret away to Tom Gay on the stairs a few days ago. Natalie noticed her silence and stared at her in horror.

“You haven’t said anything, Chris, have you?”

“Course not,” Christine said gruffly. “Come on, let’s go to the common room.”

She turned and left, leaving her twin no choice but to follow her.

“Chris! Wait!” Natalie called after her.

Unluckily for them Marilyn Evans was on her way to see Matron about a bad tooth.

“No talking in the corridors,” she said severly.

“Sorry,” Natalie murmured.

“I should hope so,” Marilyn frowned. “Take an order mark.”

“Oh but it was my fault really,” Christine interrupted. “I started off and Natalie wasn’t ready.”

“Then you can have an order mark too,” Marilyn said inflexibly.

“But….” Christine began.

“And another for impudence,” Marilyn said. “Now run along.”

The twins, very subdued, continued on their way to the common room.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 23, 2005 2:28 pm; edited 1 time in total

 


#298:  Author: JosieLocation: London PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 5:22 pm


Boo hiss at Marilyn. *wondering who's going to be the one to finally uncover the secret*

 


#299:  Author: pygmyLocation: glasgow PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 5:29 pm


I'm really enjoying this - but what on earth is the twins' secret? I'm beginning to think it can't be as simple as Christine being a boy. Aaargh.

 


#300:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 5:51 pm


Marilyn doesn't seem to be a very understanding head girl...

 


#301:  Author: Emma ALocation: The Soke of Peterborough PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 7:30 pm


Cazx wrote:
Marilyn doesn't seem to be a very understanding head girl...
Can see her attitude may cause resentment with the younger girls. Thanks, Fran.

 


#302:  Author: nikkieLocation: Cumbria PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 9:12 pm


But what is the secret? *getting impatient*

 


#303:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 9:48 pm


Cazx wrote:
Marilyn doesn't seem to be a very understanding head girl...
That's an understatement! Whenever that sort of thing happened in the books - and the girls were penalised by a Prefect or Staff because of something wrong with the Prefect or Staff (and it happened a fair amount) I always hoped they would be found out bt the Head or someone! Laughing Thanks Fran.

 


#304:  Author: dackelLocation: Wolfenbuettel, Germany/Cambridge, England PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 9:56 pm


Hmm, I can why Marilyn wasn't exactly a popular head girl. But what is the secret...?

 


#305:  Author: AliceLocation: London, England PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 10:07 pm


Thank you Frances I've looked back to Christine's converation with Tom noping for clues but I can't work it out....

 


#306:  Author: KateLocation: Ireland PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 10:35 pm


*cries and demands to know the secret* You have to give me what I want, I'm crying...

 


#307:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 10:38 pm


Upon reaching the common room they found Sybil, Betsy, Blossom and Hilary in much the same mood. Marilyn had told them off for making a mess of the Splasheries.

“And I didn’t, honest injun I didn’t,” Sybil wound up. Blossom patted her soothingly.

“What’s up, twins?” Betsy asked. “You’ve got faces like wet weekends.”

“Order mark,” replied Natalie, gloomily.

“Two,” sighed her twin.

The five Middles stared at the floor, contemplating their misfortune. The door opened with a crash, admitting Peggy Adams to the room. She stormed over to the quintet. They looked at each other and spoke with one voice. “Marilyn?”

That took the wind out of Peggy’s sails and she nodded. “How did you know?”

“Order mark,” said Natalie.

“Two,” said Christine,

“One for me,” said Betsy ruefully.

“And one for me,” Sybil said.

“Two here,” Blossom said, an expression of disgust on her cheeky face.

“And I have one,” Peggy said. “A nice bunch we’ll look when we have to hand these in. I don’t know what’s got into her. She’s nothing like Daisy.”
Sybil rushed to praise her cousin. “Daisy was fair!” she cried. “Not like Marilyn. She wouldn’t even listen when I tried to explain. And she gave Betsy an order mark when she did nothing wrong.”

Blossom nodded in agreement. “Oh I know Betsy won’t say so, but you didn’t Bets, and that’s the honest truth.”

Betsy made as if to argue but was silenced with a look from Blossom.

“I can’t say she was unfair,” Christine owned. “We were talking in the corridor.”

