Home from home finished 26/7
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The CBB -> Ste Therese's House
#1: Home from home finished 26/7 Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 8:11 pm
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Eighteen years old, her first time away from home and she was going on an adventure! All off her own back, completely unplanned and merely on a whim! She swished her mane of long silky black hair back over her shoulder and felt a glow of happiness at her little rebellion!

She had not been to this place for fourteen years. Was it really that long ago? She felt a strange attraction, no, a magnetism for this place. Her mother never really liked it, but it had such character.

It was a muggy British summer's day. The air was thick with heat. She was used to all sorts of weather. She wasn't as much of a "creature comforts" girl as people thought!

She stopped in shock and horror. The garden was not as she remembered it. Where was the well manicured croquet lawn? What were all the weeds doing in between the flagstones? Who had let the brambles and the ivy encroach like a poisonous army upon the once beautiful flowerbeds that were the pride and joy of her late grandparents? The swimming pool was fenced off, inside the water was a stagnant green. She looked up at the house. Lifeless windows and rusty drainpipes almost gave her the impression that the house was crying for her!

Why did Mama not like this house? And why did Papa let it go? She took out a keepsake her father had given her of the house. He knew she had loved it. It was the key to the kitchen door.

Con Maynard let herself into her family home. A gust of fresh air came in with her and the house once more had its rightful owner within its walls!

Last edited by Phil on Wed Jul 26, 2006 9:58 pm; edited 17 times in total
#2:  Author: Nina, Location: Peterborough, UK PostPosted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 8:19 pm
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Ooooh, I like! Pretty Maids, I presume?
#3:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 9:30 pm
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Oooh...this looks very interesting, thanks Phil!
#4:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 11:46 pm
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This looks fantastic, Phil. Please write more!
#5:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Jul 01, 2006 1:36 pm
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I hope there'll be more of this very soon, Phil.
#6:  Author: Sandra, Location: Oxfordshire PostPosted: Sat Jul 01, 2006 4:01 pm
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This is looking very interesting. I've always thought that Con was by far the most interesting of the trips and have always wondered at Jack giving up Pretty Maids just so that Joey could have a house near the school wherever it went.
#7:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 12:02 am
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Memories flooded back to Con! The house was largely untouched. On buying it from Jack Maynard, the government sudenly found they had no money or need for Pretty Maids. Thus, the furniture not taken by Jack was still in its place. It was a place that time forgot.

Con knew where the old grandfather clock (now in Freuedesheim) should be. So much furniture was still in place! the aga stove, where many a delicious Sunday roast had been cooked, the beautiful red velvet upholstered chaises lounges in the sitting room, and that gorgeous dining suite of twelve chairs and table. All mahogany weren't they?

Con was transported back to when she last visited Pretty Maids:

"Papa, are we there yet?" Len and Margot badgered Jack Maynard as they finally drove into Pretty Maids!

"Yes my suger pies! Here at last! And there's Granny Maynard!" replied Joey.

Len was first out of the car heaping hugs and kisses upon her grandmother. Margot danced around her grandmother in glee.

"Has Granny Maynard got us a present?" asked the forward Margot.

"Margot! How rude!" snapped Jack his temper flared up after the long tedious drive, the constant badgering he received from Len and Margot and baby Steve's wailings.

Margot looked scared. Her head drooped and she apologised at once to her grandmother.

"Never you mind my love. It's good to see you!" Granny Maynard gave Margot a kiss.

"Jack my boy, try and keep your temper in check!" a warning reprimand from Grandpa Maynard. Jack flushed. He still felt a sense of disgrace if Dad told him off for the slightest thing!

Meanwhile Con was looking up at the big tudor mansion. It was a palace to her! A beautiful old mysterious palace! It was huge! And Papa used to live here as a little boy! Her grandfather took her hand.

"Hello Con darling! Are you looking forward to staying with Grandpa and Granny? My word, haven't you grown!"

Con felt a flow of happiness and love, but she saw a severe face looking down at them from the window. It was Auntie Lydia!
#8:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 12:13 am
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Thanks Phil, this is really great and it's fab to see more of the Maynard family.

Thank you Very Happy
#9:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 1:33 pm
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Thanks, Phil. This is one area that has never really been drabbled before, apart from one conjecturing how Rolf died, so this is very welcome.
#10:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 1:55 pm
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Thanks Phil. I always wished we'd heard more about Jack's family.
#11:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 1:58 pm
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Con crept through the rest of the old house. In Papa's old room, Stephen had slept in his little cot. She had slept with her sisters in a nursery. Mama and Papa had slept where Auntie Mollie Maynard had her old room.

She pressed against a wall in Mollie's room. Con grinned. She knew what was there! A tiny cavity was revealed. A little priest hole! How lovely! Already Con could feel inspiration for her beloved stories taking place!

Con had remembered Papa showing them this delightful curiosity! He had said how jealous he was of his sister that she had the priest hole and he didn't! He had got so jealous, Mollie had shut him in the priest hole until he cried to be let out. After that he really wasn't interested in priest holes.

Con remembered playing a game with her sisters in the priest hole. Margot had tried to bring baby Steve in, but he had taken fright at the dark and started to wail. Con sat in the priest hole, soaking up inspiration and writing little notes here and there. Suddenly, a small jewel caught her eye.

It couldn't be! It was! It was a ring! An old ring of Granny Maynard's given to Mamma! Con remembered the circumstances in how it came to be there!

"Margot! Where is that ring Granny Maynard gave me? Where is it?"

"Don't know Mamma! I've lost it!"

"Oh Margot you naughty girl! Find it at once! Where were you playing? Come along! You girls help as well!"

"We were only playing in the priest hole Mamma!"

They had swept the priest hole out but there was nothing there! A tearful Margot had been sent to bed for that! Con reflected how strange it was that you could look for something you were certain was there, and it wouldn't turn up, then years later, it would appear in the most unlikely place! Con slipped the ring on her finger. It fitted perfectly!

Con wandered on to the dusty, grimy attics. She saw a huge spider and with an "Eww!" ran quickly back downstairs into Granny and Grandpa Maynard's room. It was so much smaller than she remembered! She lay down on the palatial bed and stared up at the mirror in the ceiling. She smiled. Oh she wished this house was hers! That ceiling mirror needed a jolly god clean. Come to think of it, the whole house needed a jolly good clean!

There was a linking corridor to Uncle Bob and Auntie Lydia's room. Con briefly looked in. It seemed cold, austere and not very inviting. The other rooms had character! They may only have had basic furniture in, but they were warm and welcoming! Papa's room had reminded her of her brother's messy rooms at Freuedesheim! Auntie Mollie's had a beautiful, happy girlish feel to it, and Granny and Grandpa's was warm, loving and welcoming.

Con came to a second door and she felt a tingle down her spine. Something terrible happened here!

Four year old Con hated playing "piggy in the middle" with her sisters. She was always "piggy in the middle" and Margot and Len could be so smug about it at times. It wasn't fair! Why were they so good at games and she wasn't! Con felt useless. Well, she was going to explore on her own. She ran into the house, upstairs and instead of going into the nursery, decided to go down the other corridor. She passed Uncle Bob's room and went through a door which never seemed to be used.

Inside was a room packed with boys toys! Many were broken. A bed was freshly made and had a school uniform laid out on it. Con scrambled onto the bed, picked up a teddy bear and cuddled it. She saw a name sewn onto it. "ROLF".

"Rolf is that your name?" Con asked the teddy bear.

"Would you like to play with Stevie, Rolf?"

Con slipped off the bed teddy bear in hand and screamed as she saw her Auntie Lydia!

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN HERE GIRL? THIS IS ROLF'S ROOM! HOW DARE YOU!"

Con burst into hysterics. The rest of the family in the garden heard.

"Is that Con?"
"Where is she?"
"What's happened Jack?"

Terrfied at what she had done, Lydia picked up the screaming girl and tried to cuddle her, but she herself was so afraid of what she had done, she didn't do a good job. The truth was, Lydia had never got over the death of her son, for which she was to bear some blame. Poor little Con was the wrong person in the wrong place at the wrong time.

A crowd of grown ups descended and Con was swept into the arms of her father, where she wept out her fright.

Con heard a whirlwind of sound.

"What happened, Lydia?" snapped Joey with bellicosity.

"I'm so sorry Joey, I just saw her in Rolf's room and I frightened her, I didn't mean to! She had Rolf's little teddy."

Before Mamma could reply, Uncle Bob hurried Auntie Lydia away.

"It's allright Joey, leave it with me, you go and look after Con!" said Bob.

Con heard Auntie Lydia in tears in her room with her husband.

"I'm so sorry, Bob, I didn't mean to frighten her, really I didn't! I don't suppose Joey will ever believe me! I just saw her in darling Rolfie's room, she was going to take Rolfie's teddy to baby Stephen..." Lydia sobbed uncontrollably.

Con looked at Mamma, who had a face like thunder at that moment!
#12:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 3:01 pm
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Oh, don't torment us, tell us what happened to Rolf, please.
#13:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 4:40 pm
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Lydia had stopped crying and washed her face. She knew she had behaved badly and frightened poor little Con. She had made an enemy of Joey Maynard too! She had barely been able to look at baby Stephen and refused to hold him. This had not gone unnoticed even by the triplets.

Lydia was jealous her own son was dead. Why should Jack's wife have a son when hers had been so cruelly taken away from her?

Lydia had gloated when Margot came into the house covered head to toe in mud having been expressly told not to play in the ditch by the rose garden. Young Margot had deliberately disobeyed and had entered just when Joey had been extolling the virtues of instilling obedience into her children from an early age.

The comments about obedience had hurt. When Margot entered caked in mud, she had burst out in laughter and Joey took her daughter upstairs to bath and bed with some sharp words! But the dreaded "O" word still rankled in Lydia's mind.

