The CBB :: View topic - The Bully And The Broken Reed Complete 9/6/06

The Bully And The Broken Reed Complete 9/6/06

through

[^/[Print]\]

The CBB -> St Mildred's House

#1: The Bully And The Broken Reed Complete 9/6/06 Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 3:05 pm
—
'I'm not having her here, and that's final.' declared Alan Trevor at the breakfast table. 'She upsets you, just by being in the same village, never mind the same house or room. You're my wife and I love you. You're a tower of strength to me and I'm not having that thoughtless young woman coming here and uspetting all of us, just so she can feel good about herself.'

'But, but, Alan.' protested Verity.

'No, she's not coming here. I heard her on the phone, our phone., talking to God knows who. ''Oh yes, I've just come down here for a few days, I have to come, my wretched sister -by-marriage, she's such a broken reed, I've told you what a problem she is for me. I have to come down here to sort her out, her poor husband would never be able to cope if I didn't.'' Well, she can clear off. I'm not having her in our house, upsetting you.'

Verity pondered her husband's words, and began to work out what she was going to say to Mary-Lou when she arrived.

Last edited by Jennie on Fri Jun 09, 2006 10:10 am; edited 9 times in total

#2: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 3:47 pm
—
Well said Alan Laughing

! Mary-Lou's attitude towards Verity from the age of about 16 onwards is just so annoying and patronising!

#3: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 3:49 pm
—
I'd like to see someone giving OOAO a good talking to! Thanks, Jennie.

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

Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 3:58 pm
—
Oh good, a Jennie drabble about Mary Lou. Definitely had a very patronising attitude toward Verity - and made all the worse because Mary Lou obviously felt that she was being kind. Twisted Evil

#5: Author: Cazx, Location: London

Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 4:04 pm
—
This looks great Jennie!
I got really annoyed by ML's comments about Verity in the later books so it's nice to see someone standing up for Verity!

#6: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 4:39 pm
—
Thank you Jennie, very much looking forward to seeing where this goes!

Kathryn

#7: Author: Joan the Dwarf, Location: Er, where am I?

Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 7:50 pm
—
Hurrah!

#8: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 7:53 pm
—
More please Jennie. It's a great start, but not long enough! Laughing

#9: Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria

Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 8:11 pm
—
Can't wqait to see someone stand up to Mary-Lou!
More please Jennie Very Happy

#10: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 8:15 pm
—
Thanks, Jennie. This looks brilliant so far. It's interesting to see Alan's thoughts about Mary-Lou.

#11: Author: Alice, Location: London, England

Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 8:39 pm
—
Wonderful, a new Jennie drabble and a Verity drabble!

#12: Author: Clare, Location: Liverpool

Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 10:31 pm
—
Looking forward to this Jennie! I've just read 'Kenya' and really wanted to smack Mary-Lou. Either that or all of the 'Gang' for jumping when OOAO says "jump". Grrr... Evil or Very Mad

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

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 12:57 am
—
This looks interesting Jennie - looking forward to more.

#14: Author: LL, Location: Random bits of North London

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 8:48 am
—
yay, I like this! Thanks Jennie!

#15: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 1:17 pm
—
Unfortunately, May-Lou chose to ignore the less than warm letter that Verity wrote to her telling her that she was going to be extremely busy with things at home and in the village. In fact, she snorted with laughter at the thought of Verity, Verity-Anne, being able to do anything at all. She was hardly likely to be involved with anything more arduous than wondering how to peel a few potatoes for Alan's dinner!

She absolutely ignored the memories of Verity producing extremely good-looking and tasty food in Domestic Science classes, whereas her own had never been more than competent. She also ignored the fact that no-one else seemed to be willing to house her for a few days whilst she took a break, so much for friendship.

That her own conduct in the past, criticising Verity for being feeble and slow might have been less than friendly or sisterly simply did not occur to her. She had never given a real thought to Verity's feelings when her father had died, simply assuming that Commander Carey's death had affected her more than it had his own daughter. Besides, her own mother was his widow, and that had entitled Mary-Lou to play a larger part in the funeral arrangements than his own daughter. It never occurred to Mary-Lou that there might be any resentment over this, and even the shock of discovering that everything had been left to Verity, with never a mention of herself in the will had been able to puncture her sense of her own rightness.

