Through Thick and Thin - Part Two - Update 05/06 pg20

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The CBB -> Ste Therese's House

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#1: Through Thick and Thin - Part Two - Update 05/06 pg20 Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 3:06 pm
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I've posted from the beginning of the Christmas Holidays to keep all this part of the story together. There's a new update at the bottom of this post.

I have both this and both of the prequels as word documents - please pm if you would like them. As always, constructive criticism welcome.

Through Thick And Thin - Part One
Ally

\"Cecily, welcome. It's lovely to see you here at last. Anna darling, how was your trip? Nick, you're filthy!\" Jesanne said, as they climbed up the steps of Dragon House.

\"Nice to see you too.\" Nick said, grinning at his mother. She shook her head at him and continued,

\"Anna, you know where your room is, don't you? Cecily is sharing with you.\" Jesanne said, ignoring Nicks muttered comment of,

\"She should, she's been here often enough.\"

\"Don't leave those there!\" his mother snapped, as he set off upstairs, leaving his bags in the hall. Nick groaned, rolled his eyes, and came back to collect them.

\"Your parents are coming tomorrow.\" Jesanne said to Cecily, who was looking round her in awe. She had never been inside Dragon House before and everywhere she looked found something else to wonder at. She nodded.

\"Thank you for having us all here,\" she said, shyly. \"It's good of you - I hope Papa isn't rude.\" Jesanne's lips tightened for a second before she recovered herself and sent the two girls upstairs to unpack. Jack Maynard had insisted that his declaration that he would not have Nick under his roof again held, and as Jesanne had given up the Elisehutte to return to her family home after Maria's death she had invited Joey to bring her family to Dragon House, pointing out that they had spent the last four Christmases at Freudesheim and it was surely her turn to host. After lengthy discussions with her husband, Joey had agreed, while apologising for his attitude to Nick.

And so she would arrive the following day with Claire to stay until after New Year, and Pippa was already on a train from Edinburgh, where she was studying veterinary medecine. Geoff would be there the day after his mother.

Jack was arriving on Christmas Eve, and would not stay for long at all, but Joey was relieved that he would at least be around for Christmas Day. Trying to work out when she had to send the car to the station again, Jesanne recited all these facts through in her head, and wondered if she was likely to go mad before all her guests went home again.

Meanwhile, Anna and Cecily were unpacking in the room that Anna had occupied whenever she visited Dragon House, to the accompaniment of Cecily's amazed talk.

\"I had no idea it was so...well, big, and it's so nice! I don't know how they can keep it up - I didn't think anyone lived in houses this size now.\"

\"The National Trust help with the upkeep,\" Anna explained, checking her case was empty and throwing it on top of the wardrobe. \"They have tours around it in the summer and that helps to keep it running. Jesanne refuses to sell it to them entirely, although I think Nick might be tempted when he inherits it.\"

\"He couldn't!\" Cecily sounded appalled. \"It's glorious!\"

\"Fancy being Lady Marya Cecilia Gellibrand of Dragon House, do you?\" Anna asked, lazing back on her bed.

\"Don't be stupid,\" Cecily said. \"As if I could be.\"

\"You could if you married Nick,\" Anna said. \"Don't tell me you haven't considered it!\"

\"He has to ask me first,\" Cecily said. \"And he won't, so stop talking rubbish.\"

\"He might,\" Anna said. \"Would you say yes, if he did?\" Cecily ignored her.

\"Where did you live?\" Anna sat up and waved a hand behind her.

\"About eight miles that way,\" she said. Cecily noticed the sadness in her voice.

\"I'm sorry,\" She said immediately, climbing up beside Anna to give her a hug.

\"It's ok.\" Anna said. \"It would have been worse in Switzerland. I don't have any memories of her here - at least, not in Dragon House. And I'm not going over there. I can't. I'll be ok.\" Cecily looked at her doubtfully, but before she got the chance to say any more Nick arrived.

\"Are you unpacked?\" Anna asked. He shook his head.

\"Don't be silly. Did you know Lois wasn't coming home again?\"

\"I didn't think she would be.\" Anna replied. \"I don't think Charles will be here either - he was struggling to get the time off. He's been working so hard for the last few months though...\" she tailed off and Cecily glanced at her sympathetically.

\"Come on.\" she said, looking at the two miserable faces. \"It's Christmas. How about one of those riding lessons that you two promised me?\" This cheered them up slightly, and even Jesanne joined them as they attempted to teach Cecily to ride.

Joey poured out Jack's breakfast coffee and handed it to him as he sat down.

\"You're sure you sorted the flights?\" she asked. He nodded.

\"Stop worrying! You and Claire fly out tomorrow.\"

\"And Chas?\" Joey asked, noticing the ommision.

\"Joey, I can't give him the time off. We need him. I don't even know if I'll be able to let him have a few days over Christmas - he might need to work.\"

\"Why him, Jack? Why not someone else? It was the same with Steve and Mike, you're too hard on them. It's no wonder that Felix hardly comes back here any more. What if...\" Joey broke off suddenly as Charles himself rushed into the room. He seized a cup of coffee from the table, drank it in one go, picked up a slice of taost, and rushed out. \"That's not right, Jack.\" Joey said, \"He didn't get in until ten last night - it's not even eight yet. He's exhausted, he's losing weight, and he's limping again - did you notice? He needs some time off!\"

\"He's a grown man, Joey.\" Jack said.

\"That doesn't mean he can work non-stop!\" Joey responded. \"Now he comes to Dragon House with Claire and I tomorrow until we come home, or I phone Jem and get him transferred to Wales where he'll get treated properly!\" Jack could see there was no point in arguing and gave in, reluctantly.

Charles, meanwhile, sat in his office. He swallowed a painkiller with another cup of coffee to try and stop his head aching, and tried to read the case notes Daisy Rosomon had left on his desk for him. The words looked jumbled up and confused, and he couldn't focus on the paper. He put a hand to his head and closed his eyes for a few seconds before trying again. And that was where his father found him, an hour later, his head on his desk, sound asleep.

Jack stared at his son for a long time, in his mind's eye seeing the frail baby they had never expected to survive, and thought for the first time that perhaps Joey was right - maybe he was too hard on his sons. He put a hand out and shook Charles gently to waken him, shocked to feel how hot he was. Charles sat up groggily.

\"I'm sorry.\" he said. \"I didn't mean to fall asleep - I'll stay later tonight to make up for it.\"

\"No.\" Jack said firmly. \"Your mother's right, you're doing too much and you're not well. You're going home, and then you're going with your mother and Claire tomorrow. And don't argue.\" Charles, who was feeling too weak and tired to even consider it, allowed his father to help him to his feet and out to the car, where Jack drove his son home.

\"God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay...\" Cecily's clear voice rang through the house the following morning as she dressed and made her way downstairs to the breakfast table, where Anna and Jesaane were already sitting.

\"Lovely.\" Jesanne smiled, as Cecily finished the carol just as she slid into
her seat.

\"We should do some carol's when Mamma gets here.\" Cecily said. \"Anna and I can manage the accompaniments.\"

\"Jesanne can help.\" Anna suggested wickedly. \"You still have your 'cello,
don't you?\" Jesanne raised her hands in horror.

\"Anna!\" she protested. \"I haven't played for years.\"

\"You can do Christmas Carols though.\" her ward argued amiably. \"But we'll let you off if you really don't want to.\"

\"We'll see.\" Jesanne said firmly, turning her attention back to the pile of
post beside her.

Cecily spent the morning wandering from window to window, joined by Pippa when that young lady arrived, while Anna settled herself with a book overlooking the drive and Nick retired to the stables to get out of their way. It was almost lunchtime when the car arrived, and as soon as it drew up Cecily was flying down the steps towards her family, closely followed by her sister. Anna watched, smiling from the window as Joey and Claire climbed out of the car, and then in confusion as Claire turned to help someone else, and then gave a shriek that made Jesanne jump and raced downstairs as fast as she could. Charles kept his eyes turned to the door until she appeared and, barefoot, ran down the steps and across the driveway to him.

\"Merry Christmas.\" he whispered as he hugged her tightly. Anna gazed up at him, her eyes full of tears, and then rested her head on his shoulder.

It was late that evening. Charles, having been forced to rest by his mother during the afternoon was looking better than he had for weeks, and was sitting with his arms around Anna, talking quietly to her. Pippa, and Claire were occupied with a board game on the other side of the room while Nick and Cecily helped Jesanne with the final decorations for the tree. Joey was relaxing beside the roaring fire and watching them all, waiting on the arrival of Felix and Felicity, when there was a commotion in the hallway outside.

\"Mamma? Mamma! Chas!\" The voices echoed around the house, and Felix's head appeared around the door. \"They're in here,\" he said over his shoulder. \"Close your eyes, Mamma. We have a surprise for you.\" Felicity slipped around her brother and kissed her mother, before covering Joey's eyes with her hands.

\"What's going on?\" Charles asked, trying to see out the door, an impossible feat as Felix had closed it until only his neck and head could be seen. Having ascertained that Joey had her eyes covered, he threw the door wide open and someone strode into the room.

Charles gave a yell and leapt to his feet as Joey dragged Felicity's fingers away from her eyes and regarded her third son.

\"Mike!\" she exclaimed, jumping to her feet. \"Why didn't you write? Or phone? How long are you here?\"

Mayhem reigned for the next few minutes as Mike was greeted by his mother and siblings, and introduced to Jesanne, while Anna was sent flying to light a fire in another bedroom and Nick to the kitchen to find hot drinks for the newcomers. When they were all settled again and the extra guest had been accomadated, Mike was able to answer Joey's questions.

\"It was a last minute thing,\" he explained, \"one of the guys who was supposed to be off over Christmas was ill, so they offered me the chance to come instead. I'd had a letter from Fliss saying you were coming here for Christmas so I went to London and beseiged the Royal Ballet until they let her out and then came on the train with her and Felix. I'm off for a month, so I'm coming back to the Platz when you go for some skiing.\" Joey nodded, beaming at the thought, and then with a glance at the clock declared that they should move towards bed. Most of them agreed, and within an hour the house was silent.

Cecily awoke in the early hours of the morning and was horrified to find herself still in Nicks arms and in his bed. She wriggled free and hurried back to her own room, thanking her stars she had woken up before morning and not sparing another thought for what had awoken her. Nick turned, disturbed by her departure. He was almost asleep again when he heard a sharp noise that made him open his eyes wide. He listened hard. It came again. Was there someone moving around the house? It didn't sound like it. There was a scuffling noise outside. Nick scrambled out of bed and stared towards the window. There was another crack. He was convinced now that there was someone climbing the trellis outside his window. He knew it was possible to do - how often had he and Lois left the house by that exact route after they were supposed to be in bed? He looked around for a weapon to take on the burglar with, wondering if he should rouse anyone. Charles, Mike and Felix all had rooms in this wing, but Charles had been ill and Mike and Felix were worn out by their travelling. The climber was getting closer to the window. Nick picked up the poker from beside the fire and positioned himself beside the window. The intruder had to come through the curtains, and Nick intended to be ready for him when he did. The scuffling sounds came closer. After a few seconds, he was sure they were on the windowledge. Then, to his amazement, the burglar hissed,

\"Nick! Nick!\"

Last edited by Eilidh on Mon Jun 05, 2006 8:57 am; edited 35 times in total

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#2:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 3:09 pm
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Oh my goodness!

How nice to see more of this, thank you, Eilidh. Now it really feels that things are back to normal on the board!

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#3:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 4:18 pm
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Lois? Love Mike appearing - and well done Cecily!

Thanks Eilidh.

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#4:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 5:09 pm
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Sneaky Cecily!

Hope it's a nice visitor for Nick. Thanks Eilidh

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#5:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 5:09 pm
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Thanks, Eilidh. I am also guessing that the intruder might be Lois. I'm glad that Mike was able to make it for Christmas.

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#6:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 10:33 pm
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Nice to read more of this .

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#7:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 9:05 am
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Nick turned and drew back the curtain.

"What are you doing with that?" Lois asked with a glance at the poker and a shiver. "Oh, it's cold. Go and use it on the fire, let me get warmed up. There won't be one in my room." Nick remained rooted to the spot, his mouth hanging open as he regarded his sister, who jumped lightly down into the room, and then turned and began to pull on a length of rope she held in her hands. After a few seconds, he rucksack appeared and she heaved it over the windowsill and dropped it on the floor with a thud. She regarded her motionless brother and waved an experimental hand in front of his face.

"What are you doing here?" he managed.

"Freezing to death at the moment." Lois snapped, taking the poker from his unresisting hand and setting to work on the fire. When it was blazing she placed the poker back in its place and turned back towards him. "Have you gone dumb?" she asked. Nick shook his head.

"No, I was just so surprised to see you." He hugged her tightly. "I thought you weren't coming home?"

"I wasn't." Lois said, stretching out in front of the fire. "But I changed my mind." Nick looked at her suspiciously.

"What's happened?" he asked. Lois stared at the flames.

"Nothing." she said. Nick sighed.

"Don't tell me lies, Lois. Have you fallen out with Louise?" Lois shook her head.

"No, no. She was going home to break in as well. We're off again after Christmas - thinking about Australia this time. We've got enough saved for the flights and we'll work when we get there."

"Don't change the subject." Nick said, throwing himself on the floor beside her. "Tell me what's up. Why have you come home?" Lois pulled her knees up to her chin and looked stubborn. Nick studied her for a few minutes, and then rolled on to his back.

"I have to guess?" he suggested. "OK. Hot and cold, then. You haven't had a fight with Louise, and you haven't run out of money. You're a criminal?"

"Cold." Lois muttered.

"You've reformed and decided to get a job?"

"Cold."

"You were homesick?"

"No more than usual."

"It's to do with a man." Nick said suddenly. Lois nodded, and a single tear rolled down her cheek. He sat up and put his arm around her. "You're not..." he began slowly. Lois shook her head.

"I've got more brains than you." she said. Nick let it pass.

"Who was he?" he asked.

"Just someone I met." Lois said. "Lou liked him too. He said he liked me - said he loved me. He was an American."

"What else?" Nick demanded.

"He was married." Nick's arm tightened around her. "I just felt like I wanted to come home after that. Just for a while. Lou agreed, so here we are."

"Are you ok?" Nick asked. Lois nodded.

"I will be." she said, "Don't tell mum." she added. "I might tell Anna, and maybe Cecily, but I don't want mum upset." she finished, and yawned. Nick looked at the clock.

"Lois, it's 3am!" he exclaimed. "Are you going to your room, or..."

"I'll stay." Lois said, rummaging in her rucksack and producing a sleeping bag which she spread on the rug in front of the fire, now dying down again. Nick climbed back into bed and both were asleep within seconds.

The breakfast table was a good deal more crowded the following morning, and Jesanne and Anna were kept busy serving. There was little talk at the table, so they all heard the laughter coming from the top of the stairs. Jesanne, Anna, and Cecily were on their feet in a second.

"Lois?" Jesanne called, amazed. Anna and Cecily made for the door, where their third member was coming downstairs, escorted by her brother. She was grinning widely and obviously thoroughly enjoying the sensation she was creating as her mother took the stairs two at a time to hug her and exclaim over her.

"What's the plan for today, then?" Joey asked the younger members of the party when order had been restored to the table.

"Not much." Nick said, after a glance at Anna. "We might go out if the rain goes off - but that's not happening any time soon."

In the end, they spent the day lounging around reading and playing games. Felix ignored the rain and disappeared for a long walk regardless, but the others preferred the warmth of the indoors and enjoyed their lazy day.

"So why did you come home, then, Lois?" Felicity asked in the late afternoon.

"She heard I was going to be here and had to see me." Felix butted in.

"No reason, really." Lois said, ignoring him. "We just felt like it."

"Stop winding her up." Felicity said, tossing a cushion at him.

"I only speak the truth." Felix said, brushing it aside. Lois got up and left the room, heading for the kitchen where Anna was peeling potatoes destined for that evening's dinner.

"I hate him." Lois snapped, seizing a knife and a potato.

"What's he done now?" Anna asked.

"Usual." Lois replied, sulkily.

"If you didn't rise he'd get bored." Anna pointed out.

"I've tried that." Lois said. "He's just an arrogant pig." Anna shook her head as Lois continued on in the same vein, viciously peeling potatoes as she did so, and then jumped in when she paused for breath.

"Are you going to keep this up for long?" she demanded. "Because if you are, I'm going somewhere else." Lois stared at her.

"What do you mean?" she demanded.

"It's Christmas." Anna said. "You haven't seen any of us for six months. Will you stop getting worked up at Felix and just ignore him?"

"I don't like him." Lois said, stubbornly.

"I know that." Anna replied impatiently. "I'm not asking you to like him. I'm asking you to ignore him and not spoil it for everyone with your arguments and your complaining. I don't know why you don't like him anyway. He's fun. And aren't you even slightly attracted to him?"

"No." Lois said firmly. "Definitely not."

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#8:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 9:07 am
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Poor Lois ... but she's definitely protesting too much about not being interested in Felix!

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#9:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 9:20 am
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Thanks for the updates Eilidh!

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#10:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 10:24 am
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Thanks, Eilidh. I also think that Lois is protesting too much!

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#11:  Author: Mia, Location: London Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 10:45 am
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Hehe thanks Eilidh. The Felix/Lois interaction is wonderful!

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#12:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 11:31 am
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Nice Christmas... Lois is definitely setting herself up for a fall!

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#13:  Author: Caty, Location: New Zealand Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 12:39 pm
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Thanks for the update. I missed this.

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#14:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 12:42 pm
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Thank you Eilidh. Anna's right, Lois, just ignore him!

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#15:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 1:55 pm
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Poor Lois. I agree that she ought to ignore Felix, but that's easier said than done.

Thanks, Eilidh.

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#16:  Author: La Petite Em, Location: Cheltenham Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 5:01 pm
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I am still thinking that she likes Felix...
Thanks Eilidh

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#17:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 5:10 pm
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Thanks Eilidh, it's good to catch up with this again. I sincerly doubt Felix would wind Lois up so much as he does unless she really did like him

Kathryn

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#18:  Author: Alex, Location: Cambs, UK Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 5:48 pm
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Personally I can't blame Lois for being rather wary of Felix after her married-man trouble.

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#19:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 6:27 pm
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She's setting herself up though, reacting as she does - it'll only encourage Felix.

Thanks Eilidh.

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#20:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 8:49 am
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Thanks for the link, Ally!

"So what have you got agains Lois then?" Charles asked Felix curiously. The male section of the Maynard contingent was taking advantage of a break in the rain to walk around the Dragon House grounds.

"Can't stand her." Felix replied.

"I think she's all right." Mike said. "I've only seen her today, and once or twice in the past, but she doesn't seem too bad."

"She's not." Felix informed him. "Shes spoilt and immature, and she never makes an effort to look nice."

"And," Charles added with a grin, "she doesn't throw herself at Felix's feet like every other single female he comes across."

"She could be a challenge for you, Felix." Geoff put in. Felix glared at them both.

"If I put my mind to it it wouldn't be a challenge." he said, somewhat arrogantly, it must be admitted. Mike slapped him gently on the back of his head. "What was that for?" he demanded.

"Sounding ridiculously big headed." the older man replied. "You know Mother would hate to hear you talk like that - behave yourself. And Geoff, you are not allowed to make any bets with him about it - leave her alone." Felix and Geoff both subsided and Mike hurried on to catch Charles, who had got ahead of them, leaving them alone.

"I could if I wanted to." Felix muttered.

"Do it then." Geoff returned. "Mike doesn't have to know."

"He'll find out, though." Felix replied gloomily. "And probably rip my arms off. No, better not just now. I'll do it another time - she'll give in to me yet." Geoff agreed, being in considerable awe of his older brothers, and they ran back to the house as the rain began to fall again.

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#21:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 8:52 am
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Mike should've hit him a lot harder - never makes an effort to look nice and could be a challenge indeed!! He needs teaching a lesson - hopefully Lois will be the one to do it!

