The Chalet School and Kitty
The CBB -> Cookies & Drabbles
What next for Kitty?
Redemption through heroism
52%
 52%  [ 12 ]
Near death experience -self
8%
 8%  [ 2 ]
Near death experience - other person
21%
 21%  [ 5 ]
Expulsion
13%
 13%  [ 3 ]
Other, please PM suggestion
4%
 4%  [ 1 ]
Total Votes : 23


#1: The Chalet School and Kitty Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 3:24 pm


As I was walking into town earlier today, I was ambushed by a bunny, who insisted I come home and write this. As it's my first ever drabble I'm quite nervous about posting it, so please be nice!


"It’s such a difficult problem," sighed Madge Bettany, founder and Headmistress of the Chalet School. "I’ve tried everything I can think of and nothing seems to have any effect on the girl."
Miss Maynard and Miss Durrant exchanged careful glances as their colleague continued. "I really thought at her age she would start to settle down, show some respect for authority and set a good example to the younger girls."
"Maybe she’s rebelling as a result of being passed over for a prefectship," suggested Miss Maynard. "After all, she is sixteen and probably expected to be a prefect as a matter of course."
"How could I have made her a prefect?" asked Madge. "She’s spent the last four terms causing as much trouble as she could. I know that Gisela and the others were reluctant to tell me exactly how much of a problem she was. Oh, I knew that starting my own school would be a challenge, but I never expected to have so much resistance from a member of my own family!"
In the April of the previous year, nearly eighteen months before this story begins, Madge Bettany had travelled from England to the Austrian Tyrol in order to establish a school. Her younger sister Joey had been a delicate child and the Bettany’s had left England in the hope that her health would improve in the dryer climate. However, Katharine, the middle Bettany girl, had not been happy about the move. Kitty resented the fact that Joey’s frailty had demanded so much of Madge’s attention - and that of Madge’s twin, Dick - and felt that over the years she had ended up very much in her younger sister’s shadow. Their relocation to the Tiernsee had been planned with Joey in mind and Kitty’s own feelings had not been taken into account. As a result, she had become the worst troublemaker in the School and Madge despaired of what she should do to bring her younger sister in line.


Last edited by Ann on Sun Jun 13, 2004 1:03 am; edited 4 times in total

 


#2:  Author: CharlotteLocation: North Wales (until September!) PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 3:27 pm


i'm likeing in Ann
*wanting to know what kitty has and will do!!*

 


#3:  Author: Catherine_BLocation: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 3:29 pm


Crikey, she was overlooked, wasn't she? Laughing

Looking forward to lots more of this, Ann!

 


#4:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 3:39 pm


Oooh very interesting idea, I always wondered how Joey would cope with an older school age sister!!!

 


#5:  Author: Rachael PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 3:47 pm


LOL!! Ann - are you going to re-write the whole series?! Wink

Great concept - loking forward to seeing how you progress it ...

 


#6:  Author: Sarah_KLocation: St Albans PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 3:57 pm


Nice idea Ann! Poor Kitty must be feeling left out, though I can also see Joey not liking her sister making enough fuss to be the centre of attention.

Looking forward to seeing where you take this.

 


#7:  Author: VikkiLocation: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 4:51 pm


Oooh!!
Definitely intrigued......

 


#8:  Author: KatLocation: Swansea PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 5:14 pm


Hmm, very intriguing... more please!

 


#9:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 5:28 pm


Kitty stood at the Chalet window and gazed out over the Tiernsee with a scowl on her face and rage in her heart. Three days in solitary confinement, with only mistresses for company! How could her own sister treat her like this?
When the Bettany’s had left England, Kitty’s one consolation had been that her great friend Grizel Cochrane was coming with them. During the School’s first term, these two and another girl, Juliet Carrick, had formed a triumvirate and had delighted in making mischief together. Then Juliet’s parents had abandoned her and Madge had welcomed her into the Bettany clan with open arms. At first Kitty had rejoiced, glad to have another sister and one who was so much fun! In time, however, Juliet had become boring, so eager to prove her appreciation of Madge’s actions that she lost the mischievous edge which Kitty had found so attractive. The younger girl began to feel her position in the family hierarchy had been taken - Joey was still Joey, constantly falling ill and needing attention, but now Juliet was the second sister, Madge’s aide and confidante.
In Kitty’s eyes, she had fallen even further from grace the following autumn. Madge had effectively adopted another child, the Robin, the daughter of a family friend who was currently in Russia. While Kitty couldn’t quite bring herself to resent a motherless six year old, she felt that she was being…well, forgotten about. Joey, with her irrepressible spirit, was a leader in the School - even Gisela and the other Seniors had listened to her and respected her opinions. Kitty, on the hand, didn’t receive the same level of attention, despite being a Bettany and a Senior. In her heart of hearts she knew that this was a result of her own behaviour, but it didn’t prevent her feeling slighted - especially as she had not been made a prefect at the beginning of term.
At this point her thoughts were interrupted by a knock and her younger sister’s head appearing around the door.

 


#10:  Author: KatLocation: Swansea PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 5:33 pm


Thanks Ann! But (I think you know what I'm going to say!) more as soon as you can!

Wonder how Kitty will react to Joey going to see her?

 


#11:  Author: cazLocation: Cambridge PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 5:36 pm


Very, very interesting! Thank you, Ann. Please do keep going.

 


#12:  Author: MarianneLocation: Bournemouth PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 5:41 pm


yay! great idea!
MORE please....

 


#13:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 6:20 pm


This is really good Ann. Please post more as soon as you can. I love the idea of another Bettany sister - lots of potential!

 


#14:  Author: AngelLocation: London, England PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 6:30 pm


This is absolutely fascinating.

looking forward to the next bit.

 


#15:  Author: XantheLocation: London/Cambridge PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 6:42 pm


*wondering if younger sister's head is going to get somethiong lobbed at it*

 


#16:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 7:12 pm


Wonderful concept, Ann! Looking forward to further installments!

 


#17:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 7:24 pm


Embarassed Glad people like it! I'm posting this chunk in two bits due to its length.

"Joey, what are you doing here? You know I’m not supposed to speak to anyone until Thursday!"
Joey grinned at her elder sister. "Oh, I thought you might like some company. I’ve got some contributions for the Chaletian to look through and I thought you might like to help me. Some of the articles are decent, but someone’s written some poems that are awful rot!"
"Joey, please, you shouldn’t be here. Besides, Maynie’s supposed to help you with the mag."
Joey’s face fell. "Look Kit, if you really want to know Madge sent me." She paused, watching her sister’s face for the reaction.
Inwardly Kitty was bristling. Of course Madge would send Jo, the Good Sister, to try to set the Bettany rebel back on the straight and narrow!
Not having received the expected response, Jo continued. "She’s worried about you, Kit - we both are. You’re not acting like yourself. You’ve been moping around like…like the cat’s eaten your canary and…well… Oh Kit, please just apologise to Juliet!"
Kitty looked startled. "What do you know about what happened with Juliet?" she demanded.
"Margia was walking past the door to the Prefect’s Room and she heard… what you said…" Jo mumbled.
Kitty was horrified. She had hoped the story of her misdemeanour hadn’t spread further than the Seniors. The expression on Joey’s face intensified the shame she was already feeling as a result of her actions.

