A Second Chance - Part Four
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The CBB -> St Agnes's House
#301:  Author: ravenseyes, Location: New Zealand PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 1:54 am

Well Arthur did warn Edgar. Edgar you total complete and utter idiot.

Looking forward to seeing Edgar trying to dig himself out a jumbo sized hole he has just dropped himself in.

 

#302:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 8:00 am

I would have reacted just like Evvy - in fact, the ring would have been in the lake and I think she was quite restrained!

Why didn't he listen to Arthur?

Thank you Jo. I'm looking forward to seeing how he gets out of this one.

 

#303:  Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 8:24 am

Aaargh!!! Yep, I was expecting the ring to land in the lake as well! Josie, pretty please come back and show us how it gets fixed???

 

#304:  Author: JenniferG, Location: Durham PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 9:56 am

Oh, that's so sad. Sad
But he was warned. I hope Evvy makes him suffer a bit before it gets sorted!

 

#305:  Author: Robin, Location: London PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 10:21 am

oh no!!
I fear Edgar has some very fast talking to do to make up for this one....

 

#306:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 12:40 pm

Poor things. I hope they sort this out quickly.

 

#307:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 1:41 pm

Never mind the ring, I thought Edgar might land in the lake!!

I feel sorry for Edgar, but he did have plenty of warnings that surprising Evvy with the move and everything wouldn't be a good idea. I hope Evvy realises he does love her really but being a man he just can't do things the way he should! Wink

Thanks Jo, but please come back soon and tell us what happens next.

Liz

 

#308:  Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 1:53 pm

*lol*
LizB wrote:
Never mind the ring, I thought Edgar might land in the lake!!


Poor silly stupid Edgar.. why will men never listen *sighs* Thank you Jo

*patiently waits for more*

 

#309:  Author: keren, Location: Israel PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 2:34 pm

Well at least we know that it gets cleared up within the next 2 weeks

 

#310:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 2:37 pm

Evadne ran up the driveway, her eyes blinded by tears of anger and hurt. All she could think of was trying to get as far away as possible. She was about half-way up the drive when her legs began to tire. As she slowed down, her foot slipped on a loose stone and she stumbled and then tripped, falling forward onto the hard surface on her hands and knees. Pushing herself into a sitting position, she saw that she had torn her stocking and grazed her knee. The blood was starting to trickle slowly down her shin. It was the final straw, and pulling her knees up, she put her head in her hands and began to sob. She couldn’t believe he had done this. How could she have been so wrong about him?

Once the floodgates opened, she found it almost impossible to stop the tears from flowing and it was over an hour later before she finally began to calm down. Taking her handkerchief out of her bag, she blew her nose and wiped the tears from her eyes. Then moving herself over to the grass verge, she sat down again, her shoulders heaving and her body still shaking from force of her outburst. Swallowing hard to try and control the sobs that were still rising in her throat, she bent forward, laying her head on her arms, and stared down at the house at the bottom of the drive. As she looked at it, she felt tears pricking the back of her eyes again. How could he have thought she wouldn’t want to know about all this? Did he really have so little respect for her? He’d always discussed things with her before, so why not this, when it was something so important in his life – in both of their lives. He hadn’t even thought about her.

At this point she stopped herself. If she was being honest, that wasn’t really true. He had thought about her. He had bought the house that she wanted him to, even though it wasn’t his favourite of the ones they had seen. He said he wanted to be able to offer her a proper family life, to be able to give her the best that he could. He hadn’t thought of this as his move, he’d thought of it as their move. He had always wanted her to go with him. As these thoughts ran through her head, she suddenly began to see things in a different light. He may have been wrong in the way he’d gone about it all, but his intentions had been very right. He’d thought about her at every step, he just hadn’t had the sense to actually tell her. And he did love her, she knew that; he didn’t just want a mother for the kids. But they were the most precious thing in the world to him, and now she thought about it, the fact that he trusted her with them after Tamara showed just how much he respected her. And she loved them so much. She smiled despite herself. It was all kind of romantic in a way, wanting to be able to give her the best that he could. Old-fashioned and a little stupid, but romantic all the same.

Suddenly, she found herself chuckling out loud. It was so stupidly ‘Edgar’ too. It was part of who he was, part of who she had fallen in love with. And she was so very much in love with him. Sitting up, she scrubbed her eyes with her handkerchief. Why was she throwing this all away, just because he’d been a bit of an idiot? Why was she letting it all go so easily? Her own stupid pride, that was why.

She stared down at the house again. He must still be there, he would have driven past her otherwise. Getting to her feet and brushing herself down, she began to walk back down the drive.

==

Edgar had been scrabbling about in the Rhododendron bushes for three quarters of an hour, trying desperately to find the ring. Suddenly he spotted it, deep inside one of the large bushes. Reaching in to retrieve it, he caught his face on a sharp twig, scratching his cheek badly, but he managed to get his fingers to it and pulled back again with it clutched in his hand.

Sitting back on the grass, he opened his palm and looked down at it, feeling utterly wretched. His hair was all over the place, his hands were filthy, and the scratch on his cheek stung badly but he didn’t care. All he could think about was Evadne.

How could he have been such a fool? Arthur had tried to warn him, but he hadn't listened. He'd thought he knew better. He had honestly done everything with the best of intentions; he had just wanted to give her everything he possibly could. How had he got it so horribly wrong? As he recalled the look of anger in her eyes and the hurt in her voice, he found that he felt physically sick. Did she really think that he didn’t trust or respect her? If so, he couldn’t see how there’d be any way back from this. He would do his best to try and explain, to try and convince her how he felt, but if she truly believed he thought so little of her, then this was it. He had lost her. He had been his usual, idiotic self and he’d lost her. Paul and Amelia had always told him he could be a stupid fool. Well he had really outdone himself this time.

He began to feel as if the bottom had fallen out of his world and he had to swallow hard to stop himself retching. What was he supposed to do without her? And how was he going to tell the children? They’d be heartbroken. Turning his head, he stared up the lawn towards the house. He had bought it for her. Now wasn’t sure how they were going to be able to live there without her. All his ideas and dreams for it centered around her being there with him, with them. Turning back to the lake again, he wiped away a tear and took a deep breath. How had he made such a mess of everything? Holding the ring between his thumb and forefinger, he stared down at it again and as another tear escaped, he brushed it impatiently away.

Last edited by Josie on Mon Apr 04, 2005 12:08 am; edited 3 times in total

 

#311:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 2:46 pm

Jo you tease!!! (I love it!!) Laughing Laughing

I really liked the way Evvy, once her anger had gone, actually thought and realised Edgar's true motives, but ihe's still and idiot.....but a nice one Wink

 

#312:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 3:48 pm

Edgar was so lost in his despair that he didn’t hear the gentle footsteps approaching him from across the lawn, and he jumped visibly as her voice startled him out of his trance.

“Ask me again.”

Turning his head slowly, Edgar stared up into Evadne’s face. He could see that she had been crying; her eyes were red and swollen, her make-up streaked across her flushed cheeks.

“What…?”

Gazing down at him, Evadne took in his tousled hair, his pale, lined face with the deep scratch down one cheek, his bright, red-rimmed eyes and his muddy hands clutching the ring. Inclining her head towards it, she repeated her request.

“Ask me again.”

Putting the ring into his pocket, not wishing to risk a repeat of the last time, Edgar turned around to face her properly. There was silence for a minute as she stood before him, just looking down at him, waiting. Slowly, he got to one knee and took hold of her hand. His own hands were shaking and his mind seemed to have gone blank – he couldn’t think of the words.

“Evvy, I…,” he swallowed hard, and realised his mouth was suddenly dry. “Evvy, I’m really, truly sorry.”

She shook her head. “Just ask me, Edgar.”

Taking a deep breath, he tried hard to remember the words he had been practising in his head for the past few months.

“Evvy, I love you very, very much, more than I can put into words. I…”

His voice petered out, and she looked down at him with a smile. “It’s okay, keep going.”

Edgar coughed to clear his throat, and tried to continue. “I…” He swallowed hard again. “I think everyone deserves a second chance to be happy, and if you’ll have me, I’d like to take that chance with you.” Gazing up into her eyes, he paused, pulling himself together to say the final words. “Will you marry me? Will you be my wife?”

She looked down at him, tears welling up in her eyes, and realised that this argument had removed any fears she may have had about wanting to be with him. She had no doubts any more. Smiling a watery smile, she nodded her head. “Yes please.”

Putting his leg down again so that he was kneeling properly, Edgar just stared at her, not quite able to take it all in. He had been so sure that he’d lost her. Still smiling, she knelt down in front of him, so that her face was almost on a level with his. Taking his face in her hands, she gazed deep into his eyes for a moment and then wrapping her arms around him, she pulled him into a hug. He put his arms around her, holding her as if he would never let her go. She could feel him shaking as he buried his head in her shoulder, and she tightened her hold on him, one hand gently stroking his hair.


It was a few minutes before they pulled apart again. Lifting his hand and tracing her cheekbone gently with his fingers, Edgar gazed into her eyes. “You said ‘yes’!”

She smiled and nodded her head. “Yes, I did.”

“But I…I thought I’d lost you.”

“You almost did.”

Tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, he dropped his hand back to his side and sat down properly, keeping his eyes on hers. “Evvy, I honestly never meant to hurt you. I just wanted to give you the best that I could.” He paused for a moment to collect his thoughts. “And I would have told you - it’s been really hard not talking to you about it all - but I wanted it to be a surprise.”

She gave him a wry smile. “Well you certainly succeeded there!”

Edgar grinned despite himself, and reached out to take hold of her hand again. “Evvy I really do trust and respect you, please believe me.”

“I do believe you, Edgar. I wouldn’t have said ‘yes’ otherwise.” She gripped the fingers that clutched her own, and looked a little ashamed. “I’m so sorry for what I said about Tamara, I know it’s not true. It was a bit of a low blow, wasn’t it?”

He nodded. “A little, but I suppose I deserved that one.” She smiled and he looked back at her sheepishly. “I’m such a stupid fool, aren’t I? I thought I was being so romantic, with the big grand gesture and everything, but I couldn’t have got it more wrong, could I?” Evadne said nothing and he looked down at the grass. “I told you I wasn’t much good at this sort of thing.”

She looked at him tenderly, a slight grin touching the edges of her mouth. “Edgar what do you think made me come back?”

“I...I’ve no idea.”

Sitting back on her heels, she watched him thinking about it, her grin slowly widening. “I’ll just tell you, shall I? Otherwise we could be here for a while.” He laughed and she rolled her eyes, shaking her head in mock despair. “Once I began to calm down, I realised how you meant all this, how much effort you’d gone to. It was misguided and a not a little dumb, but it was sweet and wonderful at the same time.” Seeing him grimace as she spoke, she chuckled, tightening her grip on his fingers and running her thumb across the back of his hand. “Don’t give up on the romance, okay? It’s part of why I love you.”

She paused for moment and he opened his mouth to speak. The next second, a confused look crossed his face. “I’ve completely forgotten what I was about to say!”

Evadne laughed and shook her head. “Well I haven’t finished yet anyway. Just promise me one thing, okay? No more secrets like this one, however well intended. I want to be part of your life in every way, and that means making the big decisions together.”

“I know, and I’m sorry, Evvy.”

“You know, apart from anything else, I could have been there to support you. You must have been really nervous.”

He nodded. “I was. I wanted to tell you so many times.”

“Well next time do. So we’re agreed? No more secrets?”

“No more secrets, I promise.”

“Though of course secrets like whisking me away for romantic breaks and buying me nice presents, they’re okay.”

Edgar laughed, “Yes, I might have known!”

Looking up at his face, Evadne gently traced the scratch on his cheek with her fingers, causing him to wince. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

“What did you do?”

“I was trying to find this.” He suddenly remembered the ring, and retrieving it from his pocket, he took hold of her left hand and slipped it on her finger. It was slightly too big and she looked down at it, thinking that it seemed a little familiar. Edgar watched her as she stared at it.

“It was Amelia’s. She left it with a note, I found it the day she died, saying that it had brought good luck to my father the second time around and she thought it may do the same for me too.”

Evadne continued to stare at it, and something she remembered from that time suddenly made sense. “So that’s why you said she knew she was going?”

He nodded. “It sounds so stupid, but I feel like she was holding on for us to sort ourselves out and be together.”

“It doesn’t sound stupid at all.” She suddenly felt terrible as she remembered what she’d done with the ring not two hours before. “I can’t believe I threw it away, Edgar, what if I’d lost it? It must be so precious to you. I’m so sorry, I didn’t know.”

“I know, don’t worry. Let’s face it, it was my own fault. And I got it back, albeit leaving me a little worse for wear.” He looked down at himself as she laughed. Then bringing his eyes back to her fingers, he altered his clasp on her hand, his thumb touching the diamonds that glinted in the sunlight. “I know it’s a little big, but I checked and we can get it altered. I hope you don’t mind it not being a new ring, but it would mean a great deal to me if you’d wear it.”

Evvy stared at it one more time, and then looked up at him, her heart deeply touched. “I’d be honoured to.”

“Thank you.” Leaning forwards, he kissed her gently on the lips, before putting his arms around her and hugging her to him once more. Then pulling back, he watched, intrigued, as she removed the thin gold band that she wore on her right hand and slipped it on her wedding finger above the diamond ring. “What are you doing?”

“Making sure it doesn’t fall off! I’ve nearly lost it once today already, I didn’t think I’d chance it again!”

Edgar chuckled. “Good idea.” Looking over her shoulder, he gazed up the garden towards the house. “So, do you like your new home?”

Turning around to look at it, she shuffled backwards and sat down so that she was sitting between his legs, leaning back against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. “I love our new home. Thank you for buying it, Edgar, it’s perfect.” Taking hold of one of his hands, she lifted it to her lips and kissed it gently before lowering it again, her fingers entwined with his. “I can’t believe we’re actually going to live here! Do the kids know yet?”

“They know I was going to ask you. They’re very excited, as I’m sure you can imagine! They don’t know about the move yet though, I thought we could tell them together.”

Tilting her head back, she looked up at him with a grin. “I like that idea.” Then pulling out of his arms, she got to her feet and held her hand out towards him. “Come on, let’s go and choose which room should be which! And then we have to go meet Rosalie for lunch and I can show her my ring. I have to tell someone we’re getting married – I can’t keep this to myself!” and as Edgar laughed, he let her pull him to his feet, and they walked up the garden together, hand in hand.

Last edited by Josie on Fri Apr 01, 2005 4:11 pm; edited 1 time in total

 

#313:  Author: dackel, Location: Wolfenbuettel, Germany/Cambridge, England PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 3:51 pm

Jo, thank you so much for all the posts since the 18th March - I've just caught up on all of them! And I love them all!

Silly Edgar, why didn't he just listen? Let's hope he doesn't throw the ring in the lake before Evvy comes back to claim it...!

 

#314:  Author: Robin, Location: London PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 4:34 pm

hurrah! thanks Jo
I can start my weekend happy!

Quote:
“Though of course secrets like whisking me away for romantic breaks and buying me nice presents, they’re okay.”

Love this line!

Have to admit I was worried for a moment that he was going to chuck it in the lake! Very Happy Very Happy

 

#315:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 4:44 pm

Awww! Lovely! I'm so relieved they's sorted it.

There's always the slim chance that you will decide to leave EBD behind and go in another direction!

thank you!

 

#316:  Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 5:12 pm

awwwwwwwwwwwwww this was gorgeous... tears pricked in my eyes cos it was lovely!
Thank you for not letting Evvy stay mad for ages!

Mexican Wave for Jo's most excellent story Very Happy

 

#317:  Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 5:34 pm

Hooray! They've finally done it!

Mexican Wave jester party popper Trumpet

And thank you for all the prompt posts Jo! There have been enough cliffs already!

 

#318:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 7:16 pm

Beautiful, thank you so much Josie, for the proposal, Evvy's reaction, the reconcilliation, everything.

Perfect.

 

#319:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 7:51 pm

Hurrah! Lovely lovely lovely - thank you Jo

Mexican Wave

*Starts pouring the bubbly and passing it round*

Liz

 

#320:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 8:30 pm

Josie wrote
Quote:
“Come on, let’s go and choose which room should be which! And then we have to go meet Rosalie for lunch and I can show her my ring. I have to tell someone we’re getting married – I can’t keep this to myself!”

I think they should both go and get cleaned up first before they terrify Rosalie out of ten years growth! She'll think they've been in a car crash...

 

#321:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 10:15 pm

That was wonderful Jo!! thank you so much hunny!

 

#322:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 11:35 am

Just utterly fabulous Jo






as usual Very Happy

 

#323:  Author: Toria, Location: London PostPosted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 5:17 pm

Wow Josie this is great, I've just caught up with all the stories and they are amazing, I'm just wondering why I didn't read them before!

 

#324:  Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under PostPosted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 7:29 pm

Wa-hoo!!!
Yay for Evvy for thinking

Yay for Edgar for finding the ring

Yay for Josie for posting so quick!

 

#325:  Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria PostPosted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 8:01 pm

thanks jo for lovely long posts

 

#326:  Author: Jodi, Location: Glasgow most of the time PostPosted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 8:37 pm

Thanks Josie for such fantastic posts.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad they sorted themselves out! Very Happy

 

#327:  Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 9:21 pm

Hooray!!!!

After threatening to camp out at the computer all night the other night, I must have gone to bed before you posted the proposal and I've only just caught up again Embarassed

Thankyou for the fantastic posts, Josie, I'm grinning like a loon here! Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy

 

#328:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 10:44 pm

Wonderful! Thank you Jo! So Evvy and Edgar!

 

#329:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 5:48 am

Yay, and thank you!

