Advent Drabbles: December 8th (Part 3 19:44)
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The CBB -> St Scholastika's House
#1: Advent Drabbles: December 8th (Part 3 19:44) Author: Advent Drabblers,  PostPosted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 10:39 am
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Lesley awoke slowly, wondering where she was. The last thing she remembered about being herself was her journey back to the Platz, where she had turned into her alter ego and favourite character, Hilda Annersley. That was long ago, in a drabble written for the first ever Gather, and had been something of a ‘time-slip’ affair. This was different, very, very different. For a start there was a definite feeling of menace around her that sent prickles of fear up her spine. It felt familiar to her - far, far too familiar. For another, she knew for a fact that she was not in the school buildings, though she knew that she was back in that persona, not as she had pictured them in her mind anyway. Thoughts that belonged to Miss Annersley kept intruding into her own mind, which didn’t help with the clarity of her thoughts, and she knew without a shadow of a doubt that she had to think clearly now, of never before..
“Just a dream!” she/Hilda thought. She was in a room totally foreign to her. She stood up shakily and became aware that her head was aching, “I remember, someone hit me!” she thought. “No! That was Hilda, not me!” Lesley knew she was becoming confused, and was angry with herself.
She staggered to her feet and explored the little room, thinking that it seemed familiar though she knew full well that she’d never been in it before. It was en-suite she noticed, with the normal facilities in a little room beyond a door, a luxury compared to the rest of the place, which was bare in the extreme. Just a bed, a table and one chair, no books, games or anything else that could possibly help to pass the time. The view from the barred window showed just an expanse of mountain-side and pine trees, with nothing at all to show its location, except that it was clearly somewhere in the Alps, near to the school she thought. Of course it was near to the school, who would know that better than herself? She tried the door - it was locked. Lesley sighed. She now knew where she was for certain, and she wasn’t exactly happy about it. Hoist by her own petard, was the thought that crossed her mind; trapped, as Hilda had been in the first Real Chalet School drabble, when the Author had had her taken prisoner - or more accurately, trapped in a figment of her own imagination. However, there was nothing she could do at the moment, and her head was aching badly with the blow that Hilda had received, so she lay down on the hard bed to try to sleep it off, and come to some decision about what to do.
Some time later, she was awoken by the sound of a key in the lock


For those who haven't read the very first Real Chalet School (and shame on you if you haven't!!!) then check the archives HERE .
Scroll down to the section by Lesley.

Last edited by Advent Drabblers on Sat Dec 08, 2007 7:47 pm; edited 2 times in total
#2:  Author: Fi, Location: Somerset PostPosted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:48 am
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Ooh! Brave advent drabblers Shocked

I wonder who is outside the door?

Can't wait to see Lesley's response to this one Laughing.

Thank You
#3:  Author: BethC, Location: Worcester, UK PostPosted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 2:40 pm
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Scary...
I've just caught up on all the Advent drabbles and they're brilliant - thank you so much, Advent Drabblers!
#4:  Author: Advent Drabblers,  PostPosted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 3:43 pm
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The key turned slowly. There was a creak as the door swung open.
“Oh, I must remember to oil those hinges, that squeak gets worse every week.”
Ignoring the dust in the bottom, she wound the longcase clock, checked the time, decided it was near enough and shut the case up again.
That done she padded into the kitchen, her shabby slippers, much loved, but also well worn fluffy blue moccasins making a flip flop noise on the lino as she picked up a teapot and put it on the tray. She knew there was a traycloth somewhere, and finally discovered it in the peg bag. Lifting the teapot she put the cloth on the tray and looked around for a plate. Picking one up off the draining board and rubbing it with her apron to get rid of the dust, she put some custard creams on it, added a few digestive biscuits and then looking in the larder for inspiration a few kippers in case her visitor was slightly more hungry.

The kettle sang on the hob, so she turned it down, that was all ready now. Just cups. Looking in the cupboard she found a few mismatched china cups and saucers and placed them on the tray. There was a bottle of milk sat on the cold slab in the lader, that could stay there till she needed it, and the sugar bowl was on the table, a coronation spoon handle showing at the edge of the beaded cover.
“Sush, getaway Kate,” she shoed the dog away from the bin, where it had been rooting amongst the remnants of last night's dinner.

Satisfied that everything was ready she went and sat down by the fire. Rocking in her chair slightly she allowed herself to doze a little before picking up her knitting. As usual it was in a tangle and it was some moments before she droped the ball to the floor and started to knit. The object had started life as a scarf, but getting wider as it went on was changed into a shawl, and was now destined to be a blanket, possibly for Kate's basket because she was less likely to notice the odd hole or two in it. The dog sat at her feet, paws already entwined in the wool, Gnawing on the knots in the wool was a pleasant way of passing time.

Bang.

Bang Bang.

Bang.

The door knocker made a loud clatter as it was repeatedly lifted and dropped against the door. Rising from her chair with a wry smile, this was totally in character for her guest, she went to open it. Outside, eyeing the hanging basket complete with dead lobelia suspiciously, was a tallish lady holding a 5 foot tall knitted lime green Christmas tree.
“Miss Lloyd? Miss Gwyneth Lloyd?” she asked. “I received a postcard from you inviting me to tea, how do you know me, or have you read my book?”
“Pat, my dear Pat, I have been waiting for you, do come in and don't trip over Kate, she follows me everywhere.”
#5:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 4:20 pm
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Advent Drabblers wrote:
a 5 foot tall knitted lime green Christmas tree
Oh I really want one of those! Laughing
Thanks Drabblers.
#6:  Author: Katarzyna, Location: North West England PostPosted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 5:21 pm
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*splutters*

oh now really!!

