The CBB :: View topic - Charlie's Visit

Interesting... If I were Charlie, though, I'd have taught Charles how to do his own mending and then left him to it! Still, getting trips to the theatre isn't a bad recompense

“Well, I’m very pleased for you both,” said Jack quietly, deciding not to mention that he had had his suspicions ever since he had met Charlie. He did, however, intend to take Charles to one side at some point during the holidays and have a talk with him about women.

I actually have just one small question relating to my next update; would the use of corporal punishment still have been fairly commonplace in British boarding schools in the 60s?

I think there's a lot that go on in families that parents never pick up on, understandably so, especially with such a large on. However, Joey keeps going on how wonderful it is, instead of acknowledging that there are down sides to it like unnoticed bullying etc. Thank goodness Charlie is around to help

If I've got that all completely wrong, let me know and I'll discontinue the drabble because it's clearly pointless.

I was under the impression, from EBD, that all of the boys stayed in the same school until such time as they left for university etc

Anyway, now I'm just horribly confused and embarrassed. If I've got that all completely wrong, let me know and I'll discontinue the drabble because it's clearly pointless. Thanks!

“Is mama ill?” asked Con in some alarm. Like the rest of the children, she knew how protective Jack could be of his wife.

“Not really,” shrugged Charles, who wasn’t the most observant of souls. “She’s just working far too hard to help with the wedding, papa thinks she shouldn’t take on any more.”

Maybe she's discovered a deep dark secret about Reg :wink:

Awwww, how lovely - and Joey has just redeemed herself fully.

Thanks ChubbyMonkey - dare we ask for further adventures of Charlie and Charles in the near future? Visiting her house would be a good start, wouldn't it??? :lol:

Just a gentle reminder ...... more please

Author:	ChubbyMonkey [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 8:28 pm ]
Post subject:	Charlie's Visit
This is a sequel to 'Meeting Charlie'. I'm trying to think of a better title, I promise! Fwee, er, enjoy? - X - Charlie had slotted neatly into the Maynard family, with Charles’ help, and now that she had found her niche she began to relax and enjoy herself a little bit. The younger children loved her, for she could tell excellent stories, and they would often beg for her, rather than Joey, to tell them a bedtime story. This did nothing to improve her in the mistress of the household’s opinion. Jack quite liked her; he said that she was refreshing, and it was good to see Charles making friends who seemed honest and dependable. Joey was very disapproving of her, unable to believe that Charles should be so enamoured with such an unladylike person. Jack only smiled and thought privately that it would do his wife some good to meet someone who didn’t immediately fall at her feet. Today, Joey had made Charlie’s plans for her. Charles had promised to go with Mike and his father for a daytrip to buy Mike a new uniform and do some other shopping at the same time, and Charlie had planned just to wander around the Platz, getting her bearings, until Joey sought her out and insisted on the change of plan. Joey had decided that there was only one person who could deal with this queer new girl, and had accordingly telephoned Mary-Lou to ask if she could possibly come a few days earlier than anticipated to try and do something to help before anything untoward happened. Charlie wasn’t keen to meet the woman she had heard so much about from the Maynards – she sounded awfully pi – but she couldn’t see a way to refuse politely. Mary-Lou had been asked to be Len’s bridesmaid in Margot’s absence, and Charles had told her more than once that he wanted her to get to know his family, so she supposed that would include the unexpected visitor. Mary-Lou, Joey rapidly informed her, had stayed at a hotel the night before, because her train came in too late to be collected, but had already arrived and was upstairs unpacking. If Charlie wouldn’t mind waiting half an hour, then she would be ready, and the two young ladies could go for a walk together. Charlie sighed and agreed. When Mary-Lou came to find her companion, she approached with some trepidation. The two had never met before, but Joey had spent at least ten minutes regaling Mary-Lou with all of her woes about her son’s choice of friend. What she expected, Mary-Lou couldn’t say, but it certainly wasn’t what she got. Charlie was sat in the Salon, biting one nail reflectively. She stood up when she saw Mary-Lou in the doorway, and extended a friendly hand. Mary-Lou shook it firmly, then stood back to assess this new girl. Her blonde hair tumbled happily around her small face, messy from where she continually ran her hands through it, but there was a refreshing honesty about her. She was wearing a pair of dungarees, one strap undone so that they fell open across one shoulder, exposing a white t-shirt with a picture of The Beatles on it. Mary-Lou longed to tell her to at least tidy her hair, but she bit her tongue, determined to be tactful on this occasion. She wanted to get on well with Charlie, and her years at university then in work had rubbed some of the corners off her and left her more accepting of people, but she’d never been forced into such company before. There had always been plenty of other young ladies like herself, who tended, like her, to privately look down at the less inhibited members of their sex. She took a deep breath and forced herself to smile. “It feels odd to say welcome to the Platz when you were here first, but it was my home for so long that I feel I ought. Anyway, it’s nice to meet you, Charlotte. In case you hadn’t guessed, I’m Mary-Lou.” “Oh, Charlie, please – Charlotte is only when I’m in trouble or being presented to company. It’s nice to meet you, Mary-Lou. Mrs Maynard said that you wished to walk with me today?” Mary-Lou smiled to herself at the use of Joey’s title. It was so rare to hear someone use it, and made her sound like a formal old maid rather than the fun loving schoolgirl she was at heart. She said nothing, though, deciding to let Joey deal with it how she saw fit, but instead swept Charlie out into the fresh mountain air, chattering gaily. Once they were walking along in the sunshine, she condescended to explain, “Auntie Joey recommended that I take you to the Auberge and show you the echoes – she didn’t know if you had been yet?” “Oh, Charles took me last week,” said Charlie carelessly, tossing her hair back impatiently, for the light breeze was blowing it across her face. “If you want to go again, though, it was a pleasant enough walk. I’m just happy to explore.” A silence prevailed after this, Mary-Lou not sure which way to strike up a conversation, particularly when Charlie seemed wholly unconcerned about doing so. Instead she began to try and tuck her hair into her collar but, when that failed to hold it, dug about in the pockets of her dungarees and produced a hair band. She scooped up as much of her rampant hair as she could and secured it firmly, tucking the loose ends behind her ears. The effect was messy but enhanced her beauty even further, until Mary-Lou felt quite plain beside her. Charlie could, she reflected idily, have been quite bewitching if she tidied her hands, stopped biting her nails, and kept her hair and clothes neat. “Are you at university with Charles?” she asked in the end, nothing better springing to her mind. Charlie laughed gaily, her voice quiet but with a certain force behind it as she spoke. “Indeed I am. I guess that you must be in work now?” “Yes,” confessed Mary-Lou, with a small grin at how old that made her feel. “I’m an archaeologist – we were between digs when Auntie Joey asked me if I could come early to help with preparations for the wedding. What about you? Any plans? What are you studying at the moment?” “I’m doing a course in English, but also exploring drama,” replied Charlie. “I met Charles on our English course – we were told to write a speech together. We just sort of clicked, and we’ve been friends ever since.” “But nothing more than that?” asked Mary-Lou curiously. She was rewarded by Charlie blushing lightly, although she held her head up high. “Promise not to tell anyone?” she demanded, careful not to meet Mary-Lou’s eyes and give away her secret. “Promise.” “Charles doesn’t want his family to know yet – though he invited me back with him to tell them. I think he wants them to get to know me a bit first. But we do muck around a fair bit, and he took me to see The Beatles performing live a couple of months ago. That was when we really started as a couple, until then we’d just been joking around.” “Do you love him?” enquired Mary-Lou. She was slightly surprised by the breezy way which Charlie could talk about something so serious, but she guessed that maybe this was just a front to mask her true feelings. She herself would never have been so flippant about things, but then her career came first, and she had never tried to imagine herself getting married. To her surprise, Charlie laughed. They had reached the Auberge now, and she climbed up on to the wooden fence and leaned over, her amusement pealing back at her, amplified to the most beautiful of sounds. She swung herself up to a sitting position on top of the fence, where Mary-Lou joined her, looking at her slightly distastefully. Charlie could see the unspoken words of ‘one of them’ behind her eyes, and suddenly she found herself becoming annoyed. Charles had warned her about how disapproving his mother was of loose women, but there was no reason for a relative stranger to judge her. “Actually, I like him very much, he’s good fun to be around and isn’t one of those really boring people who always tries to be good. We both agree that there will be time for serious stuff later on – at the moment we just have some fun.” “We’ve never really gone for that sort of thing,” replied Mary-Lou stiffly. She had made boy friends at university, people whose company she really enjoyed, but she had never seen the joy of a physical relationship with them. She was as horrified by Charlie now as she had been with Joan Baker, so long ago. To her surprise, though, rather than look abashed or embarrassed, Charlie eyed her as if she was queer. “I don’t mean anything really serious, just kissing and stuff. I don’t have loose morals. I just don’t think that it should all be so strict – and although I never would, if men and women want to have sex before marriage, I see nothing wrong with that, as long as you are making a serious commitment to each other.” She was equally surprised to see Mary-Lou blush at the three letter word, but she didn’t let it bother her. She could see that there was a decent girl underneath all of the stiffness, but she decidedly didn’t like the pious attitude she had met with so far. She jumped off of the fence, shaking her hair loose so that she could re-tie it more firmly. “We should probably be getting back, they’ll be serving lunch soon.” Mary-Lou followed her silently, shocked by the lecture she felt as if she’d just been read. Joey was definitely right – somebody needed to teach Charlie about proper behaviour.