“Two order marks for talking in the corridor?” Peggy said in disbelief.
Natalie jumped in to put them straight. “I got the first one, because I yelled out for Chris to wait. But Marilyn came along and told me off, then Chris said it was really her fault, so Marilyn gave her an order mark too.”

“But I tried to explain and got an order mark for impudence because I answered back,” Christine finished, aggrieved.

Just then the bell rang from prep and the Upper Third streamed into their form room to await Gay Lambert.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 23, 2005 2:33 pm; edited 1 time in total

 


#308:  Author: JackieJLocation: Kingston upon Hull PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 10:47 pm


Does this mean that Gay might have trouble in prep now. Hope not, I like Gay. Thanks frances. But we still want to know Christine's secret! JackieJ

 


#309:  Author: EmilyLocation: Land of White Coats and Stethoscopes. PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 10:54 pm


Hmm, well I was feeling sorry for Marilyn, but she needs to be more imaginative than this or there's going to be a revolt Confused

 


#310:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 11:35 pm


No wonder Marylin was unpopular, the poor girls!!! And poor Gay, prep will be fun!! Twisted Evil

 


#311:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 1:15 am


Wonder if Gay will secretly agree with the girls.

 


#312:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 12:08 pm


I think Gay will make the girls realise that not all prefects are like Marilyn!

 


#313:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 1:28 pm


Maybe the surge in order marks is because Marilyn has a toothache and once she's feeling better she won't be so bad.Thanks FrancesLiz

 


#314:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 10:17 pm


*pokes Marilyn!!!* *wants to know the twins' secret!*

 


#315:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Sun Feb 06, 2005 2:07 am


The twins sem to be settling well at school whatever the secret. Shame Jo is such a bad mother !

 


#316:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 12:30 am


To their dismay it was not Gay who appeared but Marilyn. Marilyn was secretly annoyed at having to supervise their prep as she had planned to spend the time in library working on her Spanish. Curtly she ordered the girls to begin their work and set to translating the German set by Miss Denny.

At first Upper Third worked quietly, forewarned by what had happened to some of their number. However the peace was shattered as Lorna Wills carelessly reached for her atlas and sent the pile of books on her desk sliding to the floor. The landed with a crash and she squeaked in dismay.

Marilyn raised her head from her work and said in icy tones, “If you are unable to work quietly you will be sent to work with the Juniors. Now carry on please, and let us have no more interruptions.”

She bent her head once more and struggled to find the predicate in the particularly tricky sentence she had been wrestling with.

Five minutes later Christine dropped her pencil tin on the floor with a clatter, spilling the contents everywhere. Bending down to pick them up she scrabbled around under the desks of the other girls and accidentally knocked against Jennifer Bell’s desk, causing that young woman to splatter ink across her page. Jennifer promptly burst into tears as she surveyed her ruined composition and matters were made worse as Blossom attempted to reach over and mop up, smearing the ink liberally in the process.

Marilyn stood up hastily, nearly overturning the mistress’s desk as she did so, and made for Christine. Christine, seeing Marilyn’s feet planted firmly in front of her attempted to stand up, banging her head on her desk. Tears came to her eyes and she saw stars briefly. Dropping all the pencils and pens she had gathered she nursed the bump on her head. Faced with the chaos in front of her, Marilyn lost her temper.

“Get up,” she said furiously. “Blossom, sit still at your own desk. Jennifer, stop howling. You, Lorna and yes, Peggy pick up Christine’s pencils and things. Christine, go to the front.”


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 23, 2005 2:35 pm; edited 1 time in total

 


#317:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 12:34 am


Poor Christine - it was purely an accident, but I can't see marilyn accepting that. Thank you Frances.

 


#318:  Author: Miss DiLocation: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 12:37 am


Lik LizB said, I think she really must have a toothache! *punches Marilyn in the nose" *still wants to know the secret*

 


#319:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 10:30 am


Poor Christine, I hope the bump isn't too serious. Confused

 


#320:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 12:08 pm


Hope Marilyn's loss of temper isn't too severe. Thanks Frances Liz

 


#321:  Author: RobinLocation: London PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 2:33 pm


oh dear, I see a revolt ahead! Thanks Frances

 


#322:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 4:26 pm


Uh oh!!! Bumped head=time in San=Matey possibly finding out Christine's secret!!! (actually, that would be good for us!!!!! Very Happy )

 


#323:  Author: JackieJLocation: Kingston upon Hull PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 9:43 pm


You may have a point there Vikki! (((Christine))) Marilyn doesn't seem to be in a good mood at all, does she? I hope that Christine is alright though. JackieJ

 


#324:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 1:03 am


aww poor little Christine. Joins queue to slap/poke Marilyn.

