The CBB :: View topic - Coming Home -Leaving Part III (03/08/06) x2 pg2 COMPLETE

Coming Home -Leaving Part III (03/08/06) x2 pg2 COMPLETE

through

[^/[Print]\]

The CBB -> Ste Therese's House

#1: Coming Home -Leaving Part III (03/08/06) x2 pg2 COMPLETE Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 10:40 pm
—
The early morning sun glinted off the waves as the huge ferry made its way across from Calais to Dover. There were very few people up on deck; although light, it was still barely five am and chilly. Most people preferring to remain below decks, either catching up on sleep or readying themselves for docking. There were a few on deck, however; a group of three Dutch children, two boys and a girl, were running around playing a complicated game of ‘Tag’. Their youthful voices raised as they played. At one point one of the boys ran over to the bow of the ship and bumped into the elderly lady standing there. He started to stammer an apology, speaking in English as he had heard the woman speak earlier in the journey.

The woman smiled, then, a little haltingly but clearly she replied, “Het is geen probleem, was het een ongeval,” (It is not a problem, it was an accident,)

“You speak Dutch?”

“A little, some of the pupils at my school were from the Netherlands, a village near Rotterdam.”

“You are een leraar?” (a teacher)

“Ja,”

The other two children joined their brother and the three spoke with the woman for some minutes, their speech a strange mixture of English, Dutch and German. However all four of them appeared to understand perfectly. Their conversation came to an end when the children’s father appeared and called them to breakfast. With a wave and chorus of ‘Goodbyes’ in all three languages, they left.

“Nice kids,” another voice observed, the first woman turned,

“Nell, I thought you were still asleep,”

“I couldn’t sleep, not when we’re this close.” Nell Wilson moved over and stood beside the other woman, leaning against the rail, “Were you looking at anything in particular, Hilda?”

“Just one thing, Nell,” Hilda Annersley pointed and Nell followed her arm, ahead of them, slightly obscured by the early morning sea mist, lay land, huge white cliffs towering above the sea, with a hint of green above them. Even from this distance Nell could make out an ancient Norman castle above the cliffs.

“Ah,” she said with a smile, “England, nowhere else has such a definitive sight. Well, actually I would imagine any number of other coastlines around the world have chalk cliffs but…”

“Don’t ever expect sentiment from a Geography teacher!” Hilda put in, “Admit it, Nell, the White Cliffs of Dover are special, they are found nowhere else and they represent England.”

“Well of course they do,” Nell replied, “I was just saying…” she stopped, the two women continued to watch the cliffs; at one point the sunlight seem to catch them and they glowed an almost unearthly silver. Nell sighed, “Alright, so they signify England and more they signify freedom. You can imagine how, during the War, seeing those cliffs inspired our soldiers, sailors and airmen.”

“Yes,” a pause, then Hilda was quietly giggling, Nell looked across, “do you remember, Nell? That man we met when we took a holiday on the South coast a few years after the War? The man that had survived Dunkirk?”

Nell frowned slightly then her face cleared, “Oh yes, can’t remember his name, a local man, very strong, he helped us out when we needed a tyre changed. He had been a sergeant in the artillery, part of the British Expeditionary Force, his unit was among those trapped at Dunkirk, he was rescued by one of the little boats.”

“After two others had been sunk beneath him,” Hilda replied, she laughed again, “do you remember what he told us, about what happened to him when he reached Dover?”

Nell started to laugh too, “Yes, they had all been given leave, told to report to the station. He lived in Bournemouth and arrived on the platform to see two crowded trains and a Guard shouting out to all these displaced soldiers, all eager to get home,” Nell acted out the part, throwing out her right hand, “This one’s Bournemouth,” then her left, “This one’s Derby.”

“So he got on the one to the Guard’s right, then, as the train pulled away, watched in horror as the Guard turned to walk back down the platform and continued saying, “This one’s Bournemouth, this one’s Derby.” Hilda continued, also doing the actions.

“Poor man, ended up in Derby and, when he finally got home, had to face a very suspicious wife!”

They both drew breath, stopped laughing, looked back at the cliffs, Hilda was the first to speak, “Even after all that, though, he said these cliffs were special,”

“Yes, they mean we’re on our way home.”

Last edited by Lesley on Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:56 pm; edited 8 times in total

#2: Author: brie, Location: Glasgow

Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 10:48 pm
—
lesley. im loving this, im only sad that this means we are coming near to the end... Crying or Very sad

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

Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 12:04 am
—
Still giggling over the railwayman. Laughing

A moving homecoming.

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

Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:52 pm
—
The two made the trip from Dover to London without many difficulties; most of their luggage had been sent ahead and each of them only had one case and a bag. They had spent a few weeks before returning to England visiting the Gornetz Platz, welcomed there with open arms. Now, on the final leg of their journey, they had decided to spend a few days in London prior to travelling on. Nell Wilson intended to make her home, permanently in the cottage she owned in the village on Dartmoor. She had owned the cottage since before she had even started at the Chalet School and knew it well. Previously she had only ever used it as a holiday home and she knew that, to ensure the cottage was suitable for her retirement, it would require fairly extensive renovations. Luckily she knew the local craftsmen in the village and had been assured that the necessary work would be completed before the onset of the cooler weather of Autumn.

Prior to Hilda Annersley being diagnosed as having osteoarthritis; the plan had been that she would have moved into the cottage as well. The two friends having realised that they wished to spend their retirement together. However, once the diagnosis had been made Hilda had realised that she would not be fit enough to spend her retirement in a small village on Dartmoor. That the steep hills, unmade roads and isolation would mean she would be virtually housebound during the Winter months. She had, instead, looked for a modern house, somewhere that catered for people with some physical disability but still allowed then to live a fully independent life. Unfortunately, even though it was now the 1970’s, there were not very many suitable places. The closest one to Nell’s cottage was a new retirement complex just outside Salisbury. The two had discussed it for some time before Hilda had decided to buy a flat there. The flat would have a guest bedroom and Nell would be a frequent visitor, especially as, once the renovations to her cottage were arranged, Nell planned to buy a new car and considered the one hundred mile drive between them to be simple. The pair had made a number of plans, including spending long parts of the summer at the cottage, while winter was spent in Salisbury.

The first evening in London the two spent quietly, dining in the hotel’s restaurant and talking about their recent visit to the Platz.

“I certainly saw a great many changes,” Hilda said, “to be expected, really, after all it is nearly six years since I was last there.”

“They’d not forgotten you though,” Nell replied, “at least, judging by the way you were greeted when you opened the Sale.”

“Yes, I’ll not forget that was your suggestion to Nancy,” Hilda smiled, “most embarrassing, especially as I was not expecting it.”

