Sorry it been so long. Work appears to be settling down and I’m getting used to doing something that is very different to what I’ve ever done before. I wish I had someone who could type as fast as I think or speak. Mentally I’m up to Jane and deciding how Madge handle’s Jack and who her mentor is now Len (aka Guita) is too old to do it and who Margot (aka Marya) throws a bookend at, mainly cos I want to see how Madge would handle the situation. And who do I have as Head Girl; Mary Lou or Elizabeth Russell- Hilda’s daughter who just so happens to be very like Hilda? Decisions, decisions; hope that’s enough tidbits to whet the appetite (or to torment you all with).
Madge was glad to get back to the school, as much as she loved her holiday, the Chalet school was home. Nell had had a quiet Christmas and New Year, with all those who had been left behind and Madge heard from various girls, the fun they had had with ‘Bill.’ Madge had gurgled when she heard all Nell had been up to, while everyone else was away and how it had been a group of middles who had to rescue her from a closet she accidently locked herself into, while they had been playing Hide and Seek.
“I don’t think I’ll ever live that down,” said Nell ruefully, when the two Heads and the Senior Mistress were together in the study.
“I will say Lonka Maico was pre-naturally solemn, when she let me out and was very gravely polite about it all- to my face that is. I think she forgot I could still hear her when she left the room and burst out laughing with Marie le Coudelec,” said Nell, “its one for the annals, anyway.”
“At least you’re able to laugh about it,” observed Therese smilingly.
“Oh it became the joke of the holidays,” returned Nell lightly. “It wasn’t until the end we all laughed about it together. They were so grave and serious about it with me, but would start giggling the moment I left, and I couldn’t help laughing at them.
Lonka informed me she wrote to Lorenz and told her they had managed to lock me in the closet during the holidays, so goodness knows what she thinks. Anyway, how were your holidays?”
“Good,” said Therese smiling. “Little Tessa decided I was far more fun than her parents in the morning and would come and wake me at six, every morning. ‘Wake up Gan-mere, it’s time to play.’ She would get in beside me until it was time to have breakfast. She is so sweet.”
“And the apple of your eye,” said Madge softly.
“Oh yes,” agreed Therese, “and Simone is so lovely to allow me that. With the Lecoutiers and Renee in Canada, Simone says I am the only family they have. So how was it with Great Uncle Tom?”
“Good,” replied Madge, “he wants Dick to help him run the estate and says he’ll be leaving the Quadrant to him.”
“How do you feel about that?” asked Nell.
“I’m happy for Dick,” said Madge softly. “It’s going to be hard enough to find work with only one leg, and there’s no way he’d be able to work in the Forestry out in India again.”
“No,” agreed Nell. “So when do they all move there?”
“At Easter,” said Madge.
“Did you want me to take the girls at Easter, so you’re free to help?” offered Therese.
“But you and Nell were planning on going away with Jeanne, Dollie and Mary,” objected Madge. “The five of you have had this planned for ages.”
“I can change my plans if you need it off,” pointed out Therese.
Madge shook her head. “Dick and Mollie sent all their furniture and things to Ireland as it was easiest. There wasn’t anywhere here to store them. I don’t think they’ll try to get it sent over while the War is on. Knowing their luck it’ll be bombed or something. There isn’t much to move and I think it’ll be nice for them to be a family again. The kids haven’t had their father for so long now.”
“The offer is there,” said Therese firmly, “if you do change your mind.”
“Thanks Elise, it is generous of you, but I couldn’t,” said Madge, little dreaming a day would come where she would bitterly regret saying those words.
“Now,” said Madge changing the subject. “Is there any other school news, other than you getting locked into a closet, Nell that we should know about?”
“We do have a new girl starting; her name is Lavender Leigh,” and Nell looked at them expectantly.
“That name sounds familiar,” said Madge puzzled. “Where have I heard it from?”
Nell positively smirked at her.
“She isn’t,” objected Madge, as it started to dawn on her exactly where she had heard the name from, for she had bought Bride the latest Lavender Laughs book for Christmas.
“She is,” said Nell. “Auntie Sylvia is being called up and Dr Marilliar has suggested she come here as a pupil. She doesn’t sleep well, is irritable and he thinks she needs a regular routine.”
Madge groaned when she heard this. “What did we do to Dr Marilliar to deserve this?”
“She will be alright when she settles in,” said Therese tolerantly. “What is she like Nell?”
“Rather inclined to what everything her own way and doesn’t cope well when it doesn’t go her own way,” said Nell judiciously. “From what I can tell, her work is up to Lower Third standard with a scrape, so she’ll be with Mollie Carew and Anne Montague and all that crowd.”
“And Bride,” realised Madge. “We decided to promote her at the end of last term as her work was head and shoulders above everyone else.”
“Then Bride can take her under her wing for a bit as they’ll both be new to the form,” suggested Therese, “and I don’t think there is anyone who Bride doesn’t get along well with.”
“She won’t love you for that,” chuckled Madge. “All I’ve heard from Bride all Christmas is the iniquities of being promoted away from all her friends and she informed me she wouldn’t have worked hard if it meant she was going to be promoted like this!”
“She’ll get over it,” said Nell tolerantly.
Hopefully Madge will be able to help Marya - but only if all her good work isn't wrecked by Joey spoiling her again.
I have so enjoyed all the happenings and am avid for more. Wanda was lovely there.
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Well, there's me told! And I got a 'C' in my business GCSE...
Miss Bubb. She is really being interfering.