Margot Maynard ~ Part 2
The CBB -> Cookies & Drabbles
#1: Margot Maynard ~ Part 2 Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 6:46 pm

part 1

 

#2: Margot Maynard Author: catherine, Location: York PostPosted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 10:49 pm

Thanks for posting the link, Vikki. More will be forthcoming at some point!

 

#3:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 12:23 am

Soon I hope? Wink

 

#4:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 2:07 am

*agrees that soon is good and sooner is better*

 

#5:  Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet! PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 7:03 pm

Please may we have some more!

 

#6:  Author: catherine, Location: York PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 9:08 pm

I suppose I should be pleased that KB and Vikki appear to agree on something! Sorry I haven't posted anything but I've been having a really hard time on Teaching Practice - getting up at 5.30ish and not getting home until 6.30pm at the earliest and spending approx four hours a day travelling, is not helping!! Anyway, I'll stop moaning and try and write some more for you! Apologies! Sad HelpMe

 

#7:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 9:58 pm

*huggles Catherine!*

 

#8:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 10:01 pm

Looking forward to more when you can produce Catherine. (Can sympathise with the travelling!)

 

#9:  Author: catherine, Location: York PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 10:45 pm

Haven't really got anything to moan about, compared to you, Lesley!


_______________________________________________________________________

"W-we came back to England and w-we weren't." Margot repeated. "I was back to being the lazy one of the triplets. I know I deserved it and if I'd tried a bit harder in Canada, I'd have got a better report and been able to be with the other two. But it was so hard. I always found it difficult to settle down to anything and I could never concentrate for as long as the other two. I got bored and I needed to make people see me as Margot, not just one of the triplets so I would do mad things. I met Emerence and she seemed to be just the same as me, only we weren't in the same form. I started working hard to get up to her and she slacked off but then none of you would let that happen. None of you ever wanted us to become friends, I know. You told me that if I didn't keep working, you'd leave me behind and that's when I really realised."
"Realised what, my darling?" Joey prompted gently, as Margot paused to swallow hard.
"Th-that you didn't love me as much as the others a-and you never had and never would, no matter what I did - or do!" Margot ended on a sob and was back in her mother's arms, in an instant.
"Margot - no!" Joey was dismayed as she rocked her daughter comfortingly. "Please, please, don't ever think that again! I love you very, very much; I always have and always will! It tore me apart to send you away; I was just as unhappy as you were about it but all I could see was this frail little girl who tired easily and looked pale and thin. I couldn't be selfish and let you stay with me when you had the chance of going to Canada and getting healthy and strong! I missed you every moment I was away from you! I still do now."

 

#10:  Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 11:19 pm

*huggles Margot and Joey*
Poor Margot if she's been feeling unloved for so long Sad

I remember when my housemates were on Teaching Practice last year, it exhausted them too! *offers catherine a large cup of hot chocolate to relax with*

 

#11:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 11:20 pm

*sniffle*
Oh dear, what a misunderstanding!!! Crying or Very sad

Thank you Catherine!!

 

#12:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 11:31 pm

Catherine, you have to get up at half past FIVE? I've just caught up with this on the archives, and it's really good.

 

#13:  Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet! PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 11:46 pm

Thank you Catherine Very Happy

 

#14:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 2:44 am

Excellent, Catherine! Well done for doing any!
*offers understanding huggles and a big coffee * It's magic. It can be whatever comforting drink you want!

I suppose the nasty college has posted you somewhere really awkward to get to? Rolling Eyes (and so glad that I managed to con a lift in a similar situation)

 

#15:  Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 2:52 am

Thanks for writing what you could Catharine, it sounds as though you're having really long days.
Poor Margot though, I always thought that being sent to Canada must have affected her.

 

#16:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 4:02 am

Goodness, what an emotional outpouring! I'm surprised no one realised all that before!

 

#17:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 4:41 pm

Can actually find myself sympathising with Margot about Emerence - I went through all my secondary school with a best friend that I knew my parents didn't approve of. This girl was lazy, rude to most of the mistresses, only worked when she wanted and generally went her own way - I can see now why my parents disapproved - but crucially - She never stopped me working!!! We realised this early on - it took my parents years to see that, rather than her be a bad influence on me, I and my family, were a good influence on her!!


