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The Chalet School Comes To Melling finished 22/12/06

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#1: The Chalet School Comes To Melling finished 22/12/06 Author: Phil, Location: London UK

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:26 am
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"Oh dear! Oh dear oh dear oh dear!"

"What is wrong Miss Pickering?" asked Libby Lacey, Head Girl of Melling School and descendant of the Lacey family which had lived in this part of Cambridgeshire since Elizabethan times.

Since the death of Colonel Lacey during the war, this fiercley proud family had fallen on hard times and had been forced to sell their beloved family home, Bramberly.

Bramberly was now occupied by the Blakes who hailed from London and both parents were famous writers. Initial resentment of the Blakes last term had given way to friendship between the two families. Libby was very poud to have Helen, the eldest Blake girl by her side as her friend.

Helen broke out of her reverie. She had a hobby of daydreaming.

"Yes, do tell us Miss Pickering, maybe we can help."

Miss Pickering, the owner and Headmistress of Melling was greatly perturbed. She often was, being like a twittering bird, but this was BIG news.

"I do hope you can help my dears. I''m afraid our numbers will increase substantially this term! A freak avalanche in Switzerland has swept away the buildings of a school and they have had to be redistributed around the country. Their English branch is full to capacity, so the rest must come here!

"What is the name of this school?" Helen was curious.

"The Chalet School."

Last edited by Phil on Fri Dec 22, 2006 9:20 pm; edited 15 times in total

#2: Author: Phil, Location: London UK

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 12:37 pm
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"Come along girls! Make sure you have your hats and scarves and umbrellas! Do stop dawdling Christiana! Gertrud! Why are you giggling? Really you Middles!"

"Oh why doesn't Mary Lou just shut her big pie hole?" growled Margot Maynard to her best friend Emerence.

"I beg your pardon Margot!" A hand grabbed the unfortunate triplet by the ear and hauled her out of the queue. Oh bother Josette! She had heard and Margot was going to catch it hot!

Mary Lou eyed the unhappy Maynard with her customary steely glare. In front of the whole school, she demanded to know what Margot Maynard's latest crime was. Con and Len quailed and quaked on their poor sisters' behalf. They needn't have bothered. For all her bravado, Margot was wobbling like jelly on the inside.

"Slang and impertinence! Margot, would you care to repeat your ill chosen words to Mary Lou and before the whole school?"

Margot really did not want to do this.

"I am waiting, Margot." Mary Lou's steel eyes bored into Margot's wicked brain.

The school waited, hardly daring to breathe. By this time, Miss Annersley, Joey and Jack Maynard and Miss Ferrars had joined them.

"I...just said.. to Emmy."

"Louder Margot."

"I was saying to Emmerence."

"Louder, Margot, if you please."

"I just wanted wanted you to shut your pie hole Mary Lou!"

Everyone gasped!

Margot then saw Miss Annersley, Miss Ferrars and her parents. Oh dear.

There! Margot had said it. She was so fed up with the clarion tones of OOAO. She had suffered miserably ever since the freak avalanche had demolished the Chalet School. She had had to share Freuedesheim during the remainder of the term and holidays with Mary Lou! Mary lou who was constantly checking her drawers were tidy and calling for lights out and even lecturing her poor brothers on how to make their beds properly! For once Margot wished she were a boy; at school she would lord it over her brothers, whilst getting away from Mary Lou. But it was not to be.

They had arrived outside this new school, a queer looking ugly mansion house. Con was starting to dream about it already and Len was wondering what games the girls played. Margot had been tired on the journey. She and Emmy had been watched by the Prees like hawks! It wasn't fair! Just when she thought she and Emmy had a moments' peace, she had uttered her uncouth words only to have her cousin swoop down upon her.

Margot was sent for a swift and cruel interview with the Head, Mary Lou, her parents and her form teacher. She was next seen with red eyes, trying to hide behind her triplet sisters. The school were left in no doubt that Margot had suffered a pretty severe penalty!

Maids showed the girls to their new dormitories and Mary Lou and the adults were taken to meet Miss Pickering and her staff. Mary Lou was about to stride confidently into Miss Pickering's office when she was stopped by a stately, aristocratic ice maiden of a girl.

"Excuse me, I am Libby Lacey, Head Girl here. We are not privy to discussions between the adults. Perhaps you would like to come to the prefects common room and meet us? Are you Head Girl of the CHalet School? Why don't you bring your prefects?"

Libby found it difficult, being welcoming. She much preferred to remain aloof. Helen could do this so much better!

Mary Lou looked at this new challenge with keen eyes! Oh yes! A classic example of someone needing help to get in touch with her inner schoolgirl! Another conquest for OOAO!

Before the clarion tones could be uttered forth, Joey Maynard opened the door and grabbed Mary Lou into the room.

"Scuse me! It's just Mary Lou! She's our second opinion!"

This made no sense to Libby whatsoever. It did make her utterly furious!

Livid! Enraged! Apopleptic!

Assuming Joey to be a member of staff, she wondered what subject that lady taught! And why was this Mary Lou so vital? Libby felt the old Lacey temperament rising!

As a consequence, Elizabeth Lacey was now at war with the Chalet School.

#3: Author: janetbrown23, Location: Colchester

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 6:43 pm
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This looks interesting. I've never read any of the Melling books so have no idea what sort of thing to expect. I bet Mary_Lou will put the cat among the pigeons though. Thanks Phil.

Jan

#4: Author: Liane, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 7:48 pm
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I Haven't read any Melling as yet but this looks good.
Thanks Phil.

#5: Author: Mel, Location: UP NORTH

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 8:02 pm
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This is great - I love the Melling books. The Head is lovable but hopeless!
And I bet Susan could give Mary-Lou a nervous breakdown.

#6: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 8:40 pm
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Here's hoping she does. Aren't Jo and OOAOP insufferable in this?

#7: The Chalet School comes to melling Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:23 pm
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This is fabulous. Am hoping someone can squash Mary Lou

#8: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 3:07 pm
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I've never read any of the Melling books either; maybe I ought to make an effort to find them!

I'm also hoping that OOAO gets well and truly quashed while at Melling! Very Happy

#9: Author: Phil, Location: London UK

Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 8:15 am
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Libby was holding forth to a dreamy looking Helen and a concerned Rona Searle. They shared the same common room. Rona's father was an estate agent and she got on well with everybody.

"And she was just striding into the Head's office as if she owned the place!"

"Then this woman, presumably a member of staff opened the door and grabbed this creature, saying she was needed!"

"Are you sure you didn't mistake this girl for a pupil? She may have been a teacher!"

Libby gave Rona an aristocratic stare.

"Quite sure thank you Rona. She was wearing school uniform and had some sort of badge on."

"Never mind old thing! Pull up a chair and have some tea!" Helen said disarmingly.

