The CBB :: View topic - Unwanted

#401: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 8:26 am

The days passed slowly for Grizel as she made her way through the despised book. Nearly every day her work was returned for some reason or another – not neat enough, not long enough, not staying on the topic, too many spelling mistakes, bad grammar – until finally she reached the last chapter of the book, and the last two pages were written.

“I hope to see a vast improvement in your manners and behaviour as a result of this.” Mrs Cochrane said as she glanced through Grizel’s summation of how to politely reject a proposal. “This will do, I suppose. You may go.”

Grizel did not wait to be told again, and managed to remember to say “Thank you.” and walk decorously from the room. Once out in the garden, she ran about like a wild animal released from captivity, tearing up and down the paths she knew to be out of sight of the house, leaping over low-growing plants and attempting a cartwheel on the grass, before lying there breathless, watching the birds wheeling in the expanse of sky above her.

#402: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 9:27 am

Poor little girl. No wonder she had to go and tear about the garden. I wonder what horrid task Irene will come up with next?

Thank you Liz.

#403: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 9:42 am

Thanks Liz

#404: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 12:54 pm

At least she's finished with the book. Why do I have a horrible feeling that won't be the end of it?

#405: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 3:03 pm

Thanks Liz

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

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 8:07 pm

Feel so sorry for Grizel.

Thanks Liz.

#407: Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:37 pm

Poor poor Grizel! Sad

#408: Author: BethC, Location: Worcester, UK

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 11:02 pm

Poor Grizel - I hope she gets some time away from evil Irene.
Thanks, Liz.

#409: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 8:21 am

Sorry ...

For the rest of that week, Grizel was free to play outside as much as she wanted, while her stepmother considered what the next holiday task should be. She decided against more writing, as she hadn’t realised how much of her time would be involved in checking Grizel’s work, especially when it was not up to standard and had to be read again and again.

On Monday morning, she stopped Grizel as she was leaving the breakfast table. “I have found something else for you to do child.” Grizel stopped and looked at her. “Your sewing leaves much to be desired, so you may spend the mornings improving it. Go upstairs and get out your sewing basket and wait, and I will bring you some handkerchiefs to hem.” Grizel turned to leave the room, “And a thank you for finding something to help occupy your time wouldn’t go amiss.”

Grizel wasn’t sure why she should be thankful when she didn’t want her time to be occupied, but she knew better than to argue, so she said “Thank you,” in a quiet voice, before going back upstairs.

She was horrified by the number of handkerchiefs brought to her by her stepmother. Surely she didn’t have to do them all before she could go outside, she would never get them finished. It was with relief that she heard her stepmother tell her that if she sewed quietly all morning then she could go outside after lunch, and she quickly said “Thank you,” again, without needing to be prompted.

#410: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 9:48 am

Evil woman...and she won't even get someone reading to her like they did at the CS!

Poor Grizel.

#411: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 9:52 am

(((Grizel))) Crying or Very sad

Ugh sewing!

#412: Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire

Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 11:37 pm

Poor Grizel Sad

I can't think of anything much worse than hemming hankies!

Thanks Liz - it's really good to see this back again! Smile

#413: Author: Laura, Location: London (ish)

Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 11:48 pm

It is lovely to see this back again, even if you are torturing the poor child! When does she get to go to the Chalet School? *plaintively*

#414: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 8:31 am

Not for another 3 and a half years unfortunately Laura

Sewing was not easy, but Grizel did her best and by lunchtime she had managed to hem, to her own satisfaction, three handkerchiefs. Unfortunately they did not meet Mrs Cochrane’s standards, and the next morning she was handed them with the stitches ripped out to start again. “And if they are not done neatly then you may stay in this afternoon and do them again. I will not accept shoddy work from you child.” She left the room, leaving Grizel struggling to see the needle through the tears that blurred her eyes.

It was Ellen who came to the rescue. Coming up to dust the second floor an hour later, she found the little girl viciously stabbing the needle into the handkerchief, the tears now gone and a sense of resentment taking their place. Ellen sat down and looked at what she was doing then gently removed the much-abused fabric from Grizel’s hand.

“You’ll never get it done nicely like that Miss Grizel.” She said, pulling out the stitches once more. “Look, see if you do it like this,” she demonstrated for the length of half an edge, “it’ll be neater and easier.” She watched as Grizel did a few stitches. “Don’t try to rush it. I’ll just do my dusting and then I’ll come and see how you’re getting on.”

Ellen did a perfunctory dust of the rooms, not to her usual standards but enough to pass a cursory inspection and returned to find Grizel had made some progress and was now on the third side of the handkerchief. After a quick check over the bannisters she sat and picked up a second handkerchief and, careful to keep her stitches a similar size to Grizel’s, hemmed that while Grizel finished the first one. She didn’t dare stay any longer, but slipped a couple of handkerchiefs into her apron pocket when she left.

