The CBB :: View topic - Rosalie Shocks The Platz

#1: Rosalie Shocks The Platz Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 5:16 pm

By request - the story of Rosalie and Dr. O'Brien!

Rosalie Dene, long-serving secretary of the Chalet School, sat at her desk and stared unseeingly at the letter she was supposed to be typing. She had found it hard to concentrate on her work lately, as she was haunted by the face of a man she had met whilst visiting the San. He was a doctor there, by the name of Mark O'Brien, and he was one of the best-looking men Rosalie had ever met. He was tall and slim, with very blue eyes and brown hair and one of the most charming smiles Rosalie had ever seen. Rosalie sighed and bought her thoughts reluctantly back to her work. She decided that she would finish what she had in her in tray then she would go over to the San and visit Len and maybe see Dr. O'Brien again.
Two hours later she was almost skipping along the path to the San, carrying a basket of fruit she had bought for Len. She went up to her friend's room and found Len sitting up in bed, reading a book and looking very well considering all she had been through recently. Len welcomed her warmly, and exclaimed in delight at the basket of apricots and peaches. She said that the food in the San was fine, but they did not provide such luxuries as summer fruits. They talked about school, and other friends they had on the Platz and finally Rosalie abandoned her hope of seeing the handsome doctor come in to visit her friend.
"I suppose I should go now," she declared, standing up and smoothing down her skirt. "How much longer will you be here, Len?"
"Only a day or two," said Len, "then I shall be allowed back home. I am looking forward to that, I can tell you."
"Yes, it's not much fun being stuck in here in this lovely weather," Rosalie agreed. She kissed Len and bade her farewell.
With a sigh she closed the door behind her and turned to leave, remembering how she had collided with Dr. O'Brien on her last departure from Len's room. To her amazement, as she rounded the corner, she collided with him again. As he had done before, he caught hold of her arm to stop her from falling, and smiled down at her.
"Hello, Miss Dene," he said, surprising her by remembering her name. "We meet again, I see."
Rosalie hoped she did not look as embarrassed as she felt. It was one thing to daydream about encountering the handsome doctor, quite another to actually do it. "Hello, Dr. O'Brien," she said, trying to sound casual. "I am sorry to keep barging into you like this."
"I don't mind," he assured her suavely, keeping his grip on her arm. "Are you just leaving?"
"Yes," she replied, looking up at him. She still could not believe how good looking he was, with his dark blue eyes that seemed to see right into her thoughts.
"I am going off duty myself now," he told her. "If you can wait while I hang up my coat and get my things, I will see you back to the school." Rosalie was surprised to find out that he even knew where she worked, and he obviously noticed her surprise, for he said, "I saw you at the fete there last weekend."
"Oh, I see," she said. "Yes, I can wait for you; I am not in a hurry."
"Good," he said, leading her back along the corridor to the room where the doctors took their breaks while on duty. He collected a small briefcase and his keys from his locker then he was taking her arm again and walking her out of the San.
It was a lovely sunny day and a gentle breeze stopped it from feeling too hot. Dr. O'Brien stopped beside a small car and unlocked it. He held the door open for Rosalie and she climbed in. He put his brief case in the boot and then got in himself. "Would you like to go and have tea somewhere first?" he asked her as he started the engine. "It seems a shame to waste this lovely day, doesn't it?"
"Yes, it does," she agreed. "And I would very much like to have tea with you, thank you."

Last edited by Fatima on Wed Nov 16, 2005 3:24 pm; edited 34 times in total

#2: Author: Chalet_school_lover, Location: Gloucester

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 5:46 pm

Oooh lovely beginning!!! Can't wait for more Fatima!! Very Happy

#3: Author: Rosy, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 6:10 pm

*bounces*
A new drabble!
Yay!

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

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 6:46 pm

Oooh *squees happily*

Thank you Fatima. Rosalie gets a drabble! Very Happy

#5: Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 9:54 pm

YAY! *hugs Fatima joyfully*

Thankyou for giving Rosalie a drabble!

#6: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 10:20 pm

I was hoping you'd write this story, Fatima! Thanks for a lovely beginning.

#7: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 10:27 pm

Yay!!

Thank you Fatima!

Very Happy

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

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 10:44 pm

Thanks, Fatima. This drabble looks great! I'm glad Rosalie and Mark are going to have tea together.

#9: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 8:54 am

Fantastic! Rosalie deserves to find someone special finally Smile

#10: Author: Elisabeth,

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 8:57 am

Oh yay! Rosalie's doctor is lovely. I was so hoping you would write this, Fatima. Can't wait to see more.

#11: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 11:45 am

This seems as though it's going to be good. I'd like to see Rosalie happy. The title had me wondering whether she'd decided to take on a new career, as a stripper or pole-dancer, perhaps.

#12: Author: Identity Hunt, Location: UK

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 12:40 pm

Fatima, thank you !!
I was *so* hoping you would write this drabble after all the tantalising bits in the last one Laughing

But what could Rosalie`s "shock" to the Platz be ????
My mind is boggling.......
looking forward to the next installment Razz

#13: Author: Róisín, Location: Vancouver for now

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 3:10 pm

Yay! Delighted you started this so soon Fatima Very Happy

Mark sounds *dreamy*

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

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 3:58 pm

ooooh yippee!

Thank you for starting so promptly Fatima

#15: Author: JustJen, Location: Dorval, Quebec

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 4:14 pm

What a nice start

#16: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 4:37 pm

Thank you for all the nice comments about the start of this. I am not very sure where it is going, but Rosalie knows and the bunnies have promised to pass on her story!

He drove them to the small tea shop that had recently opened on the Platz and was doing good business with the summer holiday makers who made their way from Interlaken up into the mountains. He parked outside, managing to manoeuvre the car skillfully into a tiny parking space then they were getting out and going into the garden of the chalet. They found a little table with a brightly coloured umbrella and sat down to read the simple menu. When the waitress arrived, they placed their order for coffee and chocolate éclairs, and Rosalie was impressed by the fluency of Dr. O'Brien's German.
She was not surprised when, after the waitress had gone, he explained how he was able to speak German so well. "My father is Irish," he told her, "and my mother was Swiss. She taught me French and German, which is why I decided to come back to Switzerland to work."
"I see," she said.
"My mother passed away a few years ago," he went on. "She was originally from Berne. It is lovely being in her country. I spent most of my childhood in Ireland. How come you came here?"
"I went to the school when it was in Austria before the war," Rosalie told him. "When they decided to move out to Switzerland I jumped at the chance to come back to this part of the world. It's lovely living in the mountains, and I find I feel much healthier here than in England."
The waitress returned at that point, setting cups of delicious coffee before them and a plate of chocolate éclairs, too. Dr. O'Brien spooned some sugar into his cup and stirred it then he offered Rosalie the plate of éclairs. She accepted one and bit into it carefully, mindful of the way the cream could squirt out the end and not wishing to embarrass herself any further in front of the handsome doctor. He had evidently not considered that, though, for as he bit into his, all the cream spurted out of the end, landing in his coffee with a splash.
Rosalie tried hard not to laugh – it made a pleasant change for him to look less than his usual urbane self – but then she caught his eye and they both laughed together.
"You didn't warn me of that danger," he said reprovingly.
"It's nice to see you embarrass yourself," she countered. "I was feeling that I had the monopoly on that."
"You haven't embarrassed yourself at all," he said, giving her a look that she could not quite fathom. "You judge yourself far too harshly, Miss Dene." He fished out the cream with his s***n and ate it then he grinned at her. "It's a shame to waste it," he observed. "I adore these éclairs. Whenever I come here I always have them."
"Yes, they are out of this world," Rosalie agreed. "I often have them, too."
They discussed the merits of the wonderful choice of Swiss cakes and the various patisseries that they had visited. Rosalie began to relax in his company, finding him easy to talk to and liking him more and more with everything he said. He could be serious and amusing and was always courteous. Added to that, he was incredibly good looking and Rosalie noticed that he got plenty of admiring glances from other women sitting in the garden, or walking past on their way into the tea shop. He appeared oblivious to that, however, and Rosalie supposed that he must be used to being eyed up by all the ladies.
They finished their coffee and lingered for a while in the garden. It was a lovely place for a tea shop, and Rosalie admired the beautiful flowers and shrubs that created a haven for tired holiday makers.
Suddenly Dr. O'Brien's voice was breaking into her thoughts. "This has been so lovely," he was saying. "We should do it again. What do you say to having dinner with me tomorrow evening?"
Rosalie was rather taken aback by his question. He had actually enjoyed spending time with her, and was asking to see her again. She knew she was attractive - there had been men that she had seen before who had told her as much – but he was a lot younger than she was, and so attractive himself that he could have had his pick of any of the women on the Platz. She had enjoyed gazing at him across the table, and their conversation had been lighthearted and fun, but she had not for a moment imagined that they would be repeating the experience.
Tempted to say yes, but worried that he was just being polite and did not really mean his offer, Rosalie answered, "I'm not sure. I may have plans."
Dr. O'Brien subjected her to another of those searching looks. "I finish work at five," he told her. "I could be at the school by five thirty and we would drive into Interlaken. I know a lovely little restaurant there, where they serve the most amazing fish. Do you like fish?"
At once Rosalie knew which restaurant he was referring to; it was one she herself really liked. Deciding that she would accept his offer and worry about the consequences of falling in love with him later, she said, "Yes, that would be very nice."
He smiled at her. "Good," he said. "Now, wonderful though this has been, I really must go. I have lots of work to do tonight. I have to sort out all my research notes and get them in some sort of order, then I have an article to write for the British Medical Journal."
Knowing how prestigious that was, Rosalie was impressed. He was not just handsome, but intelligent, too, she thought appreciatively. She stood up and they went together to his car. He drove her back to the school, parking his car out the front and insisting on walking her right to her office.
"Then I shall know where to come when I want to visit you," he told her.

#17: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 4:41 pm

Thanks Fatima. Nice to see that he has brains as well as good looks.

#18: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 6:23 pm

Rosalie's got a toyboy! Laughing

#19: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 6:27 pm

Oh wow, he's absolutely gorgeous isn't he? Very Happy

Lucky Rosalie!

#20: Author: Lisa, Location: South Coast of England

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 7:02 pm

About time Rosalie had a lovely SLOC of her own!

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

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 7:22 pm

Thanks, Fatima. Mark sounds lovely! Has he got a twin brother just as lovely as him?! I'm glad he has asked her out again.

#22: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 7:51 pm

I'm so glad to see Rosalie getting her fair share of attention from a man.

#23: Author: Chalet_school_lover, Location: Gloucester

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 9:38 pm

Oooh how lovely!! Rosalie and her tomboy! hehe! Glad she is at last happy! I do hope they fall in love! Thank you very much Fatima! I can't wait for more! Very Happy

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

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 11:45 pm

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Thanks Fatima - so glad to see this Very Happy

Liz

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

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 4:17 am

Ohhh Lovely!

Laughing

The vision of the urbane Dr squirting himself with cream Laughing

I think we need a hungry emoticon for when people talk about delectable meals.

#26: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 7:50 am

Oh good, glad she accepted! Smile

Lovely little date they had there! Very Happy

#27: Author: Róisín, Location: Vancouver for now

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 10:29 am

Seeing as he's Irish, he should really come here and live with ME, not Rosalie *sniffs*
Oh he is so dreamy. And clever. And funny. And handsome...
*wanders away into daydream*

#28: Author: dackel, Location: Wolfenbuettel, Germany/Cambridge, England

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:01 pm

So glad you decided to write this - Rosalie deserves somebody nice like Dr. O'Brian!

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

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 4:02 pm

Hehe - love the cream incident!

Thanks Fatima

#30: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 5:50 pm

Thank you for all your comments. I'm so glad you are pleased for Rosalie! She did deserve a nice doctor, didn't she?

Rosalie worked for a while in the evening, for she did not like having a lot of work piling up on her desk. She was diligent and conscientious, a most efficient secretary, worth her weight in gold as Miss Annersley had often remarked. She went to bed and read for a while before turning off the light and lying down to sleep. As she lay in bed, she thought of the handsome young doctor and wondered why he could possibly have wanted to take her out to dinner. True, they had got along well together, but was that really enough to inspire him to ask her out on a date? Rosalie did not think so, but she could not think of any ulterior motive he could have for asking to see her again. Maybe he did like her, she realized. Or perhaps he did not have a girl friend at that moment, and he thought it was better to go out with someone sensible like Miss Dene than to sit at home and feel sorry for himself. Rosalie sighed. Whichever way she thought of it, it came back to the same thing. He was a dashing young doctor and she was plain old Miss Dene, long serving secretary to the Head of the Chalet School, dull and definitely not as young as she had been.
Rosalie fell asleep and dreamed about her first love. Ted Humphries had been a friend of Jem Russell, for whom Rosalie had first gone to work when she returned to Austria. She had not known him long, for he had been killed in a mountaineering accident shortly after her arrival in Austria, but they had enjoyed a brief and passionate affair. She had been devastated by his death, but had not been able to show the depths of her distress because no one had known about their affair. When she awoke the next morning she felt drained, and disinclined to work, but even though the school was on holiday there were plenty of jobs needing her attention. The summer holidays were the busiest of the year for Rosalie, with all the paperwork about the new girls to be attended to and timetables to be worked out. Hilda Annersley was a kind boss, though, and she always insisted that Rosalie took time off each day to relax and that she got right away from school for at least two or three weeks holiday. Rosalie did not usually bother to travel back to England. She had a family there – her father and stepmother and their two small sons – who she loved dearly, but she was not really a part of the family unit any more. She was quite content to spend her time on the Gornetz Platz, visiting friends and enjoying her life there.
After a couple of cups of coffee, Rosalie felt more able to tackle the tasks that were waiting for her in her office. She decided to begin with the timetables, always a most difficult job. She thought that she had the sixth forms sorted out, but she needed to check them with a clear head. What had seemed like good planning one day often looked completely hopeless in the light of a new day. She settled down at her desk and was soon busy with the schedule for the fifth forms. As she pondered over the merits of letting Va move from double science to geography, as the rooms were located near each other, the phone rang. Giving it only half of her attention, she lifted the receiver and rattled off the automatic response.
"Good morning, this is the Chalet School, how may I help you?"
"Good morning," replied the polished tones of Dr. Mark O'Brien. "I was hoping you answered the phone, Miss Dene."
Rosalie's immediate thought was that he was calling her to cancel their dinner that evening. "Hello, Dr. O'Brien," she answered.
"How about we stop the Miss and Doctor thing?" he asked. "I would feel a lot more comfortable if you would call me Mark. And I would very much like to call you Rosalie, if you don't mind."
"No, I don't mind," she assured him.
"Good. Now, Rosalie, I got called in early, which means that I plan on leaving earlier this afternoon. Could you be ready to go at three, or is that too early?"
"I could be ready then," she told him.
"I'm glad about that," he said. "I thought we could go for a walk first, to work up an appetite. There is a lovely walk round Wengen, which is not too far and yet is really beautiful. What do you think?"
"It sounds delightful," she answered. "I know Wengen; it is beautiful there."
"Then that is settled. I had better go now, as I am still on duty. See you soon."
Rosalie managed not to tell him that it was not soon enough. "Good bye, Mark," she said, and then she heard him ring off. Wengen, she reflected, was famous for some of its walks; they were along romantic footpaths, through flower-filled meadows and providing sudden views of the Staubbach falls and the majestic peaks of the area. In fact, it was a popular place for dashing doctors to take the starry-eyed mistresses of the Chalet School and many a proposal had occurred there. Rosalie sighed, then turned her thoughts resolutely to her work, so that she would be able to leave at three o'clock with a clear conscience as well as a light heart.

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

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 6:24 pm

Poor Rosalie to have so little self-confidence Sad

Hope she has a lovely date with Mark Very Happy

Thanks Fatima

#32: Author: Chalet_school_lover, Location: Gloucester

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 6:25 pm

Ted Humphries and Rosalie??? Wow! Thank you Fatima! I can't wait to find out how their date goes! Very Happy

#33: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 6:45 pm

Oh poor Rosalie, not being able to tell anyone about Ted. Hope things go well with Mark.

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

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 7:31 pm

Love the line about the propsals!

I'm wondering why the title is "Shocks the Platz" though? A little mystery?

#35: Author: dackel, Location: Wolfenbuettel, Germany/Cambridge, England

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 10:19 pm

francesn wrote:

I'm wondering why the title is "Shocks the Platz" though? A little mystery?

Maybe because she's older than him? For men it was fine to have younger girl-friends/wives, but for a woman to have a younger man? Positively unheard of!

Go Rosalie!

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

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 11:53 pm

Thanks, Fatima. I'm glad their date is even more definitely arranged.

#37: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 6:10 am

Spot on, Dackel. I may reduce Rosalie's age in true EBD style, but she is still an awful lot older than Mark. I can't imagine what Jo and the rest will say when they find out! We are now having our Eid holiday, so I am going to allow the bunnies to control my life! Who cares about housework anyway?

