The CBB
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Shaking off the chains Part 2 - completed 22/03/07, p8
http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=2168
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:57 am ]
Post subject:  Shaking off the chains Part 2 - completed 22/03/07, p8
Shaking Off The Chains - Part One

Oh no, David thought. Why did all this have to happen now? Just another couple of days and he’d have worked out exactly what he was going to say. Whatever he said now, it was bound to come out wrongly. Oh well, there was no help for it: there was no way that he was going to be pushed, in however well-intentioned a way, into changing his plans and accepting a position that he didn’t want. He opened his mouth to speak, but just at that moment there was a knock at the door and his mother walked in.

“Have you told him?” she asked eagerly.

“Only just!” Jem said. “He hasn’t even had chance to answer yet! Although he has told me that he’s not particularly happy in London. Oh, and that he hasn’t got a young lady there – sorry to disappoint you, old girl! But we haven’t got anything sorted out yet.”

“Oh,” Madge said, looking slightly embarrassed. “Sorry – shall I go away again and come back in a while? I suppose that I shouldn’t have barged in on you boys like that, but I just couldn’t wait any longer. So what do you say, David? I can see that you might have found it awkward working with your father or your uncle, but there’s no reason for you not to come home now. I did think that maybe you wouldn’t want to leave London, but it sounds as if I was wrong there! Oh, this is going to be wonderful!

“Oh, obviously I accept that you won’t want to live with your old mum and dad, but I can’t tell you how much we’ll enjoy having you nearby when we’re in Wales! People do seem to get scattered all over the place - Sybs and Josette in Australia, and Joey and Daisy in Switzerland – but … sorry, I seem to be getting rather carried away! Shall I come back later when you’ve had chance to talk things over properly with your father?”

“No, Mum,” David said quietly. “I don’t want you to go away. I’d like you to stay: I’d like you to hear what I’ve got to say. I need you to hear what I’ve got to say.” He pulled out a chair for her, and waited whilst she sat down. Then he took a deep breath, and looked at both his parents intently.

“The fact is that I was going to come and see you as soon as I got back from Austria anyway,” he said, marvelling inwardly at how steady he was managing to keep his voice. “I’d already made a decision about my future; and what Dad’s just told me doesn’t change that. The reason that I’ve never raised the subject of coming to work at the San isn’t that I didn’t want to work with Dad, or with Uncle Jack – in fact, I’m so used to Uncle Jack and Auntie Joey being in Switzerland that I’d quite forgotten that it was never meant to be permanent. The truth of the matter is that I’ve decided that working at the San isn’t what I want to do – not now, and not ever.

“I know that it’s what’s always been planned, but, as Dad said earlier, plans change. Please don’t think that I’m not grateful for everything that you’ve done for me, or that I don’t have the highest respect for everything Dad's achieved at the San; but it’s just not for me. I doubt very much that I’d make a good job of running the San even if I tried: it’s just not the right career for me. I meant it when I said that I wasn’t happy working at the hospital in London, but I didn’t mean that I wanted to work at the San instead. What I meant was that I’ve decided to set up in general practice.”
Author:  Elbee [ Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:03 am ]
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Well done David - keep it up now and don't let them talk you out of it!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:35 am ]
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Am curious about one thing, what did Jem's Dad do and did Jem do and become what his father wanted? If Jem does start causing problems David should point our TB is on the way out and he'd be out of a job soon if he took over the San! :wink:
Anyway, am really enjoying this. Thanks Alison
Author:  JustJen [ Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:20 pm ]
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Ya know I really need to get my hands on a TADIS so I can read tomorrow's chapter ;-)
Author:  leahbelle [ Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:46 pm ]
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Glad David is making himself heard.
Author:  Fatima [ Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:33 pm ]
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I'm glad he's finally told them how he feels. Now all we can do is hope that they get over their disappointment and listen to him.

Thanks Alison.
Author:  Chair [ Thu Mar 08, 2007 5:27 pm ]
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Thanks, Alison. I'm glad that David has spoken up for himself.
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Mar 08, 2007 6:15 pm ]
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Well done David - now very interested in how Madge and Jem react.


Thanks Alison.
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Mar 09, 2007 9:22 am ]
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“Will one of you please say something?” David asked eventually, after a silence which could only have lasted a minute or so but which seemed to have lasted for hours. “Dad? Mum?”

“I don’t know what you want either of us to say,” Jem said heavily. “I don’t know where any of this has come from. It’s always been the plan that you’d take over at the San eventually - and now all of a sudden you want to become a general practitioner instead?”

“What exactly’s wrong with being a general practitioner?” David demanded furiously. “Doesn’t pay enough? Not prestigious enough? Is that it? And it’s not “all of a sudden” at all: I’ve been thinking about it for ages, and the only reason I haven’t told you both sooner is that I knew you’d react like this. As for it having always been the plan that I’d take over at the San, it was your plan, not mine. The same way that it was your plan for Sybil to have to drop out of her needlework course and Josette to miss out on her year at St Mildred’s. I’m sorry that this isn’t what you want, but quite frankly it’s got nothing to do with you.”

He stopped in horror as he saw his mother began to cry and his father pass her his handkerchief and put his arm round her shoulders. Oh Lord, what had possessed him to come out with all that? It wasn’t what he’d intended to say at all.

“Oh Mum, Dad, I am so sorry.” He looked at them both in genuine distress. “I really didn’t mean that the way it sounded. This wasn’t how I meant to tell you: I was going to go back to London and think of the best way to put it all and then come and see you and explain it all calmly and rationally, and … I should not have said all that: I’m sorry. I know that when I was a kid I used to talk about taking over the San when I was older, and I know that that’s what you’ve been expecting me to do and that until now I’ve never given you any reason to think that it wasn’t what I wanted too. It’s no wonder that you’re shocked.

“And I shouldn’t have said all that about it being nothing to do with you either. I must have sounded like an ungrateful brat. I know that you’ve put me through school and then through my medical training; and I do appreciate it, really I do. And I was going to use the money that you’d put in trust for me, which I got control of when I was twenty-five, but if you’re really opposed to my going into general practice then I won’t touch it: I’ll get a bank loan or something instead.

“And I do genuinely admire everything that you’ve done at the San, Dad – building it up, and starting all over twice because of the Nazis, and all the wonderful work you do there. Most people’ll probably think I’m mad, turning down the opportunity even to work somewhere like that, never mind take over it one day. But it’s just not for me. And I won’t change my mind. I am going to be a G.P.; and I just hope you can accept that because the last thing I want is for us to fall out over this, or over anything else for that matter. I know that it’s come as a shock, but I’m just hoping that when you’ve had time to think about it you’ll … well, it’ll be all right."

“Dad? Mum?" He looked from one of them to the other, but neither of them spoke. "Do you want me to go, and leave you alone for a bit, or … please will one of you talk to me?”
Author:  Jennie [ Fri Mar 09, 2007 10:13 am ]
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Hmm, perhaps they're so shocked because their obedient son isn't following orders, and they don't know how to cope with that.
Author:  Fatima [ Fri Mar 09, 2007 11:25 am ]
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Well, it's all been said now. It's a shame it was said in such a way, but at least they know how he feels. Thanks Alison.
Author:  Chris [ Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:09 pm ]
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To be fair to Jem and Madge - if David has never said anything against working at the San, or given any indications of his real feelings, they can't have known, can they? Even the best doctors and parents aren't mind-readers! I do feel for all of them really - lack of communication is a real killer to relationships.
Author:  leahbelle [ Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:32 pm ]
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Oh, dear. I can't help but feel sorry for Madge and Jem after that outburst. It's not their fault David hasn't spoken about this before. How could they know? I hope they can work it out.
Author:  Lizzie [ Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:25 pm ]
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I've just watched Neighbours, and now this! The drama!

Thanks Alison, this is much more believable than the goings-on on Ramsey Street...
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Fri Mar 09, 2007 9:36 pm ]
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part of me feels sorry for Madge and Jem; it must have been a huge shock to them but another part of me thinks it was time something was said especially about Sybil and Josette
Author:  Chair [ Fri Mar 09, 2007 10:15 pm ]
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Thanks, Alison. It's good that he was honest about everything.
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Mar 10, 2007 12:35 am ]
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I think it needed to be said, even though it was a shock - and the comment about Sybil and Josette was also something that needed to be aired. Can see how it will be a shock though - hope Madge and Jem can accept his decision


Thanks Alison
Author:  Cath V-P [ Sat Mar 10, 2007 1:07 am ]
Post subject: 
Sometimes your children say things and you realise that they are individuals with their own ideas and plans, and that can be a tremendous shock.
Author:  Alison H [ Sat Mar 10, 2007 10:40 am ]
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“But why?” Jem asked. “You’ve always worked in hospitals: you’ve never even mentioned the idea of wanting to go into general practice before. When you were younger you were always talking about when you were grown up and you’d be able to come and work at the San with me, and how wonderful it was that we were helping so many people to overcome TB, and how it was the scourge of society, and how you admired the way that we had free beds available to people who couldn’t afford treatment. What’s changed?”

