Memories: updated 1.2.05
The CBB -> St Agnes's House

#1: Memories: updated 1.2.05 Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 3:27 pm


The gaunt woman in shabby clothes boarded the little steam train sitting panting in Spartz station, feeling grateful that this at least had not changed over the years. Even the carriages were the same, with their hard wooded seats and open sides. It was the people who had changed out of all recognition. Only a few were local folk returning from shopping in the town. Most were visitors, and she could hear snatches of virtually every European language. The feeling that she was drowning in the wide open spaces and freedom to move was retreating, much to her relief, for she was still a proud woman, even after all the years that had passed and the life she had been forced to live. Now that she was on her own, and had the opportunity to travel again she had been determined that one of the first places she went to was the Tiernsee to see where her old school had been. She knew it had left after the Anschluss, she had heard the rumours, for she had been very well connected at that time.
The little train jerked into motion and chugged slowly up the steep track. Behind her she could hear the happy voices of children, excited as only children on holiday could be.
“I love this train Grandmamma! It’s the real start of the summer holidays when we get on it again.”
“Is it my chickabee? I’m glad that this place is special for you too.”
There was something about the voice that she seemed to recognise, but she dismissed it. It was highly unlikely that she would know anyone living here now, and that was the way she wanted it. She had grown, changed, from the girl that had left here so long ago. Left in disgrace too. Well, it had been the beginning of the change, so it was all to the good in the long run, she supposed.
As the once familiar blue lake came into view she looked eagerly out of the window, seeing the lake steamer waiting at the landing. She rose to her feet as soon as the train had stopped and moved to the door, stepping carefully onto the small platform. She stood for a moment, drinking in the scene before making her way down to the small lake steamer and finding a seat for the short trip to Briesau. She had thought nothing of walking round the lake the last time that she was here, but her age and her case put walking out of the question now. The steamer cast off and pulled away from the jetty, and she saw a group of children racing along the lakeside footpath, followed by a lady with grey hair, done in an old-fashioned earphone style.
The steamer pulled into the pier at Briesau, and she disembarked, making her way to the Kron Prinz Karl where she had booked a room. After unpacking and refreshing herself, she made her way over to the fence which still ran around the buildings that had once been the Chalet School. She could see over the gate and she stood and stared at them. They looked just the same, even the little statue of a saint was in place over the door, though she could not for the life of her remember its name.
“I would guess that you are an old Chaletian,” the voice behind her made her jump. She turned to see a plump woman smiling at her.
“Yes,” she said. “A long time ago, before the War. I know the school moved, but nothing else. Can you tell me anything more?”
“They went back to England for a time, and there is still a branch there, but the main branch is now in Switzerland. I’m Irma von Rothenfeld by the way.”
The woman flushed slightly and then gathered her courage in both hands. “If you were at the school you would probably know of me,” she said. “I was Thekla von Stift.”
There was a little pause and then Irma spoke again. “Yes, I do remember of course,” she said. “It was a very long time ago though and I am sure that we have both changed considerably since our schooldays.”
Thekla smiled in relief. Thank you,” she said. “You are right to say that I have changed. A lot has happened since then, much of which I would rather not have experienced.”


Last edited by Pat on Tue Feb 01, 2005 9:16 pm; edited 1 time in total

 


#2:  Author: KatLocation: Swansea PostPosted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 3:35 pm


*eyes big and round O's of wonderment* Lovely start Pat, do we get more? *Eagerly bouncing* I guessed it was Thekla, no idea how, but am very impressed with myself! Lady with grey hair and earphones?! Can only be Jo - with who's kids though? I mean, there's 11 possibilites after all!! Thanks Pat! Very Happy

 


#3:  Author: JosieLocation: London PostPosted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 3:44 pm


oooo - this looks really good Pat. *pulls up comfy sofa, bottle of wine and box of chocs and gets comfy to wait for more*

 


#4:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 3:45 pm


Thanks Pat Liz ETA to ask Josie if she can share some wine and chocs if I bring some tissues (got a feeling they might be needed at some point)

 


#5:  Author: RobinLocation: London PostPosted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 3:52 pm


this looks interesting, I always wondered what happened to thekla

 


#6:  Author: JosieLocation: London PostPosted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 3:55 pm


LizB wrote:
Thanks Pat Liz ETA to ask Josie if she can share some wine and chocs if I bring some tissues (got a feeling they might be needed at some point)
But of course... *moves up sofa to make room for Liz, and throws some beanbags down for others to join us*

 


#7:  Author: NicciLocation: UK PostPosted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 3:59 pm


thanks Pat. this has drawn me in straight away. Please post some more soon.

 


#8:  Author: Sarah_KLocation: St Albans PostPosted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 4:16 pm


A Thekla drabble, brilliant. I can't wait to ehar about her life and to see if that really is Joey and how SHE will react to Thekla. Thanks Pat.

