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Summer Holiday (updated 25/12/10) http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=7173 |
Author: | Nightwing [ Fri Jan 08, 2010 3:54 am ] |
Post subject: | Summer Holiday (updated 25/12/10) |
This is the sequel-slash-second-part to A Visitor for Margot and will probably make very little sense if you haven't read the first (and hopefully will make sense if you have ). Thanks again to everyone who read the first part - hopefully this one will live up to your expectations! Somewhere in the Middle-East, free from worry over the infrequently shifting borders and increasingly confusing politics - at least, mostly - stood a small but busy camp-site. Its occupants were not there for a pleasure trip, although perhaps one might think so if he or she were to visit after the group's evening meal, when it wasn't unusual for a few too many glasses of what might pass for wine to be drunk. No, this group was there to, they hoped, discover something new and exciting - evidence of Alexander, perhaps? Or the Romans? Or perhaps from an even more ancient civilisation. It wouldn't, of course, be their dig once something - if anything - had been discovered, but most of them were young enough and passionate enough not to care about that, not yet. Right now it was lunchtime. Most of the group was taking lunch where they worked, but those who were expecting - or at least hoping for - mail were crowding around the young man who had taken his turn to visit the nearest town that morning. "Don't be so impatient," he told them all severely, in English that was slightly tinged with a Spanish accent. "If you hold your horses I will call out your names." He did so, and the crowd slowly melted away as people left to read letters or went back to the site in disappointment. Finally, he was left with only one other person - a tall, fair girl with bright blue eyes whose long hair was pulled out of her way into a coronet plait. He flashed a smile at her. "Nothing for you today, Maria." "Liar!" she replied, although her voice lacked venom. "You always hide my mail, Angelo. And I thought I told you to call me by my proper name!" "You'll have to tell me again," he teased, but he gave in and produced a pile of mail that was rather larger than anyone else's. "It's not fair that you get so many more letters than everyone else." "It also means I have to reply to more letters than everyone else," the girl responded tartly. Then, "Oh, gosh! It's a letter from Auntie Jo." Her tone had changed completely, and her usually solemn face lit up with a smile. "She's going to be in Wales," she said, as her eyes scanned the letter, "and I won't be able to go to Carn Beg, not unless things here wrap up soon!" There was real longing in her voice as she spoke and Angelo's eyes softened. "I'd like to see your house in Wales one day, Maria," he said. "You won't get to if you don't start calling me Mary-Lou," she grumbled. "Was that everything of mine? Good! I better write to Clem straight away and see if she can get across to Plas Gwyn to open it up, for I shan't be able to." She strode off, clasping her pile of letters tightly. Most young men would undoubtedly have been dismayed at being dismissed in such an off-hand manner, but Angelo had known Mary-Lou Trelawney for some time now, and knew that the mention of her home in Wales must have reminded her of her mother. It had not been so long ago that she had died, after all; and for now, he was content to simply be a friend to the still-grieving girl. Whistling, he went to see about getting himself some lunch. |
Author: | jmc [ Fri Jan 08, 2010 4:42 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday |
Yay, part two! So Mary-Lou sill knows Joey in this universe. Thanks Nightwing |
Author: | Lesley [ Fri Jan 08, 2010 7:09 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday |
Mary Lou with long hair? Does that mean she never had the accident and her hair didn't become curly? Lovely to see more of this, Nightwing. |
Author: | JB [ Fri Jan 08, 2010 8:46 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday |
Thanks, Nightwing. Looking forward to seeing where this goes. |
Author: | JS [ Fri Jan 08, 2010 9:44 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday |
Tremendous to see this back - and such an intriguing start too. |
Author: | Abi [ Fri Jan 08, 2010 12:01 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday |
Oooh goody! How fun to see Mary-Lou as an archaeologist. Thanks Nightwing, glad to see more of this. |
Author: | abbeybufo [ Fri Jan 08, 2010 1:06 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday |
Great to see this new part - & looking forward to more |
Author: | Alison H [ Fri Jan 08, 2010 1:15 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday |
Angelo seems quite interested in Mary-Lou ... |
Author: | PaulineS [ Fri Jan 08, 2010 5:04 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday |
Thanks for starting the follow up. Looking forward to this. |
Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Fri Jan 08, 2010 5:06 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday |
Hmm, Angelo, eh? Thanks - it's really good to see the next part! |
Author: | Mrs Redboots [ Sat Jan 09, 2010 11:03 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday |
Thanks, Nightwing. I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy this. |
Author: | Emma A [ Tue Jan 12, 2010 3:32 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday |
Glad that your second part is starting, Nightwing. I really did enjoy your alternative universe. And so Doris has only just died, eh? I wonder whether Verity is a lot less moony here (or perhaps Cdr Carey didn't marry Doris after all?). Oh, the possibilities! Thanks! |
Author: | di [ Fri Jan 15, 2010 6:40 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday |
Good to see more from you, Nightwing. It will be interesting to read more about Mary-Lou and her chosen career. Many thanks. |
Author: | Nightwing [ Thu Jan 21, 2010 7:40 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday |
Lesley wrote: Mary Lou with long hair? Does that mean she never had the accident and her hair didn't become curly?. No Margot at the CS in Mary-Lou - so no accident! (Although I suspect that Emerence still managed to find herself in more than one life-threatening situation without Margot's help.) Thanks for the comments, everyone Erica may have been at the Chalet School for less than a term, but she had always been an early riser; and even now, over a week since the holidays had begun, she found herself wide awake at the same time that the rising bell would have been ringing. It took her a moment to orientate herself. She had been dreaming of her mother's private rooms in the consulate in India, and had fully expected to see her when she awoke; instead she found herself not there, but in a room that was almost completely unfamiliar to her. She felt a rush of sadness as she remembered just why she wasn't with her mother, but she staved it off by dint of biting her bottom lip and clenching her fists firmly. Erica sat up and took a proper look around the room. Con had said last night that it had belonged to two Scottish twins, which had seemed a little improbable, but there hadn't been time to ask what she had meant. It was green and white, and two gay paintings hanging on the walls; to one side was a dresser, where she was to put her things once she had unpacked; and against the opposite wall, a small bookcase. Her bedclothes, on the other hand, were "a regular mishmash", as Auntie Jo had said last night; she had handed each of the girls whatever she could find from linen cupboard to make up their beds with before tumbling in to them. Erica noticed now that she had been sleeping under a quilt, and wondered who had made it - Auntie Jo had made it clear that while she was happy to knit, darn, and sew on buttons, the type of work that went into quilting held no attraction to her. Sunshine was already streaming into the room as Erica had somehow forgotten to pull the curtains shut last night. She went to them now, and opened them fully, looking eagerly outside. Down below was a garden, which seemed rather wild and unkempt; and beyond that, a lane, and what might be an orchard stretching out beyond that. Where was the nearest neighbour? When they had arrived, quite late last night, Margot had said that she'd take Erica for a walk when she woke up, but that wouldn't be for a little while yet - apart from Len and Auntie Jo, the Maynard family were sluggish in the mornings as a rule. Erica had been very pleased at the offer. She'd built up quite an admiration for the youngest of the triplets in the time she knew her, although she couldn't say why. Part of it was Val's influence, of course, as her friend seemed to think that everything Margot touched would turn into gold, but Erica liked her for her own sake, too. Len was easily the most approachable of the three sisters, and always seemed to know what Erica was trying to say without her having to say it; but Margot's liveliness had captured Erica's imagination, as had the supremely calm expression she wore when she was talking about things that were important - as though she knew something, or felt something, that no one else did, and was waiting for you to find out what it was, too. Well, it was too soon to expect Margot to be awake, anyway. Erica went to the bookcase and triumphantly seized upon The Phoenix and the Carpet, who was an old friend of hers. She pulled the quilt off the bed, and, rolling herself in it and lying full-length on the floor, settled in for a read. |