Catherine - hope the secondment is going well - more when you have time!

 

#18:  Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 4:47 pm

*sobs a little*

Poor Margot. Poor Joey.

May I ch-ch-chant for mooooore?
well I'm doing it anyway Laughing

MORE PLEASE!!

 

#19:  Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 6:16 pm

Oh, poor Margot! I suppose she hid it by being naughty. Poor Joey, I'd hate to have that scene with one of my children. she must be feeling a terrible failure!

 

#20:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 6:32 pm

Aww...poor both of them. Hopefully, getting everything out in the open will be good for both them.

More story please!

 

#21:  Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet! PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 7:30 pm

Pleaes may we have some more Catherine!

 

#22:  Author: catherine, Location: York PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 8:47 pm

Yes, I have to get up at half past five! (Well, when I can actually be bothered to make it out of bed! A lot of the time it ends up being quarter to six and then I have to pelt it into college!) I have to be at college for 7am as that is when the minibus (for four of us!) leaves to take us to our two schools and I live a forty minute walk away from college. It takes just over an hour to get to the school - in a small village, in the middle of nowhere, near Hull! And it takes an hour and a half to get back! Thanks for the huggles and hot drinks - have just realised that I haven't had a cup of tea since Sunday!!
_______________________________________________________________________
"R-really?" Margot looked up at her mother, hope in her eyes.
"Of course! Margot, you were by no means an angel but you weren't a devil either - even if you did blame some of your actions on him! You were incredibly naughty at times and there were times when I felt like shaking you! There were times when I wondered just how Auntie Hilda put up with you because I think you'll agree with me, there were at least a couple of occasions when she would have been within her rights to expel you! But," Joey emphasised the 'but', "I never once stopped loving you or wished you weren't here! You are one of my three biggest babies and no matter what you or any of the others do, I will never stop loving you! I might not like you very much at times but I'll never and have never stopped caring! If I could have gone out to Canada with you, Margot, I would not have hesitated! I was absolutely thrilled when you threw yourself at me the moment I saw you in Canada - you were so healthy and strong! It was wonderful to be back with you and I never asked to be kept away from you all. That was Papa and Uncle Jem, deciding I needed a rest. If I'd known what you were thinking, my Margot, I'd have disobeyed them no matter what!"

 

#23:  Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 8:55 pm

Thanks for the extra bit (no tea since Sunday? I think I'd be having severe withdrawl symptoms if I tried that!)

I hope Margot believes Joey, looks like Joey is understanding her for the first time *cautious smile* Smile

 

#24:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 9:00 pm

Thank you for that Catherine - glad Joey can see that Margot was lucky not to be expelled on a couple of occasions! Good to see Joey in a more sympathetic light even though she has made mistakes.

(Sure you didn't intend for me to be seeing triple!!!)

 

#25:  Author: catherine, Location: York PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 9:01 pm

YIKES! Sorry guys! It kept telling me there was a problem and it couldn't post. I didn't realise it had posted three times until it was too late! Can someone delete them please?

 

#26:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 9:15 pm

Done! Oh the power!!!! Very Happy

 

#27:  Author: catherine, Location: York PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 9:32 pm

Thanks, Pat! Glad it was done so promptly!

Is anyone else having problems posting to this thread? I don't seem to be having problems anywhere else but everytime I try to post to this, it keeps coming up with some weird message!

 

#28:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 9:47 pm

Catherine, if you find that silly message, back page till you get back to the thread (twice I think) and then refresh. Your posting will be there waiting.

 

#29:  Author: catherine, Location: York PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 9:58 pm

Thanks Pat, will do! Apologies to all those who think I'm posting more story - I will try to post some more tonight but my brain is exhausted and I have a weekend of planning ahead of me! I have to do shape and space next week and if there's one topic in Maths I absolutely hate, it's that!!