Libby smiled and was about to oblige, when in burst Mary Lou. She gave everyone her most infectious grin. Rona smiled weakly but gave a worried look at Libby. Helen gave a wistful smile, but Libby looked like the Snow Queen of Hans Christian Andersen's tales.

"Hello all! Your Head has put me in here with you three. She said it will be a tight squeeze, but never mind! Now, introductions: I'm Mary Lou Trelawney, Head Girl of the Chalet School. You are?"

She pointed at Rona who was quite taken aback at being spoken to in this direct way.

"Ss.ss..Searle, Rona Searle, Miss"

Rona felt quite belittled and stood up. She felt very silly and Libby was far from amused at this. Mary Lou found it hilarious and roared with laughter.

"I do not think it fair to come in like this and use shock tactics to find out information about ourselves!" Libby uttered her icy opinion.

Rona felt oddly reassured by Libby's intervention. Mary Lou seemed to find this funny too. In her view, she was equal to these girls, the chalet school was only at Melling on a temporary basis and they seemed very set in their ways. Mary Lou had a great interest in other people and enjoyed getting to know them. In her view, this school needed "shaking up and waking up".

Before Libby could think of a suitable reply to Mary Lou's audacity, Helen intervened.

"Are you in the same dormy as us too?"

"Yes I was in there earlier! I say Libby if you're Head Girl, I would have a word with the girl in cubicle three, I could see she hadn't made her bed properly and her dressing gown had fallen to the floor!"

Helen giggled. She was not worried. "Oh dear! That will be me! Another word from Matron I expect!"

Mary Lou was amazed!

"Goodness! Our Matron would pull you out of class for that, even a lesson with the Head! I say, whose locker is that?"

Mary Lou pointed to Helen's locker. It was untidy.

"Me again! Guilty your honour!" Helen laughed out loud.

"I say, it's just not funny! It's lazy and slovenly! You're not very well organised are you? No! I would certainly say a few words if I were your Head Girl."

"I don't really care." said the laid back Helen Blake.

Mary Lou was shocked. She turned to the fuming Libby.

"I think you and I had better have a joint prefects meeting. So we can work out how we can work together and do things together and hopefully raise some standards!"

The last remark was directed at Helen and the whole room knew it. But Helen didn't care.

What Rona cared about was the fact that Libby looked ready to explode!

#10: Author: Liane, Location: Manchester

Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 6:59 pm
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Shocked

This looks like it's going to be fun! Thanks Phil.

#11: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 3:05 pm
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Mary-Lou hasn't got off on the right foot here, then! I'm looking foward to seeing how the girls of Melling deal with her!

#12: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 8:29 pm
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I don't know the Melling books at all but it looks like Mary Lou's going to have more difficulties than she's expecting!

Thanks Phil Smile

#13: Author: Elle, Location: Peterborough

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 7:40 pm
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Ohhh. I am yet another person who does not know the Melling books. However I don't think that will prevent me from ejoying another Phil drabble!

Thanks Phil.

#14: Author: Phil, Location: London UK

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 10:02 pm
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Meanwhile, whilst the unfortunate and stately Libby Lacey was battling with the irrepressible Mary Lou. A feud of quite a different kind was taking place.

The Maynard triplets were in the same form as cousins Mary Robins and Jane Bush, both of whom had sisters who were prefects and these girls were great friends of Rhoda or Roddy Blake. Roddy was apt to be a lone wolf at times, but Mary and Jane vaguely amused her. Roddy had inherited a love of literature from her mother Caroline, who wrote numerous biographies and her father, who was the famous novelist of the crime genre, James Blake. Roddy looked after the library and school magazine with a passion. Roddy eyed the two triplets who came in with some amusement.

Margot had strode into the classroom, carrying the latest James Blake novel.

"I quite agree with you Con! Utter tosh! This James Blake can't write for toffee! I should think a real famous writer like Mamma would make mincemeat of this man! I'll bet he has never read a book in his life, let alone learned to read and write."

Mary and Jane shot worried glances at Roddy. They knew that Roddy and her family always teased their father about his novels, but it covered a deep love and respect they had for their father. Sure enough, Roddy frowned.

"Interesting criticism! I shall let my father know. He always appreciates comments from his readers."

Roddy's tones rang out across the silent classroom.

Margot did not look in the least bit embarrassed. Her eyes betrayed a surly confidence and an attitude of defiance.

"Who said that?" Margot asked.

Roddy got up and walked towards her foe.

"I did"

Margot looked right into Roddy's eyes and laughed. She turned to her triplet.

"Come on Con! You tell her what her Dad's precious books are like!"

Turning back to Roddy, she added,

"Con's our second opinion when it comes to writing. She;'s got the gift, like Mamma! Mamma is a famous writer! She could give your Dad a few lessons! I think she would need a lot of patience though! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Go on Con, let her know what you think! You really had a go at that book!"

Margot was being plain rude, spiteful and nasty here.

Roddy nearly lost her temper and raised a hand.

"Don't blame me! I'm only the messenger boy, I am not the literary genius!"

Margot winked at Con. She was tempting fate with Rhoda Blake, but she did not realise it. She also stored up something unpleasant for her sister.

Roddy launched herself at Margot, who ducked, and in seconds, Con and Roddy were rolling on the floor. Margot, quickly saw she had created the situation through her own wickedness and tried to intervene. She was held back by the Melling girls.

"Let her have it Roddy!"

"Come on Roddy!"

"Roddy! Roddy!"

"Look! Stop this! I'm sorry! It was only a joke! It's me she meant to hurt, let Con go! Please! It wasn't me, it was my devil! Oh Con! I'm so sorry!"

"What in Heaven's name is going on here?" Bellowed Miss Scott, Miss Pickering's "deputy" and third form mistress.

Con had come off the worse and she was shaking with anger. Funnily enough, her anger was less directed at Roddy, who had got her by accident and in a blind, unthinking rage, than Margot. Con eyed her sister with a look that frightened the naughty triplet.

Getting no answer from the girls, Miss Scott took both Con and Roddy to Miss Pickering, who just happened to be having tea with Miss Annersley!

To Con's horror, Mamma was there as well!

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

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 10:18 pm
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Well, it was Margot's fault! Dunno why Joey thought she had to come to Melling if Freudisheum is all right. (Oh yes, so we can Joey bash!)

#16: Author: Phil, Location: London UK

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 10:48 pm
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Miss Pickering was secretly glad of this interruption. She was ahapless, dainty lady who would agonise over disciplining anyone and vacillate over decisions. Were it not for her good friend Miss Scott to advise her, nothing would get done at Melling!

She had been left alone in the company of this kindly but frighteningly efficient Headmistress and as for the domineering woman who was with her! Thank goodness their dreadful overbearing Head Girl had left!