“Dad, some of that was when I was a little kid!” David said exasperatedly. Honestly, one minute his father was talking about him becoming head of a prestigious sanatorium and the next minute he was talking about things he’d said when he’d been in short trousers! Suddenly it struck him as being rather funny and he found himself wanting to laugh, but he managed not to. “Of course I wanted to go to work with you: I thought you were the most wonderful person on earth! Especially the way that all the girls and the mistresses at the School used to talk about doctors as if they were some sort of superheroes!

“Seriously, though – people’s ideas about their futures change. And the world’s changed. TB doesn’t loom over everyone’s lives the way it used to, thank God. Not in countries like Britain, anyway. And as for the free beds, we’ve had a National Health Service since 1948. Things are different now. But even if they weren’t – I just don’t want to work in a sanatorium, or even in a general hospital. I want to be a doctor who’s part of a local community, who sees local people and treats whatever ails them from day to day. I might never make a difference in the way that you’ve done, but hopefully I’ll be making a difference in my own way, and that’s the way I want.

“It’s no reflection on you. Or on you, Mum. Or on the San. It’s just about being the best doctor that I can be, and I know that for me that’s the way to do that. Can’t you understand that, even if you can’t accept it? Or can’t you accept it even if you can’t understand it - even if you think I’m mad to turn down the chance of being Head of the San?”

Much to his amazement, instead of shouting at him or storming out of the room, as he’d expected him to do, his father started to laugh. “Oh David! Why do young people always think that they’re the first ones to do anything that they weren’t expected to? You’re expecting me to say that I think that setting yourself up in general practice in jolly old England’s mad? You should have heard what people had to say when I announced that I was setting up a sanatorium in the Austrian Tyrol! If I was hell bent on setting up a sanatorium on the Continent then why on earth didn’t I set it up in Switzerland, where the wealthy people went for treatment, people kept asking. And why did I want to devote my life to treating a dirty, contagious disease, as they put it, like TB? “Consumption” as a lot of people still called tuberculosis of the lungs in those days.

“Oh, I heard it all, believe you me! And then there were fellows I’d studied with who went off to work as doctors in parts of the world where there’s poverty the like of which I pray we’ll never see in Britain again, like your cousin Margot’s set on doing if she goes through with it – places that their families had barely even heard of, in some cases. Oh, believe me, David, you’ll have to come up with something a lot more radical than wanting to be a general practitioner if you want to shock me!”

“And me,” Madge said. “How do you think people reacted to the idea of a twenty-four year old single woman setting up her own school in a foreign country? Even your Uncle Dick and your Auntie Joey thought I’d taken leave of my senses at first! No, David: we’re not shocked, and we don’t think you’re mad. We’re just … well, it wasn’t what we were expecting.”
Author:  Fatima [ Sat Mar 10, 2007 10:45 am ]
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That was a much better reaction than I'd dared hope for.
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Mar 10, 2007 10:47 am ]
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Oh good I'm really pleased - it's how they should react but I was so worried that they would both forget their own youth.


Thanks Alison.
Author:  bethany [ Sat Mar 10, 2007 10:52 am ]
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Thanks very very much for posting this before I go away for a week without internet access :)

I am so glad that Madge and Jem were surprised and not cross. I hope that David manages to set up his GP practice and employs Daisy there :)
Author:  Chair [ Sat Mar 10, 2007 11:27 am ]
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Thanks, Alison. I'm glad that Madge and Jem have remembered their youth.
Author:  brie [ Sat Mar 10, 2007 4:43 pm ]
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thanks alison

i've just caught up on pages and pages of it, so luckily i missed the cliffs
Author:  Cath V-P [ Sun Mar 11, 2007 1:34 am ]
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Oh that's good - how heartening to see them react like this, even though there must have been a twinge of disappointment.
Author:  Miranda [ Sun Mar 11, 2007 2:31 am ]
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I'm another who is catching up on lots of this, and to find it at this point was such a relief! (such nasty cliffs) Madge and Jem have taken such a very reasonable view of the situation, regardless of their personal disappointment.

And they must be pleased to see their son has a clear goal of his own to be helping people, as both of them did in their younger years.

Hooray for the Russells! :lol:
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Mar 11, 2007 8:57 am ]
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“I feel rather boring now!” David said ruefully. He started to laugh. “And I thought I was taking such a big step!”

“Oh, you’re taking a big step all right,” Jem told him. “Incidentally, let’s have none of that nonsense about not using the money: it’s yours to do as you like with, and if this is what you want … well, so be it.”

“You’re all right about it then?” David asked in surprise. “I thought you’d be angry, or at least upset. I’ve been putting off telling you for months.”

“It’s come as a surprise and I don’t deny that,” Jem said heavily. “It never really occurred to me that you wouldn’t want to work at the San. You never said that you didn’t. And I can’t deny that I’m disappointed. You taking over the San, and you living nearby … well, it would’ve meant a lot to me, and to your mother as well. It’s what we’ve always hoped for.”

“I was really looking forward to having you living near us,” Madge said. “And the San … well, it’s been your father’s life work, and you’re our eldest son. We’d both’ve been so proud to see you taking it over. But if your mind’s made up then I daresay we’ll have to learn to live with it, like we’ve had to learn to live with Sybil and Josette both being at the other side of the world.”

Well, it’s big of you to say you’ll learn to live with what I’ve decided about my life, David thought. As for Sybil and Josette, you were the ones who took them to Australia in the first place! He was feeling rather bemused now. He hadn’t expected this: he’d expected a blazing row and an exchange of insults. He’d even caught himself envisioning his father obliterating his name out of the family Bible! Not that they had a family Bible, but that was the sort of thing he’d been expecting. This was all rather an anti-climax, even if it was much easier to cope with than what he’d been imagining.

At least they didn’t seem to be angry. He just wished that they could say that they were pleased for him. It had seemed to be going so well when they’d reminded him that they’d also taken steps in their younger days that other people hadn’t expected; but now he couldn’t help feeling slightly guilty as he saw the resigned, disappointed looks on their faces. He knew how much the San meant to them, especially to his father, and how much it would have meant to him to have seen a member of the family take his place there – “succeed” him there probably wasn’t too strong an expression to use, in their eyes.

And it wasn’t as if they could hold out any hope of any of his younger brothers and sisters going to work there instead. Ailie was all set to become a games mistress, and neither of his two harum-scarum younger brothers had the academic ability or the aptitude to go into medicine. When his mother had given up her day-to-day involvement at the Chalet School, at least its running had been taken over by close friends; and the fact of her sister, her nieces and her daughters being pupils there had helped to maintain her links to everyday life there. All his father would be left with would be a financial interest in the San and being consulted on things like major building work when people with whom he had no connection decided that it was needed.
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Mar 11, 2007 9:07 am ]
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David don't go there - next thing you'll be feeling guilty and going to the San for all the wrong reasons and then start to resent your parents.


Thanks Alison.
Author:  keren [ Sun Mar 11, 2007 10:39 am ]
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he can still be a GP nearby!
Author:  JayB [ Sun Mar 11, 2007 11:32 am ]
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Alison H wrote:
All his father would be left with would be a financial interest in the San and being consulted on things like major building work when people with whom he had no connection decided that it was needed.

I can think of a solution....

I think it would be a mistake for David to set up in practice near his parents. I think he'll have a better relationship with them if there's some distance between them.
Author:  Chair [ Sun Mar 11, 2007 12:32 pm ]
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Thanks, Alison. I'm glad they have accepted his decision, even though they are disappointed.
Author:  Rose in Toronto [ Sun Mar 11, 2007 2:21 pm ]
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Are there no other cousins in the running, besides Margot, I mean? What about Rix? Or one of the younger Maynards?

Obviously David inherited his tendency to strike out on his own! At least Madge didn't have to deal with parental expectations, and I don't think Jem did either...

I can just see it: David and Daisy in a GP practice, which grows and becomes a clinic, which grows even more, and so on, until we get the story of David's son combining the San and the Clinic...No? Am I getting to far ahead? :wink:
Author:  Mrs Redboots [ Sun Mar 11, 2007 3:56 pm ]
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I'm glad Madge and Jem have taken it so well. They will, I'm sure, be pleased for him once they're used to the idea.

David needs to learn not to feel guilty, which is always easier said than done! But I like your Jem and Madge, Alison. Thank you for this.
Author:  Kathy_S [ Sun Mar 11, 2007 6:54 pm ]
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*relieved*

Well done, the parents! Of course they're disappointed in a way, but it's more because they want him around than because they're disappointed in him. Amazing how much resentment the best of parents can elicit, all while trying to help their children.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Sun Mar 11, 2007 9:58 pm ]
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In a way that was rather amusing - David all prepared for the worst, and suddenly finding that it isn't happening that way - most disconcerting for him....

And there are other doctors in the family aren't there? :D
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:32 am ]
Post subject: 
Finally getting towards the end - 7-10 posts left!

“You’re quite sure about this, David?” he heard his father asking him. “There’s no chance that you’ll change your mind? If not now, then maybe in a few years from now?”

“No Dad,” he said sadly. “I won’t. I’m sorry.”

