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A Difficult Decision (completed 15th September - P5)

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#1: A Difficult Decision (completed 15th September - P5) Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 1:07 pm
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Margot Maynard walked home through the rain without even noticing that she was getting wet. The film she had just watched had given her so much to think about it was as if it had been made solely for her benefit. She had walked almost a whole block past the turning for her flat before she noticed where she was going, so lost in thought was she, and with a grin, she turned and headed back in the right direction. She pulled off her soaking mac in the hall and hung it over the banister, before unlocking the front door of the tiny and rather austere flat in which she lived.
When she first came to Edinburgh, Margot had lived in a big, noisy hall of residence. She had been glad of the chance to get used to her new life with all the other new medical students, getting to know the university and the city in their company and not having a spare moment to feel homesick or miss her sisters. The following year she had remained in the hall, but for her third year she had taken the tiny flat, liking its convenient location near the hospital where she spent much of her time and also the church where she worshipped. The university was a little further away, but the purchase of a bicycle sorted out that problem, and Margot enjoyed the increased independence of living on her own.
Margot soon discovered that she loved her new life, perhaps more than she had enjoyed her schooldays. She found her studies far more rewarding than her schoolwork had been, and she threw herself into it heart and soul, soon becoming one of the top students of the year. She allowed herself a social life, too, going out with her newfound friends and experiencing the swinging sixties for all she was worth. Despite that, she had still found time to become an active member of the local church, helping with Sunday School and visiting some of the old people of the parish.
She had missed her sisters, so far away in Oxford, but a couple of weekends a term either she would make the long journey south to visit them, or they would come to Edinburgh to see her. The three of them would spend the weekend talking and laughing and enjoying the bonds of tripletship, which did not seem to grow any less even though they only saw one another so infrequently. Con still visited every couple of months, for she was working in London now, writing book reviews for a big London newspaper. Len was back in Switzerland, happily married to Reg Entwhistle and teaching at the Chalet School, so they saw rather less of her than they would have liked.
Margot switched on the electric fire in her flat, for it was still chilly even though it was the end of April, and went to make a cup of tea. She took her tea into the bedroom, where she had a lovely comfortable window seat from which she could see across the city. She sat down, the tea cradled between her hands, staring out into the darkness and thinking once more about the film she had just watched.

Last edited by Fatima on Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:09 am; edited 14 times in total

#2: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 1:12 pm
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Hooray, nice new drabble!

#3: Author: dackel, Location: The Big Wide World (aka London)

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 1:29 pm
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Indeed, hooray!

The film that she saw wouldn't be 'A Nun's Story', would it? Audrey Hepburn, 1960ish? That would certainly give Margot a great deal to think through...just chucking around random ideas here!

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

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 1:35 pm
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I assumed that was what she was watching!

Yay for a new Fatima drabble!

#5: Author: Kat, Location: Kingston

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 2:16 pm
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Huzzah!

Thank you, Fatima! Very Happy

#6: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 2:18 pm
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How fabulous, I love Margot. Thanks Becky, I shall be eagerly awaiting an update! Very Happy

#7: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 2:22 pm
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Thanks, Fatima. A great start.

#8: Author: joyclark,

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 3:14 pm
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dackel wrote:

Indeed, hooray!

The film that she saw wouldn't be 'A Nun's Story', would it? Audrey Hepburn, 1960ish? That would certainly give Margot a great deal to think through...just chucking around random ideas here!

Could be the 'Sound of Music'???? :0)

#9: Author: meerium, Location: belfast, northern ireland

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 3:49 pm
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dackel wrote:

I was thinking exactly the same thing! Particularly since Sister Luke's struggle is with the obedience part of her vows - something which i can well imagine Margot having to wrestle with too. Audrey Hepburn is my favourite film actress, and that is a fantastic film. She won an Oscar for her portrayal, if memory serves.

Thanks Fatima!

#10: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 4:53 pm
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Hurrah! A new Becky drabble! Looking forward to this.

#11: Author: Tan, Location: London via Newcastle Australia

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 5:57 pm
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Liking the look of this - very evocative so far Becky.

#12: Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 9:41 pm
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thanks backy! this is great so far, i have never seen that film though, should that be the film it was......

#13: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:24 pm
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Ohhh - a lovely new Becky drabble - thankyou

#14: Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 12:18 am
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A Nun's Story was certainly the film which sprang to my mind!

#15: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 2:12 am
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I tend to associate Margot with The Trouble with Angels. Mr. Green

It was probably a little too late, though.

(just checked -- '66. Maybe they stole the plot from EBD?)

Interesting start, Fatima!

#16: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 7:02 am
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I’m afraid I’ve never seen ‘The Nun’s Story’, so Margot hasn’t either! Thanks for all your encouragement, I hope I don’t disappoint.
The following day Margot was due to be working in the big hospital where she was soon to start her internship. She was to spend three years at the hospital before beginning on her noviciate; she had decided to become a nun years ago whilst still at school, liking the idea of becoming a medical missionary. There were so many needy people in the developing world and Margot could imagine nothing more satisfying than knowing that you were helping to save lives and giving hope to those who had so little. All the hard work she had done was with a view to learning as much as possible about medicine in general and then taking this knowledge and using it in a place where doctors were a rarity or an expense too great for the ordinary people to afford.
She enjoyed working in the big hospital, rising to the challenge of the emergency department and the pleasure of assisting in the maternity ward or the pediatric wards, but there were any number of good doctors graduating from universities across the country that could do her job as well as she did. She was eager to get the necessary experience and then go somewhere she could really make a difference. It would not be easy; Margot knew that she would be expected to work in difficult conditions, lacking modern conveniences such as running water, but she also knew that she would be able to settle for nothing less.
Throughout her time in Edinburgh, Margot had enjoyed socialising with friends, going to parties and discos and having fun. She had made a wide circle of friends, many from her own course, but some who had been studying other subjects and others who were already working in the hospital when she began her training there. Lucy and Debbie were both experienced nurses and they had taken her under their wing when she began, giving her all sorts of invaluable advice and plenty of well cooked dinners in the little flat they shared. Tina was a fellow student, and she had been Margot’s closest friend from the university. She was from the north of England but she had returned to Newcastle to do her internship and Margot knew that she would miss her down to earth friendliness.
The male doctors at the hosptial had tended to look down on Margot at first, evidently unable to believe that women could be as effecitve as they were. She had ignored this, though there had been times when she had longed to abandon self-control and take them to task for their chauvanistic attitude and old fashioned opinions, and set about showing them how wrong they were by being better than they were. Not all the doctors shared that opinion, however; Margot was lucky enough to have as her mentor one Dr. Weston. He was in his mid forties and had spent fifteen years working in Africa, so he had some fascinating stories to tell and when he had discovered Margot’s intentions, he had shared some of those tales with her.
Despite this at times hectic social life, Margot had felt very little sadness at the thought of giving it up. She would miss her friends just as she missed her family, but she would make new ones from amongst the other nuns and people with whom she worked and lived. She would be living the life she had dreamed of for so long and she was certain she would find it fulfilling.

