The train set finished 13/8
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#1: The train set finished 13/8 Author: PhilLocation: London UK PostPosted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 9:05 pm
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Ok, It's the wrong time of year, unless of course, you are in the Southern Hemisphere! But if I don't write this now, I never will! Smile

Sleeping arrrangements at Freuedesheim were altered for the Christmas period. As many Bettanys, Russells and Venables had joined the Maynards for a Gornetz Platz Christmas. A lengthy dormitory had been assembled for the entire Maynard brood and Jack came in to do his Christmas routine. Dressed for the occasion and with some medicinal brandy in him, he dished out his gifts to his sleeping babies. There was an anxious moment where he thought Margot was wide awake and staring at him, but no, it was just the way the moonlight fell on her face. His last gift was a joint one for Charles and Stephen. A deluxe Hornby train set! Jack stroked it lovingly imagining the boys' delighted faces when they awoke! This had been supplemented by the stuff Rix, David and Jackie had collected over the years, but were now too old for.

Suddenly Mike was perilously close to falling out of bed! If he banged his head and woke! Jack was on his son in a flash. Little limbs were firmly tucked in and Jack was relieved! That should keep Mike where he was! He crept out. As he did, Con raised her head and muzzily stared after him, then fell into a deep sleep.


Last edited by Phil on Sun Aug 13, 2006 8:46 am; edited 5 times in total

#2:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 9:14 pm
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Smile Phil, I hate to be the one to break the news to you - but even in the Southern Hemisphere, it's not Christmas. They actually have Christmas in their summer.

#3:  Author: PhilLocation: London UK PostPosted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 9:31 pm
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Quote:
Phil, I hate to be the one to break the news to you - but even in the Southern Hemisphere, it's not Christmas. They actually have Christmas in their summer.


Embarassed Embarassed Embarassed Embarassed Embarassed Embarassed Embarassed Embarassed

#4:  Author: janemLocation: Ash, Surrey PostPosted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:41 am
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I wonder if I can see what is coming. I won't say, just in case I am right, but I know what happened when my son had a train set for Christmas. Will tell you if I am right when Phil has finished this.

Love the idea of Jack with brandy playing Father Christmas!

#5:  Author: leahbelleLocation: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:16 am
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Thanks, Phil!

#6:  Author: PhilLocation: London UK PostPosted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 6:17 pm
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The early hours of the morning saw a hive of activity by the boys. They whispered to each other, guessing what their presents were.

"Oh go back to sleep!" groaned Margot.

There was a prolonged hush, then Steve and Chas started whispering again.

"I'll tell Papa!" moaned Margot.

"Come on Margot! You want to know what presents you've got too!"

Charles' argument was lost on Margot who was dreaming she was in Canada again.

The boys did eventually fall asleep. They were dying to open their presents, but knew that they had to be opened after lunch under the Christmas tree before the whole family. Charles pleaded with Steve for "Just a little look!" but Steve said no. If Papa and Mamma knew they had opened their presents before everybody else, he knew very well, they would not get the said presents until Boxing Day. There was also the fact that Mike looked like he was stirring and it was well nigh impossible to get him back to sleep when he woke!

Luckily from breakfast time until after lunch everyone was kept busy! There were games to be held, logs and coal to be collected, the small fry to be catered for, last minute repairs to decorations, helping set the table and helping in the kitchen. Nobody, but nobody was left out whatsoever!

At the great meal, there were three turkey and four christmas puddings to cater for the vast families: the Russells and their six, Primula, (Daisy was spending her first Christmas at her in laws), the Bettanys and their six and the Maynards and their eight! Dick, Jem and Jack seemed determined to have a race as to who could carve their turkey the quickest and Jem narrowly avoided slicing his own finger off.

Then there was the grand present opening. In strict order, the adults were done first. Finally Steve and Charles were handed the large train set all wrapped up. The wrapping, tightly bound as it was did not last the hands of two excited boys. Joey and Jack glowed with happiness as they saw the expressions of shock and pleasure on their boys' faces! Already the boys had cleared part of the attics for their train set and they made plans in earnest. Finally Jack waded through a sea of wrapping paper and said,

"Now boys! How about we put this train set together?"

The boys were effusive in affection for their kind parents and to be able to bag Papa to help set the trains set up was a miracle!

"Coming to help, Dick? Coming to help Jem?"

"Certainly!"

"Of course!"

This was too good to be true! Unfortunately, it was not to be plain sailing.

#7:  Author: FatimaLocation: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 6:35 pm
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Truly a daunting task, catering for that crowd.

I hope they have fun with the train set.

Thanks Phil.

#8:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:01 pm
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I bet the adults play with it undert he guise of showing the boys how to work it properly.

#9:  Author: leahbelleLocation: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:34 pm
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I hope the adults aren't going to take over and not let the boys join in. THanks, Phil.