So glad things worked out, despite the "stupidly Edgar" moment. Evvy had every right to blow her stack -- but lovely the way both realized their mistakes. And Amelia's ring was the perfect touch. :sighs happily:

 

#330:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 4:57 pm

Taking hold of Evadne’s arm with one hand, her bag in the other, Edgar hurried her through the station to the waiting car. Opening the back door, he threw the bag in, hurrying her in behind it, and then jumped in himself slamming the door and urging the driver to head for the airport as quickly as possible.

As the car began to move, he arranged his legs around her suitcase that was by his feet, and then slumped back against the leather seats with a sigh.

“Hopefully, unless the traffic’s horrendous, we should just make it on time!” he said, taking out his handkerchief and mopping his brow. “Honestly, when have you ever known a Swiss train to be late before?”

Evadne grinned. “Do you think it’ll make headline news in tomorrow’s papers?”

“Probably! Can you imagine it? Nation comes to standstill because Berne to Geneva express is almost one hour late!” She laughed, and he turned to face her, his eyes twinkling. “So, how was the pantomime?”

“It was good fun. Brought back lots of memories of being at school, let me tell you! I don’t think I’ve even thought about school plays since I left, let alone seen one!” A slight frown clouded her pretty face. “There was an accident after though, one of the girls from the school was hurt when she was flung from a motorcycle.”

“Is she alright?”

“They’re not sure yet. Something to do with her back apparently, though Hilary was still a bit low on details when I left this morning – Phil was still at the San. Phil’s Hilary’s husband, he’s a doctor” she added, seeing the confusion on Edgar’s face. “I hope she’ll be okay though – the girl I mean. It’s such a horrid thing to happen.”

“Yes, it is rather.” Edgar looked at her thoughtfully and then squeezed her hand. “So did you talk to Jo about being Matron of Honour?”

Evadne nodded. “She can’t do it. She’s pregnant with number ten and will be huge by June.”

“Number ten!”

“Yes, she and Jack like large families!” Laughing at the terrified look on his face, she added, “Don’t look so scared, I’m not going to do the same to you! We’ll stick to two more, like we talked about. That’s if we can have any of course.”

Her face fell slightly as she spoke, and as the driver pulled the car up outside the front of the airport, Edgar leaned across to peck her on the cheek. “We’ll manage two more, don’t worry,” then opening the door, he jumped out, pulling her case behind him as a porter appeared and began swiftly unloading their luggage from the boot. “Now come on, we’re late. We’ll have to run.”

There was little time to talk after that, as they rushed through check-in and then had to run to board the plane as they were so late. They were headed for Paris for one night to see Arthur and Veronica, as even though Evadne had telephoned her father the evening after she and Edgar had got engaged, she desperately wanted to see him in person too. The next morning would see them returning to London, and then driving straight down to Wiltshire to see the children.

It wasn’t until the plane powered down the runway and took off, heading out over the lake before turning a sharp right and bearing north for Paris, that Evadne finally relaxed again. Then shifting in her seat slightly to make herself more comfortable, she turned to Edgar and gave him a grin. “So, when’s Ned getting home? Will he be there when we arrive tomorrow?”

Edgar looked at her and nodded. “He should be there this afternoon as it happens. The Pepperell’s are driving to Wales to stay with relatives for the Easter weekend, and they’ve offered to drop him off on the way.”

“Wonderful! I’m looking forward to seeing them so much, it’s been an absolute age. I’ve really missed them.”

“Well soon you’ll get to see them all the time and you’ll be sick of the sight of them!” he replied, smiling, and she gave him a wide grin in return.

“Never! I can’t wait ‘til I’m with you all every day.”

Gazing down into her blue eyes that shined with excitement at the idea, Edgar lifted a hand and touched her affectionately on the tip of her nose. “Neither can I.” he said, bending his head to kiss her, then sitting up straight again, he leaned back in his seat. “So, what are you going to do about your Matron of Honour problem if Jo can’t do it? It rather puts you back to square one, doesn’t it?”

Knitting her brow into a frown, Evadne heaved a sigh. “I know. How am I supposed to choose between Corney and Cassie, Edgar? Jo would have been the perfect solution, but if it’s anyone else, they won’t understand.”

“Have you not thought about Elsie?”

She shook her head. “Corney would be upset by that.”

“But don’t you think she would have been upset if you’d chosen Jo too?”

“Yes, I guess.” She sat back looking upset. “Oh why does it have to be so hard?”

Taking hold of her hand, he gave her fingers a squeeze and ran his thumb over the back of her hand. “Come on darling, don’t be upset, please. I know it’s difficult, but you’ll work it out. Maybe you could have both of them?”

“I can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“Because I…” She stopped and thought for a second and then shrugged her shoulders. “Actually, there’s no reason why not, I guess.”

“There you are then! Now, what say you stop worrying about that for now and we start thinking about what we have to organise. We only have two months, remember!”

“I know!” He face brightened considerably at the idea of wedding plans, and reaching for her bag, she took out a pad and pen. “Well, I guess the first thing is you have to speak to Reverend Furlong so we can set a date!” and with that, they settled down to planning for remainder of the flight.


That evening, Evadne was curled up in a chair in her father’s salon, listening to Charlie Parker on the record player as her father and Veronica chatted about some business of their own. Edgar had left half an hour previously to return to his private suites in the Hotel du Louvre. As they finished their conversation, Veronica got to her feet and said goodnight, taking herself off to bed, and Evadne watched her stepmother go with concern.

“Poppa, is she okay? She looks awfully tired.”

Arthur looked across at his daughter with a smile. “She’s fine, don’t worry. Charles called earlier in the week to say that James has been sick, he’s had pneumonia, and she’s been worried and not sleeping properly, that’s all. She just needs to catch up with herself a bit.”

“Is James okay now?”

“Yes, he’s on the mend, but it was a worry for a while there.” Putting his papers to one side, he shifted position in his seat so that he was facing her properly. “So,” he said with a grin, “my little girl’s getting married then?”

“Not so much of the little thank you!”

Arthur laughed. “I’m so pleased, sweetheart. Edgar’s such a good man and you seem so happy.”

“I am, Pops, very happy.” She blushed slightly and suddenly looked a little shy. “He’s wonderful.”

“So what did he do? Whisk you off for a romantic date somewhere?”

“Erm, no, not quite,” she replied, grimacing slightly, and she proceeded to tell him the story of what had taken place the previous week in Geneva. As she finished, Arthur burst out laughing.

“Oh the stupid fool! I warned him at Christmas about that!”

“You knew at Christmas? Did the whole world know before me?”

Arthur nodded. “I only knew ‘cause he wanted some advice from me about the interviews. Don’t be cross with him, Evvy, please.”

“Oh I won’t, I’m past that now. I know he meant well. And you should see the house, Pops, it’s perfect. He went to so much trouble. Don’t tell him I told you what happened, will you?”

“No, of course not.”

“Thanks.” She leant back in her seat with a grin. “It was funny when we went to meet Rosalie for lunch afterwards. We’d changed and tidied ourselves, but Edgar had the big cut on his cheek, and you could see her desperately wanting to ask what had happened but she was too polite!”

Arthur chuckled, “Well, if Rosalie’s the same as she used to be, I can just imagine that. So have you made any plans yet?”

Evvy shook her head. “No, not really. Edgar’s got to speak to Reverend Furlong first about what date we can have the church, and it’s a bit hard to plan anything ‘til that’s done. He’ll do it tomorrow I guess. I want to ask Veronica to come help choose my dress though. I thought we could do it here. Do you think she would?”

“I reckon she’d be honoured to,” Arthur replied, touched at his daughter’s obvious intention to fully include his new wife in her big day. “So am I just getting presented with the bills then?”

“Pretty much!”

"Thought so, you cheeky madam!”

Evadne grinned. “But isn’t that why you make all your money? To spend it on me?”

Arthur laughed. “It may as well be!”

“Oh, and I guess you have to give me away too I suppose,” she added, with an air of afterthought.

“Oh yes, my cameo role!” She laughed at this, and Arthur gave her an affectionate smile, his voice softening as he continued. “You know I’ll always be here for you, even after you’re married, don’t you?”

“Of course I do. Why d’you say that?”

“I dunno really. I guess it’s just odd not being the most important man in your life any more, that’s all. Not that I mind, of course,” he added quickly, not wanting her to think that he objected in any way to her engagement.

Evvy stared at him for a moment. Then shaking her head with a smile, she got to her feet and walked across to the sofa, sitting down next to him and giving him a hug. “You silly, old fool! You’ll always be important in my life, you’re my Pops!”

Arthur put his arms around her and hugged her back, holding her tightly to him for a minute. Releasing her again, he gave her shoulder a squeeze and then turned to pick up his papers from the table. “Right, come on you, you’ve an early flight tomorrow. You have children to go and see!” She smiled and got to her feet as he watched her. “Just think you’ll be a mother soon – you of all people!” he added, with a twinkle in his eye.

“I’ll be a very good mom, thank you!" she replied indignantly, and Arthur laughed.

“I know you will.”

“And you’ll be a proper grandpa too, instead of just an honourary one!”

He nodded his head and grinned. “I’m looking forward to it. Now, to bed with you, Madam!”

Evvy laughed, and reached up to peck him on the cheek. “Night, Pops.”

“Night, sweetheart, sleep tight,” and he watched with a smile as she walked out of the room.

Last edited by Josie on Tue Apr 05, 2005 2:02 am; edited 2 times in total

 

#331:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 5:33 pm

I do love Arthur! Thank you Josie. That was really nice to come home to!

 

#332:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 5:49 pm

Thank you Jo, that was a wonderful update

*excited about wedding plans*

 

#333:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 8:30 pm

Thanks Josie

*goes off to buy a new hat*

Liz

 

#334:  Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 9:38 pm

Thank you very much indeed Josie!

Think I'll go and buy a new hat, too!

 

#335:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 1:45 am

Awwww! That was lovely Jo!!! Thank you!!
Hope the Matron of Honour problem is sorted......

 

#336:  Author: Jodi, Location: Glasgow most of the time PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 1:38 pm

totally gorgeous thanks Josie!

*adds herself to the group of people going to buy a new hat*

 

#337:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 1:48 pm

Vikki wrote:
Hope the Matron of Honour problem is sorted......


If not she's got a few hundred CBBers to choose from Laughing

Liz

 

#338:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 3:33 pm

Jodi wrote:
*adds herself to the group of people going to buy a new hat*

*g*
Hat wearing will of course be compulsory! Laughing Wink


“Come on Daddy, hurry up, where are you?”

As Marcia stood peering out of the window, almost jumping up and down with impatience, Ned looked up from his copy of ‘Jane's All the World's Aircraft’ and rolled his eyes.

“Well yelling like that’s not going to make them get here quicker, is it?”

Turning round to stare at her brother, Marcia pulled a face. “I know that, I just want them to be here. S'not my fault you’re boring and only care about planes!”

“No I’m not, don’t be so stupid.”

Thea heaved a sigh and put her hands over her ears as she tried to read her book, and Marcia snapped back, “You are too and I’m not stupid! I’m just excited for Auntie Evvy to be our new mummy.”

“How d’you know she’ll even say 'yes'?”

Marcia’s eyes opened wide in horror. “She will say 'yes'! Tell him so, Thea,” she pleaded, turning to her sister who gave up trying to read and lifted her eyes from her book to glare at Ned.

“Course she will! Don’t be so mean, Ned, leave Marcia alone.”

Ned snorted. “Since when do you stick up for her?”

“Since now, that’s when!”

Ned was about to reply when Marcia, who had turned back to the window, gave a shriek of “They’re here!” and ran out of the room, with Thea following closely at her heels. Although he was just as anxious as his sisters to know what Evadne had said, Ned’s twelve-year-old dignity wouldn’t allow him to run after them, and instead he lay his book down and sauntered out to the front door, trying to pretend he wasn’t really bothered either way. He stood at the top of the steps, leaning nonchalantly against the low wall and watching as they ran across the forecourt towards the car.

As Edgar opened his car door and stepped out, he was almost bowled over by his daughters, and had to put a hand out and grab the doorframe to prevent himself from falling back into his seat.

“Did she say ‘yes’, Daddy?”

“Tell us!”

Looking over the roof of the car at Evadne, Edgar winked at her and then laughed at the two girls as they looked up at him with eager faces. “Well hello to you too!”

“Just tell us, Daddy, don’t tease!”

“Why don’t you go and ask her yourselves? She just the other side of the car - or hadn’t you noticed?”

They stared at each other for a second, and then Thea ran around the car, closely followed by her sister. “Auntie Evvy, are you going to be our new mummy? Please say you are!” she pleaded, grabbing hold of Evadne’s hand and wringing it, as Marcia took hold of her other arm and echoed her sister’s pleas.

Evadne laughed and crouched down so that her face was almost level with theirs. “What do you think?”

Marcia stared at her, an excited grin on her face. “I think you’re going to be our new mummy!”

“So do I!” her sister put in, not to be outdone.

“Well, I reckon you’re both right!”

On hearing her answer, they both shrieked with joy and threw themselves at her, causing her to overbalance, and all three of them fell backwards onto the gravel in a heap. As they disentangled themselves, Edgar came around the car, laughing at the sight of them, and held out his hand to pull Evvy to her feet.

“If you two aren’t careful there’ll be nothing left of her to be your mother!” He checked Evvy was okay, and then crouched down and looked at his daughters who were both brushing gravel off their clothes. “So do I get a hug, or they all reserved for Auntie Evvy now?”

He held his arms out to them as they came over to greet him, both talking at once, and Evvy took the opportunity to straighten her skirt and dust herself down.

“So where are your brother and Miss McReadie?” Edgar asked as he released them and turned slightly so that Marcia could clamber up for a piggyback.

“Miss McReadie’s packing things for her holiday and Ned’s up there,” Thea replied, pointing towards the steps where Ned still stood, watching the goings on with a grin on his face. Turning to look at his son, Edgar stood up straight, hitching Marcia up so that she was more comfortable, and the four of them began to walk towards the house.

“What are you doing loitering up here?” he asked, smiling at Ned as they walked up the steps. “Did you hear the news?”

Ned nodded, but before he could reply, Marcia burst out, “Told you so, Ned! You think you’re such a know-all!” and taking advantage of the relative safety of her father’s back, she pulled a quite extraordinary face at him, that simply had the effect of making him double up with laughter.

“You look like a donkey!” he retorted, then ignoring the indignant noises she made in return, he turned to greet Evadne. “I’m really glad, Auntie Evvy, it’ll be fun, you being our stepmum!” he said with a beaming smile, and she grinned at him as she came up the steps, Thea clinging to her hand.

“Thanks Ned, I sure hope so. Don’t I get a hug?” she added with a twinkle in her eye, knowing how he detested such things.

He looked predictably horrified for a moment and then suddenly grinned. “Okay then!” and to Evadne’s shock, he hugged her briefly before pulling back again and saying, “No more for a whole year though!”

Evvy laughed. “I think I can live with that. Come on, let’s get in shall we. Can we get tea, Edgar? I’m famished!” she said as they walked through the door into the front hall.

Edgar chuckled and lowered Marcia to the ground. “I’m sure we can do something about that. Ned, can you go and ask Cook if that’s okay while I go and have a word with Miss McReadie? You two go and wash your hands, and then join Auntie Evvy in the salon,” he added to his daughters, and they all dispersed to do his bidding as he went in search of their governess.

A little while later, they were all sitting in the salon eating home-made rock cakes and drinking tea and juice. Evadne was listening to Ned relating tales of his term at school, when she suddenly felt Edgar nudge her in the ribs, and she turned to face him.

“What?”

Edgar said nothing, but just nodded his head in the direction of the curtains, a grin on his face, and Evadne looked to see what he was laughing at. The next moment, her face broke into a wide smile. Following Edgar’s gaze, she spotted a distinct bulge behind the long, heavy curtains that hung at the salon windows, and four small feet could just be seen peeping out underneath.

“What do think’s going on there?” Edgar asked, and Evvy shrugged her shoulders with a grin.

“Not an earthly! I think we’re about to find out though,” she added, as the curtain moved and Thea and Marcia came out from behind it still whispering.

“You ask, it’s your idea,” Thea said in a stage whisper, and she pushed her younger sister forward as the pair of them walked across the floor to stand in front of Evvy, who looked up at them expectantly.

“Can I help you?”

Marcia looked back at her sister, who hissed “Go on!” and then she turned back to face Evvy, who saw her gulp visibly before she spoke.

“Au…Auntie Evvy…um…can we ask something please?”

“Yes, okay.”

“Well, you know when you’re our mummy?” she continued, and Evvy nodded as the little girl swallowed hard. “We want to call you ‘Mummy’ too.”

“Can we? Please? We’ve never had a mummy that we knew before.” Thea added enthusiastically, and the two of them fixed their future stepmother with expectant gazes.

Feeling a lump rise in her throat, Evadne glanced at Edgar, who smiled and nodded. Then she turned back to look at them, feeling a little overwhelmed, tears of happiness pricking the back of her eyes.

“Of course you can. I’d love for you to call me Mommy,” and holding her arms out, she collected them both in for a hug and clung to them for a moment as she tried to compose herself again.

Releasing them and pulling back, Evvy noticed the slightly clouded look on Ned’s face. She and Edgar had talked of Ned’s feelings about their engagement, and Edgar had told her about his son’s request to not have to call her ‘Mum’. She had been thinking about it for the past few days, and believed she had come up with a solution. She’d spoken to Edgar about it on the plane this morning, and he had agreed that it seemed to be the best idea. Now, twisting round to her right, she looked into his face with a smile.

“Ned, your dad tells me that you’d prefer not to call me ‘Mom’?” she began, and Ned shook his head timidly. “It’s okay, I wouldn’t want you to either, if you’d rather not. I know you remember your mother and it wouldn’t be right. But I’ve been thinking and I might have an idea. D’you want to know what it is?”

