The CBB :: View topic - Hilda and Nell

#1: Hilda and Nell Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 8:13 pm

Nell Wilson sat in the staff compartment gazing out of the window at the passing countryside and thinking about the coming term. There would be a new member of staff, appointed to teach English and Religious Studies, and she wondered what she would be like. At least it meant the she, Nell, would no longer be the staff baby! Her thoughts were interrupted by the slowing of the train as it approached Innsbruck and she hurriedly gathered her things together before attending to the group of girls who were returning to the Chalet School. With the help of Mollie Maynard she shepherded them all to the platform where the train for Spartz was already standing. Thereafter there was no time for any more speculation as she was involved in chatter with the girls who were asking how she has spent the holidays. There were one or two new girls amongst the crowd who were looking round with wide eyes at everything that was happening, and especially at the quaint little train that would be taking them up the mountain to the Tiernsee.

As they all tumbled out of the train they were met by the folk who lived in the neighbourhood. Jo Bettany was as always in the forefront shrieking at the top of her voice as she renewed her acquaintance with old friends.
“Girls! Please keep your voices down. People will think you’re a herd of wild animals rather than respectable school girls.” Miss Wilson had a carrying voice which was easily heard above the hubbub and the level of conversations dropped at once; whatever their home circumstances the girls were well trained to instant obedience whilst at school. Still talking nineteen to the dozen the group separated itself into smaller groups which made their way round the lake to Briesau where the Chalet School was situated and through the gate in fence into the school grounds. Here they all dispersed to their various rooms and Miss Wilson’s responsibilities were over for the time being. She made her way up to her pretty room with its wonderful views over the lake and shut her door with relief, dropping her case to the floor and collapsing on the bed. The journey was exhausting in itself without the responsibility for a large group of girls thrown into the equation.

She was roused from a doze by the sound of the school bell ringing for Kaffee und Kuchen and she hurriedly tidied herself before descending the stairs to the staff room. As she entered the room she saw a tall figure standing by the window talking to Mlle Lepattre. The woman looked as if she was much the same age as Nell. She had beautiful soft brown hair which she wore in a loose knot at the nape of her neck and looked kind and approachable. Mlle saw Nell at that moment and beckoned her across the room.
“Nell this is Hilda Annersley who is joining us this term. As you are of a similar age would you look after her please? Miss Annersley, this is Nell Wilson who teaches Science and Geography. She has only been with us for a term so she should be able to help you settle in.” With those words Mlle moved away to speak to other members of staff and the two were left looking at each other speculatively.

#2: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 8:25 pm

Excellent begiining< Pat. Is there any more?

#3: Author: Lula, Location: Midlands, UK

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 8:29 pm

Ooh, I like that beginning!

#4: Author: Kathye, Location: Laleham

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 8:32 pm

I really liked it Pat, looking forward to the next installment

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

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 8:43 pm

A Lovely beginning, and another Tyrol story Very Happy

Thank you Pat

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

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 8:49 pm

Looking good, Pat. Smile

#7: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 9:05 pm

sounds interesting
love to see more!

#8: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans/Leicester

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 9:19 pm

A Tyrol story, Nell and Hilda... who could ask for anything more!

I like the look of this Pat, hope there's going to be more.

#9: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 9:51 pm

*bounces excitedly* Anymore of this Auntie Pat? Please? *looks hopeful*

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

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 9:56 pm

(BTW Yes, Pat knows, No, it isn't communal)

Nell cast a quick glance at the women before her, the kind and approachable face she had observed from across the room was countered up close by a steely glint in the eyes, Nell knew instinctively that this was not a woman to be trifled with.
“Nell Wilson, pleased to met you,” she said as she held out her hand.
“Likewise, Hilda Annersley,” replied the new teacher, returning the firm grip with an equal strength.
Hilda was pleased to see another young face in the school, and one with some character in it. The staff here seemed a little staid and nondescript, the head was older than the retiring head had given her to believe, and although she had been impressed by Madge Bettany, now Russell, she could see that the remaining staff had taken their tone from her and were feeling the power vacuum created as Mlle had not taken hold with a firm grasp yet.

The two made small talk for the rest of the meal, assessing each other as they did so. Nell introduced Hilda to the rest of the staff and made a few comments about the school in general. She noted that Hilda seemed sharp, and very quick on the uptake, remembering names and recalling what had been mentioned about the girls when their names came up a second time. Nell was unsure what to make of her, being at the same time attracted to her decided manner and form and crisp way of speaking, and yet repulsed by the assured manner she showed, not what was normal for a staff baby at all.
“And I should know that” she thought as she stared out at the moonlit lake later that evening, “I had to put up with being staff baby all last term, well it won’t continue.”

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

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 10:39 pm

Like it!

One minor point - though perhaps it's one you've already considered - Staff Baby is actually the youngest in the Staff Room, not newest member of Staff - therefore it's still Nell!

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

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 10:42 pm

This is very shiny!
More please Auntie Pat and Carolyn!!!

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

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 11:45 pm

ooooooooooh new drabble ... yayyyy!
Hopes there is lots more to come ... I love Hilda and Nell bits in other drabbles so can't wait for the rest!

#14: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 12:36 am

Lovely new drabble Pat and Carolyn. My favourite part of the series. Looking forward to more of this. Wonder why EBD never made much of their early friendship considering just how much she made of it later.

#15: Author: Nicole, Location: New Zealand

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 4:59 am

Oooh, lovely new drabble with Nell and Hilda.

Looking forward to reading more Smile

#16: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 8:05 am

Loving this - great to get an insight into how their relationship first began ...

Please post more soon!

#17: Author: Lula, Location: Midlands, UK

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 8:36 am

Susan wrote:

Wonder why EBD never made much of their early friendship considering just how much she made of it later.

During the Tyrol/Tirol era, it was really Nell and Con Stewart's friendship that she made a lot of. Maybe she felt that Nell could only have one good friend at a time Confused

This is great, hope some more comes soon...

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

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 10:36 am

Lovely! Thank you Auntie Pat and Carolyn! As has been said before Nell and hilda and the Tirol what more can one ask for!! Very Happy

#19: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 11:24 am

Hilda Annersley was also looking out at the view across the lake, grateful that she was lucky enough to have a lake view room. And thinking back over her day. She had arrived on the Spartz train that head left just before the school had arrived at the little station and had thus travelled up by herself. Her journey across Europe had been easy given her mastery of the languages and her air of self confidence, unusual in a young woman. Now she stood with her beautiful hair flowing down around her shoulders, thinking of the term ahead. She was taking over as staff baby was she? She knew what that entailed and had experienced it before. To her mind staff baby was the youngest not the newest and she would insist that that be the case here. She thought about the day just passed and the people she had met. Most of the staff were pleasant and obviously competent, but one stood out in her mind. Nell Wilson was as strong as she was, though in different way and she felt an initial attraction to her, sensing a kindred spirit. Then her common sense reasserted itself and she remembered that she was likely to be her main rival for promotion. She settled down to sleep feeling that she had found her place in the world.
The following day saw the start of the new language regime, with only French being spoken in lessons and out. Most of the girls found that they knew more than they had realised, with only the new girls floundering. Even Evadne, who had prophesied the night before that she would have to be silent for the whole day, was pleasantly surprised at how much talking she managed.
Naturally the rule did not apply in the staff room and conversations were carried on as usual using whichever language seemed appropriate at the time. When the staff retired to their room for the morning break Nell and several others looked expectantly at Hilda, waiting for her to dispense the coffee provided by Marie and her staff. Hilda however ignored them all and settled herself in a chair by the window. Nell, sitting with her friend Con Stewart, looked around before speaking.
“Forgive me for pointing this out Miss Annersley, but it is the duty of the staff baby to pout the coffee for us.”
Hilda smiled serenely. “Then I suggest you stir yourself Miss Wilson for I believe that I am a little older than you. In my estimation that still makes you staff baby.”

#20: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 11:42 am

Wow, love Hilda's calm attitude.

#21: Author: Rosie, Location: Huntingdonshire/Bangor

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 12:09 pm

*winces* This is going to be very interesting!!!

#22: Author: Kathye, Location: Laleham

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 12:27 pm

oohh hotting up already...... Twisted Evil

can't wait to see this play out, thanks Pat Laughing

#23: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 12:28 pm

Never mind Hilda's calm attitiude ... how's Nell going to react?? Shocked

*agog*

I can feel the sparks flying from here!!

Pat - this is great - I love the idea of the competitive, ambitious edge and it's great to see what they're really like "out of school"

Very realistic!!

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

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 12:34 pm

Thats what I want to know too! How will Nell react, knowing her quick temper i can see sparks flying!

I always enjoyed the scenes in the staff room so and really enjoying this!

#25: Author: Lula, Location: Midlands, UK

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 1:17 pm

Ooh, how's Nell going to react to that? I love it!

#26: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 1:20 pm

Nell's reaction is down to Carolyn I'm afraid. Don't expect more fromme even though I'm around!!! Twisted Evil

#27: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 1:40 pm

Cool! So, you're doing Hilda's POV and Carolyn, Nell's?

If so, great idea - and I hope it's a long drabble .... potentially, of course it coulod take us through the entire series! Very Happy

*hopeful*

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

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 1:41 pm

Pat wrote:

Nell's reaction is down to Carolyn I'm afraid. Don't expect more fromme even though I'm around!!! Twisted Evil

Starts chant for CAROLYN CAROLYN CAROLYN

please

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

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 1:51 pm

Looking forward to hearing what Nell has to say Very Happy

Hilda does seem rather calm, so I hope she doesn't appear standoffish to the rest of the staff

ETA - Out of interest what is your estimate of Nell and Hilda's ages in this story??

#30: Author: FionaW, Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 2:29 pm

ages - I'd say Nell is in her late twenties and Hilda is about 163...

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

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 5:31 pm

Whoo hoo!! cat fight coming up!!! Wink

Really don't see nell taking that lying down!

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

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 6:39 pm

Ohhh! Interesting! Looking forward to Nell's reaction.

*Pedantic point - Con Stewart wouldn't have been there - she started after Hilda - in Rivals, and was younger than Nell anyway!*

#33: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 6:43 pm

Maybe this is a different Con Stewart - who we never heard about (before now) and who was really old Very Happy

Love reading this thread (where it looks like they will be enemies) with Lesley's (where we know how close they become). They go well together.

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

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 9:12 pm

Nell stood up slowly and walked over to the coffee table. Once there she took a cup and saucer and lifted the coffee pot, pouring neatly into the cup from a great height. Then she added two heaped spoonfuls of sugar into it, poured in the cream and calmly took the cup to her own seat, sitting down and sipping the coffee with an exaggerated air of enjoyment. Then, placing the saucer on the table she took a cigarette out of the packet laid next to it and with every eye in the staff room on her she lit a cigarette and taking a long drag, blew a lazy smoke ring that floated gently up to the ceiling, drawing everyone’s eye with it. There was an air of expectancy in the room, and as the ring hit the ceiling and slowly dissolved, the attention of everyone turned to Hilda, who had risen from her seat as the smoke ring had risen.

