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The Birthday Party http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=6618

Author:	Lisa_T [ 20 Sep 2009, 23:42 ]
Post subject:	The Birthday Party
This will be a short and sweet fic/drabble inspired by the mentions of the triplets' birthday in Richenda. So, no cliff hangers, no high drama, and no weirdness. Just unashamed fun and sap. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I'm enjoying writing it - for yes, I shall almost certainly finish it tonight, or failing that, over the next couple of days. * In which the triplets are reminded they have godmothers * When Mary-Lou Trelawney came to summon the Maynard triplets to the Head’s salon, the three exchanged glum looks that made the Head Girl eye them in surprise. “What’s the why of the long faces?” she demanded. “Isn’t it your birthday today, you three? You should be celebrating, not going around as if every relative you have has just died and left their fortunes to a society for the protection of household pests!” Len grinned reluctantly at this sally. “None of our relatives have fortunes,” she pointed out, “and even if they did, they’d probably leave everything to the San and the School,” she finished gloomily. Mary-Lou’s brows went into her hair. “Goodness, but you are a in a bad mood! I’d advise you to do something about it, pronto, because I don’t imagine the Head will be too keen on the three of you appearing before her like a whole lot of wet weeks!” She turned and departed on her own lawful occasions, and the three grimaced after her. “If only Mary-Lou knew,” Con said sadly. “She’d understand why we’re being wet weeks if she did. I wish Mamma had told her!” “Well, she didn’t so there’s no point wailing about it,” Len told her sensibly. “In any case, she’s right. Auntie Hilda’s giving us a party even though Mamma can’t be here, and it’d be awfully rude to not at least pretend to be grateful.” Since neither of the other two could dispute this, they trailed after their eldest sister as she led the way to the door that separated the Head’s annexe from the rest of the school. Their brevet aunt would do her best for them, they knew, but their expectations for this birthday were frankly low, and it was with lagging steps that the three finally appeared at the door of Miss Annersley’s private salon. “Well, here goes nothing,” Margot said as she stood with her hand on the door. “Plaster your best faces on and - oh lor’!” as the door swung open and an entire room of people shrieked or sang ‘Happy Birthday’ as the mood took them. Len and Con followed their third into the salon, and all three stood, frankly gaping. As they had expected, the two Heads of the school were there along with Miss Nalder and Miss Dene. Also present were their cousins, Sybil and Josette Russell and Maeve Bettany. The last two were responsible for most of the noise that greeted the entry of the triplets, and they stood grinning from ear to ear as the younger girls noticeably recoiled. “Help,” Len said weakly as Miss Wilson, Head of St. Mildred’s and Len’s godmother, came to give her a hug. That lady laughed. “They insisted,” she said cheerfully. “Your Auntie Hilda and I were quite happy to give you a nice, calm civilised birthday – you are fourteen, after all – but the rabble over there wouldn’t have it.” “You’ve got to admit that the looks on their faces was priceless, Auntie Nell,” Maeve argued as she came to hug her cousin in her turn. Miss Wilson laughed again. “And it’s clear that you’re a Bettany,” she retorted, before she turned away to greet Con and Margot, and Len found herself being embraced by Miss Annersley. Meanwhile, as Margot spoke excitedly with Miss Nalder, who was her own godmother, Con stood chatting to Rosalie Dene who looked rueful as her eyes followed the other two. “I’m afraid Australia is too far for us to get your godmother here,” she apologised. “You’ll have to do with me instead!” Con grinned. “That’s even better, Aunt Rosalie. I’ve hardly ever seen Auntie Con, but I do know you well.” “That’s true,” mused the elder woman. “I’ll be your honorary godmother for this evening, then, shall I? It’s appropriate too,” she added with a smile that puzzled Con, “as I’m sure you’ll see by the time the night’s out.” Con was left with no time to wonder about this, because Miss Annersley came to hand her a glass of Karen’s special fruit drink and to indicate that she should be seated. Obediently, Con did so, on the floor next to her sisters, and silence fell as everyone fixed their attention on the Head. “What’s happening now?” Margot demanded. “Patience is a virtue, Margot,” her godmother reminded her with a wicked twinkle. Margot gave her a mock scowl. “Not when it’s my birthday, it’s not!” “In that case, perhaps we should make you wait before we bring the presents out,” the Head remarked with a twinkle of her own. “After all, you’re here to learn Christian virtues along with the English and Maths-“ and she had to stop, laughing, as all three of the triplets howled her down. “I think you’re absolutely right, Hilda,” Miss Wilson said piously. “Disgraceful behaviour from Seniors, wouldn’t you say?” “Put them to bed without supper,” Miss Dene suggested, her eyes sparkling. “I like that plan,” Josette said to Maeve. “Anna’s sent over one of her cakes and you know what they’re like!” Everyone laughed at that, and when the laughter died the triplets were sitting as primly as they could, with such angelic expressions that their mistresses would be tempted to wonder what they had been doing any other time. This time, however, the Heads exchanged an amused glance. “All right, we’ve had our fun,” Hilda Annersley said as she moved to the big window seat at one side of the salon. The curtain was drawn over it, but as it was dark no-one had thought anything of it. “Present time!” TBC. Really soon.

