The CBB :: View topic - The Triplets Birthday

#1: The Triplets Birthday Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 8:36 am

Joey Maynard sat in front of the mirror; the plastic surgeon had done a good job this time. She carefully applied her make up, years of practice giving her a deft hand and then straightened the wig that was the final touch. She gave a little smile, the corners of her mouth just slightly turning upwards as she viewed the 23-year-old face in the mirror. This time she was blonde, she loved being blonde, she tried to swing her hair round dramatically and watched the effect as it danced from shoulder to shoulder.

Joey rose and walked over to the safe, hidden behind a large mounted photograph of three chubby toddlers, and took out a hypodermic, carefully injecting the contents of the syringe into her thigh before locking the safe and staring for a moment at the photo. “My babes, my triplets” she murmured, letting her hand rest for a brief moment on the face of each girl. Then feeling the medication begin to take effect she straightened up renewed life flowing through her, the injections kept her body young, and with plastic surgery, make up and the wigs no one would realise that she was really 87 years old.

It was a pity that after Jack had developed this special formula he had had that nasty accident in the car, before anything was published or released even to his colleagues. Who would have believed that after years of driving along the Platz and up and down the mountain roads that he would have driven right off the edge? Joey had mourned along with the rest of the close-knit community, and then one day had announced her decision to return to England. She had taken sole responsibility for packing up Jack’s office and workroom at the San as well as his study at Freudesheim although she had let Anna do the rest of the packing. Her friends watched this with concern, seeing a woman who was mourning still, not allowing anyone to touch anything of Jack’s.
“I want a new start, everything here reminds me of what I’ve lost. It’s time I went home again,” was her only reply to their comments and they watched her leave with mounting concern. This concern grew as Joey took the younger girls out of the Chalet school and insisted they return home to England with her, severing all contact with the Platz and her former life.

Years passed and the only contact anyone had with the Maynard family was by letter. It was now 2004, 65 years since the triplets had been born and many of their old friends were dead. The triplets and the rest of the Maynards had not been heard from for decades, and Joey knew the time was ripe.

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

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 9:15 am

*chuckling to self and at the same time wibbling slightly about Joey's plans* Great start Carolyn, enjoy your birthday!

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 9:24 am

YAY Carolyn!

This looks as good as ever,

*sits down so's not to miss a thing*

#4: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 9:29 am

This was the first thing I opened!! When may we have the next bit?

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 9:35 am

So Carolyn what is Joey's plan???

Intrigued!

Have a lovely b'day!

#6: Re: The Triplets Birthday Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 9:38 am

Carolyn P wrote:

It was a pity that after Jack had developed this special formula he had had that nasty accident in the car, before anything was published or released even to his colleagues. Who would have believed that after years of driving along the Platz and up and down the mountain roads that he would have driven right off the edge?

Surely she didn't?

Very inventive Carolyn, looking forward to more.

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 10:15 am

The triplets were busy. They had no idea who they really were. Len was now married with two children, Con was in Canada and Margot was, well, Margot was enjoying life and spending lots of money on Chalet School books. It was strange that all of the girls had a collection of these books, never realising why they had this attraction for them. They all lead busy and full lives, never dreaming that there was a secret in their past.

Joey knew though. She had kept track of all her girls and now the time was ripe to draw them back together, to reveal to them just who they were. They had met six weeks ago, and Joey had found it hard to contain herself, to stop revealing the secret then, but a breakdown in her technology had delayed her plans and on reflection she thought the trips REAL birthday was a much better day for these revelations.

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

#8: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 11:14 am

So go on with this, please. Don't leave it there!

#9: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 11:34 am

Carolyn - you're procrastinating!!! Wink

#10: Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 12:05 pm

*grinning*

Carolyn this looks BRILLIANT!

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 12:32 pm

*giggling wildly!!*
Think I have an idea where this may be going!!! More please Carolyn!!!!!!!!

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 12:40 pm

It was early when Vikki woke on 16th April. She loved birthdays and this one should be fun as she was expecting to see some friends and drink lots of Baileys. First however she was going to spend the day with some lemon biscuits and her favourite books. After dressing and showering, she realised that was probably the wrong order to do things in, so she put on some dry clothes and settled down with all three Chalet Books for Girls. She intended to spend the whole day lost in the Chalet universe as a birthday treat. She was deep into the second one when the phone rang. Vikki ignored it; this was not a day to be disturbed on. Then the mobile beeped with a text. Sighing she supposed that if someone was that keen to get in touch she had better look. The text was from Xanthe, it read simply ‘CBB now’. Vikki was puzzled, what could be so important? Tempted to ignore it she cast a look at the books, but then the thought of some of the recent drabbles on the board made her think again, maybe she had better have a quick look. What she saw when she logged in stunned her.

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

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 12:40 pm

Carolyn i can't wait for the next bit Smile

#14: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 12:43 pm

More please!!! vey soon.

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 12:47 pm

*tickles Carolyn mercilessly*

#16: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 12:49 pm

echoes please for more

#17: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 12:57 pm

Carolyn this is good really good.

Trying hard not to be smug Surprised

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 1:13 pm

Carolyn was pleased. It was her birthday and she had some chocolate and some money. Even better she had a promise of a trip round the local second hand bookshops. This was good. The children off to holiday club and D off to work she settled down at the computer. This was not a day to work, she intended to treat herself to a morning on the CBB catching up on some of the drabbles and chatting on msn, a day when she could do so with no guilt nagging about all the other things that ought to be done. She hadn’t got as far as the board when an msn box started pinging like mad. Carolyn clicked it and stared at amazement at the content. Pat and Kathye both telling her to check out a certain thread on the board pronto, wondering if it was a wind up, and if so who was behind it. Carolyn read the thread with a growing sense of amazement. This had to be a joke, didn’t it? She PM’d Sue to ask if she had seen it, and then dropped back to the msn conversation, no one had any idea what it all meant.
Pat: “I suggest getting all those involved here tonight”
Carolyn: “Sensible, Chelsea won’t be up yet, and Sue is at work without msn so we can’t all talk together till tonight”
Kathye: “I’ve heard from Chloe, she says Xan has seen it and texted Vikki. I’ll ring them all and tell them to be here tonight”
Carolyn: “It affects the rest of the board as well”
Pat: “Not in the same way”
Kathye: “Rachel will NOT be happy”
Pat: “*G*”
Pat: “She has written enough about other people in the past, time she had a taste herself”
Carolyn: “She’ll take it in fun, but if I were the person who wrote this I’d be quaking, what a character to give her!”
Kathye: “LOL. You don’t think it is real then?”
Carolyn: “It can’t be, can it?”
Pat: “Weirder things have happened, how do you like being older than me Carolyn?”
Carolyn “ Razz

”

The conversation turned to other things, but all of those mentioned kept coming back to the strange post, they just couldn’t shake the idea that somehow, however strange there was a seed of truth there.

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

#19: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 1:18 pm

Wonderful! How does it feel to be older then?!!!

#20: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 1:19 pm

I would so love to be able to this strange post Laughing

Intrigued and looking forward to more.

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 1:21 pm

*intrigued* More more more *kicks library puters hard*

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 1:26 pm

Even more intrigued...thinks not being able to access msn is a distinct disadvantage...must find a way around the work firewall...and upgrade my pc at home!!!

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 1:28 pm

What's this strange post say Carolyn?

More please oh shiny one!

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 1:34 pm

Oohh yay shiny drabble

Intrigued about the mystery post!

Happy Birthday all Very Happy

#25: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 1:51 pm

A new drabble Very Happy

Sound intriguing too.

Go on Carolyn, we're all ears...

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 1:52 pm

It was mid afternoon UK time when Chelsea logged onto the board. Her PM window flashed as soon as the index page loaded. She wondered who it was as she idly clicked on it, expecting it to be a birthday greeting from someone. Instead it was a brief message from Vikki warning her to read a certain thread before doing anything else. There was a second message from Carolyn also giving this warning, and asking her to be available on msn that evening UK time to discuss the matter. Chelsea was intrigued more than anything, what could be so important that it warranted two warnings? She clicked on the thread in question and creased up in laughter. This was funny. Then she read the bit about her, and stopped laughing. That wasn’t information that she had ever put on the board, or on msn, how did the person writing know that. Maybe, just maybe, this wasn’t a joke after all.

