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Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/07/09)
http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=6153
Author:  Ray [ Fri Jun 05, 2009 4:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/07/09)
A little delayed, owing to some RL issues, here's the beginning of the next installment in the Francie story.

This takes place during the same term as 'Triplets' and follows on, almost directly, from the end of 'Mistletoe and Wine'.

Happy reading - and thank you for your patience! :)

"Nearly done?"

Francie, at whom the question had been addressed, looked round from her unpacking in time to see Ruey thrust her head between the cubical curtains.

"Almost," Francie replied. "Just sorting out the last oddments."

"Good oh," said Ruey. "Miss Ferrars is looking for you."

Francie picked up a couple of hankies from the big wickerwork tray and stuffed them into their case. "Oh?"

"She asked me to find you and ask you to meet her in the library."

Dropping the handkerchief case into the open bureau drawer, Francie smiled. "And that's that. The library?"

"Probably about new books," Ruey guessed.

"Could be." Francie closed the drawer and picked up the wicker tray to return it to Matron. "What are the triplets doing now?"

"Con's helping Miss Dene with a late stationery order. Margot's helping Burnie with the gym – I'm off to help her in a moment. Not sure where Len is; I think the Head snaffled her for something." Ruey offered a shrug.

"Is that normal?" Francie asked, turning to leave.

"What; helping out or Len being snaffled?" Ruey took a couple of steps back and allowed Francie to exit the cubical. "The helping's normal, or so far as I can tell." She grinned. "Len being snaffled is a new one, though. I think," she added, "the Head wanted a message taken home."

"That would explain it." They left the dormitory and made their way towards Matron's room where Francie could return the tray. "Seems odd to be helping out before term starts, though."

"I suppose," said Ruey. "But then again, what else would we do? The coaches shan't be here much before seventeen this evening and we've got all afternoon to fill first."

At that, Francie chuckled. "Good point. Would you believe, I'd forgotten the coaches hadn't arrived yet?"

Ruey snorted with laughter and shook her head.

"It's true, though." Francie shook her own head in rueful amusement. "I'm so used to always arriving with everyone else, or later than everyone, when the school was on St Briavals. And now here I am, here before term even begins."

Ruey moderated her giggles a little. "When you put it like that, I can see what you mean. Still, at least it means you won't be feeling tired and achy from a long journey, and," she added, "you won't have to worry about unpacking or anything like that."

"That's true," said Francie as they reached the head of the stairs. "There are definitely benefits."

On that sage note, they parted company with Ruey departing down the stairs, still giggling quietly. Francie shook her head again and carried on to Matron's office where that lady was busily engaged in counting sheet bundles.

"All finished?" Matron enquired, seeing Francie in the doorway.

"Yes, Matron," Francie replied. She set the tray down on top of the small stack of other trays. On impulse she added, "Do you need any help?"

Matron shook her head. "Thank you, but no. Not until tomorrow, when the rest of the school unpacks."

Francie nodded. It was the answer she'd expected, and besides, Miss Ferrars was waiting in the library for her. Perhaps it would be better to see what she wanted before offering anyone else assistance – even if it did seem to be the thing to do!

Taking her leave from Matron's office, Francie trotted down the stairs and along to the library where, sure enough, Miss Ferrars was waiting, squatting in the middle of the floor surrounded by boxes of books.

"I know you mightn't be junior library prefect this term," the mistress began, "but I thought it would be quicker to ask you to help than explain to someone else."

Francie smiled. "I don't mind. Are these all new?" she added, eyeing the books with interest.

"Some are, some have come from Glendower House – if you remember, Miss Edwards asked to swap some of the books in their library for some of ours."

Francie recalled Lizette telling her about that, although the selection process had taken place during her stay in the San. She nodded now.

"Also," Miss Ferrars continued, "if the weather is as bad as it's been over the holidays, we may have to have the library open much sooner than normal, so it would be as well to put everything in order now, rather than taking the time on Saturday morning."

Francie nodded again. "Where would you like me to start?"

The next couple of hours passed swiftly as Francie and Miss Ferrars worked to put the newly acquired books away and make sure that the shelves were tidy and well ordered. During the course of the afternoon, they were joined by first Len and then Con, both released from their other tasks, but there was still a small pile of books homeless on the floor when the bell sounded for an early Kaffee und Kuchen.

"I'll finish off," Francie volunteered. "It won't take me long."

Miss Ferrars shook her head. "Don't be silly. You need your kaffee as much as the rest of us; I'll see to them after the coaches have arrived – and if we don't depart now, we'll still be eating when they do arrive!"

And before anyone could protest, Miss Ferrars had most effectively shooed them out of the library and locked the door behind them. With no choice, Francie tailed on behind Len and Con, though it didn't quell the oddly guilty that lurked in the back of Francie's mind for having left the task incomplete.

Kaffee itself proved to be something of a festive meal. Only the small handful of Platz residents were present for it and Karen, perhaps seeking to reward their hard work, had produced some delightful little cakes as an extra treat. There wasn't time to linger over them, however. Time was, as Len pointed out, simply fugiting for all it was worth.

At the end of the meal, Len – who seemed to know best what was going on – said grace and then dispatched the juniors from the table. With them went Audrey Everett, who had been keeping an eye on their doings in the junior common room, and Con, who admitted she needed to find a clean hankie.

Len rolled her eyes at her sister's departing back, then turned to those left. "All right; we need to clear the table pronto," she said, "then be ready to meet everyone in entrance hall."

Francie wasn't surprised to see everyone move with suitable speed at this directive. Even imps like Celia Everett and Val Gardener could occasionally be trusted to act responsibly on occasion. In less time than it took to tell, the table was tidied and clear, ready for dinner to be laid out and the party smartly marched out to the entrance hall, arriving just as the first of the big coaches rolled to a halt outside.
Author:  Lesley [ Fri Jun 05, 2009 5:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie
Lovely to see more of this Ray.


