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Echoes of the Past - updated 05/04/10
http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=2047
Author:  Lexi [ Tue Feb 13, 2007 3:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Echoes of the Past - updated 05/04/10
It’s my first time so please be gentle :D Apologies if this seems to be too similar to other drabbles about the triplets at university. It’s going in a different direction very soon, I promise.

I am the worlds worst at thinking of titles so if anyone has any suggestions, fire away…



Len stared out of the window, deep in thought. Sunshine streamed into the room and fell across the essay that she had been struggling with all day. It lay abandoned on her desk along with pages of notes and several open textbooks. The clock ticked steadily and there was a constant background clatter of girls hurrying up and down the corridor outside her door. It was far from quiet but she didn’t notice any of it.

So much had changed this year. Going from the sheltered confines of her home to university had been such a shock to her that it had taken weeks to feel like she was no longer an outsider. Nothing had felt right at first. She’d always been one of the Maynard triplets, daughter of famous parents and one of the cleverest and most important girls in school. Now she was a nobody, just another student. Yes, she was clever but everyone was clever. Intelligence wasn’t enough to define her here. She didn’t know her way around her college or the city, she didn’t look, dress or act like the other girls. She didn’t belong here.

It had taken Emily to jolt her out of this way of thinking and make her realise that almost everyone was feeling the same. It had been easy to imagine that everyone else was finding it easy to fit in when all your mind could focus on was how lonely and ill at ease you were. Still, now she was well out of that phase and loved her life and friends in Oxford.

The summer holidays were rapidly approaching and whilst she wasn’t sure of how she wanted to spend them, she definitely knew she didn’t want to go home. She had been so happy with her old way of life but the very thought of returning to it now, even if it was only for a matter of months, filled her with dread. She would have to squeeze herself back into the confines of home life. The thought of a summer spent in frumpy, sensible clothes, reading only approved books, with no radio, no magazines, no social life and worst of all, acting as an unpaid childminder, was too horrible to contemplate. They were Mamma’s children, not hers, why should she and her sisters have to spend their days in charge of them? Even if Mamma was deep in another of her books, there was still Rosli to care for the younger ones. It wasn’t that she didn’t love her brothers and sisters, of course she did, but there was no reason why she should have to run around after them all the time she was at home. Was she never to be allowed to live her own life?

Being at university had opened her eyes to exactly how abnormal her existence in Switzerland really was. None of her new friends had suffered under anywhere near the same level of supervision and restriction. It was as if she had spent the past nineteen years with the real Len buried under the surface, playing the role of the good responsible daughter because that was what was expected of her. It had only taken a tiny glimpse of freedom for her to realise that what she had been all her life wasn’t what she wanted to be in the future.

She had changed. Life at home never would.
Author:  Fatima [ Tue Feb 13, 2007 4:04 pm ]
Post subject: 
Personally, I can read endless drabbles about the triplets at uni, so it was a lovely surprise to arrive here this evening and find this! It's a great beginning, Lexi, thanks.
Author:  Ruth B [ Tue Feb 13, 2007 4:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
This looks good Lexi.

I love any "Chalet Girls adjusting to the outside world" drabbles.
Author:  brie [ Tue Feb 13, 2007 4:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
thanks Lexi... looking good!
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Feb 13, 2007 4:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
Congratulations on your first drabble :D .
Author:  arky72 [ Tue Feb 13, 2007 5:23 pm ]
Post subject: 
This looks great, thanks Lexi!
Author:  leahbelle [ Tue Feb 13, 2007 5:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Lexi. I'm going to enjoy this!
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Feb 13, 2007 6:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
Interesting start.

Thanks Lexi
Author:  JustJen [ Tue Feb 13, 2007 7:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm a huge fan of the triplets-in-the-real-world as wel.

Thanks Lexi!l
Author:  MaryR [ Tue Feb 13, 2007 7:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lexi wrote:
She had changed. Life at home never would.

How I remember feeling like that once away from home at uni. But then - would we want home to change?

Thanks, Lexi.
Author:  Aquabird [ Tue Feb 13, 2007 7:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Lexi. This looks good.
Author:  JoS [ Tue Feb 13, 2007 9:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lexi and congrats on your 1st drabble. This looks great.
Author:  Tara [ Wed Feb 14, 2007 12:24 am ]
Post subject: 
This promises to be really interesting, and I love Len.

Thanks, Lexi.
Author:  Alice [ Wed Feb 14, 2007 12:35 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lexi, looking forward to reading more. Have Len and Reg broken up?
Author:  Lexi [ Thu Feb 15, 2007 10:09 am ]
Post subject: 
Technically, no they haven't....

Hopefully I'll have some more up by the end of the day and that might reveal a bit more about the Len/Reg situation.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Feb 15, 2007 7:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
Really enjoyed this and would love to see more.
Author:  Lexi [ Fri Feb 16, 2007 3:38 pm ]
Post subject: 
How was she going to explain her feelings to Reg? She leaned her confused head against the wall, eyes closed, head aching with the pressure of her emotions. She thought she loved him but how did she know for certain? It had all seemed so clear cut when they got engaged. She would get her degree, return home and marry him. A year ago it had been exactly what she wanted so why didn’t it seem like enough now?

They still wrote to each other twice weekly but she could feel herself growing further and further away from her family, friends and life in Switzerland as she settled into her studies in Oxford. Did this mean she was growing out of being in love with him? The only definite thing she knew about the whole situation was that if being married to him meant living on the Platz for the rest of her life, then she would have to call the engagement off.

She couldn’t tell him this by letter, it was too complex a set of feelings for her to express in writing. How could she explain something to him that she didn’t fully understand herself? It would have to be done in person but that would mean going home to see him. Could she make herself do that?

Con tapped lightly on the door and, not hearing a reply, tried the handle. “Len, are you alright?”

Her eyes flickered open as she heard her sister’s voice. “I’m just thinking.”

She had been intending to get Len away from her books and outside for coffee and a chat but realising this wouldn’t be quick, she dropped a large pile of textbooks on the bed and sat down next to them. “It must be quite some problem to put that look on your face. I know I’m not thought of as the most perceptive one in the family but even I can see you’re upset. Can I help?”

It had been bottling up inside Len for months now and she let it all spill out. “I just don’t know what to do about the holidays! I feel so at home here. I love the fact that I’m only responsible for myself and the world won’t collapse if I use slang or don’t do my mending immediately. Christmas at home was just about bearable and it was so wonderful going to stay with Margot for Easter. I feel terrible for saying this but I don’t want to go back to Freudesheim, I don’t want to get drawn back into being the one who sets an example for the rest and has to organise all the kids whenever we step foot outside the house. Even if we go to Die Rosen, it’ll be exactly the same as always and I can’t bear it anymore! If I go home this summer nothing will have changed, nothing at all. I might as well have not bothered coming here for all the difference it’ll make to the way Mamma and Papa treat me. We’re only 19 Con, I can’t spend any more time being so responsible. I want some fun.”

Con let out a low chuckle, hastily cut short when Len shrieked “Don’t laugh at me!”

Rushing to smooth Len’s ruffled feathers, she replied “I’m not laughing at you Len, I’m just so thankful you said it first! I’ve been trying to bring up the subject for weeks now but I didn’t know how to admit that I’d rather die than spend a whole summer with the family. Apart from anything else, they still haven’t seen my new hair.” She ran a hand over the drastically short, sleek crop that suited her so well and imagined the look on her mother’s face when she saw it.

“Your hair? Con, imagine what they’ll have to say when they see your clothes!”

Con chuckled again. “I don’t think the Platz has ever seen a miniskirt. I’d probably get sent straight to bed in case I’d caught a chill by wearing it.”

Smiling in a preoccupied manner, Len muttered, “So how exactly do we break the news to Mamma that we’re not coming home? And what on earth do I tell Reg?”
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Feb 16, 2007 3:43 pm ]
Post subject: 
Good for Len :wink: .
Author:  arky72 [ Fri Feb 16, 2007 4:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
Good for them!
Author:  Chair [ Fri Feb 16, 2007 4:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Lexi. I hope they can find a way to tell Joey and Jack.
Author:  JustJen [ Fri Feb 16, 2007 5:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
The more and more I read about the triplet in the real world the more and more I feel sorry for the girls. The world has changed but the school and the Platz stay the same.
Author:  Lesley [ Fri Feb 16, 2007 6:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
At least they have each other - they can give each other moral support.


Con is very forward - a mini skirt when it can only be 1959? :wink:


Thanks Lexi.
Author:  Rachelj [ Fri Feb 16, 2007 6:23 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hi,

newbie here...loving the drabbles and this had me hooked from the first sentence. I can so empathise with that 'lost' turning into 'not wanting to go home' feeling. More please (never mind my housework, children, work.....)!

Rachel
Author:  Lexi [ Fri Feb 16, 2007 8:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lesley wrote:
At least they have each other - they can give each other moral support.


Con is very forward - a mini skirt when it can only be 1959? :wink:


Thanks Lexi.



I'm taking minor liberties with dates :wink:
Author:  Aquabird [ Fri Feb 16, 2007 9:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Lexi, it's great to see the triplets in the real world.

And welcome, Rachel. :)
Author:  dorian [ Fri Feb 16, 2007 10:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
Giggling madly at the thought of being sent to bed for wearing a mini-skirt in case it gives one a chill!

This is great!
Author:  Tara [ Sat Feb 17, 2007 12:28 am ]
Post subject: 
I felt so much sympathy for Len:
Quote:
I love the fact that I’m only responsible for myself and the world won’t collapse if I use slang or don’t do my mending immediately.
Totally understand why they can't bear the thought of going home - but what is she going to do about Reg?? (Go on, ditch him!)

Rachelj wrote:
More please (never mind my housework, children, work.....)!
Yep, you're hooked! Welcome to the Board, Rachel, and to a herd of likeminded lunatics. We don't need sleep, either! :D
Author:  Lexi [ Sat Feb 17, 2007 12:46 am ]
Post subject: 
Tara wrote:
Totally understand why they can't bear the thought of going home - but what is she going to do about Reg?? (Go on, ditch him!)


The bunny hasn't told me that much yet. I always rather liked Reg ( :oops: ) so I don't know if I want to write him out of it straight away.

Maybe inspiration will strike while I sleep...
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sat Feb 17, 2007 1:25 am ]
Post subject: 
I wouldn't ditch Reg straight away. It's the Platz she doesn't want to live on and that doesn't necessarily mean she won't still love Reg. Who knows maybe they could live in the UK or Reg could get a job there so they could spend more time together and get to really know each other. Letters only say so much. By the way really enjoying this
Author:  Fatima [ Sat Feb 17, 2007 3:23 am ]
Post subject: 
I'm glad they both feel the same, and can support each other. But what will Jo say?
Author:  Jennie [ Sat Feb 17, 2007 2:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
I can just imagine the shrieks of shock and outrage.
Author:  brie [ Sat Feb 17, 2007 5:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
thanks lexi- i almost missed the update!

this is great
Author:  Lexi [ Sun Feb 18, 2007 7:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
“Well I can’t help you with that Len. It’s for you to work out yourself. As for telling the parents, well we’re going to need a convincing excuse. They won’t like the truth.” Con flopped backwards onto the bed, pretty face screwed up in concentration. After a few minutes thought she began making suggestions.

“Margot?”
“Oh Con, you know she’s staying in Scotland with Pat. We could visit for a few days but there isn’t room for us in that tiny flat for any longer than that.”

“The Quadrant?”
“Only if you’re happy with having every move you make reported back to Mamma.”

“Good point. Um, Mary-Lou?”
Len’s eyebrows flew up. “Con! Have you gone quite mad?”
“Well she has room for us.”
“She’s more controlling than Mamma! Plus, do you really want to have to listen to endless lectures on Roman remains? Oh this is hopeless. The only people we could just invite ourselves to stay with for the entire summer are friends of the family and that’s almost as bad as going home. We wouldn’t get any peace there.”

A further few minutes silence followed as both girls racked their brains.

“Lily did say that I’d be welcome to stay with her but there’s only room for me,” Con revealed reluctantly. “I won’t go though, not if it means leaving you by yourself and I don’t think there’s anywhere else for you to go but home. I’m not so selfish as to go off and have fun in London for the whole summer while you’re packed off back home.”

Len’s reply was cut off by a loud knock on the door. This was immediately followed by a shout of “Are you there?” and the door being pushed firmly open. In flew a short girl with long, tousled dark hair. She threw a letter down on the desk in front of Len, seized her hands and bounced up and down in excitement. “Read it, read it right now! Oh I’m so thrilled I might go pop!”
Author:  Chair [ Sun Feb 18, 2007 8:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Len. I wonder whom the girl is and what it says in the letter.
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Feb 18, 2007 8:51 pm ]
Post subject: 
Love the running through of everyone and finding them all unsuitable!


Now, who is this new person....?


thanks Lexi
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Feb 18, 2007 9:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hope they manage to make plans for the summer, but I actually feel a bit sorry for Joey :roll: - she'll be very put out if they don't go home for the holidays.
Author:  Aquabird [ Sun Feb 18, 2007 9:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Lexi.
Author:  Ruth B [ Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:43 am ]
Post subject: 
Alison H wrote:
Hope they manage to make plans for the summer, but I actually feel a bit sorry for Joey :roll: - she'll be very put out if they don't go home for the holidays.


Yes, she might actually have to look after the kids herself! :wink:

Thanks for this Lexi.
Author:  Fatima [ Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm sure something will come up for Len and Con. But will Jo be satisfied with their reasons for not coming home, I wonder.
Author:  chrissy.davies [ Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
Yes, this is great. I spent my first summer away from home last year and my parents were not best pleased - and they aren't Jack and Joey! I do feel a bit sorry for them, though - but they're going to have to get used to it having so many kids!

Thanks!
Author:  brie [ Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
this is great lexi

i love this len and con
Author:  Mrs Redboots [ Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
It is difficult. I minded when my daughter didn't come home after her first summer at university - actually, I think she came home for a few days, but that was all - but on the other hand, she had her own life to lead and we had to accept she wasn't our baby any more! She had already been away for her gap year.

It's lovely now as, nearly eight years after she first left home, she's finally living in the same city, and we see a great deal of her (especially just now, with her wedding looming large!).
Author:  Lexi [ Tue Feb 20, 2007 2:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
Shortish update for now. I'll write more about Emily and how she and Len got to know each other but for now, it just doesn't want to be written about. Very frustrating :evil:



Con stared at the still-bouncing Emily. She had known the girl since the start of their time at Oxford when Len had become close friends with her, and was used to her enthusiastic manner but she’d never seen her this keyed up.

Len scanned the letter rapidly. “Emily, is this real? Someone has actually left you a house? A whole house?”

“Well it’s a cottage really but yes! Great-Auntie Mag, my grandma’s sister. Do you remember I stayed at home for that extra week at Christmas for her funeral?” Her face suddenly clouded over with sadness as she remembered the remarkable old lady she had loved so much. “Mum always did say she had a soft spot for me, being the only girl in the family. Have I never told you about her? She was a complete radical. She fought her way into university, did the same degree as Christabel Pankhurst, became a suffragette, got into all kinds of trouble. Oh it’s quite a tale but I’ll have to tell you another time when we have more than twenty minutes to spare. “

Len glanced at the clock, squawked, and began to rapidly gather together sheets of paper and books. “Sorry Emily, carry on. I’m listening, honestly I am, but I must get ready for this lecture.”

“Shove up a bit would you Con?” asked Emily. She sat down on the edge of the bed and continued. “Well, she was very keen on women not being totally reliant on men; you know, owning their own houses and having their own money. It must be why she left me everything. I always just assumed it would pass to Dad but from what he’s written, it’s all mine. It’s in a shocking state of repair though, the poor darling wasn’t well enough for the last few years to bother with redecorating. I’ve got the whole summer to spend doing it up instead of being bored at home, I can’t wait! You will come and help me Len, won’t you? Please?”

She was immediately dived on and hugged violently by both sisters. Con’s shriek of “Emily you absolute lifesaver!” was only just drowned out by Len’s incoherent but deafening yell.

Emily emerged from her blanket of Maynards a minute or so later, looking rather squashed. Shoving hair out of her face, she beamed. “So that’s a yes then?”
Author:  Fatima [ Tue Feb 20, 2007 2:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
Brilliant! I really like the idea of Great-Auntie Mag being a suffragette and leaving Emily her house! Thanks Lexi.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Feb 20, 2007 2:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
Sounds good!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Tue Feb 20, 2007 4:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
Alison H wrote:
Sounds good!


It does. Am wondering how it will go down with the parents. Am assuming they'll have some say as aren't Len and Con still financially dependent on their parents?
Author:  Ruth B [ Tue Feb 20, 2007 4:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
Love the idea of a "Blanket of Maynards!"
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Feb 20, 2007 5:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
Also they are under 21 and therefore officially under their parents' charge.


Pleased that they have somewhere else to go this Summer.

Thanks Lexi.
Author:  leahbelle [ Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Lexi. Sounds very good!
Author:  Joan the Dwarf [ Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
But their parents can't possibly object because they're going in order to help someone out, like all good Chalet girls should!

Just love Great-Aunt Mag :)
Author:  MaryR [ Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
A lovely episode, Lexi. Thank you.
Author:  Chair [ Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Lexi. I'm glad that Emily has given them a way out.
Author:  brie [ Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
*hopes len and con wont have to go home*
Author:  Lexi [ Wed Feb 21, 2007 1:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
Her mother’s distinctive tones sounded, “Hello, Freudesheim.”

“Mamma, it’s Len.”

“Oh my lamb, how are you? Still working hard I hope? All ready to come home? I’ve got plenty of fun things to do and expeditions lined up for the holidays.”

“I’m fine, just a bit busy with revision and essays. It’s all going well so far though.” She tapped her fingers against the wall, eager to get this over and done with.

“That’s what I like to hear. I hope you’ve decided what date you’re travelling home on. There’s not an awful lot of time left to book tickets.”

Gathering up her courage, she said, “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Emily has just found out that she’s been left a house in her great aunt’s will and wants me to stay with her this summer and help her sort it all out. May I?”

“Mary Helena Maynard, are you telling me you don’t want to come home? Con I can understand, she has her work, but why don’t you want to be here for the summer?” Joey’s outrage was clearly apparent.

Len deeply envied the ease with which Con had made her parents believe that she was deep in the process of writing a historical novel and needed to spend the summer in London to research various elements of it. While this was partly true and her excuse was certainly aided by the fact that she would be staying with Lily, whose father worked at the British Library, she was a lot more interested in researching the shops.

Crossing her fingers, she launched into an explanation. “It’s not about not wanting to come home. Emily needs me to help her. She’s still grieving and now she’s got an entire house to organize and redecorate. I can’t possibly let her do it by herself.”

“But…”

“Mamma, I thought you’d be the first one to encourage me to help a friend. Besides, it’s only for a couple of months. You’ll see me at Christmas.”

“But..”

“Please? I know you want me to come home and I would like to be there, I really would, but I can’t leave Emily. She’s got her heart set on me staying with her and I’d hate to disappoint her.”

“Well I suppose you can’t let the poor girl down.” Joey agreed reluctantly. “I really did want all my girls home together though.”