 


#325:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 1:18 am


no such luck dearies - you don't find out that easily *cackles*

Hurriedly the Upper Third rushed to do her bidding, trembling under the onslaught of Marilyn’s wrath. Christine, feeling distinctly shaky went to the front, passing Natalie on the way. Natalie tugged at her tunic, motioning to her seat. Glancing round to ensure that Marilyn was occupied, Natalie slipped out of her place and pushed Christine into it. She then continued up to the front of the class and stood there, shamefaced. Marilyn, having seen the back of the room put to rights returned to her desk. She had now calmed down and was in a mood to be gentle with the sinner.

“How’s your head?” she asked.

“Ummm, a bit sore, but nothing to worry about,” gabbled Natalie. “I’m going to send you to Matron. Sibyl run next door and give the prefect next door this note.”

Marilyn hastily scribbled a note to the prefect on duty, explaining that she was taking Christine to Matron and asking her to keep an ear open.

“The rest of you please behave,” she said grandly, sweeping out of the door with Natalie trailing in her wake.

Immediately the rest of the form turned to stare at Christine, whose head was aching rather badly by this time.

“What on earth did you do that for?” Betsy asked.

“Don’t like Matron,” Christine mumbled. “And it wasn’t that bad a knock. Really.”

Besty stared at her. “But it’s simply not done to let someone else take the blame!” she said, aghast.

“Oh you wouldn’t understand,” said Christine. “Natalie had to go, or there would have been the most frightful kerfuffle. Now leave me alone.”
Bemused the rest of the form returned to their prep, but more than one girl was thinking that Christine Bowes was a very queer kettle of fish.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 23, 2005 2:37 pm; edited 1 time in total

 


#326:  Author: Miss DiLocation: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 1:32 am


francesn wrote:
“Oh you wouldn’t understand,” said Christine. “Natalie had to go, or there would have been the most frightful kerfuffle. Now leave me alone.” Bemused the rest of the form returned to their prep, but more than one girl was thinking that Christine Bowes was a very queer kettle of fish.
A Very Queer Kettle of Fish indeed. You've got us all well and truly a) confused and b) hooked

 


#327:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 5:47 am


Hmmm, can't see Christine being able to get away with it that easily - quite apart from anything else, her head will get worse. Thanks Frances.

 


#328:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 8:35 am


Silly little girls - don't they realise Christine could have concussion? Good that Marilyn's acting responsibly in sending (who she thinks is) Christine to Matey. I thought she might make her stand at the front as an example of how not to behave in prep.

 


#329:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 10:17 am


Will matey realise she has been sent Natalie instead of Christine?? If so, watch out for fireworks!! All this intrigue is most exhausting!!

 


#330:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 10:18 am


Hmmm I wonder if they will find out about the switch?

 


#331:  Author: JosieLocation: London PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 1:03 pm


Ah, but will the be able to fool the redoubtable matey?

 


#332:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 3:55 pm


Josie wrote:
Ah, but will the be able to fool the redoubtable matey?
Just what I was thinking Thanks Frances Liz

 


#333:  Author: dackelLocation: Wolfenbuettel, Germany/Cambridge, England PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 10:04 pm


Well, they are identical, and they haven't been there long yet, but surely Matey will notice that NOTHING AT ALL is wrong with her head?

 


#334:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 10:47 pm


In Matron’s room Natalie was subjected to a thorough examination.

“That was a nasty knock you took by all accounts,” Matron said. “I had you in here early today, didn’t I?”

Natalie nodded reluctantly.

“Keep still,” Matron ordered. “I can’t see anything, not even a bruise. Marilyn may just be being over-cautious but I’m keeping you in here overnight, just to be safe.”

Natalie’s face fell. “But…” she began.

“No arguments. Now drink this.” Matron presented her with a beaker of hot milk.

Natalie took it unwillingly as she despised hot milk. Matron fixed her with a gimlet eye and she drank it quickly. Handing the beaker back she made a face.

“I’ve asked someone to get your things from your cubey,” Matron said. “In the meantime you can sit quietly.”