Rachel had come on mid afternoon and was furious. This was an outrage. How dare someone assign her that character? She would not give in and allow this to go unchallenged. She looked at the comments and realised that most people were confused by this posting and were treating it as a joke but as far as Rachel was concerned this post needed revenge. She dialled Kathye’s number and lit a fag. Kathye told her about the msn conversation of the morning and the two decided that maybe a joint response would be a good idea, although Rachel was all for wreaking vengeance and slowly torturing the person responsible for writing her into that role.

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

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 1:55 pm

what is going on??? Confused

#28: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 2:01 pm

Are you puzzled Nell? Laughing

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 2:06 pm

Yes!!! And I don't like not knowing what is happening so i think Carolyn better come and post again...

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 2:06 pm

What's their plan, soemthings missing here.....

i know MORE!

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 2:08 pm

Joey had timed her post to appear on the triplets’ birthday. Not the book birthday used by EBD, but their real birthday, 16th April. She knew that they would not be sure how to take the news and may treat it as a joke, but she knew that she could convince each of them that what she said was true, and if they didn’t, well she would soon prove to each of them that she was who she said she was. She typed quickly, having spent many years thinking about this she knew what she was about to say. Then she hit send and looked at the board. This news would rock the board, and shock the triplets, to say nothing if the other girls, Cecil, Felicity, Phillipa, Reuy, Erica, Clare, and her faithful Anna.

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 2:10 pm

Wow prompt service, thanks Carolyn...still slightly puzzled but starting to see a little further through the gloom!

#33: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 2:11 pm

Chanting very loudly!!!! Laughing

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 2:14 pm

Wow quick response Carolyn,

*sits down to wait for more*

#35: Author: Rosie, Location: Huntingdonshire

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 2:24 pm

*looks totally confused*
Did I drink too much last night or something??? I'm not sure my brain is even remotely connected now...

#36: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 2:30 pm

My dear girls, I am delighted to be able to speak to you openly after all this time. I have watched over you for many years, waiting for the right time to remind you of the truth. Now, 65 years to the day since my triplets were born I can finally tell you who you really are. I know you will be shocked, but please listen patiently to what I have to say, this is important. You are not the people you think you are, you are not a loose conglomerate of people with similar interests, you are family. Yes, FAMILY!

It seems such a long time ago since we had that final meeting, the last time we were all together. You won’t remember how Anna had made us a wonderful meal, and how you were all giggling and laughing as you waved goodbye to each other climbing into the stasis chambers. You thought it would be such a hoot, and were sure you would instantly recognise each other again. I knew differently, I’d seen first hand what happened when you came out of these things, I knew that you remembered very little and would for the first few hours be completely impressionable, malleable. I warned you, reminded you what had happened to your Auntie Madge. I know Margot that you tried to say that was just because she was just testing the machine, but even short times, single days and weeks made her loose her memory and the edge that she had when I was a child. I found it obvious when Jem couldn’t take it to Canada, she began to slowly remember and change back and I think that was why Jem was so keen to get home. He lost no time in getting her back to ‘testing’ it again. I’m afraid that each one of you came out with no idea of who you were, which in the end has proved your best defence. I was able to guide you into your new lives with little problem and no one ever suspected what we were doing.

You have all been out of stasis for varying lengths of time; even the triplets were released at different times. None of you have recognised the others when you have met, and many of you have met. You see this tie that you have, this bond, is real. You sensed in each other a familiarity and put it down to common interests, without realising that these common interests where what drew you together in the first place. Your love of Chalet Books has been because deep down you know that they are real, that despite their fictionalising of real events, they contain your history, our history. It has been with eager eyes that I have watched you joining the CBB, and waited till this moment, to reveal why I set the CBB up.

I knew that something within you would remind you of your past in some way, and I determined that when that happened I would be there for you. When you began to ask questions about the Chalet world, to spot the inconsistencies between what was written and what you knew, when you started to write the real stories I knew that the day was not far off when I would be able to give you this final reminder. Carolyn, Chelsea, Vikki, my triplets, my other girls, Pat, you will always be my Cecil, Kathye, or rather Felicity, and Xanthe, my Phillipa. The adoptees too, Sue how I remember meeting you in my beloved Tiernsee when you were Ruey, Chloe, you were a fine Head girl as Erica, and dear Little Clare, my French baby, how you blossomed as Ally.You 9 together with Rachel whose delicious lemon biscuits I miss even more than her help in the house when she was Anna, were my first girls, but look at the memberlist, so many girls now, and all were part of my family at one point or another, everyone a Maynard adoptee.

Now to the reason we went through all this, the reason I have watched and worried about you over the years till the technology was in place for me to be able to draw us all together once more through this site. I know my girls, and I know that you are asking why, well, I want you to think, think back to what was happening on the Platz, in our lives, at the school and above all to THINK. You need to figure this one out for yourselves, you need to regain those memories and they will only return as you try to access them. Chelsea I know that you had peanut butter, honey and banana sandwiched for breakfast, even as a child you wanted that ever since the year we spent in Canada. Pat remember when as Cecil you terrified me with a tale of waling across a gorge in the mountains on a railway , it happened not in Cornwall as you remember but up on the Rosleinalpe, Chloe, Erica, that glass you remember removing from your Gran’s window wasn’t there, it was in the school the day you accidentally locked yourself in Matey’s office and wanted to get out. I could go on, but you need to regain your memories and this should prove the truth and get you thinking enough to remember the rest.

Of course we had to disappear first, and Anna, your ‘special’ biscuits came in very handy when Jack began to talk about his marketing plans. It was a good job that they didn’t do a drug check on his blood, but I suppose the empty gin bottles I ‘left’ in the boot put them off track a little. It was lucky that Jem met up with Phillipa and Erica, or rather Xanthe and Chloe and such a ‘shame’ that he appeared to have been poked off the cliff. Do you remember that was why you were slightly late to the party that last night? You had such fun. Madge you were over the moon about that, weren’t you Jennie? Still holding the champagne bottle as you climbed into stasis.

It has been hard waiting for you all, and having to keep up the charade of mourning initially as I slowly withdrew from all our old friends and family. It has been lonely, but these last years as you have slowly begun to reunite with each other I have been hard put to remain quiet. I was going to tell you all if this before The Gathering as it seemed such a good opportunity, but when the board went down it was impossible. Then I realised that today was a much better time, what a way to celebrate the triplets birthday than to remind you of your true heritage.

#37: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 2:38 pm

It's great!!!! Wonderfully funny. Hurry up and post some more!!!! Even if you have to write it as you go!!!
Really looking forward to RTW's reaction!!!!! Twisted Evil

#38: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 2:42 pm

Fabulous. So, so funny.

#39: Author: Katarzyna, Location: Preston, Lancashire

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 2:56 pm

*spluttering wildly over the keyboard*

thank goodness i have the office to myself this afternoon.

Am now fervently hoping that i will still be on line when RTW sees this!!

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 3:08 pm

Oh yes hopefully she sees it soon...wonderful, so funny!!

#41: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 3:19 pm

So, I'm really Madge, am I.

Everyone bow down to your Foundress! Please remember to curtsey to me, and call me Madame.

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 3:20 pm

Thank you Carolyn/Liss

All very interesting, especially RTW's history, looking forward to more!!!

#43: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 3:28 pm

So that's the mystery post - brilliant. I really don't know how you manage to think of these ideas, Carolyn.
More soon please.

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 3:32 pm

Now it has got that far I can reveal that my inspiration was Rachel, in her own words:
"so this is the drabble where you reveal that in actual fact we are all Joey Maynards offspring, you three are in fact the original triplets, Joey had you all put in stasis at some stage and only released you gradually, everyone else is either a fellow offspring or an adoptee, Joey is really Liss, and she wants her babies back?"

I've changed some of it....and written a bit more....wil finish this off later after a few glasses of wine

#45: Author: Rachel, Location: Plotting in my lair; sometimes in Hampshire, England, UK, Europe, Earth, Milky Way, Universe

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 3:33 pm

** takes a bow and adds Carolyn's name to the kippering list **

#46: Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 3:36 pm

I have to be silent in the computer room... the noise of my sides splitting, however, is impossible to muffle ROFL

Carolyn this is VERY funny *snickering*

more PLEASE

*starts a chant to the tune of happy birthday*

#47: Author: Katarzyna, Location: Preston, Lancashire

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 3:39 pm

Xan is that the chant that goes

More drabble pur-lease
More drabble pur-lease
more drable Carolyn, Liss and anyone else who's writing this
or we shall set RTW on you?

