More Tom's Boys
The CBB -> Cookies & Drabbles
#1:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 9:17 am

How could you all think that everything wouldn't be alright? Isn't this the CS world, after all? Razz

When Tom came to herself she was lying propped up on pillows, and her parents were sitting next to her, watching her anxiously. ‘Mum! Dad! What happened?’ Tom felt fine, apart from a slight headache, and had momentarily forgotten the morning’s events. It all came flooding back when Mrs. Gay explained and Tom exclaimed, ‘Jonathan? Eve?’
‘They’re both fine. Eve has nothing but a few bruises and Jonathan had a compound fracture of the thigh and concussion. He’s been patched up and has come round, but I believe he’s sleeping. You must have banged your head as you went down, you’ve a touch of concussion and almost startled us all out of ten years growth by passing out. Eve and Ed are hovering restlessly between this room and Jonathan’s, not knowing who to worry about first!’ Canon Gay’s cheerful tones belied the worry that he had felt at Tom’s lengthy period of unconsciousness. She’d been “out” for almost five hours. Tom sat up and waited. She didn’t feel dizzy at all, though a few bruises on her body and a bump on her head made her wince when she touched them. ‘I think I’m alright,’ she said, ‘I feel OK, anyway,’
‘Well, I’d wait here until the nurse comes. I expect the doctor will have to examine you before you’re allowed up. Shall I send Eve in to keep you company for a bit?’ asked Mrs. Gay.
‘Could you? And Ed as well, I’d like to see them both,’
Before mother or father could answer there came a tap on the door, it opened and Ed slid round it, ‘Excuse me, but I…’ his eyes fell on Tom, awake and taking notice. Mrs. Gay got a sudden shock when his face lit up, and another one when she turned to her daughter and saw her face brighten at the sight of Ed. Putting two and two together and making at least five, Mrs. Gay stood up, ‘Come in, Ed. Tom appears to be fine. We’ll go and tell the nurse that she’s come round while you stay and keep her company for a bit. Come on, Jim,’
Canon Gay, who’d noticed nothing, found himself bundled out of the room so fast he felt that his feet had barely touched the ground. If Tom and Ed been in any fit state to notice, they would have found it hilarious. But they weren’t. Ed closed the door quietly after Tom’s parents and came to perch nervously on the edge of the bed. ‘I’m glad you’re OK,’ he said, taking her hands in his.
‘Just a bit bruised, that’s all,’ Tom’s heart seemed to be beating somewhere in her throat, and she was very aware of Ed’s hands holding her own. She lifted her grey eyes to his blue ones, wondering what on earth she should do next. Without either of them being able to explain how, they were suddenly clasped in each other’s arms, kissing deeply. They weren’t even aware of the doctor opening the door, taking the situation in at a glance and retreating discreetly. Dr. Taylor fixed the approaching nurse with an authoritative look and said, firmly, ‘Nobody is to go into that room until I have been in when I’ve finished my rounds. Is that clear?’
‘Yes, Doctor,’ replied the nurse, meekly, turning to stare as Dr. Taylor went onto his next patient. Wildly curious she slid the “occupied” notice into place, knowing that nobody would enter the room, thinking that the doctor was in there with his patient. Back inside the room, Tom and Ed were once more gazing at one another. Wishing she could think of something sensible, Tom said, ‘I suppose this is where I fall into a quivering heap at your feet?’
‘I’d prefer that you didn’t,’ replied Ed, ‘you did that this morning, and that’s more than enough for one day. It gave me rather a fright,’
‘I say, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you,’
Ed brushed Tom’s hair out of her eyes and kissed her again, ‘I’ll forgive you this time, if you promise not to do it again,’
‘I’ll try,’ said Tom, rather doubtfully.
‘That’ll do. I can think of many more ways to get you to fall into my arms, and they’re much nicer,’
‘Idiot!’ said Tom, with a gurgle of laughter.
A knock at the door made them jump, and they just managed to be sitting more or less properly when the doctor strode in. ‘Glad to see you back with us, Miss Gay,’ he said, ‘How are you feeling?’
‘Fine, thank you,’
The doctor turned to Ed and projected a smile at him, ‘Would you excuse us, please, while I examine Miss Gay. If you just wait outside, I’ll only be a few minutes,’
Ed obediently left the room and the doctor took a tiny pen light out of his top pocket and proceeded to examine Tom thoroughly, chatting all the time he did so. Calling Ed back into the room, the doctor turned back to Tom. ‘We’re going to see Jonathan,’ explained Tom, as the doctor beckoned Ed over and stood him by the bed. ‘Right, Miss Gay, let’s see how much better those legs are,’
Tom stood up, in much her usual fashion, and immediately tottered sideways into Ed. ‘Hmmm,’ remarked the doctor, ‘if you’d go carefully I think you’ll be just fine, you’re a bit delicate still. Just remember any headaches, dizziness, disturbed vision or anything like that and you go straight to your own doctor. I’ll leave a letter for him at reception, and don’t forget to pick it up on your way out.’
‘Thank you, doctor. Oh, I’d better go and tell Mum and Dad I’m OK, before I go and see Jonathan,’
‘You’ll pass them on your way,’ replied the doctor, holding the door open for them, ‘they’re in the waiting area,’
Tom, still supported by Ed, walked along the corridors to the waiting area. Her parents were sitting there, looking rather out of place. They saw Tom coming down the corridor, and Canon Gay suddenly noticed just how his daughter was getting along without falling, as she was a bit wobbly still. He sat up, his jaw dropping. Mrs. Gay saw his face and said hurriedly, ‘Now dear, don’t make a fuss,’
‘I wasn’t. Since when?’
‘I don’t know, today perhaps. I think our tomboyish daughter is finding her feminine side at last,’
‘Oh dear,’ Canon Gay sounded as if his world were ending, ‘I do hope she doesn’t go all frilly and giggly,’
‘I don’t think there’s much likelihood of that, but I’m glad she’s remembered she is a girl after all, if something of an unusual one,’
Tom and Ed had reached them before the Canon could think of a suitable reply, so instead he got up and greeted Tom with a handshake, then a kiss on the cheek. Tom looked rather startled at this mode of greeting, but as her mother was kissing her other cheek and asking what the doctor had said, she concentrated on telling her. ‘He said we could go and see Jonathan first, so we’ll just pop in and say hello,’
‘Off you go then. We’re waiting for Eve anyway. We said we’d drop her home,’ said Canon Gay, ‘What about you, Ed? Can we take you home?’
‘Oh…er…if it’s no trouble,’
‘None at all. We’ll go and get a cup of tea while we’re waiting,’
By the time they reached the ward where Jonathan was lying, Tom had found her feet, more or less. Eve, sitting by Jonathan’s bed, stared with wide eyes at Ed’s arm round Tom’s waist, then gave them a brilliant grin. Leaning forward she said, ‘Jonathan, wake up. Ed and Tom have come to see you, and they’ve woken up to themselves at last!’
‘Uh?’ was Jonathan’s reaction, still groggy from the painkillers he’d been given. Opening his eyes he looked at Eve, turning his head in response to her nods. Slowly he took in the way Tom and Ed were standing, and smiled, ‘Thank God for that,’ he said, weakly, ‘but next time don’t be quite so dramatic. One bang on the head should be quite enough!’
‘Are you telling me!’ replied Tom, ‘I’m sorry you had to take the worst of it,’
‘I’ll be fine, once my leg’s mended. Sorry, I’m not much company at the moment. The doctor gave me some morphine and I can’t seem to talk very well now,’
‘That’s OK,’ Tom reached down and squeezed Jonathan’s hand, ‘I’m just glad you’re in one piece.’
Jonathan smiled again, and couldn’t prevent his eyes from closing though he made an effort to keep them open. The ward sister had been watching him out of the corner of her eye, whilst attending to her other patients, and came across. Speaking to Eve, she explained ‘The morphine is making him rather drowsy, but he should be fine now. Why don’t you go home and get some rest? Visiting hours this evening are from six until eight. Come back then, when he may be more awake,’
Obediently, if reluctantly, the three friends said their goodbyes to Jonathan and made their way out of the ward to find Tom’s parents.

I need a bit of feedback before i write the next bit! So chat away and I'll plot...

 

#2:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 9:31 am

Awwww! Lulie that was wonderful! Laughing Love how they suddenly found themselves in each others arms,and how Tom asks if this means she must fall at Ed's feet. Heart Love the doctor - soooo tactful, and Canon Gay not getting it!

Thank you! Kiss

 

#3:  Author: Shander, Location: Canada PostPosted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 1:25 pm

That was great! very well done.

 

#4:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 1:33 pm

Why do you need any help from us? You're doing fine as it is.

 

#5:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 4:08 pm

Lulie!!! This is great!!! So glad about Tom and Ed!! And is there a chance for Eve and Jonathon too?

 

#6:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 8:34 pm

I had posted a spiel about why I was asking for help - but I answered my own questions, so I deleted the post! (so those of you who have read it, you're not going mad, it was there!). Here's a wee bit more.

After all the excitements of the past few weeks, life seemed to settle down to something that passed for normal. Tom and Ed managed to settle down and rather quickly became inseparable. Jonathan remained in hospital for some time, but Eve visited him every day, and others as often as they could. Jonathan’s tutors would send in work for him to do, so he didn’t get behind the rest of his class. The result of this was that the four friends were able to graduate together and move onto the training courses that they had applied for. Tom also worked hard to establish her boy’s club, having made up her mind that this was what she wanted to do full time, once she was finished with education. Thanks to her perseverance and determination she managed to get it going as a registered charity, running it in two sections. One was for younger boys, which was open after they’d finished school until 8pm, operating as a kind of drop-in centre, giving them a chance to experience different aspects of different trades. The other section was for older boys, most of whom left school at fourteen, and allowed them to concentrate on a particular career while they looked round for apprenticeships, which sometimes took a while to get, as they were in great demand in that particular area. Ed had completely abandoned any idea of working abroad and completed his training with the intention of working at home in London, helping Tom most evenings. It was one such evening. All the boys had gone home, and Tom was sat in the common room, frowning over accounts. Ed had taken on the task of making sure everything was put away and all the windows and doors locked, apart from the front. Having finished, Ed returned to the common room and flung himself into a chair. Tom glanced up and smiled, but she wanted to get finished that evening so bent her head over her books. Ed watched her until she put the lid on her pen and shut the book. ‘I think that’s it,’ she remarked, stretching, ‘at least if it isn’t, it can wait!’
Ed smiled, and patted the sofa, indicating that Tom should come and sit next to him. Tom did so, wriggling until she was comfortable in the circle of Ed’s arms. ‘If you squirm much more, you’ll fall off,’ remarked Ed, watching her antics with amusement. ‘I won’t,’ Tom assured him, ‘not unless you push me!’
‘There’s a tempting offer,’ mused Ed, teasingly.
‘You wouldn’t dare,’ warned Tom, ‘because you’d know I’d get my revenge when you least expect it!’
‘Yes, you probably would,’ agreed Ed. Tom grinned and snuggled cosily into Ed’s chest as his arms tightened round her. There was a long, comfortable silence, broken by Ed. ‘Tom?’
‘Mmmm?’
There was another long silence; so long that Tom sat up to see what was wrong. Ed was studying her from under his eyelashes, with rather an odd look on his face.
‘Ed? What’s the matter?’ Tom looked slightly alarmed. Ed glanced down at his hands, took a deep breath and looked Tom straight in the eye, ‘Tom, would you marry me?’
Tom, who had been expecting anything but that, sat bolt upright in shock. She’d forgotten her precarious position with the natural result she slid into an undignified heap on the floor, uttering a shriek as she did so. Ed, who had spent a good part of the previous night and all of the day wondering how and when to ask his question, was feeling so nervous by this time that he could do nothing but burst out laughing.

 

#7:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 10:01 pm

*wonders whether to post the next bit now, tomorrow morning or tomorrow evening?*

Twisted Evil Twisted Evil Twisted Evil Twisted Evil Twisted Evil Twisted Evil Twisted Evil Twisted Evil

 

#8:  Author: Dot, Location: Ireland PostPosted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 10:05 pm

Now please!!!

 

#9:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 10:18 pm

Second that!

Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please!Now please! Wink

 

#10:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 10:29 pm

*struggles out from underneath Lesley's "now please's"

Luckily Tom wasn’t hurt, and she immediately picked herself up and stared open-mouthed at Ed. Ed checked his laughter and gazed back at Tom, a feeling of rising panic threatening to overwhelm him. Suddenly he got up, and bent to help Tom back onto the sofa. ‘I’ll leave you to think about it,’ he said, ‘You know where I am,’
Watching Ed leave the room, Tom could feel a sensation of pure dread in the pit of her stomach at the mere thought that he would never come back. Leaping to her feet she ran after him, ‘Ed! Wait, don’t go,’
Ed had just reached out a hand to open the front door. On hearing Tom’s voice he stopped and turned. Tom flew down the short passage and flung herself at him, ‘Don’t go,’ she repeated, ‘Yes, I’ll marry you. I can’t think of anything I want more,’
‘Oh, Tom! Really?’
‘Yes, yes, yes! Oui, I'll vous épousent! Ja heiraten I'll Sie!’
Ecstatically Ed picked Tom up and swung her right round, before putting her gently back on the ground and kissing her. The next few moments were rather mixed-up as they babbled nonsense at each other, made even more confusing by the fact they couldn’t stop kissing. The unexpected rattle of the door acted like a bucket of cold water thrown over the pair. They jumped apart, and then clutched at each other when the door began to open.
‘Dad!’ exclaimed Tom, ‘must you creep in like that? You gave me the shock of my life!’
‘Sorry, Tom. I came to see where you were, do you realise it’s almost 10 ‘o’ clock?’ Canon Gay didn’t mean to sound angry, but he was relieved to see Tom was safe. Looking again he saw the glow that seemed to surround the pair and demanded, ‘What’s happened?’
‘Oh Dad!’ Tom took hold of her father’s hands and pulled him towards the common room, ‘Come and sit down,’
‘Sit…?’ Glancing from Tom to Ed, Canon Gay began to have his suspicions over what was coming next.
‘Dad, isn’t it marvellous? Ed asked me to marry him and I said yes!’

 

#11:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 10:32 pm

Oh Thank you!!!!!!


That's lovely Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing

 

#12:  Author: Beth, Location: Sunny Isle of Man! PostPosted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 1:12 am

Oh, sweet!

Lulie, I've just got in from a somewhat torrid babysitting session, involving sick, and phonecalls from the police, so this was lovely to read - perfect timing! Thank-you so much, it's been excellent all the way through.

*goes off beaming, feeling all warm and sqooshy*

 

#13:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 6:00 pm

Awwwww!!!!! Lulie, that was adorable!!! Next bit please!

 

#14:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 7:24 pm

Just a little link-y bit before the next Important Bit

Having decided to get married, both Tom and Ed wanted to do it as soon as they could. ‘Why wait?’ said Tom, when Mrs. Gay raised an objection to this plan, ‘we both know we want it, we’re both earning a decent salary and I’ve got that money from Granny and Grandpa. Ed gets a trust fund when he’s twenty-five, so we won’t exactly be poor. We’ve decided to start looking round for somewhere to live, and once that’s sorted we can set a date and start preparing for the wedding,’ With this blunt practicality, what else could Mrs. Gay say?

