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Advent Drabbles: December 12th (part 3 23:something!)

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The CBB -> St Scholastika's House

#1: Advent Drabbles: December 12th (part 3 23:something!) Author: Advent Drabblers,

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:00 pm
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The passport said ‘Mrs Elizabeth Helston’. but that was a hang-over from the War, when she had needed a passport and the British Government had given her one. Veta stood in the little customs post at the top of the pass into Belsornia, her daughter, Jose Maynard standing beside her, waiting for the official stamp that would permit her to enter her own country. The two young men on the other side of the desk had no idea who she was, which was exactly what she wanted. This was a sentimental visit to see her childhood home now that it was free of the Soviet control that had been in place ever since the end of the War. Finally the little book was handed back and the two women walked back to the car.
“Here we go, Mum,” said Jose. “Last stage. How are you feeling?”
“Very odd, my lamb. It feels like yesterday, but so much will have changed.”
At first the changes weren’t noticeable for countryside doesn’t change much over the years. it was when they approached the capital that it showed, with row upon row of gaunt, shabby soviet blocks of flat, all in need of refurbishment, lining the road into the city. Veta closed her eyes till they were past, but then they were running through older streets, and there were people about. The sun was shining and her spirits rose. Jose pulled up outside the hotel where they ha booked rooms and they went to check in. Again the passports were checked, and the Receptionist noticed that her place of birth was down as Belsornia.
“My father worked for the Government, and we lived here for quite a long time,” said ‘Veta, smiling at the truth behind the apparent lie.
Once they had unpacked they ventured out into the streets to fins some food. A little pavement café had a selection of salads and cake, and they made a good meal.
“Right! where now?” asked Jose. “This is all down to you from now on.”
“The Cathedral,” said her mother. “It was such a beautiful place.”
It was still beautiful, towering over the square it stood in, a strange mixture of traditional Catholic architecture overlaid with something taken from the Eastern Church. The doors were open and they walked inside. Whether services had continued throughout the Soviet years, the place was being used for its proper purpose now. A faint air of incense hung over everything, and a priest crossed the aisle in front of them going about his daily duties. The two women walked slowly up the central aisle towards the High Altar, Veta looking for changes and finding none, and Jose fascinated by the whole building. At the crossing they stopped. In front of them was the Rood Screen, wonderfully carved, with a beautifully painted Crucifix hanging on top. To one side, in one of the transepts, was a large boxed pew with a crest on the front.
“The family pew,” murmured Veta. “I sat there when my Father was crowned, and for grandfather’s funeral, and on so many other occasions.”
They spent some time in the church, and then explored other parts of the city, at one point passing the Royal Palace.
“It’s open to the public, Mum. Do you want to go in?”
“Not today, Jose. I need to prepare myself for seeing my home again. Tomorrow maybe.”
After breakfast the next day, Veta turned to her daughter.
“Let’s go to the Palace now, before I chicken out,” she said.
The entrance was through the main gates, and they paid at a little hut that had been built for the purpose just inside. There were two prices, one for the locals and one for visitors, with visitor’s paying a good deal more. Once through that hurdle they followed the signs round the end of the building to a side door.
“Family entrance,” muttered Veta, wanting to give her daughter information without being overheard. “We always came and went this way unless it was a state occasion.”
The door led into a long corridor with rooms opening off. They were the family living areas, for though the rooms were large and well furnished, they were still comfortable to live in. They passed through the Drawing Room, Dining Room and Library, a room that was obviously an office, with everything laid out as if the King had just been called away.
“Everything’s still here as we let it,” said Veta in amazement. “I’d have thought they’d have looted everything.”
“Probably wanted to show how the ‘other half’ lived,” grinned Jose. “This feels like a real home.”
“Wait till you see the State Apartments. They’re something else again.”
They were. The decoration was very much in the Rococo style, with swathes of gilded ribbons, cherubs and fruit baskets. The Throne Room was impressive, a huge cavernous place, meant to impress, with a gold embossed throne at the far end. This was the last of the State Rooms, and the route then lay upstairs and back into the family area. They saw the nurseries, and Veta recognised items belonging to herself and to her own children, still in their right places. Then they passed into her own sitting room. there on the shelves lining the walls were her books. All the school stories her father had bought her before she finally went to the Chalet School. Her school books, the books she read as she grew up, all still there. Veta felt her throat choking up, and swallowed. It would never do for any of the room stewards to see that she was upset. From there they went into her old bedroom. The sun lit the room in the old way, and she almost missed the figure sitting in a chair by the window.
“This is beautiful,” said Jose. “It’s warm and cosy, but still shows how important .... the owner was.” She had caught herself just in time, having seen the woman at the last minute.
“This was the bedroom of the ‘Little Lady of Belsornia’,” said the old woman. “She was loved by us all.”
“Have you always worked here?” asked Jose, feeling that she had to say something, and that speaking was beyond her mother.
“Yes, always. From when the family were still here. I was a Lady in Waiting before the War.”
Veta gasped, and the woman looked at her. “Why should you be surprised Madame? I was young once, and loved our Princess dearly.” The sun was shining on Veta’s face, smoothing some of the wrinkles brought on by age, and giving her a more youthful appearance, and the woman frowned, searching her memory. “But do I not know you? You seem familiar to me, as if we knew each other well.” Then her eyes strayed to a wedding photograph taken of Veta and her husband, and her eyes widened. “But surely....”