Author:	Lisa_T [ 21 Sep 2009, 00:13 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
* In which presents are handed out * The triplets exchanged excited glances as the curtain went back to reveal a whole pile of parcels in all shapes and sizes. Their faces fell, however, when Miss Wilson came forward to hand them three ridiculously tiny presents that seemed to be mostly paper and cellotape and not much else. Indeed, Margot poked hers suspiciously, and cast her brevet aunts a look that made it clear that she would not put such a trick past them. The cousins grinned. “Aren’t you going to open them?” asked Sybil, a startlingly lovely girl of almost eighteen who was presently at St Mildred’s. “They think they’ve been had,” Josette said. “Nice suspicious minds you three seem to have!” Encouraged by these comments, the triplets carefully removed the paper, and all three exclaimed as they saw the tiny silver trinkets that would attach onto the bracelets they’d had since they were tinies. “I forgot about this,” Len admitted as she examined hers, a tiny mortar board, symbolising her recent decision to pursue teaching as a career. “And I really shouldn’t have, ‘cos we’ve had one every year as long as I can remember.” Con was equally happy with her tiny silver feather quill, and Margot gloated over hers, a single enamelled daisy with a chip of amber at its heart. Then came the presents from the mistresses. Con was frankly puzzled by the paper and ink she received from Miss Annersley and Miss Wilson, although she thanked them as prettily as she could. She did not miss the gleam in the Heads’ eyes, however, so she wondered, and clamped down on the germ of an idea that occurred to her. Len gave Miss Annersley an affectionate hug as that lady’s present to her turned out to be beautifully carved bookends not unlike a set Joey Maynard owned. “They’re gorgeous, Auntie Hilda,” Len told her. “Can – I mean, may – I keep them in school? I get so tired of chasing my books around my cubicle.” “Anyone’d think your books have legs!” Josette said as she ran a careful finger over the delicate woodwork. “They really are adorable, Auntie Hilda.” “At least I now know what to get you for your birthday,” her brevet aunt said wryly, and Josette laughed and looked conscious. “And yes, Len, of course you may keep them in school. I advise you to find some way to keep them stuck to your shelf, though, for I don’t think they’d survive being knocked over – and do make sure you check with Matron, whatever you use!” The pleading tone with which she ended made everyone grin, and Len promised. “I hope you like this as well,” Miss Wilson commented as she handed Len a slim volume. “Oooh, a book! I do love getting – oh, Auntie Nell!” and Len flung herself on her godmother, one hand still clutching her book. “I thought it was time that we both began to appreciate our names,” that lady told her. “I read it myself last year, and found it inspiring. I thought you would enjoy it too.” “Does this mean we can call you ‘Helena’, Len?” Con asked as she glanced through the carefully bound and illustrated Life of St Helena that was Bill’s gift to her sister. “Just you try it!” Len retorted, taking the book back and threatening to become absorbed in it. Seeing the danger, Miss Annersley gently but firmly took it from her and put it aside with the bookends. “There’s more presents to come,” the Head reminded her. “Of course, if you prefer to read –“ and Len’s protests, naturally, died away. Meanwhile, Margot was thrilled by the fountain pen that was her present from Miss Nalder. It was heavy and very well made, with Mary Margaret Maynard picked out in silver. “If you look after it, it will last forever,” her godmother told her, and Margot promised. “I still have the one my godmother gave me when I was your age.” Then there was the leather case that was a gift from Miss Annersley and Miss Wilson, and Margot, whose besetting sin was an inability to keep loose papers together, was frankly relieved. “This will get me out of any number of rows,” she said to her brevet aunts after she thanked them. “Just think how much easier your life will be, Auntie Hilda, if I’m not always knocking at your door!” “And just think how much pleasanter my life will be if I’m not forever lecturing you, my dear!” Miss Annersley responded, and Margot grinned. Then it was time to get their ‘big presents’ from their parents, and all three girls watched with bated breath as Sybil, Josette and Maeve collected a parcel each and put it down in front of them. Len squealed over the set of books from her parents. It was a beautiful set in leather with embossed gold titles and illustrations that made even inartistic Len gasp. But what really pleased the girl was the fact that each volume was a story from a different country, and the book was typed in