Jem nodded. “Very well. If you’re sure. I do understand, David. Being a doctor’s a calling in its own way, I suppose, and you have to answer that calling in whatever way you think best.” He managed a smile. “Best of luck to you, my boy! I hope it all works out for you.”

“David … may I ask you one more thing?” Madge asked quietly. “Becoming a doctor in the first place – was that what you truly wanted? Did we push you into it at all?”

“Oh no, Mum!” David exclaimed, surprised that she even felt that she had to ask that. “I wanted to be a doctor! We all did – I did, Rix did, Daisy did. No-one pushed any of us into it. Honestly. It was what I really wanted. It still is.”

Madge sighed. “Thank heavens for that. You never met Mr Cochrane, Grizel Sheppard’s father, did you?”

“Mr Cochrane?” David looked puzzled. “Not that I recall. Why? He wasn’t a doctor, was he?”

Madge shook her head. “No, he wasn’t a doctor. He … well, never mind him. Just so long as we didn’t push you into becoming something that you didn’t want to be.” She hesitated for a moment. “David … what you said before about Sybil and Josette. We do know that we did the wrong thing by them. Sybil’s said plenty about it over the years, I can assure you, even though both she and Josette are happy with their lives as they are now. And we decided a long time ago that we were never going to make that mistake again. We’re not going to try to force you into doing anything that you don’t want, David.”

He could have just left it at that. There’d been no rows. Nobody was going to fall out with anybody; nobody was going to be cut off from anybody; the family wasn’t going to be split in two. It had never been going to be easy, but it had all turned out a lot better than he’d ever dared to imagine. But there was still something that wasn’t quite right, and he knew that he couldn’t bring this conversation to an end before he’d made it right.

“You couldn’t force me into doing anything that I didn’t want even if you tried to,” he said, as gently as he could. “I’m a grown man, and I make my own decisions. I’m a free agent.”

He hoped that he hadn’t just ruined anything, but instead he saw that both his mother and his father were nodding.

“I know that, David,” his mother said. “I do know that. Jem?”

Jem looked at the young man before him intently, then rose to shake his hand. “And so do I,” he said.
Author:  Miranda [ Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:47 am ]
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So few posts left :cry:

Well I'm glad that Madge did check that they hadn't pushed David into being a doctor. She must carry some guilt over what happened with Sybil and Josette, even though (as she says) it is in the past. Especially since she has seen (and obviously acknowledged) the effect Mr Cochrane had on Grizel. It's good that David could reassure them on that score at least.

Thanks Alison
Author:  Alice [ Mon Mar 12, 2007 1:51 pm ]
Post subject: 
Miranda wrote:
So few posts left :cry:


But hopefully another drabble to follow. :D

Thanks Alison.
Author:  Miranda [ Mon Mar 12, 2007 1:58 pm ]
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Alice wrote:
Miranda wrote:
So few posts left :cry:


But hopefully another drabble to follow. :D


I am definitely hoping for another! :lol: :lol:
Author:  Fatima [ Mon Mar 12, 2007 2:44 pm ]
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I'm glad that ended so well. It's nice to see that they didn't need to have a big argument about it all. Now, how is Daisy getting on?
Author:  Chair [ Mon Mar 12, 2007 6:41 pm ]
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Thanks, Alison. I'm glad that everyone is fine with the decision.
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Mar 12, 2007 7:14 pm ]
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We;; done to all of them for that - interesting that Madge shoul;d acknowledge Sybil and Josette's situations - and that she recognise how much damage a parent can do - re Mr Cochrane.


Thanks Alison.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Mar 13, 2007 9:05 am ]
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David went to bed with mixed feelings that night. They’d all ended up staying up rather late, probably because his parents had felt obliged to spend some time with the von und zu Wertheims after deserting them for most of the earlier part of the evening. On the one hand, he felt a huge sense of relief that the conversation he’d been dreading for so long was over, and that most of the problems he’d feared he might have to face after it had never come to pass. He also felt an almighty sense of satisfaction that he’d made it quite clear that he was his own man now, and that his parents had accepted that. Then there was the thrill of excitement and anticipation that now he could move his life forward. There was nothing holding him back any more: once he got back to London he could start looking for a general practice position at once.

On the other hand, there were still a lot of things worrying him. What was going to happen to the San now? It would upset his father terribly to lose contact with it altogether - what if he decided to carry on working full time, even though he’d said himself that he’d realised that it would be better if he didn’t? As for his own future, moving into general practice was what he wanted but it was going to mean an awful lot of changes in his life. Where would he end up working? He’d always liked Armiford, but that wasn’t to say that he’d be able to find a position there. And whom would he end up working with? He didn’t really want to work on his own, but business partnerships weren’t always easy – what if he couldn’t find anyone who wanted him to work with him, or anyone whom it was going to be easy to get on with?

And what about Daisy? He still hadn’t spoken to her properly, and they’d both be going home the day after tomorrow. Should he go to Briesau tomorrow, and try to find her? And was now the best time, when he was so excited about sorting out his own future but she was obviously so unhappy? Then there was Gretchen. He’d wanted so much to go over to the Tiernsee yesterday evening, to tell her everything that had happened. There was no way that he could have done so - it had been very late by then – but he’d wanted to. She’d been the first person he’d wanted to speak to, more than Sybil or Rix or anyone else, he admitted to himself, and that had surprised him. Why was that – and what did it mean, and what was he going to do about it?

He thought that he’d never get to sleep, but, eventually, he found himself opening his eyes to find that it was morning. It was later than he’d been getting up for the past fortnight and, not wanting to be the last one down to breakfast, he hurried to get washed and dressed; but when he got downstairs he found that although the von und zu Wertheims were already sitting at the breakfast table his parents were nowhere to be seen. He felt rather uncomfortable for a while, and was thoroughly relieved when eventually they both appeared.

“I do hope that you’ll excuse us for being late,” Madge said apologetically to Marie. “We were actually both up fairly early, but we’ve had a lot to talk about and we didn’t notice where the time had gone.”

“Oh, that’s quite all right: you’re on holiday after all,” Marie assured her, smiling. “So, what are your plans for today? You’re very welcome to spend the day here, of course, even though unfortunately both Eugen and I have to go out this morning. And are the four of us still on for our trip to Innsbruck on Wednesday?”

“We most certainly are still on for our trip to Innsbruck on Wednesday! Jem and I are thoroughly looking forward to it. As for today, we thought that we might go to the Tiernsee. I’ll ring the Mensches and ask if we might go and see them whilst we’re there, if it’s all right for me to use your phone, Marie. And we’re rather hoping that David will come with us. It’ll be nice for us all to be back at the Tiernsee at the same time. Besides, we’ve got some things that we need to talk about whilst we’re all together.” She turned to her eldest son. “David?”

David looked at her in shock. What “things”? Hadn’t they talked everything through last night? Now what? Oh well, if there was something more to be said then they might as well get it over and done with. “All right,” he said. “The Tiernsee it is.”
Author:  Chair [ Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:39 am ]
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Thanks, Alison. I wonder how the conversation will go.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:55 am ]
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Mmhmm that's interesting. I wonder if they plan on talking to him about Sybil and Josette or about what they plan on doing with the San. Jem is it's owner and it would come to David when he dies regardless of whether or not David is working there. Am really enjoying this. Thanks Alison
Author:  Miranda [ Tue Mar 13, 2007 1:44 pm ]
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Hmmmmm...'things' eh?

Given how sensible Madge and Jem have been so far, I'm hoping it's nothing to get worried about...I hope.
Author:  leahbelle [ Tue Mar 13, 2007 4:05 pm ]
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Thanks, Alison.
Author:  Kathy_S [ Tue Mar 13, 2007 5:12 pm ]
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I'm sure they could have things to discuss other than David with David! Natural that he'd be fixated on his own situation, though.
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:40 pm ]
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Curious - perhaps they are going to tell him they are going to retire to Tyrol or something?


Thanks Alison
Author:  Lizzie [ Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:04 pm ]
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Thanks Alison, I've just caught up.
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:43 am ]
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No-one said very much in the car on the way to the Tiernsee. David had expected his parents to point out every place associated with every minor incident from when they’d lived in Tyrol, as they usually did whenever they were in that part of the world; but they were both fairly quiet. He didn’t say much himself because he was driving, and after the previous day’s mishap - although there’d been nothing he could have done about it - he felt more than usually conscious of the need to be careful whilst at the wheel. He was glad when they got to Briesau and found somewhere to park and they could get out the car. “Here we are,” he said rather inanely as they all got out and he locked the doors.

“Here we are indeed,” Jem said. Without saying anything further, he started walking towards the lake, and Madge followed him. David, after a moment’s hesitation, walked on behind them. He was feeling increasingly bemused, and had just decided that he’d had enough of this and was going to ask straight out what all this was about when Jem suddenly stopped walking and pointed at a spot somewhere on the lake.