#415: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 8:36 am

Huzzah for Ellen Very Happy

time to make it go quicker for Grizel

*hugs Liz*

#416: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 9:36 am

Thank goodness for Ellen, at least Grizel has someone on her side.

#417: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 10:41 am

Aww Ellen is lovely! How is Grizel expected to be able to hem properly if no-one has ever shown her how to!!!!

Thank you Liz.

#418: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 1:00 pm

Ellen's lovely - at least Grizel has her and Cookie.

*pokes Mrs Cockroach with a very sharp stick*

#419: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 5:05 pm

I'm glad Ellen took away some of the handkerchiefs.

#420: Author: BethC, Location: Worcester, UK

Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 9:19 pm

Mia wrote:

*pokes Mrs Cockroach with a very sharp stick*

*joins poking**but feels slightly sorry for cockroaches*
*only slightly, mind*

Does Irene think she's being generous by letting Grizel go outside if the work's done? Horrible woman.

Thanks, Liz - I think!

#421: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 8:10 am

By Thursday, Grizel was getting the hang of the sewing, although she wasn’t any more reconciled to doing it. The pile of approved handkerchiefs was gradually getting larger, although there still seemed to be a lot left to do. She sat down again after breakfast and started another handkerchief. Mrs Cochrane was going out for the day and she came to inspect the work before she left.

“Just because I am not going to be here is not an excuse for you to be lazy. I shall expect just as many handkerchiefs done as yesterday, when I return.” Grizel nodded, then winced as she pricked her finger. “Be careful child, I shall not be pleased if you get blood on that.” With that last remark she swept out of the room, leaving Grizel sucking her finger while pulling a face at her retreating back.

Slightly relieved by the face pulling, Grizel turned her attention back to re-threading her needle. Despite becoming more practised at it, this was one of the times when the thread seemed to have a mind of its own and kept eluding the needle. It was not until several minutes after the front door closed after her stepmother that she finally succeeded.

With a sigh she picked up the handkerchief, only to be interrupted by Ellen.

“Come on Miss Grizel it’s a beautiful day. Why don’t you get outside in the garden?”

“But I’ve got to do as many handkerchiefs today as I did yesterday Ellen. It will take all morning to do that.”

“Don’t you worry about that lovely,” said Ellen, “That’s all been sorted.” she winked at Grizel and then took out the handkerchiefs she had taken each morning and gave them to Grizel.

“These are already done!” Grizel exclaimed looking at them, then counted them hurriedly. “There’s two more here than I need.”

“Well I’ll take those back, they might be useful another day,” said Ellen putting them back in her pocket. “You hurry outside. I think Old Sam’s here with Tom this morning.”

Grizel didn’t wait to be told again. She flung down the needle and thread, and gave Ellen a hurried hug, before rushing off to play. Ellen smiled and picked up the discarded sewing, putting it neatly away. Mrs Accot had been right to predict that the mistress wouldn’t be staying at home every morning and that they should be prepared for that eventuality. There wasn’t often much they could do to help the poor child, but at least they could give her a morning’s freedom.

#422: Author: Caroline OSullivan, Location: Reading, Berkshire, UK

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 8:14 am

Hurrah and huzzah for Ellen and Cookie Very Happy

Thank you Liz. Hope the evil Mrs Coachroach will have lots of days out. Maybe Madge could see she keeps getting lots of invitations Wink

#423: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 9:25 am

Hurrah and yay for Ellen and Cookie! Glad they can help Grizel at least a little bit! Thank you Liz!

#424: Author: Tahnee, Location: New Zealand

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 9:35 am

hissssss

#425: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 10:15 am

So pleased Grizel's finally got a morning off! Mrs Cockroach is beyond evil! It's like a sewing sweatshop! Very Happy

*pokes her*

#426: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 12:01 pm

*hugs Cookie and Ellen*

thanks Liz.

#427: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 12:47 pm

Wonderful Cookie and Ellen. Thanks, Liz.

#428: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 3:32 pm

Thanks, Liz. I'm glad Ellen was able to help Grizel.

#429: Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 8:29 pm

Good for Cookie and Ellen - they are fab! Very Happy

Thanks Liz!

#430: Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex

Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 1:27 pm

I'm really glad that Grizel has Cookie and Ellen on her side!

Thanks Liz Very Happy

#431: Author: Lucy, Location: Leeds

Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 6:46 pm

Been away so just managed to catch up on the last couple of weeks of this. Have actually got tears in my eyes thanks to Ellen and Cookie's generousity with their time. So glad Grizel had them in the house with her.

Thanks for all the updates Liz

#432: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 2:45 am

oooh that woman makes my blood boil - if she doesn't want blood on the handkerchiefs she can jolly well hem them herself!

Evil or Very Mad

Thank you, Liz! (even if I am getting far too worked up about this)

#433: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 9:13 am

Just catching up with this. I'm glad that Grizel's got Cookie and Ellen looking out for her.

