Under the mistletoe
The CBB
-> St Agnes' House
#1: Under the mistletoe Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 1:46 pm
Madge Russell tucked Sybil into bed and kissed her goodnight, checked Josette was fast asleep, then put her head around the door to David’s bedroom to find he was already making little snuffly snores. She softly pulled the blanket over him, and switched out the light before going back downstairs to the round room that gave the house its name.
“Josette and David are fast asleep, Sybil is waiting for you to go and kiss her goodnight,” she reported as her husband looked up at her entry.
He put aside his papers straight away. “I’ll just go and see her then.”
When he had left the room, Madge turned her attention to the box that had been awaiting the children’s bedtime before being put up, and started to pull things out. Jem was away a while, and she guessed that Sybil had persuaded him to tell her a story before she went to sleep, in the meantime, she pulled out the greenery that Owen Griffiths had cut for her earlier in the day and started to lay it along the mantelpiece and window ledges. She was just climbing on a chair to reach up and attach some mistletoe above the curtain rail when Jem returned to the room.
Rather than interrupt her and make her jump, he watched from the doorway as she stretched up, noticing that three children had not noticeably affected her slim figure, waiting until she had fixed it before he crossed the room to stand next to her and help her down.
Madge turned to see him standing there, and put her hands on his shoulders ready to step down, giggling like a schoolgirl as he put his hands on her waist and lifted her down himself.
“Jem, what are you ….” Her words were cut off as his lips met hers. Her hands slid from his shoulders to around his neck, pulling him closer as she responded to him.
“Let’s do the rest of it tomorrow.” He murmured persuasively as he trailed kisses across her cheek to her hairline.
Madge acquiesced without a protest, and he swept her up into his arms and carried her upstairs to their room.
Aline Elizabeth was born in September the following year.
Last edited by LizB on Wed Dec 21, 2005 7:39 pm; edited 9 times in total
#2: Author: Nell, Location: London, England
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 2:47 pm
Aww how sweet, thank you Liz! 
#3: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:06 pm
Thanks, Liz. That was so lovely.
#4: Author: Mia, Location: London
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:28 pm
Gorgeous, thanks Liz 
#5: Author: Gem, Location: Saltash/Aberystwyth
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:46 pm
Oh, that's so lovely - I always thought that they did have that kind of a relationship. Thank you, Liz *feels all warm and fluffy*
#6: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:51 pm
Thank you Liz that was lovely!
The joys of a September birthday 
#7: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:57 pm
awwww!!!
Thank you Liz! Thant was lovely, and the last line was wonderful!
#8: Author: Rosy, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:24 pm
Awww. How sweet! Thankyou Liz!
#9: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:51 pm
That was lovely, thanks Liz.
#10: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 7:13 pm
That was sweet. Thanks Liz.
#11: Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 7:34 pm
Thank you Liz! That was gorgeously cute!
#12: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 7:43 pm
Lovely, Liz. 
Thank you.
#13: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 8:11 pm
Thank you Liz.
Lovely to see the story of that Christmas.
#14: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 8:48 pm
Struck with the Christmas spirit, hey Jem?!
Thank you Liz - it's ovely to see them being affectionate with each other
#15: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 12:43 am
Lovely!!! Thank you Liz.
#16: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 1:37 pm
Gottfried lifted the Robin into the sleigh and tucked the rugs securely around her to keep her warm, then turned to give a hand to Joey as she scrambled in. The baskets had already been packed in, and Madge was thanking their hosts and being warmly kissed farewell before she joined Jo and Robin in the sleigh.
He took his place in the driver’s seat and took the reins. Then they were off, waiving a final farewell until they turned the corner, at which point Joey turned to face the front with a satisfied sigh. “It’s been a gorgeous Christmas!" she announced, to agreement from Madge and Robin.
Gottfried guided the sleigh unerringly through the snow-covered streets, and before long they were coming to a halt at their destination. Jo grinned and waved cheerily up at a window, whence Maria’s face could be seen watching them. “Oh, they have mistletoe over the door, how jolly.” she commented.
The three climbed eagerly from the sleigh, Gottfried insisting that the baskets be left to him to deal with, and they were soon passing through the doorway into the hall, where Frau Marani welcomed them with open arms.
“I must return, for I promised to do some errands for Mama,” Gottfried told her as she invited him to join them in refreshments.
“In that case I will not keep you,” she answered, “I must take my guests up to their room, but Gisela will come to show you out.