Hilda poured her cup of coffee neatly from a normal height, added no sugar, and just a touch of cream, and walked back across the room to her own chair. Sitting down, she presented a picture of total relaxation, sipping unconcernedly as she picked up a copy of Just William and flicked through the pages. There was still silence. The two youngest, newest members of staff relaxed viciously at each other, and the rest of the staff watched them carefully, wondering what the next skirmish would bring.

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

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 9:21 pm

What an absolutely fabulous phrase

'relaxed viciously at each other'

Excellent! Laughing

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

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 9:21 pm

LOL!!!
Although I can't imagine the older members of staff being too thrilled if this state of affairs carries on....... Laughing

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

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 9:29 pm

Yes but who are the older members of staff? Mlle Lepattre won't be there as she's Head, so Miss Maynard, Miss Durrant and Miss Carthew - none of them a patch on Hilda or Nell! Laughing

#38: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans/Leicester

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 10:53 pm

Relaxing viciously? That sounds brilliant, I've seen it happen so many times Laughing

*removes all flammable objects from the vicinity before sparks fly*

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

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 11:27 pm

oooh I can see trouble ahead ... I think I know why Mademoiselle seems to do Kaffee a lot - its cos Nell won't on principle and neither will Hilda!

#40: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 8:07 am

Eventually, mindful of the time and realising that neither was going to back down, everyone got their own coffee and conversation resumed as normal.

All was quiet for the next few days until it pleased Mlle to send the Middles on a walk to the Dripping Rock accompanied by Nell and Hilda. To do her justice she had no idea of the contretemps between the pair or she may have has second thoughts. All went well until they reached the Rock itself. Here water spilled onto the path and it was always rather slippery even in good weather. No one ever knew exactly what happened, whether Evvy slipped or tripped, but she cannoned into Miss Annersley hard enough to make her lose her balance. Unable to find her feet on the wet path she disappeared over the edge and plunged down to the lake below. Mindful of her dignity she uttered no sound whatsoever as she hit the water with a resounding splash and disappeared from view. Nell Wilson managed to keep a straight face by an heroic effort of will though her eyes were twinkling wildly. She carefully leaned over the edge and was in time to see her colleague rise to the surface, her hair, having come loose from its pins, spreading out on the surface of the water behind her.
“If you swim to the right you will find that the path dips down to the shore and you will be able to climb out easily,” she said. “I take it that you can swim?”
“Very well, thank you!” replied Miss Annersley and she turned in the direction indicated.
Before long she was climbing out of the water in front of the goggled-eyed Middles, dripping wet and with her hair cascading down her back to below her waist.
“We must get you home as soon as possible,” said Miss Wilson briskly. “There is no need to risk a cold or worse and the sooner you are in a hot bath the better.” She turned away and began to move the girls back along the path to the school, but not before she had caught the look in Miss Annersley’s eyes. Normally blue/grey and friendly (though never to Miss Wilson!) they were now as cold and as steely as the lake in winter. Nell Wilson grinned to herself as she marched their charges along the path and back to the school. She suspected that that look would be capable of quelling the worst Middle on record, but she was made of sterner stuff and all it achieved was to heighten her enjoyment of the situation.
When they arrived back at the school Hilda Annersley went immediately to her room to change and bath. Feeling much warmer, for the lake had been icy cold even for September, she returned to her room to find Matron Lloyd waiting for her with a noxious mixture designed to fight off any incipient cold.
“Who told you I had fallen in the lake?” she demanded wrathfully when the Matron’s presence had been explained.
“Miss Wilson naturally concluded that it was her duty to make sure that you took no lasting harm form your unfortunate accident,” replied Matron, who was already getting the reputation that was to follow her throughout her working life. “We cannot afford to have any Mistress ill.”
Hilda said nothing and said it eloquently, but Matron was not to be deterred and she eventually gave in and swallowed the draught, but she stored the incident in her memory.

#41: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 8:10 am

This is terrific, I hope that there's lots more to come.

#42: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 8:27 am

Oh wow, these are brilliant!
Loove the "relaxing viciously" - what a brilliant phrase

Love the relationship and can totally see it developing like this
Wonder what Hilda's going to do now?

*happy sigh*
RCS and Hilda & Nell - we're just too darn lucky!! Very Happy

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

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 8:56 am

Oh no!!!
Poor Hilda!!!
First the undignified fall, and then a dose from Matey!!!

How will she hget her revenge on Nell, I wonder???

#44: Author: Kathye, Location: Laleham

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 9:32 am

oooooooooooooooooo ROFL

Nell better watch her back Twisted Evil

Pat I think its your turn isnt it ?

Pat
Pat
Pat
Pat

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

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 9:34 am

Also love the 'relaxing viciously' line!

Agree that Hilda is soooo not going to let Nell get away with this!

Wonderful, hysterical and just what I need on a Friday morning!

Joins Kathye's chant for Auntie Pat!

#46: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 9:40 am

Kathye wrote:

Pat I think its your turn isnt it ?

No Kathye, it's not me!! I posted the last bit!!! When Hilda fell into the lake.

#47: Author: Kathye, Location: Laleham

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 9:45 am

Pat wrote:

Kathye wrote:

Pat I think its your turn isnt it ?

No Kathye, it's not me!! I posted the last bit!!! When Hilda fell into the lake.

Sorry I thought it was going to be Hilda next......

#48: Author: Lula, Location: Midlands, UK

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 9:53 am

I love the "relaxing viciously" Laughing

So descriptive, it's great!

#49: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 10:26 am

What we NEED, Auntie Carolyn & Auntie Pat is a post from Carolyn, showing Nell watching her back and wondering what Hilda's going to do - nothing happening and Nell being lulled into a false sense of security then WHAM, Pat's post and a humdinger from Hilda ...

*hopeful*

Preferably before 2pm as I won't have access after that 'til Tues Sad

#50: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 10:28 am

Rachael, is somthing wrong with your PC at home?

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

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 10:34 am

Ooh wonderful!!!

*looking forward to the revenge!!*

#52: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 10:35 am

No, laptop is fine, thanks, but I won't be at home this weekend and I'm out of the office on Mon ... and there's no point taking it with me as it won't be practical to get on the internet ...

Never mind - knowing the board, there will be plenty to look forward to on Tues!!
Every cloud ....... Wink

#53: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 11:36 am

Thank goodness for that, Rachael. I had visions of you pacing up and down and chewing your fingernails.

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

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 1:00 pm

Sorry Rachael, I tried to get it done for 2:00 for you, but it's not quite finished.

Still you can have the fun of anticipating it all weekend, the rest of the poor things will find out in half an hour so and loose that joy of expectation.

#55: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 1:12 pm

Just my luck!!

Oh, well, never mind ....
*sigh*

At least I've seen the next two posts of Break Wink

Have a great weekend one and all ...............................!!!!! Mr. Green

#56: Author: Catherine_B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 1:20 pm

Oh, HILARIOUS!!!!

I love the line about Hilda being mindful of her dignity and disappearing into the lake in silence - I so couldn't do that!!!!

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

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 1:56 pm

(erm this got a bit more serious than I had intended...sorry folks.)

Hilda knew that Nell had enjoyed the incident, and allowed that if the situation had been reversed she too would have enjoyed seeing the other teacher take a fall. She also knew that she too would have arranged matters so that Matron had a hand in affairs. It had not escaped her attention that both she and Nell had by far the strongest characters in the staff room, nor that they reacted in similar ways. In fact most of the staff had quietly enjoyed seeing the similarities between the two women, and there was an unspoken expectation that the two would become good friends once they had rubbed down together.

Hilda spent the next two days avoiding Nell’s company. She had thought about this a lot and knew that Nell would be wondering what her reaction to matron’s visit would be, and what the repercussions may be. Hilda had no intention of satisfying her curiosity. She ensured that Nell saw her casting speculative glances at her, and once or twice made certain of being seen moving away from the vicinity of Nell’s desk. She said and did nothing however, and when the two met was polite in an offhand manner. This continued for a few days and Hilda was pleased to note that Nell was appearing on edge whenever she was present.

Still nothing was said or done.

Then a week to the day since Hilda had taken her unexpected swim Nell walked into the staff room before breakfast and let rip with an oath. Thankful that none of the senior members of staff had heard, knowing they would disapprove she automatically covered her mouth with her hand and strode over to look more closely at what she had seen. There was a photograph she had left in the middle of her desk awaiting a new frame, only now there was an addition, an ink stain across the bottom half. She forced back the tears as she looked at the now dried black splodge, obscuring her sister’s dress. Her face set in a grim line, revenge she had expected, but never this.

The door opened and Hilda entered with the rest of the staff, chatting about the walks to be taken that morning.
“How dare you,” Nell was across the room and almost on top of Hilda in one bound, “I know that we haven’t got off on the best of terms, but this, this,” she was incoherent in her anger, and held up the photograph as she spoke.
Hilda looked, and her expression was unreadable as she replied, “Miss Wilson, I can assure you that whatever you may think of, I would never stoop to such an act.”
“But,” Nell stopped, and looked once more at the photo.
“Never start a sentence with a proposition my dear, it sounds so ugly,” added Hilda as she walked past the reddening mistress and helped herself to the morning paper.

Nell returned to her desk, shrugging off the arm laid on her shoulder by Sarah Denny. Then she saw it, her fountain pen; the one with the cracked barrel, caught under the edge of the blotter where she had found the photo. She saw clearly what had happened, remembering the annoyance with which she had flung it down the day before when it had leaked on her hands. She had forgotten it later when she had been looking at the photo, but now she could see, she must have put the photo on the blotter, and during the night the ink had soaked through. She dashed a hand through her chestnut hair and taking a deep breath rose and walked over to Hilda.
“I believe I owe you an apology. I am sorry, I have discovered the fault was mine, and I should never have blamed you, especially not without discovering what had happened. Please forgive me.”
In the face of this full apology Hilda had no option and she knew it. A few weeks at the chalet had shown her how the behaviour expected from the girls was also expected from the staff. She took Miss Wilson’s proffered hand and shook it.

That was a truce.

For the time being.

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

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 2:03 pm

I had to hold my breath reading that, I felt so sorry for Nell, but Im glad she was able to own up to her mistakes.

I think the tone is just right for showing the development of their adult friendship.

Looking forward to the next squall!

#59: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 2:44 pm

This is excellent, you two!

Good for Nell, apologizing....I can see this incident opening a chink in the wall between them.