Thanks Liz.

Star Wars

#434: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 1:52 pm

I sincerely hope that Irene gets a humungous and horrendous lot of piles.

#435: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 2:32 pm

Having just read all this right from the beginning, thanks to you, Liz, I can honestly say my blood has boiled on more than one occasion over Mrs Cochrane, but thank goodness for the kindness of other people.

Poor little girl. You have really fleshed out what we know of Grizel in the books.

Thanks, Liz.

#436: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 8:18 am

It was a beautiful morning to be out in the garden. Old Sam was delighted to see her, and told Tom to leave the digging and go off and play with Grizel for the morning. The two of them ran off to the hut and spent a happy morning there, crowned with delight when Mrs Accot arrived with a lunch tray for the two of them. It was so exciting to be able to picnic in their hut, and afterwards Grizel carefully carried the tray back to the house, before returning for an afternoon that was just as much fun.

Years later she would look back on that summer day and remember it as one of the happiest days of her life in Taverton.

#437: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 11:07 am

It's so sad to realise that her life must go downhill from here.
(((hugs Grizel))).

Thanks Liz.

Star Wars

#438: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 11:13 am

At least she will have some happy days to look back on... oh Irene is just *so* evil!! Mad

Thanks Liz

#439: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 6:47 pm

Thanks, Liz. I'm glad that Sam had the day off and he and Grizel had such a great day.

#440: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 8:20 pm

So sad.... Crying or Very sad

Thanks, Liz.

#441: Author: BethC, Location: Worcester, UK

Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 9:30 pm

Thanks, Liz - at least Grizel gets some happy memories!

#442: Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England

Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 10:02 pm

Quote:

...she would look back on that summer day and remember it as one of the happiest days of her life in Taverton

That's so sad becasue it's an ordianry day, the sort of day most adults should be able to look back at their childhood and see many of. But Grizel only has one.

#443: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2005 8:27 am

There was another day that stood out brightly from that summer. Towards the end of the school holiday, when Madge and Jo had returned from their holiday with their aunts, Grizel was invited to spend a day with them.

“We’re going on a trip to Exeter on Tuesday. There’s a special display on at the museum about the Battle of Waterloo.” Madge told Mrs Cochrane after church. “It will be so nice for Jo if Grizel could keep her company. And it’ll be very educational for them of course.” she added, seeing the hesitation on Mrs Cochrane’s face.

“I’m sure Grizel will be very pleased to join you.” Mrs Cochrane said, graciously, making Madge wonder if that last sentence had been necessary after all. “Thank you for thinking of her Miss Bettany.”

“Oh not at all, Grizel is a lovely girl and she and Jo get on very well, we’re very pleased she’ll be able to come.”

#444: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2005 10:00 am

Grrr at Irene turning on the charm. Hope Madge can see through it.

Thanks Liz

#445: Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex

Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2005 10:08 am

Thank you Liz!! Very Happy

#446: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2005 12:36 pm

Hurrah for Madge!

Thanks Liz. Hope she has fun. Very Happy

#447: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2005 3:25 pm

I'm glad Irene didn't stop Grizel from going on the trip.

#448: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 7:23 am

This is the last that I have typed up at present, so updates might not be so regular for a while.

Grizel had a wonderful day in Exeter. She was fascinated by the weapons in the display and the stories of the battle. Jo enjoyed it too and went round reading all the information cards, asking Madge question after question. In the end, Madge hushed her by promising to buy her a book to tell her all about the battle, and took them of to a restaurant for lunch.

After lunch, Madge took them around the shops and bought the promised book for Jo. Then she walked them to a park and played piggy-in-the-middle with them, before sitting on a bench breathless and laughing and leaving them to play a game with its own peculiar rules that they had evolved between them.

When they had had enough of that she found a café and bought them tea before they caught the train back to Taverton, and it was an exhausted by happy girl who arrived back at the house to be welcomed, in the absence of her father and stepmother, by Cookie and Ellen, who listened to her chatter about the day while she ate her supper and then tucked her up in bed.

The next day Grizel was back to hemming handkerchiefs, but with the memory of the previous day to buoy her up, even that did not seem such a hardship.

After that the days raced by and it was soon time to go back to school.

#449: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 8:22 am

Poor, poor Grizel, only a very few days to keep in her memory. Why doesn't evil Irene realise that Grizel will remember the unhappiness that she caused her and treat her accordingly in later life?

#450: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 8:29 am

Im glad Grizel had a few happy memories and had a great time with Madge (huzzah for Madge) but she should have sooooooooo much more Crying or Very sad

Thanks Liz

#451: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 9:11 am

It's not as though they're a poor family and can't afford to take Grizel away somewhere nice.