 


#9:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 4:18 pm


Thanks Pat, I hope there's more soon.

 


#10:  Author: DawnLocation: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 4:46 pm


flumps down onto a beanbag, helps herself to the chocs and offers choc chip cookies aroundthanks a lot Pat - it looks very interesting

 


#11:  Author: MihiriLocation: surrey england PostPosted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 6:01 pm


This is very good Pat. Am guessing it must be joey the other lady.

 


#12:  Author: pimLocation: Helmel Hampster PostPosted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 6:45 pm


*curls up on the sofa to wait for some more*Thank you Auntie Pat Very HappyVery Happy

 


#13:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 7:50 pm


Thanks Pat!Lovely of Irma not to be judgemental-not that I'm biased Rolling Eyes

 


#14:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 9:17 pm


This looks great Auntie Pat!Glad you listened to that bunny! Wink

 


#15:  Author: MoraLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 9:22 pm


*pulls up a beanbag* Thekla's past sounds pretty chequered. *wonders how Joey will react*

 


#16:  Author: Helen PLocation: Crewe, Cheshire PostPosted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 9:42 pm


*Plops down onto a beanbag*Pat, I'm really looking forward to more of this - what has Thekla done since school?

 


#17:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Nov 13, 2004 2:36 am


Lovely beginning Pat - also guessed it was Thekla. Like to hear of her story...

 


#18:  Author: SugarplumLocation: second star to the right! PostPosted: Sat Nov 13, 2004 11:07 pm


Oh this looks really interesting. I'm guessing the grannie is Jo. Sounds like Thekla hasn't had an easy time of it though. Wonder why shes back

 


#19:  Author: EllieLocation: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Sat Nov 13, 2004 11:17 pm


One post, and a whole page of yibble? This looks really interesting Pat, I hope there will be more

 


#20:  Author: kerenLocation: Israel PostPosted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 11:07 am


This looks great. waiting for the next bit.

 


#21:  Author: KateLocation: Ireland PostPosted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 11:17 am


*sits on the beanbag to sleep until more story* Only got one hour sleep last night. And I'm panicking over my projects. Sad But I love this beginning, so it has cheered me up somewhat.

 


#22:  Author: KimLocation: Tipperary, Ireland PostPosted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 9:51 pm


dragging up sofa and liquid refreshment looking forward to hearing about her experiences during the war - must have been tough going in Eastern Germarny more soon please

 


#23:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 9:56 pm


“It was a long time ago and so much has happened that I could not tell you everything very quickly. Perhaps if you would like to have coffee with me tomorrow I will be able to tell you something, enough to give you an understanding of the reason for my return here.”
Irma agreed and they parted, Thekla to return to her hotel, and Irma to the chalet that was her home since her husband’s retirement. There she lost no time in ringing Jo Maynard, delighted to be the one with momentous news for once.
“Jo? You will never guess who I have just met outside the school! …..No…….No…..No! Jo there is no point in continuing this! You will never guess!!” Irma laughed at the outraged gurgle that came down the phone line to her. “All tight, I will tell you. I don’t know what she is called now, but she was at the school when it was here. She was Thekla von Stift!”
“What? But she was expelled!” Jo was as astonished as Irma could have wished for.
“Yes I know, Jo. She reminded me of that herself. But I think she has changed a very great deal. She is dressed very shabbily now, so there is obviously no money, and I don’t think she has been eating well either, for she is painfully thin. We are to have coffee tomorrow at the Kron Prinz Karl, when she will tell me something of her life.”
Back in her room Thekla sat in the window looking out over the lake and thinking deeply, trying to marshal her thoughts into some sort of order so that she could relate her story to Irma the next day.
“Start at the beginning,” she thought, going back to the time of her expulsion from the Chalet School. She could still hear the clear firm voice of the Head, Mademoiselle Lepattre, as she delivered her verdict and the shock she had felt when she heard it.
“We can no longer keep you here, you must see that Thekla,” the voice rang in her head. “If you had shown any remorse it would be different, but you have not. Therefore I will be asking your father to come and collect you as soon as possible.”
Thekla just looked at her, showing no emotion, though inside her thoughts were roiling. Her father was a stern disciplinarian, and he would be extremely angry that she had disgraced the family. It was irrelevant that he would have agreed with her attitude, the fact that the school had decided to send her away would be enough and she would have to face further punishment when she got home.
She was correct in her assumption. Her father had responded to the cable immediately and had shown very little interest in the reason for her expulsion. The journey home had been made almost in silence, heightening tha anticipation for the coming punishment even more. Thekla clung to the knowledge that it would not involve a beating as it would have done had it been her brother in this position, but she had a feeling that she would have preferred that to any alternative that was in her father’s head. There were worse things than a beating after all.
When they finally reached home he stalked into the house and headed straight for his study.
“Take yourself to your room immediately,” he said. “I will send for you when I am ready to speak to you.”
She remained there for three days, her food brought to her by a maid. The food itself very basic, obviously part of the punishment. When he finally sent for her she nearly cried with relief, for she had seen no one apart from the maid who brought her meals. She followed the maid downstairs, trying to look unconcerned, but quaking inside. When she knocked on the study door, she was kept waiting for a minute before her father told her to enter, and by that time most of her hard one courage had deserted her. She stood in front of his desk, looking very white and scared, while her father finished writing something in a ledger set in front of him. At last he raised his head and looked at her as if she was some sort of insect, the thought afterwards.

