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Redheads Revisited
http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=4491
Author:  Lisa_T [ Tue May 06, 2008 7:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Redheads Revisited
I don't know if this will go anywhere, so you're getting fair warning that it may not develop further than this. I do have an idea or three, but I want to finish Love and Obedience first. This vignette (at the moment, it is no more) was inspired by a couple of lines in Redheads: The Aftermath, which I wrote a couple of years ago and is, I think, in the archives. Anyway, see what you think...
*

Hilda Annersley has never been afraid of death for herself, and she looks down the barrel of the small black gun unflinchingly. She knows what she has done in refusing the gunman's request, but she will not hand over one of her pupils to this man. She is, she thinks, prepared for what will happen next.

She watches the gunman cock the gun with detachment, and hopes vaguely that Jack Maynard is on duty at the San. She knows the shot she is expecting will most probably not kill her, but she could still be seriously injured. She steels herself to face it.

She is distracted by a screamed “No!” that comes from the window; she is horrified when an angry St Bernard flings himself across the room. The dog is followed by gentian-blue and green and copper and chestnut blurs: shapes that Hilda's mind knows but does not identify. The gun goes off and she has time to be oddly surprised by the fact that she is unhurt when her dream-like trance fades and she realises that someone has been hurt, that a pearly-faced Len Maynard is silently crumpling to the floor and that the sea green of the girl's jumper is horribly mottled by blossoming red.

“Len!” She spares not a glance for the gunman fighting off nearly ten stone of enraged St Bernard as she crosses the room. Flavia, her face almost as white as Len's, kneels beside her and together they gently straighten the injured girl. Hilda struggles against the black dots that dance against the back of her eyelids as she places her hand across the wound and the blood continues to flow inexorably through her fingers.

She looks up at the younger girl, and speaks gently, determined to show no weakness before her pupil. “Flavia, go for Matron.”

The girl does not reply and Hilda looks up at her, prepared to speak sharply, and then she sees that Flavia's attention is focused on the perpetrator. “What about him?” she asks, with a venom that Hilda does not think belongs on the lips of a child of fourteen.

Hilda is torn. She knows Bruno is furious; she can hear that the man's protests are growing weaker. She does not want his death on her conscience, and yet she cannot leave her brevet-niece's side.

The decision is taken out of her hands when Matron, Miss Dene and Gaudenz erupt into the room. Hilda has never been so glad to see anyone in her life, but she stays where she is until Matron's small capable hands have replaced hers on Len's prone body. Shakily, she climbs to her feet, wiping her hands on her skirt, and looks at Rosalie who is standing at the door with her eyes nearly popping out of her head as she surveys the scene.

“Rosalie, please phone the San and ask for an ambulance,” she orders, hating the fact that her control is beginning to give way and that her voice is trembling.

Rosalie seems to be rooted to the spot and Hilda has to fight a moment of fury. “Rosalie!” she says again, this time with unwonted sharpness.

The younger woman manages to tear her horrified gaze from where Matron is bending over Len and disappears through the connecting door into her office. Hilda can hear her voice, urgently demanding, and relief seeps through her when she realises that Rosalie's efficient-secretary side has kicked in. She turns her attention to Gaudenz, who has succeeded in tying the gunman up. Hilda shudders as she sees the look of glittering hatred in the confined man's eyes – a look that is aimed, not at Hilda herself, but at the cowering form of Flavia Letton, who has been the innocent cause of all this drama. Hilda extends one hand and Flavia, visibly shaking, manages to reach her side.

Hilda places a hand on the fourth former's shoulder. “Have you been harmed, Flavia?”

She watches with pity as Flavia wraps her arms around herself and her blue eyes are nearly black. “No.”

Still, Hilda is not satisfied. “Are you sure, my dear?”

Flavia does not reply, and Hilda wishes that the ambulance and Jack would hurry up and come. She is starting to feel shaky herself; her legs are trembling and fear seems to have a physical as well as metaphorical death-grip on her which is making it hard to breathe. She watches Matron gets to her feet, having applied tight bandages around Len's middle, but she is standing in front of the window, silhouetted in black.

“Is she -?” Hilda begins, but she cannot bear to end the question that must be asked.

Matron comes forward and Hilda sees that the older woman's face is paler than usual. “I have done what I can,” she snaps. “The bleeding seems to be slowing down. All we can do is hand her over to San when they come.”

