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CS 2005

The CBB -> St Clare's House

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

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 12:45 am

Brilliant Frances - thankyou

and please may we have some more?

#402: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 1:01 am

*pobbles*

Thank you Fran!

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

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 9:47 am

*Borrows Kate's new word 'cos it's an excellent one*

*pobbles*

Thanks Frances

Liz

#404: Author: Liane, Location: Manchester England

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 10:34 am

Probably being very dense here but may I please ask what pobbles is?

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

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 11:56 am

Kate in Apple pie beds wrote:

*pobbles*

Pim has an extensive vocabulary.

(Pobbling is giggling and bouncing simultaneously... use it! Lots!)

Liz

#406: Author: Rosie, Location: Huntingdonshire/Bangor

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 1:44 pm

francesn wrote:

“Well,” Lil said. “It was as far away from my mother as I could get.”

*koff* Bangor *koff*

Brilliant Frances!

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

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 6:36 pm

“Come on, girls,” Miss Thompson called.

Immediately everyone gathered their belongings, Keziah bending to pick up a magazine that had fallen on the floor and exposing her regulation underwear as she did so.

“Keziah, dear,” Miss Thompson said, in a warning tone.

“Sorry, Miss T,” Keziah replied, hitching her trousers up.

Lil stared at her, bemused.

“Do all your knickers have the school logo on?” she asked curiously.

Keziah nodded, quite unselfconsciously. “Matron would have something to say if they didn’t,” she said, meaningfully.

“Oh I see,” Lil said. “And what happens if you, well, don’t have any?”

#408: Author: keren, Location: Israel

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 6:44 pm

Don't have what, knickers?
or those with the logo????

#409: Author: Tiffany,

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 7:44 pm

keren wrote:

Don't have what, knickers?
or those with the logo????

Though I s'pose if they wear trousers, no-one can see if they're wearing knickers...

Can we have some more, please? This is SO FUNNY!

#410: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 8:06 pm

Love it Frances! Please post more soon Laughing

#411: Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 8:21 pm

Tiphany wrote:

keren wrote:

Don't have what, knickers?
or those with the logo????

Though I s'pose if they wear trousers, no-one can see if they're wearing knickers...

Can we have some more, please? This is SO FUNNY!

I took it to be no knickers, wonder what Matey would say about this Shocked

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

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 10:04 pm

Thanks Frances

Liz

#413: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 11:46 pm

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

Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 4:49 pm

*giggles*

Brilliant Frances!! Thank you!!!!

#415: Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex

Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 5:13 pm

Thank you Frances

*is glad she bounced up this thread*

Is Christine getting the same treatment Frances

*still dangling on that one*

*Bounces with glee*

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

Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:34 pm

Thank you Frances!

We didn't have undies with the school logo - but we did have a special colour and style and woe betide she who branched out into individuality!

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

Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 11:15 pm

“You don’t have any knickers?” Keziah gasped.

“Well not regulation ones,” Lil said, hastily correcting herself.

“Oh,” Keziah said in a conspiratorial fashion. “Did you go for the thong or the g-string?”

Lil simply stared at her, open-mouthed.

#418: Author: Liane, Location: Manchester England

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:17 am

Love this, it's fantastic!
*pobbles*

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

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 1:14 pm

*giggles bigly*

Thanks Frances

Liz

#420: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 4:19 pm

(Incidently, what is the difference between a thong and a g-string...??!)

#421: Author: Katarzyna, Location: North West England

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 4:53 pm

Kat wrote:

(Incidently, what is the difference between a thong and a g-string...??!)

About 5mm probably
or maybe the same as between dental floss and string?

#422: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 5:23 pm

Katarzyna wrote:

Kat wrote:

(Incidently, what is the difference between a thong and a g-string...??!)

About 5mm probably
or maybe the same as between dental floss and string?

I can't wait to hear what her knickers are like!

Thanks Frances. Every post has me giggling!

#423: Author: Liane, Location: Manchester England

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 6:44 pm

Don't know if you want to know but a thong has a bit more material than a g-string. At the back of a g-string there is just elastic going in a T shape.

#424: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 10:37 pm

Ah, so thong has little triangle at the top of the 'T' bit, and a g doesnt? Confused

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

Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 4:02 am

Kat wrote:

Incidently, what is the difference between a thong and a g-string...??!

You wear thongs on your feet.

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

Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 4:19 am

Miss Di wrote:

Kat wrote:

Incidently, what is the difference between a thong and a g-string...??!

You wear thongs on your feet.

Not according to the song by the American rapper Sisko (sp) !

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

Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:11 pm

Len Entwhistle sighed as she surveyed her staff, scattered around the staff room. Things simply weren’t the same without Jeanne Lachenais’ coffee to get the term off to a good start. Summoning Charlotte to her side she sat at the head of the long table and waited for the rest of the staff to follow suit.

Daphne Bettany took her seat ungraciously. Once she was comfortable she began to examine her nails intently. However attraction Ultra Violet may have sounded on the bottle, it was hardly the right colour for a school mistress to be sporting on her fingers. Besides, it clashed with her servicable tweed suit and flat brown brogues.

Shazia took her seat nervously. The staff all seemed delightful, although she was more than mildy concerned to find out that she had been appointed form mistress of Upper Vb, were the girls were barely ten years her junior.

Daphne stared at the newest member of her department, her eyes filled with hatred. She coveted that jacket, and that asymetric skirt. The opaque tights she could do without but the shoes….the shoes…..

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

Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:18 pm

Oh dear, feel Shazia could be in for a bad time. Laughing

#429: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:43 pm

*giggles*

Yay!!

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

Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:59 pm

the shoes...the shoes...!

love it Smile

more please!!

#431: Author: Nina, Location: Peterborough, UK

Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 10:05 pm

Miss Di wrote:

Kat wrote:

Incidently, what is the difference between a thong and a g-string...??!

You wear thongs on your feet.

The thongs/flip-flops thing had to be explained to my ex-brother-in-law before it caused some v v v interesting cross-purpose conversations ... Shocked

*giggling at Daphne with tweeds and ultraviolet nails Shocked

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

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 12:53 pm

Thanks Frances

love the nailvarnish and coveting Shazia's outfit! Please, do describe the shoes for us.

Liz

#433: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 11:47 pm

*g* Daphne vs Shazia - this should be fun. Wonder how long Daphne's 'borrowing' her clothes for her alter ego!

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

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 7:43 am

Mmmmm. Shoes. Expensive shoes. Attractive shoes.

(hurridly wipes up drool and pretends interest in something else)

PS My thongs are bright pink with little (pink) plastic flowers on them Twisted Evil

#435: Author: tiffinata, Location: melbourne, australia

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 8:45 am

You are advised to wear 'thongs' in public showers....

Mine are pink rubber.

Goes well with the rubber ducky shower cap

#436: Author: Emma A, Location: The Soke of Peterborough

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 2:15 pm

Just caught up on this, Frances... I am awestruck by your astonishing imagination!
*bows* we're not worthy...