“Nancy leapt at the idea,” Nell grinned unrepentantly, “she’s fitted in well there, hasn’t she?”

Hilda nodded, “Yes, I think the School is safe in her hands. It seemed strange that Joey wasn’t there. Living there, I mean, I know she had come across for the Sale.”

“Very odd, but at least she and Jack have been sensible, moved back to England and settled into retirement.” Nell smiled, “Something that we should be thinking about now our travelling days are over.”

“Well we’ll be travelling to Salisbury and Dartmoor respectively the day after tomorrow,” Hilda replied, “It’s late June now, more than time to get everything arranged before Winter.”

“True,” Nell said, “and tomorrow we can just enjoy ourselves…”

“And celebrate a certain someone’s sixty-eighth birthday,” Hilda put in with a smile.

“Oh that!” Nell raised her eyebrows, “I don’t suppose you can be persuaded to forget that, can you?”

“Afraid not, Nell,” Hilda said with a chuckle, “especially not after the fuss you made last month for my birthday,”

“Yes but it was your seventieth, a special one,”

“That was no reason for you to inform the entire School, Nell.”

“You enjoyed it Hilda, don’t try and tell me otherwise,” Nell returned quickly.

Hilda nodded slightly, “Perhaps,” she admitted, “though mainly because of this,” she held up her left hand, on her wrist was a gold watch.

Nell shrugged, “You’d been without a watch for two years,” she said, “I thought that it was time your old one was replaced.”

#5: Author: brie, Location: Glasgow

Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 10:46 am
—
Thanks Lesley. Im really enjoying this as ever!

#6: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 8:27 pm
—
Thanks, Lesley!

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

Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 11:52 pm
—
The two retired to Nell’s room after their meal - it being the larger of the two. They had been surprised to discover that the hotel boasted that its rooms all had television sets. Although they had never been particularly interested before, they switched on the set to watch a programme. After about twenty minutes they switched it off again, Hilda looked across at her friend,

“And this programme, this Kojak, it is a popular show?”

“Apparently, I cannot see any resemblance to police officers here, though.”

“Ah well, times change, I’m sure we’ll see other changes in the years to come.”

The following day was Nell’s birthday; a fact that she really didn’t really want anyone else to know. Unfortunately for her, however, Hilda was determined to ensure that as many people as possible knew of it. Nell realised this when, on joining Hilda for breakfast, she found the table covered in cards.

“Everyone at the School gave them to me for you,” Hilda said by way of greeting, “I thought I’d save them until the actual day.”

“I don’t suppose that it occurred to you to give them to me in private?” Nell asked, somewhat testily.

Hilda considered for a few seconds, “Oh it occurred to me,” she said with a smile, completely ignoring her friend’s bad temper, “but I decided this would be more fun.”

Nell glared at the woman opposite, Hilda returned the glare with a serene smile, Nell glared harder, well aware that it would not affect Hilda one iota - that always made her even more cross. A waiter appeared to take her order for breakfast and, after Nell had taken a few mouthfuls of coffee she began to see the funny side. She chuckled under her breath,

“That’s better,” Hilda said quickly, “I wondered how long you were going to stay annoyed.”

“I’m still annoyed with you, Hilda Annersley,” Nell replied, though, even to herself, she knew that was no longer true.

“Yes Nell,” Hilda said demurely, “well perhaps this will reduce the annoyance,” she passed across a small package, before Nell could take the parcel she reached out, touched Nell on the hand, “You,” she said, “are an exceptionally difficult person for whom to buy gifts. You already have a watch, rarely wear jewellery, have no interest in the normal ornaments and treasures. I hope that is suitable.”

Nell took it, gazing into her friend’s eyes, she opened the package, inside was small oblong object, Nell took it from the box, frowning, she almost recognised it, a cylindrical shape, made from glass, metal and plastic, her eyes widened as she identified it, “It’s the eyepiece to something,” she said, “not a microscope, surely?”

Hilda passed across a small leaflet and Nell quickly read the first words, her eyes softened and she swallowed, “A telescope?”

Hilda nodded, “I remember you saying just how clear the night sky was, in Dartmoor, how, once you had retired there, you would spend part of your time watching the stars.” She smiled slightly, “The instrument is in the shop, Nell, waiting for you to collect it. I thought we could go there later today, so you could check it’s a suitable one for you. I’m afraid the information the man tried to give me about it was well above my head!”

“It’s wonderful, Hilda,” Nell looked again at the eyepiece and the information leaflet, it appeared that Hilda had purchased a top range model, the merchant must have been extremely good. Nell reached across to grasp one of Hilda’s hands, “Thank you,” she said, hastily swallowing a lump in her throat, “it’s perfect.”

The rest of the day also went perfectly; the two travelled across to the specialist shop selling telescopes first. Nell was able to speak with the owner and arrange for the telescope to be transported down to her cottage. They then spent the morning visiting a number of the shops along Oxford Street, both of them revelling in being able to purchase items for home. Following lunch at Selfridges the afternoon was spent attending a matinee performance of Agatha Christie’s Mousetrap - a present to both of them from the Maynards. Neither had seen the play before and both thoroughly enjoyed the entire performance, especially the revelation of the identity of the murderer. They, along with the rest of the audience, solemnly promised never to reveal identity of same.

Back at the hotel the two walked over to the Reception Desk to collect their keys; the young man behind the desk smiled,

“There is some post for you, Miss Wilson,” he said, reaching beneath the desk to pull out three envelopes.

Nell took them, “Thank you Robert, I expect they are more cards,” she smiled, “May we have Tea served in the lounge?”

“Of course Ma’am, I’ll attend to it straight away.”

The two moved to the Hotel Lounge and sat in one secluded corner, Hilda, at least with some measure of relief upon her face. Nell saw this,

“Are you alright, Hilda? We can cancel tonight if you’d prefer?”

Hilda shook her head, “I’ll be fine, Nell, I just need to rest for a couple of hours. I’ll also have a bath later, that’ll loosen up the joints.”

A waitress appeared with a tray of tea, she placed it on the small table between the friends. Nell reached forward and poured out the milk and tea, handed a cup to her friend. She still looked worried, “You’re sure, Hilda?”

“Of course I am, I don’t want to miss our meal tonight, especially as tomorrow we’ll be parting for some time. Now why don’t you open your cards?”

Nell smiled and looked at the envelopes, she opened the first to discover it was from Con and Roger Richardson and family, there was a long letter in with the card and Nell placed this to one side, intending to read it later. The second card had a Welsh postmark and was from Gwynneth Lloyd, Nell passed across the short note with it as it was addressed to them both. She turned to the third envelope; unlike the other two, this one did not appear to have a card within it. Nell opened it with some curiosity. Inside was a typed letter. There was silence while she read the letter, Hilda looked across casually and saw her friend suddenly go pale.