#48: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 3:45 pm

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO VIKKI, CAROLYN AND CHELSEA

birthday cake

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 3:55 pm

Thank you for the wonderful drabble Carolyn!
And thank you for the b'day greeting Jennie!!!!

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 4:12 pm

*slides elegantly off chair, picks self up looking furtivly around to check no one noticed* ROFL

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 4:21 pm

See dangerous amounts of poking whoever i am Twisted Evil

Thank you! Simply brillant can't wait for more Very Happy

#52: Author: Alex, Location: Home again

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 4:35 pm

Was reading quite calmly until it came to Rachel and her special biscuits.

ROTFL!

#53: Author: Sophie, Location: Cambridegeshire

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 4:45 pm

Fantastic! Really, really clever and hilarious. Carolyn P - you're wonderful!

Happy birthday to the trips! popper

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 6:37 pm

Thank you Carolyn - this is wonderful! Laughing

#55: Author: BethC, Location: Worcester, UK

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 7:10 pm

Brilliant, Carolyn - and thank you, 'cos this has really cheered me up!

*also loves RTW's role as provider of the (in)famous lemon biscuits Twisted Evil

#56: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 7:47 pm

Another one here who was completely undone by Rachel's special lemon biscuits, although I was wobbling at Xan and Chloe poking Jem off the cliff.

Laughing

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Len, Con and Margot (which one's which?)

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 8:12 pm

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO VIKKI CAROLYN AND CHELSEA!!!!!!

This is fantastic Carolyn !! Smile

More please when you've had a bit more wine!

#58: Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 8:15 pm

*chanting*

(patience? patience? something to do with cards isn't it???)

#59: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 8:18 pm

Thanks for the loverly birthday story Carolyn.

#60: Author: Chickpea,

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 8:24 pm

This is brilliant - pure genius!

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 8:31 pm

Lesley wrote:

Thank you Carolyn - this is wonderful! Laughing

That means a lot Lesley comnsidering the esteem I hold you in.
Thanks.

*On my third glass*

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 8:35 pm

Quick! someone give Carolyn an idea for how to continue it !!!!!!!

#63: Author: Alex, Location: Home again

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 8:36 pm

I'm such a lightweight I'd be on the floor after 3. Not sure how much the average person needs to get them to a state to top the last post.

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 9:37 pm

Where's the rest of the drabble Crying or Very sad

I hope the wine hits in soon Carolyn!!!!

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 9:38 pm

The MSN discussion that night did not produce many results. Most were shocked, and slightly worried that Liss had been able to post about incidents they had never mentioned before. They came to no conclusions except that they believed her. However after Kathye opened the London Gathering up they all agreed to meet together and discuss the matter. It was a bit of a miracle that Chelsea managed to get an immediate flight, but on the Saturday they all made their way to Kathye’s and faced the woman who claimed to be their mother.

That meeting was a revelation. They had come with an open mind, almost wanting to know, to believe more, and were not disappointed. It was as they talked, and listened to each other that they realised that what they had dismissed as story, as dreams, as plot bunnies were real memories surfacing. They talked into the night and by the early hours were convinced, not only convinced but beginning to be certain, it was then that Liss/Joey dropped the bombshell.
“Er, I think we had better get some sleep.”
“Why, you said that these gatherings were not to be sleepovers?” asked Len/Carolyn, suddenly worried.
“Well I thought it would be good if we did something together tomorrow, something bonding, something that would be fun, and in a good cause…” Liss came to a halt, aware of the faces looking at her in horror.
“Tell us you didn’t” asked Kathye/Felicity
“NO” shrieked Xan and Chloe, Phillipa/Erica simultaneously
“I’m up for it?” giggled Margot/Vikki over her baileys.
“WHAT IS GOING ON” shouted all the others, who were not London based.
“She has entered us in the London Marathon,” said Rachel as she offered Liss a plate of biscuits.

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 9:42 pm

Genius.

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 9:44 pm

Oh help!!!!

(thank you Carolyn I think) Wink

#68: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 9:45 pm

#69: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 9:46 pm

*Sniggers at the marathon runners*
Loving it Carolyn, hope there's more soon

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 9:57 pm

Hehehehe! Will be watching for you on the telly! 26 miles - a bit of fun!!!!

More please Carolyn!

#71: Author: Donna, Location: Liverpool

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 10:01 pm

This is very funny Carolyn/Liss! But guess what? I want more! A birthday is not an excuse Carolyn! Very Happy

btw, happy birthday to the trips!

#72: Author: Guest,

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 10:19 pm

We'll be watching out for you on Sunday, what a lovely idea of Liss/Joey Razz

#73: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 10:22 pm

Sorry, I'm doing that a lot today. That was me. Screen of Death

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 10:43 pm

Liss was wise enough to take a biscuit and then crumble it into a plant pot. The plant did not survive for many more minutes. Pat looked at at Rachel in horror and shrieked as Liss slowly nodded her head. She did not have time to get to the bathroom before she was sick, copiously sick all over the doorstep.
“I painted that yesterday,” protested Kathye.
“I’ll get on it,” replied Rachel wearily. She was already slipping back into her role as Anna and looking for ways to break out. This time she planned to use a special paint with the colour, consistency and smell of human blood to cover the doorstep.
The mixed smell of vomit and blood caused the Maynard girls to seek their beds and in the morning they found another common bond that convinced them of their heritage. With no fuss they were all though the bathroom in a few minutes and all took cold baths, leaving the bath running for the next person.

The call had gone out on the CBB overnight, telling the board that this was no joke, that Liss was really Joey, their mother. They were all called to London and Liss carefully didn’t tell them exactly what form the ‘family event’ would take, and it was with some horror that when they convened in Hyde park and Liss/Joey calmly gave them vests to wear, with large numbers printed on them and announced that they would be running as a family, and looking to set a record, the largest family group to complete the marathon.

#75: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 10:46 pm

Go for it Carolyn!! It's great! More!!!

#76: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 10:53 pm

Great Carolyn, but as part of the rest of the CBB, there is absolutely no way that I'm going to run in the marathon, adoptee or not!
Anyway, as the company nurse wanted to send me home the day as I was 'unfit to perform my duties' I can't possibly undertake such an arduous task.
I'm very much looking forward to watching everyone else though.....

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

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 11:08 pm

sorry
enjoyed the Jacob's creek too much to finish this...will do so over the weekend.

#78: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 11:29 pm

Carolyn this is really really funny. Glad there will be more tomorrow.

#79: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 11:42 pm

Jacob's Creek is a perfectly good excuse for not finishing adrabble really (if there is such a thing as a good excuse for that).

I'm currently very glad that I am just a humble CBBer.

#80: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 11:47 pm

Oh fun, running. Though my training schedule says only 16km on Sunday and a marathon is 44km, so this might be a problem!

*looking forward to reading more.

#81: Author: Rachel, Location: Plotting in my lair; sometimes in Hampshire, England, UK, Europe, Earth, Milky Way, Universe

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 11:57 pm

Very hard to read this with Liss snorting over my shoulder and having hysterics - silently! - as we are in Megan's bedroom!

We have biscuits planned for the rest of the Gatherers tomorrow btw . . .

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

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 12:09 am

*unable to believe that Carolyn has left us dangling like this!!!*
*loving the way Carolyn's incorporated this afternoon's msn discussion about RTW and Kathye's doorstep!!!*

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

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 12:25 am

Oh this is absolutely classic ...... where do you get ur ideas from ?????? .....................thinks................ oh I know its MSN conversations that include RTW or Sue Wink

Hope you enjoyed the Jacob's creek and had a lovely day!

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

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 1:20 am

Classic Carolyn... and what's wrong with a bottle (or two) of Jacob's Creek for inspiration?????!!!!!

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

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 11:47 am

Chelsea/Con was in her element, sure she wasn’t meant to be running that far today, but she could do it, and would enjoy it. She beamed at Liss as she took her number and turned round to look at the rest of the family. What she saw was a mixture of horror, shock and pure fear. Ellie was shaking as she tried to pin her number onto a woolly jumper, Lesley was shaking her head, holding the number at arms length as if it might bite, Kate had fastened hers on upside down and was now fastening on a pair of very old rusty roller skates whilst shouting to half a dozen large dogs who were lolloping on the grass nearby. Pat/Cecil was still throwing up every now and again and the rest of the family were giving her a wide berth, all except Anna/Rachel who seemed to enjoy cleaning up after the rest of them and who was also towing a huger tank that she was emptying Pats buckets into. When the family had tried to get an explanation for this she had stared at the questioner until Ally/Clare had backed off gibbering to be consoled by Chloe/Erica.

