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Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 22 October X 2 and complete
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Author:  Lottie [ Tue Oct 19, 2010 12:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 22 October X 2 and complete

GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING
This comes with a hanky alert. If you have the slightest inkling as to what is going to happen, you’re probably right. Please don’t read it if it’s going to upset you.



Part 1 – Leaving School

End of Term

Nancy Wilmot, Head Mistress of the Chalet School for the last seven years, received a sympathetic grin from her friend and deputy, Kathie Ferrars, as she heaved a sigh of relief when the last of the buses departed with the girls on the first stage of their journey home for the long summer holidays. She turned to thank the three sixth formers who had been helping to make sure everyone boarded the right bus and that nothing had been left behind. Philippa Maynard, Marie Courvoisier and Claire de Mabillion all lived on the Gornetz Platz and had volunteered to help out before they walked home. Marie and Claire were talking to Clare Kennedy who had come to help Rosalie Dene and was now head of an administrative department of six people. But Philippa seemed to have vanished.

“I think she said something about going to the splashery.” Marie replied to Miss Wilmot’s query. “I’m sure she won’t have gone home without speaking to you first.”

Claire raced off, to return a few minutes later with the information that wherever Phil was, it wasn’t in the splashery. Nancy sent the girls to check the library, common rooms and form-rooms, while she and Kathie searched the grounds.

Author:  Joanne [ Tue Oct 19, 2010 1:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day

Well, I don't have an inkling what may be going to happen.... I look forward (or shouldn't I?) to finding out.

thanks.

Author:  Alison H [ Tue Oct 19, 2010 1:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day

I'm worried now!

Author:  janetbrown23 [ Tue Oct 19, 2010 2:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day

Lays in a big stock of tissues but has no idea why. Thank you for this..............so far :lol:

Author:  PaulineS [ Tue Oct 19, 2010 3:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day

Good job I remembered to buy some new hankies yesterday! Thanks

Author:  JB [ Tue Oct 19, 2010 4:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day

There are hankies on the desk in front of me. No idea what's going to happen though.

Author:  Fatima [ Tue Oct 19, 2010 4:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day

Another one with no idea as to what might happen. I just hope you won't leave us in suspense for too long though, Lottie!

Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Tue Oct 19, 2010 5:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day

Have an idea but I fear it is extremely over-dramatised! Can't wait to see if it's right though... thankyou!

Author:  Lottie [ Tue Oct 19, 2010 5:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day

Here's the next part. Now might be the time to reach for the hankies, or to stop reading half way through this part if it's going to upset you.


Phil’s Decision

Earlier, Philippa had slipped away as the girls were boarding their buses. She’d done her duty and no-one would miss her for a bit. This was the last day of her last term at school. Marie would be going to Oxford in September to read for her degree in Modern History. Claire was heading for the Sorbonne and a course in French and Italian literature. She would miss their company. She would have liked a chance to study at either place, or anywhere else for that matter, but it wasn’t to be.

Her first ambition had been to become a doctor. She’d seen a lot of doctors and hospitals when she’d been so ill as a small child. It had seemed that the least that she could do would be to join the medical profession and give something back. When her father had objected because he thought the long hours required of a junior doctor would be too much for her she’d turned her thoughts to nursing. He’d pointed out that she couldn’t really do that either, because of the limp left after the polio. Her limp was hardly noticeable now, but the habit of obedience to her parents was too ingrained for Phil to think of arguing the point.

While being fluent in three languages (like all Chalet School girls), enjoying finding out about the geography and history of places she visited and reading a good story, Phil had no interest in doing an Arts degree. Other girls were told to use less padding in their essays, hers came back with comments asking her to expand her ideas and write a bit more next time. It would have to be a science. But which one? Any thought of a biology degree or another science degree had been firmly vetoed, because of the long hours required standing while doing laboratory work.

It had been Nancy Wilmot who’d come to the rescue. She’d suggested that Philippa might enjoy applied maths or theoretical physics and had offered her special classes for a second maths A-level exam. Not sure at first, because it seemed so far from what she’d always thought of, Phil had found the subject fascinating once she started. She began to dream of going to Oxford with Marie. Her Head Mistress was happy to coach her for the entrance exams, and thought she stood a good chance of getting a place. Miss Ferrars had recommended that she apply to St. Anne’s College – she thought Philippa would get on well with Dr. Mary Kearsley, who’d had a room next door to her when they’d both been at Somerville.