Author: | JB [ Thu Jan 21, 2010 7:57 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 21/01/10) |
Thanks, Nightwing. This is a fascinating universe. |
Author: | Alison H [ Thu Jan 21, 2010 9:15 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 21/01/10) |
Looking forward to seeing how everything comes together. |
Author: | Lisa_T [ Thu Jan 21, 2010 9:46 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 21/01/10) |
Also loving this AU and looking forward to more! I did giggle at the thought of everything Margot touching turning to gold, though, but Erica's hero-worship is very sweet - a counterpart to Jack's adoration of Len in canon? |
Author: | Abi [ Thu Jan 21, 2010 10:02 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 21/01/10) |
Ah, this is lovely! Thanks Nightwing! |
Author: | Miss Di [ Fri Jan 22, 2010 2:15 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 21/01/10) |
Thanks for the update and looking forward to more! |
Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Fri Jan 22, 2010 11:10 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 21/01/10) |
I do so love the way you write the triplets - thankyou. |
Author: | Mrs Redboots [ Fri Jan 22, 2010 7:12 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 21/01/10) |
Thank you, Nightwing! I love your universe. |
Author: | shazwales [ Fri Jan 22, 2010 8:05 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 21/01/10) |
Thanks Nightwing,good to see more of this |
Author: | claireM [ Mon Jan 25, 2010 1:30 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 21/01/10) |
Glad to see more of this, thanks. |
Author: | Cath V-P [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 7:45 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 21/01/10) |
I like the way we're seeing more of Erica. |
Author: | Nightwing [ Sat Feb 13, 2010 6:54 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday |
Lisa_T wrote: Erica's hero-worship is very sweet - a counterpart to Jack's adoration of Len in canon? There may be a certain symmetry there but hopefully Erica won't turn out to be anything like Jack! Thanks for the comments, everyone, and sorry for the long delay between posts! I will try to do better in the future Erica had read as far as the children taking the phoenix to see a London fire-station when she heard what sounded like a door clicking shut. Could that have been Margot? Or, no - more likely to be Len, if no one else was awake yet. Erica was seized by a sudden need to get up. She hastily made up her bed and scrambled into yesterday's clothes, and crept softly downstairs to see who it was. There was nobody there at all, a disappointed Erica quickly realised. Perhaps whoever she'd heard had just got up to get a glass of water and had gone back to bed again. Well, they mightn't be up, but she certainly was! She didn't dare explore too much of the house, either, not if everyone else was still sleeping. If only Margot had been awake! Then they could gone for their walk. Could she go by herself? She needn't walk very far - she almost certainly wouldn't get lost, not if she stuck to the road. She tried several rooms before she found the one that lead to the entry-way, and was pleased to see that Uncle Jack had left the front door key hanging from a hook nearby. She unlatched the door, and unlocked it, and stepped out into the gentle morning sunshine. Up close, the gardens looked even wilder than they had from her room; and yet, Erica thought she could see how they must have looked before they had stopped being looked after. How pretty Plas Gwyn must have been then - how pretty it still was, in fact! Had this been Aunt Joey's first house? It must have been, since Con had told her the three of them grew up there. It must have been awfully hard to have to give it up and go to Canada. It must have been nice, too, to grow up in a house that was all yours and no one else's. After Erica's father had died, her mother had taken a secretarial job at the British Embassy, in India; she had her own rooms there, and Erica her own bedroom, once she was old enough, but since she was little she'd known that there were people close enough to hear her, if she shouted or cried, or even laughed too loud. And then they'd gone to Kashmir, up to the hills where Mum's doctor had thought that the clear air might do her some good. They'd had some good times there, too, in the little cottage that was all theirs. Mum had been so much happier there, and Miss Waller - newly engaged - had relaxed enough that it had almost seemed like a holiday. Only Mum hadn't got any better, and... Erica hurriedly scrubbed her eyes. Fat lot of good crying would do her! Mum had told her not to, anyway. She was with Dad, now, and she hadn't seen him since Erica was just a baby. And Erica had Aunty Jo and Uncle Jack and the triplets - it would just be selfish, wishing Mum hadn't died. "I say, are you alright?" Erica started, and let out the half-sob she had been trying to swallow. A tall, blonde-haired lady was standing by the front gate, her arms full of groceries. "I- I'm fine," she stammered. "No, you're not," the lady said bluntly. "It's Erica, isn't it? You'd better let me in, or none of you will be having any breakfast." Confused, but startled out of her tears - for now, anyway - Erica obediently opened the gate and let the lady in. |
Author: | Lesley [ Sat Feb 13, 2010 7:33 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 13/02/10) |
Good to see more of this - now is this Mary Lou, or some other blond woman! Thanks Nightwing |
Author: | Alison H [ Sat Feb 13, 2010 8:41 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 13/02/10) |
Presumably she'd've noticed an Austrian accent if it'd been Anna, and I can't think of any other blonde lady likely to be there so I'm also assuming it's Mary-Lou. |
Author: | JB [ Sat Feb 13, 2010 8:58 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 13/02/10) |
Good to see this back, Nightwing. |
Author: | di [ Sat Feb 13, 2010 9:21 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 13/02/10) |
Sounds like Mary -Lou, no- one else would comment on then continue, ignoring the fact that Erica had been crying. I'm sure though, that once inside she will talk to her to find out what the tears are about. Thanks, Nightwing. |
Author: | cal562301 [ Sat Feb 13, 2010 9:35 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 13/02/10) |
Thanks, nightwing. Glad to see more of this. I too think it must be Mary-Lou. |
Author: | MaryR [ Sat Feb 13, 2010 12:38 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 13/02/10) |
Just caught up with this, Nightwing, and thoroughly enjoying it. |
Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Sat Feb 13, 2010 3:27 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 13/02/10) |
Thanks for the update - I'm going to go with everyone else on OOAO, because the character suits her so well, but I'd never realised before that she was blonde! |
Author: | ivohenry [ Sat Feb 13, 2010 7:49 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 13/02/10) |
Good to see more of this. Please can we soon hear a bit more background about the Maynards in this universe. You gave us a hint in Visitor for Margot ....................... "Really, Joey, you do talk nonsense! That wasn't the same situation at all. Your three have only had four years away from you, and you and Jack have visited them as much as you possibly could." Hilda's tone became softer as she went on, "You're not going to lose them, Jo. I know how much the three of them meant to you, after you lost little Stephen and Charles - and how hard it was, for you to make the decision to send them to school so far away from you! - but they love you too much to reject you just because you are generous enough to welcome another child into your home." Joey dashed her hand across her eyes. She still missed her two small sons; she knew she probably always would. She also still found it much too difficult to talk about them, too; but there was compassion in Hilda's eyes, and she knew her friend understood. "I was hoping to have my girls over for afternoon tea during the week," was all she said. ......................... but you didn't say what did happen to Stephen and Charles. Please tell us... |
