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Advent Drabbles: December 22nd (part 3 23:33)

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The CBB -> St Scholastika's House

#1: Advent Drabbles: December 22nd (part 3 23:33) Author: Advent Drabblers,

Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 9:47 am
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“We have a special treat for you boys today,” said Madge Russell to Kevin and Kester at breakfast one morning. “We’re going up to London with your father, and while he does his business at one of the hospitals, we’re going to one of the big stores to see Father Christmas.”
Of course, this news put paid to peace for the rest of the meal as the boys bombarded their mother with questions. They had visited Father Christmas in the shops in Armiford the previous year, but there was something a little special in going to the department stores in London to see him. Even Jem couldn’t fault them for punctuality when he parked the car outside the front door ready for the run into Armiford for the train to London, and before long they were bowling down the road, with the twins hardly able to sit still for excitement. In the end they had to be threatened with a return home and no treat before they would settle down and sit quietly.
The train was full, but the Russells had bought tickets for First Class, and they had their compartment to themselves. The boys occupied themselves with books and puzzles, and as it was an express, they were soon in London. Jem took a cab to get to his meeting, but Madge risked taking the two boys on the underground. It was less than half an hour from Paddington Station to Oxford Street, and the boys managed to control their excitement and behave like civilised creatures for the whole of the journey. As they reached the street, which was full of people doing Christmas shopping, all three stopped for a moment to admire the lights, so much bigger and brighter than those in Armiford. then Madge, holding tightly to each of them, crossed to the large store opposite. She was, of course, used to shopping in such a place, but the boys had never been thee before. They gazed around in amazement at the bright lights, Christmas decorations, and the rails running round near the ceiling carrying what looked to them like little pots. It was all so fascinating and different that they could easily have got lost if Madge hadn’t been holding their hands so firmly. She steered them towards the escalators where large notices pointed the way to Santa’s Grotto.
“You have to be careful getting onto these,” said Madge. “I’m going to count and when I say ‘three’ I want you both to step onto the stairs. All right?”
The boys nodded, and on the count they both jumped onto the moving step, nearly overbalancing both themselves and their mother. However, they all managed to keep their balance somehow, and they were carried smoothly upwards. Luckily for Madge’s peace of mind, the Grotto was on the first floor, and she decided that they would take the lift when they went back down, that being a good deal safer. There was inevitably a long queue to see Father Christmas, for part of the fun was having a ride on a rocket to reach him. Kevin and Kester were both getting a bit restless by the time they reached the counter where they had to pay, but Madge was firm with them, and they managed to curb their impatience to acceptable (just) levels. Then they were at the head of the queue, just missing out on a ‘flight’. The rocket was a long slim tube, set at a slight angle with a sliding door near the back
When the door opened again, they entered the rocket eagerly. They found a central corridor with seats on either side and an elf directing them right to the front. They took their seats, and waited for the rest to be filled up. Then the door closed with a slight whooshing sound.
“Sit very still everyone,” said the elf. “The journey will only take a few minutes to get to the Moon, where Father Christmas is waiting for you. But there may be a little rocking, and we don’t want anyone to hurt themselves.”
Then he sat down beside another door that was at the front of the rocket. There was a noise of engines revving up, and then the rocket started to rattle and shake. Windows in the side showed stars whizzing past, and then, with a gentle bump, they were there. Being the first on, Kevin and Kester were the first off, and they stepped out into a magical world. They were in a corridor seemingly built out of moon rocks, with a large window showing the cratered surface of the moon. They walked down the corridor and came out into a large cave, festooned with lights and tinsel. And there, across the other side of the cave, was a curtain covering the Grotto itself. Madge was nearly pulled off her feet as the boys made for this, and a smiling elf pulled it to one side. They entered a smaller room, lit by a flickering ‘fire’, and there was Father Christmas himself.

Last edited by Advent Drabblers on Sat Dec 22, 2007 11:36 pm; edited 2 times in total

#2: Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire

Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 9:52 am
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Oooh, how lovely!

#3: Author: Grembles, Location: Norwich

Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 10:18 am
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That really is just how I remember the grotto at Selfridges to be. we were taken every year and it really was magical.

#4: Author: Advent Drabblers,

Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 4:52 pm
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Cecil crept down the hallway and stood outside the salon dorway. Standing on toptoe for no apparent reason she opened the door slightly. Seeing no one inside she slipped through the door and quietly shut it. She stood with her back to the door, holding her breath, then slowly let it out. The tree stood in the window, framed with the setting sun, the angel on the top with a golden halo highlighted by the glow coming in through the window. Cecil walked forward, her eyes on the packages below the tree.

Kneeing under the tree she let her hands glide over a large box, the gaily coloured paper making a contrast to the red bow. She lifted the tag and saw it was for Len. She looked around expectantly and sure enough spotted two similar parcels, with tags for Con and Margot. There was a long thin package, in blue crepe paper that was addressed to Stephen, and a round one for Mike. Careful not to disturb anything Cecil continued to search. She found a squishy parcel and delighted in realising it had a squeak when she squeezed it. Excitedly she turned over the label and discovered that this one was for Phil, and there, on the other side of the tree was a similar sized one for Geoff. It took a lot of rummaging before she found a parcel with her own name on it, but when she did, she could barely contain her glee. It was a soft parcel, just big enough to fit on her lap. The paper was covered with pictures of holly berries and there was a shiny green ribbon tied around it. She sat turning it over and over, feeling the weight of the parcel, the shape and even sniffing to see if it had a smell. Greatly daring she inserted one finger inbetween a gap in the tape, but encountered only a folded edge of the wrapping paper.

