The CBB :: View topic - The Holiday at the Chalet

“Poor dear! Where does it hurt?!” she teased. “Yes I wondered that, but she does read very widely and it isn’t as if she’s likely to pick up any language from them!

Oops - didn't know that about the Scarlet Pimpernel Books!! :oops:

You definitely capture the essence of the girl-child in Joey Kathy.
Joey is amazed that people can speak 2 languages fluently and yet, she end up being fluent in how many? Anyone know?

Is the woman who looks familiar the one from the train who did nothing but "essen, essen, essen?" I had a guess about who she might be......

Here we go with Chapter 5. I may be stretching a point here with Joey's non-comprehension of someone learning another language from birth, but I remember the first time I heard a little kid speaking a foreign language fluently was on a school trip when I was about 12, and it sounded really odd to all of us - although i technically knew that the kid had spoken German since birth, it was hard to comprehend that!

That was lovely - and you've captured Joey's character so well.

just found this now and love it!

I'm glad to have discovered this - a really lovely story. Can you please tell me what the fairy tale Mlle is telling Joey is?

Author:	Kathy [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 6:13 pm ]
Post subject:	The Holiday at the Chalet - new drabble by new drabbler!
I've got a prequel drabbel about the first visit to Austria - or the beginnings of one anyway...we'll see if it gets anywhere! The setting: Taverton, 4 and a half years before School. Autumn. Dick and Madge are both 19. Dick has recently finished at his public school and is at home applying for jobs. Joey is languishing in the wet weather after another attack of bronchial flu. 1. A Conversation Margaret Bettany, commonly known as Madge, was sitting in the front room of her guardian’s house. It was a dark, dank afternoon in November. She did not appear to notice that her mass of brown curls, only recently put up, had slipped from its normal roll and was coming down at one side, and against this her fair skin looked pale. She was biting her lip and staring into nothingness when there was a knock at the door and a fresh-faced young doctor came in, carrying his medicine-case and stethoscope and looking serious. Madge’s expression immediately changed from distraction to alarm. “Doctor! How is…I mean, she is going to be alright, isn’t she? I’ve been so…” He hastily reassured her. “Oh, there’s nothing to fear – nothing immediate that is. But I don’t like this, Miss Bettany”. He drew up an armchair and sat down. “Forgive my presumption. I feel as though I’m butting in here – after all, Joey’s not my patient, and I know she’s been with Doctor Phelps for years. But I can’t help wondering…” “Yes?” Madge was leaning forward in anticipation now, her slim hands knotted together. “Well, if it’s right just to keep her in bed. She’s getting no better, as you say, although you’re also right that she’s getting no worse. But – well, if I may speak candidly, Miss Bettany, I’m a young man, and I don’t really approve of this Victorian idea of keeping the invalid in bed indefinitely and waiting for a miracle! The body simply doesn’t function like that. Stuffy rooms – stale air – that’s what’s keeping your sister the way she is. And not only that, but she’s losing her spirit.” He spoke more boldly now. “That kid hates being confined to bed!” – Madge managed a rueful smile at this, knowing how very true it was! – “and, in the long-term – how long has she been like this again?” “Since she was four and a half.” Madge’s face had lost its pallor and although she looked anxious, there was hope in her eyes. “She had that awful pleuro-pneumonia, and it left her very weak. She gets better for a certain length of time, and we even get her to school at times, but usually after a few months she loses it again. It’s the winters, Doctor. She’s never been able to cope with them since then.” “Yes, I’m afraid our English winter isn’t too kind to those whose lungs are not strong. And that’s the essence of my suggestion, Miss Bettany.” “You mean – take Joey away? But how? And where?” “That rather depends.” Dr. Cooper flashed a sudden smile. “How are your languages?” “Fluent enough, thankfully – French and German that is! Madge answered him. “But I still don’t see…” Madge was warming to this pleasant young doctor, though wondering how someone who looked so young could speak with such confidence. “And haven’t you been working as governess to the Bates’s kids?” “I’ve been giving them some private tutoring in English literature,” Madge said with some dignity. “It isn’t nearly the same thing.” “Alright!” ejaculated Dr. Cooper. “I take it back. How about friends