THE VILLAGE BOY PART 10 21-05-06 complete
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The CBB -> Ste Therese's House

#1: THE VILLAGE BOY PART 10 21-05-06 complete Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 6:56 pm
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Parts 1 to 9 and Part 10 to date are in the Drabbleorum. I also have them in Word if anyone would like an unyibbled copy. I've finally got back to it - thanks Jennie for your help and encouragement.



When the boys entered the dining room they found only their families chatting with a couple of doctors, everyone else having gone home including the Maynard children. When Reg queried this, Jo laughingly pointed out that the San had probably had as much disruption as it could take for one day. They were served cups of tea and sticky buns and sat at a table nearby to talk about the morning.

“That was a real eye opener.” Said Dixon. “I know you described it all but that’s not the same as seeing. You know, I’ve never been in a hospital before and I thought it would be all straight lines of beds and you’d have to whisper.”

“I think a lot still are but most places you’re not in that long. Patients here are in for a long while and it’s as much their home as school is for us. It’s a lot nicer than the San my cousin was in, though.”
Replied Dan Morris. “I’m jolly glad I came. It’s given me some ideas for things we could do. Did you notice their books are about as ancient as the ones at Chaucer were before Mr Douglas got his hands on the library. I’ll bet they don’t read them! And there’s five of us here this time. That’s probably enough for any one visit from what Mrs Maynard was saying. That’s two things we’ve learned today. Don’t look so hopeful, young Entwistle! I’m not taking over the organising of this. Don’t forget I leave in the summer and it’s up to you lot to carry it on.”

Reg looked rueful and then chuckled. “I lived in hope there for a minute. You’ll help us till you go, though, won’t you. Did you notice all the Doctors insisted on paying five shillings for the kites. That means we’ve got twelve whole shillings to start the fund off, even after we’ve paid Mr Jeffreys AND it’s made eighteen shillings to help him buy materials for the future.”

“That’s a good start. I’ll help till I go and I’ll keep in touch as well. I’m still not sure what I’m going to do when I’ve finished at Cambridge but, seeing the boys today, I’d love to do something that could help cure people. I’m reading chemistry and I hadn’t thought beyond that so I’m going to write to Doctor Maynard and see what he suggests.”


Mrs Dixon was keen to set off for home. “It’s 200 miles and we left at five this morning.” She explained when Jo invited them to stay for lunch. “We’ll stop off somewhere and eat our picnic and be home for tea but I’m so glad we came. I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. We’ll see you at the end of term. We’ve promised Basil he can stay for the wedding.”

Then it was Dan Morris’s turn to leave and catch a bus in to Armiford for his train to London. Mr Fourakis accepted Jo’s offer of lunch for himself and his son and they all set off to walk to Jo’s house, leaving Jack to return to work. After lunch, Irakles and his father left on the bus and Christopher and Reg, after waving them off, went for a walk, exploring one of the nearby woods.

While they were out, Jack popped home to speak to Auntie about her tiredness. He had agreed with Ted that she seemed tired and he and Jo had noticed that she seemed to have lost some weight. It had taken some fast talking by Jo to persuade her to agree to tests but, underneath her fears, she was sensible enough to realise that she needed help and two days earlier, Jack had taken a sample of her blood to the lab and she had allowed him to examine her thoroughly.

Now he came in smiling and she gave a sigh of relief. “It’s nothing more than a lack of iron in your blood. It happens sometimes and it’s easily sorted. I told you when I examined you that your heart and lungs are fine. You’ve got a little heart murmur and I’d like to monitor that from time to time, even though it probably means nothing. I’ll give you some medicine to take which will help but I want to be sure you are eating properly. Do you cook yourself a proper dinner every day?”

Auntie looked a little embarrassed. “Not really.” She admitted. “It seems a waste to bother for just me.”

“There you are then! I’ll give you a list of foods you ought to eat. It’s mainly things like fresh greens and eggs and meat. Just remember that Reg is going to need you for a long while yet and that should give you the incentive you need to change your ways. I would like you to cut down on the work a bit. You’re getting on for sixty aren’t you?”


Auntie nodded.

“I thought so. Work out what is really important to you and drop some of the rest. From what I remember, you don’t really enjoy looking after the cows. Do you get much advantage from them?”

“Not really. I give most of the milk away nowadays. I wouldn’t want to give up the pig though.”

“That’s exactly what I mean. You need to keep active but do the things you enjoy. Good heavens! You’ve done enough over the years. Enjoy yourself and you’ll make old bones yet.”


Auntie looked up at him with a smile on her face but tears in her eyes. “You’ll watch out for Reg when I’m gone, won’t you?”

“I’ll predict that you’ll see Reg as a Doctor and probably enjoy grandchildren.”
He said briskly and then wagged his finger at her.

“Provided you’re sensible! But, yes. We’ll see to him if it becomes necessary. You’re both part of our family now. Jo doesn’t remember her mother and, though Madge did her best, she’s only twelve years older. You’ve filled a gap there, you know. How old was Reg’s mother when he was born?”

“Just twenty six.”


Jack thought for a moment. “So she’d have been around five years older than me. Jo’s not old enough to be his mother but I’m just about old enough to be his father. Will that do?”

“Thank you. Alright, I’ll try to be sensible. You’ll have to promise me one thing though.”

“What? I’m not buying any pigs in a poke!”

“I don’t want to be a burden to Reg when I get old. You’ll not try to stop me doing what I want to do.”

“I don’t think you’d be a burden anyway but I know what you mean. I’ll fight to see my children through but I do hope I go while I’m still active. I don’t think we need to tell Reg about this conversation, do you?”


Auntie shook her head. “No. I’d rather not. He still misses his father and he’d worry.”

*

“They’re really getting on, aren’t they!”


Hugh and Dorothy stood at the edge of the hole into which the septic tank had been lowered. Mounds of earth and piles of stone stood scattered about but they could see progress. Pipes were now laid to the half built bathroom and on through the wall to the kitchen. The bathroom walls were half built and it could be seen where the windows and doors would be. The scaffolding was now only half way up the walls and the guttering and downpipes were in place. There were windows in the ground floor and a new traditional back door.

“It’s looking good, isn’t it.”

They turned and saw Sir Julian beaming at them and wearing a pair of tattered corduroys and a tweed jacket which had seen better days. “Come and see inside, there’s progress there too. “

They went through the kitchen door into the house which would be Hugh and Dorothy’s. There was plaster on the walls and ceiling now and the range had been cleaned and looked like new. On the wall under the new window was a stone sink, set on two brick piers with taps above and a waste pipe which disappeared under the floor.

“The sink came from a pair of cottages which were falling down up at one of the hill farms. They were a sad sight and the farmer thought his ship had come in when I asked to buy a whole load of the materials. We got two sinks, a load of windows and the stone for the bathroom walls. We even took some stone flags for the kitchen floors. I’m afraid some of the ones here broke when they were taken up. We’ve kept them though and with the spares we bought, they’ll help to make paths in the gardens.

“We’ve only one problem at the moment and that is finding a couple of baths. Word has gone out though, and I’m sure we will find them before we need them. Come and look at the other rooms.”


They went through to the parlour and admired the plastering and the new sections of floor boards which had been neatly fitted. Upstairs, not all the plastering was done as some of the windows were not yet fitted but the progress was very encouraging. Then they went round to the other house and admired that as well.

“I’m going to move in with Miss Snaith and Miss Gregory till this is finished.” Julian told them as he lit a small spirit stove to make a cup of tea. “Mrs Newby offered but she’s got enough to do and, anyway, she would probably have a fit if I disappeared into my room to read in the evenings!

I’ve packed everything I want to bring and it will go in the air raid shelter at the school till this is finished but my new landladies are quite excited about me bringing some of my books to their house.”

“Have you let your flat?”
asked Hugh as he accepted his tea.

“It’s not all signed yet but an American businessman is hoping to take it. He thought the furnishings were the ‘bees knees’, as he put it. Good luck to him is all I can say! My belongings are arriving on Tuesday and then it’s goodbye to London.”

“I’d like to look at the far end of the garden. The builders haven’t made a mess down there and I’d like to start clearing it for a vegetable patch. We’re a bit late for much this year but I could probably get some salad stuff in.”
Dorothy put her empty mug down and set off down the garden.

“Are you feeling better? You certainly look it.”

Julian nodded. “I’m sure I’m doing the right thing. I was just dithering and, once I’d made the decision, I felt better immediately.”

“I’m glad. That’s not just because it’s given us the ideal cottage. It’s because you need a respite. I’d not realised that people like you had it as hard as we did – probably harder in a way.”

“It’s nice of you to say that. It’s just that we didn’t really succeed. The world is no safer now than it was before.”

“I imagine people who were in the know felt the same after the first war.”

“Too true, I’m afraid. Harold Nicholson said as much to me last year. I think I’d rather try and make something of life here now. It’s amazing. When I was at school here, I had no idea there were so many interesting people in the village. I’ve got to know quite a few over the past few months and it’s really humbling.”

“ I thought this was the back of beyond when I came here. Now I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I’ve got a job, though. Are you sure this will be enough for you?”