That dreadful Summer's day haunted her! She had always let Rolf have his own way. He wanted to play with his father's new motor car and for once Lydia had held firm! It was dangerous. Rolf had disobeyed, let the handbrake off, started the car and accelerated down a bank, crashing into a tree. He died of multiple injuries, aged 13. He was due to start school the next day.

Lydia had kept Rolf's room as he left it. So when she saw the door open and Con about to take the last relic of Rolf's babyhood to Stephen, the baby of whom she was so jealous, she overreacted.

Lydia did not like Joey; her probing interest in people and what they were thinking was an affront to Lydia. Why didn't the busybody go away? Here she was now, judging her about Rolf's death, every time they met! How Joey Maynard went on about obedience, when her own triplet daughter was proving to be anything but! Lydia drew a deep breath. She was sorry for poor little Con. She was the nicest of the triplets and of Jack's children, Con was the only one she would tolerate. Steve was a boy and not Rolf, Len was too much like her mother and Margot was a disobedient little madam!

Lydia went to the garden where the family were Bob was explaining to little Con that Rolf had "gone to God" and Auntie Lydia liked to keep Rolf's room as she remembered it and was just a little shocked at seeing her there with Rolf's teddy.

"So there we are dear, Auntie Lydia's not at all cross with you! You do understand now don't you?"

Con nodded, sucking her thumb.

Lydia ignored Joey's murderous glare and knelt beside her little niece.

"Uncle Bob is quite right and I'm very sorry I frightened you! Please forgive me little Con!"

Con nodded and she relaxed a little.

"I'm sorry I went in there AUntie Lydia, I didn't mean to upset you."

"Of course you didn't! We're friends now!" Lydia kissed Con, but she was sure the girl trembled slightly.

After that event, Joey marshalled her little girls around her and carried her son everywhere. Lydia could not fail to see the protective hold she had on her children and her aggressive stare said one thing, "Don't you dare come near my babies!"

Jack Maynard's family returned home the next day. Just as they were leaving, Lydia had a word with Jack.

"Jack I'm so sorry about what I said to Con. I want Stephen to have this."

She held out Rolf's teddy bear.

Jack looked at it for a long time.

"Lydia dear, don't do anything rash. This was Rolf's and always will be. It must stay here with the rest of his things. I know you feel that deep down."

Lydia nodded as Jack kissed her goodbye. He was thankful that was over. If he had been forced to take the wretched bear, then there would have been fireworks with Joey, who had been like a smouldering volcano ever since that incident with Con!

Back in reality, Con woke up. She decided to bite the bullet and enter Rolf's room. Something she had not done for fourteen years! It was tiny. The school uniform was still laid out and the teddy bear was still there. Knowing the full story behind Rolf's accident now (she had been told by Mamma ayear ago) she wondered what her cousin's short life had been like before that fateful day at Pretty Maids.

Outside it was getting dark. Goodness! Had she been here for such a long time? She turned a tap on in Rolf's washbasin. After about ten seconds, water burst out. Con checked the radiators and lights. Power was still running! She would stay the night here! In Papa's family home! Now there was a village nearby where she could get some food, she was going to have an adventure of her own.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile in Oxford, Len Maynard was panicking. Where was Con? She hadn't been seen for two days! None of her friends knew where she was! She had seemed a bit short tempered with Len recently. Len couldn't think why. Maybe she had gone to Edinburgh to see Margot or to see the boys at school?
#14:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 4:50 pm
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Now I'm feeling all shivery. I hope you aren't going to scare us too much, Phil.
#15:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 5:16 pm
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I feel sorry for Lydia. Neither Jack nor Joey ever seemed to have any sympathy towards her over Rolf's death, and no-one ever seemed to have a good word to say for her.
#16:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 6:20 pm
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Thank you Phil, nice to have the backgound to that explained to us Very Happy
#17:  Author: La Petite Em, Location: Cheltenham PostPosted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 7:36 pm
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Con is definitely my favourite triplet as well!
Thanks Phil Very Happy
#18:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 8:37 pm
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Lydia comes across as a far more sympathetic character here - and Joey far less so.

Thanks Phil.
#19:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 8:52 pm
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Thanks, Phil. I feel so sorry for Lydia after reading that.
#20:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 12:58 pm
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Hm, yes, EBD's attitude was bit one-sided, wasn't it?
#21:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:33 pm
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Con settled back in the great sitting room of Pretty Maids. She was giving serious thought as to how she could acquire Pretty Maids. Perhaps some joint agreement with her triplet sisters?

Con leapt up like a gazelle. Her sisters! Goodness, one of the reasons she left Oxford on the spur of the moment was she felt Len was mothering her and casting a shadow over her! Really! Being assertive and telling Len to go away was one thing, but this sort of behaviour! There was just a chance the phones might be connected!

Con picked up an ornamental old fashioned telephone. There was no dialling tone. Then she saw it was a genuine antique and gritted her teeth in annoyance. Where did Granny and Grandpa keep their telephones?

Luckily, Con remembered a phone box at the foot of the lengthy drive.

Running out of the grand house and not forgetting to lock the door, she bolted to the blue police box. A very rude teenage girl was there indulging in an obviously lewd conversation with a boyfriend. She scowled at Con and made signs at her to "push off".

However, Con was not having this. In a temper reminiscent of Margot's worst moments, she grabbed the receiver and shouted, "Stay away from her you filthy beast!" She then turned to the ungrateful girl.

"Don't you ever talk to me like that again! Your mother should wash your mouth out with vinegar! I have a vital phone cal to make, now take your filthy, disgusting activities away from here and watch your language in future!"

Con was so ferocious, the teenage girl simply bolted. Old Vic Coles would call for her someday!

Con was desperately trying to call Len from the phone box. She got through to Oriel College Oxford, Magdelene College, Balliol College, but not hers. In the end she practically screamed at the operator to find Len Maynard, a first year foreign languages student and tell her her sister was at Pretty Maids House.

Con stormed back to Pretty Maids in foul temper! Telephones! Rude little girls! Dirty boys!

She let herself in and calmed down.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could have sworn she saw a little boy, the image of Mike, but dressed in very different clothes. The clothes were something a boy in the late 1920's early 30's would have worn and not something Mike would be seen dead in!

"Mike?" Con looked out into the corridor.

This was ridiculous! Mike was at school! Probably in detention after a painful visit to the Head if Con knew her brother. She did not see the boy again.
#22:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:37 pm
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Ooh ... has she just seen Rolf's ghost Rolling Eyes ?
#23:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:41 pm
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Ooh...a ghostie?!

Thanks Phil, love seeing this side of Con Very Happy
#24:  Author: Sandra, Location: Oxfordshire PostPosted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:58 pm
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Vic Coles? Was this the person that Joan Baker was always seeing at the beginning of Problem? When I was younger I never gave any thought to Vic being a bloke. Reading it again recently it was the first thought that I had (perhaps my mind has just got worse?!?) If so, presumably he is getting on a bit now for a teenage girl to be calling.
#25:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 5:40 pm
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Ohhh, a ghost!!!!

Thanks Phil
#26:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 8:48 pm
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Thanks, Phil.
#27:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 10:03 pm
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Con settled down for the night. She had delved into her grandfather's library and thought, "Why didn't Papa take these lovely books to Plas Gwyn or Freuedesheim?"

Pages were yellowing and there was a smell of muskiness amongst the leather bound volumes. Con liked that! It proved the books had character. She loved smelling books and often drew strange looks in bookshops as she smelt a freshly printed novel. It really annoyed Margot and Len sometimes! Con giggled at this latter thought.

So, Con had taken a few volumes to bed with her. She decided to sleep where her grandparents slept. The room still seemed to retain that old sparkle of their personalities. She loved Mamma and Papa, but as parents they had to be strict! Grandparents were more fun! So Con spurned her Papa's old room.

Eventually she tired of reading about East European myths and legends and felt it was time to say her prayers.

She said the Lord's Prayer, confessed her sins of her sudden whim to visit Pretty Maids, then for some reason, she felt it necessary to pray for Rolf.

"Our Father, I pray for the cousin I never met: Rolf Robert Maynard, died tragically at his home in a car accident. I pray that he is at peace and with Grandpa and Granny Maynard and Uncle Bob now."

She soon fell asleep like a log. She had a very odd dream. There was the little boy she saw out of the corner of her eye earlier that day.! He didn't look sad any more. In fact he was pulling faces and poking his tongue out, like naughty Geoff did at home. Con felt herself chasing him into a room. She felt herself say, "You rude, naughty boy! Don't be so cheeky! I've a good mind to punish you!"

The boy stood upright. "Sorry Con! I didn't mean to be rude!"

The boy then sat on his bed. "I just wanted to say thank you for praying for me. You've made me really happy and I'm very sorry I was so naughty that day and upset Mummy and Daddy and everyone."

The boy started to cry. Con moved to cuddle him.

"I'm happy now because you prayed for me. You're a great cousin Con. I'm sorry I never met you. I'm at peace now with Daddy. Grandpa and Granny send their love to you all. We shall always watch over the whole family! Bye Bye Con!"

The boy kissed her and disappeared.

Hours later, Con woke up. She was in Rolf's bed! How had this occurred? Had she been sleepwalking again? She remembered going to bed in Granny Maynard's bed!

That dream! It wasn't....? She looked at the floor expecting to see Rolf's crumpled school uniform, which she must have knocked off the bed in her sleep. It wasn't there! It was on a coat hanger on the wardrobe! Had the boy put it there?

Suddenly the clang of a doorbell sounded. Without thinking, Con charged downstairs and wrenched open the door to meet a furious Len Maynard.
#28:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 10:52 pm
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Thanks, Phil. I wonder what Len is furious about.
#29:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 2:06 am
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Oooh thanks Phil.

Len's arrival doesn't bode well, but I've really enjoyed seeing Pretty Maids through Con's eyes.
#30:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 5:18 am
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So nice that Rolf seems at peace. Wonder why Len is so mad?