#8: Author: Grembles, Location: Norwich

Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 12:08 am
—
How cruel to find a cliff like that at this time of night when I am already traumatised from the last episodes ever of the West Wing.

wahhhh

#9: Author: Lottie, Location: Humphrey's Corner

Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 10:39 am
—

Lesley wrote:

I don't do cliffs, never have.

Of course not, Lesley, Rolling Eyes

but please come back and tell us what happens.

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

Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 11:02 am
—
Oh, alright then! Laughing

“Nell? What is it Nell, you’re as white as a sheet?”

Nell Wilson dragged her eyes from the words on the page and looked over at the woman sat opposite, “I…I… nothing, Hilda, just a minor surprise, that’s all. Will you excuse me please? I’ve just remembered something…” She rose to leave.

Hilda also stood, she was closer to the door and managed to move in front of Nell’s headlong rush to exit the room. “Nell, what is it? Tell me, please.”

Nell looked for a moment as though she would just push past her friend, however, seeing the concern on Hilda’s face she stopped, sat back down. She waited until Hilda was also sitting once more then spoke, “Sorry Hilda, didn’t mean to alarm you.” She passed the letter across, “Here, read this!”

Hilda took the letter, noting that it was from a firm of lawyers, her eyes swept down the page quickly, when she had finished she looked up, “All of your investments?” she said softly, not really questioning so much as stating with an air of disbelief.

Nell nodded, “That’s what he says,” she replied, “I’ve had Adams as my lawyer for almost thirty years, he wouldn’t be telling me this if it wasn’t the truth.”

“But I don’t understand, Nell,” Hilda was thinking deeply, “I can remember some eighteen months ago, a discussion we had while in Australia. You were going to wire your Investment firm, to get them to move most of your money to Blue Chip stock, away from the higher risk.”

“Yes, I did, I felt the interest I had accrued was more than enough and that I should move everything before there was a drop in the market. Have a look on the reverse. Adams tells me that although the firm received my instruction they didn’t act on it. Now, with the markets collapsing my money seems to have gone.” There was silence for a time, then Nell took a deep breath, “Excuse me, Hilda, I need to ring Adams, find out what on Earth is going on.”

The mood during the meal that evening was very quiet; Nell Wilson had utilised the hotel telephone for some time, managing to speak to her lawyer and find out exactly what had happened. She related the details to her friend while they were eating.

“I can’t fault the lawyers,” Nell said with some resignation, “they passed along my instructions immediately to the stock brokers, even had a letter back from them acknowledging the order. But the firm just didn’t do as I’d ordered.”

“But why not? Have they been able to give you a reason?”

Nell shook her head, “There’s no answer when I try to ring them, and Adams has actually sent a boy round there, the offices are all closed. Adams also passed on that there is some talk, unsubstantiated at the moment, that the firm is being investigated by the Inland Revenue.”

“And what of your money?” Hilda asked gently.

Nell’s face darkened, she took a deep breath then spoke, “As far as my lawyer has been able to work out, it’s gone.”

There was silence for a time, a waiter came to the table, poured out more wine for them both and removed the soup dishes and side plates. When he had gone Hilda looked across at her friend once more,

“Have you any other savings?”

Nell shrugged, “A little, not much, most of it was invested. I’d even cashed in the shares with the Chalet School and reinvested them - did the same as you in not wanting to remain on the Board - Madge gave me a good price and I invested them in companies that had been performing well.” She caught sight of the concern on Hilda’s face and sought to cheer her up, “Hey, it’s not that bad. The cottage is mine, I don’t have any mortgage or loan secured on it, I’ve got a little in the bank and my pension from the School - more than enough. When you read about the small amount that some have to live upon.”

“You’re sure Nell?” Hilda began, “Only I can help if you…”

“I don’t need any help, Hilda,” Nell interrupted fiercely, so fiercely that Hilda did not press the point.

The rest of the meal was eaten in near silence, Nell obviously not wanting to speak of her current concerns and Hilda appreciating the delicacies of discussing money. For both of them the issue of wealth was a private affair, they had both been born into professional homes, homes where their family was considered to be ‘well-to-do’ and where discussions of money just did not take place. Even though they had both been fully responsible for their own affairs since their early twenties, over forty years before, their early upbringing still exerted a strong influence. After the meal they had coffee in the lounge before retiring for the night. Neither of them slept well.

The next day saw them both up early intent on catching trains to Salisbury and Devon. The trains were both leaving around 10am and as they had to travel to Waterloo and Paddington stations respectively this would be ‘goodbye’ for now. They finished breakfast and returned to their rooms to get ready, they had spoken to the concierge and cars had been booked. After settling their accounts with the hotel they sat in the lounge until the cars arrived. On reaching the lounge Nell looked across to where Hilda was already sitting; she was reading a pink tinged newspaper.

“Financial Times, Hilda?” she asked brightly, “Not your normal reading material, is it?”

Hilda looked across, “You know why I’m reading this, Nell,” she replied softly.

Nell sat beside her, “Yes, I know,” she said, she paused then, “sorry about last night.”

Hilda nodded, continued to read for a few minutes, then spoke once more, “The paper reports that your investment firm seems to have lost money for a large number of their clients.”

Nell nodded, “Yes, I’m not the only one it seems.”

“Warrants have been issued for the arrest of the Directors,”

“Not what I want to do to them.”

Hilda smiled at the note of vengeance in her friend’s voice, she placed an arm around Nell’s shoulders, “Tell me honestly, Nell,” she said softly, “Have you enough money? I know the convention is that we not speak of such things but you are my closest friend and, in this instance convention be damned!”

“Why Hilda Annersley, such English,” Nell grinned, “what would they think at…”

“Nell!”

Nell nodded, “Alright Hilda, I think so, yes. As I said, the cottage is mine, I don’t need to buy any new furniture. My only expense will be a new car and I’ve enough in the bank for that. Ordinary living expenses will be covered by the pension - the School was very generous there, you know.”

“No more than either of us deserved, Nell.”

“True.”

“Well, if you are sure?” Hilda looked her friend in the eye, at that moment the concierge appeared.

“Ladies, your cars are here, I’ve already arranged for your luggage to be placed in the boots.”

“Thank you,” Hilda said quickly, she looked back at Nell again, a question in her raised eyebrows.

Nell nodded, “Yes,” she said, “I’m sure. I would tell you if I wasn’t.”