‘Ed, what would you say if we asked Dad to marry us?’
‘What, you mean conduct the service? Can he, I mean would he be allowed? I thought just vicars and bishops could do things like that,’
On anybody else Tom’s expression would be called a smirk as she said ‘I’ve known Dad’s bishop since I was a baby, and he happens to be my godfather. I didn’t think you were busy this afternoon, so I made an appointment to go and see him at four ‘o’ clock, both of us, I mean,’
‘And if he pulls strings and your Dad does marry us, who’s going to give you away?’
‘I don’t know, I hadn’t thought that far ahead,’ Tom looked thoughtful. She was singularly devoid of extended family, so there was no convenient uncle to oblige. She didn’t really know any of her school friend’s brothers well enough to ask. As far as Tom was concerned there was only one answer, ‘I could ask Jonathan,’
‘What about bridesmaids, and all that? Are you having any?’
‘Of course! Mum would raise the roof if I didn’t,’ Tom grinned at the reaction it would cause.
‘You don’t have to have all this, you know. We could just…oh, I don’t know, run away to Gretna Green, or something,’
‘Oh, I couldn’t do that, tempting as it sounds. I know I’m going to feel a complete idiot with the dress and the flowers and the fuss and bother, but to be honest I’d feel cheated if I didn’t have it all, and it would really upset the parents. I am their only child, after all. Anyway, I want to marry in church, it certainly wouldn’t feel right if we didn’t,’
‘No, it wouldn’t,’ agreed Ed, ‘and my parents would be the same, even though there’s David as well. Mum, at least, is counting on two weddings in the family!’
‘Parents! Who’d have them?’ Tom pulled Ed to his feet, ‘Come on, we’d better go, or we’ll be late in meeting the bishop and I don’t want that,’

 

#15:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 7:28 pm

OOOh! Yay!!

(although I am SO struggling with the image of Tom in a wedding dress¬!!!!)

 

#16:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 8:25 pm

It was a bright, sunny day in July, all the more welcome since it had rained almost non-stop for the last three days. ‘You couldn’t have asked for a better day if you tried,’ remarked Bride, peering anxiously out of Tom’s curtains. She was Tom’s matron-of-honour and had come to wake the bride-to-be, only to find her awake already and pretending to read. Bride had been married the previous year, so she suspected that Tom wasn’t taking in a single word of her book. She chattered on about fairly neutral topics, trying to take Tom’s mind off her nerves. The entrance of Mrs. Gay with a breakfast tray soon interrupted them. ‘I thought you might like to have breakfast up here,’ she remarked, cheerfully. She put the tray on Tom’s old desk and looked at it for a moment. ‘Oh dear, I forgot the marmalade,’
‘I’ll go and get it,’ Bride pulled her dressing gown round her, and left the room before Mrs. Gay could say anything. When she’d gone, Mrs. Gay sat on the bed and gave a silent Tom a hug. Tom hugged her back and buried her face in her mother’s shoulder. ‘Nervous?’ asked Mrs. Gay, gently. Tom nodded. ‘Shall I tell you something, Tom? On my wedding day I was so scared I was sick four times before I got to the church!’
Tom looked surprised at the thought of her calm, competent mother doing anything of the kind, ‘Really?’
Mrs. Gay nodded, ‘I just missed my dress at one point. But once I got inside that church and saw your father I just knew I was doing the right thing and all my nerves vanished,’
‘I know I’m doing the right thing, that’s why I don’t know why I feel nervous,’ Tom cleared her throat, embarrassed at discussing her feelings publicly, ‘I do love Ed – more than anything. The thought of him never being there ever again makes me curl up inside, but…I don’t know, I can’t explain it,’
‘I know,’ Mrs. Gay smoothed the wavy brown hair and kissed the top of Tom’s head, ‘try not to look so much like the duck that died yesterday and just enjoy yourself. It’s your day and you should treasure it. Ask Bride, I’m sure she felt exactly as you do when it was her wedding day. Speaking of whom, she’s taking an awfully long time to get that marmalade!’
‘Bride’s not daft, she’s doing it on purpose,’ said Tom, sounding more like her usual self.
‘She always was a thoughtful girl,’ said Mrs. Gay, ‘I know you don’t feel like it, darling, but promise me you’ll eat at least one slice of toast? You’d be terribly embarrassed if you fainted halfway down the aisle!’
Tom looked horrified at the mere thought, and promised. After a little more conversation Bride returned, bearing a marmalade dish, and Mrs. Gay left them to go and dress. To Bride’s surprise Tom seemed to eat a slice of toast and drink a cup of tea with no apparent effort. ‘Golly,’ she remarked, as Tom put her cup down, ‘On my wedding day Pegs had to practically force feed me I felt so sick,’
‘So do I,’ admitted Tom, ‘But I promised Mum I’d eat something,’ Bride smiled, ‘Why don’t you go and have your bath while I finish up here? Take your time and have a really nice bubble bath,’
‘In the morning?’
‘It’s only once. I won’t tell if you don’t!’
By the time Tom had finished her bath and dressed as far as the pretty underwear that she’d been persuaded to buy, Bride was also bathed and dressed in her everyday frock, planning to change once Tom was ready. She nodded approvingly at the underclothes, ‘As I said last night, it doesn’t matter what you wear for the rest of your life, you need nice undies for your wedding and honeymoon.’
Tom had gone rather pink over the mention of the previous night’s conversation. Bride had sat her down and said, ‘Peggy told me a few things before I married, and as you haven’t any older sisters I’m going to do the same by you. You’ll probably find it very embarrassing now, but tomorrow night you won’t. I’m glad Peggy told me what to expect, because it meant I wasn’t nervous at all, and I even managed to enjoy myself!’
Banishing the subject of that conversation from her mind, Tom sat down to brush her hair, only to find the hairbrush taken out of her hand as Bride began to do it for her. ‘Now, what’s next?’
Obediently Tom allowed Bride to brush her hair, which she’d recently allowed to grow a little so it wasn’t quite so severe in style, though it was still short. Then, again without protest, Bride applied a little powder and lipstick to Tom’s face and studied the result. She grinned broadly, ‘Don’t look so serious!’ she said, ‘Have a look,’
Tom turned to look in the mirror, ‘Blimey!’ she said. The face that looked back at her was still her own, but it seemed softer somehow, more feminine. Bride left her staring at her reflection and turned to the wardrobe to get out the dress. It was a long soft-white dress, beautiful in its simplicity; slim fitting with a slightly raised waistline and a short train. Lace edged the neckline and the three-quarter length sleeves and its columnar appearance suited Tom’s height perfectly. It was done up with a row of tiny fabric covered buttons, and Bride had just finished fastening these when a tap at the door heralded the arrival of Eve and Primrose, Tom’s two bridesmaids. They stopped when they saw Tom was dressed and proceeded to make the bride feel a complete fool by walking silently around her, inspecting from every angle. ‘Well?’ demanded Tom, self-consciously.
‘Put your veil on,’ instructed Primrose.
Tom sat down again, so Bride could attach the pretty hairpiece made of wax and pearl flowers, with Mrs. Gay’s own veil attached. It was very pretty and girlish, and so unlike Tom that Eve and Primrose privately wondered if it was “the one”. They soon changed their minds when Bride had finished and the shimmery white and cream flowers nestled in Tom’s hair, with the veil cascading down her back to her waist.
‘Oh Tom,’ breathed Eve, ‘you look so pretty!’
Tom felt her cheeks go hot at the compliment and hoped she wasn’t blushing. Primrose saw her discomfort and added, ‘Very pretty, but with that look in your eyes you could be getting married in a string bag and nobody would notice!’
This remark made the other three giggle, and also had the intended effect of making Tom feel better.
‘Well, you two appear to be dressed, so I suppose I’d better go and change,’ said Bride, noticing the other two were already in their long dresses of harebell blue, with sprays of blue and white flowers in their hair. Bride’s own outfit was a simple shift dress of the same blue with a matching jacket and a wreath of the same flowers round her hat. She snatched it out of the wardrobe and picked up her toilet bag. She was just preparing to leave the room when there was a tap at the door and Canon Gay’s voice sounded from the other side, ‘May I come in?’
Eve, who was nearest, opened the door, ‘We’re just going to help Bride dress,’ she explained, cheerfully; pulling Primrose after her as she left the room, Bride hastening after them.
Canon Gay closed the door and stared at his daughter as if he’d never seen her before. ‘Say something, Dad,’ begged Tom, when the silence threatened to become overpowering.
‘You look lovely, my dear,’ Canon Gay bent and kissed Tom on the cheek, ‘I’m extremely proud of you, and I’m so glad you’ve found someone like Ed. To be honest, I couldn’t ever see you marrying anybody, and that always made me feel sad,’
‘I couldn’t see me marrying either,’ confessed Tom, ‘and I’m glad you like Ed. I’d hate it if I wanted to marry somebody you and Mum didn’t like.’
‘We wouldn’t have stopped you, you know,’
‘I know.’ Tom’s tones changed as she asked, ‘Are you sure you don’t mind conducting the service rather than giving me away?’
‘It’s more of an honour to conduct your marriage service than it is to give you away and watch somebody else do it,’
‘Oh, I’m glad. I was a bit worried about that,’
‘Well, don’t be. Now, when Bride’s ready your mother and I, and the girls are going to make our way to the church. Jonathan’s here already, waiting in the drawing room, with your bouquet, and the car’s due in fifteen minutes. You come when you’re ready – but don’t be too late, or you’ll send Ed into a panic!’
‘OK, Dad,’ replied Tom, sturdily, ‘I’ll see you there,’
Mrs. Gay whisked in at that moment, to say that the girls were in the car, and they were just waiting for the Canon and herself. She bent and kissed Tom, who was sat looked extremely serene now that departure was imminent, and after a few more words, the pair of them left. Tom sat in silence for a few minutes, thinking, and then she remembered about Jonathan downstairs and got up. Jonathan heard her come out of her bedroom and came out into the hall to greet her. His eyes widened as he saw her coming down the stairs, looking rather shy. When she reached the bottom he came forward and hugged her, with due care for her dress, ‘I don’t know what to say,’ he said, standing back and looking Tom up and down, ‘You look beautiful, I’m almost jealous of Ed! Oh, your flowers, can’t forget those,’
He returned to the drawing room and picked up the pretty bouquet of white lilies and handed it to Tom. A knock on the door heralded the arrival of the car, and Tom, with a last look round the hallway of her childhood home, allowed Jonathan to escort her to the car.

 

#17:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 8:29 pm

Sorry, but had to do this in seperate posts!

Quote:
(although I am SO struggling with the image of Tom in a wedding dress¬!!!!)


So was I, Vikki, so I went on a trawl round the internet looking for a dress that I thought would suit TOm, and the mental image that I have of her.

pic of dress: http://tinyurl.com/5d7mh

pic of hair ornament: http://tinyurl.com/6oxx2

Aren't I terribly sad? I couldn't let Tom get married in any old thing, and I had to visualise what she looked like before I could write it!!!!!!!

 

#18:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 8:29 pm

How lovely, thanks Lulie - and how nice of Bride to explain a few things!!! Laughing

 

#19:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 8:31 pm

*wipes away a happy tear!*

 

#20:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 9:03 pm

*very impressed by the vintage wedding dress*
(not to mention the drabble itself!!!)

 

#21:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 9:52 pm

This is the last bit for tonight, and there won't be any tomorrow either. I have to go to a funeral in Henley on Thames and I need to leave the house at 7am - ugh!

On arrival at the church her father and bridesmaids met Tom at the door. ‘Ready?’ asked Canon Gay, brightly. Tom nodded, taking a deep breath.
‘Right, you enter when you hear the music, a nice easy cue!’ Canon Gay squeezed Tom’s hand and went into the church. Tom took Jonathan’s arm, suddenly feeling utterly calm. The strains of the wedding march issued from the organ and, with a grin, Jonathan led Tom into the church, leaving Bride, Eve and Primrose to follow. The church had never seemed so full to Tom before, but she looked towards the altar, where she could see Ed standing next to his brother David, who was acting as best man. Ed had turned as they entered and he smiled as he saw Tom. Returning the smile, Tom fixed her eyes on Ed and kept walking, trusting Jonathan not to let her walk into anything. At the altar Canon Gay bestowed a beaming smile upon the pair, who looked rather too serious in his opinion. However he opened his prayer book and began the service, his well-trained voice reaching to every corner of the church. The first part of the service passed the same as most other Christian weddings, Canon Gay referring to “Tom” and “Ed” on the one occasion he had to mention their names. Once Jonathan had given Tom away, the Canon took Tom’s and Ed’s right hands and joined them, then said ‘Ed, would you repeat after me, please. “I, Andrew Edward James Kerr, do take thee, Lucinda Muriel…er…Tom Gay, to be my lawful wedded wife,”’
Ed gaped at the Canon for a split second, taken aback by this unexpected modification of the traditional ceremony. Then, completely ignoring the gasps and splutters behind him, he turned to Tom and repeated in a clear steady voice ‘I, Andrew Edward James Kerr, do take thee, Lucinda Muriel…er…Tom Gay, to be my lawful wedded wife…’
Ed’s vows complete, Canon Gay turned to Tom, who was manfully trying to hold back her giggles but was utterly unable to prevent her shoulders shaking. She could hear stifled splutters from her left as Jonathan, Eve, Bride and Primrose tried not to look at each other, but couldn’t help catching sight of the varying expressions of the congregation. Seemingly oblivious to all this, Canon Gay beamed at his daughter, ‘Tom, repeat after me please “I, Lucinda Muriel…er…Tom Gay, do take thee, Andrew Edward James Kerr, to be my lawful wedded husband…”’
Tom made a mammoth effort and turned to Ed, who had been infected by her giggles and was pulling all sorts of faces trying not to laugh himself.
‘I, Lucinda Muriel…er…Tom Gay, do take thee, Andrew Edward James Kerr, to be my lawful wedded husband…’ As hard as she tried, Tom could not stop her voice from wobbling, its pitch covering about 3 octaves. There came a squeak from David, who had caught the giggles as well, and he almost forgot the important duty of handing over the rings to be blessed. Luckily a glare from the Canon brought him to his senses and the exchanging of rings could proceed. The rest of the ceremony gave the bridal party time to pull themselves together and they appeared outwardly calm as they proceeded to the vestry to sign the register. Once inside, with the door safely shut, Bride and Primrose caught each other’s eye and went off into peals of laughter. ‘Don’t!’ giggled Tom, ‘What on earth possessed Dad to say all that? I thought I was going to explode with not laughing, and Ed, your face was an absolute picture!’
‘I wasn’t the one who tried to turn my wedding vows into an opera!’ retorted Ed, signing the register with a scrawl that was supposed to be his name. He held the pen out to Tom, ‘Here, stick your name on that,’
Tom bent over the book. Suddenly she looked up at Ed, ‘Do I have to put “…er…Tom” as well?’ she asked innocently, sending them all off into giggles again. Ed shrugged his shoulders, ‘If you like!’ he managed to gasp. Tom grinned and scribbled her proper baptismal name, pulling a face at it as she did so. ‘Finished?’ asked Ed, as she put the pen down. He pulled her to him and kissed her, ‘There, I believe that’s the last thing we have to do!’
‘Apart from walk out of here in a nice dignified procession,’ replied Tom, submitting to kisses from everybody else in the room. Jonathan, having signed as the final witness, straightened up. ‘Are you ready, Mrs. Kerr? People are going to think we’ve sneaked out the side entrance,’
‘Oh, that’s me, isn’t it?’ said Tom, brightly, ‘Gosh, I’ll have to get used to that! Yes, I’m ready,’ She allowed Bride to straighten her veil, which was hanging drunkenly over one ear by this time, and took Ed’s arm. Bride fell in behind them, with Jonathan and Eve, David and Primrose behind them. A very dignified, brightly smiling wedding party made its way up the church and out of the door, where cars were waiting to take them to the hotel where the reception was being held.

