Trust (RCS #8 - Update 04/06/06 pg 22)
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The CBB -> Ste Therese's House
#1: Trust (RCS #8 - Update 04/06/06 pg 22) Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 11:38 pm
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Well I'm hoping that the earlier part of this will be in the drabbleoram soon. But this is a little continuation. I did seriously consider whether RCS should be in St Therese or St Scholastika, especially as I have CBB characters in it and it's set in the present day. In the end though, I think the characters are, most definitely, the important part, and they are close to how EBD would have written them.

RCS #8 Trust - Part One
Ally


At about the same time, Butcher lay on her bunk in her cell, thinking. Her spell in Solitary had started in the same way as any other. Butcher had done more than enough time for the normal routines to just automatically fall into place. Solitary confinement meant just that, locked up alone. However it did not mean that you were never able to speak to anyone. Butcher had spoken to Grant during the one hour’s exercise period on that afternoon, impressing upon her that any further attempts to upset Richards would be seriously damaging to her health. It was a very mild way of warning someone but she thought that Grant had got the point - at least she had turned completely white and swallowed hard a few times. No, Grant wasn’t a problem and the rest of the prison wasn’t a problem, Butcher had managed to send a message to Rees informing her of the situation. Butcher sighed to herself, no, the problem was far closer at hand.

Initially there didn’t seem to be a problem, when the prison officer Wood had delivered both herself and Grant to the cells she’d not taken any notice of the staff. Even after Shaw had been in to see her she’d ignored the staff, looking on them as an inconvenience, no more. It was only when, the following day, the door to her cell had been unlocked and she’d been ordered to the showers that she’d realised that one of the two guards was the newcomer, Taylor. Although he’d actually been at the prison now for more than three months Officer Taylor had not made any attempt to gel with the rest of the staff. He had also done nothing to curb his contempt for all the inmates. In the two weeks since she had first been alerted to how Taylor felt about the prisoners Butcher had discovered a great deal about him, none of it good.

Butcher had collected her wash things and towel and walked out into the corridor; she nodded to Grant standing outside waiting,

“Move along to the shower block, both of you,” Taylor said quickly, “and no talking!”

Butcher turned, “No talking? That’s not the norm, Mr Taylor,”

Taylor had smiled, “It is now, Butcher, it‘s regulations,”

Butcher had said nothing, reasoning that she and Grant would have plenty of time to talk whilst in the shower. However, on this occasion she was wrong. Taylor had escorted them into the shower block and remained there, watching, Butcher looked across,

“Could we have a little privacy, Mr Taylor?”

Taylor smiled, “You forfeited any right to privacy Butcher a long time ago. Regulations state that prisoners in Solitary are to be watched at all times, I follow regulations.”

Butcher’s expression hardened, she spoke again, “Could Mrs Blanchford come, Mr Taylor? I mean , there’s no shower curtains or anything.”

Taylor’s smile grew wider, “I know, but no, Officer Blanchford is very busy, making the tea or something. But don’t worry, Butcher, I’m here, I’ll watch closely.”

Butcher’s face darkened and she even took a small step forward,

“Go on Butcher, you know you want to,” the man goaded her, “think what it’ll mean. You’ll get to spend so much longer in Solitary after you’ve attacked an officer.”

Butcher stopped, she smiled slightly, it wasn’t a very pleasant smile, “Wasn’t going to Mr Taylor,” she said quickly, “if you want to watch two women having a shower who’m I to object?” She turned and strode across to the showers switched one on and started to undress, “Oh, Mr Taylor? We had an inmate Taylor in here beginning of the year, she wasn’t a relative was she?”

“I’m not related to any of the scum in here, Butcher,” Taylor said angrily, “you’ve just earned yourself another day, insubordination to an officer.”

“I wasn’t insubordinate, I only asked a question.” Butcher replied quietly.

Taylor smiled, “If I say you were insubordinate, Butcher, you were. The fact that you and Grant know otherwise means nothing. I’m the one they’ll believe.”

Last edited by Lesley on Sun Jun 04, 2006 4:04 pm; edited 47 times in total
#2:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 11:47 pm
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Uh-oh - I really don't like the sound of Taylor.

*starts wibbling*

The title of this RCS is sounding scarily ominous, Lesley!
#3:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 11:48 pm
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Thanks Lesley. Poor Butcher but I am sure she will make sure he gets his comeuppance.
#4:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 11:52 pm
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*starts a 'down with Taylor' club, with placards and everything!*

Really don't like the sound of him Evil or Very Mad

Thanks Lesley.
#5:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 12:07 am
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Now, that's nasty - very nasty. (Taylor I mean!)

Thank you Lesley.
#6:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 12:20 am
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I think we can trust Butcher to deal with him in her own way!
#7:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 1:06 am
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Pat wrote:
I think we can trust Butcher to deal with him in her own way!


Yes, but how much trouble will 'her way' get her into?
#8:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 4:41 am
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I don't like the sound of Taylor at all! I'm sure the Butcher/Shaw/Annersley team can deal with him, but there could be a lot of damage beforehand....

Thank you, Lesley!

(I'm sure the first part of Trust will be in the archive shortly, and until then with luck it will stay available here until it makes it to the formal archive. However, I fear the ending to Modern World was lost to the unspeakable hacker before it could be archived....)
#9:  Author: Liane, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 8:31 am
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*joins Vikki's club*
Thanks Lesley.
#10:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 9:36 am
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Oh Lesley, you poor thing, losing the ending of MW to the hacker! Crying or Very sad

Poor Butcher as well. But I wonder if Taylor is correct when he says *I'm the one they'll believe*? Will Geri Shaw suspect what really happened? Or is that being naive? And surely prisoners, even those in Solitary, are allowed some dignity!

Thaks, Lesley.
#11:  Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire PostPosted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 12:46 pm
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Thank you Lesley. Taylor sounds horrible. Sad
#12:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 12:53 pm
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I'm sure that the women will be able to sort Taylor out.

I can't see him standing up to Hilda, can you?
#13:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 5:14 pm
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I'll carry one of Vikki's placards. Truly horrid little man - but one who has power. He can make life very unpleasant for Butcher before getting his comeuppance. Sad
#14:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 8:56 pm
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That hadn’t been the only incident; Taylor seemed to be adept at arranging times when he could confront Butcher without the other Officer on-duty interfering. His aim wasn’t in any way sexual, his reasoning for watching while both Butcher and Grant showered wasn’t so that he could fulfil a lust, if it had been Butcher could have dealt with that. She had come across similar on other occasions in the past. No, Taylor’s motivation appeared to be based on power, power and humiliation. Butcher had been pointed out as the leader of the prisoners and he wanted to exert his authority.

By the time that Grant’s two days were finished Butcher had managed to accrue another three days in Solitary. Taylor was deliberately targeting only Butcher, allowing Grant to just watch. When Grant had attempted to protest Butcher had stopped her, pulling her back when she would have attacked the man, whispering fiercely in her ear,

“Leave it, better that it’s just me, no one else. I don’t have anything to lose.”

Grant relaxed slightly, nodding, then the prison officer spoke again, “Fighting again, Butcher? Another day in Solitary.”

On the third day, the Wednesday, and the fourth, Thursday, Taylor had been off-duty. During that time the spell in Solitary had reverted to the normal routine boring stint. Butcher lay on her bed gazing up at the ceiling. The last two days had been fine, but, because of Taylor, instead of looking forward to her release the next day, she had another four days to serve. More than that, Taylor returned for night shift that evening. Butcher considered her options - there were not many. She could either accept what he was doing, ‘sweat it out’ so to speak, or she could act. Knowing the consequences were she to act with deadly force. She made her decision.

That night she didn’t sleep, waiting for Taylor to appear. When he did, a little after one am, it was almost a relief,

“Get up Butcher!”

Butcher didn’t move, looked across at the man steadily.

“Didn’t you hear me? I said get up! Or do you want even more time in here?”

“I heard you,” Butcher said her voice cold, “But I’m not getting up, what’s the point? Whether I do as you say or not I’ll still get more time.”

Taylor grinned, “So you’ve finally realised that, have you? Took you long enough,”

Butcher shook her head, “Not really, I wanted to make sure no one else was in here first, so you didn’t start on them.”

“Clever, but then they told me you were clever. It won’t stop anything though. When should you have been released then?”

Butcher said nothing to begin with, then, “Tomorrow,”

“But instead you’ve got another four days, really Butcher you should learn to behave,” Taylor grinned widely.

“Why are you doing this, does it give you some sick pleasure?”

Taylor nodded, “It does,” he agreed, he moved closer, so that he was standing looking down at her, “everyone was saying how powerful you were, how you ran everything in here. Well guess what? I’ve got more power than you’ll ever have.”

Butcher shrugged, “You’ve got nothing. You hide behind that uniform and try and get your kicks from something like this, it’s pathetic.”

Taylor’s face darkened, “Oh I don’t think so,” he said, “seems you’re not listening to me, I can do anything. I can even have you charged with assault on a prison officer - that‘ll be another ten days, won‘t it?”

Butcher glanced up at the ceiling, “Not with that spy cam up there, recording everything you can’t. I’m not going to react to your provocation.”

“Cameras can be adjusted, Butcher, it’ll be very unfortunate that no record exists, but they’ll believe me. Especially when they see the bruises,”

“What bruises?”

“These,” Taylor walked across to the wall and, without preamble suddenly slammed his head straight into the hard concrete surface, blood started to drip from his nose and above his eye.

Butcher shot out of bed, stared across at the man, “You’re crazy,” she said, “You’re bloody mad!”

Taylor smiled and walked across to the cell door, “Watch,” he said, and slammed the door onto his arm two or three times. Then, cradling his arm he looked across, “I’ll just doctor the tape then, when the other officer returns from her break, I’ll be all set to tell her how you had called me to your cell then attacked me. Who will they believe, Butcher?”

Butcher shook her head, “You’re crazy,” she repeated.

“No, I’m perfectly sane, but I will destroy you. Care to guess how many days they’ll give you for this, Butcher? And what further security measures they’ll bring in? You’ll be wearing restraints whenever you come out of your cell. See you later, Butcher.”

Before Butcher even thought to make a move Taylor had stepped outside and slammed the door shut.

Last edited by Lesley on Sun Apr 30, 2006 11:40 pm; edited 1 time in total
#15:  Author: Catherine_B, Location: London, UK PostPosted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 9:12 pm
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YIKES Shocked

Where on earth did this monster Taylor spring from??

Poor Butcher - but I have faith that her wits, Miss Shaw's good sense and the general law of justice and fairness that always prevails in RCS stories eventually will get her out of this one.

Though I can't see how!
#16:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 9:15 pm
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Lesley wrote:
Butcher shot out of bed, stared across at the man, “You’re crazy,” she said, “You’re bloody mad!”.


I'm having to agree here, Butcher. Totally crazy! Crying or Very sad I am assuming there are such people out there, and it scares me rigid!

How on earth is Butcher going to get out of this one? Shocked
#17:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 10:26 pm
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We trust lesley of course. After all, that's the title of this episode, isn't it? Very Happy
#18:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 11:11 pm
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This makes me so angry I'm having to do the 'it's OK, it's not real' bit!

What a vile man. Being willing to inflict physical injury on yourself to harm someone else ... seriously perverted.

Grits teeth to endure until justice triumphs. Sad
#19:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 11:32 pm
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He isn't sane, is he? And who would believe it unless they witnessed it?
#20:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 11:36 pm
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Shocked Shouldn't Geri or Hilda be suspicious by now?
#21:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 11:37 pm
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Why? It's only Thursday night. Butcher's only been there four days.
#22:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 11:42 pm
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Yes, but if her solitary time has been extended several times already, and Geri would want to let Hilda know about tomorrow. Unless, of course, this maniac hasn't filed the paperwork. Or is just torturing Butcher by telling her she's stuck there longer.
#23:  Author: Cathy, Location: Sydney, Australia PostPosted: Mon May 01, 2006 4:06 am
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I'm pinning my hopes on Hilda's superhuman ability to realise when someone she knows needs help and on Geri Shaw's fairness and finger on the pulse etc. Thanks Lesley. Looking forward to more. (Hint hint).
#24:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Mon May 01, 2006 11:01 am
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Hopefully the injuries Taylor has inflicted on himself will mean he's not able to carry out his duties for a while and Butcher can finish her solitary without further interference.

Also hoping that the tape might be seen before Taylor gets the chance to doctor it - or that Miss Shaw might just have happened to come down the corridor while Taylor was absorbed in his powerplay.

Thanks, Lesley
#25:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Mon May 01, 2006 11:26 am
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Thanks, Lesley. I really hope that Hilda will be able to make sure that Taylor gets the justice that he deserves. He really is a very, very, very nasty piece of work. I can't find the words to describe him!
#26:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon May 01, 2006 1:09 pm
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Hands out poking and slapping sticks to all comers. Nasty Taylor. The point is that he's just behaving stupidly to think that he can defeat the combined might of the RCS, Geri Shaw and Butcher.
#27:  Author: Alex, Location: Cambs, UK PostPosted: Mon May 01, 2006 4:01 pm
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Maybe, when Butcher tells her story, Geri will believe her because it's so completely ridiculous that no-one could have made it up.
#28:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Mon May 01, 2006 4:44 pm
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Maybe Lesley needs to come back and give us more story?
#29:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon May 01, 2006 7:22 pm
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At Assembly on Monday morning, Miss Annersley was able to give the entire School the news they had been waiting for - Half Term! Half Term for the Christmas term was to cover four full days, Thursday 17th November until Sunday 20th November inclusive. For those girls and Staff who were not participating in the School run activities they could leave School once the lessons on Wednesday afternoon had finished as there was no Prep that evening. For everyone else, though, the time spent not doing Prep would instead be spent packing - for the School was going camping!

The Real Chalet School now had more than 650 pupils; although not yet close to capacity, this was a significant number of girls. Even after discounting the, perhaps one quarter, that would not be staying, it was still a significant number of girls. In addition there was the age range from four to eighteen. It had therefore been decided that there would not be one sole, School camp, but a number of them scattered around the National Parks within Victoria. A total of eight camps had been booked and up to forty girls were being taken to each one, with a set number of Mistresses and Housemistresses. The list had been posted in the Staff Room for a few days and there had been a certain amount of swapping before all Staff had professed themselves happy! Once this was complete Rosalie had reprinted the definitive list. During Assembly the Head had passed on the information that the list would be posted in all classrooms.

Seeing the excitement on all the faces caused Miss Annersley to smile ruefully. The destinations and campsites for everyone had all been worked out and booked by Nell Wilson back during the Winter holidays. She remembered just how much Nell had been looking forward to this break and a chance to go camping again.

‘Never mind,’ Hilda thought to herself, ‘once she’s well I’ll book a camping holiday for us, let her enjoy herself organising everything for that.’

After Assembly the Head returned to her Study, she didn’t have any lesson before Break, but instead sorted through her post and answered a few letters. A short time before the bell for second lesson was due, she had collected together her papers and Agenda for the Head of Department meeting. Walking out through the Admin block she saw that Rosalie was on the phone,

‘See you up there,’ Rosalie mouthed to the Head, Hilda nodded and walked out to the main staircase and managed to get up to the main Meeting Room before the bell sounded. As she was about to enter the room she heard voices from within.

“Are you sure you saved it onto your laptop, Vida?” the voice was that of Nancy Wilmot.

“I told you, Nancy, I did it on Friday, I know I did. I finished it on Friday evening and saved it to my laptop ready for today’s meeting,”

“Well it’s not there now, Vida,” a voice Hilda recognised as Ray Trent, “There’s no evidence that it’s ever been there, other than a file with a blank page in it. Could you have forgotten to save it before you logged off?”

“I’m sure I saved it,” Vida’s voice sounded far from sure, however, “could the laptop be broken?”

“No evidence that it is, Vida,” Ray replied, “but I’ll send it for an overhaul just in case. Get a spare sent to you while you’re waiting.”

“Thanks Ray,”

“Have you still got the notes you used, Vida?” this was Nancy’s voice once more.

“Yes but they’re all in rough,”

“Well that can’t be helped, Hilda will understand, scoot off and get them, you can remember where they are, can’t you?”

“I think so,”

The door opened and Vida Armitage appeared, she seemed shocked to realise that the Head was just about to enter,

“Oh, Miss Annersley, just got to get some figures from my desk, won’t be long,”

Hilda looked across at the rapidly retreating back of the Science Head, Vida didn’t look well, she appeared to always be tired, always running here and there. What was wrong with her? The Head shook herself, she had a meeting to Chair, promised she would return to the problem soon.

Surprisingly the meeting had gone well; everyone contriving to be there on time. The reason for Vida’s concern manifested itself during the very early part of the meeting when reviewing the minutes of the last meeting and going through any actions. Vida, as Head of Science, had been asked to provide figures detailing the number of pupils studying each of the disciplines within the Science Department and also the percentage actually taking external examinations. When asked she was able to give a reasonable reply to the action, referring to her handwritten notes and writing up statistics on a flip chart. It was not, however, as polished as other of her presentations had been in the past, when she had made full use of the PowerPoint facility on her laptop to produce excellent graphs and statistics.

At the end of the meeting Hilda contrived to speak with Nancy Wilmot, “walk with me, Nancy,” she murmured.

The Senior Mistress looked a little surprised but fell into step with the Head, after a little while Hilda spoke again,

“Nancy, I’m not asking you to betray any confidences, but do you know if Vida should be speaking to me?”

The tall Maths Mistress looked across quickly, an expression of some indecision on her face, she said nothing until the two women had reached the Admin block and entered Hilda’s Study, then, as Miss Annersley looked across she seemed to make a decision, “I’ve advised her that she should speak with you, Hilda,” she began, “so far she hasn’t wanted to take that step.”

Hilda nodded, thinking hard. Nancy swallowed quickly then continued, “last time I spoke to her I said that, if she hadn’t done anything by the end of Half Term I was going to report it officially.”

Hilda looked surprised, “You would have done that?”

Nancy nodded, “Yes, I don’t want her to leave things, don’t want her to make the same mistake I did,”

Hilda’s mind flew to the problems Nancy and Kathie Ferrars had experienced more than six months previously, “Is Vida having similar problems?”

Nancy shook her head, “No, nothing like that, in fact I don’t know what her problems are, I don’t think she does either. But I do know that she has to speak to you about them, she can’t keep trying to hide it.”

“Thank you Nancy,” Hilda smiled, “could you tell her, please, I’d like to see her at the end of the day?”

Last edited by Lesley on Sat May 06, 2006 8:13 am; edited 1 time in total
#30:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Mon May 01, 2006 8:08 pm
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Aaaargh!!!
Lesley!!
Now I'm worried about both Butcher AND Vida!!!!
#31:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon May 01, 2006 8:21 pm
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That's Lesley, giving us two, or more, things to wibble about.
#32:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Mon May 01, 2006 8:27 pm
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Running true to form! Thanks Lesley.
#33:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Mon May 01, 2006 8:41 pm
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Poor Vida - and poor Hilda if she has to discipline her. But surely people must see there is a problem if everything appears less polished than usual.

Liked Hilda's little mental note to herself to book a camping trip for Nell, knowing how disappointed she will be.

Thanks, Lesley.
#34:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Mon May 01, 2006 9:32 pm
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Lesley...queen of mysteries.

Thanks for adding to the suspense!
#35:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Mon May 01, 2006 11:16 pm
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Thanks, Lesley. I'm sorry that things still seem to be going wrong for Vida.
#36:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Tue May 02, 2006 12:03 am
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*still highly suspicious on Vida's behalf*
#37:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Tue May 02, 2006 12:40 am
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I don't think it is a case of poor Vida. There's clearly something strange going on, whether it's inside her or outside. Now that Hilda is about to get involved, I suspect she won't rest until she finds out what's wrong.

So nice of Hilda to plan the camping trip for Nell - especially as I have a feeling (might be wrong) it's not her own favourite activity!
#38:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Tue May 02, 2006 12:48 am
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I thought there was a bit of a gritted teeth quality to that mental note myself!

Vida....hmmm, that is worrying. And if she isn't talking about it, that will make the problem - whatever it is - seem even worse.

Thanks Lesley.
#39:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Tue May 02, 2006 11:34 am
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All very interesting and not a little perturbing and Taylor is really rather scary.

Thank you Lesley.
#40:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue May 02, 2006 6:22 pm
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Events, however, overtook the Head’s plans; during lunch that day it was obvious that Nancy had passed on her message. Vida had been unable to look across at the Head without flushing a deep red and had barely touched her meal. That afternoon on her way back from a meeting with the Housemistresses, she diverted toward the Biology Laboratory, intending to speak with Vida Armitage and reassure her as to the reason for the meeting. As she walked along the corridor she could hear a great deal of noise emanating from one of the labs, she frowned, it was from the Biology lab. Anxious not to interfere, she slowed and peered in through the window. The class did not seem to have a Mistress with them. Instead of working quietly however, the class were giggling and shouting, seeming not to care that their noise could be heard outside.

The sudden appearance of the Headmistress in their classroom effectively silenced everyone. The girls were astounded when their classroom door opened and Miss Annersley walked in. After a split second’s shock the girls all hastily got to their feet. The Head said nothing, just walked across to the Mistress’s desk and stood there, gazing at all of them. The class was a young one, Upper IIIb, a Junior Middle class. The girls were mainly twelve years old, with a few, the youngest, still eleven, having their birthdays in the next few weeks before the end of the year.

After some five minutes, when the silence had grown oppressive enough that even the most hardened girl was staring at the floor, wishing it would swallow her, Miss Annersley spoke,

“Sit down, girls,” she waited while the twenty girls did so then continued, “Who is Form Prefect?”

One of the girls raised her hand, “I am, Miss Annersley,” she said very quietly, “Chrissie Layne.”

“Well Chrissie, can you explain the reason why, on passing this door, I could hear Bedlam?”

“I-I, no Miss Annersley,” Chrissie said quickly.

The Head nodded, “Where is Miss Armitage?”

“She er she had to go and find a tape,” Chrissie said quickly, “She was going to show a video,” Chrissie pointed to the TV and Video set up in one corner, “but found the one she’d got was the wrong one.”

“I see,” a pause then, “did she leave you any work to do?”

“Well, not really,” Chrissie replied, “she told us to make a start on any Prep we had.”

“I see,” Miss Annersley’s eyes swept round to encompass all the benches where the girls sat, “I cannot see that anyone has any Prep out on their desks. I wonder why that is?”

The girls did not reply but sat in silence, a movement at the door caught everyone’s attention and all looked across to see that Miss Armitage had returned. On seeing that the Head was there Miss Armitage flushed and looked down at the floor, the Head saw this but ignored it,

“Ah, Miss Armitage, forgive me interrupting, but it appears that your class do not know how to behave when left alone for a few minutes.”

“So I see, Miss Annersley,” Vida’s voice was rather faint and with a definite wobble within it, Miss Annersley hoped that it could not be detected by the girls.

“I understand that you instructed that the girls make a start on any Prep, while waiting for you to return?”

“I did, Miss Annersley,”

“Well then they all appear to be very fortunate,” Miss Annersley said, she smiled slightly at all the girls, “they appear to have finished their Prep, at least, all that for the four lessons this morning. What classes did you have this morning, Chrissie, and with whom?”

Chrissie gulped slightly, having an inkling as to the Head’s intention, “Double Maths with Ms Barber, English with Miss Andrews and French with Mlle de Lachenais,” she paused then continued, “but I’m sure some people haven’t...”

Miss Annersley held up her hand, “Enough, Chrissie, when I entered this room every single girl was participating, no one was attempting to work. Therefore I assume all work has been done. Please collect from everyone the pertinent work books for Maths, English and French. I’m sure the Mistresses concerned will be happy to receive the Prep early.”

Every single girl looked up at this, well aware that the Mistresses concerned would be anything but happy. However the Head ignored them. Instead she continued to speak,

“As for the noise, I think it best if you are all in silence for the rest of the day, you may speak with any member of Staff, of course, and with any Senior or Prefect, but not to each other. Now, collect up those books please, Miss Armitage and I will just be outside.” She nodded toward Vida and followed her outside.

In the corridor Hilda Annersley looked across at the Head of the Science Department, “I hope you don’t mind my stepping in, Vida?”

“No, of course not,”

Miss Annersley nodded, “Can you tell me why you had to leave your class?”

“I had arranged for a video to be available, the Upper Thirds are studying the life cycle of the plant. I’d seen the documentary series Life of Plants, one of the episodes was very pertinent. I asked Pat Willimott to order it for me. When I came to play the tape I discovered that it was a blank tape, I’d somehow, muddled it up with the real one, probably when I was watching the tape the other night. I had to go across to the Staff Boarding House to retrieve the right tape.”

“I see,” Hilda paused for a moment, then, “Vida, did you not check everything when preparing this lesson?”

Vida Armitage’s face fell, “I thought I had,” she mumbled, “I really did, this sort of thing keeps happening to me, I don’t know why.” Vida paused for a long time then looked across at the Head and quietly added, “I think I need help.”