So, she set out to travel to the home of her sister-by-marriage. Well, she was entitled to use their home as she chose, wasn't she. After all, no-one else had ever done anything else for Verity, had they? And why on earth had they chosen to live in that village, it was so out of the way and not at all convenient to get to. And what sort of situation she would find when she got there, Lord only knew. She supposed that she'd have to sort things out for them, get things running smoothly. Alan, at least, would be grateful for her efforts. She wouldn't be at all surprised to find that he was really looking to her visit, so he could have decent meals and a properly-run house.

She turned off the main road to take the small country road that led to the village, only five miles to go. Then her car engine began to splutter.

#16: Author: Liseke,

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 1:26 pm
—
This looks interesting - thank you.

#17: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 1:36 pm
—
I love the new title Very Happy

Thanks Jennie, I think Mary-Lou is in for quite a shock!

Kathryn

#18: Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 2:09 pm
—
Oh please let Verity come along in her car and get the car running again!

#19: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 2:10 pm
—
It will be v funny if she has to get Alan - or preferably Verity - to help with her car

. I don't know why I'm laughing: I can't even change a tyre without help Embarassed

#20: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 2:16 pm
—
Mary-Lou really is obnoxious in this! Thanks, Jennie.

#21: Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 2:17 pm
—
I can't decide whether I want to see OOAO redeemed or for Verity to tell her where to go!

Right now I'm leaning towards the latter! Laughing

#22: Author: RroseSelavy, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 3:37 pm
—
This looks fascinating - it'll be interesting to see Verity as she really is, and not how OOAO sees her.

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

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 6:43 pm
—
What a deliciously awful OOAO. Please let her get her comeuppance!

Thanks Jennie

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

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 6:45 pm
—
Don't you just want to poke her? Laughing

Thanks Jennie.

#25: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 9:02 pm
—
The car engine finally stopped. Oh well, she'd just have to get out and walk, there was nothing else for it. Alan would have to bring her back to fetch all her stuff when he got home from work. Perhaps someone would pass by and give her a lift.

She had been walking for only a few minutes when a car pulled up beside her. The passenger -side window was wound down, and a voice said

'Are you having trouble with your car? Oh, it's you!'

'Yes, I am having trouble with my car, thank you.'

'Well get in then, I'll back up and see what I can do.'

The young squire, for it was he, reversed his car to where Mary-Lou's had finally spluttered itself out, then asked for the keys. He walked over to it, unlocked it, put the keys in the ignition and tried to switch it on.

That clearly had him in stitches, for he stood and laughed like a drain for several minutes, while OOAO looked at him in mounting indignation. Finally she spoke in an icy voice.

'If you've quite finished laughing, I'd like to get to my sister-by-marriage's house before it gets dark. I've no doubt I shall be spending the rest of the day sorting things out there, and I'd like to get some rest tonight.'

'Well, she won't be there, neither will Alan, they're having dinner with us tonight, my mother's giving a dinner party to thank Verity for the magnificent way she organised the Church Renovation Fund, and we don't have a spare place at the table, so you won't be accompanying them. Still, I've no doubt Verity will have some bread and cheese or something for you to eat. Never known anyone for being such a good organiser as that woman, she's an inspiration to us all.'

This was less than balm to OOAO's ears. Praise for Verity was the last thing she had expected.

His next word were even more enraging.

'By the way, have you never realised that a car needs petrol to make it go? You know, you drive into a garage, up to the petrol pumps, fill the car through that little covered hole in the side, pay for the fuel and drive on?'

She looked at him, her mind whirling with the deep dislike she was feeling for him. She had no doubt that he would tell everyone in the village that she hadn't put petrol in her car, well, everyone who counted, anyway. He'd probably entertain the dinner party with an account of their meeting. It was very hard to swallow, especially after she'd been to such pains to emphasise how inept Verity was during her last visit to them.

#26: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 9:18 pm
—
*giggling a lot*

Thanks Jennie, I'm *so* glad that Mary-Lou's car problems were her own fault and I do so hope that everyone gets to hear of them...or is that mean? Hehehe...

Thank you Very Happy

Kathryn

#27: Author: Caroline OSullivan, Location: Reading, Berkshire, UK

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 9:25 pm
—
Jennie, this is fantastic. Thank you so much. I needed a good giggle.

Sends food for the bunnies

#28: Author: Rosy-Jess, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 9:43 pm
—
Ah, running out of petrol. I have only done it once. I do not wish to repeat the experience.

This is fabbity Jennie. Am SO glad to see OOAO getting her just deserts.

