The CBB :: View topic - CBB Advent Calendar: December 7th

#1: CBB Advent Calendar: December 7th Author: CBB Triumvirate,

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 8:35 am

”I didn’t think,” began Miss Annersley on the first day of term, “that I would find so many of the girls so keen to come to my study!”

“But Hilda, cherie” remonstrated Mdlle Lachennais. “The dear girls have missed you badly this past year – you must understand that it was not enough for them to see you in prayers this morning.”

Hilda sighed happily. “I know. I suppose it is just so touching for the girls to think so much of me! After all, I knew I was popular, but to find out how popular is just so flattering! It almost makes me think I should have returned a little sooner despite what all the doctors and experts said. It’s obvious how badly the girls have missed my guiding hand at the helm.”

“We have coped admirably without you Hilda,” said Bill with a chuckle that had a slight bitterness to it. “Please don’t imagine the place would go to rack and ruin without you! Of course,” she added hastily, seeing the surprise in the eyes of the other staff, “Of course we are all thrilled to have you back.”

Hilda beamed round the room. “Of course,” was all she said, but the smug grin that accompanied her words reminded all those present that once again they had the ultimate dominatrix to deal with.

No more easy going Bill Wilson to lead the way in the drunken revelries. No more Mademoiselle organizing those interesting parties at the weekends. No more freedom from Joey Maynard popping in as and when she chose. No, back to the autocratic reign of the malignant dictator.

There were mixed reactions. All the girls of course made sure they welcomed their head. They wouldn’t have dared do otherwise. One by one each of them made their way to the study and assured ‘The Abbess’ of their love for her, of their delight at seeing her back, and of their willingness to do whatever she asked of them. None of those who had been in the school before her unfortunate ‘accident’ would have dared do otherwise and they had made sure that all the new girls went along as well. They knew that it was up to them to see that instant obedience was rendered and any sheepdog whose sheep strayed from the line knew she would be in the doghouse, quite literally.

That first day was not a major problem for the kitchen staff as it was time for supper by the time the girls were back, but consternation reigned the following day.
“I cannot get the ingredients,” one of the maids was heard to sob as she returned from the village.
“You must,” commanded Karen, her face whitening at the news.
“I offered everything, and more besides. I remember the last time this happened.” The maid was shaking now. There was a nervous silence in the kitchen. They all remembered the last time this happened. It had not been nice and it had been weeks before the maids had slept through the night again.
“Maybe she will accept a sandwich instead,” ventured one of the braver souls.
“Will you be the one to take her tray in then,” asked Karen, “No, I thought not,” she added as the maid wilted at the mere thought.

In the end they had to draw straws. No one would willingly volunteer to tell Miss Annersley that she was to be denied. No one was that brave, or stupid. They valued what little sanity and few limbs they had left. The poor maid who drew the short straw had to be pushed up the stairs to the study, and even then Karen had to knock on the door and flee before the terrified girl would enter. She did enter because she knew that if Miss Annersley had to come and open the door herself it would be even worse for her. She crept around the door, made her curtsey and not daring to raise her eyes said quietly,
“Please Miss Annersley, I’m afraid to tell you that due to the rationing and shortages we cannot get the ingredients to make, to make,” she faltered a little, then with a rush said, “we can’t make any more bread twists.”

There was a great burst of green smoke from the direction of the Head’s desk and the maid stopped speaking. Out of the smoke a voice issued. “Out!” The one word was enough and the girl fled, relieved to get away so easily.

Hilda leant back in her chair and thought deeply. It was patently clear that things had gone to rack and ruin in her absence. The staff were scared to come near her, which would never do. The girls had all come to report as normal, but she could sense the change. Of course, Nell had no idea just why the bread twists were so important. That was between herself and Matey, and would remain that way. She would have to discuss the situation with that redoubtable person immediately.
She could hear the rustle of starch from far down the corridor and was prepared when Matey entered after a brief knock.
“I know why you wanted to see me Hilda,” she said. “It’s the bread twists isn’t it? The War is playing fast and loose with all our arrangements.”
“We must find a substitute Gwynneth. You know as well as I do the importance of that.”
“I think the staff are onto the coffee Hilda. Jeanne keeps her supply locked away these days, which is why there was so much laxness last year. As for the girls, they positively ran riot!”
“That’s no more than I expected. What is Karen proposing to supply instead of the bread twists?”
“Some sort of biscuits I believe. They would do just as well I suppose, so long as everybody eats them.”
“Except us Gwynneth,” replied Hilda with a wolfish smile. “It wouldn’t do for either of us to eat them, now would it?”
“No indeed. Very well, I shall see to putting our little addition into the ordinary flour. It won’t take long for things to get back to normal then.”
And so it proved. Within a few days everybody was wearing the bright cheerful faces that had been normal since Hilda had become Head. Matey was once more the beloved tyrant, rather than the hated one she had become, and even the staff had reverted to the obedient drones they had been before. Nell and Jeanne had momentary doubts, but these were swept away after the whole staff had been invited to afternoon tea with the Head. At the end of that meal, Hilda looked around with satisfaction She was once more in full charge of the Chalet School.

#2: Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 9:24 am

The Abbess
Bread Twists
the rustle of starch

#3: Author: Mihiri, Location: surrey england

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 9:40 am

This is funny! My guess:-

The Abbess
bread twists
great burst of green smoke

#4: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 10:27 am

The Abbess
bread twists
"Joey Maynard popping in as and when she chose"

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

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 10:32 am

The Abbess
Bread twists
I didn't think

Very funny! Thank you!

#6: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 10:56 am

Mlle Lachennais
Bread twists
"that redoubtable person"

Star Wars

#7: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 12:45 pm

Another excellently amusing advent drabble

Mdlle Lachennais
Bread twists
Rustle of starch

#8: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 1:23 pm

Karen

Bread Twists

I didn't think

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

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 1:50 pm

Bill
rustle of starch
"I didn't think"

Liz

#10: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 2:59 pm

Wonderful.

Miss Annersley

Bread Twists

'I didn't think.'

#11: Author: Ciorstaidh, Location: London

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 3:33 pm

Karen
bread twists
"beloved tyrant"

#12: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 9:05 pm

*choke!!!*

I SO wish I could see Lesley's face when she reads this explanation of her favourite!!!! Shocked

Miss Annersley

Bread twists

beloved tyrant

#13: Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 10:06 pm

Miss Annersley
Bread Twists
they positively ran riot!

#14: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 1:51 am

Mlle. Lachennais
coffee
"instant obedience"

#15: Author: CBB Triumvirate,

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 8:32 am

The answer to this one is:

Matey
Bread twists
'I didn't think'

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