The CBB :: View topic - Jack Maynard, OBE 14/4

#1: Jack Maynard, OBE 14/4 Author: tiffinata, Location: melbourne, australia

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 4:30 am

Thought it was time to start posting something short and new!

Set after 'New Beginnings'

‘Posty’! Yodelled Stephen Maynard as he dumped the heavy sack down on the dining table.

There was a sound from the second floor resembling an avelanche as his brothers and sisters came tumbling down the stairs.

All the ‘at home’ members of the Maynard family were home for the Christmas holidays.

Con and Roger had been safely married a fortnight before, just after school had broken up and were off on their honeymoon at Tiernsee. Len and Reg Entwistle were comfortably set up in their own chalet a little further along the Platz. The Richardsons would return to stay with the Entwistles in time for Christmas.

Joey Maynard was catching up on her morning correspondence in her study.
It was less that 12 months since her near-fatal accident and she had made a remarkable recovery. She was still unnaturally pale and weak, but good food and tender loving care were going a long way towards restoring her towards health.

However Joey Maynard would never be the same again.

She was no longer agile, nor would she ever be totally free of pain. However the biggest difference was her appearance.
During the dark days when it was unsure if she would pull through her hair had been cut and was now worn in a short almost mannish style.

But, as Joey realised, she was lucky. God had smiled kindly upon her and her family.

Len and Reg had confided a secret to her a few days before. Her reaction to hearing the news was Joeyan in the extreme- ‘Well crisp me in a frying pan!’ she had exclaimed.

Joey was indeed looking forward to the arrival of her first grandchild and for the first time there was a slight spring in her step as she emerged from the study.

‘Where’s Pa?’
Joey sighed. She still hated it when the boys used this particular short.
“Need you ask? He can pick up his letters when he gets back from the San. He should be back before lunch’

Stephen doled out the mail. Jack had the Lion’s share as usual and Joey came a close second. There were letters for all, including a postcard for the babies from Con and Roger.

Joey flipped idly through hers.
There was the usual assortment of letters from her publishers, charities asking for money and friends wondering how she was.

An unusual envelope caught her attention.

'Mrs Josephine Mary Bettany Maynard'

It was embossed with the coat of arms of Britain and was a cream colour. It felt like silk in her hands. ‘ ER?’ she wondered. ‘Emergency Room’ Why would someone send her an envelope with this on it. She was sure that Jack would have paid her hospital bills. Curiosity got the better of her. As she read her eyes opened wider and wider.

She let out a shriek. ‘oh my goodness!! I don’t believe it!!’ Joey babbled incoherently.

Last edited by tiffinata on Fri Apr 14, 2006 7:51 am; edited 2 times in total

#2: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 5:25 am

Wonderful! I'm really enjoying this already, thanks, Tiffinata. I do feel sad to think that

Tiffinata wrote:

Joey Maynard would never be the same again.

It's understandable, though, after such an accident.

#3: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 6:40 am

Thanks Andrea - it's lovely to see new drabbles after the attack of the nasty hackers Evil or Very Mad

#4: Author: Identity Hunt, Location: UK

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 7:04 am

Oooh !
More please !!!

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

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 7:08 am

Ooooh. More please! This looks fabbity.

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

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 7:26 am

Like this 'new beginning!' - thanks tiffinata.

#7: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 2:20 pm

A new drabble, hurray.

#8: Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex

Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 9:32 am

What a fabulous start! Something new is always welcome Very Happy

Quote:

ER?’ she wondered. ‘Emergency Room’

*chortles*

#9: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 12:30 pm

She's being her ususal dense self. Does she think that the only country with a monarch is Belsornia?

#10: Author: Róisín, Location: Gaillimh, Eire

Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 4:00 pm

Oooh this looks good Very Happy

#11: Author: JustJen, Location: sitting on the steps

Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 5:47 pm

looks very interesting.

#12: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 8:57 pm

*giggles*

This looks good Tiffinata! Very Happy

#13: Author: tiffinata, Location: melbourne, australia

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 9:58 am

All eyes were on her

“Mama! What’s wrong? Are you alright?’

Joey was all the colours of the rainbow- and crowing like a demented rooster.

‘Oh my gosh! Someone fetch Papa!’ Mike made a dive for the phone and collided heavily with Jack as he opened the door.

Jack was beside Joey in a second.

“What is it? What’s wrong?’ Jack was more than a little alarmed. Joey was almost hysterical.

“Jack, oh Jack read that!’ She thrust the letter into his hands. Jack read the letter.

“Oh Joey that’s wonderful!’ Jack gave her an almighty bear hug.

Joey began to cry and Jack wasn’t far behind her.

The rest of the family crowded round. ‘What’s wonderful?’

‘Your mother has been awarded an MBE for her services to Children’s literature’.

‘That’s fantastic’ ‘Just brilliant’ ‘fabbity fab’ ‘groovy’ came the chorus from the Maynard children.