Liss held up her hand and called for silence, “Come girls, this is going to be a record, there are 6 daughters, my sister, my maid, 3 adoptees from before, and all my other adoptee daughters here, so many of you, all in all 150 of us will be running the marathon today and we will finish.”
Liss/Joey flung her arms out as she did this and Jennie/Madge ducked, knowing her sister’s flair for dramatics she had guessed what was coming and neatly avoided being hit in the face.
“We will finish,” exclaimed Liss, “and we will show the world the stuff that Chalet Girls are made off!” Saying this she sent both arms out this time, and unfortunately caught not one, but two Rachaels off guard. Rachael P and Ray rubbed each others noses ruefully, but Liss barely noticed, now in full flow she stood, declaiming to her family how wonderful it was to work together, to finally meet openly, and most of all the wonderous joy of being chalet girls.

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

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 12:20 pm

Excuse me??? What am I doing there? Who am I? I planned to watch it and laugh! Laughing

(More please, Carolyn!)

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

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 1:32 pm

*settles down in comfy chair to wait for more*

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

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 1:33 pm

It was surprising but all the assembled women did actually set off. They kept together as well, Joey’s idea being that they did this together as a large group and to ensure this she produced a huge ball of string and tied each person loosely but securely to the next until they made a huge circle, all running at the speed of the slowest person. When she came to Kate, Joey insisted on threading the string through the handles of the dog leads that Kate was holding as well as round Kate’s wrist. It was when she came to Anna/Rachel there was a problem as Anna insisted that the tank on wheels had to come as well, and that if Kate could be towed by her dogs, then she could tow her tank.
“Leave my tank alone, we need it.”
Joey and Anna stared at each other for a moment, then Liss turned away laughing, “Looks like we are in for some fun then, lets go.”

They had got to Woolwich when Ellie first asked “Have we nearly finished yet” This was the three mile mark, before they had reached four miles she had asked seventeen more times. Pat/Cecil had finally stopped throwing up, and was relieved to see that this meant Anna/Rachel had stopped following her around, in fact the relief was so great that it gave her a burst of energy and for the next mile or so she ran. Lesley was running slowly, still looking at her number in disbelief, “What am I doing here,” she was heard to whisper, “I’m not a Maynard.”
“Oh yes you are, Mama always told us that the adoptees were just as much family as those of us who were born Maynards,” said Vikki/Margot coming alongside her, “and if this doesn’t prove that she treats us all the same then nothing will. Did you hear len this morning?”
“No,” grunted Lesley unable to say any more at the moment, a four mile run was more than she had done in a long, long time and she knew there was a lot more to come.
“She tried to persuade Joey, I mean Liss, I mean mama to let her off. Said that she had drunk too much last night to be able to run and didn’t think she ought to let us down by trailing behind or not finishing.”
Lesley grinned, “Nice try,”
“She didn’t fall for it and Carolyn was told not to be a”
“Spineless jellyfish,” concluded Lesley and the two giggled.

The group were attracting a lot of attention, 150 women of varying ages, all tied together, many obviously out of shape, one on roller skates being pulled by dogs and one towing what appeared to be a huge tank. Not the normal entrants in a marathon at all. Just short of halfway, at Rotherhithe, the BBC tried to talk to some of them.
“This is an unusual group?” began one reporter shoving a fluffy microphone at Jennie/Madge
“Top marks for observation” she panted.
“Would you like to tell the viewers why you are running?” he tried again.
“No,” was the short reply, Jennie, like most of the CBB had heard of patience but thought it was over rated.
The reporter stopped short, not expecting a negative response and in stopping got in the way of Xan and Chloe who grabbed the microphone chanting “Fluffy Poking stick” as they pulled it off the camera and tossed it back and forth between them, and into the ribs of anyone who came too close.

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

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 1:34 pm

Ooh, looks like I setlled down at just the right time!

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

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 3:05 pm

They still hadn’t reached the halfway point when they came to tower bridge. The crowds here were large and the sun was reaching its zenith. The group was still staggering along, tied together by the string. They reached the middle of the bridge and came to a temporary halt.
“I will not go a step further till someone gives me a drink,” declared Kathye.
“Here you go,” replied Sue throwing over a bottle.
Kathye/Felicity drunk deep and then spluttered. “What have you got in there?”
“Water,”
“When I said a drink, I meant a drink. How can anyone expect me to finish this with water?”
“Snot mine anyway,” said Sue/Ruey defensively, “That woman gave it to me.” Sue pointed at the crowd who separated in fear to reveal another reporter speaking into a mobile phone.
“I think I may have a way in. I’ve supplied one of the group with a water bottle and hope to gain their confidence, maybe being female will help….yes I know….no, I’ll get the interview don’t worry, erm, got to go.” The woman looked up at this last, realising that the crowd had parted. She paled. The ranked masses of the Maynard family were staring at her. She trembled. She quivered. She dropped her mobile. Con reached down, picked it up and dropped it over the railings, splash.
“Good one Chelsea,” shouted Ellie, grateful for the rest.
The reporter had backed up against the railings and was casting a worried look at the murky waters below as Sue and Kathye advanced inexorably towards her step by step. She looked as if she was about to jump over rather than allow Ruey and Felicity to apprehend her when she spotted another person beckoning her.
“Psssst, over here, quick,” hissed Rachel/Anna, “I’ll get you away,”
The woman was instantly suspicious, but a quick look told her that this smiling lady couldn’t mean any harm, she was certainly a better option than the closing gruesome twosome. She scuttled over to Anna who with a wink at the rest of the family opened a pocket and produced a lemon biscuit.
“I’m sure you need something to help you over the fright, have one of these.”
The reporter looked at the dainty biscuit she was being offered and relaxed a little, and then a little more as she heard the words, “I bake them myself.”
That was the last she heard and a few minutes later the Maynards and adoptees gathered round to hide Anna from sight as she disposed of the reporter into the vomit tank where she quickly dissolved.
“Told you we needed it,” was Anna’s final comment as she brushed her hands clear of biscuit crumbs.

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

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 3:09 pm

*eagerly awaiting more*

#92: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 3:19 pm

*verging on hysterics*

Carolyn its too wonderful.

#93: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 3:25 pm

Wonderful Carolyn. On second thoughts, me? Run 44k? Me?

#94: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 3:30 pm

*giggles madly*
Not sure there's any other response Very Happy

#95: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 5:54 pm

Jennie if I can do the impossible so can you!!!
Really enjoying this Carolyn! Trying not to laugh too loudly since Steve & Lynne think I'm crazy enough anyway!!

#96: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 6:28 pm

Finds this especially hysterical as a product of the sensible, responsible triplet. Laughing

Rachel as Anna & Jennie as Madge! Jem poked off the cliff! Joey's gestures intercepting 2 Rachaels at once! The whole ROFL

concept!

*hopes the mysterious lemon dessert last night wasn't provided by Anna/Rachel -- and that I'm not expected to run anywhere* (no, still safely on wrong side of ocean...)

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

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 8:01 pm

At the half way point going up the Highway through Shadwell the triplets found themselves together. The loose way they had been tied allowed for a certain amount of mingling among the group and these three had found themselves together. Len, Con and Margot, or rather Carolyn, Chelsea and Vikki found themselves wondering how this strange situation had come about.
“I never expected to run a marathon,” said Carolyn and Vikki giggled as she remembered Carolyn’s attempts to get out of it,
“You can’t call this exactly running though,” said Chelsea.
“I do,”
“Me too,” panted Vikki as they continued.
“Well maybe, but look at the time, we’re only half way round and I should have finished by now, this won’t look good on my record.” Chelsea sighed deeply and the other two were quiet for a moment, realising dimly that here was someone who enjoyed what to them was akin to torture.