Author:	blue1 [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 8:47 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
Thank you. That was great. More please, am eagerly anticipating ML being put firmly in her place.

Author:	Abi [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 8:59 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
Loved the way Joey thought of Charlie as a 'new girl' - so typical of her! I also liked the awkward relationship between Charlie and Mary-Lou. I could almost see them becoming friends after they've got the hang of one another and aired their views (probably in the form of arguments ). Mary-Lou could obviously do with having her eyes opened a bit... Thanks Ariel!

Author:	Emma A [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:17 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
Interesting how different Charlie is to a normal Chalet School girl, though I guess the latter would be more out of place in England at the time. I rather like Mary-Lou in this so far - and I don't see her attitude as being so unusual for the time, too. She'd be several years older than Charlie, and I think that would have made a difference in the early 1960s. Thanks, Ariel.

Author:	Lesley [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:37 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
I think there is the potential for them to be friends - but perhaps they both need to bend a little? And I think it will do Joey good to find someone that is immune to her charm - even Jack seems to think so!

The CBB http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/

Charlie's Visit http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=5938

Author:	JB [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:58 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
Thanks, Chubby Monkey. Please may we have some more?

Author:	ChubbyMonkey [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 10:02 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
There shall hopefully be more forthcoming soon. I am working tomorrow, though, so I can't gurantee when the next update will be. Sorry!

Author:	Alison H [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 10:20 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
For a while I thought Mary-Lou was going to make a big effort to get on with Charlie there, but no! And I could smack Joey, treating an adult as a new girl to be reformed by Mary-Lou . Looking forward to seeing what happens - I don't think Charlie is going to be as easy to reform as Mary-Lou's previous targets have been!

Author:	JustJen [ Mon Apr 06, 2009 12:46 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
I can't wait for the smack down to start.

