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Leaving the Chalet School (18/07/06 - pg3 - COMPLETE)

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#1: Leaving the Chalet School (18/07/06 - pg3 - COMPLETE) Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 1:12 pm
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This has been posted before, however was lost when that $%&*(*^%$^**^%& hacker attempted to destroy the board. I thought I'd post it again, in instalments, so those who had seen it before were reminded and those that had missed it could read it.

It's set in the same universe (though obviously earlier) as Finale.

“You are certain, Doctor?” The woman’s question was asked solely as a way of confirming the bad news.

The young Doctor, at least he appeared young to her eyes, sighed slightly, “I’m sorry Miss Annersley, all the tests and investigations have simply confirmed my original diagnosis. The pain in your back and hips are due to a form of arthritis, called osteoarthritis. It is a degenerative illness - by that I mean…” he stopped, suddenly realising to whom he was speaking.

Miss Annersley gave a slight smile, “Yes Doctor,” she said softly, “I am aware of what degenerative means.” She paused for a few seconds then spoke again, “If I’m honest the problem has been there for some time, certainly at least the last five or six years. It is far more noticeable during the winter with the cold,” she indicated the weather outside, a typical mid December day in Switzerland, the snow was falling thickly and the temperature gauge read below freezing. “I particularly noticed it when skiing, the pain in my right hip has been quite acute for the last two seasons.”

The Doctor nodded, “It’s quite possible that your level of fitness and regular exercise have prevented this from manifesting earlier,” he said, “it is known to attack women once they reach ‘a certain age’, whereas with you it seems to have been delayed.”

“Thank God for small mercies then,” Miss Annersley said seriously. She took a deep breath then continued, “What may I expect for the future, Doctor?”

The Doctor hesitated, glanced across into the blue-grey eyes of the woman sat opposite him and realised that he could not prevaricate, “Well, as I said, a degenerative disease, it may worsen, both the pain and the stiffness. Eventually the condition may mean severe difficulty walking, it might mean that you will need to be in a wheelchair, though that won’t be for some time yet.”

“And exercise?”

The Doctor took a deep breath, “Walking will be fine, at present, in fact it’ll be good for you, as will most forms of exercise. The fact that you are the correct weight for your height is extremely important because any additional strain on the joints will cause problems. But as for skiing?” He shook his head, “doubtful, the strain placed on the muscles and tendons is quite extreme and it is possible that skiing could cause further problems - I would recommend that you reduce skiing immediately.” He stopped there, aware of exactly what that meant.

Hilda Annersley nodded, as though the doctor’s words were only confirming something she had already realised. She looked across at the man behind the desk, “What of treatment, medication?”

“Mainly a case of treating symptoms, that is painkillers. There is also some talk of the use of steroids as a way of relieving pain but steroid use is a very new part of medicine, it would not be recommended at present.” He hesitated, then continued, “There is the option of surgery, hip replacement surgery could be an option as you get older.”

“I see.” A pause, then the woman rose, “Thank you Doctor,” she held out a hand and the Doctor shook it.

“If there’s anything I can do…?”

“Understood,” Miss Annersley smiled slightly and turned to leave, the Doctor spoke again,

“Take care, Aunt Hilda,”

Miss Annersley turned back and smiled at the young man behind the desk, “Of course I will, thank you Stephen.”

Last edited by Lesley on Tue Jul 18, 2006 9:22 pm; edited 10 times in total

#2: Author: brie, Location: Glasgow

Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 1:29 pm
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aww that was so sad lesley, hilda is so brave!

#3: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 1:54 pm
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I missed this the first time round, so thanks for posting again. What a difficult job for Stephen, to have to give bad news to someone he grew up treating as an aunt. And poor Hilda. How will she cope?

#4: Author: LadyGuinevere, Location: Leicester

Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 2:55 pm
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I think I missed it last time as well.... poor Hilda Sad

#5: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 5:08 pm
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I missed this too Lesley so it's lovely to read it. That was a very touching scene in which Steven was lovely.

Thank you.

#6: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 5:36 pm
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I missed this too - poor Hilda Crying or Very sad

#7: Author: Rosy-Jess, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth

Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 7:17 pm
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I also missed it. I am looking forward to seeing how you develop this Lesley.

#8: Author: Liane, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 7:49 pm
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I actually read this last time round but I don't remeber the end.
Thanks Lesley.

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

Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:40 pm
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During the drive back from the San to the Chalet School, Hilda Annersley thought hard about the information she had just received. In retrospect that information was not a complete surprise, however it did mean that, suddenly, a number of plans for the future would need to be changed. She reached the Chalet School itself, turned onto the main driveway and parked her car close to the front door. As she got out of the car she felt, again, the sharp shooting pains in her hips and back, the pains that had, eventually, prompted her to seek medical advice. Standing upright she took a deep breath before walking swiftly, but with a slight limp, toward the door.

Inside the School was slightly chilly, however as the Christmas Term had finished the day before this was understandable, the maintenance men no longer keeping all the heating on when the majority of the School was empty. In fact the only areas that were truly warm were her Annexe, the Domestic Staff bedrooms and the Kitchen. Nearly all the Mistresses had left for the holidays, many with the girls the day before on escort duty. Those few that had remained on the Gornetz Platz had left to visit friends or stay with relatives. Even Rosalie Dene, her PA, had left early that morning, she was staying with Sir Edgar and Lady Watson - Evvy Lannis when they had all been considerably younger in the Tyrol.

The memory of the Tyrol made Hilda smile but then, almost immediately her expression changed to a frown. She shook her head, so many plans would need to be changed. Reaching the Annexe she took a time to straighten and wipe all evidence of pain from her face, then pushed the door open. A wave of warmth swept over her and, for a few seconds she just remained still, allowing the warmth to seep into her bones. She smiled, this amount of warmth must mean that someone else was in the Annexe and she knew of only one person who could be there…

“Hilda? That you?” The voice was that of Nell Wilson, the only person with absolute access to the Annexe. At the same time she appeared at the door to the sitting room.

Hilda Annersley looked across, the years had been kind to Nell Wilson, now in her early sixties she was as straight and tall as ever, her frame still strong. Although she walked with a slight limp it was hardly noticeable and didn’t stop her from continuing to be almost as active as when she had first started at the Chalet School back in the Tyrol. Only her hair was different. Ever since the dreadful events almost thirty years before, when she and a group of girls from the School had to flee to Switzerland from the Nazis, her hair had, on the top at least, been a pure white. Until a few years ago she had been able to point to the rich coppery brown hair underneath, however that was no longer possible. Now all her hair was white.

“Hello Nell,” Hilda Annersley said quickly, “Did you manage to get your work finished?”

Nell smiled, “Hours ago, was awake before dawn, went down to my Study and worked for a couple of hours and still had time for a spot of skiing before coming across.”

“Is St Mildred’s all closed up now?” Hilda asked while allowing her friend to help her off with her coat, hat, scarf and gloves.

Nell nodded, “It is, and all the Staff have gone. Much better idea to move across to here for the holiday, after all, this place will remain open won’t it?” She grinned across at the other woman, her grey eyes sparkling in a face that was still, despite it being the middle of winter, slightly tanned.