 

#22:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 10:04 pm

*giggles at 'Lucinda Muriel...er Tom'*

Thank you Lulie and commiserations on the funeral. I'll be thinking of you when I drive through Henley tomorrow.

 

#23:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 10:33 pm

Thank you for that Lulie - priceless! Laughing

 

#24:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 9:53 am

Well, that was a wedding with a difference! Wonderful dress and tiara, Lulie.

 

#25:  Author: catherine, Location: York PostPosted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:35 pm

Just caught up on this, Lulie!! It's great!

 

#26:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 6:22 pm

The wedding guests were made up of both their families, though Ed’s was rather larger than Tom’s; whose sole relations were her parents and an aunt. Added to that there were friends from their respective schools, universities and college; and in Tom’s case she had invited Miss Annersley, Miss Wilson and Matron. Tom and Ed greeted all their guests as they trooped in, and spread out to fill the two rooms they had booked; along with the terrace and garden, which the manager had opened as it was such a glorious day. Ed, who tended to be rather shy with people he had never met before, looked round at what seemed like crowds of people with a sinking heart. Tom, who didn’t know the meaning of the word ‘shy’, tucked an arm through his and said ‘Come on, you can introduce me to all your friends and I’ll do the same by you,’
Miss Annersley, standing with her two colleagues, watched the couple, and remarked ‘You could have knocked me down with a feather when Tom wrote to tell us she was getting married!’
‘Me too,’ said Miss Wilson, with a chuckle, ‘If there was ever a girl in the whole history of the school who seemed least likely to marry, I’d have gone for Tom every time,’
‘It suits her,’ was Matron’s contribution, ‘She looks blooming. I’m sure she’s got less plain as she’s got older,’
Miss Wilson studied Tom surreptitiously, ‘You know, Matey, I think you’re right, but then a lot of girls go through a very plain phase during their teens,’
‘I’m just glad that she found somebody so much taller than she is,’ said Miss Annersley, ‘She’s such a young giantess herself she would have looked silly with a smaller man!’
‘Hilda!’ said Miss Wilson, ‘As if that mattered!’
‘Oh, I know it doesn’t really, but with Tom it does look better and he seems so pleasant. Rather handsome too,’ she added, as she watched Ed being introduced to a gaggle of her old pupils. Matron grinned at the last part of Miss Annersley’s speech, but she merely said ‘He does rather tower over everybody else, doesn’t he. I wouldn’t have liked to clothe him on the coupons we got during the War, he must have grown every time you turned your back!’
Tom and Ed reached them at that point, ‘Hello, I’m so glad you could come,’ Tom once more submitted to more kisses and congratulations, though she had complained privately about it to Ed. ‘This is Ed, by the way. Ed, this is my old Headmistress, Miss Annersley; the Head of the finishing branch of the school, Miss Wilson; and Matron Lloyd, who is…er…Matron of my old school,’
Ed, who could be exceptionally charming when he chose, smiled and spoke a few words. The five of them were just chatting when Jonathan came over to extract Ed from the group. He stayed to be introduced while Ed excused himself. This broke up the groups somewhat, so Tom then went over to where Bride and Primrose were gossiping with Rosalie Way, Julie Lucy and Nancy Chester. Ed, coming to tell Tom that the meal would be served in five minutes, caught the end of their conversation. Bride was grinning broadly and saying, ‘Are you going to copy Auntie Jo, Tom?’
Tom snorted, ‘Are you mad?’
‘Who’s Auntie Jo?’ asked Ed, coming up behind them, ‘What’s she done?’
‘Bride’s aunt,’ replied Tom, serenely, winking the eye that Ed couldn’t see at the others, ‘Bride was just asking if we intended to emulate her. She has eleven children,’
Ed looked as if he was going to pass out on the spot, a look that sent the girls off into peals of laughter. ‘Most definitely not,’ he retorted, very firmly indeed.
‘Good. Did you want me, by the way?’
‘Yes, lunch is in five minutes,’
‘Thank heaven for that, I’m starving!’
‘Ever the romantic young lady, is our Tom,’ observed Nancy Chester, detachedly. Tom pulled a face at her friend, ‘Tosh! I can’t be a romantic anything, especially on an empty stomach! Come on Bride, Prim. If we go that way we can collect Eve on the way past,’
Nancy, not unduly squashed by Tom’s response, grinned and wandered back inside in the company of Julie and Rosalie.
The meal over, the rest of the afternoon was taken up with the speeches, toasts and dancing for those who wished to. Although Tom and Ed weren’t leaving for their honeymoon until the following morning, Canon and Mrs. Gay and Mr. and Mrs. Kerr had clubbed together and paid for the pair to spend their wedding night in the bridal suite of a five star hotel. Once the “official” festivities were over, Tom and Ed slipped off to change, as they had to cross London in the evening rush hour. Bride, Primrose and Eve accompanied Tom, while David Kerr and Jonathan went off with Ed. When they came back, clad in their going away outfits, the car was brought round loaded with all their luggage for a ten-day honeymoon. They were going to Paris for two days, then onto Switzerland and spending a further day in Paris on the journey home. Everybody gathered at the front of the hotel, throwing rice and confetti over the couple, and chattering gaily. Just before they got into the car, Rosalie shrieked ‘Tom, Tom! Don’t forget you’ve to chuck your bouquet…I mean, throw it,’ she added, blushing as she caught Miss Annersley’s eye. Miss Annersley smiled benignly at her old pupil, and nudged a spluttering Miss Wilson in the ribs. Tom, who had been about to forget, grinned and said, ‘OK, Ros, keep your hair on!’
‘I will,’ returned Rosalie, sweetly, ‘anything to stop you cutting it again!’ This remark drew giggles from the old Chalet girls, which Tom calmly ignored. She surveyed the crowd in front of her. Ed bent and murmured something in her ear. Tom looked startled, but merely nodded.
‘You’ve to turn round to do it,’ Bride added, helpfully.
‘And remember it’s not cricket,’ added Primrose, apropos of nothing.
‘I’ll try not to mix up a bunch of flowers and a cricket ball, Primrose,’ said Tom, sarcastically. She turned round, ‘Ready?’ she flung the flowers over her shoulder, and turned back round to see where they went.
‘Oh!’ cried Eve, as they fell into her outstretched hands. Tom grinned, and called ‘That must mean you’re next Eve!’
Eve blushed and buried her nose in the flowers, smiling. Tom glanced at Jonathan, who was looking anywhere but at anybody in particular. Raising an eyebrow at him, she turned to say a final goodbye to her parents. Mrs. Gay smiled bravely as she did so. She had promised Tom that there would be no tears, but now that Tom was leaving it was getting harder to keep them back. She hugged Ed as well, ‘Look after her,’ she said to him.
‘I will,’ promised Ed.
‘Oh Mother!’ exclaimed Tom, fishing her hanky out of her bag and handing it to Mrs. Gay, ‘You promised!’
‘Well, hurry up then, and you won’t see,’ retorted Mrs. Gay, hugging her again. Tom turned to say goodbye to her new parents-in-law, noticing in despair that Mrs. Kerr was looking rather tearful as well. She them climbed into the car, as a hint that Ed should hurry his goodbyes and they could go before anybody really did start crying! Ed took the hint and got into the car after her, and they were driven off to a chorus of good wishes.

 

#27:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 7:21 pm

Wow, Lulie this is lovely.

But my favourite line so far has to be "Oh dear,’ Canon Gay sounded as if his world were ending, ‘I do hope she doesn’t go all frilly and giggly," !

More please... not that I'm greedy or anything. Certainly not. Very Happy

 

#28:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 7:22 pm

Great Lulie!!! I love all the little connections to Tom's schooldays!

 

#29:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 8:28 pm

Wonderful -thanks Lulie!

 

#30:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 11:24 pm

Hope I'm not running away with myself here! *inspects 'plot list' in handy notebooks and eebles!!!*

Tom opened her eyes and gave a slight start when she saw Ed lying asleep next to her. Then she grinned to herself, ‘Tom, you silly girl, you’re married now!’ she thought. Her smile faded as her thoughts continued, ‘It’ll take some getting used to, all this marriage lark. Well, if others can do it, then so can you. Chirk up, old girl and just enjoy yourself. Stop inviting trouble when there isn’t any,’
Having given herself a good talking to, Tom rolled over and cuddled into Ed. He muttered something unintelligible, put his arms round her and opened his eyes. A slow smile spread across his face, ‘Morning, Mrs. Kerr,’ he said, in a low, sleepy voice. Tom returned the smile, ‘Morning Mr. Kerr,’ she replied, nestling closer. They fell into a companiable silence, that lasted so long that each thought the other had gone back to sleep. ‘Tom,’ said Ed, eventually, making Tom jump slightly. ‘Mmmm?’
‘I had a marvellous day yesterday,’
‘So did I,’
Another silence ensued, then Ed said, in completely different tones, ‘Can you hear knocking?’
Tom listened. ‘It’s the door!’ she exclaimed, and sat up, ‘I’ll go. No, you stay there, I’ll only be a minute,’
She jumped out of bed and hunted for her dressing gown, which for some reason was on the other side of the room, and went through into the little sitting room to answer the door. Outside was a chambermaid bearing a large tray. ‘Good morning, Mrs. Kerr,’ she said, brightly, ‘Did you sleep well? I’ve brought your breakfast,’
‘Er, thank you, yes,’ replied a taken aback Tom. The chambermaid came into the room and placed the tray on a coffee table, turning another beaming smile onto Tom, ‘Enjoy your meal,’ she said, as she left the room. Tom shook her head slightly, and then turned to eye the well-loaded tray thoughtfully.
‘That looks nice,’ said Ed’s voice from the bedroom doorway. Tom jumped about fifty feet in the air, ‘Ed! Don’t creep about like that, you do scare a chap!’
Ed chuckled and advanced into the room, ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you jump. I thought you knew I was there. Weren’t you thinking of food?’
‘No…I mean yes…oh, come on, we’d better eat this lot before it gets cold!’
Ed chuckled again at Tom’s discomfiture and allowed himself to be led to the table. They ended up sitting on the floor to eat, partly because the table was so low and partly because there were no chairs next to each other. They dawdled over their breakfast, forgetting all about taxis and trains and honeymoons until Ed suddenly remembered and looked at the time. They had something of a rush to be washed, dressed and packed in time, but they made it down the stairs and signed out with about two minutes to spare. It all seemed bit of a flurry until they settled themselves in an empty carriage in the boat train to Dover. ‘Phew!’ exclaimed Tom, pulling her hat off, ‘I’m glad I don’t have to do that again in a hurry,’
‘Until we get to Paris,’
‘That won’t be too bad. We’ve oodles of time between trains,’
‘Don’t say that, we’ll be horrendously late!’
‘No we won’t,’ Tom settled back into her seat, ‘Oh, I think we’re off,’

They spent a delightful two days in Paris, wandering round looking at all the sights, lingering over coffee in pavement cafés, racing each other up the Eiffel Tower and Ed even persuaded Tom to go to the opera, which she found herself enjoying, albeit unwillingly. All too soon it was time to take the train from Paris to Basle, where they were taking the train to Berne and spending a few days exploring the surrounding area.

I've just done a word count and it's 30,000, with loads more to come! Shocked

 

#31:  Author: Shander, Location: Canada PostPosted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 12:19 am

Hooray for load more to come! I'm thouroughly enjoying this.

 

#32:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 1:16 am

‘I do like Switzerland,’ remarked Ed one day, when they were in Geneva, ‘You were lucky to come to school here,’
‘I think so,’ agreed Tom, ‘Though if Dad hadn’t got his appointment to be a Canon there’s no way I could have come. We simply couldn’t have afforded it,’
Ed looked round at the mountains surrounding the town, ‘Well, however you came here, you’re lucky. My school was in the South Downs and the view wasn’t half as inspiring as this!’
‘The school was up above Interlaken, and the view was even better. Maybe we could go up one day, to Interlaken I mean, not the school,’
‘Maybe,’ agreed Ed, ‘and we…’
He was interrupted by a shriek of ‘Tom! Tom Gay!’
They both turned and saw an elegantly dressed young lady flying down the street towards them, regardless of the other pedestrians. ‘Bess!’ gasped Tom, ‘Bess Herbert, what are you doing here?’
‘Madge has been ill, poor thing, so we came out here for a holiday. We’re going up to the school tomorrow, as it’s the Sale. You must come, seeing as you’re here. What are you up to anyway? Holidaying, like us?’
‘Sort of,’ replied Tom, ‘I’m on my honeymoon,’
Bess stared at Tom as if she’d just developed a bad rash and took an involuntary step backwards. She would have fallen off the pavement if Tom hadn’t grabbed her and yanked her forwards. ‘Honeymoon?’ squeaked Bess, clutching at Tom’s arm, ‘but that must mean you’re married!’
‘Yup,’ replied Tom, airily, ‘Last week. This is Ed, by the way. My husband,’
Bess made an effort and pulled herself together. Still looking taken-aback she shook Ed’s hand politely, ‘Pleased to meet you,’ she murmured, abstractedly. ‘Bess was at school with me,’ Tom explained to Ed, wishing that Bess would stop behaving like an idiot. Bess made a final effort, ‘You really must come to the Sale tomorrow. Madge will be there; she’s resting at the moment, and we can catch up on all the gossip. You must excuse me, I’m not being rude, but I really must go. I’ve got to go and run some errands for Madge. See you!’
Bess hurried off, still wearing that astounded look. Tom turned helplessly to Ed, ‘Why?’ she asked.
‘Because you’re you, and you like to be unexpected,’ replied Ed, ‘Come on, darling; let’s go for that trip on the lake. We don’t want to miss it,’
That evening, at dinner, Ed asked ‘What’s this Sale that your friend was on about today?’
‘Our school Sale,’ explained Tom, ‘we have one every summer to raise funds for the San – that’s the sanatorium at the other end of the Platz. Each year we have a theme and everybody dresses up and all the entertainment is around that theme. There are loads of stalls and we make all the things for them. We used to have fun,’ Tom grinned, ‘I imagine they still do. That’s why we made the dolls house. I did one the first year I was at the school and it sort of became a tradition,’
‘Why don’t we go?’ suggested Ed, ‘I wouldn’t mind seeing your old school. It does sound something special, as far as schools go. If you’d like to go, that is,’
‘I’d love to!’ exclaimed Tom, ‘Only I didn’t say anything, ‘cos I didn’t think it was in your line,’
‘Then you’re an idiot,’ came the affectionate response, ‘anyway, won’t you cause something of a sensation turning up out of the blue with me in tow?’
‘Probably. Ed Kerr, I believe you would enjoy that!’
‘Me? No! I just like to see your face go every colour of the rainbow!’
‘If we weren’t in public, I’d…I’d…punish you!’
‘Consider it done, and consider me thoroughly contrite!’ Ed looked anything but contrite, and Tom had to laugh, ‘Oh, all right then. We’ll go to the Sale tomorrow afternoon. We could go to Interlaken in the morning, as it’s on the way,’

 

#33:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 1:47 am

Excellent Lulie - I'm enjoying this so much

It's great reading about life after school and I'm looking forward to seeing who they meet at the sale

 

#34:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 3:53 am

Sooooo glad it didn't end with the wedding!