Author:	ChubbyMonkey [ Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:17 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
I wasn't sure where people would stand on drinking in the 60's - whether it would have been more acceptable, like today, or frowned upon. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that if I write anything which sounds odd or out of place for the time (I think I worked the year out as 1964, though my maths was never very good) please let me know so that I can fix it! Also, thankyou for all of your comments so far =D - X - The next day was just as ghastly. Charlie tried to corner Charles early on and get him to agree to taking her out somewhere – anywhere to escape Joey for a few hours. But even as she was whispering furiously to him, hidden in the corner of the hallway, Joey came up with a cheery greeting. Before Charlie knew quite where she was, she was being guided firmly into the Salon, while Joey informed Charles breezily that Reg was expecting to see him before Mittagessen. Once they were settled, Joey explained that Mary-Lou and Felicity would be joining them shortly, for these hours in the morning were a sacred weekly time to do the family’s mending. When questioned, Charlie admitted to having done all of her own clothes before she came, but she was sent upstairs to check anyway. She went, but there was a smouldering flame of rebellion in her heart; Joey, while as cheerful as ever, tended to forget that Charlie wasn’t a new girl at the school Charles had told her so much about, and she could do her own mending in her own time. She brought down her sewing material and one jumper which had apparently been overlooked before the holidays and which had a hole in the sleeve. When she came back, Mary-Lou had arrived, and was happily working on a stocking, while Joey calmly picked up garments from the pile on the coffee table. She explained to Charlie that Anna would simply pick out anything from the wash that needed to be mended and leave it for Joey and her daughters to mend. Felicity joined them at the end of this, sitting down grumpily next to Charlie. They were set apart slightly from the other two, and while they discussed the wedding with vim and vigour, Felicity sewed moodily. She had no mending of her own, for Matey had ensured that all of the girls’ was done before they came home, but this only meant she had to start in on her brother’s mending. She looked so sulky about it, that in the end Charlie was moved to ask, “Forgive me for prying, but are you ok?” “Fine,” retorted Felicity. She caught her mother’s eye at that moment, and added rather more politely, “I was just getting to the best part of the book I was reading – I’ve read it before, of course, I’ve read all the books in the house – but instead I have to come and do mending. Why the boys can’t do it for themselves I don’t know – it’s a fearfully loathsome thing to do, and they never even bother to say thankyou.” Charlie, laying aside her own jumper, the sleeve of which had now been successfully mended, stood up and walked over to the pile, pulling out the most accessible of Charles’ clothes. When she sat back down again, she did her best to appease Felicity, talking loudly enough that Joey – who had sent her a disapproving look – could overhear. “I know – I do mending for Charles and some of his friends at university. They are incredibly hard on their clothes some of the time, and they rarely bother to say thankyou.” “Why do you do it, then?” asked Felicity, who was inclined to be rebellious at the present. Charlie, sensing a kindred spirit, gave a conspiratol wink and, lowering her voice considerably, explained, “I make sure they remember it when drinks are being bought. I rarely ever have to spend money on a night out that way. Charles took me to the theatre once, after I had to stay up over night mending his suit for a debate in the morning.” “I wish my brothers were as thoughtful. Dad remembers to say thankyou if I do some of his mending – and sometimes he’ll bring me back a new book – but the others are too heedless.” “Men are like that,” said Charlie, one eye on Joey to make sure they weren’t being overheard. “You’re quite lucky – Charles at least is one of the thoughtful ones, but some are absolute pigs. I know a couple at university who still think that women shouldn’t be allowed to go, because their place is in the home.” She was definitely winning Felicity to her now. The younger girl, who had started off placing herself as far down the sofa as possible from Charlie so that she could sulk, had sidled closer, and had finished mending three garments with barely a thought to what she was doing. Joey, thankful for her daughter working without complaint for once, only listened with half an ear, barely catching what was being said as she and Mary-Lou discussed the seating plan for the wedding. “What are you going to do when you leave university?” she asked curiously. “I don’t quite know,” said Charlie honestly. “I’d like to get a job, but I don’t really know what would suit me at the moment, or what I could do with my degree. I’d like to get married at some point, but that would all be much later. What about you?” “I want to be a teacher,” said Felicity quickly, looking at Charlie with a new respect. Most people she knew told her to get married and settle down, but she knew how boring that could be from watching Len. Someone else who didn’t put it at the forefront of their plans was definitely someone she wanted to befriend. “Really I’d like to teach ballet at the Royal Ballet School, but I’ve never had much specialist training. I wouldn’t come back to the Chalet School to teach ever, I’d maybe go for a big school in England.” At that moment, Charles stuck his head around the door to say that he was leaving to see Reg. Charlie at once asked if he wanted her to come, for she wanted a walk and she hadn’t seen him properly for a couple of days. Joey answered for him, though, just a hint of condescension in her voice, as if it should have been obvious to Charlie that this was simply unacceptable. “Charles is going to see Reg as his best man – you know that he was asked when Stephen said that he didn’t know if he could make it. I’m sure you would find it very boring, and Charles needs to concentrate on what is happening, rather than introducing new people.” Charlie glared at her for making it so obvious that Charles had not been the first choice of best man. She knew how uncomfortable Charles was with taking his brother’s place after Stephen had agreed to go on holiday with some of his friends in Scotland. But if Joey noticed, before she could say anything Charles jumped in. “That doesn’t matter, mum,” he said quickly, for he knew what the look in Charlie’s eye meant. “Charlie can walk as far as the house with me, and then wander on a little way. As long as she keeps to the path, and stops somewhere to wait, I can catch her up quite quickly after the meeting, then we can wander back here in time for Mittagessen.” Charlie stood up happily, flinging sewing to the winds in favour of getting ready for her unexpected outing. Joey looked disapproving of the plan, but she was careful to say nothing until Charlie had left the room. Once the door had shut, though, she said freely what she thought of people who were rude enough to invite themselves along on excursions when other people were doing their work for them. What she didn’t know was that Charles had excused himself to go to the bathroom, and so Charlie was still within hearing, especially as Joey was speaking in her usual clear tones that tended to carry. She heard Felicity try to stand up for her, but that only gave Joey an excuse to start telling her daughter off for talking about alcohol, thinking that her mother couldn’t hear. Charlie tried to cover her ears, but she could still hear Joey’s views on herself. She tried to justify them, because Joey had been in a bad mood with everyone that morning – in fact the result of a toothache that she hadn’t told Jack about, because of her same fear of the dentist that she had had all those years ago when Matey would scold her for it – and Charlie was probably just an easy target to relieve herself on, as she seemed to dislike so much of what that lady did. Charles emerged just then, to find Charlie stood, hands over her ears, tears filling her eyes. He tried to pull her into a hug, to ask what was wrong, but she shrugged him off, running for the door. He pursued at once, while Joey, the innocent cause of it all, rounded up her lectures on poor behaviour, which had been more aimed at Felicity – who had been going out of her way to provoke her mother ever since the holidays started – than Charlie, turned back to Mary-Lou to continue discussing her favourite topic at the moment – the wedding. Charles caught up with Charlie when, halfway down the garden path, she ran into Jack Maynard’s strong chest. He caught her before she could fall, holding her shoulders firmly and stepping back so that he could survey her, startled. Charles came up, breathless, and looked at her with equal concern. “Sorry,” she gulped, doing her best to wipe away the tears when Jack was still holding her firmly. He gave her a small smile. “That’s ok – I like it when pretty young ladies run into me. Now, do you want to tell me why you’re so upset?” “Just something I overheard,” she muttered. Charles looked up at his father, who interpreted from the glance that there was something more than he knew in the situation. He said gently, “Why don’t we go down to the garden and talk about it? Charles, run and fetch some lemonade then come and find us.” While he escorted Charlie to a shady patch out of the direct heat, Charles ran to the kitchens to fetch some drinks. While he did, he turned everything over in his mind. He was clearly going to have to come clean and tell his father, at least, the truth.