Thank you
Author:  PaulineS [ Fri Jun 05, 2009 7:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie
Thanks Ray. Good to see thsi and you back.
Author:  thefrau46 [ Fri Jun 05, 2009 8:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie
:D Thanks. Looking forward already to the next chapter.
Author:  Nell [ Sun Jun 07, 2009 8:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie
Thanks Ray, good to see more of Francie's story, I do enjoy it.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sun Jun 07, 2009 9:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie
Lovely to see more of this Ray. Thanks
Author:  jmc [ Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie
Great to see more of this. Thanks Ray
Author:  Emma A [ Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie
It's lovely to see Francie becoming more responsible, and I like seeing her friendship with the triplets and Ruey again.

Thanks, Ray.
Author:  Ray [ Thu Jun 11, 2009 11:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/06/09)
Thank you very much :) Glad you're enjoying it. Here's today's update - early, for once!

Francie had half expected the first day of term wouldn't trouble her too heavily, as one of the lucky few who had already completed their unpacking, but there she reckoned without Matron's keen memory and instead, she found herself pressed into service to help oversee the unpacking of sundry middles. It wasn't an especially onerous task, Francie freely admitted. No-one dared to waste time or play up, lest Matron's attention be brought to bear on them, which meant that all their supervisors were required to do was make certain that everyone possessed what they should and that it was unpacked in a manner that wouldn't lead to undue creasing.

Of course, Francie reflected, with some of the middles, that last was harder than perhaps it might have been!

By Mitagessen, however, the task was complete and all of Matron's helpers were released for the afternoon's activities.

After Mitagessen, while the rest of the school were dispatched to the gym for a spot of country dancing to relieve the fidgets (outdoor exercise being entirely impossible thanks to the once-more falling snow), Francie joined the rest of the prefects for their first meeting of the term.

"I know it's early," said Maeve, by way of explanation, "but the Head has informed me how bad the weather's been and looks set to continue being and she wants us to be ready for all emergencies."

"To say nothing of mischief and mayhem from the middles," murmured Rosamund softly, prompting a giggle from Len and Francie, her immediate neighbours.

Giving the frivolous trio a look, Maeve continued, "So we need to settle duties and have a few ideas primed for Saturdays when we're shut in. We can't just fall back on hobbies!"

"What about some kind of tournament?" asked Monica Garstin. "We could hold heats one week, or across a couple of weeks, then have semi-finals and finals."

"What about the people not involved?" asked Alicia.

"Dancing in Hall," said Len promptly. "But," she added, "if we do that, we'll have to come up with something that gives the kids a proper chance or else they'll feel left out."

"What about an obstacle race?" asked Francie. "Form by form, with the winners going through to a grand final."

"That might work," said Mary. "When does the snow usually thaw?"

"March or thereabouts," said Len.

Monica Caird hastily did some calculations. "That gives us eight weeks, more or less. Once the thaw's complete, we'll be out of doors playing hockey and the like, and even before then, if the weather's clear we'll be skiing."

"Could we get through all the heats in one go?" Aimee wondered.

Maeve shook her head. "I should doubt it. But," she added, "you might be able to get Miss Burnett to run the heats in one of her games periods, if we're as shut in as we might be. We'll fix on the details later, but I think it's an idea that's definitely got promise. Meanwhile, if we settle nothing else this afternoon, we simply must decide on the two library prefects and the hobbies' prefects for those are two things we know will be needed sooner rather than later."

With that reminder, the school's grandees got down to the main business of the meeting and obstacle races, heats and finals were pushed to the backs of minds for the time being.

To Francie's general relief, she found herself being reinstated as junior library prefect. It was a job that she found she was well suited for and she'd enjoyed her first term's work. It was also a job with remarkably few major difficulties. The main problem was making sure that the juniors and middles didn't squabble over their book choices. Since, in general, Prefects at the Chalet School were obeyed, even that wasn't as bad as it might have been.

"We will have to make sure the library is ready," said Marie, who had likewise been reinstated. "Miss Ferrars told me that we should be prepared to open the library early this term."

Francie nodded. "She said as much to me, too. I don't think, though, that there's much to do. We were hard at it yesterday afternoon."

Marie goggled for a moment, then giggled. "But I had forgotten; you were staying with the Maynards, yes?"

Francie grinned. "I was."

"Then, if you were busy with it yesterday, we should be ready." Marie sighed with relief. "And not even the middles can get into trouble with library books!"

As the term unfolded, it would become readily apparent how wrong that thought was, but that was all in the future. There and then, it was time for Kaffee und Kuchen and then prep and thoughts of the library were driven from Francie's head in favour of the history reading Miss Charlsworth had been pleased to set that morning.

Miss Ferrars had, as it proved, prophesied truly. The weather was precisely as dismal as she'd feared and it was without any surprise that Francie and Marie were requested to open the library early in the first week of term so that people would be able to have fresh reading material. After a brief discussion Marie volunteered to supervise that first session and, as seemed reasonable, Francie offered to look after the next one.

What she hadn't bargained on was the next session taking place quite as soon as it did. With the snow showing no signs of letting up, another hastily arranged library session took place just two days later on an afternoon when Francie had intended to produce a rough draft on the inevitable essay that had followed Miss Charlsworth's reading prep. Nominally, she could have worked on it while supervising in the library, but she knew that she'd be able to get little done, thanks to the inevitable interruptions, which left her somewhat frustrated.

As if sensing her mood, the middles, for the most part, were extremely meek and mild. Jack and Gillie, both leaders in their set, and Jose Helston, one of the leaders of the Upper Fourth, contrived to make sure their forms, at least, behaved sanely. Unfortunately, the two thirds were much less acute and after settling the fifth pair of third formers arguing over the same book, Francie was beginning to feel her patience expiring.