Phil had lived with the scorn of her older brothers who were old-fashioned enough to think that maths wasn’t really a suitable subject for a girl to be interested in. Only her twin had understood, and supported her. Unfortunately, her childhood illnesses were to be held against her once more – since then she had always been treated as delicate. Her father thought that the damp Oxford winter wouldn’t be good for her, and any suggestions of Cambridge, Durham, Bristol or St. Andrew’s met with similar objections. The Sorbonne in Paris was apparently no better than England or Scotland; and Zurich would just be far too hot in the summer. In desperation she suggested applying to the University of Sydney – there couldn’t be anything wrong with the climate in New South Wales. But her mother had vetoed that as being too far away from the family, despite her cousins Sybil and Josette both living there.

It really seemed as though there was to be no future for her at all. Phil had thought long and hard during the Easter holidays, before she finally came up with a foolproof plan. They wouldn’t be able to stop this one.

Automatically, Phil changed her shoes and put on her big shady panama hat when she collected her blazer from the splashery. She felt in her pocket – everything she wanted was there so she slipped out of a side door and skirted round the back of the buildings towards the pinewoods. She knew the area inside out and backwards, and soon reached her chosen spot. She sat down in the sunshine, leaning against a comfortable tree trunk and looked out across the valley towards the Jungfrau. The sun was just burning off the last of the morning mists – it was going to be a beautiful day.

She hesitated for a moment. Then she resolutely carried on with her plan. She had written letters for Geoff and for Marie – she’d tried to explain her decision. They were both safely in the breast pocket of her blazer. Next she took out her rosary. She hoped God would forgive her. Finally she took out a snapshot of Geoff and herself. Felix had taken it last summer at the Tiernsee. She would have liked to see the place again, but the snapshot was in colour and the lake could be seen quite clearly behind her twin and herself. It was in a small frame. Deftly she opened the frame and removed the object she’d kept hidden there all term. Geoff was so careless of his possessions that he’d never missed the razor blade she’d extracted from its case during the holidays. She put the photo back in its frame and set it on her lap. Tears came to her eyes as she looked at Geoff’s smiling face. She took the blade in her left hand and carefully applied it to her right wrist. She knew exactly where to cut thanks to the first aid course Auntie Nell had run a few years ago. Then she swapped hands, took her rosary into her left hand and used the blade for the second time, on the other wrist.

The sun was still shining and all the mist was gone from the valley. She couldn’t believe how easy it had been. If she couldn’t have a future doing something useful, she wouldn’t have a future at all.

Her fingers could still feel the beads of the rosary. It had been several years since the Vatican council which had replaced Latin with the vernacular, but the old Latin words from her childhood still came more easily than the English, French and German which she’d used since then.

“Deus meus, ex toto corde paenitet me omnium meorum peccatorum, eaque detestor, quia peccando, non solum poenas a te iuste statutas promeritus sum, sed praesertim quia offendi te, summum bonum, ac dignum qi super omnia diligaris. Ideo firmiter propono, adiuvante gratia tua, de cetero me non peccatorum peccandique occasiones proximas fugiturum. Amen.

“In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

“Credo in Deum Patrem omnipoténtem, Creatórem cæli et terræ. Et in Iesum Christum, Fílium eius únicum, Dóminum nostrum, qui concéptus est de Spíritu Sancto, natus ex María Vírgine, passus sub Póntio Piláto, crucifíxus, mórtuus, et sepúltus, descéndit ad ínfernos, tértia die resurréxit a mórtuis, ascéndit ad cælos, sedet ad déxteram Dei Patris omnipoténtis, inde ventúrus est iudicáre vivos et mórtuos. Credo in Spíritum Sanctum, sanctam Ecclésiam cathólicam, sanctórum communiónem, remissiónem peccatórum, carnis resurrectiónem, vitam ætérnam.

“Pater noster, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur Nomen Tuum. Adveniat regnum Tuum, fiat voluntas Tua, sicut in caelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris, et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Amen.

“Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum; Benedicta tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

“Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc et'semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.”


The sun didn’t seem so bright now, but there weren’t any clouds that Philippa could see. The Tiernsee in the snapshot wasn’t as blue as she remembered, and Geoff’s normally flaming red hair looked quite pale.

“Domine Iesu, dimitte nobis debita nostra, salva nos ab igne inferiori, perduc in caelum omnes animas, praesertim eas, quae misericordiae tuae maxime indigent.”


This is an English translation of the prayers Philippa says with her rosary.

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven, and the pains of Hell; but most of all because I love Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

In the name of the Father+, and of the Son+, and of the Holy Ghost+. Amen.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Our Father Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell: lead all souls to Heaven especially those who are most in need of your mercy.

Author:  Finn [ Tue Oct 19, 2010 6:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day

Heartbreaking.

Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Tue Oct 19, 2010 6:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 19 October

Ouch!!!! It's so sad that Phyl could see this as the only way out of her dilemma.

Thanks, Bonnie - I think!

Author:  Finn [ Tue Oct 19, 2010 6:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 19 October

Haha, Elder, I'm not the only one that writes tragic drabbles! The credit for this one goes to Lottie!

ETA: and I wish I had written it - it's excellent! Well done, Lottie.

Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Tue Oct 19, 2010 6:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 19 October

Oh, dear, I was so hoping that it wasn't that. Poor, poor Phil.

Thankyou, Lottie, though you might owe me a new hankie soon!

Author:  KathrynW [ Tue Oct 19, 2010 7:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 19 October

How sad that Phil thinks that it's the only option for her. Thanks Lottie, you were right about the hankies.

Author:  Alison H [ Tue Oct 19, 2010 8:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 19 October

Oh dear, you were definitely right about the hankies :cry: .

Author:  janetbrown23 [ Tue Oct 19, 2010 8:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 19 October

I didn't stock up with enough hankies after all.
Thank you for a brilliant drabble.

Author:  Len [ Tue Oct 19, 2010 8:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 19 October

A powerful polemic against dictatorial parenting, a la Maynard. Very well done, Lottie.

It made me angry rather than sad, by the way.

Author:  charli [ Tue Oct 19, 2010 9:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 19 October

Len wrote:
A powerful polemic against dictatorial parenting, a la Maynard. Very well done, Lottie.

It made me angry rather than sad, by the way.


Me too! Grrr to Joey and Jack. Thanks...ish Lottie

Author:  Abi [ Tue Oct 19, 2010 10:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 19 October

The hanky warning was definitely right. :(

Lottie, that was incredibly powerful and beautifully written. And so, so sad. Thanks.

Author:  Lesley [ Wed Oct 20, 2010 5:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 19 October

Poor Phil - how terrible that she was forced to take that decision. May we see the aftermath, Lottie? I would like to see how her actions affect the Maynards.


Thank you

Author:  JB [ Wed Oct 20, 2010 7:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 19 October

Echoes Lesley's request. I really want to see how Joey and Jack deal with this.

Author:  Lottie [ Wed Oct 20, 2010 8:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 19 October

All good(?) things come to those who wait, so you'll just have to be patient. All I can say is that this isn't finished yet.
Thanks for the appreciative comments, everyone.



An Unexpected Discovery

It was Hilda and Nell who found Philippa while they were out for a stroll enjoying the morning sunshine. They noticed the distinctive gentian blue of her blazer where she sat at the edge of the pinewoods looking across the valley to the Jungfrau. At first they thought that she’d fallen and injured herself, but, when Nell reached for Phil’s wrist to check her pulse she realised it was more serious than that.

“I need your hanky, please, Hilda!” Nell was fishing her own out of her pocket as she spoke. “Then get some help as quickly as possible! Thank you!” Nell took the proffered handkerchief as Hilda hurried off in the direction of the school.

Rapidly she tied the makeshift bandages round Phil’s wrists in an attempt to stop the blood which was still spurting slowly. Having done everything she could, Nell reached for her rosary and prayed that help would come soon, and that it would be in time to save the girl.

So intent was Hilda on her errand, she barely noticed Vater Josef coming the other way along the path.

“Guten Tag, Fraulein Annersley! But why are you in such a hurry on a lovely morning like this? And where is Fraulein Wilson, today? Has she, perhaps, had an accident?”

Miss Annersley knew the old priest very well, and was grateful for the steadying hand which he extended.

“It’s not Nell, Vater, but Philippa Maynard. I’m going to the school to call an ambulance. Perhaps you could go and help with Phil!”

The two hurried off in opposite directions. Soon Vater Josef spotted Phil and Miss Wilson.

“Guten Tag, Vater! I think you’re only just in time. She’s still alive at the moment, but I don’t know how much longer she can hold on.”

The priest took one glance at the white faced girl as she lay there, and prepared to give the last rites. Nell had done all that she dared in the way of first aid, and returned to praying as hard as she could. The unconscious girl was in no state to make her confession, but from the presence of the rosary in her hand Vater Josef concluded that Philippa had repented of her sins.