#29: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:16 pm
—
Laughing

I really hope he tells everyone - and I love the idea of OOAO eating bread and cheese whilst Verity and Alan are dining with the local bigwigs, especially as the party's in Verity's honour.

#30: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:57 pm
—
*loves bread and cheese* Smile

Poor Mary-Lou! lol

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

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:59 pm
—
Oh that's very satisfying! Was going to start feeling sorry for Mary Lou but then got annoyed - how dare she speak with a stranger (the young squire) to emphasise how inept Veruty is? Twisted Evil

She deserves it!

Thanks Jennie.

Last edited by Lesley on Tue Jun 06, 2006 1:07 pm; edited 1 time in total

#32: Author: Lizzie, Location: A little village on the Essex/Suffolk border

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 11:03 pm
—
Ooh, Mary-Lou's so mean! And I used to like her! That's the problem with these drabbles, they're so good, I get confused...

I like Verity's husband, he's lovely.

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

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 12:21 am
—
It's the unquestioning conviction that she is RIGHT that's scary.....

Thanks Jennie.

#34: Author: Róisín, Location: Gaillimh

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 12:29 am
—
Oh dear, I feel ML is in for a fall...

#35: Author: ibarhis, Location: Dunstable

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 7:49 am
—
I love the start of a new drabble; I hope ML sorts out her thinking. I do like her... and I don't like to see her letting herself down.

#36: Re: The Bully And The Broken Reed ( renamed) 5/6/06 x 2 Author: Caroline, Location: Manchester

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 10:25 am
—

Jennie wrote:

Verity pondered her husband's words, and began to work out what she was going to say to Mary-Lou when she arrived.

Y'know, if Alan feels like that about things, maybe *he* should tell OOAO that she can't come, rather than leaving Verity to do it....?

Seriously - top fun! Keep this coming.

Caroline.

#37: Author: Cazx, Location: London

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 11:18 am
—
Loving this!
Can't wait for ML to receive some more put downs!

#38: Re: The Bully And The Broken Reed ( renamed) 5/6/06 x 2 Author: Elle, Location: Peterborough

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 11:22 am
—

Caroline wrote:

Jennie wrote:

Verity pondered her husband's words, and began to work out what she was going to say to Mary-Lou when she arrived.

Y'know, if Alan feels like that about things, maybe *he* should tell OOAO that she can't come, rather than leaving Verity to do it....?

Ahh, but if Verity is stronger than OOAO thinks then maybe it would be more of a shock when (if!) Verity tells her where to go! If Alan does it ML would probably just think he was protecting the 'weak and feeble' Verity.

Maybe.

Thanks for this Jennie.

#39: Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 11:26 am
—
Laughing

That was fantastic!

I've only run out of petrol once, but I knew straight away that that was the problem and that I fully deserved the long walk to the petrol station for letting it get so low!

#40: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 3:33 pm
—
Oh, fabulous! I didn't think she'd be so useless with her car! Can't wait to see what other dreadful things you have in store for her, thanks, Jennie.

#41: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 1:56 pm
—
I also can't wait to see Mary-Lou taken down a peg or two Very Happy

Thanks Jennie.

#42: Author: Tiffany, Location: Is this a duck I see behind me?

Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 4:08 pm
—
How fabbity! SMITE that Mary-Lou!

#43: Author: Joyful, Location: Manchester

Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 4:13 pm
—
Heehee, how amusing!
Thanks Jennie
Smile

#44: Author: JackieP, Location: Kingston upon Hull

Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 8:55 pm
—
This looks interesting Jennie. I always felt sorry for Verity.

JackieP

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

Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 10:16 pm
—
I am a Mary Lou lover but this drabble is excellent and I'm looking forward to seeing Verity shine Very Happy

Thanks Jennie.

#46: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 8:35 am
—
Mary-Lou had not spent a good night.

Instead of rushing round getting into a flap, Verity had calmly given her clean bed-linen and asked her to make her own bed. Her minute inspection of the room had convinced her that the room was not only clean, but very well-kept, indeed. She hadn't been able to find a scrap of dust behind the furniture or under the bed.

And by the time she had unpacked and got downstairs, Verity had produced a perfectly acceptable tray supper for her - ham, hard-boiled egg and salad, with a slice of a delicious gateau to follow. Alan had arrived home whilst she was upstairs as he could hear him and Verity laughing in the kitchen.