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#22:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 9:27 am
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*Giggles at the Maynard Boys*
I wonder what Joey would make of all of Felix's conquests!

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#23:  Author: Mia, Location: London Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 10:13 am
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Geoff cameo! *luffs*

Thanks Eilidh

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#24:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:14 pm
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Interesting... Looking forward to reading more.

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#25:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 1:52 pm
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Thanks, Eilidh. I'm sorry that Felix is being unkind about Lois.

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#26:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 3:06 pm
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Thanks Eilidh. Let's hope that Felix gets taught a sharp lesson soon! Geoff is really rather dinky isn't he?

Kathryn

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#27:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 3:19 pm
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Thanks, Eilidh. I'm also hoping that Lois teaches Felix a thing or two and puts him firmly in his place.

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#28:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 4:02 pm
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Golly! Maynard Boys!

Thanks Eilidh

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#29:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 4:09 pm
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Another hoping Felix is taught a sharp lesson.

Thanks Eilidh.

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#30:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 9:40 pm
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Felix deserved that slap, and good for Mike delivering it!!!
Nice to see the boys interacting though!

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#31:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 1:08 am
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Felix - stop behaving like a lord of creation! Delivers matching slap.

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#32:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 9:57 am
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Felix is such fun to write. A long update today because I'll be away over the weekend.

To the delight of the entire party at Dragon House, during the afternoon the temperature dipped and the rain turned to snow, so that by the time Jack Maynard arrived the grounds and surrounding countryside were covered by a thick white blanket. Jack himself had arrived intending to be agreeable. He had had plenty of time to dwell on Joey's words over the last few days while he was alone, and it didn't escape his attention that while Felicity, Cecily, Pippa and Claire greeted him raturously, Charles merely gave him a stiff nod, Mike a curteous greeting, and Felix and Geoff barely looked up from the books they were reading. Jack realised then that over the next few days he had bridges to build with his sons and decided to start then, while they were on what he classed in his mind as neutral territory.

Just then, he noticed Nick come forward out of the shadows, and politely take his coat and scarf. Jack looked at him for a minute, wondering if he had misjudged Nick as badly as he seemed to have misjudged his sons, but then his anger at the way he had treated Cecily, and at the problems he had caused her returned and he uttered a curt,

"Thank you." as Nick disappeared with his outdoor clothes, seeing the disappointment in Cecily's eyes as he did so. Deciding to leave Nick for the time being, and concentrate on his own children first, Jack seated himself on the sofa beside his third son and accepted a drink from the tray Lois was offering around. After chatting to Mike for almost an hour, and receiving nothing but stilted, formal replies, Jack was glad when Mike, Charles and Felix vanished with Nick to bring in the old piano. He heard them laughing together as they went, and felt suddenly jealous of their closeness to each other. They returned after a few minutes, pushing the piano, and Lois appeared seconds after them carrying her mothers 'cello. Jesanne seated herself beside the piano and after a hasty discussion with Anna and Claire Cecily sat down in front of it. The others arranged themselves around the room, making themselves comfortable.

"Requests, then?" Jesanne asked. They came quickly and after a while Claire and Cecily changed places and Cecily stood to finish the evening with a solo.

"What will I sing?" she asked. Nick waved a hand in the direction of the falling snow still visible thought the window.

"See amid the winter snow." he suggested. Cecily glanced at her sister, who hunted for the music.

"Got it." she said, running her fingers over the keys. Jesanne held her bow ready. Cecily opened her mouth and began to sing.

"See amid the winter's snow,
Born for us on earth below,
See the tender Lamb appears,
Promised from eternal years

Joey felt tears come to her eyes as Cecily sang the carol, accompanied by the soft piano music and the deep notes of the 'cello. Jack shifted slightly so he was closer to her and put an arm around her shoulders in an unusual display of affection.

Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Charles stared into the flickering fire as he listened, his arms around Anna as she sat on his knee, Jesanne having run out of seats. He felt her move and looked up at her, smiling as he caught her eye and pulling her closer to him.

Lo, within a manger lies
He who built the starry skies;
He who throned in height sublime
Sits amid the cherubim.

Felix looked at the happy couple sitting opposite him and felt suddenly lonely. Glancing around, he saw that Lois was looking at them with a deeply sad expression on her face, and watched her brother reach out and take her hand. He felt ashamed of his comments earlier in the day - he was well aware that they were motivated by her trick of treating him like something she'd found on the sole of her shoe, and the fact that she was the only person outside his family who could make him feel like a complete idiof for behaving the way he did normally, but that was no excuse. She looked up and caught his eye. Embarrassed to have been caught watching her, he smiled, and was in time to see it returned before she looked away.

Say, ye holy shepherds, say
What your joyful news today;
Wherefore have ye left your sheep
On the lonely mountain steep?

Lois looked up into the blue eyes watching her. Why was he staring at her? He would be thinking up some more horrible things to say to her. She felt her cheeks begin to burn as he pushed his hair out of his eyes and smiled. Automatically, Lois felt herself smile back, and saw the brief flash of pleasure in the blue eyes before she looked back at the carpet and returned to her thoughts of Andrew, who even now, she supposed, was with his wife and children. It was so much better to be here, she thought firmly, with her family and friends. And even Felix.

"As we watched at dead of night,
Lo, we saw a wondrous light;
Angels singing peace on earth
Told us of the Saviour's birth"

Felicity alone saw the look that passed between Lois and Felix, and smiled. Maybe someday they would be friends. She closed her eyes and in her head began to choreograph a dance to the music her sister was singing.

Sacred infant, all divine,
What a tender love was thine,
Thus to come from highest bliss
Down to such a world as this.

Nick looked up at Cecily, wondering what good thing he had done to deserve her. Despite his best intentions, his mind kept wandering to the Christmas before and he wondered how different it would have been if he had been sitting here listening to her sing with their daughter - in his mind the baby was aways a girl - in his arms. And sensing his unhappiness as he had sensed hers minutes before, Lois reached out and touched his shoulder, smiling at him when he looked up. Nick pulled himself back to the present and listened as Cecily began her final verse.

Teach, O teach us , Holy Child,
By Thy Face so meek and mild,
Teach us to resemble Thee,
In Thy Sweet humility!

There was silence as Claire slowly lifted her fingers off the last notes, everyone lost in their own thoughts. Eventually, Jesanne put down her 'cello and nodded to Nick.

"Will you excuse us?" she asked. "Lois will show you where to go."

Last edited by Eilidh on Thu May 04, 2006 12:15 pm; edited 1 time in total

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#33:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 10:01 am
    —
Thank you Eilidh, that was lovely.

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#34:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 10:06 am
    —
A lovely moment... and feels very real.

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#35:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 10:20 am
    —
That was lovely.

Hope you have a nice weekend away.

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#36:  Author: Ally, Location: John Bettany's Cabin! Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 10:40 am
    —
Aww so lovely and Chrismassy! Lois and Felix are made for each other! Thanks Eilidh

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#37:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 12:08 pm
    —
lovely!! i wonder how jacks going to manage with his sons??? lovely, lovely, lovely.. and a beautiful white christmas!!!!!!!!!

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#38:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 3:06 pm
    —
What an absolutely wonderful Christmas! Thanks, Eilidh, that was beautiful.

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#39:  Author: Mia, Location: London Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 3:16 pm
    —
Thanks Eilidh!

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#40:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 3:51 pm
    —
Beautiful!

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#41:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 5:04 pm
    —
Thanks, Eilidh. I was so involved in the story that I forgot for a moment that it is really sunny outside! I hope you have a lovely weekend.

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#42:  Author: fio, Location: swansea united kingdom Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 5:50 pm
    —
Methinks the Dragon House Ritual is in the offing?!

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#43:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 7:08 pm
    —
Lovely Christmas scene - but how sad for Jack to be so estranged from his sons.

Thanks Eilidh.

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#44:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 8:26 pm
    —
My thoughts exactly fio!

I was reading Lost Staircase last night actually - perfect timing.

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#45:  Author: Josie, Location: London Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 3:20 pm
    —
Lovely, Eilidh. Thanks.

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#46:  Author: La Petite Em, Location: Cheltenham Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 4:44 pm
    —
Magical!

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#47:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 6:30 pm
    —
Thanks Eilidh, that was a really beautifully written scene. Have a lovely weekend

Kathryn

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#48:  Author: Rosy, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth Posted: Sat May 06, 2006 12:56 pm
    —
That was simply gorgeous Eilidh. Thankyou!

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#49:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Sat May 06, 2006 5:59 pm
    —
Thank you Eilidh!!
I'm all goosebumpy now, and I can HEAR that carol!

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#50:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 9:02 am
    —
I've been reading the Lost Staircase too, but please excuse any mistakes in the wording - I tried to memorise it because I couldn't bring the book to work, but I might have it worng.

Joey got to her feet immediatly.

"Come on, you lot." she said to her family. "Time to clear out. Lead on, Lois." Lois did as she was asked and led them outside to one of the big barns, where they were joined a few minutes later by Agnes, the elderly cook/housekeeper who had been Jesanne's maid when she had come from New Zealand so many years before, and two younger women whom Jesanne had employed to help while she had so many guests. They were carrying a huge bowl of steaming punch and a tray of glasses, and proceeded to serve it up to the bemused guests.

"What's going on?" Mike asked, eventually. "Why are we out here?"

"It's the Dragon House ritual." Lois said, from where she was perched, rather percariously, on top of a pile of hay. "I can't tell you any more, really. It's a family secret. But Mum and Nick have to do it alone."

"Load of rubbish." Felix commented to Geoff, slightly to loudly.

"It's nothing of the sort." Lois flashed. "It's an old family tradition that has been kept up for hundreds of years. How dare you call it rubbish?"

"Calm down." Anna said, grabbing her sleeve as she seemed ready to launch herself at Felix.

"And you shut up." Mike said angrily to Felix. "Or I'll give you the punch I should have given you this morning."

"Mike!" Joey exclaimed. Cecily made a grab for Lois as well, seeing that Anna was struggling with her, and Felicity rounded on Felix, demanding to know what he had done to deserve being punched. Charles looked around his family, and shook his head.

"Maybe we could all just calm down?" he suggested. "Felix, do what he says and shut up. Mamma, Fliss, I can assure you that he deserved the punch Mike didn't give him, and thats all you need to know. Lois, you'll hurt yourself if you fall off there. Sit still. How long do we have to wait?"

"Not much longer." Lois said. "Listen!" They all fell silent, and heard Jesanne's voice echo around the courtyard.

"Is anyone there? If it be so, come forth and share our Christmas cheer. For none come to Gellibrands but are fed and sheltered in the name of Christ, who was once denied a resting place, save among the cattle."

There was a silence for a time, until Agnes said,

"Miss Lois?" Lois shook herself.

"Yes, come back in." she said. "I'm sorry we had to come out here, but Mum is very particular about tradition." She led the way back into the house, where Jesanne and Nick were standing in the hallway, wearing long robes of blue and red respectivley. Nick turned slightly red when he saw the look of scornfull amusement that passed between Felix and Geoff, but held his head high. Lois, thankfully, had been talking to Cecily and had missed it.

"Well timed, Lois." Jesanne said. "Now, it's late, and I don't know about the Maynards, but you two haven't improved with age when it comes to getting up early at Christmas." Lois and Nick exchanged sheepish looks.

"I'll stay here for a bit." Charles said, and as the others made their way upstairs he headed back into the big library and sat down beside the fire. After a few seconds, he was joined by his father. Idly wondering if he was about to recieve a lecture or be sent back to work early, Charles suppressed a groan and asked, "Did you want me?"

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#51:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 9:07 am
    —
I want to read The Lost Staircase now!

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#52:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 9:13 am
    —
Mike is lovely, Felix is rather immature though isn't he!
Thanks Eilidh!

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#53:  Author: pim, Location: Hemel Hempstead Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 9:17 am
    —

Alison H wrote:

I want to read The Lost Staircase now!

Me too!

Hope you had a good weekend, Eilidh

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#54:  Author: Ally, Location: John Bettany's Cabin! Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 9:36 am
    —
Thank you Eilidh that was wonderful and I love the traditions of the Dragon House

whispers I have a transcript of The Lost Staircase if anyone wants it...

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#55:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 11:47 am
    —
Felix is an ass; I'm looking forward to the point at which he realises it!

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#56:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 2:06 pm
    —
Please Ally....

Thank you Eilidh!

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#57:  Author: Mia, Location: London Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 2:07 pm
    —
Ooh what does Jack want? Thanks Eilidh!

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#58:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 2:18 pm
    —
Good to see you back, Eilidh!

I've read the Lost Staircase (looks smug!) and it's very good!

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#59:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 4:30 pm
    —
Have another update, since I'm bored.

"Yes." Jack replied, and then lapsed into silence again.

"What was it?" Charles asked, after waiting patiently for a few minutes.

"Are you feeling better?" Jack asked, stalling for time.

"Yes, thank you." Charles replied, bemused, watching his father. Then, "Dad, you look like Geoff used to when he'd done something wrong and came to confess." Jack smiled.

"I'm sorry. I wanted to come and apologise for - well, for making such a mess of things with you all." Charles stared at his father in disbelief as Jack continued. "I wanted to see you all and I do realise that I'm a bit late but I wondered if there was anything I could do to make things better." Charles sat silently.

"Did Mamma ask you to do this?" he asked eventually.

"No." Jack replied honestly.

"Then I'll tell you what you can do." Charles said, angrily. "You can treat us like adults and credit us with enought brains to make our own decisions - and our own mistakes. You can stop expecting me to live my life the way you lived yours, because I'm not doing it. You can go to Steve and Adrienne and apologise for not going to see baby Jaques when he was born. You can stop behaving like none of us live up to your expectations except Margot. You can send an occasional letter to Mike when he's away. In fact, dad, what you need to do is try and show that you care about your sons as much as your daughters. And nobody is very impressed with your attitude towards Cecily and Nick."

"Somebody should have punched him at the time." Jack muttered, annoyed that they had gotten off the point. Charles paused on his way out the door.

"Somebody did." he said. "And Cecily loves him - it's about time you woke up to that and realised he's not going to go way just because you ignore him. Everyone else has." And with that he disappeared upstairs, to pour the entire conversation out to Mike.

Nick, meanwhile, was lying on his back on his bed, talking to himself.

"Cecily, I wondered if...no, thats no good. Cecily, would you like to...no. Cecily, you know how much I love you. Will you..." Lois paused outside the door and heard him, smiled, shook her head, and continued on to talk to Anna and Cecily instead. When she arrived, it was to find Anna had returned to teasing Cecily about the possibility of becoming mistress of Dragon House.

"I told you already," Cecily was protesting, laughing, "He has to ask me first."

"Would you, if he did?" Lois demanded suddenly, scrambling up on the end on Anna's bed and wrapping a portion of that young woman's duvet around her, ignoring the protests. Anna and Cecily both looked at her.

"Do you know something?" Anna asked suspiciously. Cecily looked suddenly panicked, and Lois, wondering how it was that they always knew when she was hiding something, shook her head violently.

"No!" she said. "What would I know?" Anna didn't take her eyes of Lois' face.

"Has Nick told you something?" she asked.

"No." Lois said again, thankful that that, at least, wasn't a lie. "I was only asking. Would you?" she asked again, trying to turn the focus back to Cecily. Cecily shrugged.

"I hadn't really given it much thought." she said.

"You're lying." Anna said immediatly, with a grin. "Aren't you?"

"Yes." Cecily admitted. Lois laughed, but felt slightly sad that they knew each other so much better than she did now.

'Its your own fault,' she told herself firmly. 'you chose to do what you wanted to do. So stop feeling sorry for yourself.' "Are you going to tell us then?" she asked out loud. Cecily shook her head.

"No." she said. "It's none of your business."

"Well, I'm not marrying anybody, ever." Lois said firmly.

"Mamma said that once." Cecily pointed out. "And look at her now!"

"Who could I marry, anyway?" Lois demanded. "I like my life just the way it is." At that point, yawning widely, Anna demanded her bedcovers back and lay down.

"Yes, go to bed, Lois." Cecily said, following her example. And for once, Lois did as she was told. As she cuddled into her warm bed, feeling one of the dogs climb up on to her feet, she thought over the last few hours, trying to settle her mind so that she could sleep. Much to her annoyance, the only image she couldn't banish from her mind involved a pair of bright blue eyes, untidy blond hair, and a smile that had made her feel so good when she had seen it.

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#60:  Author: Tan, Location: London via Newcastle Australia Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 4:34 pm
    —
Thank you for the update. Looking forward to seeing what happens with the proposal!!

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#61:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 4:35 pm
    —
Thanks for the update - I was bored too!

Well said Charles, & it sounds promising about Cecily & Nick, & maybe about Lois & Felix too ...

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#62:  Author: Mia, Location: London Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 4:48 pm
    —
Thanks Eilidh Nice to see Jack talking to the boys

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#63:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 5:04 pm
    —
Well, that told Jack, didn't it?

Thanks, Eilidh.

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#64:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 5:25 pm
    —
Oh, I do love a bit of happiness! I hope Lois can find some, too.

Thanks, Eilidh.

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#65:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 5:46 pm
    —
this is great!!
thanks eilidh!!
i would love to read the lost staircase to ally... if you dont mind!!!
thanks

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#66:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 6:01 pm
    —
I always felt the boys had a bit of a raw deal...

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#67:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 7:08 pm
    —
Go Charles! Hopefully Jack will behave a bit better now...as for Lois and Felix, maybe she will be a force for good in his life?!

Thank you very much Eilidh

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#68:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 7:13 pm
    —
Squeeee! Happiness! Yay!

Thanks Eilidh

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#69:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 7:27 pm
    —
Well done Charles - it needed to be said. Now which way will Jack go?

BTW why didn't he go to see Steve and Adrienne's baby?

Thanks Eilidh.

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#70:  Author: fio, Location: swansea united kingdom Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 9:10 pm
    —

fio wrote:

Methinks the Dragon House Ritual is in the offing?!

told you so!

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#71:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 12:33 am
    —
I'm so glad that they still keep up the Ritual (bangs Felix and Geoff's heads together and slaps them round the ear for good measure!) - and that Charles has been able to say all that to his father.

Thanks Eilidh.

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#72:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 8:59 am
    —
The following morning, as Jesanne had predicted, the household was awake earlier than normal and the house rang with voices and laughter as the entire party, even Charles and Mike, who had spent some considerable time the night before discussing their father, assembled at the breakfast table. After breakfast and church services were over, the entire party set out for a long walk around the grounds, while Jesanne and the twins related stories that kept most of the party enthralled. They returned with good appetites for lunch, and when the evening came Jesanne summoned them all to the big drawing room, where she had collected all the presents and placed them in the big basket used for the purpose. Lois and Nick handed over the honour of distributing the presents to the younger members of the party, and Pippa and Claire obliged.

Mindful of Lois' comments the night before, Cecily opened her present from Nick rather cautiously, but was delighted to find a delicate silver necklace that she had passed daily on her way to university and had coveted for weeks. The others were delighted by gifts of clothes, sweets, books and jewellery, and it was a long time before they had finished examining everything and were ready for the big supper that Agnes and her helpers had prepared.

*******************************************

It was New Year's Eve, and at Jesanne's suggestion the Hall of Dragon House had been cleared and a dance was planned. The visitors to the household were mostly occupied in their room, preparing to go down. Felicity, sitting in front of the mirror in her room, watched the door open and her brother come in and sit down on her bed.

"Fliss?"

"What?"

"Do you think I'm an idiot?"

"What sort of a question is that?"

"A serious one. I want you to tell me the truth." Felicity raised her eyebrows.

"Yes, then. I do."

"Why?"

"Because you've created a whole new you instead of being content with the old one. The old one was my brother. The new one is an idiot who I don't like. Is that all?"

"No. That's not true."

"It is. I wouldn't be telling you if it wasn't. And you know it is. And I know you know. And so on." There was a long pause.

"I haven't changed that much."