Meanwhile Madge and Joey were also running together. Jennie was amazed at the way an 87 year old could run, then realised that as Liss had been planning this for months and so had time to get in shape and practise. She felt a slight annoyance at her younger sister who was now older than her, but looked lots younger.
“I suppose you have been preparing for this event?”
“No, not really,”
Madge cast a sharp look at Joey, but that young lady looked all innocence, reminding Madge of how she used to look as a naughty middle. She was surer than ever that something was afoot here. Liss had not even broke sweat, and was running twice the distance of the other members of the group as she ran back and forth talking to her re discovered family and trying to jolly them along.
“Joey, is there anything you want to tell me?” Jennie tried again.
“Weellllll,” this was drawn out as the pair continued running, Joey beginning to look anywhere but at Jennie.
“Joey,” Madge’s tone was brisk, “Tell me this instant what…” but she was destined never to finish that sentence as years of alpine living had made the whole family weather wise and in turning to scold her sister Madge had caught a glimpse of the skies. Joey turned to see where Madge’s gaze was fixes and gasped in horror.

The skies were slowly turning dark, heavy with the brown clouds that foretold snow, and very soon. Madge quickly dropped her questioning and the two sisters quickly began to round the group up into a tight circle once more. This took some doing and by the time it had been achieved they had passed the 16 mile mark and were going past Canary wharf.
“We need to take shelter,” Madge said.
“Yes, but where will we find an alpine hut in the middle of London?” asked Joey.
“Well you the one who has been living here, you tell us, and quickly,” retorted Madge.
The first swirling flakes were beginning to fall and those who had begun to remember Chalet outings were getting worried, they knew that it would not be long now before they could barely see. Liss became aware of some giggling.
“Xan and Chloe, and Pim as well, I might have guessed, come on spill, do you know where we can shelter?”
“I’m a guide, of course I know,” said Xan/Phillipa indignantly, “Come this way.”.
Being still tied together the group had no option but to follow as Xan lead them off the course and throw the fast falling snow down a little side street where to everyone’s amazement stood an alpine hut, doors slightly ajar.

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

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 8:05 pm

oooooh, *intrigued* so where do we all go now???

Keep up the good work Carolyn this is brilliant!

#99: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 8:06 pm

an alpine hut in the middle of london Laughing

Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of Carolyn.

#100: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 8:08 pm

You may not leave it there Carolyn!!! Please post some more!!

#101: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 8:11 pm

Swiss Cottage obviously *g*
Laughing

#102: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 8:24 pm

Carolyn this is really, really funny. Love the alpine hut in London. Will be watching the weather anxiously tomorrow.

Gruesome twosone indeed - wait until next Saturday!

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

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 8:25 pm

Fabulous Carolyn!!!!

Feeling exhausted and rather glad the snow has come so I can have a rest!!!!!

Won't be able to watch the race with a straight face tomorrow!!!

Lol Sarah!!!

#104: Author: Guest,

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 8:26 pm

more pleae Carolyn, one tiny little detail, I would have been asking how much firther it was after the first half mile!
This is so funny, though, I'll forgive you for making me run.

#105: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 8:33 pm

That was me, btw, my memory needs repairing

#106: Author: Donna, Location: Liverpool

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 11:18 pm

This is great Carolyn! I can't even watch the trailers for the marathon without smiling, never mind the entire race! So what happens next? Very Happy

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

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 11:31 pm

Carolyn this is hysterical ...... more please.
Laughing

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

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 11:38 pm

More please Carolyn!!!!!!

#109: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 11:52 pm

Oh dear - yet more practice in hysterical silent giggling while reading the CBB, just so I don't disturb the family

Carolyn this is brilliant - I just keep thinking of the identical female quads who are running tommorrow Cool

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

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 12:29 am

*hoots of laughter*

So this is what they were talking about.

*pennies dropping*

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

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 11:36 am

Well i caught up Carolyn.

Please may we have some more Smile

#112: Author: Katarzyna, Location: Preston, Lancashire

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 12:34 pm

arghhh! carolyn, you can't leave it there, come on!!

btw - have tried once rollerskating with the dogs! didn't work, fell over before i reached the end of the road and landed in the gutter! dogs thought it was hysterical mind!

*sets up dogs to start encouraging howl for more*

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

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 1:10 pm

More please Carolyn - this is hysterical!!!

#114: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 1:13 pm

O, how I love all my children!!

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

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 2:01 pm

They dashed through the snow and opened the door, the hut was full of hay and the smell of onions but no one was present. The women flopped down on the hay, all grateful for the rest and not really caring about anything else. All that is except Liss/Joey, she proceeded to open a tiny pocket and pull out a package which she then started blowing into. Everyone watched in amazement as this turned into the world’s most compact airbed and sleeping bag. Whilst the rest of the family including Madge had bedded down quickly on the hay, Joey was determined to rest well, and to facilitate this was going to get into the sleeping bag if it was the last thing she did. She lay it out neatly on the floor and unzipped one side, then sat on top of it and zipped up, then she tried to lie down. She gave a little wriggle and reached out with one hand for the zip, it wouldn’t come up so she tried to get the other hand across. This necessitated lying on her side so she tried to roll, and flipped the whole bed over. From her viewpoint, face down she said, “How did that happen?”
There was a giggle. Then another hastily stifled as Liss raised her head. She turned the other way, and found that the airbed moved with her so now she turned to the left, taking the bed and then the right, followed once more by the whole airbed. Liss frowned this should be simple. She sat up and found that she was sat on half the airbed whilst the other half folded up behind her, standing up above her head. She twisted to one side whilst remaining seated and the airbed slid to the other side, leaving her with one leg underneath and one on top, whilst her face was mashed between the airbed and the floor once more. This was too much for Rachael P who let rip with a laugh that could be heard several counties away and frightened two sheep on a farm in Hampshire into labour.
“Joey stop wrestling with that airbed and get some rest please,” Madge/Jennie ordered and such was the briskness in her voice once more that in shock Joey did just that. Face down at the bottom of the sleeping bag with her bare feet sticking out and wriggling as she gently snored, she dropped off to sleep.

It was an hour and a half later that Lesley who had been looking out of the window announced that the snow had stopped and was now quickly melting away. The women still tied together rose to their feet and brushed the hay from their clothes as quickly as they could. Joey fearing another battle with the sleeping bag used a pair of nail scissors she found in yet another pocket, cut holes for her face and hands and stayed upside down in the bed, pausing once more to replace her shoes before beginning the run once more.

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

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 2:06 pm

*appluads*

yay Carolyn more soon i hope Smile

#117: Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 2:09 pm

*giggling helplessly*

ROFL

oh MORE Carolyn, please! ROFL

Last edited by Xanthe on Sun Apr 18, 2004 2:17 pm; edited 1 time in total

#118: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 2:15 pm

This just gets better and better. Laughing

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

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 3:05 pm

Ooh soooo funny ROFL

Thank you Carolyn Very Happy

#120: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 3:31 pm

Carolyn!!

This is hysterical!!!
Thank you to the London gatherers for pointing me in this direction!!

I was LOLing at RTW's biscuits and Kathye's doorstep but absolutely roared at Liss's grappling with the "family airbed" before I even realised I was disturbing sheep in Hampshire! As I have the house to myself, I suspect Chelsea and Kathy_S could have heard me across the Atlantic!!

As for the whole CBB running the London Marathon - that's just too much! Absolutely brilliant - thank you!!
I fully expect this drabble to continue for some time as it may be some weeks before the family finally battles over the finishing line!!

BTW - in real life, I would not be found within 10 feet of Liss once she starts gesturing wildly ... for that very reason!! I was a bit worried sleeping next to her but luckily she seemed quite cocooned and I have no bruises to report!

#121: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 3:42 pm

Love the image of Liss-Joey running still in the sleeping bag! Wouldn't even look that out of place in the Marathon Very Happy

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

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 4:06 pm

*Believe my laughing was heard in France!*

More please Carolyn - this is wonderful!