the appropriate language. Len, whose passion for languages rivalled her mother’s, was genuinely enthused at the prospect of getting to grips with Don Quijote in Spanish, even though she could read Les Trois Mousquetaires in French as easily as she could in English. “I wish Mamma and Papa were here,” she lamented as she put her precious books back into their case. “They’re going to phone later on this evening,” Miss Annersley consoled. “You’ll get to talk to them before you go to bed.” Len’s face brightened and the Head turned to see Margot, who was doing a jig of joy across the room despite the fact that her ‘big’ present had in fact been the smallest of the three. “What are you so pleased about?” Miss Dene asked, laughing. “Stop jumping around like that, Margot, you’re making me dizzy watching you!” “Sorry, Aunt Rosalie!” Margot stopped and opened one clasped hand to show a little velvet box. “Is it jewellery?” Miss Dene asked. “Not just any old jewellery either,” her brevet niece said triumphantly. “It’s earrings!” and she flipped back the lid to show a set of earrings that matched the little charm: silver daisies with a heart of glowing amber, and Miss Dene exclaimed. “They are absolutely lovely, but when are you going to get your ears pierced?” Margot turned pleading eyes on her headmistress. “Auntie Hilda?” That lady laughed and shook her head. “Matey would have my life if I permitted such a thing. I’m sorry, dear, but you’ll just have to possess your soul in patience and wait for the holidays.” “I thought we’d already established Margot hasn’t got any?” Maeve said impishly, and her cousin glared at her. “You couldn’t wear them in school in any case,” Len put in with the smoothness of long practice. “I could if Auntie Hilda says I can,” Margot returned, but Miss Annersley shook her head. “I’m afraid not. I really can’t bend the rules for just one girl.” Margot’s face fell, but she forgot her disappointment at the explosion of noise coming from Con’s corner and curiosity propelled her over to see. “What is it? What’ve you got?” Con was sitting, pale with shock. “It’s the most miraculous present ever!” “Now you see why we gave you paper and ink,” Miss Wilson commented. “You were too polite to comment, my dear, but it’s clear you thought Auntie Hilda and I had taken leave of our senses.” Con tore her eyes from the shiny new typewriter to give the Heads a sheepish grin. “I did, rather. I thought you were just giving me supplies for ordinary writing, though. I never imagined this!” “I did try to hint earlier,” Miss Dene laughed, “but obviously to no avail.” Con was running a reverent hand over the glossy black surface of her new treasure. “Is it really for me?” she asked doubtfully. “They’re not cheap. P’rhaps Mamma and Papa meant us to share –“ “You can keep it as far as I’m concerned,” Len told her. “I never learned to type, and I don’t particularly want to, either!” Miss Annersley smiled. “I must confess to sharing your opinion, Len, but I’d advise you to learn anyway. It’s a useful skill to have and you never know when you may be called upon to use it.” Margot tossed her red-gold curls. “I think Auntie Hilda’s right, but it seems too much trouble. I’ve watched Papa do it, and he takes even longer typing than he does writing. What’s the point in that?” “It means people can read it,” Sybil pointed out. “You know what people say about doctor-writing, and I know that Dad’s is dreadful. I can’t imagine Uncle Jack’s is much better.” Con giggled. “It really isn’t. I had to take a note for him once before we left Plas Gwyn – round to Mrs Parry’s, remember? She wanted me to tell her what it said. As if I could read it! It looked like a drunk spider had stumbled over the page!” “Now that sounds familiar,” Miss Wilson said with a meaning grin to Maeve, whose handwriting was on the untidy side. “You don’t have any plans to follow in your uncle’s footsteps, do you?” Maeve’s only reply was to grimace and blush, and the Science mistress took pity on her and laughed. “All right, Maeve, I’ll let it go. It’s not fair to drag up school sins now, is it?” The girl snorted. “Maybe Con will let me borrow her typewriter if that’ll keep you happy, Auntie Nell!” “You couldn’t do science-y stuff on it,” Con said. It was finally dawning on her that the beautiful typewriter was really all hers, and her brown eyes were taking on a dreamy look that her elders knew well. Miss Annersley took a hand before the dreaminess could really take hold. “Put it over with the other presents, Con,” she said firmly. “And do remember that if your story-people start interfering with your schoolwork, back to Freudesheim it will go. Is that clear?” And Con, her face still ablaze with startled joy, nodded vigorously as she carefully moved the wonderful typewriter to the corner where the opened presents sat.