And Laughing

at the lake scene.
ROFL

"said nothing and said it eloquently."

#60: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 3:25 pm

I love the tension between them. Their silences are so ostentatious!

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

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 4:15 pm

Poor Nell, I can see she was devastated about the photo and just lost and then to have to apologise and to Hilda! Well done to her.

Thank you Carolyn and Pat. Look forward to lots more on Monday!

#62: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 4:29 pm

Could we please please please have Nell either find a way of un-inking the photo or else finding a similar photo? Wouldn't be fair for her seeing as know her sister is dead Sad

Btw, Im still really enjoying this!

#63: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 4:40 pm

*starts chanting for Pat*

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

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 6:26 pm

Loving it! Laughed out loud when Hilda fell in the lake, could see her expression afterwards and whe Matey appeared!

Can understand why Nell jumped to conclusions - though I knew it couldn't be Hilda - good on her for apologising.

*Also hopes something can be done about the photo - perhaps Hilda can suggest something?*

#65: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 8:33 pm

Just caught up on this; FAB! thank you muchly!

#66: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 9:47 pm

This is wonderful, marvellous, brilliant, fantastic and and and... lots and lots of other similar adjectives (the thesaurus is too far away, i.e. downstairs) but please carry on you two. Very Happy

#67: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 10:08 pm

For the next few weeks there was peace in the Staff Room and the others members sighed quietly in relief, taking the truce at its face value. The two protagonists allowed them to believe that all was now harmonious, using each other’s Christian name as was normal amongst the staff when off duty. They were each acutely aware that this was only a surface truce, however. The day that Hilda had to quell a mini riot in her literature lesson giving Nell the opportunity to smile sweetly and commiserate and the escape of some obnoxious gas in the chemistry lab providing the same opportunity to Hilda being only minor skirmishes that went unnoticed by the rest of the staff.
However, just before Half Term Hilda volunteered to check the condition of the school’s scenery in preparation for the Nativity Play with which the Winter Term would end. So after Abendessen she made her way to the large shed which stored the equipment and began to sort through the large flat lying against the wall. Finding all in good order she turned her attention to the smaller pieces of scenery, also used for the Sale of Work, which were lying flat on the shelf . there was a set of steps which allowed her to reach them without a problem and she was sorting through them when the top couple of pieces shifted suddenly. There was no time for her to get out of the way and before she knew it she was lying on the floor with one wall of a cottage lying on top of her.
She mentally checked herself out and came to the conclusion that she was suffering only from knocks and bruises and that therefore it was safe for her to move. She pushed the cottage wall off her body and climbed stiffly to her feet, brushing her clothes down with shaking fingers. Knowing that it was better to leave the job until Eugen could make the pile safe for her she went back to her room, grateful that she met no one on the way. Disinclined to return to the Staff Room she made herself some coffee in the little kitchen area neat the staff bedrooms and read quietly for the rest of the evening. It was only when she was getting ready for bed that she made the discovery that one of her bruises was in an unfortunate place. Her right eye was rapidly turning an interesting purple colour which she knew would only get worse by the morning.
Her foreboding was fully realised when she rose the next morning. Not only was she sporting a black eye but the socket was slightly swollen as well. Her thought immediately flew to Nell Wilson, knowing exactly what her reaction would be. However there was no help for it and she descended the stairs to Mittagessen in the knowledge that she was going to produce a minor sensation. The whispers flew round the girls as she made her way to the staff table with her cheeks flushed with embarrassment though she steadfastly ignored the murmurs. As soon as Grace had been said she took her place, thankful that her back was towards the rest of the room. Unfortunately this put her almost exactly opposite Nell Wilson and she groaned inwardly as she saw the look of unholy glee come into that lady’s eyes.
“What have you done to yourself, Cherie?” asked Mlle kindly.
“I was examining some of the scenery when a piece fell on me,” explained Hilda, wondering what form of ‘sympathy’ her adversary would use. She was not kept waiting long for her answer.
“Don’t you think you should go and see if Marie Pfeiffen can let you have a piece of steak for that eye my dear? You already look like a prize fighter and you surely don’t want it to get any worse. I understand that steak is very good at reducing black eyes, though I have no personal experience myself of course.” The voice was oozing with sympathy, nicely judged to sound no warning bells in other people’s minds but Hilda knew exactly how much sympathy Nell had for her. Exactly none. However, she smiled sweetly across the table and thanked Nell for her concern as if she had taken it at face value and her eyes promised the retribution that her mind craved. She was patient. Revenge was something to wait for, to take when the time was absolutely right and not before.

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

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 11:36 pm

LOL!!
Poor Hilda seems to be coming of rather the worse here!

#69: Author: Rachel, Location: Plotting in my lair

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 11:44 pm

Pat, that was brilliant! Love this tag-team drabbling we are getting. Now, time for a chant:

Give me a "C"

Give me an "A"

Give me an "R"

Give me an "O"

Give me an "L"

Give me a "Y"

Give me an "N"

What do we get?

CAROLYN!

What do we want?

MORE

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

Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 7:18 am

Nell's going to catch it!!!!

#71: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 12:16 pm

And when she does...........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#72: Author: Steph, Location: Blackpool, Lancashire

Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 12:29 pm

Have just caught up with this and am loving it!
Well done Carolyn and Pat- you've managed to create the tension between the two very well Smile

Can't wait for the next bit!

#73: Author: Lula, Location: Midlands, UK

Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 12:51 pm

Ooh, I'm loving it! This is one great fued, I can really picture it happening.

#74: Author: Ella, Location: Staffordshire

Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 9:47 pm

This is great -I've only just caught up! Smile

Loved the falling into the lake episode (and almost wondered if Evadne was in league with Nell!) and felt so sorry for Nell over her photo.
I never realised Hilda was so accident-prone!
I think there may be thunder in the offing between the two of them...and am looking forward to more! Laughing

#75: Author: Annie,

Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 8:17 am

I've only just caught up too and it's brilliant! More please!!!

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

Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 3:27 pm

Half term had come and gone before the next episode in the growing battle for supremacy between Hilda and Nell. This time it was a chance comment from Mollie Maynard in the staff room that set events into action.
“I say, has anyone noticed what those babes have been up to?” she had asked with a grin.
“No, are you going to enlighten us or make us guess?” drawled May Carthew lazily.
“Wretch,” laughed Mollie as she settled down. “I came across Joey sat in the middles common room with the worst grimace you ever saw. On making enquiries I discovered that she was unpicking all her pockets. You know how she likes to wonder about with her hands shoved deep into them, I believe Madame once threatened to make her sew them up herself because of that. Well one of her playmates had taken the time to stitch them all tightly. I suggested she leave them like that, but I don’t think she will take my advice,” she finished with a gay laugh.
“It’s that time of term again, I don’t know why but somehow once we have passed half term some of those middles just seem to get the silliness bug and let rip with all kinds of practical jokes. At least they have the good sense to keep it to themselves. You can say that about our girls, they know where to draw the line,” added Miss Durrant.
Nell and Hilda said nothing during this conversation, but both were quick to note the potential in the situation and the following day found Hilda wondering around the school and grounds apparently aimlessly, but in actual fact paying close attention to each group of middles she passed, later in her room she sat with a notebook, scribbling furiously and grinning to herself.

Nell was not left standing either. She had retired to her lab and secretly taken half a dozen books from the top shelf in her stockroom. She had hidden her enjoyment in these particular stories from her colleagues, knowing that in some establishments reading girls school stories of the most lurid kind would be scorned. Nell was not about to open herself up to the disdain of the young well-read English teacher. She sat at the workbench in the stockroom, her back to the door shielding the book from view, and taking notes as she giggled helplessly at some of the exploits described therein.

#77: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 3:39 pm

Ooooh, dear - this doesn sound too good!

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

Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 4:08 pm

What an excellent idea, though I'm sure both will also think of some original ideas!!!

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

Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 6:05 pm

Oh dear!

Can actually picture this - wonderful! Laughing

#80: Author: caz, Location: Cambridge

Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 7:50 pm

I've just caught up with this - it's really fantastic. Thank you both.

*very much looking forwardto the next parts*

#81: Author: Catherine_B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 8:30 pm

This is absolutely wonderful, and I can't wait to see a) what the wicked young women get up to, and b) how they make up in the end!

By the way, how come Madge hasn't noticed what's going on? Is she 'busy'?

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

Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 8:36 pm

Madge got married at the end of the previous term and so is up at the sonnalpe beginning the process of becoming a sweet woman.

#83: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 9:43 pm

One evening soon afterwards, as Hilda went to wash before bed, Nell Wilson crept out of her bedroom next to Hilda’s. She had been watching for Hilda to leave her room and smiled in satisfaction when she saw that her hair was already plaited for the night., as was her own. As soon as the bathroom door closed, Nell was out of her room and into her rival’s, smothering her giggles for she had not done anything like this since her own school days. She had thought hard and long before deciding what she would do, for it was not in her plans for any blame to fall on the Middles heads. Therefore she had decided that whatever she did must be in her opponent’s bedroom.
Moving as fast as she could she picked up Hilda’s brushes and buried them in her bed, making very sure that there was no sign of disturbance and grateful that the use of plumeaux helped to hide the small humps. Then she scurried back to her own room to attend to her toilet.

Hilda Annersley had also been thinking hard and had come to the same conclusion. As she left the bathroom she almost collided with Nell who was about to enter. Smiling sweetly she stood back as Nell swept past nodding her head in gracious acknowledgement. As soon as the door was safely shut Hilda darted into Nell’s room. Blue/grey eyes flashing cold humour she swept her rival’s brushes off the dressing table and placed them neatly in her bed, smoothing the plumeau over them carefully. She was about to leave when she had a sudden thought and stepped over to the dressing table again, glancing over the contents swiftly Her eyes fell on the combs Nell Wilson wore to hold her hair in place during the day and she grabbed them and stuffed them into the pillow case, plumping it up so that they were invisible. Then she calmly returned to her own room.
Once in her room she stood for a few minutes looking out onto the moonlit lake, then she moved to the side of the bed to say her prayers. In the next room Nell was doing the same thing, working through he prayers with her rosary on autopilot without really thinking about what she was saying. Both women had one ear tuned to any sound that might come from the next door room. Not realising that they were both acting in tandem they rose from their knees together and climbed into bed. The exclamations as their feet hit the bristles of the brushes together drowned each other out. They leapt out of bed and pulled down the covers to reveal the brushes lying there, both muttering dark words of revenge. Having removed the offending articles they climbed back into bed and snuggled down to go to sleep, though Hilda still kept her ears open. She was not disappointed for as soon as Nell’s head hit her pillow she shot up in bed again with an oath, heard with a good deal of satisfaction in the next room. When her questing hand brought the combs out of her pillow her face darkened. The brushes trick could be accepted for she had done the same thing herself. But this was taking it too far! Something would have to be done.
They both lay awake for a time thinking about what had happened and their thoughts were not pleasant. It hurt their pride that they had both played the same trick as the other; it almost made a bond that was certainly not there in truth. Nell was also brooding over the extra trick Hilda had played on her and cursing that she had not thought of doing something similar. As a result neither slept well and were both rather more short tempered than the girls had come to expect from them. The truth was that a good part of there attention was taken up with planning their revenge and this on top of the lack of sleep made them more impatient than normal. It was only when each had come to a decision that they reverted to their normal selves.