#437: Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 5:59 pm

Loving this Fran Thank you!!

*wonders why there are so many threads about thongs on this board*

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

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 9:50 pm

aitchemelle I have no idea - I am not in any way responsible for the thong discussion, in fact I was influenced by it...or rather one of the many

Keziah took her duties as sheepdog thoroughly, and as soon as they were on the plane proceeded to tell Lil about various aspects of school life.

“We’re divided into seven houses, all named after saints. It used to only be five, three in the main school and two other branches, but Mrs Entwhistle – she’s the head, and a real sweeetie – changed it when she took over about ten years ago. The first is St Nicholas, the kindergarten branch. We don’t have much to do with them cos it’s mostly under – 8s in there. Then there’s St Agnes, the Juniors, and then St Scholastika, Junior Middles. It’s named after the patron saint of where the school began, or something like that. It’s Austrian anyhow. After that is St Clare’s, the Senior Middles. We were in St Clare’s last year but this year we’ll be in Inter V, at least I hope you’ll be, cos it makes such a difference.”

“Why?” Lil ventured.

“Well in Inter V it’s the bottom form of St Therese – the Senior house. Being a Senior is much more fun than being a Middle. You get to use the Senior Common room and Library. Prep is unsupervised, we get shared studies and we’re allowed offsite without a mistress as long as it’s in our free time, we’re home by nine and we don’t go out in groups of less than four. We have to keep to bounds of course – the bar’s out of bounds f’rinstance, although it isn’t to the Millies.”

“Millies?” Lil asked, confused.

“St. Mildred’s. They’re the Sixth form – the top form in the school. They used to be some kind of finishing branch, but Mrs Entwhistle changed all that and now they’re the Sixth. Being a Millie is even better than being a Senior – they don’t have to wear uniform, they practically don’t have bounds and their curfew on Saturdays is midnight! They also get single study/bedders – Seniors share, 2 to a room, and your roomate is you study mate too. Middles are 4 to a room and they don’t get studies. They have to do Prep with a prefect watching them.”

“So who are the last house then?” Lil asked, interested.

“Oh, ST Hild’s – the staff house. It’s really for when we play inter-house matches and suchlike. Last year St Clare’s beat them, and they were furious. Most of them are Old Girls so they fancy themselves a bit!!!”

“What games do you play?” Lil inquired.

“Oh – well there’s hockey or lacrosse, netball, tennis and cricket. The school’s played them forever! Of course you only play hockey or lacrosse if you’re over fourteen, and you can’t play both. And then there’s football, swimming and boating on Lake Thun in the summer. Then we have games options, depending on the term, like Yoga, Pilates, dance, aerobics, atheletics, all sorts of stuff.”

“Cool,” Lil said. “I don’t know how I’ll fit it all in!”

“Well things like yoga and dance you can do at games clubs, as well as extra practices for other sports,” Keziah said comfortingly. “There’s any amount of things to do.”

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

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 10:21 pm

Oooo the modern version of the CS sounds like great fun!!!

Thanks Fran Very Happy

#440: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 10:30 pm

Love it!

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

Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 3:10 am

Like the sound of the up-to-date CS.

Thanks Frances.

#442: Author: Emma A, Location: The Soke of Peterborough

Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 12:53 pm

This is interesting, as I'd assumed that the rest of the drabble was set almost immediately after Len took over the Head-ship - so to find out she's been in charge for ten years is something of a surprise! Still, I like the fact the girls don't have to play lacrosse, and can do Pilates or yoga instead... much more my kind of exercise.

Thanks, Frances.

#443: Author: Liane, Location: Manchester England

Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2005 9:10 pm

*echoes the praise on the board*
Thanks fran

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

Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 9:45 pm

Even before the coaches arrived there were quite a large number of girls gathered in the great entrance hall. Many lived on the Gornetz Platz, while others lived on the other side of the world and the authorities decreed that if a girl had more than a six hour flight to school she should arrive the night before and rest thoroughly. As a result the rising bell was not rung and at sixteen hours, with the coaches expected in fifteen minutes, some seniors were still dressing hurriedly in their rooms.

#445: Author: Rosie, Location: Huntingdonshire/Bangor

Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 10:43 pm

That would so be me. You should have seen my flat mates' faces when I walked out of my room in my pjs at half 6 this evening.... I had been up and about - I just went back to bed with a headache!
This is HILARIOUS Frances, and I am enjoying it muchly! Thanks!

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

Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 10:59 pm

Thanks Frances

*wonders if the girls can get dressed as quickly these days, or if they need a lot of time to apply their make-up, curl/straighten their hair etc.*

Liz

#447: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 11:13 pm

Am wondering what they're going to end up dressed in!

#448: Author: Catherine_B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 12:06 am

Have just read all 23 pages of this and am giggling wildly to myself ROFL

This is fabulous Frances, keep it coming!!

#449: Author: spherissa,

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 4:04 am

thank you for the update Francesn, this is simply marvy

Rissa

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

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 5:19 am

Emma A wrote:

! Still, I like the fact the girls don't have to play lacrosse, and can do Pilates or yoga instead... much more my kind of exercise.

What about those of us who would rather do no exercise at all?

I like swimming though.

Especially when it involves a swim up bar Twisted Evil

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

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 11:15 pm

Kirstin and Jennie, with Peach in tow, were waiting in the large Entrance Hall.

“I don’t see why we have to stand around,” Peach groused. “Aunt Len wouldn’t mind if we were late, after all – we are family.” This last with a snide look at Jennie Barass.

“Cos it’s good manners,” Jennie snapped. Turning to Kirstin she muttered, “Sorry, K, I know she’s related but she whines so.”

Peach stalked off to talk to Jacynth and Miriam, standing at the foot of the stairs in frosty silence, calling over her shoulder, “I heard that, you know.”

“Stuck up little cow,” Kirstin spat, venemously. “She’ll get taken down a peg or two here. Family doesn’t matter here nearly so much as she thinks.”

#452: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 12:26 am

*g* at Miss Di. Sounds like my kind of pool!

thanks fran!

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

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 12:42 am

Thanks Frances

*wonders if the CS will have a Miss Di-style pool*

Liz

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

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 5:46 am

Thanks Frances! Laughing

#455: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 10:15 pm

Great stuff, thanks Frances!

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

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 10:23 pm

“Hi coz,” Peach said casually.

Miriam turned on the intruder and froze her with a look. Jacynth shifted uncomfortably. Peach had the grace to turn a becoming shade of pink.

“Umm Peach,” Jacynth started, “see while we’re at school we try not to mention the family connection….” She trailed off under Miriam’s glare.

Peach, impervious to Miriam, blithely asked – “Why not? Guess I want everyone to know who I am.”

“You might want to lie low for a while,” Miriam said ominously.

“Not my style,” Peach said dismissively.

Jacynth sighed. How could she make this obtuse little girl see sense?

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

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 10:38 pm

Wishes Jacynth luck! Laughing

#458: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 10:51 pm

Oh isn't Peach just going to be a little darling to deal with! Laughing

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

Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2005 3:03 am

Oh well Peach will be *larned*...CS 2005-style!