“We’ll see. I’m certainly not going back to my old life, if that’s what you mean. I’ve always wanted to write. I used to write stories when I was a boy. Who knows, perhaps I’ll actually get something written now.”


Last edited by patmac on Sun May 21, 2006 12:19 pm; edited 5 times in total

#2:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 7:10 pm
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Good to see this back Pat.

#3:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 7:21 pm
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Lovely that this is back Pat - hopefully RL is OK for you?

#4:  Author: ChelseaLocation: Your Imagination PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 7:41 pm
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YAY it is back!!

Thanks PatMac

#5:  Author: ChairLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 7:41 pm
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Thanks, Pat. I hope that RL is going ok. It's lovely to see this back. I'm glad the building work is going well for Julian, Hugh and Dorothy.

#6:  Author: KatLocation: Abertawe PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 7:51 pm
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Huzzah! Thank you Pat! Very Happy

#7:  Author: groverLocation: Dublin PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 8:13 pm
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* bounces*

So happy to see this back. Very Happy

Thanks,Pat!

#8:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 8:23 pm
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That was wonderful, Pat. I'm so glad that you've gone back to it. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't write.

#9:  Author: AliceLocation: London, England PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 10:28 pm
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Lovely to have an update, thank you patmac.

#10:  Author: MiaLocation: London PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 10:53 pm
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Excellent, thanks Pat. i've been hoping for this - one of my faves! Very Happy

#11:  Author: DawnLocation: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 12:04 am
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Fabulous to have this back Pat - I've missed it a lot

#12:  Author: Cath V-PLocation: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 1:23 am
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Oh how lovely to see this back. Such a splendid update too, especially seeing the relationship between Auntie and the Maynards so clearly established.

Thanks Pat

#13:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 10:29 am
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Thank you Pat, a wonderful update and lovely to this back again.

#14:  Author: KarolineLocation: Leeds, West Yorkshire PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 11:12 am
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Lovely to see this back Pat Very Happy

#15:  Author: Mrs RedbootsLocation: London, UK PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 3:41 pm
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Yaaay, it's back, hooray!

Thanks, Patmac.

#16:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 6:32 pm
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Pat, it's fantastic to see this back! thank you sweetie!

#17:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 7:50 pm
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Embarassed Thank you for all the 'welcome backs'. RL is fine, just hectic.



Dorothy walked up the drive with mixed feelings. This would be her last term in the Lodge and the last term working with Stacie. It seemed no time at all since she had taken this same walk for the first time. Now everything would change.

Opening the door, she called out “I’m back!” and heard Stacie’s voice, sounding unusually excited, calling. “Dorothy!” The door to the sitting room burst open and Stacie grabbed her arm. “Dump your case and come in here. There’s a surprise for you.”

Dorothy had no option but to follow and was virtually dragged into the room wondering what the surprise could be. She came to an abrupt halt as a small fair haired figure leapt up from a chair and rushed towards her, arms outstretched. ”Dorothy!”

“It can’t be! Is it really you?”

“It is! Oh, I can’t believe it. Two of you at once!”

“What have you been doing since we last met?”

“You mean apart from driving to and from this school all through the war?”

“What!”


Mercy nodded. “I’ve been driver and interpreter for Sir Julian Roper through most of the war and he called here whenever we were travelling up the A1. In fact, I think I met your Hugh before you did.”

“You’ve come to teach?”

“On a temporary basis till I decide what to do next. I got my demob last year, I think they would like all the women out as fast as possible, and Sir Julian took me on as a sort of secretary, though I spent more time doing translations than anything. Now he’s got out, and I must say good for him, so Mr Wheeler offered my a job pro tem. I’m to help with languages so I’ll be working mainly with you, Dorothy. I’m going to do some work with the Sixth Form as well. I gather you’re short of people who can speak other languages fluently.”

“We certainly are, though I’ve hopes. All the staff at Chaucer are learning French and we even have two French evenings a week in the Staff Room now. We’re trying to push the younger boys through to a level where they can move up to Polgarth with a reasonable vocabulary, but the main thing is to get them keen. I’d never have coped if not for Stacie! She’s been a tower of strength”

“Oh, you’d have managed! You’re a natural teacher. Tell us more about your time with Sir Julian, Mercy. He’s a bit of a mystery to us. We think he must have been a diplomat but it sounds all very hush-hush.”
Stacie flushed with pleasure even as she turned the conversation.

“I can’t tell you a lot – National Secrets Act and all that – but, yes, he was very much a behind the scenes man and very influential. I’ve travelled all over the world with him – America, Australia, India and even Russia. He got very down after the end of the European War. So did I, come to that after we visited Belsen and Auschwitz. That was bad enough but then we flew over Nagasaki a few days after the atom bomb was dropped. I think we both thought we’d seen the worst we could but then we went to Sandakan and Kuching.” She paused and her face was grim. “I’ll never get over that.”

Dorothy put her hand on Mercy’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. There’s not a lot we can say to help but it’s over now.”

Mercy dashed her hand across her eyes. “Yes, it’s over. We got back and Sir Julian was really ill. They said it was an ulcer but I think he was just sick at heart. He was so focussed on the long term and trying to make sure things were better afterwards. Not like the politicians.” Her lip curled. They don’t look beyond the next election!

When he decided to move here, he persuaded me to try this for a bit. He loves this place. He used to describe it to me when we were driving at night to help keep me awake. Then I’d take a turn and describe the Tiernsée. We travelled so many miles and he heard all about the Chalet School. He always rode in the front with me between stops. When we got just round the corner from where we were going, I’d stop and he’d hop out and into the back, then I’d pull up at the entrance and go round and open the door and salute! It kept us sane”

“Where are you staying?”
Dorothy asked. “I don’t think we could fit anyone else in here, not for this term anyway.”

“I’m staying with Mrs Newby. She adores Sir Julian because he ate anything when he was here as a boy. Mind you, she thinks I’m a starving orphan and I’ll probably be too fat to walk down here by the end of term!”

“I don’t think it will do you much harm. You’re thinner than I remember.”
Stacie said briskly. “I think you need looking after as much as Sir Julian does.”

“You won’t say that by half term when I’m looking for help in letting all my clothes out.”

“I’ve just remembered something.”
Dorothy said slowly. “Tell us whatever you feel you can, if it helps to get it out, but one of the other teachers, Mary, lost her brother in a Japanese Camp. He lived to be rescued but he was too far gone and died a few days after they were released.”

Mercy winced. “He wasn’t alone. Don’t worry. I’m not likely to blab. It was just seeing you two and remembering when we were just girls without a care in the world.” Her voice broke. “When turning sheets sides to middle was the worst that could happen to us.”

There was no adequate answer to that.

“Just remember what Miss Annersley used to say about strong women. What was it now – something about being strong women, not jellyfish. She’ll be proud of you.” Stacie choked out after a moment.

*

Dear Auntie Jo and everyone,

This is going to be a bit short as I’ve still got a letter to write to Auntie and I haven’t replied to Sybil’s last letter yet so I’m going to run out of time.

We had a meeting of the Kite Club last Saturday and we (That’s Morris, Dixon, Hanson and Fourakis and me) told them about our visit to the San and what we thought. Morris had a great brainwave when we were there at Easter. You know I told you our library at Chaucer was absolutely dire till Mr Douglas got his hands on it? Well, he noticed that the one on the Ward was the same. We had the idea of selling things at the Summer Sports to raise some money to buy books.

Then someone remembered having all his books burned after he had Diphtheria in case they had germs in them. Do they do that at the San? I didn’t think so because we’ve lent books to Canning and he’s sent them back.

We’re thinking of other things as well and everyone was pleased when we got a packet of letters from the boys in reply to ours. I think that’s nice because then we get to know some of them as well.

A few of the boys are hoping to call in on the Ward during the summer hols if they can get their people to agree. I’ve said they should write to Sister in advance to check in case it clashes with anything else. Morris says we shouldn’t have more than three people at a time either. There were five of us this time and it was probably more than enough.

We’ve all settled back in and of course it’s exam term so some people are a bit worked up but I think I’m going to get reasonable marks. I’m trying to hold on to that belief though my stomach goes all peculiar when I think about it.

We spent last Saturday planting potatoes, even though it’s a bit late. We used so many in the bad weather this year when we couldn’t get supplies that I suppose they think we’d better be safe than sorry. They’ve had to move some of the sheep up to a farm higher up the Moor for the summer and ploughed up a two acre pasture to do it.

I’ll have to go now but I just want to say thank you for what you said last half term. You know what I mean.

Love from

Reg

*

Dear Auntie

I hope you are well. I agree you should get rid of the cows. They’re not paying their way and you’ve not enjoyed looking after them as much as the pigs and chickens. I’d not miss the mucking out in the winter, either. As you say, renting the field is costing as much as you make for the milk now and it’s a right performance when they go to be slaughtered. If Mr Jaycott is happy to take the field back and the cows with it, then that’s great. At least that’s one less thing to worry about when you go away.