Ten minutes later Rosalie Way arrived bearing Christine’s nightgown and washbag. Natalie started, then remembered that she was pretending to be her twin. She took the articles proffered by Rosalie and retired to the bathroom to wash. Five minutes later she emerged and was directed to one of the white beds by Matron. She clambered in and lay down, wondering how her twin was getting on.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 23, 2005 2:40 pm; edited 1 time in total

 


#335:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 10:55 pm


Still think Christine's going to pass out with concussion. Last first aid course I did, the trainer told us of a teacher he knew who had had delayed concussion that didn't emerge for 3 days after the head injury. Does Matey need new glasses? Not to notice the subtle differences, especially as she admits to having seen (the real) Christine earlier.

 


#336:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 11:32 pm


If they are identical then it might be easier to see the differences both together, not so easy one on their own. Think something nasty may happen to Christine. Sad

 


#337:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 1:33 am


Poor silly girls have a feeling this will rebound on them. So Christine's secret is definitley something Matron could spot easily if she had her in San!

 


#338:  Author: ChelseaLocation: Your Imagination PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 3:22 am


My (very random and probably wrong) guess is that they are/were conjoined twins. In the surgery to separate (or is it serperate) them, Natalie ended up with only one leg. She doesn't want anyone to know that she wears a fake leg. What this has to do with her not liking a needle, I have no idea...

 


#339:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 11:11 am


Some people just don't like needles - Jo, Evadne and Cornelia for example! Wonder how much longer the twins will keep their secret - and if Frances will let us know before anyone else finds out! Liz

 


#340:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 12:22 pm


Chelsea wrote
Quote:
My (very random and probably wrong) guess is that they are/were conjoined twins. In the surgery to separate (or is it serperate) them, Natalie ended up with only one leg. She doesn't want anyone to know that she wears a fake leg. What this has to do with her not liking a needle, I have no idea...
No, no, it's a false arm, that's why she finds it hard to sew!

 


#341:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 7:35 pm


it's separate -and I can tell you that that guess is wrong....but I'm not ruling anything else out!

Christine was feeling distinctly sick. She sat sorting through pictures in magazines to put in scrapbooks. Listlessly turning the pages, she started as Sybil Russell touched her shoulder.

“Why didn’t you go to Matron?” that young lady demanded.

“Mind your own business,” Christine retorted.

“But what if you’ve really hurt yourself?” Sybil persisted.

“But I haven’t,” Christine growled. “So leave me alone!”

“You do look a bit peaky,” Sybil said.

“I’m fine,” Christine said angrily. “Not that it’s anything to do with you.”

Sybil stood up, hurt. She looked at Christine.“I thought you were my friend,” she said, her blue eyes filling with tears.

“Oh dry up!” Christine flashed. “Just like a girl.”

Sybil turned and returned to the corner where Betsy and Blossom were sitting, shaking her head as she went. The three sat conversing in low voices, watching Christine carefully.

Preparing for bed that night, Christine remembered to go to Natalie’s cubicle and not her own. Her head was aching rather badly, not that she would admit it. The prefect on duty came round to put the lights out and Christine was fast asleep.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 23, 2005 2:42 pm; edited 1 time in total

 


#342:  Author: MihiriLocation: surrey england PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 7:49 pm


OOh dear, lets hope Christine doesnt find herself too badly ill. Thanks Frances

 


#343:  Author: nikkieLocation: Cumbria PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 8:26 pm


Uh-Oh Looks like probs for Christine ( and Natalie) though this may mean that the secret comes out.

 


#344:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 8:44 pm


I hope that Christine isn't sleeping too deeply... Confused

 


#345:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 10:26 pm


Silly Christine - 'Just like a girl' - is that supposed to be a clue? Thanks Frances.

 


#346:  Author: Miss DiLocation: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 2:36 am


Uh Oh. Can't you die if you go to sleep when badly concused? Guess that's one way we might find out Chris's secret... Twisted Evil

 


#347:  Author: RebeccaLocation: Kendal/Oxford PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 11:12 am


I've just enjoyed reading all 18 pages of this and I can't believe we still don't know what the secret is!!! *wibbling about Christine though*

 


#348:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 12:00 pm


Poor, silly Christine Liz

 


#349:  Author: jontyLocation: Exeter PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 5:51 pm


francesn wrote:
Sybil turned and returned to the corner where Betsy and Blossom were sitting, shaking her head as she went. The three sat conversing in low voices, watching Christine carefully.
Come on Sybil, Betsy & Blossom, guess the secret and put us all out of our misery!!!!