Rosalie grabbed a sandwich for her lunch and ate at her desk. She managed to do a lot of work and to keep her thoughts about Mark at the back of her mind until half past two, when she suddenly became aware of the time. Worried that she would keep Mark waiting, she dashed off to change into a comfortable pair of trousers and sturdy shoes, adding a shirt that would make her look smart enough to have dinner in the restaurant after the walk. By the time she came down, it was just after three. There was no sign of Mark in the entrance hall of the school, so she went into her office to tidy her desk. She did not like to leave it in such disarray, so she sorted out the various papers she had been working on and put them neatly into her drawers. A knock at the door heralded the arrival of the handsome Doctor, and Rosalie picked up her handbag and crossed the room to his side.
"Hello," she said, hoping she did not sound too happy to see him.
He obviously had no inhibitions, for he sounded cheerful in the extreme when he greeted her. "Hello, Rosalie. I'm sorry I am a bit late, but I had to check on a new patient and it took longer than I thought. You look really nice. You should wear trousers more often."
"Thank you," she answered, rather taken aback by the compliment. "I thought they would be more practical for walking."
"Quite right," he agreed. "Come on, let's go."
He took her arm and they went out to his car and set off to Wengen. It was not far away, and they were soon parking on the edge of the village, near a particularly scenic walk. They strolled off together along a footpath that led through the woods, and Rosalie knew that it came out around the back of the village, passing through some lovely, unspoiled Alpine scenery on its way. Mark closed the gate that opened onto the footpath and they started out along the path.
"Do you do a lot of walking?" Mark asked.
"I like to walk," she told him, "But I don't have as much time to go out walking as I would like."
"I enjoy walking and I have been keen to do some mountaineering since I arrived," he said. "I would like to climb some of the mountains round here, but they are very tough climbs."
"Yes, some of them are best left to the really experienced climbers," she agreed. "But there are many peaks in this area that you can do with a little practice. I'm not keen on mountaineering myself, but there are some of the staff who have been up many of these mountains here."
"I'm impressed," he said, sounding admiring. "I really hope I can give it a go. It would be a shame to spend time in Switzerland and not learn to climb mountains."
"I don't think I agree with that," she told him with a smile. "I really don't mind admitting that I have been here for years and never conquered these peaks!"
They walked on, admiring the views and pointing out some of the birds that they saw, along with the occasional butterfly. It was lovely in the woods, not too hot, quite dry underfoot, but, best of all, there was no sound to intrude on their walk. The noise of the traffic was too far away to be heard, so they were alone in a world that was silent, apart from the sounds of the woods and the creatures that lived therein.
They came to a fallen tree, and Mark suggested that they sit for a while, as it was conveniently placed to allow an uninterrupted view of the magnificent waterfall. The log was quite dry, too, and they found a part that was flat enough to sit comfortably on. Mark sighed happily as he surveyed the scenery, stretching for miles first across meadows and then up to the rugged heights of the mountains.
"It is breathtaking," Rosalie said quietly. She had seen the mountains many times from many angles, but she never got fed up with the view.
"Yes," he agreed, but it was not the view he was admiring. "So lovely."
Rosalie looked at him out of the corner of her eye and was surprised to find him already looking at her. He held her gaze, his expression serious and thoughtful. For a moment she felt anxious; what could he be thinking about that made him look so grave, she wondered. She looked away, and then found him standing up and reaching for her hand.
"I think we should carry on," he told her. She stood up, but he did not release her hand. Instead he clasped it firmly in his own and drew her into step with him. "I'm definitely working up an appetite," he told her with a laugh.
"Me, too," she agreed, feeling suddenly so much surer of his interest in her. It was still inexplicable, but he was obviously attracted to her.
They reached the village again and walked along the main street, past pretty little chalets with window boxes ablaze with flowers, until they found his car again. They then drove the short distance to Interlaken and were lucky enough to be able to park just outside the restaurant.

#38: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 7:30 am

Lovely, Fatima! They seem to be getting on well already! Smile

#39: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 8:49 am

I quite agree Fatima - let the bunnies rule your life so we can have more of this lovely drabble!

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

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 10:05 am

Lovely

Thanks Fatima

Liz

#41: Author: Róisín, Location: Vancouver for now

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:42 pm

*swoon* This is so brilliant Fatima Very Happy

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

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 2:07 pm

Thanks, Fatima. I'm really enjoying this so far.

#43: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 2:59 pm

Ooh thank you Fatima.

I think all housework is banned when you're drabbling Very Happy

#44: Author: Elle,

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 3:54 pm

Thank you Fatima! I am enjoying this. Lucky Rosalie...

#45: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 4:06 pm

They were shown to a little table in a very quiet corner of the restaurant. It was a very pleasant restaurant, immaculately clean and staffed by discrete and polite waiters. The menus arrived promptly, along with the wine list, and they ordered their meals. Once that had been taken care of, Mark leaned across the table and took hold of Rosalie's hand again.
"Thank you so much for coming out with me today," he said, regarding her with his usual candid gaze. "I was worried that you wouldn't want to."
Rosalie was most surprised by his words. "Why?" she asked.
"You are so well respected here, not to mention so gorgeous, that I didn't think you would have time for me," he told her.
Rosalie could feel herself blushing and wondered if he was teasing her. She forced herself to meet his gaze again. "Don't be silly," she said firmly.
"I'm not," he protested. "After seeing you at the school fete I couldn't stop thinking about you." His fingers were gently rubbing her hand and she found she could not stop looking deeply into his eyes. "I could hardly believe it when you came to the San to visit Len Entwhistle. I kept a really close look out for you after that, hoping to get the chance to speak to you." Sensing that she was not really believing his story, Mark sighed. "It's true, Rosalie," he said earnestly. "Is there someone else you are seeing? I'm sorry if I am saying things you don't want to hear."
Rosalie laughed at that, until she saw that she had hurt his feelings. "No, it's not that there is anyone else," she said, "It's just that it seems so unlikely. I mean, look at you and look at me."
"I know," he agreed, sounding sad. "I have no right to expect you to want to go out with me. You could have anyone you wanted, not just some poor Irish doctor, who has nothing to offer."
"You are teasing me, aren't you?" she said. "Ah, this looks like our wine."
The waiter showed Mark a bottle of wine and poured a little out for him to taste. He then filled both glasses, placed the bottle carefully on the table and left them in peace again. Rosalie sipped her wine and tried to sort out the tangled mess of her thoughts. Mark had seemed so serious, but he was obviously talking nonsense.
Although it was not really her style to give away too much of what she was thinking, Rosalie said, "I have been thinking a lot about you, too, Mark."
"Really?" he asked, sounding pleased. "You were thinking about me?"
Rosalie looked down, still worried about giving herself away too much. "I was really pleased when you called this morning. It has been lovely spending time with you." There, she had said it. If he was joking she would look ridiculous, but if he was not, she did not want him to think that she wasn't interested.
"Oh, Rosalie," he said softly, raising her hand to his lips and kissing it. "You don't know what it means to me to hear you say that."
She smiled then. "I'm beginning to get the picture," she said lightly.
Fortunately their food arrived at that point. As ever, the fish was perfectly cooked and tasted so fresh it was easy to believe that it had been caught especially for them. Mark ate with enjoyment, and Rosalie, peeping at him when she thought he was not looking, was relieved to find that the food had distracted him from his previous train of thought.
"You can't get fish this good anywhere else in the world," he observed, stopping for a sip of his wine. "I adore the food here."
"Yes, it is amazing," she agreed. "It must be because they catch their own fish fresh from the lake each day."
"It must be," he said. "What do you want for desert, Rosalie?"
"The chocolate mousse is the only desert to have," she said with a smile. "It is so light, yet so rich, if you can imagine such a combination."
"No," he laughed. "What about the strudel? Don't you think that is nicer?"
Rosalie shook her head. "I am a firm believer in the suitability of chocolate for all occasions."
"I shall remember that," he promised. He ordered her chocolate mousse and some apfelstrudel for himself and the waiter cleared away their empty plates. Mark leaned back in his chair and surveyed Rosalie thoughtfully. "When can we do this again?" he asked "I am free every evening for the rest of my life – except when I have to go to work, of course!"

#46: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 4:13 pm

I have to admit that I had both strudel and chocolate cake for dessert on the first evening of this summer's holidays, but I'm glad that Rosalie believes that chocolate is suitable for all occasions! Just wondering if Ted Humphries gave her chocolate ... no, won't go there.

#47: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 6:44 pm

Fatima wrote:

"I am a firm believer in the suitability of chocolate for all occasions."

That's the spirit! Smile

Thanks Fatima... a lovely sweet post Smile

#48: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 6:55 pm

Housework not done. Drabble progressing well! And my only excuse for this is that there weren't many eligible men around at the right time - sorry!

Rosalie rested her elbows on the table and her chin on her hands. She knew that she wanted to see him again, but she still found it hard to believe all that he had said. It was not that she didn't trust him, because she knew instinctively that she could rely on him, but she felt that he was indulging her in some traditional Irish blarney. Mark leaned forward, reaching out and gently touching her cheek.
"Please?" he asked softly. "I would like to take you to the pictures. There is a new film coming at the weekend and I would like to go and see it with you."
"Yes, that would be very nice," she said at last. "When do you want to go?"
"How about I take you to dinner tomorrow night and we discuss the cinema some more then?" he asked. "I have heard great things about the restaurant at the Mirlhof. Would you like to go there?"
"It is very nice there," Rosalie said, for she had been there several times with her friends from the school.
"I'll pick you up from the school at seven," he told her. "Look, here's your mousse. And just look at the strudel! I expect you wish you had ordered that now, don't you?"
"Not at all," she smiled, more than content with the chocolate mousse.
They finished their desert and had coffee then they found that the restaurant was emptying so they decided to leave. Mark paid the bill then he took Rosalie's hand and they walked out together. It was a lovely clear evening, pleasantly cool after the heat of the day, so Mark suggested that they take a short walk before returning to the Gornetz Platz. Rosalie willingly agreed and they set off down the road towards the river. They found a secluded bench overlooking the river and sat down. Mark slipped his arm around Rosalie's shoulders and drew her close against him, hardly able to believe that she was there beside him on such a romantic evening.
"It is perfect here at night," she said softly. "It is so tranquil."
"It is perfect," he agreed. "But only because you are here with me." He put his finger under her chin and turned her face towards him. Very slowly he leaned towards her and brushed her lips with his own, a kiss so soft she wondered if she had imagined it. He wrapped his arms more tightly around her and kissed her again, filled with happiness as he felt her arms come around him and she responded to his kiss.
A long time later he gently smoothed her hair back into place and smiled down at her. "Now do you believe me?" he asked with a smile.
"I'm starting to be convinced," she told him serenely.
He laughed and hugged her more tightly. "That's good," he said, his lips against her hair. "I will persuade you more tomorrow, Rosalie. I think we had better get back now, it's getting late."
They reluctantly got to their feet and began to walk back to the car, their arms still around each other. Mark drove back up to the Platz and finally parked outside the school. He got out and walked her up to the door, where he stopped and kissed her before letting her go into the school.
"Thank you," she said softly. "I've had a lovely evening."
"So have I," he answered. "And so we will tomorrow. Good night, Rosalie."
"Good night, Mark." She allowed him to kiss her again, then she went inside and he walked back to his car. She waved good bye, closed the door and went up to her room, deciding to think over the evening once she was settled in bed. She felt very wide awake, thanks to a combination of coffee and excitement, but she wanted to lie in the darkness and recall every moment of her time with Mark, and every word that he had said to her. She got changed quickly, washed and cleaned her teeth and climbed between the sheets, discarding the plumeau as it was so warm in her room. She lay down and closed her eyes, and allowed her memories of the evening to flood over her. She could still feel Mark's mouth on hers, and hear all the lovely things he had said to her and she began to think that she had been mistaken when she decided that he could not possibly mean what he said. He certainly seemed sincere enough and the kisses he had given her had definitely not been a joke.
Rosalie sighed and rolled over. When she was young she had believed herself to be in love with Ted Humphries. Later she had indulged in an exceedingly torrid affair with Tristan Denny, the rather eccentric music master. She had found him hugely fascinating, but what she felt for Mark was something completely different. She recognized that she was very attracted to him, but she knew that she had enjoyed his company and wanted to spend a lot more time getting to know him properly. And, as far as she could gather from what he had said, that would not be a problem. Before she could think any further, Rosalie slipped into sleep, more tired than she had realized.

#49: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 7:46 pm

aw...this is such a lovely story. It's going someway to restoring my faith in the male race <mutters something about evil ex-SLOC's>

The idea of Rosalie having an affair with Plato really made me giggle too Very Happy

Kathryn

#50: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 8:12 pm

I always wondered if Plato ever took advantage of the fact that he was one of so few men amongst so many female teachers... !

Laughing at the "exceedingly torrid" bit!

#51: Author: Chalet_school_lover, Location: Gloucester

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 8:30 pm

Hehe Thank you Fatima! I'm glad this drabble is coming along nicely! Can't wait for more!! Very Happy

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

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 10:00 pm

Thanks, Fatima. That really surprised me - Plato and Rosalie. Shocked

In my personal opinion, I don't think that age matters when it comes to love. My fiancée is 12 years older than me and it doesn't bother either of us in the slightest.

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

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 11:39 pm

Fatima wrote:

"I am a firm believer in the suitability of chocolate for all occasions."

I couldn't agree more! Laughing

Thanks Fatima - lovely Very Happy

Liz

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

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 6:02 am

So sweet. Dr Mark is a honey!

Whoever would have thought that behind the proper Miss Dene lived a passionate woman!

#55: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 7:48 am

Lol on the Plato affair! Smile

And Ted really seems to get around in drabbles at the moment Wink

Lovely post, adhope we get to see more of MArk very, very soon! Smile

#56: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 8:19 am

The next day seemed to drag past with painful slowness. Rosalie worked all morning and managed to complete another batch of timetables. She answered the phone eagerly each time it rang, but none of the callers turned out to be Dr. O'Brien, much to her disappointment. She worked with Hilda Annersley in the afternoon, answering last minute queries from prospective parents and making sure that all the inventories had been sent out, detailing items that were required by students and those that students were definitely not permitted to bring to the school with them.
They had tea together in the middle of the afternoon, during which Hilda explained her plans of spending the evening with Nell Wilson, an old friend and head of the neighbouring finishing branch of the school. She asked Rosalie if she would like to accompany her, but Rosalie declined, skillfully avoiding giving a reason for her desire to remain behind at school. Hilda contented herself with reminding Rosalie that she should not be over-working herself, lest she end up in the San. Rosalie was unable to quash the thought that she would have no objections to spending many weeks in the San, being looked after by a particular young doctor; there was no point in wishing trouble on herself, tempting though the prospect might seem from where she was sitting.
As they were to be going to the Mirlhof, a rather nice hotel that had opened on the Platz, Rosalie took a little more care getting ready than she had the previous evening. She luxuriated in a warm bath, dressed in a summer suit of which she was especially fond and sprayed herself liberally with her favourite perfume. She brushed her hair until it shone and then looked critically at herself in the mirror. Ted had always told her she looked like an English rose, and she was pleased to see that she still did. Her hair was still fair, with no threads of grey, and the laughter lines round her eyes gave her face a character it had lacked in her younger days. She still had her slim figure and dressed with an elegant grace all of her own. Satisfied that she looked her best, she slipped on her shoes and went down to her office to wait. She was able to watch the driveway from her office window, so she saw when Mark's little car came into the car park and she dashed out to meet him.
He leaned over and opened her door and she got in. "Hello," she said, sounding rather eager even to her own ears.
"Hello, Rosalie," he said warmly. "Today has been an endless day, waiting to come over and meet you." He put the car in gear and drove out of the school gates. "I thought the clock in the San was broken, its hands moved so slowly!"
Rosalie smiled at him. "You say the nicest things," she said affectionately.
"Only to the nicest people," he told her, glancing quickly at her. "You look lovely tonight, Rosalie."
"Thank you. And so do you," she added, seeing that he had put on a suit.
The Mirlhof was not far from the school, and they were soon walking into the hotel. They found the restaurant busy, as it was the height of the summer season, but Mark had managed to reserve a table for them and the waiter obligingly switched it with another reserved table so that they could sit by the window. It was still light and there was a magnificent view of the mountains, so the Alpine sunset would add to the romance of the evening.
They were brought menus and wine lists and it took them a while to decide what to have, so appetizing did it all sound. Finally, though, they decided on the house special, which was chicken in a white wine sauce. The waiter withdrew and they were left to enjoy each other's company.

#57: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 8:46 am

Ooh, lovely romantic dinner! Thanks Fatima.

#58: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 9:43 am

Fatima wrote:

Rosalie was unable to quash the thought that she would have no objections to spending many weeks in the San, being looked after by a particular young doctor; there was no point in wishing trouble on herself, tempting though the prospect might seem from where she was sitting.

That's an interesting thought Wink

Might be that way inclined myself!

That Mark is such a charmer! Smile

#59: Author: Róisín, Location: Vancouver for now

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 9:53 am

Just caught up Very Happy

Plato?! Oh dear... lol
Thanks Fatima!

#60: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 9:54 am

Lovely, thank you Fatima Very Happy

#61: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 9:57 am

Now I really must go and sweep the floor! And I have guests for dinner, so maybe I should slave over a hot stove for a while...

"I think we will go to the cinema on Saturday evening, if that's all right with you," said Mark. "The film begins at eight, so I will collect you from the school at about half past six. Is that all right?"
"Yes, it's fine," she agreed.
"But that leaves tomorrow night unaccounted for," he said, looking steadily at her. "What shall we do tomorrow?"
"We don't have to do anything," she said.
"I have to see you," he told her earnestly. "I couldn't bear to wait until Saturday to see you again."
Rosalie reached out and took his hand. "Mark, I am so flattered that you feel like this about me," she said, "But I won't disappear if you don't see me."
"Are you sure?" he asked with a smile. "You look a lot like I imagine Cinderella would look. She always ran away and the Prince nearly lost her."
Rosalie laughed. "I hope my clothes are a little newer than hers were," she remarked.
"You know what I mean," he said, laughing with her. "Come and live with me in my chalet," he suggested, not altogether facetiously. "Then I wouldn't worry so much about you."
"You worry about me?" she asked, deliberately ignoring the invitation to move into his chalet. "Now I know you are being ridiculous."
"I worry all the time," he answered with dignity. "I worry about what you are doing and who you are seeing and whether someone else will come and sweep you off your feet. I worry about keeping myself busy until it is time to see you again, so that I won't miss you so much."
"Then you had better stop worrying," she said sternly. "You have no need. How was your day, Mark? How is Len?"
"She's going to be fine," he said, allowing her to distract him from his worries. "I hope that we will be delivering a healthy baby sometime round Christmas."
"That is good news," said Rosalie thankfully. "If anyone deserves happiness, it is Len."
"Yes, she has had a tough time," he agreed. "And Dr. Entwhistle is such a nice chap. He has been so good to me since I arrived here."
"How long have you been here now?" Rosalie asked.
"I arrived in January, so about six months," he told her. "But Dr. Entwhistle has never made me feel anything less than welcome here." Mark reached across and took her hand. "I am so glad I found the advertisement for the job here."
Unbeknown to them, as they were gazing into each other's eyes, another couple was arriving for a romantic dinner together. Jack and Jo Maynard seldom had the chance to enjoy one another's company away from their lengthy family, so when his busy schedule at the San and her demanding career as mother, authoress and butter-in in chief of the Platz allowed, they liked to slip away from the children and have a meal together. They were shown to their table, the one recently rejected by Mark and Rosalie in favour of a seat near the window. Jo reminded the waiter that Jack had requested a table near the window, but he apologetically explained that they were particularly busy that evening and so they allowed themselves to be seated in the centre of the restaurant. While Jack perused the wine list, Jo looked around, always interested to see if any of her multitudinous acquaintances were there. Her glance strayed over to the window, and she wished that they had been given a table there, for the view was so magnificent, then she looked more closely at the occupants of a particular table.
"Isn't that your new doctor?" she asked her husband. "It looks just like Dr. O'Brien."
Jack looked over in the direction she was indicating. "Yes, it is," he agreed.
"Who is he with?" Jo wondered, for the lady in question was sitting facing the window, and so had her back to them.
"Someone very special to him," Jack observed, noticing the way he was holding her hand and leaning so close to her. "Give it up, Jo, there's a good girl. You don't need to be spying on him when he is out for the evening."
"I'm not spying," Jo protested. "I'm just interested in my fellow men. And women," she added with a smile, but she did allow herself to give her attention to the selection of the wine to accompany their meal.

