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Wendy of Winterton has a magical Christmas

#1: Wendy of Winterton has a magical Christmas Author: Cathy, Location: Sydney, Australia

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 4:46 am

Wendy stared glumly out of the window. It was a blazing hot afternoon and much too hot to engage in her favourite pursuits of tennis and cycling. There was no-one of her own age to talk to – all of Wendy’s friends from the High were away for the holidays. Wendy’s best friend Marjorie was to have come for a visit, but her mother had rung the day before to say that Marjorie’s younger brother was down with mumps and the whole family was in quarantine as a result.

“Wish I was back at Winterton,” grumbled Wendy, “I’m so bored.”

An amused voice spoke from the doorway. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Wendy spun around. There in the doorway stood her own headmistress, Miss Lethbridge, her eyes twinkling as she surveyed Wendy. With her, was Faerlie, looking deceptively good, as always.

“Faerlie and I find ourselves at a bit of a loose end for Christmas this year,” explained Miss Lethbridge. “Then your mother rang and invited us to spend Christmas with your family. I hope you don’t mind.”

Wendy was speechless for a moment, but speedily recovered. “Oh that’s wonderful, Miss Lethbridge!” she exclaimed. “I was just wishing something nice would happen and now it has!”

Miss Lethbridge’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she looked at her oft-times fiery pupil. “Why don’t we go and find your mother then?”

***
“What are you doing Wendy?”

Wendy looked up from the book she was reading. “I’m reading, Faerlie dear,” she answered with an inward sigh. She was enjoying the company of her headmistress and small daughter very much, but sometimes she wished that Faerlie wouldn’t follow her ALL the time. She had hidden herself away in her bedroom to finish the new book she had received for Christmas. Miss Lethbridge had chosen it especially for her, saying that it was part of a series of books for girls, set in the Austrian Tyrol and she was sure Wendy would find it most enjoyable. Wendy did. She had come to an account of a traditional Austrian Christmas. Sounds so different to ours – all that snow, she thought.

“Well, what is the book about?” insisted Faerlie.

“It’s about a girls’ school in a place called the Tyrol, in Austria”, answered Wendy patiently.

“What’s the school called then?”

“It’s called the Chalet School,” answered Wendy.

“Can we go and see it?”

“No Faerlie, it’s just pretend.”

The small girl’s face fell in disappointment. “But I want to go there,” she protested.

“Tell you what,” said Wendy, “why don’t you go and look for a way to get there and come and tell me when you find it.” Maybe then I’ll get to finish the chapter at least, she thought.

“You mean like a secret door?” queried Faerlie in excitement.

“Yes Faerlie, like that”, said Wendy. To her relief, Faerlie trotted away quite happily and Wendy relaxed and vanished into her book once more.

Last edited by Cathy on Tue Dec 21, 2004 4:50 am; edited 1 time in total

#2: Author: Cathy, Location: Sydney, Australia

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 4:48 am

This is the last little bit -- it wouldn't fit in one post!

“Wendy, come quick!” It was Faerlie’s voice and Wendy looked up in slight annoyance. Her small friend was dancing around in front of the window, grinning broadly.

“What is it Faerlie?” she asked, putting the book down with a sigh.

“I found it Wendy, I found it!” panted Faerlie. “I found the secret door! Please come and see it.”

Wendy felt a bit guilty. She had left Faerlie alone most of the morning and obviously the little girl really wanted to play a game of pretend now. It was only fair to go along with it to keep her happy.

“All right Faerlie, I’m coming out then,” she called. Faerlie beamed at her. “All right Wendy, but hurry, won’t you? Or else it might close again,” she added obscurely. Wendy grinned to herself but hurried outside to join Faerlie in the garden.

“Where is this door then?” she inquired good-naturedly. “How did you find it so quickly?”

“Oh that was easy,” said Faerlie proudly. “My new friend Marmaduke showed me.”

“Marmaduke?”

“Yes. He came to play with me yesterday. He normally plays with another little girl called Margaret, but she’s away at the moment, so he came into your garden and found me.”

Wendy was baffled by this, but decided to let it go. She followed Faerlie to the bottom of the garden, to a stout gum tree. To her amazement, a sturdy door was set into the base of it and this swung open.

“We have to hurry,” said Faerlie importantly. “Marmaduke says this is the back door to Mrs Goanna’s holiday house, but she’s gone out shopping so it’s safe to use it. Come on!” She vanished into the tree and Wendy followed apace.

Inside the tree it was bright as day. A long, winding passageway led off to the right. “Marmaduke says that goes to Mrs Goanna’s kitchen,” explained Faerlie. A second, narrower passage led off to the left. “That’s the secret way,” whispered Faerlie. “Marmaduke said it goes wherever you want it to go. All we have to do is hold hands and wish for it. Don’t you want to see the Chalet School, Wendy?”

Wendy looked down at her small friend. Events were moving rather rapidly, but it was clear that this was no ordinary game of pretend. “Yes,” she said simply. Holding hands, Wendy and Faerlie closed their eyes and wished.

Have a wonderful Christmas, everyone!

Cathy

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

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 11:08 am

Oh, if only!

Thanks Cathy.

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

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 6:50 pm

That was lovely Cathy!
Thank you!

#5: Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 8:34 pm

Thankyou Cathy!

Merry Christmas to you too. Very Happy

#6: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 12:18 am

Thank you Cathy.

Merry Christmas to you too!

#7: Author: Mihiri, Location: surrey england

Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 8:22 pm

Thank you Cathy. That was lovely. If only it could happen for real

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