Author: | Nightwing [ Sat Feb 13, 2010 9:44 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 13/02/10) |
ivohenry wrote: but you didn't say what did happen to Stephen and Charles. Please tell us... I'm a horrible tease, aren't I? Don't worry,more backstory is coming... at some point. Slowly slowly catchee monkey |
Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Sat Feb 13, 2010 10:28 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 13/02/10) |
You'll never catch me! But I fear that I must second the request for you to stop teasing. I'd forgotten that until now... |
Author: | Abi [ Sat Feb 13, 2010 11:27 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 13/02/10) |
Nightwing wrote: ivohenry wrote: but you didn't say what did happen to Stephen and Charles. Please tell us... I'm a horrible tease, aren't I? Don't worry,more backstory is coming... at some point. Slowly slowly catchee monkey Oh, I am cotched all right! But enjoying this very much despite my detestation of mysteries. Thanks Nightwing! |
Author: | Lisa_T [ Sun Feb 14, 2010 12:23 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 13/02/10) |
...says the creator of 'Augusta', who sees mysteries when there aren't any! I thought the blonde woman was Rosalie. Sounds more like Rosalie than OOAO to me, but maybe she doesn't exist in the universe? I love the insight to Erica here, especially since it also applies in canon. For all that there's an entire book devoted to her, we never really get to know her, do we? |
Author: | Nightwing [ Mon Feb 15, 2010 6:46 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday |
ChubbyMonkey wrote: Thanks for the update - I'm going to go with everyone else on OOAO, because the character suits her so well, but I'd never realised before that she was blonde! She has "light brown" hair, usually, but there is method to the madness, I swear . Thanks for the comments, everyone! Erica trailed after the lady into the house. She clearly knew her way around, unlike Erica, as she went straight to the kitchen without having to check which door went to which room first. Erica wondered if she should demand to know who she was, but that seemed rude - but she couldn't help but feel a knot of resentment in her chest, that this person had first interrupted her and then inserted herself calmly into the Maynard's home. "Here," the lady said. "Bread and jam and a glass of milk. Not much of a breakfast, I know, but I don't want to start banging pans around trying to find something to boil eggs in!" Erica silently sat down at the kitchen table and took the offered plate and glass. The milk was cool, and the bread fresh, and it was certainly tempting, but instead of sampling it she gathered her courage and said, "Aren't you going to tell me who you are?" The lady's eyebrow's shot up in surprise, and then she grinned. Up until then her face had seemed quite sad, but the smile lit it up and Erica saw she was rather younger than she had first appeared. "Sorry!" she said. "I meant to introduce myself straight away, only then I saw you were crying and I didn't want to interrupt - but if I'd waited the milk would have started to warm, so I had to say something, and by then I'd quite forgotten that I hadn't said who I was. I knew who you are, of course - Aunt Joey told me a little about you - and I'm Mary-Lou Trelawney. I'm one of your neighbours, for the moment! You are alright, aren't you? I thought if you'd gone outside to cry it was probably private, and I don't really want to pry." Erica looked up into Mary-Lou's face, and saw that there was deep sympathy in her blue eyes. It was so unexpected, after her bossy manner of only a few seconds ago, that the younger girl had to quickly look back down at her bread and jam. "I didn't come outside to cry," she said, a trifle incoherently, "it just - happened." She risked a look at Mary-Lou after she spoke, and saw some fleeting emotion flash across her face. "It does, sometimes, doesn't it?" Mary-Lou said, and it seemed like she wasn't really talking to Erica but to herself, instead. Then the moment was gone and she smiled again. "I won't press you further - you ought to eat up! I suppose I should tell you what I'm doing here?" Erica tentatively returned the smile, deciding that she liked Mary-Lou after all. She really was bossy, but at the same time, there was something about her - as though she was just the kind of person who you'd want to take charge of things, because she'd probably get it exactly right. "You must be like me," she offered. "Aunt Joey isn't really your aunt, either. Did you used to live with her?" "No - although she certainly had plenty of boarders staying with her when I first met her! - I made friends with the triplets when I first moved here, and then I made friends with their cousin, Josette, and her mother let me call her 'auntie' and Aunt Joey extended the same courtesy. She was quite good friends with my mother, until Uncle Jack took the family to Canada, and she was always awfully kind to me." "Are you the same age as Margot and the others, then?" Erica asked, curious. "Mercy me, no! I'm four years older - practically ancient, in fact." There was laughter in Mary-Lou's voice, and again her face lit up. Was she really only twenty-two? Erica could believe it, when she smiled like that, but the rest of the time she looked as though she was much older - thirty, maybe, although Erica only had a hazy idea of what a thirty-year-old must look like. "Were you at the Chalet School?" Erica asked, interested. "I was indeed! I wish I could say that it was the best days of my life, but I'm afraid that my career's rather trumped them, now!" Erica opened her mouth to ask what it was that Mary-Lou did, because whatever it was would have to be absolutely miraculous to be better than the Chalet School, but hurriedly closed it again as the kitchen door swung open. There, her hair tousled and a frown on her face, stood Margot, and from the way she looked Erica was sure she must have done something wrong. |
Author: | Lesley [ Mon Feb 15, 2010 7:00 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 15/02/10) |
Like that Erica managed to ask Mary Lou who she was! Of course Mary Lou would be sympathetic - having recently been through the same grief as Erica. Thanks Nightwing |
Author: | Alison H [ Mon Feb 15, 2010 8:00 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 15/02/10) |
Glad to hear Mary-Lou's career's going well - how refreshing to hear someone say that their career trumps their CS days! |
Author: | JS [ Mon Feb 15, 2010 8:50 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 15/02/10) |
Oh dear, why is Margot upset. I wonder. So many cliffs. Thanks Nightwing. |
Author: | JB [ Mon Feb 15, 2010 9:37 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 15/02/10) |
What a touching scene. Thanks, Nightwing. |
Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Mon Feb 15, 2010 10:14 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 15/02/10) |
Oh no, what's wrong with Margot? It's nice to see a much nicer Mary-Lou here! Thankyou. |
Author: | di [ Mon Feb 15, 2010 10:18 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 15/02/10) |
How brave of Erica to ask Mary-Lou who she was- is she going to become another version of our OOAO, I wonder as that's exactly what Mary-Lou would have done in her younger days. What's wrong with Margot I wonder- I hope she's just a little cross because the voices have woken her from her slumbers. Thanks, Nightwing. |
Author: | shazwales [ Tue Feb 16, 2010 4:51 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 15/02/10) |
Thanks Nightwing. |
Author: | jmc [ Tue Feb 16, 2010 7:45 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 15/02/10) |
Is Margot not happy to see Mary-lou for some reason? Thanks Nightwing. |
Author: | Nightwing [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 5:22 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday |
Sorry for the long wait, again . I went off on a huge tangent, and then decided that that particular storyline wasn't going to fit into this drabble at all and hard to start planning again from the beginning! Mary-Lou's quick glance from Margot's furrowed brow to Erica's worried face told her something that she hadn't yet gleaned from her conversation with the younger girl, and she couldn't help but feel a little surprised. The Margot she'd known from a very young girl to a somewhat immature Senior would never have cared enough about the younger girls to worry about them, and yet here she was, plainly doing just that. It was a little strange, seeing her suddenly so grown-up - but Mary-Lou was glad she'd come back to Carn Beg, after all. It would be good to get to know the triplets again, now that they were all almost adults. "Aren't you even going to say hello?" she demanded out loud. Margot's frown deepened, and then her face broke into a smile. "Mary-Lou!" she exclaimed. "Gosh - I didn't recognise you! I thought you were still in - Jordan, or somewhere? Your hair!" Mary-Lou laughed a little self-consciously and reached up to touch the smooth plaits which had been bleached by the very un-European weather. "I know, but when you've been slaving away in the hot sun for weeks on end you can only expect it to get lighter, you know. I didn't even notice it until - well, anyway, until someone pointed it out!" Margot half-shook her head. "But what are you doing here? Mama said you weren't going to be coming." "I wasn't - but that's rather a long story; I'd rather not tell it just yet. Sit down, won't you? I was just feeding Erica." Margot sat, apparently not interested in asking any more questions just now, and glanced side-long at Erica. "You gave me rather a fright you know. You weren't in your room and I couldn't see you outside - I thought maybe you'd gone off for a walk without me." "Oh, I wouldn't do that!" Erica said, a little too hastily. Not much harm could have come to the girl if she had, Mary-Lou knew, but perhaps it was a good thing she had turned up when she did. "I know," Margot replied, "and I'm sorry for thinking you might have! I thought you might have been bored waiting for me to wake up and join you." She flashed a sudden cheeky grin at Mary-Lou, who guffawed, knowing that at Erica's age Margot herself probably would have done just that. "I must have set my watch wrongly last night; I thought it was two hours earlier than it actually is, which is why I wasn't in any hurry to get out of bed. It wasn't until I saw the hall clock just now that I realised, either." "It's not that late," Mary-Lou put in. "I mean, it is, but since you are the only two awake you can hardly call it late late." "She's not the only one awake," came a sleepy voice, and Con joined the group in the kitchen, still dressed in her pyjamas and with her long black pigtails tumbling out of their plaits. "Hello Mary-Lou. I don't suppose you brought any honey, did you?" "You and your sweet tooth," Margot said scornfully. "Honestly, Con, shouldn't you just be happy Mary-Lou thought to bring us breakfast?" "The jam's very nice," Erica put in diplomatically. "It's blueberry." "It's not much of a breakfast," Mary-Lou said easily. "But I knew it would keep the wolf from the door until Aunt Joey had decided what she was doing with you. I never dreamed for a moment you'd all be so lazy as to still be sleeping this time of the day." Her tone was gently teasing, but the usually placid Con didn't rise to the bait. "I don't see the point of getting up when I don't have to," she said. "Bed's the best place for thinking, anyway." She helped herself to a thick slice of bread that Margot hadn't got around to eating yet, coolly ignoring Margot's protestations. "If you two were going for a walk why don't you go after you've eaten?" Mary-Lou suggested. "You can walk me as far as Carn Beg." "Are you leaving already?" Margot asked, sounding disappointed. "But we haven't even seen you properly yet." "I didn't really come for a proper visit," Mary-Lou explained. "I don't think you're quite ready for visitors yet!" "But you're not a visitor," Con said seriously. "I mean, not in a fancy parlour sort of way! We'll tell Mama to invite you over for Abendessen; she won't say no." "Well, if she does I'll come, but I won't expect anything." And to forestall further argument Mary-Lou turned the conversation to the latest news from the school. |
Author: | di [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:00 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 16/03/10) |
Thanks for the update, Nightwing, and so pleased that Margot isn't cross with Erica. Looking forward to more! |
Author: | Lesley [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:07 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 16/03/10) |
Love the easy relationship between Margot/Con and Mary Lou. Good to see more of this - thanks Nightwing |
Author: | jmc [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:18 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 16/03/10) |
Nice to see Mary-Lou fitting in so well with them all but wondering just why she has turned up suddenly. Glad to see this back. Thanks Nightwing |
Author: | Alison H [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:44 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 16/03/10) |
Also wondering why Mary-Lou's turned up suddenly ... unless she's on the run from the good-looking bloke we saw her with earlier in the drabble . |
Author: | JS [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:10 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 16/03/10) |
Maybe the nice chap will follow her from Jordan?? Good to see this back, thanks Nightwing. |
Author: | JB [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:18 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 16/03/10) |
I like Mary Lou here - and who is the "someone" who noticed her hair? Thanks Nightwing. Good to see this back. |
Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:17 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 16/03/10) |
Would have to agree with Con that bed is the bed place for thinking! A nice warm one, when the duvet's been on a couple of days and is all soft and falls just right around you, and the weather is pleasantly warm and just shining through the curtains... Sorry, got a bit lost there. Not that I'm lazy or anything. Thanks for the update. |
Author: | Abi [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 4:59 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 16/03/10) |
Mary-Lou's really nice in this - thanks for the update, Nightwing! |
Author: | PaulineS [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:35 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 16/03/10) |
Thanks good to know Margot did not recognise Mary Lou and that was why she was frowning. |
Author: | Fiona Mc [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:41 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 16/03/10) |
Thanks that was wonderful |
Author: | Miss Di [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 2:26 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 16/03/10) |
Nice to see this back, thanks. |
Author: | shazwales [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 4:52 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 16/03/10) |
Thank you Nightwing |
Author: | brie [ Wed Mar 24, 2010 9:07 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 16/03/10) |
Okay. i'm going to bump this up now, and beg for another update please! |
Author: | Nightwing [ Wed Apr 14, 2010 9:15 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday |
Thanks you for the comments! By the time Margot and Erica had returned from their walk, the rest of the family was awake, and Joey had everyone opening windows and airing bedding. The bags that Mary-Lou had sent over earlier had included a dozen fresh eggs, and now Jack was in the kitchen, dutifully poaching them. "I didn't know you cooked," Margot said doubtfully when she saw him. "Well, your mother can't do everything - although it's not exactly easy to convince her that much. Where's young Erica?" "She's gone upstairs - Mama called out the window to us when we got home and said we were to come and help," Margot explained, "but I wanted to say good morning to you first." "Good. I've got something to say to you while we're alone. This isn't just a holiday for you girls, you know. Your mother needs a rest as well, and I want you three to make sure she gets one. I don't mean you're going to have to give up your own fun," he added, as Margot opened her mouth to reply, "but I want you to make sure you take your own turns at those jobs you so lovingly leave with her most of the time." "We're not kids any more, Dad," Margot replied, a touch heatedly. "I know we used to be fearful brats about - well, everything - but we haven't been like that for years. Honestly, has Mama had to- to make our beds, or ask us to set the table, or anything like that?" Jack looked shocked at this outburst. For a moment Margot wondered if she'd gone too far, speaking to her father like that, but the look disappeared and he simply said, "That being the case, perhaps you would be so good as to set the table now? Breakfast is almost ready," and turned back to the stove, leaving Margot to do as she was told. Jack had been shocked, although not at Margot's hint of temper. He had just realised that despite his daughters' heights and their high status at school, he was still seeing them as the wild children Joey had almost broken her heart over sending away to boarding school. 'But they're adults now,' he thought as he prodded a piece of bacon, 'and they're going to resent not being treated like it. I wonder if we're right, not telling them everything? But then, worrying won't do them any good either.' This was clearly something that needed to be discussed with Jo - it was beyond him! In the meantime, the bacon appeared to be burning. He hurriedly dished it out, at sent Margot flying upstairs to call the rest of his family down to the morning meal. |