Last edited by Advent Drabblers on Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:15 pm; edited 2 times in total

#2: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:54 pm
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Ooh good, Belsornia Very Happy

#3: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:55 pm
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The unmasking of Veta?

#4: Author: babycassied,

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 1:01 pm
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Aww! This is lovely!

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

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 1:44 pm
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That's a lovely start, wonder what else will happen...

JackieP

#6: Author: Lottie, Location: Humphrey's Corner

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:49 pm
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Presumably the room steward's Alette. Now what's going to happen?

#7: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:07 pm
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Alette came to England with Veta.

#8: Author: Advent Drabblers,

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 4:16 pm
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Jack ran his fingers through Joey's hair, and then, picking up the hairbrush proceeded to gently but thoroughly brush her hair. This done he leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on the soft cheek. Then, carefully he took her by the arms and helped her to stand and walk the few steps to her chair. Once she was settled he took the shawl from her drawer and placed it around her shoulders, and giving her shoulder a quick squeeze pushed her towards the big salon in Freudesheim.

Of course it was a long time since it had been 'theirs', now it was a room that did not really belong to anyone, being used for the larger family gatherings and similar events. The house was now 4 flats. He and Joey had the majority of the ground floor, Joey having been unable to manage the stairs for a long time now. The middle floor was split into two flats, one lived in by Len and Reg and their two twin daughters and the other by Hilda Annersley and her friend Nell. The attic flat was used as a base by a lot of visitors to the Platz, old friends, varying family members, and still on occasion by schoolgirls needing a holiday home or staff members needing a break.

The salon however retained the feeling it had always had, of being the heart of the home, and somehow all those who passed through Freudesheim felt this, that the place was at it's happiest, most alive when the fire in the salon was lit and the curtains open to frame the view over the Jungfrau. It had been left untouched in the alterations to the house partly because so many of the family had memories of evenings spent there, but mainly because Jack and Joey could not imagine Freudesheim without the salon.

As they made their way down the hallway towards the double doors a shaft of light came in through a window, lighting up a dark corner by the front door. Joey nodded towards it, and Jack seeing what she had seen wheeled her across. There was the old hallway stand, full as ever with coats, shoes, odd gloves, old hats and assorted paraphernalia. In the middle was a mirror and it was a small photograph wedged in the corner of this that had caught Joey's eye in the sun.