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

Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2005 9:13 am

Thanks Frances Laughing

Liz

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

Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2005 12:39 pm

*g* at Peach!!! Laughing

Thanks Fran Very Happy

#462: Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria

Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2005 11:50 pm

Oh Peaches is going to get a shock!
Thanks Francesn

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

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 10:54 pm

Meanwhile most of the rest of the school had tumbled into the Hall, all immaculately styled and made up, but with some tell-tale signs that their dressing had been rather hurried. Jacynth’s quick eyes noticed that Georgiana Preedy had neglected to put any earrings in and Oneida Cheyenne had simply scraped her hair into a ponytail.

However, surveying them, Jacynth agreed that they, for the most part, looked quite respectable. Len had insisted upon sticking to a uniform, and the rows of girls in cream blouses, gentian blue skirts and blazers of the same shade looked very smart. The coaches were drawing up outside, and the girls filed into the Hall in an orderly fashion, each carrying her traveling case, the rest being unloaded by the school’s groundstaff and supervised by Gaudenz.

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

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 5:01 am

Chalet school girls not wearing jewellry, wearing hair in pony tail? Horrors!

Thanks Frances.

#465: Author: Emma A, Location: The Soke of Peterborough

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 1:01 pm

Is this the same Gaudenz? He must be getting on a bit if he is! Or is this a son or grandson?

May we have some more please, Frances?

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

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 4:47 pm

Maybe Gaudenz is supervising because he's getting on a bit?!? Wink

Thank you Frances!!

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

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 10:36 pm

Coming into the Hall, sticking close to Keziah, Lil was overawed by the mass of blue which confronted her.

“This way,” Keziah hissed. “Stay here for the moment, I expect you’ll be in Inter V cos I sheepdogged you.”

Lil nodded, her heart in her mouth.

The minute Keziah entered the hall, Kirstin and Jennie turned round and grinned widely at her. Keziah indicated Lil with a jerk of her head and Kirstin waved cheerily. She surreptitiously poked Jennie, and whispered.

“I know who that is.”

Jennie raised her eyebrows questioningly but was unable to reply as at the moment Len came to the front of the Hall.

#468: Author: Liane, Location: Manchester England

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 10:42 pm

Yay an update thanks Fran.

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

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 10:49 pm

Thank you. Laughing

#470: Author: Emma A, Location: The Soke of Peterborough

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 8:23 am

Thanks for the update, Frances, but... too short! Please may we have more?
((Lil)) - I think she might need them if Kirstin knows who she is!

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

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 9:52 pm

“I won’t keep you too long, girls,” she said, smiling. “Form lists are up on the noticeboard in the Hall. Kaffee und Kuchen will be in half an hour. After Kaffee I would like to see all the new girls in my study, please ask your sheepdogs to show you the way. Dismiss.”

“She always keeps it to the point.” Keziah hissed to Lil. “Miss Wilmot went on for ever apparently.”

Lil nodded. “What’s Kaffee und Kuchen?” she asked.

“Coffee and Cakes – literally. It’s our afternoon meal,” Keziah replied. “Come on, follow me to the hall. We’ll find out forms soon enough.”

Obediently Lil followed Keziah, Jennie and Kirstin. She noticed that Kirstin kept giving her strange looks and Jennie seemed puzzled, however Keziah chattered on blithely ignoring any discomfort Lil may have felt.

Eventually they stopped before a large noticeboard with a long list of names.

"Oh fandabulous!" Keziah shrieked. "Inter V here we come. Out of UIVa - only lasted there a term!!!" She hugged Kirstin and Jennie violently before turning to scan the list for more names.

"Ooooh look, Cecy de Bersac's with us," Kirstin said, pulling a face. "She's awful - infant prodigy."

"Well she was tied top in UIVa with you last term, Kirst, so you can't complain," Jennie pointed out. "And by rights the two of you should still be there, but you found the work too easy I suppose."

Keziah nodded understandingly. "You need stretching."

"That sounds painful," Lil said with a shudder.

"Oh I'd forgotten you were there," Keziah said goodnaturedly. "Let's see where you are."

"Inter V," Kirstin responded.

"Oh?" Keziah said, puzzled. "I didn't see her name."

"Really?!" Kirstin said with a grin. "How'd ya miss a trainload like that?"

"But...but Lil's not there!!!!" Keziah retorted, scanning the board furiously.

"Oh but she is," Kirstin said. "Our newest celebrity - Bluelilypilly X. M. C. Silke."

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

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 10:57 pm

Poor Lil!!!!

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

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2005 1:25 am

francesn wrote:

Kirstin said. "Our newest celebrity - Bluelilypilly X. M. C. Silke."

I should have gone to bed ages ago - but that was so worth staying up for!! Laughing

Thanks Frances

Liz

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

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2005 7:48 am

That poor girl! Being saddled with those names! What is it anout 'celebrities' that make them want to terminally embarrass their kids! Laughing

#475: Author: Emma A, Location: The Soke of Peterborough

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2005 8:23 am

Poor Lil! Hope Kirstin isn't going to be unkind. Lovely update, Frances (and a nice long one, too) - love the bit about Miss Wilmot going on forever Smile

.

(((Lil))) more hugs

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

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2005 8:37 am

Poor Lil, the secrets out! I hope it only causes a minor sensation Very Happy

*puts in a plea for the X. M. C. to be revealed, unless they are her middle names* Shocked

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

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2005 10:41 pm

Ally

Quote:

puts in a plea for the X. M. C. to be revealed, unless they are her middle names

Frances did tell us what they are, one's Xanthe.

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

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2005 10:49 pm

you can make educated guesses about Lil's names....is shall sit here and laugh

Peach followed her assigned sheepdogs disconsolately. Despite Victoria, Venetia and Vivienne Griffiths being some kind of cousin Peach really didn’t feel that she connected with them. She hoped she wouldn’t be in a form with them. 3V – as they termed themselves – chattered and giggled, speaking in the half-sentences that so irritated their family and staff at the Chalet School. Victoria, the eldest triplet, was in the way of being a leader and had more than her fair share of mischief. Left alone Venetia and Vivienne were for the most part law-abiding citizens but Victoria was another matter entirely.

Raching the Hall the triplets headed for the section of the noticeboard where they expected to find the lists for Lower III. Scanning the lists for Lower IIIa they first came across Peach’s name, then Vivienne’s, then Venetia’s. Victoria’s was nowhere to be seen.

“There must be some mistake,” Victoria said, paling. “We can’t be in different forms.”

“Well you aren’t in Lower IIIb,” Venetia said comfortingly.

“No,” Vivienne said slowly. “You’re in Upper IIIb.”

The triplets looked at each other and burst out crying. Peach took a large step backwards, straight into the path of Mariel Brooks, the Games Prefect.

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

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 10:33 am

Thanks Frances Laughing

Liz

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

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 4:56 pm

Thanks Frances! What on earth are 3V going to do???

