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#1: Evadne Author: Ro, Location: Near Windsor

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 3:05 pm

OK, this is my very first drabble so please be gentle with me.

Evadne Lannis looked around her new home and sighed. After years of being surrounded by friends and mistresses at school it was difficult to get used to solitude.

After fleeing Austria after the German invasion her parents decided it was in everyone's best interests to return to America and now she was bored.

Evvy sat on the sofa and allowed her thoughts to drift back over the journey from the UK to America and her first encounter with Heinrich.

#2: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 3:07 pm

Is that all? Please go on with this, Ro.

#3: Author: Ro, Location: Near Windsor

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 3:22 pm

Evadne and her parents had arrived at Southhampton early and had managed to secure a suite for the crossing. She spent the morning people watching on the deck and just before sailing-time her attention was drawn to a group of 4 people.

"Stop! Stop! Don't sail without us!" The young man carrying the luggage yelled as he frantically pushed his way though the crowds.

"Don't worry Sir, the boat doesn't leave for 10 minutes, you have plenty of time." The young officer who was in charge of passenger boarding replied. "Do you have your tickets ready please?"

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

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 3:33 pm

Interesting, please go on!

#5: Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 3:44 pm

And?

Where's the next bit? Wink

#6: Author: Charlotte, Location: Casterton, Kirkby Lonsdale

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 3:55 pm

me thinks that it's time to chant.

#7: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 4:04 pm

Yay a drabble about Evvy, a great beginning, but I feel we need some more! Wink

#8: Author: Laura, Location: London (ish)

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 4:06 pm

Yep me too! Very Happy

I always really liked Evvy, but nothing much (well, comparatively!) ever really happened to her.

#9: Author: Ro, Location: Near Windsor

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 4:13 pm

As Evadne watched, the group slowly made their way up the gangplank, the young man was carrying a large quantity of luggage and a young girl was supporting an elderly couple who were speaking softly in German.

Curiosity getting the better of her, she decided to walk down to the foyer of the ship to see if she could hear any more. As she entered the foyer she saw there was a bit of a disturbance at the entrance to the ship. Walking over to see what was happening she was surprised to see the young man from earlier arguing with one of the officers.

?But we do all have tickets. The Officer at the bottom checked them before we came on board.?

?Sir, the tickets you are showing me are for 2 people only, in the names of Heinrich and Martha Grunbaum. There is nothing about passage for Hans and Olga Zimmermann.?

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

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 4:54 pm

Oooh!!! This looks very good Ro! Looking forward to seeing lots more soon.....

#11: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 10:14 pm

This looks very interesting. I loved Evadne, she was one of my favourite characters from the Tyrol era, and it's great to see a story about her. Looking forward to the next bit.

Star Wars

#12: Author: Nicole, Location: New Zealand

Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 5:35 am

Definitely need more of this, Ro!!

More please!!

#13: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 12:28 pm

Good start Ro, nice change to see a drabble about Evadne. There is only one problem with it! We need more.

#14: Author: Ro, Location: Near Windsor

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 2:11 pm

"Officer, I can assure you we have paid for the passage of 4 people!" The young man was getting more and more agitated as the argument heated up.

It was at this point that Evadne overheard the old couple speaking softly in German.

"My darling, I am so sorry. I should never have gone along with this ridiculous scheme."

"Hans, we had to take the chance. We could never have risked staying in Germany after the argument with Anna and Friedel, they would have thrown us in a camp and goodness knows what would have happened to Heinrich and Martha." Olga replied.

As Evadne looked on the Officer questioning Heinrich signalled to 2 other Officers standing near by who quickly came and surrounded the small group. "I am afraid we have no other option but to remove you from the ship. We have reason to believe you intend to allow Herr and Frau Zimmermann to stow away in your cabin."

#15: Author: Ro, Location: Near Windsor

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 2:33 pm

At this point, seeing the distress on the faces of the elderly couple, Evadne decided to act. She ran over to the reception desk and asked for a call to be put out for her father.

"Would you please put an announcement out for Mr Lannis to come to the foyer." Evadne asked the receptionist.

"Certainly, one moment please." The receptionist switched on a large mic and announced in a sombre voice "Would a Mr Lannis please make his way to the Foyer immediately please. Mr Lannis to the foyer please."

Two minutes later Mr Lannis pushed through the crowd and on seeing Evadne exclaimed "Evadne, are you all right? What has happened child?"

"Oh poppa, it?s terrible. There is a small family of Germans being thrown off the ship because they only bought passage for 2 and there are 4 of them! We have to help them!"