“You couldn’t have had that anyway though,” pointed out Len reasonably. “Margot only gets short holidays so she won’t be home for long and you’ve already said that Con’s work is the most important thing so she isn’t going to be home either.”

“Oh Len, you’re such a logical creature. You’re right though. Well, I’ll just have to spoil Margot when she’s home.” Her voice trailed off slightly, as if she was already planning various schemes for the youngest triplet’s entertainment during the summer.

It hadn’t been an easy conversation for Len. Despite the changes in her attitudes and behaviour over the past year, she still felt a very strong sense of family loyalty. However much her parents and siblings could annoy her at times, she didn’t want to grow too far apart from them. “Perhaps you and Papa could come and spend a week in England at some point? I don’t promise there’ll be room for you in Emily’s cottage but there must be some decent hotels nearby. You could drop in on Con on your way.”

“What a splendid idea! I’ll talk to your father about it when he gets home. Must dash now, Marie-Claire is squawking and it’s Rosli’s day off. ‘Phone me soon dear. Bye!”
Author:  Ruth B [ Wed Feb 21, 2007 1:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
Clever Len!
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Feb 21, 2007 2:04 pm ]
Post subject: 
Good idea Len - but hope Joey and Jack decide not to bother!
Author:  brie [ Wed Feb 21, 2007 3:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
yay!! they are allowed
Author:  Chair [ Wed Feb 21, 2007 4:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Lexi. I'm glad that Joey has agreed.
Author:  JustJen [ Wed Feb 21, 2007 5:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
Very sneaky Len!
Author:  Lesley [ Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
Pleased that Len got Joey to agree - but don't know if she'll be pleased about the fact that she basically had to lie to do it.

Thanks Lexi
Author:  Pat [ Wed Feb 21, 2007 8:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lesley wrote:
Pleased that Len got Joey to agree - but don't know if she'll be pleased about the fact that she basically had to lie to do it.

Thanks Lexi


the trouble is that she has such a strong conscience! Most kids wouldn't think twice about a white lie like that!
Author:  Lesley [ Wed Feb 21, 2007 8:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
That's what I meant - she has always had a highly developed sense of honesty and responsibility - wonder if the lie will sit well on her conscience.
Author:  Pat [ Wed Feb 21, 2007 8:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
She needs to come to terms with it though or she'll go under. She has to break away from home for her own sake, so that she can choose to go home on her own terms. And Joey has to let her go too, or she'll lose her.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Wed Feb 21, 2007 10:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
Feel sorry for Len that she had to lie for it and sorry for Joey. It must be hard to not see your kids for most the year be looking forward to the holidays and then not have them come home. I know its part of life and normal. Am hoping Jack and Joey visit if only because it's nice for kids when they move away to have their parent care enough to visit and not just expect their kids to always return home to see them. That's always been the one complaint I hear from people who have left home is that their parents/siblings never visit and they always expect the ones who left to return to visit.
Author:  Lexi [ Wed Feb 21, 2007 10:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lesley wrote:
That's what I meant - she has always had a highly developed sense of honesty and responsibility - wonder if the lie will sit well on her conscience.


I think she's seeing it more as a partial excuse than an actual outright lie. Emily does need her there over the summer, it's just very handy that Len is looking for a reason not to go home.
Author:  Rachelj [ Thu Feb 22, 2007 1:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
All ready to come home? I’ve got plenty of fun things to do and expeditions lined up for the holidays.”


If she had doubts about coming home before that's enough to put her off for life!

Rachel

PS thanks for the welcomes. I'm working through a huge backlog of fascinating drabbles!
Author:  Fatima [ Thu Feb 22, 2007 1:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
she was a lot more interested in researching the shops.


Good for Con! This is brilliant, thanks Lexi.
Author:  keren [ Thu Feb 22, 2007 1:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
Rosli's got a day off???
Author:  Lexi [ Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
It's only a short update I'm afraid. Work is eating into my free time with a real vengeance at the moment (stupid house having to be open to the public, it's much more peaceful when it's shut for the winter!) and it's taken me ages to get my brain into gear to think about a way to get them from Oxford to the cottage :oops:


It seemed odd to be leaving Oxford behind for the summer. Her room, which had become so familiar and dear over the year, was now stripped bare and everything was packed into boxes, either ready for storage until the start of the next term or in cases outside in the hall. If Len had been a more imaginative girl it would have been easy for her to describe the room as looking forlorn now, maybe even slightly displeased with her for leaving it alone and unloved for the whole summer.

The loud honk of the horn drifted up and startled her out of her pensive mood. She snapped back to her usual sensible self, gave her room a quick wave goodbye and shut the door firmly. There was no time for dreaming!

A few minutes later, having lugged her case downstairs, she attempted to squeeze it into the boot of the little green Austin, inwardly wondering how she was ever going to manage to get the rest of her luggage in around it. “Emily, did no-one ever teach you to pack properly?”

“Does it look like it?” It certainly didn’t. The rear seats were piled high with the usual chaos that surrounded Emily. A bag of apples was wedged in next to a large teddy bear which was lying on top of several loose coats. The big suitcase that took up most of the room on the seats was full to bursting, with assorted bits of clothing barely restrained from escaping from the sides by the jumble of other bags and boxes crammed in around it. “I’ve got no time for folding things neatly and rolling up stockings inside shoes - the one packing technique Mum taught me was the squash.” Suiting the actions to the words, she jammed a few more books into the only tiny space that wasn’t already chock-full of her possessions.

As Len gave the case a final shove that lodged it into place and allowed the boot to be slammed shut, Emily remarked “Right, that’s got to be everything. I don’t think there’s room for anything else anyway.” She pulled a pair of sunglasses down from their resting place on the top of her head, tugged on some driving gloves, and slid into the driver’s seat.

“Come on Len, there’s no time to lose. Freedom, for the whole summer!”
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:43 pm ]
Post subject: 
Love that Emily is so different to Len.


Thanks Lexi - BTW - have you thought of a title for this yet? A suggetion - Spreading Their/Her Wings - use it or not as you wish!
Author:  Fatima [ Fri Mar 09, 2007 5:26 am ]
Post subject: 
Nice to see more of this, thanks Lexi. I wonder if Len will be able to resist the urge to teach Emily the only way Matey approves of packing cases!
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Mar 09, 2007 7:49 am ]
Post subject: 
Oh to have long uni summer holidays again ....!


Thanks Lexi :D .
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Fri Mar 09, 2007 8:42 am ]
Post subject: 
Alison H wrote:
Oh to have long uni summer holidays again ....! :D .

My SLOC is a full time Uni student and has just had summer holidays. I've said that when he's working again I'm taking a Uni holiday. I think it would be a fair exchange?
Author:  Clare [ Fri Mar 09, 2007 5:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
I wonder if Reg will be 'sent' by Joey to check up on Len?

I'm loving this Lexi, Len is one of my favourite characters so I looking forward to seeing where this goes.
Author:  Lexi [ Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:04 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the title suggestion Lesley. It's really good but I don't think it quite goes. I'm trying to think of something that fits in with where the story is heading - the only problem is that I haven't quite worked out where that is just yet! :lol:

Here's a bit more.


It was early evening when they arrived at the cottage. It shouldn’t have been a long drive but Len, who had spent most of it with her eyes half shut in dread of a crash whilst also being talked half to death by Emily, had understandably found it a little hard to concentrate on maps and road signs and they’d made several scenic detours. Still, they were there and the car was intact, even though that had seemed unlikely at several points during the journey.

As they had first turned up the lane towards it, the cottage had looked picturesquely rustic but now they were closer, they could see the true state it was in. The white walls were grimy, there were several decent sized holes in the roof, paint was peeling from the window frames and the garden looked as if it was staging a concerted effort to sneak up and cover the cottage entirely.

Emily fished in her bag for the key and gingerly opened the sturdy front door. Although it was cold, smelled faintly of damp and the décor was rather outdated, the interior was nowhere near as bad as the exterior. The furniture was neatly covered with dustsheets and judging by the lack of dust, someone had been in to clean the place in the not-too-distant past.

“Len, this is awful,” she exclaimed. “I have such lovely memories of this place; we used to stay every summer holidays and have the most fantastic fun here. It might sound mad to you but this house is my childhood and it’s always been such a happy place to be. It shouldn’t be like this now. It feels dead.” She looked on the verge of tears as she continued. ”Aunt Mag was always so neat and proud of her house, I had no idea she’d let the place get this run down. She must have got very frail or it would never have been allowed to get into this state. And I had no idea, I hadn’t been to see her since Christmas. Oh I feel so horribly guilty. She must hate me.”

As the tears were flowing in earnest now, Len hugged her tightly and said softly “You know she doesn’t. She loves you Emily, even if she’s not here to tell you that anymore. Haven’t you just spent the whole drive here telling me about how proud she’s always been of you, that she always called you the image of herself?”

A sniffle into her shoulder was the only reply.

“I doubt she’d have wanted your first time in your own house to be spent in tears. Come on, we’ll get a fire and some lights going, the cold and gloom is enough to make anyone cry. It’ll be time for bed by the time we’ve got everything in from the car and settled for the night, then maybe you can show me around tomorrow? We could go and put some flowers on Mag’s grave if you want.”

Emily ran her sleeve across her eyes and smiled slightly. “Oh Len, you are a comforting soul to have around. I'd love to take her some Sweet Williams, they were her favourite."
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Mar 20, 2007 6:41 am ]
Post subject: 
Not a problem re the title Lexi - t'was only a suggestion! :lol:


Len was a real comfort then.

Thank you.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Mar 20, 2007 7:40 am ]
Post subject: 
Nice to see more of this :D .
Author:  keren [ Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:45 am ]
Post subject: 
on the other hand maybe you can give it a temporay title, cos I keep forgetting what it is about and that i want to read it.

e.g. under the untitled, write a subtitle, "story about Len helping Friend, instead of going home", (that is just till you finalize name), hope you don't mind request and only if it is convenient
Author:  brie [ Tue Mar 20, 2007 6:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
thanks lexi

nice to see more of this
Author:  Lexi [ Mon Apr 02, 2007 11:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
I finally have a title! :D


The next day was unusually hot for early summer. The cottage was blissfully cool but the prospect of walking to the village and back in the middle of the day was so unbearable that the girls had decided to visit the grave first thing in the morning.

“I’ll go for a walk and leave you in peace here,” said Len quietly as they entered the churchyard. Emily replied with a distracted nod, her gaze already fixed on the only new grave there. She gave Len’s hand a grateful squeeze and set off on her way down the grassy path.

Once she had seen Emily kneel before the grave, Len turned away and left her to grieve privately. She wanted to explore around the village but knowing that would be much more fun with company, settled on a short amble up the country lane leading away from the church. A few minutes walk led her towards the river. Suiting the pace of that sleepy day, it slowly wound its way through the countryside. Wide, shallow and overhung by shady trees, she found it sorely tempting in such hot weather.

After casting a furtive glance around to see if there was anyone to notice her very un-Lenlike behaviour, she kicked her sandals off and, leaving them on the riverbank, was soon splashing around in the middle of the river. It was such a warm day that this seemed like the perfect place to be and almost twenty minutes had passed before she realised it.

She would almost certainly have been there longer but for the loud but indistinct shout from the distance that caught her attention. Len had certainly become a lot more relaxed since leaving school but some standards of behaviour were still heavily ingrained. It would never do to be caught acting like a naughty Middle! Dreading someone seeing her acting so childishly, she turned to hurry to the riverbank. The shouting continued, getting clearer and louder, but Len was too mortified at the prospect of being spotted to look up and see where it was coming from. Looking down at the water and already off balance from the quick change of direction, she simply couldn’t stay upright when something large and very solid cannoned into her legs. Water flew up in the air as she landed with a noisy splash and with an outraged look on her face!
Author:  JustJen [ Tue Apr 03, 2007 3:02 am ]
Post subject: 
Oh no! Poor Len!
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:14 am ]
Post subject: 
Silly woman! She should at least have looked in the direction of the shouting!


Congrats on the title Lexi. Thanks.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:51 am ]
Post subject: 
:lol: Poor Len!
Author:  Clare [ Tue Apr 03, 2007 7:56 am ]
Post subject: 
Poor Len! :lol:
Author:  francesn [ Tue Apr 03, 2007 12:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
Any more of this, Lexi?

Just found it and now I can't wait to see who's cannoned into Len!
Author:  Jennie [ Tue Apr 03, 2007 2:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
Perhaps it's a tasTy man who is destined to be Len's real SLOC!
Author:  aitchemelle [ Tue Apr 03, 2007 3:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thank you Lexi! Really enjoying this! :)
Author:  Elle [ Tue Apr 03, 2007 5:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
Jennie wrote:
Perhaps it's a tasTy man who is destined to be Len's real SLOC!


That's what I thought!


Thanks for this Lexi, I have just discovered it. I do love the drabbles where the triplets break away from the octupus like tentacles of Joey et al.
Author:  brie [ Wed Apr 04, 2007 8:06 am ]
Post subject: 
thanks lexi- its good to see this back

and nice title btw :D
Author:  Lexi [ Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
francesn wrote:
Any more of this, Lexi?

Just found it and now I can't wait to see who's cannoned into Len!


There will be more when I have time to write it! I'm going away on Saturday for a week so I'll try and get some more up before then. It's going to be a lovely relaxed week so I'll take some paper with me and try writing some then as well :D
Author:  Liz K [ Wed Apr 04, 2007 6:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lexi wrote:
francesn wrote:
Any more of this, Lexi?

Just found it and now I can't wait to see who's cannoned into Len!


There will be more when I have time to write it! I'm going away on Saturday for a week so I'll try and get some more up before then. It's going to be a lovely relaxed week so I'll take some paper with me and try writing some then as well :D


Have a lovely week and please do make sure you've got LOTS of paper with you. :lol: :lol: :lol: Can't wait to hear some more.
Author:  Pollyana [ Fri Apr 06, 2007 1:30 am ]
Post subject: 
Its lovely, can't wait for the next bit. :D
Author:  wheelchairprincess [ Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
Just found this, its brilliant. Can't wait for the next bit!
Author:  Lexi [ Sun Apr 15, 2007 11:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks so much for all your comments. It's so nice to find out that people are enjoying this, especially when I'm struggling writing it! :D

Well I'm back from my holiday now and managed to get the next three or four installments written whilst sitting and sunbathing in the garden of the cottage we were staying in. Ah, it was bliss. Back to work with a vengeance in 8 hours or so, worse luck, but before I go and get some sleep, here is the next bit. And yes, it does involve a hunky man :wink:



She had barely scrambled to her feet when a tall, broad shouldered man appeared at the riverside. “Tommy! You bad dog! Here, at once!!”

The large yellow Labrador who had been responsible for Len’s soggy landing responded to this call. He bounded enthusiastically past her and up to his master, spraying her with yet more water.

“Oh no, did he knock you over?” asked the man. His face bore a concerned look, although there was a distinct twinkle in his eye as he saw Len’s dripping wet face. “Here, I’ll help you out.” He extended a firm hand and assisted her up the river bank. “I’m terribly sorry but he’s not much more than a puppy and he doesn’t know his own strength yet.”

Len mumbled something non-committal. Her cheeks were still bright red with the sheer embarrassment of being caught in such an undignified position and all she wanted to do was escape the situation and retreat to the peace of the cottage.

“Are you alright? I heard quite a splash so you must have landed with some force.”

“I’m fine.” She avoided meeting his eyes and looked around for her sandals, eager to make a quick escape from this situation. Where were they? She needed to get away before he continued the conversation any further.

“Are you sure you’re not hurt, Miss…?”

“Helena Maynard” she said quietly. “And really, I’m fine!”

The man made to lay a concerned hand on her arm, but spying her sandals in some long grass by a tree to her left, she hastily grabbed them, put them on and scurried away down the road.
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Apr 16, 2007 5:19 am ]
Post subject: 
Good to see more of this - poor Len :oops:


Thanks Lexi.
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:45 am ]
Post subject: 
Now he sounds much nicer than Reg ... :wink:
Author:  brie [ Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:45 am ]
Post subject: 
its back- yay!!!
Author:  Ruth B [ Mon Apr 16, 2007 11:08 am ]
Post subject: 
Now she has an idea of what all those poor new girls went through with Bruno!!
Author:  Jennie [ Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
She ought to be used to being knocked by a large, untrained dog. Silly Len, fancy leaving such a tasty fellow all alone.
Author:  Elle [ Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
Alison H wrote:
Now he sounds much nicer than Reg ... :wink:



Doesn't anyone????


Thanks Lexi.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Len. Glad to see an update
Author:  LauraM [ Tue Apr 17, 2007 5:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
This is really great. I always wondered how Len would really handle having 3 years of freedom at Uni and then going back to Switzerland to live under the nose of her parents and her school....it would be enough to drive anyone bananas!! And it was always very apparent IMO that that's exactly what she planned to do. She never had the career ambitions that Con and Margot had, she didn't seem to think any further ahead than getting a degree.
So it's quite an interesting insight.
Keep going Lexi :D
Author:  Lexi [ Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:25 am ]
Post subject: 
After Len's watery incident, she had understandably wanted to avoid seeing anyone else for the rest of the day. Both girls had therefore spent the afternoon in the cottage, scrubbing the kitchen and its contents from top to bottom. Every room needed tackling but the whole kitchen, including all the crockery, was covered in a rather disgusting film of dust and grime and as neither of them wanted to starve, that made it their first priority.

There was nothing they could immediately do about the walls and battered looking cupboards but at least everything was clean, and in the bright light of the next morning, it looked much better already. After several rounds of marmalade smothered toast each, they piled the dishes into the old Belfast sink and promptly settled down to a discussion of all the work that still needed to be done.

Appointing herself chief listmaker, Emily began to write on several sheets of paper. “Well let’s see… jobs to do, sub categorised into urgent and non-urgent, things to buy, things we can’t fix ourselves. I think the first thing we need to do is get these windows open again. It still smells of damp and the airing we gave it yesterday doesn't seem to have quite done the trick. Then I think we should start sorting through and boxing things up. We can’t exactly decorate or do any repairs with all the furniture still in place.” She jumped straight to her feet and began to open the rather grimy windows at the front of the cottage.

Len followed suit and, struggling to force open a somewhat warped kitchen window, missed the look of shock on Emily’s face when she flung open the front door to be met by the unexpected sight of an enormous bunch of flowers.

Emily being Emily, wasn’t put off for long and quickly trained her usual sunny smile on the man holding the flowers. She had demanded full details of exactly why Len had returned home dripping wet as soon as she had seen her the previous day, barely managing to suppress a fit of the giggles at the thought of her sitting in the river. It seemed a safe guess that this was the mystery man who owned the badly behaved dog.

“I presume these are for Len? I’ll just go and get her.”

Overhearing this, Len peered around the kitchen door to see who their visitor was. Her eyes widened in silent horror. As if yesterday hadn’t been embarrassing enough, he had turned up again! At least this time she could make herself look presentable. She was frantically smoothing her hair down and tugging her shirt into place when Emily burst in and whispered dramatically “Why didn’t you tell me he was so good looking?!” She affected a mock swoon. “He’s just like a young Cary Grant, utterly heavenly.”