#17: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 7:43 am
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She seems quite sure about it at the moment ...

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

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 8:38 am
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So she hasn't changed her mind about becoming a nun then? Interesting.

Thanks Fatima.

#19: Author: Alice, Location: London, England

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 11:28 am
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I love how you can write these brilliant diverse stories about different characters Becky, we never know what's going to come next. It will be interesting to see how Margot's thoughts develop.

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

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 11:47 am
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Yay! A new Becky drabble *bounces*

Looking forward to finding out if the difficult decision for Margot is the obvious one or something else!

#21: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 12:13 pm
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Glad Margot has Dr Weston to support her. Thanks, Becky.

What you said about male chauvinism is really interesting. My mum trained to be a doctor about 10 years after Margot would have been there. A male student once copied one of her assignments more or less word for word and he got much higher marks than she did! And the tutor would not believe that the male had copied and not the other way round! Fortunately, he owned up and lost all his marks, but that could have been very nasty for my mum's future. She was never silly enough to loan her work out to help anyone again.

#22: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 6:43 am
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After work, Margot managed to avoid dinner with Lucy and Debbie, claiming that she needed to write up some reports, but once she had left the hospital, she headed into town on the bus. She queued and bought her ticket for the film, deliberately keeping her mind on the wonderful scenery and the glorious music rather than her real reason for being at the cinema. It was the scenery that had first attracted her to the film, for she had grown up in the Alps and had fond memories of life among those majestic peaks. She had visited Austria several times and knew the beautiful city of Salzburg, and had even walked in the famous Mirabell Gardens. And of course the idea of a girl wanting to be a nun was not exactly new to her, either.
Margot treated herself to some popcorn and then headed into the cinema, choosing a seat right at the back, so she would get the best view of the huge screen. She settled down to watch the adverts and the short film showing before the feature, but her mind was already far away, in the beautiful Austrian mountains. It took the stirring music of the overture to bring her back to the cinema once more, and soon she was lost again in the adventures of the Von Trapp family.
Despite having watched the film just the previous day, Margot still enjoyed every moment, feeling the same joy as the Captain rediscovered his love of music and the same fear as they hid from the Nazis in the abbey. But as she walked out of the cinema and headed home, Margot realized that she still had not resolved her own problems. The Von Trapps might be happily settled in Switzerland, but she was still faced with a dreadful dilemma that any number of prayers and hours of meditation had somehow failed to solve.

#23: Author: joyclark,

Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 8:04 am
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Fatima wrote:

Despite having watched the film just the previous day, Margot still enjoyed every moment, feeling the same joy as the Captain rediscovered his love of music and the same fear as they hid from the Nazis in the abbey. But as she walked out of the cinema and headed home, Margot realized that she still had not resolved her own problems. The Von Trapps might be happily settled in Switzerland, but she was still faced with a dreadful dilemma that any number of prayers and hours of meditation had somehow failed to solve.

It *was* the Sound of Music. I love that film. :0))

#24: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 8:46 am
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Maybe she needs someone to tell her to climb every mountain till she finds her dream Laughing

#25: Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow

Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 10:07 am
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thanks becky!

#26: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 2:42 pm
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Thanks, Becky. The Sound of Music is one of my favourite films, too!

#27: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 2:46 pm
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As Margot returned to her flat after the film, she heard the phone ringing. She hastily locked the front door and snatched up the receiver. “Hello?” she inquired, although she had a pretty good idea as to who would be at the other end of the line.
“Hello, Margot. Where have you been? I’ve been calling all evening and I was getting worried.”
“I was at the cinema,” she answered. “I went to see ‘The Sound of Music’ again.”
“Why didn’t you say? I’d have gone with you.”
“You wouldn’t have enjoyed it,” she pointed out. “There’s too much singing and too little action for your liking.”
“If it’s good enough for you to watch two evenings running, I’m sure I’d have managed.”
Margot chuckled. “And then begged to be allowed to leave in the intermission like you did in ‘My Fair Lady’?” she suggested. “It’s all right, I didn’t mind going by myself.”
“And has it helped at all?”
“I don’t know.” Margot sighed. “It’s late and I need to think. Can we talk tomorrow?”
“Of course. I’ll pray for you, too. Goodnight.”
“Thank you,” she said gratefully, feeling that she needed all the prayers that were going. “Goodnight.”
Once she had replaced the receiver, Margot took off her jacket and shoes and went into the bedroom. She had a simple cross on the wall, and, taking up her rosary beads, she went to kneel before it, praying again for guidance. As ever, the act of running the beads through her fingers soothed and comforted her and helped her to put her doubts and worries into words.

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

Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 6:00 pm
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*wondering who the caller is*

I hope Margot makes the right decision for her.

Thanks, Becky

#29: Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow

Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 6:06 pm
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thanks becky, im very curious

#30: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 9:17 pm
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Ooooh, who was on the phone? Does this have anything to do with the decision?

Thanks for the update Smile

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

Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 11:42 pm
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It couldn't be a nice doctor, could it? Rolling Eyes

#32: Author: meerium, Location: belfast, northern ireland

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 11:31 am
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This is great, thanks Becky! I always thought that Margot would have had a fair struggle to accept the life of a nun.

And if anyone wants to borrow my video of 'The Nun's Story', you're more than welcome!

#33: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 2:26 pm
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I must admit that I could never imagine Margot sticking to it once she'd experienced the 'real' world. Thank you for all your comments.