#62: Author: keren, Location: Israel

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 9:58 am

LadyGuinevere wrote:

Lol on the Plato affair! Smile

And Ted really seems to get around in drabbles at the moment Wink

Lovely post, adhope we get to see more of MArk very, very soon! Smile

Obviously you are laying the path for more drabbles.
I forsee no more housework for you in the near future.

#63: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 10:00 am

I agree with Keren. Drabbles are a great reason for leaving the housework! So, Jack's twigged!

#64: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 10:17 am

Drabbles come first, Fatima.

Thanks for this, it's good to see Rosalie getting a real chance of happiness. Just don't let Jo get her tongue round the situation, you know she can't resist gossipping.

#65: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 10:18 am

Wonderful! Thank you Fatima!

#66: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 10:25 am

Thanks Fatima. I wonder if Rosalie consider moving in with him? Very Happy

#67: Author: Róisín, Location: Vancouver for now

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 10:32 am

Brilliant, thanx Fatima. Maybe if Joey knows she can encourage Rosalie to feel more confident in herself?

#68: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 11:48 am

keren wrote:

LadyGuinevere wrote:

Lol on the Plato affair! Smile

And Ted really seems to get around in drabbles at the moment Wink

Lovely post, adhope we get to see more of MArk very, very soon! Smile

Obviously you are laying the path for more drabbles.

Yikes, my typing was terrible there!

Well, I was mostly referring to Róisín's drabble, and he's in mine already, but doesn't around quite as much Smile

Oh dear; is Jo going to spot Rosalie and cause trouble? *wibbles*

Who needs a clean house! Wink

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

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:25 pm

Thanks, Fatima. I'm glad Jack kept quiet who Mark was with so Rosalie and Mark could have some privacy.

#70: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:28 pm

The guests cancelled! The children had already swept the floor! What else could I do but drabble??

The waiter brought Rosalie and Mark their meal and they enjoyed every mouthful. They talked about things that interested them – books they had read and films they enjoyed. Mark had admitted to being keen on movies and often went to the cinema. Rosalie, who did not have so much opportunity of going into Interlaken, seldom had the chance of visiting the cinema, but had enjoyed it enormously on the occasions she had been. Mark quizzed Rosalie on places she had visited both in the area and further away, for he had not managed to go very far since his arrival in Switzerland and he was eager to visit some interesting places when he took his holiday later in the year.
They finished the main course, and then Rosalie excused herself, and headed off to 'powder her nose'. Mark leaned back in his seat and looked idly around the restaurant, nodding to Jack Maynard when he caught that gentleman's eye.
Jo glanced over to see who her husband had been nodding at and smiled sweetly at Mark. "We should invite him to one of our dinners," she said to Jack. "I wonder if he would get on well with Sharlie or Kathie."
"I think he has his own ideas as to who he gets on with," Jack pointed out.
"And there's Rosalie," said Jo, noticing her friend walking across the restaurant from the bathroom. "I didn't notice her here earlier. I wonder if she is with Hilda or Gwynneth."
Rosalie did not notice Jo, for she had her attention fixed on the handsome doctor she was returning to. Jo watched as Rosalie sat down at Dr. O'Brien's table and gasped in surprise.
"Jumping Jehosephat!" she exclaimed inelegantly. "He is with Rosalie."
"What?" asked Jack, who had been following his own train of thought and not really attending to Jo at all.
Jo was staring blatantly at the couple. Mark waited until Rosalie had sat down then he leaned forward and said something to her, giving her a look that Jo could read even at such a distance. She watched speechlessly as Rosalie put her hand on Mark's and he covered it with his other hand. "Jack, look at them," she commanded.
Jack looked up from his enjoyment of his beef. "Jo, stop staring," he began, then he saw why she was staring. "Is that Rosalie?" he asked in surprise.
"Yes!" Jo told him. "What on earth is she doing? She must be old enough to be his mother. I would never have believed it of her."
"Calm down, Jo," said Jack. "It's none of your business. And I am sure she is not that old!"
"It is my business," she retorted. "Rosalie is my friend and she is making a fool of herself. I can't just sit by and watch her."
Jack sighed. "She is not making a fool of herself," he said patiently. "She is a grown woman who is entitled to go to dinner with whomever she wants. Just leave her alone. What does it matter if she is older than him?"
Jo shot Jack a look that would have withered many a weaker man. "It is not the done thing to go to dinner with a man young enough to be your son and hold hands with him across the table and generally encourage him," she said firmly. "Rosalie should know better. Her father is a vicar for heaven's sake."
Jack managed to stop himself from laughing at that. "Don't be silly, Jo," he said. "I don't want to talk about it any more. It's not our business what Rosalie is doing. Is your steak nice? Mine is absolutely delectable."
Jo knew that there was nothing more she could say with Jack in such a mood, so she gave in with good grace and allowed him to direct the conversation. She kept a discrete eye on Rosalie and Mark, though and managed to arrange that they finished their meal at exactly the right time to leave the restaurant as Mark and Rosalie did.
"Hello, Rosalie," she said, stopping her friend on her way out. "How are you?"
Rosalie smiled at Jo. "Very well, thank you," she said. "I didn't see you inside. Have you had a good meal?"
"Lovely, thank you. Hello, Dr. O'Brien."
"Good evening, Mrs. Maynard," said Mark politely, more than a little in awe of the wife of the Head of the San. "It is such a lovely restaurant, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is," Jo agreed. "We try to sneak away from the family for a meal here two or three times a year. The food is the best on the Platz."
Jack took Jo's arm at that point. "Come on," he said to her. "We must be off. Good bye, Rosalie, Dr. O'Brien." He positively hustled Jo out of the hotel and back to their car, leaving Rosalie and Mark to go at their own pace.

#71: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:31 pm

Very impressed with your children, Fatima.

Jo, please keep your nose out of other people's business for once in your life! You tell her, Jack!

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

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:35 pm

Thanks, Fatima. I'm glad Jack told Jo to mind her own business!

#73: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:39 pm

Jo won't leave it alone, she'll stick her nose in and make Rosalie unhappy, you mark my words.

#74: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:39 pm

Good for Jack! Thanks Fatima

#75: Author: Chalet_school_lover, Location: Gloucester

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 1:25 pm

Oh dear! Jo has got to be the worst person to have seen Rosalie and Mark together! I hope she leaves well alone! Thank you Fatima! Very Happy

#76: Author: Róisín, Location: Vancouver for now

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 1:38 pm

Whoops. Clearly I placed too much confidence in Joey earlier...

#77: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 1:49 pm

Good on Jack! But I have a horrible suspicion that Jo will still try and stick her nose in Crying or Very sad

#78: Author: dackel, Location: Wolfenbuettel, Germany/Cambridge, England

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 3:21 pm

Jo, keep out of this! Why do have the nasty feeling that she won't?

#79: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 3:29 pm

They went back to Mark's car and got in, Rosalie wondering about the encounter with her friend. Jo had seemed natural enough, but just for a moment she had felt uncomfortable with the way her friend was looking at her. She could think of no reason for Jo giving her such a look, so she told herself that she had just imagined it. Then she pushed the thought to the back of her mind and concentrated instead on what Mark was saying.
"Let me take you back to my place for a nightcap," he said. "It's not far from here, and we could walk back to the school afterwards. It is a lovely evening for a stroll."
"It's not very seemly for me to be going to your place at this time of night," she said, knowing that she would not take much convincing.
"No one will see you," he promised. "I am only overlooked by two chalets, both occupied by elderly couples who invariably go to bed early. They won't see you go in and your reputation will be quite safe."
Rosalie gave in. "That would be lovely," she said.
He drove to his chalet, a tiny place set a very short distance from the school. It was right on the edge of the woods and as private a place as anyone could wish for. He parked his car right outside the chalet and then he was unlocking the door and welcoming Rosalie to his home. It was immaculately tidy inside, except for a large desk that was strewn with papers and pencils, despite the numerous trays and pencil holders that were placed around it. Rosalie felt the secretarial side of her itching to go over and tidy it, but she restrained herself, looking instead at the rest of the sitting room. It was simply furnished, with a settee and a small dining table and a bookcase crammed with books, while a cupboard had a record player on top and a pile of records on the floor beside it. A door opened off the sitting room, presumably into the kitchen and the stairs were in the opposite corner.
"It's not much, but it's home," he said with a smile.
"It's lovely," she assured him, suddenly realizing that she had never had a home of her own. She stayed with her father when she was in England and had lived in a room in the school for just about the whole of her adult life.
"There are two bedrooms upstairs," he said, "and the kitchen is through here." He indicated the door that she had already noticed. "What would you like - coffee or something stronger? I have some brandy and some port."
"The port, please," she said, as she was not particularly keen on brandy.
Mark produced two glasses from in the cupboard, along with a bottle of expensive port. He passed her a glass and then set about putting on some music for them to listen to. He found a very soft, relaxing classical piece and then he crossed to Rosalie and drew her down beside him on the settee. He pulled out a little coffee table and they put their glasses on it, then he got down to the serious business of kissing her.
"You can't imagine," he said between kisses, "How I have yearned to do that all evening."
Rosalie bit back a frivolous reply. "Yes, I can," she said simply, for she had felt the same. She snuggled more closely into his arms, sliding her arms around his waist and leaning her head against his shoulder. He really was so wonderful, she thought, always saying the right thing and always so utterly charming. They finished their drinks and relaxed more comfortably. Rosalie knew that she should really be returning to the school, but it was so comfortable sitting there with Mark that she just could not make herself move.
Suddenly the ringing of a bell made Rosalie sit up. Shocked, she found that it was light outside and she realized that she had fallen asleep on the settee in Mark's arms. He was just waking, too, and rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"It's the morning," she told him unnecessarily.
"That's my alarm clock," he answered. "You look just as lovely in the morning as you do in the evening," he added, pulling her back to him and stroking her hair.
Resigning herself to the loss of her reputation, Rosalie smiled at him. "Shall I cook you breakfast?" she offered.
"I certainly wouldn't say no to that," he replied. "The bathroom is upstairs. If you go and shower, I will make the coffee and get all the rest out, then you can cook while I shower." He kissed her gently then allowed her to get up and disappear up the stairs. He went through to the kitchen and put on the kettle, then located all the things she would need in order to cook eggs and bacon for their breakfast. By the time that Rosalie reappeared, wearing his dressing gown which she had found hanging in the bathroom, he had made some coffee and everything was ready for her.
Resisting the temptation to kiss her, Mark disappeared upstairs. Rosalie sipped the coffee and began to cook, finally glad for the experience of all the guide camps and school domestic science lessons. She enjoyed pottering around the little kitchen, making omelettes and frying bacon and some tomatoes she found in the fridge. She put some bread in the grill and made toast, then she put it out on the plates Mark had put ready for her.
As she prepared to carry it to the dining table, Mark came down the stairs, whistling cheerfully. He was dressed in a pair of dark trousers and a light blue shirt, obviously all ready to go to work. "You can come and stay again," he said, sitting down next to her at the table. "This is lovely, Rosalie, thank you."
She smiled at him and they ate in companionable silence. Finally, both plates were empty and they were drinking their coffee. "I'd better go and get dressed," she said, standing up. "It's a good thing you have to go to work early."
"I could drop you off on my way," he offered.
"I think it would be better if I walked on my own," she told him, starting off up the stairs.
He recognized the truth of what she was saying. Neither of them wished to be the subject of gossip, which would certainly happen if they were seen together at such an early hour of the morning. She was a respected member of the community and he was a new doctor with everything to prove. It would be much better for them both if they could keep away from scandalizing everyone.
When Rosalie reappeared, she found Mark all ready to go. He had cleared up all the breakfast things, found his briefcase and had his keys in his hand. "Sorry to keep you waiting," she said. "I couldn't find a hair brush."
"I would never have guessed," he told her with a smile. "You look lovely. Rosalie, I have to go. I'm sorry to rush off, but I don't want to be late."
"No, quite right too," she said. "Let's go."
He came close to her and kissed her then he opened the front door and they went out into the early morning sunshine. He got into his car and she began the short walk back to the school. She watched him drive away and sighed to herself as she made her way back along the road to school. She still could not believe that she had stayed out all night. After all the care she had always taken in the past to keep her relationships a secret, she felt that she had been very indiscrete. However, she was out very early, and it was probable that she would get back to school without anyone seeing her and before anyone there knew that she had not returned the previous evening.
It was a beautiful morning to be out early. The day was obviously going to be very hot, but the sun was still merely warm. The birds were singing and bees were buzzing round the flowers. The sky was cloudless and the mountains looked awe inspiring. Rosalie felt light hearted despite her concerns over what she had just done and she strolled along thinking about Mark and how nice he was.
"Good morning, Rosalie," came a golden voice, breaking across Rosalie's happy thoughts.

#80: Author: dackel, Location: Wolfenbuettel, Germany/Cambridge, England

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 3:38 pm

Golden voice, eh? Might that be Jo, who is so obviously going to jump to all the wrong conclusions and make Rosalie feel bad about everything?

#81: Author: JustJen, Location: Dorval, Quebec

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 3:58 pm

Here's hoping that Joey will mind her own business for once.

#82: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 4:20 pm

I somehow doubt that's going to happen! *wibble*

Fatima wrote:

"The port, please," she said, as she was not particularly keen on brandy.

That's be down to all the doses they've been give, I expect! Laughing

#83: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 4:29 pm

dackel wrote:

Golden voice, eh? Might that be Jo, who is so obviously going to jump to all the wrong conclusions and make Rosalie feel bad about everything?

I think you might be spot on dackel!

Thank you Fatima.

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

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 7:30 pm

Oh eeeeek!

Perhaps Rosalie shouldn't have spent the night at Marks - although she isn't quite the paragon of virtue I always thought she was. Still waters run deep, eh?

Thanks Fatima

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

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 7:30 pm

Oh eeeeek!

Perhaps Rosalie shouldn't have spent the night at Marks - although she isn't quite the paragon of virtue I always thought she was. Still waters run deep, eh?

Thanks Fatima

#86: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 9:37 pm

I've always had a soft spot for Rosalie. People like her keep things going and she's always so competent and underappreciated.

It's nice to see her have some fun for a change.

*go home Jo and leave her alone!*

Thank you Fatima. It's a lovely story.

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

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 12:21 am

Gulp. I hope Joey doesn't notice she is wearing the same suit she had on last night.

OR (Big Hint) Jo is lovely and kind to Rosalie and makes her feel good about her toy boy.

Thanks Fatima. Who needs a clean house anyhoo?

