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Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=7387
Author:  Eilidh [ Wed Feb 24, 2010 4:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
I've been thinking about posting this for a while. I know the idea has been done many times before, but this is my take on it. Hopefully it won't duplicate anyone elses - I've read a lot of the archive and I don't think it does, but apologies in advance if I've missed something!

It's quite all right Biddy, of course I can come - Len will see to the children.

When you have a big family it's so easy, the older ones look after the younger.

Len, about the wedding - I realise you'll want to organise it all your own way, but I was just thinking...

You've been nothing but a boon and a blessing to your mother and I since the day you were born.

This is Len Maynard, our Head Girl - she looks after all the school affairs that don't concern me.

Len, I don't feel well.

I never worry about Con at Oxford, Len will look after her. She's such a dreamer on her own, and Len's so responsible.

...a boon and a blessing...

Len, can we play a game?

Reg Entwhistle is a lucky man, Len's such a steady, responsible girl.

Len, I have a new girl here - can you look after her until someone arrives to sheepdog her?

Goodbye girls, and the very best of luck in Oxford and Edinburgh. You've all been wonderful this year, and the school won't be the same without you.

...a blessing...

...so responsible...

Dear Diary,

Yesterday, with Con and Margot, I left school for the last time. So this morning marks the first day of my adult life, in a way.

In a few months I will be going to Oxford. I'll spend three years there, doing my degree, and then I'll come home, marry Reg, and live happily ever after on the Platz. I might do some teaching at the School until we have children I suppose, like Auntie Biddy. Between now and then, in my holidays, I will spend time with Reg and look after the children.

I woke up early this morning and I watched the sunrise lighting up the Jungfrau and the mountains around it from my window - and I realised that there is so much more to life than I had planned. And it starts here, and now - it has to, or I know I'll never start at all. I'm sure I'm a coward. I should stay and tell people myself, but if I do that there will be guilt, and people reminding me about my responsibilities, and I'd end up backing down and agreeing that yes, it really is best for everyone if I do something I don't want to do. Even writing this, I can hear all your voices, reminding me about my responsibilites and my duties - to Mamma, to my sisters, to the family, to Reg, to the School.

I didn't want to be a prefect, but I did it for the sake of the school. I didn't want to be Head Girl, but I did it for the sake of the school, and because it made Mamma so proud. Now, I don't want to go to university, and I don't want to be a wife. I want some time to learn who I am, me, Helena Maynard. Not Len-the-Head-Girl, Len-the-Triplet, or Len-the-eldest-of-eleven.

Mamma, I know you will read this when you find it here. I love you all, and I will be in touch, I promise. Tell Reg I'm so sorry. He's a wonderful friend, but here and now, I don't love him enough to be his wife.

My love and prayers will be with you all. Please don't worry about me.

Helena
Author:  Jennie [ Wed Feb 24, 2010 4:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions
About time Len had a chance to find out about herself.
Author:  Mona [ Wed Feb 24, 2010 4:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions
Oooh, what an intriguing start! Looking forward to seeing where this goes.
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Wed Feb 24, 2010 4:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions
A very intriguing start!
Author:  abbeybufo [ Wed Feb 24, 2010 4:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions
Oh wow - is she going to run off straight away :shock:

Thought to start with this was a new diary, but I now think it must be the last entry in her old one ...

Good luck Len, hope you find yourself and happiness

Thanks, Eilidh, for an intriguing start; looking forward to more :D
Author:  JB [ Wed Feb 24, 2010 4:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions
Intriguing. Looking forward to seeing where this goes. Glad Len is doing something for herself.
Author:  clair [ Wed Feb 24, 2010 4:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions
Love the idea of Len just taking off - looking forward to seeing what she does, and just how Jo copes!
Author:  shazwales [ Wed Feb 24, 2010 5:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions
This looks good,love to see Joeys reaction.Good for Len!
Thank you :)
Author:  Liz K [ Wed Feb 24, 2010 6:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions
shazwales wrote:
This looks good,love to see Joeys reaction.Good for Len!
Thank you :)


Should imagine Jack'll be dosing Joey up for the rest of her life when she reads this!!!!!!

*Joins the queue who can't wait for more!*
Author:  PaulineS [ Wed Feb 24, 2010 7:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions
Thank you Eilidh, This is a good start which has gained my interest. Looking forward to more.
Author:  cal562301 [ Wed Feb 24, 2010 7:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions
Can't even begin to imagine where this is going, but this is a very interesting start.

*joins queue of people waiting for more*
Author:  Lesley [ Wed Feb 24, 2010 7:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions
Good for you Len.


Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Feb 24, 2010 8:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions
Good for Len!
Author:  sealpuppy [ Wed Feb 24, 2010 8:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions
Terrific start, am so looking forward to finding out what she'll do.
If the trips were born November 1939, Len is leaving school at 18+, ie 1958 (or was she only 17?) It would have been extremely difficult to just go off and do your own thing at that time, specially for a girl brought up as Len has been ie sheltered life. (OT Must have been much the same time our Head announced in assembly that the deputy head girl had left school to get married. To a boy from the neighbouring boys' grammar. I often wondered what happened to them - both had places at Oxford. And presumably a sweet little sugarpie to look after) :oops:
Author:  Abi [ Wed Feb 24, 2010 11:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions
It sounds like Len has a plan, but I wonder what it is?
Author:  jmc [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 7:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions
Looking forward to reading about Len's adventures.
Author:  Eilidh [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 9:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions
Helena closed the diary, and placed it neatly in the center of her empty desk. She slipped the engagement ring from her finger and left it on top of the book - the book in which all the worries, doubts, and stresses of the last two years were recorded - and glanced around again. All her personal possessions had been packed, along with some of her clothes and other necessary articles.

The small pile of hairpins on the dressing table reminded her about her hair, which - in a spirit of rebellion - she had refused to put up today, and she ran her hand down the long plait, checking it was still tidy. Then she picked up the back pack that she'd prepared in the early hours of the morning when she was alone, slipped her purse into her pocket - it was lucky Papa had given her her allowance for the summer the night before - and crossed the room to where the window stood open. Holding her breath while she listened, she heard no one moving, and dropped her bag carefully from the window onto the lawn below. Then she swung her legs over the sill and sat there for a second.

"Where do you think you're going?" a voice behind her asked. Helena jumped so violently that she almost fell off the window ledge.

"Margot!" she gasped, when she had recovered her balance. Margot took in the situation at a glance.

"So this is how you're solving it." she said. "I can't say I blame you, to be honest. Con and I knew that you'd have to do something, and I can see that with you being you, you can't just turn round and tell Mamma and Reg that you don't want what they do. Fruits of being the good girl, I suppose! I wouldn't have that problem." She threw her arms round Helena and hugged her violently. "Write to us." she said, tears standing in her eyes. "Write to me care of Aunt Grace, if you want - she won't tell Mamma." Helena nodded, strugging to hold back her own tears, and then, gently disentangling herself from Margot's arms, jumped to the ground and set out across the garden to the road. As the gate to Freudesheim swung closed behind her, she turned and waved to Margot, still framed in the window, and then set off at a swift walk to the train station at the other end of the Platz.

Margot, meanwhile, watched her sister until the early morning mists hid her from sight, and then went back to her own room and curled up on the bed. The silence of the house was broken by faint noises from the kitchen, as Anna began her day's work. Margot hunted under her pillow for her watch and realised that she still have almost three hours until breakfast. She got back into bed and picked up her book to pass the time, but he attention kept straying from the page. She'd have to come up with something to keep Mamma out of Len's room and this whole situation under control for as long as possible. She had a feeling they were in for a rocky time.
Author:  JB [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 9:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 25th Feb
How understanding of Margot. Am really enjoying this.
Author:  Mona [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 9:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 25th Feb
How lovely of Margot! Thanks for giving us another installment so soon!
Author:  linda [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 11:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 25th Feb
How lovely of Margot to understand, but I'm very worried about Len just taking off into the wild unknown. She's had a very sheltered life and I think she's going to find a lot of difficulties before she finds herself.

Thank you, Eilidh
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 11:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 25th Feb
Glad that Margot was supportive.

I have to admit that I feel rather sorry for Reg: I've never liked him, but I think he at least deserved a letter of explanation.
Author:  clair [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 11:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 25th Feb
Pleased Margot was ok about it, just hope that Con doesn't feel unhappy at not getting to say goodbye to Len as well

Love the fact that both Con and Margot were just wondering what Len would do - and not expecting her to get married etc

As for Reg, well if he will chase a schoolgirl not interested in him what does he expect?!
Author:  PaulineS [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 12:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 25th Feb
Well done Len and Margot. I hope Len has made some plans and stays safe.
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 1:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 25th Feb
Reg!!

Margot was lovely there, and I hope that she can keep Joey away long enough for Len to get safely on the train (though I have a sneaking suspicion that even if she was dragged back, Jack would make sure she had a much easier time).

Thankyou for the update!
Author:  Jenefer [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 5:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 25th Feb
The YWCA used to run hostels for girls which provided bed and board at a reasonable price. They had some in London and most provincial towns had one. I livied in the Ealing Hostel when I first came to London before moving into a flat share...
Author:  abbeybufo [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 7:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 25th Feb
Well done Margot! - glad Len's got away :D
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 7:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 25th Feb
Quite telling that Margot wasn't surprised about Len's actions - love how she was so supportive.


Thanks Eilidh
Author:  shesings [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 7:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 25th Feb
This is good stuff, Eilidh :D - I am looking forward to more!
Author:  2nd Gen Fan [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 8:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 25th Feb
This is great - a really original take on how Len gets out of the corner life had boxed her in to!
Author:  Abi [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 10:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 25th Feb
Margot was lovely there. Hope Len doesn't find life too hard.
Author:  Kyrrie [ Fri Feb 26, 2010 2:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 25th Feb
I too hope Len has some plans.

And poor Margot. How hard it would be to see your sister leave like that. I'm very proud of the way she handled it.

Thank you, I'm enjoying this.
Author:  shazwales [ Fri Feb 26, 2010 6:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 25th Feb
Thanks Eilidh,glad to know Len has the support of Margot and Con.Looking forward to seeing more of this :)
Author:  Eilidh [ Fri Feb 26, 2010 8:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 25th Feb
I felt rather sorry for Reg as well, but Helena insisted the story went this way. And when I was at this point, she hadn't confided in me if she'd made any plans or what she intended to do... she's a very irritating person to write!

As it happened, Joey had elected to stay in bed that morning with a bad headache, and as Anna was busy with the weekly laundry which was taken to Interlaken that morning, Margot and Con got breakfast for their younger sisters. Neither commented on Len's absense, and the younger girls happily made their plans for the day as they ate. They presumed Len was around somewhere because, as Felicity had said only the day before, Len was always around somewhere - normally exactly where you didn't want her to be! It wasn't until breakfast was over, and the rest had run of to make the beds, that Con turned to Margot.

"She's gone." It was a statement of fact, not a question, but Margot nodded. Con's eyes brimmed with tears and the two triplets clung together for a few moments, silently supporting each other and facing the next important question - how were they going to break the news to their parents?

Helena, meanwhile, had alighted from the first train of the day at Interlaken, and was looking round her with a slowly growing feeling of freedom. Consious of the fact that the money in her pocket wouldn't last forever, she resolutely turned her back on the tempting coffee shops and consulted the big departure boards. There was a train to Berne in twenty minutes, and she hurried to the ticket office to secure her ticket and a seat before it left.

"Helena Maynard." Helena said firmly to her reflection in the window as the train pulled away from Interlaken, "From now on, you worry about you. You do what you want to do, and you never, ever go out of your way to help other people."

She opened her book and prepared to read until she got to Berne, however her lack of sleep and the early and emotional start to the day had taken their toll, and before long the print was out of focus and she fell asleep. She was woken halfway to Berne by a disturbance at the other side of the carriage.

"Look here, I'm telling you I had it!" a small, white-haired woman brandishing a walking stick was informing the conductor in a loud voice, and in good German spoken with a distinct British accent. "I'm not buying another ticket when I have a perfectly good one already! I just don't know where it is!" The conductor raised his hands in despair.

"Madam, if you have no ticket then I must sell you another one, that is the rule." The woman waved this information aside impatiently.

"Look, you silly man, I told you I have a ticket. I just don't know where it is! It will turn up, I'm sure. You could help me look for it instead of gawping at me as well!" The conductor turned to Helena, ignoring this last comment.

"Ticket please?" Helena produced it from her pocket and handed it over, watching the woman hunt for her ticket.

"I put it somewhere, I know I did. And I put it there because I wasn't going to lose it, and I'd remember it." she was saying to herself. "I remember telling myself 'For goodness sake, Winnie, you can't possibly forget you've put your train ticket in such a stupid place.' Now if I could just think..." she looked up and saw Helena watching her, and smiled infectiously. "I'm ridiculous, aren't I?" she said frankly, switching to English. "This is why I had a companion who travelled with me, but she's gone and met some man while we were having a month in Switzerland and now she's gone off to get married and here I am, having to make my way back to France alone. My children always said I shouldn't be allowed out of the house myself." Helena smiled back, and the woman handed her a handbag. "Look in there for me, would you?" she demanded.

Surprised, but liking the look of her travelling companion, Helena opened the bag and began to look through the assorted items that seemed to have been bundled into it pell-mell. The conductor waited patiently beside them while they searched, to no avail.

"Really, madam..." he began, when Helena's travelling companion handed him her knitting, a scarf, and a basket containing a kitten. Just then, the train bumped slightly and Helena caught at a hat which fell into her hands from the rack overhead.

"Found it!" she said triumphantly, displaying the ticket tucked neatly into the lining.

"Oh, well done!" her new acquaintance exclaimed. "There you go, my dear -" this to the conductor "I told you I had it."

The harried looking conductor opened and closed his mouth a few times, then accepted the ticket.

"Thank you, Madam." he said calmly, before making a rapid exit.

Edited to change lots of 'Len' to 'Helena'
Author:  JB [ Fri Feb 26, 2010 8:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th Feb
What a lovely interlude. She's not going to find it so easy to avoid people who want help, is she?
Author:  Mona [ Fri Feb 26, 2010 8:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th Feb
This traveling companion sounds interesting!
Author:  sealpuppy [ Fri Feb 26, 2010 9:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th Feb
Thim's my sentiments too! I scent a job for Len. Dying to know more, please. :)
Author:  2nd Gen Fan [ Fri Feb 26, 2010 10:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th Feb
Looks like Len might have a travelling companion at least.
Author:  JS [ Fri Feb 26, 2010 11:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th Feb
I'd been a bit worried about the financial position, so hope she's got a job already - be a positive rest for Len just looking after one person :)
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Fri Feb 26, 2010 12:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th Feb
Something tells me that Len will still be helping other people, she'll just be doing it on her terms! Can't wait to see how Jack and Joey react. Thanks for the update.
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Feb 26, 2010 12:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th Feb
Just hope the woman isn't a long-lost CS Old Girl :lol: .
Author:  PaulineS [ Fri Feb 26, 2010 3:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th Feb
Could be a former CS teacher or parent! Helena can not help herself helping can she.
Love Con's
Quote:
"She's gone."


Both she and Margot had their suspicions.
Author:  Lesley [ Fri Feb 26, 2010 7:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th Feb
Interesting that Con already knew. i don't think that Len - sorry Helena - can really stop herself from helping others - but at least it can be on her terms.


Thanks Eilidh
Author:  clair [ Fri Feb 26, 2010 9:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th Feb
Feeling very sorry for Con and Margot now, even though they understand it must be hard for them. Want to shake the rest of them who don't even seem to have a clue there may be something wrong!
Author:  Abi [ Fri Feb 26, 2010 10:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th Feb
Interesting lady! Glad Con knew too, though. I hope Len finds what she's looking for.
Author:  jmc [ Sat Feb 27, 2010 4:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th Feb
I like that even though they are going to miss her both Con and Margot understand why Len is doing what she is doing. Glad she got away safely and looking forward to more about her new travelling companion.
Author:  Eilidh [ Mon Mar 01, 2010 8:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th Feb
Meanwhile, on the Platz, Margot heard her mother moving around and sighed. This wasn't going to be fun.

"Good Morning!" Joey said cheerfully, as she came into the salon. "Where's Len? Has she taken the children for their walk?" Her question was answered as Cecil came running in and threw her arms around her mothers knees. Joey disentangled her gently. "She must be in her room." she decided.

"Mamma..." Margot began, but Joey had whirled back out of the room and didn't hear her. Con put her book down with a sigh.

"This is all the stuff that Len was so good at." she observed, heading towards the phone. "Herr Doktor Maynard, please." she said after second. "Hello Papa. I think you'd better come home. We've got a problem."

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

"Now. Who are you then, dear?"

"Helena Maynard." Helena said firmly.

"Maynard, Maynard..." the woman mused to herself. "Nope, can't think of any! Very nice to meet you anyway. Sometimes I find that if you don't know the family, there can't be any of that awkward being nice to each other because so-and-so's cousin's neice is married to your aunt's godson's brother. I'm Winifred Bassington-Smyth."

Helena stared, somewhat rudely it must be admitted.

"Yes, I know - isn't it a mouthful?" Mrs Bassington-Smyth sighed. "It was the only thing about Robert - my second husband, you know, well of course you don't know, but he was - that I really didn't like, but there you go. It would upset the children so if I changed it, though to be fair they have Joseph's name anyway so they might not mind. Now we know each other, tell me what a nice girl like you is doing on a train herself in a foreign country." Helena paused, unsure of what to say. "Well," her companion continued, when the pause threatened to become uncomfortable. "Either you're supposed to be here, or you're not. If you were supposed to be here, you would have told me - unless you are a criminal, of course?" she paused.

"No, of course not!" Helena exclaimed, shocked.

"I didn't think you looked like one, but it's always better to check, don't you think? So not a criminal, and as you still haven't answered the original question, I think you're probably not supposed to be here. Run away, eh? You look like a nice girl, from a nice family, if I'm any judge. What are you doing that for?" Helena gulped.

"Because I was tired of acting as an unpaid nursemaid to 15 other people, most of whom were more than capable of looking after themselves, and I was engaged to a man I didn't love with no idea how to get out of it, and I was about to start on a University course designed to take me back to the school that I've grown up in from the age of 4, and my mother just didn't understand that I didn't want to!" she burst out.

"I see." Mrs Bassington-Smyth mused. "That's a fair collection of problems you have there. So where are you going?"

"Nowhere, really." Helena said after a second. "I hadn't really thought that far ahead. Well, Berne, of course, but after that I don't know. I can't stay in Berne. Too many of Mamma's friends live there. But then too many of Mamma's friends live everywhere."

"Hmm. Did you think at all about what you were going to do with yourself?"

"No, not really." she admitted in a small voice. "I just had to get out - I was just trapped in a cirle of the same people and places and I couldn't go on with it."

"Probably not the most sensible plan you've ever had. Where were you going to sleep tonight?"

"I thought I'd find a room somewhere until I worked out where I was going." Helena said quietly. "I know you think it's stupid, I can see that, but you don't understand what it was like! I've only been engaged for a few weeks and already my mother was planning my wedding. I didn't have any other choice!"

"Well, we are almost at Berne. If I tell you to go home, you won't listen, will you?" Helena shook her head. "Of course you won't - what can an old woman you met on the train know about anything, eh? In that case - would you like a job?"

"A job?" Helena demanded incredulously. "Doing what?" Mrs Bassington-Smyth waved her hand around the scattered belongings.

"My son calls it 'handmaiding mother'." she explained. "Basically, the situation is this. I live alone, in France, though I'm English by birth. I travel a lot. Around Europe, North Africa, maybe to America next. However, I am the most scatterbrained woman that ever graced the face of the earth. I need someone who's job it is to look after passports, tickets, find the right train or plane, and so on. When I'm at home, there would be light housework, some cooking, and remembering where I'm supposed to be and when. You say you're tired of looking after people, but you look like one of those people who do it anyway. I'm offering you the chance to do it and get paid - well - for it. Would you like it?"

"Well... but... you don't know anything about me!" Helena protested. "You can't just employ someone you meet on a train and invite them to live with you!" Mrs Bassington-Smyth looked puzzled.

"I can't? Well, here we are at the station. Lets get some lunch and I'll give you a job interview, if that will make you happy."
Author:  Mona [ Mon Mar 01, 2010 8:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st Mar
Hurrah for Winifred Bassington-Smyth for being so lovely and understanding!
Author:  JB [ Mon Mar 01, 2010 9:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st Mar
Isn't she wonderful?
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Mar 01, 2010 9:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st Mar
So glad she doesn't know the Maynards!
Author:  2nd Gen Fan [ Mon Mar 01, 2010 10:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st Mar
What a wonderful lady, I'm so glad Len has fallen on her feet here.
Quote:
You say you're tired of looking after people, but you look like one of those people who do it anyway.

And Mrs Bassington-Smyth has certainly worked Len out quite quickly!
Author:  Chatelaine [ Mon Mar 01, 2010 10:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st Mar
I'm the least organised person on the planet, I loathe housework and all that it stands for, and I'm more of a Con than a Len, but I'd love to work for Mrs Bassington-Smyth!
Author:  PaulineS [ Mon Mar 01, 2010 11:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st Mar
Thank goodness for Mrs Bassington-Smyth, Len had not thought through her actions this time. However she is landing on the feet I think.
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Mon Mar 01, 2010 12:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st Mar
Hurrah! Though I was marginally confused for a moment when I thought that Jack had answered the phone, not recognised Con, asked who it was and she'd replied Helena :oops: :lol: Can't wait to see Joey's reaction, and how Len's interview goes! Thankyou.
Author:  keren [ Mon Mar 01, 2010 12:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st Mar
PaulineS wrote:
Thank goodness for Mrs Bassington-Smyth, Len had not thought through her actions this time. However she is landing on the feet I think.

even though she is scatterbrained, she has a good grasp of what is happening with Len
Author:  cestina [ Mon Mar 01, 2010 1:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st Mar
This is great :D May I have a Len please?
Author:  cal562301 [ Mon Mar 01, 2010 1:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st Mar
Wonderful. Are there any spare Mrs Bassington-Smythes out there? I'd like a job with one please.
Author:  sealpuppy [ Mon Mar 01, 2010 2:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st Mar
Well done, Mrs Thingy; I'm sure Helena will have a whale of a time.
(Er, more please. Soonish??)
Author:  Chelsea [ Mon Mar 01, 2010 4:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st Mar
ChubbyMonkey wrote:
Hurrah! Though I was marginally confused for a moment when I thought that Jack had answered the phone, not recognised Con, asked who it was and she'd replied Helena :oops: :lol: Can't wait to see Joey's reaction, and how Len's interview goes! Thankyou.


I had the same moment of confusion. :oops:

And I also eagerly await the interview.
Author:  cal562301 [ Mon Mar 01, 2010 7:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st Mar
Chelsea wrote:
ChubbyMonkey wrote:
Hurrah! Though I was marginally confused for a moment when I thought that Jack had answered the phone, not recognised Con, asked who it was and she'd replied Helena :oops: :lol: Can't wait to see Joey's reaction, and how Len's interview goes! Thankyou.