Hilda walked across to stand in front of the fire, she nodded in agreement to her friend’s question but didn’t say anything. Nell frowned slightly looking more closely at the Senior Headmistress, she walked out to the small kitchen and appeared a few minutes later with a tray with two cups of tea. She set it down on the small coffee table and took her accustomed seat, waited for Hilda to sit opposite her. The two women sat sipping tea for a time. Eventually Nell Wilson sat back and sighed,

“All right, Hilda, talk to me, what’s wrong? What did the Doctor say?”

Hilda continued staring into space for some seconds before answering, “I have osteoarthritis,” she said softly, “Doctor Maynard says it is affecting my lower back and both hips, he feels it may also be affecting my right knee, but isn’t certain because the knee problems might be referred from the hip.”

“Oh,” Nell thought for a while then, “And? What can be done for it?”

Hilda looked across, locked eye contact with her friend and partner, “Nothing, Nell,” she said with some emphasis, “nothing can be done.”

“What? But that’s ridiculous! Come on Hilda, that’s got to be wrong, Stephen Maynard’s only a boy, have you spoken to Jack about this?”

Hilda smiled rather sadly at the response, “Nell, Jack’s a respiratory specialist, Stephen may only be young, may only have been qualified a few years, but he spent his Houseman years working on an Orthopaedic ward. That’s why Jack referred me to him. The boy knows his profession, Nell.”

“But can’t they do anything?”

Hilda sighed, “They can treat the symptoms and I may be eligible for joint replacement later.” She laughed slightly, “It’s not a fatal illness, Nell, but it is, or can be debilitating. It will attack my mobility, it has already begun to do that.”

Nell nodded, “All right, so what does this mean for you? For us?”

Hilda Annersley’s eyes darkened, she took a deep breath, “It means that I’ve got to change my plans, Nell. It means that we will not be retiring together.”

There was a shocked silence, the Head of St Mildred’s looking across at her friend with a hurt expression, eventually she found her voice,

“B-b-but it’s all arranged, we’ve informed the Board and everything. We’re both retiring in July 1970, two and a half years from now. We felt that was an appropriate notice as we’ve got to train our successors.”

Hilda nodded, “I know, Nell, we arranged it some time ago, decided that mid sixties was the age we felt most suitable. July 1970 will mean you are 64 and I’m 66. But Nell, this illness means I have to reconsider. Our plans were to travel, travel all over the world. If I’m to realise even a fraction of those plans I cannot wait another two and a half years, I’ll have to start sooner. I will have to look on 1968 as my final year and retire next July.”

Nell took a deep breath, “Well then I’ll go then too, after all I’ve been here longer than you, only a couple of terms but longer nonetheless, the Board cannot object.”

“And what of those students of yours, Nell?” Hilda Annersley’s soft voice replied, “The ones that you yourself told me would need additional coaching to get them through their O’Levels in Chemistry and Physics next year, will need the same coaching to get through A’Levels two years later? They were the reason we made July 1970 our date. Can you honestly say that they will be able to manage if they have to get used to a new Mistress?”

“Well….” Nell looked down, thinking, “maybe we’ll be able to engage a good replacement by July,” even to herself she sounded doubtful.

Hilda smiled, pushing herself out of the chair she knelt beside Nell, ignoring the sharp twinges in both hips, she took her friend’s hand, “Nell, even if we did manage to find someone who could fill your shoes, we have to consider the School. Is it fair for both of us to leave so quickly?”

Nell sighed, “Hilda, just for once think of yourself not the School. We’ve been planning this for the last five years. A world trip, visiting Europe, South America, India and Japan. Then travelling on to Australia to see Con and Mollie, as well as catching up on the Russell girls. We, neither of us, have had a proper break away from the School for years. The most we’ve managed is a few weeks in England.”

“I know Nell, I’m disappointed too,” Hilda hesitated, “but, if I’m honest, I rather doubt that I’d be able to manage all of our proposed itinerary. In particular the visit to Peru – I’m finding the Alps difficult enough, I don’t think the Andes will be possible.”

Nell swallowed, a look of determination on her face, “Then we’ll..we’ll not go there,” she said, almost succeeding in her efforts to hide her disappointment.

Tears sprang up in her friend’s eyes, firmly suppressed, Hilda spoke again, “Nell, you do me such honour, to even make that suggestion. You know as well as I that visiting the volcanic mountains of the Andes has been your dream. In fact, these last few years, with all the articles you’ve been reading to me about evidence for, what was it? Sea floor spreading?”

Nell nodded quickly, “It’s revolutionising geology and geography Hilda,” she said eagerly, “a way to explain everything, mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes, even why there’s evidence at the top of the Alps and even the Himalayas of fossilised sea creatures. And the Andes are just as fascinating, did you know there is one of the deepest trenches in the world running alongside the Andes but in the ocean? That the latest thinking is that part of the Earth’s crust is subducting beneath…” she stopped, aware that her enthusiasm was purely proving her friend to be correct.

Hilda smiled, “Nell, you must go to Peru, go and see your volcanic mountains, see that trench of yours.” She stopped and took a breath, continued, “and, if you have time, also visit Machu Picchu for me. I expect hundreds of photographs and detailed descriptions of how you climbed the mountain to reach the city.”

Nell sat in silence for some time, trying to think of a way that their original plans could be followed, then she sighed and reached forward, kissed her friend’s cheek, “So many that it'll bore you,” she promised.

#10: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 10:30 pm
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Crying or Very sad

That was really moving Crying or Very sad

#11: Author: brie, Location: Glasgow

Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 11:06 pm
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Im almost in tears

#12: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 11:35 pm
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Thank you Lesley, how sad for them both Crying or Very sad

#13: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 12:25 pm
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Poor Hilda. And poor Nell. Such a shame that this illness means they can't carry out their plans together.

#14: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 3:08 pm
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I remember this from last time but its good to see it again. Thank you Lesley!

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

Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 10:00 pm
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Having made the decision the two women discussed when the rest of the Board needed to be informed. As it was less than two weeks until Christmas they decided to wait until after the festival. This year Christmas was being spent with the Maynards at Freudesheim, with an additional bonus that Lady Russell would be there. Madge Russell, a widow for nearly two years, had spent the previous Christmas in Australia, staying with her eldest daughter, Sybil. This year though, Joey Maynard had insisted that her older sister stay with her.

The holidays promised to be entertaining though as, with the exception of Margot, all the Maynard family would be there. Both Hilda and Nell had retained a great deal of affection for the Maynard family, an affection that was warmly reciprocated, and the two women were considered as much a part of the family. Jack Maynard, now Sir John Maynard, was the titular head of the Sanatorium, both in Switzerland and in England, he had taken over when Jem Russell had fallen ill, suffering a fatal heart attack almost two years before. The death of the founder of the Sanatoriums had left a gaping hole and it had taken Jack almost a year before he had felt confident in his new role. One thing he had not done, even though almost everyone had expected it, was to move his family back to England. Although a surprise to many, neither Hilda Annersley nor Nell Wilson had been surprised, correctly believing that, for Jack and Joey at least, Switzerland was considered home.

Christmas was wonderful; the eldest of the Maynard children, Len and Con, were both living in the UK with their husbands and families, Reg Entwistle working as Deputy Director of the Sanatorium in England under David Russell. Len was working part-time at the English Branch of the Chalet School and looking after her three children, five year old Mary and 18 month old twins, Robert and James. Con had married Roger Richardson four years before, they had a little girl, Helen and were expecting another child in the Spring. The four children were a wonderful addition to the household, even causing their solemn faced Great-Aunt Madge to smile.

