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#1: Letters from Oxford (08/06) Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 12:59 pm
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I hope this is okay in here, feel free to move if not! This is a sort of 'What if...' inspired by a comment of Alison H's in the thread about Ted at Oxford.

Comments, as ever, are welcomed. There will probably be a lot of EBDism etc in this as I am just writing this off the top of my head. Also apologies if this ground has been covered before!

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'Len! Len!' Con's voice echoed through Freudesheim. 'Papa's here!'

Len flew down the stairs, her long chestnut hair streaming behind her in a manner that was most undignified for someone of her age, let alone the Head Girl of the Chalet School.

She threw herself into her father's arms as he opened the front door, closely followed by Con who had emerged from the study where she had been keeping guard.

In recent days the weather had been so bad that the postman had not been able to reach Freudsheim leaving Len and Con in a state of agonized anticipation. Jack had finally taken mercy on them and volunteered to brave the winter storms to collect the mail from the post office.

'Are they here Papa?' Len asked excitedly, barely able to control herself.

'Calm down Len, otherwise it will be bed for the rest of the afternoon.' Although Jack spoke sternly, his eyes were twinkling and Len responded my sticking out her tongue.

'That was ladylike!' Jack grinned at his two eldest daughters.

'Please stop teasing us Papa!' Con spoke for the first time and Jack took pity on them.

'Here you are my dears. Good luck to both of you. Whatever happens, don't forget how proud your mother and I are of you both.'

He handed each of the girls an envelope postmarked Oxford and discreetly withdrew from the hallway. Len and Con stood facing each other, clutching their envelopes, unsure of what to do next.

'On the count of three?' Suggested Len after a moment and Con nodded her assent.

'One...two...three' said Len.

Last edited by KathrynW on Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:19 pm; edited 5 times in total

#2: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 1:04 pm
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Ooh, that was the first inspirational thing I've done in ages, then!

I kind of hope that Con gets in but Len doesn't - is that a really nasty thing to say Embarassed

#3: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 1:14 pm
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Great minds... Wink

------------------------------------------------------------

Con ripped open the envelope. Her hands were trembling as she unfolded the single piece of paper.

'Dear Miss Maynard,

We are delighted...'

That was all she needed to read. She had done it, she had really done it! All her hard work had paid off, she would be able to go to Oxford next year with Len. She finally looked up from the piece of paper, ready to celebrate with Len.

At once Con knew that something was wrong and her dark eyes clouded with concern. She took a step towards her sister,

'Len?'

Len looked up from the letter, her eyes filled with tears. Without saying a word, she screwed the paper up into a ball and ran out the front door.

'Len! Wait!' Con called after her but to no avail.

#4: Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 1:15 pm
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More, more!

Thanks Kathryn, this looks great.

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

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 1:15 pm
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Oh dear!

Thanks, Kathryn - looking forward to more Very Happy

#6: Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 1:22 pm
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You can't leave it there, my dear! Shocked

Thank you. *Grr*

#7: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 1:40 pm
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More please. And if you can inspire me for the next stage of my russell universe, AlisonH, or anyone, please do so.

#8: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 1:53 pm
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Oooh thanks Kath!

#9: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 2:13 pm
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Oh, poor Len if she hasn't got it. Now we need to know, though, please Kathryn!

#10: Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 2:14 pm
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Ooh, thank you Kathryn! Please enlighten us soon!

#11: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 3:48 pm
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This was actually meant to be short... Laughing

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

She sat down heavily on the bottom step and picked up the crumbled letter, smoothing it out.

'Dear Miss Maynard,

We are sorry to inform you that we are not able to offer you a place at St Hilda's. Although we were very impressed with your application, there was a large number of strong candidates this year...'

Con could hardly believe the words that she was reading. Maybe there had been a stupid mistake and the letters had got mixed up. Surely she should have been rejected, not Len? She checked her own letter once more. No. It was definitely written by the tutor who had interviewed her. She had definitely been accepted.

She was still sitting there when Joey came out of the sitting room, having left it, she felt, a suitably long time. She sat down next to Con and put her arm around her daughter.

'Oh Connie, I'm so sorry. But there are other universities. Maybe Oxford wasn't the right place for you anyway.'

Con shook off her mother's arm.

'It's not me Mama, it's Len.'

She showed her mother the letter.

'Oh my poor Len.' Joey's eyes widened in shock. 'Where is she?'

'I don't know' Con shrugged miserably. 'She just went out the front door without saying anything.'