"You're not so bad at home - when I meet you at other times you're awful. So far, in the last week, the only person you haven't offended is Geoff, and I don't actually think its possible to offend him. Quite apart from anything else, he thinks you're the cat's bathmat. You have no tact, you consider yourself to be the centre of the universe, you have to have everyone's attention all the time, Mamma is appalled by your behaviour, Mike wants to kill you, Chas isn't far behind, and Cecily and Pippa just don't want anything to do with you. You're not always like this, almost never at home, so why now?" There was no response, and after a while Felicity, deciding she was ready and hoping he'd had time to think it over, took his arm and they went downstairs together.

Jesanne had invited people from the farms attached to her estate, and from the nearby village, and the Hall was busy with people dancing and having fun. Mike stood beside Felix, who, rather surprisingly, hadn't found anyone to dance with yet, and watched his parents dancing, thinking how good they looked together and how happy they were, even after so long. Charles and Anna were near them, and he glimpsed Cecily in Nick's arms on the other side of the room. Geoff was dancing with his twin, having been too scared to ask anyone else, and they were laughing about something as they circled the hall. As he watched, a hand was laid on his arm, and Felicity pulled him into the dancing crowd, ignoring his protests.

Lois was outside, enjoying the cold night air, and trying to stop herself shivering. She wasn't going back in. It was bad enough to be standing at the side while everyone else danced, but to have her mother tell her she should go and ask him to dance? Just because he was a guest? He wasn't her guest. It was alright fur Anna, saying he was "fun". He had been fun when they were younger - they had got on well. She had been the only girl able to hold her own with him, on foot or skates or skis, or in the water. But the last time she remembered having fun with him there had been the day of Charles' accident - they had had fun that morning, although even that holiday he had been changing. And then he had become the sarcastic, unkind, womanising tease whom she loathed and despised. And she would not dance with him

Felix watched them go, wondering if he would have been better heading back to London for the New Year celebrations. He felt particularly out of place here, and wondered if it might be a good time to slip out for a cigarette and a further chance to think over Felicity's owrds, which, whether he admitted it or not, had hurt him badly. Seeing that no one was watching him, he edged around the room and out through the French windows, seating himself on a low wall and leaning back against the house with a sigh.

"Had enough?" Lois asked. Felix jumped violently and almost fell off the wall. He had noticed that she looked better tonight than she normally did, and had hated himself for noticing. She was wearing a dress and her curly hair had been arranged properly instead of being pulled back from her face and tied roughly.

"Just bored." he replied, momentarily forgetting that he was talking to the daughter of his hostess.

"I thought you'd have been in the middle of things - trying to establish how many single females there are and which you were going to go for first." Lois said, somewhat nastily. Felix smiled.

"I'm waiting on you giving in." he replied, almost automatically. Lois sighed.

"You wouldn't really like me." she said. "I'm not glamorous enough for you, and I can't dance, and I despise you."

"Well, yes." Felix said absently. "The last one could be a problem, it's true. Especially when coupled to the fact that I can't stand you either."

"You look sad." Lois observed.

"No." he replied. "Just thinking about something."Lois smiled, warming to him slightly despite her best efforts, and he grinned back at her, looking like he had a few years before when they had been good friends. "How about a truce for tonight?" he asked. "I'm bored, you're bored, and its freezing cold out here. Let's go in and dance. While of course remaining aware of the fact that we would rather be with anyone else in the Hall." He extiguished the cigarette and jumped off the wall, holding out a hand to her. Lois took it and allowed him to pull her to her feet.

"I am not a conquest." she stated firmly, standing still as he tried to pull her inside. "I can't dance. And I really do despise you, Felix Maynard."

"I know." Felix replied. "We agreed on that, remember? Just before we agreed to a 24-hour truce. Come on, I'll teach you."

"I don't remember anything about 24 hours." Lois said indignantly, trying to pull her hand free. Felix pulled her towards him, noticing with surprise that she fought back well and even caused him some problems before he managed to get her beside him. He took her arm firmly to stop her pulling away again and glanced down at her, noticing she was laughing.

"What is it?" he asked, surprised. Lois shook her head.

"Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't swell your head by telling you that I was imagining the looks on Anna and Cecily and Nick's faces when the family madien aunt comes in on the arm of the best looking man at the party." she said, attempting to sound cold and distant but spoiling it with a giggle.

"Let them talk." Felix said, although he was inwardly wondering if Mike was likely to listen to explanations or if his brothers were about to tear him to pieces, before throwning open the door with his free hand and leading her into the house.

---

#73:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 9:04 am
    —
Well said Felicity - and Lois and Felix seem to be meant for each other really!

Thanks Eilidh .

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#74:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 9:04 am
    —
Looking forward to seeing the 'fun' commence!

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#75:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 9:23 am
    —
Well said Felicity!

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#76:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 10:20 am
    —
Well said Fliss and well done Felix, provin that you can be more than obnoxious!

Thank you Eilidh!

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#77:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 12:45 pm
    —
Thank you, Eilidh. This is so rich and complex.

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#78:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 2:13 pm
    —
Yes, it's absolutely wonderful. Let's hope that this is the beginning of the reformation of Felix by Lois. I think that's a match made in heaven!

Thanks, Eilidh.

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#79:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 2:19 pm
    —
Thanks Eilidh, well done Felicity for saying all that to Felix.

Kathryn

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#80:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 6:58 pm
    —
I also thought Felicity had done well - got Felix to think anyway. Hope Lois and Felix are genuine and not a false attempt at getting together - can't help remembering that bet.

Thanks Eilidh.

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#81:  Author: Rosy, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 8:40 pm
    —
Good for Fliss. And also, good for Felix for at least trying. Looking forward to more of this!

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#82:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 8:40 am
    —
They are being difficult.

They had been dancing for a few minutes before the movement of people around the room brought them to Charles and Anna. Charles, with a vivid memory of Mike threats a few days before, looked warningly at his brother while Anna's eyes almost fell out of her head at the sight. As the music stopped, Cecily and Nick appeared as well, looking equally confused. Cecily immediatly hooked her arm through Lois' and, with Anna following, drew her off to a quiet corner. Charles and Nick rounded on Felix.

"This better not be a bet." Charles said warningly.

"A bet?" Nick asked, incredulously. Felix shook his head violently.

"It's not, I swear. Ask Geoff - where ever he is. Do you think I want Mike to tear me apart?"

"Mike?" Nick asked, feeling rather left behind by the conversation.

"You're not telling me she just agreed to it?" Charles continued.

"That's exactly what I am trying to tell you!" Felix said, exasperated. "She agreed to a truce - we were both bored. Leave me alone!"

"A truce?" Nick shook his head. "Sorry - you've lost me. What's going on?" The two Maynards ignored him for a few seconds, staring at each other, until the girls reappeared to claim them. Then, with a muttered,

"You'd better be telling me the truth." Charles turned on his heel and disappeared with Anna while Cecily dragged Nick back towards the dancing. Lois gazed up at Felix, the corners of her lips twitching, and then pulled him into the library where they both burst out laughing.

"As good a reaction as you expected?" Felix asked, when they had recovered themselves. Lois nodded.

"And I'll bet you're not bored any more either." she said wickedly, glancing at herself in the mirror, making a face, and leading the way back to the party.

Lois was curled up in an huge armchair in the library beside a roaring fire the following morning with a book and a mug of cocoa when Felix arrived, looking tired, and flopped into the chair opposite her with a groan, sinking his head into his hands. Lois glanced over the top of her book.

"Shouldn't have had so much to drink." she said smugly, turning a page. He muttered something unintelligable and she ignored him, engrossed in her travel book as she planned an Australian adventure for herself and Louise, scribbling ideas down in a notebook as she did so. Felix watched her through half-closed eyelids, idly wondering what was different about her compared to the other young women he knew. Maybe it was what she had said last night - she just wasn't glamorous enough for him. At any rate, in her old clothes with her hair pulled back any way she could, and ink of her fingers and face, she didn't look the least bit attractive, and not at all like the type of girl he was interested in. His head gave a thump and he closed his eyes fully, trying to decide if it was just the alcohol. He had just got to that point when Nick and Anna arrived and demanded that Lois join them on a ride. She tossed her books to one side gleefully and raced off to get ready, while Anna turned to Felix,

"Do you ride?" she asked, politely. Felix nodded. He had learnt while staying with friends in the school holidays, and like most of the sports he had tried throughout his life, had enjoyed every minute of it. "Well, why don't you change and come with us?" she demanded. "You could borrow some of Nick's stuff and there's nothing else for you to do - Cecily, Pippa, Claire and Geoff are busy with a game and Mike's gone out with your mother. Felicity's practicing and Charles is staying in bed - he's worn himself out last night and your father insisted."

"I'd like that." Felix replied, suddenly realising that he would. It would be nice to put what Felicity called his 'London personality' away for a while and spend the day doing something he really enjoyed. It had been a long time since he had been able to do that. And maybe the fresh air would make him feel better. Anna ran off to make some lunch for them to take with them while Nick led him upstairs to change and Lois, who had pulled on her riding gear at top speed, got the horses ready.

Before long they were on their way. Nick and Lois led, racing each other through the snow, and Anna and Felix followed behind at a more sedate pace. Felix was finding that unlike usual, the fresh air and excercise were doing little to lift the effects of the alcohol he had had the night before and he was beginning to feel distinctly ill. As a result, by the time they reached the abandoned hut on the marshes where they had decided to have lunch, the twins had been there for a while and a fire was crackling in the old hearth and Lois was wrestling with an old kettle.

"This used to be one of our hiding places." Nick explained. "That's why all the wood and the kettle and things are here. We thought we'd get the fire going and warm up a bit." Anna agreed and curled up beside it, holding her cold hands out to the blaze, while Felix hovered rather uncertainly in the doorway, feeling very out of place. He felt in his pocket and realised with annoyance that he had forgotten his cigarettes.

"Come in and shut the door!" Nick ordered, and he did as he was told, taking a seat near the far wall. Lois opened a rather battered cupboard in a corner and produced, with a cry of triumph, a pile of chipped plates and cups. Anna handed out sandwiches as Nick wedged an old pot into the fireplace and poured the soup from the flasks into it. Lois and Nick kept up a steady stream of talk throughout the meal and even Felix found himself laughing at them as the time went on, and managed to drink a mug of the soup although he crumbled most of his sandwich on the floor. Eventually, when lunch was finished and they were all rested, Nick proposed they should head back, in order to be home before dark. They headed off again, having made sure the fire was completely out, Anna leading the way with Nick this time. Lois glanced over at Felix as they rode. He had been quiet and unlike himself for most of the day, and she was wondering if she dared ask him what was wrong.

"Is something wrong?" she asked, eventually. Felix looked over at her.

"No." he replied shortly. The snow began to fall again, and Lois gave an exclamaition of dismay.

"Hurry." she said briefly, and set off. Felix followed her as fast as he could but before long, the snow was too thick and Lois halted. "We'll have to wait it out." she said, shouting over the wind which was rising fast. "Even I can't find my way over the marsh without being able to see. This way!" She practically screamed the last two words in his ear, slid off her horse and led him into a nearby wood. Felix followed behind her, twisting and turning through the trees until they reached an area where they grew very close together. There was no snow on the ground and it was reasonable dry. Lois tied her horse to a nearby branch and sat down.

"We'll have to wait." she said. "They won't worry. Nick'll know we've got this far and that I would come here." Felix glanced at her uncertainly, but sat down beside her. "It's going to be boring." Lois said. He managed a tight smile, fighting the feeling of nausea that the last gallop had brought on.

"Is there something wrong?" she asked after a while. "I'm not just being curious - I believe we're still under a flag of truce." Felix didn't respond, merely leaning his aching head back against the tree he was leaning on amd wishing he had got stuck with someone else when he was feeling this bad, rather than the irritating Lois. Lois moved across beside him. "What is it?" she asked again. "Do you feel ill?" Felix nodded his head slightly, and Lois stared at him in dismay. "Do you want to lie down?" she asked.

Her voice sounded like it was coming through cotton wool, but it would be nice to lie down. He nodded again, and she helped him move, removing her scarf and rolling it up to act as a pillow. He closed his eyes thankfully, as her cold fingers touched his forehead hesitantly but gently. "You're hot." Lois said. "Do you hurt anywhere?" Felix didn't respond, but a sharper pain than usual shot through his head and he groaned. "Yes, then." Lois said softly. "I'll be back in a minute." She hunted through her bag until she found one of the flasks and rushed off to fill it with water from a nearby stream. Returning, she found some paracaetamol in her pocket and bent over him again.

"Felix?" she asked. "Sit up and drink this." she instructed, putting the flask down a safe distance away and half lifting, half pulling him into a sitting position. She handed him the water and the tablets silently and he took them. He handed her the flask back silently, and then his well-drilled manners took over and he added. "Thanks."

"It was nothing." Lois replied, moving back from him now she had assured herself he was feeling better. They sat in silence for a while. Neither could think of anything to say and both presumed the other was counting the minutes until the snow went off and they could return to Dragon House. Eventually, feeling much better now that the painkillers Lois had administered were taking effect, Felix spoke.

"We used to be friends." he said, apparantly to a nearby tree.

"Yes." Lois told the leaf she had in her hand. "But one of us changed."

"People do." Felix informed the tree.

"Usually for the better, though." Lois said.

"Better is a matter of opinion - everyone has different views on what's better."

"Everyone has different views on what qualities they want in their friends as well." Lois said. "And personally, arrogant womanising teasing bullies are not very high up my list." Felix flushed scarlet.

"That wasn't very nice." he said softly.

"It's accurate though." Lois shot back.

"That may be." Felix said, an edge to his voice. "But at least I'm not a spoilt little brat doing what she likes on her mothers money instead of getting a decent job." It was Lois' turn to go red.

"It's my money." she snapped. Felix gave a short laugh, infuriating her further. "I thought last night we could have been friends again." Lois choked, jumping to her feet. "I was wrong - I'd rather never see you again." She took off through the trees, running as hard as she could.

---

#83:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 8:55 am
    —
Oh dear - and it seemed to be going so well when Lois was concerned about him being ill .

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#84:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 9:06 am
    —
I don't know who I'm most concerned about, Lois running off in the snow, or Felix being ill and helpless...

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#85:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 10:11 am
    —
Lois that's really not very sensible even if he is infuriating and why might that be anywya?

Thank you!

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#86:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 10:37 am
    —
Oh gosh, come back Lois! Felix's comments have obviously hit home...

Thanks Eilidh!

Kathryn

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#87:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 10:58 am
    —
I'm sure (I hope) that Lois sense of responsibility will bring her back.

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#88:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 11:47 am
    —
I think a great deal of truth was said there - no one seem to like it much though.

Thanks Eilidh.

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#89:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 2:54 pm
    —
Felix got up and ran after her. He caught her just as she reached the edge of the wood, where she had halted when she had seen the thick, swirling snow.

"You can't go out in that." Felix said. Lois made a lunge forward and he gripped her arm, pulling her back into the shelter of the trees. "Don't be stupid." he snapped angrily. "Whatever else you might be, you're not a idiot. There's no way you can find your way home in that." Lois realised he was right and stalked off in a temper back the way she had come. Felix, finding that the chase had left him feeling ill again, followed her more slowly. By the time he returned to the clearing she had a pile of almost dry wood stacked up and, with cold fingers, was trying to get a fire lit. "Good job we had the matches." he said, trying to lighten the atmosphere. Lois ignored him, coaxing the small flame into burning before turning her attention to the wood, pulling her knife from her pocket and beginning to split it into shorter lengths. "Do you want any help?" he asked. Lois continued to ignore him, and, angry again, Felix grabbed at the wood. "There's no need for bad manners." he snapped.

"Sorry." Lois muttered. "I'm fine." Felix released the branch, and Lois continued cutting, taking out her anger on the wood. Feeling rather helpless, Felix sat and watched her. Suddenly she gave a cry and bent forwards, clutching her hand. Felix was on his feet in a instant.

"What have you done?" he demanded. Lois shook her head, and pulled her hand away. Felix reached out and pulled her wrist, bringing the injured hand towards him, but Lois kept her other hand firmly clamped over the top. He could see the blood running down her fingers, though, and hunted around until he found the flask of water she had produced earlier. "Let me see." he instructed. Lois shook her head. "Lois, let me see." he insisted, trying to prise her hands apart. He succeeded, and poured the flask of water over the injured hand, biting back an exclamation at the deep cut that was revealed. Still holding her wrist, he hunted in his pockets until he found a handkerchief which he tied tighly around it and then released her.

"Thank you." she said softly. Felix shook his head, and then picked up the discarded knife and split the remainder of the wood, while Lois piled it on the fire with her uninjured hand. When it was blazing, he sat down again. Lois moved to the other side of the fire and he said,

"You don't have to go as far away from me as you can get, you know."

"I'd rather not be near you." Lois said, sounding calmer now. "We've had our opinions of each other, now we just have to wait for the snow to go off."

"You'd be warmer." Felix said after a while, noticing her shiver. Lois shook her head stubbornly and he sighed. "Look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that - you'd made me angry." Lois glanced up, and he saw there were tears in her eyes, which shocked him.

"Is that supposed to help?" she demanded. "Its still your opinion of me, whether you were angry or not."

"It's not." Felix said. "I know it's your money. So I was wrong. And I know that you can't say that about about what you said about me. So come round here." Lois got to her feet and moved to sit beside him.

"Feeking dizzy?" he asked, seeing her stumble slightly on the way over.

"A bit." she admitted, still shivering. Felix wrapped an arm round her.

"Am I allowed to do this?" he asked.

"Only because I'm cold." Lois replied. "And not at all because I like it."

"I bet you're an outrageous flirt at times, Lois." Felix observed. "And that must mean something, coming from me. Especially with all those things you called me earlier."

"I only think that about you sometimes." she said apologetically. He laughed.

"I don't suppose you're the only one." he told her. "Even I think that about me sometimes - normally when I'm at home. And Fliss told me yesterday she thought I was an idiot." Lois smiled.

"As long as I'm not alone." she said.

"How about we try and get on until I go back to London? A sort of joint New Years resolution." he suggested. "I'll stop teasing you and you stop running off in a temper." Lois thought for a minute.

"Agreed." she said. "Do you think the snow's gone off yet?"

"We could go and see." he suggested. The snow hadn't gone off, but it was light enough that Lois was able to find her way through the rapidly darkening afternoon to Dragon House, where Charles was called on to stitch Lois' hand, which was cut deeply, and diagnosed his brother with nothing worse than too much to drink.

"You must be getting old and not up to wild parties." Lois commented, hearing this. Felix made a face at her. Jesanne insisted on both taking hot baths, and then the entire party sat down to a rather late dinner, during which several people noticed that the continual bickering that Felix and Lois had indulged in for most of the holiday was absent.

---

#90:  Author: Mia, Location: London Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 2:56 pm
    —
Thanks Eilidh. I'm feeling hopeful...!

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#91:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 3:00 pm
    —
That's better - lets hope they realise they quite like each other when they're not fighting!

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#92:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 3:15 pm
    —
More hopeful now!

Hmm, that has reminded me that I have actually been working for nearly an hour, rather than reading the transcript of The Lost Staircase which Ally kindly sent me and which I have saved on my work computer ...

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#93:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 3:52 pm
    —
That was fabulous, thanks, Eilidh.

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#94:  Author: La Petite Em, Location: Cheltenham Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 4:10 pm
    —
Fingers crossed now...
Thanks Eilidh

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#95:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 4:49 pm
    —
Thanks Eilidh!!
Glad they're home safely, and maybe they can start to be friends again now! (or maybe more!)

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#96:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 5:29 pm
    —
It's nice to hear that they're home safe and sound!

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#97:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 5:38 pm
    —
Thanks Eilidh, I'm glad that Felix was able to make Lois see sense and they got home safe and sound...am feeling hopeful too!

Kathryn

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#98:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 6:36 pm
    —
Thanks, Eilidh. I'm glad that Lois and Felix have called a truce.

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#99:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 7:39 pm
    —
Feels very real...

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#100:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 8:22 pm
    —
Ooooh lots of lovely promising updates there Eilidh.

Glad Felix and Lois are getting along better.