It wasn’t until some days after the Christmas festivities, after the rest of the Maynards had returned to their own homes, that Hilda decided it was time to speak to Madge. The founder and original owner of the Chalet School was, predictably, shocked at Hilda’s news, Joey too looked surprised, although she had been aware that the Head had been experiencing back pain it had obviously not registered just how severe the problem was. Jack Maynard looked less shocked, rather he just nodded slightly, as though the diagnosis just confirmed his own thinking. Seeing Hilda looking at him he spoke,

“I’m not that surprised, Hilda, I’ve thought for some time that your back aches were far worse than you’d led us to believe.” He smiled, “That’s why I referred you to young Stephen there, thought you’d be more likely to tell the whole truth. Besides he has far more experience of musculoskeletal matters than I.”

Joey looked across at her husband, “There’s nothing that can be done?”

Jack shook his head, “No more than Steve’s already said.”

Madge stirred, “I can understand why you want to leave, Hilda,” she said, a little sadly, “However good your career, your work, there comes a time when you want some time to take stock, to explore, even if it’s only your home village. I only wish that Jem and I had been granted that time.” She reached forward, grasped Hilda’s hands, “We will be so sorry to lose you,” she said, her voice low and musical, “just how the Chalet School will continue without your calm leadership I don’t know. But continue we must. Of course you must leave at the end of the School year, I have no problem with that.”

“Thank you Madge,” Hilda said quietly.

Madge looked across at Nell, “You’ve not said anything, Nell, don’t you also want to leave next July?”

Nell glanced across at Hilda quickly then, with some regret, shook her head, “No Madge, I’ll be staying on for the next two years. Hilda and I have had to revise our plans, she will not be able to manage some of the places I’d planned to visit.” She shook her head ruefully, “I said I could miss them out but…”

“No Nell,” the words from Hilda were spoken with both amusement and affection, they were also a definite command.

Nell shrugged, “See? I’ve got no choice in the matter!”

Hilda smiled across at her partner, “Your English,” she chided.

“You leave my English out of this, Hilda, after more than thirty years it’s unlikely you’ll change me.”

Jack looked puzzled, “Thirty years?”

“The time they have known each other, Jack,” Joey put in with a smile, “I was a kid, not even fifteen, when Hilda joined the Chalet School, that’s more than thirty-four years ago now.”

The two friends looked at each other in some surprise, “Thirty-four years? Has it really been that long, Nell?”

Nell Wilson shook her head, “Unbelievable, seems like only yesterday.”

There was silence for a time, Hilda and Nell both suddenly struck by memories, eventually Nell shook herself, “Sorry Madge, to answer then, no I’ll not be leaving next year. My original date, July 1970, stands.”

Madge nodded, “Well, although we will lose Hilda, at least we will have one of our two Headmistresses for a little longer, we should be thankful for that. You will, of course, take on the Senior Headship for that time, Nell?”

Nell Wilson looked surprised, “Oh, but that’s not necessary,” she said quickly, “I’ll be happy staying as Second Head and Head of St Mild…”

“You most certainly will not!” This time the order was unmistakeable, Hilda looked across at her friend, “You have seniority Nell, of course you should take the top post.”

Nell looked round to see everyone else, even Jack, nodding in agreement, “But it’ll only be for two years,” she said, “Surely Nancy Wilmot should be in the role, she did take it on once before remember? I stayed as St Mildred’s Head then.”

“That was different,” Hilda said quickly, “I was only away for the term, less in fact, it was a temporary measure. This will be for two entire School years.”

“You must take on the role of Senior Head, Nell,” Madge put in quickly, “Neither Nancy nor Nell Randolph at Glendower House would accept anything else.”

#16: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 10:04 pm
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Thank you Leslay, that was a lovely scene between them all and the affection really came through.

#17: Author: brie, Location: Glasgow

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 8:51 am
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Lesley this is lovely! thank you

#18: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 8:53 am
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This is lovely, even though it's also a little sad.

Thanks Lesley Very Happy

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

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 10:27 pm
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Telling the Staff and students of the Chalet School was far more difficult than either of the two women had anticipated. The first full Staff meeting occurred on the evening after all the girls were back from the Christmas break, Miss Wilson was busy with her own people over at St Mildred’s therefore the Head had faced her Staff with a certain amount of concern. After the normal every day business had been concluded she had hesitated slightly and then announced that she would be retiring at the end of the School year. There had been, predictably, a number of exclamations over this, especially as Miss Annersley was someone that tended not to show when she was ill or in pain. Many of the Mistresses had not even suspected that anything was wrong.

There were a few heads nodding in agreement, however, when Hilda detailed her reasons for going so quickly. Rosalie Dene had been one of the few, apart from Nell Wilson obviously, to have discovered the Head suffering. Although now termed as a Personal Assistant and with a staff of two, Rosalie would normally take any dictation the Head required herself. She had, on a number of times, witnessed episodes where the pain and stiffness was acute. Also nodding was Jeanne de Lachenais, one of the longest serving members of Staff (after the two Heads), Mlle de Lachenais still retained her superb skiing ability and was still a member of the Alpine Club. She had been aware that, for the last two Winters, Miss Annersley had only rarely joined the School when skiing.

The third person nodding was Matey, Barbara Henschell had inherited the title after the original Matey, the redoubtable Gwynneth Lloyd, had retired to live with her niece, three years before. Barbara had slowly gained confidence as the Senior Matron and she had, like her predecessor, been able to assess the health of any members of Staff or pupils. In fact it was due to her concerns, voiced to Nell Wilson, that Miss Annersley had finally been persuaded to visit the doctor.

For the rest though, it was a little difficult for them to accept just how badly the condition had already affected their Head. Their respect and affection for her, however, meant that none of them considered voicing their opinions, just listened while Hilda detailed what would be happening at the School. Later, with a select group of the most senior Staff, Miss Annersley discussed things further.

“As far as the next two years are concerned, Nancy, after I have left, Nell will be taking over here.”

Nancy Wilmot, the Senior Mistress, smiled at this, “I’m so pleased,” she said, “Not that you are going, Hilda, of course not, but that Nell will be here for another two years, it will mean that I can spend some time getting to know the post before everything is left to Rosalind and myself to run!”

Rosalind Moore, the Head of Geography, and the person looking to take over St Mildred’s when Nell Wilson retired, smiled, “I’m also pleased, Hilda we don’t actually want either of you to go, but at least with Nell staying a little longer we’ll feel there’s a better transition.”

Hilda had been warmed by these words, however she merely smiled, “You shouldn’t want us to stay,” she said, “I’m sure that you have any number of new ideas that you want to bring in.”

“Perhaps, Hilda,” Kathie had remained silent until then, “but I think we’d all forgo them if it meant you could stay. I’d be happy staying as an ordinary Mistress rather than getting promotion to Senior Mistress in two years.”

Telling the students of her impending retirement the following morning, Miss Annersley was surprised at their reaction. She didn’t think that there would be a great deal of interest in the fact that the Headmistress would be leaving at the end of the year. Her feeling being that, to a large number of girls Mistresses and the Head in particular, were a necessary evil. Therefore the myriad groans and sad faces that greeted her announcement, along with the whispered comments from many of the girls closest, surprised her. As did the clearly voiced sentiment from the Head Girl that she was glad it was her final year, to which all the prefects had loudly added their agreement. The Head continued the Assembly with shining eyes and a slight flush to her cheeks.