The way she said this was very dignified, but Miss Annersley could see the effort it had taken, she nodded slightly, “That’s why I’m here,” she said softly, “I’ll see you after lessons today.” She placed a hand on the younger woman’s shoulder, “We will get to the bottom of this, Vida, never fear. Now, I think you had best take the rest of the afternoon off, you don’t look as though you’re sleeping too well.”

“I’m not,” Vida said quickly, “but what about...?” she looked over to the classroom.

“You let me worry about them,” Hilda smiled, “it’s why they pay me. Now go! Try and rest, I’ll see you at four thirty.”
#41:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Tue May 02, 2006 6:29 pm
    —
Trust Hilda to see deeper than the obvious.
#42:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Tue May 02, 2006 6:30 pm
    —
Pat - have you been playing tricks on Vida? Shocked

I love the solution that Hilda came up with for the girls' prep!!
#43:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Tue May 02, 2006 6:31 pm
    —
Chelsea wrote:
Pat - have you been playing tricks on Vida? Shocked

I love the solution that Hilda came up with for the girls' prep!!


Who, Me?! No way. It was tampered with after I gave it to her. I love that solution too! Wicked!
#44:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue May 02, 2006 7:17 pm
    —
*eyes Pat suspiciously* Wink

Poor Vida. Such a rotten situation for her. Love Hilda's tactic with the girls though!!!

Thank you Lesley!
#45:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Tue May 02, 2006 8:35 pm
    —
Hilda was so.... Hilda, wasn't she? Laughing

I have a suspicion those girls will be very well-behaved for a day or two, but that Vida will find some much-needed support.

Thanks, Lesley.
#46:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Tue May 02, 2006 8:46 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. Could I put in a request to see the scene where the girls have to explain what has happened about their prep to the mistresses, please? Or are you going to leave it to our imaginations?
#47:  Author: Rachel, Location: West Coast of Scotland PostPosted: Tue May 02, 2006 9:21 pm
    —
All very entertaining, but STILL no death or destruction or unhappiness on a grand scale.

You're letting me down Lesley!
#48:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Tue May 02, 2006 9:37 pm
    —
You really WANT to be called Ethel don't you Rachel. Laughing
#49:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue May 02, 2006 11:06 pm
    —
Rosalind Moore sat on the bed and watched as her husband packed. Even after more than eight months she still loved saying and thinking that, ‘her husband’ it made her grin. Geoff looked across,

“You look as though you’re planning to eat me, woman!”

“Rubbish, I wasn’t considering any such thing!” Ros replied quickly.

“Well what was it then, you certainly looked as though you want to take a bite out of me,”

Ros rolled her eyes, “If you must know I was just thinking how much I like having a husband.”

“Were you? Geoff sounded surprised, “Can’t say I like it, I prefer having a wife myself!”

“Idiot.”

Geoff finished his packing, turned to look back at Ros, “Are you sure you’re going to be alright this weekend? I mean almost everyone will be away camping.”

“I’ll be fine,” Ros assured him, “Not everyone is away. Hilda’s not going because Nell is coming home, I’ve got an invite to dinner with them over the weekend. Besides, you’ve got to put in some hours for the job, they’ll start thinking you’ve resigned otherwise.”

“Are you sure? I mean I’d take you with me but…”

“…but I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to be flying at the moment, and it’s a little far to drive all the way to Brisbane, isn‘t it?”

“Well, yes.”

“So I’ll be fine, at my last check up Jake was perfectly healthy, and looked like remaining where he was for some time yet. He’s not due for another four weeks, you’ll be finished in Brisbane by then, won’t you.”

“Probably earlier,” Geoff replied, “this latest round of scenarios have been well received, they’re just looking at which ones they can incorporate into a full-blown exercise.”

Ros leant across and kissed him, “Well then, all your playing games on the computer will be worth while.”

Geoff attempted to look affronted, “War Games for the Armed Forces are not playing on a computer. These are realistic scenarios based on terrain, logistics and man power.”

Ros nodded, “Yes dear, if you say so. Now are you packed because I can hear the cab.”
#50:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Tue May 02, 2006 11:17 pm
    —
Thank you Lesley, just caught up on 3 days worth.

Hope Taylor is soon found out.

Someone is being nasty to Vida - don't believe it is Pat - she's too nice to do something like that. A new staff member for choice as we haven't heard much about them.

Glad to see Hilda hasn't lost her touch with naughty third formers.

And now we have the cosy Rosalind and Geoff scene which points to something happening whilst Geoff is away as nothing ever goes right for long in RCS land.

If we do have to have death and destruction please let it be Taylor as I rather like everyone else and don't want to see anyone destroyed.
#51:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Tue May 02, 2006 11:37 pm
    —
Relieved Hilda is going to take the Vida situation in hand, perhaps she can insert some sense into it. Now I do feel 'poor Vida', awful to have the Head find your class rioting. Hilda certainly dealt faithfully with them!

So Geoff's going away and the baby's not due for four weeks? Hmmmm. I would make sure your phone's switched on at all times, Geoff!
#52:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:04 am
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I hope that Rosalind will be ok while Geoff is away.
#53:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:24 am
    —
Well, there's a lot of potential isn't there?!!
Thank heaven that Hilda now officially knows that Vida is having difficulties - and given how good at her job she has previously been, Hilda will be suspicious - and I loved the way she punished the Thirds!

Geoff, keep youe phone switched on - and don't forget to charge it either!
And Rosalind's comment about the computer games was brilliant!
#54:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Wed May 03, 2006 3:35 pm
    —
Oh dear, worrying now about the baby as well as Vida and Butcher. Crying or Very sad

Thank you for keeping all those balls in the air so skilfully, Lesley.
#55:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Wed May 03, 2006 4:04 pm
    —
4 weeks! Ha blinkin' ha. This is RCS land, Ros my lass - don't you know Lesley well enough by now?

And the whole school away camping? I spy trouble. In fact, I spy TROUBLE.

Thanks Lesley
#56:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed May 03, 2006 7:22 pm
    —
After pointing Vida back to the Staff Boarding House, Miss Annersley re-entered the Biology Lab clutching the tape that the Science Head had been to collect. The classroom was silent, everyone gazing at the pile of books on the Mistresses’ Desk. The Head saw this and smiled to herself, however she did not allow her amusement to show. Instead she placed the tape into the video recorder,

“Miss Armitage wanted you to watch this,” she said quickly, “I would suggest that you pay strict attention, your Prep will consist of writing an essay describing what you have seen,” she smiled, a little wickedly, “I will expect a high standard, girls, after all, you do not have any other Prep, do you?”

...

Monday morning had seen Miss Shaw receiving an update from the Governor,

“Overall, Geri, the place has been quiet but I’m afraid there’s been some trouble in Solitary.”

“I heard, can you give me any details? The information I was given sounded somewhat unbelievable.”

“It is a little, but it happened nonetheless. Last Thursday night Butcher seriously assaulted a prison officer, totally unprovoked as far as I can make out.”

“How badly injured was he?”

“He needed stitches to some cuts above his eyes and he’s badly bruised his arm, apparently any more force and it would have broken. I must applaud his devotion to duty however, he refused to take any sick leave, insisted on returning to his post. He also didn’t want any charges brought against Butcher, said he must have done something to upset her, even though he doesn’t know what. He didn’t even want her to be restrained, but I insisted, I’m not going to have any more of my Staff exposed to her violence.”

“I can understand that, Doreen,” Geri Shaw said quickly, “assault is not something to take lightly. Especially as it seems to be unprovoked,” she hesitated slightly then continued, “It was unprovoked?”

Doreen Knight sighed, “I know what you’re thinking, Geri, you’re trying to see if anything can justify Butcher’s actions,” she held up a hand as the Senior Officer tried to protest, “I know you, Geri. As a matter of fact I did make some enquiries about Officer Taylor. He seems a pretty conscientious Officer, had a bit of a problem with his attitude when he first started but has worked hard on that. Also spoke to the Governor of the Prison where he was last serving, got an absolutely spotless recommendation, the man came to us with first class credentials.” Knight looked across at her Deputy, “Had you noticed any problems, Geri?”

Geri Shaw thought for a moment then shook her head, “No,” she said slowly, “not since he first started. Oh, he wasn’t popular with the inmates, that was obvious, but we, none of us, expect to be liked by those we are imprisoning.”

“And Butcher has assaulted prison officers before, hasn’t she?”

Shaw swallowed, “Yes,”

“Even you, if I’m not mistaken?” Mrs Knight continued gently.

“Only during the riot…” Geri protested, then stopped, “oh, no, since then as well, last time she was in Solitary.”

“Yes,” Doreen Knight replied patiently.

Geri Shaw took a deep breath, “You’re not considering transferring her, are you?”

Knight shook her head, “No, this behaviour I think we can cope with. But she has to learn that it will not be tolerated.”

“Understood, Doreen.”

Last edited by Lesley on Thu May 04, 2006 5:53 am; edited 1 time in total
#57:  Author: Kat, Location: Abertawe PostPosted: Wed May 03, 2006 7:42 pm
    —
Hilda is so wicked on occasion! Twisted Evil

Poor Butcher though, getting punished for something she definitely didn't commit Sad Really hope Taylor gets his come uppance!

Thank you Lesley - loved all the updates!
#58:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Wed May 03, 2006 9:04 pm
    —
I wonder how Geri will find out the truth..... surely she must be just a little puzzled by all this, no?

Thanks, Lesley.
#59:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed May 03, 2006 9:12 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I hope that Geri will realise that everything is not quite right with what has happened.
#60:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed May 03, 2006 10:57 pm
    —
Thanks Lesley.

Good for Hilda. Come on Geri get your brain in gear.

Last edited by Susan on Wed May 10, 2006 1:36 pm; edited 1 time in total
#61:  Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Wed May 03, 2006 11:11 pm
    —
Ah, Lesley! I decide to catch up on the board in order to procrastinate from preparing for Guide camp next week and I find that you're sending the entire RCS camping! So much for escapism!

Actually, I really hope Hilda works out who's playing mind games on Vida before half term - things could get really unpleasant if it carries on outside school...
#62:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2006 1:22 am
    —
That's the thing about RCS - if you get tired wibbling about one thing, Lesley thoughtfully provides you with another!! Laughing


I think Geri is puzzled about Butcher's supposed actions. Enjoy your film and prep Thirds!
#63:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2006 1:26 am
    —
Poor Butcher. Did she end up being restrained after all? Wants to do vicious things to Taylor, but is content to leave them to Lesley, who's much better at it! Shocked

Hilda is delightful with the Thirds, she's certainly not lost her touch, has she.

This is nasty of me, but I can't resist the image that the 'Staff Barding House' conjures up - headed by Plato, I presume? Sorry, Lesley! Laughing
#64:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2006 5:56 am
    —
Tara wrote:
This is nasty of me, but I can't resist the image that the 'Staff Barding House' conjures up - headed by Plato, I presume? Sorry, Lesley! Laughing


*Pokes tongue out at Tara/Judith!* Have amended typo! Laughing
#65:  Author: Yvette, Location: Brisbane, Australia PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2006 8:06 am
    —
Great again Lesley!

Love the essay about the Science video! Laughing

Thanks.
#66:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2006 12:16 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley, as usual, we have plenty to wibble about.
#67:  Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2006 4:27 pm
    —
Thank you Lesley - have caught up on several updates and as usual there is plenty of scope for trouble!

Like Cath, I particularly enjoyed the exchange between Ros and Geoff about the computer game!! Laughing
#68:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2006 8:30 pm
    —
Thanks Lesley

*starts singing*

I have confidence....
#69:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2006 11:24 pm
    —
It was not until late morning that the Senior Officer managed to visit the Solitary Wing, her morning taken up with paperwork and reports. She did manage to speak with Richards and discovered that the interview appeared to have gone well, she was awaiting a letter from them telling her whether or not she had the job. Miss Shaw also took the time to ascertain the mood of the prison, what she discovered was rather alarming. Although well hidden, the mood was not a good one, the underlying mood was one of rage.

On the Solitary Wing Miss Shaw spoke with the two officers on duty about the events leading up to the assault,

“I suppose Taylor was a little over-the-top,” Amanda Blanchford admitted, “in the way he enforced regulations,”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, he stuck rigidly to the letter of the law, didn’t allow any lee-way. Whereas the rest of us would probably just have given a verbal warning if Butcher broke a minor rule, he didn’t, he immediately imposed a penalty. Butcher had been awarded another four days in Solitary before the incident Thursday night.”

“You think that’s why she attacked him?”

Both the other Officers nodded vigorously, Jane Emmott replied, “I think so, Butcher lost her temper, it’s not unusual.”

“No,” Shaw agreed, “what about that camera malfunction?”

Amanda Blanchford shook her head in disgust, “Oh that camera! I’ve put in about half a dozen requests to Maintenance to fix it, the problem is the fault would come and go, never stay there long. Maintenance would say it was on their list but nothing ever happened.”

“Has it been fixed now?”

“Yes, surprising that it should happen so soon after an incident,” Amanda said sarcastically, “It was a loose connection, apparently, hence the reason the fault was intermittent.”

“I see,” Shaw said, “well thank you ladies, now, I’d like to see Butcher please,”

“Of course,” Officer Blanchford hesitated, “we have orders from the Governor about how Butcher is to be treated, I’ll have to call in help from the Wing,”

“Go ahead, I’ll wait,”

A short time later the door to Butcher’s cell was opened again and Shaw stepped in; standing next to the bed was Butcher. Unlike on other occasions Butcher was not wearing prison uniform, instead she had on the bright orange jump suit she wore when going out to schools to give talks about drugs. Also like then, she had on the same restraints, leg irons and handcuffs and with the cuffs strapped to a belt around her waist. She was staring across at the Senior Officer.

“Hello Butcher,” Shaw said quietly.

“Where the Hell have you been, Shaw?” Butcher’s voice was low and menacing, her eyes dark, “Last time I saw you was a week ago.”

Shaw blinked slightly, “I was attending a course Tuesday to Friday,” she answered simply, “then had the weekend free. I returned this morning to discover some serious misbehaviour from yourself and…”

“Don’t tell me you believe that piece of scum?” Butcher interrupted.

“If you are referring to Mr Taylor I suggest you do so properly, Butcher,”

“Properly? When he’s the reason I’m like this?” Butcher indicated the chains.

“The restraints are at the Governor’s express order, Butcher,” Shaw tried to explain, “she is not willing to expose any more of her officers to violence from yourself. I must say I agree with her actions.”

“Dammit don’t say you believe all this? I didn’t do anything, Shaw, I didn’t attack that louse, he did it to himself.”

Shaw looked sceptical, “You’re asking me to believe that Mr Taylor inflicted those injuries on himself? I must say I’m disappointed, Butcher, in the days since the assault you’ve had enough time to think up a far more convincing story than that.”

“It’s not a story, it’s the truth.” Butcher jerked her head over, indicating the wall, “He butted his head against the wall just there, I was still in bed, for Christ’s sake! Then, before I could do anymore than get up, he walked over to the door and slammed it onto his arm three times. I know it sounds crazy but that’s what happened. And he told me he was going to doctor the spy cam so nothing would show up.”

Shaw shook her head, “The security camera had been malfunctioning for some time, there are records stretching back over the last three or four months, are you saying he also doctored them?”

“Maybe, he’s crazy enough.”

“To what purpose?”

“I don’t know, maybe just because he could. He’s had it in for me ever since I was sent here,”

“You broke the rules Butcher, while Mr Taylor may be strict he was within the letter of the law,”

“I didn’t.” Butcher replied adamantly, “He gave me a day’s Solitary for insubordination, all I’d done was ask a question. He gave me a day for fighting, I was hauling Grant back, she wanted to hit him.” Butcher took a deep breath, “Dammit Shaw, you know me, if I’d wanted to attack him I’d have done more damage than a couple of little cuts, a bloody nose and a bruised arm. I didn’t attack him, he did it to himself.”

There was silence for some time, neither woman saying anything, eventually Butcher’s shoulders slumped slightly, she looked across, “You don’t believe me, do you? You’re going with what that nutter told you, because he’s a member of your staff. Gotta all stick together, don’t you?” A breath then, “I thought you were different, Shaw, I really thought that, just for once, I’d found a screw that would not automatically think the worst of us. Wouldn’t immediately believe that we, I, was in the wrong. What a mistake. You’re just like the rest of them, ain’t you?”

“I look at the evidence, Butcher, and on past behaviour, you are known for violence,”

“I’ve told you stuff I’ve told no one else,” Butcher continued, “and I’ve never lied to you about any of it. I really thought you were different - what an idiot. As if you care.”

Shaw moved forward, placed a hand on Butcher’s shoulder, “I’m sorry you feel that way, Butcher,” she began, “I don’t automatically feel that an inmate is in the wrong, but I am not naive, I know that inmates, and you in particular, do not always behave well, and I know that inmates attempt to manipulate prison officers.”

“Take your hand off me, screw!” Butcher twisted away, almost stumbled because of the leg irons, however Shaw’s instinctive attempt to help was stopped when Butcher hissed, “Don’t touch me!”

There was silence for a few seconds then Butcher, her back to the Senior Officer, spoke once more, “I don’t have much in the way of rights in here, screw, but I do have one, the right to remain silent. Get out screw, I don’t want to talk to you again.”

Shaw nodded slightly, then turned to the door, the Officer outside answered her knock and she left, Butcher didn’t look round.
#70:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 12:04 am
    —
Poor Butcher . . .Geri, please listen. You know that Butcher does not do gratuitous violence these days, and she isn't as stupid as attacking Taylor would suggest she is.

Thank you Lesley.
#71:  Author: Identity Hunt, Location: UK PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 6:39 am
    —
Shocked
Where`s our Hilda ?
Couldn`t she arrange for a nice secret spy-cam transmitting directly to the school, for independent proof of what is going on , or something? After all, the prefects did do similar in the past Wink
#72:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 1:19 pm
    —
What a situation. I hope it makes Geri think before she acts.
#73:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 3:43 pm
    —
Confused Oh dear, poor Butcher. Loved Geoff trying to justify his war games! Laughing

Thanks Lesley.
#74:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 3:48 pm
    —
My money's still on Geri believing her.

Thank you, Lesley.
#75:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 4:36 pm
    —
Well that didn't go quite as I had hoped...

Thanks Lesley
#76:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 8:21 pm
    —
That was very realistic, and I don't think Geri really has much choice till things are proved. This is getting nice and tense. Very Happy
#77:  Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 9:13 pm
    —
RCS is getting addictive again, i've just hung around to see if Lesley posted Embarassed

Is it time for the beanbags and hot chocolate yet?
#78:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 9:19 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I'm sorry that Geri doesn't seem to be believing Butcher yet.

*Clare joins Nikkie with the beanbags and the hot chocolate*.
#79:  Author: Rose in Toronto, Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 10:20 pm
    —
Is Geri going to find out about the showers, for instance?
#80:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 11:36 pm
    —
Sorry, am having real problems getting the next bit to gel - have a little taster.

Outside the cell the Senior Officer looked across at Officer Blanchford, “She’s not kept in those restraints all the time, is she?”

“No, only when an officer is going to be speaking with her or she goes out for her hour’s exercise each day.”

“Then get some of your colleagues and release her,” Shaw said quickly, “those things are barbaric,”

“Yes Miss Shaw.”

A little later Geri Shaw was sat in the Control Room looking at the screen, Butcher was standing, her back to the camera. She had waited passively when three officers had entered to remove the restraints, not even attempting to hit out at any of them instead just smiling slightly at the reactions of all three every time she so much as breathed deeply. Once the restraints were all removed and the cell door locked Butcher had gazed up at the camera, her dark gaze seeming to look through the camera and into the Control Room. She’d then deliberately turned her back and commenced an exercise designed to loosen muscles.

Geri Shaw sat back, well aware that the snub had been directed precisely at her. She was surprised at just how badly it made her feel.
#81:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 11:36 pm
    —
I suppose Geri has to support her staff until convinced otherwise, and Butcher's record is definitely against her, but Butcher must feel so betrayed when the one person she has respected and trusted appears to have let her down. Geri, trust Butcher! Butcher, don't fight Geri, she's still your best hope.
#82:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 11:38 pm
    —
Not surprised! Really Geri, you should know better that that! Or rather, you should know Butcher better than that!
#83:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 11:52 pm
    —
Oops! Posted at the same second as Lesley, so missed the little update. Glad Geri feels bad, she should rethink this.
#84:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2006 12:11 am
    —
Oh no! Geri, please think hard....

Thanks Lesley.
#85:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2006 12:37 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I hope that Geri will soon see sense as well as feeling bad!
#86:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2006 3:04 pm
    —
Go with your instincts, Geri!

Thanks, Lesley.
#87:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2006 5:26 pm
    —
Maybe making Geri feel hurt will awaken her instincts.

Thanks, Lesley.
#88:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2006 7:11 pm
    —
Eeek!!
Not a nice situation for either Geri OR Butcher!
*crosses fingers that Lesley will find it gelling soon!*
#89:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2006 8:16 pm
    —
At the Real Chalet School the lessons had finished for the day and the pupils and Staff all streamed back to their Common Rooms for Tea. Miss Annersley took the opportunity of speaking with Ms Barber, Miss Andrews and Mlle de Lachenais, to explain that they would be receiving no Prep from any of the students in Upper IIIb - the expressions on all three women’s faces did not bode well for the girls - Catherine Barber in particular looked incensed that her Form should have misbehaved so badly. The Head foresaw a difficult time ahead for the girls. She walked across to her Study, stopping off next to Rosalie Dene to request tea for two and for all calls to be diverted.

Inside her Study Hilda took some time to leaf through some files, specifically the one holding copies of all Annual Reports. She managed to locate the Science Department reports and quickly read through them. A short time later and a knock at the door heralded both Davida Armitage and Rosalie. Hilda welcomed Vida and pointed her to one of the chairs around the oval table, she then took the tray from Rosalie with thanks.

“Would you like a cup of tea, Vida?” Hilda smiled across at the Science Head.

Vida looked up quickly, she seemed a little more relaxed then when Hilda had last seen her, perhaps she had managed to sleep a little during the afternoon. “Er, yes, yes please, that would be nice,”

Hilda poured out two mugs of tea and handed one across, “I know it’s very warm out,” she said, “but I still like having tea n the afternoons.”

“Me too,” Vida replied, “I think because it was considered such a luxury when we were, you know…”

“When we were with Elinor?” Hilda said softly, “It’s alright, Vida, it doesn’t hurt me, remembering, not now. You are right though, the Author did feel that we should always drink coffee or warm milk.”

“I prefer hot chocolate to warm milk,” Vida confided with a smile.

“So do I,” Hilda took a sip of her tea and then took a deep breath, she looked over at the woman opposite her, “Tell me, Vida, what has gone wrong this term?”

Vida glanced quickly across, she then looked down at the table, she shook her head, “I don’t know, Hilda, I don’t know what’s wrong. All I know is that I’m just not managing.” She placed her mug back on the table then looked back at Hilda, “I keep forgetting things, things that I shouldn’t forget - like the change in time of that meeting. Also I’ve managed to break three laptops so far - Ray Trent will be charging me for them soon.”

“Break them?”

“Yes, I save things on them and they don’t save, or they save things incorrectly, the presentation this morning wasn’t the first, I’d done that report you wanted, saved it and everything, yet when I went to email it across to you half of it was missing. With no trace it was ever there!” Vida laughed slightly, though there was little humour in the sound, “I had to re-write the thing, was up most of the night and worked through the morning - lucky I had a free morning, really. Then, that evening, trying to catch up on the sleep I’d lost, I had Rosalie shouting at me, because of the extra work I caused you.”

Hilda shook her head, "Rosalie shouldn’t have done that,”

“Yes she should,” Vida returned, “I needed to know that my mistake had consequences. But the problems haven’t stopped, even though I’ve really tried. I keep forgetting things, leaving things in the wrong place. I’m working half the night most nights, just so I can check and double check everything’s being done, and it’s still not enough. I’ve even been to see a doctor.”

“A doctor? What did your doctor have to say?”

“He thought I was stressed, told me to cut back on work and gave me some sleeping pills. I only used them once, spent the next day feeling as though I was in a daze the entire day.”

“You don’t feel you are stressed, Vida?”

“I don’t know what to think, Hilda,” Vida’s eyes were full of tears, “I was fine last term, didn’t have any problems, nothing like this, the only thing that makes sense is that it’s the post, being Head of Science.”

“Has someone said something?” Hilda raised an eyebrow.

“No, no one’s said anything, but that’s the only thing that’s changed, isn’t it?”

“You covered for Nell once before without difficulty, Vida, the term before last, it was for almost half the term wasn’t it?”

“Yes but it was different,” Vida replied, “Nell was still here, wasn’t she? I mean yes she was Head because you’d had to step down, but she was still here, wasn’t she? I could go to her if there were any problems.”

“Are there any problems, Vida,” Hilda asked gently, “within your department, I mean?”

Vida shook her head, “No, nothing like that,” she said quickly, “Lesley and Rachel are great, both good friends but also happy I’m Head of Science. Pauline’s new but she’s settled, had a couple of problems at the start of term as she had to adjust to teaching kids rather than adults. We all get on together really well. I don’t think any of them are the problem, Hilda, I think I am, I can’t cope with the responsibility, not when Nell’s not there as a safety net.”