The next day was Saturday, so instead of going to the hospital, Margot headed into the poorest area of town to the soup kitchen where she worked as a volunteer. She tried to get there twice a month, although her work sometimes prevented her from helping out for as long as she would have liked to. Margot headed straight for the kitchen, where she enjoyed chopping vegetables and stirring the huge vats of soup and stew that were made by the volunteers. There was something very therapeutic about cutting up carrots and peeling potatoes and ladling steaming soup into bowls. Although she did not class the other volunteers as close friends, Margot greeted them warmly and slipped easily into the friendly banter which always accompanied the cooking. As usual, Dave and Betty were arguing over who made the best soup and Tom, who enjoyed winding everyone up, promised to poll the diners over the next few weeks and get a definitive answer to stop the argument. Grinning to herself, Margot slipped on her apron and set to work on the mountain of cauliflower that had to be cut up and washed before being boiled in a gigantic pan.
Once the food was finished, they began serving it to the poorest people of Edinburgh, many of whom were homeless. Margot had been shocked by such poverty in one of the United Kingdom’s most famous cities when she had first arrived, but had soon come to understand that there were great numbers of these people across the country, some old, some young, but all in desperate need of help. She also remembered how shocked Len and Con had been when they discovered what Margot did in her spare time. They tried to tell her that it would be more appropriate for her to give money to charity and let others do the work, but she gently reminded them of her decision to spend her life in the service of others and how Jesus most certainly would have helped out himself rather than just giving away his spare cash.
Once the queue for food had begun to go down, Margot entrusted her ladle to Betty and went round to the little room that served as a doctor’s surgery. She found Jake in the waiting room, a young runaway who had been badly beaten by some thugs a week earlier and whose arm she had helped to set. She had done nothing special for him, but he had been touched by her genuine concern and when he saw her he leaped to his feet and rushed over.
“I’m going home,” he told her, his happiness evident. “I called my mother and she really wants me to go back. I’m getting the bus this afternoon.”
“That’s wonderful news, Jake,” she replied with an answering smile. “I’m really glad to hear it.”
Jake offered her his rather grubby hand, which she shook gravely. “Thanks Dr. Margot,” he said with simple sincerity and then he was gone, leaving Margot feeling, once more, that there was little to compare with helping another person find happiness.
The surgery door opened and a young woman came out, a bottle of medicine clutched in her thin hands. Behind her came the doctor, a rangy man with weather-beaten skin and hair that had been bleached by the sun. “Hello Dr. Margot,” he said with a grin. “It’s quiet here this afternoon.”
“I’ve just seen Jake,” she told him. “He’s going home.”
“He told me,” the doctor said. “Thank goodness.”
Before Margot could make any answer, they were distracted by shouts from outside and then the door was flung open and a young man ran in, a small boy in his arms. From the anguished cries of the woman behind him, Margot gathered that little Timmy had fallen out of the window of their first floor flat and that he was unconscious and they had come to them as it was much closer than the hospital. She dashed into the surgery behind the doctor, her heart in her mouth, for she still found it difficult to deal with children dying.

#34: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 2:39 pm
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Glad that she's doing such important work. Considering that so many of the CS girls didn't have jobs after leaving school/marriage, I was surprised that more of them didn't do voluntary work - whereas Margot's doing this on top of her uni work.

#35: Author: Kat, Location: Kingston

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 2:57 pm
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Yay, Margot!

*hopes that little Timmy is ok*

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

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 3:44 pm
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She's certainly keeping herself busy - is that to keep herself from having to make a decision about something perhaps?

Thanks, Becky

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

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 4:07 pm
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Well done Margot - it's perhaps not surprising that she was shocked at the poverty - although they would have held Sales etc, they would not have actually seen the poverty first hand - Joey and her friends would have seen it when in the Tyrol but it never seemed quite so close when they were elsewhere.

Thanks Fatima.

#38: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 5:23 pm
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*wibbles* I hope Timmy is OK Sad

#39: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 7:14 pm
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Thanks, Becky. I hope Timmy will be ok.

#40: Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 11:56 pm
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*Hopes that Timmy is OK*

I love that Margot does voluntary work but I can certainly see the other trips and probably Joey too being disaproving and shocked by her doing it. Something tells me Jack would approve though.

#41: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 4:06 pm
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Two hours later, having dispatched little Timmy to the hospital with concussion, but no broken bones, and doled out medicine for upset stomachs, sorted out a nose bleed and bandaged up a badly cut hand, Margot was helping with the last of the washing up prior to heading home. She felt around in the bottom of the gigantic sink for the last of the cutlery and then hung up her rubber gloves with a sigh.
“Good work people,” said Dave. “Betty, are the ovens off? Dr. Philip, did you lock the surgery? And have you pulled out the plug, Dr. Margot?” Once everyone had answered in the affirmative, Dave switched out the lights and followed them outside. “Thank you all,” he said, and he headed for his car.
Margot put up her hood against the drizzle that had just started falling. Despite so many years in Edinburgh she could never quite believe how often it rained there. Dr. Philip fell into step at Margot’s side. “Are you hungry?” he asked.
“After all that soup?” she replied. “Not a bit!”
“Coffee, then?”
“Yes, that’s more like it. Or, better still, a nice pot of tea.”
“Tea it is,” he agreed amenably.
They walked briskly to a small tea shop that was in a rather more salubrious area and were soon sitting at a table with a pretty checked cloth and a vase of flowers on it and a pot of tea in front of them. Margot sipped the steaming brew appreciatively and then she put the cup back on the saucer. “I’m so pleased that Jake’s going home,” she said, recalling the youth’s face as he had told her his news.
“You have yourself to thank for that,” Dr. Philip told her.
“How do you make that out?” asked Margot, puzzled.
“You reminded him of his mother,” he told her. “He’d forgotten how kind she could be and you made him remember. I’ll go and check on Timmy tomorrow – I’ve got the afternoon shift.”
“He’s a very lucky little boy,” Margot said thoughtfully. “I’m off tomorrow.”
“I suppose you’ll be off to the cinema again,” he suggested with a grin.
“No, I thought Monday was soon enough,” she replied serenely.
Philip laughed. “And has it helped?” he asked, becoming serious once again.
“I don’t know,” she said with a sigh.
Philip glanced at his watch. “What are you doing this evening?” he asked her.
“Nothing much,” she answered. “Studying, thinking, praying, you know the sort of thing.”
“Then let’s go and watch it again,” he suggested.
“You won’t like it,” she warned him.
“You’ve piqued my interest,” he said, still serious. “I’d like to see it.”
“You’ll tease me even more if I go and see it three times,” she pointed out, nonetheless tempted to take him up on his offer.
“You can remind me that I forced you into it,” he told her. “Come on, finish your tea and we’ll go.”

#42: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 4:08 pm
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She seems very pally with Philip considering that she's going to be taking a vow of celibacy ... or does she just see him as a friend Rolling Eyes

#43: Author: Kat, Location: Kingston

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 4:59 pm
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I saw him more as her confidente than anything else, from the way they talk together Smile

Thank you, Becky!

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

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 5:05 pm
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He does seem a close friend, doesn't he?

Thanks Becky.

#45: Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 5:11 pm
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thanks becky

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

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 5:25 pm
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Philip seemed very nice. I hope he's not pushing her to make a decision Confused

Thanks, Becky

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

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 8:40 pm
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LizB wrote:

Philip seemed very nice. I hope he's not pushing her to make a decision Confused

Thanks, Becky

Or pushing her in another direction! Confused

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

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:14 pm
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Interesting, anyway.