The Spring Term went well, there were few problems or mishaps, at least, no more than was normal for the Chalet School! A few fairly minor incidents included one of the Junior Middles managing to flood the bathroom, the corridor and the stairs. Luckily it wasn’t hot water, but the sight of Matron Henschell having to battle up the stairs against a positive waterfall coming down was cherished by those girls that had witnessed it! When it was later discovered that, rather than being due to forgetfulness, the flood had been set deliberately, the girl responsible, after spending some time in the Study, having to hear Miss Annersley’s opinion of her behaviour, was heard to wish that the Head had already retired!

#20: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 11:01 pm
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I wonder how Hilda will cope without the CS? It's been her life for such a long time. Thanks, Lesley.

#21: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 11:11 pm
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Thank you Lesley, that was a very moving scene and it's so lovely to see the deep affection that everyone has for Hilda

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

Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 8:25 pm
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The Easter holidays saw Hilda Annersley and Nell Wilson spending them together, the pair had travelled to Geneva for two weeks. They had a full itinerary planned including visiting shops for new clothing and luggage Hilda would need, as well as visiting restaurants and theatres in the evenings. By the third evening the pace was beginning to tell and the pain in Hilda’s back and hips rising. Nell had seen that her friend was in pain and cancelled their appointments for the evening, Hilda had assured her that she would be fine, just needed an early night. Nell had believed her, then.

Late that night, well after midnight, Nell Wilson had been awoken from a deep sleep. Initially she wasn’t sure why she had awoken and lay there, listening in the dark. Eventually she had become aware of a sound and struggled to place it. The hotel they were staying in was quite a modern one, probably built to accommodate the influx of visitors due to the United Nations. Although very comfortable it did have some disadvantages, one being that it wasn’t particularly well sound proofed. ‘The noise could have come from anywhere,’ she reasoned, ‘and be nothing to do with…’ she stopped as the sound repeated itself. Now she was fully awake there was no mistaking the noise, it was her name being called.

Another person might have been concerned, might even have had a passing thought to the supernatural, Nell Wilson, being the most practical person possible, didn’t even consider that. Instead she immediately got out of bed and walked over to the connecting door between her room and that of her friend. She tried the door; it was bolted from the other side,

“Hilda? Is that you, Hilda?”

A muffled sound, almost a sob could be heard, then, “Yes Nell, could you please come in, I need your help.”

“The door’s locked, Hilda, can you open it?”

Another sound, it was definitely a sob, then a quiet reply, “I can’t move, Nell.”

Nell Wilson’s eyes widened, she swiftly considered contacting Reception but decided on another course of action, exerting all her strength she leant on the connecting door. The small bolt was not designed to withstand that pressure, with an audible snap it gave way and the door flew open. The room was in darkness but it was possible to make out the bed and the figure lying there. Nell moved across, switched on the light. In the bed lay Hilda Annersley, even in the dim light from the table lamp, Nell could see she was in pain, severe pain. Her face was pale and drawn, her body tense. Nell looked again, saw that a tear was trickling down her face.

“Hilda, what is it? You can’t move?”

Hilda swallowed, “The pain, Nell, it’s very bad tonight. Could you pass me my tablets?”

On the bedside table was a bottle of tablets, strong painkillers that Stephen Maynard had prescribed for her use. Nell knew that her friend had been taking them regularly. She reached across, picked them up, “Of course,” she said, “you’ll have to sit up to swallow them.”

“I can’t, Nell,”

“What do you mean, you can’t? Have you lost feeling in your legs?” Nell sounded extremely worried.

“No, not that, but the pain is so bad…”

“Bad enough that you cannot move?” Nell said in some disbelief.

Hilda nodded very slightly, even that small movement causing her to wince appreciably. Nell saw that, she sat on the side of the bed, placed her arms beneath her friend’s shoulders,

“All right, Hilda,” she said gently, “try and allow yourself to go limp, don’t fight me here. I’ll sit you up so you can take your tablets.”

Nell was as gentle as possible, but even so she saw the lines of pain in her friend’s face deepen, saw her bite her lip to stop herself crying out. Once Hilda was sat more or less upright Nell handed her the tablets and a glass of water.

“Milk, please, Nell,” Hilda whispered.

Nell looked across and saw that the room had a small refrigerator, she poured out a glass of milk from the bottle within,

“Wondered why you bought the milk earlier,” she remarked whilst handing the glass over.

“Stephen said I should take the tablets with a meal or milk,” Hilda replied quietly, she swallowed two tablets, smiled slightly toward her friend.

“Yes well I’ll be having words with Stephen,” Nell said grimly, “those tablets are obviously not strong enough if you get into this state in the middle of the night. You must need a higher dose or different ones that’ll give you more relief…” she stopped as Hilda was shaking her head.

“No Nell, it’s not Stephen’s fault. He prescribed a suitable dosage I…” she paused, glanced over at her friend, aware that she was about to anger her, “I haven’t been taking them.”

#23: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 9:14 pm
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I feel so sorry for Hilda. That was such a moving post, thank you Lesley. Hilda can be so stubborn sometimes can't she?

#24: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 10:41 pm
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Poor Hilda - it can be so difficult to accept that you've got a medical condition. Hope Nell can persuade her that she needs to follow Stephen's advice.

#25: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 10:55 pm
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How awful for Hilda, and yet how typical that she didn't take the tablets. I hope she takes them now and starts to feel better.

#26: Author: brie, Location: Glasgow

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 10:45 am
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poor hilda. This is so moving lesley, thank you.

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

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 10:56 pm
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“You’ve what?” It was almost a shout and Nell Wilson immediately realised it was far to late to be shouting, her next words were in far quieter tones, though still just as angry, “you haven’t been taking them? Listen to yourself Hilda, have you ever heard of anything so ridiculous? Good grief you lectured that young Junior Middle for not thinking and acting irresponsibly when she caused that waterfall, can you say you have acted any better?”

“No, no I haven’t.” Hilda replied quietly.

“Those tablets are given to you for a purpose, Hilda,” Nell continued, standing beside the bed and glaring down at the occupant.

“Yes Nell,”

“What’s the point in having them, in seeing a Doctor, if you’re not going to follow the instructions?”

“None, Nell,” came the quiet reply.

“And you’re deliberately agreeing with me, Hilda, to stop me being angry with you, aren’t you?”

“Yes Nell,”

Nell glared again trying, without a great deal of success, to maintain her anger, “You do this to me every time, Hilda,” she said in frustration, “you really annoy me then stop me from being angry with you. You’re the only one that can do that, it’s really irritating.”

“Yes, I know Nell,” the words were accompanied by an involuntary grimace of pain, Hilda closed her eyes and bit her lip to try and stop herself from crying out.

Nell’s irritation faded away, “Pain still as bad?”

Hilda nodded, “It takes some time for the tablets to take effect,”

“Is there anything else that can help?”

Hilda thought for a moment then replied, “Heat, heat sometimes helps,”

“Heat? A hot water bottle?” Nell nodded and disappeared back into her own room, returned a short time later with a bottle, “saw this in the drawer earlier,” she said, “I’ve just filled it from the tap but the water is quite hot. Where?”

