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Far From Home - Updated 26/03 pg12
http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=759
Author:  Eilidh [ Thu Jun 22, 2006 2:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Far From Home - Updated 26/03 pg12
This one has been nibbling for a while - the only problem is I don't know much about boys schools, so am more or less making it up as I go along. Please excuse any blatant mistakes, and put them down to the school being a figment of my imagination. Constructive criticism welcome as always.

Stephen clung to Mollie's hand as she and Dick escorted him up the wide stone steps and into the entrance hall of the new school.

"Name?" asked a brisk woman in a nurse’s uniform.

"Maynard. Stephen Maynard." Dick replied. The woman ran her pen down a list and made a tick.

"Well, Mr Maynard," she began, addressing Dick. He hurried to correct her.

"Bettany." he said. "Stephen is my nephew." he explained. Stephen felt his face begin to burn, not helped by the fact that on the other side of the room, two other boys nudged each other and stared at him.

"Mr Bettany." the woman corrected herself. "I am Matron Phillips, and I am responsible for the junior boarding house, where Stephen will be for the next four years. As you can see, it’s really just a wing of the house, but we like to keep the juniors together. If you will follow me I will show you the first form dormitories and common room." They followed her up the first floor, where she consulted a list pinned to the wall and led them into a long, narrow room, with a row of six beds along one side. Each one was flanked on one side by a small chest of drawers and on the other by a chair.

"Your dormitory." Matron explained, leading the way to the bed at the far end, beside the windows. Stephen recognised his trunk at the foot. "This is your bed. You may leave your case here." Dick deposited it beside the bed as she led them back out of the room.

"It’s not so bad, Steve, is it?" he asked in an undertone. Stephen looked round the room again and swallowed the lump in his throat before replying,

"No." The room was nothing like the room he and Chas had in the new house at the Gornetz Platz. The thought of the new house made him remember everything else he was missing and he paused, wondering if Charles had all the train lines laid out yet, and if Mamma had finished arranging all the books and the furniture. He was being left behind, however, and Matron was talking again, so he hurried to catch up.

"This is the bathroom." she explained, opening another door. "The baths are in those cubicles – you’ll have a time in the morning to take your bath and you’ll need to make sure you’re quick." Stephen felt nervous, knowing he was never particularly quick at things, but once again he was falling behind and Aunt Mollie was looking for him. Matron was showing them the room at the end of the corridor, which ran the full width of the house with windows around three sides.

"This is the common room." she said to Mollie. "This is where Stephen will spend his spare time for the next few years." Stephen peered round Dick at the big room, which was full of games and books. A few boys were already there, and he guessed that they must be in the second or third forms, as they looked so at home.

"And that's really all." Matron finished. "The form rooms are in the main part of the building, and the other wing has bedrooms for the Upper Third to Upper Fifth. The two Sixth forms have their bedrooms and studies in the attic. The housemaster for the junior house is Mr. Johns, and I'll take you to meet him now. There are two Matrons, myself and Matron Stone. And that is really all you need to see. Any questions?"

“Are you going to call him Stephen?” Mollie asked, with a glance at her husband. “I didn’t think that was the done thing.”

“I will.” Matron said with a smile. “The masters and mistresses will call you by your surname, and among your friends you can do what you want.” Stephen nodded. Papa had told him to expect that. “If that’s all, I’ll take you up and see if Mr. Johns is free now.” she said. She led the way back to the main staircase and they began to climb towards the top of the house.

"This is where you go to get your pocket money, Stephen." she explained. "And if Mr Johns sends for you for anything." Stephen nodded to show he understood, and she knocked sharply on the door at the top of the stairs. "One of the new first formers, Mr Johns." she said. "Stephen Maynard."
Author:  Fatima [ Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:03 pm ]
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It sounds a very scary place. I hope he'll be all right there. Thanks, Eilidh.
Author:  Mia [ Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:04 pm ]
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Oooh this looks good! I like stories about the boys.

Thanks Eilidh :)
Author:  Elle [ Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:21 pm ]
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Am I right to be worried or is this just my natural paranoia coming out?
Author:  Kat [ Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:28 pm ]
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Please be nice to him, Eilidh!
Author:  KathrynW [ Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:35 pm ]
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Oooh...a new Eilidh drabble! Yay!

Thanks, this looks fab :D

Kathryn
Author:  Róisín [ Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:57 pm ]
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Poor little fella. His head must be in a whirl. Pity he couldn't have had Joey and Jack drop him off *huggles little Stephen*

Thanks Eilidh, yay a prequelly thing :D *bounces*
Author:  arky72 [ Thu Jun 22, 2006 5:35 pm ]
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oooh... this looks good :D
Author:  Eilidh [ Thu Jun 22, 2006 5:50 pm ]
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"Bring him in, bring him in!" came a voice which reminded Stephen of the Father Christmas he had gone to see with the triplets and Charles in Armiford the year before. He entered the office rather shyly, and looked at the man behind the desk. He had a huge white beard, and white hair, and Stephen stared at him for a few seconds before a nudge from Mollie reminded him to be polite.

"Good Afternoon, Sir." he said. Mr Johns leant forward over his desk.

"So!" he said. "Maynard, eh? Jack's boy, I believe."

"Yes, Sir." Stephen said quietly.

"I remember your father." Mr Johns informed him. "You look like him. He had brains. Doctor now, eh?"

"Yes, Sir." Stephen said again.

"Good, good." the elderly man rumbled. He held out his hand to Dick.

"Dick Bettany. Stephen's uncle." Dick said, shaking his hand. "And Mollie; my wife."

"Delighted to meet you." Mr Johns said. "Now, Stephen, I'm a busy man and I don't have time for much just now. But you remember that I'm up here if you have a problem, and that Matron Phillips and Matron Stone are here too. And you'll be going home at half-term, eh? And that's not so far."

"No, I'm not, Sir." Stephen said quietly. This was the worst bit. Three whole months until Christmas.

"Not, eh?" Mr Johns asked. "Why not?" Dick intervened.

"My sister and her husband live in Switzerland, Mr Johns. You will appreciate that it's too far to go for half term. Stephen will come to us though, won't you Steve?"

"Switzerland, eh?" Mr Johns repeated. "It's a long way to send him to here, that's for sure. What age are you?"

"Eight, sir." Stephen said.

"You're big for your age. But it's a long way." Mr. Johns repeated. "Still, I imagine your father knows what he's doing. Or he thinks he does. You the oldest?"

"No Sir." Stephen said. "I've got three older sisters - they're triplets." he added, a note of pride in his voice.

"Triplets, eh?" Mr Johns asked, glancing at Dick and Mollie for confirmation. "Well, bless my soul. And are they at school here as well?"

"No, Sir." Stephen replied.

"They attend a school next door to their home." Mollie explained. "My sister-in-law was so pleased that they could go there."

"Next door, eh?" Mr Johns asked, almost to himself. "Well, Stephen, I'll see you on Friday to get your pocket money. I hope I don't see you for anything worse during your time here. And here's Matron with someone else, so you can go and unpack. Off you go!" As Stephen left the office, he muttered again,

"Long way to send a boy of that age, Maynard. What were you thinking?"

Stephen looked with interest at the next boy being shown into the office. He was slightly shorter that Stephen himself, with untidy dark hair and a rather scared expression on his face, but before he got that chance to do any more than look, the boy was swept into the office by his parents.

"Well, what did you think of your housemaster?" Mollie asked.

"He was a bit like Santa Clause." Stephen said hesitantly. Dick laughed.

"He was a bit, I suppose, yes. Now, Steve, Aunt Mollie and I have to get off. You'll be ok now, won't you?" Stephen nodded.

"I think so." he said.

"That's it." Mollie said, smiling. "We'll see you in a few weeks for your half term - you'll not want to leave by then." She bent and kissed him, and then she and Dick hurried on out of the building. After a few minutes, Stephen heard their car pull away, and felt totally alone.
Author:  Róisín [ Thu Jun 22, 2006 6:05 pm ]
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Oh my goodness! I didn't realise he was only eight! I thought he was twelve or something. Grrrrr. *pokes Jack and Joey repeatedly*

Thanks Eilidh lovely update.
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Jun 22, 2006 6:56 pm ]
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Poor little lad - and the Housemaster doesn't think much of it either.

Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Rosie [ Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:03 pm ]
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Awww, poor little lad. I like the housemaster though!

Thanks!
Author:  Chair [ Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:10 pm ]
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Thanks, Eilidh. It's good to see what what it was like for Stephen to be sent to school in England at the age of 8, so far away from his family. My heart goes out to him.
Author:  Carys [ Thu Jun 22, 2006 10:19 pm ]
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The housemaster seemed lovely! I hope Stephen will remember that he's there if he has any problems...
Author:  Cath V-P [ Fri Jun 23, 2006 12:09 am ]
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That was very poignant, Eilidh - only eight, bless him. And the housemaster was right - what were you thinking Jack?
Author:  Eilidh [ Fri Jun 23, 2006 9:21 am ]
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He stood for a few minutes, and then realised he was supposed to be unpacking. Trying to remember, he climbed the narrow stairs that the Matron had taken him up and, after making a few wrong turns, managed to find his room, with his case still on the floor by the bed. He was about to open it when he realised that there was someone else in the room. He hadn't spotted him before as he was sitting on the floor between their two beds, looking lost.

"Hello." he said. The other boy looked at him. His eyes were suspiciously red, but he gulped and replied.

"Hello."

"I'm Steve." Stephen said, screwing up all his courage. "I'm new." he added. "Who are you?"

"Will." the other boy replied. He was small and skinny, with light brown hair, and when he stood up, as he did just then, he only came to Stephen's shoulder. "Are you sure you're in the first form?" he asked, looking up at him. Stephen nodded.

"I'm only eight. I'm just big for my age, Papa says." he replied. Will looked at him strangely, but continued,

"When are you nine?"

"February." Stephen said, hunting through his pockets for his key. Will laughed.

"I'm older than you." he said. "I'm nine in December." Stephen smiled too.

"That's weird." he agreed. "Found it!" he added triumphantly, pulling the key out of his blazer and unlocking the case. "Have you done this yet?" he asked. Will nodded.

"Matron Stone showed me where to put things." he explained, "So I can show you if you want. She said a prefect would be along tomorrow to show us what to do with our trunks." As they began the lengthy process the door opened again and the other boy Stephen had seen upstairs edged into the room. He looked at them nervously, and Stephen, who was feeling slightly more confident by now, approached him.

"Hi." he said. "I'm Steve. And that's Will. Are you new too?" The boy nodded.

"I'm Rob - Robert really." he said quietly. "Do you know what we're supposed to do?"

"No, but Will does." Stephen replied. "He was just about to show me. Why don't you get your case open and then we can all make sure we do it properly? Which is your bed?"

"The one third from the end." Rob replied promptly.

"Next to Will." Stephen told him. "And I'm on the end. I wonder who else is in here." For a moment he thought about the boys he had seen downstairs when he arrived, but then dismissed them. They hadn't been new.

"They've unpacked already." Will observed. "Well, two of them have. Maybe they've gone to see the rest of the school. Matron did say we could once we had unpacked our cases."

"We should if we have time before dinner." Stephen said, removing his clothes from the case.

"Who is that?" Will demanded, picking up a photo taken at the Gornetz Platz a few weeks before.

"My family." Stephen replied. The smaller boy stared.

"What, all of them?"

"Yes, all of them." Stephen said, taking the photo back and pointing to people. "That's Len, and Con and Margot. They're triplets. And that's Chas, and Mike, my brothers, and Felix and Felicity, the babies. They're twins. And then that's Mamma and Papa." Rob and Will exchanged glances, but didn't comment.

"I don't have any brothers or sisters." Will volunteered. "What about you?" he asked.

"I have three brothers - older." Rob said "I've never met anyone with a bigger family than me".

"Are they here?" Stephen asked eagerly. Rob nodded.

"One in the Lower Fourth, one in Upper Fifth, and one in Upper Sixth."

"That should make things better for you." Will observed. "It's not like you're here on your own." Rob didn't comment, but Stephen did.

"You must know everything then!" he said. "You can tell us! I know people talk about things at home - I know so much about my sisters' school but nothing about his place." Rob smiled slightly.

"What do you want to know?"

"Everything." Will said firmly, sitting down on his bed.

"You might as well unpack while I'm talking." Rob pointed out. "You'll never get done before dinner otherwise. I don't think there's much I can tell you - you'll have had the official tour from Matron and she's shown you everything you need to know. Let's just unpack and then we can go for a walk."

They worked hard, but were only just finished by the time the bell rang, summoning them to the huge dining room on the ground floor. After a few false starts, they found the big room and sat down at the nearest table, which had a large sign on it reading "First Form."

"That's helpful." Rob muttered, pointing to it. "Like we can't spot the new people who look like they don't know what they're doing." There were several other scared looking groups of boys clustered around the table, and in the centre sat the two boys Stephen had seen earlier. They looked at the newcomers, and one of them made a face.

"What's wrong with them?" Will demanded, taking a seat near the end of the table. Stephen sat down beside him and Rob found a space opposite them.

"How many of us are there?" Stephen asked, watching boys filing in in a seemingly never-ending stream.

"30 in each form." Rob replied. "And ten forms. So 300 in here."

"Any of your brothers?" Will asked eagerly, peering around.

"They'll be here somewhere." Rob replied, helping himself to sausages. "They won't come looking for me."
Author:  Fatima [ Fri Jun 23, 2006 9:27 am ]
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It's nice to see Steve making friends, I was getting a bit worried about him! Thanks, Eilidh.
Author:  Rosy-Jess [ Fri Jun 23, 2006 9:48 am ]
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Oooh. New drabble. Am glad to see Stephen is settling in, and I hope the boys are nice friends for him.
Author:  KathrynW [ Fri Jun 23, 2006 10:41 am ]
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So glad that he's made some friends and that they seem nice.