It was left to Freda Kendal to put the seal on Francie's mood. Freda was a heedless thing as a rule; if it could be mislaid or broken, Freda could, and frequently did, mislay or break it. The previous term, she had managed to pile up a record number of lost property fines – so many, in fact, that she had been called in to see the Head, who had given her a severe lecture on the subject of looking after one's belongings. She had also been forced to pay for the mending of a common room lamp, while a vase that had belonged to the school since its very earliest days had also met its death at Freda's hands. So, when Freda sidled up to the librarian's desk, looking as nervous and disconsolate as any middle could, Francie knew something had befallen the book Freda had borrowed only two days earlier.

"Um, I---ich habe mein Buch verloren," Freda stumbled.

"You've lost it?" Francie echoed. Freda nodded. "How?"

"I don't know."

Francie stared at her junior. "You don't know?"

"It was on the shelf in the common room," Freda explained. "I put it there so I wouldn't lose it, but when I went to get it just now, it wasn't there."

"Honest, Francie," Nita Tarengo threw in. "I saw her put it away."

"Books do not generally get up and walk away," Francie retorted crossly. Freda looked very blue.

"But she did put it away!" objected Nita. "Someone must have moved it."

"And why on earth would someone want to do that?" Francie asked. "Unless it was in the wrong place."

"But it wasn't!" said Freda. "Honest!"

Francie was at a loss as to what to do. It was fairly clear that Freda had, once again, lost something – though her repeated protestations it had been put away did strike a little bit of a chord with Francie; she knew what it was like to have done something and to be not believed – the question was, what should she do? Sparing her from having to make a decision just then, however, was Miss Dene, who entered the library carrying a rather sorry looking book.

"I think," said Miss Dene, "this might have once been a library book."

The phrase was merited. The cover was soggy and at least half the pages were loose. Francie couldn't begin to imagine what had happened to it for it to be in that state. "Thank you, Miss Dene."

Miss Dene handed over the maltreated item. As she did so, Francie realised this was the book that Freda had lost. With another thank you to the school secretary, who nodded and departed, Francie turned back to Freda.

"I don't suppose," she began with a great deal of sarcasm, "you have any idea just how your library book comes to look like this?"
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Fri Jun 12, 2009 12:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/06/09)
Poor Freda, though glad Francie could emphathise with the situation
Author:  Kathy_S [ Fri Jun 12, 2009 1:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/06/09)
Oh, dear! It's not as though there's time to read in the bath at the CS, and no one would be silly enough to discover that the glue in some bindings melts if you attempt to oven-dry the result.*oops* So -- Whodunnit? and how?

Thank you, Ray!
Author:  jmc [ Fri Jun 12, 2009 2:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/06/09)
Thanks for the lovely long post. Did the book end up in the snow somehow?
Author:  Lesley [ Fri Jun 12, 2009 4:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/06/09)
Fallen out the window into the snow? :lol:

Thanks Ray
Author:  shazwales [ Fri Jun 12, 2009 3:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/06/09)
Thanks Ray! you won't leave us with a'cliff!' will you?
Author:  Lyanne [ Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/06/09)
Who has it in for Freda and is trying to get her in trouble?
Author:  crystaltips [ Wed Jun 17, 2009 4:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/06/09)
Ray, I have just read all of your Francie drabbles & I have enjoyed them - hope RL is now going well & we can perhaps hope for an update?
Author:  Ray [ Thu Jun 18, 2009 9:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 18/06/09)
Thank you all :)

Yes; the book did end up in the snow (though I love the idea of someone attempting to read in the bath!) - but how it got there, that'll be for later. And as for who has it in for Freda...you'll have to be patient. The term is young yet :mrgreen:

As far as cliffs go, I don't do cliffs. Much :wink: If I do leave you teatering, I'll try not to leave you there too long :devil:

My basic plan is to post updates on a Friday (or, as the case may be, lateish on Thursday evening!), so with that in mind, here's this week's installment.


To say that Freda looked mortified was putting it mildly, Francie decided. The junior middle looked utterly horrified, as did Nita.

It was Nita who spoke first. "That wasn't Freda, Francie, honest it wasn't."

"If it wasn't Freda," Francie answered shortly, "perhaps you'd like to suggest who it was?" Neither third former spoke. "I rather thought not." She put the book down, carefully, on the desk. "All right. Freda, you'll have to pay for a new copy."

"But…" Freda stopped, then sighed. "Yes, Francie."

The meekness in the reply brought Francie up short. Freda looked resigned to her fate. Nita looked outraged. Something was very wrong with this situation. But before she could say anything else, the bell rang, signalling the end of the afternoon.

There was a brief flurry of people checking out last minute choices, and in the chaos, Freda and Nita vanished, leaving Francie thoroughly puzzled as she began the chore of putting the library straight once more.

"Jumping Jehsophat!" exclaimed a voice.

Looking up from her task, Francie saw Con staring in unmitigated horror at Freda's former library book. "You can say that again."

"Who on earth did that to a poor, defenceless book?" Con demanded. "And did you fine her well?"

Francie chuckled. "Freda Kendal," she replied, prompting a roll of the eyes from Con. "And as for fining, she's going to be paying for a new copy all right, don't you worry about that." Francie paused. "The funny thing is, I don't think she did it."

"What do you mean?" Con asked. "Freda's a careless ape at the best of times."

"Careless, yes," Francie agreed, "but she and Nita Tarengo were practically swearing oaths that Freda had put the book away properly and that it had been lost."

Con looked thoughtful. "That crew did rather tease Freda over her lost property fines and such last term; I can't imagine one of them would provide an alibi for her if it wasn't true."

"No," said Francie, rescuing an Angela Brazil from the midst of the Arthur Ransome collection. "Honestly; you'd never think these kids know their alphabet from where they put books away!"

Con chuckled. "So what are you going to do about Freda?"

"Conduct some investigations, I think," Francie decided. "Something is most definitely rotten in the state of Denmark."

Con grinned. "In the meantime," she said, "Len was looking for you. Something about an emergency prefect's meeting after Kaffee und Kuchen."

