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Stranger at the Tiernsee - sequel to A Royal Visit - 31.12
http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1668
Author:  Laura V [ 22 Nov 2006, 14:52 ]
Post subject:  Stranger at the Tiernsee - sequel to A Royal Visit - 31.12
Here is the start of the sequel I was forced into writing :wink: ! It's set quite some time after A Royal Visit

"Mamma, why does that woman stare at us," asked eight year old Phil Maynard.

Joey Maynard looked up from the delicious meal she was enjoying at the Kron Prinz Karl hotel. She and her two youngest daughters, eight year old Phil and eleven year old Cecil, together with their adopted sister six year old Clare were enjoying a sojorn at the family holiday home in the Austrian Tiersee where Joey had attended the Chalet School. Forced into exile by the war the school was now residing in Switzerland but both Joey and her husband Jack loved the Tiernsee and were delighted in being able to purchase a chalet by it's shores.

"Who do you mean, Phil darling?" asked Joey as she looked around the large restaurant.

"Well she's not looking now. She's turned away. How very rude!" declared Phil with a frown on her small face.

"Phil, don't talk so loud, everyone will here us," urged Cecil.

"I don't care! I wasn't the first one to be rude! That woman was staring at us and that's more ruder!" with which Phil sat back and folded her arms.

A few seconds of silence passed before little Clare spoke up. "Mamma, please can I have Phil's dessert?"

"By all means, Clare," replied Joey. The outburst had somewhat dampened spirits and she herself no longer felt like enjoying the delicious honey and nut pastry that adorned her plate. Though she was thoroughly annoyed by Phil's behaviour she didn't want to cause a scene.

A growl sounded from across the table. It was Phil who had by now worked up her temper. Curiosity got the better of Joey and she turned around to look and see who was the cause of the fuss. She saw a woman two tables away quickly turn her head back to her meal. Though she had only caught a quick glimpse of her face Joey found it to be familiar. She said nothing on the subject and called the waiter over for the bill.

Once outside the four began the long walk back to their chalet on the other side of the lake. Cecil and Clare walked along happily in front, Joey kept Phil by her side.

"Where do I know that woman from?" thought Joey aloud.

"Who Mamma?" asked Phil quietly.

Suddenly Joey stopped in her stride. "It was Maria Balbini! That's who it was!"
Author:  LizB [ 22 Nov 2006, 14:57 ]
Post subject: 
Yay! *bounces and sends bunny treats*

I wonder how Joey is going to react to the realisation!

Thanks Laura.
Author:  Josie [ 22 Nov 2006, 15:18 ]
Post subject: 
Ooo - this looks good! Thanks Laura, looking forward to seeing where this goes. :D
Author:  Alice [ 22 Nov 2006, 15:51 ]
Post subject: 
Ooo, thank you for writing a sequel Laura. Looking forward to seeing what happens next.
Author:  leahbelle [ 22 Nov 2006, 16:35 ]
Post subject: 
Yay! A sequel! Thanks, Laura.
Author:  Lesley [ 22 Nov 2006, 19:19 ]
Post subject: 
Now Joey was very kind to maria when they discovered her mother had died. Wonder how this will pan out?



Thanks Laura
Author:  Jennie [ 22 Nov 2006, 20:50 ]
Post subject: 
A sequel is good!
Author:  Fatima [ 24 Nov 2006, 12:23 ]
Post subject: 
A most promising start! Thanks for beginning this, Laura.
Author:  Sandra [ 25 Nov 2006, 18:29 ]
Post subject: 
This looks excellent. I'll have to go and fine the prequel now.
Author:  Laura V [ 27 Nov 2006, 14:58 ]
Post subject: 
"I think she looked like a witch!" declared Phil.

Little Clare turned to look at her mother with wide eyes full of fear.

"Don't be ridiculous Philippa! There are no such things!" replied Joey sternly.

"Well, I think she did," Phil muttered under her breath.

It was unfortunate for her that her mother had heard her. After a stern lecture on scaring her little sister Joey headed outside to the garden for some peace. Though she tried to forget Phil's comments there was someting rather mysterious about Maria's appearance.