#88: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 3:31 am

Rosalie turned to see Jo Maynard coming towards her. "Good morning, Jo," she said. "Isn't it a beautiful morning?"
"Yes, it's lovely," said Jo, eyeing Rosalie's suit with disapproval. "Rosalie, I think we need to talk."
"Yes, it's been a while," Rosalie agreed, "But I have been so busy with the new timetables."
"This is very important," Jo persisted. "Rosalie, I am so worried about you."
"Why?"
"I saw you at the Mirlhof last night, with that young doctor," said Jo. "And you were wearing that suit."
Rosalie made no reply.
"Look, Rosalie," began Jo, taking Rosalie's arm, "I would like nothing more than to see you find some nice man and get married. But Dr. O'Brien is not that man. He is far too young and you deserve better than him."
Rosalie was aware of a sudden wave of anger sweeping over her. She could not believe all that she was hearing, and from one of her oldest and closest friends, too. Suddenly the morning seemed oppressively hot and Rosalie felt as though she was getting a headache. "I'm sorry, Jo," she said firmly. "I have to get back to school. I'll call you later and we can talk then." She started off down the road again, but Jo was not one to give up that easily.
"Rosalie…" she began, but Rosalie was not in the mood to be spoken to in that way.
"Good bye, Jo," she said and walked away briskly without looking back.
She went up the drive into the school, feeling that she could hardly cut through the garden of Freudesheim after snubbing the mistress of the house. In the hall of the school she met Miss Annersley.
"Good morning, Rosalie," that lady said, in her low, musical voice. "I wondered where you were."
"I'm here," Rosalie snapped, sweeping past the startled Head and up the stairs. She went to her room and banged the door in a most un-Rosalie like way, pulled off her suit and threw it onto a chair, and then she put on her nightdress and lay down on her bed, her eyes filling with tears. She lay and cried for a while, but before long she found sleep overtaking her.
Rosalie was awoken several hours later by someone tapping on her door. She sat up in bed feeling much better after her sleep, with no sign of a headache. "Yes?" she called, swinging her legs over the side of the bed.
The door opened and Hilda appeared, looking worried. "There's a call for you," she said, sounding anxious. "Are you all right, Rosalie?"
"Yes, I'm fine," said Rosalie, pulling on a dressing gown and following the Head from the room and down to the office. "I'm sorry I was rude to you earlier, Hilda. It was inexcusable." She lifted the receiver and said, "Hello?"
Hilda tactfully withdrew into her own office, as Rosalie heard Dr. O'Brien say, "Hello, Rosalie. Sorry it's taken me so long to call you, but it's been so busy here. I'm going to be a bit late tonight, but I would really like to see you."
"I would like to see you, too," she said, suddenly wanting to be with him more than anything else in the world.
"I will pick you up and we can go and get some dinner here in that touristy place. It's quick and cheerful and then we can decide whatever else we want to do."
"Yes, Mark," she agreed.
"Are you all right?" he asked, sounding concerned. "You don't sound yourself. Is there something wrong?"
"No, there's nothing wrong," she said, hastening to reassure him. "I have been asleep."
"I see," he said, sounding relieved. "That's my pager. I have to go, darling. See you at about eight."
Before Rosalie could even answer, he had hung up the phone and she imagined him dashing off to deal with the next emergency. She sighed and was about to go upstairs and dress when Hilda came out of the study again.
"Rosalie, can I have a word, please?" she asked.
"Yes, of course," said Rosalie, wondering why she felt like a naughty middle called into the Head's office. Wearing a dressing gown did not make her feel any more confident, either.
They went into Hilda's office and Hilda waved Rosalie into an armchair, taking the other chair herself. Hilda looked thoughtfully at her friend and said, "Are you all right, Rosalie?"
"Yes, I'm fine," answered Rosalie, relieved that she was not going to be told how unsuitable Mark was.
"I was worried when you got that call from the Doctor," Hilda said, "and because you were sleeping just now. I thought maybe you were ill."
"No," Rosalie reassured her. "I thought I was getting a headache and so I slept it off. Don't worry, Hilda, everything is fine."
"I'm glad to hear it," said Hilda getting up. "Now, it's just about lunch time and you had no breakfast. How about coming over to Jo's with me for lunch? She asked me to persuade you to come, as she hasn't seen you for a long time."
"No, Hilda, I should get on with some of those letters and the timetables," said Rosalie, very keen to avoid another conversation with Jo. "I shall get sandwiches sent in and maybe Karen could find some of that marvellous soup."
"Make sure you do that," said Hilda. "You look rather worn out. Don't work for too long today, will you?"
"I won't," Rosalie promised, thinking how lucky she was to have such an understanding boss. She followed Hilda from the room and went up to dress. She had a light lunch and spent the afternoon busy with her work. A maid brought her some afternoon tea and she was just pouring a second cup when there was a knock on her office door. She was tempted not to answer, suddenly wondering if it might be Jo come back to remonstrate with her once more. Before she had decided, though, the door inched open and Mark peeped into the room. Rosalie got up at soon as she saw him. He came in and was rather surprised as she flung herself into his arms. He held her closely, pushing the door closed with his foot.
"What's wrong?" he asked her tenderly.
"Oh, Mark," she said, giving in to the strain of the morning and sobbing against his shoulder.
"Whatever is the matter?" he asked, taking her over to her desk and sitting her in her chair. "Here," he said, pressing his handkerchief into her hand. He perched on the edge of her desk and looked worriedly at her.
Sniffing, Rosalie managed to say, "I'm sorry, Mark. I'm just being silly."
"No, you aren't," he said. "Something has happened to upset you and I mean to know what it is."
"How old are you?" she asked suddenly.
"Thirty-three," he answered, and if he was surprised by her question, he did not show it.
"Next summer I shall be fifty," she said in a low voice.
"No!" he exclaimed, "I can't believe that."
She managed to smile at him. "It's true. I am far too old for you, Mark. I think we should stop seeing each other now, before it gets any harder to say goodbye."

#89: Author: Identity Hunt, Location: UK

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 3:42 am

Noooooooooooooooooo !!! {wibbles muchly}
Please, no !!
Don`t let Joey spoil it all.
hammer

to Joey.

#90: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 8:58 am

Nooooooo! Mark, please tell her that you don't care that she's older than you! Thanks Fatima.

#91: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 9:11 am

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Shocked

Please let Mark help her see how silly she's being! (and possibly drop something heavy on Joey)

It's not *that* big an age gap!

#92: Author: jennifer, Location: Taiwan

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 9:26 am

LadyGuinevere wrote:

It's not *that* big an age gap!

If the age difference were teh other way round, they'd be throwing her at him! It's considered very normal for women to marry someone much older, but not the other way round.

#93: Author: Rosy, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 9:57 am

No no no Rosalie. Don't let that nasty Jo Maynard tell you what to do. *pokes Joey*

cheers Fatima - I love your drabbles.

#94: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 10:24 am

"It's already too hard," he informed her. He took her hands and pulled her back into his arms, holding her more tightly, and when he spoke his voice was low and full of emotion. "I don't care how old we are. I love you, and I want to be with you. It wouldn't matter if you were going to be a hundred and I was twenty, or the other way round. Since I first met you I can't stop thinking about you and we have been getting on so well together. You can't throw all that away just because someone told you some rubbish about age." He put a finger under her chin and made her look up at him then. "Did you hear me?" he asked. "I love you, Rosalie. I want to be with you more than anything else. Listen to your heart, darling. Don't listen to people who don't know."
Rosalie reached up and gently touched his cheek. She thought he looked tired, after a night spent on the couch and a hard day's work. "How did you get away so early?" she asked. "I wasn't expecting you for hours."
"I wasn't expecting to leave there for hours, either," he answered. "But we worked really hard and got everything under control and then Dr. Maynard arrived and said that we should go off duty as we had been there quite long enough."
"You look tired," she told him.
"Yes, I feel a little tired. But not enough to want to go home and sleep instead of spending time with you." He smiled down at her and wiped away the last of her tears with a gentle finger. "Go up and put on your best dress and I shall take you to Interlaken. I know just the place."
"Where?" she asked, starting to feel better.
"I think it should be a surprise," he told her. "Go on, I will give you ten minutes. Then I want you back down here, or I shall go without you."
"Fifteen?" she suggested hopefully. "I don't think I could be ready any faster."
"Ten," he told her, a twinkle in his eyes. "And you have wasted one of those minutes arguing with me."
Rosalie dashed off upstairs, leaving him to stand by the window and look reflectively out at the front gardens of the school. He remembered coming into the school grounds for the first time when he had attended the summer fete just a short time ago. He had seen Rosalie then, and had been immediately drawn to her. He had watched her from a distance, seeing how she was treated with respect by everyone, although the girls obviously liked her, too. He had finally heard one of them calling her 'Miss Dene', which was how he found out her name. Not long afterwards he had seen her again, at the San, visiting Len Entwhistle, a patient of his. Rosalie had distracted his attention so effectively that he had left his sphygmomanometer behind when he had finished checking Len over and he had been obliged to return to collect it. As he had reached the door of Len's room, Rosalie had come out and collided with him, and he had been able to catch hold of her arm and steady her. He had been so close to her that he could smell the fresh floral scent that she wore and he had not been able to get her out of his mind since then.
"Was that quick enough?" Rosalie had returned and was standing behind him, waking him from his reverie.
He turned and found that she was wearing a floaty pale blue dress, and she looked absolutely wonderful. "Oh, Rosalie," he breathed. "You look fabulous. Come on, I shall have to go and change now myself."
She laughed happily as he took her arm, all the worries that had been going round in her mind vanishing. He so obviously cared about her and she really enjoyed being with him. That was the important thing, not who had been born when and who had celebrated the greater number of birthdays. They left the school without meeting anyone, and Rosalie was relieved. The fewer people that knew about her and Mark the better, she decided. They drove to his chalet and he quickly changed into a suit, then they were driving down the mountain to Interlaken. As they went, Rosalie found herself feeling more cheerful. What did it matter that Jo did not approve of Mark? It was Rosalie's life and it was up to Rosalie how she lived it.
"You look very cross," Mark commented, his voice breaking across her thoughts.
"I was thinking," she said, looking over at him.
"I hope you weren't thinking about me if you were looking like that," he said with a laugh.
Rosalie sighed and wondered if she should tell him about Jo's comments.
They drove into Interlaken and left the car in the car park. "We are a little early," he said as they walked hand in hand down the Hoheweg. "Are you hungry?"
"Not really," she answered, having just consumed several of Karen's famed biscuits.
"Well I am," he told her. "We will go and have tea and a little walk and then we can go where I have planned. Is that all right?"
"It depends where you have planned on going," she said.
"I'm not telling you yet," he reminded her, "But I am sure you will enjoy yourself. Let's go in here," he added, as they passed a little tea shop. "Can I persuade you to have one of those cakes?"
They looked at the mouth-watering display in the window and Rosalie nodded. "Yes, you probably can," she said with a smile.
"Good." He squeezed her hand and they went into the shop. He ordered the cakes and some coffee and they went to sit at a table in a quiet corner. He had resolved to persuade her to tell him what had happened to upset her earlier, and to put her mind at rest about whatever it was that was bothering her. The waitress brought their cakes and once he had sweetened his coffee, Mark looked across at his companion. He was aware of a vague feeling of disquiet about her and he wanted to get to the bottom of it and reassure her about anything he could. Now that he had found her, he had no intention of letting her go.
"Well?" he asked her. "What's bothering you, Rosalie?"

Last edited by Fatima on Sat Nov 05, 2005 1:22 pm; edited 1 time in total

#95: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 10:33 am

Darn it, Fatima, that's a mean cliff! Smile

I'm so glad Mark is still determined! Rosalie deserves someone as lovely as him!

#96: Author: Róisín, Location: Vancouver for now

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 10:33 am

Oooh I got the new update first! *dances* This is great Fatima, thanks.
I didn't realise that Rosalie was fifty. Mark is still so tres dreamy *sigh*
What's annoying is that this wouldn't even be an issue if their ages were reversed. Evil or Very Mad

ETA - bah, LadyG, you got there before me! ;)

#97: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 10:35 am

Oh lovely Mark.

*Wishing I could find a nice doctor to buy me cream cakes!*

#98: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 11:10 am

I wish RL men were like CS SLOCS. I think they should be forced to read your drabbles, Fatima so then can learn the right way to behave!

I wonder if Mark is going to take Rosalie to any other shops? Maybe a certain type of shop that sells shiny things? Wink

#99: Author: Chalet_school_lover, Location: Gloucester

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 11:23 am

I've just caught up on 3 wonderful updates! Thank you Fatima! Very Happy

#100: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 2:49 pm

"Nothing," she said, but he was not to be convinced.
"You are known for being a very competent and unflappable lady," he told her, remembering the things people had told him when he had asked about her. "I don't think anyone has ever seen you get worked up about anything. I know something is bothering you, and I would like to think that you trust me enough to tell me. Maybe I can help."
Rosalie looked across at him. He looked concerned and sympathetic and she found herself telling him the story of what had happened that morning. "She has jumped to all sorts of conclusions," she said at the end. "And I suddenly realized that they will all think the same. How can we be together when everyone disapproves?"
"I see," he said slowly. He ate some more of his cream bun and then wiped his fingers on the serviette. "First of all, we have done nothing wrong. You fell asleep on my sofa, we did not spend the night together in the way that she is thinking. And secondly, does it really matter what anyone else thinks? Don't you know people who look as if they should never be together but are perfectly happy? My parents were like that. My mother was a lot older than my father. He was just twenty-one when they married and everyone told him he was making a mistake. They never felt that and I for one am thrilled that they didn't let others put them off."
Rosalie laughed at that. "I'm glad, too," she said. "You are right, Mark, of course you are, but it is so difficult to hear my friend saying things like that to me. We've been friends for years and I couldn't bear to fall out with her."
"One thing my parents taught me was that people usually come round in the end," he said. "Mrs. Maynard may not like the idea now, but who can tell once she gets used to it."
Rosalie looked at him thoughtfully, wishing that she could see what he was thinking as well as he seemed to be able to read her mind.
"Have you finished your coffee?" he asked her. "Would you like some more?"
"No, thank you. Mark, thank you for being so kind."
Mark laughed at her. "How could I be anything other than kind?" he asked. "You seem to underestimate your importance to me, Rosalie. I adore you, darling, and I can't bear to see you upset. Well, I have finished, too, so let's go for a stroll."
They went to walk in the beautiful gardens and found plenty of others doing the same thing. It was a lovely afternoon and there were young couples holding hands, mothers walking with small children and pushing prams. Tourists were reading maps and looking round for landmarks that would help them get their bearings. The flowerbeds were filled with the most amazing displays of flowers, all beautifully arranged by colour and carefully tended to keep them free from weeds. The lawns were well tended and so green despite the hot weather and many people were sitting on the grass, enjoying picnics or talking to friends or reading. Rosalie looked carefully at the people around them and was relieved to notice that she and Mark were not attracting any kind of attention. No one was staring at them in horror, no one was pointing at them and whispering about them, in fact no one seemed to think they were any different from all the other couples strolling gently along together.
They found a quiet bench beside a fountain and sat together, watching the water as it sparkled like a rainbow in the late afternoon sunshine. Some children ran past, followed by a nanny pushing a pram, and then it became quiet. Birds were chirping in the trees and Rosalie gave a long sigh. "I feel so much better sitting here," she said. "It's such a lovely quiet place it makes you feel at peace with the world."
Glad that he had suggested the park and not the shopping centre, or some other tourist attraction, Mark stretched his legs out in front of him and said, "I'm glad you feel better."
"So where are we going tonight?" she asked, turning towards him.
"I'm not telling you."
"Don't you think that's mean?" she asked sweetly, her good humour completely restored now.
"No," he answered, smiling at her. "It's teaching you patience."
"What time will we go there?" she asked.
"At about half past seven, so you still have another hour to wait."
"Then you will have to entertain me for an hour," she said. "Tell me about yourself, Mark."
He obligingly told her about his childhood in Ireland and family holidays spent with his mother's family in Switzerland. He had two older brothers and a younger sister, all of who were married and still living in Ireland. He told her about his medical training in London and his experiences in the hospital where he had secured his first post. Finally he told her a little of the broken engagement that had led to his leaving Ireland to come and work at the San on the Gornetz Platz. From the little he said, Rosalie got the impression that he had been perceived as the guilty party and that he had felt pushed into getting engaged in the first place, before he was ready for it.
"And how glad am I now that I did break it all off?" he told her with a smile. "Imagine, I could have been married and living in Ireland with a girl I didn't even love instead of being in Switzerland with you."
"That would have been dreadful," she agreed. "It's half past seven now, Mark," she added, as the nearby church clock chimed the half hour.
"I'm sorry to bore you," he apologised. "I didn't realize I had talked for so long."
"I wasn't bored," she assured him. She stood up and took his hands in her own and pulled him to his feet. "Come on," she said impatiently. "You said we were going somewhere else."
"And so we are." He slid his arm around her shoulders and they set off through the park again, back in the direction of the Hoheweg.

#101: Author: Róisín, Location: Vancouver for now

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 2:57 pm

Oooh thanks Fatima.
*stamps foot* *wants a Mark* Evil or Very Mad

#102: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 3:25 pm

Darn Róisín, this time you got their first! Laughing

Thanks Fatima... lovely to hear a bit more about Mark's past!

#103: Author: dackel, Location: Wolfenbuettel, Germany/Cambridge, England

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 4:14 pm

They're so nice together! I'm really envious, but I don't want to have to wait until I'm 50 to find someody like Mark - not that 50's that old, but it's a long way away fom where I am now!

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

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 5:08 pm

Thanks, Fatima. The important thing is that they love each other. There is no actual law or religion stopping them from dating or loving each other - or not that I know of. I hope Rosalie will tell Joey to mind her own business!

#105: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 5:29 pm

Thank you for all your comments - it's such a pleasure to read them. I am still shocked to think Rosalie is so old; in my mind she never got much beyond about 35 or 40. I imagine her looking much less than her age, though, and Mark is very mature and...Ok, enough waffling. On with the show!