on the Continent. Do you know anyone?” “There’s Mademoiselle Lepattre in Paris,” Madge said doubtfully. “But I’m not sure…” “I’ll put your mind at ease then,” he said with another grin. “It’s just a suggestion, but can you and your brother contrive to take Jo out of the country for the whole winter? She needs fresh air – mountain air is said to be best! – and a chance to get outside lots and get fitter, since our current autumnal weather doesn’t seem to be offering that! He grimaced at the wind that was howling around the house like an angry wolf. “It’s just what she needs. If you can do that, be better able to weather the winter. And there’s some thing else…” “Yes?” Madge’s deep brown eyes were like saucers. “It will give her something to look forward to. At the moment she’s just feeling languid. She can’t see any fun in anything, everything makes her ill, and she’s got too much in her to take it kindly! A trip like this would shake her out of that. If not…” his face became serious again – “it not, if I may again speak plainly, Miss Bettany, the best we can say is that she’ll languish through another winter or so”. It was Madge’s turn to look serious. At that moment, the door handle turned and Dick came in. It was obvious that he and Madge were related, although his fair hair made such a contrast to her dark one. Now he advanced on Dr. Cooper and gave him a friendly clap on the back. “Cooper! Glad you could make it old boy! I was worried when I spoke to the surgery and they said they couldn’t send anyone because of this ghastly epidemic. When they offered to send you over from North Taverton at the end of your shift, I couldn’t believe our luck. I had no idea you were practicing locally now?” “I’ve only been back a few months from my placement” said Dr. Cooper, rubbing his arm where Dick had clapped him slightly overenthusiastically. “I asked to be posted overseas and found myself in a little hospital in Innsbruck. A bit remote at times maybe, but it’s a wonderful place…Now, I wonder…” “What is it?” asked Dick impatiently. “What have you two been scheming while I was attending to our beloved guardian?” “It’s just that somewhere like that would be ideal to take Joey. Just for the winter. Yes I know it seems drastic” as he saw Dick’s mouth fall open, “but she needs something pretty drastic if she’s going to ever improve. Miss Bettany will tell you the details, and” with a boyish grin that belied his young age “for goodness’ sake, do it or you’ll find yourself with six of the best!” Both men chuckled at the memory this conjured up. Dr. Cooper, as a prefect at Stonefields, had found thirteen-year-old Dick Bettany and his friends running what they had called a “military society”. This had involved practicing their “skills” of sneaking through undergrowth, using catapults, raiding tuck boxes for “rations”, breaking bounds and ambushing younger boys at every opportunity. They had built up a respectable store of toffees, fruit cake, knives and other small trophies of war when Nemisis had fallen. Cooper and his own gang had resolved to teach the Third a lesson they would not forget and ambushed the ambushers. The Third had received a sound thrashing for thieving (“even though we never would have touched any money”, as Dick said) and the escapade had gone down in their school’s unofficial annals. Madge looked at Dick. “Sorry to break in…” she began, realising that the two were on the brink of beginning a long reminiscence, “but what are we going to do?” Dick grinned back. “Sorry, Madge. And by the way your hair seems to have worked itself loose. What do you advise then Cooper?” ”My advice to you,” Cooper seemed to have pulled himself together and was once again the consummate professional, as Madge blushed furiously, wondering how long her hair had been falling out, “is to write to any friends you’ve got across Europe. Let them know the situation and ask if you can come to them. Better still, see if one of them will travel with you. You’re neither of you of age yet, and though you’re both very capable, it’s more the look of the thing! I can’t imagine that muddle-headed guardian of yours making it very far!” “You’re very right there!” Dick chuckled again. “Say, Cooper, let’s ring for tea shall we? Madge,” noticing her blushes “do you want to run and tell Jo our plans, then join us down here? That’ll give us a chance to get the memories out of the way!” Madge seized her chance and escaped upstairs. She did not intend telling Jo anything until things were settled – besides, who knew how long it took to plan such things? – but it would give her time to make herself tidy again, and Joey would probably be awake and might want a chat or something to read. She hurried up the stairs to see her younger sister.