Gisela, who had been helping Robin remove her outer layers, came forward at once, with a friendly smile. The brother of her good friend, Bernhilda, Gottfried was well known to her and she chatted easily with him as she walked him to the door, giving him messages for his sisters and parents.
She pulled the door to behind her to keep the cold air out and stood on the doorstep, the extra height it gave her bringing her face level with his, as she bid him farewell. “And a Happy New Year to you,” she finished, and leant forwards to brush a soft kiss on each cheek.
Gottfried smiled and wished her a Happy New Year also, then left, driving the sleigh swiftly across Innsbruck, still smiling, the sting of the cold air failing to remove the soft warmth of her lips from his face, as he realised he would never see his sister’s friend in the same light again.
#17: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 2:14 pm
Thanks Liz. I always wondered how Gottfried and Gisela came to get together! Hope there will be lots more of these stories.
#18: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 2:25 pm
That was so nice! Thanks, Liz.
#19: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 4:20 pm
Awwwwwww!!!!
Liz, that brought tears tro my eyes! Thank you hunny!
#20: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 4:23 pm
That was lovely, Liz. Thank you.
#21: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 7:47 pm
So touching. Thanks, Liz.
#22: Author: Le Petite Em, Location: Cheltenham
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 8:29 pm
I love these little romantic stories- perfect fill-ins and very Christmassy too!!! Thanks!!
#23: Author: Rosy, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 8:30 pm
Awww. Christmas romance. Perfect. Thankyou Liz!
#24: Author: Josie, Location: London
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 9:07 pm
Gorgeous, thanks Liz.
#25: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 9:50 pm
These are lovely Liz, I am glad you are posting them and hope you have lots more.
#26: Author: BethC, Location: Worcester, UK
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 10:21 pm
*echoes Carolyn!*
Thank you, Liz.
#27: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 11:49 pm
What a gentle Christmas interlude.
Thanks Liz.
#28: Author: pim, Location: Helmel Hampster
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 11:09 am
Thank you Liz, these are so *le grand happy sigh* inducing
#29: Author: Nell, Location: London, England
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 12:18 pm
Beautiful. Thank you Liz!
#30: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 1:05 am
Although the sun had not yet risen, a pale light was beginning to edge its way round the edges of the curtains as Marie entered the drawing room.
Crossing to the curtains, she pulled them open, taking care not to dislodge the sprig from the rail that had become part of the festive tradition at the Round House. Through the window she could see a light covering of snow on the ground and smiled. Until she had come to England, she had not realised that there were places where there was no thick covering of snow in the winter. And Australia had not even had winter at Christmas. She was glad to be back here again though, although she missed the Tirolean winter, the Round House had been her home for many years now, and she would not want to be elsewhere. It was good to see snow on the ground for Christmas morning though. The little children, Sir and Lady Russell’s grandchildren, would be so excited that it had at last snowed.
At a sound behind her, she turned, wondering if one of those children had awoken early and crept downstairs. Instead of a small child, however, it was her husband, Andreas, who entered. Bent slightly with age now, he still had a smile that warmed her heart, and he treated her to it now.
“It’s snowed.” she told him as he crossed the room to stand beside her. They stood contentedly together, watching as a few more flakes started to drift down, enjoying the peace of the morning. There was no hurry in their day now. True, Marie had insisted that Christmas dinner could not be cooked properly without her there to supervise it, but several pairs of willing hands would do the actual work. So they stood there, enjoying the peace of the early morning before anyone else awoke. Andreas slipped his arm around her waist and she rested her head on his shoulder as they watched a robin hop across to the bird table, and feast on the food left there for him.
Eventually a series of thuds from above announced that at least three of the grandchildren were awake, and the quiet was about to be shattered. Marie lifted her head, but Andreas’ arm remained around her a moment longer.
“Frohe Weihnachten! herzallerliebst” he said, giving her that smile again, and for a moment the years fell away from them, as he bent his head and kissed her.
#31: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 7:57 am
That was lovely. Loving these romantic Christmas drabbles.
#32: Author: Nell, Location: London, England
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 10:48 am
That is so sweet. Thank you Liz.
#33: Author: Josie, Location: London
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 11:41 am
Bless them.
Thanks Liz.
#34: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 1:22 pm
What a simply wonderful collection of Romantic drabbles, old and new, perfectly mixed.