 


#350:  Author: RroseSelavyLocation: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 7:10 pm


Miss Di wrote:
Uh Oh. Can't you die if you go to sleep when badly concused?
My boyfriend once got K/Od by a falling whisky bottle and NHS direct gave the brilliant advice "let him fall asleep and if you can wake him up then he's probably okay." Hmmm....

 


#351:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 10:56 pm


Christine suffered no ill effects from her knock on the head other than an outsize in headaches and Natalie was also permitted to rejoin the form after the midday meal. No more was said of the matter although the Third form took especial care to avoid Marilyn for a few days.

However, news of Marilyn’s government had spread like wildfire and was a frequent topic of discussion in the upper echelons of the school. The Seniors found themselves divided in opinion. One camp, headed by Eiluned Vaughn held the view that the Middles got all that was coming to them and if it kept them quiet and out of mischief so much the better. The other camp was of the mind that the Middles had not, in fact, deserve such treatment and questions were being raised as to how long Marilyn could continue on this course.

Whether or not Marilyn heard these rumours is unknown but she certainly became more lenient with the lower forms, and minor offences were no longer punished so severely. The rest of the Prefects, being obliged to take the lead from Marilyn, sighed in relief.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 23, 2005 2:53 pm; edited 1 time in total

 


#352:  Author: JackieJLocation: Kingston upon Hull PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 11:01 pm


Thank you Frances, it's good to know that Christine suffered no ill effects. I'm starting to think there isn't a secret now though Sad JackieJ

 


#353:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 11:12 pm


Hmmm I wonder if Marilyn will slip back into her old ways at all.

 


#354:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 11:50 pm


Thanks Frances - Christine is a lucky child.

 


#355:  Author: jontyLocation: Exeter PostPosted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 9:54 am


francesn wrote:
The rest of the Prefects, being obliged to take the lead from Marilyn, sighed in relief.
Call themselves prefects? They sound more like a bunch of spineless jellyfish who should be stripped of their prefectships. They're a disgrace to the badge Wink Wink Wink Wink

 


#356:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 1:29 pm


Glad Christine had no serious ill-effects from the knock on her head, but sorry it means we haven't discovered the secret! Thanks Frances Liz

 


#357:  Author: JosieLocation: London PostPosted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 1:36 pm


Thanks fances. Glad Christine's suffered no ill-effects.Now, back to that secret...*thinks frances is unlikely to yield that easily, so wanders off to try and come up with new and ingenious blackmail options...*

 


#358:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 4:56 pm


Thank you Frances. Glad the prefects are being a bit more lenient but feel Marilyn is NOT a good example of a head girl. Glad Christine had a lucky escape.

 


#359:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 8:42 pm


Margot Maynard returned to school very subdued on Wednesday. She had enjoyed her time at home, being fussed over by her mother, although her father had had a very serious talk with her about her behavior. Her sisters had ignored her pointedly and she learnt from her mother that her outburst had spoiled the day for the rest of class. They had not been allowed to do art, a lesson they all enjoyed, as a result of her behavior and they made their feelings known.

Margot sat at the table, copying sums industriously. The two girls seated next to her had scooted their chairs as far away as possible when she sat down leaving her with a big space to work in. May Phipps noticed this and raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She realised that the entire form, in their innocent way, had sent Margot Maynard to Coventry and she felt sure the results would not be pleasant.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 23, 2005 3:02 pm; edited 1 time in total

 


#360:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 8:45 pm


I wonder what Joey's reaction will be when she learns of this!

 


#361:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 10:53 pm


*Thinks Margot deserves it and Joey need some plain talking from someone on good parenting!*Thanks Frances. Laughing

 


#362:  Author: DawnLocation: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 12:17 am


Bet she didn't enjoy Jack's little talk Wink Good for the class in showing their feelings in that way, but wonder how Len and Con reacted

 


#363:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 11:32 am


It's a shame the class had to wait until Margot returned to school before they could show their feelings - their resentment has bound to have grown in that time, which will make it worse for her than if they could have just told her what they thought immediately. Thanks Frances Liz

 


#364:  Author: JackieJLocation: Kingston upon Hull PostPosted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 10:27 pm


*Hopes the the classes annoyance will have some effect on Margot, although not much* Gah, spoiling her won't do much good. Thanks frances JackieJ

 


#365:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 1:16 am


Glad to see margot back at school but have a feeling she will break out again soon and get the same treatment from her mother. If Jo had treated her properly now we could have been spared the bookend incuident later.