 


#18:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 7:27 pm


Since the beginning of term Kitty had found it hard to adjust to the fact that her contemporaries were now prefects. Grizel, in particular, had assumed an inflated sense of responsibility now that she was Games Captain, although she hadn’t been happy that her oldest friend hadn’t even been made a sub-pree. On the previous day, Grizel had asked Kitty to meet her in the Prefect’s Room after Mittagessen. Kitty had kept the appointment and had been delighted when Grizel asked if she would like to help her. "It would be in an unofficial sense of course," Grizel had said, "but you’ve played hockey and netball and all the summer games at the High and you were jolly good at them, so I thought you’d be the best person to ask."
Kitty was ecstatic. She knew that Grizel had swallowed her pride in order to make her feel appreciated and she was touched by the gesture. "Oh Grizel, you’re an absolute peach! That would be too topping for words!"
It was unfortunate that Juliet walked into the room at this point. The new Head Girl was still feeling somewhat unsure that she deserved to be Gisela’s successor and so it was with some trepidation that she decided to speak to Kitty about her language. "I’m afraid you really shouldn’t be using language like that, Kitty. You know Madame wouldn’t be happy to hear one of the Seniors using so much slang."
"Oh come on, Juliet! Surely there’s no need to pull me up for that."
"I’m sorry, Kitty, but as a Senior you have to remember that the younger girls look up to you." Juliet replied as Grizel quietly left the room, hoping to save her friend some embarrassment. "I know it isn’t easy, but we have to set a good example."
At this point Kitty’s temper had got the better of her. To be criticised by Juliet of all people - a former disruptive influence in the School and a member of her own family - was too much for already bruised pride, especially as there were no younger girls around to hear her. She had responded by making some disparaging remarks about Juliet’s family background, pointing out that "not even your cad of a father wanted you around".
Juliet had retained her dignity throughout this diatribe, although she was hurt at Kitty’s comments and astounded at her completely inappropriate response to a minor criticism. When Kitty had finished, she merely said, "That will be enough. Please take an order mark and report to the Head," and left the room.
Madge had understandably been appalled at her younger sister’s behaviour. She had tried talking to her, encouraging her to confess what was troubling her - for, as Joey had said, she was not acting like herself. This was to no avail - Kitty remained defiant and refused to confide in her sister. When she refused to apologise to Juliet, Madge had given up and had sentenced her to three days without contact with her classmates. All her meals and walks were to be taken with a mistress present and she would be expected to continue with her schoolwork alone. When Kitty had submitted to this punishment without complaint, Madge had decided to enlist their youngest sister’s help, hoping that Joey would be able to shake Kitty out of her present state.

 


#19:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 7:33 pm


Excellent, its great to see a more sympathetic side to Grizel, and I do feel sorry for Kitty, though she shouldn't have been so nasty to Juliet.

I hope Madge realises the responsibility might help Kitty

 


#20:  Author: XantheLocation: London/Cambridge PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 7:35 pm


*on the edge of her seat*

 


#21:  Author: AngelLocation: London, England PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 7:36 pm


Kitty is a fascinating kritter.

looking forward to the next bit.

 


#22:  Author: KatLocation: Swansea PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 7:49 pm


Really enjoying this Ann Smile

 


#23:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 7:51 pm


angel wrote:
Kitty is a fascinating kritter.


Angel, what's a kritter?

Ann, this is really good, love the development of Grizel - can understand why Juliet sent Kitty to Madge - impressed by her restraint.

Looking forward to m-o-r-e!

 


#24:  Author: AngelLocation: London, England PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 7:53 pm


kritter - creature. Usually used to refer to a person (seldom animal) with a very interesting personality.

 


#25:  Author: DawnLocation: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 7:55 pm


This is brilliant Ann - really enjoying it

 


#26:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 7:57 pm


What an interesting and original idea this is, I don't think we've had abything like it before, and quite freshly written as well.

Please continue it, and don't worry about post length, the more the merrier.

 


#27:  Author: cazLocation: Cambridge PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 9:08 pm


Two more posts while I was out Very Happy Thank you, Ann. I'm really, really liking this.

 


#28:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 9:16 pm


Joey, seeing the shocked expression on her sister’s face, was frightened. "Is there anything I can do to help?" she asked gently, hoping Kitty wouldn’t fly off the handle at her.
Kitty didn’t reply, and Joey decided to push it a bit further. "Why did you say those things to Ju? She was really hurt, I know she was, and Madge was hurt too. Why won’t you talk to us? We’re sisters and Madge an’ me want to help, if there’s anything we can do."
Kitty rounded on the younger girl. "Look Jo, it’s complicated. There isn’t anything you can do to help."
"Kitty, please stop being like this," Jo pleaded. "If we can’t help, you could at least make things a bit easier for us. It isn’t easy, you know, with people asking me questions about you all the time, wanting to know why you’re causing trouble for Madge…"
"It isn’t easy for me being here either, but you never think of that, do you?" snapped Kitty. "You never think what it’s like for me, with everyone thinking you’re wonderful and Madge is wonderful and Juliet and the Robin are wonderful! No-one remembers me, no-one asked if I wanted to come here! Madge and Jem spend so much of their time running around after you that I don’t get a look in!"
"Oh don’t talk rot! How could anyone forget about you, you’re always cheeking the prees or the mistresses, an’ things like that, making sure you get noticed! Why can’t you just stop attention seeking and be yourself?" cried Joey. "You could have a..a ripping time here if you just let yourself! Stop making yourself miserable and buck up, do! I don’t ask for Madge and Jem to fuss round me all the time anyway, so now!"
Kitty fought to control herself and succeeded. "I think you should leave," she said in icy tones.
Jo cast a glance at her and made her way to the door. "Please think about what I said, Kit," she begged and left.
Alone once again, Kitty threw herself down onto the room’s only chair and wept bitterly. She hadn’t intended to hurt Madge or Juliet, her temper had just got the better of her, as it frequently did these days. She knew she was becoming a thoroughly unpleasant person - that had been central to the plan - but to have Joey say such things to her had affected her much more than she had expected.

 


#29:  Author: cazLocation: Cambridge PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 9:21 pm


What plan?? Ann, you're drawing the characters marvellously. Very Happy

 


#30:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 9:21 pm


Thank you Ann - very in character for the young Joey!

(Oh and thanks Angel for the explanation!)

 


#31:  Author: AngelLocation: London, England PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 9:25 pm


Kitty is fascinating, because she's so strongly reminiscent of her siblings that she fits right in.

WOW

 


#32:  Author: XantheLocation: London/Cambridge PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 9:27 pm


*decides it is DEFINITELY time for a chant*

 


#33:  Author: CharlotteLocation: North Wales (until September!) PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 9:41 pm


*joins in with chant!*

 


#34:  Author: Sarah_KLocation: St Albans PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 10:40 pm


Wow. Lots more since I last checked Very Happy

Kitty sounds fascinating, you can see she's not a bad person underneath but is really hurt/angry at being left out (as she imagines). I loved her talk with Joey too because you could see both of their tempers and stubborness.

Great Ann, looking forward to the enxt bit.

 


#35:  Author: RachelLocation: Plotting in my lair PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 11:09 pm


Really enjoying this Ann - can't wait to see further developments!

 


#36:  Author: DonnaLocation: Liverpool PostPosted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 12:29 am


Ann, this is brilliant! Thank you for writing this!

*joins chant*

 


#37:  Author: KelliLocation: Canberra, Australia PostPosted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 3:27 am


Ann, this is fascinating. Can't wait to read more.

 


#38:  Author: Elisabeth PostPosted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 8:30 am


Wow! It's a brilliant idea to give Joey another sister - more please.

 


#39:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 9:37 am


Really good, Ann, to see the forgotten Bettany.

 


#40:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 11:07 am


So Miss Kitty has a plan! Wonder what it is?

This is a great storyline Ann, do continue.

 


#41:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 11:19 pm


Well, it's way past my bedtime, but the bunny of plot kept me awake for most of last night, whispering ideas which I subsequently forgot whilst asleep. As a result, I thought I'd better write and post this bit before going to bed so it isn't lost during the night!