'In this weather?! My poor baby. I'm going to go after her.'

Joey stood up at once and grabbed her thick coat and shawl from its hook near the front door.

'Joey? Where on earth are you going?'

Jack came out of the study.

'It's Len, Jack. She was rejected by Oxford. I've got to find her.'

#12: Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 3:52 pm
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So Con should just pull herself together and get over it, but for Len Joey has to risk life and limb (again) rushing out in the snow to comfort her "Baby" (I know they take some child prodigies, but I've never heard of Oxford taking a baby!)?

Grr!

Thanks Kathyrn, impressed at your posting rate.

#13: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 3:53 pm
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Oh poor Len (even though I did say I wanted her to get turned down!).

Still, maybe it'll all work out for the best - I'm sure she'll get in somewhere else, and hopefully she'll meet a really lovely lad there and dump Reg Laughing

!

Typical that Joey assumed that it was Con who'd been turned down!

#14: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 3:58 pm
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I actually feel a bit sorry for poor old Len! Hope she doesn't come down with double pneumonia, etc

Thanks Kathryn

#15: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 4:04 pm
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But a letter addressed to 'Miss Maynard' and being read by Con - not unreasonable for Jo to think that it was Con's letter. I hope Len's all right. Thanks, Kathryn.

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

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 5:03 pm
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Ooooh please let Ted get in!

I think Len must be the first CS girl Oxford's ever rejected.

Thanks Kathryn

#17: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 7:06 pm
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Wonder why she was rejected? After all she's supposed to be fantastically clever etc etc.

Bit annoying for Con that Joey automatically assumed that Con had bad news.

Thanks Kathryn.

#18: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 8:42 pm
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Yes, it was the assumption that Con hadn't got in and Len must have that annoyed me.

#19: Author: Rosy-Jess, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 9:13 pm
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Jennie wrote:

Yes, it was the assumption that Con hadn't got in and Len must have that annoyed me.

Me too.

Poor Len though. It's never nice.

#20: Author: Róisín,

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 11:48 pm
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I think Jo might have spared ten seconds of praise and congratulations for her second triplet daughter. Grrr.

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

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 12:10 am
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Yes Con did get left there didn't she? And I was annoyed by Jo's assumption that she was the one who hadn't got in. Poor Len, though.

#22: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 12:10 am
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I never intended Joey to be so unthinking, she just seemed to do it all of her own accord! Mind you, I also intended this to be a 2 post drabble and it's already longer than that so what do I know!

As for Len being rejected, it was partly inspired by what happened at my school when our Head Girl (excellent academic record, 4A predictions, lots of extra-curricular stuff) was rejected from Oxford. It was a real surprise to us all but you can never really tell what's going on in the heads of the interviewers sometimes!

--------------------------------------------------

She was out the front door before Jack could stop her. Jack turned to see Con flying up the stairs, a sob escaping from her as she went. He bent down to pick up the letters that she had dropped in her haste. He read Len's letter first.

'Poor girl,' he said to himself. 'But she's made of strong stuff. I hope.'

Suddenly he bolted up the stairs, calling for Con as he went. As get approached her room, he heard the unmistakable sound of crying. He knocked before pushing the door open a crack.

'Con, can I come in?'

She nodded.

'Oh Con, I'm so proud of you. I read your letter. You're going to Oxford, old thing!' His matter of fact way of putting matters halted Con's tears.

'But what about Len?'

'I'm sure that Len will be happy for you Con, it's just been a bit of a shock for her. That's all. Leave your mother to have a word with her, she'll sort her out.'

'How can I be happy though, when Len's so disappointed?' Her voice almost broke Jack's heart.

'You worked hard for this Con and you deserve to be successful. I'm so proud of you Connie.'

'But it won't be the same without Len.'

'Of course it won't. It will be very different. You're going to have to be very brave and stand on your own two feet. But you're not a spineless jellyfish are you? Make the most of this opportunity, Con, and you'll have the time of your life, I promise you that.'

#23: Author: Róisín,

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 12:22 am
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SQUEE I'm the first to catch the brand new update Very Happy

Good for Jack! Poor Con, feeling nervous about setting out on her own - she'll be fine - you'll see to that, won't you Kathryn? Wink

Oh and don't tell *me* about one post drabbles turning into epics... Evil or Very Mad

#24: Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 1:12 am
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Kathryn wrote:

you can never really tell what's going on in the heads of the interviewers sometimes!

How very true.

Poor Len, and what a shame that Con can't take pleasure in her success. Good for Jack, though.