Last edited by Lesley on Sat May 06, 2006 10:45 pm; edited 1 time in total
#90:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2006 8:38 pm
    —
Oh yes, you can cope, Vida, you don't need Nell as a safety net. Hoping Hilda can see through the mire here and discover whatever is awry.

Thanks, Lesley
#91:  Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2006 8:54 pm
    —
Still think something is dodgy with the new staff or someone else.
Thanks Lesley
#92:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2006 10:36 pm
    —
Oh poor Vida, her confidence is really shot to blazes. All that frantic double-checking and then things still going wrong - she must feel as if she's going gently round the bend. Not to mention being exhausted.

Help, Hilda. We have total faith in you!
#93:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun May 07, 2006 12:13 am
    —
Thanks, Lesley. Vida has my full sympathies. I'm pleased for you that you were able to get ths update to gel together - it must have been really frustrating earlier.
#94:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Sun May 07, 2006 1:59 am
    —
Hmmm, there's something definitely wrong - and I can see why Vida thinks that it's her, but it doesn't hang together somehow.

Thanks Lesley.
#95:  Author: Liane, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sun May 07, 2006 8:41 am
    —
Poor Vida, she must be feeling terrible.
Thanks for the update Lesley.
#96:  Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire PostPosted: Sun May 07, 2006 10:15 am
    —
I also don't think it is a problem with Vida herself, but some sort of external circumstances....

Thank you Lesley!
#97:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun May 07, 2006 10:40 am
    —
Hilda shook her head, “I think you’re wrong, Vida, I don’t think you need Nell there to act. You’ve been with us long enough, you started before Kathie Ferrars didn’t you? And Kathie’s managing the Geography Department without difficulty.”

“Yes, but the Science Department is larger than the Geography Department, isn’t it? I think Science is probably the largest Department of all.”

The Head reflected on that, she felt Vida was probably correct, the Science Department was one of the largest, if not the largest, “Possibly, Vida,” she conceded, “but that makes no difference, I do not believe that the problems you have been having are because you cannot cope.” She indicated the file she had been reading just before the Biology Mistress had entered, “And after refreshing my memory as to Nell’s own opinion of you, I know that Nell would not believe it either.”

“She wouldn’t?” Vida looked pleased.

“No, she wouldn’t, she has the very highest opinion of your abilities, Vida.” Hilda smiled, “In fact, when she still had that tube down her throat I can remember her writing to me that at least the Science Department wouldn’t falter, with you there to take over from her.”

“She said that?” Vida’s face had suddenly lit up at the praise from her Department Head.

Miss Annersley looked across, marvelling at how young Vida looked, younger even than Kathie Ferrars who only appeared to be in her very early thirties, even though Hilda knew Kathie had been teaching for longer than that. Davida Armitage appeared to have been very lucky in how the move to the real world had affected her. Hilda smiled, “She did, she was relieved that another Chemistry Mistress had been appointed, to take on her teaching duties, but even more so that you could look after her Department. She had and has complete confidence in you.”

Vida smiled but then her expression darkened, “She won’t have any confidence in me when she finds out what a mess I’ve made of things,” she said quickly.

Hilda raised an eyebrow, “She will not be finding out, Vida,” she said firmly, “firstly because I do not believe that you have ‘made a mess of things’ and secondly because I’m not strong enough to physically restrain her, should she discover it. She would be over here immediately and although she may be well enough to return home this weekend, she is not well enough to come back to work!” Hilda smiled across at the younger woman.

Vida returned the smile a little shyly, “You wouldn’t need to physically stop her, Miss Annersley,” she said quietly, “Nell does what you say, she always has.”

The Head smiled, “Yesss, unfortunately that doesn’t always work,” she admitted, “and if there was a problem with her Department I think it definitely wouldn’t. So we are, between us, going to make sure she doesn’t get to hear of it, alright?”

“Alright Mis…”

“The name’s Hilda, Vida,” Hilda interrupted, “I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before,”

“Sorry, alright Hilda, but what can we do?”

Hilda sat back slightly, pleased that Vida had said ‘we’ rather than ‘I’, she thought for a moment. “I think, the first thing, is to ensure you have a laptop that works,” she said thoughtfully, “it may be that you have just been unlucky with the machines, they can go wrong, after all. I know Nell considered stamping on hers a few months back, and I’ve certainly sworn at mine a few times!”

“You’ve sworn, Mis, I mean Hilda?” Vida sounded shocked.

“Oh yes, and enjoyed the fact,” Hilda smiled across at the other woman, “it was fairly easy to pick up the vocabulary after all, when you consider the identity of my partner!”

Vida laughed, only a small, muffled laugh, but even so a welcome sound.

Hilda continued, “Now, I’ll speak with Ray about you having a brand new machine, and get her to sit with you when all passwords and data are transferred.”

“Thank you,”

Hilda nodded, “I’ll not expect you to use the machine, however, not until after Half Term. I want you to take the entire weekend off, in fact, I want you to take time off from now until we re-open for business next Monday.”

Vida looked shocked, “But, what about my classes? What about the work?”

“It’s only two days, Vida,” she reminded her gently, “tomorrow and Wednesday, I expect, before you leave here tonight, that you can easily arrange work for your classes for those two days. I’ll arrange for someone to sit with them, if necessary I’ll do so myself. You don’t even need to arrange Prep for tomorrow, I’m sure the classes themselves won’t mind.” Hilda took a breath then went on, “I want you to have a complete break from here, Vida, that means I don’t expect you to go camping either, the others will manage perfectly well without you. You need this break.”

Vida’s expression showed both hope and concern, “What about the Department?”

The Head thought, “Who could cover for you, for those two days?”

“Lesley,” Vida replied, “she’d be able to manage it,”

“Very well, I’ll speak with Lesley later this evening,” Hilda moved across to her desk and checked something on her computer, “and as I see you were taking the Middles for prep this evening I will cover that,” she paused then continued gently, “I want you to take the time to relax, Vida, to catch up on all your sleep and not to worry. Can you go and stay with anyone, get away from the School entirely?”

Vida thought for a few minutes, “I could go and stay with Biddy,” she said, “she’s been on at me for months to go to her. And she knows a little about what’s been going on.”

Hilda Annersley nodded, “Good, ring her tonight and confirm it. Tell her, from me, that you are to have complete relaxation and no talking about work. I speak to you on Sunday evening, come across to the cottage for dinner, alright?”

Vida smiled slightly, “Yes, I think so, thank you so much…”

“No thanks necessary, Vida, I want to make sure that you are fit and well, you just need a break, we’ll sort out any other concerns on your return.”
#98:  Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria PostPosted: Sun May 07, 2006 11:19 am
    —
Hilda is so caring, wish she was my boss Smile
Thanks Lesley
#99:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Sun May 07, 2006 11:43 am
    —
How quick Hilda was to reassure Vida; that must have helped her a great deal to feel that her employer had such confidence in her - and that the said employer is anxious for her to have a complete break. And Vida's absence also means that Hilda can now focus her attention on that Science Department.

And I loved the comments about Nell!

Thank you Lesley.
#100:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun May 07, 2006 12:01 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I am also wishing that Hilda was my boss.

I don't know if we will see the scene between Hilda and Lesley, but I was just wondering if it's difficult to write scenes with yourself in them? I hope you don't mind me asking.
#101:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun May 07, 2006 1:12 pm
    —
What a wonderful boss Hilda is, and so right in her judgements. I believe that someone is undermining Vida, and I want to know who it is.

Hm, it won't be Lesley, so it must be the new woman.
#102:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Sun May 07, 2006 8:10 pm
    —
Well handled there Hilda, now I wonder what's going on with Vida. It's really not like her....

Thanks Lesley
#103:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun May 07, 2006 8:26 pm
    —
Hilda Annersley managed to get Vida to leave the Real Chalet School that evening; she had contacted Biddy Courvoisier and explained that Vida needed a break, Biddy had immediately said she would drive over and pick her up. To give her her due, Vida did try to protest, however she quickly realised that it was impossible to thwart the Head on something like this. Instead she had allowed herself to be helped back to the Staff Boarding House and placed in the care of Sharlie Andrews. Sharlie had quickly helped her to pack and be ready for when Biddy had arrived.

The Head had taken Vida’s Prep duty for that night - that of sitting with the Middles. Prep for the Middles was held in the Main Hall. This was a fairly new departure; previously the School had all stayed in their form rooms to complete their prep, however with so many girls in the twelve forms that now made up the Middle School, it had been decided that, instead, they would all go to the Hall. Small folding desk/chairs were set up by the Maintenance Staff while the girls were having their Tea and everyone knew that they must be sitting in place, with all their books and equipment, for when the Mistress on duty appeared.

Although it had been rather a shock for the girls when the Headmistress herself had appeared the girls had quickly settled. The ninety minutes of Prep was normally very full and was spent in silence, the girls working hard to complete all their tasks. When the bell went Miss Annersley looked up,

“Well done everyone, now, pack up your books and take them back to your lockers, hurry now, you have less than ten minutes before the Supper bell.”

The girls were already packing and then, led by their Form Prefect, they swiftly filed out, Miss Annersley appearing not to hear the positive outcry of chatting and running as they left the Hall!

Later that evening, after Supper, and after the Head had managed to speak with both Ruth Derwent and Nancy Wilmot about her plans for Vida, Hilda Annersley drove across to the Real Hospital to see Nell Wilson. Nell was sitting writing a letter when Hilda appeared, she looked up and smiled,

“Wasn’t sure if you’d be in today,” she said.

Hilda moved across to kiss her friend, “I nearly didn’t, I’ve still got a certain amount of work to do, but thought I’d try not to upset Ruth, she doesn’t like having to reprimand me!”

“She’ll get used to it!” Nell grinned, “Why didn’t you finish your work?”

“I sat in on Prep for the Middles,”

“That must have been a nasty surprise for them,”

Hilda smiled, “Actually they were all fine, I think perhaps the incident earlier involving Lower IIIb had filtered through to the rest,” she proceeded to tell Nell about the incident, while being careful not to tell her friend of her concerns about Vida Armitage. By the time she had finished Nell was lying back in her chair giggling and wincing at the same time,

“Oh I’ve missed that,” she said, “I really wish I could have seen their faces when you collected up all their books. You do know that that was seriously evil, don’t you?”

Hilda smiled, “Well, another time they are told to start their Prep, I think they might do as they’re told.”

“True, though they’ll not have another opportunity with Vida - most unusual for her to mix up a tape, she’s always organised. Puts me to shame!” Nell’s comment was completely unforced and she had no knowledge of how important it was.

Hilda didn’t speak of anything else to do with the School, instead turning the conversation to Nell’s recovery, Nell responded,

“Emily Hedges was in here again this morning,” she said, “she’s started me on full menu, wants to see how I cope for the next few days. Id I manage then I’ll be discharged this Thursday.”

“Have you eaten well today?”

“Well I had a full meal this evening, food’s not bad in here, though not as good as at the School. Didn’t fancy any of the choices they had for dessert so one of the nurses got me a yoghurt, oh and that reminds me, could you give me the money for it? It’s one of the staff nurses, Jenny.”

“Don’t you have any money left?”

“Nope, spent the lot,” Nell’s expression took on a tragic aspect, “I’m so low on funds, you see, I mean those muggers got away with everything, I had nearly five hundred dollars cash in my bag, plus credit card and cash card. They almost wiped out my bank account so I‘m told.”

“Oh yes?” Hilda didn’t sound at all convinced, “Nell that would be so much more convincing if I didn’t know that, with the exception of the cash, everything else has been refunded by the card companies. And if I didn’t know that, for the past five and a half weeks you’ve been in hospital doing nothing while your salary has continued to be paid.”

“Well I don’t know that I’d class it as ‘doing nothing’, Hilda,” Nell returned, “and anyway, you earn more than I do, don’t you?” she grinned.

Hilda sighed, “Not that much more,” she said grudgingly, “oh, alright, how much do you need?”

“About two hundred dollars will do, Hilda, than…”

“Two hundred dollars?” Hilda almost shouted, “How much yoghurt are you planning to eat?”

Nell sighed, “It’s not all for yoghurt, Hilda, don’t be ridiculous, it’s to get something for the ward, as a thank you. The nurses and doctors won’t take anything for themselves, part of their code, or something. Oh I can get them some chocolates, but I wanted to do more. I was chatting to one of the student nurses yesterday, she was telling me about their coffee room, where they go to take a break. Until recently they had a little portable TV, but it’s broken. I want to buy them a new one.”

“Hmmm,” Hilda shook her head, she opened her bag, “You’re lucky I went to the cash point yesterday, here,” she passed across some notes.

“Thanks Hilda, I’ll pay you back,”

Hilda shook her head, “No you won’t, Nell,” she replied with a certainty born of experience.

“Oh,” Nell considered, “OK, no, I probably won’t, but thanks anyway.”
#104:  Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire PostPosted: Sun May 07, 2006 9:19 pm
    —
Lovely conversation there between Hilda and Nell! Thanks Lesley.

Still wondering about the Vida situation though!
#105:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Sun May 07, 2006 9:20 pm
    —
I rolled around the room reading that, Lesley. How well they know each other and love each other, and how well Hilda puts up with Nell's tantalising teasing.

And I am quite convinced that eventually Hilda will sort out Vida's problems, especially with that little tit-bit Nell added to the equation

Thanks, Lesley.
#106:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun May 07, 2006 10:33 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I like Nell's idea for the present.
#107:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2006 12:19 am
    —
Thanks Lesley!

Thank goodness Vida felt able to confide in Hilda, and I just hope it can all be sorted out!
#108:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2006 12:48 am
    —
Loved that conversation, especially the last line! Splendid to see Nell back on form.

Nell's comment about Vida was very helpful - wonder what will happen now?

Thanks Lesley.
#109:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2006 12:58 am
    —
Quote:
“Two hundred dollars?” Hilda almost shouted, “How much yoghurt are you planning to eat?”
That has just made me guffaw loudly, waking up one sleeping dog, two sleeping cats, but, fortunately, sparing a sleeping husband!

Hilda handled that interview with Vida so well; you could almost see the wrecked confidence twitching into life again. And taking her prep was heroic! Hilda's own prior knowledge of Vida's work, coupled with Nell's unconscious affirmation, will surely make her look very closely at what's going on.

Loved the comments about Hilda being unable to restrain Nell if she knew what was happening (and loved the curses Hilda has learned from her!), but Vida is very sensitive in realising that, despite Nell's feistiness, she actually does as Hilda says - well, most of the time Wink

Aren't Kathie and Vida lucky to have retained their youth!
#110:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2006 1:23 pm
    —
Yes, aren't they? That was a wonderful interchange, Lesley.
#111:  Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2006 7:46 pm
    —
Lovely banter between Nell and Hilda.
Thank you lesley
#112:  Author: Kat, Location: Abertawe PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2006 8:18 pm
    —
So modest of you to put yourself up for a brief promotion Lesley!! Laughing Well deserved though Wink

Thank you!
#113:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2006 11:43 pm
    —
“Anything else, Pat?”

Mrs Francis looked across at the Senior Officer, “Just that the attitude within the prison continues as before. Has been there ever since Butcher was first charged with the assault of Taylor, though the last couple of days it’s been worse.”

“What of Butcher herself?”

“She’s racked up another three days solitary, refusing to leave her cell for the exercise period. Says it’s hardly exercise when she’s chained up anyway.”

“She could be right there,” Shaw pointed out, “is she still refusing to admit the initial assault?”

“Yes,” Pat Francis looked worried, “Geri, she’s now got a total of thirty-two days solitary, with no sign that her behaviour has changed, if anything she’s even more furious than before. And she seems to be concentrating a large percentage of that rage toward you.”

“Yes I know,” Geri sighed, “for some reason she seemed to expect me to do something different.”

There was a pause then Pat Francis spoke again, “Geri, you are sure about her guilt, aren’t you? I mean I’ve been here the same length of time as you, Butcher has never before reacted like this before.”

Geri Shaw rose and walked over to gaze out of the barred window, “I don’t know, Pat,” she said eventually.

It was Wednesday afternoon and Mrs Francis, the ranking officer on the early shift, had been reporting to Miss Shaw. In those two days there had been no change in the defiant attitude from Butcher and no change in the underlying emotions within the prison. Officer Taylor had returned from night duty the day before; rather than increase the tension within the Solitary Wing, Miss Shaw has placed him in Reception, dealing with any newly convicted inmates about to start their sentences. She had also taken the opportunity to question him thoroughly about the incident.

The man still bore some of the ravages of the attack; his face had large green and yellow bruises and some of the cuts above his eyes still had stitches in them. In addition his right arm was obviously still extremely painful, the swelling causing it to be difficult to move. He had greeted the Senior Officer without any obvious concerns and was quite happy to speak of the night in question, even saying that he felt he was really to blame,

“I’d given her another few days in Solitary, you see,” Taylor smiled deprecatingly, “didn’t have any option really, but I should have realised just how much that would have angered her. If I’d thought about it I would have waited, not opened the cell that night when I was on my own, hindsight’s a wonderful thing though, isn’t it? I suppose, also, that I didn’t appreciate the danger.”

“Not appreciate the danger, Mr Taylor?” Miss Shaw sounded somewhat sceptical, “Butcher is a convicted murderer, she admits to killing at least three people, one of them a prison officer,”

“Yes but,” Taylor smiled slightly, “I’m a man, I didn’t feel that any woman could hurt me. I only moved from a male prison a few months ago, I think I just didn’t appreciate the danger. I do now, of course.”

“You were very lucky, Mr Taylor,” Shaw replied, “the prison officer that Butcher killed was a man, she killed him even after he had broken her arm. Don’t ever underestimate her.”

“I won’t, not know,” Taylor smiled ruefully, “after all I’ve got the bruises to show for it, haven’t I?”

“You have,” Miss Shaw agreed, “and are lucky that your injuries were so mild,”

“Oh well, I managed to fight my way free,” Taylor said easily, “after all I am stronger.”

After a few more pleasantries the man left. Now, the next day, looking out of the window, Shaw went through her conversation with Taylor, thinking hard. She frowned,

“What is it, Geri?” Pat Francis asked.

“Something strange, Pat,” Geri Shaw said, “Taylor said he managed to fight off Butcher, that he managed it because he was stronger,”

“Yes, he probably is,” Pat agreed.

“In that case something’s missing.”
#114:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2006 11:48 pm
    —
I know what's missing - this feels like an Encyclopedia Brown book (do you guys have Enclyclopedia Brown books?), but don't want to post it, in case it is giving something away.

Please let this let them figure out that Taylor is a creep of the first order!
#115:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Tue May 09, 2006 12:54 am
    —
Yes quite! There is an absence of something isn't there? Go on Geri, really look at what's been happening.

I know about Encyclopedia Brown...my son read them!
#116:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Tue May 09, 2006 10:09 am
    —
Definately an absense of something and fairly damning if Geri works it out!

Thank you Lesley.
#117:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Tue May 09, 2006 11:43 am
    —
Where are Butcher's injuries, if Taylor managed to fight free as he is stronger than a woman?
#118:  Author: Alex, Location: Cambs, UK PostPosted: Tue May 09, 2006 12:16 pm
    —
Jennie wrote:
Where are Butcher's injuries, if Taylor managed to fight free as he is stronger than a woman?


And Taylor's defence injuries?
#119:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Tue May 09, 2006 12:20 pm
    —
I think I've read too many detective novels to find Taylor convincing.
#120:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Tue May 09, 2006 1:02 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I am not finding Taylor convincing. I am not sure what is missing, though - I look forward to finding out.
#121:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Tue May 09, 2006 1:10 pm
    —
Jennie wrote:
Where are Butcher's injuries, if Taylor managed to fight free as he is stronger than a woman?


That would be what the rest of us weren't saying.
#122:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue May 09, 2006 5:17 pm
    —
PLEASE let Taylor have given himself away! Pretty please?

Thanks Lesley!
#123:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue May 09, 2006 7:16 pm
    —
The last few days before Half Term went very quickly; on the Wednesday afternoon Miss Annersley called an Assembly prior to dismissing everyone. Those girls that were going home for Half Term left directly after that however the vast majority of the School were staying for the camping trips. Even the Kindergarten were represented – although the babies didn’t camp out in tents, instead many of them were staying over the weekend in specially designed bunkhouses with activity centres – a number of the parents had also been invited as well, the pupils of the Kindergarten being almost exclusively from Australian families as they were thought too young to travel long distances.

Supper that evening was a relaxed affair; Miss Annersley detailing that as everyone was on holiday it wasn’t necessary to be as rigid as normal. She also turned a blind eye to the many jokes and giggles that abounded. Only reacting when the noise became so loud that she, literally, could hear herself speak. When this level of noise was reached she did stand and the rest of the Staff watched with amusement as silence suddenly fell.

“That’s better,” the Head spoke softly, a slight smile on her lips, “let us not disturb the neighbours!”

The noise level from then on was a little more subdued!

Thursday morning saw everyone up early and a scene of organised chaos. Breakfast was served early and quickly, Staff ensuring that everyone had a light meal and a drink as they would be having rest stops on the way to the camping sites later in the morning. Then, when ten large coaches drew up, in front of the Main Building, a positive deluge of Staff bearing lists and somewhat harassed expressions shepherded their charges onto the correct coach and ensured all pertinent luggage was loaded into the copious baggage holds. Also involved in loading supplies were a number of the Domestic Staff, with the Domestic Supervisor, Karen Pfieffen, ensuring that all foodstuffs and supplies required were loaded correctly.

Each of the coaches held some fifty girls and up to six members of the Teaching and Housekeeping Staff; Miss Annersley, dressed casually, as all the girls and adults, made a point of climbing into each coach to wish everyone well for the weekend. When she climbed into the coach where a number of the Junior Middles, including Lower IIIb were seated she was surprised at the warmth of her welcome – unaware that the girls had suddenly realised that their misbehaviour the previous Monday could have meant that they miss out on their Half Term treat!

By eight-thirty the very last of the coaches was leaving the grounds; behind it Hilda looked round, there were only a few people left. She walked over to speak with Karen,

“Thank you Karen, your help was invaluable. Now you will be leaving yourself soon, won’t you?”

The Austrian woman smiled, “I’ll be leaving as soon as I checked all the washing up and clearing away has been done. What of Sunday evening? Did you want a meal available then?”

Hilda shook her head, “No, the girls will all be having a main meal at lunchtime on Sunday, they’ll want only sandwiches in the evening and we can easily arrange that ourselves.”

“I’ll make sure there is sufficient bread and fillings available in the fridge,” Karen smiled, “and there will be a complete Domestic Staff available first thing Monday morning, we’ll need to be at full strength then – I expect there to be a great deal of laundry needing to be done – especially as the weather forecast says that some severe storms are on their way.”

“You may be right there,” Hilda smiled, “will you be on-site over the weekend? You know that Nell is coming home –she would love to see you.”

“I’m away for a few days, back late on Saturday; perhaps I can come over sometime on Sunday? I should like to see Nell.”

“Come for dinner,” Hilda urged, she then paused, and quickly added, “at least, come to dinner as long as you promise not to make comparisons between my cooking and your own!”

Karen laughed, “I promise, I’ll be there,” she said. She watched as the Head, after confirming the time, took her leave and went across to speak with those Security Staff who would remain on duty over the next four days. Karen then turned back to the School Kitchen and helped her staff finish clearing up before chasing all of them off for their own Half Term.

Meanwhile Hilda had also made time to speak with the Admin staff that were working that morning. After making sure they would only be there for a few hours she moved to her own office and finished a few tasks before closing down the computer and locking her desk with a feeling of some joy.

…

It was late morning before Hilda Annersley finally left the Real Chalet School, a School sadly denuded of almost all its inhabitants. She drove across to the Real Hospital and walked in to the General Ward where her friend was waiting.

“You’re late!” Nell’s greeting to her was not unexpected.

“I’m not, I said I’d be here before lunch, it’s 11.45,” Hilda said patiently.

“She’s been waiting since eight o’clock,” the General Surgeon, Emily Hedges put in, “I think she was worried that I’d change my mind!”

“I suppose you had to finish off work at the School? Didn't give a thought to the fact I was waiting?”

“I did," Hilda replied patiently, "and I have none to do over the weekend, my time is free until Monday morning." She smiled then continued, "Now Nell, are you going to be in this bad mood for long or shall we go home?”

Nell Wilson smiled somewhat sheepishly, “Sorry Hilda,” she said quickly, “let’s go home.”
#124:  Author: Rachel, Location: West Coast of Scotland PostPosted: Tue May 09, 2006 7:49 pm
    —
Wow, you posted nice and early this evening Lesley - hopefully this means there will be plenty of time for you to post more before bedtime!



d
e
a
t
h
s
?
?
?

please?
#125:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue May 09, 2006 9:02 pm
    —
Thank you Lesley!!!

Lovely H&N scene at the end there! Very Happy
#126:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Tue May 09, 2006 9:26 pm
    —
Nice scenes, and yes, I know what is missing, surprised none of us thought about it before.
#127:  Author: Liane, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Tue May 09, 2006 11:41 pm
    —
Thanks for the update Lesley!
#128:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2006 12:36 am
    —
Oh, that was nice, especially the final lines of conversation.

