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Secret Santa - An Advent Drabble Gift for HelenP Updated 19D

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The CBB -> St Clare's House

#1: Secret Santa - An Advent Drabble Gift for HelenP Updated 19D Author: Secret Santa, Location: The North Pole

Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:13 pm
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Helen sighed as she fished though her handbag for the key to the front door. Where had it got to? It was pouring with rain (well, it was Crewe, what else do you expect?) and she was anxious to get inside and get out of her damp clothes. Then, seeing as the kids were out of the way for the afternoon, she supposed she’d better tackle that mountain of ironing.

Finally! She located the key behind an overdue library copy of Caring for your Giant African Land Snails and felt a slight twinge of guilt. She kept meaning to read it, but that shiny new GGB copy of Jo to the Rescue was so much more enticing.

Kicking the door shut behind her, she had started to head for the kitchen when she heard a noise coming from upstairs. She stiffened, who the hell was that? Tim would hardly be home at this time of day. And what was that sweet, lemony smell? Holding her mobile ready to dial 999, she crept up the stairs.

Then came the sound of the hoover being switched on; okay, it definitely wasn’t Tim, but then burglars didn’t tend to do the hoovering either. More curious than scared now, Helen carried on up the stairs and peered though the crack between Freya’s bedroom door and the wall. What she saw astonished her. The phantom hooverer appeared to be dressed in some sort of traditional peasant garb and was muttering away in what sounded like German. She caught sight of Helen coming through the door and killed the switch on the hoover.

“Guten Tag, Meine Frau.” seeing Helen was in no fit state to answer, she continued. “AlisonH suggested to me that I ask Frau Doktor Maynard for a holiday and when she said no I decided to leave. I missed England so much, after my years here during the war, so I have decided to come back. And I have decided to come and help you.” she added as though that seemed to explain everything perfectly.

“But, but . . .” Helen stammered. “I’m not sure we can afford domestic help. And -”

“But I live with you; I do not need so much.”

“But we’ve no spare room.”

“One can always find a spare room when it is needed. I could mange perfectly well with the little room at the top of the stairs by the airing cupboard.”

“What room? There’s no room there?”

But when Anna took Helen to show her, there was indeed a room, although Helen was quite sure it hadn’t been there when she’d left that morning. Still, Anna seemed quite unperturbed.

“It will be like a holiday for me;” continued Anna merrily. “You have just three children, no triplets all needed feeding at once, and a machine that does the washing! Indeed, I was running out of things to do now that the ironing is done.” Slightly dazed, Helen opened the door of the airing cupboard and noted that the ironing shelf was now bare.
“It is a terrible day outside and you are wet through. I shall run you a hot bath, and then you must put on some dry clothes.” Anna entered the bathroom and turned on the taps before bustling downstairs mumbling something about coffee and lemon biscuits. In a daze, Helen wandered into the master bedroom. Something on the bedside table cought her eye; it was a first edition of The Chalet School and the Island! And what a perfect dustwrapper!

Anna returned bearing a tray loaded with milky coffee and what Helen could only assume were lemon biscuits. She saw what Helen was holding.

“Frau Doktor Maynard had two copies and gave this one to me. That was before I told her that I was leaving! I have no wish to read about the Chalet School but I thought you might like it.

“Yes, I . . .” said Helen weakly.

“Gut. Than I shall take your coffee to the bathroom and allow you to warm yourself in the bath.”

Fighting the urge to take with her the newly-acquired copy of Island to read in the bath, Helen headed for the now-sparking bathroom. As she settled down beneath the bubbles, the warmth of the water spread through her chilled limbs. She reached for a lemon biscuit; golly, they were good!

“Mmmmm,” she thought to herself as she dropped biscuit crumbs into the bath. “I could get used to this.”

Last edited by Secret Santa on Tue Dec 19, 2006 9:21 pm; edited 1 time in total

#2: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:17 pm
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You jammy thing Helen!!!!!

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

Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:27 pm
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Can't she come here? I've got no kids, just two cats. Laughing

Lovely.

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

Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:30 pm
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How fantastic!

Thanks, Helen's Santa Very Happy

#5: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:30 pm
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Helen, you lucky thing! Very Happy

I'm putting an Anna on my Christmas wishlist right away Laughing

#6: Author: janem, Location: Ash, Surrey

Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:38 pm
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That is lovely and very clever. I'll be next in line for Anna please!

#7: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:40 pm
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I don't know how I got into that drabble Laughing

!

Lucky Helen Very Happy

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

Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:42 pm
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Thank you very very much Santa - that is all my dreams come true! Very Happy

#9: Author: Liane, Location: Manchester

Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:50 pm
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Sooo very jelous now!

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

Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 11:22 pm
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What a great present! It's lovely and sunny in Australia, Anna!! Wink

#11: Author: Sugarplum, Location: second star to the right!

Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 11:45 pm
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Ohhh you lucky thing Helen!

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

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 12:11 am
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Green with envy!

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

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 12:30 am
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Aren't you lucky, Helen. I wish I had an Anna for my housework.

#14: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 6:53 am
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If Helen upsets Anna by suddenly producing quads or something, she's more than welcome to come here. We don't get that much rain, either!

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

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 10:40 am
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Fatima wrote:

If Helen upsets Anna by suddenly producing quads or something, she's more than welcome to come here. We don't get that much rain, either!

Eeeek! Don't even think about it! *Giggles*

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

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 3:19 pm
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Very jealous, that is a lovely present.

#17: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 4:57 pm
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I wish I could get used to that level of pampering. Helen is so lucky!

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

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 11:19 pm
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*very very envious of Helen!* Wink

#19: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 11:49 pm
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Helen P wrote:

Fatima wrote:

If Helen upsets Anna by suddenly producing quads or something, she's more than welcome to come here. We don't get that much rain, either!