Author: | PaulineS [ Wed Apr 14, 2010 9:24 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 14/04/10) |
Thanks for the update. Wondering if Joey is alright or if she is going to be busy? |
Author: | Abi [ Wed Apr 14, 2010 9:31 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 14/04/10) |
I hope they decide to tell the triplets everything - I want to know! Thanks for the update, Nightwing. |
Author: | Alison H [ Wed Apr 14, 2010 9:34 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 14/04/10) |
Good to see this back. |
Author: | Kathy_S [ Wed Apr 14, 2010 10:36 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 14/04/10) |
Oh, good, an update. *has lots of questions* |
Author: | jmc [ Thu Apr 15, 2010 5:42 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday |
Nightwing wrote: The bags that Mary-Lou had sent over earlier had included a dozen fresh eggs, and now Jack was in the kitchen, dutifully poaching them. "I didn't know you cooked," Margot said doubtfully when she saw him. "Well, your mother can't do everything - although it's not exactly easy to convince her that much. Is it more that Jo's cooking is so bad that Jack had to learn. Is Anna around in this? What aren't they telling them? Hope Jo is Ok. Thanks Nightwing |
Author: | Lesley [ Thu Apr 15, 2010 5:47 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 14/04/10) |
Good for Margot - Jack needed to hear that. Also wondering about Anna and about the hints re Joey. Great to see more of this - thank you. |
Author: | JB [ Thu Apr 15, 2010 6:55 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 14/04/10) |
Well done, Margot - and well done Jack for taking it so well. So, the triplets were "wild children". Very interesting and, Nightwing, even if Jack and Joey don't tell the triplets everything, perhaps we could eavesdrop on one of their conversations. It wouldn't hurt to tell us, would it? |
Author: | JS [ Thu Apr 15, 2010 7:15 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 14/04/10) |
Just what I was about to say, JB - as usual you beat me to it Thanks Nightwing. |
Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Thu Apr 15, 2010 9:45 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 14/04/10) |
For some reason, I really like the idea of Jack cooking! Perhaps because I've never thought about it before, not exactly what EBD would have him doing. I shan't ask to know what's happening, because I'm sure that you'll tell us when you're ready! Thankyou for the update. |
Author: | di [ Thu Apr 15, 2010 7:22 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 14/04/10) |
Thanks for the update, Nightwing. this is great! |
Author: | Fiona Mc [ Thu Apr 15, 2010 9:41 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 14/04/10) |
Glad Margot said something and Jack took it well. Nice to see more of this |
Author: | shazwales [ Fri Apr 16, 2010 11:31 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 14/04/10) |
Really enjoying this,thanks Nightwing |
Author: | shesings [ Fri Apr 16, 2010 5:12 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 14/04/10) |
Getting more and more intriguing! |
Author: | Nightwing [ Mon Apr 26, 2010 5:36 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday |
Breakfast was a quiet affair - everyone being much too hungry to talk! - and Jack took the opportunity to look at his daughters - really look. All three of them had an air of responsibility about them now, and he wondered that he hadn't noticed before. Margot's earlier flash of temper had gone, and there was a determination in the set of her mouth that almost set him chuckling - she wore the same expression that he had at her age, and he felt a sudden rush of pride that Margot would someday be a doctor, as he was; maybe an even better one. Con seemed as dreamy as ever; no surprises there. She'd announced before they'd left the Oberland that her and her friend - Odile, wasn't it? - were planning some sort of viking saga over the holidays. Still, once upon a time she'd have been so busy concentrating on her own imagined people that she wouldn't even have remembered to lift her fork to her mouth. This morning she was tucking in to her breakfast with relish, despite the extra-crispiness of the bacon. Len, on the other hand - there was something odd about her. He couldn't quite put his finger on it; she didn't seem unhappy, exactly, but she kept glancing from Margot to Erica with disappointed frown. Joey caught Jack's eye and shrugged; she'd seen it too. Well, of course she had! She probably had a better idea of what was going on than he did. Thank goodness, too; having to deal with teenage girls without his wife's insight had to be close to approaching Jack's worst nightmare. "Mama, may we ask Mary-Lou over tonight?" Con's question broke in on Jack's thoughts. Perhaps she hadn't been thinking of vikings at all. "For dinner, I mean. She's all alone in her house-" "How do you know she's alone?" Margot broke in skeptically. "She didn't say so." "Exactly," Con returned easily. "That's why - she'd have said if she had people staying. We can invite her, can't we, Mother?" Joey laughed. "Can and may, pet. I'd like to know what she's doing here, anyway - she told me most definitely that she wouldn't be, and that she'd be sending Tony in her stead." "Who's Tony?" Erica piped up, curious. "He's Mary-Lou's - well, I guess they're sort of brother and sister, but not really," Margot began, but Len interrupted. "Tony and his sister used to live with Mary-Lou's mother and step-father," she explained. "Their parents died while they were still at school; now that Mary-Lou owns Carn Beg they still stay with her, sometimes." "Your mother and I will drop in on Mary-Lou on the way to the shops," Jack said, and Joey nodded. That way he'd have a chance to talk to her alone, without it being obvious to the girls - he hoped. "I'm sure your mother can find plenty for you to do while we're out," he added blandly. Joey gave a bark of a laugh. "I certainly can! Someone ought to do the dishes - I suppose Mary-Lou brought us soap? She did? Good. Len, you can set to washing, and Margot drying, and after that I'd like the kitchen draws sorted out - goodness only knows what we have in the way of pots and pans, and knives and forks when it comes down to it! Con and Erica, you'll keep on with the linen, won't you?" Erica agreed eagerly - the others less so - and Joey sent Jack a wicked grin, which he wondered at. What was she up to now? |
Author: | Alison H [ Mon Apr 26, 2010 6:42 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/04/10) |
It'll be interesting to see Tony Barrass: he had the potential to be a rare male friend for some of the CS crew but then EBD seemed to forget about him. |
Author: | Emma A [ Mon Apr 26, 2010 8:40 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/04/10) |
Glad to see more of this, Nightwing - I really like this universe. Interesting to see Jack's pov, since, like Joey, he obviously hasn't seen his children for a while... Also curious as to what's going on! |
Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Mon Apr 26, 2010 9:28 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/04/10) |
Well, that raised a number of questions! Please come back and answer them soon. Thankyou for the update! |
Author: | jmc [ Mon Apr 26, 2010 9:31 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/04/10) |
Curiouser and curiouser! Thanks Nightwing very happy to see this back again. |
Author: | PaulineS [ Mon Apr 26, 2010 11:23 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/04/10) |
Good to see more of this. The dynamics are fascinating. |
Author: | Elbee [ Mon Apr 26, 2010 11:35 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/04/10) |
This is very intriguing! Thanks, Nightwing. |
Author: | JS [ Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:43 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/04/10) |
What's up with Len? Too many questions.... Thanks Nightwing. |
Author: | cal562301 [ Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:48 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/04/10) |
JS wrote: What's up with Len? Too many questions.... Thanks Nightwing. I agree with JS. Please come back and enlighten us soon, Nightwing! |
Author: | di [ Mon Apr 26, 2010 4:12 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/04/10) |
