The CBB :: View topic - New Mistress

#1: New Mistress - A short fill in Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 1:01 pm

Quote:

Kathie had been dreading telling her story, but she never got a chance just then. As she closed the door behind her, Joey leapt up from her chair.
“Oh good! Here’s someone else I can tell!”
“Joey, do sit down and be sensible!” Miss Annersley said, laughing.
“Sensible! And me with such news! Sensible yourself, Hilda Annersley! Kathie! What do you think is the very latest?”
Kathie gaped at her, blinking like an owl. Then in a voice that simply clanged with triumph, she announced, “I’m a great-aunt – by marriage! My niece-by-marriage, Daisy Rosomon, had a son early this morning! How’s that for news?”

Kathie simply stood staring blankly at Joey as this news was delivered; she had no idea what to say, it was the last thing she had expected to be greeted with and on top of everything that had happened, she had reached the end of her tether. She realised all three occupants were looking at her, puzzled and waiting for a reaction and she felt her lips suddenly quiver uncontrollably. The two Heads had had time to realise she was looking white and strained by this time and even as Kathie bit her lips and tried to pull herself together, Miss Annersley left her seat.
“Come and tell me what’s happened in my sitting room.” She said gently, slipping a hand through Kathie’s arm, her left, fortunately, and drawing her out of the room. She installed Kathie on the sofa and left her for a moment whilst she made the girl a cup of coffee. She returned to her two or three minutes later and held out the cup.
“Drink this, Kathie. It’ll do you good.” She said briskly but Kathie simply looked at the cup and burst into tears. The Head hastily set the cup down and came to sit down by her. “Kathie, what is it?” She asked anxiously. “The girls are all right aren’t they?”
“I don’t know.” Kathie sobbed. “Mary-Lou’s hurt her back again and I don’t know if the others are all right. They got a fright; it’s all my fault.”
“Why?” The Head queried gently and listened in growing horror as Kathie sobbed out her story. When it was over, she drew Kathie gently into her arms. “You poor girl!” She said, deep sympathy in her voice. “You can’t tell me the girls have had a fright, you’ve had just as bad a fright yourself and all the responsibility of looking after the girls!”
“D-don’t you b-blame me?” Kathie asked in muffled tones and the Head gently held her away from her for a moment.
“Blame you?! Kathie, how could I possibly blame you?!” She exclaimed. “It was a freak of nature, that is all! There was nothing you could have done to have changed what happened! I’m so very sorry it happened and I’m more than glad Mary-Lou managed to grab you in time! Don’t worry about her back; Matron will see to her and I don’t suppose she’s done more than wrench a muscle. It certainly can’t be bad if she’s been able to walk so please don’t upset yourself. It’s over now; you’re all safe and that’s all that matters.” She ended soothingly, drawing Kathie back into her arms and holding her as she sobbed. Kathie for her part, forgot she was supposed to be a grown up, dignified person of twenty two and clung to the Head as though she were a little girl of twelve. It had been a huge shock and her nerves were anything but steady and Miss Annersley knew this as she held Kathie tightly, stroking the brown hair comfortingly. Kathie had always fought shy of her so far and she was determined to show the girl she had no need to be shy or frightened around her; she liked what she had seen of Kathie so far and unless anything untoward happened in the next half term, had every intention of keeping her. Eventually, the sobs quietened and Kathie sat up, looking very shame faced. “Don’t even think it.” The Head said firmly, correctly interpreting her expression. “I’d have been very surprised if you weren’t upset after what you’ve been through. Lean your head against my shoulder and don’t worry! I’ve had plenty of people crying on my shoulder – staff as well as girls! You’re not the first and you certainly won’t be the last!” She ended on a laugh and then turned as the door opened and Nell Wilson appeared, having gone to see the Prefects and find out what had happened for herself once she had sent Joey away.
“Don’t upset yourself, Kathie.” She came to join the pair. “The girls are all perfectly all right! They’re shocked, naturally but Mary-Lou is only slightly hurt and she’ll be all right if she takes the next two or three days quietly. They’re all very concerned for you, however and Mary-Lou informs me she has no intention of going to Matron until you’re ready to accompany her!” She said laughing. “I gather she almost wrenched your arm out of its socket!”
“You’re hurt!” Miss Annersley exclaimed in consternation. “Oh Kathie! You poor girl! Why didn’t you say?! It’s no wonder you’ve been so upset!”
“I don’t suppose it was at the forefront of her mind.” Nell remarked cheerfully. “Never mind! I’ve sent for coffee and once we’ve all had a cup, we’ll take you up to Matron, Kathie and collect Mary-Lou on the way. And you needn’t worry,” she added twinkling as she saw Kathie’s face fall, “we’ll not let her eat you!” She ended on a laugh in which the other two joined, albeit somewhat shakily on Kathie’s part. The coffee arrived just then and Nell intercepted it at the door, changing the subject once it had been handed out and keeping the conversation light until they had finished, when she saw to clearing it away whilst Hilda led Kathie to her own private bathroom and waited whilst Kathie sponged her face and tidied herself. After that, the two Heads escorted Kathie to Matron, collecting Mary-Lou on the way.