Thank you for the new socks. They are really comfortable and just the thing for running. The blue band round the top is exactly the school colours and several of the boys are green with envy. I’m in the Junior School Team again and we are in a competition with another school next Saturday. This term, they’ve given in and let me run the long course up to the tops. I knew it wouldn’t be too much for me but the rule has always been that you have to be sixteen to do it. Of course, they (that’s the Games Master and Prefect) didn’t know I was running higher than that when I was quite young. I’m always afraid of boasting so I didn’t really like to tell them that. It’s much more fun and it’s nearly as good as the moors at home.

I’m looking forward to half term. Don’t move the chicken run till I get home, there’ll be plenty of time to do that at Whitsun.

Lots of love

Reg

*

Dear Mum,

I hope you and Dad are well. I had such a surprise when I got back. Mercy Barbour who was at the Chalet School with Stacie and me is here for a term or so and helping with the languages. She’s been working for Sir Julian through the war as a driver and translator. She doesn’t say much about it but she’s been all over the world with him, they flew to America and Russia and even all the way to Australia. She was at meetings between Churchill and Stalin – it’s a pity she didn’t get a chance to knock some sense into their heads. She’s seen things we can’t even imagine as she accompanied Sir Julian to concentration camps in Europe and the East. Sometimes it shows and she seems so much older than us.

The weird thing is that she had been to Polgarth with Sir Julian and met Hugh before I did. I think she won’t stay long as she has already been offered a job with the United Nations as a translator but she really does need a break from the pressure and seems to be enjoying herself teaching.

Speaking of Sir Julian, the cottages are coming on fine. We couldn’t believe how much has been done already. There’s just one hitch at the moment – we can’t find two baths, or even one, anywhere. Mind you, with Sir Julian working on it, I’m sure we will have them in time. You’d not recognise him now. He lives in a pair of old corduroys and the most disreputable tweed jacket you can imagine and the builders must be cursing him as he’s up there almost every day. He’s even started digging his garden, which has put me on my mettle and we’ve got a joint stock of tomato plants on the windowsills here ready to plant out next month.

Thank you for offering to take cuttings for me. Please can we have several of the Dorothy Perkins? It makes a lovely show and is so reliable. It will trail nicely over some tree stumps we are going to have to leave in. It would take too much time to dig them out and I don’t think we could do it.

Do you remember a book called ‘The Edwardians’? We both enjoyed it and I don’t know what happened to our copy. Well, Sir Julian actually knows the author. She’s married to a friend of his called Harold Nicholson. She writes as Vita Sackville West and she wrote ‘The Land’ which I’m sure we’ve still got in the shop. I remember the opening line – ‘I sing the cycle of my country’s year’. She and her husband are restoring an old house down in Kent and she has a new book coming out this year called ‘The Garden’. Make sure you tell Dad to stock it. They’ve got big plans for their garden and Sir Julian has been promised cuttings and plants from them as well. Goodness knows how they will prosper up here but he’s most enthusiastic so we’ll have to nurse them along and see how they do.

We’re looking forward to you coming over in a couple of weeks. Just think, the next time will be for the wedding! We’ll get home for Whitsun so we’ll see you before then. Hugh sends his love.

Love Dorothy

#18:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 8:05 pm
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Wonderful Pat - love seeing Mercy Barbour - she's seen so much of the horrors of war hasn't she? Like Reg's letters - at least he does manage to write more than a few lines.

Thank you.

#19:  Author: DawnLocation: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 8:56 pm
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Lovely update Pat - poor Mercy

#20:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 10:41 pm
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Thank you Pat!
It's lovely to see Mercy again, and the reunion between her and the other two was lovely! Very Happy

#21:  Author: Cath V-PLocation: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 12:26 am
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Thank you Pat - that was lovely, especially the meeting with Mercy. And I loved Reg's thoughtfulness for Auntie.

#22:  Author: Kathy_SLocation: midwestern US PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 6:27 am
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Thank you, Pat!

Quote:
Her voice broke. “When turning sheets sides to middle was the worst that could happen to us.”
-especially evocative line

And I do like the way Dorothy draws connections between gardening, Sackville-West, and the book shop. Smile

#23:  Author: Identity HuntLocation: UK PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 12:48 pm
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Patmac, how lovely to have an update on this !
It has brightened up an otherwise relentlessly wet and gloomy day !

#24:  Author: KatLocation: Abertawe PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 3:05 pm
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Crying or Very sad *hugs Mercy*

Thank you Pat, that was very moving.

#25:  Author: Caroline OSullivanLocation: Reading, Berkshire, UK PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 4:47 pm
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Thank you Pat. It's fantastic to read this.

One thing I did wonder, I've been reading the previous episodes in the St Therese's drabbleoram index and I have vague recollections of stories that aren't there. One was Dorothy's story where we first met Aunt Gertrude and the other was some 'snapshots' one of which was Jimmy Canning visiting the san and deciding to have the op. Am I having a senior moment? Shocked Embarassed

#26:  Author: ChairLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 6:38 pm
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Thanks, Pat. It was lovely to see Mercy.

#27:  Author: Kathy_SLocation: midwestern US PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 6:51 pm
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Caroline OSullivan wrote:
TOne was Dorothy's story where we first met Aunt Gertrude and the other was some 'snapshots' one of which was Jimmy Canning visiting the san and deciding to have the op. Am I having a senior moment? Shocked Embarassed


I know you're not imagining the stories! I hope they're still somewhere.... Have you checked out "Dorothy's Story" in the index? That's the one with references to Aunt Gertrude's importance to Dorothy as a child, and Aunt G. giving Hugh the ring.

#28:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 7:46 pm
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Caroline OSullivan wrote:
TOne was Dorothy's story where we first met Aunt Gertrude and the other was some 'snapshots' one of which was Jimmy Canning visiting the san and deciding to have the op. Am I having a senior moment? Shocked Embarassed



Not a senior moment, Caroline, you are much too young! I posted some 'snapshots' at Christmas and I've not checked whether they are in the drabbleorum or not. I will look and, if not, will consult with Kathy on how to get them in there. 'Dorothy's Story' was written when I was considering splitting Reg and Hugh/Dorothy into 2 drabbles as the whole thing was getting so long, but they intertwined so much I abandoned the effort. I do have all the snapshots in word if you want them that way.



A small knot of women, standing outside the Village Shop turned to see if anyone would alight from the bus and were rewarded by the sight of a young man in a blue blazer. Reg put his suitcase down for a moment and looked round. Nothing had changed and he grinned and waved to the women.

“It’s Reg, home. ” Lily Purvis beamed as if her face would split and her mother grabbed her arm to stop her running across the street to welcome the newcomer.

Reg crossed to join them, smiling, as the bus set off back to Garnley.

“Yes, it’s me, Lily! Good morning Mrs Purvis, Miss Armitage, Mrs Taylor.” He tipped his cap politely to the three women and turned to Lily again. “Nice to see you Lily. You look well.”

Lily looked up at the boy who was unfailingly polite to her. Not many people were and her childhood had been marred by teasing, unkind comments and hurtful tricks by the village children. Her reasoning powers might not be the match of those around her but she remembered Reg who had protected her as much as he could. She had cried when he had gone away but she had learned that he always came back from his other world and she watched every time she saw the bus, hoping he would be on it.

And, today he was! Her joy bubbled up into a laugh and, for her, the sun shone brighter as he smiled at her. She wanted to say that she was glad to see him back safely to the real world and to tell him about her new cat and the blackbirds nesting in the tree in the churchyard. If she could get the words out, he might even go with her to see the blackbirds.

But the words wouldn’t come and her tongue felt big in her mouth as the dribble start to leak from the corner of her lips. Her face fell. She would never be able to talk to him properly. He would never know that she had seen the blackbirds.

Reg passed on up the street and Lily went home with her mother and cuddled her cat who didn’t need words to know how she felt.

*

“It’s done, Auntie!” Reg shouted from the yard at the end of the garden. Auntie emerged from the back door wiping her hands on her apron and came to see the finished chicken run. “It didn’t take me long this time and though I do say it myself, I’m getting better at this sort of thing now.”

“Aye, you are that. It looks really sturdy. That’ll keep the chickens in and the dratted fox out.”

“Do you remember the first time I said I’d do it on my own?
” Reg laughed.

“I’m not likely to forget! How you managed to get tangled up in the wire like that, I can’t imagine.”

“I must have driven you mad at times.”
He said affectionately.

“I did look for straws to stick in my hair now and then. You were a good lad, on the whole, though. I don’t think you intended most of the scrapes you got into.”

They smiled at one another and, as Auntie scattered some seed on the ground inside the run, the chickens headed for the gate, squawking excitedly, as they shuffled inside. When the last one was in, Reg shut the gate and closed the latch.

“Stupid birds. You don’t even know you’re in captivity!”

“Just as well. It’d be a right performance if they realised and ran for it.”

“True. Now, shall I dig the old site next, turn the compost or fix the field gate? It’s nice to see cows in the field and know they’re nothing to do with us, isn’t it.”


Auntie thought for a minute.

“I’m not sure what to plant in that patch this year. It’s a bit late for potatoes, though I’ve got some over. I was thinking what you said about planting more at school this year and even if they don’t do as well, they’ll come in if we have a bad winter again.”

“I think that’s a good idea. I don’t know how true it is but there’s talk of a shortage of wheat from America and that could mean we’ll run short of flour before the next harvest. Then you’d go through the early potatoes quicker.”