Thanks, Nightwing, this becomes more and more intriguing. Looking forward to meeting Tony again. |
Author: | Nightwing [ Mon Apr 26, 2010 9:14 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/04/10) |
Thanks for the comments! Here's a little bit more "Well?" Jack demanded as soon as the two of them were alone in the car. "Well, what?" Joey replied innocently. "Aren't you going to tell me what you're up to? You can't tell me that it's nothing, my girl - I know you!" "Patience is a virtue-" Joey began, and then stopped as she saw her husband's face. "What's eating you?" A trifle grumpily, Jack recounted his conversation with Margot that morning, and was relieved when Joey reached out a reassuring hand to his shoulder. "Don't worry," she said warmly, "it's probably inevitable - a few spats, I mean, while we're settling in. We haven't been a family for a long time, Jack." There was a quiver in her voice as she said it, and it was Jack's turn to put his arm around his wife. "We have been a family," he said firmly. "A family across two continents, but a family all the same! I had a shock this morning, that's all; any father would, upon realising his daughters had turned into adults while his back was turned." That brought a smile to Joey's lips. "They haven't quite grown up yet," she said, "Not if I'm any judge. Margot's come a long way, but she isn't quite there yet; and I don't think Con sees much further than the next term. Len, though - I'm a little worried about her, Jack." "Is she unhappy?" Jack asked abruptly. "No - not exactly; not yet. But things are changing - Margot, especially, is changing - and Len doesn't like it. She's a conservative girl, at heart. She wants things to stay the same." Jack considered this, and found himself agreeing. Then, with a flash of insight, he asked, "Is that why you don't want to tell the girls about the baby? You don't want to upset Len?" "Or the others," Joey returned softly. "If- if anything were to happen-" Jack didn't say anything for the moment, but held Joey tighter. |
Author: | Abi [ Mon Apr 26, 2010 10:12 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/04/10 x 2) |
This is all very interesting...... Thanks for the updates Nightwing! |
Author: | di [ Tue Apr 27, 2010 5:29 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/04/10 x 2) |
Thanks, Nightwing, for such a quick update. |
Author: | Lesley [ Tue Apr 27, 2010 5:38 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/04/10 x 2) |
Interesting that Len is the one that has not grown up in this universe - I suppose not having a long family of siblings has meant she never had to. Thanks Nightwing |
Author: | JS [ Tue Apr 27, 2010 8:14 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/04/10 x 2) |
Gosh, I should imagine it would come as a bit of a surprise all round. Hope Joey is okay. Thanks Nightwing |
Author: | 2nd Gen Fan [ Tue Apr 27, 2010 9:46 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/04/10 x 2) |
Two updates to read at once - what a treat. It's lovely to see how different things are in this universe. |
Author: | jmc [ Tue Apr 27, 2010 10:08 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/04/10 x 2) |
Thought it might be something like this. Wonder how Len and the others will all take it. Thanks Nightwing. |
Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Tue Apr 27, 2010 11:17 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/04/10 x 2) |
Oh dear! |
Author: | PaulineS [ Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:14 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/04/10 x 2) |
Help! Hope everything goes well on their first holiday together for a long time. |
Author: | Llywela [ Mon May 10, 2010 2:52 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/04/10 x 2) |
Just read right the way through both this and A Visitor for Margot and am absolutely fascinating - what a fabulous parallel universe you've created. Can't wait to see how the story progresses from here. |
Author: | ivohenry [ Sun Jun 06, 2010 8:42 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/04/10 x 2) |
I'd like to see more of this too - it's an interesting twist and it's nice to see more of the contrasting personalities of the triplets |
Author: | Nightwing [ Wed Jun 23, 2010 9:13 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday |
From the window, Con watched her parents with interest. Their conversation must be important, she thought, because Mamma looked deeply upset, and she so seldom had been since she'd gone to America. Or perhaps it was being back in this house that upset her; it was an unsettling place to be in. She watched until they drove off and then turned, and realised that Erica was waiting for her. Bother - she'd forgotten all about her. It was all very well for Len and Meg; Len loved kids, and Meg was so matter-of-fact about life that the addition of a new sister was barely a scratch on her side-car; but for Con it meant one more person to have to learn to get along with. "None of these pillow-slips match," Erica said woefully. "None of them?" Con asked, doubting, "Aren't they mostly just white?" "Well - sort of." Erica's language, though much improved by her half-term at school, had quickly returned to its usual slanginess as soon as the holidays began. "This one's ivory - and these three have frills - and this one is lace. And these two look the same but they feel different!" She shook her head. "Why does Auntie Jo have such a- a weird assortment?" "I think the lace one is a cushion cover," Con said, after considering it for a moment. "These aren't all ours, Erica. At least - I suppose they are now! But the house has been rented out for so long that I expect we've picked up other people's things, and lost some of our own." She grinned ruefully. "I expect this will mean spending at least a few days sewing new ones. Not my idea of a fun vacation!" "Oh, but they won't take that long!" Erica did not seem particularly upset at the idea, and Con smiled. She really did like needlework if she could even stomach the boring, plain kind! "It's a pity you won't get to meet Sybs," she said. "Our cousin, you know. She loves sewing as much as you do - she was going to be trained professionally before she got married." "Did she make that quilt in my room?" "Quilt? N-o, I shouldn't think so. It was probably one of the tenants - it wasn't any of us, that's for certain! Quilting and Maynards do not go together. Mamma might know, if you ask her." "I will," Erica replied, but the enthusiasm of earlier seemed to have gone. Hurriedly, Con picked up a sheet and began to inspect it for holes. Had she said something wrong? She must have done. Bother her mouth! And she tried to work out what to say to undo whatever she'd done. |
Author: | Lesley [ Wed Jun 23, 2010 9:28 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 24/06/10) |
Does Erica consider herself a Maynard? If so Con may have inadvertently caused Erica to think Con doesn't feel she is a Maynard and doesn't belong. Thanks Nightwing - lovely to see more of this. |
Author: | Fiona Mc [ Wed Jun 23, 2010 10:04 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 24/06/10) |
Thanks Nightwing, wonderful to see more, though like Con, am wondering how she upset her. If it was from what Lesley said the same argument could be used the other way with she'd could have been upset about no longer being acknowledged as being a Standish. That line is a fine one to walk since it's fifty-fifty either way on what Erica would want |
Author: | Alison H [ Wed Jun 23, 2010 10:07 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 24/06/10) |
It's a no-win situation: she might feel she was being disloyal to her own parents if she classed herself as a Maynard, but she might feel left out if she wasn't classed as a Maynard. |
Author: | Abi [ Wed Jun 23, 2010 10:41 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 24/06/10) |
It's a difficult one whichever way you look at it - if that's it, of course! Thanks for the update, Nightwing. |
Author: | di [ Thu Jun 24, 2010 5:17 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 24/06/10) |
Thanks, Nightwing, for the update. |
Author: | brie [ Fri Jun 25, 2010 8:49 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 24/06/10) |
So excited that this is back! is it too early to chant for more? |
Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Fri Jun 25, 2010 10:57 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 24/06/10) |
Ooh, came back and found an update, thankyou! Intrigued as to why Erica is upset... enlighten us soon? Please? |
Author: | Smile :) [ Sat Jun 26, 2010 9:43 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 24/06/10) |
Am enjoying this Nightwing, thanks but I feel that few of the big questions have been answered yet, please can we have some more? |
