The CBB :: View topic - Geraldine at the CS ~ Part 4

Geraldine at the CS ~ Part 4

The CBB -> Cookies & Drabbles

#1: Geraldine at the CS ~ Part 4 Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 6:27 pm

part one
part two
part three

#2: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:24 am

Lots of room for more story!!

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

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 7:55 am

Agreed - this is a brand new thread - please fill it with story! Smile

#4: Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 11:19 am

Yes, it is rather echoey and empty, isn't it.

*hint hint*

Pirate

#5: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 11:44 am

Oh listen, I can make an echo!

Moooore
Moooore

Moooore

Mooore

Nearly as good as the Auberge!

ETA - I tried to mess with text size but seem to have got it wrong - you'll just have to imagine it getting smaller Confused

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

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 12:57 pm

Pat, it needs to be size 9, [size=9 ] [/size ] is the code with your text in the space, and the spaces in the brackets taken out.
Hope that helps. HelpMe

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

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 7:43 pm

Please may we have more story Very Happy

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

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 9:53 pm

Still no more story?
Has Toria (was it?) registered here yet, I don't think I've actually seen her around.

#9: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 10:49 pm

Please can more story be posted? Soon.

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

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 12:55 am

Carolyn P wrote:

Still no more story?
Has Toria (was it?) registered here yet, I don't think I've actually seen her around.

That's a good point, Carolyn. She may not have.

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

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 3:55 am

*goes to look for Toria*

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

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 4:47 am

*joins in the search*

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

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 1:42 pm

There is no Tori, or Victori (I presume) or any variations registered.

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

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 6:55 pm

Oh no! Do you think maybe she doesn't know about the new site then?

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

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 8:12 pm

She's registered!! At the moment she's the newest member!!

*starts the chant*

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

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 12:16 am

Yay Toria's arrived!

*joins the chant*

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

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 4:15 am

So surely she will post for us soon!

#18: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 4:23 am

*Dancing the yeah Toria is on this board happy dance.

*Would prefer to be dancing the yeah Toria has posted more story happy dance.

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

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 4:28 am

*joins in the dance and agrees that the other one would be more fun*

#20: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 11:23 am

Hurry up Toria Exclamation

I know you want to explore this nice new site, but we want some story Exclamation

#21: Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 4:16 pm

Where is she??? TOOOORRRRRIIIIAAAA!!!!!!!!!!

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

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 4:25 pm

Toria?? Where are you??

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

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 10:52 pm

*goes off to find where Toria is hiding*

#24: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 1:46 am

*joins Vikki in the hun.

*leaves a trail of breadcrumbs so we don't get lost.

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

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 8:17 am

*wonders why there are so many birds on this thread*

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

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:57 pm

still no sign of her then

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

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 1:02 pm

It doesn't seem like it. *glum sigh*

#28: Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 4:07 pm

*wipes a teary eye*

Still no more story? Oh well.........

*walks out sadly*

#29: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 5:29 pm

Toria, it's so disappointing to find no more story, especially after I went toall the trouble of the drabble sitting rooms. Now, be good to us, and post some more, please.

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

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 6:41 pm

Ooooooooooooh *sighs* *hopes LOUDLY for some more story*

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

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 8:31 pm

Toooooooooorrrrrrrriaaa..... we want more story! *wipes away a tear and departs, laggingly*

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

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 9:04 pm

*realises supplies on this thread are running low and gets worried*

#33: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 9:09 pm

*restocks the supply cupboards.

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

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 10:21 pm

*would like more story*

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

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 10:23 pm

Chelsea wrote:

*restocks the supply cupboards.

Thanks, Chelsea!

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

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 12:13 am

Toria hasn't posted once on this new board yet!

#37: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 12:14 am

I think someone said she'd registered, didn't they?

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

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 12:30 am

Yes, she has!

#39: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 12:38 am

there's no excusr then, Is there!

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

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 12:49 am

None, whatsoever!!

#41: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 3:08 am

Two pages and no story?
Please don't abandon us Toria, this is to good to be left unfinished.

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

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 11:22 am

Worse - THREE pages and no story!

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

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 3:43 pm

Well Toris still hasn't made a single post on the board!

#44: Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 4:24 pm

Where is she?????? Has she been kidnapped by EBD, or the TEM or something??? Shocked

#45: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 7:13 pm

*suggest calling Interpol with an APB for Toria.

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

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 7:21 pm

Toria, please post some story!

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

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 11:19 pm

*sugests a search party*

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

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 2:05 am

*agrees that this is a good idea and appoints Chloe to lead it*

#49: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 3:23 am

KB, as Head Mistress shouldn't you know where your students are?

*begins to wonder about how this school is being run.

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

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 4:29 am

I don't consider myself to have any power on this section of the board!

#51: Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 3:51 pm

*volunteers for the search party*

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

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 6:49 pm

KB wrote:

*agrees that this is a good idea and appoints Chloe to lead it*

Well there's no sign of her so far,

*sets off again to search some mroe*

#53: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 8:45 pm

Finding out which way Chloe is going, and heading off in another direction to broaden the search.

Toria, Toria, Toria!

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

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 11:18 pm

*thinks maybe microchipping drabblers is the way forwards*

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

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 4:40 am

*thinks Xan has a good idea there!!!!*

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

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 6:59 am

*lol* Great idea, Xan!

#57: Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 12:45 pm

Excellent idea!

*goes off in a third direction, shouting and whistling for Toria*

#58: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:31 pm

Imagines Toria lying at the foot of a drabble cliff, still, grey and to all appearences...............

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

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 9:09 pm

Jennie wrote:

Imagines Toria lying at the foot of a drabble cliff, still, grey and to all appearences...............

No Jennie, no as in that case we wouldn't get any more story!

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

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 11:00 pm

Xanthe wrote:

*thinks maybe microchipping drabblers is the way forwards*

Think Xanthe ought to write more drabbles herself before making suggestions of this nature. tongue

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

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 2:56 am

That's true!!! Xan never finished her last one, and weren't a couple of people still stuck in one of the books?

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

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 4:13 am

Yes, there were. How fortunate that Xan has been reminded and can write more for us! KB poke

's Xan

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

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 6:25 pm

Well she can't as all her books are at home so you'll hve to wait for the next holiday (Easter) for more story from her!