 


#24:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 9:59 pm


Nasty man. Thanks Pat.

 


#25:  Author: JosieLocation: London PostPosted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 10:03 pm


Awful man! Makes you understand a bit why Thelka became like she did. Looking forward to finding out about her life Pat. Thanks for the update.

 


#26:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 10:13 pm


What a cruel parent! Looking forward to hearing more of Thelka's story.

 


#27:  Author: AbiLocation: Alton, Hants PostPosted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 10:25 pm


Oh wow, I always wondered what happened to Thekla, Pat. Mean, mean man.

 


#28:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 10:32 pm


Poor Thekla Thanks Pat Liz

 


#29:  Author: KatLocation: Swansea PostPosted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 10:32 pm


Shocked Thank you Pat! Hooked after the first post, so take a guess at how I feel now!

 


#30:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 10:58 pm


Thank you Pat! You actually have me feeling sorry for Thekla!

 


#31:  Author: Kathy_SLocation: midwestern US PostPosted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 1:51 am


Evil Herr* von Stift! Evil or Very Mad Please continue soon, Pat! (*yes, I know he was some sort of self-important officer, but not what rank other than "aide-de-camp")

 


#32:  Author: Miss DiLocation: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 2:54 am


Almost feeling sorry for Thekla (and unlike Margot she didn't deliberately try to kill somebody). It's really quite amazing that she was the only Nazi (or proto Nazi) that the school received. Not counting Gertrud because she was only trying to protect her Mama. Sitting down with diet vanilla coke and looking forward to more.

 


#33:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 3:27 pm


I don't know that I'd actually call Thekla a nazi. After all, wasn't one of the reasons her parents decided to send her to the school supposed to be due to her older half brother coming home, and the fact that he had 'imbibed a great deal of the spirit of Young Germany' and her mother was 'anxious that Thekla not be infected with it'?

 


#34:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 3:34 pm


You're right, Vikki. That was the reason for her parents' sending her to the CS. Her attitude was derived from her father's firmly held belief in the Junker mentality - the military was everything and anyone else was nothing. That's why she was such a snob about girls such as Sophie Hamel whose parents were 'in trade'.

 


#35:  Author: ElzbieLocation: London PostPosted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 4:14 pm


This is fascinating- I can't wait to hear what happened, but on the other hand... tissues ahoy, I think. Thanks Pat!

 


#36:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 4:20 pm


This is great Pat. Am I the only one who sees parallels between Thelka's father and the way Jack/Jem treated Mike/Sybil?? Refusing to speak to them then treating them like insects etc.

 


#37:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 5:48 pm


Great, Pat. I'm hooked as well.

 


#38:  Author: Sarah_KLocation: St Albans PostPosted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 6:40 pm


Well I guess I'm glad he didn't just let her off the hook but still... what a nasty man.

 


#39:  Author: auntie karryLocation: Stoke on Trent PostPosted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 6:43 pm


*looks round hopefully to find a spare bean bag* hands over ferrer roche (after all, it is nearly Christmas) waits patiently

 


#40:  Author: Rachael PostPosted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 11:33 am


Really interesting start, Pat - can't wait to read more about Thekla and her story ...(Have to say though, I'd take Margot's hot-headed impulsiveness over the cold vindictiveness of the young Thekla any day ...)

 


#41:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 2:04 pm


*brings bean bag and joins those waitign for more, passes round tea and lemon drizzle cake*Pat this is great, looking forward to hearing more of Thekla's story also would be interested to see what happens when Joey and her meet...

 


#42:  Author: Amanda MLocation: Wakefield PostPosted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 4:38 pm


Also enjoying this - looking forward to seeing what's going to happen next. Star Wars

 


#43:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 4:40 pm


Several large hints later.......................

 


#44:  Author: AlexLocation: Manchester, UK PostPosted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 5:20 pm


Did someone say lemon drizzle cake?

 


#45:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 7:46 pm


I'm very sorry, but I have been off work all day today with a very heavy cold. I feel perfectly evil, and only just able to sit and read C&D. I'll write more when I'm better.

