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Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=4506
Author:  Abi [ Thu May 08, 2008 3:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
This is set during Mary-Lou, which I think is vaguely the right era. If not it's too late now! I couldn't imagine a story about Veronica that wasn't written in her voice, so I have made the attempt and apologise for deficiencies in this area (is that how you spell deficiencies??)



It was a warm September day, exactly fourteen months after that awful July when I left London, bound for the Darkest North. I was in another train, not haring towards Northumbria, which I had grown to love, with its wild moors and dry stone walls, but rushing across Europe through scenery of every kind, with every second taking me further from the Wells.

But I'm starting in the middle of the story. All this began with Lady Blantosh's Bring and Buy sale in the summer (which should have been a garden fete, but couldn't be, owing to the weather). Madame Viret had miraculously turned up and I was sure that the Wells was looming nearer every second. But just when I was feeling so deliriously happy, actually things were already starting to go wrong for me.

You see, Madame wasn't the only one of Lady Blantosh's old friends to be at the Bring and Buy sale. There was another who, unluckily for me, was all of the things that Aunt June seems to think so important - rich, well-connected and with all sorts of famous and noble ancestors. Unfortunately, she didn't approve of people Going on The Stage, as Aunt June put it later. I don't know what she said to Aunt June, but though Madame spent simply ages trying to convince her (I know this because Aunt June spent at least ten minutes complaining about it on the way home in the car), by that time Aunt June had it firmly fixed in her mind that she may as well send me straight to the gutter as to Sadler's Wells.

"But Aunt June!" I wailed, "the Wells is frightfull respectable, honestly it is. Mrs. Crapper could easily look after me, and you have to carry on studying dull things like history and literature, and they hardly let you talk to the boys. It's hard work and - "

"That's enough, Veronica," she said coldly. "No niece of mine is going on the stage. You may as well put the whole idea out of your mind."

"But it's my career!" I cried, tears pricking at my eyelids. "I'd - I'd die if I stopped dancing! I can't!" If we hadn't been in the smooth, palatian Rolls I would have stamped my foot in frustration.

"Really, Veronica," put in Fiona in her most superior and exasperating tone. "You couldn't expect Mummy to let you go on the stage, just like that. Stage people are terribly vulgar - "

"How dare you?" I shrieked, and only concern for the snowy tutu in my lap stopped me from pulling the hair right out of her beastly head. "How dare you call Madame vulgar? She isn't! She's - she's just - just l-lovely!" And I burst into tears.

In the end, of course, I had to give in. Aunt June refused to listen to a word I said and shut Caroline up if she so much as mentioned it. Of course she wouldn't have dreamed of listening to Sebastian, and I could tell Fiona was only too glad to see my hopes and dreams come crashing to the ground.

Certainly Fiona was the only one who was happy three weeks later when Aunt June came into the schoolroom to tell us we would all be going to boarding school next term.

"Even Veronica?" she asked nastily, while Caroline and I stood there, aghast.

"Yes, Veronica too," said Aunt June firmly, and I felt sure she really meant "especially Veronica" because she was afraid I might get ideas about somehow carrying on dancing. My heart plummeted to my shoes. How could you dance at boarding school?

"Which school is it?" Fiona demanded.

Aunt June explained that it was an English school in Switzerland, called the Chalet School and added that Lady Blantosh's revolting friend's niece had been there, as though this was an added temptation. Why, as Sebastian said later, couldn't the awful old hag keep her nose out of other folks' business?

"Please don't look like that," Caroline begged after Aunt June had left us to discuss the news. "Mummy doesn't mean to be beastly about your dancing. She just doesn't understand."

"But Switzerland," I moaned, sick with misery. It was all very well, I felt, for Caroline to stick up for her mother, but I could never, never forgive Aunt June for ruining my life like this.

"I know," she said gently. "I don't want to go either."

Fiona gave a loud sniff.

"Well, I shall enjoy it even if you two won't," she said. "I don't know wha5 you want to stick around in this one-eyed place for. The Chalet School is a very expensive school, and they've got a finishing branch. I expect Mummy'll send me there afterwards, as I'm to go to a finishing school anyway."

"Let's hope they finish you off properly, then," observed Sebastian who had come in just as Aunt June left. "Buck up, Veronica," he said, turning to me. "Something'll turn up, you'll see. And till it does you'll just have to blooming well slave at your dancing."

"You wouldn't say that if it was you and - and other things," I retorted, remembering just in time that no-one was supposed to know about Sebastian's music. "And what if something doesn't turn up?" I added, tears pouring down my face again. "What if I have to stay there years and years? I'll get into bad habits and no company will ever take me. I won't be learning anything new. I'll never get into the Wells, and I may as well just give up dancing now," I sobbed.

"Enough melodrama!" announced Sebastian sternly. "We'll persuade Aunt June in time. If the worst comes to the worst you can always try running away again."

Despite my misery, a choked giggle escaped me at this.

"Again?" said Fiona, looking from Sebastian to me and back again. "When has Veronic run away before?"

"Ask me no questions, lady, and I'll tell you no lies," grinned Sebastian, winking at me. Fiona stared at him for a moment, then her lip curled scornfully.

"I bet you don't know a thing really. You're just talking rubbish as usual," she snapped, and flung out of the room.

Anyway, a few weeks later and here I was, racing towards Switzerland with two pairs of pointe shoes in my nightcase and a dull ache at my heart. I suspected Aunt June was rather glad she wouldn't have to endure any more sulks or tantrums. I'll admit I hadn't behaved very well during the last few weeks.

The escort mistress (whose name couldn't remember and didn't care about much, anyway) had found our names on a clipboard and told us to wait a moment. She had come back with three girls and handed Fiona and me over to a couple called Hilary Bennet and Vi Lucy, then sent Caroline off with a younger girl.

"But... won't we be going together?" I faltered. The mistress explained that girls usually travelled with those whose form they would be in. It made sense, of course, but I couldn't help feeling that my last friend was being torn away from me. I couldn't imagine Fiona being much comfort. As though she had read my mind, Fiona interrupted.

"Of course Caroline wouldn't be with us," she said disdainfully. "Honestly, Veronica, do you ever think at all?"

"Pots and kettles," murmured Sebastian, as though to himself. Fiona glared at him.

"Do you mean me?" she demanded.

"If the cap fits, it's all yours," drawled Sebastian with a grin. Fiona scowled and turned her back on him. Sebastian started to lug a package out of his pocket.

"Here you are, Veronica," he said as he dragged it free. "Might come in useful in Darkest Switzerland, what?" He struck a pose, but before he could say any more I flung my arms around him.

"Oh, thank you, Sebastian. They're wonderful!" I cried. I didn't need to unwrap the package to know what it contained. I could feel the smooth satin under my fingers: a new pair of pointe shoes. I knew that he wouldn't say it while Aunt June and Fiona were there, but he meant, "something'll turn up".

Cheered slightly by the gift, I managed to avoid the disgrace of tears as I climbed into the crowded compartment, but as the long train ground into life beneath me I couldn't help remembering that it was taking me away from everything that had ever meant anything to me in my life.
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Thu May 08, 2008 3:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
A very promising start, Abi - Veronica was always my favourite 'Wells' character - probably because she was the first one I read about - and it will be interesting to see her at the Chalet School. Will look forward to reading more of this.
Author:  Liz K [ Thu May 08, 2008 3:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ooohhh this looks good; considering Felicity took ballet lessons and how allowances were made for Margia Stevens and Nina Rutherford.............
Author:  Róisín [ Thu May 08, 2008 3:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh hurrah!!! This looks fantastic - you've caught Lorna Hill's tone absolutely. Can't wait to see what happens. Thank you :D
Author:  Alison H [ Thu May 08, 2008 3:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
Liz K wrote:
Ooohhh this looks good; considering Felicity took ballet lessons and how allowances were made for Margia Stevens and Nina Rutherford.............


I always thought (I have trouble distinguishing fact from fiction and fiction from other fiction!) that the Rutherfords might know the Scotts, with them coming from the same neck of the woods!

This looks great, Abi :D .
Author:  Jenefer [ Thu May 08, 2008 5:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
This looks good. I have only read the Patience and Marjorie books not the ballet books.
Any chance of Guy making an appearance?
Author:  PaulineS [ Thu May 08, 2008 5:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
Pity they were both given a member of the gang as sheepdogs during the journey. But a EBD touch, the rest is true to lorna Hill. I like the look of this.
Author:  Rosalin [ Thu May 08, 2008 6:43 pm ]
Post subject: 
This is bringing back vague memories of reading Lorna Hill while I was going through a ballet phase. I think the only one I still have is Principal Role *goes off to look on ebay.*

Thanks Abi, looking forward to seeing how this develops.
Author:  Sarah_G-G [ Thu May 08, 2008 8:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ooh, this looks interesting! I've always had a soft spot for the Wells' books and the characters sound just as I remember them. Looking foward to more... :)
Author:  abbeygirl [ Thu May 08, 2008 10:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
This is just so Veronica! It was always one of my favourite ballet series as a child - and I still have them!

Looking forward to seeing how this goes - can't see Fiona having too good a time!

Thanks
Author:  abbeybufo [ Thu May 08, 2008 10:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Abi this is a great start :D
Author:  Miss Di [ Fri May 09, 2008 3:23 am ]
Post subject: 
A great beginning Abi. Fiona sounds just like Fiona the horrible *itch that she is. Look forward to an update (ballet is so much less stressful than spies)
Author:  Ruth B [ Fri May 09, 2008 9:49 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Abi, this looks like a great beginning.

Allowances were made for Nina and Margia, but that was because their parents/guardians were supportive (sort of in the Rutherford's case). If Aunt June doesn't want Veronica to dance, will she be allowed to?

Looking forward to Fiona being taken down 50 pegs or so by the Gang!
Author:  Elle [ Fri May 09, 2008 10:28 am ]
Post subject: 
Brilliant Abi! It even 'sounds' like Lorna Hill if you get my drift. I love the 'Wells' books so I am really looking forwards to see how this pans out.


*ponders - is it too soon to ask for an update?*
Author:  Emma A [ Fri May 09, 2008 2:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
This is a fantastic start, Abi. Who's Lady Blantosh's CS pal whose niece was at the school? Can't have been Lady Russell, which was my first thought...
Author:  abbeybufo [ Fri May 09, 2008 2:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
I wondered if it was Nina Rutherford's aunt? [but of course it could be Annis's :lol: ]
Author:  Mrs Redboots [ Fri May 09, 2008 7:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
This is lovely - I don't know Lorna Hill's work (I have, of course, heard of her, but haven't, to my knowledge, read any), but you have very much "got" the style of many authors of that era.

Looking forward to more!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Fri May 09, 2008 9:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
Wonderful. I love the Sadler Wells series. Am wondering who is Lady Blantiosh's friend?
Author:  Sunflower [ Sun May 11, 2008 3:00 am ]
Post subject: 
Fantastic! Loved the Wells series, so cant wait to see more. Thank you.
Author:  Dawn [ Wed May 14, 2008 8:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
Really looking forward to lots more of this - thankyou :D
Author:  Abi [ Tue May 20, 2008 2:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
Sorry about the delay in posting this - my organisational skills are unfortunately rudimentary.

Veronica's definitely my favourite character, though I like all the Scotts, but after the first four or so books I find the heroines get a bit weak and pathetic - Veronica has a bit more character to her!




By breakfast next morning my head was spinning - not so much with anything that had happened, but with the speed it had happened at! What with having to have the quickest bath of my life, making my bed exactly the right way (it seemed that dire consequences fell on your head if you failed in this duty) and making sure my stockings were on straight, I hadn't much time to attend to anyone else. Fiona and I were in the same dormitory but I barely had time to yell 'good morning' to her as I rushed down the dormitory behind Vi on our way to the bathrooms. When we lined up at the door to go downstairs, however, I couldn't help but notice that Fiona was looking her most haughty while Hilary, her 'sheepdog' (why do schools always have weird names for things?), was rather flushed. I wondered what Fiona had been saying but decided it was best to let sleeping dogs lie.

As we sat down I spotted Caroline a few tables away and we grinned at each other.

"Is that your sister?" queried Vi, who so far hadn't left my side, though, since we were in the same dormitory and next to one another at table, she hadn't really had much chance to do so.

"It's my cousin, Caroline Scott," I explained. "She's Fiona's sister and I've lived with them ever since Daddy died."

"Oh, I see," said Vi, her eyes going briefly to Fiona, who was squashing all poor Hilary's attempts to talk to her. "Didn't Willy - sorry, Miss Wilmot, I mean - say she was to be in IVA?" She pulled a face. "You won't see much of her in that case. Seniors and Middles don't mix much, as a rule."

"Don't they?" I said gloomily. The breakfast wasn't bad - not at all English, and certainly nothing like Trixie's glorious North Country spreads. But I couldn't help thinking of the breakfast I might have been having if Aunt June had let me audition for the Wells - and I'd got in, of course! Kipper, most likely, as this was Mrs. Crapper's idea of a sustaining breakfast. I imagined myself amid the morning rush on the Tube, getting out at Baron's Court, which is the nearest station to Colet Gardens where the Wells School is...

"Veronica!" I heard loudly in my ear, and looked round to see Vi grinning at me.

"Oh, sorry," I said. "I didn't realise you were talking to me."

"I was yelling at you for ages," said Vi. "What on earth were you thinking about?"

"Oh, Veronica's always hanging about and dreaming," came Fiona's supercilious tones. "Some ballet, I suppose."

"Are you keen on ballet?" asked Vi, turning back to me without answering Fiona.

"I want to be a dancer," I said flatly. "If I hadn't had to come here, I would have auditioned for the Sadler's Wells Ballet School." For all the world I couldn't keep a note of bitterness out of my voice.

"Gosh!" said Vi, sounding impressed. Then she added, a bit doubtfully, "didn't you want to come here, then?"

I was silent for a moment. How did you explain to someone who didn't seem to know the first thing about ballet just what it meant to even get an audition at the Wells, let alone actually get in there, just how little an ordinary school - however good - could possibly compare, just how terrifying and horrible it felt to know that I might never be allowed to have another ballet lesson. Forgetting I hadn't answered Vi's question, I turned to her and asked,

"Can you have ballet lessons here?"

"Why, yes, it's one of the extras," said Vi, looking surprised. I could almost see the words 'it's all in the prospectus' in a little though bubble coming out of her head. Well, if it was I wouldn't have seen it since I had flatly refused to look at the prospectus.

"It's mostly kids who learn, I believe," Vi was continuing, "But there are a few Senior Middles and one or two Seniors."

She turned away to answer a girl sitting at the other end of the table and I was left to determine that somehow, by hook or by crook, I was going to make sure I got some ballet lessons.


ETA: Accidentally had Miss Ferrars, who isn't actually at the school yet :?
Author:  PaulineS [ Tue May 20, 2008 3:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
Good to see more. I hope Veronica can have ballet lessons.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue May 20, 2008 4:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
This sounds just like Veronica in the books!
Author:  Emma A [ Tue May 20, 2008 6:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh excellent, Abi - a shiny update. You've got Veronica's tone down beautifully (and her dreaminess, too). Hope she manages to have some ballet lessons, and doesn't let Fiona annoy her too much.
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Tue May 20, 2008 7:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
Knowing the Chalet School's usual attitude to pupils with special talents, I think Veronica will get the ballet lessons she so desperately wants - with the usual conditions attached about good performance in the other lessons she still must take (remember Rosalie Dene's comments to Nina Rutherford in Genius?) I only hope that some way can be found, at least in the beginning, for those lessons not to count as 'extras', because I could see Veronica's aunt refusing to pay for them. And no matter what happens, Fiona isn't going to make anything easy for her, so I hope Veronica learns to ignore her behaviour as soon as she can.

Thanks, Abi
Author:  Shander [ Wed May 21, 2008 2:37 am ]
Post subject: 
I just saw this, and I want to tell you how much I'm enjoying it.
Ballet stories and Chalet School drabbles. Two of my favourite things.
I'm looking forward to more.
Author:  Miss Di [ Fri May 23, 2008 6:14 am ]
Post subject: 
This is great Abi, Veronica is just right. I hope she gets her ballet lessons and a prince falls in love with her as she dances in a gazebo on top of a mountain. Ooops, sorry, wrong book!
Author:  Elle [ Fri May 23, 2008 7:39 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Abi, this is brilliant.
Author:  JS [ Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
Two of my favourite series combined - and you've got Veronica's voice just right. Really looking forward to more.
Author:  liberty [ Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:52 am ]
Post subject: 
I'm really looking forward to this. It's great! It's made me go back and re-read my Lorna Hill books
Author:  Abi [ Tue Jun 17, 2008 3:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
Many apologies for the long delay - RL is such a bummer sometimes! Thanks for all the comments.



There weren't any lessons the first day, which was devoted instead to all those beginning-of-termish things like unpacking and copying out timetables. Our form mistress was Miss O'Ryan, who seemed very nice. I tried to imagine Miss Stanley, my form mistress at the Newcastle day school, chatting away like that, and failed completely. Evidently the Chalet School was a very different sort of place!

About halfway through the morning the new girls - there was one other besides Fiona and me, a bad-tempered looking girl called Jessica Wayne - were taken down to the study to be given our timetables.

"Golly," I exclaimed after a few minutes of walking down corridors which all looked the same as far as I could tell, "I'll never find my way around here."

Vi laughed - she, by the way, had been made second form prefect, and was taking us to th study as the girl who was Head hadn't come back yet.

"You should have been here this time last year," she said. "We'd only just come out from England and no-one knew where they were going for the first few weeks. Honestly, it was awful."

"It sounds it," I said. We rounded the final corner and there was Caroline outside the office door with a couple of other girls. She looked round as we came up.

"Hullo, Veronica! How are you getting on?"

Vi discreetly went to talk to someone else, leaving Caroline, Fiona and me be ourselves.

"It's all right, I suppose," I said unenthusiastically. Then, seeing Caroline's face had fallen, I added, "It's just that I can't help remembering I might have been at the Wells this very minute. If it weren't for that..." I shrugged.

"Well, I do think they might at least let you have hot baths," burst out Fiona. "It's ridiculous to say we can only have them cold. Really, the amount our people are paying for us to come here, we ought to be allowed to do as we like about that sort of thing."

Caroline and I exchanged exasperated glances.

"All schools have rules, Fiona," said Caroline tartly. "Surely you didn't expect to be able to get up at nine o'clock as you do at home sometimes?"

"Of course not," snapped Fiona. "But I did expect a bit of comfort, at least."

"You mean you want to have everything done for you," corrected Caroline. I felt that she was probably right. Fiona was the sort of person who would throw a blouse on the floor just because she knew Trixie would pick it up for her.

"There's nothing wrong with being able to pay for service," Fiona said loftily.

"Well, Sebastian says people who do lose the use of their arms and legs. He thinks you should do things for yourself even if you can afford not to."

"He only says that because Uncle Adrian can't afford to," said Fiona nastily, and she stalked off to join Jessica Wayne, who was slouched against the wall looking as though she wanted to put her fist through it. Caroline rolled her eyes.

"I hope there's someone in your form who can take Fiona down a peg or two," she said. I grinned suddenly, remembering Hilary's flushed face that morning.

"I think she's been putting their backs up already."

"Hm. Sebastian's the - " Caroline broke off as the door opened behind her and a girl came out.

"Fiona Scott, you're to go in next," she said. A moment later the girl Vi had been talking to (Jo Scott, as I learned later, Head of Caroline's form) gathered the others together and shooed them off like a little flock of geese. Settling down to wait for my own turn, I hoped there would be someone in Vb who would be as successful as Sebastian at squashing Fiona.
Author:  jilianb [ Tue Jun 17, 2008 6:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
Can't wait to see Fiona's reaction to Mary-Lou when she arrives.
Author:  PaulineS [ Tue Jun 17, 2008 7:19 pm ]
Post subject: 
Fiona and May Lou is something to look forward to. Hope Veronic can find some opportunites to do ballet.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
Another one who's looking forward to seeing Fiona clash with Mary-Lou!
Author:  Liz K [ Wed Jun 18, 2008 6:32 am ]
Post subject: 
Ooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh yes, Fiona and Mary-Lou, what a combination.
Author:  Elle [ Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:39 am ]
Post subject: 
What a shame Sebastian can't go to the Chalet School also!


Thanks for the update, I am really enjoying this.
Author:  Liz K [ Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
Elle wrote:
What a shame Sebastian can't go to the Chalet School also!


Thanks for the update, I am really enjoying this.



:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

That would be a turn-up for the books!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wonder what Mary-Lou would make of HIM. Especially after the CS's experiences of Joan.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for this. Loved the update
Author:  Miss Di [ Thu Jun 19, 2008 4:57 am ]
Post subject: 
Another one here longing to see the confrontation between OOAO and Fiona.
Author:  shazwales [ Sat Jun 21, 2008 10:18 am ]
Post subject: 
Only just found this,it's lovely I used to collect the 'Sadlers Wells' books and look forward to see how the girls get on in the CS especially Fiona as I couldn't stand her.
Looking forward to the next instalment soon please :?:
Author:  Abi [ Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:43 pm ]
Post subject: 
Just a short little bit here...


Fiona sent me into the office and stood back against the wall with rather red cheeks. Miss Dene, the school secretary, was a very efficient looking person. She whipped out a large sheet of paper which turned out to be my timetable and started to explain carious things to me. I was to have extra coaching in French and German, which didn't surprise me since I knew that they were spoken two days a week - two days each, that is! Aunt June had been frightfully thrilled with the idea - I think she liked the idea of us all being able to jabber away in French. I could imagine her explaining to someone she wanted to impress -

"Oh, yes, Lady Blantosh, I feel it's so important these days for girls to be well educated. Yes, Fiona and Caroline (and dear Veronica, of course!) speak French and German beautifully..."

Miss Dene seemed a little doubtful as to the advisibility of my taking Art, having read Miss Lishman's comment on my "extraordinary" drawing. So I explained, as I had done to Aunt June, about our painting on the walls, and how Jonathan used to let me paint on the backs of his canvasses.

"Jonathan?" echoed Miss Dene, confused.

"Oh, Jonathan Rosenbaum - he was Daddy's friend," I said, but before I could say any more she interrupted,

"Jonathan Rosenbaum - the painter?"

"Why, yes, I suppose so," I admitted. It always gave me a twinge of surprise when anyone had heard of Jonathan, though a lot of people had. "He's exhibited in the Royal Academy, but he says it's all full of stuffed shirts - he loathes it, really."

Miss Dene gave me an odd sort of look and marked off Art without any further comment. Trying to read the timetable upside down all this time, a terrible suspicion had been growing on me.

"Miss Dene," I burst out. "Aren't I to have any ballet lessons?"

"Ballet, dear?" With one of those patient looks on her face that grown-ups get when they think you're being particularly troublesome, she opened a filing drawer, fished around in it for a moment, then extracted a letter, which she scanned quickly.

"No," she said finally. "Fiona and Caroline are to learn dancing - you're just down for piano, my dear."
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Jul 03, 2008 4:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh no! Please tell me that they're going to get some super-brilliant Swiss friend of Madame Wakulski-Viret (or whatever her name was!)'s to come and teach Veronica ballet!

This sounds so like Veronica "speaking", Abi - it's wonderful!
Author:  Emma A [ Thu Jul 03, 2008 6:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Veronica - that just sounds like Aunt June being unpleasant because she can. Hope Veronica manages to get some ballet anyway.

Thanks, Abi.
Author:  Elle [ Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:17 am ]
Post subject: 
I am another who is looking forwards to a Mary-Lou/ Fiona showdown.

Thanks for the update Abi.
Author:  Miss Di [ Sun Jul 06, 2008 8:03 am ]
Post subject: 
Not fair! If Caro and Fiona are to take dancing then Veronica should be allowed to too.
Author:  Abi [ Tue Jul 08, 2008 3:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
It ended with Miss Dene writing to Aunt June to ask her to let me have ballet lessons. I think she thought this was the quickest way of getting rid of me, since I obviously wasn't going to go away until she'd done something, and I suppose she must have had a lot to do if she had to see every single new girl that day. Anyway, I certainly wasn't going to trust the issue to chance and I knew Aunt June would need more inducement than a mere polite letter from the school secretary to change her mind.

By the time we returned to the common room that afternoon I had mapped out most of the letter in my head. This is what I wrote:

"Dear Aunt June,
"I expect you've had the postcard to say we've arrived safely by now. We have unpacked and I have just been given my new timetable. I hope you don't mind my saying so, but I am really writing to ask whether I might please, please have some dancing lessons. You see, if you don't want me to be a dancer I could at least teach dancing which would be the next best thing. (You see I had remembered how Miss Martin had used the idea of my teaching dancing as the thin end of the wedge, so to speak).
"The thing is, I've been having dancing lessons for so long that I just can't imagine life without them - and if I only have one a week I couldn't possibly become a professional dancer on them (this was an exaggeration, but I felt it was for the good of the cause!). Anyway, I don't suppose they'll be terribly good ones in an expensive school like this.
"They'd be good enough for me to become a teacher, though, and you can make an awful lot of money as a dancing teacher because people will pay simly oodles of money for theyr children to be able to prance about a bit (remembering how much Aunt June had paid for Fiona's and Caroline's lessons in Newcastle I almost struck this part out, but finally I decided it was too good an argument and that probably Aunt June wouldn't see the connection anyway).
"Miss Dene, who is the secretary, is writing to you about the lessons too - in fact I should think you'll get the letter at the same time as this one. Please, please say yes, Aunt June. I really should be awfully miserable at school if I wasn't allowed to dance at all.
"With love, Veronica.
"PS - I hope you and Uncle John are well.
"PPS - Please give my love to Trixie."

Please don't imagine that I managed to write all this without any interruptions - it took me an hour altogether! First of all Fiona cornered me to make more complaints about the school. It didn't seem to be turning out as she expected it, though why she made me her confidante I don't know - usually she disliked me as much as I did her. I suppose I was the only person available. I could see Hilary was starting to look careworn so I thought it would be a kindness to take Fiona off her hands for a while.

"Really, if I'd known I'd have to do extra French I'd never have come here," she began, sounding quite furious. "Miss Freedman said my French was exquisite."

"Maybe she wasn't a very good French teacher," I suggested mildly (though not really feeling mild at all!). "After all, she wasn't even French."

"You can't learn a proper French accent from a French person," said Fiona loftily. "I though everyone knew that."

"Whyever not?" I demanded, wishing she would go away so I could go on with my letter to Aunt June.

"Oh, I don't know, you just can't. And of course they have French people here - Mademoiselle someone-or-other. You'd think, with Mummy and Daddy paying so much money -"

"I thought it was you who wanted to come here," I snapped, losing patience.

"Maybe I did," Fiona flashed back, "but that was before I knew there would be so many stupid rules."

"There were rules at the Newcastle school," I pointed out. "You never thought they were stupid."

"That's because they weren't," she said, her voice rising. "They were just ordinary rules, not about cold baths and French and pointless things like that."

"Perhaps you just aren't as clever as you thought," I suggested, rather nastily I must admit, but honestly, Fiona really was the limit.

"At least I can do something other than wave my legs around and stand on tiptoe!" she shouted. "I'm not completely useless!" And she jumped up and dashed towards the door. As she reached it I saw Hilary hurry over from the window seat where she had been sitting with some others.

"Fiona! I say, Fiona!" She vanished through the door after Fiona.

"That new girl's more trouble than she's worth," I heard one of Hilary's companions mutter - Ruth Barnes, I think. "Doesn't she know we can't just wander round the passages willy-nilly?"

"Well, she ought to, because I heard Hilary telling her in the dormy this morning," said Lesley Malcolm. "She really is the outside edge."
Author:  Sarah_G-G [ Tue Jul 08, 2008 3:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
Yay, a new post! I'm really enjoying this- the Veronica books were my favourites of the series and this sounds just like them. Fiona's hilariously real as well! :roll:
Author:  jilianb [ Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
Brilliant, thanks for the update Abi :D :D
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
Looking forward to seeing the Gang "squashing" Fiona!
Author:  PaulineS [ Tue Jul 08, 2008 9:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the update.
Author:  ness [ Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm really enjoying this. I hope Veronica gets her ballet lessons.
Author:  Miss Di [ Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:29 am ]
Post subject: 
Abi wrote:
"
"Perhaps you just aren't as clever as you thought," I suggested, rather nastily I must admit, but honestly, Fiona really was the limit.




:lol: that's brilliant
Author:  Liz K [ Wed Jul 09, 2008 6:39 am ]
Post subject: 
Miss Di wrote:
Abi wrote:
"
"Perhaps you just aren't as clever as you thought," I suggested, rather nastily I must admit, but honestly, Fiona really was the limit.




:lol: that's brilliant



mmm mmm mmm mmmm mmmmm Go Veronica Go!
Author:  Abi [ Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the comments!

Sudden panic question: how long would letter have taken from Switzerland and back again? Suddenly realised this was actually fairly crucial :oops:
Author:  Miriam [ Sat Jul 12, 2008 9:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
I've no idea about how long it wouyld realisticaly take, but in the CS world letters sometimes seem to go very quickly. In EBD-land they seem to send and get replies within a week if it is important, so your letter could go equally quickly.