'I see you've arrived, Mary-Lou.' were his first words to her. 'Well, I saw your car left by the side of the road. Run out of go-juice, did you?'

She felt herself going red at that, but merely managed to remark stiffly that she expected that he would be able to drive her back to it immediately with a can of petrol from the garage.

'No can do.' was his immediate response. 'The garage is closed for a couple of days, Jim's wife has just had her gall-bladder removed, and he's spending his time at the hospital with her. We all stocked up beforehand of course, and got in a couple of spare cans.'

'Well, I don't see that I can't have one of your spare cans, it would be one less thing for me to worry about.' was his guest's less than gracious reply.

'Well, if you insist, of course.'

Then she noticed his grin as he continued. 'Of course, your car has a petrol engine, doesn't it? Well, if you really want me to, I'll put my couple of spare cans of diesel into it, but I do warn you, you might need a new engine afterwards.'

Mary-Lou could see that he was enjoying himself, how dare he? And this would mean that her car would have to stay by the side of the lane for all the motorists and all the passing yokels to see.

Then he had gone off upstairs, whistling to himself, shortly followed by Verity, and they had not come downstairs until just before they had left for the dinner party at the Manor House. They had dared to call a cheerful farewell to her and left her to entertain herself for the evening.

So she had decided to ignore the dainty supper that had been prepared for her and go rooting round in the fridge and the larder for anything that took her fancy. That had produced some results - she had found a delicious-looking piece of steak which they were clearly and selfishly saving for themselves. She had cooked that when she felt like it, and eaten it with the salad, though she had to admit it was rather tougher than she had foreseen, and it didn't seem to be settling well in her stomach. In fact, she had felt distinctly uneasy all night, waking frequently with her stomach playing up a little, just a feeling of nausea, and now in the morning, she was beginning to feel a little queer, just not herself.

Hearing the noises of the house as Verity and Alan began to rouse and go downstairs, she decided to get up and put on her dressing -gown and go in search of a cup of tea. Once downstairs, she found them giggling together.

'Did you have a good dinner last night?' asked Verity with an undoubted sense of laughter in her voice.

'Not particularly' snapped OOAO in somewhat less than her usual clarion tones. 'I didn't fancy that ham you left for me, it looked a little old, so I found some steak in the larder. It seems to have disagreed with me. Perhaps you ought to use another butcher. I'll help you to find one.'

'Oh, I don't think you'll need to bother, 'replied Verity with a grin. 'You see, you've eaten the dog's meat. It was from a cow that died, so Farmer Jenkins butchered it and gave it to people for their dogs. It certainly wasn't fit for human consumption.'

For once, Mary-Lou was silenced.

#47: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 8:49 am
—
Laughing

I bet Alan and Verity are loving this!

#48: Author: Rosy-Jess, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 8:49 am
—
*giggles*

Fantastic. That put ML in her place. I do like Verity.

#49: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 9:55 am
—
The day went downhill rapidly from there. Mary-Lou was hardly able to eat any of her breakfast, and the conversation was not to her taste.

She decided to regain control of the situation as soon as Alan had left for work. He had told them that he had a long day ahead of him, visiting a client and would be having lunch out, so that gave her plenty of time to put Verity in her place.

Firstly she had said in a martyred tone of voice, 'I suppose I'd better start organising the housework, you'll never manage to have this place clean and tidy all by yourself.'

'What on earth for?' asked Verity. 'Mrs. Brown, our daily housekeeper will be in soon. She keeps the place immaculate, and it gives me plenty of time for my work. I suppose you could come with me. It's my day for
the Cottage Hospital. I do the library trolley then help out with the mid-morning drinks. After that , I take the hospital shop trolley round, so people can get their newspapers and toilet articles and so on. It's great fun. Do you want to come and help? By the way, James de Vere, you know, he gave you a lift here yesterday, he's lent me a couple of petrol cans so we can fill them on the way back and put some petrol in your car. That will give you a bit of freedom, you'll be able to take yourself off for the day. As I told you in my letter, I've got a busy week this week. There's an awful lot to organise, it's the County Show coming up, and the WI will be doing its usual refreshment marquee, so we've got a fair few meetings about that. Now, I must be off up to get ready, it won't do to be late at the hospital. You've got half an hour to get ready, I'll have to leave without you if you're not downstairs by then.'

May-Lou was left gaping. In fact, she didn't know whether to be angry that Verity was clearly so competent, or cry because she felt ill.