Thank you

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#101:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 10:08 pm
    —
That was a lovely scene there between them, Eilidh. Thank you.

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#102:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 1:51 am
    —
Good to see them really talking to one another and not hiding behind that continual bickering.

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#103:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 8:55 am
    —
Sorry - They are very stubborn. Feel free to poke them.
Late that night, Lois tossed violently in her bed, and fell out with a thump on to the floor.

"It's no good." she said out loud, disentangling herself from her sheets. "I can't sleep. I'll have to pack - that'll tire me out." Suiting the action to the words she began to hunt through her room for her belongings, packing them neatly into her big rucksack. The noises she made roused Felix, who had the room next door, and prompted him to come and investigate.

"What are you doing?" he demanded, when she had admitted him to the room.

"Packing." Lois replied. "Can't you see that?"

"Are you leaving?" he asked.

"In a few days." she replied, rolling up some more clothes and pushing them in.

"Oh." Felix said, feeling suddenly unhappy. "I hadn't realised."

"Lou phoned me tonight." Lois explained. "She's booked the tickets - to Egypt. We wanted to see it. Then we're going to travel overland through Asia and then do Australia and New Zealand."

"I wish you weren't going." Felix said suddenly, surprising them both. Lois put her things down and sat down on the bed beside him.

"What do you mean?" she demanded. "Why shouldn't I go?"

"I didn't say you shouldn't." Felix replied. "I said I wished you weren't."

"But why?" Lois persisted. Felix was struggling slightly. This wasn't ground he normally found it neccessary to cover.

"Well, because we've been getting on." he began slowly. "If you stayed maybe we could become friends again. Or more than friends." Lois began to turn red as she realised what he was aiming at.

"That's all the more reason for me to go." she said, slightly shakily.

"But..." Felix began, paused, and started again. "Wouldn't you like..." he tried again.

"It wouldn't work." Lois said. "We can barely stay civil to each other, never mind anything else. If that's how you feel then I have to go. I can't stay. The further apart we are the better."

"Lois..." Felix began again. "Don't you like me?" he asked. Lois kept her gaze fixed firmly on the floor.

"No..." she said automatically, and then realised. "Yes." she corrected herself. "Very much. Far too much."

"What do you mean, too much?" Felix asked, feeling some hope again.

"I'm just a temporary thing for you." Lois said. "And thats not any good. You'll just end up running off with someone else. I have to go away, Felix. We have to get over this. We are not suitable for each other."

"We are." Felix said stubbornly. Lois shook her head.

"No. It won't work. It won't ever work. Go and find yourself another society girl - I'm going to Egypt."

"Definitely not?"

"I'm sorry." Lois replied, turning away. "Go, please. I'm going to bed." Felix left silently, to spend the rest of the night tossing and turning miserably, while Lois huddled under her bedcovers and waited for morning, drifting into an uneasy sleep as the sun rose.

---

#104:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 9:00 am
    —
Oh dear. It's very difficult to convince people that you've changed - no wonder Lois is so wary.

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#105:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 9:13 am
    —
I can understand how Lois feels. But hopefully her refusal to get involved with Felix will just spur him on to win her.

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#106:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 9:42 am
    —
Don't blame Lois - after all Felix might not really have changed.

Thanks Eilidh.

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#107:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 9:58 am
    —
Its one thing to like someone because they are there - quite another to like them when one is in the normal surroundings of everyday life!

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#108:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 12:35 pm
    —
Poor Lois - thinking she is doing the right thing to save herself heartbreak.

Thanks, Eilidh.

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#109:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 12:54 pm
    —
Saying is one thing and doing another; I don't blame Lois for this decision although she may regret it later.

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#110:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 1:38 pm
    —
Lois left the following morning, having decided to spend the last few days of her time with Louise. Felix, aware that he was in no small way responsible for this course of events, felt increasingly miserable as her belongings were loaded into the car and she began saying goodbye. He would have remained upstairs if he had thought there would be even the slightest chance Felicity wouldn't have noticed. As it was, he seated himself in the library as she toured around he house, saying her goodbyes. He was so wrapped in his misery that he didn't hear the door open and jumped to see her standing in front of him.

"Bye." she said simply.

"Have fun." he replied, feeling that this was something he could at least say honestly. Lois sat down in the chair opposite him.

"I have to go." she said.

"Who are you trying to convince?" Felix asked. She shrugged.

"You don't look like you're going." he said, a few minutes later. Lois lifted her head and got to her feet. He stood with her and they stared at each other for a long moment. She stepped forward and he hugged her tightly, feeling her shoulders begin to shake, until she pulled away and wiped her face.

"The car's waiting." she said, leading the way out to the front door, where the others were waiting. She hugged her mother and Nick, and got in, waving as the driver pulled away. Felix watched her until she was out of sight, then turned away. As he did so, he felt Felicity slip her hand through his arm, at the same time as he looked up and met Nick's accusing stare.

"I'm going out." he said, pulling away from Felicity and disappearing down the steps. Jesanne and Joey had retired to the sitting room, and the others looked at each other.

"Who's going?" Mike asked. They all looked at Charles.

"What?" he asked.

"You're the oldest." Cecily said. "You decide. That's how it works in our family, remember? The oldest gets all the responsibility." Charles sighed.

"Fine. Well, no one is going who is going to make things any worse. Nick, you're out. You go away and calm down somewhere. So is Geoff. Fliss, you should go. Mike, you probably shouldn't." Mike nodded his agreement, knowing that he and his younger brother were never on the best of terms. "Cecily can go, and me. Anna, Pippa, Claire, you stay here. We don't want too many. Does that sound ok?" They agreed that it did, and ten minutes later saw the three Maynards setting out, following the tracks Felix had left behind him in the snow, Charles carrying another coat in his arms. He had walked fast, because it was almost half an hour before they spotted him, sitting on a large rock on top of a hill, his head in his hands.

Felicity took the coat from Charles and walked up to her twin, wrapping it around his shoulders.

"Idiot." she said softly. "It's mid-winter. You must be freezing."

"No." he replied.

"Come on, Felix." Cecily said, sitting down beside him. "What's happened?" he shook his head.

"That's not helping anybody." Charles observed. Felix shrugged.

"Come on, Flix, talk to us!" Felicity demanded, slipping her hand into his. "Or will I guess." A smile hovered at the corners of Felix's mouth. He glanced at Cecily.

"Do you remember what I said about love?" he asked, in an unnaturally hard voice. Ceily nodded.

"You said you were't the falling in love type." she repeated. "I agreed." Felicity and Charles nodded their agreement as well, and Felix looked at them all.

"So why do I want to go and get on a plane to Egypt with her?" he demanded. "I've never wanted to see Egypt! I don't even like her!"

"That would seem not to be the case." Charles suggested, but Felix shook his head.

"No, I don't like her!" he insisted.

"You can't go to Egypt." Felicity said, firmly, leaving aside the question of his likes and dislikes. "You have a job and a flat and responsibilities." Felix made a face.

"And a girlfriend." Cecily added after a moment. Felix looked at her and laughed.

"Yes." he said. "I'd rather forgotten about that."

"Come on, Flix." Felicity said. "You'll get over it. You always do. And if you don't, well, maybe you can change her mind when she comes back." Felix made an indescribable noise.

"Lets start walking back anyway." Charles suggested. "Its cold." They got to their feet and the two girls set off down the hill. Charles and Felix hung back slightly.

"What do you think?" Felix demanded.

"I think Fliss is right." Charles said reluctantly. "Face it, Felix, if she was interested she wouldn't have gone haring off to the opposite side of the world, would she? I think you should find yourself a decent girlfriend, not one of your usual empty-headed gigglers, and put it out your mind. You'll probably find that it dies a natural death anyway, with you being so far apart."

"I am serious this time." Felix said softly.

"You say that every time." his brother pointed out. "Forget about it."

"You really think so?" Felix asked. Charles nodded.

"Put her out your mind." he advised.

Edited because I forgot where Lois was off to. Twice.

Last edited by Eilidh on Thu May 11, 2006 3:29 pm; edited 2 times in total

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#111:  Author: Caty, Location: New Zealand Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 1:45 pm
    —
I'm sorry the bunnies are misbehaving Eilidh - or actually maybe I'm not, because it means more of this drabble for me to read!

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#112:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 1:52 pm
    —
Absence and all that.... It can work both ways.

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#113:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 1:56 pm
    —
They've all got a point ... but if Felix lets Lois go now he may well live to regret it ...

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#114:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 2:17 pm
    —
No, I think she's right to go, to see if she really does like Felix, or whether it's just because he's there and she's getting over the previous rat.

Thanks, Eilidh.

---

#115:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 2:33 pm
    —
I think she's right to go and he's right to let her - if he really is serious this time he'll still be when she gets back...they can always write!

Thank you Eilidh.

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#116:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 3:20 pm
    —
Thanks Eilidh, I can understand why Lois feels like she has to go but how frustrating for Felix not to be understood by any of his brothers and sisters.

Thank you

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#117:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 3:37 pm
    —
Felix has only himself to blame that his brothers and sisters don't think he's serious. Maybe Lois is doing the right thing - the absence will mean both of them will know.

Thanks Eilidh.

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#118:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 8:35 pm
    —
Charles, you're wrong - sometimes if you are interested in someone that is just the time you DO go haring off to the other side of the world! Whoever said people in love were sane and sensible?

Thanks, Eilidh.

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#119:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 11:10 pm
    —
Eeeek! Please let them get together Eilidh.

*wibbles becuase Lois is going to be far away for a long time*

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#120:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 12:53 am
    —
Oh, how hard - it seems sensible to suggest, 'wait and see' but then being sensible and being in love don't go together!

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#121:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 9:17 am
    —
A short post, in which nothing happens, but necessary to fill in the term. I'll try and get something more interesting posted this afternoon.

"Remember, no exciting happenings, no catastrophies, no problems. Just lectures, parties, assignments, exams. Just enjoy your term. Anna, Nick, remember I'm going to stay with Aunt Lois for the summer and you're going to the Platz. A moment, Nick?" Nick hung back as Jesanne kissed the girls and they climbed into the car beside Felix and Felicity.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Be careful at Freudesheim," she said softly, "Don't annoy Jack Maynard any more than you have to. And good luck. The first bride in this house was called Cecily Gellibrand - I'd love to see another one. I'm sure she'll say yes." and she pushed Nick into the front of the car where he sat in silence until they reached the train station, wondering if his emotions were written all over his face or if his mother could just read his mind.

Anna and Cecily were delighted to get back to their little house and throw themselves into work again, although Cecily felt sad when she realised that this was the last term she would spend here. The following year she would be in Paris, and to save money she was to spend the termtime with Stephen and Adrienne. Although she was looking forward to being with her brother and sister-in-law, and her nieces, she would miss Anna and Emily and Elisabeth, and the host of other friends they had made over the last two years who dropped in on a regular basis. And most of all she would miss Nick.

Perhaps encouraged by Jesanne's instructions, perhaps by Cecily's wish to have a nice time she could remember the following year, or perhaps by the law of averages, they did indeed have an extremely quiet term, and by the time they returned to Switzerland for the summer, as Nick observed, absolutely nothing of interest had happened. Letters had flown back and forth between the Maynard children and wards, each containing news of their father. He had written to Mike. He had, to quote Roddy, finally taken time out of his busy schedule to visit Steve and Adrienne and baby Jacques. He had, according to Len and Charles, stopped working weekends and was spending the time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He had announced his intention of retiring within the next few years. Cecily waited anxiously for the letter telling her he would accept Nick, but much to her disappointment, nothing arrived.

To the bemusement of everyone, as soon as Felix returned to London he had resumed his life exactly as he had been living it before the Christmas break. Felicity insisted that he had been serious about Lois, but the others, most notable Nick, found this difficult to believe and as a result things became rather strained between the two young men and they saw very little of Felix that term. Lois' letters were full of things she had seen, and she made no reference to him at all. And even Louise was unaware of the number of half-finished letters to Felix that were discarded behind them as they travelled.

---

#122:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 9:24 am
    —
Well it's nice to see that Jack is making an effort, lets just hope he accepts Nick.

---

#123:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 9:28 am
    —
Wish Lois and Felix could sort things out.

---

#124:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 9:29 am
    —
Felix wants his head examined - he's hardly going the right way to please a possible future brother-in-law.

As for Jack - yes he's doing all the right things now - but still not accepting Nick? What's behind that, when everyone else has. Is it because he doesn't like to think that his daughters have grown up and are now capable of adult actions?

Thanks Eilidh - know what you mean about filler - sometimes it's the most difficult of scenes to write.

---

#125:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 9:31 am
    —
I'm glad Jack is making more of an effort where his family are concerned. I do feel sorry for Felix, though. I guess he's trying to live life in the fast lane to aviod having time to think about Lois. Thanks, Eilidh.

---

#126:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 10:07 am
    —
There is no way Master Felix is going to show anyone else that he cares....

What a giveaway! (I hope!)

---

#127:  Author: Phil, Location: London UK Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 10:41 am
    —
Just read all of this. I like it!

---

#128:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 1:06 pm
    —
As promised.

Charles waited patiently at the airport, watching the planes and making plans for the summer. There was a noise behind him, and he turned to see the passengers from the London flight arriving. He saw the three young people emerge from the tunnel, laughing together, and felt thankful that Anna had returned almost to normal after her mothers death. She was naturally not as carefree as she had been, but she was laughing again and enjoying her life. She saw him just then, and ran across the arrivals lounge to greet him. Charles picked her up and spun her around; ignoring the looks they were getting from other people around them.

"Chas!" Cecily yelled, thoroughly overexcited at being home again for the first timein almost a year. Charles turned, in time to see Cecily being shushed by a scarlet faced Nick. Shaking him off, she ran across the busy room to her brother and hugged him, leaving Nick to wrestle with the luggage. Charles came to greet him when he had disentangled Cecily and shook Nick's hand briefly.

"The car's outside." he said. "Is that all yours?" he added in astonishment, staring at the huge pile of luggage Nick was standing guard over.

"No." Nick replied. "That's mine," he indicated a case "and that's Anna's." he pointed to a slightly larger case.

"And the" Charles paused. "Two cases and a bag and that box?"

"Cecily's." Nick said, the expression on his face managing to put across that he thought it was a ridiculous amount of luggage for anyone, but that he was well aware that Cecily would not be impressed if he said so. Charles turned to his sister with a disapproving frown, and she did her best to look innocent.

"I need lots of things." she said guiltily. Charles rolled his eyes, then seemed to remember something and turned to Nick, holding out his hand. Nick stared at him for a few seconds, puzzled, and then a light dawned in his eyes and he made a face, putting his hand into his pocket and handing Charles some money.

"OK, you won." he said. "Now can we get to the Platz?" Charles laughed, but Cecily looked suspiciously from one to the other.

"Won what?" she asked.

"Chas said you would bring more home than Anna and I put together." Nick explained as they made their way to the exit. "I said you wouldn't - I thought Anna would have more. She's let me down." he added, with a grin at Anna.

On returning to Freudesheim, they were greeted by Joey, who was delighted to see them, and Pippa, who had returned the day before. The girls retired to their room to unpack, and Charles perched on the edge of Nick's bed, keeping him company as he did the same. As the younger man sorted through piles of clothes, Charles' sharp eyes caught sight of a tiny velvet covered box in the case.

"You too?" he demanded, incredulously, interrupting Nick in the middle of a sentence. Nick followed his gaze and slowly turned a rather unbecoming shade of scarlet.

"Do you mind?" he asked rather anxiously. "I mean, I know it's up to your father, but there's no way he'll approve and I'd like to know if you do." Charles sat silent for a long minute, Nick watching him anxiously.

"She's my favourite sister." he said eventually. "And there's no one I'd rather trust her to. You have my approval, anyway." he finished, rather uncomfortably. Nick grinned.

"Thanks. That's good to know, because I intend to ask her whether your father says I can or not. And what did you mean, me too? You're never finally going to ask Anna?" he sounded disbelieving, but Charles nodded.

"When?" Nick asked. Charles shrugged, but the conversation was cut short as the gong called them to dinner. After the girls had retired to bed, the subject came up again, and Charles explained.

"I've had a letter from my cousin." he said. "He's offering me a partnership with him in a rural practice. He offered it before, when I qualified, but I turned it down."

"Rural?" Nick asked. Charles grinned.

"About twenty farms over something like forty miles, and then a village. Rural." Nick agreed, and Charles continued. "Anyway, he wants me to take it up starting in eighteen months, when the current guy retires. There's a house he says I can have, and I'd love to take it and get away from here. But I'm not accepting until I know what Anna wants to do."

"If she knows you want to go that much she'll agree regeardless." Nick observed. And there the matter rested.

---

#129:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 1:07 pm
    —
Looking forward to buying 2 hats ... or would the same one do for both weddings? ... no, better get 2!

Thanks Eilidh .

---

#130:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 1:26 pm
    —
Hope Jack will accept Nick - but pleased Nick has said he'll go ahead regardless!

Lovely scenes - two weddings!

---

#131:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 1:32 pm
    —
Me, I prefer the idea of two hats!

---

#132:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 3:36 pm
    —
I'm definitely going for the two hats option myself...and is it worth getting a third 'just in case'?

Thanks Eilidh, great stuff

Kathryn

---

#133:  Author: Mia, Location: London Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 4:16 pm
    —
*optimistically buys the three hats*

---

#134:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 4:18 pm
    —
We definitely need two hats - all the same people will be at each wedding, and they'll notice if we repeat our outfits! This is wonderful, Eilidh, thank you. I just hope Jack is pleasant and not antagonistic.

---

#135:  Author: La Petite Em, Location: Cheltenham Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 4:31 pm
    —
And a pair of shoes for each hat!
This is lovely as ever, thanks Eilidh

---

#136:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 4:32 pm
    —
Not to mention handbags...

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#137:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 8:45 pm
    —
Thanks, Eilidh. If they have a double wedding, we would all only need one hat!

---

#138:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Leeds Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 8:56 pm
    —
So have the Easter and summer terms passed and they're now in Switzerland for the long summer holidays?
I hope Charles and Nick hurry up and ask their questions. And I hope they both get the answers they want.

---

#139:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 8:58 pm
    —
Are you trying to do us out of a second hat?

---

#140:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 9:53 am
    —
I'm rather amazed by the enormous number of hats that suddenly seem to have arrived in this thread. You do realise neither of them has said yes yet? And as for those of you who bought three, you may be in far a long wait before you can wear the third one...

About a week later, Charles, who had woken early, watched the sun rise, glittering off the glaciers on the mountains opposite and illuminating the Platz.

"I'm going to do it today." he said, firmly, as Nick opened the door and came in.

"Right." he said nervously. "Then lets get all the shocks over at once." At breakfast Charles suggested taking a picnic and spending the day at the Roseinalpe. The other three agreed, and they all set out together. On arrival, acting together, they marched their respective girlfriends in opposite direction, determined to get it all over with.

Charles and Anna sat down together in a large rock, from where they could see out over the panorama of mountains. Charles put his arm around her and she leant her head on his shoulder.

"It's so nice to be back here with you." She said. "I do miss you while I'm in London."

"I miss you too." Charles said, tightening his grip. Anna smiled and relaxed against him. Charles took a deep breath. He had done this so many times in his head, but everything he could think of now sounded false and forced.

"It's been a hard year." Anna said. "While we're on our own - I wanted to thank you for being there every time I needed you. You've been wonderful. I really don't know what I'd do if I ever had to cope without you." Charles sent up a silent prayer of thankfulness that the conversation was going in the right direction.

"Do you mean that?" he asked softly. Anna nodded.

"I can't imagine my life without you in it any more." Charles shifted slightly, wishing he was more confident, and then forced himself to move from Anna's side and kneel on the ground in front of her. Her eyes widened, but before she could say anything he said, speaking quickly,

"I don't want to imagine mine without you. Please, Anna, will you marry me and make me the happiest man in the world?"

---

#141:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 10:00 am
    —
I do like it when people post on the weekend! But Eilidh I think you missed a bit off!