Later that evening Madge sat reflecting on Joey’s account of events. The youngest Bettany had sought out her eldest sister immediately after leaving Kitty and had poured her heart out to her. "She said such horrid things to me, Madge! I mean, I don’t try to be ill just so you’ll fuss over me, honour bright I don’t!"
"I know, Joey Baba," sighed Madge. "And trust me, when you are ill, Kitty worries about you just as much as I do. It might not seem as though she cares but she does, I know."
"It’s not easy for me either, you know," Joey confessed. "I mean, I sort of have to behave myself because you’re my sister…"
"Really?" Madge was amused.
"We-ell… I know I do mad things sometimes - it’s awfully hard to be good all the time," Joey acknowledged. "But Kitty does mad things too - remember last term when she ran away to see the Tzigane? - and then people expect me to do mad things because I’m her sister."
Madge looked down into her sister’s face. "Joey, no matter what anyone else thinks of Kitty or myself, you must always remember to be yourself. If you do, you will always know that others have given you their friendship because of who you are, not who you should be." She smiled suddenly. "You wouldn’t be our Jo if you didn’t do ‘mad things’ on occasion!"
Jo grinned. "So you don’t expect me to be good?"
"Well, I would prefer it if you were, you wicked child!"
"Kitty isn’t being herself," Jo said abruptly.
Madge sobered instantly. "We shall have to keep trying, Jo. Something has upset her and we need to get to the bottom of it. I don’t like to see her so unhappy, especially as she is the one making herself so miserable. I’ve a good mind to write to Dick and ask him for some advice. Maybe he’ll be able to get through to her."
"That’s a splendid idea," declared Joey. "Dick will know just what to do." And, confident in her brother’s abilities and having kissed her sister goodnight, she sped off to the Yellow dormitory to prepare for sleep, as bedtime for the Middle School had long since passed. Madge, already composing her letter to India, headed for the Salon, where she found Mademoiselle Lepâttre and her fiancé Jem Russell awaiting her.

 


#42:  Author: DawnLocation: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 11:26 pm


Quote:
but the bunny of plot kept me awake for most of last night




Good little BofP, have some more PB treats

 


#43:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 3:49 am


*Feeds bunny extra fresh lettuce and carrots as a treat.*

Thank you!

 


#44:  Author: PatMacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 6:45 am


What a great story! Madge and Joey are so true to the books and Kitty fits right in. *sends loads of lettuce for the bunny*

 


#45:  Author: cazLocation: Cambridge PostPosted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 9:02 am


I love the idea of Joey being expected to be good because of Madge and bad because of Kitty!

*sends more PB treats*

 


#46:  Author: XantheLocation: London/Cambridge PostPosted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 9:50 am


*happy dancing*

Thank you Ann Very Happy

 


#47:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 10:16 am


*sends some carefully nurtured dandelions to the bunnie*

Thank you Ann, that was lovely Very Happy

 


#48:  Author: KatLocation: Swansea PostPosted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 2:26 pm


*happy dance* thank you Ann!

 


#49:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 2:36 pm


Have just read this from start to finish, it's really good! Can't wait to see what Kitty does next! Very Happy

 


#50:  Author: LissLocation: Harrow, London PostPosted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 2:50 pm


This is really interesting, Ann! Kitty's a great character, and I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with her. I think you've really got Joey to a T.

 


#51:  Author: VikkiLocation: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 3:52 pm


*proposes three cheers for Ann and the bunny of plot*

 


#52:  Author: Catherine_BLocation: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 5:39 pm


*wonders whether Kitty is planning to get herself expelled*

 


#53:  Author: RosieLocation: Huntingdonshire PostPosted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 5:43 pm


*looks bewildered*
But then what would happen to her??

 


#54:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 7:52 pm


Ah, wouldn't that be telling!

The days passed and Kitty’s isolation came to an end without Juliet receiving an apology. Madge had tried her best to coax Kitty out of her defiant misery but the younger girl was just as stubborn as the next Bettany. Although Madge still felt deeply disappointed at Kitty‘s actions, her worries had been allayed somewhat, partly by the hope that Dick would provide some useful advice and partly as a result of her conversation with Mademoiselle and Dr Jem on the night of Kitty and Jo’s argument.
"It is but her age," Mademoiselle had remarked, looking up from the triangular tear she was trying to mend in Renée Lecoutier’s frock. "La petite is a no longer a child, yet she has not reached adulthood. She needs to find her place."
Dr Jem had nodded his assent. "She’s probably having something of an identity crisis, being the middle child. I expect that given time she’ll revert to being herself."
The rest of the School had been wary of Kitty upon her return to the fold. Juliet avoided her as much as was humanly possible, worried that another scene might influence the younger girls and undermine her position. Grizel, torn between loyalty to her oldest friend and loyalty to the School authorities, had attempted to keep a foot in both camps, leaving Kitty with the feeling that her ally was deserting her. Bette and Gertrud had tentatively offered sympathetic ears to Kitty in the hope that she would reveal the source of her troubles and had been snubbed so icily that further attempts seemed futile. The remainder of the girls were civil to her - they could hardly send Madame’s sister to Coventry - but were careful to avoid saying anything which could provoke another outburst of temper.
For her part, Kitty was revelling in the tension she had created in the School. The tiny germ of a plan that had planted itself in her mind on the day she’d run away to see the Tzigane seemed to be close to bearing fruit.

 


#55:  Author: AngelLocation: London, England PostPosted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 8:11 pm


Interesting....

 


#56:  Author: DonnaLocation: Liverpool PostPosted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 9:49 pm


oooh, you're good at this tantalising lark Ann! I really want to know what Kitty's plan is (that's a subtle hint btw! Smile)

 


#57:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Sat Jun 05, 2004 9:08 am


Ann please tell us about Kitty's plan Very Happy

 


#58:  Author: KatLocation: Swansea PostPosted: Sat Jun 05, 2004 12:01 pm


Ann stop teasing us!!

 


#59:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jun 05, 2004 1:34 pm


Thank you for the last post Ann!

 


#60:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Jun 05, 2004 3:37 pm


The plot thickens. Why doesn't someone just tell the girl that she is loved and valued?

 


#61:  Author: LynseyLocation: Fife PostPosted: Mon Jun 07, 2004 6:33 pm


Can we have some more please?

 


#62:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Tue Jun 08, 2004 4:15 pm


The best thing about being away is loads of lovely new drabbles when you come back. Thanks Ann this is really lovely.


The downside to being away is of course the amount one has to catch up on. I will get there eventually.

 


#63:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 6:22 pm


The day in question had been a gloriously hot Sunday in June. A terrific thunderstorm had raged around the Tiernsee for nearly three hours during the previous night and as a result all at the Chalet were sleep-deprived and on edge even though Fruhstuck had been put back by an hour and half. Madge, noting the dark shadows under the eyes of many her pupils, determined to keep a close eye on the girls. After coming across Rosalie Dene and Luigia di Ferrara arguing heatedly over a magazine they both wanted, the Headmistress had decreed that all the girls should take storybooks into the garden and read quietly for the afternoon.
This had caused some consternation amongst the girls. They knew that a Tzigane band would be playing at the Kron Prinz Karl - the Middles had met Herr Braun whilst out for a walk during the previous day and he had imparted this information, knowing that the girls always enjoyed the performances. No-one was happy at the prospect of missing out on such a treat but most people didn’t have the energy to argue, and, as Margia Stevens pointed out, they would probably be able to hear a great deal of the music anyway as the hotel wasn’t far away.
Kitty, however, had resented this treatment. It wasn’t as though listening to music was an energetic activity and the hotel was only five minutes walk from the School so the journey there and back would hardly tire them out. In fact, if she were to go now, she could probably run across to the hotel, see a fair amount of the performance and get back to the Chalet before Kaffee und Kuchen.
With Kitty, to think was to act. She turned to Grizel, intending to suggest that the two of them make their escape together, but that young lady was already fast asleep and Kitty was reluctant to wake her. In fact, most of the girls were dozing over their neglected books.
"All the better," Kitty thought. "I can easily slip out of the garden without anyone seeing, and then there’s less chance of Madge finding out I’ve gone."

 


#64:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 6:29 pm


Oh crikey!! Madge will not be pleased!!!

Hope there's a little bit more soon!!

 


#65:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 6:49 pm


I wonder what happened there...

 


#66:  Author: Sarah_KLocation: St Albans PostPosted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 7:15 pm


Confused
Why do I think going off ON HER OWN is a really really bad idea...

 


#67:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 7:26 pm


I think people might find this post a little disappointing as you all seem to want Bad Things to happen to Kitty! I'll have to include some nastiness later in the story!