“I had more important things to concentrate on at the time than his looks!” she squeaked. "Like the fact that I’d just been bowled over by a dog and I was soaking wet in public.”

“Even public humiliation shouldn’t stop you admiring someone like that. I honestly don't understand how you managed to not notice what he looked like. Anyway this is beside the point, get out there!” She flapped her hands and shooed Len out of the kitchen, then stood as close to the door as she could without being seen and shamelessly eavesdropped.

Len could just see the man behind the flowers as she slightly reluctantly made her way towards the front door. Not being a great fan of the cinema, she wasn’t sure whether Emily’s description was correct or not but he was certainly tall, dark and extremely handsome. And those eyes…

She mentally poked herself. She was engaged to Reg, what was she doing being so distracted by a handsome face?

His face brightened as he saw her coming towards him. Proffering the flowers, he said “Miss Maynard! I didn’t get the chance to introduce myself yesterday, or to properly apologise. I’m Harry Turner. And this reprobate is Tommy.” Len’s gaze lowered to the dog who was sitting on the doorstep grinning up at her and offering a paw to shake. She was so strongly reminded of the look on Bruno’s face when he had been up to his usual boisterous tricks that she started to giggle. Any trace of lingering annoyance disappeared and she happily shook Tommy’s paw.
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Apr 19, 2007 6:45 am ]
Post subject: 
He sounds very nice!
Author:  LauraM [ Thu Apr 19, 2007 8:02 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lexi. He sounds a bit yummy :D
Author:  Ruth B [ Thu Apr 19, 2007 8:05 am ]
Post subject: 
Awwwwww!
Author:  Jennie [ Thu Apr 19, 2007 1:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
Come on, Len. Listen to what your heart is telling you.
Author:  francesn [ Thu Apr 19, 2007 6:23 pm ]
Post subject: 
Very very yummy - and most importantly, not Reg!
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Apr 19, 2007 7:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
If you're not interested Len - move out the way! :lol:


Thanks Lexi
Author:  MaryR [ Thu Apr 19, 2007 7:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
That was lovely, Lexi, so true to life. Thank you.
Author:  brie [ Thu Apr 19, 2007 8:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
thanks lexi,
he sounded very yummy

*reminds self that drabbles are not real..*
Author:  Cath V-P [ Fri Apr 20, 2007 12:10 am ]
Post subject: 
Looks like Cary Grant?! Out of my way, Len!
Author:  Miranda [ Fri Apr 20, 2007 4:27 am ]
Post subject: 
What a lovely man :)

I'd be with Emily, shamelessly eavesdropping just out of sight :lol:
Author:  Fatima [ Fri Apr 20, 2007 7:03 am ]
Post subject: 
Definitely an improvement on Reg!
Author:  Lexi [ Sun Apr 22, 2007 12:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
“This is such a lovely gesture. Thank you.” She buried her nose in the mix of yellow and cream roses and inhaled their delicate scent. “Really though, you shouldn’t have.”

“Well I needed to apologise properly for what happened yesterday. I was worried that Tommy had hurt you.”

Len smiled ruefully and coloured a little in remembrance of the day before. “Not hurt, just very embarrassed. I must put these into some water. Won’t you come in and meet Emily?”

He checked his watch and shook his head. “I’d love to but I just don’t have time. I start work in half an hour and I mustn’t be late.”

“Oh that’s a shame” she said, genuinely meaning it. There was something very appealing about Harry. She couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was but his natural charm was working on her as surely as it had done on Emily during their brief exchange earlier.

He ran a hand through his thick dark hair, seemingly trying to prepare himself for something. The pause in conversation grew almost uncomfortably long and was only ended by his rushed question of “May I take you and Emily out for lunch on Saturday?”

Emily, still craning her neck around the kitchen door, beamed as Len replied in the positive to this request. The impression Len had given her of Reg was of a very decent man who obviously loved his fiancé and was very proud and supportive of her career plans. That was all very well and good, but knowing about the restrictive society that Len was ultimately heading back to, Emily couldn’t help feeling that she needed to expand her horizons a little during her time in England. The girl she had known at the start of the year had been almost Victorian in shying away from contact with men she didn’t know. This was definitely progress.

“Thank you again for the flowers and we’ll see you on Saturday.” Len smiled and waved a cheery goodbye as Harry whistled for Tommy and the pair walked away down the lane.

Emily scurried to the other side of the kitchen, aiming to make it seem as if she’d been lawfully occupied washing the dishes all this time. Hopefully Len would be too preoccupied to notice that she’d only managed to do one plate.

“He brought me flowers!” Len announced as she entered the room. “Aren’t they beautiful?”

“Lovely,” she agreed, admiring the newly opened rosebuds. “I think you should be able to find some vases in that cupboard over there.”

Focusing a little too much on arranging the flowers properly and not meeting Emily’s eye, Len murmured, “Do we have any plans for Saturday?”

Emily inwardly chortled at Len’s evasive way of breaking the news to her but innocently replied, “Only scrubbing! I’m sure we’ll both welcome a break from that soon enough. Why, do you have something in mind?”

“Harry asked if we wanted to go out for lunch. I, um, accepted on your behalf. I hope you’re not cross.”

Laughing out loud this time, Emily replied "We're being taken out by one of the best looking men I've seen in ages. Why would I be cross about that?!"
Author:  Jennie [ Sun Apr 22, 2007 1:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
It's a good thing that Len has Emily to help her out, othrwise she'd have said no and been unhappy with Reg for ever.
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Apr 22, 2007 2:38 pm ]
Post subject: 
This sounds hopeful :D .
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Apr 22, 2007 3:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hope it all goes well - I think Emily is right that Len needs expand her horizons - it doesn't mean she will reject Reg - just have the chance to enjoy her life and not feel, years later, that she didn't have a choice.


Thanks Lexi.
Author:  Clare [ Sun Apr 22, 2007 4:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lesley wrote:
If you're not interested Len - move out the way! :lol:


I thought the same thing Lesley.

*love is in the air* :heart:
Author:  Elle [ Sun Apr 22, 2007 7:43 pm ]
Post subject: 
Clare wrote:
Lesley wrote:
If you're not interested Len - move out the way! :lol:


I thought the same thing Lesley.

*love is in the air* :heart:



Me too!

Thanks Lexi.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sun Apr 22, 2007 10:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lesley wrote:
Hope it all goes well - I think Emily is right that Len needs expand her horizons - it doesn't mean she will reject Reg - just have the chance to enjoy her life and not feel, years later, that she didn't have a choice.


I never felt it was terrible that Reg and Len were engaged but I must admit I did wonder why Reg didn't move to England when Len did. He can't have been any happier with the seperation and he was supportive of Len getting her degree and it's not like he wouldn't be able to find work as a doctor. :?
Author:  Cath V-P [ Sun Apr 22, 2007 11:38 pm ]
Post subject: 
I agree with Emily - and even if Len does ultimately choose to stay with Reg, it will be much more of an informed choice.
Author:  Bookwormsarah [ Wed May 02, 2007 1:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
Just discovered this, and it is really lovely and summery. Emily is wonderful, and also reminds me a bit of me at 19 - boundless energy and enthusiasm, and a fondness for Cary Grant and lists!
Author:  Lexi [ Sun May 06, 2007 11:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
Just a short bit for now - I've moved onto planning the middle section (which I'm enjoying muchly, even if it does mean lots of research) and am having to force myself to write the sections that actually get me there!



The small bedroom, with its faded sprig print wallpaper and threadbare cream curtains was shabby but wonderfully cosy and comfortable, especially, as now, when lit by the soft glow of the lamps dotted about the room. Len was curled up on the wide window seat, looking as if she was reading. However much she was enjoying the thrilling detective story, she wasn’t quite able to concentrate on it properly. Her mind kept wandering. Had she done the right thing by accepting Harry’s offer?

Emily had been so matter of fact about everything, like it was an easy thing to say yes. Well it might be easy for her but it wasn't for Len. She had accepted in the heat of the moment and had been wondering ever since whether it was the right thing to do or not. She remembered the last letter that Reg had sent her. He had been unhappy that she hadn't come home for the summer, that much was obvious, but he had still ended it by telling her that he hoped she'd have a wonderful time. Surely he wouldn't mind that she was going out for a meal with another man?

Emily popped her head around the bedroom door and, seeing her friend deep in thought, said "Penny for them Len."

"Huh? Oh, it's you Emily. Sorry, I was miles away."

"You've got that worried Head Girl look on your face, " commented Emily. "I don't see any naughty kids around so you must have found something else to worry about. Knowing you, you're panicking about Saturday aren't you?"

"I just don't know if I did the right thing," Len admitted. "What would Reg think?"

"Len, it's just a meal. I'll be there playing chaperone, don't forget." Emily's eyes twinkled as she said this but seeing Len was really worried, her voice took on a more serious tone. "Reg won't mind you making new friends. Don't think of Harry as some sort of threat, he's just a nice person who wants to treat us both. You wouldn't even be thinking this way if Harry was a girl, so don't let the fact that he's a man put you off."
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Mon May 07, 2007 8:44 am ]
Post subject: 
Can understand Len's caution as she's obviously has a sort of attraction with Harry or she wouldn't be worrying so much about it. Nice to see Reg is being so supportive
Author:  Elbee [ Mon May 07, 2007 8:48 am ]
Post subject: 
Glad to see an update, thanks Lexi. Good luck with the next few sections! I think you've caught the atmosphere of the old run down house really well!
Author:  brie [ Mon May 07, 2007 9:25 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lexi. It's nice to see an update again. I can understand Len's caution though.
Author:  Josie [ Mon May 07, 2007 12:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
They may not be 'meant for each other' but I like hearing this about Reg:
Quote:
The impression Len had given her of Reg was of a very decent man who obviously loved his fiancé and was very proud and supportive of her career plans
.
I always feel the poor chap gets rather a rough deal on here!

Thansk Lexi. Have just read this through from the beginning and it's fabulous. The writing is superb and I think you've captured Len just right - discovering the world around her but very much keeping her character as it should be. Am loving it. Looking forward to the next update. :D
Author:  Fatima [ Mon May 07, 2007 2:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
Yes, she's bound to feel awkward having dinner with someone else, and I have a sneaking suspicion that Reg wouldn't be too impressed by it all.

Thanks Lexi.
Author:  Becky [ Mon May 07, 2007 4:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
Just found this Lexi and it's great, thank you! Looking forward to reading lots more.
Author:  wheelchairprincess [ Tue May 08, 2007 1:38 pm ]
Post subject: 
What a lovely drabble to catch up with whilst eating a late lunch! Thanks Lexi.
Author:  Rosalin [ Tue May 08, 2007 1:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
Also just found this and loving it. You've caught Len really well, she's obviously changed since leaving school but still in character. I can see her dilema over Reg and hope no-one gets too badly hurt :(
Author:  Lexi [ Wed May 09, 2007 12:02 am ]
Post subject: 
Well this bit was much easier to write than I was expecting. The bunny must have found a patch of motivational dandelions :D

Thanks to everyone for the kind words. I'm really glad you're enjoying it.


Len was still turning over Emily’s words in her mind the following morning, not entirely convinced by them. She had plenty of opportunity to do so as breakfast had been a largely silent affair. Emily could be usually be relied upon to provide a steady stream of chatter but she had been preoccupied with a lengthy letter from her sister in law and apart from the odd giggle at one of Annabel’s exploits, said very little.

She finally reached the end of the last page, folded up the letter and propped it against the honey pot. “Sorry Len, how shockingly anti-social of me. Letters from Bel are few and far between, so I have to enjoy them when I get them.”

Knowing the feeling – the boys were all terrible correspondents – she replied teasingly, “It was nice to have some peace for once”

Lifting her voice in mock outrage, Emily squealed “Len! The cheek of you!” and threw a piece of toast at her, hitting her squarely in the face. Wiping toast crumbs and melted butter from her cheeks, Len jumped up from her chair and advanced ominously. Continuing to squeal, Emily fled the kitchen at top speed and a full blown chase around the entire cottage ensued, only ending when both girls were worn out and had collapsed giggling on the stairs.

The rest of the morning passed peacefully, with Len in a far better mood than when she had first woken up. It seemed like no time at all had passed before there was a knock at the front door. “Yoicks! Let’s go!” said Emily boisterously, opening the door wide.

Harry was waiting outside, shifting from foot to foot in a slightly nervous manner. “I hope you don’t mind but I’ve brought someone else along. This is Kit, my best friend – he turned up unexpectedly last night and I thought it might be a bit rude to leave him on his own on his first day here.”

Taking the lead, as was usual, Emily replied “Of course we don’t mind; the more the merrier.” She made her way over to the car where a pleasant young man was standing, holding the door open for her. He was not in Harry’s league looks-wise, having a mop of sandy blonde hair, big brown eyes and a rather freckly face. She would have been hard pushed to describe him to someone, until he smiled down at her and she noticed how his smile transformed him into someone very appealing.

By the time they arrived at the pub, they were getting along famously. The conversation coming from the back seat had been punctuated by frequent giggles from Emily and deeper laughs from Kit. Unfortunately the same couldn’t be said for the couple in the front of the car. Harry was trying to make small talk but Len couldn’t prevent a certain frostiness from creeping into her manner. She still wasn’t sure about what she was doing here and she certainly didn’t want to encourage him.

Emily had noticed the growing coolness between the two and as they settled down around a table in the garden, took advantage of the new seating arrangements to widen the conversation and make the atmosphere less awkward. “So then, what is it that you two do? It seems a little odd not to know anything about our lunch companions.”

“I’m just on holiday at the moment,” said Kit. “The contract for my last job ended last month so I’m doing the rounds with friends before I start another one in September.”

Harry grinned at his friend, “He doesn’t like to mention it in company but he’s a lawyer.”

“I’ve sold my soul for filthy lucre,” said Kit mournfully, shaking his head in a self deprecating fashion. “Harry prefers a charity as an employer. He works for the National Trust at a house not far from here. You might have heard of it Emily, if you’ve spent holidays in this part of the world. It’s called Pretty Maids.”
Author:  Lesley [ Wed May 09, 2007 12:13 am ]
Post subject: 
Len really has got to lighten up - poor Harry!

As for this latest - wonder what they'll say when they find out that len's father sold the place to the NT?


Thanks Lexi.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Wed May 09, 2007 12:23 am ]
Post subject: 
Hopefully that will make a difference - poor Harry! And poor Len too, not sure what she wants or what she should do.
Author:  Miranda [ Wed May 09, 2007 2:09 am ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
You might have heard of it Emily, if you’ve spent holidays in this part of the world. It’s called Pretty Maids.


:shock:
What a small world!

I hope this makes things better for Len and Harry - he's too nice to waste :D

Maybe you should try and cultivate those motivational dandelions Lexi, they seem to be working very well!
Author:  Alison H [ Wed May 09, 2007 6:44 am ]
Post subject: 
Len, relax!!

It'll be interesting to see what they've all got to say about Pretty Maids.
Author:  Ruth B [ Wed May 09, 2007 11:45 am ]
Post subject: 
:lol: :lol: Very EBD!!
Author:  Mona [ Wed May 09, 2007 11:59 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lexi! I've only just found this and am really enjoying it - it's nice to see Len thinking about herself for a change!
Author:  Jennie [ Wed May 09, 2007 12:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
Just imagine,If Jo had been there, she would have claimed, IMMEDIATELY, that she knew everything about the house, down to the last brick, and then gone on to give the entire history of why the place was handed over to the NT, including the troubles she had when her children were teething, and why she had to have holidays at Penny Rest.
Author:  Rosalin [ Wed May 09, 2007 1:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
Jennie wrote:
Just imagine,If Jo had been there, she would have claimed, IMMEDIATELY, that she knew everything about the house, down to the last brick, and then gone on to give the entire history of why the place was handed over to the NT, including the troubles she had when her children were teething, and why she had to have holidays at Penny Rest.


I can just hear her saying it :roll:

Looking forward to hearing what Len's got to say about Pretty Maids and hoping she relaxes with Harry.
Author:  Fatima [ Wed May 09, 2007 3:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
I hope Len manages to enjoy the meal. Kit sounds like fun!
Author:  wheelchairprincess [ Wed May 09, 2007 6:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
So very EBD - love it and can't wait to see how they react if/when Len tells them Pretty Maids used to be in her family.
Author:  francesn [ Wed May 09, 2007 6:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oooooh interesting!

Thanks Lexi :D
Author:  Lexi [ Wed May 09, 2007 10:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
Jennie wrote:
Just imagine,If Jo had been there, she would have claimed, IMMEDIATELY, that she knew everything about the house, down to the last brick, and then gone on to give the entire history of why the place was handed over to the NT, including the troubles she had when her children were teething, and why she had to have holidays at Penny Rest.


:lol: She may make an appearance at some point.

This is probably where I start making huge errors because I'm writing it faster than I can research it! I think that Joey took the triplets to Pretty Maids for a visit when they were very young. If not, please imagine that Len has seen photos of the place :lol:


“Pretty Maids? But that was Papa’s home!” Every trace of Len’s cold manner had totally disappeared in this short outburst and she was now eagerly looking at him, awaiting a reply.

Harry looked almost as shocked as Len sounded. “Dr John Maynard is your father?”

“He most certainly is,” retorted Jack’s daughter proudly.

“Oh of course, you’re Helena Maynard. I’ve always associated you with a name on a family tree, it didn’t occur to me when you introduced yourself that you might be one of the Maynards. So your mother is an author? And that makes you one of the famous triplets? Sorry, is it odd that I know that about you? Never mind, this is amazing! Did you ever stay there as a child?”

Emily caught Kit’s eye and followed the almost imperceptible nod of his head towards the bar. “I’m parched,” she announced. “I’ll go with Kit to get some drinks.” Her words fell on deaf ears as Harry and Len were now deeply engrossed in conversation about the house, both talking at top speed. Harry, using his arms to gesticulate rather wildly, as they would soon learn was a habit of his, was sketching out an outline of the building in the air while Len pointed to parts of this imaginary blueprint, squeaking in recognition.

“Interesting as the place is, I don’t want to get drawn into one of Harry’s infamous Maids conversations,” Kit said as they walked across the grass, leaving the excitable pair behind. “Given the opportunity, he can talk about it for… well, I think we clocked him at twenty seven straight minutes once, before we begged him to stop.” He shook his head in vague disbelief at the memory. “Still, I suppose we all have our pet subjects.”

“And yours is?”

“Ah, that would be telling. It might be safer not to get me started on it. Imagine if it was the evolution of English contract law, you’d be asleep within minutes.”

Emily chuckled. “I’ll just have to change the subject then.” She promptly did so, telling Kit all about the circumstances in which she and Len had come to the New Forest for the summer. By the time they had been served with drinks, she had secured his services as general handyman for all the repairs that were needed at the cottage.

Slightly baffled by how quickly and easily this girl had wound him round her little finger, Kit thought it safest to head back to Harry and Len before he made any more promises to her. Still, it wasn't so bad. If it was a straight choice between spending time with two beautiful girls or being left with only Tommy for company while Harry was at work, he knew which he would prefer.