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#142:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 10:24 am
    —
Oh, lovely Charles! Thanks, Eilidh. And what will Anna's answer be?

---

#143:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 10:52 am
    —
Please say yes, Anna!

---

#144:  Author: Rosy, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 11:38 am
    —
Aw. I hope she says yes.

---

#145:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 12:49 pm
    —
Thanks, Eilidh. I am also really hoping that Anna says yes.

---

#146:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Leeds Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 1:08 pm
    —
Say yes Anna! And Cecily too (when Nick asks her, which he will do next won't he).

---

#147:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 1:09 pm
    —
One can hope, I suppose.

Thanks, Eilidh

---

#148:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 1:33 pm
    —
Did I miss the end off that post? *attempts to look innocent* *fails*

"Of course." she said; her voice full of tears. Charles stared up at her.

"You mean it?" he asked. Anna nodded, and he jumped to his feet, picking her up with a yell of delight and kissing her soundly.

Meanwhile, Nick was trying to introduce the subject to the conversation, but Cecily was talking continuously about other things. It was almost time to turn back towards the picnic space and Nick was getting desperate. Every time he tried to begin, however, Cecily swung the topic off in another direction, most of which he wasn't listening to due to his nerves. He knew he had to say something before lunch or he would be sick when he tried to eat.

Finally, with the picnic area coming ever closer, he decided just to jump in. He caught Cecily's wrists, spinning her around to face him, and dropped on the ground in front of her."

Marry me." he said simply. Cecily stared at him, and Nick spared a moment to wonder at the irony that made her speechless for the first time that morning at that particular moment. She remained so for some time, long enough to make Nick stand up again; convinced he'd been stupid. "I'm sorry." he said, miserably. "I've been a fool. Forget it." He had taken three steps away when Cecily said suddenly,

"I'm not sure I was ever cut out to join the aristocracy - Lady Cecilia Gellibrand is rather grand, isn't it? I suppose I can get used to it though." Nick stopped, hardly daring to believe his ears, and then slowly turned around to find Cecily standing directly behind him. She rose on her tiptoes and kissed him. "Idiot." she said affectionately, a few minutes later. "You spring something like that on me and then you get upset because I'm a bit surprised?

"I've been trying to ask you all morning." Nick said, an enormous grin on his face. "You would insist on keeping changing the subject."

"Sorry." Cecily giggled. "I wouldn't if I'd known. Forgive me?" Nick kissed her again.

"Just now, Cecy, I can forgive you anything." he murmured into her hair.

---

#149:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 3:01 pm
    —
That's great! I'm so happy for them all, and I hope everyone else (well, Jack, then!) is just as pleased. Thanks, Eilidh.

---

#150:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 3:16 pm
    —
Awwwww! Two hats then!

Thanks Eilidh.

---

#151:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 4:04 pm
    —
Hooray!

*Off to buy 2 hats!*

Thanks Eilidh .

---

#152:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 4:07 pm
    —
Two hats to buy. Er, do they have to be lime-green?

---

#153:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 6:03 pm
    —
Wow! Just caught up on pages and pages of this and what a lovely last post to read

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#154:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 6:54 pm
    —
Hurrah! They both said yes. I *love* Nick's way of proposing


Thanks Eilidh!

Kathryn

---

#155:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 7:35 pm
    —
Hip Hip Horray that they both said yes! I was worried that Cecily wouldn't!
I wonder how Jack will take the news...

---

#156:  Author: Mia, Location: London Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 8:53 pm
    —
How fabulous! I think I might try Joey's trick of making one hat look like two... Thanks Eilidh

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#157:  Author: Ally, Location: John Bettany's Cabin! Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 9:36 pm
    —
Awww two engagements, huzzah! And I hope the third does happen one day!

Thanks Eilidh

---

#158:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 10:06 pm
    —
Thanks, Eilidh. I guess I'd better go and find the hats!

---

#159:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 10:06 pm
    —
Awwww!!!!!!!

That's brilliant news. Thanks Eilidh!

---

#160:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 10:11 pm
    —
I think I might have found a lime green hat!

http://mikawed.com/cgi-bin/search/search.pl

---

#161:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 5:26 am
    —
Thank Eilidh...that was lovely.

---

#162:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 10:10 am
    —
Later that evening Nick took a deep breath, kissed Cecily, and knocked on the door of Jack's study.

"Come in!" Jack called. Nick entered. "Well?" Jack demanded impatiently. "I'm busy." Nick cursed his timing, but decided just to ask, on the grounds that it had worked that morning.

"I've asked Cecily to marry me." he said. "I've come to ask your permission."

Jack shook his head.

"No." he said shortly.

"May I ask why?" Nick said.

"You've caused her more than enough trouble." Jack said. "She needs someone who will look after her. Now go."

"I see." Nick replied. "Very well then." He left the room and returned to the Saal, where Cecily, Anna and Charles were waiting with Joey.

"Well?" Cecily asked eagerly as he came in. Nick shook his head.

"No." he replied, sinking down beside her. He repeated the conversation for their benefit, and Joey's lips tightened.

"I've had enough." she said firmly. "Cecily, you may marry whomever you like. Nick, if you're so desperate for someone's permission, someone will put a call through to Paris and you can get Steve's."

"He's got mine." Charles said. Joey nodded.

"There you are then." she got to her feet.

"Where are you going?" Charles asked, already knowing the answer.

"To see your brainless father." she replied grimly. Cecily, meanwhile, was busy at the phone.

"Steve? It's Cecily. Can I marry Nick?" she paused.

"OK, may I marry Nick?" Anna laughed.

"Straight to the point." she observed. "Aren't you glad you didn't have to ask anyone's permission to marry me?" she teased. Charles put an arm around her.

"I did." he replied, smiling. "Nick and I gave each other permission." Anna looked over at Nick.

"You are as good as my sister." he pointed out. Cecily was waiting patiently.

"Yes, I know." she said into the phone. "But he said no, so Mamma said to phone and ask you 'cos you're the next one down. And she said dad hasn't got a brain anyway. And Chas says if you say no he's said yes anyway." There was another pause.

"Well he doesn't count, does he? I know he comes before Chas, but if he counted then Roger would and I'd be phoning him instead of you! Yes or no, Steve!" she listened again.

"Just tell me Steve." Another pause. Charles laughed, knowing that Stephen would be spinning out giving his permission for as long as possible, and imagining what he was saying. His thoughts were interrupted by a yell of triumph from Cecily.

"Thanks Steve! You are my favourite brother!" she said, before hanging up and turning to hug Nick and Anna. Charles, however, sat on the sofa until she stood in front of him.

"No hug?" she asked. Charles kept his eyes on the floor.

"Go to Paris and hug your favourite brother." he suggested. Cecily dropped onto the floor and twisted until she could see his face and the suppressed laughter in his eyes, at which point he gave up and picked her up, hugging her tightly, before reaching over to shake Nick's hand.

"Look after her." he instructed. Nick nodded.

"I wouldn't dare do anything else." he said

---

#163:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 10:21 am
    —
Please don't let Joey and Jack's conversation be behing closed doors!
Lovely post Eilidh!

---

#164:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 10:22 am
    —
Jack's really isolating himself here - everyone else is so happy and he's just being a miserable git! Hope Joey sorts him out. Thanks Eilidh .

---

#165:  Author: delilah_siren, Location: Sydney, Australia Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 10:51 am
    —
That was lovely! Something just occured to me, we haven't heard the Steve and Adrienne story! May we have it sometime in the future please Eilidh, pretty please?

---

#166:  Author: Mia, Location: London Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 11:00 am
    —
This is lovely, thanks Eilidh. I hope Jo can talk some sense into Jack!

---

#167:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 11:20 am
    —
What a complete prat Jack has just made himself. Glad Joey was there - looking forward to that scene.

Thanks Eilidh.

---

#168:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 1:18 pm
    —

Eilidh wrote:

"Well he doesn't count, does he? I know he comes before Chas, but if he counted then Roger would and I'd be phoning him instead of you! Yes or no, Steve!" she listened again.

Who are they talking about here, if it's not Roger or Chas? I am very confused.

Thanks, Eilidh. I'm glad that Steve has given his permission.

---

#169:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 2:16 pm
    —

Chair wrote:

Who are they talking about here, if it's not Roger or Chas? I am very confused.

Could it be Reg? As husband of the eldest, maybe it should give him extra clout?

Thanks, Eilidh. I do hope Jo gives Jack what for and that he realizes what a pillock he's being.

---

#170:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 4:19 pm
    —

Fatima wrote:

Chair wrote: Who are they talking about here, if it's not Roger or Chas? I am very confused. Could it be Reg? As husband of the eldest, maybe it should give him extra clout?

No, it was Roddy. I thought he came between Steve and Chas. Sorry.

---

#171:  Author: fio, Location: swansea united kingdom Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 6:01 pm
    —
Jack= prat!

---

#172:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 6:14 pm
    —
Thanks Eilidh, it's so nice to see a sympathetic Joey and, for once, she's butting in where she's needed!

Another lovely scene

Kathryn

---

#173:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 10:15 am
    —

delilah_siren wrote:

Something just occured to me, we haven't heard the Steve and Adrienne story! May we have it sometime in the future please Eilidh, pretty please?

I'd never thought about writing their story. I might give it a go though, if anyone would like to read it.

cazx wrote:

Please don't let Joey and Jack's conversation be behing closed doors!

As if I would!

It had been a long time since Joey had lost her temper, but she was well and truely angry by the time she burst into Jack's study, without knocking, and slammed her hand down on the desk, on top on the paper he was reading.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, absently. For answer, Joey removed the sheaf of papers from the desk and tossed them on the floor, where they scattered across the room. "Joey!" Jack exclaimed. "I was reading those."

"Well, now you're listening to me." Joey said firmly. "And you'd better pay attention."

"Joey, I don't have time for games." Jack said. "What is this about? If it's one of the children, I'll deal with it later. If it's something else, can't you tell someone else? I really am trying to get some work done."

"It's about Cecily."

"I see." Jack replied. "I presume you mean this thing with Nicholas?" Joey rolled her eyes.

"I mean your forbidding her to marry him, if that's what you mean by 'thing'." she replied. "And before we go any further, Cecily will marry whomever she wants, and I've told her that."

"Joey, I really must ask you to back me up in my decisions." Jack said. "I'm sure you're aware that I know best." Joey turned almost scarlet with suppressed rage.

"So what is 'best' for our daughter is to separate her from the man she loves?" she asked, her voice tight.

"She doesn't love him." Jack replied. "He's not even...he's never going to do her any good, Joey. He'll never have a steady job to support her."

"He doesn't need a job to support her." Joey snapped. "He can do it anyway - he's the heir to Dragon House and I know Jesanne and both the children still get a decent income from it. And Cecily will be making money - she's hardly going to play for free." Jack made a scornful noise.

"She'll never make a living at the piano." he said. "She needs a husband who is capable of earning a living."

"Jack, she's going to be a concert pianist." Joey said, exasperated. "She's not going to need anyone to support her."

"I think you're getting rather over excited." Jack said kindly. "It's been a tiring day for you, with Charles' engagement and this nonsense with Cecily. Come on, why don't you go and lie down and I'll bring you up something to help you sleep."

---

#174:  Author: Mia, Location: London Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 10:17 am
    —
Oh Jack, you're awful and so pigheaded! *poke* And stop dosing your wife!

Eilidh wrote:

I'd never thought about writing their story. I might give it a go though, if anyone would like to read it.

Yes please, I would

---

#175:  Author: Caty, Location: New Zealand Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 11:21 am
    —
Me too!

---

#176:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 11:28 am
    —
Yes, please!

Good for Jo, standing up to Jack; he's making me really cross, though, with his "I'm a man and a doctor and I know best" attitude.

Thanks, Eilidh.

---

#177:  Author: Alex, Location: Cambs, UK Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 11:34 am
    —
*Pokes Jack*


*Really hard*

---

#178:  Author: Rosy, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 12:00 pm
    —
Grr. If my father spoke like Jack......gragh.

I hope Joey tells him exactly where he can stick that little dose....

---

#179:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 12:06 pm
    —
What a prat I hope Joey tells him so...

Well done Chas and Nick!

And yes I'd read Steve and Adrienne!

Thank you.

---

#180:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 12:10 pm
    —
Jack is just being so stupid and old-fashioned in this.

Sharpens her poking stick. Where's the poking smiley gone?

---

#181:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 2:49 pm
    —
Thank you Eilidh, Jack is *so* patronising isn't he? I hope Joey can really stand up to him

And I'm another one who'd live to read the Steve and Adrienne story

Kathryn

---

#182:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 4:04 pm
    —
PLEASE let Jo throw something at his head!
Stubborn, pig-headed man!

Thanks Eilidh!

---

#183:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 5:01 pm
    —
Would love to read about Steve and Adrienne, please!

Jack's being really annoying, but I can kind of see that someone of his generation/upbringing might think that way.

---

#184:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 5:12 pm
    —
Wow! Major catch up, but I think it can be compressed to

Squee!
Squeeeeeeeee!
Meep.....oh it's okay...
*giggling manically*
*poke*
*kick, hard, where it hurts*

Thank you

---

#185:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 7:15 pm
    —
Jack, I don't think you're being very wise - this time Joey's not going to back down!

Wonder if the problem with Nick is that he's not a doctor? As for his patronising comment about Cecily - what a git!

Thanks Eilidh.

---

#186:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 7:49 pm
    —
Thanks, Eilidh. I would definitely love to read Steve and Adrienne's story. I'm sorry that Jack is being so horrible.

---

#187:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 8:28 pm
    —
Jack needs to grow up.

---

#188:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 9:41 pm
    —
Jack is very narrow minded in this! I hope Joey slaps him or something!
Thanks Eilidh!

---

#189:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 1:08 am
    —
Oh Jack!!!!! Start thinking - if you still can!

---

#190:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 9:04 am
    —
OK, who gave the bunny the idea? My poor SLOC didn't get near the pc last night while I started writing Steve and Adrienne's story. It's just what I need, more Maynards taking up residence in my head.

"I am not tired, Jack, nor am I over excited, and I do not need anything to make me sleep. I need you to sit down and tell me now that you are going to start treating our children like adults. They are capable of making their own decisions, without any input from you."

"They should respect me."

"But they don't, because you try to tell them what to do. "

"Well, I'm their father."

"Yes Jack; and your oldest son is a father! You have to let them grow up! Treat them like adults." Jack didn't seem to have an answer, and Joey pushed her point home.

"This is your last chance, Jack. If you don't do something about the way you treat them, we are going to lose some of them. Please don't do that to me." and, with her eyes filled with tears, Joey left the room and retired to her own den, where she spent the rest of the evening flicking through photographs of her family.

Left alone, Jack looked at the papers on the floor and gathered them into a pile, putting them back on the desk, and thinking hard all the time. Eventually he opened the door, and took a deep breath, meaning to shout, but remembering Joey's face and the resolutions towards his children that he had let slip over the last few weeks, he walked to the door of the Saal and asked,

"Chas? Can you spare a minute?" Charles obediently followed him from the room and back to the study.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Can you give me your opinion of this?" Jack asked. Charles opened his mouth to say no, but something in Jack's face stopped him and, realising his father was trying to make an effort, he took the case notes and scanned them briefly.

"Looks ok to me." he said, when he had handed them back. "Is that all?"

"No. I want to know what you think about Cecily and Nick." Jack said, eventually. Charles raised his eyebrows. "Your mother tells me to treat you like adults." Jack continued. "And you know him - he's your friend."

"He's Anna's friend." Charles corrected. "But I know him, yes."

"What do you think about it?" Jack asked.

"I don't think Cecily will ever find anyone who loves her more." Charles replied. "He worships the ground she walks on. He'll never do anything to hurt her."

"He did before." Jack replied.

"That was a mistake, dad. An accident. And believe me; he suffered for it as much as Cecily did." Jack stared at the floor for a long time, and eventually Charles got up to leave. "I know you don't normally take our opinions to heart, dad, but I think I can speak for Steve and I when I say you should give them your blessing. Cecily's going to do it anyway, but she'll be far happier if she knows she's not going against you. Do it to make Cecily happy."

---

#191:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 9:06 am
    —
Listen to him, Jack!

---

#192:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 9:09 am
    —
Yes listen to Charles!
I do feel sorry for Nick that Jack is placing all the blame of Cecily's pregnancy on him, after all it takes two!

---

#193:  Author: Mia, Location: London Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 10:06 am
    —
Aww Charles is lovely. Thanks Eilidh. Hope Jack listens to him...

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#194:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 10:38 am
    —
Well done Charles and glad Jack is trying but I can see it'll take a while...

Thank you Eilidh!

*happy dance about Steve and Adrienne*

---

#195:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 10:40 am
    —
Thanks, Eilidh. I'm glad that Jack is starting to listen to Joey.

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#196:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 11:42 am
    —
Very well said Charles!

Thanks Eilidh

Kathryn

---

#197:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 11:42 am
    —
*hoping hard*

Jack had better come round to the idea now.

Thanks Eilidh

---

#198:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 3:01 pm
    —
I really hope that Jack listens to Charles, as he was very sensible and wise. Thanks, Eilidh.

---

#199:  Author: La Petite Em, Location: Cheltenham Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 5:02 pm
    —
Go on Jack, it's the best thing to do, honest!
Thanks Eilidh

---

#200:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 6:44 pm
    —
Thanks Eilidh!

*crosses fingers that Jack will be sensible!!*

---

#201:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 8:08 pm
    —
Well said Charles - hope Jack takes on board what both Charles and Joey have said to him.

Thanks Eilidh.

---

#202:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 12:19 am
    —
Charles is so sensible and he had the contol to explain rather than shout; hopefully Jack will listen to him.

---

#203:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 11:00 am
    —
Nick awoke early the following morning and washed and dressed silently, before slipping downstairs and out of the house. There was till and hour until breakfast, and he intended to have a long walk. He set out towards the San, taking in little of the views around him as his mind worked furiously. Half of him wanted to marry Cecily in defiance of her famly. In fact, most of him wanted to. But at the same time, he knew that her father's disapproval was making her unhappy, and he felt he would do anything to keep her from being unhappy.

The options circled continuously in his head, and long before he had reached the San he was feeling miserable and confused, and desperatly wishing he could ask someone's advice. He continued past the gates, lost in thought. Eventually, realising the time, he turned back, guessing that he would make it back just in time for the meal, and set out back down the road. As he reached the gates of the San, Jack Maynard emerged, evidently bound on the same mission as he was. Nick uttered a silent groan that of all the people he could have run into, it was to be Cecily's father.

This gave him an entirely new dilemma. If Jack turned around and saw him, he would think him abominably rude for not walking with him, and Nick was bright enough to realise that this was not the way to appeal to a prospective father-in-law. Similarly, however, he had no wish to spend the journey back to Freudesheim in either uncomfortable silence or being lectured on his bad points. The decision was taken out of his hands, however, as Jack glanced back and spotted him just as he got to the road, and halted, evidently waiting on him. Realising that turning and running wasn't an option, Nick forced himself to catch up with the older man, uttering a stiff "Good morning." as he did so.

"Good Morning." Jack responded, privately feeling as uncomfortable as Nick did. It was one thing to decide to do something, and quite another to have to do it whe the situation was sprung on you before breakfast. "Have you been having a walk?"

"Just trying to clear my head." Nick responded, warily.

"May I ask what your intentions are towards my daughter this morning?" Jack asked. Nick took a deep breath.

"That depends entirely on Cecily." he replied. "I love her, and I want to marry her, but I know that if she doesn't have the full support of her family then she won't be happy, and I wouldn't expect her to marry me just to be unhappy."

"So you would leave Cecily alone before you would ask her to go against her family's wishes?" Jack asked. Nick nodded, feeling as if his heart would break. This was obviously going to be the end of it. He would be on the first flight to anywhere and would never see her again.

"Yes, sir. I would." he answered quietly.

---

#204:  Author: Mia, Location: London Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 11:12 am
    —
Noooo.... Nick is so noble!

