The CBB :: View topic - Jem's proposal

#1: Jem's proposal Author: Beth, Location: Sunny Isle of Man!

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:05 am

I've never troubled the C&D thread before, being quite content to sit in awe and wonder at the rest of you. But I've been inspired by Steph's completely brilliant New Girl drabble, and having just read 'Jo of', it struck me that we never actually see Jem propose to Madge. Purely on the basis of how he tackles most things, I wondered if it would be something like this...

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

Madge Bettany sat in her little study, frowning over the latest batch of correspondence. Since coming to the Tyrol almost a year ago, the little school she had founded had gone from strength to strength, and she was faced with applications from no less than twenty-seven sets of parents, all anxious to remove their daughters from their present, previously perfectly satisfactory situations, and entrust them to the care of a young, inexperienced Englishwoman, and her school on the shores of the beautiful Tiernsee. Just then, a tap at the door interrupted her reverie, and in answer to her cheerful “Come in!”, the tousled black head of her younger sister peeped into the room.
“Yes, Joey-baba, what is it?” she asked, secretly thrilling at the healthy glow in the younger girl’s cheeks. Delicate since a tiny child, Joey had been one of the chief reasons for leaving their Cornish - or was it Devonish? She really couldn’t remember - home, and making a new life in Austria. Miraculously, merely moving house and drinking lots of milk had completely cured Jo’s propensity to lung trouble, although this didn’t prevent her from having at least two near-death experiences a term, and sometimes even one in the holidays. Still, that was Jo - a regular flypaper for adventures!
Disregarding the fact that Madge had been ignoring her, and staring into the middle distance to allow the narrative to be established, Jo replied “Hallo Madge, old thing! Grizel, Juliet and I are just off on a seemingly innocent excursion, which will no doubt involve part of the landscape being radically altered at the very least, and we wondered if you’d care to join us? It’s going to be simply topping!”
“I’d love to, Joey, but I simply must answer these letters”
“Oh, what is it? More new girls? I say, we are growing, aren’t we?”
“Yes - I could never have dreamt we’d be this successful! We’re running out of places to put new girls though, despite the Chalet’s ability to grow new rooms as required.”
“It’s a problem, isn’t it?” returned Jo. “Buck up old thing. I must dash - need to place myself in huge danger before returning home to consume large quantities of food.”
“Very well - have fun!”
Madge smiled to herself as Joey dashed off, and with a sigh, returned to her work. The space issue really was a problem. “We shall have to think about acquiring a conveniently placed chalet nearby soon,” she remarked aloud to the empty room, “but it’s such a difficult decision to make, even though it’s such a blindingly obvious solution. Oh, how I wish Dick was here to advise me!” - her thoughts going to her twin brother, who was working for the Forestry Department in India. “It’s so difficult not having a man around!”
The sudden appearance of Dr Jem on the scene solved her problem. He took in the situation at a glance, and produced papers for her to sign, giving him control over the extremely profitable business aspect of the school, remarking as he did so: “I think it’d be best all round if you married me, don’t you?”, before striding off to attend to Joey’s near-fatal injuries.

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

A few days later, as he sat with Madge in her pretty sitting room, they discussed their future plans.
“I was thinking of setting up a Sanatorium on one of the upper shelves”, said Jem. “I’ve discovered that drinking milk and being in the mountains can cure almost anything, and I want to exploit it. Besides, now that you’ve set the trend, there needs to be somewhere to employ doctors for your girls to marry!”
“What a wonderful idea, Jem!” replied Madge. “And I can give up everything I’ve worked for, and settle down to being a dear, sweet woman, instead of having a mind of my own. Now all we need to do is tell Joey!”

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

And the rest, as they say, is history!

#2: Author: Rebecca, Location: Kendal/Oxford

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:11 am

LOL!

Thanks, Beth! So many great lnes in it!

#3: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:17 am

Beth, I'm shocked, hurt and outraged that you haven't been drabbling for us before this! Laughing

I wanted to quote a few lines that really tickled me, but when I got to the bottom I found that I had far too many, and that I should simply tell you how marvellous this drabble is.

I have only one more thing to say to you young lady.......

.......I expect to see another drabble when I return in a weeks time!! Wink

#4: Author: caz, Location: Cambridge

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:19 am

Thank you, Beth, that was fantastic! Laughing

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

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:55 am

That was great Beth, hope you feel inspired again soon.

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

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 11:22 am

Hehehe! Enjoyed this - looking forward to the next one! Smile

#7: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 11:49 am

Well, Beth, you have been hiding your light under a bushel, haven't you? More drabbles, please.

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

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 11:50 am

*giggles* Oh, that's hilarious!

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

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 1:21 pm

Beth, that was great!!!
Please keep drabbling!!!

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

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 2:58 pm

That sooooo funny Beth!! You must write more soon!!

#11: Author: Elisabeth,

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 3:34 pm

Listen hear young lady - if we don't get more of this soon we shall be very cross indeed at your lack of consideration in inflicting such suffering by suspense on your fellow CBBers.

No seriously - I loved this soooooooooooooooooooooooo much. It's sooooooooooooooooooo hilarious! Please please please can you write another one soon?

#12: Author: Beth, Location: Sunny Isle of Man!

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 4:20 pm

I'm overcome! I never expected such a lovely response...thank-you all very much. I'm afraid there won't be anymore for a while, as my nasty A-level exams start on Friday - this little scribble was the result of insomnia due to stress! I've got a vague idea floating around about Matey, but it's being very firmly supressed for the time being. And don't get your hopes up - I have a feeling I'm going to be something of a one-trick-pony as far as writing style is concerned.

But thank-you all for your kind comments!

#13: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 4:34 pm

Famous last words, Beth.

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

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 4:40 pm

That was really funny Beth, well done.

Good luck in your exams.

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

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 5:56 pm

*chuckling away to herself*

This is fantabulous Beth! I hope the exams go well and Matey doesn't suffer as a result of being suppressed.

#16: Author: Guest,

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 6:54 pm

wonderful.

More please.

#17: Author: Donna, Location: Liverpool

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 9:54 pm

Brilliant Beth! So many wonderful lines! Can't wait to see more - but I can probably restrain my chants until your A-levels finish!

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

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:20 pm

Excellent Beth - looking forward to many,many more drabbles from you! Laughing

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

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 11:40 pm

Beth wrote:

I've got a vague idea floating around about Matey, but it's being very firmly supressed for the time being. And don't get your hopes up - I have a feeling I'm going to be something of a one-trick-pony as far as writing style is concerned.

Have no worries at all about whether or not you turn out to be a one-trick-pony, cos this was just fab

Good luck for the Alevels and also good luck in keeping the PB well squashed until they're over

#20: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 3:21 am

Love the calm acceptance of those near-death experiences.

And Jem's complete Jemminess Laughing

#21: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 11:13 am

Wonderful - hilariously tongue-in-cheek!!

Laughing

#22: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 1:35 pm

Hilarious Beth. Could just see it happening ( and it brings out lots of the odd bits that one just passes over in the books).

Looking forward to hearing about Matey once the A levels are over.

Best wishes for them by the way.

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

Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 9:13 pm

Hehe Beth that was great! And thank you for your comments about my story Embarassed

Let me return the favour- would like another drabble asap! It was hilarious, couldn't stop giggling Razz

Good luck with your A Levels. I know how time consuming and horrible they are Evil or Very Mad

#24: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 12:48 am

Great story, great style! that was really good, Beth and look forward to more, when you can. Good luck with the A levels.

#25: Author: Annie,

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 9:21 am

LOL! This is great!

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