Thank you
#35: Author: Mia, Location: London
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 2:43 pm
These are absolutely gorgeous Liz, thank you. 
#36: Author: Rosy, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 6:30 pm
Awww. So much romancy goodness. Thankyou Liz!
#37: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 7:25 pm
Gorgeous Liz!
Thank you!
#38: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 11:45 pm
That was very touching...
#39: Author: RuthY, Location: Anyone's guess
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 6:53 pm
These are ace thank you, Liz
#40: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 11:20 am
Slightly different season this time ...
Forgetting the dignity due to a barrister, Julie Lucy yelled encouragement to Barney, as he leapt over the hurdles, at a volume that would have done a sailor proud. She was rewarded by seeing him overtake the lead at the second-to-last hurdle and win the race. She gave a little jump of joy at his victory, and catching his eye, gave him the thumbs up. It was a shame their parents weren’t there to share his glory, but her mother had come down with chickenpox, of all things, and so Julie was the sole representative of the Lucy family at her brother’s sports day. She intended to do him proud to make up for their absence, and had a picnic large enough to satisfy the hungriest of boys, with her for their lunch.
The hurdles was one of the last of the races, and soon the boys were streaming from the sports field to get changed before rejoining their nearest and dearest, to spread through the grounds for lunch. Julie had received specific instructions from Barney and the basket was already installed in the shade of a large oak tree, so she headed in that direction. She was held up for several minutes making polite conversation with an acquaintance of her father’s, who recognised her and stopped to ask after all the family members. When she eventually got away, a glance at her watch told her Barney was probably already waiting for her and she hurried off.
Most families had headed towards the river for their picnics, there weren’t many people in sight as Julie half-ran towards the tree. She rounded it and, in her hurry, tripped over a root and cannoned into a young man who was standing there. Taken by surprise he lost his balance, and the two of them tumbled to the ground, his arms automatically going around her to protect her from the fall.
It was shock that kept them quite still on the ground for a long moment, Julie told herself, his arms still around her, their gazes locked in a recognition of something neither was ready to acknowledge, but neither was able to deny. Nice girls didn’t do this, she said tried to remind herself as, drawn by a force she had never encountered before, she moved her head slightly towards his, as he lifted his towards hers. Their lips locked for a long moment, before the sound of running footsteps and a call of “Julie” had them pulling hastily apart and scrambling to their feet.
Barney gave his sister a cursory glance when he arrived but did not notice the flush on her cheeks. “Did you bring a good feed?” he asked, immediately delving into the picnic basket and coming out with a slice of meat pie.
“Give me a chance to get it out,” Julie said, laughing at his eagerness, and spreading out the rug. “We’ve plenty if you’d like to join us,” she invited the young man, wondering what had come over her a few minutes before, and at her forwardness now in asking someone she didn’t know to join them.
Barney pulled a face. “Do you have to invite him?” he asked, giving the man a friendly grin before he continued. “There is loads here, you can have some if you like, sir.”
The young man sat down. “I don’t mind if I do, thank you. How about you introduce us?”
Barney, paused with the meat pie halfway to his mouth. “This is my sister Julie, Julie, this is my housemaster.” Then deciding he’d done his duty, he crammed the pie into his mouth.
High up in the oak tree, the mistletoe rustled in a non-existent breeze.
#41: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 11:25 am
That's truly delightful. I just love Barney's total non-recognition of anything momentous!
#42: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 11:33 am
I love the bit about the mistletoe rustling in the tree
I'm really enjoying these stories. Thanks Liz.
#43: Author: flitterwit, Location: london
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 11:49 am
Hhhmmm! Very interesting. Not as romantic as the other drabbles and not Christmassy (apart from the solitary mistletoe). Very natural and lively although unlikely that in that day and age Julie would do something like that.
#44: Author: Squirrel, Location: St-Andrews or Dunfermline
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 12:29 pm
I thought that was just great, thanks Liz
#45: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 1:07 pm
Thanks, Liz.
#46: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 2:05 pm
Loving these stories, thanks Liz.
#47: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 3:05 pm
Good for Julie! Thanks, Liz, that was lovely.
#48: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 3:16 pm
Thanks, Liz. I've just caught up on these different stories and they are so wonderful to read! They are so romantic to read as well.
#49: Author: Le Petite Em, Location: Cheltenham
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 10:02 pm
Good for you Julie, who cares if 'nice girls don't do this?' lol
Thak-you very much Liz!