Author:	Emma A [ Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:28 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
Interesting... If I were Charlie, though, I'd have taught Charles how to do his own mending and then left him to it! Still, getting trips to the theatre isn't a bad recompense Wonder what Charles has to come clean about? Thanks, Ariel!

Author:	blue1 [ Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:32 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
thank you i love this line "“That’s ok – I like it when pretty young ladies run into me."

Author:	Alison H [ Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:50 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
How much trouble has fear of the dentist caused in the CS world over the years ?

Author:	Jennie [ Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:33 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
What a nerve Jo has, treating a guest in that way. So rude of her. And OOAO really needs to learn about the real world.

Author:	Lesley [ Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:35 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
Joey should be ashamed of herself - Charlie is a guest in her house and she has hardly been welcoming. Hope Jack can redress the balance. Thanks ChubbyMonkey

Author:	Fiona Mc [ Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:58 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
Thanks Chubbymonkey, really enjoying this. Hope Jack is able to help sort out Joey. That was so rude of her

Author:	Miss Di [ Tue Apr 07, 2009 4:14 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
Thanks Chubbymonkey. After 17 years I have finally trained my SLOC about mending. When we went to pick up the ironing last weekend (yes I pay someone to do it, why waste my time!) he took along a coat which needed a button replaced for the ironing lady to do!!!

Author:	Selena [ Tue Apr 07, 2009 3:31 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
Thanks Chubbymonkey I really like Charlie, she's a great character. I can't wait to know what happens next!

Author:	ChubbyMonkey [ Tue Apr 07, 2009 3:59 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
Afraid to say that this looks like being my last update for a few days, as I'm going to stay with some relatives. Hopefully that shall give me time to plan the next few scenes, though Thankyou for all of your comments, and I hope that you enjoy the next bit. - X - When he came back, he was relieved to see that Charlie had stopped crying, at least, even though she didn’t look as happy as usual. He tried to smile at her, wanting to make her grin like she usually did, and shake her hair back with some flippant comment about people who could be rude to her. She didn’t, though, she just looked away. He put the tray down and took a seat next to her, slipping her hand into his quietly. Even if she was upset, she didn’t shake him off, which was enough for Charles. He could see his father noticing, but Jack was wise enough not to say anything yet. Instead he poured out the lemonade, handing Charlie a glass first. The ice cubes began to rattle against the side of the glass from where she was shaking so much, and she refused to look at Jack or Charles, instead staring blankly into the empty space between two trees. Charles squeezed her fingers lightly, but even this didn’t get her attention, and there was a silence as Jack poured out the other two glasses, before he began to speak. “Do you want to tell me what’s wrong? We want our guests to be happy at Freudesheim, and if there’s anything I can do to help, I will.” “Thankyou,” whispered Charlie shakily, trying to take a sip of her lemonade before just putting it down. She glanced across at Charles, who smiled supportively, and tried her best to explain. “I just – I overheard something. I wasn’t trying to listen, but I couldn’t help it.” “What did you hear?” asked Jack. He looked so relaxed and approachable like this, the sunlight playing through his gold locks and contrasting with his tanned skin. Charles was suddenly so thankful that he had sensible, understanding parents. “Just Mrs Maynard talking. I – I don’t think that she likes me very much.” Jack pursed his lips. He was all too aware of how tactless his wife could be on occasion, and more than once he had had to step in to the aftermath of her ‘helping’ and smooth ruffled feathers without her finding out. He loved her dearly, but she could be such hard work sometimes. “I wouldn’t worry about Joey,” he said eventually. “She isn’t normally like this, I promise, and I’m sure that she has nothing against you personally. It’s this wedding that’s doing it – she can’t bear to think of her little girls growing up. This has come so soon after Margot took her Orders, and because the Robin did the same thing, Joey knows just how little we’ll get to see Margot from now on. She didn’t take it very well, and now Len is leaving her in a sense too. I wouldn’t take anything that she says too personally at the moment – she’s just stressed over the wedding.” “No, it was my fault,” said Charlie, who, whatever else she might be, was always honest. She struggled with herself for a moment, then glanced at Charles, who squeezed her hand again in what he hoped was an encouraging manner. “She heard me talking to Felicity, and I don’t think that she approved of what I was saying. I was just trying to make friends, though. I’m sorry.” “Ah, Felicity,” sighed Jack, in a long suffering manner. He knew all about his rebellious daughter, as well as he knew that Jo, who had apparently learnt no lessons from her handling of Margot, didn’t want him to. “Please don’t fret about it. Joey will have forgotten by lunch, and if you think that you can make friends with Flixy then I wish you all of the luck in the world.” There was a small silence after that. Charles appeared to be unable to look away from the beautiful woman whose hand he was still holding, while she resumed her staring at the interesting view in the distance. Jack watched the two closely, but he was aware of the signs and, when no more information was forthcoming, he decided to try some subtle prompting. “Anything else that you want to talk to me about, while we’re here?” Charles looked awkwardly at Charlie, who shrugged at him. He took a deep breath, but he had known that the time would have to come, and so, glancing sideways at her again, he confessed, “Actually, dad, there was something. You see, I didn’t just bring Charlie home because she’s my friend. We sort of – we care about each other. It’s nothing serious yet, but I wanted her to meet you, and you to meet her, to see what you thought.” “Ah,” said Jack, a twinkle in his eye. “So when Joey seemed less than approving, you were scared? Don’t worry, I felt just the same every time I saw your Uncle Jem. I’d really fallen in love with Joey, but I knew that I would have to impress her family as well.” “You don’t need to worry about that anyway,” said Charles robustly. “Don’t you remember what I said? Even if mum doesn’t like you, I still will.” “Well, I’m very pleased for you both,” said Jack quietly, deciding not to mention that he had had his suspicions ever since he had met Charlie. He did, however, intend to take Charles to one side at some point during the holidays and have a talk with him about women. “And now I shall be going in to investigate just what that awful wife of mine has seen fit to decide on for Mittagessen today. Do you two want to stay out here until it’s ready?” “Oh –“ said Charles suddenly, stopping short and almost blushing as he realised what he was about to say. To cover up the awkward pause, he added quickly, “I was supposed to go and see Reg, but there won’t be time to run down there now before the meal.” “Go afterwards,” said Jack breezily, standing up with a small groan. “When he rang he said that it was just to try on your best man’s suit, nothing very urgent. You could take Charlie with you and show her the walk. And now I’m going in, to give you two some peace for once – will you be making an announcement at Mittagessen?” “I guess,” said Charles reluctantly. Once Jack had left them to go and seek out Joey, he pulled Charlie into his arms, kissing the top of her head softly. “See, my dad likes you,” he said hopefully, winding his arms around her and kissing her again. “Mum will too, I promise. Like dad said, it’s just the stress of the wedding at the moment that’s getting to her.” “Are you sure?” asked Charlie dubiously. She snuggled further into Charles arms, starting to pick some of the daisies around them to make a daisy chain. “Positive,” he whispered. The sun played idily among the still leaves above them, with the only sounds the distant, joyful screams of some children further along the Platz and the very occasional car driving by. The two people were alone for the first time in days, but Charles got the feeling that it wouldn’t be that way for much longer. He turned his mind to trying to plan what he was going to say to the rest of his family.