Author: | shazwales [ Thu Jul 01, 2010 5:54 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 24/06/10) |
Thank you Nightwing |
Author: | ivohenry [ Sat Jul 17, 2010 7:13 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 24/06/10) |
Looking forward to seeing more of this soon! It's nice seeing a bit more of Erica than we get in the books. |
Author: | Nightwing [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 9:54 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday |
Sorry about the lack of updates my muse left temporarily for greener pastures (or maybe just slightly different fandoms) but seems to be back in CS land for the moment! Down in the kitchen all was silent, apart from the occasional clatter of dishes. Margot had baggsed washing, as she hated drying and sorting, and she was firmly wiping away jam-smears when it struck her that Len hadn't said a word to her since their parents left - not beyond, "That's fine, I'll dry," anyway. "Are you OK?" she asked the eldest triplet doubtfully. Len shrugged. "Any reason why I wouldn't be?" It was a snub, or close to one, and Margot bit back a fierce retort. There wasn't any point starting off their first day with a spat just because Len had woken up on the wrong side of the bed. But a moment later she knew she must have misunderstood, because Len was polishing tumblers with her usual complacent demeanour. "I thought you and Erica were going out this morning?" she asked. "We were, but I slept in - but we walked Mary-Lou to Carn Beg, anyway." Margot chuckled suddenly. "It seemed a lot further away when we were kids." "Our legs were rather shorter then," Len said. "I wonder if that pond is still there? You remember - the one we used to catch tiddlers in?" "It's probably more like a puddle these days! We won't get to see it today, anyway. Mamma seems to be going thoroughly in for spring-cleaning." Margot wrinkled her nose as she viewed the frying pan. "What on Earth was Papa doing this morning?" Her sister chuckled as she inspected it. "I think we should take over the cooking for the rest of the day, if that was a sample of his efforts. Perhaps not Con, though, unless we want our pancakes salted," and both sisters giggled, remembering that unfortunate cooking class. "We probably ought to do as much as we can, anyway - Mamma and Papa could do with a break as much as we could." Margot agreed, and set back to scrubbing the unfortunate pan while Len started in on the cutlery. "Do you think Mamma and Papa are thinking of moving back here?" she asked after a while. "I hadn't even thought about it," Margot returned. "It wouldn't be for a while if they did, though - Papa's only just started at the San." "And Mamma likes being with all her friends," Len added thoughtfully. "You know - Aunt Grizel and everyone." "So why ask?" Margot was curious, not irritated. Len saw further than she did, most of the time, and she wouldn't have brought the subject up without a reason. "It just seems like an odd thing to do, coming here for a holiday when we've only just moved into the chalet. I know that Mamma said they wanted to make sure the place was still standing -" "That was just a joke," Margot pointed out. "She only meant that Plas Gwyn's been rented out for so long that it probably needed some attention - and it does," she added, glancing at the mismatched cutlery they'd been using that morning. "They're bound to stay in Switzerland until Erica's finished school now." "It would be nice if they were in England when we're at Oxford, though, wouldn't it?" "I won't be at Oxford," Margot pointed out. "And I expect we'll have different holiday times and things, anyway. You'll just have to make the most of us all being together while we're still at school." There was an unconscious air of finality in her voice; she knew that in all likelihood she wouldn't see much of her sisters at all once school finished, and while she was trying not to think about that too hard just yet, it wasn't in her nature to be sentimental or wistful. If she'd been looking at Len she might have seen a look of discontent appear briefly on her sister's face, but she'd turned her attention to the drying rack and the moment passed, unobserved. |
Author: | ivohenry [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 10:02 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/08/10) |
Great to see this one back, thanks, Nightwing. Hope your muse sill stick with you for a while now. |
Author: | PaulineS [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 10:06 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/08/10) |
Thanks Nightwing it is good to see more of this. love that even in this universe there are cooking disasters. |
Author: | Nightwing [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 10:06 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/08/10) |
PaulineS wrote: love that even in this universe there are cooking disasters. It wouldn't be the CS if there weren't |
Author: | Abi [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 10:07 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/08/10) |
It's good to see this back! Wonder what's up with Len, though. Is she upset because Margot's not going to Oxford, perhaps? Thanks Nightwing. |
Author: | Lesley [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 10:10 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/08/10) |
Or upset because she is? Most intriguing - and I have to keep reminding myself that in this universe Margot is HG and the Maynard family is just the triplets. Thanks Nightwing |
Author: | Alison H [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 10:45 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/08/10) |
Good to see this back . |
Author: | shazwales [ Thu Aug 26, 2010 5:23 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/08/10) |
Thanks Nightwing |
Author: | di [ Thu Aug 26, 2010 10:40 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/08/10) |
Thanks, Nightwing, good to see this back. Perhaps Len is musing over her future without Margot and Con; after all it will be the first time the triplets have been apart since Margot went to Canada with Madge and Jem. [Did she do this in this universe, I wonder?] Con will be at Oxford with her but Len probably realises that they won't see that much of each other. |
Author: | Fiona Mc [ Thu Aug 26, 2010 11:14 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/08/10) |
Abi wrote: It's good to see this back! Wonder what's up with Len, though. Is she upset because Margot's not going to Oxford, perhaps? Thanks Nightwing. Or that her parents will live in Switzerland to be close to Erica but not in England and be close to the triplets Thanks |
Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Thu Aug 26, 2010 5:27 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/08/10) |
All my guesses have been said already, so I shall just wait patiently for an answer and say thankyou for the update! |
Author: | roversgirl [ Sun Oct 10, 2010 7:50 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/08/10) |
i just found this and really enjoyed it. hope you write some more soon! |
Author: | ivohenry [ Sun Oct 24, 2010 9:13 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 26/08/10) |
Please may we have some more of this one soon, it's getting intriguing! |
Author: | Nightwing [ Mon Nov 01, 2010 1:17 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday |
By the time Jack and Joey returned, Margot and Len had sorted the contents of the kitchen cupboards - more or less. There was a large pile of odds and ends that did not seem to match with any other set; and a smaller pile of what Len explained to her parents was "all the things that didn't seem to have any use at all." "Or at least, if they do, we don't know what it is," Margot added. Joey looked at the pile and raised her eyebrows. "What about this? Surely Frau Mieders has taught you what an egg beater is." "Isn't it a whisk?" was Jack's contribution. "I don't see how it's either," Len said. "Neither whisks nor beaters are meant to be square." In the end, the whisk-or-beater was added to the pile of junk that was collecting in the sitting room, where Con and Erica shortly added two moth-eaten bedsheets and a toy soldier. Erica, on seeing that her aunt had returned, immediately petitioned for the right to help make up the sheets that would be replacing, to which Joey agreed. "But the rest of us will do your mending for you, if that's how you want to spend your afternoon - yes, I know you enjoy sewing, my child! But mending and making sheets are a thankless task at the best of times, and even you won't want to see a darning needle when you're done." "Guess she hasn't spent enough time with Matey yet to find that out," Margot murmured to Len, who grimaced. The rest of the kitchen was dusted down quickly so that the groceries