#64: Author: Toria, Location: London

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 7:50 pm

Ok, well here I am! I'll try and get some more of the story done tonight. I've been really busy trying to sort out university open days, prospectus and generally finding out about them. Sorry!

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

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 7:55 pm

Welcome to the new board, and your very own thread Toria.

#66: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 7:56 pm

*Noticed Toria had posted on this thread - came scuttling over - and still no story Sad

*

I know RL is important too, Toria, but you can see how eager we all are.
Hope you get all the Uni stuff sorted out to your satisfaction.

#67: Author: Toria, Location: London

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 8:15 pm

I was sort of hoping that given the new board I might get a bit of a break until I posted again. I didn't reckon on the mods putting my thread up!

Oh well, here's some more. I'm sorry it's not much and I do feel very guilty....

Chapter 7

The next morning Ali found herself awake early. Lying in bed she thought over the events of the previous day and relief flooded over her, she would not have to try and hide anything any more. She turned over and thought about how supportive Con had been, I'm happy I came here she thought. Briefly she thought back to her parents, it would be strange not spending Christmas with them but she knew that it was Papa's busiest period workwise. There were always reams of book tours, film releases and interviews at this time. As Ali lay musing the rising bell clanged into action.
Slipping out of bed Ali pulled on her dressing gown and slippers then went out into the corridor, she had first bath that day. In the cubicle next door Con opened sleepy eyes, turned over, yawned then tucked her head below the covers. Her momentary bliss did not last long however as the ever vigilant Clem was soon uttering her own wake up call. Reluctantly Con slipped out of bed and drew open the curtains.
''Right that's the lot' Clem proclaimed as Con peeked out, 'Ali was on first bath so I'll assume that she's already gone. Veronique you're next so you had better go along now. Lesley get ready you're third. As Con set to tidying out her cubicle she too found herself thinking about yesterday. She hoped that Ali was alright this morning, they were all expecting a full day of play rehearsal today as it was only two weeks until the big event and they had had yesterday for a preliminary readthrough. Not that Con had done much. Sudden realisation that despite having the largest part in the play she knew none of her words suddenly struck Con, forcing her to stop daydreaming and apply herself to her task.

#68: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 8:21 pm

SHE LIVES!!

There is no escaping us Toria.
Thanks for continuing with the story.

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

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 10:36 pm

Yay!!! Glad you're okay Toria!!! We were worried about you!!!!

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

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 11:21 pm

Yeah! *Cheers* Thanks Toria.

#71: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 12:19 am

Hooray, Welcome back Toria. Sorry RL is taking up so much of your time.
Thanks for that.

#72: Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 12:14 pm

Wooohooo! Welcome back Toria! Thanks for the story too.

#73: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 12:30 pm

Welcome back Toria. I've been missing this.

#74: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 4:40 pm

Thank you Toria, but please don't feel guilty, you're the one doing us a favour by writing this at all.

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

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 5:01 pm

Yay thank you Toria glad to see you back

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

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 6:17 pm

Hooray! The search party did its job! (Their success rates are really remarkable!).

Toria, it's lovely to see more of this! I do like Ali, and I'm also loving Con!

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

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2004 7:07 am

Woohoo! We have story! Thank you Toria! Hope RL doesn't interfer too much!

#78: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2004 1:58 am

Thank you for more story Toria

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

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2004 9:08 am

*Taps watch meaningfully - more than three days since last post*

More please Toria!

BTW Hope RL is OK

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

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2004 12:19 pm

May we have some more please Toria!

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

Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2004 12:59 am

*joins the chant!*

#82: Author: Toria, Location: London

Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2004 9:52 pm

Another little bit....

Con only managed to catch up with Ali as they were descending the stairs for Fruhstuck.
'How are you?' she asked anxiously
'Fine.' Smiled back Ali, 'I'm looking forward to getting back into things. You did say that we had play rehearsals today didn't you Veronique?'
'Mais Oui,' Veronique joined the pair, 'And we may talk in our own languages as well….Though I don't think we should be talking in the corridors.'
'True' Con responded and the three lapsed into silence, just in time as Julie Lucy passed them with a friendly smile only seconds later. Once happily settled at the tables though there was all round chatter.
Len, Sophia and Fiona had called the three over, again Con looked round for Margot but she seemed to be deep in conversation with Emerence, Daphne Claers, who was in Emerence's form and Mary Lou. Con determined to forget what Julie had told her, it couldn't be true.
'Con! Are you still asleep?' Len asked across the table.
'No…erm.'
'Len was just asking if we all had a good nights sleep' Ali responded giggling, 'I don't know where you were Con because both Veronique and I replied.'
Con blushed, 'Sorry I was…thinking.'
'Well if that's what it does to you then I'd avoid it.' Fiona responded.
'What's this? Mind if I join you?' Lesley Malcolm asked
'Fiona was just telling me to avoid thinking' Con smiled. 'Why are you so late Lesley? Our dorm came down ages ago and I know that the three of us dawdled.'
'Miss Dene caught me on the way down' Lesley responded briefly before settling at the table, 'I'm ravenous. Pass the bread please Con, oh and what were you telling me about avoiding thinking, I might try it!'

#83: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2004 9:54 pm

Hurrah, this is back. But it was such a short post, said in a mournful tone.

#84: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 12:50 am

Also pleased to see more of this.

#85: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 1:20 am

*wonders if Miss Dene detaining Lesley is a sinister overture.

*decides she's been reading too many traumatic drabbles.

*hopes for more of this one to prove its intention.

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

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 4:03 am

Thank you Toria!! When may we have the next bit please?

#87: Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 12:53 pm

Thank you Toria. May we have more please?

#88: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 1:43 pm

Welcome back, Toria. Looking forward to more.

#89: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 5:57 pm

Toria dear, where are you?

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

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 7:42 pm

I'm so glad this is continuing! It's a wonderful story!

#91: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2004 4:44 pm

Also glad to see a little more of this - would like to see a lot more soon

#92: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 1:26 pm

Yes,I would like to see a lot more of this.

I'm sending it to the top of page one so Toria will feel guilty and write some more.