Jack lifted it down and passed it to Joey. She held it carefully, straightening the slightly curling edges, and smiling in memory of the day it was taken.
“It seems so long ago,” she murmered.
“It was, fifty years today,” Jack smiled.
“Have you been keeping count?” Joey teased him.
Jack was about to make a quick reply when something suddenly prompted him, and walking round to stand in front of Joey he slowly got to his knees and took her hands,
“Joey, I've not only counted, but have treasured evey single day of these fifty years, and do you know, you are even more beautiful now than you were then. Most of the people waiting to celebrate with us don't remember that day, the day we married. I do, and at the time I thought you would never look more stunning, but now, now I wouldn't change thing, you mean more to me than I could ever have imagined. I love you Joey Bettany.”
“And I love you Jack Maynard.”

They stared into each other's eyes for a few treasured moments, their real celebration and then turning, Jack pulled himself to his feet and together they went to join the waiting party.

They reached the door and as it was opened by Reg, Joey reached up and tugged at Jacks arm, he bent over, “My solid lump of comfort, you always have been, and still are.”

Edited because, for some reason, I couldn't bear to see Annersley spelt incorrectly! Crying or Very sad

Last edited by Advent Drabblers on Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:09 pm; edited 1 time in total

#9: Author: PaulineS, Location: West Midlands

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 5:03 pm
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Two very different events linked by photographs of weddings, Jack and Joey's war time one and Veta's state wedding.

Hope Lesley can link them as well as she has the previous Advent Drabbles.

#10: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 5:14 pm
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That's actually very touching, which is saying something coming from me.

#11: Author: Sugar, Location: second star to the right!

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:50 pm
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Loved the Veta bit.

#12: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:54 pm
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That is lovely - very moving

#13: Author: Advent Drabblers,

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:09 pm
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Later that evening, far later, Joey was still sparkling as she spoke with old friends and family. Momentarily on her own she looked round the large room - Len, her eldest, was sitting with one of her six year old twin girls on her lap, the other was climbing on Reg's back with far more exhuberance than should be allowed, considering that it was after eleven at night. Joey sighed, the disappointment when it had been discovered that Len was unable to have children was still acute - she could remember, as though it were yesterday, the day that Len had come to tell her, had broken down in Joey's encirling arms as she said that Len had been investigated, but there was nothing that could be done. She had resigned herself to being childless when, less than ten years ago - a miracle when IVF had been perfected. Joey shook her head as she remembered how, to begin with, she had not been happy about Len trying this new technique - but now, she smiled, her granddaughters were the most beautiful, most loving, most mischivous pair in the world - and no-one, not even their parents, could tell them apart.

Joey looked over at where Jack Maynard had taken the opportunity to sit in one corner with his sister Mollie for a gossip - although he did not consider it a gossip, more an exchange of information. Mollie looked good considering that she, like he, was more than eighty years old. Joey shook her head, her Jack, her rock, eighty years old? It did not seem possible, if she closed her eyes she could still see him as the debonair young doctor who had joined the San in Austria. The loving father and conscientoius doctor, Joey smiled, and the man who, even today, still awoke her in the night with his snoring.

In another part of the room Joey saw her second daughter, Con, Constance now, Constance Maynard - she kept her maiden name for her reports. Joey had been surprised to see her as Con was normally all over the world filming breaking news. She was chatting with Margot, Dr Maynard, world authority on tropical diseases. Joey's eyes darkened further as she thought of Margot's struggles. She had entered an order, had been happy for more than twenty years but then, some five years ago, had decided to re-enter the world once more. Joey had found it difficult but she had forced herself not to interfere - and she had to admit, Margot did look far happier than she had for years.

Joey looked round to see others of her family but was stopped by the sound of the front door bell; there was a short wait then Reg appeared saying that Joey had a visitor.