“Lower back and right hip,”

Nell nodded, wrapped a towel around the bottle and placed it in the small of her friend’s back, after only a very short time the heat seemed to be helping and some of the strain left Hilda’s face. Nell lifted the telephone and called down to Reception, asked for two coffees to be brought to the room, barely minutes later there was a quiet knock on the door and Nell walked across to retrieve a tray from the girl standing outside.

“Hope that girl hasn’t too good a memory for faces,” Nell remarked as she walked back to sit beside Hilda’s bed, “otherwise she’ll be wondering exactly why I’m in the wrong room!”

Hilda smiled, “It will just be considered normal behaviour for the English,” she said quietly, “we’re always thought to be eccentric!”

Nell smiled slightly, passed across one of the creamy delicious cups of coffee to her partner. The two sat sipping the drink for some minutes while the heat and tablets started to work, the pain visibly leaving Hilda’s face. After a time Nell sat back,

“All right, Hilda, explain yourself. I’ve somehow got to explain to the hotel just why I’ve managed to break one of their doors, I’d like to know why it was necessary.”

Hilda took another sip then looked over at her friend, “I’d been coping well,” she began, “throughout the term I’d managed without any real difficulties, the pain had subsided to only a very mild discomfort. Oh I couldn’t countenance skiing, and first thing in the morning or if I sat at my desk for too long the pain and stiffness would return. But, in general, everything seemed to be far easier.”

Nell nodded, “That’s to be expected,” she said, “the tablets were obviously working and you’d made a conscious effort not to over-do it.”

“Yes, but, oh this is difficult to explain!” Hilda said in some frustration, she took a breath, tried again, “Nell have you ever had a serious illness?”

Nell shook her head, “Not really,” she replied, “I’ve had ‘flu a couple of times, and that throat problem when we were at Plas Howell, why?”

“Because it is exceptionally difficult to accept that you have an illness that will not get better. That you will always require medication to keep it controlled.” Hilda paused for a moment, trying to marshal her thoughts, “You convince yourself that a mistake has been made, that you haven’t really got the illness, because the alternative is to accept that you will have this with you for the rest of your life.” She looked over at her friend, “I know it’s silly, but you can almost convince yourself. I stopped taking the tablets yesterday morning, I was fine yesterday, today I had some discomfort but not a great deal, then this evening…”

“This evening the pain returned with a vengeance to shatter your hopes,” Nell said solemnly.

Hilda nodded, “I don’t want this, Nell,” she said softly, “I don’t think I deserve it. Oh I don’t feel it’s a punishment or anything ridiculous. I don’t think that God has singled me out, but I still rail against the unfairness. Against the way this has caused both of us to revise our plans. Has meant that there are some things on this Earth that I will never see.”

Nell Wilson bit her lip, the sadness in her friend’s voice was not something she had come across before, she felt it was probably the pain causing her to show a little of the feelings she normally kept controlled. She walked across and sat on the bed, placing an arm around her friend’s shoulders. She spoke softly,

“You will see Machu Picchu, Hilda,” she promised, “you’ll see it through my eyes. As to the rest, no this isn’t a punishment, it’s just Life. And Life tends to throw this type of thing at you. You just have to accept it and keep going.”

Hilda nodded slightly, resting her head on her friend’s shoulder, “I know,” she said, “and I know, really, that I can’t cope without the tablets, this episode has taught me that. Another time I might not have you there to rescue me.”

Nell smiled, “We’ll always be there for each other, Hilda, and if I could take this from you I would. But you’ve got to look after yourself, take your tablets. Otherwise how are you going to get to visit all the places you are still able to get to? And how will you get to Mount Fuji in Japan in four years, to meet up with me?”

“You really think we’ll do that, Nell?”

“Definitely, I’ve already marked the date in my calendar.”

#28: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 11:06 pm
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Nell is a lovely friend for Hilda to have. They are going to need each other a lot as Hilda's illness progresses.

#29: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 11:54 pm
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Thank you Lesley, another very moving passage

#30: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 7:43 am
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Oh poor Hilda. Sadly I've known this happen to several people - plan ahead for their retirement and then find their plans thwarted by health problems. Nell is lovely.

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

Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 8:13 am
—
The rest of the trip to Geneva had gone well, Hilda religiously taking her medication as prescribed, and the two friends had managed to enjoy themselves as well as spend a significant amount of Hilda’s money outfitting her for her trip. On their return to the Gornetz Platz the two had been busy interviewing applicants. A new Religious Studies Mistress, a young graduate from Bonn, was appointed and a Junior English Mistress. In addition the Head welcomed back, on a part-time basis, Madame Pallin, otherwise known to the School as Ruth Derwent. Miss Derwent had, three years before, married the Protestant Chaplain who served the Platz, Andre Pallin. Although she had settled enthusiastically into the life of a minister’s wife she had felt she could offer more in her own profession. She joined a number of other Mistresses who had returned part-time including Biddy Courvoisier and Hilary Graves.

Hilda Annersley’s final term as Headmistress of the Chalet School went very smoothly; it also appeared, to her at least, to go very quickly. The weeks seemed to pass with extreme rapidity until, after what seemed only a few days, she had reached the final evening. The following day would see the end of term, with all the girls and many of the Mistresses leaving to catch the trains back to England and to other cities on the Continent. Miss Annersley would not be leaving until a day later, she and Miss Wilson travelling back to England together for a short holiday before parting - Miss Annersley to start her World trip while Miss Wilson returned to the Platz to take over as Headmistress.

The woman stood in the Study, looking round at the sunlit room for perhaps the last time. Her eyes moved over all the items in the room, the large desk across one window, its drawers now empty, awaiting their new owner, the bookcases lining two of the walls, now sadly denuded of books - hers had all been packed and sent back to England for storage. The settee and chairs, where she had entertained so many of the Staff and parents over the years. If she closed her eyes she could picture every time. Every time she had spoken to girls about their misbehaviour, every time she had comforted unhappy children and yes Staff too! This Study had seen so much, in her years here, so many years too, she quickly counted up - eighteen years in tot…

“You all right, Hilda?”

The sudden voice startled Hilda Annersley, caused her to jump, then stifle a groan at the additional pain in her back.

“Oh damn, didn’t mean to do that,” Nell placed an arm gingerly around her friend’s shoulders, “sorry love,”

“It’s fine, Nell,” Hilda said softly, while leaning on her friend, allowing herself to be helped across to the settee.

“No it’s not,” Nell returned, “didn’t we agree you’d stop doing that?”

Hilda smiled, “All right Nell, no it’s not, but the pain is subsiding now. Are you here to escort me to the Spot Supper?”

“I am, my lot are already here,” Miss Wilson was referring to the pupils and Staff of St Mildred’s, the Chalet School finishing branch, “all the girls, I beg their pardons, young ladies, have joined the rest of the school in the Hall, while the St Mildred’s Staff have joined your own.”

“Well Karen said everything would be ready in ten minutes so we’d better move across.”

The Spot Supper, an innovation of Kathie Ferrars when she was a very new Mistress, was still a popular tradition for the last night of each term. The Supper followed its normal pattern of everyone marching once round the Hall before moving across to the Speisesaal. There was a slight change in tradition as Miss Wilson had obviously spoken to the Head Girl of the Chalet who then partnered her counterpart from St Mildred’s, leaving Miss Wilson to partner the Head and support her during the march. At the table Miss Annersley quickly said Grace before nodding permission for all to sit. While waiting for Karen and her Staff to serve the food Hilda Annersley smiled across at the two guests on the Staff table.