"Rhoda, my dear! Whatever has happened?" Miss Pickering was all concern. Roddy was such a lovely girl.

"I'm afraid I witnessed a fight Miss Pickering. I saw these two girls rolling on the floor, like a couple of alleycats!" Miss Scott explained.

"A fight?" Miss Annersley's steel tones and steel grey eyes pierced through Con's body.

Miss Pickering saw her chance to score a point.

"Really Miss Annersley! I think we had better investigate this! I am distressed that such a thing could occur!"

"And I should like to know what mischief you have been up to Constance!"

Joey stuck her oar in, but then, she was the girl's mother, as she said to Miss Pickering for the umpteenth time.

This was too much for Con.

"Oh Mamma! It was all Margot's fault! I didn't know this girl was the daughter of James Blake the crime writer! I just didn't like his latest book, I gave it to Margot and she started being rude about it and this girl here heard and said it was her father and Margot provoked her. She tried to get at Margot, but she ducked out the way and hit me instead! mamma! I hate it here! I don't care where we go, but not here! Anyway, Cambridge is cold, wet and icy!"

Her tirade over, Con stared defiantly at her mother and Headmistress. She soon wilted under their severe looks. Miss Pickering intervened.

"Is this true Rhoda? Did you react under provocation?"

Roddy nodded. She had behaved no better than her little sister, Sue!

"I'm sorry." she muttered.

"It seems we need to bring Margot here!" Miss Annersley glared at Joey. Why couldn't the woman learn to be a proper mother and deal with Margot's bad temper? Before she knew it Margot might be a blackmailer or a bully or attempt murder with a flying bookend or something!

A fiat went forth that brought Margot Maynard to Miss Pickering's office.

"You have brought shame and disgrace to the Chalet School and your parents!"

"How dare you Margot! I shall tell your Father about this!"

Margot was sick with self pity and had to be confined to sick bay. Dr. Vare, whose daughter Pamela was in the Lower Third, was visiting. He met the weeping triplet and instantly recognised the face of his old foe in the girl. His worst suspicion was confirmed when he heard the name of the girl, "Maynard".

Joey tried to use her golden voice and charm on Roddy Blake. When she revealed she was the wonderful author, Josephine M Bettany, she was astonished not to find any reaction.

"Perhaps my husband and I should meet your parents! It would be so nice to meet fellow writers! You live in that lovely tudor mansion don't you? Bramberly isn't it? I'm sure I could get some inspiration for a book or two from there!"

Roddy merely nodded politely.

Joey tried on a last ditch appeal as Roddy left Miss Pickering's office.

"Try and make it up with Con! She means to be a writer too! You could work together on your school magazine!"

Unfortunately, this appeal only cemented Roddy's dislike of the Maynards.

It was to be a most unfortunate feud.

Meanwhile in the lower thirds, Susan Blake was holding forth to her devoted follower, Laura Lacey, younger sister of Head Girl Libby, about her plans for the attics in Bramberly. Pamela Vare, who had a "love to hate" relationship with Sue and often tried to pur scorn on her ideas (whilst secretly admiring them) listened trying to object. All of a sudden, a trio of giggling girls burst into the classroom.

"Hi, I'm Ailie Russell and these are my friends! My what a grim classroom you have!"

A challenege had been issued to Susan's authority. She smiled. She could face these kids down. She always won!

#17: Author: Phil, Location: London UK

Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 3:29 pm
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Ailie Russell, Judy Willoughby and Janice Chester were always game for a distraction. Anything to procrastinate or delay schoolwork! The third triumvirate of the Chalet School were definitely of the opinion that school was invented solely to torture little girls.

So it was they faced Susan Blake, the youngest of the Blake sisters and giggled.

"Do you play any pranks? They don't work us too hard here do they?"

With these two questions, the ice had been broken amongst the Lower Thirds and their leader Susan. Young Miss Blake had a feeling she would get on very well with Ailie, Judy and Janice.

It was unfortunate that Sue's two elder sisters, Helen and Roddy were suffering the evils of Mary Lou Trelawney and the Maynard triplets respectively.

"Got any cobblers wax Sue?"
"Did you bring any shoe polish Ailie?"
"Where are my scissors Pam?"
"Did you bring your catapult Janice?"

In the Lower Thirds, an inventory was taking place of ingredients for mischief making.

"Oh the prees are going to love this!" squealed Ailie.

Unaware of the mischief being hatched, one Melling prefect, the severe Sarah Bush, was showing two equally severe Chalet School Prefects around Melling. Hilary Bennett, who had a very worrying taste for corporal punishment and Josette Russell were sticklers for manners, tidiness and hard work.

Sarah took them to the Lower Thirds. She grimaced as they entered.

"And here are the Lower Thirds!" she practically snarled.

The little girls rushed to their desks. At the sight of her big sister, Ailie flushed.

Josette strode up to her, looked her in the eye and walked back to Sarah and Hilary.

"Sarah, you have my little sister Aline in this classroom. An imp of mischief if ever there was one. I see her two handmaidens, Judy and Janice are here. I recommend we keep a close eye on them. I hope their teacher works them hard enough!"

Sarah took in the faces of the new girls and giving them a cold glare each, pointed out Susan Blake and Pamela Vare.

"Watch out for these two Josette and Hilary. They are Susan Blake and Pamela Vare. Our own imps. Susan likes to lead Laura Lacey, the Head Girl's sister astray!"

Laura flushed with anger at this! Sue thought how much like Libby she looked at that moment!

The prefects left, satisfied they could now rule the Lower Thirds with an iron fist.

"What utter beasts to say that!"
"Ailie, I hate your sister!"
"I don't lead you astray, do I Laurie?"
"Is your sister always like that Ailie?"

Ailie was blinking back tears of frustration and anger. She waited until she could no longer hear the prefects and shouted out,

"This means war! This means open rebellion! Josette is a mean, nasty, big fat smelly pig and a beast to say that! I'll make her sorry!"

#18: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 4:32 pm
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Thanks, Phil. That was great.

#19: Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow

Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 9:49 am
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thanks phil. I also haven't read the melling books, but this is great so far! more please

#20: Author: Phil, Location: London UK

Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:24 pm
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Ailie the downtrodden waxed lyrical about Josette's oppression of her.

"She's always saying 'do this, Aline, do that Ailine' she doesn't deserve a little sister! She's bossy and interfering. She thinks I have to be a perfect angel and that I owe her my love, affection and gratitude simply because she was born before me! Oh, if I were Sybil I wouldn't half give her some treatment!"

"Who's Sybil?" queried Laura.

"My eldest sister. She could put Josette in her place if she wanted, but Sybs is such a big pussycat, she would never do that. Not that Sybs could knock the skin off a rice pudding anyway!"