Author:	Kathy [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 6:18 pm ]
Post subject:	The Holiday at the Chalet - chapter 2
2. Joey-Baba! “Madgey! It’s so nice to see you! Doctor Cooper is ever so much more interesting than Dr. Phelps, but his stethoscope is cold!” Madge laughed as she surveyed the slight figure in the bed. Tiny for her seven years, Jo had a thin, pointed face framed by jet-back hair which was “straight as a pump-spout” as a family friend had once pointed out. Large, dark eyes stood out on her pale skin. Usually these sparkled with mischief, but the listlessness that had taken hold of Jo recently had been a source of great worry to Madge and Dick. However, the novelty of Dr. Cooper’s visit seemed to have cheered her a little. His boyish manner was evidently popular with children. “Joey-Baba! Poor Doctor Phelps!” she teased. “He’s been out to see you in much worse weather than this before, and the one time he can’t make it you turn against him! Ungrateful, I call it!” Joey looked slightly abashed. “I do like Dr. Phelps. Only Dr. Cooper talks about such interesting things – places he’s been to and things. Do you know, he was telling me about a toymaker in this little town in Austria…” As Joey chattered on Madge watched her, deep in thought. The thought of far-away places seemed to have reanimated Joey; she was a long way from the lethargic, exhausted little soul she had seemed a week ago. Her spirit was never broken for long. And yet…and yet…Madge shivered a little as she remembered Dr. Cooper’s chilling words. Joey broke off to ask, “And is there any news of the epidemic?” A bad ‘flu epidemic had been sweeping the south-west for the last few weeks. Madge was almost thankful Joey had already been poorly before it happened, as this had prevented her coming into contact with it, as from the reports it was similar in some respects to the Spanish ‘flu of some years before. Jo would have stood little chance against such a deadly virus. Joey’s question, while a little morbid, was another sign that she was thinking about life outside again. “Not much Jo. Only that Doctor Phelps is ever so busy. I saw Mrs. Dene with Rosalie yesterday, so they must be alright – keeping out of it.” Jo sighed. “That’s good. I like Rosalie. And she’s ever so clever! I wouldn’t want them to be ill”. Madge felt that she had better change the subject. Taking out a comb and some pins she proceeded to re-do her hair. Jo watched her in horrified fascination. “I’m never going to do that with my hair!” she said emphatically. “It would take me all day to be ready!” Madge found herself laughing out loud. “Oh Joey-Baba you do make me laugh! All girls put their hair up when they’re eighteen. It shows you’re a lady and not a girl. You get used to doing it faster. Yours might be a little harder as it’s so straight, but you could plait it and coil it up…like so!” She demonstrated with a stray lock of her hair and proceeded to pull the whole arrangement out. Frustration welled up in her – it was so irritating, trying to keep tidy! – but Joey’s laughter was music to her ears, and she joined in. “I do seem to make a mess of this don’t I! Now I shall have to begin again in the mirror. Can I fetch you any books while I’m there Jo?” “Yes please! May I have the big fairy story book? It’s so old, and the pictures are ever so interesting. You look at them and you see one thing…then another…then another – it’s lovely!” “As long as you promise not to try and lift it” said Madge warningly. “It’s ever so heavy – you couldn’t hold it yourself in bed. I’ll fetch it and we can look at it together.” With which she left the room. Joey sighed happily and looked around the room. It was her own, yet there was little sign of her presence. Their guardian, while a dear at heart! believed that “children should be seen and not heard”, and an embroidered sampler on the stark white wall opposite her issued this instruction. Her few toys and books were in a chest in Madge’s room and noisy play was only permitted when they were alone in the house, or, when it was fine and she was well – in the garden. Still, she reflected, she was luckier than lots of people. The garden was a fine place to play with plenty of secret hidey-holes. If only she could be well and it could be summer again! She smiled, lost in happy memories of making secret dens with Rosalie’s cousin Mary and another friend, Frances. Mary was slightly more given to “girlish” games and quiet activities than Jo and Frances, but she had loved “the den” which they had made between the raspberry canes. Mrs Burnett was nice too – she had only issued a slight scolding when Mary had turned up with a torn, muddy dress but – horror of horrors! – she had told Mary that she would have to learn to mend her own clothes! Still, Mary didn’t seem to mind that much. For Joey, the very idea was torture. She well remembered being forced to stitch at a sampler last year when she had been in bed with a cold and Madge had caught it too, and the temporary housekeeper had had a rather fixed idea of what girls should do. The tatty, partly-finished sampler was now gathering dirt in the bottom of her toy box. Joey knew what she enjoyed doing, and it did not involve needles and cotton! Lying back on her pillows, the garden hovered in her imagination until it combined with the wonderful stories that Dr. Cooper had been telling her, of meadows thick with spring flowers, little huts, ice-cold streams and snow-capped mountains…and she slipped into a dream-world which may have owed something to the Heidi books, of living in a little hut with her guardian and plaiting and coiling her hair…and the samplers on the wall said that goats should be seen and not heard… Madge, now tidy, returned to the room to see her sister slumbering peacefully, her breathing still a little shallow but even and her face cool. She paused to tuck the covers warmly around her and put the big fairy-tale book down near the bed ready for later before making her way back down the stairs, full of possibilities and ideas.