Thanks Eilidh!
Author:  Carys [ Fri Jun 23, 2006 10:55 am ]
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Rob's brothers seem interestering...
Thanks Eilidh!
Author:  Jennie [ Fri Jun 23, 2006 11:55 am ]
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Thanks, Eilidh, lots of mystery here with Rob, and a whole new drabble to read!
Author:  Róisín [ Fri Jun 23, 2006 12:27 pm ]
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*sniffles* They're just babies aren't they? Hope they manage to find their way alright. Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  alicat [ Fri Jun 23, 2006 1:35 pm ]
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Well Steve has done well to make a friends of Rob, the boy's clearly a math whiz working out three-figure multiplication at eight

this is so lovely, I always thought it was a shame we never heardmuch about the boys.

and so far the school seems very nice - although I thought it quite a reflection of the CS the way they were just left to get on with unpacking, with no matron or older pupil showing them the right way to do it
Author:  Mia [ Fri Jun 23, 2006 2:08 pm ]
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Thanks Eilidh, glad Stephen's found some friends. Hope Robert's brothers don't ignore him too much!
Author:  LizB [ Fri Jun 23, 2006 3:04 pm ]
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Nice to see Steve getting to know some of his peers - hope they become good friends :D

Thanks, Eilidh
Author:  La Petite Em [ Fri Jun 23, 2006 4:53 pm ]
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Steve is being very brave really!!!! I hope he carries on making friends.
Thanks Eilidh :D
Author:  Chair [ Fri Jun 23, 2006 5:10 pm ]
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Thanks, Eilidh. I'm glad that Rob and Will seem nice.
Author:  Lesley [ Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:35 pm ]
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Glad Stephen has found Will and Rob - wonder why one of the other new boys made a face at them?

Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  BethC [ Fri Jun 23, 2006 9:59 pm ]
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Just found this - looks very interesting! Thanks, Eilidh.
Author:  Mary [ Fri Jun 23, 2006 10:29 pm ]
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This is really lovely. Poor Steve though. Sent away to a totally different country at 8? That's not cricket.
M
xx
Author:  Eilidh [ Sat Jun 24, 2006 1:13 pm ]
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Mary wrote:
Sent away to a totally different country at 8? That's not cricket.


That's what I thought the first time I read Joey Goes to the Oberland. It's the main reason I started this.

alicat wrote:
Well Steve has done well to make a friends of Rob, the boy's clearly a math whiz working out three-figure multiplication at eight


Never thought of that! I think he probably heard one of his brothers say how many there were.

The meal was over quickly and the three boys made their way outside. The rain had stopped and the late evening sunshine was lighting up the courtyard. As they made their way across to look at the rest of the building, they heard a voice behind them.

“Who are Maynard, Jones, and Kettering?” The three boys looked at each other for confirmation, and then turned around.

“We are.” Stephen said, speaking for them all. The two boys he had seen when he arrived were swaggering across the courtyard towards them.

“Well.” one of them said. “What a fine dorm we have.” The other one sniggered, as did several people standing around. More were appearing by the second, attracted by the possibility of conflict.

“We have one,” continued the first boy, “whose parents can’t even be bothered to bring him to school.” Stephen turned red.

“Mamma and Papa live in Switzerland.” he snapped. The boy raised his eyebrows.

“Mamma and Papa live in Switzerland.” he mimicked. The crowd surrounding them laughed. “Then we have one who doesn’t look old enough for kindergarten yet, never mind anything else.” It was Will’s turn to go red. “And then,” their attacker continued. “We have the last of the Kettering’s. This is the one who is nothing compared to his brothers, it’s rumoured.” Rob flushed as well, but Stephen had had time to pull himself together.

“Who are you?” he asked. “You know who we are.”

“My name is Morgan.” he boy said. “And this is Jefferson.” Light dawned on Rob’s face. “You know who I am?” Morgan asked.

“I’ve heard of your family.” Rob replied, his voice shaking slightly.

“Good.” the other boy sneered. “Well, we’ll see you later.” He pushed past them and onwards towards the main school building, knocking Will over on the way. The crowd began to disperse, but the three boys remained standing where they were. Automatically, Stephen reached down and helped Will to his feet.

“What was that for?” The small boy asked.

“I don’t know.” Stephen replied.

“I do, though.” Rob said. “Come back inside.” They made their way back to the common room, which was deserted. Through the windows Stephen could see a game of cricket going on one side of the house, and a game of football on the other.

“What’s going on?” Will demanded, when they had closed the door behind them. Rob inspected the carpet.

“Who is he?” Stephen demanded.

“Daniel Morgan.” Rob replied. “His brother is in the Upper Sixth with mine.”

“And what does that have to do with us?” Will asked, twisting himself into contorted positions as he attempted to brush the mud off the back of his blazer without taking it off.

“Leave it until it dries.” Stephen advised, with a sudden memory of Anna.

”George is Head Boy this year.” Rob said. There was a faint note of pride in his voice. “But Geoff Morgan thought it should have been him. And so did his brother.”

"What's that got to do with us though?" Stephen demanded, as Will asked,

“George is your brother?” Rob nodded.

"Because you were with me? I don't know." A bell rang just then and Stephen and Will both glanced at Rob, presuming he would know what it was for. They weren't disappointed.

"First bedtime bell." he explained obligingly, leading the way back to the dormitory. "We've got half an hour to get into bed now before lights out."
Author:  Fatima [ Sat Jun 24, 2006 1:34 pm ]
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Somehow I had a feeling that it wouldn't all be plain sailing for poor Steve. Thanks, Eilidh.
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Jun 24, 2006 1:38 pm ]
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Pleased the three boys have each other - this Morgan sounds a nasty piece of work.

Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  Jennie [ Sat Jun 24, 2006 2:00 pm ]
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Well, I'm pleased Stephen has found a couple of friends. But I'll join the paranoia club as well.

I always thought the way the boys were despatched off to England was cruel in the extreme. It seemed that hardly anyone gave them a thought once they had started school.
Author:  Alison H [ Sat Jun 24, 2006 2:16 pm ]
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I also felt sorry for the Maynard boys - the girls got to go to school next door, whilst they were packed off thousands of miles away. Surely there must have been international schools they could've gone to in a country like Switzerland which is the HQ of so many international organisations :? .
Author:  Róisín [ Sat Jun 24, 2006 2:40 pm ]
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Rob reminds me of Ron Weasley with all the elder brothers gone before him. Poor little pets. This would never have been tolerated in our Chalet School!

Thanks Eilidh, lovely as always.
Author:  Chair [ Sat Jun 24, 2006 2:47 pm ]
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Thanks, Eilidh. I'm sorry that Morgan and Jefferson are giving them a hard time.
Author:  Phil [ Sat Jun 24, 2006 10:42 pm ]
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Excellent! I have just found this drabble and it is great! I'm afraid sending your child abroad to the UK to boarding school at the age of 8 was a common and normal occurrence.

You are realy painting the characters of the boys very well Eilidh, I am so looking forward to more of this.

Interestingly, there is a group in the UK called "Boarding School Survivors" that deals with the problems people have now with their parents having sent them to boarding school at the age of 8. I shall stop now before I go into an anti Boarding school rant.

Keep writing Eilidh!
Author:  KathrynW [ Sat Jun 24, 2006 11:44 pm ]
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Thank you Eilidh...reading this is making me very glad that my parents didn't believe in boarding schools :D
Author:  Cath V-P [ Sun Jun 25, 2006 3:11 am ]
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Oh, poor boys....
Author:  Eilidh [ Sun Jun 25, 2006 9:54 am ]
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Morgan and Jefferson appeared just behind them as they entered the dormitory but Stephen ignored them, making his way to his own end of the room and getting ready for bed. He pulled on his pyjamas before kneeling at the side of his bed to say his prayers. This attracted immediate comment.

"Look at the good little boy, doing as mummy told him." Jefferson jeered.

"Mamma, not mummy." Morgan corrected him. "Look, this must be her here." he added, seizing the photo from beside Stephen's bed and studying it.

"Give that back." Stephen said, standing up.

"Or what?" Morgan asked, with a sneer.

"Or we'll make you." Rob said from behind him. Jefferson laughed.

"Yeah. You and Mamma's boy and the Gnome. That would be funny." Will was standing on the end of his bed, and made a grab for the photo which Morgan jerked out of reach and tossed across the room to Jefferson. The other boy fumbled the catch and the picture fell to the floor, the glass shattering.

"What is going on?" asked a sharp voice from the doorway. “William, get down off that bed.”

"Nothing, Matron." Morgan replied, walking back towards his own bed as Will jumped to the floor and scrambled between the sheets before anything else could be said.

"What's this?" she demanded, picking up the photo in the cracked frame. "Is this yours, Stephen?"

"Yes, Matron." Stephen said.

"How did it get broken?" she asked. Stephen stared at his feet. "If you can't take better care of your things then I'll ask your mother not to give you anything that can get wasted." she said sharply, handing him back the frame. "Put it away safely. It's as well for you that term doesn't officially start until tomorrow. And the rest of you, get into bed. The lights should have been out five minutes ago." Stephen took the photo and replaced it on the bedside table, scrambling into bed as she switched out the lights and closed the door. Tears were pricking at the back of his eyes, and he rolled over and buried his face in the pillow. He could hear Will crying quietly in the next bed, and Morgan and Jefferson whispering to each other. He wished his sisters were there. Len would know what to do about Will, she would make him happy. And despite his misery he smiled as he imagined Margot's reaction to Morgan and Jefferson. Burrowing under the blankets, he finished saying his prayers in silence and then fell asleep, tired out by the long day and the new experiences.
Author:  LizB [ Sun Jun 25, 2006 9:55 am ]
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*pokes Morgan*

*looks threateningly at Jefferson as well*

Thanks, Eilidh
Author:  Chair [ Sun Jun 25, 2006 11:32 am ]
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Thanks, Eilidh. I'm sorry that she isn't a good enough Matron to see that Stephen and William weren't really at fault.
Author:  Fatima [ Sun Jun 25, 2006 12:01 pm ]
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I'm a bit concerned that they haven't cleared up the glass yet. Thanks, Eilidh.
Author:  Caty [ Sun Jun 25, 2006 12:08 pm ]
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I like that Stephen looks up to the triplets. In the later EBD books it seems like there's a boy family & a girl a family and it's nice to see them all as one family, if that makes sense.
Author:  KathrynW [ Sun Jun 25, 2006 1:43 pm ]
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*knows exactly what Caty means*

Poor Stephen, I hope the other boys aren't too horrid to him.

Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Carys [ Sun Jun 25, 2006 2:53 pm ]
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Poor Stephen, I hope those nasty boys get their come-upance soon!
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Jun 25, 2006 3:57 pm ]
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What on earth is Matron thinking off? Surely she should have sense enough to realise what happened? And what a nasty thing to say to an eight year old child on his first night away from home.

*Not at all impressed by Matron*

Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  Eilidh [ Mon Jun 26, 2006 9:45 am ]
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They were woken the next morning by a loud bell. Unaccustomed to the noise, Stephen sat bolt upright and stared around him in fright. It took him a few seconds to realise where he was, and then he caught sight of the smashed photo and remembered what had happened the night before.

"Good Morning boys." Matron Phillips said from the door. "Get up now - the bell for breakfast will ring in half an hour. You have to be dressed in your uniforms and ready to go before then. Turn your beds back to air and make sure the room is tidy before you go please. I hear from Matron Stone that we had some trouble in here last night and a picture got broken - did anyone sweep the glass up?"

"No Matron." Will replied, when no one else spoke. She looked annoyed for a second.

"Well, the first person who is dressed, come to me and I'll give you the brush and dustpan." she said, smiling again. "In the meantime, make sure you put on your bedroom slippers before you go anywhere and be very careful not to stand on the glass." She left them to it.

"Come on, move!" Morgan said, jumping out of bed. "If you three are going to get the dorm bad marks for being late to meals, then I'll have to do something about it." Stephen climbed out of bed slowly, listening to the stream of instructions. As soon as they were dressed, Morgan and Jefferson raced off, and not, Rob reported, in the direction of Matron's room.

"It's alright, I'll go." Stephen said, carefully knotting his tie. "I'm dressed now. Back in a minute." Despite the frantic confusion, they were on time for breakfast and sat down thankfully to scrambled eggs and bacon, with huge piles of toast spaced at intervals down the table.

"We go to the Hall after this." Rob said. "John told me - then we go to our form rooms and they give out the timetables and things and make the announcements. John's my second brother." he explained.

The Hall was a huge room, the biggest Stephen had ever seen. A stage sat at one end, and the various masters were gathered there, talking quietly. Stephen noticed Mr Johns among them. Rob led the way to the front of the room, to two long benches labelled "First Form." They took a seat on the second of these and Rob proceeded to entertain them by pointing out people he had heard about.

"That's the Head." he whispered, indicating a tall, young looking man who was standing near the front of the platform. "And you both met Mr. Johns - he's the First Form master." Stephen relaxed at this news. He liked his housemaster and was relived that he would be their form master as well. Any further information had to wait, however, as the Head had come to the front of the platform and was addressing the school.

Stephen found his attention wandering during the speech, which was long and uninteresting. He stared out of the nearby window, wondering what their first lesson would be, and looked along the rows, trying to guess which of his new classmates were likely to be friendly. His attention snapped back to the stage again however when the prefects were being announced. The form prefects were first, starting with the Lower Sixth. To Stephen's dismay, Morgan was made prefect for the First Form. The School prefects followed them, Rob's brother first, being presented with his Head Boy badge. Stephen looked at him with interest. Morgan's brother followed him, and then there was a stir as the next of Rob's brothers was made Games Captain. Cheering rose from the upper Fifth, and most of the rest of the school joined in. The rest of the prefects were unremarkable, and as they were dismissed Stephen wondered if there would be a day when he would walk onto the stage to receive a prefect badge.