"Well, if my sisters, Roddy or Helen treated me like that, I would soon put them in their place!" Susan was indignant. She had an empathy for downtrodden girls who were bullied by their elder sisters. She had taken on the Head Girl, Libby Lacey in defence of her younger sister, Laura before now. Here was a new cause celebre!

"Just because these girls are older than us doesn't mean they command our automatic respect! We are human beings too, not slaves!"

Susan did not realise she had an audience. Mary Lou Trelawney had decided on a tour of duty. She was eager to meet the kids of the other school and keep her iron grip on the Chaletians. SHe had come to the Lower Thirds in time to hear Susan's proclamation of revolution.

"How very interesting!" said Mary Lou in her steel clarion tones and with her steeliest of steely glares. Instinctively Ailie, Janice and Judy shrank back. Oh bother Mary Lou! Why was she always there when you didn't want her!

"Didn't your parents ever tell you it was rude to walk into a room without knocking?" snapped Susan, completely unfazed by the steely glare.

Mary Lou's jaw dropped! Ailie and Co gasped! Nobody EVER spoke to Mary Lou like that and lived!

Susan didn't care.

"I beg your pardon, young lady?"

Susan apologised. Laura breathed a sigh of relief, but she did not know what Sue was going to say next,

"I am very sorry, I didn't realise you were deaf. A friend of mine, her granny is deaf, so you have to project your voice and say, DIDN'T YOUR PARENTS EVER TELL YOU IT WAS RUDE TO WALK INTO A ROOM WITHOUT KNOCKING ON THE DOOR? That's what I said. Who are you by the way? I'm Susan Blake, and this is Laura, I call her Laurie it's so much nicer!"

"I am Mary Lou Trelawney and I am Head Girl of the Chalet School!"

OOAO had drawn herself up to her full height and her clarion tones reached anew level of steeliness and shrill pitch.

Susan stared at her and then broke into a fit of giggles. "Mary Lou, oh what a silly name! I haven't heard of anyone called that since the dark ages!"

It was difficult to see Susan in a fit of giggles without laughing oneself and soon, the whole class were in stitches. Except Mary Lou.

"I have been warned about you Susan Blake!"

OOAO stole a steely glare to Ailie and Co, but they were still laughing at her! Good old Sue! Here at last was someone who could stand up against Mary Lou!

"Aline! What will Madame say when she hears of this insolence! Judy I am ashamed of you, Janice I shall tell your father and Uncle Julian about this! How dare you have the audacity to laugh at your Head Girl!"

Janice Chester started to control herself, much to Mary Lou's relief.

"Oh Mary Lou, he's MY Uncle Julian NOT yours, now do as Margot Maynard said at the beginning of term and shut your pie hole!"

What Mary Lou would have said to the insolent Janice, we shall never know. For the Head Girl of Melling, Libby Lacey arrived with Miss Pickering. Discipline was instantaneous, much to Mary Lou's fury. She had earlier criticised Libby as Head Girl, but to see the respect she automatically commanded was humiliating.

"Are you working hard girls?" she asked coldly.

"Yes Libby, yes Miss Pickering." They answered with one accord.

"Mary Lou, Miss Pickering and Miss Annersley would like to see us in the Head's office, now if you please."

Glowering at Susan Blake, Mary Lou left. Her authority dented.

#21: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:26 pm
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Good, it's good to see OOAO put in her place.

#22: Author: Phil, Location: London UK

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 2:08 pm
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Con Maynard was sulking. She didn't often sulk. She glowered at Margot, who had got her into trouble. Margot was already in tears from her visit to Mis Annersley. Len anxiously tried to act as peacemaker between her triplet sisters.

Roddy Blake eyed the Maynard triplets with contempt. She was relieved the weekend would soon be upon them and she could return home to Bramberly! Her friends Mary Robins and Jane Bush thought similar thoughts and backed Roddy to the hilt.

"Mamma will go and see that writer at the weekend!" Len spoke to her sisters. Roddy's ears pricked up.

"Not the Blakes?" Con's eyes wandered to Roddy, who didn't seem to be taking any notice.

"Yes! Mary Lou's coming! Isn't that wonderful?"

Len's lap dog like devotion to Mary Lou made Margot feel physically sick.

"Does she have to come with us?" moaned Margot.

Len gave Margot a frosty look.

"Now you know she must! She's one of the family! She's always been so good to us, looking out for us and..."

"...Bossing us around! It's bad enough she's at school, but to have her with us in the holidays too! And she's not a relative at all! I can understand an orphan being adopted by Mom and Pa as being one of the family, but not Mary Lou! She's a bossy parasite!"

"DON'T call Mamma and Papa those names Margot! It's only because you're the naughty one that she is always on to you! Why don't you grow up and behave?"

"I'm only the naughty one because you don't happen to like my opinion of Mary Lou! I happen to think I have a valid point to make! Just because you don't like it, doesn't give you the right to label me as naughty!"

"Margot's right Len! I want to get on and write my stories and she always interrupts and tells me to do something else! If I don't do it, she gets Papa onto me and calls me disobedient! I am barely allowed to read a book! Anyway, the family is large enough as it is!" This from Con.

Len looked horrified. Roddy felt some sympathy for Con. She too adored her books. It was terrible that this girl should be denied her pleasure! Roddy had not yet met Mary Lou.

OOAO and Libby had finally called a prefects' meeting. Mary Lou went straight to the Head Girl's chair at the head of the table. Libby was furious and the anxious Melling prefects saw it.

"I'll sit there if you don't mind! THis is our school and I am still Head Girl, I believe!"

Mary Lou looked keenly at Libby. She really must find out about this girl! Libby gave her the coldest Lacey stare she could conjure and even Mary Lou was taken aback. Libby sat down, but graciously allowed Mary Lou to sit next to her, since she was a Head Girl too.

"Now, we must decide on prep and supervision duties. Before we start, has anyone any questions?" asked Libby.

Mary Lou butted in.

"I should like to know what has been done about Susan Blake in the past! I find her insolent, disobedient and a bad influence!"

Libby looked amused. The entire Melling prefects looked amused. They had all tried to squash Susan at one stage and they had never succeeded.

"I don't see what's funny! At the Chalet School, she would have the combined forces of the prefects, myself, Miss Annersley, Matey, Auntie Jo and Uncle Jack upon her! We would soon sort her out!"

"Oh take her and you're welcome to her!" said Helen Blake dreamily.

Emily Robins, the Games Prefect sniggered. Libby's mouth twitched.

"Really, for her eldest sister, I do think you should have a word with her before she becomes insufferable! You really should stop mooning about everywhere! Con Maynard does that!"

"Sue has been insufferable since the day she was born!" yawned Helen.

"Anyway, she doesn't listen to me."

