A Change of Career
The CBB -> Starting again at Sarres...
#1: A Change of Career Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 7:38 am

Nell Wilson swallowed the last quarter-inch of Scotch in her glass, and got up to look out of the window.
“Quiet, isn’t it, Hilda?”
“Now that they’ve all gone? Yes, it is.”
“Must say, I never expected it to come to this – not after all this time.”
“True Nell, but the writing has been on the wall for the last eighteen months or so, and I can’t say that I’m really surprised.”
“Me neither, I suppose – not once I got a good look at the books, and saw just how parlous the whole enterprise was – what’s the matter?”
“Your English,” said Hilda Annersley resignedly. “I expect that we’ll soon need a translator to understand one another – don’t you stick your tongue out at me, Nell Wison!” Nell chuckled, then fell to contemplating her glass.
“It’s a bit low-tidish around here, Hilda!”
“For Heaven’s sake, woman, get yourself a refill – and one for me while you’re about it.”
Nell laughed and following Hilda’s directions, poured herself another generous Scotch, and provided Hilda with a brandy of similar proportions, which that lady took with slightly raised eyebrows,
“Well, we don’t have to worry about disturbing parental sensibilities now, Hilda, said Nell defensively,
“True,” Hilda agreed. “Ok, Nell, what’s on your mind?”
“Well, I was wondering whether you’d given my suggestion any further consideration?”
“And which suggestion might that be?”
“ The one I made yesterday – you know perfectly well what I’m talking about, so don’t pretend otherwise!” Hilda smiled, then suddenly became serious.
“Yes, I have Nell, and it certainly has its merits, there’s no denying it – although I have identified one possible problem, but we’ll come to that later. I take it that we would still bring Gwynneth in with us?”
“Lord, yes, Hilda. She’s expressed interest in running a specialist department; it’s not anything that I know much about, but I can see that it would be quite a useful addition. And anyway, she belongs with us – plus she hasn’t anything much beyond her Chalet School pension, and the future of that doesn’t look too good, although that new consortium is trying to ensure that there’s enough to at least meet some of the pensions.”
“I didn’t know she was as badly off as that! What about you, Nell? How are your finances – if you don’t mind me asking?
“No, I don’t mind. The answer is: in pretty good shape, all things considered. I wouldn’t have made that suggestion, otherwise. And I know that yours are ok.”
“And just how have you come by that information, Miss Wilson? I had rather assumed that certain things are private.”
“True,” said Nell equably, “but you do have a tendency to leave letters on your desk ... and I do have a certain facility in reading upside down. Glad to see your investments are doing so well – though I’d watch that mining company if I were you.”
“Really?” asked Hilda, intrigued, and reaching for a piece of paper and a pen. “Why?”
“They’re claiming a lot for something operating in that sort of terrain, and I’ve noticed a spectacular rise in their stock lately. When did you buy?”
“Two years ago; do you think I should sell?
“Well, I would, but it’s up to you of course -”
“Hah!”
“- and by the way, aren’t we rather off the point?”
“Not at all, Nell. Having sufficient money to start with is crucial; getting a loan for this venture could be rather difficult – especially given our age and unmarried status. And I can see that our initial outlay could be rather high: after all a certain standard would be expected of us.”
Both women fell silent, contemplating the various pros and cons of Nell’s suggestion. Hilda was the first to speak again;
“Do you have any ideas about how we’d organise our duties?”
Nell nodded eagerly. “Well, apart from her specific area of expertise, I’d rather envisaged Gwynneth managing the day-to-day domestic issues involved in running the place. I’d be responsible for the business administration side of things – salaries, tax, banking, and the like – all that has to be scrupulous, you know –
“And what about me?”
“Oh Hilda, as if you need to ask! That air of serene dignity, plus your ability to persuade others to fall in with your decisions: they’ll be invaluable to you in your role as the public face of the establishment. Besides, you’re so elegant and well-presented – and that will be essential to us in establishing just the right range of clients.”
“It does sound as if we each have an opportunity to use our skills,” said Hilda slowly.
“Absolutely: besides we do know that there’s definitely a demand for this - and if we pay decent salaries, offer health care and pension plans, we should have no difficulties in attracting a really high calibre of staff, and that means we’ll start making a profit reasonably fast.”
“And how will our profits will be divided?”
“Put a quarter straight back into the place, and divide the rest equally.” Hilda nodded,
“Yes, that seems acceptable. But there is one point you haven’t touched on and it could be difficult to settle; just where are we going to set up?” Nell chewed her lip in some perplexity.
“I’m honestly not sure, Hilda. Switzerland is spectacular, and has the convenience that we’re already here, but -”
“But Switzerland is very expensive, plus it doesn’t have quite the ambience that we would require.”
“England?”
“Too cold and damp.”
“Holland?”
“You have got to be joking, Nell!” There was another period of quiet, then,
“What about Italy – say Milan?”
“That’s rather an idea, Hilda. The weather’s tolerable, it’s a beautiful city, and we wouldn’t be moving too far. And I’m certain that what we’re offering will definitely be appreciated. We’d better look closely at that as an option. Now, is there anything that we haven’t considered as yet?”
“Staff?”
“That might be a problem to start with,” said Nell thoughtfully. “I mean, it’ll be difficult to convey just what we want in an advertisement. Do you have any ideas of how we might manage?” Hilda leaned back in her chair, her arms folded across her chest and considered a spot on the wall with some concentration. After about a minute’s intense thought, she spoke,
“We do have a number of European contacts – well, obviously, we do, after the years we’ve been here. Perhaps we could get in touch with some of the Old Girls here, let them know what we’re looking for, and take it from there. I expect that once we’re up and running, word of mouth will get us the rest of the staff that we’re looking for.” Nell nodded her agreement, and took a sip of her whisky,
“You know, Hilda, this could be rather fun, you know! After all, we have been here for a long time now, and working solely for ourselves will make a nice change.” Hilda smiled and lifted her brandy glass,
“Here’s to us, Nell. May our new careers go from strength to strength!”
“To us,” echoed Nell, raising her own glass. Hilda took a sip of brandy, then lowered her glass, a slight air of perplexity apparent.
“There is just one thing I’d like to know Nell; what on earth first gave you the idea for this?” Nell grinned.
“Oh, it was what the girls called you, Hilda.”
“What?”
“ Yes, I mean, it was obvious, once I found out that in the eighteenth century, a woman who ran a brothel was nicknamed an Abbess!”

