The CBB :: View topic - Encounter on a train

#1: Encounter on a train Author: Mrs Redboots, Location: London, UK

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 5:39 pm

This is the first time I've tried anything like this.... help... oh well, here goes:

The compartment door opened just as the guard blew his whistle, and a middle-aged woman hauled herself aboard, dragging a small suitcase in after her. She slammed the door shut just as the boat-train from Waterloo began to move away.

“Phew,” she exclaimed to nobody in particular. “I really thought I’d missed the train, and then I would have been in the soup!”

The younger woman cuddling a small child, the only other occupant of the carriage, looked up and her face broke into a smile.

“Why, it’s Mrs Maynard, isn’t it?” she exclaimed.

“None other!” replied that lady, examining her travelling-companion rather blankly for a moment. Then her face cleared. “It’s Ros Lilley, isn’t it?”

“Ros Ebden now,” said the owner of the name, “and this is my son Alan. Say hello to Mrs Maynard, Alan.”

Alan, a small person of about three, complied, and then snuggled back into his mother’s arms.

“He’s very tired,” she explained. “We’ve been at the Chelsea Flower Show all day, and he has missed his nap. You sleep now, my pet,” to the baby.

“But what have you been doing since you left school,” asked Jo Maynard. “We have barely heard a word from you since you left, and nobody told us you were married and a proud mother!”

“No, I’m sorry. I’ve been awful about keeping in touch, but – well, life has been a bit hectic. I did the secretarial course I’d always hoped to do, and ended up working as secretary to my dad’s boss at the market garden. Which was how I met Peter – he was the boss’ son, and when we got married, his dad gave us some capital to set up on our own, and we’re running a nursery garden on the Isle of Wight now. But it’s been very hard work, and somehow there isn’t time to keep up with old friends. Going to Chelsea is about the only break I get, and that’s really to do with work. All this” – she held up a large notebook – “is notes about what is popular this year, as we’ll need to stock up on them.”

“It sounds like hard work,” laughed Jo. “And Alan is your only child?”

“Yes – we did have another son, but he died.” Ros' face closed. “It was very hard for us, five years ago, that very hard winter – did you have it in Switzerland? Here, there was frost for months, and the nursery didn't do well, and then Kevin was never very well, right from when he was born. But let's not talk about that. Tell me, Mrs Maynard, how are the triplets, and all your other children? What are they doing now? Do you have lots of grandchildren?”

Jo laughed ruefully. “Nary a one!” she exclaimed. “Wouldn't you have thought that with eleven of my own, I'd have lots by now, but no!”

“So what are they all doing, to be so lax about it?” Ros asked. “Didn't Len's marriage come off?”

She helped Alan move so that his head was in her lap, his thumb in his mouth, and his eyes closing.

“Oh yes, Len and Reg were married even before she finished university, at the end of her second year. Reg decided to go in for general practice, rather than stay at the San, and as he was doing a course at the John Radcliffe, they decided to marry then and there. And did it privately – we were done out of the big wedding we'd hoped for! Saved us money, I suppose. But no, they've no children – I don't think they can. They're both working in a slum area of Birmingham, Len's teaching in a secondary school there and Reg is a partner in a very busy practice. I wish they wouldn't work in the slums, but they both say they've had so much in life, they want to give something back.”

Ros nodded soberly. “Yes, you'd expect that of Len. But what a shame she can't have children!”

Joey grinned. “She says that she will be like Mr Chips and have lots of children, only hers won't be all boys!”

“And Con, and Margot?” Ros asked impatiently.

Last edited by Mrs Redboots on Wed Nov 23, 2005 8:49 pm; edited 1 time in total

#2: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 5:45 pm

Ooooh - this looks interesting - I like Len and Reg's reasons for working in the slums and look forward to hearing about the rest of the family.

Poor Ros losing a child though Crying or Very sad

Thanks Mrs Redboots Very Happy

Liz

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

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 5:57 pm

Looking very good!!!!
Thanks! Very Happy

#4: Author: Chalet_school_lover, Location: Gloucester

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 6:03 pm

This is great looking forward to more of this! Very Happy

Poor Ros!

but it's nice to hear some more about her! Very Happy

Thank you very much! I can't wait for more! Very Happy

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

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 7:15 pm

Thanks, Mrs Redboots. This looks great so far and I am definitely looking forward to more. I'm sorry to hear that Ros' son Kevin had died. I am surprised that Joey hasn't got any grandchildren when she has so many children!