He nodded, a mixture of relief and curiosity showing on his face. Evadne smiled. “Well, seeing as how we’re friends, I thought you might like to call me ‘Evvy’, like my other friends do. What do you think?”

Ned stared at her in disbelief for a moment, then seeing his father smiling, his face broke into a wide grin. “Yes please!”

“Excellent! That’s that solved then!” Evvy replied, returning his grin. “We’ll start it from the day I come to live with you, shall we?”

“When are you coming to live with us?” Thea asked, interrupting, and Evvy turned back to face her.

“After we’re married, when we get back from our honeymoon.”

“So then you’ll come and live here, not in London anymore?”

At this, Evadne looked around at Edgar. It seemed the perfect moment to break their other piece of news. Clearing his throat, he looked from one of his children to the other. “Girls, come and sit down properly for a minute. There’s something else we need to tell you all.”

The two girls looked at each other and sat down on the rug near the sofa, and Ned turned around in this chair to face his father and Evvy expectantly. Seeing that they were all paying attention, Edgar said, “Okay, now you know I’ve spent a lot of time in Switzerland since Christmas?”

They all nodded. Edgar paused for a minute and studied each of their faces. He wasn't sure how this piece of news was going to go down. Taking a deep breath, he continued, “Well, I have a new job out in Geneva, so we’ll be moving there too.”

There was silence for a few moments as they all took this in, and then Thea asked, “Where’s Geneva?”

Edgar smiled at her. “Run and get your atlas and I’ll show you.”

As she jumped up and ran out of the room, Marcia looked up at her father. “Does that mean we won‘t live here any more?”

He nodded. “That’s right, poppet. We’ll still come and stay here sometimes, but we’ll have a new house in Geneva where we’ll live everyday. Auntie Evvy and I have already seen it and you’ll like it very much. It’s right by the lake. We’ve got some pictures for you to look at, we’ll show you when Thea comes back.”

“When are we moving?”

Evadne turned to look at Ned. “At the end of June, when your Dad and I get back from our honeymoon. You’ll come out straight from school at the end of next term.”

At that moment, Thea burst back into the room with her atlas, and taking it from her, Edgar opened it to the right page. Setting it on his knees, he called them all to gather round, and pointed out Geneva and the lake and mountains, while Evadne took some photographs from her bag and passed them round.

“Cor! Is this really the house?” Ned exclaimed as he stared at a picture of the front of their new home taken from the top of the driveway. Then passing it to Marcia and looking at the next one, “Have we got a jetty? Does that mean we can have a boat, Dad?”

“Ooo, can we?”

“Please, Daddy?”

Edgar laughed. “I don’t see why not. Auntie Evvy can sail, so she can teach us all how to do it.”

Evadne smiled. “And there are mountains too, and it snows a lot in the winter so we can go sledging and skiing.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really!” Edgar laughed as they cheered. “So do we take it you’re all happy then?”

Getting affirmative answers from all of them, he passed the atlas back to Thea, who sat down on the rug to study it, and then sat back against the sofa. “Well that was easier than I thought it would be! Now we’ve just got to decide what to take with us! Ned, you’ll have to do that this holiday, as there might not be time at half-term. We’re leaving all the furniture, so you’ll all get new things for your bedrooms. You just need to go through your other bits and pieces.”

“Can we take Millicent Mary?”

He turned to look at Marcia. “Um, well, we’ll have to think about that…”

“Daddy we have to!”

“Yes, Edgar, I really think we should. She’ll get very lonely here all on her own,” Evadne put in, grinning at him with a twinkle in her eye.

He grimaced at her as Ned burst out laughing and the girls clamoured to be able to take their ‘pet’. “And who’s going pack her, may I ask?”

“You are of course!”

“Really? Well, we’ll see about that!”

Last edited by Josie on Tue Apr 05, 2005 4:01 pm; edited 1 time in total

 

#339:  Author: Robin, Location: London PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 3:53 pm

yet again I'm sitting in the office with a big grin on my face and people are looking at me strangely!

So glad they're all happy and love Evvy and Ned - that was Fab, thanks Jo Very Happy Very Happy

 

#340:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 3:55 pm

Josie wrote:
“You ask, it’s your idea,” Thea said in a stage whisper, and she pushed her younger sister forward as the pair of them walked across the floor to stand in front of Evvy, who looked up at them expectantly.

“Can I help you?”

Marcia looked back at her sister, who hissed “Go on!” and then she turned back to face Evvy, who saw her gulp visibly before she spoke.

“Au…Auntie Evvy…um…can we ask something please?”

“Yes, okay.”


I thought they were going to ask to be bridesmaids - but that was so very sweet!

Thanks Jo

*starts eagerly watching post for invitation*

Liz

 

#341:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 4:25 pm

Aw aw aw!!!!


That was SO cute Jo! Thank you!!!

 

#342:  Author: dackel, Location: Wolfenbuettel, Germany/Cambridge, England PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 5:16 pm

I thought the question was going to be about brides-maids, too, but this was so much so much better!

Thank you, Josie, lovely scenes as usual!

 

#343:  Author: Donna, Location: Liverpool PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 6:03 pm

That was lovely Jo - I really feel like I know this family, and I'm so glad everything's working out for them! Thank you!

 

#344:  Author: Jodi, Location: Glasgow most of the time PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 7:32 pm

thanks Josie, love the way you keep updating so quickly! now what I want to know is, are there going to be any disasters at the wedding??

*joins LizB once again in maiting for the invite* Laughing

 

#345:  Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 7:42 pm

lovely thank you!!

*sits patiently waiting for invite and excuse for not only a hat, but a whole new outfit*

 

#346:  Author: pim, Location: the Derbyshire wilderness PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 7:47 pm

Hurrahhurrahhurrahhurrahhurrah! They're engaged! Wheeeeeeeeeeee! Thank you Jo Very HappyVery HappyVery HappyVery HappyVery Happy

 

#347:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 9:01 pm

A couple of days later, Evadne stood in the Rodwells’ front room talking to Elsie, while Paul and Edgar had a chat in the study. Evvy knew that Edgar was asking Paul to be his best man, and she was about to break the news of her engagement to Elsie. Knowing what Elsie’s reaction was likely to be she had been looking forward to this, and had been winding her friend up for the past ten minutes.

“So come on then, Mystic Elsie, what am I about to say?”

Elsie cast an exasperated look in her direction. “For the fiftieth time, I’ve no idea. Stop being such an ass and just tell me.”

“No, you have to guess. Come on,” she added as her friend glared at her, “what do you most want me to show you?”

Light suddenly dawned in Elsie’s mind. Springing forward, she grabbed hold of Evadne’s arm, pulling her left hand out from behind her back to reveal the diamonds sparkling on her wedding finger. “I don’t believe it! He’s finally asked you! Oh, Evvy, that’s so wonderful!”

Flinging her arms around her friend, she hugged her so hard that she almost took the wind out of her. Evadne choked and pulled back hurriedly. “What are you trying to do, for God’s sake, squeeze all the air out of me?”

Elsie laughed. “Sorry, I’m just so excited!” At that moment, the door opened, admitting the two men into the room, and spotting Edgar, Elsie ran across to give him a hug. “Oh Edgar, I’m so happy for you!”

He laughed as he returned her embrace. “Thanks, Elsie.”

“Well it’s about time. I don’t know why it took you so long!”

“Excuse me!” he replied, indignantly, “I had things to sort out first. Anyway” he added, giving Paul a wicked look, “I’m surprised your husband didn’t tell you.”

Paul had been standing discreetly to one side, chuckling at his wife, and at Edgar’s words, he turned to glare at his friend. “Thanks a bunch! Nice to know you trusted me to keep the secret.”

“Oh, I trusted you alright, I just know what your wife can be like when it comes to wheedling things out of people, that’s all.”

“I don’t wheedle things out of people,” Elsie interjected huffily, then swinging round to face her husband, she asked, “And when did he tell you, anyway?”

“Oh, last October.”

“What?”

“Last October?” Evadne span round to stare at Edgar, and he put his arm around her shoulders with a grin.

“As I just said, I had things to take care of first.”

“What things?”

“Oh I don’t know, the move, the house, asking the children and your father - just a couple of bits and pieces! But yes, I’ve been planning this for a long time. I wanted to get it right.”

She returned his grin and slipped her arm around his waist. “I guess you did – in the end!”

“What’s that about a house and a move?” Elsie asked, and then before Edgar could answer, she rounded on Paul again. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!”

“I was sworn to secrecy!”

“It’s never stopped you before!”

As Edgar and Evadne raised amused eyebrows at this statement, Paul went bright red and decided to ignore his wife’s last comment. “Well I’m sorry, dear, but you’d have blurted it out to Evvy.”

“No I wouldn’t!” she retorted, sounding injured, and then as they all laughed, she grinned reluctantly. “Alright, maybe I would have. Never mind that, anyway, tell me how he proposed!”

Gazing up at Edgar, who gave her a wink, Evadne turned back to her friend and told the story of the proposal in Geneva, leaving out the argument as they had previously agreed. As she finished, Elsie looked up at Edgar proudly. “Oh, that’s so romantic! You’ve come a long way, Edgar!”

Trying not to laugh at the thought of what she would say if she knew what had really happened, Edgar gave her a warm smile. “Well, I had a good tutor, didn’t I?”

“Yes, and now you can return the favour and teach Paul.”

“Oh I think I think I’m beyond hope by now!” Paul interjected with a laugh, and Elsie rolled her eyes at him. Then turning back to face Evvy, she grabbed her friend's hand again and had a closer look at the ring. “It’s beautiful. So when’s the wedding to be?”

Evadne smiled. “It was Amelia’s,” she replied, inclining her head towards the ring, “and the wedding’s to be on June fifth, at Whitlingford church and then the Hall. We hope you can make it!” she added, with a twinkle in her eye.

“Of course we can! If we had anything planned, consider it cancelled!” Then she stopped suddenly, as mention of Whitlingford Hall made her recall Edgar’s earlier comment and something Evadne had said when describing the proposal. “Wait a second, he proposed in your new house? In Geneva?”

Evvy winced slightly, “Erm, yes, that’s the other thing. We’re moving to Geneva.”

“What? When?”

“End of June, when we get back from our honeymoon. Edgar has a new job starting in July. In fact we’re spending part of our honeymoon there, so we can get the house organised before the kids arrive. Pops and Veronica are going to stay at Whitlingford when we’re away, and then bring them out when Ned’s term finishes.”

“But…but…,” Elsie turned to face her husband, “did you know about this as well?” He nodded. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“’Cause Evvy didn’t know herself before Edgar proposed, and I don’t think she’d have wanted to find out from us!”

Elsie span back round to face her friends. “But you can’t! When will we ever see you?”

Edgar laughed. “Oh come on, Elsie, it’s not that far. And Paul and I have already arranged that you’ll visit us three times during the year, and we’ll come back here three times, so you’ll see us every couple of months at the very least.”

“But that’s not the same!”

Paul reached over and gave his wife’s shoulder a squeeze. “Come on, darling, it’s not that bad.”

She looked upset for a second, then decided to put a brave face on things. “Oh alright, I s’pose not.” She turned back to Evadne again and put an arm around her friend’s shoulders. “You know, Edgar, you really couldn’t have chosen better.”

Edgar gave her a beaming grin. “Yes, I’m well aware of that.”

“Oh, I’ve just remembered – we have bottle of champagne we’ve been saving for a special occasion! Can we open it now Paul?”

Paul smiled at her. “Yes, of course,” and as she ran out of room to get it, they all laughed. Walking forward, Paul held out his hand to shake Edgar’s, and then bent to kiss Evvy on the cheek. “I know I’ve said it to you already, Edgar, but congratulations, both of you. I’m so pleased.”

“Thanks Paul,” Evadne put her arms around Edgar as she spoke and he hugged her back, kissing her on the top of the head. “So are we.”

Paul grinned. “So I can see!” A sudden crash from the kitchen caused him to grimace, and he began to walk towards the door. “I’m just going to give Elsie a hand with the glasses, I think. She’s so excited I can see all our good crystal ending up in smithereens! Back in a moment.”

As he walked out of the door, Evadne twisted round in Edgar’s arms and looked up at him. “So they’re pleased then!” Edgar laughed, and she added, “So, who do we tell next?”

Reaching into his inside pocket, Edgar pulled out two airline tickets and handed them to Evadne with a smile. “Well, my love, I’m not sure what you’re doing next week, but if you’re free, how does a trip to America sound?”

“Really?”

“Yes. I thought you’d like to tell them in person, and you can solve this Matron of Honour problem at the same time, too.”

Evvy stared at the tickets for a moment, and then looked up with a grin. “You see, this is why I’m marrying you!”

Edgar laughed. “I’ll take that as a yes then.”

“Of course!”

“Jolly good!” and leaning down, he kissed her on the lips, pulling back again as the door opened and Paul and Elsie came in carrying glasses of champagne.

Last edited by Josie on Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:52 am; edited 5 times in total

 

#348:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 9:08 pm

Its so great how happy and excited everyone is, Im so pleased for them all!!!

Thanks Jo Very Happy

 

#349:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 9:40 pm

Oh that is soooooo lovely - beautiful posts Josie - thank you. Laughing

 

#350:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 9:44 pm

Josie wrote
Quote:
“Well, my love, I’m not sure what you’re doing next week, but if you’re free, how does a trip to America sound?”

“Really?”

“Yes. I thought you’d like to tell them in person, and you can solve this Matron of Honour problem at the same time, too.”

Oh he's (almost) the perfect husband - not becauses he has the money & resources to do things like this, but because he understands how important this is to Evvy Smile

 

#351:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 10:28 pm

*Sighs with happiness*

That was most satisfying, Jo. Thank you.

 

#352:  Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 10:44 pm

This is sooo lovely! I want an Edgar!

*loves this story and bounces *

 

#353:  Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 12:00 am

Josie! You're as shiny as can be!!!

 

#354:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 12:48 am

i get 6 pages of posts and still end up on a cliff?!

YAY they're engaged

YAY the family are happy

but who is the Matron of Honour going to be?

 

#355:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 2:21 am

Absoliutely LOVELY Jo! thank you hun!

 

#356:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 3:23 am

Thanks, Jo! Can't wait for Corney's reaction.
Also looking forward to hearing how Millicent Mary manages her travels. Twisted Evil

 

#357:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:42 am

Thanks Jo - lovely reaction from Paul and Elsie

Liz

 

#358:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 11:41 am

Thank you Jo! Wonderful reaction from the children and Paul and Elsie.

 

#359:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 12:31 pm

Sophoife wrote:
Josie! You're as shiny as can be!!!


Agreeing wholeheartedly. I just got 5 pages of this and has all been utterly, unrivalledly wonderful. Thanks Jo!

And I'm soo glad there's going to be a sequel! Very Happy Very Happy

 

#360:  Author: Jodi, Location: Glasgow most of the time PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 1:29 pm

see, where do I get an Edgar? Can i order one please? He is just so gorgeous! Josie, you really have to start manufacturing them! Wink

 

#361:  Author: Guest,  PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 2:20 pm

Very Happy Thanks for all the lovely comments everyone. Glad you're enjoying it - has been great to write (mostly) nice happy posts recently! Very Happy

And Jodi, how much would you be willing to pay for one? Got to cover costs after all!! Wink Laughing


Cornelia was buckling up Meg’s shoes, ready to go to the shops as they had run out of milk yet again, when the clanging of the doorbell sounded throughout the house.

“I’ll get it, Mommy!”

“Oh no you don’t!” she retorted, grabbing Terry around the waist as her daughter tried to scramble down from the sofa, “You just stay where you are ‘til I’ve got your shoes on. You can’t reach the handle anyhow, you’re too little.”

“Could use my steps,” Terry retorted sulkily and Cornelia grinned.

“And how do you propose to pull the door open if you’re standing on steps behind it?”

Terry screwed up her face in thought as her three-year-old logic tried to make sense of this, and the doorbell clanged again.

“Come in, it’s open!” Cornelia called, as she swivelled round, still crouching, and slipped a shoe on Terry’s right foot. She was just lacing it up when a familiar voice sounded from the doorway.

“Milk delivery! We know you never have any!”

Startled, Cornelia span around, overbalanced, and fell backwards onto her backside causing her daughters much amusement. “Oh my g…wh…what are you doing here?” and unheeding of her daughter’s giggles, she scrambled to her feet, ran across the room and threw her arms around her visitor.

Evadne laughed and returned her friend’s embrace. “Oh you know, we were at a loose end for a few days, so thought we’d jump on a plane and come on over!”

Corney pulled back and gave her a sceptical look. “Tosh! Why are you really here? Oh, you said ‘we’ – is Edgar here too?”

“He’s just paying the cab. How are you, Corney?”

“We’re real good. Oh Evvy, this is such a terrific surprise, it’s so good to see you!” and she hugged her friend again, before turning round to her daughters. “Girls, see who’s here? It’s Aunt Evvy!”

Terry called out to her from her seat on the sofa, and Meg just stared at their visitor with a blank face. Evadne heard Edgar chuckle as he came in behind her.

“Either she’s still scared of you, or she’s no idea who you are!” he quipped, grinning at his fiancée and greeting Cornelia with a peck on the cheek. “Nice to see you, Corney. How’s the family?”

“Good thanks. I still can’t believe you’re here! And why are you here, anyhow?”

“I told you, we just fancied the trip.” Evadne replied. “Are you okay to put us up? We can go to a hotel if not.”

“Of course we’ll put you up! There’s heaps of room, even if I have to send Mike to go sleep on the couch,” she added with a grin.