Author:	kimothy [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 6:21 pm ]
Post subject:
thanks kathy! this looks great, i love they way you have captured madge's character soo well

Author:	Alison H [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:07 pm ]
Post subject:
Congratulations on your first drabble !

Author:	LesleyAnn [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:10 pm ]
Post subject:
This is lovely and how nice to see a glimpse of their life pre-School at

The CBB http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/

The Holiday at the Chalet - new drabble by new drabbler! http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1932

Author:	MaryR [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:48 pm ]
Post subject:
This is very interesting, Kathy. One has to feel sympathy for Madge and Dick having to look after a younger sister who was always ill. I'm sure Madge must sometimes have wished for someone to take the responsibility off her young shoulders. Thank you.

Author:	Lisa [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:56 pm ]
Post subject:
Ooh, I love it!!

Author:	Lesley [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:25 pm ]
Post subject:
Really liking this so far, Kathy, congratulations on your first drabble!

Author:	Tara [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:34 pm ]
Post subject:
Very, very good. Looking forward to lots more!

Author:	Elder in Ontario [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:51 pm ]
Post subject:
This looks really good, Kathy, and I'm looking forward to more of it - it's always interesting to catch glimpses from 'before' the Chalet School. Thank you.

Author:	Pado [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 9:14 pm ]
Post subject:
I'm enjoying the beginning - looking forward to more!

Author:	Cath V-P [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 10:47 pm ]
Post subject:
This is fascinating, epecially catching glimpses of how illness must have restricted Joey's childhood. Thank you Kathy.

Author:	Squirrel [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 11:03 pm ]
Post subject:
I'm really enjoying this - it looks like it shall be a most interesting tale. Thanks Kathy

Author:	Fiona Mc [ Wed Jan 17, 2007 6:59 am ]
Post subject:
This is great and would love to see more. Thanks

Author:	Mrs Redboots [ Wed Jan 17, 2007 12:33 pm ]
Post subject:
Great start - thanks!

