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

Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, finished 11/4
http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2036
Author:  Cryst [ Sun Feb 11, 2007 12:23 am ]
Post subject:  Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, finished 11/4
This is the sequel to Chalet School Specialist School, which is in the archives. In that tale Hilda and Nell were struggling with the paperwork to apply for Specialist School status. They needed Joey and Mary-Lou's help to sort that out.

Part 1 of this sequel is also archived -- here. It relates the arrival of new Spanish Master and Joey's visit to the hairdresser, Frau Bottcher.

Part 2 is archived here. Hepsy Cameron is appointed to teach Italian, and Joey becomes a part time teacher of PSHE, with Nancy as her mentor. Hepsy and Mary-Lou are becoming suspicious of the Spanish Master.

The door flew open, banging back hard against the wall, as Nancy marched into the staff room. Her eyes scanned the scene quickly, registering the key facts. Joey was seated at one of the work tables, looking up at José who was leaning over her, reading over her shoulder and laughing. They were clearly engrossed in what they were doing. Several others of the staff were seated around the room, mostly with piles of exercise books that they were marking, and they looked up as Nancy entered. Most were wearing expressions of pained irritation. Only Hepsy ventured a smile – but that froze on her face as she noticed the anger on Nancy’s. Frau Mieders was seated near the side table which held the Kaffee and Kuchen, displaying her usual air of slight confusion. Nancy noticed with relief that the plate of cakes was nearly, but not quite, empty, and rapidly formulated a plan. She would pour out her Kaffee and put her cake onto a plate, and only then would she tackle the problem of Joey’s list.

She strode towards her goal, but alas, was forced to alter her plans as Joey’s golden voice hailed her. “Ah, Nancy, maybe you can help with this? We’ve got translations for most of the words, but we’re a bit stuck when it comes to ‘Dutch cap’. José here is suggesting ‘chapeau hollandaise’ for the French translation, but I think he might be pulling my leg.” This remark was met with annoyed tutting from most of the occupants of the room, but with a peel of laughter from Hepsy, seated on one of the easy chairs nearby.

Vaguely aware that her actions were perhaps not going to be those that exemplified the methods practiced by the most enlightened of mentors, Nancy nevertheless strode across the room and grabbed the sheets of paper from in front of Joey, slamming them down on top of a pile of Lower Fourth exercise books she had on her own shelves, and which she was planning to mark later that day.

“I told you. None of that sort of stuff yet. You are doing family finance with them first, remember? Do I make myself clear?”

Joey’s face dropped, her eyes moistened, and her upper lip trembled dangerously.

“But the list is just in case they ask, I wasn’t going to …” she started to protest.

“I don’t care. I don’t want to hear your excuses. No list. No sex, no puberty, no hygiene. NO LIST. Understand?”

Joey hung her head in misery, for once at a loss. “Yes Nancy,” she replied meekly.

“Good,” Nancy replied sharply, turning back towards the Kaffee and Kuchen, and witnessing, as she did so, Anna’s hand reaching out and transferring the very last of the delicious sweet bread twists onto her own plate.
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Feb 11, 2007 2:44 am ]
Post subject: 
Hmmmm, well I can't say that i'm at all impressed with Nancy - or with many of the rest of the Staff - whereas Joey's lesson impressed me greatly, especially when she had to improvise the whole thing.


Thanks Cryst - most intriguing
Author:  Lisa [ Sun Feb 11, 2007 8:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hurrah! Have found the new post! That was a really well-drawn segment, Cryst. I think the characterisation of all was very sensitive - I felt for Joey and also for Nancy for whom this would be an outrageous move!
Author:  Jennie [ Mon Feb 12, 2007 10:04 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Cryst. Nancy is right, what Jo was doing was a step too far in the beginning of PSHE at the school.
Author:  Tara [ Tue Feb 13, 2007 12:21 am ]
Post subject: 
But she was only trying to give an honest answer to questions she'd been asked, she wasn't initiating it.

Love all the tutting and Hepsy's supressed mirth. And LOVE:
Quote:
No list. No sex, no puberty, no hygiene. NO LIST. Understand?”
Author:  leahbelle [ Tue Feb 13, 2007 2:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the update, Cryst. I really like Hepsy.
Author:  alicat [ Wed Feb 14, 2007 3:51 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh go it Nancy!

tho having just had my youngest's tales of glee after his first sex ed lesson (aged 7, they learned the correct anatomical names for parts of the body - you can guess what a small boy made of THAT) I can't wait to see what's going to happen when joey starts on this!
Author:  keren [ Mon Jun 11, 2007 11:52 am ]
Post subject: 
This was also one of my favorites, whenever you have time to add to this, I will be happy
Author:  Cryst [ Sun Jun 17, 2007 10:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
Sorry for the long gap - I'll try to find time to finish this off - here's a little bit anyway - it might get me back into the swing of it!

With a large sigh and a poisonous glare at the impervious Frau Meiders, Nancy poured herself a cup of coffee, took a generous helping of sugar, and marched across to the corner of the room furthest away from Joey, choosing a chair a way apart from the other staff and turning it away from the room so that she could look out of the window. Her colleagues had caught her mood and they took the hint, leaving her to fume in peace. She wrapped her hands around the cup and sipped the coffee slowly, pondering morosely about the difficulties of mentoring the irrepressible Joey, and wondering what she could do to improve matters. Reaching the bottom of the cup, she spooned up the half dissolved sugar from the bottom of the cup, then got up to fetch a second cup and returned to her seat. As she did so she noticed that Joey was pouring over her books, quiet for once, and the rest of the staff had started to relax. She took a deep breath and started to plan her free period. Most of the staff, including Joey, would leave the staff room shortly, and she would be able to get on with her marking in peace. Nancy was starting to calm down.

Just then the door opened and Rosalie Dene popped her head through the door, and looked around. “Ah, Nancy, there you are,” she said, “Thank heavens I found you. Miss Annersley has asked to see Rosalind Moore, and thinks it might take at least quarter of an hour. You have a free period next, don’t you? Please would you sit with Lower 4b until she returns? She says they have some map work to continue from their last lesson, so it’s just a question of minding them really.” With that, without waiting for a reply, she turned and rushed off to resume her work in the busy school office.
Author:  Sal [ Mon Jun 18, 2007 2:00 am ]
Post subject: 
Aww poor Nancy, Thanks for the update Cryst, I found the other parts of this and they are great so please carry it on when you get chance.
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:31 am ]
Post subject: 
Things are just combining to tick Nancy off, aren't they? :lol:


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:39 am ]
Post subject: 
Good to see this back!
Author:  keren [ Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:39 am ]
Post subject: 
yay
thanks for updating.
Author:  Rosalin [ Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:56 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the update Cryst.

Poor Nancy.
Author:  leahbelle [ Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:03 am ]
Post subject: 
Fantastic to see this back, Cryst. Thanks!
Author:  Lisa [ Tue Jun 19, 2007 11:58 am ]
Post subject: 
Yay! An update! Poor Nancy is having one of those days ...

*waves dandelion leaves temptingly at plot bunnies*
Author:  Cryst [ Tue Jun 19, 2007 9:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lisa wrote:
*waves dandelion leaves temptingly at plot bunnies*

Dandelions accepted with thanks ...

Nancy scowled and turn back to stare out of the window, her irritation deepening as someone drew up a chair to sit beside her. Reluctantly Nancy tuned her head to see who it was. Hepsy looked indignant.

“Is this one of your PPA periods? They can’t do that to you, you know. You are entitled to your non contact time.”

“What?” Nancy replied grumpily, at a loss. “PPA? Non-contact time? What are you talking about, Hepsy?”

“Well, you know, the employers must guarantee at least 10% of your timetable set aside for planning, preparation, and assessment activities.”

“Huh. Not this school they don’t. You’ll see – we are on duty from Frustuck to Abendessen and beyond!”

“But they can’t do that, Nancy. Teachers’ pay and conditions. You know. Did you not read the Union briefings?”

“Union? At the Chalet School? Oh, my dear, that’s not how it works at all here,” Nancy replied, picking up her pile of books and heading towards the door as she heard the bell for the next lesson.

“Well, we’ll soon see about that …” muttered Hepsy under her breath, as she watched Nancy’s retreating figure disappear through the door.
Author:  Lisa [ Tue Jun 19, 2007 9:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hurrah! The dandelions worked! *begins to cultivate huge patch in garden for perpetual plot-bunny feeding*

Go Hepsy! Stir 'em up! Poor CS won't know what's hit it!
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Jun 19, 2007 9:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
You tell them, Hepsy!

I hope they go on an expedition soon and she asks about health and safety :wink: .
Author:  Rosalin [ Tue Jun 19, 2007 11:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
Alison H wrote:
I hope they go on an expedition soon and she asks about health and safety :wink: .


Lovely idea :lol:

Hepsy does have a point, although we don't see how many free periods the staff get during the week. The image of Hepsy trying to unionise her colleagues is definitely amusing.

*Sends more bunny treats*
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Jun 19, 2007 11:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
*Eggs Hepsy on*


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Wed Jun 20, 2007 2:12 am ]
Post subject: 
Go Hepsy!

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  keren [ Wed Jun 20, 2007 8:09 am ]
Post subject: 
If she get's them in the right mood she could unionize
the question is, whether English law will apply in Switzerland?
Author:  leahbelle [ Wed Jun 20, 2007 10:18 am ]
Post subject: 
This could spell more trouble!

Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  Cryst [ Wed Jun 20, 2007 10:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
Nancy’s humour did not improve as she walked to the Geography room. Lower 4b were not her favourite group, and she loathed Geography. “I suppose they’ll be doing some ghastly map work that involves them all moving around the room and borrowing things from each other. Plenty of opportunities for their usual mischief – I’ll not get any of this marking done for sure,” she thought grimly.

Sure enough, Tessa, Solange, and Janice were up to no good. A boisterous game in the splasheries on their way back to class had got out of hand, with the result that they had spent a few extra minutes with their towels trying in vain to blot the water off Janice’s pinafore before it soaked in. They were giggling and red faced as they rushed down the corridor, turning the corner just in time to see Nancy disappearing into the Geography room.

“Oh corks, that’s torn it!” exclaimed Janice. “It’s Willy – what’s she doing there?”

“Cover for Miss Moore, I suppose”, replied Tessa. “I’ll tell you what, Jan, you walk into the classroom between the two of us, right behind me, and with a bit of luck she won’t notice that you’re damp.”

“Damp?” cried Janice, “After the soaking you two gave me, I’m a bit more than just damp.”

Her look of indignation set the other two girls giggling again, and as the little train of girls entered the room in a tight line, their faces flushed from suppressed laughter, they were greeted by a bellow from Miss Wilmot. “Why are you three late? Janice Chester, you are soaking wet, go straight to Matron for a change of clothing. You other two, sit down – quickly and quietly, and just be aware that I won’t put up with any more of your nonsense.” With that Nancy turned towards the desk to put her pile of marking down, spinning back around to face the class to make sure the three girls were doing as she had commanded. As she did so, she brushed the books with her skirt and two pieces of paper floated off the top of pile onto the floor at the far side of the desk. Solange saw them and was in the process of turning to pick them up when another bellow came from the angry mistress.

“Sit down, Solange. At once. I will not tell you again.”

“But, Miss Wilmot,” she started.

“NOW!” roared Miss Wilmot, and Solange obeyed. Nancy settled the class, now subdued, down to their work, and with a sigh sat down at the desk to start her marking.
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Jun 20, 2007 11:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh dear, it's one of those days ... :lol:
Author:  Rosalin [ Wed Jun 20, 2007 11:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Solange, it's never nice being told off for trying to help.

And what are the odds on those pieces of paper being something that Nancy really didn't want to lose?

Thanks Cryst, enjoying having this back :)
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Jun 21, 2007 5:58 am ]
Post subject: 
Serves Nancy right - regardless of how angry she is she shouldn't take it out on the pupils.

Now what is in those pieces of paper??????


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  francesn [ Thu Jun 21, 2007 8:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm really hoping it's Joey's "list"!

Thanks Cryst
Author:  Jennie [ Fri Jun 22, 2007 12:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Cryst. It's good to see this back.
Author:  Ruth B [ Fri Jun 22, 2007 12:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
I have an idea what the paper might be, and if so and the kids get hold of it, Nancy won't be amused. :lol:
Author:  Sal [ Sun Jun 24, 2007 1:15 am ]
Post subject: 
*wonders what the paper is*

Thanks Cryst :)
Author:  leahbelle [ Sun Jun 24, 2007 1:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Cryst. Am also wondering what the papers are.
Author:  Cryst [ Tue Jul 03, 2007 10:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
Prunella groaned loudly. “Oh why ever did I sign up for this? It’s going to be hard work, and I could do without it. This year at St Mildred’s was supposed to be enjoyable, and it’s turning out to involve much more effort than I’d imagined it would.”

Blossom shot her an unsympathetic look. “Oh dry up, old thing. It may be boring but you know what the alternatives are. You’re not the flower arranging or deportment type, really are you? And a spot of Italian could come in handy some time.”

“Well maybe,” Prunella replied with a most unladylike scowl, “but we’re already doing Spanish and I’m bound to get mixed up between the two.”

“Ah, Spanish”, interjected Amandine with a long sigh. “But it is two whole days until the Spanish. I do not think I can wait that long.” Resting her head in her hands, she sighed again.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, stop mooning about that dreadful man,” Mary-Lou cut in, exasperated. “Prunella, you’ll just have to sit there, listen, and talk a bit. Surely that won’t be too taxing even for you. And Miss Cameron is a jolly decent sort, I’m sure we will enjoy her lesson.”

“Well maybe, Mary-Lou,” Verity ventured quietly in her silvery voice, her expression forlorn. “But she won’t be José, will she. She won’t be him. It won’t be the same.”

“Let’s hope not”, muttered Mary-Lou under her breath, then, louder “Anyway, it sounds as if she’s coming down the corridor, so look lively, you dreamers. Try to look a bit more alert, and a bit less love-struck”.

Verity pulled a face at her sister-by-marriage, just managing to compose herself again before Miss Hepsy Cameron entered the room.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Jul 03, 2007 10:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
I sympathise - I get Spanish and Italian totally mixed up and usually throw in a bit of French as well :oops: :lol: !

Is everyone except OOAO under José's spell ... ?
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Jul 03, 2007 11:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
Mary Lou and Hepsy it seems.


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Rosalin [ Tue Jul 03, 2007 11:51 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Cryst. I was wondering how Hepsy and Mary-Lou were getting on in their two woman bid to stop the Chalet School from being completely brainwashed.

Although I can't quite get used to liking Mary-Lou, which I'm definitely doing here :?
Author:  Cath V-P [ Wed Jul 04, 2007 12:58 am ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
"Try to look a bit more alert, and a bit less love-struck."
Definitely! :lol:

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Sal [ Thu Jul 05, 2007 6:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'd nearly forgot about Jose hope Hepsy and OOAO can squash him soon.

Thanks Cryst
Author:  Cryst [ Thu Jul 05, 2007 11:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hepsy’s first Italian lesson with the young ladies of St Mildred’s went well. She started them off with simple conversation, using a light and humorous teaching style that soon relaxed the girls, giving them the confidence to try the simple repetition and responses, knowing that mistakes were to be expected and that the group would be supportive. She then set them working in small groups to attempt to translate short magazine and newspaper articles using a dictionary, coming together at the end to read out their translations to the whole class, with much hilarity. The girls were astonished at their ability to make some sort of sense of the material given to them. It had been carefully selected for its familiar content, in areas of interest to the girls, and of course their knowledge of other languages helped, as did the fact that several of the girls had already acquired a smattering of Italian through their travels and in contact with Italian speaking girls at the school.

Hepsy in her turn was very pleased with the group and their co-operative and enthusiastic approach to the work. She could not help comparing then with the subdued and rapt class she had observed during José’s lesson, and this strengthened her increasing suspicions about her colleague.

At the end of the lesson she managed by a couple of meaningful glances to suggest to Mary-Lou that she should stay behind when the other girls left the room, which that self-assured young women managed to do without raising suspicion by simply dawdling whilst collecting up her books.

Hepsy broached the subject of the Spanish master first. “Well, that went well,” she said, closing the door, “The class seemed somehow much more alert than they did when I was observing Señor Romero’s lesson.”

“Oh yes,” Mary-Lou agreed, “they behave reasonably normally when Señor is not around, unless they’re going in for one of their endless moping sessions, when they talk about how perfect he is and sigh longingly at each other. I’m quite fed up of them – they are behaving like a complete set of ninnies.”

“Tell me,” she continued, in her direct manner, “what does he actually look like to you? I’m coming to the conclusion that I’m not seeing what the rest of them are seeing. They describe him as handsome, but the man I see couldn’t possibly be described as that – he is truly ugly – with a misshapen face and a dreadful complexion.”

Hepsy hesitated in her reply, knowing that what she was about to describe would sound far-fetched. “What I see most of the time, Mary-Lou, is a very attractive young man. But … oh, this is difficult to describe … if I catch him out of the corner of my eye, rather than look straight at him, I sense something very different. On one occasion I caught a distinct glimpse of a very different looking person – much older, ugly beyond belief, and, … well, … just evil.” She shuddered.

“That’s him to a tee! It looks as if you are seeing both versions. How very odd. Maybe if we can get to the bottom of this appearance thing, we’ll have a better idea what’s going on,” replied Mary-Lou. “Are there any photos of him anywhere? We could look at them together and compare notes in more detail.”

“I haven’t seen any, but perhaps we could take some?” suggested Hepsy. “Do you have a camera?”

“Oh yes, what an excellent idea. Clever old you,” replied Mary-Lou, causing even Hepsy to flinch slightly at the over friendly way that Mary-Lou was addressing a member of staff. “I’ve several shots left on the film too. I’ll tell you what, I’ll take some snaps of him and send them off for processing. Could I address the return envelope to you though? Otherwise everyone will want to look at them.”

“Yes, that will be fine,” replied Hepsy, “but do take care, won’t you. What if he guesses that we suspect something?”

“Don’t worry, Miss Cameron, I’ll be careful,” replied Mary-Lou, “I’ll find an excuse to take a group photo with him in it. Or maybe I’ll hide behind a bush”, she added with relish. “I’ve always fancied myself as a bit of a private detective.”

“Well just you take care,” Hepsy repeated with emphasis. “Now - I’d better dash or I’ll be late for my next lesson. I’ll catch up with you next week.” With that, she left for her short walk back to the main school.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Fri Jul 06, 2007 12:35 am ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
“I’ve always fancied myself as a bit of a private detective.”
Now. why does that worry me? :shock: :lol:

Interesting that they actually see him as a different person - and I wonder what the camera will show them?
Author:  Fatima [ Fri Jul 06, 2007 5:45 am ]
Post subject: 
I think the 'behind the bush' attempts might be more successful than the request for a group photo. He won't be prepared then. It will be interesting to see what they learn from the photos.
Author:  Lesley [ Fri Jul 06, 2007 6:22 am ]
Post subject: 
I wonder what the photo will show - and why Hepsey and Mary Lou are the only ones to see him differently?

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:47 am ]
Post subject: 
Very strange!!
Author:  Rosalin [ Fri Jul 06, 2007 10:14 am ]
Post subject: 
Perhaps they could compare a group photo with a behind the bush photo. Unless he causes the film to combust like the basilisk in Harry Potter :lol:

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Jennie [ Fri Jul 06, 2007 11:40 am ]
Post subject: 
I think he casts a glamourie over himself regularly, it's just that some people aren't fooled by them.
Author:  alicat [ Fri Jul 06, 2007 12:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
It's a good thing everyone is hypnotised by him really otherwise mightn't M-L get into awful trouble for taking covert photos of a MAN??? certainly that would be the interpretation that could be put on it!
Author:  Cryst [ Fri Jul 06, 2007 11:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
The members of staff of the Chalet School were all making their way towards the staff room. The Headmistress had called them together at the start of evening prep, indicating that there was something she wished to discuss with them. Nancy Wilmot was on her way up the stairs.

“Cooeee. Nancy!”

Nancy gave an inward groan, but turned round, managing to muster a weak smile as she greeted Joey.

“Hello Joey, not looking for me, are you?” she asked, hopefully.

“No, not this time, Nancy, though I do need to see you soon about my next few weeks’ lesson plans. I’ve been looking at …”

Nancy cut in, and determinedly kept talking until they reached the staff room door. “Are you here for the staff meeting then, Joey? We’d better hurry up or we’ll be late, won’t we. I wonder what Hilda wants us for? She can’t be anticipating a long meeting, because we are all due to supervise prep in just a few minutes time. I’m surprised she’s asked you along though if it’s just a quick word she wants. You have those lovely babies of yours to take care of, don’t you, and I’m surprised that she would consider straining your, er ….” she searched for the phrase she’d read recently in one of the numerous directives emanating from the School’s Board of Trustees, “… work-life balance”, she concluded triumphantly. Joey was robbed of her reply, because they had just entered the staff room, and found the rest of the staff already gathered, sitting attentively waiting for Miss Annersley to start speaking.
Author:  Rosalin [ Fri Jul 06, 2007 11:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
Cryst wrote:
and I’m surprised that she would consider straining your, er ….” she searched for the phrase she’d read recently in one of the numerous directives emanating from the School’s Board of Trustees, “… work-life balance


That would involve having Rosli and Anna at the Staff Meeting and leaving Joey at home :lol:

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Jul 06, 2007 11:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Nancy :lol: :lol: .
Author:  Cryst [ Sat Jul 07, 2007 10:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
(With thanks to Alison H for stimulating this particular plot bunny ...)

Miss Annersley drew the meeting to order with a dignified “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen”. The last few arrivals quickly found seats and sat down quietly. “I won’t keep you long.” she started. “I have some good news, and some,” she paused, and gave a wry smile “other news. The good news is that those of you who will be accompanying the half term trips are excused your preparation supervision duty tonight. I have arranged for those of us who will not be going away to cover your classes, with assistance from the prefects. This is to provide you with the time to undertake some work required by the Board of Trustees. I have arranged this during evening preparation so as not to encroach on your leisure time.” She paused, and smiled round at her colleagues, expecting looks of gratitude, but disappointed to observe instead that the staff seemed weary and apathetic, wondering what unwieldy bureaucratic process was now to be added to their daily burden.

She continued, regardless, picking up from a table behind her a pile of leaflets entitled “Health and Safety of Pupils on Educational Visits” plus a mound of pink forms. “We are now required to undertake a Health and Safety Risk Assessment for all school trips, and,” she brandished the pink forms in her right hand, “complete one of these with respect to each school trip, outing, or potentially hazardous activity. Over time I’m sure we will become experienced in this procedure, but this first exercise may take a little time. We have these very helpful leaflets to guide us, and the forms will take you through the issues that need to be addressed. We need one form to be completed for each of the half term visits. I suggest you work in groups, one for each of the various trips. I’ll return at the end of preparation and we can discuss any issues that have arisen. If you need to ask me any questions in the meantime, please feel free to come and consult me. I shall be with Lower IVb.”

She deposited the leaflets and the forms back onto the table and, offering no opportunity for dissent or discussion, beat a hasty retreat.
Author:  Rosalin [ Sat Jul 07, 2007 10:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
:lol: :lol: :lol:

I'd been hoping this would happen.

Cryst wrote:
She deposited the leaflets and the forms back onto the table and, offering no opportunity for dissent or discussion, beat a hasty retreat.


Very wise move. The pupils aren't going to get a look in if they want help with their prep, there'll be a queue of mistresses wanting help with theirs :wink:

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Jul 07, 2007 10:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Hilda, having to pass on all that - and poor Staff - writing out risk assessments can be VERY difficult - and it's my job! :lol:


Thanks Cryst
Author:  Cath V-P [ Sun Jul 08, 2007 1:45 am ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
She deposited the leaflets and the forms back onto the table and, offering no opportunity for dissent or discussion, beat a hasty retreat.

I'll bet she did! :lol:

They've got a lot to cope with, haven't they?

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Jul 08, 2007 9:17 am ]
Post subject: 
:oops: *Is very flattered.* :lol:

Somehow I doubt that relying on finding open huts and or being rescued by passing doctors will comply with standards ...
Author:  Jennie [ Sun Jul 08, 2007 2:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
Perhaps they'll have to detail whose turn it is to fall into a lake, and who does the dramatic rescue.
Author:  francesn [ Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm just waiting for a representative of the Health and Safety Executive, or OFSTED, to turn up and tell them it's not acceptable!

Thanks Cryst!
Author:  Rob [ Sun Jul 08, 2007 6:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
Interested to see how they deal with the H&S forms!!

Thanks Cryst
Author:  Cryst [ Sun Jul 08, 2007 10:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
Grumbling, the staff arranged themselves into groups according to the trip they were assigned to for half term.

“Come along Kathie,” said Nancy, “Health and Safety on the Bern visit for us. Where’s are those dratted forms and leaflets? We’ll have to do one about the perils of falling into the bear pit.”

“Yes, and the girls could get themselves covered in condensed milk and get attacked by a swarm of hornets,” replied Kathie with a grin, entering into the spirit of the occasion.

“Oooh, isn’t this fun!” exclaimed Joey, attracting glares from all sides. “We’ll be having a river cruise and mountain picnics on our trip. Plenty of scope there! Hepsy, José, where are you? Let’s get cracking, and show everyone how it’s done. I’m sure we’ll get ours done in no time at all.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” retorted Nancy from across the room. “And try not to be so damned enthusiastic about everything, Joey - you’ll wear us all out. You’ve got the health implications of that long journey to consider, for a start. Why ever are you going so far anyway? I’ve never know such a long journey for a half term trip. Whose idea was that?”

Undeterred, Joey bounced back. “One of the staff – I can’t remember who Hilda said it was. It ties in with their literature studies apparently. It’ll be fine, Nancy. We are travelling overnight, and there’s plenty of room on the coach so the girls should be able to stretch out a bit and get themselves comfortable. We are packing blankets and pillows. There’s a stop planned around midnight for toilets, and we’ll have bread twists and flasks of hot chocolate for them then. It’ll be a bit like a midnight feast. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Oh Joey, for heaven’s sake – how do you manage to maintain the outlook of a fourteen year old at your age? Anyway – sleeping on the coach – sounds like a hazardous activity to me - you’ll need a risk assessment for that, for sure,” Nancy replied with a hint of malice. “You’ve got the Thirds on your trip, haven’t you?” She sucked air through her teeth. “More risk there.”

José came to Joey’s assistance. “But we have the young ladies of St Mildred’s with us also,” he said smoothly. “They will assist the staff in keeping an eye on the little ones. Pray do not concern yourself on our account, Nancy.” He flashed a smile at her, and Nancy melted.
Author:  Rosalin [ Sun Jul 08, 2007 11:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
Yes, Joey's enthusiasm is a bit wearing.

Thanks Cryst

Thought: Is the image Jose projects dispelled when he's asleep?
Author:  Rob [ Sun Jul 08, 2007 11:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
You can certainly tell that Joey has only recently joined the teaching profession can't you!!

Thanks Cryst

Rosalin wrote:
Thought: Is the image Jose projects dispelled when he's asleep?


I was having all sorts of :shock: thoughts about Hepsy or OOAO creeping into Jose's room at night to check ... before realising that he would be sleeping on the coach!! :D
Author:  Fatima [ Mon Jul 09, 2007 6:17 am ]
Post subject: 
Rob wrote:
Rosalin wrote:
Thought: Is the image Jose projects dispelled when he's asleep?


I was having all sorts of :shock: thoughts about Hepsy or OOAO creeping into Jose's room at night to check ... before realising that he would be sleeping on the coach!! :D


Yes, I had visions of various people trying to creep around and find out what happened when he went to sleep!
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Jul 09, 2007 7:08 am ]
Post subject: 
Does anyone else wonder if it was Jose's idea to travel such a long way and overnight? And if so, what are his plans for the Thirds and St Mildred's? :shock:


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Jul 09, 2007 7:49 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Cryst :D .
Author:  Cryst [ Mon Jul 09, 2007 8:08 am ]
Post subject: 
Rosalin wrote:
Thought: Is the image Jose projects dispelled when he's asleep?

Plot bunny grabs large carrot with gratitude, and bows in Rosalin's direction.
Author:  Rosalin [ Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:46 am ]
Post subject: 
You're welcome bunny :D :D
Author:  Jennie [ Mon Jul 09, 2007 3:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
Perhaps Jose is a vampire, so they'll all need garlic and holy water.
Author:  Cryst [ Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
Leaving her staff to wrestle with their paperwork Hilda stepped briskly down the corridor towards Lower IVb’s form room. She was looking forward to taking them for prep. Although she still taught examination classes in the upper school, she had very little contact with the younger girls these days. Of course, she managed faultlessly to remember all their names and faces, and knew quite extensive details about their family lives and the progress they were making in their studies and extra curricular activities. That was not the same as teaching them however, and she missed their energy and enthusiasm. She was wise enough to realise that they should be left on their own for as short a time as possible – mischief was never far from their minds at that age. It was as well that she was thus prepared for the sight that greeted her as she entered the classroom.

Janice Chester was standing on a chair, reading from a couple of pieces of paper held out in front of her. The rest of the class was clustered around her in a semi-circle, listening intently, murmuring questions to each other, and looking puzzled. They were all quite oblivious to the entry of their Headmistress.