#84: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 9:46 pm

*giggles*

Oh I love this - Nell and Hilda being so dignified and yet so childish!

#85: Author: caz, Location: Cambridge

Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 9:52 pm

*wonders if any other members of staff heard their exclamations*

#86: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 10:15 pm

Love Nell's choice of reading material Very Happy

Interesting the way literary and "modern" middles provide the same inspiration Mr. Green

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

Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 10:22 pm

Wonderful! How long is it going to take them to realise that they're made for each other? Laughing

Looking forward to further instalments!

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

Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 10:33 pm

This is brilliant!!!
Please keep going Pat and Carolyn!!!!!

#89: Author: Lula, Location: Midlands, UK

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 9:23 am

Ooh, this is fantastic!

#90: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 9:33 am

Just found this, its superb.

thanks carolyn and pat. looking forward to more!

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

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 1:51 pm

*Giggles at their antics!*

Please keep the revenge coming, this is wonderful!

#92: Author: Guest,

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 6:02 pm

wonderful.

*contentedly sighs*

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

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 6:04 pm

that was me

Embarassed

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

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 6:56 pm

The next occurrence was to take Hilda by surprise. She may have scored on the bed front, but Nell was not about to take that lying down. It was perhaps fortunate for Hilda that it was the seniors who became aware of her predicament and not the middles, but it was embarrassing all the same.

She had entered the classroom in her usual dignified manner, smartly dressed, as was her wont when teaching and greeted the girls with a smile as she took her seat at the desk. She laid out the register, her copy of their current book, Jane Eyre with her own annotations in the margin, took out her fountain pen and opened the desk drawer to take out the blotting paper normally kept there. At least she tried to open the drawer. She tugged at it with one hand whilst opening the register with the other, and then finding it unaccountably still shut she looked askance and tried again, this time with a little more force. She frowned and leaned over, this time using both hands. Still nothing happened. The girls looked puzzled as their normally proper teacher frowned and muttered something under her breath, Grizel swore afterwards that it was slang ‘of the slangiest kind’ although no one believed her.

It was only slowly that Hilda became aware of the staring seniors and the odd sight she must be presenting. She stood up with as much dignity as she could muster and asked Bette to spare her a sheet of blotting paper. This obtained she took the register and collected herself a little before drilling the form on the character development through the whole novel.

Once the girls had left she had another look at the drawer, her quick eyes spotted two small nails at the side, holding it shut and her lips set tight, she knew who had to answer for this. Hearing the warning bell ring for lunch she went to wash her hands quickly before slipping in to take her place just in time. She was pleased when Nell entered the room several minutes later, late.
“You are rather late Miss Wilson,” chided Mademoiselle raising her eyebrows at the young science teacher.
“I am so sorry but I was fixing a problem with a drawer and felt it wise to return my tools.”
“Very wise,” was the heads comment, “The girls could have hurt themselves if they were tempted to play with them.”
“Or caused a lot of mischief if they decided to use them for their own nefarious purposes” added Mollie with a laugh.
“Quite” said Hilda dryly; eyeing the two small nails Nell was carefully dropping in the pocket of her blazer, once she was quite sure that Hilda had seen them.

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

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 7:05 pm

Quote:

She may have scored on the bed front, but Nell was not about to take that lying down.

But she *did* take it lying down...[/pedant]

And was that Hilda or Nell in the last line.

*laughs head off*

This is truly wonderful Carolyn. More

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

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 7:05 pm

What an excellent trick!! ROFL

Looking forward to Hilda's next move

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

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 7:21 pm

angel wrote:

Quote:

She may have scored on the bed front, but Nell was not about to take that lying down.

But she *did* take it lying down...[/pedant]

Which is exactly why I said it!

Quote:

And was that Hilda or Nell in the last line.

Hilda spoke and looked at Nell. Nell dropped 2 nails in her pocket once Nell was sure that Hilda had seen them.

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

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 7:47 pm

Wonderful! Thank you Carolyn!

(Tut tut, Hilda using slang!)

#99: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 8:39 pm

*giggles* I'm really enjoying this.

#100: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 9:08 pm

very funny
very clever
love to see more Very Happy

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

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 9:09 pm

Ah. I'm reading on a computer not my own, and the browser is mangling text quite badly. It's also losing bits of text, smileys and keeps logging me out. I did have a smiley next to my opening 'pedant' comment.

At least I have a computer to play on...

#102: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:14 pm

Carolyn P wrote:

Grizel swore afterwards that it was slang ‘of the slangiest kind’ although no one believed her.

What a fantastic euphemism!

#103: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 2:13 am

Wonders how far things will escalate Twisted Evil

Hilda's slang.

#104: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 10:10 am

This is hilarious - and so believable!!

Wonder what it's going to take to make them realise they're fated to be best buddies
(Think Pat's tilting drabble would work really well in here ...)

#105: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 3:29 pm

Hilda was patient. She was aware that ignoring the incident totally, as if it had never happened, would heighten the suspense for Nell. To make the tension even worse she was as friendly towards her as she was to everyone else and the rest of the staff smiled to themselves. They had been concerned that the two newest members had hit it off so badly, but now there seemed to be indications that that was changing. Nell was at first worried, but as the days went by and Hilda was unfailingly pleasant to her she began to almost believe that her opponent had given up the feud, bowing to the better player. She relaxed her guard a little, deciding that it would be a good idea to follow Hilda’s lead, not that her feelings for that lady had changed one iota. Hilda smiled in satisfaction as she sensed these changes; she was waiting only for her next visit to Spartz before exacting her revenge. However, in the meantime the slightly tense atmosphere in the staff room lifted and the more relaxed atmosphere rubbed off the relationships with the girls.
Two weeks went by before Hilda had a long weekend, enabling her to spend the day in Spartz and return the following morning, since at this time of year she must walk down the mountain as the little train had finished for the winter. Her only worry was that the items she was looking for were not obtainable in Austria. She need not have worried for the first likely shop she entered had plenty for sale and she was able to relax for the rest of her stay, exploring the small town and thoroughly enjoying herself. The sense of anticipation she felt added to her enjoyment, though she was determined to wait before she put her plan into action. She knew that Nell would be waiting for something and wanted to wind the tension as tight as she could. Therefore she did nothing for the next week except continue to be normally friendly and pleasant, watching the tell-tale lines of tension form on her rivals face. The extended revenge was sweet and she was almost disappointed when the time came to put her plan into action.
She had studied the timetables carefully and knew exactly which periods she had free when Nell Wilson was in class. One Monday morning she hurried upstairs to her room and retrieved the tightly packed parcel she had prepared in Spartz. To all outward appearances the package contained lavender bags of the sort used to scent drawers or to hang in a wardrobe. This was totally misleading in this case and was the reason that the package had been tightly wrapped. Making sure that there was no one in sight, Hilda slipped into the next door room and carefully deposited her packages in the drawer containing Nell’s delicate underthings and hung two little bags in her wardrobe. Then she returned downstairs, appearing just in time for the morning break. She was teaching for the rest of the day and saw little of any of the other staff except at Mittagessen, when she was careful to behave as normal.
After Kaffee und Kuchen the staff went upstairs to change for the evening and Hilda waited with a certain degree of anticipation for the inevitable reaction to her mornings activities. She heard a deathly hush as Nell closed the door of her room and then the sound of drawers opening and slamming shut and the wardrobe door banging. She smiled grimly and finished changing, descending the stairs with an air of innocence that outdid any that Alixe von Elsen ever achieved in the whole of her mischievous career.
Meanwhile Nell Wilson was frantically trying th track down the pungent smell that seemed to permeate her room. She knew exactly what it was. Mothballs! But were they were she had no idea. The first swift search had revealed nothing obvious except that the smell seemed to be concentrated in her underwear drawer and her wardrobe. She took a deep breath to steady herself and nearly choked on the smell. Then she opened the drawer as far as it would go and began to search methodically. Suddenly she realised that some of the lavender bags set to perfume the drawer were not hers and she pounced on them. This was the source of the dreadful smell and she hurled them out of the window as hard as she could. Then she flung her wardrobe oors open and looked amongst the dresses hanging there. Sure enough there were more of the innocent looking little bags hanging from three of her coat hangers. These followed the others out of the window which she left open in an attempt to clear the room of the smell. Then she stood in the middle of the room in dismay. She had nothing to wear that was not steeped in the smell of mothballs and it would take several days to clear it. Then she shrugged her shoulders. There was nothing to do but make the best of it and go downstairs wearing one of the evening dresses. But she was now in a cold rage which she knew she could hide from her colleagues under a smiling exterior.

#106: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 3:37 pm

Oh Hilda!!!!
ROFL

Pat - that was hilarious!
I love your description of Hilda rivalling Alixe von Elsen on the angelic stakes Rolling Eyes

Come on Nell - what are you going to do now?!!

#107: Author: Rachel, Location: Plotting in my lair

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 3:39 pm

** Snigger **

Oh I am enjoying this so far!

Next bit please?

#108: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 3:41 pm

WAR!!!!!

#109: Author: Lula, Location: Midlands, UK

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 3:57 pm

*giggles hysterically*

#110: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 4:10 pm

hehe
cool
thanks

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

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 4:21 pm

I love Hilda's calm cool plotting!!

*Wonders what they will do next*

#112: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 4:58 pm

How is Nell going to top that?

We need to know!

More please!

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

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 6:19 pm

Go Hilda!

Go Nell!

Love this! Laughing

#114: Author: shoe__gal, Location: St Andrews, Scotland

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 7:50 pm

Loving this!! Laughing

Can't wait to see Nell's revenge!!

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

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 8:34 pm

*giggles* This is soo funny. They are behaving like Middles!

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

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 8:49 pm

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!
That was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO funny!
And totally evil!

#117: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 12:27 am

Evil Hilda! Especially if those were the old-fashioned banned-for-toxicity mothballs.