#50: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 7:11 am
You are so good at this, Liz!
#51: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 1:39 pm
That moment of recognition! Bliss!
You did it so well, and you are really doing us proud, Liz, with all your lovely tales. Your originality knows no bounds.
Thank you.
#52: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 4:11 pm
I love that last one Liz!
Tis very sweet.
#53: Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 10:24 pm
Liz, these are all lovely! I'm sorry I didn't find them sooner. 
Looking forward to lots more now I have!
#54: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 1:59 pm
The restaurant, decorated for Christmas with a twig of mistletoe above each table, was crowded with diners, the waiters hurried back and forth, taking orders, carrying plates, filling wine glasses, but the couple at the table in the centre might have been in the middle of a desert for all the difference it made to them. Any onlooker could see that this was a couple deeply in love. They themselves saw nothing of what went on around them, so absorbed were they in each other’s company.
Not that they talked the whole time, they were at ease enough together to sit in silence as they ate, enjoying the delicious fare of one of Interlaken’s finest restaurants. When their plates were cleared, they started talking again in low voices, their conversation not audible to anyone else, but the intimacy between them obvious to any glance in their direction.
They barely noticed as their empty dessert dishes were removed, they were so engrossed in each other. The candlelight cast a soft glow, picking up the gloss of her black hair, highlighting the touches of rose in the creamy skin. Touches that became more distinct, as her dinner companion suddenly moved, and got down on one knee on the floor next to her.
“Eugen what on earth are you doing?”
“I know we talked it all over in the summer, Biddy, but I never asked you properly, so here it is.”
He produced a small box from his pocket and took a deep breath.
“From the first moment I saw you, I knew you were someone special; as I’ve got to know you more, I’ve discovered that you are my soul-mate, the only one I could spend my life with and I can’t imagine how I got through my life before that day at Lake Lucerne, because if I think of what it would be like without you now, it would be so barren and empty. I want you to be the one I come home to, the one who makes my house a home. I want to be the one to cherish you, to care for you, to make a home for you. I want us to be together for always. I don’t know what the future holds, whether it is laughter or tears, but I do now that whatever it is, I want it to be with you by my side, laughing together, crying together and loving together. Bridget Mary O’Ryan, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife.” He opened the box and took out the ring inside.
“Oh, Eugen! Yes, you know I will. Yes.” The blue eyes sparkled with tears of happiness as he slipped the ring onto her finger. The waiter, who along with everybody else in the restaurant had been unashamedly watching, hurried forward with a bottle of champagne and two glasses, as Biddy bent her head to Eugen’s for his kiss.
#55: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 2:03 pm
Awww, thanks Liz! I was always so glad that Biddy found a nice husband - she deserved it after losing both her parents so young.
#56: Author: Mia, Location: London
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 2:04 pm
Liz, these are just wonderful. The mistletoe line in the Julie drabblette made a shiver go down my spine and Eugen's proposal made my eyes fill up!
#57: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 2:28 pm
That was lovely, thanks, Liz. I always really liked Biddy and this makes Eugen sound so sweet.
#58: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 3:14 pm
Awww what a lovely proposal Thank you Liz
#59: Author: Nell, Location: London, England
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 4:05 pm
Aww thank you Liz they were both adorable!
#60: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 5:10 pm
That was simply lovely Liz, thank you!
#61: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 5:24 pm
A very tender touching scene, Liz, bless you.
#62: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 5:58 pm
Aww how lovely.
Thank you Liz
#63: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 7:19 pm
Thanks, Liz. That was a beautiful proposal.
#64: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 10:27 pm
Thanks Liz. That was lovely and heartwarming.
#65: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 11:00 pm
Oh gorgeous; what a lovely proposal for Biddy!
#66: Author: Robin, Location: London
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 10:26 am
these are all so lovely.
Thanks Liz (where's the soppy faced smiley when you need it?!?)
#67: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 9:35 pm
Just caught up with these Liz and they are wonderful, tender, touching, bringing a smile to my face and yet not soppy or sentimental, just the righht balance. Thank you.