Author:	Alison H [ Tue Apr 07, 2009 4:05 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
Jack is really nice in this. Meeting the Maynards en masse must have been a nightmare for any potential partner!

Author:	blue1 [ Tue Apr 07, 2009 4:09 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
Thank you. Jack was really lovely there as was Charles.

Author:	Lesley [ Tue Apr 07, 2009 8:04 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
I wonder if Jack is being a little optimistic about Joey? He admits he has had to sooth ruffled feathers before and that was when she didn't have the wedding as an excuse. As for taking Charles aside to speak to him - Jack you should have had that conversation years ago! Thanks ChubbyMonkey

Author:	hac61 [ Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:36 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
Emma A wrote: Interesting... If I were Charlie, though, I'd have taught Charles how to do his own mending and then left him to it! Still, getting trips to the theatre isn't a bad recompense When my brother and his friends were at University and came home for the holidays I used to supplement my pocket money by charging 2p to sew on a button and 10p to darn a sock! Could quite often treble my normal allowance that way. hac

Author:	Miss Di [ Wed Apr 08, 2009 3:58 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
ChubbyMonkey wrote: “Well, I’m very pleased for you both,” said Jack quietly, deciding not to mention that he had had his suspicions ever since he had met Charlie. He did, however, intend to take Charles to one side at some point during the holidays and have a talk with him about women. Suspicions about what? I'm pretty sure Charlie isn't really a bloke because the only blokes I know who do their own mending and ironing are in the air force. So what has raised his suspicions?

Author:	Fiona Mc [ Thu Apr 09, 2009 12:31 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
Thanks ChubbyMonkey. Hope Jack is able to settle Joey down, so she can at least be polite to Charlie

Author:	shazwales [ Thu Apr 09, 2009 3:48 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
Thanks ChubbyMonkey , just caught up with this it's brilliant.