“In nómine Patri, et Fíli, et Spíritus Sancti, exstinguátur in te omnis virtus diáboli per impositiónem mánuum nostrárum, et per invocatiónem gloriósae et sanctae Dei Genitricis Virginis Mariea, ejusqye inclytu Sponsi Joseph, et ómnium sanctórum Angelelórum, Archangelórum, Patriarchárum, Prophetárum, Apostolorum, Mártyrum, Confessórum, Virginum, atque ómnium simul Sanctórum. Amen” As with Philippa earlier, the Latin still came more readily to Vater Josef. Extracting the small bottle of oil which he always carried in his pocket in case of need, he carried on. “Per istam sanctam Unctiónem et suam piisimam misericórdiam, indúlgeat tibi Dóminus quidquid per visum.”

“Adjútorium nostrum in nómine Dómini. Qui fecit caelum et terram. Ne reminiscáris, Domine, delicta ancillae tuae, neque vindictam sumas de peccátis ejus. Kyrie eléison. Christe eléison. Kyrie eléison.”

“Per sacrosáncta humánae reparatiónis mystéria remittat tibi omnipotens Deus omnes praeséntis et futúrae vitae paenas, Paradísi portas apériat, et ad gáudia sempitérna perdúcat. Amen. Benedicat te omnipotens Deus, Pater, et Filius, et Spiritus Sanctus. Amen.” The priest was just concluding when Eugen Courvoisier arrived with the ambulance.

The doctor took one look at the unconscious girl and crossed himself before helping the men to lift the stretcher on board. They drove off leaving Nell and the priest behind. Seeing the doctor’s gesture, they feared the worst. Silently they walked along to the school together. All pleasure in the beautiful summer’s day was gone as they wondered how they could tell the Maynard family and their friends what had happened.


Here is an English translation of the Latin prayers said by Vater Josef. I hope I haven’t made too many errors with the last rites, but, if so, please excuse me – I’m not a Catholic.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, let there be extinguished in you all power of the devil by the imposition of our hands, and by the invocation of the glorious and holy Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, and of her illustrious Spouse, St. Joseph, and of all the holy Angels, Archangels, Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, Virgins, and of all the saints together.

By this holy unction and his own most gracious mercy, may the Lord pardon you whatever sin you have committed by sight.

Our help is in the Name of the Lord. Who made Heaven and Earth. Remember not, Lord, the offences of Thy handmaid, and take not vengeance on her sins. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

By the Sacred mysteries of man's redemption may almighty God remit to you all penalties of the present life and of the life to come: may He open to you the gates of paradise and lead you to joys everlasting. Amen.

May almighty God bless you, Father and Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Author:  Alison H [ Wed Oct 20, 2010 8:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 20 October

I'm glad it was Nell and Hilda, i.e. two people with common sense, who found her. Hope they're not too late.

Author:  Finn [ Wed Oct 20, 2010 8:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 20 October

Oh, there's more! Fantastic. Waiting expectantly, Lottie :D

Author:  janetbrown23 [ Wed Oct 20, 2010 10:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 20 October

I thought it must be finished too. Good to see more.

Author:  KathrynW [ Wed Oct 20, 2010 12:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 20 October

Thank you Lottie, I don't really know what I want to happen so I'll be very interested to see where you take this. It's very well written and very moving.

Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Wed Oct 20, 2010 12:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 20 October

Finn said:

Quote:
Haha, Elder, I'm not the only one that writes tragic drabbles! The credit for this one goes to Lottie!


Hangs head in shame :( Many apologies for my mistake, Lottie - that's what comes of speedreading too many drabbles all at once! Thanks, Finn, for pointing it out.

I'm another who is glad to see there is more of this. Thanks, Lottie.

Author:  PaulineS [ Wed Oct 20, 2010 2:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 20 October

Thanks Lottie, hope Hilda and Nell were in time and that they can help Jack and Joey.

Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Wed Oct 20, 2010 5:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 20 October

KathrynW wrote:
Thank you Lottie, I don't really know what I want to happen so I'll be very interested to see where you take this. It's very well written and very moving.


Exactly how I feel at the moment. Thankyou - I really can't wait to see where you take it. (HINT!)

Author:  Lottie [ Wed Oct 20, 2010 6:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 20 October

Part 2 – What If?

Nancy - Head Mistress

Perhaps I shouldn’t have pushed her to take that extra A-level. But she didn’t seem to be struggling. She’d always done well at science. She didn’t seem to be having any trouble with doing maths as well as biology, chemistry and physics. It had kept her options open as to which science to study at university. When Jack put his foot down over anything involving lab work, theoretical science seemed the obvious choice. But she would need more maths to cope with it. The results, when they come next month, will prove me right or wrong. Has it all been a waste of time? No! Whatever happens, it hasn’t been a waste of time. We both enjoyed those extra lessons. It gave me a chance to widen my teaching range for once, and Phil discovered, to her surprise, that she was a natural mathematician. I’m sure the extra work didn’t do her any harm. It wasn’t that which caused her to think of something very different to do after leaving school.