Author:	Alice [ Wed Jan 17, 2007 1:19 pm ]
Post subject:
This is lovely, thanks Kathy. Looking forward to some more.

Author:	leahbelle [ Wed Jan 17, 2007 1:37 pm ]
Post subject:
This is great, Kathy. How frustrated Joey must have been being cooped like that.

Author:	Fatima [ Wed Jan 17, 2007 3:16 pm ]
Post subject:
It's lovely to see a new drabbler, and thanks for such a lovely beginning, Kathy.

Author:	Sarah_K [ Wed Jan 17, 2007 6:56 pm ]
Post subject:
Thank you Kathy, it's a brilliant start! I like Dr Cooper, poor Joey must be pretty fed up stuck in bed for all that time when we all know how lively and imaginative she is.

Author:	Kathy [ Wed Jan 17, 2007 6:59 pm ]
Post subject:
Thanks to everyone for their kind supportive comments! 3. Letters and plans By December, however, the ‘flu epidemic had spread throughout the country and gales and heavy rain were making it a miserable winter for all. Madge and Dick were forced to concede that taking Joey away for the winter was not a viable option. “It’s just too dangerous,” Madge said with a flat finality over breakfast one chilly morning. “The ports and stations will be full of people – any of them might have it. It’s too much of a risk for Jo.” “You could say the same of any disease, at any time of year, anywhere” Dick pointed out impishly. “However, I’m inclined to agree with you. It’s not a good time to be travelling. The ports could be closed and we could be holed up somewhere for days before we’d even left England. I think we should wait until the summer.” “But Dick!” Madge’s tone was worried. “Will you still be with us then? When do you start your training?” “Hard to say yet! I’m waiting for a letter...I hope I’ll be able to join you though. Hello, here’s the post!” This last as he saw a familiar figure passing the window. He jumped up and returned a few minutes later with a pile of letters. “Something for you Madge…and another…gosh, who have you been writing to! And something official-looking for me.” He ripped it open, studied the contents intently, then let out a boyish whoop. “Madge! It says I can start in September! I’m to be trained for a Forestry placement. That’ll means the possibility of going to India to work. Oh, it couldn’t be better!” He saw Madge’s keen eyes on him. “Don’t worry Madge, I don't have to go. If things are tough with Jo, I can take a place nearer. And in any case, I won’t be going anywhere for a couple of years yet. Got all the training to come first! Madge was still looking thoughtfully at him. “You really do miss India, don’t you?” “Miss it? I should say! It seems a little like a dream now I suppose. It was so long ago. But I remember loving it as a child. The animals…the temples…even the summer heat and the monsoon! I found England very strange when we first arrived, and I always wanted to go back. Oh, I daresay I shan’t settle permanently out there. But a good few years would be an adventure as well as setting us up financially for a long time. Oh, hallelujah!” With that he caught up the pepper and salt pots and a small jar of marmalade and began to juggle with them. Madge laughed to see him so happy. “Well it settles another question, and that’s that you can come travelling with us. I’ve just received this from Madamoiselle Lepattre” She smoothed out a piece of blue paper upon which was a good deal of cramped handwriting. Dick, distracted, caught the salt and pepper pots in one hand and missed the marmalade which hit the floor with a sticky crash. “Dick! Honestly! I’ll have to clear that up before Mary sees. It’s not her day for floor-polishing and she’ll curse you alright! Now, listen!” Ma cherie Marguerite, How wonderful to hear from you. I hope this finds you well in Devon as it leaves me in Paris. I would have replied to you before, but ma cousine is staying with us as their house was flooded. Have you suffered with this terrible weather? I feel like quite half of France is under water! Ma cousine brought her little girls with her and I have looked after them while their mother sorted out their possessions and organised to clean the house. The eldest is close in age to your sister Joey I think – seven? The other is only four. Elles sont les petites mignonnes, but they do miss their mother when she’s not here! It has been so hard to go out, I have given them some lessons and also some treats! Yesterday, I found the paper dolls I had played with in my own childhood. They were so enthralled that we spent most of the day playing with them! It was wonderful for me too! In answer to your question about coming to us. My dear, the house is open to you! I only have my tutoring work, and that is not always, you know. There is plenty of space here. I should love to show you Paris and perhaps travel down through France with you. I don’t know how long I could be with you but it is a wonderful idea. Mais, ma cherie! You must come to us in spring or summer! I can not think of you travelling in this dreadful weather. The train should drown! At which point Dick and Madge both dissolved into giggles. I look forward to receiving your reply and planning our petit sojourn! Ameties, Therese Lepattre “That’s settled then.” Madge declared. “We’ll go in June. We can both save a little money so that we have plenty for this trip, and we should both brush up on our languages a little – my French doesn’t get enough use just tutoring reluctant schoolgirls! Then we just need to decide on a route. We may as well take out time travelling down – Joey won’t be able to cope with rushing from one place to the next. Any ideas Dick? Where have you always longed to visit? Dick frowned in thought. “I should love the Rhine, and Provence if we could make either of them. But really I’m longing to see this place Cooper was describing. It sounds almost magical – a blue lake surrounded by mountains.” “I’d love to see something of the Low Countries if we could manage it.” Madge added; she had not long finished reading Vilette and had been struck by the descriptions of the imaginary town which Bronte had loosely based on Amsterdam. “We should spend a good few days in Paris too, Dick. Jo’s never been, but I found her reading one of the Scarlet Pimpernel stories the other day and she seemed hooked!” “Isn’t she a bit young for those?” Dick screwed up his face in the effort of memory. “Poor dear! Where does it hurt?!” she teased. “Yes I wondered that, but she does read very widely and it isn’t as if she’s likely to pick up any language from them! Now, Dick, we do need to make one decision before we can make any plans. When do we go?” “Late May or early June would be best.” Dick said thoughtfully. “That gives me a decent amount of time with you. I’d probably have to leave you in mid-August to make the journey back in plenty of time.” “Then that’s decided,” Madge was firm. “I’ll book our passage and train tickets to Paris, and then we can tell Joey. She’ll be so thrilled! Could you find the telephone directory?” And so saying she departed to seek a damp cloth and so avoid the wrath of the Bettany’s housekeeper, inwardly resolving that nothing should stand in the way of Dick's returning to India.