He followed the rest of the crowds through the corridors to a bright and airy classroom with "First Form" written on the door.

"Old boys get first pick of the seats." Morgan announced, sliding into a desk in the back row. Jefferson joined him, and several other boys chose seats as well. "Now the rest of you." he said. Stephen sat down at the nearest desk, in the third row, and Will joined him. Rob sat down on the other side of the aisle, and a nervous-looking boy with red hair took the seat on his other side. Stephen had time to notice that he was the biggest in the class, with Jefferson as a close second, and that Will was the smallest, when Mr John strode in.

"Good Morning!" he said loudly, dropping a pile of things on the desk with a clatter. "I know who you all are, naturally, and you all met me yesterday, except those of you who didn't." Stephen smiled. "Now, I'm your form master, as you have probably realised, and that means that I have to see you all every single day. Aren't I lucky? Those of you who were here last term will be able to tell the new boys exactly how lucky they are, won't you?" He gazed round at them all, and then barked, "Morgan!" Morgan scrambled to his feet.

"Yes, Sir?"

"I hear you're Form Prefect. I didn't make the decision." Stephen desperately wanted to turn round and see the other boy's face, but stayed facing the front. "I'm sure you'll do well, but if you don't..." Mr Johns left the words hanging in the hair, and Morgan replied,

"Yes, Sir!"

"Now, who do we have...?" Mr Johns muttered, picking up the register and beginning to go through it. Stephen discovered that the boy beside Rob was known as Grove, and filed it away for later consideration. When he got to the end he handed it to Morgan, who disappeared with the book and he turned back to the class.

"The final member of our form will arrive today." he informed them, as he handed out paper and stationary. "He's been held up, it seems." Will nudged Stephen gently.

"In our dorm." he said out of the side of his mouth. Mr Johns head snapped round.

"Jones!" he said sharply. Will scrambled to his feet, looking terrified.

"Yes, Sir?" he asked.

"We do not talk in this class, Jones, unless I give permission." he said sternly, but Stephen thought there was a hint of a smile on his face.

"Sorry, Sir." Will replied, scarlet.

"Sit!" he commanded. Will sat, and, when Mr Johns had turned back to the board, Stephen gave him a sympathetic smile.

"This is the timetable." Mr. Johns told them. "You need to know it - after the first few weeks no one will take not knowing as an excuse when you turn up in the wrong place. Copy it and memorise it!" There was a flurry as twenty nine boys opened their desks and found pencils and paper.
Author:  Rosy-Jess [ Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:00 am ]
Post subject: 
Am really enjoying this. Thankyou.
Author:  KathrynW [ Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:00 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Eilidh, I like Mr Johns so far and I wonder who the final member of the form will be!
Author:  Sarah_G-G [ Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:05 am ]
Post subject: 
Yay! New drabble! I'm ;iking this already- the boys are very believable
Author:  Carys [ Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:28 am ]
Post subject: 
How on earth was Morgan made form prefect?
Really enjoying this Eilidh!
Author:  Mia [ Mon Jun 26, 2006 12:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh this is so sad, I don't like to think of them crying in the dormitory - please make it happier Eilidh! :cry:

It's very good, thanks! :)
Author:  Róisín [ Mon Jun 26, 2006 1:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
Brilliant Eilidh thanks. I bet Morgan has a relation on the staff or something - grrr.
Author:  Jennie [ Mon Jun 26, 2006 2:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Eilidh. I think Mr Johns sees far more than anyone thinks.
Author:  MaryR [ Mon Jun 26, 2006 4:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
I agree, Jennie, and what is more, Stephen has already worked that out.

Thanks, Eilidh.
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
Notice that Mr Johns didn't choose Morgan - wonder who did?

Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  Chair [ Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Eilidh. I am also wondering whom chose Morgan. I look forward to seeing who the final member of the form is.
Author:  Eilidh [ Tue Jun 27, 2006 12:45 am ]
Post subject: 
“Tea, Donald?”

“Thanks.” Mr Johns accepted the cup that someone was holding out to him as he sank into his chair in the staffroom.

“Long morning?”

“The first one is always long.” he said with a sigh. “Sir, what’s a timetable? Sir, I can’t do these sums. Sir, that’s not the way my mum showed me. Sir, what’s arithmetic? And that’s just a sample of what I’ve had this morning.” His colleagues laughed.

“You would teach the first form.”

“I like the first form. They don’t answer back, and they’re young enough to work hard for the sake of it. I have to ask something though. Who on earth chose Daniel Morgan for form prefect?”

“Must have been the head.”

“Has the man gone mad?”

“Why, what’s wrong with him? You have to remember, you teach these boys more than the rest of us put together. You’re the only one who really knows them. If you’d asked me, I’d say that he was the best leader of the boys who came last term.”

“In completely the wrong direction!” Donald Johns snapped. “All of the boys who started last term are under his thumb and a good percentage of this terms intake look like they might go the same way. And he’s got his knife into young Kettering, if I’m any judge.”

“That’s got to be a home thing – do they know each other outside school? Kettering only came yesterday.”

“Home thing rubbish. Who did George Kettering beat to Head Boy this year? Geoff Morgan. If you ask me the brother thinks he can take it out on the youngest Kettering.”

“Well, if you think that, we’ll have to keep an eye on them. We can’t do anything without proof.”

“No, I know. And Morgan is an intelligent kid. He won’t get caught easily.”

“He’s an eight year old boy. How difficult can it be? Come on, Donald, forget about them and enjoy your lunch. It’s only the first day back, after all. It’ll sort itself out.”
Author:  Cath V-P [ Tue Jun 27, 2006 3:00 am ]
Post subject: 
Well, he knows his form doesn't he? Some interesting hints about the future there...
Author:  Fatima [ Tue Jun 27, 2006 5:13 am ]
Post subject: 
Eilidh wrote:
I like the first form. They don’t answer back, and they’re young enough to work hard for the sake of it.


Exactly what I say about teaching Grade 2! Thanks, Eilidh.
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Jun 27, 2006 6:48 am ]
Post subject: 
Pleased he's not been fooled by Morgan - and that he's aware of the type of child he is.

Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Jun 27, 2006 7:48 am ]
Post subject: 
Teachers like Mr Johns are great.
Author:  KathrynW [ Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:58 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Eilidh, was very interesting to see the teacher's perspective.
Author:  Eilidh [ Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:01 am ]
Post subject: 
"I'll never remember that timetable." Rob groaned, as, morning lessons and lunch over, they sat at the edge of the playing fields. "I'll just follow you two."

"What makes you think I can remember it?" Stephen demanded. "Come on, I'm bored sitting still. I'll race you to the fence and back." Rob jumped up at once, but Will stayed where he was.

"I haven't got a chance." he pointed out, looking up at his two tall friends. "I'll stay here and be the finish line. Ready? Go!" he shouted, and they took off over the field towards the fence. Before long, Stephen slapped the fence with his hand, only a second ahead of Rob, and took off back up the hill. They reached Will at almost exactly the same time and collapsed on the grass.

"You're both pretty fast." he said, as they got their breath back. "Just as well I stayed here. I'd only be getting to the fence now."

"I'm not used to racing somebody who I can keep up with." Rob observed. "I'm generally miles behind."

"The triplets are pretty fast - well, Len and Margot are." Stephen told them. "Con never seems to be interested, and Chas is too small to keep up. He's about the same size as you." he added to Will.

"Who's that?" Rob asked, rolling on to his stomach and shading his eyes. A big car was pulled up at the front door, and someone was unloading luggage.

"The new person." Will said, delightedly, conveniently forgetting they had only been at school for 24 hours themselves. "Let's go and see." The other two were agreeable, and they ran across and in the side door, racing up the stairs to the common room. It was empty again, due to the hot weather, and they settled down to wait. Before long, they heard Matron coming along the corridor, talking to someone.

"This is the common room." she explained, opening the door. "Ah, boys. This is Sam White. He's the last member of your dormitory. Will you take him and help him unpack? I was just going to fetch you anyway. Your prefect is waiting to help with your trunks. He's done the other two already."

"Come on." Will said cheerfully to the new boy. "We'll show you where to go. We can find the dormitory, anyway."

"We'll come and see you before we go." his mother told him.

"It's fine." he replied, "I know you're in a hurry. You don't have to." His parents glanced at each other.

"We will." his mother said again as he followed Will along the corridor, Stephen and Rob bringing up the rear.

"This is the dorm - you'll have seen it already. This must be your bed, it's the only empty one, you've got Rob on one side but Jefferson on the other - that's not so lucky."

"Are you quite finished?" a quiet voice asked, amused. Stephen glanced up at the prefect and smiled. He would have recognised him immediately, even if he hadn't seen him collecting his Head Boy badge that morning. He had the same untidy dark hair as Rob did, and the same amused expression at Will's enthusiasm, although he was missing Rob's air of looking as though he'd thrown all his clothes on with his eyes shut. "How are you getting on?" he asked, looking at Rob.

"Fine." Rob muttered back.

"Good. Now, who's who?" he consulted the dormitory list in his hand. "Jones?" Will held up a hand. "Maynard?"

"That's me." Stephen replied shyly.

"So you must be White." he said to the newest member of the dormitory. The boy nodded, sullenly. "I'm Kettering." he said, ignoring this. "This young man's oldest brother. Come on, let's get started or we'll never finish before supper." Stephen pulled oen a drawer and rummaged until he found his trunk key.

"List?" Kettering asked as he opened it. "Hang on." He strode to the door and stuck his head out. "I thought I heard you!" he said. "Come in and give a hand, will you? I've four First Formers to unpack in here, and the Matrons won't be pleased if it's not done properly. I should have done them two at a time," he continued as another prefect appeared, "but the Professor caught me and wanted to talk about the meeting - I was late getting away. I'll take these two," he indicated Stephen and Will, "If you can sort out that pair. I'll owe you one."

"Precious little this one will need sorting out!" the other prefect laughed, looking Rob over. Rob turned red and became very interested in his feet. "I see he's got Kettering hair, anyway. It's hard to believe it's ten years since you looked like that. But unless he packed for himself, he's not forgotten anything. Still, we have to check. Let's see what you've got, kids."

"Right you two, pay attention to me." Kettering told them, with a scowl at his friend. They looked up at him. "One at a time." he said. "We'll go through the list, you take it out the trunk, I tick it off, you put it away. Understand?" They nodded. "You are allowed to speak." he added with a grin. "I don't think I'm so terrifying, am I?" Stephen and Will exchanged glances, and, greatly daring, Will said,

"Were you scared of prefects when you were in the First Form?" Kettering laughed.

"You're right." he admitted. "Let's just get on with it." They started on Stephens case, as he knew where his key was - they were to discover that Will had a knack for never knowing where anything was at a given moment - and as he took things out and piled them on the bed Will counted them and Kettering ticked things off on the list.

"And that's all." Stephen said, when he had reached to the bottom of the trunk and found nothing else.

"About time." Will said, relieved. "I didn't realise we had to bring so much stuff!"

"Neither did I." Stephen admitted, looking at the mountain of belongings.

"Right, get them put away. Jones, get your trunk open and lets see what you've got." Kettering instructed.

"I can't." Will said.

"What d you mean, you can't?"

"I've lost the key." he explained. Stephen spluttered, and turned it hastily into a cough.

"You've lost it." Kettering repeated. The others had stopped as well and all eyes were on Will as he nodded. "Where did you have it last?" the head boy asked, with exaggerated patience.

"I had it and the key to my case yesterday when we left home." Will said slowly. "I put it in my blazer. Then I got here and I opened my case and I must have put the keys down somewhere and now they're lost."

"You unpacked your case at the same time as us." Rob offered helpfully. "I didn't see your keys."

"That doesn't mean anything." his older brother pointed out. "They could have been hanging on the end of your nose and you wouldn't have seen them. What about you, Maynard?" Stephen thought hard.

"I don't remember." he said, finally. There were running feet outside and one of the second formers appeared.

"Is one of you Maynard?" he demanded. Stephen looked up. "Johns wants to see you in his office, and you'd better get there yesterday by the look of him." the boy gasped. "What have you done? You've only been here a day!"

"That'll do." Kettering said sharply. "And what have you been told about running in the corridors? Maynard, put your blazer on and go up. Jones can finish putting your things away while he tries to remember what he's done with his keys." Stephen obediently wriggled into the blazer and set out, walking quickly and trying desperatly to work out what he had done to be summoned on only his second day. Trembling slightly, he knocked on the door.
Author:  LizB [ Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:13 am ]
Post subject: 
meeeep! That doesn't sounds good :?
Author:  Mia [ Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:40 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Eilidh.

Isn't this a prep school then? And poor Steve!
Author:  Eilidh [ Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:04 am ]
Post subject: 
Mia wrote:
Isn't this a prep school then?


No. It should be, according to the books, but it isn't, because I'm not entirely sure how they work. In my head it is a sort of Chalet-like set up that goes right through in one school, although I have separated the younger and older boys for the most part. Hope nobody minds, and that it makes sense - I only did it to make it easier for myself.
Author:  Chair [ Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:31 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Eilidh. I don't mind about the setup at all. I wonder why Stephen has been called to the office. I hope Will will be able to find his key. I hope that Sam will be friendly.
Author:  Carys [ Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:47 am ]
Post subject: 
I think I know why Steve has been summoned to see Jones.
Thanks Eilidh, I'm really enjoying this!
Author:  Rosy-Jess [ Tue Jun 27, 2006 11:09 am ]
Post subject: 
Golly. Hope Steven is okay. Thankyou!
Author:  Mia [ Tue Jun 27, 2006 11:36 am ]
Post subject: 
Cheers for explaining. I'm now wondering why Sam came so late! *intrigued* :)
Author:  KathrynW [ Tue Jun 27, 2006 2:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
It seems like Sam really does not want to be at boarding school...

Thanks Eilidh, this is fab!
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Jun 27, 2006 7:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hmmm, couple of mysteries there - wondering about Stephen's summons and about the newest boy Sam.

Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  Ruth B [ Tue Jun 27, 2006 11:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
*Desparately trying to remember the time line*

Is Stephen about to be put in quarantine for having mumps or measles or whatever they have in Barbara?
Author:  francesn [ Wed Jun 28, 2006 1:16 am ]
Post subject: 
Oooh this is fab Eilidh - can't believe I only just found it!

Thank you
Author:  Eilidh [ Wed Jun 28, 2006 9:57 am ]
Post subject: 
Well Done Ruth!

"Enter!" came the gruff voice. Stephen pushed the door open and went in. Matron Phillips was standing to one side, looking worried, and Mr Johns was sitting behind his desk. "Ah, Maynard." he said, as he saw Stephen. "Come in, come in. What are you looking scared for?" he demanded. Stephen didn't answer. "We've had your mother on the phone this morning." Mr Johns said.

"Is something wrong, Sir?" Stephen asked.

"In a way, in a way." the house master replied, vaguely. "How have you been feeling?"

"Fine, thank you." Stephen said, confused.

"Your family has had German Measles." Matron said, evidently thinking this was taking too long. "You're going to have to be isolated for two weeks, until we make sure you don't have it too." Stephen's face fell.

"Two weeks?" he asked, trying not to cry. Why, but the end of two weeks everyone would be settled in, they would all have made friends, he would still be new and not know anyone.

"It won't be so bad." Mr Johns said, leaning over the desk. "You'll have your lessons and you'll keep up with the form."

"Will I be...on my own...all the time?" Stephen asked. Mr Johns and Matron looked at each other.

"He might have passed it around already." Matron said.

"In that case any of them could have it." Mr Johns replied. "We can't isolate everyone who's been within six feet of him since yesterday."

"Who have you been with?" Matron asked. Stephen thought.

"Jones and Kettering, mostly." he said, feeling more hopeful.

"They'll need a close watch." Matron said. "Would it be worth..."

"Three of them?" Mr Johns sounded doubtful. "What if the other two haven't got it and he has?" he indicated Stephen, who was feeling rather confused.

"If it's to stop half the school going down with German Measles?" Matron demanded. "Are you going to nurse them all? I'd rather put the three of them in isolation if they haven't had it and hopefully keep it at just three - and with Kettering in particular. Bad enough if it gets round the juniors, but he can spread it to the seniors and even the Sixth!"

"Very well." Mr Johns sighed. "I suppose you'd better go and get them, and collect some things for them all. Where were you, Maynard?"

"In the dormitory, unpacking." Stephen replied. Matron went off, but Stephen hesitated. "Sir?"

"Yes?"

"Did Mamma say who was ill?"

"Two of your sisters and your brother." Stephen felt his heart sink.

"Chas or Mike?" he asked, anxiously. Mr Johns shook his head.

"I dont know." he replied. "Why?"

"Chas is always ill." Stephen replied. "Mamma say's he gets everything. She worries about him. It probably will be him - he's the one most often with me and the triplets. Mike's only five." he loked worried and Mr Johns tried to reassure him.

"They'll all be fine." he said, cheerfully. "Now, lets get you along to isolation." he led Stephen through the corridors to a heavy green door, which he pushed open. "This is the San." he said. "You'll come here if you're ill at any point. And this is Isolation." he pushed open another door and showed him into a room where Matron was busy making up beds. Another door at the other side opened into another room, and Stephen caught a glimpse of a table and chairs, and some book cases. The entire place smelled strongly of disinfectant and he wrinkled his nose.

"You'll ge used to it." Matron said, kindly. "I'll leave to windows open to let it air a bit as well."

"Where are the other two?" Mr Johns asked.

"On their way." Matron replied. "Not too happy about it, either." Stephen's heart sank even further. He hadn't thought about that - Rob and Will would probably blame him for everything and wouldn't talk to him for the whole two weeks they were stuck in here. Why had they had to go and get ill at home? Why couldn't they have waited until he had been away longer? Trust Mamma to make a fuss. There was nothing wrong with him. Feeling miserable, he stalked into the other room and threw himself down in a chair. Matron and Mr Johns watched him go.

"Poor kid." the house master said. "He's worried about his brother, and he's probably terribly homesick. Be good to them."

"I always am." Matron said, as a clatter of feet announced the arrival of the other two and both adults left them to get on with things.
Author:  Mia [ Wed Jun 28, 2006 10:10 am ]
Post subject: 
*hugs Stephen lots*

I'm sure they'll end up having fun in quarantine.

Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Carys [ Wed Jun 28, 2006 10:16 am ]
Post subject: 
Please let Rob and Will be nice to Stephen!
Author:  Nell [ Wed Jun 28, 2006 10:17 am ]
Post subject: 
Glad they are with him though - at least he'll have friends.
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Jun 28, 2006 10:17 am ]
Post subject: 
Poor Steve - never thought before how awful that must've been for him when he'd just started school :( .
Author:  LizB [ Wed Jun 28, 2006 10:40 am ]
Post subject: 
I am so glad Steve will not be on his own for those two weeks - hopefully quarantine will have the same friendship-forming effect for him and Will and Rob as it did for Len, Rosamund and Ted :D

Thanks, Eilidh
Author:  Chair [ Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:56 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Eilidh. I hope Rob and Will won't be mad at Stephen.
Author:  Ruth B [ Wed Jun 28, 2006 1:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hopefully it will be like when Ros, Ted and Len were in isolation and they'll end up becoming bosom pals.
Author:  KathrynW [ Wed Jun 28, 2006 1:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Steve, I'd die of embarrassment if I was him but at least his friends will be there too. I imagine they'll be able to have quite a fun time :D
Author:  Lesley [ Wed Jun 28, 2006 1:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
Glad Stephen will have his two friends with him - only problem though - it will allow Morgan to get the rest of the class firmly under his thumb, won't it?

Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  Eilidh [ Wed Jun 28, 2006 3:34 pm ]
Post subject: 
Very productive bunnies today - has someone been feeding them?

"This is awful." Rob said, throwing his belongings on one of the beds. "Why are we stuck in here?" he demanded, coming in to the other room.

"Because my family have German Measles, and they think I might have given it to you two." Stephen said miserably. "I'm sorry. I take it neither of you have had it, since you're here?" They both shook their heads.

"Have all your family got it?" Will asked, sitting down opposite him while Rob settled himself on the floor. Stephen shook his head.

"Not the babies - two of the triplets do and either Chas or Mike. Probably Chas."

"You're lucky to have such a big family." Will said enviously. "Both of you." Stephen and Rob exchanged glances.

"You might think so." Rob said eventually. "We don't. Lets see what there is in this place. How long are we here for?"

"Two weeks." Stephen said sadly.

"Whats wrong?" Will demanded. "It's not your fault. It's just bad luck." Rob nodded his agreement.

"Two weeks isn't bad." he said. "For some things, quarentine is six weeks! George told me they've had things before when the whole school's been in quarentine. You should be thankful they've only got German measles. And that it's only the three of us in here. Imagine being in here with Morgan."

"No thanks." Will said. Stephen smiled.

"Lets go and explore then." he suggested.

A short exploration proved that there was little more to discover. A small bathroom opened off the other side of the bedroom, and the other room contained a cupboard full of board games and jigsaws, and several bookcase filled with a wide variety of books.

"Well, we have got an exciting two weeks in front of us." Rob sighed, closing the door on the games cupboard in disgust.

"You have that." Matron said, coming in with a large pile of books. "These are the books you should have collected from stationary today. You can keep up with your lessons while you're in here - Mr Johns will come and see you if there's anything that you don't understand, but he thinks you should be ok. The first few weeks are quite straighforward. He's marked where he wants you to work up to in each book - you can work during lesson times and then when the rest of the boys are free you will be too." They came over to look at the books, and Stephen cautiously opened the nearest, breathing a sigh of relief as he realised that it began with things he had done in Armiford. Will looked similarly pleased, but Rob was staring at the one in his hand in horror. Stephen moved round to look at it over his shoulder, and asked,

"What's wrong?" Rob looked at him in disbelief.

"This!" he exclaimed, giving the textbook a little shake. "How are we supposed to know how to do this stuff?"

"I can do it." Stephen offered.

"Let me see!" Will said, craning his neck. Rob twisted the book. "I can do it too." he informed them.

"Great." Rob said, throwing the book back onto the table. "Good for you." he stalked off and threw himself down in a chair, which promptly tipped over backwards, depositing him on the floor. Unable to help themselves, Stephen and Will burst out laughing.

"Glad you find it so funny." Rob said, struggling. "Steve, stop giggling like an idiot and come and help me." Stephen complied, helping him scramble out of the chair, which they then stood upright again. Rob found another seat, and Will cautiously sat down in the abandoned one.

"What are you in a bad mood about anyway?" he demanded.

"Nothing." Rob replied.

"Sure?" Stephen asked, leafing through one of the textbooks again. "If it's about the work, we can help you."

"How do you know it all anyway?" Rob demanded.

"Done it last year in Armiford." Stephen replied. Will didn't answer. "We will show you, you know. You're lucky that we're in here and not in class. At least in here you can ask us if you don't understand - in class you'd have to ask Mr Johns and I don't think you'd like that." Rob looked considerably happier.

"You'll really help me?" he asked.

"Of course we will." Will replied. "It's not hard. When do we start?" Stephen shrugged.

"This afternoon if we want, I suppose. What were we supposed to have? I left my timetable in my desk."

"English, Games and Arithmetic." Will replied immediatly. The other two gaped at him. "My Gran says I have a fly paper memory." he explained with a shrug. "I don't suppose it matter what order we do the stuff in though, as long as it gets done."

"What do we do about games?" Stephen wondered. "We can't exactly go out with just the three of us, can we?" As neither of the others could offer any better suggestions, he pulled one of the arithmetic books towards him and printed his name in the space on the front. Will sat down opposite him and followed his example, and Rob grudgingly took the third chair and opened his own book.

"Might as well look like I'm trying." he grinned. Will looked up.

"I'll help you in a minute." he said. Stephen set to work, slowly and carefully working out each sum and setting the answer down. When he was barely half way down the page, Will slammed his book shut and pulled his chair over beside Rob.

"Are you finished?" Stephen asked in disbelief. Will nodded

"The first page, yes." he grinned. "I can't help it." Stephen shook his head and plodded on through the rest of the sums, concious of Will explaining them in a rapid undertone. He got to the end of the page and, not wanting to disturb the other two, made his way to the window, which over looked the playing fields. The rest of their form were just emerging from the changing room at the side, and Stephen wished he was down there with them. The Games Master had them all running round the field now, and he sighed.

"Wish we were down there." Rob said, leaning over his shoulder to see out. Stephen nodded.

"How are the sums?" he asked. Rob made a face.

"Not too bad. Will explained them - I'll give the rest of the page another go later."

"Did you speak too what's his name - White?"

"Not really." Rob replied. "We asked why he was so late, he said they'd been held up. Will offered to show him round a bit and he said no. We asked what he was interested in and he didn't really answer. And then Matron came and yanked us off here."

"Strange." Stephen said, as the door opened and Matron arrived.

"Put your coats and shoes on." she said. "We're going for a walk instead of your games lesson - I have some letters to post in the village." Reluctantly, Stephen and Rob pulled themselves away form the window and donned their outdoor clothes. "Cheer up." Matron smiled, seeing their long faces. "It won't be so bad. Come on, William, hurry up." Will finished tying his laces and dragged on his blazer.

"Ready." he grinned. They made their way down the main stairs, avoiding everyone, and out of the front door.

"Can we..." Stephen began, and then corrected himself, "May we run to the gates?" Smiling, Matron gave permission and Stephen and Rob took off with yells.

"Don't you want to go?" she asked Will. He shook his head.

"I can't keep up with them, and I don't like running much anyway. I'd rather walk."

Stephen, meanwhile, slipped on the gravel and, in the time it took him to recover his balance, Rob tore past him and reached the big gates first. He bent over, trying to catch his breath, as Stephen jogged up.

"It might not be so bad if we can get out most days." he observed. Rob nodded.

"I'll go mad if they keep us inside." he said. "I think Will would like it, though." Stephen nodded, looking back up the drive towards Matron, still with Will at her side.

"He's strange." he said. "I like him, though. He's so enthusiastic about everything."

"Except sport." Rob grinned. "He's really clever as well - and he explained that arithmetic so even I could do it."

Matron and Will arrived just then, and she smiled at them

"Feeling better?" they nodded enthusiastically. "You'll have to walk now." she said. "We'll be on the road to the village, and you can't run. You three go on in front and I'll come behind, where I can keep an eye on you." They went off together, and she was amused to note that Stephen and Rob moved so that Will was in between them, meaning that they could talk to him and, over his head, to each other. Maybe it wasn't such a bad thing that they had been quarentined together - they had all had the potential to be difficult, but joining up together seemed to have smoothed out many of the problems. They certainly seemed happy enough together. Smiling indulgently, she began to make a mental list of the things she needed to do in the village, leaving the boys to their own devices.
Author:  KathrynW [ Wed Jun 28, 2006 3:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
Matron seems really nice and I'm glad that Rob and Will don't mind too much about being in quarantine!

Thanks Eilidh *slips the bunnies some more food*
Author:  Chair [ Wed Jun 28, 2006 3:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Eilidh. I'm glad that they are still able to go for walks. I remember that some of the work I did in Year 7 was a repeat of what I had done in Junior School.
Author:  Lesley [ Wed Jun 28, 2006 4:34 pm ]
Post subject: 
Pleased they've all accepted it without many difficulties, should imagine that Rob in particular will find it useful.

Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  Fatima [ Wed Jun 28, 2006 4:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Eilidh. It's nice to see that they are getting along so well, and I hope that they manage to do Rob a lot of good with his work before they get back to class.
Author:  LizB [ Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
It looks like quarantine won't be too terrible then - unless any of them are going to get ill!