Eeeek! Don't even think about it! *Giggles*

A friend of my mum's had quads recently. Smile

Thanks for the drabble, Santa!

#20: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 11:31 am
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You are lucky, Helen!

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

Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 2:36 pm
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Very lucky Helen! Don't suppose Anna could casually *drop by* my house with some of those lemon biscuits? And maybe stay a week or so? Very Happy

#22: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 3:34 am
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You lucky duck, Helen!
I really, really, really would like an Anna.

#23: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 5:25 am
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Miranda wrote:

Don't suppose Anna could casually *drop by* my house with some of those lemon biscuits?

Or she could just pop some in the post - that'd do me!

Lucky Helen! *wants an Anna too* Nice one, Santa. Laughing

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

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 9:19 pm
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Couldn't resist a bit more even if this bunny is disturbing me slightly.

No Tyroleans were hurt in the making of this drabble.

Santa sank onto the nearest chair and surveyed the mess around her. What had she been thinking sending Anna to Helen as a Christmas present?

“Anna, I need you!” she howled in desperation.

Deciding that some needs are more easily fulfilled than others, she put reached for her coat and headed out in search of chocolate, neglecting even to put on a scarf, let alone tie it across her chest in the approved manner.

As she walked along the road she became aware of a man following her. She quickened her pace, but to no avail.

“Excuse me; I wonder if you might be able to help.” He was a small man, middle-aged and dressed entirely in lime green.

Santa groaned inwardly; what did he want?

“I’ve, er, got a few spares, machine went a bit mad, you know, and thought you might be able to take them off my hands.”

“Sorry, spare whats?” This man was keeping her from chocolate. And she still had a mountain of wrapping to get though.

“Annas, of course. I’ve got 22 and I only need one. Why would you need more than one Anna? Anyway, I’ve nowhere to keep them and I can hardly turn them out on a night like this, can I? Do you want them or not?”

“Well that’ll solve the problem of what to get people for Christmas”, she thought. She turned to face him. “Want them, of course I do! 21? That’s one each and one left over for me.” He had her full attention now.

“Excellent, I’ll send an elf with them you to give you a hand.”

Half an hour later Santa was sitting in a much tidier living room one with a pile of neatly-wrapped presents sitting on the table directing the elf as he addressed the packages.

“Pat, Mia, Lesley, Sugarplum, LizB, janem . . ., Who else? Oh, Liane, Alison H, Lottie, Tara.” The elf dutifully scribbled address labels. “And Fatima, don’t leave out Fatima. It’s a long way to send her but Anna never seemed to get ill. I’m sure she’ll be fine. She’ll have to be, Cath -VP’s and Kathy_S’s will be going much further. You won’t forget them, will you?” She continued. Kate, Carolyn P, Josie, Jennie, leahbelle, Miranda. Oh, and Vikki, mustn’t forget Vikki; she’d never forgive me. I’m sure she’s all sorts of photos in her possession that mustn’t ever see the light of day. Think that’s it”

“Right, we’re all done.” As the final address label was attached to the box, there came a knock on the door. The remaining, unpackaged, Anna went to answer it.

“Evening, I’m here to pick up the parcels.” Seeing the size and number of the boxes, the courier blinked hard, but dutifully started to carry them out to the van assisted by Santa and her aides.

“They will arrive for Christmas, won’t they?” Santa enquired anxiously.

“72 hours. You’ve plenty of time. I’ll be off then.” And he jumped into his van and drove off into the night, 20 Annas in the back ready to devote themselves to the needs of grateful CBBers.

N.B. Your Annas have been sent via the same courier service that is delivering KathrrnW’s fireman. In retrospect this may have been a poor choice of service provider.

Apologies

Santa

#25: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 9:26 pm
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But they lose everything they take!!! Crying or Very sad

#26: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 10:21 pm
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Hooray, my own Anna Very Happy

!

3 cheers for Santa!

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

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 10:45 pm
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Fantastic - an Anna is just what I need right now and I can keep her occupied with cleaning and sorting the house non-stop until Christmas!

Thanks Helen's Santa Very Happy

#28: Author: janem, Location: Ash, Surrey

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 10:50 pm
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I've been waiting in all day for a parcel that never came, but I wasn't expecting an Anna too.

I'm so organised, there is nothing for her to do here. Maybe my sister in law would like her - five under 12s can be a handful!

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

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 11:08 pm
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I am delighted that so many other CBBers are benefitting from an Anna as well! I have been living in the lap of luxury since she arrived in Crewe! Wink

Thank you very much Santa! Very Happy

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

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 11:42 pm
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I want an Anna too Crying or Very sad

no let me rephrase that - I need an Anna

Wink

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

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 12:01 am
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An Anna - that will be wonderful.

I do hope she doesn't get lost en-route. How kind of you, Santa. Very Happy

Thank you!

#32: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 1:04 am
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Oh, thank you, Santa! Fantabulous! And thank you so much for sharing, Helen.

(Don't know about that shipping company, though. Laughing

)

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

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 1:07 am
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Oh, Anna, I have so needed you today!!!!!

I await her coming with bated breath - THANK YOU, Santa! Laughing

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

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 2:31 am
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An Anna - how marvellous - and much more fun than yesterday's delivery! All that arrived then was a socket set....

Thank you helen's santa!

#35: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 6:10 am
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An Anna of my own - it's like a dream come true! Thanks Santa! Very Happy

#36: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 4:45 pm
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Yay, I'm getting an Anna, as well. Oh happy day! When will she arrive?

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

Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 11:14 pm
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Oooh! I do hope that courier company hurry up! Wink

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

Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 11:19 pm
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Will she be gift wrapped, hope they leave air holes if so.

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