 


#46:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 7:52 pm


*straps on mask to block germs and huggles Auntie Pat*

 


#47:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 8:01 pm


*passes Pat some tissues* Hope you feel better soon Liz

 


#48:  Author: KatLocation: Swansea PostPosted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 8:49 pm


*hugs auntie pat whilst wearing protection suit* Hope you feel better soon Smile

 


#49:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 9:24 am


Alex wrote:
Did someone say lemon drizzle cake?
I did, would you like some? *hugs* Poor Auntie Pat, hope you feel better soon.

 


#50:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 1:02 pm


The temperature that I've had since Monday night has gone - sometime after 6.00 this morning I think as Steve said I was still very hot then, but felt normal when he got up at 8.00. I gather it was like having a very hot radiator in bed!!! Huge step forward!!!!

 


#51:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 1:03 pm


Hooray! Hope you get better fast now then and not only so we get more drablle! Wink

 


#52:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 1:21 pm


So thats who I have to blame is it Pat...I know your company was bad for me, but this cold is giving me a pain all down one side of my face, in fact I feel like one half of my face has been covered in muscle rub!! Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing it! Twisted Evil Now, since you are feeling better, how about making up for it by putting some more of this into my inbox!! Twisted Evil Twisted Evil (Glad you are feeling better btw!)

 


#53:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 3:29 pm


Loving the story Pat. Sorry to hear you have been ill hope, you are better enough now to post more. Especially the part where Jo and Thekla meet.

 


#54:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 7:40 pm


“I have no interest in the cause of your expulsion,” he said. “What concerns me is the shame you have brought to our name. That I will not pardon, nor excuse. I had hoped to spare you much of the problems caused by our present government by educating you outside the country. That is not to be, so we must make other arrangements. There is an adequate girls school in the neighbourhood and you will attend that. You will also of course be required to join The League of German Girls, since you are of an age for that group. I expect you to work hard at school and do your best to redeem yourself in my eyes. You may now return to your room and you will stay there until you start your new school, by which time I hope that you will have repented.”
Without a word Thekla turned and left the room, inwardly seething. She was as ashamed of her expulsion as her father, though for different reasons. Mlle’s disappointment in her had hit her hard in her pride, personal as well as family, and she had begun to think a little deeper than she had done before. It was only a very small first step, but it was there.

A week later she was delivered to the Head’s study at her new school. This lady was clearly a martinet. She had iron-grey hair brushed severely back off her face, which was stern, with not a hint of welcome, and Thekla quailed.
“You will be expected to work hard here Thekla,” she said. “We pride ourselves in turning out good dutiful daughters of the Fatherland, who will make our Fuhrer proud. You will be pleased to learn that we have our own League and you are automatically a member. As it happens we meet tonight, and I will expect to see you there. Now I will get someone to take you to your form.” She rang the bell and a maid crept into the room. “Take Fraulein Thekla to the Fourth form room,” she instructed, and had buried her head in her paperwork before Thekla had moved. Seeing that she clearly did not expect the curtsy she had been used to giving at the Chalet School Thekla turned and followed the maid from the room.

 


#55:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 8:50 pm


Thank you Auntie Pat!!! I thought you'd forgotten this!

 


#56:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 8:57 pm


What a nasty fate. Almost feel sorry for the girl! Thanks Pat.

 


#57:  Author: SugarplumLocation: second star to the right! PostPosted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 9:04 pm


Poor Thekla Almost wish the CS had found a way not to expel her especially when her punishment seems so harsh.

 


#58:  Author: Sarah_G-GLocation: Sheffield (termtime), ? any other time! PostPosted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 9:43 pm


This is really interesting. Looking forward to the next bit! (as long as you're feeling better)

 


#59:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 9:58 pm


So her expulsion sent her straight into the arms of the league of German girls...wasn't that a nazi run girls league?

 


#60:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 10:04 pm


I hope you are really better, Pat. It's certainly a nasty cold going round! Poor Thekla! But would she have learned had she stayed at CS or just seen being forgiven as a sign of weakness. Don't like her father!

 


#61:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 10:48 pm


Carolyn P wrote:
So her expulsion sent her straight into the arms of the league of German girls...wasn't that a nazi run girls league?
Yes - and virtually compulsory too. They trained girls to be wives and mothers before anything else. Women weren't encouraged to work outside the home at all, and got paid for the number of kids they had!

 


#62:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 11:50 pm


Thanks Pat *feeling sorry for Thekla* Liz

 


#63:  Author: Rachael PostPosted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 9:21 am


Interesting ... Good to see that Mademoiselle's words are still ringing in her ears

 


#64:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 1:59 pm


Thanks Pat, I wonder if Thelka will rebel against the league of German maidens or conform.