Thanks, Fatima.

#49: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 9:49 am
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“Well?” Margot asked as they walked towards the bus stop. They had watched the film from beginning to end, but Philip had yet to tell her what he thought of it. He had made no comment at all during the interval, just buying ice creams and asking Margot about her life in Switzerland. She was encouraged by his failure to suggest that they leave the cinema while they had the chance, but still did not know whether he had enjoyed the film or not. He did not answer her and when they reached the bus stop, Margot repeated her question.
“It’s a good film,” he finally said, as he leaned nonchalantly against the bus shelter. “No, really,” he added, noticing her sceptical look. “I enjoyed it.”
“You didn’t?” she said, sounding incredulous.
“I did,” he assured her.
“So what do you think?”
“You don’t get me that easily,” he told her with a smile. “You know I can’t say anything, Margot. You have to work this one out on your own.”
Just for a moment she wished that he would tell her what she ought to do, but almost as soon as the thought crossed her mind she knew that he was right. She could not follow anyone’s heart but her own, and if she did not make her own decision, if she allowed herself to be swayed by anyone, she would always regret it and always wonder if she was doing the right thing. “Here’s the bus,” she said, almost relieved to be able to change the subject.
Dr. Philip saw Margot home, declining her invitation to come in for coffee before striding off down the street in the direction of his own flat. Margot went inside and ran herself a bath, needing to unwind before heading off to bed. As she lay in the warm water, she thought back over her life. For many years she had been spoilt and selfish and it was those exact failings that were giving her so much concern now. How was she to know if she was doing God’s will or if she was just being selfish? She had thought that she had conquered the desire to put herself before everything and everyone else, but now she was not so sure. Perhaps she was seeking some sort of approval from God when really there was none. And yet the words of the Mother Abbess kept going round and round in her mind: ‘If you love this man it doesn't mean you love God less.’
Margot sighed, realizing that the bathwater was going cold. She got out, wrapping herself in a huge towel and wandering through into the bedroom, still unable to decide if she was supposed to let those words guide her or if they were the words of the devil, sent to lead her astray. How convenient it would be if there were some foolproof way of distinguishing one from the other.

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

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 9:55 am
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Fatima wrote:

still unable to decide if she was supposed to let those words guide her or if they were the words of the devil, sent to lead her astray. How convenient it would be if there were some foolproof way of distinguishing one from the other.

If only! Wouldn't life be a lot simpler!

Thanks, Becky

#51: Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 9:58 am
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Love seeing Margot's battle, it rings very true.

#52: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 10:00 am
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Oh poor Margot - and, as Philip said, it's a decision that she's going to have to make for herself.

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

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 10:33 am
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Hmmm, wonder if Philip is the reason she is having these doubts?

Thanks Becky.

#54: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:19 pm
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Poor Margot. It's a tough decision for her to make.

#55: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:44 pm
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As I've been home longer today, I thought I'd post a little more of this for you! Thanks for all your comments. Very Happy

As she lay in bed, Margot thought back over the years she had known Philip. He had been appointed to the hospital as she began her third year at med school and his job was to work with the medical students. He was excellent at this, building up fragile egos and keeping the overconfident in check. Margot had liked him from the start, appreciating his complete lack of prejudice and genuine interest in her plans to be a medical missionary. He had told her stories of his years in Africa, and she had listened, fascinated. The more he told her, the more convinced she was that she was doing the right thing, for everything he said fitted in with exactly what she had hoped and believed her life would be like. She also discovered that he attended the same church as she, and it seemed natural that they would sit together when they happened to attend the same services. It was Philip who had got Margot involved in the soup kitchen, knowing that it was something she would enjoy doing, and it had not taken them long to get into the habit of going for tea together afterwards. Many months later, following a debate about a newly released film, Philip had suggested that they went to watch it after tea, and Margot had agreed. After all, he had become a good friend and there was nothing improper about the two of them watching a film and discussing it afterwards over dinner.
And then had come the end of year party and after Margot had spent a long time talking to him, he had asked her to dance. Oddly enough she had not even thought of refusing, for he was one of her closest friends now, but when he had his arms around her and was looking down at her, something in his expression told her that they had, somehow, when she had not been looking, become more than friends. She had been shocked to discover how she felt about him, for she had never before felt like that about a man and had always imagined that she never would. She had danced with him for a long time that evening, putting everything out of her mind but the pleasure of being with him, and when the party ended she allowed him to walk her home.
Sitting in her tiny living room he had told her that he loved her and that she could do just as much good for the poor and needy if she was his wife as she would if she became a nun. They could travel to Africa or India together, or remain in the United Kingdom, and could work side by side for whatever project she wanted them to dedicate themselves to. And that was the only occasion he had ever suggested that she might have a happy and fulfilling life outside of a religious order, and he had promptly apologised for saying so. He had promised to respect her choice and to do nothing to influence her in any way and he had been as good as his word. Margot knew he was hoping that she would give up her plan to become a nun and agree to marry him; she had expected him to give up on her quite quickly, but he didn’t. In fact he was proving remarkably patient. He still sat with her in church and had tea with her when they had finished working in the soup kitchen. He was still her closest friend in Edinburgh and the temptation to agree to marry him was more difficult to resist each day.

#56: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:50 pm
—
Oh dear, what a tough decision to have to make. I should imagine plenty of CS girls changed their minds about their future plans once they got out into the real world, but this is a difficult one. Having said which, in Prefects I thought she seemed to be taking the view that she had to become a nun to be a medical missionary, rather than actually feeling that she had a vocation to be a nun.

Will stop waffling now!

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

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 4:51 pm
—
Yes, to suddenly realise that she could be a medical missionary without having to take orders - and that she could still be doing God's work. Difficult decision.

Thanks Becky.

#58: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 5:03 pm
—
Poor Margot. I hope she can make the right decision and be happy.

#59: Author: Vick, Location: Leeds, Yorkshire

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 6:18 pm
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Poor Margot. I hope she makes the decision which feels right, not because she has previously said something and feels she has to stick to it.

Thanks Fatima.

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

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 9:18 pm
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As the title says - a difficult decision!

Thanks, Becky

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

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 11:19 pm
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Will be fascinated to see how Margot resolves this.

I always used to feel that telegrams from Heaven would be a good idea - it's so difficult to know!

Thanks, Fatima.

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

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 10:29 am
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Poor Margot. Really emphasises the "Test" in Test your vocation.