“Do you really think so?”


Reg shrugged. “I honestly don’t know but so much of the wheat is going to Europe it could happen. It still sounds awful over there.”

“Let’s do that, then. I’ll have a look at what I’ve got and see how many I can chit from them. Come and have a cup of tea first, though.”


*

Lifting his binoculars to his eyes, Reg watched as the swallows swooped and swirled in the sky snapping up insects he could not see, then he turned to the East and zoomed in on the glinting water. Even from this distance he could see the white foam as waves crested and could sense the rhythm as the tide came in. Scanning to the right, he saw the ruined abbey on the cliff top. ‘Over a thousand years old.’ He thought in wonder. ‘St Hild must have been quite a woman!’ He laughed out loud as he remembered reading about the Saint and how his mind’s eye kept seeing Miss Annersley’s face. He supposed it was the similar names that sparked that particular fancy.

There were ships on the horizon and nearer the shore a small fleet of cobles returning on the incoming tide with the day’s catch. It would be grand to be out there.

Sighing with satisfaction, he lowered the binoculars and lay back on the sweet smelling heather. This year, he would finally get to the sea. It was all arranged. He would leave with the Hansons after The Wedding (everyone thought of it with capital letters) and they would drive down through Lincolnshire into Norfolk and camp for two weeks at farms along the coast, finishing up in Cambridge where they would have a few days before he and Christopher caught the train to Leeds and on to Garnham, where they were to spend a fortnight before Christopher returned home to get ready for the next school year.

He thought he would bring Christopher up here. Not many people would understand how much it meant to him, but Christopher would.

*

Reg felt butterflies the size of vampires churning in his stomach. This was the real thing. Polgarth was not in the habit of entering anyone for School Cert who was not likely to pass and the end of term exams this year determined whether he would move into Upper Fifth or be held back a year.

It was no use Hanson tritely declaiming that it didn’t matter because, if he failed, they all would.

It was no use Uncle Jack writing to say ‘Do your best but remember you have another year if you need it.’

Even a letter from Rix, who sounded as panicky as he felt, was any comfort.

The Village Boy, who had somehow, though he wasn’t sure how, caught up two years schooling was now being put to the test. Tomorrow, the first exam was scheduled.

Reg set off on a run. Sensibly, the Powers That Be recognised that each boy needed to prepare in his own way but all revision was banned.

MacDonald was playing Rugger, despite the time of year.

Kourakis was in the swimming pool, relentlessly swimming length after length.

Copley was wandering round the lawn in front of the house, oblivious to the grass beneath his feet.

Hanson was reading ‘The War of the Worlds’, the well beloved story somehow bypassing his brain.

Dixon was sitting in the back pews of the Chapel unable to connect with his mind or heart or soul.

John Wheeler saw Reg run past, recognising the lanky but distant figure.

Dorothy recognised him from the Lodge as she looked up from marking Lower Fourth’s latest efforts.

Mr Newby glanced up with a grin, seeing him pass as he checked the progress of the newest potato planting.

Miss Snaith, silently pointed as she and Miss Gregory walked down the path from the high moors and they exchanged a sympathetic glance as they recognised him.

“How the young do suffer! ” murmured Miss Gregory as they passed within a few yards of the oblivious boy.

Reg emerged on the limestone pavement at the top of the Moor and turned, pausing to look at the valley below. For a fleeting instant he regretted that, despite being nearer the sea than Grosmont Moor, he could not see it. He shrugged and began the descent.

It took more concentration to run downhill than up. Some portions he slid down, revelling in the thrill of almost being out of control. Now, he was in the state of mind which allowed him to be completely in the present moment. Nothing mattered except the next footfall.

Breathing easily, he skirted the contours to descend to the north edge of Home Farm and ran along the lane where Sir Julian’s cottages were beginning to look nearly finished, to his untrained eye. Julian looked up from his digging and waved as he saw him. Not stopping, Reg waved back cheerfully, easily vaulting the gate into the field at the end and picked up his stride again.

Julian stretched his back and mopped his brow, smiling to himself, as he remembered the days when he had cleared that gate as easily. He was still watching the long figure as it disappeared into the distance when Mary appeared round the corner of the cottage and, perilously balancing a tray in one hand, shaded her eyes with the other to see what he was concentrating on.

“That’ll be Entwistle working off exam nerves.” She commented.

Sir Julian turned and rescued the tray. “It was indeed. Thank you for the tea Miss Collins, I’m ready for it.”

“Me, too.”


They perched on a nearby pile of wood and sipped appreciatively as they looked at their handiwork with pride. Nearly half of the front garden had been cleared and double dug and a pile of weeds and shrubby growth sat to one side waiting disposal.

“I’d never have got so far if you hadn’t come to help. I really appreciate you giving up your free day.”

“I’ve enjoyed it. There’s something satisfying about a clean start and seeing exactly where you’ve got to. You, know. Something primitive and simple. I’m not explaining myself very well, am I.”

“As well as I could. A new beginning always brings a lift to the heart.”
He looked up at the buildings where two men were applying the first coat of paint to the window frames. “I never thought I would come back here to live but it’s right somehow.”

Mary glanced at him, noticing a shadow in his voice. “It’s given me a lift, too. Unfortunately, it hasn’t done the same for my hands!”

She spread her hands out and looked at them critically. Her comment broke his mood as she intended and he looked at them in dismay. “Good grief, they are a mess, aren’t they. You should have worn gloves.”

“No, they make my hands hot and anyway, I like to feel what I’m doing. They’ve been worse, you should see what tar does to skin! In any case, yours are as bad.”


Julian spread his hands out beside hers and they laughed at his broken nails and the grime ingrained in them.

Their hands touched and, for a moment, neither moved. Julian looked at her flushed face and realised that she, too, had felt the shock of that touch.

“Impossible.” He thought to himself and, casually drawing his hand away, began talking of how to dispose of the perennial weeds.

#29:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 7:55 pm
    —
So much in that episode, Pat.

Just a few short lines and I was feeling so sorry for poor Lily - how terrible that she is so aware of just how badly others have treated her, and so sad that she cannot get the words out - Reg would have gone with her to see the blackbirds.

And to see Reg now growing up - performing all the heavy jobs around the house without even thinking about it. And he and Auntie having adult conversations about the future.

Loved the bit about exam nerves.

Then, Sir Julian and Mary? I must admit to an inkling before the two of them realised.

Thank you. Laughing

#30:  Author: SquirrelLocation: St-Andrews or Dunfermline PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 8:02 pm
    —
Oh that was lovely Pat. So much of everything in that one post. And so Reg has been at the school for 2 years now and caught up with them all. I think I'd find that even harder than I'm finding the exams I'm sitting now. So much is riding on this for him, and of course, there'll be a change coming up if he does pass. I spose if his friends passed and he didn't there would be as well.

What am I talking about though? This is Reg, one of the top of the year before this! He'll do fine, and things will fall into place one after another.

Thanks Pat!

#31:  Author: Cath V-PLocation: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2006 12:53 am
    —
Thank you Pat. There is so much said and with an economy that is compelling. I had to swallow very hard when I read about Lily - and Reg's kindness to her says so much about him. Loved the reference to St Hild - and Hilda - and the description of the exam victims, especially Hanson and Dixon - "unable to connect with his mind or heart or soul." Oh yes, very familiar that!

Julian and Mary? Well now....

Looking forward to the next section.

#32:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2006 11:40 am
    —
Thanks Pat, so much said, and so many new avenues to open up.

#33:  Author: CarolineLocation: Manchester PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2006 1:47 pm
    —
Lovely, Pat.

I just adore the idea of Sir Julian and Mary....

Thanks,
Caroline.

#34:  Author: ChairLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2006 7:02 pm
    —
Thanks, Pat. I hope that Reg does pass his School Certificate.

#35:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2006 7:29 pm
    —
Thank you Pat!
Good luck to all the boys in their exams, and hugs for Lily!

#36:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2006 8:19 pm
    —
“Now, don’t you go telling anyone from the school where I’ve gone!” Tom glared at Mr Shuttleworth. “Just have the trolley ready to meet the half past five train.”

His fellow conspirator looked hurt. “I know when to keep my mouth shut. You just make sure you get them.”

Tom grinned evilly. “Trust me.” And he boarded the train.

“That’s just what I don’t!” muttered Mr Shuttleworth as he waved his flag.

*

Hugh drove round the corner to the garage and stopped in amazement. The doors were padlocked and Tom was no where in sight. He leapt from the car and rattled the door, futilely. Then he banged on it but there was no sound from within.

“Damn! Just when I’ve got the time to change the oil, he’s shut up shop.” He thought for a minute. “I’ll go and see if the Thompsons know where he is.”

To think was to act and he drove round the block to the Square and pulled up in front of the baker’s shop.

“Damn! It’s Hugh.” Mr Thompson rushed into the back and shouted up the stairs.

The shop bell rang and Hugh entered. “Have you any idea where I can find Tom? I want to change the oil and he’s all locked up.”

“He’s gone off for the day. I don’t think he’ll be back till late.”
Said Mr Thompson, casually.