Hilda leans against the edge of her desk, grips the sides tightly, and prays with all the fervour that her devout soul can summon.
Author:  Karry [ Tue May 06, 2008 7:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
Gosh, Lisa! Spreads lettuce, carrots and othe delicious unny food around for lisa's PBs! Pleeeease carry this on!
Author:  Emma A [ Tue May 06, 2008 7:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
Wow! That's excellent, Lisa. I do hope the bunny bites and we can read more. Will Len be alright?
Author:  Liz K [ Tue May 06, 2008 8:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
:shock: :cry: :shock: :cry: :shock: :cry: :shock: :cry: :shock: :cry: :shock:

Oh dear oh my, would certainly love to hear more of this please.

(lays more carrots.......................)
Author:  PaulineS [ Tue May 06, 2008 8:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lisa there has to be more please please. Thanks for the start.
Author:  MaryR [ Tue May 06, 2008 9:15 pm ]
Post subject: 
If Len dies, Hilda will blame herself forever. :cry:

Powerfully written, Lisa, and very moving to see Hilda so ready for death -and then have to deal with someone else possibly taking her place.
Author:  Rosalin [ Tue May 06, 2008 9:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
Wow, that's very powerful, and certainly possible as an outcome. Hope to see more of this sometime.

Thanks Lisa
Author:  abbeybufo [ Tue May 06, 2008 10:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
:shock: :shock: :shock:
Terrific Lisa, thanks!
Author:  MHE [ Tue May 06, 2008 10:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
Echoes all of the above.
Thanks Lisa
Author:  Celia [ Tue May 06, 2008 10:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
Wow, that was really gripping,I certainly hope you will be able to
continue this at some point . Thanks Lisa
Author:  Mona [ Wed May 07, 2008 8:27 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lisa! I'd love to see more of this.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Wed May 07, 2008 1:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lisa. Would love to see more, too!
Author:  leahbelle [ Wed May 07, 2008 5:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Lisa. I'd love to read more of this!
Author:  JustJen [ Thu May 08, 2008 5:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
I would love to see more of this Lisa!

Thanks for posting
Author:  clair [ Thu May 08, 2008 6:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
Another one who'd like to see more of this - please!
Author:  Clare [ Thu May 08, 2008 10:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
Wow! How fabulous! I too would love to read more of this :D
Author:  Tara [ Thu May 08, 2008 10:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
Goodness, that was breathtaking. Adds to the requests for more.

Thanks, Lisa. Keep feeding the bunnies.
Author:  linda [ Thu May 08, 2008 11:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
That was a really powerful start. I hope Len will be alright.
:cry: :shock: :cry: :shock: :cry:

Thanks Lisa
Author:  Lisa_T [ Fri May 09, 2008 1:55 am ]
Post subject: 
Somehow I get the impression that you would like more? :roll: :roll: :roll:


Well, worry not. I have started the second bit on my old Eee but it now needs to be moved to the new one. Tomorrow my plan is to hand in my thesis at last and to finish writing the next bit of this. So watch this space tomorrow night.

(Oh blast, it's Friday. That means I need to get ready for the weekend.)
Author:  Cath V-P [ Fri May 09, 2008 12:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
That was amazing and compelling Lisa. And so very very possible.
Author:  Mrs Redboots [ Fri May 09, 2008 7:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
All I can say is - wow! More, please. Lots more!
Author:  LauraMcC [ Fri May 09, 2008 9:04 pm ]
Post subject: 
*Echoes requests for more*.

It's very interesting to hear about the events from Hilda's POV, EBD does skim somewhat over this side of things in Redheads, although as she was writing for children, I can see why! Thanks, Lisa.
Author:  Lisa_T [ Sat May 10, 2008 11:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
I've been rather overwhelmed by the response to this, especially as it's very different to my other CBB stuff. Anyway, here's the next bit - enjoy!

*

It seems an age before Jack Maynard and his team run into the room, followed by a man that Hilda does not recognise but assumes is Inspector Letton when Flavia flings herself on him. Hilda is glad the girl's father is here; it is becoming harder and harder to stay upright, to respond calmly when she is spoken to, and her grip on the desk-edge is now so tight that she thinks, distantly, that her fingers will be cramped when she finally lets go.

She watches as Jack and the paramedics work over Len, and the black dots dance behind her eyelids again when she eventually hears Jack say in a voice roughened by anxiety that “She'll do for now. Get her onto the ambulance. I'll collect the others.” Only then does the doctor approach her, and Hilda swallows. She has never been afraid of Jack before, but this man with the taut face and burning eyes is one she does not know.

“Here,” Jack says abruptly, wrapping a soft blue blanket around her shoulders with a professional and impersonal touch. He places hand on her elbow and gently pulls her away from the support of the desk. “You're coming too,” he says, still curt. “I'm leaving Flavia in Matron's hands for now; her father will come to her after he's dealt with that piece of – of inhuman slime.”

