Off to catch up on other drabbles.

*gets the budgies to join in too*

*shouts and stamps round looking for Alex*

** Packs slightly larger rucksack with only the necessities: poster of Orlando Bloom, Travel Kittens^TM, homing hamster **

sounds like my Brownie's bags on Pack Holiday Rachel!

It's actually what more or less happens to me on a daily basis! I have a bag; it's function is to hold things. The bag NEVER manages to hold all the things I wish it to. I buy a bigger bag. It's function is to hold things. Pile of things for bag to hole increases proportionally. The bag never manages to hold all the things I want it to. I buy a new bigger bag.

One of my bags once LITERALLY exploded...

it was a bit annoying really, I was rather fond of that bag *sigh*

Shelob is the most enormous spider. She clicks her clicky bits together in anticipation (a la Frank N Furter) and wraps Frodo's still body in her webby stuff to keep him fresh for eating later.

There's a little plot bunny just appeared out of nowhere - says his name is JR and he wants me to get writing!

*wonders if this is a sign that it is past her bedtime*

I say alone, but what I actually mean is, don't leave me alone with the second pree! I may end up confessing all my wrongdoings if she gives me a certain look!

*wonders if she can manage that "certain look"*

please don't do the look!

well don't go round threatening me with cockroach clusters then!

*gives Rachel "the look"*

Whatever do you mean "prominse"? There's no such word my dear!

off to bed then sweetie - and come back ready for yibbling fun tomorrow  ;)

* Hurls Xanthe into the Hugs Box *
 
 

Revenge is oh so sweet   ;D

Really wish we could have more story!!

I hope that you're ok 
*wonders if a seacrh party may be needed*

So I should feel flattered? Is that what you're saying?

I think maybe we should make up a search party!

Whuchever way you want to take it, my dear! 

It was Christmas morning and still dark outside. Giles switched on the bedside light and looked at his watch. Five o’clock. Why was he waking up at five o’clock in the morning like a small child. It was probably just as well, he had been having a most peculiar dream involving going to sea in a giant Christmas stocking. He turned over and tried to go back to sleep but there was too much going on in his head, maybe he should try and read for a bit. Lala seemed inclined to be bookish, it was likely there would be something not too tedious to read on her shleves. In fact tedious would not necessarily be bad as it might help him get back to sleep again. To think was to act. He flung off the covers, climbed out of bed and grabbed the first book to hand and hurried back into bed, shivering. He lay huddled under the covers for a minute or so until he was warm again and then looked at the book he had selected. Nancy Meets a Nazi by one Josephine M. Bettany. Not something he would have chosen normally, he was surprised Lala still had such childish books, but it was only until he fell asleep again and he was damned if he was getting out of bed again. Giles settled down to making the best of a bad job.

At half past eight there was a knock on the door. Giles stirred, there was another knock and this time he woke up.

“Come in,” he called.

The door opened and Lala came in bearing a steaming mug of tea. 

“Merry Christmas, Giles,” she smiled, then her smile changed to a puzzled look. Giles followed her gaze and realised with embarrassment that Nancy was still lying on the covers where he had dropped it when he fell asleep.

“Couldn’t sleep,” he muttered to Lala’s raised eyebrows.

Lala nodded. “Breakfast will be ready at nine, and we’re going to church for ten, we’ll leave at quarter to.” She headed for the door, but paused with her hand on the handle.

“There are some more Josephine Bettanys up there,” nodding towards the shelf, eyes twinkling, “including another one about Nancy if you’re interested.”

“But at least it’s not raining,” Lala pointed out to Freddie when he mentioned it. Then she grabbed his hand and skipped down the lane singing Joy to the World, until her mother called her to order. Giles grinned in spite of his disapproval. Polly laughed and said it was a good job none of the Middles had seen that display of unladylike behaviour.

“I have to be so good all the time now, it’s a relief to let in out in the holidays,” retorted Lala.