Very Happy
#7:  Author: PaulineS, Location: West Midlands PostPosted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 5:47 pm
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So Gwyneth can not knit!! I wonder how she spent those long evenings in the staff room when the staf had their needle work out!!!

Edited to correct spelling.

Last edited by PaulineS on Sat Dec 08, 2007 9:50 pm; edited 1 time in total
#8:  Author: Advent Drabblers,  PostPosted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 7:44 pm
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Of course - for those words copied direct from the original - I don't have to worry about copyright! Wink

"Did you hear what I said, Hilda?"

Lesley jumped, brought back from her thoughts with some shock, she glanced round, careful to move only at a steady, measured pace. Hilda swiftly told her what had been said,

"Of course I heard you, Gwynneth," Miss Annersley's calm voice replied, "you told me not to make any sudden moves," she paused as Hilda refreshed Lesley's memory as to her reply, "I’m well aware that you are far stronger, physically, than I, Gwynneth. The additional threat of the revolver is unnecessary and verging on the melodramatic. But then Elinor always did have that fault - I remember the first time that gun was used.”

Lesley silently thanked her co-conspirator, it was surprising how quickly she had forgotten the words, words that she had originally written some years ago. She remembered now, she'd never liked that scene in Redheads - Hilda Annersley would never have just sat and watched when her pupils were in danger.

Hilda silently thanked her in return.

It had taken a little getting used to, both inhabiting the same body and mind. Especially as either one of them could control the body. There had been some minutes of complete stillness as the two suddenly realised that they were together, not helped by the fact that they were both suffering from the blow on their head. However it had not lasted; after all, the two knew each other well and while Lesley was certain that she was not supposed to be here - she did at least have an excellent companion and knowledge of what was to come.

'Woolgathering, Lesley? Let me take this,' Hilda's gentle command meant Lesley moved aside and watched as Hilda replied to the Matron's query,

"I'm not expecting to see anyone," the quiet voice replied, "but you're wrong, there is something to see." Hilda Annersley stood slowly and grasped the bars on the windows, "I see the sky, sun, grass and trees, and I see the mountains." She turned to look at the matron and clasped a fist above her heart, "and in here all of that means freedom," she sat down again, her back to the Matron.

'Pretty good comeback.'

'It just came to me, can't think from where.'

The two exchanged invisible grins of amusement, 'And now?'

'Now I feel I should be saying something about Hamlet - but I'd rather listen to the rest of your story - even Shakespeare can become monotonous after a time.'

'Okay, where were we? Oh yes, Pat was visiting Gwynneth Lloyd, wasn't she - shall we make her eat that kipper?'

'Oh I think so, only fair.'

Another invisible grin - Lesley did not know whether she was trapped for good or if she would be leaving Hilda at any time - it did not matter. Hilda knew all that was going to happen to her. Lesley had considered the dangers of supplying someone with foreknowledge - but that argument had cut no ice when faced with Hilda Annersley's blue-grey eyes in the mirror. But she did not feel there would be a problem, the eventual outcome would be the same anyway - so they might as well enjoy it.

'What about the other CBBer's? Should we include them?'

'Why not, we have the time - and the imagination.'....
#9:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 8:07 pm
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Fantastic! Thanks Lesley.
Oh by the way! I like kippers! Twisted Evil
#10:  Author: JackieP, Location: Kingston upon Hull PostPosted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 9:16 pm
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Thank you ladies, another wonderful collaboration....

Advent Drabblers wrote:
'What about the other CBBer's? Should we include them?'

'Why not, we have the time - and the imagination.'....


Why do I feel worried about this though.... especially as I've already been held hostage on here before...

JackieP
#11:  Author: Sugar, Location: second star to the right! PostPosted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 9:41 pm
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Wonderful!

Thanks you three!
#12:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:24 pm
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Lesley/Hilda - now there's a combination to strike fear into the stoutest heart!
*Cowers a little and pretends not to be a CBB-er*
#13:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 12:00 am
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The end reminded me of the end of I will fear no evil.
#14:  Author: Liane, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 12:05 am
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Fantastic!
Thanks guys
#15:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 3:08 am
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Have just caught up with this, and am fascinated by the machinations of your imaginations....curtseys deferentially.... Laughing
#16:  Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia PostPosted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 6:23 am
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Thanks. Am really enjoying the twists and turns of having 3 people write all these drabbles Laughing
#17:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 7:04 pm
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LOL!!!

Not sure who won on the point scoring there.... Wink
#18:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 9:20 pm
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Vikki wrote:
LOL!!!

Not sure who won on the point scoring there.... Wink


Who said we were point scoring? Twisted Evil Just having fun.
#19:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 9:38 pm
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*grin*
and letting the evil streaks out for a bit of exercise.... Rolling Eyes
#20:  Author: Vick, Location: Leeds, Yorkshire PostPosted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:04 pm
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Smile Thanks ADs
#21:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:34 pm
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Brought back some memories!

Thank you all.
#22:  Author: Sal, Location: Walsall / Aberystwyth PostPosted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 2:01 am
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Laughing Wonderful. Thanks AD's
#23:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:49 pm
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thankyou - sometime I must go back and start a re-read of RCS
#24:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 11:52 am
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Dawn wrote:
thankyou - sometime I must go back and start a re-read of RCS


I'm in the middle of one now! Laughing
#25:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 4:04 am
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You three! Rolling Eyes rofl

Thank you muchly.
#26:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 1:02 pm
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Thanks, Advent Drabblers. I have been a very bad girl this Christmas and I haven't kept up with the Advent Drabbles! I am starting to catch up now. It was good to see everyones' thoughts.
The CBB -> St Scholastika's House


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