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Dick Bettany, or what might have happened if Mollie had died

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The CBB -> Ste Therese's House

#1: Dick Bettany, or what might have happened if Mollie had died Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:41 pm
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The bunny bit yesterday when this idea was posted on GO. I posted about the bunny, and a member of this board dared me to write it! So this little drabble is dedicated to her! Twisted Evil

It was a year to the day since Mollie Bettany had died, and Dick was sitting in his office at The Quadrant lost in his memories. They had had so many good years, both in India and since they had come back to England and it seemed so unfair to lose her when their family was starting to grow up. Bridgie Fitzgerald, Mollie’s sister, still lived with them to keep house, and allow Peggy to finish her time at Welsen, but it wasn’t the same. A lot of the joy had gone out of his life, and it showed. Friends rallied round of course, especially the people involved with the Chalet School, but most of the people he knew were now with one or other of the branches in Switzerland, and the English branch was still too far away to make visiting very feasible. It dawned on him slowly that he was lonely. Lonely for the sort of undemanding companionship that had been so much a part of his life.

Time passed slowly and the summer came round again. Peggy came home from Welsen and Bridgie went back to Ireland. Life settled down into the new routine, and Dick found that although it was wonderful to have Peggy home he missed the sort of conversation he could have with his own age group. Therefore when Nell Wilson and Hilda Annersley came to spend the day from Nell’s cottage on Dartmoor he greeted them with open arms. It was a wonderful day, and he was reluctant to say goodbye. It wasn’t that they did anything other than sit in the shade of a tree in the garden and talk, but to Dick the day shone like a beacon on a gloomy day. The two Heads had naturally seen his reaction, and they came across for more days, and invited Dick up to the cottage too. A warm friendship grew up between then all, deeper than had previously been the case, and when the time came for Nell and Hilda to go back to Switzerland, Dick found it hard to hide his disappointment. The house seemed even emptier when everyone except Peggy had gone back to school, and Dick found himself withdrawing more and more from everyday happenings. Peggy was concerned, but had no idea what to do about it, until she suddenly thought of her Aunt Jo. She always had the answer. So she wrote straight away, before she had time to change her mind, describing the way her father was behaving, and how happy and full of life he had been in the summer. Jo’s answer was immediate - an invitation for them to go out to the Platz for a few weeks. Dick took a little persuading, for he felt that the effort required would be too much, but Peggy - and Jo - prevailed, and almost before he knew what was happening, Dick found himself on the overnight train from Paris to Interlaken, and beginning to feel more like himself than he had since the summer.
Jo and Jack met them at the Bahnhof in Interlaken and drove them up to the Gornetz Platz. The day was bright and sunny, and the Jungfrau free of clouds and Dick and Peggy felt their spirits lifting. Seeing her father so much more like his old self did more than the weather and scenery to help Peggy, and Jo was pleased to see the little lines of worry smooth away from her face, though she was worried at just how old her brother looked. Nell and Hilda were at Freudesheim to welcome then, and both were shocked to see the change in him. However, under the loving care given him by all his friends and by his sister he began, slowly, to regain his happiness. He did a lot of walking, sometimes on his own, more often with someone else, whoever was free to go with him. But it was the two Heads who did the most to help, simply by their presence. Their strength gave him strength, and he became determined never to let himself slide into the state he had been in again. Only when it was time to leave did he realise that he would miss one person more than the rest. That one of the two ladies had come to mean more to him that ordinary friendship, and it shocked him. He had no idea what to do about it, or even whether he should attempt to do anything, as he had no idea whether or not his feelings were returned.
If he could have read the confusion in that lady’s mind he would have been extremely startled. Like Dick, it was only when it was time for him to return to England that she realised how much she would miss him, and how much he had come to mean to her. It was a shock, for she had thought that all that had passed her by, and she had no idea how to deal with it. Her abstraction as the days passed was noticed by her friend, who put two and two together and came up with the correct answer.

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

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:52 pm
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Oooooh, and what a lovely place to leave it, without saying which one! Very Happy

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

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 10:06 pm
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Ooooh! Yay! The bunny prevailed Very Happy

Thanks, Pat

#4: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 10:07 pm
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Well I got challenged didn't I? Twisted Evil

#5: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 2:48 am
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Poor Dick; that was a brilliant drabble, Pat. Thank you.

#6: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 5:24 am
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Most intriguing. Shocked

Thank you, Pat.

#7: Author: Liane, Location: Manchester

Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 7:26 am
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That was fantastic Pat thank you

#8: Dick Bettany or what might have happened if Mollie had died Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia

Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 7:49 am
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Pat!! you can't stop there. That was great and I would love to see a sequel.

#9: Author: janem, Location: Ash, Surrey

Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 7:54 am
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That was lovely. Thank you

#10: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 1:31 pm
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Thanks, Pat!

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

Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 7:00 pm
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Poor Dick Crying or Very sad

But which one is it???