Hugh looked surprised. He’d never known Tom to leave the village and the surrounding area.

Mrs Thompson bustled in from the back. "Hello, Hugh. I’ve got the kettle boiled if you want a cup of tea.”

Hugh looked at his watch and sighed. “Yes, please. I was going to change the oil in the car this morning but with Tom disappeared, it’ll have to wait.

“The poor soul’s entitled to a day off once in a while.”
She said, tartly.

Hugh looked contrite. “Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just that I’ve never known him be shut during the week and he didn’t mention it when I saw him yesterday.”

“Well, did you tell him you were coming down this morning?”

“No, it was a spur of the moment thing.”

“Well, then! He had no need to tell you, did he.”

“I suppose not, it’s just a bit odd that he didn’t.”

“It probably slipped his mind. Now come into the back and have that cup of tea.”


As he left the shop, Hugh’s brow was creased. He’d had the funny impression that the Thompsons were glad when he left and that wasn’t like them.

He climbed into the car and looked across at the shop, expecting the Thompsons to be standing in the doorway to wave him off as they usually did but they had disappeared. Oh, well, perhaps they were busy. He felt a little guilty at interrupting them, if they were.

Putting the car into gear, he drove off up the Square and put the thought out of his mind as he drove carefully through the narrow street leading out of the village.

He didn’t see the curtains above the shop twitch as his Mother in Law to be watched thankfully as he drove off.

Anne turned as Mrs Thompson came into the room laughing. “That was a near thing!”

“It was. What on earth was he doing down here on a school day in any case!”

“Free periods I expect. He was looking for Tom.”


Anne sat down with a bump. “I’m not cut out for this cloak and dagger stuff!” she said, sounding shocked. “He didn’t guess, did he?”

“No! The only way he could have guessed is if he’d seen Tom arrive back. We’ve got that covered. There’ll be a wagon to meet the train and we’ve got people organised to watch the Square.”


The two women looked at one another and burst into guffaws of laughter.

*

The Wedding plans had grown to momentous proportions and everyone was having great fun keeping all the plans from Hugh and Dorothy. They were both popular within the school and many of the boys had asked to be picked up a day late so they could attend. That led to some parents deciding to arrive in time to be present and to every spare room in the village and for some distance round being filled for the night before. The choir had volunteered en masse and most of their parents would be present as well.

Most of the staff had delayed their departure and some were staying an extra day afterwards to help with the clearing up.

As for the Village, it seemed as if everyone would be present and most were contributing to the arrangements in one way or another, from offers of contributions to the Wedding Breakfast to flowers for the Chapel and three ox tongues from the butcher.

“I make it about three hundred. My, won’t they be surprised.”

Mrs Newby looked up from the list of names she had been counting and looked round the room at her fellow conspirators.

“Mrs Hatcherd says we’ve some extra coupons to come. They allow extra for a wedding but she doesn’t know how many yet. She’s going to bring five chickens and all the salad that is ready. ” Mrs Thompson ran her finger down the latest letter from Dorothy’s mother, looking for the details. “She’s got six tins of ham as well and some tinned peaches. Her Aunt is bringing them all over in her car and they’re bringing several bottles of wine as well. She makes a good plum wine, you know. She’s already sent me currants and sultanas for the cake. Her Aunt is bringing tins of ham and salad and some wine as well.”

“Sir Julian is providing sherry for everyone and he’s having a friend send him some salmon from Scotland. I don’t think we want to ask too closely about that, but we’ll certainly be glad of them.”

“We’ve hung three sides of beef and I’m planning to make a load of sausages. We’ve plenty of cheese and the chickens are laying well so we’ll be able to do hard boiled eggs as well as egg sandwiches. Dr Cartwright said to hang the consequences and just go ahead with whatever we need.”
Mrs Newby added.

There were murmurs of appreciation. Mrs Thompson had been worried when bread rationing had been announced but there had been rumours for some time and the announcement of rationing had been made at the end of June, so she had managed to stock up with flour. As rationing would only have been in force for seven days when the wedding was held, she had no difficulty in stifling her conscience and was planning to indulge in a positive orgy of baking which would probably be the last for some time.

“All we want now is a fine day!” said Mrs Thompson.

“Amen to that!”

*

The Wagon slowly climbed the hill, it’s load covered by tarpaulins. Two men sat in the back to help unload and they sighed with relief once they turned into the lane leading to the cottages. A gang of builders were waiting for them and soon the wagon was empty and setting off on it’s way back down to the village.

“Now, you know what to do?” queried Tom, as he handed two envelopes to the builders.

“Don’t you worry. We’ve got someone posted at the front to divert them if they come up. I don’t reckon we’ll have any bother with the teachers but Sir Julian’s a different matter. He’s up here most days.”

Tom showed his gap toothed grin and his eyes glinted. “Not this morning! Miss Gregory’s got him unblocking a sink.”

“She didn’t …. “

“She did! She tipped the fat from the Sunday joint down it and followed it up by poking potato peelings and tealeaves down.”


*
The little Hillman car pulled up outside the cottages and three people alighted.

“Finished! Don’t they look good.” Julian rubbed his hands with satisfaction as he looked at the trim cottages. Not a trace of the builders remained and the front fence and gates had been restored as new. A neat Yorkshire stone path led to each front door and Julian ceremoniously handed a bunch of keys to Hugh.

“All yours. I did check everything but, if you notice anything not right, just let me know. I do wish we’d been able to get the baths, though.”

“They’re not important.”
Dorothy said consolingly. “We’ll get them eventually.”

Hugh came round from the boot with a flat package in his arms and clutching a hammer.

“I know we’re having a working party on Saturday to get the curtains up and some furniture in but we just wanted to hang this straight away. It’s the first thing we bought for our home and we couldn’t wait.”

“Perhaps you’ll join us for a cup of tea when you’ve looked round.”
Said Dorothy, who was clutching a large cardboard box.

“I’ll come and knock ceremoniously on the front door.”

Hugh fumbled for a moment with the keys and then opened the front door. “After you!”

Dorothy held her head high and swept imperiously into the house, her face flushed. She put the box down in the hallway and looked round. Hugh stood behind her and put his free arm round her.

“Home.” He said with deep satisfaction. Dorothy felt tears prick the back of her eyes. Although he made light of it, she knew that he had felt the lack of a home for the past five years since a bomb had destroyed his childhood home and killed his mother. She turned in his arms and kissed him gently on the lips.

“Yes. Home.”

There was a moment’s silence while Hugh regained his self control and then they parted and went into the front room.

“Over the fireplace?”

“Yes, I think so. It makes the focus for the room.”


Hugh looked round for something to stand on and Dorothy ran into the kitchen to fetch a stool, one of two they had been given by Mrs Newby.

“Thanks. Now you stand back and tell me when it’s just right.”

“A little more to the right. That’s it. Now up a bit. Stop. That’s perfect.”


Hugh marked the wall with a pencil and then tucked it behind his ear as he passed the painting down to Dorothy and took the hammer and nail she handed to him. Soon the picture was in place and they stood looking at it, as delighted as when they had first seen it in the Studio window in Bowness.

Framed simply in a light coloured wood, the small boat skimmed across the lake as the two children went about. The features of the dark haired boy holding the tiller were indistinct and Dorothy felt a pang as she realised that they would never know his face for Tom, the artist’s brother, had died in the war which had ended less than a year before.

Her eyes passed to the jubilant girl, her plaits flying in the breeze and remembered the shadow they had seen in her eyes as she spoke of her brother.

Then she felt Hugh’s arms round her and made herself ignore that pang and enjoy the picture for what it was. A memory of a perfect day before the lights went out and the world went to war. A picture of what life should be and could be again if only men would allow it to be.

They both jumped as a sound of furious knocking came from the front door..

Rushing to open it, they saw Julian, red in the face and excitedly preparing to knock again.

“What’s wrong?” Dorothy exclaimed in alarm.

“Have you been in the bathroom yet? No? Then come on quickly.”

Julian shooed them through the house, and Dorothy opened the bathroom door expecting to see a disaster and stopped in amazement.

There was a very large enamel bath, complete with brass taps. An envelope lay on the end and Dorothy snatched it up, tearing it in her haste to read whatever was inside. She opened a large, homemade card and read aloud the message inside.

“To Dorothy and Hugh from Polgarth Village.” Every spare inch was filled with names and Dorothy handed it to Hugh as she sat down on the side of the precious bath in amazement.

Hugh was speechless as he read the card. “I think everyone in the Village has signed it.” He said in wonder and then swung round on his heels to look at Julian. “Did you know anything about it?”

“I didn’t have a clue. They’ve got me one as well on the grounds that you can’t be expected to have me invading your bathroom. Look here’s the card they left for me.”


He produced a card from his pocket and handed it to Hugh.

“To young Master Roper. We don’t want you annoying the neighbours. Welcome home.” It was also covered in signatures.

“The builders must have been in on this to have fitted it. They must have done it yesterday. I was going to come up in the morning but Miss Gregory had blocked the sink and ….. “

Dorothy was doubled up with laughter as Julian’s jaw dropped.

“She wouldn’t have!”