#50: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 10:07 am
—
It's quite interesting to think how some people probably managed much better away from the CS and their bossy fellow-pupils - Simone, for example, and I bet Con Maynard did as well - whereas others probably couldn't cope without being told what to do for every minute of the day!

Thanks Jennie Very Happy

#51: Author: Cazx, Location: London

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 10:33 am
—
I'm so glad that Verity is showing M-L that she is actually competent!

#52: Author: Róisín, Location: Gaillimh

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 10:53 am
—
I do feel a little for MaryLou, being left no dinner etc *likes her food* but it's great to see Verity so capable and confident. Alan sounds like a super SLOC! Thanks Jennie.

#53: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 11:10 am
—
Poor Mary-Lou, what on earth is she going to do without Verity's life to run?!

Thanks Jennie Very Happy

Kathryn

#54: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 11:16 am
—
Roisin, Verity did leave a meal fo OOAO. She left her a salad with cold ham and a hard-boiled egg, with a slice of gateau for pudding.

OOAO chose to eat the meat out of spite.

#55: Author: Róisín, Location: Gaillimh

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 11:20 am
—

Jennie wrote:

Roisin, Verity did leave a meal fo OOAO. She left her a salad with cold ham and a hard-boiled egg, with a slice of gateau for pudding.

OOAO chose to eat the meat out of spite.

Oops sorry! Clearly, I have a bigger appetite than either of them... Embarassed

#56: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 11:47 am
—
Never mind, Roisin.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mary-Lou made it downstairs in time, but only just. She was quite annoyed to see Verity competently backing her car out of the garage, and was feeling very sulky when she sat in the front passenger seat. Her mood was not improved, when, after she had winced dramatically several times, Verity innocently asked her,

'Are you feeling quite well, Mary-Lou? Perhaps that dog-meat has upset you more than you thought. We could always ask if you can see the doctor when we arrive at the Cottage Hospital.'

Since her wincing had been designed to show that she felt that Verity was a less than competent driver, certainly less competent than herself, OOAO did not deign to answer the question, but continued to sit in silence until the end of the journey.

She was further annoyed by the smiles that greeted Verity, who began to introduce her to some of her fellow volunteers. As she was beginning to speak to them, her clarion tones attracted the attention of the Senior Sister, who promptly asked her to keep her voice down. This was more than enough. She decided there and then to do everything in her power to show how incompetent her sister-by-marriage was. These people might be deceived, but she wasn't. Leopards don't change their spots. Verity was a mooner, always had been, always would be.

So, when they were pushing the library trolley into the first ward, Mary-Lou gave it a hefty shove which brought it into sharp contact with the double swing-doors. This was closely followed by a nurse coming up behind them and tut-tutting at OOAO.

'That's not the way to push the trolley, let Mrs Trevor show you how. Besides, these doors were painted only last week, and we don't want to have to have them done again.'

OOAO's face flamed with anger and embarrassment, but she bided her time for a few minutes. When the trolley was surrounded by women eager to change their books, she decided to tell the whole ward, 'It's no good expecting my sister-by-marriage to get things straight. I'll sort you out with the books.'

She handed a book to a woman, who read the title, then gave it back to her. 'I've already read than one, see, it's in the record book that Mrs Trevor keeps. And I'll thank you not to know what I want to read better than I do myself. I'm quite capable of choosing for myself.'

The other patients who had all seen and heard this pointedly ignored OOAO, but chose their books, thanking Verity with elaborate courtesy, just to stress the difference.

Really, this holiday wasn't going as planned. There was nothing here to boost her ego, not so far, anyway.

#57: Author: Róisín, Location: Gaillimh

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 12:00 pm
—

Quote:

I'll sort you out with the books!

*rofl* Thank you Jennie.

#58: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 12:24 pm
—
I have to admit it, I'm revelling in putting OOAO in the wrong.

Feeling wicked.

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

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 12:36 pm
—
I am trying so hard to say 'Poor Mary Lou', but am just giggling instead! Laughing

Thanks Jennie.

#60: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 1:05 pm
—
I'm really enjoying this, here's another little bit to be going on with.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was no better when they were taking the drinks' trolley round at eleven o'clock. Mary-Lou was convinced that, since these people were in a ward, not private rooms, they were merely villagers, they drank tea, strong, with three sugars and very little milk. She looked at the cup that Verity poured for one old 'lady', wondering why she was giving her a cup of tea out of a small pot, and seeing how weak it was, declared, in her most piercing, carrying tones,

'Verity, you moke, that will never do. Haven't you learned how these people like their tea yet? Here, let me do it, I'll show you how.'