“That is where, whilst I was skating across the lake minding my own business, I practically skated right over the fingers of a young lady called Joey Bettany - who had no business being there in the first place” he announced rather theatrically. “And that,” as he pointed upwards towards the Sonnalpe, “is where, as an indirect result of that – oh, I’d been considering a fair few different locations for the San until I got mixed up with the Chalet School and started spending so much time in Briesau, David! - I ended up setting up my first Sanatorium. Yes, I set it up with family money and I don’t deny that, but I don’t think it’s unfair to say that I put in most of the hard work needed to get it going and build up its reputation in the early days. And I vowed that we’d never turn away a patient who needed our help; that even if they couldn’t afford to pay we’d find a way to manage.

“And we saved a lot of lives up there, and we did our very best for those people whose lives we couldn’t save. And then, after everything that I and everyone else there had put into it, we found ourselves forced away from it all because of a megalomaniac and his evil ideas. And so we started over again, in Guernsey, and then we found ourselves driven out of there as well and having to start over again for a second time. And we did it: we’ve carried on, always trying to do our best for people, always trying to find new treatments.”

He looked a little shamefaced for a moment. “Sorry: I must be sounding a bit melodramatic, bringing you here and carrying on like this. But I wanted you to understand that the San means a great deal to me, and that that’s why I’ve always hoped that one of you would take it over one day – because all of you, you and your brothers and sisters, mean a great deal to me too. And that it’s not just that I’m an arrogant old man who wants his eldest son to follow in his footsteps so that he can see the name “Russell” linked with the San for another generation, or a domineering father who wants his son to do what he wants.”

“Oh Dad, I didn’t think that,” David protested. “Lots of people in all sorts of jobs expect their children to take over the family firm or whatever: there’s nothing unusual in that, and it doesn’t mean that they’re being arrogant or trying to force their children’s hands. And you’re not old!” He smiled. “Well – not very old, anyway!”

“Old enough!” Jem said. “Anyway, I just wanted you to know that – and I suppose I wanted to come here today because it seemed like the most appropriate place to tell you what your mother and I have decided.”

“We want you to do whatever’s best for you,” Madge said. “And now we also have to do what’s best for us. Sybil and Josette are both settled, doing what they're doing, and neither Ailie nor either of the twins are ever likely to have anything to do with the San either.”

Jem nodded. “And so, now that you've said that you definitely want no part of it, I’m going to retire from the Welsh branch of the San and sell it.”
Author:  keren [ Wed Mar 14, 2007 11:16 am ]
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Wow and WOw
i just wonder whether they decide to see round the san in austria and meet Gretchen and what will happen.
Author:  Miranda [ Wed Mar 14, 2007 11:38 am ]
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Goodness now that's a surprise!

It seems a bit odd though to have taken David there to make that announcement alone...I wonder what's coming next?
Author:  leahbelle [ Wed Mar 14, 2007 1:26 pm ]
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Blimey! That's unexpected!
Author:  Jennie [ Wed Mar 14, 2007 1:29 pm ]
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That seems a very sensible plan to me.
Author:  Fatima [ Wed Mar 14, 2007 2:09 pm ]
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Yes, if he wanted to stop working and his son didn't want to take over the san, it's good to sell it.
Author:  Ruth B [ Wed Mar 14, 2007 4:22 pm ]
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Hmmm. I'm still waiting for the second half of that sentence!
Author:  brie [ Wed Mar 14, 2007 4:32 pm ]
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and....

thanks alison

but more please??
Author:  Lesley [ Wed Mar 14, 2007 5:00 pm ]
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And the Swiss one?


Seems a little strange to take him to the Tiernsee to tell him...



Thanks Alison.
Author:  Chair [ Wed Mar 14, 2007 5:02 pm ]
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Thanks, Alison. I wasn't expecting to hear that Jem is going to sell the San.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Wed Mar 14, 2007 10:31 pm ]
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Goodness! And then what I wonder?
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Wed Mar 14, 2007 11:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lesley wrote:
And the Swiss one?


But wouldn't Jack at least buy that out or even have a large share in it already?
It's funny but a couple of nights ago I suddenly thought I wonder if Madge and Jem have found out about Gretchen coming to the Conference dinner and wanted to talk to David about it? I'm kind of pro them getting together but could see that both sets of parents would be unhappy about it, not just Madge and Jem. In fact in some ways I think Marie and Anderas would be worse. If they refused to allow their daughter to go to Grammer school, I certainly can't see them being happy about Gretchen seeing David (Sorry but Gretchen not being allowed to go to Grammer school really bugged me and I couldn't believe a set of parents would say no to education)
Author:  Tara [ Wed Mar 14, 2007 11:46 pm ]
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Just caught up on quite a lot, and am reeling! Very glad that all went well with David and his parents (I thought they were all lovely, honest, thoughtful and sensitive), but it feels very strange for the San to be sold! I wonder what David will feel about it. Even if he doesn't want to run it, it's been such an important part of their lives all their lives. And what will Jem do instead??

This is really gripping, Alison!
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:14 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the comments :D .

“Sell it?” David was stunned. He’d certainly never expected this - not so soon, anyway.

“That’s what I said! I don’t want to carry on working there all the time on top of going to the conferences and everything else that I’ve got on, David; and if there’s no chance of you ever taking it over then what’s the point of my even retaining a financial interest in it? Whatever money I keep from the sale I’ll invest, and … well, we’re hardly short as it is, are we? And, whilst I can’t see anyone wanting to run it purely or even mainly as a treatment centre for tuberculosis these days, I don’t think I’ll have too much trouble in finding a buyer.

“In fact, there’s someone who’d already approached me with a view to buying a share in the place, a doctor I met at a conference; but he was talking about making a lot of changes and I turned him down because I didn’t think I could face all that … but I know for a fact that he’s still interested. And I hope it’ll go well for him: I’m very proud of the place, even if I do say so myself, and I very much want to see it continue to operate. I can’t deny that I’ll be sad not to have any direct connection with it any more – if you or Jack’d been working there, then even if I’d sold up there’d still have been that link; but it’s just not to be. And I’ll have plenty of other things to occupy my time.”

“I suppose so,” David said doubtfully. “It’ll just be weird none of us having any connection with the San any more – but, if it’s what you want, then I’m pleased about it. I must admit I’d had visions of you saying that you were going to stay on there full time until you were ready to drop!” He heaved a sigh and then laughed. “Well, these last couple of days’ve been quite a time of revelations all right! Looks like life’s going to change pretty drastically for all of us once we get home. No-one’s got any more bombshells to drop whilst we’re here, have they?”

“Actually,” Jem said, “there is something else. Oh, don’t look so panic-stricken: it’s nothing to worry about. But I am going to tell you, seeing as, as you’ve said, these last couple of days have been a time for revelations. Your mother and I would appreciate it if you didn’t mention it to anyone else, though: it’s private family business, and the two people whom it most closely concerns aren’t here at the moment.

“I said that the San was founded with family money, and it was. Only I shouldn’t have had all of that money, only part of it; and it’s something that’s weighed heavily on my conscience sometimes, even though I tried to do my best by Daisy and Primula especially after Margot died. I might have been the only son, but all the same some of that money belonged by rights to Margot in my eyes, even though my parents decided otherwise. Maybe if she’d had it then Stephen Venables would have spent it all and it wouldn’t have helped her in the long run - but maybe he wouldn’t, and maybe then things would have been easier for her, and maybe then she wouldn’t have died so young.” He brushed his hand across his face, muttering about having something in his eye; and Madge slipped her arm through his.

“I can’t do anything to help Margot now, but I’m going to do the one thing I can do to try to right a long-ago wrong. Whatever I get from the sale of the San, some of it’s going to Daisy and Primula. And, if they won’t take it, it’s going into trust for their children. Margot’s family are finally going to get what they should have had years ago. I can’t change the past, but I can at least do this – and I hope that it’ll make some sort of positive difference to Daisy and Primula’s lives as Margot never got the chance for it to do to hers.”
Author:  keren [ Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:29 am ]
Post subject: 
great,
now daisy can buy a practice


Sometimes with all the drabblers who have exaggerated features of their characters, we forget sometimes that EBDs madge and Jem were ok.
Author:  Elbee [ Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:30 am ]
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Well done Jem. Let's hope Daisy is able to put the money to good use.

I hope we get to see Gretchen again!

Thanks Alison.
Author:  Ruth B [ Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:47 am ]
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Great! That's Daisy's financial problem solved then!

I think David should take Madge and Jem to see Gretchen.
Author:  alicat [ Thu Mar 15, 2007 10:43 am ]
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what if daisy wants the san instead of her share of the cash???

after all, it would be a great place to achieve her dream of running a children's hospital, especially now that the treatment for TB is no longer needed - the discovery which virtually wiped it out must be either just round the corner or just have happened by now????

and laurie could work as a GP nearby....
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Mar 15, 2007 10:46 am ]
Post subject: 
alicat wrote:
what if daisy wants the san instead of her share of the cash???

after all, it would be a great place to achieve her dream of running a children's hospital, especially now that the treatment for TB is no longer needed - the discovery which virtually wiped it out must be either just round the corner or just have happened by now????

and laurie could work as a GP nearby....