Evvy laughed. “I’d like to see his face if you told him that! Now, how about a cup of coffee! Call yourself a hostess? Look, we’ve even brought milk with us – we know what you people are like!”

Cornelia laughed. “I never called myself a hostess, as far as I remember! We do need the milk though,” she added with a grin, “we were just about to go to the store to buy some, so that’s saved us a trip nicely!”

“Mommy, can I have my shoe and get down?”

“Oh I’m sorry, sweetie, I forgot!” Hurrying across to the sofa, Cornelia bent down and put on Terry’s other shoe, before kissing her on the nose and lifting her down onto the floor. “There you are, all done. Now how about you take Uncle Edgar upstairs and show him the spare room next to Mommy and Daddy’s? You remember Uncle Edgar, don’t you?” Terry nodded. “And then show him the other room next to Val’s. Can you do that?”

“Yes, Mommy! C’mon Uncle Egger!”

Grinning at her daughter’s pronunciation of his name, Corney called after them, “Doesn’t matter who goes in which, Edgar, take your pick.” Then turning back to Evadne she gave her a smile. “Can you stay with Meg while I go and grab some coffee?”

“Of course! We can get acquainted, can’t we Meg?” Meg just stared at her again. “Does she ever speak?”

Cornelia laughed. “She’s only just one, her vocabulary’s still a little limited! Now when you’ve quite finished being rude about my child, I’ll go see to those drinks.”

Turning to leave the room, she stopped suddenly and stared at her friend in shock. Evadne had raised her left hand to brush some hair back from her face, causing the sleeve that she had kept carefully pulled down to fall back and reveal a sparkling diamond ring. Catching the expression on her face, Evvy realised what had happened and hastily lowered her arm, pulling the sleeve down again. But Cornelia was too quick for her, and darting forward, she caught hold of her friend’s hand and pulled it towards her. She stared at the ring for a moment, and then raised her enormous blue eyes to look at Evadne’s face.

“Is this what I think it is?” she asked, a wide grin spreading across her face.

Evadne blushed and nodded, suddenly feeling uncharacteristically shy. Cornelia watched her for a moment, and then saying nothing, she reached out and pulled her friend into a tight hug. Evadne returned the embrace, feeling a lump in her throat, and the two women stayed like that in silence for a minute, before Cornelia finally pulled back and took hold of her hands, looking at her with a smile.

“I told you it would happen one day, didn’t I? You should have more faith in me!” Evadne laughed and Corney looked at her affectionately, leaning forward to kiss her on the cheek. “Make sure he looks after you, okay?”

Evvy nodded and swallowed hard. “Thanks, Corney, for...well, you know.”

Cornelia grinned. “I know. Now,” she added in brisker tones, “I really am going to get that coffee! Guess it should be champagne really, but we’ll wait for that ‘til Mike gets home,” and still grinning, she walked out of the room.

As she stepped out into the corridor, Edgar was just coming down the stairs with Terry, and catching the look on her face, he gave her a curious glance. “What’s got you grinning like a lunatic?”

She stopped and looked up at him. “I gather you’re making an honest woman of her? It’s about time somebody did!” and she carried on her way to the kitchen.

“I’ll take that as congratulations, shall I?” Edgar retorted with a laugh.

Looking back over her shoulder, she grinned again. “What else would it be?” and with that, she disappeared through the kitchen door.


Later that evening, when the van Alden children had gone to bed, and the two men and the Pertwees were sitting talking in the lounge, Evadne and Cornelia were in the kitchen washing up the dinner dishes and catching up on each other’s news. Evadne had just finished telling her friend about Elsie’s reaction to the engagement, and as Corney laughed, Evvy rinsed off her hands, dried them on a towel, and turned to face her.

“Corney, I need to talk to you. Can we sit down?”

Cornelia looked at her in surprise. “I thought that’s what we were doing?”

“Not that sort of talking, you know what I mean!” Evadne pulled out a chair and sat down at the table. “Please, Corney?”

Pulling out another chair and seating herself on the opposite side of the table, Cornelia leaned back and looked at her. “Okay, sure. “What’s up?”

Evvy took a deep breath. “It’s about my Matron of Honour. I’ve got a bit of a problem, I…” she paused for a second, looking down at her hands, and Cornelia gave her a smile.

“Let me guess, you don’t know who to ask out of Cassie and me?”

Evadne’s head snapped up and she stared at her friend in amazement. “How did you guess?”

“It wasn’t that hard! I had a feeling it would happen.”

“I don’t know what to do, Corney, maybe I should just have both of you, make it easier. Then…”

Cornelia held up her hand to silence her. “Easy, I’ll solve that one for you now. I opt out.”

“Oh Corney, no! You can’t, you’re my best friend!”

“Evvy, I’m opting out, and I don’t want any arguments.” Seeing the look of distress on Evadne’s face, she reached across the table and took hold of her hand. “Look, Evvy, it means a lot that you’d want me to be your Matron of Honour, and that’s enough for me. I think you should go with Cassie. After everything that’s happened, it just seems right, okay?”

Evadne nodded and squeezed her friend’s hand. “Thanks.”

Cornelia smiled. “Anyhow, there’s no way you’re getting me to walk down the aisle dressed in any frills! My own wedding was enough for me!”

Evadne laughed. “And there was me going to put you in a nice burnt orange to match your pale complexion!”

“You know, I actually wouldn’t put it past you! But this doesn’t mean I don’t want to be involved with all the plans you understand?”

“Of course!”

“Okay, then tell me about the ideas for your dress, the church, flowers, everything. I want to know all about it!”

With the weight of the decision lifted from her shoulders, Evadne sat back as Cornelia got up to pour them both a drink, and began to tell her friend everything that she had planned.

 

#362:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 2:21 pm

That was me - forgot to log in before I posted! D'oh!! Embarassed Embarassed Embarassed

 

#363:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 2:42 pm

Thank you Jo!!!

Corney is a sweetie!!!!

 

#364:  Author: Jodi, Location: Glasgow most of the time PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 4:09 pm

don't know how much I'd be willing to pay...what's the going rate? Maybe I'll just have to wait for one to come along after all!

Thanks for the shiny post Josie! Very Happy

 

#365:  Author: pim, Location: the Derbyshire wilderness PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 4:25 pm

Awwwwwwwwwwww, I LOVE Corney! Thank you Jo Very Happy

 

#366:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 4:38 pm

Awwww! That's so lovely - thank you Josie -and I'll pay more than Jodi for the first Edgar....he'll have to change his name mind!

 

#367:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 4:43 pm

Thank you Jo! And that was lovely of Corney. Very Happy

 

#368:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 7:26 pm

*hugs Corney*

She's so lovely and understanding! And I think I might have to put an order in for an Edgar myself - does that make me third on the list?

 

#369:  Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 7:51 pm

Can I order one too?
They are all so sweet
*I've got my hat ready for the wedding!*

 

#370:  Author: Jodi, Location: Glasgow most of the time PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 7:59 pm

well if lesley's overtaken me, I'm definitely second on the list! AND he wouldn't have to chamge his name...though might have to find a nickname!

nikkie, I'm right behind you with the hat. might get new shoes too.

 

#371:  Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 10:59 pm

How do I top the biggest size font available not to mention bright bold yellow??

I got a hat, and then decided my wedding suit was too shabby for the new hat, so had to get a new suit as well...meaning new shoes and hosiery of course...do I really *need* a new handbag to go with the rest of the outfit??

 

#372:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 12:28 am

Yay for Corney!

But what's all the to-do about hats? This is Evvy we're talking about here. Or is Uncle Egger picky about such things?

 

#373:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 12:57 am

Sophofie wrote
Quote:
do I really *need* a new handbag to go with the rest of the outfit??

Yes. (You wouldn't want the rest of the outfit let down by a handbag that didn't quite match, would you.)

 

#374:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 9:12 am

*would like to point out that I requested an Edgar ages and ages ago, so the rest of you will have to wait behind me! Wink *

Thanks for the update Jo - that was so sweet of Corney.

And Kathy - we've waited so long for Evvy's wedding that we're going to make sure it's done properly - new outfits, hats and all!

anyone want to join me in a bulk order of confetti?

Liz

 

#375:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 12:55 pm

Laughing at all the hat buying - suppose I should get one myself really! Wink


“Is that thing really a dog?”

Evadne grinned and took a sip of her Pimm’s. “You mean you can’t tell? Honestly, Cass, you’ve no imagination!”

“And I suppose you knew what it was straight away?” Cassie retorted, glaring at her, and Evvy relented.

“Actually, Edgar had to tell me – I thought it was a horse!” she replied, laughing. “Don’t tell Marcia, though, whatever you do. She thought I was a living genius when I got it right first time, and I don’t like to dispel that myth!”

Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden loud crash and some none-too-polite language from the inside the house, and the next moment, Cornelia appeared at the french doors that led off the terrace into the summer room. “Oh, ow, my sides ache,” she cried, flopping down in the nearest seat and giggling until tears ran down her face. “How you’re ever gonna to get that thing to Geneva is beyond me!”

Evvy grimaced. “What was that crash?”

“Its head just fell off!” her friend replied, going off into another fit of laughter, “Oh Evvy, you should have seen Edgar’s face! Marcia started telling him that he’d killed her pet, and he looked like he was about to explode!”

The other two laughed, and Cassie looked at Evvy with pleading eyes. “Come on, Evvy, can’t we just go and watch for a little while?”

Fixing her friend with a stern glare, Evadne put her drink back down on the table and shook her head. “Absolutely not! I’d thank you to remember I’m getting married tomorrow and I’d like to make it to the altar in one piece! If we go in there now, I guarantee I’ll have more than a few strips torn off of me!” Leaning forward, she pushed a fresh glass towards Cornelia so that lady could pour herself a drink. “Why the stupid fool had to do this today of all days is beyond me – he’s had two months to sort it.”

“Why’s he doing it himself anyhow? Couldn’t he have the men pack it when they come to remove everything?”

Evadne picked up her glass and rolled her eyes as she took another sip. “Apparently Thea decided that they might break her, so she managed to persuade him to pack her himself. Clearly the not breaking her thing’s going well! Frankly it all seems a bit pointless if you ask me, seeing she’s essentially a couple of packing crates in the first place!”

Cornelia laughed. “I love the way you all refer to it as ‘her’ or ‘she’!”

“Well she is a ‘she’, her name’s Millicent Mary after all!” Evvy retorted with a grin. “How were they getting on, Corney? Is it nearly done?”

“Almost. The head fell off when they were pushing it into the crate and last I heard, Edgar was just going to shove it in with some other stuff in another box. Andrew’s removed Thea and Marcia as well, so the lack of audience should make things a bit quicker for Edgar and Mike.”

“Excellent. Well in that case, what say we do a last quick runthrough of everything while the kids are still out of our hair? I’m pretty sure we’ve got everything done, but I guess it’s best to make sure.”

“Okay, let me go grab my list,” and as Cassie got to her feet and went in through the doors, Cornelia turned to look at her friend with an amused air.

“You know, I’d never have had you down for being this calm. I’d have bet any dollars that you’d’ve been tearing your hair out at this stage!”

Evadne smiled. “Well I like to surprise occasionally!” she said complacently, and then as Cassie came back out onto the terrace, “Now, let’s get this done, and then we can forget all about it ‘til tomorrow morning and enjoy my last night of freedom tonight!”

It was now mid-afternoon on the fourth of June, the day before the wedding. In the past two months, since Evadne and Edgar had returned from their trip to America, dresses had been made and fitted, invitations sent, flowers and cake chosen, marquee and food ordered, vows practiced, and everything was now as ready as it could possibly be for the big day. The majority of the Watsons' belongings had been packed up ready to go to Geneva, barring what would be needed by the children and Evadne’s parents over the next month. Throughout it all, Evadne had remained calm and in control to an extent that had surprised everyone around her, even her father. Even the odd mishap, such as Thea tearing her bridesmaid dress at one of the fittings or the wrong time being put on the invitations so that they had to be reprinted, had all been taken in her stride, and had been greeted with amusement rather than her usual hair-trigger temper. Cassie and Cornelia had arrived in England with their families ten days previously to help with the organisation, and both parties had been staying down at Whitlingford Hall. Arthur and Veronica had arrived two days previously from Paris, and Elsie and Paul had appeared the same day having collected Ned from school on their way. Consequently the atmosphere at the Hall had been one of a joyful reunion rather than a tense, nervous build-up, which had helped Evadne’s state of mind considerably.

Now, with her parents, Paul and Elsie having taken most of the children for a walk though the woods, Edgar was taking the opportunity to finish off the last bits and pieces of packing, including Millicent Mary who was to be transported to Geneva in her own special crate. He had been getting more and more irate as time went on, not helped by the ‘assistance’ he was receiving from his two daughters, and Evadne, Cassie and Cornelia had wisely decided to retire to the terrace with a jug of Pimm’s and leave the men to it.

The three women had just finished going through Cassie’s list, and were relaxing again, satisfied that everything was as prepared as it could possibly be, when Edgar and Mike appeared, hot and sweaty, with looks of relief on both of their faces. Evadne tilted her head back as she felt Edgar’s hands on her shoulders, and smiled up at him.

“You all done?”

Yes, finally!” he replied, looking down into her eyes. “Next time I decide to leave something like that to the last minute, will you remind me it’s not such a good idea?”

Evadne was about to point out that she had reminded him of this, several times over, but thought better of it and instead lifted her hands to take hold of his. “You poor old thing – you look exhausted. Can I get you a drink?”

Edgar smiled and shook his head. “No thanks. I think we’re just going to get washed and changed, and then head off to the Leather Bottle. I still can’t believe I’m being kicked out of my own home the night before my wedding! I thought it was supposed to be the other way around!” he added, with a reproachful look, and they all laughed.

“Well we can make it the other way round if you men would like to look after the kids for the night?” Cornelia put in with an insouciant air, and Mike and Edgar exchanged glances with eyebrows raised.

“You know, Edgar,” Mike said, grinning, “suddenly going to the Leather Bottle for the night sounds like a perfect plan – what do you reckon?”

“Oh, absolutely!” his host replied, enthusiastically, and the three women laughed and rolled their eyes.

“Typical!” Evadne shook her head as she spoke. “Well go on then, go get ready and then we can get you out of our hair!” and with that, the two men left to make themselves more presentable, chuckling as they went.


An hour later they were spruced up and ready to leave. Evadne stood at the top of the steps watching as Paul and Elsie tried to persuade Ned, Sam and Tom to stop fooling around and get in the car. Once everyone was in and they were just about ready to go, Edgar came back up the steps to say goodbye.

“So, this is it then!” he said, smiling down at her, as she nodded and reached up, putting her arms around his neck. “We’ve finally made it, Evvy,” he added, slipping his arms around her waist and looking down into her shining blue eyes.

She grinned back up at him. “We have, haven’t we?”

Edgar stared at her a second and then laughed, lifting a hand to brush a lock of hair back from her face. “Right, Madam, I will see you at the altar in the morning – don’t be late now, will you?”

“I thought it was de rigueur for me to be a little late!” she retorted.

“Okay, well not too late then!” and bending his head, he kissed her gently on the lips. Pulling back again, he gazed down at her, his green eyes full of affection. “Have a good evening, darling. I can’t wait for tomorrow.”

“Nor me,” she replied, returning his gaze. “I love you, Edgar.”

“I love you too,” and he lowered his head to kiss her again, before releasing her and turning to walk down the steps towards the cars.

As she watched him go, Evadne felt butterflies in her stomach for the first time since he had proposed. This time tomorrow, she would be his wife. Elsie walked across the courtyard and up the steps towards her, and seeing the look on Evvy’s face, she stood next to her and put an arm around her shoulders.

“You okay?”

Evadne turned to her and smiled. “Yes, thanks.” Then as the cars finally drove off up the driveway, tooting their horns as they went, she gave a small chuckle.

“What?”

Evvy looked at her for a moment and shook her head. “I was just thinking, that’s all. Come on, lets go and see what the others are up to,” and she slipped a hand through her friend’s arm, leading her back into the house.


Later that evening, when dinner was over and all the children were either in or getting into bed, Evadne sat on the low wall around the terrace, a gin and tonic in her hand, staring out across the gardens and lost in her thoughts. Hearing light footsteps behind her, she turned her head and smiled as Cassie stopped next to her.

“Room for one more, do you think?”

Evadne looked at the long empty wall and laughed. “Oh I’m sure you can squeeze in somewhere!” She watched as her friend sat down, swinging her legs round so that she was sat facing the gardens. “Have Thea and Marcia gone to bed okay?”

Cassie smiled. “Just about. Thea’s reading, she’s promised to turn her light out in half hour, and Marcia’s waiting for you to go say goodnight – she’s a couple of questions for you, I believe!”

Evvy laughed. “Sounds about right! I’ll go on up in a minute.” She stared at Cassie for a few seconds and then heaved a sigh, giving her friend a wry smile. “I can’t believe it’s actually here - the day I mean,” she said, pausing as Cassie watched her intently. “I’ve been terrified this whole time, Cass, that something would go wrong and it would all fall apart. I guess that’s why I’ve been so calm about all the details. I just wanted them to actually happen, I’m not sure I cared so much how.”

She looked down at her fingers as she finished speaking, and Cassie put her drink down on the wall and turned slightly to face her. Evadne looked at her and swallowed hard.

“Cassie, I…”

“Don’t Evvy,” Cassie interrupted quickly, putting her fingers on her friend’s lips to silence her. “Don’t say it; it doesn’t need to be said. The past is exactly that, and it should stay there, okay?” She removed her fingers from Evvy’s mouth and reached down to take hold of her hand. “Tomorrow you are going to walk down that aisle and marry a wonderful man who loves you very, very much, and it’s going to be a perfect day, and you will happy with him for the rest of your life. That’s all that matters now.”