Author:	JoS [ Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:20 pm ]
Post subject:
This is wonderful, thanks Kathy. Am eagerly waiting for more.

Author:	Lesley [ Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:54 pm ]
Post subject:
Kathy wrote: “Poor dear! Where does it hurt?!” she teased. “Yes I wondered that, but she does read very widely and it isn’t as if she’s likely to pick up any language from them! Er, got news for you Madge! Yes she will. This is wonderful Kathy, you've captured the feel of the early books so well. Thank you.

Author:	Lottie [ Thu Jan 18, 2007 9:56 am ]
Post subject:
This is great, Kathy. I'm really looking forward to the next part.

Author:	Jennie [ Thu Jan 18, 2007 11:42 am ]
Post subject:
Great, Kathy. Looking forward to more of this.

Author:	leahbelle [ Thu Jan 18, 2007 1:51 pm ]
Post subject:
Thank you!

Author:	Fatima [ Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:03 pm ]
Post subject:
lazily echoes the other comments Thanks Kathy.

Author:	Dawn [ Thu Jan 18, 2007 3:40 pm ]
Post subject:
this is great Kathy - I love Dick juggling and Mademoiselle LaPattre's cousins little girls playing with the paper dolls

Author:	Alison H [ Thu Jan 18, 2007 4:01 pm ]
Post subject:
This is lovely - thanks Kathy.

Author:	Clare [ Thu Jan 18, 2007 4:19 pm ]
Post subject:
This is really good - thank you Kathy. Looking forward to the next installment.