 


#65:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Fri Nov 26, 2004 3:49 pm


Thanks Pat. Poor Thekla - what a fate.

 


#66:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri Nov 26, 2004 4:13 pm


I feel very sorry for Thekla in this. Her father needs shooting!

 


#67:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Sun Dec 12, 2004 5:08 pm


Thekla shuddered a little as she looked back at that time. School had been a revelation to her, and so very different to the Chalet School. This school had followed the curriculum laid down by the Nazi government for girls. To prepare them for their role in life as wives and mothers and not for any sort of worthwhile role outside that narrow parameter. It was only the lack of male teachers that had allowed the staff to continue their jobs, and they were very careful to hold out no vision of independence to the girls in their charge. The League of German Girls continued the training so that girls who had been through it were almost brainwashed into believing that this was the only true vocation in life. Thekla’s stubborn nature, and her belief in herself and her family, was all that prevented her being swept away by this insistent training. The two terms at the Chalet School also gave her an insight into a different way of life, alien to this new Germany, where people’s individuality mattered, where they could look forward to a career of their own if that was what they wished.
Her father had allowed her to stay at school until she was 18, though many of the girls in her class left at 16 and were married and mothers by then. The Fatherland gave a generous loan to couples to help them start their life together, and the amount required to be repaid was reduced with each child. Naturally young couples were encouraged to produce as many children as possible, and one or two of the girls were already pregnant for the second time. Thekla knew that this fate would be hers as well. Her father had already lined up a young man from their won class who was an officer in the SS - a real catch. SS Officers had already been assessed for the purity of their Aryan blood, and bearing children for these men was considered a privilege. Thekla knew the man fairly well, and was not impressed. She had found him arrogant and distant, looking down on everyone around him as if they were an inferior species. There were whispers too that he had a vicious streak in him that the SS encouraged, though naturally nothing was said where it could be heard or repeated. A month after she had left school, Thekla was married and in a position to provide personal evidence had she dared. Her wedding night had been a shock, for not only had she been unprepared for the reality of married life, but also for the nature of the demands made upon her by her husband. She had felt humiliated and used, a person of no worth. This had been reinforced the following morning when she had been punished for failing to provide the correct level of response the night before. He had used a cane on her with the promise that failure to improve would mean worse and Thekla was under no illusion that he would not carry out his threat.
Skipping over the worst eighteen months of her life Thekla thought of the son she had born and lost, and the daughter who had lived for a few years and wept. Those months had scarred her for life and she was a different person because of them.

 


#68:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Sun Dec 12, 2004 5:13 pm


Poor Thekla! It must be worse for her having had a taste of a different life. thank you Pat.

 


#69:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Dec 12, 2004 5:18 pm


How terrible - and as you say Patmac, - made worse by knowing that there was another way. Thanks Pat!

 


#70:  Author: Kathy_SLocation: midwestern US PostPosted: Sun Dec 12, 2004 6:50 pm


Shocked Poor Thekla! *knows historical restraints won't let Pat do away with the whole regime quite yet, but hopes evil husband meets a painful end*

 


#71:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 12:40 am


Oh goodness! Poor Thekla!!! What a horrible thing to go through!

 


#72:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 12:59 am


(((Thekla))) poor, poor girl. she evidently survived but I wonder what the cost of that was.

 


#73:  Author: EllieLocation: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 1:08 am


Poor Thekla - she certainly behaved badly, but not so badly as to justify that punishment. Thanks Pat.

 


#74:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 8:14 am


Poor TheklaLiz

 


#75:  Author: SophoifeLocation: down under Down Under PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 9:11 am


:crying: poor Thekla! swear at Thekla's father and husband!

 


#76:  Author: JosieLocation: London PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 10:26 am


God how awful. Poor Thelka. As Ellie said, she'd been pretty awful, but no-one deserves to go through that! Thanks Pat.

 


#77:  Author: Amanda MLocation: Wakefield PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 6:02 pm


Crying or Very sad Poor Thekla. Thanks Pat Star Wars

 


#78:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 6:07 pm


I sincerely hope Thekla's husband gets what he deserves... Thank you Pat.

 


#79:  Author: nikkieLocation: Cumbria PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 7:25 pm


Poor Thekla

 


#80:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 7:52 pm


Ann wrote:
I sincerely hope Thekla's husband gets what he deserves...
He deserves a slow lingering death, one that will allow him to fully appreciate just what a b*st*rd he is! (Moi? Vindictive? Surely not!)

 


#81:  Author: JustJenLocation: Dorval, Quebec PostPosted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 8:36 pm


I like this story so far. I've always wondered what happened to Thelka after she got expelled. Please update!