"Well! What an attitude to adopt! Josette here would never be like that to her sister! You keep Ailie in line don't you Josette?"

Josette nodded. She was brutal when it came to Aline. Merciless and brutal.

"It is my duty to squash Aline. She's an impertinent, lazy, untidy little ragamuffin. I have to scold her to keep her out of trouble. I have to keep on eye on her for her own good. If mother ever found out about half the things Aline did, she would be sick with worry. That is why I must discipline her and she should be thankful for my discipline. It's done for her own good! I suggest you start on Susan straight away rather than abdicate your responsibility!"

Helen was fit to laugh at this criticism of her. Libby, however, was very angry. She would not have criticism of Helen! Besides, she had learnt a harsh lesson at Christmas when she had so terrified her own little sister, that the girl had run away and could have frozen to death.

"Do you honestly think, that by deceiving your mother about her daughter and taking on the role of mother yourself, that you are doing any good? Your mother will feel unhappy at your deceit, however well intentioned and you are quite clearly a monster in your sisters' eyes, whom she will never love. Is that right?"

"It's for Aline's own good!" snapped Josette. "She will thank me in later years!"

"I am happy to say I will never brutalise my sisters like that!" said Helen quietly.

"Nor I!" said Emily.

"Me neither!" said Sarah.

Mary Lou blanched. She was not in control of this situation. She and her prefects were to be very unpopular at Melling School!

#23: Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 2:38 pm
—
ta muchly phil... nice to see mary-lou out of her depth

#24: Author: Phil, Location: London UK

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 8:14 pm
—
Mary Lou was inwardly fuming. Surely her charm and charisma were utterly irresistable? It is what made her the leader she was! To go from an environment where she was lord and master to another where she was out of her depth was utterly frustrating. Her great friends, Vi Lucy and Josette Russell were a comfort, even the cane wielding Hilary Bennett. The latter had suggested the introduction of the cane into Melling School. At this point, Libby and the Melling coterie walked out in disguct and the Chaletian prefects reprimanded Hilary and asked her why she had this obsession with canes!

The meeting descended into a farce and many Chaletians thought Hilary was in urgent need of a psychiatrist. Mary Lou hailed a passing body to take a message to Aunt Joey.

"Ah! Margot! I want you to ask Aunt Joey..."

Margot continued walking.

"Margot? Did you hear me? Come back this instant!"

Margot obeyed. Reluctantly.

"Do you choose to be insolent? Right! You can report yourself to Miss Annersley! Any more of this and you will be brought before Uncle Jack!"

"That's DOCTOR MAYNARD to you." was the sulky reply.

"I beg your pardon?"

"And I beg yours, you should have said, 'Any more of this and you will go to Dr Maynard' that's what he's called to non relatives!"

Mary Lou saw red. She pushed Margot up against a wall and Margot wondered whether she had gone too far.

"I should let Hilary have her wicked way with you!"

Margot was all too aware of Hilary's deviant tendencies! Fortunately Miss Pickering came to the rescue.

"Oh dear, dear, dear! I do hope there isn't any bullying at the Chalet School! I shall have to tell Miss Annersley about this! Oh dear! I can't possibly accomodate another school which has a bully for a Head Girl!"

Margot smirked as Mary Lou tried to explain.

"I lost my temper, Miss Pickering! I do apologise, it won't happen again!"

"Very well, Mary Lou. But I shall keep a sharp lookout for any trouble!"

As Miss Pickering left, Mary Lou turned on Margot. However, Margot had "legged it" to use her brothers' vernacular. A wise decision, Mary Lou thought bitterly. She could have skinned Margot alive at that moment. Angrily, she stomped off to find AUNT Joey herself.

Meanwhile, small hands were at mischievous work in the cubicles of the Chalet School prefects!

#25: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 8:19 pm
—
OOAO isn't coming out of this very well, is she? Can it be that Phil doesn't like her?

#26: Author: Liane, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 9:47 pm
—

Jennie wrote:

OOAO isn't coming out of this very well, is she? Can it be that Phil doesn't like her?

Not like OOAO? How is that possible?! Laughing

Thanks Phil

#27: Author: Elle, Location: Peterborough

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 10:14 pm
—

Jennie wrote:

OOAO isn't coming out of this very well, is she? Can it be that Phil doesn't like her?

How could anyone not like OOAO? I for one think she is wonderful, and i am sure Phil does also, don't you Phil? Phil? Phil? Ok, maybe not!

#28: Author: Phil, Location: London UK

Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 9:00 pm
—

Quote:

Elle wrote: How could anyone not like OOAO? I for one think she is wonderful, and i am sure Phil does also, don't you Phil? Phil? Phil? Ok, maybe not!

Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Twisted Evil

Mary Lou Trelawney was in deep conversation with Joey, who like a cuckoo had taken up residence in the quarters allocated to the Chalet School mistresses at Melling.

"I do not understand the girls here Aunt Joey! That Helen Blake is lazy and untidy and has no control over her youngest sister whatsoever! She is neglecting her role as an older sister being responsible for the moral devlopment of her young sister! I can see I shall have to take on the role myself. I certainly think that Susan Blake needs to come to the Chalet School at once!"

"You always were the champion butter in my child, you take after me." Joey stated the perfectly obvious.

"And as for that Head Girl, Libby Lacey, she's as cold as ice! But that's nothing new here! Brr! Cambridge is cold!"

"It's a different kind of cold Mary Lou. England has an "unhealthy" cold, whereas in our dear Tyrol and in Switzerland, it is a "healthy" cold."

Again, Joey was pointing out the obvious.

"I saw their Doctor, Dr Vare, he seems too laid back to be a doctor. Not like Uncle Jack."

"Sh! Jack's in the next room!" hissed a suddenly animated Joey.

"Why Auntie Joey?"

"Years ago, Jack was head of the Oxford rowing team, and Dr Vare headed the Cambridge team. After a night out, they lost each others' team mascot. Cambridge had a flemish giant rabbit and Oxford had an overweight ginger cat. Nobody knows what happened to them! It has been a source of anger to Jack ever since! So, as Charles and Steve would say, shut your pie hole!"

Mary Lou was getting tired of this expression! It reminded her of Margot's earlier insolence and she gleefully informed that young lady's redoubtable mother of the latest impertinence.

Margot was sent for and hauled over the coals, again! She was not allowed to go to Bramberly House with her family that weekend, but detained at Hilary Bennet's pleasure in Melling School. Poor Margot!

Meanwhile, Ailie Janice, Judy, Susan, Pamela and an emboldened Laura slipped out of the rooms where the Chaletian prefects slept.

"Oh Josette will be dancing with fury!
"I can't wait to see Mary Lou's face!"
"Oh this is priceless!"

But what mischief had they hatched?