As Kitty had walked towards the Kron Prinz Karl she had felt happier than she had been in a long while. A combination of the music, the sunshine, the beauty of her surroundings and a feeling of satisfaction at her own daring resulted in complete elation and she couldn’t help but do a happy dance on the springy turf.
However, her joy was to be short-lived. As Kitty approached the hotel and scanned the crowd for a free table, she caught sight of Herr Marani, father of Gisela, the Head Girl and close friend of the Bettany girls.
"Oh crikey!" she thought, tugging the brim of her hat down over her eyes in the hope that he wouldn’t recognise her. "Just my luck! If he sees me, I’m for it!"
It was too late. Herr Marani had spotted her and was already making his way through the crowd towards her. Kitty realised that it would be useless to try to avoid him and her heart sank as he approached.
The Tyrolean, seeing that the girl was unaccompanied, had already surmised that Fraulein Kitty was not supposed to be here, and after greeting her, he asked where her fellow pupils were. Kitty, unable to think of a plausible excuse, had admitted that they were still at the Chalet and had hoped against hope that Oncle Florian would assume from this comment that the other girls would be joining her a short while.
Herr Marani was not taken in. He looked gravely at Kitty and said, "Permit me to accompany you back to the School."
There was no chance of escape. As a resigned Kitty trailed miserably back along the path she had danced down mere moments before, she raged inwardly at the injustice of it all. The only time Madge ever seemed to notice her was when she was in trouble. She was never free to do as she wanted, whereas Jo could swan about doing as she wished - run off to the ice carnival, bring puppies home, fall in the lake, climb the Tiernjoch - without any kind of comeuppance!
At this point Kitty realised just how much she missed her brother. When Joey had contracted pleuro-pneumonia at the age of four, it had been Dick who had looked after six year-old Kitty while Madge had nursed the youngest Bettany and as a result, as she had grown up, Kitty had often felt closer to Dick than to her sisters. "If Dick was here, he’d be more understanding," Kitty thought. "He wouldn’t forget about me!" Then, as a thought suddenly occurred to her: "What if I could get Dick to come here, to the Tiernsee? Or, even better, what if I could get Madge to send me away to India to stay with Dick and Mollie?"

 


#68:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 7:28 pm


Thank you Ann! Not sure i like the sound of kitty's latest musings though - surely the only way she'll get sent to India is if she's even naughtier than now...

 


#69:  Author: Sarah_KLocation: St Albans PostPosted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 8:24 pm


Not disappointed Ann, more relieved. It's just that certain peoples' drabbles have left me scarred in regards to awful things happening.

On the otherhand I agree with Nell, Kitty's latest idea doesn't exactly look promising...

Thank you!

 


#70:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 8:27 pm


Just a small snippet to conclude this section of the story.

Ever since that day last summer, Kitty had determined to act as badly as she could in the hope of being sent away. Being escorted back to the Chalet by Herr Marani and handed over to an irate Madge had proved a decent start to the implementation of this plan. Madge had given her sister a severe lecture, proclaimed her unworthy of her privileges as a Senior and had sent her over to Le Petit Chalet with the order that she was to be treated as a Junior for the rest of the week. Kitty had submitted to this punishment with a small satisfied glow - she had made a start and now could begin to work upwards towards her goal. Her extreme reaction to Juliet’s comments about slang had been part of this and Kitty now felt that, having made personal remarks about the Head Girl to her face, the plan was rolling out nicely.
That such a course of action would reflect poorly on Madge never occurred to her, nor did she think that her brother and his wife might not want a troublesome schoolgirl thrust upon them. In Dick’s last letter to his twin he had mentioned that Mollie wasn’t well at present and mustn’t be troubled, although Madge had decided against mentioning this fact to her younger sisters so Kitty was not aware that the timing of her scheme was less than perfect.

 


#71:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 8:35 pm


Peggy and Rix on the way are they?

 


#72:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 8:51 pm


It seems natural that Kitty would want her other sibling, I just hope someone is eventually prepared to listen to her!

 


#73:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 10:09 pm


Poor Kitty, it seems that Madge's understanding has taken a back seat where her sister is concerned!

Really like this, Ann. Smile

 


#74:  Author: cazLocation: Cambridge PostPosted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 6:03 pm


This is really good, Ann. It seems a shame Kitty doesn't feel able to talk to Madge.

 


#75:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 6:06 pm


Well, it doesn't seem as though Madge would listen to her if she did.

 


#76:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 7:11 pm


*Huggles Kitty*
I hope that Madge can be understanding towards her soon!

 


#77:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 12:57 am


Did anyone read the 'Choose your own Adventure' books when they were younger? Due to my pb quite frankly going mad and providing me with all manner of ideas for Kitty's fate, I'm adding a poll.
What happens next? You decide...

 


#78:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 1:10 am


OK, the poll's playing up (one of the options was supposed to be expulsion - I didn't list the same option three times!)
I'm off to ask someone official if it can be altered

 


#79:  Author: DonnaLocation: Liverpool PostPosted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 1:36 am


ooops - sorry Ann - it was me who voted (very bad grammar there!), and it must have been just before you tried to alter it! There isn't a way for me to delete the vote though Sad. hope someone can help you on the problem thread!

(and I wish I had read it more carefully and realised that there were obviously options missing!)

 


#80:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 6:12 pm


OK, I've tried everything with the poll and it went completly crazxy on me so I've deleted it and started it afresh with the options that Ann PM'd me.
If you had voted please could you vote again so that your vote counts!

 


#81:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 6:23 pm


*does happy dance in celebration of Carolyn*

 


#82:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 1:27 pm


Have just caught up with the rest of this story Ann and really liking it.
Surely Madge should be able to see Kitty needs a little family time.

 


#83:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 7:43 pm


Well, you're all being very nice to Kitty...
Angel, your idea was so inspired I couldn't ignore it. I'm planning to include it as an epilogue.


The snow came in early November, by which time the atmosphere in the Chalet School was starting to return to normal. Some of the girls remained wary of Kitty - Juliet among them - but school life was so busy that the majority simply didn’t have time to dwell on individual misdemeanours. What with lessons, Guides, hobbies, rehearsals for the Christmas Play and the usual pranks, Kitty’s actions were beginning to fade into the background.
Grizel had come to realise that her oldest friend was intensely lonely and had made an effort to rebuild the bridges between them. She wasn’t too popular in the School herself at present - the power of being Games Captain had gone to her head somewhat and she had upset a number of the other girls with her overbearing manner - and she had missed Kitty’s friendship enormously. Kitty was delighted that Grizel was being pally again and had cheered up a good deal as a result.
Her mood had also been lightened by a letter from her brother. After appraising her of his and Mollie’s most recent antics, Dick had included a few words which he encouraged Kitty to take to heart.
"Buck up, old thing!" he had written. "I know Madge is awfully busy these days keeping all you kids in line, but if ever there’s anything on your mind and you need to talk to her, she’ll make time to listen. Of course, there’s Mollie and myself too, but there’s only so much a chap can do when he’s thousands of miles away. Still, one’s family is always a priority and if you’re ever in fix I’ll do everything in my power to help.
‘Incidentally, we were wondering if you’d like to come out to India and pay us a visit when you leave school? I know it won’t be for a year or so but it would be jolly good fun to see you again, old lady. Mollie’s awfully excited already at the mere idea!’
Kitty was ecstatic. Dick and Mollie actually wanted her to go to India! Surely now her plan couldn’t fail!
However, Kitty was starting to run out of ideas. How could she top insulting the Head Girl and upsetting the whole School? She couldn’t run away - past experience had shown that this did not have the desired effect - and even Kitty balked at the idea of making personal insults to any of the mistresses. What she needed was something spectacular, something that could take place in front of the entire School, something that would undoubtedly make her enough of a Bad Influence to warrant her being removed. And so Kitty set to work puzzling what her next move should be. When the time was right she would be the cause of an event so shocking it would never be forgotten at the Chalet School!

 


#84:  Author: AngelLocation: London, England PostPosted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 7:53 pm


*which* idea??

This is good. Very good

 


#85:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 8:24 pm


Oooh utterly intrigued, but I feels events might take a different turn!

 


#86:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 9:51 pm


Ally wrote:
Oooh utterly intrigued, but I feels events might take a different turn!


I take it you've seen the poll results then!

 


#87:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 9:57 pm


Thank you Ann! Looking forward to Kitty's next plans.