Giles had found it difficult to concentrate during the service. Peggy Bettany was sitting in the row in front of him and he noticed that she, Bride and Maeve as well as his own two sisters seemed very serious and devout during the service. Not that everyone else in the church seemed to be fidgeting, but there was an aura of calm and at the same time happy energy in their two pews. God was obviously smiling on him that day, for Peggy did as she wished him a Merry Christmas.

“Your brother looks tired,” mentioned Bride to Polly, when they were talking afterwards, luckily for Giles, as otherwise they would have been sure to see the look on his face as he returned the greeting warmly

“No wonder,” returned Polly, “Lala claims he was up all night reading Nancy Meets a Nazi.”

“What?” demanded Bride.

“You mean ‘pardon’,” replied Polly, with a grin. “She says she saw it with her own eyes.”

“A grown man reading one of Auntie Joey’s books?” Bride was stunned. “Are you sure?”

“That’s what she says. I thought you thought her books were great.”

“I do, I did, but he’s a grown up. Oh well, I suppose [i]Nancy is one of the best of them,” Bride calmly ignored the fact that she was herself quite grown up. Polly felt the need to point it out and did so. Bride was reduced to sticking her tongue out.

“On second thoughts I could be wrong,” murmured Polly to no-one in particular.
 

All four of the second generation Wintertons had the same in their stockings: two satsumas, a bar of chocolate and an appropriately selected book. Giles was very touched by the trouble his step mother had gone to to find something he liked and said so.

“Don’t thank me, thank Father Christmas,” she said, blushing with pleasure.

Then the presents were passed round, and he noted that every gift, however small, had a huge amount of thought put into it in order to ensure that the receiver would like it. He was not naïve, and realised that not every member of his family had wanted him to be there but everything was given ungrudgingly. Polly had painted a beautifully stormy seascape, the light just breaking the clouds and Giles was astounded at his sister’s talent, and the time she must have put into the picture. Freddie had managed to find a flat pen and thought that this would be ideal for use on a ship as it would not roll. Lala presented him with a pair of beautifully carved bookends, explaining that they came from one of the villages near to her school. He suddenly felt overwhelmed and had to leave the room. Giles, as Bride said, was a grown man, and would have scorned to show emotion in public but the love that he felt within the family moved him greatly. He could not understand where it had come from, for he was sure it had not been there last time he had visited. Certainly a lot could happen in 8 years, but if it had been like this before, he would have come back a lot more often. A shame this stay was so short, he would have to make the most of the time left.

Christmas dinner went with a swing. After lunch they went out for a walk (“Le digestif,” announced Lala in a (naturally) commendable French accent. “No, that’s a drink,” said Polly) and that afternoon they played all manner of games, including some favourite paper games which Polly and Lala insisted on introducing to everyone. Polly and Lala noticed that Giles’s mood seemed to have lifted and wondered what to attribute it to. 

“I even had a proper conversation with him,” Polly announced when they were tucked up in bed. “I wonder what is going on in his head. Perhaps,” she giggled, “it’s the effect of the profound writing of Josephine M. Bettany. Life-changing stuff.”

“Personally, I think it must be the profound writing of the Chaletian, which he asked to see this afternoon. Or maybe it’s just because he’s realised we don’t hate him completely,” offered Lala.

“Maybe he’s in love,” speculated Polly wildly.

“With who?” asked Lala, crushingly. “Maybe…maybe it’s the magic of Christmas.”

“Goodnight Lala,” Polly was smiling into her pillow. The magic of Christmas, she thought, and they say my sister has no imagination.
 

*feeling relieved that there was some story in there after all that yibbling  ;)*

*wondering when the next installment of the story will be*

*hoping Alex's writers' block is over*

*suggesting a chant might be started soon*

More please!

Looking forward to more.

More please!

I'm hoarse because I've been cheering at the new bits of the story  ;D Are we allowed to chant yet?