I had the same moment of confusion. :oops:

And I also eagerly await the interview.


Forgot to mention this in my earlier post, but I have to add myself to the slightly confused crowd. :oops:

Am much happier to add myself to those eagerly awaiting the interview! :lol:
Author:  Abi [ Mon Mar 01, 2010 7:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th Feb
Eilidh wrote:
"Well... but... you don't know anything about me!" Helena protested. "You can't just employ someone you meet on a train and invite them to live with you!" Mrs Bassington-Smyth looked puzzled.

"I can't?"


:lol: Mrs B-S is great - I think Len will have fun looking after her!
Author:  linda [ Mon Mar 01, 2010 8:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st Mar
I hope the job interview goes well!!

I'm really enjoying this. Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Liz K [ Mon Mar 01, 2010 8:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th Feb
Eilidh wrote:
"My son calls it 'handmaiding mother'." she explained. "Basically, the situation is this. I live alone, in France, though I'm English by birth. I travel a lot. Around Europe, North Africa, maybe to America next. However, I am the most scatterbrained woman that ever graced the face of the earth. I need someone who's job it is to look after passports, tickets, find the right train or plane, and so on. When I'm at home, there would be light housework, some cooking, and remembering where I'm supposed to be and when. You say you're tired of looking after people, but you look like one of those people who do it anyway. I'm offering you the chance to do it and get paid - well - for it. Would you like it?"


Must say Daphne du Maurier's "Rebecca" springs to mind; I hope what happened to the second Mrs de Winter does NOT happen to Len!
Author:  Miss Di [ Tue Mar 02, 2010 5:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st Mar
Thanks Eilidh it's good to see Len sorry Helena kick over the traces.
Author:  jmc [ Tue Mar 02, 2010 8:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st Mar
At least Len will now get paid for what she naturally does. Looking forward to their adventures together.
Author:  Eilidh [ Tue Mar 02, 2010 9:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st Mar
I've edited yesterday's post to hopefully stop people getting confused - thanks for pointing it out! I didn't realise it myself until I re-read it.

I'm not sure if Helena would be counted as an adult at 18 or if it would be 21, but for the purposes of the drabble it's 18 (to save having a police hunt going on for her).

Shortly afterwards, Helena found herself seated opposite her potential employer in a small restaurant near the train station. Mrs Bassington-Smyth ordered lunch, and then turned back to her.

"Right." she said cheerfully. "What age are you?"

"Eighteen." Len replied. "Nineteen in November."

"Do you speak French fluently?"

"Yes. Also fluent German, and some Spanish, and Italian."

"Excellent. Can you drive?"

"Yes."

"Cook?"

"A little."

"Well, we can fix that, cooking's easy. As long as you burn it instead of leaving it raw, it won't do us much harm for a few weeks while you practice. How do you feel about spontaneous decisions to travel and a say in all the decisions?" Helena grinned, despite herself. "Good. Now, I will expect some things. In return for bed, board and salary, I need you, as I said, to do some housekeeping, cooking and to generally look after me and make sure I don't turn up at Church in my slippers or anything like that. I can't drive, so if I have to go somewhere you will normally have to drive me there. Other than that, your time will be your own, and you can go to town, read, swim, boat, walk, meet friends, or do whatever amuses you - within reason of course."

"I...I...I'd never thought..."

"Of course there would be a salary. I paid Miss Crawford - who left to get married - a good salary, and you would get the same." she named a generous sum, and Helena stared at her in shock. "Why don't you give it a month's trial? I'll be honest with you - I like the look of you and I want to help - I can't bear to think of you wandering around Europe until you run out of money and what might happen to you then."

"OK." Helena said, making her mind up suddenly. "I'll try it."

"Excellent! Then I will give you this -" she handed over some notes "- and you can go and book seats on the Paris train. Thank you, Miss Maynard."

"Oh... Can you make it Helena?" Helena asked.

"Of course. Let me see, you won't call me Winifred, and my full name is rather a mouthful... what about Mrs B?" Helena grinned.

"Perfect." she agreed.

As Helena was accepting her first job, Jack Maynard, looking worried and tired, opened the front door of Freudesheim to admit two smartly dressed members of the Swiss Police. He had had a long day. After Con's phonecall, he had rushed home to fine Joey alternating between accusing Con and Margot of lying when they said they didn't know where their sister was, telling Hilda Annersley down the phone to find Gaudenz and get him to organise the residents of the Platz into search parties to scour the mountainside, and breaking into floods of hysterical tears over the letter in Len's diary.

On seeing her husband, Joey had abandoned the first two activities and settled for sobbing hysterically in his arms, while Margot rescued the telephone receiver and made the correct apologies to her brevet aunt and former headmistress for disturbing her, promising to call if there was any news. Finally, worried over Len's seemingly complete disappearance and the fact that her sisters resolutely denied all knowledge of her whereabouts, Jack had given in to Joey's pleadings and telephoned to Interlaken for the police.

"Your daughter is missing, Sir?" the more senior of the two asked, once they were seated in the salon. Jack nodded. "And when did you last see the little girl?"

"Margot here saw her leave early this morning. And she's not a little girl, this is her here." And Jack handed over a photo.

"What age is your daughter?" the man asked, in some confusion.

"She's 18 - nearly 19." Joey put in.

"And you saw her leave this morning?" he confirmed, addressing Margot. She nodded. "How did she seem? Was she upset, or happy, or...?"

"She was sad to be going, but she was going by her own choice." Margot said. "She was jumping out the window when I went in, we didn't talk for long."

"Do you have the note?" Con handed over her sister's diary.

"So your adult daughter writes a note to say she's leaving, separates from her fiance, packs a bag, and jumps out the window at five in the morning, through choice. No one has kidnapped her, she hasn't run off with a questionable man, and she hasn't disappeared without a trace or fallen off the mountain. I'm sorry, Herr Doktor, but I'm not sure what I can do in that situation."

"You can find my girl!" Joey burst out, looking paler than usual. The policeman looked at her.

"Frau Doktor Maynard, she has been gone less than twelve hours. She has told you clearly that she is leaving and that she will be in touch. She's an adult woman. There really is nothing I can do."

The front door banged just then.

"Hello? Mamma? Papa? Anyone home?"

"My sons are home, one of the other doctors was visiting family in Interlaken and collected them." Jack explained mechanically. "In here, boys." he called.

"I'm famished! When's tea?" Stephen demanded, leading his brothers into the salon. "Hello mums, hi dad, what's up? Why is everyone looking so serious?"

"Where's Len?" Charles butted in before anyone had a chance to answer.

"She's run away." Jack said hollowly. Stephen looked up from where he was confiscating a book that both Mike and Felix were determined belonged to them.

"Oh, she's done it then?" he asked with interest. "Thought she might. Let go, you brat! If you actually look inside the cover, the book belongs to Chas, so give it a rest!"
Author:  Artemis [ Tue Mar 02, 2010 9:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 2nd Mar
Good for the police, pointing it out so clearly!
No, there is nothing that they can do, and the sooner Joey knows it the better.

And I LOVE Stephen's comment and the totally matter of fact way he just accepts it while having a tussle with his brother . . . and the fact that he knew it was on the cards.

Now Con and Margot need to sit down and hammer it into their mother and father that Len - sorry, Helena - has been pushed way too far - particularly over slimy Reg - and that the parents need to cut the two of them some slack as well, or it will happen again.

This is really good - I want Helena to have a ball and really LIVE for once!
Author:  JB [ Tue Mar 02, 2010 9:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 2nd Mar
Also love Stephen. Joey must feel dreadful but she really has brought this on herself.
Author:  cestina [ Tue Mar 02, 2010 9:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 2nd Mar
Oh this is brilliant. Exactly what Len deserves - a fantastic time with an eccentric patron :D
Author:  ammonite [ Tue Mar 02, 2010 11:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 2nd Mar
Love Stephen's comment and Mrs B's comment about Len's cooking. Thanks.
Author:  PaulineS [ Tue Mar 02, 2010 11:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 2nd Mar
So the only ones surprised are Jo and Jack. Hope Len enjoys the time with Mrs.B. A gap year will do her good. Unusual at the time, but in her case definitely needed.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Mar 02, 2010 12:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 2nd Mar
:lol: Love Stephen's attitude.

I hope Len gets in touch at some point: however old someone is, it's very worrying when you haven't heard from them and are imagining all sorts, although at the moment Joey seems to be taking the view that the police are going to find Len and frogmarch her back to Freudesheim.
Author:  Abi [ Tue Mar 02, 2010 12:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 2nd Mar
Also loved Stephen's reaction. :D Very glad Len ran into someone as nice as Mrs B.
Author:  Mona [ Tue Mar 02, 2010 2:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 2nd Mar
Go Helena! I love Mrs B, and the fact that Jo and Jack are the only ones surprised that Len's gone!
Author:  Emma A [ Tue Mar 02, 2010 3:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 2nd Mar
I'm really enjoying this, Eilidh - Mrs B is sounding super, and I hope Helena enjoys her time working for her.
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 2nd Mar
:lol: I do like Stephen! Thankyou for the update - and may I have that job please?
Author:  sealpuppy [ Tue Mar 02, 2010 5:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 2nd Mar
JB wrote:
Also love Stephen. Joey must feel dreadful but she really has brought this on herself.


Bet she's not! She'll be in the martyr stage first and it'll take a while to accept any blame.
Loving this and love Stephen too. :D
Author:  Liz K [ Tue Mar 02, 2010 6:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 2nd Mar
Here's another one who loves Stephen's reaction, can't wait for more of this.
Author:  Pat [ Tue Mar 02, 2010 8:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 2nd Mar
I'm loving this. No idea when she'd be deemed asn adult in Switzerland. It dropped to 18 in 1969/70 (after I was 21, and before the election after it as my kid sister was able to vote as soon as I was!!!) :evil:
Author:  cal562301 [ Tue Mar 02, 2010 9:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 2nd Mar
Pat wrote:
I'm loving this. No idea when she'd be deemed asn adult in Switzerland. It dropped to 18 in 1969/70 (after I was 21, and before the election after it as my kid sister was able to vote as soon as I was!!!) :evil:


I was 18 in 1974, the only year in recent history when there were two general elections, so I got to vote twice in my first year as a voter! I was lucky in that my birthday is January, because the first election was in February (IIRC).

Back on topic, really enjoying this. Not surprised that Jack and Joey are the only ones who didn't expect Len's departure. Love Mrs B.
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Mar 02, 2010 9:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 2nd Mar
Another that loves Stephen's reaction - come on Jack and Joey, if a 15 year old boy who is away for 2/3 of the year can see it why can't you?


Mrs B sounds wonderful - I'd work for her! :lol:
Author:  Miss Di [ Wed Mar 03, 2010 2:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 2nd Mar
I'd also like a job with Mrs B please.
Author:  Eilidh [ Wed Mar 03, 2010 8:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 2nd Mar
Thank you for all your comments.

There was a momentary silence as everyone - Joey, Jack, Con, Margot and the policemen - took this in.

"What do you mean, you thought she might?" Jack asked, his voice edged with anger. "Did you know about this?"

"I had an idea." Stephen nodded. "We write to each other you know. Look, I know you're upset, but I know Len. You all know Len. She'll write. Someone tell these policemen in polite German that it will be fine, and that they can go and investigate a real crime somewhere. Mamma, don't look like that. She's a grown woman. She was old enough to get engaged - did she break that off as well by the way?" Margot nodded as Con, over-riding her parents, showed out the policemen "Good. Anyway, she was old enough to do that, she's old enough to leave home. Yes, there are ways to do it and ways to do it, but there's nothing we can do until she gets in touch. Chas, go and see if Anna's got the kettle on, and get some tea, would you? Once we're settled then I'll read you some bits of Len's last letter and you'll see why I wasn't surprised."

Helena had successfully purchased the required ticket, and had managed to move Mrs B and all her belonging from the restaurant without leaving anything behind. Shortly afterwards saw the two of them settled in a compartment on the overnight train to Paris. Mrs B settled down with her knitting, and Helena sat opposite. She held a book in her hands, but her gaze constantly strayed out the window and she looked unhappy.

"Do you want to tell me about it?" Helena jumped. "You look miserable. Do you want to talk about it?"

"I don't know what to say." Helena replied.

"Tell me about your home and family." Mrs B suggested.

"I'm the oldest of eleven children." Helena began. "Papa is the head of a TB Sanatorium, and Mamma writes books. We had Anna - who was like a cook and housekeeper - and Rosli, who looked after the yougest children. In the holidays, the older children were expected to help with the younger ones so Rosli could give Anna more help. It made sense, there was more to be done with all of us home from school, but it did cut into our holidays rather a lot.

"I've always been responsible. I got into so much trouble once for not letting my triplet sisters stand on their own feet. I just want to help people who are in trouble, that's all. I don't mean to be bossy or overbearing, but Mamma always told me to look after my brothers and sisters, and how much they looked up to me because I was the eldest, and well, it just got to be habit to worry about them.

"For the last two years, I've been Head Girl of my boarding school, which was even more responsibility. I never really wanted that - Mamma was head, and so were my aunts and cousins and I spent the whole time I was there living up to their standard - or trying to and failing. Mamma was the best head girl the school ever had, and all the others - Auntie Rob, Auntie Daisy, Peggy, Bride, Maeve, Josette, were all good as well. I never felt like I managed to be as good as them. Then, a few weeks ago, an old family friend proposed to me. I... well, I was flattered, and I liked him, and so I accepted. I thought I was in love.

"And then this morning I woke up early, and I thought about what Auntie Hilda - my headmistress - said once. About having to see someone over the breakfast table every morning for the rest of your life, and I realised that I didn't want that person to be Reg. And that, added to all the responsibility and the knowing that I was going to have to spend my holiday - and every other holiday until I got married and probably afterwards - babysitting my brothers and sisters, and that there was no real way I could break off my engagement in the traditional fashion without upsetting most of the people I loved- I decided just to leave. I will write to them and tell them I'm safe, and I'll miss my triplets - Con and Margot - horribly, but I had to put me first, just once."

"Seems a bit childish to me not to sit and talk to them about it. I don't suppose you need me to tell you that running away solves nothing. I dare say you had your reasons though, and to be honest it's none of my business. I just thought you looked rather miserable. And I think you should send a postcard from Paris. You don't have to tell them where you're going, but I know if it was my John or Molly or Ben or Tony that were gone, I'd be worried sick, and I bet your mother is too. Let her know that you're safe and then maybe you can write to your sisters later, if you want to give more information."
Author:  JB [ Wed Mar 03, 2010 8:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 3rd Mar
I love Stephen. He's so matter of fact.

I'd also like a job with Mrs B.
Author:  clair [ Wed Mar 03, 2010 8:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 3rd Mar
Really love Steven - so matter of fact and just expecting this to happen, also the fact that he and Len are so close.

May I also have a job with Mrs B - she sounds great :)
Author:  Mona [ Wed Mar 03, 2010 9:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 3rd Mar
Great to see Stephen taking control - Len's not the only one who can be responsible! Although hopefully this will make Joey realise how much she's been asking of the older children.
Author:  Artemis [ Wed Mar 03, 2010 9:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 3rd Mar
I really want to know what Len wrote to Stephen now . . .

I wonder what he'll say to Jack and Joey when they (inevitably) ask why he didn't tell them how his sister felt.

And I wonder what they'll say when they realise why she felt she had to leave like that - or if they'll realise why she had to leave like that.

This is good - please keep going!
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Wed Mar 03, 2010 9:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 3rd Mar
I do love Stephen in this :lol: Thankyou for the update!
Author:  marni [ Wed Mar 03, 2010 10:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 3rd Mar
I love the way that Stephen as the eldest son has a role. He casually takes over from his parents even though he doesn't have his own polite german to communicate with the police. In doing so, he also enables Con and Margot to take charge too. I'm really enjoying this - thank you.
Author:  jmc [ Wed Mar 03, 2010 11:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 3rd Mar
Len never had time to find herself as she was always so busy being what everyone else expected. Looking forward to seeing how she gets on with Mrs B. Loved Stephen and am another one who would like to see Len's letter to him.
Author:  abbeybufo [ Wed Mar 03, 2010 12:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 3rd Mar
Sensible Mrs B - would also like to see Len's letter to Stephen ...

Thanks Eilidh :D
Author:  Elbee [ Wed Mar 03, 2010 2:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 3rd Mar
This is great, good for Helena, and I love Mrs B!

Thanks, Eilidh.
Author:  PaulineS [ Wed Mar 03, 2010 3:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 3rd Mar
Hope Steve, Len and Margot can make their parents realise the pressure they are putting on Len. Glad Mrs B has suggested a postcard from Paris followed by letters to her sisters.
Author:  shazwales [ Wed Mar 03, 2010 4:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 3rd Mar
Thank you really enjoying this.
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Mar 03, 2010 5:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 3rd Mar
Also glad Mrs B's suggested the postcard.
Author:  Lesley [ Wed Mar 03, 2010 5:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 3rd Mar
Steven, more than anyone, will be able to understand how Len was feeling - after all the same pressures and expectations have been placed on him, haven't they?


Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Mrs Redboots [ Wed Mar 03, 2010 6:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 3rd Mar
Just had a lovely long catch-up! Mrs B is perfect, isn't she? And her head screwed on right, for all she is absent-minded about possessions and things. Love Stephen in this.

Incidentally, I'm not quite sure when the majority was lowered to 18 in Switzerland - I know I had problems for a couple of years, opening bank accounts and so on, when I first went to live in France in 1971 as I, at 18, was majeure (there simply isn't a convenient English word for it!) in the UK, but not yet in France where it was still 21.
Author:  Liz K [ Wed Mar 03, 2010 6:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 3rd Mar
Thank you for this, Eilidh, it's one of many excellent drabbles on here.

And good for Stephen, that was great advice.
Author:  2nd Gen Fan [ Wed Mar 03, 2010 6:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 3rd Mar
Mrs B is just great - a job with her is just perfect for Len right now.
Author:  Eilidh [ Thu Mar 04, 2010 9:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 3rd Mar
I may have accidentally aged Steve slightly here - he's about a year and a half younger than the triplets, rather than 2 or 3 years younger. He also rather marched into this post and took over it, I think I may have to use him spareingly from now on.

Thank you all for your comments.

Dear Steve,

You'll be surprised to get a letter from me so late in the term, especially when I only wrote to you last week about the Tiernsee plans, but don't worry, you don't have to reply! I just wanted to be the one to break the news to you that I'm engaged to Reg Entwistle. I suppose you'll be shocked. I'm a bit shocked myself, to be honest, it all happened so suddenly. We had a flood, and he got caught out in it, and I was so worried - well of course I was worried, I've known him since I was three! It would be like you being caught in a flood - and then they found him and took him to Freudeshiem and I went to see him and then we were engaged.

I suppose it's a better life than looking after the kids and teaching at the school while Mamma writes but (and I wouldn't say this to anyone but you or Con and Margot) I'm really not so sure I've done the right thing. Mamma, of course, is delighted, and you know that an engagement is a promise and I can't back out of it. I suppose it's just panic at being tied into such a binding thing when I'm so young. I do think an awful lot of Reg, you know.

You can give this to Chas to read if you want, but keep it from the kids because I'm not letting them know yet. Even Felicity hasn't been told.

See you in a few weeks when you get home,

Len.

"And I got that on... what, Wednesday Chas?"

"Mmm. No, Thursday, because when you gave it to me to read we were having jam sponge and custard for dessert."

"Thursday then. So you see." Stephen continued, waving the letter before him and narrowly missing Charles' teacup. "She doesn't sound happy at all. 'Thinking an awful lot' of someone is not exactly good grounds to marry them, is it? And I knew before that we'd spoke about how boring it was to be the responsible, reliable ones, rather than the quiet dreamy ones," his gesture took in Con and Charles, and set a neaby vase wobbling "or even the naughty ones." he waved in the direction of Mike and Margot and knocked Jack's newspaper onto the floor.

"Sit on your hands, for goodness sake." Margot muttered, steadying the vase. "You're a menace to anyone's belongings." Stephen moderated his gestures, but continued talking to his mother.

"Personally, I don't blame her in the slightest, Mamma. You need to drop the labels you put on us. It's better for us boys, you know. The girls took their labels to school with them, but we at least escaped that. You just write and ask the school which one of your sons it is that plots all the trouble, which one it is who get trusted with the responsibility, and which one it is spends his life dreaming about something else. Then you might see." Joey was starting at him with her eyes and mouth open, and finally Jack, for the first time since his sons had come in and taken over the situation, pulled himself together.

"Now see here Steve, your mother knows what you are like far better than your school does. She's your mother! You have no business talking to her like that."

"I didn't mean to be rude." Stephen said, apologetically. "I really didn't. But we're been at school since we were seven. Mike was away for a year or so before that. Lets be honest - for the past 10 years, I've spent less than a quarter of the year in the same country as Mamma. Let me give you an example. I happen to know that this is in the relevant school report anyway, so I'm not telling any tales. Mamma, one of your sons managed to distinguish himself this week by sliding down the curtain in the entrance hall of the school, landing on a heap on the floor with the curtain and a painting of the school founder, as the head came in with the govenors." Joey looked at Mike with some irritation, but he shook his head firmly.

"I was out with the Scouts at the time, practicing tracking." he explained. "Heard about it afterwards though." He added with a grin.

Her glance swung round to Stephen, who laughed.

"Me? I'd have torn the curtain down if I'd tried it." he pointed out. "I saw it happen as I came out the prefects' room, but I wasn't climbing the curtains." Joey and Jack both stared in some disbelief at Charles, who was scarlet and closely investigating the floorboards.

"Monty said that even I wasn't light enough to climb the curtain, and I said I was." he explained, while Con and Margot tried to smother their giggles. "Well, it was the other way round really, I said I was and then he said I wasn't - but I was supposed to go up the curtain, over the bannister into the staff corridor and then back down the stairs, but I couldn't reach the bannister from the top of the curtain, and then I started to slide, and I couldn't stop myself, and I tried to get my feet on to the picture of Lord Whatshisname to stop myself sliding, and then the wire snapped..." he tailed off, and glared indignantly at Con and Margot who had abandoned the pretence and were giggling madly. "It was a last time - we'd just been told we were going to be junior prefects next year, you see, and we were in shock that people were going to want us to settle down and behave ourselves." Joey smiled too and even Jack looked slightly amused. Steven slipped off the armchair where he had been sitting and moved to perch on the arm of Joey's chair.

"Don't worry, Mums." he said, putting an arm around her, "She'll be fine. She'll write soon, I know it." Margot perched herself on the other arm, whil Con leaned over the back of the chair with her arms around Joey's neck. Mike slid himself backwards across the floor until he was leaning against her legs, and after a moment Charles did the same. Joey hugged as many of them as she could reach.