*looks forward to Sale*
How appropriate! Very Happy

 

#35:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 7:00 am

Also looking forward to the Sale! And to the reactions of everyone finding out Tom's married!! Laughing

 

#36:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 12:49 pm

*looks forward to more of any variety!*

I am, however, distinctly worried about the current lack of cliffs... ah well. More please! Very Happy

 

#37:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 12:51 pm

Oh yes! the Sale will be wonderful and I loved Ed's comment about watching Tom's face go all colours of the rainbow when they realise she's married!!

 

#38:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 5:07 pm

Kathy_S wrote:
Sooooo glad it didn't end with the wedding!
*wonders if Kathy wants a fully fledged series of 58 books, annuals and a cookbook? Razz *

The following morning saw the pair making their way up to Interlaken. They spent the morning by the lake, ending up in a little café for lunch. Half past one saw them making their way to the little mountain railway, along with a crowd of other people who were also going for the Sale. ‘Really I wasn’t at the school when it was here,’ explained Tom, as they made their way along the Platz, ‘When I was in the Sixth we were still on St. Briavels Island, in Wales, but the previous year they’d opened a finishing branch out here. My final year at the school proper was their last one in England, so when I came out to Welsen, they came here. Welsen’s just down there on the shelf below,’ Tom waved a hand vaguely in the right direction, ‘and this is where the school is to stay for the foreseeable future, anyway. That house up there, next to the school, is where Mrs. Maynard lives; Bride’s Auntie Jo, you know,’
‘The one with three hundred children?’
‘That’s the one,’ said Tom, with a chuckle, ‘She’s nice really. A bit overwhelming at times, but nice. We’ll probably run into her today, at some point,’
They wandered in through the gate, unnoticed by anybody connected to the school. Following the example of other visitors, they wandered round looking at everything, while Tom pointed out various people to Ed.
Over at the handcrafts stall, in charge of the Junior Middles assisted by Miss Carey, the handcrafts mistress and Miss Yolland, the art mistress, those young ladies were astonished to see their much loved and respected art mistress give vent to a sudden shriek and go flying across the lawn towards a very tall lady. ‘Rosalind!’ shrieked Tom, as Miss Yolland came racing up to them, ‘I forgot you’d be here!’
‘Where else would I be?’ retorted the art mistress, ‘But never mind me, what about you? I’m so sorry I couldn’t come to your wedding, but I simply couldn’t be spared from school,’
‘I didn’t think you would be,’ replied Tom, with characteristic bluntness, ‘but it is nice to be asked, all the same. Let me introduce you to Ed,’ she turned to find that Ed had been collared by Miss Wilson, ‘Oh well, in a minute’ll do,’
‘So, how’s married life?’ asked Rosalind, leading Tom over to where tables and chairs were laid out for refreshments, ‘You certainly know how to shock everybody. We almost passed out when we heard the news in the staff room – those of us who know you, that is,’
‘It rather gave me a shock,’ replied Tom, ‘But I’m kind of getting used to it now, and married life will suit me very nicely indeed, thanks for asking. I still feel an awful idiot when people call me ‘Mrs.’ though! It sounds so unlike me, I feel I ought to behave all grown up and respectable,’
Rosalind giggled, ‘As if you could!’ she said, ‘Oh, here comes Miss Wilson with…what did you say his name was?’
‘Ed,’
‘I can stay to be introduced, and then I must dash. I’m supposed to be helping Beth Carey with the Junior Middles and I flew off and left her with no warning whatsoever. We must get together for a chat some time this afternoon though,’
‘Certainly must,’ agreed Tom. Miss Wilson and Ed reached them at that point, so Rosalind stayed for as long as introductions took, before excusing herself. Miss Wilson was taken off by one of the prefects, to sort some small problem and Miss Annersley, Joey Maynard and Lady Russell descended upon the newly married couple.

 

#39:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 5:36 pm

Oh, can't we have some more? That bit went so quickly... Very Happy *smiles hopefully*...and it's all so good....pleeeease?

 

#40:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 6:12 pm

I'd forgotten that Tom wouldn't have been to the CS proper in Switzerland.

Thanks Lulie!

 

#41:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 7:25 pm

Wonderful Lulie!!!!

More please?

*looks hopeful...*

 

#42:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 8:05 pm

‘Tom!’ cried Joey, clasping Tom’s hands in her own, ‘Congratulations, my dear. Your news is the talk of the season, you know,’
‘So I’m finding out,’ replied Tom, with her usual honesty. Joey, not sure how to take this remark, laughed. ‘You must introduce me to your new husband. Is this him?’ She indicated Ed, who was standing beside Tom and fighting the urge to run away and hide from this extremely alarming woman. However, he spoke courteously to Joey, and left her with the impression that this was a most suitable young man for a Chalet girl. Lady Russell greeted the pair in her much quieter way, and gently drew Joey away when she started babbling about starting a family, much to the joint alarm of Tom and Ed! ‘I thought you said she was nice!’ said Ed, when they’d gone.
‘She is, mostly, when you get to know her,’ replied Tom.
‘She’s frightening! I’d rather face a herd of stampeding buffalo, if you don’t mind. I didn’t know where to put myself!’
‘Poor old thing! At least it’s over now. Oh, look there’s Mary-Lou and Vi. We must go and speak to them. I’ve a feeling that they don’t know about us yet, and it isn’t often Mary-Lou has the wind taken out of her sails!’
‘I do believe you’re enjoying yourself over this!’
‘It is beginning to be fun. Hello there, you two.’
‘Tom Gay!’ exclaimed Mary-Lou, ‘I didn’t expect to see you here. I thought you were in England,’
‘Oh we were in the area, so we thought we’d pop along,’ replied Tom, cheerily, ‘Ed, this is Mary-Lou Trelawney and Vi Lucy. Vi is Julie’s younger sister. You remember Julie from the wedding?’
‘Wedding? Who’s wedding?’ demanded Mary-Lou, as Ed assured Tom that he did remember Julie.
‘Mine,’ returned Tom, sweetly.
Mary-Lou’s jaw dropped and she stared speechlessly at Tom. Vi giggled at the expression on her face, ‘Sorry, Mary-Lou, did I forget to tell you? Julie did say she was going, but it must have slipped my mind, what with one thing and another,’
Mary-Lou looked so stunned that even Tom began to giggle, ‘You silly mook, it’s not that much of a shock, surely,’
‘But you weren’t even engaged,’ Mary-Lou jerked out at last.
‘Yes I was, just not for very long,’
Vi gave her friend a hard nudge to wake her up, ‘Here comes Clem,’ she said, ‘I’m sure Tom won’t mind if you tell her the latest news. Would you Tom?’
‘Go ahead,’ replied Tom, affably.
‘What’s that face for, Mary-Lou?’ Clem Barras joined their little group, ‘Hello Tom, long time, no see. I’ve just been in for your house and I think you’re horrible thinking up such a revolting competition!’
‘’T wasn’t me, it was Ed. This is Ed, by the way,’
‘Hello Ed. It was still a revolting competition, I haven’t a chance of winning and I do so love your houses, Tom,’
‘Clem, Ed is Tom’s husband,’ said Mary-Lou, in her usual startling fashion. Clem looked blank, ‘Beg pardon?’
‘Tom’s married – to him!’
Clem’s eyes almost fell out of her head, ‘Crikey,’ she said, ‘Here, Dickie Christy, don’t rush past. Have you heard the latest?’
Dickie, a tall girl a little older than Tom, was yanked into the group, ‘No, what’s that?’
‘This gentleman here is Tom’s husband,’
‘Tom’s what?’ Dickie looked completely flabbergasted. It was too much for Tom and she doubled over with laughter, ‘Your faces! Oh don’t, it’s too funny!’
‘This isn’t a joke, is it?’ demanded Dickie, recovering herself.
‘No,’ giggled Tom, ‘but your faces are the best! Oh help, I’m going to have to sit down,’
‘Come over here, then,’ said Dickie, who was a sensible person and soon recovered from her shock, ‘have some iced lemonade and cakes. You can both tell us the whole story, and introduce us properly to…er… come on then, this way,’ Dickie, on looking up at Ed, realised that his grave expression came from the fact that he was dying to laugh. She smiled at him and indicated that he should precede her. Sitting the pair at a table, she went off to seek lemonade for everybody. Tom wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, it being quicker than her handkerchief, ‘Thank heaven Dickie’s fairly sensible,’ she said, ‘I don’t know how much longer I could have not laughed! Come on, you lot, sit down and stop standing there looking like you’d been asked and couldn’t come,’

 

#43:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 8:19 pm

Lulie! This is great! Love Ed being terrified by Joey, and the comments about Mary-Lou!!!!!!

 

#44:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 9:13 pm

Lovely - Laughing that Joey terrified Ed and that ML didn't know!!!

 

#45:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 10:14 pm

I always thought that Joey in full flow would be very unnerving for an outsider Smile

Tom and Ed had been married for over a year now. Tom, to the horror of those who didn’t know her, had continued to work. Ed’s mother, who was very traditional in her views, almost had a fainting fit when she found out that Tom and Ed shared the household chores. ‘But Ed, I didn’t bring you up to cook and clean,’ she protested.
‘I don’t cook,’ replied Ed, calmly, ‘I wouldn’t know where to start and Tom does a very good job anyway. But we both work long hours, Mother, and if we want to see anything of each other in our own time then we have to share things.’
‘You work in the same place! Tom should hire a maid if she can’t manage,’ said Mrs. Kerr, senior.
‘I don’t think that counts, Mother. Look, if you must know it was me who suggested it in the first place. We don’t want a maid. It’s not as if the house is so big that we can’t manage to keep it clean and tidy between us, and we’d rather spend the money on other things. I don’t mind, I’d rather do it and be able to spend time with Tom. Anyway, I’d feel guilty if she rushed round and did it all, while I sat there with the newspaper,’
‘Oh, Ed, I thought you’d given up all your radical ideas when you’d left university and settled down. Andrew, have a word, I can’t do a thing with him!’
Mr. Kerr peered over the top of his newspaper, ‘If that’s what he wants to do, let him. It’s his life, Dora, he has to make his own mistakes,’
Mrs. Kerr threw up her hands in despair, ‘Why doesn’t anybody listen to me? Are you sure she’s looking after you properly, Ed, dear?’
Before an outraged Ed could reply, Mr. Kerr put his paper down, ‘Dora! Does he look unhappy and half-starved to you? Now let the lad be, or you’ll drive him away and you don’t want that. Neither do I. Anyway, I like Tom, she’s a delightful girl and she suits Ed right down to the ground,’
Mrs. Kerr put on a very dignified expression and rose to her feet, ‘Well, you won’t be wanting a cup of tea before you go then, will you dear?’
Feeling very dismissed, Ed got up, ‘I’d better be going, then. Tom will be home soon. Goodbye Mother, I’ll see you soon. Bye Dad,’
Tom was just taking her coat off when Ed got in. ‘How’s your folks?’ she asked, as Ed took her coat from her and hung it up. ‘Dad’s OK, but Mum had another go at me about the way we do things,’
‘Oh, she’ll get used to it,’ replied Tom, easily, ‘Come on, you look like you could just do with a cup of tea. Go and sit down and I’ll bring it in,’
Ed had literally just sat down when the doorbell rang. ‘I’ll go!’ he called, getting up again. Eve stood anxiously on the doorstep, ‘I’m sorry it’s so late, Ed. Is Tom home yet?’
‘In the kitchen,’ called Tom, curious as to why Eve had come round so late. Ed let her in, and Eve trotted through to the kitchen. ‘Oh Tom, I’m sorry it’s late, and I know you’re tired, but I had to talk to you. Can we talk in private?’
Tom stuck her head round the kitchen door, mouthed ‘Sorry,’ to Ed, and closed it. Knowing that Tom would tell him what was going on, if she could, Ed went back to the living room and sat down with a sigh.

 

#46:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 10:19 pm

Wanting to kick Ed's mum!*

Thanks Lulie!

 

#47:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 10:29 pm

*joins the queue to kick Ed's mum!*

 

#48:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 9:34 am

*joins the queue for kicking, and starts a new queue armed with petitions for more drabble...*

 

#49:  Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 9:42 am

"I thought you'd given up these radical ideas when you left university!"

That sounds soooooo like my parents!

 

#50:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 9:53 am

Joining in the queue to kick Ed's mum til she agrees to go for an attitude transplant.

 

#51:  Author: Robin, Location: London, England PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 10:08 am

lots of nice long bits - thanks Lulie

 

#52:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 10:43 am

All those lovely long posts...also want to kick Ed's mum and am rather worried as to what Eve's wanting to say to Tom!

More please?

 

#53:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 10:50 am

I just wish that Lulie would put us out of our misery.

 

#54:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 2:12 pm

Seeing as you're so impatient, you can have this in short bits instead of the lovely long bit that I was going to post in Razz

Inside the kitchen Tom continued to prepare tea, adding a cup for Eve. Eve herself sat at the kitchen table, wondering how to broach the subject. Tom left her to it, took Ed’s tea to him and returned. As she closed the door, Eve looked up. ‘Tom, you know when Ed asked you to marry him, how did you know that it was the right thing to do?’
‘Has Jonathan asked you?’
Eve nodded, looking rather miserable about it.
‘Don’t you want to marry him?’
‘I do, yes, but I’m scared it’s going to be a mistake and we’ll end up like my parents. They barely speak, it’s like having two strangers in the house,’
‘Oh, I see. Well, when Ed asked me, I wasn’t expecting it, so I didn’t answer straight away. It was when he said he’d let me think about it and started to walk away that I knew I couldn’t face it if he didn’t walk back again,’ Tom had gone rather pink, as she disliked discussing intimate topics, but Eve didn’t notice. She stirred her tea thoughtfully, blinking back tears. ‘And you’ve never regretted it ever since?’
‘Never,’ Tom assured her, firmly.
Eve gulped at her tea, and slammed the cup down on the table. Jumping to her feet, she threw her arms around Tom, ‘Thank you,’ she said, ‘I’m going right now to tell Jonathan! Promise me you won’t tell Ed until I’ve told Jona? Say you’ll tell him in the morning,’
‘I promise,’ Tom returned the hug, ‘Go on, or you won’t get there before he goes to bed!’
‘I’ll be OK, I borrowed Dad’s car,’
Eve skittered out of the house, and Tom smiled to herself as she picked up her tea and went to join Ed. ‘Everything OK?’ he asked, as she joined him on the sofa, ‘It will be,’ Tom assured him, ‘I’ll tell you in the morning,’
‘Why not now?’
‘Because I promised I wouldn’t,’
‘Oh, that’s not fair! OK, I won’t ask again, but you have to promise me that you’ll tell me first thing,’
‘If I must,’ said Tom, with a grin, ‘If it will stop you expiring messily all over the floor!’

As promised, Tom told Ed the news the following morning. ‘At long last!’ was the only response she got. Jonathan and Eve came round to see them at lunchtime, to announce their engagement officially, and to impart the next piece of news. ‘We want to get married as soon as possible,’ said Jonathan, ‘as we’ve got the offer of a job in Egypt, starting in September and we want to be married before we go out there,’
Tom and Ed looked at them, aghast. ‘Egypt? But that’s so far away,’ said Ed.
Jonathan grinned at him, ‘Not too far that you can’t come and visit some time in the future. Soak up a bit of culture and come and see the pyramids, for a month or two,’
Eve, taking pity on their shocked faces, broke in ‘We were hoping to get married some time at the end of August, which would give us time to pack things up for the move out there. But we had to make sure you two weren’t going away then. We, both of us, refuse to get married without you two there, do we Jonathan?’
‘Definitely not. Actually what we really wanted to ask was Ed, if you’d be my best man, and Tom be Eve’s matron of honour?’
Tom and Ed once more stared at them, glanced at each other and promptly agreed. After a little more, rather excited discussion, they all came to a realization of the time when the boys began to troop back in after their lunch.