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

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 9:44 pm

Oh dear! Looks as though Victoria is also cleverer than the other two.

Thanks for the update Frances.

#482: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 4:21 pm

Shenanigans await no doubt! Will she try and get herself demoted?

Thanks Fran Very Happy

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

Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 10:31 pm

“Watch where you’re going, you little idiot!” Mariel said. “That could have been nasty.”

Rather than looking suitable chastened Peach elevated her nose and said haughtily, “I am smaller than you, you know. Go and tread on someone your own size.”

All those within earshot gasped. Such impudence to such an important personage on the very first day of term.

Venetia and Victoria each took an arm while Vivienne tried to pacify their relative.

“She’s new, not been to boarding school before, comes from America, awfully sorry, won’t happen again,” Vivienne gabbled, backing away, for the games prefect’s fiery temper was known throughout the school.

Venetia and Victoria hustled Peach away quickly leaving Vivienne standing before Mariel looking very small and insignificant. At the sound of shouting from the direction of the Third form splasheries Vivienne nodded, turned and scurried off.

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

Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 10:49 pm

Peach is NOT making a good impression! Laughing

Thanks Frances.

#485: Author: Liane, Location: Manchester England

Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 11:15 pm

Poor 3V. I can see myself gabbling like that, very funny. Thanks for the update.

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

Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 11:58 pm

Love Peach's response!

Thanks Frances

Liz

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

Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 10:55 pm

As she arrived in the Splasheries she could hear Peach giving the other two triplets a piece of her mind.

“Hauling me about like that – so rough!” Peach was saying as she entered. “And just who that big girl thought she was I don’t know, but I don’t like her.”

“Peach, we…” Venetia began.

“I hate this school, I wish I’d never come. Full of rude girls who think far too much of themselves.”

“I don’t know what you girls are doing here,” Miss Bettany said. “Let alone talking.”

Peach swung rounnd to face the distinctly unamused mistress with an angelic air. Victoria, Venetia and Vivienne tried to disappear.

“Come with me, you silly little girls,” Miss Bettany said. “I am well aware that this is the first day and rules as such are in abeyance but some things are not to be tolerated.”

To her immense surprise Peach remained stock still giving the mistress a “Manhattan once-over.”

“Chipped nail varnish, oh-so-achingly-unfashionable skirt length, so-last-season-tweed, flat shoes, easy on the eyeliner, Croydon facelift….” Peach was muttering under her breath.

Daphne Bettany turned red and taking two steps towards Peach said in her most terrifying voice – “Just what do you mean by this impertinence?”

#488: Author: Tiffany,

Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 11:18 pm

francesn wrote:

To her immense surprise Peach remained stock still giving the mistress a “Manhattan once-over.”

“Chipped nail varnish, oh-so-achingly-unfashionable skirt length, so-last-season-tweed, flat shoes, easy on the eyeliner, Croydon facelift….” Peach was muttering under her breath.

Fantastic! ROFL

Thankyou!

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

Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 11:32 pm

Don't know who I want to win this one

Daphne Bettany v Peaches!!!!!

Thanks yoy.

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

Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 9:16 am

Lesley wrote:

Don't know who I want to win this one

Daphne Bettany v Peaches!!!!!

Me neither, but it should be fun to watch!

Thanks Fran

Liz

#491: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 5:19 pm

Go Daphne!!!

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

Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 6:12 pm

Ooooh!!!! Bitchfight coming up!!!!

#493: Author: Liane, Location: Manchester England

Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 7:14 pm

Absoloutly fantastic!

#494: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 12:37 am

Ooo - looking forward to this battle!

thanks fran!

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

Posted: Sun May 08, 2005 8:41 am

Bitchfight! Awesome!

Soon please?

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

Posted: Tue May 10, 2005 8:04 am

francesn wrote:

“Chipped nail varnish, oh-so-achingly-unfashionable skirt length, so-last-season-tweed, flat shoes, easy on the eyeliner, Croydon facelift….” Peach was muttering under her breath.

Please Francesn, who or what is a Croydon facelift?

(surepticiously examining fingernails for chips)

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

Posted: Tue May 10, 2005 8:11 am

It's a very tight ponytail that pulls the skin of the face back and up! See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croydon_facelift

Liz

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

Posted: Tue May 10, 2005 9:28 pm

The only problem with a Croydon facelift (known as a Bridgewater facelift in Hobart!) is that it doesn't remove the double chin.

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

Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 9:39 pm

“Come with me,” Miss Bettany said.

“Where to?” Peach said coolly.

“The headmistress, “ Miss Bettany replied icily.

“Oh OK then!” Peach said cheerfully, fondly imagining that she would get a much kinder reception from a family member.

They walked through the corridors in silence, Miss Bettany icily furious, Peach smug and complacent. At last they reached the annexe which held Len’s rooms at the school and her office. Miss Bettany stepped into the outer room where Megan and Charlotte Parker were involved in a heated discussion. Daphne caught a few words “shoes….evening dresses……..shopping in Dubai is fantastic…..designer” and strained to listen before an imperious voice at her side called her back to her duty.

“Are we there yet?” Peach asked, staring round at the spacious waiting area.

“We are,” Daphne confirmed. “Miss Parker, is the headmistress available?”

Megan straightened. “One moment, I’ll just buzz through and ask.” Pressing the intercom on her desk she said, “Daphne’s brought a pupil to see you, Mrs E.”

“Send her through,” came the resigned reply.

Daphne acknowledged with a nod, and waving Peach in front of her, entered the study.

#500: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 10:19 pm

Love the 'Mrs E' Mr. Green

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

Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 10:57 pm

Now will this be as good a reunion as Peaches fondly expects?

Thanks Frances.

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

Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 8:12 am

Looking forward to this interview

Thanks Frances Laughing

Liz

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

Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 10:54 pm

“I don’t know what’s up with those two,” Megan complained. “Daphne always maintains the iciest of icy relations with Mrs E.”

“Families,” Charlotte sighed. “All the rest of them, even the more distant relations, she’s quite happy to be friendly with but those two just never hit it off.”

“Daphne’s a complete misfit. It’s only this term I’ve been able to stop calling her Ms. Bettany – Ms. Mind you, never Miss.”

“Dried up old spinster,” Charlotte observed. “Funny really, with the others in the family. They all seem to marry quite young.”

Megan sighed gustily. “Not like us then.”

Charlotte gave an equally gusty sigh. “No….”

“What became of that nice doctor you were seeing?” Megan asked. “You were getting on rather well.”

“I don’t know,” Charlotte said. “It wasn’t anything very exciting. I mean, he didn’t rescue me from a flood, like Reg did to Len, or save a pupil from drowning, like Dr Graves,”

“Not to mention Dr Courvoisier,” Megan chipped in.

“No, exactly,” Charlotte agreed. “There was something missing.”

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

Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 10:58 pm

Love the idea that the doctor isn't complete without the dramatic rescue Laughing

Thanks Frances

Liz

#505: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 1:42 am

Brilliant as ever Fran

Love Len's resigned tone - get the feeling Daphne drags a LOT of pupils her way!