*wonders what Hilda is thinking, given that Nell has access to an entire chemistry laboratory*

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

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 11:19 am

The smiling exterior lasted for the rest of the term, the two newest additions to the staff were being continually paired up for walks and duties by their seniors who were pleased to see them becoming friends, something that most of them had despaired of happening at one point or another during that term. This suited both Hilda and Nell fine, not only did it give them both the opportunities they needed for the tricks that were slowly beginning to take over their lives, but it also helped them to be seen as ‘proper Chalet mistresses’. It showed in their relationship with the girls and in their work as each strived to out perform the other. When Hilda heard that Nell was offering the seniors skating coaching, she offered to take the juniors to the Seepitz meadows to build snowmen. When Hilda prepared special lectures on female novelists for the seniors, Nell took the middles on a geological walk around the lake. They soon got the reputation for being hard working and dedication to their profession.

Nell became involved with the school Guide company at around the same time Hilda became involved in the end of term nativity Play. For a week or so they saw very little of each other, Nell planning a camp for the next term and Hilda at rehearsals, even the tricks died down a little. Little things like Hilda turning Nell’s desk around so the drawers on either side opened to the wall, then reversing the items on the desktop to hide this, or Nell putting a few drops of a certain chemical into Hilda’s bath salts which resulted in Hilda running out of the bathroom in a state of undress gasping for fresh air, being almost run of the mill with them.

It was the Saturday morning when Nell, still in her guiders uniform walked into the staff room and lit a cigarette. Hilda watched this with gleaming eyes.
“Nell, could you pass me your cigarette packet a moment,” she asked pleasantly.
Nell looked at her warily, she knew by now that the pleasanter Hilda seemed the worse she would normally be, however in the middle of the full staff room she could not see what Hilda could do and handed the packet over.
“I do so admire the way you have thrown yourself into the guide company here, and I think it is an excellent movement. I have been reading a bit about the guides as this is the first school I have worked in with a company attached to it and I thought I should, how would you say it, ‘be prepared’.”
Nell groaned inwardly at the pun, all the time watching Hilda who was turning the almost full packet over and over in her hands.
“I was looking for a way I could help and obtained a copy of this book,” Hilda continued as she displayed a copy of ‘How Girls Can Help Build Up the Empire’, “I believe it was one of the first guiding books, and written partly by Baden-Powell himself. It makes very interesting reading.”
Nell suddenly had an inkling as to where this conversation was heading and reached out her hand for the packet of cigarettes that Hilda was playing with. Hilda withdrew her hand slightly, keeping hold of the packet and making eye contact with Nell.
“Then I came across this and realised what I could do to help you.” There was an emphasis on the word you, and Hilda in one deft movement opened the packet and dropped the cigarettes into the jug of drinking water on the table. She smiled at the shock on her colleagues face, “Let me quote, ‘Some girls think it a fine thing to smoke, and start it without thinking; but it is only a silly habit, and by the time they have found this out they find it hard to drop.’ I can help you Nell, by helping you to stop smoking. I will promise you now to help you break this habit that is most unbecoming in a guider.”
Nell smiled sweetly through gritted teeth, “Thank you for your help, and for the obvious thought you have put into it, I am sure beyond doubt that I will be able to repay you in kind."

Quote taken from:"How Girls Can Help to Build Up The Empire"; Miss Baden Powell and Sir R. baden-Powell (1912)
curtesy of Xanthe to whom this episode is dedicated for her helpfullness and being an all round glittery person.

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

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 11:33 am

*splutters*

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

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 11:33 am

*Giggles*

So that explains why they were so dedicated and hard-working!!

Thank you, excellent as always Very Happy

#121: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 12:09 pm

excellent
thanks!

#122: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 12:10 pm

Oh, very good - well done Hilda!

*resolves to find and read a copy of the aforementioned book asap*

#123: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 12:34 pm

Fantastic - good for Hilda!! Laughing

Though somehow, I now think it's Nell's turn for revenge!!

#124: Author: caz, Location: Cambridge

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 2:50 pm

I love that explanation of how they gained a reputation for dedication, and I'm glad the girls benefitted.

*giggling at Hilda - perfect revenge!*

#125: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 4:11 pm

She left the staff room knowing that it was beyond her ability to keep up the pretence of friendship at that moment. Her brain was churning with plans for revenge, but she knew that it would be bad tactics to hurry into anything. This was too serious for that. Back in her room she retrieved another packet of cigarettes and light one to help calm her down. She sat looking out of the window without seeing anything of the view and thinking deeply. Finally she came up with the germ of an idea, stubbed out her cigarette and went down to Mittagessen where she avoided any mention of the recent episode. It was very nearly the end of term and it suited her nicely that Hilda would have the whole of the Christmas break to wonder what her response would be. She could see that the tension was winding Hilda up nicely, for previously her response had been very quick in coming. On the last day of term Nell managed to find time to visit the office when there was no one else around. Finding the correct file she made a note of Hilda’s English address and swiftly left the room.
The journey to England was without incident. Both Hilda and Nell were on escort duty and as far as anyone could see were on good terms with each other. Once in England they went their separate ways wishing each other all the best for the Christmas festivities. Nell had no family left alive so had invested some of her legacy in a pretty cottage on the edge of Dartmoor. However, she had some shopping to do in London first, so she booked into a small hotel for a few days. The next morning she took the tube to the West End and wandered around the great department stores. To her satisfaction she could see that they all had free samples of perfume available for customers to take away as well as bottles to try in the shop. After a good deal of experimentation she made her choice and selected a strong sweet scent that she was assured would last well. She then went to the cards department and chose the most lavish over-the-top slushy card she could find. Once back at her hotel, after making several other purchases, she signed the card and then soaked it in the dreadfully smelling perfume. The envelope was addressed to Hilda’s English address and she posted the card herself that evening, secure in the knowledge that it would arrive safely the following morning. When she went to bed that night she was happy in the knowledge that Hilda would think the card to be her revenge and relax her vigilance.
She spent her Christmas quietly in her cottage, spending some evenings in the local pub where she had made friends and going for long walks over the moors.
She also spent time preparing her real revenge. She had noticed when engaged nefariously in Hilda’s room that there was usually a bottle or two of a well-known make of brandy tucked away on the shelf in her wardrobe. Having acquired two bottles of the same brand, she decanted the contents into empty wine bottles and replaced them with a mixture of cold tea, carefully brewed to the correct colour, and malt vinegar to spice up the flavour. To this she added a good dollop of pure alcohol so that the wrong smell would not warn her victim. The two bottles were then snugly nestled into her bag for the journey back to school.
Hilda had received the card, addressed to her at her family home, and had failed to recognise the handwriting on the envelope. She had thought it rather strong smelling, but the full aroma did not hit her until she had pulled the card out of the envelope. Since this was at the breakfast table the whole family received the full benefit.
“Who on earth has sent that to you Hilda?” asked her brother in dismay. “Surely they know you better than to think you would like something like that.”
“Believe me, this person knows me very well,” replied Hilda, thinking privately that Nell seemed to be running out of ideas and smiling to herself in satisfaction.
Shortly after the start of the new term, Nell found the opportunity to creep into the next door bedroom. Sure enough two pristine bottles of brandy were lying at the back of the wardrobe. Swiftly she changed them for the two she had brought with her and left the room. Later that night she was delighted to hear a violent spluttering followed by the sort of oath that she herself might have used, but that she had never thought Hilda had ever heard. Feeling supremely happy she settled down to sleep.

#126: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 4:21 pm

*thinks Pat and Carolyn ingenious for coming up with all these acts of revenge*

I may have to use the brandy idea on my problem flatmate... Twisted Evil

#127: Author: caz, Location: Cambridge

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 4:37 pm

*giggling at Hilda and Nell*

I'm wondering at what point they really become friends (if ever).

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

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 4:41 pm

Why am I not surprised that Hilda has a supply of Brandy!!

These tricks keep getting better and better! ROFL

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

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 5:46 pm

Can'tsay anything - laughing!

(Though I do think Hilda drinks vodka! Wink

)

#130: Author: Ella, Location: Staffordshire

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 7:34 pm

Absolutely brilliant! Very Happy

How long can Hilda and Nell keep this up?
Looking forward to seeing more fireworks between them. Twisted Evil

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

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 7:40 pm

Yes Lesley, and this is the explanation for why she no longer drinks brandy........ Wink

#132: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 7:44 pm

Would you after that mixture!!! Twisted Evil

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

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 7:48 pm

Vikki wrote:

Yes Lesley, and this is the explanation for why she no longer drinks brandy........ Wink

Hadn't thought of that! Laughing

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

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 9:42 pm

*laughing very very hard*

Wonderful

#135: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 8:13 am

ROFLMAO

Wonderful, Pat!!

"engaged nefariously" - great phrase!
And love the idea of Hilda uttering oaths!! Rolling Eyes

Right - what next, please? Very Happy

#136: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 9:05 am

This is so ingenious, I hope it lasts for a long, long time.

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

Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 9:39 am

Wonderful - so many ideas! Love the fact that Nell was surprised by the oaths Hilda knows!

#138: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 3:04 pm

Aww. What a funny fantastic choice for my first drabble read in longer than I care to think!!!

More please.

Carolyn, you do realise you're setting yourself up with a certain kind of reputation here, don't you....?

#139: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 3:05 pm

So what does that say about my reputation Lisa?!!!! Twisted Evil

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

Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 3:52 pm

Considering that I have a serious drabble on the go as well I think my reputation may just stand it.

Mind you as I am beomming more and more sympathetic to Mary-Lou I may be in danger.

#141: Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September)

Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 6:04 pm

Loving this drabble Pat! Brilliant!

Brandy... ugh. It's horrible enough without Nell's evil mixtures. tongue

#142: Author: Nicole, Location: New Zealand

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 6:42 am

This is brilliant, Pat and Carolyn.

*sits and waits for more*

#143: Author: ravenseyes, Location: New Zealand

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 8:45 am

This is sooo funny. I have just read the lot in one sitting. Very Happy

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

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 10:28 am

That term passed in the usual Chalet way, alarms and excursions. Hilda and Nell both continued to try and outdo each other with their dedication to work, and Hilda continued to remove Nell’s cigarettes each time she found them, just as Nell continued to change or hide Hilda’s drink.

Hilda had thought a lot about the state of affairs. She liked this job, the setting was ideal and the chances of promotion were the best she was likely to find in a long time, the school was growing and it looked as if she could become senior in only a few years. Added to that the ethos of the school, the family atmosphere and the way the girls responded to the staff all appealed to her. She liked the other staff on the whole, although she found them a little old fashioned and academically unchallenging. It was with some chagrin that she recognised that Nell was the exception to this, being well able to best her occasionally in an argument. In other circumstances they would have become friendly, friends even.

Not in these circumstances, not yet. Hilda was plotting revenge for the continual disappearance of her drink. She had borne with it patiently, allowing it to continue, just as Nell put up with the continued sabotage of her smoking. The two were becoming old hands at the game. Neither said a word about it to each other or to the other members of staff, in fact they began to spend much of their free time together, by choice as well as by the design of the other staff members. No matter how much they had begun to hate each other they had also begun to find themselves drawn inextricably together.