Author:	Lesley [ 21 Sep 2009, 07:08 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
This is excellent Lisa - you can see the love between all the characters so clearly. Thank you

Author:	Alison H [ 21 Sep 2009, 07:45 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
This is lovely, Lisa.

Author:	ChubbyMonkey [ 21 Sep 2009, 08:06 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
This is so sweet, Lisa, thankyou

Author:	JB [ 21 Sep 2009, 09:59 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Thanks, Lisa. This is lovely. It's great to see the triplets with their cousins.

Author:	PaulineS [ 21 Sep 2009, 10:48 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
What a wonderful birthday nd such lovely presents Thank you

Author:	jmc [ 21 Sep 2009, 10:55 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Thanks Lisa. This is so sweet and it's nice to see all the cousins together.

Author:	Lisa_T [ 21 Sep 2009, 12:33 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Oh, it's not quite finished. Two more posts to go. Of course, if you don't want to see Hilda being dragged into a wild game of hide and seek... ETA: heh. Did I say no cliffhangers? * In which hide and seek is played * Once all the little presents from the cousins had been opened, and thanks given, the girls eagerly turned to the Heads to see what would happen next. “Cake time, I hope!” Con said. “Didn’t Mamma say that Anna would send one of her specials over?” “Are you four or fourteen?” Miss Wilson asked, amused. “Yes, Anna has sent over one of her cakes. However, you’re not going to get it yet.” Her grey eyes began to dance. “Why?” Len wanted to know. “Because we don’t want you to be horribly ill, and you would be if we let you gorge yourselves first –“ She had to stop when all the girls – even the comparatively grown up Sybil – yelled their indignation at this, and Miss Annersley laughed. “I told you that insulting them would get you nowhere,” she remarked to her friend. “I’ve a feeling you may regret that comment before long.” “What are we going to do?” Margot asked, bouncing, her red-gold curls waving gently with her movement. “We,” the Head began impressively, “are going to have a game of hide and seek. Now don’t shriek at me, girls,” she added hurriedly as they shouted their approval of this plan. “There are a few rules before we get started.” “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Margot muttered to herself, but Maeve elbowed her into silence. “First, you may have the run of the annexe apart from the study, Rosalie’s office, and the bedrooms. Oh, Auntie Nell says you may use hers and my spare, but leave the others alone, please. Secondly, do remember that if you all scream that you’ll have the rest of the school wondering what’s happening –“ “P’rhaps they’ll think you’re murdering someone, Auntie Hilda,” Margot put in irrepressibly, and everyone grinned. “I’ll murder you in a minute if you don’t pipe down,” Maeve told her. “Go on, Auntie Hilda! What else?” “That’s about it,” her brevet aunt said cheerfully. “Now, how do you want to play – in teams or by yourselves?” “Are you lot all playing too?” Len wanted to know. “I’m sure your Auntie Nell and Aunt Rosalie will,” Miss Annersley began, but was immediately interrupted by a crowd of protests. “You’ve got to do it too, Auntie Hilda!” Len shouted above the rest. “I vote teams and I bags Auntie Hilda for mine!” “How do you know I’m going to agree to play?” the Head asked. “’Cos I’ll tell Mamma you funked it, otherwise,” Len retorted smartly. “You’re lucky we’re not in school at the moment,” Miss Wilson told her drily. “Otherwise you’d get a lecture for that.” “I may yet give it!” Miss Annersley returned, and Len grinned. “But you’ll play, won’t you?” she pleaded, and the Head threw up her hands. “You won’t give me any peace if I don’t, will you?” “NO!” yelled everyone, and she clapped her hands to her ears, laughing. “Very well, I’ll play. Just let me down lightly, please. So is it teams, then?” The others agreed and shortly the teams were formed with Len, Miss Annersley and Josette forming one team; Miss Wilson, Rosalie, Con, and Sybil another and the other three the third. “Who goes first?” Margot asked. “And can we keep the lights off?” Con put in. “It’s much more fun that way.” “Sounds like a recipe for a broken neck to me,” Miss Wilson said tartly, but Con only grinned. “I’ve had an idea,” Sybil put in, surprising them. “Let’s make it a little more … interesting.” “How?” Rosalie asked, sounding nervous. “Normally the game’s over when you get spotted,” the girl said. “I think that this time you’re only ‘caught’ when you are literally tagged. If the seeker hasn’t touched you and you can get away from her, that’s the seeker’s fault! Soo,” Sybil finished, a naughty twinkle in her sapphire eyes, “everyone needs to be quick.” “I think you’re forgetting that we’re not all teenagers,” Miss Wilson said ruefully with a thought for her weak leg. “You’re not old ladies of ninety-odd either, so I think you’ll cope!” Sybil flung back at her headmistress with a grin, and received a mock-glare in reply. “And the team that manages to avoid getting caught in the time the most gets all the cake,” Margot suggested unexpectedly, and everyone gaped at her. “If you really want to spend the night in San with Matron, Margot –“ Miss Dene began blandly, and Margot realised what she had said and began to backtrack frantically. “Er, well, I didn’t mean only one person should eat it all,” she stammered, and her triplets sisters giggled helplessly at the look on her face. “Are we ready now?” Maeve demanded. “Can – sorry, Auntie Hilda – may we get started?” “OK then. Each seeking team has fifteen minutes to find the rest, and each team has a turn, so we’ll be playing for forty-five minutes,” little Miss Nalder said, extracting her watch from her pocket. “Who’ll seek first?” Margot jumped up and down waving her hand, and her godmother grinned. “All right, Margot. Us it is – and don’t tell me there’s something wrong with that, Hilda!” She looked wicked. “Come to think of it, I like that plan. I should think our team has the best chance of finding everyone in the shortest amount of time.” “Just you wait, my girl. I’ll make you eat those words!” Miss Wilson assured her, but Miss Nalder only gave her a calm smile in return. “We’ll see, Nell. Right. Are we all ready? Lights off, Con. Thanks. Now, are we re-a-a-d-y?” She blew her whistle, and there was a frantic scrum as the other seven tried to get out of the salon and to disperse themselves around the annexe. “How long do they have?” Maeve whispered. Grace Nalder’s white teeth gleamed in the darkness. “A minute, as usual,” she whispered back. “Have a think about where people might hide.” The sixty seconds seemed to take forever to pass, but then Miss Nalder’s teeth gleamed again. “I’m going to blow the whistle now,” she murmured. “Be ready to run as soon as I blow.” The girls nodded and readied themselves for the whistle blast, and, as ordered, they were out of the salon once the piercing signal had sounded. Margot made for the stairs and Maeve called her back. “Where are you off to?” “The attics,” Margot responded in the soft undertone all Chalet girls learned carried less than a whisper. “I bet that’s where some of them have gone.” “Good plan,” Maeve agreed as they ran up the stairs. “D’you think everyone will stay together?” “Nell’s team won’t,” Miss Nalder murmured behind them. “Hilda’s team probably will.” Margot gave a muffled giggle. “Well let’s see, shall we?” Gently, she pushed the door that hid the spiral staircase up the attics from view, and ran up the awkward stairs on light feet – only to freeze at the top.