#452: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 9:31 am

*Poor* Irene, not having known there was a child, and with a husband who really only married her to provide for this child, doesn't have a clue about what being a child means - and just resents her so totally for *being* a child, high-spirited and loving, that she is determined to break her - and seems to be succeeding admirably. Crying or Very sad

#453: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 9:53 am

Yes, I blame Grizel's father, especially when he refuses to intervene in Irene's disciplining Grizel. I don't think he care for his own daughter at all.

#454: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 11:47 am

Thank you Liz.

#455: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 5:02 pm

Glad she had a fun day out and the memories could carry her through the rest of the summer.

Thanks Liz.

#456: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 11:07 pm

I've just caught up on three month's worth of this and it's made me really angry! Evil or Very Mad

(What do you mean, it's not real?)

Thanks Liz!

#457: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 11:56 pm

Thanks, Liz. I'm glad Grizel had a good day in Exeter with Joey and Madge. At least the holiday homework will be at end when she goes back to school.

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

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 5:35 am

Poor little girl -and she has so much more of this to endure...

Thanks Liz.

#459: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 9:21 am

But we do know that she finally gets away and has her happy ending, with doctor. Whew!

#460: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 10:05 am

Jennie wrote:

But we do know that she finally gets away and has her happy ending, with doctor. Whew!

Wow Liz - just think of all the writing you have to do until Grizel meets Neil! Wink

#461: Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 5:25 pm

Thank you Liz! I can't wait until you type up some more!! Very Happy

*g*

#462: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 11:21 am

I'm glad Grizel had at least one decent summer.

Thanks Liz.

Star Wars

#463: Author: Guest,

Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 10:40 pm

I've just read the whole of this in one sitting (incidentally, if the mods read this, I can only read the archive bits in IE; it crashed Netscape & Firefox), and I think it's fantastic.

I really like the way you're working through Grizel's personality change, from a, possibly rather annoying, energetic child to the girl we meet in the books, without making it too sentimental.

I especially liked the little hint of future Grizel, where she vows to do something to deserve her treatment, just before that woman's fall. And also the way both parents are revolting, but there are reasons why they are, and that it makes sense within the time they live.

I'm going to predict that the friendship with Tom is going to end in tears. That woman probably has a 'vulgar mind' to add to her cold personality. I'm just glad we know that Cookie and Ellen and the Bettanys are permanent fixtures.

RH.

#464: Author: Miss Di, Location: Newcastle, NSW

Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 5:16 am

I hope that Grizel puts her stepmother in a really really horrible nursing home when she is old. One that gives the 'residents' kerosene baths.

#465: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:46 pm

How did I miss these updates?!

Hank you, Liz - looking forwards to more soon

#466: Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire

Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 10:42 pm

Thankyou Liz.

Just caught up on Grizel's 2 lovely memorable days - I'm so glad she has those, but am so angry with Irene that there are so few of them!

Looking forward to more whenever you have it!

#467: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:41 am

That term she started to learn hockey and discovered she liked it even more than netball. She was quick to pick up the game and soon was asked to come to extra practices.

Mrs Cochrane gave grudging permission. She did not approve of the game, thinking it likely to encourage Grizel’s boisterous tendencies and cause girls to develop a stoop, however, she weighed this against the advantage of a few more hours as week where she did not have to mind the child. She compensated for the possible detriment to Grizel’s posture by having her spend half an hour each Saturday morning practising walking and sitting with a book balanced on her head.

Grizel hated that half hour a week. Although she naturally had a good sense of balance, she would forget and jump up or turn eagerly only to receive a reprimand as the book tumbled to the floor. Much as she hated this, though, she loved hockey more and so learnt to endure the half hour without complaint.

#468: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:44 am

How to destroy a child without really trying! Crying or Very sad

Thanks, Liz.

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

Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 9:04 am

MaryR wrote:

How to destroy a child without really trying! Crying or Very sad

Thanks, Liz.

Oh I think she is trying Mary - that's what makes her so evil. Crying or Very sad

Thanks Liz, you set out such an horrific picture of Grizel's childhood.

#470: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 9:26 am

The poor little love. Thank god she's let her do the sports!

Thanks Liz.

#471: Author: Liane, Location: Manchester England

Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 9:33 am

How long before Irene thinks of a reason to stop the hockey playing though?

Thanks Liz

#472: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 11:46 am

This one is a valid concern though. In the Swiss books they stopped Hockey for under 15's (?age) because of concerns about posture, I also seem to recall the issue arising in the Dimsie books as well.

#473: Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire

Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 11:55 am

That's interesting Carolyn, I didn't realise that was the reason why they didn't do hockey at a younger age.

Thanks Liz - I'm glad Grizel is able to do the hockey, but sorry for her re the half an hour on a Saturday!

#474: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 12:51 pm

Thanks, Liz. I'm glad Grizel is getting the chance to play more sports.