 


#366:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 12:29 am


The Kindergarten were preparing for their daily walk. They were trusted to pick their own partner and most of the time achieved this with a minimum of fuss and argument, for on the whole they were good-natured little souls. On this particular day however Aelwen Evans was at home with a bad cold, and one girl would be left without a partner. In their eagerness to avoid Margot Maynard the form descended into mayhem, calling across the cloakroom to one another. Margot sidled up to Con.

“Con,” she began, expecting some kind of acknowledgment. None was forthcoming but Margot pressed on regardless. “Partner me for the walk, will you?”

Con looked at her icily. “I’m booked,” came the short reply.

Undeterred Margot slid over to Len.

“Len,” she wheedled. “Please be my partner.”

Her blue eyes filled with tears. Len ignored her. Shortly the form was lined up and Margot was left to one side. The Kindergarten were chattering to their partners in anticipation. Miss Phipps always took them on interesting walks and they wondered where they would be going that day.

“Never mind, Margot,” Miss Phipps called. “You can be my partner.”
Margot went unwilling to join her form mistress who had walked to the front of the line. Miss Phipps indicated to the two prefects accompanying them, on this occasion Marilyn Evans and Dorothea Wentworth, to go to the back of the line. Dorothea went willingly, Marilyn less so. She disliked supervising walks with the Juniors, considering it beneath her as the Head Girl, and she could be unnecessarily sharp with them. As she walked to the front Margot could hear the small girls falling silent as she passed. It was becoming quite clear that no-one wanted anything to do with her, not even her sisters.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 23, 2005 3:17 pm; edited 1 time in total

 


#367:  Author: KatieLocation: A Yorkshire lass in London PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 12:53 am


Aww, poor little Margot - it's not her fault she's been spoiled Sad

 


#368:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 1:06 am


I'm quite glad that Margot is being shunned by her peers, perhaps she wont run off to mummie quite so often, but sadly we know that she still will be spoilt for a while to come

 


#369:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 5:47 am


I don't feel sorry for her - perhaps this will teach her she can't go crying for Mamma - though unfortunately it will not stop her wanting her own way and being selfish. Not impressed by Marilyn thinking that looking after the Kinders is beneath her. swear

 


#370:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 10:32 am


I think Margot needed a lesson taught to her! Thanks for the update!

 


#371:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 1:05 pm


I get the feeling there could be trouble on this walk. Thanks Frances Liz

 


#372:  Author: RobinLocation: London PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 2:01 pm


glad they're all giving margot the cold shoulder - hopefully she'll realise that she needs to behave a bit better now! Although I hope she doesn't have to suffer for too long.thanks frances

 


#373:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 3:21 pm


I wish Jo could see what she is doing to Margot - and what she is doing to the others by treaing Margot like this too. This is so well done Frances.

 


#374:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 10:44 pm


After a short while, Miss Phipps informed the Kindergarten that they could break ranks as long as the walked in groups of at least four. The girls immediately divided into two groups of five, and made it quite clear that Margot was not welcome by setting off immediately. Marilyn immediately hailed the group led by Len and Con.

“Hi there,” she called. “You can’t just go off and leave this one here.”

Len looked at the Head Girl innocently, then turned and continued walking. Such cool insolence enraged Marilyn and she spoke more sharply this time.

“Come back here,” she said. “At once.”

The small group trailed towards her. Miss Phipps tried to intervene, for the Chalet School made a point of not interfering in the girls' friendships.

“Marilyn,” she began, “I don’t think…”

Marilyn waved her aside, and took Margot’s hand.

“Look kiddy,” she said, “They’ve come back for you. Now pop along and enjoy yourself.”

She gave Margot a gentle shove in the direction of the other girls who stood with blank expressions. As soon as she had reached them, the five set off in silence Margot trailing in their wake. “

Just what is up with the little asses?” Marilyn said to Dorothea as they followed.

“I don’t know,” Dorothea replied, “but I’m not entirely sure you were right to interfere.” Marilyn stared at her fellow prefect.