Evadne stared back at her, tears welling up in her eyes which she hastily blinked back again. “Thanks so much, Cassie, for everything. I’ve no idea how I’d have got through the past nine years if it hadn’t been for you,” and she put her arms around her friend and hugged her tight, burying her head briefly in her shoulder.

Cassie returned her embrace and then pulled back, giving her friend a warm smile. “I’m just so glad to see you happy, Evvy,” she said, handing over her handkerchief so that Evadne could wipe her eyes. “Now, let’s say no more about it, okay? How about you head upstairs – there’s two young girls up there waiting for their mommy to go kiss them goodnight.”

Evadne laughed, and then giving Cassie’s shoulder a squeeze, she twisted round so that her feet were back on the terrace, and then stood up and made her way in through the open doors.

Last edited by Josie on Thu Apr 07, 2005 2:37 pm; edited 1 time in total

 

#376:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 1:15 pm

Ty Josie!!! Very Happy

*sits back and waits for the spectacle to unfurl*

btw Im making claims on Ned's son. OK he doesnt exist (yet) but by my reckoning he should be the prefect age now!! Wink

 

#377:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 1:24 pm

She's getting married tomorrow? Where did the last couple of months go?

*rushes off to arrange an impromptu wedding shower*

Liz

Edited to invite you all to the shower in BV

Last edited by LizB on Thu Apr 07, 2005 1:34 pm; edited 1 time in total

 

#378:  Author: Jodi, Location: Glasgow most of the time PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 1:26 pm

I'm very excited! But I have a horrible feeling that the next day is not going to be plain sailing...really hope I'm wrong!

Thanks Josie Very Happy

 

#379:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 1:52 pm

 

#380:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 1:56 pm

Dear Mr Lannis

Thank you very much for your invitation

I would be delighted to attend

Liz

 

#381:  Author: Katie, Location: A Yorkshire lass in London PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 2:21 pm

Dear Mr Lannis,

Thank you for the invitation. I would be delighted to attend and have constructed a time machine expressly for this purpose.

Katie

(BTW the time machine is for all of us to share Very Happy)

 

#382:  Author: Robin, Location: London PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 2:22 pm

Miss Robin Withers thanks Mr Lannis very much for his kind invitation to Evadne's wedding, and is delighted to accept.


*books a seat in katie's time machine*

ETA - fab invite btw Jo! And great update, hope Millicent makes it to Geneva ok!

Last edited by Robin on Thu Apr 07, 2005 2:24 pm; edited 1 time in total

 

#383:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 2:24 pm

Dear Mr Lannis

Thank you for your kind invitation to your daughter's wedding.

I would be delighted to attend

Pat Willimott


Last edited by Pat on Thu Apr 07, 2005 3:12 pm; edited 1 time in total

 

#384:  Author: Katarzyna, Location: Preston, Lancashire PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 2:43 pm

Dear Mr Lannis

Thank you for your kind invitation to your daughter's wedding

Sadly I will be unable to attend as the happy day conincides with the Bath Championship Dog Show.

Please pass on my congratulations and best wishes to the happy couple.

Regards
K. Mason (Ms)

 

#385:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 2:58 pm

Dear Mr Lannis

Thank you for the kind invitation to Evadne's wedding

I am delighted to accept and look forward to seeing you again after all this time.

Yours sincerely

Patricia Machin

*Rushes off to the shops*

Could we do a guard of honour using certain blue covered books?

 

#386:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 3:51 pm

Dear Arthur (note to CBBers - yes we are on a first name basis),

I would be delighted to attend Evande's wedding.

Thank you very much for the enclosed airplane ticket to London from Toronto.

Yours,
Chelsea

 

#387:  Author: pim, Location: the Derbyshire wilderness PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 4:17 pm

Dear Mr Lannis.

Thank you for the kind invitation to your daugher's wedding. I would be delighted to attend.

Yours, Helen Melluish.


(Yes, as it's a special occasion I thought I should use my real name Wink)

 

#388:  Author: Donna, Location: Liverpool PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 6:04 pm

Dear Mr Lannis,

Thank you for your kind invitation to the wedding of Evadne and Sir Edgar. I would be delighted to attend.

Yours,

Miss Donna Kelly



Hi Katie!

Any chance of a seat in your time machine?

Donna


(fab invite Josie, and fab update - ta muchly! Smile)

 

#389:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 6:15 pm

Dear Mr Lannis

I take great pleasure in accepting your kind invitation to your daughter's wedding and look forward to renewing my acquaintance with you and your family.

Yours sincerely,

Ms. Frances Norris

*books a seat on Katie's time machine*

 

#390:  Author: Jodi, Location: Glasgow most of the time PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 6:20 pm


Dear Mr Lannis,

I would be delighted to attend the wedding of your daughter Evadne to Sir Edgar. I promise not to disrupt the service by trying to steal Edgar away.

Yours,
Jodi Hamson (single and looking for her own Edgar...)


*would like place in time machine please - will there be room for us with all the hats?*

 

#391:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 7:25 pm

Dear Mr Lannis

Thank you for you kind invitation to Evadne's wedding. i will be attending.

Yours Lesley Green


(Katie - may I squeeze into your time machine too?)

 

#392:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 8:49 pm

Katie - are you a Time Lord in disguise? If we all cram into your time machine it will need to be either very large or a Tardis!!!!

 

#393:  Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 9:06 pm


Dear Mr Lannis
I wound be delighted to attend your daughters wedding,
From Nicola Wood

*Katie room for one more?*

 

#394:  Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans/Leicester PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 10:51 pm

Dear Mr Lannis,

I would be honoured to attend your daughter's wedding. I'm looking forward to it, thank you for the invitation.

From Sarah K

Thanks to Josie too, made me laugh out loud when I saw the invite and then I had to explain it to Mum Very Happy

 

#395:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash/Aberystwyth PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 11:24 pm

Dear Mr Lannis,

Thank you very much for your kind invitation to Evadne and Edgar's wedding. I should be delighted to attend, and very much look forward to meeting Edgar's twin. Wink

Yours sincerely,

Gemberta Tallulah Cosmina

 

#396:  Author: Catherine_B, Location: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 1:06 am

Dear Mr Lannis,

Yipppeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Catherine B

ps Thank you very much and I will definitely be coming!

 

#397:  Author: Kathye, Location: Laleham PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 1:14 am

 

#398:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 1:37 am

Dear Mr. Lannis,

Many thanks for your kind invitation. I look forward to attending. Very Happy

Sincerely,
Kathy Schmid

*********

(My parents supposedly were married on June 8th, 1954 -- and I always thought it was a Saturday! *off to 3rd degree Dad*)

(Could the time machine also manage a shopping expedition? My summer hats seem limited to battered gardening model and university baseball cap. Not quite the 1954 style, judging from wedding photos.)

 

#399:  Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 3:35 am

 

#400:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 10:32 am

Kathye - I hope you and Darren are aware that I charge £500 an hour for my services as a personal secretary. Probably should have mentioned that before! Wink The bill's in the post!


Evadne stood at the window of the large bedroom staring out at the view from the rear of Whitlingford Hall. She gazed down at the vast gardens and across the bluebell woods that ran to edge of Edgar’s land, and from her vantage point she could just make out the tower of St Mary’s church above the top of the trees. She was due there in less than thirty minutes time, to marry the man she loved more than anyone else in the world. She could scarcely believe that it was finally happening, and her stomach churned slightly with nerves and excitement as this thought ran through her head.

She was already clothed in the pristine white dress, with its fitted bodice that clung to her like a glove, and the full skirt that just grazed the floor around her feet. Her three bridesmaids - Cassie and Edgar’s two daughters - were getting changed into their outfits, and Evadne had come into this room to snatch a few minutes alone to collect her thoughts. As she stared out of the window at the beautiful English countryside rolling out into the distance, she failed to hear soft footsteps approaching her across the room, and she started slightly as she felt a warm little hand being thrust into hers.

“You look really pretty, Auntie Evvy,” Thea said, gazing up at her, and Evadne smiled as she looked down at the little girl in her powder blue dress, her dark hair gleaming and a wreath of white and blue flowers encircling the top of her head.

“Thank you, sweetie, so do you. Pretty as a picture in fact. Are you all ready to go?”

Thea nodded. “Marcia’s not though, her hair’s gone all knotty and Auntie Cassie’s trying to brush it out. Auntie Evvy, can I ask you a question?”

“Of course you can.”

“When can we start calling you Mummy?”

Evadne screwed up her face as if she was thinking hard, causing Thea to giggle, and then she turned around and sat down on the windowsill, leaning forward so that her face was almost on a level with the young girl’s. “I tell you what, how would you like to begin now?”

“Really?”

Thea stared at her, wide-eyed, and Evadne nodded, a broad grin lighting up her pretty face. “Yes, really! From this moment on, I am officially your Mummy. Do you want to go tell Marcia?”

Thea hesitated for a moment, staring at her step-mother-to-be, and then she turned tail and ran towards the door with a cry of “Marcia! Auntie Evvy’s our Mummy!”

As it happened, her sister was finally ready to go, Cassie having at last managed to remove all the knots from her curly blonde locks, and she had come in search of Evadne and Thea to let them know. She turned into the bedroom just as Thea ran towards the door, and as a consequence the two of them collided head-on, causing Marcia to bang her head on the doorframe and Thea to fall backwards onto the ground.

“Thea, watch where you’re going you ninny!” Marcia cried, tears springing to her eyes at the pain from the smarting lump that was rapidly growing on the back of her head.

Scrambling to her feet and ignoring her sister’s insult, Thea ran forward again and grabbed her hand. “Marcia, guess what? Auntie Evvy said we can call her Mummy, starting from now!”

“Really truly?” Marcia’s pain was forgotten in her excitement as Evadne nodded her head. “Auntie Cassie, guess what? We can call Auntie Evvy Mummy!” she yelled at Cassie who had come into the room behind her, and that lady looked down at the jubilant little girls with a grin.

“Is that so? Well that’s just wonderful!” she replied as they beamed up at her and nodded their heads. “Now, how about you two run down and find Grandpa Arthur and watch for the cars while I help your Mommy fix her veil,” and she laughed as they tore out of the room, shouting at the tops of their voices for ‘Grandpa Arthur’, both eager to be the first to tell him their news. “Be careful, or you’ll lose your flowers before we get to the church!” she called after them, and then she turned to face Evadne with a smile.

“Thought you might be needing this,” she remarked, holding up Evvy’s veil. “Want a hand to fasten it?”

Evadne grinned and nodded her head. “Yes please, I don’t think I’ll manage on my own. What time is it by the way?” she asked, walking over to stand directly in front of her friend.

“Almost ten before eleven,” Cassie replied, checking her watch, “the cars’ll be here any minute. Now, hold still while I fix this to your hair,” and so saying, she lifted the veil, settling it on Evadne’s head and pinning it in place before walking around her to make sure it fell properly down her back. “There, you’re all set.”

Evadne span round to face her with a smile. “So how do I look?”

“Beautiful.” Cassie felt tears pricking the back of her eyes as she looked at her friend, and taking Evvy’s hands in hers, she held them tight. “I hope you’ll be so happy, Evvy - you deserve it if ever anyone did.”

Before Evadne could reply, they heard the sound of Marcia’s clarion tones announcing that the cars had arrived, and giving her friend’s hands a final squeeze, Cassie hurriedly left the room, leaving Evadne alone. Making one final check of her appearance in the mirror, she took a deep breath, smoothed down her skirt and turned towards the door.

At that moment, Arthur entered the room carrying her bouquet and he stopped and stared at the sight of her, a lump caught in his throat. Giving a small cough and swallowing hard, he laid the flowers down carefully on the dresser by the door and walked across the room to stand in front of his daughter, bending down to kiss her on the cheek. Then stepping back, he looked her up and down, pride shining in his eyes.

“You know, I’m so proud of you, Evvy, I always have been, but I’d wager that right now I’m the proudest father on this earth.” He reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. “I’m not giving you away today, I’m just sharing you – don’t forget that.”

Evadne’s eyes misted slightly at her father’s words and she gazed up into his eyes. “I love you so much, Poppa.”

“Right back at you, kiddo.” He gave her a gentle hug, being careful not to crush her dress, and then pulled back, a broad grin on his face. “Ready?” Evadne nodded. “Come on then, let’s go. It’s about time I unloaded you onto Edgar so you can start spending his money instead of mine!”

Evadne burst out laughing and Arthur winked at her, turning to pick up her flowers again, and then taking her by the arm, he led her from the room and down the stairs to the waiting car.

 

#401:  Author: Kathye, Location: Laleham PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:06 am

Wonderful post Jo,

And dont worry my bill is on its way to you, £500 an hour for proof reading & plot ideas, how many hours where we on the phone the other day sorting out what was gonna happen next and in what order ???

approx 3hrs I think it was !! Twisted Evil

 

#402:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:09 am

Yes Kathye, but from my memory I ended up using none of it, so no fees apply of course. Sad, but that's how it works! Smile

And you know well that the payment for your proof reading is your gloating rights.

Nice try. Laughing Twisted Evil

 

#403:  Author: Kathye, Location: Laleham PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:13 am

I think you will find that your contract is to work for me for free and live in the shed sweetie !! Rolling Eyes

 

#404:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:15 am

Kathye wrote:
I think you will find that your contract is to work for me for free and live in the shed sweetie !! Rolling Eyes


Shocked Shocked

I thought I was getting a gnome home!!!

 

#405:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:18 am

Dear Mr Lannis.

Thank you for the kind invitation to your daugher's wedding. I would be delighted to attend.

Yours, Laura Taylor.


Thanks Jo! Arthur is such a lovely dad!

 

#406:  Author: Kathye, Location: Laleham PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:19 am

Josie wrote:
Kathye wrote:
I think you will find that your contract is to work for me for free and live in the shed sweetie !! Rolling Eyes


Shocked Shocked

I thought I was getting a gnome home!!!


Well if you want to downsize, but you might find it a little cramped and I think the gnomes may have squatters rights !

 

#407:  Author: Jodi, Location: Glasgow most of the time PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:29 am

hooray! she's nearly there!
hope we get the WHOLE service Josie! Laughing

 

#408:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 12:26 pm

Thank you Jo! Wonderful I love weddings! Lovely.

Oh and...

Dear Mr Lannis,

I was delighted to recieve you invitation to Evadne's wedding and take great pleasure in accepting it.

Yours sincerely,

Catherine Taylor

Well I reakon I'm just in time....

 

#409:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 1:35 pm

Josie wrote:
At that moment, Arthur entered the room carrying her bouquet and he stopped and stared at the sight of her, a lump caught in his throat.


I've got a lump in my throat too - Thanks Jo.

*gives instructions regarding the weather*

*double-checks cars are not going to break down*

*checks Edgar is at the church waiting*

*puts new film in camera*

Liz

 

#410:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 2:31 pm

I really shouldn't read this at work. A lump in my throat and prickly eyes are not really appropriate. I just hope the phone doesn't go any second!

Lovel, lovely, lovely!

thank you Jo

 

#411:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 3:09 pm

Sitting in the pew at the front of the church, Edgar twisted his fingers together nervously, checked his watch and turned around to look behind him for the umpteenth time. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Paul watching him with amusement and he gave his friend a sheepish smile.

“I can’t believe I’m this nervous!” he said in an undertone, “I’ve already been through this once, you’d think I’d be able to cope with it better!”

Paul grinned and said nothing, lifting his hand to pat the pocket of his suit jacket. The next second a look of horror appeared on his face, and he started feeling all of his pockets with increasing urgency.

Edgar stared at him, alarmed. “What’s wrong?”

“Um…” Paul felt in his inside pocket again, and then raised his head to give Edgar a guilty look. “…you know the rings…”

“What about them?”

“Well this morning I put them in a box on my dresser for safekeeping and…”

“You what?” Edgar looked absolutely furious, and the people in the pew behind all stared at them in shock. “Go and get them now!”

Paul stared at him for a second, and then began to laugh. Putting his hand back in his pocket, he pulled out two gold bands and held them out in the palm of his hand. “Oh look, I’ve got them after all!”

Edgar glared at him. “Is that supposed to be funny?”

“Well it took your mind off your nerves for a minute or so!” Paul retorted with a grin.

Before Edgar could respond, the organ groaned to life and the first chords of Wagner’s Bridal March rang out around the church. As the congregation got to their feet, Edgar took a deep breath and with Paul alongside him, he stepped up to the altar, craning his neck to try and get a glimpse of Evadne. For a moment, all he could see was a sea of heads and hats, as first his daughters and then Cassie appeared and walked slowly towards him. Then suddenly he caught sight of her as she rounded the back pew and began to walk up the aisle, clinging to Arthur’s arm. Thinking to himself how beautiful she looked, he was unable to prevent a beaming smile from lighting up his face.

Evadne looked around her, everybody blurring into one as she tried hard to find a familiar face, and she felt sick as her stomach churned with nerves, acutely aware that everyone was staring at her. Suddenly, her eyes fell on Edgar standing at the altar and she felt her anxiety begin to slip away as she caught sight of his smile. Tightening her grip on her father’s arm, she kept her eyes focused on her fiancé as she walked towards him, praying inwardly that she wouldn’t trip up. Reaching the front of the church, she turned and handed her bouquet to Cassie, and then grinned up through her veil at Edgar, who smiled back down at her and briefly squeezed her hand. Reverend Furlong stepped forward and cleared his throat, and as they turned to face him, he gave them both a warm smile and announced the first hymn.

For Evadne, the ceremony passed by in a blur. She was aware of her father handing over her right hand and stepping back to take his seat, of repeating her vows, of Edgar slipping the gold band on her finger and of her doing the same in return, but she felt as if she were in a dream.