"Now Evvy, calm down, we can?t go interfering in other people?s affairs. It has nothing to do with us."

#16: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 3:23 pm

Not like Mr Lannis! He usually dashes in to help.

#17: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 5:14 pm

Thanks Ro, good for Evvy trying to help!!

#18: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 5:29 pm

Go, Evvy!

#19: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans/Leicester

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 8:08 pm

Well done Evvy for wanting to help and thinking of a sensible way to do so, I hope Mr Lannis comes round to her way of thinking. Very Happy

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

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 8:46 pm

Mr Lannis had better hurry up and change his mind -before they're too late!

Thanks Ro!

#21: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 9:40 pm

*Feels sure Mr Lannis will rise to the occasion*

*wibbles quietly till reassured of this*

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

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 11:39 pm

*hopes that the Lannises wil be able to help!*

#23: Author: Ro, Location: Near Windsor

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 10:37 am

"Poppa please, we can't just stand by and do nothing! You always taught me to help people in trouble, why change now?"

"Evvy honey, things are a bit different at the moment. We are in a war situation and we need to be careful."

"Poppa, I don't understand. What is going on?"

Looking round, Mr Lannis took Evadne by the arm and moved them both into a secluded alcove.

"Now listen Evvy, what I have to tell you MUST remain confidential, do I have your word?"

"Of course poppa."

"All right. As you know, before we left Austria I was involved with some diplomatic work on behalf of the British and American governments. I can't go into details but as a result I have to be careful not to attract attention to us."

#24: Author: Ro, Location: Near Windsor

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 10:46 am

"How would helping some Germans be attracting attention?"

"Because there are spies everywhere and I need to be careful."

"Poppa, we can't just stand about and do nothing! We have German and Austrian friends and we know what has happened to them. I would hate to think that the same thing would happen to these people because we refused to help! Before we fled from Austria, Madame made us swear we would be brave. I joined the peace league and I will not stand by and allow helpless people suffer just because they are German." With that Evadne swung round and attempted to move away.

Mr Lannis caught her arm and shaking his head said "Ok Evvy, you win. I will see what we can do to help, but we must do our best to do it quietly."

#25: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 11:50 am

Thank goodness for that!

#26: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 12:49 pm

Thanks Ro

Good for Mr Lannis, but I wonder what sort of work he was doing??

#27: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 3:40 pm

Well, he seemed to know an awful lot, so I imagine it was some sort of espionage under the guise of touring factories, etc.

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

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 4:24 pm

'Bout time Mr Lannis - good for Evvy!

#29: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 2:26 pm

Good for Mr Lannis - hope he gets it sorted out.

#30: Author: Ro, Location: Near Windsor

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 4:09 pm

They started walking quickly back to the foyer where they found the crowd dispersing and no sign of the German family. Mr Lannis made his way to the reception area to get some more information. "Excuse me Miss, can you tell me what has happened to the German family that were here a few moments ago?"

"Yes Sir, they have been taken to the Captain's state room."

"Would it be possible for me to speak with the Captain? It is rather urgent."

"One moment please, I'll go and check." The receptionist made her way to a house phone and made a quick call. She returned in a few moments saying "I have spoken to the Captain Sir, he is on his way. Would you wait here please?"

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

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 4:26 pm

Good for Mr Lannis.

#32: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 6:32 pm

Thank goodness. It's great to see that Evvy is far more than the spoiled daughter of a millionaire, she's a compassionate human being.

#33: Author: Laura, Location: London (ish)

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 7:44 pm

Oooh, goodie. What inspired you to write this though Ro? Question

#34: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 12:33 pm

THank you Ro! Hope the Captain will listen to Mr Lannis.

#35: Author: Ro, Location: Near Windsor

Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 2:23 pm

Laura, I've always been fascinated by Evadne and after re-reading Exile for the 1000th time my very own small sparkling purple leaf decided to appear and gave me the story of Evadne after school.

#36: Author: Ro, Location: Near Windsor

Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 2:24 pm

2 minutes later the Captain came striding towards them.

"Mr Lannis? I believe you would like a word with me."

"Yes Captain, it is about the German family that you are holding."

"What about them?" the captain demanded.

"I would like to offer to pay for the passage of the elderly couple if it would make things easier."

#37: Author: Ro, Location: Near Windsor

Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 2:26 pm

"Mr Lannis, I appreciate your offer of help, but I cannot see what this situation has to do with you." Then looking at Mr Lannis with some suspicion,"Unless you are involved with them in some way?"