Author:	MaryR [ 21 Sep 2009, 17:32 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Lisa, this is brilliant. The conversations are so natural and relaxed, showing the love between them all, as Lesley says. Nice also to see Nell and Hilda letting their hair down. And I loved the presents. Thanks for thinking of it.

Author:	ChubbyMonkey [ 21 Sep 2009, 17:41 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
No cliffs, she said. Just fun, she said. ...More please?

Author:	Lesley [ 21 Sep 2009, 17:52 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Lovely thanks Lisa.

Author:	PaulineS [ 21 Sep 2009, 19:41 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
She did warn us there would be cliffs. Quote: ETA: heh. Did I say no cliffhangers? At least I expected at least one after that openning statement. Thanks Lisa

Author:	Lisa_T [ 21 Sep 2009, 19:45 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
I'm so glad you're all enjoying this! Mary, you and Lesley in particular will like this next bit... snicker I'm going home now for food. Between this and revising a chapter for DT, I've written/edited around 4-5000 words this afternoon. However, hopefully I shall finish this later tonight! ...and yes, Pauline, I usually give people warnings before I send them hurtling off precipices. Unlike certain others I could mention... * In which there is Fear and Trembling * “What’s the matter?” Maeve hissed from behind her, and then she heard it and recoiled. “Oh! What a horrid noise!” She took an involuntary step back, and Margot too was on the point of fleeing. Miss Nalder poked Maeve in the ribs, wringing an altogether different “ow!” from her. “Don’t be such ninnies,” the mistress hissed. “Listen!” The sound came again. A screeching, whining sound that seemed to trail chill fingers down your spine, and the girls shuddered. “What does it remind you off?” Miss Nalder insisted, her voice shaking a little. “I don’t want to think what it reminds me of,” Margot returned. In the pale light of the attic, Grace Nalder could see that the girl had turned white, and she was surprised. She had never thought of Margot as being particularly imaginative. “It sounds like a soul in torment,” Maeve hissed. She too was trembling. The sound came again, and Maeve and Margot clutched at each other, forgetting any pretence of being grown up. “Oh, please Auntie Grace, do let us go,” Margot begged. “It’s horrid!” And then the spell was broken by the sound of a muffled giggle, and Maeve and Margot sprang apart, their eyes sparkling with something that was neither amusement nor fear. “You rotters!” Maeve called as she dived across the attic towards the giggle. “That was a mean, dirty, stinking trick!” Margot caught sight of something moving and gave a yell of triumph. “Got you!” she called, only to jerk back when she found that the person she’d been manhandling so roughly was none other than the Head. Meekly, she stepped back and allowed her brevet-aunt to get to her feet, just as Maeve gave a yell of her own and headed down the stairs at speed that did not bode well for her limbs. “I’m sorry, Auntie Hilda,” Margot squeaked. “I didn’t mean to be so rough.” Miss Annersley rubbed her arm and gave the girl a smile. “Don’t worry, dear. You didn’t hurt me that much. Well, Grace,” she continued as that lady joined them, “it looks like you were mistaken this time, weren’t you?” Grace Nalder gaped at the older woman. “I was?” The Head gave a smile that was almost a smirk. “Indeed. You thought we’d be easily caught, didn’t you?” she mocked gently. “You didn’t give us much credit for cunning, either. This was a set-up. Josette created the noise with this,” she indicated an old blackboard, “and Len provided a distraction at the crucial moment. As a result, while you’ve caught me, you haven’t caught the rest of my team, and you’ve lost a not insignificant amount of time. I think,” she finished as Margot and Grace Nalder trailed disconsolately down the stairs after her, “you owe us an apology, don’t you?”