That's not such a bad idea
Author:  Ruth B [ Thu Mar 15, 2007 11:41 am ]
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Mmm, I hadn't thought of that!
Author:  Fatima [ Thu Mar 15, 2007 3:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
Good for Jem. I'm glad that Daisy will be able to do something about fulfilling her dreams at last.
Author:  Chair [ Thu Mar 15, 2007 8:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Alison. I'm glad that some of the money is going to go to Daisy and Primula.
Author:  brie [ Thu Mar 15, 2007 8:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
thanks alison

glad to see a nice jem and madge
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Mar 15, 2007 8:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
It would also mean that the San remained in the family - after all Daisy is Jem's niece.


Thanks Alison
Author:  Cath V-P [ Thu Mar 15, 2007 11:19 pm ]
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Interesting to see Jem's perspective on Margot's life.
Author:  Tara [ Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:14 am ]
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Like the idea of Daisy taking over the San! Whatever happens, it's really good that Jem is making amends for that injustice.
Author:  Alison H [ Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:03 am ]
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The idea of Daisy turning the San into a children's hospital is lovely, but I don't think she'd have enough money or enough time. Hopefully her future will soon be sorted out, though :D .

“I think I’m seeing things!” Daisy said, as she and Laurie walked along by the Tiernsee on the penultimate day of their holiday. They were both missing the children and looking forward to seeing them again; and now that the decision about their future had been made they were eager to start making enquiries into finding positions and a home in Britain, ideally before Tony was due to start prep school in September. However, they were also looking forward to the last couple of days of the second honeymoon that up until yesterday had been something of a disaster but had now turned into a celebration. They’d just walked over to Seespitz and taken the ferry back to Briesau, and were now ambling along with the intention of walking into the woods and finding somewhere where they could buy some milk and fruit for a mid-morning snack.

“Seeing what?” Laurie enquired. “Not somebody selling food by any happy chance? I’m starving.”

“Stop being such a pig: it’s not all that long since we had breakfast!” she said, tapping him lightly on the arm and laughing. “I suppose we could go back to the hotel if you were that hungry, but it’d be much more fun to head towards one of the other villages! No; what I meant was that I could’ve sworn I’d just seen Auntie Madge and Uncle Jem.”

Laurie laughed. “I don’t think so! Not unless we’ve walked through some sort of magic tunnel and found ourselves in Wales without realising it! It must just’ve been two people who looked a bit like them. Where, anyway?”

“There!” Daisy insisted. “Look. Oh hang on, they’re just behind that big tree at the moment … now, look! I’m sure that’s Auntie Madge and Uncle Jem. And David as well. It is! Hey! Auntie Madge! Uncle Jem! David! Over here!”

“Daisy Rosomon, you’re supposed to be a responsible doctor, not to mention a wife and mother,” Laurie laughed as she started running towards the Russells; but she just turned round and stuck her tongue out at him before turning back again, and eventually he ran after her, reaching the little group just as his wife was hugging her aunt.

“Didn’t expect to see you here!” he remarked, as he shook Jem’s hand and Jem clapped him on the back. “I thought you’d still be sitting at home with your feet up.”

“Oh, he soon got bored of that!” Madge said, as she hugged Laurie and first Jem and then David hugged Daisy. “And we didn’t want to miss out on our break in the Alps, so as soon as he felt up to travelling off we went! We’re going on to the Gornetz Platz later in the week, so you’ll be seeing us again then!”

”In fact,” Jem announced, “if all goes to plan we should be finding ourselves with a lot more free time soon, so you might be seeing us in Switzerland a lot more often in the none-too-distant future. Thought I’d warn you!” He looked puzzled. “Have I said something funny? What are you both looking so amused for?”

Daisy glanced at Laurie, and he nodded. “We’ve got something to tell you,” she said. “It’s not all sorted out yet – in fact, it’s not sorted out at all, and please don’t say anything to Jack or Joey until Laurie’s had chance to speak to Jack himself – but we’ve decided to move back to Britain. It’s … well, it’s a lot of things really, but we don’t want to be so far away from Tony and Peter once they start school. And, as well as that, I’m going to go back to work! I’ve been wanting to for a while, but it was only yesterday that I finally told Laurie how I felt, and we’ve decided that I should go ahead with it.

“Well, as long as I can find someone who’s looking for a partner in general practice and doesn’t mind her not always working full time, but I’m pretty optimistic that I’ll be able to sort something out. We’re not quite sure whereabouts we’re going to end up – obviously it depends where we can both find jobs - but we’re hoping that we’ll be able to get ourselves sorted out before Tony’s due to start prep school in September.”
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:10 am ]
Post subject: 
David, are you looking for a partner? This is great and am glad everything is working out
Author:  Lottie [ Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:11 am ]
Post subject: 
So now David knows that Daisy wants to be a GP. Good! Perhaps they can sort things out, and have a practice together somewhere.

Thanks, Alison. I'm really enjoying this. It's great to see today's episode so early.
Author:  Lesley [ Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:32 am ]
Post subject: 
Love Daisy running down to meet her Aunt and Uncle - so spontaneous and real. And now David knows that his cousin wants to buy into a practice...



Thanks Alison
Author:  Miranda [ Fri Mar 16, 2007 10:19 am ]
Post subject: 
I loved Laurie's reaction to Daisy's first glimpse of Madge and Jem!

Quote:
“Seeing what?” Laurie enquired. “Not somebody selling food by any happy chance? I’m starving.”


Poor Daisy... :lol:
Author:  Jennie [ Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lots of lovely possibilities there. Thanks, Alison. Might I put in a plea for Gretchen to head the Admin staff at the practice?
Author:  alicat [ Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:19 pm ]
Post subject: 
ooooh yes!

sorry alison, my bunnies didn't mean to poach your bunnies' carrots - its just that my CB bunnies are so far unfulfilled so they tend to try and hijack other people's drabbles.
Author:  leahbelle [ Fri Mar 16, 2007 1:34 pm ]
Post subject: 
Everything seems to be starting to fall into place now. Thanks, Alison.
Author:  Fatima [ Fri Mar 16, 2007 3:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
It would be lovely to see them opening a little practice together, wouldn't it, and Grechen would make a lovely administrator for it!

Thanks Alison.
Author:  Kathy_S [ Fri Mar 16, 2007 5:12 pm ]
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Very promising indeed!

*also liked Jem & Madge's other revelation*
Author:  Cath V-P [ Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:24 pm ]
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That sounds very encouraging! Thanks Alison.
Author:  Alison H [ Sat Mar 17, 2007 9:44 am ]
Post subject: 
“I think I’ll have to sit down!” Madge said. “I can’t take all this in: I thought you two were all settled the way you were! Still, if that’s what you want then I’m very pleased for you both. As far as moving back to Britain goes, I must say that I wasn’t overly keen on the idea of moving abroad again when it came to it, ten years ago, and I have to admit that I’ve never liked the Oberland the way I do Tyrol anyway. But are you sure you’ll be able to cope with going back to work, Daisy? Being a doctor and running a home and looking after the children?”

Daisy nodded. “I’ve thought about it a lot, and we’ll manage. And I mean we! You don’t know how much I want to go back to work, Auntie Madge. It really is what I want.”

“Is that what you were worrying about at the Schloss Wertheim?” David asked. “I knew things weren’t right, but I didn’t know exactly what things.”

Daisy nodded. “That, and wanting to leave the Gornetz Platz. Sorry, David: you did try to talk to me, and I know I clammed up on you. I just didn’t feel that I could talk about it, even to you. But it’s all sorted out now. Changes are afoot!”

“And whilst we’re on the subject of changes, we’ve got one of our own to tell you about,” Jem said. “Although we’d also appreciate it if you didn’t say anything to anyone else just yet: we only decided on this last night and this morning, and we’ve only just told David not ten minutes ago. I’m selling the San.”

“Selling it!” Laurie exclaimed. “But I always thought that the idea was for David to take it over.” He belatedly realised that the Russells might be selling up because of financial problems and that he might just have put his foot right in it - although he could hardly imagine that Jem and Madge would be wandering the Continent if they’d somehow found themselves short of money. “Sorry,” he added hastily, just in case. “None of my business!”

“Ah, well, David’s decided that San life isn’t for him, and that he’d rather work in general practice when he’s left his current job - which he’s hoping will be very soon!” David himself said with a big grin. “In fact, I’m going to be looking around for somewhere as soon as I get back to England. And, Frau Doktor Rosomon, if you don’t believe in those old adages about not working with relatives or friends, then it wouldn’t trouble me in the slightest to have a partner who wanted to work part time sometimes. How about it? Feel free to say no, but it could solve both our problems. I was worrying all last night about finding a partner whom I’d never have any trouble getting on with! And any doctor ’d be lucky to work with someone who’s as good at their job as you are, Daisy.”

“Are you serious?” Daisy exclaimed. “David, that would be wonderful ... well, so long as we could find somewhere we both liked, and Laurie could get a job nearby as well, and … er, well, there’s the question of money as well, of course.”

“As far as the financial side of things go, I’m sure we could sort something out,” David assured her. “And as to where, I’d been thinking about somewhere in the Armiford area; if I could find a practice for sale, or even looking for people to buy into it, anywhere near there. But it doesn’t have to be there.”