"Emily, you can spare me from decorating for a day or two can't you?" Len hailed her friend as she sat back down at the table. "Harry wants to show me around Pretty Maids. I can't wait!"
Author:  francesn [ Wed May 09, 2007 10:43 pm ]
Post subject: 
I think I'm glad the ice has broken between Len and Harry. And go Emily!
Author:  Lesley [ Thu May 10, 2007 5:32 am ]
Post subject: 
Am curious as to why Harry should know all about the Maynard family. :?

Nice to see Emily work her majic on Kit!:lol:

Thanks Lexi.
Author:  Alison H [ Thu May 10, 2007 6:44 am ]
Post subject: 
Well, Kit and Emily are getting on well, so that leaves Harry for Len :wink: .

I can understand that if he's working on/at the house then he'd be interested in the family who owned it - must be quite exciting for him to bump into one of them.
Author:  wheelchairprincess [ Thu May 10, 2007 8:08 am ]
Post subject: 
loved this update and now eagerly awaiting Len and Harry's trip to Pretty Maids
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu May 10, 2007 8:08 am ]
Post subject: 
Alison H wrote:
I can understand that if he's working on/at the house then he'd be interested in the family who owned it - must be quite exciting for him to bump into one of them.


Exactly. Thanks for the update
Author:  Ruth B [ Thu May 10, 2007 8:51 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the update. I'm pretty sure that Joey says when they sell the house that it never suited her or the girls, so I think from that it is safe to assume they went there.
Author:  alicat [ Thu May 10, 2007 8:59 am ]
Post subject: 
Isn't there something about the air being too soft?

which I always read as being warm and damp, rather than dry, crisp and bracing?
Author:  brie [ Thu May 10, 2007 4:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lexi. I got two fabulous updates there. It almost made up for not being on the board for a few days!
Author:  Clare [ Thu May 10, 2007 10:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
All together now: "It's a small world after all, it's a small world after all..."

Thanks Lexi. I have a feeling Reg would react like my SLOC used to at times when Len lets slip in all innocence that she'd met this bloke who she found she had something in common with...
Author:  Lexi [ Sun May 20, 2007 12:43 am ]
Post subject: 
Just a short bit for now. I can't finish the next section until a book arrives as I need to check a few details about the process of handing a house over to the National Trust :roll:



She had only a few memories of Pretty Maids. From the brief visits paid as a tiny child, she could remember the size of the building and had a vague impression of long panelled corridors and the comfortable clutter of the rooms. The clearer memories related to people; the cook who had made them a large jam tart each as a special treat one day and the old gardener who had tutted as they ran around on his precious lawn.

Grandpa, a tall grey haired man, had been a quiet, steady presence during their visits, mainly to be found in his study or out in the grounds, dealing with estate business. He always had a moment for his granddaughters though, and welcomed the intrusion of small fingers into his pockets, where there was a packet of peppermints awaiting them.

Grandmamma had been an altogether more glamorous figure. Although the triplets had spent most of their time in the nursery, Len’s most vivid memory of the time at Pretty Maids had been sitting solemnly on the chaise longue in her wonderfully dainty dressing room and watching her dress for a dinner party. Each triplet had received a tiny dab of scent on their wrists and been allowed to try on the antique Maynard diamond necklace. She could still remember looking at her reflection in the mirror and seeing the sparkle of the brilliant stones dancing back at her.

Harry hadn't told her too much about the house, saying that he couldn't do the place justice by a mere description of it. Excited, but a little nervous to see it again, she wondered if it would be as she remembered it.
Author:  Alison H [ Sun May 20, 2007 7:27 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lexi :D . I always wondered what "Granny Maynard" was like - she only ever seems to get mentioned in relation to her money!
Author:  Lesley [ Sun May 20, 2007 7:44 am ]
Post subject: 
What lovely memories Grandpa sounds lovely. :lol:


Thanks Lexi.
Author:  Mona [ Sun May 20, 2007 9:59 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the update Lexi!
Author:  MaryR [ Sun May 20, 2007 12:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks you, Lexi.
Author:  Jennie [ Sun May 20, 2007 12:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Lexi. This is really filling in the gaps.
Author:  Rob [ Sun May 20, 2007 5:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
Wow Lexi, this is great!!

*wondering what is going to happen with Len, Reg and Harry*

:oops: that sounds wrong for some reason! :D
Author:  Elle [ Sun May 20, 2007 6:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the update Lexi.
Author:  brie [ Sun May 20, 2007 6:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lexi!!
Author:  Lexi [ Mon May 21, 2007 1:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh no, I have EBD-ed already :oops:

I’ve just re-read the start of War and it says that Jack’s parents were dead by that point. I wanted Len to have some memories of them, so please excuse me altering the dates of their deaths by a couple of years!


Harry drove her towards the house, through miles of narrow, winding country lanes. No longer ill at ease with him, she asked inquisitively, “How was it that you came to work at Pretty Maids?”

“Are you sure you want the whole story? It’s not wildly interesting, but if you’re sure... Well after your father handed over the house to the Trust, we had to find someone to live there. Standard practice at the time was, wherever possible, to keep a member of the family on as a tenant and open the house once or twice a week. As you know, there wasn’t really anyone left from the Maynard side of the family – only your Aunt Lydia and she didn’t want to live there anymore.”

“So what happened to the house then?”

“I believe there were some plans to use it as a kind of guest house for VIPs but that came to nothing. You’ll see for yourself; it’s a beautiful building but it’s not a grand country house. Anyway, Mrs Valentine expressed an interest and so she moved in as the tenant. She was your grandmother’s youngest sister. I never met her but by all accounts she was a wonderful woman, very like her sister. She did an enormous amount of repair work on the fabrics and tapestries in the house.”

Len was fascinated by the slice of her family history that Harry was slowly revealing to her. Why didn’t she know any of this? It seemed a little odd that Papa never talked about his family or his past. Mamma had met them, she’d even stayed in the house, and she never mentioned it either. With her craze for stories and book plots, you would have thought she would have taken some interest in such an interesting place. It was as if the Maynard side of the family didn't matter to anyone.

Harry continued his tale. “She died just under a year ago. This time, we really couldn’t find anyone else suitable to take on the tenancy. There’s been a bit of a shift in ideas recently and they’re encouraging us to open the houses more so I was employed as the Administrator.”

As he finished his sentence, the car slowed, made a left turn and went through a gateway. “That’s the Lodge” said Harry, pointing to a square stone house, set in a small but glorious garden, a riot of colour at this time of year. “The gardener and his wife live there.”

They continued slowly down the main drive, allowing Len plenty of time to look around and admire her surroundings. It was planted on both sides with straight rows of handsome oak trees that cast a dappled shade onto the car. She caught a glimpse of the house, off to the right but trees blocked her view. Just as they drew past them and it looked as if she would have her first proper sight of the house, Harry followed the drive round to the left. He parked the car next to the stables, jumped out and opened Len’s door. “We just need to follow this path round to the right and then we’ll be there.”

Impatient, she set a good pace as they retraced their footsteps down the drive and took the right handed fork towards the house. They rounded the bend and on the other side of an expanse of green lawn, there was Pretty Maids.

The house was timber framed, not the usual black and white but with dark honey coloured oak beams interspersed with cream plaster. A tangle of chimneys poked over the heavy slate roof. It was square, built around a central courtyard but with double height bays jutting out at either side of the front wing. A pathway ran between them and led up the heavy oak front door.

It was weathered but mellow, settled perfectly into its lush green surroundings. She had heard people describe Plas Howell as a great lady, well this was a comfortable grandmother of a house, warm and welcoming, a place that had happily grown old, watching its inhabitants grow up and not minding the centuries that had passed.

“Wonderful, isn’t it?” said Harry, smiling as he watched Len’s reaction.

Initially taken aback, she had to wait a moment or two before she could recover herself enough to say “I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in all my life.”
Author:  Mona [ Mon May 21, 2007 2:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
Beautiful description of the house. Thanks for the update Lexi!
Author:  Lesley [ Mon May 21, 2007 2:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
How lovely. Wonder why the Maynard family were rarely mentioned? And this Mrs Valentine would have been Len's Great-Aunt.

Thanks Lexi.


BTW you can sometimes think things are memories if others have told you about them often enough - perhaps Len's 'memories' of her Grandparents are really Jack's memories.
Author:  Alison H [ Mon May 21, 2007 3:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hey, EBDisms just make it all the more authentic :wink: !
Author:  brie [ Mon May 21, 2007 3:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks so much Lexi! That was a really great description. The house just 'came alive'.
Author:  Jennie [ Mon May 21, 2007 7:19 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Lexi. Another mystery for us.
Author:  Elle [ Mon May 21, 2007 8:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lexi, I am really enjoying this.
Author:  Sal [ Mon May 21, 2007 10:04 pm ]
Post subject: 
What a gorgeous description of the house.

Thanks Lexi
Author:  Cath V-P [ Tue May 22, 2007 12:34 am ]
Post subject: 
Thank you Lexi, I could see that house so clearly as you described it.

I know what you mean about acquiring other memories Lesley;from the time I was five, we lived in the house that my mother had lived in as a child, and she told me all the stories and happenings of her childhood and adolescence. There were times when I could almost 'see' the same room at two different times and with two different sets of people in it, and I can 'remember' what happened as if I had witnessed it.
Author:  Lexi [ Tue May 29, 2007 3:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
Bah, my bunny has hopped off. I am having severe trouble with the next section as it sounds like a very boring guidebook and would make you all fall asleep. Here's a mini bit until I can tempt her back.


“Generations of Maynards have truly loved this place. That’s why the house has remained like this and never been rebuilt. It’s wonderful to have one of you back here and appreciating it properly.”

“It’s such a shame that Papa didn’t want it,” Len said wistfully. “I don’t understand his logic at all. How could you let a house like this go?”

“I couldn’t,” Harry admitted. “I’m quite shameless about my love for this house. Don’t judge your father too harshly though. It’s a lot of hard work taking on an estate of this size and I doubt a medical career allows you much time to spend on anything else.”

“I suppose so. It’s just that he never mentions it. I wonder why?”

“Ask him?” suggested Harry. “In the meantime, do you want to see inside?”

She nodded eagerly.
Author:  Jennie [ Tue May 29, 2007 3:18 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Lexi. Sending bunny treats so we get more next time.
Author:  Rob [ Tue May 29, 2007 4:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lexi, I am enjoying this

*wonders if Len would like to become the new tenant at Pretty Maids*
Author:  brie [ Tue May 29, 2007 4:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lexi!
Author:  Lyanne [ Tue May 29, 2007 8:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
....It’s just that he never mentions it. I wonder why?


Maybe Jack was pressured into letting it go but really didn't want to whilst appreciating that it wasn't practical for them to keep it?
Author:  Lesley [ Tue May 29, 2007 8:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lexi for the little update - hope bunny returns soon.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue May 29, 2007 9:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
I always thought it must've been very upsetting for Jack giving up a home that'd presumably been in his family for generations, but big houses like that must cost so much to run.
Author:  Elle [ Tue May 29, 2007 10:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
*sends bunny treats*


Thanks for the update.
Author:  Mia [ Fri Jun 01, 2007 11:22 am ]
Post subject: 
Oh wow, I've just found this and I'm seriously impressed :D I really love stories with a bit of a mystery and family secrets. More soon please!
Author:  Liz K [ Fri Jun 01, 2007 12:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
dorian wrote:
Giggling madly at the thought of being sent to bed for wearing a mini-skirt in case it gives one a chill!

This is great!


My Gran always used to say something similar about me, only it was about me going out of the house with wet hair, not bothering to dry it properly after washing it. :lol: :lol: :lol:
Author:  Liz K [ Fri Jun 01, 2007 12:43 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ruth B wrote:
Thanks for the update. I'm pretty sure that Joey says when they sell the house that it never suited her or the girls, so I think from that it is safe to assume they went there.


I found it strange what Joey said about Pretty Maids, that she and the girls found it "too relaxing"!!!!!!!! :? :? :? :? :?

But there may be a simple explanation.
Author:  Liz K [ Fri Jun 01, 2007 12:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
Rob wrote:
Thanks Lexi, I am enjoying this

*wonders if Len would like to become the new tenant at Pretty Maids*


Yeeeeeeeeeeeees, I was wondering that too.......................along with Harry maybe???????????????
Author:  Lexi [ Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hopefully there is some more to come tomorrow...


Using a heavy old fashioned key, he unlocked the front door and held it open for Len. She went through the doorway and into a wide hallway. An expanse of stone flags stretched in front of her and led into corridors to the left and right. The wall directly ahead, with the exception of a very solid looking door cut into it, was wood panelled with mullioned glass windows stretching from waist height to the ceiling, allowing a wonderful view of the courtyard.

It still looked and felt like a family house. There was a pleasant mismatched air to the furniture in the hall – a large dower chest up against one wall, hat stands and umbrella racks complete with contents, a few straight backed chairs and several pot plants and ferns. Vague memories stirred within her of sitting and waiting impatiently on one of those chairs, dressed in her Sunday best, and being told off very firmly by the housekeeper for drumming her heels against the chair legs.

Harry left her to gaze for a minute or two, then asked, “Are you ready for the tour?”

“Certainly am!” she replied brightly.

The next hour passed by in what seemed like moments. On the north side of the house, she was shown the Morning Room, wonderfully light with windows on three sides and the splendour of the ancient Great Hall, with its centuries old carved screen and hidden minstrels gallery. Then somewhat less grand, the Dining Room and her grandfathers study, the latter still somehow retaining the comfortable, slightly secretive feeling it had always had. Even though it was on one of the main corridors in the house, Len remembered it as always being a very quiet room, full of estate maps and account books, and with a vague smell of pipe smoke.

The service section of the house was in the south east corner of the house, with later additions housing the laundry and larders built on behind the kitchen. Harry had only shown the Butlers Pantry and Housekeepers room to her briefly, explaining that they were used for the volunteers and as the office, respectively.

The south wing was made up of slightly smaller rooms; the very masculine Billiard Room, the quiet and peaceful old family chapel and the library. Len smiled to see copies of all her mothers books on a prominent shelf. They seemed a little out of place amongst the leather bound staid titles that made up the majority of the collection but Harry, noticing her interest in that particular shelf, said “You’ve spotted the Josephine M. Bettany collection? I believe your grandparents were very proud of her success and Mrs Valentine carried on buying the new ones when she lived here. It's a little known fact but your grandmother was a secret fan of school stories, we found whole trunks full of them up in the attics. These are the only ones she ever had on display though.”

The Parlour was the last room on the ground floor, a mirror of the Morning Room but with a more cosy feel, as if people had preferred spending time in here. She could imagine people sitting in here reading, sewing, talking, laughing, whereas the Morning Room had been far more formal with grander, rather uncomfortable looking furniture.

Upstairs was most memorable for the gallery. Above the hall and running for the same length as it, it was a small attempt at the more usual long gallery and was hung with family portraits. Harry had declined to name them for her, claiming that he could never remember who was who. The rest of the upstairs rooms were a blur of bedrooms and dressing rooms.

“I won’t take you up into the attics,” said Harry, pausing outside a door at the end of the south corridor. “They’re either rather tatty looking servants bedrooms – conserving and repairing them so we can open them up to visitors is next winter’s task – or so full of old furniture and other assorted boxes and trunks that you’d never find your way out again. We need a proper inventory of it all but no-one has the time at the moment. Anyway, through this door is the old nursery wing. It’s my flat now so all the old furniture has been stowed away upstairs but the rooms are still there. I, um , I won’t invite you in though.”

“Oh,” replied Len, looking a little disheartened. “I wouldn’t want to intrude but it’s just that the nursery is the only room I really truly remember. We used to have marvellous fun playing in there. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, may I just have a peek at it?”

Harry, not a tidy person by any stretch of the imagination, groaned inwardly at this request, remembering the state that he’d left the flat in that morning. Still, he couldn’t exactly say no. “Do you mind just waiting out here for two minutes?” he asked, then not waiting for an answer, dived inside and spent the next few minutes hurriedly throwing clothes into the bottom of the wardrobe and piling dishes into the sink.
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Jun 05, 2007 5:39 am ]
Post subject: 
Poor Harry - but very typical when someone is not a tidy person. :lol:


Thanks Lexi, that was a fascinating glimpse into Pretty Maids as it used to be.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Tue Jun 05, 2007 6:21 am ]
Post subject: 
That was so nice of him to do that for Len. Thanks
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Jun 05, 2007 6:38 am ]
Post subject: 
The house sounds fascinating. I wonder if Joey realises what a fan of hers her mother-in-law was!
Author:  PaulineS [ Tue Jun 05, 2007 11:51 am ]
Post subject: 
Joey always said she got on well with her parents-in-law and her brother-in-law. It was Lynda his wife she had problems with.
Author:  leahbelle [ Tue Jun 05, 2007 12:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
Pretty Maids sounds like an amazing house :D !
Author:  brie [ Tue Jun 05, 2007 2:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lovely thanks Lexi
Author:  Fatima [ Tue Jun 05, 2007 3:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
It's lovely to see someone collecting JMBs! Thanks Lexi.
Author:  Sarah_K [ Tue Jun 05, 2007 5:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
*giggles at Harry*

Not that don't also sympathise with him a lot!
Author:  keren [ Tue Jun 05, 2007 6:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
When you mentioned that they found loads of school stories in the attic, I thought of trying to get a hold of them...
Author:  Sal [ Tue Jun 05, 2007 7:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lexi wrote:
spent the next few minutes hurriedly throwing clothes into the bottom of the wardrobe and piling dishes into the sink.
:lol:
Have been there Harry, unannouced visitors are a pain when you're not tidy by nature.

Thanks Lexi
Author:  Lexi [ Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
When the flat was looking vaguely presentable, he opened the door and ushered her into the living room. It had been the day nursery and was a fairly large, sunny room with windows across the whole of one wall. Two shabby but extremely comfortable looking sofas were in front of a large and very old stone fireplace. Tommy was curled up on a blanket on one of them, snoring softly. Hearing the voice of a stranger, he opened one eye, then decided that Len didn’t need to be barked at, and went back to sleep.

The room had obviously changed from the nursery of Len’s memories but not so much that it was totally unrecognizable. Pointing to a corner of the room, she exclaimed “That’s where the rocking horse used to be! And the old bookcases are still here! Oh, and the chimney. Margot got in terrible trouble for trying to hide Con’s doll up there after they’d had a row. I’d almost forgotten about that. Isn’t it odd that such things come back to you?” Her eyes jumped from feature to feature, reconciling the changes with her memories of the room.

A door on the far wall creaked slowly open but neither of them noticed it. Len had turned her attention to the window and was busy admiring the view. Harry, with a noticeable look of horror on his face, had spotted a stray pair of pants on the floor by his feet. He promptly sidefooted them under the sofa, hoping fervently that she hadn’t seen them.

“Harry, what’s that little building over to the left?” Len turned around, awaiting his answer and was met by the sight of Kit, practically naked except for a very skimpy towel around his waist, ambling out of the doorway and rubbing a hand over his stubble. She let out a scream of surprise and instinctively clapped her hands over her eyes. Kit, jolted out of his sleepy daze, gawped at her and clutched onto the towel, then turned and fled into back into the bedroom.