 

#30:  Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 10:50 pm

thanks for that episode, Catherine, I seem to remember Joey getting all upset at the thought of Margot going to Canada and having to be over-ruled? It's rather sad that Margot blamed her for it and didn't know.

that was very touching and I loved it. Hope the shape and space is not too frsutrating.

 

#31:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 11:50 pm

When Jack tells Joey they've decided to send Margot to Canada, EBD does say he knew Joey wouldn't be pleased. I think he virtually resorted to emotional blackmail to convince her.

 

#32:  Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet! PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:16 am

YAY!
thank you Catherine Smile

 

#33:  Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:28 am

Thank you Catherine, its nice to see Jo and Margot talking like this - I'm sure that Margot will be happier for it.

 

#34:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:57 am

Oooh!! Thank you Catherine!!
*chants quietly*

 

#35:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:58 am

It is nice to see Joey and Margot really talking - and Joey really listening!!!

Thanks, Catherine.

 

#36:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 8:08 am

I do hope Margot believes Jo, but I have a feeling she may not!

 

#37:  Author: catherine, Location: York PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 9:50 am

Well you'll just have to wait and see. won't you, o pessimistic one?!!!

 

#38:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 9:56 am

Catherine! I thought you'd posted more story! (Lesley goes off to sulk fume )

 

#39:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 11:27 am

I'd have thought you'd have had a nice long lie in this morning Catherine, but you were obviously up an hour before me!! Shocked

 

#40:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 11:53 am

catherine wrote:
Well you'll just have to wait and see. won't you, o pessimistic one?!!!


I suppose so, yes!

 

#41:  Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet! PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:19 pm

Please may we have the next bit Catherine

 

#42:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:32 pm

*joins in Chloe's chant*

 

#43:  Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 4:12 pm

*Joins in, singing the alto part*

 

#44:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 9:20 pm

*begins to pick out an accompaniement on the harpsichord*

 

#45:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 9:21 pm

*removes Vikki's earplugs so that she can actually hear the notes she's playing*

 

#46:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 12:07 am

*provides ear plugs to everyone else so that we cannot hear the cacophony we are making.

*remembers that KB has Vikki's earplugs - runs over to supply Vikki with another pair

 

#47:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 12:25 am

Thank you Chelsea!!! Wink

 

#48:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 10:50 am

*Wakes up blearily - something was keeping me from sleeping last night - oh it was the orchestra!*

 

#49:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 11:40 am

Chelsea wrote:
*remembers that KB has Vikki's earplugs - runs over to supply Vikki with another pair


*realises it was more in tune when Vikki couldn't hear what she was doing and refrains from stealing them again*

 

#50:  Author: catherine, Location: York PostPosted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 10:46 pm

OW! OW! OW! OW! OW! Exclamation

Will you please all stop doing that thing you are pleased to call singing and an accompaniment?! You are ruining my drabble and hurting my ears - in fact you're deafening me and if you don't stop, there'll be no more Margot because I'll have been committed to the nearest luney bin - driven mad by your, ahem, 'cacophany'!!!!!!!! fume Mad

Pat - I was awake but not up! I'm afraid my body seems to think a nice lie in is waking at 8.15.

Sorry guys but you're really going to have to be patient. I've not written the next bit and I'm not sure when I'm going to have time to write anything substantial for you or anymore of it at all! There will be more and hopefully during the early part of this week but don't hold your breath!

*wonders why none of the participants in this so called orchestra chose to use the lovely musical smilies*

*on second thoughts - realises that no one in their right mind could possibly describe this noise as musical* Mr. Green

 

#51:  Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet! PostPosted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 11:03 pm

we understand Catherine thanks

 

#52:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 11:22 pm

Catherine - post when you can and just ignore all the nagging and yibbling we do on here - we won't mind! Very Happy

Hope all goes well for you in RL.

 

#53:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 2:07 am

Catherine, at least you can't complain that we neglected you! Wink

 

#54:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 3:10 am

*huggles Catherine understandingly, and hands round the patience pills!*

 

#55:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 4:25 am

*suspious of pills offered by Vikki and declines one*

 

#56:  Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 10:56 am

KB wrote:
*suspious of pills offered by Vikki and declines one*

glad I saw that post before I innocently accepted one! Rolling Eyes

Catherine, can we sing on here to pass the time? Just quietly?