The next week passed happily for the Wintertons and the Bettanys, apart from the incessantly falling rain, which meant they were often confined to their respective houses. Most of them had plenty of studying to occupy themselves with. One afternoon, it stopped long enough for Peggy and Bride to walk over to the Wintertons, with some winter vegetables from the garden. Mrs Winterton insisted that they stay for tea.

“We’d better not,” said Peggy with a glance at her sister, “it might start raining any second.”

At this point no less person than Giles interrupted. “Oh, I’m sure Polly could run you back if it does start to rain.”

“Oh, we don’t want to be an inconvenience,” said Bride.

“I’m sure it won’t be an inconvenience,” Mrs Winterton backed up her stepson. “Giles, will you call Freddie and ask him to set the table, dear. I’ll just put the kettle on. Luckily Lala made some buns from a patent Chalet recipe this morning so there will be plenty, as we still have some Christmas cake left.”

Giles assented with a nod, and only Bride saw his smile as he turned and left the room. 

It started to rain again while they were sampling Lala’s interpretation of Frau Mieders buns. 

“It always seems to be raining in this place,” said Giles. “These buns are jolly good Lal.”

“Thanks,” replied his sister. “It’s a shame it’s been like this the whole time you were here, Giles,” she continued. “You haven’t been able to see any of the area. There are some really beautiful places not to far away.”

“I know!” some evil spirit moved Bride to exclaim. “We should plan an expedition for the first fine day. Where shall we go?”

“To the mines,” said Lala the ever sensible, “then if it does rain we can be under cover.”

“I don’t see how mines come under the headings of beautiful scenery,” laughed Giles.

The others hastened to correct him.

“They’re in a really beautiful area,” volunteered Polly.

“They aren’t working mines, and there’s a funny little museum and they have guided tours of the mine. I think that’s a very good suggestion,” put in Peggy.

“Can I come?” asked Freddie.

“I should think so, I expect the second twins would like to come as well,” said Bride.

They laid their plans for the first fine day. “And if there’s not a fine day before you go,” wound up Lala, “then you’ll just have to come back another time when the weather’s better.”

Giles could not decide if he wanted the weather to get better or not.

Bless his cotton socks!

I think it will. What was that about 'evil spirits'...?

Maybe Peggy and Giles will get trapped behind a fall of rock...

I was just reading the first part of this and had reached the yibbles on vacuum cleaners when suddenly, an advert for a vacuum cleaner popped up!  It was only when I closed it down, I realised that there were several links to adverts for vacuum cleaners on the page and I must have inadvertently clicked on one!!  8oo
 

Your yibbles are obviously having a profound effect on Lycos!  8oo
 

Really enjoying the story, Alex, please keep going!

*joins in giggling* Today the board, tomorrow the world!

Um - what a difficult decision ... ;D

It's like discovering a whole shelf of CS books you haven't read.

Exactly! Alison. *grins*

Glad you're enjoying yourself so much! And I think DH should resign himself to losing your attention... ;)

*joins chant*

*lip wibbles*

As it happened it was a further two days before the rain stopped, but stop it did. Having confirmed the arrangement by phone, the four Wintertons packed themselves some turkey sandwiches and set off, with Polly driving, for the mines. Rix and John had declined the invitation and so, of the Bettanys, only Peggy, Bride, Maeve and Maurice made the trip, arriving at the museum some five minutes after the Wintertons. A large sign announced that there was only to be one tour of the mine that day, which would begin in about 40 minutes. They decided to look at the museum first, which wouldn’t take too long, then go on the tour and after that to go for a walk. As Bride said, “We can always go back to the museum afterwards if we need more time.”

The time in the museum passed quickly. There was some old mining equipment and also possessions of people who had once worked the mine, including faded letters and diaries. There was also an account of a daring rescue which had taken place more than 100 years before when a tunnel had collapsed and ten men had been trapped for two days. They had been saved by the skill and courage of another miner who died in doing so. The museum was named in his honour.