Author:	crystaltips [ Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:26 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
Loving this ChubbyMonkey, thanks.

Author:	Sarah_K [ Fri Apr 10, 2009 8:29 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
Jack's really lovely here, I hope Charlie believes him! Thank you.

Author:	ChubbyMonkey [ Mon Apr 13, 2009 4:40 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
Hurrah! Real life at last realised that it wasn't as important as writing, so I've eventually written an update. Sorry for the delay! - X - Lunchtime found Charles very nervous, but with a sort of speech prepared. He approached the table with trepidation, but by dint of being the first two people there, he and Charlie managed to get seats together. He purposefully chose his next to the head of the table, sacred to Jack, so that there would be one friendly face, at least, to guide him on. He was loosely holding Charlie’s hand under the table when the rest of the family began to filter in. Felix and Mike came first, discussing whether Geoff had been cheating at the game they were playing. The latter came in next, slipping into his place and doing his best to curl up in himself. He was wholly in awe of his older brothers, particularly after he had experienced their attitude towards him at prep school. Jack and Joey arrived next, Joey going to one end of the table while Jack sat down next to Charles with an encouraging smile. He looked around for the missing members, just as Felicity trailed in and seated herself next to Charlie with a small smile. Cecil and Phil weren’t far behind, Cecil leading Claire, who chattered away quite happily. Once they were all sat down, Joey said the beautiful Latin grace with which they started every meal and Jack served out salad, taking his own and then heaping some onto Geoff’s plate. He had noticed his son’s tendency to ignore any food that he didn’t like at mealtimes recently and he had decided that it was time he took a hand. Charlie accepted her two cold sausages from the plate being passed around silently, almost as nervous as Charles about how their announcement would be received. Once everyone had settled down to eating, Joey began to speak. She looked around, put down her knife to take a drink of the delicious fruit cocktail only Anna knew the recipe for, and informed the table at large, “I had a letter from Con this morning. She’s sorry that she was delayed, another story came up and she said that she couldn’t pass up on the opportunity, it will be so good for her career. Anyway, she should arrive the day after tomorrow, if all goes well. She said that she shan’t be accepting any more assignments unless she can do them from home, anyway, so we should see her shortly.” “Charles also has an announcement to make,” said Jack gravely, but there was a twinkle in his eye that gave Charles heart. He had always been the quiet member of the family, preferring to stay in the background rather than try to make himself known, like Margot or Felicity, or take on responsibilities, like Len and Stephen. He had grown up away from the spotlight, and it still occasionally surprised his parents that their small boy could be so insightful and empathetic. “Um, it’s about Charlie,” he said nervously, glancing across at his guest. She had suddenly found something of great interest in her lettuce. “The thing is that I brought her home so that she could meet you all because, um, well, we’re sort of, er – we’re sort of, together, in a kind of relationship way.” “Oh, you’re in love,” beamed Cecil, clapping her hands together slightly. Felicity rolled her eyes. “Idiot. How many times do I have to tell you that love is just nonsense made up by romantic fools who know no better?” She turned from her suddenly squashed younger sister to look at Charlie, who was blushing just as much as Charles. “Congratulations – it’s great that we get to be sisters.” If she thought that she could get away with her caustic comments to Cecil, however, she was mistaken. Joey raised her fork in the air, as if there wasn’t a deathly silence while nine pairs of eyes focused on the two uncomfortable people already. Charlie waited nervously to see what her hostess would make of this news. All that Joey said, however, was, “Felicity Maynard, if I’ve told you once I’ve told you a thousand times. You must be nice to your sisters; you’re the eldest now, you have to start taking some responsibility.” Felicity was looking rebellious, and Charlie had lowered her eyes, so Jack, keen to avoid an argument, said quickly, “We’ll have a talk later Felicity. And congratulations to both of you, that is excellent news.” He raised his glass in the air, and there was a general toast around the table to the couple. Joey had to swallow very hard before she could add her note of pleasure, but she managed it in an almost genuine manner – the more she saw of Charlie, the more she thought that she was entirely unsuitable as a friend for her son, let alone anything else – and if Mike looked grumpy, they all knew it was only because he was inclined to be possessive of his older brother and this would pass quickly. The meal went on happily. Joey bemoaned the fact that she couldn’t have gone with Mary-Lou for the trying on of the bridesmaid’s dress which had forced her to take Mittagessen with Len; Phil proudly told her father that Joey had given her full marks in a small test she and Claire had been set that morning for while Joey did her mending; Jack, when applied to, decided that Geoff hadn’t been cheating, which made him send triumphant looks all round, until a squashing glance from Mike left him to retreat to his shell again. Charlie noticed the last particularly. Joey was still engaged in pointing out proudly just how near to perfection her family came, and had missed the moment, but little escaped Charlie. She mused over it as they waited for the dessert to arrive, but was forced to store it at the back of her mind for later