I'm afraid one's grown up children are always one's babies when they're hurting!

#25: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 2:52 am
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It's hard on both of them. Sad

Jack is very good here. Smile

And Jo's not so bad. After all, the evidence -- Con upset, sitting on steps staring at "Dear Miss Maynard" letter -- would have been hard for anyone to interpret as "Len didn't get in."

Any more, Kathryn? (hint, hint)

#26: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 3:39 am
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Tara wrote:

Kathryn wrote:

you can never really tell what's going on in the heads of the interviewers sometimes!

How very true.

Poor Len, and what a shame that Con can't take pleasure in her success. Good for Jack, though.

I'm afraid one's grown up children are always one's babies when they're hurting!

We used to joke that they threw them down the stairs and the ones that went furthest got in.

#27: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 6:26 am
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Well done Jack - just what Con needed to hear. Appreciate Joey could make the mistake - but she could at least have said congratulations to Con before rushing off.

Oh and those drabbles that start off as just one post? Yep, know all about them! Rolling Eyes

Thanks Kathryn.

#28: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 7:46 am
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Well said Jack. What an awkward situation for everyone.

#29: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 9:53 am
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Thanks for the update Kathryn, hope this is going to be a long drabble!

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

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 10:04 am
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I'm glad Jack went to congratulate Con

Thanks, Kathryn

#31: Author: Joan the Dwarf, Location: Er, where am I?

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 10:22 am
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KathrynW wrote:

As for Len being rejected, it was partly inspired by what happened at my school when our Head Girl (excellent academic record, 4A predictions, lots of extra-curricular stuff) was rejected from Oxford. It was a real surprise to us all but you can never really tell what's going on in the heads of the interviewers sometimes!

Probably that they have to decide between a dozen candidates who all have excellent academic records and oodles of As and only have six places.

Perhaps Len's interviewer realised that she was the produce of being spoon-fed and micro-managed (don't even Prefects have set prep periods??) and that she would find a university environment difficult. Whereas Con has the imagination to tackle university-level work and excel at it.

(I can imagine Con as becoming a literary writer and then writing wittily and movingly about the strange environment of her childhood!)

#32: Author: Elle, Location: Peterborough

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 10:56 am
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Ohhh!

I am liking this very much! Thank you.

*Starts muttering for more as it seems a bit early to chant*

#33: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 11:06 am
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I'm really enjoying this, I wonder if Len would have been so upset if it had been Con who had been rejected and she who had got in though...

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

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 11:55 am
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Good to see Jack congratulating Con - and poor Len, she must feel so devastated.

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

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 3:24 pm
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Oh good for Jack!

Thanks Kathryn

#36: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 3:25 pm
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Jack was really nice there, but I can see why Jo ran off after Len; goodness knows what she's up to, disappearing like that! Rolling Eyes

Thanks, Kathryn.

#37: Author: Elisabeth,

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 4:40 pm
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I'm very much sorrier for Con than for Len - it's much harder being disappointed for someone close to you than for yourself. Poor everyone. Jack is really lovely and slocy here.

Thanks, Kathryn

Last edited by Elisabeth on Wed Jun 07, 2006 5:32 pm; edited 1 time in total

#38: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 7:06 pm
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Unless something very odd happens, this will *not* be a long drabble. It was merely meant to be a snapshot and the Maynards at Oxford has been done many times before by people much more talented than me!

Thank you for all the lovely comments Very Happy

----------------------------------------------------

Jack heard the sound of the front door opening and closing and tentative footsteps on the stairs. There was a knock at the door and Len slipped in. Jack took a look at her tear-stained face and murmured his excuses, joining Joey outside the bedroom.

'Where did you find her?' Jack whispered in a low tone

'She was just wondering around outside. My poor lamb, I just wish that I could go through this for them. How's Con? Is she disappointed too?'

'I think so. But I tried to make her see that she'll have a good time with or without Len.'

'What on earth do you mean Jack?'

'Well, at Oxford, I mean.'

'At Oxford?'

'Yes at Oxford, Joey. What's wrong with you today?'

'But...'

Joey was stunned into silence and the light suddenly dawned on Jack.

'You idiot Joey. Con was offered a place!'

#39: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 7:22 pm
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So Joey thought Con had also been rejected? I wonder why? Could she not consider that, if Len were rejected, that Con might be accepted? Not very impressive, Joey.

Glad Len hadn't gone far.

Thanks Kathryn.