It was well into the term that the snow came. Mrs Russell was visiting the school for the week from the Sonnalpe and both the young members of staff had whilst trying to impress her, kept out of the way so she could enjoy the reunion with old friends and colleagues. Nell undertook to keep the middles occupied a lot of the time whilst Hilda took some responsibility for the babes, and took over some of the routine correspondence, freeing a grateful Mademoiselle to spend some time with her partner. Once the frost had come Madge suggested a snow fight and the staff all picked up on this idea quickly, feeling that they as well as the girls needed some outdoor time.

The girls were marched off to do their bedroom duties before being allowed outside, but Hilda, free from bedroom inspection was ready almost immediately and went outside as soon as she could. She wanted to be ready and set to work quickly. It soon became apparent that Nell had the same idea as she appeared almost as quickly as Hilda, gloved hands already cupping a snowball which she flung with well aimed precision at Hilda’s rear as that lady bent to pick up more snow. It was her last hit. Hilda was prepared and wherever Nell moved to, Hilda seemed to have snowballs already made and ready to fire. She had piled them on window ledges, on bushes, on the railings, all within easy and quick reach. Nell barely had time to pick up the snow, never mind aim as the volley came towards her quick and fast. The icy sting of the snow on her face woke the science teacher up in a way their morning milky coffee never did. Looking at where Hilda was stood she decided that strategy was needed, this time she took not snow, but a piece of ice and aimed carefully before throwing it, not at Hilda, she was not quite murderous in intent, but at the branch of the tree Hilda was stood beneath. It had the desired effect, the snow that was laid like a blanket on the branch slid downwards, it’s own weight giving it momentum, as it fell straight on top of the English mistress, drenching her through as it went down her neck, into her boots, everywhere.

The doors to the school opened and the girls came streaming out, Nell quickly moving towards them and together with Mollie Maynard organising the teams while all the time watching Hilda shake herself free of the snow then trudging back to the Chalet where she had to retire from the fight before it had officially begun in order to change.

#145: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 10:55 am

These really are inspired - I'm starting to believe that this is actually what happened!
It's all very credible - never quite crossing the line but constantly getting close to it!

What next?
What next?
What next?
Mr. Green

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

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 11:30 am

I am enjoying this so much - it is magical

So good to see Hilda admitting that they could be really good friends if they weren't at the CS. Also that they are being drawn together.

Long may this continue Wink

#147: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 11:38 am

This is great, I love it.

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

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 11:39 am

Hilarious! poor Hilda though getting snow down your neck is horrid!

Love the way their relationship is developing and the way they are drawn to one another!

#149: Author: FionaW, Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 12:14 pm

i second and third all the above comments!
it IS just so right, and very original, too. ROFL

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

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 7:19 pm

Hilda's got to get Nell back for that! Laughing

Liked the little bit about Hilda taking on some of Mdlle's correspondence.

*Wonder when they are going to realise they can be friends?*

#151: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 7:57 pm

Nell Wilson smiled quietly too herself as she helped to supervise the snow fight, though she was also wondering exactly how Hilda would exact her revenge. She was very aware that Hilda had expected to win that little skirmish and knew that she would face retribution at some point in the near future. As it happened, she herself gave her the opportunity through her own carelessness. She had been feeling off colour all day and knew exactly what the cause was, not just the steadily falling snow outside the window, but the time of the month as well. Knowing did not help with dealing with her feelings and she had had a trying time with the Third form to make matters worse. The Fourth were working quietly, not daring to do anything else since Nell had made use of her famed sarcasm already. Unknown to Nell Hilda had passed along the corridor and stopped to look in, intrigued by the deafening silence inside the room. Seeing the expression on Nell’s face, she smiled to herself before continuing on her way, correctly interpreting its cause. She also noticed that Nell was indulging in one of her little vices for which she had previously prepared, having borrowed the floor polish from the doemstic staff without their knowledge . Suddenly the silence was rent by the shriek of a chair skidding across the floor and the heavy thump of a body landing on the ground. The girls sat upright with a jump, wondering which of them had fallen, but then their gaze reluctantly swivelled to the front of the class. There was no sign of Nell, though her chair was half-way across the room to the door. Nell was sitting on the floor clinging to the edge of the mistresses table as if her life depended on it. She was very rd in the face and feeling a complete idiot, though naturally nothing of that showed on her face. Margia Stevens was the first on her feet.
“Are you all right Miss Wilson?” she asked. “Did the chair break or something?” Then her eyes fell on the intact chair lying on its side and she realised that Nell must have been tilting! Unfortunately the noise of the fall had been heard outside the room As Nell was getting shakily to her feet the door opened and Mademoiselle entered, closely followed by Hilda Annersley and Matey. Nell was swiftly whisked from the room and the class was left looking at Hilda who soon had them back at work. The girls were stunned that a mistress should have been tilting (something that was strictly forbidden in the Chalet School) and more than one found it hard to keep a straight face. Hilda was amused to see the signs of strain as they bit the insides of their cheeks to stop themselves from laughing. She herself was in much the same condition though she was more successful at hiding it than the girls. When the bell rang for break she hurried along to the staff room to see how Nell was. A very sheepish looking science mistress was sitting drinking a cup of coffee and Hilda was highly amused to see that she was sitting on a rubber ring designed to keep the weight off her rear end.
“Before you ask, I bruised my coccyx,” said Nell quickly. “I suppose all the girls are laughing their heads off about it?”
“What do you expect? You were tilting I assume? You really should break yourself of that little trick, my dear. You could hurt yourself badly, especially when the floors are so slippery.”
“I only tilted a little and slid off more than the chair shooting away.”
“It looked like it! The chair was halfway to the door you know!” Hilda finally gave way and burst out laughing, tears running down her face. “That’ll larn you! You won’t be able to say a thing to the girls now about tilting! What did Matey say to you? I’d love to have been a fly on the wall!”
Nell flushed, much to her disgust. “You can wish all you like Hilda. That’s something that will remain between Matey and myself.”

When the bell for Mittagessen rang the school hurried to the Speisesaal agog with anticipation, for the word had gone round like wildfire. They were rewarded with the sight of Nell, her head held high, carrying her ring cushion which she proceeded to place on her chair before standing behind it or Grace. She would have preferred not to use the cushion, but Matey had been adamant that not only would it be too painful for her to sit without it, but that it would also delay the healing of the rather severe bruising she had sustained. The afternoon proved rather a trial for her as the naughty Middles tried a mass tilting session. She dealt with them faithfully leaving them ruing the impulse that had made them try anything on in one of Nell’s lessons. Nell herself marched into the staff room and dumped her books onto her desk with a thump. Hilda looked up with a smile.
“Had a bad afternoon Nell?” she asked.
“The Thirds! They decided to have a mass tilting session!”
Hilda’s eyes laughed meaningfully though she kept a straight face. “That was rather daring of them. I imagine that they have learnt the error of their ways?”
Nell made sure that no one else was in the room before she spoke. “What did you do?” she demanded. “I was hardly tipping at all when the chair suddenly shot out behind me.”
Hilda just smiled sweetly and said nothing. At Abendessen that evening Nell was determined to do without the hated cushion. However Hilda had other ideas and the school was electrified to see her carrying Nell’s cushion and solicitously placing it on her chair before she could do anything about it. A murmured conversation was also observed, though at a distance could not be heard, though the nearest girls could see Nell’s eyes were flashing and her mouth looked a little grim. Hilda’s words had been designed to add insult to injury. “I realised that it must have been an oversight on your part when you left this behind. We don’t want you to make anything worse, do we?”
Nell’s face went rigid and she stared straight ahead fo her. Not for the world would she rise to Hilda’s baiting, especially in front of the whole school and Hilda knew it.
As soon as they were safely back in the staff room Nell turned to her tormentor. “Hilda Annersley just how old are you? Your behaviour at Abendessen was that of a member of the Middles, if that!”
Hilda was all sympathy and caring, though only Nell knew how phoney it was. “But Nell, I only wanted to make sure you were comfortable.”
“Rubbish, you were out to make me feel as uncomfortable as possible and you know it. Enough is enough!”
Hilda simply laughed as if it was all a huge joke, which to the rest of the staff it was. To Nell’s satisfaction she managed to laugh herself, but the incident did nothing to change the situation between the two protagonists.

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

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 8:09 pm

Oh lovely Pat - bringing in the tilting episode too! Laughing

#153: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 8:37 pm

Inspired! *giggling like a loon*

#154: Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September)

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 10:19 pm

*laughing too hard to respond*

Luffly!!!! Very Happy

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

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 11:20 pm

*sobbing with laughter!*

#156: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 6:13 am

Impressed by Nell's snow strategy (not to mention aim) -- and intrigued to see Pat confess that the famous tilting episode wasn't entirely Nell's fault ROFL

#157: Author: Annie,

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 8:10 am

*falling off my chair with laughter*
More, please

#158: Author: Lula, Location: Midlands, UK

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 10:31 am

*giggles* This is hilarious!

#159: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 10:57 am

ahhh, fab thanks

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

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 2:06 pm

What? No more yet?
Come on Carolyn, your turn sweetie!

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

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 2:27 pm

Ok, Vikki, to hear is to obey!!! tongue

The situation was in fact going from bad to worse. Nell could not forgive Hilda for embarrassing her in front of the whole school, placing her in an almost impossible situation with the girls. It as only Nell’s dry sarcasm and her well established relationship with the girls that enabled her to keep control of her classes, that and the fact that her lessons could never be described as boring, unless she fully intended them to be that way, and the middles knew this from sad, sad experience. Hilda was revelling in Nell’s discomfort and went out of her way to be as outwardly helpful as possible, solicitous of Nell’s health. Once the teacher was better Hilda even volunteered to return the rubber ring to the school san for her.

Easter passed and the summer term began. The days now were longer and warmer and the tension between the two heated up along with the weather. Towards the end of the term there was a visit from some of the old girls and the whole school took on a festive air. This was when Hilda struck again.