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

Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 2:50 pm

Inside the study Daphne had finished detailing Peach’s outrageous impudence.

“She completely failed to show any respect, which is due to any member of staff, let alone someone in my position,” she wound up irritably.

“Well, Daphne,” Len started gently, “I’m sure that Peach didn’t mean to be rude.”

“Hmmmph,” came the inelegant reply.

“Nevertheless I am going to ask Peach to apologise to you,” Len went on. “Peach – maybe you don’t yet understand the rules here, but rudeness in any form is not tolerated.”

Peach, who hated apologising for any misdeed and had done ever since an early age flew into a temper.

“But Aunt Len, she was rude to me first and then she brought me to see you. I was sure you would take the family’s side here!”

“But Peach,” Len replied, trying to smother a giggle, “Daphne is family, and a closer relation to me than you are.”

Peach, caught, did her best impression of a stranded codfish.

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

Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 3:03 pm

Oh dear, that's flumoxed Peach!

Thanks Frances. Laughing

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

Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 5:20 pm

Thanks Frances - love Len trying to smother her giggle!

Liz

#509: Author: Emma A, Location: The Soke of Peterborough

Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 6:02 pm

Hee hee! Like Peach's imitation of a stranded codfish!

Thank-you, Frances.

#510: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 6:36 pm

Just done a BIG CATCH UP here, Frances and it's as funny and good as ever. There are just too many little gems to mention but I love the way it's still recognisable CS but outrageous Razz

#511: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 7:58 pm

Thank you!!

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

Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 1:27 pm

After collecting their coffee and delectable pastries made in the school’s kitchens Kirstin, Jennie, Keziah and Lil retired to a quiet corner.

“So why did you come to the Chalet School?” Kirstin asked. “Any family been before?”

“Ummm no,” Lil replied. “I…I liked the prospectus….and the location.”

Kirstin nodded. “Course I’m a bit biased cos I’ve lived here for most of my life,” she laughed, “but I think it’s the best place in the world.”

Lil’s brow furrowed. “You’ve been at this school all your life?” she asked, enviously. “I can’t imagine that kind of stability. I always had to leave after a few terms. My mother made it impossible.”

Kirstin’s eyes darkened. “Well after my Mum and Dad died, Gramps couldn’t look after me – Granny had died years before, and he was too busy. So he sent me to his mother, Granny-Jo - you'll meet her soon, she lives next door. And I’ve been to school here ever since.”

“Why on earth will your great-gran want to meet me?” Lil asked, confused.

“She always does,” Jennie said. “Some tradition. No-one’s quite sure when it started, but she was the school’s first pupil and it feels like she’s done it forever. She used to have the new girls in one go but now she has them in 2 lots – family and non-family!”

“Oh do you have cousins here, Kirstin?” Lil inquired innocently.

Keziah and Jennie burst out laughing. Kirstin looked affronted.

“First cousins – none,” she retorted.

“Second cousins?” Keziah prompted.

“Thirty-six,” Kirstin muttered.

“Third cousins?” Jennie nudged.

“Fifty-nine,” she mumbled.

“And how many other relatives?” Keziah smirked.

“Bout a dozen,” Kirstin said unwillingly.

Keziah and Jennie smiled triumphantly

“Which makes it….”

“By our reckoning….”

“But wait - that’s over a hundred!!!!” Lil said, horrified.

“One hundred and seven to be precise,” they chorused gleefully.

Kirstin hung her head in shame.

#513: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 1:50 pm

Poor Kirstin!! Laughing

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

Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 2:17 pm

Poor girl - no chance that any of her misdeads don't get reported back then! Laughing

Thanks Frances.

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

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 12:51 pm

That evening the school gathered for the beginning of term assembly in the hall. Shazia, sitting to one side of the raised dais, surveyed the girls below. She noticed her own form, sitting near the back as befitted young ladies of their standing in the school, and on the other side of the dais the empty chairs where the prefects would sit. Currently all the sixth-formers were sat together at the back of the hall, however from tomorrow the chosen girls would sit at the front, with the staff.

Len stood up and crossed to the lectern.

“Good evening, girls,” she said pleasantly. “I hope you are not too tired after your journey. By now you all know your forms, dormitories and timetables so we should be off to a flying start tomorrow. Your housemistresses will organise your unpacking tomorrow. Now before I announce the prefects we will commence with our customary meditation.”

Peach looked around in interest as the girls, evidently used to this practice, made themselves comfortable.

Lil, seated between Kirstin and Keziah, stared around in disbelief.

Jacynth, sat at the back out of sight, composed her features and settled for fifteen minutes of delicious daydreaming about the rather delectable Dr Carmichael.

#516: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 1:01 pm

Thanks, Frances, this is wonderful.

#517: Author: Emma A, Location: The Soke of Peterborough

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 1:23 pm

francesn wrote:

Jacynth, sat at the back out of sight, composed her features and settled for fifteen minutes of delicious daydreaming about the rather delectable Dr Carmichael.

Note to Jacynth - that's NOT what meditation is for!

Thank-you, Frances - as good as ever!

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

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 1:54 pm

Emma A wrote:

francesn wrote:

Jacynth, sat at the back out of sight, composed her features and settled for fifteen minutes of delicious daydreaming about the rather delectable Dr Carmichael.

Note to Jacynth - that's NOT what meditation is for!

Whyever not? Laughing

Thanks Frances

Liz

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

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 3:50 pm

Wonderful Fran, thank you Very Happy

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

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 8:44 pm

So New Age! Rolling Eyes

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

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 9:24 pm

Poor Kirstin! Shocked

Jacynth, how naughty!

Still loving this.

#522: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 4:23 pm

Jacynth, you norty girl! Laughing

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

Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 6:35 pm

*giggles*

I LOVE Kirstin's reluctance to say how many cousins etc she has....... Very Happy

#524: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 8:58 pm

Emma A wrote:

francesn wrote:

Jacynth, sat at the back out of sight, composed her features and settled for fifteen minutes of delicious daydreaming about the rather delectable Dr Carmichael.

Note to Jacynth - that's NOT what meditation is for!!

But it makes it soooo much more fun! Wink

Thanks Fran - love how proud Kirstin is of the Maynard/Bettany/Russell mafia! Laughing

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

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 10:45 am

just realised I've left the girls meditating for nearly a month! and I'm sure you're all dying to know what Jacynth is thinking....I have to say this was SO much fun to write - maybe I should take this up full time *considers*

"Jacynth - how are you feeling?" Dr Carmichael asked considerately, sitting on the edge of her bed.

It was so nice of him to come and see her after she had fainted, she mused. But then in her daydreams Dr Carmichael was always kind, solicitous, considerate, passionate....

She looked at him with wide innocent eyes.

"Quite lightheaded," she replied breathlessly.

He trailed his fingers down her arm, sending shivers down her spine. She fixed her eyes on his well-cut lips, acutely aware of his burning gaze.