 

#2:  Author: Squirrel, Location: St-Andrews or Dunfermline PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 7:47 am

Laughing Thanks for the repost Cath

 

#3:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 8:57 am

Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing

You're very wicked Cath - the problem is I can see it now!

 

#4:  Author: Mrs Redboots, Location: London, UK PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:02 am

I hadn't read that first time around, so thank you for a Monday-morning belly-laugh.

 

#5:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Coventry PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:18 am

fantastic!

 

#6:  Author: Elder in Ontario, Location: Ontario, Canada PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 3:08 pm

I remember this from its first posting, Cath - but thanks for reposting it - it gave me my much-needed Monday morning laughter fix!! The mind boggles!

 

#7:  Author: Kat,  PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 4:04 pm

ROFL Thank you Cath! What a fab idea... Twisted Evil

 

#8:  Author: Alice, Location: London, England PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:31 pm

I knew it!!!

 

#9:  Author: Le Petite Em, Location: Cheltenham PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 8:07 pm

Laughing Brilliant!!
Thanks Cath Very Happy

 

#10:  Author: Rosy, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 8:10 pm

this made me giggle the first time around, and it's even better again. Cheers Cath!

 

#11:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:13 pm

Laughing Laughing
Think I missed this first time around!

Thanks Cath, hilarious.

 

#12:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London PostPosted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:19 pm

I seem to remember it... Very Happy

 

#13:  Author: LL, Location: madpanicaaaarghmove, London PostPosted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 2:51 pm

*giggles*
Oh thanks Cath!

 

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