Thanks, Eilidh :D
Author:  Sarah_L [ Wed Jun 28, 2006 10:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
If they are contagious with German measles, won't they spread it all around the village during their shopping trips with Matron :shock:
Author:  francesn [ Thu Jun 29, 2006 12:49 am ]
Post subject: 
*surreptitiously slips Eilidh's bunnies a little more food*

Thanks Eilidh - I'm really enjoying this. I love the way the boys have such distinct personalities but they seem to get on.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Thu Jun 29, 2006 12:57 am ]
Post subject: 
Thank you Eilidh - it's good to see them getting along well.
Author:  Eilidh [ Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:17 am ]
Post subject: 
When they returned to the school, she returned the boys to the isolation rooms and left them again.

"What now?" Rob demanded.

"More work?" Will suggested. The other two groaned. "We have to do it." he said defensivly. "We might as well get it out of the way." Seeing his point, they sat back down at the table and set to work again, copying out lists of words and then using them in sentences. Rob finished quickly, and turned abck to the hated maths, so by the time they heard the school bell ringing faintly in the distance there was a neat pile of paper waiting to go to Mr Johns to be marked.

One of the maids appeared with their dinner, and afterwards they moved to the more comfortable chairs and spent a while playing one of the more interesting games that Rob had found in the cupboard. When they got bored with that, Will picked up a storybook and Rob began scribbling something on a sheet of paper, Stephen turned his chair so he could see out of the window and lapsed into thought. Above the fireplace, the clock chimed eight, and he jumped. Charles and Mike would be in bed now. Mamma would be going upstairs to hear prayers and confessions. He wondered what Mike had done today - Mike always had something to tell Mamma. Maybe Papa was home as well, working downstairs, or talking to the triplets - if they were up. Maybe they were in bed too, if they were so ill? How ill were they all? And was Chas really bad? He normally was - they all knew Mamma and Papa worried about him. He looked up and saw his reflection in the window - he looked whiter than usual and scared. Feeling suspiciously like he was about to cry, he jumped up and hurried into the bedroom, where he pulled on his pyjamas and climbed into bed, burrowing under the blankets. He wasn't going to cry. He wasn't. He was at school now, and big boys at school didn't cry. He heard the door open, and someone came in and sat on his bed.

"Are you ok?" Stephen emerged to see Rob, looking concerned. "Do you want me just to go away?" Rob asked. Stephen shrugged, and Rob got up and, greatly daring, disappeared out the door and into the corridor. A few minutes later he reappeared, hurried straight through the bedroom and into the inner room, as Stephen heard the click of heels in the corridor and Matron appeared.

"Now, what's wrong?" she asked kindly, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Come out of there." she added, pulling back the covers Stephen swallowed hard and sat up.

"I want to go home." he whispered, beginning to cry. "I want Mamma." Matron put her arms around him and held him tightly.

"I know you do." she said simply. The door creaked open and Will and Rob came in quietly. Rob sat on the end of Stephen's bed, while Will perched on his own.

"Don't, Steve." Rob said awkwardly. Stephen began to calm down slightly, and Matron released him.

"Come on." she said. "Bed time. Go on, Robert." Rob and Will changed rapidly and scrambled into bed. Stephen lay down again and she switched out the lights, leaving them in darkness.

"You ok, Steve?" Will asked nervously.

"I think so." Stephen replied untruthfully. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." they chorused.
Author:  Fatima [ Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:22 am ]
Post subject: 
Poor Steve, how awful to be so worried about everyone and no one would think of calling the school to say how they were. Thanks, Eilidh.
Author:  Mia [ Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:48 am ]
Post subject: 
Oh no :cry: :cry: Poor little Steve, he's only a baby *cries*

Thanks though Eilidh - this is fab
Author:  Lottie [ Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:53 am ]
Post subject: 
Poor Steve. Nobody would telephone from Switzerland unless it was a real emergency - he will have to wait for a letter to arrive. At least Matron sems really nice. Will and Rob look like they could be good frinds, too. Will seems very self-contained, and I imagine it is easier for Rob because he knows a bit about what to expect through his brothers. A pity that Steve couldn't go to the same school as Rix or David. Why do these fathers insist on sending their sons to their own old school? Have they forgotten what it was like? Or do they really subscribe to character building stuff?

I do like your stories Eilidh!
Author:  LizB [ Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:37 am ]
Post subject: 
Poor Steve :cry:
Author:  Jennie [ Thu Jun 29, 2006 11:08 am ]
Post subject: 
Poor Steve, what a start at school for him. But at least Matron is treating them as though they are little boys and not miniature men.
Author:  Caty [ Thu Jun 29, 2006 1:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
:cry: Poor little Steve
Author:  RroseSelavy [ Thu Jun 29, 2006 1:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
:( Poor kids. Matron seems great though - she was supportive but didn't make a big fuss in front of his friends.
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Jun 29, 2006 3:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor little lad - hope he hears good news from home soon.

Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  KathrynW [ Thu Jun 29, 2006 3:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Eilidh, that was so sad :cry:

At least Matron and his friends were nice to him
Author:  Chair [ Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:38 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Eilidh. I'm sorry that Stephen is missing his family.

As Peggy has finished at the CS by now, I think that Rix would have left school anyway. Wouldn't David have done the same thing?
Author:  aitchemelle [ Thu Jun 29, 2006 6:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
What an emotional rollercoaster of a drabble! I am really glad I found it thank you x
Author:  Eilidh [ Fri Jun 30, 2006 11:42 am ]
Post subject: 
The two week of quarentine passed slowly. The days were spent working at their schoolwork, playing games, reading, and, in the cases of Stephen and Rob, staring out of the window, watching the other boys at their games lessons.

"Wish we could do that." Stephen sighed one afternoon, as they watched the senior school playing rugby on the nearer fireld, and football on the further away one.

"Less than a week to go." Will said, overhearing them. "Then you can go out and do as much running about as you want."

"Don't you want out of here?" Rob demanded.

"Out of here, yes." Will said. "Not necessarily out there but." he said, pointing out of the window. Rob sighed.

"What are we going to do with you?" he demanded.

"Thank me when you pass your exams because I made you work when you wanted to play games?" Will suggested with a grin.

"Possibly." Rob admitted. "What's up, Steve? Why so quiet?"

"Nothing." Stephen said distantly. "I can't wait until Tuesday." he said suddenly, coming away from the window. "They could let us out just now - there's nothing wrong with us."

"They won't risk you until they're sure." Rob sighed. "And it even if they let me and Will out, which they won't, it would be a bit nasty of us to leave you here yourself."

"Thanks." Stephen said with a grin. "Come on, are there any games we haven't tried yet? Put that book down, Will, and come on."

"Pocket Money." Matron Stone said briskly, dropping it on the table. "For all three of you for two weeks. And your letters as well." she added, placing them beside the coins, before turning on her heel and leaving them again.

"I don't like her." Will said, when he was sure she was out of hearing. "Our Matron is much nicer. I wish she would just stay with the seniors." The other two nodded, as he picked up the envelopes. "One each." he said cheerfully, handing them out. Rob tucked his into his pocket.

"Never mind these just now, what about our money?" he demanded. "They've given us two weeks worth."

"What about it?" Stephen asked. "We've been in here two weeks." Rob rolled his eyes.

"Yes, but now we have it all at once." Rob grinned. "And no one supervising us really, have we?"

"What are you talking about?" Will demanded. "Stop being so awkward."

"The next time we go to the village with Matron, lets spend it." Rob said. "We'll pool it all and then we can buy loads and have a midnight feast!"
Author:  Fatima [ Fri Jun 30, 2006 11:47 am ]
Post subject: 
What a good idea - they deserve a bit of fun after being confined to isolation like this. Thanks, Eilidh.
Author:  JayB [ Fri Jun 30, 2006 12:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
I do hope the nice Matron lets them get away with it - while keeping a discreet eye on them.

Jay B.
Author:  LizB [ Fri Jun 30, 2006 12:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oooooh I hope they get away with it!

Thanks, Eilidh :D
Author:  Jennie [ Fri Jun 30, 2006 1:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
What a great idea, they need something to cheer them up.
Author:  Caty [ Fri Jun 30, 2006 1:51 pm ]
Post subject: 
Boys will be boys :wink: As long as they don't buy matches too!
Author:  KathrynW [ Fri Jun 30, 2006 3:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
Brilliant idea :D

Thanks Eilidh, I really hope they don't get caught!
Author:  Lesley [ Fri Jun 30, 2006 9:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
I don't like that Matron either - she was the one who was nasty to Steve his first night, wasn't she?

Thanks Phil
Author:  Carys [ Sat Jul 01, 2006 11:55 am ]
Post subject: 
I agree Matron Stone seems like a nasty piece of work!
I hope Morgan and co don't gatecrash Steve, Rob, and Will's feast.
Author:  Kat [ Sat Jul 01, 2006 11:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
At least if they're billious they're in the right place!!

Thanks Eilidh, really enjoyed catching up! :D
Author:  Mia [ Sat Jul 01, 2006 11:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
I hope it's not Matron Stone taking them shopping or looking after them that night!
Author:  Cath V-P [ Sun Jul 02, 2006 12:44 am ]
Post subject: 
It sounds like a good idea - hope it all goes smoothly!
Author:  Chair [ Sun Jul 02, 2006 1:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Eilidh. I hope the midnight feast will go well.
Author:  Eilidh [ Mon Jul 03, 2006 10:16 am ]
Post subject: 
The Plan, as they rapidly came to think of it, had been accepted eagerly by Stephen and Will, and they looked for an oppurtunity to put it into action. Unfortunately, Matron didn't seem to need anything from the village, and by the Monday morning they were beginning to resign themselves to the fact that it looked doomed to failure. As the clock chimed ten, however, the door opened and not Matron but the Head Boy, Rob's eldest brother, entered.

"Staff meeting!" he said cheerfully. "I've volunteered to take you out today, since I've had German measles and even Matron sayd it doesn't look like you've got it anyway. Come on, get your things on! Where do we go? Round the school grounds?" Stephen and Will both looked at Rob.

"Can we go to the village?" he asked. "We've got our pocket money to spend. Please?" he added, as his brother looked doubtful.

"I suppose so." he gave in occasionally. "You'll have to be quick though - I have a study session with the Head at 12 and I want to be back in time to look over my notes."

"It's only fifteen minutes each way." Rob said, tying his laces rapidly. "And we can go fast - even Will does! We have loads of time."

"OK, kid, I've said yes." his brother protested, laughing. "I've got some things I want to get myself, as it happens. Ready?" he asked as the other two returned, uniforms on neatly and pockets jingling with money. "Let's go then!"

When they reached the village, he escorted them to the shop and, much to their delight, left them there while he disappeared into the Post Office.

"Quick!" Rob hissed. "We have to get what we need and have it hidden before he gets back!" They hurried around the shop, and piled their purchases on the counter. The elderly man who served them smiled as he looked at it.

"Midnight feast, eh?" he asked, accepting the money Rob held out. "Don't know how many of them I've seen." he added as they filled their pockets with the sweets. "You might want to get something else though." he warned them. "That prefect of yours is going to want to know what you've bought."

"He's right." Stephen said. "We've got some money left."

"Comics!" Will said, grabbing three off the shelf.

"That'll do nicely." The man said, removing some of the coins from the pile on the counter. "Now you have something to show him." Stephen collected the rest of the change and scrupulously divided it between them, just as Kettering returned, carrying a parcel.

"You finished?" he demanded. "Good. I'll treat you all to a chocolate bar for the walk home - go and get them, Rob." Grinning, Rob did as he was told, and they set out back to school.
Author:  Caty [ Mon Jul 03, 2006 10:52 am ]
Post subject: 
What a decent shopkeeper!
Author:  Fatima [ Mon Jul 03, 2006 10:52 am ]
Post subject: 
I really hope they get away with the midnight feast - it'll be so much fun. Thanks, Eilidh.
Author:  Lottie [ Mon Jul 03, 2006 11:43 am ]
Post subject: 
I love the shopkeeper - I just hope that they get to enjoy their feast.

Thanks, Eilidh.
Author:  Mia [ Mon Jul 03, 2006 11:53 am ]
Post subject: 
That's so sweet of him! Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Chair [ Mon Jul 03, 2006 12:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Eilidh. I liked the shopkeeper as well.
Author:  Jennie [ Mon Jul 03, 2006 12:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
I bet the brother knows what they're doing, he's probably done it himself before now. Lovely shopkeeper.
Author:  KathrynW [ Mon Jul 03, 2006 2:34 pm ]
Post subject: 
What a lovely man :D I hope everything goes without a hitch - they deserve it after being in quarentine for so long!
Author:  LizB [ Mon Jul 03, 2006 3:04 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lovely shopkeeper :D

Thanks, Eilidh
Author:  Carys [ Mon Jul 03, 2006 5:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
Aww what a nice shopkeeper!
I like the Head boy to!
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Jul 03, 2006 5:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hope it all goes well - like the others I love the shopkeeper!

Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  aitchemelle [ Mon Jul 03, 2006 5:48 pm ]
Post subject: 
Another person here hoping it all goes well!
Author:  La Petite Em [ Mon Jul 03, 2006 6:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
Good luck to the boys!!!!
Thanks Eilidh :D
Author:  Cath V-P [ Tue Jul 04, 2006 4:50 am ]
Post subject: 
I love the shopkeeper - he's obviously keen to secure future business!
Author:  Eilidh [ Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:20 am ]
Post subject: 
Although he had been convinced he would lie awake until midnight, Stephen fell asleep quickly and was startled to be woken by Rob's alarm. Excitement quickly replacing sleep, he tumbled out of bed and shook Will, while Rob produced their sweets from the back of his locker and carried them through to the other room.

"Bring blankets!" he hissed over his shoulder.