“Right!”, yelled Janice. “Quiet you lot! We’re not going to get anywhere with this unless you pay attention, are we, and I don’t want to shout. We still haven’t worked out what any of these words mean, even though we’ve got the English word plus the French and German translations. The next one is something else I’ve never heard of. The English word is va...”

At this point her sixth sense made her turn towards the door where she saw Miss Annersley, looking her most stern. She stopped in her tracks and all the girls fell silent instantly.

“Janice, come down from that chair and hand me those papers,” Miss Annersley said calmly, but with a voice that sent a shiver like an icicle down Janice’s back. “And the rest of you, take your seats quietly and quickly. Janice, you may remain standing at the front.”

The girls obeyed instantly and sat down, subdued. Miss Annersley looked at the papers that Janice gave her, and blanched at the neatly handwritten list of sexually explicit terms, carefully tabulated, with translations from English into French and German. “Where did you get these?” she asked, her calm tone at odds with the expression on her face.

“Er, they were on the floor, Miss Annersley,” Janice replied.

“Where?”

“In the Geography room.”

“And how did they get there, do you know?”

“Yes Miss Annersley, Miss Wilmot dropped them,” gulped Janice.

“And you did not think to return them to her?”

Solange interrupted before Janice could reply. “I did try …”

“Silence Solange, I was not addressing you.” Miss Annersley barked back at her. Solange subsided, quashed again. “Well, Janice?”

“No Miss Annersley,” Janice muttered.

“Instead, you decided not only to read them, but also to keep possession of them and parade them around the school?”

“Well, just the class, really Miss Annersley,” Janice rallied briefly in her own defence.

The answering glare from the Headmistress froze her to the marrow. “I shall consult with your form mistress to decide how you should be dealt with. Your actions show immaturity and a disappointing lack of responsibility.” She shook her head sadly. “We expect more from Chalet School Girls.”

At this she realised that Janice was close to tears, and she gestured the remorseful child back to her seat.

“You have all wasted enough time. Preparation will continue for an extra thirty minutes so that you can catch up on the work you have neglected. You will then all go straight to bed, forfeiting your free time this evening.”

(Edited to preserve Lower IVb's innocence of the facts of life, as the original version of this scene torpedoed the plot. Sorry 'bout that.)
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Janice :lol: .

Er - they all seemed to know what the words meant (in English) well enough ... or was that from Joey's lesson?
Author:  Rosalin [ Mon Jul 09, 2007 11:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
Jennie wrote:
Perhaps Jose is a vampire, so they'll all need garlic and holy water.


Nah, he walked down to St Mildreds in the daylight with Hepsy. Have I watched too much Buffy? :oops:

I liked Janice trying to stick up for herself.

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Jul 10, 2007 6:46 am ]
Post subject: 
So who is going to get into trouble for that, Joey or Nancy? Should be Nancy after all, she dropped the papers and wouldn't listen when Solange tried to return them.


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Cryst [ Sun Aug 26, 2007 9:48 pm ]
Post subject: 
I've had to go back and edit the last post - sorry if that confuses anyone. Sorry about the long gap between posts too.

Lower IVb had been like little angels during prep - working quietly, their heads bowed, with just an occasional interruption when one of them raised her hand and asked politely for assistance. Hilda made her way back to the staff room, smiling to herself as she remembered their subdued faces when she had placed them in Matron’s charge for their early night.

Back in the staff room things were not going as well. The small groups of staff working on the risk assessment for each of the trips had made little progress – they were arguing amongst themselves, irritable and confused.

“Oh drat the thing. We’re just not getting anywhere with this,” muttered Kathie Ferrars, screwing up a pink sheet and tossing it in the general direction of the waster paper basket, already overflowing with similar objects.

“We’ve nearly finished ours,” chirped Joey gleefully, indicating a stack of tidily completed forms. “We’ve thought of lots of potential risks, and we’ve got plans for managing them all and monitoring them as the trip progresses.” Hepsy grimaced apologetically at Kathie and Nancy.

“Oh shut up Joey!” yelled an exasperated Nancy. “It’ll serve you right if it all goes horribly wrong and something bizarre happens that you hadn’t thought of. A dragon could swoop down from the sky and carry off a couple of the girls. Did you think of that? Or the coach’s exhaust could develop a fault and you could be gassed in your sleep. Or a gap could open up in the fabric of time and you could all be whisked back into the Middle Ages. Or José here could turn into a vampire and bite you all. Or one of the St Mildred’s girls could fall in love with the bus driver and get pregnant. Or a bolt of lightening could strike the hotel and you could all be fried in your beds. Or …”

“Well, that’s not a very nice thing to say, is it?” interrupted Joey. “Fancy wanting to kill off all the girls just because we can fill in the pink forms and you can’t. Anyway – I’ve got that last one covered. We’ll write to the Gasthaus to check the fire evacuation procedures and have a fire drill immediately on arrival so that the girls know what to do. This isn’t hard, Nancy – you just have to use your brain a little.” This would have infuriated Nancy further had it not been for José, sitting out of Joey’s line of sight, devilishly imitating her smug expression and patting the pile of forms self-righteously. As he had intended, this drew Joey’s fire, and Kathie and Nancy both collapsed into giggles, turning back to their pink forms, determined to complete the task in short order.

It was at this point that Hilda entered the staff room. She nodded round the room, taking in the situation at a glance. “You’re making some progress, I see. Well done, everyone. But we don’t want this eating into your free time any further, do we? So I suggest you put them away for now, and you can finish them off tomorrow.”

“We’ve finished ours already.”

Miss Annersley gave Joey a cold smile in response. “That is just as well, Joey, for I must have a word with you and Nancy. Please follow me now, both of you.”

With this she whirled round and made her dignified way towards her study. Joey and Nancy followed her – Joey with her usual carefree attitude, Nancy looking more apprehensive and wondering quite what she was to be faced with next.
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Aug 26, 2007 10:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
Some of the health and safety forms you get for things these days really do only just about seem to stop short of Nancy's list of scenarios :lol: !

Good to see more of this - thanks Cryst.

P.S. José isn't a vampire, is he :roll: ?
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Aug 26, 2007 11:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
It's possible - perhaps they should check whether he shows up on any mirror...

As for the interview with Hilda - Nancy is right to be apprehensive - and Joey may just lose her smugness.


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  keren [ Mon Aug 27, 2007 9:07 am ]
Post subject: 
How nice to see one of my favorite drabbles updated
Author:  MaryR [ Mon Aug 27, 2007 4:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
Can sympathise wholeheartedly with Nancy and Kathie - risk assessment forms take all the fun out of anything, even just a walk in the park with little ones. :evil:

Wouldn't like to be near Hilda in her present mood. :shock:
Author:  Tara [ Mon Aug 27, 2007 11:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
Me neither (though I loved the way she was looking forward to having the you nger ones for prep)! But I'm very glad to see this back. Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  Cryst [ Tue Aug 28, 2007 11:19 am ]
Post subject: 
Miss Annersley sat behind her desk. Joey and Nancy stood before her on the Persian rug that covered the polished pine floorboards. She did not invite them to sit. She was at her most stately, her eyes a steely cold grey. She came straight to the point.

“When I arrived at Lower IVb’s classroom to supervise their preparation I found them clustered around Janice, who was reading from these sheets.” She gave a somewhat sickened emphasis to the word “reading”, and indicated the sheets on the desk in front of her. Nancy turned white.

“Is this your handwriting, Joey?”

“Yes, I …” she would have continued with an explanation, but Miss Annersley’s glacial expression invited no discussion. The Headmistress turned to Nancy.

“And was this document in your possession immediately before it fell into the hands of Lower IVb?”

Nancy gulped nervously. “Yes, Miss Annersley.”

Hilda paused, leaning forward onto her elbows, her arms crossed in front of her on the desk. “Well?” said, after a silence that seemed to last for ever. “Am I to be granted an explanation? I cannot begin to imagine what some of our more conventional parents will make of this. I had certainly hoped that our coverage of the PSHE curriculum would be conducted in a manner more befitting the education of young ladies. Some of the vocabulary in this list is …” she left her sentence unfinished, but conveyed her meaning perfectly by means of an elegant shudder of disapproval. “Which of you am I to hold responsible for this most unfortunate incident?”
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Aug 28, 2007 11:34 am ]
Post subject: 
Oops!
Author:  Jennie [ Tue Aug 28, 2007 1:19 pm ]
Post subject: 
Jo, blame Jo, she was the one who created the list.
Author:  Fatima [ Tue Aug 28, 2007 2:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
I wouldn't like to be in their shoes at this moment!

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  leahbelle [ Tue Aug 28, 2007 4:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
Uh oh!
Author:  Rosalin [ Tue Aug 28, 2007 7:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh dear, they have got themselves in a mess. I actually feel a bit sorry for Joey, as she did write the list with the best of intentions.

Thanks Cryst, it was good to come home from holiday and find some more of this.
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Aug 28, 2007 9:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
Actually I think Nancy has the greater fault, she was the one who didn't listen when the girl tried to return the notes.


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Cryst [ Wed Aug 29, 2007 5:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
“Oh it was my fault. Please don’t blame Nancy,” Joey answered without hesitation. “She has been very clear that we need to plan very carefully how we deal with all the interesting bits… er … I mean with puberty and the birds and bees and so on, and that we must do the other parts of the syllabus first. I just found that the girls were asking questions, so I was getting myself prepared by being absolutely certain that I had all the vocabulary at the ready. I have to teach on three different days of the week, you know. That’s three languages. Such a lot of preparation needed. I was just making sure I knew all the proper terms for things. It would be dreadful to have to use baby names for parts of the body and so on. It all started with Hepsy saying “sh…”, er… you know, that word, in assembly. They wanted to know what it meant, and I didn’t know the proper grown-up word! Not in English, French and German anyway. In the end I had to resort to calling it “number twos”, and that was all right for the English girls, but the others were still confused, and …”

“All right Joey. I get the picture. No more details please!” replied Hilda firmly, the gravitas of the occasion threatened by her urge to smile at Joey’s earnest enthusiasm and her description of the scene which Hilda could picture all too vividly.

“I’m as much to blame as Joey”, Nancy admitted. "I came across her in the staff room writing out the list, and took it from her without really taking the time to discuss it. It must have got mixed up in the pile of books I took along to Lower VIb’s Geography lesson and then fallen on the floor. I’d quite forgotten about it, to be honest. I’m so sorry, Hilda.”

“Me too”, said Joey, adding imploringly, “Oh what will you do with us? I’m so enjoying being part of the staff again, and Nancy is an excellent mentor, she really is. Sack me if you must, but you mustn’t punish her, you just can’t.”
Author:  Fatima [ Wed Aug 29, 2007 6:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
That was just so like Jo! I hope they don't get into too much trouble.

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Sarah_K [ Wed Aug 29, 2007 6:34 pm ]
Post subject: 
Joey's very enthusiastic but stil hasn't quite learned to think things through has she! :lol:

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Aug 29, 2007 9:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
:lol: :lol: :lol: I hate to say it, but I quite like Joey here!

I love her comment about getting to the "interesting" bits.
Author:  Tara [ Wed Aug 29, 2007 11:23 pm ]
Post subject: 
I really don't think this is Jo's fault at all. Nancy took it, Nancy dropped it, Nancy wouldn't listen when Janice tried to return it ... but it sounds as if Hilda's lightening up a little, so perhaps she won't quite kill them!
Author:  Rosalin [ Thu Aug 30, 2007 1:24 am ]
Post subject: 
They were both adult about owning up, which is a good start. Nancy wasn't antagonistic to Joey either.

I agree with the people who think Nancy is more to blame, Joey is quite right in that she might need the vocabulary.

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  MaryR [ Thu Aug 30, 2007 2:18 pm ]
Post subject: 
Tara wrote:
...but it sounds as if Hilda's lightening up a little, so perhaps she won't quite kill them!

Ah, Tara, and there was I looking forward to just such an event! Death by the Abbess! :lol:

Even Hilda can't quite maintain a straight face at these proceedings, can she?

Thanks, Cryst
Author:  Katherine [ Thu Aug 30, 2007 3:43 pm ]
Post subject: 
What a great scene. I’m loving this drabble, Crsyt.
Author:  Cryst [ Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
“Oh for Heaven’s sake, Joey, I’m not going to sack either of you,” replied Hilda in exasperation. “We’ll just have to hope that none of the girls say anything about the incident to their parents. They probably won’t – they seemed more puzzled than anything else by your list.” She paused for breath before continuing, composing her features into the sternest look she could muster under the circumstances.

“But please take this as a very serious warning – the introduction of PSHE at the Chalet School has to be dealt with extremely carefully, and just we can’t afford for any more mistakes to happen. Nancy is quite right that you should start with the other topics. We need to write to the parents before we start on the more controversial aspects, and plan it very carefully. I don’t have to remind you, Joey, that you are almost new to teaching; you have much to learn and you must take Nancy’s advice. Err on the side of caution please. And Nancy – this is the second time I have had to have words with you this term. After that unfortunate incident with Señor Romero in the broom cupboard you really can’t afford any more mistakes. We have the reputation of the school to consider.”

Joey’s eyes opened wide, and she turned to Nancy in amazement. Nancy and José in the broom cupboard? This was news to her!

Hilda was still speaking. “Now, assuming there are no irate letters from parents, the matter of Joey’s List rests here. Joey – you are to have all your lesson plans approved in advance by Nancy, as previously agreed, and then you are to stick to them. No more improvised lessons, please. Nancy, please discuss with Joey how and when we will start on puberty, relationships, hygiene, and so on, and draft a suitable letter to parents for my consideration.”

Nancy and Joey nodded. Joey opened her mouth to speak.

“That will be all,” Hilda interjected swiftly, standing and indicating the door. Glancing down at the offending document, her eye had caught, in the column headed “German”, the phrase “französischer Buchstabe”, and her blue-grey eyes twinkled from a suppressed a burst of laughter as she imagined what the confused girls had made of that.
Author:  Rosalin [ Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
französischer Buchstabe?

The translation I came up with was French letter. Does that mean something I don't know about or is there a different translation for the phrase? :?

The CBB is certainly teaching me German I didn't get at school.

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm surprised Joey knows anything about those, given the size of her family!
Author:  Cryst [ Thu Aug 30, 2007 10:15 pm ]
Post subject: 
Rosalin wrote:
The translation I came up with was French letter. Does that mean something I don't know about

Oh dear, this reminds me how much trouble we had with the south american vulture earlier in this drabble. "French letter" is (was?) slang for ... whispers ... am I allowed to say "condom" in St Scholastika's?
Author:  Rosalin [ Thu Aug 30, 2007 11:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ah, I see. Thanks for the explaination.
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Aug 30, 2007 11:51 pm ]
Post subject: 
Many thanks Cryst.
Author:  Tara [ Fri Aug 31, 2007 12:02 am ]
Post subject: 
:D Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  Jennie [ Fri Aug 31, 2007 8:11 am ]
Post subject: 
Thank you, Cryst. Jo is displaying all the enthusiasm and heedlessness of a new teacher.
Author:  Cryst [ Fri Aug 31, 2007 7:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
Joey linked her arm into Nancy’s as they walked together down the corridor away from the Headmistress’s study. Normally Nancy would have brushed it off in irritation, but in truth she had been greatly touched by Joey’s ready acceptance of blame for the incident, and her exhortation that Nancy was not to be punished.

“I think that will just blow over, don’t you Nancy? Oh I do hope so. I’d hate you to get into trouble on my account. I never meant it to happen – you do believe me, don’t you Nancy?”

“Yes, Joey. I believe you, and I’m sure too that it will all blow over.” Nancy replied kindly.

“Oh, Nancy. I’m so glad we’re still friends. We are still friends, aren’t we?”

“Yes Joey, we are,” replied Nancy, a slight air of resignation creeping up on her.

“Oh good, I’m so pleased. Now, would you like me to help you and Kathie with your risk assessment for the Berne trip? I’m sure we’d get it done in to time between us. It’s not so hard, you know, once you get into the swing of it.”

Nancy gritted her teeth, “No, no, Joey. I’m sure Kathie and I will crack it in no time at all in the morning. Just look at the time! You must be getting back home to your family. Don’t you like to tuck the children in at bedtime yourself? They will be forgetting what you look like.”

“Oh, yes, Nancy, you’re absolutely right. I must fly. I’ll try to catch you tomorrow to talk you through the latest set of lesson plans. Bye, now.”

“Bye Joey,” Nancy replied to the rapidly retreating figure. Then, half to herself she added “I’ll look forward to it,” and, under her breath, “Oh my God, now I’m her new Best Friend, and I’ll never be rid of her. It’s going to be like having a hyperactive puppy in tow.”
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Aug 31, 2007 8:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Nancy :lol: :lol: !
Author:  bethany [ Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
I have just caught up with lots of this, it is so good, and so entertaining. Poor Nancy, though at least she didn't get into too much trouble with Hilda, I like her description of Joey as a hyperactive puppy!
Author:  Rosalin [ Fri Aug 31, 2007 11:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Joey does mean so well. But my sympathy will go and side with Nancy anyhow :D

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Tara [ Fri Aug 31, 2007 11:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
Oh my God, now I’m her new Best Friend, and I’ll never be rid of her. It’s going to be like having a hyperactive puppy in tow.”
Wonderful! :D :D
Author:  Cryst [ Sat Sep 01, 2007 5:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
José was in a contemplative mood for his weekly stroll down to St Mildred’s to take the Spanish conversation class. Oh, everything was going well enough, but he had unaccountably started to quite enjoy his time at the Chalet School, and had realised that he would miss it when it was over. Half term now seemed to be hurtling towards them, and this would mean the end of this pleasant interlude on the Görnetz Platz.

He was unusually tired, having reached deep with his mind the previous evening to make contact with his kin. Their obvious pride in what he was attempting, coupled with the collective relief that would be experienced if he could pull it off, was a powerful incentive for him to succeed. The current stock was severely depleted, almost exhausted, and no young had been produced for over a year. But if his plans came off, the future of his kin would be secured for the best part of two generations.

As he approached the large chalet that housed the finishing branch of the school, he heard a rustle in the bushes ahead of him. His vision was excellent, and he was able to see clearly through the dense foliage to the centre of the tight ring of bushes, where Mary Lou was taking aim with her camera. He assumed that she must be smitten with the same intense hero worship as afflicted the other girls, and was trying to get a covert snap of him to moon over. He slowed his step, and faced the camera, giving her his most winning smile. He had no inkling that Mary Lou had her suspicions about him – his defence had never failed before and so this was quite outside his experience.

“Good morning, Miss Trelawney”, he called out brightly. “Are you out taking the air? You must hurry inside or you will be late for class.”

Mary Lou cursed under her breath, and, slipping her camera into her pocket, emerged from the thicket looking somewhat dishevelled, with a couple of twigs caught in her curls. “How the devil did he see me?” she mused to herself, “I was sure that I was completely hidden. The man must have x-ray vision.” Still, she consoled herself that she had managed to get one good shot of him, though he had probably been posing for it. Her first shot, on the other hand, had been taken when he was some distance away, and would probably not come out very well, although for that one at least he may have been unaware that she was there. She resolved to try for a few more snaps during or after the lesson.

“Good morning Señor Romero,” she replied demurely, and turned to walk with him into the school.
Author:  Fatima [ Sat Sep 01, 2007 5:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
I can't wait to find out what her photos come out like! Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Rosalin [ Sat Sep 01, 2007 7:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh goody I've been waiting patiently to hear some more about what Jose is up to. His kin, securing the future for two generations? Now I'm really curious.

Whatever he's got planned for half term, I bet Joey hasn't covered it in her risk assessments :lol:

Thanks Cryst.

Edited to add a comment I wanted to check about before making.
Author:  Alison H [ Sat Sep 01, 2007 9:43 pm ]
Post subject: 
I dread to imagine who/what Jose really is!
Author:  Tara [ Sat Sep 01, 2007 11:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
And what his plans are for a schoolful of girls if his own 'kin' are dying out!!
Wonder what will show up in the unposed photos???

*shudders a bit*
Author:  Cryst [ Sun Sep 02, 2007 8:51 pm ]
Post subject: 
The Spanish conversation session followed its usual track, with Mary Lou continuing to marvel at the trance-like state that her peers exhibited as soon as José entered the room. She attended to the lesson with half her mind, her camera wound on and ready for action, held firmly in her hand under the desk where José could not see it. She was determined to get a photo that caught him unawares. “What I need,” she thought to herself “is a distraction of some kind, an interruption - a loud noise or a visitor to the classroom, perhaps.” In other circumstances she would have engineered this with the assistance of her classmates, but in José’s presence this was not practicable. Eventually her chance came. José decided to use the blackboard to demonstrate the spelling of some of the vocabulary they were learning, and May Lou realised that there was an instant each time he turned back towards the class when she would be able to catch him before he spotted her. She realised that she would only have one chance though, because as soon as he was fully facing the class he would see the camera. Timing would be everything – she would gain very little from a shot of the back of his head and so she needed to leave it late enough so that she caught his face at least in profile. She mentally rehearsed her moves as he turned backwards and forwards, then made her move.

Click. She’d done it! As predicted, José saw her at once, and Mary Lou caught a very brief glimpse of his irritation, before he flashed his captivating smile at the group and said “Ah, Miss Trelawney, you have a camera?”

“Er yes, Señor Romero. I have been taking some souvenir photos of our last year at the school.”

“Excellent idea. Perhaps at the end of the period you would like to take a group photograph of myself with the class, and then one of your classmates could take a photograph of you and me together. Would that serve your purpose?”

“Oh yes,” Mary Lou replied, no knowing quite how else to respond. “That would be splendid, thank you.”

With a few minutes left to the bell, José arranged the girls into a group and positioned himself in the centre, his arms resting, to their intense delight, on the shoulders of Antoinette and Verity. Mary Lou duly took two or three snaps, then steeled herself for the individual photo. José beckoned Blossom forward to do the honours, and he stood close to Mary Lou, smiling down at her. She suppressed a shudder as a wave of nausea struck her. Blossom completed the task then handed the camera back to Mary Lou.

To Mary Lou’s horror José held out his hand, indicating the camera. “I will take that, if you wish Miss Trelawney, and arrange for it to be developed.” She felt his strange yellow eyes drilling into her.
Author:  Rosalin [ Sun Sep 02, 2007 10:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
Say no Mary-Lou! You need your evidence.

Thanks Cryst. Looking forward to half term.
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Sep 02, 2007 11:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
EVIL!!!!!


Don't do it, Mary Lou!

Thanks Cryst
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Sep 02, 2007 11:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hang on to that camera, girl!
Author:  leahbelle [ Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
I hope she says no!
Author:  Fatima [ Mon Sep 03, 2007 6:38 pm ]
Post subject: 
OOAO is smart - surely she won't let him take the camera.

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Rebecca [ Mon Sep 03, 2007 8:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
Go Mary-Lou!!
Author:  Cryst [ Mon Sep 03, 2007 10:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
Mary Lou was an assertive young woman, and she was more than equal to the pressure exerted on her.

“No, that’s fine, thank you Señor,” she replied, her calm tone belying her madly pounding heart. “I have several more reels of film to use, and will send them all away for developing together after the half term trip.”

She spun around and walked smartly out of the room, ensuring that she was in the centre of the group of girls where José would find it hard to pursue her. This was not hard – they were full of admiration, and she was beleaguered by eager requests for copies of the group photograph. “All right!” she said loudly. “If it comes out well enough I’ll get enough copies made for you to have one each as a parting gift from me when we all leave the school at the end of the year. I might even get them framed for you. All right?”

The resultant enthusiastic clamour made José smile. He rather enjoyed his popularity with the girls. He realised that there was no way he could sabotage the film now. Photographs were dangerous. The disguised appearance could not be maintained continuously; it was operated by means of short energy bursts, and his energy levels were depleted after the communication session the previous evening. There was also a slight chance that a photo would capture the exact instant where one of his kin was looking in, and they were, in fact, apt to do so quite frequently during these classes with the senior girls. He was, however, reassured by Mary Lou’s statement that she would not develop the film until after half term. By then it would be too late for the photographs to endanger his mission.

To occupy his thoughts for the walk back to the main school, he allowed himself a pleasant bout of speculation as to whether one of the girls would be allocated to him. There were more senior elements of the community who would have a stronger claim, but carrying off such a coup successfully might work in his favour. He didn’t suppose he would get to choose, but it was pleasing to imagine that he might. He hoped he would be allocated someone more tractable than the intrepid Mary Lou. He was currently favouring gentle and biddable Verity, who was altogether more to his taste.

Meanwhile the only person who had even the slightest chance of countering his plan was on the move. Mary Lou had packed up the film in the prepaid envelope and slipped out of school to post it off to be developed. As arranged, she had put Hepsy’s name on the return slip rather than her own, as this would be less likely to arouse suspicion.

(edited to correct typo)
Author:  Rosalin [ Mon Sep 03, 2007 10:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
:shock: At Jose. What is he?

Well done Mary-Lou for keeping the film and throwing him off the scent.

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well done, Mary Lou! :lol:
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
:shock: Who is he, and who are the rest of his "community" :shock: ?

Well done Mary-Lou!
Author:  Elbee [ Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:16 am ]
Post subject: 
Good for Mary-Lou, but very intrigued by Jose!

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  keren [ Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:13 am ]
Post subject: 
thanks for carrying on updating
Author:  Fatima [ Tue Sep 04, 2007 4:34 pm ]
Post subject: 
He's getting increasingly sinister, isn't he. I can't wait to 'see' Mary-Lou's photos.
Author:  Cryst [ Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:51 pm ]
Post subject: 
We've got some time to wait for the photos to be developed, so I'll catch up on some of the other story lines. This drabble's getting out of hand rather, and I feel the need to spin some of the other plates!

Matron was not in the best of moods. Ever since she had heard that Joey had been appointed to teach PSHE she had felt, perhaps unreasonably, that her authority was being eroded. It had always fallen to her to instruct the girls in various aspects of hygiene and so forth, and she was proud of the discreet way this was achieved. She was also rather raw on the matter of the segregation of staff into teaching and support staff roles, again feeling slightly sidelined by this process.

Her first reaction, therefore, when she came across Gaudenz and two of the men struggling to get a large battered trunk up the stairs, was one of irritation. It was clearly heavy. Gaudenz, trying to pull from above, was sweating profusely and his two companions were in little better shape. They had managed to lift it up only a couple of steps, and it was clear that they would be unequal to the task of getting it to the top landing.

“Where is that going, Gaudenz?” she enquired, in a somewhat shrill voice.

“To the trunk room, Fräulein Matron” he replied, turning momentarily towards her to reply. His attention thus diverted, the trunk began to slip down the stairs, to the evident consternation of the two men below. Gaudenz shouted at them to let it slide down carefully, while he himself guided it from above. It came safely to a rest at the bottom step. “Mein Gott”, swore Gaudenz, “What can Fräulein Cameron have in here? She is bringing us a pile of stones perhaps?” The men laughed, mopping their brows.

“Ah, I see,” replied Matron, “Hepsy’s trunk has arrived at last.” Then, taking control, she sent Gaudenz upstairs to the trunk room to fetch a couple of the baskets used for unpacking the trucks, and directed the other two men to manoeuvre the trunk into the small alcove under the stairs.

“We shall unpack some of the contents into baskets, and then you will be able to get the trunk up to the trunk room, and the baskets to Miss Cameron’s room.” The two men exchanged glances, feeling slightly foolish for not having come up with this solution themselves. She consulted her watch, and realised that she would probably be able to catch Hepsy in the staff room having her Kaffee and Küchen, with just enough time to fetch the key of her trunk before the late morning lessons resumed. “Get yourselves to the kitchen for a cup of Kaffee, and by the time you return I will be ready for you to move the trunk and baskets,” she ordered the men impatiently.

She made her way to the staff room, wondering what on earth could be inside the trunk causing it to weigh so much.

P.S. Is Gaudenz spelt right, and is he actually in the Swiss books?
Author:  Rosalin [ Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ah, is this all Hepsy's literature?

I think Gaudenz was in the Swiss books (well he's definitely in Swiss drabbles anyhow :oops: )

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:04 pm ]
Post subject: 
So Matey's going to have a sneak peek into Hepsy's drawers? :lol:


Thanks Cryst - agree about Gaudenz.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
Gaudenz was definitely in the Swiss books - and only in the Swiss books. In Tyrol the school "handyman" was Hansi Pfeifen, and in the British books ... I can't remember his name, but he was Welsh. Anyway, Gaudenz was definitely in the Swiss books!
Author:  Tara [ Tue Sep 04, 2007 11:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
It's got to be books!
Felt sorry for Matey, feeling sidelined by the division of staff, she was so much a part of the earlier 'family'.
And good for Mary-Lou!
Author:  Jennie [ Wed Sep 05, 2007 12:48 pm ]
Post subject: 
As far as that goes, Matey is definitely overstepping the bounds by unpacking Hepsy's stuff.
Author:  Cryst [ Wed Sep 05, 2007 10:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hepsy was initially a little hesitant when asked to surrender her key, but Matron was in a no-nonsense mood. “Well it’s far too heavy to get up the stairs, and it can’t be left in the Hall indefinitely. Besides, I have the men waiting to carry the baskets up the stairs in a few minutes time. You are presumably teaching for the rest of the morning?” Hepsy nodded, and Matron continued without pausing to take breath, “so this by far the best way. I won’t let the men look at your personal items, if that’s what is worrying you.” Hepsy frowned, genuinely puzzled. I hadn’t occurred to her that anyone would be interested in her “personal items” as Matron termed them. In fact she wasn’t even sure that she had any!