“All right then,” they both rose, stood looking at each other, Hilda swallowed, “You have the address of the hotel where I will be staying?” Hilda was staying in a hotel in Salisbury until the formalities involved in purchasing an apartment in the retirement complex were complete.

Nell nodded, “You know my address too?”

“Of course, I also know your telephone number, I’ll probably call you in a few days.”

“Yes, do that.”

The two hugged each other quickly, “I’ll be along to stay in a couple of months, Hilda, after we’ve both had time to settle everything,” Nell said. “Make sure your spare room is kept ready for me.”

Hilda shook her head, “Not my spare room, Nell,” she said quickly, “your room.”

“Right.”

After another hug the pair moved to the front of the hotel and got into their respective cars, travelling toward their new homes and retirement.

#11: Author: Lottie, Location: Humphrey's Corner

Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 11:52 am
—
Oh, dear. Poor Nell. I don't suppose that there's any chance that anything can be recovered. It sounds as though the brokers were definitely at fault, but they have presumably disppeared with everybody's money. Shocked

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

Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 4:25 pm
—
Poor Nell Sad

Thanks, Lesley

#13: Author: Gem, Location: Saltash/Aberystwyth

Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 7:55 pm
—
*looks very confused* Has this been posted before, Lesley? It definitely rings a bell... Could be going mad, though! Wink

Either way, poor Nell Sad

Hope she's able to tell Hilda if she needs help!!

#14: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 8:02 pm
—
Oh dear, poor Nell.

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

Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 8:17 pm
—

Gem wrote:

*looks very confused* Has this been posted before, Lesley? It definitely rings a bell... Could be going mad, though! Wink

Either way, poor Nell Sad

Hope she's able to tell Hilda if she needs help!!

Yes Gem, it was posted before but was deleted during the hacking. Have posted so anyone that missed it can read again before I ask one of the Mods for St Therese to archive it for me!

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

Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 11:31 pm
—
I didn't miss it, but am reading it again nevertheless. Very Happy

Poor Nell, what an awful shock. And she'd rather die than admit she needs help, of course.

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

Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 9:02 pm
—
‘The woman responsible for promoting the retirement complex was a very nice person,’ Hilda Annersley thought to herself. Mrs Harris was aged about forty, she was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable and was able to answer all of Hilda’s questions clearly. She was also, unfortunately, somewhat condescending toward her clients, speaking to them as though they were all very simple. ‘She probably wasn’t even aware that she did it,’ Hilda mused, ‘she would be horrified if she discovered that she was seriously annoying at least half her clientele.’ Hilda continued to concentrate once more,

“Now Miss Annersley, we all need a little help as we get older, and this complex is designed to allow our elderly patrons to continue to live as active a life as always,”

Hilda smiled, “I rather doubt that, Mrs Harris,” she replied, “Unfortunately my life prior to coming here was somewhat more active, far more so than one to which I can now aspire.” As she pronounced the sentence her lips twitched involuntarily at the thought of how Nell would greet that grammatically correct sentence.

“Oh but surely, as a school teacher, Miss Annersley,” Mrs Harris smiled, “yours must have been a very sedate existence?”

Hilda’s eyebrows rose, “I was Headmistress of a large boarding school in the Swiss Alps, Mrs Harris, and I cannot remember ever having a sedate time.” Something in her tone must have given Mrs Harris a warning because she backed away, muttering apologies, moving instead to describing the facilities available.

Later, after Hilda been taken round the ‘show apartment’ she then was left to walk through the grounds, she was joined by another woman. Some years older than Hilda, the woman was still sprightly, her bright eyes far too young for her face. She walked across to greet her.

“Miss Annersley? I’m Miss Beryl Rogers, understand that you are looking to move here?”

Hilda shook hands with the woman, “Yes, Miss Rogers, I believe so. The complex appears to have all the facilities I will require both now and, for the future.”

“Well we’ll be pleased to have you.” Miss Rogers moved closer so that she could speak in private, “I’ve just had Millie Harris tell me that you were a formidable woman, what have you been saying?” This last said with a grin.

Hilda found herself returning the grin, “I merely pointed out that my existence prior to coming here was certainly not sedate. She appeared to believe that it was; I also corrected her, she thought I was a schoolteacher.”

“Whereas in fact?”

“Headmistress.”

“Ah, that’s what’s got her in a flurry then,” Miss Rogers said with satisfaction, she explained, “don’t get me wrong, Millie Harris is a lovely girl, she’s very kind hearted, will do anything for you. She makes sure all the facilities are working on site and that everyone is happy.”

“But?”

“But,” Miss Rogers continued, “she has this tendency to consider that we’re all in our dotage, that we don’t have minds of our own. I think she really wants us to be like the twinkly old grandmas she can remember from when she was a child. Anyone that doesn’t fit that profile really confuses her - welcome to the club.”

“You also confuse her?”

“I do, until nine years ago I was Matron at the nearby General Hospital - even now the majority of the staff there know me, by reputation if not personally. And May was an officer in the WAAF for years, didn’t leave until she got married.”

“May?”

“Sorry yes, May Austin, my sister, widowed now, of course, we share one of the larger apartments. So when do you hope to move in then?”

“Within the next week or two,” Hilda replied, “That is if Mrs Harris will accept me,” she added with a smile.

“She wouldn’t dare refuse,” Miss Rogers replied, “If she did she’d have grief from at least half the residents,” she pointed across to where one of the few men was mowing the lawn in front of his apartment, “That’s William Murray, he was General Secretary in his Union until just two years ago - he has some very interesting tales about battles with corrupt management.” With a wink Miss Rogers left Hilda to walk back to the show apartment.

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

Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 10:00 pm
—
Poor Mrs Harris! What is she letting herself in for!

#19: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 10:17 pm
—
I love the thought of Hilda and Nell livening the place up!

#20: Author: Phil, Location: London UK

Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 1:35 pm
—
Oooh! I like this very much ! Smile

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

Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:52 pm
—
There was a knock on the door mid-morning a few days after Nell Wilson had arrived at her cottage. Halfway through unpacking one of the trunks that had been sent on ahead Nell rose from her knees and walked across to open the door. Outside stood a man of about forty, dressed in workman’s clothes, rather shabby, and large, mud-encrusted boots. When Nell saw him she smiled widely,

“Tom, Tom Huxtable, it’s been years, come in, come in do.”

“Oh perhaps not Miss Wilson,” the man said quickly, “I’m a bit mucky.”

Nell waved an arm, “As if that mattered,” she said, then, looking down she continued, “but perhaps you’d best leave your boots outside.”

A short time later the two were sat at the kitchen table, Nell pouring out two cups of tea, “Strong with two sugars, yes?”

Huxtable smiled, “You remembered?”