Author:	Lesley [ 21 Sep 2009, 19:59 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Go Hilda! Though it's a pity no-one could have got a picture of Margot rugby tackling the Head - would be a wonderful picture to produce at Margot's leaving do! Thanks Lisa

Author:	Elder in Ontario [ 21 Sep 2009, 20:22 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
This is lovely - and a real day brightener for me on a day which definitely needs it! Thank you, LisaT

Author:	Pat [ 21 Sep 2009, 21:15 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
This is great Lisa. But manifestly unfinished!!!

Author:	ChubbyMonkey [ 21 Sep 2009, 21:20 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Good on Miss Annersley and team! I hope that they continue to be so cunning!

Author:	PaulineS [ 21 Sep 2009, 21:26 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Love the interchange Quote: Well, Grace,” she continued as that lady joined them, “it looks like you were mistaken this time, weren’t you?” Grace Nalder gaped at the older woman. “I was?” The Head gave a smile that was almost a smirk. “Indeed. You thought we’d be easily caught, didn’t you?” she mocked gently. Keep it up Lisa, I like your kind of cliffs, and the sign posts help me to stop a few yards from the edge.

Author:	Alison H [ 21 Sep 2009, 22:36 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
This is lovely.

Author:	Abi [ 21 Sep 2009, 22:53 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Loving this, Lisa!