Cecil sat with the parcel on her lap for as long as she dared, then, hearing a murmer of voices in the hallway, dropped it back beneath the tree and ran across to the large setee where she hid, trembling amongst the pile of cushions. She could hear mamma laughing and then the voices moved on, towards the kitchen. Cecil tiptoed to the door, and hearing that all was still outside sidled out and darted up the stairs, back to the nursery. Once there she let out a huge sigh of relief. No one had seen her.

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

Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 6:41 pm
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Aww the magic of Christmas - both those were fabulous thankyou

#6: Author: Rosalin, Location: Swansea

Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 10:01 pm
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Lovely Christmas moments for Kevin, Kester and Cecil.

Thanks ADs.

#7: Author: Advent Drabblers,

Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 11:33 pm
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Freudisheim this year was very full; Jack and Joey Maynard had invited the Russells and Bettanys over for the Christmas holidays. Nearly the entire family were gathered together with only David Russell unable to make it - as a very new House Officer he was working over Christmas. Even Rix Bettany had been able to get a few days off and had gladly joined everyone for a reunion. Madge Russell had arranged for some of the rooms over at the School to be opened up and the older members of the family, those who had left School, had set up home in two of the dormitories. The Nursery had one addition to it, Daphne Bettany, who was around the same age as Cecil, being five years old. Eight year old Kevin and Kester had flatly refused to go into the Nursery, even if it was Christmas! That's not to say they did not visit - they were in there when Cecil arrived back from her mission.

"Well kid, did you do it?" Kevin grinned across at his young cousin.

Cecil was still out of breath, but nodded furiously, "All of them," she panted, "I found all of them, at least, all the ones for us - didn't see any for you or Kester or Daph."

"He won't deliver to the wrong place, will he?" Daphne looked very worried at the prospect. Kevin looked across and smiled in a superior way,

"You don't..." he stopped when Kester nudged him, hard,

"Don't worry, Daph," he said, placing an arm around his cousin, "Father Christmas knows where you are at Christmas, I expect your and our pressies are on their way - they'll be there come morning. Now, want us to tell you some more about when we saw 'im in London? We wos about your age then."

"Yes please Kester," Daph smiled, "and Kevin, you've got to let Cecil borrow your football scarf - she did your dare."

Kevin grimaced but then looked over at Cecil, "Okay," he said, unwinding the scarf from his neck, "you've earned it - only until tomorrow night though."

"Promise Kevin," Cecil took the scarf and wound it around her neck.

"Right then," Kester said, "so me and Kevin and Mummy had gone in a rocket ship to the Moon and..." there was a pause as the two youngest suddenly scrambled over,

"Tell me 'bout Farver Cismas," Geoff said, thowing himself on his cousin's lap.

"No tell me," Philippa snuggled beside him.

"We'll tell all of you," Kevin said quickly, "but we'll have to be quick before Rosli gets back.

The youngsters all settled to hear the twins as they related their trip. Outside, in the corridor Joey looked across at her sister,

"I thought I'd seen young Cecil by the tree," she said in a low voice, "little monkey, she knows she's not supposed to leave the Nursery on her own.

"I'm surprised at Kevin," Madge replied, "he's at the stage where he absolutely adores football, would you believe? No one else has managed to prise that scarf from his neck. Still, the boys are doing well, aren't they?"

"Yes," Joey looked over as Rosli appeared, "no, it's alright Rosli, we'll see to the children. Why don't you get off - your family are expecting you aren't they? Dr Jack will run you across. We'll see you in three days time, alright?"

Rosli nodded in appreciation and hurried off for her Christmas.

"Wonderful idea of yours, Joey," Madge said, "having the family together for Christmas. I must admit I wasn't sure we'd all be able to rub along together."

"Well the Nursery are certainly managing," Joey replied, "your Kester is a good story-teller."

"Another writer in the family, perhaps," Madge smile. The two sisters settled down on the small sofa just outside the Nursery to listen to Kester telling the youngsters about the day he and his brother had met Father Christmas himself.

#8: Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire

Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 11:39 pm
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Awwwwww Very Happy

Lots and lots of feelgood factor in all three posts today; thank you ladies! Very Happy

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

Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 11:42 pm
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Awww how lovely! Thanks all 3

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

Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 11:47 pm
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Thanks that was lovely

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

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 12:19 am
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A lovely pre-Christmas treat with all the joy and excitement of the season - thank you all.

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

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 1:18 pm
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That was lovely. I still like to feel what the presents are before I open them even now! Very Happy

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

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 6:48 pm
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Thanks you three! That was a lovely peek at the section of the family we don't get to know very well in the books.

#14: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:01 am
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Lovely very fuzzy and warm. I remember when seeing Santa involved proper grottoes, and remember feeling parcels. Still do sometimes now.

Thank you.

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

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:29 am
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Thanks, Advent Drabblers. It was wonderful to see Kevin and Kester visiting Father Christmas and seeing all the family together.

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