#10:  Author: janemLocation: Ash, Surrey PostPosted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 8:42 pm
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Thats what happened in our house about 15 years ago!

#11:  Author: PhilLocation: London UK PostPosted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 10:02 pm
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Steve and Charles eagerly carried the train set upstairs! Rix, David and Jackie had turned down the offer of assisting them, feeling the old Hornby set was a little young for them, although they were still fond of it! At least the train set would be in good hands with their Maynard cousins.

A very large space had been cleared in the attic. Jack turned to his sons,

"Right! your uncles and I have an idea about how best to lay the train set out. Now don't worry boys! You can watch us set it up! It won't take ten minutes with us three we shall have you playing on the set ina jiffy!"

Knowing their father would never lie to them, they obediently sat down to watch patiently as Papa, Uncle Jem and Uncle Dick laid out the train set. It was three o'clock on the dot. Papa had said ten minutes. So by quarter past three, they should be ready!

"No Dick, I think the turntable would go beter there!"

"But it's so far from the engine shed!"

"Where is this signal box going to go Jack?"

"I haven't decided yet Jem!"

"Now chaps shall we have a little branch line running off here?"

"Where are the trucks going to go?"

"No, that part of the station has to go that way round. Peggy scribbled on it in felt tip! It's never come off!"

"I bet Rix was cross!"

"Furious!"

"I'm not happy with putting the farm here, and the level crossing there!"

"I told David I would repair this coach about ten years ago!"

There is no doubt that the three men were thoroughly enjoying themselves. They all got in each others' way and appeared to be getting more impatient. Stephen tentatively raised a hand.

"Papa?"

"Quiet Steve! I'm trying to work out where these points should go!"

Jack sounded tetchy. A definite warning sign for his young son. Steve looked in despair at his brother. It was quarter to four! Steve and Charles so desperately wanted to play with the train set! Things were getting done and it was good to have Papa there, but it was wise not to push your luck with Papa.

Steve slipped out of the attic for a glass of water. On the way, he met a gloating Margot.

"Ah! Is Daddy not letting you play with your silly baby trains then?" She sneered.

Stephen Maynard ignored Margot's baiting with the contempt it deserved, but only just! However Margot persisted. It was difficult with so many relatives around, so many tasks to do, and the weather outside was atrocious so she could not work her energy off outside. So, she picked on people younger than her, who were not supposed to respond to her if they were gentlemen.

"Trains are so silly! Why don't you get some proper presents! Some new clothes! Why can't you ask for a book like Con? Now that would be intelligent! Boys are so stupid with their pathetic little toys! You make so much fuss about them! It's stupid!"

It was so tempting to give Margot a shove that would send her crashing to the floor! Margot was about to open her mouth to make more unwise comments when she saw her mother giving her a severe look.

"Margot! You're not teasing Stephen are you?"

"No Mom!" said Margot, using the Canadian "Mom" rebelliously.

Joey grabbed her daughter's arm.

"I have told you off before about teasing the boys! I heard you, so don't lie! I have also told you that you are not to use that expression Mom either! Now do I send you to bed for the rest of the day or are you going to behave?"

Margot sulkily obeyed, but stopped short of a full apology.

It was four o'clock when Steve returned to find Charles dozing off and the railway was barely laid! Jem noticed the expression on his nephew's face and thinking the glass of water was for him, took it.

"Why thank you! What a kind considerate nephew! But you should have got one for your Papa and Uncle Dick! Now don't worry, give us another five minutes and we shall have this done!"

Steve sat down to another uncomfortable waste of time!

#12:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 4:21 am
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*Kicks Jem, Dick and Jack*

Fancy ruining the boys' hopes like that - let them play!

#13:  Author: KatherineLocation: London, UK PostPosted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 8:18 am
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All too plausible!

#14:  Author: leahbelleLocation: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 4:09 pm
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Reminds me of my dad and my brother's train set... Shocked

#15:  Author: PhilLocation: London UK PostPosted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 9:12 pm
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"Is it ready yet Papa?"

"No." (at quarter past four)

"Is it ready yet Uncle Dick?"

"No" (at twenty past four)

"Is it ready yet Uncle Jem?"

"No" (at twenty two minutes past four)

Steve and Charles gave up and with the greatest reluctance, tried to leave the attic to join Mike and Jackie with their boats. Their father caught them leaving.

"Hey boys! Where are you going? Don't you want to play with your Christmas Present?"

Jack looked astounded! Surely Steve and Chas were not giving up on their precious trains?

"We do Papa! It just seems to be taking alittle longer than we thought!" said Steve as diplomatically as he could.

"Oh!" was Jack's response. Were his sons being ungrateful? He didn't understand. Then he looked at the clock.