Before she knew it, she heard the words “By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife…” and then suddenly Edgar was lifting her veil and bending down to kiss her firmly on the lips. He pulled back, his eyes alight with joy, and she came back down to earth, her face glowing with happiness, as he gazed into her eyes and mouthed the words “I love you Lady Watson.”

Last edited by Josie on Fri Apr 08, 2005 4:57 pm; edited 3 times in total

 

#412:  Author: Robin, Location: London PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 3:13 pm

awwwwww - so lovely, thanks Jo
So glad nothing went wrong
Love Paul's joke!

*congratulates self for reading both of todays updates in one - no prewedding jitters for me!*

 

#413:  Author: Katie, Location: A Yorkshire lass in London PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 3:13 pm

Yay!!!!

And how many best men do we think have tried that one in the past?!

 

#414:  Author: Katarzyna, Location: Preston, Lancashire PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 3:26 pm

Ah, bless!

sitting here with hugely soppy sentimental smile on my face!

thank you Josie

 

#415:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 3:34 pm

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! Huzzah!!

THEY ARE MARRIED!!!

*dances*

Thanks Jo Very Happy

 

#416:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 3:56 pm

*joins Ally wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeing*

Thank you Jo!

 

#417:  Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 3:56 pm

awww beauooootiful! Thank you!

 

#418:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 4:38 pm

Very Happy Lovely Jo - I'm so glad my boss is currently down the other end of the office so isn't asking me why I'm grinning like a loon!! Very Happy

Very Happy Mexican Wave they're married! Very Happy

Very Happy *joins in the Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees* Very Happy

Very Happy Liz Very Happy

 

#419:  Author: Katarzyna, Location: Preston, Lancashire PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 4:40 pm

I'm really not sure Josie's going to be pleased at you all weeing over her thread.............. Shocked Shocked Twisted Evil

 

#420:  Author: pim, Location: the Derbyshire wilderness PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 4:40 pm

How is it that I didn't cry when one of my oldest friends got married but this has got me here sobbing?! I'm just glad I'm at home and not in the library!

But it was wonderful Jo, thank you. Wheeeeeeeeee! They're married! *goes off bouncing*

 

#421:  Author: Gem, Location: Saltash/Aberystwyth PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 5:07 pm

*sobs like a loon*

Wonderful, brilliant, and amazing, Jo Very Happy

Thank you!! Kiss

 

#422:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 5:27 pm

Brilliant. Just brilliant.

I was really worried something would go wrong and we'd all have to go rushing down to sort Jo out.

*throws hat in air*

*Throws lots of confetti (biodegradable of course Wink )*

 

#423:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 5:37 pm

*brings mops and buckets to clean up the thread after all the 'weeeing'!!!!*

That was lovely Jo! Thank you so much sweetie!

 

#424:  Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 8:38 pm

Very Happy Crying or Very sad Very Happy Crying or Very sad Very Happy

Quote:
“I’m not giving you away today, I’m just sharing you – don’t forget that.”


Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

Thankyou Josie Very Happy

 

#425:  Author: Jodi, Location: Glasgow most of the time PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 8:45 pm

whhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!
Huge huge huge soppy grin on my face now and tears in my eyes! Yippee they're married! Mexican Wave *goes bouncing off after pim*

 

#426:  Author: JackieJ, Location: Kingston upon Hull PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 9:27 pm

Darn, I got the invitation too late.

*Rings round various CBBers hoping for pictures*

Lovely Jo. (and it's reminded me of something to warn our Best Man about)

JackieJ

 

#427:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:06 pm

Brilliant, wonderful, perfect.

Thanks Jo. Laughing

 

#428:  Author: Guest,  PostPosted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 8:35 am

Yeehah - they got there Very Happy

 

#429:  Author: ravenseyes, Location: New Zealand PostPosted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 8:37 am

Sorry for some reason it decided I was a guest. This has been a fantastic story. Thank you so much

 

#430:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 4:48 pm

Kathy_S wrote:
(My parents supposedly were married on June 8th, 1954 -- and I always thought it was a Saturday! *off to 3rd degree Dad*

I did check a few sources and they said the 5th was the Saturday, but happy to be corrected if you discover otherwise! Very Happy

Thanks, everyone, for your comments and encouragement Very Happy


By two o’clock the formal part of the reception was over, and the guests were now milling around in the grounds of Whitlingford Hall, catching up with friends, renewing old acquaintances and enjoying the beautiful sunshine of a fine British summer’s day. Just outside the entrance to the marquee, Evadne was chatting to Lord and Lady Dalton when she happened to glance inside and spot Edgar sitting at a table on the far side, Marcia in his lap. The little girl was clutching her wreath of flowers in her hands and chattering away to Arthur and Veronica who were sitting a little further round the table. Her father, meanwhile, was doing his best to try and get her to sit still, whilst carrying on a conversation with David Pepperell, the father of Ned’s friend Harry, who was standing next to him, champagne in hand.

Excusing herself from her guests, Evadne made her way inside. Pausing to take a drink from a passing waiter, she walked across the makeshift floor towards where her family were sitting. They all looked up as she came over to join them, David Pepperell turning and bending down to kiss her on the cheek.

“Evadne, there you are, congratulations! It’s been a wonderful day, thank you so much for including us in it.”

“Thanks, David, and thank you for coming,” the bride returned with a smile. “I hope you’ve enjoyed yourself and been well looked after?”

“Oh, absolutely, we’ve had a marvellous time! Edgar was just telling me you’re off to Portofino for the honeymoon?”

“Just for ten days of it, yes. Then we’re heading to Geneva to get the house in order before the kids arrive. You, Barbara and Harry’ll have to come visit once we’re all settled in.”

“We’ll be there with bells on! Just try and keep us away! And talking of my family, I suppose I should go and see where they’ve got to, I’ll catch up with you both later. Arthur, Veronica, it was a pleasure to meet you. And I’ll see you later too, trouble,” he added, ruffling Marcia’s blonde curls with his hand, before turning and walking away.

Evadne watched him go for a moment, and then pulling up a chair, she sat down next to her husband. Edgar lifted his arm, draping it over the back of his wife’s seat and she turned to smile at him before winking at Marcia, who looked back at her with a wide grin.

“Hello, Mummy!”

Thea and Marcia had been taking every opportunity throughout the day to use Evvy’s new moniker, and each time one of them said it, Evadne felt her heart melt a little. Now was no exception, and she looked over at her youngest stepdaughter with a warm smile.

“Hello sweetheart, you having fun?”

Marcia nodded. “I was playing with Lauren, but Ned came over and she started talking to him, so I came to talk to Daddy and Grandpa and Grandma instead.”

At that moment, Veronica asked Marcia a question, and as she turned to answer it, Evadne looked around her, trying to catch sight of Ned. It had not escaped her notice over past couple of weeks that her stepson was choosing to spend an increasing amount of time with Cassie’s daughter, and the two were becoming firm friends. In many ways it was not that surprising, as the two were only a year apart in age, but considering how previously girl-shy Ned had been, it amused her nonetheless. She caught sight of them sitting at a table on the far side of the marquee with Sam, Tom and Harry. Evadne could tell from Ned’s movements and his over-exaggerated laughter that he was quite clearly showing off in Lauren’s presence, and grinning to herself, she nudged her husband in the ribs and pointed over in their direction.

“Remember how Ned swore that he didn’t like girls?”

Looking up in the direction that she was pointing, Edgar raised his eyebrows and gave his wife an incredulous look. “Don’t be silly! What are they – twelve and eleven? I think the romance of the day has gone to your head!”

Evvy shrugged her shoulders. “Oh they’re just friends now of course, nothing more, but things could change over the next few years, you mark my words!”

Edgar stared at her for a moment, and then chuckled and rolled his eyes. “Yes, dear.”

“Don’t you ‘yes dear’ me!” she retorted indignantly. “You’ll be grovelling and declaring me a genius when I’m proved right, you’ll see!” and as they all laughed, she stared back over at Ned. At the exact same moment, that young man looked up and spotting her staring at him, he grinned, said something to the others at his table, and then got to his feet to walk across the room.

Just as he reached them and opened his mouth to speak to his stepmother, Marcia, who had been listening to her parent’s conversation with ever-widening eyes, gave him a wicked smile and began chanting, “Ned’s got a girlfriend, Ned’s got a girlfriend.”

“No I haven’t,” he snapped back, scowling and giving his sister a filthy look. “Grow up, Marcia, you’re such a brat!”

Marcia opened her mouth to retort, but Edgar was too quick for her. Clamping his hand firmly over her mouth, he looked at his children with a stern expression on his face. “You know what? Let’s not do this today, shall we? It’s meant to be a happy day, not one filled with you two squabbling. We get enough of that as it is.”

“Well she started it!”

“Yes, Ned, I know, but you’re the eldest, so why don’t set a good example and ignore her for once. She’ll soon get bored if you don’t react.”

Seeing the stubborn look on Ned’s face, Veronica decided to try and pour oil on troubled waters, and patted the seat next to her for him to sit down. “Ned, why don’t you tell me all about the cricket match that Grandpa and I are coming to watch you in next weekend. We don’t know much about cricket I’m afraid, so you’ll have to fill us in on how it all works.”

Arthur picked up his wife’s cue. “That’s for sure. I don’t know the first thing about it myself. Now if it was baseball, mind, I’d…ouff!” and he broke off suddenly as Thea, who had come bounding up behind him unseen, threw herself on his back, grabbing him round the neck. Hearing her laughter, Arthur put his arm behind him and cried, “There’s something on my back! Quick what is it? Get it off of me!”

Amid much laughter from the others, he began groping for her blindly as she dodged his hand. Finally catching hold of her, he pulled her round him, lifting her up and tipping her into his lap. Her wreath of flowers fell off as her head tipped backwards, and Veronica caught them and put them safely on the table in front of her.

“You don’t want to lose those,” she said, looking down at the delicate little face that was alight with laughter.

Edgar watched them, and with a deadpan expression on his face, he said, “Well I can see you’re going to have no problem getting on with Grandpa Arthur when we’re away.”

At this comment, Ned gave his father a pleading look. “Please can’t I stay too?”

Edgar shook his head. “No, you’re going back to school tomorrow I’m afraid, you’ve almost a month of term still left. Anyway, it’s your last few weeks there, surely you don’t want to miss them?”

“’Joc’ won’t mind!”

“Mr. Lynam will mind, and so will I.”

“But everyone’ll be here still, ‘cept you and Evvy! Sam and Lauren don’t go back to America for two weeks, and they’re missing school!”

“I don’t care; you’re not Sam or Lauren. You’re going back and that’s the last I’m hearing of it.”

Ned glared at him, a sulky expression on his face. “’S’not fair!”

Edgar looked at his son and chuckled. “One of these days I’m going to put a sign around your neck saying that, I hear it so often!”

They all laughed, and as Ned continued to argue the point with his father, and Thea and Marcia chattered away to their grandparents, Evadne sat back in her chair and looked around her, a look of contentment on her face. After a few minutes, Ned gave up arguing, returning to his conversation with Veronica about cricket, and turning round to look at his wife, Edgar noticed her beaming smile and gave her a curious look.

“What’s up with you?”

“I’ve got all my family round me!” she explained, gazing up at him with shining eyes, and he grinned and bent his head to kiss her on the cheek. She raised her eyebrows. “What was that for?”

“Do I need an excuse?”

“No, I guess not!”

“Well let’s say it’s an official welcome to our family.”

Smiling up at him, Evadne raised her hand and cupped the side of his face. “Well welcome to mine, too,” she replied, and leaning forward, she kissed him on the lips. As she pulled back again, she caught her father’s eye and he winked at her affectionately.

“Right, I’m leaving, there’s too much mushy stuff for me!” Ned declared, pushing his chair back and getting to his feet.

Marcia giggled. “Going back to your girlfriend?”

“Shut up!” This time they all laughed and Ned went bright red and spluttered, “Oh, I…I hate you all!” and turning on his heel, he stropped off across the room back to his friends.

Last edited by Josie on Sun Apr 10, 2005 3:03 pm; edited 4 times in total

 

#431:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 4:54 pm

Oh, this just gets better and better! Thank you so much Josie! Laughing

 

#432:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 5:08 pm

Poor Ned! Lovely family scene and so true to life.

I love the way Arthur and Veronica are included.

Thank you Jo.

 

#433:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 5:14 pm

Thanks Jo - that was so lovely

*feels very content*

Liz

 

#434:  Author: pim, Location: the Derbyshire wilderness PostPosted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 7:18 pm

*grins soppily* *giggles at Ned Wink* Thanks Jo Very Happy

 

#435:  Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria PostPosted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 7:48 pm

Aww!
Sweet, it was nice to read the wedding in one go,
does she have any single friends left to catch the bouquet (or should I try?)

 

#436:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 2:37 am

Josie wrote:
I did check a few sources and they said the 5th was the Saturday, but happy to be corrected if you discover otherwise! Very Happy

I'm sure you're right! I just never thought to check the perpetual calendar until I saw this. Now I'm asking whether someone mixed 5 and 8 in the paperwork (easy to do), or they really had a Tuesday wedding.

Much enjoyed Evvy's wedding though! Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy Likewise the reception.

 

#437:  Author: dackel, Location: Wolfenbuettel, Germany/Cambridge, England PostPosted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 1:33 pm

They're married ! They're married! Whoohooo! Very Happy

*Sitting in front of the computer with a huge grin on my face*

Thank you, Josie, that was so lovely! I want a wedding like that, actually, I want a man like that...

 

#438:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 2:12 pm

Watching Ned make his way back across the floor towards his friends, Evadne noticed Cornelia standing by herself at the side of the marquee, fiddling with her shoe as if she were trying to remove a stone that had made its way inside. Turning to Edgar, she pecked him on the cheek and murmured, “I’m just gonna go see Corney, okay?” He nodded and then turned back to acknowledge the question that Arthur had asked him, and she pushed back her chair and got to her feet.

As she approached her friend, Cornelia finally stopped fiddling with her shoe and looked up to greet her with her familiar grin. “Well, if it isn’t the blushing bride!”

Evadne laughed. “At your service! Can you believe I’m actually married, Corney?” she asked, looking down at her dress, “It doesn’t quite seem real somehow. I feel like I haven’t stopped once today!”

“I remember that feeling alright! My wedding still seems like one big fuzzy mess inside my head – I think I remember more from the photographs than I do from actual memory!”

Evvy smiled and nodded her head. “I can see that happening to me too! Are you all enjoying yourselves, anyhow? I’ve scarcely had time to talk to you all day!”

“We’re having a terrific time. You don’t throw a bad party at this Hall place of yours, I must say, we’ll have to come again!” Cornelia replied, grinning, and then her whole face softened as she looked her friend up and down. “You look beautiful, by the way.”

“Thank you.” Evadne gave her a shy glance, and then reached out, taking hold of her hand. “Listen, Corney, I’ve not had time with all this going on to say what I wanted to say to you. Do you realise we’ve been friends for over twenty years now?”

“Gee, has it been that long? Makes me feel old!”

“I know - it does me too!” Evadne replied with a chuckle. She paused for a second, regarding her friend anxiously, knowing Cornelia’s hatred of sentimentality. However, she was determined to say what she had to say, so taking a deep breath, she continued, “Well anyhow, I just wanted to say thank you - for everything you’ve done for me, for sticking by me, for always being there for me. You’ve been the best friend I could possibly have wished for.”

Evadne’s emotions had been running high all day, and now she felt tears welling up in her eyes as she gazed at her friend. Cornelia stared back at her, her own eyes misting over slightly, and then reaching out, she pulled Evvy into her arms.

“Well, you’re very welcome,” Corney said, her voice sounding slightly choked as she hugged her, “You’ve not been such a bad friend yourself, you know.” Hearing Evadne sniff, she pulled back, reaching into her bag and handing over her handkerchief. “Now don’t you start getting weepy on me, Evvy Lannis, or you’ll make me cry and you know I don’t do tears.”

Evadne laughed as she dabbed at her eyes. “It’s Evvy Watson now, remember! Lady Watson in fact.”

“You don’t fool me with your titles, young lady, I know you!” Cornelia retorted, her self-possession regained, and Evvy handed back her handkerchief with a grin.

“Where’s Mike, anyhow? I’ve not seen him in a while.”

“He’s taken the kids up to the house to get some rest - they were starting to grizzle a little, I guess it’s been a long day for them. Aren’t you impressed though?” she added, her eyes twinkling, “I have him well trained!”

Evadne burst out laughing as Margia, Elsie and Ilonka walked over to them, and the three newcomers eyed the two Americans with a suspicious air. “What are you two plotting?”

"We’re just saying how Corney’s got Mike trained to look after the kids!” Evvy explained, still chuckling at the thought of what Cornelia’s husband would say if he could hear them now. “He’s taken them up to the house for a nap.”

Elsie looked at her friend, impressed. “I wish you’d tell me how you manage it! My husband just stared at me incredulously when I suggested he did the same for Lily!"

“Yes, well,” Cornelia replied with a wry grin, “your husband didn’t go to a ball game and come home totally plastered and pass out on the couch, leaving you to mind the kids when you should have been going out. He’s still doing penance and is absolutely on his best behaviour! I came out with some choice phrases that night, I can tell you!”

As they all laughed, well able to imagine just how choice Cornelia’s language had been, Lonny looked around at her four friends. “Do you know something? It’s just occurred to me that this is the first time we’ve all been together in the same place since Elsie and Margia left school!”

There was silence for a moment as they all stared at each other, realising to their surprise that she was right. Evadne reached down and picked up the glass of champagne that she had put down on the table nearby.

“Okay, as I’ve got you all here, I just want to say something.” She smiled round at them as they all turned to face her. “Thanks so much for coming today, all of you. It means heaps to me to have you here. I don’t see any of you often enough, except Elsie and she doesn’t count…”

“Excuse me!” that lady interrupted indignantly.