“It’d suit me,” Daisy said . “I always liked Armishire, and if we were there then Tony and Peter’d be able to go to the cathedral school in Armiford. You and the Bettany boys always liked it there, didn’t you? But it depends where Laurie could get a job. I’m just trying to think of hospitals in that area. There’s Armiford General, of course, but I’ve no idea if they’re looking for anyone at Laurie’s level at the moment, or if you go a bit further afield for hospitals that might be looking for doctors there’s …”

“The San,” Jem said.
Author:  Miranda [ Sat Mar 17, 2007 10:06 am ]
Post subject: 
How nicely things are coming together here!

Hoping that Daisy and David will be able to concoct a plan that suits everyone.

And Laurie is still making me laugh :lol:
Author:  Lottie [ Sat Mar 17, 2007 10:15 am ]
Post subject: 
Oh, this is starting to look promising for them all.

Thanks, Alison.
Author:  brie [ Sat Mar 17, 2007 10:40 am ]
Post subject: 
thanks alison

i love all the excitement!

all your characters are so nice here!
Author:  Fatima [ Sat Mar 17, 2007 11:15 am ]
Post subject: 
Perfect solutions to everyone's problems! Thanks Alison.
Author:  leahbelle [ Sat Mar 17, 2007 2:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
This is great! I'm so glad things seem to be working out for everyone.
Author:  Kathy_S [ Sat Mar 17, 2007 3:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
Yay!
Looks like there's good hope for a happy ending. :)
(maybe even with sequels. :mrgreen: )
Author:  Sandra [ Sat Mar 17, 2007 3:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm hopeful of a happy ending now.
Author:  Ruth B [ Sat Mar 17, 2007 5:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
The San for Laurie did occur to me, but I didn't know whether he would want it.
Author:  Lottie [ Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ruth B wrote:
The San for Laurie did occur to me, but I didn't know whether he would want it.

I think he probably would be quite happy with the San - I thought it was only being so far away from England that was his problem at the moment. And it would be keeping it in the family if he took it over, so it seems like an ideal solution to me.
Author:  Alison H [ Sun Mar 18, 2007 9:00 am ]
Post subject: 
“The San?” Laurie swung round to look at his wife’s uncle. “I didn’t know that you were looking for anyone at the San. And I thought you just said that you were selling up?”

“I did. I am! Which would make it an ideal time for you to go and work there, because I don’t suppose you want to end up working for your uncle-in-law! And there’ll certainly have to be some sort of reshuffle when I go, which’ll mean them bringing in at least one new senior doctor; and if the person I’m hoping to sell the place to does indeed buy it then I know for a fact that he’s looking to expand, so there could be even more vacancies. And given the experience that you’ve had of working at the Swiss branch then I should imagine they’d bite your hand off if you applied for a job there. Bear it in mind, anyway.”

“Believe me, I will!” Laurie said fervently. “That would be wonderful. Will you keep me up to speed on what’s happening – we’re a bit out of things in Switzerland! -, and then I’ll write to them as soon as I know that they’re looking for someone? You will? Thank you. Oh, that would be ideal, if it all worked out.”

“Oh, I should think it will!” Jem said. “Like I said, the fact that you’ve worked at the Swiss branch’ll stand you in very good stead. And I’ll certainly keep you posted on what’s going on.”

“And you could live near Armiford and get from there to the San and back every day, like Jem and Jack used to do when we all lived in Howells,” Madge added. She smiled. “It’d be lovely to have all of you and David nearby … and if you were in Armiford then you wouldn’t be so near us that we’d be able to drive you mad all the time!”

She smiled at Jem. She wasn’t going to say any more because she didn’t want Laurie to feel pressurised, but she knew very well that having his sister’s son-in-law working at the San would mean a lot to Jem. Even without David working there, they’d never really lose touch with the place as long as Laurie was one of its senior doctors, maybe even its Head at some point in the future. Jem smiled back at her, but then he turned his attention back to Daisy, took a deep breath and started speaking again.

“There’s something else I’d like to tell you, Daisy. It’s something that I planned to tell you and Primula together; but I don’t suppose Primula would mind if I told you first, under the circumstances. It’s – ah, a financial matter, though, so maybe we’d be better discussing it somewhere private?”

“I’ll tell you what, why don’t Mum and I walk on and see if we can find somewhere where we can all get a drink?” David suggested tactfully.

“Maybe I should come with you,” Laurie added; but Daisy shook her head and motioned to him to stay. “No more secrets, remember!” she said. And so Laurie, Daisy and Jem all sat down on a nearby bench to talk, whilst Madge and David wandered away from the lake and stayed at a distance until they could see that the conversation seemed to be over.

It took Jem a while to convince Daisy that she should accept a share of the money from the proposed sale of San, and she got a little weepy when he spoke about her mother and the way that she’d been cut off by her own parents, but eventually she agreed on the grounds that it was what Margot would have wanted, and said that she was sure that Primula would see it the same way.
Author:  leahbelle [ Sun Mar 18, 2007 11:57 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Alison. That's lovely of Jem.
Author:  Jennie [ Sun Mar 18, 2007 2:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Alison.
Author:  Fatima [ Sun Mar 18, 2007 3:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
:D It's so nice to see things going well for them all!
Author:  Chair [ Sun Mar 18, 2007 6:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Alison. I'm really glad that they are starting to find solutions to their problems.
Author:  brie [ Sun Mar 18, 2007 7:04 pm ]
Post subject: 
thanks alison

theres not going to be any last minute disasters are there??? because its all going So well...
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Mar 18, 2007 10:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
Good to see it all going well.


Thanks Alison
Author:  Mrs Redboots [ Sun Mar 18, 2007 10:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thank you, Alison.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Sun Mar 18, 2007 10:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
That is very comforting....
Thank you Alison.
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Mar 19, 2007 9:11 am ]
Post subject: 
“Well, hopefully everything’ll soon be settled for all of us, fingers crossed!” Madge said when she and David rejoined the other three. David pointed out that there was still a great deal to sort out and that it didn’t do to count your chickens before they were hatched; but they were all feeling optimistic and allowed themselves a provisional celebration with Tyrolean coffee and cakes, after which Daisy and Laurie excused themselves and said that they’d got things planned for the rest of the day.

“Although we’ll see you at the Gornetz Platz next week, of course,” Daisy said. “Hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in Tyrol before then, though! Have you got anything planned for this afternoon?”

“We’re invited to Das Pferd for Mittagessen: Gottfried’s hoping to get home from the San for an hour or so but he wasn’t sure exactly when, but Gisela said to get there any time we liked,” Madge told her. “It’s a bit early yet, though. Do you know what I fancy doing in the meantime? I’d love to go and have a look round the old School buildings, or at least as near to them as we could get. We might even be able to go inside part of the place, if Irma von Rothenfels is in and she doesn’t mind having unexpected visitors! How about it, you two?”

“All right by me,” Jem said. “I don’t really want to walk much further - my legs’re still a bit stiff from the accident – so I wouldn’t mind a sit-down at Irma’s if she’s in!”

“Would you mind if I didn’t come with you?” David asked. “I’ll see you at Das Pferd in – say an hour from now?” he reassured them hastily. “But I ... well, I don’t really know Frau von Rothenfels. And there’s something else I’d like to do whilst I’m here.”

Madge and Jem both automatically opened their mouths to ask what, but then closed them again without speaking. Their son wasn’t a little boy any more, and it was up to him where he went.

Although it was hard to wonder what he could possibly have to do here at the Tiernsee. Or whom he could possibly want to see.
Author:  Elbee [ Mon Mar 19, 2007 9:23 am ]
Post subject: 
Please go and see Gretchen, David.

Thanks Alison.
Author:  Ruth B [ Mon Mar 19, 2007 9:56 am ]
Post subject: 
Alison H wrote:
Although it was hard to wonder what he could possibly have to do here at the Tiernsee. Or whom he could possibly want to see.


Have they even remembered that Gretchen is now out here? Or don't they know?
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Mar 19, 2007 9:57 am ]
Post subject: 
Pleased Madge and Jem realised David is now an adult - Go David! :lol:



Thanks Alison
Author:  Lottie [ Mon Mar 19, 2007 12:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ruth B wrote:
Alison H wrote:
Although it was hard to wonder what he could possibly have to do here at the Tiernsee. Or whom he could possibly want to see.


Have they even remembered that Gretchen is now out here? Or don't they know?

But even if they have remembered, I'm not sure that they would think that David might want to see her. At least they're starting to recognise that he's grown up now, though.

Thanks, Alison.
Author:  Fatima [ Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:23 pm ]
Post subject: 
How old is David now?

Thanks Alison.
Author:  leahbelle [ Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Alison :D .
Author:  Alison H [ Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
Fatima wrote:
How old is David now?

Thanks Alison.


27.

As best I can work it out!