"Actually Captain, I was alerted to their plight by my daughter Evadne. She witnessed the scene in the foyer and, being the type of person that she is, wanted to help. So she came for me and practically forced me into action." Here Mr Lannis stopped and smiled affectionately at his daughter who was blushing to the roots of her hair as a result of this praise.

#38: Author: Ro, Location: Near Windsor

Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 2:27 pm

The Captain then turned to Evadne, "Well Miss Lannis, perhaps YOU can explain why you have such a deep interest in the affairs of a German family you have never met?" The captain demanded with more than a hint of suspicion in his voice.

Evadne, who had been quietly fuming during the interlude with her father, turned to the captain and in her stateliest voice asked "Have you ever been to Austria or Germany?" As the captain shook his head no, Evadne continued, "No, I thought not, otherwise you would not be treating this family so appallingly. I had the privilege of attending school in Austria and came into contact with many wonderful Austrian and German families, many of whom have now been imprisoned for daring to help the so called enemy. I personally had to flee Austria at the beginning of the war because my friends and I had dared to interfere when a mob attacked our local jeweller simply for being Jewish. How dare you try to imply that my caring about this family is in any way sinister?"

#39: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 2:31 pm

Ooh lots of lovely posts, thank you Ro! I just hope they can help.

(Wasn't Evadne's mother Austrian? ~ or at least she was born in Austria ~ that might explain why they want to help as well)

#40: Author: Laura, Location: London (ish)

Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 2:35 pm

Ooh go Evvy!

#41: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 3:09 pm

Go Evvy, let him know just how much he doesn't know about the situation in Austria.

#42: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 5:11 am

suspicious captain.

*cheers Evvy*

*embarrassed not to remember anything about Evadne's mother.*

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

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 5:20 am

Good for Evvy! Laughing

Thanks Ro!

#44: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 1:22 pm

Well done Evvy! Hope he listens.

#45: Author: Ro, Location: Near Windsor

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 3:45 pm

"Miss Lannis, I did not mean to offend you, but in this climate of war one has to be careful, especially when such an interest has been taken in Germans." The captain replied in a carefully controlled voice. "Perhaps it would be better if we continued our conversation somewhere more private, we can use my office."

As the small group, led by the captain, walked towards the office Mr Lannis gently squeezed Evadne's arm in a silent show of parental solidarity.

Once inside the office, the Captain ushered the group towards some comfortable chairs with a view out of a large porthole. "Before we resume, would anyone like something to drink?"

"Yes please, I would love a glass of water."

"Mr Lannis, would you like anything?"

"Thank you, no, not at the moment." Mr Lannis replied.

The captain excused himself and returned with a tray containing water for Evadne and some tea for himself, alongside a plate of what looked to be home made biscuits.

"Miss Lannis, before we begin again I believe I owe you an apology. I did not mean to infer that your interest was sinister, but as I said before in the current climate we all need to be careful."

"Thank you for your apology, as I said Captain, I have gone through some horrendous experiences at the hands of the Nazis and I resent the fact that you are implying that just because that poor family is German they are not worthy of our assistance! How would you feel if your family were in Germany trying to escape and people refused to help them simply because you are English and may be associated with Churchill?"

As the captain choked on his tea and turned bright red Evadne continued "No, I didn't think you would like that. Well the same is true for this family. Do you have any proof that they are, as you like to assume, Nazis?" demanded Evadne, practically spitting the last word.

"No, as a matter of fact we do not." The captain replied, "But we are checking with all the local agencies just to be sure."

At this point Mr Lannis took the opportunity to step into what looked like becoming a rather heated debate. "If that is the case captain, may I suggest that instead of holding the family prisoner that you release them into my care. After all the ship will be sailing in less than 5 minutes and it does not make sense to delay the sailing when investigations can take days. If you find out later that the family are in fact criminals it would be very easy for you to inter them again. Rather that than delay the sailing?..."

#46: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 3:59 pm

Smooth! I like the way Evadne fired up and was so articulate. Also like the way Mr Lannis is 'handling' the captain.

It's nice to hear about Evadne after school.

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

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 4:03 pm

Very smooth - Mr Lannis obviously used to controlling board meetings!

#48: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 4:11 pm

Thanks Ro, I like Evvy's way of twisting the idea to England and Churchill, and Mr Lannis is very calm and cool.

#49: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans/Leicester

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 6:12 pm

Mr Lannis managed to calm the situation very well, seems like a very sensible man.

Thanks Ro.

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

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 7:23 pm

Wonderful Ro!!!!
More soon please!!!

#51: Author: Ro, Location: Near Windsor

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2004 2:56 pm

"Mr Lannis, I really don?t think?", the Captain began.