Very soon they were walking into the most exclusive hotel in the city. The Victoria-Jungfrau was famous across the country for its opulence and although Rosalie had been past it many times she had never before ventured inside. They walked through the foyer, down some richly-carpeted stairs and into an enormous room. There were tables around the edges and on a dais at the end a group of musicians were playing one of the beautiful Strauss waltzes. In the centre of the room people were dancing and Rosalie could not hide her gasp of amazement at the sight.
"I didn't realize people still danced like this," she said in a whisper.
Delighted by her response to his idea, Mark took her arm and led her over to the reception. At once they were being shown to a table and being given the wine list. They ordered some sparkling wine then Mark stood up and offered Rosalie his hand. "Will you come and dance with me?" he asked courteously.
Rosalie stood up as well and soon they were spinning around the floor in a waltz with the others. She had always loved dancing and was pleased to find that Mark was an accomplished dancer. It was wonderful to be in his arms, dancing to such beautiful music, and she was glad that he had warned her to dress up. She looked up at him and found him already watching her, obviously thrilled by her enjoyment of the occasion. He looked so dashing and the whole setting was so romantic that Rosalie felt as though she had been transported back to the days before the war, when genteel pleasures had been the order of the day.
The Blue Danube came to an end, but the little orchestra swung straight into the Emperor Waltz and Rosalie and Mark remained on the dance floor. They spent a long time dancing, happy to twirl around together in the middle of the crowd, not minding that they had little chance of talking, owing to the need to concentrate on the steps of some of the dances. When they finally sat down, Rosalie realized that she was feeling very thirsty and a little tired. Mark looked at her pink cheeks and thought that she had never looked lovelier. How anyone could think that they were not meant to be together was more than he could understand.
"Thank you, Mark," she said, inching her chair closer to his. "I never imagined anything like this. It's perfect."
"I knew you would love it," he told her, wishing they had a more private table so that he could lean closer to her and kiss her. Instead he had to content himself with taking her hand and holding it tightly in his own. "And you deserve to be spoiled after such a rotten morning."
"That seems so long ago now," she said. "It seems like ages ago that I was cooking you breakfast."
"Yes, that was also lovely," he remembered. "I'm sorry I didn't have time to tell you that at the time, Rosalie. Any time you want to come and live there with me you will be more than welcome."
Rosalie smiled at him. "I don't think I am quite ready for that yet," she said gently. "Last night was an accident and I don't want to repeat it, however tempting it might be."
"Then you had better come and dance with me again, or I shall think you are no longer interested," he told her with another of his winning smiles.
"You have no need to think that," she assured him, standing up nonetheless and joining him in a lively foxtrot.
All too soon, it was growing late and they both found themselves stifling yawns. Reluctantly, they decided it was time to leave, so that they could drive back up to the Platz before it got too late. They talked a little on the journey, but Mark was busy concentrating on staying awake enough to drive carefully and Rosalie was just concentrating on staying awake. He finally pulled up outside the school and got out to help Rosalie out of the car.
"Are you still awake?" he asked as she staggered into him.
"Only just," she admitted. "Go on home, Mark, you look exhausted yourself."
"As if I could leave you in the street," he protested. I would probably find you sleeping here in the morning as I was going to work!"
Rosalie giggled at the thought, deciding that she was not only tired but a little tipsy as well. She was glad of the arm that Mark had around her and relieved that he would not just leave her to make her own way up the drive and back to the school. He took her right to the front door and before she could go inside he drew her close to him.
"Good night, darling," he said softly, kissing her very gently. "I shall call you tomorrow. Don't worry about a thing, will you?"
"I'll try not to," she promised, clinging to him for a moment, not wanting the lovely evening to end. Finally she released him. "Good night, Mark," she said, turning to unlock the door. He waved to her as he walked back down the drive and Rosalie went into the school and re-locked the door.
As she made her way across the hall, a door opened and Hilda Annersley emerged from her office. "Rosalie!" she exclaimed. "Where on earth have you been? I've been worried to death about you!"
"Why?" Rosalie demanded.
"You were gone by the time I got back from Jo's house and I had no idea where you were and now it's gone midnight." Hilda looked very concerned and Rosalie immediately felt guilty for worrying her.
"I am sorry, Hilda," she said contritely. "I should have left you a message."
"Where did you go?" Hilda wondered.
"I have been in Interlaken," answered Rosalie, slipping off her shoes. "I am sorry, Hilda." Wishing she did not feel so much like a child being told she had missed her curfew, Rosalie picked up her shoes and started towards the stairs.
"With whom?"
"With a friend."
"A male friend?" Hilda's voice was very gentle, but Rosalie knew that she meant to find out the facts. She guessed that Jo had already had a little chat with Hilda, expressing her concern over Rosalie's morals, and that Hilda would be following up Jo's attempt at a lecture with a homily of her own.
Rosalie stopped half way up the stairs and turned to look back at the Head. "I am tired and I am going to bed," she said with dignity. "I am so sorry for worrying you, Hilda. Good night." With that she turned and walked on up to her room, leaving Hilda standing on the stairs speechless at the change in her usually unassuming secretary.
In her room Rosalie kept reminding herself of Mark's advice – don't worry about a thing. It was easier to say than to do, but she intended to try. She had resolved to enjoy every moment she spent with Mark and to worry about him leaving her when it happened. He was so obviously in love with her at the moment that there was no point in worrying about him. He had also made her realize that she should not let anyone spoil her enjoyment of this new relationship and she vowed then to stop herself from being upset by what her friends said to her.

#106: Author: Rosy, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 6:09 pm

Ooooh. Go Rosalie.

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

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 6:12 pm

Thanks, Fatima. It sounds like they really did have a wonderful evening. I felt like I was there watching.

#108: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 6:52 pm

Oh lovely. Wish I could find a Mark! When I went to Vienna I was v upset that they weren't playing waltzes everywhere ... should've tried Interlaken instead, obviously! Go on Rosalie!

#109: Author: Chalet_school_lover, Location: Gloucester

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 7:38 pm

Oooh lovely! I do hope that it will last, it sounds like it but you never know what could happen! Thank you very much Fatima!! Very Happy

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

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 8:32 pm

Ha! None of your beeswax Hilda. Or Jo for that matter. It's Rosalie's life and she deserves to spend it with the lovely Mark.

Thank you Fatima

#111: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 4:08 am

Rosalie slept late the next morning, and woke to find the sun shining brightly through her curtains. She stretched lazily, loving the way she could sleep in because it was the holiday. She recalled the previous evening, sitting in the park with Mark and dancing with him in the exclusive hotel. She realized with a shock that she had only known him a few days, but already found that she could not imagine a day when she did not see him. She was due to meet him that afternoon for their trip to the cinema; it was Saturday, so she did not have to work and she wondered how she could fill the day until it was time to get ready to see him again. Not only would she have to fill the day, she realized that she would also need to avoid Hilda and anyone else who was keen to persuade her that she needed to ditch Mark and return to her life of maidenly respectability. With a chuckle she wondered what Jo and Hilda would say if they knew about Ted and Tristan and Luigi, the handsome lawyer she had met one year on holiday in Italy. Rosalie was happy with her life at the Chalet School, but there were times when she wished she had had more fun, met more eligible men and perhaps had the opportunity of settling down.
She flung back the covers and got up, going to stand by the window and look out at the mountains. So many of her friends had been lucky enough to meet the doctor of their dreams and now it was her turn. Mark was handsome, intelligent and caring and she did not intend to stop seeing him just to keep someone else happy.
It was a lovely day and Rosalie decided to get dressed and go for a walk. She went down to the kitchen and helped herself to a thick piece of Karen's freshly made bread, put on some butter and jam and went off through the kitchen door and into the garden. She let herself out through the back gate of the school and walked off up the path that led to a grassy meadow. In the meadow she decided she had been overly optimistic with her plans of going for a walk; instead she sat down in the shade of a tree and rested her back against the trunk. It was so quiet there, away from all signs of human existence. She gazed out across the meadow towards the lofty peaks, the highest of which were still crowned with snow despite it being the height of the alpine summer.
Having considered the visit that she would be paying to the cinema that evening, Rosalie turned her thoughts to other evenings that she hoped to spend with Mark. She recognised that it would be far more difficult to spend time with him than it had been with Ted or Tristan. They had been living and working in the same place as her, so it had been so easy for them to find time to be together. Mark lived near the school, but her opportunities of going to his place would be very limited. He could not visit her at the school, so they would be restricted to times when they could meet and go out together. He would work long hours at the San and she would work long hours at the school and they would have to rely on phone calls and whatever time together they could snatch.
Rosalie sighed. Put like that it did not sound very hopeful. The school holiday would last for another six weeks, and once it ended she would be inundated with work and would have no time to disappear each evening. Rosalie was cheerful by nature, though, and she decided that she would not spend time worrying about the end of the holiday when there were still six whole weeks left. Perhaps by then she and Mark would no longer feel so intensely about each other and things would just fizzle out, as they had done with Luigi. Rosalie stood up slowly and brushed down her skirt then she walked across the meadow, stopping to pick a small bunch of the wild flowers growing there. She liked to have flowers on her desk and those in the meadow were so pretty. She went along the road, going back up the front path of the school and into her office. She arranged the flowers in a little vase she kept there and then went to make herself some coffee in the staffroom. There was no sign of Hilda, or of Gwynneth Lloyd, the head of the domestic staff of the school. Everyone else had gone home for the holidays, so she thought she could safely relax there without being subjected to another discussion of her trip to Interlaken.
As she sat by the window sipping her coffee the telephone rang. She answered it and found that the maid wished to put through a call to her office from Dr. O'Brien. Happily Rosalie agreed, and soon he was on the line.
"Good morning," she said, thinking what a nice voice he had. She could imagine spending hours on the phone just listening to him. He had the slightest trace of an Irish accent and his tones were pleasing to the ear. She started to wonder what his singing voice was like. 'Now just imagine being serenaded by him,' she thought dreamily.
"Well?" he demanded suddenly. "Rosalie, are you still there?"
Rosalie could feel herself blushing and was glad that he could not see her. "Sorry, Mark," she said. "What did you say?"
"What are you doing?" he asked suspiciously.
Rosalie chuckled. "I'll tell you later," she promised. "What were you asking me?"
"I was wondering whether you would like to go on a picnic tomorrow," he said. "Although after that, I am thinking you don't deserve to be taken anywhere so lovely."
It was not just the tone of his voice, she reflected, but all the things he said, too. She loved the way he teased her and the way his voice could become so soft and gentle when she needed to be comforted. She quickly stopped herself from allowing the messenger to distract her from the message, and said, "Yes, I would love to. Does that mean you don't have to work tomorrow, Mark?"
"No, I already said I have the day off," he said patiently. "I can't wait to see you, Rosalie, and hear your explanation of this conversation!"
"I'm sorry," she said, with another laugh. "When will you be here, Mark?"
"At about half past six," he told her, laughing as well. "I had better go. Take care, darling."
"You too," she said, and she heard him hang up. She replaced the receiver and finished her coffee, deciding that she might as well work on the dreaded timetables for the rest of the day.

#112: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 7:56 am

Great Fatima. I do like Rosalie in this.

I wonder if the 'shock' is going to be more that she is going to stand up for herself and put herself first for once instead of playing second fiddle to the school, Jo and any other characters you care to name.

Go, Rosalie! Follow your heart!

#113: Author: JoW, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 7:59 am

Oh... Rosalie and Mark - it all sounds so lovely - so why am I wibbling? I just do too much work with women who are at the receiving end of domestic violence. This is a classic story - A women, who could be seen as vulnerable. She's nearly 50 and hasn't had a lot of loving relationships and never had her own home. A man who is VERY eligible. He thinks she is perfect from the very beginning, wants to see her every single day, worries about what she is doing and who she is with when she is not with him. He has already dropped hints about her living with him. Her reputation has already been compromised. The relationship has already caused friction with her friends and employers. She appears to be neglecting her work. Before we know where we are she will have given up her job (or lost it) and be living with him (maybe married) after knowing him a very short time. She will have lost all her friends because she would have been put in a position where she had to choose him over them. When he hits her for the first time she will not be able to believe that her perfect SLOC behaved that way and she will forgive him because he will be so sorry and it is 'out of character' and anyway, it was probably her fault. When it happens regularly, she will feel that she has nowhere to go and no one to turn to.

Of course, I know that this won't happen because Fatima's bunnies are nice, but just in case, I would like to say to Rosalie that there is always a warning sign. If Mark does or says something that makes you feel uncomfortable, don't ignore it.

#114: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 8:05 am

Oh, no, now you have me wibbling too, Jo. I though Mark was so nice, and now I am suspicious of him as well. Maybe Rosalie will love him and leave him and go back to her safe and happy life at the school. At least she will have had some fun, but will still be safe.

#115: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 8:21 am

Noooo! Happy endings are good, please! And Rosalie deserves happiness. I'm sure once Hilda and Jo meet Mark they will realise how nice he is... please? Very Happy

#116: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 9:10 am

Don't listen to evil bunnies - Rosalie needs a happy ending! Smile

Thanks Fatima!

#117: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 9:45 am

I have locked up Fernando the naughty bunny; I am hoping that my best bunny, Romeo, will continue the story...Keep your fingers crossed!

Rosalie may have been eager to avoid Hilda, but she was not able to do it all day. Hilda appeared at lunch time and the two old friends ate together. Hilda had realized how Rosalie felt about being questioned, though, so she kept away from the subject and discussed school matters instead. Rosalie was grateful for that, and they found the meal a pleasant one.
In the afternoon Rosalie worked again then she went off to get ready for her date. She spotted Mark coming up the drive, casually mentioned to Hilda that she might be late back, and dashed off before the Head could make any comment. Sighing with relief, she slipped into the passenger seat almost before Mark had brought the car to a standstill.
"You seem eager to escape," he observed, turning the car and heading off down the road to Interlaken.
"Well, yes, I am," she admitted. "I wanted to leave before I could have a lecture on getting in at a decent time. I had one last night, you see."
"I do see." He glanced across at her, but she did not look upset. "I am proud of you," he told her, reaching over to pat her knee. "You seem in such good form."
"Yes," she agreed, "I am." She sighed happily then turned to Mark again. "I'm really looking forward to this," she said.
"Me too," he agreed. "So, are you going to tell me what you were up to when I phoned?"
Rosalie chuckled again. "Can you sing?" she asked him.
"I'm not too bad," he answered, rather surprised by her question. "Why?"
"That was what I was thinking about," she told him. "You have a lovely telephone voice and I suddenly wondered if you could sing."
"Not well enough for you to prefer that over a picnic," he said with a laugh. "I understand why you were distracted now. Listening to your voice distracts me, too."
They arrived in Interlaken and went to the cinema. The film was evidently popular, as they had to queue up outside in order to buy tickets. However, once they got inside the cinema they were able to find seats near the back and to settle down together with a big bag of popcorn. The movie was a famous new release and was a mixture of adventure and romance. Rosalie found herself enjoying it enormously and secretly thinking that the hero was not a patch on Mark. She was still thrilled when he won the hand of the heroine at the end of the movie, but she was more than satisfied to have won her own particular hero.
Afterwards they went to a small restaurant that was still open and had a very quick meal. They discussed the film they had just watched and decided that they should visit the cinema on a regular basis. As the film would have changed by the following weekend, they decided to go again then. They finished their meal and headed back to the Platz, finding it easier to say good night now that they knew they would see each other very soon. Although they had not actually said it, they were both aware of the need to spend every available moment of free time together, because all too soon they would be separated by their chosen professions. As he dropped her at the school, Mark told Rosalie that he would be back the following morning, at about eleven o'clock, with a picnic. He had been shopping after work that day, buying provisions for them, and she was not to worry about a thing. He had planned their route, too, and all she needed to do was to be ready for him when he arrived.
Rosalie agreed that she could manage that quite well then they both got out of the car and walked up the drive together. They did not wish to draw attention to their arrival by the sounds of the car engine, so Mark left the car in the street and accompanied her to the door. They stood on the doorstep for a long while, clasped in each other's arms, kissing and whispering together, until she finally broke away and said she had to go inside.
"See you tomorrow," she said with a final smile at him. "Good night."
"Good night," he replied, turning and heading back to his car.

#118: Author: Rosy, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 10:55 am

awww. Nice drabble. Good bunny.

#119: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 11:04 am

I take JoW's point but the people in that situation are the ones she hears about in her work and are featured in some of the magazines. Not everyone in this situation ends up with those problems.

I think there are factors other than age which are more important. I've friends with that sort of gap in the 'wrong' direction who have been happily married for years. Equally, ones exactly the same age who met when they were 14 and have never had any other relationships.

I'm not sure I would call Rosalie 'vulnerable'. She's had several relationships before and she's come through tragedy as a result. She has friends, a demanding job and must be reasonably stable to hold down her job anyway.

She lives a fairly communal life - something I know I could never manage!

*Sends treats for Romeo*

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

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 12:13 pm

Thanks, Fatima. I hope Mark will not turn out to be horrible.

#121: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 12:15 pm

* Offers to watch Fernando to make sure he doesn't escape.*

I also take Jo's point but I think Rosalie deserves to be happy and am hoping for a happy ending!

#122: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 1:11 pm

Thank you for all the comments. Here is a little more for you.

The next morning dawned bright and sunny. Rosalie was up early, to go to the service in the little Anglican chapel on the Platz. On her return to the school she had breakfast then she changed into trousers and took her book into the garden, planning to sit and read until it was time to meet Mark. As she sat in the shade of a big tree in the staff garden, Hilda appeared, also bearing a book.
"Great minds think alike," she observed, setting up her chair beside Rosalie's. "Do you mind if I join you?"
"No, not at all," Rosalie answered.
Hilda sat down and opened her book and they read in silence for a while. Then Hilda said, "Have you been to church yet, Rosalie?"
"Yes, I went to the early service," Rosalie answered.
"Jo has invited us to lunch today," Hilda continued, making Rosalie suddenly wonder if her decision to sit out in the garden had been a pretext for another attempt at a lecture. "Will you come? Gwynneth and I are both going, and I think Nell will be there too."
"No," said Rosalie. "I've already made plans, thank you. Please pass my apologies to Jo, Hilda."
"You can pass them to her yourself," said Jo, appearing from the direction of her home. "Hello, Rosalie. I'm sorry you can't make it for lunch."
Rosalie closed her book and briefly considered running away. She was made of stronger stuff than that, however, and she decided to have the discussion that her friends so plainly wished to have. "I'm going for a picnic with Dr. O'Brien," she told them. "I have been seeing quite a lot of him lately."
Jo shot her a look that spoke volumes. "I'd noticed that," she said dryly.
"I'm worried about you, Rosalie," Hilda put in. "You seem very involved with him, even though we only met him for the first time a couple of weeks ago."
"And we don't know anything about him," Jo put in.
"We do know that your husband vets his staff thoroughly before he accepts them into the San," Rosalie pointed out.
"True," said Jo. "And Reg thinks the world of Dr. O'Brien." She sat down on the grass and wrapped her arms around her knees, her position belying the fact that she was a famous authoress and mother of such a long family. In fact, Rosalie reflected, Jo had never looked her age.
"He is lovely," Rosalie told them simply.
"We are your oldest friends," said Hilda, still looking anxious. "It's only natural that we should be concerned about you, Rosalie."
"I know," Jo said suddenly. "I'll have one of my dinners. I'll ask Len and Reg and a couple of the other younger doctors and you can bring Mark, Rosalie, and we will get to know him a little better. What do you think?"
"I think it's a good idea, if it will stop the pair of you giving me the third degree," said Rosalie with a smile.
"And I also owe you an apology," Jo continued, looking more than a little ashamed of herself. "I was so rude to you the other morning."
"Nothing had happened," Rosalie said, feeling the need to defend her actions. "I slept on the couch."
Hilda raised her eyebrows so expressively that Rosalie knew Jo had not mentioned seeing Rosalie out so early the other morning.
Jo looked sheepishly at her friend. "I'm sorry Rosalie," she said. "If you like him then we should be happy for you."
"I do like him," Rosalie said.
Before anyone could say any more, Mark himself appeared around the side of the chalet, a big picnic basket in his hand. At once Rosalie got to her feet and he came over to her side. "Good morning," he greeted them. The other two ladies rose, Jo hastily brushing the grass from her skirt.
"Mark, this is Hilda Annersley, the Head of the Chalet School," said Rosalie. "Hilda, Dr. O'Brien. Mrs. Maynard you already know."
Mark and Hilda shook hands. "I think we have met before," he said, recalling the visit she had paid to the San with Rosalie.
"Only briefly," Hilda agreed. "It's nice to see you again, Dr. O'Brien."
"We won't keep you," said Jo, sensing that they were eager to be off. "Have a lovely day."
"Thank you," said Rosalie. She put her book into her handbag and took Dr. O'Brien's arm.
They set off together across the playing fields, leaving Jo and Hilda looking thoughtfully after them. "Well?" asked Jo. "What do you think?"
Hilda looked at Jo. "Do you want my honest opinion?" she asked.
"Yes, of course."
"I think 'good for Rosalie'," the Head answered. "He is a very good looking young man and he quite obviously adores her. She is having fun with him and why shouldn't she?"
"He is so young," said Jo. "It seems unnatural somehow for her to be running around with him. Oh, don't worry, I have had my say," she added, seeing Hilda's expression, "and I will let it rest now. It's up to her, after all. I tried to tell her and if she wouldn't listen she can't be helped. I shall be here to pick up the pieces when he finds someone closer to his own age and abandons her faster than you can say 'toy boy'."
Hilda did not know whether to look shocked or to laugh. "Where do you pick up these terms?" she demanded.
"The joys of having sons," Jo informed her with a grin. "Mike is quite determined to be a toy boy, so he says, but I think he only goes on about it to get Steve going. Steve is very traditional."
Hilda gave up being shocked and laughed heartily. She watched as Mark held the gate open for Rosalie and then he closed it behind them and they were gone from sight.