I'm not sure if the postal service actualy was more efficient then, or if it was just EBD, but it doen't really matter.
Author:  James [ Sun Jul 13, 2008 3:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
More more more! Only just seen this, and I love the earlier SW books :)
Author:  Rachel [ Sun Jul 13, 2008 5:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
Fabulous drabble Abi!

Now I need to go read Wells books again...
Author:  Elle [ Sun Jul 13, 2008 11:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
Brilliant!!!
Author:  Abi [ Wed Jul 16, 2008 8:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Miriam, and everyone for your comments. Next bit here.


Sighing, I turned to finish my letter to Aunt June, but I had only written half a dozen lines when the door burst open and Fiona and Hilary reappeared, both looking furious. The minute the door was shut, Hilary turned on Fiona.

"You might try to have little sense," she stormed. "I've already told you we aren't allowed to run around the passages whenever we want."

"I'll go wherever I want to," yelled back Fiona. "I've never been in a place where they made so much fuss about nothing!"

At this two or three of the others jumped up and started shouting at Fiona. Vi, looking horrified, climbed onto the window-seat and simply yelled at the top of her voice.

"Shut up, all of you! Just shut up!"

There was a ringing silence, in which all of the Chalet girls looked guilty and Fiona as angry as ever.

"Yes," said Vi, looking almost like a mistress except for the fact that she was still mounted on the window-seat like some preacher of hell-fire and doom, "I should jolly well think so. Do you want every mistress in the place to be down on us this early in the term? Not to mention the prees!" She said this last in tones that suggested that the prefects were second only to the Gorgon in horror - and certainly far worse than any mistress!

Vi jumped down from the window-seat and approached Hilary and Fiona, who still looked as though they were within an ace of tearing into one another like a pair of angry cats.

"What happened, Hilary?" she asked.

"Oh, nothing much, really," replied Hilary impatiently. "I was trying to persuade Fiona to come back and Willy turned up and rather tore a strip off us. I've got a double fine, too," she added gloomily.

"Rotten luck," said Vi, tucking her arm sympathetically through Hilary's. "What about you, Fiona?"

"That mistress was beastly to me," said Fiona petulantly. "Absolutely foul. Just because I'm new, she -"

"Willy hardly said a thing to you," interrupted Hilary hotly. "She thought you didn't know the rules because of being new."

"Well, how was I supposed to know?" Fiona demanded.

"Because Hilary jolly well told you," put in Lesley Malcolm. "I suppose you could have forgotten, but you might have come back when she told you just now." I remembered Fiona standing by and letting Trixie scold me for dropping my frock in the bath on my first evening at Bracken Hall when all the time she (Fiona, not Trixie!) had thrown it in herself, and thought that Lesley might be asking for the impossible.

"I think you're all a lot of beasts," burst out Fiona. She didn't dare rush dramatically from the room as she had done before and instead stamped across to the opposite side of the room and flung herself into a basket chair next to Jessica Wayne, who was determinedly reading and was the only person in the room who hadn't taken an interest in the row.

I sighed again and turned back to my letter. I don't suppose they'll be terribly good ones in an expensive school like this was what I had just written. I stared down at the letter, trying to recapture my train of thought and not to wonder how difficult Fiona was going to make school life. I glanced over at her. She still looked as though she was in a towering rage, I thought. Once when in this sort of mood she had emptied a tin of creosote over a riding saddle (which had been marked out for my use) and another time she had daubed painted faces on Madame's precious pointe shoes which she had given me when I left London. Well, she probably wouldn't dare do anything lile that here - and if she did, I didn't doubt that they would deal with Fiona as faithfully as Sebastian had done on each of the occasions I have just mentioned.

I looked towards the window-seat and saw Vi, Hilary, Lesley and quite a few others conferring in low voices. I decided that they were probably trying to decide whether to tar and feather Fiona or simply to send her to Coventry. Vi looked across at me, glanced back at her friends with a faint grin, then got up and came over to sit beside me.

"I say, Veronica," she began, "I hope you don't mind my asking, but -" she hesitated, her eyes going to where Fiona sat watching Jessica Wayne reading her book. Vi continued. "Well, it's about Fiona, you see." She stopped again, then took the plunge. "It's just - well - is she always like this? Or is she just - just homesick, or something?"

I almost laughed at the idea of Fiona's being homesick. Then I thought it might be a bit unfair to blight Fiona's first day at school by explaining what she was like (though she seemed to have blighted it quite effectively for herself)!

"I think she's finding school a bit different from what she expected. She'll settle down soon, I expect, I added doubtfully.

"So she isn't normally - well, you know - sneaky, or anything?" Vi turned scarlet as she said these words. I opened my mouth, then shut it again.

"Well - not always," I compromised. Vi heaved a gusty sigh.

"Golly, I wish Mary-Lou were here to deal with all this. There's Jessica too." I followed her gaze and saw that Jessica had put her book down and was listening to Fiona talking. "I've tried to talk to her, but she just doesn't want to know." Vi looked at me and smiled. "At least I needn't worry about you, Veronica."
Author:  Rachel [ Wed Jul 16, 2008 9:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
Like Veronica's compromise answer!

Fiona is so true to her Lorna Hill character in this drabble - can't wait for Mary-Lou to take her to task!
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
For once I'm quite looking forward to Mary-Lou turning up!
Author:  jilianb [ Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:52 am ]
Post subject: 
Me too. Think that sparks are going to fly before Fiona settles down.

Thanks Abi :D
Author:  JS [ Mon Jul 28, 2008 4:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'd love some more of this, Abi (hint, hint)
Author:  shazwales [ Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
Abi, this is brilliant you've got Fiona and Veronica totally as they are in the Sadlers' Wells series.

Please can we have some more :?:
Author:  Miss Di [ Tue Jul 29, 2008 4:12 am ]
Post subject: 
Drat it! I thought there had been an update.
Author:  Abi [ Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
*wanders in and notices hints lying around*

Sorry I've taken so long to post - I don't even have an excuse :oops:

Anyway, thanks for the comments and here is ye nexte update.


I spent the next week on tenterhooks. Luckily I had managed to persuade Miss Dene that it was imperative that I should have at least an hour's practise a day. In fact, this was all she would let me have. All the same, the sooner I was having lessons again, the better - if I wasn't careful all sorts of faults would creep into my dancing and then the Wells would never have me.

In the meantime, all my imaginary visions of what a boarding school would be like were being shattered. As far as I could tell, form Va spent the whole week in a state of bubbling tension that never quite erupted into full-scale warfare. I suspected that it wasn't always like this since most of the trouble seemed to originate with Jessica Wayne and Fiona.
Jessica had originally been put in the charge of one Gwen Parry, but on Saturday evening Gwen announced to Vi that she was renouncing Jessica then and there.

"Oh, Gwen!" wailed Vi, who had just come from a long explanation with Fiona as to why church attendance was compulsory (Fiona wasn't religious and Sebastian used to say that she only went to church if she had a new hat or something to show off!). "Can't you hang on for a few more days - just till Mary-Lou's back?"

"No, I can't," said Gwen flatly. "I'm sorry, Vi, I really am, but she's hardly spoken a word to me since Miss Wilmot asked me to sheepdog her. Just tells me she doesn't care, doesn't want to be here and to leave her alone. Well, I'm going to." She stalked off to rejoin her friend, Zena Winslow. Vi clutched her hair.

"We can't just leave the kid to stew," she said desperately, "even if she is beastly unfriendly. Oh, well, I'd better see what I can do." She heaved a gusty sigh and threaded her way across the common room to where Jessica sat staring out of the window, her face set in a scowl.

"Poor old Vi," said Barbara Chester with a grin. "It's pretty hard lines on her having to deal with Jessica and -" she glanced at me and tactfuly amended what she ahd been going to say, "- all this - without Mary-Lou."

"I vote we all try to take Jessica off her hands a bit. You know, take her turn and turn about, or something," suggested Lesley.

"Why don't you have a try, Verity-Anne?" asked Josette.

"Me?" Verity-Anne, a very small, pretty, quiet girl, looked startled.

"Well, somehow people just don't seem to be rude to you," Josette tried to explain herself. I knew what she meant - even Fiona had been quite pleasant to Verity-Anne.

"It's your magnificent presence, Verity-Anne," said Clare Kennedy solemnly, and even Josette had to giggle.

"You know what I mean, though," she added. "Why, even Emerence was decent to you, and you know what she was like when she first came." There were more grins all round at this, from which I gathered that Emerence had not been a peaceful character.

Verity-Anne did try, the next day as we walked home from church. I knew this because Vi and I were walking just in front of her and Jessica. But it was no use, Jessica simply snapped at Verity-Anne who eventually gave up in despair, though I must say she carried on trying a lot longer than I would have done. I think I would have been tempted to slap Jessica in the face!

Over the next few days Vi and her friends all kept their eyes on Jessica, pulling her out of trouble if she looked like getting into it and making increasingly half-hearted attempts to be friendly. I didn't blame them for being unenthusiastic about Jessica - she was unfriendly most of the time and downright rude some of it.

On Tuesday there was a huge row with Matron, or "Matey" as everyone called her. I soon learnt that it was best to obey Matron on the instant since if you didn't the consequences were apt to be highly unpleasant. This fact didn't seem to have penetrated Jessica's brain, however. Most of us never found out what the row was about since she was in a different dormitory, but she came down to breakfast with red eyes and a scarlet face and refused to say a word for most of the morning.

Fiona seemed to be settling down a bit. At any rate there weren't any more flaming rows. She was still treating poor Hilary very off-handedly but I could tell she also didn't want to risk being left out of Hilary's group, which was obviously the most important in the form.

Then, on Thursday, Aunt June's letter arrived.
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
And the letter said ...?

Can't wait for Fiona and Mary-Lou to clash :lol: .
Author:  abbeybufo [ Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
I have a 'norrible' feeling about Aunt June's letter :(

Thanks Abi
Author:  Shander [ Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:34 pm ]
Post subject: 
abbeybufo wrote:
I have a 'norrible' feeling about Aunt June's letter :(


Indeed.
It seems like the trampoline should be dragged to the bottom of the cliff, just in case anyone else comes over the edge with me.
:D
Author:  Miss Di [ Fri Aug 01, 2008 4:43 am ]
Post subject: 
Thank you so much for the update. But how long do we have to wait to find out what was in Aunt June's letter.
Not that I am impatient or anything (much).
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Fri Aug 01, 2008 1:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
Another one 'suspecting' the contents of Aunt June's letter - please don't keep us waiting too long to 'read' it!!!!

Thanks for this update, though, Abi - I did enjoy it.
Author:  Emma A [ Fri Aug 01, 2008 1:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Abi - you are keeping Veronica's tone so well - and am looking forward to seeing how Mary-Lou might cope with Fiona and Jessica at the same time. Things might go rather differently than EBD wrote...

And may we see some more of Caroline soon?
Author:  JS [ Fri Aug 01, 2008 1:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thank you. Is it too soon to ask for more? (I know, I'm being very greedy and unreasonable). Please.
Author:  Jenefer [ Fri Aug 01, 2008 5:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
I am really enjoying this. I like Veronica, May we have some more please
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sat Aug 02, 2008 7:43 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the update. Am curious what Aunt June saysd, somehow I'm not too hopeful
Author:  Abi [ Sun Aug 03, 2008 2:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
Aren't you just a bunch of pessimists?!


Aunt June sounded rather disgruntled in her letter, but I didn't care. I dropped it and flung my arms round Vi, sitting next to me. She, of course, yelled in shock and the prefect at the head of the table said severely,

"Veronica - Vi - what on earth do you think you're doing?"

"Oh, gosh, I'm sorry," I exclaimed. "But I'm just so frightfully relieved. You see, my Aunt June's just written to say that I can have ballet lessons after all."

"Well," said Hilary Wilson, sounding stern but not hiding the slight twinkle in her eyes, "try to restrain your raptures in future or I'm afraid I'll have to give you an order mark."

I gave her a tremendous grin.

"I'm awfully glad, Veronica," Vi assured me, grinning a bit herself. "I suppose that means you'll be able to go to that dancing place when you leave school?"

"I certainly hope so," I replied, some of my euphoria draining away. "The trouble is, if I don't leave soon I'll be too old for the Wells and it's much harder to get into the COmpany if you don't go to the school first, though people do, of course."

"But there are other companies, aren't there?" asked Vi, looking confused.

"Oh yes, but the Wells is absolutely the best English company there is. Of course, I'd rather dance somewhere else than not at all, but I should hate to end up in some third rate company like the European, for instance."

"I saw the European Ballet Company in the holidays," put in Hilary from across the table. "I thought they were very good."

"I'm afraid nothing's good enough for Veronica except the very best," said Fiona smoothly. "She knows all about ballet, you see. The rest of us are just ignoramuses in comparison."

"I should think she knows a jolly sight more about it than you do," flashed Vi.

"I have ballet lessons too," Fiona snapped.

"Yes, but you aren't going to be a ballerina, are you?"

"Well, hardly," Fiona sneered, her lip curling. She opened her mouth to say more, but obviously decided against it. I suspected she still didn't want to be excluded from the most popular group in the Fifth form!

I'm afraid my lessons that morning were rather a farce. Luckily Maths, which came first, dealt with simultaneous equations, which we'd already done at school in Newcastle and I was able to sit and think in peace. I desperately hoped that the lessons would turn out to be good, and even more that I wouldn't have to take them for long. Despite all that Sebastian had said about 'something turning up' (which I now thought he had only said to cheer me up!) I knew that if I was forced to stay at the Chalet School until I was eighteen my chances of becoming a dancer were practically nil.
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Aug 03, 2008 3:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
Glad that Aunt June's agreed to the ballet lessons, and hoping that some friend of Madame Wakulski-Viret's will have turned up in Switzerland to take them and to try to get Veronica an audition at the Wells :wink: .

Such a shame that there isn't a boys' school nearby - I'd love to see Sebastian turn up. I wonder how he'd get on with Mr Denny :lol: .

Thanks Abi - really enjoying this.
Author:  moiser30 [ Sun Aug 03, 2008 3:48 pm ]
Post subject: 
I love how this is going it is great :D
Author:  ness [ Sun Aug 03, 2008 4:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm really enjoying this, Thanks Abi
Author:  abbeybufo [ Sun Aug 03, 2008 4:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Abi - glad Aunt June has seen it in the right light :roll:
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sun Aug 03, 2008 9:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
Alison H wrote:
Such a shame that there isn't a boys' school nearby - I'd love to see Sebastian turn up. I wonder how he'd get on with Mr Denny :lol: .


So would I :lol:

Glad Veronica got her dance lessons, though I didn't have much hope that Aunt June would let her
Author:  JS [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 12:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Abi - what about that nice chap who taught Ella? Ludwig Steiner, or something? Or would the timing be out? Or is one of the mistresses an unsuspected ballet expert?? You must file more soon, pleeease.
Author:  JackieP [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 12:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Abi...

And eveyone has obviously forgotten that Mlle Lachenais (who is always described as dainty) has a sister who was once a famous dancer and who now teaches...

JackieP
Author:  JS [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 3:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
And eveyone has obviously forgotten that Mlle Lachenais (who is always described as dainty) has a sister who was once a famous dancer and who now teaches...


Did she perhaps crop up in the Drina books too??
Author:  Emma A [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 7:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
There's Herr Ludovic Steiner from Return to the Wells, who teaches Ella when she's at finishing school in Lausanne. I have a feeling when Drina was in Switzerland she didn't have a teacher, and choreographed a ballet, New York Story. I'm willing to be corrected on this one!

Glad to see that Aunt June isn't as nasty as we all expected, and that Veronica can have her lessons after all. Looking forward to more, please, Abi (though thanks for the last update)!
Author:  snowmaiden [ Tue Aug 05, 2008 8:40 am ]
Post subject: 
Used to love the 'Drina' and the 'Wells' books, and this is a great drabble. Emma, can vaguely remember a Madame Someone coming to teach Drina twice a week while she was at the finishing school, and telling her she was wasted at the finishing school. The name escapes me, however. But she helped her with the finishing touches to the New York Story.
Author:  JS [ Tue Aug 05, 2008 12:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
Drina was taught by Signora Lerrani who came from Milan (just looked it up - must do some work now......)
Author:  Abi [ Tue Aug 05, 2008 6:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for all the suggestions :D I'm on a roll here! I've... er... lifted a couple of bits from the book here!


Lunch - or rather, Mittagessen - was a rather noisy meal. Mary-Lou was supposed to be arriving some time that afternoon and the others were tremendously excited about it.

"Of course, said Barbara gravely, "it won't be the same as usual, because of her gran dying."

"It must have been an awful shock to her," agreed Josette.

"But we aren't to discuss it with Mary-Lou," pointed out Vi sharply. "She won't want to talk about it. Anyway, we'll have plenty to keep her mind off it," she added morosely.

"Cheer up, Vi," advised Hilary. "There's the news about Millie's, too. Golly, won't she be surprised?"

Vi smiled faintly but I could tell she was still worried about the form's situation. I wondered what sort of a paragon Mary-Lou was, if she was expected to sort out Fiona - even Sebastian had never managed that for more than half an hour or so! The others had talked about her so much that I almost agreed with Jessica when she announced loudly that she was sick of the subject of Mary-Lou and wished they'd all shut up about her. I couldn't help feeling that she would be a horribly interfering, bossy sort of person. Then I remembered that I'd felt almost exactly the same about Sebastian before I met him and I turned out to be quite wrong.

The final lesson of the day was History, which I had to give my mind to, since it was all in German, being a Thursday, which I still found an almost impossible challenge, though luckily we had done a bit of German at school in Newcastle.

Anyhow, the lesson started off all right and I very nearly understood the question Miss O'Ryan addressed to me. After ten minutes or so she opened a general discussion on the subject - general, that is, in that everyone was expected to contribute! Well, Jessica sat in her corner not saying anything so naturally Miss O'Ryan asked her, quite pleasantly, what she thought of James I's religious policies. Jessica merely stared at her.

"Don't you understand me, Jessica?" asked Miss O'Ryan (she spoke in German, but if Jessica really didn't understand she must have been deaf and stupid as well as irritable - we'd all heard the phrase a dozen times a day!).

Jessica simply sat there like a stone image, not saying a word. She must have been in an utterly foul mood that day, for she usually mustered up some sort of reply to a mistress, even if it was a rude one! In the end Miss O'Ryan threw her out of the classroom and told her - in a voice that absolutely radiated fury - to report to her after Prep.

After that even Fiona was painfully polite and proper in her replies and somehow we all got through the lesson. As soon as the bell rang the whole class simply fled, anxious to avoid the trouble which would undoubtedly befall any laggards.

"Gosh!" exclaimed Vi as she opened the Common Room door. "I hope Jessica isn't going to carry on like that all -" She broke off, staring wildly into the room, then flung herself across it and, forgetting to use German, yelled,

"Mary-Lou Trelawney! What a sight for sore eyes! When did you arrive?"

The rest, hearing Vi's speech, poured excitedly into the room and within minutes Mary-Lou was surrounded by a chattering crowd. I caught sight of Jessica hunched on a settee behind Mary-Lou and it suddenly occurred to me that she looked rather miserable.

Then Vi burst out of the crowd, grabbed my arm and hauled me through to where Mary-Lou was standing with a sombre grin on her face (OK, I know a grin can't really be sombre, but if you knew about her Gran, you couldn't help seeing that she wasn't quite happy).

"This is Veronica Weston, Mary-Lou. She's going to be a ballerina."

"Are you?" exclaimed Mary-Lou. "Good for you!"

"Well - I hope so," I began, but before I could explain that I would have to make it into the corps de ballet before I could hope to be a soloist, let alone a ballerina, the bell had rung. As everyone turned towards the door I caught sight of Fiona's face through the crowd as she stood, neglected. She looked furious.[/i]
Author:  Emma A [ Tue Aug 05, 2008 7:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
Great update, Abi - I like the bit where Veronica is musing about the paragon that is Mary-Lou! Fiona isn't endearing herself to anyone, is she, though Veronica appears to becoming accepted into the Gang. I do also like Veronica's single-mindedness and determination to correct everyone about what it actually means to be a ballerina :D
Author:  JS [ Tue Aug 05, 2008 7:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
This is just hilarious - I love it. I laughed out loud several times, especially at
Quote:
I couldn't help feeling that she would be a horribly interfering, bossy sort of person. Then I remembered that I'd felt almost exactly the same about Sebastian before I met him and I turned out to be quite wrong.


and then again at Veronica not being able to give her usual blah-de-blah spiel!

Thanks so much - you are spoiling us with all these fabulous posts.
Author:  Elle [ Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
I have been away from the CBB for a week or two and so have just caught up with these brilliant updates. Thank you!!!
Author:  PaulineS [ Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the update and an explaination of how Jessica came to be in the common room when Mary-Lou appeared.
Author:  Ruth B [ Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:48 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
I caught sight of Jessica hunched on a settee behind Mary-Lou and it suddenly occurred to me that she looked rather miserable.


One can't help but feel sorry for Jessica here, especially given the contrast with Fiona's reaction.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Aug 05, 2008 10:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Abi - this is great!
Author:  Miss Di [ Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:57 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Abi, I am really enjoying this drabble.

Thank goodness Aunt June saw the light.
Author:  Elbee [ Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:47 am ]
Post subject: 
Veronica seems to be settling in well, I'm glad she's going to be allowed to have ballet lessons.

Thanks, Abi.
Author:  Mrs Redboots [ Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Abi! This is great....
Author:  jilianb [ Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Abi. I'm really enjoying this and can't wait to see Fiona's reation.
Author:  Jenefer [ Wed Aug 06, 2008 5:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Abi. I love Veronica's observations on the rest of the girls
Author:  abbeygirl [ Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:23 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ah how nice it is to have the time to read a few drabbles..... Veronica still spot on - and can't wait to see Mary Lou's take on Fiona.... Thanks Abi..
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, can't wait to see how M-L deals with Fiona
Author:  JS [ Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
May we please have some more of this?

(Sorry to all those who have eagerly called this page up thinking there's been another post!)
Author:  keren [ Wed Aug 20, 2008 6:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
That is so we can all ask for more!
Author:  PaulineS [ Wed Aug 20, 2008 6:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
Supporting the call for more please.
Author:  abbeybufo [ Wed Aug 20, 2008 9:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
Adding voice to the call for "more, please!" :D
Author:  Elle [ Wed Aug 20, 2008 9:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
Shall we start a chant? :D
Author:  Miss Di [ Fri Aug 22, 2008 1:03 am ]
Post subject: 
Elle wrote:
Shall we start a chant? :D


Oh yes. Let us Chant for More.

....Ommmmmmmmm......
Author:  liberty [ Fri Aug 22, 2008 11:03 am ]
Post subject: 
Joining the chant..........more please!
Author:  Abi [ Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
Sorry it's been so long since I last posted. :oops: In my defence, I have been reading RCS 2 - 11, which has taken quite a while!!! And now am having trouble writing this - it took me two hours to write one sentence yesterday. :? Anyway, here is a short bit more!


Since we were both in the same ballet class Fiona and I went along together that Saturday morning. A room next to the studio been made into a dresing room as the Splasheries were all miles away and no-one wanted girls traipsing round the school wearing nothing but tights and flimsy tunics!

Caroline was already there when we arrived and she rushed over immediately.

"Hullo, you two! Gosh, I feel as though I haven't seen you for weeks! I say, Veronica, I'm awfully glad Mummy decided to let you have ballet lessons."

"So am I!" I said. "Though Aunt June didn't seem terribly pleased about it in her letter. She said she only gave in because she didn't want me pestering her all term and because she understood it was quite impossible to become a dancer with only one lesson a week."

"Golly! And is it?" asked Caroline in concern.

"Probably," I said gloomily. "It will be if I'm stuck here for the next three years."

I began to pull my tights on carefully. Caroline sat down and did the same.

"Anyway," I went on, "what about you?"

"Oh, all right," she replied. "There are some pretty decent girls in my form and I'm looking foward most frightfully to half-term."

"Half-term?" I echoed. "Why ever?"

"Hasn't anyone told you?" Caroline exclaimed. "Why, the school takes you on expeditions to all sorts of interesting places in Switzerland - cities and things, you know."

I thought I vaguely remembered Vi or someone mentioning expeditions but I hadn't taken much notice at the time.

"I wonder whether they'll take us to the theatre?" I wondered aloud.

"Of course not," came Fiona's scathing tones. "It'll be footling little trips to museums, I should think, and back in time for bed at nine."

Caroline opened her mouth to retort to this, but before she could say anything one of the other girls - someone older, who I didn't know - reminded us that we ought to be going.

"Fraulein Merckel hates being kept waiting," she informed us. Fiona stalked ahead and Caroline and I followed in silence.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm still hoping that Guy might turn up to rescue them if they get stranded up a mountain somewhere! Or Sebastian would do, failing Guy :lol: .

Thanks Abi :D .
Author:  Elle [ Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hurrah! An update! I knew the chant would work!


Thanks!
Author:  abbeybufo [ Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Abi
Author:  JS [ Wed Aug 27, 2008 11:13 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks - looking forward to the lesson!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Aug 28, 2008 12:49 am ]
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I hope Veronica gets to dance more often and the teacher is encouraging with her dreams
Author:  Miss Di [ Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:36 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the update!


PS Do send Guy, I want to see him verbally smacked by OOAO. (or physically by just about anyone...)
Author:  Jenefer [ Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
Alison H wrote:
I'm still hoping that Guy might turn up to rescue them if they get stranded up a mountain somewhere! Or Sebastian would do, failing Guy.


So am I
Thanks Abi
Author:  JS [ Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
Gentle request for some more, please!
Author:  Elle [ Fri Sep 05, 2008 7:28 am ]
Post subject: 
*adds to the gentle request, although possibly slightly less gently and more like a demand really* :wink:
Author:  Abi [ Sat Sep 06, 2008 5:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
Sorry, I'm getting very bad at updating. :oops: Will try to do better in future!!


By the end of the lesson I could have cried. Miss Martin would probably have cried too, and I simply couldn't imagine what Gilbert Delahaye, the temperamental ballet master I had seen when Stella smuggled me into the Wells, would have done.

Fraulein Merckel wasn't a bad dancer herself and you could see she had beenwell trained, but she wasn't a very good teacher. It's rather difficult to explain just what I mean, but some teachers know exactly the way to bring out the best in a pupil. Of course, they all do it in different ways - Miss Martin was gentle and encouraging, Madame Viret was temperamental but frightfully kind, and Gilbert Delahaye stormed and shouted! But all of them somehow inspired you do your best - even the people who weren't very good dancers.

Fraulein Merckel certainly couldn't be described as inspiring! I think she had the idea that ballet ought to be dainty and pretty and didn't much like the idea that it could also be dramatic and powerful. Of course she didn't say this, but you couldn't possibly see her attempting to depict the passionate, insane tragedy of Giselle, and I expect The Rite of Spring would have made her faint where she stood (or sat)!

Caroline and I found ourselves in the back row (though there were only two) as befitted new additions to the class. Fiona had managed to place herself in the middle of the front row, explaining that she liked to be able to see what she was doing in the mirror. I caught Caroline's eye and we grinned at this.

The class dragged on towards its end, and I must say I wasn't surprised that so few of the girls took ballet as it was terribly dreary. Most of the girls hadn't done as much dancing as I had, so I found the standard rather lower than I was used to. However, Fraulein Merckel seemed quite pleased with me - at the end of the class she came over and told me I was quite a nice little dancer, and she really thought she could make something of me.

No sooner had the door swung shut behind her than Caroline started to laugh.

"Golly, your face when she said she could make something of you!"

"I don't want to be made anything of by her," I protested indignantly. "I don't believe she knows the first thing about dancing."

Caroline giggled again.

"Don't you even like being a nice little dancer?"

I snorted. Then I suddenly saw the funny side and couldn't help laughing too.

"Oh well," I giggled, "if I work awfully hard perhaps I'll learn to dance really prettily." But all the same, I couldn't help my heart sinking slightly at the prospect.
Author:  PaulineS [ Sat Sep 06, 2008 7:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
However, Fraulein Merckel seemed quite pleased with me - at the end of the class she came over and told me I was quite a nice little dancer, and she really thought she could make something of me.



Aunt Jane will be pleased even if Veronica was not!!!!
Author:  Alison H [ Sat Sep 06, 2008 8:33 pm ]
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Oh dear - hope a better teacher turns up soon.
Author:  JS [ Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:14 pm ]
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I wasn't expecting that - nice twist! Thank you for that.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sun Sep 07, 2008 12:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Veronica :(
Author:  Abi [ Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
At breakfast - or Frustuck, I should say - Miss Annersley had announced there were to be lacrosse and tennis matches with St. Mildred's, the finishing branch. This caused a sensation that overtook even that of Mary-Lou's having come down with her hair in one plait instead of two. I must say this made a surprising difference to her appearance - after all, having a pigtail on each side of your face does make you look an awful kid.