"Jacynth," he said throatily, tilting her chin and meeting her gaze with smouldering eyes. Her lips parted as his head bent down to.....

A dig in the ribs from Mariel Brooks, seated next to her jolted her back to reality.

"You were miles away," she hissed.

"If only," Jacynth murmured. "If only."

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

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 2:22 pm

Thanks Frances

Good to see more of this Very Happy

Wonder if Jacynth's meditation is along the lines of visualisation, where if you keep picture it, it will come true Wink

Liz

#527: Author: Emma A, Location: The Soke of Peterborough

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 5:24 pm

Hee hee! For a moment I though we were in St Hild's sitting room Wink

Thanks for the update, Frances.

#528: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 9:06 am

Thanks Fran.

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

Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 9:29 pm

Yay a bit more...! Please may we have some more, more?

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

Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 9:37 pm

Mrs Entwhistle returned to the lectern and began to speak.

“Welcome to the Chalet School,” she said pleasantly. “It falls to me the delightful task of announcing our prefects for this term. House prefects are – St Nicholas, Florabelle Bettany; St Agnes, Helen Peters; St Scholastika, Jocelyn Kerry; St Clare, Rhinwen Evans; St Therese, Aiko Nakada and St Mildreds Maria Helston. Prefects: Shamara Abdul-Aziz, Sierna Aristedes, Gemma Butler, Oneida Cheyenne, Rebekah Cohen, Kirima Jorgesson, Paschale Mensch, Halla Mngatuno, Kalonice Thomas and Qing-Chen Wang. Sub-prefects: Jacqueline Carrington, Ventura de Feria, Nyoko Kazuki, Judith Keiner, Natesa Patel and Sephi Wilkinson.

Our Games Prefect is Mariel Brooks, and her deputy is Nuala O’Connell. Our Second Prefect is Miriam Maynard, and our Head Girl Jacynth Lowry.”

A burst of clapping greeted this statement, for Jacynth was well liked throughout the school. Various members of the Maynard clan looked discomfited – cousins as Head Girl and Second Prefect, it was just too bad.

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

Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 9:40 pm

*giggles at the idea of not wanting cousins to be headgirl etc*

Thanks Frances

Liz

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

Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 9:49 pm

Should imagine half the School is related to each other! Laughing

Thanks Frances.

#533: Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield

Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 4:02 pm

The prefects names! Shocked

Thanks Frances.

#534: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 10:02 pm

Quote:

Paschale Mensch

Glad to see the Joey's not the only 'foundation stone' with relatives still at the school! What a Christian name too!

Thanks fran - am so glad this is back Laughing

#535: Author: Rosy, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth

Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 2:44 pm

I just read that all in one go.
Fabulous. I can't wait to read some more. Thankyou so much FrancesN!

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

Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2005 3:26 pm

*sighs*

Such wonderous names, thanks Fran Very Happy

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

Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 3:09 pm

Lessons commenced the following morning, the first for Inter V being “Current Affairs” taken by Miss Helston.

“Miss Helston’s cool,” Keziah whispered to Lil. “She’s really young, and she’s getting married soon. She tells us all about it.”

“Cool,” Lil said, trying to come to terms with the easy relationship which existed between staff and pupils at the Chalet School.

“Her Current Affairs lessons are the best,” Jennifer interjected. “Just wait til you see our textbook.”

Lil frowned – Current Affairs at her old school had been a rather dry and uninteresting topic, taken by a mistress who looked anything but current. Miss Helston appeared rather different from afar – she had been wearing a rather cool outfit (gyspy skirt, 3 tops in contrasting colours and an oversized cardigan, accessorised with Moroccan leather belt) but you could never tell with teachers, could you?

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

Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 3:13 pm

Good to see this back - thanks Fran Very Happy

francesn wrote:

but you could never tell with teachers, could you?

No, definitely not!

Liz

#539: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 8:26 pm

Hurrah, it's back!

Thanks fran Very Happy

#540: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 12:16 pm

I love the way they automatically assess a teacher's clothes to help them decide whether they like her.

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

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2005 1:13 am

Miss Helston duly arrived, five minutes late, and looking remarkably flustered. The girls however didn’t seem to mind and greeted her excitedly so Lil deduced that this teacher must indeed be a firm favourite.

Miss Helston held up her hand to quell the noise.

“Welcome back everyone – hope you had a fab holidays. Well a lot’s been happening in the world of Current Affairs since you left, and I’ve brought along some material to help you catch up with all the events.” She waved a hand at the two bulging bags she’d brought with her.

“Any volunteers to distribute copies?” she asked, smiling. A forest of hands waved in the air.

“Jennie, Keziah, Alicia, Cecilie – you four will do. The rest of you chat amongst yourselves for a sec.”

Lil started open mouth as from the bags Miss Helston produced copies of Heat, OK!, Hello! and Closer.

“Now, girls,” Miss Helston said, perching on the edge of the desk. “Where shall we start?”

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

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2005 4:30 am

Haven't heard of Heat or Closer...but Laughing

Brilliant.

My kind of current affairs! I was quite disappointed there was no queue at the supermarket checkout last night - no chance to catch up on the Jen/Brad/Hussy saga!

#543: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 4:15 pm

Excellent!

Thanks Fran.

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

Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 1:12 am

First lesson for the Upper 6th was domestic science. The Chalet School did not eschew what it considered to be an important part of life after school. Indeed domestic science was a compulsory subject for all girls as soon as they reached St Clare’s to the minute they left the school.

The previous term they had been looking in detail about the attributes and qualities of a good wedding planner, and gaining knowledge of how to handle catering companies, florist and wedding dress designers in the event of a wedding planner not being available. This term, they were delighted to discover, they would be focussing on employing nannies and cleaners, starting that day with nannies.

“A good nanny is essential for the smooth running of any household with children,” Mrs Stone said profoudly. “For a professional mother a nanny is indispensible, for a mother who works from home a nanny is a blessing, for a full-time mother a nanny will give you those precious moments to yourself and save you the chores associated with your children. A trained nanny will make your life much easier, and you will raise healthier and happier children.”

Shamara Adbul-Aziz raised her hand.

“Yes, my dear,” Mrs Stone said.

“Would you advise us to employ maternity nannies?” Shamara asked.

“Certainly for your first child a specialist maternity nanny is absolutely essential. For your subsequent children your usual nanny should have sufficient training to care for your newborn, although you may wish to consider employing a night nanny to allow her some rest, maybe two or three nights per week.”

“What sort of training will a nanny have?” Rhianwen Evans enquired.

“Your standard nanny will have a Diploma in Child Care and Education awarded by the CACHE, formerly known as the NNEB diploma. Only ever employ British trained nannies,” Mrs Stone cautioned. “Their training is thorough, varied and valued throughout the world. Now, occasionally nannies are qualified with National Vocational Qualifications – look for at least a level 3 - or other Diplomas and Certificates such as the NAMCW Certificate, a PLA Diploma or other CACHE awards.”

She paused for a moment to allow the girls to make notes.