#475: Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England

Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:21 pm

I wasn't allowed to play hockey as I have curvature of the spine - it was an understanable but actually really bad desicion as it was the only sport I have ever been able to play reasonably well, so I ended up playing no sports which was ever worse for my back than a bit of stooping in hockey would have been.

#476: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 12:05 am

we didn't play hockey at school cos it was "detrimental to our posture" so we played lacrosse...which was detrimental to our general health!

((Grizel))

Irene is so awful and unfeeling. I hope her own childhood was just as horrific as she's making Grizel's. Preferably worse.

#477: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 8:15 am

The rest of term went by with no momentous event at school, and at home such things as spending two hours in silence for being too noisy, or being sent to bed early for running about the house, or leaping down the stairs were commonplace for Grizel now. Her end-of-term report showed she was well towards the top of the class in most subjects, although her French still needed some work. As a holiday task she was set to learning the conjugations of three French verbs each day and reciting them back, along with a list of 20 words, before lunchtime and again before suppertime. Any mistakes in the recitation meant writing the correction out 25 times the following morning before learning the next set, which didn’t leave much time for any other activities, but ‘kept her quiet and respectably occupied’.

Christmas Day passed in a similar fashion to the previous year. It was another subdued day, once again there was a pile of presents from her father, all beautifully wrapped, and fewer but far more welcome gifts from Madge and Jo, Reverend and Miss Fareham, Cookie, Ellen and Grannie. Even Tom gave a small gift of marbles, which, even though they were obviously not new, were received with much more pleasure than yet another obviously very expensive doll.

After Christmas Grizel’s father decreed that she should start to learn the piano. Grizel was highly excited and could hardly wait for the schoolroom piano to finally be unlocked.

#478: Author: Miss Di, Location: Newcastle, NSW

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 9:11 am

Interesting that she is looking forward to it. Speculating wildly, could it be that had she not been pushed hard when she was found to have some talent she would have continued to enjoy music rather than being forced to study?

How much longer till Madge starts the school?

#479: Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 9:12 am

And so it begins...

At least she was enthusiastic about it to start with.

#480: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 9:39 am

Glad she's looking forward to the piano lessons to begin with, at least...

thanks Liz.

#481: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 12:53 pm

At least she got some joy out of Christmas, despite her stepmother.

Thanks, Liz.

#482: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 1:11 pm

Thanks, Liz. I'm glad Grizel is finally able to start learning to play the piano and she didn't get into trouble over her report.

#483: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 3:12 pm

Knowing that she started out wanting to play the piano only makes her later frustration at being forced to play it seem worse...

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

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 4:00 pm

It's so sad that Grizel will end up hating something that she was so excited about to start with!

#485: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 5:43 pm

Poor child, to have something that had the potential to help her turned around like her music was.

#486: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 7:44 pm

oh dear - this is all going to end in tears

#487: Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 10:50 pm

*Pokes Irene and the nasty French conjugation*

I do feel so sorry for Grizel, knowing as we do what is to come with the music Sad

Thankyou Liz Kiss

#488: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 1:16 am

I guess all that french conjugation must have come in handy at the Chalet School... Still, not exactly a fun holiday activity!

Thanks Liz

#489: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 9:20 am

Poor Grizel - it does somehow make it sadder that she started out so excited about the piano.

#490: Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex

Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 6:57 pm

Poor Grizel!
*Takes her away to a land where she can play lots of Games and play music for fun!*

#491: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 7:59 am

Miss Cynthia St Michael had very white hair and a face lined with wrinkles that showed how much she smiled. She arrived at the Cochrane’s house to give Grizel her first lesson on a frosty January afternoon, and was immediately shown up to the schoolroom.

“This is my step-daughter. Her father has decided it is time for her to start to learn the piano.” Mrs Cochrane said as she ushered her into the room, where Grizel was sitting quietly waiting. “I hope you will be obedient and work hard for Miss St Michael, child.”

“I’m sure we shall get along very well.” Miss St Michael said with a smile. “Let’s get started shall we Grizel?”

Mrs Cochrane gave a nod, and then left them alone while she went to find the furthest place in the house from the noise.

Miss St Michael smiled at Grizel again as the door closed. “Well, let’s have a look at this piano and see what we can do.”

Grizel eagerly opened the previously forbidden instrument. “Miss Fareham taught me some when I stayed with her, but I can’t remember all of if.”

“You show me what you can remember.” Miss St Michael pulled up a chair for herself as Grizel settled herself on the piano stool. There were a few mistakes, but she managed to pick out the tune of Frére Jacques, and was listened to with approval. “Very good, Grizel,” said Miss St Michael when she had finished. “Now I will play something for you, and then I will teach you something else.” They swapped seats and Cynthia played a simple tune.

“Do you like that Grizel?”

Grizel nodded.

“Well, we’ll see if you can learn it in a few weeks. But first we need to cover some of the basics. You come and sit here again.”

The lessons continued well over the following weeks, Grizel eagerly learning and practising, and pleasing her teacher with her progress.