"It seems," she began, with a quiver in her voice "That I'm going to have to spend some time this summer getting to know you all properly. But just now, Anna has Kaffee ready and Chas needs to tell us all about this Junior Prefect thing!"

"Not just Chas." Mike said with a grin. "Really, we should all be bowing down before Mr. Head Boy over there." Stephen aimed a swipe at him that Mike dodged easily.

"Thanks." he said. "I was keeping that to tell later, you pest."

"Should've told me that then." Mike pointed out, then put a stop to the argument by picking up Cecil, who appeared with Rosli at that moment, and swinging her round until she shrieked with laughter.
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Mar 04, 2010 9:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th Mar
Steve is great!
Author:  JS [ Thu Mar 04, 2010 9:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th Mar
Go Charles - reminds me of the hair-flouring incident involving certain sub-prefects...
Author:  Artemis [ Thu Mar 04, 2010 9:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th Mar
I never cottoned on to that - the two responsible ones: Len and Steve; the two dreamy ones : Con and Charles; the two naughty ones : Margot and Mike.

How one dimensional can you get? Joey should have realised what was happening and had WORDS with EBD!

I love this drabble - it has a really warm feeling to it, and a sort of upbeat quality that is very refreshing.

Thank you!
Author:  Mona [ Thu Mar 04, 2010 10:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th Mar
Steve and Charles are wonderful here!
Author:  PaulineS [ Thu Mar 04, 2010 10:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th Mar
Love Charles's way of celebrating. EBD did like labelling later characters and then emphasising that aspect to the detriment of their other sides. The early characters were much more rounded, which is probably why the earlier books are favourites with many people.
Author:  JB [ Thu Mar 04, 2010 10:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th Mar
Quote:
well of course I was worried, I've known him since I was three! It would be like you being caught in a flood


That's telling.

Thanks for the update. Really enjoying this.
Author:  ammonite [ Thu Mar 04, 2010 11:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th Mar
I like Steve although I'm surprised they have any ornaments left - maybe it is a good job for the furnishings that he is away so much!

Thanks I'm enjoying this.
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Thu Mar 04, 2010 4:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th Mar
I love the boys! I wish that we'd got to see more of them in books - especially as you write them here. Thankyou!
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Mar 04, 2010 8:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th Mar
Well done Steve - and pleased Joey has realised that she may not know her children as well as she thought.


Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Abi [ Thu Mar 04, 2010 9:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th Mar
Lovely scene with the boys there; they are all so real-sounding.
Author:  cal562301 [ Thu Mar 04, 2010 10:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th Mar
Lovely to see the boys being so matter of fact and calming Joey down.

Thanks for the update.
Author:  Miss Di [ Fri Mar 05, 2010 1:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th Mar
Love the vision of Charles climbing the curtains!
Author:  Eilidh [ Fri Mar 05, 2010 8:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th Mar
A couple of filler posts now I'm afraid. I need to spend the rest of my day at work finishing Monday's post in fact, as I don't like writing the 'boring' bits

Paris

Dear Con,

Tell Mamma I'm still ok, and I'm sorry for going off the way I did. I'm in Paris at the moment, as you can see, and I've got a job.

Helena.

"Here we are at last!" Mrs B said cheerfully. "This is our stop and.. well, I never! There's Molly!" she hurried off the train clutching her hat, stick and umbrella, leaving Helena to manage the rest of the luggage. As she struggled to the door though, both Mrs B and a young woman Helena presumed was Molly rushed to her aid. "I'm so sorry!" Mrs B cried, relieving Helena of some of her burden. "There we go, and if Molly takes that... did you bring the car down Moll? What are you doing here anyway? This is Helena, by the way. I met her on the train between Interlaken and Basle yesterday morning." Molly looked confused.

"I thought you were in Berne?" she asked.

"We were." he mother said. "Isn't that what I said? It's all the same, anyway. Anyway, Moll, I was having an issue on the train..." She continued talking as the porter hustled them away from the train which was waiting to depart, Helena offering apologies in French over her shoulder as she followed the others to the car.

"I did wonder what would happen when the dragon wrote to say she was getting married." Molly replied, and they piled the luggage into the car. "But really, mother, deciding to employ someone you met on a train? Nothing against you, Helena, and pleased to meet you - I just hope you know what you're taking on with Mother!"

"As to why I'm here," she continued, swinging the car out of the station and heading through the town "It's the summer holidays, remember? Ben and Tony will be home next month sometime, maybe. They're helping out at a summer school in London just now, but you'll have got Ben's letter?"

"Yes, I think so." her mother mused. "I wasn't expecting him, anyway." Molly sighed.

"You never expect any of us. That grey tower you can see above the trees over there is the house, Helena." she said over her shoulder. "We have a wonderful view of the lake, and although we're a bit out of town, it's a longish walk or a quick drive to get here so it's not too bad." She stopped talking then as they left the town and the road wound around the side of the lake. Helena looked around, taking in the large, blue lake, and the unfamiliar mountains surrounding it.

"It's beautiful." she said. "The only place I've seen that is even close to it is the Tiernsee in Austria, but this is completely new and so lovely."

"It is, isn't it." Mrs B replied from the front seat. "That was my response as well when Robert first brought me here to show me where he wanted to live. The house was almost a ruin then, and Molly will be able to tell you about the number of weekends and school holidays she spend helping to get it into the state it's in now." Molly made an expressive face.

"The boys were always keener on that than I was." she observed. "Still, here we are. Welcome to the Tower House, Helena. Mother, go for a lie down, you look exhausted. I'll give Helena the tour, and then you can get up for tea if you feel like it."

"I'll do that." her mother decided. "Thank you, Molly."

"Drop all that stuff there, we'll get it put away tomorrow." Molly instructed, piling her mother's luggage in the porch. "Now, come in." She led the way into a huge room, running right down one side of the house. Large windows looked out over the garden to the lake, smaller windows at the back gave a view up towards the mountain. "This is our living room." Molly explained. "It's our dining room too, Robert had them knocked into one so we could have the lake view in as many places as possible. Have a seat." she said, dropping down on the sofa. Helena sat hesitantly beside her.

"OK, first things first. You're not a maid. There are 2 women who come in from the village to do the heavy work, cleaning the floors and so on. The laundry all gets sent out. There will be some things to do - dusting and flowers and so on - but nothing hard." Helena nodded. "Half the house is closed up at the moment - it always was too big for us, but well - you've met Mum, and my Stepfather was the same when it came to enthusiasm. This place could have housed three families the size of ours. I'll show you around."

"Through here," Molly continued, "Is the kitchen. In this house, we all get our own breakfasts when we get up, and then you'll normally make lunch and dinner for yourself and mother, unless she has arrangements to go out somewhere. Obviously when me or the boys are at home, there will be more to cook, but we do try and give a hand. I'll cook tonight, as you and mother have been travelling all day and I expect you're tired. Next door to here is the study. This is mother's diary, which I suggest you hang on a string round your neck as she leaves it everywhere. She's involved in a whole load of commitees and things when she's home, as you can see from her appointments, and keeping her where she is supposed to be and when presents its own challenges. Come on now, I'll show you around upstairs."

"I hope you don't mind," she said apologetically, leading the way up a spiral staircase, "but you're in the tower itself. The room aren't big, but you are completely on your own there. On this floor is your bedroom, and a tiny bathroom. Up those stairs there is your sitting room, where you can go if you want to be private during your own time. You're always welcome to be with the rest of the family though."

Helena opened the bedroom door, and saw a tiny slip of a room with just enough space for a bed and bureau. It was painted white, and the lake was visible through the window. Another door led into the bathroom which, as Molly had said, was tiny. She climbed the stairs and let out a cry of delight.

"It's nice, isn't it?" Molly demaded, scrambling up behind her. They were standing in a perfectly appointed little sitting room, again painted white. The room was round, and four windows were spaced aroud the walls, giving views over the lake, town, mountains and the valley behind the house.

"It's wonderful!" Helena exclaimed. "If this was my home I'd keep this room for myself!"

"It's so far away from the main part of the house, that's why we don't." Molly explained. "And the rooms up here are smaller. You could have had one of the downstairs rooms that we're not using, like the dragon did, but I thought you'd like this."

"It's lovely. But why do you call her the dragon?"

"Because she was one. We couldn't stand her, though mum always got on all right with her. Now, as mum is asleep for the rest of the day, do you want to unpack? Or is there anything else you need?"

"Unpack?" Helena asked with a smile, glancing as the solitary bag she had with her, "That won't take me long. I'll need to go shopping soon and get some more clothes, and also..."

"Also what?" Molly asked.

"I'd like to get my hair cut sometime soon." Helena said selfconsiously. "It's such a pain like this, and as I'm now responsible for myself..." Molly grinned.

"I know an excellent hairdresser! We'll go tomorrow." she promised. "Now, as you have nothing else to do, I'll show you the garden and we can get deckchairs for the rest of the afternoon. It's going to be so nice having someone else the same age as me here! The boys don't count, of course, they spend their lives on the water when they're at home at all. I like sailing myself, but I'm not as nuts on it as they are!"
Author:  Mona [ Fri Mar 05, 2010 8:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 5th Mar
Molly seems as lovely as her mother!
Author:  JB [ Fri Mar 05, 2010 8:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 5th Mar
Yay! Hair cut. Why does that excite me so much?
Author:  JS [ Fri Mar 05, 2010 8:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 5th Mar
Love the sound of the tower rooms - and please, may we see Len's shopping and hair-dressing trip??
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Mar 05, 2010 9:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 5th Mar
Changing your hairstyle can be a big thing - hope Len goes for something really different :D .
Author:  Chatelaine [ Fri Mar 05, 2010 9:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 5th Mar
Not wishing to influence the direction of the story, or anything like that ( :wink: ), but might we get to see how Mrs B deals with Joey when the latter, inevitably, turns up to haul Helena off home?

Pretty please?? :D
Author:  PaulineS [ Fri Mar 05, 2010 11:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 5th Mar
Thanks. I like Molly, pleased she is young enough to befriend Len.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Fri Mar 05, 2010 8:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 5th Mar
Thanks, am really enjoying this
Author:  Lesley [ Fri Mar 05, 2010 9:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 5th Mar
Pleased Molly is so welcoming and that Len has really fallen on her feet.


Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Fri Mar 05, 2010 10:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 5th Mar
She sounds lovely! Thankyou.
Author:  Abi [ Fri Mar 05, 2010 10:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 5th Mar
Molly sounds lovely - hopefully Len has found a new friend.
Author:  Jennie [ Sun Mar 07, 2010 1:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 5th Mar
Tahnk heavens that helena has found somewhre whre she'll be safe, but isn't too sane and sensible a place. She might find out who she really is whilst she's living there.
Author:  clair [ Sun Mar 07, 2010 2:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 5th Mar
So relieved that Len seems to have found herself a decent place to get herself together and find out who she is as an individual :)
Author:  Eilidh [ Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 5th Mar
Sorry for the long delay - this is saved on my work PC and I was at home ill last week. Normal service should now resume.

"There are four of you, aren't there?" Helena asked, as they settled themselves in the garden.

"Yes. John is ten years older than me. He lives in the north of England with his wife. Then the twins - Ben and Tony - are two years older than me. Ben is studying maths in London and Tony is studying archaeology at Oxford. They'll graduate next summer, and I know Tony is looking to head off to some dig after that. I don't know what Ben is going to do. I've just finished my first year of university - I'm in London as well, studying geography."

"I just left school the day before yesterday." Helena admitted. "It feels like a million years ago now! I was supposed to be going to Oxford to read languages, but I'm not going - I need to write and decline the place now I suppose."

"The day before yesterday?" Molly asked in surprise. She looked curious, then shook her head and appeared to re-think what she was going to say. "I won't pry. It's none of my business, and I guess mums knows all about it. Now, how about something to eat? Come on and I'll show you where things are in the kitchen as I go along."

Meanwhile, in the garden at Freudeshiem, Margot and Stephen finished a hot and hard-fought game of tennis in a narrow victory to Margot, and threw themselves down on the grass beside Con and Charles. Con was fathoms deep in a book, and Charles was lying back on the lawn with his eyes closed.

"Go away, you horribly active pair." he said, without moving. "You see how tired I am just watching you?"

"Where is everyone?" Margot demanded, wiping her face on a towel and leaning across Con to appropriate that young woman's fruit juice, which she drank in one long draught.

"That was mine." Con protested, aiming a slap at her sister with her book. Margot dodged it, and handed back the glass.

"I know you don't grudge me it." she smiled. "Anyway, now you've woken up, where is everyone?"

"Mamma went for a walk with the kids." Con said "They've taken lunch, and whistles and bells and things, so I guess they were going to the Auberge. Papa and Mike went off with binoculars and bird books, and Anna and Rosli are having a cup of coffee in the kitchen, last I saw."

"Anna and Rosli are what?" Stephen demanded. "It's the middle of the day! How do they have time for that?"

"Well Mamma's had the kids all morning, hasn't she?" Margot pointed out. "I guess they got more done than usual. What are we doing for the rest of the day anyway?"

"I am going to lie right here and not move." Charles said lazily. "I've worked far too hard this term, and I'm going to recover from it."

"We should take the twins and Cecil off Mamma's hands this afternoon." Con said thoughtfully. "She'll have other things to do and she has had them all day."

"She wants to get to know them." Charles pointed out. "Leave them wih her. Then maybe she'll see what she expected Len and Steve to put up with every holiday."

"What is wrong with you?" Margot demanded. Charles sighed, and pushed himself into a sitting position.

"After years of barely seeing our parents from one Christmas to the next, Mamma has suddenly decided that she wants to 'get to know' me? Firstly, she should have got to know me years ago, then she wouldn't keep thinking I haven't changed since I was seven. Secondly, she'll have forgotten again by the time she gets an idea for her next book, and everything will go back to normal, except that Len, who you are all carefully not mentioning today, will still be gone because she had the sense to see the mess this family is getting itself into. I don't know about you three, but I have better things to do than help Mamma soothe her consience because her baby has run away. Good for Len, and if I was old enough I'd do the same!" He got to his feet and disappeared in the direction of the house, leaving the other three staring at each other.

The Auberge party returned late in the afternoon, and Con rather hesitantly offered to take her brothers and sisters into the garden for a story while Joey freshened up and caught up with what she'd missed that morning. Joey look anxious.

"Do you mind?" she asked, "I mean, it is your holiday."

"I've had all day to myself." Con pointed out reasonably. "Steve and Margot are on their third game of tennis today, and I have no idea where Chas is - I haven't seen him since just after lunchtime. I'll look after them while you get changed, since Rosli is helping Anna with supper." Joey eventually agreed, and Con led the way out to where a brightly coloured rug was spread in the shade of one of the trees.

"I'm too big for stories." Felix told her firmly.

"OK." Con said thoughtfully. "Well, how about we do one between us all? Like we do when we play paper games?" Felix considered this, and then decided that it was a better idea. They seated themselves on the rug, Claire climbing onto Con's knee while Phil leant against her. "I'll start, shall I?" Con suggested. "Once upon a time there was a castle." she said, nodding to Felix.

"In the castle lived a great big monster!" he informed them all delightedly. Con sighed, and nodded at Felicity, who continued. A while later, Joey re-appeared among them just as Phil was telling them how everyone had lived happily ever after.

"Thank you Con." she said with a smile, dropping down on the rug beside them. "Right, we have time for another round before tea. Felix, you start this time!"
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 15th Mar
Thanks. Am really enjoying this. Interesting Chas feels that way especially as he wasn't lumbered with helping.
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 15th Mar
Hope you're feeling better, Eilidh.
Author:  PaulineS [ Mon Mar 15, 2010 11:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 15th Mar
Thanks for the update.
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Mon Mar 15, 2010 11:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 15th Mar
What an interesting update - can understand Joey's reaction, but I think that Chas was right. Love Jack and Mike! Thankyou.
Author:  Abi [ Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 15th Mar
Interesting reaction from Chas, but I hope he and Joey manage to sort things out between them.

Thanks for the update - hope you're feeling better now.
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 15th Mar
In a way it's far more realistic that Charles would feel aggrived - it will show Joey that she can't just stick a plaster over the gap Len had left.

Wonder if they are still looking for her?


Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Eilidh [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 15th Mar
Moving forward in time...

Dear Con, and everyone else when Con gets home from Oxford,

I do hope you get this before you go home for Christmas Con, I think I've posted it in time.

This is where I have been living for the last six months, though I'd appreciate it if you'd keep the address to yourself. I don't need bombarded with letters, and I don't need Mamma or Papa turning up in the neighbourhood either! Don't get me wrong, I do miss you all - you and Margot so very much - but I need to be away from everyone and everything that the Platz represents just now, for a while. Don't worry though, this isn't going to be all complaining.

I sent you a postcard from Paris just after I left telling you that I'd got a job, and the house I am living in belongs to my employer. It is the most wonderful place I have ever seen, I love every inch of it already. But let me see, what have I been doing since July? Well, I met Mrs B on the train to Berne the morning I left and she engaged me as her companion before we even got there. We spent the next few months - until the beginning of September, in fact - here. I act as a combination of secretary, chauffeur, cook and housekeeper, and I've had a fairly full few months, although with plenty of time to relax as well.

Mrs B's daughter, Molly, spent the summer here as well and I don't think I've ever met someone that I got on with so instantly! She took me to get my hair cut - it's very short now - and nearly had a fit over my clothes and things. We had a lot of shopping sessions and coffee sessions in the town, and boat trips on the lake and similar things when Mrs B didn't need me. She also introduced me to her friends who live in the town, and I've seen something of them while she's been at university as well. It's nice to be able to go to a dance, or a walk, or something similar without knowing everyone that you meet!

After Molly went back to her university course, Mrs B and I stayed on here for another few weeks, and then she suddenly got up one morning and announced that we were going to Rome. And off we went, the next day! We spent a good few weeks there, and then spent November in the south of Italy where it was still wonderfully warm. I thought about you both a lot, particularly around our birthday. I hope you both had a lovely day.

Well, as it got towards Christmas, we headed back to the north again and we're settled back in the house now. I'm writing this in my sitting room, which is at the top of the tower, watching the snow coming down onto the lake, which is frozen. Apparently if the weather doesn't change the ice will be thick enough for skating soon! Mrs B has given me an old pair of Molly's ice skates and I've cleaned them up ready to use. I do hope I still have my balance!

Molly and her twin brothers should be here tonight for Christmas, and she wrote screeds to me last week telling me how she has begged a few days holiday for me and we are going Christmas shopping in Paris next week. If I remember the dates properly, you and Margot should be there while travelling home next Tuesday and Wednesday. I'll be at the Gard du Nord at midday on Tuesday, under the clock that Chas used like. If you don't want to see me after what I've done though, I'll understand. I realise that you can't have had an easy summer with Mamma after I left.

Mrs B is very excitied about having them all the family (except her eldest son, whose wife is expecting a baby - I almost wrote going to be very busy!) back at home again and she's teaching me to make loads of Christmas goodies which are being boxed to hand out to some of the places around the lake for Christmas Parties, or packed away in our own larder. Often we have to keep mine for ourselves, but I'm getting better!

I must sign off now as I have to make dinner, and it'll need to be ready when Molly and the twins get here! Please give my love to everyone at home, and wish them a very happy Christmas. I'll be thinking of you all.

Helena.
Author:  abbeybufo [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 16th Mar
That's a lovely letter - lots of info - but has she really only sent the postcard between leaving and now? ... that will have been hard on and for the rest of the family :cry:

Thanks Eilidh
Author:  JB [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 16th Mar
I feel sorry for the rest of the family if that is the first letter but can also understand Len's need to break away completely. Thanks for the update.
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 16th Mar
That's a lovely letter; I hope that they can meet up in Paris! Thankyou.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 16th Mar
Hope Len and Con are able to meet up, and good to hear Len sounding so positive.
Author:  JS [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 5:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 16th Mar
Quote:
I almost wrote going to be very busy!


:lol: :lol: :lol:
Author:  PaulineS [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 16th Mar
Thank you, sorry for Con if that is the first letter.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 16th Mar
Glad Con has finally heard from her properly. I think Len will find it hard to ever go home again as she'll always be a little nervous about falling back into who she used to be
Author:  Abi [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 16th Mar
Glad Len has finally written. I can see why she didn't, although it will have been hard on the others. I hope the triplets get to see each other again.
Author:  Miss Di [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 2:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 16th Mar
Not very kind of Len to have not written.

I can see why Chas feels hard done by even though it wasn't the BOYS who were expected to look after the ever lengthening family. Sent off to school at a young age and the house always full of adoptees on the long vac's he got home for.
Author:  Lesley [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 6:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 16th Mar
I wonder if she didn't write because she was concerned that she would be dragged back into her 'expected' life by letters from her family saying how they couldn't cope without her? At least by leaving it six months everyone has been able to see that they can manage without Len having to do everything. Would be interesting to see Joey and Jack's reaction to the six months silence - and the way it has forced them to look at the dynamics of their family.


Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  jmc [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 10:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 16th Mar
I can see Joey reacting in a couple of ways to Len leaving. She could have become overprotective of everyone and driven them all nuts with her constant attention. She might have expected Len to come running back home after a couple of weeks. As someone whose brother disappeared, although he was older than Len and had quite different issues, I saw what my parents went through when they didn't hear from him for a long period of time. Even though Len sent the postcard originally a lot could have happened in six months. I feel quite sorry for Joey and Jack here and although it may cause them to look at their family dynamics more closely it they must be so worried about Len. I understand why she left but surely she could have sent postcards a bit more frequently knowing letting them know she was OK even if she didn't want to give them much more information or a return address.
Author:  Eilidh [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 1:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 16th Mar
I feel sorry for Joey and Jack myself at the moment. We'll get to them in a few posts time though.

A few hours later, Helena was interrupted in her dinner preparations by the clang of the doorbell. She hurried to answer it, smoothing down her hair as she did so. Opening the door, she was almost bowled over by Molly, followed by two young men and a flurry of snowflakes.

"Merry Christmas Helena!" Molly cried cheerfully, wriggling out of her bright red coat and turning to hug her friend. "These are Ben and Tony." she explained, waving a hand in the general direction of her brothers, who were startlingly alike.

"Merry Christmas." Helena replied, returning the hug and then shaking hands with both the twins. "Your mother is in the sitting room." she told them, "and dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes." The three young people went to hunt for their mother while Helena returned to the kitchen and put the finishing touches to dinner.

During the meal, Helena sat quietly, listening as Molly and both the twins all talked at once, and none of them listening to any of the others. She was reminded of the many ocasions when her brothers had arrived home from school for the holidays, and felt slightly homesick as she thought of how their family had been the same, all talking at once about whatever came into their heads first. She was pleased when the meal was finished and with compliments on her cooking, the family returned to the sitting room, leaving her to clear the table and take the dishes to the kitchen.

Although she could leave the dishes for the daily women the next morning, Helena enjoyed washing up, and after finishing in the dining room she set to work with a will, systematically scrubbing all the dishes and allowing her thoughts to wander. She was half way through when she was interrupted.