Francie frankly goggled at Con. "The term is barely a week old and we've already settled duties. What on earth?"

"Not a clue," said Con. "I'm just the messenger." She glanced down at the maltreated book. "You know, I might be able to mend this."

"Really?"

"I can certainly try," came the response. "Once it's dry, at any rate."

"Then have at by all means." Francie sighed. "Since we've opened the library early, Marie and I will be up to our ears in other book mending before we know it."

"I can help you with that, too," said Con shyly. "If you want me to?"

"Speaking for me," Francie answered, "I'd be delighted. I expect Marie's response will be much the same." She paused. "Aren't you specialising this term, though?"

"Not heavily," Con replied. "Len's going gung ho for languages and Margot's going tooth and nail for science. All I'm doing, so far, is dropping advanced mathematics and science. Miss Derwent is going to give me some extra coaching in English, but that's not starting until next term, so I have some free time this term." Con grinned. "And if the book mending is as bad as you say, I might as well put my time to profitable use."

At that moment, the bell for Kaffee und Kuchen rang, sending the pair of them dashing for the splasheries, and Francie had no more chance to wonder about extra prefects meetings or library books until after the meal, when she joined the rest of the school's grandees in the prefect's room.

Maeve had taken her seat at the head of the table, with Mary Murrell at one hand, as second prefect and Captain of St Hilda's, and Monica Caird at her other hand, as Games Prefect. The rest of them arranged themselves around the table to suit themselves, and Francie found herself sitting next to Monica Gastin, eldest sister of Gillie, and Alicia Leonard.

It was Aimee Robinette who asked the obvious question. "But why have you called us together, Maeve?"

"There's mischief afoot," Maeve answered grimly.

"So early in the term?" Lizette Falance sounded astonished. "But we have not been back a week yet!"

"What's Jack done now?" asked Len in depressed tones.

"Or Gillie?" added that young lady's sister in similarly disconsolate tones.

"Nothing, so far as we're aware," said Maeve, a brief smile flickering across her face. "It's not the fourths at all. It's the thirds, and specifically Upper III." She glanced at Mary. "Would you do the honours, Mary?"

Looking slightly pink and embarrassed, Mary nodded. "They had dictation this afternoon. It should have been with Miss Andrews, but she sprained her ankle this morning and so, since I was free, Miss Annersley asked if I would take dictation with Upper III. I arrived to find them in a state of absolute ferment. None of them, it seemed, had any of their correct things. Freda Kendal," at which name, Francie groaned softly, drawing sharp glances from both Monica and Alicia, "had Victoria Wood's scribbler and no pencil at all. Victoria did have her pencil, but no scribbler, and that was just two. Out of a form of twenty-one, not one girl had exactly what she needed. It took me ten minutes to untangle matters and, of course, left precious little time for their proper dictation."

"That explains something, then," said Francie as Mary paused.

"Oh?" said Maeve.

"That crew were in the library after dictation," Francie answered. "And they were thoroughly upset. Now I know why."

Mary chuckled. "They certainly did get an earful from me," she agreed. "The trouble is, it was such an odd mess. It was quite clear that it wasn't entirely their fault – oh, I'm sure they could have solved it without resorting to a rugger scrum, which was what I walked in on, or at least it appeared to be – which means someone else is deliberately messing around."

Maeve took up the tale once more. "So, my first question is, have any of you come across anything similar with Upper III?"

"Well I've seen nothing," said Monica Caird, "and I take prep with them on Mondays. Oh, Freda couldn't find her geog book, but that's about par for Freda."

Various others at the table, who either took Upper III for prep or who had undertaken some form of supervision with them all reported either nothing at all, or only incidences that were standard practice with the form. When it came to Francie's turn, she repeated the incident in the library regarding Freda's library book.

"That's Freda for you," said Ros. "Careless is her middle name."

Francie shook her head. "The more I think about it, the more I'm sure this isn't Freda being careless. She and Nita seemed too certain the book had been put away."

"So the little dears are in a mess," murmured a lazy voice. "I shouldn't have thought it was any skin off our nose. Particular not you over Freda."

For a full minute, the rest of the Prefects were stunned by the words. For Francie, it took that long before the full import of what the speaker, Doris Bratsby, meant. When she did, she found her anger rising.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" she demanded. "Why on earth would I have a grudge against Freda? And," she added, "in case you haven't noticed; Prefects at this establishment are expected to keep law and order."

"She broke your arm," said Doris as if that was all the explanation she needed.

Francie stared at the other girl. "Have you gone absolutely batty?" she asked, incredulous.

"Francie," said Maeve warningly. "That's enough."

Francie subsided, still seething.

"So, what are we going to do?" Len asked, with some idea of smoothing over the meeting.

"We will have to be extra vigilant, where the Upper III are concerned," Maeve decided. "Someone has taken a pretty violent dislike to them and I want to know who and why." She paused. "Who has prep with them tonight?"

"Tonight is my duty night with them," Lizette answered. "I shall keep my eyes open."

Maeve nodded. "Good. Francie, are you planning on any more investigation over the library book?"

"I shall have to," Francie answered shortly. "Unless either Con can work miracles with it or Miss Ferrars is too busy to notice it, someone's bound to ask questions."

Maeve nodded again. "If it turns out that Freda was just being Freda, make sure you fine her well. Everyone else," she finished, "keep your eyes pealed. Whoever's behind this is messing around with other people's belongings and that just isn't on."

At that moment, the bell for prep rang and those with supervision shot off to their respective charges. Francie, for her part, made her way to Upper IVa's form room to supervise their prep time. Thanks to Doris' comments, though, she was in no mood for being messed around, and as a consequence, Upper IVa found her thoroughly unhelpful and more than one of them found themselves on the wrong side of Francie's tongue.
Author:  PaulineS [ Thu Jun 18, 2009 9:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 18/06/09)
Thanks for the update. The thirds seem to have angered some one badly.
Author:  abbeybufo [ Thu Jun 18, 2009 9:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 18/06/09)
I for one am pleased to get updates whenever they come - good to know it will be approximately weekly
[that's considerably better than I'm managing at the moment :oops: ]

Thanks Ray :D
Author:  Kathy_S [ Fri Jun 19, 2009 1:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 18/06/09)
Thank you Ray!