#68: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 9:01 am
Joyce Linton took the glass of champagne that had been pressed on her, then wandered around the room, smiling at people, before discreetly abandoning it in an alcove festooned with holly, ivy and sprigs of mistletoe. Evenings like these, filled with shallow people getting drunk and being silly were not her idea of a good time. She wished she had not given in to her friends’ persuasion to come to the party. She had nothing in common with these people, anyone would think, from their behaviour, that there wasn’t a war on, although, nominally at least, the party was in aid of the war effort. It was strange to think she had been such good friends with some of them before she changed schools; if they’d never gone to Austria would she have ended up as empty headed as they were?
She repressed a sigh and forced a smile as a young man came up to her and pushed another glass into her hand. Her eyes wandered to the clock on the wall, wondering how long she would have to stay before she could decently escape. She nodded and smiled vaguely at him as he departed.
“Do you have to run away before midnight, like Cinderella?” asked a deep voice behind her, as she checked the clock again.
Joyce turned around, and was pleasantly surprised not to find another young fool standing there. The speaker was tall and dark-haired with deep brown eyes, which twinkled at her.
She found herself smiling back. “Yes, otherwise I shall turn into a pumpkin!” she quipped.
He laughed with her. “Francis Erroll” he introduced himself. “Would you like to dance Cinderella?”
She nodded and he took the glass from her and put it on a small side table. Then he offered her his arm and led her to the dancefloor. He was a good dancer, she noted, appreciating the fact that her toes were, for once, safe, and as they moved around the floor she discovered that he was as disillusioned with the gathering as she was, and had only attended after much nagging from a distant cousin. The more they talked the more she discovered they had in common, and the hours seemed to fly past, until the clock really was striking midnight.
“Well, Cinderella,” he said, as they left the dancefloor and moved to the alcove where she had left her glass earlier, “are you going to turn into a pumpkin?”
Joyce dimpled at him, “I might, you never know. Are you going to turn into a frog?”
“Well, I can think of one thing that might prevent that.” His eyes were suddenly intent on her face, and she did not protest as he lowered his head towards hers. She knew she had found her Prince Charming.
#69: Author: little horror,
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 9:42 am
Awww
Thank you Liz.
#70: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 9:52 am
Awww! Lucky Joyce. Thanks Liz.
#71: Author: Nell, Location: London, England
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 10:47 am
Lovely, lucky Joyce and thank you very much Liz!
#72: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 11:38 am
Thank you, Liz.
#73: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 12:48 pm
I've just sat and read the whole series (so far ) with a big soppy grin on my face. they were all lovely and I'm looking forward to more.
Thank you Liz
#74: Author: Josie, Location: London
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 12:59 pm
Lovely, Liz. Thanks.
#75: Author: JoW, Location: Lincolnshire
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 6:26 pm
I've just caught up on the last three. I am enjoying these lovely romantic tales so much. Thank you.
#76: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 8:40 pm
Simply gorgeous Liz!
#77: Author: Sugarplum, Location: second star to the right!
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 10:13 pm
Just read the whole thread from the beginning. Loving it so far Liz. Really Christmassy and "nice"
#78: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 10:22 pm
Oh, that was nice!
#79: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 1:56 pm
Len helped Marie-Claire affix the final loop in her paperchain, just as Stephen came into the room with a basket full of holly twigs. “Here you are, Len,” he said, “Hopefully this is the last lot – I should think you’ve got enough here.”
“It is a big room,” Len pointed out, truthfully enough, as it had once been a ballroom.
“Well, do you want any more?”
“No, I think this will be enough. You couldn’t find me some steps though could you?”
“Right-o!” her brother answered cheerfully, “I think Con might have them to do the dining room, but I’ll see if she’s finished.” The girls had been commandeered by their siblings as soon as they arrived home, and had not even had time to unpack their cases before they were busy decorating.
“Thanks.” Len smiled at him then turned to the youngest family members, who had elected to help her. “Okay folks, what’s going where?”
Under the direction of Phil, Geoff and Marie-Claire, the mantelpiece and windowsills were soon plentifully adorned.
“Up there, up there!” they chorused, pointing to a spot in the corner, when she asked them where the paper chain should be attached.
“Here?” asked Len, reaching up.
“Higher,” said Geoff adamantly, and Len stood on her tiptoes
“How about this?”
“Higher” squealed Philippa and Len stretched as far as she could.
“That’s the best I can do until Steve brings the steps.”
“Perhaps I may be of assistance, mademoiselle?” a voice came from behind her, and the paper chain was tweaked gently from her grasp and fixed to a higher spot on the wall.