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

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 4:48 pm

They were soon back on the course and continued to run together, first one and then the next taking in turns to support each other. They were still attracting a lot of attention, more so even as they now had added straw in their hair to the rest of their ensemble. Running through Milwall was tough, and by the time they were coming back up towards Poplar and Shadwell they felt as if the rest had never happened. Vikki and Ally were running towards the middle of the group, nudging each other and giggling.
“Foorsoothe sweet maid”
“Verily I runneth sore”
The two giggled again,
“For why petty dame?”
They were getting odd looks from the rest of the group who were hard put to follow the conversation and run at the same time and who were beginning to get slightly irritated with the gigglesome pair.
“My foot it does ache over much”
A voice from the group, unidentified but loud was heard to shout “STEALTH KIPPER” and this odd remark silenced the group for a time, until the giggling started again.
“But hark, did I hear the sweet tones of our dear companion?”
“Methinks we did, and verily she was speaking of fish”
“STOP RIGHT THERE” a voice from the crowd. “Margot Maynard and Clare de Mabbillion, come here this instant.” The two looked a little confused but did as they were told and saw an old lady in an old fashioned bath chair making directly for them.
“I may be 106 years old, but I know when a chalet girl is misbehaving.”
The two quailed as the wiry, steel haired old woman stared at them.
“Now take these sheets and sew them sides to middle, keep your stitches small and even and do not even think of stopping until you have finished.”
“But Matey, we’re running a marathon,” replied Vikki rashly.
“I know, and if you continue to argue I will give you another sheet to do as well. Now get a move on do, Joey is way ahead of you.”
Vikki and Ally moved off, trying to sew and run at the same time, sheets trailing in the slush and quickly becoming splattered with pin pricks of blood as the girls pricked their fingers in their haste to get the disagreeable task over with.

150 women all tied together, most with straw in their hair, one wearing roller skates and being dragged by dogs, one towing a huge tank of vomit, one with a sleeping bag entangled around her and peering out of a hole cut in the base of it, and now two trying to sew sheets as they ran. They were making their way slowly, very slowly towards the end of the marathon, and only Joey knew what awaited them there.

#124: Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 4:57 pm

Thank you Carolyn

*laughing herself silly*

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

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 4:57 pm

Can't say anything - too busy laughing and coughing!!!!

#126: Author: Kathye, Location: Laleham

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 5:14 pm

This is so scaryingly mentioning so many things that occured over the weekend I am quite worried !! Shocked

Liss and the sleeping bag, was better than the reading of "Both Alike" and could have been scripted from a Monty Python film anyday, her "oh look I can move my head"...... "oh I can breathe if I lay like this... sotra comments, while accompanied by constant panting and sleping bag scrunching noises, where something to be seen to be believed. I cried with laughter till I thought I was ill ROFL

Umm and for all of you who are bemused in a fit of madness known as me, I decided to paint our front door step on the Friday afternoon much to the horror of RTW who spend the whole time reminding me that people were arriving in the morning ??? and pointing helpfully out the spots I had missed, and Doorstep paint only comes in 1 colour.... Red.

Carolyn this is great, my comment about a "drink" is scarilngly spot on and I am beginning to wonder if there is possibly some truth in all this somewere Shocked

More please Wink

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

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 5:29 pm

*falls over laughing* Carolyn this is fantastic!

#128: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 5:30 pm

Not sure there's anything else to say. This is just priceless!

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

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 6:46 pm

Have just read all of this, it's fantastic! More soon please, am v. curious of what awaits them at the end!

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

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 6:50 pm

Yay glad you got over the praticalities of your latest idea Smile

#131: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 6:53 pm

Wonderfully hysterical Carolyn, but tempered with a little anxiety about what exactly does await them at the end.

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

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 8:10 pm

(Shouldn't that be us Ellie, I definatly included you, along witht he vast majority of CBBer's)

The hours passed and they progressed with grim determination. Even Chelsea was now struggling along with the rest and making worried comments about her foot.
“There is a lump, I’m sure”
“Do you want to go back to Matey?” asked Ray who had come up dribbling a hockey ball as she ran and wearing a woolly hat.
“Do you want to discover another use for a torque?” asked Chelsea/Con sarcastically.
Chelsea tried to run on one foot, but not being the world’s best hopper that didn’t quite come off especially as she was running between Liss/Joey and Vikki and Ally. With a sleeping bag cocooned person on one side and trailing sheets on the other there was no hope for her and it was with a fatalistic air that she slowly fell first toward the sheets, becoming entangled in the besmirched cotton and then to the other side, dragging Vikki with her as she hung onto her sheet through fear of what Matey would say if she lost it. They both banged into Liss and the three tripped over rolling on the road and Con became mummified in Vikki’s sheet. This was magnified when the rest of the CBB fell over in the domino effect as they were still tied together and one down, all down seemed, for a while to be the rule. It was as they were gradually regaining their balance that Chelsea let out a scream, “AARRRRGGGGHHHHhhh, my foot!”
“Blisters?” asked Lesley succinctly.
“No, it’s dropped off.” Con held up the foot and put the stump tentatively on the ground.
“Watch that, it might become infected,” Lesley advised.
“I’ll take care of it” and before anyone could stop her Rachel/Anna had opened a tap on the side of her tank and held Chelsea’s leg underneath it.
“There you go, no self respecting germ will come within a mile of you now.”
The screams from Chelsea were now louder than the one she made on discovering her foot in the sheet, but on trying to continue running she found that it was possible, in fact due to Anna’s ministrations she found that she could run better now than before she lost her foot, although the steam coming form the stump was slightly worrying she could feel no pain at all, in fact she was getting quite a pleasant buzz.

The group had come a long way; they had now passed the Tower for the second time, and were trotting slowly alongside the river. They were beginning to enjoy themselves at long last and between the chocolates and baileys that were being passed around most of them were feeling that this was turning out to be quite good fun. Xanthe was singing to herself as she jogged along, and those close enough to listen were cheered by the sound of the beautiful soprano voice raised in unselfconscious melody. The sound gave them renewed hope of actually finishing the race and one by one they raised their voices to join Xanthe, first Catherine B letting her voice harmonise with Xanthe’s and the two golden voices led the combined singing that buoyed the group up as they passed the London eye and then left the river, going along birdcage walk and past St James’ park towards the finish line on the Mall.

#133: Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 8:21 pm

*giggling*

Ouch! Poor Chelsea!

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

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 8:24 pm

Oh poor Chelsea...

#135: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 8:29 pm

LOL - I guess I did deserve. The lump is apparently nothing to worry about, something about my shoelaces.

Though today's seemed almost worse than the London Marathon. It was a thunder/lightening storm with times of total downpours. And, just to make things more special - HAIL. At least it was pretty little. I thought of telling my running buddy about running the London Marathon tied to 150 others, but thought she might stop being my running buddy!

Of course, now it is nice and sunny (ish) out!! Where was that sun this morning?

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

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 8:53 pm

This drabble is seriously bad for me - I laugh, I cough, I nearly turn blue from lack of oxygen!!!

More please Carolyn! Laughing

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

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 8:58 pm

oooooh I have stitch from laughing sooo much. Carolyn this drabble is absolutely fab. I have a wonderful mental image of 150 of us tied together ...... wonder who wil be the first to be trampled or suffocated in the sheet Vikki and Ally ? are mending!

#138: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 9:23 pm

Love the way you brought last night's kippering in, and the reason for it!! I'm laughing out loud here!! More please.

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

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 9:27 pm

Yay you found a way to get chelsea's foot fall off (don't mean it as nastily as it sounds Embarassed

)

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

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 9:37 pm

I've only just found this and it's hillarious! More soon please Carolyn!

#141: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 9:45 pm

If worst comes to worst, such resourceful souls could rig a travois or two with the sheets and sleeping bag, the better to haul the crippled and lame over the finish line. All while running. Laughing

Last edited by Kathy_S on Mon Apr 19, 2004 1:20 am; edited 1 time in total

#142: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 10:19 pm

Maybe she could hitch a ride on the tank...

#143: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 11:40 pm

Carolyn have just read todays episodes - fantastic

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

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 1:30 am

Carolyn, this really is scarily wonderful!!!!
I love the way you've tied little bits of information from the Gathering, and things from msn conversations into it!
(not happy about the sheet though!!!)

#145: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 3:15 am

Quote:

(not happy about the sheet though!!!)

At least you aren't missing a foot!!

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

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 11:23 am

Poor Chelsea/Con loosing her foot! It reminded me of a conversation I had in the pub on Fri, a guy was telling me how he nearly lost his foot from dancing Shocked

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

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 12:00 pm

Great punishment Carolyn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(But we had such fun Wink

)

Hope there's more soon!!!

#148: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 1:16 pm

This is great, Carolyn. Is there any more?

#149: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 3:46 pm

Excellent Carolyn, love it, even if I turned a bit green at the thought of Chelsea's foot!
Thanks for helping me relax after w**k!