 


#88:  Author: Sarah_KLocation: St Albans PostPosted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 10:11 pm


*looks at poll results*
Well all good Chalet School girls have to be redeemed eventually. I hope she gets some more pranks in first though, she's quite ingenious!

 


#89:  Author: Elisabeth PostPosted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 10:45 am


This is soooooo good. I'm really liking the way you've portrayed Dick and Grizel.

 


#90:  Author: Guest PostPosted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 2:10 pm


Oh wow! I can't wait to see what's coming next. As Elisabeth said, I also like the way you've included Dick and Grizel as nice, interesting and quite important characters.

 


#91:  Author: Annie PostPosted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 2:13 pm


OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPS! That guest was me! I forgot I wasn't logged in until I had posted it and I couldn't delete it! Sorry for being unnecessarily confusing. Just shows how asleep I am!

 


#92:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 3:17 pm


Ohhhh can't wait to see what Kitty does next!

 


#93:  Author: claireLocation: SOUTH WALES PostPosted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 7:07 pm


Just found this - More please

 


#94:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 8:01 pm


With the scissors hidden safely in her blazer pocket, Kitty crept down the stairs from the dormitory and made her way along the corridor as quietly as she could. Saturday morning prep had finished and the girls were free to amuse themselves until Mittagessen, which meant it wasn’t unlikely that she might meet one of the others - something to be avoided at all costs. Kitty was working to a tight deadline and if she was caught at this stage, she might never have the opportunity to carry out her plan. Time was very much of the essence.
At the end of the corridor was Kitty’s destination - a large cupboard, fortunately kept unlocked. To her great relief she was able to reach the door and slip inside unnoticed.
Once inside the cupboard she switched on her torch and scanned the shelves for her objective. Suppressing a giggle as she recognised her target, Kitty pulled a bundle from the middle shelf and began unpacking it.
It only took a few seconds. A few snips here, a few there, a strategic cut along the length of a piece of blue material and the mission was accomplished. Kitty replaced the bundle and tucked the scissors back into her pocket. Checking that the coast was clear through the redundant keyhole, she left the cupboard and crept back along the corridor, her stomach tied in knots with elation and apprehension. It was only a matter of time before her actions were discovered. All she had to do now was sit back and wait for the fireworks.

 


#95:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 8:05 pm


What has she done??? Shocked

 


#96:  Author: VikkiLocation: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 8:14 pm


*echoes Carolyn's puzzled query*

 


#97:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 8:30 pm


I did leave some clues...

 


#98:  Author: DotLocation: Ireland PostPosted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 8:34 pm


You don't need to leave clues, you can just post some more!








Please!?!

 


#99:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 9:34 pm


OOohhh!! Intrigued

*Thinking about whats made from blue material!!*

 


#100:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 11:15 pm


Some more clues. For those who haven't worked it out yet - all will be revealed in the fullness of time.

For the next few days Kitty lived in a state of permanent nervous tension. On the one hand she wanted someone to discover her crime - it was central to the plan that she should be found out and it would be a relief not to have her thoughts dominated by her secret. On the other hand, she wanted the discovery to be as dramatic as possible and for that to happen, it would have to wait until almost the end of term.
On a couple of occasions she had almost given herself away. She had nearly choked on her coffee during Kaffee und Kuchen after overhearing Marie von Eschenau and Frieda Mensch discussing Marie’s role as the Virgin Mary in the Christmas play. On another day she had seen Miss Denny carrying a bundle of material and had actually felt weak at the knees with panic. But the day of reckoning had yet to come. Luckily for Kitty there had been a great deal of snow recently and the girls hadn’t been able to go outdoors for several days. The mistresses - and the other girls - assumed Kitty’s jumpiness was the result of a lack of fresh air.
The snow finally stopped a week after Kitty’s act of sabotage. Madge, deciding that the girls were in need of some slightly more strenuous exercise than the usual walks, had allowed the Seniors and Middles to have a snowfight in the gardens. The Juniors were not permitted to join in on the grounds that they were too young and had been taken off for a walk by Miss Durrant.
It was a hard-fought battle. Juliet and Grizel, as the team captains, had rallied their troops and everyone became totally absorbed in the battle, even Kitty who forgot her fears as soon as she received a snowball flung by Joey full in the face. After two hours Madge, with an eye to the heavy grey clouds in the north, called the girls in.
As Kitty reached the door of the Chalet, chattering animatedly with Gertrud Steinbrucke over which team had been the victors, she was stopped by Miss Maynard.
"Would you mind running over to Le Petit Chalet and giving Mademoiselle this message for me?" she asked, handing Kitty a piece of paper. "I don’t like the look of that sky. By the time I’ve got my outdoor things on it could well be snowing. You’re already suitably attired and if you hurry back you should avoid the worst of it."
Kitty acquiesced cheerfully, the vigorous exercise having improved her mood considerably, and ran across to the smaller building. She had passed on Miss Maynard’s message and was just leaving the chalet to return to the main building when the door burst open and Miss Durrant and the Juniors appeared, all out of breath and dripping with melted snow.

 


#101:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 11:36 pm


Have failed the test as I've no idea what the object is! Please post again!

 


#102:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 12:09 am


You'll have to wait a bit longer for the revelation, I'm afraid...

"Ma cherie!" exclaimed Mademoiselle, stepping forwards.
"The snow started to fall and we had to run back," explained Miss Durrant breathlessly as she shepherded the children over to the large porcelain stove.
Kitty began to put her boots back on. As far as she could see, she could be of little assistance here. Mademoiselle had whisked away the Robin and Amy Stevens for hot baths, hot milk and bed. Both were delicate children and the mistress was not prepared to risk them developing colds. The other Juniors also had baths awaiting them, but at the moment Miss Durrant was fully occupied with Renée Lecoutier who was crying herself into hysterics.
Kitty had finished lacing her boots and was just about to leave when she heard a small voice say, "But where, then, is Peggy?"
The Senior looked down to see an anxious Yvette Mercier. "Peggy? Wasn’t she with you?"
"She was behind me when we were walking, but now she is not here," said Yvette.
Kitty glanced around. There didn’t seem to be any sign of Peggy Burnett. She was a robust young thing and it was unlikely that she would have gone with Mademoiselle. Thinking fast, Kitty turned to Yvette. "She must still be outside. I’ll go and find her before the snow covers up your footprints. Tell Miss Durrant I’ve gone," raising her voice as Renée’s howls grew louder. "I’ll be back as soon as I can." And with that she headed out into the increasingly heavy snow.
Once outside, Kitty gritted her teeth and marched off. The wind was stronger now and the snowflakes danced in front of her eyes, but she could still see the Juniors’ tracks. Before long the fresh snow would have covered them. She would have to find Peggy quickly, which shouldn’t be too much of a problem as the Juniors could not have been far from Le Petit Chalet when the first flakes began to fall.
But Kitty was mistaken. No Peggy materialised. It became harder and harder to see the tracks in the snow and Kitty began to consider turning around and heading back to the warmth of the Chalet. Dashing the snow out of her eyes, she cursed her own stupidity. Peggy was probably back at either the Chalet or Le Petit Chalet by now, and here she was, out in the driving snow, because she hadn’t thought before she’d acted. If only she had had some string. She could have tied it to the door at Le Petit Chalet and used it to find her way back.
Her thoughts were interrupted at this point by a noise from ahead of her. Kitty’s heart leapt as she recognised the sound of Peggy Burnett, yelling for help at the full pitch of her lungs.

 


#103:  Author: cazLocation: Cambridge PostPosted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:13 am


Oh, is this a classic CS rescue coming up? *sits on edge of seat*

And I think I know what Kitty was cutting...

 


#104:  Author: VikkiLocation: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 1:16 pm


OOOh!!!
Is Kitty about to become a heroine?

 


#105:  Author: DawnLocation: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 2:18 pm


caz wrote:


And I think I know what Kitty was cutting...


Me too! Me too! - waves hand wildly in the air

 


#106:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 3:03 pm


I have an idea too, I hope the rescuer and the rescuee don't suffer too much!