Coming of Age is set more than 21 years after the school was founded (Sybil was 18 in Coming of Age, making David 20, meaning that he was conceived before Madge and Jem had even met ... and anyway Coming of Age says that the school was founded in an April and it wasn't :? ), and Sybil's age jumps about like mad as she stays 14 for about 3 years in the Welsh books, making it very difficult to say the least to work out David's age. However, doing my best to make sense of the overall picture, I got his age at 27 at this point!
Author:  brie [ Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
thanks alison

and i know what you about aging your characters... i had a nightmare with my ruey universe, and i just gave up in the end.... :lol:
Author:  Lexi [ Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
I muddled the triplets ages by a good few years just so Con could be a Sixties chick and wear a miniskirt :D

*must stop wasting time and get on writing more of the drabble*



Thanks Alison. Sad this is nearing the end but I really hope Gretchen fancies a move to England. Can we have a sequel about David and Daisy in practice if that's what happens by the end of this one?
Author:  Chair [ Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Alison. I wonder whom David is going to see.
Author:  Tara [ Mon Mar 19, 2007 11:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
What a wonderful solution to everyone's problems! You must have a very neat mind , Alison, to have worked this all out so carefully and so satisfactorily. So many loose ends happily tied, but with lots of room for follow-up (gentle hint). Lovely to see Daisy so happy.
Author:  Alison H [ Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:03 am ]
Post subject: 
Gretchen will be staying in Tyrol - she and David weren't meant to get quite so close! - but I thought David should go and see her once more before he went home :D .

“Is Fraulein Monier in?”

The receptionist at the San smiled at him. “It’s Herr Doktor Russell, isn’t it? You were here not so long ago. Yes, Fraulein Monier is in her office. Shall I tell her that you’re here?”

“Oh it’s all right, I’ll just go straight through,” David said. Then, belatedly remembering that this was actually a workplace and that Gretchen’s bosses might not be too keen on her receiving visitors whilst she was meant to be working, he added “Er, on second thoughts, yes – please let her know that I’m waiting in reception.”

The receptionist smiled. She made a brief call, then turned back to David. “You may go through now, Herr Doktor Russell. Through the double doors and then the second door on the right.” She looked at the young Englishman with interest. He had said that he was a doctor, so presumably despite his casual attire he was here on a work-related matter; but something about both his manner and the tone in Gretchen Monier’s voice suggested otherwise. She shrugged. It was none of her business. All the same, Gretchen was a nice girl and it was a shame that she didn’t have a young man. Oh well. Probably he was just here on San-related business.

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

“David! I didn’t expect to see you again before you went back. Is everything all right?” Gretchen looked at him a little nervously as he walked into the room. She hadn’t expected this visit, and seeing him unexpectedly had shaken her a bit.

“Oh – yes, everything’s fine,” he reassured her. “I’m just – er …” Why was he here? He’d forgotten for a moment. How ridiculous was that? “Mum and Dad are here,” he said.

“Here?” She looked puzzled. “Are they waiting in reception?”

“Oh, no – when I said that they were here, I didn’t mean that they were here,” he said rather confusedly. “What I meant was that they were here in Tyrol. They’re just wandering round Briesau trying to get into the old Chalet School buildings at the moment! They turned up at the Schloss Wertheim. Yesterday. They were there when I got back. And I was covered in oil because I got a flat tyre. Sorry, you don’t want to know about that.” He paused. He wasn’t doing very well here, was he?

“Start again, David!” he said. “Oh, Gretchen! They turned up, and Dad started talking about the San. So I told him. I told him that I didn’t want to work at the San and that I was going to be a G.P., and they were all right about it! And Dad’s going to sell the San, and I’m going into partnership with Daisy! My cousin Daisy, I mean. And Laurie’s hoping to get a job at the San in Wales. Everything's going to work out! And I had to come and tell you.”
Author:  Chair [ Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:32 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Alison. I'm glad he went to share his news with Gretchen.
Author:  Lizzie [ Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:34 am ]
Post subject: 
Ahh...

Thanks Alison!
Author:  Jennie [ Tue Mar 20, 2007 12:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
So am I. Now come on, David, propose to the girl. She'd be ideal for him, none of the silly nonsense about giving up work.
Author:  leahbelle [ Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
They would be perfect for each other...
Author:  Fatima [ Tue Mar 20, 2007 4:34 pm ]
Post subject: 
How can you fight such a clamour for romance from your public, Alison? :wink: They really do seem to be just right for each other.
Author:  Kathy_S [ Tue Mar 20, 2007 5:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
David seems smitten to me. :D
Author:  brie [ Tue Mar 20, 2007 6:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
why cant they get too close alison?? why?

thanks
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Mar 20, 2007 7:15 pm ]
Post subject: 
He's got it bad, hasn't he? :lol:


Thanks Alison
Author:  Sandra [ Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
Alison, if they don't get together in this story then we'll definitely need a follow up.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Wed Mar 21, 2007 12:51 am ]
Post subject: 
Gretchen will understand what this means to him. And whatever happens in the future, they have a strong and important friendship.
Author:  Alison H [ Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:38 am ]
Post subject: 
A fortnight ago she’d probably have run round to the other side of the desk and flung her arms round him; but now a strange sort of shyness was preventing her from leaving her chair. But she reached out and touched his hand, her face alight with genuine joy and relief.

“Oh David, that’s the most wonderful news,” she said quietly. “I’m so glad that you’ve finally told them, and I’m even more glad that they took it well: I’ve been so worried about what they might have said.”

“Have you?” David stroked her hand and smiled at her. “Thank you – for caring.”

“Of course I care!” She blushed, and then hastily carried on speaking. “And so Sir James is retiring and selling up? I hadn’t expected that, I have to say; but now that you’ve said it it does make sense. And you’re going to be working with Daisy - she and Laurie are moving back to Britain, then, and she’s going back to work? Oh I am pleased that things’ve been sorted out.”

David looked puzzled. “For Daisy? How do you mean? You don’t sound the slightest bit surprised about her going back to work and her and Laurie leaving Switzerland?” He shook his head. “Did you know something about it beforehand? But how could you have done?”

“Oh, we women have our mysterious ways,” she said, smiling.

“Oh, I know that. I never know what women are thinking.” He was still stroking her hand.

“Don’t you, David?” She looked straight at him and they held each other’s gaze steadily for a few moments. “I really am pleased for all of you, you know,” she said.

“Thank you. That means a lot. And you won’t mention any of this to anyone for the time being, will you? It all needs to be kept under wraps until everyone involved’s been told, so we’re not really telling anyone yet, but … well, you’re a lot more than “anyone”. To me.”

“And you to me,” she said quietly.

The sun streamed in brightly through the window behind her at that point, and David looked through the clear glass to the view that lay beyond – the Sonnalpe and the Tiernsee. “It’s funny the way things turn out, isn’t it?” he said. "You and me both born just a few minutes’ walk from here. Thousands of miles from where either of my parents would ever have been expected to find themselves living. Then, later, being in Armishire, thousands of miles from where either of your parents would ever have been expected to find themselves living.

“And then both of us being expected to end up near the San in Wales, where both our sets of parents are – but, instead, you’re back here, running the administrative side of the “original” San, and I’m hopefully going to be living back in Armishire but as a general practitioner. Things never quite seem to end up as people expect, do they? Sometimes the things that happen are the last things that people expect, when you think about it.”

“We’ve both broken the ties of other people’s expectations, David,” she said. “Daisy too.” She smiled. “You and Daisy’ll work well together. I can see it.”

“Thank you,” he said again. “I certainly hope so.”

He didn’t want to go; but it was time. He had to go and meet his mother and father as he’d agreed, and she had to get on with her work. And so he rose from his chair and held out his arms to her, and she came over to him with only a moment’s hesitation. “Sometimes things happen that we don’t even expect ourselves,” he murmured into her hair as he held her close. “All the best, Gretchen,”

“And to you too,” she said quietly. “Make sure that you write and tell me where things are up to.”

“I will,” he assured her. “I’ll write as often as I can. And you will too, won’t you?”

She nodded. “Of course I will.” She rested her head on his shoulder for a moment. “Goodbye, David.”

“Goodbye,” he said sadly. Then he smiled. “Let’s use the French expression, better. Not "goodbye". Just "au revoir".”
Author:  Ruth B [ Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:43 am ]
Post subject: 
Aww!

If Gretchen and David were to get together, he and Daisy could be ahead of their times and have a Practice Manager! :wink:
Author:  Lizzie [ Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:35 am ]
Post subject: 
I've loved this story, Alison, it has been so lovely.

Is there a Make-Alison-write-a-sequel-in-which-David-and-Gretchen-get-married-petition I can sign? Or maybe I can start it right now...
Author:  Alice [ Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:44 am ]
Post subject: 
That was lovely, thanks Alison.
Author:  Jennie [ Wed Mar 21, 2007 1:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lovely, Alison, thanks.

Ponders whether to start a chant. Any vounteers?
Author:  Lexi [ Wed Mar 21, 2007 1:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lizzie wrote:
I've loved this story, Alison, it has been so lovely.

Is there a Make-Alison-write-a-sequel-in-which-David-and-Gretchen-get-married-petition I can sign? Or maybe I can start it right now...