Encouraging hugs to Catherine and her plot bunnies.

 

#57:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 11:25 pm

Catherine, just caught up with this it's really good. Hope Jo and Margot solve their diffferences in the end and Jo realises her children don't always understand why she does things.

My friend's daughter is going on her last teaching practise soon. She is hoping for a city school this time as her last was a country school that took her ages to get back and forward to.

 

#58:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 8:40 am

PatMac wrote:
KB wrote:
*suspious of pills offered by Vikki and declines one*

glad I saw that post before I innocently accepted one! Rolling Eyes


*lol* Does that mean you take your lead from the Head, Pat? There's a first time for everything, I suppose...

 

#59:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:37 pm

Catherine, we'll wait patiently. TP is a b****r, it's always tiring, and one never feels satisfied with what has gone on during the day.

 

#60:  Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 6:34 pm

KB wrote:
PatMac wrote:
KB wrote:
*suspious of pills offered by Vikki and declines one*

glad I saw that post before I innocently accepted one! Rolling Eyes


*lol* Does that mean you take your lead from the Head, Pat? There's a first time for everything, I suppose...


Nope! Just naturally suspicious of pills on this board. Not sure why, really. Wink

 

#61:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 4:47 am

I can't possibly imagine why, Pat!! Shocked Wink

 

#62:  Author: Mandy, Location: Derry, N.Ireland PostPosted: Sun Feb 01, 2004 12:30 am

Catherine, I've just found this. Its great to see this side to Margot. I have to say she was never my favourite triplet, but reading this I feel really sorry for her. You've really managed to get under her skin. I can't wait to read more of it.

 

#63:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Sun Feb 01, 2004 12:41 am

Margot always came a cross as the triplet that EBD didn't like.

 

#64:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Mon Feb 02, 2004 12:46 am

I've always wondered if Margot personified the parts of herself that she didn't like? Sort of an 'anti Joey'? Confused

 

#65:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Mon Feb 02, 2004 2:28 am

Yes that is possible, Vikki.

 

#66:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 5:37 pm

*agrees that this may be the case* Perhaps that's why Margot was forgiven over and over (one has sympathy for characters with whom one has fellow feeling) and ends up as such a positive person.

 

#67:  Author: catherine, Location: York PostPosted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 11:05 pm

*not very sure I should post anymore after KB's comment!!*


Sorry guys - hanging head in shame at the small amount I've posted on this story. Embarassed Sad I've not got anymore written but will try to do some more before too much longer has passed.

 

#68:  Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 12:13 am

Pay no attention to us catherine, just post if and when you're ready (I find avoiding the thread with my ficlet on is a good idea when I have no more to post for a bit, it can get kinda strange watching people chant).

*sends tons of hugs*

 

#69:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 12:14 am

Catherine - we know you've got significant RL issues at the mo - this will keep and we'll appreciate it all the more when you finally add to it! Smile

 

#70:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 6:29 pm

catherine wrote:
*not very sure I should post anymore after KB's comment!!*


Why, Catherine? This is just my idea!

 

#71:  Author: catherine, Location: York PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 9:40 pm

It was a joke - I read your comment about having sympathy for characters with whom one has fellow feeling and my first thought was does that mean KB thinks I'm like Margot?!!!!! Hence my comment about not being sure about posting anymore - just in case it confirmed your idea that I was like Margot! (which incidentally, I'm not!) Smile

Thanks for the comments though, guys! TP ends a week on Fri so hopefully things'll get a bit better!

 

#72:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Thu Feb 05, 2004 5:10 am

Oh, okay. Sorry for the confusion. *huggles*

 

#73:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Feb 08, 2004 8:40 am

Catherine, I know you've got real life issues at the moment so don't expect any more of this just yet. But thought you should know I'm really looking forward to more when you can write it! Smile

 

#74:  Author: catherine, Location: York PostPosted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 2:48 pm

An old bit to save you going back to remember what the last bit was and a new bit. More later, I hope.