#29: Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow

Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 9:06 pm
—
thanks phil. i really am loving this

*wondering about the mascots...*

#30: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 3:50 pm
—
Well, tell us then, Phil.

Please.

#31: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 3:56 pm
—
I'm still getting to grips with this whole new picture of Hilary Bennett Shocked

#32: Author: Phil, Location: London UK

Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 9:12 pm
—
The tea party at Bramberly House did not go well. James Blake, the celebrated detective novel writer and his wife Caroline, eminent writer of biographies of obscure historivcal figures, were being as hospitable as possible in the great tudor mansion. Their friend Mrs Lacey was visiting with her three children.

Mrs Lacey was intrigued to meet these Maynards! The Laceys had previously lived in Bramberly since tudor times, but after the death of Colonel Lacey in the war and with rising taxes and maintenance bills, they had been forced to sell their beloved family home and live in an elegant Georgian House, Four Elms in the nearby village of Charnley. When the Blakes moved into Bramberly, Mrs Lacey and her eldest daughter, Libby resolved never to speak to them. Luckily the two families had grown to like each other and were now firm friends. Despite their move to Four Elms and the death of the Colonel, all people in the area regarded the Laceys with awe and near worship. Except the Blakes, who were their good friends!

This did not go down too well with Mary Lou. She had serious doubts about Libby. She was bottling things up, and so it appeared, was her mother and all this hero worship did not help!

Meanwhile, Con who was now firm friends with Roddy over a shared love of books, was telling an amused James Blake, just why she was fighting with Roddy over her opinion of one of his more recent novels.

"I'm sorry Mr Blake, I didn't mean to be rude! I love your novels when I get a chance to read them!"

(She shot a meaningful glance at OOAO, who couldn't fail to notice it).

"It's just that particular one I found not up to your usual standard! A ten year old could have written it! That's what I said to Margot and she agreed and poor Roddy overheard and we got off to a bad start!"

Mr Blake roared with laughter.

"Oh bless my soul! I should have listened to you Roddy! You told me that one wasn't any good!"

Roddy was about to disappear with Con to show her her parents' books when Mary Lou intervened,

"Con! Aren't you going to ask before leaving the room?"

Con blushed.

"Oh don't stand on ceremony here!" said the Blake parents and shooed them away. Len happily followed.

Really! Thought Mary Lou. Where were their manners!

Then Joey put her foot in it. She like OOAO had been interested in the reserved Laceys. Joey was confident she could win anyone over.

"Mrs Lacey! It must be terribly difficult for you to come to Bramberly in the light of your bereavement all those years ago."

A cold, icy wind swept through the room and even the relaxed lackadaisical Blakes sat bolt upright and on tenterhooks with nerves! This was just the wrong thing to say to a Lacey!

Joey's golden voice had not worked this time. She expected Mrs Lacey to break her icy reserve and open up and pour out her grief over the loss of her husband and the loss of the Lacey house. Joey had been hoping she could "mend Mrs Lacey's soul".

It did nothing of the kind. The dignified, reserved Mrs Lacey and Libby both stood up and glared at Joey Maynard. Their very expressions were ones of fury. The goddess Hera could not looked more angry when she caught Zeus playing away from home.

#33: Author: Phil, Location: London UK

Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 9:52 pm
—
"Mrs Maynard, I would thank you not to intrude in my private life and I would deem it a favour if you do not speculate or comment or query about it again! Elizabeth! Fetch Laura we need to go home now. Matthew may follow later. I'm sorry about this James and Caro, but I feel I must depart!"

And with that majestic reprimand, Joey was squashed. Mary Lou dashed after Libby.

"Auntie Joey was only trying to help! Talk to her, please! Why won't you let us help you?"

Libby gave a frosty look.

"We don't need any help! Now take your hands off me! I am sick of your interference!"

Mary Lou had now made an enemy of Libby Lacey.

Susan Blake came to protest at the sudden departure of Laura.

"Oh Laurie, don't go! We were having such a lovely time!"

Laura quite clearly wanted to stay, but with her mother and sister looking like that, she didn't dare contradict them. Susan stormed off to find out what had gone wrong. She was told by her sister Helen and Matthew Lacey.

"Mrs Maynard shouldn't have asked about Dad! She shouldn't have said those things even if she didn't know! She should have been more tactful! As for that Mary Lou!"

Helen had never seen Matthew so defiant, so like his strict younger sister Libby.

Susan smirked in reply. "Don't worry Matthew. We in the Lower Thirds have settled something to cokk Mary Lou's goose!"

Helen tried to look reproachful, but couldn't. "Oh you wicked infant!" she said.

Downstairs, poor Caroline Blake or Caro, as her husband called her, was being subjected to an indepth analysis of her biographical works of obscure Roman Senators by Joey Maynard. Thankfully this was broken when Jack Maynard saw something sitting on the mantelpiece in the dining room.

"Mr Tiddles! Mr Tiddles! Oh darling! I thought I would never see you again! What? Why is he stuffed?" roared an enraged Oxford blue rowing captain.

"Sorry old man? Just bought him in a junk shop only at the weekend. The kids love him." replied James Blake

"But he's our mascot! Our Oxford Rowing Team mascot! Who killed him? Who stuffed him? I want to know!"

An angry Jack Maynard was difficult to calm down. By the time James Blake had elicited the story of the missing Mr Tiddles from Jack, he was nearly bursting with laughter.

Jack left Bramberly that night near to tears knowing the fate of his beloved Mr Tiddles. Joey had been getting nowhere with Caroline Blake over the biographies. Caroline just wasn't interested in Napoleon. Mary Lou had gone in search of Len and Con, but they had mysteriously disappeared. (into the attics).

It was to be the Monday morning when the mischief of the Lower Thirds would be revealed.

#34: Author: Elle, Location: Peterborough

Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 10:43 pm
—

Phil wrote:

"Mr Tiddles! Mr Tiddles! Oh darling! I thought I would never see you again! What? Why is he stuffed?" roared an enraged Oxford blue rowing captain.

*Splutters hysterically*

Thanks Phil!

#35: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2006 12:54 pm
—
Hilarious. Thanks, Phil.

#36: Author: Phil, Location: London UK

Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2006 9:23 pm
—
When all the pupils were back at school, the Lower Third were acting suspiciously like angels.

"I don't like it! I've seen that look in Ailie's face before." Josette uttered to nobody in particular.

"Oh how I yearn for the cane and the right to use it on..."

"Oh for goodness sake Hilary! Stop going on about your passion for the cane!" snapped Vi Lucy. She suspected her young cousin, Janice Chester of being up to some mischief.

Vi decided to change the subject.

"How was the weekend detention with Margot, Hilary?"

"The only way to reform Margot Maynard is with a good springy cane!"

Vi sighed. She was not going to get any sense out of her drooling colleague.