*adds her name to it*

I don't want this to end :(
Author:  leahbelle [ Wed Mar 21, 2007 1:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
That was a really touching scene between them. Thanks, Alison.
Author:  Miranda [ Wed Mar 21, 2007 1:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
That was such a sweet conversation - they're so perfect for each other!! Awww....

*waits expectantly for the final post*
Author:  Fatima [ Wed Mar 21, 2007 3:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
*signs and sings as appropriate*

Thanks Alison, that was lovely. I really hope they meet again. Soon!
Author:  Chair [ Wed Mar 21, 2007 4:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
*Clare adds her name to the petition*.

Thanks, Alison. I also hope they will meet again soon.
Author:  Lesley [ Wed Mar 21, 2007 5:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
*Another signature to petition*


Thanks Alison - that was lovely.
Author:  Cath V-P [ Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
That was lovely Alison; they understand one another so well.
Author:  Tara [ Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lovely, but not straightforward. It's taken Gretchen such a long time to get back to where she wants to be, to get back home, and David's destiny seems to be leading him back to Armishire.
There's definitely got to be a sequel, Alison!
Author:  JustJen [ Thu Mar 22, 2007 12:55 am ]
Post subject: 
Grabs pen and cheerfully signs the petition
and joins in the chanting
Author:  Alison H [ Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:30 am ]
Post subject: 
Thank you so much for all your lovely comments! Here's the final part.

They didn’t quite get everything sorted out by September; but they weren’t far off. Jem’s potential buyer had indeed retained his interest in the San, and, after several weeks of negotiations involving a lot of to-ing and fro-ing with accountants and solicitors, a price was agreed. A number of the staff there decided to leave when they realised that an extensive programme of change, expansion and modernisation was being planned, and amongst the vacancies arising were two for senior doctors.

Laurie, having explained to Jack Maynard his reasons for wanting to leave Switzerland – omitting the part about how much he and Daisy disliked the atmosphere on the Gornetz Platz - put in an application for one of the vacant posts, asking Jem not to mention to the new owner that the two of them were related. He flew to Britain for an interview and felt that it had gone well; then returned to Switzerland where, after a couple of weeks during which both he and Daisy were on tenterhooks, he received a letter saying that the new Head of the Welsh San was delighted to be able to offer him a position there. He wrote to accept it by return of post.

David and Daisy, after a couple of false starts involving opportunities which initially sounded promising but came to nothing, found an elderly doctor who was looking to retire and sell his practice a few miles out of Armiford. Really, it had become too much for one person to manage, with all the new houses that had been built in the area since 1945, he told them; but it would suit the two of them down to the ground. Daisy was convinced that she and Laurie would never be able to get Tony into the cathedral school in Armiford at such short notice, but somehow they did; and if Jem had pulled a few strings just this once in order to help them then he never said anything about it.

Helped by Daisy’s old friend Gwensi Howell, who was still living in the area, they found a house in Howells Village, close enough to both the San and the surgery to be convenient for both of them, and not far from the house that David had bought for himself a little closer to Armiford. Madge and Jem were delighted to have them all living nearby - although they did reassure them that they wouldn’t be calling round all the time!

Daisy moved to Howells with Tony, Peter and Mary at the end of the summer so that all three children could start their new schools at the beginning of the academic year, whilst Laurie remained in Switzerland for a few weeks longer to finish sorting out their affairs there. Jack had said that he’d be sorry to see Laurie leave the Swiss San, but that he understood the Rosomons’ reasons for wanting to return to Britain. Joey hadn’t seemed able to understand why they wanted to leave, but had been very happy when Reg Entwistle decided to take over their house. “It means that Len’ll be near enough for me to pop in whenever I like,” she’d said merrily. “Although why you don’t want to stay on the Gornetz Platz I really don’t know, Daisy! Still, good luck to you all the same!”

David wrote one his now-regular long letters to Gretchen on the day that he gave in his notice at the hospital in London and started to prepare for his move to Armishire. “This is it!”he wrote. “From now on, no more living purely by other people’s rules. We’ve shaken off the chains, and now it’s time for our lives to move forward!”
Author:  keren [ Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:46 am ]
Post subject: 
great,
I kept looking to see when you posted and now I got it.
Lovely end, good sentence and carefully kept an open ending

although I do not have always time to comment, I love your stories as they take a clear CS series supposition and turn it on its head!
Author:  ibarhis [ Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:01 am ]
Post subject: 
The point with Gretchen is surely that she wants to make the choice... not that she HAS to be in any particular place....
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:41 am ]
Post subject: 
keren wrote:
great,
I kept looking to see when you posted and now I got it.
Lovely end, good sentence and carefully kept an open ending

although I do not have always time to comment, I love your stories as they take a clear CS series supposition and turn it on its head!


My sentiments exactly and I'm now going to buck the trend and ask for a story about Primula please. I kept thinking about her during this drabble and she doesn't seem to get much of a look in. (Looks pleadingly at Alison)
I've really loved this drabble and can't wait for your next one. Thanks
Author:  MaryR [ Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:43 am ]
Post subject: 
Thank you, Alison. It has been a riveting read. :D
Author:  Elbee [ Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:45 am ]
Post subject: 
Lovely story, thank you Alison.

(Would love to see a David/Gretchen sequel one day..... :wink:)
Author:  Chair [ Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:12 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Alison. I'm glad that the jobs have worked out for everyone. I really hope that there will be sequel.
Author:  Lottie [ Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:38 am ]
Post subject: 
It's great to see them all settled so happily at the end. :D I love the bit about Joey not understanding why they want to leave the Gornetz Platz. :roll: It would be nice if David and Gretchen were to get together - they do seem to get along very well, but I don't think she wants to leave the Tyrol, so it could be difficult.

Thanks, Alison, for another lovely drabble.
Author:  Lizzie [ Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:40 am ]
Post subject: 
Lovely, thanks Alison!
Author:  JustJen [ Thu Mar 22, 2007 12:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well done Alison!
Author:  Jennie [ Thu Mar 22, 2007 12:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Alison. Great ending, and just a hint of what might be to come.
Author:  leahbelle [ Thu Mar 22, 2007 4:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thank you, Alison. This has been a wonderful read and I'm so glad things are working out for everyone. Looking forward to the next drabble.... :lol:
Author:  Mrs Redboots [ Thu Mar 22, 2007 5:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thank you, Alison. I thoroughly enjoyed that story, and am looking forward to reading any others you care to write.
Author:  Fatima [ Thu Mar 22, 2007 5:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
I did have to smile about them leaving out the bit about disliking the atmosphere on the Gornetz Platz! Thanks Alison, that was a wonderful read. :D
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:19 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Alison - that was really excellent. :lol:
Author:  Vikki [ Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
Fabulous! Thank you Alison, so glad everything seems to be working out for the best for them all!
Author:  Rosy-Jess [ Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
Please please please may we have the David/Gretchen fill in?

*makes big eyes and looks hopeful*
Author:  KathrynW [ Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thank you Alison, have done a big catch up of this and so sad that it's no over :(

I think we definitely need a sequel!
Author:  Cath V-P [ Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thank you Alison; it was good to see that they could make the necessary changes and do so without alienating other people. Hopefully, things will go well for them all in the future.

Felt a definite twinge of symapthy for Len . . . :D
Author:  Tara [ Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thank you, Alison, I've enjoyed this so much, and it's been invigorating to have such a very positive and affectionate take on the whole family.
Author:  jennifer [ Fri Mar 23, 2007 3:20 am ]
Post subject: 
How about *Len's* fill-n, about setting up housekeeping when your mother has a stated desire to just pop in whenever she feels like it. :lol:

The problem I see with Gretchen and David is that for their romance to progress, she *would* have to give up her job and move back to where her family is, after all her effort in training and going to Austria and becoming a valued employee there.
Author:  Karoline [ Fri Mar 23, 2007 8:45 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Alison, I've really enjoyed this one :)
Author:  Miranda [ Fri Mar 23, 2007 12:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
This has been wonderful Alison, thank you!!

*eagerly awaits sequel*
Author:  brie [ Fri Mar 23, 2007 8:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
thanks alison!! that waslovely

im waiting eagerly for you to start writing a david/gretchen filler though!!
Author:  Katherine [ Sat Mar 24, 2007 6:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Alison, that was great the way it all fitted together so neatly.
May I put in a plea for another Alison Drabble? Any drabble!
Author:  Ex-Admin-Liss [ Tue Mar 27, 2007 10:52 am ]
Post subject: 
Ee, that were good! I'm so pleased it worked out for everyone, and that Daisy, Laurie and David had the guts to go for what they wanted in the end. Hope to see more in this series before too long!!

:parrot:
Author:  Dawn [ Thu Mar 29, 2007 3:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
Really enjoyed this and am also one of the "looking forward to a sequel" party
Author:  LizB [ Fri Apr 20, 2007 8:02 am ]
Post subject: 
Have FINALLY read all of this - thanks, Alison, it was all fab.

And the ending was just right, although of course I'd like to hear more about David and Gretchen and if their friendship ever goes anywhere ...

:D
Author:  wheelchairprincess [ Tue May 01, 2007 10:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
Found the time to catch up with this at last - and re-read the earlier thread first. It's brilliant Alison and I really enjoyed it. Thanks.
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