Of course, I wasn't on any of the teams. At the Newcastle school they had known all about my dancing and the only sport I had learned was tennis which I wasn't awfully good at. I had elected to play lacrosse at the Chalet School as I didn't think hockey would be a good idea - far too much stooping! So far I had only touched the ball three times, and only once had it gone where I meant it to go. Netball was even worse. We had only had one game and I had been put in goal (I think the Games mistress had learned from my performance at lacrosse!). The first time the ball came near me, the girl who was 'spotting' me (at least, I'm not certain that that was the word, but it meant taking the ball from me whenever I touched it) whisked it away almost before I'd seen it. The only other time, I had grown bored and was standing imagining what I might have been doing at the Wells at that very moment, when the ball came out of nowhere and hit me on the side of the head!

However, the matches were a blessing in one way, as Caroline and I managed to find a quietish spot near a hedge, apparently watching the lacrosse but actually having a jolly good chat. I told her about Fiona's having put everyone's backs up.

"Yes, I'd heard about that," she replied. "Jo Scott got it from Josette Russell - they're awfully good friends, you know. She told us about how Fiona was a rotten little sneak before I could explain that she was my sister."

I giggled.

"Golly, what on earth did they say?" Caroline grinned.

"Oh, they were frightfully cut up about it, of course. But I said it didn't matter as you couldn't get away from the fact that Fiona is a beastly sneak sometimes."

"She's frightfully annoyed because Mary-Lou hasn't taken any notice of her," I said. "The others have started talking to her again and she keeps quiet most of the time now." Caroline snorted.

"That's only because she wants to be -" The rest of her sentence was drowned in a sudden roar from the people who were watching the match. We looked round and shouted a bit, in case anyone thought we weren't interested.

"Did someone score?" asked Caroline.

"Gosh, how on earth should I know?" I exclaimed. "I don't even know how you score."

We managed to spend most of the afternoon together. I don't know what Fiona was doing; she certainly didn't come anywhere near us!

There was dancing in the Hall in the evening - country dancing, that is. I'd done a little at school but not enough to be very good at it. People kept having to remind me not to point my toes, and someone told me to 'stop posing'! Country dancing is a rather different art from ballet dancing! Caroline got on a lot better than I did and I overheard Maeve Bettany, one of her friends from her own Form, telling her that she was a natural.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
It's a shame that they don't do Spanish dancing - or maybe Caroline could persuade them to introduce it :wink: .

Thanks Abi.
Author:  Cazo3788 [ Tue Sep 09, 2008 5:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
Abi wrote:
"Did someone score?" asked Caroline.

"Gosh, how on earth should I know?" I exclaimed. "I don't even know how you score."



Veronica as usual :D Thanks Abi!
Author:  PaulineS [ Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:40 pm ]
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Poor Veronica, being told off for pointing her feet which she will do without thinking.
Author:  JS [ Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:51 am ]
Post subject: 
Nice to see a hint of Caroline's future career. Thanks for that post.
Author:  jilianb [ Tue Sep 16, 2008 6:08 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the update Abi. Poor Veronica, hope she gets a better teacher soon.
Author:  Ela [ Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
May we have some more, Abi? Pretty please...
Author:  JS [ Thu Sep 25, 2008 8:18 am ]
Post subject: 
Echoes call for more. Please.
Author:  Miss Di [ Mon Oct 06, 2008 3:39 am ]
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JS wrote:
Echoes call for more. Please.


Wot she sed.
Author:  Elle [ Mon Oct 06, 2008 3:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
Miss Di wrote:
JS wrote:
Echoes call for more. Please.


Wot she sed.


Wot she sed too.
Author:  janetbrown23 [ Mon Oct 06, 2008 3:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
threatens to start a chant
Author:  Loryat [ Sat Oct 11, 2008 5:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
I have just discovered this and I think it's great. I haven't read those books since I was wee but from what I can remember you've got Lorna Hill's style exactly.

As someone who did dancing when I was younger I have never been able to understand how you can dance without pointing - it seems as though it would be a bit ungainly and jarring. I loved your detal about Caroline being so good.

Please post some more!
Author:  Nightwing [ Fri Oct 17, 2008 2:13 am ]
Post subject: 
I just read this whole story through and I'm loving it - I'm hoping Sebastian will turn up in the middle of their half-term trip away. It's something he would do! And Veronica hasn't gone for the traditional English tea at Joey's yet - I wonder what they'll make of each other!
Author:  Abi [ Fri Oct 17, 2008 2:04 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks everyone for your very kind comments. I haven't written any of this for ages I'm afraid - I've just started working at the Post Office and there is SO much to learn :shock: . However, I'm starting to get the hang of things so hopefully more of this will be forthcoming in the near future!
Author:  Emma A [ Fri Oct 17, 2008 2:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hurrah! Thanks, Abi - would love to see more of this.
Author:  Elle [ Fri Oct 17, 2008 2:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hurrah!
Author:  JS [ Fri Oct 24, 2008 5:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
However, I'm starting to get the hang of things so hopefully more of this will be forthcoming in the near future!


Abi, is this the near future yet?? (she says very timidly)
Author:  James [ Tue Oct 28, 2008 2:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
JS wrote:
Quote:
However, I'm starting to get the hang of things so hopefully more of this will be forthcoming in the near future!


Abi, is this the near future yet?? (she says very timidly)


Go on Abi, it MUST be! *makes puppy dog eyes*
Author:  Abi [ Fri Oct 31, 2008 12:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
*tries to ignore puppy dog eyes but fails abysmally*

Sadly my productivity is not all it could be... I have written No More of this and probably won't until December, owing to the fact that I have (somewhat rashly) signed up for NaNo. I suspect this may be one of my stupider ideas, so if an update of this appears on Thursday you will know I hit 4000 words then quit!!
Author:  JS [ Fri Oct 31, 2008 4:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
I have written No More of this and probably won't until December


:( :( :( :(

(but good luck with Nano, she adds grudgingly)
Author:  Cat C [ Fri Nov 14, 2008 4:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
*Goes off to check NaNo thread on another part of the forum*

*Confesses to hope that NaNo might even be a drabble that might get posted, although realises this is a forlorn hope*

*Starts counting down days until December*
Author:  Smile :) [ Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Just read all of this Abi and it's great you've got her style exactly :)

Can't wait for December so we can get some more of it :)
Author:  Elle [ Mon Dec 01, 2008 9:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re:
Abi wrote:
*tries to ignore puppy dog eyes but fails abysmally*

Sadly my productivity is not all it could be... I have written No More of this and probably won't until December, owing to the fact that I have (somewhat rashly) signed up for NaNo. I suspect this may be one of my stupider ideas, so if an update of this appears on Thursday you will know I hit 4000 words then quit!!



I hope NaNo is going well, but I would like to point out it is now December 1st!!!! I wouldn't be quite so demanding if I wasn't enjoying this quite so much!
Author:  Abi [ Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Finally, the near future has arrived - it took a bit longer than I meant it too! Anyway, here is ye next episode (rather dull, I'm afraid, but never mind!).


Monday was German day, meaning that I couldn’t really talk to anyone – except, of course, when the Staff weren’t listening! Vi and I walked together that morning. Behind us, Barbara Chester was with Fiona, both of them stalking along in silence, partly because there had been a contretemps the previous evening involving Fiona’s having borrowed an essay of Barbara’s without asking her, and partly because Fiona spoke even less German than I did.

I knew enough – since luckily we’d done some German at the school in Newcastle – to understand most of the conversation, especially as a good part of it had to be translated for Jessica. Jessica seemed not to mind Mary-Lou’s talking to her. Actually, I could see why. She was talking to Jessica without the resentment that the others could hardly help. After all, she hadn’t even been there when Jessica was at her worst. Jessica even asked Mary-Lou a question, about the origin of Miss Denny’s nickname, ‘Sally-Go-Round-The-Moon’.

“The person to ask,” Vi put in, “would be Aunt Joey. She’s one of the school’s foundation stones. Was there when it began and, if you ask me, I don’t think she’s ever really left.”

“Girls – turn!” called Miss O’Ryan, leading the line of girls, and we all turned back in the direction of the school.

“Who’s Aunt Joey?” I asked curiously.

“Hasn’t anyone told you?” Vi exclaimed. “Aunt Joey is – well, as I said, she’s one of the foundation stones of the school.”

“Yes, but what do you mean by that?” I persisted.

“I mean that although she left years ago, she’s still – still a sort of touchstone for the school. I mean…” Vi obviously felt that she wasn’t explaining herself very well. “Well, she knows everyone and she’s awfully good at understanding people.”

“Usually she has new girls over for English tea,” chimed in Barbara from behind us.

“Only she’s busy at the moment,” Vi explained. “I’m sure you’ll get a chance to meet her sometime, when she’s – less busy.”

“That’s nice,” I said politely.

“She’s also Josephine M. Bettany,” Barbara added, apparently feeling that I wasn’t impressed enough.

“Josephine M. Bettany?” I frowned. “I think I’ve heard the name.”

“She writes stories for girls,” Vi explained. “And a few novels, too.”

“Oh, of course,” I exclaimed, the penny dropping. “Fiona and Caroline used to read the school ones all the time when I first came to live with them. I did read one, but she doesn’t really write about ballet, does she?”

“No,” agreed Vi, rolling her eyes and grinning. “She doesn’t know anything about it. I expect that’s why.”

“Well, I suppose not everyone can,” I admitted. “Jonathan always used to say I was too narrow.”

Vi giggled. “You are a bit narrow – in every sense of the word!”

In the form room after the walk, Vi and I found Mary-Lou holding forth.

“Well, from all I can see the lot of you have taken her at her word and left her alone when the poor girl is probably only half-dead with homesickness.”

“We did our best, Mary-Lou,” Vi protested, sitting down at her desk.

“I admit she hasn’t chosen the best way of showing it, but all the same, treatment like that is not according to our traditions. Now I’m back again and form pree, I’m not going to allow it.”

“They did try,” I said, feeling suddenly annoyed. Who was Mary-Lou to breeze in when Vi had had to do all the hard work at the beginning of term, trying to help Jessica, and keep Fiona in check into the bargain? Mary-Lou looked at me.

“They did,” I repeated. “Honestly, she wouldn’t talk to anyone. She’s much better now than she was then.”

There was no opportunity for Mary-Lou to reply, since Jessica herself came in at that moment, followed shortly by the ringing of the first bell.
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Jan 16, 2009 11:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
So glad to see more of this - and particularly glad to see that Veronica isn't over-awed by OOAO.
Author:  PaulineS [ Fri Jan 16, 2009 11:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Love the relationship growning between Vi and Veronica, and the way Veronica stands up to Mary Lou on Vi's behalf.
Author:  Nightwing [ Sat Jan 17, 2009 3:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
It's back! \o/

I hope Mary-Lou doesn't think Veronica is trying to antagonise her - and I'm looking to see more of Fiona making a pest of herself!
Author:  JB [ Sat Jan 17, 2009 12:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Hurrah to see this back. :D

Good to see Vi as a person in her own right, not just an adjunct to Mary-Lou.
Author:  Cat C [ Sat Jan 17, 2009 3:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Yay! It's back!

Really enjoying the way Veronica is interacting with everyone :D
Author:  Jenefer [ Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I am glad to see this back again.
It is good to see someone stand up to Mary Lou.
Author:  JS [ Sun Jan 18, 2009 4:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Great to see this back - love the way they are interacting. Thanks.
Author:  Abi [ Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thank you for the comments. I'm afraid I've cheated here and 'lifted' quite a bit of EBD's text :) .

“I just want to tell you that we propose to have the first expedition of the term on Saturday of next week.”

Immediately the school broke into applause

As Miss Annersley went on to explain the arrangements I watched her. It was oddly easy to imagine her in the part of Hippolyta in The Dream. She had a tremendously compelling presence and I could imagine her becoming a great dancer under different circumstances. Then I grinned in derision at my ridiculous ideas.

“Now, I know you are all delighted at the idea,” the Head continued after some clapping. “But I have to warn you that the usual rule obtains. Any girl who behaves badly during this week and next will – not – go!”

“But where are we going?” I whispered as we filed back to the form room. “She didn’t say where we’re going.”

Mary-Lou turned round as she entered the room. “Didn’t you hear?” she asked, as though I was some kind of bizarre creature. I heard Vi snigger behind me. “We’re going to Schaffhausen. And by the way,” she added, raising her voice and addressing the rest, “you all heard the Head and I hope we aren’t silly babies, anyhow. But just keep it in mind, everyone. We want every single member of this form to be with us. It’ll spoil the whole trip for us if anyone has to be left out. You have been warned!” Her wide grin was infectious and everyone grinned back.

“Honestly,” said Vi, looking at me with unmistakeable exasperation, “do you ever listen to a word anyone says?”

“Yes, I do,” I said indignantly.

“The only person you ever listen to is Sebastian,” said Fiona nastily.

I slammed my pen down onto the desk and jumped up, but before I could take more than a step or two towards Fiona the door opened and Miss Denny stumped into the room. I slumped back down into my seat as soon as we were given permission. Annoyed, I wondered why everybody was being so irritating today. The history lesson was as dull and pointless as the German grammar. Miss O’Ryan was talking about the Thirty Years War, which was probably the most boring war I’d ever heard about. I gave a sigh of relief when the lesson ended.

Singing was next. We hadn’t had a singing lesson last week as Mr. Denny had been away. Although I wasn’t much of a singer, I was quite looking forward to the lesson – at least it would probably be more interesting than the previous two lessons had been.

We started off well enough, singing some fairly easy songs. Then Plato distributed copies of a new song and blandly asked us to read it at sight. There was one phrase that kept going wrong, to Plato’s obvious fury. Honestly, he got nearly worked up about it as Gilbert Delahaye had about some of the dancing in the lesson I had seen! Finally, he couldn’t stand it any more.

“I will hear you lilt it one by one,” he announced, pointing at Verity-Anne, who looked a little alarmed. “You, my human lark, shall open this little trial. Come hither to me.” She, of course, having a good voice, sang it perfectly. The rest of us who followed her didn’t. Mary-Lou was probably the worst, though Fiona was almost as bad and nobody was exactly brilliant. Then came Jessica!

Frankly, she was perfectly appalling. She droned along on two notes the whole way – it infuriated Plato and finally he let himself go and stormed at her, vowing that we should all stay there until she had sung it and sung it properly. A moment later they were shouting at each other like a pair of fighting cats. And it was at this point that Miss Annersley entered the room!

“I tell you, you stupid old idiot,” screamed Jessica as we all stood there, petrified, “I can’t sing and I won’t sing! So now!”
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Jan 18, 2009 11:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
As someone who has possibly the worst singing voice on the planet, I've always sympathised with Jessica there. You can try your best to improve if you're not very good at something like maths or English, but if you can't sing then you can't sing!

Love the comparison between Mr Denny and Gilbert :D .
Author:  Nightwing [ Mon Jan 19, 2009 12:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
More already! You're spoiling us :D

Loved Veronica fancying Miss A. as a dancer!
Author:  Elle [ Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Wonderful! I love the fact that Veronica doesn't pay any attention to anything, including OOAO!


But will Sebastian appear soon please? :D :D :D :D :D :D I would love to see him clash with Mary-Lou or even Matey... :shock:
Author:  Emma A [ Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Two updates - you are really spoiling us, Abi (but we have had to wait a long time!). Love Veronica's inattention and that she isn't letting Mary-Lou boss her around. You have got Veronica's "voice" very well.

Thank-you.
Author:  Cat C [ Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I am enjoying this! Very clever the way you're managing to adapt the original.
Author:  JS [ Mon Jan 19, 2009 3:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Oh no, I fear fisticuffs between Veronica and Fiona resulting in them missing the expedition.

Also liked the idea of Miss A as a dancer.

Thanks Abi.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Mon Jan 19, 2009 4:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Am really enjoying this, thanks.

LOve the comparisons between Mr Denny and Gilbert Delahaye
Author:  Abi [ Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Elle wrote:
But will Sebastian appear soon please? :D :D :D :D :D :D I would love to see him clash with Mary-Lou or even Matey... :shock:


Well, maybe... :wink: Just a short bit here (I'm on a roll!).

“Well, of course,” I wrote to Stella the next day, “all we could do was simply stand there, frozen to the spot with horror! As the room fell silent Miss Annersley walked forwards and if I didn’t know it was impossible I would have thought she’d grown a few inches taller.

“‘First,’ she decreed, ‘you will apologise to Mr. Denny for your outrageous rudeness to him, Jessica.’

“Which was where things became even worse, because Jessica simply refused to apologise. Refused to say anything at all, as a matter of fact. Mary-Lou practically had to pilot her out of the room – I don’t think she was even aware of where she was going. The Head (honestly, she ought to have been a dancer – she’d make a splendid Myrtha, Queen of the Wilis!) stared us until we all felt like a bunch of cockroaches and crawled out of the songroom and into our Scripture lesson – of which we now only had about twenty minutes left. Miss Annersley gave us enough work to last us three times that, then swept out, we supposed, to deal with Jessica.

“Mary-Lou didn’t mention it to any of us, but of course we all knew that she must have been pleading for Jessica with Miss Annersley, especially as all that Jessica had to do in the end was apologise to Mr. Denny. Though, as Vi pointed out, Plato had been pretty rude to Jessica too, though this didn’t make it any less surprising when he actually apologised to Jessica. Miss Annersley almost passed out when he did and hustled him out as quickly as she could.

“Anyhow, Stella, none of that really matters. Life here still doesn’t seem awfully real. I ought to be back at Mrs. Crapper’s with you and Jonathan, not cooped up in a stupid boarding school where they don’t even have decent ballet lessons. Honestly, Fraulein Merckel told me I was a ‘pretty dancer’ and she thought she could ‘make something of me’! I don’t want to be made into some sweet little Dresden shepherdess dancer prancing about on her nice little tippy-toes, which I imagine is what she wants to make me into. I want to come to the Wells, and learn to dance properly, and get into the company. Of course, I’d probably end up as a chorus-girl in some hideous music-hall show, but I’d at least like to have the chance to try. I will get to the Wells somehow, Stella, I’m just not sure how yet.”
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Maybe Stella could dispatch Jonathan to do some painting in the Alps and whilst he was there he could convince everyone to let Veronica have ballet lessons ...

Thanks Abi :D .
Author:  Emma A [ Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Gosh, Abi, you are on a roll (long may it continue!). Did love Veronica's disdain for Fraulein Merckel, and her telling of the Jessica-Plato incident. Stella may not be the best person to write to indignantly, since she's not as ambitious as Veronica, but I suppose she would be her closest friend.

Thanks very much.
Author:  Cat C [ Tue Jan 20, 2009 12:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Oh brilliant! I am so enjoying this...

*Thinks guiltily about her own currently suspeded drabble - will get back to it soon, honest!*
Author:  JS [ Tue Jan 20, 2009 3:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks Abi - how are you going to get her to the Wells, though??

Edited to say that I have a sudden horror thought? Will she stay in CS land and have to marry a doctor??
Author:  Cath V-P [ Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
i've just caught up with the last three posts. I love the idea of Miss Annersley as a dancer, although I rather suspect that Veronica is responding to an overwhelming stage presence here - and that gentle dismissal of Jo's books was very funny.

Thank you Abi
Author:  Abi [ Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
JS wrote:
Edited to say that I have a sudden horror thought? Will she stay in CS land and have to marry a doctor??


Darn it! You rumbled me!

Just another wee bitty bit...


The day that Jessica apologised began well, since all of us were so utterly gobsmacked at the turn events had taken that we behaved like angels for the whole morning. When it came to Kaffee und Kuchen no-one mentioned the incident to Jessica – Mary-Lou had laid down the law about it, and no-one in the form would have gone against Mary-Lou, who reminded me of Sebastian in her force of character, though not in much else. I felt certain that when Sebastian was at school he probably kept his form-mates in line just as Mary-Lou did with hers!

I could tell that Jessica was surprised by the fact that one or two people made friendly overtures towards her – including Hilary and Lesley, who crossed the room with rather sheepish grins.

“I say, Jessica,” began Lesley awkwardly. “Will you partner me for tomorrow’s walk? I was down to walk with Ruth, but she was sneezing this morning and Matey thinks she’s got a cold, so…” Her voice trailed off.

Jessica gave a brief nod, looking almost as uncomfortable as Lesley. She opened her mouth to say something, but her voice was drowned out by Fiona’s supercilious tones.

“Well, I can’t imagine why everyone suddenly wants to be friends with her. It isn’t as though she’s done anything so very wonderful. Quite the opposite, in fact,” she sneered.

Her remark had fallen into one of those brief lulls in conversation. Everyone looked at Fiona. Jessica turned red. Mary-Lou rounded on Fiona.

“I don’t see that you’ve got anything to boast about yourself,” she pointed out tartly.

“What do you mean?” demanded Fiona indignantly. Then, as no-one, even Mary-Lou, seemed willing to disillusion her as to their views on some of her behaviour, she continued, her voice rising. “I’ve never screamed at a teacher like that. You’re just sucking up to her because you wouldn’t dare to shout at someone like that yourself.”

Mary-Lou stared at Fiona, her mouth slightly open in surprise. The whole room was silent, waiting for the inevitable explosion. Then the corners of Mary-Lou’s mouth twitched and a moment later she burst into a gale of laughter. I felt a grin spread across my own face. Fiona turned scarlet, flounced across the room and flung herself into a basket chair, which groaned under the sudden onslaught. The bell rang before anyone had time to say anything else, and we all hurried out to Maths, Lesley taking Jessica’s arm in a deliberate manner that was obviously meant to demonstrate her solidarity with Jessica and her hostility to Fiona.
Author:  Emma A [ Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks, Abi - love the completely different views of things Mary-Lou and Fiona have. I don't even mind Mary-Lou in this drabble, so well done!
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
It's always good to see Fiona "being taken down a peg or two". I wish Sebastian had been there to see that :lol: .
Author:  Cath V-P [ Fri Jan 23, 2009 2:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Being laughed at like that must have infuriated Fiona so much!

Thank you Abi.
Author:  Elle [ Fri Jan 23, 2009 9:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Abi wrote:
Elle wrote:
But will Sebastian appear soon please? :D :D :D :D :D :D I would love to see him clash with Mary-Lou or even Matey... :shock:


Well, maybe... :wink: Just a short bit here (I'm on a roll!).

[/i]


Yay!

Thanks for the updates.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sat Jan 24, 2009 8:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Loved Mary Lou's reaction. It was the best thing she could have done
Author:  Abi [ Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks for the comments - they are very good for my ego :D !


Thereafter the term passed quietly, for a while at least. Jessica became almost friendly and we discovered that she even had a sense of humour – something of which Fiona possessed not an iota! In fact, Fiona made it only too obvious that she resented the attentions that Jessica was suddenly receiving. I must confess that it gave me a sense of secret satisfaction when I saw how disregarded she was here. I don’t think anyone actually disliked her (except perhaps Hilary!) but they didn’t like her either. I suspected that no-one thought much about her at all except when she obtruded herself on their notice.

As for myself, well, I got on all right. I grew to like Vi more and more and was perfectly friendly with Hilary, Lesley, Mary-Lou and one or two others. I found the ballet lessons horribly frustrating, though. Fraulein Merckel was like milksop compared with my dear Madame Wakulski-Viret. Even Miss Martin, though gentle and kind, had a dozen times more character. I felt that Fraulein Merckel cared nothing for the magic of ballet. I wondered whether she had ever drowned herself in a character – felt the magic of a woodland glade created solely for her to dance in – danced with every ounce of strength she possessed to win the love of her prince, or to save herself from an eternal imprisonment – or thrown herself into some wild dance simply for the joy of the motion and the freedom.

About a week after I had written to tell her about the incident in the songroom, I had a letter from Stella – she must have written almost immediately she received mine. I was grateful for her letters as she was now almost my only contact with the world of ballet. This is what she wrote:

“Dear Veronica,

“Thank you for your lovely long letter. Your music master sounds almost as temperamental as dear old Gilbert – not that Gilbert would ever dream of apologising for one of his outbursts! Anyhow, I know you’ll want to know all the news of the Wells, so I’ll tell you the whole story from the beginning. You see, the most wonderful thing has happened – I’m in the Company at last, Veronica! The Second Company, of course, but isn’t it perfectly glorious? A few of us were chosen. Belinda, naturally. You remember I told you about her in my last letter? Her real name is Belinda Stout, but she says no dancer would get anywhere with a name like that, so she’s going to call herself Belinda Beaucaire. Anyhow, the important thing is that I’m in.

“Well, the next night it was Irma Foster’s last performance (or what they said was her last performance!) ever, in Les Patineurs. She was dancing with Ivan Stcherbakof – you’ve heard of him, of course. They say, or rather said, as you’ll see in due course, that he’s the best male dancer ever. And we went – in a box! Jonathan said he’d sold a picture, and he wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer, so Mrs. Crapper and I got ourselves all dolled up and off we went – dear old Mrs. Crapper in ‘me cire lace’ and that smelly old fur coat, looking perfectly splendid.

“It was after Les Patineurs, which, by the way, was wonderful, that the tragedy happened. The audience were mostly back in their seats and the orchestra starting to file into the pit when the stage manager came onto the stage, with a dramatic roll of drums.

“‘Lords, ladies and gentlemen,” he said. ‘I very much regret to have to tell you that Monsieur Ivan Stcherbakof has had a slight accident. His place in Le Spectre de la Rose will be taken by Mr. Josef Linsk.’

“Of course I rushed round to the stage door after the performance and, oh Veronica, it’s so terrible. He’d slipped on a tube of greasepaint someone dropped on the stairs and hurt his knee most dreadfully. They seem to think he might never dance again. It would be such an awful tragedy if it were true. Sort of makes you think about our life, doesn’t it? How such a tiny thing as a tube of greasepaint can ruin someone’s career forever. Don’t you ever wonder whether it’s really all worth it?

“But, honestly, what am I talking about? Here I am, just got into the Company, worrying about the possibility of slipping on greasepaint! I don’t suppose that will happen again for a few years – everybody will be terrified of crippling another great dancer!

“By the way, Veronica, please don’t worry any more about my having fainted. It was perfectly silly of me and I hadn’t eaten enough that day. That won’t be a problem now I’m in the Company. They pay quite well, though of course I’ll still have to send some money to Granny. Still, I’m sure life will be much easier now.

“Anyhow, this letter’s already long enough. Do write and tell me what you’re doing at your school. And please don’t worry about the dancing – I’m sure you’ll be able to persuade your aunt soon. Surely she must see that it’s the only life for you. It has been ever since I’ve known you and I know you’ll get here in the end.

“Yours, Stella.”
Author:  Cath V-P [ Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Poor Veronica, having to learn from such an insignificant teacher. And it's fascinating to hear Stella's pov - her story always seemed to me rather sad, and to emphasise how much a dancing career demanded of you.
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Maestro's accident ... :cry: :cry: :cry: .

I remember that Jane Foster came in for some bitchiness from girls whose families relied on their earnings and were a bit resentful of people from wealthy backgrounds: it was a shame for Jane, but it's easy to see why when Stella has days when she can't even afford to eat properly.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
But its also not their fault either coming from a well to do family. Hope Veronica gets the chance to get a better dance teacher. It must be heartbreaking for her not to be able to dance properly. What about the one at Ella's finishing school in Switzerland, couldn't he just turn up to teach?
Author:  Nightwing [ Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I'm glad Veronica is making friends, but I hope she manages to get better ballet lessons soon... and it must be their half-term trip soon, I wonder what Veronica is going to make of that!
Author:  Emma A [ Mon Jan 26, 2009 10:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks, Abi, this is fantastic - Stella's letter was lovely, and I did like her describing Maestro's accident (did this happen actually when Veronica was there, in the books?). Looking forward to more.
Author:  Elle [ Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Emma A wrote:
(did this happen actually when Veronica was there, in the books?).



Yes this did happen as Stella describes. The only difference is that Veronica was there too.

Thanks for the updates, this is brilliant!
Author:  Emma A [ Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Elle wrote:
Yes this did happen as Stella describes. The only difference is that Veronica was there too.

Sorry, my question was badly phrased! I knew it had happened, but I couldn't remember if Veronica had been there as well.

I do like the idea of Ludovic Steiner being drafted in to give Veronica ballet lessons. He was based in Lausanne, I think.
Author:  Cat C [ Mon Jan 26, 2009 2:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks for the updates!

Am wondering just what will happen to Fiona (and Caroline) at the CS as the term progresses - Joey vs Fiona would be worth seeing *hint, hint*!
Author:  JB [ Mon Jan 26, 2009 3:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Adds to the hints:

I'm looking forward to Joey and Veronica too. Veronica thinks of everything in terms of ballet and Joey thinks the world revolves around the Chalet School. Could be very interesting.
Author:  JS [ Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Just caught up with these lovely posts - really unfolding intriguingly. Thanks Abi.
Author:  Abi [ Tue Jan 27, 2009 11:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I looked forward to the Schaffhausen expedition tremendously. After all, any opportunity to get out of the stifling atmosphere of School was only too welcome. In the coach on the way there Miss O’Ryan gave us a sort of potted history of the Falls. It’s surprising how interesting that sort of thing can be when you’re actually there. When we finally arrived we split up in groups, Mary-Lou and her ‘Gang’ going together, with Jessica, Fiona and me as well.