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

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 7:09 pm

It won't be there for long, Jennie!

#94: Author: Toria, Location: London

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 8:02 pm

and a little more...I'm writing almost every free moment that I can get...It's just that I don't get many!

'Don't worry, it's just one of Fiona's mad ideas' Sophia replied, 'What did Miss Dene want Lesley?'
'Nothing much… she just wanted me to sort out some play stuff.' Lesley answered,
'Did Papa send you some character sheets?' Asked Ali, 'He said he might last letter…he often does for his books, in case they're read in schools. That way the characters can be portrayed and analysed the way that he wants.'
Lesley began to regret having chosen to sit with such an inquisitive bunch. She had only chosen to sit there because Ali was there but that seemed to be causing more trouble…If only Miss Dene hadn't let me in on the secret she thought. With an effort she pulled herself together and tried to concoct an answer that was truthful but not too revealing. The only problem was that Ali's question was so specific. Feeling that not giving an answer would arouse even more suspicions Lesley replied,
'Yes, Mr Hatherthwaite gave me some more advice on my character…He's decided that he wants Julia played slightly differently to how she was already written. You'll see later on. Is everyone looking forward to rehearsing?'
This was a good move of Lesley's because the tide of chatter swiftly turned from her to the play and although the subject matter was not ideal, Lesley felt that she had no need to worry unduly about giving anything away.

#95: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 8:14 pm

Thanks for that bit Toria.

*knew that nagging would eventually work!

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

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 8:15 pm

*applauds Chelsea's efforts*

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

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 10:14 pm

Yay! Thanks Toria!!

#98: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 4:25 pm

Sending this to Page One as a reminder to Toria.

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

Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 6:26 pm

Doesn't seem to have worked so far. Tooooorrrrrriiiiiiiaaaa!!!!

#100: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2004 12:31 am

If at first you don't succeed try and try again.

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

Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2004 6:39 am

Don't worry, we will!

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

Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2004 9:42 am

Just caught up on this one too - more please Toria!

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

Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2004 2:30 pm

Toria this is great more soon please!

#104: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2004 4:45 pm

And yet again

#105: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2004 6:22 pm

And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again.

#106: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 12:27 am

It's still down on page 2 tonight!

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

Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 7:34 am

Not now!

#108: Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants

Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 3:32 pm

*bumps this back up to the top again*

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

Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 5:11 pm

.....and again......

#110: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 9:22 pm

and again. Do you think Toria will take the hint?

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

Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 11:06 pm

Well, she hasn't yet......

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

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 8:39 am

She doesn't seem to be... Crying or Very sad

#113: Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 12:32 pm

Where is she?

#114: Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 12:33 pm

Oooops, double posting there - sorry Embarassed

#115: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 12:27 am

Sends it back to the top again. Poor dizzy little thread.

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

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 8:25 am

Maybe that's why Toria hasn't posted - she knows she'll get dizzy if she gets on!

#117: Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 4:52 pm

Bumps this up once more -it'd got to page 2!

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

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 5:07 pm

How dare it?! *g*

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

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 11:12 pm

It was down there AGAIN!!!!! Rolling Eyes

#120: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 2:03 am

It was on page 2 again Exclamation

Has Toria been around lately?

#121: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 3:04 am

*suggests that another search party be organised.

*brings loads of flashlights and flasks of cocoa

#122: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 3:34 am

Joins search party - brings maps in waterproof covers

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

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 6:32 am

*does my best to keep this on page 1*

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

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 6:07 pm

*tries to help KB's mission* Wink

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

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 6:26 pm

We seem to be doing very well at it! Anyone else want to play, too?

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

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 8:18 pm

Looks like it's just us KB!!! Crying or Very sad

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

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 8:47 pm

Seems like it. *sigh* All right then!

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

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 9:36 pm

Guess it's my turn again then?

#129: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 10:58 pm

Wish we could have more story! Crying or Very sad

#130: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 3:49 am

As it was my post on the last thread that sent it to page two will send it back to page 1 again.

Joins Pat's plea for more story.

#131: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 4:48 am

*adds posts in the quest to keep in on page one - and to stop KB and Vikki from feeling that they are working alone

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

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 7:54 am

Thank you, Chelsea.

#133: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 8:23 am

Still no Toria?

#134: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 12:22 pm

No not yet.

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

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 5:09 pm

*deep, heartfelt sigh*

#136: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 5:12 pm

...........joins in with the sigh.

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

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 8:53 am

It's a week since the last story post - Toria where are you?

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

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 9:05 am

Hiding from our righteous wrath?

#139: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 5:31 pm

Sending this back up to the top again, so Toria will feel guilty.

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

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 7:19 pm

I have to say that it doesn't seem like Toria is feeling too guilty yet.

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

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 9:01 pm

No, I think the thread might be a little dizzy though!

#142: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 4:29 pm

Looks like it hasn't been at the top today so sending it back there

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

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 7:30 pm

Oh, poor thread!

*evilly bumps it up again*

#144: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 9:15 pm

and back to the top with it.

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

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 9:18 pm

And again!

#146: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 9:24 pm

and back again.

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

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 10:07 pm

*Joins in the bumping*

#148: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 12:15 pm

Follows example of previous posters

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

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 12:25 pm

Toris where are you?

#150: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 5:10 pm

Organising a search party for Toria.

megaphone

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

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 5:44 pm

*wonders if this shouldn't be resigned to the 'Never to be completed' basket*

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

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 8:26 pm

Oh I hope not!! I want to know what happens!!!

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

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 8:28 pm

Well, it doesn't look like we'll get an ending.

Maybe we should put together a team of people who can work through stories and create endings for them. We have quite a list of possible stories already!

#154: Author: Toria, Location: London

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 9:07 pm

Hello!

Sorry I haven't posted, I've been in Rome! We had a history trip and I got back very late last night and have consequently been sleeping for most of today! I'll get writing now so you'll get a bit later.

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

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 10:18 pm

Thank you Toria!!!
I had faith in you, even if noone else did!!!

