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Advent Drabble: December 2nd (part 3 posted 20:25)

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The CBB -> St Scholastika's House

#1: Advent Drabble: December 2nd (part 3 posted 20:25) Author: Advent Drabblers,

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 1:33 pm
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The last of the coaches pulled away from the school and set off down the snowy rive on the first leg of the long journey to England. Hilda Annersley sighed gently with relief as she returned to her study. Just the last of the paperwork to finish off and then she and Nell Wilson would be free for the Christmas holidays. An hour later it was all done and she hurried to finish her packing. Nell would be round with the car at any moment. they were only driving as far as Interlaken Ost station, where they would catch a train for the small town of Fieberbrunn in the Austrian Tyrol.
“Just think, Christmas in Austria,” sighed Nell as they settled into their seats.
“And no schoolgirls to look after,” replied Hilda. “Good snow for skiing, and our own private challenge.”
“You’re not wanting to pull out are you Hilda? After all, it’s a pretty tough run for amateurs.”
“It’s tough for professional skiers too. No, I’m looking forward to it to be honest.”
It was late afternoon when they arrived at their hotel, and they did nothing more than unpack and settle in that evening. The hotel was full, and their rooms were at the far end of a long corridor. However, they were clean, bright and comfortable, and they didn’t expect to be in them for very long. Once they had unpacked they made their way down to the bar. The hotel had once been a Schloss, and the bar was in the oldest part of the building, with thick walls painted white, and medieval-styled furnishings. The evening meal was well up to the standard that they had expected, and they both looked forward to a wonderful two weeks.
For the next few days they stayed in the immediate area. The ski slopes were fairly moderate, but they wanted to build up their strength for what lay ahead. The views from the mountains were spectacular, and they spent part of the time alpine skiing rather than using the downhill pistes. However, the time came when they felt ready for the challenge, and they took the train to the neighbouring town of Kitzbuhel. The town is famous for the challenging Hahnenkamm downhill race, and the run overlooks the town, with the cable car starting immediately outside the station. They stood and looked at the cars travelling up the almost vertical slope to the top of the mountain.
“It’s a bit steep,” said Hilda.
“Scared?” Nell looked at her friend with a grin on her face.
Hilda just gave one of her looks and moved towards the lower station for the cable car with her skis over her shoulders. The car was filling rapidly, but they managed to squeeze into it just before the doors closed, but they had no chance to admire the views on the way up. However, once they reached the top they stood looking around at the mountains and the town nestling in the valley below them with satisfaction. Then they strapped on their skis and moved round to the top of the infamous run. It was marked as a black run - the most difficult, and they knew that it was a challenge even taking it as slowly as possible. Hilda turned to Nell with a wide smile on her face.
“Ready?” she asked. Nell nodded, and they launched themselves onto the run.

Last edited by Advent Drabblers on Mon Dec 03, 2007 8:26 pm; edited 2 times in total

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

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 1:37 pm
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*Wibbles*
*Feels sure something is going to go wrong*

Thanks, Advent Drabbler! Very Happy

#3: Author: Fi, Location: Somerset

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 1:40 pm
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Oh my! I am getting vertigo just reading this Shocked

.

Cliffs in more than one sense of the word hiding

#4: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 1:43 pm
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What can go wrong, will, especially in the Advent Drabbles.

#5: Author: Advent Drabblers,

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 3:48 pm
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The snow was not fresh, but that made it even more dangerous. Away from the trees there was a grave danger of avalanche, and snow like this was not something to be trifled with. It was a day marked out for a death. Two figures glided slowly down the mountain, they knew the danger and were being careful not to shout and not to disturb the snow more than was necessary. They would not have been out in this weather by choice, but this was a matter of life and death.

The sunshine was making it difficult for the skiers to see their way. They were wearing their snow goggles, but even then it was bright. Too bright.The taller of the figures was in front, and swept in a wide arc before coming to a stop and pointing to the left.
“I think there may be something over there,”
“You may be right, but carefully, look at that overhang.”
“We have no choice, even a few hours in this and she could be dead.”
The second figure made no reply to this, just looked and made the sign of the cross before slowly moving to where there was a splash of black all but hidden in the snow.