“It’s good to see you here, Joey,” she began, “and even better that you managed to persuade Madge to come too.” Madge Russell had arrived for a short visit with her sister only the day before.

Joey smiled, her black eyes sparkling, “We’d not have missed this for the world, Hilda,” she said quickly.

Before Hilda could investigate that remark the food was all served and everyone began to eat. Later, after the meal was finished and even the greediest of Juniors had eaten their fill, after all the crackers had been pulled and everyone was wearing a paper hat, the girls all subsided, waiting for something.

The Head smiled across at Nell Wilson, “That’s unusual,” she remarked, “now is normally when they all start getting very noisy.”

Nell smiled, “This isn’t a normal Spot Supper, Hilda,” she said gently.

#32: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 12:45 pm
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I wonder what's going to happen?

#33: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 4:05 pm
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Hope they've got a nice present for Hilda!

Last edited by Alison H on Sat Jul 15, 2006 10:05 pm; edited 1 time in total

#34: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 8:10 pm
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I can't wait to see what happens next Very Happy

Thanks Lesley

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

Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 12:18 am
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Lesley, I've read this so many times that I almost know it off by heart, but it still tears at my heartstrings to see Hilda and Nell separated and deprived of their long-held plans, and to feel Hilda's increasing pain and lack of mobility.

As always, the deep affection between them is very moving, as they each try to do what is best for the other. I think it's called love.

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

Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 8:45 am
—
Ignoring her friend’s puzzled look the Head of St Mildred’s then rose to her feet, as she did the small amount of talking died away. Nell Wilson smiled round at the now silent girls,

“I must congratulate you, girls,” she began, “when this was first organised I wasn’t sure if it would be possible to keep our true motives a secret. Especially when the person from whom we were keeping the secret was notorious for exposing secrets!” She laughed and a number of the girls, notably the Middles, did the same. Miss Wilson glanced across at the Head, noting, with satisfaction, the dawning comprehension on Miss Annersley’s face. Nell Wilson continued,

“Now, to business! As all of you know, this is Miss Annersley’s last evening here as Headmistress, she retires tomorrow to embark on a World Tour. Among other places I know that her itinerary includes Paris, Vienna, Rome and Athens in Europe, Egypt and Jerusalem in the Middle East, and Leningrad and Moscow in the Soviet Union. Quite how she is going to manage all of those places in the current political climate is unknown - but if any is suited to being a peacemaker it is she.” Miss Wilson smiled round at the School and Staff before looking across at her friend.

Miss Annersley smiled slightly but still with a somewhat quizzical expression upon her face, waiting to see exactly what her friend had planned. Her eyes were shining.

Miss Wilson continued, “On learning of Miss Annersley’s impending retirement I had representatives from all years seek me out, to discover what could be done to mark this occasion. Together the Staff, Lady Russell and Lady Maynard discussed the problem and came up with this…” Miss Wilson nodded toward some of the younger mistresses and they left their seats and hastened out of the Speisesaal – to return a short time later with some equipment. At the same time Gaudenz appeared carrying a large white screen; he placed it to one side where it could be seen by all the people in the room. While this was going on Miss Annersley reached up and tapped on Miss Wilson’s shoulder,

“Nell, what on earth is going on?”

“Never you mind, Hilda, you’ll find out soon enough!” Miss Wilson refused to answer any more questions and just smiled benignly at her friend. The Head, recognising that she would get nothing further from Miss Wilson, sighed slightly and settled back to await developments.

A short time later the equipment was revealed as a slide projector and Nancy Wilmot was standing beside it, projecting a white light onto the screen. The School, both girls and Mistresses, turned to look.

Miss Wilson smiled round, “We debated long and hard, Miss Annersley, before we decided what we could do to mark your retirement. We decided to do this,” she indicated the screen and nodded toward someone on the Staff table before sitting down.

“Nell…”

“Just watch, Hilda.”

Lady Russell had risen and nodded toward Miss Wilmot, on the screen appeared a photograph of a young woman, in her late twenties, no more. Dressed in the fashion of the late nineteen-twenties or early nineteen-thirties. Although the photograph was in black and white, it was possible to see that the woman’s face was unlined and her hair a dark colour. It was also possible to recognise the person and a number of sharp intakes of breath were heard as the girls suddenly saw their Headmistress as a young woman.

Madge Russell smiled, “This is how Miss Annersley looked when I first met her,” she said, “It was during the Easter break, just before I married Sir Jem in the summer. At the time it was the custom for married women not to continue their careers and Mlle Lepattre and I were interviewing for a replacement mistress. The new mistress would be responsible for teaching English and have special responsibility for the Juniors. I cannot remember any of the other candidates, but Miss Annersley, although nervous, immediately made a good impression. We offered her the post straight away.”

She turned to look across at Hilda Annersley, Miss Annersley smiled, “I was very nervous,” she admitted, “and I was very surprised to be offered the post. That photograph was taken the week before the interview, at a friend’s wedding, it was the only one I had available when asked to provide one for the personnel files.” She paused and shook her head, “How young I look!”

There was a low chuckle throughout the room, Lady Russell laughing with the rest. She spoke directly to the Head, “I have never regretted appointing you on that day,” she began, “and I hesitate to consider what would have happened to the Chalet School had we somehow managed to miss you.”

Before Miss Annersley could react Madge Russell sat down and another Mistress rose, everyone looked across at Miss Charlesworth, she blushed slightly then spoke,

“Miss Annersley, as the current History Mistress, it was felt most appropriate that I read this,” she began, she nodded toward where Miss Wilmot operated the slide projector. Another picture appeared, it was a picture of a raging torrent, a small river in flood. There were men on either side of the river attempting to build barricades but it was obvious that the river was far too strong for them. Miss Charlesworth read from a letter in her hand,

“Hello Hilda, Ooops, I mean Miss Annersley. Nell wrote to me and explained what she had planned for your last night, wanted me to think of something to add, this is my effort. Don’t know if you recognise the place in the picture but it’s the Tyrol…”

At the word a number of the older Mistresses and the two guests all nodded knowingly.

“…but the Tyrol at a specific time. I don’t know if you remember when one of the girls went missing? Eustacia Benson? This is a picture of the river the following day – I’ll never know how she survived. Anyway, you and I arrived back with some of the girls from the dentist to find that Eustacia was missing and Mlle Lepattre was making herself ill she was so worried. It was the first time I’d seen you properly in action as Senior Mistress, you took over so smoothly, got Therese to rest straight away and kept everyone else calm – even Nell and myself! Not sure if we ever said at the time, but all the Staff were very glad that you were there. Anyway, the rest of the letter is for you to read in private, for now, hope you enjoy your evening and have a long and happy retirement – you deserve it. Love Con – that is Miss Stewart in the Tyrol and Guernsey years.”

Miss Charlesworth handed across the letter to the Head and sat down. Miss Annersley glanced through the first page and smiled, she looked up, Lady Maynard was rising to her feet,

#37: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 9:49 am
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This is lovely. Hope Hilda gets to see all the places she'd like to. & how nice for her to know that all her hard work over the years has been appreciated.