 

#55:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 2:21 pm

Ahh. Lovely lovely lovely.

But - we're not nearing the end of the drabble now, are we?? Sad

 

#56:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 2:42 pm

Wait and see, Laura. *smiles sweetly*

Jonathan and Eve had rather a rush to get everything arranged how they wanted, with a move to another country on top of it all. However, as neither wanted a large wedding, they managed. The day passed off well. As Eve said to Tom, ‘Anything would have been normal compared to your wedding!’
‘You couldn’t have two like mine, could you?’ Tom smiled sweetly, refusing to rise. She, instead, made sure that Eve’s dress and veil were all they should be, marshalled Eve’s young sisters, Lucy and Stella, into position and took her place in the little procession. Eve took her father’s arm, looking slightly nervous, and they moved into the church. There, Evelyn Susanna Hodges and Jonathan Ellis were married very nicely indeed by the vicar. Because they were moving abroad, Eve and Jonathan had decided against a honeymoon, going out a week early instead to spend some time holidaying in Egypt.
On the day of their departure Tom had to go to a meeting of the Board of Trustees for the Boy’s Club, much to her disgust. She went to say her goodbyes in the morning, as there was time before the meeting. ‘Don’t say goodbye,’ begged Eve, who was looking rather emotional, ‘I’ll cry if you do,’
‘But it’s not goodbye, is it? I mean, you are coming back sometime, aren’t you?’
‘Of course we are. But I don’t know when,’
‘We could start saving for a visit,’ Tom sounded more cheerful than she felt, ‘It might take us a while, but when we do come out it will have to be for a long time,’
‘That’s a good idea,’ Eve gulped back tears that threatened to fall, ‘And we can write, can’t we? Lots.’
‘Of course. Oh, help! Don’t start, or you’ll have me going in a minute!’ Tom shoved her handkerchief at Eve, who giggled and wiped her eyes with it. She threw her arms round Tom and hugged her tight, ‘Take care, Tom. You’d better go to your meeting; you don’t want to be late. Don’t let those trustees walk all over you,’
‘I won’t,’ Tom ‘You take care too. Don’t get knocked over by a mad camel!’
She left Eve and went to say a few words to Jonathan, who was also looking rather somber, before taking her leave of both of them and rushing out of the house before she disgraced herself with tears.

When Tom got home that afternoon, the house was empty. Not thinking anything of it, she went into the kitchen to start preparing the evening meal. ‘Gosh, I feel a bit funny,’ she thought, as she pulled potatoes out of their sack. Dropping them into the sink she sat on the kitchen table until she felt a bit better, then went back to her cooking. On hearing the front door slam, she called out a greeting. Not getting a response, she wiped her hands and went out into the hall. ‘Ed! Whatever’s the matter?’ she exclaimed. Ed was leaning against the front door, obviously needing its support to stay upright. His face was positively grey and he seemed to be finding it impossible to speak.

 

#57:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 2:48 pm

Lulie what have you done to him?? Get back here right now!!!!

Seriously...we're not near the end, are we? Sad

 

#58:  Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 2:54 pm

Lulie there are too many cliffs to be hanging onto on this board as it is without you adding to it! Please write more soon!

 

#59:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 3:41 pm

Lulie, how could you give us another cliff?

 

#60:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 3:49 pm

Maybe they got food poisoning at Eve and Jonathon's wedding. Tom said she was "feeling funny" too.

Chelsea *grasping at straws that mean that it isn't serious*

 

#61:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 3:49 pm

Well I'd guess Tom's pregnant but what's happened to make Ed look like that????

 

#62:  Author: Robin, Location: London, England PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 3:53 pm

Is Tom about to have to 'not be worried' for a while?

Need to know what's wrong with Ed though! Too many cliffs today - getting a touch of vertigo!

 

#63:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 4:36 pm

That's not a cliff, it's a very small bump in the road!

Tom came forward and took his hands, pulling him towards the stairs. Sitting slightly above him, she put her arms round him and laid her cheek on his head, ‘Come on, darling, tell me what’s happened?’
Ed took a deep breath that was half a sob, ‘My mother’s dying, Tom’
‘What?’ Tom jerked herself upright and clutched at Ed. She could feel him shaking, though he wasn’t actually crying. Pulling himself together he continued, in rather a wobbly voice, ‘She was rushed into hospital this morning and the doctors there did some tests. Dad came to get me just after lunch and they think it’s cancer, but it’s so far gone they don’t think she’s going to last more than two weeks,’
‘Oh, Ed, I’m so sorry,’ Tom buried her face in Ed’s hair and hugged him tight. She wasn’t particularly fond of her mother-in-law, as they didn’t see eye to eye on most things, but she was always pleasant to Tom and both her sons adored her, though they too fully acknowledged and accepted her failings. Not knowing what else to say or do, Tom simply held Ed while he battled with the sobs that were threatening to burst out of him. Finally, what seemed like hours later, Ed sat up, his eyes shining with tears. ‘Thank you,’ he said, giving Tom a kiss, ‘Would you think me terrible if I said I wanted to be alone?’
‘No, of course not,’ Tom wiped a stray tear from Ed’s cheek. He smiled wanly and got up. Tom swallowed the lump in her throat as she watched him drag himself up the stairs and into the bedroom. Even with the door shut Tom could hear the sobs that racked Ed and she had to fight the urge to rush and comfort him. Hauling herself into the kitchen, Tom stared at the rather ruined remains of dinner. Suddenly feeling sick at the sight of food, she threw the lot into the bin and washed up vigorously, before taking herself into the living room and sitting there, waiting.

The next few days were rather fraught ones. Ed was extremely snappy, and if he’d been less wrapped up in his own problems he would have noticed that Tom wasn’t quite herself either. Things came to a head about a week later. Tom was making dinner and Ed was piling cutlery etc to take to the dining room and lay the table. He’d been trying to persuade Tom to visit his mother, who seemed to be holding her own. Tom had been to see her the day before, and shook her head at Ed’s request. ‘Not tonight, Ed. I don’t feel like it,’
‘You’d go if it were your mother,’ snapped Ed.
Tom sighed, ‘That’s different. I wouldn’t expect you to go every day if it were my mother.’
‘Yes you would. It’s because you don’t like her, isn’t it?’
‘No, I do like her. We just have different opinions on things. Look, I’m just tired and I wouldn’t be very good company for anybody, especially not somebody as ill as your mother. I’ll go tomorrow, I promise,’
‘No you won’t, you’ll think up another excuse,’ Ed picked up his tray and stormed out to the dining room. Ed’s temper, hot while it lasted, was soon over and he was almost himself when he came back into the kitchen, intending to make his apologies to Tom. Entering the room, he flung his tray on the kitchen table and crossed the space in two large strides when he saw Tom standing in the middle of the room in floods of tears. ‘Tom! I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to upset you. Please don’t cry, dearest,’
Tom simply stood there and shook her head, trying to choke back the sobs, but when she felt Ed’s arms round her, she gave up all attempts at self-control and howled like a baby. Nothing Ed said or did could stop her, and he began to feel rather helpless as he murmured comforts that had little effect. Tom gulped a few deep breaths, but she was too far gone to stop crying. ‘You’re going to hate me,’ she wept.
‘No I’m not’ Ed wondered what on earth Tom had done to evoke such an outburst.
‘You are!’
Ed tried to be reasonable, though he wanted to shake the answer out of her. ‘How about you tell me what it is you’ve done and let me decide,’
Tom made a big effort, though the face she turned up to Ed’s still had tears streaming down it and she was shaking with sobs.

‘I’m going to have a baby, Ed, and I don’t want it!’

 

#64:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 4:39 pm

Ah, poor Tom! How are you going to get over this hurdle, Lulie?

 

#65:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 4:52 pm

Aw poor Tom and poor Ed!

 

#66:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 7:57 pm

Echoes Nell - poor both of them. Thanks for all the lovely posts Lulie!

 

#67:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 8:21 pm

‘Oh Lor’’
Tom saw the look of horror in Ed’s eyes and burst out into fresh wails, ‘I told you you’d hate me!’
‘I don’t hate you, Tom. I…it’s…well, it’s a bit of a shock, that’s all,’ Ed tried to think of a way to put what he wanted to say into words that wouldn’t make the situation worse. He stared round the room for inspiration, and gave a squawk as he noticed smoke coming out of the oven. Pushing Tom onto a kitchen chair he dived across the room and turned the oven off, opening the door to allow an even bigger cloud of smoke out. Coughing, he waved it away and opened the window. Tom was staring at him; the shock of it had stopped her tears. ‘Well, that solves that problem,’ said Ed, pulling Tom to her feet, ‘Let’s go into the living room and talk about this,’
‘But dinner,’ protested Tom, feebly.
‘We can eat later. For God’s sake, woman, there are some things that are more important that food at the moment!’
Ed had never spoken to her like that before, and it rendered Tom speechless. To add to her surprise he suddenly picked her up, carried her through to the living room and settled her on his lap in the chair. ‘There,’ he said, taking his handkerchief out and drying her face, ‘that’s better. Now, first things first. How long have you known?’
‘About four days. I wasn’t going to tell you until…for a while, you’ve enough to worry about with your Mum and your family, and everything,’
'[/i]You[i] are my family, Tom. You’re the one I care about most, you and anybody else who comes along,’
‘You’re mad at me, aren’t you?’
‘Not mad, no. A little bit hurt that you didn’t tell me four days ago and a little bit upset because you’ve coped with all this on your own,’
‘I’m sorry, I…I just didn’t know what to do,’ Tears welled up in Tom’s eyes again and she snatched Ed’s handkerchief and scrubbed at them.
‘To be honest, neither do I,’ Ed paused, his mind racing, ‘Why don’t you want this baby?’
‘Because I don’t want to give up my life,’ replied Tom, simply, ‘I know that I’ll have to stop working in the next few weeks and stay at home and rest and be treated like a delicate little flower until it’s born. Then afterwards I’ll have to stay at home and look after it until it goes to school and then stay at home until it gets home from school, and do that until it’s eighteen. I don’t want to do that, Ed. I’m not saying that I never ever want children, I do in a odd sort of way, even though I’m not the most maternal of women. It’s just that everything’s going so well, with the club and everything. All sorts of people are interested and it’s giving us loads of publicity, and people are starting to want to buy the things the boys make. I don’t want to have to give all that up now.’
Ed didn’t reply immediately, a plan was forming itself in his mind. Seeing his thoughtful look Tom waited, her stomach churning as she did so, terrified of what he might say.

 

#68:  Author: catherine, Location: York PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 9:01 pm

And? What is he going to say, Lulie?

 

#69:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 10:39 pm

Seeing as you asked so nicely, Catherine Very Happy

Finally Ed looked up, ‘Is there any reason, medically I mean, why you can’t work until nearer the time the baby’s born?’
‘Haven’t a clue,’
‘Do you know anybody who will tell you truthfully, not our doctor?’
Tom twisted the handkerchief in her hands, ‘Daisy’s a doctor, she’d know, and she’s married to one,’
‘Is Daisy one of your school friends? Write and ask her, if you think she’d tell you the truth and not what you ought to hear,’
‘I could. Daisy always was a sport and would always help when you were stuck with something,’
‘OK, you could do that in the morning. Now, about after the baby’s born,’
Tom eyed Ed apprehensively, ‘What about it?’
‘Well, I’m the last person who’d want you to stop working, I know what the club means to you. You’d have to take some time off, if just to recover from giving birth. It’s not something I know much about, but I suspect you can’t go rushing about immediately afterwards. But when you’re back on your feet couldn’t you work part time? Actually, what I thought was if we could afford it, for us both to cut back on our hours and then the baby would always have one of us looking after it,’
‘But then we’d never see each other!’
‘Yes we would. You forget, you can arrange these things to suit yourself! You don’t necessarily need to be there all of the time. You’ve got outside people coming in now, haven’t you? You can arrange for them to come in at times when we’re both at home, and we only do four evenings so that’s two each and three evenings at home,’
Tom looked thoughtful. It certainly sounded a good plan, ‘What if it doesn’t work?’
‘Then we’d have to go onto Plan B,’
‘Which is?’
‘I don’t know. I haven’t thought of it yet!’
‘Would you mind awfully looking after a baby? I mean, it’s not something men usually do,’
‘It’s my child as much as yours. I can’t promise I know anything about babies, but I’d certainly give it a try,’
‘You know about as much as I do,’ replied Tom, ‘I suppose it’s about the only thing we can do,’
‘Why, what else were you going to do?’
‘I don’t know. What could I have done?’ Tom suddenly looked mischievous, ‘I suppose I could have not told anybody and then taken it to Switzerland and left it on Mrs. Maynard’s doorstep. She’d have taken it in!’
‘Give our baby to that terrifying woman? Over my dead body!’
Tom giggled, ‘I knew you’d say that. Oh, I do feel tired,’
‘I’m not surprised. Why don’t you have a nice early night? I’ll go and see Mother, and you can potter about here and be in bed by the time I get home, or I may be forced to really shout at you,’
‘You’re a big bully,’ grumbled Tom, half heartedly ‘Oh, I’ll go. Not because you want me to, but because I want to!’
‘That sounds more like the Tom I know and love! Go on, you go up and get ready and I’ll be up in fifteen minutes with a drink for you,’
‘I can’t think why I got myself in such a state over this,’ Tom kissed Ed and slid off his lap,
‘Because you were all upset and couldn’t think straight,’ Ed returned the kiss, ‘now go on, bed! You look awful at the moment,’
‘Thank you, that’s just what I needed to hear!’
When Ed went up with a drink Tom was sitting up in bed, looking drowsy, ‘Don’t forget to tell your Mum when you see her,’ she said, ‘I know she’ll be…she may not be here when the baby’s born, but I’d like her to know all the same,’
‘Are you sure? I wasn’t sure whether to or not,’
‘It will give her something fresh to think about. Go on, or visiting will be over before you get there,’

When Ed returned Tom was asleep, but she woke up as he climbed into bed. ‘How was she?’
‘Worse,’ came the short answer, ‘she was asking to see you tomorrow though,’
‘I wondered if she might. Did you tell her?’
‘She was over the moon. So was Dad,’
Ed lay down and sighed heavily, ‘I’m scared, Tom. What am I going to do without her?’
‘I don’t know. She wouldn’t want you to fret too much though,’
‘I know. And I do have you, I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t here,’
‘I just wish I could do more, but I can’t even begin to imagine what you’re going through,’
‘You do enough just by being you,’
Sudden tears rushed to Tom’s eyes and she couldn’t speak. She gave Ed’s hand a squeeze, wondering what on earth was wrong with her. She never ever cried, and here she was like a leaking tap. Putting it down to her being tired, she rolled closer to Ed and closed her eyes again.