Recounting this to Emily later on that evening, she started to giggle. “Kit's face was priceless! I think he locked himself in the bedroom until we'd left. Harry couldn’t apologise enough but then I started to laugh and that set him off and he got the giggles too. Honestly, I couldn't stop. Everytime we caught each others eye we started giggling again. I won't know what to say to Kit next time I see him.”

Emily was listening intently but had a rather dreamy look in her eyes. “Kit. In a towel?... Oh Len, you have all the luck.”
Author:  Lesley [ Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lexi wrote:
Emily was listening intently but had a rather dreamy look in her eyes. “Kit. In a towel?... Oh Len, you have all the luck.”


:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


Loved that!

Len? Why didn't you look :roll: ?

Thanks Lexi
Author:  Cath V-P [ Wed Jun 06, 2007 11:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
:lol: :lol: :lol:

More seriously, it's fascinating how much you find you can remember...
Author:  Miranda [ Thu Jun 07, 2007 1:27 am ]
Post subject: 
*giggles along with everyone else at Emily's reaction* :lol:

Poor Len, that must have been such a shock for her - I'll bet her memories of the nursery will forever be tarnished with that image...
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Jun 07, 2007 6:19 am ]
Post subject: 
Really enjoying this, thanks
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Jun 07, 2007 6:37 am ]
Post subject: 
Oh I loved Emily's reaction! And I'm so glad that she's obviously not after Harry ...
Author:  brie [ Thu Jun 07, 2007 11:30 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lexi!! I love emily here, she is hilarious!!
Author:  Sal [ Thu Jun 07, 2007 4:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
:lol: Thanks Lexi the last line was brilliant.
Author:  MaryR [ Thu Jun 07, 2007 4:48 pm ]
Post subject: 
Loved the descriptions of the house, Lexi - and Len's reaction to Kit's appearance. :lol:
Author:  Mia [ Sat Jun 09, 2007 10:12 pm ]
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This is ace, thanks Lexi :D
Author:  Rob [ Sat Jun 09, 2007 10:19 pm ]
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Lexi wrote:
She let out a scream of surprise and instinctively clapped her hands over her eyes.


What a good little CS girl!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Can't wait for some more of this Lexi, its great!
Author:  Lexi [ Mon Jun 11, 2007 1:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
Glad you're all enjoying it :D


“Post’s here,” called Emily, wandering through the house into the kitchen. Rifling through the bundle of letters, she said, “A couple for you with foreign stamps on, one for me from the parents, interesting looking parcel for you – were you expecting anything? Two more letters for me and, oh, make that three. Gosh, I’m popular all of a sudden.” She perched on the edge of the table and pushed Len’s post across it.

Len brushed toast crumbs off her fingers and picked up the parcel which was addressed in Con’s handwriting and felt curiously squashy. Ripping it open, a tissue paper wrapped bundle fell out, along with a letter and several typewritten sheets of paper. Emily looked up curiously. “What on earth is that?”

Len scanned the letter quickly. “Oh how marvellous! It’s from Con. She’s had an article accepted for Vanity Fair!!! You know she’s staying with Lily?” Emily nodded. “Lily’s mother works there and knowing that Con writes, she asked to see some of her work. Con’s being very modest about it in the letter but it sounds like she was very impressed. Well she must have been because she’s accepted this piece! I can’t believe Con is going to be an actual published author so soon!” She read through the article and beaming with pride, handed it over to Emily to read.

As she reached the final line, Emily smiled widely. “It’s wonderful! We’ll have to rush straight to the shops when it’s published and buy all their copies. What’s in the parcel though?”

Len had forgotten about it in the rush of excitement but carefully opened it. A small note lay on top of some neatly folded material. She read it and exclaimed “The designer that she wrote the article about was apparently so pleased by it that he gave her an armful of clothes to say thank you. She’s sent us two dresses - “sharing the wealth” she says. There’s one for you and one for me. Apparently she’s kept the more outrageous stuff for herself,” she finished with a giggle.

“That’s wonderfully generous of her!” Emily jumped down from her perch and stood eagerly next to Len as she unfolded the dresses. The smaller of the two, a vivid floral patterned cotton dress, was seized upon with squeals of delight. She ran into the scullery, yelling over her shoulder, “Just trying it on! Put yours on!”

Len shook out the remaining dress. Con knew her sister’s taste well and had sent her a simple pale green sundress with white trim and straps. Finding Emily’s enthusiasm infectious, she wriggled into it and was just tugging the hem down when Emily reappeared, twirling round and round. The bright colours of the dress looked wonderful against her dark hair.

“I adore it!” she pronounced dramatically. “And Len, you look beautiful! What a lovely colour. We’ll have to send Con a fantastic present to say thank you.”

“Definitely. I wonder when I’m going to get a chance to wear something this pretty? I can’t exactly do the decorating in it.”

Emily promptly replied, “Wear it tomorrow when we go for a picnic with Kit and Harry." She looked innocently at Len and added, "Whoops, did I not mention it before?”
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Jun 11, 2007 2:20 pm ]
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Well done Con - and well done Emily!
Author:  leahbelle [ Mon Jun 11, 2007 4:04 pm ]
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Good for Con! Those dresses sound lovely - and I'm glad the green one wasn't of the lime variety!!
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Jun 11, 2007 4:45 pm ]
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Naughty Emily! :lol:

Con's doing well, isn't she?

Thanks Lexi
Author:  Sarah_K [ Mon Jun 11, 2007 4:53 pm ]
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Emily seems intent on making Len enjoy herself and spend as much time as possible with the boys! Which is understandable but I can't help feeling all the while that eventually there's going to be a reckoning of some kind (look how untrusting the board has made me!)

Still well done Con, and thank you Lexi :D
Author:  andi [ Mon Jun 11, 2007 6:44 pm ]
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Nice timing, Con - and I'd love to know what the 'outrageous' stuff she kept for herself was!
Author:  Rob [ Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:02 pm ]
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Thanks Lexi! :D
Author:  MaryR [ Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:13 pm ]
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How generous of Con - and how naughty of Emily, not mentioning the picnic. :lol:

Thanks, Lexi
Author:  Jennie [ Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:38 pm ]
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Perhaps Len needs to learn to be more spontaneous, she's far too controlled, so Emily will be good for her.
Author:  Sal [ Mon Jun 11, 2007 9:58 pm ]
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Aww how lovely of con and what a brilliant plan of Emily's! Thanks Lexi
Author:  Elle [ Tue Jun 12, 2007 9:36 am ]
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Thanks Lexi.
Author:  JustJen [ Tue Jun 12, 2007 4:07 pm ]
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Well done Con! How sneaky of Emily as well!
Thanks Lexi!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Wed Jun 13, 2007 12:38 am ]
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Thanks Lexi. Glad Con is doing so well with her writing
Author:  Lexi [ Wed Jun 13, 2007 2:18 pm ]
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I wasn’t expecting inspiration to strike when I was in the bath :lol: I wrote two sections in a couple of hours last night – very unlike me!


Emily knew full well that she hadn’t mentioned it before, thought Len as she waited in the hallway. She should probably be angry at her for essentially tricking her into the picnic but as usual, it was very difficult to get cross with Emily. And once she thought about it, it wasn’t like it was such a terrible thing. They had both been working horribly hard on the house over the past few days and a picnic would be lovely, especially as the weather was still so glorious. Although seeing Kit again might be a little embarrassing, it would be great to have another chat with Harry. She had already started a letter home, asking her father about some details of Pretty Maids, and Harry might have some particular questions that he’d like her to ask.

She smoothed down her dress and picked up the picnic basket from the bottom of the stairs as Emily came thundering down, jumped the final two and grinned at her. “Looking good Len! Am I sufficiently dazzling to distract Kit from remembering the nursery incident?”

“I certainly hope so!” giggled Len. “Oh that must be them.”

The tooting of a car horn confirmed her words. Emily peeped out of the window and gasped. “Look at Kit’s car! Oh it’s beautiful!” Len leaned over the top of her head and took a look. The cherry red roadster was low, sleek and, as Emily described, utterly beautiful. “Wow! How are we all going to fit in it though?”

“Oh don’t be so irritatingly practical Len,” said Emily teasingly. “Come on!” She led the way out to the car, greeting Kit and Harry happily. As Len had predicted, it was somewhat of a squash, especially as Tommy had been brought along for the day. He had to sit on Harry’s knee for the journey but luckily the picnic spot was only a short drive away from the cottage down winding country lanes.

The site that Emily had chosen was one that had been a family favourite on previous holidays to the cottage. It was a secluded spot next to the river with plenty of shade from the many willow trees. A delightfully cool breeze blew as they unpacked the baskets of food and made short work of eating it all.

Once they were finished, Len leaned comfortably up against a tree and watched the ducks dabbling in the river. She was far too peaceful to join in the lively argument about politics that Kit and Emily were having. Underneath Emily’s very feminine exterior lay a razor-sharp intellect which often surprised people who took her at face value and had led to some interesting moments during her first year at Oxford with some of the more old-fashioned male dons.

“Exhausting, aren’t they?” remarked Harry. He offered Len the punnet of strawberries. Selecting one, she nodded. “How they've got the energy to argue in this weather, I'll never understand."

They were soon chatting about books, a rather more sedate conversation than the one that was taking place on the other side of the picnic blanket. Emily’s hands were waving around with dramatic emphasis, while Kit, despite his relaxed posture, lying on his side with his head propped up on one hand, was arguing his case with all the eloquence and enthusiasm you would expect from a successful young lawyer.

The argument finally came to an end and the afternoon drifted peacefully onwards, with all four enjoying the chance to just sit, chat and be lazy. Harry took Tommy for a short amble up the riverbank while Emily got out a newspaper and began the crossword, occasionally interspersing the companionable silence with the odd mutter to herself or request for help on a particularly cryptic clue. Lying flat out, eyes closed, Kit contributed an answer or two but soon drifted into sleep. Len was perfectly happy just enjoying the sunshine and watching the world go by.

Returning to the others, Harry reluctantly looked at his watch and said, “Duty calls, I’m afraid. I have to be back at Pretty Maids for a delivery at 5. I was lucky enough to wangle this afternoon off but I can’t push my luck any further, I must get back.” Emily groaned at this but sat up, folded her newspaper, and gave Kit a prod with it. “Come on lazybones, wake up.”

Len accepted Harry’s outstretched hand and got to her feet, trying to ignore the frisson that ran between them as they touched. He tried to meet her eyes but Len, still very unsure of how she felt about him, and how to handle the situation, backed away and busied herself packing up the picnic baskets. She still hadn't spoken to him by the time they got back into the car.

As they drew up outside the cottage, they could hear the phone ringing loudly and insistently. Len was first through the door and so ran into the hall to answer it. The voice on the other end of the line belonged to Reg.
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Jun 13, 2007 2:21 pm ]
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Grrr, why did Reg have to ring just as Len seemed to be deciding that she might fancy Harry :lol: :lol: ?
Author:  Lesley [ Wed Jun 13, 2007 5:57 pm ]
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Lovely picnic - now what is Reg ringing for? Just a chat, or something more serious? And does Len want to speak to him?

Thanks Lexi.
Author:  Jennie [ Wed Jun 13, 2007 6:32 pm ]
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Butt out, Reg.
Author:  Elle [ Wed Jun 13, 2007 6:50 pm ]
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*slaps Reg with a very large, very wet, very smelly fish*


Make Reg go away! Harry is far more fanciable!
Author:  Sarah_K [ Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:28 pm ]
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Oh dear, possibly I'm going to make myself unpopular here but I'm very glad Reg rang. If Len really is falling for Harry she needs to tell poor Reg.

It does all sound like a rather difficult and confusing situation for poor Len though!
Author:  Elbee [ Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:40 pm ]
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Thanks Lexi, I'm enjoying this.
Author:  Rob [ Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:44 pm ]
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This is great Lexi!

Hope Reg doesn't confuse poor Len too much!
Author:  brie [ Thu Jun 14, 2007 2:05 pm ]
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Poor Len!!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Jun 14, 2007 8:48 pm ]
Post subject: 
Sarah_K wrote:
Oh dear, possibly I'm going to make myself unpopular here but I'm very glad Reg rang. If Len really is falling for Harry she needs to tell poor Reg.

It does all sound like a rather difficult and confusing situation for poor Len though!


So am I. Reg is engaged to her and I would be be disappointed in him if he never wanted to talk to his fiance. He was supportive of her staying with Emily even if it meant he couldn't see her
Author:  Rosalin [ Fri Jun 15, 2007 10:22 am ]
Post subject: 
Yes, Len's been spending time with Harry, so she does need to talk to Reg to balance things out. It's much easier not to think of the person who isn't there and just live in the here and now.

I wonder what Reg wants? Maybe he's met a nice nurse and decided not to wait for Len after all :lol:

Edited because I got so caught up in the story that I forgot to thank the author :oops:

Thanks Lexi!
Author:  Lexi [ Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks everyone :D


She was surprised but pleased to hear his voice. “Reg! How are you?”

Emily, fighting the almost irresistible urge to hover in the hallway and listen to the rest of the conversation, went back outside and hailed Kit. “Do you mind running me into the village? Len’s on the phone to her fiancé and she’ll welcome a bit of privacy so I might as well do something useful in the meantime. The shop should still be open for the next half an hour or so and we could do with a few more supplies.”

He got out of the car and opened the passenger door for her with a flourish, doffing an imaginary cap. “Mademoiselle, your chariot awaits.”

She giggled and slid into the seat gracefully. “It’s awfully kind of you.”

“Well now Harry’s back at Pretty Maids, I’m in no rush to be anywhere else. And I can’t think of a better way to spend my time than with you.” A faint blush lit up Emily’s cheeks at this and she looked down demurely. Inwardly though, she was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

They arrived back at the cottage a little over half an hour later. Kit, manfully bearing the weight of what Emily considered to be a “few supplies”, headed straight for the kitchen. Following him, Emily waved at Len who was still engrossed in her conversation, and entered the kitchen. Pushing the door shut behind her, she said “Oh Kit, you’ve been such a help today. I think our plans might be working for those two.” She grinned conspiratorially at him and then added, “Not that I want Len to break off her engagement to Reg, I just want her to realise that it is possible for her to have male friends as well. Her home life sounds so narrow and dull.”

“And Harry’s so busy with his job that I sometimes think that he’s forgotten he’s not an old man already. I drag him to London when I can but he’s been much happier since we found you two.” Kit’s eyes lingered on her in a way that suggested that Harry wasn’t the only one who felt this way.


Meanwhile, out in the hall, Len was curled up on the chair underneath the stairs, chattering away. Letters were all well and good but it wasn’t like having a proper conversation with someone. They had talked about his work, her family, how the cottage was coming along and she was now describing Pretty Maids to him. There was a distinct lack of enthusiasm coming from Reg.

“Oh it’s a wonderful place,” she concluded. “And Harry was so kind to show me all round it. He even let me see the old nursery – it’s his living room now.” A frosty silence greeted this last remark and Len realized she had perhaps been a little tactless in saying it.

Reg cleared his throat, obviously preparing to broach a tricky subject. “Len, I don’t think you should be spending so much time with this Harry chap. You don’t even know him properly, he could be anyone.”

Rather taken aback by this, Len retorted, “He’s a very nice man and perfectly respectable! Just because he doesn’t live on the Platz and fit into your chummy little expat community doesn’t mean he’s some sort of dangerous threat.”

“I just think you should have a little more consideration for what people will think about this. We’re engaged. You shouldn’t be spending so much time with other men.”

“He’s my friend! Are you really trying to dictate who I can and can’t spend time with?” Her temper was very rarely seen but it was rising to the surface with a vengeance now.

“I doubt you’d listen to me even if I did,” he replied with a hint of bitterness in his tone. “You’ve changed recently Len and I don’t like it. What happened to that sweet, innocent girl I used to know?”

“She grew up!!”

“More’s the pity.” Reg’s jealous streak, not seen for many years, was becoming only too apparent once more. “I won’t have it Len. It was bad enough when you didn’t want to come home for the summer. Now your letters home are full of Pretty Maids and Harry. Everyone is gossiping about us. Either you stop associating with him or I come and bring you home.”

“What??! You will not!”

He ignored this furious interjection and carried on. “Your mother agrees with me.”

He had barely completed the sentence before Len cut loudly across him. “You’ve told Mamma? How DARE you! Reg, it’s absolutely none of her business! I haven’t done anything wrong in the first place, and even if I had, it’s still not your place to go running to her with the details! I don’t understand why you’re reacting like this.”

“I won’t be made to look like a fool,” he replied. “You need to think very carefully about what you’re doing Len, whether being there is more important than our future together. I will not have my fiancé acting like a common tart, gallivanting around with other men all the time.”

Len was so furious she could barely speak. Knowing that if she started to shout at him, she probably wouldn’t be able to stop, she spat out her words with ice-cold fury. “If you really think that about me, I don't think we have a future together. I don’t want to speak to you again until you’re prepared to apologise.”
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh dear :shock: . But well done Len for standing up to him.
Author:  Jennie [ Fri Jun 15, 2007 1:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
About time Len stood up for herself. She was far too young to get engaged anyway, and I think she wa confusing relief for Reg's safety with love.

I also think Reg has behaved disgracefully, running to Jo and tattle-telling.
Author:  Becky [ Fri Jun 15, 2007 2:19 pm ]
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Good on you, Len - there's a big wide world out there!

Thanks Lexi, this is great.
Author:  Ruth B [ Fri Jun 15, 2007 2:33 pm ]
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Go Len! I had an ex that used to talk to me like that. :evil: :poke:
Author:  Mona [ Fri Jun 15, 2007 3:10 pm ]
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Good for Len, standing up for herself. Reg is seriously overstepping the mark by talking to Joey before Len.
Author:  RroseSelavy [ Fri Jun 15, 2007 3:58 pm ]
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What an idiot! "spending so much time with other men," indeed - there's only one of him! (And he seems much nicer than Reg...)
Author:  brie [ Fri Jun 15, 2007 4:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
:shock:

Oh dear....

Thanks Lexi
Author:  JustJen [ Fri Jun 15, 2007 4:29 pm ]
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Go Len!
Author:  Lesley [ Fri Jun 15, 2007 5:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
Totally agree with Len there - Reg is being completely unreasonable - and speaking to Joey about it?

If he was worried he should have taken time off from work and flown across to see her - Len would have been delighted to see him - she hasn't done anything in the least improper or disrespectful.


Thanks Lexi
Author:  Rob [ Fri Jun 15, 2007 9:46 pm ]
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:shock: I knew there was a reason I didn't like Reg! :lol:

Thanks Lexi!
Author:  Sarah_K [ Fri Jun 15, 2007 9:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well that was a good way to go about things Reg :evil:

Twat. I hope Len pays no attention to his jealousy, and I hope he realises what an idiot he's being!

Kit and Emily are adorable though, thank you Lexi.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Fri Jun 15, 2007 10:56 pm ]
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Oh dear...he's worried, unhappy and jealous and went about this in exactly the wrong way. And telling Joey wasn't a bright move....
Author:  Rosalin [ Sat Jun 16, 2007 8:50 am ]
Post subject: 
Ooh, I can understand Reg being a bit jealous, but he definitely went to far there!