(And I rather hoped you'd forgotten about me - still I'm a big girl, I can cope, I think)

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

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 5:46 pm

Those at the front of the group were within yards of the finish line when they realised that the string had gone taut, Ruey/Sue pulled, Pat/Cecil tugged and Madge/Jennie pulled and tugged. Nothing happened, they could not move forward at all. Other CBB’ers were level with them now and wondering what had happened, all strained together towards the line, still nothing. Joey/Liss arrived as did Xan/Phillipa and Chloe/Erica, Lesley was pulling on the string with a look of grim determination, and within ten minutes 148 of the group were stood 50 yards from the finish pulling and tugging on the string. It was only after Joey did a quick headcount that they realised two people were missing and they tugged harder to try and pull them in. After several minutes of indiscriminate pulling and tugging Madge and Joey conferred and then hastily organized the women in to a tight group.
“On the count of three, haul together,” instructed Madge.
“UN”
“ZWEI”
“TRE” shouted Joey loudly, and the assembled group looked at her blankly. Madge whispered in her ear and after Liss shook her head sadly murmuring something about re-instituting language days she shouted again,
“ONE”
“TWO”
“THREE”
“HAAAAUUUUUL” The women pulled with all their might, and again, and one third and final time.
There was absolutely no response. Whoever was at the end of the string was not budging.
“I’m not standing for this much longer” Pat/Cecil was beginning to fume.
“Me neither, this is beyond a joke,” Lesley was in full agreement.
“Let’s go.”
They marched back down the Mall, with the troops of the CBB behind them to see who was causing the hold up. They were going to sort this, and the grim looks on their faces did not bode well for whoever had been foolish enough to hold them up within sight of the finish line.

What they saw made them change their minds; in fact they quacked with fear. The two missing members were stood, leaning casually against the railings of Buckingham palace, cups of tea in one hand and cigarettes in the other, talking animatedly to each other in between drags and gulps. The rest of the group watched in a shocked silence as the two slowly finished their cigs, dropped the stubs through the railings and then leisurely swilled their cups around, before taking the final swigs and packing the cups away carefully in a backpack, along with a box of fresh tea, a teapot, two silver spoons, a sugar bowl, milk jug, tea tray and a small trangia stove.
“Ah, I do feel better for that, don’t you Anna?” asked Kathye.
“Of course, I’m so glad I remembered to pack the methalayted spirit in a separate pocket to the milk, meths has its uses but it does make the tea taste strange. Milk is far better, in tea at any rate,” replied Rachel/Anna
“I suppose we had better set off again?”
“Another cig would be nice,” Rachel commented.
“It would be an indulgence,” countered Kathye.
“We deserve it, here have one of mine,” Rachel offered Kathye a packet and Kathye/Felicity gave in and took one. They lighted up and then produced mobile phones, dialled each other’s number and proceeded to chat to each other on the phone as they smoked their cigs.
The CBB waited. No one approached the couple. No one spoke. No one tutted. No one tapped a foot in irritation. No one moved. At all. No one dared.
It was another seven minutes before Rachel/Anna and Kathye/Felicity dropped their stubs on top of the others and began to jog.
They had only gone a few yards when the string became taut. They turned and looked at the group who were still watching them, stunned.
“Come on you lot, we are nearly there now” Kathye said and then exchanging winks the pair pulled on the string, causing the rest of the CBB to topple over one after the other and roll head over heels all the way to the finish line in one huge seething, swarming, massing muddle.

#151: Author: caz, Location: Cambridge

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 5:48 pm

#152: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 6:03 pm

LOL, Carolyn - brilliant!!

Loved the Kathye/RTW bit - very apt and just hope it was PG Tips!!

So who's the gathering spy?? ............................................. Rachel!!!

Bit worried about the communal singing - so about 10 people can hold a tune - wouldn't the remaining 140 0f us send up such a caterwauling as to empty the streets of London!?! Wink

Loved Ray with the hockey stick and ball and the threat with the toque!!

Look forward to the next instalment - what have Joey & Madge got in store??

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

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 6:08 pm

Have visions of them all falling over each other Laughing

Can't wait to see what happens next!

#154: Author: Kathye, Location: Laleham

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 6:15 pm

LOL

LOL

In fact laughing so hard I can hardly type........... ROFL

I'm so glad you wrote that in Carolyn, though as I did say in MSN if were in the same room we don't normally still chat on the phone Wink

Love the fact everyone was too scared to even murmour a complaint Twisted Evil

Sorry still laughing.................................. ROFL

and yes I do hope it was PG Tips............. ROFL

Am going to have to make Darren read this now so he knows just how Twisted Evil

scaringly well you know me Shocked

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

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 6:21 pm

Carolyn that's classic i was laughing so hard i was crying and my dad rushed in the room to ask what was wrong adn looked at the screena dn walked out again saying "Oh the CBB!"

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

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 7:31 pm

*falls off chair laughing with a resounding thud*

Genius.

#157: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 7:47 pm

Nearly laughed my socks off!

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

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 7:49 pm

Oh wonderful, Carolyn!

More,and more, and more.......please!

#159: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 7:54 pm

Oh, Carolyn, this is amazing!!

#160: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 7:58 pm

cheering wildly and loudly - I keep thinking this can't possibly get any better, but it does.

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

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 7:59 pm

oh this is just sooooooo funny!!!!!!!
Loved the bit with Kathye and RTW having a ciggie break and chatting on mobiles!!!
More please Carolyn.

#162: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 9:43 pm

Wonderful!! How do you keep getting funnier? More please!

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

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 10:11 pm

Brilliant! I do hope there is more to come soon! Pleeeeeeease!

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

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 10:20 pm

Thats soooo funny, thank you Carolyn!!!! Very Happy

#165: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 11:45 pm

Have to agree with the others this is so funny.

Hope the next bit works out well and looking forward to reading it soon.

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

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 12:29 am

*sobbing with laughter!!!*
More soon please Carolyn!!!!

#167: Author: Guest,

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 8:06 am

Please may we have some more Aunite Carolyn (though i know i was distracting you from writing last night Embarassed

) ?

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

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 10:00 am

Have just caught up with the last five pages of this and only just managed not too laugh out loud in front of my lovely members of the public!!! Wonderful Carolyn and hear there is something even funnier for this evening???

#169: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 10:20 am

CAROLYN!!!!

*dismal wail*

I need some more, please!!

#170: Author: Rachel, Location: Plotting in my lair; sometimes in Hampshire, England, UK, Europe, Earth, Milky Way, Universe

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 11:25 am

May I just take a moment to explain that it is in actual fact Kathye who initiates all fag breaks - and she is the person who has several at a time. I am a vice-free young thing who is sadly easily led astray into a world of pirhana-hood.

#171: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 11:31 am

One problem with that statement Rachel. We've met you both!!! Laughing

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

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 11:54 am

TWICE!!!!

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

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 11:57 am

so it won't wash with us!!

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

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 1:35 pm

Actually the first time I met Rachel, she didn't go for a fag break, so there might be something in what she says!!!!!......... Wink

More please Carolyn Very Happy

#175: Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 2:27 pm

*giggling*

thank you Carolyn Mr. Green

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

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 6:26 pm

Guest, if you are who I think...don't be silly, I only inteneded to do that much last night...

This isn't very funny, it's a necessary linking bit really....more later, and Pat you may be about to get your wish!

There was a shudder, and heave, a movement and the whole group somehow managed to struggle to their feet. A quick look from Liss verified that there were all on the right side of the finishing line, and putting two fingers to her mouth she let out a piercing whistle. The women took their medals in a daze, wondering if Joey was going to release them at some point, or if they were destined to remain tied together forever. They were vaguely aware of flashing lights and realised that the night was being lit up with flash bulbs as the world’s press tried to photograph them. Every one of them however was far too tired to take enough notice to do anything about it. Only Joey still had any energy and she seemed to have an endless supply. Bounding up and down the line, looking at medals and giggling like a gigglesome giggler she led the women to two large coaches.
“These are 80 seaters, so half in here and half in the next one.”
“Erm, Liss,” began Chloe/Ereica
“Yes, please hurry we haven’t much time, that little run took much longer than I thought, I hadn’t allowed for a blizzard and thought we would have finished in a couple of hours and it 3:40 AM now. We need to be quick or we will be late.”
“Joey, we can’t get into two coaches until you cut this string,” Madge’s tone was dry.
Joey giggled again, and produced the nail scissors she had used to cut the holes in her sleeping bag. She stood next to the coach door and cut each woman free as she clambered aboard.

It was probably because they had just run a marathon, it couldn’t have been because they trusted Joey, but not a single one asked where they were going. They had fallen asleep, and were dreaming of chocolate when the coaches pulled up with a shriek of breaks, splashing the contents of Rachel’s tank which had been dragged along behind the second coach, tied to a seat by a long rope which Anna had threaded through the back window. The tarmac sizzled and began to melt. Rachel grabbed the rope and started to tow the tank away just as the hole in tarmac began to extend and as the women moved in formation through electronic doors the two coaches disappeared into the hole, along with their drivers. They were never seen again.

The women looked around. Joey appeared to have brought them to an airport. They were herded into the departure area and Joey looked around brightly.
“I thought we would go and erm…, er….. visit the original Chalet.”
That was all the CBB needed to hear, they were in line at the little side door Joey had indicated before you could say Josephine Mary Bettany. It appeared that Joey had chartered a special plane for them and they were about to rush for the plane when an officious looking man tried to stop them. His name badge read “Aloysius Bubb”
“That tank will be far too heavy for the fight, and I cannot allow dogs.”
The group parted, and Anna stepped forward.
“Would you like a lemon biscuit young man, maybe we can discuss this in a civilised manner?”
Mr Bubb took the biscuit and looked around in confusion, the group were exchanging smug grins. Within minutes he was in the tank and the group were crossing the tarmac to the waiting plane.

#177: Author: Nina, Location: Peterborough, UK

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 6:28 pm

*can't even begin to explain to my husband why I'm laughing so much

*

(and why I started laughing during the London Marathon highlights on the news!)

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

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 6:36 pm

Can't wait to see if it is the original chalet that they're going to!

#179: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 6:38 pm

*aching with laughter*

Wonderful Carolyn. Just what I need right now. Please post more soon!

#180: Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 6:40 pm

*giggling* thank you Carolyn Very Happy

#181: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 6:44 pm

Carolyn on msn you said it wasn't very funny! You fibber teller you!!!

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

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 7:10 pm

Having real problems with this drabble! I laugh, I cough, I laugh, I cough, no time for breathing!!!

*Lesley going blue in face.*

LOVED the Bubb bit - and all the smug grins from everyone when Rachel/Anna handed out the biscuit! Laughing

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

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 7:20 pm

*chuckles madly*

Was funny!

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

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 7:25 pm

Carolyn that was funny Smile

more soon please!

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

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 7:59 pm

Liss had thought it expedient for the women to rest on the plane and so she read them a bedtime story. Thinking that it would be nice for the staff to hear it as well she asked for the cockpit door to be opened and walked up and down the length of the cabin, getting into her stride as she orated fine speeches on being a Chalet Girl and the crept low to tell of traumatic events in the school’s history, jumping with excitement as she described brave rescues and marching up and down as she told of mountain expeditions and hikes. The pilot was so affected by this that every time Liss flung out her arms the plane banked the other way as the poor pilot tried to keep it on track whilst laughing so hard he was weeping and had no possible way of viewing the instruments. It was lucky indeed that the co-pilot was wearing headphones and had no interest in anything outside of fly-fishing. By the time the plane landed the CBBer’s were if not rested, certainly revived and ready to go. So was the pilot who would never be the same after that flight. He ran to the staff toilet and after three hours had still not emerged. The women meanwhile had disembarked and were heading for the main part of the airport. They looked at the customs channel and huddled together as they walked slowly towards the green channel. They tried to pass as quickly as possible in a large group, but knew there would be no hiding the dogs. Ruey/Sue and Pat/Cecil had come up with a plan. They winked at Ellie who whipped out her mobile phone and quickly dialled. The sound of The Muppets theme tune rung through the air, Kathye/Felicity turned red and reached for her phone that was ringing loudly, but before she could answer it Ally/Clare and Chloe/Erica started singing the theme loudly, bouncing around and getting some weird looks. It helped; one dog was smuggled through behind Rachel’s tank, which had been re filled during the journey. Sue gave a nod and Lesley reached for her phone and dialled a different number. This time it was ‘Under the Sea’ that rang out as Rachel/Anna struggled to find her phone whilst simultaneously dancing a rather sensual belly dance. The effect this had on the customs officials would have made any international drug smuggler green with envy. They went catatonic and in a trance waved the whole group through with no questions asked about the rest of Kate’s dogs.

Pat/Cecil was disappointed. The dogs were all through but they still had one number in reserve. The rest of the group hurried through and they reached to main concourse. Pat was muttering to herself, “It’s not fair, she’s the firstborn so she gets away with it.”
Pat caught Sue’s eye and wondered. She shuffled across to Sue unobtrusively.
“What do you think?”
“Seems a shame not to.”
“I know.”
“Lets do it.”
The two giggled and Pat reached for her phone, this one she wanted to do herself.

The sound rang loudly through the crowded terminal building, the Kwick Fit Fitter advert theme. Carolyn/Len turned pink, then red, purple and finally puce. Her feet seemed to have gained a life of their own as they began to tap and then dance as Carolyn tapped first one pocket and then another in search of the elusive phone. The CBB’ers began to giggle, Len the responsible dancing in an airport, never in their wildest drabbles and nightmares. Carolyn had done the feet tapping together, the jumping the air and was now stood on top of the check in desk, desperately fishing in all her pockets, tissues, bus tickets, pens, paracetamol, a diary, a book, a pair of child’s knickers, a blue sock, a piece of fluff, a packet of mints, a fruit teabag, a tenna lady, a bill, a set of keys and a pink scarf all went flying as she rooted around whilst dancing non stop. She jumped off the desk, landing neatly in the middle of a circle of bags, turning round and collapsing to the floor, where she eventually found her phone clipped to her waistband. She hit the answer button and held it to her ear. All she heard was giggles.
“Ok, if you’ve finished Len we can head out and see the golden roof before catching the little train to Spartz from the Bahnhof this afternoon.” Liss/Joey called from the door where she had cajoled a whole fleet of taxi’s into driving the girls. The taxi drivers stared; when Liss had said “ my girls” they had expected a toddler or two, or possibly a baby, not 150 women of indeterminate age.

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

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 8:08 pm

*pulls self together long enough to focus on keyboard* Pure genius, thank you so much Carolyn. I'd just pulled myself together after Liss/Joey on the plane when you started on the mobile phones - very glad you included the Kwik Fit Fitter.

*collapses into another fit of hysterical laughter*

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

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 8:42 pm

*giggling madly*

there's nothing wrong with singing loudly, bouncing around and getting some weird looks its all normal for me at an airport (well lots of public places if i think about it)

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

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 8:55 pm

Loved the plane journey and the diversion at customs, can't wait to see what happens next! Laughing

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

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 9:24 pm

You did it!!! Yay for Carolyn!!!

You do know the best way to bribe us!!!

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

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 9:33 pm

Yayyy
Glad there was some more - can see the journey being fraught with difficulty. Loved the diversion at customs and the contents of the pockets!

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

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 9:44 pm

#192: Author: Rachel, Location: Plotting in my lair; sometimes in Hampshire, England, UK, Europe, Earth, Milky Way, Universe

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 10:12 pm

Carolyn, what flavour fruit tea-bag was it?

#193: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 10:13 pm

Thank you Carolyn - perfect!!! Wondeful. I ccan't even see to type!!

#194: Author: Guest,

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2004 6:59 am

Please may we have some more Smile

#195: Author: Katarzyna, Location: Preston, Lancashire

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2004 8:14 am

In an attempt to stop me from laughing out loud I have just bitten the inside of my lip so hard it's bleeding!! Embarassed

The dogs are all very pleased that they are getting out and about, seeing the world a bit!

Please can we have the next bit......pretty please........ wiv cherries an everyfink!

#196: Author: ElKel,

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2004 9:08 am

Well, that's my professional reputation gone out the window! I'm at a conference right now, where I'm supposed to be all serious and professional and so on, and all I'm doing is bursting into giggles every time I visit the computer room to use the internet! Not fair! (But the story is fab Laughing

)

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

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2004 10:18 am

Carolyn that was great...loved the ringtones and dancing!! And Liss' storytelling! Look forward to more when the assignments written!

#198: Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2004 1:59 pm

*snickering*

#199: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2004 2:47 pm

Hubby is now convonced I'm totally mad, before he only suspected.
ROFL

#200: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2004 2:59 pm