The next morning, Tom wrote a long letter to Daisy Rosomon, asking her advice and begging her not to tell anybody yet. It took her three drafts before she produced a letter that she was happy with, but sealing the envelope she got up, put her coat and hat on and went to work, putting the letter in the pillar-box as she passed it. That evening she accompanied Ed to the hospital. Mr. Kerr was already there; he spent as much time as he could with his dying wife. David wasn’t too far behind them. Mrs. Kerr smiled when she saw Tom, and held out her hand. Tom, concealing her shock at the wasted appearance of the woman in the bed, smiled and took the hand. Mrs. Kerr turned to her husband and sons ‘You go and have a rest while Tom and I have a nice feminine chat. Go on, we won’t be long,’
‘Ed told me about the baby,’ she said, when they were alone, ‘I’m so pleased, my dear. I know it must have come as a terrible shock to you,’
Tom turned a wide-eyed look on Mrs. Kerr. That lady gave a weak laugh, ‘I know we may not always agree, Tom, but I’m not blind. Listen, you won’t mind if I say a few things, will you? I know I’m dying. I’m ready to go, and I won’t be able to go happily if I don’t say them. That’s why I wanted to see you. I didn’t think you and Ed would have children for a long time, that’s why I know that this baby was a shock to you. I could see it in Ed’s face when he was telling me as well, though he pretended it was all fully expected and ordinary. Am I right?’
‘Yes,’ mumbled Tom, ‘But we had a talk last night and I feel much better about it now,’
‘It’s because you don’t want to give up work, isn’t it?’
Tom looked startled, ‘I…How did you know?’
‘Because I was the same. I had a job as a secretary and I loved it. Back then a woman had to give up her job if she married, though my employers were considered very advanced because they kept me on. I became pregnant with Ed not long after my marriage, and I had to go as soon as it was confirmed. I was devastated at the time and it took me months to come to terms with it. You’re different, I know, and times are different. You more or less work for yourself so you don’t have to worry about your employers only what other people think, which you don’t really care about. There is absolutely no reason why you can’t work for much of your pregnancy,’
‘Isn’t there? I didn’t know,’
‘No, I don’t suppose you would. I would advise not doing too much in the way of heavy lifting and take a little more care of yourself, but you won’t damage yourself or the baby by working for the first few months. You may change your mind when you get bigger, but that’s up to you. Look, my dear, I wouldn’t be saying all this if circumstances were different, but when we’re called we have to go. There’s something else that’s worrying you, isn’t there?’
Tom fidgeted, wishing she wasn’t having this uncomfortable conversation, ‘I’m just worried about everything,’ she blurted out, ‘I’m the most un-maternal person in the world! How on earth am I going bring up a child?’
Mrs. Kerr smiled, ‘How can you say that? The work you do with those boys of yours is marvellous. I’ve seen you with them, and what you do is more than I could even think of doing. If anybody tries to belittle them or their work I’ve seen you stand up for them, and you’d think they were your own flesh and blood. Don’t you dare say you’re not maternal! You’ll make a better mother than one of these women who goes all gooey over babies, and never says no to them. I assume you’re still going to work somehow after the baby is born?’
Tom told her the plan that Ed had unfolded the previous night. Mrs. Kerr nodded, ‘That sounds like Ed! Well, I suppose you ought to be grateful that I won’t be here to see my grandchild, because I know I’d have to disapprove. But between you and me, I hope it works and I wish I’d been able to do the same. Now, will you do me a favour?’
‘What?’
‘If the baby’s a girl, don’t name her after me! I absolutely loathe my name. I’m sure you can understand that,’
Tom grinned, ‘I can,’ she nodded ‘Don’t think me rude, but what is your name?’
‘Dorothea, except I’m always called Dora. Horrible, isn’t it?’
‘About as bad as mine,’ agreed Tom, ‘Alright, I’ll put my foot down on that one – or hope it’s a boy!’
‘I knew you’d understand. I wish I’d been given a nickname when I was younger, then it wouldn’t have been so bad. I always wanted to be called Alice, for some reason. Tom, I know I needn’t ask you this, but you will look after my Ed for me, won’t you? I’m going to miss him terribly,’
‘And he’ll miss you. I’m sorry; I don’t know what’s wrong with me lately. I seem to be crying at everything.’ Embarrassed, Tom wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. Mrs. Kerr smiled, and squeezed Tom’s hand feebly, ‘That’s the baby. They make you do all sorts of odd things! Goodbye Tom, I won’t see you again in this world. Take care of yourself, and remember what I told you,’
‘Goodbye Dora,’ Tom leant over and kissed Mrs. Kerr on the cheek, ‘Don’t worry about Ed, I’ll take care of him,’
Tom was sitting in the corridor, waiting for Ed, when he came unsteadily out of his mother’s room. One look at his face told her what she needed to know. Fighting her own feelings, she took his hands, ‘I know. You don’t have to say anything.’
Ed struggled visibly with his emotions for a few minutes before he could speak, ‘Take me home, Tom.’

 

#70:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 10:54 pm

Crying or Very sad Oh poor Ed, but how lovely that Tom had a chat with her M-in-L and that Mrs Kerr was so understanding.

Thanks Lulie.

 

#71:  Author: Jay,  PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 11:22 pm

Sad Sad Sad Sad Sad

* can't say anything, can only sniffle *

(thanks Lulie, that was so sad but so lovely too!)

 

#72:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 12:56 am

*sniffle*

*wonders if the baby will end up as 'Alice'?*

 

#73:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 12:58 am

Helps herself from the tissue box and will restock in the morning

Thanks Lulie - that was such powerful writing I really feel like I was there

 

#74:  Author: Robin, Location: London, England PostPosted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 10:01 am

thanks Lulie - that was brilliant (and not just 'cos it was the longest post EVER)

 

#75:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 11:00 am

Vikki wrote:
*sniffle*

*wonders if the baby will end up as 'Alice'?*


I was wondering that too!

Lulie that was lovely, glad that Tom and Dora could have that chat and understand each other better before it was too late.

 

#76:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 1:09 pm

That was very, very touching!

 

#77:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 2:42 pm

Thank you for all your lovely comments, I'm glad that there are some people on this board that are enjoying this. Being of low self-esteem, I get it into my head that nobody likes my stuff Rolling Eyes You've proved me wrong (again)!

I'm afraid that, having emotionally exhausted themselves over the last couple of days, the plot bunnies have taken their buckets and spades and gone to the seaside. Luckily for you, the seaside is 10 minutes drive from this computer, so I'm off to drag them back.

(in other words, I'm stuck!!!!!)

 

#78:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 3:14 pm

I'm not surprised the plot bunnies are emotionally exhausted! Hopefully they will dig up some inspiration while at the beach! look forward to more once the bunnies have recovered!

 

#79:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 3:54 pm

Let them have a little romp on the sands, Lulie, then they'll be refreshed and ready to write some more.

 

#80:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 7:58 pm

And just to remind you - we love this!

Looking forward to more whenever you can - but don't worry about the bunnies! They'll return refreshed etc etc!

 

#81:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 8:02 pm

Well, I managed to get something out of the Bunnies after their day at the beach. It's amazing what candied carrots do!!

Tom wriggled and looked at her watch for the fourth time in the past five minutes. It was 4am and she couldn’t sleep. Picking up the baby names book that her mother had give her from her bedside table, she flicked through it, frowning. Shifting position again she resisted the urge to throw the book at Ed’s sleeping head. What was the use of being married if your husband didn’t wake up to talk to you in the middle of the night? Rubbing at the pain that was nagging in her lower back, Tom dropped the book on the table again and flung the covers back. A mutter came from Ed, ‘Tom, will you go back to sleep, it’s the middle of the night!’
‘Just going for a drink,’ Tom heaved herself out of bed, wishing she didn’t feel quite so much like a overweight duck. Slowly she waddled her way down the stairs into the kitchen, where she got herself a glass of cold water. As she put the glass away she felt an urgent need to go to the bathroom. Sighing, as the nagging in her back grew momentarily worse, Tom made her way slowly upstairs. She just made it onto the toilet when a flood of water gushed out of her. Tom stayed where she was for a few minutes, going over the procedure that the midwife had explained to her, then she cleaned herself up and made her way back to the bedroom. Squashing the feeling of rising panic Tom got dressed, and made sure she had everything she might need in the little case that was kept by the bed. Biting her lips against the dragging pain that tore through her, Tom slipped a book into the case and leaned over the bed to shake Ed awake. ‘What now?’ he grumbled.
‘Ed, I think the baby’s coming,’
Ed had never woken up so fast in all his life. He was out of bed before he’d even opened his eyes, and the face he turned to Tom was wide eyed with dread. ‘What? When?’ Seeing his expression made Tom’s worries vanish and a sudden feeling of serenity washed over her. ‘I don’t think it’s about to arrive this very minute,’ she said, ‘But if I were you I’d get dressed and we can go to the hospital,’
Ed snatched up his clothes and made to dash out to the bathroom. He came back to drop a kiss on Tom’s head, ‘Don’t worry,’ he said, ‘We’ll be there in loads of time,’
‘I’m not worried,’ said Tom, ‘But I will be if...ow!’
‘Oh help!’ Ed looked helpless.
In spite of the pain, Tom managed a grin, ‘Go on, go! It gets worse before it gets better – apparently!’
Ed shot off to the bathroom, leaving Tom to pace up and down the room while she waited. He returned, looking almost his usual immaculate self, and picked up Tom’s case. ‘Come on, old thing,’ he said, taking her arm, ‘let’s go. Aren’t you glad we splashed out on that car and don’t have to worry about taxis?’
‘Very,’ Tom allowed Ed to help her out of the house and into the car. He then proceeded to try and break the speed limit as he raced through the silent streets towards the maternity hospital.
After that, Tom wasn’t very sure what happened, it was all so confusing. She was taken off to a tiny room and put into a hospital gown, before being left to wait for the doctor. Ed was shown into another, equally tiny room, where two other anxious looking men were waiting for their wives to give birth. The doctor came in with the midwife and examined Tom, pronouncing her ready to go to the delivery room. ‘This is your first child, Mrs. Kerr?’ His question sounded more like a statement, and Tom couldn’t help thinking, ‘Is it? Thank you for telling me!’ but she merely replied ‘Yes doctor,’
‘Well, he’s certainly in a hurry. We’ll send for a wheelchair and take you to the delivery room. Try not to worry, and practice the exercises that the midwife showed you,’
‘Please,’ gasped Tom, ‘I don’t want a wheelchair, I’d rather walk,’
‘Sorry, Mrs. Kerr, it’s standard procedure.’ The doctor swept out, followed by the midwife, leaving Tom to wish she was somewhere near the Chalet School, so Dr. Jem or Dr. Jack could attend to her. A kind faced nurse soon brought a wheelchair and whisked her off to the delivery room. By that time Tom didn’t really care any more. The pains were coming more or less continuously and she just wanted to push down and get this baby out so she could make the agony go away. The delivery room seemed full of people to Tom, though there were in fact only four of them, including herself. Two nurses helped Tom onto the bed while the midwife examined her once more. ‘This baby is in a rush,’ she remarked, smiling at Tom.
‘It hurts,’ grimaced Tom.
‘I know,’ the midwife squeezed Tom’s hand gently, and smiled, ‘Nurse, gas and air please,’
The nurse smiled at Tom and handed her a mask, ‘Just breathe deeply. That’s it,’
Tom felt the pain lessen slightly, and her surroundings felt slightly unreal. Her stomach suddenly curdled and the nurse held a bowl for her while she was sick. ‘Don’t want it,’ gasped Tom, handing the mask back to the nurse. ‘Sure?’ asked the nurse. Tom nodded, wiping her mouth on the back of her hand. ‘I don’t think you’ll need it, I can see the baby’s head,’ said the midwife, ‘Keep pushing, Mrs. Kerr,’
Tom pushed, losing all sense of anything but burning pain.
‘Just one more time, Mrs. Kerr,’ encouraged the midwife, ‘That’s it. Well done. Oh, it’s a little girl!’
A thin wail broke through Tom’s pain, and she half sat up, panting. ‘Where? Where’s my baby?’
‘Just one moment while Nurse cleans her up a bit. There,’
One of the nurses brought across a screaming bundle and laid it in Tom’s arms. ‘Congratulations, Mrs. Kerr, she’s beautiful’
Tom held the bundle gently, terrified she’d drop it, and looked down into the squashed red face that was gazing short-sightedly at her. She couldn’t prevent a smile as she whispered ‘Hello,’
‘There now,’ the midwife took the baby from Tom, ‘she’s perfect! We’ll get her properly washed and weighed, and clean you up and take you to the ward for a rest. Then your husband can come and see you both,’
‘Thank you,’ The colour suddenly drained out of Tom’s face as another contraction tore at her, ‘Nurse, it still hurts,’
‘Don’t worry, Mrs. Kerr, that’s just the afterbirth coming out. It doesn’t take long,’ the midwife patted Tom’s hand.
‘Sister,’ the second nurse who had been cleaning Tom, spoke sharply. The midwife went to see what she wanted, ‘That’s no afterbirth, I think you’re having twins, Mrs. Kerr,’
‘Having what?’ It almost came out as a scream.
‘I take it you weren’t expecting two?’
‘No I was not!’
‘What a lovely surprise!’
Tom didn’t think so, but she was in no position to argue. Pain wracked her body, much worse this time. If things had been confusing before, they seemed more so this time. It seemed to go on forever and Tom could see the expressions of the nurses becoming increasingly worried. Finally the midwife spoke, ‘This one doesn’t want to come out as easily. It may be stuck, or a breech birth – that’s feet first. We’ll just get the doctor to come and have a little look. You’ll soon be comfortable again.’
One of the nurses was dispatched to fetch the doctor. He soon came, speaking briskly to Tom, who barely took in what he was saying. She was tired and it all seemed such an effort. So much pain. So much exertion. Nothing appeared to be happening. After what seemed like days, with the assistance of forceps, the doctor delivered the second baby. As soon as it was born Tom knew there was something wrong. A cold feeling seemed to envelope her. ‘It’s dead, isn’t it?’
The midwife turned a grave face to her, ‘I’m sorry, Mrs. Kerr,’
Tom lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, her eyes full of unshed tears while one nurse cleaned her up and the other wrapped the small body in a blanket. ‘Wait!’ Tom raised her head as the nurse prepared to leave the room, ‘Can I…May I see it?’
‘Now, Mrs. Kerr, I don’t think…’ began the doctor.
‘Let her!’ snapped the midwife.
Looking rather startled, the nurse brought her bundle over and laid it in Tom’s arms. Tom lifted the blanket and gazed down at the tiny face. Unlike the other one, this was a greyish-blue and the eyes were closed. Dark downy hair covered its head. A glance told Tom that this one was also a girl. She bent her own head and kissed her daughter, ‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered, ‘I’m so sorry,’
She handed the baby back to the nurse and turned her head, so she couldn’t see the nurse take her baby away.

 

#82:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 8:10 pm

Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

Oh Lulie, I wasn't expecting that. Poor Tom, and poor Ed, and poor baby.

 

#83:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 8:53 pm

*sobs*

I've been catching up on this Lulie, but I just had to post, that was so moving, and I feel so sorry for them all Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

 

#84:  Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans PostPosted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 11:11 pm

Oh poor Tom! I suppose it's better that she wasn't expecting it and then lost it but still. *weeps quietly*

This is so brilliant Lulie Smile

 

#85:  Author: Dot, Location: Ireland PostPosted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 11:38 pm

Oh!! Poor Tom!

Should we expect any more tonight?

 

#86:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 12:38 am

*wibbles*

*sobs*

*sniffles*

Poor all of them!!!
But at least they DO still have one healthy baby! It would be so much worse if they had lost both!