#123: Author: JandyMac, Location: W. Yorks

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 1:25 pm

Don't you just love it when you are catching up and another bit arives. This is wonderful, warm and mushy, the perfect escapist romance. Beautiful weather, scenery and good food, a handsome male lead, what more could a girl want.
Thank you Fatima.

#124: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 1:33 pm

That last post of yours was just wonderful Fatima, thanks! Very Happy

#125: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 1:42 pm

Joey should have more faith in Mark...unless she's on to something there?! *starting to worry* Good for Hilda for being so supportive of Rosalie. Perhaps she will be inspired to get her own toy boy? I can see a beautiful relationship blossoming between her and Mike...what on earth would Joey say then?!

Kathryn

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

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 4:22 pm

Are you sure Fernando's secure Fatima?

This is all starting to sound rather ominous....

#127: Author: keren, Location: Israel

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 5:11 pm

I [love this line:
"So many of her friends had been lucky enough to meet the doctor of their dreams and now it was her turn."[/list]

#128: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 5:36 pm

Sorry, more eating going on here! It's all they seem to do, isn't it?!

Rosalie and Mark walked slowly along the path that led to the pine woods. They did not want to walk too far, preferring to find some leafy bower where they could spread out the blanket and relax, away from the disapproving eyes of the world. They strolled along, arm in arm, enjoying the prospect of a long and lazy day, spent enjoying each other's company and unwinding after the stresses of the week.
"They would like to meet you," said Rosalie at length. "Jo and Hilda, I mean."
"They just did," he said with a smile.
"No, they want to meet you properly," said Rosalie. "Jo wants to have a dinner party and invite you."
"I'll only go if you go too," he said.
"Yes, that is the point," she laughed. "They want us to go together so that they can decide if we are suitable for each other."
"Oh, I see," he said.
They went into the woods, finding it much cooler there. They walked along the well worn path for a long time until they came to a lesser travelled route and turned that way instead. Eventually they found exactly the place they were looking for. It was very grassy, and the grass was flat. The trees provided shade and screened them from anyone who happened to pass along the path. It was beautifully quiet there, and it was almost as if they had been transported to another world.
"It's like the Wood between the Worlds," said Rosalie as she spread out the large travelling rug Mark had brought with him.
"'The Magician's Nephew'," he said, having read the book to his own nephews. "But without the pools."
"Good thing too," she said, "or we would get wet feet!"
Mark sat down on the blanket and opened the picnic basket. "I had breakfast this morning," he told her, "But I feel as if I could do with my lunch right now."
"It's the mountain air," she told him. "Whenever I have been on an expedition with the girls the first thing they think about is food and I have to admit that I am usually starving, too."
"I did pack a lot," he said, pulling out a packet of sandwiches. "We could have lunch now and then have high tea later."
"Did you make the sandwiches?" she asked.
"Of course," he told her. "I am good at sandwiches, whatever my other culinary shortcomings may be. There is cheese or ham if you prefer."
Rosalie smiled at him, finding it hard to believe that he had shortcomings. "Cheese, please," she said.
They munched their sandwiches and he opened a bottle of wine he had thoughtfully packed into his copious basket. He filled two plastic cups with wine and passed her one. "This is so much better than the best restaurant," he remarked, stretching his legs out in front of him and reclining on one elbow. "No food ever tastes as good indoors as it does on a picnic."
"That's so true," she agreed, finding the simple cheese sandwich one of the nicest things she had eaten for a long time.
Mark reached into the picnic basket and found some small tomatoes and lettuce that he had carefully washed, and they ate both with their sandwiches. Afterwards he produced some of Rosalie's favourite chocolate éclairs, which he had purchased from the little tea shop on his way home from work the previous day. He ate his carefully that time, not wishing to waste any of the cream or to make a mess on his travel rug.
Finally Rosalie gave a contented sigh. "That was wonderful," she told him. "You are a brilliant picnic packer, Mark."
"Thank you," he said leaning over to refill her cup with wine.
She packed the unfinished salad and sandwiches back in the basket to keep them fresh for later, then sipped her wine happily. Mark put the bottle down carefully then he got up and walked around the rug to Rosalie. He sat down near her, kicked off his shoes and lay down, putting his head into her lap and looking up at her. She smiled down at him and gently smoothed his hair.
"I hope you are quite comfortable," she remarked.
"Very," he told her, treating her to a disarming smile. "Are you comfortable?"
"Yes, at the moment." She was suddenly very aware of how much she had come to care about him. She looked down into his eyes, and he held her gaze, almost as if he could read her thoughts. She felt her heart lurch and realized it was more than caring about him. He had become the most important person in her world and all her spare time was spent waiting for the next time she would see him.
"I wish we could stay here forever," he said softly, reaching up to touch her face.
"You would soon change your mind after the first snowfall of winter," she said realistically, breaking the moment before she could give away the full extent of her feelings for him. It was too soon, she told herself, far too soon to be that serious about him. She tore her gaze away from his and looked across the glade, watching as a small bird poked around in the grass, looking for some tiny insects to eat.

#129: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 6:43 pm

Not only is he good-looking and intelligent, but he also brings her chocolate eclairs ... Rosalie, it is definitely not too soon to be serious about him! Thanks Fatima.

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

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 7:52 pm

Thanks, Fatima. I'm really glad Joey has apologised to Rosalie and is not being so disapproving and she is going to invite the two of them to a dinner party. I'm glad Hilda thinks Mark is a nice man.

#131: Author: Chalet_school_lover, Location: Gloucester

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 8:05 pm

I hope it carrys on the way it's going! Lovely, thank you Fatima! Very Happy

#132: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 8:42 pm

It's none of their business. If Rosalie wants Mark and Mark wants Rosalie, the hell with anyone else and their opinions.

Thanks, Fatima, that was lovely.

#133: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 8:47 pm

Awww.... thanks Fatima.

#134: Author: dackel, Location: Wolfenbuettel, Germany/Cambridge, England

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 9:54 pm

Wonderful posts, Fatima, thank you!

#135: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 5:01 am

Sorry, Fernando has insisted on taking part in this. He is screaming and shouting out what should happen and even the mars bar I gave him hasn't quietened him down at all!

"Rosalie," he said tenderly, taking the cup from her hand and drawing her down onto the rug at his side. She lay on her back and he leaned over her, tracing the contours of her face with a gentle finger. "Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are?" he asked her, his voice so soft she felt as though he was wrapping her in cotton wool.
She smiled up at him but before she could say anything he had leaned down and was kissing her very gently. She wound her arms around his neck, tangling her fingers in his dark hair and kissing him back. Eventually he drew away, sitting up and grinning at her. She smiled back, knowing exactly what he was thinking; she could still see passion smouldering in his dark eyes. "I would love a cup of coffee," she told him, recalling that he had pulled a flask from his basket and set it down on the rug while they had been having their sandwiches.
"Your wish is my command," he told her, and he got up and located the flask of coffee. He poured two generous measures and then helped her to sit up so she could take her cup from him.
"You certainly have no shortcomings in the coffee making department," she told him having tasted her drink. "This is almost on a par with the nectar brewed by Jeanne de Lachenais, our French teacher. She makes the best coffee in the world, but this is a close second."
"Now I know you are just being kind," he told her. "I didn't put nearly enough sugar in it."
"There's enough for me," she said. She reached for her handbag and took out her book, deciding how nice it would be to sit and read quietly. "Did you bring your book?" she asked him.
"No," he said. "I am going to lie here and sleep."
He got up and looked around, spotting a large rock on the other side of the clearing. He packed up the picnic and moved everything over to the rock, much to Rosalie's surprise. He helped her to her feet, took the rug over to the rock and spread it out again, leaving enough to put over the rock. Mystified now, she just stared at him, wondering if he had taken leave of his senses. Realizing exactly what she was thinking he laughed.
"Sit down and lean against the rock," he said, "and you will be much more comfortable."
"I see," she said, doing as he had suggested. She found it was indeed more comfortable, especially when padded with his thick blanket.
Mark sat down again, producing a small box of very expensive looking chocolates from the basket and handing them to Rosalie. "I thought you might like these," he told her.
"Thank you," she said, touched by how much thought he had put into their picnic.
He lay down then, putting his head back in her lap and looking interrogatively up at her. "Are you sure you are comfortable?" he asked.
"I'm quite sure," she replied.
"And you don't mind if I go to sleep for a while?"
"No, of course not," she assured him. "I shall be quite happy reading."
Mark closed his eyes and Rosalie gently stroked his hair as she read her book. Soon she knew that he had fallen asleep, so she abandoned all pretence at reading and looked down at him. Asleep he looked very young and she suddenly wondered what she was doing with him. Maybe Jo had been right; perhaps it was not correct for her to be with a man so much younger than her. He was sixteen years her junior. When he was a baby she had been a prefect at school, and before he had even started school she had left. Rosalie sighed. He was so wonderful and just for a while she had been carried away by the novelty of being pursued by someone like him. Now, though, she realized the error of her ways and thank goodness she had done so before she made a complete fool of herself.
Rosalie was tempted to get up and disappear while Mark was sleeping. She would return to the school, confess to Hilda that she had made a huge mistake and ask if she could take her holiday a couple of weeks early. Then she would catch the first train to Italy and go somewhere beautiful and forget all that had almost happened. 'But he loves you' a voice said in her mind. She thought of all that he had said and done and how kind and caring he had been. She remembered sobbing in his arms at the thought that they should not be together and how he had told her that the difference in their ages did not matter at all to him. He deserved to hear from her that she was no longer interested and she should tell him soon, before it became even more difficult to extricate herself from the relationship.
Rosalie sighed. What a mess she had got herself into. She had found the man of her dreams and then discovered that she did not want him. Then Rosalie realized that she did not want to hurt his feelings, either. He had never been anything other than considerate towards her and she did not wish to repay his thoughtfulness by hurting him. Rosalie leaned her head back against the rock, looking up into the canopy of leaves above their heads. It was so unfair, she decided. Why couldn't she have found someone who was older and just as perfect? Why did she have to find everything she had always looked for in a man in someone young enough to be her son?
Rosalie reached out and opened the chocolates he had bought for her. They were starting to get a little bit soft, as it was a hot day, so she decided it would be better to eat them than let them melt. She reached for the wine bottle and sloshed the last of the wine into her empty coffee cup, and resolved to enjoy herself. Mark muttered in his sleep and turned a little, and Rosalie found herself gently stroking his face to soothe him and she groaned. Did she care for him or not she wondered? She picked up her book again and tried to concentrate on that, as the whole question of her feelings for Mark was just too complicated.

#136: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 8:29 am

Provided she comes through these thoughts that's OK. I would be more worried it was infatuation if she hadn't faced this head on.

Lovely post, Fatima. I am enjoying it so much.

#137: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 11:01 am

"You aren't reading that." Mark's voice finally broke through the silence of the beautiful glade.
Rosalie, who had been so lost in thought, had not realized that he had woken up and was regarding her with his intense gaze.
"No," she agreed. Half of her was saying that she should end it all then and there, make a clean break as that would be easier for them both to deal with. The other half was whispering seductively that he was just too perfect to dump and that she should talk to him and tell him her worries. He would then remind her of how he loved her and everything would be wonderful again. Rosalie did neither. She closed the book and smiled down at him. "I didn't realize that you were awake. Would you like something to eat?"
He reluctantly sat up. "What time is it?" he asked.
She glanced at her watch. "It's half past three," she said in surprise. She had not realized how the time had passed, so deep in thought had she been. "You did have a good sleep."
"Very good," he agreed. "Yes, I would like a sandwich," he realized. "It's hard work, all this picnicking."
Rosalie managed to busy herself with the picnic basket and avoided his gaze. She passed him sandwiches and some of the fruit that she found in the basket and he ate hungrily. "What about you?" he asked her. "Aren't you having anything?"
"I've just eaten all the chocolates," she admitted. "I don't feel hungry any more."
"I'm not surprised," he countered. "But that is what I got them for, darling." He found the flask and poured them both the last of the coffee. "Are you all right?" he asked. "You look pensive."
'Now is the time to tell him,' muttered Rosalie's conscience. She looked over at him and found him regarding her as pensively as he had accused her of looking. "I'm fine," she heard herself say. She put the lid on the empty chocolate box and gave a cry. "Ow!" She saw a wasp on the lid and guessed that she had been stung.
"What's the matter?" he asked, concerned.
"I've just been stung," she told him.
"Let me see." He got up and came to take her hand in his. "Yes, you have," he agreed. "But it will be fine," he added, kissing her hand gently. "When we get back you can put some cream on it."
Rosalie looked at his dark head bent over her sore hand. Did it really matter that they were not the same age, she wondered? Ted had been a lot older than she was, but that had made no difference to them. Should she really throw everything away with this man just because he was younger than her? Rosalie felt as though she was getting a headache from all the contradictory thoughts whirling around inside her mind.
Mark straightened up and drew her into his arms, sensing that all was not well with her. "Does it hurt?" he asked, thinking that the sting was troubling her.
"No, it's not too bad," she assured him. She rested her head against his shoulder and sighed. What on earth was she going to do? How was she going to resolve the opposing thoughts bombarding her?
"Good. I think I had better get you back now," he said. "Sit there while I pack up."
He kissed her forehead tenderly and released her, turning his attention to packing up the picnic things. He rolled the blanket and soon they were ready to stroll back through the woods and return to the school.
At the gate leading into the school grounds, Mark stopped and turned to face her. "I have to go and write my article," he told her. "I need to get it done, so much as I would like to spend the rest of the day with you, I am going to have to be strong and leave."
Rosalie felt relieved by this. She could return to the Chalet and spend some time thinking about what exactly she was going to do. "That's all right," she told him.
"I'll call you tomorrow," he promised. "I will be working until later, but I will try to arrange something with you then."
"Don't worry," she said casually. "I should be getting on with my own work, too. I have any number of lists and rosters to draw up for the new term. Maybe we should leave it for a day or two."
Mark looked curiously at her. Somehow, somewhere, something had changed with her and he knew that he would have a sleepless night worrying about it. Perhaps her friends had got to her after all, and had persuaded her that it was wrong for her to be seeing a man so much younger than herself. Maybe she thought it was more important to keep their friendship than to keep him. Feeling immeasurably sad, he leaned down and kissed her cheek. "If you have any trouble with that sting, call me," he told her, wishing she would meet his gaze. "Rosalie, I've had a lovely day, thank you."
"So have I," she told him, looking into his eyes at last. "Thank you, Mark."
"Why do I get the feeling that something's wrong?" he asked her.
Rosalie knew that his perspicacity was second to none. "I'm getting a headache," she said truthfully.
Although he was not satisfied with her explanation, he decided to accept it. "Then take care, darling," he said, kissing her again. "See you tomorrow."
Rosalie watched him walk away. She sighed heavily and decided that she would sleep on her worries and hopefully would have some sort of answer the next day. Until then, she decided she would go and luxuriate in a warm bath, have some supper and go to bed early.

#138: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 11:42 am

Oh Rosalie! If you were years younger than him instead of the other way round, would you be worrying like this? You need to talk to him and sort out any problems you have about the age gap. Thanks for the update, Fatima. Have you considered giving Fernando a Chalet School-esque sedative?

#139: Author: Rosy, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 12:02 pm

Poor Rosale.
I really feel for her. Your characters are very easy to relate to Fatima, thankyou!

#140: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 12:56 pm

Thanks Fatima, but oh, Rosalie, why are you wibbling ?? He's lovely... but her concern is really understandable.

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

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 1:45 pm

Thanks, Fatima. I hope Rosalie decides that she and Mark can overcome all the obstacles in their path.

#142: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 2:14 pm

Jo really ought to remember the age difference between herself and Jack, and keep her nose out of Rosalie's business.

Even if it all ends in heartache for Rosalie, she'll have some good memories to look back on.

