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The Photographs....For Vikki Part 2 posted Christmas Eve

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#1: The Photographs....For Vikki Part 2 posted Christmas Eve Author: Secret Santa, Location: The North Pole

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 6:24 pm
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Photographs

The old lady sat surrounded by photographs. They were piled on every table, fluttering whenever the door opened, albums piled high on the floor making stacks that visitors to Freudesheim had to negotiate their way in-between, taking precarious steps to be sure not to stand on a precious memory. At 89 there wasn't a lot she could do to help with the celebrations, her once black hair was now grey all through, her legs were not as steady and she walked with the help of a stick, but her eyes belied her age, the dark pools remained, twinkling with laughter. This was a task she was well suited to though.

There were so many photos from over the years. She picked up one of the early albums and started looking through it. There was so much to look at, it seemed as if everything that had ever happened in the school had been documented. Here was one of Corney playing the saxophone, another of a group of girls climbing of an old coach and looking somewhat the worse for wear. Then there photographs of a snowfight on the Sonnalpe, of a summer rowing regatta on the Tiern See. She put each of these aside, writing all the details she could remember on a little card to go with it, names, places, events, all faithfully recorded.

The next pile she picked up were a little later. There was a dark haired schoolgirl on bike, waving cheerfully at the photographer, the label for this one said 'Robin Humperies, Head Girl'. Then came a fair haired child with two others, standing next a long hedge, this was labelled, 'Daisy, Beth and Gwensi, first triumvirate.' More followed, including an one of three little girls, all looking excited in the brown and flame uniform, the middle one, with red hair, holding onto the other two. There was a pencil note on the back of this one, 'Triplets first day at school'. The old lady held onto it for a long time, her eyes looking darker than ever as she let her memory drift. No card was written for this one, after a long time it was slipped into a pocket and another one was chosen.

She carried on with her task, knowing it was a job she could do better than most other people, she was the one who remembered. It was also something she could contribute, she couldn't run around and organise any more, couldn't hear well enough to make lots of hone calls, but this was her unique contribution to the celebration at the school. The photographs and the cards were going to be part of a huge display in the school Hall that would be seen by every visitor. There would be copies of the Chaletian as well, the magazine of which she had once been editor, and which was still going strong, published by the girls every term. All the previous copies would be on display in the large bound volumes, and the special anniversary edition would be sold to raise money for the Sanatorium that they still supported, which was now once more fighting TB, only this time in the third world, in an effort begun by Margot Maynard, Sister Mary Margaret. The old lady looked for a certain photograph, a picture of a young nun stood in the middle of a shanty town surrounded by children and put it with a card detailing the ongoing work of the Sanatorium.

There was a bang as the front door opened and shut and a young whirlwind flung herself through the door.
“Hi granny, heard you had another pile of photo's for me to take to school. It's amazing what you are finding, I didn't know people took so many photo's in those days, but you have more than we could possibly display, even if we used the gym as well, and it's looking as if we might have to. Did I tell you someone has sent us yet another of those fantastic dolls houses to display, this one is a massive house with a balcony and a garage and even has electric light, all still working. It's called Red Tiles, and is wonderful.”
“It was the first she made after leaving school, I remember how surprised we all were, she didn't tell anyone she was making it.”
“How fantastic. Well I'd better take the photos and dash, I'm on prep duty tonight and you know what those middles will be like if I'm late.”

The young girl dashed out of the house as quickly as she had dashed in, leaving the old lady breathless and smiling. She took another look at the photo in her pcoket, and decided to find somewhere safe to put it, the others, the rest for the school, could wait another day.

Last edited by Secret Santa on Sun Dec 24, 2006 2:47 pm; edited 1 time in total

#2: Author: Kat, Location: Kingston-upon-Thames/Swansea

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 6:46 pm
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Aww!

Lucky Vikki!

That was lovely, Santa - thank you!

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

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 7:28 pm
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That was so lovely Laughing

#4: Author: arky72, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 8:16 pm
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That was really lovely, thank you. Lucky Vikki!

#5: Author: Woofter,

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 8:20 pm
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That was really, lovely. Lucky Vikki.

#6: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 8:23 pm
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That was beautiful, thank you Santa.

#7: Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 8:59 pm
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How very poignant and lovely. Thank you, Santa.

#8: Author: Lottie, Location: Humphrey's Corner

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 11:41 pm
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I love the idea of Joey surrounded by photos.

Thanks, Vikki's Santa.

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

Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:02 pm
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Thank you Vikki's Santa; that was lovely.

#10: Author: Miranda, Location: Perth, Western Australia

Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 2:07 pm
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What wonderful images! Thank you Vikki's Santa Smile

#11: Author: Secret Santa, Location: The North Pole

Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 2:46 pm
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A few weeks later the entire display was ready. The Gym had indeed been used as well as the hall, the library and the theatre. There were films showing in the theatre, made up of different footage from school productions, sports days and events, some cleverly taken from old cine films dating back to their early usage, some much more recent and professional looking. There was the huge display on the Chaletain in the library, along with a display of first edition books from all the authors and scholars the school had turned out, and manuscripts from it's many composers. A recording of the different music they had composed was playing quietly in the background, and in some of the study carrels it was possible to listen through headphones to a recording with detailed commentary. Also available to listen to were extracts from the various books, some of which were read by the authors. In the Gym was the display of dolls houses built by Tom Gay along with an explanation of her work in the slums and a display of different handicrafts undertaken by the school, some of which had survived in different families from the school's earliest days, others were more recent work which would be auctioned off at the end of the celebrations.