I hope Jack comes through... thanks Eilidh

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#205:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 11:19 am
    —
Hopefully Jack will be impressed by that, although I'm not sure Cecily would be!

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#206:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 11:26 am
    —
what a cliff!! more please!!!!

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#207:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 12:59 pm
    —
pleasepleasepleaseplease let Jack be reasonable!

Thanks Eilidh

Kathryn

---

#208:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 1:04 pm
    —
Oh Nick! You did this to us before - don't be so self-sacrificing. Jack had better appreciate that statement.

Thanks Eilidh

---

#209:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 2:15 pm
    —
It sounds as if Jack intended to speak to Nick, presumably nicely now that Jo and Charles have tried to set him straight. Hopefully he'll appreciate that Nick wants his approval and has Cecily's best interests at heart and will be supportive. At last.

Thanks, Eilidh.

---

#210:  Author: La Petite Em, Location: Cheltenham Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 4:36 pm
    —
This isn't going to happen!!! Jack will be nice, he will!!! (hopes desparately!)
Thanks Eilidh

---

#211:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 6:40 pm
    —
Thanks, Eilidh. I hope that Jack will not say that Nick has to give up Cecily to make her happy.

---

#212:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 7:48 pm
    —
I really hope that Jack doesn't intend for Nick to honour that vow!

Thanks Eilidh.

---

#213:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 8:00 pm
    —
Please let Jack make up for the fact that for most of this drabble he has been acting like a complete and utter c*&k towards Nick!

---

#214:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 8:03 pm
    —
Let's hope Jack believes Nick; if he does, all should improve!

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#215:  Author: grover, Location: Dublin Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 8:36 pm
    —
Uh-oh...horribly afraid that Jack's going to jump at what he sees as the perfect opportunity to get rid of Nick without the rest of the family realising why....desperately hope I'm wrong!

---

#216:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 12:43 am
    —
Jack, think about what is best for Cecily; it isn't necessarily what you want for her.

---

#217:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 8:42 am
    —
There was silence for a while, and then, as they appraoched Freudesheim, Jack turned towards him and held out his hand.

"Congratulations on your engagement." Nick stared at him for a second before he quite caught up with events, and then shook Jack's hand firmly.

"Thank you." he said, beaming with delight.

Most of the family were gathered at the breakfast table, and Cecily almost fell off her chair when she saw her father and Nick come in together, and Nick look so happy. Joey and Charles exchanged satisfied glances as Jack picked up the bag beside his plate and began to distribute the mail.

"He's agreed." Nick murmured in an undertone, sliding into a seat beside Cecily. She almost choked on her coffee, a feat which brought from her father a remark of,

"Be more careful, Cecily, please." as he passed the mail around the table.

"Is that all the excitements over for these holidays, then?" Joey asked brightly.

"No." Anna said softly, looking miserably at a typed letter in her hand.

"What's that?" Charles asked. She handed it to him, and he read it aloud,

"Dear Miss James,

We would be obliged if you would call on us at the earlest possible convienience in order to discuss the estate of the late Lady Maria James, to which you are the sole heir. Please let us know by telephone or letter when you will be able to attend out office. Hoping this finds you well,

John Webb, soliciter."

---

#218:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 8:53 am
    —
yay for jack!! more please....

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#219:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 8:56 am
    —
Glad Jack's managing to be nice.

Hope Anna goes on OK at the solicitor's - sorting out people's affairs after they've died is so upsetting.

---

#220:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 9:07 am
    —
Yay for Jack-maybe there's hope from him yet!

---

#221:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 2:22 pm
    —
Hurrah! I'm so glad that Jack's happy with the engagement. As for Anna - at least she has a nice SLOC

Kathryn

---

#222:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 4:46 pm
    —
I am so glad that Jack has decided to give his support to Nick, and not be obstreperous.

Thanks, Eilidh.

---

#223:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 5:39 pm
    —
Thanks, Eilidh. I hope that Anna will be able to sort things out with the estate. It's great that Jack has given his approval!

---

#224:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 7:13 pm
    —
Yay!! Jack did the right thing!
But poor Anna!

Thanks Eilidh.

---

#225:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 7:22 pm
    —
Good for Jack - now Charles - give Anna a hug, she needs one!

Thanks Eilidh.

---

#226:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Leeds Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 7:35 pm
    —

KathrynW wrote:

Hurrah! I'm so glad that Jack's happy with the engagement. As for Anna - at least she has a nice SLOC Kathryn

This was the first post I saw as this page loaded, and for a moment I wondered who the SLOC of Anna-Joey's-faithful-handmaid was. I thought she'd finally managed to meet someone nice!

---

#227:  Author: Michelle, Location: Near London Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 8:32 pm
    —
I'm glad Jack says yes. Nick is such a SLOC. Poor Anna - at least she has Charles for support.

---

#228:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 9:35 pm
    —
I hope the solicitor has no nasty surprises for Anna.

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#229:  Author: La Petite Em, Location: Cheltenham Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 10:29 pm
    —
Stay strong Anna!
Thanks Eilidh

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#230:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 11:43 pm
    —
Oh poor Anna; this is the part that just drags on and on after a death.

And good for Jack; it can be very hard to change position like that.

Thanks Eilidh.

---

#231:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 9:23 am
    —
Anna looked in confusion at the sheets of information her mother's lawyer was laying out in front of her.

"And then there is the house." he continued. At this point Charles intervened.

"Can you do this any simpler?" he asked. "We don't understand all this." The elderly man frowned at him. He had been against Charles' presence in the room in the first place, but Anna had insisted. Anna hushed him.

"I think I do. These are all to do with the money." she said slowly, laying her hand on a pile of papers. "My father's money. How much is left?" The lawyer hesitated.

"Not a lot, I'm afraid." he said. "Schooling, and living costs, and repaires to the house..." he tailed off and Anna nodded.

"How much, Mr Ward?" Charles asked. The lawyer named a sum that made both open their eyes slightly, and caused Charles to wonder exactly how much there had been in the first place if this was 'not much'. Anna pulled herself together first, and pointed to another pile of papers.

"OK. Now, these are to do with the shares my mother owned - and you deal with them." he nodded.

"Now the house." she said.

"We have had an offer." he said, managing to give the impression that he did not at all approve of the offer.

"Of what?" Anna asked, curious.

"A group want to buy it - they look after children, either full time or for a short time if their parents can't. They would like to look round it first." Charles looked at Anna, who was listening intently. "It would mean the house would be kept as it is." he said. "But I think you could get a better offer from someone else. People will want the land for building, you could get more money." Anna glanced at Charles.

"It's your house." he said simply. "We don't need any more money, and we'll never live in it. It's up to you."

"Let them look." Anna said. "They can have it if they want it. I would like it to have children in it again. What happens with the furniture?"

"You take what you want." the old man replied, obviously not approving of her decision. "And anything else can be left." Anna took a deep breath.
"Then I have to go back?" the lawyer nodded.

"Thank you." Anna said. "I'll be in touch." she got to her feet and walked out the office. Charles put an arm around her.

"You don't have to do it alone." he said. "Let's collect the crowds and then we'll do it in no time. Everyone's heading back here now anyway." Anna nodded.

"It'll furnish our house, anyway." she said, cheering up slightly. "And I suppose I had to go back sometime."

---

#232:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 9:32 am
    —
I'm glad that Anna has Charles to help her deal with all this. He's a great SLOC.

---

#233:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 9:34 am
    —
awww poor anna, at least she has charles

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#234:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 9:35 am
    —
What a nasty piece of work the Solicitor was! I bet he's a Conservative!

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#235:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 9:43 am
    —
Do we know why Anna doesn't want to go back?

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#236:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 11:38 am
    —
Thanks, Eilidh. I'm glad that Charles was there to support Anna.

---

#237:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 2:38 pm
    —
Charles is so lovely - if Anna doesn't realise how lucky she is, I'll happily take him off her hands!

Thanks Eilidh!

Kathryn

---

#238:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 4:25 pm
    —
So glad that Anna has Charles with her - that solicitor almost sounded crooked???

Thanks Eilidh.

---

#239:  Author: Sarah_G-G, Location: Sheffield (termtime), ? any other time! Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 7:55 pm
    —
Having got myself *very* behind, I just read this from the very beginning, that being easier than working out where to start and very enjoyable! I'm glad I managed to catch up with these characters again- you make them seem so life-like!

---

#240:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 9:27 am
    —
A week later, Anna stood outside her childhood home, looking round at the group of people who had come to help her sort it out. Cecily and Nick were wandering around the garden, in an attempt by Cecily to keep Nick apart form Felix, who hadn't even noticed and was sitting on the wall smoking and being lectured on the same by his twin. Emily was sitting on the steps, watching them all with amusement.

"What's the plan?" Charles asked. Anna thought for a minute.

"I don't know what state the place is in." she said. "I don't imagine it'll be very good. It needs cleaned, to start with, and then sorted out. Anything personal belonging to my family goes in the middle of whatever room you find it in. I'll go round and decide what I want to keep."

"Is there anywhere you want us to keep out of?" Felicity asked, having given up on her brother, who just smiled provokingly through all her lectures.

"The room to the left of the stairs." Anna replied. "I'll do that on my own. If there's anything that's locked, I've got all mothers' keys." She fitted the largest of these in the front door and turned it. The door swung inwards.

"Let's go." Felix said, extinguishing his cigarette and following her up the stairs.

They split up around the house and Anna spared a moment to wonder what the old building must think, having all the windows thrown open and a general air of merriment around. She realised that she had done the right thing in bringing her friends - her bad memories of the house would now be muted by the good memories of the next few days. She stood with one hand on the door handle and took a deep breath. It had to be done. She pushed open the door and entered a dark and stuffy room, bringing back a flood of memories. She fought the urge to back out again, and made her way across the room to the window, where for the first time in over ten years the curtains were pulled back and the window thrown wide open. She looked around, blinking in the sudden daylight,

“Sorry Mum.” she said softly. “I have to do it.”

---

#241:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 9:38 am
    —
Is this room the one her brother had? Can see Anna's mum keeping it as a shrine to him.

Thanks Eilidh.

---

#242:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 9:41 am
    —
I'm glad Anna has good friends with her, I can imagine this could be a very emotional time for her.

---

#243:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 9:43 am
    —
Thank goodness they have all gone to give Anna a hand, otherwise it'd just be too awful for her to deal with.

---

#244:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 10:05 am
    —
Thanks, Eilidh. I'm glad she has everyone to help her.

---

#245:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 10:29 am
    —
Glad she's got her friends with her - it's horrible clearing out a house after someone's passed away.

---

#246:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 1:05 pm
    —
Just done a big catch-up. Glad Jack's agreed to Nick's proposal, and also that Charles was there for Anna.

Poor Anna having to clear everything away though.

Thanks Eilidh

---

#247:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 9:53 am
    —
I'm afraid there's an EBD-worthy coincidence in here. I hope this bit's ok, it's slightly off the storyline but once I'd started it it got much longer than I'd intended.

Anna turned her attention first to the desk, pulling open a drawer. It was full of books, diaries, and she pulled them out and piled them on top. They had both stored their full diaries in that desk - she picked up one at random and read the date. 1952 - it was Mark's, she had only been a baby. She opened it at random and began to read the childish scrawl.

Dad died today. The doctor was here, but he said they left it too late to call him. I had Baby. I took her off Mother because she looked pale and nearly fell.

We were all there when he died. He told Mother to look after us and keep us safe. And he told me to look after Anna. I promised. Mother has gone to her room now, she was crying so hard. The doctor sent some other people over. He said they were friends of Mother and Dad's. They had twin babies with them, and the lady wanted to look after Anna too but I said no. Dad told me to do it. I'm going to put her to bed now, I'll write more later.

Anna put the book down, tears in her eyes, and picked up another. 1957, this time - Mark was 15.

I don't think I'll ever forget it. I was in the changing room, making sure we had everything ready, and someone shouted me to come, because the other team was arriving. We met the bus, same as always. Except this time I was at the front, and it was my job to do the welcome. Not that I had much to do. The other captain was so confident, he introduced himself before I got the chance. I remember him - Stephen Maynard. Told me to call him Steve.

Anyway, by halfway through we were losing badly. Jones had already given me his opinion of my captaining skills - it seemed like this would be my first and last game in charge. I could see the Head as well, and he looked less than impressed. I was sitting myself, trying to decide what to do about it, when Steve turned up beside me and told me to cheer up, and asked what was wrong. I told him - didn't see any point in keeping it a secret - and he said I was doing fine. He was lying, I know, but somehow it made me feel better, and I know we got better when we restarted. I know I was being reckless too - I was so desperate to make the scoreline better and try and save my captaincy. The last thing I remember is feeling someone crash into me and knowing they were too high - I don't know who it was. After that, the next thing I knew I was here, at home. And no one will tell me what's wrong. No one will tell me what I've done. Mother won't let Anna near me, and she won't say. The doctor's coming today though, and he'll tell me. I'll make him.

Anna closed the book and sat down on the bed, trembling slightly. It couldn't be the same one. And surely it hadn't been him who injured Mark, even if it was the same one. To take her mind off it, she picked up the next book, one of hers this time. 1960.

I went to the place Mark told me about today - he was right, no one would have known I was there and I could see out for miles. It was cold, so cold, and the stones were all slippy. Mark says it's because the sun can't get in, because it's so close to the wall. The moor looked lovely, so sunny and bright and big, and I tried the gate, even though he said it wouldn't open. He was right.

I could hear horses, and I moved back into the bushes, so theye didn't see me, just in case it was someone who knew Mother and Mark and I got into trouble, but it wasn't. It was a boy and a girl, about the same age as me. They looked so alike - Mark said they must have been twins. The girl said to tie the horses to the gate, so they could have something to eat, and the boy did. He wanted to know who lived in our house, so I didn't think they could be from nearby, but the girl said it was the woman their mother went to see sometimes. A lady does come to see Mother from time to time, I don't often see her. The boy asked if there was anyone else, and the girl told him about Mark and I. She didn't know our names though.

The boy wanted to know why they ahd never seen us, and the girl said we didn't like meeting people - that's not true. I don't know who told her that. She said she knew because she'd asked her mother. I was right up at the gate then - they were lying on their backs and couldn't see me and I was enjoying watching them. They started fighting - he had stolen one of her sandwiches, I think, but she rolled over and saw me. They bopth came up to the gate, and I couldn't move. She asked me who I was, but I couldn't tell her. He guessed, though - and said his name was Nick and hers was Lois. I told them I was Anna, but then I heard Miss Smith calling me - it was time for more lessons. The girl asked if I would come and play with them, if her mum asked, and I begged her not to tell them she'd seen me. Mother would be so angry if she knew I'd wanted to be outside, never mind that I'd spoken to them. Miss Smith was still calling and I wriggled along the wall and came out from the back of the garden, so she didn't know where I'd been. She told me off because my dress was dirty and my hair had twigs and leaves in it, but as long as they don't know where I was, I don't mind. I'll go and tell Mark about it later - he'll understand, but even he won't be able to let me go and play with them.

Anna smiled slightly as she put that one down - she didn't even remember that meeting now. Not surprising, it must have been thirteen years ago. Not that it looked like Lois and Nick had changed much. She sorted through some more of the room before returning to the pile, to make sure she had got something done that morning. The next one was hers again, 1962. This was one she didn't want to read, but she opened the pges anyway, finding the entry she remembered. The page was tearstained, the ink had run, and the entry was short.

Mark is gone. He made me promise to keep trying for school and things until Mother gives in, and said he'd asked the doctor to watch me as well. Then he made me come and lie beside him. I fell asleep and when I woke up Mother was carrying me out the room. She was crying. The house feels empty now. And there's no one to go to any more.

Anna put the book down, tears falling again, and cleaned out some more cupboards until she was calm. Then she knew what she had to do. Picking up the account of Mark's accident, she went in search of Charles and Felix.

---

#248:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 10:06 am
    —
Oh poor Anna.
I hope Steve wasn't the one who had tackled Mark.

---

#249:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 12:55 pm
    —
oh no!!!!! please dont let it be steve.. please.. pretty please!!

---

#250:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 2:53 pm
    —
Eeep! That was a bit of a twist. Poor, poor Anna.

Thanks Eilidh

Kathryn

---

#251:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 3:10 pm
    —
Oh no!!! PLEASE don't let it have been Steve doing the tackling!

---

#252:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 3:43 pm
    —
I've just read this from the very start in the drabbleorum and it's a lovely universe. Thanks Eilidh. The characters are so real.

*and even then I landed on a cliff *

---

#253:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 8:00 pm
    —
But even if it were Steve it was a total accident - surely Anna will see that?

Thanks Eilidh.

---

#254:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 9:24 pm
    —
Thanks, Eilidh. I also hope that it wasn't Stephen who tackled Mark. It was interesting to read about Anna's 1st meeting with Nick and Lois.

---

#255:  Author: La Petite Em, Location: Cheltenham Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 9:39 pm
    —
What a lonely childhood Anna had! And please let it not be Steve- but I think somehow it may be!!!
Thanks Eilidh

---

#256:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 8:36 am
    —
Thanks for your comments - I'm glad you like it.

Nick made his way through the big house until he found Felix sitting on a window ledge, having another cigarette.

"Nice to see you're working hard." He observed. Felix jumped slightly.

"I have been." he replied, indicating the room with his hand.

"What have you done to Lois?" Nick demanded. "I know it was you." Felix raised one eyebrow, and then turned back to the window.

"I don't even know where your sister is." he said, bored disinterest in his voice. "And I'm not entirely sure what I'm getting blamed for, anyway."

"It was your fault she left early at Christmas." Nick said in a low voice. "It's your fault that she's not coming home for a visit. She doesn't want to run the risk of seeing you."

"She said that?" Felix asked.

"I know it." Nick replied. "I saw her face when she left - I know it was you. And you're behaving just like you've always done. If You weren't Cecily's brother I'd push you out that window."

"Have you come here for a reason, or just to threaten me?" Felix asked.

"To tell you to stay away from my sister." Nick replied coldly.

"Well, I haven't seen or heard from her since Christmas, so that's easy enough." Felix replied. "Is that all? I have things to do." And he jumped lightly down into the room, pushed past Nick, and made his way downstairs. On the way, he encountered Anna, looking rather worried and clutching an old excercise book. She walked straight into him without seeing him, and he caught her before she fell down the stairs.

"What's wrong?" he demanded.

"Have you seen Charles?" Anna asked. Felix nodded.

"He took Jesanne's car to Dragon House to get some things for lunch." he replied, then seeing how upset she looked, added, "Can I be any help?" Anna looked up, trying to gauge which Felix she was speaking to, and finally decided it was the decent one. She nodded, and he ushered her into an old bedroom.

"What's up?" he asked again. For answer, Anna handed him the old diary and he read the entry twice through, quickly and then slowly, and then looked at the date. "Is this...?" he asked. Anna shrugged.

"I don't know." she replied. "I hoped you or Charles...I need to know. What if it was him?" Felix didn't understand the question, but could see how upset she was, and pulled her towards him to give her a hug.

"It's ok." he said. "It'll be ok. Steve was a good player. I don't think it would have been. What happened?"

"His back." Anna said, confusedly, but Felix understood.

"We'll ask Chas." he said firmly. "If anyone other than Steve knows, it'll be him. They were inseperable for years - until Steve went to university, and then they didn't get on so well for a while. Until that summer when Steve and Adrienne got together, to be honest - something happened then that fixed it. The night of the fire, you remember?" Anna nodded, her thoughts successfully distracted from her problem.

"That was the night Lois almost clawed your eyes out." she said, with a shaky laugh. Felix made a face.

"Yes." he agreed. "Lovely child that she was." Anna giggled.

"She was." she agreed. There was a bang from downstairs, and Charles let out a yell that echoed through the house.

"That'll be the picnic arriving." Felix said with a grin. Anna didn't move.

"Felix?" she asked, hesitantly.

"What?"

"I know it's none of my business, but is there something between you and Lois?"