"Aunt Joey?" Joey looked up, recognising the voice yet not quite..."Jose? But I thought you were in Belsornia with your mother - she wrote to explain why she wouldn't be able to get here."

"We were, Aunt Joey," Jose seemed rather agitated, "only, we went to the Palace and...well...someone recognised Mum..."

Joey's eyes widened, "She's been seized? Arrested? The Communists will place her on trial, we've got to do something..."

"Goodness," another voice from the doorway sounded amused, "I hope you are still writing, Joey, your imagination is still as strong!"

"Veta! You're alright then?"

"No, Joey, I'm under arrest and in a prison cell," Elisaveta said with a smile, "however I am afraid that Belsornia may not allow me back in - you see I smuggled someone out with me, see Joey!"

She ushered forth another figure, the little old woman was older than Joey by only a few years but had obviously had a far harder life. Her eyes seemed to be searching for something in Joey's face and she suddenly found it as she smiled, "The Mademoiselle Joey! I could not forget this one - she saved you, Majesty."

Elisaveta sighed, "I keep telling her not to do that," she remarked in an aside, "now, Joey, do you recognise her?"

Joey looked closer, seeing nothing in the old face that reminded her of anything. She sensed that this was important, that the fact the woman knew her must mean she had met her in the past. A faint memory arose, she thought of Juliet, her adopted sister - sadly no longer with them, what was it, "Oh yes, you helped Juliet while Arlette helped me, it's Venetta, isn't it?

She was rewarded by a beam of pure happiness from the old woman.

#14: Author: PaulineS, Location: West Midlands

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:24 pm
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Well done the three of you again. Glad Veta got Venetta, out of Belsornia.

#15: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:30 pm
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Excellent ending - thankyou

#16: Author: Sugar, Location: second star to the right!

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 12:20 am
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Awww that was lovely!!

Thanks all 3!

#17: Author: Elder in Ontario, Location: Ontario, Canada

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 3:02 am
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Lovely ending - again! Thanks, Advent Drabblers

#18: Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 5:00 am
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That was so lovely

#19: Author: Elbee, Location: Surrey

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 9:08 am
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Lovely, well done Advent Drabblers!

#20: Author: babycassied,

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 9:23 am
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Fab - really enjoyed that!

#21: Author: Lottie, Location: Humphrey's Corner

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 9:27 am
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That was lovely! Very Happy

Thanks, all three of you!

#22: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 11:21 am
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Thank you, all three.

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

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 1:06 pm
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Thank you Ladies, glad to see Joey's imagination continues as wild as ever.

JackieP

#24: Author: Róisín, Location: Ireland

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 2:25 pm
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I read this last night and enjoyed it hugely. I cried in the first and third episodes! Thank you Very Happy

#25: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 4:21 pm
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That was brilliant! Thanks ADs.

#26: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 10:06 pm
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That really was lovely, thank you all!

#27: Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 12:20 am
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Very touching. Thank you all.

#28: Author: Smile :), Location: Location? What's a location?

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 1:21 pm
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Lovely, thank you advent drabblers

#29: Author: brie, Location: Glasgow, aka the land of boredom

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 4:07 pm
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That was a really nice one, thanks drabblers

#30: Author: Rosalin, Location: Swansea

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 11:18 pm
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3 really lovely episodes, thanks ADs. I love the differences in approach day to day.

#31: Author: Vick, Location: Leeds, Yorkshire

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 11:59 am
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That was lovely. Thank you Very Happy

#32: Author: Sal, Location: Walsall / Aberystwyth

Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 12:26 am
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That was really lovely. Thanks AD's

#33: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 10:16 pm
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That was really beautiful and thoughtful. Thankyou.

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

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 10:12 pm
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Thanks, Advent Drabblers. It was lovely to see them all reunited at the end of the story.

#35: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 4:02 pm
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Miss Annersley would be perturbed at my lack of vocabulary, but...

Lovely! Very Happy

(None of the synonyms came close enough.)

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