And telling Joey :shock:

Thanks Lexi, this is great.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sat Jun 16, 2007 10:09 am ]
Post subject: 
Lesley wrote:
Totally agree with Len there - Reg is being completely unreasonable - and speaking to Joey about it?

If he was worried he should have taken time off from work and flown across to see her - Len would have been delighted to see him - she hasn't done anything in the least improper or disrespectful.


Thanks Lexi


I'm with you on that one. I don't understand why Reg doesn't move to England to be closer to Len. Thanks Lexi
Author:  Bookwormsarah [ Fri Jul 13, 2007 10:24 am ]
Post subject: 
I have really been enjoying this, and hope we might see some more at some point...?
Author:  Lexi [ Mon Jul 16, 2007 1:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks! :D There is more but I've just had no time (or inspiration) recently.

The boss is off work this week though so there may be a slight chance I can get some more written :lol:
Author:  Liz K [ Mon Jul 16, 2007 1:44 pm ]
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Go Len Go, don't let jealous Reg get you down!! Harry sounds a darn sight more fun.
Author:  wheelchairprincess [ Tue Jul 17, 2007 2:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
Just re-read this and caught up on what I missed. Any chance of some more?

Thanks Lexi!
Author:  Lexi [ Sun Aug 26, 2007 2:23 pm ]
Post subject: 
Only a month or so after I said I'd update... :oops:


Emily was usually chockfull of curiosity and had no qualms about eavesdropping on the odd conversation here and there. Not the most praiseworthy of tendencies, she was well aware. In this situation though, it was pretty much unavoidable. Most of Len’s phone conversation had been inaudible to the pair in the kitchen, occupied as they were in their own chatter, but as the volume picked up and Len’s voice got noticeably angrier, it rang loudly through the kitchen door.

Emily and Kit exchanged awkward glances. They couldn’t help overhearing what was Len was saying and such a deeply personal argument was not pleasant listening. There was no escape from the room though. The back door was firmly locked and they hadn’t been able to locate the key so far. She entertained a brief thought of asking Kit to kick it open so that they could flee into the garden but before the request could be made, a resounding crash came from the hall as the phone was slammed down. This was swiftly followed by a dull bang which Kit correctly identified as the sound of fist meeting wall.

“What on earth?” gasped Emily, jumping up and opening the door. “Len, are you alright?”

“I’m fine!” she snapped. Her cheeks were bright red with rage, fists balled up in anger. “Stupid, arrogant, jealous man!”

Emily enquired tentatively, as if she hadn’t spent the past few minutes listening to Len shriek at him, “Reg?”

Len’s mouth opened to answer but for several seconds no noise came out. She seemed to be struggling to say something vituperative enough about Reg, started several incoherent sentences but was unable to express her feelings. She let out a high pitched scream and ran upstairs, a crash following after her as her bedroom door was slammed shut.

Openmouthed and somewhat flabbergasted, Emily turned around to face Kit who was casually leaning against the door frame and trying unsuccessfully to suppress his amusement. “I’ve never seen her angry before.”

“Never?”

“No! Kit, she just doesn’t get angry about things, she’s the calmest person I know. You have no idea how out of character this is for her.”

“It might be out of character but it’s quite fun.” He grinned and added, “I wouldn't like to be Reg right now, she certainly told him exactly where to go.”
Author:  Jennie [ Sun Aug 26, 2007 3:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Lexi. I thought you'd forgotten it.
Author:  Rob [ Sun Aug 26, 2007 3:51 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lexi

Looking forward to the next update ... hopefully it won't take as long as this one did!! :D :wink:
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Aug 26, 2007 4:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
Probably just as well that Reg wasn't there - I think she might have killed him! :lol:


Good to see more of this Lexi - thank you.
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lexi.

I'm so glad Len's told Reg where to go :lol: :lol: !
Author:  ibarhis [ Sun Aug 26, 2007 11:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
I hope Len isn't so ashamed of herself that she turns her back on all the new possibilities.
Author:  brie [ Mon Aug 27, 2007 12:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh Reg!!

Thanks Lexi
Author:  leahbelle [ Mon Aug 27, 2007 1:38 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Lexi. Looking forward to what happens when (or if!) Len calms down.
Author:  Mona [ Mon Aug 27, 2007 2:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the update Lexi!
Author:  Rosalin [ Tue Aug 28, 2007 10:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
Awkward situation for Emily and Kit. I hope Len doesn't regret anything when she calms down. I personally think good for her, but it's so easy to say too much when you are angry.

Thanks Lexi, good to see this.
Author:  Frogize [ Wed Aug 29, 2007 7:33 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lexi! This is great! Just read the whole thing in one go and am eagerly awaiting the next installment! Please don't get an attack of guilty conscience Len - Reg deserved everything you said.
Author:  ghoti [ Wed Aug 29, 2007 9:44 am ]
Post subject: 
Wow! This is your first? It's brilliant!

Loving the way Len stood up for herself there; Reg always struck me as a bit creepy, waiting for the little girl to grow up (no more than Jack, I suppose). I think he'd think of her as a little girl, someone he could control, until she says no to him.

Looking forward to more; thankyou :)
Author:  babycassied [ Sun Sep 23, 2007 7:29 am ]
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Really enjoying this - more please!
Author:  Becky [ Sun Sep 23, 2007 12:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
Another one who's looking forward to more when you have time/inspiration! :D
Author:  JackieP [ Fri Sep 28, 2007 1:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
Just found this, Lexi -has revived my inspiration for my own Maynards spreading their wings fic.

Can't wait for more.

JackieP
Author:  JustJen [ Tue Oct 02, 2007 5:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm gald that Len told Reg off!
Author:  Miss Di [ Wed Oct 03, 2007 2:33 am ]
Post subject: 
Lexi, I've just read this in one big hit and look forward to more when you have time. It's fantastic and I want to know all the family secrets!
Author:  Lexi [ Wed Oct 10, 2007 2:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks everyone!

I'm sorry this is taking me so long to write. Here's the next bit. I'll try and get the next installment up within the next few days.

Len remained fuming for several hours after the phone call ended but reaction then began to set in and the rage turned to distress. Restlessly pacing around her room, she turned things over and over in her mind. Was Reg right? Was she really wrong to be spending so much time with Harry? It was so easy to start listening to the little voice in the back of her head that was telling her that maybe Reg was in the right here. He wouldn't have got this upset over nothing, would he? She must have been wrong to come here for the summer. Wrong to ignore Mamma's wishes, wrong to get so friendly with Harry, definitely wrong to shout at Reg when he had just been concerned about her.

She was on the verge of tears when there was a quiet knock at her door. “Are you ok?” called out Emily, opening the door and peering around the edge of it. Catching sight of Len’s face, she rushed over to the window seat, hugged her friend and said worriedly “Oh sweetheart, don’t let him upset you like this. What did he say?”

“That I was a common tart,” replied Len in a barely audible tone.

“He said WHAT?” Utterly outraged and bristling with anger, Emily bounded to her feet. “Is this because we’ve been making friends with the boys?”

“Not you,” she said bitterly. “He didn’t even mention you. Apparently I’m the one to blame because I’ve been spending so much time with Harry.”

“Oh for goodness sake. Len, you behaved like a Victorian granny the first few times you met him! Does Reg think you’ve been having a holiday romance or something?”

“Must do. He doesn't seem to think very highly of me at the moment. According to him I’m not the person he used to know.”

“Well you’re the exactly the same girl I’ve known for nearly a year now. It sounds to me like he's just put out now that he doesn’t know what you’re doing every minute of the day!”

“I don’t know. I didn’t think I was doing anything wrong but I must have been or else he wouldn't have got so angry over it all.”

Emily stood squarely in front of Len, hands on hips, and said firmly, “Len, stop it. As the person who’s actually been here and seen how you and Harry get on, I think I’m best qualified to judge this. You haven’t done anything wrong. All you've done is make friends with two really nice men. It's perfectly innocent! If Reg is so stupid and jealous that he's reading something nasty into it then that's his fault, it's not yours.”

"All the same, maybe it might be best if I don't go to Pretty Maids for a while."

"Why? You love that house. Can you honestly tell me that you're saying that because it's genuinely what you want to do? Or is it that Reg has made you feel so guilty about doing something you enjoy, just because he doesn't like it, that you feel like you shouldn't be going there anymore?"

"Reg" said Len, very quietly. "I know he shouldn't affect me like this but my head hurts with thinking about it."

Emily hugged her sympathetically. "Well I won't keep talking at you then. Try and have a rest and I'll pop downstairs and make you some tea."
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Wed Oct 10, 2007 2:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Len. Reg was so rude. Can understand he misses Len but he could be nicer about it all and quite frankly the fact that Len wasn't rushing home to see him is a fairly decent indication Reg really isn't the one
Author:  bethany [ Wed Oct 10, 2007 2:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the update Lexi.

I am glad that Emily is there for Len, Reg is putting her in a horrible position.
Author:  Fatima [ Wed Oct 10, 2007 2:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
Reg must find it very difficult to know that Len's so far away and being friendly with people who might make her change her mind about him. He's not going about it in the right way, though, and is more likely to push her away than make her want to stay with him.
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Oct 10, 2007 3:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
Long-distance relationships can be hard to cope with, but Reg is making things worse.
Author:  leahbelle [ Wed Oct 10, 2007 4:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
I appreciate that Reg must miss Len dreadfully and he must be worried that her experiences will change her feelings for him, but he needs to let her be herself and enjoy herself otherwise he'll lose her.

Thanks!
Author:  Becky [ Wed Oct 10, 2007 8:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
yay - this is back! Thanks for the update :D
Author:  Rosalin [ Wed Oct 10, 2007 10:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
Reg is in a difficult position here, but he's really not helping himself. The only thing he can do is accept that Len won't come back the same person and he might lose her. Not easy, but that's the situation.

Len's reluctance to come back for the holiday doesn't bode well for him though, even without his outburst.

Thanks Lexi.
Author:  linda [ Wed Oct 10, 2007 11:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
Great to see this back. Thanks for the update. Poor Len, she really can't think straight at the moment.
Author:  Jennie [ Thu Oct 11, 2007 7:22 am ]
Post subject: 
Poor Len, she's so confused, but someone ought to get it into her head that calling your fiancee a common tart is not the best foundation for marriage.
Author:  Ruth B [ Thu Oct 11, 2007 10:24 am ]
Post subject: 
Get out now Len while you have the chance!

Great to see this back, thank's Lexi.
Author:  Miss Di [ Fri Oct 12, 2007 3:05 am ]
Post subject: 
Poor Len. Reg is a fool and deserves a good clip around the ear for speaking to her like that.
Author:  brie [ Fri Oct 12, 2007 10:41 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lexi.
Author:  Lesley [ Fri Oct 12, 2007 8:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Len - Reg has her halfway convinced she was in the wrong.


Thanks Lexi
Author:  Elle [ Tue Feb 19, 2008 9:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
Any chance of some more soon?


*looks hopeful*
Author:  abbeybufo [ Tue Feb 19, 2008 10:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
Yes, some more would be really good . . . pleeeeeease!
Author:  Catherine [ Thu Feb 21, 2008 2:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
Just read all of this, Lexi! I've really enjoyed it and I'm hoping for more ... :D
Author:  Lexi [ Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
:oops: Didn't realise it had been so long since my last update. Whoops!!

I'll try and have some more up by the end of the week.
Author:  Mona [ Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
That would be smashing, I've missed this!
Author:  abbeybufo [ Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm looking forward to more, too :D
Author:  Elle [ Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:01 am ]
Post subject: 
I've missed this too!


*looks hopeful*
Author:  Jennie [ Thu Apr 24, 2008 1:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thinks of starting a chant!
Author:  abbeybufo [ Thu Apr 24, 2008 1:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thinks of joining in with Jennie's chant!
Author:  Becky [ Thu Apr 24, 2008 2:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
*Also thinks about joining in with the chant*
Author:  Elle [ Thu Apr 24, 2008 8:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
*stuffs thinking and starts chanting as loudly as possible!*
Author:  di [ Fri May 23, 2008 6:14 am ]
Post subject: 
Joining in with the chanting; we may have to upgrade to shouting if there's no response :lol:
Please, Lexi, more, asap. I'm really enjoying this; always thought Reg was a prig.
Author:  Lexi [ Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/10/07
:oops: :oops: :oops:

I haven't updated this for ages! Tut tut. I hereby promise to write more of it soon, even if it's only a little bit to get me back in the swing of things.
Author:  JS [ Wed Feb 11, 2009 2:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/10/07
Just read this all through and looking forward to finding out what happens next. Particularly like the fashion descriptions.
Author:  JellySheep [ Fri Feb 13, 2009 11:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/10/07
I've just read this right from the start and it's great, though :poke: Reg for being a completely stupid git! Looking forward to some more when you're ready.
Author:  Cat C [ Fri Feb 13, 2009 4:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/10/07
I've just read it all through (OK, over a couple of days) and it's super!

Len's developing believably into a much more interesting character than we ever saw in the series, and I really like Emily and the two men, and the Pretty Maids connection, and the writing....
Author:  JayB [ Sat Feb 14, 2009 3:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/10/07
Just read this straight through and really enjoyed it. Reg sounds downright creepy, though, with his 'sweet, innocent girl'. Does he want Len to stay fifteen forever?
Author:  beth15 [ Sat Feb 14, 2009 10:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/10/07
I thought this one had been abandoned, glad to see it's not. Keep on writing.
Author:  KJX [ Sat Feb 14, 2009 10:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/10/07
Len could do so much better - and someone else would make Reg happier (although she'd have to do it with him only having one eye - after I'd poked him in it for being a silly fool!)
Author:  crystaltips [ Sun Feb 22, 2009 3:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/10/07
Just foubd this & read it straight through. Really enjoying it, thanks Lexi.

Looking forward to some more *hopeful*
Author:  Abi [ Sun Feb 22, 2009 4:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/10/07
Just read this all the way through - I love Len here, she comes alive in a way she doesn't for me when EBD writes about her. I hope she dumps Reg soon though :evil: .

Please write more soon Lexi!
Author:  Emma A [ Tue Feb 24, 2009 7:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/10/07
*chanting*

Please update this, Lexi.
Author:  Lexi [ Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/10/07
*is the worst drabble updater in the world* :oops:

Here's a v. small update...

After a long and mostly sleepless night, anger had ceased, so had the tears and a calm acceptance was beginning to set in. Emily had been very sweet the night before and some of her advice had sunk in but it was still clashing up against Reg’s harsh condemnation of her behaviour. She couldn’t quite decide which one of them was right and for now it was easier not to try and puzzle over it any more.

Thinking about the situation wasn’t producing any answers, no matter how hard or how long she tried. She couldn’t really resolve anything until she talked to Reg but she was in no mood to do that until he apologized. Knowing Reg’s stubborn streak, that was going to be some time coming.

In the meantime there was nothing to be gained by staying in her bedroom and trying to prevent her mind from wandering back to that telephone conversation. She'd been in there since the previous afternoon and enough was enough. As it was still fairly early in the morning there were no signs of Emily when she ventured downstairs. After half an hour or so of pottering round the kitchen, making breakfast and then washing up, a thought popped into her head. Acting entirely on impulse she jotted down a quick note for Emily, left it on the kitchen table and gathered up her things.

Squaring her shoulders, she quietly shut the front door of the cottage behind her and set off down the path. She was still far from sure what to do about Reg but she was sure about one thing. It was time to start doing what she wanted to do. And today, she wanted to go to Pretty Maids and talk to Harry.
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/10/07
Yay - lovely to see more of this!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 5:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 06/03/09
Thanks, great to see more of this
Author:  di [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 9:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 06/03/09
Great to see this again.
Author:  Becky [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 9:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 06/03/09
Very happy to see more of this :D
Author:  Elbee [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 9:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 06/03/09
I'm so pleased to see more of this. Well done, Len, think of yourself for a change!

Thanks, Lexi.
Author:  Karoline [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 10:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 06/03/09
Great to see this again :)
Author:  JB [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 06/03/09
Lovely to see an update.
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 06/03/09
Well done Len - nice to see that she's not going to speak to Reg until he has apologised - she's developing a selfish streak in the nicest possible way and starting to think for herself, rather than allow anyone to dictate to her.


Thanks Lexi
Author:  Chris [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 06/03/09
Glad to see this back. Please don't make us wait another18 months to hear what Len does about Reg!!
Author:  Abi [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 7:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 06/03/09
Yay - very glad to see more of this! Am glad Len isn't being crushed by Reg and is obviously starting to think for herself. Thanks Lexi - hoping for more soon :wink: .
Author:  Elle [ Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 06/03/09
I really hope that Len gets together with Harry and raises two fingers to Reg, the git!


Please update soon!
Author:  Emma A [ Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 06/03/09
Am I alone in envying Emily in this drabble? Kit sounds lovely! :lol: Good to see more of this. I hope Len can do some thinking and decide what she really feels about Reg and Harry.
Author:  Cat C [ Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 06/03/09
Just realised there's been an update (clearly too distracted by Alison's...)!

Glad Len is not being a spineless jellyfish over Reg and his behaviour - hope there'll be some more soon :D
Author:  Lexi [ Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 06/03/09
Thanks for the comments everyone, I'm so glad you're happy to see it back :D



Harry was just returning from an early morning walk around the estate with Tommy when he saw Len cycling down the drive. Calling out a greeting, he jogged across the smooth green lawn towards her.

“You’re here early!” He was surprised to see her at all, having been told about the telephone call by Kit the previous evening. She looked surprisingly calm but a little hesitant.

“You don’t mind me turning up like this do you?”

“No, no, of course not. I’m just not used to people being up as early as me. Kit won’t surface for hours yet. Do you want to come up to the flat for a cup of tea before we get started?”

“That would be lovely, thanks.” She leaned the bike up against the wall of the house and followed him inside and up the back stairs to his flat. Tommy bounded up ahead of them and headed straight to his food bowl. Len sat down at one of the kitchen chairs and quietly watched Harry making the tea. She didn’t know what, if anything, Kit had told Harry: she wasn’t even sure how much Kit had overheard. The important thing now was to keep the conversation from heading that way. She really didn’t want to have to talk to Harry about Reg. Things were far too complicated. Striving to keep things light, she asked a few questions about the work Harry had planned for today.

“Oh, just a bit more rootling in the storerooms I think. Shouldn’t be anything much happening here today so I should have some good uninterrupted time up there to start cataloguing. I really appreciate you coming to help though, we’ll be able to get through it so much quicker.”

She smiled. “It’s fascinating. All the things that belonged to Granny and Grandpa; it’s so odd to think that this could have been the house I grew up in.”

Once the tea had been drunk they made their way down the long service corridor leading from Harry’s flat to some of the storerooms. The doors all looked identical to Len but Harry located the room he was looking for easily, selected the right key from a huge bunch and unlocked the door. He went in first and threw back the heavy curtains, allowing sunlight to stream into the room. It was full of old trunks, packing cases and teachests, piled haphazardly

“So you have no idea what it’s in here?”