Len turned round and looked up at her fiancé as he towered over her. “Reg!” she exclaimed, “I didn’t expect you until later. When did you arrive?” She was suddenly uncharacteristically aware that tendrils of hair had escaped from their neat confinement while she had been busy, and that she was randomly decorated with pine needles. What a way for him to see her for the first time after their weeks apart! Not that Reg seemed to mind, his eyes dwelt on her appreciatively and he gave her a smile that made her stomach flipflop.
“I heard you were decorating and thought you might need some of this.” From behind his back he produced a handful of mistletoe. “We could put it up here.”
He held it up over her head, then, oblivious to the watching children, drew her closer. “Welcome home,” he whispered, and kissed her.
#80: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 2:02 pm
What a nice Reg! Thanks, Liz, this is a wonderful series.
#81: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 2:07 pm
That was so sweet! Thanks Liz.
#82: Author: Mia, Location: London
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 2:08 pm
Oh how completely gorgeous! Thanks Liz - I love this!
#83: Author: Nell, Location: London, England
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 2:15 pm
Aw how lovely! Thank you Liz.
#84: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 2:52 pm
Thanks, Liz. That was a beautiful surprise for Len from Reg.
#85: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 10:27 pm
That was delightful, Liz. Thank you.
#86: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 10:34 pm
Those two were so sweet. How lovely.
#87: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 2:33 pm
These are lovely. Thanks Liz.
#88: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 5:58 pm
Awwww!!!! Lovely!!!
Thanks Liz!
#89: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 7:28 pm
Grizel wrapped another gift and wrote the label, then put it to one side. Ignoring for a moment, the last of the wrapping, she sat and gazed out of the window, the snow covered ground fading away from her vision as she saw back into the past. A Christmas day spent in solitude in the schoolroom, a pile of expensive shop-wrapped presents on the table, later that day the unwrapped presents lying in a pile, a doll to add to the collection of unplayed-with dolls, a pink frilly dress that itched, a game but nobody to play it with, a book of French verbs, and various other presents, none of which were as appreciated as the obviously not-new cricket ball from Tom, or the hair ribbons in her favourite shade of green that Ellen had scoured the shops to find, or the story, carefully written out in best handwriting, from Joey. The tears she had not cried on that day came to her eyes now as she remembered it.
“Mummy, mummy!” a voice calling jolted her out of her reverie, and she hurriedly dashed the moisture from her eyes, shoved the presents into a box and pushed it behind the sofa, just in time before her son came running into the room.
“Have you had a good time?” she asked with a smile, pushing the memories away.
“We went on the sledge, Mummy, and it went really, really fast, and I wasn’t scared.”
“Did it? What else did you do?” she asked, her fingers busy unbuttoning his coat.
“We built a snowman in Auntie Phoebe’s garden. And Geoff put his scarf on him. And we threw snowballs. And we went in the sledge lots and lots of times.” Clearly the sledging had been the highlight of his afternoon. “We went all the way down the slope to the bottom, didn’t we Daddy?” he turned to Neil for corroboration as he entered the room.
He wriggled his arms out of his sleeves, then as Grizel shook the coat out, he suddenly remembered something, and delved for the pocket.
“Mummy, this is for you.” He withdrew a now rather-sorry-looking piece of mistletoe.
“For me? Oh, thank you Nigel.”
“Yes. It’s miss-ul-toe” he pronounced the word carefully. “You have to hold it over your head and then Daddy has to kiss you.”
“He has to, does he?” Grizel smiled at Nigel. “What if he doesn’t want to?”
“He just has to.” Nigel insisted. “Hold it over your head, Mummy. Now, Daddy you have to kiss her.”
He bounced with glee as Grizel held it up according to his order, and Neil, smiling, approached her. “Not just because I have to, my love,” he murmured before his lips met hers.
#90: Author: Rosy, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 7:46 pm
Awww. All the romancy goodness. Thankyou Liz!
#91: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:02 pm
AWWWWW!!!
The cuteness!
#92: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:08 pm
Thanks, Liz. That was so lovely.
#93: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:31 pm
How lovely. So glad that things came right for Grizel in the end.
#94: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 10:05 pm
Awww such fluffly romance!
Thank you Liz
#95: Author: Nell, Location: London, England
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 9:55 am
Awww and yay for Grizel finding Neil eventually. Thank you Liz
#96: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 10:28 am
Oh that sad little girl....what a lovely contrast with that later Christmas.