 


#82:  Author: Rachael PostPosted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:30 am


Very sobering - thank you, Pat

 


#83:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Sun Dec 26, 2004 12:42 am


Poor Thekla, she did not deserve that. Hope he got his comeuppance and she found happiness somewhere.

 


#84:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 9:25 pm


The War had been her salvation, for Hans had been posted to the East, for undisclosed duties, though she now realised just what that had involved. She suspected that he had not balked at anything he had been asked to do during that time, given what she knew of his interests, but it did mean that she had a certain amount of freedom. When her daughter died she volunteered to train as a nurse as anyone with medical training was in demand, especially as the air raids increased. It was after the dreadful bombing of Leipzig that she was transferred to one of the surviving hospitals in the city to give what aid she could. It was there that she was informed of the death of Hans, though she never knew the details. All she felt was a vast relief at her release, though part of her felt a little guilty for feeling that way. She was now a free woman, with no ties, and she was happy to make a new life for herself in Leipzig. The Thomaskirche, where Bach had been the organist, had survived the bombing, and she started to attend services there. Though she had not been to church for many years. The services gave her a deep sense of peace, so lacking in the everyday life of Germany as the War drew to a close, and the Red Army advanced across the eastern part of the country. The people of Leipzig hoped that the Americans or British would reach their city first, but it was not to be. Many people became refugees, trekking westwards in the hope of a better life under one of the other Allies, but Thekla had no strength or inclination to leave. She was needed in the hospital, and she had made a home for herself in the city.

The Russians put one of their own people in charge of the hospital very soon after they took over the city. Communists took over all the key posts in the city administration too, and at first the people saw very little difference, for they had become used to an authoritarian regime. The Gestapo were replaced by the organisation that would eventually evolve into the Stazi, the East German secret police, and it paid to be careful of words and actions. People who had been important in the city disappeared, but it was safer to carefully ignore such happenings, just as it had been under the Fuhrer.

 


#85:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 9:29 pm


Good to see more of this - thanks Pat.

 


#86:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 10:29 pm


Chilling. Thanks Pat

 


#87:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 1:17 am


Thanks Pat. What really horrible lives they had to lead.

 


#88:  Author: Amanda MLocation: Wakefield PostPosted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 2:15 pm


Thanks Pat for this. Feel sorry for poor Thekla - her life seems to be going from worse to worse. Star Wars

 


#89:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 2:40 pm


Thanks, Pat. Though I agreed that the school was probably a better place without her as she was, I always felt a bit sorry for Thekla as she was just a product of her upbringing.

 


#90:  Author: JosieLocation: London PostPosted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 3:37 pm


Very sobering.Thanks Pat.

 


#91:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 4:58 pm


Thank you Pat! Poor poor Thekla!

 


#92:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 5:09 pm


thanks for the update i really hope thekla will be ok in East Germany. it doesn't sound like a very healthy place to be....

 


#93:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 12:04 pm


Thank you Pat.Poor Thekla. Chilling.

 


#94:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 2:03 pm


poor Thekla... Sad

 


#95:  Author: SophoifeLocation: down under Down Under PostPosted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 4:52 am


Dragging this one back up cos I'm sad about Thekla and want to see what happens...? Pat...?

 


#96:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 9:36 am


Ohhh please can we have more of this!

 


#97:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 2:43 pm


“So many people were moving into the Western zones that I think the Russians and the East German government got a little worried,” said Thekla to Irma and Jo the next day as she told them something of her life. “That was when they built the Wall.”
“Didn’t you try to get away?” asked Jo curiously.
“No. You see I was settled, happy in my job, and disinclined to leave everything behind as I would have had to do. By the time I fully realised what was happening, it was too late and I was stuck. The government introduced the sort of Collective Farming they had in Russia, and put good Communists in charge, which meant that food production dropped considerably. The Commisars knew nothing about farming, and the workers didn’t care, since they no longer owned the land, nor had nay input into the way it was managed. We all went hungry for a while, but we were told very firmly that things were so much worse in the West that eventually many people started to believe them, even though we all knew it was propaganda. We grew used to queuing for basic food, and the most amazing rumours went round about what was available and when. Queues grew out of nowhere at times. I suppose everybody got used to life under communism. Huge blocks of flats were built around the outskirts of all the towns and cities, and I don’t think anyone who hadn’t seen them would understand just how grim they could be. We were allowed 6 square metres of living space each, plus bathroom and kitchen. I was in a block where we had to share these. It had been a beautiful apartment block once, but each apartment had been carved up to provide accommodation for single people and couples, one room each. I had a corner of the kitchen for myself, but shared the use of the cooker. Trying to get repairs done was a nightmare, for no one was prepared to take responsibility. The attitude was that the building now belonged to the state, so let them deal with it. The problem was that very often they didn’t! So things just got worse, and we got used to that too. Don’t get me wrong, things were not always so gloomy. I had a circle of good friends and we enjoyed outings together. We went on holiday, as you do here, though of course we had to remain within the Eastern Block countries. Our way of life was all we knew for many years, so although there were many things wrong, we were content. It was only as we began to find out the way that Western Europe lived, the standard of living, that people started to complain.”