Pouring another cup of tea, as she imagined the woman would like it, she approached the old woman, whose white hair and weatherbeaten face had convinced her that she was a cottager, the wife of a farm-labourer.

'There you are, I'm sure that's how you like it, far better than the weak stuff Verity was going to give you. My sister-by marriage can't get anything right. It's a shame I won't be here next week, I'd have had her trained by then.'

Her jaw almost hit the floor when the recipient of her kindness addressed her in the most cultured of accents.

'My dear child, I never drink strong tea with sugar and milk. I got out of the habit in Egypt when I was working in the tombs in the Valley of The Kings. Now, if you'll kindly stop attempting to tell me what I like, and if you'll refrain from trying to make your friend look small, perhaps I may have the tea that I like, and by the way, brought in especially for my own consumption.'

'You tell her, Professor,' called out another patient.

With sinking heart, OOAO finally recognised Professor Emily Charter- Morley, the woman who had written one of the definitive series of text-books on Egyptology.

Today was definitely not her day.

#61: Author: Tiffany, Location: Is this a duck I see behind me?

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 1:17 pm
—

Jennie wrote:

With sinking heart, OOAO finally recognised Professor Emily Charter- Morley, the woman who had written one of the definitive series of text-books on Egyptology.

Fantastic! I love seeing Mary-Lou get her comeuppance!

#62: Author: Róisín, Location: Gaillimh

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 1:36 pm
—
Oh no! How is ML going to tell her she's an archaeologist?!

#63: Author: Eilidh, Location: North Lanarkshire

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 1:38 pm
—
And what's she going to say when she does?

Thanks Jennie - am loving this.

#64: Author: meerium, Location: belfast, northern ireland

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 2:28 pm
—
Is it very wrong that I'm willing Emily Charter-Morley to have a few choice words for OOAO on her latest dig, which was slapdash and less than professional, leaving all sorts of problems at the site that had to be straightened out by the next archaeologists on site?!!

This is great - I'm thoroughly enjoying Mary-Lou's hoisting by her own petard!

#65: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 2:32 pm
—
OOAO, who had suddenly felt all her confidence ebbing away, decided that she didn't dare tell Dame Emily that she too was an archeologist. The elder lady had a reputation for not suffering fools gladly and had been been known to bite the heads off anyone who presumed to know better than she and to annihilate cheeky students who had failed to prepare for their tutorials.

She remained very piano as they sat down for their morning break. It was quite clear, from the chatter, that Verity was well liked and respected for her work with various organisations, and she was afraid of being corrected if she dared to show her innate contempt for her sister-by-marriage in front of everyone.

So when it was time to push the shop trolley around the wards, she looked and listened, trying to find a chink where she could edge her way in so she could once again enjoy her sense of superiority.

On the way back form the hospital, Verity stopped for Mary-Lou to fill the petrol cans, then drove them home. OOAO decided that she would chat, but in a slightly barbed way, reminding Verity of her mooniness at the CS. She was quite amazed when Verity turned to her when they came to a halt at some traffic lights,

'What was that, Mary-Lou? I was thinking about the County Show, so I wasn't listening to you, I'm afraid.'

'I was just reminding you what a mooner you were at the Chalet School, Verity. It's such a surprise to see how you've changed, quite the little organiser now, aren't you?'

'Yes, well I never did like all that cubey work we had to do, so it was far easier to let you do it for me, instead of bothering to do it myself.'

Then, seeing OOAO's jaw drop, she added, 'It's the same as when you pushed me out of the way last year when we were painting the small bedroom. It was far cheaper to get you to do it than have the painters in, you know.'

#66: Author: Róisín, Location: Gaillimh

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 2:36 pm
—
Oooh!

Thank you Jennie.

#67: Author: Kat, Location: Kingston-upon-Thames/Swansea

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 2:45 pm
—
Laughing

Good to see Verity telling M-L that she's cheap labour Laughing

#68: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 2:46 pm
—
Naughty scheming Verity! Laughing

It's so lovely to see her as a valued person, and OOAO making huge mistakes that everyone can see! Thanks, Jennie, this is just fabulous.