"No." Felix replied. He was looking straight at her and Anna thought he was telling the truth. He looked sad, as well, but Charles gave another yell and they headed downstairs to where the other were gathered outside the house, tucking into the picnic Agnes had produced for them. When almost everything had been eaten, and even Nick had refused the last sandwich, they went back in to finish the cleaning and sorting. Felix seized Charles' arm, however, and the two of them waited until Anna caught them, when she handed the book the Charles. He skimmed the entry quickly, and then sat down on the steps. Anna sat beside him and Felix lounged against the wall.

"It was our Steve." Charles said. "I remember him telling me about the guy getting hurt - he didn't do it." he added, qith a quick glance at Anna's horrified face. "It was someone else, but it was an accident. Steve was pretty shaken up - he seemed to have taken a shine to Mark. He didn't find out what had happened until our home match the next year, and when he did he played terribly and, if I remember correctly, we got thrashed. He would have written, I think, but he had no address and no one at that school could give him it. But it's him, all right. Like I said, I remember him telling me - in his study one night. I wasn't supposed to be there," he added with a grin, "but he used to turn a blind eye if I sneaked out when I was supposed to be in bed."

"Like you did with Mike and I." Felix added as they headed back in.

"I didn't know anything about it." Charles replied, grinning.

---

#257:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 8:42 am
    —
At least it was an accident, and it wasn't Steve anyway.

---

#258:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 10:25 am
    —
Echoes Alison.

Thank you Eilidh.

---

#259:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 11:55 am
    —
Thanks, Eilidh. I'm really relieved that it wasn't Stephen who caused the accident.

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#260:  Author: Josie, Location: London Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 12:10 pm
    —
Thanks Eilidh. Fab as ever.

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#261:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 1:24 pm
    —
Glad it wasn't Steve... Felix seems thoroughly fixated on Lois... I'm enjoying this!

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#262:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 1:42 pm
    —
Thanks Eilidh, what a relief to find out that it wasn't Steve

Kathryn

---

#263:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 1:51 pm
    —
Oh, thank goodness!!!!
*heaves sigh of relief*

---

#264:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 3:45 pm
    —
I'm glad it wasn't Steve, too; what a dreadful accident. Thanks, Eilidh.

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#265:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 3:46 pm
    —
So pleased that it wasn't Steve!

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#266:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 5:34 pm
    —
Another pleased it wasn't Steve - and, as someone also reading Eilidh's other drabbles - did you notice the little teaser about a fire???

Thanks Eilidh.

---

#267:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 6:58 pm
    —
yay this is very good... i dont know whether im enjoying this or steve and adriennes story more?? they're both soooooo good!

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#268:  Author: La Petite Em, Location: Cheltenham Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 8:23 pm
    —
Tad in the dark here- what was the accident and what drabble/book is the story in? *g*
Thanks Eilidh- fascinating even I don't quite understand it!!

---

#269:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 1:07 am
    —
Thank goodness it wasn't Steve....thank you Eilidh.

---

#270:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 8:17 am
    —

Le Petite Em wrote:

Tad in the dark here- what was the accident and what drabble/book is the story in? *g*

Sorry Em - If you mean Anna's brother's accident, I've made it up and refered to it at various points through this universe. I think the fullest description of it is in A Reluctant Chalet School Girl, but I've never actually written it. I'm not entirely sure what happened - it was an accident while playing rugby, which resulted in some damage to his back meaning that he couldn't walk. He died not long afterwards.

They worked hard, and by the end of the afternoon the house was clean and tidy and Anna and Charles had sorted out the furniture they wanted to take for their own house. It was collected and taken away to be stored for the next year, and Nick drove the rest back to Dragon House where they were to stay while Anna did one last tour of her childhood home and said goodbye. They were ready and waiting by the time Nick returned with the car, and left the house behind for the last time.

The next big excitement was Cecily's departure for Paris. She was escorted to the ariport by Nick, Anna, and Charles, as Charles was breaking his journey home to spend a few days with Stephen and Adrienne. Anna hugged her friend tightly.

"Have fun." she said. "And write to us."

"Look after Nick for me?" Cecily replied softly. Anna nodded, and, after the other goodbyes had been exchanged, the two Maynards disappeared into the departure area, leaving Anna to cope with Nick alone. That young man immediatly made her problems worse by disappearing to the far side of the waiting area, where he sat alone. Anna collected them both a drink and made her way across to him. He turned his face away as she arrived, and she sat down beside him, placing the cups on the floor and slipped her arm around him.

"It's only a few months." she said. There was no response. "It'll be fine - you'll be so busy it'll go in really quickly and it will be Christmas before you know it." There was still no answer. "I can't help you if you won't let me." Anna continued calmly. "I know how you feel. And we're going to sit here until you either let me help you or you calm down. There was still no response from Nick so Anna picked up her drink and occupied herself with watching the people around them until he turned back towards her.

"It's such a long time." he said. Anna hugged him.

"It'll be fine." she said firmly. Nick looked unconvinced, but allowed her to lead him out of the building and into a taxi.

"She's here!" Emily's stage whisper ran through the house, and Elisabeth and Anna hurried downstairs and into the kitchen, so they didn't appear to be waiting on her. Emily joined them seconds later.

"She's got tons of bags." she said, "More than you, even, Beth." Elisabeth ignored her, being occupied in peering through the crack at the side of the kitchen door. They heard the door of the taxi slam, and the car pull away, and then a key was inserted in the door and it opened.

"Hello?" a girl's voice called. The three in the kitchen looked at each other.

"You go." Elisabeth and Emily both said at the same time. Anna shook her head at them, opened the door, and walked out.

"Hello." she replied, holding out her hand. The other girl ignored it. She was small, shorter even than Anna, who had been the smallest in the house, and with her neat blond hair and large blue eyes she put Emily in mind of a large doll.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"Anna." Anna replied. "And these are Elisabeth and Emily." The girl inclined her head towards them.

"Imogen Richards. You'll help me in with my bags?"

"Of course." Anna replied, going to help her, while Elisabeth and Emily piled up the things they brought in.

"Your rooms at the front - you share a bathroom with Anna." Emily said helpfully, when all Imogen's belongings were inside. Imogen paused and looked round at them all, horrified.

"I can't sleep at the front of the house!" she exclaimed. "I'm such a light sleeper - the noise from the street would have me awake all night. I must have a back room." Emily and Elisabeth exchanged glances.

"I haven't unpacked yet." Emily said reluctantly. "I'll swap, if you want. I don't mind where I sleep." Imogen smiled for the first time since she had arrived.

"Thank you so much!" she said. "You're so kind!" Emily smiled back, rather uncomfortably, and went to move her belongings with Anna's help, while Elisabeth helped Imogen move her own things upstairs and into Emily's old room, and from time to time comments along the lines of

"No, not there, I can't have that in that drawer." and "Would you mind leaving the very delicate things in the case? I'll do them myself later." floated out.

"Only two terms of her." she muttered, passing Anna on the landing. Anna gave her a stern glance.

"Give her a chance." she murmured back. Elisabeth rolled her eyes.

---

#271:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 8:20 am
    —
Is she 'for real'? I foresee storms ahead if she is!

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#272:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 9:11 am
    —
Hehe! Imogen reminds me of my evil housemate from last year, she got all of us to move her bags for her too!

---

#273:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 10:11 am
    —
hmmm... this could be interesting.....

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#274:  Author: Mia, Location: London Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 10:24 am
    —
Excellent, thanks Eilidh! More please

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#275:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 11:10 am
    —
She sounds...fun.

Thanks Eilidh, fab as ever

Kathryn

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#276:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 11:52 am
    —
Thanks, Eilidh. I look forward to seeing what Imogen will do next.

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#277:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 2:54 pm
    —
I think Imogen's forgotten to pack - her slaves!

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#278:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 4:39 pm
    —
Let's hope they take Imogen down a peg or two! Thanks, Eilidh.

---

#279:  Author: La Petite Em, Location: Cheltenham Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 5:03 pm
    —
Imogen sounds unbearable already!
Thanks Eilidh

---

#280:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 5:54 pm
    —
OK well I want to smack Imogen already!

Thanks Eilidh.

---

#281:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 1:17 am
    —
This should be fun!

Thanks Eilidh.

---

#282:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 8:45 am
    —
Thanks for your comments

"She's a nightmare! Moans and complains constantly, does her best to put other people out, never wants to use the kitchen table until Em's got her work out and then insists she wants it and makes Em move all her stuff upstairs, she never cooks, or cleans, she has stuff everywhere. Elisabeth's going to kill her if she keeps spending so long in the bathroom in the morning, I mean, Em and Elisabeth and I were all showered in Emily's and my bathroom this morning and we were still all ready before she was finished in her shower..." here Anna paused for breath and Nick took the chance to add,

"Ah, but you're all Chalet School girls - you get trained to be quick in the morning." and then closed his mouth hastily as Anna glared at him and continued

"...she wants us to be silent when she goes to bed, because she say's such a light sleeper, but once she's asleep a herd of elephants wouldn't wake her -you should see her in the mornings - and she either objects to any men being allowed in the house or flirts continuously with them!"

"Finished?" Nick asked.

"Yes." Anna snapped.

"Feel better?"

"No! Why did Cecily have to go to Paris? We got on fine for two years and now we're saddled with her! And what sort of a name is Imogen anyway?"

"I wish she hadn't gone too." Nick said sadly, looking down at the table.

"I'm sorry." Anna said immediatly. "And I'm not here to moan about Imogen. Why haven't you been in touch since we came back? It's six weeks since I last saw you, and that was when we left Cecily at the airport. What have you been doing?"

"Things." Nick responded, not very helpfully. Anna rolled her eyes.

"Well, yes." she said. "I rather expected that. I should have known really." the sarcasm in her voice penetrated and Nick looked up. "Look, I know you miss her." Anna said, sounding less annoyed. "But we're all going to Freudesheim in just over a month, you'll see her then." There was no response. "This couldn't be helped, Nick. She didn't want to go any more than you wanted her to."

"So why do all her letters sound like she's having a great time without me?" Nick asked, sounding suspiciously choked. Anna took his arm and pulled him to his feet.

"We're going to talk about this at home." she stated firmly.

When she let them into the house, she was relieved to find it was empty, particularly of Imogen.

"Sit." she instructed, before disappearing upstairs and returning with a sheaf of papers covered in close handwriting. "Right, what's this about Cecily's letters?" she asked, seating herself beside him. Nick had had time to pull himself together and replied,

"She always seems to be having a wonderful time, doing so much, meeting so many people. Here, see for yourself." he produced a crumpled envelope from his pocket and handed it over. In return, Anna passed his the pile of letters she had on her knee, and both began to read.

"Darling Nick,

How are things over there? I'm sorry I haven't written so often, I'm struggling to keep up with my work. It's so hard working in French again, but no doubt I'll get used to it. Adrienne is speaking French to me at home and making Steve do the same (although he's awful - worse than me) so that I get up to speed quickly.

Paris is a wonderful city, so fun and welcoming. Stephanie (one of the girls on my course) has lived here all her life and has been taking me to see all the sights at the weekends. Adrienne has arranged for me to go to lots of concerts while I'm here - I think Dad is paying for them. I heard one last night that was wonderful - like nothing I've ever heard before.

I have to go, I have a class in ten minutes. I miss you so much.

All my love,

Cecy."

"Dear Anna,

This is awful. I don't think I can do a full year here. Quite apart from anything else, I've forgotten so much of my French it's ridiculous! The people on my course are so unfriendly, well, not all of them, but most of them have their own groups and aren't in the least bit interested in the new English girl.

Don't get me wrong, I love Paris. I love staying with Steve and Adrienne, and seeing so much of Emmie and Jacques. And I can see why Herr Anserl wanted us to have a year here and I am enjoying the teaching, but it's so hard!

Mamma and Dad seem to have told Adrienne I've to go to concerts. They haven't seemed to realise that it would be far better if I had someone to go with. I don't know how you've done it for the past two years - spend so much time away from Chas, I mean. I am so miserably lonely. If I was brave enough I would write and ask Nick to come and visit me, but he thinks I'm having a great time and I don't want to upset him. I can't even write to him often, because most of the letters I write I cry all over and then they're no use. As I'm just about to do with this one, but it doesn't matter if its yours. Have you seen him recently? How is he?

Wish I was back there with you. And Imogen sounds awful.

Love,

Cecily."

---

#283:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 9:25 am
    —
I hope Nick jumps on the next available flight to Paris!
And if Imogen doesn't cook then Anna and co shouldn't give her the food they've made!
Loved Nick's comment about them all being good CS girls.

---

#284:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 9:42 am
    —
this is really great thanks!!!

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#285:  Author: Mia, Location: London Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 10:32 am
    —
Thanks Eilidh, Imogen sounds a real trial.. and poor Cecily

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#286:  Author: Josie, Location: London Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 10:34 am
    —

Cazx wrote:

I hope Nick jumps on the next available flight to Paris!

Ditto!

Imogen sounds delightful!

Thanks Eilidh

---

#287:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 10:35 am
    —
Hope Nick goes to Paris.

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#288:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 10:35 am
    —
Thanks Eilidh, I think Nick should definitely be Cecily's knight in shining armour

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#289:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 10:45 am
    —
Imogen is awful. And Nick go to Paris!

Thank you Eilidh.

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#290:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 12:50 pm
    —
*also willing Nick onto that plane!*

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#291:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 2:58 pm
    —
Well that should galvanise Nick - and make him feel guilty!

Thanks Eilidh.

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#292:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 3:03 pm
    —
Poor Nick; and how dreadful Imogen is!

Thanks, Eilidh.

---

#293:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 5:05 pm
    —
Poor Cecily, she probably doesn't want to let on to Nick that she's having a rubbish time.

*also willing Nick to get on a plane to see her*

Thank you Eilidh

---

#294:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 5:26 pm
    —
Thanks, Eilidh. It was interesting to see how different the two letters were.

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#295:  Author: Mary, Location: Sussex University Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 8:57 pm
    —
I've just caught up with all of this, and it's lovely. Thank you.

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#296:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 12:34 am
    —
Go on Nick, catch that plane!

Thanks Eilidh

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#297:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 9:12 am
    —
Nick finished the letter and looked up at Anna.

"What do I do?" he asked. She rolled her eyes at him.

"What do you think?" she demanded. "Use your brain."

"I'll go tomorrow." he decided. "I wish she'd told me. I'll go and surprise her."

"Well done." Anna said. "Right answer! Have you heard anything from Lois?"

"Not much. She's not having as much fun as she was before."

"I thought that too." Anna said. "What's wrong with her?" he shrugged.

"I think it's that idiot brother of Cecily's." he replied. "I don't know what he's said or done, but she's obsessed with him."

"Felix?" Anna checked. Nick nodded. "She won't be the first." Anna observed.

"He's not treating her like he treats the rest." Nick said firmly. "He's not getting to. Not Lois."

"I'm sure she'll be fine." Anna consoled him. "The last letter I got said they were heading to China - that should take her mind off him. By the time she comes home next summer she'll have forgotten all about him."

"I hope you're right." Nick said.

"I am." Anna assured him. He glanced at his watch. "I have to go. Thanks, Anna." he hugged her briefly, and hurried out. Much to Anna's dismay, as he pulled on his coat, the front door slammed and the tap of high heels was heard in the hallway.

"Oh, no." she murmured.

"Hello?" came a voice.

"In here." Anna replied resignedly. Nick looked on with interest as Imogen appeared in the doorway.

"Anna!" she exclaimed, as if they had been parted for months. "Are you making tea? I'd love some. Hello." This last to Nick.

"I wasn't making anything, actually." Anna said. "I was going upstairs to study."

"Oh, it would only take you a minute." Imogen said with a smile.

"It would only take you a minute as well." Nick put in. Imogen looked at him, her gaze hardening slightly.

"I don't think we've been introduced." she said, attempting to inject the same amount of sweetness into her tones.

"We haven't." Nick replied. "But that's irrelevant. Anna's not making your tea. Do it yourself."

"Don't be silly." Imogen said, with a giggle. "As if I could make tea!"

"You'd better learn." Nick said. "Anna, I have to go."

"Give her my love." Anna said. Nick left, slamming the door behind him.

"Well, really." Imogen said, sinking on to the sofa and removing her shoes. "How ill-mannered. I'm surprised you have anything to do with him, Anna." Not trusting herself to speak, Anna went to her own room where she flopped down on her bed, wondering how long it would be before the others got home.

---

#298:  Author: Ally, Location: John Bettany's Cabin! Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 9:26 am
    —
Good for Nick on two counts! Going to see Cecily and saying that to Imogen! Thanks Eilidh

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#299:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 9:27 am
    —
Well said Nick! Imogen needs to learn that she can't expect everyone to run around after her.

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#300:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 10:01 am
    —
Let's hope Nick has started Anna on the road to refusing to be like a servant to Imogen. Can't wait to see Cecily's reaction when Nick turns up in Paris. I hope she's only sitting at home pining away for him, not doing something that he'll construe as having too much fun. Thanks, Eilidh.

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#301:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 10:03 am
    —
Imogen needs a good smack!

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#302:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 12:24 pm
    —
And a poking. She's awful...

Thank you Eilidh!

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#303:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 1:07 pm
    —
*giggling at nick and imogen*
loving this its very very very good (is that enough 'very's??)

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#304:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 3:08 pm
    —
*giggles a lot at Nick*

Thanks Eilidh!

Kathryn

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#305:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 4:26 pm
    —
Thanks Eilidh!
Good for Nick, and may I empty the teapot over Imogen's head?

---

#306:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 7:38 pm
    —
Well done Nick.

Thanks Eilidh.

---

#307:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 11:10 pm
    —
I hope there will be more to Imogen than selfish b***h... but right at the moment I'm with Nick... don't pander to her laziness...

---

#308:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 1:18 pm
    —
There was a soft knock at the door, and Cecily hastily dried her face with the pillowcase and sat up.

"Come in." she called. Her sister-in-law appeared, and immediately spotted the signs of tears, but didn't comment.

"Are you coming to have dinner?" she asked, speaking in the French that was often used in her house.

"I'm not hungry." Cecily replied quietly. Adrienne sat down beside her and put an arm around her.

"You don't eat enough." she said. "You've got thinner since you came here."

"I'm fine." Cecily insisted, forcing a smile. Adrienne looked at her doubtfully, but before she could say anything there was a cry from the next room and she sighed.

"Jacques." she said. "I'll go and get him." She left, and Cecily heard her in the next room, talking to the baby. The door creaked open slowly and Emilia put her head around. The little girl had inherited her mothers pretty features and her father's colouring, and the blond curls bobbed as she asked,

"Where's Mama?

"She's gone to see what's wrong with Jacques." Cecily replied. Emilia's body followed her head around the door and into the room. "Can I help?" Cecily asked. The little girl shrugged. Cecily held out her hand and helped her climb up on to the bed, and then Emilia sat on her knee, wrapping her arms around Cecily's neck.

"Auntie Cecy?" she asked. Cecily wrapped her arms around her.

"What is it?"

"You look sad." her niece told her, the big blue eyes looking into Cecily's own.

"I'm not." Cecily assured her. Emilia's arms tightened around her neck.

"Don't you like living with us?" she asked.

"Of course I do." Cecily said, feeling tears come to her eyes. "I like it very much."

"Will you come and have dinner tonight then?" Emilia demanded. "Daddy says you should. I..." she tailed off, and after a minute Cecily asked,

"You what?"

"It's bad." her niece whispered. Cecily forced herself not to smile, as it was obvious that the little girl was serious.

"You can tell me." she whispered back. "I won't tell."

"I heard Daddy talking to Uncle Charles on the phone and I didn't put my hands over my ears." Emilia confided. Downstairs the doorbell rang, but both ignored it. "They were talking about you." she continued. "Daddy said you were sad. He said he didn't know what to do to help. That's why I thought I'd come and see you, because when I'm sad somebody comes and give me a cuddle and it makes me happy." Cecily tightened her grip on the child, tears falling on to the blond curls.

"Thank you." she said. She could hear Stephen answer the door, heard voices.

"Did I make you happy?" Emilia asked.

"You did, darling." Cecily said.