Author:	Lisa_T [ 22 Sep 2009, 00:56 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Last post, folks! Hope you have all enjoyed. I hope you're impressed as that's five and a half thousand words in just over 24 hours, plus everything I did on DT! * In which the party is ended * Half an hour later found everyone gathered in the salon once more. They were, as Miss Wilson commented, a most disreputable looking group. Everyone was flushed with messy hair, and both Margot and Con had managed to tear various bits of clothing. Josette, Len and even the Head were very dusty – indeed, the latter was so dusty that she insisted on going to change once the game was over, and the other two were sent to wash. Miss Wilson’s group, on the other hand, were complacent, for they had hidden in the most obvious places they could think of. Miss Wilson got into her own bed, carefully arranging her plumeau on top of her, and Rosalie Dene did the same. Sybil emulated Lucy in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by hiding behind Miss Dene’s fur coats at the back of her wardrobe, whilst Con, chuckling quietly, folded herself into the huge (and empty) ottoman in Miss Annersley’s spare room. They varied this theme only slightly throughout the entire game, so at the end they were declared joint winners with Miss Annersley’s team, whilst Margot and Co. looked extremely disgruntled. “Well, Grace?” Nell Wilson taunted as she tried to ease the wrinkles out of her skirt. Miss Nalder flushed and looked down her nose at her superior – an impressive feat, since Miss Wilson was a tall woman and Grace Nalder was not much above five foot tall. “Nell, hasn’t anyone ever told you that winning graciously is as importantly as losing graciously?” With that she swept off, reminding both of the Heads of the long past Mrs Jarley when little Miss Nalder had played ‘Queen Victoria’ to great effect. Miss Annersley looked at her co-Head with twitching lips. “I think she’s got you there, Nell,” she said softly. Nell Wilson gave her an indescribable look and turned back to the girls, who were talking and laughing together. She clapped her hands to gain their attention, and they turned to her. “Party time!” Margot said gleefully before her brevet-aunt could open her mouth. “Anyone would think we didn’t feed you,” Miss Wilson remarked in answer to this. “But yes, if by ‘party time’ you mean ‘food time’, or more especially ‘cake time’ then you’ve hit the nail on the head!” “We have missed Kaffee und Kuchen, Auntie Nell,” Len reminded her, looking as soulful as in her lay. “Yes, and how much did you eat at Mittagessen?” her godmother returned swiftly, and Len subsided, not noticeably crushed. Meanwhile, Rosalie, Miss Nalder and Sybil had been carrying in food and placing it on the long table at the back of the salon. There were huge jugs of Karen’s special fruit punch, Anna’s cake, plates of lemon biscuits, the leckerli that all the girls loved, and huge bowls of ice-cream. There was also a vat of rich, hot soup and the little stuffed vegetable sausages that Karen only made on special occasions because they were so finicky to make. English tea was provided for ‘afters’ as a treat, along with the chocolates given to triplets as presents, and when everyone had eaten her fill she fell back, sated. “I don’t think I can move,” Josette complained to Sybil. “That doesn’t surprise me at all,” her sister replied. “I think you’ve eaten at least your own weight in food and maybe more!” “You didn’t exactly eat like a bird yourself, sister dear,” Josette grumbled back. “Admit it, you’ve missed Karen’s cooking.” “I’m admitting nothing, especially with Auntie Nell over there,” Sybil said. “Did someone mention my name?” Miss Wilson asked, proving once again her general on-the-spotness. Sybil went a shade of red that clashed horribly with her neatly coifed copper curls, and Josette grinned. “Not guilty, sarge. She’s admitting nothing!” “That sounds suspicious enough to warrant further investigation,” Miss Annersley put in, much amused. Josette’s face fell and Maeve and the triplets almost choked on their tea. “That’ll teach you to try to be clever,” Margot said to Josette with a smirk. “You should know it doesn’t work on the aunts by now.” “It would be strange if it did,” Miss Annersley retorted. “Do you people have any idea of how long we’ve had to put up girls ‘trying to be clever’?” “Well, Mamma always says that you came to the school when she was fourteen –“ Margot began, a wicked twinkle in her eye, and Miss Annersley laughed. “All right, so perhaps you do know. In the interests of peace, shall we let the subject drop?” “That’s fine by me,” Len muttered from her corner on the Head’s big sofa. She was curled up with her head on an oversized cushion. She yawned. “Auntie Hilda, this sofa shouldn’t be allowed!” Con and Margot joined her on it, and the triplets grinned at each other once they’d finished poking and prodding each other into comfortable positions. “I say, she’s right,” Margot commented to Con as she snuggled down. “Why haven’t we discovered this before?” “P’rhaps ‘cos we’re too old to stay with Auntie Hilda now,” Con responded with uncharacteristic practicality. “It does make you jealous of the others, doesn’t it?” “I think we’ve exhausted them,” Miss Wilson murmured to her co-Head. “When did you say Joey was ringing?” The Head suppressed a yawn of her own as she checked her watch. “Any moment now,” she said softly. “I’ll let them talk to their mother and then send them back to their common rooms. They should follow their normal routines before they go to bed in any case or we may have excitements – with Con, at any rate!” Miss Dene looked at the Heads, her eyes mischievous. “Shouldn’t we send them to Matey first?” she suggested innocently and just loud enough to be heard across the room by the girls. “They have had an inordinate amount of sugar –“ The girls protested at this and did their best to look wide awake, but between their normal activities of the morning, the excitement of the afternoon, and the food, they were all genuinely tired, and in any case, it was nearly eight o’clock, British time. Miss Wilson smiled and got to her feet. “I think it’s time to call it a day,” she remarked. “Sybil, Grace, shall we leave now?” Miss Nalder and Sybil took the hint and rose in their own turn, and there was some activity as everyone exchanged farewells and – in the case of the triplets – final thanks. Then they were gone, and the Head dismissed Maeve and Josette, leaving only herself, Miss Dene and the triplets. Miss Annersley smiled at her brevet-nieces. “Well? Have you enjoyed your party?” They returned her smile. “It’s been stupendous, Auntie Hilda,” Len said, giving first the Head and then Miss Dene an enthusiastic hug. “I wasn’t sure what to expect when Mamma said you would be giving our party,” Con said in her dreamy way, “but Len’s right. I don’t believe Mamma herself could have improved on it.” Miss Annersley laughed. “Thank you, Con. That’s quite a compliment.” “Or an insult, depending on how you look at it,” Rosalie said in a non-commital way that made the triplets gape at her. Margot twirled exuberantly. “I’ve had a marvellous time, Auntie Hilda, and it was so funny the way you tricked us in the attic!” “Certainly not something most people would ever believe of ‘the Abbess’ at any rate,” Miss Dene said teasingly, and the girls giggled. Con’s eyes fell on the presents, and her laughter died as she turned anxious eyes to her brevet-aunts. “What happens to the presents?” “They may stay here for now,” the Head told her firmly. “Obviously you may not keep all of your gifts at school, but you may come and collect those you may keep tomorrow afternoon. I’ll keep the rest until your parents return.” Not having expected anything else, the triplets nodded, and the next few moments passed in quiet conversation until the phone finally rang, and the Maynards were able to finish their fourteenth birthday in a rapturous conversation with their mother. -END

Author:	Cath V-P [ 22 Sep 2009, 02:53 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Lisa, I am in awe at your output in terms of both quantity and quality! Seriously, this was lovely - the interaction between the adults and the girls was delightful, and gives a lovely insight to the special relationship between the triplets and their godparents, something which never seemed to be quite sufficiently explored in the books. And it was nice to see Rosalie and Con getting along so well. And they all had such fun as well.... Thank you Lisa, this was a pleasure to read.

Author:	Lesley [ 22 Sep 2009, 05:46 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Fantastic - a really lovely end to a beautiful episode - don't you wish you went to School with them? Thanks for all your hard work Lisa

Author:	Emma A [ 22 Sep 2009, 07:38 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
That was lovely, Lisa - many thanks for posting it.