#156: Author: Toria, Location: London

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 10:21 pm

When breakfast finished there was a scurry of movement as the girls tidied and sorted out parts and equipment for rehearsals. Some girls had been allocated to a technical team, in charge of scenery, curtains and props. This was aimed at those who preferred to avoid the acting side and was optional however there had been a good response and the team contained around 20 girls. They had been very organised and for this rehearsal all the structures could be put in, although there was still a lot of painting and alterations to do. However all this activity meant that the hall was chaotic, cluttered with wooden scenes and tables piled high with props.
Margot walked in on the scene late, having pushed her copy of the play deep into the depths of her locker she had struggled to find it again. She looked around for Emerence but couldn't see her, all she could see was Len, Con, Ali and Veronique laughing with the others. Margot doubted that she had been missed. She looked down at her crumpled sheet and suddenly felt very frustrated. Margot felt tears pricking in her eyes and suddenly filled with self pity. Unfortunately at this point Len chose to practically fall into Margot as she ran out of the room to collect her lines. Margot just had time to hear Veronique calling that she would come with Len when Len tripped over a piece of wood and stumbled against Margot as she regained her balance.
'Sorry Margot,' grinned Len, 'I didn't see you there, you're supposed to be backstage' Len looked down, 'Margot! What have you done to your copy it's so creased! You know how expensive it was to have them copied.'
This outburst was too much for Margot who in complete frustration scrunched the sheets up into a ball and hurled it at Veronique who was approaching at speed. Veronique ducked, then stumbled against one of the unfinished scenes. The scene toppled over with a great clatter, sending the props falling of a table into Margot. Margot grabbed the nearest prop and threw it across the room before turning and heading for the door calling behind her,
'I hate you all!'
Margot had not stopped to take aim so the candlestick did not hit anyone but the room was immediately silenced as Miss Wilson appeared at the door, a furious expression on her face. As Margot stormed out of the room she pushed the figure in front of her to the side. Miss Wilson stepped to the side and grabbed the angry girl.
'Julie please get this room back into order. Miss O'Ryan will be along briefly to begin the rehearsal. If anyone is hurt send them to Matron.'
'Yes Miss Wilson' responded Julie solemly. She didn't have a difficult job because everyone in the hall was numb with shock. Len was white and Con had an expression of horror as she met Julie's eyes. Julie Lucy herself had to take a few calming breaths before trying to organise the crowd.
Meanwhile Miss Wilson ushered a sobbing Margot along to Miss Annersley having witnessed the whole scene from the door. She knocked briefly on the door and entered. Miss Annersley looked at Margot's tear streaked face and wondered what had happened but when she looked up at Miss Wilson's grim face she was in no doubt. Miss Annersley was suddenly filled with a sinking feeling in her heart. Realising that she needed to understand the situation Miss Annersley opened the door to the side room,
'Margot, please wait in here. I will speak to you later.' She said in icy tones. Margot numbly sat down to wait whilst Miss Annersley turned to her colleague,
'Do you think I need to call Jack?'
Miss Wilson nodded as she outlined the tale to Hilda.
Having heard Miss Annersley nodded,
'I'm going to call Jack to come down. Would you find Julie for me, she may have noticed something. I know that Len was having problems settling in this term but I assumed, wrongly it seems, that Margot had not been affected by our new arrival.'
Miss Wilson nodded once again,
'What will you do Hilda?'
'I don't know Nell. I feel sorry for Margot as she obviously isn't happy but she knows that this is not the way to behave. I'll speak to Jack and hear his opinions when he gets here, it may be that we can find a solution.'
Nell Wison nodded, 'If it were any other girl…'
'I know…but it's not. It's Margot. We've had that girl all her life, I don't like to think that we've failed her.'
Nell nodded again before leaving to seek out Julie. Hilda turned to the phone to call Jack at work. It was not a pleasant task but to her relief Jack was professional and agreed to come down immediately. He also agreed with Hilda's decision not to consult Jo immediately.

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

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 10:57 pm

Thank you Toria!!
*feeling very worried for Margot*

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

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 11:31 pm

yay thank you Toria

did you haev a nice time in Rome?

#159: Author: Toria, Location: London

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 11:55 pm

I had a great time in Rome, lots of my friends went so we had a great time being our own crazy selves, though we did get a few wierd looks when we started singing head,shoulders, knees and toes on the bus!

Meanwhile Margot's temper was rapidly cooling off and her concern growing as she realised how stupid her behaviour had been. I do try and be sensible she thought, it's just that Len and Con are so much better and that makes me frustrated. At this point Miss Annersley looked round the door,
'I've phoned your father Margot and he will be with us shortly. When he arrives I will expect a full account of your actions.'
'Yes Miss Annersley' Margot replied meekly and Hilda was relieved to note that Margot seemed noticeably calmer. I really can't understand Margot thought Hilda as she closed the door. Margot was the brightest of the three and yet was constantly being overshadowed by Len and Con. Hilda wished she knew how to get Margot to apply herself as she had great potential yet her temper…a knock at the door signalled the arrival of Julie Lucy, who Hilda hoped would be able to shed more light on the events.
'I'm so sorry Miss Annersley' Julie said as she entered the room, 'This is all my fault.'
'Don't be silly Julie, your responsibilities as head girl do not extend that far. It is enough for me that you may be able to shed some light on Margot's actions.'
'Being a triplet.' Julie looked up. 'It seems that all three of them have been having problems. I always knew that Con found it hard but when Ali arrived she found her own niche that didn't revolve around being part of a three. She was Con, rather than a trip. To my surprise Len became really moody, when I spoke to her I found out that she too was struggling, she had lost her position and didn't know how to express herself, she was jealous of the others and didn't know where she belonged. With Len it was easy, she's always been mature and she desperately wanted to find a way around the problem. I gave her a bit of a nudge and that was all she needed. Everyone knew who Len was, she just didn't realise it. The teachers just accepted that Len had had a bad week. I didn't realise that Margot was having problems until I spoke to Con. She was telling me how she had always felt left out, Len had had loads of friends and Margot had Emerence. I was going to tell her that Len felt the same when I thought of Margot. Con said that Margot had been a bit odd lately but put it down to disappointment at not being on the removes list. I thought I must be wrong and forgot about it. I'm really sorry Miss Annersley…I think I should resign as head girl.'

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

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 11:59 pm

Great to see this back! I suppose it's a bit soon to ask for more...? Glad you enjoyed Rome!