I agree with Francie here. Something is very suspicious -- and I wouldn't be surprised if there are more targets than Freda. *not impressed with Doris*
Author:  Miss Di [ Fri Jun 19, 2009 3:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 18/06/09)
Bit suss about this Doris character Ray. To think I have to wait a week to find out why...
Author:  meerium [ Fri Jun 19, 2009 11:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 18/06/09)
Hurrah for more of your Francie, Ray! And, while it's nice to know we'll have a regular Friday installment, you've set up so much intrigue it's going to be Chinese water torture waiting a week for the next lot!
Author:  shazwales [ Fri Jun 19, 2009 3:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 18/06/09)
Thanks Ray looking forward to the next update.
Author:  crystaltips [ Sat Jun 20, 2009 12:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 18/06/09)
Oooh-er, something not right here. Seems as though Upper III have collectively upset someone - or someone's got it in for them. And what about this Doris character? I smell something fishy. Roll on next week, maybe there will be some answers.

Thanks, Ray
Author:  Abi [ Sat Jun 20, 2009 11:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 18/06/09)
This is great Ray - when I get a chance I'll be reading the predecessor in the archives!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sat Jun 20, 2009 3:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 18/06/09)
Glad Francie is on to finding what's going on with Freda. And if I remember correctly Doris Bratsby was a St Hilda's Prefect and the CS Prefects thought she was next to useless. I remember them saying they were glad Prefects were decided by the Head not by popular vote as it was at St Hilda's
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Jun 20, 2009 6:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 18/06/09)
Seems Doris has her knife in Francie for some reason - and why didn't Maeve say something to Doris - rather than just warn Francie for being (justifiably) angry.


Thanks Ray
Author:  jmc [ Sat Jun 20, 2009 10:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 18/06/09)
Thanks Ray. Can't wait for Friday when we get some more.
Author:  Alex [ Sun Jun 21, 2009 1:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 18/06/09)
Maybe Doris has designs on Francie's library job. Or maybe she's just judging Francie by her own standards.
Author:  Ray [ Thu Jun 25, 2009 9:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 25/06/09)
Thank you again - here's this week's installment.

Francie was still inwardly raging when the middles' prep came to an end and she returned to the Prefects' Room. To her general relief, there was no sign of Doris, or any of the other St Hilda's prefects. In fact, the only person present was Ros, whose eyebrows shot up as she took in the expression on Francie's face.

"You're not still upset by that ass Doris, are you?"

"How would you like it?" Francie retorted, dropping heavily into a convenient chair. "She all but implied I should be holding a grudge against Freda, or am holding one; I'm not sure which."

Ros shook her head. "Ignore her."

Francie snorted and took out her essay. "Easy for you to say."

"She isn't worth it," Ros advised. "She's a featherbrained creature, an unmitigated ass and not someone any sane head would have appointed as a prefect."

Francie snorted again, this time with abortive laughter. "I'm sure she speaks highly of you, too."

Ros grinned. "She may well do at that. Anyway, my point is, there's no point in letting her rile you because she won't ever see she's wrong."

Francie answered with a sigh. "I know. I just---I suppose the reason what she said got to me is that a few years ago, I might just have been silly enough to do exactly what she accused me of."

"Ah, but that was a few years ago," said Ros sagely. "You wouldn't be a prefect if you hadn't stopped doing it."

As there was a significant amount of truth in that statement, Francie had no choice but to agree. There the conversation had to be shelved as at that moment they were joined by Lizette and Maeve, both fresh from middles' prep and both looking fit to be tied.

"What happened?" asked Ros.

"Jack and Gille," said Maeve succinctly. "The sooner we get some fresh air the better."

"The thirds were restless," said Lizette. "Perhaps for the same reason Jack and Gille were trouble this evening."

Maeve gave her a sharp glance. "Just that?"

"But yes," said Lizette firmly. "Everyone had her own books and no-one was missing anything, not even Freda. Also, I overheard Victoria Woods say that she was sick of being inside. Not our mysterious trouble."

Maeve nodded and the matter was left. Francie turned her own attention to her neglected essay and contrived to make a good beginning. The matter of Freda and the library book and the nebulous troubles the thirds were having, however, was not far from her thoughts and when the bell sounded to bring an end to the day's work, she had decided on one course of action in that regard.

"Ros, can you take my things back to the form room?" she asked.

Ros nodded. "Of course – aren't you going there yourself?"

"No; I need to speak to Miss Ferrars." Francie grimaced. "As sure as I am that Freda isn't at fault, I still need to report it."

Ros smiled sympathetically and gathered up Francie's books with her own even as Francie herself headed out of the Prefects Room and made her way along to the Staff Room.

As it turned out, however, Francie never made it to her destination as she bumped into her quarry coming out of Inter V's form room.

"Oh, Miss Ferrars – may I speak to you?" Francie asked. "It's about the library."

Miss Ferrars' eyebrows rose in surprise. "Has there been a problem already?"

"Sort of," Francie answered, drawing further surprise from the mistress. "I don't exactly want to make this official, though."

"I see." Miss Ferrars clearly didn't, but she re-opened the form room door and ushered Francie in. "Now why don't you explain?"

"Off the record?"

Miss Ferrars leaned against the mistress' desk and nodded. "To start with."