The Museum wasn’t really very interesting and even the part which showed an Ice Age scene of some hairy people heavily clad in furs, living practically next door to an enormous glacier, seemed rather unlikely to me.

“Do you really think that the people who lived then looked so – well, so stupid?” I queried of Vi. “I’m surprised they managed to invent fire, even.”

“I expect they jolly well had to,” Vi pointed out. “They’d have frozen to death if they hadn’t.” She turned to Miss O’Ryan, who was laughing with Jessica and Barbara Chester. “Miss O’Ryan, how do they know what people looked like all those thousands of years ago?”

Miss O’Ryan glanced at the hairy portraits.

“Well, of course, they don’t really. There are ways we can make an educated guess –”

“Yes,” interrupted Lesley with a grin. “You see, there aren’t any remains of hairdressers’ salons from that long ago, so they’re pretty sure the people would have been quite hairy.”

“No shoes, either,” Jessica piped up. “So obviously they must have gone barefoot.”

“Bet they all got chilblains then,” said Vi, who had suffered from that complaint more than once.

“Frostbite, more likely,” put in Mary-Lou with a grin, “with that hulking great glacier bang next-door.”

Miss O’Ryan laughed at them.

“As I said, it’s merely an artist’s representation of how it might have been. Well, we’ll forget it and go to the electric tramway for our trip to the Falls.”

So we did, and were lucky enough to catch a tram almost at once. On our way up, we passed a tram going the other way on which were Miss Wilson and her party, who made a wild variety of mimes to show what a treat was in store for us until Bill shut them up.

Even before we reached the Falls we could hear the powerful thunder of their waters, and by the time we climbed out of the tram we could only make ourselves heard by shouting. Of course Miss O’Ryan promptly stopped us doing that, despite the fact that quite a few far more grown-up people were absolutely bellowing at one another. Still, I suppose teachers have to make sure we reflect well on them!

We walked for some fifteen minutes before we reached the belvedere from which we would see the Falls and then we simply stood there in awe. I had never experienced anything so powerful in my life. Miss O’Ryan told us afterwards how many cubic feet of water went over per second, but figures like that meant nothing when you actually saw the force of the water as it crashed, and crashed, and crashed. I couldn’t do anything but stand there and watch – it made you feel so small and insignificant, yet at the same time free and wild, like the water itself. I felt a bizarre urge to fling myself down to join the water as it fell.

Then the sun came out and the whole place was transformed. Suddenly there were rainbows, shifting and shining as you moved your head. I simply couldn’t help it. Something in me moved to respond to the beauty and the sound and I rose to demi-pointe, lifting my arms and leg, my eyes fixed on the highest point of the rainbow. As I held the arabesque I felt as though the sunlight was flowing through my limbs, the roaring of the Falls one with my blood as it pumped through me, my mind and body becoming part of this profound force of nature.

At last I couldn’t hold the pose any longer. As I relaxed I felt as though I’d been reinvigorated, my heart beating faster than normal and little sparks of happiness darting through my brain. I turned round to find that the platform was almost completely empty – goodness knew when the others had left, but I found that I didn’t really care. I cared even less when my eyes fell on the one person who was there.
Author:  JB [ Tue Jan 27, 2009 11:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Oh no. We have to spend the night on the edge of a cliff ....

I do like Miss O'Ryan here.
Author:  Nightwing [ Tue Jan 27, 2009 11:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
A cliffhanger! That's so mean! Now I'm trying to guess who's there - one of the ballet teachers, maybe? Or Sebastian? *crosses fingers*

Great update though - Veronica's reaction to the waterfall was so wonderfully Veronica-ish and I love the girls' discussion of the Neanderthals :D
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
That was all just so Veronica :D !

I can't imagine why Sebastian would be in Schaffhausen, but I'm sure he could find a reason and I'm really hoping that he's the mystery person - or, if not, that it's Madame Wakulski-Viret.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I love Veronica's throwaway comment on the 'stifling' atmosphere of the school - I can imagine that's exactly what she would find it.

And how typical of her to express her response to the beauty of the falls in sunlight in the form of dance.....
Author:  claireM [ Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Yes that was typically Veronica, wonder who is there. If its someone to do with ballet Veronica could quite easily abandon the school trip, ballet always did come first no matter what.
Author:  Elle [ Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Please let it be Sebastian!!!!!
Author:  Emma A [ Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
One feels so mean asking for more, immediately, after you've just posted, but I'm so enjoying this, Abi, that I want to know what happens next NOW!

Veronica's reaction is so true to herself - I know what she means about the bizarre reaction to throw oneself in the water, too - glad she restrained herself! Wondering who is there... Jessica? I can't see the other Chalet girls leaving her there on her own.
Author:  JS [ Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Is it Gilbert? Is it Jonathan? Or Lady Bailey, maybe? I suspect the first or last would be of more use.

More please Abi :D
Author:  Cat C [ Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Ooooh, tantalising!

Thanks for the flood of updates, hope they keep coming!
Author:  Jenefer [ Wed Jan 28, 2009 6:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I hope it is Sebastian or Guy
Author:  Emma A [ Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Jenefer wrote:
I hope it is Sebastian or Guy

I don't think Veronica met Guy until later on in the series. IIRC the first time he appears in the Wells series, it's in Masquerade, which is set some years after Dream of Sadlers Wells and Veronica at the Wells, during which this drabble is set.
Author:  PaulineS [ Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks for the update. I wonder if it ML who is waiting for Veronica as I can not see Biddy leaving her on the own!
Author:  Abi [ Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks for all the comments :D . The mysterious figure will now be revealed...

“Sebastian!” I shrieked. For, almost unbelievably, it was Sebastian. “What on earth are you doing here?”

“Same as you, I should imagine,” drawled Sebastian. “Well – except for the dancing part.”

“I couldn’t help it,” I explained. “It was just so – so – you know…”

“I want to write a piece about water,” said Sebastian abruptly. “In a few months time, when the Woodland Symphony concert is over. The Falls will be in it. The power of the water, and the spray, and the rainbows – and you, poised there like a delicate statue, while the water cascades about you.”

“Gosh, Sebastian. It sounds wonderful!” I said. “But whatever is The Woodland Symphony?”

“The symphony I’ve written,” he explained simply. “You mean Aunt June hasn’t mentioned the budding composer of the family? How like her.”

“Well, you could have written and told me yourself,” I retorted.

“Actually, it’s all pretty recent,” Sebastian confessed. “My father realised I wasn’t really cut out for a stuffy office, so I’m to leave school next term and go in for music properly.”

“Oh, I am glad,” I exclaimed. “When is the concert to be?”

“On the Saturday after Christmas – in the Blackett Hall, Newcastle.” Sebastian sounded proud. “I specially arranged it to be while you were at home.” He struck an attitude and added in his most dramatic manner: “All the world of music was gathered together in the Blackett Hall, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, to hear the young composer, Sebastian Scott, conduct his own Woodland Symphony.”

I stared at him. Outwardly he’d hardly changed – he had the same interesting face, with dark blue eyes, a crooked mouth and cropped black hair. Oh, Sebastian wasn’t good looking, but all the same I found him far more remarkable than, say, Ian Frazer, who was good looking but in a dull sort of way.

“But I don’t understand – how is it that you’re here?” I asked, puzzled.

“Same as you, as I said.” Then he deigned to explain himself. “Half term break, my child. Old Travers, our Head, decided it would make a good bait for prospective parents to be able to shove ‘see the wonders of the world during half term breaks’ in the prospectus, so he threw a group of Sixth Formers together and shoved us off to Switzerland for a few days.”

“Well, I’m awfully glad he did,” I said fervently.

“For goodness’ sake, Veronica,” came Vi’s voice in my ear, sounding highly exasperated. “What on earth are you doing? We were just about to set out for the tram back when Mary-Lou spotted you weren’t there. Miss O’Ryan’s frightfully annoyed.”

“Oh, sorry,” I apologised. “I completely forgot about Miss O’Ryan and School. This is Sebastian Scott, my cousin-sort-of – you remember I told you about him.”

“How do you do?” said Vi, politely. Then she turned urgently back to me. “We really must go, Veronica. The others were going to start walking back – we must try to catch them up.”

“I’ll walk with you,” said Sebastian airily. “My party’s probably back at Schaffhausen by now.”

Wonderful as the Falls had been, I must say it was a bit of a relief to be able to hear ourselves talk again without having to scream at one another.

Hilary was waiting for us at the end of the path.

“Hurry up!” she yelled as we approached. “There’s a tram about to leave and Miss O’Ryan wants to catch it.” We broke into a run and arrived on the platform just in time to see the rest of the party making a mad scramble into one of the carriages, Hilary in the rear. We made a dash for the tram, Sebastian hauling me and Vi in by main force just as the tram began to move.

“Gosh,” I gasped, pausing to catch my breath. “We only just made it.” Then I turned round to see Fiona staring at us, her mouth agape.
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Hooray! Now, can Sebastian somehow help with the issue of ballet lessons? Surely he'll find a way to see Veronica again whilst he's there, and presumably he'll want to see Caroline too (and wind up Fiona :wink: ). And I'd love to know what he makes of the CS.

(IIRC, Veronica and the Scotts first met Guy - and Jane and Nigel - properly at a party at the Eliots' house in No Castanets, so before this, but vaguely knew Guy before then.)

Thanks for all these lovely updates :D .
Author:  Emma A [ Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Yay! Thanks very much for not leaving us insuspense for too long, Abi. That was a very satisfying update. Like seeing Fiona gobsmacked by Sebastian's sudden and unexpected arrival - I wonder how he will come across to Miss O'Ryan? The CS didn't have a lot of interaction with boys during term time...

Thanks for reminding me about the party during No Castanets, Alison. Was that the one where Sylvia's racquet was "accidentally" dropped into the burn by Fiona?
Author:  Elle [ Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Emma A wrote:

Thanks for reminding me about the party during No Castanets, Alison. Was that the one where Sylvia's racquet was "accidentally" dropped into the burn by Fiona?


I think it was.

Thanks for the update and particularly for:


Sebastian! *swoons slighty* :oops: :oops: :oops:
Author:  Cat C [ Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks for yet another update! Am looking forward to seeing how Sebastian gets on with the gang and Biddy :D
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Jan 29, 2009 5:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Maybe Biddy's a long-lost relation of Sebastian's grandmother?

ETA - oh hang on, his grandmother was O'Rourke, not O'Ryan! Looking forward to seeing what he makes of Mary-Lou, though.
Author:  Jenefer [ Thu Jan 29, 2009 6:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
In one of the early books, they ride to a party at Christmas and meet the Elliots, Guy and Jane. Sorry to be vague but book is not to hand
Author:  keren [ Thu Jan 29, 2009 7:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks for giving us this update.
Author:  PaulineS [ Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks for the update. Suprised Biddy did not check that all the girls were with her as she left the viewing platform. As it was noisy she would know that they might not hear her command to go, so should have checked. At least Veronica had a good reason for not hearing the instruction though.
Welcome to Sebastian.
Author:  Nightwing [ Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Alison H wrote:
IIRC, Veronica and the Scotts first met Guy - and Jane and Nigel - properly at a party at the Eliots' house in No Castanets, so before this, but vaguely knew Guy before then.


I don't think Veronica was at that party - it was after she went to the Wells. But Guy made quite an impression on Caroline - he helped out Jane when Nigel was bullying her, and twice stopped Fiona from her wicked deeds (and even threatened to spank her). Once was when Fiona "accidentally" dropped Sylvia's racket, and again when Fiona tries to sabotage Jane's chance of getting to perform as Titania in a play Lady Blantosh is giving.

...not that I meant to be pedantic, but I think No Castanets is my most-read Lorna Hill book so I couldn't help myself!

Thanks for the update Abi - I'm looking forward to seeing what havoc Sebastian wreaks :D
Author:  Cath V-P [ Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I can just imagine Fiona's annoyance! And I love the way Veronica's question about Sebastian's presence was answered in terms of his music - and she waited to get all the details before moving back to the more pragmatic aspect of things. :D
Author:  JS [ Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Another looking forward to Biddy's reaction to Sebastian - wonder if he'll call her (or Mary-Lou!) 'dear lady'.
Author:  Abi [ Tue Feb 03, 2009 11:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Elle wrote:
Sebastian! *swoons slighty* :oops: :oops: :oops:

Sebastian was always my favourite :heart: :heart:

But for those who, unlike me, like Guy, I managed to shoehorn him in too...

“S-S-Sebastian!” gurgled Fiona. “What on earth are you doing in Switzerland?”

“I thank you for your kind greeting, lady,” observed Sebastian sarcastically, completely ignoring the fact that I had addressed him in almost exactly the same way only half an hour ago. He swept his cap from his head, clasped it theatrically to his chest and made a low bow in Fiona’s direction. I heard a snort of laughter in my ear. Fiona turned red.

“Well, you must admit it’s a bit unexpected,” she snapped. “I mean, Uncle Adrian isn’t exactly in a position to throw money about –” Just behind Fiona’s fair head I saw Mary-Lou’s and Verity-Anne’s jaws drop in unison. Sebastian stiffened beside me, and I hastily interrupted. It was all very well for Fiona and Sebastian to quarrel in private, but when it came to a public tram in front of half the members of my form it was quite a different matter!

“Oh, Miss O’Ryan,” I said loudly, standing firmly in Sebastian’s way. “This is Sebastian Scott, our – Fiona’s and my – cousin. May he sit with us, please – he’s going back to Schaffhausen too?”

Miss O’Ryan nodded her permission and turned to Sebastian.

“Are you travelling with a school party?” she asked kindly.

“Yes – just a quick sightseeing trip,” explained Sebastian. “It’s a beautiful country, though. I’d like to spend more time here one day.”

“Oh, all the Alps are wonderful,” said Miss O’Ryan. “Has Veronica told you that the School used to be in Austria – when it first started?”

“Oh, yes,” I said. “I think Austria must be a gorgeous place – I always think of Giselle as being set there, though I can’t imagine why I should!”

“I suppose that’s another ballet?” said Vi.

“Have you seen Veronica dance yet?” I heard Sebastian ask casually. Miss O’Ryan looked surprised.

“I don’t think so –” she began.

“Oh, you must ask her to dance some time,” he assured her gravely. “We all think she’s going to be something special, you know.”

Miss O’Ryan’s brows contracted as though she wasn’t quite sure whether to take him seriously or not, but Sebastian’s piercing blue gaze didn’t shift from her eyes, and his face remained utterly serious until she turned to me, a tinge of what almost looked like respect in her face. I felt my own cheeks turn bright red – whoever would have supposed Sebastian would say a thing like that?

“Well, I want to be a dancer,” I mumbled.

“You should dance in one of our Saturday evenings,” put in Vi, suddenly excited. “None of us has seen you dance yet, Veronica.”

“All right, if you want me to,” I agreed. “I say, we’re practically back at Schaffhausen. What are you going to do now, Sebastian?”

“If you’re not up to much, I thought I might tag along with you for a bit.” He glanced at Miss O’Ryan for permission.

“I’m afraid we’ve arranged for Kaffee und Kuchen – coffee and cakes,” she explained, and Sebastian inclined his head gravely, though I suspected he knew perfectly well what she had meant, “at the Restaurant Frieden in twenty minutes’ time.”

“Oh well, if you don’t mind, I’d like to join you for the walk, at least. It’s frightfully good to catch up with Veronica. And my dear cousin Fiona too, of course,” he added with a sidelong glance at that damsel.

“Of course,” agreed Miss O’Ryan. I didn’t know how he’d done it, but Sebastian certainly seemed to have charmed her!

As we alighted from the tram, the other two parties surged round us. The mistresses marshalled us into a vague kind of order and we all set out for the restaurant, Sebastian offering Vi and me an arm each.

“Oughtn’t you to be getting back to your people, though?” I asked doubtfully.

“They’ll manage without me,” Sebastian assured me easily. “I’m leaving in a few weeks’ time, anyhow.” Apparently he felt that this gave him a licence to do exactly as he pleased – not that I could imagine Sebastian doing otherwise!

“Why are you leaving so soon?” demanded Fiona from behind us.

“Oh, they felt there was really nothing else I could learn, so said I might as well leave now as in the summer,” said Sebastian.

“I’m sure they never said anything like that,” objected Fiona. Sebastian shrugged his shoulders.

“Believe it or not,” he said carelessly. “But I’ve been like that from a child – you wouldn’t believe some of the things many of my teachers have said of me. Why, even Miss Totson, our nursery school teacher – you’ll remember her, Fiona. The one who said you were the most spoilt child she’d ever set eyes on –”

“She never said that!” cried Fiona indignantly.

“If you say so, though I remember it well. It was the day you screamed for an hour after Guy Charlton trod on your green crayon. Anyhow – what was I saying?”

“What she said about you,” Vi reminded him promptly.

“Oh yes, of course. ‘My dear Mr. Scott,’ she said – addressing my father, not me, of course – ‘My dear Mr. Scott! Never have I encountered a child with such an extraordinary mental capacity. Why, even in play he recites the twelve times table as though it were Humpty Dumpty, and he much prefers Paradise Lost to Hey, Diddle, Diddle.”

“You are ridiculous, Sebastian,” said Fiona scornfully. “I believe you’re making up every word.”

“Never scorn the word of a Scott, lady,” Sebastian said grandly. “Oh, but wait – you are a Scott. Hm, I must think out a better motto.”

“You’re a perfect beast!” Fiona exclaimed and dashed off into the crowd. I heard Vi crowing with laughter on Sebastian’s other side.

I told Sebastian all about the awfulness of my ballet lessons.

“I’m just so afraid that I won’t be any good any more,” I wailed. “What if the Wells refuse to take me? What if I never even get to audition there but have to stay at school the rest of my life?”

“Don’t be stupid,” said Sebastian flatly. “A term won’t hurt you. Even a year of it won’t be a tragedy. If you can learn bad habits you can unlearn them again.”

“But what if I never even have the chance to unlearn them?” I couldn’t help asking. “Aunt June said she’d never let me go on the stage.”

“Oh well, grown ups say an awful lot of things they don’t mean,” pointed out Sebastian, shrugging his shoulders. “I shouldn’t wonder if you managed to change Aunt June’s mind sometime soon.”

“What do you mean?” I demanded – Sebastian’s tone had been oddly meaningful.

“I fancy the Scotts – Uncle John and Aunt June, I mean – aren’t so well off as they once were. Aunt June might be pleased to have you at a school that doesn’t cost as much as this place does. I mean, it’s pretty posh, what?”

“Oh, Sebastian, I hope you’re right,” I gasped. “Not that I want Aunt June to be poor, of course, but I do hope she might let me go to the Wells after all. It is much cheaper than here, after all.”

At this point we reached the restaurant and Sebastian had to leave us. He did so with typical melodrama, proceeding to raise his cap to each of the mistresses, then immediately spoiling the good impression this created by kissing me soundly on the cheek then raising Vi’s fingers to his lips and kissing them too. This done, he strode off, leaving Vi scarlet-faced with mingled laughter and embarrassment and Fiona red with annoyance as he very pointedly ignored her!
Author:  blue1 [ Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Brilliant :lol: :lol: :lol:
Author:  JB [ Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Just perfect.
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Feb 04, 2009 1:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Sebastian was just brilliant there! He was just ... so Sebastian!

(Don't suppose there's any chance of Guy actually turning up ... he's very good at rescuing people from mountains, and as a vet - well, a future vet at this point - he's sort of like a doctor :lol: ...)
Author:  Elle [ Wed Feb 04, 2009 8:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Alison H wrote:
(Don't suppose there's any chance of Guy actually turning up ... he's very good at rescuing people from mountains, and as a vet - well, a future vet at this point - he's sort of like a doctor :lol: ...)



Ooh yes please!

Thanks for this, Sebastian was perfect, and I love the way he charmed Biddy! I hope they run into him again (please? Pretty please?)

Thank you!
Author:  Emma A [ Wed Feb 04, 2009 10:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks, Abi - that was excellent! Glad you only brought Guy in as a mention (*whispers* I don't like him either). And Sebastian was wonderfully himself, too. In fact, all your characters are very true to the way Hill wrote them.
Author:  Cat C [ Wed Feb 04, 2009 11:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
That was great - so nice this is back again!
Author:  Elbee [ Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
What a lovely encounter! I'm glad he managed to get the CS staff and pupils more interested in Veronica's dancing.

Thanks, Abi.
Author:  JS [ Wed Feb 04, 2009 2:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
What a nice long post, very satisfying encounter all round. Looking forward to more when you get a chance. Thanks Abi.
Author:  Cazo3788 [ Wed Feb 04, 2009 10:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Sebastian is brilliant! Love the way he disconcerts everyone - and drags up Fiona's disreputable past. Lovely to see that Stella and Jonathan are spending time together without Veronica's help. Maybe instead of Veronica, Mariella should be sent to the Chalet School - no horses, but lots of outdoors stuff. Thanks Abi :D
Author:  PaulineS [ Wed Feb 04, 2009 10:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Quote:
He did so with typical melodrama, proceeding to raise his cap to each of the mistresses, then immediately spoiling the good impression this created by kissing me soundly on the cheek then raising Vi’s fingers to his lips and kissing them too. This done, he strode off, leaving Vi scarlet-faced with mingled laughter and embarrassment and Fiona red with annoyance as he very pointedly ignored her!



So typical of Sebastian. Glad he could cheer up Veronica as well with a hope of the Wells some day and love his suggestion that they ought to see her dance.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Feb 05, 2009 4:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Loved that encounter. Can't wait to see the schools reaction to Veronica's dancing!
Author:  Cath V-P [ Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
That was just so typically Sebastian!
Author:  Abi [ Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thank you for all your very kind comments :oops: .

The next week seemed horribly flat after the expedition. It wasn’t only tiredness and anti-climax, either. Seeing Sebastian so unexpectedly had been thrilling, but now he was gone, and I was back at school, and life hadn’t changed at all. Aunt June hadn’t showed any signs of relenting in her latest letter and Fiona was being particularly Fiona-ish. Caroline had always sworn that Fiona wanted Sebastian to like her, and I began to wonder whether she wasn’t right.

The Saturday after Schaffhausen was the first of the special Saturday evenings that Vi and the others had told me about. The Prefects threw a party – what they called a ‘Sheets and Pillowcases’ party, which did exactly what it said on the tin! I panicked at first because I couldn’t think of anything to go as. Then I suddenly realised the perfect costume. The skirt was difficult to make, but I managed it in the end with some help from Mary-Lou, who had the idea of using wire to support it. I used the pillowcases to make the bodice and ended up with a slightly odd looking but definitely recognisable tutu. I wore for the first time the pair of pointe shoes Sebastian had given me on the platform at the beginning of term and a new pair of pink tights. I did my hair in a tight bun and, to complete the image, daringly put on the tiniest bit of eye make-up – I decided to leave off the false eyelashes, though!

“Gosh, Veronica, you look wonderful,” said Vi frankly. “I never noticed before what a gorgeous figure you have.”

“She has, hasn’t she,” agreed Mary-Lou, staring at me appraisingly as she climbed into her own costume at express speed. “Tie me up at the back, would you, Vi? I suppose it’s all that dancing you do, Veronica. It must be awfully good for the figure. Maybe I should take it up,” she added thoughtfully.

The others shouted with laughter.

“Mary-Lou Trelawney, the Bouncing Ballerina,” announced Hilary in stentorian tones, while Vi and Barbara Chester linked hands and began to dance around the room, striking mock-graceful postures and throwing their arms out dramatically.

“I never said I’d be good at it,” pointed out Mary-Lou with a grin. “Anyway, I’ve got better things to do with my time.”

“That’s exactly what I think,” put in Fiona, glancing disdainfully at Vi and Barbara, who had collapsed, laughing, on Barbara’s bed with complete disregard for what Matey would say if she caught them there. “Dancing isn’t really a worthwhile thing however well you do it.”

“That isn’t precisely what I said – and it certainly isn’t what I meant,” Mary-Lou said coldly. “I meant that since I haven’t much chance of being any good at it, and since I don’t care enough to want to try to improve my figure that way, it isn’t particularly worthwhile for me. It’s quite different for someone like Veronica, of course. If you have a gift for something, you should work hard at it – whatever it is.”

“Couldn’t you dance for us now, Veronica?” Vi begged.

“I could,” I said. “I’d have to warm up first, though – you can end up straining a muscle if you don’t warm up.”

“Oh well, you’ve got time now, surely,” said Hilary eagerly. “There are still fifteen minutes before we need go downstairs.”

So, feeling somewhat surreal, I took possession of Mary-Lou’s cubicle for ten minutes, since it had a window-sill at a convenient height for use as a barre. I drew the curtains around me, feeling that it would really be too much to try to warm up properly with Fiona’s supercilious gaze on me the whole time. I danced part of the Odette solo from Lac des Cynes, since I knew this fairly well. It wasn’t a very good performance, but I didn’t think any of the girls actually realised this!

“Of course it’s much better with the music,” I explained. “It doesn’t really work without it – music is as much part of the ballet as the dancing. But it’s the best I could do in the circumstances, I’m afraid.”

“I thought it was marvellous,” said Verity, her face glowing. “I never knew ballet dancing was so beautiful. I’ve never actually seen any before, of course,” she added reflectively.

“Verity’s right,” Mary-Lou agreed abruptly. “You ought to be at a proper dancing school, Veronica. You must feel it’s a dreadful waste to be here at all.”

“Well, I do, a bit,” I admitted. “Not that I think it’s a bad school,” I added hastily. “It’s just that the ballet teaching isn’t very – er, I mean, it isn’t as good as it would be at the Wells.”

“You couldn’t expect it to be that good,” objected Hilary, evidently feeling that I was criticising the school.

“I always thought the music side of things was supposed to be quite good,” Mary-Lou said, frowning. Then she grinned. “Not, that I’d know. Music is not my strong point! All the same, I’ve heard people speak about it quite positively.”

“It might be,” I burst out, “if all you wanted to do was learn to be graceful and dance prettily. “But I want more than that. I want a – a career in ballet. I’m sorry, but Fraulein Merckel is simply dreadful! All she cares about is grace and prettiness, and stupid little finicking delicate bits that aren’t even good style. If I learn too much from her I’ll start to dance like some frightful music-hall chorus girl! Honestly, if anyone from the Wells saw her they’d tie her up and fling her into the nearest river. I’d almost rather not have any lessons at all!”

They stared at me, their mouths open in surprise.
Author:  Elle [ Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
It's not that I am not grateful for the update, but Sebastian has gone...
:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Great update all the same, thank you! I am glad the other girls are starting to see how much Veronica needs to be at the Wells.
Author:  Sarah_G-G [ Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Poor Veronica! It's good that the other girls can see a bit why she really should be at a proper ballet school but they're not going to understand the real problems with the teaching so far as Veronica is concerned. :( No blame to them of course, but it's no wonder Veronica is so frustrated.
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I can really imagine Verity being into ballet. Poor Veronica, though: it must all be so frustrating for her.

And yes, Fiona always did protest a bit too much about how much she supposedly disliked Sebastian ...
Author:  Emma A [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Yay! More update! Thank-you very much, Abi.

It was lovely to see the girls realising how important ballet is to Veronica, and seeing that even the Chalet School isn't the best place for her. I also liked Veronica's outburst at the end - she really does feel very strongly about the bad habits she might get into.

Lovely (even without Sebastian!). :D
Author:  JS [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Ah, Veronica's artistic temperament coming through - very funny. Glad that Verity was entranced.

Thanks Abi.
Author:  PaulineS [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 1:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks for the update. Hope Veronica has a chance to dance to a wider audience soon,
Author:  snowmaiden [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 1:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks for the update, Abi, I am loving this drabble. Used to be a ballet dancer myself and think you have captured really well the angst felt when one can't dance - it seems totally irrational to the rest of the world!
Author:  Jenefer [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thank you for the update and Sebastian. I am enjoying this very much. i like Mary Lou in this
Author:  Ariel [ Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks, Abi, this is wonderful. :) It's making me want to dig out my Wells books - I sense a trip to eBay to coming on for the ones I originally borrowed from the library...
Author:  Abi [ Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
“I’m sorry,” I mumbled. “It’s just – I’m so afraid the Wells won’t even look at me after this.” To my horror I felt tears pricking at the backs of my eyes. I hastily turned away on the pretence of fastening my shoe on more securely.

“Didn’t your cousin – Sebastian – say it would be all right?” asked Vi. “He said one term, or even a whole year, probably wouldn’t hurt you.”

“Yes, he did say that,” I admitted. “And I suppose he’s right really. It’s just that this all seems such an awful waste of time, as Mary-Lou said. I feel as though I’m going backwards, not forwards.”

“You’ll just have to try to persuade your aunt that you need to go to this Wells place,” Mary-Lou pronounced firmly. “Couldn’t Fiona help? She’s your mother, isn’t she, Fiona? She might listen to what you say.” She turned to Fiona.