Thanks Phil.
#31:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 6:12 am
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Con is so lovely; I hope Rolf does feel more at peace now she's prayed for him.
#32:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 9:48 pm
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Len was cross. She was going to give Con a piece of her mind, disappearing like that without telling anyone! What if Mamma or Papa had needed to get in touch with them urgently! She received a garbled message from the switchboard operator that Con was at Merry Maids or Pretty Maids or Jolly Maids! Luckily Len had remembered Con talking about Pretty Maids some weeks earlier.

She banged the doorbell vigorously and heard the "thud thud" of Con's feet. She was about to give Con a blasting the moment she opened the door, when the wind was taken out of her sails! Con looked like she had seen a ghost!

"Con! Where have you been? What's going on? You look like you've seen a ghost!"

"How did you know?"

"What?"

"I've seen a ghost!"

"I beg your your pardon?"

"Cousin Rolf's ghost!"

Clearly deciding her sister may need one of Papa's patent potions, Len guided Con into the house.

"OK, just sit down and tell me all about it Con."

Con spilled the beans as it were, to an incredulous Len. Then she told her how much she loved Pretty Maids.

"Oh please Len, do have a look round! It has such character! It really is a lovely house! You can almost feel Granny and Grandpa Maynard are still here!"

Len was about to add, "And cousin Rolf" in a sarcastic voice, but decided against it.

Con took her sister on a grand tour. As Len went into every room, she could not help but feel a wave of nostalgia coming over her.

"Come into the gardens Len!"

Con led Len out into the gardens and up the grand drive. They noticed a steep bank and looked at the bottom of it. There appeared to be a memorial stone of some sort, and there was a late middle aged woman laying some flowers there!

The woman heard their approach.

"Can we help you?" asked Con.

The woman turned round. She recognised those Maynard features. It took Len longer, but Con knew who the woman was,

"Auntie Lydia!" she exclaimed in surprise.
#33:  Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans PostPosted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:05 pm
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Oo, do go on Phil Very Happy

I wonder how Len will react to Lydia, not as well as Con may I suppose.
#34:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:08 pm
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I thought she was dead! Shocked
#35:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:57 pm
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Thanks, Phil. I thought that she was dead as well.
#36:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:04 pm
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But it's already a ghost story....

What next?
#37:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 9:48 pm
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I don't think she's dead, I think 'only' Rolf, Granny, Granddad and Bob are dead. It's just that as she & Jo don't get on, they don't have contact with her. Also I rather recollect something about her preferring London? So wouldn't want to live at Pretty Maids.
#38:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 10:51 pm
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Quote:
Lyanne wrote: I don't think she's dead, I think 'only' Rolf, Granny, Granddad and Bob are dead. It's just that as she & Jo don't get on, they don't have contact with her. Also I rather recollect something about her preferring London? So wouldn't want to live at Pretty Maids.


Thanks Lyanne! That's what I thought too. I was worried I might have to make some drastic rewrites!

The middle aged Lady was speechless for a moment. She looked at both of the girls. There was something very familiar about the eyes. Those were Maynard eyes. Definitely Maynards! Why she hadn't seen any Maynards for years!

"Goodness me! Unless I'm much mistaken, it's Margot and... or is it? I'm sorry my dears I know you are Maynards, but you will have to tell me your names!"

"My name is Con Maynard, actually Mary Constance Maynard and this is my elder triplet sister Len, Margot isn't here, she's in Edinburgh."

"My, how you have grown! When did I last see you?"

"About fourteen years ago Auntie Lydia, we had our baby brother Steve with us."

Memories came flooding back to Lydia. "Of course, I remember now! Con my dear, I gave you such a shock when I saw you in Rolf's room! I'm so sorry! Can you ever forgive me? it must have been such a nasty fright! You see, I've never really got over poor Rolf's death!"

"All forgotten and forgiven now Auntie!"

Lydia looked like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

"I tried to make up by offering Jack Rolf's old teddy as a leaving gift for Stephen! He refused! I suppose it was for the best!"

Len and Con exchanged glances, they did not know about this.

"How is Stephen by the way? Is he the youngest?"

"Steve? he's just starting his A-Level courses. He says he's going to follow Papa into medicine, but his real heart lies in engineering and he's not the youngest, not by a long chalk! There's eleven of us now! Five boy, six girls, two sets of twins and one triplets!"

Len nearly skipped for glee, but Con was watching Lydia. She looked a little sad.

"I'm sorry Auntie Lydia, we didn't mean to..." said Con.

Len gasped as she realised what she had said. Lydia shook her head.

"Oh it doesn't matter. Your mother must be very proud!"

Len nodded slowly. They were making their way to Pretty Maids.

"In fact, there wasn't just Rolf! Just after Bob died, I went straight to London to be with my sister. I found out Bob had left me pregnant. I have a daughter."

Con and Len's eyes and mouths could not get any wider! A cousin they never knew about!
#39:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 11:07 pm
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Awwww, that's nice.

Funny how Con was the sensitive one here, not Len.

Thanks Phil
#40:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 11:18 pm
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Thanks Phil, just caught up on loads of this and it's really fab. Can't wait to see the new cousin...oh dear, it's not that girl from before is it?!
#41:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 11:28 pm
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Thanks, Phil. I hope that we will get to meet the daughter.
#42:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Fri Jul 07, 2006 6:02 am
    —
Oh, that's nice for Lydia to have a daughter.

Thanks, Phil.
#43:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Fri Jul 07, 2006 5:14 pm
    —
I'm intrigued about Lydia's daughter, is she anyone we know? And why didn't she tell Jack about her?
#44:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 6:33 pm
    —
Lydia Maynard and her two nieces were taking tea in the overgrown garden of Pretty Maids. Lydia looked at the garden wistfully.

"Terrible! All these brambles and that ivy! Bob and I loved gardening so much!"

Con had been on the point of telling Auntie Lydia about Mamma and Papa converting an overgrown cabbage patch into the beautiful garden at Freuedesheim, but she thought better of it. Len had already "put her foot in it" for both of them earlier! Besides, there was this new cousin!

"Auntie Lydia, what is your daughter's name? Why haven't you told Papa? How old is she?

"Emma Lucy Maynard. She has just celebrated her thirteenth birthday. I did recall sending a message to your parents and to Mollie in New Zealand. When I heard nothing, I assumed either you weren't interested or the post had got lost! It was dreadful during the war."

Len was curious now. "What is she like? What sort of things does she do?"

Lydia drew a deep breath. "She loves swimming. She lives for swimming! But she can't do it anymore."

"Whyever not?"

"She's got epilepsy Len. It started when she was ten. She has a bad fit once a month. She's a very highly strung girl. She just lacks confidence with people."

Lydia did not seem to want to discuss Emma further. However she was quite happy to talk about living at Pretty Maids. Len and Con were left in no doubt that Lydia wanted to move back to the family home! Con found herself in a great deal of sympathy with her aunt, and by the end of the day, aunt and niece had swapped contact details and promised to saty in contact!

A plan was forming in Con's mind. She would help her aunt and her cousin if her name wasn't Mary Constance Maynard!
#45:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 6:53 pm
    —
Somehow, though, I can't see Lydia wanting any of Jo's family get their hands on her daughter.
#46:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 7:42 pm
    —
Wish Len would go away! I think Con and Lydia might get on OK if they were left in peace.

I was re-reading some of Highland Twins yesterday and I'd forgotten that it says that the doctor who saw Rolf after his accident told Lydia that it was her fault for not training Rolf to be obedient - what a thing for a doctor to say to a bereaved parent.
#47:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 7:52 pm
    —
Why can't she go swimming? If the risk of fits is that great she could wear a life preserver - just make sure she doesn't swim alone.

Thanks Phil.
#48:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 9:18 pm
    —
Thanks, Phil. I wonder what Con's plan is.
#49:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 12:55 pm
    —
Thanks, Phil. I'll look forward to more of this.
#50:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 1:09 pm
    —
Back amongst the dreamy spires of Oxford, Con was in her rooms having a heated debate with Len.

"It's not as if Auntie Lydia will want to be in contact with the family! It's her fault Rolf wasn't obedient and died! Besides, Auntie Con's sister went to school with Auntie Lydia and said she was a vindictive, spiteful person!"

"We all have our faults! Mike and Margot don't have the best of tempers! You remember as games prefect how Margot upset that girl and that was after her reformation over that business with Ted! Mike's been brought up to obey, yet he still jumped down that ravine!"

Len snorted in derision.

"It's too big a decision to meet Auntie Lydia and some cousin we've never met! It requires a decision from Mamma and Papa and the rest of the family!"

"Is that an order you're giving me Field Marshal Len Maynard?"

"Oh don't be ridiculous! I just think to make any contact with "that" side of the family without Papa's advice would be outright disobedience!"

"We're not little girls anymore! We can make our own decisions! I shall contact Papa and ask Auntie Lydia if she wants to talk to him about Emma's epilepsy! Surely he can advise!"

"Well I think you should completely forget about it and not bother about Auntie Lydia anymore!"

Len flounced out of the room, slamming the door as she went. Con breathed a sigh of relief. She tried to read Elizabeth Gaskell's "North and South" but found herself dreaming of that beautiful house, Pretty Maids! It felt so right that she should be there! Those rolling lawns were crying out for attention. Paint peeling off the bench, fences in need of repair! Inside there was still the "smell" of her family! She had every right to settle where she wanted! Len was too tied to Mamma and Mary Lou's apron strings!

Away from Len's command, Mary Lou's beady eye and Mamma's network of information, she felt she could thrive! Living in Pretty Maids would be a beautiful inspiration for all her stories! Con thought back to a fresher's ball where she had met a charming girl by the name of Charlotte Parry. Con had described Mary Lou to her in all gravity and integrity, but Charlotte had nearly died of laughter!

"Does this girl really exist? And she hangs around her old school years after she left? What IS she like? How sad!"