“Very well,” she agreed, “That’s very kind of you, Matron. I hope it won’t be too much trouble, and please apologise to Gaudenz and the others for the weight of the wretched thing.” She reached into her handbag, and handed over the key.

“Oh, it’s no bother at all. It is, after all, the sort of thing we non-teaching staff are expected to do.” Matron threw a pointed look over her shoulder at Miss Annersley who was chatting to Mr Denny over their Kaffee. The Headmistress pretended not to hear, but wisely made a mental note to tackle the issue with Matron some time soon. These little jibes were starting to get out of hand.
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Sep 05, 2007 11:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
I wouldn't want Matron snooping through my trunk :roll: ... but the poor woman did seem to be expected to deal with an awful lot and she never even seemed to get to sit in the staff room or go to "evenings"!
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Sep 06, 2007 6:26 am ]
Post subject: 
Matron seems to have a first class chip on her shoulder - did someone force her to become matron?


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  keren [ Thu Sep 06, 2007 12:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
What will she find in Hepsy's trunk?
Author:  Rosalin [ Thu Sep 06, 2007 5:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
It must be tough to have your job redefined like Matron has. I'm looking forward to seeing exactly what is in Hepsy's trunk and what Matron thinks of it.

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Cryst [ Thu Sep 06, 2007 10:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
The trunk had been packed with characteristic Hepsy style. She had first thrown in the scant contents of her wardrobe, all higgledy-piggledy. There were just a couple of knick knacks – a framed photograph of her mother and father, and a dressing table set of hairbrush and hand mirror with tapestry backs, which had been passed on to her when her grandmother died. She did at least pause to wrap these items up inside her towels, so they would arrive in one piece.

Having thus dealt with what she regarded as the least important items, Hepsy had used the remainder of the space in the trunk for her books, cramming in as many as she could, then, after a certain amount of deliberation, removing a few to make room for the piles of leaflets she had obtained from the teachers’ union.

This was the sight that greeted Matron when she lifted the lid. Matron considered herself something of a reader, enjoying the classics and favouring, for some reason, novels by female writers such as the Bronte sisters, Mrs Gaskell, George Eliot, Charlotte Yonge, and Jane Austen. She also enjoyed the occasional contemporary light novel, and for the long lonely winter evenings, when she was reasonably sure she would not be disturbed, she would dip into her small store of books confiscated from the girls’ lockers which provided light relief and often broadened her outlook on life in the process. But none of this had prepared her for Hepsy’s taste in recreational reading. In the main this ran to a theme - communism, revolutionary politics, the history of the trade union movement and so forth – mostly in huge volumes. Matron leafed through a few as she transferred them into the baskets. Heavy going, to be sure, but she the odd sentence jumped out at her, resonating with her current situation. She slipped one of the smaller items, entitled “The Manifesto of the Communist Party”, into the capacious pocket of her crisply starched snowy white apron, meaning to ask Hepsy later if she might borrow it to read.

The pile of union leaflets also interested her, and she paused in her labours to start reading “Employment Law, Your Union, and You”. She felt rather than heard a presence behind her and turned round to see Nell Wilson standing there. “Gracious Gwynneth, not thinking of starting a revolution, I hope?” teased Nell. Matron smiled and shook her head. “Oh no, Nell, I’m just unpacking these for someone else. Are you here to see Hilda? She was in the staff room a few minutes ago.”

“Ah, yes, thank you. I’ll head in that direction then. We have some last minute planning to do for the school trips, particularly the one for my girls and the thirds from here, with Joey, Hepsy and José in charge – the logistics are harder for that one.”

“Ah, yes, I see,” said Matron, her tone rather cool. It irked her that Joey would be accompanying the girls - she had always rather yearned to go on one of the trips herself. “I do hope they will have a nice time – it will be good to have them all out of the way for a few days so that I can get on with mending sheets.”

Nell gave her a searching look, not quite able to decide whether the comment was serious or sarcastic.
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Sep 06, 2007 10:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
I do like the idea of Matey starting a revolution ... :lol: .

I've always wondered if she volunteered to supervise the naughty kids who'd been sentenced to mending sheets on Saturday evenings instead of joining in the fun, or just got landed with it. It always seemed very unfair!
Author:  Rosalin [ Thu Sep 06, 2007 10:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
:shock: Matron being a possible convert of Hepsy's hadn't occurred to me. Still you live and learn. Well possibly not if Jose's community get their hands on you. Still really intrigued about them, but enjoying the other strands too.

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Tara [ Thu Sep 06, 2007 11:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
Love the idea of Matey as a radical Marxist! Wonder if she'll join a union? :D Some mending of fences needed there, I think.
Author:  Fatima [ Fri Sep 07, 2007 6:36 am ]
Post subject: 
It sounds exactly what Matey needs at this point. I hope Hepsy doesn't get too caught up in her unionism and forget about Jose, though!
Author:  Lesley [ Fri Sep 07, 2007 6:38 am ]
Post subject: 
Or start one? That hadn't occured to me either - yet seems reasonable considering how badly she feels she has been side-lined.

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  keren [ Fri Sep 07, 2007 9:21 am ]
Post subject: 
thanks for the frequent updates in this drabble
I had a feeling that she might find the material about unions
Author:  Jennie [ Fri Sep 07, 2007 11:51 am ]
Post subject: 
Matey as a revolutionary? That sounds interesting.
Author:  Sal [ Fri Sep 07, 2007 12:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
Jennie wrote:
Matey as a revolutionary? That sounds interesting.


Downright scary if you ask me! :shock:

Thanks Cryst
Author:  Cryst [ Thu Sep 13, 2007 9:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
Matron caught Hepsy just after lunch and summoned her up to her room for a little chat. She was torn between two possible courses of action. On the one hand she was genuinely interested in the political literature in Hepsy’s trunk, and would have enjoyed a discussion with her about some of the underlying principles and how they might be applied in her own situation. On the other hand, she was a shrewd woman, and had grown very fond of Hepsy. She knew that after the incident in assembly Hepsy was very much under observation by the Headmistress and needed to be very careful. Any more trouble and her career at the Chalet School would be curtailed in short order. Matron had decided, therefore, to try to warn Hepsy against whatever she might be intending in respect of the union leaflets, and also to suggest that the political tomes be confined to Hepsy’s bedroom, which was a relatively private space, rather than carried around the school where they might arouse interest from staff, or worse, from students.

She began the conversation tentatively.

“Hepsy, dear, I unpacked your books and so forth into baskets and these are in your room. Your” (she gave a slight sniff) “clothes are still in the trunk, which has been left in the trunk room and needs to be unpacked today if you have the time. You may borrow my iron and ironing board if you like, to freshen them up a bit as you unpack them.”

“I’ll get straight onto the unpacking after Abendessen. Thank you for all your help, Matron,” Hepsy replied. “I won’t be needing the iron though – I’m sure any creases will drop out once the clothes have been hanging up for a while.” Hepsy passionately hated ironing – regarding it as a complete waste of time, and avoiding it whenever possible. “Was that all you wanted me for?”

“No. I, er …” she paused, uncharacteristically wary of speaking her mind. “I wondered if I might borrow this?” she concluded, fishing into her apron pocket and drawing out the book.

“Of course. Are you interested in Marx?”

“Well, I thought I might give him a go, if you don’t mind. It’s probably not going to be my sort of thing though.”

“Um, I don’t know,” replied Hepsy, her head on one side speculatively, and then with a broad grin, “I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a bit of a revolutionary under all that starch!”

“Oh, nonsense, child,” replied Matron, blushing slightly. The exchange had the effect of bringing the conversation back on her intended course. “I did just want to warn you about the union leaflets, Hepsy. No-one has ever brought the subject up here before, and it could cause a bit of a stir. You do still need to be careful – you can’t afford to get into any trouble. You were very lucky that Miss Annersley gave you a second chance after that unfortunate incident.”

“I suppose you’re right, but the way the staff are treated here isn’t right. They work exceptionally long hours and when they do get a little free time, they are liable to have it commandeered at short notice. They have rights, and they need to exercise them.”

“Indeed, Hepsy, you’re probably right, but this is not the time for you to make waves.”

“I know, Matron, point taken, and thank you for the advice. I do really appreciate it. I won’t do anything in a hurry – I’ll think it though very carefully. But you know,” she said seriously, “there are times when I just have to do what I feel is right.”

“Yes,” nodded Matron with a wry grin, realising that Hepsy would listen, but act as her conscience dictated, “I suppose there are.”
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
Nice that Hepsy has an ally in Matey. Wonder how Matey will find Marx?


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
Matey - the perfect ally for Hepsy! Up the revolution!
Author:  Rosalin [ Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
I was a little apprehensive about that meeting, but that was better than I hope. Looking forward to seeing if Hepsy manages to get Matey to join a union.

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Fatima [ Fri Sep 14, 2007 5:02 am ]
Post subject: 
Cryst wrote:
“Indeed, Hepsy, you’re probably right, but this is not the time for you to make waves.”


But for Matey it would be the perfect time to make waves!

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Jennie [ Fri Sep 14, 2007 11:12 am ]
Post subject: 
Matey, the secret subversive. Very interesting.
Author:  Tara [ Fri Sep 14, 2007 11:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
Very sensible advice from Matey, Hepsy doesn't want to get thrown out before she's had a chance to change the world! Love the combination of her and Matey.
Author:  Cryst [ Sat Sep 15, 2007 11:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
Since the episode with the list, Joey’s life at the school had been mercifully uneventful. Her lesson plans had been approved without correction and delivered without deviation. Her classes were interesting and the girls were lively contributors, but well behaved. She was developing a rapport with them. All in all, it was pleasing, and she was humming softly under her breath as she made her way to their classroom, with a good few minutes to spare before the bell went for the start of the lesson.

As she passed the splasheries she thought she heard something. She stopped walking, and ceased her humming to listen. Yes, there it was again – it sounded like a muffled sob, followed by a sniff. She went to investigate. It took her a short time to find the source, catching a glimpse of one of the girls sitting on the benches provided for changing their shoes. She was almost completely concealed by the overcoats hanging down. Joey sat down beside the girl, and put an arm around her shoulder. It was Rosemary Wentworth, an English girl new that term, and just 10 years old, a member of her Upper Third PSHE group – a rather shy girl who was only just starting to settle into the life of the school. Joey said nothing at first, waiting for the sobs to diminish, but holding Rosemary tight. After a minute or so, the girl started to calm down, and Joey offered her handkerchief. “There you are, Rosemary, dry your eyes with this,” adding gently, “is it something I can help with?”

Rosemary gave one last great heave of her shoulders, and looked up at Joey, her eyes full of misery. “It’s the rats, Mrs Maynard. I don’t like rats.”
Author:  Rosalin [ Sat Sep 15, 2007 11:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
:shock: Rats? What rats?

Intrigued.

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:43 am ]
Post subject: 
Pleased Joey was there for the new girl - but RATS????? :shock:


Very intrigued.

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Rebecca [ Sun Sep 16, 2007 2:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
Indeed, RATS?? Loving the drabble, Cryst!
Author:  Fatima [ Sun Sep 16, 2007 2:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
Rats? I'm sure Jose is behind this somehow.
Author:  Jennie [ Sun Sep 16, 2007 2:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hm, we've never heard of rats before.
Author:  Cryst [ Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
“Rats?” replied Joey, alarmed, but keeping her voice steady and resisting the temptation to lift her legs off the floor. “Where have you seen one, dear?”

“I haven’t yet.”

“Well, what makes you think that you will?”

“It says so on the noticeboard. Arda says that you have walk through rooms full of them, and let them crawl all over you.”

Joey was perplexed – the girl wasn’t making much sense.

“On the noticeboard?” she prompted.

“Yes, it’s on the first day of the trip. We have been invited to a welcome lunch by the townsfolk, and it is to be held at the rat house.”

“Ah,” replied Joey again, light starting to dawn. “Let’s just tidy you up a bit, and then you can show me.” She stood the girl up and walked her across to the hand basins, where she encouraged her to bathe her eyes with cold water and dry them on the towel. “There now, you look fine. Let’s have a look at that noticeboard, shall we?”

They walked along the corridor to the hall and went in to look at the noticeboard at the back where Miss Dene had earlier that morning pinned up details of all the half term trips.

The Upper Third were to be on the same trip as Joey, and she read with interest.

Approx 8:30 am – arrival at Gasthaus and Fruhstuck
To 10:45 – settling in, freshening up and unpacking
10:45 – gather in the Speisesaal for briefing – fire evacuation procedure etc
11:00 to 12:30 – initial orientation walk around medieval part of town
12:30 to 2:00 – reception at Rathaus (at the invitation of the townsfolk) with buffet lunch, followed by tour of the building
…

“Ah, now I see what’s worrying you,” said Joey kindly. “You are only just starting to learn German aren’t you Rosemary? I didn’t realise for ages when I started that “Rathaus” is the German word for Town Hall.”

“Town Hall?” said Rosemary with a great sigh of relief. “But they all told me …” she stopped, realising that she was about to get her classmates into trouble.

“Yes, they did, didn’t they,” replied Joey dangerously, “and that was rather unkind of them wasn’t it? Who was it? Did you say Arda was one of them?”

“Er, I can’t really remember, Mrs Maynard.”

Joey wasn’t fooled for an instant, but Rosemary’s eyes were starting to fill up again, and she decided not to press the matter. She would deal with it with the whole class in the lesson that was about to start. As they walked together to the classroom Joey was furiously redesigning the lesson in her mind.
Author:  Mrs Redboots [ Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
What brutes children can be at times!

Thank you, Cryst.
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
I think those children will wish they hadn't teased Rosemary - Joey can be rather inventive. :lol:


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Rosalin [ Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
I think they have an interesting lesson ahead. Hope the others don't blame Rosemary, or think she was telling tales.

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Pat [ Sun Sep 16, 2007 10:15 pm ]
Post subject: 
I think Jo can be trusted to avoid them thinking tales have been told. And yes - she always could come up with interesting punisments, couldn't she?
Author:  Tara [ Sun Sep 16, 2007 11:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh, poor little Rosemary! I think those others are soon going to wish they hadn't been born. Nice to see Jo doing so well and feeling so happy.
Author:  keren [ Sun Sep 16, 2007 11:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
commenting after a few days: nice to see Hepsy and Matey together
Could be unexpected allies
Author:  Fatima [ Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
:lol: I guess that puts paid to my picture of Jose being able to transform into a rat, then!
Author:  francesn [ Mon Sep 17, 2007 9:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm sure Joey's not supposed to be "redesigning" lessons - isn't she meant to stick to what Nancy approved?

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Cryst [ Sun Sep 23, 2007 7:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
Realising that if they arrived together, Rosemary might be accused of sneaking, Joey ensured that Rosemary entered the classroom before her by the simple ruse of popping into the staff washroom as they went past it, telling Rosemary not to wait for her. The girl managed to slip behind her desk almost unnoticed, as the others were still standing around in groups chattering. Joey sailed in a few moments later, claiming their attention immediately with a loud “Good morning girls”, and casting her eyes round the room picking out the girls who were talking and giving them stern looks. They subsided quickly and moved sharply to their places, chanting “Good morning Mrs Maynard.”

“Today,” announced Joey firmly, “we shall be looking at relationships, friendships, and how communities are formed, using our experiences of the Chalet School as a supportive community to explore some of the issues.”

On the word “supportive” she cast her steady gaze at Arda, who began to feel a slight unease.

“I thought we were studying family budgets, Mrs Maynard,” she piped up.

“We will continue with finance at the next lesson, Arda,” replied Joey evenly, “but I thought we could all do with a change. After all, several of the girls have been here just a few weeks, and so this is an ideal time to look at some of the feelings we experience when we establish relationships and friendships.” As she delivered this explanation, she allowed her eyes to hold Arda’s just a second or so longer than would normally be the case, with a subtle menacing effect.

“Now, you will work in small groups, and each will have a particular issue to consider. You will explore the issues by acting out situations I shall describe.”

She deftly sorted the girls into groups, breaking up their known cliques, and ensuring that the new girls were spread evenly between the groups. She then rapidly moved between the groups, assigning them tasks and roles. Arda was somewhat horrified to be asked to act out the part of a new girl, who spoke very little English, German or French, and Joey assigned a rather surly new Swiss girl to the role of Arda’s sheepdog. Rosemary was allocated to the same group as observer and note taker.

The lesson progressed well, with considerable enjoyment on the part of most of the class, who drew some interesting and valid conclusions from the role play exercises. Arda and friends, however, were intelligent and honest enough to relate the exercise to their recent behaviour towards Rosemary, and as things progressed they became thoughtful. At the end of the lesson, Joey brought them back together as a whole class and asked each group to describe their conclusions. She was pleased to notice that several of the girls were subdued, and one or two resorted to looking at their feet and shuffling uncomfortably in their seats.

Pleased with the work the girls had produced, Joey wrote their prep on the board, giving them just enough time to copy it down before the bell rang to signal the end of the period. As she gathered up her books and made her way towards the door, she was gratified to see Arda approaching Rosemary, and addressing a remark to her. She nodded to herself, satisfied. “Nancy may well be unhappy about it, but that was a job well done,” she thought.
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Sep 23, 2007 8:43 pm ]
Post subject: 
Very well done, Joey - and if Nancy has an issue with that then she's allowing her own feelings to override good teaching practice.


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Rebecca [ Sun Sep 23, 2007 8:48 pm ]
Post subject: 
Good for Joey, just what the girls needed.
Author:  Elbee [ Sun Sep 23, 2007 8:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well done Joey, you sorted it out very sensitively.

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Rosalin [ Sun Sep 23, 2007 9:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
Good idea of Joey's. I hope Nancy will understand, as the situation needed sorting out.

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Kathy_S [ Sun Sep 23, 2007 11:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
Good job, Joey!
Hope the lesson sticks.

Thank you, Cryst.
Author:  Tara [ Sun Sep 23, 2007 11:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well done, Joey.
Author:  Mollio [ Tue Sep 25, 2007 2:25 am ]
Post subject: 
Went very well. I wonder what the remark was?
Author:  Cryst [ Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
As Joey made her way to the staff room, humming softly to herself, Nancy was heading in the opposite direction. She passed Arda and Rosemary, arm in arm and heading towards their common room, and it crossed her mind, seeing their budding friendship, that the Chalet School spirit was as strong as ever. Walking past the classroom that Joey and the Upper Third had just vacated, she glanced inside. What she saw on the blackboard stopped her in her tracks.
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
Nancy's just seen the Prep Joey had set, hasn't she? Is she going to allow Joey to explain, I wonder?


Thanks Cryst
Author:  Rosalin [ Tue Sep 25, 2007 10:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
Nancy and Jo just don't seem to be fated to get on here.

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Tara [ Tue Sep 25, 2007 11:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
Perhaps she'll connect it up with Arda and Rosemary's new friendship?
Author:  Cryst [ Wed Sep 26, 2007 9:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
MAKING RELATIONSHIPS WORK
- Five “do’s”
- Five “don’ts”

Nancy felt the rush of anger like a heavy blow in the pit of her stomach. She spun round on her heels and strode off in the direction of the staff room to find Joey.

“Ah Nancy, just the person for me to start with,” a friendly voice said from behind her.

Nancy turned round again, almost blind with rage. Hepsy stood before her, holding out a leaflet.

“I was wondering if you would like to take one of these. I’d really like to start a branch of the union here. I think it would be a real opportunity to open up a dialogue with the management about our” … She paused, realising that Nancy was not looking at all receptive.

“What? WHAT?” What are you talking about you silly creature. A union? At the Chalet school? Don’t be ridiculous.” On the last word she gave a wild gesture with her arm, sending Hepsy’s pile of leaflets flying, and then strode off, intent on murder.

Hepsy turned and watched her disappear, a bemused expression on her face, then knelt and started to pick up the leaflets, musing that this could turn out to be more of a challenge than she had envisaged.
Author:  Rosalin [ Wed Sep 26, 2007 11:05 pm ]
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Ah, different sort of relationship Nancy.

:lol: At Hepsy's last line.

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Mollio [ Thu Sep 27, 2007 1:01 am ]
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Dying to find out! Please don't let us wait toooooooo long! (Now would be fine). :D
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Sep 27, 2007 6:03 am ]
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Oh dear - Nancy doesn't sound as though she is going to wait for an explanation. Hope Joey is able to get across just why she changed the lesson. Nancy really needs to lighten up.


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Fatima [ Thu Sep 27, 2007 1:28 pm ]
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I hope the others are more receptive to Hepsy's literature.
Author:  leahbelle [ Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:14 pm ]
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Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  Sal [ Thu Sep 27, 2007 6:44 pm ]
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Those last few posts were great, I just hope Nancy takes time to listen to Jo before biting her head off. Oh and good luck to Hepsy she's going to need it!
Thanks Cryst
Author:  Cryst [ Thu Sep 27, 2007 10:32 pm ]
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Hepsy’s next encounter was with Frau Mieders, whom she met on the stairs.

“Ah, Frau Mieders, I wonder if you would be interested in taking one of my leaflets and joining the union?”

“Union? Ach ja. I like unions. French union soup, union torte, union rings, sweet unions, union gravy. Always we use the unions in the cooking, they give good flavour, ja?”

“No, not onion, UNION.” Hepsy repeated loudly, aware that the elderly teacher was hard of hearing as well as inclined to periods of vagueness. “An organisation for representing teachers in their struggle against the management – ensuring that we receive fair salaries and that our conditions of service are in accordance with the law.”

As she said it her voice tailed off, aware that she was not capturing the interest of her colleague. Frau Mieders held out her hand for a leaflet, and nodded, eager to please, but with no intention of filling out the application form.

Hepsy smiled as she went on her way towards the staff room, consoling herself that she had at least managed to hand out one of the leaflets.
Author:  Tara [ Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:59 pm ]
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:D :D :D
Oh, poor Hepsy. She's not in the most receptive environment, really!
Loved the onions!
I do hope Nancy listens to Jo before murdering her, the poor woman is actually in the right here!
Author:  Rosalin [ Fri Sep 28, 2007 12:04 am ]
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Poor Frau Mieders, she sounds like she ought to be retiring.

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Lesley [ Fri Sep 28, 2007 6:54 am ]
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Also feeling sorry for Hepsy! :lol:


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  roversgirl [ Wed Nov 07, 2007 10:28 pm ]
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hey! this is great. pelase keep it coming :)
Author:  Mollio [ Thu Jan 24, 2008 3:29 am ]
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Any chance of an update on this, please? I'm enjoying it hugely and am dying to see how it all pans out. :D Pretty please?
Author:  Cryst [ Sat Feb 02, 2008 11:26 am ]
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Sorry, real life has been hectic and Hepsy has taken a back seat. However I'm now just out of hospital, off work for at least 6 weeks, and daytime TV is starting to lose its charm, so with a bit of luck I'll get back into the mood soon.
Author:  Mollio [ Sun Feb 03, 2008 3:17 am ]
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Sorry to hear you were in hospital, Cryst. Hope things are better now. Take your time going back to work.
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Feb 03, 2008 9:43 am ]
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Sorry to hear you've been ill, Cryst. Hope you're on the road to recovery now.
Author:  roversgirl [ Sun Feb 03, 2008 9:55 am ]
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sorry to hear you've been ill - hope things get better soon!
Author:  Cryst [ Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:39 pm ]
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Probably not worth the wait, but ...

It was most fortunate that Joey was not in the staff room when Nancy sailed in like an avenging angel, her face as black as the darkest night. She cast her eyes around the room and then barked at the nearest member of staff, who happened to be Mr Denny, sitting quietly in a corner humming softly to himself as he prepared for his next class.

“Where is she?”

Mr Denny looked up in alarm and some confusion. “Er, where is who, Nancy?”

“Joey.”

“Oh, I see. She was here a few minutes ago, but I think she said she had finished for the day and was going back home. Let’s have a look at the timetable, shall we?” He rose to his feet and walked across to the noticeboard where Rosalie’s masterpiece of carefully coloured squares was displayed, representing the complex schedule of Chalet School life. He traced across from Joey’s name and turned to Nancy to confirm patiently that Joey had in fact finished for the day.

Nancy had the grace to feel ashamed by this gentle intervention, and felt her anger start to subside. “You’re quite right of course, thank you Mr Denny. I’m sorry I shouted.”

“Quite alright, I understand,” he smiled and patted her on the arm, adding in a whisper, “enough to try the patience of a saint, that one.” He sat back down to resume his preparation as Nancy poured herself a large sweet cup of Kaffee, commandeered the largest of the sweet bread twists and sat down to think about how she would discuss with Joey what she had seen on the blackboard.

Mr Denny settled himself back down, but was not to be left in peace for long. Hepsy came quietly into the room and looked around for a likely colleague to recruit to her union cause. Two or three of the mistresses had their heads down marking. Nancy and Anna she had already tried. She settled on Mr Denny, and walked across to sit next to him.

“I wonder if I could interest you in joining a teacher’s Trade Union,” she said, handing him a leaflet. “We should be organising ourselves to ensure that our pay and conditions are adequate.” He looked at the earnest young woman with some compassion. “Oh I don’t think so, my dear,” he said gently, “it’s just not how it works around here. We are more like family, you know, than employees. I have been with the school for nigh on 35 years – I can’t really see me rocking the boat after all this time, can you?”

Hepsy sighed, and put her pile of leaflets on a side table, thinking that perhaps she had done all she could for the time being, and would have to return to the cause at a more opportune time.

From across the room José was watching the exchange with mild interest. The time of The Journey was approaching, and his days at the school were coming to an end. He was looking forward to his triumphant return to his kin, but could not help but feel a twinge of regret for the life he would be leaving behind.
Author:  Pat [ Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:54 pm ]
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It was definitely worth waiting for! Glad you feel like writing again.
Author:  PaulineS [ Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:10 pm ]
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So Jose is about to leave! Yes it is worth waiting for, but hope the next wait is shorter.
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:13 pm ]
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Good to see more of this - like that Mr Denny was able to so effectively silence both Nancy and Hepsy. :lol:


Thanks Cryst
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:37 pm ]
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Glad to see this back, and hope that you're fully recovered now.
Author:  Rebecca [ Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:41 pm ]
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It's great to see some more of this. Thanks, Cryst!
Author:  roversgirl [ Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:48 pm ]
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Thanks for an update. Hope you're ok now :)
Author:  Cryst [ Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:32 pm ]
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Once she’d had a chance to reflect on the situation, Nancy calmed down. She remembered that she and Joey had one of their regular mentorship meetings scheduled for the following morning, when she could raise the matter of Joey’s apparent departure from the agreed lesson plan. Nancy spent a sleepless night going over different possible ways to bring up the subject. Her instinct was to give vent to her anger, but she knew that she should give Joey a chance to explain. It was, after all, possible (though surely most unlikely) that there was an innocent explanation. After turning it over and over in her mind, by about 3 o’clock she had settled on the exact words she would use to bring up the subject. “That’s that then,” she thought to herself. “All I have to do is stay calm, ask the question, and make sure I listen to what Joey has to say. It can’t be that hard.” She sighed, turning over her pillow so that her head rested on the cool side, reflecting as she finally dropped off into a deep sleep that there was perhaps more to this management business than met the eye.

The following morning dawned bright and sunny, with an autumnal nip in the air. Hepsy and Nancy were both at breakfast early, Nancy because she was eager to get her meeting with Joey over and done with, and Hepsy because this was her morning for visiting St Mildreds, and she wanted to leave plenty of time to enjoy the walk down through the pine forest. They sat down together and as Hepsy smiled and wished her “Guten Morgen” (it being a German day), Nancy remembered with a lurch their encounter the previous day. Though quick to anger, Nancy had a kindly streak, and she blushed inwardly as she recalled how she had crushed her young colleague.

“Guten Morgen, Hepsy,” she replied. “I was wondering how you were getting on with your union campaign? I’m so sorry that I didn’t have time to discuss it with you yesterday – I was in a devil of a rush.”

“Oh not to worry,” grinned Hepsy easily, “I figured you’d got something else on your mind. It’s not going too well, to be honest. I haven’t found anyone with a flicker of interest in getting a union branch started here. I can’t understand it – the pay is not brilliant, the hours we are expected to work are absolutely appalling, and there are some management practices that are completely at odds with agreed teachers’ employment conditions. Why are the staff not up in arms?”

“Well I think most of us are just used to it,” replied Nancy. “Many of the staff have been with the school for years and years, you know, first as pupils and then returning as teachers. For all its faults in employment terms, it is like belonging to a family, and we just accept things the way they are. Don’t give up though. Every time another piece of nonsense comes through from the Board of Trustees loading us up with additional bureaucracy you can see that staff become increasingly disgruntled. The time will come, Hepsy, when we will be ready to think in a different way.”