“What on earth…” she started.

“No, Marilyn, hear me out,” Dorothea said with unusual force. “Miss Phipps tried to say something but you wouldn’t listen. Maybe the Maynard trips have had an argument and Margot’s just got the short straw. Whatever it was you can’t go sorting other people’s friendships just because you’re the Head Girl.”

“But they’re only tinies,” Marilyn protested.

“It doesn’t matter,” Dorothea replied, firmly. “It’s the principle of the thing.”

Marilyn was silenced for a while, and they continued their walk companionably.


Last edited by francesn on Thu Jun 23, 2005 3:23 pm; edited 1 time in total

 


#375:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 11:27 pm


Marilyn should have listened to Miss Phipps, after all she is the mistress not Marilyn!

 


#376:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 1:15 am


Miss Phipps should report Marilyn to the Head. This just shows how unit she is to be HG.

 


#377:  Author: Miss DiLocation: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 3:49 am


The kinders should gang up on Marilyn and chatter her to death (children have such squeaking irritating little voices). Then they should push Margot off a cliff!

 


#378:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:38 am


But to be fair, how many times were pupils put in groups so they could sort things out. And Margot couldn't be left on her own, she had to go to one group or the other. And Len should have been reprimanded for ignoring the headgirl like that. Thanks Frances Liz

 


#379:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 12:59 pm


But it's not Marilyn's place, nor does she have the knowledge of the girls Miss Phipps has. Marliyn should have left it to Miss Phipps, who could have sorted it out in a way that might have given Margot a chance to understand her classmates point of view. This way, Len, Con and the other 3 in their group will resent Margot even more. Oh, and resent Marilyn's interference.

 


#380:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 6:20 pm


I also feel that Marilyn's behaviour toward Miss Phipps was extremly poor - hope she gets reprimanded for it, otherwise Miss Phipps will lose face.

 


#381:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:04 pm


Marilyn gets away with it....for now

School had finished for the day and Joey was waiting in her little car for the triplets. Len and Con set off down the drive without waiting for Margot who was still changing her shoes.

“Len….Len,” Margot called, “Len wait for me.”

Len carried on, chattering excitedly with Con.

“Len!” Margot bawled. She ran to catch up with her sisters, even though it was strictly forbidden, tripped and fell. Sprawled full length on the gravel she burst into tears.

Jacynth Hardy, who had been walking nearby with Gay Lambert rushed over and picked the small girl up. She brushed the tears off Margot’s pale cheeks and examined her quickly. Margot was not seriously hurt, just bumped and a bit shocked, so the two prefects walked with her to the gates where Joey was waiting.

Len and Con were sitting in the back of the car when the elder girls arrived with Margot, whispering to one another. Joey cried out when she saw her youngest daughter and leapt from the car. Gathering the whimpering Margot into her arms she thanked Jacynth and Gay profusely.

“It’s quite alright, but we simply must go now, Aunt Joey,” Jacynth said. “We both have Prep to supervise.”

Joey barely saw them leave, so absorbed was she in Margot.


Last edited by francesn on Sun Jun 26, 2005 10:44 pm; edited 1 time in total

 


#382:  Author: LucyLocation: Leeds PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:11 pm


Where has Joey's famous 'insight' gone? Why doesn't she even wonder why Len and Con want nothing to do with Margot? Must say if I was Len and Con I would want nothing to do with such a spoilt sister, especially if they just get ignored!! What is Joey doing to her family by behaving like this? Loving seeing the trips at this younger age, and seeing Marilyn disgrace herself....but can we have a bit more about Christine's secret please Wink Very Happy

 


#383:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:23 pm


Can see some of why Margot turned out the way she did - Joey has a lot to answer for.

 


#384:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:42 pm


I wonder how much Len and Con have had to put up with this state of affairs at home?? I hope they give Margot a lesson she deserves, and Joey for that matter.

 


#385:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 10:03 pm


Does Joey realise she has other children?

 


#386:  Author: MihiriLocation: surrey england PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:23 pm


Thanks Frances I love the way this is explaining the background to Margot's behaviour. I hope someone slaps Joey sharply soon and brings her back to reality

 


#387:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:24 pm


Cazx wrote:
Does Joey realise she has other children?
of course she does....second line up from the bottom!

“My poor darling,” Joey said. “Did you bump your knee?”

Margot sniffed in response.