could be put away; and Con proposed doing the same for the dining room "since we can't eat all our meals in the kitchen." After that, Jack suggested that they best all have luncheon - and then, with an eye on his wife, a nap. "I'm not tired, though," Erica argued as carried the now-empty juice pitcher back to the kitchen. "Why don't you read, then?" Len suggested. "Papa only thinks we ought not do too much today, since we only arrived last night." "Did he say that?" "No, but I'm sure that's what he means." Erica nodded, and happily returned to The Phoenix and the Carpet until Joey tapped softly on her door and asked if she wanted a cup of tea before they all - excepting Jack - tackled the linen. But if the afternoon was quietly spent, it was more than dinner was. Mary-Lou duly arrived at 5 o'clock sharp, with the hint of a joke in her eyes, and found that she was expected to sit in the garden until the meal was ready. "Why aren't we in the sitting room?" she inquired, as Jack poured her a glass of light white wine. "Because it's still under three inches of dust," Joey retorted. "Although if you'd like to have a go at cleaning it-" "I would not!" Her guest laughed. "Actually, I would offer to come over and lend you a hand tomorrow, but - as things have, er, developed, I'm afraid my own spring cleaning needs seeing to." "Guests?" Jack asked. "We-ll, in a way. But I can't tell you that right now. Con told me that she wanted to know what I'm doing here instead of Tony, and as my guests are the epilogue to the yarn I won't say anything until she can listen too. Just what exactly are the three of them producing for our tea, by the way?" "Nothing fancy - I hope," Joey added cautiously. "But we shall see." |
Author: | Emma A [ Mon Nov 01, 2010 5:56 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 01/11/10) |
Ooh, updates! How intriguing all these hints are. I do like the relationships in this drabble - thanks, Nightwing. |
Author: | Lesley [ Mon Nov 01, 2010 6:28 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 01/11/10) |
Lovely to see an update for this - the Maynards with just the Triplets seem closer really. Thanks Nightwing |
Author: | Alison H [ Mon Nov 01, 2010 7:47 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 01/11/10) |
Glad to see this back . |
Author: | jmc [ Mon Nov 01, 2010 8:27 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 01/11/10) |
Nice to see this back again. Thanks Nightwing. |
Author: | di [ Mon Nov 01, 2010 9:14 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 01/11/10) |
Thanks, Nightwing, great to see this again. Can't wait to hear Mary-Lou's yarn. |
Author: | Fiona Mc [ Mon Nov 01, 2010 10:19 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 01/11/10) |
Thanks am really glad to see more of this |
Author: | ivohenry [ Mon Nov 01, 2010 12:29 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 01/11/10) |
Great to see this one back - look forward to hearing Mary-Lou's story soon! It's good to see more of Erica, and her interaction with the triplets. |
Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Mon Nov 01, 2010 6:45 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 01/11/10) |
I'm another really pleased to see this back! Thankyou! |
Author: | PaulineS [ Mon Nov 01, 2010 7:19 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 01/11/10) |
Thank yo another pleased to see more of this. |
Author: | roversgirl [ Mon Nov 01, 2010 7:59 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 01/11/10) |
Really good to see this back! Thanks |
Author: | Abi [ Mon Nov 01, 2010 9:12 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 01/11/10) |
Oooh, yay, it's great to see an update on this! |
Author: | Bryony [ Tue Nov 09, 2010 11:55 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 01/11/10) |
Just found the CBB today and have loved reading this and Visitor for Margot - thanks Nightwing and hope there is an update on the way soon! |
Author: | ivohenry [ Thu Dec 09, 2010 12:05 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 01/11/10) |
Please come back soon and tell us Mary-Lou's story! Sounds intriguing |
Author: | Nightwing [ Fri Dec 24, 2010 10:18 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 01/11/10) |
Thanks, as always, for the lovely feedback! And with regards to the recent discussion, constructive feedback is always welcome by comment or PM Tea turned out to be sausages and boiled new seasons potatoes, and an array of vegetables cooked in a lemon sauce. Jack elected to tease his daughters by pulling a pained face with every bite he took, but was quick to admit that it was all delicious when Len threatened to remove his plate altogether. "So, Mary-Lou," Joey said when the plates were more or less scraped clean, "Are you going to tell us about these mysterious guests of yours - and all the rest of it?" "And make it as long as you can," Con put in, carefully not adding that the jelly she and Margot had prepared was taking its time to set! Mary-Lou swallowed her last green bean, and, seeing that the others were truly eager to here, began her tale. "Well - you know that I've been away on a dig. My first real one, in fact! It was organised by one of my professors at Oxford, but it was a real multi-national group. A few British, of course - and some Americans, French, Spanish, German - even one or two Orientals, although they spoke the Queen's English. Most of the group were fresh out of university, like me, and a few of them were classmates of mine. We were all jolly excited, let me tell you! "We were given a prescribed area to dig in, a large section of land where some of the locals had come across some bits and pieces. Nothing very exciting, you might think, just some coins and old bits of pottery - but any find has the potential to become something very important, and there was always the chance that we'd discover something that would lead to a real breakthrough. At least, that's the dream of every archaeologist. It's the thought that keeps you going through hot days, cold days, insect bites, torn tents..." Mary-Lou grinned. Jack nodded, understanding - that was no so different from the passion that kept him going in medicine, even when there were very black days. Joey, too, had an inkling of understanding, thinking of the letters from readers she received that often cheered her up when she was suffering from writer's block. "Anyway, when Auntie Jo wrote to say that you were all coming back to Plas Gwyn for the summer, I thought how lovely it would be to see you again, but I wasn't ready to leave the dig yet. As you know, Tony was supposed to be here around the same time, so I wrote to him and asked that he would see about making your place liveable - hiring help, or buying some groceries, or just making sure the locks would still open, whatever was needed! And he was agreeable, so that was about that, and I didn't worry about it any further. "Then, something completely unexpected happened. A little terrifying, too, although at the time I was more angry than anything else! We were camped not far from the site of the dig - about half an hour's walk, maybe. Most days we were up just before dawn, having breakfast, so we could get stuck in before the day got too hot. It was our usual routine, so none of us were expecting anything out of the ordinary when we arrived at the dig that morning. We certainly weren't expecting a truckload of soldiers, all armed with guns, and with orders to turn us all away." |
Author: | Alison H [ Fri Dec 24, 2010 10:20 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 25/12/10) |
Merry Christmas (still Christmas Eve here, but only for another hour and 40 minutes!), and thanks for giving us an update as a present . |
Author: | di [ Sat Dec 25, 2010 10:00 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 25/12/10) |
Great, an update for Christmas - even if you have left us dangling on a cliff edge- most unfair. Many thanks and Merry Christmas. |
Author: | shazwales [ Sat Dec 25, 2010 12:27 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 25/12/10) |
A lovely update,thank you and Merry Christmas. |
Author: | Fiona Mc [ Mon Dec 27, 2010 2:50 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 25/12/10) |
Thank you, am intrigued by Mary Lou's story |
Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Mon Dec 27, 2010 4:53 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 25/12/10) |
You can't leave it on that cliff! Come back, I say! |
Author: | roversgirl [ Tue Dec 28, 2010 4:56 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 25/12/10) |
That was interesting! Thanks |
Author: | ivohenry [ Sun Jan 16, 2011 10:35 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Summer Holiday (updated 25/12/10) |
Please come back soon and get us safely off this cliff!! |
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