#6: Author: Liane, Location: Manchester

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 7:38 pm

This looks great Mrs Redboots, thanks.

#7: Author: Jay, Location: Aberdeen

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 7:54 pm

Ooooooh, this looks interesting! Looking forward to more!

Thanks Mrs Redboots Very Happy

#8: Author: Joyful, Location: Manchester

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 7:56 pm

Ooh, this looks interesting! thank you Smile

#9: Encounter on a train - now complete. Author: Mrs Redboots, Location: London, UK

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 8:00 pm

Thank you. This is the 2nd half. I hope I shall be able to write other stories set in the same "universe" - I've got a couple of plot bunnies banging on the door.....

“Well, Con is editing Marvellous, which is a fashion magazine for teenagers. She's not married yet – although she seems to have plenty of admirers – and lives in a flat in Earl's Court with Ruey Richardson, Ted Grantley and Ricki Fry.”

“Half the class, in fact!” said Ros. “And none of them are married!”

“No, not a one. Ruey and Ted are working as secretaries, only they seem to change their jobs like most people change their shirts, and Ricki has her heart's desire and is running a ceramics gallery off the King's Road.”

“Oh, I'm so glad for her. She really did want to work with ceramics, I know.”

“Yes, she's very happy. I've just spent the night with them all, and caught up with all the hanes. But they do look most extraordinary, I must say; they call themselves hippies. They used to wear their skirts right up their thighs, but now they are all wearing these swirly patterns, and long skirts. And their hair all long and untidy – I hate to think what Matey would say if she could see it!”

Ros laughed. “Oh, that seems quite normal – I saw a lot of people dressed like that when I was on the bus going to Chelsea. And Margot?”

Joey's face grew shadowed. “She has just taken her Final Vows as a Blue Nun, and is to sail for South America next week. She's doing what she is called to do, but oh, how we shall miss her! We came over to attend the ceremony, Jack and I, that's why we were in England. Jack flew back some days ago, but I decided to stay on and see the others for a few days, and go home the slow way. I'm hoping to be allowed to see Charles – he's in simple vows in Chartreuse, in France, which is wonderful for him, but in many ways it's an even harder life than Margot will face.”

“Yes, I can see that it would be. Goodness, you must be so proud of them both.”

“Oh, we are!” exclaimed Joey, fervently. “But we will miss them, though and, of course, they will never give us grandchildren. But there is plenty of time for the others, though. Steve isn't married yet; he's got a degree in civil engineering, and is with a big company that specialises in building dams and tunnels. Mike's at medical school, although we're not sure how much his heart is in it – sometimes we reckon it's only an excuse for him to carry on playing rugger!”

Ros laughed. “Yeah, Peter still plays for a local team when he has time. I'm sure he'll break his neck one of these days, but he enjoys it and it's good exercise for him. Not that he needs much, he's on his feet all day. I suppose your other children are all still at school?”

“Well, Felix and Felicity finish this term, and Felix will be going to university in the autumn. Felicity reckons she'll do a secretarial course. Erica is at university though, and I rather think there is something going on between her and Roddy Richardson. Although nobody tells me anything, of course – I suppose that's as it should be. And Geoff, Phil and
Claire are still at school.”

“The Chalet School is still going strong, I take it?”

“Oh yes, very much so. We're beginning to see a change in the sort of people who are coming, though. We are even more multinational than we used to be, as a lot of people posted to the UN in Geneva send their daughters to us now.”

“Miss Annersley's still there? And Miss Ferrars?”

“Oh yes, both still there. Although Miss Annersley is to retire at the end of next year, and we are all hoping that Miss Wilmot will agree to take her place.”

“Oh yes, she was acting head one term, wasn't she, when Miss Annersley had a sabbatical, I remember.”

“That's right, although she still swears she made a mess of things, but I don't think anybody else thought so.”

“We certainly didn't,” said Ros. “I was in the Sixth Form at the time, and she seemed to us to do a great job. I don't think anybody of our crowd thought she wasn't, or if they did, nobody said so to me.”

“And are you in touch with any old friends?” asked Joey.

“Not really – Joan Ellis – Joan Baker as was – and I exchange Christmas cards each year, but that's about it. Oh, and I still hear news of Tom Gay from time to time – you remember how it was her parents who gave me the scholarship to come to the Chalet School? They've stayed in touch with my Mum, and I hear that Tom is still working for the London City Mission.”