Kathie – Form Mistress

Why did I ever suggest that Phil should go to Mary’s college? If I’d kept quiet she might have been content to stay up here on the Platz. I expect we could have found her a few hours work helping with the juniors. She might even have been able to do something through that new Open University which started offering courses a few years ago for people who couldn’t get away from home. But I couldn’t ban her from the university advice sessions. It’s my job to talk to the girls about which courses and universities they might want to apply to. I had no idea that Jack and Joey were so firmly set against the idea. I don’t think Phil did, either. All the others have been to university or some other training after school. There was no reason for her to expect to be treated differently. Those childhood illnesses have never made any difference to how she coped at school.

Nell - Godmother

If I hadn’t run that first aid course, she wouldn’t have been able to do it. Would she? Maybe she would. Apparently she’s one of the best in the biology class. If she hadn’t already known where the arteries were she’d certainly have looked it up in one of her father’s text books or somewhere else. Maybe I should have tied the bandages more firmly. If I hadn’t taken so long to unfold the clean handkerchiefs I might have been able to try and stem the bleeding more quickly. Was there anything else I could have done to help save her? It’s too late now to do anything differently.

Hilda – family friend

If only I hadn’t decided to go back for my camera, we would have found her sooner. But it showed promise of being such a lovely morning, it seemed a shame not to try and capture something of it to look back on in the winter. I’d just spent several minutes taking that picture of the Jungfrau with just her head poking out of the veil of mist. If that photo comes out, I’ll never be able to look at it. Perhaps it would be better to destroy the whole film; then I won’t have to look at the pictures. If we’d been ten minutes earlier; if I’d managed to alert the San sooner and the ambulance had got there more quickly it might have made a difference.

Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Wed Oct 20, 2010 6:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 20 October X 2

What if indeed - but, ultimately, it was her decision, and sometimes situations arise without anyone being so completely to blame. Certainly I should think that a lot of people will be blaming themselves now, but I don't think that's necessarily fair.

Thankyou for the update.

Author:  Lesley [ Wed Oct 20, 2010 6:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 20 October X 2

I'm more interested in what Jack and Joey have to say - Nancy and Kathie both seem to know the reason why Phil did as she did - will that filter through to her parents?


Thanks Lottie

Author:  PaulineS [ Wed Oct 20, 2010 6:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 20 October X 2

Interesting that all those blaming themselves have little reason to do so.
Still hoping they were in time.
Thanks for the update.

Author:  Lottie [ Wed Oct 20, 2010 6:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 20 October X 2

Lesley wrote:
I'm more interested in what Jack and Joey have to say - Nancy and Kathie both seem to know the reason why Phil did as she did - will that filter through to her parents?

Don't forget that Phil had written letters for Marie and Geoff.
PaulineS wrote:
Interesting that all those blaming themselves have little reason to do so.

But everybody connected with a suicide or attempted suicide spends the rest of their life wondering if they should have done something differently to have prevented it.

Author:  Abi [ Wed Oct 20, 2010 8:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 20 October X 2

Also can't help wondering how Jack and Jo will react to this - will they even understand the reasons or will it be a tragic mystery to them?

Thanks Lottie.

Author:  Alison H [ Wed Oct 20, 2010 10:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 20 October X 2

In these sad situations family and friends are always going to wonder if they could have done more to help, as you say, but I hope those four realise that none of them were to blame.

Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Oct 21, 2010 6:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 20 October X 2

Oh Lottie, that is all so sad. Thank you

Author:  Lottie [ Thu Oct 21, 2010 8:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 20 October X 2

Marie – best friend

I shouldn’t have kept on about how much fun I was going to have at Oxford. We’ve always done everything together. I thought that promising to write would help her to feel part of it, but maybe it was just making her feel even more left out. Why didn’t she talk to me about how she was feeling? I’m sure that between us Pat and Geoff and I could have come up with some way to help her. The gang of four had always rallied round each other in the past. We’d never let anything make a difference to us and our friendship.

Claire – adopted sister

Maybe I shouldn’t have accepted that place at the Sorbonne. It must have been the thought of being left at home by herself that drove her to it. I could have offered to stay and we could have studied together. Although how she can enjoy all that algebra and stuff is something I’ll never understand. But I can read French and Italian literature anywhere – the books won’t be any different just because I’m in Paris rather than Switzerland.