"So will you come and have dinner and be happy?"

"I suppose so." Cecily relented at last. Emilia turned around and kissed her, then jumped to the floor and held out her hand. Cecily took it, and allowed herself to be led along the landing and down the stairs.

"You're dining tonight then?" Stephen asked, seeing his sister.

"Emmie made me." Cecily replied.

"Pleased to hear it." another voice said, and Cecily raised her free hand to her face.

"Nick." she said softly. He held out his arms and Cecily almost fell into them, tears pouring down her face.

"How did you know? Did Anna send you? Oh Nick!" she sobbed. Nick held her tightly as Stephen abstracted his daughter from the hallway, where she been watching the scene with interest.

"Does Nick make Auntie Cecy happy?" she asked, before the door swung closed.

"Yes darling, he does." Stephen told her, making his way to the kitchen to turn three dinners into four, and then tuck two of them into the oven until Cecily and Nick had come to their senses.

---

#309:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 1:31 pm
    —
Awwww! Lovely.

Thanks Eilidh.

(How can you keep the two drabbles straight?)

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#310:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 1:58 pm
    —
That was just beautiful, thanks, Eilidh.

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#311:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 1:58 pm
    —
Thank goodness Nick was sensible and Cecily was too miserable to be proud.

---

#312:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 2:20 pm
    —
That was lovely .

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#313:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 2:21 pm
    —
awwwwww that was lovely!!!!!

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#314:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 5:01 pm
    —
AAAAAAWWWWW!! Thank you Eilidh!!!!
And Emmie is such a cutie!!!!!!

---

#315:  Author: Rosy, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 5:54 pm
    —

Vikki wrote:

AAAAAAWWWWW!! Thank you Eilidh!!!! And Emmie is such a cutie!!!!!!

I fear I cannot phrase it any better. That was so cute.

---

#316:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 7:21 pm
    —
Thanks, Eilidh. Emilia is really sweet.

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#317:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 8:06 pm
    —
Awww bless!
That was lovely!

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#318:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 9:15 pm
    —

Cazx wrote:

Awww bless! That was lovely!

I can't say anything more expressive than that, except to echo Lesley!

Quote:

(How can you keep the two drabbles straight?)

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#319:  Author: Mary, Location: Sussex University Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 9:24 pm
    —
This is all just so great. And your posting rate is extraordinary. Please keep it up! Thank you. I'm loving this.
M
xx

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#320:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 2:37 am
    —
That was lovely - and I'm delighted to see it's Stephen who deals with dinner!

Thanks Eilidh.

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#321:  Author: Róisín, Location: Galway, Eire Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 9:56 pm
    —
Just read through the entire universe and oh my goodness Eilidh but you're a genius! The characters are so unbelieveably realistic and live outside of the story. Absolutely wonderful. Please write lots and lots more. *off to read the Steve & Adrienne drabble now* Thank you so much.

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#322:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Mon May 29, 2006 11:51 am
    —
“You can’t possibly post that.” Anna said, looking at the large book Nick had produced as Lois’ Christmas present. “I knew I should have done what Cecily suggested and come with you. Even at twenty-one you can’t be trusted to shop on your own.”

“It’s what she wants.”

“Yes, but you can’t possibly get it to her. And if you do, she’ll have to carry it around and it’s hardly lightweight! You’ll have to keep it until she gets home.”

“She’s not coming home until your wedding!”

“She can have her Christmas present in September then.” Anna replied inflexibly. “There is no way you can post that, Nick, so don’t even think about it. Now, do you think I’ve missed anyone of this list?” Nick took the scribbled sheet of paper and glanced it over.

“Not many of us, are there?” he said. “There’ll be hundreds of Charles’ family.”

“There’s nothing we can do about that.” Anna replied. “Do you think I’ve missed anyone?”

“I don’t think so.” Nick replied. “I take it you’re having Lois and Cecily as bridesmaids?” Anna nodded.

“I asked Emily as well but she didn’t want to.” she said. “But she’s coming anyway.”

”Good.” Nick replied absently. “Imogen’s not here.

“Imogen’s not coming!” Anna replied.

“She’s not any better then?” he asked.

“No.” Anna replied dismally. “Still awful. She’s out tonight, though.”

“Good.” Nick replied absently.

“What is it?” Anna asked.

“What?”

“What are you thinking about?”

“Cecily.” he replied honestly.

“It’s only ten days until we go home.” Anna said. “And then you can spend a month with her – sneaking around Freudesheim after everyone has gone to bed and trying to avoid questions about when you’re actually going to get married.” Nick smiled.

“We will.” he told her.

“I know.” Anna said. “When you feel like it. Nick?”

“What?”

“I wanted to ask you something.”

“Ask then!”

“Would you…give me away?” Anna asked quietly. “I’d like you to.” The front door slammed “Miss Imogen’s home.” Anna commented. “I’m staying up here.” Nick heard Imogen’s voice from downstairs, and then Elisabeth’s.

“Do you really want me to?” he asked eventually. “Not someone else?”

“There is no one else.” Anna replied honestly. “Please Nick.”

“I’d never really thought about it.” Nick said. “But of course I will, if you’re sure you want me.” Anna hugged him.

”Thank you.” she said. Suddenly there was a bang from downstairs, followed by Elisabeth, shouting. Both jumped to their feet and ran to investigate.

---

#323:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Mon May 29, 2006 12:00 pm
    —
Thanks, Eilidh. I think it is a lovely idea that Nick is going to give Anna away.

---

#324:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Mon May 29, 2006 1:17 pm
    —
What's the betting that Miss Imogen is the cause of all the noise?

Thanks Eilidh.

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#325:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Mon May 29, 2006 1:57 pm
    —
I hope Imogen doesn't cause too much trouble.

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#326:  Author: Róisín, Location: Galway, Eire Posted: Mon May 29, 2006 2:09 pm
    —
oh SQUEE! Wedding plans! How sweet of Nick to give Anna away. Can't wait to see what kind of wedding it's going to be. *sigh* So excited.

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#327:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Mon May 29, 2006 2:57 pm
    —
Oh, never thought of Imogen; I hoped it was Lois coming back unexpectedly again.

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#328:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester Posted: Mon May 29, 2006 3:11 pm
    —
Also hoping it's Lois.

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#329:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Mon May 29, 2006 3:24 pm
    —
I take it that we are all on the list for invitations too

Thanks Eilidh!

Kathryn

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#330:  Author: Alex, Location: Cambs, UK Posted: Mon May 29, 2006 7:36 pm
    —
A bang? Maybe someone hit Imogen over the head.

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#331:  Author: claireM, Location: rotherham Posted: Mon May 29, 2006 7:42 pm
    —
Just read all of part 1 and this and it's brilliant, thanks Eilidh.

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#332:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead Posted: Mon May 29, 2006 9:27 pm
    —
Oh, my goodness, what next?

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#333:  Author: Josie, Location: London Posted: Mon May 29, 2006 10:42 pm
    —
Awww - how sweet. Glad Nick said yes.

Thanks Eilidh.

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#334:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 12:41 am
    —
That was nice, thank you Eilidh.

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#335:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 10:38 am
    —
What do you think? Do I redeem her or not?

Both rushed downstairs together, to see Elisabeth, almost incoherant with rage, standing over Imogen.

"What's going on?" Anna demanded.

"Ruined!" Elisabeth managed. "Ruined!" she was shaking violently and Emily put her hand through her arm and tried to pull her away. She succeeded in getting the angry girl out of the kitchen, and Anna and Nick turned to Imogen.

"What did you do?" Anna asked, trying to keep her voice neutral.

"I only knocked it over." Imogen replied sulkily. "She shouldn't have had it down here anyway. She should work in her room. It's only because it's me. She wouldn't have been angry if it had been someone else. She's never liked me."

"What did you knock over?" Anna asked patiently, putting a hand on Nick's arm to stop him commenting.

"Water." Imogen replied. She waved a hand in the direction of the table, and both Anna and Nick turned to look.

"Elisabeth's project." Anna said, picking up a soaking bundle of paper. "She's been working on this for weeks." she said, mainly for Nick's benefit.

"It was an accident." Imogen said. "But she shouldn't have had it down here."

"She had it down here to type it." Anna said. "And accident or not, you ruined it and it's due tomorrow. She can't hand in the draft. Wha are you going to do about it?"

"Where is it?" Nick asked. Anna pointed at another bundle, covered in Elisabeths pointed writing. "Looks like there's only one thing you can do." he said. "It might help to convince us that you're a decent person."

"Not much chance of that." Emily said. "She's in bed." she added. "But no, Imogen's not a decent person. She's a spoilt selfish brat who doesn't care about anyone else." Imogen looked at the three accusing faces.

"Is that what you think of me?" she asked. All three nodded. "I see." she said. "I'll be in my room."

"We've upset her." Anna observed.

"She deserves it." Nick replied. "And I have to go, or I'm going to miss my bus. See you bright and early and ready to pass, Em! We'll see if you can manage to beat me this time!"

"I'll beat you with my eyes shut!" Emily called back, as he left.

"You two are ridiculous." Anna observed, climbing the stairs. "You should go to bed."

"I am." Emily replied, following her friend. She paused outside Imogen's bedroom.

"Think she'll do anything?" she asked. Anna shrugged.

"Like you said," she said, her voice clear, "It depends on whether or not she's a decent person. I rather doubt it myself. Good night."

"Goodnight." Emily replied.

---

#336:  Author: Sarah_G-G, Location: Sheffield (termtime), ? any other time! Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 10:47 am
    —
Ooh! Interesting development. I really hope she is shamed into doing something, even if it was an accident! Poor Elisabeth, having to sort that out all over again otherwise...

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#337:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 11:50 am
    —
Poor Elisabeth, intersting to see if Imogen does anything though...

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#338:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 11:53 am
    —
Dreadful girl - she could at least have been a little bit sorry.

Thanks Eilidh

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#339:  Author: Róisín, Location: Galway, Eire Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 11:56 am
    —
Oh yay, what a brilliant way to wake up - this being updated!

I wonder if Imogen is upset in her room and having a serious think about things? Maybe she would change a bit if she suddenly had a reason to *ponders*

Thanks Eilidh, super as usual. When can we have Charles back please? I love him

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#340:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 1:02 pm
    —
Hmmm, is she a decent person or not? All the evidence suggests not but maybe we're wrong....


Thanks Eilidh.

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#341:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 1:17 pm
    —
Imogen reminds me of a mixture of Grace and Nicky from BB. She has Nicky's incompetence and Grace's nastiness!
Thanks for the update Eilidh!

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#342:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 3:35 pm
    —
I hope Imogen does feel that she ought to do something to redeem herself, but somehow I doubt it. Thanks, Eilidh.

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#343:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 4:16 pm
    —
I wonder if the truth about how she is viewed may hit her quite hard...she probably thinks that everyone loves her and she's an absolutely delightful person!

Thank you Eilidh

Kathryn

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#344:  Author: fio, Location: swansea united kingdom Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 6:36 pm
    —

KathrynW wrote:

I wonder if the truth about how she is viewed may hit her quite hard...she probably thinks that everyone loves her and she's an absolutely delightful person!

?????????????????!!

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#345:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 9:04 pm
    —
I've wondered about Imogen's background ever since she was introduced.

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#346:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 12:26 am
    —
Thanks, Eilidh. I'm sorry that Elisabeth's work has been ruined. I hope that Imogen will redeem herself.

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#347:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 9:50 am
    —
"Real snow." Anna observed with a happy sigh, as the big plane taxied to a halt. "We're lucky we weren't diverted." she added practically. There was no response. "Nick?"

"What?" he asked. He was sitting bolt upright, looking as though he was about to leap out of the seat.

"Calm down." Anna said, laughing. "We'll be there soon."

"We should get some ski-ing this year." Felix observed from the other side of her. "It's about time - I missed it last year because we were at Dragon House."

"You'll have forgotten how to!" Anna teased. "You'll be struggling along behind the rest of us for a change."

"I never forget." Felix responded with a grin. Passengers around looked at the trio, who were all quite clearly very excited about coming to Switzerland. Felix leant over Anna.

"Nick?" he asked. Nick looked round at him.

"What?" he said.

"Can we not keep this going over the holidays?" Felix asked. "I mean, I know you consider me to be the scum of the earth, but it is Christmas. Lois isn't here. Can't you drop it?" Nick shrugged.

"You're the reason I'm not spending Christmas with my twin." Nick said bitterly.

"If that's the logic we're going by, should I spend two weeks hating the Royal Ballet for going on tour?" Felix asked quietly. Nick looked slightly startled for a second. "Come on, Nick. I'm sorry about Lois. I want her here too. Do you really think she'd want us to spend the holidays fighting?" he demanded.

"Suppose." Nick muttered. "Doesn't mean I'm happy about you chasing off my sister."

"And you think I am?" Felix asked. "But thanks. I appreciate it." Nick nodded once, but the doors opened before anything else could be said. He jumped to his feet, waiting impatiently while the other two got up and collected their belongings, and then the trio made their way into the airport.

"Nick, slow down!" Anna called. Nick moderated his pace slightly and she trotted to keep up with the two tall men as they strode through the crowd.

"Whos picking us up? Charles?" Felix asked. Anna nodded.

"I think so." she said, slightly breathless. "And he'll have Cecily with him - she got here the day before yesterday." They rounded the corner just then and saw Charles and Cecily immediately. Felix stood to the side, feeling rather left out of the greetings, until they were heading out to the car.

"What's wrong?" Charles asked him.

"Nothing." Felix replied. "Just a bit of a spare part, really."

"That must be a new experience for you." Nick commented. Cecily looked at him sharply but there was no malice in his tone and Felix was smiling.

"A bit." he admitted.

"Why didn't you bring the lastest back with you anyway?" she asked.

"There isn't one." Felix said. Charles stopped dead.

"Felix Nicholas Maynard, you are not telling me you are a single man?" he demanded incredulously. Felix grinned.

"There has to be a first time for everything." he said. "Are you going to stand there all night?"

"Anna, you've brought back the wrong person." Cecily said seriously. "You've obviously picked up a clever imposter and left our Felix in London."

"Don't talk rubbish." Felix retorted. They reached the car and piled the bags in. "I'm not sitting in the back with the lovebirds." he added. Cecily aimed a playful slap at him and scrambled into the car.

"I'll sit in the front." Nick said. "If Anna doesn't mind."

"I don't care." Anna replied, pushing Felix into the car and climbing in after him.

"Everybody settled?" Charles asked, starting the engine. "All comfortable? I'm not stopping before the Platz."

"Not for anything?" Cecily asked.

"Not unless I have to." Charles clarified. "Ready?"

"Ready." came the replies, and he pulled away. Most of the journey passed in a flood of conversation. Cecily poured out stories of her time in Paris, which despite her letters she seemed to have enjoyed towards the end, while Nick and Anna filled her in on the story of Imogen and Elisabeth's project.

"So it was just sitting there when you got up?" Cecily asked incredulously. Anna nodded

"She must ahve been up all night. She wasn't in and I didn't see her before I left, I don't know if Em did. Elisabeth left after she handed her essay in." As they reached the mountain road and began to climb, Felix fell quiet. His silence went unnoticed for a few minutes until Cecily said sharply,

"Stop, Chas!" Charles glanced in the mirror and caught sight of his brother, pulling the car over quickly. Anna jumped out, allowing Felix out behind her, and closed the door. Charles, experienced in his brother, pulled the car back on to the road and around the next bend.

"Breathe." Anna said firmly. Felix tried to obey her, swallowing hard, and then moved to lean against the rock face, feeling shaky. "It's ok." Anna told him. "Are you feeling better?"

"No." he said shortly. "This isn't fair. It doesn't happen to any of the others. They all grew out of it."

"Some people don't." Anna said. "Do you want me to go?". He shook his head. Anna put her hand on his arm. "You might feel better afterwards." she suggested. Felix bent forwards, putting his hands on his knees, and she rested her hand on his back.

"You think so?" he asked.

"Well, are you likely to feel any worse?" Anna asked sensibly. "And you probably won't look so green either." she added with a smile. Felix straightened up and turned away from her, walking back down the path and disappearing into the bushes. Anna made her way down through the snow and met him as he was returning, still looking pale but better than he had done.

"Better?" she asked. He nodded.

"Sorry." he said.

"No problem." Anna replied. "Do you want to go back to the car?"

"They'll be waiting." he said. They made their way back up the road and climbed into the car, Cecily passing them one of the blankets to warm them up and then becoming very interested in the scenery outside the window.

"OK?" Anna asked, pulling the blanket around them. Felix shook his head a fraction. "Do you want to stop again?" she asked.

"No." he said. Anna met Charles' eyes in the rearview mirror, seeing the concern in them. Under the warm blanket, Felix found her hand and squeezed it tightly.

"What is it?" she asked, keeping her voice low.

"Later?" Felix asked. "I want to speak to you." he added.

"Of course." Anna replied, although she was surprised at the request.

"You ski-ing with us tomorrow, Chas?" Nick asked at the juncture.

"I might." Charles said. "I'll see how I feel." Anna and Cecily exchanged glances.

"Come on, Chas." Cecily said. "You can't avoid it forever."

"I can if I want to." Charles replied firmly. "Now stop talking to me until we get on to the Platz. You ok, Flix?"

"Fine." Felix replied briefly, and Charles turned his attention back to the last stretch of road, and they were soon crossing the Platz to pull up outside Freudesheim.

"I have to get to work." he said, hugging Anna tightly and dropping a kiss on her hair. "I'll be back early - I should be up by tomorrow lunchtime."

"The ski-ing?" Anna said. "Will you come with us?" Charles looked unsure.

"Anna, I don't know. I don't think I can."

"Yes you can." she said. "It'll be ok. You made the rest of us go back to it right away. Now its your turn. Please."

"Maybe." Charles said, refusing to be committed. "I'll see how I feel. What wrong with Felix?"

"I don't know." Anna replied. "I'll see him later - he wants to speak to me."

"I'm going to be late." Charles said, holding her tightly.

"You'd better let me go then." she said.

"Don't want to."

"Charles."

"Alright, I'm going. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight."

"Goodnight." Anna replied, and then watched him get back into the car and head towards the San

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#348:  Author: ibarhis, Location: London and Hemel Hempstead Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 9:57 am
    —
Ooh, so Madame Imogen made good did she... good for her.

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#349:  Author: Karry, Location: Stoke on Trent Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 9:59 am
    —
Poor Flix! It must be aweful still being the only one like that, in a family that seems so perfect!

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#350:  Author: Róisín, Location: Galway, Eire Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 10:42 am
    —
Oh goodie, looking forward to the next few bits because I love the family scenes where they are all together on the Platz. It's ages since Charles' accident, but I suppose he was so badly hurt in it
What does Felix want to talk to Anna about?

Thank you Eilidh.

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#351:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 11:03 am
    —
Thank you Eilidh! Lots of questions...

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#352:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 11:20 am
    —
Poor Felix, I always felt sorry for him getting car sickness.

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#353:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 12:57 pm
    —
Thanks, Eilidh. I'm glad that they are all back together again and that Imogen had sorted out Elisabeth's work.

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#354:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 1:26 pm
    —
So she did make good....Interesting that.

I'm aching to know what Felix wants to tell Anna. Please please update soon Eilidh.

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#355:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 7:36 pm
    —
Thanks Eilidh, very realistic scenes there - like how Felix got Nick to start talking to him, and the comments about Felix being single.

Very glad Imogen's not quite as much of a cow as everyone thought.

((((Charles)))) going skiing - can see why he's reluctant.

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#356:  Author: La Petite Em, Location: Cheltenham Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 7:40 pm
    —
Good for Imogen!! *wonders what Felix wants to say*
Thanks Eilidh

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#357:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 12:10 am
    —
Ah yes, the joys of travel sickness. I can sympathise with Felix a lot there!

Thanks Eilidh, what a lovely long update!

Kathryn

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#358:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 1:45 am
    —
Poor Felix - he definitely has my sympathies. And good to see that Imogen tried to put things right.

Thanks Eilidh

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