#143: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 2:16 pm

It's the last day of our Eid holiday today, sob sob. As from tomorrow, real life gets in the way of drabbling. Crying or Very sad

Rosalie woke the next morning and lay still for a moment. As if she had wished it on herself, she had had an awful headache the previous evening and she did not want to make the mistake of getting up too quickly and bringing it back. Once she was sure that it had gone, she sat up and allowed herself to reflect on her dilemma. Did she or did she not want to be with Mark? Would she stop seeing him or would she allow herself to get more involved with him?
Rosalie got up and dressed and went to join Hilda and Gwynneth for breakfast. She was just enjoying her second cup of coffee when the answer came to her. She did love Mark, but it would be too difficult trying to have any sort of relationship with him. Everywhere they went people would look askance at them and although they might try to be nice, her friends would disapprove. She had no intention of living a reclusive life, sitting at home and waiting for Mark to come home from work, spending all her time with him because she was fed up with the disbelieving looks they got from everyone they knew.
"Hilda, may I please have a talk with you?" she asked suddenly.
Gwynneth, tactful as ever, stood up. "I must go and check on the linen," she said to them. "Don't work too hard today, Rosalie, you still look a bit peaky."
"Gwynneth is right," Hilda agreed, seeing the dark shadows beneath Rosalie's eyes. "Do you still have a headache?"
"No, that's gone," said Rosalie. "But I do have a favour to ask, Hilda."
"Then please ask," said Hilda.
"I would like to go away today for my holiday," said Rosalie. "I have been thinking about Dr. O'Brien and I have decided that I don't want to be involved with him."
"So you are planning to run away?" Hilda asked gently. "Is that really the answer, Rosalie?"
"Yes, I think so," said Rosalie. "I have given it a lot of thought, Hilda. I love him and he loves me and he isn't going to let me go. I have to get away and make a clean break. Then he'll see it's better and so will I. We just cannot be together if no one will approve."
"I approve," said Hilda. "I have to admit that I didn't until I saw him come to meet you yesterday. He obviously cares about you a great deal and he'll be devastated when you go."
"It's better for him if I go," said Rosalie. "He can find someone more suitable and be happy."
Hilda sighed. "Of course you can have your holiday, Rosalie," she said. "But I have to say that I think you are making a mistake if you run away."
"Not as much of a mistake as if I stay," said Rosalie simply. "Thank you, Hilda. I intend to pack now and be gone by lunch time."
"Where will you go?" asked Hilda.
"I think I shall go to Lake Garda," said Rosalie, who loved the quiet life beside the beautiful Italian lake.
"I will look forward to seeing you return in a couple of weeks feeling refreshed and happy," said Hilda. "Enjoy your holiday, my dear, and take care."
"Thank you," said Rosalie, relieved to be able to go with her friend's blessing.

#144: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 2:19 pm

I think Hilda's right, Roaslie should stay and not let everyone else get in the way of her happiness.

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

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 2:23 pm

Thanks, Fatima. No! This can't be happening! I hope Rosalie will come to her senses while she is away.

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

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 2:24 pm

Thanks, Fatima. No! This can't be happening! I hope Rosalie will come to her senses while she is away.

#147: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 3:46 pm

Poor Rosalie... Poor Mark! Please make her change her mind, Fatima!

#148: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 4:06 pm

Sending lots of bunny treats to Fatima's nasty bunny to make him mellow.

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

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 5:50 pm

How have I missed this drabble? It's amazing- but Rosalie, what are you doing? Throwing away a perfectly good SLOC when there are many on tis board fighting over him? Honestly!

May I suggest that Fernando is put up for adoption?
*off to buy super bunny treats deluxe for Romeo!*

#150: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 5:58 pm

Le Petite Em wrote:

May I suggest that Fernando is put up for adoption?

Or I've got a nice recipe for rabbit pie Twisted Evil

I think they are both going to be miserable and she's still got to come back to her job. Oh, dear. I really like Rosalie and she deserves a SLOC - sort of ike a gold watch for long service to the CS.

#151: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 6:17 pm

Fernando is upset with the cruel remarks and has vowed to make everyone pay....later!!

Five days later, Rosalie was sitting outside a little café on the shores of the beautiful Italian lake. She had gone to her favourite hotel, one she usually visited when she was lucky enough to be able to go to Italy. She had grown to love the beautiful lake and the small towns around it. The people were so friendly and the scenery so beautiful. She always felt at peace there, away from everyone who knew her and able to relax and enjoy whatever came her way. It was there that she had met Luigi, also on holiday, and she looked back fondly on those halcyon days. She spent time walking along the lake shore, reading in the little cafés and eating in quiet restaurants. She went to bed early each night, slept late in the morning and generally found herself feeling more refreshed than she had done for many months. She looked back on the days before her flight with a wry smile, wondering how she could have been so silly. Mark was handsome and pleasant, but she should never have allowed herself to get carried away by his attentions.
She glanced at her watch, wondering where Alessandro was. He had said he would meet her for lunch, but there was no sign of him and it was already one o'clock. She sipped her martini and wondered if he had decided not to join her. After all, she had accidentally called him Mark the previous evening, which was not, perhaps, the most auspicious start to their friendship. The fact that he was tall and slim and had brown hair was neither here nor there. An awful lot of Italians looked like that. And so many of them had blue eyes, too.
Rosalie sighed and decided that she might as well order some lunch. She requested some salad and another martini then she sat back in her chair and watched the boats on the lake. Although Jo always declared the Tiernsee the bluest lake in the world, Rosalie considered that Lake Garda ran it a close second. She sighed again, wondering why she had such poor taste in men.
Suddenly she was aware of someone standing beside her table, and she looked up, expecting to see the waiter with her lunch, or Alessandro apologising for being late.
"May I join you?" Without waiting for an answer, Mark O'Brien pulled out a chair and sat down at the table opposite Rosalie.
"What on earth are you doing here?" she asked, for he was the last person she had expected to see.
Mark waved to the waiter, who came over to take his order. He spoke halting Italian, she noticed, but the waiter understood that he would like whatever she had ordered and disappeared inside the café to get the order made up. Mark leaned back in his chair and looked out across the lake, suddenly nervous about talking to her. He had not expected her to fall into his arms, but he had hoped for a slightly warmer greeting than he had received.
He had gone to the school on Tuesday, having failed to make contact with Rosalie both on that day and the previous one. He had been received by Hilda Annersley and had appealed to her to give him news of Rosalie. Reluctantly, Hilda had told him that Rosalie had fled to Italy; she had not told him where until he had explained that he loved Rosalie and could not bear the though of her leaving without telling him why she had gone. Hilda recalled Rosalie's words to her just before she had left Switzerland and decided that her friend deserved the chance of happiness with the earnest young doctor and so she explained that Rosalie loved Lake Garda and in particular the little town of Riva at the northern end of the lake. After that, Mark had asked for leave from the San, packed a suitcase and gone after her. He had arrived the previous day and had phoned some of the hotels until he had found hers. He had seen her in the evening, walking along the street outside her hotel, but had decided to wait until the next day to speak to her.
Now that the time had come to talk to her, his mind had gone blank. He could not think of any of the little speeches he had been practicing all the way on the train and she looked so distant he wondered if he would dare speak to her at all.

#152: Author: Rosy, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 6:22 pm

Ooooooooooh Shocked

Isn't he a sweetie? *hugs Mark*

I'll have him if she won't.....

#153: Author: Chalet_school_lover, Location: Gloucester

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 6:32 pm

Just caught up on loads of updates!!!! I'm so glad Mark joined her! But please let them be happy!!! *Pats Romeo and feeds him lots of treats* Very Happy

Thank you Fatima Very Happy

#154: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 7:21 pm

Yay for Mark! I was hoping this would happen if Rosalie was setermined to run away!

#155: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 8:10 pm

Oh lovely Mark! Very Happy

Ooh come on Rosalie!

*holds breath*

#156: Author: ali, Location: medway, kent

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 8:15 pm

Come on Rosalie, let yourself be happy. People will get used to it, and if they're really you friends they'll just be happy for you.

Ooops, soory, forgot this wasn't real for a moment!

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

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 8:18 pm

Thanks, Fatima. I'm really happy that Mark has taken so much trouble to find Rosalie.

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

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 8:20 pm

Thank you Fatima. I hope RL doesn't interfer too much with drabbling....

Rosalie, Mark - just talk! You love each other, now accept it.

#159: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 9:33 pm

If Rosalie doesn't want him, send him my way! But please let them sort things out. Thanks Fatima.

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

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 10:02 pm

Hurrah, he followed her!! I've just caught up on loads only to get to this point... *crosses fingers and toes*

Thanks Fatima

#161: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 12:32 pm

I'm glad he followed her. they might be able to sort things out between them if there's no-one around to interfere.

#162: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 12:45 pm

"It's lovely here," he finally managed to say.
Rosalie was watching him from behind her dark glasses. She did not think she had ever seen him so ill at ease but she could not think of anything to say to make him feel more comfortable.
They were both relieved when the waiter arrived, putting their lunch down on the table in front of them, and then adding two martinis, complete with olives in them. Mark lifted his glass and drank down about half of his drink in one go, now completely able to understand why she had run away from him, for he felt like taking to his heels, too. It was only the thought of what his life would be without her that kept him in his seat.
"I've never been here before," he began.
"This is my favourite place in the whole world," she said at exactly the same moment.
They laughed at that, breaking the ice between them.
"Why did you leave?" he asked, reaching out to remove her glasses so he could see her eyes. "Why didn't you tell me you were going?"
"How could I run away if I told you I was going?" she asked lightly.
"What happened to make you want to run away?" he asked.
"I don't see us having a future together," she told him. "It bothers me too much, the difference in our ages."
"Then it's not that you don't love me?" he asked hopefully.
"No, it's more that I don't want to love you," she replied. "I'm sorry, Mark."
"That's all right," he said, even though he knew that it most definitely was not all right.
Rosalie started on her salad, hating the sad look she had brought to his face, but knowing that it was best to end everything now and not let him keep on hoping. She watched as he played with his food. She had never before seen him with anything less than a hearty appetite and it surprised her to realize how much she had hurt him. He had told her that he loved her and he had never been anything other than loving with her, but she realized that she had never fully believed him. She had thought that he was joking, teasing her, filling in time until he found someone else – someone younger. Now, it started to dawn on her that maybe he really did love her; maybe he really did not mind about the difference in their ages. Perhaps he did want to be with her as much as he always said he did.
Abandoning his pretence at eating, Mark put down his fork and got up. "I think it's time I was going," he said, pulling out his wallet and putting a pile of lira on the table. "Have a lovely holiday, Rosalie." He pushed in his chair and set off, not once looking back at her. He stepped out into the road, eager to cross over and return to his hotel. He decided he would pack his bags and return to Switzerland on the very next train.
Rosalie watched him go, trying not to heed the little voice in her head that was urging her to rush after him and tell him that she really was pleased to see him, that she did not want him to walk away like that. Then it was as if the whole world had moved into another dimension and time had slowed right down. A big tourist bus came around the corner. Mark stepped out in front of it. Even as Rosalie heard herself scream his name at the top of her voice, the bus' brakes screeched, but it was too late. Rosalie was on her feet, running as fast as she could towards the bus and the figure lying in the road.

#163: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 12:54 pm

Fatima, how could you?

#164: Author: keren, Location: Israel

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 1:17 pm

Good idea

#165: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 1:21 pm

Noooooo

Come back, Fatima! Please!

#166: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 1:24 pm

Please let him be OK... Crying or Very sad

#167: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 1:58 pm

FATIMA!!!!!!! Shocked

That's just not fair!

#168: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 2:07 pm

Noooooooooooooo!!

Fatima, come back quickly and tell us that Mark's OK!

Or could it have been Fernando who got run over?

#169: Author: Chalet_school_lover, Location: Gloucester

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 2:36 pm

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!! Shocked

PLEASE PLEASE let him be ok!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#170: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 2:49 pm

Maybe he'll be fine and just have a broken leg and then Rosalie can nurse him back to health and realise that they do have a future together...*keeps fingers tightly crossed*

Kathryn

#171: Author: Rosy, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 4:40 pm

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Fatima - what did you say to the bunny?

*wails*

#172: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 4:49 pm

I think this may be Fernando's revenge - you did say we'd upset him. Please tell him that we are all very sorry and are sending lots of carrots! Then would he like to go away and eat them whilst you tell us Mark is OK and that he and Rosalie are going to live happily ever after? Please?

#173: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 4:59 pm

Fernando is happy with his mischief and is now quiet. Romeo has taken over, so here is a little more for you.

When she reached the scene of the accident, the bus driver was just getting out of the bus and people were beginning to gather round. Rosalie pushed her way through them and dropped to her knees beside Mark. He was just opening his eyes and trying to sit up, but she pushed him gently back down again. "Don't move," she instructed.
An older man came forward and put his jacket under Mark's head. "My wife has gone to call the ambulance," he told them.
"He walked right out in front of me," the bus driver was saying. "He didn't even look before he stepped into the road."
"It's a good thing you were going so slowly," one of the passengers put in.
"I am all right," Mark was saying, still trying to sit up.
"Lie still," Rosalie ordered, looking very cross with him.
"I'm the doctor," he pointed out, but he lay back again.
"Where does it hurt?" she asked him.
"Only here," he told her, putting his hand over his heart. "And that isn't from the accident."
Rosalie shot him a look of despair. "I think you have been very lucky," she told him.
A young lady pushed her way through to the front of the crowd. "I'm a doctor," she said, bending over Mark.
Rosalie noticed how attractive she was, with long, shiny black hair falling half way down her back and a very musical voice. She watched as the doctor took Mark's pulse and quickly ascertained that he was bruised and shocked but not too badly hurt. She then seemed to notice how attractive her patient was, because she started to brush his hair off of his face and Rosalie became aware of a feeling of jealousy welling up inside her. Mark looked beyond the doctor at her and the look he gave her told her that he considered her far more attractive than the doctor.
Before Rosalie could do or say anything, the ambulance arrived, and the crowd quickly dispersed. The ambulance crew efficiently loaded Mark onto a stretcher and carried him into the back of the ambulance. The young doctor was about to get in as well, but Rosalie decided that enough was enough. "It's all right," she said firmly. "You have been very helpful, thank you," and she climbed into the back of the ambulance.
They closed the doors of the ambulance and drove off to the hospital. Once there, Rosalie was obliged to wait while Mark was taken away and given a thorough check up, and she found herself chewing at her nails as she waited, a bad habit that she thought she had long ago conquered. She paced up and down the corridor, unable to sit still, and wondered what she would do if he really was badly hurt. She bit her lip and paced some more, thinking she would soon have to fling open the door of the examination room and go in and see for herself. Surely it should not be taking so long for them to check him over and find that he was unhurt. They would only keep him longer if there was something wrong and they had to treat him for some dreadful injury.
Suddenly the door opened and a short, balding doctor was beckoning to Rosalie. "He is asking for you," he told her.
Rosalie felt her heart sink down almost into her new sandals. People only asked for others to come to their bedside when they were dying. She walked back along the corridor, scarcely daring to breathe. "Is he…?" she began, but she could not finish the sentence.

#174: Author: Rosy, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 5:02 pm

*giggles*

Oh dear.

#175: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 5:02 pm

Surely he is asking for Rosalie because his brush with death has made him realise that he wants them to get married and live happily ever after, and of course it has made her realise the same thing... *looks hopeful*

Thanks Fatima.

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

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 5:37 pm

Oh my god I'm so glad I wasn't left on that cliff! For once I am glad I have to be at school all day!!!

They haave to realise how valuble their loves is now, and Mark must be Rosalie's SLOC forever eternity!

Dear Fernando,
I'm sorry if I upset you. I was only joking when I said you should be adopted. I have a lovely holiday home in Ibiza where you could go and live a relaxing happy life away from all of these awful drabbles.
Emma

Thank-you Fatima and Romeo, for a very good drabble!

#177: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 6:07 pm

Oh huzzah for that!

I bet that attractive doctor was a sneaky CBBer in disguise after the lovely Mark! Very Happy

Thanks Fatima Very Happy

#178: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 6:18 pm

I can't believe how kind I am being, putting you all out of your misery so soon!

"He's going up to the ward soon," the doctor told her. "He's got two cracked ribs and some internal bleeding, nothing too serious, though. We just need to keep an eye on him for a day or two."
He stood aside and let Rosalie into the little room, where Mark was lying on the bed. The doctor left, closing the door behind him, and Rosalie approached the bed, still feeling nervous. Mark smiled up at her and held out his hand. She took it in her own and sat down on the bed in a way that would have brought her a stern rebuke from Matron had that redoubtable lady been present. "Are you going to be all right?" she asked.
"Yes," he reassured her. "I will only be here a while. I feel fine, but the doctor wants to be safe, not sorry. I would have done the same in his position."
"Does it hurt?" she asked him.
"Not very much," he answered. "Rosalie, don't look so worried or I shall start to think that you really do care."
"I do care," she protested, stroking his hair absently, while wondering just how much she did care about him. "What can I do for you?" she asked at length. "Can I get you anything from your hotel? Is there anything you need?"
'Only you,' he thought to himself, but he managed not to say that. "Maybe my clothes tomorrow, if I can leave then," he said.
"I will get them for you," she promised.
He found the key to his room still in his pocket, along with his wallet. "Can you look after this for me, please?" he asked her.
"Of course," she replied, but then she realized that she had left her handbag on the table in the café where they had eaten their lunch. "Oh no!" she exclaimed. "What shall I do? It has my passport and money and everything in it."
"Go back and talk to the waiter," he said practically. "I expect he saw you leave and kept your bag somewhere safe."
"You are right," she agreed. "I will go back there. May I please borrow some money for a taxi?"
"Yes, help yourself," he said with a smile.
The door opened then, and the doctor returned with two porters. "We will take Dr. O'Brien up to the ward now," he told Rosalie. "He will be in ward 7 and visiting is tonight between six and nine."
"Thank you," she said, standing up so that the porters could manoeuvre the bed out of the room. "Good bye, Mark," she said, and she leaned down and lightly kissed his cheek. "I will see you later."
She watched as they wheeled him away, then she left the hospital in search of a taxi. She was lucky to find one quickly and it took her back to the café. At once the waiter recognized her and returned both her handbag and her sunglasses. Rosalie thanked him gratefully and handed him the money for her meal and a tip for taking such good care of her belongings. She was just about to head off to her hotel, when she heard someone calling her name. Turning, she found Alessandro coming towards her.
"Rosalie!" he exclaimed. "I am so sorry to be late. Please don't go. I had a difficult article to write and it had to be finished by the deadline, or we would not have gone to press." Alessandro was a journalist with the local paper, and he also did freelance work for a big national daily paper.
Alessandro sat down at a table near the water and waved imperiously for the waiter. He ordered two martinis and Rosalie sat down with him, feeling quite grateful for the drink after the shock she had just had. Rosalie looked at Alessandro out of the corner of her eye. He was very good looking in a dark Italian way; anyone meeting him would be in no doubt about his nationality. With a shock, though, Rosalie realized that she was not attracted to him at all. Only that morning she had been looking forward to lunch with him and to a delightful holiday romance. Now, all she could think about was the young Irish doctor lying in a hospital bed.
Alessandro was a great talker. He told Rosalie all about his article, and required very little input into the conversation from her. He ordered some food, and persuaded her to eat with him, but once they had finished, Rosalie explained that she was very sorry, but she had found that a good friend had come to Riva and had ended up in the hospital and that she wanted to go and visit him.
"Ah, this Mark that you called me yesterday," Alessandro realized. "He is a very lucky man, Rosalie. And if he ever treats you bad, come back here and find me. Here is my card." He took a business card from his jacket pocket and handed it to her.
"Thank you, Alessandro," she said gratefully.
He gallantly kissed her hand. "Good bye, Bellissima," he said, and Rosalie watched as he walked away.