"Well, whatever they are planning, we shall be taking them for a walk. It's cold and wet and muddy, so we will need to change our clothes before we go out ! And Hilary..."

"Yes, Vi?"

"No more collecting branches from trees and swishing them through the air!"

Hilary the flagellant gave Vi a dark look.

The sixth arrived with an exceptionally well behaved lower third. They didn't know it, but the lower third were desperately bursting to laugh.

"Right girls!" boomed Mary Lou "We Chaletians are not familiar with the area, so you will have to croc! Come along, best foot forward Susan!"

The girls marched out in military fashion. As they left the games field and were some way to Croft's Lane, Josette's left sleeve suddenly fell off!

Then she felt other parts of her clothing inexplicably disintegrate!

Hilary's mac and tunic were peeling away at the back,

Mary Lou's raincoat had gone and she had no collar and sleeves and

Vi squealed as her skirt simply fell away!

The rest of the prefects grabbed their disintegrating clothes as their skirts fell, leaving them standing in underwear and wellingtons!

The lower third burst into laughter! The Chaletian prefects were furious!

"You little wretches! What in heaven's name have you done?" bellowed Mary Lou.

"How did you do this Aline Elizabeth Russell? Answer me!" shrieked Josette.

"You horrid little brats! I should whip you until you!!!!" even Hilary stopped.

To her horror a car drew up and Dr Vare appeared. He was looking grim. He had endured a ride with his old rival Dr Maynard. Jack got out of the car too. His jaw dropped and the stuffed Mr Tiddles he had been holding (he took it to confront Dr Vare earlier that day) appeared to stare in an equally shocked way at the denuded Chaletians.

"What in the blazes?" gasped Jack as he found his breath.

Josette burst into tears.

"Oh Uncle Jack! It's something wicked these little monsters have done! Somehow they have sabotaged our clothes and they jsut fell apart! Ailie had something to do with it! Punish her Uncle Jack! Punish her! At least tell Daddy what she did!"

Dr Vare fixed his hysterical daughter with a cold look. Pamela made an effort to stop giggling. But she couldn't. Dr Vare gave Jack the keys to his car.

"Maynard, take my car and drive these young ladies to Melling School, I shall walk this class of bad girls back to school. You know the way?"

Jack nodded and Mary Lou and Co suffered the indignity of being driven in a state of undress to face Miss Annersley. As Mary Lou sat next to Jack, the stuffed Mr Tiddles on her lap and the remainder of her clothes in her arms, she hoped for once, that Auntie Jo would not see her like this!

She was not to be so lucky. Joey was bugging Miss Pickering and Miss Annersley, talking about her favourite subject, herself. As the two ladies (followed by Joey) were strolling down the school drive past the girls at recreation, Jack drew up in Dr Vare's car.

"Dr Maynard! THis is Dr Vare's car!" exclaimed Miss Pickering.

"Mary Louise Trelawney! Josephine Russell! Hilary Bennett! Viola Lucy! WHAT is the meaning of this?" Miss Annersley spied her ill clad prefects.

Joey shrieked with laughter. An action which brought not only her triplets running, but the whole school too! Libby Lacey was there, Helen Blake, Roddy Blake! Oh it was awful! The laughter! The shame! The humiliation!

Hilary saw her bete noire Margot, convulsing in laughter, she leapt from the car and grabbed Margot quite savagely. In a trice, the other two triplets, Len and Con were attacking Hilary!

A shrill blast on a whistle stopped the commotion and Miss Pickering ordered the shamed Chaletians inside.

An embarrassed Miss Annersley followed.

#37: Author: Liane, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2006 9:35 pm
—
Shocked

Thanks Phil Laughing

#38: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 11:53 am
—
Thanks, Phil. I do hope that they put Jo in her place soon.

#39: Author: Phil, Location: London UK

Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 5:34 pm
—
Some proper attire was accorded the unhappy Chlaetian prefects from their grinning Melling School counterparts. Even the stately Libby Lacey could not resist a smirk, which turned into a snigger, then a giggle, then a roar of laughter as the scantily clad Mary Lou gave her a steel cold glare right in her eyes!

Miss Pickering held an immediate joint assembly with Miss Annersley.

"Some unscrupulous persons has sabotaged the clothing of the prefects of the Chalet School. The culprits know who they are. They must present themselves at my office the moment this assembly is over. That is all."

A smile spread like a Mexican wave throughout the Lower Thirds, Upper Thirds, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth! Like Libby earlier on, that smile progressed to a snigger, a giggle and laughter. Then Ailie caught Josette's eye. Josette didn't look as if she could take much more of this. A deep family bond of love surged throughout Ailie. Suddenly she realised she did love her big sister, despite her put downs and sarcastic comments and bullying. Now Ailie felt she was the bully. She tapped Janice and Judy on the shoulders.

"Come on! Let's 'Fess up!"

"Oh must you? Let the prees think it out for themselves!" was Susan Blake's response.

Ailie ignored her. The fun had gone on long enough. In a moment she was in Miss Pickering's study and facing not one Headmistress, but two! SHe might have known the Abbess would be there. Thank goodness Auntie Joey wasn't present. She usually insisted on being present. the nosy Aunt.

"So it was you Aline!" Miss Annersley gave her steel glare and her voice expressed her deep disappointment.

"Please, we loosened the seams and there was this paste thingy which dissolves stuff and your clothes fall apart. We had had enough of the prefects being too heavy handed! I was sick of Josette being the big sister and I was so sick of Mary Lou! She's not even a relative and she is always visiting us in the holidays! I don't feel like I can ever be free of her!"

Miss Annersley and Miss Pickering listened to the list of grievances.

"Did any Melling girls have anything to do with this?" Miss Pickering asked.

Before her question could be answered, the whole of the Melling Lower Third burst in, led by a Susan Blake and an astonishingly determined Laura Lacey.

"Please Miss Pickering! We've come to take our share of the blame! Laurie said we should!" announced Susan.

THe astonished Heads looked on as the whole grievance against the Chaletian prefects was outlined and the part of the Lower Third in the rebellion.

When the full confession was read out, the sentence was announced. All girls were to participate in repairing the clothes (if salvageable). If not, their pocket money would be deducted to pay for new clothing. In addition to this, a full apology was to be made to the victims concerned. All privileges were suspended for the remainder of the half term.

Before this happened, Hilary Bennett was given a job offer from a company in Soho, London. She was eighteen and instantly left the school, not bothering to receive her apology from the Lower Third. She could now live the high life, meeting Conservative MPs and retired Brigadiers. All would address her as 'Lady Hilary' or 'Madame' in her little flat in Soho. Her partnership with a Mr Verii Sedee flourished for several years until the Profumo Scandal when she got out of London and started again in Cumbria.

