with apologies to Lesley
Ruth Derwent was sitting drinking a glass of wine in her pretty sitting room after a busy first half of the term. It had been her first half term as Deputy Head at the Real Chalet School. Sharing the wine with her were Sharlie Andrew and Peggy Burnett.
“I’m very envious of Lesley, Jackie, Ray and Vikki being able to go to the CBB Gather this weekend” said Sharlie.
“You’re just jealous and wanting to meet Pim” smirked Peggy
“Well, yes” admitted Sharlie. “I’ve no recollection of anything until my first term in Switzerland so it was fascinating to read all her drabbles about me”
Ruth looked at them both with a twinkle in her eye. “It might be possible to arrange for the three of us to go to the next CBB Gather. I’ll ask on the board to find out when the next one is and we’ll try and arrange matters accordingly. After all, as Deputy Head I ought to see what goes on for myself.”
Peggy and Sharlie threw themselves at her feet, nearly knocking over Ruth’s empty wine glass. “Would that really be possible?” asked Peggy
“I don’t see why not” said Ruth “or we could host a CBB Gather in Australia. If we co-opt KB and Kathryn and some of the other CBBers we could arrange something. I’ll talk to Mollie Maynard and see if there is any money in the budget so that RSC could help pay for some of the costs involved”
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The following week members of the CBB who thought the RCS was just a ‘drabble’ were stunned to see a thread started by Ruth Derwent suggesting a CBB Gather in the RCS in Melbourne. Much medicinal brandy and baileys was required! True to form the CBBers swiftly recovered, and started on the mission to persuade SLOCs and places of employment that a holiday to Australia was necessary to their health and essential to their job. Their mission accomplished they eagerly awaited the next Gather.
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In Australia the original members of staff and CBBers had the job of trying to explain to certain new members of staff about the Gather. The Head of Science, Pauline Hendry, swiftly saw through the cover story and Ruth Derwent shared with her the true story. Several bottles of wine later Pauline was also in need of the medicinal brandy!
Eventually, the great day arrived and the plane which was being specially chartered from Heathrow took off. They were off to RCS at last.
Think this needs to be continued though... 