"Good idea." Stephen agreed, shivering. Each taking a blanket from their beds, they made their way into the other room where with they managed to get the fire burning again, in the process managing to also burn two of Stephen's fingers and the front of Rob's hair. Will vanished to wash his face, in an attempt to wake himself up slightly, while Stephen and Rob sat facing each other on the floor, wrapped in their blankets.

"This is fun." Rob grinned, sharing out the sweets they had bought. Stephen nodded.

"My sisters never do things like this at school." he said as he pulled the wrapper off a chocolate bar. "They don't think it's right." Rob made a face.

"Of course it is!" he said. "It's almost a rule, to have at least one midnight feast every term. I'm sure George knew that was what we wanted to go to the shops for."

"Decent of him not to stop us." Stephen said. Rob nodded. "Have you heard Will talk about his family?" Stephen asked suddenly. Rob shook his head. "I wonder why not?" he said thoughtfully.

"We'll ask him." Rob decided. "When he gets here."

"I'm here." Will said, settling down on the floor between them. "What's that horrible smell?"

"Rob." Stephen said with a grin. Rob threw a cushion at him. "It is!" Stephen protested. "It's your hair! I told you you were leaning too far forward. I've smelt it before when Auntie Daisy and Auntie Rob had a candle and Auntie Daisy's hair brushed over the top of it."

"Who are Auntie Daisy and Auntie Rob?" Will asked. "How big is your family?"

"They're complicated." Stephen said, after a pause, during which he tried and failed to sort out the relationships in his head. "Auntie Daisy is Uncle Jem's niece. Auntie Rob is Mamma's adopted sister. They used to live with us. Now Auntie Daisy's married to Laurie and Auntie Rob - she's really Robin" he put in with a glance at Rob "is a nun in Canada."

"Steve, I am seriously losing track of your relations." Rob complained. "Your Christmas card lists must be enormous." Stephen grinned.

"Never mind my Christmas cards." he said. "We want to know about you." he said to Will.

"You do know about me." Will said in surprise, tucking in to his share of the sweets.

"Well, no, we don't." Rob pointed out. "We only know your name and that you don't have any brother or sisters."

"That's all there is to know." Will said, not looking at them.
Author:  Carys [ Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:23 am ]
Post subject: 
What's Will's mystery?
I really love this Eilidh!
Author:  Mia [ Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:28 am ]
Post subject: 
Ooooh intrigued!

Thanks Eilidh. The midnight feast is so sweet
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:50 am ]
Post subject: 
Also wondering about Will.

Not surprised Rob's confused about Stephen's relations :lol: !
Author:  Lottie [ Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:59 am ]
Post subject: 
Alison H wrote:
Not surprised Rob's confused about Stephen's relations :lol: !

How long was it before Stephen sorted them all out for himself?

Will is the right age to have lost his family in the war - is he an orphan?

Thanks, Eilidh - you write very good drabbles.
Author:  Jennie [ Tue Jul 04, 2006 12:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Eilidh, but we do want to know what the mystery is about Will.
Author:  Chair [ Tue Jul 04, 2006 12:48 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Eilidh. I am also wondering what the mystery is about Will.
Author:  Fatima [ Tue Jul 04, 2006 1:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
Joins the crowd waiting to find out about Will! Thanks, Eilidh.
Author:  KathrynW [ Tue Jul 04, 2006 2:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
*echoes what everyone else said*

Thanks Eilidh, a lovely midnight feast!
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Jul 04, 2006 6:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Eilidh - glad they managed their feast - hope they don't have any side effects from it. :lol:
Author:  Cath V-P [ Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
Loved the Christmas card comment...

Good to see they managed their feast!
Author:  Eilidh [ Wed Jul 05, 2006 1:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
"You're lying." Stephen said. "Where do you live?"

"London." Will said at once.

"What does your dad do?" Rob added. There was no reply. "Will?" he asked.

"Are you ok?" Stephen added. Will stayed silent, btu a large tear fell on to the back of his hand, reflecting in the firelight.

"I didn't mean to upset you." Rob said anxiously. "I'm sorry. You don't have to say anything. Have some more chocolate." he added, pushing some towards Will.

"He's dead." Will said eventually. "He was in the Army, and he died in the War." The other two looked at each other uncomfortably, but Will was continuing, "My mum was killed then too - in an air raid. I was just a baby. I live with my grandparents now. And I didn't want everyone at school to know about it because I see how they treat people who are different - I have enough problems because I'm small with out them knowing I'm an orphan as well." His voice broke on the last words and Stephen and Rob looked at each other, uncomfortably.

"We won't tell anyone." Rod assured him. "Promise."

"Me too." Stephen agreed. "If you don't want us to then we'll keep quiet." Will looked slightly less worried.

"Thanks." he said, smiling slightly. "I suppose I don't mind you two knowing that much - you had to find out someday. Apart from anything else, Gran will want to meet you both. You'll like her." he added. "She's great."

"I don't have a Grandmother." Stephen said. "Mamma's mother died years and years ago, when Mamma was a baby, and Papa's mother died before they were married."

"My Gran will probably adopt you then." Will warned him, wiping his face. "She's like that." Stephen smiled.

"She sounds nice." he said. "I'd like to meet her."

"Have we eaten all those sweets?" Will asked suddenly, in horror. "We've hardly been here any time at all."

"We must have done." Stephen said, equally surprised. "They haven't vanished into the carpet. Anyway, it's nearly one." Will yawned.

"We have to go back into school tomorrow." he said. "And back into the dorm."

"They'll leave us alone." Stephen said quietly.

"How do you know?"

"Because I'm bigger than them." he replied with a smile. "Are you ok?" This last was directed at Rob, who was lying back against one of the chairs and not paying attention. He shook his head.

"I feel sick." he said.
Author:  Fatima [ Wed Jul 05, 2006 1:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
A bilious attack? I hope the boys' matron knows the same wonderful cures as Matey knows! Thanks, Eilidh.
Author:  Mia [ Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh no! *pats Rob*

Thanks Eilidh
Author:  KathrynW [ Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
That would be the trouble with midnight feasts...

Hope Rob's okay!

Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Chair [ Wed Jul 05, 2006 3:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Eilidh. I am sending lots of hugs for Will.
Author:  Carys [ Wed Jul 05, 2006 4:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Will, and I hope Rob isn't too sick!
Author:  Cath V-P [ Thu Jul 06, 2006 12:43 am ]
Post subject: 
Oops, poor Rob. And they coped very well with Will's revelation didn't they?
Author:  francesn [ Thu Jul 06, 2006 12:45 am ]
Post subject: 
Ooops - would that be from the sweets or something more sinister?

Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Kat [ Thu Jul 06, 2006 2:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
:shock: Poor Rob!

*hugs Will* Poor little guy *hugs him some more*
Author:  Josie [ Thu Jul 06, 2006 5:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
*hugs Will*

*Sends Rob a cast iron stomach*

thanks Eilidh
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Jul 06, 2006 7:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor lads!!!

So nice thay could accept Will's news so well.

Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  LizB [ Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Will - but at that time probably not in as big a minority as he might think :cry:

Thanks, Eilidh
Author:  Eilidh [ Wed Jul 12, 2006 11:43 am ]
Post subject: 
"Come on, boys! People who have to go back to school this afternoon can't lie in bed all morning." Matron said cheerfully, pulling open the curtains. Slowly, the three tumbled out of bed, and once she had seen they were all up, she left them to dress.

"I'm so tired." Will moaned.

"Me too." Rob agreed.

"I don't want any breakfast." Stephen said sleepily, as someone could be heard in the other room, laying the table. They made their way through and sat down, staring in dismay at the big breakfast in front of them. After half an hour, during which they had picked at the food, Matron returned. She studied the full table and gave them all a suspicious glance.

"Are you feeling well?" she demanded, reaching out to feel Will's head. "You couldn't get out of bed, you've hardly touched your breakfasts... It's just as well the doctor's coming this morning, that's all I can say. Maybe you shouldn't go back in to school today at all."

"We're fine Matron." Rob assured her. "Honestly."

"The doctor can be the judge of that." she said firmly. "Come on now, if that's all you're eating. Get your beds made." They hurried off to do as she said.

*************************************************************

"That was lucky." Rob said fervently, later in the day. "If he'd listened to Matron we'd have been in there another week."

"It was your idea." Stephen pointed out.

"Don't." Will said, as Rob looked set to retaliate. "Come on, let's leave our stuff in the dorm and go and wait in the common room. It'll be lunch in an hour or so, and you know she said not to interrupt morning classes." They saw the sense in this plan and after returning their belonging to their drawers settled down to wait. After a while the door opened, and Sam Whitre came in.

"What are you doing here?" Rob asked.

"I had a music lesson." Sam said. "There's no point in going back for the ten minutes until lunch. Have you three been released?"

"Back to freedom." Stephen agreed. Sam looked at them all oddly.

"What is it?" Will asked.

"I think you should know," he began, "that the rest of the First Form are following Morgan around like a bunch of sheep. You three aren't exactly going to be popular."

"Why are you telling us?" Rob asked.

"Because I thought you should know." Sam replied. "I'm not following him."

"Do you want to come with us instead then?" Will suggested.

"No." Sam replied. "I don't want anything to do with any of you. There's the bell." he added, turning on his heel and leaving the room again. The three friends looked at each other in confusion.

"Never mind." Stephen said, seeing that Will looked worried. "We'll be ok." Rob nodded his agreement, and Will looked slightly happier.

"It'll be half term soon anyway." he said. "And then it's no time until Christmas."

"Exactly." Rob said. "Now come on. I want my lunch!"
Author:  Chair [ Wed Jul 12, 2006 11:47 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Eilidh. I'm sorry that the rest of the form seem to prefer to stick with Morgan.
Author:  jtcw78 [ Wed Jul 12, 2006 11:48 am ]
Post subject: 
Eeek - that doesn't sound good.

Thanks Eilidh - this is fascinating to read.
Author:  Mia [ Wed Jul 12, 2006 11:58 am ]
Post subject: 
Oh no!

Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Caty [ Wed Jul 12, 2006 12:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
Interesting that the three are alread viewed as an alternative to Morgan. I wonder how many more feel like Sam?
I wasn't sure about reading this drabble at the start - Steve at school didn't appeal to me much. BUT I am now well & truely sucked in & enjoying it immensely. Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  Fatima [ Wed Jul 12, 2006 1:04 pm ]
Post subject: 
So there's trouble on the horizon, then. Thanks, Eilidh.
Author:  Jennie [ Wed Jul 12, 2006 1:51 pm ]
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Are you posting some more of this today, Eilidh, please?
Author:  KathrynW [ Wed Jul 12, 2006 2:28 pm ]
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Thank you Eilidh, hope there aren't going to be problems ahead :(
Author:  Phil [ Wed Jul 12, 2006 2:28 pm ]
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Oh dear! Doesn't sound good (Fingers crossed for Steve, WIll and Rob)
Author:  Carys [ Wed Jul 12, 2006 3:24 pm ]
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Uhoh I sense trouble brewing... :?
Author:  Lesley [ Wed Jul 12, 2006 5:43 pm ]
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Knew there were going to be problems.

Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  francesn [ Thu Jul 13, 2006 11:46 am ]
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Have to say I'd guessed that might happen. Hope Steve, Will and Rob will find some more friends.

Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Eilidh [ Thu Jul 13, 2006 1:08 pm ]
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"What have you got, Steve?" Will demanded, coming across his friend scowling at a letter that had arrived in the post that morning. It was three weeks later - three weeks during which all the staff had observed the First Form split into two distinct camps. The majority of the form, ruled by Daniel Morgan, were one group. Stephen and his friends formed a much smaller group, while Sam White held himself apart from them all. There had been many discussions in the staffroom and prefects room about the problem, but no solution had been found. Indeed, most of the staff were off the opinion that the problem would fix itself if left for long enough, although Mr Johns was determined to speak to his form if nothing had changed when they returned from their break. At Will's words, Stephen looked up from his letter.

"Letter from my Uncle. I was supposed to be going there next Thursday for half term, but I'm not now. I have to stay at school." he looked miserable, and Will hastened to cheer him up.

"Rob's staying as well." he pointed out. "His parents are away. Why can't you go to your uncles?"

"Auntie Mollie hasn't been well." Stephen said. "She was really ill last year and she's been better but she's not well again and I can't go. It's not fair! Everyone else gets to go home."

"You weren't going home anyway though." Will said practically. "And you'll have Rob here. It's me who'll be stuck on the train to London with the rest of them."

"It's still not fair." Stephen grumbled, and Will, recognising that he was getting nowhere, left him alone.
Author:  KathrynW [ Thu Jul 13, 2006 1:12 pm ]
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Poor Steve, he must have really been looking forward to going home but at least he will have a friend with him.

Thank you Eilidh :D
Author:  Fatima [ Thu Jul 13, 2006 1:15 pm ]
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Maybe Will will stay, too, and they can have a good time together. Thanks, Eilidh.
Author:  Mia [ Thu Jul 13, 2006 1:27 pm ]
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Oh is Mollie really ill or is she just starting to be busy? lol

Thanks Eilidh - poor Steve. Hope he still has fun at school.
Author:  Carys [ Thu Jul 13, 2006 3:39 pm ]
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I was thinking the same as Mia! :lol:
Poor Steve though, it must be disappointing for him.
Author:  Chair [ Thu Jul 13, 2006 3:46 pm ]
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Thanks, Eilidh. I'm sorry that Stephen can't go to Dick and Mollie's. Is it time for Daphne to be born, though? I can't remember if she is older or younger than Cecily.
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Jul 13, 2006 3:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Steve :( .
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Jul 13, 2006 5:03 pm ]
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It's not home though, is it? He'll never be able to go home to Switzerland just for half term.

Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  aitchemelle [ Thu Jul 13, 2006 6:27 pm ]
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Pretty sure that Daphne is older than Cecily but might be wrong.
Poor Stephen! :cry:
Love the updates Eilidh :lol:
Author:  Phil [ Thu Jul 13, 2006 7:02 pm ]
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Daphne's a year older than Cecily.