Josette and Vi were approached by their wicked relatives. Again out poured the grievances as the two elder girls sat in stony silence. Then, Janice and Ailie told them how sorry they were. They realised they had gone too far and that despite the bossy older sister / cousin act, deep down they loved their relatives and couldn't bear to put them through any more pain. The apologies touched the hearts of Josette and Vi. Forgiveness happened and so did reconciliation. Alas! There was still Mary Lou! Apologies to her were terse and to the point. Nobody liked the big dictator and her clarion tones!

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

Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 7:15 pm
—
Well, I always wondered what happened to Hilary Bennet. It's all because she started at that dodgy Tanswick Chalet School, I expect.

#41: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 7:55 pm
—
Phil, that was wicked. But good.

#42: Author: Phil, Location: London UK

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 10:40 am
—
It was a reconciled and united Chalet School that enjoyed the hospitality of Melling School. At least everyone was united against a dictator.

Mary Lou Trelawney was for once completely unaware that all around her there was no support. OOAO was taken up with dealing with the impenetrable wall the ice cold Libby Lacey had put up around herself.

The more Mary Lou tried to "help" Libby with her interminable questions about Libby's family, the more cold and distant the Meling Head Girl became.

"Become a real schoolgirl Libby! You have to let the fact that your father died in battle go! I never knew my father and he died somewhere up the Amazon!"

"Will you please stop going asking about my late father!" Libby was at her iciest and most stately. "And I have now wish to be a little schoolgirl! I am Head Girl of Melling and I am off to Girton COllege soon. I would thank you to treat me with the maturity and respect my position and age merits!"

Libby was furious.

She stormed into the prefects common room and demanded of Emily Robins, the Games Prefect when the next pre match hockey practice was. She badly needed to beat something with a stick! Emily, amused by Libby's moods took the enraged Head Girl for a few practice shots at goal.

There was to be a match against the local Charnley grammar school and Melling school, with some of the Melling team augmented by the Chalet school. Mary Lou had pointedly been left out, but she promised to be cheerleading on the sidelines! Josette and Vi had raised their eyebrows at this.

The day of the match came and Mary Lou brought a mascot she purchased in a car boot sale. It was a stuffed Flemish giant rabbit.

Unluckily for her, Pamela Vare saw it. "Angus! That's Daddy's mascot from his rowing days! I've seen pictures of him! That's Daddy's bunny! I'm telling Daddy you stuffed Angus!"

The Lower Third girl tried to wrench Angus free from Mary Lou.

"Don't be silly! And report to the prefects room at once! Really such behaviour!"

Out of curiosity, Jack Maynard and Dr Vare appeared. They had both heard Pamela shout. The effect on Dr Vare was amazing. It was the same as when Jack had found Mr Tiddles.

"Angus! My dear old thing! Mr fluffy bunny Angus! I thought Maynard had lost you!"

"Ha! I no more lost him than you lost Mr Tiddles, Vare!"

"I did NOT lose Mr Tiddles! I've already told you Maynard, he ran away!"

"Well, so did Angus!"

"Somehow they both landed up with a taxidermist!"

Mary Lou opened her big mouth and laughed. "My father was a taxidermist around here once, before he married mum and took up being a lepidopterist!"

Jack and Dr Vare gave Mary Lou a most unpleasant look.

#43: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 8:52 pm
—
Poor OOAO! She can't do anything right, can she?

#44: Author: Elle, Location: Peterborough

Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 9:51 pm
—

Phil wrote:

I'm telling Daddy you stuffed Angus!"

#45: Author: Phil, Location: London UK

Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 5:44 pm
—
Embarrassed by the glare of the two doctors, Mary Lou rushed off to change for the forthcoming hockey match.

To her frustration whenever she tried to talk to the Charnley girls at the pre match meeting, one of the Melling Prefects would always butt in and lead the Charnley girl away! Mary Lou's ire increased and she needed an outlet. She soon found it.

"Margot Maynard! Your socks are round your ankles and straighten your games skirt at once! Why, it is positively indecent!"

Margot rolled her eyes in an insolent fashion and pulled up her socks and straightened her skirt.

"Any more of this sauce and I shall fetch Uncle Jack to punish you with the utmost severity!"

"I've already told you, he's not really your uncle!" muttered Margot under her breath.

"I beg your pardon?" scolded Mary Lou. She grasped her hockey stick with menace, only to be relieved of the item by Jack Maynard.

"I think I had better look after this, Mary Lou. Offspring of a cat and rabbit stuffer! I don't want my precious baby Margot violently beaten with it!"

Margot had a smug smirk on her face. She quickly stopped smirking under Mary Lou's glare.

Positions for the match were called!

The match itself was evenly fought, ending in a draw 2 - 2. It was a disaster for OOAO. How she accumulated so many bruises, she did not know. Somehow the hockey ball hit her from behind, Libby was seen running away, then it hit her again, this time Josette was seen in retreat. Then Ailie was very clumsy as she threw the ball which had gone off, allegedly towards her sister but it hit Mary Lou instead.

Nothing seemed to go right. Attempts to chivvy the Melling girls were met with vacant stares and the Chaletians seemed to disappear.

At the end of the match, Mary Lou resolved to deal with the traitors of Chaletians and wreak vengeance on Melling! Before she finished with Margot, that young lady would be screaming for mercy!

OOAO had turned evil.

#46: Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow

Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 6:01 pm
—
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

#47: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 7:37 pm
—
Thanks, Phil. I do love to see OOAO get her come-uppance.

#48: Author: Phil, Location: London UK

Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 9:19 pm
—
Unfortunately for Mary Lou, her plans of revenge were not to be. True, she had planned to slow boil Margot Maynard in oil, then she planned to raise an army and drive out the Melling girls from their school and take over. But alas! The Melling girls and Chaletians were too clever for OOAO.

The Chaletian contingent had returned to Switzerland and Mary Lou found herself waking up on the beautiful Hebrides Islands, with only the clothes she stood in. Enclosed in her pocket was a little note.

"Dear Mary Lou,

Thank you for all you have done as Head Girl.

I trust you will enjoy the Hebrides.

Goodbye.

H. Annersley MA.

PS I wouldn't contact Dr Maynard, he still is quite upset over the fate of poor Mr Tiddles. He seems to blame you for it."

"Of all the ingrates!" growled Mary Lou.

Now what was she supposed to do? Look after Highland cattle? Fishing? Maybe it would be quite solitary and relaxing here.

Have gone into bunny drought and had to let this go. Sad

#49: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 5:48 am
—
Sorry to hear about your bunny problems, Phil!

*sends luxury carrots and vast quantites of festive spirits in the hope that they'll be inspired again*

I sent off an order for one of the Melling books on the strength of this. Very Happy

#50: Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia

Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 2:13 pm
—
What about lots and lots of chocolates?

The CBB -> St Clare's House

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