"Oh, hello!" Helena turned, soapy water dripping from her hands, to find one of the twins standing behind her.

"Hello." she replied pleasantly. "Can I help you?"

"That's not your job, is it?" he asked, "I mean, doesn't Madame Whatshername do it in the morning? That's how it used to work."

"I enjoy doing it." Helena explained. "It's fun to make things clean and it doesn't take long."

"I see. I'll... I'll lend a hand, shall I?" he suggested. "Where's a towel?"

"In the drawer over there." Helena indicated the direction with her head. "You don't have to help you know."

"No, no, it's fine." he assured her. "I get tired of listening to Tony go on about his never-ending achievements anyway. He does go on a bit when he gets started, and he's mostly talking to himself anyway. And Mums and Molly are chatting about something else entirely and not paying any attention either. Anyway, you said it was fun!"

"You're Ben then?" Helena asked. "I was wondering." she admitted. "I'm used to twins, but you and Tony are more alike than any I've seen before."

"Benjamin Joseph Blakeney, at your service." he confirmed, giving her an elaborate bow. Helena laughed. "And do you have a name other than 'Helena'?"

"Mary Helena Maynard." she returned. "My turn - what are you studying? I did know once but I've forgotten."

"Maths, at the moment, but I finish in the summer and then I don't know what I'll do. I -" Ben broke off. "What do you like doing?" he asked instead.

"I like travelling, I like learning languages..." Helena thought, "I was going to Oxford to read languages at one point," she explained, "before I ended up working for your mother. This is a lot of fun though."

"What - washing dishes?" Helena laughed

"No!" she sighed. "The travelling and having some independence, and living here, and just... everything." she finished. "There, that's that done. Now to check what's happening tomorrow and then I'm finished for the night." She made her way into the study and consulted the big diary lying on the desk.

"Christmas boxes to be handed out... oh, she's made a note, you three are getting to do that." she said.

"Wonderful." Ben sighed. "Hours of trailing round the lake and the town giving boxes of things to people we don't know and who probably don't want them anyway." Helena ignored him.

"Christmas Party for the Choir in the afternoon, and that's in the Church Hall." she said. "So that means getting the car out, and then a church meeting at night, so I'll need to remember it's a late dinner." she closed the book with a thump. "And that's me." she said with a smile.

"So what do you do with your evenings once you're finished?" Ben asked.

"It varies. Often I sit with your mother, but not tonight I suppose as you are all home. Sometimes I stay in my own sitting room. I read, or sew, or sometimes I write letters. Before it got so cold at night I used to go out for a walk."

"And what are you going to do tonight?"

"She's coming to join the rest of us." Molly said from the doorway. "Mum sent me to find you both. Ben, you are to go and dig out some decent games from upstairs since we can't go out. Tony is getting us all a drink." she tucked her arm through Helena's and drew her away.
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 2:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th Mar
Hmm, potential sparks between those two? Thanks for the update!
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 2:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th Mar
They seem nice :D .
Author:  PaulineS [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 4:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th Mar
If Len spent her evening writing letters someone must have had news of her, perhaps she wrote to her family in turn. Writing a letter a week it would take a term for someones turn to come round again.
Author:  abbeybufo [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 5:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th Mar
Is she writing to Ted or Rikki, perhaps? Or maybe she's writing and not posting???
Author:  JS [ Thu Mar 18, 2010 9:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th Mar
If a triplet marries a twin, the chances of getting those quads must increase, I'd have thought!

Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Mar 18, 2010 9:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th Mar
Ben seemed very taken with Helena, didn't he?


Thanks Eilidh
Author:  SMG [ Sun Mar 21, 2010 10:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th Mar
Have just discovered this drabble and am really enjoying it...especially seeing how the Maynard family adjust.Family dynamics can be so very hard to alter.Thank you.
Author:  Eilidh [ Mon Mar 22, 2010 2:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th Mar
I don't know... they have a 5 minute conversation and you all have them married off!

Apologies for the delay, I was stuck trying to write a bit that I decided I didn't really need anyway. Long bit today!

Dear Ros,

Thank you so much for your last letter, and for the invite. I can't accept it just now, but Mrs B is expecting a grandchild to arrive at the beginning of February, and she's already said that I'll be having a holiday while she visits them as there isn't room for me. Maybe I can come to you then for part of the time? It would be wonderful to see you again. I love the way I'm living now, but there are times when I miss having people around who have known me for more than a few months, if you know what I mean. There's no one to say 'Remember when...' with, and it's a bit lonely sometimes.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. We don't have a lot planned, although I'm rather worried about trying to cook a Christmas dinner! Hopefully it'll all go well. And then on New Year's Eve we are all going to a dance, which I'm really looking forward to. It's all so different to home, I'm really enjoying myself.

Also, thank you for encouraging me to write to the family. I never thought that people would be worried that there was something wrong because I hadn't been in touch, but I guess they probably were. I couldn't bring myself to write to Mamma, but I sent a letter to Con that she can take home with her in time for the Christmas hols.

I need to finish now as I'm on my way to Paris for Christmas shopping and I'm meeting Con and Margot for a few hours. They are on their way home. I haven't seen them for 6 months - I wonder if they've changed at all?

Do let me know about February as soon as you can,

Love,

Helena.

"She's not really coming, is she?" The clear voice flated through the cold winter air, causeing people to glance at the two girls who stood together.

"Margot, that's the third time in 5 minutes you've said that. There are still fifteen minutes until she's supposed to be here." Margot had the grace to blush.

"I'm sorry. I just haven't seen her since that morning, when she looked so sad and young and lost. I saw her vanish into the mist, Connie, and I thought I'd never see her again." Connie hugged her sister.

"Don't be so ridiculous." she said gently. "We're triplets! She'll always come back to us, even if she doesn't want to be in the same hemisphere as Mamma and Papa at the moment. Oh! Is that... Len?"

Two girls were walking through the station towards them. The taller of the two was wearing a short brown coat, her Christmas present to herself, and her hat, scarf and gloves had been knitted by Molly to match it. The ends of her boyishly short red hair could be seen sticking out from under the hat. Her companion wore a bright red coat with black accessories, and lagged behind slightly as the three sisters saw each other. With a squeal of delight, Helena ran forward and for the next few minutes all three were completely oblivious to their surroundings. Connie returned to her senses first.

"We're making a spectacle of ourselves." she pointed out. "Lets go and get something to eat and then Len... sorry, Helena of course, can give us all her news."

"And you can give me yours." Helena agreed. "But first, this is Molly." she said, pulling Molly forward. "I work for her mother. She's been wonderful to me over the past few months - all her family have."

"Oh behave yourself." Molly muttered, blushing scarlet. "Now, which of you is Con and which is Margot?"

"I'm Margot." that young woman told her. "And this is Connie. She decided there was no way Helena was the only one getting to change her name because she was grown up!"

"Nice to meet you both. Shall we go and get something to eat?" Molly suggested, "I don't know how well you know Paris, but there's a good coffee shop a few streets over where we should be able to get a good meal."

"I know the one, I was there with your mother a few weeks ago." Helena agreed, linking her arm through Connie's. "Lets go there."

A short while later, they were settled with huge mugs of hot chocolate, and plates of sandwiches and cakes.

"So," Helena began tentatively. "What happened after I left?" Her triplets looked at each other.

"Well, Mamma..." Margot began

"Hit the ceiling." Connie interrupted. "We got Papa from the San and they had called the police and all sorts - I think Mamma thought the whole of Switzerland should have been out looking for you."

"We were trying to get a chance to explain that you were fine, and then the boys got home from school. Steve just took over." Margot continued. "He marched in and got rid of the policemen, sorted out a meal, and read us the letter you'd sent him. Mamma was still worried, but I think she thought that you'd be back soon. She cancelled the plans to go to the Tiernsee, and decided we'd be spending the summer on the Platz." she picked up and sandwich, waving at Connie to continue.

"Of course, I got your postcard a few days later." that young woman explained. "Well, when I say I got it, you know how postcards are - Mike collected the mail and yelled through the house about there being a card from you. He was nearly flattened in the stampede. Mamma was horrified that you had a job and she didn't know what it was, and that you hadn't given your address."

"She was making an effort though." Margot said thoughtfully. "She spent a lot of time with Mike, and the twins and Cecil and the babies. Connie and Steve and Chas and I kept to ourselves for the most part - the Richardsons were staying with Daisy for the holidays and both Adrienne and Erica had gone to friends. Papa and Mike went for a lot of long walks as well. Mike said they were watching the birds."

"What about you four though?" Helena demanded.

"Like Meg said, we kept out the way." Connie replied. "We - well, all three of us really - got more than our fair share of attention while we were growing up. It was time the others got some. As for Steve and Chas, they weren't interested. Steve said that the time for getting to know them was years ago, and Chas just shrugged and said that it didn't matter, she would forget about it by Christmas anyway. We did a lot of climbing and walking, we spent most of the time out of the house. Steve and Chas were good company. I was surprised."

"Steve missed you, I think." Margot said. "He's Head Boy at his school this year, and I think he was relying on you for tips, and then the two of you always were quite close. He backed you to the hilt when Mamma and Papa were angry about you going, but he was quiet all summer."

"Maybe I should write to him?" Helena suggested, "I could write to them at school after the holiday maybe. They will know not to pass on my address to Mamma - my worst nightmare is to have her and Papa turning up on the doorstep and demanding to see me. How's... I mean, How did Reg take it?" Connie and Margot exchanged glances.

"He was..."

"...very upset." It was Margot who took over the story this time. "He applied for a transfer the next day - he's working in Wales now, under Gottfried. He wrote to me once or twice last term, giving me advice on my course and tips on how to fit in all the studying." Helena stared at the table.

"It was a cowardly way to go." she admitted. "I just didn't think I could face you all and tell them that I wanted a different life. I didn't mean to hurt anyone." Connie reached across the table and took her hand.

"It'll be ok." she said. "You looked happier when we met you than you have for years. It'll all work out in the end." Helena smiled back at her.

"I hope so." she said doubtfully.

"Connie, our train." Margot said, "I'm sorry Helena - but we have to go. Papa is meeting us at Interlaken and we can't miss the train."

"You three go back to the station then." Molly said. "I'll settle up here. Helena, I'll meet the boys - we're already late for them - and come round and meet you in a bit."

"Thanks Moll." Helena smiled at her friend. "Here - this is my treat." she pulled some money from her purse and handed it over, and then followed her sisters out of the shop.
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Mar 22, 2010 3:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 22nd Mar
Glad they've all managed to meet up, but I do feel quite sorry for Reg.
Author:  PaulineS [ Mon Mar 22, 2010 5:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 22nd Mar
I pity Len trying to cook a Christmas dinner for the first time. Pity she can not write to Anna or Karen for a tips.
However not writing to any of her siblings which she could have done without giving her address was not a good idea. Pleased Ros persuaded her to write and she could then met her sisters.
Author:  JB [ Mon Mar 22, 2010 5:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 22nd Mar
I have a lot of sympathy for Len. She was only 18 and I don't see how she could have talked to Joey about this. If she'd been older, she could have handled it differently but I do see why she did this.
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Mon Mar 22, 2010 6:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 22nd Mar
I feel sorry for Chas most :cry:

Thanks for the update.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Mon Mar 22, 2010 9:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 22nd Mar
Thanks am really enjoying this. I hope she writes to the boys. I can understand to a certain extent why she felt she couldn't write but it would be so hard for her family not ot know if she were dead or alive.

BTW I do wonder if Len will regret not going to Oxford and studying languages later on in life. Can she go back later if she wants too?
Author:  Abi [ Mon Mar 22, 2010 11:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 22nd Mar
I'm glad Len sees that she could have done things differently, but it must have been so hard for her. That was a lovely meeting between them, and it's great to see that there doesn't seem to be any awkwardness or bitterness between the triplets.
Author:  Miss Di [ Tue Mar 23, 2010 2:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 22nd Mar
Kind of ironic that she runs away from being an unpaid drudge to being a paid one. THanks for the updates! Am glad she's got in touch with her sisters.
Author:  brie [ Wed Mar 24, 2010 9:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 22nd Mar
Really enjoying this. Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Lesley [ Wed Mar 24, 2010 10:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 22nd Mar
She seems very happy in her new life, doesn't she?


Thabnks Eilidh
Author:  ivohenry [ Sat May 15, 2010 11:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 22nd Mar
Please may we have more of this soon?
Author:  Eilidh [ Wed May 26, 2010 11:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 22nd Mar
Apologies for the delay - I lost April and most of May in a huge pile of real life stuff. I do, however, have more written! I'm afraid this is not a happy post. :(

None of them said much on the way back to the station. Connie and Margot boarded the train after many hugs, and promises to write, and Helena tears running down her face, backed away as the train slowly pulled out of the station. She waved frantically until they were out of sight, and then took a deep breath and attempted to check her tears. An arm slipped around her shoulders, and she looked up to see Ben regarding with some concern.

"What's all this about?" he demanded, pulling her across to a nearby seat and presenting her with his handkerchief. "Molly sent me to find you while she and Tony went to get a present for Mum, she won't be happy if I bring her back some sort of niobe." Despite herself, Helena smiled.

"My triplets." she said, gesturing in the direction of the now empty platform. "I hadn't seen them for so long, and now they're gone again."

"Wish you were spending Christmas at home, eh?"

"Yes... No... I don't know. It's complicated."

"Well, I'm sure if you want to Mum will agree - you'll need to decide soon though or you won't get a ticket."

"I'm not going home yet." Helena said more firmly. "If I do, I'll never get away again." she added to herself, following Ben out of the station.

On the Gornetz Platz, Joey finished wrapping the last pile of Christmas presents and then, instead of calling one of the boys to take them downstairs and put them under the tree, and picked them up and slipped them into the bottom of her wardrobe.

"What on Earth are you doing?" Jack demanded, coming in to the room. Joey turned.

"Len's presents." she explained, indicating the pile. "I wrapped them with the others, but I don't want to put the under the tree and risk upsetting the rest on Christmas Day. Oh, Jack. When is she coming home?" Jack went to her quickly and put his arms round her. Joey leant her dark head on his shoulder and gave a sigh that was almost a sob. "What did I do?" she asked rhetorically. "I only tried to do what was best for her. I didn't want to make her do anything she didn't want to. If only she'd said that Oxford wasn't for her, she could have stayed here, it would have been ok, I wouldn't have been angry. And to have heard nothing, since that postcard that Con - Connie, even - got!"

"Shh." Jack soothed, rubbing her back gently. "Maybe Connie or Margot will have heard something from her. I'm sure she's safe Joey. They are so close, the three of them, they would know if anything was wrong with her. She'll be back when she's ready."

"I want her back now!" Joey said angrily. "I want you to be collecting her from Interlaken tomorrow with her sisters. I want Connie and Margot and Steve and Chas to stop looking at me like they did in the summer - like I was a landlady or something instead of their mother." she sat down on the edge of the bed. "I wish I could start again." she said softly.

"I know." Jack replied. "I..." Further discussion was cut off by Anna, calling to him to come to the phone. He re-appeared in the bedroom a few minutes later. "Joey, I need to go, I'm sorry." he bent over and kissed her. "It'll be ok." he told her firmly. "It has to be ok." Joey remained sitting in the room for a while longer, until the sound of halting footsteps was heard in the hall.

"Mamma?" Joey looked up.

"Come in baby." she smiled. Phil limped into the room, a look of indignation on her 5 year old face.

"I'm not a baby." she insisted. "Claire is a baby. I'm a big girl."

"Sorry." Joey said, smiling at her. Phil climbed up on the bed beside her and put her arms around her mother's neck. Joey stroked the long chestnut curls, thinking how much Phil looked like her missing daughter.

"You look sad, Mamma." Phil said suddenly. "Why are you sad?"

"I'm sad because it's nearly Christmas, and Len isn't here." Joey told her.

"I miss Len." Phil said thoughtfully. "Do you think I can write her a letter Mamma?"

"I don't know where to send it." Joey replied softly. "I don't know where she is."

"I'll write it anyway." Phil decided. "And maybe if I ask Santa, he'll bring me Len back for Christmas?" Joey swallowed hard.

"I don't think Santa brings people for Christmas." she said. "Only presents."

"I'll write anyway, and ask him." Phil decided, slipping off the bed. "Maybe he'll make a 'ception."
Author:  Chris [ Wed May 26, 2010 12:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th May
Poor Joey - glad to see this back though.
Author:  JB [ Wed May 26, 2010 12:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th May
Great to see this back. Phil's very sweet. Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  Alison H [ Wed May 26, 2010 12:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th May
That feeling of wanting to start again is very familiar, but unfortunately it can't be done.
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Wed May 26, 2010 1:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th May
Phil is so adorable, but I hope that she isn't heartbroken when Len doesn't appear. Thankyou.
Author:  Abi [ Wed May 26, 2010 1:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th May
Poor Phil, missing her sister. And poor Joey too; it must be so hard for her to come to terms with this.

Glad to see this back. :D
Author:  snowmaiden [ Wed May 26, 2010 1:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th May
Just read this in a one-er Eilidh, and its fabulous, thanks.
Author:  cal562301 [ Wed May 26, 2010 1:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th May
Glad to see this back. A lovely post, if not a very happy one.
Author:  2nd Gen Fan [ Wed May 26, 2010 4:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th May
Poor Phil, it must be hard for the little ones who have always been used to having Len around. Joey doesn't seem to be showing much insight into the problems yet though.
Author:  PaulineS [ Wed May 26, 2010 7:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th May
Thanks for the update. It is good to see this back, hope Con can post Phil's letter for her and that Len will feel able to reply at least.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Wed May 26, 2010 8:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th May
Thanks, its good to see more of this.
Author:  Emma A [ Thu May 27, 2010 1:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th May
It's lovely to see more of this. At least Joey realises there's a problem, though she doesn't seem to know what to do about it. Phil was very sweet.

Thanks, Eilidh.
Author:  brie [ Thu May 27, 2010 7:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th May
Thanks for the update! Although not particuliarly happy I do think you humanised Joey there, I can't help but feel very sorry for her.
Author:  JS [ Fri May 28, 2010 7:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th May
Nice to see this back but poor Phil :(
Author:  Eilidh [ Fri Jun 04, 2010 12:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 26th May
Thank you for all the comments!

Dear Joey,

Sorry I haven't written for so long, the start of term has been as hectic as always. However, I had to write and let you know that I overheard a conversation yesterday in one of my classes - one of my classmates, who lives in France, was talking about something he'd done over the Christmas break and mentioned his brother and sister and "Mother's new companion - Helena Something-or-other - who she picked up in Switzerland last summer." I think it has to be our Helena, and I managed to get his address with some story about her being an old school friend, so good luck with bringing her home. It's a shame I won't be here when she comes to Oxford next year, but I will write and give her lots of advice.

I tried to see Con yesterday again, but I couldn't get her. She always seems to be out when I go round, and I'm not sure any of her friends pass on my messages. I'll try again tomorrow.

Mary-Lou

Joey read the letter - and the precious address - several times, then placed it on her desk and went and made herself a cup of coffee. She took the drink into the Salon and sipped it thoughtfully, staring out across the garden.
Author:  abbeybufo [ Fri Jun 04, 2010 12:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th June
Oh! Champion butter-in OOAO M-L strikes again!
Author:  PaulineS [ Fri Jun 04, 2010 12:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th June
O dear! I hope Mrs. Bassington-Smyth can help Helena if Joey does make contact. Perhaps Jack will stop her though.

Pleased Con has found a way to avoid Mary Lou.
Author:  Mona [ Fri Jun 04, 2010 12:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th June
Oh no!

Although if anyone can deal with Joey, it's Mrs Bassington-Smythe.
Author:  cal562301 [ Fri Jun 04, 2010 2:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th June
:poke: Mary Lou :poke: Joey. Leave Helena alone and she'll contact you in her own good time!
Author:  JB [ Fri Jun 04, 2010 2:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th June
Quote:
so good luck with bringing her home. It's a shame I won't be here when she comes to Oxford next year, but I will write and give her lots of advice.


Stupid, stupid Mary Lou.

:poke: That stick isn't sharp enough.

:hammer: That's better.
Author:  Liz K [ Fri Jun 04, 2010 4:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th June
Noooooooooooooooooooooooo, stay away Mary Lou, let Len lead her own life.

:megaphone: :megaphone: :megaphone: :megaphone: :megaphone: :megaphone: :megaphone: :megaphone: :megaphone: :megaphone: :megaphone: at Mary Lou to get view across!
Author:  Emma A [ Fri Jun 04, 2010 4:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th June
I don't think I need to add anything else, but :shock:

Thanks, Eilidh.
Author:  JS [ Sat Jun 05, 2010 5:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th June
I'm hoping that Joey will react sensibly (that's me, ever the optimist :) )

Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Miss Di [ Sat Jun 05, 2010 11:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th June
Can somebody rid me of this meddlesome prefect? Please?
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sat Jun 05, 2010 1:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th June
Quote:
Joey read the letter - and the precious address - several times, then placed it on her desk and went and made herself a cup of coffee. She took the drink into the Salon and sipped it thoughtfully, staring out across the garden.


These words kind of give me hope that Joey will either not write or if she does won't say much. Knowing where she is, may be enough for her. I'm daring to hope for the best
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Jun 05, 2010 4:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th June
Maybe Mary Lou is trying to be kind - but she should appreciate that Len went away for a reason. Joey's reaction seems rather more promising though.


Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  Abi [ Sat Jun 05, 2010 7:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th June
Poor Len, imagine receiving a letter from Mary-Lou full of lots of advice. :shock: Hope Joey will react well, though.
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Sun Jun 06, 2010 12:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th June
Just to add another :hammer: at OOAO. Perhaps set :viking: on her?

Thanks for the update! Please let us know what happens soon!
Author:  Eilidh [ Mon Jun 14, 2010 12:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 4th June
Whatever Joey chooses to do, Helena is currently Not At Home to react to it. :)

Helena, looking rather nervous but determined, turned in through a pair of huge iron gates and followed the driveway inside. She shivered slightly - the February air was frosty - and pulled her coat tighter around her. She could see sports fields stretching off to her right, and on the far side of them a grey stone building that she guessed was the prep school. Groups of boys were busy on the sports field, and the sound of a whistle reached her ears together with distant shouts.

On the opposite side of the driveway were gardens, and in front of her was the main school building. It was of dark grey stone, and towered imposingly over her as she made her way up the steps. Large wings stretched off to each side, with seemingly endless rows of windows glittering the February sunshine. Taking a deep breath, Helena went in through the open door and looked around her.

The main staircase stretched up in front of her, and the entrance hall that she was standing in was hung with old drapes, heavy and looking as through they'd been in place since the dawn of time. Large portraits were spaced around the room, dark with age, and the pale sunlight filtering in through the high windows did little to brighten the room. Helena walked across to a door marked 'school secretary' and knocked.

"Come in!" a cheerful voice called. Helena entered and found herself facing an older woman, who was seated at a desk surrounded by paperwork. "Good Morning!" she said. "Can I help?"

