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Advent Drabbles: December 17th (part 3 22:22)

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#1: Advent Drabbles: December 17th (part 3 22:22) Author: Advent Drabblers,

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:26 am
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Mary-Lou sat in her room in Oxford, trying to concentrate on her work. But her mind was wandering, back to the previous year when she had been Head Girl of the Chalet School. At this time of year they were busy rehearsing for the Christmas Play, and she was missing the buzz of excitement that pervaded the whole school at this time. The weather didn’t help much either. It was drizzling outside, a cold, depressing, soaking type of drizzle, that left the pavements gleaming with wet, and hid the passers-by under vast umbrellas. She sighed, and turned back to her work. Thinking of the past wouldn’t help finish this, and the sooner it was done the better.
Later, she went out with friends for a drink, and her spirits rose. The rain had stopped, and the shops were brightly lit with Christmas decorations. The larger shops were all advertising a Santa’s Grotto of some sort, one of them even advertising a rocket ride to get there. The pub her group favoured was bright and gay too, and they spent their time talking about the way they celebrated Christmas at home.
“I’ll be going out to Switzerland,” said Mary-Lou. “Mother has to live out there at the moment as she isn’t well, so Verity and I will join her. I think we’ll be going round to Mrs Maynard’s on Christmas Day, at least I think that’s what Mother said in her letter.”
You lucky thing!” said Sue, one of her friends. “What I wouldn’t give to be able to go to Switzerland. It must be wonderful at this time of year.”
“Lots of snow, and freezing cold,” said Mark. “You can keep all that for me. Give me a blazing fire and a beer and I’ll be happy.”
The others laughed, for Mark’s laziness and love of home comforts was legendary by this time. The conversation drifted away, as conversations do, and by the time they all headed back to their rooms Mary-Lou was her normal self.
She had agreed to meet Verity at Victoria to catch the Boat Train, though she was worried that Verity would miss the train. She had always been so slow in the mornings at school, even with Mary-Lou doing half her work for her. She seemed to be coping all right at the moment, but Mary-Lou still worried about her. She had become quieter and more in need of support as she had gone up the school, as if her defiance over the German carol in her first term had taken all the gumption out of her. What a term at the College of Music would do to change that was something that Mary-Lou had often wondered. The letters they exchanged did little to indicate anything.
As it happened it was Mary-Lou herself who was nearly late. Her train from Oxford had been delayed, and the underground was packed, so that she ran up to their meeting place panting for breath.
“I thought we’d miss the train,” said Verity. “You’ve been here ages.”
“You didn’t have so far to come. Come on and get our seats before we lose them.”
As they rattled towards Dover, catching up on the latest news, the sky, which had been a clear winter blue when Mary-Lou had left Oxford, became greyer and greyer, with an ominous yellow cast to it that they both recognised as snow.
“Looks like a cold crossing,” said Verity, just as the first flakes floated past the window. “Hope the Channel’s calm.”
The train pulled into Dover Docks, and they piled out, holding their cases firmly. The platform was crowded, and the cases held the presents they had bought for everyone as well as their clothes. Following the crowd, they walked up the long ramp onto the steamer, and found seats inside. Contrary to their hopes, the water outside the harbour was tossing like a wild thing, and the snow was getting heavier all the time. Almost before they knew it, the steamer had cast off, and they were heading through the protecting walls, and out into the heaving Channel.

Last edited by Advent Drabblers on Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:22 pm; edited 2 times in total

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

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:11 am
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I'm intrigued to see where this will go

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

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 11:42 am
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Lovely to see a "normal" Mary-Lou out in the pub with her college friends.

Looking forward to more please Very Happy

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

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 12:49 pm
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Hmmm - ominous - is there a rough crossing ahead...?

JackieP

#5: Author: Advent Drabblers,

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 4:28 pm
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Joey looked at the list she had made, her own children plus wards and adoptees, her neices and nephews, the children of one or two close friends, her brevet neices, Hilda, Bill, Rosalie and Matey, and of course Anna and Rosli. “And Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all,” she thought as she realised the list went over the page by some considerable margin. She went over the list several more times, but when she discovered that this only meant adding more names, not reducing the list any, she stopped. She counted. Then she counted again and got a different total. The third time was a different one yet again, but any of the numbers was way too high. There were just so many people to buy Christmas presents for. True a few would be happy with a copy of her latest book, some she had knitted for, and others she could send some of the items she had brought at the school sale in the summer. However, the list would still mean some serious shopping.

Sighing she put the problem to one side and went downstairs for lunch. Jack had written her a cheque that morning and she would go into Interlaken that afternoon and see what she could do. Anna had left her a salad in the kitchen and she took it to the table, picking up the post as she did so. Eating with one hand, she went through the mail as she ate. There was a rather welcome cheque from her publisher, and a less welcome bill from the boy's school for a window Mike had broken while practising cricket in the common room. Then there were the usual notes from friends and several Christmas cards from old girls of the school. She opened these, putting aside a few change of address slips and letters to read at leisure later. Then she saw, burried in admist all the other envelopes a single postcard. Wondering who was sending postcards at this time of year she pulled it out and quickly turned it over to look at the message.