“I – I –” for once Fiona wasn’t sure what to say. More than anything she wanted to be friendly with Mary-Lou, who obviously led the form in everything it did. But the idea of Fiona pleading with Aunt June to let me go to the Wells was almost funny.

“Maybe we could all write to her?” suggested Vi quickly. I laughed – I couldn’t help it.

“It’s awfully sweet of you,” I said. “But I don’t think Aunt June would like it. No, I’ll just have to keep on trying.”

I saw Vi open her mouth to speak and knew she was about to mention what Sebastian had said last week about the Scotts losing money. Frowning, I glanced towards Fiona. Vi shut her mouth again.

“Just look at the time!” cried Mary-Lou, hurriedly pushing her frock into the wardrobe. “We’re going to be horribly late. Is everyone ready? Verity, is that your hat on your bed? Shove it on – quick. Come along, people!” A moment later we were clattering down the staircase to the Hall.

The party was fun – we danced some of the more sedate of the country dances, like Hunsden House and Sir Roger de Coverley, and I must admit it was a pleasure to dance without having to bother about whether I was doing it right, or learning bad habits, but simply for enjoyment. Caroline and I had four dances together – there was a sort of tradition that no-one was supposed to dance more than twice with the same person, but it wasn’t difficult to circumvent that.

“What on earth possessed you to pick on a tutu, of all things?” Caroline complained as she circumnavigated my skirt. I giggled.

“I didn’t really think how impractical it would be. Shame there isn’t a prize for ‘Most Annoying’. I’m sure I’d win it.”

“By the way,” Caroline put in, “Fiona said you’d seen Sebastian on your trip to Schaffhausen – she sounded a bit annoyed about it.”

“I’m not surprised, since he ignored her the whole time,” I said. “It was her own fault – she made an awful comment about Uncle Adrian not being able to afford to send Sebastian on trips to Europe.”

Caroline’s eyes widened. Then her lips began to twitch.

“Golly! I bet he didn’t like that!” she exclaimed.

“Oh well,” I shrugged. “You know what Sebastian is – Fiona’s never been able to get the better of him. He got his own back all right.”

I skipped round Carola Johnstone and narrowly missed a collision with Mdlle de Lachenais, who had come as a Queen and whose sheet made a brief train. Unfortunately the dancing had caused it to slip somewhat, so that when she swerved away from my broad skirt the train swung round and I promptly skipped onto it. Fortunately none of the sheets or pillowcases were damaged in the resulting tangle – Matey would have had something to say in that case!
Author:  Alison H [ Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Poor Veronica - that feeling that you're just marking time being somewhere where you don't want to be is horrible.

Nice to see Caroline again. She was always my favourite because I always empathised with her worries about her weight :roll: .

I don't often say this, but Mary-Lou is great in this :D .

Thanks Abi - loving this.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sun Feb 08, 2009 8:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks,

Poor Veronica, it would be hard being so good at something and not be able to do it, though am glad everyone is being so supportive.

Loved M-L's suggestion of Fiona should intercede and her reaction :D
Author:  Emma A [ Sun Feb 08, 2009 9:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks, Abi. The girls' comments to Veronica show all the good things about the Chalet School. Liked seeing Caroline, too - it's a shame she didn't get to see Sebastian, too.
Author:  JS [ Mon Feb 09, 2009 12:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Poor Veronica - but nice to see her getting on so well with the other girls. It really feels like she was there in real (CS!) life, if you know what I mean. That is supposed to be a compliment, Abi!
Author:  Cath V-P [ Tue Feb 10, 2009 12:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Poor Veronica, feeling that she not only isn't making progress but might be going back. And M-L and the gang are so nice here!
Author:  Cat C [ Tue Feb 10, 2009 2:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I am so enjoying this one!

Has made me wonder about Veronica (as an old girl, and successful ballerina) encouraging Felicity in her ambitions too.
Author:  Miss Di [ Wed Feb 11, 2009 3:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
What a lovely lot of updates I've just caught up with.
Thank you Abi, you are doing a marvellous job of putting Veronica and Co. into the Chalet School
Author:  Abi [ Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
JS wrote:
It really feels like she was there in real (CS!) life, if you know what I mean. That is supposed to be a compliment, Abi!


Thank you! That is what I was aiming at :oops: :lol: .

And I have finally worked out how to make umlauts :popper: .

Fräulein Merckel became more pleased with me each lesson. She made me stand at the front so that the others could watch me.

“You see the beautiful movement of the hand,” she exclaimed during our next lesson. “You must imitate her sweep, her turn.” Then ten minutes later it would be, “the turning-out, my children. Watch the turn-out of Veronica – see how she does not contort the frame. From the hips you must turn.”

The trouble was, I felt as though I had never danced more badly. My body felt stiff and my arms unpliant. My feet wouldn’t move with the precision I wanted. I tried to correct myself in the mirror, but my line remained awkward, my face unhappy. As I paused at the end of an enchainement, Fräulein Merckel approached and altered the position of my hand slightly.

“See how much you have improved, even in these few weeks,” she beamed. I glanced in the mirror. Mannered and miserable. What would Madame or Miss Martin say if they could see me now? Sick at heart, I walked to the barre, picked up my towel and made for the door.

“Wait, Veronica – I wish to speak with you,” called Fräulein Merckel. I turned back, wondering what she could want with me now.

“Yes, Fräulein Merckel?” I replied as Caroline’s back vanished through the door.

“You are an excellent dancer, Veronica, much beyond the standard of the rest of this class. I wish to offer you lessons in private, where we can work more intensively. I think that you would do me credit.”

“Oh – no – I couldn’t!” I blurted before I could stop myself.

“But why not?” she looked astonished. I felt myself turning red.

“I don’t – I haven’t really got time,” I compromised. “I’m frightfully behind on – on lots of things. It’s awfully good of you, Fräulein Merckel, but I don’t think it would be a good idea just now.”

Her face fell, but I think she understood – which only made me feel more guilty. I hoped she hadn’t seen the look of horror that I’m sure had been on my face when she first made the suggestion!

“It cannot be helped. Do not fret about it, my dear.” She patted my shoulder reassuringly. “I have another suggestion for you – it has not come from me, but I think it can only do you good.”
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Oh come on, you can't leave it there!!

BTW, how do you type umlauts on an "English" keyboard? I've never worked it out and would love to know :oops: :oops: ! I can't do grave accents either :oops: .
Author:  Cat C [ Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Oooooh, a cliff!

Wonder what the suggestion is and where it's come from :?: :?: :?:
Author:  Nightwing [ Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
You and your cliffhangers! You're so meeeeeeean!

I mean, thanks for the update! I hope Fraulein Meckerl's next suggestion is something that is rather more helpful for Veronica.
Author:  blue1 [ Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
More please..... :D

Thank you though. That could have been really awkward for Veronica not that it wasn't awkward enough. :D
Author:  Cath V-P [ Fri Feb 13, 2009 1:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Oh, how difficult for Veronica, and of course Fraulein Merckel would have noticed.... I wonder what the suggestion is?
Author:  Miss Di [ Fri Feb 13, 2009 2:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Yes, I am wondering too.
Author:  Emma A [ Fri Feb 13, 2009 10:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thank-you, Abi - poor Veronica. Of course, tact isn't her strong point where dancing is concerned! She did very well to pass it off. I wonder what the other suggestion is? Would it involve Herr Steiner, by any chance? :D
Author:  Sarah_G-G [ Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Ooh, exciting! I hope the next suggestion is more to Veronica's liking! She's doing an incredible job at hanging onto her full name, by the way, I'm very impressed considering the CS mania for shortening them.

Alison H- you can get various accents up by pressing the alt key at the same time as typing various codes into the number pad. It works on most programmes except the most recent version of Microsoft Word and apparently the code I have for o umlaut makes this reply disappear :roll: Not sure why as it definitely works on Microsoft Works! I have a full list of French and German symbols from when I got fed up when I was at university fo inserting symbols into essays all the time :oops: I'm not sure which you were after, but as a brief guide è (alt 138) à (alt 133) ü (alt 129) ä (alt 132) é (alt 130) ê (alt 136). Normally o umlaut would be alt 148 but I'm not typing that into this message again! Oh, and if you're using a laptop you press Fn at the same time as well and use the blue numbers.
Author:  JS [ Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Ooh, exciting. I'm another asking for more soon. And, no pressure Abi, but it is my birthday today so another post would be just dreamy :D

Sarah_G-G wrote:
Quote:
She's doing an incredible job at hanging onto her full name, by the way, I'm very impressed considering the CS mania for shortening them.


Very funny - hadn't noticed that. Didn't Yseult's sister end up as Ronnie? Can you see Veronica's face? :lol:

Edited to say maybe she could be 'Westie'?
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sun Feb 15, 2009 1:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks, thought Veronica did really well being tactful. Hopefully she'll suggest a dance school
Author:  Lyanne [ Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Sarah_G-G wrote:
Ooh, exciting! I hope the next suggestion is more to Veronica's liking! She's doing an incredible job at hanging onto her full name, by the way, I'm very impressed considering the CS mania for shortening them.

Alison H- you can get various accents up by pressing the alt key at the same time as typing various codes into the number pad. It works on most programmes except the most recent version of Microsoft Word and apparently the code I have for o umlaut makes this reply disappear :roll: Not sure why as it definitely works on Microsoft Works! I have a full list of French and German symbols from when I got fed up when I was at university fo inserting symbols into essays all the time :oops: I'm not sure which you were after, but as a brief guide è (alt 138) à (alt 133) ü (alt 129) ä (alt 132) é (alt 130) ê (alt 136). Normally o umlaut would be alt 148 but I'm not typing that into this message again! Oh, and if you're using a laptop you press Fn at the same time as well and use the blue numbers.


I use the character map, look in all programs, go to accessories, system tools, character map. Brings up many different accents and other useful things (like fractions).
Author:  Abi [ Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Alison H wrote:
BTW, how do you type umlauts on an "English" keyboard? I've never worked it out and would love to know :oops: :oops: ! I can't do grave accents either :oops: .


Well, I went to 'insert' then 'symbol' then scrolled down till I found the symbol I wanted - when you click on it it tells you the shortcut keys to use.

Sorry about the cliff - I didn't even think of it's being one :oops: .

“How would you like to teach a class yourself?” Fräulein Merckel asked. I hadn’t known what to expect, but it certainly wasn’t this!

“Teach a class?” I echoed faintly, my jaw dropping.

“Yes – only a small class, of course,” she added reassuringly. “Some of the younger children, who are only just beginning. You see, I do not live close by and it is unpleasant for me to travel in the later afternoon. Now that the evenings grow dark earlier and the weather is less clement to travel becomes worse. It would be a great help if you were to lead a class of the small children in this dark winter period.”

“Of course, I see it must be difficult,” I admitted, trying to pull myself together. “But I – I don’t think I’d be a very good teacher. Honestly, Fräulein Merckel, I’m not sure that I could do it.”

“I am confident that you can, my child. The children have begun only this term and I of course will show you what you must teach. It will be excellent experience for you – it will help you to think and to comprehend more fully what you are doing.”

I joined Caroline a quarter of an hour later with two opposing emotions at war inside me.

“Whatever have you been doing all this time?” she demanded.

“Talking to Fräulein Merckel,” I explained gloomily. “She wants me to teach ballet to some of the kids.”

“Gosh! What a weird idea. Why on earth does she want you to do that?”

“Oh, she wants to leave earlier because of it getting dark early. And she thinks it’ll be good experience for me.”

“Well, I should think it would be. They always say the best way to learn something is to teach it,” Caroline pointed out.

“I know. All the same, I don’t want to,” I said.

“But why?” Caroline sounded bewildered.

“I – I – oh, I can’t explain, but I don’t. I mean, I do in a way, but I’d really rather not.”

“Well,” suggested Caroline after a pause in which I straightened my stockings and stood up. “Well, couldn’t you just say no?”

“Not really,” I said, my gloom deepening. “You see, she offered to give me private lessons and of course I said no – I had to, Caroline,” I cried, seeing the look on her face. “I couldn’t bear to have more lessons with her. I should hate every minute. Anyhow, you see how it is. I couldn’t say no again. Oh yes, I’ll have to do it.”

I shoved my practice clothes into my linen bag to go to the laundry and we went off to the Splasheries to put our shoes into our lockers.
Author:  Nightwing [ Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Oh dear - I can see Veronica either being spectacularly good or a spectacular failure... perhaps she'll find she enjoys it despite her doubts!

Thanks for the update Abi :D :D
Author:  blue1 [ Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thank you.

Maybe i'm being dense here but who suggested that she teach a class if the idea didn't come from Fraulein Merckel?
Author:  Alison H [ Sat Feb 21, 2009 9:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks for the help with typing accents!

Hope that this works out better than Veronica's expecting ... maybe someone important will see her teaching?
Author:  Cath V-P [ Sat Feb 21, 2009 12:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thinking about the book, wasn't there a suggestion from Aunt June that Veronica might teach dancing? And could this be seen as a way of testing her suitability for this?
Author:  Cat C [ Sat Feb 21, 2009 3:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Cath V-P wrote:
Thinking about the book, wasn't there a suggestion from Aunt June that Veronica might teach dancing? And could this be seen as a way of testing her suitability for this?


I believe at the end of Dream, Madame W-V or Mary Martin suggested to Aunt June that Veronica could teach, as a way of persuading her to let her carry on learning, since the paths of dancers and dancing teachers run parallel for quite a while.

Difficult problem for Veronica - if it were a better teacher, it would be a good solution!
Author:  JS [ Sat Feb 21, 2009 5:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
These classes should be interesting - wonder if Veronica will be as temperamental as Gilbert?
Thanks Abi.
Author:  Abi [ Sun Feb 22, 2009 9:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thank you for all the kind comments.

“What on earth made Fräulein Merckel ask you to teach the kids?” Caroline asked curiously.

“The Head suggested it,” I explained. “Or rather, not that I should teach them, but that someone should – so Fräulein Merckel didn’t have to travel in the dark, you know.” Caroline still looked confused, so I elaborated. “She asked if there wasn’t some Senior who would be able to help with a class and Fräulein Merckel said she immediately thought of me.”

“You’ll enjoy it,” said Caroline. “I can’t imagine a better person to be taught by. Much better than old Merckel. You’re right about her. She doesn’t understand about dancing, not really. All the same, I can’t imagine what some of the parents might say if they knew you were the teacher!”

“I thought of that,” I admitted with a sheepish grin. “But the Abbess has explained to them and reduced the fees. So that won’t wash.”

We spent the afternoon together but didn’t mention the subject of ballet any more, instead gossiping about School matters – how Jessica was improving at a tremendous rate, how Heather Clayton and Francie Wilford from Caroline’s form had managed to smash a whole row of models in the Art room and had consequently been deprived of their pocket money for the next few weeks, how Maeve Bettany had a new baby sister and what sort of entertainment the Juniors might give us that evening.

Why couldn’t I explain to Caroline my feelings about Fräulein Merckel’s suggestion? Maybe it was because I felt she wouldn’t understand. Perhaps it was because I wasn’t entirely sure how I felt about it myself! After all, if it had been Miss Martin who had asked me to take a class I would have been overjoyed. And I wasn’t.

The Juniors performed charades – according to Vi and Barbara, they rarely had the originality to think of anything else. I watched a small group of kids prancing at one side of the stage – apparently imitating some sort of musical-comedy dance – while a second group jeered at them in dumb-show. I never found out what the word was, because my thoughts drifted away to my difficulties.

After a while I decided that the real problem wasn’t that I didn’t want to teach people ballet – it was that I was miserable about ballet in general and mine in particular. I knew I was dancing badly. I could tell every time I glanced into the big mirrors on the walls of the studio, and every time Fräulein Merckel congratulated me I felt a tiny bit stiffer and less real, because I knew that what she said wasn’t true. The harder I tried, the worse it became – my arabesque was horribly strained, I seemed to travel yards in my pirouettes and every time I landed from a jump I felt more clumsy.

“I can’t teach people now,” I told myself as a ripple of giggles broke out across the hall. “I won’t be able to teach them a thing. My dancing’s getting worse instead of better.”
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Feb 22, 2009 9:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Poor Veronica: she's getting into one of those downward spirals :( . Hope that the teaching works out after all.
Author:  Nightwing [ Sun Feb 22, 2009 9:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Yay, an update! What a wonderful start to my Monday morning :D

It's good to see Caroline encouraging Veronica - perhaps she'll find when she's teaching, and not underneath someone else's thumb, her own dancing will improve.
Author:  Cat C [ Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thank you for the update.

And I hope Nightwing's right - that dancing away from Fräulein Merckel might help her improve, or at least let her remember how she should dance...

I suppose this is a term Joey is supposed to be 'kept quiet' because she's 'busy', otherwise you'd expect her to come steaming in with solutions and understanding, like she did with Nina and her piano-playing.
Author:  Miss Di [ Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Abi wrote:
“I thought of that,” I admitted with a sheepish grin. “But the Abbess has explained to them and reduced the fees. So that won’t wash.”


Well I hope those fees are going to swell Veronica's slender purse. And maybe Veronica will find another teacher/meet Sebastian again and feel better. (I can wish can't I?)
Author:  Emma A [ Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks for the update, Abi - poor Veronica. I can quite see why she doesn't want to teach anyone when she feels so badly about her own dancing. Perhaps someone can suggest a way for her to relax during classes.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Mon Feb 23, 2009 1:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Poor Veronica, her dancing meant the world to her. She may find teaching dancing will improve her own especially if she teaches it how it shoul be taught
Author:  JS [ Mon Feb 23, 2009 5:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Teaching might take her back to basics, as it were - looking forward to seeing how it works out. Thanks Abi.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Tue Feb 24, 2009 12:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Poor Veronica - and the harder she tries, the more strained she becomes, then she's even more depressed and anxious, so she tries harder, and on it goes. And of course, it doesn't help that there is nobody to really talk to about it.
Author:  Abi [ Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Cat C wrote:
I suppose this is a term Joey is supposed to be 'kept quiet' because she's 'busy', otherwise you'd expect her to come steaming in with solutions and understanding, like she did with Nina and her piano-playing.


Indeed; this is set during Mary-Lou - ML is given the job of sorting Jessica out because Joey was 'busy'. Most fortunate, or I wouldn't have a plot :D .

Apologies for the length of this. Also, I fear I may have got carried away with the italics in this one... :oops:

On Monday Miss O’Ryan kept me back after the history lesson.

“Now, Veronica,” she addressed me firmly. “I want to know exactly what’s gone wrong with you.”

“Gone wrong with me?” I repeated stupidly.

“Yes. Now don’t try to deny it,” she warned, “for I shan’t believe you. You had four returned lessons last week and two detentions. And,” she added, “Miss Wilson tells me your Science is falling off. I thought you liked Science.”

“Well, I do,” I admitted feebly, since she seemed to be expecting an answer.

“Then it’s something else.” She plumped herself down in Lesley Malcolm’s seat and pushed Gwen Parry’s towards me. “Sit down and tell me all about it.”

I sat down. Miss O’Ryan didn’t say anything more, but sat waiting in silence. I tried to gather my dispersed thoughts.

“It’s just,” I explained carefully, “that not being able to dance – not being at the Wells – it’s – it’s sort of difficult.”

I ran down at this point, rather scared at how difficult I was finding to express myself. Always before I had said what I thought – good, bad, tactless or strange, my thoughts tumbled out of my mouth before I could shape them. Miss O’Ryan was frowning slightly.

“You want to dance?” she hazarded and I realised with a queer shock that she didn’t even know about my ambitions.

“Yes. I was going to audition for the Sadler’s Wells ballet school – at least, Madame said she could get me an audition. Madame Wakulski-Viret,” I added, seeing that Miss O’Ryan hadn’t an idea what I was talking about. “She taught me dancing for years – she used to be a great dancer herself and now she teaches. But Aunt June said I wasn’t to, and sent us here.”

“I see.” Miss O’Ryan nodded. “I remember that your cousin mentioned dancing when we met him at Schaffhausen. But my dear child, we have a visiting dancing mistress who comes each Saturday. Couldn’t you ask your aunt –” she broke off, probably at the sight of my face!

“I’m having lessons,” I said, trying to speak politely. “But they aren’t very good ones – I mean, not the standard I need if I’m ever to get into the Wells. And even if they were good, they wouldn’t be the same. You’re far more likely to be taken into a company if you’ve been in their school for a few years. It means you’ve learnt their ways – their style, the way they like you to dance.”

I could see from Miss O’Ryan’s face that this was all so much Greek to her.

“I’d simply rather not be here,” I said bluntly.

“I see,” Miss O’Ryan said again. She thought for a minute, then said, “I know you’re not going to like this much, Veronica, but I’m going to give you some advice. Since you are here, don’t you think you might as well try to get as much enjoyment out of it as possible? Granted, we can’t do much for you in the way of ballet dancing, but in mnay other things we can. Work hard at languages – they’ll come in useful if you end up travelling with a company. Try to get as broad an education as you can. The more knowledge you gather, the more intelligently you learn to view the world, the more informed your dancing will be.”

Interpreting my expression correctly, she went on. “I know – I don’t know anything about ballet. But it’s the same with any art. You can’t draw, or write or interpret music so effectively if you’re doing it all out of ignorance. Instinct is a fine thing, but intelligent people will be watching you dance and they will be able to discern the difference a good education and a thinking mind will make.”

I thought of something Stella had written about one of the girls who had been taken into the Company with her – Belinda Beaucaire. She’s a gorgeous dancer, of course, and absolutely beautiful, but she’s awfully – well, I know it sounds dreadful to say it, and I wouldn’t to anyone but you or Jonathan, Veronica, but she is shallow. I mean, she doesn’t really think about other people, or things. Of course, it’ll never matter to her because she dances so wonderfully. I do think it’s a shame, though…

“I’ll try,” I said doubtfully. Miss O’Ryan seemed to be satisfied with my half-hearted response.

“You do that. Now, would you like to have a word with Miss Annersley and see if she can’t persuade your aunt that ballet school might not be such a bad thing?”

“Me?” I gasped. Miss O’Ryan flashed a grin at me.

“She doesn’t bite, you know. And she does set aside two hours in the evenings for you girls to ask for help if you need it.”

“Oh,” was all I said as I tried to assimilate the startling idea that one could broach such personal issues with such an august personage as one’s Headmistress! “Well, I suppose I could try.”

I knew I would, though. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do to try to get to the Wells.
Author:  shazwales [ Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thank you Abi, it's years since i read the 'Sadlers Wells' books but i do remember the bit about Belinda Beaucaire. Think i will have to find copies to re-read.More please??
Author:  Cat C [ Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Goodness! Miss Annersely to the rescue perhaps... Interesting idea - I wonder what she'll come up with.

Thanks for the update.
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Didn't Madame Wakulski-Viret say something to Veronica about how her dancing was better because she'd learnt about new things in Northumberland, or words to that effect? And Miss Annersley said the same sort of thing to Nina Rutherford. So well said Biddy: that was just the right approach to take (not that I know anything about ballet or playing the piano :oops: :lol: ).

Hope Hilda will be able to help.
Author:  Miss Di [ Wed Mar 04, 2009 6:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Very sensible advice from Biddy there. And I'm glad someone in authority has noticed how miserable Veronica is.
Author:  JS [ Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Your Chalet School seems a very understanding place, Abi. Hope that Hilda comes up trumps.
Author:  Emma A [ Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
That's sounding more hopeful, Abi - looking forward to Veronica's meeting with Miss Annersley! :D I did also like Veronica thinking that there was nothing she wouldn't do to further her ambition to get into the Wells!

Thank-you!
Author:  JS [ Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I wonder if Veronica will tell Miss A that she looks like the queen of the Wilis, or whatever stately role it was.....
Author:  claireM [ Wed Mar 04, 2009 6:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Nice to see Biddy noticing and helping. Thanks Abi.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Thu Mar 05, 2009 5:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Biddy's advice was very sound, both with regard to Veronica learning all she could and approaching Miss Annersley.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Glad Biddy was able to help. Only hope Hilda can help especially with Aunt June
Author:  Abi [ Tue Mar 17, 2009 11:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks for all the comments - sorry it's been so long since the last update. RL suddenly got busy when I wasn't looking :shock: . Anyway, here it is finally.

I didn’t go to Miss Annersley that very evening – I wanted to make sure I explained exactly what I wanted and why. I had a feeling that a headmistress might not be very keen on the idea of asking someone to take a pupil away! Unfortunately the next day brought an event I certainly hadn’t reckoned on.

It began with Fiona getting up late – not an unusual occurrence – and calmly appropriating the next free bathroom regardless of her allotted time or room. In the confusion caused by this and the fact that she took a quarter of an hour to bath, Hilary and I ended up without having baths at all.

“Really,” Hilary raged as she flung her clothes on at top speed, “of all the selfish little beasts, Fiona Scott, you are the absolute limit!”

“Well, if you had any sense you’d have realised I wasn’t ready to go in and bathed before me,” Fiona retorted.

“If you think I have time to watch what you’re doing the whole time on the off-chance that you might get up late and happen to want a bath, you’ve got another think coming,” Hilary flung back at her.

“Shut up, you two,” Mary-Lou interpolated loudly. “We haven’t time. Get in line and for goodness’ sake make sure you’re tidy. We’re already two minutes late. Your stocking’s coming down, Fiona,” she added irritably. “Do try not to let us down any more than you need.”

She led us down the stairs at a trot, and we weren’t quite late enough to earn a rebuke, though Hilary Wilson, the prefect at the head of our table, did frown at us as we sat down.

“You people are cutting it awfully fine,” she observed mildly, but that was all. Fiona and Hilary, sitting opposite one another at the table, spent most of the meal scowling at one another and making comments about one another to their neighbours. Unfortunately for Fiona, both her neighbours took Hilary’s part and replied monosyllabically or not at all when she addressed them.

“I don’t know what you’re making such a fuss about,” Fiona observed loftily as we waited for the signal to rise from the table. “After all, Veronica didn’t have a bath either, and she isn’t complaining. I think all this fuss is perfectly ridiculous.”

Well!

“I am annoyed,” I contradicted furiously. “If you really want to know, Fiona, I think you’re disgustingly selfish. You always have been,” I added, mostly because I was suddenly enjoying the shocked look on Fiona’s face.

“I’m selfish?” she sneered, recovering herself. “It was your fault just as much as mine this morning.”

“It jolly well was not,” put in Mary-Lou as hundreds of chairs scraped backwards and everyone rose. “If you got up too late for your bath you should have missed it. If I’d realised what you were up to,” with an air of regret, “you would have done.”

Fiona glared at her in outraged silence for a minute, then dashed away, pushing her way through the crowds of girls in such a reckless manner that it was hardly surprising that Carola Johnstone caught her by the arm.

“Hi! There’s no need to go barging round like a tank,” she said mildly. Fiona rounded on her.

“Oh, just let go of me!” she snapped. Carola’s eyebrows rose. Keeping a firm hold of Fiona’s arm, she manoeuvred through the crowd and stood stolidly at the side of the room.

“In case you hadn’t found it out already, Fiona,” Carola told her severely, “insolence is not permitted in this establishment. You can wait here with me. Perhaps that will help you to remember that shoving people around isn’t approved of either.”

Hilary and I exchanged grins, our rumpled tempers gaining some relief from seeing Fiona reprimanded.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Wed Mar 18, 2009 12:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
That is so typically Fiona! :D

Thank you Abi
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Mar 18, 2009 12:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I can just imagine Fiona hogging the bathroom! At least she didn't throw anyone's clothes in the bath.
Author:  Emma A [ Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Good for Carola! I do like the way that Fiona assumed that Veronica didn't mind, just because she hadn't said anything!

Thanks, Abi - I am enjoying this very much.
Author:  JS [ Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Nice to see Carola in action too. (Mind you, not sure I'd be that upset to miss the cold bath)
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Mar 19, 2009 12:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks, lovely to see more of this
Author:  Miss Di [ Thu Mar 19, 2009 3:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Doing a little happy dance to see this back

but I hope Veronica can't see me because I have no talent for dancing
Author:  Abi [ Fri Mar 20, 2009 10:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Of course Fiona was in her worst temper after being admonished by Carola – especially as it turned out that she’d seen Hilary and me laughing about it.

“How kind of you,” she remarked sarcastically. “I suppose they’re the kind of manners an expensive boarding school give one.”

“Oh, do shut up,” said Hilary, sounding bored. “Honestly, I don’t ever remember hearing you say a pleasant word, Fiona.”

“It’d be beneath her dignity, I suppose,” observed Vi, sardonically.

“If this weren’t such a hideous place then maybe I’d want to be pleasant,” Fiona flared. “But you’re all so jolly full of yourselves! You seem to think your stupid rules are everything and the Prefects are little tin gods. I’ve never been in such a stupid place in my life.”

At this point her voice was drowned out.

“Tin gods! You think you’re a goddess yourself, Fiona Scott!” cried Claire Kennedy.