Len says to Maeve in "Problem" that Daphne's "old news" and almost gloats like her mother about the birth of Cecily. So good she's born twice in Genius.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:08 am ]
Post subject: 
Poor Stephen - it really emphasises how far from his home he is.
Author:  Eilidh [ Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:34 pm ]
Post subject: 
This is going very slowly at the moment. I have more stuff written, but I have gaps to fill in first, and they don't want to fill.

A week later, Stephen sat on the main steps, enjoying the October sunshine. Most of the school had departed for half-term that morning and after scribbling a brief letter to his parents and a much longer one to Charles, inspecting the common room bookshelves and finding nothing of interest, starting a jigsaw and abandoning it after five minutes, and being told by Matron (who found him wandering the corridors aimlessly) to take himself outside, Stephen was bored. Rob had been taken into the nearby town by his brothers to get a picture of them taken for his mother's Christmas present, and besides Stephen and the Kettering boys only a handful of boys remained in the school, all of them from the Fifths and the Sixths.

Hearing Matrons voice in the hallway, Stephen hastily jumped off the steps and hurried round the side of the house out of sight. He didn't suppose she would consider sitting on the steps a useful thing for him to be doing with his time, and he was determined not to give her any excuse to give him something that she considered useful to do. He walked slowly in the direction of the games fields, where most of the older boys were gathered. He supposed he could watch them play, if nothing else. It would pass the time until Rob got back, and then maybe they could go exploring in the woods. Pleased with this plan, Stephen hurried onwards and flopped down at the side of the field. The older boys split into teams, and one left them and came towards him.

"Alright, kid?" he asked, sitting down beside him. Stephen smiled shyly. He recognised the older boy as a friend of Rob's brother, and the Form Prefect of the Upper Fifth. "What's your name?" he asked.

"Maynard." Stephen said quietly.

"Hamilton." the older boy volunteered. "You're a friend of the baby Kettering, aren't you?" Stephen nodded, feeling tongue tied despite his friendliness. "Do you know much about Rugger then?" he asked.

"No." Stephen said. "Rob - I mean, Kettering, - tried to explain it when we were in isolation but I didn't really understand. I'd like to know though." he added. "It looks fun."

"Great game." Hamilton agreed. "Come on then. I'm not playing today because they've got too many, so I'll talk you through it for a bit. You look like you night be quite good at it when you get a bit bigger." he added with a smile. "You've got the right build."

For the next half an hour, Stephen listened intently as the older boy kept up a continual flow of information about the game, often using the boys playing in front of them as examples.

"You should get your dad to practice with you in the holidays." he said, seeing Stephen's absorbed expression.

"He's always really busy." Stephen said. "And I can't imagine him ever playing games, to be honest."

"Did he come here?" Hamilton asked. Stephen nodded. "Have you looked him up on the honours boards?"

"I didn't know there was..." Stephen began, confused. The older boy jumped to his feet.

"Come on then, lets go and see." he said, "They won't miss me and we can see if your dad ever did play games, can't we!"
Author:  Jennie [ Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:37 pm ]
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What a sad indictment of Stephen's family. Nowhere to go for half-term.a father who never plays with him, and no idea about his family's past history.
Author:  Sarah_L [ Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:45 pm ]
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Since Dick and Mollie can't take Steven for half term, why couldn't he go to Madge and Jem's? And if that wasn't possible, surely Dick should still be able to manage a half day visit.
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:54 pm ]
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Poor Jack probably never got chance to talk about his schooldays because Joey was too busy yapping about the Chalet School :lol: !
Author:  Caty [ Fri Jul 14, 2006 2:37 pm ]
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Glad someone took pity on Steve & kept him amused. I don't think it's strange that Jack didn't play rugby with his kids. Steve is only 8 and during the war, there wouldn't have been much tim eto spare. I know a lot of fathers who never played games with their kids. And EBD only ever mentions cricket, golf, tennis & sailing as male sports from what I recall.
Author:  Eilidh [ Fri Jul 14, 2006 2:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
I didn't mean to make Jack sound bad here - I rather agree with Caty's comments about lack of time etc. I really need to try and develope my Jack a bit - I know in my head what he's like and why he does what he does, but I struggle to get him to come across on paper.
Author:  Mia [ Fri Jul 14, 2006 3:12 pm ]
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Thanks Eilidh. Looking forward to more, how sweet of Hamilton to take him to see the Boards.
Author:  Caty [ Fri Jul 14, 2006 3:19 pm ]
Post subject: 
Eilidh wrote:
This is going very slowly at the moment. I have more stuff written, but I have gaps to fill in first, and they don't want to fill.


*Sends bunny food* because I'm enjoying this a lot!
Author:  KathrynW [ Fri Jul 14, 2006 3:44 pm ]
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Thank you Eilidh, it was nice of Hamilton to look after poor little Steve.
Author:  Carys [ Fri Jul 14, 2006 5:15 pm ]
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Amm Hanmilton sounds nice.
Wasn't Jack into Boxing when he was younger or have I made that up?
Author:  Lesley [ Fri Jul 14, 2006 8:33 pm ]
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Glad Steven has found Hamilton. Even though Steven's only eight it's a sad impression that you get of his relationship with Jack. At only 3 my nephew was being encouraged to play football with his Dad and Granddad - and doing well. While a friend takes his children, ages 6 and 9 to non-contact rugby every week. While I'm sure Jack loved his sons, his job appeared to be such that he could only rarely spend time with them - normally when away from home on holiday.

Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  Phil [ Fri Jul 14, 2006 10:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
Poor Jack probably never got chance to talk about his schooldays because Joey was too busy yapping about the Chalet School !



Very very very true! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Author:  Chair [ Sat Jul 15, 2006 12:44 am ]
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Thanks, Eilidh. I'm glad that Hamilton is being so friendly to Stephen.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Sat Jul 15, 2006 4:02 am ]
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Nice to see that Stephen is being made so welcome by Hamilton.
Author:  Josie [ Mon Jul 17, 2006 10:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Eilidh :D
Author:  Eilidh [ Wed Jul 19, 2006 11:35 am ]
Post subject: 
Stephen followed the older boy rather hesitantly up the main stairs and in the front door. He had never been in the main part of the school before, as the junior wing had its own entrance and they only joined the older boys for assembly in the mornings, and the Hall was accessible from both the junior wing and the main house.

The entrance hall was large, with an ornate staircase rising from one end. To one side was a plain door marked "Headmaster" in simple letters. Stephen stared at it apprehensively, feeling as if he should tiptoe past. Opposite it were double doors, ajar to allow him a glimpse of the Hall. Far away, beside the stage, he could just make out the small door that led to the junior wing. The big honours boards, covered in gold writing, surrounded two sides of the entrance hall. Beside the door to the Hall was another board, with a long list of names on it.

"Why is that one separate?" he asked shyly. Hamilton glanced over.

"That's the names of all the old boys who have been killed in wars." he explained. Stephen glanced up at it.

"It's a long list." he observed simply. "Where will Papa be?" As usual, he didn't notice the raised eyebrows that this expression generated, this time because he was engrossed in the first of the boards, reading the names and Honours of boys who had been through the school many years before.

"What's..." Hamilton began, but before he could finish, one of the masters that Stephen didn't know appeared.

"Hamilton!" he said cheerfully. "What are you doing in, eh?"

"Just showing Maynard here the boards, Mr Graham." the older boy replied. "He wanted to look for his dad. I didn't think it would matter, with it being half term."

"Well, since you're here, you can come and help me move some things." Mr Graham told him. "Maynard, was it? - will be all right here until you come back. Plenty to look at."

"Yes, sir." Hamilton replied resignedly. He disappeared up the steps after Mr Graham, and Stephen turned his attention back to the boards, trying to find Jack's name. He found a lot of Rob's family, and there were many people who could have been Will's dad - if he had even come here. He made a mental note to ask Will some day which one was. But, try as he might, he couldn't find a Maynard. After a while, he got bored with his lack of success and turned to the single board. There were, as he had commented to Hamilton, a lot of names. He glanced at it idly, wondering how long Hamilton would be. And then his eye was drawn to a name near the bottom.

"Maynard, Robert" he said out loud.

"And who are you?" asked a voice behind him. Stephen jumped and spun around, to find himself facing the Headmaster.
Author:  Lottie [ Wed Jul 19, 2006 12:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Stephen - is this the first time he's met the Headmaster, and does he know the name on the board was his Uncle Robert?

Thanks, Eilidh.
Author:  Chair [ Wed Jul 19, 2006 12:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Eilidh. I had forgotten that his Uncle Bob would have probably come to the school as well.
Author:  Lesley [ Wed Jul 19, 2006 12:18 pm ]
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Hope the Headmaster is pleasant. Wonder if Jack is on the honour board at all?

Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  Mia [ Wed Jul 19, 2006 7:14 pm ]
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Thanks Eilidh, looking forward to more of this
Author:  Carys [ Wed Jul 19, 2006 9:32 pm ]
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I hope the headmaster is nice :?
Author:  Cath V-P [ Thu Jul 20, 2006 12:45 am ]
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Oh, I hope he's reasonable.....

Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Jennie [ Thu Jul 20, 2006 11:03 am ]
Post subject: 
Oh dear, Poor Stephen. Those boys really got left out, didn't they?
Author:  Eilidh [ Thu Jul 20, 2006 3:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
I really should do more work and less drabbling...

"Stephen." he replied quickly, and then corrected himself. "Maynard, Professor Anderson." As he did so, it struck him that the Headmaster was dressed far differently to normal, wearing casual trousers and a jumper instead of his usual suit. He looked strange, Stephen thought, gazing up at him.

"What are you doing here?" the headmaster asked.

"Nothing, Sir." Stephen stammered.

"Nothing?" the question sounded amused

"Hamilton brought me to see the boards." Stephen said. "I wanted to see if I could see my dad. I found my uncle." he added, idicating the board behind him. The headmaster's expression softened.

"A Maynard, eh?" he muttered. "When was he here, and we'll see what we can do."

"I don't know." Stephen admitted. Then a thought struck him and he added, "Mr Johns knew him!"

"Mr Johns has known ever pupil to come through this school is the past forty years." The headmaster smiled. "Still, it was a good thought. What's his first name?" Stephen was relaxing slightly, realising that he wasn't going to get into trouble, and replied,

"Jack. He's a doctor."

"John." the Headmaster corrected gently. Stephen blushed,

"I always forget that." he admitted.

"Here we are." Stephen jumped up. The Headmaster had his finger on a name near the top of one of the boards. "Can you see?" he asked. Stephen shook his head, and the Head pushed his sleeves up to his elbows and lifted him up.

"John Maynard, prefect." Stephen read. The Headmaster lowered him to the floor again.

"That do you?" he asked. Stephen nodded.

"Thank you, Professor." he said.

"Why did you want to see them?" the Head asked, curiously.

"I wanned to see if he played sports." Stephen replied, thinking how silly it sounded.

"Well, I'll tell you what I have." the Head smiled. "Come in here." he opened his office door and ushered Stephen inside, just as the Ketterings came in the front door and Hamilton appeared on the stairs.

"Steve!" Rob gasped in horror, as Hamilton, throwing the dignity owed to his sixteen years and Form Prefectship to the winds, slid down the bannister and demanded,

"It was my fault, Professor, I brought him in! He only wanted to look!" The Headmaster regarded him with amusement.

"Maynard is not in trouble." he said. "I have something to show him. I suggest, Mr Hamilton, that you and the second Mr Kettering leave now, before I have to take notice of that shocking display of behaviour." His face scarlet, Hamilton allowed his friend to drag him out of the building. Thie third of the Ketterings, whose name Stephen didn't know, followed them, and Professor Anderson regarded the remainng two.

"George, I'd like to see you at about four." he said. The Head Boy nodded. "And I'd better take this young man with me, since he seems convinced that some terrible fate is goig to befall his friend." he finished, indicating to Rob to enter the office.

"It's ok." Stephen hissed as Rob reached him. "He's really nice!" Rob raised his eyebrows as the Professor closed the door, and led them down past his desk and into a comfortable seating area behind it.

"Have a seat." he offered. They climbed on to the big sofa, while he seated himself in an armchair opposite them. "Would you like a drink?" he asked. "There should be some lemonade."

"Yes, please!" Stephen said, while Rob nodded as well. When both were settled with glasses, Professor Anderson turned his attention to the bookshelves.

"Now..." he said quietly, "in here somewhere...ah ha!" He pulled out a black book from a shelf of identical books, flipped through it until he found what he wanted, and then handed it to Stephen. Rob leant over his shoulder, curiously.

"John 'Jack' Maynard." he read. "Is that your dad, Steve?" Steven looked at the picture.

"Maybe." he said. "It doesn't look much like him."

"That's him." the Head said. "In that book are details of all the members of the Upper Sixth that year." Stephen turned over the pages eagerly, reading about his father and his friends, until a knock at the door recalled the time.

"Four already!" Rob said.

"It is." the Head agreed. "And you two will have to run. I'll see you at Dinner."

"Goodbye, sir." Rob said.

"And thank you." Stephen added, as the Head opened the door to let them out and allow the Head Boy in.

"Goodbye." he replied, as they rushed off together out into the sunshine.
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Jul 20, 2006 3:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
Aww, what a nice Headmaster!
Author:  Nell [ Thu Jul 20, 2006 3:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
Yay for a nice Headmaster! So did Jack play sports?

Thank you Eilidh!
Author:  Sarah_G-G [ Thu Jul 20, 2006 3:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
I've just caught up on this from about page 3 (Grandma *really* needs to get a computer... :lol: ) and love the way this is developing. Stephen, Will and Rob all sound like good friends to have!
Author:  Fatima [ Thu Jul 20, 2006 4:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
That was so nice of the headmaster. Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  Chair [ Thu Jul 20, 2006 4:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Eilidh. I'm glad that the Headmaster was really nice to Stephen and Rob. I always forget as well that Jack is really John!
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Jul 20, 2006 5:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
What a lovely Headmaster.

Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Fri Jul 21, 2006 12:00 am ]
Post subject: 
Oh, that was nice!
Author:  Mia [ Fri Jul 21, 2006 10:47 am ]
Post subject: 
Nice of Prof Anderson to take an interest in Steve. Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Jennie [ Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:35 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Eilidh.
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Jul 21, 2006 12:23 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Steve - knowing so much about the CS and so little about his own school!
Author:  Caty [ Fri Jul 21, 2006 2:45 pm ]
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Interesting. So was Jack sporty?
Author:  KathrynW [ Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thank you Eilidh, I'm glad the headmaster was nice to Steve.
Author:  Phil [ Sat Jul 22, 2006 9:16 am ]
Post subject: 
That's one nice Headmaster!

(Wonders if nice Headmasters existed in those days? Or were they like Unicorns? a figment of the imagination?)
Author:  Carys [ Mon Jul 24, 2006 2:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
The teachers in Steve's school do seem lovely!
Author:  Josie [ Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Eilidh. Have enjoyed catching up with this :D
Author:  Eilidh [ Wed Jul 26, 2006 10:44 am ]
Post subject: 
"You disappointed?" Rob asked, as they made their way back outside. Stephen shrugged.

"Just because he didn't like it, doesn't mean I can't." he pointed out. "He was loads cleverer than me anyway - and Mamma always tells the girls that we can't all be good at the same things. They're all clever though." he added thoughtfully.

"So are you." Rob pointed out. "I bet when they read out the term lists you'll be in the top ten."

"Maybe." Stephen said. "Come on! We've got half an hour before dinner. Lets go and find something to do."

The halfterm passed quickly and almost before they knew where they were it was approaching the end of November and talk was turning to the Christmas holidays, presents, and plans. The First Form were taken into the nearby town on two afternoon in order to buy their gifts for their families, and Stephen deliberated long and hard before selecting a new train for Charles, a boat for Mike, and books for the triplets. Len sent him a letter explaining that they were buying presents for their parents, and that he could give them his share when he returned for the holidays. She filled the rest of the pages with an account of the preparations for the Chalet School Christmas Play, which Stephen skimmed over in the hope that there would be something else, but he was disappointed.

Another letter from his mother informed him that Uncle Dick would collect him from school and that he would travel to Switzerland with the Bettany's. Enclosed with it was a note from Charles and Mike, telling him that they hoped he was enjoying school and they were looking forward to seeing him again, with a p.s. from Charles to tell him that he had a place at the school as well and was coming with him the following year.

By the time December rolled around, the Junior Wing was decorated with tinsel and paperchains, and there was a big Christmas tree in the Common Room. The school was celebrating the end of term with a Carol Concert, and they found that classes were often cancelled as they all trooped into the big Hall to practice. In between, Rob had coaxed his older brother to give him and Stephen extra sports coaching, and they often returned to the Junior wing late in the evening wet and muddy, to fall into baths and then bed and sleep like logs. Will just shook his head at them and curled up in front of the fire with a book, but they got their reward when a notice was pinned to the board one evening announcing the formation of Junior house teams for rugby and football, the two main school winter sports.

"You'll talk about nothing else now." Will groaned, as Stephen read it out.

"We won't." Rob protested. "Anyway, it's the last day tomorrow. By the time we get out form places, and then the Concert, and then we all go home there'll be nmo time for it."

"There's always next term." Will pointed out. "Looking forward to going home, Steve?"

"Lots." Stephen grinned, scanning a letter from Charles. "There's tons of snow and Chas says Mamma's going to teach us to ski. We were too small when we were in Canada. And he's asked for a toboggan for Christmas so we can do that too. And he says we night even get to go down to Interlaken and learn to skate!" Rob stared at him enviously, and even Will looked interested.

"I have to come and stay with you one Christmas." Rob moaned. "All we'll be doing is going to the Pantomime and maybe to the cinema."

"Sounds good to me." Stephen grinned. "We won't get anything like that."

"We it would all be in German." Will pointed out, raising his voice as the bedtime bell shrilled. "Come on - last sleep at school this year."

"Tomorrow night we'll be at home." Rob agreed, leading the way up the stairs. "Except Steve who'll be on the train."

"Three cheers for home!" One of the Third formers yelled from highed up the staircase. And the entire junior house responded.
Author:  Fatima [ Wed Jul 26, 2006 11:15 am ]
Post subject: 
I really enjoyed that, thanks, Eilidh. It's lovely to see the boys having fun and looking forward to their holidays.
Author:  KathrynW [ Wed Jul 26, 2006 11:33 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Eilidh, I did giggle rather over Len's letter...how many of us have felt like Steve?
Author:  Carys [ Wed Jul 26, 2006 2:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
I hope Steve et al have a lovely Christmas! :D
Author:  Chair [ Wed Jul 26, 2006 9:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Eilidh. I'm glad that things are still going well.
Author:  Lesley [ Wed Jul 26, 2006 10:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
Wonder what Steve was looking for in Len's letter?

Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  Josie [ Thu Jul 27, 2006 11:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
:D Excellent - thanks Eilidh.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Fri Jul 28, 2006 1:16 am ]
Post subject: 
That was lovely; he seems to have settled down. But Len could have shown a bit more interest in what he wsa doing....

Thanks Eilidh
Author:  LizB [ Sat Jul 29, 2006 10:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
Glad Steve survived the first term.

I wonder how different he will find being at home (given they'd not long moved there as well) when he goes back for the holidays.

Thanks, Eilidh :D
Author:  Eilidh [ Fri Mar 23, 2007 2:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
I remebered about this drabble last night as I was dropping off to sleep, and thought I'd see if it was still here. And it is, so here, after 8 months, is an update! Enjoy (if you can remember the story - I had to re-read it before I could write another bit :oops: )

Some Postcards, and a Letter

Dear Steve,

Hope your hols have been fun and you’ve been learning to ski and things. We’ve had no snow here, but it’s all right because John and George and Grant have been giving me more rugby training. I’ll need to show you what they’ve taught me when we get back. See you next week!

Rob

Dear Steve,

Hope you’re having fun in snowy Switzerland. I’m going to Rob’s next week for a few days before we go back to school. Hopefully they won’t want me to do much running about outside! Grandmother has asked me to invite you and Rob for half-term, so she can meet you. Let me know if your people say it’s ok.

Will

Dear Rob and Will,

I’m addressing this to both of you and sending it to Rob’s, since I suppose you’re there by now Will. Hope you’re having fun together. Mamma’s busy packing all my things again, and I was getting in the way, so she sent me to find something else to do. It’s just as well, because she’s making noises about the mess some of them were in.

It’s pouring with snow, and we can’t go out, so I thought I’d write this instead. The trips are busy in their room, and the others are with Rosli.

Will, Mamma says it’s ok for me to come to yours for half term if your Grandmother is sure she wants me to. I’m looking forward to it – should be fun. Hope Rob’s parents said yes too!

I have learned to ski a bit over the hols – the others are all better than me though, because they’ve had so much more practice. I’ll get the hang of it eventually, I’m sure. I need to go now, because Papa and I are taking my trunk to the station in the car. I’ll post this while I’m out, and it should get to England before me. I leave the day after tomorrow – I have to go with the Mistresses from the Chalet School who’re coming on escort duty for their own pupils, and Uncle Dick will meet me at Dover. It’s a sickening nuisance, but Mamma and Papa are both really busy and can’t spare the time to take me. As long as they don’t lecture all the way to England!

See you next week!

Steve
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Mar 23, 2007 2:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ooh good, it's back :D !
Author:  keren [ Fri Mar 23, 2007 2:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
poor booy whoses parents are too busy too take him back

If they would say they could not afford it, that would be something else

thanks for the update
Author:  Fatima [ Fri Mar 23, 2007 3:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hooray!

I'm so pleased to see more of this. Poor Steve, having to go back with the mistresses. That's not much fun for him at all.
Author:  Jennie [ Fri Mar 23, 2007 4:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
I always wondered who escorted the boys to England. I can just imagine a seven year old let loose on a train with all those changes.
Author:  Lesley [ Fri Mar 23, 2007 10:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Steve - still at least he and the other two remain close.


Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Cath V-P [ Fri Mar 23, 2007 10:49 pm ]
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Poor Steve seems to have been a bit in the way doen't he? And don't his parents wnat to see the school?
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Fri Mar 23, 2007 10:52 pm ]
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Jennie wrote:
I always wondered who escorted the boys to England. I can just imagine a seven year old let loose on a train with all those changes.


So did I but I guess the escort mistresses would be the obvious choice. Am really glad this has been updated
Author:  Eilidh [ Mon Mar 26, 2007 2:45 pm ]
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Dear Mamma and Papa,

Thanks for your last letter. It’s half term this weekend and we’re going to spend it with Will’s grandparents, if you remember. I think they have a lot of fun things planned for us, so we should have a good time. I’ll tell you about all the things we do when I write next week.

The try-outs for the junior rugby team were last week, and Rob and I both went for it. We should hear soon how we got on. Our form master says that first years aren’t likely to get into the team, but we’ve both been practising really hard so we might have managed.

I have to finish now, because I need to write to Auntie Madge and Uncle Jem and thenk them for taking me out last weekend.

Steve

Dear Chas,

Hope things are ok at the Platz, and that your lessons with Miss Chester are going well. I enjoyed hearing about Mike’s latest – I don’t know how he thinks things up. What’s he going to do next year when he’s on his own?

We (the first form) were in trouble last week, because one of the boys soaked all the chalk he could find so that none of it wouldn’t write. We were having arith, and Mr Johns was really angry when he realised what had happened. Grayson wouldn’t own up, and Mr Johns threatened us all with losing half term until he did. I’m glad he did though – we’re all going to Will’s grandparents in London, and it would have been sickening to have had to stay at school. We’re going to see that new film at the cinema, and Will says we might go to the theatre as well.

Auntie Madge and Uncle Jem came to take me out for lunch last Sunday. Mr Johns said it was fine, so we went into the town and had lunch in one of the hotels. It was great! They had been to David’s school to see him on the Saturday, and thought they’d see me on the way back.

Last Monday me and Rob got to try out for the Junior Rugby team. There were only four first formers allowed to try, and I don’t think we’ll have got in because all the others were so much bigger than us, and have had so much more practice. You never know though!

I have to go now, because two of the prefects are going to take us to the village to spend our pocket money. Write to me soon!

Steve
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:11 pm ]
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He tells his brother far more than he tells his parents ---- typical boy then, really! :lol:


Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Cath V-P [ Tue Mar 27, 2007 1:09 am ]
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Perhaps he thinks his parents might not be interested....

Mind you, when James was away at a five-week school farm/country programme three and a half years ago his compulsory home letters were written to his four year old sister!
Author:  Mrs Redboots [ Tue Mar 27, 2007 8:34 pm ]
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This is excellent. My only quibble, really, is that at that age and in that era, he would have addressed, thought of, and referred to his friends as "Jennings" and "Darbishire" rather than as Will and Rob.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Tue Mar 27, 2007 10:43 pm ]
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Lesley wrote:
He tells his brother far more than he tells his parents ---- typical boy then, really! :lol:


I'd say typical sibling. I tend to do the same to this day and always put it down to being from a large family and it's hard to catch parents on their own, but then when my niece went away with her Dad for a few days it was her brothers she wanted to talk to on the phone more than her Mum. Much to both her parents surprise. Anyway, nice to see an update
Author:  JustJen [ Wed Mar 28, 2007 7:31 pm ]
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Just found this story Eilidh. It is a wonderful read.
Author:  Dawn [ Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:06 pm ]
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Fiona Mc wrote:
Lesley wrote:
He tells his brother far more than he tells his parents ---- typical boy then, really! :lol:


I'd say typical sibling. I tend to do the same to this day and always put it down to being from a large family and it's hard to catch parents on their own, but then when my niece went away with her Dad for a few days it was her brothers she wanted to talk to on the phone more than her Mum. Much to both her parents surprise. Anyway, nice to see an update



Chris is the only one who really talks about his feelings and what's going on to me (and he goes the other way in sometimes telling me stuff I'd far rather not know). The other 2 chat occasionally to me but it's very much on their terms - I do find that if I'm on one pc and they're on the other I often get told stuff as it appears I'm engrossed in something and that makes it easier for them to talk

Wonder just what they'll get up to at half term :wink:
Author:  Josie [ Sun Apr 01, 2007 12:21 am ]
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Thanks Eilidh - glad to see this ressurected! :D
Author:  wheelchairprincess [ Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:37 pm ]
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Brilliant to see this brought back - Thank You!
Author:  Rob [ Sat Jun 16, 2007 4:39 pm ]
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This is great, thanks Eilidh!

Any chance of any more, please?
Author:  Róisín [ Tue Jun 26, 2007 1:47 pm ]
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Aaaand have just read it all. It is super so far Eilidh, please write more *sends bunny food* It's really interesting to compare this Steve with the Steve of your other drabbles, where he is all grown up. I hope we get to see Charles (the lovely *g*) as a child too - maybe during holiday time? Anyway, please write more soon :D
Author:  Jennie [ Tue Jun 26, 2007 5:18 pm ]
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Thanks, Eilidh. It's actually good to see something of the Maynard boys, for all the attention EBD gave them, they might just as well have been cardboard cut-outs.
Author:  Róisín [ Tue Jul 03, 2007 11:14 pm ]
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*chant chant*
Author:  Elbee [ Wed Jul 04, 2007 7:14 am ]
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*echoes Roisin*

Would love to see more of this please!
Author:  PaulineS [ Fri Jul 06, 2007 9:25 pm ]
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Yes more please! :D :D
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