“Other than that it’s mostly paperwork and things taken out of the drawers of some of the furniture that we don’t have out on display any more, no. There was a basic inventory done when the house was handed over but it’s all the more important items – furniture, paintings, ceramics, textiles, that sort of thing. They didn’t have the time to detail every single thing in the house so it’s not specific about what might be here in, it just lists the numbers of trunks and cases.”

Len’s eyes sparkled. “So there could be something exciting in here?”

He laughed and replied, “Far more likely to be lots of old bills and newspapers unfortunately! Shall we get started?”

They were soon hard at work, sorting through the mounds of paper, trunk by trunk. The work suited both of their methodical natures and the time passed quickly and in companionable silence, occasionally broken by the odd comment as they pointed out an item of interest to the other.

Harry raised an eyebrow and passed over an eye-wateringly large bill from a London shop. “Lydia certainly liked to spend, didn’t she?” Len didn’t answer and didn’t even look up at the piece of paper.

“Len?”

“Sorry Harry. Gosh, look what I've found! I can’t believe it!”
Author:  JB [ Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 21/03/09
Lovely update.

Please don't leave us on the edge of this cliff for too long.
Author:  di [ Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 21/03/09
Thanks. Looking forward to the next post.
Author:  Alison H [ Sat Mar 21, 2009 5:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 21/03/09
Please don't leave us on this cliff for long!
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Mar 21, 2009 5:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 21/03/09
Nice cliff! :lol: Thanks Lexi.
Author:  crystaltips [ Sun Mar 22, 2009 12:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 21/03/09
Thanks Lexie, hope we find out soon what it is that Len has found.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 21/03/09
How fascinating to have all these things to sort through!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sun Mar 22, 2009 11:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 21/03/09
Thanks Lexi, for the updates. Do we get to see what the cliff is soon, please? :D
Author:  Celia [ Sun Mar 22, 2009 3:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 21/03/09
Just read this right through,it's lovely. Looking forward to finding out
what Len has found........soon maybe ?

Thanks Lexi
Author:  Elle [ Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 21/03/09
What? What has she found? Why the massive cliff? Please let us know soon before I go mad with curiosity!
Author:  Lexi [ Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 21/03/09
Two updates in three days - don't get used to it :lol:

“What is it?”

She handed him a small photograph, a little tattered around the edges but still very clear and unfaded. The figures weren’t familiar to Harry so he flipped the photo over to look at the writing on the back and read out the caption “Jack, Rolf and Bob.” The photograph was of a much younger Jack Maynard, dressed casually and with his arm around the shoulders of Rolf who was grinning up at the camera. Bob was standing slightly apart from them and looked much more ill at ease in front of the camera.

“It’s Rolf!”

He looked at her quizzically. “And?”

“Sorry Harry, you must think I’ve gone a bit mad. It’s just that Rolf’s always been a bit of a mystery to us. Mamma and Papa never talk about him. Well, they don’t talk about Pretty Maids at all really except for the odd mention of Papa’s parents but I’ve never known them to talk directly about Rolf. We’ve only ever heard vague mutterings about the terrible consequences of disobedience, nothing more detailed than that.”

“He died young didn’t he? It must be difficult for them to talk about something so tragic.” He studied the photo a little closer and remarked, “He looks like a nice lad though and your father seems close to him. Well, in as much as you can tell from a photo.”

Len leafed through the rest of the small bundle of photographs. “These are all of Papa and Rolf. Look, playing cricket on the lawn, riding, ready to go shooting. But why are they tucked away in a trunk up here?”

Harry was as puzzled as she was. “All the family photographs we have are in albums downstairs and I think there are some of Rolf in there. I believe your grandmother’s sister put them all together when she lived here after your grandparents died. But I don’t see any reason why she’d have put these in with all of this other stuff.” He leafed through the rest of the contents of the trunk. “I mean, look at it, bills, a few old Army & Navy catalogues, back issues of Country Life. Interesting enough in its own way I suppose but clearly not the sort of stuff they were interested in keeping hold of. More to the point, I’m pretty sure all of this predates the time Mrs Valentine lived here.”

“So someone else must have put them in here when the grandparents were still alive? I wonder who it was. And more importantly, why?”
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 23/03/09
Another cliff! Really looking forward to finding out more about this - EBD kind of tantalises us with brief comments about Rolf but never explains it all properly.
Author:  Cat C [ Mon Mar 23, 2009 3:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 23/03/09
Most intriguing! Thank you.
Author:  di [ Mon Mar 23, 2009 5:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 23/03/09
Puzzling! Thanks, Lexi. Can't wait to see what really happened to Rolf.
Author:  Emma A [ Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 23/03/09
Sounds like Bob was never very close to Rolf, whereas Jack was... Interesting to speculate why these photos have been hidden away (but not destroyed).

Thanks, Lexi, I'm really enjoying this.
Author:  JB [ Mon Mar 23, 2009 7:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 23/03/09
I'm fascinated by this. Thanks for the updates.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Mon Mar 23, 2009 7:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 23/03/09
Can understand that Jack would be close to Rolf, he was around much more than Bob who was off with his job a lot (I'm sure I read that in one of the books) and Jack would have been seen as the cool, hip, young Uncle. I wonder who put the photos away?
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 23/03/09
Very mysterious - was it Lydia? Jack himself? Joey?


Thanks Lexi
Author:  Elle [ Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 21/03/09
Lexi wrote:
Two updates in three days - don't get used to it :lol:



Too late! I already have! Where are the next 47,000 updates?


Mwahahahahahahaha!!!!! :twisted: :twisted:


PS Thanks! :D :D :D
Author:  JS [ Tue Mar 24, 2009 1:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 23/03/09
Also wanting to know more... very curious.
Thanks Lexi
Author:  Liz K [ Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 23/03/09
Forgot all about this and have just read it straight through and can't wait for more.
Author:  shazwales [ Tue Mar 24, 2009 7:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 23/03/09
Lexi Please can we have some more :?: :?:
Author:  crystaltips [ Wed Mar 25, 2009 8:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 23/03/09
This is great Lexi, thank you......ready for some more now, please?
Author:  Abi [ Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 23/03/09
My guess is Lydia but that's probably way too obvious. Interesting family dynamic shown in the photograph. Are we finally about to learn the truth?

BIIIIG Drrrrrrrrum roll........................
Author:  Lexi [ Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 23/03/09
“I’m still puzzled by it,” she told Emily later on that day. “It’s as if someone deliberately hid them up there.”

“Ooh I love a good mystery. Who do you think it could have been? Use your little grey cells and list the suspects please!”

Len giggled and twirled an imaginary moustache. “If only I knew a bit more about who lived there then! I suppose Grandmamma, Grandpa, Aunt Lydia and Uncle Bob. Perhaps even Papa? He must have come home for holidays and so on. I don’t know anything else though. It’s a big house; there could have been any number of people staying there.”

“It must surely have been one of the family though. It seems like a personal thing to me, as if someone tucked them away in there to try and forget about them. Maybe your dad might know?”

“I think I’ll write to him. This has got me very intrigued.” She duly sat down and wrote a carefully worded letter. A certain amount of tact was called for as she couldn’t just demand details about something that Jack clearly wasn’t keen on talking about. There was also the additional problem of how to avoid mentioning the argument she’d had with Reg. In the end it was a fairly brief letter that went in the post, mostly about neutral topics with just a brief mention of Pretty Maids towards the end.

A reply came promptly from Freudesheim but curiously it was addressed in Margot’s handwriting, not Jack’s. Len seized on it eagerly. “Oh my word. Listen to this Emily.” She read out the opening paragraph.

“What on earth was in your letter to Papa? He read it at breakfast this morning and just excused himself from the table and shut himself away in his study until it was time for him to leave for work. He hasn’t spoken to anyone since, except to bite Steve’s head off.”

Emily’s eyes widened. “Looks like you touched on a sore spot.”

“Oh dear, I hope I haven’t upset him.” She read further on in the letter and let out a low groan. “Oh no.” The letter read “Reg was here for afternoon tea yesterday. He must be missing you, he was in a foul mood. He went off for a chinwag with Mamma afterwards, they were closeted together for ages.”

“He’s told her hasn’t he? Oh I don’t believe this. How could he?!”
Author:  Abi [ Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 30/03/09
:hammer: Reg! Honestly, imagine being married to someone like that :shock: .

Jack's reaction was interesting - sounds like there's a BIG secret here (maybe it was he who hid the stiff away - knew I'd be wrong!).

Thanks Lexi!
Author:  JB [ Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 30/03/09
This gets more and more intriguing.

:hammer: Reg
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 30/03/09
If Reg has told Joey that's inexcusable. If, instead, he's just asked Joey's advice about things in general it's understandable - he doesn't have a mother in whom to confide, after all. Doesn't sound as though he's come round yet, mind, if he's in a foul mood.

As for Jack - curiouser and curiouser - I have an inkling as to a possible reason but will not mention it.


Thanks Lexi
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 30/03/09
Jack's reaction has really got me intrigued. As for Reg, the sooner Len finishes with him, the better!
Author:  shazwales [ Mon Mar 30, 2009 11:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 30/03/09
Thanks Lexi. really enjoying this :) :)
Author:  Nightwing [ Mon Mar 30, 2009 11:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 30/03/09
Lexi I just read this entire thing through and I love it :D

I hope that Joey's given Reg some good advice - it'll be hard for her to really know what's happened, only having heard his side of the story! I doubt he'll tell her that he called her daughter a tart!

As for Jack - curiouser and curiouser! I hope he's forthcoming with details soon :shock:
Author:  Miss Di [ Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 30/03/09
Have caught up, done a complete re read and I'm now expecting daily updates....please? Or at least an answer to all the riddles!
Author:  Elle [ Tue Mar 31, 2009 6:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 30/03/09
Miss Di wrote:
Have caught up, done a complete re read and I'm now expecting daily updates....please? Or at least an answer to all the riddles!


Same here!


I hope Reg gets a kick up the backside if he has gone and 'told on' Len to Joey. The git. I hope Joey gives him what for!
Author:  JS [ Tue Mar 31, 2009 8:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 30/03/09
Oh dear, consternation in Freudesheim - you're well out of it Len.

Thanks Lexi.
Author:  Cat C [ Tue Mar 31, 2009 8:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 30/03/09
Oh! How exciting - wonder what it's all about.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 30/03/09
Am really curious about what's going on with Jack. Hope he's able to open up to Len soon.
As to Reg, if he genuinely needed to offload to someone about his relationship with Len, why didn't he confide in Phoebe Peters? Glad Len has Emily there with her.
Very glad Margot wrote to Len to fill her in on what's happening
Author:  di [ Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 30/03/09
Thanks, Lexi. What a mystery!! Looking forward to hearing more.
Author:  Emma A [ Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 30/03/09
Echoing everyone else's comments! Thanks for the updates, Lexi - and I hope Reg hasn't told Joey about the quarrel. Margot obviously doesn't know what they were talking about, so Len is rather jumping the gun, I think.

Really looking forward to any detective work!
Author:  Bookwormsarah [ Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 30/03/09
Fantastico! I do love it when I come back to the board and a story I loved and that just vanished is back with updates. Thank you, and I look forward to more!
Author:  Lexi [ Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 30/03/09
Thanks for the lovely comments everyone. I'm happy people are enjoying it!

Just a short update for now. The mystery won't start to be unravelled for a while yet :twisted:


After several re-readings of the letter and much analysis of the contents, plus some calm common sense from Emily, Len was a little less panicky. She reasoned to herself that Margot had written the day after Reg’s visit and had anything been revealed during his chat with Mamma, it would have surely have spread around Freudesheim like wildfire. Margot couldn't have escaped hearing about it. The contents of the conversation must have stayed between Reg and Mamma and as there had been no furious phone calls, presumably she didn't know about the argument.

Now all she needed to do was work out a way to find out what had been said. As she didn’t want to broach the subject with her mother and she certainly wasn’t going to initiate conversation with Reg until he apologised, this was proving tricky. How should she go about it?

She was startled from her internal musings as the doorbell and the phone rang loudly at the same time. Emily dived for the phone and waved Len towards the door.

“Len? It’s Reg,” she announced, then covered the receiver with her hand and whispered, “Do you want to speak to him or shall I tell him to shove off?”

“I’ll talk to him. But if he hasn’t called to apologise then I’m jolly well going to hang up on him!” As an afterthought, she waved a hand vaguely towards the door. “It’s Kit.”

Emily visibly brightened. Passing the phone to Len, she bounded to the front door. “Kit, hello! Are you here to help me hack the garden?”

“Certainly am. Bad timing though. I seem fated to be here during emotional phone calls,” he remarked wryly. “Shall we leave her to it?”

Emily nodded. “Let’s go into the back garden. She’ll have a bit of privacy but I want to stay close by. She was awfully upset after that last conversation with Reg and I don’t want to leave her alone in case the same thing happens.”
Author:  crystaltips [ Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 02/04/09
Thanks Lexi.

*wondering what Reg will have to say for himself - sharpening the stick in case it isn't an apology!* :twisted:
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 02/04/09
Poor Len, being stressed out like this when she's done nothing wrong.
Author:  Miss Di [ Fri Apr 03, 2009 1:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 02/04/09
Sharpened stick? No, I have a smoking gun ready...
Author:  Lesley [ Fri Apr 03, 2009 5:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 02/04/09
Let's hope it is an apology - sounds as though Joey has given some good advice.

Nice cliff, by the way! :wink:

Thanks Lexi
Author:  di [ Fri Apr 03, 2009 5:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 02/04/09
Thanks, Lexi. I hope Len doesn't let him off too lightly even if he does apologise.
Author:  Emma A [ Fri Apr 03, 2009 7:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 02/04/09
di wrote:
Thanks, Lexi. I hope Len doesn't let him off too lightly even if he does apologise.

Yes, only apologising because your fiancee's mother tells you to is not the best move. Still, I'm rather hoping that he doesn't, so that Len can dump him without regrets and get to know Harry properly :twisted:

Thanks, Lexi.
Author:  abbeybufo [ Fri Apr 03, 2009 7:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 02/04/09
Emma A wrote:
di wrote:
Thanks, Lexi. I hope Len doesn't let him off too lightly even if he does apologise.

Yes, only apologising because your fiancee's mother tells you to is not the best move. Still, I'm rather hoping that he doesn't, so that Len can dump him without regrets and get to know Harry properly :twisted:


Yes - agree heartily with both comments expressed here :D

Thanks Lexi
Author:  JB [ Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 02/04/09
Miss Di, i'll give you an alibi.
Author:  JS [ Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 02/04/09
Maybe Reg is about to confess he's fallen for another... (Just hope it's not Joey!)
Author:  Abi [ Fri Apr 03, 2009 6:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 02/04/09
Miss Di wrote:
Sharpened stick? No, I have a smoking gun ready...


*gets out sword and whetstone and begins to sharpen*

Even if he apologises, Len will still think it's because Joey told him to, even if it wasn't. (Kind of agreeing with Emma about the not apologising!)
Author:  Lexi [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 12:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 02/04/09
Apologies for the (inadvertent) cliff :D Here's some more - I appear to be on a roll.

I've just been reading Emma A's excellent Letters drabbles and this telling of the Len/Reg problem is nowhere near as good but hey ho, I just hope it's not too rubbish. I console myself with the fact that if Len's anything like a lot of people (including me), she can't be eloquent during emotional conversations :lol:



“Hello?”

“Len, it’s me.”

“And?”

“Look darling, I want to apologise. I shouldn’t have said what I did and I’m truly sorry for it.”

She was pleased to hear the apology but was determined not to forgive him easily. One “sorry” wasn’t going to make her fall back into his arms.

“Did Mamma tell you to say that?” She cut across his protestations and continued, “I know that you spoke to her. Again! This should be between you and me, it’s our business. Why on earth do you need to keep telling her the details of our relationship? I won’t have it.”

“She didn’t tell me to say anything! Len, please listen to me.” He carried on hurriedly, “She knew I was unhappy and asked me to tea so that we could have a chat afterwards. I didn’t say anything about our argument.”

“Makes a change,” she muttered, somewhat churlishly but with a good deal of truth.

He declined to answer this point but continued, “We just spoke about general things. She knew I wasn’t myself and wanted to talk to me about it. I think she might be worried about us but she was very tactful, she didn’t try and push for any information. It was just good to talk to someone about things, get them off my chest. She made me feel a lot better.”

“Well bully for you.” Len was getting increasingly cross with his failure to apologise properly. “I’m glad she made you feel better about behaving like a complete idiot. It must be wonderful to have someone stroke your ego like that.”

“Len, that’s not fair,” he protested.

“Well it wasn’t very fair of you to accuse me of being a tart was it? You said some incredibly hurtful things to me. And it was all completely unjustified as well. I haven’t done anything wrong!”

“And I’m so sorry for that. But Len, it hasn’t been easy for me. I’ve missed you enormously this year. I never wanted to stop you from going to Oxford and enjoying your time there but I never expected you to stay in England all year. I thought you’d be home for the summer and I’d built plans up in my mind for all the things we’d do together, the fun we’d have. Then none of your letters seemed to express the slightest regret that you weren’t here with me and you were so full of news about Pretty Maids and Emily and Harry and I was just so jealous. I know it came out badly, that I thought you were acting inappropriately but that’s not what I really thought. I just found it so hard that you wanted to be there with them more than you wanted to be here with me. And you didn’t seem to be missing me at all.”

Len swallowed heavily. “I didn’t mean to make you feel like that Reg. Honestly, I didn’t. I just thought you’d like to know about what I was doing and who I was spending my time with.” Somewhat stung by the last part of his sentence, she added “But I’ve said in every single letter that I miss you. And we talked about this before I decided to stay with Emily for the summer and you said you didn’t mind!”

“I lied! Of course I mind. I want you here, not hundreds of miles away.”

“Maybe that’s the problem,” she said sadly. “I’m starting to think you won’t be happy with me until I’m back at the Platz and doing nothing but being Mrs Reg Entwhistle. That’s not what I want anymore.”

“Please don’t say that.”

“It’s true Reg. I’m not the same as I was this time last year. I don’t know if I still want what I thought I wanted back then. And our relationship can’t carry on always being on your terms.” There was a long pause as she struggled to express her thoughts. “Reg, couldn’t you take some holiday and come here for a little while? It’s too difficult to have this conversation over the ‘phone and I think we really need to talk properly about things, not just try and cram it into a short call.”

“I'd like that. I don’t think I can go the rest of the summer without seeing you.” A voice in the background distracted him temporarily. When he spoke again it was to say, “I’ll start making the arrangements. I’m sorry Len but I’ve got to get back to the San now. Bye darling, I love you.”

“Bye Reg.”

She sat in the hall for some time after hanging the phone up. She was trying not to prejudge things but they were starting to become clearer in her mind. He had apologised and that was most definitely welcome but he hadn’t refuted the suggestion that he just wanted her cooped up back in Switzerland. And when it came down to it, that was the important thing. She could live with arguments but she wasn’t so sure she could live back on the Platz again.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 2:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 04/04/09
Personally I don't think this rubbish! I'm really enjoying it and can completely understand feeling emotional and not being able to fully articulate what you're trying to say.

I think Len is right. It doesn't matter how much she may care about Reg and she well love him but, unless they have the same ideas where they want to live and what they want to do with their lives, they shouldn't get married, otherwise they will be miserable together. And I think Reg could and should have apologised better than he did.