“Our rules are not stupid – they’re made for a purpose and –” Vi said indignantly.

“It’s the best school I’ve ever been to!” Barbara Chester asseverated shrilly, apparently oblivious of the fact that it was the only school she had ever been to – though I don’t think Fiona knew this!

“The trouble with you, Fiona,” Mary-Lou declared calmly, “is that you think you’re the most important person in the world. Just because you don’t like the Chalet School, it must be awful.”

“I’m hardly the only one, though, am I?” scoffed Fiona. “Jessica loathes it – so does Veronica. Three new girls in your form, and they all hate it.” She gave Mary-Lou an especially supercilious smile.

“I don’t loathe it – not any more!” Jessica cried.

“Neither do I,” I said firmly. “I don’t loathe it in the least. I’d just rather not be here.”

“Oh, really, Veronica,” Fiona snarled. “I’ve heard you say dozens of times that you’re miserable here.”

“I am not,” I insisted heatedly. “I wish you’d stop telling me what I think, Fiona. As a matter of fact, I agree with the others.”

“Well, you would,” she sneered back at me. “You’ve always been the sort to make up to the people you think matter – you had Sebastian under your thumb from the minute you arrived at Bracken Hall, didn’t you? And here – sucking up to Vi and Mary-Lou, just because you know they’re popular –”

“Girls!” thundered Miss Wilmot, slamming the door behind her.
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Mar 20, 2009 10:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Wonder how much of that Nancy heard :roll: . Fiona isn't doing herself any favours is she? I quite like Mary-Lou in this, but I'm also kind of glad to see someone stand up to the Gang: I was always sorry that Phil Craven was packed off to South Africa so early on!
Author:  Cat C [ Fri Mar 20, 2009 11:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Oh crumbs!

I am enjoying Fiona's outbursts here, I must say...
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sun Mar 22, 2009 12:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Alison H wrote:
Wonder how much of that Nancy heard :roll: . Fiona isn't doing herself any favours is she? I quite like Mary-Lou in this, but I'm also kind of glad to see someone stand up to the Gang: I was always sorry that Phil Craven was packed off to South Africa so early on!


I must admit it never bothered me at the time but after reading this, I'm really enjoying it a lot more. Wonder exactly what Mis Wilmont heard
Author:  Emma A [ Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks, Abi - Fiona is adding some spice to the common-room, isn't she? :D I wonder whether she's going to ask her mother to take her away, if she hates it so much. Looking forward to seeing how Miss Wilmot deals with the argument.
Author:  Miss Di [ Tue Mar 24, 2009 3:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Crumbs indeed. Because we all know you don't cricticise the Chalet School :twisted:
Author:  JS [ Tue Mar 24, 2009 11:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Ho funny - but nice to see Jessica fitting in, even if it is due to 'scapegoat' Fiona giving them all a common feeling!
Author:  Abi [ Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Hoping I haven't made Fiona too nasty, but somehow this seemed like a natural progression...

Miss Wilmot spent the first ten minutes of the lesson telling us exactly what she thought of us (since Fiona’s last comment had provoked shouts of rage) – and it wasn’t very complimentary! We all ended up with order marks, since she said that for a Junior form to create such a scene was bad enough, but for a Senior form it was quite beyond the pale. She must have heard at least Fiona’s last speech, because she kept her back at the end of the lesson and from the look on Fiona’s face she hadn’t spent a pleasant five minutes.

Fiona dashed on ahead when it was time to change for Abendessen. She had spent the whole day looking like a thundercloud and snapping at anyone who dared to come near her, let alone speak to her. She was sent out of two lessons for rudeness and given a detention by Miss O’Ryan as a result of doing no work at all during History. So none of us were surprised when she practically ran out of the form room and up the stairs.

“Oh well,” Vi was saying as we drifted upstairs in a large group, “maybe she’ll sleep it off and be better in the morning.”

“I hope so,” Verity commented fervently. “I don’t want another day like this… oh!” Her voice tailed off as she pushed open the door of Leafy.

“What’s up?” demanded Vi, poking Verity in the back as she came to a full stop.

“Oh, Fiona,” gasped Barbara, her voice full of horror.

As the girls moved into the room, the thing that had shocked them came into view. For a moment I stood there, paralysed, my heart thumping painfully in my chest. Then I gave a cry and sprang forward. For there in the middle of the dormitory stood Fiona, a pair of scissors clutched in her hand and a triumphant expression on her face. And in front of her lay my beautiful tutu – slashed and hacked about, the foamy white skirt trailing in forlorn ribbons on the floor and the bodice ripped and torn.

“You beast, Fiona!” I shrieked, snatching up the filmy layers into my arms, tears flooding down my cheeks. “You beast! You beast!” I flung myself at her, knocking her to the ground. A savage sort of satisfaction raged through me as I blindly struck out at face and body – any part of her I could reach. Then I stopped hitting her and started to shake her as hard as I could, tears all the time streaming down my face.

“I hate you,” I gasped through my sobs. “I’ll never forgive you for this – never, never, never!”

People were saying things – calling out. They pulled me off Fiona and I struggled to get away.

“Let me go!” I yelled, trying to shake them off. “I’ll kill her – I mean it!”

“I sincerely hope that is not the truth,” said a cold voice.

“Yes it is,” I shrieked. “I –”

And then I saw whose the cold voice was. Miss Annersley stood before me, her whole face radiating calm disdain and her eyes like two chips of ice. The boiling rage immediately began to trickle out of me, though I felt slightly sick – partly with horror at what had happened to my tutu and partly with fury at Fiona.

“Veronica and Fiona, please go downstairs and wait in my study.” The remains of the tutu had been twined round my arm, and I half-unconsciously gathered them closer as I turned to leave the dormitory. I was aware of Fiona following me, but I didn’t look round. I wished I’d had time to hurt her more before Miss Annersley came on the scene.
Author:  Nightwing [ Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
That seems fairly Fiona-ish to me!

I hope Miss Annersley is understanding of Veronica's "artistic temperament" here - and poor Veronica! Life only seems to be going from bad to worse for her :(
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Fiona is nasty - dresses in the bath, white paint over saddles, tennis rackets in the beck, etc etc! This sounds like exactly the sort of thing she'd do.

Hope Hilda isn't too hard on Veronica - the CS is very weird about apportioning blame sometimes :roll: .

Thanks Abi!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sat Mar 28, 2009 2:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Poor Veronica-I wonder if the Head will still help her with her ballet or not after this. And Fiona was her usual horrible self
Author:  JB [ Sat Mar 28, 2009 8:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Alison wrote:

Quote:
Hope Hilda isn't too hard on Veronica - the CS is very weird about apportioning blame sometimes .


I have my fingers crossed too.
Author:  Abi [ Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Sorry, didn't quite make it to the apportioning blame part yet. Though there may be a clue or two here...

Fiona and I stood at opposite sides of the room and didn’t speak a word until Miss Annersley opened the door some fifteen minutes later. I had started to wonder what on earth she was doing. She walked round the desk and sat down in the big chair behind it. Then she said nothing for what seemed like forever, until even Fiona had started to look slightly ill-at-ease.

“Please explain precisely what happened,” she requested, looking at me.

Unable to speak – mostly because I was afraid I would burst into tears again – I held out the tutu to show her. Miss Annersley took it and I saw her eyebrows rise.

“How did this happen?” she demanded sharply.

I stared at her in silence. After all, what could I say?

“Fiona, do you know anything about this?”

“No, Miss Annersley,” said Fiona, tilting her chin loftily and not even changing colour as she said it. Remembering the time when Fiona had thrown my frock in the bath and left me to be scolded by Trixie, I wasn’t surprised.

“I see. So may I take it from you that Veronica’s – er – attack was completely unprovoked?”

This time Fiona did go a bit red.

“I suppose she thought it was me,” she mumbled.

“I see,” mused Miss Annersley. She leaned back in her chair and looked at us. I wished she would just pronounce punishment and get it over with. “Veronica, please would you leave Fiona and me alone for a few minutes? You may sit on the window-seat in the corridor.”

“Yes, Miss Annersley,” I murmured, confused. I don’t know how long I was out there for, but it seemed like at least an hour. What on earth could the Head be doing with Fiona all that time? Surely she wouldn’t get any of the blame – I’d never yet come across an adult who saw through Fiona!

At last the study door opened and Fiona stumbled out, shutting it loudly behind her. I gaped at her in astonishment. Her face was red and her eyes were puffy – she’d obviously been crying, and not just crocodile tears, either. She looked furious.

“You’re to go in,” she spat at me. “And I hope you’re satisfied with what you’ve done, you sneaking beast!”

I stared at her, my mouth hanging open. Then, giving up on the mystery, I turned to go into the study.
Author:  Alison H [ Sat Mar 28, 2009 10:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Oh good - Hilda seems to have got to the bottom of it. Aunt June always seemed to side with Fiona even though it was nearly always Fiona who was in the wrong.

Well done Hilda!
Author:  blue1 [ Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thank you.

I can't wait for more. Is it too soon to ask for more? :oops:
Author:  Abi [ Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
blue1 wrote:
Thank you.

I can't wait for more. Is it too soon to ask for more? :oops:

Bizarrely, no! Sorry this bit is rather long, but there didn't seem a logical place to split it.

Miss Annersley was still behind the desk, looking rather grim. I had the feeling that my stomach was sinking down to my feet – not at all pleasant!

“Do sit down, Veronica,” she said nodding at a chair which was drawn close up to the desk. I supposed that Fiona had been sitting there a few minutes earlier and wondered, with rising dread, whether I would leave the study in the same state as my cousin.

“I want you to tell me why you attacked Fiona like that, please.”

I sat and stared at the desk’s left leg. Not that it was very interesting – it had a sort of little round foot, but it was better than looking at the Head and not telling her the answer to her question.

“Veronica!” I jumped. “Answer my question, please!”

“Well, I thought it was Fiona,” I hedged. After all, it was the truth – I had thought it was Fiona, and of course it had been.

“And of course it was,” remarked Miss Annersley calmly. My head jerked up and I stared at her. “Fiona told me all about it.”

“Fiona did?” I echoed disbelievingly.

“Yes. Now, please answer my question. Why did you attack Fiona?”

I felt my face getting hotter and hotter. In fact, I wanted to crawl under the desk with embarrassment. Now that the question was asked, it seemed a perfectly awful thing to have done. I hadn’t felt like this the time I had shaken Fiona when she drew faces on Madame Viret’s ballet shoes. Of course, Sebastian wasn’t Miss Annersley – who was still waiting for me to say something.

“Well,” I faltered at last, “I was – I was angry. That she’d destroyed my – my tutu.” I heard my voice wobble dangerously and hastily stopped talking. Miss Annersley still didn’t say anything and after a few minutes I simply couldn’t bear the silence any more. “I paid for it myself,” I explained, “and I had to beg awfully hard before Aunt June would even let me bring it. She doesn’t want me to dance.”

“Yes?” was all that the Head said, but she didn’t sound so severe any more. I glanced at her. She was looking at me steadily, and if I hadn’t known I was in dreadful trouble I might have thought she was sympathetic.

“I – I wanted to kill her,” I burst out suddenly. Miss Annersley smiled slightly and somehow I found myself smiling back. “I know it’s awful of me but it – it just seemed so awful, and I couldn’t help myself.”

“Couldn’t you?” Miss Annersley asked. Taken aback, I hesitated.

“N-no,” I insisted weakly (this sounds like a contradiction, but that was really how it was). “I mean, I didn’t think. I just…”

“Attacked?”

I nodded, my face growing hot again.

“I – I suppose I shouldn’t have done, really. But – I was so angry.”

“You think you shouldn’t have done?” repeated Miss Annersley, quite gently. “Why is that, do you think?”

“Well, it isn’t very – nice. I mean, I suppose it isn’t a terribly civilised thing to do.” I paused for a moment. The explanation seemed rather feeble. After a while I added shamefacedly, “I suppose I lost control. I – I do that sometimes.”

“And what do you think about that?” she questioned.

“I think I should try to control myself more,” I responded instantly, then paused in surprise. How had that answer come so suddenly to me, when I’d never thought along these lines in my life? I felt as though Miss Annersley had started teasing me out, as though I were a matted bundle of wool.

“I see now that it really was an awful thing to do.” I said. “I – I’m sorry, Miss Annersley. I wish I hadn’t.” My eye fell on the ruined tutu and I gulped.

“I’m sorry about your dress,” said Miss Annersley quietly. “Fiona has been punished, of course, and the cost will be reimbursed – partly by her. I know that can’t make up for the loss of a treasured possession, but I hope it will help. But Veronica, you must understand that I cannot possibly overlook behaviour such as yours, no matter how badly Fiona provoked you. One of my responsibilities as Headmistress is to protect my pupils, even if they behave badly.”

“Of course, I see that,” I mumbled.

“Not only that, but your own behaviour was nearly as bad as Fiona’s. You should have fetched someone in authority and Fiona would have been punished, just as she has been now. By attacking her as you did you put yourself in the wrong. And, Veronica, for a girl of fifteen to lose control so completely is not a trivial thing. Will you still act in the same way when you are thirty? Or fifty?”

“No. No, I won’t,” I said desperately. “I will try to control myself better, Miss Annersley. I know I was wrong.”

“Good.” She gave me a real smile this time, and my heart lifted slightly. “I’m afraid you must miss next Saturday’s entertainment. Matron will give you something to do in her room. I’m not going to ask you to apologise to Fiona, because I don’t think a forced apology will do either of you any good. But I do ask you to think very seriously about what has happened this evening.”

“I will, Miss Annersley,” I promised. “And – thank you for being so nice to me.”

The Head smiled broadly.

“I hope I’ve helped you,” she said. “Now, shall we go down to the Speisesaal? The bell only rang a few minutes ago, so we shouldn’t be too late. You may change after Abendessen.”
Author:  blue1 [ Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thank you. :D

It wasn't too long at all. It fitted perfectly and i was quite surprised when i came to the end of it so soon. I like Miss A. in this, it's about time some adult punished Fiona and i like the way she made Veronica think.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sun Mar 29, 2009 1:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Miss Annersley handled that really well and as Blue said it's about time an adult saw through Fiona. That said, they may not have seen through her, but she did end up with a very unhappy life afterwards, whereas Veronica and Caroline were both really happy and loved by their spouses
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Good for Hilda!
Author:  JB [ Sun Mar 29, 2009 1:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
(Hilda)

So happy Fiona has been found out for once.
Author:  Jenefer [ Sun Mar 29, 2009 2:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Well done Hilda

I am also pleased Fiona has been found out
Author:  Miss Di [ Mon Mar 30, 2009 3:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I must admit I would have gone for Fiona in Veronica's place too. But I'm glad that Hilda was so understanding and didn't insist on an apology.
Author:  JS [ Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Nice to see what actually goes on 'behind closed doors' - thanks for the updates, Abi.
Author:  Elle [ Mon Mar 30, 2009 11:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks for the updates Abi.


*wonders if asking for more will get the same result as when blue1 did it*
Author:  Cat C [ Mon Mar 30, 2009 12:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Oh wow! Three updates all at once - lucky me :D

Will be really interesting to see if a course of Chalet School treatment will make a difference to Fiona.
Author:  Pellameera [ Mon Mar 30, 2009 2:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I am loving this! Thank you, I hope there's more soon.
Author:  shazwales [ Mon Mar 30, 2009 3:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
This is great ! more please?
Author:  Abi [ Mon Mar 30, 2009 11:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Sorry about the misery - in my defence, I didn't plan it, it just happened :oops: .

I decided to leave it a few days before asking Miss Annersley to persuade Aunt June to take me away – somehow it didn’t seem fair to bring the subject up when she’d been so decent to me.

The weather became colder and windier through the week. On Friday we were all surprised to be told that afternoon school was to be cancelled in favour of a walk.

“From what the weather prophets say there won’t be much chance for a while,” I heard Miss O’Ryan say to Miss Armitage just before we started out. “Best let them get some of the fidgets out of their systems before the bad weather really sets in.”

“I must admit I’m not looking forward to the next week or two,” Miss Armitage responded. “All right, girls. Let’s go.”

We went to one of the shelves higher up. It was quite a walk and I must say the view was glorious – at least where it wasn’t obscured by trees. The wind, however, was absolutely biting. As no-one wanted to stand still for too long we ended up playing tag, which I hadn’t played for years. It was actually rather fun and we certainly didn’t feel cold when we finally came to a gasping, laughing halt half an hour later.

“May we sit down for five minutes, please?” requested Mary-Lou, breathing hard.

“You may not!” responded Miss O’Ryan firmly. “The ground is icy cold, Mary-Lou. Don’t be silly. We’ll walk slowly to the end of the shelf. You should all be recovered by then.”

“I’m glad we’ve had a chance to get out if the weather’s going to be that bad,” Vi commented as we started on the steep downward path. “It’s generally pretty awful when we can’t get out.”

“Does the weather really get that bad?” I asked sceptically.

“Well, it did last year. And the Middles – the Junior ones, not us, of course – made perfect nuisances of themselves.”

“Oh well,” I said, shivering as a particularly strong gust of wind pierced me to the skin. “Maybe it won’t last long. After all, it’s been quite decent up till now.”

“That doesn’t mean anything – not judging by last year, at any rate,” objected Mary-Lou from behind us. “It can change in five minutes. Remember the snowstorm, Vi?”

“Do I not!” Vi gave a shudder.

“Was it so very awful?” I said curiously.

“It was,” replied Mary-Lou briefly.

I turned to ask a question but before I could speak my foot turned on a loose stone. I tried to right myself, but it was no use. Pain shot through my ankle and a moment later I was sitting in the path, clutching my foot in my hands, tears of pain rolling down my cheeks.
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Mar 30, 2009 11:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Oh no :cry: !

(BTW, does anyone know if it's true that a sprained ankle is never quite the same again but a broken one usually is? My immediate reaction was "I hope it's a break rather than a sprain" ... and then I realised I was going purely off what Lorna Hill said :? .)
Author:  Miss Di [ Tue Mar 31, 2009 3:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Echoing Alison's Oh No! (because that is exactly what I thought). Poor Veronica. Although I have no idea if she'd be better off with a break instead of the sprain.
Author:  JB [ Tue Mar 31, 2009 8:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Oh poor Veronica.
Author:  JS [ Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Oh dear - this may bring things to a head, though. Abi, could you posibly have a couple of the characters give Veronica a queen's chair? Please?
Author:  Cat C [ Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Eeek! Poor Veronica :(
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Sprained muscles, or torn or pulled ligaments are definitely worse as they never heal back to their full strength. Broken bones heal so the bone is as strong, if not stronger than it was before. The only bone that doesn't work with is the back where you don't want to break the spine. I was told that by my doctor, when I fractured my pelvis and sprained the muscles in my lower back.

Poor Veronica. Hope she hasn't sprained her ankle. She really hasn't had a good time with her Ballet
Author:  Ruth B [ Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Alison H wrote:
Oh no :cry: !

(BTW, does anyone know if it's true that a sprained ankle is never quite the same again but a broken one usually is? My immediate reaction was "I hope it's a break rather than a sprain" ... and then I realised I was going purely off what Lorna Hill said :? .)


After spraining my ankle 3 times in one summer I was certainly told it would always be weak. Never having broken a bone I couldn't say if the same would have been true of that.
Author:  keren [ Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
My ankle is permanently weak after repeated sprains, but after a certain age, you might not be the same after breaking it
Author:  blue1 [ Tue Mar 31, 2009 7:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thank you. Poor Veronica what a terrible thing to happen to a dancer. By the way how much would the CS insurance premium have been with all the accidents it has had in its history?

My two ankles are in bits after repeated tearing of ligaments and sprains. They are so easy to injure again after the first time and flare up randomly. I've never got back to full fitness. (Admittedly i have broken one of the ankles once but is was the ligaments that caused the permanent damage!)
Author:  Emma A [ Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks for all the updates, Abi - really good! Cutting up Veronica's tutu was a very Fiona-ish thing to have done, and I'm glad that Miss Annersley saw through Fiona and made her confess her wrongdoing, and was so sympathetic to Veronica. Having said that, I really do hope it's not a sprained ankle...
Author:  Abi [ Wed Apr 01, 2009 9:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks for all the comments! I went to google to check a couple of things about sprained ankles... had NO idea there was so much to find out!!

“Oh, Veronica! Are you all right?” questioned Vi anxiously.

“My – my ankle!” I sobbed. The two mistresses came hurrying up.

“What happened?” asked Miss O’Ryan urgently. “Let me see, Veronica.”

She prised my hands off my ankle and gently removed my shoe, then gingerly ran her fingers over my foot.

“As far as I can tell it’s a sprain, but I think we need to get you back to school,” she announced. “Can you walk? Let’s see if we can get you up.”

She and Miss Armitage helped me up, but I only managed a few steps before I had to stop, hardly able to put my foot to the ground.

“I can’t!” I gasped. “It hurts too much.”

“All right –sit down for a moment while we decide what to do,” suggested Miss Armitage. They deposited me on a convenient rock, where I sat and shivered and Vi and the others hovered anxiously.

“It’ll go off in a minute,” I asserted desperately. “Ankles always hurt more than you’d think.”

“Have you twisted it before, then?” asked Vi.

“Well, no,” I admitted. “But that’s what I’ve heard.”

Nobody asked the obvious question but it hung in the air like a thick cloud. Miss O’Ryan turned from her quiet consultation with Miss Armitage.

“Miss Armitage is going to go on ahead and telephone for someone to pick you up in a car once we get to the bottom of here, Veronica. Prunella, you’ve got long legs. Perhaps you’d like to go with Miss Armitage. Just be careful, please!”

Prunella nodded, and the two of them hurried off.

“Now, we obviously can’t get a car up this path and it would be almost impossible to negotiate a stretcher down, and since Veronica will certainly freeze if she has to wait till someone comes to fetch her, I want us to try to carry her down as far as we can. Veronica, if you lean on Mary-Lou and Gwen – you two are the biggest – do you think you can get down this steep part?”

“I – I’ll try,” I said.

They practically had to carry me even there, since every time my foot touched the ground hot, sharp pain seemed to set it on fire. By the time the path flattened out a bit I was crying again – I simply couldn’t help it. Hilary and Vi made a queen’s chair for the last part of the journey and even then every bump and joggle sent darts of pain through my ankle. Finally they set me down at the bottom of the path where I could sit on a handy rock that was, fortunately, a bit more sheltered than the one halfway up the mountain path had been!

It had taken us a good long time to get down this far and it wasn’t long before Prunella came racing up, her long plait flying.

“Oh good,” she puffed, “you made it. Miss Armitage phoned the San – oh, perhaps ten minutes ago now, and they’re sending someone in a car to come and fetch you, Veronica. She’ll be here in a minute, she said. She’s just waiting for the woman to make some coffee for Veronica.”

“Oh, but I don’t need coffee,” I protested. “Honestly, I’ll be quite all right. I just want my – my ankle seeing to.”

“Well, it’s too late now,” Prunella declared, mopping her brow with her handkerchief. “If you don’t want it I’ll drink it. I’m fagged!”
Author:  blue1 [ Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thank you.

Poor Veronica! Imagine trying to get down a mountain with an ankle like that. :cry: :bawling: :cry: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling:
Author:  Nightwing [ Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I hope the doctor will have good new for Veronica :(
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Apr 01, 2009 11:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Where's a doctor - or preferably Guy :D - when you need help getting down a mountain with a sprained ankle?!

Hope it isn't too badly sprained :cry: .
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
If she can't walk on it at all, it sounds more like it's broken. Most sprains, you can at least partially weight bear at least. Poor Veronica, hope she finds out soon
Author:  Miss Di [ Thu Apr 02, 2009 3:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Owch. Poor Veronica. And fancy Matron sending them out without a stretcher in the first aid kit :twisted:
Author:  Emma A [ Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Oh no! Poor Veronica. I hope it's not a bad sprain - in fact, if it's broken that would be better! I did like Prunella's comment about the coffee, it broke the tension quite nicely :D

Thanks, Abi.
Author:  JS [ Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Hope it's not as bad as it seems (and thanks for the queen's chair!)
Author:  Cat C [ Thu Apr 02, 2009 4:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Tee-hee at Prunella at the end there.

But oh dear about Veronica's ankle :cry:
Author:  Abi [ Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
JS wrote:
Hope it's not as bad as it seems (and thanks for the queen's chair!)

Well, how could one resist? :lol: Hope I haven't made any glaring errors with the ankley part - as I said, I'm going by what I've read on the internet!

Miss Armitage joined us a few minutes later and I found myself quite glad of the coffee. My ankle was still throbbing almost unbearably and the question was still burning itself into my brain. I dared not let myself think about it but listened to the two mistresses deciding to send the rest of the girls back with Miss Armitage, while Miss O’Ryan stayed and waited for the car with me.

We only had to wait another ten minutes or so before a large car drew up at the side of the road a few yards away. A middle-aged man emerged and strode over the turf towards us.

“Phil – oh, good!” exclaimed Miss O’Ryan. Then she turned to me. “Veronica, this is Doctor Graves, one of the doctors from the Sanatorium.”

“How do you do?” I murmured.

“It’s how you’re doing that’s the main question at the moment. Let’s have a look at this ankle, shall we?” he said, kneeling down and poking at my foot in what seemed to me an unnecessarily violent manner.

“Ow – ow!” I gasped, unable to stop myself, then bit down hard on my lip as he carefully began to move the foot from side to side. All the same, the tears came once again.

“Just a nasty sprain, I think,” he announced calmly after a minute or two.

“A nasty sprain?” I echoed, horrified. “Are you sure it isn’t just a little twist?”

Dr. Graves stood up, brushing briskly at the knees of his trousers, and gave me a reassuring smile before handing me my shoe.

“It’s a sprain, I’m afraid. We’ll x-ray it at the San in the next few days, but I think you’ll find it’s nothing serious. It will need a few days of complete rest and you’ll have to be careful with it for some time after that.” Without giving me time to respond, he continued. “Relax now, and I’ll take you to the car.”

I managed not to cry out as he picked me up, but I didn’t dare open my lips while he arranged me in the back with my foot up on the seat and bandaged my ankle. He put a cold pack on it which hurt horribly at first but after a few minutes made it feel rather better – I think the cold numbed my foot a bit!

By the time we reached school I felt quite tired, as though I never wanted to move again. I was aching because I’d been sitting awkwardly and there was a constant, dull pain in my foot, which instantly fired up into agony if I moved it.

Dr. Graves extracted me from the car and bore me into the school building, ploughing his way like a steamroller through a group of goggle-eyed fourth-formers among whom I recognised Caroline, who looked thoroughly alarmed. I gave her a wave to show that I was all right and tried to smile, but I’m not sure it was entirely a success, since I felt as though my foot were exploding or coming off or something.

“How long before I can walk?” I demanded as soon as Dr. Graves’ explanations to Matron were over.

“Oh, two or three days, I should imagine, subject to the x-ray coming out all right,” he replied. “What’s the matter? Are you in the hockey team or something?”

“I’m a dancer!” I wailed, almost in tears again. “I can’t have a sprained ankle! I simply can’t!”

Dr. Graves looked bewildered. He looked around wildly – I suppose he was hoping Matron would help him out, but unfortunately she had vanished in search of footstools or cold-packs or something. So he sat down in another chair and fixed me with a look that was obviously supposed to be comforting.

“It’s really nothing serious,” he repeated. “In a day or two’s time you can start to walk on it and after that it’s just a matter of being careful for a few weeks.”

“A few weeks!” He might as well have said a lifetime. “When will I be able to dance? If I dance carefully, I mean.”

“Well, I suppose you might be able to try a waltz or a rumba in a week or so – nothing too fast or energetic, though. That won’t do you any good.”

I stared at him in frustrated disbelief.

“I dance ballet,” I said with dignity, forgetting my pain for a moment.

“Oh – ballet.” He blinked. “I see. In that case you might want to leave it a bit longer – two weeks, I should say, though of course it depends on how it heals. Ballet’s rather an unnatural sort of activity – can be a strain on the muscles. However, Miss Burnett is trained in physiotherapy and she’ll be able to give you some exercises to get your ankle strong again.”

Matron came back bearing a footstool and he rose to talk to her while I sank into gloomy musings.
Author:  blue1 [ Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thank you.

Poor Veronica. :( What will she do now?
Author:  Lexi [ Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Abi, I've just read this right through from the beginning and it's brilliant! I've never read any Lorna Hill ( I associate Sadler's Wells with a horse :lol: ) so wasn't sure how much I'd enjoy it but it's so well written.

Is Fiona this vile in the books? :shock:

Also, can we have more Sebastian please? He's lovely :D
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Apr 03, 2009 12:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Yes, Fiona is every bit this vile in the books - Abi's got her to a T!

Poor Veronica: no-one understands :( . I was going to say that Nina Rutherford would know how she feels, but this is before Nina's time so that's no good.
Author:  Emma A [ Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Poor Veronica, and how bewildered Dr Graves was! I loved his comment that ballet was rather an unnatural activity - so it is, but I daresay that won't endear him to Veronica.