investigation. Felicity was still simmering from her public rebuke, but as she was largely silent at meal times anyway, nobody but Charlie paid much attention to that, either. Jack began an anecdote of a patient at the San., name carefully censored to protect patient confidentiality. Joey listened with half an ear, watching Charles especially. She seemed to suddenly be seeing a whole new person, and it was taking her a little while to get over the shock. Only Claire really listened to her father. Felix began to try and kick Geoff under the table, until he missed and caught Charlie instead. She didn’t say anything, but she kicked him back with gusto and added a warning glance that made him think twice about retaliating, especially when Charles also glared at him, having noticed what was going on. The dessert was brought by Anna, who collected the dirty dishes on to her tray and exchanged them for a large bowl of trifle. She was duly informed of Charles' news, and promptly enveloped him in a floury hug – she had just been baking bread – as congratulations, with many exclamations about how much he had grown up since he used to help Con try and raid her kitchen for sugar. He sat through this with a very red face, but bore it well and even managed to thank Anna properly for her kindness. Charlie accepted her portion from Jack with a becoming meekness which was unusual to her. In truth she still felt rather awed, for all of them kept snatching glances at her, except for Claire, who was too wrapped up in gazing adoringly at Joey to do much else. Presently Cecil worked up the courage to speak again, through a mouthful of trifle. “Are you going to get married?” “Not yet,” replied Charlie happily. Charles was too busy wondering what other mortifications his family had in store for him. “I want to finish my degree and get a job.” “But Len got a job and is still getting married.” “Even if I did, I would want to keep working once I was married,” explained Charlie. Cecil’s eyes widened in shock, and she dropped her spoon with a clatter. “You can’t do that! You have to stay at home and look after your husband and your children.” “Oh, I don’t want children for at least ten years,” laughed Charlie, with a fond glance at Charles, who had just choked on his trifle with a groan. “Perhaps then I shall have one or two, but no more than that I think. I wouldn’t want a really large family like yours.” Jack stopped inwardly laughing at his daughter long enough to realise that Joey was on the verge of launching into her speech about how brilliant big families were, and was quick to change the topic. But what Cecil had said made Charlie think all the harder. She finished her pudding in silence, then slipped one hand back around Charles’ fingers while she waited for everybody to finish. Once Cecil had taken Claire off to wipe her face of any excess custard, Charles announced his intention of going to Reg’s house to see his soon-to-be-brother-in-law. Charlie agreed to go with him for a pleasant stroll, and glanced irresolutely at Geoff, wondering if she should ask him to come as well. She decided, though, that this would probably just give his brother’s more opportunity for teasing, and she would have to try and catch him at some other time. She disappeared to brush her hair and wash her hands before they left. She was alone until Felicity turned up; and although the younger girl didn’t say anything, Charlie could see that she was nervous about her upcoming interview with her father in the study. She slipped a chummy arm into Felicity’s with a small grin. “Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll be fine. Cheer up! Now, I need to find my sunhat – oh, hang, I think I left it upstairs. See you later!” And, shouting this last sentiment down the stairs, Charlie raced off to see if she could find the much abused item so that she could go with Charles. She was an untidy soul, and at least three times a day she would lose something that she needed. She merely laughed it off, though, pointing out that if she kept everything on the floor at least she knew where it was. She fished out her straw hat, put it firmly on her head, and raced to find Charles, so that they could go for their walk. She didn’t know that Jack Maynard, waiting for his wayward daughter to arrive, watched them down the garden path from the study window with a small smile.

Author:	blanchgirl [ Mon Apr 13, 2009 5:08 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
that was lovely...much prefer Jack in this story than in some of the CS books!! Much more human!

Author:	hac61 [ Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:04 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
I'm glad I never met Joey. I don't like her at all by this stage. She's selfish, unimaginative, possessive... But your Jack is much like I imagine him and I like him. Thank you for the update, I've missed them. hac

Author:	Lesley [ Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:56 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
Charlie is noticing far more than certain others within the family - and seems to be particularly friendly toward two who have been neglected or suppressed - Geoff and Felicity - what did Felicity say that was so terrible? Love Jack's reaction - and Anna's. Joey though doesn't come across too well at the moment. Oh and love Cecil's reaction to Charlie saying she intended to continue working - wonder where she got that from? Thanks ChubbyMonkey

Author:	Alison H [ Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:01 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Charlie's Visit
I hope Charlie wasn't put off by the way that they all assumed that "together" meant planning to get married ! Liking both Jack and Felicity in this - thanks ChubbyMonkey.

Author:	SMG [ Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:21 am ]
Post subject:	Charlie's Visit
Great fun ...thank you,Chubby Monkey. Am enjoying seeing Charles come out of himself and meeting Charlie too!