Hepsy was heartened. “That will be the point when collective bargaining will come into its own. I’ll keep a low profile on it for a few weeks, and then try again. Thank you Nancy, you’ve helped me tremendously.”

Nancy nodded in acknowledgement, pleased that for once she seemed to have handled the situation well.

Both women looked up as Rosalie Dene approached their table, handing out the staff mail which had just been delivered. “Sorry old thing,” she breezed at Nancy, “nothing for you. But some snaps have arrived for you, Hepsy.” She handed over the large yellow envelope which Hepsy slipped immediately into her handbag, to the surprise of the other two women. “Thank you Rosalie, I’ll have a look at them later,” she replied, looking straight down into her Kaffee.
Author:  Pat [ Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:40 pm ]
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Hope they're interesting and informative.
Author:  roversgirl [ Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:43 pm ]
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Thanks for an update - am looking forward to seeing what happens :-)
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:44 pm ]
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Hope Nancy and Hepsy team up.
Author:  PaulineS [ Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:20 pm ]
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Looking forward to the photgraphs.

Glad Nacy could help Hepsy
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Mar 27, 2008 5:41 am ]
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Nice to see Nancy so positive with Hepsy.


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Rosalin [ Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:25 pm ]
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Sorry to hear you've been ill Cryst.

Looking forward to seeing what's in the photos. Or if he even shows up on film at all.
Author:  Rebecca [ Thu Mar 27, 2008 10:49 pm ]
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Ooh, the photos! Wondering whether they'll show anything...
Author:  leahbelle [ Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:22 pm ]
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Glad Nancy had that chat with Hepsy. Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  Cryst [ Fri Mar 28, 2008 9:27 pm ]
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Hepsy’s Italian conversation lesson with the young ladies of St Mildred’s went well as usual, and she once more managed to detain Mary Lou at the end of the lesson without arousing the suspicion of her classmates.

“I have the photos, Mary Lou. They arrived in this morning’s post. I’d be interested to have a look at them with you if that would be alright with you.”

“Oh yes, absolutely. We’d better not do it in here though, in case one of the gang comes back to look for me. I know, the weather’s pretty decent – I’ll just sign myself out, grab my coat and change my shoes and then I can walk back towards the main school with you. We can find ourselves a log to perch on out of sight of the path and take a good look at them together. Wait for me outside, would you? I won’t be long.”

Having thus issued her instructions she hurried off towards the cloakroom without waiting for a reply. Hepsy smiled as she gathered her things together and left the classroom, thinking that her young friend was certainly one self possessed young lady. The plan went without hitch and some ten minutes later found them a short distance into the pine wood, sitting on a log.

“Right”, said Mary Lou in a business-like manner, taking the package from Hepsy, “there will be a heap of holiday snaps that were on the film already, then there should be seven of José. I took two outside when I was hiding behind the bushes – I don’t think he knew I was there for the first one, but he was quite far away so it might not be very clear. By the time I took the second one I think he had seen me. Then there should be five in the classroom. I managed to catch him unawares for the first one, just as he was turning round from the blackboard, but for the others he was posing.”

With that she opened the envelope, quickly picked out the seven relevant photos, and spread them on the ground in front of them. They both scanned them quickly, then exclaimed, in unison, “Who’s that?” each pointing to a face on a different photo. Then, almost as if acting their parts in a comic sketch, they looked at each other, looked where the other was pointing, chorused “That’s José,” and looked back up at each other in amazement.
Author:  Elbee [ Fri Mar 28, 2008 9:53 pm ]
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and they saw....... ???!

Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  Lesley [ Fri Mar 28, 2008 10:08 pm ]
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A different face for each person, is it? :?


Thanks Cryst
Author:  Rebecca [ Fri Mar 28, 2008 10:21 pm ]
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And ... ?!

Thanks for the update :)
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Mar 28, 2008 10:47 pm ]
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So what on earth's on the photos :shock: ?
Author:  Rosalin [ Fri Mar 28, 2008 11:25 pm ]
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Interesting. And they saw....?

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  roversgirl [ Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:50 pm ]
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Thanks :)
Author:  Cryst [ Sat Mar 29, 2008 4:10 pm ]
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“Whoa, what’s going on here?” exclaimed Hepsy. “Let’s take the photos one by one, shall we? This one presumably is the first photo you took from behind the bushes when he was coming up the path quite a distance away. I’m not sure it’s come out properly. This long blurred reddish yellow streak – it looks vaguely like a tall person in a cloak, but it could just be a stray shaft of sunlight, or an error in the developing.”

Mary Lou peered at it carefully. “I don’t think it was a particularly sunny day, but it could be a trick of the light, I agree. It is sort of person shaped – I can see what you mean, but I think it’s most likely just something that’s happened when they developed the film. What about this second one outside? Who on earth is this person?” She pointed at an elegant and handsome young man, of medium height and slim build, with fair hair and charming smile.

“That’s José, of course,” replied Hepsy in astonishment “isn’t that how he looks to you?”

“No, not at all,” replied Mary Lou. “That man looks quite attractive, whereas José is completely repulsive and looks nothing like this.”

Hepsy stared at her in horror. “Well, it looks just like José to me! What about the ones in the classroom? They are all of the same person as the one outside, apart from this one.” She put aside several photos with the same handsome young man surrounded by the girls and pointed at a photograph of a much older man standing beside a blackboard. He was short, with lank dark hair, a misshapen leer of a mouth, and a face covered in ghastly pustules.

“Now that,” replied Mary Lou “that is José”.

“Oh no,” Hepsy whispered. “Is that how you see him all the time? I remember now, it is the person that I caught a glimpse of that time when José tripped. How truly revolting – there is something that I can only describe as evil about him.” They both fell silent, horrified.
Author:  roversgirl [ Sat Mar 29, 2008 4:12 pm ]
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I wonder what they're going to do now... Thanks :)
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Mar 29, 2008 4:52 pm ]
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So why does Mary Lou see the repulsive one, then?


Thanks Cryst
Author:  keren [ Sat Mar 29, 2008 7:07 pm ]
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So glad you came back to this
Author:  Rosalin [ Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:06 pm ]
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So presumably he has to be concentrating in order to project the image of a handsome man.

I'm also wondering why whatever he is doing doesn't work on Mary-Lou.

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Alison H [ Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:52 pm ]
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Very weird :roll: !
Author:  Rebecca [ Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:22 pm ]
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I have no idea what the answer to the mystery is but I'm enjoying the ride immensely!
Author:  Katherine [ Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:11 pm ]
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Great to see this back, Cryst and hope you're feeling better now. Have just read through the last few updates. Loved the part about Joey's 'Relationship' lesson!
Author:  Cryst [ Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:18 pm ]
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Mary Lou was the first to recover the power of speech. “What are we going to do?” she asked.

“Well, we are going to have to tell someone, I suppose,” replied Hepsy, starting to think it through, “but how can we go to Miss Annersley or Miss Wilson with this? ‘Excuse me, Headmistress, one of your teachers, who you regard as an exceptionally gifted and charming young man, can change his appearance at will and perform mass hypnosis, and is in fact an evil and putrid monster, type unspecified.’ They are going to think we are barking.”

“Indeed they are,” replied Mary Lou with a grin, the absurdity of the situation not escaping her. “Anyway, I’ve already tried to warn Miss Wilson about the effect that Señor Romero has on the girls at St Mildred’s and she wasn’t listening. No, we’re going to have to try something else.”

They sat and thought for a minute or two.

“Are either of the Headmistresses keen photographers?” asked Hepsy.

“Not as far as I know, but explain your line of thinking,” Mary Lou encouraged.

“Well, I was just thinking that rather than give them the whole ‘alien creature looks different to different people’ theory, we could perhaps just show them the photos and ask if they had any explanation as to why they had not come out properly, or suggestions as to what you did wrong. That way we would be alerting them to the problem but avoiding the credibility gap.”

“I like your thinking,” replied Mary Lou. “It would work best if one of them were interested in photography, but Bill, er sorry Miss Wilson, is a scientist at least and would engage with it in that sort of a way. Yes, Miss Cameron, I think you’ve hit on it.”

After a bit more discussion they hatched a plan whereby Mary Lou would show the photos to Miss Wilson. It would seem too strange if Hepsy accompanied her. They gathered up the photos and put them back in the envelope, which Mary Lou slipped into her coat pocket.

“Good luck, Mary Lou” Hepsy said as they parted. “That was the last Italian lesson before half term, so I probably won’t see you again until we leave for the half term trip. If your chat with Miss Wilson doesn’t lead to anything being done about Señor Romero, we are going to have our wits about us and keep a very close eye on him.”
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:23 pm ]
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Wonder what Miss Wilson will say ... if she can see anything untoward in the photos.
Author:  roversgirl [ Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:35 pm ]
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Ditto - thank you :)
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:48 pm ]
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Hope Nell's scientific curiosity is piqued.


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Rosalin [ Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:08 pm ]
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I've got a rather bad feeling about this trip....

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  leahbelle [ Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:12 pm ]
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Hope Nell can see what they see...
Author:  Cryst [ Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:22 pm ]
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Mary Lou had a free period next, and so was able to venture to the Headmistress’s study as soon as she returned into the school. She took a moment to tidy her hair and straighten her skirt, then drew a deep breath and knocked on the door.

“Ah Mary Lou, come in. What brings you here?”

“I wonder if you could spare me a moment, Miss Wilson. I’ve taken up photography in a minor way, and have had some very strange results with the latest film I’ve had developed. I thought perhaps you may be able to help me work out what I’ve been doing wrong.”

Miss Wilson looked surprised. “Well, I’m no expert photographer myself, Mary Lou,” then added, having noticed Mary Lou’s look of disappointment “though I do have a little Box Brownie that I’ve been known to get out from time to time, and a smattering of an idea of how it’s done, so let’s have a look, shall we?” She gestured towards the little settee by the wood burning stove and sat down beside the girl.

Mary Lou started with her holiday snaps, asking for advice about composition, lighting and so forth, which Miss Wilson gave to the best of her ability, still slightly bemused at being thought an expert. Then Mary Lou came to the photographs of the Spanish master, showing first the photograph with the blurred red and yellow streak.

“I took this one of Señor Romero as he was coming up the path. I have no idea why it has come out like this. Do you think maybe there was something wrong with the exposure?”

Miss Wilson peered at it. “How very strange. It looks almost like a medieval cloaked figure, but must be just a trick of the light, I think. Where was the sun when you took this?”

“I’m not sure, off to one side I think.”

It must have just caught the lens at an awkward angle or something,” Miss Wilson improvised, “unless perhaps it was an accident when the film was being developed. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. Are there any more like this?”

“No, just one more that I took of Señor Romero on the path,” replied Mary Lou showing the next photo.

“Oh yes, that it a very nice one of him,” replied Miss Wilson, allowing herself to look at it for rather too long, “it must have been sunny at that point because you can see the glints in his fair hair. Such a lovely shade of blonde, it sets off the colour of his eyes so beautifully.” She sighed, Mary Lou gave her a strange look, and she coughed.

“Er, yes well are there any more, Mary Lou?”

“There are these that I took in the classroom,” she said, spreading them out on a small coffee table in front of them. “They have all come out quite well, I think, although I am not so sure about this one.” She indicated the photo of José turning back from the blackboard.

Miss Wilson scanned the group photos, nodding approvingly, then looked at the one indicated. “But who is this?” she asked.

“It is Señor Romero,” replied Mary Lou.

“But it doesn’t look anything like him,” replied Miss Wilson, puzzled. “How could that be? It could hardly be caused by something like over or under exposure. That might make a face indistinct, but this seems to be a completely different person. Are you sure it is your photograph? Could it be that a mistake was made at the developers and you have been sent someone else’s picture?”

“Well, maybe,” replied Mary Lou, “but it is identical to our classroom, and even the writing on the blackboard is the same as in the other photos.”

“So it is. Well, I say. I’m baffled, Mary Lou. Could one of your classmates be playing a prank, do you think?”

“I don’t see how – they have had no chance to use the camera or to put an extra photograph into the envelope.”

“I know, let’s have a look at the negatives.” Miss Wilson drew out the strips of negatives and held them to the light, comparing them with the photographs. “No, no clues there either – they correspond exactly to the photos. Well, I never. How fascinating.”

As Hepsy and Mary Lou had hoped, Miss Wilson’s scientific curiosity was aroused, but they had not expected her next move.

“I think perhaps I had better hold onto these for a day or two, Mary Lou. I’ll ask around and see if anyone else has any knowledge of photography and perhaps we can come up with a solution for you. Is that all right, my dear?”

Mary Lou had no option but to agree, and she thanked Miss Wilson before bobbing a curtsey and taking her leave.
Author:  Rosalin [ Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:27 pm ]
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I hope Miss Wilson doesn't show the photos to Jose, or try to cover them up in some way.

Thanks Cryst
Author:  Kathy_S [ Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:51 pm ]
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Hope she kept the negatives!
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:59 pm ]
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Oooops, they may have done better actually hanging on to them really.


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Apr 01, 2008 11:08 pm ]
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That didn't go too well.
Author:  leahbelle [ Wed Apr 02, 2008 5:00 pm ]
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Oops! Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  Fatima [ Wed Apr 02, 2008 6:20 pm ]
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What interesting pictures! I wonder what Miss Wilson will do with them.

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Cryst [ Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:25 pm ]
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Nancy was sitting alone at the desk in her form room, muttering under her breath.
“I will not shout at Joey.
I will listen to what Joey has to say.
I do not want to strangle Joey.
I will not shout at Joey.
I will listen to what Joey has to say.
….”

Over and over she repeated it like a mantra as she waited for Joey to appear for the mentorship meeting. She had her question all ready. She had rehearsed it several times in front of the mirror in her little bedroom. She would first ask Joey if she was well and maybe ask about her family. Then, nonchalantly, she would say, “And how have you found the teaching, Joey? Have you found that the lesson plans have been working well for you?” And then she would stop talking. She would listen to what Joey had to say, and at the right moment, without betraying any irritation, she would insert a suitable non judgemental question to try to discover exactly what Joey thought she had been doing with the Upper Thirds.

Eventually she heard footsteps in the corridor outside – unmistakeably Joey’s footsteps – a mixture of walking and skipping, accompanied by a cheerful whistle. She braced herself.
Author:  Lesley [ Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:36 pm ]
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Hmmmm, wonder how successful Nancy will be? :lol:


Thanks Cryst
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:42 pm ]
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Nancy, please don't ask Joey about her family unless you've got about ten hours to spare!
Author:  roversgirl [ Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:00 pm ]
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Thanks - Hope Nancy manages this and hope they get the photos back!
Author:  Rosalin [ Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:06 pm ]
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Good luck Nancy!

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Cryst [ Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:07 pm ]
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Alas for poor Nancy – it was almost inevitable that her carefully laid plan would fail.

Joey, as ever, was talking non stop as she entered the room. “Hello Nancy, are you well? Gosh isn’t it exciting? Only one more day and we are off on our half term trips. Well, two days for you, I suppose, but then you’re not going for as long as us, are you? Nor as far of course. Ah well, I expect you’ll have a good time too, though I’m so glad we are going on the best trip even if you couldn’t all come with us. I’ve packed my bag, and almost I’ve finished packing Bruno’s. He is looking forward to it so much. The tinies will miss me dreadfully I suppose, but I’ve had special word with everyone back home. They will spoil them rotten of course without me to keep an eye on things, won’t they? I haven’t been on a school trip for years and years you know. Of course it won’t be the same now that I am a …” (she puffed herself up to her full height) “fully experienced teacher and in charge of the trip, but I’m still looking forward to it. Do you know I’m almost as excited as I used to be when I was little. Jack says I must be very careful that I don’t come down with a fever. I always used to, you know, when I got too excited. They were forever having to put me to bed, don’t you remember? …”

Joey seemed set to carry on in this vein for several hours and Nancy became more and more irritated. She tried several times to butt in and pose her carefully rehearsed question, but was mowed down on each occasion by the torrent of words streaming forth from Joey. Eventually it got too much for her.

“Oh for Heaven’s sake, woman, SHUT UP,” she shouted, “and why the hell were you teaching the Upper Third about relationships the other day when we had agreed that you were doing family finance?”
Author:  Pat [ Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:24 pm ]
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Can't say I blame Nancy for that reaction!
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:48 pm ]
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I'm with Nancy here! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Author:  PaulineS [ Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:52 pm ]
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I think Jack needs to calm Joey down before she goes on the trip or she will be ill.

Poor Nancy though she does not stand a chance against Joey does she?
Author:  roversgirl [ Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:59 pm ]
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I don't know - we do know why Joey did do relationships... still she should have told Nancy. Thanks for the update :)
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Nancy!
Author:  Kathy_S [ Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Joey!

Meanwhile, what about Señor Romero?

Thank you, Cryst.
Author:  Jennie [ Fri Apr 04, 2008 1:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
I think Jo needs a large dose there, not a little one.
Author:  Cryst [ Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:56 pm ]
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As soon as the words left her mouth Nancy regretted them. “Oh damn and blast,” she cursed to herself, “that was exactly what I meant not to do.” Her temper was still not quite under control, but she did at least have the self control to not follow up her words with more of the same. She fell silent, hardly trusting herself to speak.

Her outburst had the effect of stopping Joey in her tracks. She stared at Nancy, mouth open. She rapidly worked out what Nancy had deduced, and was the first to recover the power of speech.

“Oh, Nancy, it’s not what you think, really it isn’t. I didn’t talk about, you know, boyfriends and puberty and things. Not at all. I wouldn’t have done that after all the little chats you and I have had about it. No, indeed I wouldn’t. May I explain?”

Nancy nodded, still not quite daring to say anything, and Joey launched into an account of the incident and the lesson she had contrived on the spot, ending with “Nancy, you haven’t said a word. Do please tell me that was the right thing to do. The little wretches were being so ghastly to poor little Rosemary.”

Nancy gulped. She had managed to listen to the explanation, could see that Joey had dealt with the situation rather well, and was fair-minded enough to say so.

“It sounds as if you handled it very well, and yes, it was the right thing to do. Er … well done, Joey.” She managed a wan smile.

Joey was ecstatic. She leaned across the desk and gave Nancy an exuberant hug.

“Oh, thank you Nancy, I’m so pleased you think so.”

Nancy winced, her ample bosom somewhat bruised.

“Let’s look over the next few lessons, shall we, and perhaps work out how you can get back on schedule after half term?”

And so they did, little imagining the events that were soon to occur, and that Joey would never deliver the planned lessons.
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:58 pm ]
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Good cliff!
Author:  PaulineS [ Mon Apr 07, 2008 10:18 pm ]
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Glad Nancy could praise Joey for her handling of the situation. I am sure we would all have shouted at Jo to shut up with she had kept up a monologue and would not let any one else speak,
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Apr 07, 2008 10:31 pm ]
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Pleased that Nancy was able to recognise that Joey had done the right thing - nice ending! :lol:


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  roversgirl [ Tue Apr 08, 2008 5:54 am ]
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Glad that Nancy gave Joey due credit. Thanks :)
Author:  Cryst [ Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:58 pm ]
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It was the Thursday before the half term holiday and the school was bubbling with suppressed excitement. Some girls would be going home to their families but the majority lived far from home and would be enjoying one of the trips organised by the school. For most of the school it was to be lessons as normal during the day, with evening preparation cancelled to allow them time to pack ready for their departure early on Friday morning. The trip that Joey believed she was in charge of was, however, going further away than the others and the girls would be travelling overnight. The arrangement was therefore that their lessons would stop at 15:00 hours to allow the girls time to pack, have a substantial high tea and depart just before dusk. The charabanc would collect first the girls and staff members from the main school and then drive to St Mildred’s to pick up the older girls.

Hepsy did not teach the St Mildred’s girls on a Thursday, but José did. He had an appointment with Miss Wilson immediately before his class to discuss the girls’ progress and agree the syllabus for the coming half term. He turned up promptly and was welcomed into Nell’s study, where she had a tray of coffee ready for him. She was very pleased with the progress the girls were making with their Spanish conversation and in complete agreement with the plans he outlined for the future, so with ten minutes still to go before José needed to leave, the conversation turned to other matters. They spoke briefly about the coming trip and then Nell changed the subject.

“José,” she said reaching into her desk drawer, “As we have a couple of minutes, I have something to show you – some photographs that Mary Lou took of you and some of the girls. She asked my advice about them because of some unexplained strange effects. Now I’m no photographer, but I was wondering if you would have any ideas?”

Jose, with his usual charm, confessed that he would be delighted to take a look, saying that he did indeed have a little knowledge of photography, and may be able to help. He took the packet from Nell and started to look through the photos. What he saw stopped him dead in his tracks and sent a shiver of alarm down his spine. There, in one of the classroom shots, turning back from the blackboard, was Dumitru. Curse him – he must have an interest in one of the girls and in his usual obsessive way he would have been looking in at every opportunity, lecherously following her whenever he got the chance. If it had been another of his kin then José would probably have noticed and put a stop to it, but Dumitru’s telepathic abilities were stronger than most. Even so, he had managed to produce a physical manifestation on a photograph – this was quite unprecedented. His interest in the girl must be extreme. He felt a twinge of pity for her, whoever she was.

But his thoughts were quickly overtaken by the need to act. The mission would be in jeopardy if Miss Wilson’s sight of the photographs meant that she suspected there was any danger to the schoolgirls. He must take swift and decisive action to deal with her.

(Edited to correct an error - getting my Spain and Italy mixed up again!)
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Nell :cry:


Thanks Cryst
Author:  Alison H [ Sat Apr 12, 2008 4:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh Nell, not a good move!

Wonder which one of the girls Dumitru (sounds very Romanian - is he a Transylvanian vampire :shock: ?) is after ...
Author:  abbeybufo [ Sat Apr 12, 2008 4:34 pm ]
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Presumably OOAO, since she's the only one who 'sees' him :shock:
Author:  PaulineS [ Sat Apr 12, 2008 6:30 pm ]
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I suspect Mary Lou as well and I wonder who Hepsy sees.

Poor Nell i hope someone can protect her.
Author:  Cryst [ Sun Apr 13, 2008 4:36 pm ]
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Some five minutes later José left the study. Closing the door quietly behind him, and patting with satisfaction the packet of photographs stashed safely in his pocket, he started walking slowly towards the room where the girls would be waiting for their Spanish conversation class. Silencing Miss Wilson had taken considerable effort and he needed to allow his powers to recover before facing the girls. He was fairly confident after probing Miss Wilson that the only other person to have seen the photographs was Mary Lou Trelawny, and so he would have to deal with her during the lesson. But first he had to contact Dumitru and warn him in no uncertain terms that he must stop lurking in José’s mind and watching the girls. This he did as he walked. Summoning the strength of the kin to hurl his thoughts across the continent at Dumitru he commanded him to stay away, broadcasting widely to his community of kin that the mission was being endangered. The only acknowledgement was a mental snarl in return from Dumitru, but José did not have time to follow up with explanations, and he was sure that the elders would have heard and would intervene if necessary. Two future generations of the kin were at stake.

He paused to gather his strength once more before entering the classroom. There was no doubt that he was weakened, but the girls were used the influence he exerted over their minds, and he was sure they would be as pliable as ever. The only issue would be Mary Lou Trelawny – he must ensure that by the end of the lesson she retained no memory of the photographs – the mission would then be safe.
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Apr 13, 2008 4:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Nell - what has he done to her? Thank goodness she knew nothing about Hepsy - she may be the only one left if he gets to Mary Lou. :cry:


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  abbeybufo [ Sun Apr 13, 2008 4:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
Cryst wrote:
Silencing Miss Wilson had taken considerable effort


:shock: :shock: :shock:

Well it would, wouldn't it . . .

Now wondering what he'll do to ML - and, with Lesley, thankful he doesn't know about Hepsy
Author:  Fatima [ Sun Apr 13, 2008 5:00 pm ]
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Now this is getting really scary! I hope Mary-Lou and Hepsy can think up some way of stopping Jose.
Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
What has he done to Nell :shock: ?
Author:  Pat [ Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:50 pm ]
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Hopefully dealing with M-L will be just too much for him.
Author:  Cryst [ Mon Apr 14, 2008 8:06 pm ]
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Mary Lou looked up as the door opened and José entered. She gasped. The evil, ugly man she knew was gone, and she was seeing José for the first time as the other girls saw him - the handsome fair haired young man she had only before seen in the photographs. At the same time she felt a soporific golden glow flowing from him, over her and through her, filling her with a sense of tranquillity and acceptance. She realised that she must at last be experiencing the hypnotic effect that the other girls felt, and tried to resist, finding that by avoiding looking directly at José she could retain more of her normal thought processes. She realised that it was likely that she would eventually succumb despite her determination, so while José was getting ready to start the lesson she took the opportunity to scribble a short note to herself on a scrap of paper.

“Señor Romero is not what he seems.
Trust Miss Cameron.”

She then folded the note and put it carefully into her pocket.

José got the class underway, skilfully questioning the girls and setting up conversations between them, introducing new vocabulary as he did so. After a while he divided them into groups, giving each a task, and walked round the groups intervening where necessary. This gave him more time to work on Mary Lou. It was strange, but he was feeling resistance in her mind that he had not encountered before. Perhaps it was simply that he had not needed to single her out from the others before, but he was nevertheless surprised. Still, it would be easily done, he simply needed to remove from her mind the memory of the photographs and top up her susceptibility to his influence. He located the memory, sent a mental jolt of energy, and felt his success. He smiled – it had been easy.

Mary Lou felt a sharp pain in her head and gave a loud moan.

Verity turned to her in concern. “What is it Mary Lou? Are you all right?”

“A sudden headache,” stuttered Mary Lou, holding her head. “But I think it’s starting to wear off,” she added almost at once, turning adoring eyes onto her teacher, who was looking down at her with apparent concern.
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Apr 14, 2008 8:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
Clever Mary Lou for writing that note - hope she believes it and acts upon it.


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  roversgirl [ Mon Apr 14, 2008 8:58 pm ]
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Hope Mary-Lou holds out! Thanks :)
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Apr 14, 2008 9:15 pm ]
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Hang on in there, Mary-Lou!
Author:  Tara [ Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:21 am ]
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Is this the first time people have been cheering for Mary-Lou?? :D This gets more and more intriguing - and we still don't know what Jose has done to Nell!
Thanks, Cryst, really enjoying this.
Author:  di [ Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:10 am ]
Post subject: 
Found the 1st part of this in the archives and was glad to see it carrying on, having read it through in one sitting. Poor Mary Lou; I don't normally have much sympathy for the wretched girl but this I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I hope Bill is okay!
Many thanks, Cryst.
Author:  keren [ Tue May 13, 2008 7:36 am ]
Post subject: 
Please update this whenever you can
Author:  Cryst [ Fri May 23, 2008 7:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
Sorry Keren, the bunny hasn't been biting, but here's a little bit and maybe it'll get me going again.

As Mary Lou was succumbing to the influence of the Spanish Master, Hepsy was in her snug little bedroom, preparing for the half term excursion. Concerns about José were not far from her mind, but she had no inkling that anything untoward had happened Mary Lou and Miss Wilson, and she was looking forward to the trip. After her first challenging half term in teaching, learning to adapt to the unfamiliar ways and strict routines of the Chalet School, she was expecting a more relaxed atmosphere during the half term break. Travelling was in her blood and she felt her spirits lift as she changed into her travelling clothes, put away the hated stockings, suspender belt and shoes and packed her old battered rucksack.
Author:  roversgirl [ Fri May 23, 2008 8:04 pm ]
Post subject: 
It;'s back! Thanks. I wonder what half term will bring... :)
Author:  Lesley [ Fri May 23, 2008 9:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
A baby update - excellent. :lol:


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Alison H [ Fri May 23, 2008 10:42 pm ]
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Thanks Cryst :D .
Author:  Tara [ Fri May 23, 2008 11:14 pm ]
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Hooray, an update! Thanks, Cryst, keep feeding the bunnies - and do, do tell us what's happened to Nell :shock:
Author:  di [ Sat May 24, 2008 8:31 am ]
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Thanks, Cryst. Hope Hepsy can come along soon and sort Mary Lou out.
Author:  Tor [ Sat May 24, 2008 12:38 pm ]
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hurrah! it's back...

but something tells me that Hepsy is mistaken that her traveling gear will meet the trig standards of the CS!
Author:  Cryst [ Sat May 24, 2008 1:05 pm ]
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High tea was over and the girls were assembling on the drive at the front of the school to await the arrival of the charabanc. Miss Annersley stood by the front door directing and watching the proceedings, nodding with satisfaction to herself at the behaviour of the girls. They were clearly excited to be off on such an adventure – for most of the girls this was after all their first school trip and they would be going further afield than was the norm even for a Chalet School trip. They looked trim and tidy in their school uniforms, neatly stacking their bags ready to be loaded by the driver, chattering quietly, not one of them rowdy or over exuberant. They walked purposefully back and forth fetching the blankets and cushions needed for the long overnight journey and relaying the baskets containing flasks of hot drinks and snacks brought out by the kitchen staff. She looked at her watch and consulted her list. The girls had all put in an appearance, though one or two were still going back and forth into the school to collect forgotten items, visit the splasheries etc, but where were the staff who would be accompanying them? Joey, Hepsy and José were all expected, and as yet there was no sign of any of them.