The evening had been balmy and the staff lounging on the lakeside had been loath to leave and go to bed. Hilda walking back to school with Nell and Mollie was moved to suggest that a quick bathe before sleeping might be just the thing to cool them down and enable to sleep better. The other two agreed with her and they quickly got changed and met by the side door. Once there they set off towards the lake, giggling like the schoolgirls they taught.
“Oh, I’ve just thought,” Hilda stopped, “One of us had better make sure the door is not locked, I’ll go and do it, I want to leave my watch behind anyway, I’ve just remembered that last time it got wet it stopped for a week.”
With this she sped back to the chalet leaving Mollie and Nell to begin their swim. She joined them about five minutes later looking seraphic. Nell looked at her suspiciously, but could not see what Hilda could have done, so she gave herself over to her swim, cutting through the icy water feeling refreshed. Mollie and Hilda were out and on the shore before Nell, not being as expert swimmers and Hilda seeing Mollie shiver slightly hailed Nell, who treaded water to listen.
“I think we had better head back and get some milk on, Mollie here is shivering, don’t forget you towel,”
Nell waved then decided to do another sprint before coming in. Hilda had waved Nell’s towel at her before dropping it and turning to Mollie who was jumping up and down to keep warm. The two headed back to the school. As they entered Hilda turned to Mollie,
“Would you like to get the milk, I have a packet of luscious biscuits in my room, I’ll meet you in the staff room.”
This arranged Hilda headed up to her room where after securing the biscuits she stationed herself by the window, thankful that it was a bright moonlit night.

Nell meanwhile had come ashore and picked up her scrubby towel to give herself a brisk rubdown. Then she saw what Hilda had been up to. Underneath the towel where Hilda had carefully dropped it on a rock was a blown up rubber ring with a label attached ‘Nell’s swimming aid, apply round the waist before entering water’. Grimacing at being caught so easily, but thankful there was no one too see it Nell hung her towel round her neck and taking the ring over one arm sauntered back up the drive to the school.

Hilda grinned as the figure of her colleague came into focus, and aiming her camera carefully snapped as many photographs as she safely could without being noticed. Then she joined the two in the staff room for milk and biscuits, ducking when Nell threw the ring at her. Mollie watching the pair was pleased to see how they seemed to have settled their differences and settled into a friendly banter, never realising the one-upmanship that lay behind the seemingly affable pranks.

Over the next week a photograph of Nell, complete with towel and rubber ring appeared regularly in various places around the staff room, but it was not until the school magazine ‘The Chaletian’ appeared that Nell realised the extent of Hilda’s plotting. Contained within its pages was an article, ‘Tips for better swimming style’ written by the games prefect using quotes from Nell herself and illustrated with said photograph. Nell looked like thunder when she saw it, and Hilda actually wondered if she had gone too far. Nell was stalking across the staff room towards Hilda who was looking hurriedly for a means of escape when Madge Russell walked into the room.
“Nell, that was such a sporting thing to do, letting that picture be used in the magazine. Thank you for taking such an interest in the magazine, normally it is very much the girls and the English mistress.”
Nell accepted the compliment as graciously as she could, watching Hilda out of the corner of her eye trying to swallow her chagrin at the way this had turned out.

Last edited by Carolyn P on Sat Jun 26, 2004 2:34 pm; edited 1 time in total

#162: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 2:28 pm

Great, I can hardly see to type for laughing.

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

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 2:39 pm

Carolyn, that was wonderful!!!!!! Thank you!
Now, time to chant for Auntie Pat's contribution.......... Wink

#164: Author: Catherine_B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 3:04 pm

I can't believe how low Hilda Annersley is stooping!!

I hope she's going to pay for that one - she's not being very nice!!!

#165: Author: Annie,

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 3:49 pm

HILDA!
*hee hee*

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

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 6:16 pm

Evil Hilda! Twisted Evil

Go Nell!

#167: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 8:23 pm

In bed that night Nell thought about the way that Hilda’s little scheme had backfired on her and she began to smile, then as the humour of the situation really struck home she began to giggle. ‘Poor Hilda thought she’d made me look a fool,’ she thought to herself. ‘She only succeeded in making me look good to Madge Russell.’ Hilda, reading in bed n the next door room heard the giggles and knew exactly what had caused them. She was also well aware that they would not stop Nell from paying her back both for that and for the extra polish on the floor in the Geography room.
She was right, Nell began to think of her revenge almost before the giggles had died away. She knew she had advantages over her rival that had everything to do with the subjects they both taught and she knew she could use that. By the time she went to sleep she had decided on a two-pronged attack. However it would have to wait until all the ingredients were available, which would not be until the following week. In the meantime she could prepare the first part and store it until the time was ripe. Therefore she stayed in her lab after school for a while and later secreted a few small stoppered test tubes in safe place in her room.

The following week the Sixth had a biology lesson, which was what Nell had been waiting for. Seeing Hilda going for a swim gave Nell her chance. She went into Hilda’s room armed with the test tubes, some small packages and a screwdriver. The packages she hid around the room, two on top of the wardrobe, one under the bed, another under the chest of drawers and the last under the carpet in a corner of the room. Then she carefully placed the test tubes under the carpet, one just inside the door and one near the window, where Hilda was sure to tread on them. Her last act was to take the retaining screw out of the outside knob of the door handle.

Hilda came back from her swim feeling invigorated by the cold water of the lake. She walked up the stairs, still rubbing her hair, walked into her room, pushing the door shut as she did so. Almost immediately she felt the crunch of the test tube breaking under her foot and the most appalling smell rose in the room. She immediately recognised the smell of hydrogen sulphide by the characteristic aroma of rotting eggs and turned to open the door. She twisted the handle and pulled only to fond the knob coming away in her hand. Behind her the window shut with a bang and she could see Nell standing on the balcony outside and smiling at her through the window. She rushed across the room to try to open it again and trod on the second tube, intensifying the choking smell. Hilda went back to the door and started banging furiously, trying to attract the attention of anybody who would let her out. Eventually Matey came along and heard the banging. She saw the knob and the screw lying on the floor as if it had fallen out by itself and picked them up.
Hilda! Stop banging on the door and listen to me,” she said sharply. “The knob was on the floor. Push your end through and I’ll fix it enough for you to get out.”
Hilda thankfully pushed her end with the post attached through the hole and Matey replaced the knob on her side, sticking the screw back through as a temporary measure. As soon as she had done so the door was wrenched violently open and Hilda erupted into the corridor with the smell of rotten eggs following her.
“What on earth is that smell?” demanded Matey. “What have you been doing in there?”
“Nothing!” snarled Hilda. “I don’t know where the smell came form. It smells like a chemistry laboratory! “
“Why didn’t you open the window?” asked Matey with some justification. Hilda had no reply to that since she had no mind to say that Nell had made sure that it was shut. This was strictly between the two of them. Her escape route now secured Hilda went back into the room and over to the window which she flung open as wide as it would go. The balcony was naturally empty now but she knew that Nell was in the next room. Matey had vanished on her own concerns so Hilda took a deep breath of fresh air and turned back into the room. She turned back the carpet and found the pieces of glass which she cleared away with compressed lips. Gradually the smell faded, but she could still sense it when she went to bed that night. However, she relaxed her vigilance thinking that Nell had had her revenge and that it was rapidly nearing the end of term.
The weather was wonderful that week, hot and sunny every day, and the bedrooms felt overheated even with all the windows thrown wide open. A few days afterwards Hilda again became aware of a strange smell in her room. She ignored it at first, but the following day it was stronger and smelt distinctly of something rotting. Hunting for the cause she found the package under the bed. It had been slightly opened and inside it she could see the remains of what looked liked a dissected rat. Turning up her nose in disgust she carried it carefully outside and threw it as far into the woods as she could. To her horror the smell had not diminished, in fact it was still getting stronger. A further hunt produced another rat under the chest of drawers which she disposed of in the same way. Still the smell grew stronger and Hilda’s anger with it. She could see Nell watching her speculatively whenever they saw each other, and that exacerbated her even more. The two little packages on top of the wardrobe came to light next and she thought she had found them all. However she could still smell rotting meat though she could find no trace of the source. She knew she was showing signs of tension however hard she tried to hide them. Her room was almost impossible to go into, let alone sleep in and she was determined to find the cause. Then she remembered the tubes of hydrogen sulphide and flung back the carpet wherever she could find enough room. Sure enough there was another parcel and the heat and time had done their work only too well. Grateful for the paper still around the carcass she carried it carefully outside and disposed of it. That night she slept well with the smell finally gone.

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

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 8:43 pm

Ah, and now Nell's being just as bad!

When is someone going to bang their heads together? Laughing

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

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 8:51 pm

eeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwww

This is soooo funny. I wonder when they will finally realise they are destined to be friends!?

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

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 9:13 pm

Urk!!!!
That was VERY nasty of Nell!!!!
Your turn again Carolyn!!! Wink

#171: Author: Donna, Location: Liverpool

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 10:23 pm

eeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

How horrible! I can't decide who's being worse here, but Nell's stunt with the rats.....ewwwwwwwwwwww! Good drabble though - is it your turn now Carolyn?

*has a phobia of rats* bawling

#172: Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September)

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 10:29 pm

Rats!!! *shrieks and jumps up on chair*

Oh, wait, they're only in the drabble? And they're dead?

Are you SURE?

*jumps off chair*

Right, sorry.

Loving the drabble - I would want them to have their heads banged together for being mean to each other, but it's just too funny!!!!

#173: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans/Leicester

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 10:38 pm

They can't get much worse to each other can they?

#174: Author: Catherine_B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 10:39 pm

Rats???!!!!

#175: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 3:49 am

*thinks escalation has gone so far it's going to take a major cataclysm to put things right between the two of them*

(also concerned about Bill's source of fresh rats -- hope she's just discovered a way to get the formaldehyde out of the dissection specimens)

(can't help laughing over the backfired life preserver prank, though)

#176: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 9:35 am

Kathy_S wrote:

(also concerned about Bill's source of fresh rats -- hope she's just discovered a way to get the formaldehyde out of the dissection specimens)

Surely we're allowed our own EBDisms!!!

#177: Author: Rosie, Location: Huntingdonshire/Bangor

Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 9:43 am

EWWWWW!!! I still think something has crawled under my bed and died... I just don't dare look!

#178: Author: Lula, Location: Midlands, UK

Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 10:20 am

Rats... *shudders*

It's fabulous!

#179: Author: Annie,

Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 11:02 am

Eeww yuk! This is so funny! I'm surprised you haven't run out of ideas yourself, Pat!

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

Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 12:04 pm

Urgh - ming-ming-ming-ming-ming-ming-ming *shudders*

Other than the ick I am enjoying ths Wink

#181: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 12:17 pm

That was rotten of Nell, but very very funny, too.

#182: Author: Annie,

Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 1:23 pm

I quite agree! I've just come back to re-read it, (and to ask for more- MORE PLEASE) because I found it so hilarious!

#183: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 2:04 pm

Pat wrote:

Kathy_S wrote:

(also concerned about Bill's source of fresh rats -- hope she's just discovered a way to get the formaldehyde out of the dissection specimens)

Surely we're allowed our own EBDisms!!!

Of course we are, Pat!

(Though late last night I'd convinced myself that Nell, or possibly Hilda, had cat friends who left delicate attentions.)

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

Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 9:27 am

Wonderful!! They are being so evil and its hilarious! Am wondering how they can everbe friends after all this!