I wonder how the camping will go?

Enjoy your weekend Karen - and your dinner on Sunday!
#129:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2006 1:09 am
    —
My head is reeling from whisking back to the school from the prison (couldn't get on the board yesterday, and missing a day is fatal!).

Glad that glimmers of light are beginning to appear in the Taylor affair. Butcher has been remarkably restrained and dignified over this, but I suppose she's in a very powerless position. It's up to Geri to use her brain, now.

Loved the staff 'bearing lists and somewhat harassed expressions' - know the feeling! I sympathise with Hilda if she's going to have to cook for Karen - brave of her to offer! And poor Nell, grumping away because she's terrified it'll all go wrong. It's lovely that she's able to go home, but I suspect Hilda will have her hands full with her, she won't be a patient convalescent.

As for the camping ... we have all, no doubt, noted that 'some severe storms are on their way'. Eek!
#130:  Author: Alex, Location: Cambs, UK PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2006 12:25 pm
    —
I like the fact that Hilda and Nell can now socialise with Karen, something that would never have happened when they were trapped in Elinor's world.
#131:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2006 1:29 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley, you do like to keep us all on our toes, don't you?
#132:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2006 2:50 pm
    —
Thanks Lesley great updates.

We didn't know that the missing bits were missing until that scene - as far as we knew neither Taylor or Butcher had mentioned Taylor fighting back.
#133:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2006 2:57 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. It was nice to see the conversation between Karen and Hilda.
#134:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2006 4:27 pm
    —
Much to Nell’s chagrin and embarrassment the ward staff insisted that she sat in a wheelchair and was wheeled out to the car park. No amount of protesting from her made any difference. Hilda walked behind the wheelchair carrying Nell’s belongings in a large bag. When they reached the car she placed the bag in the boot while some of the nurses helped Nell into the car.

“I’m relying on you, Hilda, to ensure that she rests,” Emily Hedges said quickly, “she’s going to want to do too much and it will tire her out. She’s not as strong as she thinks and the change from hospital to home is far greater than she thinks it is,”

“You know I am sitting here listening to you,” Nell put in crossly.

Emily smiled, “I know, Nell, I’m hoping some of what I’m saying will take root,”

“OK, OK, so I’ll take it easy,” Nell replied quickly, “can we go now?”

“We can,” Hilda confirmed, she slid into the driver’s seat and switched on the engine, seconds later they were leaving the car park and heading back to the Real Chalet School.

The pair drove in silence for some minutes then Nell looked across, frowning, “I know what you’re thinking, Hilda,” she said sharply, “You’re thinking that I was very rude to Emily, especially as she was only giving good advice and cared about my welfare,”

“Well if you know, Nell, that’ll save me the trouble of saying anything,” Hilda replied quietly.

The pair lapsed back into silence again for a while, then, “Sorry Hilda, I just got so frustrated. I was in hospital nearly six weeks. Really wanted to go home.”

“I know, idiot!” Hilda smiled across at her partner, “and that’s where we’re going now, I promise.”

Nell returned the smile and her frown seemed to disappear, after a while she spoke again, “So, did the School all get off safely?”

“They did, and we managed not to lose or misplace anyone either!”

“That’s a blessing,” Nell grinned, “so the place is as quiet as during the holidays then?”

“Quieter,” Hilda replied, “there’s a skeleton Security presence - even John and Sara are away - and all Maintenance and Admin staff have the rest of today and tomorrow off. None of the Domestic Department have stayed and the only member of Staff other than ourselves is Rosalind Moore - she‘s coming to dinner tomorrow night.”

“What about Cherry and Robbie? They’ll be there, won’t they?”

Hilda shook her head, “No, they’ve gone with the rest of the Nursery, Robbie was really looking forward to going camping with his friends and Cherry had volunteered to help out weeks ago,” she looked at Nell’s face, disappointment was splashed across it, Hilda smiled, “They’re coming back on Saturday morning,” she said quickly, “they’re driving back especially so that they can see you.”

Nell smiled, “Good, what about the girls?”

“They’d also volunteered to help out, will be away until Sunday, I’m afraid it’s just the two of us for most of the weekend.”

“That’s nice.” A pause then, “I didn’t think Cherry had taken her test yet?”

“She hasn’t, Shane is going to pick her up,”

“Shane eh?”

“What?”

“Oh, nothing, just wondering, that’s all,”

A little later the car reached the grounds of the RCS and was waved through, Hilda brought the car round to a stop directly in front of their cottage. She switched off the engine and got out,

“Wait ‘til I get there before getting out, Nell, I’ll open the car door” she said, she got out swiftly and walked round; using her key she opened the front door of the cottage then returned to the car.

“You left the child lock on, Hilda, the door wouldn’t open,”

Hilda sighed, “The only way you could know that, Nell,” she began, “is if you’d tried the door. Something I asked you not to do.”

“You didn’t honesty think I’d take any notice of that, did you Hilda?”

“No Nell, that’s why I left the child lock on.”
#135:  Author: Rachel, Location: West Coast of Scotland PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2006 4:30 pm
    —
Mr. Green

Trust Nell to try the door regardless!

You know, she could really do herself an injury if she keeps on like this... an injury that could lead to... fatalities?

<hopeful>
#136:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2006 4:32 pm
    —
*g* thank you Lesley.
#137:  Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2006 4:37 pm
    —
Quote:
“You didn’t honesty think I’d take any notice of that, did you Hilda?”

“No Nell, that’s why I left the child lock on.”


Laughing Laughing Laughing
#138:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2006 5:18 pm
    —
Not sure which I'm laughing at most, Nell and Hilda and the child lock, or Rachel's increasingly plaintive pleas for deaths! Wink
#139:  Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2006 5:46 pm
    —
Vikki just said everything I was about to!! Very Happy

Thank you Lesley - a nice early post today, does that mean there will be three more before bed? Wink
#140:  Author: Liane, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2006 6:08 pm
    —
*echoes Vikki and Helen*
Thanks Lesley
#141:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2006 7:57 pm
    —
I'm renaming child-locks, Nell-locks.

Thanks Lesley - made me smile!
#142:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2006 8:47 pm
    —
Thanks Lesley, love the Nell Locks! Laughing
#143:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2006 9:46 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I'm glad that Nell has been able to leave the hospital. I love the part about the child locks!
#144:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2006 10:00 pm
    —
Poor Nell - so frustrated, and knowing she'll get no change out if Hilda at all. Just give in, Nell! It will be so much easier because you know she'll out-manoevre you every time. Laughing

Thanks, Lesley.
#145:  Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2006 10:22 pm
    —
Vikki wrote:
Not sure which I'm laughing at most, Nell and Hilda and the child lock, or Rachel's increasingly plaintive pleas for deaths! Wink


Think we should all continue to laugh at the Nell-Locks and that Lesley should ignore Rachel's pleas for Deaths!!
#146:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2006 11:56 pm
    —
Quote:
I’m relying on you, Hilda, to ensure that she rests
Now that's a full-time job, surely. I'm very much afraid Nell is going to be a pain in the proverbial!

And there's practically no-one on site except Hilda and Nell - and Rosalind, of course ... hmmmmmmm. Rolling Eyes
#147:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 2:03 am
    —
Nell, behave yourself! You'll have to, because she won't let you do anything else...

Thanks Lesley.
#148:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 12:03 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. it's good to see that Hilda and Nell don't change all that much.
#149:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 3:32 pm
    —
For the next twenty -four hours things remained the same within the prison, the underlying atmosphere was tense, the situation within Solitary confrontational. Butcher continued to refuse to leave her cell for the exercise period, even though, by doing so, she was adding another day of Solitary each time. When she also started to refuse to leave the cell for a shower Miss Shaw was informed.

“And her reasoning?”

“The same, Miss Shaw,” Miss Dean reported, “the orders are that, if she leaves the cell she must be restrained, so she’s refusing to leave the cell.”

“But that means she will be getting an additional two days Solitary every day? Doesn’t she realise that?”

“I think she does,” the prison officer replied, “I think that could be why she’s doing it. A form of protest.” There was a pause then she added, “I think she feels she has no other way of protesting.”

“Protesting? About the restraints you mean?”

“Yes, Miss Shaw. Could the Governor reconsider, do you think? I mean she should have her exercise, being in that cell all the time can’t be good for her.”

“The Governor is away for the rest of the week,” Shaw said absently, “I’ll talk to Butcher…”

“I’m told that you are protesting, Butcher?” Miss Shaw spoke to the inmate;

Butcher didn’t reply, merely continued to sit on her cot staring at the wall. Following the orders from the Governor, Butcher was, once again, wearing restraints. However as she was sitting down the effect was slightly less obvious.

Shaw sighed, “Talk to me, Butcher, I cannot help you if you refuse to speak.”

Butcher turned her head, “You’re not here to help me, screw,” she said with certainty, “You’re here to make me conform.” She indicated, with a jerk of her head, the prison officers outside in the corridor, “As none of your staff have managed it, they’ve got you to try. You’re wasting your time.”

“Why are you doing this? You never protested about the restraints when giving lectures on drugs.”

“No, because they were necessary then,” Butcher replied, “Made sure the kids knew what they were dealing with, appeased the Prison Authorities, so they didn’t pull the plug on the idea. Now? The only reason they’re being used is as a form of revenge, a punishment for something I’m supposed to have done. Well I’m not accepting it this time, because this time I’ve done nothing.”

“The evidence suggests…”

“Evidence? There’s no evidence, all there is, is my word against Taylor’s,” Butcher interrupted, “and because he’s a screw you believe him.”

“I did look into your claims, Butcher,” the Senior Officer said firmly, “there was no substance to them, no reason why Mr Taylor would lie. He transferred here with a glowing reputation,”

“Not from people I’ve spoken to,” Butcher put in, “Oh but they’re all ex-cons too, so their opinions don’t count, do they?”

Miss Shaw didn’t reply to the question, instead, after a few minutes she spoke again, “You can’t continue to refuse to obey orders, Butcher. Every time you do it increases your sentence here.”

“So? Maybe eventually someone will start looking at why I’m doing it, why I’m deliberately adding more days.”

“The restraints are there to protect my officers…”

“And since when did you need protection?” Butcher was angry now, for the first time she looked Shaw straight in the face, “Well? When did you need protection from me?”
#150:  Author: Rachel, Location: West Coast of Scotland PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 3:54 pm
    —
Great stuff as ever Lesley!
#151:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 3:56 pm
    —
But Geri, what about the missing stuff???

Some very lovely updates Lesley (though I'm not sure one should call updates about Butcher, 'lovely').
#152:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 3:57 pm
    —
I'm glad Butcher has finally directly challenged her. Come on Geri, think a little more deeply.
#153:  Author: Kat, Location: Abertawe PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 6:38 pm
    —
*hugs Butcher*

Geri, you need a slap woman! Can't you see the truth when it's right in front of you?!
#154:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 8:27 pm
    —
Oh dear! One has to wonder why Geri has the blinkers on...

Thanks, Lesley
#155:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 8:48 pm
    —
Or has Geri done it so Butcher will look her straight in the face... and so Geri can look Butcher straight in her's?
#156:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 9:52 pm
    —
The question kept repeating itself in her brain, over and over again. “Well? When did you need protection from me?” It was like a mantra, continually saying the same thing. And the worst of it was that Butcher was right. She, Shaw, had never needed that level of protection from the inmate, she’d never felt unsafe walking the corridors, knowing that Butcher was free and able to walk up to her at any time.

“She has attacked me,” Geri Shaw said to herself, “more than once, at the beginning of the riot and near the end. Also when she was in Solitary for attacking Mason. But I never felt I needed protection from her. If anything the person I should feel I need protection from is Sullivan,” her eyes darkened slightly as she remembered the assaults from Sullivan when a hostage during the riot, “but I never felt that, not even on my first day back.”

Her mind went back to a further conversation she had had with Prison Officer Taylor, earlier that day. This time it was in the Reception area, processing new inmates.

“What was that, Miss Shaw?” Taylor looked across, smiling,

“Only something I considered strange, Mr Taylor,” the Senior Officer replied, “you said that, when Butcher attacked you, you were able to fight free, is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s right,” Taylor said, somewhat distractedly as he was attempting, left handed, to fill in the Admissions Book.

“Well why is it that Butcher doesn’t have any bruises? I checked with the Staff in Solitary, she doesn’t have anything that could be classed as a bruise, an indication that she had a struggle.”

Taylor looked surprised, “She doesn’t? How strange. Maybe she’s not someone that bruises easily. And after all, all our techniques are designed for restraint. Although I was more concerned just with getting out of there, pushing her away from me. Funny that.”

“Yes, funny.”

Geri had said nothing more, but she didn’t feel all was well. The reply was too glib, too rehearsed, as though he had already thought of that, thought of how he could best counter it. For the first time she had felt suspicious, just a little, as though something wasn’t quite right. Yet she had no way to prove anything, no way to show that things didn’t happen in the way that Taylor had related.

She’d visited Butcher in Solitary as a way of trying to assuage her concerns, but instead they had increased. Butcher was telling the truth, she was sure of it. Yet she had no way to prove it and without proof Butcher had to remain where she was.
#157:  Author: Liane, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 10:04 pm
    —
Come on Geri, you know you can sort it out.
Thanks Lesley.
#158:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 10:04 pm
    —
*slaps Taylor*

LISTEN to your instincts Geri! Please!!!
#159:  Author: Rachel, Location: West Coast of Scotland PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 10:06 pm
    —
Ah well, never mind eh. Geri can't help being a bit dim...


(Tis all those deaths to come preying on her mind making her miss the obvious Wink )
#160:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2006 10:36 pm
    —
You really really like the name Ethel, don't you Rachel?

Thanks Lesley- I hope Geri will be able to sort something out. Maybe she'll listen to those friends of Butcher and we can find out what's so strange about Taylor too....*hinting*
#161:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 1:10 am
    —
What troubles me is how much of the rapport between Geri and Butcher has been destroyed, and even if things are put right, can that ever be rebuilt?

Thanks Lesley
#162:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 11:57 am
    —
Come on, Geri, think!
#163:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 12:53 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I hope Geri will be able to sort things out.
#164:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 1:32 pm
    —
Does something drastic have to happen to sort things out?

Or is Hilda going to put her oar in somewhere?

Thanks, Lesley.
#165:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 3:10 pm
    —
Nell Wilson lost no time familiarising herself with the cottage and grounds once more; after more than seven weeks away she informed Hilda that she had to explore every inch of the cottage and garden. As Nell was now perfectly able to walk for short distances Hilda left her to it and instead unpacked Nell’s bag and made a drink. Nell reappeared in the lounge just as Hilda was pouring out two glasses of lemonade.

“It’s warm out there!” Nell said, sitting gingerly on the sofa and taking a glass from her friend, “Humid too,”

“Apparently there are storms on their way,” Hilda replied, “they are supposed to be quite severe. Not until tomorrow night though.”

“Glad we’ve got air conditioning then,” Nell smiled across at her friend, “so, as you’ve got no reason to go into the School, what did you have planned for the next few days?”

Hilda shook her head, “Not a great deal,” she said, “I knew that you would be convalescing and so not able to do very much physically, so…”

“I can do far more than I was allowed in the hospital, Hilda,” Nell interrupted, “don’t worry about me,”

“Nell,” Hilda said firmly, “you cannot do as much as you think. You have to be careful.”

“I’ve had weeks of being careful, Hilda, I’ll be fine,” Nell finished her drink, “now, did you unpack my bag? Thanks, I’m just going to change into something a little more comfortable.” She pushed herself up out of the sofa, though not without having a grimace of pain cross her features at the pull on her wound.

“Let me help,” Hilda said quickly,

“No need, no need,” Nell said, “I’ve got to do this myself, I’m just going upstairs,”

“But you’ve not tried stairs yet, I thought that, for the weekend, you could sleep down here? There’s the downstairs cloakroom, after all, it even has a shower in there,”

“Sleep downstairs?” Nell frowned, “I don’t need that. Stop babying me, woman!” She disappeared out to the stairs.

Hilda sighed slightly and followed her friend out, Nell obviously found going up stairs to be somewhat more difficult than she had bargained for; by the time she’d reached the landing she was panting quite heavily. However, on seeing Hilda watching her she straightened and strode into her bedroom. A short time later she reappeared at the top of the stairs, having changed into shorts and tee-shirt.

“Do you want a hand coming down, Nell?”

“No I do not want a hand.” Nell said crossly, “Are you going to keep this up all weekend?”

Hilda said nothing, just watched as Nell walked slowly down the stairs. Partway down she stopped, her face dripping perspiration, Hilda asked again if she could help and was angrily shrugged off by Nell,

“I can do this, leave me to do it!”

The rest of the way downstairs was accomplished very slowly, Nell had a triumphant look on her face, “There, no problem, I…” she collapsed into her friend’s arms and Hilda was hard pressed to support her partner for a few seconds,

“Nell, you need to rest, now, you’re trying to do too much,” Hilda said softly, helping Nell back into the lounge and into one of the armchairs,

“I’m OK, Hilda,” Nell said stubbornly, “just a bit hot, that’s all, will be fine once the air conditioning kicks in.”

Hilda didn’t reply, instead, leaving her friend to recover she returned to the kitchen and made some sandwiches for lunch, on her return she found Nell up once more pushing the chair closer to the patio doors,

“Thought it would be nice to sit looking out into the garden, Hilda,” she said, smiling.

Hilda nodded, “Yes it would,” she agreed, “but let me move the chair, Nell, you don’t want to strain yours…”

“Oh, for goodness sake, Hilda, stop fussing, will you?” Nell grinned across at her, “I’m fine, honest, there’s no need to try and wrap me in cotton wool!” She turned back to push the chair again, then stopped, “Oh, that’s funny!”

“What’s funny?”

Nell turned, “My wound, it’s bleeding slightly, look!”

She lifted her shirt and Hilda saw some drops of fresh blood on the dressing covering the wound,

“Nell this is all due to your stubbornness,” Hilda said, justifiably annoyed, “Now sit down, I’ll get a clean dressing…”

“No need, Hilda, I’ll get one,” Nell moved toward the stairs, “it’s only a slight opening of the…”

“Dammit Nell, stop! For once would you listen to me?” The icy tones left Nell shocked, as did the language.

“No need for that, Hilda,” Nell said quickly, a half smile on her lips, “you know I always listen to you…”

“…No you don’t! Now sit down, shut up and listen to me!” The orders were accompanied by Hilda pointing to the sofa, her expression set and her eyes grey. Nell was unprepared for the tone of her friend’s voice and only just managed to control her own rising temper. She did as ordered.

“Alright Hilda,” she said tightly, “what’s on your mind?”

Last edited by Lesley on Fri May 12, 2006 4:17 pm; edited 1 time in total
#166:  Author: Rachel, Location: West Coast of Scotland PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 3:28 pm
    —
Yay Go Nell!


<sets up cheerleading station with pom-poms and a high kicking routine to keep up the encouragement factor>
#167:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 3:35 pm
    —
Don't get your hopes up Rachel! she isn't going to kill Nell off, you know that! Rolling Eyes
#168:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 3:39 pm
    —
So stubborn...
#169:  Author: Kat, Location: Abertawe PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 4:22 pm
    —
Lesley in not killing Nell, or Nell not listening to Hilda? Wink Laughing
#170:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 5:04 pm
    —
Either, both, whichever really...*g* Wink Laughing
#171:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 6:02 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I'm glad that finally Hilda got Nell to listen to her.
#172:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 6:57 pm
    —
Just lock her in her bedroom, Hilda, and throw away the key! Laughing

Definitely no angel here, Lesley. Wink

Thank you.
#173:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 7:02 pm
    —
Hilda didn’t reply immediately, instead she turned away from her partner, stared out into the garden for a while, eventually, still with her back to Nell she spoke,

“Just under six weeks ago I was sitting in a small waiting room within a Casualty Department. In the room next door, the ‘Crash Room’, there were about fifteen or twenty people, nurses and doctors. All of them fighting desperately to save the life of a woman that had been stabbed. You.” She turned to look across at Nell and her eyes were so haunted that Nell’s automatic reply died unsaid.

“That the fight was a difficult one, that they were not sure whether they would win, was made very clear to me when they asked if a priest should be called.” Hilda took a breath then continued, “You were given the Last Rites before being taken to Theatres.”

Nell shook her head, shocked, her quick temper suddenly dissipating, “I-I didn’t…” she fell silent as Hilda raised a hand,

“I know,” she whispered. “Once you had got through surgery, for the next four days I spent almost the entire time sat beside your bed in Intensive Care. Waiting to see if you would survive. One day the Anaesthetist visited with another consultant, a Neurologist, and I watched as they both went through all the tests to check that you were not brain dead.”

Hilda paused for some time, her eyes slowly closing on the memory, “As I’m sure you can imagine,” she continued, “it brought back memories that I did not want to re-live. Memories of when, just over a year ago, I watched you die. The thought that I might have to go through that again; it was almost overwhelming.”

Nell spoke quietly, “I didn’t know, Hilda, no one told me…”

Hilda nodded, “I know, and I wouldn’t have mentioned it now except to impress on you just how ill you really were.” She took a deep breath then continued, “Nell, just over a year ago I thought that I’d lost you. I discovered then just how it would affect me,” she shook her head, “I’d have been able to cope, I’d have continued. I wouldn’t have been so prostrate with grief that I couldn’t function. I wouldn’t have wanted to withdraw from the world. But at the time I thought you were dead, a large part of me died as well.”

Hilda sat on the sofa, her thoughts back in time to just over a year in the past, after a short time Nell sat beside her, placed an arm around her shoulders,

“I’m sorry, Hilda, I didn’t mean to bring up those memories,”

“I know, Nell,”

“It’s just, I get so frustrated that I can’t do things, makes me act stupidly on occasion,”

“Yes,”

“Well you didn’t have to agree quite so quickly, you know!”

“Sorry,”

A pause then, “Hilda? Maybe you could get a new pad for my wound?”

Hilda nodded, smiled, “Alright Nell,” she stood and walked across to the door,

“And Hilda?” Nell looked across with a slight wry grin, “Maybe I will sleep down here for a few nights, OK?”

“Okay Nell,”
#174:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 8:24 pm
    —
Good for Hilda, that needed saying, Nell was being a bit pig headed. I do wonder though if there was a reminder there that Lesley has done some rotten things to her characters before and maybe there will be a death? To Nell or to someone else close by?
#175:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 9:14 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I'm sorry that Hilda had to relive the memories of what happened a year ago.
#176:  Author: Liane, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 9:26 pm
    —
Well done Hilda! Took Nell long enough to realise she was pushing it.
Thanks Lesley.
#177:  Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 9:59 pm
    —
Hilda put that very well there! Thank you Lesley. Very Happy
#178:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2006 11:43 pm
    —
The one thing that will hold Nell is realising the effect her illness has had on Hilda. A much better approach than the shaking I was longing to administer! Nell couldn't give a stronger affirmation of love than letting Hilda help her.

I missed the Geri/Butcher updates, so just to say I'm relieved that Geri is accepting the truth, and look forward to seeing how they're going to prove it. Like Cath, I hope this won't permanently damage the trust between them.
#179:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 12:49 am
    —
Nell, you had to push it didn't you? Now perhaps you will listen and do what you're told to. And it cost Hilda a lot to say that.
#180:  Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 11:24 am
    —
Well done Hilda! Harsh, but necessary!!
#181:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 1:13 pm
    —
All this just emphasises the love and trust between them, just as earlier Hilda had clearly demonstrated the love and trust she has for Cherry.

Which rather contrasts with the lack of trust that Geri has so far shown in Butcher.

Thanks, Lesley.
#182:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 2:24 pm
    —
Good for Hilda. Nell needed the truth so that she would be more sensible, if only for Hilda's sake.
#183:  Author: Kat, Location: Abertawe PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 6:37 pm
    —
If Nell weren't so stubborn, she could have figured out how hard seeing her must have been for Hilda *pokes her*
#184:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 6:41 pm
    —
The situation in the prison continued to remain tense, Butcher’s stand within Solitary starting to affect some of the other prisoners. On the Thursday afternoon Shaw had seen three women disciplined for disobedience, all three of them had refused to obey orders given to them by Taylor. All three women were Trustees and had never been in trouble before; they all worked in the Reception Area. None of them could, when questioned by the Senior Officer, give a reason for their behaviour. However all three immediately requested transfers to another area of the prison. Unable to get any further information from them; Miss Shaw contented herself with passing a penalty of one week’s loss of privileges for each of them. She did not, however, impose a loss of remission.

Friday morning and, in Solitary, Butcher continued to refuse to obey orders and increase her sentence. Just to add to the problems, the threatened storms that were forecast to hit Melbourne that evening were likely to affect the electrical supply, the Head of Maintenance was asked to explain what that could mean,

“Basically it will mean we could lose power,”

“What, everything?” Miss Shaw looked concerned.

“Initially yes,” the Engineer replied, “but don’t worry, we have our own generator for that very reason, if the main power goes off it will kick in almost immediately, we won’t lose either lighting or air conditioning - they are both centrally supplied,”

“Well that’s a blessing,” Shaw said quickly, “trying to look after this lot without any lights would be a serious problem,”

“Agreed, though I should warn you, you will lose power to all equipment that runs off of sockets, so no television, no table lights, kettles or anything else,”

“What about the kitchens?”