Hepsy was the first to put in an appearance. She walked down the steps past the Headmistress, and the hubbub stopped immediately as all the girls turned round and stared at her. For a few seconds there was complete silence, then Arda grabbed her chum Renata and shrieked – “Slacks!! Miss Cameron is wearing slacks!” Miss Annersley viewed the apparition beside her with horror. Dressed in her old brown travelling coat, slacks, and boots, and carrying her rucksack, Miss Cameron looked every inch a tramp. Miss Annersley sighed inwardly. She might have guessed that things had been going far too well. She grasped Hepsy firmly by the arm and swung her back into the school, with a curt, “Might I have a word with you, Miss Cameron?”. Turning back to the girls, she cast her icy-grey stare about the scene and said “Carry on with the preparations quietly please girls”, her no-nonsense tone of voice immediately quashing any idea they might have had of starting to play up.

She dealt with Hepsy swiftly, instructing her in no uncertain terms as to the appropriate attire for a Chalet School mistress accompanying a school trip, and despite Hepsy’s attempt to protest that slacks would be much more comfortable and suitable for an overnight trip, for both girls and mistresses, Hepsy was told to hurry upstairs to change.
Author:  Alison H [ Sat May 24, 2008 2:05 pm ]
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I'd be tempted to tell Hilda where to shove her orders, but I suppose you can't really be too rude to your boss :lol: . Poor Hepsy!
Author:  Lesley [ Sat May 24, 2008 4:28 pm ]
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Poor Hepsy - though perhaps it would have been simpler for her to be told before the expedition about correct attire?


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  PaulineS [ Sat May 24, 2008 5:07 pm ]
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I agree with Hepsy that slacks are more suitable than a skirt when travelling overnight.
Where are Jose and Jo though??
Author:  roversgirl [ Sat May 24, 2008 5:13 pm ]
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Yes, slacks are more practical but were they appropriate for the girls at that time? (Has no idea of when girls started wearing trousers as a general thing.) Thanks for the update :)
Author:  keren [ Sat May 24, 2008 6:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
yay,

one of my favorites is back!

Hope your bunny is here to stay
Author:  Tara [ Sat May 24, 2008 11:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh, poor Hepsy! Of course slacks would be more comfortable, but we weren't allowed to wear them to school (or even on a school trip) when I started teaching in 1970, so I don't think we can blame Hilda too much. By the end of my first year, the edict had gone forth that we could wear formal trouser suits, but nothing more casual. Strange days.
Author:  di [ Sun May 25, 2008 8:34 am ]
Post subject: 
Ooops, Hepsy got that one wrong - or did she? Maybe, whilst she is changing into something more acceptable to Hilda she'll realise that Mary Lou is in trouble and go and look for her.

On the subject of wearing trousers as a teacher, I was lucky as I taught P.E. when I started in the early '70's and could wear a tracksuit. Even so I couldn't arrive in it and had to change after Assembly. I'm now in a Muslim Boys Grammar and am still not supposed to wear trousers and have to keep my arms covered which is a killer in the summer!

Thank you, Cryst, looking forward to more.
Author:  Cryst [ Sun May 25, 2008 12:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hilda resumed her post, pleased to see that the girls continued to behave well, her annoyance with Hepsy tinged with affection. She even thought to herself that the young teacher might have a point, and resolved to give some consideration to the idea, however modern, of adding suitable slacks or trousers to the school uniform – musing that there would certainly be occasions when they would be more practical and comfortable for the girls. Hepsy, meanwhile, was feeling irritated but resigned as she wriggled swiftly back into her suspender belt and imprisoned her legs in the uncomfortable stockings. Even this setback did not dampen her spirits too much, with the tantalising prospect of a long journey and new sights ahead of her.

Hilda looked up to see the charabanc coming up the drive, motioned to the girls to keep out of its way, and beckoned Gaudenz forward to be ready assist the driver in loading the cases. As the charabanc drew up she made towards the driver to ensure that he was fully briefed about the destination and the pre-arranged stops en route. The two men then began loading the luggage as Hilda directed the girls to start taking their seats. Just then there was a shout from behind her. “Cooee, Hilda, we’re here.” She winced, turning to see Joey striding towards her from the direction of Freudesheim, Bruno bounding along excitedly at her feet. She felt a surge of exasperation - surely after all this time Joey knew better than to address her thus in front of the girls. She did not have long to ponder on this, nor the opportunity to raise the matter with Joey, because as soon as Bruno reached the charabanc all hell was let loose as he cavorted around the girls, jumping up on them and licking their faces, knocking several of them over in his excitement, to wild shrieks all round.

“Mrs Maynard,” she said pointedly, “please would you control your dog.”

“Sorry Hilda,” Joey replied with her irrepressible smile, as she tried ineffectually to catch the rampaging animal, which was now knocking the picnic baskets flying, “he’s a bit over excited, aren’t you Brunnikins?”
Author:  roversgirl [ Sun May 25, 2008 1:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the update - Hope Hepsy notices the absences soon ! shouldn't someone notice Bill is missing. thanks!:)
Author:  Lesley [ Sun May 25, 2008 1:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
Impressed at Hilda's restraint - I think I'd have kept a shotgun for the brute!










Though I wouldn't, of course, have hurt Bruno! :wink:


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  PaulineS [ Sun May 25, 2008 2:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the updates
Author:  Alison H [ Sun May 25, 2008 2:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
That dog was always so badly-behaved!

ETA - I do sympathise about the "Cooee, Hilda thing" :lol: : I had a temp job in a school once, and the teacher I was working with (I was only 21 at the time and I think she just saw me as another kid!) called me "Alison" in front of the pupils, who thought it was really funny and wouldn't take me seriously :( !
Author:  BethC [ Sun May 25, 2008 9:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
Glad to see Hilda considering the practicality of trousers!
Now, what will the trip bring...?
Author:  Tara [ Sun May 25, 2008 10:29 pm ]
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Jo is amazing, isn't she. Can she get things any wrong-er? This brought back so many memories - that's the first driver I've ever found who was fully briefed about the destination :D .
Please someone notice that Nell needs help!
Author:  di [ Mon May 26, 2008 9:16 am ]
Post subject: 
Poor, much maligned Bruno, he was only trying to be friendly. However, we have a young labrador who wouldn't dream of behaving as badly as Bruno. 'It's all in training, my dear.' Mind you, Joey hasn't got time for her children let alone a huge St. Bernard. Perhaps, Bruno will redeem himself by dealing with that horrible man or finding Nell!!.
Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  Cryst [ Mon May 26, 2008 8:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
With mounting irritation Hilda watched Joey attempt to control her pet. After a couple of minutes she could stand it no more and took matters into her own hands.

“BRUNO - HEEL - SIT,” she commanded, pointing to the ground beside her. The astonished animal, recognising absolute authority when he heard it, possibly for the first time in his short life, trotted meekly to her side and sat down, looking sheepishly at his mistress who observed in amazement.

“Now, Mrs Maynard,” Hilda continued, “who will be taking the dog back home after you’ve left?”

“Home?” replied Joey, “Oh no, he isn’t going home, he’s coming with us. He’s been looking forward for it for ages. I’ve even packed his things, look.” She held up a small holdall with what looked suspiciously like a large bone protruding from the open zip.

Mindful of the girls watching the proceedings, Hilda replied with as much restraint as she could muster, “No, Mrs Maynard, I’m afraid that won’t be possible. Bruno must stay at home.” Joey’s face fell, and she looked dangerously close to tears.

Turning towards a passing girl, she said “”Rosemary, please will you find one of the Maynard triplets, and ask her to put on her outdoor clothes and come here. Don’t worry my dear,” she continued, smiling gently as she noticed the girl’s hesitation, “the charabanc won’t leave without you.”
Author:  MaryR [ Mon May 26, 2008 8:48 pm ]
Post subject: 
Fantastic! Go, Hilda! :lol: Can't you send Joey home as well?

Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  PaulineS [ Mon May 26, 2008 8:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
I thought Bruno would have been useful and now Hilda's sending him home!!!
Author:  Lesley [ Mon May 26, 2008 9:18 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well of course - if Hilda can cope with hundreds of girls a mere dog will be no trouble. :lol:


Thanks Cryst
Author:  Alison H [ Mon May 26, 2008 9:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
Nice one Hilda!
Author:  di [ Tue May 27, 2008 8:15 am ]
Post subject: 
Oh, come on Hilda, let him go with you all. He might be useful.
Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  Cryst [ Tue May 27, 2008 3:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
Rosemary returned in due course with Len in tow, and Hepsy also reappeared, looking just as a Chalet School mistress should. Len slipped her hand under Bruno’s collar and restrained him as Joey took her leave of him, her arms around his neck, muttering in his ear. Bruno rose to the occasion splendidly, and after giving his mistress a mournful look, licked her face lovingly. She finished by rubbing his ears, “Goodbye my gorgeous baby, I’m sorry you can’t come, but I’ll see you very, very soon, and you must try not to miss me.”

“Goodbye Mama,” said Len, “I hope you have a good journey.”

“Oh, hello Len,” replied Joey, seeing her for the first time, “You too my dear, you enjoy your own little trip, won’t you?”

At this point she noticed José arrive on the scene and hailed him. “Cooee, José, there you are. Have you got a seat yet? Shall we sit together?” She made a bee line for him and followed him towards the charabanc. José was not best pleased by her attentions. Knowing that he would not be returning to the school he had packed as many of his belongings as he dared into two largish suitcases, which he had hoped to slip into the boot unnoticed. He also carried a substantial rucksack and a small black rectangular case. “Gracious!” exclaimed Joey, “what a lot of stuff you’ve brought with you. Anyone would think you were planning to stay for a month.” She trilled with laughter, and José smiled silently in reply.

What no-one apart from Len noticed was Bruno’s behaviour when José appeared. His eyes fixed on the Spanish Master, the unhappy hound crouched down to the ground and made a long, very low growling sound. At the time Len put this down to his general unhappiness at the departure of her mother, plus perhaps a touch of jealousy as Joey linked her arm with José’s, but later of course, with the benefit of hindsight, she would view the incident quite differently.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue May 27, 2008 3:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hmm ... maybe they'd have done better to take Bruno with after all.
Author:  PaulineS [ Tue May 27, 2008 5:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
Let Bruno go Len!!!

Worried about Jo and Hepsy now as well as the girls.
Author:  Lesley [ Tue May 27, 2008 6:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well done Bruno!!! :lol:



Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Anjali [ Wed May 28, 2008 2:15 am ]
Post subject: 
Jose is scaring me more and more....
Thanks Cryst.
Author:  di [ Wed May 28, 2008 9:28 am ]
Post subject: 
I knew Bruno would suss out Jose. What a shame Hilda won't let him travel with them. What's happening to Nell and Mary Lou, though? Perhaps with Jose off the premises they will regain their sensibilities!
Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Cryst [ Wed May 28, 2008 1:19 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hilda heaved a sigh of relief – at last everyone seemed to be present and all the luggage loaded. She stepped into the charabanc and addressed the girls and staff.

“Could I have your attention for a moment please, everyone. The next stop will be St Mildred’s. I would be most grateful if you could remain in your seats quietly while the older girls get on board and their luggage is loaded. I will be travelling down there with you, and you will have a few minutes to wait while Miss Wilson and I have a word with the staff who will be accompanying you, Miss Cameron, Senõr Romero, and Mrs Maynard here, along with Mary Lou Trelawny, who has been placed in charge of the St Mildred’s girls. So thank you for your exemplary behaviour so far, please bear with us for this next stage, and very soon you will be on your way.”

She sat down next to Hepsy and indicated to the driver to drive off.

At St Mildred’s the girls were gathered outside the front of the building, bags at the ready, awaiting the charabanc. Gillian Culver was with them, holding a clipboard containing the list of girls. Motioning to the staff to follow her, Hilda stepped out and made towards Gillian.

She addressed the girls. “Please give your luggage to the driver to load into the boot, girls, then take your seats. Keep anything you need for the journey with you.”

As Mary Lou walked past, Hilda asked her to deposit her luggage for loading then join the staff for the briefing.

“Hello, Gillian. Where is Nell? She and I had planned to quickly run through the arrangements with the staff to make sure everyone is briefed.”

“She asked me to take care of it for her,” replied Gillian. “She is suffering from a severe headache, which came on very suddenly this afternoon, and she has gone to bed asking not to be disturbed. I must say, she was in quite a bad way - she could hardly speak when she spoke to me.”

Hilda was concerned. That didn’t sound at all like her friend Nell. She resolved to pop in to check on her after the charabanc had left, but for the moment there was nothing else to do but continue with the briefing. This was accomplished rapidly, as she ran through the arrangements that had been made for travel, hotel, and the various activities. She finished off by reminding the staff of the educational purpose of the visit, and the importance of linking the activities with the project that the younger girls were undertaking as part of their English curriculum. Finally, she asked if there were any questions.

“Yes,” replied Joey, her voice ringing out. “Which of us is in overall charge of the trip?”

She clearly expected to be told that she was, but Hilda suppressed a shudder at the thought and replied firmly, “I don’t think there is any need for any one of you to be placed in overall charge, Joey. I hope you will work as a team, and phone the school for assistance if there are any difficult decisions to be made.”

Joey, still upset from the incident with Bruno, pouted and looked as if she was about to say something further, but José intervened swiftly, putting his arm round Joey and Mary Lou’s shoulders and commenting that they would, of course, be very pleased to work together.

Hepsy, skipping nimbly out of the way of what looked like becoming a group hug, tried to exchange a grimace with Mary Lou, but was astonished to see that young lady, with a look of utter adoration on her face, gazing dreamily at José, now clearly as besotted with him as her classmates.

As the four turned to make for the charabanc, Mary Lou reached into her pocket for her handkerchief, not noticing the scrap of paper that came out with it. Gillian automatically stepped on it as it fluttered past and put it without thinking into her pocket, as she and Hilda waved goodbye to the happy girls and staff setting off on their great adventure.
Author:  di [ Wed May 28, 2008 1:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
Uh Uh, I sense great trouble ahead. I hope Gillian makes some sense of Mary Lou's note. Thank goodness Hepsy is with them; Joey will be no use to man nor beast especially if Jose gets to her also.
Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  Alison H [ Wed May 28, 2008 2:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh dear ... looks like OOAO is being sucked in :shock: .
Author:  Fatima [ Wed May 28, 2008 2:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
Perhaps if Gillian has the note, and Hilda is staying at St Mildreds for a while, they can get together and sort this awful mess out. Here's hoping!
Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Fi [ Wed May 28, 2008 2:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oooh! Good idea Fatima. I hope that Hilda realises that there is more to Nell's headache than meets the eye.

Thanks Cryst, I am really enjoying this.
Author:  Lesley [ Wed May 28, 2008 4:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Hepsy - bad enough she's got to cope with a besotted Mary Lou and Jose but with Joey too???? :shock:


As for that piece of paper - hope Gillian looks at it and lets Hilda see it - and really hope she can help Nell. :cry:


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  leahbelle [ Wed May 28, 2008 5:19 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the updates, Cryst. Just caught up on the last few. Brilliant!
Author:  PaulineS [ Wed May 28, 2008 5:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the update
Author:  roversgirl [ Wed May 28, 2008 7:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the update - Glad Hepsy has noticed something! :)
Author:  Elbee [ Wed May 28, 2008 10:04 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for all the updates, I'm looking forward to what might happen on the trip!
Author:  MHE [ Wed May 28, 2008 11:48 pm ]
Post subject: 
I think that it would be better for all concerned if Bruno were the one on the charabanc and Joey the one left at home!!
Author:  di [ Thu May 29, 2008 8:06 am ]
Post subject: 
MHE, your comment did make me laugh this morning, thanks for your wit! :lol:
Author:  Cryst [ Thu May 29, 2008 10:56 am ]
Post subject: 
As the journey got under way the girls settled down – some chatted with their neighbours, others read or played games. Hepsy was sitting next to Mary Lou in one of the front seats, and was longing to ask her what Miss Wilson had thought of the photographs, and whether or not Mary Lou had been able to voice their concerns about José. However she dared not risk the conversation, as José and Joey were sitting across the aisle from them and there was a danger that José would overhear. In any case Mary Lou was not particularly inclined to speak to Hepsy, tending to turn instead towards the conversation across the aisle, where Joey was chattering brightly to José who was managing to rebuff her flirtations with his usual smooth charm. Hepsy sighed and pulled out a tome from her rucksack – “The Socialist Movement – Origins and Early Development” - and was soon engrossed.

After two hours or so of reading by the weak reading lights in the charabanc, her eyes began to tire so she put the book down and looked around. She noticed that several of the younger girls had fallen silent, and were looking drowsy. Knowing that they were due to stop later for their rest break at a hotel on the outskirts of Strasbourg, she though it would be unwise to allow the girls to sleep at this stage, so she leaned across to Mary Lou, Joey and José to alert them to the problem and ask if they had any ideas for entertaining the girls, whilst keeping them awake.

Mary Lou reverted more to her normal self and rose to the occasion. “We shall play Consequences,” she announced confidently, patting her holdall. “I have the necessaries in here.” She pulled out pre-prepared strips of paper and pencils and stood up to get the attention of girls. She quickly explained the rules. Most of the St Mildred girls had played before, but many of the younger ones had not, so she swiftly moved everyone around so that the older girls were partnering the younger ones. The game got under way amidst much shrieking and squeaking from the girls and, it has to be said, the staff. After several hilarious rounds the game ran its course, with just one sticky moment when Blossom was called upon to read out her completed slip.

“Señor Romano,” she paused for effect and José got up and bowed, to whoops from the girls, “met Mrs Maynard in the broom cupboard.” Joey stood up and gave a loud exaggerated swooning sigh, as Hepsy and Mary Lou exchanged apprehensive glances and a ripple of laughter ran round the charabanc. “He said ‘Have you finished your preparation?’ She said ‘I always wear my shawl crossed securely over my chest for warmth’ and the consequence was …”

Here Blossom paused and blushed, “er, um, …” she looked around at the expectant faces, decided that she couldn’t possibly read out what was written, nor could she fail to finish, so she improvised, “er … the home team won by two goals to one.” She quickly pocketed the slip, so that she could share it with her chums once the younger girls were out of way.
Author:  di [ Thu May 29, 2008 11:24 am ]
Post subject: 
Mmm! I wonder who'd written something that obviously couldn't be repeated in front of the younger girls. How and when is Hepsy going to be able to talk to Mary Lou and what has Jose got planned?
Thank you for the update, Cryst. I'm really enjoying this.
Author:  Alison H [ Thu May 29, 2008 12:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
:lol:
Author:  PaulineS [ Thu May 29, 2008 12:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hope Hepsy can break the spell on Mary Lou.
Author:  Fatima [ Thu May 29, 2008 5:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
:lol: Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Cryst [ Fri May 30, 2008 11:56 am ]
Post subject: 
Meanwhile, back at St Mildred’s, things had taken a somewhat unexpected turn for Miss Annersley. After waving goodbye to the charabanc she had accompanied Gillian Culver back inside the building, asking her again for details of Nell’s illness. Gillian replied, “There is not really much more to tell. She had seemed perfectly well earlier in the day, and had tea with Señor Romero in her study. After he had left I went in with some letters for her to sign and she was sitting with her head in her hands, moaning most dreadfully. I asked what the matter was and she mumbled something about a pain in her head. She was almost incoherent, to be honest. I fetched Matron Rider and between us we somehow got her up the stairs and into her bed with a couple of aspirin. She managed to say that she was expecting you, and point me in the direction of the file with the arrangements in, and I said I would take care of it. She has been sleeping most of the time since then – Matron keeps popping in to check on her, and has woken her up a couple of times to make sure she has something to drink. She is not hungry, can’t stand the light, and doesn’t want to talk to anyone.”

“I see,” replied Hilda, “it does sound rather worrying. Has anyone thought to call the Doctor?”

“Matron phoned the San for advice.” Gillian replied, “Her temperature is quite normal, and from what Matron described they didn’t think there was cause for concern, but advised that we should keep a very careful eye on her and call the Doctor if anything changes.”

“Thank you Gillian. I’ll have a word with Matron Rider and see if I can pop in to see Nell in a minute, for my own peace of mind as much as anything else, and perhaps I’d better phone up to the main school and ask them to send a bag down with my night things in, and I shall stay the night.” The look of relief on Gillian’s face as she made this suggestion convinced her instantly that this would indeed be a good idea, and between them and Matron Rider they made the arrangements for Hilda to stay.

On Matron’s advice Hilda waited until later in the evening to pop in to see Nell, when Matron was next intending to check her. Nell was difficult to rouse, pale, sleepy and nauseous, clearly unwell, but not feverish. She recognised Hilda and was able to speak a few words, but after drinking her hot milk and having been made comfortable by Matron, she asked Hilda to leave her to sleep, saying gamely that she was sure she would be better in the morning.
Author:  Alison H [ Fri May 30, 2008 11:58 am ]
Post subject: 
Poor Nell :shock: .
Author:  Lesley [ Fri May 30, 2008 12:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:


Want to murder Jose! :banghead:
Author:  MHE [ Fri May 30, 2008 12:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm right behind you Lesley!!!!
Author:  roversgirl [ Fri May 30, 2008 12:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor woman - Thanks :)
Author:  PaulineS [ Fri May 30, 2008 12:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the update. Wibbling even more about Mary-Lou and Hepsy.
Author:  Fi [ Fri May 30, 2008 1:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Nell! :cry: I hope she's right about feeling better in the morning.
It's lovely of Hilda to stay at Millies and I'm sure she will keep a close eye on Nell and call a doctor if it's necessary butI hope that Julie Berne doesn't feel that it is a critisism of her skills as deputy head.

Lesley wrote:
Want to murder Jose!

MHE wrote:
I'm right behind you Lesley!!!!


Me too!!!! :evil: :evil: :evil:

Thank You Cryst.
Author:  Cryst [ Sun Jun 01, 2008 9:14 am ]
Post subject: 
Fi wrote:
...butI hope that Julie Berne doesn't feel that it is a critisism of her skills as deputy head.

Ah ... er ... :oops: I must have forgotten to mention that she has left early for half term to visit a sick relative.

I'll have to bring her back if Nell takes a turn for the worse. :lol:

More later!
Author:  Cryst [ Sun Jun 01, 2008 6:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
Having concluded the game of Consequences with thanks and applause, Mary Lou stepped over to the driver and asked how long it would be before they arrived at their stop. He said that he thought it would be about half an hour, so the staff put their heads together to decide what entertainment to try next.

“How about a sing-song?” suggested Mary Lou.

“Oh yes, excellent idea,” cooed Joey, “and José here will accompany us on his flute, won’t you José?” His fingers, she had noticed, were ever straying towards the black case which he had carried on his knee throughout the journey.

“Oh no, I don’t think so,” cut in Hepsy briskly before he could reply – “an accompaniment is not really needed for a sing song. Come along Joey, you have a super voice, why don’t you start us off with ‘Ten Green Bottles’.

She didn’t have to ask twice. Joey leapt to her feet, declared to the girls that there would now be a sing-song, and launched into song, her golden notes ringing through the charabanc. Verity joined in immediately, adding her silver chimes to Joey’s, and the rest of the girls soon followed suit.

Hepsy decided to take advantage of the racket to risk asking Mary Lou about her discussion with Miss Wilson. She nudged her.

“Psst. What did Miss Wilson have to say about the photos?”

Mary Lou looked confused. “Photos? What photos?”

Hepsy glanced across at José who was singing along with everyone else, his rich tenor voice ringing out an octave lower than everyone else.

“You remember, the ones of you know who.”

“No, sorry, I don’t know what you are talking about.”

Hepsy gave up, and replied she’d explain later, and Mary Lou carried on singing merrily.

“Drat,” thought Hepsy. “I knew there was something different about her. He must have found out about the photographs and hypnotised her or something.” It was now all up to her. She had never felt so alone.

The remainder of the first leg of the journey passed quickly, everyone enjoying the singing, and not one of the girls was even slightly tempted to drop off to sleep. The driver drew up outside the small hotel where arrangements had been made for the party to have a simple meal of thick meat soup with crusty bread, with hot chocolate to drink. They were made very welcome, served very quickly and efficiently and were on their way again within the hour. The staff distributed the cushions and blankets, the driver dimmed the reading lights, and the passengers made themselves as comfortable as they could and settled down to get some sleep.
Author:  PaulineS [ Sun Jun 01, 2008 7:04 pm ]
Post subject: 
Glad hepsy has realised what has happened and hope she can find a way to wake Mary Lou up to the dangers.
Author:  di [ Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
Come on Mary Lou, Hepsy needs you! The girls are all quiet, will Jose strike now? :devil:
Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Jun 02, 2008 6:51 am ]
Post subject: 
At least Hepsy knows that Mary Lou has been nobbled.


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Fatima [ Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Hepsy, how awful to feel alone in dealing with José. I hope she can bring Mary-Lou back to her senses.

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Cryst [ Sun Jun 22, 2008 7:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
The journey to the second stopping place was uneventful, with the younger girls fast asleep and their elders spending a good deal of the time dozing. A second stop had been arranged at a small Gasthaus outside Frankfurt, where they planned to stop for half an hour for the driver to have a warm meal, along with copious quantities of hot black coffee. Everyone else would stay in the charabanc, where there was hot chocolate and bread twists in the baskets for any girls who woke up. They would be able to use the facilities in the Gasthaus if needed. Hepsy was determined to stay awake until José fell asleep – she wanted to see if his appearance would alter in his sleep. She was to be disappointed, however. As soon as everyone had been settled and the lights dimmed, José curled into his seat, pulling his blanket right over his head. Hepsy persevered for half an hour or so, keeping awake, watching and hoping that the blanket might slip, or that she could maybe dislodge it, but José had it tight in his hand. Hepsy saw nothing unusual, other than an occasional shimmering effect, so subtle that she convinced herself that she was probably imagining it.

In due course they arrived at the Gasthaus, and the driver headed gratefully towards his meal while the staff started to unpack the baskets as some of the girls stirred.

“Come along, sleepyhead”, Joey trilled, digging José in the ribs. “Give me a hand with the hot chocolate will you?”

José had been in a deep sleep, but he roused quickly, and with an immediately jolt of horror recognised the danger. The malevolent Dumitru was present. Not just in José’s mind, but close at hand – in the flesh.
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Jun 22, 2008 8:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
No, Hepsy didn't imagine it! :shock:


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
:shock: :shock: :shock:
Author:  Anjali [ Mon Jun 23, 2008 1:44 am ]
Post subject: 
Scary!!!
Author:  di [ Mon Jun 23, 2008 6:38 am ]
Post subject: 
Oooh, Hepsy was right, hope she's near enough to see this!
Thank you, Cryst.
Author:  leahbelle [ Tue Jun 24, 2008 5:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
:shock: Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  Rebecca [ Tue Jun 24, 2008 9:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
*Gulp!*
Author:  Emilyc [ Wed Oct 01, 2008 1:23 pm ]
Post subject: 
I found this last night and I've read all the archives and all of this (so much for the early nightI was going to have) Please can we have more, its absolutely gripping and you've left us on a cliff.
Author:  keren [ Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
Emilyc wrote:
I found this last night and I've read all the archives and all of this (so much for the early nightI was going to have) Please can we have more, its absolutely gripping and you've left us on a cliff.


Never give up hope
every now and again we get a surprise
Author:  Tara [ Sun Oct 05, 2008 11:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
Pretty please?
Author:  Cryst [ Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 22Jun
Hello everyone. :lol:

José reacted quickly, managing to flash a mental warning to Dumitru to stay hidden as he smiled at Jo and shook his head. “I’ll just go and check out the Gasthaus, to make sure they are ready for any of the girls who wish to … er... pay a visit. I suggest you keep everyone in here until I return. It’s very dark and I’ll see if I can borrow a torch. Close the door after me, Hepsy, please – we don’t want everyone getting cold.”

He slipped out and within seconds had all but vanished. “That’s odd,” remarked Jo, “I could have sworn he was heading towards the bushes.”

Hepsy frowned, concerned, but could see nothing through the window.

Mary Lou put her face close to the window and peered looked out, just able to make out the retreating figure of José. Then she gave a sudden start as she thought she saw another figure making towards him. It was at that point that his mental hold on her failed and her memories came flooding back. She turned to Hepsy. “José. The photos. I remember it all now. For goodness sake don’t let me forget again,” she whispered. Hepsy nodded.

José meanwhile was at full stretch using all his mental and physical strength to try to prevent Dumitru from approaching the charabanc. Outwardly silent, the two were viciously lunging at each other mentally.

“Stay away.”
“I want her now.”
“You are endangering the mission.”
“She is for me.”
“The elders will allocate.”
“Only she will do.”
“Keep back.”
“I must mate.”
“You will wait.”
“I will take her now.”

José was only too aware that the other was stronger than he, and did the only thing he could. Opening his mind wide he gave a piercing mental scream for help, which whipped across the continent to where his community were waiting.

“STOP HIM.”