Con agreed with Charlotte that she needed a break from Mamma and especially Mary Lou!

Con had now found her niche in England and at the old family home of Pretty Maids!

She dialled Lydia's number and arranged to meet her and her new cousin! She felt certain she could talk to Papa about it. He could be brusque and he laid down the law often and with force, but he listened! mamma didn't seem to listen anymore and when she did, it was usually to Len or Margot!

Her seminar ended on Tuesday at eleven o'clock and she made the journey into Oxford town to meet Lydia and Emma at a hotel!
#51:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 1:12 pm
    —
Good for Con. It seems that Len isn't going to grow up, either, just like her mother.
#52:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 1:15 pm
    —
Well done Con - and I'm ashamed of Len's attitude.

Thanks Phil.
#53:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 1:16 pm
    —
Thanks, Phil. I hope that the meeting will go well.
#54:  Author: brie, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 1:31 pm
    —
Thanks phil! Con always was my favourite triplet!
#55:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 4:45 pm
    —
Good for Con, Len is such a goody goody in this.
#56:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 5:14 pm
    —
Thanks Phil, I love Con in this and I hope the meeting goes well
#57:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 5:37 pm
    —
Go Con!
#58:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 9:13 am
    —
Red appeared to be the prominent colour in the sumptuous Oxford hotel. Con had no idea it was Emma and Lydia's favourite colour.

She waited in the coffee and tea area. She decided to be wicked and went for one of the cream cakes with her tea. "Naughty girl to disobey!" she murmured to herself with a chuckle. She thought more and more about wating to settle in England, especially at Pretty Maids.

Suddenly Lydia appeared with a thin like creature who was the image of the pictures of Rolf which Con had seen and of the little boy in her dream! Con rose to give her Aunt a kiss.

"Hello Con! Emma, this is your cousin on your Dad's side! Say hello!"

A wide grin broke across the girl's face. Her eyes blazed like Papa's when he found something amusing. She was wiry and strong!

"Hi! I'm so glad to meet you at last! Mum's been telling me all about Dad's side of the family. Don't worry it's all been good!"

Con giggled as she sat down. Emma asked most of the questions. What was Uncle Jack like? What were the other cousins like? What was Con's old school like?

At the last question, Con felt a bit awkward. The Chalet School was really Mamma's school and she knew Mamma and Auntie Lydia did not get on! She shot an anxious glance at her Aunt.

"It's allright Con. Tell her about the Chalet School."

Con tried to be objective, the Chalet School was founded by Auntie Madge for Mamma and was closely linked to the San, so the girls' health was monitored closely at all times. However, her objectivity quickly dropped and she burst forth into a rapid description of her time at the Chalet School.

Then Con was completely knocked for six at Emma's next question.

"Would...Would they take me there?"

Con stared at her Auntie Lydia.

Lydia nodded.

"Emma's last school haven't been very cooperative over her epilepsy. They have banned her from participation in all sports, they are intolerant whenever she is building up to her fits and hands in substandard prep as a result. Normally her work is brilliant. I can see when she is building up to a fit, and one of the signs is her work starts to deteriorate. The school won't accept this. They think she is playing on her illness. Emm's doctor and I have explained until we are blue in the face. They don't know how to cope1 They are worried of legal implications should she hurt herself and none of the staff are trained to help. Even the Matron lacks confidence in helping her! Con, I have been round every school in London, Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire! There's one in Hampshire that can help. It is very near to Pretty Maids. But seeing you again has brought another option, the Chalet School!"

Con was astounded!

"I must speak with Papa!" was all she could say.

"Of course you must. I've prepared a letter for him and the GP has written a letter too."

The bombshell had well and truly been dropped! A long lost cousin interested in the Chalet School! The afternoon passed well enough and Con left Auntie Lydia and Emma in their hotel.

Con yawned as she headed up the stairs to her rooms. She was astonised to find the door open. A maid wasn't cleaning at that time of day, surely! Was it Charlotte organising some rag?

No it wasn't.

There was her father, sitting at her desk, a triumphant Len smirking behind him!
#59:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 9:26 am
    —
What a busy body Len is! I just hope Jack is prepared to listen to Con before he gets all pompous.
#60:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 11:10 am
    —
I really do wonder how Jack will react...Con seemed to think earlier that he would listen but I guess it depends what nonsense Len has been feeding him. Can't wait to see more!

Thanks Phil
#61:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 12:13 pm
    —
Len is so smug and horrid.
I hope Con will be given a chance to explain.
#62:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 12:45 pm
    —
What I want to know is how they dare to go into Con's room without her permission! This is treating her as a child, not a mature girl who is old enough to be at university. Len needs a good talking to.
#63:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 12:58 pm
    —
Thanks, Phil. I hope that Emma will be able to go to the CS.
#64:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 5:38 pm
    —
Not for the first time in her life Con was swept by a wave of pessimism. Oh dear what had Len been saying to Papa? Why was he here?

"I was hoping to surprise you!" Jack Maynard strode over to kiss Con.

"I'm paying a flying visit to a clinic in London. Unfortunately it all fell through at the last minute, so I thought why not visit my brood? I've seen the boys and Margot was in London although what she was doing at King's Cross is anyone's guess!"

Jack laughed.

"Con, what is the matter? Len tells me you have a very interesting piece of news for me, but you look quite white! Are you sleeping allright?

"Yes thank you Papa. It's lovely to see you..."

Con still had Auntie Lydia's letter!

"What's this? Do you want me to see it?" asked Jack gently.

Con nodded.

Jack opened the letter and sat at Con's desk. He read the GP's letter first confirming Emma Maynard had epilepsy and the unsupportive academic environment she was currently in.

He then read Lydia's letter.

Dear Jack,

I don't know if my letter about Bob's child ever reached you. I often wondered if it did, but assumed you and Joey may not wish to know me. I am always going to be held responsible for the death of Rolf and Joey and I are very different characters! We do seem to set each other off! Just before Bob died of his wounds, I was pregnant by him. The result, our daughter, Emma. She has developed epilepsy and needs a proper supportive environment at school. There is a school in Hampshire, near Pretty Maids.

The house is up for sale, the government don't want it anymore. I have some capital from Bob and could just about buy it back, but I would like to know your feelings on the matter. It is your family home and that of Bob and Mollie. I want to do this for Emma, for Bob, Rolf and your parents. Having to cope with Rolf's death, everyone blaming me for it and bringing up a child on my own has been tough, but it has taught me to be aware of other people.
Quite by chance I met Len and Con at Pretty Maids. I was laying flowers on the spot Rolf died. They told me all about you and the Chalet School. I told Emma. She really wants to know more about her father's family.

Even if Emma goes to school in Hampshire, would you be able to help put Bob's daughter back in Pretty Maids? Please get in contact Jack,

Love Lydia.

Jack Maynard read and re-read the missive. That he had a niece he never knew about! Why didn't he receive Lydia's original letter? Then he remembered! As they were leaving for the Oberland, five year old Mike had been helping "clean the table". The poor child had accidentally burnt his father's mail without meaning to and was so distressed he would not eat! Jack had not been amused, but took no action over a genuine mistake. Jack remembered! There was a letter in familiar handwriting that day! He couldn't quite recall, but it must have been Lydia's letter! He looked at Con.

"Darling, you've met Auntie Lydia?"

"I've been to Pretty Maids too! I had a look inside! Dad, I've fallen in love with the place!"

Con was in earnest. Len butted in.

"But Papa, that was outright disobedience! Going to Pretty Maids without telling anyone! What if she had been hurt? Is Auntie Lydia really changed? Mamma says she was a nasty, spiteful, vindictive, selfish..."

Len's words tailed away as she saw the stare her father gave her.

"When you've quite finished Helena!"

He turned to Con.

"You love Pretty Maids, Con?"

"Oh yes Papa! It's crying out for someone to look after it! The garden is overgrown now! The swimming pool needs water, the place is just as Granny and Grandpa Maynard left it! You can almost feel their presence there! Papa, if there is anything I can do, put aside a small amount of my trust fund to help buy Pretty Maids!"

"But we have Plas Gwyn and we shouldn't rush into decisions about trust money like that!"

Con took a deep breath.

"Papa, Dad, Father, everything in my life has always been the Chalet School, Mamma's side of the family. I'm not ungrateful..." (Len snorted)
"I want a place of my own that is just as much my Father's as well as my Mother's. The Chalet School, Plas Gwyn, Freuedesheim is Mamma! There's got to be a balance and I would like a place of my own, something I can carry on through the family, and I want to settle in England! Papa I have loved Pretty Maids since I first saw it when I was a tiny."

Jack's heart was touched. Con had all the while felt there wasn't enough "Maynard" history to balance the "Bettany" part of her family. She was interested in and loved her father's family too! It had been a wrench selling the Maynard home. Although Jack loved to travel, he always wanted some corner of England, some family element he could claim as his own. But he needed the money then to move to Switzerland and pay for repairs to Plas Gwyn. Gratified by this demonstration of affection from Con, he hugged her.

"Darling I can't promise anything. We'll see what we can do and if I can help Auntie Lydia and cousin Emma, I will."

"I'll meet her" was Jack's final decision.

"But Papa! What about Mamma?" squealed Len.

Jack firmly and gently reprimanded his eldest.

"I don't have to ask your mother for permission for everything I do. I shall talk to her of course, but you can stop trying to interfere with Con's life and decisions! I shall see you both in the morning and then we shall meet Lydia and Emma. Goodnight."

Len, defeated went to bed. Why couldn't they see she was protecting Mamma from nasty Auntie Lydia? She would have telephoned Mary Lou for advice, but that would mean going behind her father's back! Something she would never do!
#65:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 5:44 pm
    —
How lovely Jack is here, I'm so glad he listened to Con!