 


#98:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 5:21 pm


Poor Thelka Sad Thanks for the update Pat!

 


#99:  Author: SophoifeLocation: down under Down Under PostPosted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 6:45 pm


Many thanks Pat - very shiny of you to respond so quickly! Such a short description but powerful - really gets the point across.

 


#100:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 6:56 pm


You can really see why she stayed, and how she, and presumabkly many others then got trapped there. thanks Pat.

 


#101:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 8:12 pm


Thank you Pat! It's wonderful to have this back!

 


#102:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 9:49 pm


Pat wrote:
Huge blocks of flats were built around the outskirts of all the towns and cities, and I don’t think anyone who hadn’t seen them would understand just how grim they could be.
Have seen them - East Berlin before the Wall came down - and they were dreadful. Thanks Pat - very realistic.

 


#103:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 10:43 pm


I saw them around St Petersburg, and on the way from Helsinki to there. Really grim places. And out guide told us about the space allocation. The posh apartments in St P were broken up as I described and people queued up for them - shared facilities and all.

 


#104:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 10:53 pm


I've seen them too in Eastern Europe...:(Poor Thekla

 


#105:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 11:36 pm


oooh more drabble! i'm glad thekla can share the details of what must have been a terrible time in her life with jo and irma

 


#106:  Author: DawnLocation: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 1:13 pm


Really really pleased to see this back Pat It was so vividly written I could see it all

 


#107:  Author: Miss DiLocation: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 11:55 pm


I've just read this from the start to refresh my memory. It's great Pat! Has anyone read "Bury the dead" by Peter Carter? It's a really chilling novel set in East Berlin before the Wall came down. Deals with many familiar GO themes with a twist - school and sports, family reunions, secrets, and the culture of the DDR.

 


#108:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 1:29 am


Nice to see this back Pat - poor Thekla.

 


#109:  Author: Helen PLocation: Crewe, Cheshire PostPosted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 8:40 pm


Thankyou for the update, Pat. It is strange to be feeling sorry for Thekla, but it is so good to have her story fleshed out like this.

 


#110:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 9:17 pm


“I was certainly in the right city then”, Thekla went on. The Nicolaikirche held a special week-long prayer meeting in October of 1984, to pray for Peace. I didn’t go at first; mainly because I saw no reason to. But the word began to circulate underground, as it did for other news, and it became clear that this was really a Prayer for Freedom meeting. I went along one evening, and the atmosphere was something you could feel, taste. It affected everyone who went with a feeling of hope that lasted for months to come. The church repeated it the following year, and more people came then. The church was full every night, and the government became worried. We knew that the Stasi were also attending, checking up on us, but we didn’t care about that. In fact I think that some of them were beginning to see out point of view - they were certainly a little more relaxed. We had Peace meetings every year, and they drew larger and larger crowds. Some folk wanted to leave East Germany, desperate to get away. Others wanted to stay, but to bring freedom from within. Although the two groups argued fiercely over the issue, in the Nikolaikirche they avoided the subject. The protests started to spread across the country, more and more people demanding freedom. It was a heady time, especially for those of us who remembered back to the time before Hitler and the war.

“I think the authorities began to get truly worried when people began to leave the country, going through Czechoslovakia to avoid the fence. By then most of the attempts to go through the fence had died down. I remember one though, that took place in the Hartz Mountains. There’s a train that goes to the top, which was a famous view point before the war. A train runs up to the top, and the Communists used it to take troops up. They had sealed off the top to make a platform for spying on the West, but ordinary people could still go most of the way up, and walk through the woods. The border ran very close to the tracks at one point, and a large group, including the train crew, decided to make a break for it. They stopped the train at the closest point, climbed up onto the roof of the carriages and jumped over the fence and away. Of course, after that the railway was closed to everyone, which was a shame. There are some lovely walks around there, and the towns are very beautiful and picturesque.

The whole of 1989 was wonderful, frightening, and inspiring. The prayer meeting in the Nikolaikirche carried on all the year, and the Stasi and the government were getting more and more uneasy. The church was packed every night and I managed to get in quite often though you had to be very early to do that. I think we all knew that something would happen at some point, and you all know what did.”
“The Berlin Wall came down,” said Jo. “It was so exciting, seeing all those people on top of the wall, chiselling away at the concrete, and people walking through the check points with no one stopping them. It must have been so much more exciting for anyone trapped on the other side all those years.”
“It was Joey, though I think we were all stunned too, even though we had thought we were prepared. When it happened it happened so fast you see, that it took us by surprise. When we saw the way people lived in the West for ourselves, and not just on the TV programmes were weren’t supposed to watch, we were bowled over. The propaganda machine had tried to make us believe that you were worse off then we were. We didn’t believe them of course, but the actual difference was incredible. Everything seemed so bright and clean.”

 


#111:  Author: nikkieLocation: Cumbria PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 9:26 pm


Thanks Pat

 


#112:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 9:28 pm


Thanks for that Pat! Thelka must have been so relieved when the wall came down.

 


#113:  Author: Amanda MLocation: Wakefield PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 10:18 pm


Thanks for giving us more of this Pat, it really gives a feeling of what it must have been like on the eastern side of the wall. Star Wars

 


#114:  Author: RroseSelavyLocation: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 11:19 pm


Cheers Pat! I've been waiting for more of this! I think you've captured a really exciting period. I was only eight when the Berlin Wall came down but the images from the TV stuck in my mind. I think what I found most striking was how everyone seemed so quiet and orderly as they waited on both sides, then the crowds just erupted...

 


#115:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 11:27 pm


thank you Pat. I remember watching it and being stunned that it was really happening.
Quote:
Has anyone read "Bury the dead" by Peter Carter?
Yes, Miss Di. It sits on a shelf on my 'favourites' bookcase. Not that it is a favourite in the sense of comforting bedtime read but because I really think I should re-read it. Very chilling as you said.

 


#116:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 12:00 am


Thank you Pat.

 


#117:  Author: DawnLocation: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 12:14 am


Thankyou Pat for making this so real I was driving into Leeds with baby Jess in the back of the car, listening to the news on the radio (we didn't have a tv), and I just got to the car park and cried

 


#118:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 10:42 am


Thank you Pat. I was twelve and remember sitting watching it on television with my Mum making her explain all the history to me.

 


#119:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 11:01 am


Ive just caught up with this Pat and its so very moving. I remember the wall coming down as well and the stories of families being reunited.

 


#120:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 12:39 pm


We were in Leipzig last summer and visited the church, which is beautiful. Also went up the railway. Our guide told us the story of the escape.

 


#121:  Author: JackieJLocation: Kingston upon Hull PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 2:03 pm


That was lovely Pat, thank you. It's giving me shivers. JackieJ

 


#122:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 3:37 pm


Thanks Pat I had a german penfriend (West Germany) at the time the wall came down, and I remember her writing to me telling me how opinion was divided as to whether it was a good thing or not. She was all for it, but there was quite a lot of prejudice against the East Germans. Liz

 


#123:  Author: SugarplumLocation: second star to the right! PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 8:27 pm


[quote="Lesley"]
Pat wrote:
Huge blocks of flats were built around the outskirts of all the towns and cities, and I don’t think anyone who hadn’t seen them would understand just how grim they could be.
Have seen them - East Berlin before the Wall came down - and they were dreadful. They still have them in Lithuania - they are the most hideous buildings - the village/town my family live in they are just concrete and bleak and just horrible and sooo small apartments - tis like people herded together like animals. And the collective farming regime in Eastern Europe was the most awfully restrictive regime and my family lost their farms completely. But even now the regime is awful and elderly people in homes live in the most primitive barbaric conditions I have ever seen in my life. By the way I'm loving the story and can understand why Thekla felt trapped - lots of them did - luckily /stupidly my grandfather decided to risk the communists and escape.

 


#124:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 9:04 pm


Liz B wrote
Quote:
had a german penfriend (West Germany) at the time the wall came down, and I remember her writing to me telling me how opinion was divided as to whether it was a good thing or not. She was all for it, but there was quite a lot of prejudice against the East Germans.
When we were in the Maldives in Oct/nov last year, we met a couple in their 50's from Berlin, who had lived in the former East Germany. They said that in many ways it was worse now. as Liz says, lots of perjudice, still much hidden poverty. I would know, I've never been there, but that's what they said.

 


#125:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 10:19 pm


If anyone is interested in what happened in Leipzig and at the Nikolaikirche have a look here http://www.nikolaikirche-leipzig.de/e/home/home.html

 


#126:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 10:57 pm


Thanks Pat for the update and the link - makes very interesting reading!

 


#127:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 12:48 pm


Is there any more of this Pat?

Liz

 


#128:  Author: LianeLocation: Manchester PostPosted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 7:04 pm


Just found this and read from the start. Please write more Pat it's fantastic.

 


#129:  Author: ChrisLocation: Nottingham PostPosted: Sun Apr 17, 2005 8:18 pm


have just come across this - it is very moving. Is there to be any more?

 


#130:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Sun Apr 17, 2005 8:34 pm


I would need to re-read a bit! It's ages since I wrote anything.

 




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