"Realised what, my darling?" Joey prompted gently, as Margot paused to swallow hard.
"Th-that you didn't love me as much as the others a-and you never had and never would, no matter what I did - or do!" Margot ended on a sob and was back in her mother's arms, in an instant.
"Margot - no!" Joey was dismayed as she rocked her daughter comfortingly. "Please, please, don't ever think that again! I love you very, very much; I always have and always will! It tore me apart to send you away; I was just as unhappy as you were about it but all I could see was this frail little girl who tired easily and looked pale and thin. I couldn't be selfish and let you stay with me when you had the chance of going to Canada and getting healthy and strong! I missed you every moment I was away from you! I still do now."
"R-really?" Margot looked up at her mother, hope in her eyes.
"Of course! Margot, you were by no means an angel but you weren't a devil either - even if you did blame some of your actions on him! You were incredibly naughty at times and there were times when I felt like shaking you! There were times when I wondered just how Auntie Hilda put up with you because I think you'll agree with me, there were at least a couple of occasions when she would have been within her rights to expel you! But," Joey emphasised the 'but', "I never once stopped loving you or wished you weren't here! You are one of my three biggest babies and no matter what you or any of the others do, I will never stop loving you! I might not like you very much at times but I'll never and have never stopped caring! If I could have gone out to Canada with you, Margot, I would not have hesitated! I was absolutely thrilled when you threw yourself at me the moment I saw you in Canada - you were so healthy and strong! It was wonderful to be back with you and I never asked to be kept away from you all. That was Papa and Uncle Jem, deciding I needed a rest. If I'd known what you were thinking, my Margot, I'd have disobeyed them no matter what!"
“B-but the twins.” Margot objected.
“Were in no danger and would never have been.” Joey answered firmly. “The fact of the matter is, Margot, that your father tends to fuss over me more than a little and your Uncle Jem is the same. I suppose it all stems back to the many scrapes I got myself into when I was younger. I had no idea how you were feeling; if I’d had any idea at all how much you needed and wanted me, there is no way I would have let anybody keep me away from you. I never wanted you – any of you to feel as though you couldn’t come to me if you were worried about something or wanted me for something. If I can’t attend to you and your worries without becoming ill then I’m not much use as a mother! I’ll be having serious words with Papa, I think!”
“No!” Margot panicked, she, in common with her siblings, adored her father but stood in very much more awe of him than their mother and had no desire to find herself on his wrong side. She felt he would take a very dim view of her behaviour.
“Margot, I must.” Joey said gently. “You are so unhappy and I can’t bear it for you. I can’t bear for any of the others to go through what you have and it’s more than time your father stopped trying to protect me from everything. There’s nothing wrong with my health and I won’t have any of you feeling as though you can’t come and talk to me; if I don’t talk it over with him now, there won’t be another chance and I’m quite sure you wouldn’t want it to happen to any of the others. You needn’t be afraid though, he’ll not blame you for it. In fact, he’s been saying I ought to take life a little more seriously for years so he’ll probably be quite pleased!” She laughed but quickly grew serious again. “Margot, if it had come to it, I would have left you behind in England.” She said gently. “Not because I wanted to but because of the School’s rules. As it was, you three were below the average age for the School and it was only because Papa was going out to head the San and you three were in forms that were going to Switzerland that you were allowed to go. By rights, all three of you should have stayed behind and I couldn’t possibly have abused the School’s generosity by insisting that you go along as well. I was in no position to, anyway! It was not that I didn’t want you to come with me and I would have hated to have to leave you behind. And Margot, if it hadn’t been that I didn’t know you were perfectly capable of staying in your then form, if not in a higher form, I would not have said it.”
“Nothing I did was good enough.” Margot murmured.
“I’m sorry if it felt like that to you but one of the reasons we kept pushing you was because we knew you could do better. Whilst you were little, you were so frail and became ill so easily that we didn’t dare push you or insist that you worked harder but as soon as we knew that you were as healthy as the next person, we knew that we had to do whatever we could to get you to make the most of yourself. We knew and you knew that you could do so much better than you did, whilst you were younger and we kept pushing you because we wanted you to do that.”