The elders reacted at once, entering his mind and using their powers to bolster his. Dumitru crouched, snarled, and fled.
Author:  Pat [ Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 13Apr
Welcome back Cryst. Lovely to see this back too.
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 13Apr
Thanks Cryst - very spooky!
Author:  keren [ Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 13Apr
What a pleasant surprise to see this back again
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 13Apr
Welcome back, Cryst!
Author:  di [ Tue Apr 14, 2009 8:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 13Apr
Lovely to see this again and I'm glad Mary-Lou has her memory back; hopefully she and Hempsy will be able to control Jose now.
Author:  Cryst [ Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 13Apr
Pale and trembling, shimmering slightly as he only just managed to maintain his physical appearance, José made his way into the Gasthaus. He strode quickly to the small bar, ordered a glass of schnapps and downed it in one. A pang of guilt hit him. He had never before questioned his mission – it was too important to his community - but he was not intrinsically cruel and had spent too long with humankind to be entirely insensitive to their lives and feelings. He shuddered to think of the fate that awaited Mary Lou, and vowed to himself that he would leave her behind if he possibly could.

He asked for a torch and the proprietor gave him a lantern to help light the way for the girls. He made his way back to the charabanc where those who were awake were contentedly and quietly sipping their hot chocolate and chewing their bread twists.

He held up the lantern. “It’s dark outside and the ground is uneven, so I suggest anyone who wishes to go inside does so in turn, a few at a time, and I shall accompany each group to light the way.”

Mary Lou looked at him with interest. José was presenting himself as the fair haired handsome young man, but she no longer felt unnaturally drawn to him. Neither was she repulsed. She remembered something about photographs, and the fact that he used to look different, but it didn’t concern her greatly.

He was still controlling her mind, but only lightly – just enough to keep her from questioning. He had no strength for any more at present, and, he realised, no inclination to alter her mind any more than was strictly necessary.

He was relieved when the groups of girls had been safely shepherded to the Gasthaus and back into the safety of the charabanc, and the driver returned refreshed and ready to take them on the final leg of their journey. There had been no further sight of Dumitru, and he hoped with all his might that he would now stay away.
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 14Apr
Hope Mary Lou and Hepsy get a chance to chat.


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 14Apr
I don't often feel sorry for Mary-Lou, but I do here!
Author:  di [ Wed Apr 15, 2009 8:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 14Apr
Thank you. I hope Hepsy realises that Jose is still controlling Mary-Lou's mind and can do something about it.
Author:  Cryst [ Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 14Apr
Hilda was having a restless night. A bed had been made up for her in one of the small guest rooms, but although perfectly comfortable she was tossing and turning, worried about her friend. Three times during the night she arose, put on her dressing gown and slippers, and made her way silently to Nell’s room to sit with her for a short time, each time finding her asleep, though on a couple of occasions moaning as if in the throes of a nightmare. On her third visit, as she left Nell’s room to return to her bed, she bumped into Matron Rider, on a similar expedition to check on Nell.

“There is no need for you to get up, Miss Annersley,” said Matron kindly. “Miss Wilson seems to be in a deep sleep and has no temperature. Anyway, I seem to have an inbuilt clock that wakes me up every hour or so during the night when anyone is unwell. See if you can get some sleep yourself, you’ll feel less anxious after a good night’s sleep.”

Hilda nodded and touched the other woman’s arm gratefully.

“Thank you my dear, I’ll see you in the morning.”

With that she returned to her guest room and this time fell into an uninterrupted sleep.
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 15Apr
Oh dear, what's he done to Nell ...?
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 15Apr
Alison H wrote:
Oh dear, what's he done to Nell ...?


Echoes - he did attack her, didn't he?
:banghead:


Thanks Cryst
Author:  di [ Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 15Apr
What damage did he do to Nell and why hasn't any one other than Hepsy and Mary-Lou[when he isn't controlling her mind] connected him to Nell's misfortune? :?
Thank you, Cryst.
Author:  Cryst [ Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 15Apr
“Mary Lou, wake up.”

Mary Lou became aware that she was being lightly shaken by the shoulders and someone was whispering in her ear. She tried to turn away and go back to sleep.

“Come on, wake up, it’s getting light. We’ll be there soon, and we’ll have to start waking the girls in a minute. I wanted to see if you still remember.”

Mary Lou was suddenly wide awake.

“About the photos, yes.” She whispered back, looking across to the seat opposite where José appeared to be asleep. Joey was also asleep, snoring softly, her head resting on the window.

“Thank goodness for that. I though I was going to have to deal with it on my own. We’ll have a chat about it later and see what’s to be done.”

Mary Lou nodded, sat up, ran her fingers through her hair and straightened her skirt. She slipped across to the driver and asked him how long it would be until they arrived. He replied that he expected it would take about a quarter of an hour, depending on whether he could get past these cursed cows. He nodded ahead to the road and Mary Lou realised they were following a herd of dairy cows making their stately way towards the farm for milking, ineffectually driven by a small boy. She grinned back at him. “They don’t seem to be in that much of a hurry, do they?”

She roused José and Joey, then started making her way down the aisle, gently waking the girls and asking them to get their things together ready to leave the charabanc. Very soon there was a pleasant buzz of anticipation in the air, as the girls busied themselves folding up the blankets, finding their belongings, and putting their coats on.

Once they had finished their preparations, after a few words from the staff, they sat down and eagerly looked out of the windows, pointing out sights of interest to each other as they made their way into the centre of the historic town.

Verity had a window seat and looked out with interest, captivated by the intricately decorated buildings. The younger girls were waving excitedly at the passers by, and Verity smiled at their enthusiasm. After a few moments, though, a frown crossed her face. Something was amiss, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. She pondered - it was something to do with the reaction of the townspeople as they went past. Apart from a few of the younger children, they weren’t waving back at the girls, but that didn’t surprise her – after all most grown-ups wouldn’t do so. No it wasn’t that. They weren’t ignoring them either – their passage through the town was provoking a great deal of interest. Everyone stopped walking and turned towards the road, whispering to each other and pointing. Some looked at the charabanc intently as if hoping to get a glimpse of its passengers; others looked down at the floor. A young mother put her arms around her two children, one walking either side of her, and held them close as if to protect them from something. An elderly woman crossed herself, and she several old men took off their hats and held them to their chests as the charabanc went past.

Verity thought it most peculiar. It was almost as if they were royalty. No – not that, not quite. She thought again and she gave a little shiver as she realised that this was how people behaved if a funeral procession was passing by. Just as she framed the thought, they arrived at the Gasthaus and the impression was lost. She gave herself a little mental shake and resolved to put it out of her mind for now but have a word with Mary Lou later to see if her half sister had noticed anything odd. With that she gathered up her hand luggage and stood patiently waiting for her turn to make her way off the charabanc, turning round to calm down one or two of the younger girls who certainly didn’t seem to have any worries and were trying to push to the front of the queue in their excitement to get on with the expedition.
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 16Apr
Now that's really spooky!
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 16Apr
This is very creepy!
Author:  Emma A [ Fri Apr 17, 2009 8:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 16Apr
What do the townspeople know, I wonder? :shock: I hope Verity speaks to Mary-Lou soon.

Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  di [ Fri Apr 17, 2009 10:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 16Apr
As well as what do they know, what can they see? Is there something emblazened on the coach? Very strange!
Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Cryst [ Fri Apr 17, 2009 8:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 16Apr
In very short order Hepsy and Joey had the girls out of the charabanc and lined up ready to enter the Gasthaus. It was a traditional inn, of some antiquity, built of stone and timber in the style of the region. Once they were all assembled, Joey led them inside where they were warmly greeted by the proprietor Herr Knauss and his wife. Leaving their coats and hand luggage in the hall they were led into the Speisesaal where their breakfast was waiting for them, and they passed around the fresh crusty rolls and dishes of creamy butter and jam as the staff scurried backwards and forwards delivering large jugs of coffee and hot milk.

“Mmm, just what I needed. Top hole,” murmured Arda, buttering a roll.

“Slang, Arda?” commented Joey, “and if you try to cram any more butter and jam on that roll you’ll suffer an avalanche and get it all over the tablecloth.”

“Umgrmf soggy, issis Daydard,” replied the young lady indistinctly, with her mouth full.

Hepsy grinned at Joey, who relaxed, letting Arda off the hook for once, and started pouring out the coffee.

Silence descended as they all tucked in.

“Where’s Señor Romero?” asked Verity suddenly, looking around and failing to see him.

“Oh yes, that’s odd,” replied Mary Lou, exchanging a glance with Hepsy. “He got off the bus and was busy with his suitcase when I last saw him.”

“But I thought the plan was that the driver and the hotel’s porter would unload the luggage while we were having breakfast,” replied Hepsy.

“I don’t suppose he’s far away. I’ll pop out and have a look for him,” cut in Joey, “I’m just about finished here anyway. I’ll ask the desk for the room keys while I’m there then we can start allocating them out to the girls.” She breezed out.

José was not in the hall, nor at the hotel desk, so Joey stuck her head out of the front door, and was rewarded by the sight of José shaking hands with a surly looking chap who then proceeded to make his way up the street carrying what looked suspiciously like José’s suitcase.”

“I say, José where’s that chap off to with your kit?” brayed Joey.

“Ah Joey, he’s, er, um, it’s not mine – it just looks like it. There was a bit of a mix up, but we are all straight now.”

“Good show, I shouldn’t like to think of you having to cope without your pyjamas,” she guffawed. “Get yourself inside and some breakfast inside you before that swarm of locusts scoff the lot. I’ll have a word with Herr Knauss and sort out the rooms.”

Very soon, armed with a clipboard, a list of rooms and a handful of keys, she marched back into the Speisesaal and took charge.

“Quiet please everyone. I’ll call out your room numbers and hand out the keys, then you can find your beds and unpack. The bags are being moved into your rooms. There are just two single rooms, so Señor Romero has one and I have the other. Miss Cameron, you are to share with Mary Lou - room number 4.”

“Perfect,” breathed Hepsy, although several of the older girls gasped to hear Joey treat another member of staff so casually.

Joey ploughed on, allocating rooms to the girls in groups of two, three and four. “That’s it, I think. Have I missed anyone out? No? Everyone know where they are going? Good, off you go then. Back here at 10:45 please for a health and safety briefing. Velveteen frocks, comfortable outdoor shoes, hats, gloves and coats. We are having a short walk then it’s the luncheon reception with the Mayor.”
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Apr 17, 2009 9:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 17Apr
Oh good - a chance for Hepsy and Mary-Lou to talk in private.
Author:  di [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 8:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 17Apr
Mmmm, what is he up to now, with his luggage disappearing? Is he planning to disappear with it AND Mary-Lou?! I hope she sticks close to Hepsy.
Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 11:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 17Apr
Rather strange that Mary Lou and Hepsy are billeted together - wonder if it was planned? :?


Thanks Cryst
Author:  Cryst [ Sun Apr 19, 2009 10:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 17Apr
Hilda woke around 7:30 am and took just a few seconds to remember where she was and why. She washed and dressed quickly before making her way to Nell’s room. She knocked softly and was please to hear Nell reply, albeit in a voice that was quieter and shakier than usual. She entered. Nell was sitting up in bed, a cup of coffee on the bedside table beside her. She was very pale, with dark rings around her eyes, but managed a weak smile when she saw her friend.

“Hello Hilda, Matron said you were here when she brought me this. There was no need for you to stay, but thank you so much for your concern.”

“It was no bother at all - as easy for me to stay the night as go back. It’s good to see you awake at last, old thing. How’s your head?”

“Much better, thank you, though I feel very washed out and a little light headed. I can’t think what came over me – I’m not usually one for headaches.”

“Do you have any idea what brought it on?”

“None at all,” Nell looked puzzled as she replied. “In fact, I don’t remember very much about the last few days at all. The last thing I can recall clearly was Mary Lou coming into my study, but I can’t for the life of me remember what she wanted to talk to me about. Then it’s all a bit of a blur after that, until this dreadful headache came on. I just about remember telling Gillian she would have to cope with seeing the girls off on the trip, and handing her the information before I scuttled up here to bed.”

Hilda was concerned. “It sounds almost like a bout of amnesia, Nell. You didn’t suffer a bump to the head did you? Do you think we should ask one of the doctors from the San to call to check you over?”

“Oh no, I don’t want a lot of fuss. There’s no sign of a lump or bruising anywhere. I’m sure I’ll be fine. Perhaps I’m just a bit over tired or something, Hilda. Matron is adamant that I’m to have breakfast in bed and then go back to sleep. There’s not much to see to here today, with all the girls off on the trip, so I’m inclined to do as she says.”

“That’s an excellent idea. I can hear Matron coming down the corridor with a tray, so I’ll take my leave of you now and let you have that nap. I’ll perhaps get someone to run me down this evening if you’re up to having a visitor by then.”

“Oh I’m sure I will be up by then.”

With that Hilda opened the door for Matron who was carrying a daintily laid breakfast tray, and went downstairs for a quick breakfast with the remaining St Mildred’s staff before phoning for Gaudenz to fetch her back to school. She then spent a busy day supervising the various departures of the girls for half term, either in the care of family or guardians, or on one of the trips organised by the school.
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Apr 19, 2009 11:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 19Apr
Not sure that even one of the heroic doctors from the San :lol: would be much use against José, but it's a shame that Nell didn't want to se a doctor anyway: they might at least have realised that something weird was going on.
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Apr 19, 2009 11:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 19Apr
Perhaps Hilda will do some investigating - she must realise this is very odd.


Thanks Cryst
Author:  di [ Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 19Apr
Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  Cryst [ Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 19Apr
At 10:45 am girls and staff reassembled in the Speisesaal at the hotel. On the whole everyone was very happy with their allocation of rooms and roommates, the younger girls in particular very excited after exploring the nooks and crannies in the old building, the winding staircases, crooked corridors, window alcoves and beds built into walls, tapestry wall hangings, stuffed animals, suits of armour and the like. It has to be said that the unpacking had in some cases been a perfunctory affair, and it was as well that Matron was not present to see the higgledy-piggledy drawers and wardrobes. But suitcases had been emptied, and all items more or less stowed away out of sight.

Hepsy stood to address the girls, who, well trained as they were, fell silent at once.

“We just have a few announcements to make, so that everything runs smoothly during our stay here, then we are off for a walk around the medieval part of the town before our luncheon reception at the Town Hall. This shouldn’t take long – I’ll start with the …”

Joey stood up and, brandishing a large pile of pink forms, loudly finished Hepsy’s sentence for her, leaving her mouthing like a goldfish …”fire drill arrangements. The fire alarm is a loud continuous bell. When you hear it …” and she went on to dictate the expected fire drill behaviour, assembly points etc, following on with some twenty or so other rules and regulations designed to keep the girls safe in a variety of increasingly unlikely scenarios.

After fifteeen minutes or so of this the younger girls were starting to fidget, and the St Mildred’s contingent succumbed too some ten minutes later. At about 11:15 Hepsy coughed loudly to attract Joey’s attention and pointed at her watch. Joey ploughed on regardless, oblivious to the fact that by this time no one was paying much attention.

After another five minutes Mary Lou had a go, and rose to her feet, butting in, “Can we finish this later perhaps, Mrs Maynard, so that we have time for a short walk before lunch?”

“Yes, Mary Lou, I’ve nearly finished.” Joey continued with her monologue. “…and if anyone should fall into the river, the girls with her should look around for a lifebuoy to throw in, whilst shouting “Help!” loudly to attract the attention of any passing doctors, and …”

After a further interval José was next to attempt to intervene, with considerably more success. He put his arm around Joey’s shoulder and propelled her towards the door, still gabbling.

“If a herd of angry cows starts rampaging through the streets, you should find a tree or wall that you can climb and …”

“I’m sure the girls will be able to listen to the remainder of this very useful information as we walk, Mrs Maynard. We will need to go almost directly to the Town Hall now or we will be late for our lunch.” He turned to the girls. “Come along little ones, let us walk and listen. Please continue to pay very careful attention to the instructions.” And thus they set off in the direction of the Town Hall.
Author:  shazwales [ Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 20Apr
Thank you Cryst there seems to be a good idea for matey and docs special milk! :D :D :D :D
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 20Apr
At least José's got one good point - he can shut Joey up!
Author:  di [ Tue Apr 21, 2009 1:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 20Apr
With a bit of luck Jose will transport Joey away and leave us all in peace! That woman can talk for England. :evil:
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Apr 21, 2009 7:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 20Apr
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


Love that - Jose has his uses!

Thanks Cryst
Author:  Cryst [ Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 20Apr
Mary Lou and Hepsy had been able to have a good long chat about the José situation while they were unpacking, but were no further forward in deciding what they should do about it. They strongly suspected him of … something … but nothing they could put into words. They, particularly Hepsy, felt that there was some danger to themselves and the girls, but were unsure what form the threat would take. The only hard evidence they had that something was amiss was the photographs, and Mary Lou had left them with Miss Wilson. She hadn’t had a chance to ask her about them before they left as Miss Wilson had suddenly been taken ill and disappeared to her room. After some discussion Mary Lou and Hepsy agreed to keep a careful eye on José for the rest of the day’s planned activities, then in the evening Mary Lou would phone Miss Wilson from the hotel, and Hepsy would phone Miss Annersley, to voice their concerns and ask for advice. Having decided on their course of action they had split up for the walk to the Town Hall – Hepsy surrounded by a lively group of Upper Thirds, and Mary Lou walking with Verity, who had sought her out.

It was Verity who initiated the conversation.

“Mary Lou, this place gives me the creeps rather.”

“Really, in what way?” Normally she would have jollied Verity along and tried to allay her fears, but in the circumstances Mary Lou was inclined to take this seriously.

“It’s the strange way people are looking at us, as if we were, well, different or something. I noticed it as we drove through the town, and they are doing it again. Look at that couple over there on the other side of the street. They are looking down at the floor, anywhere other than at us, despite the fact that we must be quite an unusual sight.”

Mary Lou looked. Verity was right. The young man and woman were looking slightly frightened and doing almost anything to avoid any eye contact with the group.

“Gosh, I see what you mean Verity. Is it just those two?”

“No, almost everyone we meet. You watch.”

Mary Lou did so, observing the reactions of the people they passed. There was nothing hugely out of place, but having had it pointed out to her by Verity she agreed that something was not right. People were glancing at them out of the corner of their eyes, but not making eye contact. Some hurried into side streets so that they would not come close to the group as it went past.

“You’re right – it is very odd. No-one is looking at us.”

“Apart from that old lady there,” replied Verity pointing to an elderly woman wrapped in a dark shawl who was sitting on a bench on a small area of lawn. “She is staring at Señor Romero.”

Mary Lou looked where Verity was pointing.

“Right again,” she replied. “She can’t keep her eyes off him – she has an almost hungry look on her face.”

“What do you think it as the bottom of it, Mary Lou?”

“I’ve no idea.”

“And another thing. Why have we been invited to the Town Hall for a Reception with the Mayor? I can’t ever remember that happening before on a school trip. I know we are a fairly large group, but they must get plenty of school parties here, and it’s not as if we are a particularly famous school. We don’t have any special links with the town as far as I’m aware.”

“I hadn’t really thought about it, to be honest, Verity, but you’re right, it is unusual. Still, it’s probably nothing to worry about. I expect Bill and the Abbess just fixed it up because of the legend, to make everything a bit more interesting for Upper Thirds,” added, as they entered the impressive ornately decorated building, “Anyway, we’ve arrived now, so we’d best get on with it.”
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Apr 21, 2009 11:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 20Apr
It's good that others of the girls are seeing problems. Unfortunately I think those photos have disappeared when Nell Wilson was 'taken ill'


Thanks Cryst.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Apr 21, 2009 11:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 20Apr
This is seriously weird!!

Thanks for all the updates :D .
Author:  di [ Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 20Apr
Worrying! Is the Town Hall some form of transporter and will they all be whisked away or will the old woman come to the rescue?
Thanks for the regular updates Cryst.
Author:  Emma A [ Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 20Apr
di wrote:
Worrying! Is the Town Hall some form of transporter and will they all be whisked away or will the old woman come to the rescue?

I'm not so sure - she seems more to be one of Jose's lot *wibbles*

Such a splendidly creepy atmosphere, Cryst - thanks.
Author:  Emilyc [ Sun Apr 26, 2009 10:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 20Apr
Thank you thank you thank you - its back and its still brilliant.

What a great end to my weekend.

I don't think the old woman was interested for any reason the girls are going to find themselves liking.
Author:  keren [ Tue May 26, 2009 7:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 20Apr
Are we on a cliff???

Rescue us quickly
Author:  Cryst [ Sat Jun 27, 2009 6:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 20Apr
The mayor was waiting for the Chalet School party just inside the door of the Town Hall, impressively clad in full regalia, with ermine lined robes and a chain of office around his neck, his wife beside him in the traditional costume of the region with colourful skirts and an amazingly elaborate head dress. Other civic dignitaries were lined up behind them and beyond them a long table was laid out with various foods in a buffet, with a dozen young men and women scurrying around with plates and glasses ready to serve their guests.

The girls looked around the hall with interest – it was a building of considerable antiquity, with a patterned marble tiled floor and carved panels on the walls bearing the arms of the town, names of past mayors, and such like. Joey, to the fore as ever, marched up towards the mayor and shook his hand warmly, for once waiting for him to utter words of welcome before launching in to a little speech about how good it was of them to hold a reception for the girls, and how much they had been looking forward to it and their visit to this fine town. She then passed down the line of the welcoming committee, shaking hands with each of them in turn. Hepsy and Mary Lou followed her, shaking hands first with the mayor and his wife, then with the others. The older St Mildred’s girls followed, then the younger girls. José was at the end of the file. Hepsy turned around to watch the girls, waiting for them to complete the formalities, pleased to see that they were all behaving impeccably, while Joey and the older girls made their way to the end of the hall. And thus it was only Hepsy who was well placed to witness the strange little scene that was to follow.
Author:  keren [ Sat Jun 27, 2009 6:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 27Jun
Thanks, for the update.
I bet this is a trap for the final assimilation???!!!
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Jun 27, 2009 7:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 27Jun
How nice to see more of this.


Thanks Cryst
Author:  MaryR [ Sat Jun 27, 2009 8:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 27Jun
But you forgot to finish the post, Cryst! :shock:
Author:  Pat [ Sat Jun 27, 2009 8:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 27Jun
Glad to see this back Cryst.
Author:  Alison H [ Sat Jun 27, 2009 8:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 27Jun
Nice to see more of this :D .
Author:  di [ Sun Jun 28, 2009 10:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 27Jun
More please, Cryst.
thanks.
Author:  Cryst [ Sun Jun 28, 2009 3:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 27Jun
It was the face of the mayoress that caught her eye. The dignified middle-aged woman was clearly used to receiving guests and she nodded and smiled graciously as she shook hands with the older girls. When she came to the younger ones, however, her face began to change and it seemed to Hepsy that she was having trouble maintaining the smile. A strange, unnatural expression crept in, turning her expression into a fixed grimace rather than the warm natural smile she had at first been displaying. Hepsy watched carefully as the emotions played across the woman’s face. What was she struggling to conceal? Was it sorrow? Or guilt perhaps? Without warning or reason a shiver suddenly ran down Hepsy’s spine.

Towards the end of the line came Rosemary Wentworth, one of the youngest girls in the school. A pretty child, she gazed up in some awe at the grand lady, giving a shy smile and bobbing a little curtsey, as if to royalty. It was at this point that the mayoress seemed to lose her composure and, clutching a handkerchief to her face, she backed inconspicuously out of the reception line, nodded at the remaining girls and hurried out of the building.

Hepsy walked forward and ushered the girls along the reception line. They didn’t seem particularly perturbed by the sudden departure of their hostess, the whole event being so far outside their experience that they had very little idea what to expect. By the time Hepsy turned back to check on José, he was deep in conversation with the Mayor, the two men having turned back towards the open door. Hepsy looked round for Mary Lou, saw that she was deep in the throng, organising the girls to help themselves to food and drink, and realised that if either of them was to try to overhear the conversation it would have to be her.

She edged along the side of the hall, pretending to look at the paintings and plaques on the wall, working her way gradually towards the door in the shelter of a row of wide marble pillars. She approached as close as she dared and strained to hear the conversation between the two men who, fortunately, had not noticed her approach. She could catch only snatches of the conversation, and dared not move any closer in case she was noticed.

The Mayor was speaking. “… our own children … your promise … what guarantee …”

José replied, several sentences that Hepsy could make no sense of, then “… according to plan … twenty five years … two generations …”. This was followed by some more mumbling from José and a few words from the Mayor.

At this point José seemed to become angry, and Hepsy heard quite clearly “… and after all, I should remind you that I am not the one with the history of broken promises.”

At this the two men started to turn to move back towards the reception and Hepsy carefully backed round the pillar and sauntered towards the food tables, trying frantically to piece together the fragments of conversation she had overheard.
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Jun 28, 2009 3:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 28Jun
Hmmm, sounds like the people of this town have made some sort of deal? Go Hepsy!



Thanks Cryst
Author:  di [ Sun Jun 28, 2009 3:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 28Jun
Oo-er, what dastardly plan is Jose setting up with the Mayor? Sounds like the Pied Piper of Hamlin. I do hope Hepsy takes care. She needs help!

Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  shazwales [ Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 28Jun
Thanks for the updates Cryst, this is getting spookier . :shock:
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 28Jun
This is very weird :lol: .
Author:  Tara [ Sun Jun 28, 2009 8:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 28Jun
Oh, surely, surely they're going to exchange the CS youngsters for their own children???? The Mayoress clearly can't cope with her knowledge of the plan, whatever it is. It reminds me of the Pied Piper, too!

Thanks, Cryst, gripping stuff.
Author:  Cryst [ Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 28Jun
Hepsy would have no opportunity to discuss what she had overheard with Mary Lou until the evening. The girls, continuing on their best behaviour, did full justice to the spread, enjoying the dainty open sandwiches, little buns and cakes, and drinking quantities of the lemonade and fruit juice generously provided. There was wine for the adults – one or two of the older girls from St Mildred’s had a glass, and Joey had several, but Hepsy, Mary Lou and José kept to the soft drinks.

After they had finished eating, the Mayor handed out question sheets and divided the girls into four groups, each setting off in a different direction, accompanied by one of the civic dignitaries to be shown around the Town Hall and hear the history of the town. Their challenge was to answer the questions on the sheets from what was being described to them, and also to note various paintings, carvings, stained glass windows etc that related to the legend. They were fascinated and eagerly participated in the entertainment, meeting again in the main hall when they had all toured the building and by dint of a good deal of collaborative working, with the older girls helping out where needed, they all managed to complete their sheets, to their great satisfaction.

José’s group was the last to return to the rendezvous, and as he came into the hall he heard Joey braying, louder than ever courtesy of the alcohol, “Ah, there you are Señor Romero. Come over here and check your sheet off against mine. Did you manage to answer all the questions? We’ve done ever so well. Are there prizes?” (The last question addressed to the Mayor.)

José shuddered. He couldn’t begin to imagine what the Kin would make of this one – proven breeding stock, but getting on in years now, and very wearing on the nerves. He vowed to try to leave her behind also, but realised that it could be difficult to arrange as he was still intent on sparing Mary Lou from the clutches of Dumitru.

“Ach nein, Meine Frau,” the Mayor replied, “Forgive us. But we have parting gift bags for everyone, and the little ones have enjoyed their treasure hunt I think?”

“Oh yes,” Joey screeched. “I’ll say they have. So have I. It’s been splendid, hasn’t it girls? Let’s give three cheers to our hosts for such a lovely afternoon. Hip Hip …” and the girls obligingly cheered, as the Mayor and his councillors exchanged embarrassed glances.

As the girls gathered up their coats and made towards the door the waitresses who had served them earlier reappeared, carrying trays of pretty little fabric bags full of small gifts, handing one out to each of the girls. There was a further pile of treasure hunt sheets too, so that the girls could continue their challenge as they walked back through the town to their hotel. Joey took charge again and clapped her hands.

“Form into twos please girls, and keep together. Leave your gift bags alone for now - you can investigate them when you get back to the hotel.”

With that she shepherded them out of the door, thanking the Mayor profusely as sailed past him. Hepsy shook his hand, thanking him for the food and entertainment. She was interested to see how José would take his leave of the Mayor and whether they would continue their conversation, but the two men just crisply clicked their heels at each other, the Mayor markedly nodding his head.

Hepsy’s thoughts churned. Some sort of deal had been made between them, but what could it be, and did it pose any danger to the girls?
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 29Jun
Well, Joey's "proven breeding stock" all right ...
Author:  Cryst [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 10:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 29Jun
Hilda had had a busy day, but it was now mid afternoon and she had successfully seen various groups of excited girls off in a fleet of coaches, and deposited individuals in the care of parents or guardians for the duration of the half term holiday. She walked back through the school after seeing off the last coach party and marvelled, not for the first time, at how different the building seemed when devoid of girls.

She made her way to her study and picked up the phone to call St Mildred’s.

“Ah, Gillian, dear, good afternoon. How is Miss Wilson by now? I was wondering if she would be well enough for me to come down to take tea with her.”

“Good afternoon Miss Annersley. She seems somewhat better, thank you. She’s been up and about since lunch time, a bit pale but much more like herself. I’m sure she would be delighted to see you – if you could just hold the line one moment I’ll just check with her.”

Hilda heard the sound of retreating footsteps, then a short time later heard Gillian return to the telephone.

“Miss Wilson would be very pleased to see you. She asks you to hurry up, and says that she’ll organise some proper English tea.”