"She's aged, but we all have," thought Joey thinking back to what she had seen at the Kron Prinz Karl. "She was well dressed.....but I just can't help but be puzzled. And what was she doing here in the Tiersee? If only I could see her again, maybe I could get to the bottom of it."

For many people the mystery might have remained unsolved, but for Joey the journey had only just begun.....
Author:  LizB [ 27 Nov 2006, 15:00 ]
Post subject: 
*joins Jo on the journey*

Thanks, Laura
Author:  Lesley [ 27 Nov 2006, 19:08 ]
Post subject: 
Oooooooohhhh!


She probably is a witch now....


Thanks Laura :lol:
Author:  leahbelle [ 28 Nov 2006, 11:26 ]
Post subject: 
Can't wait to find out if Maria really is a witch, or has she just fallen on tough times?
Author:  Fatima [ 28 Nov 2006, 16:37 ]
Post subject: 
*joins the group wondering about Maria*

Thanks Laura.
Author:  Josie [ 01 Dec 2006, 00:36 ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Laura. Am intrigued!
Author:  Laura V [ 06 Dec 2006, 16:11 ]
Post subject: 
Joey stared in disbelief at the waiter that had brought over their meals. He was young, no more than 18, with dark hair, black eyes and an olive complexion. He also bore an uncanny resemblance to someone in Joey's past.

"Mario Balbini!" Joey exclaimed loud enough to make a few heads turn in the restaurant.

The waiter froze before placing a bowl of soup in front of Cecil. He looked over at Joey, both shock and fear portrayed on his face.

"I'm sorry," Joey apologised, feeling ashamed of herself for causing a scene. "But you look like someone I used to know. What is you name?"

The waiter smiled weakly, "Javier, madam."

"And you are here with your mother? Maria? I believe I have seen her."

Javier looked confused but smiled back at Joey.

"Oh, of course, you probably don't understand English very well, how sily of me!"

Javier bowed lightly and walked back to the kitchen doors.

"Mamma? Who was that boy?" asked Clare inquisitively, her two sisters also waiting for an explanation.

"Well girls, I think we have just met the son of that lady - your witch, Phil!"

"But why did he look so scared, Mamma?" Cecil piped up.

Joey chuckled. "That is something I intend to find out!"
Author:  Jennie [ 06 Dec 2006, 16:56 ]
Post subject: 
Ooh, a mystery! More, please.
Author:  Fatima [ 06 Dec 2006, 17:04 ]
Post subject: 
*echoes calls for more, please!*
Author:  LizB [ 06 Dec 2006, 21:57 ]
Post subject: 
more more more!

Just adding my voice

Thanks, Laura
Author:  leahbelle [ 07 Dec 2006, 11:24 ]
Post subject: 
Would love to know more, too!
Author:  Lesley [ 08 Dec 2006, 00:34 ]
Post subject: 
Mystery!!!!


Looking forward to finding out more - thanks Laura
Author:  Laura V [ 18 Dec 2006, 14:35 ]
Post subject: 
It was a few days before Joey finally got to meet Maria, though the cirumstances under which they met were rather unfortunate on Maria's part.

Having left the Kron Prinz Karl for their fourth lunchtime meal there in consecutive days Joey was drawn towards some shouting by the side of the hotel. She told the girls to wait by the front steps whilst she went to see if she could help out. Peering around the corner she spotted Maria Balbini arguing loudly with one of the hotel staff.

"I do my best!" Maria cried shaking her fist before storming in Joey's direction.

Joey reached out and grabbed Maria's arm.

"Maria! It's me, Joey Bettany. How lovely to see you! I say, is that man bothering you? Can I help at all?"

The shock of being stopped in her stride rendered Maria speechless for a few moments. Then Maria spoke.

"Joey Bettany. This is a suprise. I did not expect to see you," was the muttered reply.

"How long have you been here? What brings you back to Tirol? I thought you were in Argentina. Is Mario here too? Ouch!" Joey was silenced by a sharp pinch from Maria.