 

#87:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 8:46 am

Tom felt suddenly angry. ‘Why?’ she demanded of the doctor. He gazed down at her sympathetically, ‘I don’t know, Mrs. Kerr. It had…’
‘She,’ corrected Tom, brusquely.
‘I beg your pardon, she…had been dead for some hours at least, possibly a day or more. Sometimes with twins; if one is lying in front of the other, for example, we can’t always tell there are two of them. Had we known we would have kept you under observation, but sometimes these things just happen. I’m so sorry,’
Tom, though she wanted to scream and shout at the doctor, found herself saying wearily, ‘It wasn’t your fault. Please, can I see Ed now?’
The midwife settled Tom into the wheelchair once more, her face grim. She always felt it too much when one of her mothers lost a baby and this was no exception. She was surprised when Tom suddenly gripped her arm, ‘I still have another baby, don’t I, Sister?’
The midwife gave her a sad smile, ‘Yes, Mrs. Kerr, you have a beautiful baby daughter,’ she tucked a blanket round Tom’s knees, ‘Would you like us to bring her to you when you’re settled?’
‘Yes, yes please,’

Ed almost fell into the private room that Tom had been put in. The nurse who had fetched him, grinned to herself and closed the door behind her. Ed crossed the room eagerly, but stopped when he saw Tom’s face. ‘What’s the matter?’ he asked, ‘The nurse said it was a girl. Tom, what’s happened?’
‘She was right,’ Tom didn’t even try to blink away the tears, ‘There is a girl. But there’s something we didn’t know. We were having twins, and…and…one…was…born dead,’
Ed sat heavily on the bed, ‘No. How?’
Tom, unable to answer him, simply shook her head, ‘It was another girl,’ she whispered, ‘I’m sorry, Ed. I tried,’
‘Oh Tom, it wasn’t your fault! Don’t say that, never say that,’
Ed hugged Tom to his chest, his tears dampening her hair, while she cried away the immediate pain and anguish in his arms.

 

#88:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 11:31 am

Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

 

#89:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 11:52 am

That was so moving, Lulie.

 

#90:  Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 1:47 pm

Crying or Very sad
That was brilliant Lulie.

 

#91:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 3:53 pm

Just catching up.....
This is all lovely, Lulie. Crying or Very sad
Especially moved by the conversation with Dorothea.

 

#92:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 5:30 pm

I wasn't going to post any more for ages, then I went back to see where I last posted and realised I've got way ahead of myself, so you may have some more now instead of having to wait until this evening. Isn't my generosity exceeded only by my good looks? Wink

The midwife had warned the nurse to give the pair some time before she took the baby in. When she could no longer hear the sound of sobbing through the door she went to the nursery and wrapped Baby Kerr in the regulation blanket, taking her to the private room, where her parents were waiting for her. Tom sat up eagerly when the nurse came in with her bundle, for once not caring who saw her red eyes and tearstained cheeks. ‘Thank you,’ she said, as the nurse settled the baby in her outstretched arms. Once they were alone again, Tom turned to Ed, ‘Here,’ she said, ‘Do you want to hold her?’
Ed looked petrified for a moment, as Tom laid the baby in his arms. He was surprised at how solid she felt, but once he was comfortable he looked down. The baby looked back at him curiously. An incredibly soppy expression came over Ed’s face, ‘She’s gorgeous,’
‘She is rather, isn’t she?’ Tom leant over and studied the baby carefully, ‘Thank heaven she looks like you!’
‘D’you think so? I hope my face isn’t that colour!’
Tom giggled, ‘Well, I didn’t like to tell you,’
‘Thank you very much, I love you too! What do think we should call her?’
‘I don’t know. Have you any sensible ideas? And don’t suggest naming her after me, I won’t have it!’
‘You did say sensible! What about…er..?’ Ed gazed at his daughter thoughtfully, his mind a blank. She didn’t particularly look like anything, and most of the names he had suggested previously had been disagreed with. To be fair, he had disagreed with the names that Tom had suggested. As Baby had arrived six days before she was expected, the naming question wasn’t anywhere near being resolved. Tom took the baby back and inspected her closely, ‘Have a think,’ she said, ‘Ask your Dad, and my Mum and Dad. You’ll have to tell them anyway, oh and send a postcard to Eve and Jonathan while you’re about it,’
The nurse came back at that point, to take the baby back to the nursery. ‘And I’m afraid it’s time for you to go too, Mr. Kerr. Your wife needs to rest. You can come back this evening. I’ll leave you to say your goodbyes,’
When Ed came back that evening, Tom had been moved into the post-natal ward. She was sitting up in bed, nursing the baby, when Ed arrived bearing a large box. ‘What’s in there?’ demanded Tom, as soon as she saw him.
‘Presents,’ replied Ed, sitting down, the box on his knee. ‘How are you both?’
‘Fine. A bit tired and sore, but I think we’ll both be back to normal soon. Have you opened it?’
‘I put the things in there!’ Ed took the lid off the box, ‘this is from your parents, this is from Dad and David, this arrived in the post today from Primrose, and these are from the boys. She’s a bit young for them now, but she’ll grow into them,’
Tom ignored the piles of baby clothes and toys, and took the little wooden pull along truck filled with wooden animals, all brightly painted. There was also a wooden box with shapes cut out and solid wooden pieces to slot into the holes. Tom looked rather emotional, ‘When did they do these?’
‘Whenever you had your back turned!’
‘Oh, they shouldn’t have! They’re adorable, I’ll always treasure them,’
‘I brought a list of names, as well,’ Ed took a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Tom, his lips twitching.
‘Do I even want to read this?’ Tom took it in her fingers and let it dangle there. ‘Actually, I remembered something today,’
‘Oh, and what was that?’
Tom dropped a kiss on her daughter’s head and tucked her into Ed’s arms, ‘There you go, sweetie-pie, go to Daddy. It was something your Mum said to me, just before she died,’
Ed looked at Tom rather warily. He knew just what ‘somethings’ his mother could come out with sometimes.
Tom was unperturbed. ‘She asked that we didn’t name the baby after her, if it was a girl, because she hated her name. She also said that she always wanted to be called Alice,’
‘Alice! Why Alice?’
‘I don’t know, we didn’t get that far. But wouldn’t it be kind of nice if we called the baby Alice? Then it would be after your mother, in a way, because that’s what she wanted to be called,’
‘I suppose,’ Ed gazed at the sleepy baby in his arms. She gave a tremendous yawn and blinked at Ed from dark blue eyes. He smiled down at her, ‘Alice it is, then. Alice Isabella.’
Tom looked nonplussed. Isabella was a name that she mentally characterised as ‘frilly-girly’ and was the last thing she’d expected Ed to come out with, but as she observed the pair of them she decided that it was a name she could live with, and that suited the tiny baby, so she agreed. They spent the rest of the visit talking about nothing in particular and taking turns to cuddle their baby. Alice grew rather bored of this and went to sleep, but that didn’t stop them. They didn’t want the visit to end, but all too soon the nurses came round and took the babies away to their cots in the nursery. That signalled the end of visiting for everybody else, so Ed kissed Tom and reluctantly said goodbye, promising to visit the next day.
The rest of the evening seemed endless to Tom. Most of the other women were knitting or sewing at small clothes. Tom chatted a little to the woman in the next bed, who had also given birth to her first child. She read her book a bit and wished she could have something to do with her hands. She had a feeling that even the most basic of woodwork would be severely frowned upon by Matron. Eventually all the women were supposedly settled for the night, and the lights switched off. Even though Tom was used to sleeping in a dormitory full of others, the ward seemed very noisy. She wasn’t the only restless one who tossed and turned. Somebody at the other end of the long room was crying quietly in the darkness. Tom could not get out of her head the picture of her dead baby, and she soon found tears rolling down her cheeks. Pressing her lips tightly together, she tried to think of something else, but that only made it worse. Finally Tom buried her head beneath the bedclothes, as she used to do as a child and as quietly as she could, cried herself to sleep.

 

#93:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 5:42 pm

*sniffles*

Poor Tom, but I'm glad they called the baby Alice, its a particular favourite of mine, as I named after an Alice Very Happy

 

#94:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 6:05 pm

Thank my Mum. I could not decide on a name at all, so I asked Mum what her favourite girls name of the moment was and - ta da! - it's Alice!

 

#95:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 6:13 pm

So poignant - so happy with Alice, but so sad about her twin.

Thanks Lulie!

 

#96:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 6:25 pm

*sniffles*


*wonders if Tom and Ed will give Alice's twin a name?*

 

#97:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 6:32 pm

Vikki wrote:
*sniffles*


*wonders if Tom and Ed will give Alice's twin a name?*


I can answer that now. No they didn't - they found it hard enough to lose the baby, naming it would have just increased the reality of their loss. One of the girls at work went through this exact same situation with her daughter (now my age) and that was what her and hubby decided. it felt not quite real if the baby didn't have a name. Can't see the logic personally, but then I've never been in that situation.

*rushes back in to restock the tissue box as it appears to be empty*

*just realised I've been talking about T & E as if they're real people Rolling Eyes *

 

#98:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 6:34 pm

They are real people Lulie - they have to be for you to write about them.

 

#99:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 6:37 pm

Thanks for the answer Lulie! I suppose also, that at the time this is set, when a baby was stillborn the parents weren't encouraged to see the baby, and hold it, as they are now.

 

#100:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 6:44 pm

*agrees with Lesley* I absolutely howled my eyes out when I was writing all that bit (made for some very "creative" spelling mistakes!) and my Dad heard me and thought something terrible had happened - in RL that is. He's now convinced that I'm certifiably insane!

*also feels glad that humanity has moved on regarding the treatment of mothers with stillbirths. Even 21 years ago when my cousin was born, things were the same. They thought she was a stillbirth (v. prem, aunt had history of stillbirths) and just took her away to the mortuary without Auntie being able to hold her. Luckily a nurse saw the blanket move, or C wouldn't be here today!

 

#101:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 6:49 pm

That's scary about your cousin Lulie! It makes you wonder how many other times something similar might have happened!

LOL at your Dad's reaction to your writing though!!!! Wink

 

#102:  Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 7:21 pm

*sniffs*
Alice Isabella. It's a lovely name. Any significance behing the Isabella bit? Thanks for such a lovely long bit Lulie!

 

#103:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 8:16 pm

No, Sarah, no significance, apart from I...I beg his pardon...Ed liked it!

Tom was kept in hospital for ten days, much to her frustration, as she felt perfectly well. She did appreciate the time taken by the nurses to teach new mothers how to feed, bathe, clothe and generally care for their babies. To quote herself, she ‘didn’t have a clue when it comes to all that stuff.’ Once she did get home, Tom no longer wondered why she’d been kept in hospital so long. Babies were exhausting! It seemed to take her twice as long to do all the normal household chores, though Alice was generally a fairly undemanding baby, crying only when she wanted feeding, changing or a cuddle. Very few people knew that Alice had been a twin. Ed had told his father and Tom’s parents, and Tom had written to Eve, Bride and Primrose; receiving sympathetic letters in reply. Ed and Tom never talked about it either. Tom because she rarely showed her deeper feelings, and Ed because he didn’t want to upset Tom. He’d regularly woken in the night to find Tom crying in her sleep, though she never remembered it in the morning, or even what she’d been dreaming about. Ed desperately wished that there was something that he could do to make it all better, but he knew enough to let Tom grieve in her own way. When Alice was about three months old Tom, who was still at home all day, was just folding the never-ending heaps of clean baby clothes when there was a ring at the doorbell. Wondering who on earth was calling at two ‘o’ clock in the afternoon, Tom went to answer it. Standing on the doorstep was Bride!

 

#104:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 8:17 pm

Thanks Lulie -wonder if Bride will be able to help Tom.

 

#105:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 8:20 pm

*sings irritatingly* I know and you don't ner ner ner!!!!

 

#106:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 8:22 pm

That's alright, Lulie - I can wait! Laughing

 

#107:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 8:25 pm

I can't!! Sad

Yes, yes, patience is a virtue...

 

#108:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 8:46 pm

*admires Lesley's patience and thinks she should pass some onto Laura Laughing *

Dont worry, my dears. It is written, I'm just trying to be tantalising and failing miserably! I want to know what you all think and I need a bit of inspiration!

Tom simply stood and stared at her, her mouth open. ‘Well, aren’t you going to invite me in?’ demanded Bride, with a grin.
‘Sorry. I just didn’t expect to see you here,’
‘Simon’s come up on business, so I thought I’d come with him to do a bit of shopping and come and see you,’ Bride took off her hat and coat and put them into Tom’s outstretched hand, ‘How are you?’ She looked up anxiously at her friend, but apart from looking rather pale and tired, Tom looked much as usual.
‘I’m fine,’ Tom smiled, and indicated that Bride should go into the living room, ‘A bit tired, but that comes from far too many early wake-up calls!’
‘So where is she?’ Bride demanded.
‘In the living room, come in and see her,’
Bride bent over the carrycot, where Alice lay, gurgling and cooing to herself, ‘Oh Tom, she’s a little angel! Hello, Alice, Auntie Bride’s come to see you. Can I pick her up?’
‘You can, the question is may you?’ replied Tom, wickedly.
Bride giggled at the reminder of their schooldays, but all she said was ‘Since when has your language been perfect?’
‘Since never,’ replied Tom, placidly. She bent down and picked Alice up, laying her in Bride’s waiting arms.
‘Tom she’s huge!’ exclaimed Bride, once the baby was out of the cot.
‘Well, what do you expect? Neither Ed or I are exactly dainty,’
‘True, I suppose I’m used to Peggy’s little Alan. He was tiny as a baby, though he’s quite big now. I know you said she looks like Ed, but she does look like you too,’
‘Do you think?’ Tom sounded quite disappointed.
‘Oh, yes. She’s got your smile, don’t you precious?’
‘Well I hope she doesn’t look like me when she gets older,’
‘Oh Tom! There’s nothing wrong with your looks! Anyway, this is me you’re talking to. At least you don’t come between Peggy and Maeve, with the Russells and Maynards as cousins.’
‘Yes, I suppose,’ Tom still sounded doubtful.
‘So, apart from being tired, how are you?’ Bride deliberately concentrated on Alice, so she wouldn’t look at Tom, ‘I was so sorry to hear about…you know,’
‘Thank you,’ replied Tom, quietly, ‘I got your letter. It…it meant a lot to me,’
‘That’s alright. I just wish there was something else I could do,’
‘You’ve come to visit. That’s enough,’
‘Are you going to tell Alice about her sister, when she gets older?’
‘I don’t know. Personally I would, but I’m not sure what Ed would say. I just think of what I’d feel like if I found out somehow that I’d been a twin and my parents hadn’t told me,’
‘Haven’t you talked about it with Ed?’ Bride sounded mildly shocked. Tom shook her head, ‘I can’t, Bride. He was terribly upset at the time, and it would be like pulling the scab off a wound. I can’t do that to him,’
Bride regarded her friend judiciously. She hadn’t known Tom since she was twelve without finding out how she ticked. But, to Bride’s way of thinking, being brought up more or less as a boy for the first twelve years of life caused its own problems. As Tom favoured plain speaking, Bride merely followed her example. ‘The more you bottle it up, the worse it’s going to get,’ she said, bluntly, ‘and one day it may even cause a rift between you. Don’t you think that’s worse than a little bit of upset now?’
Tom regarded Bride with dismay. She hadn’t thought of that. Bride saw that her words had sunk in, and said no more. Instead she changed the subject. Tom, her mind still thinking over Bride’s words, gratefully made the effort to follow the change.
That evening, after Alice had been put to bed and they’d cleared the remains of dinner away, Ed and Tom were sat in their cosy living room chatting over what they’d both done that day. Ed was relieved to see that Bride’s visit seemed to have cheered Tom up. Secretly he was very worried about his wife, she hadn’t been her usual self since Alice’s birth and Ed suspected that it was more than simply grieving for her lost child. But, being Tom, she wouldn’t say what the matter was and would swear blind that there was nothing wrong if Ed had asked her. All he could do was wait for her to raise the subject in her own time, but Ed was feeling more and more that this would never come, and it made him feel extremely frustrated. Tom, only half listening to what Ed was saying, was turning Bride’s words over and over in her mind. Suddenly she could stand it no longer. Hardly aware that she was interrupting, she spoke, ‘Ed,’
‘Yes?’
‘I’ve been thinking. This is no good, our not talking about things. It’s making it all worse. I know I’m not very good at it, but it’s just the way I am. I don’t want things to get so bad that you’re going to leave me over this, so we ought to talk about it now, however awful it is,’
Ed didn’t respond immediately. He was so taken aback that he simply stared. ‘What on earth made you think I was going to leave you?’
‘Nothing,’ Tom felt muddled. She was no good at this sort of thing. ‘But you might if we don’t talk about all what’s happened,’
Ed put two and two together and wondered what on earth Bride had been saying. Tom didn’t notice his silence, she was so intent on getting all this out, and over with, ‘I know you were awfully upset about our baby, and I don’t want to upset you any more, but…well…what are we going to tell Alice when she’s older?’
‘The truth, of course,’ replied Ed, simply, ‘Imagine what she’d feel like if she found out some other way?’
‘I’ve been trying to and it’s not nice,’
‘Then we tell her as soon as she’s old enough to understand. Is that what’s been bothering you all this time?’
‘Partly,’
‘And what’s the other part?’
Tom had been shifting so she was at the opposite end of the sofa to Ed, so he deliberately moved next to her. Whatever stiff upper lip had been keeping Tom upright for the past three months vanished and she leaned against him with a sigh. ‘I just keep thinking “why us?” Are we really such bad people that we deserve something like this to happen to us?’
‘I don’t think we’re bad people at all. I want there to be a reason. I want somebody to come along and say ‘this is why you lost your baby,’ but it’s not going to happen. I know it sounds incredibly clichéd, but these things sometimes just are,’
‘But what if I’d done something different? What if I’d…’
‘Tom, darling, listen to me. There is absolutely nothing more that you could have done to help that baby survive. You kept her safe and warm, and you loved her even though you didn’t know she was there,’
‘Did I?’
‘ I think that fact that we’re having this conversation now proves that,’
There was a silence while Tom digested Ed’s words, ‘So you don’t blame me then?’
Ed gave her an impulsive hug, ‘I’ve never blamed you! I’ve never blamed anybody, though it almost drove me mad because I couldn’t. I even punched the wall, I got that infuriated, only the wall hurt me more than I hurt it!’
Tom couldn’t help laughing at the thought of good-natured Ed getting infuriated enough to punch a wall, ‘Then you’re silly,’ she said.
‘Not half as silly as you,’ But Ed’s actions showed that his meaning was the reverse of his words.