#161: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 1:13 am

Glad you enjoyed Rome, nice to see more story. Would like even more when it is possible.

#162: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 4:16 am

Rome

*Envious* Glad you had a good time though, thanks for writing more story, decides it's not too soon to ask for more, especially as it's been left in such a tantalising place.

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

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 7:05 am

Thank you Toria - glad to see this back!

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

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 8:03 am

Goodness, I feel sorry for Julie, having that much guilt! And poor Margot - how will things get straightened out?

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

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 5:50 pm

*starts a chant*

#166: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 5:57 pm

*feels very sorry for Julie.

*wonders how Jack will react when he sees Margot.

#167: Author: Toria, Location: London

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 8:41 pm

'Julie!' snapped Miss Annersley, 'I have told you that this is not your fault, only I can bear that responsibility. You've done a great deal of good.' Miss Annersley stopped, then continued in a softer tone, 'I'm sorry for snapping at you Julie but this is hard for me too, I need you behind me. Can you imagine what it would do to the school if you resigned now?'
'I'm sorry Miss Annersley.' Conceded Julie, 'I…I…didn't think of it like that, of course I'll stay.'
'Thank you Julie. You are an excellent head girl, don't forget it.'
Julie nodded and moved to the door, 'And Margot?'
'You may speak to her later Julie. Jack is coming down shortly and I will send for you as soon as we make any decisions.'
'Thank you Miss Annersley.' Julie dropped her curtsey and left for her study where she lay on her bed and shed a few tears. Here she was interrupted by the arrival of Con,
'J..Julie? I thought I might find you here.' Julie looked up and saw that the younger girl had been crying, rapidly she brushed away her own tears and spoke to Con,
'Come in, sweetheart.'
Con rushed into Julie's arms.
'I'm so sorry Julie…You told me and I didn't believe you.'
'Don't worry Con, maybe this is the way that it is meant to be.'
Con mused then turned to Julie,
'Did you speak to Miss Annersley? Nell looked mad when she grabbed Margot.'
'Yes…' Julie paused, unsure of what to say to Con.
'What will happen Julie?'
'I don't know, but your papa is coming down to see Margot…I don't think she's very happy at the moment Con.'
'I know…and I thought she was, Len and I were so happy and everything was just perfect until this.'
'Oh Con, look I really need you to help me now. I've got to get the play rehearsal underway and all of you really need to just go with it. I know it's hard but there's no point worrying about Margot now…she wouldn't want it and it won't help.'
'OK.' Con brushed her tears back, 'thank you Julie…you always understand everything.'
Julie herself straightened her hair whilst thinking about the untruth of Con's last statement. Still, she could see what Miss Annersley had meant, it wouldn't have helped Con at all if she had resigned.

#168: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 9:03 pm

That was lovely Toria.

Hilda was great with Julie and Julie was great with Con.

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

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 11:26 pm

Thank you Toria - that must have been difficult to write and came out very well. Minor quibble - wouldn't Con have said Auntie Nell or Miss Wilson - not Nell?

Looking forward to more. Laughing

#170: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 11:42 pm

Welcome back Toria. Glad you had a good time in Rome and glad to see this back again.

Poor Margot!

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

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 7:49 am

Excellent, more of this! Thank you, Toria!

#172: Author: Toria, Location: London

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 10:24 am

As Julie made her way to the hall, Jack was driving down to the chalet wondering what Margot had done now. He knew that Con hadn't said anything when he had seen her and had assumed that everything was going well. Of course he understood that Margot had a temper but he had hoped that she had learnt by now to control it. The only thing Jack could think of was the removes list, Jo had told him that Len was on too, so Margot was perhaps worried that the other two would go up without her. Still, to Jack that didn't make sense. Margot knew that a remove needed work and that it would be unlikely that her two sisters would both go up, then there was what Hilda had told him…It sounded more like Margot had been upset and frustrated but then her behaviour! Jack's stomach rolled as he thought of Margot throwing props across the room and contemplated on the damage that would have been caused had she managed to hit anyone. Jack was so deep in thought that he almost missed the turning to the Chalet and had to reverse backwards before heading down the drive. As he pulled up he was met by Nell Wilson. Jack noticed the tense expression on her face so beyond exchanging greetings the two said nothing and walked to the study in silence. To Jack the school had an eerie feel, the corridors were normally filled with a gentle hum of noise and when play rehearsals were going on, there was normally tense excitement and wild cries of laughter as people missed cues, came in wrongly, fell over…Today there was nothing. They were clearly all in the hall for there was some sound from that direction but the reherasal appeared to be cotinuing in silence. As they reached the door, Jack knocked and walked in. Miss Wilson exchanged a few words with Miss Annersley then left, closing the door softly behind her. Jack sank down into the nearest chair, recognising the seriousness of the situation.

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

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 10:26 am

Jack and Jo are sort of hopelessly optimistic about Margot, aren't they? It will be interesting to see what he is told.

#174: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 4:49 pm

Why on earth are they letting Margot go without some sort of treatment for her temper? Perhaps PatMac has explained it better than we can. Hope Jack can do some good.

#175: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 4:54 pm

*hopes that something can be done to help Margot

#176: Author: Toria, Location: London

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 5:34 pm

Here's some more!