Hilda smiled. That sounded more like her friend. In short order she organised Gaudenz to drive her down to St Mildred’s, and left him at the gates, saying that she would telephone when she was ready to be picked up. She made her way to Nell’s sitting room to find her friend sitting quietly gazing into the distance, a generous tea tray by her side. Nell stood up as her friend entered.

“Oh, no need to stand up Nell, though it’s good to see you looking better. How are you feeling by now?”

“Very much better thank you. The pain of the headache has gone, thank goodness, but there is a sort of washed out dull ache, making me feel not quite right. It was the strangest thing.”

“Do you have any further theory as to what caused it?” replied Hilda, gesturing to Nell to stay seated and pouring out the tea herself.

“None whatsoever. I’m not going to worry about it unless it happens again, though I have to say I’m slightly concerned that I can’t remember much about the period immediately before the headache started.”

“Yes, that is very strange,” agreed Hilda, breaking off as there was a knock at the door.

Gillian Culver entered, carrying in her hand a small scrap of paper. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but I thought you should see this. I’ve just found it in my skirt pocket. I’ve been trying to remember how it got there, and think I must have picked it up outside as the coach was leaving this afternoon, meaning to put it in the waster paper bin when I got inside.”

Nell took the crumpled slip of paper and read it out loud.

“Señor Romero is not what he seems.
Trust Miss Cameron.”

“But what can it mean?” she added with a puzzled air. “Who wrote it? And why?”
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 10:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 16 Ju
Lovely to see more of this - and pleased that Mary Lou's message got to people that might be able to help.


((((Nell))))


Thanks Cryst
Author:  Pat [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 10:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 16 Ju
Glad to see this back. Keep writing!
Author:  di [ Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 16 Ju
So good to see an update and relieved that,at last, someone has found the note. I just hope it's not too late.
Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  shazwales [ Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 16 Ju
Thanks Cryst, another one glad to see this back.
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 16 Ju
Hope they act on that note pronto!
Author:  MaryR [ Fri Jul 17, 2009 12:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 16 Ju
Will they put this together with the strangeness of Nell's headache, one wonders. Or will they continue to be bamboozled? :shock:

Thanks, Cryst
Author:  Cryst [ Sat Jul 18, 2009 10:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 16 Ju
“And who was intended to read it?” added Hilda. “Do you recognise the handwriting?”

Nell studied it and shook her head, passing it across to Hilda.

“Mary Lou”, Hilda said with conviction, “I’m as sure as I can be. It’s obviously been written in a hurry, but making allowances for that, it looks just like hers.”

“Mary Lou …” repeated Nell slowly, “and Señor Romero …” She stared into space.

“What is it, Nell?”

“I’m remembering something, or very nearly. Mary Lou came to me about something.”

“When was that?” Hilda probed gently.

“Dash it all, I just can’t remember. It’s like trying to look through fog. I caught a glimpse of a memory, something to do with Mary Lou, but now it’s gone again.”

Gillian Culver had been standing listening quietly but at this point joined in the conversation. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but would it help at all if I brought in your appointments diary, Miss Wilson? It might help you remember.”

“Good idea Gillian,” said Hilda, “it might give us a better idea what she was doing before the headache struck.”

Gillian returned quickly with the diary and read out the appointments for the previous few days, including one with Mary Lou, and the Thursday morning review meeting with José.

Hilda summarised. “So you saw Mary Lou on the Wednesday. What was that about?”

Nell shrugged, as Hilda continued.

“Then José for coffee the next day. It says ‘review progress of Spanish classes’. So it doesn’t seem as if the two visits are connected in any way, does it?”

“I’m sorry,” replied Nell helplessly, “I can’t remember anything about either of those meetings.”

“Well never mind, it will come back to you at some stage, I’m sure. Try not to worry about it.”

“But …” Nell started, then paused again.

Hilda leaned forward to listen, allowing Nell to take her time.

“But,” Nell continued, “I do remember having a meeting with Mary Lou some weeks ago. She warned me that Señor Romero was having a strange effect on the girls, sort of hypnotising them. They were hero worshipping him or something.”

Hilda frowned. “Well he is young and handsome, and they are young girls, so you would expect some of that sort of nonsense, but this sounds more serious than that. Wait a minute, wasn’t there something similar in the reference that we had from his previous post?”

Nell replied, “Yes I think there was something odd about it, I remember you reading it out to me.”

Hilda nodded. “I’ll take another look at it when I get back. I can’t think that the girls are in any danger though. After all they have Joey and Miss Cameron with them as well as José, and Mary Lou will be keeping an eye on things too.”

Gillian broke in again, “It’s a shame they are so far away, or one of you could perhaps go over tomorrow to check on them. Why was that particular destination chosen? As far as I can remember we’ve never been that far away before.”

Hilda replied, “Do you know, it is the strangest thing but I can’t remember. I have a vague idea that it was to tie in with the poem which the younger girls have been studying in their English lessons, but I can’t for the life of me recall when it was suggested, or by whom. Can you, Nell?”

Nell looked puzzled. “No, and I can’t remember when we agreed that the St Mildred’s girls would join the trip either. How very strange.”

After more discussion the two Headmistresses decided that they would try to telephone the Gasthaus where the party was staying and see if they could make contact with one of the staff to check that all was well. Gillian went out to attempt to place the trunk call.
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 4:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 18 Ju
Hope they're able to speak to Hepsy.
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 18 Ju
Pleased they're managing to puzzle things out - keep going ladies!


Thanks Cryst
Author:  di [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 18 Ju
They need to get a move on with their puzzling before the dastardly Spaniard whisks them away to another universe!! :lol:
Thanks for the update.
Author:  jmc [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 11:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 18 Ju
Hope Mary-Lou and Hespey can work out what is going on quickly.
Author:  Cryst [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 18 Ju
Hepsy and Mary Lou sat together in a corner of the cosy public bar attached to the Gasthaus. They had arrived back from the Town Hall safely, walking round the town following the map and treasure hunt sheets they had been given and looking around, getting to know the layout, exploring the cobbled streets, and admiring the old timbered buildings. There was about an hour before dinner, which was to be taken in the Gasthaus dining room, and the girls had been sent to their bedrooms to change for dinner, and asked not to leave the hotel. They were therefore chatting, reading or playing board games in their bedrooms or the communal lounge. Hepsy and Mary Lou were taking the opportunity to exchange notes and work out what, if anything, they should do next. The bar was not very full this time of night, with just a couple of men sitting on high stools at the bar, and two women, perhaps in their late fifties or sixties, sitting in one corner.

Mary Lou had a plan. “Once everyone is sitting down for dinner, I’ll slip out and ask the hotel to place a call to St Mildred’s. But I don’t know how easy it will be to get that sorted out, or how long it will take.”

Hepsy, well travelled as she was, knew that making international phone calls could be a hit and miss sort of operation, and that it could sometimes take up to an hour for the line to be made available. She replied. “Well, hopefully they will get through while we are still at dinner. What are we going to tell Miss Wilson?”

There was no reply from Mary Lou. Hepsy looked at her. She was watching a little scene being enacted in the far corner of the bar. The waitress had placed drinks in front of the two women, and was standing next to them. The women showed no sign of having seen her, they were merely sitting mute and unmoving. Hepsy followed Mary Lou’s gaze and watched too, fascinated. After a moment the waitress sighed and moved each woman’s hand so that it was touching her glass. This seemed to produce the required response, as they each picked up their glass, took a sip, and returned it to the table, still silent, with expressionless faces. They carried on taking further sips every couple of minutes, their movements almost synchronised.

Mary Lou spoke softly. “Those two give me the creeps. There is something most peculiar about them.”

Hepsy replied, “Perhaps they are just, you know, … simple. Every community has some such people.”

“Hush, listen” said Mary Lou, who was trying to overhear what the waitress was telling the hotel owner.

“What did she say?” asked Hespy after the conversation had ended. “I couldn’t catch it.”

“It sounded like ‘Are we feeding the something ones tonight?’ She was talking about the two over there, I think. The word wasn’t one I’m familiar with.” She repeated it to Hepsy and asked if she knew what it meant.

Hepsy replied that it was in the local dialect and although she hadn’t heard the term used in that sense before, but the literal translation was ‘returned’, as in ‘the returned ones’, implying that they had been somewhere and come back.

Mary Lou grimaced. “So that’s another mystery then. Where have they been, and why have they come back sort of, well, half asleep?”

Hepsy shook her head. “I don’t know, Mary Lou, but I don’t like it. Where were we with our plan?”

“Well, I was going to see if I could get a call through to Miss Wilson while everyone was at dinner.”

“Yes,” Hepsy replied, “that’s about all we can do. We’ll ask her advice. At least she has the photographs, which is some evidence that there may be something about Señor Romero that she should be concerned about. Then I’ll do the same later on and have a word with Miss Annersley.”

Their plan thus formulated, they carried on quietly talking about the day’s events, May Lou sharing with Hepsy the observations that Verity had made about the reactions of the townsfolk.

Presently the waitress returned, carrying two bowls of steaming stew and a basket of bread, broken into generous chunks, which she placed on the table in front of the two women. Again there was no reaction until she gently put the spoons in their hands, whereupon they started eating slowly, mechanically and methodically working their way through their serving.

Hepsy and Mary Lou watched. “Maybe they are blind?” Mary Lou suggested

“No, I don’t think they are. Watch. They are not groping around for the bread at all. Their hands are making straight for it.”

Mary Lou agreed. “You’re right. They can see. It’s more that they are, … sort of, … well, switched off.”

Suddenly, however, their expressions changed. They became alert and sat up in their chairs, looking towards the door with an eager look, almost of adoration. One of them started to rise to her feet.

“Good evening Miss Cameron, Miss Trelawny.” They turned round to see that Señor Romero had just entered the room.
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 10:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 18 Ju
Spooooooooooky!


And they don't know that the photos have gone and Nell Wilson cannot remember anything. :cry:


Thanks Cryst
Author:  shazwales [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 11:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 18 Ju
Very strange,this is getting better and better!

Thanks Cryst.
Author:  di [ Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 18 Ju
This is indeed very spooky! Who are the crones in the corner? Spies for Romero, perhaps. I hope that Mary Lou can get to the phone without arousing his suspicions.
Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  jmc [ Mon Jul 20, 2009 9:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 18 Ju
I think Mary Lou- and Hepsey need to act as quickly as possible. :help:
Author:  roversgirl [ Sun Aug 09, 2009 11:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 18 Ju
just cuaght up with this! thanks! :-)
Author:  Cryst [ Mon Mar 29, 2010 4:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 18 Ju
Sorry for the slow progress with this!

Frau Knauss, the wife of the hotel proprietor, acted quickly. She bustled towards José, took his arm, spun him round and led him out of the bar, saying something loudly, for the benefit of Mary Lou and Hepsy, about needing a word with him. By the time he was out of sight the two old women were half way across the room, their arms outstretched in an imploring gesture, their faces wracked with pain. One of them gave a soft moan. “Our little ones …?”.

Mary Lou rise to her feet and made her way towards the two women, but the waitress got there first, and took their arms, propelling them gently back to their seats, and speaking over her shoulder to Hepsy and Mary Lou, “Please do not trouble yourselves, good ladies. Our old friends here are not altogether themselves today, but they will settle down presently.”

And so they did. They resumed their seats, and, with the spoons gently replaced into their hands, they continued eating, their faces once more empty. The waitress patted one on the arm, gave the other a little hug, then went over to Mary Lou and Hepsy.

“Please do not be alarmed, they are merely, you know…” she circled her hand vaguely, indicating perhaps that the old women were simple. “Their needs are few. We take care of them.” She smiled and reached towards their glasses. “May I refill these for you?”

“Yes, thank you” replied Mary Lou, thoughtfully. Frau Knauss returned into the bar, inclining her head towards her two young guests and exchanging a brief nod with the waitress.

“All back to normal then, José disappears and the two old ladies return to their trance,” muttered Hepsy to Mary Lou. “There is something very odd going on here. The sooner we get that call through to Miss Annersley the better.”

Mary Lou nodded in agreement, starting suddenly as a loud gong announced that dinner was served.

Through in the Speisesaal the girls were arranging themselves in their various clans at three long tables, chattering excitedly. Mary Lou went to join Verity and her friends and the three staff members walked round settling the younger girls down, and then seated themselves at the small table reserved for them. Large tureens of a clear soup with noodles were deposited at each table, and the senior girls started ladling it out into the generous bowls, as the baskets of country bread and plates of yellow butter were passed around.

Hespsy was waiting for her moment to slip out and place the trunk call back to the school, and as the staff’s soup arrived, had decided to take a small helping and finish it quickly, giving her time to slip out before the main course. But her plans were in vain, for at that very moment Herr Knauss came up to the staff table with an important air. “I have just been alerted that an international trunk call is about to be received from Switzerland. I assume this will be from your school. Señor Romero, perhaps you would come through to the office to await the call?”

José got to his feet at once, but so too did Hepsy and Joey. Each had their own reason to be the one to field the call from Miss Annersley - Hespy to alert the Headmistress to her and Mary Lou’s concerns, José to ensure that nothing was suspected, and Joey? Joey just wanted to be in charge, as ever.

“You two enjoy your soup,” said Hepsy, “I’ll take the call”.

“Oh no, you won’t!” replied Joey, elbowing her out of the way and marching in the direction of the door.

José, aware that he could not insist without making a fuss, turned towards Hepsy, gave his charming smile and held the back of her chair. “Shall we oblige Mrs Maynard and let her take absolute charge of the telephone?”

Hepsy was left with no option and sat down. This was difficult. She would have to find an excuse to call later. Or maybe she would have to leave it to Mary Lou to call St Mildred’s, to report to Miss Wilson on behalf of the party of older girls? She glanced in that young lady’s direction. Mary Lou, acute as ever, had caught the scene and gave Hespy a little shrug, and pointed at herself. Hepsy relaxed as she realised that the two had had the same thought.
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Mar 29, 2010 4:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 29/3
Good to see you back, Cryst.
Author:  Lyanne [ Mon Mar 29, 2010 5:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 29/3
Today was the first time I've read any of this - but it's still spooky!
Author:  shazwales [ Mon Mar 29, 2010 6:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 29/3
Thanks Cryst great to see more of this :) :) :)
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Mar 29, 2010 7:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 29/3
Very spooky - will Joey be able to pass on any info?


Thanks Cryst
Author:  PaulineS [ Mon Mar 29, 2010 9:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 29/3
Thanks for the update.
Author:  di [ Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 29/3
Great to see more of this. I do hope Hepsy gets the chance to speak with Miss Annersley soon to let her know more about their strange trip.
Author:  Cryst [ Tue Mar 30, 2010 5:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 29/3
“Hello? Hello?”
The two headmistresses had spent almost an hour waiting for the long distance call to be connected, and it would appear that they were through at last.

“Is that you Hilda? It’s me here – Joey. Can you hear me?” Joey’s telephone voice had a peculiarly refined accent, a shill tone, and a far reaching volume.

“Oh yes, Joey, you could almost be in the next room.” Hilda held that phone six inches away from her ear and grimaced at Nell. “I take it you have arrived safly?”

“Yes, we had an excellent journey, a splendid day, and the Gasthaus is all as it should be. Very comfortable. Everyone was most welcoming. I’ve taken the girls through the Health and Safety briefing and fire-drill and we had a splendid lunch at the Rathaus. The Mayor was most charming, and the girls behaved beautifully.”

“I’m pleased to hear it. Are José and Hepsy with you too? Could I have a word with them?”

“Yes, they are all fine. Just having their Abendessen. No need for you to disturb them.”

“Oh.” Hilda was taken aback, but could hardly argue. “Very well. And is Mary Lou there? I am with Nell, and I’m sure she would like to hear how the St Mildreds' girls are doing.”

“Oh, they are fine too, tell Nell not to worry. You two are sounding like a pair of mother hens,” she cackled. “We are all fine. Give my love to Jack and everyone. Good night.”

And with that she rang off.

“Well,” Hilda said to her good friend, “all seems to be in order, at least as far a Joey is concerned.”

“Hmmm”, Nell agreed absentmindedly. “I’m not so sure about that. I wish I’d been able to have a word with Mary Lou. There’s something nagging at the back of my mind, and I can’t quite put my finger on it. Every time I feel as if I’m remembering something, it slips away from me.”

“Well there’s not much more we can do, Nell. I’ll get Gaudenz to drive me back and I’ll check José’s reference again, to see if it sheds any light on things. You would do well to have an early night, and maybe your memory will have returned by the morning.”

They agreed to speak again in the morning and Hilda took her leave.
Author:  PaulineS [ Tue Mar 30, 2010 6:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 30/3
HELP please get us off the cliff soon.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 30/3
If only Nell could remember.
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Mar 30, 2010 9:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 30/3
Don't you want to strangle Joey? :shock:
Author:  di [ Wed Mar 31, 2010 10:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 30/3
Joey really is a pain! But, oh, how like her. A pity Hilda couldn't over ride her and demand to speak with Hepsy but - hey- we wouldn't want to hurt Joey's feelings.
Hopefully one of the heads will be able to speak to someone sensible soon!
Author:  Cryst [ Wed Mar 31, 2010 6:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 30/3
Meanwhile Joey had breezed back into the Speisesaal. “Everything’s tickety boo back at base. I’ve delivered our report.” she declared, sitting down to eat her soup. “Mmm this is good. Is there any more?” “I say, Mary Lou”, she called over “Miss Wilson was there too, so there’s no need for you to phone tonight.”

Mary Lou smiled back wanly. She dared not glance at Hepsy. She intended to phone Miss Wilson that evening come what may, and it now seemed that an element of subterfuge would be called for if José was not to become aware that she and Hepsy suspected him.

Meanwhile Joey had moved on to planning the next day’s events.

“We have three days of activities to arrange,” she stated, consulting her sheaf of notes. “We already decided that one day we would have the charabanc for a day trip to Hanover. Another day will be a river cruise in the early morning, followed by a ramble up to see the mountain side, with a picnic lunch. Hmm, we’ll need good weather for that. Do either of you know what the weather forecast is like for the next few days?”

“Tomorrow will be fine, I believe,” José replied hastily. In truth he had no idea of the predicted weather, but having got this far with his daring plan, he was anxious to get on with it. There could be no failure now – the Kin would not tolerate failure.

“Good,” replied Joey. “I’ll get the river cruise tickets booked for 9:30 am and we’ll be finished by 11, so we can pick the picnic baskets up after that and set off up the hill. We must tell the girls to put their rambling gear on first thing in the morning.”

The rest of the meal passed uneventfully, with the younger girls being sent up to bed immediately afterwards, and the staff and older girls sitting around in the cosy dining room, chatting as they lingered over their Kaffee.
Author:  shazwales [ Wed Mar 31, 2010 7:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 31/3
Thank you Cryst,any chance you could bump Joey off soon?
Author:  di [ Thu Apr 01, 2010 8:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 31/3
Come on, Mary-Lou, hurry up and phone the heads before Jose has the opportunity to put his plan into action.
Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  Cryst [ Thu Apr 01, 2010 10:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 31/3
Mary Lou slipped out to Reception as soon as she dared. She handed a slip of paper across to Herr Knauss and asked him to place an international call to the number written on it.

“Again, Fräulein?” He said in surprise. “Frau Maynard spoke with the school earlier this evening.”

“Yes, that’s right, but I come from a separate branch of the school. Please place the call,” Mary Lou replied firmly.

“Very well, will you wait in the Speisesaal?”

“No I’ll wait here near the booth, if you don’t mind, in case it comes through quickly. These lines can be very temperamental, and I should hate it to be disconnected before I can get here. I have brought my book, and will sit quietly in the corner here.” She indicated a small stool secreted to the side of the booth. I shall be quite comfortable.”

“As you wish.” The proprietor bowed and went into the booth to place the trunk call, and Mary Lou settled into her quiet corner with her book in hand to wait.

Luck was on her side. The call came through within ten minutes, and she found herself speaking with Miss Wilson, who had been summoned by Gillian as she had been making her way to bed.

“Oh, hello Mary Lou, I wasn’t expect to hear from you again this evening, is everything all right? Joey seemed very up beat earlier.”

“Miss Wilson, I may not have very long, please listen.” There was something in the tone of her voice sent a shiver down Nell Wilson’s back. Mary Lou saw, with some alarm, that the first group of girls was starting to drift out of the dining room, and feared that José would not be far behind. She moved further inside the booth pulling the stool inside and sitting low on it so that her head could not be seen above the small window in the door.

“We are all safe and well, Miss Wilson, but Hepsy and I are convinced that there is something strange about the town. Even Verity has commented on it. It’s difficult to explain, but José seems to be at the centre of it. He is behaving strangely, and the townsfolk are too. We can’t pinpoint the problem, but we are most concerned. Did you have a chance to look at the photographs I left with you?”

Nell felt bewildered. Photographs? She remembered no photographs. Yet … there was something at the back of her mind.

“Miss Wilson, are you still there?”

“Yes, Mary Lou. Which photographs my dear?

“I left a packet with you – there were some strange effects on photographs of José where his appearance seemed to have changed. You were going to take a look at them for me. Do you remember?”

“No, I’m sorry Mary Lou, I don’t, and I really don’t see how …”

“Oh, I know, it must seem very far fetched,” Mary Lou said in despair. “Let me try to explain again …”

She was interrupted by a high pitched whine, and the line went dead. “Oh no, we’ve been cut off,” she said to herself. “I just hope I said enough to raise the alarm and that Miss Wilson will know what to do”.

She replaced the receiver and slipped out of the booth, taking a quick glance to left and right. Hepsy was strategically positioned in conversation with José at the door of the dining room, and she managed to slip out unnoticed by him and with a grin at Hepsy. “Good teamwork, partner!” she thought.
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Apr 01, 2010 10:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 1/4
Let's hope she said enough! :shock:


Thanks Cryst
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Apr 01, 2010 10:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 1/4
Also hoping she said enough. Surely Nell must realise that Mary-Lou wouldn't say something so weird-sounding without good reason - *hopes*.
Author:  PaulineS [ Thu Apr 01, 2010 10:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 1/4
Hope Nell remembers the photos, and she can find them.
Author:  shazwales [ Fri Apr 02, 2010 6:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 1/4
Thanks Cryst.
Author:  di [ Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 1/4
Well done, Hepsy, for occupying Jose whilst Mary-Lou tries to alert Nell to the danger the girls are in. I hope she picks up on Mary-Lou's concerns and does something about it.
Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  cal562301 [ Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 1/4
Surely Bill has enough about her to help Mary Lou. Joey is very irritating - sorry I've just caught up on a few days of posts.
Author:  Cryst [ Fri Apr 02, 2010 3:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 1/4
Arriving back at the main school, Miss Annersley went straight to her study and unearthed José’s reference from Escuela San Pedro. She read and reread one paragraph:

Quote:
“The trouble started when a group of boys in the middle school developed what I believe in English you call a “crush” on their young master. I can only describe it as a form of hysterical attachment – they almost literally worshiped the ground he trod. They moped and daydreamed, became withdrawn and silent. Some refused to eat. They only really came to life in their lessons with José. Some of the parents got to hear of this and misinterpreted the situation completely. They started to withdraw their sons from the school. There were rumours of impropriety, but I am completely convinced that absolutely nothing untoward happened. There is not a shred of evidence to support the accusations, and I know with deep certitude that José did nothing other than exert his own brand of innocent charm.”

It was the similar to the behaviour that Mary Lou had reported to Nell, but … what did it mean? And were the girls in any danger?

Hilda reached out for the telephone to contact Nell, but before she could dial, the phone rang, and Nell’s voice, sounding quite agitated, came on the line relating the telephone conversation she had just had with Mary Lou. Hilda in turn reported that she had found the reference, and read it out to Nell, who agreed that this chimed with the conversation she had had with Mary Lou about the effect that José was having on her classmates.

“And you don’t remember anything at all about any photographs Nell?” quizzed Hilda gently.

“Well, no …”

“You don’t sound very sure?”

“There is something, but I can’t remember what. It’s as if there is a memory just fluttering out of reach. It is the strangest sensation.”

“Perhaps you and Gillian could search your study for the photographs?”

“Yes that’s a thought.”

“While you do that, I’m going to drop in to see if Herr Laubach is still awake. If he is in an approachable mood I’ll ask him if I can check José's room in their apartment to see if there are any clues there. The other thing I suggest, Nell, is that you phone Jack or one of the other Doctors at the San, to have a look at you. I’m worried about this memory loss, coupled with the headache of yesterday.”

Nell took some persuading, but eventually had to agree that it would be a good idea to be checked over. They agreed to speak again in about an hour’s time.
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Apr 02, 2010 3:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 2/4
Wonder if the doctors'll be able to tell anything, and hope that they find something incriminating in José's room.
Author:  PaulineS [ Fri Apr 02, 2010 4:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 2/4
Would no personal possessions be significant and cause concern?
Author:  shazwales [ Fri Apr 02, 2010 5:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 2/4
Glad to see Hilda's now getting involved, hoping that they can get to Mary Lou and Hepsy very soon.
Thanks Cryst.
Author:  di [ Sat Apr 03, 2010 8:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 2/4
Good!! The two heads are now sufficiently concerned to start taking some action; hopefully Nell will remember more about the photographs and maybe, just maybe Jose will have overlooked telling items in his room that Herr Laubach will unearth or he may remember seeing Jose do something unusual/strange.

I do hope they all hurry though, as Jose is about to make his move and I doubt Mary-Lou nor Hepsy will be able to put a stop to him. Joey, of course, will just be a liability as she's far too trusting and has been hooked in to his insincerity.

Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Apr 03, 2010 9:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 2/4
Pleased those two are now sufficiently concerned and worried - hope Nell manages to remember more.


Thanks Cryst
Author:  Cryst [ Sat Apr 03, 2010 9:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 2/4
Hilda walked round to Herr Laubach’s apartment and was pleased to see the light on in the living room, but surprised that the curtains were not drawn at this time of night. She peeped through the window, and was somewhat alarmed to see that elderly gentleman sitting motionless in his chair, staring sadly into space. Although recently retired, Herr Laubach was still active, always on the go, walking, painting, reading and expressing his forceful opinions at every opportunity. The arrival of Señor Romero to share his apartment, initially a temporary arrangement, had worked out very well, with a surprising friendship developing between the pair and giving the former teacher extra interests and enlivening his days. Hilda tapped gently at the window, and he lifted his head slowly, taking several seconds to recognise the sound, rise slowly to his feet, and shuffle towards the door.

Entering, Hilda saw immediately that he was tearful, and she put her arm around his shoulder, and asking if he was feeling all right.

He gave a long, sad, sigh, and looked up at Hilda with forlorn eyes. “I was missing him, and went into his room just to … you know … sit a while. His things have gone. Why has he practically cleared his room? His car is still here, and some paintings and books, but almost all his clothes have gone, and his personal belongings. It is as if he is not returning. I cannot bear it, my friend; it is as if the music has died and the sun has gone out.”

Hilda sat him gently back in his chair, astonished at the change in the man, and went through into José’s room, throwing open the cupboards and drawers. It was just as Herr Laubach said – the room was superficially still inhabited, but looking more closely it was clear that it had been largely cleared, giving the impression that José had no intention of returning.

Grimly Hilda returned into the sitting room and put a rug over Herr Laubach’s shoulders, went though into the little kitchen, and made him a hot drink. She put the mug into his hands, urged him drink, told him not to worry, then went to find Matron to ask her to ensure that the old chap got himself safely into bed.
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Apr 03, 2010 9:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 3/4
Herr Laubach in tears? If nothing else that will raise Hilda's suspicions. :evil:


Thanks Cryst
Author:  Alison H [ Sat Apr 03, 2010 10:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 3/4
Herr Laubach's had a lucky escape, but I hope this raises Hilda's suspicions.
Author:  di [ Sat Apr 03, 2010 10:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 3/4
2 updates in one day for me, great. I did rather wonder whether Jose would 'do a flit' as it's becoming clear that what ever is being planned by the 'dark side' includes him. However, the question remains, what is Hilda now going to do? She's too far away from the school party to be very effective so Jose can just continue with his plans. May be the girls can take sanctuary in the church but how will she be able to convince Joey that this is necessary without appearing to have totally 'gone off her rocker!'
What a shock for Herr Laubach. He seems to have taken Jose's obvious permanent departure to heart. I suppose he was good company in a strange sort of way. I hope Matey will be able to settle him. Meanwhile Hilda should check his room thoroughly - he may have overlooked something which will help her save ' her girls!'
Can't wait to see what you have planned next, Cryst, please don't keep us waiting too long!
Author:  Cryst [ Sun Apr 04, 2010 10:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 3/4
On receiving Nell’s call, Jack drove straight round to St Mildred’s. He didn’t like the sound of this – a splitting headache and amnesia, with there being no bump to the head. He sat down with Nell in her study and listened to the tale without comment. Inwardly he was initially sceptical – if it hadn’t been for the great regard in which he held Nell, he would have discounted her concerns as hysterical invention. He examined her eyes, tested her reflexes, flexed her neck, and felt all around her head carefully.

“As you say, no signs of a bump. Your reflexes are slightly slower than I would have expected, but nothing hugely out of the ordinary. I can’t spot anything to be too concerned about. And the headache is better, you say?”