“How could I forget? I still see your father bemoaning the fact that you were through the sugar ration for the family before half the week was over.” She smiled then her expression changed, grew sadder, “I was really sorry to hear of his death, Tom, he was a good man.”

Huxtable nodded, biting his lip slightly, “He had a good innings, so they say, eighty-four he was. Thanks for the wreath you sent, we all appreciated it.”

There was silence for a time, then Nell spoke again, “So you’re running the firm now?”

“I am that, got two of my boys in with me,”

“Let me guess, Ian and Philip?”

“That’s right, how’d you know?”

Nell smiled, “Trust a schoolmistress, I knew those two lads of yours were more interested in practical work than with their studies. But what about Christopher?”

Huxtable smiled, “At the grammar school, in his Fourth year, he’ll be taking exams next year, he’s doing well, wants to design cars, would you believe.”

The pair finished their tea and Huxtable shook his head when Nell offered him another, “No, I’d best get on with why I’m here. Your letter said you were going to be living here permanent?”

“That’s correct, I’ve retired now and finished my world trip.”

“Yes, it’s been a while since you were last here, nearly six years isn’t it? I was surprised to get your letter, thought you’d sell the place off. So, you need a quote on repairs then?”

Nell nodded, “Yes please Tom, take a look at the place and tell me what needs to be done and how much it will cost.”

Huxtable started his examination of the cottage; he climbed up into the loft and then went up onto the roof itself, he went down into the cellar, then walked all round the inside of the cottage before going out to check the outside. Nell left him to it while she returned to the task of unpacking and storing items. In the kitchen, unpacking grocery items bought the previous day, she took the time to look through her kitchen at the furniture. The oven was basic, gas but at least thirty years old - it would probably be condemned if seen by an official, a small refrigerator - probably about ten years old now. She’d intended buying new appliances, possibly even a washing machine. It had never been necessary before – when she used the cottage just for holidays, but now that she planned to live here…she sighed, deciding that she would have to check through her finances carefully. At that point there was a knock on the door, she moved across to let Huxtable back in.

“There’s more needs doing, Miss Wilson, than I first thought,” he said quickly, “I’ll send over a written quote this afternoon but can tell you some of it now?”

“Yes please, Tom,” Nell said, indicating one of the armchairs, Huxtable sat on the edge of the seat; Nell sat opposite him, waiting.

“First then,” the builder began, “and most important, is the roof. I’ve been up there quickly to check – and you’re going to need a new one before winter. Basically I’m surprised it’s lasted as long as it has, there are a couple of places where there’s no protection against the weather. In fact I think the rain has got in, in a few places, come upstairs, I’ll show you.”

Nell followed the builder upstairs and looked at the spots on the ceiling in the second bedroom. “This ceiling doesn’t look too safe, either,” Nell remarked, the ceiling appeared to be bulging down, toward the floor.

“It’s not,” Huxtable agreed, “because the roof has been leaking a lot of water damage has occurred – you’ll need to have the ceiling replaced soon – otherwise, next lot of rain we have, that ceiling will come down.” He took Nell into the bathroom, showed her where further water damage had occurred due to the roof.

“What about the plumbing?” Nell asked.

“That’s okay,” the builder replied, “Dad did a good job when he converted this room so you had an inside toilet, the plumbing downstairs is fine too.”

“So it’s mainly a new roof, new ceiling in second bedroom and redecoration there and in the bathroom?” Nell asked, thinking with some worry about the escalating cost of repairs.

Huxtable shook his head, “No, there’s more,” he said gravely, he led her back downstairs and down into the cellar, pointed to one wall, “You’ve got rising damp here, quite severe, too severe for me to deal with, you’ll need to bring in a firm that specialises in damp proofing courses.”

Back in the sitting room the two sat down, the builder counted on his fingers as he detailed his findings, “OK, in priority, the roof and damp course are a must. You’ll also need to get that ceiling fixed before having anyone to stay in that bedroom. The decoration of bedroom and bathroom can wait, of course…”

“Anything else?”

The man hesitated, “Well, you might want to consider having new windows, especially in here, some of the plaster is crumbling.”

“Good grief, it sounds as though the entire place is crumbling away,” Nell said with some fire. “Makes me wonder what on Earth I’ve been doing for the last forty years.”

“The underlying structure is sound, Miss Wilson,” Huxtable said gently, “and remember; you’ve only used it as a holiday home before, only been here for a few weeks at a time – mostly in the summer, sometimes over Christmas but only for short periods. Now you’re looking at living here full time you’ll need to make it fit. I mean, ‘scuse me but you’re not getting any younger ma’am, are you? Me Mum’s only, what, ten years older than you? I wouldn’t want her living here at the moment.”

“I see,” Nell was thinking deeply.

“I’ll send my boy round this afternoon with my proper quote; but I can give you an idea now if you want?”

Nell nodded, Huxtable made a few calculations in the notebook he carried then scribbled a figure, he then tore the page from the book and passed it across to the woman opposite.

“Does this include the damp course?”

“No, but I can recommend a firm if you’d like?” The builder hesitated, then, “You might want to get other quotes, Miss Wilson, I won’t be upset, but they’ll all be pretty much the same.”

Nell nodded slightly, she smiled across at him, “Thanks Tom, I appreciate you taking the time to come,”

“No problem, Miss Wilson, anything for you.” After another quick cup of tea the builder left, Nell stared down at the figures on the paper for some time.

#22: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:24 pm
—
Thanks Lesley Very Happy

#23: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:27 pm
—
I'm enjoying this again, second time around. Poor Nell, what a horrible shock.

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

Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 12:02 am
—
And so unfair, when she'd done her best to do the sensible thing and change her investments.

Isn't it funny how knowing what happens doesn't change the indignation on her behalf and sympathy for her.

Liked the obviously long-standing relationship with Tom and his family.

#25: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 12:28 pm
—
Thanks Lesley, I'm enjoying this again!

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

Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 5:01 pm
—
Poor Nell - how disappointing for her

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

Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 6:50 pm
—
That evening the telephone rang, she answered it quickly,

“Hello Nell,”

“Hilda! It’s so good to hear from you,” Nell exclaimed delightedly, “how are you? How’s the flat-hunting?”

“I’m very well,” Hilda’s warm voice replied, “and the flat hunting is almost complete. I’ve been visiting the retirement complex today, seeing the flats themselves and the facilities. I’ve also spoken with some of the other residents.”

“Excellent.” Nell paused then spoke quickly, “I say, Hilda, it’s not like a home is it? I mean a home for the old?”