#492: Author: Liane, Location: Manchester England

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 8:12 am

Glad she's enjoying herself, for now anyway!
Thanks Liz

#493: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 9:48 am

Glad she's enjoying it and Miss St Michael seems lovely.

Thank you Liz.

#494: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 10:34 am

Thanks, Liz. It's great to see Grizel's teacher is really nice and that Grizel is making a start on her piano lessons.

#495: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 12:05 pm

Such a pity it all turns sour so soon! Crying or Very sad

Thanks, Liz.

#496: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 3:16 pm

Thanks Liz.

#497: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 4:06 pm

Considering how nice Miss St Michael is, how long before Mrs Cochrane manages to get rid of her do we think?

Thanks Liz, it's nice to see Grizel happy.

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

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 7:29 pm

It's so terrible that something that she really enjoyed and was good at ended up being something she hated because she was forced into a profession she didn't want. Crying or Very sad

Thanks Liz.

#499: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 3:24 pm

Just caught up with this. I agree with what others said, it's a shame that something which was so exciting to her to begin with, beccame such a chore later on.

Thanks Liz.

Star Wars

#500: Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield

Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 8:44 am

Sarah_K wrote:

Considering how nice Miss St Michael is, how long before Mrs Cochrane manages to get rid of her do we think?

Exactly what I was thinking!

#501: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 4:35 pm

Thank you Liz, I am so wishing Madge would start her school earlier than she did... poor Grizel. Sad

#502: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 11:24 pm

Oh I think that the minute Grizel shows talent Mrs Cochrane will force it on so she can look good with a talented step-daughter and dear Miss St Michael will no longer be appropriate.

poke

Mrs Cochrane

#503: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:01 pm

Grizel loved her piano lessons and quickly learnt the meaning of the dots on the page, enthralled by the way they translated into tunes. She was soon able to play simple, recognisable tunes herself, and Cookie and Ellen would come and listen to her play when Mr and Mrs Cochrane were out for the evening.

She was also invited to play for Miss Bettany and Jo when she visited them. Miss Bettany would also play, while they sang songs together, and was keen to encourage Grizel, as soon as she learnt a little more, to accompany some of the singing.

The music wasn’t the only attraction of those visits to the Bettany home. The afternoon was always filled with fun and laughter, so different to the gloom and oppressive quiet in the Cochrane house. It was so different to her own home, Grizel thought, and in the evening afterwards she would lie in bed dreaming about how different her home would be if she had a sister instead of a stepmother.

#504: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:51 pm

Poor Grizel - what a contrast. Thank you Liz.

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

Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 6:59 pm

Poor little girl - so terrible that she can now see that her life isn't the norm. Crying or Very sad

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

Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 8:06 pm

Poor little Grizel! It's so sad!

#507: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 8:31 pm

Wish she had a sister instead of a stepmother too!

Thanks Liz.

#508: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 9:15 pm

Thanks, Liz. Poor little girl - sunshine and shadows. Laughing

#509: Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex

Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 10:03 pm

Poor Grizel!!

Thank you Liz Very Happy

#510: Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under

Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2005 8:33 am

Thank you Liz - poor Grizel, music will soon become a chore and a Useful Excuse for less games...

#511: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2005 9:50 am

Thanks Liz - poor little Grizel Crying or Very sad

#512: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2005 8:16 pm

oh it's so sad the way she started out enjoying it Sad

Thanks Liz

#513: Author: Miss Di, Location: Newcastle, NSW

Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 1:44 am

And so sad the way she wishes she was part of the Bettany family - who NEVER see her as a sister the way they do Juliet and Robin.

#514: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 8:50 am

Grizel sat at the piano, and carefully picked out the notes to the new piece Miss St Michael had asked her to practise. Her brow was furrowed in concentration as she looked from the music to her fingers, stretching them to reach the right notes, and it was with a feeling of satisfaction that she played the short tune through with no mistakes. She would play that for Cookie next time she had the chance, she decided as she closed the lid of the piano and slipped off the stool.

Her practice done, she went down the stairs, stopping for a quick chat in the kitchen with Cookie and Ellen, then out to the garden, where she found Old Sam and Tom digging and followed them around, chatting to them as they worked. Tom had been teaching her to whistle properly, and now, as she told them about her piano playing, she proudly whistled the new tune to them.

She was whistling it again as she went inside and up to the schoolroom for her lunch.

#515: Author: Lucy, Location: Leeds

Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 9:24 am

Why do I have a terrible feeling about what's going to happen next.

Cuddling Grizel protectively behind me so that evil woman can't be nasty yet again.

Thanks Liz

#516: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 10:13 am

I'm sure whistling won't be seen as ladylike and Grizel will be in trouble again...poor scrap.

Thank you Liz.