Thanks Phil
#66:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 6:27 pm
    —
What a pain Len is!
#67:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 6:31 pm
    —
I did like the way Jack put Len in her place! Thanks, Phil.
#68:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 6:52 pm
    —
Thanks, Phil. I am also glad that Jack listened to Con.
#69:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 7:33 pm
    —
I too am glad Jack listened to Con. Len needs a good slapping!
#70:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 8:42 pm
    —
Len's self-righteousness is appalling. If Con has never been told not to go to Pretty Maids, how could she have been disobedient by going there?
#71:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 9:08 pm
    —
Well done Jack - and as for Len - how dare she? She's only some 20 minutes older than Con and has no right to try and order her around. Glad that Jack reprimanded her.

Thanks Phil.
#72:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 12:11 pm
    —
Argh at Len! Can't she just mind her own business for once?
I'm glad that Jack seems as if he's going to be helpful.
#73:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 3:46 pm
    —
Con brushed her long, sleek, black hair and tied it into her customary mane. Hair brushing was so relaxing. For her. She knew plenty of girls who found looking after their hair a nuisance and were constantly worried about how it looked.

She stepped out of college and saw her father waiting for her. A subdued Len was beside him.

"A sleeping beauty! I was just going to get your sister to wake you! Ready to see Lydia and Emma? I'm looking forward to this! Come along!"

Jack appeared to have a spring in his step and Con felt quite bouncy. Len dawdled. Why was no one listening to her?

They reached the hotel and approached the coffee lounge where Con had been a day earlier. Suddenly there was a gasp and someone shouted "Jack!"

It was Lydia, her astonished daughter followed at a more sedate pace.

"Jack! I never thought...I mean I never believed...Come, you must meet your niece, Emma. Emma, say hello to your Uncle Jack, he's Daddy's brother!"

Jack looked into Emma's eyes, he saw his late older brother there, and his late nephew, Rolf. Lydia had been given a second chance at motherhood. Jack thanked God for that. They reached the coffee room.
Jack told Lydia why he did not receive her original letter.

"Had I done so Lydia, I would have been round to help like a shot! Really I would. It's just Mike tried to be extra helpful that day and ended up burning his Papa's post! I'm so sorry I never knew!"

"It's allright Jack! I know I'll never get any awards for being a good sister in law, let alone aunt or mother. I'm so sorry I couldn't bear to look at Stephen."

"Oh he's a big boy now. I'm sure he can handle it! I'm proud of him! You must meet him someday."

"If Joey will let me. Jack she and I don't get on. I do want your help, but I don't want to drive a wedge between you and Joey."

"Oh Lydia! There's no danger of that! I tell Joey everything, she's my wife and I love her. I even tell her things she doesn't want to hear, she would rather I were honest with her. She will be able to cope and she can be very forgiving. More so than I."

As Jack and Lydia talked about Emma's epilepsy, buying back Pretty Maids and Emma's education, Len and Con were talking to Emma. Her eyes lit up as she heard of the lakes of Switzerland and of the Tiernsee.

"Maybe I could go someday!" she said wistfully.

"No maybe about it!" said Con

"The Chalet School would look after you!" said Len, coming out of her shell now. She was starting to like her cousin and was coming round to her sisters' way of thinking.

Suddenly Emma's expression became blank. She had seemed a little vacant, but Len and Con put this down to tiredness. Len grabbed her Father.

"Papa!"

Jack was caught off guard!

Lydia reacted seconds before he did.

"She's having a fit Jack! I thought she was due one. Let's get her to our room!"

Jack bundled his niece to her room and took charge with Lydia. He half expected her to go to pieces, but she didn't. She seemed to know more than he did!

Len and Con waited anxiously until the evnt was over. Both were near to tears. Emma was sleeping now. Lydia went over to hug them.

"It's allright dears! It's all over now. She'll sleep for a while then she will be fine!"

"She'll be fine!" reassured Jack.

Len and Con were lead away to have a drink to calm down. Jack turned to Lydia.

"Lydia, I had no idea, you were amazing, the way you..."

"Practice Jack! I've read books, had chats with doctors. I used to go to pieces the first few times, now I am used to it. Come on let's see how Len and Con are."

Lydia's cool and sensible reactions made Jack further determined to help.
#74:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 3:50 pm
    —
Lydia and Emma seem really lovely here - I'm so glad that Jack is willing to help and I hope he can make Joey see her point of view. Nice even to see Len starting to act a bit more sensibly Very Happy
#75:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 4:06 pm
    —
That was so lovely; I'm glad Jack was happy to meet Lydia and impressed by her capability. She's changed so much from what he remembers. And even Len has potential now!
#76:  Author: Nic, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 4:31 pm
    —
i'm pleased len has realised there is more to life than old family feuds as it were. i'm looking forward to some more of this, its good reading Very Happy
#77:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 4:37 pm
    —
Thanks, Phil. I'm glad that everyone is getting along well with each other now they've met.
#78:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 4:46 pm
    —
I'm glad that Jack and Lydia are getting on, hopefully Joey will be able to put the past behind her to.
#79:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 5:18 pm
    —
Joey nearly dropped the telephone at Freuedesheim in shock.

"Jack! You can't be serious! I don't believe it! Why I am coming out there myself. Lydia's trying to hoodwink you! She's in no fit state to be a mother. If this girl is Bob's daughter, we must take charge of her and she must come to the Chalet School. Why buy Pretty Maids? Oh Jack!"

Slamming the phone down, Joey in mighty wrath prepared for battle!

It was an inconvenience, there was so much she wanted to do at school. There was a new post of deputy headteacher. Why Kathy Ferrars or Nancy Wilmot had not gone for it, Joey did not know, but she was determined to find out why. The successful applicant had seemed more than a little distant and remote from her, almost as if she didn't want her there!

She still had next term's school play to write too!

The fact was, Joey was lonely. Her sons were rarely at home, preferring the company of their friends or Uncle Dick or Uncle Jem. The triplets had left home, she only really had Felicity, Cecily, Philippa and Geoff. Her one remaining niece at school, Ailie Russell, never seemed to bother with her either. Ailie in return felt "Aunt Joey" never bothered about her either in the way she did Sybil or Josette.

So in a bid to preserve the status quo, Joey landed her youngest at short notice with the Graveses and went hotfoot to England.
#80:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 5:25 pm
    —
Although I'm not surprised at Jo's reaction, I do think it's sad. She really ought to let Jack deal with his side of the family as he sees fit. Thanks, Phil.
#81:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 5:39 pm
    —
Thanks Phil...I hope they are all prepared for Joey's arrival!
#82:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 5:47 pm
    —
Joey's reaction was appalling - how dare she even contemplate taking Lydia's daughter away from her? Shocked

Sincerely hope that Jack, Lydia and Con put her in her place.

Thanks Phil.
#83:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 8:32 pm
    —
Thanks, Phil. I'm sorry that Joey isn't being very brilliant there.
#84:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 12:27 pm
    —
Typical Joey reaction. I hope Lydia put her firmly in her place. It's not as if Jo managed instant obedience from her children, is it?
#85:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 3:44 pm
    —
Hopefully Jack and Con will be able to stand up for Lydia.
#86:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:09 pm
    —
Joey Maynard had had an unfortunate crossing to England. A child had been wailing non stop on the aeroplane, and Joey's good natured intervention with experience of handling more babies than her own eleven had been met with a rebuff of such vulgarity it had left that good lady speechless.

Thus Joey was determined to protect her own children and add to her growing brood. She was prepared to lay down body and soul in the defence of Jack's long lost niece. Surely Jack had a say in the health and upbringing of his niece? And when it came to competence as a mother! Why it was Lydia's fault that Rolf died. The doctor treating Rolf had said as much!

Joey had an unbreakable faith in doctors. Her brother in law had saved her from the clutches of death during that business when Maureen O'Donovan of St Scholastika's had fallen into the icy Tiernsee and Joey rescued her, only to suffer later. Her own beloved "solid lump of comfort" had been through Nazi interrogation and being lost at sea to come back from the dead. He could cure people like Naomi Elton, he had to hold onto his late brother's daughter! He had to! And she, his loyal loving wife would back him up to the hilt! There was always room for "one more" at Freuedesheim! Joey considered, Len was there too! Len would back her Mamma up and Con would fall into line, she would never disobey or question her parents!

She remembered when she last saw Lydia. Lydia who had upset little Con and had not even acknowledged Joey's first baby boy! Why the woman should have been on her knees with gratitude that another Maynard boy had been born and that he would be brought up properly. Joey was fiercley proud of Stephen, but never seemed to find time to mention it. Stephen would know anyway! He was a clever boy! He knew Mamma had to look after her girls at the Chalet School and Papa had to look after the San.

She finally swept into Oxford. It was the day after Emma had had her fit and she was taking tea in Con's rooms with Len, Con, Uncle Jack and mum.

"Gosh! What an appetite you have!" exclaimed Len.

Emma's eyes sparkled.

"Oh, I'm always ravenous after a fit! I try and look at the positive side of epilepsy!"

"And I have to look at how much shopping I've got to do to keep a growing girl satisfied! I would never have believed it was so much! I thought Rolfie had an appetite but you young lady!" said her mother.

Laughter went round the room and Joey swept in. The atmosphere changed. Jack saw his beloved's stern features and Len and Con were well acquainted enough with their Mamma's body language to know something was up.

Lydia looked uncomfortable and Emma was completely bewildered.
#87:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:12 pm
    —
I really hope Lydia tells Joey where to go Laughing !
#88:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:22 pm
    —
Thanks, Phil. I am feeling sorry for Emma and Lydia, having to put up with Joey!
#89:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 11:06 pm
    —
Really hope Lydia is able to tell Joey to get lost.

*Hmmmm, wonder if I can use that excuse of Emma's*

Thanks Phil
#90:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 11:55 pm
    —
This will be a very interesting confrontation....thanks Phil!
#91:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:37 am
    —
Jo's going to get a shock when her children don't just fall into line behind her!
#92:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 11:07 am
    —
I hope that everyone tells Joey to get lost!
#93:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:01 pm
    —
Get lost in spades, Jo!