Geoff – twin brother

She’s my twin. I should have known what she was thinking. I knew something wasn’t right at Christmas, but I thought she’d settled down by the time I saw her again at Easter. She seemed calmer and she’d stopped railing against Mum and Dad over being allowed to go to university. There was nothing in her letters to indicate this. Was there? She should have been allowed to go to Oxford with Marie. Pat had promised to find some good places in London for them to visit, if he ever got enough time free from his medical studies at St. Thomas’. I could easily get a train up to town from Cambridge and the girls would be able to get a bus or a train from Oxford. The old gang of four would have been almost together again, then. They were growing up and branching out into the world, but it would take more than that to make a difference to their shared friendship of eighteen years.

Len – oldest sister

My baby sister. Why this? What a waste. Why couldn’t I have looked after her? I know I have my own children, but they’re all at St. Nicholas’ now. I thought she’d seemed happier this last term than she had been before Easter. I know she’s worked hard for her A-levels, and I’m sure she’ll get excellent grades. I must have seen her every day at school even though she’s stopped coming to any of the French and German classes except the general literature once a week. Everything seemed normal then – I didn’t notice anything different about her.

Author:  Alison H [ Thu Oct 21, 2010 8:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 21 October

This is so sad :cry: .

Author:  Eilidh [ Thu Oct 21, 2010 12:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 21 October

Poor all of them. :(

Author:  KathrynW [ Thu Oct 21, 2010 2:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 21 October

How awful for them all. Thank you Lottie, this must be very hard to write.

Author:  Fatima [ Thu Oct 21, 2010 4:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 21 October

I really want to hear what Jack & Jo have to say. It's just so sad; thanks Lottie.

Author:  Lottie [ Thu Oct 21, 2010 5:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 21 October

Vater Josef - priest

I should have known something was wrong. She came to confession regularly. She confessed to a few minor misdemeanours and I gave her absolution. But this is so much more serious. I should have recognised that something was different in her thinking. I knew she was struggling with not being allowed to go to university. I should have offered to try and act as a mediator between her and her parents. All I could do was administer the last rites. But to have to do it to a child I remember baptising only a few years ago. To have to do it to one so young and otherwise healthy. Why didn’t I see that something was different about her recently?

Jack - father

I’m a doctor and I can’t even look after my own child properly! What sort of a doctor does that make me? A failure! We’d just pulled her through the mastoid trouble when she contracted polio. By some miracle she came through that without too many problems. I knew then that I’d have to be ever watchful with her, and it’s paid off. Nothing more serious than a cold or a bilious attack in more than ten years. We’ve even managed to keep her away from all the usual infectious diseases of childhood. Fortunately Geoff had both mumps and chicken pox while he was at school, so there was no danger of him infecting his twin. Now this. What did I do wrong? What should I have done differently?

Joey - mother

My baby! My precious youngest child. I went through labour to give her life and I always said I’d do anything if God would only spare her when she was so ill as a tiny child. Now this. All her life I’ve tried to protect her from harm. I’ve tried to save her from any more serious illness. She’s been through enough already. I just wanted to hold her tight and keep her safe. But I couldn’t. Why didn’t she talk to me? Why couldn’t I see that something was wrong? Why didn’t she ask me for help? What could I have done that would have made a difference?

Author:  PaulineS [ Thu Oct 21, 2010 5:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 21 October X 2

Thanks for the update. I hope that they can find some answers between themselves.

Author:  Alison H [ Thu Oct 21, 2010 6:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 21 October X 2

That makes it even sadder: Jack and Joey were just doing what they thought was best. I can imagine Robin feeling a similar sort of despair to Phil when the Russells and the Maynards stopped her from going back to her settlement work.

Thanks Lottie: this is sad but very thought-provoking.

(& if you want to write a prequel set in happier times I love the idea of Geoff, Phil, Pat and Marie as an Enid Blyton-esque boy-girl gang.)

Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Thu Oct 21, 2010 6:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 21 October X 2

Alison H wrote:
That makes it even sadder: Jack and Joey were just doing what they thought was best.


Exactly what I thought. It's such a horrible situation for them all to be in.

Thankyou.

Author:  Lesley [ Thu Oct 21, 2010 7:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 21 October X 2

But can they not see they are culpable? Joey at least knows about being forced to do less due to her health - couldn't she remember how much she rebelled against it and how, finally, Madge was able to relax the restrictions?

You cannot protect them forever - sometimes you have to allow them to spread their wings


Thanks Lottie

Author:  Abi [ Thu Oct 21, 2010 9:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 21 October X 2

That's so sad. :(

Author:  Fiona Mc [ Fri Oct 22, 2010 7:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 21 October X 2

They'll spend the rest of there lives asking why. I'm even asking why Phil didn't turn to one of her older siblings for help

Author:  2nd Gen Fan [ Fri Oct 22, 2010 8:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 21 October X 2

So sad that with so many people who cared for her, Phil still felt alone.