“I always think we should bring Auntie Joey here,” said Bride to Peggy, Polly and Lala, “I’m sure she could get a book out of it.” 

Overhearing, Giles asked “Does your aunt write books then?” As it happened, Peggy was the only one of the four who had not heard of the Nancy incident and she replied easily “Yes, mainly for children, although she does write adults books too. She writes under her maiden name – Josephine M. Bettany – but I wouldn’t expect that you’ve heard of her.” She could not understand why Giles turned darkly purple whilst Polly and Bride choked and Lala become fixated on something on the other side of the room.

Fortunately at that point a man came into the room and addressed them, “Are you all for the tour?” Giles agreed that they all were. It turned out that they were the only people there so they all followed the man, who introduced himself as Eddie, into a back room, where he issued them each with a helmet and miners lamp. The lamp consisted of a large pack on a belt which was fixed around the waist. A thick lead ran from the pack to the lamp, which could be attached to the front of the hat.

“But you won’t be doing that.” said Eddie, “Carry the lamp around your neck, it is only attached to the hat if you’re working. I’m glad to see you’ve all got sensible shoes and warm coats as it isn’t very warm down there, although at this time of year it’s warmer than outside. Yes, the packs are very heavy,” he added to Maeve who had muttered something to her twin and Freddie.

He led them out of a door in the corner of the room and they found themselves outside. In front of them was the entrance to the mine, a rather ordinary looking door in a brick wall, he produced a key and unlocked the door. They followed him into the mine and he closed the door behind them.

The mine was dimly lit, but they had their lamps to see by as well. As the went forward into a mine Eddie showed them various things of interest including old workings, at one point he stopped them by a deep shaft which was fenced off.

“This shaft is almost 200 feet deep and is, as you can see, full of water. Falling into water this deep can cause two problems. Firstly, you could drown. Secondly, if you are lucky enough not to drown, the pressure of such deep water can cause nitrogen gas to form bubbles in your blood and body tissues, this is known as the bends, it leads to some very unpleasant symptoms and can also kill you, although nowadays there is more that can be done about it, if you’re lucky enough to be in the right part of the country.”

“What do you mean, the right part of the country?” asked Bride.

“A piece of equipment called a decompression chamber is needed to treat the condition, they’re quite few and far between.”

Bride nodded her thanks to Eddie. As they made their way on, she said to Peggy, “I’m glad we haven’t got young Margot and her devil here, she’d be all set for a swim.”

Peggy agreed, “Perhaps it wouldn’t be such a good idea for us to bring Auntie Jo here.”

They emerged into fresh air after about an hour and all blinked at the brightness of the day. Making their way back into the building, they discarded their lamps and thanked Eddie for the interesting tour.

“What are you going to do now?” he asked them.

“We’re going to take a walk up the hill and show Giles the view,” said Polly, “and find a sheltered spot to eat our sandwiches if we can.”

“Well, you’ve a good day for it,” said Eddie. “Make sure you stick to the paths, mind. They’re all marked and we don’t want any accidents.”

“What sort of accidents?” asked Freddie.

“Because of the mining, the ground in some places isn’t very firm and could give way, especially as we’ve had so much rain lately. So be careful,” he replied.

“We’ll be careful,” promised Freddie hastily.

thank you for 2 sections, waiting patiently for the third!

Guess I'm an old romantic deep down.

Although, Giles could also shove Lala down one of those unsafe areas as payback for telling Bride about his reading habits, and when Peggy rushes to the rescue, he clonks her on the head with a big rock, flings her over his shoulder and does the chauvanist bit and marries her before she even comes round.

Am I getting close Alex?

Very deep! And I was utterly expecting them not to be able to get out again, the river/whatever to flood, thus trapping them, and leaving them to swim for safety. (however, did see a film very similar to this a couple of days ago! the swimming to safety bit I mean!) ::)

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