ETA: Len really is her mother's daughter in this, isn't she?
#94:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 10:29 pm
    —
"Hello Joey. Emma, this is Uncle Jack's wife, Auntie Joey. She's mum to Len and Con." said Lydia, to break the ice.

"It's Mamma" muttered Joey under her breath. Fortunately nobody noticed, except Jack!

"Well, Emma, how do you do? A long lost relative! I must keep that idea for one of my books! Do you read much?"

"I...tend...to read a lot of fact books, nto so much novels Auntie Joey. Len and Con were telling me about your books, I should really like to read them if I may!"

Joey was not sure whether Lydia had deliberately kept Josephine M Bettany books from her daughter.

"Well, fill me in! How did all this begin?"

The whole story spilled out. Con described how on a whim she went to visit Pretty Maids. She spoke of her deep love for the place and her desire to live there. Joey listened to her second daughter.

"So you don't want to come and live with Mamma?"

"No." said Con with emphasis. Joey looked shocked. Con seemed to be developing a strong character which Joey did not like! Surely Con would need someone like Len to help her. Con was a "Verity" to Len's "Mary Lou" she needed "looking after" surely! Yet here was Con calmly stating her case for independence! Joey felt quite uncomfortable at what her "little girlie" was doing!

Len tried to stick up for her sister.

"Mamma, Con can fight her own battles and as Matey always said, 'Chalet schoolgirls should not be spineless jellyfish' we should be able to cope with the world. Us three are no longer, "The good triplet, the dreamy triplet and the naughty triplet" We have come a long way and we want to go further.

Joey looked at Jack and saw agreement in his eyes. Joey's throne tottered and fell.

But there was still Lydia.
#95:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 11:02 pm
    —
That's better, Len! Now come on Lydia, you tell Joey what you think of her as well.

Thanks Phil Laughing .
#96:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 12:36 am
    —
Thanks, Phil. I'm glad that Len defended Con.
#97:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 4:17 am
    —
I hope that Jo can deal with everyone wanting something different from her and that she doesn't get nasty. I'm glad Len is being more sensible now, too.
#98:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 5:27 am
    —
That's better Len!

Thanks Phil.
#99:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 11:13 am
    —
It seems that there's hope for Len yet!
Hopefully Joey will be similarly crushed in her attempts to bully Lydia.
#100:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 11:15 pm
    —
The last thing anyone wanted was a scene in front of Emma. Fortunately that young lady could feel the atmosphere in the room and asked leave to be excused. Len and Con offered to accompany her. An offer speedily accepted. It looked like it would rain, so they adjourned to Len's room, leaving Con's study to be the battleground for Joey and Lydia.

Lydia Maynard drew a deep breath. Jack interevened.

"I know what both of you are like when you have your dander up! Try and be as civil as possible!"

"I would like to suggest, Lydia, that Emma come with us to the CHalet School. We have an excellent academic, sporting and pastoral reputation and there is a superb, qualified Matron. The Sanatorium where Jack works is very close by and I live next door. I am always calling in to see the girls! Meanwhile you can live your life in London, knowing Emma is in good hands."

"Do you think I can't look after Emma myself Joey?"

Joey was silent. Clearly this was what she did think. Joey blushed.

"It's allright Joey. Spit it out. Ever since you first met Rolf on your first visit to Pretty Maids, you thought him a rude uncouth, naughty boy. Yes it was my fault I spoilt him. When he died in that car accident, Everyone said I only had myself to blame. I've got over that. Joey, look at me."

Joey looked up.

"Wisdom comes with age and I'm still old enough to look after my daughter. I have wanted to move back to Hampshire for some time. I still like Pretty Maids. Con is desperate to have it in family hands once more. She's a wonderful girl your daughter. She's not just 'the dreamy one' she's an intelligent, thoughtful, kind girl. She's a human being in her own right."

Joey had not expected this from Lydia. She remembered scowls and tantrums from that lady in the past. Joey had braced herself for battle in a mighty storm! She was sure 'leopards don't change their spots' and was certain Lydia hadn't. Lydia went on,

"Joey I have had a lot to deal with, bringing up a child without a father, my child developing epilepsy, getting over the death of my first born and of course, my husband. I know Jack was lost at sea, but he was found again! Joey, have you ever gone through what I have?"

Joey admitted she hadn't. All her eleven, with the exception of Margot and Charles' early frailty and Phil's polio were in rude health. They always had been and always would be. No member of the Maynard / Bettany / Russell clan was dead! All the children had their parents and their siblings.

"But you don't need Pretty Maids..."

"Do you Joey?"

"Well no, but..."

"Well if Jack's happy, I can raise the capital to buy it back! Bob's daughter can live there, and I want to as well! Do I need your permission to buy it? Certainly, I feel I should consult Jack!"

Joey conceded ground on this one. She didn't really have an interest in Pretty Maids.

"Con may visit whenever she likes and who knows, she may want it! She is truly in love with the house!"

Joey tried to play one more card.

"But the Chalet School..."

"If the Chalet School produces girls of the high calibre of Con and Len, then I have no fears except..."

"Except what?"

Joey's voice took on a dangerous tone! Just let her insult the Chalet School, her or Jack's medical expertise! just let her!

"It's quite a risk, her travelling all that way. I understand you were involved in a train accident on the way home whilst you crossed France! Len and Con have told me of countless storms and avalanches and of mountain paths giving way suddenly whilst they have been on rambles! Much as I want Emma to have her freedom, I would fear for her safety too much and would want her close by."

"But..."

"Joey, you have enough to do looking after your own family and five adoptees! Then there are all the girls at the Chalet School who want to see you and discuss their problems! I don't want to move out to Switzerland myself either."

"So you are denying your daughter the best education in the world so you don't have to move out to Switzerland, and because you think I can't cope? You are selfish Lydia Maynard!"

Thunder flashed through Lydia's eyes. She shook with rage. There was silence. A never ending silence.
#101:  Author: Liseke,  PostPosted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 11:36 pm
    —
Phil ! Very Happy

Come back - please post more.....
#102:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 12:00 am
    —
At last Lydia spoke. She stepped closer to Joey. In both women, eyes of defiance blazed.

"Now come along ladies..."

"It's allright Jack. You want to say something Lydia?"

Joe clearly felt she had won and roused Lydia into the bargain.

"By the way Lydia, Con will do what I order her to. She's obedient. It doesn't matter what age she is, I am her mother. She will obey. If I tell her to forget about Pretty Maids, she will."

Jack Maynard did not like this. Perhaps the rigid insistence to obedience in the children and of course Joey, when she was a schoolgirl had had an adverse effect?

"That's enough Joey. Con is a young woman now and you know it. She may make her own decisions. We still advise her, but we also trust her. As we trust Len and Margot too. It is up to Lydia as a parent to decide where she send sher child to school. Yes, the chalet school has its advantages, but as Lydia points out quite rightly, it has its risks too, and she just wants to move back to Pretty Maids! Nothing of this really concerns you."

The women took a deep breath.

"Joey, we are never going to like each other. We are so different. Yes I was jealous of your children, and I am sorry. It actually helped me get over Rolf. Her GP is here and he knows her! He knows her records and history. I'm not saying Jack wouldn't do a good job, but Dr Willis knows Emma. that's important. I'm not depriving her of travel either! I will quite happily accompany her overseas. I am worried about the risk of travelling to and from school in Switzerland and the weather risks! She's not used to it. Maybe when her epilepsy is controlled or she grows out of it, maybe she can come to the chalet school. Until then..."

Lydia shrugged her shoulders.

"Emma's safety and security is paramount Joey" said Jack gently.

"You have fine daughters in Len and Con. Con has been speaking to me the most. I do like her Joey. May I meet your family someday? Emma would love to visit!"

The olive branch was offered. Joey accepted. She shook hands with a woman she did not like.

"Shall we see Pretty Maids?" she inquired casually.
#103:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 6:03 am
    —
I hope that Jo really has accepted defeat; thanks Phil.
#104:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 8:17 am
    —
I think Joey got off lightly there - Lydia was far more gracious than I would have been. Does Lydia want Emma to attend the Chalet School at Carnbach?

Thanks Phil.

Last edited by Lesley on Sun Jul 16, 2006 9:56 am; edited 1 time in total
#105:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 9:46 am
    —
Hmm ... Joey was a bit quick to accept defeat there!
#106:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 9:58 am
    —
Should we be suspicious of Joey? Very Happy

Thanks Phil
#107:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 12:10 pm
    —
Thanks, Phil. I am also wondering if Emma will go to the CS at Carnbach.
#108:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 2:06 pm
    —
Exactly, there are two schools, and it's up to Lydia and Emma to decide which school.
#109:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 7:04 pm
    —
"Helena."

Len froze. They were at Pretty Maids when she heard her mother's stern voice.

"What sort of game is Constance playing? She can't possibly like this place!"

"Mamma, why can't you see that she does? She has her own likes and dislikes!"

"I just want what's best for her!"

For the first time in her life, Len felt angry with her mother.

"Best for you Mamma!"

"I beg your pardon?"

Len flushed. She shouldn't have spoken like that. Well, she had to bite the bullet now.

"Mamma, just because you have a private feud with Auntie Lydia does not mean that we should all suffer! Is this any way to treat anyone? Feuds! I had enough of that with Jack Lambert's behaviour! Mamma, it is all very well being "the spirit" of the Chalet School and always being a Chalet School Girl, but you do have to grow up! You can't act like a feuding middle!"

"Even you Helena, Even you. Well perhaps I shall go to Edinburgh, at least I have one dutiful, obedient daughter left! At least I can rely on my Margot, naughty triplet though she can be!"

"Stop it Mamma!"

"Stop what?"