#185: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 11:16 am

Me, too!!! This is positively brilliant!

#186: Author: Catherine_B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 12:57 pm

Are they just going to get over the silliness or will they have to have a hair-raising near death experience in which they both somehow save one another's life, before becoming friends?

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

Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 8:03 pm

The long summer holidays saw both teachers taking stock once more. Nell spent most of the time on her beloved Dartmoor, walking and spelunking, finding some interesting specimens that she packed carefully when the time came to return to the Tiernsee. She was alone most of the holiday, finding her own company restful after the heat of the previous year. By the end of August however she was champing at the bit eager to return to the Chalet and sure that was where her future lay. She made the decision before she returned that she would do everything in her power to secure her future there, aiming for promotion to senior mistress as soon as Mollie Maynard left.

Hilda meanwhile had spent the long holidays like the previous ones, as unpaid companion to her brother’s children. Whilst this provided her with somewhere to stay and with some occupation to fill her time it was not the restful holiday that she had envisaged when she had first accepted the invitation and it was with some relief that she travelled back to the Tiernsee as early as possible before the beginning of term. She made the decision when the first few days proved balm to her soul that she would do everything in her power to secure her future there, aiming for promotion to senior mistress as soon as Mollie Maynard left.

It was co-incidental that this was the term that Mollie Maynard tended her resignation. Madge and Mademoiselle asked for any staff who were interested in the position to speak to them and soon it was common knowledge that both of the younger mistresses had asked to be considered for the role. Both were determined to get it.

Hilda was relying on her extra duties both with the girls and with the administrative tasks she had relieved Mademoiselle of a few terms ago. Nell was relying on her extra-curricula activities and on her longer service as well as on her unspotted discipline record, although truth be told she admitted to herself that Hilda had a discipline record just as unblemished, these two being second only to the prefects in the middles dread. It was going to be a close run thing.

Nell struck first. Hilda had spread all the pages for the new prospectus out on her desk when Nell rose from her chair and stretched.
“It is so stifling in here tonight” she yawned as she walked over to the window between her desk and Hilda’s, and with these words and carefully not looking at Hilda she flung the window wide open. It was rather windy. Unfortunately it was also wet outside and the rain blew in straight across the papers that Hilda in her haste to gather crumpled rather badly.
“You did that on purpose,” she hissed under her breath as Nell ‘helped’ her to gather up the sheets that had blown onto the floor, ensuring as she did so that they were in the maximum disarray, out of order, back to front and upside down. Hilda could say nothing to mademoiselle of course when she had to hand a rather tatty set of papers back at the end of the evening and the sight of mademoiselle’s raised eyebrows made her vow to be just as underhand as Nell when it came to securing this promotion.

It was not long before Nell discovered this. There was the morning that she discovered that her book order had been ‘misread’ and the books that arrived were all in Spanish, not one of the languages taught at the school.
“Here is your handwritten order Nell, I copied it onto the master sheet myself, you definitely wrote the code 738 129”
“The 7 is a 1, the 2 is a 5 and the 9 is an 8 as you well know,” Nell growled.
“You misread it on purpose to make me look bad,”
“It is not my fault if you stand in need of handwriting lessons, here is an excellent primer that may help.” And Hilda handed over an infant’s handwriting workbook.

The petty sniping continued for some weeks, all the while both women were making comments about, “The best person for the job will win” and “I’ll help her in every way I can, it will be a big step for her” seemingly so innocent and yet everyone of them barbed just enough for the other to understand the double meaning behind the words. Eventually Madge and Mademoiselle spent the weekend at the Sonnalpe and then on returning to the school together one evening went to the staff room as soon as they had divested themselves of their wraps.
“Ladies, you all know that Mollie is leaving us at the end of term and while we send her off with every good wish for her future, we also have to think of our future and fill the role of Senior Mistress.” Madge paused and the room went still, Hilda and Nell were both sitting at their desks facing each other and every eye swivelled to their corner. Madge continued, “The two prime candidates for the role are both held in high esteem by the rest of the staff as well as by Mademoiselle and myself, however we had to choose and Hilda Annersley will be the new senior mistress from next term.”

#188: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 8:08 pm

*sits back to await Bill's reaction (while hiding behind sandbags)

#189: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 8:09 pm

Nell's face must be a picture!!

#190: Author: Catherine_B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 8:13 pm

Oh my goodness!

I've always thought Hilda was the obvious choice because of how perfect she turned out (ie surely Madge & Mademoiselle must have seen her depth of character even though we readers weren't given much hint), but I have to say that on the strength of this drabble I don't think I'd want either of them as Senior Mistress!!!

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

Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 8:18 pm

Catherine_B wrote:

but I have to say that on the strength of this drabble I don't think I'd want either of them as Senior Mistress!!!

Don't forget that most of this is hidden from the other staff.

#192: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 8:19 pm

*laughing madly* I NEVER imagined it of those two!

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

Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 9:07 pm

Would have liked to be a fly on the wall during Madge and Mdlle's deliberations! Laughing

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

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2004 12:20 am

*snickers wildly!!*
More soon please!!! This is a real breath of fresh air!

#195: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2004 8:42 am

Very interesting ... but I'm not quite sure how to take it ... Confused

To be honest, I don't feel I should like them in this last post - previously they've been poking fun at the other's expense which is hilarious but essentially harmless. To deliberately attempt to sabotage the other's prospects for promotion is mean, underhand and downright nasty. Had that been a couple of Seniors both in line for HG, we would be jumping up and down denouncing them ...

That said though - I seem able to willingly suspend my disbelief because it's marvellous to see such a wicked side to them both Razz

And it's really well written, of course!! Actually, that's probably my problem - you've sucked me in with their naughtiness, made it very credible and now I'm pretty sure they've crossed the line and I should be condemning them but sneakily it is rather funny ......... Laughing

The big question is - How are you ever going to get them to be friends after this?

Sorry for rambling!! Very Happy

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

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2004 9:22 am

Poor Nell, had not really thought before of her reaction to Hilda being chosen. Cannot see how they can go from her to being the friends they become though, sabotage is going to be hard to forgive

#197: Author: *Aletea*, Location: Manchester

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2004 12:21 pm

Rachael wrote:

The big question is - How are you ever going to get them to be friends after this?

Maybe they're not? Maybe all teh way through to the very last book they were continually playing pranks on each other, unbeknown to the rest?!

#198: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2004 1:17 pm

Nell went rigid for a moment, her face totally expressionless. It was a bad enough way to hear such a thing in the best of circumstances. With the relationship between the two women as it was it was a hundred times worse. Nell’s mind was churning, trying to find an acceptable reaction which would protect her own standing in the school and continue to hide their true feelings for each other. She felt as though aeons of time had passed, though in reality it was a very short time indeed, well within acceptable limits, when she finally managed to speak.
“Congratulations Hilda,” she said, her voice sounding as if she really meant it, much to her own surprise. “You know that you have my full support in the task ahead of you and that I will give you all the help that you need.” She rose to her feet and held out her hand to Hilda in a congratulatory handshake. What none of the rest of the staff noticed was her fingers squeezing Hilda’s hand very hard, twisting at the same time, in silent promise of revenge.

Therefore the start of the following term was the signal for war on an intensified basis. Hilda delighted in time-tabling Nell for as many of the more disagreeable tasks as she felt she could get away with. Nell found that she was often on early morning duty, supervising practice sessions. Whenever large numbers of copies were required it was Nell who found herself standing at the duplicating machine, turning the handle as sheet after sheet spewed from the mouth. This had in fact started at the end of the previous term when the programmes for the Christmas Play were produced. It was noticeable however that Hilda’s name was indecipherable. In fact at no time could her name be read in any document that Nell produced, either because it was smudged or because it was miss-spelt.

Nell had returned prepared for her revenge which she had determined would be rather more subtle than her previous methods. Her new motto was ‘Revenge is best taken cold and slow’ and she had returned with a large amount of thin cork. Every night after everyone had retired to bed she crept down to the staff room and stuck a piece of cork to the bottom of the chair legs at Hilda’s desk. Then she did the same thing to her dining chair. The effect was an infinitesimal lift to the height of the two chairs that at first went unnoticed. Hilda was getting rather concerned that the silently promised revenge did not seem to have materialised. The seemingly cheerful way that Nell carried out her duties also disturbed her, which Nell did not fail to notice as she was finely tuned to any reaction from her enemy.
One morning at Fruhstuck, towards the end of the first week, Hilda felt the first stirrings of confusion. Her knees seemed to be brushing the underside of the table and she was sure that they had always been well clear. However, she dismissed it as imagination and continued with her meal. It seemed to her that her desk in the staff room had also come closer, but as that was patently absurd she ignored that too. Nell noted the slight confusion and smiled to herself. Things were progressing as she expected.
The next day Hilda was sure that something odd was happening. Her knees were definitely touching the table, not just brushing it. And when she went into the staff room it was the same. She looked across at Nell, but she was seemingly engrossed in another of the interminable boring tasks she had given her and was ignoring everything else. It also seemed to her that it was a little more difficult to actually sit down. She could no longer sit straight down, but had to wriggle slightly to position herself correctly. In the days following the problem got steadily worse until she found it almost impossible to sit at table properly. She also found that she was having to reach up to sit down and standing up meant sliding forward and down before her feet got proper purchase. As far as she could see Nell remained totally oblivious to her predicament and she began to think that something was wrong with her.

At Mittagessen that day she had just been served with a bowl of piping hot soup when one of the small piles of cork holding the legs up collapsed – only a few pieces up from the bottom but enough to tip Hilda sideways and backwards slightly. Instinctively she grabbed the table for support, but her hand hit the bowl of soup which was flipped up into the air, sending soup in all directions. The first person to offer help was Nell, who was out of her seat in a trice, helping her to her feet and moving the chair out of the way. She quickly asked Joey, who was the nearest person, to get another chair, and she took the faulty one over to the corner of the room, well out of the way. Hilda knew that she had gone red in the face from mortification and could only be grateful that her seat at the table put her back to the room. Jo returned very quickly with a new chair and her bowl of soup was also replaced and she was able to finish her meal in peace. She did note however, that her new chair allowed her to sit with her legs comfortably under the table. During spare moments in the afternoon she thought about the problem and decided that she needed to do a little sleuthing. Her suspicions were now fully aroused and she eyed Nell balefully. In her turn, Nell realised that the cat was now probably out of the bag, but she smiled serenely at Hilda, happy in the knowledge that she had scored a signal revenge.

With thanks to RTW for the idea

Last edited by Pat on Tue Jun 29, 2004 2:35 pm; edited 2 times in total

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

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2004 1:24 pm

Very funny! And so inventive!

Thinks Aletea may have a point about the friendship!

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

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2004 2:34 pm