#63: Author: RroseSelavy, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 12:41 pm
—
This is really interesting, Fatima. It's nice to see what's going on in Margot's head.

I wondered if Margot ever really felt she had a vocation too. I always got the impression that she felt so guilty about her past behaviour and her temperament (not to mention the whole thing about "my devil") that she thought the only way she could be good was to take orders.

#64: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 2:15 pm
—
The next morning Margot had a leisurely breakfast before heading off to church. She had been so nervous the first Sunday she had walked into St. Andrew’s church, but had immediately been made welcome there by the friendly congregation. She loved the music of the old organ and had thought about joining the choir, but had decided that it was better to be involved in things that helped people than something that would have been more for her own pleasure. She sat in her usual pew, towards the back of the church, and spent some moments kneeling in prayer before the service, praying as usual for her family and friends and various people in the hospital who needed her prayers. Finally she prayed once more for guidance, and help in overcoming her sins of pride and selfishness. Perhaps it was pride preventing her from accepting Philip’s proposal. Maybe she would not like to have to admit to everyone that she had made a mistake and had changed her mind about becoming a nun. It would be so much easier to tell him that she was convinced she was being called to be a nun than to admit to all her family and friends that she had been wrong to think that a cloistered life was the one for her. And yet she really did like the idea of marrying Philip and heading off to Africa with him, working side by side with him in some remote hospital, treating people who would perhaps have died had they not come to minister to them.
Margot rose from her knees and discovered that Philip had arrived and was sitting next to her, quietly reading the brief newsletter that was distributed with the hymn books at the start of the service. “Hello,” she whispered, reaching for her own hymn book and searching for the first hymn.
“Hi,” he whispered back.
The organist launched into the first hymn then, and Margot turned her attention to the service once more, as ever finding it both comforting and uplifting. She found herself suddenly feeling quite peaceful and once the service had ended, she turned to Philip.
“I’ve decided,” she said, wondering if the fleeting look of anxiety that crossed his face was due to the thought that she might want to marry him or that she might not want to.

#65: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 2:29 pm
—
So which way's she decided?!

Hope she doesn't decide to go ahead with becoming a nun just because she doesn't want to have to tell people she's changed her mind Rolling Eyes

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

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 3:16 pm
—
Nice cliff! Wink

Thanks Becky

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

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 4:17 pm
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Oooooh - what? what? what?

Thanks, Becky Very Happy

#68: Author: Vick, Location: Leeds, Yorkshire

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:16 pm
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I hope it's the right one & she doesn't regret it...

Thanks Fatima

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

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 11:05 pm
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Oh dear! Poor Philip - I think!

#70: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 5:35 am
—
On the Gornetz Platz, Len and Con were eagerly awaiting the return of their triplet sister. The summer term at the Chalet School had ended and so Len was enjoying her holiday. Con had taken a fortnight off work, too, and was spending it at Freudesheim, with her fiance, Roger Richardson. Margot, who had also managed to get two weeks off, was due to be arriving that afternoon, and her sisters could hardly wait to see her again. Reg had been dispatched to Interlaken to meet Margot, and Con and Roger had accompanied him. Len had to remain on the Platz, as she could hardly take her little daughter Zoe for such a long car journey in the heat of the day, and so she was spending the day at Freudesheim with her mother. The two of them were in an agony of anticipation, for Margot had not visited them for a year and they had missed her more than they admitted.
Towards three o’clock they heard the horn of Reg’s car and mother and daughter ran to the front door together. Len wrenched it open and they dashed down the steps just as Reg switched off the engine. The car door was flung open and Margot leaped out and flung herself on Joey and Len, delighted to see them again. Con and Roger got out, stretching their rather cramped limbs, and then Margot remembered that she had not travelled to Switzerland on her own. Jo watched in surprise as an unknown tall blond man clambered out of the front seat and Margot put her hand through his arm and drew him over to introduce him.
“This is Dr. Philip Weston,” she said, looking almost shy. “And Philip, this is my mother, and Len, my sister. Philip and I just got married,” she added.
Len’s eyes opened wide, for she had received not even the tiniest hint of Margot’s change of plan. “Congratulations,” she said warmly, hugging Margot again.
Joey was also surprised by Margot’s announcement, and she gave a gasp, turned white and fainted away. Fortunately, Reg was near enough to catch her before she hit the ground and, helped by Philip, he carried her inside and lay her on the settee in the salon. Len ran in with a glass of water while Con produced a decanter and poured brandy.
Margot knelt beside her mother, doing suitably ‘doctor like’ things, but berating herself as she did so. ‘I can’t believe I just blurted it all out like that,’ she rebuked herself. ‘I should have let her sit down and broken the news gently.’ “Ah, she’s coming round,” she said, as Jo’s eyelids fluttered. “Con, I’ll give her the brandy. Mamma, it’s all right. Have a sip. No, don’t try to sit up just yet.”
Jo sipped the brandy and grimaced. “What happened?” she demanded groggily.
“You fainted and scared us to death,” said Con sternly. “Lie down for a moment until you feel better.”
Jo turned to look at Margot, memory returning quickly now. “You were just telling me your news,” she recalled. “I just want to be sure that I heard you properly.”
“You did,” said Philip, putting a hand on Margot’s shoulder. “We got married last weekend.”
“Yes, I thought I heard something like that before I disgraced myself.” Jo was recovering quickly now. “The two events weren’t connected. I’m delighted to meet you, Dr. Weston.”
“Philip,” he corrected, shaking Jo’s hand. “I’m pleased to meet you, too.”
“You’re not angry, are you?” asked Margot.
“I haven’t had time to be anything yet,” responded Jo.
At this point Anna arrived with the tea trolley containing an urn of tea and some of her famous cream cakes made in honour of Margot’s return. Jo sat up to officiate and the others sat down. Len passed around the cups before going to sit near Reg, while Con and Roger sat together on the small sofa. Margot was at Philip’s side and Jo was suddenly struck by the realization that she had lost all three of the triplets. For so many years she had relied upon them and valued their friendship, but now they had moved on. They each had chosen that one special person with whom they wanted to spend the rest of their lives and by doing this they had changed Jo’s life, too.

#71: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 7:49 am
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Margot doesn't hang around, does she Laughing

? What a shock for Jo and the others - although at least he's a doctor! Hope the marriage works out well.

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

Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 8:14 am
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Poor Jo - bit of a shock, still, as Alison says - at least he's a doctor! Laughing

Thanks Becky

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

Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 8:33 am
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I'm quite tempted to sulk 'cos Margot has denied us the chance to buy hats and throw confetti!!! How could she deprive us of a wedding like that Wink

If Jo's fainting is not related to what Margot said, then what's causing it? She's not busy again is she? Laughing

Thanks, Becky

#74: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 11:57 am
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I hope Margot has made the right decision and that she'll be happy and not regret it later!