‘No slang, no matter how excited you are’ Jack Maynard grinned. ‘However I’ll admit the news is pretty bonza, as our one and only Emmy Hope would say’

‘Can I tell Len, Mamma?’ Felicity asked Joey.

‘You certainly can and you also may. Surely you know the difference by now. Or perhaps Auntie Hilda needs to give you remedial English lessons?’

‘Oh no Mamma! I forgot I was so excited. May I go and tell Len now?’

‘So excited that you can’t eat your elevenses, old lady?’ teased Jack.

‘Well I was!’ said Stephen. ‘I’m going to have another one of Anna’s cakes and another cup of coffee.’

‘You lot sit down and finish and I’ll take your mother upstairs for a rest. She’s about done.’

With that Jack led Joey out of the room.

#14: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:09 am

Yay good for Joey! Very Happy

#15: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:56 am

Thanks for that, Tiffinata.

#16: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 12:51 pm

I hope she wears something half-decent when she goes to the Palace!

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

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 12:53 pm

Congratulations, Joey!

#18: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 1:05 pm

I hope she doesn't choose a lime-green outfit.

#19: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:00 pm

If lime green is good enough for the queen in Australia, surely it's good enough for Joey?! Thanks, tiffinata, I'm really enjoying this.

#20: Author: Kat,

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:58 pm

Great stuff! Thank you Very Happy

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

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 5:55 pm

Congratulations Joey!!!!

*Now pondering the title of this drabble. Hmmmmm. Confused

*

Thanks Tiffinata

#22: Author: tiffinata, Location: melbourne, australia

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 9:35 pm

I did think of calling it 'Jack gets his' but decided that might open up a few questions! Laughing

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

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 9:37 pm

tiffinata wrote:

I did think of calling it 'Jack gets his' but decided that might open up a few questions! Laughing

*giggles* Yes, it might well have done. Is there to be more? I'd love to see Joey at the Palace!

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

Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 3:58 pm

*sniggers*

That would certainly have been an interesting title!

This looks great, tiffinata, more please!

#25: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 12:35 pm

Gets his what?

#26: Author: tiffinata, Location: melbourne, australia

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 4:42 am

An update.
Hope the board doesn't go down or this bit will be lost!

Len, Con Roger and Reg were discussing the news over Kaffee later that day.

The Family Grapevine, AKA Felicity, had run over to spread the good news earlier that day.

'I think it is wonderful for Mamma,' Len remarked over the Dutch coffee* they were having for a treat. 'Imagine how many people she has given pleasure to over the years with her hundreds of books.'

'It is great news', said Reg. 'And it certainly puts our news on the backburner'
'News?' Con looked at Len eagerly. 'Are you... is it... when?'

'Yes. In September. Steady on!' laughed Len as Con leapt off her chair and wrapped her arms around Len. 'That is fantastic!!'

'Yes, it is good news all round.'

Presently the talk shifted to other family matters and eventually to other things and soon it was time for the women to head out to the Kitchen to prepare dinner.
Roger and Reg were left in possession of the salon.

'Do you know I have always wondered why Jack has never been recognized for his work?
He has lectured in many places and improved treatments for TB. He's also working on vaccination programs for the local communities with Jem in an effort to wipe out the spread of TB, Smallpox and other disease.
Jem gets all the kudos and Jack none. Why is that?'

'He prefers to work quietly and believes that he is doing the work God intended.' said Reg quietly. 'And Jack has never been one to push his own barrow, so to speak.'

'It is time he was recognized for his work.' said Roger.

'I agree.' nodded Reg

'So what are we going to do about it?' asked Roger pointedly.

* the Dutch Coffee near us is like a latte with loads of whipped cream

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

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 5:36 am

Good question gentlemen!

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

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 6:11 am

Yes, Jack should really have had a Baronet let alone an OBE.

Thanks Tiffanata - and save your work!

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

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 11:11 am

Excellent - you can after all, nominate people for such things. *nods* a fine plan!

#30: Author: Alex, Location: Cambs, UK

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 11:11 am

[quote=tiffinata]'He prefers to work quietly and believes that he is doing the work God intended.' said Reg quietly. 'And Jack has never been one to push his own barrow, so to speak.' [/quote]

That does sound very like Jack, although I never thought about it before.

Thank, tiffinata (and, as Lesley says, please save your work).

#31: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 11:32 am

I always thought it was a bit unfair that Jem got official recognition for his work but Jack didn't.

#32: Author: Kat,

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 12:42 pm

Tis about time someone recognised all the hard work Jack does!

Thank you Tiffinata Smile

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

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 1:51 pm

Thanks, Tiffinata. This is really great so far. I am also hoping that Jack will get the recognition he deserves.

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

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 10:42 pm

Hurrah for both of them. Thanks, Tiffinata, looking forward to more.

#35: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 2:58 pm

So am I, looking forward to more.

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