#97: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 10:44 am
How lovely to see Grizel so happy. Thanks Liz.
#98: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 11:25 am
So lovely to see Grizel finally happy, and that her son can have the Christmas she didnt Thanks Liz
#99: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 12:09 pm
So poignant - brought a tear to my eye, contrasting the Christmas as a child and her Christmas with her family. 
*Happy tears*
Thanks Liz.
#100: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 1:01 pm
Life made up to Grizel in the end for what she had missed.
Thank you, Liz.
#101: Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 1:58 pm
How wonderful.
I feel five times as Christmassy now as I did ten minutes ago, having caught up on these!
Thank you Liz they are beautiful!
Keep going....
#102: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 4:30 pm
Thanks for all the updates, especially Grizel's!
*hopes Obadiah or offspring is still with them*
#103: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 5:38 pm
That was lovely Liz. Thank you.
#104: Author: Josie, Location: London
Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 12:01 am
Awwww - lovely Len and Reg, and so pleased Grizel's so happy now.
Thanks Liz. Am loving these.
#105: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England
Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 1:25 am
The young army officer dismissed his carriage and walked up the steps to the open front door. He hoped there would be some good play in the card room, or he might not get through the evening for boredom. Although, if the Contessa was there, as she had hinted she might be, he would remain in the ballroom. The lady had indicated that she would not be averse to getting to know the handsome officer better during her husband’s absence from Vienna, and he was keen to pursue the acquaintance, especially as his recent liaison with a voluptuous actress had now palled.
He handed his outer garments to one of the many servants in the hallway, then joined the line of people going up the stairs. The strains of a polka could already be heard from the ballroom, and he hoped the Contessa had saved her waltzes for him. Remembering how she had felt in his arms the last time they had danced, and the promise in her eyes of an opportunity to hold her even closer sometime soon, he moved automatically up the stairs, not noticing how long it was taking to get to the receiving line at the top.
Eventually however, he was standing on the penultimate step, and looked up to see his host and hostess standing in line under an arch decorated with holly, fir and mistletoe. Then, as his eyes took in the figure next to them, he stumbled over the last stair and would have fallen, had he not grabbed the bannister in time. His quick reaction meant nobody noticed, and he had time to compose himself as those in front of him were greeted.
Time also to look discreetly at her again, feeling his heart beating slightly faster as he did so. She was the most exquisite woman he had ever seen. With her roses and cream complexion, violet-blue eyes, and golden curls, the simple white dress she wore only seemed to accentuate her beauty and the fact she needed no extra trappings to draw attention to it. The Contessa, with her more mature and blatant charms, was driven from his mind forever.
He was close enough now to hear her words as she replied to questions from the guests and noticed she was not full of empty-headed giggles as most girls of her age were, but that her answers showed intelligence and a wide education. He remembered hearing she had been educated at an English school in the Tirol. Before he could think further on this, he found himself at the front of the line.
He saluted his commanding officer respectfully, then greeted his wife with a smile. It was clear where the girl had got her beauty from, although she far outshone her mother. Then he was moving on and greeting her, her voice making music of the commonplace greeting, her smile lighting up the room.
He took the hand she offered, bent his head and raised it to his lips. It was an uncommon gesture these days, but she did not resist. This time the smile she gave was for him alone.
And Friedel von Glück fell completely, utterly, irrevocably in love.
#106: Author: Josie, Location: London
Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 1:31 am
How completely gorgeous!
Thanks Liz.
#107: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent
Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 4:58 am
Awwww, how lovely.
Thanks Liz.
#108: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester
Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:48 am
Awww! Thanks Liz.
#109: Author: Mia, Location: London
Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 9:34 am
These are so lovely and romantic *melts into mush*
Thanks Liz
#110: Author: Nell, Location: London, England
Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 10:21 am
Wonderful. Thank you Liz.
#111: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!
Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 1:54 pm
Awwwwww!!! Thank you Liz!!
Are you going to do ALL the first girls romances? PLEASE?
#112: Author: Chalet_school_lover, Location: Gloucester
Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 3:13 pm
Awwwwwwwwwww I've just read all these from the beginning! What a lovely idea!!! It's so sweet all their romances and it's very christmasy!! Thank you so much for writing all these! Please carry on with more!
#113: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 11:26 am
That was lovely Liz, thank you.
#114: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 1:31 pm
How delightful! How perfect!
Thank you for that, Liz.