#40: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 8:53 pm
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In some ways it must be even worse for Len that she's the one everyone seems to expect to "succeed" Sad

#41: Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 9:20 pm
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Jack has been splendid, and maybe now Jo will give Con some much needed praise. But poor Len....

Thanks, Kathryn

#42: Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 10:32 pm
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Jack wrote:

'You idiot Joey.

well quite.

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

Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 1:13 am
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Poor Len indeed. but oh, Joey! And for heaven's sake, make sure that you're enthusiastic over Con's success; she does deserve it even though your first impulse is to comfort Len.

#44: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 10:39 am
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Oh dear, poor Len. Sad

Thanks Kathryn, this is great.

#45: Author: JayB, Location: SE England

Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 11:11 am
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I wonder if someone dropped a hint that Con might do better if she wasn't always in her sisters' shadow. And that Len would be better off, too, if she didn't have anyone around she felt responsible for. Hilda wouldn't do that - would she?

Jay B.

#46: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 11:35 am
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I hope Joey feels ashamed of herself for automatically assuming that Con won't have a place!

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

Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 12:01 pm
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Hope Len can be pleased for Con, even though she's disappointed.

Thanks, Kathryn.

#48: Author: Róisín,

Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 1:23 pm
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Joey is so dense *pokes her*

#49: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 1:54 pm
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Good for Con! Although I have to feel sorry for Len. I wonder which university she'll end up in. Thanks Kathryn.

#50: Author: pim, Location: Hemel Hempstead

Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 3:13 pm
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Róisín wrote:

*pokes her*

*joins in*

Hurrah for Con, but poor Len. This is great, thanks Kathryn.

#51: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 4:04 pm
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But one can never have too much of Len and Con, or only Con, in Oxford!
*sends more bunny food*
Thanks, Kathryn.

#52: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:19 pm
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Teeny weeny bit to round it off Very Happy

I'm trying to ignore all the little ideas that reading your lovely comments has given me... Laughing

--------------------------------------------------------

Inside the bedroom, Con spoke first.

'I'm so sorry Len, I wanted the two of us to go to Oxford together. I can't believe you won't be there. It doesn't seem fair.'

'It is fair Con, I know how much you wanted this.'

'But you wanted it too.'

'I did. I still do.'

Len gazed out the window at the mountains. How often had she imagined Oxford's gleaming spires there? Too often. She couldn't believe that her future really lay elsewhere. With a sad shake of her head she turned back to Con.

'Just promise me one thing Con.'

'Anything.'

'Just have a wonderful time.'

#53: Author: JayB, Location: SE England

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:24 pm
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Aaah - lovely Len! And I hope Con does have a lovely time and doesn't waste time feeling guilty because Len isn't there.

Jay B.

#54: Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:28 pm
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What a nice Len. Thanks Kathryn. Are you sure there's no more?

*feeds bunnies lots*

#55: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 8:04 pm
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Awww lovely Len!
*Packs a hamper of bunny treats and sends them in Kathryn's direction!*

#56: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 8:31 pm
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I really think we need to know what Len's going to do while Con's at Oxford. Will she have a place somewhere else, or just give up and get hitched to Reg?

*sends more bunny treats*

#57: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 9:22 pm
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Fatima wrote:

I really think we need to know what Len's going to do while Con's at Oxford. Will she have a place somewhere else, or just give up and get hitched to Reg?

Thanks Kathryn, but please write some more so that we know that Len doesn't just stay on the Platz and marry Reg Evil or Very Mad

#58: Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 9:48 pm
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You're not really going to leave it there, are you, Kathryn? Shocked

Len was lovely to Con once she had got over her disappointment.

Thank you.

#59: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 8:37 am
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Len was lovely there, but I desperately want to poke Jo, hard.

#60: Author: Róisín,

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 11:44 am
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Good for Len. Best way she could deal with it - most 'healthy' as EBD would say. *feeds bunnies* More please!

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

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 12:06 pm
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Well done, Len - that can't have been easy for her.

Thanks, Kathryn Very Happy

#62: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 12:19 pm
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Thanks, Kathryn. I hope there will be more of this. I'm disappointed for Len but I'm pleased for Con as well.

#63: Author: pim, Location: Hemel Hempstead

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 12:20 pm
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Awwwwwwww, glad Len could say that to Con Very Happy

Thanks, Kathryn.

#64: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 12:24 pm
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Good for Len.

Thanks Kathryn. Smile

Really enjoyed this. Very Happy

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

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 4:18 pm
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Glad Len said that.

Thanks Kathryn

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