Hilda Annersley looked at Jack and thought of what her attitude would be if it were any other parent…
'Where's Margot?' Jack asked. Hilda looked up,
'Do you want to see her now Jack? I haven't spoken to her myself yet…I thought you might want me to outline the situation first.'
'You did that on the phone. I'm sorry to be rude Hilda but my daughter is clearly unhappy and you have failed to deal with that.'
Miss Annersley looked up, shocked. She would have expected a similar response from Jo but she thought that Jack might have been more understanding. With difficulty Hilda restrained herself and attempted to see things from Jack's point of view.
'There is no point in blaming ourselves Jack. Of course Margot may have behaved differently in a different situation but the responsibility for her actions is her own. It is up to her to control her temper…Something which she clearly cannot do. Ignorance is not an excuse, Margot has been at the school long enough to know the rules and she also knows of the injuries that can be caused by actions such as those she has just taken.'
Jack looked down, he had a vague sense of wanting to defend Margot but couldn't…her actions had been appalling, and there was no doubt that Margot had lost her temper. Jack suddenly felt deeply ashamed of his daughter.
'I'm sorry Hilda, you were quite right. Margot's actions cannot be tolerated. She does need to learn self control…I was just trying to find the root of the problem.'
'Jack, the root of the problem is perfectly clear. Margot is jealous of Len and Con. It's part of being a triplet, all three of them have had problems becoming individuals this year. However the fact remains that Len and Con both managed to control their feelings without taking it out on other people and having temper tantrums that are more fitting of a child in the kindergarten.'
Again Jack looked down, of course he understood and of course Hilda was right. Margot was enough at home in the school that had she been upset she could have easily sought out help. Margot could even have asked to see him when he was in school yesterday.
'I understand Hilda, I'm sorry but she is my daughter.'
'Don't worry Jack, I do understand too. It's just that we all must realise that our policy of 'understanding' Margot has failed to get us anywhere. If she still thinks that she can blame other people then this school has failed to teach her an important lesson and it is not through want of trying.' Hilda's tone was grave and Jack found himself wishing that Jo was here, still she might find it even harder than him to comprehend.
'I need to call Jo' Jack said eventually. Hilda frowned, she had hoped that she would be able to get somewhere without having to cope with Jo,
'I don't think that's a good idea right now Jack, I was intending to speak to Margot.'
'Oh, Right.' Jack mumbled vaguely.
'I'm going to call her in now…Jack do you want to stay.'
Jack felt like saying no as he was filled with insecurity but he had a feeling that Hilda's closing words had been a statement rather than a question. He was glad that he was sitting down but as his daughter entered the room he made the effort to look up, he had to convey his feelings of annoyance and disappointment somehow.
'Well Margot,' said Miss Annersley eventually, 'What have you got to say for yourself?'

#177: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 5:47 pm

Please stay tough Hilda. Margot needs it.

Glad to see that Hilda stood up to Jack.

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

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 5:48 pm

And what does she have to say for herself?!

#179: Author: Toria, Location: London

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 7:57 pm

Margot turned to look at Jack who remained serious and silent. Feeling slightly unsettled Margot looked down at the floor and muttered, 'I don't know' in a small voice.
Miss Annersley did not respond but waited for Margot to continue further. However after several tense minutes when none seemed forthcoming she said,
'Carry on Margot.' Hilda was determined not to give Margot any help but wanted the story from her.
'I…I.. I'm sorry' stammered Margot, feeling very small.
Miss Annersley sighed inwardly. Margot seemed to be going out of her way to make things difficult.
'Margot! I want to know what happened, I don't have time for this silliness.'
Hilda's sharp tone ought to have shaken Margot into being sensible but given Margot's inner confusion it merely left her stunned and with a vague impression that everyone did hate her after all.
'Margot! I'm waiting!' Again Hilda tried to evoke some sort of response out of Margot and this time she was successful.
'I was feeling annoyed' began Margot, 'Everyone hates me here, even Len and Con don't like me anymore. They're part of a four and they leave me out of everything.' That said Margot burst into tears. Jack looked up at Hilda, it seemed that their worst fears had been confirmed.
'Is that it?' Hilda asked contemptuously. 'You think that that gives you the excuse to throw props at other people, have a tantrum in the middle of a rehearsal with little concern for the others around you? Did you really think that you were the only one to feel left out? Of course Len and Con have had similar feelings, so does everyone in the school at times. However they are able to talk to others and seek sensible solutions whereas you get overwhelmed by self pity. I had hoped for more from you Margot, given the time that you've had at this school.'
Margot frowned deeply attempting to stop her tears. She understood what Miss Annersley was saying but she didn't seem to understand that she was different…that she was Margot not someone else. She had always been neglected, it was only because she knew everyone that she had tantrums. Margot wanted desperately to be grown up and to talk in a mature way but something made her feel awkward in the presence of so many people who thought that they knew who she was…It was so difficult to change her approach. Miss Annersley looked at Margot's sulky response with sadness, and called Nell Wilson back in.
'Miss Wilson, take Margot to Matron, then come straight back. Jack, I'm going to call Jo now.'
Jack nodded, 'Do you want me to call Hilda?'
'No, I'll do it myself.'
Jack nodded again and contemplated his daughter's response. He felt amazingly guilty for failing to recognise Margot as herself but instead giving her an image that she couldn't change. He suddenly realised that Margot was not so reliant on himself and Jo as the others but was more independent. He and Jo had been crushing that spirit, assuming that Margot would be happy following the others rather than allowing her to make her own decisions. Jack became aware of Hilda's voice directed at him once more,
'I've called Jo…She'll be here shortly. I want to meet her at the gate…Do you mind waiting here Jack, Nell should be back soon.'
'Of course not.' Jack remained polite and had a strange sensation of being removed from the situation, it felt as if they were talking about someone else's daughter rather than his. Jack was startled by a knock on the door, assuming that Miss Wilson was being polite he called'
'Come in!'
'Papa!' Len rushed into his arms. 'Is Margot in lots of trouble? Will she still be in the play? She didn't do anything very much Papa, she was just in one of her moods. You're not angry are you?'
'Yes I am' Jack responded briefly. 'Your sister is old enough to know that that behaviour cannot be accepted, she could have really injured one of you. Now Len, I don't think you should be here now so I suggest you get back to where you are supposed to be before anyone notices that you are missing. I don't want any more trouble today.'
Len took a breath then realised that her father was right. She had to learn to grow up and understand other people's feelings,
'Sorry Papa. I shouldn't have come…I'll go back to the others now. Con just wanted you to tell Margot that she's sorry and that Julie told her that she wasn't happy but she thought she was and…and…She can become part of our group if she wants.' Len ended in some confususion.
'Len! I appreciate your feelings but you must understand that now is neither the time nor the place.'

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

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 10:23 pm

Thank you Toria!! More soon please!

#181: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 12:49 am

Thank you Toria. All this lovely story. Whatever will Jo say?

#182: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 12:55 am

Thanks for that bit, Toria.