#38: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:00 am
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Thank you Lesley, this is wonderful

#39: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 12:39 pm
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Thanks, Lesley. I am finding this really moving.

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

Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 8:39 pm
—
“My picture is that of a young girl,” she said quickly, Nancy pressed a button and the picture of a girl of about eleven was projected onto the screen, she had dark curls and a beautiful pink and white complexion. “This is my adopted sister, Robin, she is now Sister Marie-Cecile but when this photograph was taken it was the weekend after I learnt that the risk of tuberculosis was gone, that she was perfectly healthy.” Joey Maynard’s black eyes appeared to darken still further as she thought back to that time, she swallowed quickly and continued, “The time before we learnt that she was not infected was not pleasant. I was Head Girl at the time and at the School, Robin was on the Sonnalpe being tested. I spent the entire time hoping and praying. One evening we had just been rowing on the lake, Miss Annersley asked to speak to me in private – I don’t know if you remember, Hilda?”

Hilda Annersley nodded slightly, “Yes,” she said, “I had managed to contact Die Rosen, discover a little news.”

Joey nodded, “Yes, you told me that the news was far better than we had hoped and the relief was so great I spent the next twenty minutes sobbing. I don’t know if you realised then, just how much of a comfort you could be, when someone was unhappy. I know you’ve comforted any number of the girls through the years and that you’ve done the same for me on many occasions since. It is a true gift Hi…Miss Annersley, and one that this School will sorely miss.”

Hilda Annersley slowly shook her head, “Joey..I mean Lady Maynard, you are giving me far more praise than I deserve, I…”

“Now you stop right there, Miss Annersley,” Nell Wilson interrupted, “You’re not to say anything, just listen!”

The Head turned to look at her friend, raising an eyebrow,

“And you can stop that as well,” Miss Wilson continued, “or I’ll get Lady Russell to appoint me Headmistress now.”

Hilda Annersley looked across at Madge Russell then back to Miss Wilson, “Very well, Miss Wilson,” she said placidly, “I will, however, speak with you about this at a later date.”

The entire School saw Miss Wilson wince appreciably at the words before rallying and turning to all the girls, “Let’s see the next slide then, Miss Wilmot!”

Miss Wilmot did so, when it appeared everyone looked at it with some puzzlement, it was a photograph of a book, everyone immediately recognised the book as one of Lady Maynard’s, in fact her very first book,

“Good grief, it’s Cecily Holds the Fort!” exclaimed the authoress herself, “why on Earth have you got a photo of it, Nancy?”

Miss Wilmot smiled, “This is actually a joint effort,” she explained, “from both myself and Hilary Graves. As she and Phil are off visiting relatives in England Hilary agreed that I could present it. Miss Annersley, this is a picture of the first book Joey, Lady Maynard, I mean, had published, it is also the very first book.”

At the emphasis everyone looked again at the photo, mainly with puzzlement, only Lady Maynard herself nodded slightly as though remembering something. The Senior Mistress continued,

“The book looks a little less than pristine,” she said, “because it had just been rescued from a fire…”

At the words Hilda, Nell and Madge all smiled, reminded.

“Louise Redfield went into Hall after it had been set on fire to rescue the book. Hilary went in after her as she was overcome by smoke. Of course what both of them should have done was notify someone in authority, but girls don’t always think of things like that!” She smiled across at where some of the Middles were sitting, her smile widening when some of the girls blushed.

“Hilary told me that she could understand why the Head was angry with Louise - after all it was only a book. But could never understand why she had also felt Miss Annersley’s wrath when she had attempted to save a life. At least, Hilary never understood until she had children of her own. One day, when I was staying with Hilary and Phil, their daughter Marjorie was about six years old. During a visit to Interlaken Marjorie broke away from the rest of us and ran out into the road. Hilary had snatched the girl back from the path of a bus and promptly shaken her and scolded her. As she said to us later, she was so relieved that Marjorie was unhurt that her relief turned to anger.”

Miss Wilmot smiled over at Miss Annersley, “I don’t think we ever appreciated just how much like a parent you always were, I know I certainly didn’t while at school. It’s only since returning as a Mistress that I can recognise it. Even though this School is so much bigger now, with so many more pupils, you still find time to be a mother to all of us.”

The slide show continued for another hour, many of the Staff showing photographs and relating incidents that they felt were important, both to themselves and to the Headmistress. The School listened, mainly in silence, occasionally laughing along with the speakers. One photograph was of a small pistol and Miss Dene rose to tell the School of an episode that Miss Annersley had thought long forgotten, when she had, even when faced with a loaded gun and a murderer, refused to give up one of her pupils. The School broke into spontaneous applause at this and Miss Annersley turned a deep red and tried to leave the room! Gwynneth Lloyd had sent a photograph of her sister’s grandchildren. She was living with her niece, in a self contained flat but very close to her family. Barbara Henschell related how the Head had realised that Matey needed to get away from the School when news of her sister’s death had arrived. Had practically forced her to listen to Jack Maynard, when the Doctor had appeared in response to his summons.

Finally the show was almost complete, as they reached the final slide Nell Wilson rose and relieved Miss Wilmot of her task. She stood beside the slide projector and looked across at her friend,

“The next, the last photograph is mine,” she said.

#41: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:06 pm
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What a lovely Spot Supper! I wonder what Nell's picture will be?

#42: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:22 pm
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This is so touching. Wonder what Nell's picture will be of.

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

Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 5:57 pm
—
Everyone looked in interest as she operated the slide projector and a final picture appeared. The picture was a professional one, obviously taken by an expert, it appeared to be of an accident. A large red bus lay on its side beside a wall, it was obvious that it had crashed. There was an old fashioned ambulance in the foreground and a number of policemen and helpers attending the injured.

The Head of St Mildred’s took a deep breath then spoke directly to the woman sitting opposite her, “This photograph was taken by a professional photographer, he worked for a local newspaper in Exeter. I wrote to them earlier this year, not really expecting that they would have kept anything from so long ago, however, to my surprise they had an archive section and were happy to let me have this. It’s a picture of the crash in which we so nearly lost you, Hilda.”

At the words Miss Annersley, Lady Russell and Lady Maynard all nodded in remembrance, while the rest of the School looked on with renewed interest, Miss Wilson continued speaking, her voice very quiet,

“All of you girls, and indeed many of you Staff, are too young to remember the time in 1943, when four Mistresses from this School were involved in an accident over the Easter Break. Miss Annersley was the most seriously hurt, indeed, for a time, we thought she would not survive. Later we also discovered just how much she had had to work during her year off, to ensure she was fit to return.” Nell Wilson paused there for a moment, swallowed hard, and quickly rubbed at one eye before continuing, “It was also the time I discovered just how much I relied upon her, like everyone I missed her calmness, her sense of authority, the way she would, automatically, take charge in any given situation. But I also missed her on a more personal level, as a friend and companion. As a peer and as someone to whom I could go whenever I had any worries or concerns and she would ease them.”

Miss Wilson smiled, seeing Miss Annersley shaking her head vigorously, “Now she’ll say that none of what she does is special, I happen to disagree. And although this,” she pointed to the picture of the accident, “was terrible at the time, looking back, it was the best thing that could have happened, because both of us suddenly realised just what friends we were.” Miss Wilson grimaced slightly, turned to the listening School, “And I’m sure all of you recognise just how much trouble I’m going to be in with such terrible sentence construction!”