Hilda’s warm laugh sounded over the line, “Nell, what have you been imagining? No, it’s not a nursing home or anything. The flats are really houses on one level, bungalows, they are set along roads, each with a small garden. The complex also has a number of shops on-site, a Doctor’s surgery and even a hairdresser. It’s similar to a small, self-contained village.”

“But you’re allowed to leave, aren’t you?” Nell sounded worried.

“Of course I’m…” Hilda stopped, “Nell do you have a television?”

“Yes, how did you know?”

“Because I believe I know what programme you watched last night. The Prisoner?”

Nell laughed, “Yes I watched it, well, I watched about five minutes of it. It was very strange.”

“Yes,” Hilda agreed, “well please don’t worry, I am not planning to be imprisoned within an English village. The complex runs a number of visits to different areas within England, as well as courtesy buses into the centre of town.”

“It sounds good. What about the people?”

“Oh I think you would approve, I’ve met a number of them, they most certainly haven’t decided that their lives are complete just yet!” Hilda’s voice was full of amusement. “I hope to make new friends here. Now, what about you? How are things?”

“Fine, I’ve made a start on unpacking, it’s taking a while, though, didn’t realise just how much I had accumulated over the years.”

“Have you looked into the renovations needed for your cottage? Will a great deal need to be done?”

“I’ve had the builder in today, there’s nothing I cannot handle,” even as she said this Nell cursed under her breath, aware that she was a terrible liar, she could almost hear the eyebrows going up on her friend’s face.

“Are you sure, Nell? I thought you said that some renovations would be necessary before Winter…”

“I’m sure, Hilda, stop fussing!”

There was silence for a time then, hesitantly, “Nell, I am well aware that your finances have been badly affected. Are you sure there is nothing I can do to help?”

“For the last time, Hilda, everything is fine.” Nell said angrily, “Now I’ve got to go, in the middle of cooking something.” She replaced the receiver, ignoring the voice of her friend. She walked out into the kitchen, the oven was not alight and, indeed, Nell didn’t feel like eating. She went back into the lounge, looked through the papers again without really seeing them. Her watch said barely nine o’clock but she decided to go to bed, perhaps something would have changed by morning.

The following morning, after an unsettled night, Nell Wilson awoke early feeling vaguely guilty. ‘I shouldn’t have cut Hilda off like that,’ she thought to herself, ‘she was only trying to help.’

After a light breakfast she sat at the kitchen table going over all the paperwork sent to her by her lawyers, trying to work out the exact state of her finances. She had been sat there for about two hours when she was interrupted by a knock at the door. Removing her reading glasses she got up to answer the door, wondering who could be calling on her this early – it was barely nine o’clock. When she opened the door she didn’t believe her eyes at first, standing in front of her, her tall slim frame only slightly bowed, was a woman of seventy. The woman had a walking stick in her right hand and had silver-grey hair in a short cut. Her face bore some lines, though these were mainly laughter lines, and her skin showed evidence of having only recently returned from warmer climes, just like Nell’s own skin. The woman smiled and her blue-grey eyes sparkled.

“Hello Nell,” she said.

Nell swallowed slightly in shock, “Hilda? But what are you doing here?”

“Well at the moment Nell,” Hilda Annersley said with some amusement, “I’m standing on your doorstep, waiting to be invited in.”

At the words Nell started, “Oh, of course, come in,” she held out a hand to help her friend into the cottage, Hilda leant heavily on her stick and walked slowly into the sitting room. Nell swiftly moved some boxes out of the way and indicated an upright chair, “You’ll probably find this one more comfortable,” she said quickly.

Her friend lowered herself into the chair with some relief, she smiled across at Nell, “Thank you, Nell,” she said, “now, a cup of tea would be most welcome.”

Nell Wilson was out in the kitchen filling the kettle before she realised that she had automatically obeyed without even thinking about it! Once the tea was made she carried the teapot, milk and two cups back into the sitting room.

“It’s not going to work, Hilda,” she said flatly, by way of greeting. She placed the tray on the table and stirred the teapot, she looked over at her friend, “I’m not obliged to do everything you tell me now.”

Hilda raised an eyebrow, “Nell, I cannot remember any time when you did,” she said with amusement.

Well, no,” Nell conceded, “but it’s not going to work now. What are you doing here? And don’t tell me you’ve just come visiting, it’s a little far from Salisbury to here. How did you get here anyway? I thought you found it too painful to drive?”

“I do,” Hilda replied, “I arranged for someone to drive me.”

“Oh,” Nell looked round, “you’ve not left them outside, have you? Did they want to come in?”

Hilda shook her head, “No, they’ve driven into the village, said they knew of a café where they could get breakfast. They will be back later.”

“Alright, but that still doesn’t explain why you are here.”

Hilda Annersley looked across at her friend, her expression searching. For a moment Nell found herself back at the Chalet School – no one could withstand that look. She swallowed quickly. Hilda smiled,

“I wanted to continue our conversation of last night,” she said.

“There’s nothing more to discuss, Hilda,” Nell said firmly even while pouring the tea.

Hilda inclined her head, “Very well, if you will not discuss it, let us instead discuss your new life here.”

“What do you mean?” Nell was suspicious, Hilda never gave in that easily.

“Why I’m simply going through the advantages of remaining here, Nell,” Hilda’s face was as impassive as ever, “let us see. Well the cottage is still sound, still in as beautiful a part of the countryside as when I first visited, during the War. It is in need of some renovation, admittedly, things that, I know, you had planned to do….”

“How do you know it’s in need of renovation?” Nell asked suspiciously.

“Because, prior to coming here, I visited the offices of a Mr Thomas Huxtable, Builder, in the village.”

“Tom told you, I’ll have to speak to him about that.” Nell said heatedly.

“Please allow me to continue, Nell,” Hilda said softly, “Now, unfortunately it will not be possible for you to have all the necessary work done, will it?”

Nell didn’t reply, Hilda continued, “Also there is the fact that the location is very remote, almost a mile to the village, not a problem for you at present, although I could not attempt it. Did you intend to purchase a car?”

“Well I’d hoped that I could but…” Nell returned quickly.

“Exactly, the problem with finances again.” Hilda replied, “Well you will have to rely solely on your own two feet. I just hope that you continue in good health, especially as it can be very icy here in the winter.” Hilda’s eyes danced as she remembered one particular example.

Nell sighed, “I’ll manage,” she said, “it’s not that expensive to live and my Chalet School pension will be more than sufficient.”

#28: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 10:17 pm
—
I didn't see this the first time round, but am enjoying it now. I love the relationship between these two.

#29: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 10:26 pm
—
Also enjoying the relationship between the two of them. Thanks Lesley Very Happy

#30: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 7:51 am
—
I missed it first time so I'm glad to see it now, Lesley. Thank you for posting it again.