It was the display in the hall that everyone was impatient to see however. The first visitor was the person who had done so much of the work on it, compiled and labelled so many of the photos from the early days all the way through to the present day, writing the descriptions of long ago events in such a vivid manner that people saw them as clearly as if they had been there. She was one of the school's published authors of course herself, and although her earliest work was long out of print, some of her later work was still read and enjoyed by the large fanbase she had built up over many years of writing.

She was happily browsing the photographs from her own schooldays when she felt a touch at her elbow.
“Granny, I've been sent to escort you to the garden for the speeches and the photographs, you are much in demand there you know.” Her eyes glanced appreciatively around the room, “This is a wonderful display, largely thanks to you. You should be very proud of it.”
“I am dear, and I had a wonderful time doing it, reliving so many events, it is all going to be put into a book now you know, the history of the school and it's pupils.”
“I heard, now come on, take my arm and we will go together, it isn't often I get you all to myself”
The old lady smiled and took her arm, she wasn't actually her grandmother, although granny was the title used, all having decided that great-granny was too much of a mouthful for anyone to use. Together they walked out into the garden where the official photographer was already taking lots of shots of different groups and spying then framed in the doorway waved them to stay there while she took their photograph as well.

That photo taken they walked forward to be arranged into numerous groups and finally into one huge panaramic photograph showing all the people who were attending the celebrations.
“Just like we did for the coming of age, only much bigger,” she was heard to murmer as the photographer took the first shot.
“I need a few more, just to be sure,” the lady shouted, to the smiling crowd, “Stay where you are just another moment.”
They all did as they were told, and several more shots of the entire group were taken before they were allowed to split up once more while even more groups were arranged, old girls, present girls, prefects, kindergarten, present staff, old staff and finally as many members of the family of the founder, Lady Russell as had been able to be traced and contacted. The old lady sat at the centre of that group with some of her contemporaries and smiled, she was content.

After the final photograph was taken and people began moving away in preparation for the speeches that would be made on the lawn before the enormous cake was cut the old lady remained in her seat for a moment.
“May I help you, you will want a good seat for the speeches won't you,” said a voice at her side. She looked up and saw the photographer , a short lady, with a kind smile and long blonde hair smiling at her.
“That's very kind of you, yes an arm to lean on would be appreciated, as would your company.”
“I hear you are responsible for the wonderful display in the hall? That must have taken a long time?” said the photographer.
“Yes dear, but it was a joy, I have been brought up with these photographs since my earliest youth and I remember Mamma telling me some of the stories time and time again. She took some of the first photographs of the school and loved to show them to us when we were little.”
“So your mother was a schoolgirl here as well then?” asked the young lady.
“Oh yes, she was the first schoolgirl here and never let us forget it,” came the chuckling reply, “She would have loved all this.”
“As do you,” came the rather perceptive reply.
“Oh yes, I was at school during the coming of age celebration and never thought then that I would be seeing the centenary celebrations in 2029, but there are a few of us who were at school then who are here today. It has been such a delight to meet so many old friends again, probably for the last time this side of Glory.”
The photographer murmured her agreement with this, being young it was not her first thought, but she was empathetic enough to understand why it was so important to the old lady. She guided her towards the reserved seats on the front row.
“What name should I look for?” she asked.
“Con, Con Maynard. I always used my maiden name just as Mamma did.”
“Here it is, do you need anything else?”
“Just your name so I can thank you properly,” replied Con.
The photographer smiled, “No thanks needed, it was an honour to escort you, but my name is Vikki.”
Con smiled, “Well thank-you very much Vikki, it was lovely to meet you.”

#12: Author: Lottie, Location: Humphrey's Corner

Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 3:04 pm
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Lottie wrote:

I love the idea of Joey surrounded by photos.

Thanks, Vikki's Santa.

Obviously I hadn't realised who it was.

Such company you keep, Vikki! Are you going to post the photos for us to see?

A lovely story. Thanks, Santa.

#13: Author: Secret Santa, Location: The North Pole

Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 3:07 pm
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Don't worry Lottie, I made it ambiguous and knew everyone would think it was Joey till right near the end. Just having fun.

Glad you enjoyed it, hope Vikki likes her starring role.

#14: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 5:20 pm
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Thanks Santa - that was lovely!

#15: Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 5:37 pm
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Loved the twist at the end. Laughing

Lucky Vicki. Thank you, Santa

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

Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 8:28 pm
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That was fabulous Santa - lucky lucky Vikki

#17: Author: Miranda, Location: Perth, Western Australia

Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 9:23 pm
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Tricked!! Embarassed

Didn't see that coming, Santa.

#18: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 9:29 pm
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Thank you so much Santa!!!

That was LOVELY. (although I also assumed it was Joey to start with! Embarassed

)

*hugs Santa tight for giving me such a lovely drabble*

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

Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2006 11:41 am
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Thanks Santa - that was lovely

#20: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 7:19 pm
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Very fine, Vikki's Santa! Laughing

(Yes, another one tricked...)

#21: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:19 pm
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Thanks, Secret Santa. I read the bottom comments 1st by mistake, so I wasn't tricked. It was a lovely story.

#22: Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 11:52 pm
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Just found the end - and yes, I'd assumed it was Joey, too. Clever Santa!

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