#115: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 7:38 pm
The wards were busy. Those children who could be sent home for Christmas were being prepared, medications were prescribed, meetings were held with parents so they knew what doses to give when, what routines should be kept to, which routines could be let slide for a day, what to do if they were worried.
The children who had to stay behind watched the preparations with mournful eyes, although as each of their fellows departed they smiled and cheerily wished them a Happy Christmas. By late afternoon, all those who were going had departed, and the porters were called in to shift beds around to group those who were left together for company.
Dr Venables, whose shift had officially finished over an hour earlier, was greeted with smiles from the assembled children when she arrived, and went round each bed, taking temperatures and pulses, chatting to each child and leaving each one feel less despondent, keeping an eye on them while the nurses laughed and climbed on stools, or held and passed drawing pins as they put up decorations. Paper chains made by the children themselves, and holly, fir and mistletoe donated by parents. Dr Daisy, as many of the children called her, called out encouragements of ‘higher’ ‘a little to the left’ and ‘put the mistletoe over the door’ as deemed appropriate by the children.
Then as the last decoration was put up, a hush fell on the ward as the children listened to Daisy tell the story of the first Christmas. The nurses paused to listen as she finished and led the children in ‘Away in a Manger’. There was a silence as the song ended then, from where he had been listening appreciatively from outside the ward came a ‘ho ho ho’ and to the great excitement of the children, Father Christmas entered.
The nurses willingly took on the role of elves, as Father Christmas opened his sack and produced a gift for each child. Eyes lit up and laughter rang out as each child opened their present. Daisy helped a boy who had lost an arm to open his present, unaware that, above the white beard, a pair of eyes that dwelt on her appreciatively. She remained on the ward for a while longer, going round each child, admiring their gifts, and finally chatting to the nurses who had arrived for the night shift.
Eventually she bid everybody goodnight and turned to leave, arriving at the door at the same time as Father Christmas, who had been listening to each child’s Christmas wish, touched by the simplicity of their requests, heartbroken by the ones who just wanted to be well, when it was clear that would not be the case in this world, smiling as they asked him to visit brothers or sisters at home that night, winking at the boy who whispered he knew that he wasn’t real but wouldn’t spoil it for the others.
Father Christmas stepped forward “I don’t believe we’ve met.” He said as he held the door open for her.
Daisy paused. “Daisy Venables.” She smiled as she looked up at him.
“Dr Venables?” he asked. She nodded in response. He had heard many complimentary things about a Dr Venables, but was even more impressed by the reality.
“Lawrence Rosomon.” He held out his hand and she put hers in it. “I’ve just transferred here.”
“You’re under the mistletoe, give her a kiss Father Christmas!” called the oldest boy, hurriedly shushed by a nurse.
Dr Rosomon’s eyes twinkled, and Daisy felt the tiredness of the long day lifted from her as he answered, “So we are.”
He kept hold of her hand and bent his head, brushing his lips against her cheek. “Happy Christmas, Dr Daisy Venables.”
Daisy flushed, and a look of confusion crossed her pretty features, making her, he thought, look utterly adorable. “Happy Christmas” she replied and, to a muted cheer from the children, returned the gesture.
#116: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 7:55 pm
Perfect Liz! Thank you hunny!
#117: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 8:12 pm
Ahhh, that's so sweet! Bet Daisy was a fantastic doctor too.
#118: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 8:25 pm
Aww ... I love the idea of Lawrie being Father Christmas for the children who were in hospital over Christmas.
#119: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 9:23 pm
That was beautiful, and they seem so much in harmony with each other.
#120: Author: Rosy, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 11:37 pm
Awww. How luffly. Thankyou Liz!
#121: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2005 12:15 am
I've just read through all the ones since Marie, and now I'm 'awww-ing' away, and getting all cheery!
Thank you Liz - all of them are perfect
#122: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2005 12:51 am
Thank you Liz, that was delightful.
#123: Author: Nell, Location: London, England
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2005 10:21 am
Aww that last one was just lovely. Thank you Liz!
#124: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2005 1:48 pm
They are all so lovely, Liz.
*Happy tears*
#125: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2005 2:10 pm
These are all so gorgeous. Each time another one appears, I think 'Oh, that's the best of them all' and then the next one arrives...
Thanks, Liz.
#126: Author: Mia, Location: London
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2005 2:14 pm
I love these Liz, thank you *hugs*
#127: