The CBB :: View topic - Stephen Maynard 2

Stephen Maynard 2

The CBB -> Cookies & Drabbles

#1: Author: Alex, Location: Home again

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 8:39 pm

Ah, the healing power of the Red Sarafan, everything will be alright now. Laughing

Loving every minute, Sarah

#2: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 9:12 pm

I'm beginning to find Stephen is ousting his dad from my hero position.

And the Red Sarafan....! Laughing

Bet you just couldn't resist that could you?? Laughing

#3: Author: Angel, Location: London, England

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 10:14 pm

*hums sarafan*

I have this thing that he'll wake up, ask for mother, find she's not there, and suddenly decline and die.

On edit: that would be poetic justice, especially after the way she's emotionally blackmailed Sybil, and possibly an unconscious echoing of the Mystic M??

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

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 10:36 pm

Sarah, that was awe inspiring - I think Stephen is wonderful - I really hope the girls - and Con in particular - see his point of view.

Thank you.

KB wrote:

Lesley wrote:

Years ago I had a sister with leukaemia

Forgive me if this is sensitive, Lesley, but did your sister survive?

KB - No, sadly she died aged 5, I was nearly 8 at the time, a long time ago and time heals.

#5: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 11:14 pm

*sends huggles to Lesley

#6: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 11:15 pm

*Huggles Lesley*

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

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 11:19 pm

Thank you Chelsea, Carolyn, (huggles back)

#8: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 2:01 am

Sarah that story was superb. Hope we see Jo get het comeuppance before the end.

Huggles for Lesley.

#9: Author: Angel, Location: London, England

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 2:03 am

Sarah and I were discussing the possibility of alternate endings for this, one by yours truly. KB might be happy Smile

*thoughtful*

#10: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 8:37 am

Sorry if I brought up painful memories, Lesley. *joins in huggle*

And Sarah, that was magnificent! Good for Steve! Could his wife perhaps come and see him with their baby to give him support?

#11: Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet!

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 10:22 am

Sarah that was wonderful thank you!

#12: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 9:37 pm

Sorry there's only a little bit today. I've not been feeling so good and unless you want this to get really depressing I thought I shouldn't write too much! Angel's come up with a great idea for an alternate ending though (of course I've got to actually work out the end of this first though)

For the second morning in a row the day staff came on duty to find Stephen asleep with his head on Felix’s bed and his hand over his brother’s. They woke him as gently as they could, not wanting to wake the sleeping Felix before he was ready. When Joey and the girls arrived Stephen caught them before they went into the room and gave them the good news that Felix was sleeping naturally now. The shadows under his eyes told Con that the night had not been an easy one but she waited until Joey and Felicity had gone in to see Felix until she said anything.
“Did you sleep at all last night Steve?”
“A bit. It was hard to go to sleep and then I woke up when Felix did at around 5.”
“When he woke was he... was he talking?”
“Not really.”
Stephen’s face was pale and drawn and he shivered remembering Felix’s obvious pain.
“He was very upset, in a lot of pain the nurses said, he mostly just thrashed around and cried out nonsense words.”
Con’s eyes widened and she stepped forwards to put and arm around her brother. He turned in to her embrace and buried his head in her shoulder. Stephen was shaking slightly and Con was very worried for him. She had no idea how much sleep he’d had but it was obviously not enough. Coupled with that was the fact that after sitting with Felix for so long he had watched his brother wake up in great pain.
“It’s alright Steve, he’s coming back to us now. You’ve done everything you can.”
Stephen looked into his sister’s face.
“I couldn’t do anything. I had to hold him down whilst they injected him with something.” Stephen choked on his words, “I couldn’t do anything except talk to him and try to sing him a lullaby.”
Con started humming the Red Sarafan quietly and Stephen smiled.
“That one, How did you know?”
“It’s the one Mamma always used when we were little. I think Aunty Rob taught it to her. I haven’t heard it in years but I sang it to Len whilst she was in labour.”
Con wanted to say something about what she had overheard the night before. She wasn’t sure she believed everything Stephen had said but her Mother’s actions had proved him right in several ways. She just wasn’t quite sure how to begin.
“Steve... about... about last night...”
“It’s ok Connie, you don’t have to say anything. I shouldn’t have said any of that in front of Fliss. Probably shouldn’t have said it all.”
“No. Maybe in front of Fliss wasn’t the right time but, well, I think some of it might have been right. I was thinking about what you said to me. She does seem to understand us girls more than you. I’m sorry I was so unsupportive before. I don’t know what to say.”
“Neither do I Con. Thank you though.”

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

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 9:46 pm

Good for Con to admit that - Steve needs the support.

Really, really, really want Joey badly punished in this! hammer

#14: Author: Angel, Location: London, England

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 9:52 pm

Go Con!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love this.

Want more, please.

#15: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 9:56 pm

Yeah for Con!

#16: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 10:01 pm

Yay for Con! Hopefully she can be of some help to Steven now.

#17: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 10:41 pm

Good for Con. Hope this helps to support Stephen as he is under such a strain.

What is going to happen to Jo? hammer

#18: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 11:00 pm

I'm glad to see Con is being supportive of Steve, maybe she could stay at the hospital if Joey won't, just to give Steve a break.
I hope Joey ends up suffering in one way or another.

#19: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 11:07 pm

I'm glad Con is seeing the light. Well done, Sarah. Sorry you are not feeling too good. Hope you feel better soon *hugs*

#20: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 11:21 pm

I hope you feel better soon too Sarah, sorry, I was so absorbed in the story that I forgot about your comments at the beginning.

#21: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 1:45 am

Healing vibes to Sarah. And Felix. And Stephen.

Beginning to wonder whether this Jo is salvageable. It had seemed so, briefly, but....

Remembers parental reactions similar to those of Lesley's parents, when sister developed bone cancer at 5. (Fortunately, she was one of the experimental organisms for the then new radiation/amputation method, and it worked. A difficult couple of years, though.)

What is wrong with Jo?

#22: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 3:28 am

Glad Con is there for Steve.

Joins those who want to see Jo punished.

#23: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 6:31 am

I'm so glad that Con has come around. I think Steve will definitely need someone to lean on.

Could Jo go back to Madge now? I'm sick of the sight of her!

#24: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 11:53 am

It's not so much that Jo understands girls better than she does boys, she simply concentrates more on the girls, and is more possessive with them.

Why doesn't she go away?

Who votes to evict her from the hospital?

#25: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 12:04 pm

Jennie wrote:

Who votes to evict her from the hospital?

I do! *waves hand vigorously*

#26: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 3:34 pm

Jennie, that's pretty much how I see it although Joey does seem to have got worse over the course of this drabble. You wanted to know what Joey was thinking...

After his conversation with Con Stephen went for a walk around the hospital grounds to clear his head. He was glad of her support, qualified by her love for her Mother as it was, but he still wished Len or Lucy were there. Stephen looked up to his eldest sister, she’d always been there and she had an amazing knack of understanding exactly how he was feeling without needing to ask questions. Lucy had it too as well as unlimited patience, he’d first been attracted to her in their second year at university when he had seen her explaining how the library system worked to a fresher for the fourth time. She didn’t sound tired or annoyed in fact if he hadn’t sat through the previous three explanations he’d never have known. Lucy wouldn’t have snapped at Joey the night before, not in front of Fliss, however provoked she was. He knew he had to find some way of apologising in front of Fliss without letting his Mother off the hook but it wasn’t going to be easy. Re-entering the hospital Stephen stopped off to call Lucy, she was happy to hear from him especially when she heard that Felix had woken briefly. Stephen almost asked her to bring Chris and come up to be with him but he squashed the desire knowing that a long journey with a small child would hardly be fun for her. Of course Lucy knew he wanted her there anyway and had told him that if he wasn’t heading home by the weekend she was coming and no arguments. Stephen laughed at that, a carefree sound that Lucy was very glad to hear coming from him, she was worried about the stress he was under and if she had been there she would have had a whole heap of things to say to Mrs Joey Maynard, Stephen was wrong that Lucy’s patience was unlimited.

Back in Felix’s room Joey was sitting quietly by her son’s side. She’d sent Con and Fliss to ring their father and was sitting in the corner watching Felix and knitting a small cardigan for Meg Entwhistle. She was thinking back over all the times she’d sat in hospital rooms before and she realised that this was the first time it wasn’t the San, the first time neither her husband nor her brother-in-law was there. She’d never had to deal with a sick child on her own without their support and it was very odd. She missed Jack a lot and she was still worried about Madge. Thinking of that reminded her how angry she had been at Jem the evening he’d made her leave. He didn’t seem to understand how worried she was at all. Ordering her off to Felix like that. Of course Jack had told her to come to Felix too but he hadn’t been there. Joey wished Jack was with her now, or Hilda or any of her Chalet School friends. She remembered that at least Stephen and Con were with her and offered up a silent prayer of thanks. Con was wonderful with Fliss and Stephen was a great support in Jack’s absence even if he had been acting rather strangely last night. Jack had brought up the boys to help their Mother out and Stephen seemed to be holding on to that lesson. Wasn’t she lucky that her children were all so devoted to each other.

#27: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 3:54 pm

I know I said it would be a bit harsh on Felix to kill him off just to punish Jo, but I'm starting to almost wish he would die now. The stupid woman!!!
I hope Lucy does get the chance to tell her what she thinks.

#28: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 4:04 pm

Perhaps she will grow up! (said without much conviction.
I suppose to some extent she is what Jem and Jack have made her.

#29: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 4:08 pm

Very blind and very self-centred. stupid c-w!!!

#30: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 5:20 pm

I'm beginning to think that Joey is deranged! Can she get her comeupance soon please? Laughing

#31: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 5:25 pm

Sshe just cannot see what is in front of her, or doesn't want to see it. Is she really so blind to Stephen's feelings?

#32: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 6:01 pm

PatMac wrote:

I suppose to some extent she is what Jem and Jack have made her.

I think that's exactly right, Pat. She has perhaps more independence than Madge, because of her writing and having her own money, but in return she leans more on the men in her life. It's going to be fun the next time she tries to lean on Steve!

#33: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 7:08 pm

*looking forward to a showdown between Lucy and Joey

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

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 8:53 pm

Chelsea wrote:

*looking forward to a showdown between Lucy and Joey

Yes perhaps that will get through to her - especially if Steve and maybe even Jack (if he can finally get away from the San) stand there and don't try to defend Joey.

#35: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 8:59 pm

Thank you Sarah!! I can't believe how dense Jo is being!! Will she wake up to herself soon?

*sends Lesley a huggle*

#36: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 9:03 pm

Lesley wrote:

Chelsea wrote:

*looking forward to a showdown between Lucy and Joey

Yes perhaps that will get through to her - especially if Steve and maybe even Jack (if he can finally get away from the San) stand there and don't try to defend Joey.

I have to say that all I think that is likely to do is turn Jo away from Steve, Lucy and their baby and reinforce her idea that her sons don't need her, or whatever her latest delusion is.

#37: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 12:31 am

I'm going to be at home this weekend so I'm not sure I'll be able to post anything... I'll try and give you a little bit more tomorrow but after that no promises until Monday. I'm sure none of you want to know what's going to happen to Felix anyway, you all seem very keen on his death at the moment
*huggles poor Felix*

#38: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 12:35 am

*sputter indignantly

*suggests that Sarah remember the outrage when KB suggested Felix's death!!

*looking forward to more story tomorrow or Monday

#39: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 7:39 am

*reminds Sarah that I still don't dare poke my head up after the storm my suggestion caused*

*looking forward to reading the death scene...*

*hides again*

#40: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 8:42 am

I never thought I would write this plea in a drabble but, here goes:

Don't kill him, Sarah. Shocked

#41: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 8:49 am

I.... I beg your pardon, PatMac.... Shocked

#42: Author: Tassie_Ellen, Location: Tasmania, Australia

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 10:31 am

*stares disbelievingly at PatMac*

*also hoping to see Lucy give Joey a big piece of her mind and make her realise how much she owes to Stephen after all this*

#43: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 11:42 am

Do you really think Lucy could make any difference? Unless she's a CS girl (possibly Lucy Peters) I can't imagine Jo taking any notice of her. Come to think of it, even if she was an old CS girl, I can't imagine Jo taking any notice of her!

#44: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 4:15 pm

Why are we looking at PatMac unbelievingly?

#45: Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet!

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 4:55 pm

Thanks Srah i just caught up more soon please Very Happy

#46: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 6:58 pm

Chelsea wrote:

Why are we looking at PatMac unbelievingly?

On this occasion, I wouldn't like it to happen. I'm a sensitive little soul really! What made you think otherwise? Shocked

#47: Author: Cumbrian Rachel, Location: near High Wycombe

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 7:26 pm

I've just read all of this in one go - it's really good! Stephen is so lovely and I want to take a large hammer to Joey!!! Don't you dare kill Felix!

#48: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 9:05 pm

As much as i'd love to read the scene where felix dies without Joey around, I really don't want to see Felix die. Sad

Looking forward to more drabble.

#49: Author: claire, Location: SOUTH WALES

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 10:31 pm

Decided to read this after people were talking about Steve in the poll, I liked him before but he's lovely in this - more please.

And I know it's already been discussed but as a mother there is no way I could leave my children when they were injured or ill - and if both one of my children and my mother were in hospital at the same time (as Madge was Jo's mother substitute) then I would be with my child - and my mother would expect that as she's a mother herself. Having seen my child unconcious on a hospital bed (and she wasn't hurt but had to have general anthestetic for tests but still very scary) its a horrible feeling and when they are crying in pain, you get a physical pain inside but you still stay there (was given the choice of staying in cubicle or not while my daughter was screaming) as the security they get from you being there far outways anything you feel.

I hope when Madge finds out about this she gives Jo one heck of a lecture on not being with her son when he needed her

#50: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 4:09 am

Hope you have a lovely weekend Sarah, but more of this lovely lovely story soon. Can't wait for Jo's comeuppance. Maybe \Con will be able to get through to her.

#51: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 5:44 pm

Jo Bettany, Mother of the Year? She ought to be luing in a hospital bed with no-one to visit her.

#52: Author: Sugarplum, Location: second star to the right!

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 3:45 am

Quote:

Jo Bettany, Mother of the Year? She ought to be luing in a hospital bed with no-one to visit her.

Wouldn't it serve her right!! Shes making my blood boil in this drabble ! soapbox

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

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 10:26 am

Sarah, please write more! (Pleading smilie)

#54: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 10:37 am

Lesley, I suggest these as possible pleading smileys: Smile

#55: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 9:14 pm

Sarah, I've just read all of this! It's fantastic! Please write some more soon! I can't believe Joey's attitude!

#56: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 11:55 pm

*chants in Sarah's direction*

#57: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:07 am

No more story? Crying or Very sad

#58: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 3:37 pm

*checks under the furniture*
Nope, doesn't look like it......

#59: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 5:16 pm

Sorry it took so long, I forgot to take the disk with the story/plan/ideas home with me so couldn't write anymore Embarassed

Here's a longish bit to make up.

As Stephen was hanging up the phone Fliss and Con arrived to call Jack so he stayed with them. The girl who answered at the San said that Dr Maynard wasn’t there. Con couldn’t get any sense of her and when Stephen tried she just kept insisting that Dr Maynard wasn’t there and she didn’t know when he’s be back. They tried calling the house but there was no answer and at Len and Reg’s house they only got a maid who said that Reg was at work and Len had taken Meg to visit some friends, Mr Maynard hadn’t been round since yesterday morning. Stephen was briefly worried but then he decided that it was probably just a new secretary at the San and Jack was on the wards or consulting. Con had come to the same conclusion and so the three of them returned to Felix’s silent room. They didn’t all go in at once, not wanting to wake Felix before he was naturally ready, so Con went in to her Mother and Stephen sat with Fliss outside for a bit.
“Do you think Dad’s alright?”
“Yes, of course he is, Len would hardly have gone off visiting people if he wasn’t.”
She smiled at that, she was looking less pale this morning, especially since Stephen had told them of Felix’s brief waking spell that morning.
“Steve... How much pain was Felix in when he woke up?”
Stephen did not want to have this conversation with her, he had a feeling his nightmares were going to be filled with the writhings of his brother for many weeks to come.
“He wasn’t good Fliss, they had to give him a strong painkiller to get him to sleep again.”
“Was he himself? I mean... was he Felix, did he know where he was? Who he was?”
“He seemed to be himself, he wasn’t making much sense though. He was hurting and he was confused as to exactly where he was but when I talked to him he seemed to calm down so I think he knew me.”
“That’s good isn’t it, he might not have woken up remembering anything.”
Stephen looked at Felicity sharply, he hadn’t realised she had understood the danger to that extent.
“He might not, you’re right. It looks like we don’t have to worry about that though.”
Stephen smiled at her and shook his head slightly.
“I keep forgetting you’ve grown up so much Fliss. I still think of you two as kids and you’re not really anymore.”
“I guess not. It’d be nice to be a kid again though. Less to worry about.”
“Well don’t worry too much now, that’s what I’m here for. And Mother of course.”
“She wasn’t here last night though was she?”
“No. No she wasn’t. She was with you and Con. I’m sorry you heard me shouting last night Fliss, I shouldn’t have got so angry but I’ve been very tired and worried.”
“It’s alright Steve. I know you didn’t mean it.”
Stephen forced a smile, he had meant it, every word, but he wasn’t telling her that. However grown up she was.

A sound from in the room made Stephen jump, it sounded like Felix. Rushing in he saw Felix had his eyes open and was looking around, obviously confused.
“Wh... where am I? Where’s Paul? No... this isn’t school... where am I?”
Joey was muttering soothing things to him but it didn’t seem to be working so Stephen went to the bedside and held Felix’s hand.
“Felix. You’re in hospital. You’re safe. I’m here.”
“Steve? It hurts Steve. I’m scared.”
“Shhh. The doctor’s coming and he’ll give you something to stop it hurting. I’m here baba and so’s Fliss, look just next to me, and Mamma’s here too and Con. We’re all watching over you.”
“Steve...”
Felix dissolved into tears, his head was obviously hurting him hugely. He was half turned to Stephen and Fliss, away from his Mother, and he was shaking. Dr Care arrived on the scene then and injected Felix with a painkiller again and Felix’s tears gradually subsided. He looked tired and worn but he was awake again.
“Do you remember the accident Felix?”
Dr Care’s voice was steady and calm as he checked Felix’s pupils and blood pressure.
“No... at least... I remember I was late for games and I was crossing the road and...” Felix winced, “then it’s all dark.”
“Alright, good boy, how’s your head feeling now?”
“It aches, like someone’s punched me hard. It keeps throbbing.”
“It’s less than before though?”
“Yes, a bit.”
Dr Care seemed happy with Felix’s answers and his physical condition so he left Felix with his family and a nurse to make sure they didn’t over tire him. Fliss was staring at Felix like he’d grown a second head, torn between relief and fear of how much pain he was in. Stephen pushed her in front of him, next to Felix and let the twins hold hands. Neither of them seemed inclined to speak but they both looked happier with each other there. On the other side of the bed Joey was smoothing Felix’s hair. She was watching Fliss and him fondly, happy to see them back together again. They all seemed to be happy so Stephen turned from the bed and walked towards the door. He had just got through it and into the hall when the worry, stress, strain and fear caught up with him and he collapsed into the nearest chair, shaking like a leaf. Felix was alright. He was alive and talking and though he wasn’t well he was going to be alright. He didn’t cry or faint or make any sound at all, he just sat in the hall unable to move. Con came out and found him like that and held him until the shaking stopped and then sent a nurse to get him a drink. Then they went and stood at the back of Felix’s room and watched the tableaux of the twins and Joey. Stephen lent heavily on Con and she in turn lent on him.

#60: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 5:21 pm

*sends many many thanks to sarah for a lovely post*

I'm not surprised poor steve went wobbly. poor guy. and v glad felix is recovering. hope there's no nasty shocks around the corner. Sad

good to see felix responded to steve more than joey, suggests that steve has been a comfort to him whilst he's been unconscious. sad though that joey didn't seem to notice.

#61: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 5:39 pm

OOOH! thank you Sarah!! *huggles*

#62: Author: Cumbrian Rachel, Location: near High Wycombe

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 5:44 pm

Yay! Felix is going to be OK!

Poor Steve though.

More please!

#63: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 6:00 pm

*wonders if Jack is on his way to London as a surprise (maybe with Len and the kiddies).

*thankful Felix seems to be doing okay.

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

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 6:24 pm

Thanks Sarah! Hopes someone hammers home to Joey that her son did not respond to her but to his brother! (Volunteers to hold hammer! hammer

)

#65: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 7:20 pm

Thanks, Sarah. Looking forward to more as soon as you can.

#66: Author: pim, Location: the place where public transport doesn't work properly!

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 7:59 pm

*goes looking for the largest trout in the waters of St Andrews to give Jo a good slapping* She's so awful!

Sarah this is lovely Very Happy

#67: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 7:59 pm

I'm so glad Felix was comforted by Steve, although I don't think Jo even noticed. If Jack is about to turn up, it could be interesting to see what Jo says to him, what he notices, and what he does about it.

And good for Con and Steve, supporting each other.

#68: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:28 pm

Pim, a slap with a trout won't do the trick. How about putting her in a tank full of piranhas?

#69: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:38 pm

Why don't we see if Jo comes to her senses herself before we start to punish her? She might. *ever optimistic*

#70: Author: claire, Location: SOUTH WALES

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:58 pm

Too late for that KB - I don't suppose Jack will turn up, tell Jo Anna's been more of a mother to the kids than her so he's divorcing Jo and marrying Anna and going for custody?

#71: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:59 pm

I know, I know. Hopeless.

#72: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 10:05 pm

Thanks. reat to see Felix recovering and I'm so glad he automaticaly turned to Stephen and not Jo. Hope Jack is on the way and not in some kind of trouble.

#73: Author: pim, Location: the place where public transport doesn't work properly!

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 10:44 pm

Jennie wrote:

Pim, a slap with a trout won't do the trick. How about putting her in a tank full of piranhas?

I don't think there's one of those in St A's aquarium... I might just find all the trouts I can and use them all at once.

*goes off to look for stray sharks that have got lost around Scotland*

#74: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 10:50 pm

Thank you Sarah, Glad it was Steve who calmed Felix down and not Joey!
More please Very Happy

#75: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 11:42 pm

I'm so relieved that Felix has turned the corner. How could Jo not notice that Felix turned to Steve? I wonder if Jack is coming?

#76: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 12:31 am

Thank you Sarah, I'm also glad that it was Steve that Felixresponded to rather than Joey, I wonder if she'll go rushing back to Madge now that she knows Felix will be ok?

#77: Author: Mollio, Location: Ireland

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 2:40 am

Lovely story, Sarah. Thank you. I only hope Joey gets her comeupppance soon and that it's a good hard one in front of millions. Serve her right.

megaphone

#78: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 7:54 am

Mollio, I love that little graphic you've made up! I suppose it's CBBers shouting at Jo?

#79: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 3:45 pm

Joins the shouting group. Lovely story Sarah. Glad Stephen was there when Felix came round. Hope Jack is on a plane to the UK right now. Or even better on a train to the hospital.

#80: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 5:35 pm

Do we get more soon?

#81: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 8:09 pm

*echoes KB's question....*

#82: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 11:40 pm

Well you get a tiny crumb now but more tomorrow sometime. This is getting harder as I get closer to the end...

Felix soon drifted off to sleep again. According to the nurse this was perfectly natural, a way for his body to continue healing itself as well as a reaction to the stress he had been under. As Felix drifted in and out of wakefulness Stephen watched him, amazed by how much better he looked now that there was colour in his cheeks. He was obviously still in some pain but now the doctors could hear exactly how he felt they were able to give him the appropriate medication which helped a great deal. At lunchtime Joey took Fliss off to the canteen whilst Con and Stephen stayed and then they switched places. It was hard to leave the room. Part of Stephen wanted to keep checking that Felix really was there and awake, or at least sleeping naturally. Con too seemed to be half unwilling to believe the good news, prepared for some relapse or for someone to say she had dreamt the whole morning. Fliss was looking much more herself and she was quite happy to sit beside Felix with a book talking quietly with him when he woke up, the way the twins seemed to draw on one another was strange to Stephen. He’d seen Len, Con and Margot support each other before without the need for words or explanations of any kind but he’d never really noticed how Fliss and Felix did the same and he wondered if Phil and Geoff were like that too. Although he was close to all his siblings Stephen realised how little time he spent with the whole family together. The occasions they were all in the same place were very rare and now with Margot and Mike so far away it was going to get worse not better. Joey seemed to have reverted to a position well known to Stephen. She sat in the hospital with her knitting or a book watching Felix, relaxed but aware. It was the same she always was when anyone was in hospital, it was actually quite calming to see her like that. Stephen hadn’t really liked fighting with her and seeing her back to normal made him think he’d made a lot of fuss about nothing. What did it matter how he felt, she was there with Felix now.

#83: Author: pim, Location: the place where public transport doesn't work properly!

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 11:48 pm

Awwwwwwwww Sarah, that's so lovely. I just want to huggle Stephen right now, he's such a sweetie.

#84: Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet!

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 12:03 am

Aww thnak you Sarah!

#85: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 12:04 am

Ahh..bless.

*sending big huggles to Stephen

#86: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 12:07 am

Good for Stephen, is their to be some reconciliation then. I would still love to see Jo forced to face up to her behaviour.

#87: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 12:28 am

I'm so glad Felix is so much better. Stephen must be so tired. Still wondering when Jo is going to put her big foot in it again?

#88: Author: Angel, Location: London, England

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 12:31 am

Brilliant. You're good at this.

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

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 12:53 am

Thanks Sarah - looking forward to more!

#90: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 2:26 am

Thank you Sarah, love the way this is developing.

#91: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 3:42 am

Thanks Sarah, Steven has grown into such a lovely young man, but I do hope he doesn't let Joey get away with things that easily.....
I'm not for one minute wanting this to happen, but I wonder how Joey would react if Madge suddenly had a relapse and died while Joey was with Felicity.

#92: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 7:44 am

Hmm, not very happy about the fact that Joey seems to have got away with things so easily!

#93: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 10:00 am

Thanks Sarah! That was lovely, Laughing

Do we get more soon?

#94: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 5:53 pm

*looks hopefully at Sarah....*

#95: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 10:55 pm

I've had a lovely time catching up, but I'm still not satisfied! Where's Jack? What will he do or say? More please!

#96: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 10:58 pm

More please, Sarah! Let's see Jack arrive and make Joey see the error of her ways!

#97: Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 11:05 pm

Jack, where are you?

Sarah, where are you?

Stephen is so wonderful, even though Charles is my favourite!

#98: Author: Mollio, Location: Ireland

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 1:13 am

Can't wait for the end of this story... but I still hope that Joey is humiliated in some way, at least in front of the whole family, with maybe the Bettany and Russell lot thrown in for good measure!
Yes, KB. The megaphones are suppsoed to be Everyone shouting at Jo. It will need to be really loud to get through her 'ear-phones'. Are you in England yet ? Hopping over to Ireland? It's very near!
Keep it coming, Sarah.

JO...ARE WE GETTING THROUGH TO YOU????

#99: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 2:21 am

So you'll probably hate me for posting without more story but bunny and I are having a minor disagreement at the moment... if I include one or two swear words in the next part is that alright... just for emphasis?

#100: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 2:25 am

I can't see that any one would mind Sarah, as long as it isn't anything too outrageous.

Good luck with your PB.

#101: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 3:07 am

Sometimes swear words can be put to good use for emphasis, personally I don't mind, but if anyone does object you can always edit them out again.

#102: Author: Sugarplum, Location: second star to the right!

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 3:19 am

awwwww this is so sweet - shame about Joey though Twisted Evil

shes soo up her own!

*hopes for some more soon*

#103: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 4:14 am

Here is more then (why am I up this lat exactly you may ask, goodness knows would be the answer though!) If anyone is offended by the language at the end I will modify it.

Late in the afternoon Stephen suddenly realised he hadn’t called either Charles or Mike to tell them the latest, for that matter he wasn’t sure whether Len, Phil and Cecil had been told or Margot for that matter. He was sitting with Con and Fliss watching a, currently sleeping, Felix so he checked with Con to see if she had talked to any of them yet.
“Mamma just went to phone Len and let her know, and to see if Dad’s there now. I imagine one of them will tell Cecil and Phil.”
“What about the others though? Margot and the boys?”
“Well you told Felix’s headmaster to tell Geoff presumably when he called earlier and I sent off a telegram to Margot’s convent. Maybe you could go and call Mike and Charles now.”
“I told Geoff myself, Mr Black brought him to the phone, and I promised I’d go and fetch him for a visit tomorrow. I’ll go and see if Mother’s finished with the phone.”
The Maynard’s had been using the phone in one of the relatives’ rooms which had a degree of privacy. Stephen pushed the door open and saw his Mother on the phone, feet tucked up under her. She seemed to be having a good gossip with Len on exactly how Meg was.
“Anyway I’d better go. Make sure you pass on the good news to Hilda to tell the girls... Well yes you could tell them yourself if you’re sure you can go down to the school, it’s not long since Meg’s birth... Well it’s not really, only 5 months... Ok, bye Len I’ll tell you when Dad arrives.”
Joey hung up the phone and turned to smile at Stephen.
“Your Father’s on his way over, should be here this evening or tomorrow morning. Did you want something?”
“Well I was wondering if you’d called Charles or Mike yet, maybe that’s what you were going to do now?”
“Well I just let Len know and she’ll tell the girls but I thought you and Con had informed the others.”
“Not those two just yet. I’ll call them now unless you want to...”
“No, you do it. I’m exhausted. I think I’ll go and find some coffee from somewhere. It’s been a long day hasn’t it with all the news. I’ll be glad of my bed tonight.”
Stephen looked at Joey, he didn’t want to bring up last nights argument but he really thought she should stay now Felix was awake. He might wake up in the night and whilst Stephen was sure now he could calm Felix he still though it was not his place. Felix was only sixteen and he still needed his mother. The fact that he had turned to Stephen just confirmed in Stephen’s mind that Joey needed to be there tonight. Perhaps his Dad would be here by then though.
“I think it would be good if you called them Mother. Charles was very worried and Mike hasn’t talked to you in a long time. Geoff wanted to talk to you earlier too but I told him he’d see you when he visits tomorrow.”
“Well I’m not sure Geoff should be missing anymore school really but if it’s already arranged I suppose it can’t be helped. However I need a cup of coffee now. I’ll talk to Charles and Mike later but you call them with the news now if you want.”
Stephen stood there robbed of breath yet again by his Mother’s way of breezing straight across the feelings of her sons. She might be able to understand girls better but it was hardly difficult to understand how worried Felix’s brothers must have been this past week. To be honest from her conversation with Len it didn’t sound like she understood the girls much either although of course he’d only come in at the end.
“Anyway I’m sure they’re fine, boys don’t tend to feel these things the same way as their sisters.”

“WHAT? You heartless bitch! Do you have even the faintest idea what you’re saying? Do you have any idea what this week has been like for anyone except yourself? Whilst you were busy off with your sister do you know what the rest of us were going through? Have you even considered how Geoff or Mike or Charles might have been feeling?”

#104: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 4:19 am

Wow. What a temper Stephen just showed to Jo - not that she didn't deserve it, mind you.

*looking forward to seeing Jo's reaction.

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

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 6:04 am

Actually I'm impressed that

a. he hasn't exploded before now, and

b. he didn't try and push his mother through a convenient wall!

The language was realistic Sarah, and the reaction real. More please!

Last edited by Lesley on Thu Feb 19, 2004 10:59 pm; edited 1 time in total

#106: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 8:29 am

Oh, good for Steve! I'm so glad he did blow up, although I'm sure Jo will just dismiss it as him being upset or something. If it wouldn't get him into trouble, I wish he'd hit her!

#107: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 8:41 am

Good for Steve! Jo hasn't got a clue about the boys. they are her children as much as the girls. And to say boys don't feel things as much as their sisters! I'm surprised the boys have turned out so well.

Seriously annoyed with Joey!!!!!!

#108: Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 10:36 am

What's with this woman? I don't blame Stephen for exploding at all. I'm surprised he was as restrained as he was. I'd have probably slapped her as well, just to wake her up a bit. Aren't boys human at all?

#109: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 10:38 am

Not according to Josephine M. Maynard.

#110: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 11:21 am

Thanks Sarah, I'm glad to see that Steven has finally run out of patience with Joey, though I'm sure she still won't understand what what he means, she'll probably just wonder why he's acting so oddly.
She has definitely cast Steven in the role of 'supportive male' whilst Jack is absent hasn't she?

#111: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 12:32 pm

Oh please let Jack get to the hospital soon! the woman needs her head examining!

#112: Author: Sarah G-G,

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 12:36 pm

*speechless at Joey's blind shrugging aside of her sons' feelings!!!*
I can't believe she said that!! I'm so glad Stephen shouted at her. I may have been feeling a bit sorry for her but that does not excuse what she just said!

#113: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 3:16 pm

Nothing excuses what she said! It also reflects on her relationship with her husband if you think about it! Would have loved Jack to have heard it!!

#114: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 3:36 pm

I was suprised at the moderation of Stephen's language. I'd have called her much, much worse, and she'd have deserved it.

Guess who doesn't deserve a card and present on Mothering Sunday.

#115: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 5:28 pm

It has to be said that, considering the time, the language really belonged in the gutter or the mouths of sailors, but I don't blame Steve a jot!

#116: Author: claire, Location: SOUTH WALES

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 8:30 pm

I'm surprised he lasted that long before swearing at her, Steve does seem to have been forced into the surrogate parent role pretty deeply

#117: Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 8:39 pm

KB wrote:

It has to be said that, considering the time, the language really belonged in the gutter or the mouths of sailors, but I don't blame Steve a jot!

Perhaps Steve picked the language up from Mike?

#118: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 9:22 pm

Thanks Sarah, that was great! Hope Jack finds out and sorts Joey out!
More soon please! Laughing

#119: Author: Marianne, Location: Bournemouth

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 10:02 pm

Very real, thank you!
Does anyone else have the desire to beat Jo's head against the wall?! Some people!

#120: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 10:37 pm

Thanks Sarah, that was great. I do wish Jack was there and wonder how he will react when he arrives.

Cazx, where is your sig from?

#121: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 11:55 pm

I'd been wondering that too Cazx.

#122: Author: Angel, Location: London, England

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 11:55 pm

I'm wondering if Jack actually heard it...

#123: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 12:34 am

Good for Steve!!
Jo deserves a damn good slapping!!!

#124: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 1:26 am

What? There's no more? Crying or Very sad

#125: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 1:34 am

Apparently not Ellie! I've just read that last post and I was dying to see Jo's reaction Shocked

#126: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 1:37 am

Imapitient lot aren't you
*calmly ignores her own chanting on other threads*

Stephen had finally had it. That last sentence had pushed him far over the edge Joey had been driving him towards and now it was all coming out.
“Geoff was here ALONE with a brother he thought was going to die. You left a kid of eleven worrying himself sick and poor Felix lying close to death in a hospital bed because you were worried about Aunty Madge. You have no concept of how utterly self centred you are, you don’t’ seem to have stopped for a second to think about anyone else except yourself. Charles and Mike are desperately worried but you don’t care because they’re boys!?! You drove Mike away by your treatment of him, do you know what he says about you. How much he hates the memory of his childhood because he was the bad one? You don’t send away a babe of five and expect them to understand. Aunt Winnie was more of a mother to him than you ever have been, as were Anna and Rosli. Charles is hiding in his work, I bet you don’t even know the name of a single one of his friends or tutors. If the way you’d destroyed your relationship with them wasn’t bad enough you’ve done it to the kids too. They turned to me! Can’t you see what you’re doing to them. Felix turned to me for comfort and support, Geoff asked for me to come when he was scared and alone. Not you, not Dad, not any of the people they should be thinking of. I’m their brother not their parent and yet I’ve had more to do with their upbringing than you. Dad can be excused because of his work but you could have spared them time the way you do for the girls.”
Stephen took a ragged breath. There was so much he wanted to say but he was perilously close to tears and a complete breakdown.
“You’ve hurt them all so badly and now you say they don’t feel things the same was as the girls do? How wrong can you get? What the hell is going on in that head of yours to make you think that? You’re destroying your relationships with us without a second thought and if something goes wrong you’ll just blame it on badness and send us away like you did to Mike. You aren’t a mother to us and you haven’t been for a long time.”
“How DARE you say that to me?”
Joey’s voice was full of wounded pride and outrage and her eyes were flashing with anger but suddenly Stephen saw them turn from him and look over his shoulder to the door.
“He dares, Joey, because it’s true.”

#127: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 1:39 am

Gaaaah. Sarah! You can't leave it there! Please say you're going to post more!

Is it jack at the door? Shocked

#128: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 1:43 am

Thanks Sarah, what's Jack going to do now? It is Jack, isn't it?
Guess what I'm going to say now........

that's right, More please.

ps Very impressed with Steve's eloquent speech.

#129: Author: Rosie, Location: Huntingdonshire

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 1:46 am

Way to go Stephen! Joey needed to hear that! So, is it Jack??
Yay, 200th post!! I could go to bed now...

#130: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 1:52 am

Good on Stephen for getting all that out.
Good on Jack (or person I assume is Jack, Con would have said Mamma) for agreeing with Stephen.

#131: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 2:15 am

Go Stephen!!!!!

More SOON please Sarah!!

#132: Author: Cathy, Location: Australia

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 2:26 am

That was GREAT. You made me cry. I'm so glad Stephen finally said. Jo had it coming. Now is Jack going to tick her off, helped by Len?

Hope so ...

#133: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 3:29 am

Way to go Stephen - yessssss that Jack heard. Hope he tells her a few home truths. AND realises the part he played in all this.

#134: Author: ravenseyes, Location: New Zealand

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 4:30 am

I think Jack and Jem have a big role in Jo's attitude. Jem treated her like a child regarding stress and so did Jack. Everytime she possibly had to deal with something bad one of them slipped her the ever present dose. Also maybe she did believe that boys would feel things differently. During her "girlhood" she was in an exclusively female environment and then after school she had British males of the "stiff upper lip" "don't show feelings" era. Maybe she truly believes that men do feel things differently because she has never seen any different

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

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 6:31 am

Good for Stephen - it needed saying - and hope that's Jack, i think he's the only one with even a chance of getting through to Joey. Yes Jack and Jem have some culpability, but for someone with her supposed empathy how can she possibly believe that boys do not have feelings?

#136: Author: Tassie_Ellen, Location: Tasmania, Australia

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 7:44 am

Sarah, the last few posts have been fantastic! I haven't been able to get onto the board for this whole week, so lots of story to catch up on - and it was wortht he wait....thank you so much!

Ellen *cheers loudly for Steve; hopes Jack tells Joey a few home truths (and takes the part of the blame that belongs to him)*

#137: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 9:00 am

If (and it's always a big IF) this turns out happily, they will be a much more balanced family.

Looking forward to more. Where's Jack?

#138: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 9:11 am

Hmm, could be Jack, could be Con, could be Jem, could be Madge...

#139: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 10:14 am

Could we have some more please?! Laughing

#140: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 10:59 am

So glasd Stephen managed to say all that. It must be such a relief, and now it's out in the open maybe Joey will begin to realise. Hope that Jack, if it is Jack will help and that they won't just have a blazing row.

#141: Author: pim, Location: the place where public transport doesn't work properly!

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 11:34 am

Good old Stephen - Joey had it comng to her.

I'm not even going to specualte on the mystery guest as I'll probably get it very wrong but I'm *very* intrigued.

*perches nervously on edge of seat trying not to fall off*

#142: Author: Rosie, Location: Huntingdonshire

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 1:35 pm

*ponders giving Pim a teensy little shove...*
*decides it would be rather mean, and offers toffees instead*

#143: Author: ccap, Location: Paris, France

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 3:57 pm

I know it's not very likely, but it would be wonderful if the one at the door was Hilda, Bill or Matey!! Twisted Evil

#144: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 4:01 pm

Good for Stephen, she had that coming to her. Her upbringing may have taught her that men keep stiff upper lips, but the point is that Felix is a schoolboy and so is Geoff. Any decent mother would have been there at the hospital, not dancing unwanted attendance on Madge.

#145: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 5:40 pm

*wonders where Sarah is.....*

#146: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 5:47 pm

Thanks for that Sarah! Hope Joey realises and is sorry for the way she acted but I want more fireworks first!

#147: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 7:29 pm

ccap wrote:

I know it's not very likely, but it would be wonderful if the one at the door was Hilda, Bill or Matey!! Twisted Evil

I'm not sure Jo would pay a lot of attention to any of them. She could continue to justify her behaviour and say that they have no idea what it's like to be a parent (which is true).

#148: Author: claire, Location: SOUTH WALES

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:42 pm

Excellent, hope it was Jack over hearing - or better still that Jack picked up Madge on the way and it's both of them

#149: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 9:59 pm

Please post some more, Sarah!

#150: Author: Angel, Location: London, England

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 10:41 pm

It may be a day or two before Sarah posts. She posted on her LJ today saying her arm was sore and she was struggling to type.

*hopes she isn't crossing boundaries, or offending anyone in writing this*

#151: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 10:44 pm

Poor thing! *heads over to huggle her*

#152: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 11:56 pm

Not being able to type due to a bad arm in the middle of the term must be one of the most awkward things that can happen to you. Poor Sarah. Sad

#153: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 1:24 am

Oh!! Poor Sarah!!
*parcels up huggles and sends them off!!*

#154: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 2:56 am

Sends more huggles for Sarah.

#155: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 3:41 pm

Sending all sorts of medicine and lotions and creams to mend Sarah's arm.

#156: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 7:48 pm

Angel's right, I'm afraid I haven't been able to write anything. My arm is feeling a lot better today but I'm being careful so you might have to wait a bit before I get anymore written. Sorry.

You're right Sarah, I have 2 essays due in next week and I have no idea how I'm going to get them done! Oh dear Confused

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

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 7:52 pm

Sarah, hope your arm gets better soon - have you thought of dictating your essays and getting someone to type them up? Or getting hold of Voice Recognition Software for your computer?

#158: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 8:01 pm

Sarah, don't worry about this story for the next few days. Concentrate on getting your arm better.

#159: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 8:15 pm

Absolutely! We can wait! Even patiently!

#160: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 10:47 pm

*agrees with what everyone else said*

#161: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 11:07 pm

KB wrote:

Absolutely! We can wait! Even patiently!

It's a good chance to practice our patience. Very Happy

#162: Author: Dot, Location: Ireland

Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2004 12:31 am

Sarah_L wrote:

KB wrote:

Absolutely! We can wait! Even patiently!

It's a good chance to practice our patience. Very Happy

Ahh! The card game! Very good idea! Laughing

#163: Author: pim, Location: the place where public transport doesn't work properly!

Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2004 12:44 am

Oh, I'm now very tempted to go off and have a game of solitaire instead of making my bed... hmmm Smile

#164: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2004 3:26 am

Hopes arm recovers and essays get done despite everything. It's such fun typing one-fingered with the wrong hand!

#165: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2004 6:56 pm

I'm really enjoying this - and I am so glad that Steve has blown up at Joey... hope Jack accepts his responsibilities as not being around enough for the kids but is also firm with Joey that she has been a poor mother to them more than he has been a poor father to them. Make sense?!

I'm sorry your arm is bad Sarah - I can fully understand yor pain with this! Hope it clears up soon though *sending lots of hugs*

Kat

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

Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2004 7:36 pm

Oh NO! I just read the whole thing through and its been left on this horrible cliffhanger! I hope your arm gets better soon, though! (and not only for purely selfish reasons, honest!)

#167: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 4:53 am

Soory your arm's hurting Sarah, I hope it get's better soon, and not just because I wantt o read more of this - I do wantt o of course, but I can wait patiently when necessary.

#168: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 8:23 am

Just caught up. Hope your arm is better soon Sarah. We'll still be here when you get back to it.

*Sends chocs as medicine for sore arm*

#169: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 1:05 pm

Hope your arm is much better very soon.

#170: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 7:36 pm

Thanks you for all the hugs and chocolates. My arm does seem to be a lot better today but I'm still trying to be sensible so only short bits for now I'm afraid (although the way the bunny is jumping up and down you may have more soon).

“He dares, Joey, because it’s true.”
Stephen spun round to face his Father. Jack’s tone was icy and cold, quite unlike his normal voice and it made Stephen very uncomfortable. The look in Jack’s eyes was similarly uncompromising and Stephen found himself wondering just how much he’d heard and wishing he’d been a little calmer and less rude. Just as he was about to try and explain himself Stephen’s brain caught up and he realised that it was Joey that Jack had spoken to and Joey that he was staring at.
“Jack Maynard what on earth do you mean it’s true?”
Joey’s tone was as hot and angry as Jack’s had been cold. Stephen looked from his Father to his Mother warily, uncertain what he was supposed to be doing.
“Just that. Stephen would you please go and call your brothers, tell them I’ll talk to them later today or tomorrow, and then go back to Felix and the girls. I’ll come and see you when I’ve finished with your Mother.”
Jack still hadn’t actually looked at Stephen but there was no way he was arguing with his Dad at that moment. He looked back briefly at his Mother and then headed for the door. Reaching out to touch the handle he turned to Jack.
“Dad... I’m glad you came.”
His voice wavered slightly, he was tired emotionally and physically and Jack couldn’t have arrived at a better moment. As Stephen opened the door Jack finally turned to his son, put his hand on his shoulder and looked at him sadly.
“I’m sorry it took so long.”

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

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 7:39 pm

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. GO JACK!!

#172: Author: Angel, Location: London, England

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 8:24 pm

Woohooo!!!!!

I ♥,Jack.

Sarah - don't push yourself too hard. But it's brilliant.

#173: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 8:26 pm

Way hey - I am so looking forward to seeing this confrontation, but take it easy Sarah - it's good to have things to look forward to.

#174: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 8:28 pm

*wonders how much of Joey will be left when Jack is finished with her.

#175: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 8:29 pm

Jack will sort Joey out. I'm glad someone is finally giving Stephen support. Thanks Sarah.

#176: Author: Angel, Location: London, England

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 8:30 pm

*mental image of Joey in vat of sulphuric acid*

*and still alive*

#177: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 8:33 pm

Oooh, that's cruel Angel. Twisted Evil

#178: Author: Angel, Location: London, England

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 8:36 pm

You have a problem with that?

#179: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 8:38 pm

Not at all. Very Happy

#180: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 8:41 pm

Go Jack! I was a bit afraid he would pussyfoot all round her but it sounds like he's reached the end of his tether now.

I hope this interview is not behind closed doors Rolling Eyes

Take care with that arm, Sarah. We may be impatient but I'm sure the wait is good for our souls.

#181: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 8:42 pm

[quote="Angel"]Woohooo!!!!!

I ♥,Jack.
quote]

echoes Angel's sentiments!!

Sarah this is great. would love some more whenever you can manage it.

#182: Author: Angel, Location: London, England

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 8:45 pm

It was this post:

Chelsea wrote:

*wonders how much of Joey will be left when Jack is finished with her.

That gave me the idea...

#183: Author: claire, Location: SOUTH WALES

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 8:45 pm

great, don't let Jack sedate her to get out of things this time

#184: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 8:46 pm

Sarah, if you dare to make this a closed door interview, we'll never speak to you again. We all WANT to see Jack ripping into Jo.

Putting extra refreshments into the drabble sitting rooms so we can have a good time whilst we watch it.

#185: Author: Angel, Location: London, England

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 8:54 pm

Tissues - check

Trampolines - check

Cliff-harness - check

Chocolates and champage - check

I think that's all eventualities covered - doughnuts are over there.

#186: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:03 pm

*brings glasses and ice for champers*

Sarah, thank you so much for more of this! I'm glad it was Jack, that he was nice to his son, and that he shows no sign of backing down!

#187: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 10:50 pm

Yay Jack has arrived! He will sort Joey out! Hope he reduces her to a wreck and doesn't feel sorry for doing that!
Hope your arm is ok Smile

#188: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 10:56 pm

Jack, my hero!

So glad that Stephen is getting support.

#189: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 11:34 pm

Make what a closed door interview Jennie? *looks innocent* Twisted Evil

oops not that smiley Very Happy

It is coming, honest, just... not yet Razz

Stephen made his way to Dr Care’s office to see if he could use the phone in there. He was feeling rather shell shocked by this time, as he walked past Felix’s room Con saw him and wondered to herself what on earth had put that dreamy look on his face, it was more suited to her own face than his. Dr Care was just leaving his office and let Stephen in to make the calls. He called Mike first but was told to call back in ten minutes or so to allow Mike to get to the office. Charles was in his rooms when he tried there though. There was a long silence on the other end of the phone when Stephen passed on the news that Felix was safe.
“He’s... he’s really going to get better?”
Charles sounded as if he was close to tears and Stephen’s mind flashed back to his Mother’s words.
“Anyway I’m sure they’re fine, boys don’t tend to feel these things the same way as their sisters.”
If only she could hear him now.
“It looks like it. He’s awake and he knows who we all are and he’s been talking as well. Looks like he’s on his way to a complete recovery. Early days yet though.”
“I thought he was going to die.” Charles voice was so quiet Stephen had to strain to hear, “I really though he wasn’t going to make it and I’d never see him again.”
“So did I. This is like a dream but it’s real Charles, I promise you.”
“Thank God!”
“Are you alone there Charles?”
Stephen was worried about hanging up on his brother whilst he sounded so emotional, none of the Maynard boys were prone to sharing their deepest emotions or feelings, a trait they got from their Mother.
“Yes... well I am now but Tom’s coming over later for supper. I’m alright Stephen you don’t need to worry about me.”
Stephen smiled at that.
“I know but I still do. Dad said he’d ring you tonight or tomorrow, he just arrived.”

The call to Mike was harder in a way. The call had to be short as it would be expensive but Stephen wanted to make sure he understood and that he was alright. Mike sounded as relieved as Charles had but he also sounded as worried about Stephen as Stephen was about him.
“How are you doing Steve? Con’s being helpful? Mother’s not being too awful.”
“Con’s being wonderful, as is Fliss, and Mother is alright.” There was no way Stephen was telling Mike what had just happened. “Dad arrived just now so he’s with her.”
“He’ll keep her steady anyway. Don’t suppose she’s thought to call Charles?”
“I called Charles just now Mike.”
Stephen hated the bitter sound in Mike’s voice though he had just used it himself. He’d caught Margot using it occasionally although that was back before she’d entered the convent. She seemed to have made peace with her Mother now.
“Dad’ll call you tomorrow if you’re allowed another call.”
“Tell him to make it in the morning, we’re leaving port later.”
Just as Stephen was about to hang up he though he heard Mike make a noise that sounded suspiciously like a sob.
“Mike?”
“He’s ok? He’s really ok? And Mum’s there with him?”
“He’s really alright and Mum’s here and Dad’s here now too.”
“Alright. Thanks for calling.”
“Anytime.”
Stephen really hung up this time and then took a deep breath. Mike hadn’t called Joey Mum in a long time, it sounded like he needed her too. Just when Stephen had probably made her hate them all. He put his head in his hands, if only he’d been able to stay calm a little longer. Inside Stephen knew that thoughts like that were pointless so he shook himself and went back to Felix and his sisters but he couldn’t quite rid himself of the feeling that he might have messed things up for all his brothers.

#190: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 11:37 pm

Personaly I think Stephen has done the right thing for himself and his brothers.

It is great to get a glimpse of the boys like that Sarah, thanks.

#191: Author: pim, Location: the place where public transport doesn't work properly!

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 11:56 pm

Whew. Poor Stephen, I just want to huggle him but he has done the right thing.

But what's Jack going to say to Joey? Shocked

#192: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 11:57 pm

Totally in agreement with Carolyn.
Thank you Sarah.

#193: Author: Angel, Location: London, England

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 12:03 am

This is stunning Sarah.

I am in awe. Just don't risk the recovery, please.

#194: Author: Mollio, Location: Ireland

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 12:35 am

Stephen was absolutely right to shout at Jo. I hope Jack does too. Not only does she deserve it but she NEEDS it. She'll have to own up to a few things in her own mind and make some sort of amends to the boys for her ever to have harmony in the family again.
Way to go, Sarah!
Hope the arm is better.

*Does massage for you*

yummy

#195: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 12:41 am

*hopes this will be the turning point for Jo.*

Take care of that arm!

#196: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 3:36 am

Thank you Sarah! That was great!! Please take care of your arm!

#197: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 5:57 pm

Stephen was perfectly correct to tell Jo what he thought of her. I'm sure Jack will back him up, and then perhaps Jo will come to grips with the reality of their lives and try to make some sort of amends to her sons.

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

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 6:59 pm

Thank you Sarah for the last few posts - looking forward to more when your arm allows! Laughing

#199: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 7:06 pm

Thanks Sarah! I hope your arm hasn't suffered too much.

Looking forward to more when you feel up to it!

#200: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 8:20 pm