"Oh dear! Well, twenty minutes to three quarters of an hour should do it!"

The boys slumped into their corner, looking wistfully at the train set which Jack, Jem and Dick were poring over with the enthusiasm of small boys.

Joey Maynard called in half an hour later.

"Steve! Chas! Abendessen! Have you had a go with your train set yet?"

Joey was surprised at her sons' reactions. Charles just burst into tears and ran from the room, closely followed by a scowling, frustrated Stephen. Jack looked up.

"What's wrong with your boys?"

Joey shrugged and set off to investigate. She found both her sons in tears of frustration in the nursery.

"Now what is the matter?" Her golden voice was like honey to a bee. The boys ran to their mother and was swamped by a list of grievances.

"We were just doing what we were told, waiting quietly until the train set was ready...Papa promised it would be ten minutes! Then they started to argue over where the turntable would go! I knew Uncle Dick would put it in the wrong place!...And Uncle jem put the station the wrong way round!...And we haven't even touched the train set!...And they took it all up and started again!...And if we say anything, Papa will take the train set away! I know he will!...Yes, he will say we are being rude!.. Don't like Papa now!...If we're not going to have the train set, you may as well return it to the shop!... We won't have time to play with it this holiday, we've got so much work to do!...We shall never get a chance to play with it!... It will be time for school by the time we even see it finished!"

The more trivial offences such as Jem and the station and Dick and the turntable were enough to make Joey roar with laughter, but the real distress of her sons regarding Jack's breach of promise and the fact the boys had been so patient irked her. She was cross with her husband, brother and brother in law for selfishly keeping the train set to themselves. She left the boys to calm down and sent them to ask Karen for some lemonade and biscuits as a treat to soothe their ruffled nerves. She then stormed the attic!

"OH YOU SELFISH, SELFISH MEN!"

#16:  Author: leahbelleLocation: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 9:34 pm
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Those men deserve that!

#17:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 9:46 pm
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Good for Joey - I hope she really goes for them, upsetting the two lads. Evil or Very Mad

Thanks Phil.

#18:  Author: TaraLocation: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 10:52 pm
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Like Jack's 'What's wrong with your boys'! Nothing to do with him, then?

Thanks, Phil. Too, too typical! Very Happy

#19:  Author: FatimaLocation: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 4:30 am
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Yes, they deserve a really good telling off for being so mean. Thanks Phil.

#20:  Author: janemLocation: Ash, Surrey PostPosted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 8:11 am
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Wonderful. This was just how it happened in our house. Poor little Will spent all of Christmas Day being told not to touch and that it would be ready soon. Sadly he never really got into his train set at all.

Incidentally in our family we have an institution called Morgan time which is operated by all the men. A Morgan ten minutes (as in "I'll just be ten more minutes love") lasts half an hour, a couple of hours is half a day and a morning lasts a day. Once you get used to it, it works well. Smile

#21:  Author: PhilLocation: London UK PostPosted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 8:44 pm
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Joey's glare easily surpassed that of Miss Annersley in her most severe mood. Indeed, her look was as fatal as a basilisk and easily rivalled that of Medusa the Gorgon.

Jem, Dick and Jack stared at Joey.

"What on Earth is the matter Joey?" Jack was the first to speak.

"MY sons have nearly cried themselves sick; because their father and their uncles have been playing with their train set. Something I thought you grew out of a long time ago! They have been so patient too. They have sat quietly whilst you have told them not to touch or not to interrupt! It has been too much for them! All the other kids have had a good chance to play with their presents, but not Stephen and Charles! What have you got to say for yourselves?"

"We...didn't realise the time Joey." murmured Dick apologetically.

"And that makes it allright does it? Don't you realise that with everyone to see at Christmas and New Year across the country and back in Britain, those boys will hardly see their train set! We might as well not have bought it!"

"It's nearly ready Joey, we've worked out a plan!" Jem tried to defend himself.

Joey looked sceptically at him.

"There's hardly any track laid!" she said in acid tones.

Jem was about to say he had a plan up in his head, but Joey's fierce look told him this was not a good thing to say. In fact, Jem, Jack and Dick looked like scolded schoolboys. Jem and Dick also knew Joey would inform Madge and Mollie respectively. It was also highly unlikely they would be allowed to complete the train set at all now, even if they promised to do it in double time.

"What do you want us to do Joey?"

Joey thought for a moment. Then a grin swept over her face.

"Well, firstly apologise to Steve and Chas! Then I have a challenge for you! Take over from Madge, Mollie and I in the nursery in looking after the small fry and send Mollie and Madge here!"

"You...you mean you will build the train set?" Jack was astonished.

"Correct!"

"And the alternative?"

"You do all the washing and dishes until New Year's Day!"