#2: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 1:34 pm

Awwwwww! Catherine that was lovely - exactly how I pictured it happening - love Hilda and Nell!

Thank you! Kiss

#3: Author: pim, Location: the place where public transport doesn't work properly!

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 3:58 pm

Fabulous Catherine, loved Hilda and Nell in that.

*feeling warm and fuzzy*

#4: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 4:01 pm

Really good Catherine. I really like fill ins of missing scenes.

#5: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 4:23 pm

Wonderful Catherine, just how Kathie could be expected to react.
Did Joey know what had happened? If so, did she think it would be best to take Kathie's mind off things, or was she just being particularly insensitive?

#6: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 5:15 pm

She didn't know what had happened. That's how she greets Kathie the moment Kathie walks into the study.

#7: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 6:16 pm

Awwww. Hilda is absolutely wonderful, though we knew that already of course!
It's perfect Catherine.

#8: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 7:24 pm

A lovely fill-in, Catherine, thank you.

#9: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 9:33 pm

Catherine, that was beautiful!! Thank you sweetie!!

#10: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 9:54 pm

Catherine, that was a lovely scene. Thank you.

#11: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 10:06 pm

This is the first thing I read this evening, and its fab. Very Happy

#12: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 10:15 pm

Why, thank you, Nicci! (And everyone else! Wink

#13: Author: Catherine_B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 10:28 pm

Catherine, I loved your take on this! I'd never thought about it much, but now I've read your "behind closed doors" account I'm completely and utterly convinced that you're right, and Kathie wouldn't have been able to handle Joey's irritatingly breezy greeting. For goodness' sake, who would care two hoots that some neighbour of the school was a 'great aunt by marriage', if she'd just had a near death experience?! Poor Kathie Crying or Very sad

But good on Hilda for sorting things out! Kiss

#14: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 10:33 pm

Catherine_B wrote:

But good on Hilda for sorting things out! Kiss

Who would care that much even if they hadn't just had a near death experience?

#15: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 10:36 pm

Glad you liked it. I got the HB yesterday and it was bugging at me all night so I sat down and wrote it this morning!

#16: Author: BethC, Location: Worcester, UK

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 11:55 pm

Great stuff, Catherine! That bit's always irritated me, so it's lovely to see a realistic reaction to Joey's greeting.

#17: Author: Sugarplum, Location: second star to the right!

Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 12:19 am

awwwww that was lovely. Smile

#18: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 4:50 am

Beautiful scene, Catherine!

I admit Joey's announcement never particularly bothered me -- I'd figured Kathie was relieved by the change of subject, however nonsensical. Anything to avoid bursting into tears! (something I do too often)

But this version seems much more realistic -- and of course reflects well on Hilda Smile

#19: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 2:53 pm

Well done Catherine that was lovely. Hilda and Nell are so nice. Wonder what Jo thought after Nell got rid of her?

#20: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 3:16 pm

Not a lot, I shouldn't think, since she goes on to tell the rest of the school her news!

#21: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 3:33 pm

Awwww! How lovely, Catherine. I was always irritated by Jo there as well- although maybe Kathie would have been relieved that at least Jo's news took the attention away from her- on the part of the girls, i mean? But this is a lovely response from Hilda and Co.

#22: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 4:28 pm

Marvellous, Catherine
I too had thought that Joey's news diffused the situation but totally agree that Kathie needed a shoulder to cry on and our beloved Hilda & Nell team are the biz!!

We will be expecting lots more fill-ins from you now! Very Happy

#23: Author: Ciorstaidh, Location: London

Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 5:15 pm

Oh, catherine, thank you! You're so in touch with your characters Very Happy

shiny-shiny-SHINY catherine!!!

#24: Author: Mora, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2004 12:23 am

I love fill-ins and this is so spot on. Hilda and Nell really are the perfect team.

#25: Author: Rebecca, Location: Kendal/Oxford

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 10:19 am

Perfect, thank you Catherine. Just what would have happened.

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