#179: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 6:34 pm

Glad Alessandro understood!

And yay for Fernando being good! *many carrots for him*

#180: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 8:30 pm

Sends lots of bunny treats for Fernando.

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

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 8:50 pm

Alessandro took that very well.
Get well soon Mark!
Thanks Fatima- this is one of my fav drabbles at the moment. Very Happy

#182: Author: Chalet_school_lover, Location: Gloucester

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 8:55 pm

Phew finally I'm off the cliff! Good Fernando *pats him and feed him many carrots and bunny treats* Thank you Fatima and Romeo!! Very Happy

I hope Mark is well again soon! And then they can get married and live happily ever after! Very Happy

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

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 8:55 pm

Thanks, Fatima. I hope that Rosalie will never to call Alessandro because Mark is treating her bad! I'm glad Mark is ok and I really hope Rosalie will come to her senses soon.

#184: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 9:42 pm

Whew! You had me worried there.

*Pats Fernando on the head. I was only joking.* *Pats Romeo as well in case he gets jealous and won't write any more.*

Thank you Fatima.

#185: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 2:11 am

Thank you everyone for your comments. Fernando has been well and truly appeased and is munching carrots in the garden. Romeo is well and truly back in control now!

With a sigh she set off for her hotel, deciding that she would have a nap before going out to visit Mark in the hospital. She went up to her room and undressed, then lay down on the bed, just pulling a sheet over her, for it was still warm. She though affectionately of Alessandro, who had been very gentlemanly, but it had been the sight of him, along with the memory of seeing Mark lying still in the road, that had made her realize what it was that she really wanted. She really wanted to be with Mark, however young and unsuitable he might be. He had proved his feelings for her more than adequately, firstly by coming after her and secondly by being ready to leave her because that was what she had wanted him to do. Rosalie fell asleep, but was troubled by a nightmare. In her dream she had run over to the bus and found Mark's mangled body lying in the street, and when she awoke she found tears on her cheeks.
After a wash, and wearing clean clothes she felt a little better. She called room service and had some tea and sandwiches sent up and once she had finished them she felt more like herself again. She went out to find a taxi and arrived at the hospital at exactly half past six.
She found ward 7 very easily and entered the ward nervously. She was relieved to find Mark sitting up in his bed, looking very much himself. He had been looking expectantly at the door of the ward and his face brightened as he saw her appear.
"I thought you weren't coming," he told her as she came to sit beside his bed.
"It's only half past six," she pointed out. "I have until nine o'clock."
"But you could have come at six," he said.
"I'm sorry I disappointed you," she said. "How are you feeling now?"
"Fine," he assured her. "I'm a bit bruised, but I suppose you can't get hit by a bus and walk away unscathed."
"What made you do something so silly?" she asked.
"I was just planning to go and pack and catch the first train to Switzerland," he answered. "There is no point in hanging around here now, is there."
"I hope you are not planning on leaving any more," she said, getting up and drawing the curtains around his bed.
"I don't think they will let me go tonight," he said quietly.
Rosalie sat down on the edge of the bed and gently took his face between her hands. "Mark, I am so sorry," she said softly.
As she apologised, Mark felt as though his whole world was falling apart again. He had so hoped that she had come to visit him because she cared about him, not because she felt sorry for him.
"I have been very wrong," she went on. "I do love you and if you are willing to give me another chance, I would like you to stay here and spend some time with me." She watched as he took in what she had said, and when he began to smile, she leaned forward and kissed his lips very gently.
"I'll stay," he said, putting his arms around her and holding her close, not caring that she was leaning on one of his many bruises. "But are you sure?" he asked. "I don't think I can bear being left again."
"I won't be leaving you again," she promised. "It has taken you throwing yourself under a bus to make me realize how I feel about you, and I don't need any more reminders like that to bring me to my senses, thank you."
"Then all this has been worth it," he said.
"Do you mean you did it on purpose?" she demanded.
"No, of course not," he protested. "But I was feeling miserable about being stuck in hospital, all by myself, hardly able to speak Italian, and now I really don't mind at all. Anything is worth it to have you back again."
Rosalie kissed his cheek, and then gently extricated herself from his arms. "I think I should sit by the bed," she remarked. "I know Italy is the land of lovers, but even so, this is a hospital."
Reluctantly he allowed her to sit on the chair beside the bed. "I need you to hold my hand, though," he grumbled.
Rosalie laughed at him, but obligingly moved the chair near enough to the bed for her to take his hand between her own. "Is that better?" she asked with a smile.
"A bit," he conceded. "How long are you going to stay here for?"
"What, in Italy or with you this evening?" she wondered.
"Both, actually," he answered. "Although I really meant in Italy."
"I was going to stay for a fortnight," she replied. "That gives me another nine days. How long can you stay?"
"I have about the same," he said. "It seems so lovely here that I can understand why you love it."
"It's a peaceful place," she told him. "It's as if time passes it by. It is a place where I come to feel relaxed and to get over difficult things in my life."
"Like me," he reminded her.
"Yes, like you," she agreed. "But it didn't work, did it?"
He smiled sweetly at her, his good humour completely restored. "What else will we do while we are here?" he asked. "I've not been to Italy before. Will you show me all the popular tourist places?"
"Not until you are completely well," she answered. "I think we will spend the next few days very quietly."
"And after that?"
"And after that we will see," she said with a smile.

#186: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 9:03 am

Oh good, this sounds more like it! Thanks Fatima.

#187: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 9:43 am

Yay, go Rosalie and Mark!

*hunts in wardrobe for wedding outfit*

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

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 11:44 am

Thanks, Fatima! I am so happy that Rosalie has finally declared her feelings to Mark! I feel like celebrating!

#189: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 12:38 pm

The next day Rosalie got a call from Mark to say that he was going to be allowed out of the hospital after lunch. She went to his hotel and collected some clean clothes for him, but while she was there she realized how impractical it was for them to be so far apart from each other. She decided that she would pack up his things and have his case moved to her hotel, where she would be better able to keep an eye on him. He had not brought much with him, so it did not take her long to have his suitcase packed and to arrange for someone to take it downstairs and into a taxi for her. She paid the bill for him, explaining that he had been admitted to hospital following an accident, and then she went back to her own hotel and arranged a room for him there.
Finally, she went off to the hospital to collect him, knowing how eager he would be to see her and to escape from the hospital. Sure enough, she found him waiting impatiently for her, his discharge papers ready for her to read, since he could not understand enough Italian to make sense of them. While she checked out the paperwork, he got dressed, and then he signed the papers and thanked the doctor for taking care of him. Finally he was able to leave the hospital with Rosalie.
She had asked the taxi to wait for her, knowing that Mark should not be standing around outside for too long, so they were soon being driven back to her hotel. As they were sitting in the back of the taxi, she explained how she had moved him from his hotel to her own, and he was pleased to hear that she had done that. When they reached the hotel they found that his room was opposite hers.
"Perfect," he said, going inside and looking around. "Now you won't worry about me."
"No," she contradicted him. "I shall still worry about you, but I can keep a better eye on you." She opened his suitcase and began to unpack his things for him. "Lie down and rest," she advised. "You still look as if you are in pain."
Mark had a small bottle of painkillers, prescribed by the doctor, in his pocket, but he hoped he would not need them. He sank down onto the bed and watched as she put his clothes away in the wardrobe. Once the room was tidy, she perched on the foot of the bed and unlaced his shoes for him. "I think you should spend the rest of the day here," she told him.
Acknowledging that he did feel rather stiff, Mark consented to having a cover pulled over him. "But you must stay with me, at least until I am asleep," he said.
"I shall stay with you as long as you want me to," she promised. "I will just go and collect my book." A moment later she was back with her book, and he was drawing her down onto the bed at his side. She leaned over him, smoothing his hair and looking down into his eyes, pleased to see that they had regained their twinkle. He reached up and encircled her with his arms, pulling her gently down to him so that he could kiss her. They kissed for a long time then she pulled away from him. "You are supposed to be resting," she reminded him sternly.
"I am resting," he told her with a grin. "No, don't go, Rosalie. I promise I will behave."
She smiled down at him and resumed her attentions to his hair. He closed his eyes, and was soon asleep. Rosalie lay beside him for a long while, just looking at him and trying to get used to the fact that he was hers now, and she was his. Despite everything, they were going to be together. She leaned over and lightly kissed the corner of his mouth, and then she stood up and went over to the balcony door. His room had a tiny balcony, just big enough for her to take a chair out onto and sit with her book. She looked out across the red rooftops, for his balcony did not have a lake view as hers did, and found that she felt very content. She had finally found herself a wonderful man and could resign herself to his age. After all, no one was perfect and she now considered that his imperfection was a pretty minor one.
She turned her attention to her book and was soon completely oblivious to everything but the story. When she felt a hand on her shoulder she almost jumped out of her skin. Turning, she found Mark standing beside her, his dark hair tousled, but otherwise looking much as usual. "How do you feel now?" she asked him.
"I'm ok," he told her. "But I am hungry. Shall we go out and get some dinner?"
"If you like," she answered, satisfied that he actually did look all right. "I'll just go and change."
She returned to her own room and changed into a pretty summer dress then she slipped on her new sandals and brushed out her hair. A knock on the door heralded the arrival of Mark, who came in and stood by the window, looking out at the lake. Rosalie sprayed herself with perfume, the very scent that Mark had noticed her wearing when he had first met her. Ready at last, she went to stand by the window with him. He put his arm around her shoulders and sighed happily.
"Where are you taking me for dinner?" he asked.
"Somewhere nearby," she answered, deciding that the hotel restaurant would be far enough for him that evening. They went downstairs and although he was disappointed at being taken such a short distance, he soon realized that the food in the restaurant was so good that it more than made up for eating so close to home.
After a lovely dinner they went back to their rooms, spending a long time on the landing between the two doors kissing and whispering and giggling, until they reluctantly decided it was time to part. Rosalie gave Mark strict instructions to call her at any time of the night if he did not feel well, then she gave him a final kiss and disappeared into her own room. She heard his door close, too, and began to get ready for bed. As she changed she wondered how long she would be able to keep him at arm's length at night, and she wondered how long she would actually want to.

#190: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 12:41 pm

Lovely

I want them to be happy forever please Fatima (and Romeo)

#191: Author: Róisín, Location: Vancouver for now

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 1:30 pm

Have finally caught up! Brilliant Fatima, thank you. I'm so sorry for Rosalie that she feels so constrained by chaletland society that she was going to actually leave Mark. Maybe now that they're away from it all they'll see that they can be together no matter what anyone else thinks. *hopes*

#192: Author: nell guesting,

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 1:53 pm

Finally I've caught up and I missed all those nasty cliffs! Thank you Fatima!

#193: Author: Chalet_school_lover, Location: Gloucester

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 5:15 pm

Lovely!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so glad they both saw sense! Very Happy

Thank you sooo much Fatima and Romeo!! Very Happy

#194: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 5:30 pm

The next few days were among the happiest of Rosalie's life. As Mark felt better she showed him some of her favourite walks in the area. They took a boat ride on the lake and drank coffee at little cafés overlooking the water. They talked endlessly and got to know everything about each other. Rosalie explained her jealousy over the attentions of the doctor who had rushed to help him that day in the street and then admitted that she had been waiting to meet Alessandro on the day Mark had appeared so suddenly at her table. If Mark was upset by her revelations, he did not show it; he was so happy to be spending all his time with her that he was not bothered by anything that she had in her past.
As their holiday drew to a close, they went shopping to buy souvenirs and little gifts for some of their friends on the Platz. The choice of shops was limited, but Rosalie found a pretty little watercolour of the lake which she bought to hang on her bedroom wall as a reminder of the wonderful time she had spent there with Mark. She found a vase that she thought Hilda would like and a lovely bookmark for Jo. Finally, when Mark had slipped out of the shop, claiming to be bored, she found another watercolour of the town which she bought for him.
When she found Mark again, he was sitting on the wall, overlooking the lake, gazing unseeingly into the distance. She went quietly over to him and sat next to him, waiting for him to notice her because she did not wish to shock him out of his reverie. Finally he turned and smiled at her. "Sorry," he said. "I was thinking."
"It's sad to be leaving, isn't it," she agreed.
"Very sad," he said. "Rosalie, while we were shopping I found this." He took a little box from his pocket and opened it, revealing a lovely sapphire engagement ring. "I wondered if you would like to wear it."
Rosalie looked up, into his eyes, which were the exact same colour as the beautiful jewel in the ring.
"Will you marry me?" he asked, sure now that he had her full attention.
"What a silly question," she said with a little laugh. "Of course I will marry you, Mark."
Mark took the ring out of the box and slipped it onto her finger, relieved to find that it fitted her perfectly. "I can't believe it," he said, keeping her hand in his own and tracing intricate patterns on her palm with the tip of his finger.
She smiled up at him, hardly able to believe it herself. She had run to Italy to avoid a relationship with Mark, yet would be returning to Switzerland as his fiancée. Only a fortnight ago she had decided that she did not want him to play any part in her life, and now she was finding it impossible to imagine her life without him. He had become a dear friend in the few short weeks that she had known him and the idea of spending the rest of her life with him seemed so sensible.
Mark, too, was thrilled. He had found himself loving her more with each hour he spent in her company. She was clever and amusing, able to be serious or witty or just a comfort to him. He was a hopeless romantic and she kept his feet firmly on the floor with her common sense and practicality, yet she still managed to make him feel starry eyed and dreamy.

#195: Author: Róisín, Location: Vancouver for now

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 5:34 pm

Wonderful Fatima thank you. My mind is at rest now Very Happy

#196: Author: Chalet_school_lover, Location: Gloucester

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 6:02 pm

Yay! Finally!!! They can go home and have a lovely wedding!!! Very Happy

Thank you sooo much Fatima, this is lovely!! Very Happy

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

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 6:43 pm

Aww so gorgeous and romantic Fatima! I just knew that I could hear wedding bells. Very Happy

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

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 6:43 pm

Aww so gorgeous and romantic Fatima! I just knew that I could hear wedding bells. Very Happy

#199: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 6:45 pm

That evening they went to the best restaurant in the town to celebrate their engagement in style. They dressed in their best finery and walked hand in hand to the restaurant then sat opposite one another, oblivious to everything except their own happiness. Mark ordered champagne and they toasted each other and then they feasted on some of the best spaghetti that they had ever tasted. Afterwards, they went back to the hotel for the last time, for they were returning to Switzerland the following day.
As they walked up the stairs to their rooms, Rosalie suggested that Mark might like to come in and have a nightcap. He agreed, so they went into her room and she called room service to order two glasses of amaretto. They stood by the window to wait for them to arrive, looking out at the lake, now a mass of darkness with little pinpricks of light around the shores. The sky was glistening with stars and a huge golden moon seemed to be hanging over the lake. It was a perfectly beautiful evening, just right for an engagement.
Mark wrapped his arms around Rosalie, holding her closely and lightly kissing her hair. "Did I mention how much I love you?" he asked her.
"No," she said with a laugh. "Not in the last ten minutes, anyhow."
"I am so happy," he said unnecessarily.
She turned in his arms, reaching up to put her arms around his neck. "So am I," she said softly.
A knock on the door heralded the arrival of room service, bearing two glasses of their liqueur. They took the glasses and toasted each other again, then sipped the fiery liquid. They went out onto the balcony then, standing close together and sipping their drinks, both wistfully thinking of the journey ahead of them, back to Switzerland and their normal lives. No more long days spent enjoying each other's company, coming and going as they wished, talking and touching, celebrating their togetherness after nearly losing one another. Instead he would have to work long hours at the San and she would have to knuckle down to the many jobs awaiting her on her return. They would be reduced to snatching odd moments here and there, brief phone calls and occasional days when they could actually spend time together.
"But it will be all right," he said at last, "Because even if I don't see you, you will know that I am thinking of you."
"I know," she said, "But it will be strange, not seeing you all the time. I shall miss you so much."
"And I will miss you." Mark kissed her then, and they stood for a long time in the moonlight, clasped in a tight embrace. Finally the nearby church clock chimed midnight. "I think it's time I left," he said, taking her back inside and making sure the shutters were closed.
"Don't go," she said softly.
Mark stopped with his hand on the door handle. "I really should," he answered.
Rosalie went over and took his hand, drawing him back to her again. "Please stay." She looked up into his dark eyes, seeing that he needed no more persuading. She slowly began to unbutton his shirt, as he leaned down to kiss her. They moved over to the bed and as she leaned over him, she saw the ugly bruises he still had from the accident. They had obviously faded a lot, but still looked angry and sore. "Oh, Mark," she breathed, "why didn't you say something? Every time I have touched you I have obviously hurt you."
"They look a lot worse than they feel," he assured her. "Rosalie, are you sure about this?"
"Yes," she said with quiet conviction.

He stayed with her until the first light of the dawn came creeping through the shutters.

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

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 7:10 pm