 


#107:  Author: Elisabeth PostPosted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 3:30 pm


Oh goody - another dramatic rescue! Smile Very Happy

 


#108:  Author: shoe__galLocation: St Andrews, Scotland PostPosted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 4:03 pm


just found this one, really enjoyed reading it and looking forward to the next installment!

 


#109:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 4:35 pm


Perhaps Kitty will do something terrible and completely un-Cs!

 


#110:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 4:53 pm


Such as NOT getting double pneumonia!! Wink

 


#111:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 7:06 pm


Or say, "To Hell with Peggy, I'm cold!" before disappearing inside to nick Madge's brandy! Laughing

No I think we've got a CS rescue on its way!

Looking forward to more!

 


#112:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 4:19 pm


Dawn wrote:
caz wrote:


And I think I know what Kitty was cutting...


Me too! Me too! - waves hand wildly in the air



I think I know too. Depends how traditional you are.

Love all the new bits of story.

 


#113:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 6:35 pm


If you wanted Kitty to do un-CS things, you shouldn't have voted for the 'redemption' poll option!
If any of the people who think they know what Kitty has sabotaged would like to know if they're right, feel free to PM me.


Kitty raced forward, following the direction of the sound and nearly collided with the little girl. At the sight of the Senior, Peggy burst into noisy tears. "Oh K-Kitty! Miss Durrant said we must run and I fell down and when I got up again everyone had go-one!"
"Come on Peggy," gasped Kitty, surprised at herself for feeling relieved that she hadn’t turned back and left the child to the elements. "We must get back as quickly as we can. I’ll have to carry you. Do you think you can climb onto my back?"
Peggy scrambled up and Kitty found that she could manage her weight with relative ease. Despite being as slenderly built as her siblings, Kitty had a good deal of upper body strength, having developed her muscles with years of vigorous games practice.
The wind was reaching gale proportions and the snow was now coming so thickly that Kitty’s tracks had disappeared and she found herself completely disorientated. Still, she couldn’t just stand there. Better to keep moving and hope they came across some kind of landmark.
She seemed to have been walking for hours before anything came into view and when a shape eventually appeared ahead of the girls, it proved to be the trunk of pine tree. Peggy burst into fresh tears and Kitty almost gave way and joined her. They could be walking around and around in circles and never know it. An even more terrible thought struck her - she could quite easily walk into the lake! - and she struggled to keep a grip on her self control.
"I mustn’t cry in front of a Junior!" she told herself fiercely. "You got yourself into this mess Katharine Anne Bettany, and you’re jolly well going to get yourself out of it!" And, squaring her jaw, she hauled Peggy upwards and set off again, heading into the wind.

 


#114:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 6:40 pm


Ooh eerrr, that can't be good!!

Hopes someone realises that they have been missing a while!

 


#115:  Author: LynseyLocation: Fife PostPosted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 6:43 pm


NO!! Kitty don't go that way! In the last sentence it said Kitty headed into the wind and in the update before when Kitty was searching for Peggy she was also walking into the wind! That means she is going in the wrong direction! Oh well that assumption could just be my crazy mind. Although it would be funny if Kitty heading in he wrong direction accidently walked up to the San, it could happen couldn't it?

 


#116:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 6:45 pm


She'd have had a very long walk to walk up to the San! It was on the other side of the lake and up a steep mountain path!

 


#117:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 7:30 pm


Keep going Kitty, you're doing great!

 


#118:  Author: Elisabeth PostPosted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 8:46 pm


Yay! More story! I like this lots!

 


#119:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 5:51 pm


By this time the two girls were soaked to the skin. A combination of the cold and the fierce wind made Kitty’s eyes water so violently she could hardly see and her feet - the only part of her body still dry - were completely numb. Peggy seemed to be getting heavier by the minute and it was sheer desperation which gave Kitty the strength to keep plodding onwards. Peggy herself was too exhausted to cry and, save for the occasional whimper, she was silent.
Kitty had noticed, to her alarm, that it seemed to be growing darker. Forcing herself not to panic, she tried to be practical. "We’ll be able to see the lights from the chalets in the dark," she thought, trying to feel hopeful.
At this point Peggy spoke. "Kitty? Are…are we going to die?"
"Don’t be silly," Kitty said sharply, hoping she sounded more confident than she felt. "You mustn’t give up and start thinking things like that, Peggy, it’s morbid. I tell you what, why don’t we sing some of the carols from the Christmas play? That way, someone might hear us and come and lead us to shelter."
This was a suggestion more easily said than done. Singing is quite an accomplishment when you’re already breathless and the wind keeps forcing your voice back down your throat. Kitty persevered, singing 'Away in a Manger’ with as much power as she could muster, pausing occasionally to bully Peggy into singing more loudly. Her intention was to distract the little girl from the danger they were in and to lift her own spirits. She didn’t honestly believe that the sound of their voices would attract any would-be rescuers - it was snowing far too heavily for any sensible person to be out of doors - but under the circumstances it couldn’t hurt to try.
They had finished a rendition of ‘Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht' and had just begun ‘Adeste Fideles' when Kitty tripped over an obstacle of some kind hidden in the snow. Ordinarily she would have been able to right herself, but with Peggy’s weight added to her own, she couldn’t stop herself falling and landed face down in the snow. Peggy immediately began wailing again, and Kitty, although robbed of her breath by the shock, finally snapped and burst into tears herself. She was struggling to her feet when she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked upwards into a familiar face.
"Herr Braun!" she sobbed, clinging to their rescuer. "Oh, at last!"

 


#120:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 5:53 pm


Thank goodness soemone has found them!!! This is enthralling!

 


#121:  Author: cazLocation: Cambridge PostPosted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 5:53 pm


Hurrah, they're found! Kitty is great in that post (definitely a Bettany!)

 


#122:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 5:58 pm


Yay, good old Herr Braun Very Happy

She's definitely a CS girl to use singing in that way!

 


#123:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 7:08 pm


It had taken some time for Yvette to pass on Kitty’s message. Renée (being a Lecoutier) had refused to be comforted and eventually Miss Durrant had resorted to threats, telling her that if she didn’t calm down, she would be taken outside to have her face scrubbed with snow. This had the desired effect and Renée had promptly shut up. Yvette had then seized the mistress and explained what Kitty had said. Initially this had caused some confusion, as many of those present had assumed Yvette was referring to Kitty Burnett, and the French girl had to repeat herself several times before they understood. Once she was in possession of the facts, Miss Durrant had sent the Juniors to Mademoiselle for their baths and phoned the Chalet proper to find out if the girls had found their way there, quaking at the prospect of telling the Headmistress that her sister was missing.
It had taken an effort on Madge’s part to control herself upon hearing the news. Clutching the desk to steady herself, she had thanked Miss Durrant and promised to keep her abreast of any developments. She had then phoned Herr Braun in the hope that the two girls had somehow reached the Kron Prinz Karl and had begged him to be on the alert should they turn up near the hotel.
The School at large was unaware of the situation. Kitty’s absence at Kaffee und Kuchen was noted but, as Juliet later said, she got into rows so often that most of the girls assumed one of the staff was giving her a lecture for something she’d done. Prep that evening was taken by Miss Wilson and Miss Carthew - ostensibly to give the prefects a chance to catch up on their own work, actually to prevent the girls having an opportunity to speculate over the whereabouts of their missing classmates. Madge had summoned Joey and the Burnett girls to her in order to break the news to them, leaving Miss Maynard stationed by the telephone in the office.
Concerned for the safety of the missing pupils, Herr Braun had been keeping watch at the Kron Prinz Karl. He had been standing at the door to the hotel when he heard Peggy’s wails (if the youngest Burnett hadn’t been such a noisy child, this story would have turned out very differently). Rushing out into the blizzard, he had followed the sound and found the two girls in the hotel grounds, just yards from shelter.
"Fraulein Kitty, are you hurt?" he asked, scooping up Peggy who stopped crying abruptly.
"I - I don’t think so, but I ache all over," gasped Kitty, crying tears of relief that her ordeal was so nearly ended.
"Then you must stand up. You have been outside in this weather for long enough," and, taking Kitty’s arm to guide her, Herr Braun hurried the two girls into the hotel. Once inside, he handed them over to his wife, who provided the two with baths, hot broth and warm beds, whilst he phoned the School.
Madge had told Mary, Kitty and Joey what had happened as gently as she could and had spent some time trying to reassure them, encouraging them to keep their hopes up. Finally she had reminded them that they could help their sisters by praying for them and suggested that they do so together.
It was at this point that Miss Maynard flung the door open and, with little regard for the reverential scene before her, cried, "Madame! They’re found! Herr Braun is with them and they are safe!"