 

#75:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 2:58 pm

Thank you Catherine - good to see this back! Glad that Joey has finally seen how much she was protected by Jack.

 

#76:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 3:09 pm

We get more of this? Hooray!

 

#77:  Author: catherine, Location: York PostPosted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 4:05 pm

Indeed you do!

And here's yet more:

“But don’t you see how hard it was?” Margot cried. “What it felt like to me?! Before I went away, I felt as though you loved me just as much as the others and then you sent me away and I was confused and thought I was wrong and you didn’t love me. You seemed pleased to see me and I thought I had been wrong and you did love me after all, but then nothing I did pleased you! That’s all I ever wanted! To please you! To have your attention! But the only way I ever got it was to behave badly! I didn’t see how you could love me – if you had, you wouldn’t have kept criticising me and telling me it wasn’t good enough! You’d never bothered about my work before I went away but then I went away and suddenly nothing I could do was ever good enough and it felt like I was being punished all the time and I didn’t know why. I could only think that you didn’t love me as much as the others! I know I’m just as clever as Len – more so, sometimes but don’t you see?! I didn’t want to be forms ahead of people my age! I wanted to be with the people that had been my friends before I went to Canada! I didn’t see why I should have to work and work and work just to keep up with people years older than me! I didn’t see what was wrong with being in the same form as people my age and being able to have a bit of fun and enjoy myself! And if you hadn’t kept complaining and talking about how I just wasn’t doing well enough and should have been with the others, I might have decided to work! The more you went on about it, the harder it was to see why I should work! I didn’t see why I should do something I didn’t want to do when I couldn’t even be sure you would approve! I just thought you’d keep on! You all moaned about my behaviour and one of the reasons I behaved badly was to get your attention but also I was bored! I knew the work was too easy for me at times so I was bored and got into mischief but I had no reason to want to work better! It would have been ten times worse to be in the same form as Len and Con! Every time the form lists were read out, I’d have got a look if I wasn’t bracketed with them and you’d have been even worse towards me! And it was when I got moved up to Inter V. Don’t you see? All I ever wanted was to hear you say “Well Done, Margot” or show me you loved me just as much as the others! But you had the twins and then Cecil and then the Second Twins and I do love them but you had less and less time for me! Con wasn’t bothered because of her books and Len couldn’t do enough to help and the boys were away in England or at Montreux!”
“Margot, we may have continued to provide you three with brothers and sisters but that has never lessened our love for any one of you three.” Joey said gently as Margot finally ran down. “I’m so sorry, I really did not have any idea that this is how you felt or I would have talked to you. As I said, we didn’t want to accept something that we knew wasn’t your best but if we’d known we weren’t handling it right or making you understand why we were doing it, we would have talked to you.”

 

#78:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 4:16 pm

*happy sigh* Is this new? It seems a little familiar.

 

#79:  Author: catherine, Location: York PostPosted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 4:48 pm

Not sure what you mean, KB. Am I repeating myself?

 

#80:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 4:51 pm

I thought I remember this and I wasn't sure if it was new story or the last of the parts you had posted before.

 

#81:  Author: catherine, Location: York PostPosted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 4:54 pm

Er, it's supposed to be new. There are two new parts but if it sounds like I'm repeating what's already been said, sorry. It's a little difficult to get the thread of this again but when people are upset they do tend to go over and over things again in different ways. Sorry. Embarassed

 

#82:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 5:02 pm

It's not that it was exactly the same, but it seemed a little bit similar to what she said about going to Canada - it could just be the use of so many 'ands'. And please don't apologise! I love this story! I can't wait to see how Joey comforts her daughter!

 

#83:  Author: catherine, Location: York PostPosted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 9:54 pm

Not sure that this is much good. I seem to have lost the thread a bit and may be in danger of becoming repetitive so apologies. Here is the last little bit for tonight. Hope it's not too bad.