#75: Author: Vashti,

Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 12:04 pm
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It would be interesting to see what happens if Margot's marriage doesn't work out and she gets a case of "the road less travelled". I still think she'd make a better nun than wife, but then I also loved CGGU's Margot.

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

Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 11:33 pm
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Not poor Philip, after all! Loved Jo fainting - but if it wasn't Margot's news, what was it?

Sorry for her in the loss of her girls.

#77: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 6:17 am
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Jo's all right; she was overexcited, that's all! I really can't imagine Margot as a nun. I think she'll be happy with Philip! And as for the haste of it all, Margot decided in April and I reckon they got married in July. Before that, they'd been seeing one another for ages. Thanks for all your comments.

Tea passed uneventfully and afterwards, Reg took Philip off to the Sanatorium to show him all of their most modern equipment. Roger, who realized that he was rather in the way, tactfully withdrew, leaving Jo and the triplets alone.
Margot knew that the time of reckoning had arrived. Heedless, impulsive and willful Margot may have been, but no one had ever said with any truth that she was a coward. She turned to her mother and gave her the smile that had got her out of trouble countless times. “Isn’t he an absolute sweetie,” she said happily.
“He certainly seems pleasant enough,” agreed Jo. “But why didn’t you tell us, Margot? Papa and I would have liked to have seen you marry.” Jo looked wistfully at her third daughter who had given her more headaches than the others had managed collectively, and it seemed that she would continue to do so even though she was almost a doctor and was now a wife, too.
“I’m sorry, Mother,” said Margot, “But we didn’t want a big ceremony and we didn’t want to wait.”
“And what about joining the Holy Sisters?” asked Jo, who had been quite relieved that tempestuous Margot had settled for such a peaceful future.
As that was the question that she had been waiting for, Margot looked earnestly at her mother. “Philip and I have decided that we will go to Africa as soon as I’ve finished my training,” she said. “He has worked there for years and he’s keen to go back. We’ll be able to do a lot of good together, Mother, just as much as if I had joined the Holy Sisters.”
“And how long have you known him?” Jo went on. “You’ve never mentioned him before.”
Len grinned. “Margot doesn’t exactly write often,” she pointed out. “I don’t think she mentions anyone when she writes to me!”
“He was my mentor,” Margot explained, still close enough to the beginning of her relationship with Philip to just enjoy talking about him. “He was a missionary in South Africa for fifteen years and when he found out that I wanted to do that kind of thing, he told me all about his experiences. He got me involved in a project to help the poor in Edinburgh, too, and the more I thought about him, the more it seemed right for me to marry him.”
“So now you’ve got all three of us off your hands,” said Con, tactless to the last.
Jo thought of her fourth daughter, quiet Felicity, and tried to imagine her taking up the reigns of the family as Len and Margot and even Con had done so capably.
“Don’t worry, Mamma,” said Len, guessing her mother’s fears. “I’ll still be nearby. You haven’t lost us all yet.”
“And we’ll visit,” added Margot, “As often as we can.”
“Of course you will,” Joey agreed. “You know you’ll be welcome here any time.”
“So you don’t mind too much?” Margot inquired. “You can still organize Con’s wedding. Can you really imagine me planning a wedding like that? We’d never agree on anything!”
Jo laughed and acknowledged the truth of what Margot was saying. “I am happy for you, darling,” she said with a smile.
“I’m really pleased, too,” said Con suddenly. “To be honest, I never liked the idea of you shut away in a convent. I felt that I was going to lose you.”
“Why didn’t you say so?” asked Margot.
“How could I go against the will of God?” replied Con simply. Margot reached out and Con took her hand and squeezed it. “I know you’ll still be a long way away, but at least you can come home sometimes.”
“I will do,” Margot promised. Not wanting to disgrace herself by shedding tears at what should be a happy reunion, she got up and began to clear away the tea things, a task that Len and Con were happy to share, leaving Jo with strict instructions not to move until they returned from the kitchen.

#78: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 8:08 am
—
Glad everyone's pleased. But where's Jack? - hope he's OK about it too.

#79: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 12:22 pm
—
I'm glad everyone is happy for Margot and its good that she can get married but still do the sort of work she planned to do. Thanks, Becky.

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

Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 10:55 pm
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It does feel a lot less unlikely - could never see Margot as a nun!

Thanks, Fatima.

#81: Author: JoW, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 10:08 am
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I could never see Margot as a nun either. In my view of the triplets' future Margot did just that - managed to combine the work she wanted to do with a relationship with a nice man.

#82: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 3:13 pm
—
Jack is working - as usual! And I agree entirely, JoW.
Apologies if this is not possible or unlikely in the extreme; I don't know enough about the history of South Africa.

Having received the blessing of her parents, Margot and Philip returned to Edinburgh and Margot finished her training. As soon as it was completed, she and Philip headed to South Africa. They worked in a clinic in the black township of Soweto, and it was everything that Margot had imagined it would be. It was difficult and challenging and rewarding and part of the joy came from working beside Philip. They had good days and bad days at work, but whatever happened, Margot discovered that Philip was able to put it into perspective. At the end of a difficult day, she would go home with Philip and they would talk and pray and support each other and then be ready to face the next day together.
Six months after their arrival, a terrible fire swept through some of the homes near the clinic one night and the next morning they discovered two little boys sitting patiently on the doorstep when they arrived for work. They discovered that they were twins, just seven years old, and that all their family had died in the fire. Somehow they had escaped; not knowing what else to do, they headed for the clinic and sat in the darkness for hours waiting for the doctors to arrive. Philip dressed their burns while Margot fed them and listened to their halting story. They were called Samuel and Benjamin and it turned out that Benjamin was blind; they were almost always holding hands and it seemed that Samuel took Benjamin everywhere, telling him of all that he saw and keeping him safe.
That night Margot and Philip took the boys home with them and once they had been settled in the spare bed – they refused to be separated and even slept holding hands – Margot suggested that they kept the boys while one of the other aid workers tried to trace their relatives and that if no one came forward to take them that they would adopt them. Philip, who had also been very taken with the boys, agreed at once and within a year the adoption was finalised. The boys settled down well; they were affectionate little souls and they adored Margot and Philip and accepted their new life without question. Of course it was not so easy to spend long hours at the clinic with the boys to consider, but Margot managed to get them to attend school and while they were there she worked with Philip and then she spent the afternoons with Sam and Ben. Despite having cared for so many younger siblings, Margot had not imagined the pleasure she would get from having children of her own to look after and she found a whole new level of fulfilment in her life now that she had Ben and Sam to see to.