That afternoon saw her deep in thought as she drove down the mountainside. The postcard had made a deep impression on her. She would have to do something, but what?
Parking the car in a public car park she went to a large department store to begin her shopping. She wondered around, looking at the various items on display, but somehow her thoughts kept going back to that postcard. She looked at the toiletries, at the clothes, at the houseware, at toys, but was not able to choose anything. Eventually she left the store, having brought only a roll of wrapping paper and walked down the street into a park where she found a seat with a view of the lake.

Joey sat down and looked around. Behind her she could hear the noise, the hustle and bustle of christmas shopping. There were lights in the trees all around and turning slightly she could see the bright, cheerful displays stretching out in all the windows along the street. In front of her it was quieter. The trees were bare, but the birds still sang. There were one or two boats on the lake, and she could hear some children shouting in the distance. Lifting her eyes beyond the lakes, she could see her beloved mountains, standing as they had always stood, firm, unmoveable, their tops covered with snow and frost. Joey shivered and reached into her pocket. Fumbling a little because of her mittens she pulled out the postcard and re-read it.

#6: Author: Rachel, Location: West Coast of Scotland

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:47 pm
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Most intrigueing.

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

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:13 pm
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Intriging Indeed.... perhap ML to say shes coming over?

#8: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:19 pm
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I just can't imagine OOAO in the pub.

#9: Author: Advent Drabblers,

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:22 pm
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Aunt Joey,

Yes, I know we should have telephoned - but both Verity and I agreed that we would use as little money as possible. Now, first things first - you may already have heard the news, if not then this will be rather a shock. The English Channel was very rough yesterday, so rough that, when the boat left Dover Harbour, it was tossed back and forward. The boat crashed against the side of the harbout wall and, within minutes, capsized. DON'T WORRY!!! We're both fine - not hurt at all, in fact we barely got our feet wet. We did manage to lose all our luggage, however, including our handbags with all our money and papers. Luckily Verity had a number of shillings in her pocket and I had our tickets. Could you please tell Mother that we are both fine - I don't want her to worry. We'll be a couple of days later than we said but we'll still be there for Christmas.
The people here in Dover have been magnificent, Joey. There was a Salvation Army hostel nearby and all the passangers and crew from the ferry were taken there as they were the only place open that could cater for large parties. We spent that first evening queing up for soup just like the poor unfortunates who are homeless. And it was a wretched night to be homeless - Kent may not get such severe storms as Switzerland but they were certainly trying very hard. The storm left banks three or four feet high and biting wind - seemingly even colder that on the Platz. We managed to speak with some of the volunteers running the 'soup kitchen' they said that there would be people dying due to the storm and the cold.
So, we wondered, this year, rather than buying presents, if people would mind if instead we just gave them token gifts - and the money we would normally have spent, Verity and I intend to present to the hostel on our way back. And perhaps, next year, we'll plan to spend a couple of days as volunteers - we have so much, we want to give something back.

We'll be there in a few days - please tell Mother not to worry.

Mary-Lou and Verity.

Joey finished reading the postcard, marvelling that Mary-Lou had managed to fit all that on the card! She looked out to the lake again and shivered. Then she looked behind her at the bright lights and bustle. She made a decision - all the young ones had presents enough, as for everyone else? Perhaps they, too, would like to do something similar? Give something back. Yes, she would speak to them all. She made her way back to the car whistling cheerily to herself.

#10: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:25 pm
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That was great Lesley. Wonderful ending.

#11: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:55 pm
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Lovely ending Very Happy

#12: Author: PaulineS, Location: West Midlands

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 11:02 pm
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Thank you. What a positive outcome.

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

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 11:13 pm
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That was a wonderful ending - true CS tradition of thinking of others and being practical

Thankyou ADs and especially Lesley for the ending

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

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 11:36 pm
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As usual, I want more of the story! Has Verity changed - it sounds rather like it. Mary-Lou certainly has. Felt for Jo and her list, it all gets ridiculous, doesn't it. And I'm sure s many of us are in sympathy with the ending - though I never manage not to give the presents as well, in the end!

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

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:08 am
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Aww lovely thanks every one

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

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:01 am
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I liked that ending - thoughtful and practical.

Thanks drabblers.

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

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 6:49 am
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That is a wonderful ending. Thanks Lesley

#18: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:57 pm
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Thanks, all of you.

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

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:10 pm
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Awww! That really was lovely!
Thank you, all three of you.

#20: Author: linda, Location: Leeds

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:18 pm
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That was a lovely ending. Thank you

#21: Author: Rosalin, Location: Swansea

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 8:31 pm
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Good solution!

Thanks ADs.

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

Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 2:45 pm
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Lovely. Thank you.

#23: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 11:07 pm
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Wonderful. Thank you.

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

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:06 pm
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Thanks, Advent Drabblers. That was a really lovely ending.

#25: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:20 am
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Thank you, Advent Drabblers. Smile

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