“Oh, you know what I mean,” Evadne dismissed her friend’s exclamation with a wave of her hand. “Now stop interrupting and listen…”

“Listen to you, getting airs and graces now you’re a Lady!” Cornelia put in with a wicked grin, and Evadne grimaced.

“If I weren’t now a Lady I’d tell you exactly what I thought of that comment!” she rejoined, pulling a face that was most unbecoming in a bride. Then rearranging her features to their normal attractive state, she continued, “As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, we don’t get together nearly often enough, but I love you all dearly, you’re my oldest friends. I’m so glad we’ve all kept up and can all be together today,” she added, with a warm smile at Margia, who reached out and squeezed her arm in return.

As she finished speaking, Elsie motioned for a passing waiter to stop. She took four glasses of champagne from his tray, handing three of them to Corney, Margia and Ilonka, and keeping the fourth for herself. Then as Evvy put her old drink down on the table and helped herself to a fresh one, Elsie raised her glass. “A toast, ladies! Here’s to Evvy finally joining the ranks of us married women – well, except Margie of course, but then she’s married to her music, she doesn’t have time for a man!”

Margia blushed violently at this final statement, and they all gaped at her in surprise.

“Margia Stevens! What’s going on? Who have you met?” Lonny demanded, and the next moment they were all clamouring to know what had caused her to turn so startlingly red. Eventually, unable to get a word in edgewise, Margia held up her hand and pleaded for them to stop.

“Okay, okay! If you all stop shouting at me and let me speak for five seconds I’ll tell you!” The other four fell silent, and she looked at each of them in turn and took a deep breath. “His name’s Connor O’Riordan, he’s Irish, and he works with me, helping me to plan my tours.” She paused for a moment in case any of them had anything to say, but they all just stared at her expectantly so she continued. “I’ve known him for about five years, but we only realised how we felt about each other a few months ago. It’s nothing serious yet, I’m far too busy for that just now, but he understands my passion and drive, which is so important for me and which so few people really do, other than you lot!” she said smiling round at them, before adding, “I don’t know whether it’ll really become something or not, but at the moment I’m very happy and we’re having a lot of fun.”

There was silence for a few seconds as she finished speaking, and then Cornelia, who was never quiet for long, gave one of her beaming grins. “Well, aren’t you the dark horse! Guess we’ll be buying new outfits for your wedding next!”

They all laughed, and with her cheeks still tinged with pink, Margia looked round at her oldest friends and said shyly, “We’ll see.”

Last edited by Josie on Sun Apr 10, 2005 3:07 pm; edited 3 times in total

 

#439:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 2:29 pm

Ahh. Thanks Josie. I can't believe she's finally married!! Shocked

 

#440:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 2:54 pm

Yay for the quintettes reunion!!!! Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy

and lol at Ned Laughing

Thanks Jo

 

#441:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 3:07 pm

Oh how lovely - great Evvy was able to tell Corney how much she meant to her. Love the reunion.

Thanks Jo. Is there much more of this to come?

 

#442:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 4:21 pm

Lesley wrote:
Is there much more of this to come?


*Crossing fingers that the answer is YES!*

Lovely as ever, Jo. So nice to see the reunion.

 

#443:  Author: Catherine_B, Location: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 4:50 pm

Yayayayayay!

The last posts have been fabulous, Josie.

And I'm so glad Margia is having fun - that comment of Elsie's might have been a bit tactless so I'm glad she had some news to share too!

 

#444:  Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under PostPosted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:44 pm

*burp* oops, sorry, champagne does that to me!

Josie! This has been such a great wedding, thank you so much for inviting us all!

I've loved all of it.

 

#445:  Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex PostPosted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 9:04 pm

Thank you Jo, the last few posts have been lovely!
*also hopes there's lots more*

 

#446:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 10:40 pm

Lesley wrote:
Thanks Jo. Is there much more of this to come?

Only four more posts, including this one, I'm afraid!


From his seat at the far table, Edgar sipped champagne and watched Evadne and her friends with a broad smile on his face. His two daughters had dragged Arthur and Veronica off for a game of hide and seek, and Edgar was taking the opportunity to grab a few moments alone to reflect on the day. He couldn’t help feeling it had been more wonderful than he had ever imagined it would be, even in his wildest dreams. Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a chair being scraped back and turning to his right, he smiled as his oldest friend sat down next to him, putting his glass down on the table.

Paul returned his smile and nodded his head in the direction of the Quintette. “They getting all sentimental again?”

Edgar grinned. “Something like that!”

“You know your wife has already told me three times today how happy she is we introduced you. She was so emotional she almost had me choked up!”

Laughing, Edgar turned his head to look at his friend. “Yes, she is rather effusive today, isn’t she? I think the occasion’s affected her somewhat.” Then shifting round properly in his seat, he gave a small cough and continued, “Listen Paul, it’s my turn to do it now. Thanks for everything you’ve done over the years, old chap. You’ve seen me through some pretty awful times, you and Elsie. And introduced me to the happiest too,” he added, with a glance back at his bride.

Paul shook his head. “Honestly, don’t mention it. I know you’d have done the same for me.” Raising his glass to Edgar and taking a sip, he inclined his head in the direction of Evadne. “You’re going to be very happy, you know. You’d be hard pushed not to be with her, she’s infectious.”

Edgar grinned and followed his friend’s gaze. “Yes, I know. I’m going to be very happy indeed.”

There was silence for a moment while they both contemplated everything that had happened over the last few years, and then as they watched their wives hug each other, Paul rolled his eyes. “Oh God, there they go again!”

Looking around at his friend, Edgar laughed. “I suppose I’d better go and retrieve her before she has half the room in tears!” he remarked with a grin. “It’s about time we were making a move anyway,” and pushing back his chair, he got to his feet and began to walk across the room.

Evadne was grasping Ilonka’s arm and talking ten to the dozen when Edgar came up behind her and took hold of her hand.

“Do you ladies mind if I remove my wife?” he asked, looking round her friends with a smile.

Evvy spun around to look at him. “Oh Edgar, one minute, one more thing…”

“No, darling, now! We have a honeymoon to go on remember?”

The four girls laughed, and Margia shook her head. “Take her away for goodness sake, Edgar, or you’ll never get off!”

“But I just need to…” Whatever it was that Evadne needed to do, they never found out as Edgar put his arm around her waist and towed her away, and she turned to talk to him instead.

She had barely been gone a minute when she suddenly reappeared and her four friends stared at her in disbelief.

“Evvy, what are you doing? Don’t you want to go on your honeymoon?” Ilonka queried, with a shake of her head.

Evadne dismissed her questions with a wave of her hand, and grabbed Cornelia by the arm. “Corney, go find Cassie and my two girls, will you? I want you all to come help me change!” and with that she disappeared again, leaving them all staring after her in amazement.

Cornelia chuckled and put her glass down on the table. “Well, better go obey orders, I guess!” she said, and with a quick check around the marquee to locate the people she was after, she went to do Evadne’s bidding.


Twenty minutes later, the remaining three members of the Quintette were chatting to Gillian Young and her husband Peter, when Cornelia reappeared, a wide grin on her face. “Quick, they’re about to leave!” she hissed, so that only they could hear her, “Go now, I’ll give you thirty seconds headstart so you can get to the front of the crowd!”

They didn’t need telling twice. All four women turned on their heels and made a dash for the house, Peter following along more sedately and collecting Elsie and Ilonka’s husbands along the way. Cornelia delivered the same message to Evadne’s parents and Ned and his friends, and made sure she waited long enough to ensure they would gain their promised vantage point. Then making good use of her clarion tones, she yelled, “Everyone out front! The Bride and Groom are about to depart!”

After checking that the message had reached every part of the grounds, she made her way back inside, pushing through the throng, and ensuring a path was cleared from the bottom of the staircase, across the hall and out to the courtyard. Finally, satisfied that her work was done, she let out a piercing whistle that was acknowledged by Thea from an upstairs window, and then walked across the gravel to stand with her husband and friends. A couple of minutes later, Thea and Marcia came running out of the front door to stand with their grandparents. Then a loud cheer went up and a moment later, the Bride and Groom appeared at the front door, wide smiles on their faces, and made their way down the steps to say a final farewell to their nearest and dearest before departing for the Italian Riviera.

As Edgar shook Paul’s hand and said a few words to Elsie, Evadne hurriedly said goodbye to Cassie and Cornelia, kissed Veronica on the cheek and then turned to face her father. She stared at him for a second, not knowing what to say, and then suddenly threw her arms around his neck and gave him a hug. When she pulled back again, she looked up at him with watery eyes.

“Thanks, Poppa.”

Arthur looked down at her and smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder and giving it a squeeze. “You don’t need to thank me, Evvy,” he replied, his voice very soft, “my reward is seeing that smile on your face.”

Still very emotional with the excitement of the day, Evadne blinked back her tears, determined not to cry and spoil her make-up that she had so carefully applied. Luckily at that moment, Marcia grabbed hold of her hand and gave it a tug.

“Bye Mummy! See you in our new house!”

Evadne laughed, and then crouched down beside her stepdaughters, putting her arms around them both and pulling them in for a hug. “You two be good for Grandpa and Grandma, won’t you? We’ll see you in Geneva in about four weeks time.” She looked from one to the other and then hugged them again. “I’m going to miss you so much!”

She heard a deep laugh above her, and releasing the two girls, she looked up into her husband’s face. “Come on you, get a move on,” he said, grinning down at her affectionately as she got to her feet, “at this rate we’ll be spending our honeymoon in Wiltshire!”

Evvy raised her eyebrows and fixed him with a stern glare. “I don’t believe you’ve said goodbye to your daughters yet!” she retorted, and Edgar laughed.

“Only because someone’s been monopolising them somewhat!” he returned with a grin, and ignoring her indignant protests, he bent down to kiss the two girls goodbye.

Staring down at him for a moment, she muttered, “You’ll keep!” and then turned around to look for Ned. He was standing with his friends, trying to act nonchalant, and Evadne decided to play the embarrassing parent card. Walking across to him, she threw her arms around him and gave him a big hug.

“Euuwww! Don’t do that!” he exclaimed, trying to pull away.

As his friends all laughed, Evadne pulled back, a wicked grin on her face, and said, “Be a good boy for the rest of term, won’t you?” and before he could reply, she ran across to the car and jumped into the back seat next to Edgar. As the driver started the engine, she gave a final wave and slammed the door shut.

The car started to pull away, but had only gone five metres when the brakes were slammed on and Evadne jumped out again.

“Forgot the bouquet!” she exclaimed, and turning around so that her back was to the crowd, she threw it behind her.

A moment later, she heard a familiar roar of laughter and loud cheers, and spinning around again, she saw Margia holding her flowers, her face bright red. The rest of the Quintette were pointing at her and holding their sides with laughter. Evadne shot them one final grin, and then turning on her heel, she jumped back into the car, and with a toot of the horn, they set off up the drive.

Last edited by Josie on Sun Apr 10, 2005 10:50 pm; edited 1 time in total

 

#447:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 10:45 pm

And how deliberate was that?

Lovely bit Josie - thanks.

 

#448:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 11:04 pm

*smiling and blinking back tears at the same time*

Thanks Josie - so glad Margia caught the bouquet.

Liz

 

#449:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 1:00 am

YAY!!!!

*bounces*

they're married, they're going on their honeymoon AND Margia caught the flowers.

*zings around the room, bouncing all the way*

 

#450:  Author: Robin, Location: London PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 10:28 am

Yay!!! Very Happy Very Happy
What a lovely wedding day
*sigh*

and will we get to hear about margia and her hunky man at some point?!? Very Happy

thanks Jo

 

#451:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:34 am

For those who may have forgotten over the last 5 months (not surprising if you have!) we're back full circle to the first four posts. Very Happy


As the taxi turned right off the quiet road and began to make its way slowly down the driveway of the Watsons’ Geneva residence, Evadne gazed out of the window at her home. In a couple of weeks time it would be her second wedding anniversary, and she smiled a contented smile as she remembered how wonderful the last two years had been.

They had not been without sadness or difficulties of course. The death of her parents had been a difficult time, as had Paul’s accident, and it had taken her a while to come to terms with the fact that she may not be able to have another child. But she knew that her father was now reunited with her mother, Paul was finally on the road to recovery, and as she had found out that morning, they would be welcoming a new son or daughter into the world sometime around Christmas. And facing the difficulties together had served to further strengthen her relationship with Edgar, and she felt their love growing deeper with every passing day.

The car pulled to a halt in the forecourt, and as she opened the door and stepped out, she remembered the first time she had seen the house. She still loved it as much today as she had back then. Perhaps even more so now, as these days it was their home, with all the emotional attachments and memories that came along with it. Walking up to the front door and opening it, she stepped aside for the driver to take her bags into the hall. Then paying him his fare, she thanked him, shutting the door behind him, and looked around her with a sigh of satisfaction.

“Anybody home?” she called, waiting for a few seconds to see if she received a reply.

When she got no answer, she put her handbag down on the dresser in the hall and made her way through to the large salon at the rear of the house. The french windows were wide open, and she could hear the sound of childish laughter carrying on the still summer air. Walking out onto the terrace, she made her way to the edge of the lawn and smiled to herself as she watched the scene before her. In the shade of a large tree, she could see Henry, her one year old son, lying in his chair with Monique, the Watsons’ au pair, sitting by his side. Further down the garden, Thea and Marcia were playing a game of Frisbee in the evening sunshine, laughing as Scrabble, the family’s black Labrador, barked as they threw the disc and tried to join in.

Turning to chase a stray throw from her sister, Thea suddenly caught sight of her stepmother, and with a shout of “Mummy!” she forgot all about the Frisbee, leaving it to Scrabble’s tender mercies, and turned to race across the grass followed closely by her sister.

Evadne laughed as she bent down to greet them, collecting them in for hugs and kisses. “Shhh! You’ll wake Henry if you make all that noise!”

“No need to worry, Lady Watson, he is already awake.”

Looking up, Evadne saw Monique coming across the grass towards her, Henry toddling along next to her holding her hand. Evvy held her arms out for her son, lifting him up and laughing as the little boy giggled at the sight of his mother and put a chubby little arm over her shoulder.

“Hello, little man! Have you missed your Mommy?” she asked, lifting her hand to stop him from poking her in the eye. Then turning back to Monique, she gave her a warm smile. “Thanks ever so much for staying on, Monique. I’m sorry we’ve kept you so late.”

“It was my pleasure to stay with them.” Monique replied, returning the smile.

“Well thank you all the same. I guess you’d better be getting off now,” Evvy said, checking her watch, “it’s getting on a bit. Do you need to call for a cab?”

Monique shook her head. “No, thank you. It’s not too far and it’s a nice evening. I think I will enjoy the walk.”

“Well if you’re sure? Have a wonderful weekend, won’t you? We’ll see you next week.”

The Swiss girl bade them farewell and made her way into the house, and Evadne walked across to the terrace table, sitting down in one of wooden chairs. She repositioned her son to make him more comfortable in her lap as her stepdaughters came over to join them. Marcia clambered onto another chair, kneeling up to look over the back of it, and Thea sat down next to her on the arm, while Scrabble curled up on the floor at his mistress’s feet. Evadne gave them both a wide smile.

“So is there any news? Have you been good, or did you give Daddy a tough time last night?” she asked with a twinkle in her eyes.

“We were very good of course!” Thea replied indignantly, and then she giggled. “Daddy did get cross when he changed Henry’s nappy though. He put it on the side and forgot it was there and put his elbow in the mess!”

Evadne chuckled and shook her head as she looked at her son. “Did Daddy get all messy changing you?” she asked, wiping away a smudge of dirt from his face with her fingers, and Henry looked back at her and said “Dada” before giggling happily again.

“That’s right, Dada. And who am I?” Evvy asked, but Henry clearly decided that he either didn’t know, or wasn’t going to tell her, and simply smiled up at his mother and said “hi”.

“Who am I, Henry?” Thea said.

“Fee.”

“The-a. Can you say The-a?”

“Fee.”

Thea laughed and gave up, and Marcia looked at her a little resentfully. “At least he says your name. He’s never even tried mine!”

Suddenly Henry pointed at her and said “Mussa.”

Marcia shrieked and almost overturned her chair. “He said Marcia! Mummy, he said my name!”

“Yes, sweetie, he did,” Evadne said, chuckling, and then looked down at Henry, who gave a big yawn. “I think someone’s a bit sleepy. Okay girls, I’m just going to feed him and get him to bed. Daddy should be home soon and then it’ll be time for dinner. I could smell it as I came in. Don’t make too much noise will you? I want to get him to sleep quite quickly.”

“We promise!”

Evvy laughed. “That’ll be the day!” and as they ran off back down the garden to retrieve their Frisbee from Scrabble, she stood up, lifting her son into her arms again, and made her way back inside the house.

Last edited by Josie on Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:46 am; edited 1 time in total

 

#452:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:44 am

Awww, that's lovely! But I didn't realise Arthur Lannis had died - do we find out how? It sounds like it was an accident.

Thanks Josie.

 

#453:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 12:40 pm

Lesley wrote:
But I didn't realise Arthur Lannis had died - do we find out how? It sounds like it was an accident.


You will - in the next drabble. His death was the reason that Evvy was in Paris in the first place in Long Road Home - not that I expect anyone to remember that far back!! Laughing

Apologies for almost spreeing, but want to get the last few posts up today Very Happy

As Edgar walked down the long driveway towards his home, the day was just beginning to turn to dusk. He could see the lights shining through the open windows, the faint sound of voices floating out from within. Suddenly the front door burst open and Marcia came running out with a shout of “Daddy!” and threw herself into his arms, causing him to drop his briefcase.