"Good Morning." Helena replied, relaxing slightly. "I do hope so - my name is Helena Maynard, and my younger brothers are at school here. I wonder if it would be possible to take them out this afternoon? I realise I should have written, but I was just in the area and thought I'd stop and see."

"You'll need to check with the head. I'll see if he's free." she disappeared through another door and Helena waited patiently until she came back. "He'll see you in ten minutes or so - he's in a meeting just now." the secretary explained. "You can wait here if you want, or in the entrance hall or the garden."

"I'll wait outside then." Helena decided. "Thank you."

She went back out into the gloomy hall she'd been in before, intending to look around the garden, however her eye was caught by two large, highly polished boards on each side of the front door. A few seconds showed her that they were the school's war memorial, and she was surprised to find her eye caught by her own family name, half way down the list. Major Robert Maynard. It had never occurred to Helena before that the boys' school had family history, like the Chalet School did. She went out into the garden and wandered along the paths. She noticed an ornate sundial, and went to look at it more closely. Running her fingers over the surface, she spotted a slightly weathered inscription, and bent down to figure it out.

In Loving Memory of
Rolf Charles Maynard,
pupil of this school 1924 - 1930.
Died in a tragic accident.
Much missed.
28th Dec. 1917 - 17th Mar. 1930

"Your cousin, of course." a voice behind her said.

"Yes." Helena said distantly. "Yes, I suppose he was."

"At least he was if you are the young lady my secretary sent me out to find. Excuse me for intruding. Dr. Hammersley, headmaster. You are Helena Maynard?"

"Yes, I am." Helena confirmed. "Thank you for seeing me. I was wondering if it would be possible to take my brothers out for a few hours this afternoon? I haven't seen either of them for over a year, you see."

"I'm afraid Maynard Minor is away with the football team today." the Headmaster said. "You may certainly have Maynard though, if he's free. I'll send someone to find him." he led the way back into the school, catching a small boy on the way and sending him to the prefect's room with the message. "I'll leave you in my study to meet him." Dr. Hammersley told her, leading the way into that room. "My secretary will send him straight in. He should be back by seven, if you please - I'll excuse him for lunch and tea today.

"Certainly. Thank you very much." Helena replied. She wandered over to the window when she was left alone and stood looking out over the playing fields. She could see a group of smaller boys on the far side and idly wondered if Felix was with them. She'd need to make arrangements to see him the following day if possible, and Charles as well. Just then the door opened and Helena saw a tall, broad-shouldered young man - taller than her, she noted in amazement - with her father's blond hair and a very neat school uniform. She grinned at this last, remembering sundry hasty trips to the Splasheries before visits to the Head's study herself, and how quickly one could tidy oneself up.

"You wanted to see me Sir?" Stephen asked as he entered, then stopped in some confusion. Helena took a step towards him and he stared at her in astonishment. "Len?" he asked, in some disbelief.

"Hello, Steve," she said, somewhat shyly. It was hard to reconcile this tall man with the boy she hadn't seen since the previous Christmas. Stephen was still staring at her, as though unsure she was actually there.

"What are you doing here?" he asked eventually.

"I was in the area - I've got some time off and I've been staying with Ros Lilley for a few days. I came here afterwards to see you all and got your Head to agree to my taking you out for lunch and tea. Aren't you pleased to see me?" she finished, rather uncertainly. Stephen blinked a few times.

"Of course." he said, relaxing and smiling at her. He crossed the room towards her and hugged her tightly.

"I've missed you." Helena told him. "And you're so tall!"

"So I've heard." Stephen said drily. "Let me go and get my coat, and we'll walk down to the village. We can get something to eat where ever you're staying and catch up."

"Do you realise that this is the first visit I've had at school since I was at prep school?" Stephen asked, when they were seated in a quite alcove off the main dining room of the tiny hotel Helena was staying at.

"It can't be!" she replied in some disbelief.

"It is. Auntie Madge and Uncle Jem used to come sometimes, but then they moved to Wales and it was too far away. Then they went to Australia of course. Uncle Dick was always too busy with the farm, and often our half term was the same time as Rix and Maurice's, so he would only be able to take time to go to them. Who else is there to visit?"

"I just always assumed someone did." Helena said quietly.

"Maybe they all thought someone else did it." Stephen sugggested. "We often got invited out with friends' families for half term though, so we didn't always miss out. And we got used to it quite quickly."

"You sound really bitter." Helena said sadly. "I just wanted to surprise you - and to see you again. We haven't spent any time together in so long!"

"I'm sorry." he looked ashamed of himself. "It's good to see you again, even if you do look completely different. I didn't mean to complain - after all, you have made the effort, and you're taking Chas and Felix out tomorrow. Fill me in on what you've been doing instead."
Author:  JB [ Mon Jun 14, 2010 12:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th June
How sad that no-one visits the boys and that the family's history with the school is ignored.
Author:  cal562301 [ Mon Jun 14, 2010 12:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th June
A very revealing instalment about so many things, chiefly the relationships within the Maynard family. Interesting that Jack sent his boys to the same school that Rolf attended. Possibly more to that story?

Thanks for the update, Eiidh. Really enjoying this and looking forward to more.
Author:  snowmaiden [ Mon Jun 14, 2010 1:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th June
Poor boys, no-one visiting them at school :( And the girls always just a few minutes from home too. A really interesting post. Loving this, Eilidh, thanks.
Author:  Finn [ Mon Jun 14, 2010 1:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th June
I started reading this at lunchtime and got hooked - I'm late starting work now! Really enjoying this, Eilidh, it's very well written and grand fun - love Steve and Chas in particular, and I do like the way no-one is painted as the saint/villain of the piece, just as ordinary fallible humans. Splendiferous - not to mention credible. Looking forward to reading more!
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Mon Jun 14, 2010 2:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th June
Thankyou for the update - I'm really pleased that Helena is starting to get in touch more with her family at last, and that she felt able to stay with Ros. I hope that she can help the boys; I wonder if anyone ever told her about Rolf, given her reaction?
Author:  PaulineS [ Mon Jun 14, 2010 3:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th June
Interesting that the school recorded Rolf as sadly missed, in the books only his mother is seen to be grieving for him. Wonder what the boys thought when they aw the plaque for the first time.

Pleased Len is going to see the boys.
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Jun 14, 2010 6:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th June
The boys must have felt very overlooked. Will be interested to see if Len finds out more about Rolf.
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Jun 14, 2010 6:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th June
Steve and the others must have felt so unwanted - no one to ever even visit them.


Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Miss Di [ Tue Jun 15, 2010 12:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th June
It's a bit of a turn around for childrens stories to have the boys ignored in favour of their sisters. Poor kids.
Author:  Mona [ Tue Jun 15, 2010 8:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th June
Thanks for the update Eilidh -lovely to see Helena reaching out to her brothers.
Author:  Elle [ Tue Jun 15, 2010 9:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th June
Just found this, and I think it is great. I do enjoy drabbles about the triplets when they have left school.

Looking forwards to the next update.
Author:  Abi [ Tue Jun 15, 2010 9:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th June
How sad that no-one ever visited the boys. Glad Len is making up, even if a bit late...
Author:  Eilidh [ Thu Jun 17, 2010 11:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th June
It was dark by the time Helena returned her brother to school and headed back into the village again. Stephen reported himself to the head, stayed for a short chat and then made his way back to his own room in the senior boarding house. Half way there, he was distracted by sounds of shouting coming from a side corridor and detoured, to find his brother standing angrily over two members of the Upper Fourth.

"...and I'll teach you to do something like that again - you can both consider yourselves in detention for the rest of the week, and you can spend it learning..."

"What's going on here?" Stephen asked sharply. The junior boys looked from one brother to the other fearfully.

"I caught them running races in the corridor while they should have been at prep - they've disturbed half the house and nearly knocked me over." Charles explained.

"It was an accident..."

"We didn't mean..."

Both of the youger boys spoke at once.

"Silence!" Charles thundered at them. Stephen took a deep breath, thinking that Charles' reputation as the quiet Maynard was as far away from the truth as could be imagined.

"Maynard, I wanted to see you anyway." he said. "Take yourself up to my study, would you? I'll sort this pair out." Charles spun on his heel and stalked off, muttering to himself, and Stephen seated himself on the nearest window ledge and looked at the younger boys.

"OK, you first." he said, pointing to the one on the left.

"Please, we weren't racing." he said nervously. "We knew we were late for prep, and we were running to get there in time. We didn't mean to crash into him, he was just there when we went round the corner."

"Why were you late for prep?" Stephen asked patiently.

"We had practice just before and our watches seem to have gone wrong - they were both ten minutes slow."

"I see." Stephen though for a second. "OK, come with me. You might want to make sure your get your watches fixed - or have a word with whoever thought it would be funny to set them back ten minutes. Don't worry about the detentions, I'll fix it." he added, leading the way to their classroom and opening the door.

"Yes Maynard. Thanks." both boys muttered. Stephen opened the door.

"Sorry these two are late, Baxter - my fault." he said to his friend, who was seated behind the desk. Baxter nodded an acknowlegement and Stephen withdrew. "Right, Chas." he muttered, setting off up the stairs again.

"What was all that about?"

"You were interfering with my punishments, thowing your Head Boyship about, that's what all that was about."

"Chas, the kids hadn't done anything."

"They nearly knocked me down the stairs!"

"It was an accident."

"They had no right being there at all."

"Someone set their watches slow, come on Chas, you did far worse yourself! What's this about?"

"It's not about anything."

"Right. I get back from a rather difficult day out to find you terrifying the life out of a pair of Fourths, and now you're pacing round my study like a caged lion, but it's not about anything? Sorry Chas, but it's been a very long day and I'm not in the mood for your games. Tell me what's actually wrong or go away and leave me to do my prep."

"Where have you been all day?"

"I've been out. In the village. With... with Len."

"Len? She had the bare-faced cheek to show her face here? You know, Baxter told me you went off with some red-haired girl but I didn't think it would be her. After all this time, what did she think she was doing? What did she want?"

There was a knock at the door, cutting Charles off in mid shout.

"Yes?" Stephen called. Jeffries, his second in command, stuck his head in.

"I'm a delegation." he said. "Please can you keep the volume on the family row down a bit, because the entire corridor doesn't need or want to hear it, and we are in fact trying to work. I have an additional message for Maynard Minor, which is that Monty says he'll cover supper duty for you and sent these." A hand holding a pile of books appeared and deposited them on the floor. "Finally, I'm reminding you that supper is in half an hour, and that you're both on lights duty tonight to make up for disturbing the rest of us." Stephen laughed.

"Thanks, Jeff. Sorry." He said. Charles remained staring out of the window, his fists clenched. "Look, Chas, she came to apologise. She would've taken us both out if you'd been here, she said that. When she dropped me off the head said we could have tea in my study tomorrow - Felix as well. I have to go and collect him after lunch. Can we not spend it shouting at each other please?"

"We can if I'm not here."

"Chas..."

"Don't 'Chas' me! You've seem what she's done to Mamma, you've seen how much the kids miss her, never mind the rest of us! And now she wants to come for tea as if it's the most normal thing in the world?"

"Chas..."

"I said don't! You can have tea with her, or go for walks with her, or do whatever you want, but until she tries to fix the damage she's done to our family I'm not the slightest bit interested in having anything to do with her!"

"Fine." Stephen replied, seeing that Charles seemed to have wound down. "In that case sit down, calm down, and do your prep. You might as well do it in here because we're not going to get it finished before supper and I'm the only one who can get away with breaking curfew so we can sit up later to finish." He threw himself down at the table and picked up the nearest book. Charles collected his books from the floor, took the other chair, and they sat in silence for twenty minutes until the supper bell rang.

After supper, they spent some time in the prefects room with their friends, before seeing to lights out for the fourths and then returning to Stephen's study. They worked for a short time, dealt lights out for the Lower Fifth, and then returned to the study in oppressive silence for the last time.

"A Junior Pree breaking bounds again." Stephen smiled in an attempt to lighten the atmosphere as they sat back down.

"Encouraged by the Head Boy, no less." Charles replied. "Never mind, I've only Latin to do so we won't have too late a night."

"Only Chem for me." Stephen agreed, burying himself in his book. They finished just as they hear footsteps in the corridor and a voice called;

"Lights, you chaps. Sleep well!" Various calls of

"Goodnight, Mr. Braithwaite." and "Night, Sir!" replied from all along the senior corridor. Stephen got to his feet and turned out the overhead light, then, waiting until Charles had drawn the curtains, produced a small lamp from under the bed and plugged it in.

"Best present Con's ever given us." he said cheerfully. "Now, since it's lights out and you can't yell, are you going to tell me what was bothering you earlier?"

"I told you already." Charles muttered. "It was Len."

"You were in a foul mood before I even mentioned Len." Stephen pointed out, stretching out on his bed. Charles followed his example on the couch.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"I don't really care." Stephen replied. "Either you tell me because I'm your brother and I care about what's bothering you, or you tell me because you're one of my prefects and you're letting whatever it is affect the way you deal with the younger boys. Your choice." Charles groaned.

"Frying pan or fire." he sighed. "Fine, I'll take the frying pan. I never did fancy jumping into the fire."

"So what happened?"

"Elizabeth." Chearles said glumly. Stephen sat bolt upright.

"Chas! You weren't supposed to be having any more to do with her! You're going to get expelled, you idiot! You can't just... it's not..."

"Will you stop babbling on?" Charles demanded. "I know! I didn't have anything to do with her - at least, no more than I could help. But she came to watch the match today, didn't she? And she spent the whole time looking at me, and I was terrified in case Braithwaite saw her and decided to blame me for it, then she cornered me when we got back and demanded to know why I'd been avoiding her. Added to that, I was so distracted by her that we lost - badly - for the first time this season."

"What did you tell her?"

"I told her that if I got seen with her, I'd be expelled, and she said being expelled wasn't such a bad thing. So I pointed out that if I was expelled, we wouldn't see each other at all, and she said that in that case we'd have to make sure we weren't caught."

"Chas... you need to stop seeing her."

"I don't want to." Charles pointed out. "Let's be honest Steve, every boy in the school wants to be with Elizabeth."

"Only because she's the only female between here and the village, other than the maids and Mrs MacKenzie."

"Oh yeah, I can just see them all dreaming over Mrs Mac." Charles grinned, referring to the school's housekeeper. "But really, I won't get caught. And if I do - well, sometimes I think it would almost be worth it." Stephen rolled his eyes.

"Get a grip on yourself." he snapped. "And think about what you're doing. You need to get a university place next year, you're not going to get that if you're expelled from school for messing about with the housemaster's daughter."

"Will you lighten up? You're worse than Len." Charles snapped. "For the millionth time, I'm not going to get expelled. I might even go one better than not getting expelled and convince them to give me this room next year, and that nice badge that you wear."

"I give up." Stephen sighed. "When they phone Dad to come and take you back to Switzerland, you better tell them I tried to discourage you." Charles muttered something unintelligible which Stephen decided, in the interests of peace, to ignore.

For those of you who want to know who Elizabeth is - her story was supposed to be in here, but she took on a life of her own and will probably now appear in a separate drabble with Charles, as adding her in here would have taken this far too far from it's original story.
Author:  JB [ Thu Jun 17, 2010 12:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th June
Lovely insight into the boys there. I can well imagine Charles siding very much with Joey.
Author:  Sarah_G-G [ Thu Jun 17, 2010 2:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th June
I've just caught up on the last few posts as I seem to have missed a few, somehow or other. Fascinating seeing how Helena's actions have affected the whole family though. I suppose it was inevitable that at least one of them would feel let down by her leaving without a word and letting everyone else pick up the pieces. It's lovely to see the boys' school though, I've never been able to get much of a sense for it from the books. I hope Felix isn't too hostile towards Len "tomorrow."
Author:  cestina [ Thu Jun 17, 2010 2:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th June
Eilidh wrote:
Jeffries, his second in command, stuck his head in.

"I'm a delegation." he said. "Please can you keep the volume on the family row down a bit, because the entire corridor doesn't need or want to hear it, and we are in fact trying to work. I have an additional message for Maynard Minor, which is that Monty says he'll cover supper duty for you and sent these." A hand holding a pile of books appeared and deposited them on the floor. "Finally, I'm reminding you that supper is in half an hour, and that you're both on lights duty tonight to make up for disturbing the rest of us." Stephen laughed.


I love this paragraph! And it gives a flavour of the whole episode. The boys and their dialogue are so real - great writing Eilidh. Can't wait for more.....
Author:  Elbee [ Thu Jun 17, 2010 4:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th June
Really enjoying seeing the Maynard boys at school for a change!

Thanks, Eilidh.
Author:  Chelsea [ Thu Jun 17, 2010 5:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th June
If Steve is "Maynard" and Charles is "Maynard Minor", what/who is Felix?
Author:  cestina [ Thu Jun 17, 2010 5:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th June
Chelsea wrote:
If Steve is "Maynard" and Charles is "Maynard Minor", what/who is Felix?

In some schools: minimus

Don't know what happens if there are more than 3 though :lol:
Author:  Chelsea [ Thu Jun 17, 2010 6:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th June
cestina wrote:
Chelsea wrote:
If Steve is "Maynard" and Charles is "Maynard Minor", what/who is Felix?

In some schools: minimus

Don't know what happens if there are more than 3 though :lol:


Thanks.

I forgot Mike though - so there are four of them there.
Author:  ivohenry [ Thu Jun 17, 2010 8:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th June
Mike doesn't seem to be at school here - is he at Dartmouth preparing for the Navy? Felix is probably in the Prep dept which may be a separate school on the same campus??
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Fri Jun 18, 2010 1:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th June
Thanks, really like seeing how the boys have found life after Len leaving. Very realistic, that they would be upset, though I had thought they were reasonably understanding when it first happened. Can see how nearly a year later, their feelings would change a bit
Author:  Lesley [ Fri Jun 18, 2010 4:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th June
Chas seems to have changed his tune about Len - when he was at home he was very supportive of her actions - what's changed?


Thanks Eilidh
Author:  jmc [ Fri Jun 18, 2010 8:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th June
Nice that Len went to see the boys but wondering what is going on with Charles.

Thanks
Author:  Lyanne [ Fri Jun 18, 2010 11:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th June
cestina wrote:
Chelsea wrote:
If Steve is "Maynard" and Charles is "Maynard Minor", what/who is Felix?

In some schools: minimus

Don't know what happens if there are more than 3 though :lol:


I think it would be Maynard Major, Maynard Minor, Maynard Minimus, then Maynard Quartus, Maynard Quintus... But as one left the others would move up, so there wouldn't often be so many in one family at the same school at the same time.
Author:  sealpuppy [ Sat Jun 19, 2010 4:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th June
I think I've read it as: Major, Minor, Minimus, Minissimus. Angela Thirkell, I think.
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Sun Jun 20, 2010 4:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th June
Thankyou for the update - it's really nice to see more of the boys than EBD ever shows us, and I'm intrigued by Chas' reaction.
Author:  shazwales [ Sun Jun 20, 2010 8:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th June
I'm another one who's enjoying reading about the boys for a change,this is really good,thanks.
Author:  Eilidh [ Tue Jun 22, 2010 1:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th June
I have no idea what the younger boys would have been called - I'm hoping that as there are only 2 of them in the senior school here it will never come up! Mike, as someone said, is not here - I have (incorrectly) sent him to Dartmouth, which is what comes of doing the writing before the research. He should apparently have been 16 before he went there, but he's gone now so he can stay! Felix is on the same campus, but at the Prep School in a different building.

He was just as ready to give up the following afternoon as he surveyed his siblings. Charles, present due to being threatened with death, two weeks worth of supervising the Fourth Form's prep and Stephen working things so that he was left on the Platz the next time they were sent to Montreux, was sitting sulkily in the corner. Helena was involved in an animated discussion with Felix, who had been delighted to see his older sister. Eventually, she stood up.

"Well, I've had a lovely afternoon." she smiled. "It's so good to see you all again, but I'm catching a train tonight so I need to go now."

"Come back another time?" Felix asked eagerly. "It's good to have visitors. Oh! You could come to Prize Giving!" he exclaimed.

"Could I?" Helena asked, amused. "When is Prize Giving?"

"End of June." Charles spoke up. "Exactly the same time as the Chalet School sale." he added bitterly. Stephen swung round.

"Chas, will you give it a rest?" he demanded angrily. "It's hardly Len's fault that Mum always went to the sale, it's certainly not her fault that Mum doesn't come here! Stop taking it out on the rest of us, please!" Felix looked from one to the other, his eyes looking like they were going to fall out his head.

"I'll walk back over to the Prep with Felix." Helena said, in an attempt to diffuse the tension. "I'll come back and say goodbye." The older pair barely acknowledged this, glaring at each other across the room. Felix, however, cheered up significantly once they were out of the school building and pointed out everything he could think of as they walked back, from the place where he had fallen off the wall into a puddle to the windows of his dormitories. Helena returned him to the Matron who came out to meet them, told him to behave, handed him some pocket money, and left again quickly, promising to be at the prize giving if she possibly could.

Stephen and Charles met her on the steps of the main school building, firmly avoiding speaking to each other. Stephen hugged her briefly, smiled when she promised again to attend their prize giving, and disappeared into the building. Charles fell into step beside her.

"I'll take you to the gate." he offered.

"You're angry with me." Helena observed, when they were out of hearing distance of everyone else. "I'm sorry, Chas. I didn't know what else to do."

"You could've stayed. Spoken to Mamma. Spoken to Reg. The kids miss you, you know. So do Connie and Margot and Steve and the rest."

"But not you?" Helena asked, curious. He shrugged.

"I guess. At first I understood - I could see why you'd done it and I thought the rest were being stupid for not understanding, and for feeling sorry for Mum. I thought she'd brought it on herself, to be honest. But then - at Christmas - they looked so old Len, and so sad, and Phil and Geoff and Claire were asking for you and Mum had to keep telling them she didn't know where you were. You upset the entire family, and then you didn't even let Mum know you were safe. I just... well, got angry with you I suppose. Mum and Dad were so worried about you before Connie got home at Christmas with your letter, and said they'd seen you. It was just so unlike you to be so selfish, to not think at all of how the rest of us felt." He kept his eyes on his feet, which Helena was glad about, as she was slowly turning what she was sure must be a very bright shade of red. "But anyway, you're here - and you promised to come at the end of the year - that'll mean a lot to Steve. He's working so hard this year as Head Boy. He'll love having someone there to see the last big event of his school life. Felix'll be delighted too."

"And what about you?" Helena asked.

"I might even have to start working - make sure one of us gets a prize for you to applaud." he said with a grin that made him look far more like the child Helena remembered as 'Steve's shadow' than the young man he was trying to be.

"I am sorry Chas, truly." she said quietly. He shrugged.

"I know. I'd better get back to school." Helena hugged him.

"This is my address." she said, handing over a slip of paper. "I'll be in England for the next six weeks or so - I'm going to join my employer near London - but then I should be back there. Write to me if you want." he nodded.

"And you'll be here in June?" he checked again. Helena grinned at him.