#83: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 5:11 pm
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Glad it's working out for them Very Happy

#84: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 8:32 pm
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*is also glad Very Happy

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

Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 9:25 pm
—
That's very sweet.

Poor little lads.

Thanks.

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

Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 1:35 pm
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Lovely Very Happy

Thanks, Becky

#87: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 3:29 pm
—
The following year they met Mulalo when he was brought to the clinic after getting caught up in a street fight and when Philip asked about his family he explained that his father was in prison and his mother had died, so at just thirteen he was effectively alone in the world. Mulalo’s arm had been so badly damaged by some kind of home made bomb that there had been no hope of saving it and once they had made him as comfortable as possible, he had been transferred to the big hospital for the amputation. Margot found she could not forget about him, for he had been so brave in the face of such pain. After a sleepless night, she left Ben and Sam at school and headed off to the hosptial to find out what had happened to Mulalo.
He was very upset about losing his arm, but the staff of the hosptial did not have enough time to spend talking to him. Margot spent a long time sitting beside him and listening to him talking and raging about his arm and how he had wanted to become an artist as he loved to paint and draw and how difficult it would all be now. She had been touched when he grabbed her hand as she was getting ready to leave and begged her to come back again, and she wilingly promised to return in the next day or two.
By the time Mulalo was well enough to leave hospital, it seemed only natural that he should stay with Margot and Philip and before he had been there more than a week or two, Sam and Ben were treating him like the older brother they had lost in the fire. The idea of Mulalo leaving them when he was able to look after himself was quickly dismissed, and when his father was released from prison he gladly gave up all rights to his son on discovering that he had just one arm and was unlikely to be able to work and earn money for him. Philip and Margot were thrilled to be able to legally adopt him, but their delight was nothing like as great as that of the twins, who idolized Mulalo and were overjoyed to know that he would be permanently making his home with them.
With three children to look after and the clinic to run, Margot and Philip were always busy but extremely happy and fulfilled. The three boys attended school in Soweto, so were getting a basic education, and Philip did his best to teach them extra things in the evenings and at weekends. They were clever children and Margot worried that they were not getting the best education in South Africa, so she and Philip began to think about returning to England. They decided to move to London, where the boys could go to school and Ben would be able to learn skills to help him live with his blindness without needing Sam’s constant assistance. The agency that had organised their placement in South Africa also arranged their return to England and found work for Philip in a big London hospital.
Two months before they were due to pack up and leave, Margot gave birth to a daughter who they named Mary. The three boys were thrilled with their sister, cuddling her whenever they got the chance and helping Margot with her as much as they could. Mulalo confessed to having been scared that Philip and Margot would no longer love him and the twins as much once they had their own baby, but he had to admit that he had been wrong on that score. Hugging him warmly, Margot assured him that he was just as much their child as Mary and neither he nor the twins should ever worry about that.

#88: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 3:47 pm
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Hope people are OK with them when they get back.

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

Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 4:20 pm
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How lovely - but they'll face some trials back in England - though not as many as staying in South Africa during the 1970's.

Thanks Becky

#90: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 8:51 pm
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Thanks, Becky. And with their own child being a girl, what will Jo say about it the whole situation?

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

Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:48 am
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This is lovely - Margot seems to have inherited Jo's propensity for welcoming waifs and strays into her family and is doing it beautifully

Thanks, Becky Very Happy

#92: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 12:05 pm
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This is lovely. I hope it doesn't go wrong... no more cliffs please! Wink

Thank you Becky, enjoyed catching up with this!

#93: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 4:18 pm
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Real life is getting in the way at the moment, so this may be the last part for a day or two.

In order to show off their family, Philip and Margot arranged to travel to London via the Gornetz Platz. Mulalo and the twins were beside themselves with excitement, for they had never travelled far in their lives; the twins had been born and raised in Soweto and Mulalo had come to Soweto when he was too young to remember anything else. The thought of visiting a land as different from their own as Switzerland would be was something they had never considered before, and the idea of getting there by aeroplane was quite simply thrilling.
At the airport Philip had to speak sternly to the twins, who were constantly trying to rush off and explore and Margot, who had her hands full with Mary, could not chase after them. Mulalo, as befitted someone who had just turned fifteen, was doing his best to heave suitcases around and generally help Philip as they got ready to board the plane. Once on board, Philip had a quiet word with the air stewards and asked if it would be possible for the boys to go and see the pilot, a request that they agreed to at once, so after their lunch, the three boys were escorted to the cockpit and the pilot, a bewhiskered Swiss gentleman, answered their questions and left Sam with a burning desire to become a pilot himself when he grew up.
They flew to Berne and went by train to Interlaken, another journey which absolutely fascinated the boys. They were more familiar with trains than aeroplanes, but such a long and comfortable journey was exciting, as was the lovely Alpine scenery through which they were travelling. In Interlaken they were met by Jack, who had brought Minnie the minibus, and Geoff and Phil, who were eager to see Margot and her family. After rapturous greetings were exchanged, they set off up the steep mountain road to the Gornetz Platz, and Sam was kept very busy answering Ben’s questions about the views he could see from the window.
They finally arrived at Freudesheim just as it was growing dark. Ben and Sam were looking tired and Mary was slumbering peacefully in her mother’s arms. Despite the gathering gloom, the front door of the big house was flung open as the minibus came to a halt and Jo and Len appeared on the top step, other members of the large Maynard clan just behind them, jostling to get the first view of Margot and her family. Geoff and Phil tumbled out of Minnie, both talking at the same time, and Mulalo clambered out just after them, his face betraying his nervousness. Margot handed Mary to her father and got out herself, leading Ben by the hand, while Sam clung to his other hand.
Jo gasped as she saw the children. “But they’re black!” she said in astonishment.
“Of course they are,” said Margot, reaching out to draw Mulalo closer. “This is my oldest son, Mulalo,” she said, unable to keep the pride from her voice, for he was a polite and pleasant youth, always doing his best to help and determined not to let his disability stop him from doing anything he wanted to do.
Mulalo extended his hand and Jo took it at once. “It’s nice to meet you, Madam,” he said seriously.
“You mustn’t call me madam!” Jo cried. “You must call me grandmamma like the others do.”
“And these are the twins, Samuel and Benjamin,” Margot went on, giving them an encouraging smile.
“And this is Mary,” added Jack, coming up behind them. “Let them all come in, Jo, they’re exhausted.”
Remembering her manners, Jo ushered them into the salon and soon Anna was arriving with dishes of soup and dainty little rolls for the children and tea for the adults.