“I’ll bet she would!”
Dorothy had tears streaming down her cheeks. “And why didn’t you come up in the afternoon instead?” she asked, indistinctly.

“Because your Aunt Gertrude had asked me to meet her in Leeds so I didn’t have time. She ….. ”

By now, Hugh was having trouble keeping a straight face. “I even know when they got them.” And he read out one of the messages on the card Dorothy had handed him.

“Sorry the garage was closed. It was in a good cause, Tom.”

Dorothy stopped laughing and looked at the two men. “Aren’t we lucky. We’ve all come home.”

#37:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2006 8:30 pm
    —
Awwwwww!!!!
Pat, that was gorgeous!!!! Thank you!!

#38:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2006 8:30 pm
    —
Awwww! That was so lovely - what a wonderful way for all of them to be welcomed to the village! Laughing

Thanks Pat.

#39:  Author: KatLocation: Abertawe PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2006 10:48 pm
    —
Fabbity fabbity fab!

Thank you Pat! Very Happy

#40:  Author: DawnLocation: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2006 11:34 pm
    —
Absolutely brilliant Pat - thankyou

#41:  Author: Cath V-PLocation: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2006 11:57 pm
    —
That was the best account of a conspiracy I've read in ages!!! I can just see the Thompsons practically pushing Hugh out of the door and Miss Gregory determinedly sacrificing the fat from the joint, and Aunt Gertrude demanding Dorothy's presence. To say nothing of a large crowd of people furtively concealing two baths....

And how lovely to see everyone joining in and contributing to the wedding. I suspect that it has a special significance for everyone in that it really does suggest that there is life, there is hope and there is a possibility to rebuild aafter the devastation of the war. And how lovely to see that Julian is so welcomed as well.

Thanks Pat

#42:  Author: Lucy BLocation: NZ PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 8:59 am
    —
I've been reading all of this over the last week, and while my essays have been sadly neglected, I wouldn't have missed it for the world! Absolutely wonderful, Pat, Thank you.

The name Morris rings a bell - wasn't there a Doctor Morris at the San in Switzerland? Any connection? Or just my overactive imagination?

Note to self - all these lovely men are fictional characters...Oh well, dreams are free!

#43:  Author: ChairLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 11:56 am
    —
Thanks, Pat. I'm glad they have managed to get the baths. I am really looking forward to the wedding!

#44:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 12:45 pm
    —
So wonderful, Pat. It's good to see that Hugh and Dorothy will have a real home in Polgarth village. It's easy to rent a cottage, but not so easy to be at home and one of the villagers.

#45:  Author: Kathy_SLocation: midwestern US PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 2:30 pm
    —
Love the conspiracy. That's one impressive level of acceptance! Willful sink-clogging, even! Laughing

And Pat- The simplest way to get the missing pieces into the archive would probably be just to repost them. Gives us all another good excuse for a re-read. Very Happy

#46:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 5:53 pm
    —
Kathy_S wrote:
The simplest way to get the missing pieces into the archive would probably be just to re-post them. Gives us all another good excuse for a re-read. Very Happy


OK. I'll do that. There's only this post and one more in this school year and I've a couple of outtakes from this section as well which will keep you going while I get the next one into shape.



“That’s it! The last exam over! ” Hanson erupted into the Common Room and turned a cartwheel.

“Hey, watch it or you’ll not live to get the results!” exclaimed Reg as a small table fell and Copley, reaching to rescue it, overbalanced and landed on the floor with a shout.

“For a little ‘un you can’t half do some damage!” said Dixon as he heaved Copley to his feet and righted the table.

Not noticeably penitent, Hanson grinned. “You’re a load of old fuddy-duddies! It’s too late to sit round looking as if the world is going to end. Come on. The bell will ring for tea in a minute and we might as well be first.”

*

“I’m so glad you came.”
Reg had said the same thing three times in the past three hours and Auntie swelled a little with pride each time. It had taken all her courage to set off by herself for Sports Day but she knew she owed it to Reg.

Everyone had been friendly and Reg had introduced her to several of his teachers. No, not teachers, Masters, they called them. The inseparables had greeted her enthusiastically and she had had a nice cup of tea with Mrs Hanson as they finalised the arrangements for the summer. She had even met his Head Master who was most complimentary about Reg’s progress.

Now she was sitting on one of the folding chairs on the lawn with a dark haired foreign lady whose son was one of Reg’s friends. Mrs Fourakis was her name and she spoke very good English, much to Auntie’s relief. They were listening to the School Orchestra and it was relaxing enough to let her mind wander and her eyes stray round the audience. It was a mixed bunch, she thought. Some were obviously parents but not all. She knew the whole Village turned out for the occasion and that coaches brought people from the surrounding area. They all looked at home though and no one seemed to mind that small children ran around playing.

When the concert was finished, she and Mrs Fourakis walked slowly across to the tennis courts, where Irakles was due to play in a House Match. Reg was taking his turn at the Kite Club stall where a goodly amount was being raised for the San and he knew where they intended to go next and would meet them there.

“It is so peaceful here.” Commented Mrs Fourakis with a sigh. “It was terrible not seeing Irakles during the war but I knew he was here and safe. Now were are here and safe ourselves and I miss my parents who are still in Greece. I think seeing the boys flying their kites brought it back. We fly them at Easter in Greece and no one flew them during the war. It made me a little homesick.”

“That can’t be easy.”
Auntie said. “Will you go back?”

“I want to but there is some trouble and fighting. We can’t take Irakles back to that and I don’t want to be in a different country from him again.”

“I can understand that. Perhaps they will sort it out soon.”

“Perhaps. I wouldn’t count on it, though. Feelings run deep after so many years of occupation.”


*

The inseparables ran up the hill to their favourite perch on the old tree trunk.

“We’re all through and we’ve kept up our record of carrying off all the prizes between us!” MacDonald threw himself to the ground in relief.

“You’re a load of old worrits! I told you there was nothing to worry about.”

“Hanson, if it wasn’t so hot I’d beat you up for that. I wasn’t at all sure I would pass Maths. You know it’s my weakest subject.”

“Not any more, it isn’t. You were fourth in the form. I always said you could do it if you just tried. You just thought you couldn’t.”


MacDonald grunted in agreement. “I suppose this year was different. I knew I needed it to get my apprenticeship. Besides, it made more sense this year for some reason.”

“Mr Mason is a jolly good teacher. I’ve enjoyed it more too – and that’s saying something because I like it anyway!”

“There’s just The Wedding and then it’s holidays. Do Mr Douglas and Miss Hatcherd really think they’re having a quiet little wedding, still?”
Reg was amazed that the two normally astute staff had not noticed all the comings and goings of the past weeks.

“They don’t seem to. I suppose they’ve never even thought it likely and what you don’t expect, you don’t notice.”

“I wouldn’t say that!”
said Copley “Mr Douglas couldn’t have expected to see me on the Prefect’s corridor last night after lights out. He noticed though!”

There was a general laugh. The last couple of nights of Summer Term were always devoted to pranks and Copley and Dixon had elected to go round the prefects rooms and muddle up their pyjamas. Mr Douglas had sportingly promised to turn a blind eye and the resulting tumult as the prefects all emerged into the corridor clad only in their underpants while they sorted out the confusion was too good to have missed as the two culprits watched cautiously from the stairs.

“You realise they’ll guess it was us and get their own back tonight?”

“Ah, well, it was worth it. You should see how hairy Morris’s chest is! And how knobbly Atkins’ knees are. And you should have heard some of the things Lomas came out with! I think my vocabulary doubled.”


Copley and Dixon howled with laughter again at the memory.

*

All the Chaucer House staff and some from Polgarth were gathered in the Staff sitting room to surprise Stacie on her last official evening at the School. In common with the rest of the Staff, she was staying on for The Wedding, but the next night Hugh and several of his friends among the staff were intending to spend the evening at The Crown, where they were meeting Tom, Mr Hatcherd and Mr Thompson for a drink. Hugh had suggested the Polgarth Arms but Tom, thinking quickly, as he knew some of the surprise guests would be there, had opted for The Crown instead.

Dorothy had insisted that her last night at the Lodge would be spent with her friends there and her mother was joining them for a celebratory dinner.

Sir Julian and Mary were pouring wine ready for Stacie’s arrival and Christine was peering round the door to catch the first glimpse of Stacie and Dorothy as they came down the hall.

“They’re here!” she hissed as she quietly closed the door.

Everyone turned to the door as it opened again and Stacie stepped into the room. stopping in surprise as she saw the packed room.

“Well, go on then.” Dorothy’s amused voice came from behind her. “You didn’t think we’d let you go without a proper leaving do, did you?”

Sir Julian handed Stacie and Dorothy their glasses and escorted Stacie to a seat by the fire place, his eyes twinkling.

“Let’s get the formal bit over first, so Stacie can enjoy her evening in peace.” Said John Wheeler, going to stand by the mantelpiece where everyone could see him.