#69: Author: Elle, Location: Peterborough

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 3:30 pm
—
Go Verity!

Jennie this is fantastic. Thank you so much.

#70: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 3:41 pm
—
Laughing

Nice one Verity!

They're starting to remind me a bit of Connie and Ruth, the twins in Malory Towers.

#71: Author: Tiffany, Location: Is this a duck I see behind me?

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 4:55 pm
—
yay for Verity! (it's a good thing the whole dorm didn't catch on - imagine Mary-Lou having to do EVERYONE's cubey work...)

#72: Author: Rosy-Jess, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 5:21 pm
—
Hurrah for Verity. I do like her! This is marvellous Jennie!

#73: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 5:41 pm
—
I'm loving this. Go Verity Very Happy

Thanks Jennie.

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

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 6:03 pm
—
Jennie you are very wicked! Love that, however much she tries, Mary Lou cannot seem to prove her superiority, in fact she's becoming a figure of fun.

Thanks. Laughing

#75: Author: Clare, Location: Liverpool

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 6:14 pm
—
I can't wait for more! Go Verity!!

#76: Author: Cazx, Location: London

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 6:45 pm
—
Hehe Verity is very wicked but very funny! Laughing

#77: Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 9:48 pm
—
I love this Verity!
Thanks Jennie

#78: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 10:09 pm
—
Brilliant Jennie, thank you. Not only is it fab to see OOAO be put in her place but I think this is rather realistic too!

Kathryn

#79: Author: Lizzie, Location: A little village on the Essex/Suffolk border

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 11:26 pm
—
Loving this!

Thanks Jennie!

#80: Author: ibarhis, Location: Dunstable

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 8:06 am
—
I would really like ML to come to terms with things... Sorry but I actually like the child and would like her to find an equilibrium in the adult world.

#81: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 10:10 am
—
During lunch, OOAO could hardly swallow a bite of food, good though it was, and she maintained a sulky silence during the excellent French coffee that Verity produced afterwards.

She felt humiliated, thoroughly humiliated, as though she had been turned inside out. She had imagined that everyone loved and respected her, so she had felt no sense of shame when talking nastily behind Verity's back, calling her a broken reed and loudly declaring that she had to sort her out. She had thought she was in charge, only to discover that she had been treated as a puppet, with Verity pulling her strings.

Finally, it was Verity who broke the silence. Mary-Lou was astonished to hear a faint note of amusement in her voice.

'You see, Mary-Lou, you've always jumped to conclusions, and they're not always the right ones. The way you behaved when my father died was typical. Remember, you had your mother and grandmother when you were a little girl. I had two elderly relatives who never really loved me, just expected me to behave and do well in my lessons. Oh, I was well fed and clothed well, but no-one ever accepted me as a person. I had so little of my father, such a few short years, and after he and your mother married, you were always pushing yourself forward, unable to accept that he might want to put me first and I might want to do the same for him. Your behaviour over the funeral arrangements was dreadful, yet you couldn't see it.'

'Tell me something, Mary-Lou, did you really think that no-one would tell me about the things that you said about me behind my back? I heard all about it. That's when I decided to let you get on with it. If you wanted to do all that work, why not let you? It gave me more time for what I wanted to do. And when your mother died, you called me a broken reed, you and Mrs Maynard. Yet can't you remember how often she had to be put to bed with a little dose because she got upset? ''Aunt Joey isn't to be bothered now, or upset, she's not feeling well.'' You just refused to see that I actually liked and respected your mother, and was grief-stricken when she died. No, it had to be you.'

'And ever since I married, you've behaved as if I can't do anything for myself, that I need you to sort me out, and that Alan is grateful to you for your efforts. We've laughed and laughed at you and your assumptions. We lead a happy, contented life. I don't need a job, so I do my voluntary work, and I enjoy it, but you seem to think that you can make yourself look good, and perhaps feel good, by trying to make me look foolish and inept. Isn't it time that you accepted that I'm not?'

Mary-Lou was about to answer this, but the look on Verity's face stopped her.

'You see, this isn't your home. It's not somewhere that you come when it suits you, turn the place upside down and leave thinking that you've done a wonderful job and we ought to be grateful to you. We've put up with it up to now, but this is the last time. You've made a fool of yourself; in less than two days the whole neighbourhood is laughing at you. I should imagine that you'll want to pack up and leave as soon as possible. Certainly no-one in the village has any time for you, and what's more, I don't.'

