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#1: A New Year Author: CBB Secret Santa,

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 4:00 pm

Madge Bettany looked wildly around her for an escape route. This had not been at all what she expected when she had agreed to attend Lucy Somerford’s New Year’s party. She knew – how could she not? – that Alan Hever fancied himself head-over-heels in love with her, but she had never expected a serious proposal from him. He stood before her now, swaying slightly under the effect of far too much alcohol, one hand gripping her arm.

“Say you will, Madge,” he pleaded with her, his voice husky. “We’d be awfully fine together, I know we would. My job in the bank’s not much, but once the pater dies we’d be in clover, and he’s in a pretty dodgy state, you know.” Madge’s lips firmed. She did know very well that Colonel Hever’s health was in a poor state, and was grieved by that knowledge: he had been her father’s oldest friend in the Army.

“You shouldn’t talk like that,” she said severely, attempting to pull her arm away. “Let me go, Alan, you’re hurting me!”

“Say you’ll marry me!” he demanded, his grip loosening slightly, but not so much that she could get away. Madge glared at him, refusing to admit even to herself that she was a little scared. Alan had escorted her outside, ‘for a breath of air’, and they stood on the Somerfords’ terrace. The doors were closed; Madge and Alan were more or less out of sight; the noise inside was considerable. Madge wondered if anyone would even hear her if she screamed. Then she kicked Alan in the shin, and he let go, swearing at her.

“I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last man on earth!” she declared passionately. Ignoring his imprecations, she ran back inside, ignoring the tall, fair man holding open the door, concerned about the young woman and the inebriated man. Madge caught up a glass of champagne and drank from it recklessly, then looked about for somewhere quiet to sit. Pushing her way past the crowds of people, she slipped into the library, turned the key in the lock, and subsided gratefully into one of the old-fashioned leather chairs that Lucy’s father favoured.

As she relaxed, Madge listened as the small mantel clock in the library struck 12. “A New Year,” she thought to herself. “I won’t be marrying Alan, that’s for sure! Dick will be home on furlough at Easter; Joey might get the hang of algebra, though I’m not hopeful! Maybe Uncle will get better,” though privately she doubted it; the Bettanys’ guardian had been ill for some time now. She sighed. “Maybe I’ll find something to do with myself.” The chimes stopped and Madge smiled, always ready for new possibilities. “1925: what will it bring?”

#2: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 4:54 pm

It will bring the chalet school! Yay! Very Happy

#3: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 7:16 pm

Such a hopeful story.

Thanks Santa.

Star Wars

#4: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 7:45 pm

Well done, Madge. A feisty little thing, wasn't she - just the sort to open a school! Laughing

Thank you.

#5: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 7:52 pm

Thanks, Secret Santa. That was lovely to read and thank you for sharing it with the rest of us as well.

#6: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 7:53 pm

Go Madge!

Thank you Santa

#7: Author: Gerrie, Location: Ireland

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 8:50 pm

Was that Jem who held the door open? Excellent coincidence if it was....
Thanks - loved the bit about the Dad biting the dust!

#8: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:15 pm

Thanks Santa.

Just goes to show, we never know what exciting things the next year might hold - *says hopefully!*

#9: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:19 pm

Thanks, Santa. It was good to see Madge showing some spirit.

#10: Author: BethC, Location: Worcester, UK

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 11:08 pm

Thank you, Santa - I really enjoyed that! Very Happy

#11: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 12:41 am

What a talented Santa!

#12: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 4:12 pm

That was such a lovely snapshot! Good for Madge!

#13: Author: Le Petite Em, Location: Cheltenham

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 8:55 pm

What a good idea Santa!

#14: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 9:58 pm

Go Madge!

#15: Author: pim, Location: Helmel Hampster

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 11:07 am

Hurrah for Madge! Thank you Santa.

#16: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 10:12 pm

Well done Madge.

#17: Author: Miss Di, Location: Newcastle, NSW

Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 2:08 am

Gerrie wrote:

Was that Jem who held the door open? Excellent coincidence if it was....

Hmmm, I wondered that too!

#18: Author: RuthY, Location: Anyone's guess

Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 6:48 pm

Good idea i like it a lot thanks Santa!

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