Author:	MaryR [ Thu Jan 18, 2007 5:52 pm ]
Post subject:
Thank you, Kathy - delightful.

Author:	Kathy [ Thu Jan 18, 2007 7:23 pm ]
Post subject:
Oops - didn't know that about the Scarlet Pimpernel Books!! Amazing how this forces you to research - I found myself looking at forestry in India trying to work out what on earth they did, how they trained and what on earth a "furlough" was!!!

Author:	Kathy [ Thu Jan 18, 2007 8:23 pm ]
Post subject:
4. Finally off! “Joey! Can you sit still for one moment, child! I need your weight to close the trunk, and it’s no use if you wriggle like that!” Dick’s words may have been exasperated but his tone was mild. Joey, perched on top of an overstuffed brown trunk, looked down at her skinny arms and legs. “I don’t know that I’m much good at things like this,” she said ruefully. “Tisn’t as if there’s much of me to squash it with. Not like some…” There was a glint of mischief in her eye as she looked at him. “You cheeky little minx!” And Dick scuffled with her, somehow contriving in the process to sit on the suitcase himself and so slip the latches shut. “Finally! Now Jo, did you put your books and papers ready for Madge’s night-case?” “I put them where she said”. Jo was dancing around the room again now. “Oh Dick it’s going to be such fun! We’re going to Calais, and to Dover, and to Brussels, and to Antwerp, and to Paris, and to…” she paused in the midst of an improvised ditty. “Dick I can’t make the other ones fit in the song!” “Never mind, nightingale! You’ll have plenty of time to write all the songs you want on the journey! Now, calm down and tell me, is Madge ready? Is that the taxi hooting? It’s nine sharp, so they should be here.” Madge came running into the room. “Dick, can you take the trunks out? I think we’re all set to go. Joey, do stop skipping like that – you’ll get short of breath again and we don’t need that now! Sit down a minute, and remember to take your little night-case out to the taxi for us while Dick carries the trunks.” Joey sat down, pale with the exertion. She had had a cough for most of the spring; nothing bad, but it had made breathing difficult and running just hurt! It hadn’t been like that for a long time, not that she remembered. “Sorry Madge, I’ll be good.” A little later, they were waving goodbye to the handsome Victorian house and to their guardian, who had winked and pressed a pound note into Joey’s hand at the last moment, saying “Don’t forget a postcard, Josephine dear”. Since a pound would buy any number of postcards and stamps, as well as an assortment of other goodies, Jo was happily contemplating the possibilities that lay before her. In what seemed like no time at all to one lost in such happy reverie, they arrived at Exeter main line station and boarded the big express train. “Goodbye Devon!” Jo sang, standing the in corridor and peering out of the window. “We’ll see you in September when the leeeaves are broooown…” “Joey! Come into the compartment and settle down, I’ve got a new paper here for you.” The first part of the journey sped past quickly. Jo read her stories, filled in her puzzles, and nearly drove Dick, who was trying to read through some notes on his placement, to distraction asking him the quiz questions. Madge was settled comfortably with a book about Napoleon, her preparation for the visit to Paris. Because of the wet winter, the countryside was even greener than May always is, and the effect was set off by a glorious blue sky. Travelling to Dover necessitated changes in Southampton and Portsmouth. It was late that evening before they arrived. They found the tiny guest-house Dick had booked next to the station, and, upon instruction, left their cases in the hallway and went straight to the dining-room to eat cold ham and bubble-and-squeak. Joey ate the ham but toyed with the bubble and squeak; fried foods were not her favourite. She was beginning to look pale and tired, and Madge reflected that she probably needed sleep more than any other sustenance, so found the little night-case and escorted her up the stairs to change for bed, leaving Dick to talk to the proprietor. Having soothed Joey off to sleep, Madge made the sudden decision to go back downstairs. The guesthouse was only small – merely a house with a few extra rooms, and Joey was within earshot if she awoke – and even if she did, she