#517: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 10:16 am

*pokes Mrs Cochroach with an extra pointy stick* Thanks Liz

#518: Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire

Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 3:58 pm

Just caught up on a few updates - thanks Liz! Smile

It is lovely to see Grizel enjoying the piano so much at the moment - but I'm quite sure Irene won't appreciate that cheerful whistling Confused

#519: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 5:45 pm

Poor Grizel, can't do right for doing wrong. Is there anything she IS allowed to do? Crying or Very sad

Thanks, Liz.

#520: Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex

Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 6:27 pm

eeeeeeep
*wibbles*
thanks Liz!

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

Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 7:26 pm

Well we know that Irene dislikes whistling - it's in School at - evil cow.

Thanks Liz.

#522: Author: BethC, Location: Worcester, UK

Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 9:33 pm

Oh dear...
Thank you (sort of)!

#523: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2005 5:34 pm

*snatches up large stick in readiness for poking*

why shouldn't she whistle if she wants to?!

#524: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2005 5:42 pm

Presumably, Irene's a believer in

Quote:

Whistling girls and crowing hens
Always come to some bad ends

*never did learn to whistle properly*
(obviously needed a Tom to figure out what I was doing wrong)

At least at the moment, Grizel's enjoying both her music and the company! I think Irene could use a nice, long vacation, elsewhere. Without Grizel. Don't you?

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

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2005 6:28 pm

*can think of a few possible destinations for Irene's vacation.....(HELL springs to mind!!!)*

#526: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 8:53 am

“Stop making that vulgar noise at once!” The sound of her stepmother’s voice coming sharply from the back room on the first floor made Grizel jump, miss her footing and slip on the stairs.

“Ouch!” she gave an involuntary cry of pain as her ankle twisted beneath her.

Mrs Cochrane gave a loud sigh and went to see what the matter was. “What now?” she snapped as she saw Grizel sitting there.

“I slipped.”

“Well it’s no more than you deserve the way you run up and down those stairs, despite the number of times I’ve told you not to. Get up child!”

Grizel, struggled to her feet, and using the banisters for support managed to get up the last few stairs to the landing, the pain bringing tears to her eyes.

“Oh, for goodness sake don’t cry girl! Surely you’re old enough now not to make a fuss over a little fall. Go on upstairs and eat your lunch.” She watched critically as Grizel limped her way up the next staircase. “You had better sit up there quietly for the afternoon and rest.”

“But I’m going to visit Miss Bettany and Jo this afternoon.”

“Well you’ll have to forgo that. Ellen can take a note round.” Grizel opened her mouth to say something, but was forestalled. “You have only your own carelessness to blame. And I told you to go and eat your lunch. Go and do so I shall have it taken away and you can go without.”

Grizel managed to get herself to the schoolroom and sank onto one of the hard chairs by the table where a delicious lunch waited for her.

Disappointment, pain or both, however, completely took away her appetite and when Cookie came to collect the tray, she found it had been merely picked at.

#527: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 8:59 am

*slips in to hug Grizel*

Poor little girl.

Thanks, Liz.

#528: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 9:30 am

Thanks, Liz. I feel so sorry for Grizel, especially that she didn't get any sympathy over her ankle.

#529: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 10:50 am

I hope her ankle isnt too badly hurt. *hugs Grizel*

Thanks Liz

#530: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 11:14 am

Poor Grizel. Twisted ankles can be very sore.

Thank you Liz.

#531: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 11:22 am

Poor Grizel.... Crying or Very sad

Irene just gets more and more evil!

Thanks Liz

#532: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 11:30 am

Poor Grizel Sad

Irene really doesn't have an ounce of sympathy in her, does she?

Thanks Liz.

Star Wars

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

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 1:19 pm

Poor little Grizel!!!!!

*slaps Irene with a large wet tuna!*

#534: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 4:14 pm

How unfair of Irene! Couldn't she see Grizel was in pain?!

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

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 8:08 pm

Evil cow - seriously hope that she ends her days in an unfeeling nursing home - one where the inmates are mainly senile and incared for. That she is unable to do anything for herself, sits around in urine all day without anyone to care for her. But unlike the other patients - she is fully compus mentis - she knows. fume

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

Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 12:29 am

Lesley wrote:

*note to self - Do NOT piss off Lesley!!!!!!!* Wink

(not that I don't agree that Irene deserves that fate!)

#537: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 8:17 am

“Now, Miss Grizel, it’s not like you not to eat a nice slice of chicken pie. Did I not make it well enough?” she turned with a smile to the girl, then saw the look of misery on her face. “Miss Grizel, lovey, what’s the matter?”

“I hurt my ankle and I can’t go to see Miss Bettany and Jo this afternoon.”

“Oh, that is a shame. What happened to your ankle?”

“I fell on the stairs. It hurts, Cookie”

“Let me have a look at it Miss Grizel.” A quick investigation revealed that she had sprained it slightly. “You sit and put it up for a while. When your stepmother goes out this afternoon I’ll come back with something to help it get better. Now I must be going back with your tray. Here’s a book to read if you want one.” She handed a book to Grizel, picked up the tray and hurried back down the stairs.