"Stop labelling us! Stop calling Margot the 'naughty' one, stop calling me 'good and responsible' and stop calling Con the least academic and 'dreamy' one! We are not babies anymore! You don't know how many times when we were younger, that Margot felt she was misunderstood, how perceptive Con could be and how I yearned to just walk off and leave the kids to squabble with each other! How I yearned to tell Mary Lou to go away and never come back! You just don't know Mamma!"

"Len..."

"Things are different from when you were young, you only had Auntie Madge, then when the cousins were born, you saw yourself as a nursemaid to them and their children for the rest of your life, living of Auntie Madge. Margot, Con and I are not going to have that future and neither are the boys or any of the babes!"

Joey was gobsmacked.

Mary Helena maynard had nailed her colours to the mast and declared total Independence from her mother!
#110:  Author: brie, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 7:26 pm
    —
Go Len!!!!!!
#111:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 7:31 pm
    —
Can't help feeling that Joey deserved that.
#112:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 7:45 pm
    —
Go, Len. The worm has finally turned.

And, it's a bit rich of Jo to expect instant and unquestioning obedience from her children, when we know just how disobedient she was as a girl.
#113:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 7:51 pm
    —
Gosh, I can't believe Len actually bit the bullet and said all that! Good for her Very Happy
#114:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 8:25 pm
    —
Well done Len for saying that - hope she can get through to Joey.

Thanks Phil.
#115:  Author: Nic, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 8:26 pm
    —
woohooo!!!! joey has been spoken to!! thats fantastic im so proud of len, i really am!! come on phil please write more!!
#116:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 9:31 pm
    —
Thanks, Phil. I'm glad that Len stood up to Joey.
#117:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 9:30 pm
    —
Well done Len! That scene was a classic! Laughing
#118:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 9:23 pm
    —
Never in all Joey's life had she been spoken to the way Len spoke to her. It had never entered her mind that her own babies would want independence from her! Why? She had given them everything! All the best opportunities she never had! Why did they want to go away from Mamma?

"Auntie Joey!" It was Emma. She was anxious to see peace between her mother and aunt.

Joey turned. She did not know quite what to say to her new found niece. What made her hesitate was the fact she was Lydia's daughter. With meeting Erica, she felt no hesitation. This was different.

"Hello Emma. Why don't we sit down, tell me about yourself!"

Joey's demeanour was somewhat overwhelming to Emma. She faltered a few times in telling Joey about how she loved swimming and how she coped with her epilepsy. Joey eyed her curiously. Then Emma had a fit before her very eyes!

"JACK! JACK! JACK!" Joey screamed and burst into hysterics. She had no idea what to do. Con was first on the scene, and put her jacket underneath Emma's head. Jack, Lydia and Len followed. It was obvious Joey would be no help, and Len took her mother away. It was all over in minutes and Emma was taken up to her late brother's room to rest quietly.

Lydia came to speak to Joey.

"How could you be so calm! That's your daughter! Don't you care?" cried Joey.

The comment was like water off a duck's back to Lydia.

"Joey I have got used to Emma's fits and I have found out it is no good panicking, although I did at first!"

"Why couldn't Jack stop her convulsing? Hold her arm down or something?"

Lydia looked shocked.

"Joey you musn't restrict the movement of someone suffering an epileptic fit! It's like those people in Edwardian times sticking wooden pegs in people's mouths to stop them swallowing their tongues! It does more harm than good!"

As Joey was about to suggest the wooden peg method to Lydia, something Madge had told her from her schooldays, she chose to remain silent. Lydia continued.

"What if that happened on a mountain path in Switzerland? There isn't always a Len Maynard there to help nor is there always a guardian angel like this Mary Lou character of whom Len and Con have been telling me about! I want my daughter to have as free a life as possible, but I want to reduce the dangers posed to her. Is that selfish spite and jealousy?"

Joey felt sick. of course it wasn't!

"No Lydia."

"I'm afraid I can't just trust to luck! I can let her go to a good school, but I must have quick access to it! There's a school near to Pretty maids recommended by her doctor. They will let her swim under supervision and with a life preserver. They have had girls with epilepsy, diabetes, you name it! We've met the staff, some of the girls and been to the place. And Pretty Maids will be on her doorstep and so will Con!"

Joey looked at her strong silent daughter who had appeared at that moment.

"Con loves Pretty Maids and I won't deprive her of that pleasure. But I'm afraid I can't take a chance with Switzerland."

Joey nodded. Still shaken by Emma's fit.

"Except..."

Joey looked up in hope.

"There is a new trial drug in epilepsy, Emma is going on it. Jack talked me into it. If it works out, she will go to the Chalet School, if you will have her."

Joey had no comment to that!
#119:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 9:49 pm
    —
Actually a little disappointed with the last couple of lines there - Lydia had made such a good case for not going, after all.

Can't really blame Joey's reaction - seeing a fit for the first time is very frightening.

Thanks Phil.
#120:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 11:15 pm
    —
It would be interesting to see Emma at the CS, though, to see how both she and they cope. They had a lot of supposedly "delicate" girls but they never had anyone with an actual ongoing condition ... can't think of anyone, anyway.
#121:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 11:20 pm
    —
Thanks, Phil. I hope the new drug trial will work out.
#122:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 11:06 am
    —
Thanks, Phil. I really want Emma to be kept away from Jo, who was utterly and completely useless in that last post.
#123:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 3:55 pm
    —
Thank you Phil.
#124:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 9:35 am
    —
Jack took a stroll with Lydia in the long wild grass of Pretty Maids.

"This was such a beautiful lawn!" sighed Jack.

Lydia laughed. "It can be again, Jack. It will be something I shall enjoy! Taming the garden once more. You know how wild Bob and I were about gardening!"

"Oh we couldn't get you and Bob out of a garden centre even if it were on fire!"

"We would be rescuing the plants!"

"Just like Bob!" grinned Jack. He paused.

"Lydia, I understand you told Joey that if this epilepsy drug works, you may send Emma to the Chalet School."

Lydia blushed.

"I only said that without thinking. I felt sorry for Joey. I want Emma here, I didn't want to seem selfish and I haven't been a good sister in law in the past, so I told her that to soften the blow that Emma won't actually be attending the Chalet School."

"Ah!" said Jack. His expression said everything and Lydia knew it! Joey had hooked onto Lydia's words and taken it for granted that the epilepsy drug would work and Emma would come to the Chalet School.

"Oh dear. I've dug myself into another hole, Jack!"

"Yes, I'm afraid you have! You see Joey has been through the most terrible illnesses and near death herself and she has been saved by doctors. She has seen plenty of girls with terrible conditions and injuries, saved by doctors. In Joey's eyes, doctors are perfect ad can do no wrong. She has seen people get better so many times, she has forgotten that there are times when we do lose our patients. There are even some doctors who shouldn't be in the profession."

Jack thought of the miracle "cures" Joey had witnessed. Her own pleuropneumonia at the age of four, then her encounter in the icy Tiernsee, the rallying of Mrs Linton, Margot, josette and Charles had pulled through their illnesses, The Robin's health, Leila Elstob, Naomi Elton, Mary Lou's recovery.

Then there were the people the doctors had not saved. Mlle Lepattre, Margot Venables, and Mrs Linton had eventually succumbed to tuberculosis. There were bad docotors too. Dr Hunter who had vigorously pursued Joey before their marriage in a most inappropriate way. Joey had apparently "forgotten" that. Even while Jack had been rescued at sea, others in the war weren't so lucky. Flora and Fiona MacDonald for instance, had a brother who had been killed in action. Then closer to home, no doctor could have saved Rolf's life after those car injuries, the same with Bob's wounds.

"It's best if I speak to Joey, Lydia. Really it is."

Lydia wished him luck as Jack set off to confront his wife.
#125:  Author: brie, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 10:07 am
    —
oh dear!
#126:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 11:42 am
    —
How much do you bet that his words will fall on deaf ears?
#127:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 11:59 am
    —
I hope this isn't going to cause more problems between Joey and Lydia...

Thanks Phil!
#128:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 12:11 pm
    —
Thanks, Phil. I wonder if Joey will listen to what Jack says.
#129:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 12:12 pm
    —
"I'm afraid Lydia was only trying to soften the blow that Emma may not be able to come to the Chlaet School."

"Rubbish, Jack! Doctors can do anything! I know my Jack Maynard can!"

"My dear girl, how many patients have I lost? How many patients has Jem lost? Lots! We have saved plenty of others, but we still lose patients now and again. Docotrs are fallible you know."

"Surely you know someone Jack? A specialist?"

"I know plenty of specialists, unfortunately the study of the brain is still rather in its infancy. Leave Emma near to her mother and where her cousins can visit!"

"But the Chalet School..."

"Is not going to fall down simply because my niece hasn't gone there! Mollie hasn't sent her daughter all the way from New Zealand to be with her Uncle Jack. Why should Lydia?"

Joey gave her husband a sharp look.

"Are you sure this isn't the dying embers of your fiery feud with Lydia? One last ditch attempt to take Emma to the Chalet School?"

Joey looked uncomfortable. Jack had hit a raw nerve.

"Oh give Lydia some credit! She's learnt from her experience with Rolf, and you've spoken to Emma! She's a lovely girl!"

Jack sounded impatient. Joey desperately searched around for something to say.

"Doesn't Emma have a say in where she goes?"

That would cook Lydia's goose! Len and Con had been extolling the virtues of the Chalet School to Emma. No girl could fail to be enticed!

Jack raised his eyebrows at what Joey said. But he called Joey's bluff.

"Very well."

Dr and Mrs Maynard went through to the next room, where the recovered Emma was talking to her mother and Len and Con. Joey put on her biggest smile.

"Emma dear, would you like to go to the Chalet School?"
#130:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 12:18 pm
    —
I hope Emma can stick up for herself in the face of Joey at her most manipulative! It would be awful if Joey used her to get back and Lydia.

