Guardian Angels
The CBB -> Ste Therese's House

#1: Guardian Angels Author: MaryRLocation: Sale Cheshire PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 8:30 pm


I'm actually wondering if I have the courage to post this - and whether I need to duck when Lesley sees it. Shocked

Guardian Angels


The five crept over the carpet under the steady gaze of the tall, brown-haired woman seated behind the huge desk. Steepling her slender fingers under her chin, she allowed a glint of amusement to spark in her gentle blue-grey eyes as the women drew to a halt before her, shifting nervously.

“You must have guilty consciences,” she said blandly, her beautiful voice sweet and mellow in the stillness of the study. She saw them relax a little and her penetrating gaze swept along the row. Finally she laughed, a delicate sound like the tinkling of silvery bells. “Stand at ease. I called you in here simply to thank you.”

She stood lithely and walked over to the window, staring out at the snow whirling there. They sensed her mind was suddenly far away and, knowing why, they waited patiently. They glanced quickly around the study and saw there were snowflakes twirling inside the room as well, a veritable storm of them tumbling from ceiling to floor in the corner by the stove. They were beautifully crafted, sparkling and glittering as they spiralled. Christmas was very near.

Aware of movement by the window they looked back and saw she had turned and was now facing them, her arms folded round her slim figure. She leaned back against the window and gazed at them speculatively. “As I said, I thought it was about time I showed you all some appreciation.”

They regarded her with puzzled faces, for they really had no idea why they needed to be thanked, indeed had no idea how they came to be there. She smiled at their bewilderment, and walked back over to her desk. She reached out a hand and picked up one of the beautifully carved crib figures standing on one corner. She held it up and they saw she was holding an angel, wings unfurled, its face austere and yet watchful and tender.

“Mary calls you her guardian angels and I have to agree with her. I wonder if any of you realise the true depths of your kindness and care for Mary. And what you have done for me at the same time?” she added gently, her voice suddenly sad beyond measure. She looked at Lesley, who shifted uncomfortably at the gratitude shining in the eyes of this woman she loved.

Hilda Annersley’s voice became tender as she spoke. “My dear, a few years ago you began to write a book about my early life and the beginnings of my long friendship with Nell, which has since been published, and then……. then you told the world the story of how I lost her – and you wrote it so beautifully and so poignantly that it brought tears to many eyes, including your own.” Lesley smiled at her, her eyes full of tears once more as she remembered the depths of Hilda’s grief.

Hilda added with a sigh, “Don’t cry, Lesley, for I am so much better. Mary happened upon your story quite by chance earlier this year, and immediately sensed there was more that needed to be said. She could see where my life was headed, even before I tapped her on the shoulder. Like you, she sees something in myself that inspires her,” and she shrugged her shoulders eloquently, making them all smile. “Goodness only knows what, for I am a very ordinary woman.”

Lesley smiled conspiratorially at this little wry remark, while the others opened their mouths to deny Hilda’s words, but she held up her hand and they were silenced. She still focused on Lesley. “What you could not know, when you gave Mary your permission to write a sequel, was how much her lack of self-esteem would hold her back. I believe in the end you had to threaten to post it yourself before she dared to approach the board.”

Lesley nodded, remembering how frustrated Mary had made her feel, still made her feel on occasions. She spoke slowly, as though feeling her way. “She reduces me to tears sometimes with the way she depicts your emotions, your sadness, your need for Nell. But also, everyone tells her how much she is teaching us about life; about the very real need to grieve, and grieve openly, and to ask for help; about telling your loved ones how much they mean to you before it is too late. But she can’t see her own wisdom. She gives all the credit to you, and to her God.”

“Even calling her writing sublime didn’t convince her, did it?” Hilda smiled, her eyes dancing, as the scholar in her added, “Not even when you gave her the dictionary definition. She’s a very hard woman to persuade, isn’t she?”

She read their minds at that point and gave a merry peal of laughter. “Yes, I know, I know, the pot calling the kettle black. I wouldn’t listen either – to Mother Abbess or Nancy and Gwynneth. But I’m learning….”

She looked across to the coffee table near the stove, and when their eyes followed hers they saw with surprise there were some presents there, all wrapped in pretty paper and curling ribbon. She walked over and leaned down to pick up a thin flat packet, then beckoned Lesley over.

As if in a trance, Lesley walked over and took the present, holding it gingerly. “This isn’t only for your patience with Mary, of course. It’s also to thank you for the splendid entertainment provided by your Real Chalet School stories. Though I think you give me far too much credit in those, my dear. Nell was the brave one……”

She stopped, and cocked her head as though listening to someone. “Nell, will you stop buzzing in my ear. I know you enjoy them and lap up all the things Lesley allows you to do, even assaulting people, for goodness sake! One of these days you’ll go too far….Don’t ask!” she added gleefully, noting their bemused faces on hearing this discussion with her dead partner. Only one face there understood those voices in one’s ear, and that face broke into a lovely smile.

Lesley untied the curling gold ribbon and peeled back the shiny lime green paper - then gaped at Hilda, who emitted another of her delightful peals of laughter. “You do like to keep all your readers dangling on the ends of cliffs by their fingertips, or hanging there in harnesses, don't you, so what better present for you than a parachute jump? In tandem, of course.”