"I'll come from the moon if I have to." she promised. Charles grinned at her again and then headed back up the driveway. Helena watched him go until a smaller figure with bright blond hair joined him about half way up, and then headed back to where she was staying.
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Jun 22, 2010 1:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 22nd June
Well that's a little better, Charles - at least he can understand Len's POV. Hope she will manage to get there for the prize-giving.


Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Chelsea [ Tue Jun 22, 2010 2:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 22nd June
PLEASE let Len make it there for Prize giving.

PS - sorry if I sounded like I was criticizing with the names. I was just very curious about how it all worked (never having been exposed to anything like it).
Author:  cal562301 [ Tue Jun 22, 2010 2:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 22nd June
A much more encouraging update. Thanks Eilidh. Hope Len makes it to the Prize Giving.
Author:  PaulineS [ Tue Jun 22, 2010 2:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 22nd June
If Joey does write Chas comments will help Len understand. Hope That the boys can keep in touch and Len makes contact with Mike soon.
Author:  ivohenry [ Tue Jun 22, 2010 3:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th June
[quote="Eilidh"]I have no idea what the younger boys would have been called - I'm hoping that as there are only 2 of them in the senior school here it will never come up! Mike, as someone said, is not here - I have (incorrectly) sent him to Dartmouth, which is what comes of doing the writing before the research. He should apparently have been 16 before he went there, but he's gone now so he can stay! Felix is on the same campus, but at the Prep School in a different building.

Peter Marlow is at Dartmouth at 14 - which is anachronistic after the first book - so why shouldn't Mike Maynard be there too - artistic licence!
Author:  abbeybufo [ Tue Jun 22, 2010 3:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 22nd June
Dartmouth used to take boys at 13 - same age as they went to public school - can't remember when that changed, but may not after all be anachronistic.

Enjoying this very much, Eilidh
Author:  Len [ Tue Jun 22, 2010 6:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 22nd June
What a marvellous story, Eilidh. I'm ill in bed today, so for once I have time to idle away on drabbles, and I've discovered this one and read it through from the start. I love it and I can't wait for some more.
Author:  JB [ Tue Jun 22, 2010 8:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 17th June
ivohenry wrote:
Eilidh wrote:
I have no idea what the younger boys would have been called - I'm hoping that as there are only 2 of them in the senior school here it will never come up! Mike, as someone said, is not here - I have (incorrectly) sent him to Dartmouth, which is what comes of doing the writing before the research. He should apparently have been 16 before he went there, but he's gone now so he can stay! Felix is on the same campus, but at the Prep School in a different building.

Peter Marlow is at Dartmouth at 14 - which is anachronistic after the first book - so why shouldn't Mike Maynard be there too - artistic licence!


Antonia Forest explained this by saying that she felt couldn't have Peter expelled from Dartmouth so she had to leave him there, even though she knew it was anachronistic.
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Tue Jun 22, 2010 9:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 22nd June
Thanks for the update - I do so hope that Len can make it!
Author:  Abi [ Tue Jun 22, 2010 9:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 22nd June
Glad Len's been able to make her peace with Chas. Thanks for the update!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Tue Jun 22, 2010 11:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 22nd June
Glad Chas was able to talk about how he felt and he and Len were able to clear the air
Author:  Miss Di [ Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 22nd June
Those poor neglected boys.
Author:  2nd Gen Fan [ Thu Jun 24, 2010 4:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 22nd June
I'm really pleased that Len is taking the chance to do some things that are important to the boys.
Author:  Eilidh [ Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 22nd June
"Penny for them." Helena jumped.

"Oh, it's you, Ben." she smiled. "I didn't realise you'd arrived."

"We have." he said, "Can't miss seeing the first of the next generation, can we? Mother would never let us live it down."

"No, she probably wouldn't." Helena agreed.

"What were you looking so miserable about anyway?" he asked.

"Oh! Nothing important."

"You might as well tell me, you know. I'm not going anywhere until you do." Helena sighed.

"I've just come from visiting my brothers at their school." she told him. "The oldest two are so... I don't even know what the word is. They've hardly been visited in all the time they've been there, Stephen just seems to be resigned to it, Charles - well, he was angry with me, and sounded very confused about the whole situation, and they were arguing with each other about it, and about other things as well I think. It just seems so unfair when Mamma was so involved in our school and was there every other day, for the boys to feel so neglected."

"Wasn't your school next door to your house?"

"Yes."

"And didn't you say that your father worked very hard, and that there were still an army of younger children at home?"

"Yes."

"So your mother must be busy as well. And I know she writes books. So, faced with not a lot of time for her older children, wouldn't it be easier to spend that time on the ones who were right there, rather than the ones who were half a continent away?"

"Well, yes, but..."

"I'm sure they haven't even thought of your brothers feeling bad about it." he continued, "If, like you say, they're resigned to the way things are, then they won't complain at home. I bet, if you were to tell your mother how much it bothers them, she'd be horrified."

"Are you defending my mother?" Helena laughed. "You don't even know her! She's nothing like yours, you know."

"Maybe not." he conceded, "but she did bring you up, didn't she? Or she certainly had a big part in bringing you up. Maybe you don't always see eye to eye with her, and maybe she's made some mistakes at times, but she did a good job of that, if you ask me. And lets be honest, would your brothers really have wanted her to have as much to do with their school as she seems to have done with yours? I'd have hated it! Every single thing I did getting back to my mother? No thank you!"

"A lot more things did go to our parents than anyone elses." Helena admitted. "But there's still Charles. He said I was being selfish and unfair and that the kids missed me and Mamma and Papa were upset. He said that at first he'd supported me, but then because I hadn't written or anything that he thought it wasn't fair to the rest of the family and then he got angry with me. He didn't seem to make much sense."

"What age is Charles?"

"Sixteen - seventeen in June."

"I wouldn't worry too much about it then. Sixteen year old boys are notorious for not thinking about things the same way for 2 weeks in a row. Trust me, I was one." Helena laughed.

"I've promised to go to their prize giving at the end of June." she said. "I'm not sure I want to, but I promised I would."

"Well, I'll be at home by that time. If you still feel unsure about going at the time, I'll come with you."

"Would you?"

"Of course. Now, I arrived at the same time as Molly. She's sharing your room, and if I know her she'll be hunting for you since you're not in it. We should go and find her."

"Thanks." Helena said quietly, as they got up. "You've helped."

"Good." he grinned at her. "Now, lets get on and you and Molly can have a catch up before Mother turns up and marches us all off to worship my new nephew."
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Jun 24, 2010 12:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 24th June
Oh Ben is nice - and he's single isn't he? He seems a very level-headed young man. Like the way he could reassure Len and, while not letting Joey off the hook completely, did give some justification for the way things turned out.


Thanks Eilidh
Author:  PaulineS [ Thu Jun 24, 2010 8:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 24th June
Pleased Ben could help Helena to understand Charles. Thanks for the update.


Lesley said
Quote:
Oh Ben is nice - and he's single isn't he?


I think Helena will not want a serious relationship for a while yet.
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Jun 24, 2010 8:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 24th June
Ben seems really nice, but I hope he'll understand that Len's only just broken off her engagement and might not want a boyfriend, rather than a boy friend, just yet.
Author:  Abi [ Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 24th June
Hm, nice Ben indeed, but he seems like a thoughtful person and I don't think he'll try to force Len into anything. Thanks for the update! :D
Author:  brie [ Fri Jun 25, 2010 8:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 24th June
Thanks for the update, its so nice to see the boys!
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Fri Jun 25, 2010 10:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 24th June
Aaaaaah, but is he a doctor? How could it ever work otherwise?

Thankyou for the update!
Author:  Eilidh [ Mon Jun 28, 2010 1:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 24th June
Back to Helena now!

"Helena? Helena!" the call rang through the house and Helena rolled off the sofa in her sitting room where she'd been enjoying a quiet hour with a book - though she'd spent most of it daydreaming - and ran down the stairs. They had been back at home in France for precisely a week, and despite the fact that her employer was looking tired and rather old and that they'd discussed staying at home for a while, Helena expected this would be an instruction to organise her next trip.

"You wanted me, Mrs B?" she asked, running her employer to earth in the little study. "Is something wrong?"

"We need to go to England at once." Helena, slightly surprised, picked up a notebook and pen from the desk.

"Train and boat, or do you want to fly?" she asked.

"Oh, fly - this is urgent." Mrs B said distractedly. "See if you can get seats on this evening's flight, would you? If you can't, get the earliest one tomorrow morning."

"Has something happened?"

"My cousin is dead." Mrs B explained, "She was widowed just over two years ago, and she has - had - seven children - the oldest is just twelve. She's been ill for a few months now - she never really recovered from the last baby - and they thought she was getting better, but she's slipped away last week. I've been asked to take the children; I'm her only close relative, I didn't realise that." she read on and grimaced. "Seven children, Caro, what were you thinking? The letter has taken a week to get here, I need to get to them. The funeral was yesterday. Here, read for yourself." Helena took the sheets of paper that were held out to her.

My dear Win,

If this letter reaches you, I'm afraid that it will be too late for us to say goodbye. Please look after the children for me - I know they'll have a wonderful life with you. I know I should have contacted you earlier - I can hear you saying so, in fact - but I miss Tim so much and I'm looking forward to being back with him.

I'm so sorry to leave my children. Carrie has done a wonderful job with them while I've been ill, but she will suffer more than any of them now. Please look after her and help her to see that I'm happy now. Also, if you could manage to keep them together rather than sending them away to school, I think they'd all be much happier. They are a close group, and I'd hate to think of them split up. I hope you'll agree. I know your own four didn't go away to school either.

I must finish now, as the lawyer is waiting on this letter. He will send it on to you once the worst happens. I hope I'll have sent for you before then, but maybe - hopefully - it will all happen too quickly. Please do your best for my poor children in any case.

Your Cousin,

Caro

Dear Madam,

I am sorry to have to break the news to you that your cousin, Mrs Caroline Arbuthnot, has passed away. As you will see from the enclosed letter, Mrs Arbuthnot has named you guardian of her children. The children are currently residing with a neighbour, a Mrs Bishop. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to arrange to collect them and all other details.

Yours sincerely,

Robert Beresford

"Are you sure you're up to another trip to England?" Helena asked, when she was finished reading these. "I mean, you were saying yesterday that we'd have to stay at home because you'd been feeling under the weather since we got back last week."

"I don't have any choice." Mrs B pointed out. "The children are with a neighbour just now according to the Lawyer's letter, but that can hardly continue."

"I could go and collect them." Helena suggested. "You'd be ok here for a couple of days, wouldn't you? I mean, I helped bring up my brothers and sisters, I can cope with bringing a group of children across the Channel. If you call the lawyer this afternoon, if you can, and I can be there by tomorrow afternoon if I catch the night boat. I'm sure any other arrangements can me made by phone or post."

"That might work." Mrs B said thoughtfully. "Though if we're taking on seven children, we'll need to have some changes in the arrangements here. I'll need to get a cook, and we'd need to get a governess for them as well. They couldn't go to the school that Mollie and the boys went to because they don't speak any French. And we'd been talking about hiring a gardener as well, before - but that might need to be put on hold now." Helena thought.

"You could get a cook and someone to be a gardner and chauffeur?" she suggested. "If I don't have to do the driving or the cooking, I could teach the children. I was going to train as a teacher before I left home. There's the flat above the garage that Ben and Tony could clear out and decorate. They should be home next week, there's plenty of time to get it done up - it's not like someone is going to be here right away, we're going to have to just cope at first."

"That's a possibility." Mrs B nodded. "If you'd be happy with that, then I'll see about getting a couple of people to do the rest of the work. I don't know, four grown up children and a grandchild, and I'm starting all over again. Of course, I couldn't do anything else for poor Caro, but really..."
Author:  Jennie [ Mon Jun 28, 2010 1:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 28th June
So, when does Len walkout of this job? the words 'frying pan' and 'fire' come to mind here.
Author:  Jenefer [ Mon Jun 28, 2010 1:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 28th June
Jennie wrote:
So, when does Len walkout of this job? the words 'frying pan' and 'fire' come to mind here.


I agree. She will be back where she started, looking after children again.
Author:  Abi [ Mon Jun 28, 2010 3:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 28th June
Hm, I agree it does seem a bit much for Len to have to suddenly take on the teaching of seven children - that definitely wasn't what she was signing up for! On the other hand, it wouldn't be like it was at home - she (presumably) wouldn't be expected to be responsible for them and on tap 24/7. Still, I do think she needs to be careful and think about what she really wants.

Thanks for the update!
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Jun 28, 2010 3:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 28th June
A paid job's not the same as being an unpaid dogsbody at home, but it still sounds way too much.
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Mon Jun 28, 2010 5:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 28th June
I think that it will be good for her. It will give her a chance to get back into doing what she knows, without being completely responsible, it will look good if she ever decides to carry on and train as a teacher, she can help the children under her (especially the older ones, who must be looking after the younger ones at the moment) and hopefully it will help to reconcile her further with her family.

*ducks behind the nearest big wall*

Thanks for the update!
Author:  Myth Tree [ Mon Jun 28, 2010 6:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 28th June
Thank-you for a wonderful drabble.

I think having young children around may remind Helena of her family, making her homesick. Perhaps someone will arrange things so she meets her mother at the prize-giving i.e somewhere public so everything is very polite but with a chance to talk seriously afterwards.
Author:  keren [ Mon Jun 28, 2010 6:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 28th June
I think this is getting her back where she started and she should think about it more.

She should not have offered so quickly to teach them, especially without renegociating conditions

Hopefully the son |(bob?) will be along soon to sort this out.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Mon Jun 28, 2010 8:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 28th June
Can see how Helena, being Helena, couldn't do anything else but this. It is an emergency, but do hope she gets a chance to live life. Living in does mean you are on call 24/7
Author:  Joanne [ Mon Jun 28, 2010 8:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 28th June
It will be a lot for Len, sorry, Helena, to take on, but she will be appreciated and not taken for granted. I think that will make a bit difference for her, and help build up her confidence so she can face the rest of her family again.

Thanks for a great story.
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Jun 28, 2010 8:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 28th June
Surely she is just going to get into the same sitution she has just left? Hope Mrs B puts down some ground rukes so that Helena doesn't start feeling trapped again.


Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Eilidh [ Tue Jun 29, 2010 2:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 28th June
Well, that got mixed reactions! :lol: Thank you all for the comments. Dont worry, Mrs B would never over work Helena. This is written all the way to the end now, so I should be able to keep posting fairly regularly.

Helena curled up in her seat on the train, and looked out at the rapidly darkening countryside. Time had passed in a whirl of activity since the mail had arrived that morning, and she felt like she hadn't stopped once for any of it. It was only now, in the empty compartment on the overnight train, that she had any time to consider what she'd agreed to.

On the surface, she knew, it looked like she would have been as well not leaving home. Going back to looking after a group of children - she'd have been as well looking after her brothers and sisters, yet while the thought of becoming a governess to the group on unknowns made her feel slightly apprehensive about things, the thought of going back to the Platz for any reason filled her with dread. Wishing that she'd brought her diary, she leant back in her seat and began talking aloud instead.

"What did you run away from, Helena? It wasn't your brothers and sisters, I'm sure. After all, think how nice it was to be almost knocked down by Felix's hug in Steve's study when you went to see them, and how well you still got on with Steve and Chas. Did you like looking after them? Well, you didn't mind, did you? After all, you like children, and you like teaching, and you like being important and feeling like people need you." Here Helena blushed, and glanced around again to check that the carriage was indeed empty.

"So why go? Reg was a part of it, remember. And Mamma and her expectations - that you would get married and settle down and have children just like she did. So why offer to be a governess? Because I think I'd enjoy it." she finished up, staring at her reflection. "Because if I don't enjoy it, I can leave at any time and either find another job or go back home - though these children will have to be worse than the very worst middles before I'd go back to the Platz! And finally, because I decided I wanted to - not Mamma, not Auntie Hilda, me. Mrs B would have been prefectly happy to keep me on as a companion. I wanted to teach, and now I'm getting to try."

The following afternoon, Helena found herself seated in the sitting room of a Mrs Bishop, the kind neighbour who had taken in Caroline Arbuthnot's children. Standing in front of her was a huddle of children, all dark haired and dark eyed. They looked pale and scared, and, after a momentary panic, Helena went to work.

"OK." she said with a bright smile, "I can't see you at all when you're all trying to hide behind each other. Can you stand in a line for me?" They slowly shuffled into a row. "And now tell me your names and ages please." The tallest girl looked up.

"I'm Carrie. I'm twelve."

"I'm Danny, and I'm eleven."

"I'm Chloe and this is Sophie and we're eight."

"I'm Paul, and I'm seven."

"I'm Hannah and I'm five."

"And this is Amy, and she's one - nearly two." Carrie finished, indicating the little girl she was holding.

"Well, I'm Helena and I'm nineteen." Helena told them, "I work for your Cousin Winnie. I'm here to collect you and take you to her house in France. Now, Mrs Bishop says most of your things are already packed, so that's good. Maybe you could all run and check you haven't left anything behind? I'll keep Amy and Hannah here, if you older ones want to make sure everything is packed and bring it downstairs." Carrie handed over her youngest sister and Helena seated herself back on the sofa with Amy on her knee. Hannah looked at her for a minute, and then turned and ran out the room after her brothers and sisters. Helena sighed, and settled herself to amusing Amy until the others came back.

Shortly afterwards, all the goodbyes had been said and Helena packed the children and their belongings into the car she had hired for the day. She struggled to keep conversation flowing on the journey to the train, and was thankful when she had shepherded them into the compartments that had been reserved for them.

With the children's ages in mind, they had booked 2 sleeping compartments and one that Helena intended to use for sitting in. They settled into this one first, still in almost oppressive silence.

"Why don't we have something to eat first, and then you can see about playing a game before bedtime?" Helena suggested, rapidly running out of patience with the silent children and feeling as though she was surrounded by enormous dark eyes and nothing else. "Danny, if you reach for that basket above your head there, that has our tea in it. Carrie, in the bag under your feet should be some cups and bottles of milk and lemonade. Can you give everyone what they want?"

When the meal was over, Helena saw the twins, Paul and Hannah settled with a game of Happy Families. Carrie and Danny produced story books, as it was too dark to see out of the train, and Helena was relieved to see that it was after seven and Amy was almost asleep on her knee.

"Amy, you come with me and we'll get ready for bed." she said.

"Trains don't have beds." Paul told her firmly, with the air of someone explaining that the sky was blue.

"This one does." Helena responded with a smile, turning her attention to Amy. She found herself busy then for the next few hours, helping the children climb into the narrow bunks and wishing them goodnight, until at just after nine only herself and Carrie were left awake.

"Is your book good?" she asked. Carrie looked up.

"It's ok." she said.

"All the others are in bed now, but if you want to sit up and read or talk just now I don't mind."

"OK." Carrie placed the book down and looked expectantly at her.

"What time do you normally go to bed?" Helena persisted, determined.

"Any time, really. Mummy was ill for so long and I was looking after the others, and I often had to get up with Hannah or Amy for different things." Helena stared at the little girl sitting opposite her, and compared her mentally with a red-haired twelve year old who had once sat on a train on this line, convincing her sister to tell stories and looking after the younger children so that Mamma could sleep most of the way to France.

"That must have been hard work." she said eventually. Carrie shrugged.

"There was no one else to do it." she pointed out. "After Daddy died, there was only me and Mummy." her lips shook and instinctively Helena held out her arms to her. Carrie dropped her book and threw herself across the compartment, burying her head in Helena's shoulder as she cried. Helena hugged her tightly and murmured things to her as she would have done with Felicity until Carrie calmed down and Helena saw that she was almost asleep. Guiding the little girl into the sleeping compartment with an arm around her shoulders, she helped her change into her pyjamas and tucked her into the last empty bunk. She checked on the others - Chole and Sophie - both curled up in the same bunk - and Danny, in the bunk above Carrie, were all sound asleep and hadn't been disturbed by their sister coming to bed. On the other side of the sitting compartment, the younger three were also deeply asleep. Helena sighed with relief and picked up her book again, intending to read for a while before going to bed herself.
Author:  Elbee [ Tue Jun 29, 2010 3:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 29th June
Caught up on lots of this, thanks Eilidh. For some reason when the 7 children were introducing themselves I was picturing the Von Trapp children!
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Jun 29, 2010 4:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 29th June
Me too :D .
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Jun 29, 2010 7:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 29th June
Pleased that Helena could talk herself through her reasons for accepting the additional work. And like the way she comforted Carrie - definitely stirred memories for her.


Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Nell [ Tue Jun 29, 2010 9:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 29th June
Only just found this and really looking forward to seeing how it all works out.

Thanks Eilidh.
Author:  Abi [ Tue Jun 29, 2010 9:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 29th June
It was nice to see Helena thinking throught what's happened and realising why she felt the way she did.

Thanks for the update. :D
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 29th June
I did a double take at Chloe and Sophie - the names of two of my relatives who are sisters :lol:

Thankyou for the update, I hope that Len can understand and help them.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Jul 01, 2010 11:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 29th June
Len did really well there. That's a hard situation to deal with
Author:  Eilidh [ Thu Jul 01, 2010 12:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 29th June
Dear Margot,

Apologies for the length of my last letter - I will attempt to make up for it in this one! As I told you in my last, when I wrote I was on my way to collect Mrs B's cousin's children from the neighbour who was looking after them. We have now been home for a month, and a more mixed bunch of children I have never met - although I bet people said that about us at some point! Unlike us, though, they all look very alike. Dark, thick, wavy hair and huge dark eyes with the longest eyelashes I've ever seen. They were also all as white as ghosts when I collected them, though they are developing some colour now that we're here and they're outside almost all day. As promised, I'll tell you something about them all so you have an idea of who these people are that I'm talking about in my letters!

First on the list is Carrie - Caroline, after her mother. Carrie is 12 years old, and is horribly over-responsible (I know, I know - pot calling the kettle black, and all that!). She seems to have been more or less responsible for the younger five since her mother got ill. She's grieving very badly for both her parents I think, but other than one breakdown in the train on the way here she's been very quiet and withdrawn. I'm glad we decided not to send her to school, I think she would have been miserable - far worse than Odette ever was! We're trying to encourage her to do things that she likes and to leave the others to their own devices. She's improving slightly, though she still likes to know where they all are all the time.

Next to her in age is Daniel - Danny for every day. He's 11, and well - Mike has nothing on him, to be honest with you. If there is a place Danny shouldn't be, that's where you'll find him. If there's something he shouldn't be doing, you can rest assured that's what he'll be occupying himself with. He is a nice child, but really - I have never seen anyone get into so much trouble in such a short time. He's also horribly observant and has no grasp of tact at all - when in town last week, he pointed out loudly, in the middle of a large crowd, that lady in the queue in front of us had tucked her skirt into her knickers! She was mortified, and glared at me (as if it was my fault, I can't exactly gag the child!), and made some comment in French about how rude and bad mannered children were these days. I felt like asking if she'd rather he hadn't said anything and had let her walk out the shop like that, but I managed to keep quiet.