 


#124:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 7:13 pm


Oh lovely,thanks for that! Hopefully Kitty can grow from this.

 


#125:  Author: cazLocation: Cambridge PostPosted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 7:19 pm


Fantastic, thank you. Love the little asides about Renee and Peggy Very Happy

 


#126:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 7:58 pm


Wonderful!! I loved the comment about Peggy being so noisy Very Happy

I hope that Madge now has time to talk to her sister!

 


#127:  Author: VikkiLocation: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 8:49 pm


Wonderful! Although the two Kitty's had me confuzzled for a sec!

 


#128:  Author: Elisabeth PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 8:34 am


Wonderful!
I love the image of all the sisters of the two girls praying for them.

 


#129:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 10:16 am


Further episodes of this would be much appreciated.

 


#130:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 10:46 am


Wonderful, love the asides about Renee and Peggy too. Glad Kitty was so brave and that they were found.

 


#131:  Author: Sarah_KLocation: St Albans PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 4:45 pm


*breathes out*
So glad they were safely found, sometimes whining loudly can be a good thing *grins*

 


#132:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 12:59 pm


Let's all whine for some more!

 


#133:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 6:00 pm


Vikki wrote:
Wonderful! Although the two Kitty's had me confuzzled for a sec!


Yes, with the benefit of hindsight I probably should have thought a bit more about the name!

 


#134:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 9:15 pm


Not really a problem - makes it more realistic as it happens in real life too!

 


#135:  Author: CazxLocation: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 12:42 pm


Yay theu are safe! Wonder what will happen about what Kitty cut now!

 


#136:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 7:36 pm


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

"Madge, I have to tell you something."
Madge glanced at her sister and noted the determined expression on her face. It had been two days since the blizzard. Kitty and Peggy had returned from the Kron Prinz Karl yesterday, having been brought back to the School on a large toboggan by Herr Braun. Dr Erckhardt had been summoned and had declared both girls to be in excellent health, although he recommended that they both stay in bed for a couple of days to ensure that they fully recover from their exploits. By now Kitty was bored and she had asked her elder sister to keep her company.
"What is it, Kitty?" Madge asked. "You don’t feel ill, do you?"
"No, Madge, I’m fine - I’m not Joey, you know! It’s…well - Madge, it was me."
"What was you?"
Kitty squared her jaw. "I did it. I sabotaged the costumes for the Christmas play."
Madge was robbed of breath. "You - did - what? But whatever for?"
Having decided to come clean about her secret, Kitty was determined to confess the whole thing. "I thought you might send me away."
"Send you away? But my dear child, why? And where on earth did you think would I send you to?"
"I - I thought you might send me to India, to Dick…" mumbled Kitty, her face red with embarrassment. It was all very well to think these things, but to say them - and to Madge of all people - was quite another matter.
Madge regarded her sister thoughtfully. "First things first. Why did you want to be sent away?"
"I didn’t feel that you wanted me here," admitted Kitty in a small voice. "You don’t spend as much time with me as you do with Joey, or Juliet, or the Robin. You didn’t make me a prefect, even though you made Grizel one and she’s been as much trouble as I have in the past. I - it felt like the only time you noticed me was when I did something wrong."
There was a short pause while Madge digested this. "I’m sorry you felt you were being left out, Kit," she said at length. "But it wasn’t deliberate. Joey and the others tend to seek out my attention more than you. They want to tell me what they’ve been doing, to discuss their problems and confess when they’ve done something they shouldn’t. You’ve never been like that, even when you were younger. As for the prefectships, how could I give you a position of authority when you don’t show any respect for authority yourself?"
"But Grizel…"
"Grizel is a reformed character these days," Madge said firmly. "She might not be perfect, but I feel she is well suited for a prefectship. She doesn’t cheek the staff, she respects school rules and she works well with Juliet and the others. Do you honestly think the same applies to you?" this last in a more gentle tone of voice.
Kitty shook her head, her eyes full of tears. She didn’t trust herself to speak.
"As for sending you away," Madge continued, "I’m your sister, Kitty, I’ve known you all your life. I know that the way you’ve been acting recently isn’t really you. I don’t intend to expel anyone from this school, but if I ever do, it will be because that girl had behaved badly, was a bad influence on other girls and had refused to show any remorse for her actions. I know that you are not such a hardhearted girl, and your behaviour recently has made you thoroughly miserable. It would also bring a great deal of shame on the school if you were to be expelled. How could I take responsibility for other people’s children if I surrendered my responsibility for my own sister?"
Kitty was crying openly now. All these arguments had been at the back of her mind while she had been working on her plan, but she had been too concerned with her perceived injustices to pay any heed to them.
Madge continued. "At any rate, I certainly couldn’t send you to India - it’s far too long a journey for a sixteen year old to undertake on her own, and I can’t think of anyone who would be able to accompany you. Think about it, Kitty. Dick has his work and he has Mollie. I might as well tell you now - Joey doesn’t know this, by the way - he and Mollie are expecting a new arrival after Christmas, so you see he has enough on his plate without having to worry about you into the bargain. Now, dry your eyes and do try to cheer up a little. Crying yourself into hysterics won’t help anything."

 


#137:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 7:45 pm


Awwww, glad Kitty was able to confess that. Thanks Ann!

 


#138:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 8:18 pm


This is final installment of the story proper, but there will be an epilogue. It'll need to be posted in it's entirety (you'll see why when you read it) so it might be a while before it appears.

Kitty scrubbed her eyes with her handkerchief. "Wh-what are you going to do about the costumes?"
Madge looked severe. "You will have to repair the damage you have caused. If you are unable to mend any of the costumes you will have to pay for replacements. Fortunately Mademoiselle and Miss Denny haven’t finished making all the costumes yet and there are still two weeks before the Play, so the rest of the School will not have to suffer as a result of your malicious actions."
Kitty swallowed hard. "I’m so s-sorry, Madge."
Madge sighed. "I know you are. I can’t pretend I’m not disappointed in you, but you did confess of your own accord. I hope this is a sign that you won’t do anything of the kind in future."
"Oh, I won’t! I promise, Guide’s honour!"
Madge opened her mouth to speak, but whatever she was going to say was lost, as the dormitory door burst open to admit Joey.
"I’ve brought something for you, Kit," she cried, flinging herself down on Kitty’s bed. "Mary and Kitty Burnett made it an’ it’s taken them ages ‘cos they’ve put so much work into it."
Kitty looked at her gift - a handmade ‘thank you’ card, carefully scripted and adorned with the prettiest pictures the two girls could find. "It’s lovely," she said. "Please thank Mary and Kitty for me."
"Everyone thinks it was awfully decent of you to go after Peggy like that, Kit," Joey said solemnly. "I just wanted to say, I’m ever so proud to have such a brave sister, and I’m ever so glad you’ve decided to play the game like the rest of us."
"You mean I’m becoming a ‘real Chalet School girl’ at last?" asked Kitty, catching the amused look on Madge’s face.
But the sarcasm was lost on Joey. "Yes!" she cried, seizing on the phrase. "I’m glad you’ve decided to stop being such a misery and to start being a real Chalet School girl!"

 


#139:  Author: catherineLocation: York PostPosted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 9:35 pm


Lovely, Ann. Thank you.

Looking forward to the epilogue!

 


#140:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 10:33 pm


Ah, you say that now... You don't know what I've got in mind!

Mwahahahahahaha!

 


#141:  Author: VikkiLocation: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 10:51 pm


*scared about what Ann may be planning to do to Kitty in the epilogue........*

 


#142:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 10:54 pm


Well it was Angel's idea so I can't really be held responsible...