Thanks, Abi.
Author:  snowmaiden [ Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Loving this Abi, thanks. :poke: poking dr graves for his brusque manner!
Author:  JS [ Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Love the fact that Veronica was polite enough to say 'How do you do?' despite her agonies, emotional and physical.

I'm sure Joey would understand - she did with Nina - and Biddy and Miss A have already been very reasonable with her.
Author:  Sarah_G-G [ Fri Apr 03, 2009 12:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Oh poor Veronica! I'm still stupidly holding out for the x-ray in the hope that Dr Graves has missed something and it's actually a minor break. :wink: Love Veronica's reaction to being told she might be able to do a gentle waltz or rumba before too long :lol:
Author:  Cat C [ Fri Apr 03, 2009 2:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Oh dear - they're really not understanding the way she's seeing it are they?

I'm still hoping she'll be lucky like Jane was and have her sprain mend good as new.
Author:  Abi [ Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Lexi wrote:
Abi, I've just read this right through from the beginning and it's brilliant! I've never read any Lorna Hill ( I associate Sadler's Wells with a horse :lol: ) so wasn't sure how much I'd enjoy it but it's so well written.

Is Fiona this vile in the books? :shock:

Also, can we have more Sebastian please? He's lovely :D


I thought they were pony books when I first picked them up, too! Glad you've enjoyed it and congratulations for weathering it this far :lol: . Yes, Fiona is rather vile - there are incidents of throwing clothes in baths, dousing saddles in creosote and painting on Madame Viret's old ballet shoes that Veronica treasured! Glad you liked Sebastian, it makes me feel I may have captured something of the original (who is far, far more wonderful in the books.... what? a crush? me? never!).

This part is a bit dry, I'm afraid.

They x-rayed my foot on Monday and it turned out not to be broken – which I suppose I should have expected. As a matter of fact, I almost didn’t get x-rayed at all, owing to the fact that, as the weather-prophets had predicted, the wind had risen and the rain was falling in torrents. Of course no-one was allowed out in such weather, and it took us twice as long to reach the San as it normally would!

Lots of people came to see me – Caroline, of course, and Vi. But most of the form came at one time or another on Saturday and Sunday, and even Sally Winslow, the only member of the Sixth to take ballet, popped in for ten minutes to say how sorry she was.

Caroline reported that Fräulein Merckel hadn’t been able to come down because of the weather so all ballet lessons had been cancelled anyway. I wasn’t sure whether to be glad of this or not.

“At least you can practise,” I pointed out gloomily. “I can’t even do that.”

“Oh well, it won’t be long before you can,” said Caroline. “You’ll be able to do a few exercises, surely?”

“I don’t know,” I said helplessly. “Dr. Graves said it depended on how my ankle heals. Miss Burnett’s coming to see me after school today about having physiotherapy and things. I know you can tape them, but I don’t want to do anything that’ll weaken it.”

Miss Burnett seemed quite hopeful about my ankle after inspecting it. She said she’d had a long conversation with Dr. Graves about it.

“It’s a nasty sprain, but not so bad as it could have been,” she said briskly. “You can already move it without too much pain, can’t you?”

“Yes,” I admitted. “It hurts when I do, but I expect I could walk on it if anyone would let me.”

Miss Burnett smiled sympathetically.

“We’ll try it tomorrow morning and see what happens. I have one or two exercises that you can start then as well – they’ll help to stop it scarring inside and weakening your ankle.”

“Oh, thank you!” I said gratefully. “You do think I’ll be able to dance again, don’t you?”

“I can’t see any reason why not,” Miss Burnett assured me. “It will probably be a few weeks before you can use it normally, but there isn’t any reason why you can’t do a little practise in a week or two. No jumps, nothing on pointe and no putting all your weight on it. I’d better supervise you for a few days,” she added thoughtfully.

“I’m so glad,” I said sincerely. “I was awfully afraid it might be permanently weakened, or something, and I don’t think Dr. Graves quite understands how I feel about ballet.”

Miss Burnett looked at me, then laughed suddenly.

“No, I don’t imagine he does,” she admitted. “He’s very – very down-to-earth and prosaic. I’m afraid such dedication to a pursuit that he doesn’t see as all that necessary is rather beyond him.”

I laughed too.

“Oh, well, I’m glad you understand at any rate, Miss Burnett.”

I felt much happier suddenly – my ankle would probably be all right in the end and I knew Miss Burnett would give it the best care she could, and I felt oddly relieved that I hadn’t been dancing for the last few days. It had been making me so miserable that I had almost stopped enjoying it. It would be nearly the end of term before I could dance properly again, and perhaps Aunt June would let me go to Miss Martin for some lessons in the Christmas holidays.
Author:  Cat C [ Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
She's so mercurial, isn't she?

Hope she has a good Christmas - but I wonder what her reaction will be to the big accident (assuming it happens in this version of events of course).
Author:  blue1 [ Fri Apr 03, 2009 11:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thank you. :D
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Apr 03, 2009 11:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
That was nice of Peggy. And sometimes a rest from something - schoolwork, sports training, ballet or anything else - can be just what's needed, although it's a shame that it had to happen like this.

Looking forward to seeing what Miss Martin (assuming that Aunt June is OK about Veronica going to lessons with her) has to say about whether Veronica's dancing's got worse or better or stayed at about the same level.
Author:  shazwales [ Fri Apr 03, 2009 11:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thank you that was just what Veronica needed , a person being positive and sympathetic. 'not a spineless jellyfish'
Author:  Emma A [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 10:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
That's reassuring, both for us as readers and for Veronica as patient. Miss Burnett is lovely to reassure her pupil like this, and also explain what causes the weakness.

Thank-you, Abi (agree with you about Sebastian - can't understand what people see in Guy, though :D ).
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 1:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks Abi-nice having two posts to catch up with. Peggy Burnett was lovely their especially after Phil Graves lack of understanding

(I never minded Guy-he was sweet to jane, though I don't particularly like younger Guy as much as older Guy. I really like Angelo-Caroline's partner and Robin Campbell-he was wonderful)
Author:  JayB [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 1:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Glad Peggy was able to reassure Veronica. It sounds as if she knows a little bit about ballet. Maybe if she supervises practice for a bit, she'll see enough to realise that Veronica really is good and her ballet ought to be taken seriously?
Author:  Miss Di [ Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Also glad Peggy knows some physio and exercises to help strengthen Veronica's ankle.
Author:  Jenefer [ Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
It is kind of Peggy to offer to help but I think Veronica needs a trained Physiotherapist to treat her foot. I asume the San has several Physios who can help. By the fifties, Physiotherapy had established itself as a proper profession with training colleges. a 3 year training course and State Registration. She would be able to offer a range of treatment not just massage and exercises.
Author:  Abi [ Fri Apr 10, 2009 1:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thank you for all the comments. :D

On Wednesday I was finally allowed downstairs. Matey gave me a crutch but warned me to use it as little as possible, since it would be much better for my ankle to be used. Everyone crowded round to congratulate me and Miss Derwent, arriving to instruct us on the literary devices used in Jane Eyre, stopped as she entered and clapped her hands to get our attention.

“All right girls! I’m sure we’re all very glad to see Veronica back, but there’s no need to behave as though you’re in a bear garden! How’s the foot, Veronica?” she added, as everyone hastily sat down, trying to look as though that was what they had been doing all along.

“It’s getting better, thank you,” I replied. “Miss Burnett says I can start some ballet exercises at the weekend, as long as I’m careful.”

“Good! Now, have you had a chance to look at Jane Eyre since your accident?”

As it happened, I had triumphantly finished the book the previous evening – mostly owing to the fact that I was hideously bored of spending so much time alone. Anyhow, I had enjoyed Jane Eyre. I had loved Jane’s strength of character – she would never have let a little thing like a sprained ankle affect her! The plot was gripping, especially when I had thought for a while that Jane would really agree to go to India with St. John, whom I loathed. Mr. Rochester reminded me rather of Sebastian, only without Sebastian’s charm of manner!

By this time the Platz was practically isolated since the wind had brought down most of the telegraph poles and there had been a landslide on the road up that morning, so that the only way of getting down – or up – was by the railway. Luckily that was still running, so the mail had come up that morning, which I mention because I had a letter from Stella. I’d written telling her about my ankle, but our letters must have crossed.

Dear Veronica,

I’m sorry I’ve not written for a while – things have been rather busy lately! That is, I’ve had to work hard to learn various parts, since quite a few of them have changed since I joined the company. I haven’t had any really good parts yet, though I’m one of the Black Lackeys in Gods Go A-Begging, so I’m hoping that will lead to more real parts. I am doing a lot of understudying, too! Oh well, I can’t expect to be getting good parts so soon after I’ve joined the company.

How are you finding school these days? I’m sorry you don’t want to teach the children, as I’m sure it would be excellent experience for you. And I can’t imagine that your dancing is really going downhill as much as you think it is – you’ve always had a special spark, Veronica, that I sometimes think I’ll never gain. I simply can’t see you not dancing. Perhaps if you pester your Aunt June enough she’ll let you come to the Wells just out of exasperation!

I’m sorry this is such a short letter, but I simply haven’t the time – or the energy! – to write more. Please don’t be too miserable over your dancing.

Yours, Stella.

I frowned over this letter later on in the common room. Stella’s letters were usually longer – and far more cheerful. I hoped she wasn’t missing meals again, though she oughtn’t to have been, since you earned far more in the company than you did for the odd appearance as a student. Her assurances about my dancing somehow made strange reading too. Since I had sprained my ankle my main fear had been that I would never be able to dance at all, rather than that my dancing wouldn’t be good enough! Finally I folded up the letter and tucked it into my pocket. There was nothing I could do about it except write Stella a long and encouraging letter, which I did after I had finished my prep.
Author:  Joanne [ Fri Apr 10, 2009 6:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I've just discovered the CBB and am loving the drabbles, especially this one.

Thank you!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sat Apr 11, 2009 1:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks Abi. Am wondering if this is when Stella is thinking about leaving the Wells and is why she doesn't seem to be taking on board what Veronica has said in the past
Author:  Cat C [ Sun Apr 12, 2009 12:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Quote:
I had enjoyed Jane Eyre. I had loved Jane’s strength of character – she would never have let a little thing like a sprained ankle affect her! The plot was gripping, especially when I had thought for a while that Jane would really agree to go to India with St. John, whom I loathed.


:lol: Is that a sort of reference to Jasper Fforde?

I hope nothing's wrong with Stella!
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I think we (or Stella, anyway) need Jonathan to come to the rescue here ... :wink: .

Never thought of it before :lol: , but Mr Rochester and Sebastian definitely share a certain sarkiness ... Sebastian just does it in a much more attractive way, as Veronica said!
Author:  JS [ Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Interesting that Veronica is already seeing Sebastian as a romantic hero. And yes, Stella might be much happier marrying into the aristocracy!
Author:  Elle [ Mon May 18, 2009 3:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
:lol: Are we going to get an update soon please? :D :D :D
Author:  shazwales [ Mon May 18, 2009 11:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Please very nicely :?: would like to see what your're going to do with Fiona??
Author:  Loryat [ Fri Jun 12, 2009 4:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I have just read about eleven pages of this in a massive binge! It's really good, you've captured Lorna Hill's style perfectly. Can't wait to read more. :D
Author:  Emilyc [ Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I've just read this from start to finish and loved it. I've never even heard of Lorna Hill but now I am desperate to find the books and see what I've been missing. Somehow knowing nothing about the books doesn't seem to matter - you've fitted Veronica and co so well into the CS world that it's a story in its own right regardless of any cross over.

Thank you I've been gripped for the last hour or more.
Author:  Abi [ Tue Jun 16, 2009 10:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks Emilyc and Loryat - glad you are enjoying. Sorry there hasn't been any for a while, RL has been in the way. This bit isn't very interesting, I fear!

Unfortunately, though I wrote my letter to Stella promptly, it didn’t get sent for some time, since at some point during that night the rain caused a wash-out halfway down the line so that there was a good thirty yard stretch where there was just railway track and no support for it!

In fact, this situation lasted for over a week, causing a tremendous sensation in the school. There seemed to be a shortage of food – I suppose no-one had anticipated such catastrophe, so they hadn’t provided for it. Not that we went hungry, but we did eat an awful lot of vegetables! On Friday we feasted happily on fried fish and Saturday was even better – bacon for breakfast and roast beef at Mittagessen!

My ankle was steadily improving. By that time it was fully two weeks since I had sprained it and Miss Burnett was letting me do half an hour’s practice each day, bandaged, of course, to give it support. I could feel that it was dreadfully weak, but it was improving and I hoped that after another couple of weeks I might be able to leave the bandage off.

I had to admit that the best part of all this was the fact that I was no longer having lessons with Fräulein Merckel. Even though I had lost a week and a half of practice – Miss Burnett hadn’t let me start until the next Monday – I felt infinitely more relaxed. In fact, I was simply glad that I was dancing at all.

On Saturday Miss Annersley announced that there wouldn’t be a nativity play this year – Vi explained afterwards that usually either Madame (who started the school) or her (Vi’s) Aunt Joey usually wrote the play but that neither of them had had time this year. Anyhow, there was to be a carol concert in place of the play, she explained, though no-one looked very enthralled by this idea.

“Also,” Miss Annersley continued. “Miss Wilson understands that many of you will be disappointed that you won’t have the opportunity to be in the play this year and she has suggested that some of you might like to audition for the St. Mildred’s pantomime instead. There will be speaking parts for some of you and the rest will be extremely welcome in the chorus. Oh, and for those of you who take ballet, Tatiana Khavasky, who is in charge of the ballet scenes this year, will be extremely grateful for any assistance.”

Vi poked me in the ribs.

“Well, let’s hand your name in as soon as we get back,” she insisted once we were in the Splasheries, making ready for the afternoon walk.

“But I might not even be able to dance by that time,” I objected. “I shan’t be able to practice properly for most of this term, I shouldn’t think. I have to be careful of my ankle, Vi. I’ve heard awful stories of how people didn’t look after them properly and they went on being weak for years and years.”

“Yes, but the panto. doesn’t come off until the end of next term. Surely you’ll be all right by then.”

“Oh, yes!” I said, horrified at the idea of not being. “I should like it awfully, really. Of course, I might not be here.”

“Well, there’s no harm in giving in your name and going to rehearsals. You might be able to help with the – the making the dances.”

“Choreography,” I corrected absently. “Yes, although I’ve never actually done any choreography. Well, perhaps I will.”

On Monday I had another letter from Stella.
Author:  Joanne [ Tue Jun 16, 2009 10:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thank you for posting this - I enjoyed reading the rest and am happy to see it continue.
Author:  Nightwing [ Tue Jun 16, 2009 10:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
So happy to see this back!!!

Thanks, Abi!
Author:  Miss Di [ Wed Jun 17, 2009 4:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Happy to see this back...only what's up with Stella now?
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
So glad to see this back!
Author:  shazwales [ Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks Abi,great to see more of this!
Author:  JB [ Wed Jun 17, 2009 8:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Really pleased to see this back. Vi is so sensible here.
Author:  JS [ Wed Jun 17, 2009 9:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Another pleased to see this back - more soon please (if RL allows).
Author:  Elle [ Wed Jun 17, 2009 10:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Excellent!

:megaphone: at real life!
Author:  abbeybufo [ Wed Jun 17, 2009 11:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Great to see this back - thanks Abi :D
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Jun 18, 2009 1:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Great to see this back again. Vi is wonderful with Veronica
Author:  Abi [ Sat Jun 20, 2009 11:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks for the comments!

My darling Veronica,

I don’t know what you’ll think when you know what I’ve done – or rather what I’m going to do. Actually it’s another hour before I shall do it, and that’s why I’m writing to you now.

For ages I’ve been feeling terribly depressed. I know I haven’t said anything before, but I hoped when I got into the Company that things would get better. Very soon, though, I knew it wasn’t any use. You see, I can’t push myself forward like some people can; it just doesn’t seem nice to get to the front that way. But there’s no denying the fact – a bit of push gets you there quicker than any amount of hard work, and if you can manage to put in a bit of the latter, and push as well, then you’ll have the world at your feet in no time!

As I told you last time I wrote, Belinda and Marcia (an awful girl called Rutherford) are getting all the parts that ought by rights to be mine. Of course, Belinda is wonderful, but Marcia – well, she’s not even in the Company yet, and I know quite well that I can dance lots better than she can, but she manages to convince the Powers-That-Be that she’s the best, and I expect the audience thinks so too.

This morning I had a letter from Granny, and the writing’s all thin and shaky. Oh, Veronica – why have people got to grow old and die – people one loves? It’s so cruel. Suddenly, as I was passing King’s Cross, I knew I wasn’t going to that rehearsal. I was going to walk on to the northbound train, and go back to Granny to look after her for as long as she lived. And that’s why I’m sitting here in the waiting room, writing this letter.

Goodbye, darling Veronica, from your unhappy Stella.

I stared blankly at the letter. I must be dreaming. Stella would never leave the Wells, surely? Why, dancing was her life.

“Veronica, are you all right?”

Mary-Lou was leaning across the table looking concerned.

“Yes – at least, no. I’ve just had a letter from Stella – the girl I know who’s at the Wells. That is, she was at the Wells. She’s left.”

“Oh?” I could tell Mary-Lou didn’t really know what to say.

“She walked out,” I explained. “Just walked out and left.”

“Oh,” she repeated. “Um – oh dear.”

“What on earth’s the matter?” demanded Vi, turning away from her argument with Hilary.

“Stella – you remember I told you about Stella? Well she’s left the Wells.”

Vi’s face creased into a frown of concern and she glanced anxiously at Mary-Lou.

“”Well, that’s not a tragedy, is it?”

“You can’t just walk out on the Wells!” I cried, exasperated. “They’ll never let her back.”

“But if she walked out...” objected Vi in confusion.

“Maybe she never wanted to be there,” Mary-Lou finished.

I gave up in despair. There were some things that even the best of friends couldn’t understand. But Stella’s action seemed to make the world of ballet a little further away, a little less stable. What if my ankle never healed? What if I was never accepted into the Wells?

“Wish it would stop snowing,” Vi was saying wistfully. “I simply can’t wait to go skiing.”

“Do you ski, Veronica?” asked Mary-Lou, with an evident desire to distract me. I expect I had become a bit of a bore on the subject of ballet by that time.

“I never have, and I don’t mean to. I don’t want to hurt myself again. Anyhow, Miss Burnett might not even let me.”

“Oh well, you can always toboggan,” Mary-Lou said comfortingly.
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Jun 21, 2009 7:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Please don't tell me that Veronica's going to be hurt in the Emerence accident :( !

Poor Veronica - it's very hard when no-one understands how you feel about something.
Author:  Nightwing [ Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Abi wrote:
“But if she walked out...” objected Vi in confusion.

“Maybe she never wanted to be there,” Mary-Lou finished.

I gave up in despair. There were some things that even the best of friends couldn’t understand.


I think in this case ML and Vi understand Stella better than Veronica does - she's too one-sided to see that the ballet lifestyle just isn't for some people!
Author:  JB [ Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Poor Veronica. She can't see further than the Wells, can she? Stella was already depressed and it's a perfectly natural reaction to rush to see her Granny when she's worried about her too.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Poor Veronica, Stella was her one link with the Wells but then Stella was never suited for a life of dancing. Veronica really needs someone like Jonathan to explain it to her
Author:  Miss Di [ Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Veronica really is one sided - I'm surprised the mistresses at the Chalet School haven't made her take up a hobby that is non-ballet related!
Author:  Emma A [ Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I do like the way you've incorporated Stella's life and decisions with this version of events (this means, I hope, that Jonathan will leap to rescue his North country primrose!). Thank-you.
Author:  Abi [ Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Parts of this are lifted from Mary-Lou, and I must apologise for the last line - I simply couldn't resist!

The next week was rather dull. The snow did stop, and by Thursday we were able to go out again, which was a huge relief. As for my ankle, I could tell it was getting better. It was five weeks since I’d sprained it and for the last few days I’d been going en pointe again. Miss Burnett seemed very pleased with its progress.

Just before exams began, the staff threw a party for the whole School – a St. Nicholas’ festival, which ended with a thrilling chase all over the building. Mary-Lou created a tremendous sensation by climbing on top of a cupboard and being unable to get down again – Miss O’Ryan, dressed as a demon, had to go and bring her down! She – Mary-Lou, that is – made a huge rent in her dress and had to darn Mlle’s stockings in return for the frock being mended.

It hardly snowed during exam week, which meant we could go out most afternoons. I flatly refused to ski, though Miss Burnett said I might for a while if I wanted to. But I was too afraid of hurting my ankle again. Anyhow, tobogganing was just as fun.

On Thursday of exam week, there was a heavy fall of snow that lasted all day. It stopped overnight and there was a hard frost, so that the ground was perfect for us to ski and toboggan on the next afternoon.

With the relief of exams almost being over and Christmas coming nearer there was a jolly atmosphere. Even Fiona was relatively agreeable, though this was largely ignored by the Fifth form. Most people hadn’t much time for her since she had cut my tutu into pieces.

As usual on these occasions, all the friends of Mary-Lou, Vi and the others – commonly known as the Gang – went together. Fiona tagged on behind, trying to look as though she belonged. We felt a little more free than usual, since most of the prefects had gone down to Welsen, where the finishing branch had been until they moved. Of course, there were plenty of Staff – all who weren’t supervising the Juniors in the garden.

“Girls!” called Miss O’Ryan, before letting us off the leash, as it were. “Just a moment! Those who are tobogganing – Herr Koch says that we must not start any higher up than about that pine tree up there!” She waved at it. “Another pine came down the night before last. It’s covered by the snow, of course, and you can’t see it. If your toboggans caught it, you might have a nasty accident. So, remember, please, no going beyond that pine tree. I’ll be about up there and if I catch anyone trying to get further, I shall send her straight back to school.”

Mary-Lou heaved a gusty sigh.

“I almost wish I were skiing today. It isn’t half so much fun only going from halfway up.”

“Well, if you want to break your neck, I should try it,” said Vi sarcastically.

We hauled the sled up to the pine tree and scrunched ourselves tightly together, Mary-Lou at the front, Vi at the back and me in the middle. Mary-Lou lifted her heels and we shot down the slope. I don’t know whether you’ve ever sledged, but it’s the most glorious feeling – almost like flying! We reached the bottom and tumbled off, breathless and laughing. Margot Maynard, one of Caroline’s friends, was just starting off up the slope with Emerence Hope. They waved at us.

“It’s a nuisance that we always have to climb up after the gorgeous rush down, isn’t it?” called Margot.

“What else d’you expect?” Vi yelled after her, and we all giggled.

“I wish I’d brought my toboggan,” said Hilary Bennett. “Hansi said one of the ropes was broken and I oughtn’t to use it.”

“Take mine, when we three have had a few more runs,” Mary-Lou offered. “We’ll have another three turns, then you and Lesley can have it for a bit.”

“Certain you don’t mind? Well, thanks a million! That’s what I call being a real pal!”

As we reached the bottom and slid off the toboggan for the second time, Blossom Willoughby, who was taking a load of Junior Middles on one of the school sleds, somehow lost control, then lost her head and ran her sled right over the edge and into the snow at the side of the run, where the whole lot of them flew off, screeching wildly! Miss O’Ryan, who had rushed to the rescue, saw that Miss Derwent was speeding in that direction and turned to return to her post. Unfortunately she tripped on some hidden obstacle and tumbled into the snow. The three of us, who had seen the whole thing from our vantage point below, were almost helpless with laughter. As we grabbed the ropes and turned to trudge once more up the slope, Mary-Lou’s brows contracted.

“Hullo – who’s that up there? Emerence!” she shrieked, bounding forward and almost jerking me off my feet. Miss O’Ryan was scrambling up, unhurt, and obviously hadn’t seen what Mary-Lou had spotted – Margot and Emerence at the top of the run, where we had all been forbidden to go.

“Stop that!” Mary-Lou yelled. “Stay where you are! Oh, heavens!” she added in her usual tones. “If they come down the chances are they’ll be flung right on top of that lot down there. Emerence! Stay where you are, I say!”

Her shouts had one good result – Margot shuffled off the toboggan, on which she had just sat down. Mary-Lou had already dropped her rope and dashed off up the slope as fast as she could.

“That idiot Emerence!” exclaimed Vi. “She’s really going to do it!”

“Funker!” shouted Emerence, her clear, high voice carrying easily on the still air. “Baby!” She kicked off and Margot started to scream, apparently having realised the danger at last. There was a mass movement towards the foot of the run, and Vi and I started to follow Mary-Lou, though what good any of us thought we could do I can’t imagine.

“Steer to the right!” Mary-Lou was bellowing at Emerence as she struggled up the slope, terror evident in her voice. “Steer to the right!” But Emerence seemed to have lost her head. She tugged at each rope in turn and the sled swung wildly from side to side. By this time Mary-Lou was above the pine tree, level with a slight shadow in the snow. Then the sled struck the shadow, Emerence flew through the air and landed full in Mary-Lou’s chest. Mary-Lou in her turn was flung against the pine tree.

A moment later, we were there, tears flooding down Vi’s cheeks.

“Mary-Lou,” she sobbed. “Mary-Lou – quick, quick!”

We pulled Emerence off her. Miss O’Ryan came and knelt down. Margot was charging down the slope. We turned Mary-Lou, very cautiously, onto her back, but she just lay there, still, grey, and to all appearance, dead!
Author:  Miss Di [ Tue Jun 23, 2009 4:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
To be honest Abi, I couldn't have resisted that last line either!
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Jun 23, 2009 6:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Nor me!
Author:  JS [ Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
It had to be...
So nice to see this back.
Author:  JB [ Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
How else could you have ended that?
Author:  keren [ Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
It was easy to guess which line you could not resist!
Author:  Emma A [ Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
(giggling, sorry)

Thanks, Abi - enjoying this greatly.
Author:  Elle [ Tue Jun 23, 2009 9:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
You had to use that line, there was no choice really! I am, however, very relieved that you didn't involve Veronica in the accident!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Wed Jun 24, 2009 3:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Elle wrote:
You had to use that line, there was no choice really! I am, however, very relieved that you didn't involve Veronica in the accident!


So am I and it's nice to see another view of the incident
Author:  Cath V-P [ Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
What other line was possible? :D

Seriously, it's interesting to see that from another perspective, in the same way that Mary-Lou et al's comments on Stella reveal Veronica's limitation - and also the way in which her single-mindedness makes her ambitions achievable.
Author:  Abi [ Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks for all the comments - glad people are still enjoying this (I hope it's not getting dull!). Just a shortish update this time.

“Stand back, girls,” Miss O’Ryan commanded sharply, as people began to crowd around.

“Oh! Is she dead?” wailed Margot, crashing through the swarm of girls and throwing herself on her knees at Mary-Lou’s side.

“Of course not, you silly child,” snapped Miss O’Ryan. She turned to the other members of staff who had now arrived. Miss Derwent was bending over Emerence, who lay in the snow, crying – she seemed to have injured herself.

The other members of the Gang had pushed their way through the crowd and surrounded Vi and me. Verity-Anne was clinging to Hilary Bennett, looking terrified, and Vi was still in tears. I rather felt like crying myself and I couldn’t help wondering whether Miss O’Ryan was really right. I couldn’t see how anyone could survive such an awful blow. Unsure of what to do, I put a tentative arm round Vi’s shoulders. With a little wail, she flung her arms round my neck and sobbed violently.

It seemed hours before anything happened, though I suppose it couldn’t have been more than a few minutes. Eventually some of the mistresses started to gather the girls together and lead them away.

“Come along, girls.” Miss Derwent came up to the quiet little huddle of Mary-Lou’s friends. “An ambulance will be here any moment. Mary-Lou will be in safe hands. Let’s get you back to school.”

“Oh, please,” said Verity-Anne, looking up at the mistress from where she stood, still held by Hilary, “couldn’t we at least wait till they come?”

“Yes – please may we stay?” put in Lesley Malcolm, who was gripping Catriona’s hand hard.

Miss Derwent exchanged glances with Miss O’Ryan, then nodded.

“Very well,” she agreed. “We’ll wait until the doctors arrive.”

By the time they did come – it could have been minutes or hours – Vi’s sobs had quietened. We stood in a silent group, the only sound an occasional moan from Emerence. They lifted her and Mary-Lou onto stretchers and bore them off, Miss O’Ryan and Mlle de Lachennais following. We turned and made our way slowly back to school with Miss Derwent.
Author:  Elle [ Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Hurrah, another update! And, no, it is not getting dull (how could you think that? This is currently one of my most favourite drabbles on the board). I for one want to see how you are going to get Veronica to the Wells. I also rather hope you will be bringing Sebastian back at some point please!
Author:  Nightwing [ Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Definitely not getting dull! Quite the opposite, since I'm getting increasingly impatient to find out how Veronica is going to get to the Wells! :lol:
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Jun 25, 2009 3:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I love this drabble to and really liked the last scene in seeing the accident from ML's friends. Also can't wait to see how Veronica will end up at the Wells
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Maybe someone from the Wells - preferably Gilbert :D - could turn up in Switzerland?
Author:  JS [ Thu Jun 25, 2009 9:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Nice to see Veronica being a prop to Vi - her crying tends to be reserved for dancing! And yes, would love to see Gilbert turn up - and see how he got on with Miss Annersley.