“First of all I, personally want to thank Stacie for coming here and helping us when we were desperate. We all knew that she would return to Oxford and her studies once we were back up to full strength and I really appreciate her staying on an extra term while Mr Hendon settled back in. We’re going to miss you Stacie. You’ve been a breath of fresh air to the teaching of Classics and you’ve taught us a lot. We expect to hear great things of you in the future and wish you great success. You’ve already promised you’ll visit from time to time and there will always be a warm welcome here for you. We have a small gift for you to remember us by and expect to see the results of its use published in due course.” He handed her a small oblong box, which obviously contained a fountain pen, raised his glass and continued. “To Stacie, the future Dr Benson.”

Stacie looked as if she wished the ground would open up and swallow her as the toast was repeated by more than twenty of her colleagues. Realising she would have to say something, she got to her feet as John returned to his chair.

“I never expected this and thank you everyone for your good wishes and the beautiful pen. I do expect to get good use out of it and it means you will be in my thoughts every day. I’ve enjoyed my time here in lots of ways, not least because everyone has been so helpful and friendly. I’ve gained the knowledge that I can teach and I may even decide to do it again some day. I’ve made friendships I know will last all my life and caught up with two old friends who I never expected to see again.” Her eyes picked out Dorothy and Mercy. “I’m going to stop there or I shall end up in tears but I would like to wish you all success at Chaucer and Polgarth.” She raised her glass in her turn. “I give you The School! Long may it prosper.”

Everyone drank and there was a round of applause before everyone started to circulate.

“We really will miss you.” Said Mary as she refilled Stacie’s glass.

“I’ll miss you, too. You’ll come and stay at the end of August, won’t you?”

“Try and keep me away! I’ll really look forward to it.”


She passed on to refill other glasses and Stacie stood quietly for a moment, savouring the moment.

“Penny for them?” said a voice from behind.

“I was just thinking I’ve been lucky. I learned most of what I know about getting on with people from a really good girls’ school and I’ve rounded it out by being here at a really good boys’ school. Not many people can say that.”

“I don’t suppose they can. You’ve learnt the lesson quicker than I did, though.”


Stacie raised an eyebrow in query.

“I’ve always been a solitary person, too. I’ve dealt with abstracts all my working life, weighing up the pros and cons. Seeing people in terms of their influence in whatever policy the Government is following. You don’t really let your hair down with anyone when you’re a diplomat, you know. I’ve learnt now that it’s the individuals that matter. Real people, living real lives. Don’t get too wrapped up in your studies that you forget to connect with people, Stacie.”

“I’ll try not to. I’ll keep in touch. Mary is coming to stay for a week at the end of the Summer Holidays and I don’t think she’ll stand for any nonsense like that.”

“I shouldn’t think she will. She can be very direct, can’t she. She makes a good friend.”


Stacie saw Sir Julian’s eyes light up as he looked across to Mary. As if she felt his glance Mary turned and smiled at him before turning back to the conversation she was involved with.

“Perhaps you should take a leaf out of her book. Directness does have it’s advantages you know. You might be surprised by the results.”

Stacie raised her glass in a mock salute and left him standing with a dazed look in his eyes.

#47:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 6:43 pm
    —
I seem to have this knack of finding when you've posted! So glad all the boys passed their exams - the rest of their year must despair at ever winning anything! Laughing Pleased Auntie was there and appreciated for Sports Day. As for Stacie's leaving do - wonderful - and Sir Julien? Go for it!

Thanks Pat.

#48:  Author: Kathy_SLocation: midwestern US PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 8:18 pm
    —
Thank you, Pat! Wonderful send-off for Eustacia -- and Sir Julian-Mary seems more than promising. Very Happy

Fascinating the way the everyone knows all about The Wedding except the principals. Sounds as though the Inseparables (or the whole Kite Club) could come up with particularly interesting contributions, if they they tried....

#49:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 10:01 pm
    —
LOVELY!!!

Thank you Pat!!!!!

#50:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 10:08 pm
    —
I'm glad that Auntie felt comfortable there.

#51:  Author: KatLocation: Abertawe PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 10:11 pm
    —
Very Happy Lots of romance, yay!

Thanks Pat Smile

#52:  Author: ChairLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 10:24 pm
    —
Thanks, Pat. I enjoyed reading about Stacie's leaving do. I'm glad the Inseparables all passed their exams and that Auntie was able to come for Sports Day.

#53:  Author: Cath V-PLocation: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 11:32 pm
    —
Oh lovely. So nice to see how much Stacie was appreciated and how comfortable she was at the school.

And good to see that the Inseparables are well up to standard. Looking forward to the Wedding!

#54:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat May 20, 2006 1:47 pm
    —
Such a lovely post, thanks, Pat.

#55:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Sun May 21, 2006 12:18 pm
    —
Hilary gave a last tweak to Dorothy’s veil and kissed her cheek. “You look lovely.” She said.

Indeed, although she would never realise it, Dorothy did look beautiful. The simple lines of her dress accentuated her slight curves and fell from the hips gracefully. Phoebe’s embroidery of exquisite creamy white roses at the neck and hemline, gave the dress the finishing touch. The beautiful old lace veil, originally given by the de Ferrara girls and worn by Jo, Simone and Phoebe before her, was held in place with a band of matching white roses which framed her glowing face and gently waving hair, lightened slightly from it’s original mousy colour by the sun.

She wore a pair of sheer nylons which Mike had given Hugh, so long ago and a pair of white satin shoes borrowed from Ivy. Her bouquet of white and pink roses had been lovingly grown by her mother.

Most of all, though, her beauty came from the aura of joy which surrounded her on this day.

The organ struck up the Bridal March and Dorothy, stepping through the big doors of the Chapel on her father’s arm, hesitated as she saw the crowds, all craning round to catch a first look at The Bride. It seemed as if she faced an absolute sea of smiling faces. Her father smiled at her and squeezed her arm gently.

“Don’t worry. You know just about everyone here.” He murmured under his breath.

Dorothy smiled back. “I just didn’t expect so many people.”

“Take your time. They’ll not start without us!”


Dorothy gave a nervous giggle. “They’d better not!”

Taking a deep breath, she set off slowly, Hilary following behind looking rather self conscious in her simple blue dress with a wreath of white roses in her hair and carrying a smaller bouquet which matched Dorothy’s. The aisle had never seemed so long but she was soon relaxed and smiling as she recognised face after face.

Mr and Mrs Thompson, she expected to see. They were sitting near the back, ready to make a quick exit to help with the Buffet afterwards. Mr and Mrs Newby, who were also helping with the refreshments sat next to them with the Cook from Polgarth House and a crowd of the maids from both houses of the school.

Mr Shuttleworth, the Station Master who had been the first person to congratulate her on her engagement, beamed at her as if he had organised the match.

Tom from the Garage, grinned broadly, showing all the gaps in his teeth and looking uncomfortable in his suit.

There were the Misses Snaith and Gregory, also smiling fit to burst.

Dorothy smiled back at one after another of the villagers till she felt her jaws ache. The village must be empty this afternoon!

Then they came to the staff from school. She knew some of them were staying on till after the wedding, particularly the girls with whom she had lived for the last year, but it seemed almost everyone had stayed. They all smiled widely as she passed and she smiled back, almost in tears, she was so pleased to see them and have them here.

In front of them were several rows of boys from Chaucer House, some accompanied by parents.

To her surprise, near the front, were Jo and Jack, with Mlle Berné, who had made the beautiful dress. They were accompanied by two older women, looking a little daunting in their severity and she wondered who they could be. On their other side stood Phoebe and Frank.

The front row on the Bride’s side held her mother, smiling through tears, and on the Groom’s side, in lieu of his missing family, stood Aunt Gertrude and Sir Julian. Looking towards the altar, garlanded with flowers, she realised that there was a full choir assembled, looking most un-angelic as they savoured her surprise at seeing them.

Right at the front, were a couple, she did not recognise until she saw the wheelchair beside them and the thin face smiling at her. She smiled back in delight and, all protocol gone to the winds, stepped aside to kiss Jimmy Canning.

Turning again to the front, she saw Hugh, his crooked smile, the love in his eyes. Everyone else disappeared and Dorothy Hatcherd stepped forward to join him in the vows which would seal their love.

*

“Did you know all these people were coming?” Dorothy asked Hugh as they walked across to the School’s Hall where the Reception was being held, followed by the immediate family, Best Man and Maid of Honour.

“No. I knew Jo and Jack were hoping to get here but I didn’t realise they would bring Mlle Berné or that Phoebe and Frank would come as well. I did know the choir would be out in full force and that most of the staff were staying on. I was asked if it was all right for a few of the boys to come but there must have been at least forty! I suppose they nagged their parents into letting them stay and that’s why their parents are here as well. They’ll be going home tonight I expect. As for the Village, they’re a law unto themselves. You don’t mind do you?”

“Of course not. I'm absolutely thrilled. Though it was a shock when I first walked into the Chapel. I was expecting to see just a few rows full. The biggest surprise was the Cannings. Who organised that?”

“Jack. I was as surprised as you when they came in. It was a bit touch and go I gather, but his last x-rays were good enough to set him up with some sort of splint and take him off traction for the weekend. He has to go back onto it when he returns to the San tomorrow but it’s only for a few more weeks. Jack and Frank had to promise to watch him every instant. Sister promised to have their guts for garters if they let any harm come to him!”

“I can imagine! Mum, did you know about it.”