would more than likely be able to amuse herself until she dropped off. Pausing only to check her hair in the glass Madge returned to the dining room, where Dick was enjoying a glass of brandy and chatting with the proprietor. It was late in the evening and not yet the holiday season, so the dining room was otherwise empty. “Welcome back! Mrs. Bettany? May I get you anything?” Madge blushed and Dick stepped in. “It’s Miss, I’m afraid.” “I do apologise, madam. Is the little one asleep?” “Sleeping very soundly,” answered Madge. “Thank you very much, a coffee would be lovely.” As she sipped her coffee and talked with Dick, Madge reflected that she had never in her life before sat up late drinking coffee in a restaurant. There was no danger; no gossip could be engendered in such a small place, yet she felt faintly daring and slightly guilty at leaving Joey alone. There was nothing to fear though, Joey was fast asleep at the top of the stairs and she could enjoy a small taste of freedom. “And where are you planning to visit on your trip?” The proprietor had returned, bringing Dick another brandy. She noticed that he looked faintly uneasy. “We’re travelling from Calais down to Brussels,” Madge answered “where we are meeting an acquaintance of our parents. We are going to stay with them for a few days and look around Brussels. If Joey stays well, we might perhaps see Bruges or Antwerp on a day trip. From Brussels we are going south to on to Paris, where we will meet a very close family friend. My mother knew her well as a girl and she has always been very kind to us. She has promised to show us Paris.” Madge’s eyes sparkled in anticipation of this insiders’ guide to one of her favourite places. Dick took up the tale. “After that we get the Paris-Berne express. We’ve booked a private compartment so that Joey can sleep on the train – she’s not too strong you know, and this ‘flu that’s been going round – well, we wouldn’t want to take the risk.” The proprietor nodded sympathetically; he was a father, although his brood had now grown up and moved out, and he well remembered the worries they had had with his youngest son, not that anyone would think it now to look at him, he reflected. “We’ll stay in Berne for a few days, again to look around and give Jo a rest, then we’ll journey slowly across to Innsbruck via Luzern and see some of the lakes. That should take us about two weeks. We’re planning to spend the rest of the summer in the Tyrolese mountains. What was the place called again Madge?” “Briesau,” answered Madge. “It’s on the shores of a lake called the Tirren See I think?” “The Tiern See,” Dick corrected her. “I remember now. It sounds a lovely place.” He turned to the proprietor. “An old school chum of mine was posted to Innsbruck on his medical placement. He did some exploring of the lakes and mountains while he was there – I think he was a bit lonely, poor fellow, as his German isn’t what you’d call conversational! Anyway, he reckoned this lake to be the bluest thing he’d even set eyes on. He gave us a shortlist of a few places, but that was the one we settled on.” “It sounds a wonderful scheme,” said the proprietor a little wistfully. “Well, I suppose I should let you retire, Mr Bettany and Miss…” He stopped, then coloured a little carried on. “Your luggage has all been put in the room with your little girl.” Madge’s horrified face was a picture and the crimson colour of her face would have caused some consternation, had there been anyone else to see it. The proprietor was confused, but finally humbly apologetic. Between the two, and his own incipient giggles, it was as much as Dick could do to explain and remedy the situation. When he finally parted from the proprietor and entered the hurriedly-made-up separate room they had found for him, he lay down on the bed and simply shouted with laughter.

Author:	Lesley [ Thu Jan 18, 2007 8:40 pm ]
Post subject:
Kathy wrote: Oops - didn't know that about the Scarlet Pimpernel Books!! Oh I didn't mean that there was anything particular in the Scalet Pimpernel books - only that Joey would pick up language reading video instructions! Lovely episode - I thought, as soon as Madge said she was Miss Bettany, that there would be gossip! Thanks Kathy.

Author:	JoS [ Thu Jan 18, 2007 8:44 pm ]
Post subject:
Poor Madge! And what excitement. Lovely, thanks Kathy