Joey paused for a moment. “Listen, Margot! I know we’ve made mistakes with you; we’ve made mistakes with all of you, but see it from our point of view! We’d never been parents before! We didn’t have any training, we simply had to do the right thing in the situations we came up against and sometimes, what we thought was the right thing wasn’t the right thing at all! But we only find that out later when we either realise ourselves that we haven’t got the right result or something happens to tell us we haven’t got the right result. You, Len and Con are our training. You’re our first babies and in some ways that means you get a raw deal since it is with you that we will make mistakes or expect the wrong things from you. We don’t set out to make you unhappy and I’m so desperately sorry that we have. We had no idea at the time that we were making the situation worse and how we were making you feel; we simply carried on because we thought that was the best way to get results. We certainly never meant for you to feel unloved or not good enough. I can’t keep on apologising for what we did and I’m not going to, I know it’s made you desperately unhappy and I’m devastated to think of it but there is nothing to be gained from going over the past. What I need to do is to find a way of helping you now. You do believe that you are loved, don’t you?”
“N-now; y-yes. B-but I’m not as good for you as Len or Con.” Margot mumbled.
“Rubbish! Please don’t compare yourself to the others, Margot. It’s always been said that my qualities were split between you and you came in for the mischievous, heedless share of them. You’ve done your best to conquer them, I know and we’re very proud of you for not giving in to them but for continuing to fight them. Len and Con have both given us their fair share of worry and will do so in the future. We are proud of you Margot, we always have been and we’ve always loved you, whatever it may have felt like to you. You must believe that or you’ll never be able to feel really happy again and that would be a pity because it’s true. I hope that you’ll never be this unhappy again but if you are, I want you to come to one of us straight away! Please don’t bottle it up or feel you can’t tell us because you’re frightened of letting us down! We’re your Parents and even if we don’t agree with some of the things you do, I don’t think you’ll ever let us down. Now, you look absolutely exhausted and I think you should go to bed for the rest of the day. Don’t worry about University, we’ll find a way of helping you through and it’s not that bad really! You still have your place and somewhere to live, all you have to do is find some friends and I’m sure you’ll do that easily enough. As for Len and Con; I can’t do anything there and I won’t. It’s for you to sort it out amongst yourselves, but make sure you do – your tripletship is far too precious to lose and I’m sure they would hate to think they’ve made you miserable. Come on, bed!” She pulled the exhausted Margot to her feet and led her away to bed, tucking her up and staying with her until she fell asleep.

 

#84:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 10:07 pm

Hmmm. Excellent post Catherine - not sure just how much of what Joey's saying will help Margot. I can understand her viewpoint up to a point - but feel that Margot has in right in wanting to stay with people her own age rather than race ahead.

Will this be resolved satisfactorily?

More please Catherine - it's wonderful!

 

#85:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 12:53 am

Thank you Catherine!!! I've missed this one! Great to have it back!

 

#86:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:11 am

Very nice! I'm surprised that Jo didn't point out the (seemingly obvious) fact she was also busy with her later children.

 

#87:  Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:32 am

Nice to see this back!

Poor Margot. And poor Joey, too. I'd be devastated if one of my children suddenly told me all this.

More please.

 

#88:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:36 am

But you wouldn't deserve it, PatMac!

 

#89:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 11:20 am

Catherine thank you for all these new parts of the story. Identify with a lot of what Margot is saying. I am much more prone to acting with words of kindness than being nagged at. When I was younger nagging at me turned me sullen.

 

#90:  Author: catherine, Location: York PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 11:16 pm