#12: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 8:17 pm
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Christmas came and went, cards and letters passed too and fro amongst all three of them, and still the two said nothing, neither to each other, nor to anyone else. Both felt a little awkward over the feelings that had suddenly grown up, and neither wanted to risk a friendship by mentioning it. Things could have gone on in the same way forever except for a typical Chalet School-type accident. During the Easter holidays Dick was up a ladder, trying to clear the guttering on one of the outhouses. It had become clogged over the winter, and the rain water was now spilling down the walls. He was absorbed in his work and only dimly heard the squealing of a pig. The animal had escaped from the field and was running free, chased by one of the farm hands who was trying to catch it to return it to where it belonged. Unfortunately, the pig veered into the yard and ran straight for the ladder that Dick was using. The ladder came off worst in the resulting collision, crashing to the ground and breaking in two. The pig ran away totally unharmed, and Dick ended up on the ground with his leg doubled under him in a most unnatural fashion. Into this scene walked the two Heads, who had come over for one of their regular visits. Both gasped, and Hilda ran for the phone whilst Nell checked the leg to make sure her initial diagnosis was correct. Which naturally it was! The leg was broken.
When the ambulance arrived to take Dick to hospital it was Nell who went with him leaving Hilda to break the news to Peggy when she returned from her day’s shopping in Exeter. They both knew that such news was better coming from Hilda.

#13: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 9:32 pm
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So we still don't know who it is!

Please tell us soon!

#14: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 4:54 am
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I'm also eager to find out who it is!

Thanks Pat.

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

Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 8:56 am
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Poor Dick Sad

#16: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 9:55 pm
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They didn’t talk; much during the journey. Dick was in too much pain with his leg, and Nell was content that her presence gave him a known companion on the journey. She had to wait while his leg was assessed and fixed, but she accompanied him up to the ward and saw him settled in bed before returning to The Quadrant. She knew from personal experience how long it took for a broken leg to mend, but at least she could tell Peggy and the others that it was a simple fracture and he was quite cheerful. Naturally there was a great deal of visiting back and forth, and inevitably feelings grew and strengthened on both sides, though still neither of them acknowledged it. However, both were beginning to wonder if their feelings were returned, and their friends were even surer. So sure was one person that she asked them outright when they were going to admit their feelings. It was the push that was needed and when they were alone they both admitted that they had been hiding what they felt for some months. Thus it was that a weddings was celebrated on the Gornetz Platz, the bride being given away by Jack Maynard, and the bride’s best friend and co-head filling the role of chief bridesmaid.

#17: What happened to Dick Maynard after Mollie Bettany died Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia

Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 10:26 pm
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Pat!!??

#18: Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow

Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 10:29 pm
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and...................................

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

Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 5:38 pm
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*throws confetti*

Thanks, Pat Very Happy

#20: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 6:56 pm
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Ooh I like this! Thanks Pat.

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

Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 9:46 pm
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This is so nicely drawn out Pat. Razz

#22: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 1:10 pm
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More please, Pat!

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

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 3:51 pm
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leahbelle wrote:

More please, Pat!

*Echoes, leahbelle*

#24: Author: Phil, Location: London UK

Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2006 9:43 pm
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I really like this! Just found it too!

#25: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:17 pm
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Phil wrote:

I really like this! Just found it too!

Me too.

Thanks Pat.

#26: Author: Woofter,

Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 4:20 pm
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Just found this, it's great, thanks pat.

Can we have some more?

#27: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 8:08 pm
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Sorry for the delay - been busy adventing!!!

When the newly married couple came out of the church they were met by a positive storm of confetti, thrown by all their friends and relatives The reception was held in the school dining room, as the only place big enough to fit everybody in. It had been decorated to within an inch of it’s life and looked very festive. Karen had insisted on providing the food even though the happy couple had suggested getting in a catering firm. In fact Karen had been insulted by the very idea, and no one was sorry, for Karen’s skill at catering for large numbers was legendary.

When it was time for the bride to change into her going away outfit, she was naturally able to use the Head’s suite to change in. Her case was already there, securely locked against any mischief thought up by Jo. A whole fleet of cars was needed to get everyone to the little station to say farewell, and the platform was crowded by the time the little train pulled in. Dick and his new wife climbed on board and sank down in their seats in relief. On the platform, Hilda waved goodbye to her friend and colleague of so many years, knowing how much she would miss her, but not wishing for anything different to have happened.

The End.

#28: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 9:56 pm
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I'm sure Karen did a better job than any catering firm would've done Very Happy

!

Thanks Pat Very Happy

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

Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:46 pm
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That was lovely Pat.

#30: Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia

Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 3:51 am
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I'm glad Nell and Dick found each other

#31: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 10:57 am
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Just for a moment I thought you'd leave us hanging permanently! Thanks Pat, that was lovely.

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

Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 9:12 am
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I thought it would be Nell. Thanks Pat.

#33: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 1:55 pm
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Ahh! Thanks, Pat.

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

Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 8:31 pm
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Just read this Pat, it's lovely!
Glad Dick and Nell got a happy ending. Very Happy

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

Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 11:49 pm
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A lovely happy ending, but what happened next?! Laughing

LOL

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