“Oh dear, now show Mamma where it hurts. There let me kiss it better for you,” Joey said, suiting the action to her words.

“Pet,”

“Cry-baby,”

Joey didn’t hear these comments made by her other daughters or Nemesis would have descended. She was too immersed in making sure Margot was unhurt. Opening the front passenger door she placed Margot on the front seat and put Margot’s case at her feet. Len and Con hissed. They were only allowed to sit in the front on special occasions. Joey turned around.

“Be quiet, girls,” she said sternly. Len and Con subsided, but contented themselves with glares aimed in Margot’s direction.


Last edited by francesn on Sun Jun 26, 2005 10:45 pm; edited 1 time in total

 


#388:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:34 pm


Stupid woman! Evil or Very Mad

 


#389:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:37 pm


Jo is a complete pain in this. Those other poor kids. Hope Margot gets her comeuppance along with Jo and Marilyn.

 


#390:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:56 pm


Joey wants slapping! Spoiling Margot is bad enough, but to discriminate between her kids like that leaves me breathless!!!

 


#391:  Author: EilidhLocation: Bathgate, Scotland PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 12:43 am


We were always told that Margot was spoiled because she was so delicate they didn't think she would live. She must be stronger or she wouldn't be at school (she would be at home, like Barbara Chester, who was also delicate). So Jo has no excuse for her outrageous favouritism! Feel sorry for Len and Con.

 


#392:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 10:53 am


I'm surprised that Margot ever managed to have a good relationship with her sisters!

 


#393:  Author: RobinLocation: London PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:04 am


Wake up Joey! Although not Margot's fault she fell over, and I'd like to hope that if Len or Con had fallen over she'd have made a fuss of them too although perhaps not treating them like such babies as she is margot!

 


#394:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 9:47 pm


This unhappy state of affairs continued for the best part of a week despite the best efforts of the staff, and Margot was beginning to look very unhappy. Joey, having realised by this time that something was definitely amiss between her daughters tried in vain to sort the problem, but they remained uncommunicative. Finally, Margot broke.

One evening, as Joey was drying her hair in front of the fire she burst into tears for no apparent reason.

“There, there, precious,” Joey said, gathering the sobbing child into her arms. “Whatever’s the matter?”

“Can’t say,” Margot gulped. “Not a sneak.”

“Oh darling, telling Mamma if something is worrying you isn’t sneaking,” Joey said. “Sit in my lap and tell me all about it.”

The whole unhappy story poured out. Margot’s feelings of fear and loneliness were laid at her mother’s feet.

“And,…and….no-one will talk to me, and when we go on walks no-one speaks to me, not even my partner,” Margot wailed. “And Len and Con are being beastly, they talk to me but only if they have to and they have other friends that they like better than me.”

Joey boiled at this injustice and resolved to go and speak with Miss Annersley the very next day. Meanwhile she hushed Margot and rocked her baby to sleep. Carrying her upstairs, Jo laid her gently in the bed and dropped a kiss on her forehead. She left the room without a word to the other two


Last edited by francesn on Sun Jun 26, 2005 10:46 pm; edited 1 time in total

 


#395:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 9:49 pm


This drabble is doing nothing to cure my dislike of Margot! But I'm not complaining, it merely means that to me its very EBD!

 


#396:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 10:03 pm


Cazx, it's not Margot you should be disliking, but Joey. That woman is making my blood boil!!! However angry I am with my children, I never leave the bedroom without telling them 'goodnight, I love you'. How else will they know I love them unconditionally? That doesn't mean I condone bad behaviour, but this
Quote:
She left the room without a word to the other two
is the behaviour of someone with one precious child and some stray ragamuffins who live in her house. I've just been watching Nanny 911, I think Jack should call someone into tell Joey where she gets off.

 


#397:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 10:49 pm


I'm hoping that the chat with Miss A will end up with Joey being told a few home truths! hammer and swear Joey.

 


#398:  Author: EilidhLocation: Bathgate, Scotland PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:45 pm


Miss A never interferes in the girls friendships. And she knows how spoilt Margot is. Also hoping Joey hears some unpleasant truths.

 


#399:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 12:40 am


You can see how Jo made a rod for her own back with her treatment of Margot. Thanks Frances Liz

 


#400:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 12:59 am


GRRRRRR at Jo! Hope someone sorts her out soon.

 




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