"You must not speak of such things! It is very good to see you Joey but I must go!" Maria hissed.

Joey studied Maria's expresison carefully and noted that there was something seriously wrong.

"Maria, can I help at all?" she asked in low tones.

The strain on Maria's face faded slightly. She had mixed feelings towards Joey but the thought of what could happen....she needed to talk to someone.

"I believe not, but...."

Joey put her arm round Maria. "Maria, I may be a champion butter-in but I think that you need to tell me what's going on."

Maria nodded silently. "But not here. There are too many people."

"We can go to our chalet. Rosa can fix up some English tea. There's nothing like a cup of English tea to cure a problem!" Joey chuckled.

Maria nodded silently and agreed to follow Jo to the chalet....
Author:  Fatima [ 18 Dec 2006, 15:12 ]
Post subject: 
I'm looking forward to hearing what's troubling Maria. Thanks Laura.
Author:  Lesley [ 18 Dec 2006, 20:24 ]
Post subject: 
Well I'm pleased that Maria has decided to confide in Jo. Something seems wrong with her brother though.


Thanks Laura.
Author:  leahbelle [ 18 Dec 2006, 21:25 ]
Post subject: 
Hope Jo can get to the bottom of things!
Author:  Laura V [ 31 Dec 2006, 22:47 ]
Post subject: 
Jo cast aside the startled faces of her daughters. Maria was in need and she was there to help! Though Maria's stooped walk, black clothing and untidy greying locks did give her an eerie look.

"It all went wrong soon after we arrived in Buenos Aires. Our Aunt wanted to marry our driver Felipe but Father was against it. Then one day Aunt disappearred and so did Felipe. We never saw or heard from her again."

Maria paused here at the thought of her caring but somewhat helpless Aunt.

"The situation in Argentina at that time was not good. We had money but many didn't and so we became a target for the poor. Our house was robbed over and over again. Father became more and more withdrawn. Many would thought that the loss of so much property and money was the cause but I know deep down that he was still heartbroken over Mother...."
Maria trailed off as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Maria, I'm so sorry," Joey sympathised. How awful the it must have been.

After a short pause Maria took up the story again.

"Father had to take up employment in order to pay for our schooling. Imagine, a Prince who had never worked a day in his life working as a delivery man. The money didn't last long though.....Father died a few years later and Mario and I were alone. We couldn't finish school as we needed money so Mario got a job in a hotel. One day he had an accident and had to go to hospital. It was there that I met Sebastian," Maria smiled as she spoke his name.

"Sebastian? He was special to you?" asked Joey curiously.

Maria nodded, still smiling.

"Oh yes! We were married soon after and we had our son Javier. Everything was good until Mario and Sebastian....."

Maria stopped abruptly, a look of fear on her face.
Author:  Lesley [ 31 Dec 2006, 23:22 ]
Post subject: 
Oh poor Maria - dread to think what has happened (trying to remember Argentine history)


Thanks Laura
Author:  Cath V-P [ 01 Jan 2007, 01:34 ]
Post subject: 
Wouldn't this have been about the time of the Peron government?

Thanks Laura.
Author:  LizB [ 01 Jan 2007, 10:44 ]
Post subject: 
Poor Maria :cry:

Thanks, Laura
Author:  leahbelle [ 01 Jan 2007, 14:27 ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the update, Laura. I wonder what happened to Mario and Sebastian.
Author:  Tamzin [ 04 Jan 2007, 00:51 ]
Post subject: 
This is really intriguing. I always felt miffed that Maria Balbini disappeared so comprehensively after we were promised her as a pupil at the school so I'm glad to see her featuring in this. And the mystery!
Author:  Josie [ 07 Jan 2007, 20:32 ]
Post subject: 
Cath V-P wrote:
Wouldn't this have been about the time of the Peron government?

I *think* so - he came to power just after WW2, if I remember rightly, and I'm sure his second term in power ended in 1955/6 with a coup and he went into exile - but I may well be wrong!

:( Poor Maria. What a horrible few years she's had. She must be so glad to see a friendly face!

Thanks Laura.
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