 


#143:  Author: Sarah_KLocation: St Albans PostPosted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 11:48 pm


The ending of the story proper was perfect, loved that Joey didn't hear the sarcasm Laughing

As for the epilogue... I was worried enough but if Angel's involved too Confused What have you two been cooking up?

 


#144:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 9:34 am


Wondering what the epilogue will be about!

 


#145:  Author: Kathy_SLocation: midwestern US PostPosted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 2:58 pm


Liked the "ending" muchly, but starting to worry about the epilogue. Wink

 


#146:  Author: AngelLocation: London, England PostPosted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 9:56 pm


Evil or Very Mad Twisted Evil Evil or Very Mad Twisted Evil Evil or Very Mad Twisted Evil Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing

Need a 'twisted Angel' smiley for this. Because I am totally twisted and I probably should hide from the collective wrath of the thread-followers for what is coming...

 


#147:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Tue Jun 29, 2004 2:41 pm


A fall down the mountain? A real death experience?

 


#148:  Author: Elisabeth PostPosted: Tue Jun 29, 2004 6:34 pm


That was great Ann.
V. scared about the epilogue though!

 


#149:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 11:56 am


EPILOGUE

It was a photograph she had forgotten about, and when she caught sight of it, the shock caused her to drop the handful of snaps she had already removed from the trunk. It showed a tall girl in the mid teens with wide eyes, a pointed chin and straight hair which was clearly a rather mousy brown, even in a black and white picture. She was shading her eyes from the sun and smiling at an unseen someone standing to the left of camera.
Joey Maynard leaned back on her heels and regarded the photo thoughtfully. Despite the colouring, the resemblance was unmistakable. Funny how she hadn’t noticed it at the time.
It was cruel, really. Madge and Dick had spent the whole of her childhood worrying about her fragile health and in the end it had been Kitty who hadn’t made it into adulthood. Of course, no one could have foreseen the accident and no-one could have prevented it. If Kitty hadn’t fallen at that exact moment, if the driver of the sleigh had caught sight of her sooner and managed to halt the horses, if they hadn’t gone to Innsbruck at all that day… Well, it was no use dwelling on what might have been.
Madge had been deeply affected by Kitty’s death, although she had maintained a facade of relative normality. Joey had noticed how keen she had been to withdraw from teaching as soon as she married Jem and had realised that her confidence in her abilities had been shaken. Madge seemed to think that as her sister had died in her care, she was no longer fit to look after other people’s children. Although having children of her own had helped to restore her confidence to some extent, she had happily surrendered responsibility for the day-to-day running of the School to first Mademoiselle and then Hilda Annersley.
Grizel Cochrane had suffered greatly. The loss of her grandmother was recent enough that she had only just begun to come to terms with it, and to lose her closest friend so quickly afterwards was almost more than she could bear. She had clung to Joey, but the two girls were very different in temperament and Joey almost resented being a substitute for her sister and so the friendship had faltered. Over time, the hardness always inherent in Grizel’s character had increased, until it became virtually impossible to maintain a close relationship with her. Whether it was conscious or not, Joey had never been able to ascertain, but Grizel seemed to feel that those around her would either push her away her or leave her, and so had created a shield around herself to protect herself from being hurt again. The only person who seemed able to break down her defences was Deira O’Hagan and Joey prayed that the new life Grizel had started in New Zealand with the Irish girl would help to heal the old scars.
As for Joey herself… At the time she had seemed to recover from the shock more quickly than anyone else. Before long she had been the same old Joey, playing pranks with Elizaveta and running off without Madge's consent. With the benefit of hindsight, Joey knew that she had not allowed herself to grieve. The pain she felt at the loss of her sister hadn’t really surfaced until three years after Kitty’s death, when they had feared Robin might fall victim to tuberculosis. The possibility of losing another sister had terrified Jo, reopening the wounds that she had never really allowed to heal. Even now, nearly twenty years later, she still found the subject too painful to talk about, partly because Kitty hadn’t always acted as a ‘real Chalet School girl’ should and Joey had always been unwilling to bring up her sister’s failings . Many of her friends, even Hilda and Jeanne de Lachennais, were unaware there had been another Bettany sister. There were still staff at the School who had known Kitty - Nell Wilson, the Dennys, Rosalie Dene and, of course, Peggy Burnett - but, sensing Madge and Joey’s reluctance to talk about her, they had avoided the subject. Kitty’s name was never mentioned in reminiscences about the ‘Dark Ages’, it was almost as though she had been written out of the School’s history. Jo had even shied away from telling her children about Kitty - the triplets were aware that there had been an Auntie Kitty who had died but she felt fairly sure that they assumed her to be one of their many brevet aunts. To some extent it was as though Katharine Anne Bettany had never existed.
Not that she had been forgotten. Every time Joey introduced herself to the latest new girls as ‘the Chalet School’s first pupil’, a voice at the back of her mind had reminded her that she had merely been one of the first and that she had no right to simply erase her sister from her past.
Joey got to her feet. Her family were indulging in German Measles at present and she had been telling them all the old tales of the Tiernsee to distract them from how poorly they felt. Stephen had asked her to find her old photographs and, leaving the children in the care of Beth Chester, she had run upstairs to the Freudesheim attic to find the trunk which contained her momentos of the Tirol.
She took a last glance at the photo. One day she would have to start talking about Kitty, to make sure her sister’s memory would not fade away completely. But not yet. She wasn’t ready for that yet.

 


#150:  Author: KathrynLocation: Melbourne/Hamilton until 11 September PostPosted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 12:12 pm


That was beautifully done. Sad

 


#151:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 12:22 pm


Very clever Ann, brings it back to being part of the history rather than an alternate history. Even a reason why Joey felt a need to butt in - trying to make sure no one else was hurt.

Thank you for a lovely story.

 


#152:  Author: DawnLocation: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 12:22 pm


I've jsut got goose bumps Ann - that was incredible - very moving, thankyou

 


#153:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 12:26 pm


That was lovely.

 


#154:  Author: RosieLocation: Huntingdonshire PostPosted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 1:07 pm


That was amazing. And very moving.

 


#155:  Author: AngelLocation: London, England PostPosted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 1:37 pm


really brilliant.

thank you.

 


#156:  Author: VikkiLocation: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 4:44 pm


Ann, that was beautifully done! I'm sitting here covered in goosebumps, trying not to cry!

 


#157:  Author: Sarah_KLocation: St Albans PostPosted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 6:52 pm


Lovely Ann, very very sad but still lovely. The whole story was brilliant!

 


#158:  Author: DonnaLocation: Liverpool PostPosted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 7:10 pm


that was brilliant Ann - especially the way you fitted Kitty into the "real" history. Thank you!

 


#159:  Author: PatMacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 7:59 pm


Superb, Ann!

 


#160:  Author: cazLocation: Cambridge PostPosted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 9:14 pm


I've really enjoyed this story, Ann, thank you.

So when might this epilogue be posted?

ETA: hmm, somehow I missed the epilgoue first time around Confused


Last edited by caz on Mon Jul 05, 2004 12:34 pm; edited 1 time in total

 


#161:  Author: FionaWLocation: Johannesburg, South Africa PostPosted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 1:59 pm


Thank you Ann!

Loved the way the epilogue grounded it and tied it into the um, real CS (not, i hasten to point out, the RCS TM)

 


#162:  Author: Rachael PostPosted: Fri Jul 02, 2004 9:44 am


Wow!

Just caught up with the rest of this after reading only the first couple of posts ...

It's superb, Ann - you've really captured the atmosphere and all the personalities so well ...

And what a tragic accident - how awful!!
But neatly weaved into the events of the series ... very clever!

 


#163:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Fri Jul 02, 2004 3:24 pm


Beautiful Ann. I love the way its fits so well and explains so cleverly why Kitty is never mentioned, and also the imapct on others, namely Madge and Grizel.

Thank you for a wonderful story - (disappears to sniffle in private)

 


#164:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Sat Jul 03, 2004 11:13 pm


Thank you Ann. What a wonderful way to end Kitty's story and bring it back in line with the story. Really enjoyed the whole stoy.

 




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