As an aside-Yay!! I'm the the first to comment! :D
Author:  Alison H [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 6:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 04/04/09
I think your drabble and Emma's are both great! I always thought Len'd start having doubts about returning to live on the Platz once she'd been away, and she's quite right that some issues are too big to be discussed over the phone rather than face-to-face.
Author:  ibarhis [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 6:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 04/04/09
My immediate thought is, who was the voice in the background? Surely not Joey?

I'm really enjoying this.
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 04/04/09
Well done Len for not allowing yourself to be distracted from the real issues. Pleased that Reg has apologised but also feel his aim is to just have Len back at the Platz - fine if that's what she wants - but it's not.


Thanks Lexi.
Author:  JB [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 8:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 04/04/09
That was great, Lexi.

Am also wondering about the voice in the background. Reg said he had to "get back" to the san, so was he at Freudesheim?
Author:  Elbee [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 04/04/09
I think this is very realistic, Lexi. Different from the other ongoing Len/Reg drabble but equally as good! It will be interesting to see what happens when Reg arrives.
Author:  Emma A [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 04/04/09
Thanks for the flowers, Lexi :oops: This is a great drabble!

I think Len's conversation with Reg was absolutely right - she is changing, and beginning to want different things, whereas Reg has always known what he wants - he has already done his growing up, I suppose. It's a good idea to meet up properly to talk - Len is right, in that it's horribly difficult to say everything you want to say on the telephone, when you can't see how the other person is reacting. Also liked the bt where Reg told her that he'd lied about being happy that she was going to spend the summer with Emily: it's the sort of thing one would do, because of course one can't say yes, of course you'd mind, because then one would look completely selfish.

Thanks, Lexi.
Author:  di [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 10:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 04/04/09
Thanks, Lexi. I'm sure Len is doing the right thing as well.
Author:  JayB [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 12:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 04/04/09
Glad to see Len standing up for herself. But gosh, Reg is a whiny little so-and-so, isn't he? I can imagine if they did get married, everything would always be about him. 'Never wanted to stop you going to Oxford' indeed!
Author:  Cat C [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 6:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 04/04/09
I thought that was very well done - a very believable conversation, with Len being almost painfully honest, I think she did well.

(Although I have to say my reaction to Reg's claim to Joey being very tactful was 'huh, oh yes?')
Author:  Abi [ Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 04/04/09
Hmm, well, I'm glad he's apologised, but as Len discerned, it wasn't really a proper apology, or rather it's not the sort of apology that would take the hurt out of a comment like that. It's hard not to feel that he was just doing it so that she would forgive him, rather than because he was truly sorry for having said such an awful thing and was devastated at how he'd hurt her.

Like others, I'm glad Len wasn't deceived by his half-heartedness on this front and the fact that he seems to want to keep her on a lead. I think she was very sensible to ask to talk face-to-face - much the best way of dealing with an issue like that.

I love this drabble, Lexi! Thanks for writing it.
Author:  Lexi [ Fri Jul 10, 2009 9:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 04/04/09
I know I'm hopeless at updating this so I'll apologise now! :oops: I've sort of run out of steam idea-wise as all the bits that are floating around in my head belong much further along in the story so this is just a very short update for now.

“There's no shouting this time.”

“And no hitting the walls either. That’s definite progress.”

Emily pulled a face. “In a way I’d rather she was raging. I always thought Reg was a nice chap but the more I hear of the way he speaks to her, the more I just want her to get rid of him. Some of the things he called her during that last phone call! If he’d been here, I’d have hit him!”

“I think I’d have beaten you to it. Harry too, he was furious when I told him about it. After all, it’s no way to speak to anyone, let alone a nice girl like Len.” He paused in his task of hacking back wildly overgrown brambles. “Emily, I hope you’re not sneaking back inside.”

“I just wanted to see if she’s alright.”

He looked quizzically at her. “Really?”

“And perhaps to eavesdrop just a tiny bit,” she admitted, blushing slightly. “But you can’t blame me for that Kit, it’s only natural to be curious! And I've always been nosy, I don't think that'll ever change.”

"I wouldn't have you any other way. But please come and help me with these dratted brambles, I'm getting ripped to shreds. She's bound to tell you all about it when she's ready."
Author:  Elle [ Fri Jul 10, 2009 10:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/07/09
I'd rather she was raging aswell!

Thanks for the update.
Author:  Abi [ Fri Jul 10, 2009 10:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/07/09
Yes - raging would be better! Very glad to see this back, Lexi. I hope there won't be quite such a long gap between this post and the next.
Author:  JB [ Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/07/09
Good to see this back, Lexi.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sat Jul 11, 2009 12:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/07/09
I think it would be healthier for Len to be raging. But may be she will let rip when Reg turns up and do it in person
Author:  jmc [ Sat Jul 11, 2009 3:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/07/09
I hadn't come across this before but have now read it right through and really enjoyed it. Thanks Lexi
Author:  ibarhis [ Sat Jul 11, 2009 6:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/07/09
Thank you for the update.
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Jul 11, 2009 6:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/07/09
Good to see more of this - and I'm afraid I'd want to eavesdrop too - not a good Chalet School Girl :oops:


Thanks Lexi
Author:  Alison H [ Sat Jul 11, 2009 7:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/07/09
Good to see more of this.
Author:  di [ Sat Jul 11, 2009 8:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/07/09
So pleased to see this again. There'd be quite a queue of us eavesdropping me thinks!
Thanks, Lexi.
Author:  Helen P [ Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/07/09
Just found this and read the whole thing through from the beginning. I love it!

Thank you Lexi, I'm really looking forward to more. I wonder how the dynamic among them all will change when Reg appears for a visit?
Author:  JS [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 7:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/07/09
Quote:
Good to see more of this - and I'm afraid I'd want to eavesdrop too - not a good Chalet School Girl


I don't know, I remember at least one occasion when Jo's ears 'positively waggled' :) .

Thanks Lexi.
Author:  Elle [ Sun Jul 26, 2009 10:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/07/09
Any chance of some more of this soon please Lexi? :D :lol: :D :lol:
Author:  Lexi [ Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/07/09
I'm stuck!!
Author:  Elle [ Mon Jul 27, 2009 3:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/07/09
Oh no! That's not good! I usually find that a shot of vodka removes any problems when writing... Although I suppose it is a little early in the day!
Author:  ibarhis [ Mon Jul 27, 2009 4:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/07/09
I hope you unstick soon - it's a great drabble.
Author:  Caroline OSullivan [ Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/07/09
Sends emergency rations for your plot bunnies including their tipple of choice :D

Could we borrow Fred and George Weasley's listening devices to do a spot of eavesdropping?

Hope inspiration does come soon Lexi
Author:  Abi [ Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/07/09
Elle wrote:
I usually find that a shot of vodka removes any problems when writing...


And only to be advised if you're aiming for Doom, Death and Destruction :P .

My method is to write it out at least seventy times, decide it's a pile of some unmentionable substance, toss it in the bin, write it out another seventy times, and if that doesn't work, eat a chocolate for each sentence (or word, whichever), which I find highly motivating.....

Hope you get unstuck soon, for this is most enjoyable!
Author:  Becky [ Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/07/09
Also hoping you get unstuck soon *sends vodka* :D
Author:  Lexi [ Fri Aug 28, 2009 10:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/07/09
I got bored of being stuck and forced myself to sit down and write something this evening :lol: I can't promise that it's any good though!

Emily’s curiosity was soothed an hour or so later when she abandoned her labours in the garden in search of lunch. Len was making tea and feeling chatty enough to fill her in on the content of the earlier phone call. “So he’ll let me know when he’s coming and I suppose we’ll see what happens then,” she concluded.

“And you’re sure you’re ok?”

“Absolutely fine,” replied Len with certainty. “Well...perhaps not absolutely fine. But I can’t spend all my time before Reg arrives sitting around worrying. “

“I sincerely hope you don’t! Perhaps you can get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding those photographs at Pretty Maids? Kit said that Harry’s expecting you back there soon.”

As she said his name, Emily’s eyes slid inexorably to the view from the kitchen window. Kit, stripped to the waist, was still energetically hacking at the triffid-like weeds which had taken over the former vegetable garden. She had forced herself to keep her eyes on the task when she had been helping him earlier but it had been easier then; he had kept his clothes on. This was just unfair.

Len coughed politely. “Em, weren’t you meant to be making sandwiches?”

She set to slicing bread with a will. “If he only he’d put his shirt back on. I can’t concentrate!”

“And deprive us of the view?” she asked with a very un-Len like twinkle in her eye.

“Isn’t he glorious?” She sighed appreciatively, her attention immediately focused back outside. “If only he’d show some interest.”

A snort came from the other side of the kitchen. “Dear me, you’re not usually this blind. He’s smitten! You don’t seriously think he’s labouring in that overgrown jungle of a garden out of the goodness of his heart, do you? I’ll bet you asked him nicely and he nearly fell over himself to help you.”

“Len Maynard, I do believe you’re right. It looks like it may be time for me to vamp the boy.”

Len giggled. Emily’s tendency to turn on the charm to notable effect had been a regular feature of the previous year at Oxford. “Be gentle with him Em.”
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Aug 28, 2009 10:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 28/08/09
Emily is lovely, and it's nice to see Len having some fun.
Author:  shazwales [ Fri Aug 28, 2009 10:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 28/08/09
Thanks for the update,lovely to see more of this.
Author:  Abi [ Fri Aug 28, 2009 10:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 28/08/09
Yay - great to see this back. Keep forcing yourself, Lexi :wink: . Can't wait to see Emily vamping Kit!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sat Aug 29, 2009 2:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 28/08/09
Thanks, lovely to see more of this and Len relaxing
Author:  di [ Sat Aug 29, 2009 9:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 28/08/09
Great to see this continued.
Thank you, Lexi.
Author:  MaryR [ Sat Aug 29, 2009 3:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 28/08/09
Thank you, Lexi. :D
Author:  Clare [ Sat Aug 29, 2009 5:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 28/08/09
Love the "un-Len like" bit - want a few more of them!
Author:  Squirrel [ Sun Aug 30, 2009 6:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 28/08/09
I've enjoyed reading through this Lexi. I shall be very interested to see where it ends up going. Poor Len, such a difficult situation for her to be in. I do hope that some time spend with Reg, when he eventually gets over will help them settle things properly. And I really think that he should have suggested this one off his own bat, so to speak, when the idea of Len not returning to the Platz first came up. After all, it wasn't him Len wanted to avoid, and she *did* suggest that her parents came over for a short while, even though that was the last thing she wanted.

Thanks.
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Aug 30, 2009 1:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 28/08/09
Lovely to see more of this - and like Len's wicked twinkle there! :lol:


Thanks Lexi
Author:  Elle [ Tue Sep 01, 2009 9:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 28/08/09
How did I miss the update???


Thanks!
Author:  Lexi [ Wed Jan 06, 2010 11:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 28/08/09
One of my New Year's Resolutions was to finally write some more of this flipping drabble. The characters are in my head so why does it take me so long to write the story down?! :roll:

Anyway, here's a short snippet. I don't write romance at all well but ach, never mind :D

Despite the confident tone of her parting words to Len, Emily was uncharacteristically nervous as she pulled the back door shut behind her and headed across the garden. This felt much more important than her previously lighthearted flirtations. “Kit?”

He was whistling to himself and busily chucking weeds into a huge pile.

“Kit?”

He straightened up and turned around. “Em! Have you finally come to help?”

“Um, no, not really. Just to say that lunch is ready if you want some.”

“Oh marvellous. I could eat a horse. You might not want me in the kitchen though.” He waved his dirty hands at her. “Chuck my shirt over please – wouldn’t want to startle Len.”

Emily smiled at this and picked up his shirt from its hanging place on a tree branch. “She’s not so easily shocked now. Anyway it’s only sandwiches, nothing grand. We could eat out here if you wanted.” She made to move back towards the kitchen.

“Emily - my shirt?” he asked. As Emily, a little flustered, turned back towards him, he said “Anyone would think you wanted me to stay like this.”

She blushed furiously as she handed it over. Where had all her usual easy chatter disappeared to? This was not like her at all!

Kit, on the other hand, was thrilled by her involuntary response. He'd only been teasing her but this seemed to confirm a hope that he'd had for quite a while now. He stepped closer to her. “Em, apologies for the dirty hands, but...” He held both of her hands, bent his head and kissed her.
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Jan 07, 2010 6:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - finally updated 06/01/10!
Awwwwww! Well done Kit. :wink:


Thanks Lexi
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Jan 07, 2010 7:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - finally updated 06/01/10!
Good to see this back :D .
Author:  JB [ Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - finally updated 06/01/10!
Thanks Lexi. What a lovely, romantic start to the day.
Author:  JS [ Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - finally updated 06/01/10!
*wolf whistles*

Great to see this back, Lexi.
Author:  Bookwormsarah [ Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - finally updated 06/01/10!
Awwwww! How lovely to see this updated. Good resolution!
Author:  jmc [ Thu Jan 07, 2010 10:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - finally updated 06/01/10!
Very happy to see more of this and hope you can manage more soon. Thanks Lexi.
Author:  PaulineS [ Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - finally updated 06/01/10!
Thanks for the update. Symphathise with the difficulty updating.
Author:  di [ Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - finally updated 06/01/10!
Good to see more of this, Lexi, thanks.
Author:  Abi [ Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - finally updated 06/01/10!
Awwwwww, yay! Very glad to see this back, Lexi!
Author:  Lexi [ Sun Jan 10, 2010 5:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - finally updated 06/01/10!
And so back to Pretty Maids. It seems odd writing about a baking hot summer when there's loads of snow outside :lol:


“Have you had a reply from your father yet?” asked Harry.

“No,” replied Len. “He’s a busy man so I wouldn’t expect anything straight away. Margot’s letter has me a little concerned though. I hope I didn’t upset him by asking questions about Rolf.”

“Well I suppose it mustn’t be pleasant for him to think about it but I don’t see why a simple enquiry would make him angry.”

“Neither do I.” She fished inside a large trunk for the final few pieces of paper it contained. “And these are no use either, just more old magazines. I was hoping to find some more of the photos.”

“That’s the second time you’ve been through that trunk,” he pointed out. “You weren’t likely to find anything new after the first time. Try another one.”

She got to her feet and dusted off her skirt. The little storeroom was stuffy and warm with only a faint breeze coming in through the open window. She moved across the room and let the air wash over her. It was a beautiful day outside and the sun was blazing down on the countryside surrounding the house. She could see Kit and Emily in the distance, walking hand in hand across the wide sweep of lawn.

Harry, conscious of the heavy sigh that Len let out, jumped up and leaned in front of her to shut the window. “Come on, let’s go.”

“Where?”

“For a walk down to the village. It’s too hot to be in here for so long. We can have another hunt through some of the boxes later on when it’s cooled down a bit.” He pointed her towards the door. ”I’ll treat you to an ice-cream and we can paddle in the river. I’ll make sure Tommy’s on his best behaviour this time.”

Len giggled. “I’ll believe that when I see it. Ok, let’s go!”
Author:  Abi [ Sun Jan 10, 2010 6:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/01/10
Two bits in quick succession. This is lovely, thanks Lexi!
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Jan 10, 2010 6:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/01/10
They're getting on well, and now that Kit and Emily've got together the two of them're bound to be thrown together more.
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Jan 10, 2010 6:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/01/10
Now was that sigh jealousy because Len wanted to do the same with Kit? Or with Harry? Or because she wanted Reg there?


Thanks Lexi
Author:  cal562301 [ Sun Jan 10, 2010 6:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/01/10
Really enjoying this. Thanks Lexi.
Author:  JB [ Sun Jan 10, 2010 7:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/01/10
Thanks for the update, Lexi.
Author:  Elle [ Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/01/10
Gosh! Two updates! Thank you very much!
Author:  carrie [ Sun Mar 07, 2010 1:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/01/10
I really like this story, is there any chance we could have some more?!
Author:  clair [ Sun Mar 07, 2010 3:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/01/10
Just read this through from the start - would love some more when you get a chance :)
Author:  shazwales [ Sun Mar 07, 2010 3:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/01/10
Another one who would love to see more of this please? :)
Author:  RuthFL [ Mon Mar 29, 2010 9:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/01/10
shazwales wrote:
Another one who would love to see more of this please? :)

And so would I! Pretty please?
Author:  Elle [ Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/01/10
*echoes all pleas for more*
Author:  Lexi [ Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 10/01/10
Your wish is my command :D

Just a very short update for now though as I need to get myself back in the swing of writing this thing!


In the study at Freudesheim, a letter lay on the desk. Jack stared at it. How could something so seemingly innocent have stirred up such strong emotions within him? He was sure that Len didn’t know the whole truth but there was enough in her letter to make him suspect that she had uncovered something.

It had been plaguing him ever since he had first read it. How much did she know? What had she found out? The truth had been concealed in one way and another for so long that very few people knew exactly what had happened. Surely she hadn’t managed to speak to one of them about it? It was far more likely that she’d turned up something in the house - she certainly seemed to be enjoying spending time there. What could it be though? He was sure everything had been removed.

He had to be careful about his answer; letter wasn't the best way to approach this. Yet she must be expecting a reply by now so he needed to say something. Drawing a sheet of paper towards him, he began to scratch out a response. For now, this would have to do.
Author:  Abi [ Mon Apr 05, 2010 10:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 05/04/10
Hurrah! Thank you for tantalising us more, Lexi. Hope you get into the swing of it soon. :D
Author:  Elle [ Mon Apr 05, 2010 10:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 05/04/10
Oooh, I really want to know what happened! Tell us soon please!

Thanks.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Apr 06, 2010 6:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 05/04/10
Nice to see more of this :D .
Author:  abbeybufo [ Tue Apr 06, 2010 9:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 05/04/10
Ever more intriguing - please don't keep us waiting too much longer for the next bit ... :D
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Tue Apr 06, 2010 9:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 05/04/10
Thanks Lexi, it's nice to see more. Am intrigued as to what Jack knows and wants to keep hidden
Author:  Lexi [ Fri Apr 09, 2010 10:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 05/04/10
I'm going away for a week now so you'll have to wait a wee while longer but I'll try my best to get some written while I'm away :D
Author:  Emilyc [ Sun May 16, 2010 9:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 05/04/10
I've just read this from start to finish and find its on a cliff. Please can we have some more?
Author:  claire [ Thu Jun 03, 2010 1:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 05/04/10
really enjoyed this so far - I wonder if Rolf died when Jack was supposed to be keeping an eye on him but was writing a letter to Joey (hence Lydia blaming Joey for Rolf's death) - or Rolf is actually Jack's son
Author:  ivohenry [ Thu Jun 03, 2010 9:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 05/04/10
That's a long wee while, please don't keep us waiting too much longer!
Author:  Elle [ Fri Jun 04, 2010 10:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 05/04/10
ivohenry wrote:
That's a long wee while, please don't keep us waiting too much longer!


I agree! Time to start a chant I think!
Author:  ivohenry [ Sat Jul 17, 2010 7:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Echoes of the Past - updated 05/04/10
PLeses come back and tell us more, this is intriguing!
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