I can see that Len is only trying to look out for her sister, but she's still trying to get special "I'm a Maynard" treatment - no one else would be able to go to their parents to get them to plead the case for a sibling. I think that Jack did the right thing in telling her that it wasn't the time or place.

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

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:48 am

*agrees with Chelsea* I wonder if calling Jo is the wrong thing - surely she will just sympathise with Margot!

#184: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 5:11 pm

I think that the whole Maynard way of dealing with Margot has been wrong.

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

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 7:22 pm

Yes, that's true, too, Jennie.

#186: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 4:14 pm

At least PatMac has given us an explanation for it, the trouble is that I can't stop seeing this drabble in the light of what she's written.

#187: Author: Toria, Location: London

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 6:02 pm

More story... I started back at school today but as I have a cold I've missed orchestra and have written this for you instead!

'Len! I appreciate your feelings but you must understand that now is neither the time nor the place.'
Len stopped, then backed out of the room, she could understand that Papa was upset with Margot but everyone would understand where she was and what she was doing. However given the imperative tone of her father Len felt that she had little choice but to obey and mooched back to rehearsal none the wiser.
'There you are Len! I was looking for you.' Commented Ali as Len slid back into one of the rooms off the hall. With no response from Len forthcoming Ali glanced at Len's face, wondering if she had been worrying about Margot. However there was no evidence of tears and surely Len would have turned to Con.
'Where were you?' asked Ali.
'I went to find Papa, I spoke to Con and she said that Julie had told her what Margot was feeling…Con seemed to think that Margot had been a bit stupid over the whole thing. But I thought that someone ought to explain it to Miss Annersley so when I saw her going outside I realised that Papa must still be in the study. I went along and told him. I thought he'd thank me.'
'But he didn't?' Ali said simply.
'No, he didn't want to listen, he kept on going on about me missing rehearsal and he's really angry with Margot anyway.'
Privately Ali admired the actions of Jack, after all Len's scheme did sound very underhand. Ali didn't have any sisters and it seemed unfair that those that did could get others to plead their case. However she didn't voice these thoughts but instead another.
'Len, what is the 'whole thing'?'
Len looked up knowing that she could not answer,
'why? What did I say?'
Ali may not have realised what lay behind Margot's actions but she was perceptive enough to realise that Len was dodging the question. Something of what Con had told her earlier when she came back from Julie suddenly clicked with Ali and she asked,
'Len? Were you jealous of me?'
Faced with such a direct question Len had little choice but to respond and she replied blushing,
'Yes I was in the beginning. I was always the best at everything and you were so much better. Then Con and you really got on, it was always me who had the friends and the three of us triplets would stick together, me and Con more than Margot. It was odd, I've never felt like that before. Then Julie spoke to me and…made me see sense.'
Ali smiled at Len's way of putting it,
'You shouldn't have been jealous Len, I'm me and you're you. And as for family, you're lucky that you are a triplet, you three will always be special to each other but you can make your own friends as well. It's just me in my family so I have to make friends with other people.'
Len looked up, remembering what had happened yesterday, 'Sorry Ali. I know I'm lucky to have Con, Margot and the others. I shouldn't be whinging about them to you.'
'I don't mind.' Replied Ali, 'I mean, I'd rather you told me than you didn't and kept it all bottled up. But how does this relate to Margot? I thought she was happy with Emerence and we've made an effort to include her.'
'According to Julie, Margot was feeling left out like me…so she got frustrated..' Len stopped, what had seemed like such a reasonable explanation earlier seemed silly and childish. Len frowned and tried to think of another aspect,
'I suppose she felt jealous too, because she's a Maynard we're a part of the school, maybe she felt she wasn't getting enough attention…'
'But we're all a part of the school' said Ali sensibly, 'No one else throws props about the room because they aren't getting more attention than everyone else.'
'I suppose not.' Said Len who was finding herself forced to accept a complete change in her previous thinking. She was special, and being a Maynard was part of that. But that didn't make her more special than the others.
'So why did she?' Ali continued.

#188: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 6:18 pm

Ace, Toria, glad to see such a nice big chunk of story, more please.

#189: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 6:45 pm

Glad to see Len re-evaluate her thinking.

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

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 8:36 pm

Oh, I'm so pleased to see more of this! I hope Len wakes up to the fact that she has no right to be more special than anyone else.

#191: Author: Toria, Location: London

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:45 pm

End of chap 7

'So why did she?' Ali continued.
Confronted once again, Len found that she was lost for words, again she thought of all the excuses they had been through with Margot. How could she explain to Ali that Margot's temper was just a part of her that had to be accepted. Suddenly Len realised how many times Margot had got into trouble as a result of her temper, and how many times she had been let off. However Len knew that this time things would be different.
'Because she's stupid.' Len concluded thoughtfully. 'She's been told tons of times that she's got to learn to manage her temper and now that she's in Switzerland we're part of the more senior school…Of course Papa and Auntie Hilda can't just let it go…'. Overwhelmed by sudden insights and frustration with her sister Len found tears flowing down her face.
Ali started at Len, shocked and unsure of what to do. She had never had anyone in tears in front of her before. She remembered how understanding the others had been of her though and decided to make an effort.
'Oh Len, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked.' Ali moved to put an arm around Len.

#192: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 12:19 am

Thank you Toria, it's good to see Len looking at her own ideas from a different point of view. It's a pity really, that she was so ready to make excuses for Margot's temper up until now - that must have made it harder for Margot to even attempt to control herself.

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

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 3:14 am

Thank you Toria!!
Looking forward to more.....