Thanks Abi.
Author:  Miss Di [ Fri Jun 26, 2009 4:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
JS wrote:
Nice to see Veronica being a prop to Vi - her crying tends to be reserved for dancing! And yes, would love to see Gilbert turn up - and see how he got on with Miss Annersley.



Ooooh yes. He could take over training the pantomime ballet perhaps?
Author:  Abi [ Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thank you for the kind comments :oops: (I'll try to bring in Sebastian again, just for you Elle :wink: ). Here is the next bit.

The next five days could have been so many years. Each morning at Prayers, Miss Annersley announced that Mary-Lou was stable, that there was no change. We knew she hadn’t woken up and that they weren’t sure how bad her injuries were. All the mistresses were kind and tolerant and even Fiona seemed subdued.

No-one wanted to toboggan after the accident. The snow remained glorious – indeed, more fell. But it had lost its charm for us. When the staff made us go outside, we all skied – even me. My ankle was still getting stronger and I was still doing all the exercises Miss Burnett had given me, so the skiing didn’t do it any harm.

It wasn’t until the next Tuesday afternoon that a knock came on the door of our form room and Miss Annersley entered. Everyone looked round as she went up to the front of the room, a broad smile on her face.

“Girls!” she said (in French, which was the language for the day – fortunately I knew enough to be able to follow her quite easily). “I have good news for you! Doctor Jack has just arrived to tell us that Mary-Lou has roused up at last. She is feeling very ill, but so far the signs are good.” Her face sobered a little. “Of course, she is by no means out of the woods yet – but there is hope.”

The room exploded into a loud, joyful babble. Miss Annersley laughed and left, presumably to take the news to the rest of the school. Over the next few days the news continued to be good. Mary-Lou was eating well, was sitting up, was demanding “something really solid” to eat. Quite soon we heard that she was to be allowed visitors.

“We won’t all be able to go at once,” pointed out Hilary, once this news had seeped – unofficially, of course – down through the school. “Verity’ll be first, naturally. And then –”

She was interrupted by a babble of voices, all staking their claim to visit Mary-Lou before anyone else. Vi put an end to the discussion by banging violently on the table.

“It’ll depend on Mary-Lou herself who visits her first. And if she doesn’t decide, we’ll draw lots. There’s not to be any quarrelling over it, though, and anyone who doesn’t like it can jolly well take it up with me.” She glared round pugnaciously, but no-one was unwise enough to pick up the gauntlet.

That Saturday was the last of the term’s “evenings”, as they were called – it should have been the previous Saturday, but since it was our form’s entertainment it had been postponed until there was better news about Mary-Lou. They had asked me to dance, and I had agreed.

“It won’t be very good, I’m afraid,” I admitted gloomily that afternoon. “Oh, my ankle’s practically better now, but I’m horribly out of practice.”

“Well, I don’t suppose anyone will notice the difference,” said Vi with a grin. “Seriously, how many ballet experts have you met here so far?” I giggled despite my misgivings.

“All the same,” I tried to explaine, “a dancer ought to regard every single performance as equally important, no matter who’s going to be watching. Madame always used to say it was a sort of duty, to give your best, always.”

I danced the Prelude from Les Sylphides, which I had learned thoroughly with Madame. It wasn’t as good as it might have been, but I didn’t feel so awful dancing as I had during those last few dreadful weeks with Fräulein Merckel. The school seemed to like it, judging by their applause, though I suspected that Madame might have had a few things to say about it!
Author:  Elle [ Fri Jun 26, 2009 9:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Abi wrote:
I'll try to bring in Sebastian again, just for you Elle :wink:


Thanks!

Abi wrote:
I danced the Prelude from Les Sylphides, which I had learned thoroughly with Madame. It wasn’t as good as it might have been, but I didn’t feel so awful dancing as I had during those last few dreadful weeks with Fräulein Merckel. The school seemed to like it, judging by their applause, though I suspected that Madame might have had a few things to say about it!


She is so unbelievably single minded isn't she.

Thanks for the update.
Author:  PaulineS [ Fri Jun 26, 2009 9:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks for the update.

Quote:
“It won’t be very good, I’m afraid,” I admitted gloomily that afternoon. “Oh, my ankle’s practically better now, but I’m horribly out of practice.”

“Well, I don’t suppose anyone will notice the difference,” said Vi with a grin. “Seriously, how many ballet experts have you met here so far?” I giggled despite my misgivings.


Like Vi's reassurance.
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
You couldn't bring in Guy as well, could you ... :lol: ?

Glad Veronica's feeling happier, although I don't suppose knowing that no-one there knows enough about ballet to realise if she's doing things perfectly or not'll make her feel any better!

Thanks Abi - loving this :D .
Author:  JS [ Sat Jun 27, 2009 10:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Nice to see Vi being a leader too. Thanks Abi.
Author:  Abi [ Sat Jun 27, 2009 11:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Much to my surprise, Mary-Lou asked to see me. Vi had already been, but we obtained permission to walk up to the San together. I think Miss Annersley thought it would be a good idea for Vi to get out in the fresh air – she still looked pale and there were awful shadows under her eyes.

Mary-Lou was sitting in a big armchair, warmly wrapped in a large dressing gown and not looking at all as though she had recently survived a horrific accident.

“Well, do sit down,” she greeted us breezily. “Don’t stand there looking as though you thought I might break if you moved. I’m feeling quite all right – well, practically, anyway.”

“You look much better than you did the other day,” observed Vi. “Nurse only let us stay a quarter of an hour.”

“Oh well!” Mary-Lou waved a careless hand as though to indicate that such weakness was far behind her. She eyed Vi beadily. “I hope you’ve taken my toboggan out as I said.”

“We had a go the day before yesterday,” Vi assured her. “But we’re teaching Veronica to ski – she’s awfully quick to learn.”

“You know,” Mary-Lou changed the subject abruptly. “After I woke up and I knew they were afraid I’d hurt my back too badly for me to – to be able to walk again, I wondered how I could possibly bear it.” She looked up at me. “Of course, I know now that I’ll be all right quite soon, but I did feel for two days how ghastly it would be. I – I remembered what you said when you hurt your ankle. I thought you might understand how I felt.”

“Well – ” I hesitated. “Of course, I never thought I’d not be able to walk. But the thought of not being able to dance. I – I felt as though I’d rather be dead,” I owned in a low voice. “I expect it seems stupid to you, when you thought you’d have to lie down all your life.”

“No – no,” said Mary-Lou eagerly. “I feel as though I can understand better now. I was so scared about it.”

We smiled at each other for a moment, with perfect understanding. Then Mary-Lou asked a question about the carol concert, which was coming off in two days time.

We came back through the woods – we hadn’t specifically been given permission, but it didn’t add much to the length of the walk and it gave pleasant shelter from the biting wind.

“Look!” Vi exclaimed. “The sun’s coming out.”

There were indeed golden shafts slanting through the trees, lighting up the skeletal branches and making the carpet of pine needles glow duskily. I felt something inside me stir as it had not done since that wonderful day at Schaffhausen.

“Oh Vi, it’s so beautiful,” I breathed.

“Dance, Veronica,” Vi said urgently. “It’s so still and wonderful – dance that thing you danced on Saturday. It’s just right for a wood. And I know the music – it’s Chopin, isn’t it? Shall I sing for you?”

“Yes please,” I agreed. Vi had a beautiful voice. I even forgot to explain that Les Sylphides was set in a woodland glade, but kicked off my shoes and stood still as Vi sang the introduction. As the gentle notes stole out, I glided forward, cocking my head, my hand to my ear, to catch the poet’s voice, dancing to his song.

At last the music drifted to a close and I sank into my closing pose. I held still for a moment, then turned towards Vi, feeling a tremendous, happy smile spreading over my face. But Vi didn’t respond. Instead, she was scarlet in the face, looking first horrified and then as though she dreadfully wanted to giggle. I turned sharply to look over my shoulder.

“That was very nice, child. Where did you learn to dance?”
Author:  Elle [ Sat Jun 27, 2009 11:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Gilbert?

Thanks!
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I'm thinking Gilbert too ...

I hate to say it, but I really like Mary-Lou in this!
Author:  PaulineS [ Sun Jun 28, 2009 8:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Dancing in the snow, without her shoes! What will the staff say when they find out. Fears of colds spring to mind. Pleased she has been seen by some one who knows about dancing though.
Author:  JS [ Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Quote:
even forgot to explain that Les Sylphides was set in a woodland glade,

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Another hoping for Gilbert...

Thanks Abi.
Author:  Nightwing [ Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
ML and Vi are such good friends to Veronica! And I'm dying to know who's speaking to her...
Author:  Miss Di [ Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I'm hoping when I get in to work tomorrow we will have been enlightened! Altho what Gilbert would be doing 1/2 way up a mountain in the Bernese Oberland, I simply can not image. Maybe he is looking for a prince with a juke box? :P
Author:  snowmaiden [ Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Just catching up and so pleased to see all the updates - still brilliant, Abi, and even a cliff!
Author:  Abi [ Wed Jul 01, 2009 8:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Wow, I had no idea how fun it would be to watch people guessing - now I see why other people do it!

The bits about dancing Sylphides aren't me - they're actually Monica Mason, from when I went to a Royal Opera House insight evening where they rehearsed and talked about Sylphides.

The speaker was a small, lovely woman with a low, musical voice. She was gorgeously dressed, with smooth dark hair and big, velvety eyes. Beside her stood a small, rather insignificant looking man and a little red-haired girl. It was the last named who spoke next.

“Why were you dancing in the wood?” she asked curiously. “Mummy liked it – I can tell. Didn’t you, Mummy?”

“If we weren’t in Switzerland,” observed the dark lady, “I would have guessed Madame Wakulski-Viret.” She paused for a moment, then turned to the man. “Do you think they only speak German?”

“Oh, no, we do speak English,” gasped Vi, recovering herself at this. “That is – we are English. We’re from the Chalet School, just down the hill.”

“Oh, good. My German is almost non-existent, I’m afraid. Now, am I right?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact,” I admitted. “But however did you know?”

She laughed.

“It’s obvious, my dear. There are certain characteristics – all good, I must say – that Madame Wakulski-Viret passes on to her students.”

“Oh,” I said faintly, but had no time to say any more, as she came forward gracefully.

“You’ve forgotten one or two things, haven’t you, my dear? Now, how about trying those little bends again for me? I want you to see how low you can go.” She demonstrated and I watched, fascinated, her beautiful, flowing movements. “From here – ” she sang a bar or two and nodded at Vi, obviously expecting her to sing again. Vi hesitated, taken aback, then took a deep breath and sang the phrases.

“That was much better.” This once I had repeated the bends two or three times, each time reaching lower and lower, until my fingertips almost swept the pine needles. “Now – in the jumps, you need to remember that you’re a sylphide – you’ve got those little wings on your back and you can hover a little. For you, jumping is quite, quite, effortless and you just drift a little. Shall we try?”

I can’t imagine why she asked, since by this time Vi and I were her willing slaves. I performed the jumps and she showed me how to make them look as though I wasn’t springing, but flying. After a while, she clapped her hands.

“Good! Good! From the beginning, now. And remember, as you come on, you are listening to the notes of a strange song. It’s new to you – you catch a little phrase, and it intrigues you. You’re a little shy, perhaps a little out of your depth, but you want to hear this music, this poetry, and you want to dance to it.”

So, once again, Vi sang and I danced.

“Yes, quite nice.” She nodded at me.

“I say!” I interrupted before she could say anything else, unable to restrain my curiosity. “I hope you don’t mind my asking, but – who are you?”

“Don’t you know?” asked the little girl scornfully. “She’s Irma Foster!”
Author:  Nightwing [ Wed Jul 01, 2009 8:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Irma and Mariella! (And Oscar, although I didn't notice him until I read it through a second time...)

I imagine even the CS authorities will have a hard time saying no to Irma!
Author:  shazwales [ Wed Jul 01, 2009 8:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks Abi i'd forgotten about Irma Foster,digging deep into my memory does that make the child Mariella? Really enjoying this even if i do now feel 'ancient'.
Author:  keren [ Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I guessed when I saw the child
How clever!
Author:  Joanne [ Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I thought of Mariella with the description of the hair - and I love the description of Irma directing Veronica. It is so Lorna Hill!

Thanks.
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Ooh good - Mariella is my favourite girl in the Wells books :D, and surely the Wells'll give Veronica an audition if Irma recommends her (not that I'm getting ahead of myself or anything).
Author:  JB [ Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Brilliant, Abi. What a clever idea.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Thu Jul 02, 2009 2:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I love the idea of an impromptu ballet lesson in the snow! And Irma Foster is the perfect person to see Veronica!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Jul 02, 2009 4:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I never thought of Irma but she would be the perfect person to help Veronica.

Thanks Abi
Author:  Elle [ Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Ah! Fabulous!
Author:  JS [ Fri Jul 03, 2009 8:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Can't see even Aunt June saying no to Irma Foster - surprised Veronica didn't recognise her though. Mind you, I suppose she ran right past her in the zoo!
Author:  Abi [ Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks for the comments :D .

Vi looked blank. My jaw dropped – it really did, because I suddenly realised a moment later that my mouth was hanging open.

“Oh!” I said hoarsely. “Golly, I – I’m sorry, I had no idea!”

“Of course not,” said Irma Foster, with a ringing laugh. “Please don’t worry about it.”

“But I don’t understand why – ” I stopped hastily, aware too late that I was probably putting my foot in it.

“My husband has a cousin who has been undergoing treatment at the Sanatorium along the Platz,” she explained, then turned towards him. “My husband, Oscar Deveraux and my daughter, Mariella.”

“Oscar Deveraux – the critic?” I gasped. Then, remembering my manners, I added, “I’m Veronica Weston and this is Vi Lucy.”

“Um – Veronica,” Vi put in, “I’m sorry, but we’ve been standing around for half an hour. We really ought to go back to school.”

“Oh, gosh,” I said, horrified. I turned back to Irma Foster, not wanting to leave this sudden link to the world of ballet.

“We’ll walk in your direction,” she said firmly, and took me by the arm. Vi fell in with Oscar Deveraux and his daughter.

“What I want to know is why you aren’t still studying with Madame Viret, or at some other ballet school. I can tell you want to dance, don’t you?”

“Of course I do!” I exclaimed. “I can’t imagine doing anything except dancing. The trouble is my Aunt June. She doesn’t like the idea of my dancing.”

“But why ever not?” Irma Foster looked bewildered.

“She thinks it’s not suitable,” I explained gloomily. “She says I might as well go straight to the gutter as on the stage.”

“Well!” Irma Foster made a gesture of disbelief. “She lives in the country, I suppose? Some people are so benighted. Don’t worry. I’ll persuade her.”

Actually, I could imagine Irma Foster convincing Aunt June were even Madame had failed. Dear Madame was so passionate and emotional, whereas Irma Foster was polite and ladylike and, though I hate to say it, English – all things that count for a lot with Aunt June.

“Goodness, if you could it would be wonderful. I do so want to go to Sadlers Wells. As a matter of fact,” I added, “Aunt June and Uncle John are coming to the school carol concert in a few days. Maybe if you – ”

I stopped awkwardly, feeling I ought to be asking them to the carol concert rather than to meet Aunt June, and embarrassed at asking such favours when they had someone ill at the San. Irma Foster seemed to understand.

“We’ll certainly come – we had heard about the concert in any case. I’m sure Mariella will enjoy it – she’s very fond of music.”

“I hope you don’t – I mean, when you’ve got someone who’s ill, you might not want – ”

She laughed.

“Harold’s ready to come home – we flew over here to collect him. He’ll be home by Christmas.”

“Oh, good,” I said, relieved. “Well, it would be wonderful if you did come, and if you could speak to Aunt June, I’d be awfully grateful.”
Author:  Nightwing [ Sat Jul 04, 2009 12:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I hope they're not in too much trouble when they get back to school! I'm glad that Irma is taking charge - and I wonder if Mariella will have a chance to make some friends at the school? I seem to remember her being quite a lonely kid when Caroline goes to live with her.
Author:  Alison H [ Sat Jul 04, 2009 7:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
IIRC, Mariella expected Jane's parents - Irma's brother and sister-in-law - to object to Jane going to the Wells, so presumably Irma's used to the idea of families thinking ballet's an unsuitable career and'll know what to say to the Scotts.

Thanks Abi :D .
Author:  JS [ Sat Jul 04, 2009 7:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Most excellent - and Fiona's nose will be properly out of joint, which is always a plus :D
Author:  Emma A [ Sat Jul 04, 2009 1:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Lovely - thanks, Abi.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sat Jul 04, 2009 1:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks. glad irma will talk to Aunt June. Hope Veronica and Vi don't get into trouble for being late
Author:  Cath V-P [ Mon Jul 06, 2009 4:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Hopefully, Irma will be able to persuade Aunt June to let Veronica go to Sadler's Wells. Harold....would that be Jane's father?
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Mon Jul 06, 2009 1:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Cath V-P wrote:
Hopefully, Irma will be able to persuade Aunt June to let Veronica go to Sadler's Wells. Harold....would that be Jane's father?


Jane's father Harold is Irma's brother not Oscar's cousin, so am assuming it's a different Harold
Author:  Elle [ Mon Jul 06, 2009 6:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Excellent!

If there is a music concert does that mean that Sebastian is going to show up again? :D :D :D :D :D
Author:  Abi [ Tue Jul 07, 2009 1:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
This bit is for you, Elle :wink: .

Two days later, Aunt June arrived and with her not Uncle John, but Sebastian.

“What on earth are you doing here, Sebastian?” shrieked Caroline, dashing across the entrance hall.

“I’m the guest speaker,” said Sebastian carelessly.

“Daddy had to work – an unexpected order, or something,” explained Aunt June, glancing repressively at him. “So Sebastian came instead. We didn’t want to waste the ticket.”

She looked as though she wished she had wasted the ticket.

“Mummy, I want to talk to you,” said Fiona loudly. “I want to leave.”

“But aren’t you in the concert, darling?” asked Aunt June, bemused.

“I mean I want to leave school. It’s the most beastly, loathsome place I’ve ever been.”

“But we’ve paid the fees for another term, dear,” protested Aunt June. Suddenly waking up to the fact that the entrance hall was not empty, she hastily suggested that Fiona and Caroline showed her the grounds and swept them off, leaving Sebastian and me standing there, looking at each other.

“Well,” said Sebastian, gesturing at the door. “Shall we go and have a look at the – er – grounds?”

I laughed happily.

“I think Aunt June was afraid of Fiona making a scene. I say Sebastian – something marvellous has happened!”

“Well, break the news,” commanded Sebastian. “You met Margot Fonteyn dancing through the woodland and she’s offered you the position of prima ballerina at the Wells?”

I giggled.

“Well, not quite. It was Irma Foster.” I paused tantalisingly, and Sebastian raised an eyebrow.

“And I – well, I was dancing,” I admitted. “Anyway, she says she can get me an audition at the Wells, and she’s going to persuade Aunt June to let me go – I really think she can.”

“That’s jolly good,” declared Sebastian. “So you’ll be able to get on with your dancing at last. On a different note – what on earth is up with Fiona? I’ve never seen her so – un-full-of-herself.”

“Oh – she – well, she isn’t very popular, you see. She doesn’t like it very much.”

Sebastian raised both eyebrows this time.

“Fiona not popular?” he drawled. “How could such a charming young woman make herself unpopular?”

“It probably didn’t help her cause when she cut up my tutu,” I explained.

“She did what?” yelled Sebastian.

“Slashed it with a pair of scissors,” I expounded, then hesitated at the look on Sebastian’s face. He was quite white, his eyes glittering darkly. “It’s all right, really. Miss Annersley found out and made her pay – pay for the tutu, I mean. She made her cry, too,” I added. “She looked frightful.”

“Your Head – made Fiona cry?” repeated Sebastian in disbelief.

“Yup.” A wide smile spread over my face as we walked on in silence.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I love Sebastian's reaction! Maybe he and Hilda should meet.
Author:  Elle [ Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Abi wrote:
This bit is for you, Elle :wink: .


Thanks! :oops: :oops: :oops:
Author:  JS [ Tue Jul 07, 2009 4:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
You really have got Veronica's style of speaking exactly.
Thanks Abi.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Can't wait for Hilda and Sebastion to meet. :lol:
Author:  jmc [ Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I hope Aunt June can be persuaded to let Veronica go to Sadler-Wells even if that means this drabble will probably end. :(

Thanks Abi. Really enjoying this
Author:  Abi [ Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
The last bit, finally!

The carol concert went quite well, although the altos forgot to come in on the third verse of Plato’s favourite carol. Luckily he didn’t stop us in the middle or anything, though his look of fury was awful to behold!

Afterwards, I managed to find Irma Foster and her family and introduced them to Aunt June and Sebastian.

“Mrs. Foster is a ballerina, Aunt June,” I explained. “I expect you’ve heard of her.”

“Well,” said Aunt June, trying to look as though she knew who Irma Foster was. “How do you do?” she said lamely.

“Veronica has told me so much about you,” said Irma Foster, exaggerating a little, I thought, since all I’d told her was that Aunt June thought that the stage wasn’t respectable – which, when I came to think of it, wasn’t very complimentary to Irma Foster! Still, it went down well with Aunt June.

At this point I became aware that Sebastian was chivvying Caroline, Fiona and me away from Aunt June and Irma Foster.

“Aunt June’s much more likely to cave in if we aren’t hanging around, goggling at them,” he pointed out.

“I suppose you’re right,” I sighed, “but I wish I could hear what they were saying.”

“I don’t see why Veronica’s concerns should be most important,” said Fiona sulkily. “I’ve got things I want to say to Mummy too, you know.”

“Of course we all want to talk to Mummy,” said Caroline reasonably. “But this is probably the only time that she and Irma Foster will be in the same place – it might be the only opportunity of persuading her to let Veronica dance. Anyhow, you spent two hours before the concert telling her how you wanted to leave and how miserable you were.”

Fiona slouched down in her seat and scowled, but said nothing.

“Well, Veronica,” said Aunt June, some twenty minutes later. “I’ve been speaking to Irma Foster – it appears that she is a very important dancer, and she seems to think you’re quite promising.”

She paused, and I held my breath, not even bothering to explain that I knew perfectly well who Irma Foster was and how honoured I was that she thought I was promising. Aunt June continued slowly.

“She tells me that the best place for you to learn ballet is a place called – oh, what was it?” she snapped her fingers as though trying to summon the thought to her mind.

“Sadlers Wells?” I suggested.

“That was it. Apparently they’re attached to a Ballet Company, who are supposed to be the best in the country – it’s the Company Irma Foster herself dances for, in fact. She says that they have a proper school, so lessons won’t be a problem, and it all seems to be thoroughly respectable.”

I listened in silent disbelief as Aunt June went on telling me everything I already knew about the Wells, everything I’d been trying to tell her for the last six months. It didn’t matter now, anyway. Somehow, everything had suddenly come right – I was going to the Wells, Irma Foster was going to arrange an audition for me. I wouldn’t be going back to the Chalet School.

A moment later we ran into Vi with a sister and a cousin.

“Oh, Vi!” I cried, once the introductions were over. “I’m going to the Wells – I’m really going!”

I felt a sudden sharp pang. I hadn’t thought of it before, but of course going to the Wells would mean that I wouldn’t be at school with Vi or any of the others any more.

“Congratulations!” said Vi, smiling. “I suppose that means you won’t be coming back.”

“No – as long as I get through the audition, I hope I’ll be able to start in January.”

“Oh, well – I don’t suppose you’ll miss us at all.” She was still smiling, if possible a little more widely.

“Of course I will!” I said. “I’ll miss you dreadfully, as a matter of fact.”

There was a silence. Neither of us really knew what to say.

“I’ll write,” I said at last. “I’ll write every week, Vi. And you must come and stay with us in the hols.”

Vi nodded, her face serious at last. We hugged, and I turned back to Sebastian.

Before we left the next morning we said goodbye to Miss Annersley. She was awfully nice to me and said she hoped I would be very happy at the Wells.

“Yes, thank you Miss Annersley,” I assured her. “I know it’s going to be wonderful. And – thank you for all you did for me this term.”

“I think Sadler’s Wells will be more suited to your talents. But I hope you feel you’ve learnt a little here,” she added. I smiled a little shamefacedly.

“Yes – oh!” I exclaimed. “Here are the others.”

Aunt June and Sebastian were walking through the front doors.

“Oh – this is my cousin Sebastian Scott, Miss Annersley.”

Sebastian leaned forward to seize Miss Annersley’s outstretched hand in a firm grip.

“I’m very glad to meet you, Miss Annersley. Veronica’s told me a lot about you.”

He winked at me sideways.

As we left, Fiona was still trying to persuade Aunt June to let her leave the Chalet School, Caroline was enthusing over how much she loved it and didn’t want to leave. And I, though oddly distressed at leaving my friends, was really very happy at the thought that, finally, I would be going to the Wells.

THE END
Author:  Nightwing [ Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
:D :D :D

Thanks Abi - I've enjoyed this story so much and am pretty sad to see it finished!

...Any chance of a sequel? :lol:
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks Abi - I've loved this and am only sorry to see it end.
Author:  Elle [ Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Abi, this has been fantastic! I know I have continually begged for more, but now I am heartbroken that has ended. :bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling:

It was really well written, and you captured Lorna Hills style of writing perfectly.

Thanks.
Author:  jmc [ Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks Abi, I really enjoyed this. Just sad that it is now over.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Fri Jul 10, 2009 1:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks Abi, this was fabulous. Am really going to miss reading the updates
Author:  Karoline [ Fri Jul 10, 2009 7:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks Abi, I've really enjoyed this
Author:  JS [ Fri Jul 10, 2009 9:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
This has been fabulous, Abi - and what a nice way to wind it up.
Author:  Emma A [ Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
That was a lovely ending to a very good cross-over, Abi - Veronica's "voice" was absolutely right. So glad Veronica could go at last to the Wells, but nice to see that she will miss things and people from her time at the Chalet School. I wonder if Caroline's staying on there might alter her future - I can't see her becoming a Spanish dancer, for example!
Author:  keren [ Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Oh,
I nearly missed reading the end

this was a lovely story

you captured the characters excellently

Sorry it has ended
Author:  PaulineS [ Fri Jul 10, 2009 3:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thank you for a lovely crossover.
Author:  Jenefer [ Fri Jul 10, 2009 5:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thank you so much or this. I have enjoyed reading it. Any chance of a some more in the future?
Author:  JB [ Fri Jul 10, 2009 5:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Quote:
“Your Head – made Fiona cry?” repeated Sebastian in disbelief.


:D :D :D

I think Miss Annersley could even cope with Sebastian.

I've really enjoyed this, Abi. Thanks so much.
Author:  Joy W [ Fri Jul 10, 2009 7:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I've so enjoyed this! Thanks, Abi. I wonder if Aunt June got the next term's fees returned? :trumpet:
Author:  JS [ Fri Jul 10, 2009 8:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Quote:
I can't see her becoming a Spanish dancer, for example!


But she might meet Angelo on one of the expeditions...
Author:  Emilyc [ Fri Jul 10, 2009 8:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Sad to see this finish but brilliant for Veronica that she's off to Wells. The CS was clearly never going to be enough for her.
Author:  Sarah_G-G [ Sun Jul 12, 2009 3:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Aww, yay! I don;t know whether to be happy or sad because Veronica finally gets to go to the Wells, but now the drabble's ended... :D :( Thank you so much for writing it- the voices of the characters were spot on and yuo've given me a really strong urge to go and read Sadler's Wells again now!
Author:  Lyanne [ Sun Jul 12, 2009 4:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thank you Abi, I've really enjoyed this.
Author:  shazwales [ Sun Jul 12, 2009 6:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks Abi really enjoyed reading this.
Author:  BethC [ Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
That was great, Abi - thank you!
Author:  Abi [ Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks for all the comments - it was fun to write!
Author:  Miss Di [ Mon Jul 13, 2009 5:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Another late finder of the final episodes. Thanks Abi, I've enjoyed this so much and your Lorna Hill style was just spot on.
Author:  Elbee [ Mon Jul 13, 2009 8:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I really enjoyed reading this.

Thanks, Abi.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Tue Sep 08, 2009 1:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I missed the ending when we lost internet access, and I've only just found it! Thank you Abi; this was very enjoyable - the characters were just right and you fitted them beautifully into the CS universe.
Author:  Smile :) [ Fri Sep 11, 2009 4:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
Thanks Abi I've enjoyed this a lot. I can't decide whether to be glad that Veronica gets to go to the wells now or sad that the drabble has ended.
Author:  JellySheep [ Mon Nov 16, 2009 1:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Veronica at the Chalet School - Lorna Hill crossover
I've really enjoyed this but am sad to have reached the end! It combines being faithful to both series really well, and I especially liked Fiona getting her comeuppance.
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