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

Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 8:21 am

So glad Grizel has Cookie. Crying or Very sad

#539: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 9:56 am

Me too, what would she do without her? Crying or Very sad

#540: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 2:42 pm

((Grizel))

Glad Cookie's there for her

#541: Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under

Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 7:28 pm

((((Grizel))))

((((Cookie))))

#542: Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England

Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 11:43 am

So angry with Irene that Cookie cannot do anything until

Quote:

your stepmother goes out this afternoon I’ll come back with something to help it get better.

#543: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 10:30 pm

Horrible, horrible woman.

Thanks Liz.

#544: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 9:09 am

It wasn’t long before Grizel heard the front door close behind her stepmother and, shortly afterwards, footsteps coming up the stairs. Cookie came in and knelt on the floor next to her. She carefully removed Grizel’s stocking and wrapped a cool damp cloth around the aching ankle.

“There you go Miss Grizel, you keep your foot up here,” she added a cushion to the chair and lifted Grizel’s leg carefully onto it. “That’ll help it get better.”

“Thank you Cookie,” answered Grizel.

“That’s alright, lovey. Now, here’s your books and your writing things where you can reach them. Do you want anything else? No? Well Ellen will come up to see you soon and keep you company for a while, so if you do think of anything she will get it for you.” She put a couple of books and writing set on the table close to Grizel. “I’ll be back up to look at your ankle again later.” She ran her hand over the brown curls, smiled and departed, leaving Grizel feeling more comfortable and already much better in spirit.

#545: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 10:18 am

Thank goodness for Cookie and Ellen. Thank you Liz.

#546: Author: Joyful, Location: Manchester

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 10:54 am

At least Grizel has someone to fuss over her occasionally

#547: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 11:04 am

Cookie fully deserves all her picture postcards and lurid lime green ribbons from the Tyrol years - and I so want to poke Irene...

*plots to discover a way to climb into drabbles*

#548: Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 11:56 am

Lovely Cookie.

Thanks, Liz Very Happy

#549: Author: Róisín, Location: Galway, Eire

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 7:49 pm

Phew!
Just read right through the entire drabble from the start and it's so so super and fantastic and fabulous Liz.

Hurry up and write lots more now that I am hooked altogether Very Happy

#550: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 7:50 pm

I'm so glad Cookie knows what to do

Thanks Liz

#551: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 8:32 pm

Thanks, Liz. I'm really glad Grizel has Cookie to look after her.

#552: Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex

Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 12:51 pm

That woman makes me MAD!

Please can you make it alternative Liz so you can shove her under a bus??

#553: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 1:25 pm

As promised, Ellen came up and kept Grizel company for a while. She brought with her a message from Tom, who had heard of her accident and sent a message to say he hoped her ankle was better soon, and then chatted with her for an hour, before hurrying back downstairs to her duties.

Grizel drew her writing pad towards her and started a letter to her Grannie. She didn’t mention the sprained ankle; instead her letter was full of news about school, the plans to start tennis next term, and her piano lessons. She had just signed the letter and added a row of kisses when Cookie appeared.

“How’s your ankle feeling now, Miss Grizel?” she asked, getting down on her knees to take a look. She removed the cloth and put it to one side. “I’ve just got an ointment I’ll put on there.” She gently rubbed a cream over the ankle. “Now let’s put your stocking back on over that nice and neatly. You be careful with it for the next couple of days and it’ll soon be right as rain.”

Cookie was right, within a few days Grizel’s ankle was completely recovered, and she was able to join in netball practice as usual.

#554: Author: Róisín, Location: Galway, Eire

Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 1:28 pm

Yay an update!
Thanks Liz that was lovely. I love the way Grizel tries to keep up a happy face for her Grannie - and the row of kisses is so cute.
More soon please!

#555: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 3:11 pm

I wonder how much her grannie did know, and what she made of it all.

#556: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 4:09 pm

Thanks Liz

#557: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 6:22 pm

It's a good job that Grizel had Cookie and Ellen around her.

Thanks LIz.

Star Wars

#558: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 8:32 pm

Thank you Liz. Glad she is trying to put on a brave face and that she still has Cookie and Ellen!

#559: Author: Joyful, Location: Manchester

Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 8:35 pm

Aww...nice Tom too!
Thanks Liz

#560: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 11:03 pm

Thanks, Liz. I'm glad Tom sent a message and that Grizel was soon able to return to her netball practices.

#561: Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex

Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 11:22 pm

Thank you Liz! Very Happy

I want to take Grizel home and look after the poor girl!!

#562: Author: Gem, Location: Saltash/Aberystwyth

Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 12:53 am

Thank you, Liz Very Happy

Poor Grizel!

The CBB -> St Agnes's House

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