They reached it and took a quick look, the nun's habit they could see showing that they had found their quarry.
“Oh Robin, it was never meant to end like this,” said the taller figure, clenching his fists.
“Jem, quick, we need to move her no matter what. Listen to that,” commanded his brother-in-law.
They stooped and picked up the diminutive figure of the nun, but as they did the distant rumble grew much, much louder and the ground beneath them seemed to shake.

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

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 4:25 pm
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How silly of me!!! I thought the two figures were Hilda and Nell from the first part! Poor Robin!

Thanks. Very Happy

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

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 6:46 pm
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Poor Robin Sad

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

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:07 pm
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Lottie wrote:

How silly of me!!! I thought the two figures were Hilda and Nell from the first part! Poor Robin!

Thanks. Very Happy

So did I. But poor Robin.

JackieP

#9: Author: Advent Drabblers,

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 8:25 pm
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"Did you hear that?"

The shouted question managed to reach Hilda even as she was automatically slowing down, she nodded in reply as the pair swiftly searched the surrounding area. That noise, that dull, almost apologetic rumble was very deceptive and, for two that had lived much of their adult lives in the Alps, very recognisable. Neither actually voiced their fear but both of them remained poised to flee. To begin with neither could see anything amiss then, almost by accident, they both found themselves looking over to the left, off-piste, to where old snow hung heavily atop overhanging boulders and where, worryingly, there were no trees to act as snow breaks.

"Over there," Hilda said softly, pointing. Nell nodded and the pair looked at each other in silent communication.

"There's no-one else around, Hilda," Nell began, "and if we try to get help..."

"Anyone caught there would die, yes Nell, agreed," Hilda said solemnly, "we'll have to take it very slowly though, I'm sure you've not missed the overhang there? It still has plenty of snow on it."

"I've seen it," Nell replied tersely, "let's go then."

The pair slowly made there way across the run until they reached the edge of the packed snow, once off of the run the snow was far looser, a real pleasure on which to ski - if only they did not know the danger. Moving slowly they traced the obvious path of the avalanche heard earlier, taking only small steps and each using all the skills gained in having more than twenty years experience in Alpine skiing. As they drew closer to and finally skied beneath the dangerous overhang both women fell silent, recognising that even one word out of place might be enough to send the rest of the tons of snow cascading down the slope. They'd travelled for perhaps twenty minutes when Nell suddenly caught sight of black cloth against the stark white of the snow. Both of them started to dig feverishly into the hard packed snow and, a short time later, were rewarded when first an arm, and then the entire body of a nun was revealed.

"Robin? But how...?" Hilda mouthed the words toward her friend who shrugged in complete bafflement. The pair worked on the prostrate figure and very quickly there was movement; Robin opened her eyes.

"W...What the...? Miss Annersley, Miss Wilson, am I in Switzerland then?"

"No dear, Austria," Hilda Annersley said quickly, "are you able to move? Only we really need to get you inside as soon as possible."

"Yes, yes I can move only..." the nun paused and looked around her, "Jem was here and Dick."

"Dick Bettany?" The exclamation came from both women, Nell continued, "Why were they here?"

Robin paused and bit her lip, "They were trying to stop me," she confessed, "they felt that the cold would be dangerous."

"Are they still here?"

Nell did not wait for an answer but immediately began searching, Hilda doing the same. After a short while the small nun joined them. First to be found was Jem Russell; the doctor awoke within seconds of them uncovering the packed snow but, on attempting to move, he bit back an oath and turned pale,

"Leg's broken," he said tersely, he looked round, "where's Dick? He'll have to get help."

"Not for some time yet," Hilda said sternly, she moved slightly so Jem could see where Nell and Robin were uncovering a still unconscious Dick Bettany.

"Then I'll have to..." Jem attempted to stand but was pushed back down by Nell Wilson, "Don't be stupid, Jem, you're in no fit state to try skiing. We'll get help."

"But you're both..." Jem stopped, suddenly aware of what he had been about to say. Neither Hilda nor Nell took any notice as they were quickly conferring,

"I'll go, Nell," Hilda Annersley said quickly, "you have far more knowledge of first aid. You can take care of the casualties."