“Shouldn’t be a problem, the ovens are gas, aren’t they?”

“Yes but the fridges aren’t!”

“Hmmm, hadn’t thought of that, I’ll get a couple of men to rig up a mini battery, let the fridges, one of them, anyway, run off that overnight,”

“I’ll get the Catering Officers to move as much of the foodstuffs as possible into that one, just in case.”
#185:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 8:16 pm
    —
I think I said earlier would it take a disaster to sort this out! Laughing Were you listening to me, Lesley? Shocked

Oh dear, oh dear! Wondering just what this means for Butcher and Geri. Who will have to trust whom?

Thanks, Lesley.
#186:  Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 8:40 pm
    —
What about the security cameras?
like in Butchers cell?
Thanks Lesley
#187:  Author: Liane, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 10:49 pm
    —
You're giving her ideas nikki!
*smiles sweetly at Lesley*
#188:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 10:54 pm
    —
No she's not, she's giving away my plot! Evil or Very Mad Wink
#189:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 11:01 pm
    —
Laughing In fact, ROFL!!!!!
#190:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 12:55 am
    —
I wonder what's been going on with Taylor and the other women? At least Geri's suspicions are fully aroused now.

A prison full of disaffected and angry women and no lights - now that could be interesting. And Taylor roaming around in the dark, presumably. Am wibbling somewhat! Is he predator or prey??
#191:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 5:30 am
    —
That would depend on circumstances I suspect.

Thanks Lesley.
#192:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 8:44 am
    —
After the somewhat rocky start, Hilda and Nell settled into their first day back together without any further problems. They hadn’t got anything planned for the Thursday afternoon and evening, luckily, as Nell discovered, fairly early in the afternoon, that her actions when she first got home were to have consequences. After Hilda had changed the dressing on her wound - there was only a very small amount of bleeding - the pair had sat and eaten lunch. Afterwards Hilda had cleared up and made tea for them both, they had sat chatting for some time until Hilda, glancing across, had seen that her friend was almost asleep. She’d managed to persuade Nell to move across to the sofa and lie down and Nell had slept the rest of the afternoon and into the early evening. When she awoke it was to find that Hilda had cooked a light meal and was bringing hers in on a tray. Nell didn’t even make a token protest when Hilda insisted that she remain lying on the couch for the rest of the evening.

The following morning saw the two up reasonably early; Nell had managed to sleep through the night on the couch once Hilda had brought down some sheets and pillows. The weather remained very warm and humid outside and while indoors the air conditioning remained on full. After breakfast Nell suggested a short walk and the pair set off, Hilda’s arm through Nell’s to both steady her and slow her down. As they passed the other cottages they saw Rosalind Moore come out, heading for her car, she caught sight of them,

“Nell! You’re back, great to see you. Are you well?” While saying this she moved across to hug her friend gingerly. Her movements were rather slow, of necessity, as she was in the later stages of pregnancy now.

“Ros, good to see you, you’re huge!” Nell’s less than tactful response was so typical that Hilda was hard pressed not to laugh out loud.

Ros managed to look surprised, “What, you think it shows then?” her tone just slightly sarcastic.

Nell grinned, “Just a little. Hilda tells me you’re coming over this afternoon?”

“I am, about three if that’s alright?” She looked across at Hilda who nodded.

“Earlier if you wish,” she said.

“No I’ll make it three,” Rosalind replied, “I’ve going food shopping now and will probably feel like a nap when I get back. Got to save my strength!”

“Yes,” Hilda said meaningfully.

Nell squeezed her arm, “OK, I’ll be good,” she said quietly.

That afternoon, promptly at three Rosalind knocked on their door and was admitted. Outside the weather, although still very warm, was no longer pleasant. The sky was very overcast but not yet dark, although both Nell and Rosalind were quick to inform Hilda that they could see a heavy storm was on its way. Happy to accept the opinions of two of her geography experts, Hilda had brought in the washing that had been on the line out in the garden and closed the patio doors. The three women had then sat in the lounge chatting. Hilda flitting in and out of the kitchen refusing offers of help from the other two.
#193:  Author: Liane, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 8:58 am
    —
Uh-oh here come those storms!
Thanks Lesley.
#194:  Author: Mia, Location: London PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 11:04 am
    —
Thanks Lesley - just caught up!
#195:  Author: Alex, Location: Cambs, UK PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 12:23 pm
    —
No doubt Ros will go into labour during the storm and Hilda and Nell will have to deliver the baby Very Happy

Thanks, Lesley.
#196:  Author: Kat, Location: Abertawe PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 12:32 pm
    —
Exactly what I was thinking Alex! Laughing
#197:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 12:41 pm
    —
The storm, when it finally hit, did so almost with an air of relief; the tensions within the prison had been heightened by the increasing humidity and oppressiveness caused by the weather. Even though the prison had air conditioning it was not a very good system and some areas within the prison had been almost unbearable. There had been four new arrivals at the prison, two of them first timers, two in for longer sentences. The normal modus operandi was that they would all be spending their first night in Solitary. Rather than go back and forth to Solitary four times the Admissions officer had waited until all four had been through all the usual Admissions procedures before escorting them to the cells. This did, however, mean that the four had been kept waiting in a small holding cell in the airless Admission section for sometime.

The Solitary Wing was another that did not have a particularly good air conditioning system, at least for the degree of humidity caused by the approaching storm. It was this, rather than anything else, that had finally persuaded Butcher to relax her stance and obey orders. After being escorted to the showers and then changing into fresh clothes, Butcher had been taken out into the small exercise yard. One of the Prison Officers, Mrs Blanchford, stood by the door, keeping a discreet eye on her charge.

To her mind Amanda Blanchford felt that Butcher was being punished unfairly. Oh she didn’t believe her story about Taylor attacking himself, that was just too crazy, but her having to wear restraints all the time? Because she’d attacked a Prison Officer? If that were adopted throughout the entire prison half the inmates would be restrained! And most of those sentenced to Solitary! It was a recognised hazard of the profession that you would be attacked on occasion by the inmates. Amanda herself had suffered any number of black eyes and attempts at worse. The inmate was restrained at the time normally just by the prison officers themselves, sentence passed, and that was it. Most of the time the inmate calmed down, it was rare that any of them tried anything further.

Amanda wondered if the problem was the Governor; she had the utmost respect for Mrs Knight, she was, in many ways, an excellent Governor. She was very loyal to her staff and ran the prison well. The only problem was, it was a very long time since she’d walked the wings, a very long time since she’d been close to the inmates. Amanda Blanchford knew, as all good prison officers knew, that a prison officer must walk a tightrope between discipline and caring. That there had to be some ‘give’ in the system. She knew for certain that had Geri Shaw been on duty the morning after Butcher’s assault on Taylor that she would have dealt with it far differently. And in a way that would seem fair to both the prison officers and the inmates.

Officer Blanchford was recalled to herself when she suddenly realised it had started to rain, “Butcher?”

“Just a few more minutes, Mrs Blanchford,”

“You’re the one getting wet!” Amanda watched as Butcher stood in the centre of the courtyard, her face uplifted to the descending rain. Even with the restraints on Butcher exuded strength and she was one of only a very few inmates that the prison officer had known, in her nine years service, that could almost dismiss the fact that she was wearing them. As though it were a minor inconvenience, no more. The Prison Officer returned to her thoughts.

She knew that Miss Shaw had not liked the way that the Governor had handled the situation. While obliged to carry out Mrs Knight’s orders, Geri Shaw had made very strong protests to the Governor. Amanda had happened to be in the Admin block one day when this was happening. Geri Shaw wasn’t one to raise her voice, but she had come close to it on this occasion, just about everyone on the corridor had heard the row between the Governor and her second-in-command. Mrs Knight had remained adamant, however, the punishment remained, unless Geri could bring her convincing proof otherwise.

A noise from inside the Solitary block disturbed Mrs Blanchford and she looked across to see Miss Dean, the other officer on duty, walking across to greet the Admissions officers and the four new inmates.
#198:  Author: Kat, Location: Abertawe PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 12:45 pm
    —
Hmmm....

Thank you Lesley!
#199:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 12:51 pm
    —
The tension is definitely building here.
Thanks Lesley.
#200:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 1:10 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I hope that Geri will be able to find proof of what has been happening.
#201:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 1:53 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley, things are getting tense.
#202:  Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 4:39 pm
    —
*sneaks in hiding from the wrath of Lesley Wink *
This is getting so tense, can almost feel the storm approach.
#203:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 5:06 pm
    —
*wibbles gently*

So many ominous possibilities in those last couple of posts, now to see which ones Lesley follows through on..... Wink
#204:  Author: Rachel, Location: West Coast of Scotland PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 5:15 pm
    —
This is getting more and more fun! Lots more soon Lesley Wink
#205:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 6:15 pm
    —
You're really building up the tension nicely here Lesley, thank you Very Happy

Kathryn
#206:  Author: Sugarplum, Location: second star to the right! PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 8:09 pm
    —
The intrigue deepens. Thanks Lesley
#207:  Author: BethC, Location: Worcester, UK PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 8:53 pm
    —
Hmm. Thanks, Lesley - I think! Very Happy
#208:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 6:18 pm
    —
I am worried. Very Worried. Thunderstorms are never good. And loss of electricity is not good. And why new inmates now?

Thanks Lesley
#209:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 9:07 pm
    —
All of a sudden the storm had arrived with a vengeance; outside there was very little light, the dark thunderclouds blocking any remaining daylight. Just as Officer Blanchford was about to turn and call Butcher in, her exercise period at an end, there was a terrific flash of lightning and a roar of thunder that deafened everyone. At the same time the lights suddenly flickered and went out, plunging the entire Solitary Wing into total darkness.

Amanda Blanchford swore whilst peering out into the courtyard, unable to see anything, “Butcher? Butcher where are you? Come in now!”

“Right here, Mrs Blanchford,” Butcher’s voice, coming, as it did, from directly next to the prison officer, caused her to start violently. She reached out, placed a hand on Butcher’s shoulder.

“Dammit Butcher, you nearly gave me a heart attack! Make a noise or something, would you? Come in now, I’ll find some torches. The lights won’t stay off for long, just a minute or so until the generator kicks in. Take care while walking; the irons will make you clumsy.”

The Prison Officer guided Butcher back inside just as Miss Dean appeared with some torches, Butcher looked across,

“These out all over the prison, Miss Dean?” she asked, indicating the lights,

Miss Dean nodded, “It appears so,” she said, “never known it happen before, have you?” She looked back at Butcher knowing that the inmate had been in the prison for more than six years.

“Yeah, once,” Butcher replied, “about four years ago, the generator cut in pretty quickly, though the lighting level is much lower with that,”

“I think we’d like any light,” Miss Dean muttered before moving swiftly over to where the Admission Officer and the four new inmates stood. She quickly arranged for each of the new inmates to be shown into a cell and left a torch with each of them before locking them in. Mrs Blanchford, meanwhile, walked back with Butcher to her cell.

“You’ll have to wait until the lights are back on, Butcher, before I can release the cuffs,” Blanchford said quickly, “it’s too dangerous to try and attempt it in torch light,”

“For me or for you?” Butcher countered quickly, her voice sullen once more, the effects of the fresh air and rain wearing off quickly now she was back in her cell.

Blanchford sighed, “You know it’s regulations, Butcher,”

“Yeah I know, you screws have got to follow the rules. Oh, I forget, prison officers, right?”

“Right,” Mrs Blanchford returned, “and your life would be a lot easier if you did the same,”

“Yeah well,” Butcher sat on her bunk, “we’ll have to agree to differ there, Mrs Blanchford,” she said, “because I did nothing wrong and I’m still in this mess.” She paused, watched as the prison officer set a squat torch on the sink, the light threw up shadows on all the cell walls. A thought suddenly struck her, “Bet you’re glad this isn’t an ultra modern nick aren’t you, Mrs Blanchford?”

The prison officer, on her way out of the cell, frowned, “Why should I be glad of that?”

“Well, the really modern places are all electronic, aren’t they?” Butcher grinned slightly, seeming to relish the idea, “Imagine, doors won’t lock, gates won’t close, and mostly in the dark. Can’t see that being a very safe environment, Mrs Blanchford, not for the sc…prison officers, anyway,” her dark eyes showed her amusement.

“That’s enough, Butcher,” Blanchford said sharply, leaving the cell at the same time. Back in her cell Butcher sat in the torch light, waiting.

Out in the corridor Blanchford walked across to where Miss Dean was just signing to accept the four new inmates. Just as she finished the lights suddenly flickered back on.

“Thank God for that,” the Admissions Officer exclaimed, “didn’t fancy finding my way back to Reception by torch light!”

“The generator lighting is far lower than normal isn’t it?” Dean observed, “Butcher was right.”

“Speaking of Butcher,” Blanchford put in, “we can use you,” she nodded toward the man, “need to get those restraints off of….” She was interrupted by the sound of an alarm. A fire alarm!

“What the Hell?” the Admissions Officer swore, “is that genuine? With the electrics on generator some systems will be out, won’t they?”

“Not the fire alert system,” Gillian Dean said quickly, “that’s a priority after the lights.”

All three officers ran across to the control board on the wall, this lit up when an alarm was raised.

“North Wing, just across from here,” Blanchford said quickly, “They’re short-staffed tonight, could probably do with some help. I’ve worked on there, either of you?” Dean nodded while the man shook his head. “OK, Gill and I will go, see if they are evacuating, if they need a hand. Stay here and keep an eye on the five in here, would you?”

“Of course, be careful,”

Both women nodded and moved quickly out of the Solitary Wing.
#210:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 9:11 pm
    —
Ooer, I can see that Taylor will take advantage of this.

I bet Hilda and Nell can deliver a baby, no problems.
#211:  Author: Kat, Location: Abertawe PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 9:25 pm
    —
Very bad decision ladies, very bad indeed...
#212:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 10:35 pm
    —
I don't think oh dear quite covers it.

Thanks Lesley
#213:  Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 11:27 pm
    —
What a lot of opportunity for disaster! Very Happy

Thank you Lesley - I am eagerly awaiting the next instalment and totally expecting it to include a birth Wink
#214:  Author: Sugarplum, Location: second star to the right! PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 11:59 pm
    —
Oh heck... I see trouble ahead!
#215:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 12:51 am
    —
And Butcher is still in restraints ... and what's going to be the significance of the new inmates ... and what's going to happen to Ros ... and I don't much like thunderstorms ... oh, wibble. Confused
#216:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 1:33 am
    —
Ah, yes, well.....makes coffee, sits down, hopes to calm nerves..yeah, right!

Thanks Lesley.
#217:  Author: Rachel, Location: West Coast of Scotland PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 10:07 am
    —
Razz I smell a plot!
#218:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 10:45 am
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I am wibbling about how Taylor is going to use this to his advantage.
#219:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 5:43 pm
    —
I may be compelled to hide behind the sofa here....... Confused

*hopes Lesley will post again soon!*
#220:  Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 8:40 pm
    —
Vikki wrote:
I may be compelled to hide behind the sofa here....... Confused

*hopes Lesley will post again soon!*


* Joins Vikki behind the sofa *

LESLEY , LEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSLEEEEEEY, come back!
#221:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 9:35 pm
    —
After the two women left the Admissions Officer quickly checked that all five cell doors were locked, he then walked over to the Control Room. Inside the Room was far darker than normal; partly because the generator run lighting was far less, but also, he suddenly realised, because the monitors were not on. He frowned slightly then his brow cleared as he remembered that, just prior to the lights going off, none of the cells had been occupied - even Butcher being outside. He reached across to switch on the CCTV cameras, they remained dead, none of the monitors lit up. He shrugged, thinking it must be due to the power being off, the generator didn’t run any of the sockets. Then he smiled, thinking again of the fact that there was no CCTV recording in Butcher’s cell. He rose and walked across to the woman’s cell.

Inside Butcher sat on her bunk; unable to do very much else she was waiting until the prison officer returned to remove her restraints. Although still very angry about the injustice of her situation Butcher did not feel any real animosity toward the normal officers. They were merely doing their job. She didn’t really feel very much anger toward the Governor - Mrs Knight had always been a fairly remote figure. No, her anger was saved for just two.. She looked up, startled, the door was being unlocked, there was a figure outside,

“Hello Butcher,” the man said. It was Taylor.

…

“So, are you looking forward to being a mother then, Ros?”

Ros Moore smiled, looked across at the questioner, “Truthfully Nell? I’m terrified!”

She laughed and took a sip of the grape juice both she and Nell were drinking. Both of them were trying to ignore the fact that Hilda was the only one drinking wine and doing her best to ensure the pair were aware of the fact. Nell had been pleased to discover that Ros wasn’t drinking either.

“Why are you worried, Rosalind?” This from Hilda, “I’m sure you’ll be a wonderful mother, you are already an extremely good step-mother to young Kelly.”

“Agreed,” Nell put in.

Ros flushed slightly, “I hope so,” she said quietly, “I’ve certainly tried in the last year or so. She’s a really lovely girl. I suppose it’s just not something that I ever envisioned for myself, I thought I was going to remain at the School forever. Indeed I would have been happy to do so, I love my job.” Ros’ flush grew a little deeper as she continued, “I suppose you did both realise that it wasn’t intentional that Geoff and I have a baby?”

Both the other women smiled, “We did wonder,” Hilda replied, “and, judging by the dates, I would estimate that your honeymoon was to blame?”

“Or maybe just before?” Nell put in wickedly, delighting in the further teasing.

Rosalind bent her head, her face now a bright scarlet, “Well, perhaps,” she said quietly. “That’s not to say he’s not wanted, though,” she said fiercely, “from the moment we first knew he was on his way Geoff and I have wanted him. As for when we thought we were going to lose him…” her entire face darkened as she thought back to that time.

Hilda moved across to sit next to her on the sofa and placed an arm around the younger woman, “He’s alright now, isn’t he?”

Ros nodded slightly, snuggled into Hilda’s shoulder, “Yes, all the check ups and everything have been fine, he’s growing well. There isn’t even a reason to worry about him being born prematurely any more, although small, he’d probably survive now.”
#222:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 9:51 pm
    —
You are the most wicked tease! Twisted Evil
#223:  Author: Rachel, Location: West Coast of Scotland PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 10:10 pm
    —
Ah Lesley, how I appreciate thee!
#224:  Author: Sugarplum, Location: second star to the right! PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 10:12 pm
    —
and then .......

*supresses the urge to poke Lesley*
#225:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 10:54 pm
    —
*stays behind the sofa.......*
#226:  Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 11:39 pm
    —
I'm with Pat and loving the teasing! Laughing
#227:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 12:11 am
    —
I'm joining Vikki behind the sofa, if there's room for a little one. I might have to leap out and thump Taylor, though, if he persecutes Butcher, which I fear he will. Snake. Vermin. Creep.

Well, at least little Jake is viable, as no-one expects him to get to full term - or even beyond this weekend, really! (BTW and very OT, yesterday I met a baby who'd been born at 26 weeks! She survived and is now six months, or whatever).

Thank you, Lesley. Life is never boring!
#228:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 12:45 am
    —
I keep holding my breath and I'm getting dizzy!
#229:  Author: Rozzie, Location: Edinburgh PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 1:25 am
    —
Caught up at last, and I'm loving them Lesley, you're certainly keeping me on the edge of my seat.
Taylor is without doubt a venomous viper who doesn't deserve to be compared with a snake!
Provides oxygen for Cath and a reminder to breathe (slowly and deeply- no hyperventilating)!

(edited to correct spelling!)
#230:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 5:21 am
    —
Why, oh why, do I always catch up at such stressful moments? Neutral

C'mon, Geri. Please come out from behind the door and brain -- err, arrest -- this creep.

*wonders why no one's thinking about the campers*
#231:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 6:40 am
    —
Kathy, don't encourage her to diversify further!
#232:  Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 7:56 am
    —
Well I, for one, had completely forgotten all about the campers in the midst of this other excitement!
#233:  Author: Identity Hunt, Location: UK PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 12:47 pm
    —
Pleeeease let Geri catch Taylor in the act of baiting Butcher.
I really do want to see him hung out to dry; he is a lowlife scum.

I`m amazed at how how much a fictional character Wink is managing to wind me up and make my blood boil.............
#234:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 12:54 pm
    —
*crawls under desk*

Seeing as we no longer have Pim's desk in St Andrews I'll have to make do with my own. And lappity can join me.
#235:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 7:34 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I am still wibbling!

*Clare has lots of room under her desk for anyone who wants to come and hide under there*.
#236:  Author: Miriam, Location: Jerusalem, Israel PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 8:21 pm
    —
I spent my time waiting for the bus today wondering whether Nancy Chester had gone camping or if she was at school, available for any medical emergency that might just happen to arise...

Once the bus came (and I got out of thr sun) I wondered if I was slightly too involved with this. Rolling Eyes
#237:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 10:22 pm
    —
Nasty.

“What the Hell do you want, Taylor?”

The man shook his head reprovingly, “Now, now, Butcher, insolence will get you more time in Solitary, I would have thought you’d got enough of that, you must show respect to Prison Officers,”

Butcher rose, spat on the floor, “That’s the amount of respect I’ve got for you,” she said quickly, “What are you doing here? They told me you’d been transferred,”

“I was,” Taylor replied, “I’m just covering. Thought I’d say hello, see if you’d learnt any manners, doesn’t seem like it. Might have to do something about that.”

“Unlikely,” Butcher sneered, “look at me,” she indicated the chains, “they’ll not believe that I attacked you this time.”

“No, they probably won’t,” Taylor replied, “but I wasn’t intending to do the same thing twice,” he walked swiftly across to stand opposite Butcher, “instead I thought that, with you being so angry, you’d started to harm yourself.”

“I’m not going to hurt myself, sicko,” Butcher replied, “and you won’t get away with doctoring the tapes again,”

“Look again, Butcher,” Taylor smiled, “the cameras aren’t working, side effect of the storm. So you will be injuring yourself, quite badly I’m afraid.”

“No chance, scre…” Butcher’s reply was suddenly cut short as Taylor punched her in the stomach,

“I was talking, Butcher,” he hissed, as Butcher dropped to the floor, “now, as I was saying, you’ve started to harm yourself, running into the walls, bruising yourself, like this,” he kicked out and Butcher groaned as the kick landed.

Taylor bent down, grabbed hold of the lapels of the jump suit Butcher wore and dragged her to her feet, Butcher coughed a few times her hands twisting impotently in the cuffs,

“You’re dead, Taylor, you hear me?” she whispered, “I’m not going to be wearing these forever, when they let me loose you’re dead. I don’t care what the cost.”

Taylor smiled, “Why Butcher, such strong words, and I thought we were just getting to know each other,” he pushed her back against the cell wall and stroked a hand down the inmate’s cheek, smiling as he suddenly had to move the hand quickly to avoid her teeth,

“Don’t be like that, Butcher,” he grinned, “you never know, I could be very good for you,” his hand slid down to the front of the prison jumpsuit, he moved the zip slowly, down, further down. “How long you been inside, Butcher? Ten years? Surely you must have unfulfilled needs? Maybe I can help. What do you say?”

“Not if I’d been without for forty years, screw, think I want a sick b*st*rd like you near me?” Butcher attempted to twist out of his grip but, with the restraints found it hopeless.

“Now that’s not nice, Butcher, I’m going to have to teach you to treat me with respect.” Taylor reached inside the jump suit, stroked.

Butcher shuddered, bent her head down, Taylor moved closer, “That’s better, see, I can be…aarrgghh!”

His words were suddenly cut off as Butcher, seizing her chance, flicking her head up, the hard top of her skull impacted with Taylor’s nose. Instantly the man fell back clutching at his face, trying to stem the crimson flow.

“Think I’d be interested in you?” Butcher said angrily, “not if you were the last man on Earth. That what you’ve tried at your other nicks is it? That the only way you can get any? What about the male prisons, you try there too?”

Taylor’s eyes narrowed, he wiped a sleeve across his face to stem the blood flow, “That was really silly, Butcher,” he said, and his tones were laced with menace, “Now see what you’ve made me do,” He moved toward her, propelling her round so she was facing the wall. Then, his hand on her head, he slammed her, face first, into the wall, then again, and again.

A deep split appeared above Butcher’s left eye as that area took the full force of the impact, as it was hit again and again the split widened and blood poured down Butcher’s face, blinding her in that eye.
#238:  Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 10:24 pm
    —
*Shuddering*

Evil git.

I have no other words just now!
#239:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 10:32 pm
    —
Well that should make Geri think some more!
#240:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2006 1:11 am
    —
You're right Lesley, this is very disturbing. He really is sadistic.