Author:  Lottie [ Fri Oct 22, 2010 8:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 21 October X 2

Alison H wrote:
(& if you want to write a prequel set in happier times I love the idea of Geoff, Phil, Pat and Marie as an Enid Blyton-esque boy-girl gang.)
I'm not sure that I have any ideas about that, but if you want to write it then go ahead. :lol:

Meanwhile, here's the next bit.



Eugen – Godfather and doctor

Never have I fought so hard to save a patient. To try and forget that I’d known her all her life. That she was my daughter’s best friend. That they were almost the same age and had practically grown up together. I knew Marie had mentioned something about Phil not being allowed to apply to Oxford, but I hadn’t realised things had been that bad for the girl. Maybe I should have said something to Jack. It was a nightmare in the back of the ambulance waiting to get to the San. There was nothing I could do till we got there. As soon as we did, I had her rushed into theatre. They were waiting for her with blood for a transfusion. Fortunately there was no delay because we had her blood group on our records from when she was a patient as a small child. Reg and Phil worked simultaneously – one on each wrist to suture the wounds. Then we had to play a waiting game. There was nothing more we could do except ensure careful nursing. And to pray. I think everyone on the Platz must have been praying for her that day, and for the rest of the week, too. Although it was nothing new to have a patient in the San whose life was hanging in the balance. I don’t think there was anything I should have done differently.

Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Fri Oct 22, 2010 10:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 22 October

It sounds as if he did everything possible. Does she survive though?

Thankyou!

Author:  Alison H [ Fri Oct 22, 2010 10:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 22 October

At least Eugen knows he did everything he could've done.

Author:  PaulineS [ Fri Oct 22, 2010 1:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 22 October

At least she arrived at the San. Thanks for letting us know she has survived so far.

Author:  Lottie [ Fri Oct 22, 2010 5:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 22 October

ChubbyMonkey wrote:
Does she survive though?

Well, I did think of ending it at that point, but there seems to be some more!

Here's the last part.



Part 3 – Reprieve

She could smell that familiar hospital smell. Disinfectant was mingled with the fragrance of flowers. There was a hint of some sort of perfume – her mother’s eau de cologne mingled with her father’s tobacco and the particular brand of aftershave favoured by Geoff. The scent of new mown hay was there somewhere and a whiff of coffee.

She could hear a buzz and a regular beeping noise – it sounded like some sort of machine. There were voices in the distance. Dogs were barking and birds were singing. Footsteps coming closer. A knock on the door followed by a faint creak of the hinges as it opened.

She could feel a breeze from somewhere. It was disturbing the cotton sheet which seemed to be all that was covering her. A smooth hand was pushing her hair back from her face. An ice cube was being rubbed along her lips which felt very dry. Now something was being pushed between them and under her tongue.

She could taste that mixture of metal and disinfectant which she’d learned to associate with a thermometer. Now it was replaced by the simple taste of cool water as the ice cube was back.

She opened her eyes with difficulty. At first all she could see was bright white light. Gradually she sorted things out. It was still a lovely sunny day, but she was in a white room. The valley wasn’t visible any more. The Jungfrau seemed to be framed by a window. The person in white stepped away from her and she could see Geoff’s face again. He was still smiling at her, but there was no sign of the Tiernsee behind him, just more of this white room.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

There was a slight thud as the door closed. Geoff came closer and took her hand in both of his.

“It’s about time you woke up, lazybones! I’ve been sat here for most of the last week and it’s an awful waste of the summer holidays.”

“What time is it? Am I late for breakfast? Wait – you said a week. Have I been ill?”

“Don’t you remember anything that happened at the end of term?”

“Marie, Claire and I were helping to make sure everyone got on the right buses and didn’t leave anything behind. I remember that.”

“Auntie Nell and Auntie Hilda found you at the edge of the pinewoods. You’d cut yourself.”

“I remember now. There didn’t seem to be anything else to do. I couldn’t face staying at Freudesheim while all the rest of you were off doing something interesting. What’s going to happen now? Mama and Papa are never going to forgive me. Where can I go?”

“Well first you’ve got to get better. You need to get your strength up because we’re off to the Tiernsee as soon as you’re well enough. Pat, Marie, you and me. Uncle Laurie and Auntie Daisy are going, but they don’t need all the rooms at Die Blumen so they’ve said we can use two of them. They’re good sorts, so I expect it’ll be OK if we’re out all day by ourselves. A few good walks will soon get the colour back into your cheeks.”