“Yes, much better thank you, I’m just left with a slightly, well, far off sort of feeling, as though I’m not quite connected with things around me any more.”

“I see. And you’ve no memory at all of these photographs Mary Lou mentioned?”

“No, just a sort of nagging feeling that I should remember something. Gillian and I searched while we were waiting for you to arrive, and she is still looking, but they haven’t showed up.”

Jack stroked his chin thoughtfully. “It’s not my field, but I’m wondering if hypnosis might be involved here. It ties in with the effect that our Señor seems to have had on the girls here and the boys at his previous school. He visited you and left you with a headache, no memory of the photographs and, it would seem, no photographs. It could be that he took them away with him because they were incriminating in some way. Mary Lou generally has her head screwed on the right way, and if she’s written a note saying that José isn’t what he seems, and has been concerned enough to try to phone you tonight, there is probably something up. Joey spoke with Hilda earlier in the evening, you say?”

“Yes, and she was in fine form apparently – no signs from her that anything was amiss. But that could just mean that she has also …” She stopped, unwilling to suggest to Jack that Joey might have succumbed to José’s mysterious powers.

“… fallen for it.” Jack concluded grimly. “She always speaks very highly of him, I have to say.”

“What’s to be done, Jack? Hilda was going to check his rooms to see if there were any clues there, and she’ll be on the phone presently.”

“I don’t see that we have many options, Nell. There is no evidence at all that anyone is in any danger. If we phone the police there, there is no way that they will believe the story – it is all too far fetched. It’s rather late to try phoning the Gasthaus now, and they may simply bring José to the phone, whoever we ask for. I can only see one viable course of action.”
Author:  di [ Sun Apr 04, 2010 10:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 4/4
Oooh, what action is Jack thinking of? I'm so pleased he believes Nell and that Jose has been rumbled.
Can't wait to see what happens next. Please don't keep us on a cliff for too long, Cryst and thanks for the update.
Author:  PaulineS [ Sun Apr 04, 2010 5:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 4/4
Hope they are in time, but pleased they are not contacting the local police as I suspect they would know what Jack is talking about, but are too involved in local politics to do any thing helpful to the CS party.
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Apr 04, 2010 6:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 4/4
Well at least Jack didn't dismiss it out of hand.



Thanks Cryst
Author:  Cryst [ Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 4/4
When Hilda duly phoned, her news confirmed Jack’s fears and crystallized his intention. Having formed his plan, he was determined to act quickly.

“We’ll pop over to check things out,” he announced to Nell. “Not you though, Nell. One of the Heads will have to stay here to look after the schools, and after that headache you need a good night’s sleep tonight. Driving half way across Europe at the dead of night is not a good idea for you. I’ll give Matron something to put in a glass of warm milk to help you sleep, and that in itself might restore your memory. Hilda and I will go. If all is well when we get there, we can say we just had a sudden fancy to join them and see the sights. Then we can stay on and keep an eye on things.”

The two Headmistresses took very little persuading to go along with Jack’s plan, and it was agreed that he would go home to collect a night case, whilst Hilda packed hers and got together some provisions for the journey.

There was to be just one last minute alteration to the plan. As Jack slung his bag into the back of the car, Bruno bounded out of the house, and stood beside him, whining. Jack reached down and stroked the large head, and acting on a sudden whim he said “You want to come too? Why not. You could be of some use, and your mistress will at least be delighted to see you.” Making sure that the household was aware that the dog was with him, he opened the car door and Bruno leapt onto the back seat, tail wagging furiously.
Author:  di [ Mon Apr 05, 2010 10:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 5/4
Brilliant idea to take Bruno-animals are so very sensitive to the paranormal aren't they and I'd like to see Jose tackle a great big St. Bernard like Bruno.

Jack and his 'glass of warm milk with a little something slipped in' does make me smile and always did even when EBD used to write about it. It seemed to be the universal cure for anything that didn't require surgery!! Curing a memory lapse is a new one though and not wanting to be sceptical I hope it works as these missing photographs are evidence of Jose's dastardly deeds.

Thanks, Cryst. The story is moving along so nicely.
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Apr 05, 2010 10:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 5/4
Agree taking Bruno might be extremely useful. Hope Nell recovers her memory.


Thanks Cryst
Author:  Cryst [ Tue Apr 06, 2010 8:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 5/4
By the time Jack and Hilda were setting off their long journey, the members of the school trip had all retired, the younger girls already fast asleep after their long day, and the staff and St Mildred’s girls in bed, if not yet asleep. Mary Lou and Hepsy were talking quietly, going over the day’s events.

“Well at least I managed to get a call through to Miss Wilson, thanks to you keeping Señor Romero occupied,” said Mary Lou, “though I wish I’d had more time to explain our concerns.”

“She didn’t remember about the photographs, though,” Hepsy replied, “and that’ll be down to creepy José and his mindbending skills, I have no doubt.” She sighed. “The trouble with all this is that it’s impossible to voice our concerns without us sounding as if we are completely bonkers.”

“Quite. Who is going to believe us when all we can say is that we have a vague feeling that something’s up, and that the whole town seems to be in on it.”

“And if we’re right, and the whole town is in fact part of the plot, there is no-one in any authority that we can go to anyway.”

The two young women looked at each other glumly.

Hepsy broke the silence. “Well assuming we are not all going to be murdered in our beds as we sleep tonight, I suppose the most useful thing we can do at the moment is go over the plans for tomorrow, and see if we can spot any danger points.” She dug under a pile of clothes and, with a magician’s flourish, brought out a pile of pinks sheets and spread them on her bed. She grinned, “I … er … ‘acquired’ Joey’s risk assessments – I thought it might save us all from another lecture tomorrow. Let’s see if there’s anything useful here.”

Mary Lou laughed, “Well, a river cruise, followed by a walk up the mountain – plenty of things that can go wrong – and I’m sure most of them have happened one time or another in the school’s history!”

The pink sheets certainly re-enforced this thought – Joey appeared to have catalogued most of the school’s adventures – bad weather and accidents galore. Her mitigating actions were equally thorough. She had checked that the river boat company had life jackets and life buoys, and that they would deliver a safety briefing as soon as the party embarked; the first aid kit they would be carrying for the day was nothing if not complete; the walking route was planned to the last detail, and it would be lodged with the hotel so that they could easily be traced; the girls’ clothing and footwear would be checked; and so it went on.

Hepsy put the sheets down. “That’s about as comprehensive as it could be. You have to hand it to Joey, she’s thought of everything.”

Mary Lou slid down under her bedcover and yawned. “The trouble is, whatever the threat is, it’s probably the one thing that Joey hasn’t thought of. We’ll just have to keep on our toes tomorrow, and take it as it comes – that’s all we can do. Goodnight.”

“Good night, Mary Lou,” Hepsy replied, turning out the light, “try to get a good night’s sleep. I’m so glad that you came out of whatever trance Romero had you under – at least there are two of us in this, and that makes all the difference.”
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Apr 06, 2010 8:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 5/4
Cryst wrote:
“Good night, Mary Lou,” Hepsy replied, turning out the light, “try to get a good night’s sleep. I’m so glad that you came out of whatever trance Romero had you under – at least there are two of us in this, and that makes all the difference.”



Why, suddenly, does that comment concern me? :?


Thanks Cryst
Author:  di [ Tue Apr 06, 2010 10:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 6/4
Thanks, Cryst. :)
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Apr 06, 2010 11:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 6/4
Thanks for the update :D .
Author:  Cryst [ Wed Apr 07, 2010 9:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 6/4
It was an excited group of girls who assembled for breakfast. They tucked into the crusty rolls and jams with gusto, and then ascended back to their rooms to make their beds and get dressed in their outdoor clothes. After an inspection of their clothing, mercifully brief, by Joey, they formed themselves into an orderly crocodile and set off down the hill towards the river, where the riverboat was waiting. By this time the sun was up in a clear sky, and the morning nip in the air was already starting to disappear.

Joey and José were at the head of the group, Hepsy in the centre surrounded by a group of chattering Upper Thirds, and Mary Lou walking with Verity bringing up the rear. Verity was looking around as they walked.

“That’s odd,” she said, “there’s almost no-one on the streets. At this time of the morning you’d expect everyone to be going about their daily business, but here we are walking through the main shopping area of the town and it’s almost deserted. Look, even the bakery and the Post Office are closed. It’s not a Sunday; it’s not a public holiday - is it?” She gave a shudder. “I don’t like it Mary Lou, there is something decidedly queer about the place.”

Mary Lou agreed, adding, “It feels as if they are in the houses watching us. If you look carefully at the windows you can see people sitting at the windows behind the net curtains.”

Verity looked up as they walked past an ancient half timbered house, several stories high, and saw a child’s face at an upstairs window. She raised her hand to give a friendly wave, but the face disappeared abruptly, dragged back into the room by an adult figure. Mary Lou had witnessed the exchange, and sought to reassure Verity. “There’s not much we can do about it really, just keep an eye on the little ones and try to enjoy the day. We’ll be out of the town for most of the day anyway. At least it looks as if we made the right choice for today’s activities – we’ll be making the most of this lovely weather.”

They reached the river bank without further incident, and the girls piled up the gangplank onto the deck. A couple of the younger girls broke ranks. “Come on Renata,” urged Arda, “We don’t want to be stuck behind these big people - let’s get a place where we’ll be able to see”, and they ran across to the far side of the boat, climbing and jumping over the seats to get to the far railings. Hepsy followed as quickly as she could, unable to catch up with them, but alarmed that they might hurt themselves or career too fast at the railings and topple over. “Take it easy please girls – walk, don’t run,” she called. But José was ahead of her, and put an arm round the shoulder of each girl, “Come girls, let’s find you a seat with a view. We don’t want you leaning too far over the railings and falling in, now do we?” Arda calmed herself instantly, and looked up in admiration. “Gosh, no Señor Romero,” she sighed.

Hepsy watched the scene carefully. He had acted to protect the girls, and there had been nothing at all improper in his manner towards them, and yet there was something …. something not quite right.

She had no time to dwell on it as her attention was soon claimed by the other girls, jostling for good seats. “Come and sit with us, Miss Cameron” said Gretchen, patting the bench next to her. Looking round, Hepsy saw that the party were all on board and settled so, as the boat was released from its moorings and started to glide along the river through the medieval town, she sat down with the younger girls to enjoy the sights.
Author:  Lesley [ Wed Apr 07, 2010 9:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 7/4
Sinister...very sinister.
Author:  di [ Wed Apr 07, 2010 10:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 7/4
Mmmm! I do so hope Hilda and Jack get there soon. How long does it take to drive across Europe, I wonder? Days, I should imagine but they wont be more than a day's drive away, I hope.

I am sure both Hepsy and Mary-Lou are on their toes and alert for anything unusual so it'll be Joey who'll fall for Jose's tricks. With a lot of luck, however, he won't be able to put anything in to action whilst they're on the river so everyone should be safe for a while!

Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  keren [ Wed Apr 07, 2010 3:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 7/4
I like this story very much, and I want to thank you for getting back to it and updating it. (and not forgetting us)
Author:  Cryst [ Thu Apr 08, 2010 8:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 7/4
The river cruise was a delight, with a commentary delivered in excellent English holding the attention of even the youngest girls who therefore behaved impeccably. They were smiling and chattering as they disembarked, to reform the crocodile and walk back through the town to the Gasthaus to collect their packed lunches, before setting off on the ramble.

Frau Knauss had the lunches prepared, individually wrapped in a little brown carrier bag for each girl to carry. Flasks of hot drinks and bottles of lemonade were in a two hampers with side carrying handles, and Joey quickly allocated these to two pairs of St Mildred girls who were only too happy to help, especially as they knew that the chore would be shared around during the walk. While Joey and Hepsy were organising this, José headed off towards the stairs. “I have the first aid kit, maps, blankets and so forth, ready packed in my rucksack – I’ll just fetch it,” he explained to Joey, who nodded.

By the time he returned the crocodile had started up the road, Hepsy and Mary Lou at the head, and the girls following in their pairs. Joey was to bring up the rear, and about to set off as José appeared.

“My, that’s a big one,” she commented with a grin, indicating the enormous rucksack that José had on his back. “You must have been through the risk assessments of mine with a fine tooth comb and brought along everything bar the kitchen sink!”

José smiled and nodded, and they set off, Joey babbling away merrily.

After a few hundred metres they turned off the street onto a side road, and thence onto a footpath which wound initially between some houses before coming out onto the mountainside. At this point the girls were allowed, as usual, to break formation and walk in groups, which they did with pleasure. It took them nearly two hours of steady uphill walking to reach the place that they had earmarked on the map for their picnic lunch, and Hepsy, still near the front, called back the leading groups, and chose a spot where the path opened out onto a broad grassy ledge, with plenty of boulders and logs where they would be able to perch.

“We’ll have lunch here girls. It’s nice and sunny – if we go any closer to the mountainside we will be in the shadow of the cliff. There will be plenty of time to explore it later. She busied herself with the hampers, pouring out the drinks as the girls found themselves spots where they could gather in their various clans.

“It really is amazingly warm for October,” Hepsy remarked to Mary Lou, breaking off the thought to admonish one of the girls. “No Gretchen, don’t just sit on the ground, it will be damp. Find yourself a nice dry log, or spread your coat under you.”

Having settled everyone down and made sure they all had food and drink, Hepsy followed her own advice and spread her coat in a sunny spot next to a large log. “That’ll make a perfect backrest,” she said, “Come next to me if you like, Mary Lou, there is plenty of room for two.”

Frau Knauss had done them proud with the packed lunch, and as their packages were opened there were delighted cries on all sides. “An apple, and a banana.” “What yummy looking sandwiches.” “Cold sausage, my favourite”. “Three sorts of cake!” “I say, what a jolly decent sized slab of chocolate.” “A little twist of boiled sweets too – I’ll save those for later”

Hespy and Mary Lou made themselves comfortable, wriggling their backs into the logs to find a comfortable spot, and basking in the unseasonably warm sunshine. “I say, this is the life,” exclaimed Mary Lou, cradling her mug of hot chocolate in her hands. “It’s almost warm enough to sunbathe, and just look at that view.” They gazed together at the magnificent panorama below them, where, bathed in the golden autumn sunshine, the great River Weser meandered its way through the pretty medieval town.
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Apr 08, 2010 9:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 8/4
Getting even more sinister - especially with Jose's rucksack - what does he have in there?


(Must admit, regretably, that my first thoughts on seeing

Quote:
“My, that’s a big one,”


had absolutely nothing to do with the story. Sorry. :oops: )
Author:  di [ Thu Apr 08, 2010 10:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 8/4
A lull before the storm, I wonder? and, like Lesley, I would like to know what Jose has in his rucksack.

Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  MaryR [ Thu Apr 08, 2010 5:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 8/4
Just caught up with all the latest episodes, and have fingers crossed that Hilda, Jack and Bruno arrive SOON!!!!! It is indeed all getting very sinister. :bawling:

Thanks, Cryst
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Apr 08, 2010 6:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 8/4
Definitely getting sinister!
Author:  shazwales [ Fri Apr 09, 2010 3:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 8/4
Thanks Cryst you've got me very worried now :!:
Author:  Cryst [ Fri Apr 09, 2010 9:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 8/4
Does Hilda drive??? Guessing she does ...

It had been a long journey. They had shared the driving, with Jack taking the lion’s share, so both had managed to doze at times. Driven by their concern they had pressed on, with only brief breaks to stretch their legs and share the provisions that Hilda had packed. It was around noon as they arrived in the outskirts of Hamelin and made their way to the Gasthaus. They explained to Herr Knauss, on duty at Reception, who they were and after consulting his ledgers he confirmed that he would be able to accommodate them, as he had a double room vacant which Jack and Joey could share, with Hilda moving into Joey’s single. He looked warily at the large dog at Jack’s side. “And the dog, Herr Doktor? We do not allow them in the bedrooms. Would you like me to find kennels for him?”

“No that will be fine, thank you, he will quite comfortable sleeping in the car. Now, would you tell me where the group has gone today, please? We would like to join them as soon as possible.”

Herr Knauss looked down, not meeting Jack’s eyes. “Er, I believe they have gone for a ramble. They will be back later this afternoon.” He glanced at Hilda, “Would you perhaps like to take a bath and have some lunch? You must be tired after your long journey, and you will be able to meet up with your friends tonight.”

Hilda replied icily, “We have already eaten, thank you, and would welcome a walk in the fresh air after being cooped up in the car. If you could just tell us their route, we will walk to meet them.”

Herr Knauss glanced up at the clock on the wall behind him, and once again looked down, “I am very sorry, but I do not know which way they were going.”

“Oh?” Hilda was instantly alert. “That is most unusual. Our staff have clear instructions that their walking routes are to be recorded in case of some accident or emergency. I cannot imagine that Mrs Maynard would have omitted to do this. Perhaps you could check with other staff?”

“I will ask my wife, certainly, but I am sure that no information was left.” He went through into the back room, and Jack and Hilda could hear that an urgent whispered conversation was taking place, before Herr Knauss returned.

“Regrettably, it is as I thought. They did not leave the information with my wife either. Can we perhaps offer you some refreshment while you wait?”

“No, thank you. Would you say they were equipped for a mountain walk, or would they have been going along the river or about the town?”

“I am not sure.”

“Well, what are the more popular walking routes?”

Herr Knauss scratched his head. “There are so many beautiful walks and sights. They could have gone in any direction.”

“I see.” Hilda was not impressed. “Then please will you give us a map and we will work it out for ourselves.”

He shrugged, and looked helpless. “We have nothing suitable.” He glanced again at the clock. “But there is an information office in the Town Hall. Perhaps I could give you directions to there?”

Hilda and Jack could see no alternative, listened with growing impatience as Herr Knauss gave a tortuously slow explanation, and eventually got on their way.

Once outside Jack voiced his suspicions. “That was very strange. I don’t believe they didn’t know which route the girls have taken, and I think he was deliberately trying to delay us.”

“Yes,” Hilda agreed grimly, “He kept looking at the clock. Whatever is going on here, I get the impression that time is of the essence.” She slipped the lead onto Bruno and set off briskly. “Well, we have no choice – we have to get hold of a map, check out the most likely walking routes and have a stab at finding them.”
Author:  Joanne [ Fri Apr 09, 2010 10:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 9/4
I have been reading this avidly and am completely hooked! I do hope Jack and Hilda take the right path and find them soon.

Thanks for a great story.
Author:  di [ Fri Apr 09, 2010 10:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 9/4
Oh dear, they're all in on it aren't they! Just as well Jack and Hilda have Bruno with them- he'll certainly be able to track his beloved mistress.
thanks, Cryst.
Author:  Emma A [ Fri Apr 09, 2010 1:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 9/4
Gosh, this is nailbiting stuff, Cryst!
Author:  Lesley [ Fri Apr 09, 2010 2:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 9/4
Definitely trying to delay them - Bruno will be able to track Joey, won't he??? :shock:
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Apr 09, 2010 3:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 9/4
Well, it's time Bruno did something more useful than leaping all over people!
Author:  Cryst [ Fri Apr 09, 2010 6:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Part 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, updated 9/4
Oh, all right then ...

As things turned out they had no need of a map. As they made their way towards the Town Hall they passed a footpath leading off the road between two houses. Here Bruno stopped dead in his tracks and refused to budge.

“What’s up old thing? Not like you to be so disobedient.”

Bruno replied to Jack with a loud “woof”, sniffed the ground, and strained towards the footpath, almost managing to drag Hilda along.

“It rather looks as if he wants to go that way, Hilda. Do you think he could be following their scent?

“Well, it’s the best lead we have, so we might as well go with it,” replied Hilda. She read the signpost, “Koppelberg Hill … isn’t that where ….?”

“It is indeed,” replied Jack, “and, as they are exploring all the sights associated with the legend, that would explain why they have taken that route. Let’s just hope the path is safely roped off - we wouldn’t want them falling off the cliff, or otherwise coming to any harm.”

Giving Bruno his head they set off again, travelling at the punishing pace set by the straining dog.
Author:  Joanne [ Fri Apr 09, 2010 6:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, update *2 9/4
I'd forgotten about Bruno. Thank goodness he is there. And thank you for another update so soon.
:)
Author:  ammonite [ Fri Apr 09, 2010 6:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, update *2 9/4
Just read all the way through this and it's good. Go Bruno! :D
Author:  di [ Sat Apr 10, 2010 10:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, update *2 9/4
Well done, Bruno!! Is Jack suggesting that people have fallen from this path? I can't imagine Jose pushing them ALL off the cliff!
Thanks, Cryst.
Author:  Cryst [ Sat Apr 10, 2010 4:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, update *2 9/4
Hepsy gave a contented sigh and packed up the various wrappers, now empty, which had contained her packed lunch. “Absolutely delicious, I can hardly move,” she declared to Mary Lou who, similarly afflicted, nodded and replied, “I could do with another drink to round it off, though. We’d better go round with the bottles and flasks and top everyone up?”

“Yes, I suppose so”, agreed Hepsy, starting to heave herself to her feet.

“No need,” chirped a voice behind them, “I’ve just set Verity and Blossom onto the task, and I’ve brought over some coffee for you two.” As she poured it out she continued, “José and I have been chatting and we think everyone could do with a bit of a sit down to let their lunch go down before we let them go charging off exploring for caves. So we thought, as you two look so contented, we’d leave you here and take the girls a little way off and have a bit of a sing song. Keep them occupied, you know, but not rushing around. And José is so well prepared - you’ll never guess what he’s got in that rucksack of his.” She paused expectantly.

“Well it’s big enough,” commented Mary Lou, “go on, Joey, put us out of our misery, what has he brought with him?”

“No, you’ll have to guess, or wait and see,” she laughed, tripping merrily back up the hill towards José.

“Ah well, whatever it is, I think they’ll all be quite safe for a while,” Hepsy commented, blissfully easing herself back into her sunny spot and closing her eyes. “After all, a few folk songs never did anyone any harm.”
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Apr 10, 2010 4:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, update *2 9/4
Cryst wrote:
“Ah well, whatever it is, I think they’ll all be quite safe for a while,” Hepsy commented, blissfully easing herself back into her sunny spot and closing her eyes. “After all, a few folk songs never did anyone any harm.”



Somehow think Hepsy is 100% wrong here.... :shock:



Thanks Cryst
Author:  PaulineS [ Sat Apr 10, 2010 6:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, update 10/4
What has Jose put in their food or drink? It seems strange that is just the two of them who are reluctant to move.
Author:  Cryst [ Sat Apr 10, 2010 9:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, update 10/4
Hilda and Jack were making good time up the mountain path, when suddenly Bruno stopped dead in his tracks, pricked up his ears, and howled. He suddenly gave a great lurch forward, pulling the lead clean out of Hilda’s hand and, leaving the path, raced off up the mountainside.

“Bruno, come back, sir,” bellowed Jack, to no avail. The dog did not as much as glance backwards.

“Damn and blast,” said Jack, “he must have heard something and has gone tearing off to find Joey. Let’s hope we don’t get lost without him.”

“Yes,” Hilda agreed, “there’s not much we can do, to be honest, except follow the path and hope they haven’t left it. If we do that, we should come upon them soon enough.”
Author:  keren [ Sat Apr 10, 2010 10:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, update *2 10/4
2 drabbles with cliffs!

I can't bear it

Obviously now Jose will make his move, and those 2 have been left behind and he has seen they are not under his influence
Author:  Alison H [ Sat Apr 10, 2010 10:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, update *2 10/4
Um, what legend? & where has Bruno gone?
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Apr 11, 2010 5:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, update *2 10/4
Go Bruno! :shock:
Author:  di [ Sun Apr 11, 2010 9:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, update *2 10/4
I so hope Bruno can reach them before Jose can put his plan in to action. I wonder what is in his rucksack that has Joey in awe of his advanced planning. I reckon it's a flute of sorts and that Jose will lead the girls off up the mountain just as the Pied Piper led the children out of Hamlin, never to be seen again! :devil:
Thanks, Cryst, for 2 updates and please don't leave on this particular cliff for too long or Bruno will sweep us off in his dash to find his mistress! :lol:
Author:  Cryst [ Sun Apr 11, 2010 10:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, update *2 10/4
As Hepsy dozed, Mary Lou stayed slightly more alert. There were no huge alarm bells ringing for her, just a vague sense of unease. She listened with half an ear as the girls ran through the usual repertoire for these occasions – rounds such as “Three Blind Mice” and “London’s Burning” and traditional songs like “My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean”, and “Greensleeves”.

After ten minutes or so, she became aware that the voices were not the only music she was hearing – an accompaniment had joined them. Idly she tried to place the sound, eventually coming to the conclusion that it was a flute. “Of course,” she said to the oblivious Hepsy, “he had his flute in the rucksack. What a very strange man he is.”

“Urgh?” Hepsy replied, and promptly went back to sleep.

José decided to seize his moment. Mary Lou was some way off, not susceptible to the enchantment, and so with a bit of luck he would be able to spare her. He would have to take the irritating woman, but figured that if she was unusable for the breeding programme, the Kin could easily deal with her as a Returned One.

What Mary Lou noticed next was a subtle change in the tone of the flute, which had started to play solo. Three soft sweet notes rang out followed by a hauntingly beautiful melody. She sat up and turned around. What she saw made her hair stand on end, and she leapt to her feet and started racing up the hill, giving Hepsy a sharp kick and yelling as she went. “Wake up, we must stop them.”

José had risen to his feet, and was gradually transfiguring into a tall figure in medieval dress:

His queer long coat from heel to head
Was half of yellow and half of red,
And he himself was tall and thin,
With sharp blue eyes, each like a pin,
And light loose hair, yet swarthy skin
No tuft on cheek nor beard on chin,
But lips where smile went out and in;

The girls and Joey had risen to their feet also, and as José walked towards the mountainside, they followed, completely enrapatured:

Tripping and skipping, ran merrily after
The wonderful music with shouting and laughter.

When, lo, as they reached the mountain-side,
A wondrous portal opened wide,
As if a cavern was suddenly hollowed;
And the Piper advanced and the children followed,

By this time Mary Lou, racing as fast as she could, had almost caught up with them. Hepsy was a few paces behind, and stumbled as an enormous brown and white creature raced past her, knocking her off balance. “Bruno?” she breathed, looking up to see Mary Lou jump through the great portal into the mountain, closely followed by Bruno. The great stone wall rumbled closed and shut fast behind them and Hepsy was left at the foot of the great cliff, unable to find so much as a chink of a tunnel that would allow her to follow them.

She stood back and gazed upwards in amazement, and took her head in her hands.

“SHIT!”, she declared loudly to herself. Then, turning round, she saw Hilda and Jack in the distance rushing up the path towards her. Instantly she realised the she would have some difficult explaining to do. The Spanish teacher who changed into the Pied Piper; two whole classes of girls swallowed up by the mountain, along with Joey and her dog. Who was going to believe this?

“Shit!” she repeated, “shit, shit, shit, shit, SHIT!”

THE END
Author:  Lyanne [ Sun Apr 11, 2010 10:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, finished 11/4
NOT the end surely!!! And did Jack and Hlda see enough to help them believe?
Author:  di [ Sun Apr 11, 2010 11:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, finished 11/4
Ohh, this can't be the end, surely. :( How is Bruno going to get back to Jack with the rescued party, what will Mary-Lou do now she is with them? Too many unanswered questions, I'll just have to get the old imagination going! :banghead: :lol:
Thanks, [I think] Cryst.
Author:  ammonite [ Sun Apr 11, 2010 1:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, finished 11/4
What that can't be the end? :shock:

Thanks for the update Cryst. What will Hepsy do?
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Apr 11, 2010 2:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, finished 11/4
Love it! Especially Hepsy's reaction. :lol: Will we be getting a sequel soon?
Author:  shazwales [ Sun Apr 11, 2010 4:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, finished 11/4
Thanks Cryst :) Any chance of a sequel if we ask nicely?
Author:  cal562301 [ Sun Apr 11, 2010 4:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, finished 11/4
Loved this, but you can't possibly leave it there, can you? :shock:

*joins demands for a sequel*
Author:  Elbee [ Sun Apr 11, 2010 5:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, finished 11/4
That was an unexpected ending :lol:

Thanks, Cryst, I've found this very exciting!
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Apr 11, 2010 5:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, finished 11/4
*Also joining demands for a sequel.*
Author:  RuthFL [ Sun Apr 11, 2010 8:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, finished 11/4
Alison H wrote:
*Also joining demands for a sequel.*

Joining the queue...
Author:  Pat [ Sun Apr 11, 2010 8:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, finished 11/4
It seems a bit mean to end it there, but of course, that's what happened before, isn't it? They were never seen again!
Author:  Emma A [ Mon Apr 12, 2010 9:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, finished 11/4
Yikes! I never expected this! :shock:

Thanks, Cryst (I think).
Author:  thefrau46 [ Tue May 18, 2010 5:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pt 3 - The CS, Specialist Languages College, finished 11/4
I discovered this a few days ago and have been reading through it (including the other parts) since then. I still have another 10 pages or so to go. Please don't let this disappear into the archives for another few days. Thanks very much!
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