#94: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 4:44 pm
—
Ooh I held my breath reading the first bit of Joey's reaction, but I like the way she wants all the children to call her Grandmamma.

Thanks Becky

#95: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 4:51 pm
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I was also wondering how Joey would react - also glad to see she reacted the way she did!

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

Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 5:41 pm
—

Quote:

Jo gasped as she saw the children. “But they’re black!” she said in astonishment.

Seriously worried there for a second. Crying or Very sad

Quote:

“You mustn’t call me madam!” Jo cried. “You must call me grandmamma like the others do.”

Absolutely love Joey there. Laughing

Thanks Becky.

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

Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:09 pm
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Yes, a very swift reappraisal and instant acceptance. Good for Joey.

#98: Author: Alice, Location: London, England

Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:14 pm
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Great reaction from Joey there!

Becky, I'd be interested to know - is the Joey here the same Joey as in your Gillian drabble?

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

Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 11:22 pm
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Was a bit worried at Jo's initial reaction and am glad she came through - but also wondering about communication (or the lack of it) between Margot and her family. First she marries a man they've never heard of, then they've obviously not heard much/seen photos of the children she's adopted.

Thanks Becky - hope RL is getting in the way in a nice way Very Happy

#100: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:08 am
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I imagine that Jo had never really thought about the colour of the children before, probably just subconsciously assuming they’d be white. But I can’t imagine her being in any way discriminatory and she’d give them all the same affection once she’d recovered from the surprise. And the characters in this aren’t the same as in any of the other drabbles – it’s too difficult to remember all about them from one drabble to the next! I think Margot and Jo did write, probably not as often as they’d have liked to, though, and that Jo would have known all about the children – but Margot would never have imagined that she needed to mention their ethnic origin, as Jo should have realized, bearing in mind where they were working. I don’t imagine Margot and Philip having the time or money to worry about photography, either. Thanks for your comments. Very Happy

This is the last part.

Once they had eaten, Jo took Margot upstairs and showed her the room they had put aside for the boys. Margot had written to Jo and explained that the twins liked to be together all the time, so Jo had put the three of them in the nursery and Margot and Philip in the room that opened off of it, along with a crib for Mary. Sam and Ben were quickly dispatched to bed, closely followed by Mulalo, who would have liked to sit up later, but could scarcely keep his eyes open. He did not miss much, for Margot and Philip were also tired by their long journey and once Mary had been fed and settled for the night, they retired, too.
Margot got up in the night to feed Mary again, and then awoke towards eight o’clock. Philip was still fast asleep, so she caught up Mary, who was awake, and tiptoed into the boys’ room. Mulalo was asleep, too, but there was no sign of the twins, so Margot headed downstairs. She found the door of the salon open and from inside she could hear Jo’s voice, evidently reading a book. Peeping in the door, Margot discovered Jo in a deep armchair, with Ben cuddled up on her lap and Sam perched precariously on the arm, the three of them fathoms deep in one of Geoff’s old storybooks. Deciding that it was best to leave them alone as they seemed so comfortable, Margot crept away again and found Anna in the kitchen making breakfast. Margot helped herself to coffee and went off to Jo’s study to feed Mary and enjoy the unusual peace and quiet.
At breakfast time the twins sat one on either side of ‘Grandmamma’ and chattered non-stop, keeping her busy answering their questions about Switzerland and life on the Gornetz Platz. In return they told her something of their life in Soweto, answering her questions willingly and suggesting that perhaps she would like to visit them there. Margot refrained from reminding them that they were going to live in England, instead having a brief moment of doubt as to whether they were doing the right thing in taking the boys so far from their native land.
Once the breakfast things had been cleared away, Jack offered to take Philip and Mulalo for a walk, and they were soon heading off with Fritz, Jo’s third St. Bernard, at their heels. The twins went to explore the garden and Jo’s younger children disappeared about their own business, leaving Margot and her mother in the salon. They sipped coffee from a fresh pot and cuddled Mary, enjoying a rare moment of tranquility.
Jo surveyed Margot, her fair head bent over the equally fair head of the baby in her arms. “I’m so proud of you,” she said quietly. “You have done so much for those three boys.”
Margot looked up and smiled. “It’s been wonderful,” she admitted. “They are such lovely boys and it’s been a delight to be able to care for them. In fact, it’s been everything I hoped for when I married Philip. We’re so happy, Mamma.”
They watched as the twins passed the window, hand in hand as usual, Sam chattering away nineteen to the dozen.
“I’m glad,” said Jo. “I have to admit that I was worried about you for a while when you married Philip. He’s lovely,” she added hastily, “But you’d been sure of your calling for so long that I worried you’d feel he’d pressured you into changing your mind. But after thinking over what Con said about missing you if you were in an order, I agree. It’s nice to know that you aren’t gone forever like Robin is.”
Margot smiled. “We aren’t gone forever,” she assured her mother. “And once we’re settled in London, I hope you’ll come and visit. We certainly hope to visit the Platz more often than we have done so far.”
“I’ll come,” Jo promised at once. “Even if Papa has no time, I will leave him and come by myself.”
Seeing that Jo had finished her coffee, Margot got up and put the sleeping Mary into her arms. To Jo’s surprise she then bent and kissed Jo’s cheek. “Thanks Mamma,” she said softly. Then, hearing excited voices, she returned to her own seat and they abandoned serious discussion in favour of listening to Sam’s questions about some fascinating insects he had discovered in the garden.
Watching them, Jo knew beyond all doubt that Margot had found her true calling and she offered up a little prayer of thanksgiving for her third daughter and her lovely family.

#101: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:22 am
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Thanks Becky. I've often felt that Margot only decided to become a nun because she felt that she couldn't do her work any other way.

#102: Author: catherine, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:08 am
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Thanks. I now can't think of Margot as doing anything else ... this seems to suit her perfectly.

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

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:50 am
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Thank you, Becky. I enjoyed that story.

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

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:20 pm
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That was lovely, thanks Becky.

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

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:21 pm
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That was lovely Becky! I'm another one who never quite bought the whole Margot-as-a-nun scenario, so this is excelllent.

#106: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:44 pm
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Margot as a nun has never bothered me -- possibly because I've known some very feisty and independent nuns -- but this is a lovely alternative. Thank you, Becky! Very Happy

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

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 11:25 am
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That was a perfect ending - thanks, Becky Very Happy

#108: Author: Alice, Location: London, England

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 12:24 pm
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Thanks Becky, that was a lovely story.

#109: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2006 2:14 pm
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Thanks, Becky, that was great all the way through.

#110: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2006 10:54 am
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Thanks Becky, this was really sweet Very Happy

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