#194: Author: Toria, Location: London

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 5:23 pm

Chapter 8

'Hilda!' Jo came running up the path. 'What's wrong? Margot hasn't had one of her tempers again has she?'
'Well, I wouldn't put it quite that lightly.' Hilda said seriously, managing to crush Jo's over-exuberence.
'Why, what's happened?' Jo asked anxiously.
'I hate to tell you Jo but quite frankly, Margot's 'temper' is no longer a valid excuse for her attitude. Margot has been out of sorts all term and throwing candlesticks at other pupils because you're in a bad mood is not a reasonable way to take that out. What's more Jo, she won't even tell me her reasons behind her actions, she just goes all sulky. I've sent her to Matron for the moment but I'll call her down again when I've spoken to you and your husband.'
'Me and Jack…' Jo responded numbly. She couldn't think of anything to say in response to Hilda's report on her daughter. 'Can I speak to Jack first Hilda?'
'Yes, I'll leave you in the study. I'll talk to Nell and the others and we'll meet again in half an hour.' With that Hilda left Jo outside the study door.
Jo pushed the door open gently and went into the study. At her entrance Jack looked up,
'Jo…we need to talk…about Margot.'
'I know', Jo sank down into the chair next to her husband, 'Hilda told me, I feel so stupid. I should have seen that Margot was unhappy.'
Jack shook his head, 'You couldn't know Jo, not unless she told us. I just feel bad that she wasn't able to confide in us.'
Jo nodded, 'I know…I was always the one that people turned to at school…I should have been able to understand Margot's feelings. After all I had to cope with the 'family' stuff when I was at school with my sister.'
Jack nodded slowly, 'I didn't even think twice about putting Margot into the Chalet. We even managed to move her to the Swiss Branch with the others. I didn't realise that being a triplet was so much hard work.'
'That's life.' Added Jo, glumly, 'What are we going to do Jack?'
'Wait and see what Hilda says' Jack responded. 'She's more used to these sort of things than we are. Then we can talk with Margot…and I'm pretty cross with her…and sort things out.'
Jo nodded again, 'But Jack you will make her stay here won't you?…And, get over things.'
Jack turned away, he couldn't help thinking that the best solution at the moment was to move Margot elsewhere. Margot would then have a chance to become her own person, as she matured she would be able to accept that she was as special as the others. What was more, Jack knew that Margot was the most intelligent of the three and thought perhaps that the 'family' atmosphere was not benefiting Margot.
'I don't know Jo' Jack concluded eventually. 'If Margot is honestly not happy then maybe we should consider somewhere else.'

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

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 5:30 pm

Thanks Toria!!
Looking forward to more!!!

#196: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 6:03 pm

Thanks, Toria, looking forward to more.

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

Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2004 10:32 am

Once more, Jo is rather blinkered into believing that Margot would only be able to stay at the CS....

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

Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2004 3:51 pm

Well, of course!! Jo judges everyone on her own feelings!!!

#199: Author: Toria, Location: London

Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2004 6:29 pm

Jo bit her lip, 'But Jack, we want her near to us…and another school might not understand.'
'But Jo it's what Margot wants that matters. She's old enough to be away from us, it will give her more independence. By the fact that the school won't 'understand' she'll have to pull herself together. I'm not prepared to let her go on behaving the way that she is without taking action. If Margot resolves to stay and try a lot harder then fine if that's what she wants. I'm not sure that she will though.'
'But her health…'
'Margot's fine. Jo, other people entrust their children to us. Surely we can entrust Margot to someone else?'
'…I suppose…' The two paused in conversation.
'Jo? Were you always happy at the Chalet?'
'Yes'
'Can you see why Margot might not be?'
'Yes, but she's wrong. At the Chalet I knew everyone. I didn't get special treatment….I just can't see why Margot isn't happy Jack.'
Jack shrugged. There seemed to be little more to say, he had put his point across and that was that,
'Of course, Hilda may not want her to stay…then we'd be forced to move her. It would be harder to find somewhere for her if that happened. Even if Hilda let her stay another incident would make her change her mind. The root of the problem is the way Margot is coping with the school therefore if we move her we're giving her the chance to prove herself. I think she'll respond positively Jo.'
Fortunately perhaps, Jo did not have a chance to respond for at that point Hilda Annersley stepped back into the room accompanied by Nell Wilson.
Hilda looked anxiously at the pair, Jo seemed to be very nervous whilst Jack seemed to be relaxed.
'May we talk before we invite my daughter down?' Jack asked.
'If you wish. I've spoken to the staff and they say that Margot's behaviour and performance this term has been acceptable. In other words Margot needs to do better…'
'I agree.' Jack nodded and turned to Jo who also nodded.
'This isn't the first time that Margot's temper has got the better of her. Each time she has been warned and told that she must improve. Her lack of earnest apology is not encouraging…However the staff believe that Margot can give more. If I am satisfied that Margot has understood her mistakes and is honestly sorry then she can stay…I'll give her until the end of term to apologise.'
Jack looked away. It was as he expected…Margot could stay, this time but next time?
'Jo?' Hilda asked.
'Would you mind if I spoke to Margot Hilda?'
'I'll speak to her myself Jo.'
Miss Annersley got up. 'I'm going to fetch Margot now…'
As Hilda left the room Jack tapped his fingers on the desk and tried to avoid looking at Jo however it was Jo herself that spoke...
'Jack. You were right. I think we should.'
Jack looked at Jo seriously, 'I think it's best.'
At this point Hilda returned with Margot.
'Margot go and sit with your parents.'
As Margot moved towards her parents she felt the love that the two were offering her. Margot made up her mind…For them she would try and stick with this school…she would try.
'I'm sorry' she said. 'I was wrong…I shouldn't have lost my temper…I won't do it again.'
Hilda Annersley sat back relieved,
'Right. I'm glad you could see that you were very wrong Margot and I will accept your apology. However you must understand that if anything like this happens again, or if I get a bad report on you from your teachers I will have no choice but to ask you to leave the school.'
Margot looked down and nodded.
At this point Hilda looked to Nell who got up and escorted Jo and Jack from the room.
'Hilda will just finish with Margot then you can go back in.' she said.
'I suppose she won't be in the play?' Jack commented.
'No.' Nell Wilson said, 'Hilda will be breaking that news to her now…she'll be moved down to LIVB as well…her behaviour hardly merits the A division.'
Jack frowned, 'Miss Wilson would you mind if I spoke to Jo alone for a few moments?'
'Of course not. I'll leave you here.' With that Nell Wilson walked off to break the news to the other staff.
'Darling Margot' commented Jo. 'You were right Jack…she isn't happy but she's going through it for us.'
'I know' Jack nodded, admiring his daughters efforts. 'I want her to move school Jo. Even if she works she won't achieve anything with this hanging over her.'
Jo nodded, 'now we just need to speak to Margot.'

#200: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2004 7:05 pm