Nell nodded, "All right," she said slowly, "but be careful, Hilda."

She and Robin watched as the Head swiftly skied down to fetch help before turning back to their patients...

It was not until late that evening that the two friends were finally able to discover why the three were in Austria. Once the two men had been taken to the nearby hospital and Robin had been checked out and discharged the two spoke to her at length. The information she relayed meant that, a few days later on Christmas Eve, the three of them were out on the same mountain again. This time though, they were with local guides and Robin was dressed somewhat more appropriately. The three of them climbed up to the indicated spot and stood watching as their guide eased himself down so he was standing on the leading edge of a glacier.

Robin sighed, "I can't believe I tried to come here without any proper equipment or clothing," she said, "it's no wonder Jem was so worried."

"You had received a great shock, Robin," Hilda soothed, "and you were very tired, you had been nursing Madge for some time."

"At least we've heard from the Round House," Nell continued, "Joey says Madge's fever has broken and she's recovering. It must have been a terrible shock for all of you when she became ill."

"It was," Robin confessed, "especially as it was only the second day of my visit - I'd not seen them for years. I was more than happy to help nurse her. Then, in her delirium, she tells me this..." Robin pointed to where the local guide had succeeded in uncovering enough of the glacier to distinguish the figure. Hilda placed her arms around Robin,

"Neither Nell nor I knew," she said softly, "Jem told both of us that he and Madge had seen your father before he died, had spoken to him. We had no idea."

Robin nodded, "I know," she said, "I suppose I can see their reasoning," she said quickly, "I was only a child, thirteen at the time. And they always did protect me. More than twenty years though, he's been waiting, slowly moving with the ice."

Nell hugged her quickly, "It was meant to be," she said simply, "it must have been God's Will. That Madge have such a high fever, that you be there to hear what she said..." she paused and all three looked down at the figure uncovered, "and that it was time for him to reappear."

They all looked down onto the perfectly preserved features of Ted Humphries.

#10: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 8:44 pm
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I'm sure RTW has something to do with these drabbles.

#11: Author: Travellers Joy, Location: Middle of Nowhere

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:16 pm
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RTW? Question

#12: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:21 pm
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Rachel the Witch! She has a unique sense of humour and way of writing! She hasn't been around much lately, and had nothing to do with this year's Advent Drabbles.

#13: Author: Travellers Joy, Location: Middle of Nowhere

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:25 pm
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Thanks

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

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:32 pm
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Thankyou Advent drabblers

Very thought provoking

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

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 10:05 pm
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Flipping heck!
Lesley you have an evil mind

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

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 10:23 pm
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Blimey!

Thanks advent drabblers

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

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 11:44 pm
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Gosh Shocked

Thanks Drabblers

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

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 9:48 am
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Goodness me! Thank you very much. Smile

#19: Author: Joan the Dwarf, Location: Er, where am I?

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 10:29 am
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Gosh.

I have to say, though, the rather unfortunate signature serendipity nearly had me in fits of wild giggles, as my minimum font size is set so that sigs are the same size as the text:

Quote:

They all looked down onto the perfectly preserved features of Ted Humphries.

Ahhh, the sweet, sweet smell...

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

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 12:42 pm
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And there was me thinking that Ted was alive and well and living in Russia working for MI6 or something! Wink

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

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 12:52 pm
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Oh dear - although a chance for Robin to say goodbye.

Thank you ladies.

JackieP

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

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 4:03 pm
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Thanks, Advent Drabblers. I hope that Robin will have the courage to cope with this.

#23: Author: Torri, Location: Connecticut

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 5:02 pm
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Thank you, Advent Drabblers. I'm sure Robin will be able to find the courage - after all, she is a Chalet girl and not some spineless jellyfish!

#24: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 9:59 pm
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Wonderful thank you.

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

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 8:17 pm
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Oh dear! Poor old Ted....

Thanks girls!

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

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 8:10 pm
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These advent drabbles are great!

#27: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 4:46 pm
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Thank you, Advent Drabblers.

Go, Hilda & Nell. Smile

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