Francie nodded. "We – the Prefects – are already starting to look into it but…" Francie stopped, aware she was now talking in circles. She swallowed and then slowly and carefully began explaining about the thirds and about Freda's library book. "And I don't know that the two things are connected, and it could just be that Freda's been careless again but---"

"But you don't want to be unfair to her if she really didn't do this," Miss Ferrars completed. "The rest of it is certainly a matter for the Prefects for now and I shan't get involved there. As far as the library book is concerned, however, I do have to be involved. It's school property that's been damaged."

Francie nodded. This was more or less what she'd expected.

"I agree with you, though," Miss Ferrars continued. "What you've described sounds extremely suspicious. You're already investigating, so here's what we can do."



Ten minutes later, Francie entered the junior middles' common room and sought out Freda and Nita.

"May I have a word with you?" she asked.

Both looked conscious and wary as Francie led them out of the noisy common room and into a deserted classroom.

"I'm not here to scold," said Francie as she closed the door. "So you needn't worry on that score." She noted that neither looked especially relieved by her words. "It's about your library book, Freda."

Freda's face fell. "Oh."

"She didn't do it!" said Nita hotly.

Francie held up her hands, cutting off more protests. "I know that's what you're saying, Nita, but as the facts stand there's a destroyed library book that was last seen in Freda's possession."

"But---"

"Freda, Nita, I don't disbelieve you. But, until I can track down what really happened, I've got to put into motion a plan to replace the book."

Freda's shoulders slumped. "How much am I being fined?" she asked.

"I spoke to Miss Ferrars," Francie replied. "What we're going to do is dock five centimes from your weekly allowance. When I can prove you didn't do it, you'll get that money back."

Freda sighed. "This is what Miss Annersley meant, last term. Isn't it? About getting a reputation."

Knowing the Head Mistress, Francie could only nod. "I'm afraid it is."

Nita didn't look mollified. "It isn't fair."

"No," Francie agreed. "It isn't fair. But it isn't fair that the library's going to be short of that book and until we can find the real culprit, Freda was the last one in charge of it." She hesitated a moment. "You've no idea, either of you, who might have done this?"

Silently, the two middles shook their heads.

"All right. I am going to look into this and get to the bottom of it, don't you worry. Now, it's nearly time for Abendessen, so you'd better both get back to the common room."

The pair departed leaving Francie on her own. The question now arose: Just how was she going to find out who was behind this? She shook her head and wondered if she hadn't, perhaps, bitten off far more than she could chew. With the next breath, she dismissed that thought and made her way towards the senior common room. It was a large mouthful, to be sure, but she wasn't the only one looking into the thirds' affairs. She and the rest of the Prefects would get to the bottom of matters. It was just a case of working out where to start.
Author:  Elbee [ Thu Jun 25, 2009 9:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 25/06/09)
I hope Francie is successful in her mission with the library book.

Thanks, Ray.
Author:  Miss Di [ Fri Jun 26, 2009 3:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 25/06/09)
oh happy happy Friday.

Hope the investigation goes well!
Author:  Lesley [ Fri Jun 26, 2009 4:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 25/06/09)
Pleased Frances got pulled out of her bad mood - and that she was able to approach both Miss Ferrars and Freda and Nita.


Thanks Ray! :lol:
Author:  jmc [ Fri Jun 26, 2009 7:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 25/06/09)
Francie is really so mature in this. I hope she finds the culprit.

Thanks Ray
Author:  Abi [ Fri Jun 26, 2009 7:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 25/06/09)
Also wishing Francie good luck - thanks Ray!
Author:  Cath V-P [ Thu Jul 02, 2009 1:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 25/06/09)
Francie is being very thoughtful about this and seeing everyone's point of view.
Thanks Ray.
Author:  Kathy_S [ Thu Jul 02, 2009 2:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 25/06/09)
Thank you, Ray. Francie's handling things very well, isn't she.

*wonders who the real culprit may be*
(I know, you've already said we won't know for a while, but still....)
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Jul 02, 2009 3:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 25/06/09)
Francie is handling things really well and it's lovely to see more of her
Author:  Ray [ Fri Jul 03, 2009 8:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 25/06/09)
Thank you all for your comments. Sorry it's a little late this week - it's a little hard to think about snow fights when you're a small blob of melted jelly!

Francie went to sleep that night still chewing over the question of what to do about the Thirds, but when she woke up the following morning, all thoughts of Freda, library books and miscellaneous trouble were driven from her mind when she realised that the snow had stopped.

"Goody!" she murmured feeling a jolt of excitement. "Will we ski?"

It was soon apparent that the same question was on the lips of everyone else and by the time the bell sounded for Frühstück the whole school was in a state of ferment. Tied to the house since the start of term, everyone, it seemed, wanted some fresh air. Surely the school authorities would agree?

As Francie eyed the occupants of her table and saw that all of them were excited and fit to burst, she just hoped the Head wouldn't leave them in suspense too long.

Almost as if she had read Francie's thoughts, Miss Annersley touched her little bell and sent a sharp prrrring cutting across the excited babble.

"Unfortunately," she began, "while the snow has ceased, there hasn't been sufficient frost for skiing. We will, however, be making use of the break in the weather. Once Frühstück is over, we will be going out for an extended walk. Dormitory work will be held back until we return and lessons will not begin until after break."

That provoked a storm of approval from everyone. While it wasn't the hoped for skiing, it would at least be some fresh air and, in the case of the middles at least, the chance to run off some energy.

Miss Annersley looked amused by the reaction. "I needn't ask if you approve. So without further delay, we will have grace." And she recited the simple Latin grace that began each meal at the Chalet School.

As the meal got underway, Francie shelved her own excitement at the prospect of time out of doors and turned her attention to her charges. Not even the worst outbreak of naughtiness would keep any of them from taking part in the walk, she knew, but it would keep them out of any other proposed fun – and Francie strongly suspected that there would be more to the walk than a prim promenade confined to the highroad – so she set an eye to make sure that everyone at her table made a good meal and didn't make too much in the line of noise. In doing so, she caught the edges of a conversation between Gretchen von Ahlen and Rosemary Wentworth.