This must be difficult to write.
#241:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2006 1:27 am
    —
Oh God. How truly horrible. Please make this stop fairly quickly, Lesley. I agree with Cath, it must be so draining to write - not to mention to read.
#242:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2006 5:52 am
    —
Arrrrrgggh!
(and some other vocabulary )

*needs the missing emoticons*
#243:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2006 11:23 am
    —
Rusty nail-scissors, anyone?
#244:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2006 7:06 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. He definitely deserves the rusty nail scissors and a lot of other unmentionable things!
#245:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2006 8:06 pm
    —
*shivers*
*decides to try hiding UNDER the sofa......*
#246:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2006 9:39 pm
    —
Please send someone in to check on Butcher quick, Lesley!
#247:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2006 10:38 pm
    —
I know what I am expecting now...well one of two things actually, can't quite make up my mind which...!
#248:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2006 11:14 pm
    —
“Well Butcher? Ready to be nice to me?”

“Go to Hell!”

Taylor shook his head regretfully, “You cons never learn, do you?”

His hand tangled itself into Butcher’s hair at the back of her head and he pulled her head back, meaning to repeat the previous impacts. As he did Butcher kicked back with her right leg, unable to kick far because of the leg irons she nevertheless managed to scrap her heel down Taylor’s shin. Taylor gave an exclamation and his hold on Butcher’s head loosened. As it did Butcher dropped to the floor and twisted. From her position flat on her back she kicked out with both feet, catching the prison officer on the back of his calves, Taylor fell forward onto the floor.

Butcher twisted over, kicked again, another two-footed kick, that barely missed Taylor’s head, instead grazing his shoulder. She pushed herself upright, managed to swing her legs across so that the chain between them was resting on Taylor’s neck.

“Piece of s**t,” she said, her voice low and dangerous, “think you can intimidate me? You’re just a novice, I was doing better before my first arrest.”

Taylor struggled to breathe, the chain biting deeper and deeper into his neck, held there by Butcher’s entire weight. With a convulsive heave he threw the chain off, throwing Butcher to the ground. In an instant he was on top of her, his extra weight and strength preventing her from using her legs as a weapon, while his hands held her down.

“I won’t say I was totally surprised,” he said, almost conversationally, “he told me you were a fighter. There aren’t many that could have fought back. But now, it’s time for some fun!” He smiled slightly then the smile changed to an oath as Butcher suddenly found that, for the first time, she was able to reach flesh with her hands. Taylor pulled backwards, tearing himself away from her grip. The two both stood quickly; before Butcher could react Taylor had punched her in the stomach again. She managed to keep her footing but staggered back against the cell wall.

“What the Hell’s going on?”

A new voice suddenly entered the scene; so intent on each other, and with the sounds of the storm drowning out any other noise, neither Taylor nor Butcher had heard that the other Prison Officers had returned, both Blanchford and Dean were standing at the cell door, looking in on the carnage.

“Oh, thank God you’ve come!” Taylor said quickly, “I tried to stop her, she was going crazy, running into the walls, she’s badly injured herself. I tried to stop her but she’s just unreasonable.”

There did appear to be some justification for that last remark as, on hearing his words, and with no regard for either the restraints she wore or that there were two more officers available, Butcher moved forward to attack Taylor again. Both Blanchford and Dean moved to stop Butcher, wrestled her back to the wall with a significant amount of difficulty.

“Well Butcher? What do you have to say for yourself?” Butcher stopped attempted to wrest herself from the grip of the other two women,

“What does it matter?” she said blankly, “you’ll believe him, you always believe the screw,” Across the other side of the cell Taylor grinned.
#249:  Author: Rachel, Location: West Coast of Scotland PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2006 11:20 pm
    —
Thanks Lesley - I'm glad I resisted going to bed for another five minutes now! Laughing

I can go to bed and sleep easy now I've seen the update.
#250:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 12:02 am
    —
Oh, please look very very carefully at what is there - like just why is Butcher's jumpsuit unzipped?

And who is "he?" This suddenly gets even more interesting.

Thank you Lesley.
#251:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 12:09 am
    —
Who, indeed? Is there more behind this than just Taylor being a piece of s***?

Butcher has certainly got some guts - and strength. Now, somebody, please believe her!
#252:  Author: Kat, Location: Abertawe PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 10:57 am
    —
Grrrr Evil or Very Mad
#253:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 11:18 am
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I hope that Taylor will get what he deserves one day.
#254:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 12:58 pm
    —
Please let Taylor get his just deserts.
#255:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 8:19 pm
    —
“Perhaps not,” another voice said quietly, “I’d certainly like to know your version of events,” it was Shaw.

Both Butcher and Taylor looked over in surprise to see the Senior Officer at the cell door. Neither of the other two officers seemed surprised, however.

“Well, Butcher? What is your story?”

“Oh come on,” Taylor put in, the tone of his voice indicating disbelief, “you surely don’t think she’ll tell you anything but a pack of lies, do you?”

“I don’t know, Mr Taylor,” Shaw replied evenly, “I’ve yet to hear from her. Butcher?”

Butcher swallowed quickly, flicked some blood out of her eyes, “He came in, I was sat on the cot, he didn’t like what I said to him, said he wanted to teach me some manners. He punched me and kicked me, then said he could be real nice to me, showed me what he meant,” she indicated the front of the jump suit, the zip down below her navel, “I can’t do that to myself, can I? Anyway, I managed to head butt him, broke his nose, so he slammed my face into the wall three time…”

“This is ridiculous!” this from Taylor, “I don’t have to listen to this, the cameras will show what happened,”

“Cameras, Mr Taylor?”

“Yeah, CCTV, I came in because I could hear something, she was throwing herself against the wall, I tried to stop her and she butted me, tried to bite me,”

“You say the cameras would prove you were telling the truth, Mr Taylor?” Shaw asked quickly.

“He told me the cameras were broken,” Butcher put in, her dark eyes without hope, “he knows there’s no record, that’s why he’s saying all this, he knows there’s nothing to prove what I say.” She tried to break free from the two officers without success.

“You’re wrong, Butcher,” Shaw returned quietly, “there is proof.” She looked over at the male officer, “Mr Taylor, you will be pleased to know that, in fact, the cameras are working, they are recording.”

Taylor went white, “But…”

“The monitors in the control room are not working,” Shaw continued, “nor are the lights on the actual cameras,” she indicated the camera on the ceiling, “but the cameras themselves are working. And the camera to this cell recorded some extremely interesting images.”

“I-I can explain,” Taylor said quickly.

“I sincerely hope so, Mr Taylor,” Shaw said quietly, “I am very interested to hear your justification for what was, as far as I could see, unprovoked grievous bodily harm and indecent assault. Go and wait outside my office, Mr Taylor, I will be there shortly.”

Taylor tried to reply but the looks of contempt from all three of the other officers stopped him, he turned to go when a further command was issued,

“Leave your keys with me, Mr Taylor,” Shaw held out a hand.

All remaining colour drained from Taylor’s face, the significance not lost on him. An officer’s keys were his badge of office, without them he would be forced to wait beside every locked gate to request entrance or exit. Would be forced to do so in line with any of the inmates that just happened to be there. The humiliation would be total. He went to protest but the Senior Officer’s expression froze him. He found himself pressing his set of keys into her hand and quickly left the room

Last edited by Lesley on Sat May 20, 2006 8:59 am; edited 1 time in total
#256:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 8:32 pm
    —
Thank goodness!!!!!

*hopes Shaw's faith in Butcher had something to do with the cameras -- and that Butcher finds out about it*
#257:  Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 8:38 pm
    —
As soon as he was looking at the monitors, I was hoping the cameras would still be running. Yes! Geri's got him.
#258:  Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 9:25 pm
    —
Yay! Got him, now what about Ros?
Thanks Lesley
#259:  Author: Kat, Location: Abertawe PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 9:34 pm
    —
Thank you Lesley! *hugging you lots*

About time that bastard had his comeuppance... are we allowed to see the scene between him and Geri please?
#260:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 10:06 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. That is brilliant that Taylor has been found out after all! I'm just sorry that Butcher has had to suffer so much from the attacks.
#261:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 10:19 pm
    —
Oh thank goodness!!!

*wonders if Geri actually set this up, giving Taylor enough rope to hang himself as it were....*

Thanks Lesley!
#262:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 10:25 pm
    —
Inside the cell there was silence; the two officers holding Butcher released their hold and Blanchford hurried out to open the gate for Taylor. Butcher remained still, staring across at the Senior Officer. Miss Shaw spoke,

“Take the restraints off of her!” she said quickly.

Officer Dean hurried to obey, after a few seconds Butcher was standing and stretching, she looked over at the Senior Officer, her expression dark.

“This was all a set-up then?”

Shaw nodded, “Yes, I’d arranged with Maintenance about the cameras, and Mrs Blanchford and Miss Dean knew to vacate Solitary, leave Taylor here…”

“And leave me at his non-existent mercy? He might have killed me, I bloody well tried to kill him.” Butcher’s tones were cold and uncompromising.

Shaw nodded, “A misjudgement, the fire alarm was real, it was supposed to be a false alarm. The officers, we had to ensure the safety of all those on North Wing,”

“So you let me fend for myself? Why didn’t you tell me what you were planning? Why didn’t you at least ensure I could defend myself?”

Shaw said nothing and Butcher answered her own question, “I know why, because you weren’t sure, were you? You didn’t know who was telling the truth,”

“There was no proof, Butcher,” Shaw tried to explain, “I could do nothing without some proof that he had attacked you.”

“There was no proof that I’d attacked him either, was there?” Butcher pointed out angrily, “Yet that didn’t stop you from keeping me chained up for more than a week and almost helpless when he decided to come back.”

Geri Shaw looked down at the ground, “No,” she admitted, “no it didn’t. I’m sor…”

“And what about now?” Butcher overrode the Senior Officer’s attempt to apologise, “what’s going to happen to him now? I mean, you said it, GBH and indecent assault, got it on tape and everything. You calling the Police? Well, are you?”

“No,”

“No,” Butcher wasn’t surprised, “because assaults on inmates don’t mean anything, do they? Because the fact that he attacked me will just be looked on as a misdemeanour. Oh you’ll talk to him; probably give him his cards, but he’ll walk out this nick free and clear. While half the women in here have committed less serious offences. But that’s OK, he only attacked a con, and a lifer as well. Got no rights, we haven’t, stuck in here and forgotten.”

Shaw made no attempt to refute the words Butcher was saying, instead she looked across, “Should you wish to make a complaint…”

“It’d get me nowhere, no lawyer will touch me and anyway, by the time anything came to court that tape would go missing. You know that as well as I.”

Shaw nodded, “As I said, Butcher, I am sorry, sorry that I didn’t act sooner, that I could not take your word,”

“And you know, that’s the bit I really choke on,“ Butcher replied, “because I’ve never lied to you. So you can stuff your apology, I don’t wanna hear it,” Butcher looked away from the Senior Officer, one hand reaching up to wipe away some of the blood trickling from the wound above her left eye.

“I’ll take you to the Health Department, Butcher,” Shaw said, “Have someone take a look at your eye…”

“The eye’s fine, I don’t want nothin’ from you screw.” Butcher’s tones were final, her gaze uncompromising.

Miss Dean looked across at the Senior Officer, expecting her to pick up on the disrespect, instead Geri Shaw ignored it,

“Butcher I had no choice…”

“Not interested screw. You and me? We’re through,” Butcher turned her back on the Senior Officer, looked across at the other woman, “Miss Dean? Can I go back to the wing now?”

Dean looked across at Shaw who nodded quickly, “Yes Butcher, come with me!”

Butcher followed Miss Dean out of the Solitary block, she didn’t look back. Behind her Geri Shaw sighed, her eyes full of regret, she then straightened her shoulders and walked back to her office to confront Taylor

Last edited by Lesley on Sat May 20, 2006 8:50 am; edited 1 time in total
#263:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 10:34 pm
    —
Thank you Lesley!!
I feel so sorry for both Geri and Butcher here. I can see WHY Geri couldn't just take Butcher's word for it, and she DID act on her suspicions, but I can also see why Butcher is so hurt!
I think a visit from a certain Headmistress may be called for........ Wink
#264:  Author: Kat, Location: Abertawe PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 10:34 pm
    —
Crying or Very sad

Geri, you foolish foolish woman *shakes head sadly*
#265:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2006 11:39 pm
    —
Oh no....poor Butcher, so hurt and unhappy, and with that relationship with Geri in tatters.

Good to see Taylor outsmarted, but ...

Thank you Lelsey.
#266:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Sat May 20, 2006 1:35 am
    —
Such a relief to see Taylor stopped in his tracks, but what a mess. Can't blame Butcher for not exactly falling into Geri's arms. Poor both of them.
#267:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat May 20, 2006 9:42 am
    —
On the wing Miss Dean deposited Butcher back to her cell, Butcher took the opportunity to have a quick shower and change into normal prison uniform.. A short time later Rees appeared, Butcher was standing at the sink attempting to stem the blood flow from her eye,
“Jesus Butcher, you should go to the Health Department, you need stitches in that!”

“No Health Department,” Butcher said flatly, “I’m not having any of them touch me again,”

“What d’you mean?”

“You hear what happened?”

“A little, Taylor was a psycho wasn’t he?”

“Yeah, and the rest,” Butcher gave a quick précis of her time in Solitary, “So now we go back to normal,” she concluded, “and I’m never trusting any screw again.”

Rees nodded, “OK Butcher, well there wasn’t any trouble - not after the way you dealt with trouble last time you’d been in Solitary. Got a few requests though,”

“Could you deal with them?”

“Most I could,” Rees nodded, “I’ve OK’d a couple who had managed to get a thousand phone cards in - God knows how they did it!”

“What percentage?”

“Forty percent of profit, plus they’ve handed over two hundred and fifty to us, as they’re new I thought a higher amount was justified,”

“Good, anything else?”

“Sullivan wanted to know if she could start a book?”

“Sullivan?” Butcher’s eyes narrowed.

“Yeah,” Rees hesitated, “she’s done her homework, there’s more than enough business, people want it.”

“But Sullivan?”

“I know, that’s why I said I’d have to check, she’s stayed out of trouble since the riot, she hasn’t tried anything.”

“Yeah,” Butcher thought, “OK, tell her she can start one, but she’s not to have high stakes, maximum five dollars or equivalent. And she’s not to deal drugs.”

“She won’t like it,”

“I don’t give a damn whether she likes it or not, tell her to remember my promise to her at the end of the riot.”

“Normal thirty percent tax?”

“Yeah, and warn her, if I find women are selling stuff to pay off gambling debts I’ll close her down.”

“Fine. There was one other request, group in the kitchens have managed to swipe a load of supplies, want to know if they can set up a still, normal price. If they make a start now it should be ready by Christmas.”

“Yeah, why not, make sure we get first taste. Where they hoping to store the stuff?”

“They thought some of the fire extinguishers,”

“That’s been tried before, could be dangerous.”

“I know, that’s what I said. They said that they were only dangerous if they were actually used to try and put out a fire. They said they’d make sure the women knew which ones were being used. I did wonder though ‘cos the screws still wouldn’t know not to use them.”

“So what? I’m not bothered if screws get hurt, tell them they can go ahead. It’ll be good to have something to look forward to for once this Christmas.”
#268:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sat May 20, 2006 10:10 am
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I'm sorry that Geri and Butcher have fallen out. I also am the 1st person to comment on the latest post! I hope that nothing will go wrong with the fire extinguishers.
#269:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Sat May 20, 2006 1:18 pm
    —
Glad Taylor's going to get what's coming to him.

Thanks Lesley.
#270:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat May 20, 2006 1:39 pm
    —
Such a roller-coaster, Lesley. I do want to see Geri tearing the obnoxious Taylor to shreds, please.

But, I'm deeply sorry that the trust between Butcher and Geri has been destroyed.
#271:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Sat May 20, 2006 5:29 pm
    —
Understandable, but depressing. Sad

Um, Hilda? It's odd she's said nothing, after sequentially postponed visits...though better if something happened to restore confidence between Geri & Butcher ....

*wibbles over alcohol in fire extinguishers*

Meanwhile -- how's the storm going elsewhere?
#272:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat May 20, 2006 11:45 pm
    —
The journey across from Solitary to South Wing where the Senior Officer’s room was situated was not pleasant. Taylor had heard of the prison grape-vine before, but never realised just how quickly news and rumour spread. At each gate there were eyes, accusing eyes, watching him. Even when there were inmates obviously waiting to go through the gates they didn’t say anything to attract the attention of any gate guard. Instead waiting silently, watching while he walked up to request entrance. The guards too seemed unaccountably deaf and distracted, needing to be called two or three times before they responded. He knew it wasn’t the storm that was to blame, the lighting level was more than sufficient, the peals of thunder had died away into the distance, no he knew they were doing it deliberately. Even worse, when he reached Shaw’s office it was locked. When he asked one of the others to open it he was told to wait outside until she came. So he had stood outside the office, trying to ignore all the stares, all the comments. Some of the inmates had even whispered that they hoped he’d be allowed to stay, because he had made an enemy, and if Butcher met him again she would kill him. He was surprised to discover that the thought of meeting up with Butcher again, when she was free to act, frightened him.

The interview, when it finally occurred was far worse than he had expected. He knew that the Senior Officer was well respected by both inmates and Staff, he had also discovered, during his short secondment, that she was considered unfailingly honest and fair. However the tales he had heard about just how tough she was, he had dismissed. She had been held as a hostage in the riot they’d had a few months back, one of the inmates had nearly beaten her to death, how could she be tough? By the time the interview was over he was left with no doubt that Miss Shaw had come by her reputation honestly. He left her office almost in tears. He was escorted back to the changing rooms and watched while he changed into civilian clothing. Then he was escorted from the prison. Shaw’s words ringing in his ears.

“If it were possible, Mr Taylor, I would see you prosecuted and convicted for this day’s attack, as it is, I will ensure that every prison in Victoria knows of you. You will not work in the Prison Service again.”

The anger and contempt in her voice made Taylor realise that, rather than make one enemy today, he had made two.

…

The meal had gone well; Hilda refusing all offers of help from Rosalind. Nell had only attempted to offer once and had fallen silent when Hilda’s gaze had swept round to her. Afterwards they had sat in the lounge, a chair and sofa all facing the patio doors, and chatted while they watched the storm roll in. None of the three wanted to watch anything on the television, instead all three enjoying watching a storm that seemed set to out-do anything they had seen before. They had barely settled before the lights had flickered out and there were a few oaths until Hilda was finally able to grope her way to the kitchen and retrieve a couple of oil lamps. Once these were lit the three settled again, after a short time and once the very loudest peals had died away.

“Just like old times, isn‘t it?” Nell said with a grin, “All the times we were faced with natural disasters and problems, having to deal with injuries and being unable to get back to the School - this storm would have been perfect.”

“You speak for yourself, Nell,” Hilda retorted comfortably, “nothing ever used to happen to me, I was always the one stuck back at the School worrying,”

“Oh yes? I seem to remember a slight bus accident…”

Hilda smiled, “Well, perhaps once, then, but that’s all,”

“What about facing that gunman?” Rosalind asked, “I’m sure that was you too?”

Hilda laughed, “Yes, alright, but you must admit that, for the most part, my job involved worrying about all of you, clearing up afterwards and dealing with the injuries and consequences. I don’t think I was ever caught in a storm, had to ford a river or walk around a glacier,” she sounded almost disappointed.

“Never mind, Hilda,” Nell said with a grin, “I’m sure, if we try hard, we can rig up some adventures for you. Part of the problem though is you teach the wrong subject,”

“Nell Wilson there is nothing wrong with my subject!” Hilda sounded quite scandalised.

“Well there is really, I mean, Ros and I can have field trips and journeys into the middle of nowhere, we can take the kids to remote places to show them the Geography or I can show them chemical processes in the wild. What can you do? Take them to the theatre, we’re not talking high adventure here.”

All three women laughed, Ros Moore’s laugh changing to a groan halfway through,

“Are you alright, Rosalind?” Hilda looked across worried,

“I think so, just Jake deciding to move again,” Ros stopped and gasped, “he shouldn’t be doing this now, I’m sure he should be starting to settle for his big appearance, not just jumping through hoops in there!”

Both Hilda and Nell looked across with some worry, while Ros sat taking deep breaths, after a time she looked up, “That’s better, all gone now,”

Hilda stood, “Well, would you both like a cup of tea?”

…

Back in his flat Taylor reached into his fridge for a can; opened it and drank down half the beer before taking a breath, then he settled down and reached for his phone. After a few rings someone on the other end answered,

“Yeah?”

“It’s Taylor. Just called to tell you that I’ve just been fired.”

There was a deep chuckle, “Have you now? Naughty boy! So, did you manage it? Did you split them up?”

Taylor thought about the anger in Butcher’s face, not all of which was aimed toward him, “Yeah, I managed it, you owe me big time,”

“No problem boy, if you’re right you’ve saved me one Hell of a lot of trouble. Worth the price.”

“Just make sure I’m paid, ‘cos no way am I entering that nick again.”

…

Last edited by Lesley on Sun May 21, 2006 7:20 am; edited 2 times in total
#273:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Sat May 20, 2006 11:50 pm
    —
Wow. I did not see that last bit coming!
#274:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Sat May 20, 2006 11:53 pm
    —
Shocked Shocked Shocked Never guessed that!
#275:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Sun May 21, 2006 12:30 am
    —
Ever thought of going in for juggling as a career move, Lesley? Watch her as she nonchalantly keeps three story threads spinning simultaneously, without one falling off the pole ... Wink

Good to see Taylor suffer, but what's this? The whole thing's been a set up to break trust between Geri and Butcher?! Certainly didn't see that one coming. Why? Who? Shocked

Enjoyed Hilda and Nell's reminiscences. Yes, in EBD-land Hilda is the one left at school worrying (and occasionally being sedated!) while the others have the adventures, isn't she. I have a feeling she's on the brink, though, and I'm not sure she'll find it total fun.
She's got Nell sorted, anyway;
Quote:
Nell had only attempted to offer once and had fallen silent when Hilda’s gaze had swept round to her.
It's the Look again!
#276:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Sun May 21, 2006 4:22 am
    —
Have just done a small catch-up. Now, I wonder who is responsible for that manipulation - and why? And poor Butcher, trying to return to normality, and hiding her hurt under that facade of briskness.

No, Hilda didn't have the adventures in EBD-land did she - although surely she can't complain of her life being dull since RCS started? Very Happy

Crash course in midwifery? Now that would be interesting!
#277:  Author: Kat, Location: Abertawe PostPosted: Sun May 21, 2006 3:01 pm
    —
Hmm, wouldn't be something to do with Sullivan would it?

Thanks Lesley - keep it coming please!
#278:  Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria PostPosted: Sun May 21, 2006 8:35 pm
    —
Wow Lesley every RCS gets more and more plots and cliffs!
I guess this is Geri and Butcher split up?
#279:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun May 21, 2006 9:21 pm
    —
As though in apology for the intensity of the storm on Friday night; the rest of the weekend was beautiful. The temperature hot but without quite so much humidity as before. The Head had managed, early on Saturday morning, to contact the various camp sites where the Real Chalet School were staying. With relief she had discovered that there had been no major casualties, only a few damp tents where there had been minor floods, and a few more damp shoulders where Staff had had to comfort scared Juniors!

The Kindergarten, housed in huts rather than tents, had managed with even less difficulties, Kathie Robertson informing her chief that, during the height of the storm, the little ones had been practicing with a home-made orchestra, ‘the noise from that being far scarier than anything happening outside!’ The Kindergarten were due back in the afternoon, most of them going straight home for the rest of the weekend. Although the RCS did take the very young as boarders, it was only as weekly boarders, no more. Shane arrived back late morning with two passengers, rather than wait for the official transport. This meant, of course, that there was a reunion as his passengers were Cherry and Robbie Elliott. Robbie absolutely full of all that he had done on his camping trip and wanting to tell his Grandma Nell straight away.

Another that arrived Saturday morning was Geoff Stevens; he appeared just as Hilda and Nell were returning from their walk, cheerfully waving at them both before going into his cottage to surprise his wife. Later, when they saw the pair, Ros told them that Geoff had managed to finish early and arrange for most of his work to be done from home.

The rest of the day was spent back at Hilda and Nell’s cottage - Nell not really being fit enough for a day on the beach - even she admitted that! Instead they spent the time playing with Robbie in the lounge - the garden being far too wet following the downpour of the day before. Shane was invited too and seemed to get on really well with young Robbie. Hilda and Nell exchanging a number of meaningful looks about just how well he seemed to fit in. That evening they invited John and Sara Coates over for a meal as well. On Sunday the meal was a little more formal, more because Hilda was more than a little nervous. While Nell teased her about it she could fully understand Hilda feeling like that, and Nell knew that she would be exactly the same should she be cooking and Karen coming to dinner. Hilda had also invited Cherry and Robbie, mainly for Karen’s sake - knowing that the Austrian woman might otherwise have felt a little awkward in the company. The fact that, as a member of the Senior Management Team, she now outranked nearly all the Teaching Staff didn’t make any difference, she still felt a little awkward. Hilda felt that, having Cherry there, would help ease her feelings.

Also a guest was Vida Armitage, and here it did appear that her time away had helped her a great deal, she didn’t seem the same person, but instead had regained all her confidence, poise and self-assurance. The Head was hard pressed to recognise the Vida she had seen only five days before with the one that sat in her lounge laughing, along with Karen and Cherry, at an anecdote Nell was telling about her hospital stay. It seemed that a break was just what was needed.