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

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 6:42 pm
—
“For now, Nell,” Hilda returned, “however with the cost of living always rising it’s not always possible to guarantee anything.” She paused, then added, “there’s nothing for it, I will have to change my plans.”

Nell held up a hand, “I’ll not accept money, Hilda,” she said firmly, “so don’t even think of offering it.”

“I wasn’t going to offer money, Nell,” Hilda returned mildly, “instead I thought that I’d move here, share your cottage, I’d pay rent, naturally…”

“What? Why would you do that?”

Hilda looked across at her friend, “So that,” she replied, “you stubborn woman, you would have enough money to get the worst of the repairs done here, the roof, the damp proofing, perhaps even new windows. This place is pleasant enough at present, but without those repairs then, come Winter, it will be miserable. By taking in a ‘lodger’ you would be able to make the cottage fit for habitation.”

Nell passed across a cup of tea to her friend then sat back in her chair, sipping her own drink, she passed over the ‘stubborn woman’ comment, “You couldn’t live here, Hilda,” she said flatly.

Hilda raised an eyebrow, “Why not? I think we know each other well enough, we would make good house mates.”

Nell shook her head, “I didn’t mean that, I mean you couldn’t live here with your arthritis. There are too many hills, the nearest village is almost a mile away, most of the roads are unmade. You’d be housebound.” She took a breath, “And anyway, you’ve got everything arranged in your retirement complex. All the facilities on-tap, apartment all on one level, shops and restaurants nearby, good public transport. Why would you want to give all that up?”

Hilda placed her cup on the coffee table; she leant forward and grasped Nell’s hand, her blue-grey eyes staring directly into Nell’s grey ones, “Do you really need to ask, Nell Wilson?”

Nell bore that gaze for some seconds before having look away, “You couldn’t live here, Hilda,” she repeated quietly, “you’d be in too much pain. I couldn’t do that to you.”

Hilda sighed, “Very well,” she said slowly, “then why not come and live with me? If you were to sell this cottage you would have more than enough to invest, you would have a good income. Even after paying rent to me you would have far more, enough to run a small car as well as holidays. The apartments are new and modern, they have central heating, they even have a television aerial point - should we ever find something worth watching.”

Nell shook her head, “No Hilda, I don’t want your charity, I’ll be fine, I…”

“You will not be fine, Nell,” Hilda Annersley actually looked angry now, “and you are just being adamant, you know this cottage is not suitable, you know that you do not have the resources to make it suitable. You are sixty-eight years old Nell, even though you are fit and healthy now you have to look to the future. You told me last night that you were going to check through your finances again, I assume you have done so? Well tell me I’m wrong, tell me that you will be able to make this cottage fit for your old age.”

There was silence for some time then, quietly, Nell replied, “I can’t tell you that, Hilda, I’ve been looking through all the paperwork for the last two hours, my investments are worthless. Oh I can take the firm to the civil court, I have a good case, after all, they ignored the instructions I wired across to them when we were in Australia, but the company doesn’t have any assets, they are in receivership.”

Hilda nodded, having read details about the company in the Financial Times on the trip, “Well then? Will you come and live with me?” She swallowed slightly then continued, “I should add, Nell, that this is not a completely altruistic offer, I would welcome your company. The people there seem to be very pleasant, I‘m sure I‘ll make friends, but they will not be you. We have been friends for a long time, Nell, I don‘t want to lose that friendship now.”

Nell thought for a long time; staring across the room, she found herself focusing on the photograph on the wall, it was of a couple and their family, two little girls, she smiled, remembering the day the photograph had been taken, then she remembered something her father had once said - that home wasn’t furniture or houses, it was where you were loved. She slowly nodded, “Yes, yes I will. Only…”

“Only?”

“Well you said you were getting a two-bed roomed apartment? That doesn’t leave us anywhere if we have guests, does it?”

Hilda smiled, “Not a problem, Nell,” she said, “when I was speaking to the complex manager she told me that there was a three bed roomed apartment free as well, the cost is very little more and well within my budget.”

Nell smiled, “Well you’d better get back there and put a deposit down for it, before someone else does.” She looked around her cottage, “And I’ll have to arrange for a removal firm to come and pack all my belongings.”

“Ah, yes, about that,” Hilda managed to look both smug and guilty at the same time, “I placed a deposit on the three bed roomed apartment yesterday evening after speaking with you.” She looked across at her friend, waiting for the reaction, it wasn’t long in coming…

“You’ve already done it? Why you manipulative, scheming woman! That was your idea all along, wasn’t it?”

“Yes Nell,” Hilda replied meekly.

“Don’t give me that meek expression, Hilda Annersley,” Nell was incensed, “I suppose you’ve also arranged for the removal firm to arrive first thing tomorrow?”

“Well, not exactly, Nell,” Hilda said quietly, “they are already here, having breakfast in the vill…” Her voice trailed off at the look on her friend’s face.

“Already here? And you were so sure that you could convince me, were you? Suppose I’d refused point-blank?”

“I hoped that you would not, Nell, I hoped that I could convince you. And I really meant it, that I would welcome your company. The people at the complex all appear to be most charming, I’m sure I will be able to make many new friends, but I didn’t want to lose touch with my closest and greatest friend. My illness means that public transport is not accessible not for long journeys, even sitting in a car for a long time is painful. As you would not have been able to afford a car it is likely that we would not have seen each other very often. I didn’t want that.”

Nell’s face softened very slightly, “If you think that comment is enough for me to forgive your scheming you have another think coming, Hilda Annersley.”

“Yes Nell.”

“And stop agreeing with me, you know I hate that.”

“Yes Nell, sorry.”

There was a long pause, then, “You know I feel the same way about you, don’t you?”

“Yes Nell, I know.”

A sigh, “Oh very well, call them, the café’s number will be in the book, might as well get the move done as quickly as possible.”

“Yes Nell.”

#32: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 8:24 pm
—
Oh good, sounds like it's going to work out well.

#33: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 8:35 pm
—
What a truly lovely scene. It had me giggling and tearing up all at the same time.

#34: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:14 pm
—
Your portrayal of those two is canon for me now Lesley. They have such a wonderful relationship.

#35: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:39 pm
—
*g* Thanks Lesley

#36: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:43 pm
—
Wonderful, Lesley!

(I think this is as far as I remember from last time. Not sure if it really was as far as I'd read before the evil hacker, or whether this bit was just so good it particularly stuck in my mind.)