She had intended otherwise, but Joey stayed with her youngest triplet, watching her sleep and deep in thought until a hand on her shoulder made her jump. Biting back an exclamation, she turned to see the face she loved above all other looking down at her, his face full of tender concern.
"If that concern is for me, it's misplaced." Joey smiled wanly at her husband. "Margot needs it far more."
"What's happened?" Jack eyed his wife's pale face anxiously. Joey sighed and got to her feet, motioning for Jack to follow her, which he duly did. Once closeted in their room, she gave him a run down of the conversation she had had with Margot. Jack did not react with the anger she had expected and Margot had feared on hearing of Margot's unsuccessful start to her university career, in fact he took it very calmly.
"Well so far as I can see, there's absolutely nothing for her to worry about." He said judicially. "It's the first term of her first year and the work is nowhere near as important as it will be in two years time. She's made some mistakes, yes, but then so do most when they go away to university for the first time. The sudden freedom from rules and authority generally causes most to start drinking and smoking or the like. She's still got her place at university, she's realised all play and no work doesn't pay and she's done it at the right time! She will make mistakes, she's by far the most 'normal' of the three, and I'd rather she got the serious ones out the way now than later. I made mistakes enough myself, goodness knows, Jem too, it happens and I'll make her see that."
"Jack Maynard! What do you mean "she's the most normal"? Are you implying that Len and Con aren't normal?" Joey demanded indignantly.
"Most of us aren't, Joey. I was using 'normal' in inverted commas. Len can almost be too good to be true at times - when was the last time she forgot her responsiblities as the eldest and threw caution to the winds? It would do her good before she becomes old before her time! And Con is in an almost semi-permanent dream, living just beneath the surface of real life - no bad thing in itself but it does mean that one can never quite be sure how much she is aware of her surroundings and able to survive on her own." Here, Jack did Con an injustice, for that young person was proving to be very capable of looking after herself, it was only when back in the bosom of her family with no real responsiblity that she allowed her stories to overtake her. However, not having seen her in Oxford, he could not know that and could only base it on the evidence of his own eyes. "Margot, however, is very aware of real life, she doesn't put duty first and self after and she openly enjoys life. She likes fun and doesn't see why she shouldn't enjoy herself while she can. The problems she's had are really no worse than those of other children - apart from that unpleasant blackmail episode with Ted - but in the context of the Chalet School which has children from privileged, upper and middle class backgrounds, they have seemed appalling. All the same, I had no idea of how she feels about her position in the family and how she has felt. I won't have any of my children feeling unloved, accidentally or otherwise. "

 

#91:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 11:42 pm

Jack has responded very well hasn't he, although this has brought up issues as to how he thinks of Con. Thanks Catherine, I've only just realised you've updated this, and it's been worth the wait!

 

#92:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 11:56 pm

I like Jack's response - and Joey's to Len and Con being called abnormal Wink

Please, may we have some more?

 

#93:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 12:07 am

Thank you Catherine - fascinating! Laughing

 

#94:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 1:28 am

Thank you Catherine! *huggles*

 

#95:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 3:01 am

Thank you Catherine, glad jack took it so well

 

#96:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 9:55 am

Good for Jack, although I would have thought the bookend episode probably deserved some comment.

 

#97:  Author: catherine, Location: York PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 10:32 am

But we don't know that Jack and Joey ever knew about the bookend!

There will be NO MORE until I have done or at least started an essay!

 

#98:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 10:47 am

Didn't Jack treat the poor victim?

 

#99:  Author: catherine, Location: York PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 10:57 am

Yes but he didn't know it was the result of the bookend! He wasn't told!

 

#100:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 11:01 am

Fair enough. I haven't checked.

 

#101:  Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 12:03 pm

I liked that response too. thinking about it, Jack had been to medical school and, presumably had some life before settling down and he meets people from different walks of life at the San so he probably has more idea of the real world than Joey.

More, please but not at the expense of your reports!

 

#102:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 2:03 pm

Yeah, even though Jack lives in a pretty sheltered environment now, at least he had a chance to experience the world when he was younger, unlike Joey.

 

#103:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 9:46 pm

*hopes for more soon*

 

#104:  Author: catherine, Location: York PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 11:28 pm

*hopes this will fulfil Vikki's hopes*

"Well that's all very well but what are we going to do about it?" Joey demanded, a touch irritably and Jack eyed her thoughtfully. "No Jack! There's been far too much of you keeping me quiet!" Joey read his thoughts correctly. "If you hadn't insisted on doing so, Margot may not be feeling like she is! You kept her away from me just when she needed me most and now she's suffering for it! No more!"
"Joey, calm down!" Jack inte