The others roared with laughter at the pained expression on Lesley’s face. Hilda leaned forward to give her a gentle kiss and added playfully, “I should add that you will be doing it with me, so I hope you treat me a little more gently than you do in those stories of yours. I also hope you’re going to hold my hand very tightly, for I’m plain terrified. Now, Nell - Nell would have delighted in it. No nerves at all!” She sighed gently and then murmured, “Ah, well! They say where there’s no sense there’s no feeling! Ouch!”

Lesley’s pained expression turned to one of sheer delight at the proclamation of Hilda’s company, and she clutched her present to her chest gleefully, as the others all demanded to be able to come and take photographs. Hilda just rubbed her painful arm and grinned wryly at them all - Nell always did like having the last word!

 


#2:  Author: Alison HLocation: Manchester PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 9:30 pm


That was lovely, Mary. Lucky Lesley for having such a lovely story written for her, although I'm sure she fully deserves it. Thank you both.

 


#3:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 10:26 pm


Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss
Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss
Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss
Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss
Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss

Oh Mary, you wonder! Thank you, what can I say? The chance to meet her - though Nell's not really dead you know - check RCS if you don't believe me! Wink

 


#4:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 10:32 pm


That was wonderful Mary. Who else is there? Looking forward to more of this.

 


#5:  Author: SquirrelLocation: St-Andrews or Dunfermline PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 10:43 pm


WOW! Mary! I had tears in my eyes with the beginning, and was laughing by the end of it. Hoping that you will be convinced that people mean what they say when they tell you your writing is fantastic soon!

 


#6:  Author: Cath V-PLocation: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 10:51 pm


Utterly wondrously gorgeous! Very Happy

Mary you are so clever - and it's written so skilfully.

 


#7:  Author: SugarplumLocation: second star to the right! PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 11:11 pm


Looking forward to the next installment. Wonderful Mary. I'd love to see Lesley do a parachute jump!

 


#8:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 11:13 pm


Sugarplum wrote:
Looking forward to the next installment. Wonderful Mary. I'd love to see Lesley do a parachute jump!


You wouldn't Sugar - believe me! Laughing

 


#9:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 11:15 pm


Believe me - we would Lesley! Twisted Evil Including any sound effects that there might be!

 


#10:  Author: Elder in OntarioLocation: Ontario, Canada PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 11:16 pm


I've only just had chance to get on here and see this - with painters all over my house today (or that's what it felt like, despite the fact that all we're having done is having all our new window frames painted) I haven't had chance to get on the board, except very briefly, until now.

What a lovely story, Mary - I'm not surprised that Lesley feels privileged to have actually met Hilda. Thank you for sharing it with the rest of us.

 


#11:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 11:18 pm


Pat wrote:
Believe me - we would Lesley! Twisted Evil Including any sound effects that there might be!


*Splat!!!* is the only sound effect that comes to mind Pat! Laughing

*Lesley having a premonition of the jump ending in a crater sized hole - forever afterwards known as Lesley's Folly!*

 


#12:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 11:23 pm


Considering the stuff that got parachuted into France in the last War, I don't think that splat comes into it!

 


#13:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 11:53 pm


That was so cleverly done Mary. Brilliant.

 


#14:  Author: FatimaLocation: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 2:25 am


Wonderful!
Thanks, Mary.

 


#15:  Author: Identity HuntLocation: UK PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 7:43 am


Oh Mary, you behold me in fits of laughter and tears at the same time ! What a lovely, lovely, lovely story ! Laughing

 


#16:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 10:24 am


Wonderful, thank you Mary.

 


#17:  Author: LianeLocation: Manchester PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 11:09 am


That was beautifully written Mary, thank you.

 


#18:  Author: JoeyLocation: Cambridge PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 3:20 pm


Oo, lucky Lesley!

Both for getting such a lovely gift from you, and for actally meeting Hilda. I'm impressed that she managed to speak to her - I wouldn't be able to string two words together, if I were to meet Hilda!

And thanks for saharing this with the rest of us, Mary. I can't wait to see who the others are and what they receive!

 


#19:  Author: MaryRLocation: Sale Cheshire PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 6:09 pm


I'm sorry to all those people who responded so favourably to this drabble, but there will sadly be no more posted. The other four *angels* - who all received the whole drabble as a Christmas gift - have told me they would be too embarrassed to have their part posted. Embarassed

Lesley, yours is in the post even as I write. Laughing I gave you no choice because I thought the others might appreciate you getting your come-uppance for all those *cliffs* - which we all love really! Laughing

The other parts of the drabble are not quite so amusing, more revealing of the *angels* themselves, perhaps, and they were abashed so......

Thank you for your interest. Wink

 


#20:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 10:14 pm


What a shame! I was looking forward to reading the rest. Never mind, we still have New Dreams, don't we.

 


#21:  Author: KatyaLocation: Mostly Bradford PostPosted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:57 am


Quote:
Never mind, we still have New Dreams, don't we.

Well said, Pat!!!

 




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