Gretchen was saying, "It was very strange; I saw Freda make her bed yesterday morning and it was just as Matron wants it. She asked me to check."

Rosemary's response was a heavy frown. "Are you sure? I mean Freda is---"

For response, Gretchen chuckled. "But yes. I know what Freda is and that's why she asks me to check before getting the dormy pre to check. That way she's sure."

"Who's dormy pre for you lot?" Rosemary asked.

"Doris Bratsby," Gretchen answered with a shudder.

"Francie?"

Jack's voice dragged Francie's attention away from Gretchen and Rosemary's conversation. Guiltily, Francie realised that she had been eavesdropping the two younger girls quite unashamedly. Still, it had been an interesting titbit. Logging it for further consideration, she turned her attention to Jack, who was looking expectant. Dimly, Francie realised that Jack must have asked her a question and one that she hadn't heard a single word of.

"I'm sorry, Jack; what was that?" she asked.

"I only wondered if you thought the Head might let us have a snowball fight," said Jack, not in the least bit perturbed by her elder's apparent preoccupation.

"She might," said Francie cautiously. Then, seeing Jack, Gillie and a few similar worthies were likely to raise another cheer, she added hastily, "But don't pin your hopes on it. It may not be possible."

Jack and Gillie didn't look in the slightest depressed by her caution but did, at least, moderate their joy to levels unlikely to call trouble down on their heads. Francie shook her head. Had she ever been quite that irrepressible?

After breakfast, Francie started for the stairs, only to be stopped by Maeve at the door of the Spiesessaal. "Miss Annersley's asked me to organise a snow fight for the junior middles," said the Head Girl briskly. "Would you mind helping out?"

Francie shook her head. "No – of course." She then grinned. "Jack's going to be miffed."

"Oh?"

"She was wondering about a snowball fight."

Maeve tossed her head back and laughed. "She would. Her crew are going out with Miss Ferrars and Miss Wilmot with Len and the two Monicas so she might still be in luck."

"She might at that."

"Meet me in the splasheries in ten minutes?" asked Maeve.

"Can do," said Francie.

Maeve nodded and headed rapidly upstairs to make her preparations. Francie followed suit. It was only as she reached her dormitory that she was moved to wonder why Maeve had pitched on her to help.

"I suppose I'll find out sooner rather than later," she murmured and set about making her preparations for the morning's activities.
Author:  shazwales [ Fri Jul 03, 2009 10:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 03/07/09)
Thank-you Ray,nice to think about cool weather when it's humid and heavy here!
Author:  jmc [ Sat Jul 04, 2009 12:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 03/07/09)
You can pass some warmer weather this way.

Surely Doris isn't the one responsible. While she may not be that nice she is a prefect and I don't think she would be the one trying to get a junior in trouble. But I could be wrong. That happens often enough.

Thanks Ray. Waiting patiently until next weeks.
Author:  Kathy_S [ Sat Jul 04, 2009 12:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 03/07/09)
More and more suspicious, with Freda having witnesses on her behalf. Well, at least one who'll speak out.

Snow fights should be fun!

Thank you, Ray.
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Jul 04, 2009 4:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 03/07/09)
Hmmmm, could Doris be jealous? Jealousy can cause otherwise sensible people to act very badly.


Thanks Ray
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sat Jul 04, 2009 12:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 03/07/09)
Thanks. Glad Freda is getting witnesses for her work. Poor girl. Hope Francie is able to get to the bottom of it
Author:  leahbelle [ Tue Jul 07, 2009 12:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 03/07/09)
Thanks. I hope Jack's not too miffed about the snow fight!
Author:  Miss Di [ Thu Jul 09, 2009 5:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 03/07/09)
Happy to swap weather with you Ray. 33 degrees makes a nice summer day to my way of thinking (and you'd probably laff at me sitting here shivering with the heater on and all rugged up at 15 degrees)
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Jul 11, 2009 5:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 03/07/09)
Miss Di wrote:
Happy to swap weather with you Ray. 33 degrees makes a nice summer day to my way of thinking (and you'd probably laff at me sitting here shivering with the heater on and all rugged up at 15 degrees)



Er yes! :lol:
Author:  Ray [ Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/07/09)
Sorry for posting a little late (look on the bright side, the next installment will be along that little bit quicker this week!) - had a few technical difficulties this week.

Miss Di: What do you mean 15's cold?! That's shorts and t-shirt weather in these parts... *grin*



Ten minutes later, Francie entered the splasheries just in time to hear a plaintive voice exclaim, "But I know my laces were fine when I left home and I haven't needed my boots since!"

For a wonder, the voice didn't belong to Freda. Instead the speaker was no lesser person than Gretchen von Ahlen, which only made Francie's eyebrows lift to her hairline even as she plunged into the bevy of middles – much to their consternation.

"What's happened?" she asked.

In answer, Gretchen exhibited her left boot. The lace appeared to have snapped. "It wasn't like this when I unpacked," she said, looking not a little woebegone.

"Do you have a spare lace?" asked Francie practically. Gretchen shook her head, which explained at least some of her despondency. Raising her voice, Francie appealed to the gathered middles, "Does anyone have a spare lace?"

The plea immediately provoked a rustle as ten of the gathering started rummaging for laces. It was Jack Lambert who finally managed to produce some, which she promptly offered to Gretchen.

"Here," she said. "Better lace up quickly, though."

"Definitely," Francie agreed.

"But what will Matey say?" Gretchen asked, beginning to change over the lace all the same.

"Laces snap," said Rosemary. "It's not your fault."

Gretchen didn't look remotely mollified, but there was little else to do. Francie made a mental note to mention the incident to Alicia Leonard, who'd been on duty in the splasheries most of the week, to see if she'd seen anything out of the ordinary and then turned her attention to the thirds to make sure that they were getting ready.

A few moments later and Maeve had joined her and a few moments later still, as the fourths were collected by their escorts, she and Maeve led the thirds out to the playing fields where Miss Burnett was waiting for them.