"After all," continued Mr Lannis smoothly, ignoring the captain's attempt at interruption "there are over 400 passengers on this liner and I don't think they would be too pleased to have their journey disrupted before it had begun because of 2 elderly German passengers, do you? And as you rightly pointed out Captain, this is war-time and people are understandably nervous about being at sea, so the sooner the journey begins the sooner it will be over." Mr Lannis concluded with a smile.

"Yes, well, what you say does make sense." The captain grudgingly admitted. "But before I can make any sort of decision I need to check with the authorities."

Before he could rise to do this, the liner's funnels gave the 2 short blasts that indicate it is ready to sail and began to move slowly from the dock.

#52: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2004 3:52 pm

Mutiny, is it? Shocked

or just a routine departure, the captain not having countermanded previous orders.

Evvy & dad are good ones to have on your side! Smile

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

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2004 4:55 pm

*Captain is going to look a complete idiot!*

Thanks Ro.

#54: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 8:47 am

Just beginning to catch up.

Love Evvy's bit about the Captain and Churchill. Nice to see Mr Lannis's
smooth handling of the situation.

Are we to see what happens next?

#55: Author: Ro, Location: Near Windsor

Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 3:54 pm

"I'm afraid it rather looks like the decision has been taken out of my hands." The Captain said. "It seems as if the best solution would be to hand the family over to your care after all." With that the Captain walked to his desk to make the necessary arrangements.

"Thank you Captain, I can assure you that you will not regret your decision."

"Well Lannis, that is everything organised, one of my officers is bringing the family to us now. Just a word of warning before they arrive, if I do hear of anything untoward about any member of this family or if it is brought to my attention that they set one foot wrong on this crossing I will lock them up for the rest of the journey. Is that clear?"

"Absolutely Captain." Mr Lannis replied smiling indulgently.

"What a rubber necked four flusher", Evvy muttered to her father as the Captain turned to drink his now lukewarm tea.

Mr Lannis had great difficulty maintaining his composure at this less than flattering, but in his mind accurate, description of the Captain.

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

Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 3:57 pm

Hooray its back! Thank you Ro!

I'm glad the captain is releasing them to Mr Lannis, but he's still being horribly suspicious.

Love Evvy description and her father's recognition of it - but what would Miss Annersley say!

#57: Author: Ro, Location: Near Windsor

Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 3:58 pm

I hate to imagine, but it is just so descriptive! Very Happy

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

Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 9:53 pm

Wonderful!!! Thank you Ro!!! Very Happy

#59: Author: Ro, Location: Near Windsor

Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 6:20 pm

Before he could say anything there was a knock on the door and after the Captain bade them enter, an officer ushered in the bewildered and scared looking Grunbaums and Zimmermanns.

"Sir, here are the prison?.erm passengers you wanted to see." The young officer stumbled over his words after encountering a ferocious glare from Evadne.

"Thank you, that is all." With that the Captain dismissed his junior officer and turned to the German family.

"Well it seems you have been rather fortunate. Not only have you managed to smuggle two stowaways on board, you have managed to find yourselves a rather powerful defender." The Captain said sourly. "Mr Lannis here has agreed to act as guardians for you on this trip, pay for the passage of the Zimmermanns and have also upgraded the Grunbaums to first class." The elderly couple almost collapsed on hearing the news and only the strong arms of Heinrich and Mr Lannis stopped them from falling to the floor. The Captain however, was not finished with his rhetoric. "Now you may have landed on your feet this time, but be warned if I hear anything negative about any of you I will clap you in irons until we dock in New York and will hand you all over to the authorities as soon as we dock. Is that clear?"

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

Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 6:32 pm

Think Captain should have made a graceful retreat before uttering those last words! Have a feeling Evvy may make him eat them! Laughing

Thanks for this Ro.

#61: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 6:56 pm

I suppose the captain was as suspicious as most people of 'Germans' at that point, not having realised the differemnce between 'German' and 'Nazi'. I'm still glad the Lannis's triumphed over the Captain though!

Do we get to hear their story next?

*better be subtle here*

#62: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 10:37 am

Can see Evvy having very strong words with the Captain!

#63: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 1:23 pm

Not exactly the way to run a happy ship, is it?

#64: Author: Elzbie, Location: London

Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 4:23 pm

just caught up, and I hope it won't stop here! Evvy was always one of my favourites! Can't wait to hear the story of the Germans.

#65: Author: Kathye, Location: Laleham

Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 5:00 pm

More please Ro, am really enjoying this Smile

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