The twins come after him (You won't be surprised to hear that there are twins. I feel like Anne Shirley, unable to get away from them!) - Chloe and Sophie. Very much Chloe-and-Sophie. They are never seen apart, although put into separate beds every night they invariably end up in one, and Chole does all the talking for both of them. Sophie merely nods, shakes her head, and smiles. I'm sure she can talk - in fact, Carrie assures us she can - but she chooses not to, and her twin indulges her. I suspect that trying to teach her French will be a nightmare in itself, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Paul comes next - he's seven, and his one aim in life is to be as much like his older brother as he can. He also asks more questions than Jack Lambert, a pastime that he shares with Hannah, who is five. Hannah is a complete little tomboy, never happier than when she's up to her neck in mud. They are often together, and are easier to deal with than the older ones. One night, when I'd gone to check on them all before bed, Hannah was awake and talking to someone when I went into her room. It was very late, and of course I told her she should have been asleep, and she told me she was talking to her Mummy. I wasn't sure what to say to that, and asked her if she often spoke to her. She pointed out the window beside her bed, to the brightest star she could see, and told me that that was 'Mummy's star', because Mummy was an angel and Mrs Bishop had told her that the angels lived in the stars.

Finally comes Amy, the family baby. It was Amy who named me Ellie - apparently Helena is too hard when you are only nearly two. All the children have taken it up, unfortunately! Still, I prefer it to Len, and I don't really mind what they call me. There's not much more to be said about Amy - she's a very happy toddler, adored by everyone including the new cook and gardener. Mrs B has found a young couple who are getting married but couldn't find a house to buy. Michelle is now living in the flat above the garage, which we moved heaven and earth to get done up in time, and Fabien will be too after the wedding. In the meantime, Michelle is a fabulous cook, which means I don't have to do any any more (imagine me dancing with delight here), and Fabien comes up from the town every day to drive Mrs B to her appointments and work in the garden and around the house. They get married next month, by which time Molly will be back to help out here while they go away for a short honeymoon, so it all works out very nicely!

Most of my time now is taken up with the kids - I am officially a governess and nanny! We haven't started lessons yet, because we have been concentrating on letting them settle in to the house. My new duties involve making sure faces are washed, hair is brushed, clothes are on and generally plaiting ten pigtails before breakfast, as all the girls have long hair. After breakfast, I sort out Mrs B's appointments for the day and see if anything else needs to be done while the children down to Hannah make their beds, dust their bedrooms, and do various other chores around the house and Michelle has Amy with her in the kitchen. Then we generally go for a walk before lunch - Ben often comes with me, as Danny and Paul and Hannah are too many for one person to watch! Did I mention Ben was finished with his course now and is at home looking for a job? I have now, if I hadn't before. Molly is working in England for the first part of the summer, and Tony has been offered a place on an archaeological dig, so neither of them are home this holiday. I'm sorry not to see Molly, but Ben and I are getting on very well and he's excellent with the children.

Helena paused, and re-read her last paragraph carefully. Margot could be very astute at times, but she didn't think she'd made anything obvious. 'Excellent with the children', though - that was an understatement. After a week of near silence, Ben had arrived home and within half an hour had had the twins and Hannah giggling. Within two hours, he'd been playing football in the garden with all the children except Amy. By the end of the evening, the attraction that Helena had firmly convinced herself after Christmas was all her imagination was back in full force. Helena found herself watching him over the top of her book as he read fairy stories to Paul and Hannah - making all the correct monster noises, as they had requested. Over the following weeks, she'd increasingly found herself distracted from tasks, and on several occasions she'd been embarrassed to be caught looking in his direction when he looked at her. Still, she didn't think she'd made anything obvious in her letter - and she could always deny everything if Margot guessed. She bent back over the paper.

We all have lunch together, and then in the afternoon the children please themselves in the house and garden, and I have some time to myself. It's afternoon now, in fact, and although I can hear some of them, it doesn't sound like anyone or anything is broken, and I can see Paul and Hannah from my chair, so I'm not worrying at the moment! Ben took Carrie and Danny out in the boat, so I don't have to worry about them either! I know you're probably thinking that it's exactly the same as home, looking after all these children, but it's not. Mrs B regularly has them with her when she's at home, and always in the evening, so I have my evenings to myself and at the moment have plenty of free time in the afternoons as well. Compare that to Mamma handing over the children at a moment's notice to dash off to see Auntie Biddy, or the School, and add in that I'm finally going to get to do some teaching, which as you know is what I've always wanted - this is still a hundred times better than home.

I hope I get a chance to see you at some point over the summer - I have things to tell you and Connie that I don't feel it's right to put in a letter. I was interested to hear that you're not going to the Tiernsee this year though. I wonder where Mamma has booked instead? How like her to keep the location secret from you!

Write to me soon,

Love,

Helena.
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Jul 01, 2010 12:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st July
Well, she seems happy enough :D .
Author:  cal562301 [ Thu Jul 01, 2010 2:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st July
Just caught up on a few posts. Thanks Eilidh, really enjoying this and looking forward to more.
Author:  keren [ Thu Jul 01, 2010 2:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st July
Ha, Ha, Ha, lets guess that Joey has book south of France!!!
Author:  JB [ Thu Jul 01, 2010 6:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st July
keren wrote:
Ha, Ha, Ha, lets guess that Joey has book south of France!!!


Yep. I so enjoyed this letter, then had a sinking feeling at that last sentence.
Author:  Elle [ Thu Jul 01, 2010 6:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st July
keren wrote:
Ha, Ha, Ha, lets guess that Joey has book south of France!!!


I think you might be right there! Thanks for the updates.
Author:  Abi [ Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st July
Helena sems really happy and so much more relaxed!

Thanks Eilidh. :D
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Jul 01, 2010 9:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st July
Yes, that last sentence did rather place a damper on the rest of the letter. there again, if Joey does pitch up in France I would be pleased to see her come up against Mrs B - don't think she would mince words.


Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Fri Jul 02, 2010 6:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st July
If Joey is going nearby, I hope its to allow the younger ones to see their sister and she stays clear, unless asked. Len does need to deal with it all at some stage.
Author:  Smile :) [ Fri Jul 02, 2010 8:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st July
Thanks Eilidh have just read all of this from the start and it's nice to see Len doing what she wants for once. A wee bit worried that Joey has booked a holiday in the south of France though!
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Fri Jul 02, 2010 10:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st July
That was my first thought too! It sounds as if Helena is very happy at the moment, and I'm sure that she'll be well looked after if Joey does turn up.

Thanks for the update.
Author:  Eilidh [ Mon Jul 12, 2010 12:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 1st July
Helena sealed and addressed the envelope, just as she saw the family sailing boat come back towards the boathouse. She felt a now familiar flip in her stomach as Ben looked up and waved to her, before lifting Carrie and Danny out and climbing out himself to secure the boat. The two children disappeared from sight as they ran up the hill and began to climb up the stone stairs towards the garden, and Helena took the opportunity to compose herself. They both appeared together at the top of the stairs, with more colour than she'd seen in their faces yet, and raced towards her.

"Ellie, that was amazing!" Danny proclaimed, throwing himself on the ground at her feet. "Ben let us steer, and work the sail, and we went right up the lake and back down again!"

"We waved to all the people we saw, and most of them waved back!" Carrie added.

"And I nearly fell in three times!" Danny finished. Helena laughed at their enthusiasm.

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" she asked him. "What have you done with poor Ben? Other than probably turn his hair white."

"I'll go and find him!" Danny annouced, jumping to his feet and tearing off again.

"What about you?" Helena asked Carrie. "Did you have fun?"

"I like sailing." Carrie agreed, nodding enthusiastically. "I hope we can do more of it. Do you think Ben would let us go by ourselves?"

"I doubt it." Helena replied. "Not until you're older, anyway. What are you doing for the rest of the afternoon now?"

"I'll read, I think." Carrie decided. "Can I bring a deckchair out here beside you?"

"Of course." Helena agreed. "Comb and fix your hair while you're inside though - you look like you came through a hedge backwards at the moment." Carrie made a face.

"Can I bring my comb out for you to fix it?" she asked. "When I do it it never goes straight." Helena nodded.

"I suppose so!" she grinned. "Go on then, run." Carrie ran off as Fabien came past on his way to the garage.

"Afternoon trip to town!" he called. "Orders and letters in the car before I go, or it waits until tomorrow!" Helena waved at him, and then remembered her letter and ran after him, catching him just as he got to the car. He took the letter, and she returned to find Carrie waiting patiently with comb and ribbons, her long hair escaping from the careful plaits it had been confined in in the morning. Helena patiently combed and untangled the the long hair, finishing it off just as Danny appeared at the top of the steps again, slightly winded this time, and followed by Ben.

"Can I go and ask Michelle for a glass of water?" he demanded. Helena waved him off, as Ben collapsed on the grass at her feet.

"I never had that much energy at ten." he complained. "Where is everyone?"

"Your mother's at a commitee meeting in the town hall, Fabien's gone to collect her, the twins are round the side of the house, Paul and Hannah are digging in the bit of the garden that they're allowed to, and Amy's asleep in the hammock with Michelle in the kitchen to hear when she wakes up."

"This summer is going to be boiling once it gets going properly." Ben observed, stretching out. Helena poked him with her toe.

"Don't think you're lying about there making the place untidy all day!" she exclaimed, as Carrie giggled. "Carrie and I are being Ladies and having a relaxing afternoon. You can join us or you can go and join Paul and Hannah, but if you stay there then I won't be responsible for the consequences."

"There won't be any consequences." Ben replied lazily, closing his eyes. "I'll be fine." Helena, who had just seen Amy appear round the side of the house in the charge of Michelle, doubted this, but decided to keep her peace. Amy, meanwhile, had spotted the prone figure and gave a shout of glee which attracted Paul and Hannah's attention. All three children, giggling wildly, coverged on Ben and threw themselves on him. He yelled in shock as Amy descended on his stomach, and the other two quickly followed.

"I did warn you." Helena said with amusement as he wriggled carefully out from under them, picked Amy up and deposited her on Helena's knee, and grabbed the other two one under each arm before racing off around the garden with them.

"Oof." he sighed, returning to collapse on the grass again. "It's too hot to be doing that."

"Where did you leave them?"

"Vegetable garden. Helena, come for a walk with me once Mum is back to stay with the kids?"

"It's too hot for walks." she protested.

"You could go later." Carrie suggested. "It's always a bit cooler after dinner, and Cousin Win told me last night that she'd be at home tonight. She's going to start teaching me to knit." she added.

"Good plan Carrie! Helena, you can't argue against after dinner."

"No, I can't." she agreed. "Fine, I'll come for a walk after dinner."

"In that case, I will leave you to have your ladylike afternoon, and go and challenge Paul and Hannah and Amy to a hole digging contest in their bit of garden." Ben decided. Helena shook her head as he walked away, but refrained from commenting.
Author:  lexyjune [ Mon Jul 12, 2010 12:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 12th July
Thanks for the update, enjoying this.
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Jul 12, 2010 1:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 12th July
I don't think her stomach ever flipped at the sight of Reg.
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Mon Jul 12, 2010 6:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 12th July
Thanks for the update! I'm impressed by their energy - I went sailing last weekend, and despite not being trusted to do anything thanks to sea sickness, I was still worn out by the end!
Author:  Abi [ Mon Jul 12, 2010 8:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 12th July
I must say I'm rather glad I'm not Helena and having to look after all those kids!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Mon Jul 12, 2010 8:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 12th July
I went sailing when I was there age and still had plenty of energy despite managing to capsize the boat. I just wish I had all that energy back again.
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Jul 13, 2010 5:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 12th July
Really lovely scene - Helena and Ben seem to be very well suited and the relationship with the children is wonderful to watch.


Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Eilidh [ Tue Jul 13, 2010 12:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 12th July
I am on holiday next week, so I am determined to get the last few posts of this up before then. 3 posts left after this one I think.

"What are you all doing this evening then?" Mrs B asked. "Danny, if you don't stop sticking your fork into Chloe, I'll make you eat with a spoon like Amy does."

"Helena and I are going for a walk." Ben said, retrieving Sophie's spoon from the floor with one hand while steading her water glass with the other.

"Oh yes?" his mother said in an undertone.

"Not oh yes anything." Ben replied. "Just a walk. Carrie, go and help Helena to bring in the dessert, would you? Michelle isn't here tonight. And fetch your sister another spoon while you're there."

"Does anyone remember when meals used to be peaceful?" Helena herself asked, coming in with a bowl in each hand. "Here you go, everyone - Paul, sit still and wait until you're served. You'll be last now for diving around like that. Chloe, you don't start eating until everyone is served."

Eventually, dinner over, Helena and Ben escaped from the busy house and wandered down to the lake shore.

"It's nice to be quiet." Helena said with a sigh. "I realise that your mother couldn't do anything other than take in those children, and they are wonderful, really - but they are so much work! I'd got out of the habit of looking after children I think."

"I never had the habit in the first place." Ben grinned. "They're fun, but you're right - sometimes I wish they came with a mute button."

"I'd rather have them noisy than the silent bunch I collected from England." Helena observed. "There was something scary about them that day - all huge dark eyes and silence, just standing there staring at me."

"Sounds rather disconcerting." Ben agreed. "Helena, listen, I didn't suggest going for a walk to talk about the kids." She looked at him, surprised.

"Did you want to talk about something specific, then?"

"Yes. I wanted to talk to you about... well, let's put it this way. I've received two job offers this week."

"That's wonderful!" Helena smiled, though her heart sank. "For where?"

"One is for a boarding school in England. The other is for the school I attended, here. Both are to teach maths and some science. Rather boring, I know, but we can't all go wandering off all over the world like Tony has."

"Which one are you going to take?"

"Well, that rather depends." Ben said slowly. "The thing is, Helena, I need you to decide for me."

"Me?" she asked.

"Yes. You see, don't be annoyed, but Molly told me about you being engaged before. She didn't tell me any details, of course, but she told me because I was going to speak to you at Christmas when I met you and she said probably best not to. We both thought, this was why she told me, that I'd be better waiting for a while. But now I need to know because if you agree then I can stay here, but if you don't then I need to take the job in England. You see, the thing is, I rather like you. I'd like to be able to take you places and do things and... well, you get the point. I hope. I don't mean to put you under any pressure..." Helena, who had been trying to get a word in for some time, finally reached out and placed her hand over his mouth.

"Stop babbling." she instructed, smiling slightly. "I understand. So I have to pick which job you accept, do I?"

"Yes." Ben replied nervously, staring at his hands.

"I do hope you didn't really want to live in England." Helena observed. "It's a horrible, grey, wet country." Ben looked at her in disbelief.

"Really? You mean it?" he asked. She laughed at him.

"I mean it." she confirmed. "You're childish and silly and you drive me up the wall - but you're also kind and clever and we've become friends over the past few weeks. I think becoming more-than-friends is an excellent idea." she reached out shyly and took his hand. "It's not quite a year since I broke things off with Reg though - I want to take things slowly.?"

"Slowly. Right." Ben agreed, looking like all his Christmasses had come at once. "As slowly as you want."

"You're not really listening, are you?" Helena laughed. "Oh well, I'll remind you later. Now, how about this walk we're supposed to be having?"

"I bet Mum and Carrie at least are up in the tower room, watching us with Danny's binoculars." Ben grinned.

"Then why don't we confirm their suspicions?" Helena asked.

"How?" he asked. She shrugged.

"You could kiss me." Ben grinned.

"That sounds like an excellent plan as well." he agreed.
Author:  Joanne [ Tue Jul 13, 2010 12:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 13th July
Aww - that's so sweet! He is lovely, and just the sort of person she deserves.

Thanks for the update.
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Tue Jul 13, 2010 12:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 13th July
A much better proposal than some of EBD's! That was really, really sweet - thankyou.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Jul 13, 2010 1:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 13th July
He's so nice.
Author:  cestina [ Tue Jul 13, 2010 6:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 13th July
Huzza! How lovely...... :D
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Jul 13, 2010 7:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 13th July
Awwww - I want one. :lol:
Author:  Elle [ Tue Jul 13, 2010 7:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 13th July
So do I!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Tue Jul 13, 2010 8:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 13th July
Thanks, that was so lovely
Author:  Abi [ Tue Jul 13, 2010 9:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 13th July
*sinks into warm and fuzziness*
Author:  Miss Di [ Wed Jul 14, 2010 1:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 13th July
Awwwww. Bless.
Author:  Eilidh [ Wed Jul 14, 2010 1:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 13th July
They had been together for a month now, Helena realised. Then realised that she was daydreaming and snapped her attention back to what she was supposed to be doing, which was cleaning and dressing both Hannah's knees after she had measured her entire length on the garden path tripping over someone's skipping rope. Two weeks ago, he had accompanied her to England to see the boys' prize giving, meeting Connie in the process - though not Margot, who had gone to Dartmouth to see Mike.

They had gone out for dinner, and Stephen had stared at him suspiciously for the first hour, and then once they had discovered some mutual hobbies - Ben had played rugby for the University team, and Stephen was lamenting the loss of his favourite sport now that he'd left school - had thawed entirely. Charles had brought a young woman with him, who introduced herself as Elizabeth - daughter of one of the masters and a day pupil at the school, and Charles' friend - although from the way they had looked at each other, Helena and Connie were both sure they were more than just friends. Felix had been full of the fact that he'd finished the year top of his class, and that they were going somewhere new for the summer - somewhere that wasn't 'the boring old Tiernsee'. Helena had clapped all the boys until her hands tingled when they had gone to receive their awards, and had been surprised to find that she wasn't as bored by the ceremony as she'd expected to be.

Helena's musing were interrupted by a loud thump and a lot of shouting from downstairs.

"What on earth has happened now?" she asked Hannah, who was looking tearful again as Helena cleaned the cut knees. After a few minutes, they heard someone running up the stairs and Carrie burst into the room.

"Chole and Sophie were helping Michelle make cakes and they knocked the bag of flour over and the whole kitchen is covered in it and so are they and so is Michelle and Michelle is very angry and she says what is she to do with them." she gasped out, all in one breath.

"Tell them to stand outside and wait until someone has time to deal with them - they are not to come into the house with flour all over them." Helena told her, as the doorbell rang. "Oh, why is it never one thing at a time? Go and answer the door, take whoever it is into the sitting room, give my message to Michelle, tell Chloe to tell Ben we have a visitor and to come in from the garden, and then go and talk to whoever it is and tell them I'll be down as soon as I can. Can you manage all that?"

"Of course!" Carrie called back over her shoulder. She ran back down the stairs, and Helena spared a moment to marvel over how far she - and all the children - had come out of their shells.

"There you go." she said, finished the second knee. "Now all we need is a new blouse, since you've cried all down that one and it looks like it met your ice cream as well, and then we can get back to what we were doing."

Carrie, meanwhile, had given out all her messages and then returned to the sitting room, where the visitor was waiting.

"Ellie will be down soon - my sister had fallen and cut her knees and she was fixing them." she explained. "Cousin Win had a headache and is in bed, and Michelle is all flour, but I've told Ben you're here and he's just washing his hands."

"Thank you." the visitor replied, looking slightly confused. "Who are you?"

"I'm Carrie - Caroline Arbuthnot." Carrie said, giving her full name. "My brothers and sisters and I came to stay with Cousin Win after Mummy died, and Ellie teaches us and helps to look after us."

"I'm looking for someone called Helena, or Len." the visitor said.

"That's Ellie." Carrie explained. "Amy - my littlest sister - can't say Helena, she says Ellie. So we all call her that now."

"I see. So Helena is in charge of you, is she?"

"Sometimes. Cousin Win is really in charge, but she's very busy, so Ellie looks after us a lot and teaches us and Ben helps. He's Cousin Win's son and Ellie's boyfriend." she added helpfully. The visitor looked rather shocked at this revelation.

"I suppose you'll be going to school soon?" she asked, changing the subject. "You look about 13."

"I'm nearly 13, but I'm not going to school." Carrie told her. "Ellie is going to teach us here."

"Oh, nonsense! Helena was at an excellent school herself, and I'm sure she'll encourage your guardian to send you there. It's right next door to my house, so I expect I'll be seeing rather a lot of you."

"I'm not going to school." Carrie repeated, beginning to panic. "Mummy said we weren't to go, and Cousin Win said we wouldn't go away from here either. She said if we went to school it would be a day school here."

"Of course you will! Everyone goes away to school now." the visitor told her cheerfully. "Why, even my girls boarded all through the term and we only lived next door. You don't want to be with your guardian and all your brothers and sisters all the time, do you? And the Chalet School is excellent - I was there myself in the Dark Ages, and everyone loves it, really. Why, there's something wrong with people who don't have a wonderful time there! I'll speak to your guardian while I'm here, if you want, and arrange to get you sent there."

"Can I help you?" another voice asked from the doorway. Carrie looked up in relief as Ben came in and sat down beside her, glancing at her scared face with concern. "I'm Ben." he explained. "My mother can't see you at the moment as she's not feeling too well - is there anything I can help you with?"

"I'm looking for..." the visitor began, but was cut off by another voice.

"She's looking for me." Helena said in a resigned tone. "Hello Mamma. Ben, this is my mother - Joey Maynard."
Author:  JB [ Wed Jul 14, 2010 1:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th July
Stupid, insensitive Joey and poor Carrie. Looking forward to the next instalment already.
Author:  Joanne [ Wed Jul 14, 2010 1:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th July
Honestly, that Joey! Poor Carrie, just starting to feel secure and Joey knocks the bottom out of her world.
I hope Helena is feeling strong.
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Jul 14, 2010 2:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th July
Just what no-one needed :shock: .
Author:  JellySheep [ Wed Jul 14, 2010 2:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th July
Aaargh. Might have known that would happen, but still...! Hope they manage to get her to accept what H wants to do with her life.
Author:  AnneM [ Wed Jul 14, 2010 4:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th July
Very glad that Margot went to see Mike, and that all three sisters are now involved in visiting their brothers. But honestly, has Joey learned nothing in the months since Helena's departure?? :banghead:

This is great, Eilidh. Thanks.
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Wed Jul 14, 2010 4:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th July
I guessed right! Though :poke: Joey! Honestly. Hopefully they can all pull together and help Helena to deal with her - especially as the rest of the family seem to be getting closer.

Thanks for the update.
Author:  Lesley [ Wed Jul 14, 2010 6:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th July
Poor Carrie - and honestly has Joey no sense? Where's the sensitivity she's supposed to have?


Hope Helena can give her what for.


Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Elle [ Wed Jul 14, 2010 7:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th July
Blooming Joey! I hope Len gives her a good slapping (metaphorically speaking).

Thanks for update. Really enjoying this.
Author:  Abi [ Wed Jul 14, 2010 8:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th July
Oh dear! But I feel that Helena is probably quite capable of reassuring Carrie and dealing with Joey now.
Author:  kirstyb01 [ Wed Jul 14, 2010 9:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th July
Wow! I have just found this and it is really fantastic. I thought Joey had got the message but Steve was right - it only lasted for a short time.