“Your nanny should also have a First Aid certificate specialising in paediatric recusitation, a Food Hygiene certificate, a driving license and clear CRB check.”

Qing-Chen Wang raised a tentative hand. “Please, Mrs Stone – what is the CRB?”

Mrs Stone beamed. “An excellent question,” she enthused. “Can anyone else enlighten Qing-Chen?”

Miriam Maynard’s hand shot up. “It stands for the Criminal Records Bureau. If you request a check on someone any criminal convictions, offences or warnings will be displayed. You use it to assess someone’s suitability to work in your home, in a potentially unsupervised position, and to make sure they aren’t dangerous to children. Cleaners should have them too, shouldn’t they, Mrs Stone?”

“Quite right, Miriam!” Mrs Stone exclaimed. “Now all nannies from colleges will have a CRB. There are two sorts of colleges in England offering childcare qualifications – the first is a state-funded college of higher education. They will only offer the Diploma in Childcare and Education. The other sort are private, residential nursery nurse training colleges, of which there are three. Nannies trained there live on site and wear a uniform. They gain a wide range of experience - in on-site nurseries, hospitals, private families and other childcare settings. They graduate with the DCE and usually another diploma awarded by the college. Nannies from the Norland Nursery Nurse Training College are classed as probationers for the first nine monthes – never employ a probationer!.”

“Whyever not?” Rhianwen asked.

“Probationers are inexperienced, liable to make mistakes and require almost constant supervision. The fact that their salaries are significantly lower are immaterial – all of you will have a sufficient income to pay for a trained and experienced nanny.”

“Which are the other colleges?” Jocelyn Kerry asked. “Mummy only ever employed Norlanders.”

“The Princess Christian college and The Chiltern College,” Mrs Stone said. “Goodness me that was the bell, how the time has flown! Right, the first part of your preparation is researching in detail and assessing the various qualifications nannies may have, the second is finding out about the three private nursery nurse training colleges. And thirdly I would like you to consider the types of techniques you would employ when interviewing prospective nannies and cleaners. Good-bye girls – I shall see you next week when we will discuss cleaners in detail.”

“Oh I can’t wait,” Jacynth said, sarcastically. “I just can’t contain my excitement.”

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

Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 1:19 am

Thanks Fran

Liz

#546: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 11:35 am

Lovely, what a wonderful education they're getting! So very CS!

#547: Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria

Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 10:30 pm

Only just noticed the last 2 updates Embarassed

#548: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2005 10:29 am

Brilliant. Love the 'attributes of a wedding planner'!

Thanks fran.

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

Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2005 9:41 pm

Highly practical education - why learn how to boil potatoes when you'll never do it?

Last edited by Lyanne on Tue Aug 30, 2005 10:19 pm; edited 1 time in total

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

Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 11:07 pm

The first week of term was over and things had settled into a recognisable routine. The new girls and staff were expected at Freudesheim for the traditional “English Tea” provided by Joey Maynard on the Saturday and, in the words of Mrs Entwhistle, everything was quite as it should be.

Jacynth surveyed the assembled prefects with a jaundiced eye. It was their second meeting, the first having dealt with the tiresome business of allocating duties, arranging cover for prep and reviewing the rules. The weekly meeting, in Jacynth’s eyes was a mere formality and she had a proposal up her sleeve to liven it up.

“Prefect bonding,” she intoned seriously. “A matter of great importance.”

That got their attention. They had rather been expecting a lecture on misbehaving middles (been there, done that), the necessity of keeping order in prep (essential for completing one’s own work) or a general update on the events of the term. But Jacynth was about to show herself as a very different head-girl.

“I think our weekly meetings should take place off campus,” she remarked to the assembly.

“Where did you have in mind?” Miriam enquired, not entirely averse to the idea of getting away from school, but feeling duty bound to oppose any hare-brained scheme of her cousin’s.

“Well…..SugarCube Le chevre, Collete’s, Das pferd or Amelie’s.”

The prefects sat in stunned silence. Never before had it been suggested that meetings take place outside the hallowed confines of the prefects room, let alone in the trendiest clubs or pubs on the Platz.

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

Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 1:11 am

Yay - down with tradition

but do they have to take certain sacred items (wall brackets, clocks, busts of composers etc) with them Laughing

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

Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 8:42 am

Listen to that sound.......it's Madge Russell turning in her grave! Laughing

#553: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 11:43 am

yes, I can hear it, Lesley.

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

Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 5:14 pm

ooooh yes - I'm sure they can come up with some really ingenious punishments for the middles over a bottle of something Wink

Thanks Fran ROFL

Liz

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

Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 5:31 pm

While Jacynth was stunning the prefects into silence Lil was chattering anxiously to Kirstin Maynard.

“You know your great-gran’s tea party,” she began hesistantly.

“Yep, sure do,” Kirstin replied. “This Saturday coming.”

“Yes….thing is, I’m not sure who I should invite,” Lil burst out. “I mean I don’t want to offend anyone. And they do rather sound like an occasion.”

Kirstin leant over with a conspiratorial whisper. “You’re not going to offend anyone by leaving them behind,” she confided.

Lil’s expression changed from nervous anxiety to complete wonderment. “I won’t?” she asked.

Kirstin shook her head. “Ohhh no. See, Lil, they’re the most frightful bore. No-one actually wants to go.”

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

Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 5:47 pm

Hehe, so thats a whole new dilemma of who you are going to put out by inviting them Laughing

Thanks Fran, Jacynth is a great Head Girl Very Happy

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

Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 6:21 pm

Thanks Fran - wonder who Lil will pick

Liz

#558: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2005 12:58 pm

*g* Wonder if Joey's still getting the photo albums out and telling the same stories!

Thanks Fran Laughing

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

Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2005 7:42 pm

Laetitia stared in the full length mirror pensively. Her bump was rather pronounced now, and she wasn’t sure that her maternity clothes were going to fit for that much longer. And, heavens above, was that a stretch mark?

She reached for her La Prairie body crème and was unpleasantly surprised to find the tub nearly empty.

“Mums!” she yelled, even though she was fully aware that her mother was only next door.

Cecily appeared in seconds, wrapped in a peach silk robe, her face covered in a clay mask.

“What is it, dear?” she asked excitedly. “Are the babies coming?”

Joey had happened to be passing the door at this moment and she burst in without knocking.

“Are your babies on the way, my girl?” she cried. “We must send for a doctor at once.”

“Errr no, does it look like it?” Laetitia replied, shoving her bump forward. “No all I wanted was more of that La Prairie stuff. Can you send one of the staff to get me some more?”

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

Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2005 8:31 pm

Love the comment from Joey! Laughing

#561: Author: Alex, Location: Hunts, UK

Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2005 8:58 pm

Just read all of this Fran. LMAO! And if Laetitia is continuing the Each, Peach, Pear, Plum tradition, I think she should call her triplets Tom Thumb, Robin Hood and Little Boy Blue.

#562: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 8:17 am

I love the way Joey hasn't been able to keep up with the changing times.