“Whoa! Steady there young lady. You nearly had us both over then!” he exclaimed as he picked her up and kissed her on the nose. “What have you been up to today? Behaving yourself I hope?”

“Daddy, guess what?” she burst out, ignoring his question.

“What?”

“No, Daddy, you have to guess. Go on!”

“You’ve shaved the cat?” he said, his eyes twinkling.

“Be serious!” she exclaimed, hitting him on the arm. “Come on Daddy, pleeeeaase…”

“He’ll never guess, anyway,” came another voice from the doorway. “You’re such a kid, Marcia. Just tell him, or I will.”

“Don’t you even!” Marcia retorted. “And I’m no more a kid than you are, so there,” she added sticking her tongue out at her sister. Then, turning back to her father, “Daddy, Henry said my name!”

“No he didn’t, he said ‘Mussa’, not ‘Marcia’. It’s not the same thing!” Thea put in, with a wicked grin.

“Well, it’s as near as calling you ‘Fee’ is. And anyway…”

“Okay, that’s enough both of you,” Edgar put in hurriedly. “Marcia, that’s wonderful news poppet, and I never would have guessed. Now, how about you take my briefcase and put it in the study for me, and then run along and wash your hands and tidy yourself. Dinner must be nearly ready by now.” Giving her another kiss, he put her down, and taking the briefcase from him, she turned and ran off into the house.

“How was your day, Thea?” he said, placing his hand on the dark, bobbed head. “Good day at school?”

“I came top in History,” she replied beaming up at him. “And Mlle Crètien said that my tennis is really coming on too. Will they play tennis at the Chalet, Daddy?”

“I’m sure they will in the summer. You’ll have to check with Mummy to be sure though. And that’s marvellous that you came top in History, darling. I’m very proud of you. Now, how about you run off and get ready for dinner too. And make sure Marcia washes her hands properly will you? Oh, and Thea, where’s Mummy?”

“Upstairs putting Henry to bed,” she called over her shoulder as she dashed across the entrance hall to the room where her sister was busy preparing herself for dinner, giving the washroom a good soaking in the process.

Grimacing as he heard the yells coming from the two girls, Edgar decided to let it go, and instead headed across the polished floor and up the staircase to the long landing. He could see the door to his young son’s nursery slightly ajar, and opening it slowly he saw his wife bent over the cot in the far corner. She looked up as he came in, and smiling, put a finger to her lips.

 

#454:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 1:04 pm

Thank you Jo - those were beautiful updates - no need to apologise for spreeing!

Only one more post to go *sniffle 'cos I'm sad to see this end*

Liz

 

#455:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 1:04 pm

I can't believe it's nearly finished. Crying or Very sad

I do like the way you've brought it full circle to the start of 'Long Road Home'. Most satisfying.

I'm looking forward to reading both of themn one go. You will put this in SDL, won't you?

 

#456:  Author: pim, Location: the Derbyshire wilderness PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 1:28 pm

Awwwwwww, as much as I don't want it to finish I do want to see the sequel... Thanks Jo Very Happy

 

#457:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 1:30 pm

I can't believe it's nearly finished either!! Crying or Very sad Although I think I probably said that about the first one too... and look how wonderful this one has been!

Don't worry about the almost spreeing at all - no skin off our noses!
Jo.... *looks hopeful*... when will the next one start? I'm not sure I can go without my fill of this any more! Embarassed

 

#458:  Author: keren as guest,  PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 1:31 pm

What is pauls accident?
Also I did not get the part about not having any more children?

I have enjpyed this very much.

 

#459:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 2:03 pm

Aww, 'nother lovely post, thanks Jo.

 

#460:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 2:17 pm

keren as guest wrote:
What is pauls accident?
Also I did not get the part about not having any more children?


We don't know what Paul's accident was (apart from possibly a teaser for a future drabble *looks hopeful*). I think Jo was just catching us up on 2 years worth of news in a few sentences to bring us full circle.

Liz

 

#461:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 3:21 pm

LizB wrote:
keren as guest wrote:
What is pauls accident?
Also I did not get the part about not having any more children?


We don't know what Paul's accident was (apart from possibly a teaser for a future drabble *looks hopeful*). I think Jo was just catching us up on 2 years worth of news in a few sentences to bring us full circle.

Liz

Spot on Liz! Laughing
Evvy does hint at the children issue at the beginning of this drabble too, but that's also a teaser.



Walking over to the cot, Edgar smiled down at his sleeping son. Then putting an arm around his wife’s shoulders, he bent to kiss her on the head.

“Hello you,” he said in an undertone, giving her shoulder a squeeze as he spoke.

Evadne smiled back up at him. “Hey there.” Then with one last look at Henry, she took hold of Edgar’s hand and turned towards the door. “Come with me, I’ve something to tell you.”

Allowing her to lead him from the room, Edgar followed her down the corridor and into their bedroom that lay further down the hall. He shut the door behind him and then turned around to face her, taking her in his arms and bending his head to kiss her.

“Welcome home, darling. I missed you!”

Evadne laughed as she reached up, putting her arms around his neck. “I was only gone one night, you great, soppy fool!”

“I know that, but I still missed you.”

“Ah, but why did you miss me?” she asked with her twinkle in her eyes. “Because of my sparkling company, or because you had to change your son’s diaper and managed to put your elbow in it?”

“Who told you about that?”

“Thea.”

“Explain to me why my children feel the need to embarrass me?” he queried, a pretend look of hurt on his face and Evvy laughed.

“Because that is why we have them! To show us up in public and spend all our money!”

“I thought that’s why I had you?” he retorted, raising an eyebrow and chuckling as she gave a cry of indignation and hit him on the arm.

“You don’t deserve the news I’ve got for you after that!”

Edgar stared at her for a moment, and then shrugged his shoulders and pulled out of her arms. “Okay!” and he walked past her and over to the wardrobe where he began to change out of his suit and into his casual clothes.

Evadne watched him, her mouth hanging open like a stranded fish, aware that he had just called her bluff. Knowing exactly what she was like, Edgar realised it was only a matter of time before she would just have to tell him her news. Laughing inwardly, he continued changing and watched her out of the corner of his eye. He was perched on the edge of the bed, lacing up his shoes, when she finally made a move and came across the room to stand in front of him. Finishing what he was doing, he sat up straight and looked at her with a smile.

“I’ll tell you if you apologise,” she said, pouting and looking at him with doe-like eyes.

Edgar chuckled and looked up at her, putting his arms around her waist. “Okay, I’m sorry. Now, what do you have to tell me?”

Evadne lifted her hands, picking intently at one of her fingernails, and said, “Well, talking about our children…”

She left her sentence unfinished, and Edgar gave her a quizzical look. “What about them?” Then realisation suddenly dawned, and he gaped at her for a second before exclaiming, “Oh Evvy, you’re not…I mean…are you…?”

Evvy nodded her head, a wide grin spreading across her face, and he stared at her for a moment, before starting to laugh. Tightening his grip around her waist, he got to his feet, lifting her up and enveloping her in a bear hug as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Oh darling, that's so…it’s just…oh, I don’t believe it!”

She laughed. “Guess we get to have our two after all!”

Pulling his head back, he lowered her slowly to the ground, keeping his eyes locked onto hers. “So how…I mean, when did you find out?”

“I’ve suspected for a couple of weeks, but Jack confirmed it for me this morning,” she replied.

“And he thinks it’ll all be okay?”

“Yes. He just told me to rest and make sure I take it gently. I’ll go see Doctor Schreiber in the morning and see what advice he has for me.”

Lifting his hand to stroke her hair, he felt a lump come to his throat. “So is that why you were so out of sorts the last couple of days?” he asked and she nodded. “Oh I’m so glad! I was so worried something had opened all the old wounds again, you seemed so sad!”

She laughed. “I wasn’t sad, just apprehensive I guess. I was hoping so much that we were going to have another baby when we didn’t think we could.”

Releasing her, Edgar sat down on the bed again and took hold of one of her hands.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, looking with concern at his face that had suddenly taken on a slightly subdued expression.

“I’m just so relieved.” He looked up at her with a faint smile and took a deep breath. “I suppose I’ve always felt like I can’t quite give you everything you need, and that one day you’ll realise it.”

Evadne stared at him incredulously for a moment. “Edgar, don’t be such an ass! You’ve given me everything I could ever ask for - and more to boot.”

Edgar shook his head. “I’m not sure that’s true, but thanks for saying it anyway.”

She was silent for a minute as she tried to take this in. She had never realised that Edgar felt this insecurity about their relationship. She had always assumed that he felt the same about as Ralph as she did about Madeleine – that the relationship was in the past, and that what they had now was their present and future. How had she never noticed this before?

“Edgar have I…I mean, have I done something to make you feel this? ‘Cause if I have, I’m so sorry, baby, it’s honestly not true.”

He shook his head and gave her a sheepish glance. “No, of course you haven’t, sweetheart. I suppose I just know how much in love you were with Ralph and well…I’m being a fool again, aren’t I?” he added with a wry smile.

Giving a slight chuckle, Evvy sat down in his lap and put her arms around his shoulders. “Yes, you are!” Lifting her hand and running her fingers through his hair, she gazed down into the green eyes that were so full of love and affection. “Edgar, Ralph may have been my first love, just as Madeleine was yours, but what we have is different all over again. You’re my strength, my partner, my best friend. And that’s just as good – in fact better in many ways ‘cause our love has grown with us over the last few years. And in a way, because it’s second time round, maybe we cherish it that little bit more.” She lowered her hand to his face and gently traced his cheekbone with her fingers. “As long as I have you, I don’t want or need for anything or anyone else in the world.”

Edgar stared up at her for a second, and then putting his hand behind her head, he drew her towards him, kissing her on the lips. Pulling back again, he nodded his head and smiled. “Thank you! You know I feel the same, don’t you?”

Evadne nodded. “Of course I do.” Then her face broke into a wide grin as she added excitedly, “We’re having another baby!”

Edgar laughed and kissed her nose. “Yes, we are!”

They were interrupted by the sound of loud squabbling from downstairs, and then the dinner gong boomed several times throughout the house, followed by a loud clatter as it was knocked over. Clearly Thea and Marcia were arguing over who got to call their parents for dinner.

As they both grimaced, Evadne got to her feet and held out her hand to pull him up from the bed. “It’s a good job our son can sleep through anything!”

Edgar chuckled. “Do you think we’d get a good price for them if we advertised in the local paper? Maybe someone will offer a few goats in exchange – they’re really far quieter!”

“Oh come on,” she replied, giggling at his words, “you know as well as I do that we wouldn’t live without them!”

“Too true. Oh well, maybe we should just buy muzzles instead!” and as she burst out laughing, he put his arm around her shoulders and they walked out into the hall.



A big thank you to everyone I've roped into beta-ing for me, especially Kathye. Very Happy

And a huge thank you to everyone that has read, encouraged and commented. You've said some really nice things and it's made writing it all worth while Very Happy

For those who've asked, Margia's drabble will be on its way shortly (well, in a couple of months probably), and as I've said before, there's a sequel on the way too. Keep your eyes peeled for "The Swiss Family Watson", coming to a board near you soon!!! Very Happy Very Happy

Last edited by Josie on Mon Apr 11, 2005 3:35 pm; edited 2 times in total

 

#462:  Author: Helen C, Location: Sheffield/Luton PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 3:30 pm

Thanks Josie have really enjoyed all of this. I can't wait for the sequel.

 

#463:  Author: Joey, Location: Cambridge PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 3:38 pm

Thank you so much for this, Jo. It's been brilliant, and I can't wait for the sequel and Margia's story.

Thanks again!

 

#464:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 3:45 pm

*sobs* because it finished

*bounces* because there will be more (and more)

*dances* because Jo is fabulous

Thank you hunnie for a brilliant story Very Happy And heres to more!

 

#465:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 3:45 pm

You've managed to totally corrupt me! I normally only log on at work during lunch (good example and all that Wink ) but today I've been on and off all afternoon to catch each post.

Great story Josie - as I've no doubt said before - and beautifully expressed.

 

#466:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 3:48 pm

Wonderful, beautiful, sublime - run out of superlatives - you have made these characters live, they have taken on a life outside of, and apart from the CS. So glad there is more to look forward to.

Thank you Josie. Laughing

 

#467:  Author: Katarzyna, Location: Preston, Lancashire PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 3:52 pm

Thank you Josie

Like Patmac I too have stayed on this afternoon to catch the end of this - so much so i have written nothing of my own drabble and as you have left me feeling all warm and fuzzy I don't think I will be able too either!

Looking forward to the Margia section of the story - and definately looking forward to the further adventures of the Watsons!!

 

#468:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 3:52 pm

So glad I was in the office this afternoon when its quiet rather than tomorrow when I'm busy!

Wonderful, thank you Jo! Lovely finish! Can't wait for the next part!!!!

 

#469:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 3:57 pm



Thank you shiny Jo Very Happy That was magnificent

Like Ally I'm sad that this has ended, but very glad there are lots of new drabbles to come!

Liz

 

#470:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 4:28 pm

Thanks muchly Jo. That was indeed utterly magnificent (have given up the mission not to repeat anyone else's superlatives!)

Am also supremely sad this has ended - but so glad there's to be a sequel! I look forward to it very much. Thanks! *applauds*

 

#471:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 4:40 pm

Thank you Jo!!!
That was luffly and shiny and beautiful!!!!!!!!

 

#472:  Author: Donna, Location: Liverpool PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 5:27 pm

Thank you Jo! I can't believe it's finished, but it was lovely. I can't wait for the sequel! Very Happy

*runs off to read the beginning again*

 

#473:  Author: pim, Location: the Derbyshire wilderness PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 5:36 pm

*sobs cos it's over and the last post was wondrous and shiny*

*bounces at the thought of seuquels and more sequels-y things*

Jo you are very very shiny Very Happy

 

#474:  Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 7:42 pm

Thank you, Jo - it's been utterly fabulous and an amazing ride.

Ray *eager for the next one!*

 

#475:  Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:23 pm

Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad
Its finished
Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad
they're so happy
Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

 

#476:  Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:59 pm

ta muchly jo that was a fabulous story! Like so many others I am very sad to see it go but eagerly looking forward to the next one!
Hannah X

 

#477:  Author: Miss Di, Location: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 4:59 am

That was marvelous! Top Hole! And Very Very Shiney.
I do love a happy ending.


Like everyone else, I look forward to The Swiss Family Watson and Margia's Story!

 

#478:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 5:02 am

Thank you for the umpteenth time! Very Happy

And hurrah for any and all sequels.

 

#479:  Author: Kathye, Location: Laleham PostPosted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 8:54 am

Thanks for the flowers Jo, but what are we to talk about now ?? Shocked Wink

Wonderful ending sweetie, you've had most of my comments as we go, but this has been a truly amazing drabble, and definitely needs to be submitted to the SDL !

 

#480:  Author: Karry,  PostPosted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 8:59 am

Oh wow, Josie! This has been as marvellous as Long road home - when are we to see them in print (hint)? Looking forward to all the rest of the tales!

Smile

 

#481:  Author: Robin, Location: London PostPosted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 10:14 am

Can't believe it's over!!
Thanks Jo for all of it - you know I think it's been fantastic.
Hope you feel immensely satisfied at having finished it. Very Happy Very Happy

Also looking forward to the next ones!

 

#482:  Author: Jodi, Location: Glasgow most of the time PostPosted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 10:33 am

Can't believe it's over!!!!

You made all the characters come to life so well and I don't know how I'm going to do without it!

Looking forward to all the up-coming drabbles! Very Happy

*joins Karry wondering when we'll see this in print...* Laughing

 

#483:  Author: keren as guest,  PostPosted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 11:58 am

I can't believe it is over.
I just went back and reread the beginning to see it come full circle

 

#484:  Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 12:34 pm

Josie, that was absolutely fantastic.

*perches on edge of seat to await the next Josie drabble*

I can't believe I missed the wedding though. I'm never going away ever again.

 

#485:  Author: Felix, Location: Bristol PostPosted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 6:48 pm

I can't believe it has finished, but it was all truly splendid. I love happily ever after.

Thank you so much for writing it and roll on the sequels!

 

#486:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:06 pm

*sniffles* that was so so so brilliant

really looking forward to margia's story AND the sequel

*bounces excitedly at the thought*

 

#487:  Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under PostPosted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 11:20 pm

Ally wrote:
*sobs* because it finished

*bounces* because there will be more (and more)

*dances* because Jo is fabulous


I do so agree!!!

 

#488:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 10:56 pm

Ann wrote
Quote:
I can't believe I missed the wedding though. I'm never going away ever again.

Me too! I think Ann and I should get to look at the wedding photos first.

 

#489:  Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 1:28 pm

I've only just caught up on the end of this, read everyone else's comments and I've still got tears running down my face.... Rolling Eyes Very Happy

Thankyou so much Josie, and I join everyone looking out eagerly for the new drabbles!

Off to mop up now....

 

#490:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 9:39 pm

Have just caught up on this Embarassed

I can't believe it's finished - but it has been one of my very favoiurite drabbles on the board and a definite must read - I only put off finishing it for a couple of days cos I didn't want it to end. Already looking forward to the next bit

Thankyou sooooooooooo much Jo
Mexican Wave

 

#491:  Author: dackel, Location: Wolfenbuettel, Germany/Cambridge, England PostPosted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 3:17 pm

What a shame it's over, but it's so lovely to know they're happy!


Thank you so much for this drabble, Josie, I've enjoyed it such a lot!

 

#492:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 12:16 am

Thanks for your kind comments everyone - much appreciated and glad you enjoyed it Embarassed

Next bit's up (as some of you already know!) - is in St Therese Very Happy http://www.chaletian.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=182941#182941

 

The CBB -> St Agnes's House


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