The first option was accepted with alacrity. Jack and Co apologised to Steve and Chas. The look of betrayal on his sons' faces hurt Jack deeply and he wished more than ever he had asked his son's help in laying their train set. He had treated them as mere spectators! A bemused Madge and Mollie were sent to the attics where they found Joey.

"Right Girls! We have precisely two hours in which to lay the train set for the boys!"

#22:  Author: leahbelleLocation: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 9:15 pm
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Aren't they going to let the boys help, either? Or is it going to be a nice surprise?

#23:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 6:31 am
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Well done Joey - and I'm glad that Jack feels ashamed of himself.

Hope it's a wonderful surprise for Steve and Chas.

Thanks Phil

#24:  Author: PhilLocation: London UK PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 8:45 am
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"Well, I think that's about right!" Joey was doubtful. Surely there was something missing? The track was laid, stations were in place, there was a turntable, a farm yard, a village and an industrial estate.

"The trains of course!" said Mollie Bettany.

Meanwhile Madge had finished connecting the power supply. She picked up a "Great Western Railway" tank engine and set the little locomotive to work.

"Very good!" Madge glowed with pride.

"I'll fetch the boys!" Mollie went to retrieve her nephews.

Steve and Charles arrived with their triplet sisters in tow, who were curious to see where Mama and the two Aunts had vanished to. Joey, Madge and Mollie never ever forgot the look of joy on Steve and Chas' faces! Sheer wonder with mixed with total happiness and they fell upon Mama and the Aunts bestowing kisses and cuddles which normally they would have scorned as "girlish". A thousand "thank yous" later, they finally got to work on their trains! Next time, they were not going to ask Papa's help! Meanwhile Con had a question,

"Mama how come you managed to lay the train set when Papa, Uncle Dick and Uncle Jem failed?"

Joey blushed. She did not like to undermine her husband, brother or brother in law. The real secret had been an equal allocation of tasks. Mollie would see to the background stuff like the farmyard and station and industrial estate, Madge saw to the power supply and organisation of where the track, points and signals should go, whilst Joey laid the track itself. The men had been in dispute over who was to do what and where things should go. Fortunately, Madge intervened.

"It's because your Papa, Uncle Jem and Uncle Dick were so excited at playing trains again, they quite forgot your brothers, they didn't mean to!"

"Well, I still think the whole thing is a waste of space, time and money!" growled Margot.

Steve and Chas heard that but did not comment. Charles gave Margot one of his "looks" which instantly made her feel very guilty. She mumbled an apology.

Len had strolled over to Steve who flashed a grin at her. "May I have a go?" she asked. Since Len was the best sister ever, the request was accepted. Con inspected the farmyard and village, but Margot was not allowed near the model railway until Charles invited her.

The boys were allowed some extra time to play that night, and three guilty men came to watch Steve and Charles.

"Magnificent layout! All organised by my Madge!"

"That farmyard and village! I couldn't have done it better myself!" murmured Dick.

"They've done the boys proud! But I think Charles is putting the wrong coaches with "The Flying Scotsman" I'll just tell him..." Jack was about to intervene, but Jem held him back.

"Haven't we interfered enough?"

"Listen chaps, I have a plan!" said Dick.

Secretly, in the dead of night, when all in the house were asleep, three men moved stealthily in the direction of the attic. The light was switched on, hands rubbed together in glee, Dick laid his hands on some trucks, Jem on some coaches and Jack found some locomotives. They were about to start when a hand touched Dick's arm. It was Mollie. Dick looked at her in despair! She led him away.

Then Madge came in, looked Jem in the eye and said, "Bed!"

Finally Joey in her lime green night attire took one look at her guilty husband, shook her head and nodded in the direction of the door.

No more trains for Jem, Dick and Jack!

Although when the children were at school and Jack was alone at Freuedesheim, he would secretly creep up to the attic for a little game of trains!

#25:  Author: FatimaLocation: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 8:49 am
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They could have let them have a little go at midnight, they were obviously so desperate to play with the trains! Thanks Phil.

#26:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 8:51 am
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No, they didn't deserve it after upsetting Steve and Chas!

Thanks Phil, loved it.

#27:  Author: leahbelleLocation: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 11:33 am
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Thanks, Phil. So glad the women managed to put it all together. A lovely surprise for the boys!

#28:  Author: AquabirdLocation: North Lanarkshire, Scotland PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 1:07 pm
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Thanks Phil. That was great!

#29:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 1:31 pm
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Thanks, Phil, that was great.

#30:  Author: CatyLocation: New Zealand PostPosted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 12:46 pm
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Aww. I feel sorry for the Big Boys not getting to play with the trains. Thanks Phil. It was a lovely drabble.

#31:  Author: ElleLocation: Peterborough PostPosted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 12:57 pm
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Fab! Fantastic! Brilliant!



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