Author:	ChubbyMonkey [ 22 Sep 2009, 09:48 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
I am seriously impressed! Thankyou for such a lovely read, and definetely all of the effort that you put into it.

Author:	Smile :) [ 22 Sep 2009, 10:04 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Thanks Lisa this was lovely and I'm majorly impressed at the speed at which you managed to write all of this!

Author:	jmc [ 22 Sep 2009, 11:50 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Thanks Lisa. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

Author:	Elder in Ontario [ 22 Sep 2009, 13:43 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
A very satisfactory ending to a delightful party and I;'m sure it's one birthday the triplets will remember happily for many years, notwithstanding their parents' absence. I'm another who has really enjoyed the repartee between all the participants, and all the evidence of the special relationships between them all. Loved the way Hilda and Nell, Grace Nalder and Rosalie joined in all the fun so unreservedly, too. Thanks, Lisa.

Author:	Alison H [ 22 Sep 2009, 14:10 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Thanks Lisa - that was great fun .

Author:	Squirrel [ 22 Sep 2009, 14:13 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
What a wonderful party. And when the girls were expecting it to be a 'let down' without their parents being there too. It was gorgeous, and very amusing as well. I just loved reading that. Thanks Lisa.

Author:	PaulineS [ 22 Sep 2009, 19:29 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Thanks Lisa that was a lovely description of the party

Author:	Mrs Redboots [ 22 Sep 2009, 19:41 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Thank you so much, Lisa - I've just read this through and now I have a great, big feel-good grin on my face! It was lovely.

Author:	MaryR [ 22 Sep 2009, 19:57 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Breathes a sigh of contentment. I did so enjoy that, Lisa. I was there, so to speak. Thank you.

Author:	Celia [ 22 Sep 2009, 21:39 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
In the book I always wondered what went on at that party. Now I know Thank you Lisa

Author:	Abi [ 22 Sep 2009, 21:46 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
That was lovely, Lisa. Thanks!

Author:	Lisa_T [ 22 Sep 2009, 23:36 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Thanks, folks. Have an idea for another Richenda spin-off with a very different slant, so watch this space. Currently irritated by arthritis flare-up in my hands, so may be a few days before I get round to it! And weirdness. I could have sworn I posted a message earlier saying pretty much what I've just said, but it's not there...

Author:	MHE [ 22 Sep 2009, 23:56 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
I really enjoyed the party Lisa, especially seeing the 'grown-ups' joining in and letting their hair down. It showed too the lovely relationship between them all. Thanks Lisa

Author:	mohini [ 23 Sep 2009, 10:45 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Thanks Lisa .It was lovely.

Author:	shazwales [ 23 Sep 2009, 16:32 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Thanks Lisa really enjoyed reading that.

Author:	Karoline [ 24 Sep 2009, 08:21 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Thanks Lisa, that was lovely

Author:	Miss Di [ 25 Sep 2009, 04:21 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Thank you for a lovely party Lisa.

Author:	Chris S [ 25 Sep 2009, 15:08 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Thanks Lisa I enjoyed the party. However, towards the end my mind was filled with visions of Hilda and Nell giving individual birthday parties to all the pupils, to say nothing of all that party food they would have to have eaten. It seems very unfair that only the triplets got to celebrate their birthdays in term time.

Author:	Lisa_T [ 26 Sep 2009, 01:00 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
True, except that the triplets are effectively adopted family to the Heads, and it was by special request. Oh, and I was reading one of the 'middle' books (Bride, perhaps?) and there's a mention there about two girls who had a birthday in the same week, and their form-mistress asked and received permission to celebrate their birthdays with a party. There's also the fact that beloved headmistresses or not, I very much doubt whether the vast majority of girls would even have wanted to have their headmistresses at their birthday! Again, the special relationship that exists between the Maynards and the Heads makes this possible. I do like your idea of endless parties. Idea for a crack drabble maybe? The CS going bankrupt because of the expense of constantly buying pressies and party food...?

Author:	Chelsea [ 26 Sep 2009, 02:41 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Although I agree that it is unfair, it is definitely in keeping with EBD and it was a lovely, lovely story. Thanks Lisa.

Author:	Pingaware [ 26 Sep 2009, 18:06 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Really wonderful Lisa. Such realistic emotions.

Author:	linda [ 28 Sep 2009, 11:16 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
I've just read this from the start and it was really brilliant. It was great to see the staff letting their hair down to help the triplets celebrate their birthday. Loved the game of 'hide and seek'. Thank you Lisa

Author:	Lisa_T [ 29 Sep 2009, 02:56 ]
Post subject:	Re: The Birthday Party
Glad you enjoyed. NB: two more chapters to go on DT and then the plot revision is complete. For now....

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