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

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:51 pm
—
Might as well post the last bit then! Might have to consider writing about their retirement at some point - after all - I have another thirty years in which to play! Laughing

It took quite some time to arrange things; in fact it took two days to get everything packed from Nell’s house, the removal men sleeping overnight at the pub in the village at Hilda’s expense. Hilda herself slept in Nell’s bed while Nell took the couch in the lounge - the second bedroom not fit for anyone to sleep in. Nell not listening when Hilda tried to insist that she would sleep on the couch. Once everything was packed Nell took time to arrange for the sale of her cottage, giving the estate agents full instructions. For the journey back to Salisbury Nell hired a car, feeling that Hilda had suffered enough being in the removal van for the journey down the day before!

It was almost six weeks later before the two finally became settled into their new home. They had moved into their apartment some five or six days before and spent the time unpacking boxes and gently wrangling with each other as to what furniture went where. If Nell began by drawing back, saying that, as it was Hilda’s house she should make the decisions, Hilda then retaliated by saying that she would dispose of all her furniture, use only Nell’s. After some discussion they decided to go through everything, keeping those items that they both liked and discarding those that didn’t fit or one or both of them disliked. In their own bedrooms they chose their own furniture.

Nell had been pleasantly surprised that her cottage had sold so quickly and for such a good price - the estate agent quick to point out that the cottage was in a prime site for tourism. The resulting capital was invested quickly with just a small amount left to add to her savings. She and Hilda had then visited a lawyer together to ensure that tenancy to the apartment was paid monthly. All other living expenses would be divided equally. One of the first things they had done was buy a new car and both of them revelled in the sense of freedom it gave them.

A short time after they had moved in, and with most of the unpacking done, they had held a dinner party to say hello to some of their neighbours. They had also invited Millie Harris and her husband; he at least, appeared to enjoy herself, Millie appeared to be too concerned that none of the others were ‘over-doing it’ and seemed to have the impression that none of them should lift anything heavy or even be allowed near naked flames when cooking. Hilda bore this well intentioned fussing without comment, Nell did not. After the third attempt by Millie to ‘help the old ladies’ Nell advised Millie Harris in no uncertain terms that she…

“...had cooked meals out in the open, cooked meals whilst being pursued by Nazis and had cooked meals in the middle of the Amazon rain forest and on the side of an active volcano. Cooking one in a well appointed kitchen was not a problem!”

After that Millie Harris appeared to take the hint and left the kitchen!

Later that evening, much later, after all their guests had left, after even the television had finished for the night, the two of them were both still awake. Hilda was sat in the lounge reading while Nell was out in the garden. A short time later she appeared,

“Come outside, Hilda,” she said quickly, “I’ve something to show you. It’s warm out, you won’t need your cardigan.”

Hilda placed her book on the side table and rose. She reached for her stick and slowly followed Nell out into the back garden. Outside, near the rear of the garden, and as far from the lights of the house as possible, Nell had set up her telescope. She guided Hilda across to where a small chair was placed beneath the telescope.

“Sit there while I just focus,” Nell moved to the telescope and fiddled with the controls for a while, then, “right, look through the eyepiece now,”

Hilda did as ordered and there was silence for a few seconds then, “Oh, it’s delightful, but what is it?” Hilda looked across at her friend.

Nell smiled, “The Perseid meteor shower,” she said, “they always appear mid August. You can see them with the naked eye,” she gestured up to the night sky, “but you get far more detail with the telescope.”

Hilda bent to look once more, “What causes the meteors?”

“It’s a comet, called Comet Swift-Tuttle,” Nell replied, “It passes very close to the Earth each year and we get brushed by its tail. There are lots of comets around that come back again and again.”

“I can recall one,” Hilda said, “Halley’s comet?”

“Yes, that one has been known for centuries, the Chinese have records of it before the Birth of Christ.”

“Isn’t Halley’s comet pictured in the Bayeaux Tapestry?”

“Yes, it comes around every 76 years or so, was last here in,” Nell thought for a moment, “1910, so should be back around 1986. Wonder if we’ll be around to see it?”

“Let us hope so,” Hilda replied absently, after some minutes of watching the meteors she turned to her friend, “Thank you Nell, that was wonderful.”

“Marvellous even?”

Hilda smiled, “Perhaps even that.”

After some time of the two sitting there watching the stars together, Hilda rose, saying she was a little chilly.

“Mmmm, I am too,” Nell agreed, “I’ll be in soon, just pack this up.”

A few minutes later she walked back into the kitchen and shut the back door on the light show outside. In the lounge she found Hilda sat in one of the two comfortable armchairs, beside both chairs was a large mug of milky coffee. Nell could hear music playing as she entered and turned to look across at the brand new music system that the two had bought only the week before. An LP was on the turntable and the music from the speakers was familiar,

“Beethoven’s Sixth? The Pastoral Symphony?”

Hilda nodded, “Yes, it seemed somehow appropriate.”

Nell sat in her chair and raised her coffee mug, “This symphony always makes me think of home,” she said.

Hilda nodded, “Yes, except now,” she smiled, “now here is home,” she paused, looked across at her friend, “we are home.”

Nell nodded and the two drank their coffee in a silent toast. Home.

THE END

Last edited by Lesley on Fri Aug 04, 2006 7:00 am; edited 1 time in total

#38: Author: Caroline OSullivan, Location: Reading, Berkshire, UK

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:55 pm
—
Thank you Lesley Very Happy

Even better second time round

#39: Author: Elder in Ontario, Location: Ontario, Canada

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:57 pm
—
Thanks, Lesley - I do remember this from before the evil hackers had their way, but it's lovely to be able to re-read it. Yes, the idea of a piece on their lives in retirement sounds wonderful - pretty please!!

And the next bit of RCS wouldn't come amiss either - hint, hint - especially considering the cliff you left us on!!

#40: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 10:37 pm
—
Thank you Lesley, that was beautiful, and it is so open for you to write of their retirtement, you have even introduced some of the new characters.

#41: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 10:40 pm
—
Thanks Lesley, that was lovely. I can't imagine them not being together after retiring!

#42: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 10:45 pm
—
I'd love a piece on their retirement too.

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

Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:23 am
—
I've just reread this...Hilda's handling of Nell was masterly, although she has had a significant number of years in which to practice of course!

Thank you Lesley.

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

Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 11:16 am
—
Yay! Happy New Home to them both Very Happy

Thanks, Lesley

#45: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 5:29 am
—
I can't believe it took me so long to get around to reading this! Thanks Lesley.

#46: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:24 pm
—
Lovely, Lesley. Thanks. Was good to read that again. Very Happy

#47: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 4:44 am
—
Lovely ending. Very Happy

*looks forward to next 30 years*

The CBB -> Ste Therese's House

output generated using printer-friendly topic mod. All times are GMT + 1 Hour

Page 1 of 1