I hope Helena and Ben will be able to sort Joey out.

Many thanks for this - looking forward to the next post.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Wed Jul 14, 2010 10:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th July
kirstyb01 wrote:
Wow! I have just found this and it is really fantastic. I thought Joey had got the message but Steve was right - it only lasted for a short time.


I had thought so too, especially when Joey held off visiting Len and gave her the space she needed. That seem to show tact.

Thanks, hope Len is able to sort her out.
Author:  Eilidh [ Thu Jul 15, 2010 2:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 14th July
Penultimate Post! This was a hard one to write, and despite me spending half the day editing I'm still not entirely happy with it - however, here it is.

"How did you find me, Mamma?"

"Mary-Lou did." Joey told her.

"Mary-Lou?" Ben looked puzzled. "Who on Earth is Mary-Lou?"

"Mary-Lou," Helena told him, realization dawning "has just finished studying archaeology at Oxford." Ben groaned.

"Note to self. Kill brother." he said with a sigh.

"Are you going to stand in the doorway all day?" Joey demanded. Helena came in and took a seat on the couch beside Ben. Carrie scrambled round to sit close to her other side. Helena felt the little girl trembling and wondered what had upset her so much, but as this didn't seem the time or the place to go into it, she contented herself with wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close. On her other side, Ben laced his fingers through hers, causing her mother to tut with disapproval.

"Now really, Len, there's no need to behave like that." she sniffed. "What about poor Reg?"

"Reg and I are not together, Mamma." Helena replied patiently.

"And living in the same house as your - well, boyfriend, if you must - I presume you are not even decently engaged since I'm sure I would have heard if he had spoken to your father - it's hardly decent, Len!"

"Where did Papa live when you got engaged to him?" Helena asked quietly. "Wasn't it Die Rosen?" Joey flushed.

"What your father and I did was different, and has nothing to do with this." Joey said firmly. "It was wartime, and I was living with my legal guardians, not getting involved with the son of the family I was working for like some sort of book heroine!"

"I assure you that my son and Helena are adequately chaperoned at all times." a new voice said from the doorway. "Mrs Maynard, I presume. I am Winifred Bassington-Smyth - your daughter's employer. Can I help you?"

"I am here to speak to Helena." Joey said, becoming uncomfortable with the sheer number of people who seemed to think this was their business.

"Quite, quite. Benjamin, take yourself outside and find out what Michelle was shrieking about, would you? And try and get some of the flour off Chloe and Sophie, I saw them from the window and they look like ghosts. Carrie, could you go to the kitchen and ask Michelle for tea when she gets a chance? Tell her there's no rush with it though. And then take yourself into the garden with your book, if you don't mind. There you go, Mrs Maynard - I hope that's better."

"I had rather hoped to speak to Helena privately." Joey said, stressing the last word and sounding slightly annoyed.

"Unfortunately, this is during Helena's working hours." her employer said firmly. "I will wait for her, as I need her when you are finished." Joey shook her head and turned her attention back to Helena.

"Very well. Len, this is ridiculous. You shouldn't be here, working - you should be at home with your family, and going off to university with Connie. You're just being silly. We've taken a house round the lake slightly, for the summer. Come and stay with us again. I'm sure that your father and Ben," she made a face, "can work something out and if you are serious, then we'll get a respectable engagement sorted out. I'm sure if we - or maybe Auntie Hilda, as she's so respected - were to write to Oxford, you could start your course next year instead. If you really don't want to marry Reg, then that's ok. But Len, liebchen, of course I need you to help with the children! Haven't I always said that the wonderful thing about a big family is that the older children can help the younger?"

"Carrie Arbuthnot has six younger brothers and sisters, yet she's reading a book while someone else looks after them." Helena pointed out. "We would never dream of asking her to help look after the others."

"There is a difference between six younger siblings and ten, Len."

"Eight." Helena corrected. "I have eight younger siblings. Connie and Margot are the same age as me. And if you can call Connie Connie, you can call me Helena. Really, Mamma, you havent changed at all. I would havethought that after all that fuss in the Easter holidays with Adrienne and Erica, on top of me leaving, plus what I've heard from the boys, you would have realised that it's not right. You can't expect to have next to nothing to do with us, and then wonder why we don't want to be at home."

"OK, I'll try not to ask you to help with the younger ones, but please, Len - Helena - come home. We miss you - all of us. The family isn't the same without you home."

"And the family we have here will not be the same without Helena in it either." Mrs B pointed out. "These children have lost both parents in a little over two years. It would be cruel to take away another adult who is helping to look after them. Not to speak of how upset Ben would be. Incidentally, as Helena is not yet 21, and Ben is only just 24, I would be strongly against any formal engagement, even if I did feel that they knew each other well enough." Helena gave her a grateful smile.

"In addition the contract Helena signed with me specifies that she will provide at least a months notice if she is going to another job, and that if she is not, she will stay on until I find another governess for the children." Helena, who knew her contract contained no such clause, blinked. Joey scowled.

"Well, he's your son! Of course you're going to put the happiness of your own children before anyone else, any parent would!" There was an uncomfortable silence.

"Except you, Mum." another voice said. They all jumped. "Excuse us for interrupting. We thought Helena might need some back up." Stephen, with Charles at his shoulder, strode into the room, while Connie and Margot stopped in the doorway. "Stephen Maynard." he introduced himself to Mrs Bashington-Smyth. "This is my brother Charles, and my sisters Connie and Margot."

"Lovely to meet you." she murmured automatically.

"Mum, you put your happiness first." Charles said bluntly. "You always have. And yes, you've had more to do with the kids over the last year, and to a certain extent things are better now, but you still want Helena to come home because it's what you want. You don't care what she wants, and she's one of your precious triplets. By the time you get to something as boring as a singleton boy," he waved at hand, indicating himself and Steve "well, we could move to the back side of the moon and you'd barely notice. Stop being so selfish and let Helena do what she wants with her life."

"I don't think we can add anything to that." Margot said quietly. "We'll leave you to get on now. Sorry we interrupted."

"Helena, please! We miss you. We love you. You belong with your family." Joey tried again as the other Maynards went out of hearing range.

"We love Ellie too!" a child's voice shouted, and one of the twins flew into the room through the French doors, trailing clouds of flour behind her. "Don't take Ellie away, please?"

"Chloe!" Mrs B exclaimed. Helena caught at the child as she shot past her, and studied her closely.

"Sophie." she corrected. "Well, Miss Sophie! So you do talk to us!" Sophie gave her a shy smile.

"Only when she has to." Chloe said from the doorway. "Sophie, you need to come out. Ben said if we put one finger inside the house before he brought our swimsuits out, he would hang us from the washing line by our toes."

"Imaginative..." Joey said, looking as though she were trying not to laugh. Sophie gasped in horror, and rushed back to the doorway, just as Ben could be heard calling both twins. "Why swimsuits?" Helena peered out the window.

"He's had them both change into them, and he'd standing there with the hose." she laughed. "It's an imaginative way for getting them clean, anyway, and least it's a hot day."

"If he's not careful, they'll all be joining in." Mrs B agreed.

"To return to the point." Joey said, "You simply must come home, Helena."

"Mrs Maynard." Joey spun around. "What would you have done when Helena married this Reg person? She would have left home then."

"She would still have been on the Platz though - she could have taught at the school until the babies arrived and then settled down properly." Helena looked horrified.

"Mamma!" she exclaimed, "Didn't I tell you time and time again that I wasn't going to teach at the School until everyone I knew had left? And what makes you think we would have wanted to live on the Platz? I'm sorry I ran away like I did, really, but I am not coming back home to pick up the life that I ran away from. I'll see what I can of you while you're here, of course, but after the summer you go back to the Platz and I stay here." Joey looked crestfallen. "It's not like I'm on the other side of the world, Mamma. I can come and visit." Helena added. "I will come and visit, if you want me too. But I'm needed here. My job is here. I'm not needed at home and I do not want to spend the rest of my life on the Platz!" Joey looked defeated.

"But Len - I mean, Helena - married to a doctor and living there and helping at the school - it's what I've done all my life and it's a wonderful life."

"For you." Helena added for her. "But I am not you. And Reg is not Papa. Mamma, can't you see? Margot wants to be a missionary. Connie won't come back to live in Switzerland full time. The R's are spending more and more time with Daisy and Laurie. The boys - well, I have no idea what Steve and Chas will end up doing, but it won't be living on the Platz married to Chalet School teachers!"

"You'll all be so far away." Joey said sadly.

"Mrs Maynard, my oldest son, together with my daughter in law and my grandson, live in the north of England." Mrs Bassington-Smyth put in. "Tony is currently preparing to go with an archaelogical expedition to South America. Mollie, my daughter, is teaching at a summer school in London. The only reason Ben is here is because Helena is, although he thinks I don't know that. You are not the only mother who will end up living away from their children. Helena, I'll be in the study when you're done here." she added, "I've got some letters I need to look over."

"Are you sure, Len?" Joey asked, moving to sit beside her daughter on the sofa. "Are you positive this is what you want?" Helena looked out of the windows. In the middle of the garden, Ben was playing the hose over all the children except Carrie, while they screamed with delight. Beyond him, the lake sparkled in the late afternoon sunlight.

"I'm sure." she said.

"OK." Joey said, though she still looked sad. "If this is really what you want, then I'll accept that. Just - don't forget us, Len."

"Mamma! I couldn't!" Helena gasped. "I love you all, you're my family. And I'm really pleased that you're here for the summer." she added. "I'll see a lot of you, really I will."

"It would be cruel to the children to take you away." Joey said thoughtfully. "But we do want to see you too. Why don't you join us for dinner tonight? We're eating at a restaurant in the town. Anna's not with us just now - she's been very tired and she's gone home to Briesau for a few weeks. She might join us here later."

"We'd have to all join you." Helena warned. "Mrs B is at a church dinner tonight, and I can't possibly leave Ben to look after all seven children, especially with Michelle and Fabien off duty. And after the flour incident, I can't see Michelle really wanting to change her plans." Joey looked slightly put out, but then nodded.

"OK." she agreed, "And maybe you could come and visit us the next time you get some holidays? The boys told me about how you'd been to see them at school. We'd love to see you back on the Platz - even temporarily."

"I can do that." Helena agreed. "But... no more comments about marrying Reg - especially in front of Ben. He's not given to jealousy, but there's a limit to what people can be expected to put up with. And I'm not giving up my job, or going to Oxford. This is what I do now, Mamma. This is where I'm happy."
Author:  Finn [ Thu Jul 15, 2010 2:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 15th July
I don't see why you're worried, Eilidh. This is joyous!
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Jul 15, 2010 2:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 15th July
Hope Joey's got the message.
Author:  JB [ Thu Jul 15, 2010 4:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 15th July
I loved every word of that, Eilidh and especially this part:

Quote:
"I am here to speak to Helena." Joey said, becoming uncomfortable with the sheer number of people who seemed to think this was their business.
Author:  Chatelaine [ Thu Jul 15, 2010 4:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 15th July
Yaaay!! Go Len, sock it to the deluded doughnut-wearing control freak you call Mamma! :lol:

Er, sorry, I mean: jolly well done, Helena! :D
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 15th July
Well done Helena - and nice to see all the others backing her. Joey really needs to grow up here.


Thanks Eilidh
Author:  cestina [ Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 15th July
I loved the reinforcements provided by Stephen and Charles, not to forget the other triplets. Great stuff - very sad that there is only one more episode :(
Author:  Merlot [ Thu Jul 15, 2010 8:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 15th July
This is great, I really look forward to the daily updates :D
Author:  Elle [ Thu Jul 15, 2010 9:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 15th July
Chatelaine wrote:
Yaaay!! Go Len, sock it to the deluded doughnut-wearing control freak you call Mamma! :lol:



Ha!

Thanks for the update.
Author:  Abi [ Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 15th July
Well done, Helena! And everyone who backed her up. I'm glad Joey finally saw sense, but I hope she thinks long and hard about what everyone has said to her. :roll:
Author:  Len [ Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 15th July
Three super updates to catch up with. Marvellous! Such a wonderful story, Eilidh, and I'm much looking forward to seeing how you wrap it up.
Author:  Miss Di [ Thu Jul 15, 2010 11:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 15th July
Did I read that right? Anna is having a holiday? :shock:

Am glad to see that Joey seems to have come around.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Fri Jul 16, 2010 12:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 15th July
Miss Di wrote:
Did I read that right? Anna is having a holiday? :shock:


I was glad to see that too. Just when I think Joey hasn't changed she does something like that.

Hope Joey listens to her children but she doesn't seem to.
Author:  Caroline OSullivan [ Fri Jul 16, 2010 11:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 15th July
Thank you Eilidh :D Am really enjoying this. Delighted that Anna is having a holiday. Hope that Helena and Mrs B can reassure Carrie that she's not going to the CS.
Author:  Eilidh [ Fri Jul 16, 2010 12:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Updated 15th July
Well, this is it. Last post. Thank you all for reading and commenting! There is a companion drabble focussing on the boys (mainly Charles) which I will hopefully be able to start posting at some point in the next few weeks and which should explain some of the references in here.

As for Joey - she's changing. Just very slowly. :lol:

Late that night, Helena tossed and turned in her bed, unable to stop her mind racing. The dinner with her family had been good - though she wasn't entirely sure that introducing Danny to Mike and Felix had been a good idea. Carrie had been talking to Erica and Felicity all evening, but by the time they'd been coming home she'd been on the verge of tears, though she vowed there was nothing wrong. Jack had cornered Ben at on point, thought Helena had noticed quickly and sent Stephen to mediate. Ben refused to tell her what they'd discussed, merely commenting that it would all be fine. She'd enjoyed the night spent with her brothers and sisters - particularly Mike and the younger children who she hadn't seen since she'd left home. She turned over violently, and gave a yelp as she found herself sliding on to the floor.

She picked herself up with a sigh, and set to work to remake her bed. Half way through, she heard noises that didn't belong to the usual night stillness, and groaned.

"Why can't you all just stay in bed and asleep?" she asked. She hunted for her dressing gown but couldn't find it, so padded along the corridor in her bare feet and pyjamas. The sounds, she wasn't surprised to hear, were coming from the boys room. She pushed open the door, and then stopped. Ben was sitting on the floor beside Danny's bed, which Paul was curled up on the end of, and they were all talking quietly. Both boys had traces of tears on their cheeks. Ben saw her, and said something to them, then got to his feet and came to join her.

"They were both a bit upset." he said in a low voice, "I think seeing your family reminded them that they don't have that, any more. They're calmer now though - I'll stay with them until they go to sleep." Helena nodded and smiled at him, leaving him to go back to the boys and slipping into the next room where Amy and Hannah were both sound asleep. The twins in the room that followed were the same, and finally she came back along the corridor to Carrie's door. Carrie had her head completely under the covers when Helena went in, and she was going to fix the bed when she caught a choked sob. She pulled the covers back and sat down beside Carrie, who looked at her with a scared expression in her eyes.

"What's wrong?" Helena asked, pulling Carrie towards her. Carrie cried harder and eventually Ben appeared as well.

"The boys are asleep - whats wrong?" he asked, sitting down on the bed beside then.

"No idea." Helena said over Carrie's head. "Come on Carrie, we cant fix it until you tell us what it is. Take a deep breath and try and calm down a bit." Carrie tried.

"I don't want to go away!" she eventually managed between sobs. Helena and Ben looked at each other, confused.

"You're not going away." Helena told her. Carrie nodded.

"The lady who was here today - your mummy - told me I was going away to school. She said you would send me away to someplace called the - the Shally School. And Erica and Felicity said I would be too and I don't want to!"

"And you're not going." Ben said, after a glance at Helena's angry face. "Trust me - you're staying right here, where you are, with Cousin Win and Helena and me, for as long as you want." Carrie looked up at him.

"Promise?" she asked.

"I promise."

"So do I." Helena agreed, "If you don't want to go to school you don't go. And if you do go, you certainly won't be going to Switzerland. What on earth would we do without you?" Carrie seemed slightly calmer now.

"And the next time you're working yourself up into this state, come and ask one of us!" Ben told her. "Now, I'll go outside, and you can get into a clean nightdress, and then we'll get you tucked into bed."

"Do you want me to stay with you tonight?" Helena asked, as she helped Carrie back into bed. Carrie shook her head.

"I'll be ok." she said softly. "I'll go to sleep now. Ellie - do I need to get up for breakfast?"

"Since it's over half way to breakfast time already, I suppose you don't have to if you don't want to." Helena smiled. "Now good night - we'll see you in the morning." she bent to give Carrie a hug and kiss, and then left the room quietly.

"Settled?" Ben asked, when she joined him in the corridor.

"Settled." she agreed.

"Do you fancy a cocoa before we go back to bed?" he offered. "I realise that it's hardly 'appropriate chaperonage' when we're both wandering around the house in our night clothes, but..."

"What they don't know won't hurt them." Helena agreed, following him downstairs.

"Do you think we'll be alright?" he asked, once they were both curled up with hot drinks.

"In what sense?"

"Well - being together, and living in the same house, and seeing each other all the time? You won't get fed up with me?"

"I don't know." Helena said thoughtfully. "I shouldn't think so. We're friends first, after all." she pointed out, slipping her free hand into his. Ben pulled her close to him.

"We are." he agreed. He raised his mug in the air. "To many long and happy years of friendship, and anything else we can manage." he declared. "To us!" Helena giggled, but raised her mug and bumped them together.

"To us." she repeated.
Author:  cestina [ Fri Jul 16, 2010 12:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Oh lovely Eilidh. Thanks so much. I shall miss this - looking forward to the companion piece :D
Author:  Chris [ Fri Jul 16, 2010 12:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Aaah! I'm all happy inside now. That was great.
Author:  JB [ Fri Jul 16, 2010 12:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Thank you so much for this. I'm quite sad it's ended and i'm looking forward to your next drabble.
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Jul 16, 2010 12:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Thanks for the happy ending :D . Looking forward to reading about Charles.
Author:  lexyjune [ Fri Jul 16, 2010 12:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Thank you so much, that was lovely.
Author:  lizco [ Fri Jul 16, 2010 12:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Thank you very much - a lovely alternative universe - and I still want to bash Joey over the head :banghead: :banghead:
Author:  Joanne [ Fri Jul 16, 2010 1:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Thank you for this story - I have really enjoyed it and am only sad it is finished (I shall look forward to the boys' story, though).

So nice to see a decent future for Helena!
Author:  PaulineS [ Fri Jul 16, 2010 2:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Thanks Pleased you think Joey is improving even if only slowly. Another one looking forward to the boys story.
Author:  JellySheep [ Fri Jul 16, 2010 3:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Pity to see this come to an end - I've enjoyed it, and Helena and Ben are sweet together. I'll look forward to seeing the boys' story!
Author:  Myth Tree [ Fri Jul 16, 2010 3:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Echo everything already said. Lovely story with a comfortable end. Thank-you.
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Fri Jul 16, 2010 4:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
I hate to say it, but it would be nice to see what else they manage to get in... possibly? Maybe?

Thankyou for a wonderful drabble, I've really enjoyed this!
Author:  Liz K [ Fri Jul 16, 2010 5:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
lizco wrote:
Thank you very much - a lovely alternative universe - and I still want to bash Joey over the head :banghead: :banghead:


I'll hold her down...........................
Author:  Emma A [ Fri Jul 16, 2010 5:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
That was a lovely ending to a really interesting story, Eilidh.

Many thanks for posting.
Author:  thefrau46 [ Fri Jul 16, 2010 5:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Thank you very much. That was lovely. :D
Author:  Elle [ Fri Jul 16, 2010 6:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Liz K wrote:
lizco wrote:
Thank you very much - a lovely alternative universe - and I still want to bash Joey over the head :banghead: :banghead:


I'll hold her down...........................


I'll provide the stick.............

Thanks for this. I am sad it is over as I have really enjoyed reading it. It was very plausible.
Author:  RroseSelavy [ Fri Jul 16, 2010 7:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Thanks so much for this, I really enjoyed reading it.
Author:  Abi [ Fri Jul 16, 2010 11:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
That was a great ending, though I'm sad there won't be any more of this. Thanks very much!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sat Jul 17, 2010 5:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Thanks, really liked the ending, though do wish Joey hadn't gone out of her way to upset a grieving child. Poor Carrie.
Author:  janetbrown23 [ Sat Jul 17, 2010 5:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
I am so sorry to see this end but I am looking forward to seeing the boys' story. Thank you for brightening my day every day.
Author:  claireM [ Sat Jul 17, 2010 6:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
I enjoyed that, thankyou.
Author:  Sarah_G-G [ Sat Jul 17, 2010 8:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
I've just caught up on the last week's posts and am sad this is over! Lovely ending though and I've really enjoyed the story- thank you for writing and I look forward to reading the next bit in this universe. :D
Author:  cal562301 [ Sat Jul 17, 2010 11:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Just caught up with this after my week away.

I have nothing to add to what others have said, except that I've really enjoyed this and look forward to the companion drabble about the boys.
Author:  jmc [ Sat Jul 17, 2010 12:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Just caught up on loads of this only to find out it's now finished. Thank you I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next part.
Author:  shazwales [ Sun Jul 18, 2010 8:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Thank you i've really enjoyed reading this. :)
Author:  Miss Di [ Mon Jul 19, 2010 2:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Nothing much to add as I am another happy reader looking forward to the boys story.
Author:  Len [ Mon Jul 19, 2010 9:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Super drabble, Eilidh. Thank you very much.
Author:  Mona [ Tue Jul 20, 2010 11:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Thank you Eilidh. A much happier and more promising future for Len than the one EDB gave us!
Author:  Elbee [ Thu Jul 22, 2010 9:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
I'm glad it had a happy ending! Joey has been put in her place, I hope she stays there! Thanks Eilidh, I've really enjoyed reading this.
Author:  Chris S [ Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Thank you Eilidh I really enjoyed your drabble. Why couldn't EBD see what a monster she managed to create in Joey. I'm sure she didn't mean to.
Author:  laurelbay [ Mon Jul 26, 2010 3:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
I've just found this and read it all the way through and I love it!!


:banghead: :banghead: Joey

Thanks Eilidh
Author:  Sugar [ Sat Sep 25, 2010 3:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Thanks Eilidh! I really enjoyed and realised why I didn't read it when it was first posted as you started when I was AWOL in the care home with a broken arm. I'm very glad I've read it now though. It was brilliant, though I wanted to strangle the interfering Mary Lou!
Author:  Helen P [ Sat Sep 25, 2010 6:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
I've just spent the whole afternoon reading this from start to finish, and absolutely loved it. Thank you Eilidh! Looking forward to catching up on the other one now. :D
Author:  KJX [ Sat Sep 25, 2010 10:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Brilliant - just brilliant. Stephen and Chas rock. And OOAOML (or is that too many letters?) butt out. Just butt out!
Author:  Beecharmer [ Wed Mar 23, 2011 9:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Directions - Completed 16th July
Thank you, very much prefer Ben and Helena than Reg.
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