Thanks Phil
#131:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 1:08 pm
    —
I wonder why Lydia even bothers - and someone should, surely, point out to Joey that both Margot and Mike's disobedience in the past could have casued deaths!

Sincerely hope that Emily is able to resist Joey - and what's wrong with her going to the English/Welsh branch?

Thanks Phil.
#132:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 11:21 pm
    —
Run Emma!

But seriously, I think Lydia should only consider Carnbach as it will be nearer for her to get to for plays, sports day etc, not just if she's needed.
#133:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 12:33 pm
    —
Thanks, Phil. I wonder how Emma will respond.
#134:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 12:53 pm
    —
Emma had enjoyed hearing about her cousin's school. But they wouldn't be there to help her. The amount of accidents and near misses they seemed to have on mountain paths was very worrying too. Then there was this Mary Lou character. Emma did not like bossy clarion toned girls and it sounded like this specimen was likely to haunt the Chalet School for the rest of her life and even beyond!

Len had unwisely started to talk about what she called her "obedience training" of Jack Lambert. In Emma's mind, Jack Lambert sounded a most unpleasant person. it was whilst Con was explaining how "the Abbess" could be really scary when she ws punishing you that Joey intervened.

Emma paused. All eyes upon her.

"Thank you for your kind offer Auntie Joey, but..."

"But??"

Joey's pitch and intonation raised expectantly, her eyes sparkled! ANother one for the Chalet School, Hurrah!

"Well, Len and Con won't be there and you and Uncle Jack will be really busy and I don't like the sound of this Mary Lou!"

"But...but...but....but...but how could anyone not like Mary Lou?" Joey spluttered.

"Everyone loves Mary Lou! Why even my own sinful, wicked Margot..."

"STOP LABELLING US MAMMA!" screeched Len and Con in unison, but Joey continued uninterrupted.

"Even my own Margot loves her and she's had more run ins with Mary Lou than anyone in the Chalet School!"

"Besides, my epilepsy specialist is based in England and I know Mummy needs to have quick access to me!"

Joey put on her golden voice that everybody fell in thrall to (usually).

"I'm flabbergasted!"

"Slang Mamma? Pay your fine!" Con grinned cheekily, earning herself a severe look from Joey.

It was over. Joey wanted to blame Lydia, but she didn't care. Jack spoke up.

"There's always the Carnbach branch."

Joey gazed at her SLOC. Doctors had the solution to everything! How wonderful! Joey was in rapture!

"There's a branch of the Chalet school at Carnbach, South Wales. Joey's sister Madge, the one married to Dr, now Sir James Russell? they live nearby and there is also a Sanatorium owned by Sir James." Jack explained to a curious Lydia.

"I'll look into it. I'm not promising anything though! Let's get back to buying Pretty Maids."

Lydia's reply and decision were set in stone from that moment onwards.
#135:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 2:07 pm
    —
Good for Lydia. Personally, I'd hate to be at school next door to an interfering aunt.
#136:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 3:16 pm
    —
Well done Emma too!

Thanks Phil.
#137:  Author: brie, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 4:02 pm
    —
Thanks phil
#138:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 6:02 pm
    —
"I do hope we haven't renewed a family feud!"

Con was walking through the fields around Pretty Maids wiht her father.

Jack sighed.

"Well, your Mamma and Auntie Lydia have never really hit it off. But I don't think Mamma will take it out on Emma. She said to me, she can't understand how Lydia and Emma are related! Still, Lydia has had some tough lessons to learn. She seems to have brought that girl up allright! It's quite something to find a new niece!"

Con smiled and linked an arm in her father's.

"Dad, what about Pretty Maids?"

Jack noticed she was not using "Papa" any more. She was a serious adult.

"I've been on to the solicitors. No trouble. Lydia and Emma can move back and you are welcome to visit as frequently as you like and however long you like!"

"Oh papa!" squealed Con back in her childhood days.

"There's so much about Pretty Maids I just love! The garden looked so sad with all that horrid ivy and weeds! I can remember Grandpa Maynard repainting the French windows! Why I can smell the paint as clearly as if was yesterday! I went to the attics, but didn't like the spiders! The boys would! Think of the history of the house, how many generations and changes it has seen! Every room had its character and we found Auntie Mollie's priest hole!"

Con paused and searched vigorously in her pockets.

"What's the matter Connie? Lost something?"

"Found it!" A triumphant gleam in her eye, she pulled out Granny Maynard's ring. The family heirloom Margot had lost in the priesthole fourteen years ago! Jack looked at it in amazement.

"Darling, where did you find this?"

"In the priest hole Papa!"

"But we searched high and low when Margot had lost it!"

"I know! But I found it! When I first got in to Pretty Maids!"

Jack embraced his daughter.

"Oh you deserve to have Pretty Maids back, my clever girl! I know you will look after it whenever you are there!"

Con basked in her father's affection. How often in eighteen years of her life did she ever get her father to herself? She flicked her glossy black mane back into place and practically skipped home. How many hundreds of years since great oak timbers were cut to build Pretty Maids? How many parties and celebrations had the houise seen? How many garden designs? Then Con saw her mother, disconsolate on the steps of Pretty Maids. She ran back to her Father.

"Dad, I feel I've been cruel to Mamma. I don't want her to feel Auntie Lydia is taking me from her. I know it's for the best Emma going to school in England and I know Mamma hasn't really been fond of Pretty Maids! Oh I do hope I haven't hurt her! I do love her Dad!"

Con's pleading expression fell on Jack's face. He squeezed her hand.

"Now what is all this nonsense my silly girl! Mamma knows you love her. She isn't a vindictive mother. She knows you love Pretty Maids and she won't stop you visiting! Nor is she angry about Emma having to go to school in England! She can see that! She's not without brains you know!

Reassured, Con took a deep breath and walked with her Father to Joey.
#139:  Author: brie, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 6:30 pm
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oh! heres your chance joey act nice for a change!
#140:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 9:49 pm
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Thanks, Phil. I wonder what Joey will say.
#141:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 10:15 pm
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Thank you Phil, that was a lovely scene between Jack and Con
#142:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:08 pm
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Joey sensed her daughter was apprehensive. She felt a twinge of guilt at carrying on her opinion of Lydia, who had obviously learnt some hard lessons in life! Joey also felt guilty about "labelling" her first born babies. Had she really upset them? Clearly she had! Margot never said anything about being labelled "naughty" perhaps she wanted to all those years!

Joey had seen the look of rapture as Con took them on a tour of Pretty Maids. Her enthusiasm had even silenced Len. How Con seemed to come alive in the grand old tudor house. There was a sparkle and alertness in her eyes! Every nook and cornr of the house had a story for Con to tell! What sort of mother would Joey be if she deprived her daughter of that pleasure? It was also Jack's old house, Con's father! She was a true Maynard!

At once Con was enveloped in lime green and she felt the warmth of her Mother's affection! Such a comfort! Joey kissed her.

"Darling! You really love this old place don't you?"

"I do Mamma"

"Well, you shall have it my dear! And don't worry about Lydia and I."

Con looked puzzled.

"We may not always be friends, but we are adult enough to agree to disagree. Of course Auntie Lydia must have quick access to Emma! They are very welcome to come over to Freuedesheim for a holiday. Besides, there's all our brood to meet.

Con sweetest, you've made everyone very happy by coming back to Pretty Maids. Lydia and I have had a good chat, we have sorted things out, we have met Emma, and Pretty Maids is back in Maynard hands!"

"Oh Mamma! Thank you so much! And I've got a little surprise for you!"

"Oh!" Joey was intrigued.

"You remember when we were last here, Margot lost a ring which Granny Maynard gave you?"

"I remember! Poor Margot was very upset about it!"

"I've found it in Auntie Mollie's Priest Hole! Papa says it's yours now, as Granny Maynard meant you to have it in the first place!"

Con took the ring out and put it on her mother's finger.

"Oh my dear sweet daughter!" Joey hugged Con.
#143:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 5:18 am
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That's better Joey.

Thanks Phil.
#144:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 10:37 am
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Thanks, Phil. I'm glad that Joey and Con have sorted things out.
#145:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 1:58 pm
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I'm glad that Con is getting her wish of buying Pretty Maids back.
#146:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 2:13 pm
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Much better! I'm so glad Jo is understanding.
#147:  Author: brie, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 5:41 pm
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a nice joey at last!! thanks phil
#148:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK PostPosted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 9:57 pm
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Lydia Maynard got to see her dream come true. She had returned to Pretty Maids, with her late husband's daughter. There was provision in her will for Jack and his children to administer Pretty Maids after her death and to welcome Emma to the family fold.

Con wrote to her sister Margot in Edinburgh, relating the whole story finishing,

"And Margot, I found Granny Maynard's ring! In the priesthole of all places! Mamma is so happy to have it back and I know you brooded on the loss of it for sometime! But it's found now, all forgotten and forgiven, so don't you worry! The boys have an exeat and Lydia has invited them and us to Pretty Maids! We've got Papa's ancestral seat back!

Much Love,

Con".
#149:  Author: brie, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 10:26 pm
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A lovely ending thanks phil
#150:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 10:56 pm
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That's nice - Lydia was a far nicer person than Joey deserved.

Thanks Phil.
#151:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 11:08 pm
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Thanks, Phil. I'm glad things worked out in the end. Are we left to wonder where Emma went to school in the end?
#152:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 5:26 am
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That was really nice, thanks Phil.
#153:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 12:34 pm
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Thanks, Phil. That was a lovely drabble.
#154:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 7:52 pm
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Thanks Phil.
#155:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 9:18 pm
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I've really enjoyed this drabble, thanks for writing it Phil!
#156:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 3:19 pm
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Thank you Phil, I really enjoyed this and I'm glad everything worked out for the best!
#157:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 4:14 pm
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That was a wonderful drabble, I enjoyed reading it. Is there going to be a sequel? I'd like to see more of this Con and her relationship with her family (both new and old)
The CBB -> Ste Therese's House


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