Anne Hatcherd grinned like a schoolgirl. “It wasn’t my idea, love. It just sort of grew around us. The Village seem to think it’s the event of the year and the School regards itself as part of your family now. It’s the first wedding in the Chapel ever, so Dr Cartwright tells me. Now we have to line up to receive the guests. Hilary and Charles, you stand here. Aunt Gertrude, you and Sir Julian stand beside them. Between the lot of us, we should know everyone!”

Two of the maids were beckoned forward to hand out sherry (courtesy of Sir Julian’s extensive cellar) as people came in and all was ready.

The guests began filing in and, once they started, it seemed as though the queue went on forever. By agreement, the Cannings came first, accompanied by Jack, who wanted Jimmy settled somewhere quiet. Dorothy was pleased to see that Reg Entwistle was with them and that he and Jimmy had obviously become friends. Frank and Phoebe came next to save her standing in a queue and they were accompanied by the older women who had been sitting with them and were introduced as Mrs Thirtle, Reg’s Auntie who Hugh greeted instantly, and Miss Cockcroft, Phoebe’s maid.

Then came a positive flood of staff, boys, parents and people from the village and surrounding farms, all mixed up together. Near the back of the parade came Stacie, Mercy and Jo with the other girls from the lodge accompanied my Julie Berné and finally, the choir boys and Mr Wilson, the school chaplain.

Just when Dorothy had begun to think her hand would never be the same again, the last two, Eric and John came in together and the reception line could receive a glass of sherry and move farther into the room.

The big hall was liberally provided with chairs and small tables, while to one side, stood an enormous serving table, loaded with small snacks. It was obvious that a lot of coupons had been saved and a fair amount of local produce sacrificed to feed the three hundred or so people who were gathered in the room and Dorothy realised that this had been planned for months.

Eric escorted the family members, together with Charles and Hilary, to the stage where a spread had been prepared for them on a long table.

“As soon as Mr Wilson has said Grace, I suggest you tuck in. You’ll have time to circulate later but if you don’t eat now, you’ll get nothing!” He said and retreated.

Once the simple School Grace was said, Dorothy sat, nibbling and watching the guests who seemed to be thoroughly mixed up, villagers and school alike. With approval, she saw several of the boys join the Cannings, animatedly talking to Jimmy and laughing and joking quite naturally.

Hugh caught her eye and raised an eyebrow. “You look pensive?”

“I’m just catching my breath and getting over the shock of the numbers. To think we planned a quiet wedding! I’m so touched, Hugh.”

“Me, too. We’re lucky to have so many friends.”

“It makes me realise that Polgarth is home now. I can’t imagine ever leaving here.”

“I’m glad of that. We don’t know what the future holds but I’ll happily stay here forever.”


The meal seemed to go on for a long time but eventually everyone was, as Jo murmured to Jack, “as stuffed as they could hold.” Eric joined them on the stage to call for silence which came rather more slowly than if only the school had been present and the speeches began.


When it came to Hugh’s turn, he realised his speech was obsolete in view of the scale of the event.

“To think that Dorothy and I thought we were having a quiet wedding!” he began. “We never expected anything on this scale and you all kept it very quiet! We’re both a bit overcome by the number of people who have come to wish us well and launch us on the big adventure of marriage. My wife and I (he paused for the inevitable laugh) are thrilled to have you all here and we will try and get round to speak to you all but you’ll have to forgive us if our voices have given out by the time we get to you.”

There was a general laugh and a voice from the far end called out. “That’d be a first for you!”

“See me later for detention.”
Hugh quipped back, recognising Tom’s voice.

Hugh went on with the traditional speech, thanking Anne and Albert, everyone involved in planning and helping with the wedding and the catering and, finally raised his glass to toast Hilary and Charles, before passing them each a small memento and sitting down.

After Charles had thanked Dorothy and Hugh on behalf of Hilary and himself, he turned to a pile of cards, which neither Hugh nor Dorothy had expected. Each Form had signed one, which accounted for the bulk of the pile and there were others from people who could not be present, including Dorothy’s Uncle who had stayed in Leeds to keep the shop open and also Miss Annersley and Miss Wilson.

Once the toasts were over and the cake cut, the whole party from the stage went down into the hall and mingled with the guests, trying to have a word with everyone.

After a few minutes, Dorothy nudged Hugh. “Now there’s an unlikely pair!”

Hugh followed her eyes to where Tom from the Garage and Aunt Gertrude were talking animatedly, both laughing and apparently telling one another jokes.

“I don’t think we want to hear any of that! I just wonder who is corrupting who!”

“Six of one and half a dozen of the other.”
Dorothy replied quickly as they reached a group of boys and their parents.

All too soon, it was time to change, ready to leave for the honeymoon. Hilary and Anne went with Dorothy and, once she had changed into a summer dress and shady hat, Dorothy turned to her mother, who had tears in her eyes, and pulled her close.

“Thanks, Mum, for everything. Don’t cry or you’ll have me in tears. You’ll see us the week after next when you come over to stay.”

Anne sniffed and wiped her eyes. “I’m not upset. It’s really happiness. Have a lovely honeymoon and send us a card.”

“We will.”


Anne led the way from the room and Dorothy turned to Hilary, who held her close and murmured, “I’m going home with them for a few days. I’ll keep an eye on them.”

“Thanks.”


Hugh caught Dorothy’s hand as they met on the landing and they ran downstairs together, pausing only to speak to Jimmy, who was waiting in the doorway to wish them well, and then ran the gauntlet of rose petals and good wishes to their car. Standing up in the car, Dorothy threw her bouquet towards her colleagues and laughed aloud in delight as Mary, a stunned expression on her face, caught it to a round of applause.

They set off down the drive, followed by a gang of boys, cheering and still throwing rose petals and turned out of the drive and along the lane towards the village.

“Well, Mrs Douglas. We’ve done it!”

“We have, indeed. In front of just about everyone we know, too!”


Once through the village, Hugh stopped the car and reached across to take Dorothy in his arms and kiss her soundly.

“I did mean it, you know. To have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part."

He said as he drew back, looking into her eyes.

At that moment, a car passed, hooting loudly. They both looked up and saw Aunt Gertrude hanging out of the window of Sir Julian’s car, waving madly.

There was a moments silence and then Dorothy started to giggle. It took Hugh a moment longer before he burst into shouts of laughter.

“Trust Aunt Gertrude!” He said between guffaws.

#56:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun May 21, 2006 12:41 pm
    —
Perfect, sublime, thank you.

#57:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun May 21, 2006 12:45 pm
    —
Oh, that was wonderful, Pat. Such real warmth and affection for the newly-wed pair and such a happy occasion for everyone. Thank you.

#58:  Author: DawnLocation: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Sun May 21, 2006 1:22 pm
    —
That was just utterly fabulous Pat

and please may I have the word document so that I can add it to my collection Very Happy

#59:  Author: KatLocation: Abertawe PostPosted: Sun May 21, 2006 2:39 pm
    —
*teary*

How perfect! Thank you Pat Smile

#60:  Author: LyanneLocation: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Sun May 21, 2006 7:16 pm
    —
Fluttering a lace-edged handkerchief to dab at my tears... What a wonderful way to start married life.

#61:  Author: MLocation: Winchester PostPosted: Sun May 21, 2006 8:44 pm
    —
That was lovely, yet again brings tears to my eyes. Hope there will be a chance to see them in married life, also want to see Reg reach the 6th.

#62:  Author: ChairLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun May 21, 2006 9:22 pm
    —
Thanks, Pat. I'm really glad that the wedding went well and that Jimmy was able to end. I wish Hugh and Dorothy all the happiness in the world.

#63:  Author: groverLocation: Dublin PostPosted: Sun May 21, 2006 9:31 pm
    —
Just gorgeous! Thank you,Pat. Very Happy

#64:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Sun May 21, 2006 9:35 pm
    —
Thatb was lovely Pat, thank you.

#65:  Author: AliceLocation: London, England PostPosted: Sun May 21, 2006 10:18 pm
    —
That was wonderful, thank you Pat.

#66:  Author: Cath V-PLocation: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Mon May 22, 2006 12:28 am
    —
Oh that was lovely Pat - just perfect, and a delight to find on a rather depressing Monday morning.

Thank you!

#67:  Author: Kathy_SLocation: midwestern US PostPosted: Mon May 22, 2006 12:52 am
    —
A wedding to remember. Smile Smile Smile
Thank you, Pat!

#68:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Mon May 22, 2006 2:39 pm
    —
Thank you Pat! That was gorgeous!

#69:  Author: KarolineLocation: Leeds, West Yorkshire PostPosted: Mon May 22, 2006 3:03 pm
    —
Thank you Pat, that was wonderful

#70:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Mon May 22, 2006 3:52 pm
    —
thank you Pat that was wonderful!

#71:  Author: JosieLocation: London PostPosted: Tue May 23, 2006 11:43 am
    —
Feeling very warm and snuggly now! That was soooooo lovely Pat, thanks. Am so glad I got to read it all in one go. The gift of the bathroom was so sweet, Stacie's party was perfect, go Sir Julian, and the wedding was absolutely fabulous.

So glad this is back and really looking forward to the next bit.



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