Cherry herself appeared to be looking well, very well, she was returning to work again the following day and her bruises and shoulder injury had all healed completely. There was something else though, something that was giving her a little more sparkle than normal. Hilda considered the chat she and Nell had the night before, wondered. Shane had returned to Perth earlier that day, he had come over specially to say goodbye to all of them, and Cherry and Robbie had gone with him to wave him off when his cab arrived.

Despite all of Hilda’s misgivings the meal went well and Karen made a point of congratulating her host
#280:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Sun May 21, 2006 9:32 pm
    —
I've spent a fair bit of this weekend catching up with 14 tortuous pages - in fact, everything since we started on the new board Shocked

I haven't a clue how you keep it all straight in your head, Lesley. Amazing!

I'm glad I read all of that in one go Confused

Thank you for a roller coaster of a weekend.
#281:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun May 21, 2006 9:57 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I wonder who Taylor was talking to and why he needed to split the two people up. I'm glad everyone is ok after the storm.
#282:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Mon May 22, 2006 12:28 am
    —
'No major casualties' in the storm; no baby needing to be delivered on the kitchen table; no disasters with Hilda's meal; sweetness and light with Cherry and Shane; Nell behaving herself; Vida recovered.

I feel positively uneasy. This is all much too calm and pleasurable. Wink
#283:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Mon May 22, 2006 12:33 am
    —
That was a lovely calm and reassuring post - hmmmm!

Thank you Lesley!
#284:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Mon May 22, 2006 12:40 am
    —
Why is it that such a peaceful post is almost as disquieting as the last?

Imagine, a camp with no EBDesque adventures. Laughing. And Auntie Nell accepting a quiet afternoon.Mr. Green

*trusts Karen wasn't just being polite*
#285:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Mon May 22, 2006 2:28 pm
    —
*waits for Lesley to drop her next bombshell....* Wink
#286:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon May 22, 2006 10:28 pm
    —
Little bit for now - more later.

In the prison the weekend had gone very quietly, everything falling back into the same routine once more. On the Saturday morning, catching sight of Butcher walking across to collect her breakfast with the wound above her eye still bleeding, Mrs Francis ordered her to the Health Department, not taking any notice of Butcher’s obvious reluctance. When she had attempted to protest Mrs Francis told her she had no choice, an Officer was going to examine her. In the end the wound above her left eye needed a thorough cleansing before being stitched and a dressing applied. She was also started on a course of antibiotics and reminded to collect her tablets each day during Sick Call. The Health Care Officer also checked that the eye itself hadn’t been affected. Butcher, realising that the wound needed to be fixed, didn’t protest too fiercely.

Once back on the wing she suddenly caught sight of a particular inmate and sent the word that she was needed. A short time later there was a figure at her door,

“Y-you wanted to see me, Butcher?” It was Mel Richards.

“I did, come in,” Butcher waited while the younger woman entered the cell, then, “how’d the interview go?”

“Oh, it seemed to go really well,” Richards replied quickly, animation showing in her face, “they asked me loads of questions, some really hard, asking what I’d do in certain situations, how I’d handle stuff. Miss Mareck was there. She said afterwards that she thought I’d done well.”

“When do you hear whether you got the job?”

“Early next week, should be by Wednesday,” Richards replied, she paused for a short time then continued, “Er, Butcher? Thanks, for what you did, taking the blame when I hit Grant. I really appreciate…”

Butcher waved the thanks aside and motioned for Richards to leave, Mel turned to go then, suddenly, Butcher’s hand reached out, grabbed her lapel and drew her close,

“Word of warning, Richards,” she said, her eyes dark, “you don’t get the job, start running. Now get out!”

Richards swallowed quickly, nodded and left.
#287:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Mon May 22, 2006 11:41 pm
    —
What????? Why????? Am bemused and befogged! Shocked
#288:  Author: Kat, Location: Abertawe PostPosted: Mon May 22, 2006 11:54 pm
    —
Shocked

Poor Mel
#289:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Tue May 23, 2006 12:08 am
    —
Tara wrote:
What????? Why????? Am bemused and befogged! Shocked


Because it means the (cannot come up with a word I can post) that Butcher went through would be for nought.
#290:  Author: Sugarplum, Location: second star to the right! PostPosted: Tue May 23, 2006 1:28 am
    —
Chelsea wrote:
Because it means the (cannot come up with a word I can post) that Butcher went through would be for nought.


Hassle? Trauma? Utter Hell? **** ?
Wink

Thanks Lesley. I fear for Richards if she doesn't get the job.
#291:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Tue May 23, 2006 7:29 am
    —
Eeek! I hope this can be sorted out.

Thank you Lesley *well, sort of*
#292:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Tue May 23, 2006 12:00 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I'm sorry that Butcher has told Mel that she isn't allowed to get the job.
#293:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Tue May 23, 2006 12:32 pm
    —
Shocked Blimey!

Just caught up with a tonne of this Lesley, thanks - like Patmac, am very impressed at how you keep it all straight in your head!

*also hopes this can be sorted out - what a mess!*
#294:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue May 23, 2006 1:40 pm
    —
*hopes Mel gets the job!!!* Shocked Shocked
#295:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue May 23, 2006 5:04 pm
    —
Chair wrote:
Thanks, Lesley. I'm sorry that Butcher has told Mel that she isn't allowed to get the job.


She didn't say that Chair, she said that, if Mel didn't get the job she should start running. Laughing Reason as detailed by Chelsea and others.

Monday morning Assembly saw Miss Annersley address the School,

“Welcome back everyone, to the last half term of the year. I hope you all enjoyed your camping trip?” There was an excited murmur from the girls, the Head smiled, “Perhaps, next time, I might be able to join some of you. Now, I’m sure that you will be pleased to know that Miss Wilson is now home from hospital. She is currently convalescing and hopes to be able to return in the New Year. You may see her in the grounds on occasion, slowly building up her strength. You have my express permission to report if you feel she is doing too much!”

This time there were outright giggles, not just from the girls. Miss Annersley smiled and then continued, “Also Ms Moore is keeping well but, as yet, there is no sign of the new addition to her family. Now, we have only four short weeks before the end of term, for some of you it will be your last term and I know that a number of you have exams next week. This is also the Christmas term and we will be having our Carol Concert in the last week, and all years will be having a Christmas Party. The Kindergarten will be giving us our Nativity Play once more and…” The Head’s speech was interrupted as one of the Seniors raised her hand,

“…Miss Annersley, will there be a Pantomime by the Staff?”

“I was just getting to that,” she said softly, the Senior, one of the Upper Fifth, subsided, blushing slightly, Hilda Annersley smiled and took pity on the girl, “Yes, I’m very much afraid that the Pantomime is scheduled to go ahead. I had hoped, with their additional responsibilities this term, that neither Miss Derwent nor Miss Ferrars would have time to produce one, however it seems that they have. The Staff will be seeing the script for the first time this afternoon.”

“Will you be in it, Miss Annersley?” The question came from somewhere in the Middles section, no girl actually raising her hand. Before the Head could reply Miss Ferrars did so,

“Most definitely!” Miss Ferrars then attempted to hide behind certain of her Form as Miss Annersley gazed across at her and the rest of the School burst out laughing.

After some time, when it was quiet once more, the Head herself replied, “It appears that I am expected to play a part,” she said with a smile, “I’ll just have to try and fit it into my schedule. There are so many other things to do, after all, including Staff Reports this term…”

There was a decided gulp from the direction of the Deputy Head, Miss Derwent suddenly seeming to find the floor to be exceptionally interesting,

Hilda Annersley permitted herself a small grin and, when Ruth Derwent looked up once more, treated her to a slight wink, “…but I’m sure they will cause me no difficulty. The Pantomime will be performed on the afternoon of the Wednesday before we break up, the fourteenth of December.”

That afternoon the Teaching Staff gathered for a full Staff Meeting. With the School being so much larger than it ever was when in Switzerland and consequently the Staff far more numerous, these meetings didn’t take place that often. Instead meetings being confined to smaller ones of specific departments or years. However, at least twice each term the Head liked a full Staff meeting, normally at the beginning and halfway through each term. More than anything it served to unite the Staff – she did not want any factions to appear. The Meeting was really a way that information could be passed on to the Staff, but she also set aside time, each meeting, for any concerns or worries to be aired.

Arriving early for the meeting it seemed that at least some of the problems for one of her staff had eased. Inside the lecture hall were a group of people she recognised as comprising all the Science Department. Lesley, the Earth Sciences Mistress was speaking,

“So we discussed it with Ray, and rather than you have a brand new machine, we thought it best if you have this one,”

“But that’s your laptop, Lesley,” Vida Armitage looked far happier than she had only a week ago.

“Yes, but at least we know this one works,” Rebecca, Physics Mistress, put in, “Lesley’s had this one for the last six months now and if she can’t get it to go wrong, no-one can,”

“Hey!”

“It’s true Lesley,” Rebecca replied, “You have this knack for wrecking computers. Who managed to delete the hard drive on one of Ray’s PC’s?”

“That was a mistake…”

“Well I hope you didn’t do it deliberately,” this from the Chemistry Mistress, Pauline, said quickly, grinning, “Otherwise Microsoft will start paying you to stay away from their machines, like they pay tramps to stay away and not to spoil weddings.”

“The point is,” Lesley spoke directly to Vida, ignoring her two companions, “that we know there’s nothing wrong with this one, I’ve had Ray check it out and download all the stuff you need onto it, she’s also checked all my stuff is off of it – and before either of them say anything yes, she did the delete, not me. So you’ve got a computer that doesn’t have any of these faults your other ones had.”

“And don’t try and do everything yourself, either,” this from Rebecca, “let us help, if you’ve got any big projects on then delegate.”

“Yes Miss,” Vida said quietly, a warm glow surrounding her at the obvious worry and concern from the others.

“Well just make sure you do,” Pauline said, a little briskly, “we are all experienced, I’ve had more than enough time to settle in, we want to help.”

“And next time you need a break don’t wait until Hilda has to order you to take one!” This from Lesley.

“Agreed!” Hilda’s quiet voce intruded and the other four looked round quickly, “everything alright, Vida?”

Vida Armitage smiled, again looking impossibly young, “Excellent, thank you Hilda,” she replied.

Hilda nodded, “Good, now, if everyone is here?” she glanced round seeing most of the seats were filled, “Let’s make a start, shall we?”
#296:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue May 23, 2006 6:26 pm
    —
Awwww! thank you Lesley!!
(and are you REALLY that hard on computers? Wink )
#297:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue May 23, 2006 6:35 pm
    —
Vikki wrote:
Awwww! thank you Lesley!!
(and are you REALLY that hard on computers? Wink )


Well I used to be - I once destroyed the hard drive on a computer - the engineer was very impressed! Laughing Recently I seem to be much better, last time a computer died on me was nearly three years ago when my last PC got a virus!
#298:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue May 23, 2006 6:43 pm
    —
*giggles*

Actually, I think I remember you telling me about the engineer being impressed by your powers of destruction, now you mention it! Wink
#299:  Author: Kat, Location: Abertawe PostPosted: Tue May 23, 2006 8:14 pm
    —
Crikey Lesley, how did you manage that?! Shocked

(oh, and thanks for the update Wink)
#300:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Tue May 23, 2006 8:24 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I hope that Vida doesn't have any problems with the new laptop.

I'm sorry I misread your comment. I thought that Butcher was demanding that Mel didn't get the job, and that she should run before Butcher had a go at her.
#301:  Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria PostPosted: Tue May 23, 2006 8:55 pm
    —
The calm before the storm Lesley?
I'm sure something can go wrong with the computer too! Laughing
#302:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Tue May 23, 2006 9:04 pm
    —
Something can go wrong if there is sabotage as I suspect. Twisted Evil
#303:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Wed May 24, 2006 12:31 am
    —
At least everyone knows the computer's ok to start with, so if there are problems, suspicions will be aroused.

A lovely scene with Miss A and the assembled school, enjoyed the humour and warmth. Hope we'll eventually see the staff pantomime!
#304:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Wed May 24, 2006 1:13 am
    —
Lovely, Lesley...although I would say that with only four weeks to go before the birth, there is considerable indication of the impending arrival! Laughing

Hmm - somehow I don't think Vida's problems are over.
#305:  Author: Identity Hunt, Location: UK PostPosted: Wed May 24, 2006 7:10 am
    —
I do hope someone has installed a keystroke logging prgram onto Vida`s laptop.
We would soon find out that someone has been tampering with her work............... Evil or Very Mad
#306:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Wed May 24, 2006 2:04 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley, that was wunderbar.
#307:  Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria PostPosted: Wed May 24, 2006 7:57 pm
    —
Identity Hunt wrote:
I do hope someone has installed a keystroke logging prgram onto Vida`s laptop.
We would soon find out that someone has been tampering with her work............... Evil or Very Mad


*nods in agreement , but with a look of Confused * Very Happy

Lesley any more tonight please?
#308:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2006 6:27 am
    —
“I really would not have believed it, Geri, had I not seen it with my own eyes,” Doreen Knight’s entire demeanour showed her disbelief. She had sat and watched the CCTV recording of the incident in Solitary the previous Friday unable to stop shaking her head at the scenes that unfolded. When the recording had finished she had rewound the tape and watched again, as though she had to confirm that what she had seen actually existed. Eventually she switched the machine off and looked across at her Deputy.

“How is Butcher?”

“The wound above her eye has been cleaned and stitched, it should heal without any problem.” Geri Shaw replied, “as for any other injuries? I’m sure that she has a few more bruises but she hasn’t complained of anything else.”

“She has been released back onto the wing?”

“Yes, immediately after the incident, I felt that the rest of her sentence in Solitary should be waived in the circumstances,”

“Of course, of course,” Mrs Knight agreed, “it appears that she was telling the truth all along.”

“Yes.”

The Governor looked across sharply at the quick comment, “I’m sorry Geri, I should have gone with your instincts,”

Shaw shook her head, “They weren’t strong enough,” she admitted, “and I had no proof,”

“But you were certain that Butcher was telling the truth all along?”

“Not certain, no, but I did think it likely, something about Taylor didn’t ring true,”

“I should have listened,” Geri Shaw said nothing, after a time Doreen Knight looked across at the other woman, “You are probably wise to want to remain on the Wing, Geri,” she said thoughtfully, “the last time I walked the wing was nearly fifteen years ago. You lose your edge when away from it. I’ve already informed the new Governor that the best way for him to gauge the mood of the prison is to listen to everything you tell him.”

“Thank you,”

“No thanks necessary,” Doreen smiled, “I’m just trying to make his job easier.”

“When will he be starting?”

“Beginning of December, it’ll give me a few weeks handover before I retire on the 20th.”

“You off on that cruise then?”

“We are, Ray and I fly out to the Caribbean the next day, join our ship the day before Christmas Eve. We’ll think of you back here, still working, I promise!”
#309:  Author: Liane, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2006 7:49 am
    —
Ooohh I have an idea of who the new gov is but I wont say as I'm prolly wrong.
Thanks Lesley
#310:  Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2006 8:01 am
    —
Well I haven't got the first clue about who the new governor is, but if I read that right and this governor has told him to listen to everything Geri tells him, then I now wonder whether that is just asking for trouble.... Very Happy

Thank you Lesley
#311:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2006 8:54 am
    —
I know my thoughts on the new Gov....just not 100% sure why.
#312:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2006 11:27 am
    —
Also no clue who the new governor is - gave up guessing on RCS eons ago as I was always wrong!!

Thanks Lesley.
#313:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2006 1:03 pm
    —
Thanks,Lesley. Did I see the approach of a new cliff?
#314:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2006 2:38 pm
    —
I don't who the new governor is, but I *think* I know where I seen them before (if that makes sense - which it likely doesn't).
#315:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2006 5:35 pm
    —
Whew! Mammoth catch-up finished, so many plotlines.

Very impressed, Lesley! Thank you.
#316:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Fri May 26, 2006 12:01 am
    —
I've got a niggly feeling about the new governor, but will shut up as I'm probably totally wrong. I don't have Lesley's circus skills - I even forgot that Butcher got into all the trouble 'cos of taking the blame for Mel! Embarassed Embarassed

Butcher might be recovering from her physical injuries, but the emotional ones are still very much there. I hope she and Geri can rebuild their relationship - with help from Hilda, perhaps?
#317:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri May 26, 2006 6:41 am
    —
The second half of the Christmas Term started well; during the Staff Meeting the Pantomime preparations had begun and arrangements for rehearsals made. While the Music Staff increased their coaching for the Carol Service. The whole of the Kindergarten were involved in arranging the Nativity Play. As there were now over eighty pupils within the Kindergarten the Staff were hard-pressed to find roles for all of them - especially as some were very young - Robbie’s Nursery friends and he were all only four. There was a certain amount of poetic license taken when a squad of Roman Soldiers suddenly appeared within the Story!

On the Thursday Miss Annersley managed to take time away from her schedule to visit Butcher at the prison. Naturally curious as to why her previous visit a fortnight before had been first changed to the Friday and then cancelled altogether she listened in silence as Butcher related the story.

“I can understand why you feel betrayed, Butcher,” Hilda said softly, “it cannot be pleasant to discover that someone you thought was a friend was unable to take your word for something.”

“Yeah well, I’ve only got myself to blame,” Butcher replied uncompromisingly, “forgot for a while that the screws are never your friends. Forgot that they stick together, no matter what. Hell I got charged with murder, five years ago, because a number of them lied.” She sat back in her chair, her expression dark. The wound above her left eye no longer had a dressing upon it however the stitches were still in evidence. Also noticeable was the stark black and purple bruising, now starting to turn to green and yellow, that covered most of the left side of her face.

Hilda looked concerned, “But Miss Shaw didn’t do that, did she?” she pointed out, “She arranged for the camera in Solitary to record Taylor, arranged for circumstances to be such that he could incriminate himself.”

Butcher’s expression darkened, “She only did it because Taylor had been stupid enough to not keep his story straight. And it wasn’t because she trusted me, she said that herself. Forget it, Annersley, she’s a screw, in fact, she’s the Chief Screw, I just forgot that for a while. Forgot that she’s the enemy.”

“Miss Shaw is not your enemy, Butcher,” Hilda said quickly.

“She is now,” Butcher retorted, “and you’re getting real close to giving me lectures Annersley, I don’t wanna hear it,”

“That wasn’t my intention, Butcher,” Hilda replied, “I just wanted to try and make you see that Miss Shaw could not do anything without proof, could not take your word. That, in the circumstances, she did the best that she could,”

“Yeah well, might have known you’d stick together,” Butcher said angrily, “you authority types are all alike, aren’t you? Can’t believe I was so stupid, you’d think ten years inside would’ve been enough to teach me, you can only trust your own kind, no one else.” She rose abruptly, “Been nice seeing you, Annersley, but don’t bother coming again. We don’t have much in common and seeing you fools me into thinking that anyone outside my world, outside this nick, is worth relying on.” She stalked over to the door leading back into the prison, requested entry from the gate guard. She didn’t look back.

Last edited by Lesley on Fri May 26, 2006 10:30 pm; edited 1 time in total
#318:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Fri May 26, 2006 7:37 am
    —
Crying or Very sad

Oh, dear. I can see exactly where Butcher is coming from but Geri was in a very difficult position.
#319:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri May 26, 2006 11:29 am
    —
Oh dear, but Lesely will sort it all out.
#320:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Fri May 26, 2006 11:43 am
    —
Oh, how painful for everyone. And will Hilda feel guilty that she didn't support Butcher enough?

Of course Butcher is an "authority type" herself, isn't she. which makes the seeming betrayal harder.

Thank you Lesley.
#321:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri May 26, 2006 11:45 am
    —
I think the person who has paid Taylor to separate two people is the new Governor, and the two people are Geri and Butcher.
#322:  Author: Alex, Location: Cambs, UK PostPosted: Fri May 26, 2006 12:12 pm
    —
I know all about getting many small children into Christmas plays - I help my Mum with hers regularly. May I suggest a snowflake dance, a star dance, an angel dance.....

Thanks, Lesley.
#323:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Fri May 26, 2006 1:39 pm
    —
Just had a rollercoaster ride through the last 2-3 weeks worth of this! Have formulated a whole host of theories (which are probably all wrong!)

Thanks, Lesley Very Happy
#324:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri May 26, 2006 2:54 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I'm sorry that Hilda and Butcher have fallen out.
#325:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Fri May 26, 2006 4:19 pm
    —
Oh dear!!
This is NOT a good sign!
Thanks Lesley!
#326:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri May 26, 2006 10:30 pm
    —
Hilda Annersley returned to the Real Chalet School with a sense of real failure over the episode with Butcher. She didn’t know whether Butcher would change her mind and decided to write to her instead, in the hopes of keeping the lines of communication open. Back in her cottage she relayed all the pertinent information to her friend. Nell was sympathetic; pouring Hilda a glass of wine and giving her a quick hug,

“She’ll come round,”

“You think so?”

“Sure, she’s angry at the moment, too angry to think straight, and it sounds as though this episode has really affected her,”

“I think it has,” Hilda replied thoughtfully, “I think this is probably the first time in her life that she’s had a relationship like this, the one with Geri Shaw I mean. And it’s really hurt her to discover that Geri couldn’t just take her word on something. I know she’s a criminal but she is honest, at least by her standards she is.”

“I know what you mean,”

“And I’ve probably just made things worse,” Hilda sighed, “instead of giving her support, I’ve just confirmed to her that all Authority is against her. She probably feels that I wouldn’t trust her either,”

“Would you?” Nell asked seriously.

Hilda thought for a moment then nodded, “Yes, yes I would. At least, I think I would. But think for a moment, Nell, suppose we, either of us, had a conflict between any of our Staff and her. Who would we automatically support?”

Nell thought, “Well, until convincing proof otherwise, the Staff, I suppose,”

“Exactly. And that’s just what Geri did. She had to wait until she had proof.”

“But Butcher had to suffer until then?”

“Yes.”

…

In the prison Miss Shaw had been told about Butcher walking out partway through her visit, she guessed it was because of the recent problems. After tea that evening she walked over to where Butcher was playing cards with a few of the other inmates,

“Butcher? A word with you, please,”

Butcher’s face darkened but she walked over to stand in front of the Senior Officer,

“Yes Miss Shaw?” her tones were hardly respectful.

“I understand that your visit with Miss Annersley ended rather quickly today?”

“That’s right. She’s another that I’ve realised I can’t trust.”

“I’m sure that isn’t the case, Butcher. I don’t want you to lose your relationship with her.”

Butcher remained silent.

Shaw sighed, “Speak to me Butcher…”

“Or what? Stick me in Solitary, will you?” Butcher’s eyes flashed, “Got news for you, you owe me about eight days, so stick it on my account.”

The Prison Officer stiffened, “You forget yourself, Butcher, regardless of your problems with me, I will not accept insubordination. Do you understand?”

Butcher’s scowl deepened but she replied, “Yes, Miss Shaw,” the accent on the word obvious.

Shaw took a deep breath, “In my office, Butcher, now!”

For a split second it appeared that Butcher would refuse, then she turned abruptly and stalked along the corridor toward the Office. Once inside Miss Shaw shut the door and turned to the inmate,

“Don’t push me, Butcher,” Shaw warned, “I am still Senior Officer in this prison and I will have respect. If necessary, yes, I would sentence you to another term in Solitary. Do you understand?”

Butcher stood with her fists clenched for sometime, eventually though she relaxed slightly and looked across, “I understand,” she said shortly.

Shaw gave a small sigh, “Good, now, perhaps we can move on? You have another drugs talk next week, I’m sure you don’t want that to be postponed?”

Butcher stiffened, shook her head, “I’m not doing them, no more,” she said flatly.

Shaw looked puzzled, “Why not?”

“You think you’re putting those restraints on me again, Shaw? You’ve got another think coming. Forget the talks, I’m not doing them.” She walked out of the office.
#327:  Author: Kat, Location: Abertawe PostPosted: Fri May 26, 2006 10:55 pm
    —
Stuborn woman! I know she's been hurt, but come on Butcher!
#328:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Fri May 26, 2006 10:56 pm
    —
Oh dear! What a bl**dy mess!!!!

Thanks Lesley!
#329:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri May 26, 2006 11:01 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I'm sorry she isn't doing the drugs talks any more. I seem to be sorry about a lot of things lately!
#330:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Fri May 26, 2006 11:14 pm
    —
*Echoes Vikki* Crying or Very sad
#331:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Fri May 26, 2006 11:44 pm
    —
Me, too.

But it's so easy to understand where everyone's coming from. Can completely see why Butcher won't submit herself to those restraints - or to the vulnerability of trusting anyone. Come on, Geri and Hilda, you're the advantaged ones here, get thinking of ways to make this better! And I'm not sure Nell's right, Butcher is angry, sure, but it's the hurt and betrayal that she really can't get past.

I'm so glad it's Lesley who has to sort this out, not me!
#332:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Sat May 27, 2006 12:32 am
    —
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear...