It was only later, as Francie limped back into the house after an exhausting snow fight that had seen her team successfully defend their fort against Maeve and her team, that she finally discovered Maeve's motive when the Head Girl said, "I had hoped we'd be able to talk before the snow fight."

"Oh?"

"Well, two things, really," said Maeve. "Firstly, about Freda. I'm just…I suppose, I'm curious: What makes you so sure she isn't just being Freda?"

Francie smiled wryly. "I don't know. Something about it just doesn't feel right. And then there's Nita Tarengo, who was practically giving me an affidavit about what Freda had done with the book."

Maeve nodded. "I understand. Let me know what you find out."

It was Francie's turn to nod. "What was the other thing?"

There was a moment's pause in the conversation as they entered the building and Maeve led the way into the seniors' splasherie so that they could divest themselves of their outdoor wraps. "It's about Doris."

Francie grimaced. "Ah."

Maeve was already shaking her head. "Nothing like that; I know she's an unmitigated ass. I'm just curious if you've had any dealings with her."

Slowly, Francie shook her head. "Not really – she's not in my form and I don't think we've ever been on duty together."

"That's what I thought."

Francie looked quizzical. "Oh?"

But Maeve just shook her head. "It's nothing."

Francie didn't believe her, but at that moment several other seniors entered the splasherie and the conversation had to come to a close. For her part, Francie headed upstairs to get changed and get on with the delayed dormitory work. At the back of her mind, however, she continued to turn over everything about the term so far. There was the trouble with Freda and the thirds. Was that spreading to the fourths with the incident over Gretchen's lace? And just what had Maeve been getting at with her questions?

As she finished tidying her cubical, Francie recognised she was no nearer finding an answer to her questions and for the first time since the beginning of term, she wished she could go along to the San and talk to Eric who would, at the very least, help her to stop her thoughts going circular. There was, however, no way that she would be permitted to make the journey. The weather was much too precarious and Francie had a suspicion that now that Eric was no longer convalescing, a visit to see him would probably be frowned upon by the school authorities. She was just going to have to muddle through herself – or try confiding in someone else. 'Perhaps I can talk to Len,' she mused. 'She will at least be able to tell me if I'm being a complete ass!'

Cubical spick and span and resolved to seek Len out at the earliest opportunity, Francie made her way back downstairs where Miss Dene was spreading out the day's letters on the slab.

"Francie, would you mind giving me a hand?" Miss Dene asked. "We've had three bags delivered this morning!"

"Goodness!" Francie exclaimed. She hadn't given the matter any thought, but she now presumed that the post had been held up thanks to the weather. "What would you like me to do?"

For answer, Miss Dene handed over a thick bundle of letters. "If you can sort these into forms – they should largely all be for seniors, I have managed that much at least! – and spread them out on the slab."

Francie nodded and set to work with a will. It wasn't a difficult task; the only question that arose from time to time was which fifth form some of the recipients were in and there were form lists available for Francie to consult with when she wasn't sure. When she finished her first batch, Miss Dene handed over another, and then a third. She was also joined by Alicia Leonard and Mary Murrell and by the time the bell for break sounded, the post had all been sorted and displayed ready for people to claim.

"Thank you, girls," said Miss Dene. "I should have been still doing this by lunch time without your help. You'd better go and have your cocoa – and do help yourselves to your own letters!"

And with that remark, she departed.

"Me for cocoa," said Mary. "I know there won't be a letter for me yet; mums sailed for Jamaica on Monday."

"There's one for you, Alicia," said Francie holding it out. "And a postcard for me." And she exhibited the colourful object.

"Ooh, where's that from?" Mary asked.

Francie inspected it. "Galveston." She frowned. "Not quite sure where that is, though. Geography's not my strong suit."

"Well let's get cocoa," said Alicia, "and then you can look it up."
Author:  shazwales [ Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/07/09)
Thanks for the update Ray, really enjoying this.
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/07/09)
Think Maeve should tell Francie of her suspicions rather than leave her in limbo. A for Galveston - wouldn't be Eric, would it? Or perhaps Francie's step mother?


Thanks Ray
Author:  jmc [ Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/07/09)
Also clueless as to where Galveston is. Hope Francie doesn't worry too much about what Meave said about Doris and agree with Lesley that she should have told Francie.

I also think 15 degrees is warm. Wish it was that warm here. :D

Thanks Ray
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/07/09)
Galvestan is in Texas - I think it's fairly far south.

Thanks for updating this Fay - an intriguing set of problems developing. I hope Maeve and Francie will be able to finish that conversation before long.
Author:  brie [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 7:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/07/09)
Thanks Ray.

I'm really enjoying this.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/07/09)
Hope Maeve and Francie can finish their conversation. Obviously Maeve thinks or knows something about Doris and her feelings about Francie. Hope things get sorted out soon
Author:  roversgirl [ Sat Jul 18, 2009 6:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/07/09)
glad to have finally caught up with this! looking forward to the next instalments! :-)
Author:  leahbelle [ Tue Jul 28, 2009 12:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/07/09)
Thanks for the update. I'm thoroughly enjoying this.
Author:  crystaltips [ Thu Aug 27, 2009 8:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/07/09)
Please may we have a little more story? Thank you :)
Author:  Mair Cail [ Sat Nov 28, 2009 8:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/07/09)
Another Francie story! :D How fun! I am really enjoying this. More, please.
Author:  Kathy_S [ Sat Nov 28, 2009 8:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/07/09)
For more about Francie, see Ray's Mistletoe and Wine.
Author:  brie [ Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/07/09)
Have just spent a lovely afternoon re-reading your Francie Drabbles rather than studying, I thought I would give this a little bump and ask for some more pretty please!
Author:  Jools [ Sun Apr 24, 2011 8:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Difficulties for Francie (updated 12/07/09)
Seconds Brie and ever so gently adds a bump or two.
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