 

#109:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 9:55 pm

Good for Bride and good for Ed, lovely Lulie ~ thank you

 

#110:  Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 11:44 pm

Good for Bride and her plain speaking. Tom and Ed are really very sweet together aren't they.

 

#111:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 2:21 pm

Good, perfect, now they can help heal each other.

Thanks Lulie.

 

#112:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 5:53 pm

Tom picked up her handbag with one hand and slung it over her shoulder. Then with Alice’s baby bag under one arm and Alice under the other she trotted out to the car. By the time she’d buckled Alice into her baby seat and herself into the front, Ed had locked the front door and joined them. ‘Ready?’ he asked.
‘Ready,’ agreed Tom.
Ed let the clutch out and they set off. He glanced at Tom as they drove and smiled to himself. He compared her to the tired, emotionally drained object of a year ago and tapped his fingertips rhythmically on the steering wheel. She had recovered her fresh colouring, ate and slept well and was back to the confident, matter-of-fact, cheery girl he’d first fallen in love with. At fourteen months old Alice was blossoming, in spite (as some people thought) of having two working parents, an arrangement that worked very well for them. The boy’s club was going from strength to strength, they were off on their annual holiday and life felt very good indeed.
‘You’re in a good mood,’ remarked Tom
‘Don’t I have reason to be?’
‘Oh, I’m not complaining. Quite the reverse,’ She turned round to make sure Alice was all right, and smiled. Alice beamed back at her. She was an attractive child, with her father’s fair hair, big blue-grey eyes and her mother’s curls. ‘Mum-mum, horse,’ she said, holding out a little wooden horse, her favourite toy.
‘Is that for me?’ Tom took it from her, then handed it back. Alice gurgled and sucked on the horse’s leg, gazing out of the window contentedly. Tom turned back round, settling herself comfortably for the long drive to Cornwall. It was going to take them two days driving to get there, so they were stopping in Devon for the night, with the Bettanys. Bride, on hearing of the arrangements, immediately set to work to persuade her husband to spend the weekend at The Quadrant. ‘We simply must,’ she urged, ‘I haven’t seen Tom in ages, and I’m dying to see the baby again. She’ll have grown like fun, why she must be well over a year old by now. If you can’t come I’ll go on my own,’ she added. Simon Carrington laughed and agreed. He got on well with his in-laws, and as he had no pressing cases at present, he had no objections to spending a weekend in Devon. They arrived a couple of hours before the Kerrs, and by the time Tom and Ed turned up, around teatime, Bride was nearly dancing with impatience. She dashed outside when Ed pulled the car up, and almost dragged Tom out of the vehicle, hugging her in welcome. ‘You look so much better than the last time I saw you!’ she exclaimed by way of welcome. Tom grinned, ‘There’s a nice greeting. Most people say hello!’
‘Hello, then, seeing as you insist. Hello Ed. Where’s Alice?’
‘In the back, where she should be,’ replied Tom, not one bit unabashed by Bride’s excitement, ‘Go gently on her, she’s tired and a bit fractious,’ Tom lifted the tired baby out of the car. Alice wriggled and whimpered, hiding her face in her mother’s neck. ‘Come on in, Tom’ Mollie Bettany had come to the door by this time, ‘I’ve got some supper and a warm cot all ready for her. This way,’ Tom followed Mollie into the house, leaving Bride to help Ed with putting the car away and bringing in their overnight case. By the time they arrived in the dining room Tom was just lifting Alice out of the Bettany’s old high chair. Alice was most definitely not on her best behaviour and was snivelling and trying to push Tom away, not very successfully. ‘I’ll just take her and put her to bed. Show me where everything is, please Bride, there’s a gem,’
Bride and Tom went off upstairs, leaving Ed rather at the mercy of strangers. Mollie came forward and pulled him into a chair, ‘You come and sit down, Ed, the girls won’t be long, you must all be tired after that long drive. Now, I’m Mollie, this is Dick, and this is Simon, who is Bride’s husband. I’ll just go and put the kettle on. You’ll be glad of some tea, I imagine,’
Upstairs, Bride had begged Tom to show her how she bathed Alice and put her to bed. ‘Simon and I are wanting to start a family’ she said, rather shyly, ‘so I’d like to know a bit beforehand,’
Tom, always kind, allowed Bride to do most of the bathing and dressing, showing her what to do where necessary. Alice was asleep almost before Tom laid her in the cot and pulled up the light covering. Bending over her, Tom decided that she really was asleep and turned to pick up the scattered belongings. ‘What about you?’ asked Bride in a low voice, waking up from her own thoughts and coming over to help.
‘What about me?’ Tom, naturally, hadn’t a clue what Bride was talking about.
‘Are you and Ed going to have more children, or is Alice to be a one and only?’
Not for worlds would Tom ever tell anybody that Alice had been in the nature of a mistake, especially as she wouldn’t swap her for anything now that she was here. She merely shrugged and said ‘I don’t know, we haven’t quite decided yet,’
Later that night, when they’d gone to bed, Tom told Ed of the conversation. ‘What did you say?’
‘I just told her we hadn’t decided,’
‘And?’
‘And what?’
‘Is Alice to be an only child?’
‘I don’t know,’ Tom sighed, ‘she nearly wasn’t. I was an only child and though it was a bit lonely sometimes until I went to school it didn’t do me any harm. What’s it like having a brother?’
‘That depends on the brother,’ replied Ed, carefully, ‘David and I have always been pals, but he’s only fifteen months younger than me and I can’t remember a time when he wasn’t there. It might have been different if one of us had been a girl. I know other people who don’t get on with their brothers or sisters at all, especially if there’s a largish gap in age.’
‘I suppose it’s not something we have to decide about today,’ Tom settled herself more comfortably, ‘But perhaps it’s worth thinking about properly. I don’t want another shock like last time!’

 

#113:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 6:03 pm

Lovely, Alice sounds gorgeous, and I hope they do want another child, and that Bride has one too!

 

#114:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 6:05 pm

Aww. They're just such a lovely couple.

They worrying thing is, I now completely believe that they're real!

When (if, sorry Very Happy ) this drabble ends I'll be completely devestated!

 

#115:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 6:12 pm

Lulie, this is just so sweet!!! Can't wait for more!!!

 

#116:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 7:25 pm

This is getting plain silly! I just popped to the garage for a pint of milk, and not only was the person who served me called Tom, the person on the next till was called Ed! Shocked ( Laughing )

 

#117:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 7:43 pm

Spooky!

And grr. I got really excited that there was more story! Sad

 

#118:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 9:40 pm

Thanks Lulie - lovely insight into their lives.

 

#119:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 2:46 pm

Lulie I didn't realise I was so far behind in this story, I refuse to call it a drabble. I have just read pages and pages of it (luckily there is nothing much happening in work today). It is fabulous. I have been to a wedding, a death and a birth. It reads like a wonderful novel. I have laughed, the scenes at the school when ML and co found out. Cried at the deathbed and birth scenes and just loved the whole thing.

Dare I suggest yuo think about having it printed if we ever get our company up and running?

 

#120:  Author: Kirsty, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 4:00 pm

Lulie, am loving this! Cried in all the right (wrong!) spots.

And spooky co-incidence for me, I was watching a TV series this week where one of the characters had a still-birth. Her aunt, when the girl asked "Why did it happen to me?", gave almost exactly the same reply that Ed gave to Tom (I howled in the TV program, I was worse reading your story).

Very much looking forward to more of this. And I want Bride to have a kiddie of her own soon (hint, hint Laughing )

 

#121:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 4:02 pm

Embarassed Thank you, Susan, your comments mean a lot to me. I'm so glad you're enjoying it so much.

Publishing it would be quite cool - if things ever got up and running - though how it would compare to some of the other stuff that's in that line, I don't know. I'm not sure its as good. What a shame there'd be no point sending it to GGBP, but I'd have to cut most of it out if they were to look at it!

Thank you again. I've hit a minor hiccup with the 'what happens next' bunny, but I've got a trusty reader who is going to make comments on it later today, I hope. Then I'll have more of an idea of where it's going, I'm torn between two directions at the moment.

 

#122:  Author: catherine, Location: York PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 4:11 pm

Trusty reader has read all!! And I haven't changed my ideas on what I'd like to see either!! But that's just me!!

 

#123:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 4:15 pm

Thank you, Catherine. Very Happy

*goes off to plot, rubbing hands together in a Wicked-Witch-Of-The-West type way*

 

#124:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 4:40 pm

Good, does that mean there'll be another post soon?

 

#125:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 4:55 pm

Yes there's another post - this one! Razz

Have to do a bit of research first.

 

#126:  Author: Robin, Location: London, England PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 4:59 pm

meanie, thought that was more!

 

#127:  Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 10:57 pm

*smiles sweetly at Robin* Blame the next bit on catherine, it was her idea!!!

‘Tom! Where are you?’
‘In the bathroom,’ came the reply.
Ed ran up the stairs, two at a time, and effortlessly stepped over the gate at the top. He stopped at the bathroom door, where Tom was putting clean towels away in the cupboard, with Alice playing at her feet.
‘Why is Alice playing with her potty?’ demanded Ed, taking in the scene with startled eyes.
‘I put it in that bottom cupboard, and when I went to put her towels away she just grabbed it. Leave her, Ed; she’s not doing any harm, it’s not as if it’s ever been used. Anyway, it’s an improvement on what she was doing five minutes ago. She kept trying to put her hands in the toilet bowl!’
Ed made a disgusted noise and watched his daughter trying on the potty as a hat. She noticed him watching and got to her feet. Toddling towards him, she held out the object under discussion, ‘Look, Daddy, a red potty!’ she informed him, cheerfully, dropping it and holding her arms out to be picked up. ‘Isn’t it a lovely red?’ Ed picked her up and she planted rather a sloppy kiss on his chin, ‘Nearly as nice as Daddy,’ she agreed.
A smothered choke came from inside the cupboard as Tom became very intent on arranging the piles of towels and bedding just so.
‘Why is Mummy being silly?’ Ed asked Alice, ‘She’s laughing in the cupboard,’
‘Silly Mummy,’ echoed Alice, reaching an arm out to Tom. Tom took her from Ed, settling her carefully round the very pregnant swelling of her stomach, and smoothed her hair. ‘Maybe she wants to use it?’ she suggested, ‘I’m taking her to see the health visitor tomorrow. I’ll ask, shall I?’
‘It won’t do any harm,’ agreed Ed, ‘She suddenly seems very interested in the bathroom all of a sudden. She took a bit of a tantrum this morning because I wouldn’t let her follow you when you went for your bath,’
‘I wondered what all the fuss was about. OK, I’ll do that then. Don’t look so worried, I’m sure it’s all quite normal!’
After their visit to the health visitor Tom and Alice made their way to the boy’s club. ‘Tom’s here!’ yelled Adam, who was now one of the oldest there, ‘Come in, Miss, sit down,’
‘Miss, can we take Alice? I want to show her my Noah’s Ark,’
‘Go on then, but don’t let her fiddle too much. She’s into everything these days and I don’t want a trip to hospital,’
‘That’s OK; I’ll take it into the common room. Give us a hand, Tony,’
Tom grinned as Alice was taken out of her arms and carried off. She allowed herself to be sat down, though she felt fine. The boys were inclined to pamper her now she was so visibly pregnant. The same thing had happened when she was expecting Alice, and under normal circumstances she would have objected violently, but for some reason she didn’t mind. She watched them as they went back to their allotted tasks and heaved herself to her feet to wander round and see what they were all up to. Ed came across as she did so, ‘OK?’ he asked.
‘Everything’s fine. Alice is fine, I’m fine and everything is perfectly normal. I’ll tell you the details when we get home,’
Ed looked relieved, ‘Glad to hear it,’ he held out his arm, ‘Come along, allow me to escort you,’
Together they wandered round the various rooms, ending up by peeking into the common room, where four or five of them were entertaining Alice, with the help of a magnificent Noah’s Ark. Gently steering Ed into the kitchen, which happened to be empty, Tom closed the door. ‘What’s wrong with Peter?’ she asked, keeping her voice low.
‘I don’t know. He’s looked a bit down for a couple of days. I tried asking him if there was anything wrong, but he denied everything,’
‘I wonder if he’d tell me?’
‘You could try; you certainly won’t lose anything,’
‘I don’t know,’ Tom’s experience of being a prefect had taught her that you couldn’t interfere with the younger ones and if you tried it would backfire on you, more often than not. ‘Perhaps I won’t. He’ll say something if he wants to,’

 

#128:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 11:06 pm

lovely Lulie!!!!! Laughing Laughing

 

#129:  Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 11:19 pm

Brilliant Lulie, Alice is lovely. So now we wait to see what's wrong with Peter, hope it's nothing too serious.

 

#130:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 11:21 pm

Yay another baby, so what about Bride??? Another great post, thanks Lulie.

 

#131:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 11:41 pm

Excellent! Love the normal family life bit. Laughing

 

#132:  Author: Laura, Location: London (ish) PostPosted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 1:27 pm

Ahh. I really love this drabble.

But how's Bride getting on?

 

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