Hilda realises that Matron has already walked Flavia off and that Inspector Letton and Gaudenz have removed the gunman. She feels guilty that she did not notice, that she was not paying attention. Jack is still talking but now he seems to be droning a bit, she thinks, talking for the sake of talking...

"How is Len?" she manages at last once they're all settled in the back of the ambulance.

Jack's very blue eyes turn flinty. "She's stable for now," he says, and fear grips Hilda's heart again. If Len dies...

There is one more question she must ask. "Has Joey been told?"

He does not look at her this time. He is too busy hovering over his daughter, his body swaying lightly with the movement of the vehicle. "No. There's no point. We'll need a calm environment once we get Len to San. I'll tell Joey later if - when - Len is safely on the ward."

Hilda does not miss his correction and she prays inwardly the the girl will survive. She wishes very much to offer Jack some kind of comfort, but how can she when she is the indirect cause of Len's presence in the ambulance. Guilt settles on her like a fog and the rest of the short journey to San seems both endless and over too soon. Almost before she is ready a young nurse whom she recognises vaguely is by her side, offering her a hand down from the ambulance. Hilda accepts it without demur and allows the girl to lead her into a treatment room that is so brightly lit that she blinks, disorientated. There is a soft murmuring and it takes Hilda a moment to realise that the young nurse is talking.

"I beg your pardon?"

The nurse smiles. "You're in shock," she says kindly. "Matron Lloyd phoned ahead and told us what happened. I understand that you weren't hurt at all?"

"No," Hilda says very quietly. She is actively shaking under the blanket now and she does not think she will ever be warm again, but the feel of the soft wool anchors her somewhat.

The nurse seems to realise how cold she is and she disappears before returning with a second blanket. Hilda smiles gratefully as she is wrapped in it, but still her shudders do not cease. She sees the nurse frown a little before she vanishes again. Hilda no longer cares; all she can think of is Len and Joey and Len again. She loves all of Joey Maynard's children, but the eldest triplet has a very special place in her heart ... She wonders if Joey will ever speak to her again.
Author:  roversgirl [ Sat May 10, 2008 11:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the update. I hope she does survive. :)
Author:  clair [ Sun May 11, 2008 7:53 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for more of this, it's chilling but so plausible. Hope that Len makes it through
Author:  Cath V-P [ Sun May 11, 2008 8:11 am ]
Post subject: 
That is so scarily plausible and Hilda's reactions of shock, fear and guilt are so well-drawn. Thank you Lisa.
Author:  Lesley [ Sun May 11, 2008 9:13 am ]
Post subject: 
((((Hilda))))

Even if Len survives the guilt will eat into Hilda. :cry:


Thanks Lisa.
Author:  abbeybufo [ Sun May 11, 2008 10:55 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lisa - this is a superb take on what might so easily have happened
Author:  Elbee [ Sun May 11, 2008 11:35 am ]
Post subject: 
Very moving. Thanks Lisa.
Author:  PaulineS [ Sun May 11, 2008 2:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lisa It is good to see more of this. I hope Len survives
Author:  MaryR [ Sun May 11, 2008 2:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Hilda - feeling so very guilty, when it was not her fault at all. Will she ever feel warm again? I can make a guess at the other thoughts that will soon fill her mind.... :cry:

Thanks, Lisa.
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Sun May 11, 2008 4:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
As others have already noted, this is scarily plausible, and Hilda's guilt feelings are completely realistic - no wonder she feels so cold.

Thanks, Lisa - this is such a powerful piece of writing.
Author:  Clare [ Sun May 11, 2008 4:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
I can only echo what others have written - thank you Lisa, this is brilliant and very powerful.
Author:  linda [ Sun May 11, 2008 7:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Hilda. Of course she is in shock, and feeling so guilty that Len has been hurt. I do hope things will go well with them both.

Thanks, Lisa
Author:  jilianb [ Mon May 12, 2008 6:04 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lisa, this is great and so scarily could have happened.
Author:  Rosalin [ Mon May 12, 2008 1:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Len and Hilda. I hope there is some good news before too long.

Thanks Lisa.
Author:  Emma A [ Mon May 12, 2008 5:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
This is excellent - poor Hilda; the reactions of shock are very well conveyed. Will Len survive?

Thank-you.
Author:  Tara [ Mon May 12, 2008 11:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh, poor Hilda! Hardly her fault that the idiot trying to shoot her missed! But what a distressing and shocking scenario to have to live through. Crossing everything crossable for Len, and hoping there's soon someone to give Hilda the support she needs.
Thank you, Lisa, this is gripping.
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