“Yes, she stays in touch with us, occasionally. Christmas card sort of level. But we must be nearly at Southampton now. You said you were on the Isle of Wight – I take it you're catching the ferry?”

“Yes, I hope to get the last ferry. Alan will sleep, I think – I have his pushchair here, and he's very good about napping in it. I hope so, anyway, or he'll yell, he's so tired, poor little mite! I wouldn't have taken him with me, but the girl who usually looks after him was poorly, so I'd no choice. Are you crossing to France tonight?”

“Yes, I'm getting the night ferry to Le Havre. Then tomorrow I'll be getting the train to Paris, and then to Grenoble, and then I shall hire a car to drive up into the mountains to see Charles. And then back to Grenoble and so, slowly home.”

“Well, it's been simply glorious meeting you again, Mrs Maynard. And wonderful to catch up on everybody's news.”

“You too. Well, good hunting to you, Ros, and I hope you don't leave it another ten years before you get into touch with us!”

#10: Author: Chalet_school_lover, Location: Gloucester

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 8:08 pm

That was so nice, small but just the right amount! Thank you very much, I look forward to lots more drabbles! Very Happy

#11: Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 8:24 pm

Thanks I always like drabbles about 'what happened next'

#12: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 8:45 pm

That was lovely, it's so interesting to see future drabbles, very sad about Ros's sone though. Thank you Very Happy

#13: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 8:56 pm

Thanks, that was really good. Sad about Ros' son, and sad that her so-called friend Len didn't stay in touch, but good for Con & co and for Len & Reg!

#14: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 10:11 pm

I love the Chalet School hippies!

Thank you Mrs Redboots, looking forward to more from you Very Happy

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

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 10:16 pm

Thanks, Mrs Redboots. Whilst I was reading that post, I felt like I was hearing news of old friends.

#16: Author: Elle,

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 7:42 am

I enjoyed that.

Thank you.

#17: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 8:41 am

Reminds me of my mis-spent youth, hippies and long skirts and untidy hair!! *sigh*

Thanks, Mrs Redboots, all very intriguing.

#18: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 10:06 am

I really enjoyed this, thank you! I loved the hippies too Smile

#19: Author: Robin, Location: London

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 10:26 am

That was really lovely, thank you Mrs R. Glad there are some more bunnies running around somewhere!
Smile

#20: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 12:13 pm

Thanks Mrs. R. That was great. Any chance of hearing more about Ros? *hint* Wink

#21: Author: Mrs Redboots, Location: London, UK

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 12:30 pm

Josie wrote:

Thanks Mrs. R. That was great. Any chance of hearing more about Ros? *hint* Wink

Not sure.... Len is demanding I tell her story first, as I've known it longest - plus it's the oldest. And Ted Grantley is also being very noisy about hers.....

I think, though, that the individual stories may be more suited to St Therèse's House, as they are about their lives when they have left school, and are growing up in the 1960s. And you know what _that_ decade was like!

#22: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 12:50 pm

Thanks, Mrs Redboots, a catch-up story is great.

#23: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 12:59 pm

Mrs Redboots wrote:

Josie wrote:

Thanks Mrs. R. That was great. Any chance of hearing more about Ros? *hint* Wink

Not sure.... Len is demanding I tell her story first, as I've known it longest - plus it's the oldest. And Ted Grantley is also being very noisy about hers.....

Ooooh I hope they tell you lots soon Very Happy

Thanks Mrs Redboots

Liz

#24: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 3:53 pm

I really enjoyed that. I like Joey in this too.

Thanks Mrs Redboots.

Star Wars

#25: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2005 10:25 am

Thank you very much, Mrs. Redboots, that was lovely. I like the thought of Con and the others as hippies. Please open the door now and let all the other bunnies in!

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

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2005 12:59 pm

Wonderful! Thank you Mrs Redboots - I'm looking forwards to hearing more about them.

#27: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2005 5:56 am

Thanks for the "catch up"! Smile

*hopes Ros & Jo exchanged addresses*

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

Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 7:38 pm

Looking foward to everyone's stories very much!! Very Happy

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

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 2:05 am

Oh I did like this! And it gives us a nice clue as to what is happening to Len and Co over in St Therese.

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

Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 7:01 pm

Thanks Mrs. Redboots liking this drabble!

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