'I've only one further thing to say to you. Mary-Lou, it's time that you stopped seeing yourself as the centre of the world, and grew up to realise that you're only a very small cog.'

So it was a very humiliated Mary-Lou Trelawney who drove out of the village that afternoon, wondering desperately if she would ever be able to to renew past friendships on a different basis. When she arrived home that evening, she threw herself onto her bed and cried herself to sleep.

It might be good to state that she was a changed young woman from that day on, but who knows?

#82: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 10:15 am
—
Hopefully she was a changed woman after that!

Thanks Jennie - loved seeing OOAO get her come-uppance, and Verity being happy after her sad childhood.

#83: Author: Rosy-Jess, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 10:23 am
—
Thankyou Jennie. It's been lovely to see more of Verity, and to see ML put in her place for once.

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

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 10:26 am
—
Thank you Jennie - despite being a Mary Lou fan I really enjoyed that (but am secretly convinced that she certainly was a changed woman from that day forth Wink

)

#85: Author: RroseSelavy, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 11:04 am
—
Thanks Jennie, I really enjoyed this drabble. It's great to see Verity as a person in her own right and to see OOAO thinking about how she's acted. It's a shame as she was nice as a child - but you could see everything building up to make her a bossy and self-important adult.

#86: Author: Cazx, Location: London

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 11:09 am
—
Thanks Jennie, it's nice to see Verity have the confidence to stand up to ML.

#87: Author: Róisín, Location: Gaillimh

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 11:55 am
—
Good ending Very Happy

But is she changed? *insert suspense music* da da da dum...

Thank you Jennie, this was all wonderful and so needed for poor Verity to get it out of her system.

#88: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 11:58 am
—
Yes, I think she's got the strength of character to think about Verity's words and to change because she could see the truth in them.

*whispers* I think it would be lovely to see her return to see Verity some time later, so that she can show Verity how she's changed and how much nicer she's become.

Thanks, Jennie.

#89: Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 1:25 pm
—
Have just read the whole of this in one go, Jennie, and loved it. I had a real giggle at the dog's meat episode. Laughing

Good for Verity - about time she was outspoken.

Thank you.

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

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 2:21 pm
—
Well done Verity - that really needed to be said. And Mary Lou needed to hear it - otherwise what type of life would she have to look forward to?

I think, once she is over the humiliation, that she will have the strength of character to change.

Thanks Jennie.

#91: Author: Alice, Location: London, England

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 2:41 pm
—
Thanks Jennie. I hope Mary Lou has learned something from her experience.

#92: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 2:49 pm
—
Thank you Jennie, that was absolutely fantastic!

Kathryn

#93: Author: Steph, Location: Buried under a pile of books

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 6:47 pm
—
Have just read this in one go and enjoyed it very much. Am glad to see that Verity grew up to be a capable and well loved woman and glad to see ML put in her place Laughing

Thanks Jennie!

#94: Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 9:03 pm
—
Thanks Jennie
Room for a spin off there don't you think Wink

#95: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 12:06 pm
—
If anyone wants to do one, please feel free to use the background of this and Alan and Verity as I have developed them.

#96: Author: Mary, Location: Sussex University

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 4:22 pm
—
Great stuff. I love Verity and Alan.
M
xx

#97: Author: Phil, Location: London UK

Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 9:10 pm
—
Thanks Jennie! I have only just found this and really liked it. Wished it could have continued. Smile

#98: Author: Changnoi, Location: Milwaukee, USA

Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 2:23 am
—
I just read this, and it was very nice, Jennie! I especially liked Mary-Lou eating the dog's meat! Smile

I also liked that Verity had been using Mary-Lou for her labor for years Smile

.

Chang

#99: Author: Tamzin, Location: Edinburgh

Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:49 am
—
Have just read this and really enjoyed it. There's a certain frisson in seeing the icons of the CS demolished when I just accepted them so placidly before.

#100: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:24 am
—
Thanks Jennie. Smile

Good for Verity!

#101: Author: Gem, Location: Saltash/Aberystwyth

Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2006 11:19 pm
—
Really enjoyed this - thanks Jennie. Also hope that OOAO left a changed woman!

#102: Author: Liss, Location: Richmond

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 8:54 pm
—
Thanks for that, Jennie - it's always nice to read a Verity fic.

The CBB -> St Mildred's House

output generated using printer-friendly topic mod. All times are GMT + 1 Hour

Page 1 of 1