*hopes this isn't a permanent state of affairs* Sad
#333:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Sat May 27, 2006 6:17 am
    —
The trouble is that the more Butcher retreats into herself the harder it will be to reach her. Oh dear. Crying or Very sad

Thanks Lesley.
#334:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat May 27, 2006 1:51 pm
    —
Tries hard to have faith in Hilda, but I do worry that this problem will be too much for her to solve immediately.
#335:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat May 27, 2006 11:31 pm
    —
The next week or so went swiftly; the life at the Real Chalet School very full and all-absorbing. The Pantomime had been read out to all the Staff at the Staff meeting and all parts handed out. The Head had made a token protest such that, as she had been given a fairly major part in the last Pantomime perhaps it would be fairer for others to be given the opportunity. The rest of the Staff had considered that suggestion for all of two nanoseconds before firmly negating the idea! Miss Annersley had sighed, smiled and gently acquiesced. Those with speaking parts were given just a week in which to learn their parts before rehearsals began and any visitors to the Heads’ cottage would have seen, over the next few days, Nell Wilson continually prompting her partner, reading out all the other characters to allow Hilda to become word perfect and to recognise her cues.

In the School itself exams were taken, both school exams and State ones. After the exams were finished those girls who would be leaving at the end of the year could, technically, leave - however no-one ever did. The end of the Christmas Term was considered far too exciting. Final building work on the Swimming Pool was almost complete and, during a meeting of the SMT, it was confirmed that the pool would be ready for the start of the new term. Also ready would be the rest of the Boarding Houses and Rosalie confirmed that, with the new starters in the New Year, at least one of them would be full. A decision had also been made with reference to the current Preparation Forms in the Kindergarten - they would be entering the Junior School next year and, for the first time, boys would be entering the Juniors. Housekeeping would have to arrange dormitories as the Juniors would be full boarders rather than just weekly.

Vida Armitage appeared to have benefited greatly from her break away from the School. Her Department seemed to be looking out for her and took every opportunity to give her help and relieve her of work. She had confided in both Sharlie Andrews and Nancy Wilmot that she was sleeping well and no longer having to stay up half the night.

The Head was also kept busy with Staff Reports; as well as the ones she had to write herself she also gave Ruth Derwent a great deal of support and help. In addition, to ensure a fair report was written, Hilda gave permission for Ruth to consult with Nell and the two of them spent two or three evenings ensconced in the lounge of the cottage going through the reports on all the HOD’s. The Staff Reports from the Heads of Department were all due in by the 30th November and Ruth reported the day before that most had already been emailed to her. It was therefore a surprise when news came of a problem,

“Hilda, have you got a minute?” The IT Mistress had knocked at the Head’s Study door.

“Of course, Ray, what is it?”

Ray Trent walked across to sit opposite the Head, “You asked me to keep an eye on Vida’s laptop? See if it developed any problems?”

“Yes, has something happened?”

“It has, but I’m not sure exactly what the problem is,” Ray replied, “Vida has been writing up her Staff Reports on her laptop, I spoke with her earlier today, she’s finished them, planned to email them to Ruth today,”

“But?”

“But the file has gone missing. She asked me to check for her and the file has definitely disappeared, in fact there’s no record of it ever having existed.”

“I thought she was back to normal, this will be a great blow for her, if she cannot remember what she did with her work.”

“Well that’s just it,” Ray said hesitantly, “I don’t think Vida was at fault,”

Hilda looked puzzled and Ray quickly elaborated.

“You know that, with all laptops, as soon as you plug into a docking station, the system performs what it calls a synchronisation.”

Hilda smiled, “Well, vaguely,” she confessed, “although I’m none too sure what it means,”

“Basically it means that the system checks if there’s anything new on the laptop since the last visit, and if there is it saves it centrally. It can still only be accessed by the person with the correct password and the System Administrator - me, but it means that, should the laptop get run over by a bus it doesn’t matter, the data’s been saved. Well to keep an eye on Vida’s laptop I’d set up a programme to monitor each time Vida plugged into a docking station. This morning when she plugged in, the file with the Staff Reports was there, then, suddenly, it wasn’t. It had been erased. But the computer system erased it, Vida didn’t.”

“A problem with the system?”

“I thought so, I’ve had IT engineers taking the system apart…”

“Ah, I wondered why the system was down this afternoon,”

“Yes, they came back and said the system is not at fault, the only thing they could think of was that a specific programme had been set up within the system to delete files, but couldn’t work out how.”

“A virus, you mean? Has one managed to get through the security?”

“I don’t think so. At the moment all I’ve done is disabled the synchronisation function, people will have to ensure they remember to save to the network.”

“And Vida will have to re-do that work?”

“Actually no she won’t,” Ray said quickly, “She’s got the lot on memory stick, lucky she thought of it,”

“Very lucky.”
#336:  Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire PostPosted: Sat May 27, 2006 11:35 pm
    —
Well done Vida for keeping the work on a memory stick, and well done Ray for finding the problem - but who is sabotaging the files? Shocked

Thank you Lesley Very Happy
#337:  Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Sat May 27, 2006 11:38 pm
    —
Hurrah! Knew there was a reason I was up so late!

Also hurrah that Ray has discovered the problems Vida has been having.

Am I the only one who is suspicious of how little we have heard about the new science mistress so far?

ETA: So unfair I get a cooking disaster tag when I can't even eat at the moment Sad
#338:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sat May 27, 2006 11:44 pm
    —
Oooh!!

Well done Ray for keeping tabs, and well done Vida for thinking of the memory stick!!

Thanks Lesley!
#339:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Sun May 28, 2006 2:45 am
    —
Someone's been clever - a bit too clever. Yes, I'm wondering about this science mistress as well, although I don't know why.... possibly because she's been so quiet? Very Happy

Thanks Lesley.
#340:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Sun May 28, 2006 3:33 am
    —
*agrees with Cath*

...but even more worried that it'll be someone I "trust" more.
(not that I have another suspect Confused)
#341:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Sun May 28, 2006 7:20 am
    —
Hooray for the blessings of memory sticks! Clever Vida.

I always guess wrong in RCS but my worry is the same as Kathy's - I just don't think it's going to be obvious.

Thank you Lesley. You've still got us all on the edge of our seats Rolling Eyes
#342:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun May 28, 2006 12:56 pm
    —
I'm deeply suspicious of the new Science mistress, but I knew Ray would be able to see where the problem lies, and that's not with Vida.
#343:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun May 28, 2006 1:07 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I'm glad Vida was able to save it all on a memory stick.
#344:  Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria PostPosted: Sun May 28, 2006 3:10 pm
    —
I am suspicious of the new teacher but I also have another idea who may be behind the trouble (don't want to say in case I am wrong Embarassed )
Thanks Lesley
#345:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Sun May 28, 2006 11:13 pm
    —
Memory sticks are magic. Good for Vida - and Ray. Perhaps the truth will begin to come out now. Must be someone with good computer knowledge, I was quite bedazzled!

Enjoyed the glimpse of Nell and Hilda rehearsing, and loved H's reaction when her attempts to escape a major part in the panto failed;
Quote:
Miss Annersley had sighed, smiled and gently acquiesced
That is so very her! Bless. Very Happy
#346:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Mon May 29, 2006 5:52 pm
    —
It's wonderful to be able to read so much RCS at one go! Thanks Lesley. I think I probably have the same worries and suspicions as everyone else!
#347:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon May 29, 2006 7:15 pm
    —
There was a pause for a while then Hilda spoke again, “Ray, there’s something else, isn’t there?”

Ray sighed, “I haven’t any proof yet,” she began, “but the engineers did say that there was nothing wrong with our virus protection, that we were well protected against hackers and the like,”

“But?”

“But, that within the system it might be possible for someone to place a programme that would perform those functions,”

“Within the system?”

“Yes, someone that already had access to the system, could log on as normal,”

Hilda suddenly understood, she frowned, “You mean a member of Staff could have planted that programme?”

Ray nodded, “Or a student, though the security for them is far greater,” she replied, “and it doesn’t have to be Teaching Staff either, could be Admin, Domestic, Security…”

“Yes, I understand,” Hilda held up a hand, “but why would someone do that? For what purpose? All the programme did was cause Vida to start to question her own competence,”

Ray shrugged, “Perhaps that was the intention.”

That final sentence from Ray kept coming back to the Head throughout the rest of the day. She had sent Ray back to her computers asking her to keep investigating, she’d also asked her not to say anything to the rest of the Staff. Finally, when the School day was over, she walked slowly back to the cottage. Inside she found Nell just returning from her evening walk; since their talk during Half Term Nell had taken her convalescence far more seriously. She had been to see the Physiotherapist at the Real Hospital and commenced an exercise regime that, while it stretched her, didn’t go too far. Being Nell she had pushed the regime to its limits, however she had found her limitations. Having to spend an afternoon in bed taught her that she wasn’t ready to start running just yet. While one episode of abdominal pain was enough to stop Nell from attempting to over-exercise. Although she chaffed at the restrictions she understood that a steady improvement was acceptable. Also, even though she was still too thin, she was unable, yet, to return to her normal healthy appetite as the strain on her stomach was too great and she was sick. Overall she was slowly but surely improving, and was remaining reasonably happy with her improvement.

It was because of this improvement that Hilda Annersley decided that she would tell Nell about Vida’s problems and, that evening, she sat down with her friend and relayed everything. Once she’d finished she stopped and looked across at Nell. After a pause Nell spoke,

“And this has been going on for how long?”

“I first heard of it just before Half Term,” Hilda replied, “but, from all I can gather Vida’s been having problems for most of the term, by the time I became involved I think she had half-way convinced herself that she couldn’t cope, that she was unable to cover for you. That the only reason she managed to cover the post six months ago was because you were there and did a lot of the work of Science Head without her realising.”

“Well that didn’t happen,” Nell said decisively, “apart from just checking every so often I left her to it. Had too much of my own work to keep up with to be continually checking up - and anyway there was no need. She’s more than capable. Why didn’t you tell me of this before, Hilda?”

“Because I wasn’t sure how you’d react,” Hilda replied honestly, “I didn’t want you charging over there all guns blazing,”

Nell stared across at her friend for some seconds then grinned a little sheepishly, “Hmmm, you know me too well,” she commented, “So why don’t you think I’ll do just that now?”

Hilda pondered how to phrase it tactfully, “Because Nell, in the last two weeks, you do appear to have accepted your condition,” she said softly.

“Accepted that I was making an idiot of myself before, you mean?” Nell’s eyes sparkled.

“Your words, Nell, not mine,”

“Yes, but you were thinking them!”

The Head said nothing, but, for once, her face showed exactly what she was thinking.

Nell grinned, “OK, so I’m not about to rush across there, all guns blazing. You want my opinion though?”

Hilda nodded.

Nell thought for a minute, “I’m sure you’ve read through my last report on Vida? Well I’ll stand by it, she’s excellent, could have taken over the post of Head of Science permanently if necessary, though I’m rather glad it wasn’t!”

“Yes.” Hilda murmured.

Nell grinned again, “She’s far more organised than I am, she’s a very good teacher and she gets on well with the rest of the Science Department. If she’s got a fault it’s that she took a while to get up to speed with modern technology; I can remember when we’d first transferred over that it took her a long time to get used to all the IT equipment. Though I’ve not noticed a problem for some time now - she seems to have mastered it all. As far as I’m aware she’s doing well in her degree course?”

Hilda nodded, “Yes, no complaints there, her work had all been well above the standard required,” The Head was kept informed of all the results for those Staff being sponsored to obtain modern degrees. “What about personally, Nell? Are you aware of any problems?”

Nell thought, then shook her head, “No, she gets on well with the rest of the Science Staff, is close to Peggy and Sharlie as well as Lesley and Rebecca. Tends to take escort duty so she can travel across to the UK and explore - normally with friends. No problems that I know of.”

“No one within the Staff that she’s had any disagreement with?”

“Doubt it, she not normally the type to lose her temper about things,” Nell frowned and looked across, “Why do you ask?”

Hilda remained silent for a time then sighed, “What Ray said, about the programme, that it could be set up by someone else who was within the system. Suppose it’s a member of Staff? For whatever reason, that a member of Staff had set the programme,”

“But why?”

“To make Vida look bad, make her feel that she couldn’t cope,” Hilda looked very worried as she continued, “Ray is going to keep looking, try to find some proof, but if it is a member of Staff, Nell, what then?”
#348:  Author: Róisín, Location: Galway, Eire PostPosted: Mon May 29, 2006 7:17 pm
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Glad Nell is improving. Thank you Lesley.
#349:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Mon May 29, 2006 7:24 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I'm glad that Hilda is talking through the problem with Nell.
#350:  Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire PostPosted: Mon May 29, 2006 7:48 pm
    —
Thank you Lesley. If it is a member of staff, then I have no idea who it could be... but then I am dreadful at guessing anyway! Will just sit back and await enlightenment in your own sweet time! Wink
#351:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Mon May 29, 2006 8:18 pm
    —
Having caught up on multiple pages of this, and agonised over Butcher and Geri, I now find myself on another wee cliff.... one that does seem all too obvious to me, but then my guesses are usually wildly wrong so I shall await events with what patience I can muster. Laughing

Thanks, Lesley
#352:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon May 29, 2006 8:33 pm
    —
Thanks Lesley, I know the answer is out there somewhere, but where?
#353:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Mon May 29, 2006 10:56 pm
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Thanks Lesley. Not an earthly who it could be, but very glad she had a memory stick!

And as for Butcher, I know you're hurting, but stop being so stubborn, woman!
#354:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Tue May 30, 2006 12:15 am
    —
Glad Nell has learnt sense;
Quote:
Being Nell she had pushed the regime to its limits, however she had found her limitations.
Just as well! It also frees Hilda to seek her support and discuss the Vida problem with her, which I suspect she has been longing to do.

Don't envy them if they have to deal with it being a member of staff. Nasty - and why on earth?
#355:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Tue May 30, 2006 12:56 am
    —
Presumably, if it is a member of staff, they are jealous of Vida and want to discredit her for some reason. Professional jealousy perhaps? Interesting....

Good to see that Nell has seen sense about herself and is cooperating - and making progress. And it's also interesting to hear her take on Vida:
Quote:
“I’m sure you’ve read through my last report on Vida? Well I’ll stand by it, she’s excellent, could have taken over the post of Head of Science permanently if necessary, though I’m rather glad it wasn’t!”


Thanks Lesley.
#356:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Tue May 30, 2006 1:52 am
    —
Glad to see Vida's not a suspect!
#357:  Author: Identity Hunt, Location: UK PostPosted: Tue May 30, 2006 7:29 am
    —
I am on tenterhooks, waiting to find out who the culprit is........... Shocked
#358:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Tue May 30, 2006 11:37 am
    —
Thank you Lesley.
#359:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue May 30, 2006 5:37 pm
    —
The question is, is the attempt to discredit Vida Linked to the plot to split Geri and Butcher?

Thank you Lesley! Twisty and turny as always! Rolling Eyes
#360:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue May 30, 2006 7:13 pm
    —
Little one for now.

It was on her way back to her office after being to see the Governor that Miss Shaw was attacked. As she rounded the corner she was suddenly struck by someone running, ‘full tilt’ into her. Geri Shaw was not a small woman but the impact lifted her off her feet and crashed her into the wall behind, she saw her attacker continue on blithely,

“Richards!”

Mel Richards paused in her headlong rush, and her face suddenly paled,

“Miss Shaw? Oh I’m sorry Miss Shaw, here, let me help you,”

She reached down and grasped the Senior Officer’s hand, pulled her upright, Geri Shaw was, understandably, somewhat annoyed,

“Do you mind telling me what on Earth you’re doing, Richards? I suppose you realise that constitutes assault on an officer?”

Richards’ expression, until then joyful, suddenly dropped, “Oh, please Miss Shaw, I didn’t mean…”

“Richards,” Miss Shaw interrupted quickly, “why were you running along the corridor? You know that’s against the rules.”

“Yes Miss Shaw, I’m really sorry Miss Shaw, only I…” she stopped and thrust a piece of paper into the prison officer’s hands.

Geri Shaw opened up the paper and read…


Dear Miss Richards
I am writing to formally offer you the post of Administrative Assistant within our Head Office. The post is full time; 41 hours per week including lunch breaks, and will attract a salary of…

Miss Shaw looked across at the inmate; Richards was torn between still being ecstatically happy at the job offer and worried about what the Senior Officer was going to do.

“I see, when do you hope to start?”

Richards swallowed, “Monday 23rd January, Miss Shaw. I’m scheduled for release on the Saturday before. Full remission. Please, Miss Shaw, I didn’t mean to assault you, it was a complete accident.”

“Alright Richards, just this once,” Miss Shaw passed the letter back, “but no more running in the corridor, otherwise you will be on a charge,”

“No Miss Shaw, I promise, thank you,” she turned to go then stopped as Miss Shaw spoke again,

“Richards?” the young woman turned, “Congratulations, Richards,”

Mel Richards grinned widely, “Thank you Miss Shaw.”
#361:  Author: Caroline OSullivan, Location: Reading, Berkshire, UK PostPosted: Tue May 30, 2006 7:47 pm
    —
Thanks Lesley Very Happy Really glad Mel Richards got the job.

Hope Ray can manage to trace the horrible person who is trying to undermine Vida.
#362:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue May 30, 2006 8:16 pm
    —
Awww!!!! That was lovely!! Thanks Lesley!

(could almost have been Hilda scolding one of the girls for running in the school corridors...... Wink )
#363:  Author: Sugarplum, Location: second star to the right! PostPosted: Tue May 30, 2006 8:24 pm
    —
What Vikki said!
#364:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Tue May 30, 2006 11:49 pm
    —
SO glad Mel got the job, from all points of view! Loved her squashing Geri, very CS. Laughing
#365:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Tue May 30, 2006 11:59 pm
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I'm really glad that Mel has got the job.
#366:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Wed May 31, 2006 12:43 am
    —
Excellent - and how understanding Geri was.

Thank you Lesley.
#367:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Wed May 31, 2006 1:40 am
    —
Lovely scene! Smile

Hmmmmm.... I notice Richards never said where she was headed....
#368:  Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Wed May 31, 2006 11:01 am
    —
Kathy_S wrote:

Hmmmmm.... I notice Richards never said where she was headed....


I noticed that too!
#369:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Wed May 31, 2006 11:21 am
    —
Yay! Well done Mel Very Happy
#370:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Wed May 31, 2006 12:54 pm
    —
Something good at last in the prison? Or is that wishful thinking? Rolling Eyes

Thanks, Lesley.
#371:  Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries PostPosted: Wed May 31, 2006 1:33 pm
    —
Hope nothing happens to Richards that would prevent her getting out.

Thanks Lesley
#372:  Author: Liane, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Wed May 31, 2006 7:33 pm
    —
francesn wrote:
Hope nothing happens to Richards that would prevent her getting out.



Will people stop giving Lesley ideas! Wink
Thanks Lesley
#373:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed May 31, 2006 11:05 pm
    —
Liane wrote:
francesn wrote:
Hope nothing happens to Richards that would prevent her getting out.



Will people stop giving Lesley ideas! Wink
Thanks Lesley


Don't need others there! Laughing

The Senior Officer watched Richards continue, at a far more sedate pace, before turning and walking across to her office. On the way there she met up with Mrs Francis,

“Are you alright, Geri?” Pat Francis remarked softly, “you look as though you’ve been bowled over by a truck!”

“Close, Pat,” Miss Shaw proceeded to tell her friend what had happened, Mrs Francis looked a little sheepish,

“Ah, my fault there, I told Richards she’d got a visitor, told her to move quickly along to the Visitors’ Room, just after she’d got her letter.”

“You know her news then?”

“Yes, I’m pleased for her, her visitor will be proud too, it’s her grandmother. Nice to see another success,”

“Yes, makes up for some disappointments,” Geri Shaw murmured, she sighed then looked across at the other woman, “by the way, the new Governor will be arriving tomorrow, he’s to spend the next few weeks being inducted, having Mrs Knight show him the ropes.”

“Do you know him?”

Geri shook her head, “No, we’ve never worked together, he’s got an excellent reputation, last place he was in has moved from bottom of the discipline stakes to near the top. Within two years he’d transformed the place.”

“Well he’s no need to do that here,” Pat Francis put in quickly, “you’ve run this place pretty well,”

Geri smiled, “Pat, we’re not in competition, he sounds like he’ll be a good boss to work for,”

…

The first day of December was marked with a ritual; one that the Head, at least, had forgotten somewhat, during her busy schedule. She discovered, however, that the rest of her family had not. On returning to her cottage that evening she found Nell, Cherry and Robbie all waiting,

“About time you got here, Hilda,” Nell greeted her as she appeared, “anyone would think you had something important to do elsewhere!”

Hilda blinked, she shook her head, “No Nell,” she replied, “nothing important,” she looked round, Robbie was almost dancing in excitement, “have I missed something?”

“We got this, Grandma,” Robbie could restrain himself no longer and rushed over, in his hands he held some figures, “this is maryandjoseph, Grandma, and we got to stand them in the stable because it’s nearly Christmas,”

Hilda smiled, “Ah, yes of course,” she said, “well come along then, let’s set up the scene.”

The four bent to their task and, within a very short time the Nativity had been set up with all the figures, the crib and the Star. This time Robbie was persuaded not to add any extra figures and didn’t even insist that Baby Jesus was in either the crib or cradled in the arms of his mother. None of the three woman affected to notice that he’d sneaked the figure of the Baby into the scene anyway - sat on the back of one of the cows.

…

“So how are things going, Vida?” Nancy Wilmot asked. The pair were sat in Nancy and Kathie’s lounge, along with a number of other original Staff. They had wanted the chance to just chat for the evening about old times. Of the rest of the Staff, some had disappeared out for the evening while others were on duty.

Vida smiled, “Much better, thanks, I think my break at Half Term did me a world of good.”

“I hear that there are still some problems with you losing data?”

“Yes,” Vida frowned, “but, thanks to Ray, I know now that it wasn’t me. Must admit it was getting to the point where I thought I was going crazy!”

“Not surprised,” this from Peggy, Burnett, “if stuff I’d saved kept disappearing I’d have questioned my sanity.” She laughed then continued, “I mean, I know it took you a while to become IT literate, but this last year or so you’ve been fine.”

“Has Ray been able to work out how it was done?”

Vida shrugged, “Not yet, at the moment they are saying it can’t have come from outside, that it has to be someone from inside the system, but that’s ridiculous. The only way any of the students could do that would be if they knew my password, and there’s no way they could discover that.”

…

“Ah Geri, there you are,” Mrs Knight smiled across as her Senior Officer arrived first thing in the morning, “let me introduce you,” she indicated a man beside her, “This is Geraldine Shaw, my and soon to be your Senior Officer, Geri, this is William Masters, the new Governor.”

Miss Shaw looked across with some curiosity; the man beside Doreen Knight was aged about fifty, perhaps a little younger, quite tall and slim. He had dark brown, almost black hair, flecked with grey at the sides giving him a rather distinguished look. He had dark brown eyes and a ready smile as he rose and reached out a hand,

“I’m Will,” he said, “Geri is it? It‘s good to meet you.”

Geri Shaw shook the hand, the man had a strong grip but didn’t attempt to abuse his strength, “Yes, it’s Geri, good to meet you too, Will. I look forward to working for you.”

“Well I hope we’ll be working as a team, Geri,” Will returned, “I’ve heard some very good things about you, and Doreen here has been singing your praises.”

Doreen Knight motioned to all that they should sit and started giving a handover of aspects of the prison.

Last edited by Lesley on Thu Jun 01, 2006 12:05 am; edited 1 time in total
#374:  Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire PostPosted: Wed May 31, 2006 11:58 pm
    —
Lesley wrote:
Don't need others there!
How very true. Laughing

Well, where does one begin? Lovely that Mel is going to be one of their successes - must be much needed in a job like that.

Glad Hilda's got her priorities right (!), and would love to see Baby Jesus on a cow - sounds like a Nativity Rodeo!

It still hasn't occurred to Vida that her saboteur might be a member of staff; quite a difficult concept to take on board.

And William Masters ... should I remember him? (my brain=leaky sieve). 'Cos he sounds all that's good, but I have a nasty feeling about him. Don't know why, but I feel it in my water! Don't trust him too far, Geri.
#375:  Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 1:18 am
    —
Everything Tara said: Ditto
#376:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 1:56 am
    —
Nice update Lesley. I wonder what's next??! Laughing
#377:  Author: Liane, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 7:57 am
    —
Hope Mel's visit goes well. Thanks Lesley.
#378:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 11:12 am
    —
Thanks, Lesley. I wonder............
#379:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 12:47 pm
    —
So many balls in the air there that I daren't look! Laughing

When is someone going to cotton on about Vida's computer, and as for this new man in Geri's life....Hmmm!

Thanks, Lesley.
#380:  Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 1:00 pm
    —
Thanks Lesley.

Still none the wiser on either storyline but enjoying it just the same!! Laughing

*Agree that William does sound too good to be true and think I recognise the name - though that could just be because I think that I should!*
#381:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 1:38 pm
    —
Everybody is commenting on how IT literate Vida has become in the last year - maybe so much so that she's sabotaging herself in some amazing twist that Lesley is going to reveal to us in due course Laughing

Thanks, Lesley Very Happy
The CBB -> Ste Therese's House


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