“That sounds like fun. But I can’t stay there for ever. What happens then?”

“I think that’s up to you. Uncle Eugen had a long talk with Mum and Dad the other night. He told them that you’re as strong as the next person, so I think they might see sense about letting you go to university. Are you still keen to try for Oxford? Are you sure it wouldn’t be better to come to Cambridge with me?”

“No, I think it’s Oxford for me. If they’ll have me. Is there still time to get an application in? What about Auntie Nancy? Will she coach me for the entrance exams?”

“I think that’ll be all right. You’ve no idea what a fright you’ve given us all. I didn’t want Mum to realise I’d noticed, but I’m sure she’d been crying after Auntie Hilda and Auntie Nell came with Auntie Kathie and Auntie Nancy for coffee the other morning. And Vater Josef was asking me about Cambridge and extolling the benefits of a university education to Mum and Dad yesterday evening. They’ll all be falling over themselves backwards to help you.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

There was another tap at the door. Phil turned to see both her parents coming in to the room. She clutched Geoff’s hand tightly. He was her twin and he understood. They’d been through a lot together. But she felt a bit afraid of her parents despite Geoff’s reassurances.

“Oh my precious!” Joey swept her youngest daughter into a big hug with due regard for the various tubes and other paraphernalia still attached. “It’s so good to see you awake at last!”

“I thought it was about time.” Jack was automatically reaching for her notes when his youngest son whisked them away from him.

“You’re not her doctor, Dad, you’re her father. Leave the medical stuff to Uncle Eugen. And tell her it’s all OK about Oxford.”

“Is it really all right for me to go? I’ve worked so hard for my exams.”

“You may go – if they’ll have you. And why anyone would want a young scaramouche like you is beyond me!” Joey’s smile made it clear she was joking. “Kathie seems to think her friend will be happy to have you at St. Anne’s. You’ve got to promise me one thing, though. You must write a proper letter home at least once a week. And you’ve got to take care of yourself – no doing silly things.”

“That’s two things!” Phil couldn’t hide a little grin.

“And that’s why you’re going to do maths, not me.” Geoff felt that things were starting to get back to normal again.

THE END

Author:  Fatima [ Fri Oct 22, 2010 5:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 22 October X 2 and complete

Phew! She's going to be ok, and she's going to university! Thank you so much for a brilliant drabble, Lottie, but best of all, thank you for letting it have a happy ending!

Author:  Alison H [ Fri Oct 22, 2010 5:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 22 October X 2 and complete

Phew! Thank you for a very thought-provoking drabble and a happy ending.

Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Fri Oct 22, 2010 5:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 22 October X 2 and complete

Thankyou for letting her survive!

...You wouldn't happen to want to tell us about how the trip to the Tiernsee goes, would you?

Author:  PaulineS [ Fri Oct 22, 2010 6:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 22 October X 2 and complete

Thank you for letting us see that she recovers and that the other adults involved speak to her parents and make them see she needs more than than staying at home. Pleased she is able to go to Oxford.

Author:  Fiona Mc [ Fri Oct 22, 2010 9:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 22 October X 2 and complete

Very glad it turned out alright in the end

Author:  Abi [ Fri Oct 22, 2010 9:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 22 October X 2 and complete

So glad she was ok, and that she was able to do what she wanted in the end. Thanks, Lottie, that was beautiful.

Author:  janetbrown23 [ Fri Oct 22, 2010 9:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 22 October X 2 and complete

Phew!

Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Fri Oct 22, 2010 11:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 22 October X 2 and complete

I'm so glad she survived; a shame she had to resort to such drastic action to convince her parents to allow her to go to university though. And it was fascinating to read all the reactions to what she did. I'm glad that Eugen was able to convince Joey and Jack that Philippa really *was* strong enough to go to university, though

Thanks, Lottie - this was really gripping throughout, and I'm glad that you brought it to a happy, rather than tragic conclusion.

Author:  Myth Tree [ Sat Oct 23, 2010 8:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 22 October X 2 and complete

Thank-you Lottie, I love happy endings (even though they make me cry.)

Author:  charli [ Sat Oct 23, 2010 4:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 22 October X 2 and complete

Thank you Lottie.

Author:  Karoline [ Sun Oct 24, 2010 5:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 22 October X 2 and complete

Thank you Lottie

Author:  Lesley [ Sun Oct 24, 2010 8:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Upon A Summer’s Day - updated 22 October X 2 and complete

Very pleased with the happy ending - thanks Lottie

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