#563: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 5:13 pm

love the image of Cecil there!

Thanks Fran.

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

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 5:55 pm

Keziah and Lil sat with thirty other girls in the salon of Freudesheim. They had “enjoyed” a riotous game of slides, and were now being offered creamy confections and carbohydrate laden cakes provided by their hostess. Most of them refused the delights on offer, and piles of cakes lay uneaten on the tea-trolley. No matter – this would provide tea for the Maynard household. Some girls sipped their tea politely, others had shoved the cups and saucers under their chairs as far as they would go, despising the stone-cold milky drink.

Joey Maynard sat in state by the fire with Bianca on her lap, regaling the unfortunate school girls with tales of her own schooldays. Most of the girls however were more interested in the dog in her lap than the stories she was telling, Adriana Mephistes pronouncing Bianca the “dinkiest little dog you ever saw”. Pear and Plum sat at their great-grandmother’s feet entranced by the stories. Peach distanced herself from them as much as possible. She had tried to excuse herself to see her mother but had been told firmly by one of the many maids that her mother was resting and not to be disturbed.

“And of course, we knew there was something strange about the girl….” Joey was saying.

Lil surreptitiously glanced at her watch. Keziah nudged her. “No use,” she hissed. “She’s only reached Dorcas Brown. We’ve got Mary-Lou, Carola, Nina, Jack Lambert, Jane, Flavia, Adrienne, Samantha and Samaris….”

Keziah trailed off as she registered the horror on Lil’s face.

“How long do you reckon it’ll take?” Lil hissed.

“At least three hours, possibly four,” Keziah replied cheerfully. “And I still haven’t finished all my prep.”

#565: Author: keren, Location: Israel

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 7:02 pm

This made really made me laugh

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

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 7:41 pm

Love that they know what's coming! Laughing

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

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 7:44 pm

#568: Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 7:49 pm

Love it
looking forward to the prefects offsite meeting!

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

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 12:34 am

Thanks Fran - wonder how many times Keziah has listened to that lot!

Liz

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

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 9:08 pm

Jacynth on the other hand was spending a pleasant afternoon drinking coffee with one Dr Elliot Carmichael, having had to visit the San for a post-op check-up.

“No tenderness?” he enquired solicitously.

“No undue tenderness,” she corrected him, lowering her lashes modestly.

“I’m not fooled, Ms Lowry,” he said affably. “I know you’re watching me intently, your eyes gleaming wickedly.”

Jacynth’s blue eyes flew open. “Indeed?” she queried frostily, somewhat ashamed at being caught out so easily.

“Indeed,” he replied. “I had the pleasure of two weeks in your company, if you remember rightly.”

“Oh I do,” she breathed, allowing a faint pink to colour her cheeks “I remember it very well.”

“As do I,” he said in a husky voice.

Voices and footsteps outside the door recalled them to the present.

“So when can I expect to see you again, Dr Carmichael?” she asked as he held out her coat for her.

“Well would Friday evening suit?” he countered. “I could book a table at Les Fleurs.”

Jacynth coloured involuntarily. “But…I…you…I mean….I,” she tailed off.

“Quite right,” he said formally. “I forgot for a moment that I am your doctor. It would not be suitable. My secretary will call you to arrange a follow-up appointment. Good afternoon, Ms Lowry.” He opened the door.

Jacynth kicked it shut. “Now just wait a minute,” she said angrily. “I never said no, did I?”

Now it was his turn to blush. “Well, no…I mean…I assumed…”

“You assumed?” she said scathingly, very much on her dignity. “You assumed?”

“Well you didn’t say yes!” he shot back. “What am I supposed to think?”

“Book the table,” she commanded. “I’ll clear it with school. See you at eight?” And with that she turned and walked off.

“Eight it is,” Dr Carmichael said to himself. “Eight it is.”

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

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 9:40 pm

Well done Jacynth Laughing

Thanks Fran

Liz

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

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 10:43 pm

Hey, good on ya Jacynth!

#573: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 12:02 pm

Haven't CS girls changed!

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

Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 9:48 pm

On Monday morning Jacynth presented herself at Mrs Entwhistle’s office for her customary meeting with the head. Megan smiled at her, and rolled her eyes in the direction of the Headmistress’s office.

“She’s a tad busy,” she said conspiratorially, “Help yourself to a smoothie or something.”

“Just water for me, thanks,” Jacynth said, crossing to the cooler. “How long’s she been?”

Megan consulted the stop-clock on her desk. “Nine and a half minutes. So you’ve got six and three quarters to go. Nice weekend?”

“Mmmmm” Jacynth murmured. “Doctors appointment, nothing special.”

“Dishy doctor?” Megan asked, “I hear there’s a new one up that the San to die for.”

“Dr Carmichael?” Jacynth said casually, willing herself not to blush. “Well I suppose he’s not bad.”

They lapsed into a comfortable silence borne of spending a great deal of time together on lazy Monday mornings.

Eventually the timer on Megan’s desk pinged, and sure enough a couple of seconds later Len called out, “You can come in now, Jacynth.”

Jacynth rose from her chair and tossed her cup in the waste-paper basket. “Same time next week?” she said, as she left Megan painting her nails.

“Sure thing,” came the absentminded reply. “I’m not going anywhere.”

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

Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 10:51 pm

*laffs lots* Thanks you Fran, so kind of Len to eventually meet her Head Girl Laughing

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

Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2005 1:50 am

What was the timer timing?

Lovely post BTW.

#577: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2005 12:27 pm

Probably Len's meditation session.

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

Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2005 1:59 pm

“Anything unusual to say, Jacynth?” Len said by way of greeting to her head-girl.

“Not really, Auntie Len,” came the reply. “Interesting point raised at the prefects meeting. Could we have a couple of meetings off campus, prefect bonding and all that?”

“Don’t see why not,” Len replied absently, examining a pot-plant that was looking rather thirsty. “As long as you’re back for curfew and don’t break bounds.”

“Yes that was another thing,” Jacynth said. “Bounds, for prefects, could they be extended?”

“To where?” was the response.

“Well, SugarCube, Collete’s, Das Pferd, Les Fleurs,” this last with a flash of inspiration.

“Don’t see why not,” came the standard reply. “As long as Harry’s Nitespot stays out of bounds.”

Jacynth nodded, fully aware that it was the designated staff hangout, not that she’d pictured her fanatically non-drinking, non-smoking, eight hours sleep per night aunt partying away til dawn there.

“Oh and one more thing,” Jacynth said. “Might I be allowed out this Friday night?”

“Don’t see why not,” Len responded. “Do you want me to sign your exit pass now?”

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

Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2005 4:41 pm

What a wonderful headmistress! Laughing

Did Len even listen to all those requests?

Thanks Fran.

#580: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2005 5:35 pm

Lesley wrote:

Did Len even listen to all those requests?

Get the feeling not! Laughing

Thanks Fran, superb!

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

Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2005 10:53 pm

Brilliant! ROFL

Thanks Fran

Liz

The CBB -> St Clare's House

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