There was a delighted gurgle of laughter throughout the room, then Miss Wilson signalled to the Head Girl, who rose and walked over to the Staff Table. She stopped in front of Miss Annersley and held out a flat object,

“Miss Annersley, we girls couldn’t all get photographs but we could write down instances in our time here at the School. In this book all of us, from the Kindergarten to St Mildred’s have written a few lines, as a thank you.”

The Head reached forth, took the book from Felicity Maynard’s hands, she glanced through a few of the pages, smiling as she recognised a girl’s writing or the anecdote, she made to reply but Felicity had moved back to her seat, was returning with a parcel,

“And this is for you, Auntie Hi… Miss Annersley, we know that you are going on a world trip, will be seeing many sights. Perhaps this will enable you to keep a record of everywhere that you go, and everything that you see.”

The Head opened the package with wonder, inside was the most up-to-date camera, complete with flash, films and leather carry case. She looked around at the now silent room, everyone, Staff, girls and guests, waiting to see her reaction. Slowly she forced herself upright, the enforced sitting for more than two hours meant she was very stiff but she allowed none of that to show, instead she smiled round at everyone and spoke…

“It might interest all of you to know,” she began, “that I have almost been rendered speechless by this evening’s tributes,” her smile widened as she looked across as some of the younger girls, “something that I’m sure any number of you have wished upon me at some point in the past.”

There were a number of muffled giggles at this, swiftly silenced, Miss Annersley spoke again, “I decided to enter the teaching profession while still at school myself. That decision was, at least partly, influenced by my own Headmistress. However I never dreamt that it would be such a wonderful, fulfilling role. Should I ever be given the opportunity to live my life again I could ask for nothing better than to repeat everything,” she glanced across at Miss Wilson, “even the bus crash.”

There was a short pause then she continued, “I am, most definitely, not worthy of all the accolades you have heaped upon me this evening. However I appear to be the only one that believes that. I will just say that I have been exceptionally lucky in my employers, my professional colleagues and my pupils. I could not have asked for better.” She looked down at the camera, the book and the case of slides that Miss Wilson had passed across to her, “I will treasure your gifts,” she said, “but even more, I will treasure the thoughts behind them. Thank you.”

She sat down to a storm of applause and cheering from everyone.

#44: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 6:20 pm
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Thanks Lesley - this is wonderful.

Wish we could all find jobs we were as well suited to!

#45: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 11:36 am
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This is really lovely, Lesley, thank you.

#46: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 2:50 pm
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Thank you Lesley, this is really touching

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

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 9:22 pm
—
Two days later, mid morning, Hilda Annersley stood in the grounds of the Chalet School, gazing up at the building that had been home to her for so many years. All her belongings were now packed, most of them had been sent in advance, back to storage in England, awaiting the day when, her travels complete, she would settle for her retirement. However she still had a significant amount with her, both for the two week holiday she was spending with Nell at Nell’s cottage in Devon. Then, after Nell returned to the School to prepare for the next term, she would be spending a further two weeks visiting friends before starting her trip.

The day before, after seeing all the girls and most of the Staff off for the start of the Summer holidays, she had spent some time with Nell Wilson, handing over everything to do with the Headmistress’ role. The pair had then spent some time in the afternoon over at Freudesheim having Tea with Joey Maynard and her sister Madge. A number of the other permenent residents of the Platz were thre too including Biddy Courvoiser, Hilary Graves (newly returned from England) and Grizel Sheppard. The Maynards were travelling to the Tiernsee the next day, to meet up with others of their clan for their annual two-week holiday. Both Hilda and Nell had been invited but had decided instead to holiday in Devon.

The evening had been spent, just the two of them, in the Head’s Annexe, Hilda sleeping there for the last time before officially handing it on to Nell. As all the maids and catering staff had been sent on holiday too, the pair had raided Karen’s stores for ingredients before cooking a meal for them both in the small kitchen within the Annexe. Hilda had told Nell to blame her for the theft when Karen returned to discover some of her stores had been taken!

However, that was all in the past and Hilda Annersley was now standing in the grounds of the Chalet School, looking up, lost in thought.

“Penny for them?” It was Nell Wilson, Hilda looked round to see her friend standing beside her,

“They’re worth far more than a penny.” she smiled.

Nell looked up at the School, “Thinking about all the trials and tribulations?”

Hilda nodded, “Yes, and all the good times and all the bad.”

“Bad times? You mean during the War?”

Hilda nodded again, “Yes, but also times since, when different girls have been hurt or gone missing, when Joey’s Phil was ill or when Margot was hurt. When different members of Staff were unhappy or despondent, thinking they had failed, when girls were upset or unhappy.”

“And what about memories not involving you having to help everyone else? Are there happy memories for you?”

“More than I can count, Nell,” Hilda paused, took a breath, “Nearly thirty-five years, Nell, yet it seems to have passed by so quickly, it has been my life for so long, how will I cope without it?”

Nell Wilson looped an arm through her friend’s, “You’ll not just cope, Hilda,” she said softly, “You’ll revel in the new life you have to look forward to, the places you’ll see, the things you’ll do. And you’ll write back to those of us still here, allowing us to share your adventures, be with you in spirit.”

Hilda smiled, nodded, Nell also smiled then continued, “And to start with, we’ve got two weeks at a wonderful guest house I know - absolutely top class place and really cheap!”

Hilda glanced across, “Top class? Isn’t that the place where we’ll have to do all the cooking, all the cleaning, even make our own beds?”

Nell shrugged, “That’s why it’s cheap, if you prefer I could charge you for the two weeks and spend the time we’d decided to explore on being the cook cum housekeeper?”

Hilda laughed, “No, I’d rather it remained cheap.” She looked up at the School once more, at the same time became aware that a car had drawn up beside them.

“That’s Jack, he said he’d run us to the station,” Nell said softly, “everything’s packed and we’re ready to go.” She paused then, “Unless…do you need more time, Hilda, to remember?”

Hilda shook her head, “No Nell, the School itself is a building, the important things, the ones I’ll remember until my dying day,” she tapped her head, “they’re in here, I carry them with me, always. Let’s go.”

She walked across to the car, Jack Maynard was standing there with the door opened, she got in to the back, Nell got in the other side. They drove off, leaving the Chalet School behind them.

THE END

(Part one of three)

#48: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:33 pm
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Looking forward to parts two and three already!

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

Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 12:52 am
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I just read this all the way through, and it is fascinating. The sense of looking forward and back that inevitably comes at this sort of crisis, the pain of readjustment when long-cherished plans have to be changed, Hilda's quite normal reaction to chronic illness that won't leave her ("Surely it can't be that bad?") - and the final Spot Supper where so many people try to reveal just how much she has meant to the school. And the ending - where she faces the future and understands that it holds a lot of promise.

Thank you Lesley

#50: Author: calico, Location: Wellington, New Zealand

Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 4:37 am
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Oh Lesley
What a wonderful story!
Thank you

#51: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 9:30 pm
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Thanks, Lesley. Looking forward to the next parts!

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

Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 3:45 pm
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Good to read this again

Thanks Lesley Very Happy

#53: Author: Jools, Location: Sadly Broke

Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 5:42 pm
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Just read this for the first time Lesley and am in awe of your writing.

It was beautiful. Thank you

The CBB -> Ste Therese's House

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